Forgotten Realms - A Home Brew Version

23rd of Tarsakh, 1489.

Created by

JONATHAN CAVERLY

SilverCoug

Scope

The motivation behind building Forgotten Realms - A Home Brew Version

My motivation for building this world is to create a living, breathing setting that grows with the players. I want to explore the consequences of political intrigue and power shifts within the Sword Coast, focusing on how these larger events impact individual lives and communities. This world is a canvas for both me and my players to paint a story of adventure, sacrifice, and legacy.

The goal of the project

I hope to enhance my storytelling by creating interconnected plots and rich backstories that engage my players. My goal is for each session to feel like a chapter in a book, where the players are the main characters driving the story forward. I also aim to foster a collaborative environment where my players feel truly invested in the world and its development

Forgotten Realms - A Home Brew Version's Unique Selling point

The unique selling point of our campaign is the 'Weave of Destiny', a dynamic magic system that fluctuates with celestial events and player actions, directly affecting spellcasting and magical phenomena. This ties into the larger narrative of a forgotten deity manipulating these disturbances to return to power. What makes our campaign truly unique is how it builds on the legacy of the players' previous adventures, making their past choices and actions pivotal to resolving the global threats they now face. This integration of personal player history with world-altering events offers a deeply engaging and personalized storytelling experience.

Theme

Genre

High Fantasy Adventure on the Sword Coast:

Our campaign is set within the high fantasy genre, featuring a rich tapestry of epic quests, mythical creatures, heroic challenges, and deep-rooted lore. Located along the iconic Sword Coast within the vast universe of the Forgotten Realms, this setting invites players to step into a world where legends walk the earth and magic is not just a tool but a living, breathing element of reality. Players will find themselves immersed in a narrative where every corner of the map offers a gateway to adventure, every shadow hints at ancient mysteries, and the fate of the world often hangs in the balance.

Medieval Setting with Dynamic Magic:

The technological backdrop of our world is firmly rooted in the medieval era, where stone castles stand guard over vast kingdoms and the clatter of the blacksmith's anvil is a staple of village life. However, what truly defines our setting is the pervasive and potent force of magic. Far from being a mere background element, magic is deeply woven into the fabric of society and the natural world. It is influenced by celestial phenomena and arcane disruptions, making it a dynamic and sometimes unpredictable force. Practitioners of magic range from scholarly wizards who decipher ancient texts to hedge mages whose spells are as wild as the lands from which they hail. This integration of magic adds a layer of depth and danger to our world, transforming mundane interactions into powerful exchanges and everyday paths into roads of enchantment and peril.

Reader Experience

My world is designed to evoke a spectrum of emotions, from the mystical wonder of exploring ancient ruins and encountering enigmatic artifacts, to the grim terror of facing forgotten deities and chaotic magical phenomena. The campaign is crafted to inspire awe and fear in equal measure, encouraging players to feel deeply immersed in a world of both grandeur and peril.

Reader Tone

My world strikes a balance between dark and bright, creating a tone that is best described as 'gritty realism combined with mythic fantasy.' The world is fundamentally a dangerous place with high stakes, where malevolent forces often threaten the lands and its peoples. Yet, it's also a world where heroism and magic can lead to wondrous outcomes. Life here is a complex tapestry—while ordinary people may encounter great difficulties and darkness, there are also incredible opportunities for bravery, wonder, and personal growth.

Recurring Themes

1. The Duality of Magic

Magic is a double-edged sword—it brings awe-inspiring benefits and possibilities, such as healing, protection, and insights into the universe's mysteries, but it also comes with dangers like corruption, unpredictable surges, and attractions to dark entities. This theme reflects the world's nuanced view on power and responsibility.

2. Legacy and Consequences

Actions have long-lasting effects, and today's decisions become tomorrow's legacy. This theme emphasizes the weight of choices, where adventurers' quests and battles leave marks on the world and might even alter the course of history. It also explores how the past shapes present circumstances, with ancient secrets and artifacts resurfacing to influence current events.

3. The Struggle for Balance

The campaign continuously explores the tension between order and chaos, good and evil, tradition and innovation. Characters and societies strive to find balance amidst these conflicts, which often manifest through political intrigue, cultural clashes, and moral dilemmas. This theme is central to the narrative arcs and character development, providing a rich ground for storytelling.

4. The Hero's Burden

Reflecting the heroic journeys typical of high fantasy, this theme delves into the personal sacrifices and challenges that heroes face. It highlights the personal cost of being destined or determined to change the world, exploring themes of destiny, sacrifice, and the loneliness of leadership.

5. The Power of Unity

Despite individual differences and diverse backgrounds, the success of quests often hinges on the characters' ability to unite towards common goals. This theme celebrates diversity and cooperation, showing that unity in purpose and action can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

Character Agency

Player characters in our campaign enjoy a high degree of agency, with their decisions and actions having profound and lasting impacts on the world. From altering the political landscapes to affecting the stability of the Weave of Magic, players will see the tangible effects of their choices, reinforcing their roles as central figures in a narrative that they help to shape. Their heroism can save or doom the world, leaving a lasting legacy in the lore of the Forgotten Realms

Focus

Magical Influence

Magic permeates every facet of the Sword Coast, its arcane currents shaping the destiny of kingdoms and the fate of its people. In our campaign, the influence of magic extends beyond mere spellcasting, affecting societal norms, economic developments, and even the balance of power. From the pulsing heart of Waterdeep to the mysterious ruins dotting the landscape, the ebb and flow of magical energies create both opportunities and catastrophes. Dive into a world where magic is as common as air but as unpredictable as the wild sea, dictating the lives of all who dwell within.

