CAMPAIGNS IN FLAMES: My thoughts on how to structure campaigns incorporating Megaverse in Flames. Worldbook 35 leaves the ultimate end of the Minion War as a large question mark for GMs and their Players to determine. Realistically, the Minion War on Rifts Earth should last for decades, unless a series of adventures is designed specifically to allow Players to nip the invasion in the bud in the early months. Several likely outcomes are described at the end of Megaverse in Flames, and I tend to side with the option of Stalemate. Both Hades and Dyval have sufficient forces to take and hold onto a few Hell Pits, but between being matched in strength, and the large number of other powerful forces on Earth, and the mortal population used to, and equiped to fight, supernatural foes, neither demon nor devil will be able to get an upper hand. Of those described, the Hell Pits at Calgary, Cuidad de Diablo, New Mexico, Northern France, and possibly the Canadian Tundra are the most likely to remain standing. It is paramount above all else that the Deevils do not win. They seem o be the underdog, and many a nation may deem them the lesser evil and try to defeat the demons by aiding the Deevils, but if they manage to conquer the planet (convert 50% of Earths Nexus Points to Dyval-linked Hell Pits), the dimensional bleed will rip apart the planet and destroy the Multiverse. If the Demons win, Rifts Earth will merely become a more powerful version of Hades, and they will conquer the Multiverse with ease. Much of North Americas end of the war will fall under one of four Campaign Zones: The Domain of Man, where all the classic goodguys and badguys will have to learn to ignore eachother for the common good. North Texico, which covers the southwest, New Mexicos Hell Pit, and demonic interference with the Vampire Kingdoms and Reids Rangers. The Canadian West, which features the main demon stronghold, and the Atlantis Corridor, where Deevil galleons sail, Demons dig a Hell Pit in isolation, and the Shemarrians and Splugorth are likely to save the day, if they can. North America is the focus of the initial invasion, and several foreign powers will rush in to help before the Minion War reaches them. The cover to South America will make sudden sense, as the vast majority of Anti-Monsters leave Columbia to join the fighting. Lemuria will also join the fray, deciding to drop their veil of secrecy in light of the danger. There is a Hell Pit and demon army in Northern France, already throwing the NGR off balance, while two Deevil Overlords have come to manipulate the Brodkil, and try to recruit the renegade Gargoyles of the Alps. To save themselves, the NGR and the Gargoyles may have to bury the hatchet and join forces. England and Russia are being left alone, for now, but both are vulnerable to invasion, England kept somewhat safe since most of its Nexus Points are bonded or have Millenium Trees, making them unable to be turned into Hell Pits. The New Navy has also come to the assistance of the NGR. Like South America, Africa has also been marked as a tertiary target, but the Pheonix Empire is already making capitulation noises. Australia is isolated and vulnerable, as is Japan, whose Oni demons will not be able to stand against either Hades or Dyval when they do come. Only the Yama Kings and their territories are safe from the Minion War. Small consulation to those living there. While the Deevils are using ships to travel around the Atlantic, most aquatic communities are fairly safe from the Minion War, though not immune, especially as it will have an extreme effect on trade. For those contemplating starting a new campaign set during the Megaverse in Flames timeline, may I suggest considering allowing the player group to reflect a Strange Bedfellows concept? Gargoyles, all manner of supernatural creatures, Splugorth Minions, Shemarrians, Anti-Monsters, Godlings, Witches and Priests, Bioborgs, and Cosmic Champions of all stripes will be gathering to join mortal heroes and villains to stop the Minion War. There are plenty of large setting gaps to fill in, as even the upcoming Heroes of Humanity wont be a global affair. England, North Africa, Central Asia, and South America are all prime real estate for infernals looking for cultists and Hell Pit locations. Id like to use Megaverse in Flames as a way to give the Shemarrians more autonomy, as their progrmming directives keep them in the fight, while ARCHIE is otherwise pulling back and relying on spies, and not helping out. Deevils seem to be a logical fit with Bahia, if and when they start moving into South America. But taking the South will be no easier than the North, as the continent is protected by technological nation-states, ancient Nazca magics, Incan Gods, and powerful kingdoms, one of which is ruled by Dragons. Both Cibola, and the Megaversal Legion, could make a fortune off the war. With the Pheonix Empire poised to sell-out, Africa could be easily taken, and certainly has enough powerful Ley Lines for either faction to build enough Hell Pits to serve their purposes. External intervention seems necessary. The regions of Central and South Asia under the rule of ancient Gods, such as the Persian and Hindu pantheons, will likely reject outside assistance, as the Gods will believe themselves up to the task. This may indeed prove true in India, but the Persian Gods do not have enough forces to stop such a large-scale invasion, especially since it will likely come after the demons and/or deevils have opened enough Hell Pits. Japan may find itself lucky to be in Chinas shadow, but Australia, like Africa, is a big open wound ready to be conquered. The siege mentality of the cities will prove to be their downfall, and Dreamtime magic will probably prove insufficient against infernal powers on such a scale. Theres not much to speak of in Antarctica, but it is ideal turf for several types of Deevil. Demons not so much, so it could be an automatic win for any Deevil Overlord smart enough to notice it. For now, neither invasion force has focused on Mexico, though there is a small Demon Army stationed there. Demons and Deevils and Vampires dont mix in polite company, so to speak, and Reids war against the Vampire Kingdoms is about to get a lot more complicated. The Vampire Intelligences will start cooperating more, and will push further into Central America in an attempt to sew up the territories between Mexico, and the Vampires of Haktla, while at the same time being attacked by Reids Rangers, Lemurians, and Demons. But all is not well for Reid, as many of his mortal allies and backers will become focused on their own concerns, leaving the Rangers with only Mu to count on, and the continued subtle assistance of ARCHIE. If you are a fan of the Splugorth and Atlantis, this may be the time for you, as Splynncryth will not take an invasion of Earth lying down. Splugorth equipment will be much easier to obtain, and Splugorth Minions will be dispatched around the globe to assist the fighting however they can. The Splugorth could very well be one of the saviors of the Earth.
Posted on: Sat, 06 Dec 2014 23:27:58 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015