| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Immortalis |
Posted - 21 Oct 2010 : 09:46:04
Hail and well met, long time lurker first time poster here. I have finally come to the conclusion I need expert help, which is why I am posting here.
My problem is I have converted the 4E revenant race to 3.x and wish to use it in my realms campaigns. The problem, Revenants are created by the Raven Queen who I believe is the goddess of death in 4e. I would like to keep this in some way, possibly as a servent of Kelemvar much as I think Jergal is (if I actually have that right) but dont know were to start. My realms-fu is not as great as the minds on here so any help would be greatly appreciated.
PS any info on the raven queen would also be great.
Thank you in advance. |
| 19 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Immortalis |
Posted - 22 Oct 2010 : 22:05:40
Damn it another great idea LOL. |
| Markustay |
Posted - 22 Oct 2010 : 19:18:29
I would agree with others here - something to do with Hoar (Righteous Retribution), but the god of the dead would have to involved as well. If you wanted it to be something recent you could use Kelemvor (some sort of pact between the two deities), but I think connecting it to Jergal would be even better. Something it does on his own, that takes whichever deity is the god of the dead ATM right out of the loop.
I'm only recommending that because we have had three 'death gods' already, NOT counting Jergal. So this would be a deal Jergal made with Hoar, perhaps a long time ago. It could also be a deal he has offered to others, in various forms (Curst, Revenants, Harrowed, Onryô, Forsaken, etc - all could be god-specific versions of the same thing).
I think Bane had one as well (not near sources, sorry).
Anyway, tying them to Jergal and then having him 'give' (for a price, I am sure) this boon to certain gods seems the best way to have it fit with canon lore. In fact, come to think of it, 'Undeath' may be the one aspect of the death portfolio he always holds onto.
There is also a precedent for this. I don't have sources handy, but their is a group of undead knights in the Shar (Castle of Al'Hanar), and IIRC they were attached to Jergal and then later Myrkul.
Jergal is The Seneschal - it makes some sense that as part of his administrative duties he would have say over which souls were allowed to leave the realm of the dead (perhaps behind the death-god's back). However, since he no longer has the portfolio of death, he cannot allow such souls to return to life (hence the undead twist).
Greyhawk had similar creatures, called Animus, that were re-animated by 'dark powers'. |
| Immortalis |
Posted - 22 Oct 2010 : 09:33:04
Yeah I love it when an idea gains a life of its own, the only problem I have is sometimes it mutates so much I then cant remember what I was thinking in the first place LOL.
It did (if memory serves) seem alittle that way eric, but why not? Alittle mystery never hurt anyone. After all hes a mysterious figure anyway LOL.
I have played with the idea of them being non divine but it just doesnt seem to feel right in my head and as I say I like the idea of the Raven Queen. Thats not to say that it isnt the desire of the subject that doesnt set it into motion it all off, after all thats what the Raven Queen to me is looking for then she just adds the spark that starts the fire.
PS great responces guys, I knew this once the right place to ask. You dont get such good friendly advice on all the RPG forums I post on. |
| Erik Scott de Bie |
Posted - 22 Oct 2010 : 05:41:40
quote:
Originally posted by Immortalis
Thanks Erik :) it was Ghostwalker that got me thinking and looking for something to fit the main character. Having them not be connected to the divine is something I hadnt really thought about. If I remeber right wasnt the walker as he is refered to at times in the book something to do with some other power? My brain says something like a winter witch but its not so great nowadays so I could be wrong:)
PS i would have thought you would remember his name Erik 
Ah, the demands of modesty. 
quote:
Originally posted by Immortalis
Rhyn Thardeyn if I read it right. The Ghostly Lady I'm sure I remmber her shouting at Rhyn (the walker) about how she didnt raise him for this, he had a job to do. Again could be wrong.
I left it purposefully ambiguous. Maybe she raised him with the druid spell last breath, maybe she animated him as an undead creature, or maybe she just *claimed* to have done it. Lots of room for invention/speculation.
Cheers |
| Markustay |
Posted - 21 Oct 2010 : 23:09:25
For my short-lived Deadlands meets the Realms campaign, I created the Justicars - basically western-esque versions of Judge Dread style Judges. The Hanging judge would have been a harrowed (undead) version of one of those.
I've taken this a step further in my HB, having the Justicars splinter-off into the even more vile Inquisitors.
I love when an old idea gains momentum of its own.  |
| Immortalis |
Posted - 21 Oct 2010 : 19:21:43
I am indead familiar with Deadlands. Stone is great , I also like the hanging judge. I have a rough idea for a fantasy version of thr hanging judge using hand crossbows. As you probably can tell I have far to much stuff running round my head, at some point I will get some of it finished. |
| Markustay |
Posted - 21 Oct 2010 : 18:20:53
I wonder how many of you are familiar with the Deadlands campaign setting?
You know, the one in which The Raven casts a spell to get rid of the European settlers, and creates The Harrowed - a group of intelligent undead (basically, self-willed zombies).
