The Master of the city of Blackvine has died, leaving two quarreling, black-hearted heirs to desperately struggle for control of a majestic, but troubled land. What was once a prosperous place of opportunity and promise has been torn asunder by the petty Brotherly squabbles of the twin heirs to this bitter mantle of power.
In the seven years since the untimely death of Lord Asterlind Blackvine, the state of the city that carries its ruling House’s name has decayed to a noxious brew of favor-currying and stunning levels of debauched treachery. The foundation of this once proud city is now entrenched with rot, and the battle lines have been firmly drawn for control of the city. Conflicts between the Brothers are at an all-time high, and it will not be long before political maneuvering give way to bloodshed.
All the while, sensing the weakness of the establishment who controls Blackvine, a forgotten evil stirs from a lengthy banishment, and has its other-worldly eyes set on a new and tarnished prize...
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.RUMORS AND INNUENDO.
The uncertain populace of Blackvine whisper in hushed anxiety about the course of recent events. As their city crumbles around them, several scintillating rumors have gathered up steam. Some of the more tawdry bits of information are listed below. Some are outright fabrication or wild speculation, while others may ring truer than one might want to believe...
-Lord Asterlind Blackvine was actually poisoned by one of his nefarious offspring. While no one would put it past either of the foul-hearted Blackvine Brothers to commit such a horrid act, this rumor is often debunked with the claim that neither Brother would kill their Father without him officially choosing an heir to the Throne. Nonetheless, this is a powerful assertion among the populace.
-The Blackvine Brothers (Yural and Tannard) are not actually the sons of Asterlind Blackvine at all, and are the unholy union of the unfaithful wife of Asterlind and a nefarious, mysterious lover. Some claim that Lady Blackvine was seduced by a nefarious Pirate, and other wild stories claim that she was secret bride to a Devil from the Hells Below! While this theory might explain how the shrewd, generally even-tempered Lord Blackvine could sire such ominous, cold-hearted Sons to some satisfaction, it is generally considered to be wild speculation. Lady Blackvine died while giving birth to the twin boys, and so, the truth may well have died with her.
-A secretive criminal syndicate known as The Ushers of the Coil have grand designs to sink their seedy tendrils into Blackvine and turn the place into their own destructive playground. Some claim that the mysterious Coil-Born are secretly plotting to back one of the Blackvine Brothers in their bid for power, using the victor as a puppet for their own gruesome ends...
-Hearing of the turbulent state of affairs in Blackvine, legendary Paladin of St. Cuthbert Sir Boltradd Landrick and a detachment of his loyal Clergy have begun their journey towards Blackvine to lend their aid in returning law and order to the community. As one might expect, the beleaguered townspeople cling tightly to this happy belief.
-Shortly before his death, Lord Asterlind Blackvine had his royal House Loremaster Fethil Deepnose silently locked away for apparently stealing some family heirlooms in Blackvine Manor. The curious Gnome is rumored to have lost his mind while in captivity, where he is slated to be executed any day now. Rumor has it that the wily Gnome hired an Assassin from within his cell to murder the Man who had him incarcerated, and laughs giddily in his dank prison room at the death of his former employer.
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.CHARACTER CREATION.
Dungeons & Dragons: Blackvine is a Campaign rife with political intrigue, nefarious folks, and dastardly twists and turns of fate. In this Campaign, players take the role of promising ne’er-do-wells who are members of the secretive, shadowy criminal organization known as The Ushers of the Coil. The Coil-Born have their sights set on Blackvine, hoping to use the chaotic political climate to further their own ends and advance other less...worldly objectives.
-Blackvine is set in the Greyhawk Universe, and uses the same pantheon of Deities.
-Player Characters can choose to be of any Non-Good Alignment. This is a game focused on the nefarious, not the righteous do-gooders you might be better accustomed to.
-Players may choose any Race presented in the Player’s Handbook. While Drow are most certainly playable (and would fit right in), be mindful that Drow are not happily welcomed above-ground, even in a place like Blackvine.
-Monks don’t make particular sense for the tone of this Story. As such, they are the only restricted Class.
-Character Creation is to be done using the “Point-Buy” method of Ability Score generation presented on page 13 of the Player’s Handbook, where you are granted 27 points to spend on Ability Scores.
-All players begin play with 3 Luck Points. A Luck Point can be spent at any time to allow the Player to re-roll any one roll that they have made (even damage), or be spent to force the DM to re-roll any one roll that they have made.
-All players begin play with their maximum starting gold as determined by their class. Don't even roll.
-All players are obligated to name their primary weapon. This is solely because Dave thinks that this is an awesome thing to do, and he only wants the best for you and your family.
