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Mandate of Hell

by Marc Saindon

As I stated in previous posts, the idea that Ochalea secedes in 1007 AC from the Thyatian Empire (partly to avoid getting in conflict with Alphatia) creates new opportunities. The ruler of Ochalea, Teng Lin-Dieu (36th level Cleric) might be undergoing the trials to become an Immortal (and patron saint of Ochalea), and obtaining a lasting independence for his country might be of his trials so that he may gain immortality on the Path of the Dynast.

But what if he fails early on, his petition rejected despite tremendous efforts? He goes on meditating on his failures, refusing to accept defeat when he was so close. And then someone, or something, responds to his despair: an immortal of the Path of Entropy. And so the ruler of Ochalea becomes secretly corrupted, and the war for independence becomes a quagmire in which Thyatis and Ochalea fight to no possible end.

Characters won't know of the King's downfall. Two parties in separate games might campaign on two sides: Thyatian loyalists, who want to keep Ochalea in the Empire (and gain dominions of their own on the island), and independantists (who might want to set themselves up as nobles in the new regime). Both parties get a few crossover events, but each campaign should be its own thing. Eventually, the treachery of the King is revealed, and the final rites of Descent which might turn him into an Entropy Immortal (and create a local cataclysm or something real bad, but not the end of the world, to avoid FR's main trope) have to be stopped. Maybe a player character can even seize the Mandate of Heaven by giving the final blow, toppling the ruler and gaining legitimacy to take his place, providing an interesting epilogue on Ochalea's fate.


(art from: https://www.deviantart.com/quibly/art/Lo-Pan-492984640)