You work for self-styled Duke Fhaldred. He runs one of the largest (probably the largest, let’s be honest) smuggling ring in Bridgeport - The Royals. Lately, things have been rough and business has come to a stall. A few months ago, however, you were involved in a big smuggle and helped bring in a whole caravan into town. It was a decently hard job, but you got some help from the Town Watch and the now-disbanded Redbrands. (Some of whom probably have entered the ranks of the Duke’s operation).

Now, the Duke has summoned you into his hideout down at the Underdock (you know, the underground city that sprawls under Bridgeport.) You don’t know what he wants, but there have been rumours that something big is coming up.

It’s not your first time at the hideout, but you’ve never seen the Duke’s personal “throne room.” This dank cellar has been re-decorated so lavishly and extravagantly that for a second you could forget you’re inside one. Every now and then, one of the enchantments that make the place smell better fails and the dankness gets to you. All around are candles, burning bright in various colors - in fact all colors except hues of red and orange, you know the natural colors of fire. Tables and chairs are scattered around, to host the Duke’s “Royal Guard.” They’re sitting there drinking, chatting, the usual. They’re all elf or elf-adjacent folk.

At the far side of this “grand hall” is the throne. Imagine a fine throne, the finest you can possibly conceive of. Maybe it has some intricate carvings all around it. Some floral patterns, maybe an eagle? Ok, so now forget that, and instead imagine a chimera. It’s like the Duke has bought a statue of all his favorite animals and had them molten into one solid piece, with a little divot inside so that he can sit. From left to right, there are the heads of a lion, a wolf, an eagle, a dragon, a cobra, and what looks like a goat.

This short hook was meant to launch a side-campaign to the main story of Bad Blood. The cast would be completely separate from that cast, although the players themselves could be the same. The idea was to have some villainous outcome to this story that would have a strong impact on the main storyline. I still think there’s potential in this and would love to execute it one day.

If I remember correctly, my players came up with the name of Duke Fhaldred and his smuggling ring. Again, I think it’s really cool to have players have direct input in the worldbuilding. The more the players feel ownership over the lore and the world, the more immersive the gameplay experience can be.