WoW also has an undead race - one of my favorites - the Forsaken. I loved my Zombie Rogue. |
| Diffan |
Posted - 21 Oct 2010 : 16:33:51
quote:
Originally posted by Immortalis
Thanks Diffan sort of what I had in my rough draft. Can I use some of yours as well as it fleshes it out really nice Good job just the sort of thing I was looking for
I'm glad I could be of assistance and use whatever you please. I liked the idea of the Raven Queen when I read the 4e PHB and instantly thought "She's make a great match for Kelemvore!!". Then my buddy is playing an essentials Assassin in 4E and worships the Raven Queen so I had to come up with more lore on her in Faerun.
I haven't incorporated how she got to the Realms or her resaon for coming into that Cosmos, but I'll think of something. Maybe a mortal cleric that was dedicated to Shar but turned her back against her and try to keep her "Shadowy" powers and started worshipping Kelemvore. She could've then died on some epic quest and through an artifact and the help of Kelemvore, gained Deity status or Exarch status. |
| Immortalis |
Posted - 21 Oct 2010 : 16:21:52
Thanks Diffan sort of what I had in my rough draft. Can I use some of yours as well as it fleshes it out really nice Good job just the sort of thing I was looking for |
| Diffan |
Posted - 21 Oct 2010 : 15:44:15
And also there's nothing stopping you from incorporating The Raven Queen into FR-lore. I've done so and she is Kelemvore's consort and love interest. She also is the main protector of Kelemvor's realm and the Shadowfell and constantly defends that line from the incursions of Shar and her shadowy-ness.
And because The Raven Queen (who's actual name is not yet known to the mortal world) is in tight with Kelemvore, she occasionally requests certain souls to re-enter the Material Plane as her Revenants and for the betterment of the world. After they finish their quest, it's usually understood that they will remain on Faerun to do her bidding or at least accept future quests and missions for her or other Kelemvorite clergy.
And while clerics and Paladins of the Raven Queen are somewhat mysterious to Kelemvorite clerics and Paladins, they often work hand-in-hand to destroy undead. Revenants and Good/Unaligned Baelnorn (spelling?) are often overlooked and ignored by both clergy. And there are occurances of male Kelemvorite clergy (any divine class) wedding or becoming involved with female Raven Queen clergy to symbolize their deities union. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 21 Oct 2010 : 15:36:15
quote:
Originally posted by Immortalis
No I dont  If you know the dragon number I might be able to get a copy from the same guy I got the Revenant article from.
Sorry, I erred. 'Twas the October 2009 issue of DUNGEON #171. |
| Immortalis |
Posted - 21 Oct 2010 : 15:33:25
Rhyn Thardeyn if I read it right. The Ghostly Lady I'm sure I remmber her shouting at Rhyn (the walker) about how she didnt raise him for this, he had a job to do. Again could be wrong.
Did enjoy the book though will just have to read it again |
| Immortalis |
Posted - 21 Oct 2010 : 14:36:53
Thanks Erik :) it was Ghostwalker that got me thinking and looking for something to fit the main character. Having them not be connected to the divine is something I hadnt really thought about. If I remeber right wasnt the walker as he is refered to at times in the book something to do with some other power? My brain says something like a winter witch but its not so great nowadays so I could be wrong:)
PS i would have thought you would remember his name Erik |
| Erik Scott de Bie |
Posted - 21 Oct 2010 : 14:27:10
Just because the revenants have a divine origin in the core world doesn't mean they need one in FR.
For instance, there's this one novel (Ghostwalker) by this one really tall guy (forgot his name) which has a guy who is essentially a revenant, and he has nothing to do with any deity. It's just his own burning desire/need for vengeance.
There are lots of reasons a revenant could exist. You should feel free to do whatever works for your campaign.
Cheers |
| Immortalis |
Posted - 21 Oct 2010 : 14:15:05
Thanks guys I have sort of hammered out a rough version of her sort of working with Kelemvor and Hoar much as Jergal does. She returns souls with unfinished business to a sort of unlife to finished what is needed. But as you say I may just change things to Hoar, I just liked the name but she would step on Hoars toes somewhat.
I havent ever posted any of my conversions as I never think there good enough. I would like to take the plunge but I'm worried about the content as nearly all of it is cut and past from the original article I manage to get sent to me. Advice with the copy right issues would help dont want to get the board or myself into that sort of trouble LOL. |
| Bladewind |
Posted - 21 Oct 2010 : 12:30:07
Aye, Hoarite clergymen can cast a ritual to transform a slighted dead into a revenant set for revenge (see Powers and Pantheons).
Would you care to share your conversion? As a fan of Hoar I'm mighty interested. |
| Quale |
Posted - 21 Oct 2010 : 10:55:33
you could play them as cursts, without being related to gods, or Hoar's faithful |
| Immortalis |
Posted - 21 Oct 2010 : 10:20:50
No I dont If you know the dragon number I might be able to get a copy from the same guy I got the Revenant article from. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 21 Oct 2010 : 10:17:52
Do you have a DDI subscription? I ask because there's a DRAGON article from a past online issue [June 2009] which featured significant info on the Raven Queen and her domain. |
