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[quote][i]Originally posted by Dargoth[/i]
[br]This review gives away details of Secrets of the Arch Wood module in Dungeon 121 by Skip Williams, if you are likely to be a play in this module then you should stop reading now. This includes MY PLAYERS reading this thread.

One confusing thing about this module is on the first page. The module described the Keleidsas family as Chauvinists the correct word is Racists they do not seem to discriminate on gender while they will most assuredly discriminate against Non elves to extent that they prefer to asscosiate with Drow over Non elves. Im not sure if this a typo by Skip or Pazio or if theres some sort of PC thuggery at Pazio (Maybe your not allowed to have Racists in

A few points

The bad guys include Drow (including several Drageloths)

The Keleidsas Moon elf clan

Several Half Green Dragon characters

Interesting points

Its hinted at that elements of House Keleidsas may have been betrayed Myth Drannor to the Army of Darkness

Keleidsa estate has a small Mythal but it will only remain active while a member of House Keleidsa is present (up until recently a Baelnorn member of the family kept the Mythal active)

Quamara The leader of house Keleidsa is a Half Green Dragon but she was not born as such, she some how used "Dark Sorcery" to bind her soul with a Green dragon. While the "Dark Sorcery" isnt detailed in the module I would assume it would be similar to the Nar Fiendbound spell in LEOF (Except of cause it turns you into a Half Dragon

The Module does seem to be abit disconnected when it comes to the groups involved Drow (presumably Lolth worshiping as Spiders and Drageloths are present) Racist Moon Elves and a number of Half Dragons to me theres to many diverse groups so Im unlikely to run it as written. Fortunately Secrets of the Arch Wood can be taken in a number of different directions with regard to tying it to different realms groups and FR material.

Expanding on Secrets of the Arch wood

1) Option 1: Traitor in the Tree: Change the Keleidsa family to Green elfs, the Green Elf traitor working as an Ambassdor in the Tree of Life module that came with Races of Faerun web Enhancement is another member of the Keleidsa family.

2) Option 2: The Half Dragon that just wont die! The Green Dragon Quamara used to become a Half Dragon was Azurphax now a Dracolich (See the Green Bones module in the FRC) Azurphax transformation into a Dracolich has effected Quamara as well. If Quamara ever dies she rises as Lich through the power of Azurphax Dracolichdom Azurphax acts as a living breathing Phylacry for Quamara and vice versa. Both Quamara and Azurphax must be destroyed to put a final end to both menances

3) Option 3: Spawn of the Devil Dragon: Change the Half Dragon template to Red Dragon, Quamara and the other Half Dragons are descendants of Nalavara the Elf Dragon who slayed Azoun IV they managed to avoid being placed in the Extra Dimensional prison. this plot could lead the PCs to publish Into the Dragons Lair module

4)Option 4: Fiendish Blood: Change all the Half Dragons and give them th Half Fiend or Feyri race instead get replace with Elven half fiends and the Drageloths with Yagnoloths or Nycaloths. This plays to the hinted Keleidsa role in Myth Drannors destruction. The stories are true Keleidsa did betray Myth Drannor to the Army of Darkness and breed with the Trio Nefarious becoming Half fiends.

Interesting little addition you could include a Half red Dragon or Young Red Dragon as an NPC for the players, said Dragon is a descendant of Garnet (The LG Red Dragon who released the Nefarious Trio) more shocking for your Players the Young Red or Half Red Dragon is a LG Paladin of Bahamut or Divine Champion of Corellon Larethian! Garnet may well be alive and well living on Arvandor!

