Blacktree Chronicles, part one: Taking Root.

Here’s a campaign in ten words:

Where do black trees that are destroying the land come from?

To expand on this…It took me only one second of brainstorming before the notion of charred, rotted weeping willows whose bark carries the impression of its trapped souls manifested.  Sometimes in your campaign daydreaming you get an evocative idea, and you put in on hold, as you explore some other thoughts.  You note the landmark and promise to return to it, as you continue on down roads less travelled.

But this landmark. Would. Not. Be. Deferred.  A branch snaked its way in front of me, obstructing the path.  I turned to the other fork in the road.  The black tree’s roots crackled through the soil and entangled my feet.

This idea wanted to stare it in the face.  And use it.  There was a nook inside the tree, a large expanse that I could fit through.  I had missed it at first glance, but it was unavoidable now, as the tree was pulling me inside. I’m not afraid to say it — I whimpered.

Then I was inside.

I fell through a barrier of burnt earth and then landed on my side.  Other than a smarting rib I felt OK.  Where was I?  Feeling around and letting my eyes adjust, I could see that this was a gigantic root, an impossibly large root tunnelling down deeper into the earth.  Now here I thought what any self-respecting GM would think:

“This would be a cool place for an adventure.”

My eyes had adjusted so I could see just a little farther beyond my hands extended, so I followed the root.  The root eventually split.  It’s path like normal roots, must look like dendrites, bifurcating relentlessly and endlessly.  I let my instincts determine which splits to take.

There were threats down each path.  Corrupt officials.  Ghouls. A lich. Shambling mounds.  Treants.  Fortunately, they weren’t for me.  The black tree kept them on display, as if to show me –no, to demand the inclusion of these elements in my campaign.  And really –was I in a place to argue?

I acquiesced to the demands of the black tree and felt myself rising, rising back into conciousness.

Well, at least I know what the campaign is about.

Similar Posts:

•      Blacktree Chronicles: Ebon Dryad.
•      Running in the Trees: Parkour in 4e D&D
•      How To Make a Skill Challenge Fun, Part 2 — The world’s a stage.