Request: DB game ideas (please?)

[Pyxidragon]

It's been quite some time since I've run an Exalted game of any stripe, and Flyck has been kind enough to agree to run game with me (alternating nights). This actually is an extraordinary kindness on his part as the man has been the only one running anything with longevity in our gaming group for about a year now...


As he's ending his game this weekend, I find I'm now in the position of coming up with details, and quickly. By some stroke of luck, not only have all of the gamers agreed to play dynasts (As with every group, we've got one who NEVER wants to go along with what everyone else's supposed to make. You know the type. In a Werewolf game, he's the one that will want to make a were-anything-but instead of a wolf) but they've also all got reason to be in the party.


The basic plotline is set. All of the PCs are going to be drafted into a Wyld Hunt. Chasing anathema is fun, of course, and there IS the wonderful random encounter chart that will see some play, but having never run a game which promises to be filled with not only combat but quite a bit of political intrigue, any tips, hints, or ideas from other STs would be very much appreciated.


Many thanks in advance!

 

[Ledaal Kajiri]

Marriage. It's extremely important as an alliance forging tool in the Dynasty, and to guarantee the next generation of Dragonblooded. Any non-monk Dynsat is likely to have situations involving such come up, especially if they are of high breeding. Conflict between duty and romance when dealing with such can be quite interesting, particullarly if one or more characters are interested in eachother but for some reason are not proper alliance fodder for what their families want.


Sorceror type characters should experience some of the discomfort and avoidance found for such in the Dynasty as well, especially if they are from a House such as Cathak or Peleps that doesn't encourage such. This becomes much more acute if they tend to surround themself in an entourage of Elementals and Demons. Of course, someone intending to hunt Anathema would be well served to have a force of such at their beck and call...though it could lead to some strife between characters.


If someone has a dark secret in their background, blackmail can make for an interesting plot. Too many Cynis orgies...well, they keep tabs on your...odder tastes. Recieved that passing grade by blowing the teacher and one of the school's servants saw, and passed the information on to a school rival? Have a habit of torturing slaves that aren't pleasure slave outside of punishment? (which it should be noted is not only potentially bad gossip, but also illegal, Realm slaves do have some rights...if few)


Some characters might have 'requests' from family members while going afield to look in on something on the side. This is particularly true for houses with significant economic ties, or Ledaal and their research into things like Sorcery and Anathema. When Great Grandfather asks for a research paper on these strange emo-Anathema that are showing up lately, and you've been hunting a few, well, it's hard to tell him no...especially if he controls the size of your stipend. Similarly when Grandmother wants you to arrange a slave transaction on the side, and you're promised 10% of any profit...or a similar decrease in your stipend if the deal is bad...

 

[Sherwood]

At a party, have a high ranking member of a different house ask a player to join in a conspiracy to place someone on the throne - or, to destroy the credibility of a contender.  "If you give me info on your cousin, I can make it worth your while..."  Do they betray their family for money, and a chance for power with a new Emperor/Empress?  Or, do they go and tell someone, causing a incident?

 

[tjcoonrod]

Although several of these have been listed already:


There is also always those damned meddling bronze faction sidereals.....


My favorite DB subplots are always: loyalty vs personal desires - do they remain loyal to their house, their comrades, their brotherhood - sure. What about when that loyalty puts them at cross purposes with something the character personally desires? - be it love, treasure, taking over the throne, etc.....


This can even be manifested in a 'reverse' sort of situation. The realm is corrupt and decadent, and falling apart at the seams. All **** is breaking loose and hitting the fan, as the DB scramble for their own selfish designs. Do any of the DB characters deny their personal ambition and powermongering, for the benefits of the realm? Possibly even a reason why one/all of them joined the Wyld Hunt in the first place.


Now, it all depends upon what type of game you would like to run, and which major and minor themes / plotlines you would like to run. I myself prefer running games a little less 'episodic' which is something I would fear doing if its a game of 'chase the anathema' - but that may be something you and your players like, and if so - all the better. If you are looking at starting something more with a continual major plot line, the 'chase the anathema' kind of game will at least get you started, until you can come up with something. Then, slowly work it in -


Something to consider too, and simple - ask your players what themes / plotlines they would consider or like to see. Always helps to come up with a few ideas, as well as get a feel for what they like.


Oh, and another one I forgot - I always loved DB story arcs where one DB truly cares for a family member. Most of DB society can be extremely cut-throat. One who cares for another family member, does the family member return the love? Or, (more likely), will they just use you for the poor sap you are? Thats another subplot I enjoy delving into.


Dealing with the ramifications of the absence of the Empress are always fun to play as well. Considering they are joining a wyld hunt, which is considerably weakened in her absence, and the resurgence of the Solars - will they have adequate manpower? Resources? How much crap are they going to get going out into the Threshold to hunt down anathema?


A good wyld hunt conflict to pursue also is perhaps a bit cliche in most exalted games I have been involved in, but I still enjoy. Anathema - are they truly evil? Having them totally slaughter a young, innocent anathema in cold blood - perhaps even one that is helping the poor, etc. Who defines evil? Is there a such thing as ABSOLUTE evil that the Immaculates have labelled the celestial exalted? Having this sort of question come up, and the conflicts the characters go through in finding their own answer, is always fun - but it usually takes a different sort of player to enjoy this.


Even them killing a solar exalt that was helping people, and getting large crowds of peasants booing, and throwing rotten cabbage or something, assuming the peasantry gets ballsy enough to defy a Wyld Hunt.


Having a city ACTIVELY preventing the wyld hunt, or secretly assisting the anathema, helping them to escape, and the inevitable consequences - for the players, for the city/nation that is helping, and for the political fallout of such an incident - political fallout that the realm is also a bit more hardpressed to answer now, in its weakened state.


Ok I am done rambling. Hope that helps get you a good brainstorm going!

 

[Flyck]

Much thanks for the ideas!     Never thought about some of the cities themselves rising up to prevent a Wyld hunt... makes perfect sense for more than a few of them, too!

 

[Persell]

No specific ideas, but a few vague ones.


Watch HBO's Rome if you can. Besides being absolutely, fan-fucking-tastic (Kevin McKidd is awesome!), it has some really good examples of Roman inter-house politics, which was a strong inspiration for DB politics and the Realm in general.


CNN....No, I'm serious. There's so much crazy shit going on in the world right now, a clever ST should be able to draw some inspiration from our own world.


MacBeth/Hamlet/etc. Plenty of scheming going on there. Classic literature ftw!


Hope that helps some.