Option 5: Get rid of all the Drow, Dragaloths and Half Dragons and make the Keleidsa estate a base for The Eldreth Veluuthra in the Dalelands this plays to the Racist attitude of the Keleidsa family

Warning the Option 6 contains spoilors for Richard lee Byers Year of Rogue Dragon novels

Option 6: ..and Undead dragons will rule the World: This option ties in with Option 2 and could be used like option 2 to tie in with Green Bones or even the published Pool of Radiance: Attack of Myth Drannor by Sean Reynolds. The Keleidsa family are active members of the Cult of the Dragon. Long ago in the age of dragons ancestors of the Keleidsa family where involved in the creation of the Mythal that causes the Dragons to Rage, after the Mythal was created each High mage who paticpated in its creation told one memember of their family about the Mythal this was done so that if the Mythal ever failed or was corrupted someone would know where it was and how to fix it. As the years went by the knowledge of Mythal dropped out of Elven common knowledge until only the desecdnants of the High mages knew of it. Sammaster eventually found out about the Mythal and wanted to use it for his own purposes, through much research he eventually discovered that the Keleidsa familyhe where descendants of one of the High Mages. This was lucky for Sammaster as all the other elves who nknew about the Mythal lived on Evermeet (A place not likely to allow Sammaster to drop in to interogate a few of it citzens) Sammaster eventually tracked down Quamara who he fully expected to have to torture for the knowledge he sort, However upon arriving in the Arch Wood Sammaster was shocked when Quamara offered him a deal She would tell him where the Mythal was in exchange for Cult of the Dragon membership and the knowledge of how she could merge with Dragon blood. Sammaster happy to deal and the rest as they say is history.

Changes to the module: remove all drow and Drageloths and replace them with Abishai and apporiate age Green Dragons
[/quote]

