Skyfall

Nobody knows when the oceans began to rise. What is known is that every decade, more and more land is lost to the ever-swelling sea. Lands that used to be rich with trade are now oceans populated by some of the most fearsome and deadly creatures ever seen. The people of Brance have watched for untold generations as the water has risen ever so slowly. When it came close enough, a multi-tiered dock was built into the face of their mountain to ensure the cities survival. Kings, queens, lords, knights and many others with lofty ambitions have their eyes raised at the city in the sky, known locally as Nephos. Gazing from telescopes, the people of Brance see massive creatures unseen anywhere else make their home on what may eventually become the only possible refuge from the encroaching ocean. With the passing of King Albert and the ascension of his daughter, Neletsia, rumors filled the streets of the new Queens incredible plans. And they remained rumors for a whole year. On the anniversary of her coronation, she announced a massive new expedition that was seeking new members. Grueling tests were established to weed out the light-hearted. Almost all who signed up did not pass. Those who remained would embark on a journey rife with danger and excitement to reach the city in the sky, where they would either be hailed as heroes, or end up as dead men.

This is the story of those would-be adventurers.

((Some potential players have attributed their lack of interest due to the plot points for the campaign being shrouded in mystery. I have to agree that looking forward, it would be better for everybodies expectations of the game to be slightly more transparent with the overarching theme of the campaign. As such, I'm gonna go ahead and post a good portion of the text I had saved for the opening session down below!))

Brilliant blue and purple banners hang from the sides of the longest hallway in the royal palace of Atalasta. Soldiers garbed in ceremonial armor emblazoned with a golden lion's face line the hallway, providing a convenient guide for the parade before you. Men and women, clearly coming from every nook and cranny of Atalasta or maybe even further beyond, are lined up in neat rows of five that are standing shoulder to shoulder with eachother. Red rose petals poof into existance in tiny plumes of multi-colored smoke and gently fall from the skies as the muffled roar of the crowd outside grows quiet.

Even though a massive stone door stands to barr you from the courtyard of the royal palace, you can still hear the fierce voice of a young woman echo out quite clearly through the hall, seemingly coming from nowhere in particular. "My loving people, we stand before you today to introduce you to the two-hundred heroes that will soon be embarking on the greatest mission that any group in the history of our country has ever undertaken! The Archbishop Yuria has been given a great gift from those who dwell in the sky. A vision that has revealed to us the solution to the problem that threatens the continued livelihood of all of here in Atalasta, and every country that shares this ever-shrinking world in which we live in. In haste, and with great council from many of the most expert individuals in this country, I have devised a grand mission that will lead us all to Nephos!"

The roar of the crowd erupts once again as the massive stone doors open, and shed a blinding light down between the area that used to join the two doors. A soldier at the front of the pack provides the queue for you to begin marching forward, and you and the four other people in your line are ushered to where you are supposed to stand. People push at eachother and try to stand taller than the soldiers fencing the masses out, eager to get a glimpse at those who are supposed to take them to the heavens. "Hidden throughout the known world are five trials. All but one of their locations remain unknown. With the aid of the Wizards of the Grand Library, we have deciphered clues left to us in ancient holy texts as to where these trials may be. These heroes will be tasked with investigating these clues, and completing these sacred tasks. These men and women have been tried and tested for their mettle, and they are some of the hardiest people that Atalasta has to offer." The queen bellows out, looking towards her people with a face of fierce determination.

The soldiers give the commands to turn around and return to the hallway as her speech continues, although this time her voice cuts out once the doors close. The soldiers begin to stir and beckon you and your team forward. The teams are split up and sent into different rooms of the palace. A man, obviously dressed much higher in rank than most of the soldiers around him, approaches you and guides you into a room to sit at a table and wait for someone to arrive. He slams the door shut, clearly in a rush to move things along. A green banner is draped on the wall that reads "Skyfall."