Page 29 - Dungeon Master's Guide

• Describe or name the creature that warned the
populace about the oncoming disaster. Who listened?
ho were the lucky (or unlucky) ones who survived?
• Describe what the area looks like after the disaster, in
contrast to how it looked before.
~. ASSAULT OR INVASION
ne of the most common world-shaking events, an
Yasion occurs when one group forcibly takes over
.another, usually by military strength, but also by
.nfiltration and occupation.
An assault differs from an invasion in that the
acking force isn't necessarily interested in occupation
r taking power. On the other hand, an assault might be
e first step of an invasion. Now consider these other aspects of the conflict:
Regardless of the scale, a world-shaking assault or
Name one element of the invasion or assault that the ·
vasion stands out because its repercussions change
defenders didn't expect or couldn't repel.
e characters' world, and its effects echo long after the
Something happened to the first defenders who stood
.nitial attack or takeover.
against the invasion or assault-something no one
Imagine that part of your campaign world is attacked
wants to talk about. What was it?
r invaded. Depending on the current scale of your
• The attackers or invaders had a motive for their
ampaign, the area might be as small as a section
action that wasn't obvious or understood at first.
of a city or as large as a continent, world, or plane of
What was it?
existence.
• Who turned traitor, and at what point did they turn?
Define the aggressor and whether it represents a
Why did they do it? Did an attacker try to stop the
..mown enemy or a previously unknown adversary.
incursion, or did a prominent defender throw in with
-elect a threat that already poses a danger to the area
the invaders?
_·ou've chosen, or use the Invading Forces table to
determine the aggressor.
5. REBELLION, REVOLUTION, OVERTHROW
Dissatisfied with the current order, a person or group
I NVADI NG FoRCEs
of people overturns the dominant regime and takes
d8 Invading Force over-or fails to take over. Regardless of the result, a
A criminal enterprise revolution (even an attempted one) can shape the destiny
2 Monsters or a unique monster of nations.
The scale of a revolution need not involve the common
3 A planar threat
masses against the nobility. A revolution can be as small
4 A past adversary reawakened, reborn, or resurgent
as a merchants' guild revolting against its leadership
5 A splinter faction
or a temple overthrowing its priesthood in favor of a
6 A savage tribe
new creed. The spirits of the forest might attempt to
7 A secret society
overthrow the forces of civilization in a nearby city that
8 A traitorous ally
cut down trees for timber. Alternatively, the scale can be
as dramatic as humanity rising to overthrow the gods.
CHAPTER 1 I A WORLD OF YOUR OWN
29