“ In the Middle Ages, and even up to the early twentieth century, most of Europe's executioners were related: the Sansons and Deiblers in France, the Pierrepoints in England, etc. The reason for this was that, it generally not being socially acceptable to, well, kill people, executioners and their children could, generally, only marry other executioners or <i>their</i> children.
The parallels with massively inbred, Hapsburg-style dynasties are obvious- imagine a rather clever but politically inept satirist noting this, and being sentenced by the latter to a meeting with the former; even worse, imagine a dynasty of deranged and deformed executioners- think Texas Chaisaw Massacre with government funding.”
“ One of the PCs comes across a magical ring that grants some power but has odd aura as if cursed. Yet this curse is different than the standard curse. When the PC puts on the ring he/she suddenly feels married. There is now an illusionary woman, who he/she cares deeply for but who is also always very critical of the PC. The wife is demanding of attention and constantly giving the PC directions. The PC wearing the ring is the only one that can see and hear the bride. The curse can never completely be lifted. Even if the PC takes off the ring and somebody else puts the ring on; the PC will still be visited by the ex-wife at least once a month. During this visit she will demand money and apologies.”
“ There are more ways than one to encounter a dragon. With a low level group it's obviously not feasible to meet one in its lair and fight it. But standing on a bleak moorland, utterly exposed and vulnerable, it can be a chilling experience to see something flying far far overhead. Something that could just be an eagle, but you never know...”