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T O P I C R E V I E W
Dargoth	Posted - 27 Mar 2005 : 00:41:36 This review gives away details of Secrets of the Arch Wood module in Dungeon 121 by Skip Williams, if you are likely to be a play in this module then you should stop reading now. This includes MY PLAYERS reading this thread. One confusing thing about this module is on the first page. The module described the Keleidsas family as Chauvinists the correct word is Racists they do not seem to discriminate on gender while they will most assuredly discriminate against Non elves to extent that they prefer to asscosiate with Drow over Non elves. Im not sure if this a typo by Skip or Pazio or if theres some sort of PC thuggery at Pazio (Maybe your not allowed to have Racists in A few points The bad guys include Drow (including several Drageloths) The Keleidsas Moon elf clan Several Half Green Dragon characters Interesting points Its hinted at that elements of House Keleidsas may have been betrayed Myth Drannor to the Army of Darkness Keleidsa estate has a small Mythal but it will only remain active while a member of House Keleidsa is present (up until recently a Baelnorn member of the family kept the Mythal active) Quamara The leader of house Keleidsa is a Half Green Dragon but she was not born as such, she some how used "Dark Sorcery" to bind her soul with a Green dragon. While the "Dark Sorcery" isnt detailed in the module I would assume it would be similar to the Nar Fiendbound spell in LEOF (Except of cause it turns you into a Half Dragon The Module does seem to be abit disconnected when it comes to the groups involved Drow (presumably Lolth worshiping as Spiders and Drageloths are present) Racist Moon Elves and a number of Half Dragons to me theres to many diverse groups so Im unlikely to run it as written. Fortunately Secrets of the Arch Wood can be taken in a number of different directions with regard to tying it to different realms groups and FR material. Expanding on Secrets of the Arch wood 1) Option 1: Traitor in the Tree: Change the Keleidsa family to Green elfs, the Green Elf traitor working as an Ambassdor in the Tree of Life module that came with Races of Faerun web Enhancement is another member of the Keleidsa family. 2) Option 2: The Half Dragon that just wont die! The Green Dragon Quamara used to become a Half Dragon was Azurphax now a Dracolich (See the Green Bones module in the FRC) Azurphax transformation into a Dracolich has effected Quamara as well. If Quamara ever dies she rises as Lich through the power of Azurphax Dracolichdom Azurphax acts as a living breathing Phylacry for Quamara and vice versa. Both Quamara and Azurphax must be destroyed to put a final end to both menances 3) Option 3: Spawn of the Devil Dragon: Change the Half Dragon template to Red Dragon, Quamara and the other Half Dragons are descendants of Nalavara the Elf Dragon who slayed Azoun IV they managed to avoid being placed in the Extra Dimensional prison. this plot could lead the PCs to publish Into the Dragons Lair module 4)Option 4: Fiendish Blood: Change all the Half Dragons and give them th Half Fiend or Feyri race instead get replace with Elven half fiends and the Drageloths with Yagnoloths or Nycaloths. This plays to the hinted Keleidsa role in Myth Drannors destruction. The stories are true Keleidsa did betray Myth Drannor to the Army of Darkness and breed with the Trio Nefarious becoming Half fiends. Interesting little addition you could include a Half red Dragon or Young Red Dragon as an NPC for the players, said Dragon is a descendant of Garnet (The LG Red Dragon who released the Nefarious Trio) more shocking for your Players the Young Red or Half Red Dragon is a LG Paladin of Bahamut or Divine Champion of Corellon Larethian! Garnet may well be alive and well living on Arvandor! Option 5: Get rid of all the Drow, Dragaloths and Half Dragons and make the Keleidsa estate a base for The Eldreth Veluuthra in the Dalelands this plays to the Racist attitude of the Keleidsa family Warning the Option 6 contains spoilors for Richard lee Byers Year of Rogue Dragon novels Option 6: ..and Undead dragons will rule the World: This option ties in with Option 2 and could be used like option 2 to tie in with Green Bones or even the published Pool of Radiance: Attack of Myth Drannor by Sean Reynolds. The Keleidsa family are active members of the Cult of the Dragon. Long ago in the age of dragons ancestors of the Keleidsa family where involved in the creation of the Mythal that causes the Dragons to Rage, after the Mythal was created each High mage who paticpated in its creation told one memember of their family about the Mythal this was done so that if the Mythal ever failed or was corrupted someone would know where it was and how to fix it. As the years went by the knowledge of Mythal dropped out of Elven common knowledge until only the desecdnants of the High mages knew of it. Sammaster eventually found out about the Mythal and wanted to use it for his own purposes, through much research he eventually discovered that the Keleidsa familyhe where descendants of one of the High Mages. This was lucky for Sammaster as all the other elves who nknew about the Mythal lived on Evermeet (A place not likely to allow Sammaster to drop in to interogate a few of it citzens) Sammaster eventually tracked down Quamara who he fully expected to have to torture for the knowledge he sort, However upon arriving in the Arch Wood Sammaster was shocked when Quamara offered him a deal She would tell him where the Mythal was in exchange for Cult of the Dragon membership and the knowledge of how she could merge with Dragon blood. Sammaster happy to deal and the rest as they say is history. Changes to the module: remove all drow and Drageloths and replace them with Abishai and apporiate age Green Dragons
