Virtual Front Porch Pages

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Druid Cycle Story Arcs

Current Druid Cycle players have probably guessed that Ekhis is the new long-term villain for the campaign world. 2013 marks both the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Front Porch Gaming Guild and the twentieth anniversary of the Druid Cycle campaign, so I have something special in mind for the Ekhis storyline. There's nothing I can reveal at this moment, however...

Today, let's take a look at the stories of yesteryear. From the beginning, I've tried to have a major story arc that continues for multiple years, in game time and in real time. There are always other sub-plots going on, of course, and PCs have their own personal storylines, but there's usually a single focal point in the game world at any given time. I've listed the story arcs below, along with an estimate of the years they spanned. These dates represent my best guesses (I don't have a lot of documentation handy), so if they don't match with your recollection, let me know.
  • Fate of the Grand Duchy (1993): Featuring the first appearance of Lwcus, this short campaign was the predecessor of the Druid Cycle series.
  • The War Against Rhithyn (1993-94): The original Druid Cycle heroes band together to prevent Lord Rhithyn from conquering First Home.
  • The Matter of Naxxia (1994-95): The scheming dark elves instigate the Raid of Naxxia, perhaps the most (in)famous adventure in the history of the campaign world.
  • The Hunt for Cocidius (1995-97): A seemingly unstoppable foe cuts a swath of destruction across the world until brought down by a coalition of heroes.
  • The Return of Cythraul (1997-99): The demon-lord Cythraul raises a monstrous army that clashes with the allied forces of First Home at the epic Battle of Soldierford Keep.
  • Flight Through the Planes (2000-01): Lwcus and a motley crew of adventureres wander the planes of existence as they try to return to their respective homeworlds.
  • The Castellan's Journal (2002-04): On the distant continent of Sarras, a group of young, untested heroes attempts to safeguard a powerful book of magic from the many foes who seek to acquire it.
  • The Jordan Saga (2004-09): After dark rites performed by the League of Trismegistus, an innocent girl is possessed by an ancient evil and the heroes make a tragic choice when they realize they cannot save her.
  • The Quintessence Rifts (2009-10): The magical barrier that separates the planes becomes frayed, and new races and peoples -- including the irrepressible Lwcus -- appear in First Home.
  • The Cult of the Old Ones (2010-12): Led by a devious lich called Calvus, the worshippers of the immortal Old Ones seek to destroy the seven chosen children and their families.
  • Ekhis and the Ternion (2012-??): The heroes learn of a mysterious manipulator called Ekhis, who has sown the seeds of discord and war throughout the centuries.
Druid Cycle players: What's been your favorite story arc?

2 comments:

  1. I can't decide who I like playing more, Cathbad or Lwcus!

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    Replies
    1. Both are iconic characters of this world.

      What do you think of my breakdown of the story arcs? Am I missing anything? Any of the dates obviously wrong?

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