Campaign Introduction: Improbable Fortune

Introduction

Centuries ago, the war to end all wars finally did just that. Light triumphed over darkness, good over evil, et cetera, et cetera. There was probably a parade or something. As a result, those dastardly and evil creatures of darkness were banished, relegated to a far away and fractured continent and kept from ever returning to the lands of light through powerful magics.

This overwhelming victory ushered in a time of relative peace that has lasted longer than any in known history. That isn’t to say there weren’t wars and disputes and conflict, just that they tend to exist on a more reasonable scale these days. Humanoids killing other humanoids for land or resources is a tragedy, but it’s nothing compared to the world losing itself to the things that go bump in the night.

As a result of finally NOT being mired in a constant struggle for survival against forces of darkness hellbent on total annihilation, the world has changed significantly. Technology is advancing, with rumors that the gnomes of Gildenhall might have cracked something called steam power. Magic in the world, once the only way we could compete with the darkness, is slowly beginning to fade. We’ll circle back around to that later.

In times past, the rich and powerful would often sponsor troupes of singers, players, and actors to travel their realm. These players would entertain the subjects of the realm, spreading the good name of their benefactor and generally distracting the peasantry from that constant struggle for survival we just mentioned.

Some still maintain this tradition, though most consider it dated and out of fashion. Instead, as the magic ever-so-slowly bleeds out of the world, a new trend has taken the place of troupers and bards: treasure hunters. The rich and powerful sponsor talented bands of the brave and reckless; strong and foolhardy adventurers who delve into the wilds, exploring places with names like “The Plaguelands” or “The Bay of Bones”.

As luck would have it, a new and powerful noble has recently decided to try his hand at sponsoring just such a group…

Your group has recently been hired on a (hopefully) semi-permanent retainer to act as treasure hunters for the mysterious Mr. Bondergan. The exact details of the sponsorship will be determined prior to the game, but are quite favorable for your group.

Mr. Bondergan is a bit of an unknown. He was known for decades as a recluse, though extremely wealthy. Only in the last few years has he made himself known the public, and only by the way he churns through sponsorships, dropping group after group as they failed to meet his needs.

Landing Bondergan is quite the feather in your caps, so to speak. Rumor has it Mr. Bondergan has extreme standards, but rewards lavishly when those standards are met, and fairly even when they are not as long as the attempt was made in earnest.

He is a tall human with ebony skin, thin of frame with thick dark hair and a trimmed goatee. He is always dressed immaculately, usually in the latest fashions. In your few interactions with Mr. Bondergan, he is cold and aloof, but not impolite. He stresses that he values his privacy immensely, and your discretion even more so. Beyond that, you know little about him.

The Truth

Dulcinox elected to tell you the truth about your world - the iterations, dominions, and Catastrophe.

Why you? Dulcinox does not know, though time is not something to be trifled with. As the world iterates, the small details change, but patterns emerge and lift above the noise. One such pattern is the group’s tendency to forge dominion bonds. There is no guarantee that you will be the ones to gain the power necessary to re-seal Catastrophe’s prison. There is no guarantee that anyone can. The wolf only strives to create the smallest chance. Dulcinox believes that due to your tendency to forge dominion bonds within the iteration, you have the best chance yet of success, but even he cannot predict the future. He is offering you a path toward growth and power, but strongly believes that the free will of the mortal races is what gives this world even a chance of success. He encourages you to seek your own empowerment as you see fit and will offer what help he can.