20 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First)
Asgetrion	Posted - 14 May 2005 : 23:23:42 quote: Originally posted by SiriusBlack quote: Originally posted by George Krashos I haven't read the adventure but wouldn't it have been easier/better for Skip to have used one of the more undetailed elven noble houses showcased in "Cormanthyr: Empire of the Elves", rather than make up one that no-one has ever heard of before ...? -- George Krashos That would have been an option that made sense. If nothing else, it would give the family a bit more history that a Realms DM could look up if the desire was there. True... I agree with you on this. There is so much existing Realmslore to draw upon, and I feel a lot more comfortable adapting material with familiar names/details into my campaign. At least in this case it wouldn�t have hurt if Skip had used members of an established and influential family in the module. So I read the module and felt a bit disappointed. If my memory serves correctly, the Arch Wood was supposed to contain "ancient elven ruins", as in "a lost city with exciting, long-lost elven lore and magic"? I don�t think this module was what I expected of it... I also think that Fey�ri would have served as antagonists a lot better than a half-dragon who has been undergone a mystic ritual to acquire this template. Perhaps even a family of corrupted, Moander-worshiping Fey�ri with some links to Tsornyl/Darkwatch
Dargoth	Posted - 28 Mar 2005 : 05:24:32 Something else I just thought of Theres an Elven Ghost in Raiders of Galaths Roost a Lyklor Kelerandri Im suprised Skip didnt link Secrets of the Arch Wood to Raiders of galaths Roost and use the same Family name Then Again the 2 names are some what similar Kelerandri and Keleidsa The Plot thickens From Dungeon 121 Secrets of the Arch Wood: The Non evil Keleidas renounced their family ties and joined the Elven retreat after the fall of Myth Drannor Dungeon 87 Raiders of Galaths Roost: The Kelerandris joined the Elven retreat but some are returning now. Theory: The Non Evil Keleidas in renouncing house Keleidas created a new family Kelerandris one unstained by Keleidas lest than stellar reputation
George Krashos	Posted - 28 Mar 2005 : 03:11:58 I doubt it had anything to do with LEoF and considering Rich was troubleshooting (very well I may add) I'm sure Skip could have dropped him a line - every chapter was designed seperately. Mind you, on reflection, this noble house will likely be from Tangletrees in MY Realms - not Cormanthor/Myth Drannor. That way I can explain it not being listed in C:EotE. -- George Krashos
Dargoth	Posted - 28 Mar 2005 : 00:37:03 quote: Originally posted by George Krashos I haven't read the adventure but wouldn't it have been easier/better for Skip to have used one of the more undetailed elven noble houses showcased in "Cormanthyr: Empire of the Elves", rather than make up one that no-one has ever heard of before ...? -- George Krashos It may have been due to LEOF He may not have known what you and Eric where going to do to those elven houses detailed in Cormanthyr: Empire of the Elves in LEOF. Although interestingly enough someone obviouly told him about the Mythal rules before LEOF came out
SiriusBlack	Posted - 27 Mar 2005 : 18:50:15 quote: Originally posted by George Krashos I haven't read the adventure but wouldn't it have been easier/better for Skip to have used one of the more undetailed elven noble houses showcased in "Cormanthyr: Empire of the Elves", rather than make up one that no-one has ever heard of before ...? -- George Krashos That would have been an option that made sense. If nothing else, it would give the family a bit more history that a Realms DM could look up if the desire was there.
SiriusBlack	Posted - 27 Mar 2005 : 18:48:33 quote: Originally posted by Wooly Rupert I found one in a box of Cracker Jacks last week... I'll be dipped if I can figure out how they got it in that little box, though. They just were able to squish it in by using a cool looking scimitar.
The Sage	Posted - 27 Mar 2005 : 16:52:05 quote: Originally posted by Dargoth 4)Option 4: Fiendish Blood: Change all the Half Dragons and give them th Half Fiend or Feyri race instead get replace with Elven half fiends and the Drageloths with Yagnoloths or Nycaloths. This plays to the hinted Keleidsa role in Myth Drannors destruction. The stories are true Keleidsa did betray Myth Drannor to the Army of Darkness and breed with the Trio Nefarious becoming Half fiends. As long as the nycaloths were detailed with the right number of arms, then, based on this detailed review, I may consider picking up this issue. Thanks Dargoth .
George Krashos	Posted - 27 Mar 2005 : 14:11:34 I haven't read the adventure but wouldn't it have been easier/better for Skip to have used one of the more undetailed elven noble houses showcased in "Cormanthyr: Empire of the Elves", rather than make up one that no-one has ever heard of before ...? -- George Krashos