Political Intrigue

Navigate the treacherous waters of Waterdeep’s political landscape, where every smile hides a dagger and every alliance is but a step toward greater power. As the Veil of Shadows casts its long reach across the Sword Coast, factions vie for control, using the ensuing chaos as a ladder to ascend. Our campaign thrusts players into the heart of political machinations, where decisions can topple rulers and shift the tides of history. Engage in a game of shadows and subterfuge, where your wit and influence might just be your greatest weapons.

Religious Influence

In a world rife with divine mysteries and celestial strife, the gods and their followers wield immense power. Ancient deities, forgotten sects, and fervent cults vie for the hearts and minds of the faithful. Our campaign explores the profound impact of religious beliefs on the Sword Coast, from majestic temples commanding awe-inspiring power to clandestine rituals hidden from the public eye. Step into sacred grounds where faith dictates law, and uncover the divine truths that could save or doom the world.

Technology and Arts Influence
Explore the intricate melding of arcane arts and the burgeoning study of planar science that sets our world apart. Inventors and mages alike push the boundaries of what's possible, creating wonders that challenge the very fabric of reality. From the operatic tales told in Waterdeep's grand theaters to the enigmatic constructs roaming the alleys of Baldur’s Gate, our campaign celebrates the vibrant tapestry of technology and culture that defines the Sword Coast. Military Influence
Amidst the backdrop of arcane upheaval and political turmoil, the military forces of the Sword Coast remain ever-vigilant. Our campaign delves into the complex role of armed forces as both protectors and enforcers, battling external threats while policing internal strife. Experience the life of a soldier through epic battlefields under siege by magic and intrigue, and navigate the delicate balance of power that can turn a guard into a hero or a tyrant.

Drama

The Rise of the Cult of the Dragon:

The Cult of the Dragon, historically focused on making undead dragons, has shifted its strategy. Now, they aim to bring Tiamat, the goddess of evil dragons, into the world. This resurgence is causing panic across the lands, affecting trade routes, and leading to calls for heroes to thwart their plans. This situation can lead to numerous quests involving espionage, battles with dragon cultists, and political intrigue as local leaders debate their responses.

The Thay Incursion:

The Red Wizards of Thay have been sighted increasingly further west than ever before. Their presence brings not only a threat of invasion but also the spread of forbidden magical practices. Their quest for magical artifacts could intertwine with the players' adventures, adding a layer of urgency to the discovery and protection of ancient ruins and magical items.

Pirate Uprising in the Sea of Swords:

Pirate activity has surged in the Sea of Swords, disrupting maritime trade and impacting coastal cities. Behind this sudden organization and aggression of the pirates could be a charismatic leader with a mysterious agenda, perhaps connected to an ancient maritime curse or a lost sea deity. This can lead to naval adventures, battles at sea, and treasure hunts.

The Silver Marches Alliance Fraying:

The confederation of cities and towns known as the Silver Marches is showing signs of strain as old grievances between the dwarves and elves resurface, threatening the stability of the region. This tension could erupt into civil unrest or open conflict, where the players may take on roles as mediators, warriors, or spies, influencing the outcome of this fragile alliance.

The Shadowfell's Encroaching Influence:

The barriers between the Material Plane and the Shadowfell are weakening in certain areas, causing the local wildlife and the behavior of residents to change disturbingly. Shadowy figures have been seen roaming at night, and a sense of dread is growing. This supernatural threat could lead to investigations into the nature of the plane's boundaries, exorcisms, or even ventures into the Shadowfell itself.

Other areas of Drama to be explored

Artifact and Knowledge Theft:

As powerful artifacts and arcane knowledge become pivotal in the struggle against dark forces, a surge in thefts and black market dealings emerges, pulling the party into a shadowy world of intrigue and betrayal.

Heritage and Destiny:

Characters discover and confront their ancestral legacies and destinies, which tie deeply into the magical and historical fabric of the realm. These revelations challenge their identities and choices, shaping their paths forward.

Accidental Consequences:

The party’s seemingly innocuous actions, like possession of mysterious objects, unexpectedly make them targets or key players in larger schemes, leading to unplanned alliances and conflicts.

Quest for Cure and Knowledge:

Driven by a need to solve an immediate crisis, such as a spreading curse or disease, the party embarks on quests to uncover ancient remedies or lost information, facing both moral dilemmas and physical dangers.

Political Manipulation and Hostage Situations:

As political tensions rise, manipulations and power plays come to the forefront, with allies being put at risk and the party having to navigate delicate situations to maintain balance and advance their goals.

Darkness Encroaching:

The growing influence of malevolent forces, such as the Shadowfell, manifests in the environment and within individuals, testing the party's resilience and morality as they face increasingly corruptive influences.