Plots · Coincidence · Encounter
Close Encounters of the Planar Kind
A large object appears in the sky, moves in a strange fashion and vanishes after abducting a lone PC. The PC is later returned unharmed, but has several traits changed on his character sheet, no memory of the event and continually has strange dreams about goblins in space wearing lab coats and holding glowing wands. -30 Disasters by Scrasamax
Quest entry
Quest - Expand-a-30
We have a lot of 30's around here. In this Quest, choose any random entry from a 30 and expand it into a full submission. Pick something from The 30, The Other 30s, or through the 30 freetext. Don't use your own, there a… Open the quest
Full quest brief
We have a lot of 30's around here.
In this Quest, choose any random entry from a 30 and expand it into a full submission. Pick something from The 30, The Other 30s, or through the 30 freetext. Don't use your own, there are so many you won't have a problem finding something.
Please make sure to link to the 30 that inspired you. The first place winner will receive a 100xp award. The second place winner will receive 50xp. Make the small ideas great!
Plot Description
While wending their way toward their next daring escapade, the party hears a loud noise and look up to see a great shape flying through the sky. It is constructed much like a cyclopean cube, but it's sides seem to bulge outward and thrust inward as though it were breathing. While the others are busy watching the 'strange meteor', one of the PCs disappears.
There is no trace whatsoever of the missing party member. But six or seven hours after his mysterious disappearance, the adventurer is back. Although he has no recollection of what happened, there are some strange scars on his body.
Life seems to return to normal, until, that is, they sleep. The one who went missing will sleep calmly through most of the night, but at about midnight he will have a disturbing dream. In his dream the PC is strapped down to a table and goblins are standing around him wearing long white coats and murmuring. As he looks on, one of the goblins takes a strange instrument and presses it up against his neck. He feels a stinging pain, and then wakes up.
The same dream will return every night for a while before fading away into memory. The scars on the party members abdomen, back, and face will remain longer though.
Also, from when he disappeared on, the character will experience a couple of side affects. Firstly, every time he bends over too far (i.e. trying to touch his toes) the PC will experience great pain in his lower back. Secondly, he will forevermore possess an indescribable, irrational fear of all things goblin.
Secrets
None shall know what that flying object was, and that is probably for the best. However, it can be known that the character who disappeared was, in fact, abducted by the lab-coated goblins that inhabit the object. Once there, they strapped him down and did a series of physical and mental experiments on him. The scars on the abductee's body are grim testaments to these experiments. The pain when the PC bends down comes from a metal instrument that the goblins accidentally left in his back (they are goblins after all). Once they were done, the goblins brainwashed the PC into forgetting everything and gaining his goblinophobia.
Expanding the scenario
Just because the flying object vanished from the sky does not mean that it will never return. I would not put it beyond a crafty GM to bring back the goblin conspiracy over and over again just to infuriate the players (although it would be a little mean).
Another way to expand the scenario would be to suggest to the players that maybe the goblins are up to something. Perhaps this is but the first of many such objects trolling the skies.
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Use alongside
Submissions that pair well with this one at the table.
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Kosuranda, Princess of Albatrosses
20. Princess of Albatrosses
Also known as the lady of bad luck, this princess breaks mirrors, spills salt, crosses the paths of black cats and every other supe…
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Order of the Iron-Shod Boot
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Lady Alice Carmont
24.) The Broken Victim - Her coachman tried to rein the team of horses back in, but in their wild dash he fell from the carriage, and his customer was found de…
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Martin Kendall (30-The Hedge Wizard)
His day in the power center of the realm is long over. He now helps the down trodden and forgotten peasants the ruling class seem to overlook.
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Fumbler's Cuffs
Fandune screamed as the inmate's hands locked around his neck. With quick thinking and a little luck he managed to mutter the right words and waggle his fingers…
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Lady Argent
Lithe she was, an elfin maiden, and her blades were like lunes shine
yet her heart was for me barren, she longed for darkness, was not mine
- Alinastro of S…
This is fun. A simple encounter that could lead to a fear of open skies, cubes, and certainly goblins. If I was to use this (and I might) I would totally go for the full-out abduction experience... Strange pregnancy or seeming impotency, hallucinations, lumps under the skin, animals being afraid of the PC (could be fun with a druid), and all sorts of other ideas come to mind. I think there is a lot more that could be done with this sub, but I like it. Good work.
Not bad, your submissions are getting much better.
I'm with Pieh. Milk it for all its worth! :) pregnanices, probes, abductions, the works! Nice idea.
Yep, it is a very fun and usable plot! You could even have a whole school of magic with that.
+1 for Goblinophobia
This fun idea has the potential for a cute sideline, but perhaps a story line as well; with an advanced world or dimension which has become completely enslaved by goblins. They are looking to enslave this one as well, and "probing" the denizens for their weaknesses (pardon the pun).
Voting again. Solid 4. This is such a fun idea to throw in the middle of an adventure. Goblinophobia is an amazing flaw for a player to have, but I would definitely give them some bonuses to go with the experience. Maybe something goblin related, like they can now use a magical item that once only functioned in the hands of a goblin. I'm loving these Daily Highlights!
voted, pretty cool
Neat idea. This could go all sorts of directions.
Woo, this is a fun one. Thanks for bringing it up Dozus!
Hey Drackler, where'd ya go? :)