Mareka	Posted - 27 Mar 2005 : 11:02:32 quote: Originally posted by Dargoth I dont believe the house has been mentioned outside of Secrets of the Arch wood They'd end up with the Moonblade, I am however in the process of redoing he Moonblades rules Im not completely happy with how there written up in 3ed. The player has to take a modified version of the Ancesteral Relic Feat from the BOED in order to bond with the Moonblade before they can try and claim it That is a very interesting idea. How are you planning to modify the feat?
Wooly Rupert	Posted - 27 Mar 2005 : 08:33:16 quote: Originally posted by kuje31 Sorry I just am tired of moonblades being all over the place, just like Sirius is as well. I found one in a box of Cracker Jacks last week... I'll be dipped if I can figure out how they got it in that little box, though.
Dargoth	Posted - 27 Mar 2005 : 07:50:14 I dont believe the house has been mentioned outside of Secrets of the Arch wood They'd end up with the Moonblade, I am however in the process of redoing he Moonblades rules Im not completely happy with how there written up in 3ed. The player has to take a modified version of the Ancesteral Relic Feat from the BOED in order to bond with the Moonblade before they can try and claim it
SiriusBlack	Posted - 27 Mar 2005 : 06:57:16 quote: Originally posted by kuje31 And nooooooo not another moonblade! Sorry I just am tired of moonblades being all over the place, just like Sirius is as well. I have no idea what you are talking about.
SiriusBlack	Posted - 27 Mar 2005 : 06:56:15 quote: Originally posted by Dargoth I might consider making one of the characters be a memeber of Keleidas family that way they could keep the Mythal over the estate after they deal with their evil kin I am correct that this adventure is the first time this family has been introduced to the FR. quote: I may even be tempted to introduce a Keleidas family Moonblade, maybe theres one in the estate....... For a character to end up with or just to use as a plot hook?
Kuje	Posted - 27 Mar 2005 : 06:34:00 quote: Originally posted by Dargoth If I did go with the Epic Campaign option I might consider making one of the characters be a memeber of Keleidas family that way they could keep the Mythal over the estate after they deal with their evil kin Not all the Keleidas family where evil some left for Evermeet when Myth Drannor fell. Maybe a new generation is serving in the Elven army that came from Evermeet to help Everdask. I may even be tempted to introduce a Keleidas family Moonblade, maybe theres one in the estate....... hmmmmm Everdask. :) And nooooooo not another moonblade! Sorry I just am tired of moonblades being all over the place, just like Sirius is as well.
Dargoth	Posted - 27 Mar 2005 : 06:21:44 If I did go with the Epic Campaign option I might consider making one of the characters be a memeber of Keleidas family that way they could keep the Mythal over the estate after they deal with their evil kin Not all the Keleidas family where evil some left for Evermeet when Myth Drannor fell. Maybe a new generation is serving in the Elven army that came from Evermeet to help Everdask. I may even be tempted to introduce a Keleidas family Moonblade, maybe theres one in the estate....... hmmmmm
SiriusBlack	Posted - 27 Mar 2005 : 06:09:55 quote: Originally posted by Dargoth I may one day run an Epic campaign where the Characters play Elves and try and take back Myth Drannor in Which case Im leaning towards Option 4 Wicked choice there. I think an enterprising DM could actually run a whole campaign in the Cormanthor using this adventure and other resources to go from 1st to Epic level. I mean, dear Corellon, look at all the diverse groups found in the forest including the ones from this adventure. Of course the conclusion to two novel series' could affect certain campaigns taking place in this area.
Dargoth	Posted - 27 Mar 2005 : 06:04:50 quote: Originally posted by SiriusBlack quote: Originally posted by Dargoth Ive now got to decide which option to use when I do eventually run Secrets of the Arch Wood Leaning towards any one as of yet? I may one day run an Epic campaign where the Characters play Elves and try and take back Myth Drannor in Which case Im leaning towards Option 4 Then theres the 3rd Chapter of my Banites on the March cmpaign where the Players will play as Cormyrians if I use Secrets of the Arch wood in that campaign then Im leaning towards Option 3 In the first chapter of Banite on the march they ran across the Green Elf traitor in the Tree of Life and he managed to escape so Option 1s also posiable Decisions Decisions
SiriusBlack	Posted - 27 Mar 2005 : 05:43:29 quote: Originally posted by Dargoth Ive now got to decide which option to use when I do eventually run Secrets of the Arch Wood Leaning towards any one as of yet?
Dargoth	Posted - 27 Mar 2005 : 05:03:06 Ive now got to decide which option to use when I do eventually run Secrets of the Arch Wood
SiriusBlack	Posted - 27 Mar 2005 : 03:08:11 Dargoth, Thanks for a very detailed review. The adventure seems very convoluted. I was at B&N with my two players this afternoon. We saw this issue, but I didn't pick it up as it was sealed. Thus, I wasn't comfortable about buying it without knowing more about it. Thanks to your review, I now know what I plan to do when it comes to purchasing the adventure.

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