Since we're discussing what games we hope to run I thought I'd discuss my idea in hopes of fine tuning my idea into something that has a better chance of more than a one shot.

The idea is that a group of scientists and laborers looking to expand a mountain observatory being built but discovering a large cavern they wasn't aware of located beneath the buildings already reinforced foundations.

Descending inside they discover a large obsidian artefact located on top of a stone circle designed to hold it flat so it looks like a massive circlet.

When the first of them comes into physical contact with it they suddenly find themselves sitting atop of it with the access point they came down from now sealed up, their ropes now dangle through the artefacts aperture instead of the ceiling and some light to one side indicating a path leading outside that wasn't there before!

Heading outside they find themselves in a much warmer countryside with all evidence suggesting an entirely different world.

Investigating they eventually run across a band of cannibalistic primitives raiding a remote settlement some are captured by the settlers others rescue some of the locals from the raiders eventually earning the trust of the locals before discovering they're still on the same planet (Earth) but God knows how far in the future and their way back has sealed itself up like it never existed in the first place!

So my questions about this are;

1) Would you play a member of the expedition or a local?

2) Does this sound like a game you'd like to play?

3) Is there anything important I've missed?

Thanks in advance!

1 hour ago, copperbell said:

1) Would you play a member of the expedition or a local?

2) Does this sound like a game you'd like to play?

3) Is there anything important I've missed?

Thanks in advance!

1) member of the expedition

2) yes, I like this idea and especially the exploration thematic

3) for a summary of your idea, it suffices

Would "The Prometheus Legacy" make a better title?

1) Being a member of the expedition would be more enjoyable. It allows for more mystery about the world and how to get home. It would also be interesting if the explorers had limited access to some modern tech they brought with them.

2) There is potential here so I'd give it a try.

3) Can't think of anything.

4) The Prometheus Legacy sounds like a good name but it also implies the explorers will try to educate the locals and it will backfire.

So I need to have them interested enough to go searching but initially unable to head back to "arm" up as they wouldn't be carrying any guns or grenades since there is no reason for them to be armed.

I can see arguments about that!

So they wake up on the other side the stone pillars holding the artefact are a good 12' in height given time they should be able to climb back up and go back, but there must be a reason why they head outside.

So the possible reasons;

1) One or more are missing maybe they wandered outside thinking they're still on the same world?

2) They wasn't alone when they arrived so we have someone (probably NPC unless they're uninterested in the game) being held captive because they can't carry more than one so in addition to finding them they need to be rescued!

3) The person who owns and runs the observatory was unaware of the cavern but was aware there was something she didn't know about the site this was revealed as soon as the cavern was discovered.

She is part of the group who goes through and will not go back without exploring outside as she will quickly realise this isn't the world they came from.

So worst case scenario she's the one that goes missing but not captured as she would make sure the others are alright before doing anything.

The real question is what would persuade you to go exploring rather than head straight back?

You could always have them being chased off by a predator. Just make sure that they notice the "portal" before they run so they know there is a possible way home. A cave bear would be a good way to handle this. The artifact is in it's cave and it is not happy that there are suddenly humans in its home.

Lacking any weapons they would need to search the area for a way to get past the bear or for some kind of weapons to fight it. The search could lead into various encounters.

Would it make more sense for the PCs to be the second team went down?

So the first accidentally activate it the second investigate follow them through and start searching for them?