Open Plot Association

[Mourngrymn]

After being part of the inane continuance of the Free Word Association and reading Strolen's desire to create a plot thread of similar use. I have decided to attempt to do just that.

How? I have no earthy clue, but we are resourceful so I think we can manage and overcome and barriers. Having never started, or even attempted something like this I will bow to anyone with ideas but I will try by leaving a single idea which with to build. This should be a little more complex and detailed than the free word association thread as ideas should be put here. Shoot me if this is a dumb idea or done wrong.

Here we go...
An item of religious worth is stolen from and Arch-Bishop, three clergy were killed in the theft.

[Ancient Gamer]

But unknown by the thieves and the clergy, they just stole a duplicate placed there by an unfaithful servant of the church. (This will be discovered after the recovery and start a new plot)

[Marnok]

It will emerge that the duplicate is, in fact, more powerful and blessed than the original. The one who made the copy is, it will turn out, the Chosen One, and creation of this religious symbol imbued it with power of the deity. the lack of faith seen by superiors as rebellion, was in fact due to a higher understanding of the articles of faith... the church has been making mistakes for decades. The "unfaithful" one has been driven away, and must be found.

[Ancient Gamer]

The PCs are aided by three prominent clergymen, all but one with secret motives beyond that of their faith

[Mourngrymn]

Clergyman 1) A young accolyte recently raised to the cloth. He has been found to have a very strong faith unusual for someone so young. He has already been seen to do powerful feats regarding faith, that while they are not miracles they are non-the-less important.

He has been instructed by his superiors to quietly moniter those looking for the lost item. He is to report to them anything he sees and gain the item when it is safe at all costs. Their god will forgive him for his trangressions should he need to stray from the path of their faith to obtain this item.

He is young, eager, and nieve. Normally very trusting, he is afraid that everyone he come into contact with knows of his instructions from his superiors and is worried they will find out his plans and stop him.

Clergyman 2) A aging man of many talents. His eyes are his only young and vibrant feature, his back bends and his legs and hands shake. He is known for his knowledge of religious artifacts and their use, abiities, and their histories. Among those present at the temple where the item was taken, he knows more about what it could be used for and who could possibly know about it and want the item. He slows the group down physically but his keen intellect and reasoning is a hope to lead them to the right direction faster. He also carries the knuckle bone of Saint Rhender, a well known Saint of the church for his faith and work with lost souls.

[Ancient Gamer]

The lost item is desired by a local criminal organization whose leader is dying. According to his healers, only the power of the religious item can heal him.

[CaptainPenguin]

The criminal leader is afflicted with an evil disease which was placed upon him as a curse when he disturbed the tomb of the ancient Witch-Kings. It has been gnawing at him for years, but only now in it's terminal stages can he be cured.

[Ancient Gamer]

Two of the three acolytes killed in the theft were brothers. Their father was a powerful patron of the church and in his maddened grief he constantly approach the PCs, making outrageous demands. His overtures include threats (if they do not hurry up, he will personally make sure the repercussions will be dire), promises (if they succeed he will be eternally grateful) and aid (in the form of equipment, hired help and... agents monitoring their progress).

If the PCs catch a bad guy, chances are the grief struck father will make an attempt at getting his vengeance, either through his hired goons or by doing it himself.

Could be fun/frustrating if he kills witnesses or wrongly accused individuals.

[CaptainPenguin]

Secretly, the acolytes' father made his fortune in the same criminal business as the criminal leader, and they were old partners in crime.

[Mourngrymn]

The criminal leader that has been afflicted with this disease blames the acolytes father for his condition as he feels it was at the hands of his Gods that caused him to become ill and sick. He has stolen this artifact and killed his sons as a means to get back at his old friend and to heal him of his illness.

The acolytes father however, has no clue it is his old friend who has done this and will be stricken with grief for his losses should he determine the truth. However, he has a duty to his patron to have the item returned and he has a duty as a father to avenge his children. Time and situation wil ltell which one he will choose.