dragon-magic-oef

CHAPTER 5
DRACONIC
CAMPAIGNS
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take actions against the First Scroll to weaken the support
the college can offer its regional allies.
Further, many groups feel strongly about the First Scroll.
Many dragons and their agents dislike the group’s members,
seeing them as annoying meddlers at best, and dangerous
fools or nosy spies at worst. Most good dragons view the
group with suspicion, worried that a First Scroll scholar
experimenting with powers beyond his understanding will
unleash something dangerous or naively make a deal with an
evil dragon that has far-reaching consequences. Evil dragons
often see the First Scroll as thieves out to steal knowledge,
books of magic, and possibly draconic artifacts. A few dragons
of both alignments have learned that the college can be
manipulated to undertake difficult missions by promising
to reveal a draconic secret in return.
Many churches oppose the First Scroll as a matter of
principle. In particular, priests take offense at the idea that
dragons are arcane versions of deities, and they treat the college
as a cult attempting to undermine the divine authority
of the church. The exceptions are churches dedicated to gods
of knowledge and magic (such as Boccob, Vecna, or Wee Jas),
which often see the college as a useful source of information
and well-trained spellcasters.
Members: Most members of the First Scroll are wizards,
sorcerers, and dragonfire adepts. A great deal of internal
conflict can be traced to the different attitudes of these
three groups.
Wizards consider themselves the true motivating force of
the organization, since they do most of the serious research,
authorship, and analysis of draconic information.
Sorcerers see themselves as the true motivating force, since
they are delving into their own heritage and often understand
new truths instinctively, whereas wizards must devote weeks
of research to each new revelation.
Dragonfire adepts feel that only they put draconic knowledge
and gifts to their proper practical use; the others get too
tied up in theoretical debates to learn how other races can
use dragon magic.
In truth, all three groups contribute equally to the overall
success of the First Scroll, but each tends to believe that its
contributions are the most important, and that the other two
lean on its expertise.
A few bards are drawn to the First Scroll from a sheer love
of lore and mysteries. They often act as mediators between
the scholarly wizards (who share their curiosity for poring
through ancient documents), passionate sorcerers (who share
their innate magical talents), and practical dragonfire adepts
(who appreciate their broad range of abilities). It’s noteworthy
that teams that included at least one bard have been responsible
for most of the First Scroll’s major discoveries over the
past few centuries. In fact, many bards secretly believe that
they contribute the most to the group’s success, but few feel
the need to make such claims publicly.
Other classes join the First Scroll in even smaller numbers.
This group includes clerics who worship deities of magic,
dragons, or knowledge, as well as a smattering of druids,
monks, and rogues who have a general interest in the link
between dragons and magic.
Members who leave the First Scroll are considered to be
disappointing dropouts, not turncoats or foes. As long as a
quitter doesn’t take any group property when he leaves, the
college ignores him. Of course, this attitude can prove costly
if a dropout later returns with useful information. More
than once, the college discounted a promising lead or threat
of danger because it was brought by an ex-member, whose
judgment was dismissed as questionable.
Secrets: Nearly all senior members of the First Scroll
have personal secrets, as is to be expected of experienced
sages and spellcasters. The organization has a few secrets,
too, including the fact that many of its members are actually
dragons. After all, even dragons don’t live long enough for
any to have survived from the ancient days when the secret
of pure arcane magic was known (if indeed such a time ever
existed). They, too, seek to untangle the mystery. But they
cannot be open members of the organization, or they would
be barraged to give interviews, confirm theories, and donate
blood for experiments. Dragons that join the First Scroll must
either alter their form to hide their true nature or participate
through correspondence only.
Type: College.
Scale: 11 Multiregional (Duchy).
Affiliation Score Criteria: Although the First Scroll
has a physical campus, anyone willing to obey its rules and
expand its lore can be a member even while traveling “abroad.”
Members who produce results or assist their fellows in doing
so are treated with respect, while those who merely feed off
the lore contributed by others are branded as moochers.
Criterion
Affiliation Score Modifier
Arcane spellcaster or dragonfi re adept +1/2 PC’s level
Nonspellcaster –2
Per draconic feat, companion, or cohort +1
Per theory accepted by senior members +2
Per theory refuted by senior members –2
Worships a deity of knowledge, magic, or dragons +1
Worships any other deity –1
Interviews a dragon no other member has +1
Aids another college or scholarly group –2
Each 10 years of membership +1
Able to cast divination spells of 3rd level or higher +1
Donates a major draconic item to organization +1
Titles, Benefits, and Duties: The First Scroll is an organization
of scholars, sages, spellcasters, and adventurers
dedicated to uncovering draconic secrets. Its members have
spells and lore not available elsewhere, and their benefits
come in the form of books, papers, and one-on-one classes
that grant access to spells and skill bonuses.
When a member reaches a position of leadership in the
group, he is considered as much a lecturer and teacher as an
explorer. He is expected to teach either in person or by authorship,
and to promote the cause of the First Scroll wherever
he goes.
Executive Powers: Craft, gift, research.