The Witchwood Conclave

Unravel the secrets within an enchanted forest before a ancient beast awakes.

In the heart of an ancient forest, The Witchwood Conclave is on the brink of a mystical breakthrough that will bind humans and dwarves into a unified society. A secret central to this transformation lies guarded deep within the woods. As the characters venture into the wilderness, they soon discover signs of unrest as ancient magics stir a terrible creature—an arboreal titan, threatening to awaken and ravage both tribes. Political factions vie for control of the forest's magic, each with varying ambitions for the conclave's future. Players must navigate alliances, avoid deceit, and uncover the truth of the forest’s ancient magic before time runs out.

The World

Context

In a world where magic permeates every stone and tree, humans and dwarves enslave elemental spirits to power primitive tools and shelters. Within the enchanted forests, potent ley lines of magic warp reality, enticing tribes to seek claims of arcane dominance. This creates both conflicts and opportunities as power struggles over magic become central to survival and advancement.

Concept

Magic-infused flora and fauna act as both tools and threats, shaping society.

Impact

Communities rely on taming magical plants and beasts for sustenance and protection, fueling rivalry.

The Plot

Summary

Players are lured into the wilderness by the discovery of an ancient tome that details an upcoming celestial event capable of awakening the Heartwood Titan, a colossal beast that slumbers deep within Witchwood Forest. Their mission is to prevent the creature's awakening, ideally by peacefully leveraging the immense magical energies that reside within the forest. Along the way, they encounter political factions from human and dwarf societies, each with its own hidden agendas concerning this power. As time ticks down, the forest becomes increasingly unpredictable, with flora and fauna showing signs of unrest. Players must decide which faction, if any, to align with, but they must tread carefully, as not every ally can be trusted. The revelation that the peaceful cohabitation the tome promised requires both human and dwarf cooperation will either solidify an uneasy truce or escalate to a battle for control over the forest's destiny.

Complication

A faction seeks to use the event for personal gain, risking awakening the titan.

Hook

An ancient tome detailing a celestial event is discovered.

World stakes

The awakening devastates the fragile human-dwarf alliance.

Personal stakes

Failure results in the titan destroying their homes.

The Acts

Act 1

Summary:

Players enter the Witchwood Forest, discover the mystical elements, and begin understanding the political tensions. They meet two major NPCs representing human and dwarf factions. A skirmish highlights the tensions and an introduction to the pending celestial event is given, setting the urgency. Time pressure builds as the forest becomes increasingly unstable.

Location:

Dense magical forest, trees that whisper secrets of the past.

Challenge:

Cross tensions between humans and dwarves over the forest's control.

Objective:

Navigate forest politics to learn more about the celestial event.

Set Back:

A failed negotiation results in strained human-dwarf relations.

Revelation:

Celestial event will happen sooner than expected.

GM's Guide:

Keep tension high by emphasizing the ticking clock and the forest's emerging disruptions. Use NPCs to feed intrigue, planting seeds of doubt about their true intentions. Push players to begin taking sides, but keep motivations ambiguous to maintain the mystery.

GM's Move:

The forest's magic becomes unstable, causing dangerous phenomena.

Act 2

Summary:

With urgency mounting, players explore deeper into the forest, encountering more of the magic's unpredictable manifestations. They must find a way to communicate with or subdue these magical entities. As alliances solidify, they discover one faction intends to exploit the event. This revelation forces them to reconsider their allies, and they must prevent sabotage while managing the forest’s growing chaos.

Location:

Heartwood Glade - the forest's magical epicenter, pulsates with power.

Challenge:

Stop sabotaging factions from exploiting magical energies.

Objective:

Investigate the event's interference and decide on allies.

Set Back:

An ally's betrayal reveals their true ambitions to control the titan.

Revelation:

A faction plots to weaponize the titan.

GM's Guide:

Encourage exploration and creative problem-solving with the forest's magic. NPC dialog should heighten suspicions about the factions' true objectives. Use magical phenomena to create puzzles or combat challenges that underscore the forest's impending climax.

GM's Move:

Factions prepare for open conflict over forest control.

Act 3

Summary:

In the climax, players must confront the faction attempting to awaken the titan in the heart of the forest. They must use combined human-dwarf magic to either prevent the awakening or control the creature's power. The fate of the forest and the fragile peace depends on the players' ability to navigate these political tensions and wield the ancient magics.

Location:

Heart of the Witchwood, suspended in ethereal twilight.

Challenge:

Confrontation with the faction leader aiming to exploit the magic.

Objective:

Prevent or control the awakening of the Heartwood Titan.

Set Back:

A magical backlash temporarily limits players' abilities.

Revelation:

Weakness or a means to calm the titan is discovered.

GM's Guide:

Foster dramatic tension by emphasizing the stakes with the titan's impending awakening. Use environmental cues like the forest itself responding to their actions. Encourage creative uses of magic and diplomacy to resolve the central conflict.

GM's Move:

Forest itself becomes an ally or obstacle, reacting to players' actions.

Climax:

The players must decide the titan's fate, shaping future alliances.