The Dark Bargins
Any bargain offered by an utterly unknowable, unfathomable power such as those that position themselves within the realm of Druskenvald must be carefully considered by you, your character, and the GM. These gifts are not to be offered lightly and should not be accepted lightly; their mere presence should herald significant roleplaying opportunities now and in the future.
Entering a Dark Bargain
In nearly all cases, the power that is proposing a Dark Bargain is uninterested in negotiating the duration or eventual cost of this gift. However, there may be extenuating circumstances. There could be roleplaying scenarios or simply the current events in the adventure’s narrative that could cause the power to briefly— briefly!—consider negotiating. The GM has the final say on whether a given bargainer has the inclination to haggle. Generally, characters need the Dark Bargain far more than the powers need to grant it.
In any event, Dark Bargains reflect the entity imparting them, as well as the circumstances and any prices asked in exchange. You and the GM should tailor the cosmetic details of the bargain to the character’s situation.
There are multiple ways a character might be tempted with power in Druskenvald.
Character Creation
With the GM's permission, you can choose a Dark Bargain when you make your character. Work with the GM to determine the circumstances of your character entering into the bargain, who offered it, and what terms your character had to fulfill—or is still expected to fulfill—to make good on the deal.
During Play
Dark Bargains can also come about during play in a campaign. There might be times where inscrutable powers have their own designs and see an opportunity for a character to further those ends in exchange for gifts. Others might be willing to negotiate a bargain as an alternative price to death or worse.
In these cases, the GM might alter terms of the bargains, such as increasing, lessening, or even waiving the prices of the bargains entirely—though perhaps only for a short time, or as long as some other condition is met.
Unique Bargains
Each Dark Bargain is unique, and a character can enter into a given bargain only once. A character could be bound to multiple Dark Bargains at one time, but each one only once.
Removing Dark Bargains
Dark Bargains are binding once sealed. There are tales and legends of those who have outwitted a bargainer or found a way to break a bargain’s hold on them, but the truth of such stories is left to the GM to decide.
