Honestly, just the characterization of Tymas allows this some life. Although the actual plot is a great way of getting players to hate a location, Tymas could very well develope into an NPC, fighting for the player's help in ending the pressgang-like activies of the guard.
So from the other comments we have established that Tymas' perspective is not the one we want the PCs to share for a number of reasons. Perhaps the players could be inside the city on some sort of espionage mission and gradually come to know or befriend him and learn that most of the city guard has been pressed into service. That would then make assaulting the city much more of a moral dilemma.
A starting point, though a bit bare :)
I don't think this submission stands on its own, but Agar's comments as well as manfred make this a good, usable submission.
I like the idea of the Ring of Wolf Control, but the origin is mysterious and I would be curious to know it. Magic items are made for a reason, and this ring could have a very interesting backstory.
Possible idea, the ring was made for a noble who bore the wolf as the heraldic animal of his family. Nominally not a problem, until wolves start raiding sheep pens and harassing locals. Killing the wolves kinda looks bad when they are your chosen symbol. So, he had the ring made to control the wolves to hunt elsewhere and leave his peasant's livestock alone. Later, he found he could send the wolves to hunt his enemie's land, ruining his deer stock, killing untended sheep, etc
This is an excellent starting point - I already have some thoughts to flesh this out somewhat.
1. The ring dates far back, and was used to lend fact to a legend that 'even the very beasts flocked to the King's standard..'
2. The ring does not provide simple control as described, but causes the ring-wearer to become the pack leader. This is two-edged, for the pack leader can lead the pack, and they will follow - perhaps accepting some verbal orders through the power of the ring. Second, should the new leader show signs of weakness, up-and-comers (or the old leader) may attempt to regain control. I'd personally make it as follows:
Upon donning the ring, the bearer assumes a greater and greater resembles to wolves as the pack is summoned to the bearer. The wolves will travel at their best speed to reach the wearer, intruding into civilized regions if need be. If that pack is destroyed, then another and another will be so drawn until at least one wolf survives to greet the bearer.
The pack, upon arrival, may accept the new bearer automatically if 'strong', otherwise the current pack leader will challenge the wearer by attacking him. The other wolves will not intervene unless attacked. Should the bearer fail, the pack will tear him to shreds.
Once the bearer is the pack leader, he can shift between wolf-man and pure wolf forms, the latter needed to take advantage of the wolves faster movement. Human form cannot be resumed without removing the ring.
Removing the ring could either be hazardous or safe at the GM's discretion.
Mm, definitely some questions here, as others have mentioned.
Beyond those ones, I've a simple one - how in the heck did Jerod find out in the first place that this ring allows him to control wolves? Why would he put it on? What would lead him to suspect that it's enchanted? Is he a wizard in his own right, or as MoonHunter speculated, is it some powerful artifact or bound demon which has possessed Jerod?
Short but sweet. I agree with Moonhunter, I'd like to learn more about the origins of the ring. A very unusual power, probably an unusual history.
Plots (Duty) (Encounter)
Go to CommentMost PC's I have GM'd would bristle against this type of plot. It might seem like a convenient way to have an 'escape' plot or something similar, but I think there are more subtle means to accomplish this.