Blogging A to Z: V is for Vendetta

Vendettas are a good way to bring either a single encounter, recurring story arc or the basis for a whole campaign to the game. Often times, vendettas are vengeful actions carried out by someone with a perceived wrong against them by the Player Characters. Most often, vendettas are the result of a perceived insult that may be directed at the wrong persons or even entirely fallacious. Persons carrying out a vendetta are usually acting in a heightened emotional state and thus the vendetta may not even be based upon any logical. Here’s a random table for some more, er, unusual vendetta ideas that are free to use.

1. Fezmin Seven Finger at the local watering hole doesn’t like the way the PCs look. Adventuring types always mean trouble and Fezmin has an axe to grind with anyone of the adventuring stripe since he lost three fingers on his right hand as a torch bearer for a party that left him for dead during an adventure. Fezmin, a grizzled and scarred from many delves is a sour old drunkard that will cast evil glances in the party’s direction. If approached, Fezmin will be surly and rude for no apparent reason. If hostilities ensue, Fezmin will create a loud ruckus about adventuring types that like to abuse the local populace. Fezmin will not directly physically confront the party but will spit in their food and do other unsavory things to harass the party.

2. The Festering Wound goblin tribe has marked the party for an unusual vendetta. The Festering Wound tribe will try to capture the party at any turn. Over the years, the Festering Wound Tribe has developed a resurrection cult that is centered around a prophecy that a cleric will come into their midst, revive their ancestrial champion Gorzok, and lead the tribe to victory over a local group of orcs. The Festering Wound believes the party cleric is their saviour and has labeled the party members as vile heretics that have ensorceled their savior.

3. Belwen the Bawdy, one of the local “entertainers” has accused one of the party members of failing to pay for services rendered. Belwin further will claim to be betrothed to one of the party members and will become obsessed with the character to the point of stalking the character. Belwin will is firmly convinced that the rest of the party is trying to kidnap the object of his desire and will do whatever he can to hinder the party short of outright confrontation.

4. Lestheride Moda Conawlin is trying to become the master of space and time. He is throroughly convinced that the party is the cause of his failure to actually be the master of space and time. Of course, in Lestheride's mind, the parties action occured in the future so this may well be a self fulfilling prophecy.

I know, I know, I missed a day. I'll work on W and catch up. It's been a busy week! More later...