Community

Concerning some issues previously brought up:

Veok wrote:

Am I the only one taken aback by the optional elements? They seem so oddly distant from the past 6 competitions.

You are probably disoriented from the fact that this XDMC may have the least structured topic of any so far. In previous ones, there was a strongly stated concept (BBEG, cult, etc) that the optional elements were meant to support, so would naturally share some related qualities.

Here, the participants are essentially providing the concept themselves through the plotline. As such, the optional elements' seeming unrelatedness to the competition's requirements and to each other comes more from the fact that this time around they are offered with no binding continuity. That's YOUR job to provide

As for the quantity of items, indeed the plot could have for example a single abacus or an entire roomful, but the number shouldn't be capricious. That is, the reason WHY there's an entire roomful of abacuses (abaci?) should have some relevance to the plotline.

For opt. element 10, I also agree that more than 2 involved parties would be allowed, but as previously mentioned that would greatly increase the difficulty of its successful employment. In judging we may reward creative usage of an element, but too creative can also spill into needless complexity or even missing the basis of the element all together, so watch out for Themes and Clarity in that case.

Like TB, I hope that I'm not giving out too much direction here, but don't want to see a lot of otherwise great entries be penalized for misunderstanding the intent of presentation for submission.

First time entering XDMC, so hopefully I didn't mess anything up :D :D

Duplicity

An adventure for up to 5 players of level 13

Background:
Since the players have made it to level 13 they should have some sort of reputation, at least within their community. When they return from their latest adventure they hear that the current ruler of their community, Lord Cardlin had died. This does not come as anything completely unexpted as he was very ill, what is a surprise is that the Lord's son, and only heir, has disappeared.

Part 1; The Offer:
The players are at their usual tavern hangout, having just finished their latest adventure. In walks a beautiful, young girl, flanked by two burly guards. She walks over to the players and introduces herself as Marawen, daughter of Lord Cardlin. She tells the players that her brother, Vittorio, became severely depressed after her father died and disappeared shortly after his funeral. Leaving behind a stone the size of a fist with a huge brown bird attacking a ship painted on it, which she gives to the players. She implores them to find out what happened to her brother, since their community has no man, she is being forced to wed the duke of a neighboring community, who will take over as lord of their lands. With this land added to his own, the Duke could have the power to potentially take over the entire country.

Part 2; Investigation:
Using their own knowledge the players or knowledge discovered around town (Skill Challenge) the players find out that Vittorio had journeyed to a mountain that most steer away from due to rumors that a Roc nests in the mountain. Also asking too many questions (Failed skill challenge) will result in groups of thugs attacking the players. If left alive and questioned, the thugs reveal they were hired by Vittorio himself to deal with anyone asking too many questions about him, the thugs can be intimidated or bribed to reveal Vittorio's location.

Part 3; The Roc Cave:
They journey to the cave takes most of the afternoon. They must locate the only entrance into the mountain and find a way up to it. The cave is pitch black and full of devils and demons, something unheard of in these lands. As the players battle their way through the cave, facing various challenges they find Vittorio. He is responsible for raiding the demons and devils, he has his father's body and is attempting to make a pact with the demons to bring his father back, Lord Cardlin cannot be resurrected by convential means since he died of natural causes. As the players arrive they see that Cardlin's body is possessed by a fiend and it is moving to kill Vittorio. The players must fend off the fiends and protect Vittorio. Once victorious Vittorio says that he was afraid to take over for Lord Cardlin and thought himself not ready. He is now ready to go back and become lord of the land.

Part 4; Reversal:
As they're leaving the players are attacked by the returning Roc, they must once again protect the weakened Vittorio. After dispatching the Roc, they can make their way back to the city. As they approach, Marawen and her bodyguards meet them on the outskirts of town. Her brother smiles and holds out his arms, then is suddenly hit in the chest by two crossbow bolts. Marawen states that this was her and the duke's plan from the beginning as she casts a spell that ignites her brother's body in flames. Vittorio had to be eliminated to make sure the baron could take over unquestioned and she could become queen. She rides off to her wedding, leaving one of her bodyguards and the assassins behind to deal with the PCs. The last words she says to the players are "This land is mine..."

Part 5; Stopping the Wedding
Marawen has barred the players from entering the town. At this point they must either give up and move to another town, or they'll have to find a way in and attempt to stop the wedding. The wedding is well guarded by both the town guard and the Duke. They'll have to find a way in and a way to overcome the insurmountable odds to challenge the Duke and Marawen. They'll reach the wedding at the most opportune time (Ideally: "If anyone has any objections to this union...") and when the fighting gets heavy Marawen will run into her mansion. The duke is nothing to look past, he's a capable warrior and a capable leader. After the battle, Marawen's caravan can be seen galloping to the east out of the kingdom to live another day.