Settings
Logline
In a city of shadows and secrets, a group of unlikely heroes must unravel a conspiracy that threatens to plunge Veritas into eternal darkness.
Description
Veritas is a sprawling city built on secrets, where magic and technology intertwine. The players are drawn into a web of conspiracies as they uncover the machinations of the Obsidian Circle, a clandestine group seeking to destabilize the city. The DM's goal is to create a compelling narrative with morally grey choices, complex characters, and a sense of consequence.
Setting
Veritas is a sprawling metropolis, a melting pot of cultures and a nexus of magic and technology. The city is divided into distinct districts, each with its own unique character and secrets. The world is a blend of high fantasy and urban grit, where magic is commonplace but often misunderstood and feared.
Central Conflict
A shadowy cabal known as the Obsidian Circle is manipulating events to plunge the city of Veritas into chaos, seeking to exploit the ensuing disorder for their own nefarious purposes.
Story Arc Summary
The campaign unfolds in four acts: 1. Introduction: Players become aware of strange occurrences and are drawn into the initial mysteries. 2. Investigation: Players delve into the underbelly of Veritas, uncovering clues about the Obsidian Circle and their plots. 3. Confrontation: Players face off against the Circle's agents, leading to a series of escalating conflicts. 4. Climax: Players confront the leaders of the Obsidian Circle, making difficult choices that determine the fate of Veritas.
Stakes
If the Obsidian Circle succeeds, Veritas will fall into a state of perpetual war and oppression, its citizens enslaved, and its cultural heritage destroyed. The players' loved ones, their homes, and the very fabric of their lives are at risk.
Level
3
Tone
A gritty urban fantasy with a blend of mystery, political intrigue, and dark humor. The world is lived-in and flawed, with moments of levity amidst the darkness.
Themes
Major NPCs
Detective Alistair Blackwood
A cynical but brilliant detective, haunted by his past. He is a valuable ally, but his methods are often unorthodox and his trust is hard-earned.
Magister Lyra
The enigmatic leader of the Luminary Order, a powerful mage with a hidden agenda. She is a source of knowledge and guidance, but her true motives remain unclear.
Lord Valerius Thorne
The ruthless leader of the Crimson Hand, a cunning and ruthless criminal. He is a formidable enemy, but his arrogance and greed can be exploited.
Seraphina 'Sera' Vane
A charming and manipulative member of the Obsidian Circle, a master of disguise and deception. They are a constant threat, always one step ahead.
Major Factions
The Luminary Order
A secretive organization of mages and scholars dedicated to preserving knowledge and maintaining the balance of power in Veritas. They are often aloof and enigmatic, but their goals align with the city's stability.
The Crimson Hand
A ruthless criminal syndicate that controls the city's underworld. They are driven by greed and power, and are willing to do anything to maintain their dominance.
The Obsidian Circle
A network of spies and informants working for the Obsidian Circle, pulling the strings from the shadows. Their goals are shrouded in mystery, but their actions sow discord and chaos.
Major Locations
The Grand Library of Veritas
A vast repository of knowledge, rumored to hold secrets that could change the world. It is a place of both wonder and danger, where ancient texts and forgotten lore can be found.
The Docks of Blackwater
A bustling port city, a hub of trade and intrigue. It is a place of both opportunity and danger, where smugglers, spies, and criminals operate freely.
The Obsidian Spire
The hidden headquarters of the Obsidian Circle, a place of dark rituals and forbidden knowledge. It is a place of great power and even greater danger.
Potential Starting Hooks
The players are hired to investigate a series of strange disappearances in the city's slums.
The players witness a clandestine meeting between members of the Crimson Hand and a mysterious figure, leading them to suspect a conspiracy.
The players are framed for a crime they didn't commit, forcing them to clear their names and uncover the true culprits.