| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Snotlord |
Posted - 09 Jul 2005 : 09:43:50
Hello all,
I have a cleric of Mask in my new Waterdeep game, and I am wondering if there are any resources that describe the clerics of Mask in the city of splendors. I'm still waiting for Eric's book, and I hope it will shed some light on the topic, but can anyone give me some hints
Also, are there any others sources I should look at? I need npcs, command structure, dealings and aventure hooks.
As a final interesting twist, the cleric is an Ophal from Amn, who's planning to get into the profitable magic item trade.
Can anyone help me? Or simply throw in some ideas?
Thanks! |
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Snotlord |
Posted - 16 Sep 2005 : 22:20:01
I just wanted to let you folks know that the introduction of Nurneene was a success. The mask shop brought grins on the players' faces (so obvious, and yet so clever), and the thought of a competing cleric of Mask in the middle of Waterdeep opened another layer of intrigue to the game.
Your help was very helpful |
| Skeptic |
Posted - 29 Jul 2005 : 20:51:26
quote:
Waterdeep seems darker and more dangerous than I remember it, which suits me just fine. More adventure opportunities this way.
Yeah, it's a 3E change, but a nice one. |
| Snotlord |
Posted - 29 Jul 2005 : 19:25:50
Found it Excellent stuff.
I finally got City of Splendors: Waterdeep a couple of days ago, and even if I have only begun to skim the surface of this great book, I can tell the cleric of Mask has lots to work with between the clerics of Tyr on one hand, and the clerics of Shar on the other.
I loved the religion section. Can I assume that the religons not covered are significantly smaller than those included?
Waterdeep seems darker and more dangerous than I remember it, which suits me just fine. More adventure opportunities this way. |
| ericlboyd |
Posted - 19 Jul 2005 : 20:54:42
quote:
Originally posted by Skeptic
Nothing about it in the new Waterdeep HC.
No not much. However, I did put it somewhere on the map.
See "C84". (Or close to that, some of the numbers changed in editing.)
--Eric |
| Jamallo Kreen |
Posted - 19 Jul 2005 : 20:25:14
quote:
Originally posted by Melfius
Hey, Wooly! What exactly are the abilities of a +27 longsword of OMG It's Powerful! an a wand of niftiness?
Whatever they are, they're weaker than my Nouveau Netherese Sceptre of Ultra-Powerful NPC Slaying!
Seriously, though, if the PCs see (or hear of) someone being pocket-picked or purse-cut, they should realize that they, too are vulnerable. If you are using a random table to determine the likelihood of someone in a crowd being robbed, the PCs should have an equal chance of being victimized as others of their wealth. If they fail to take appropriate measures, that's their problem. If they do, then they should be immune to low-level thieves (or at least catch them in the act).
As for burgling -- did they think that the nine-headed hydra and 2000 orcs they slaughtered to get that chest of gold were adequate to protect it? Obviously not, if they were able to seize it! The time has come for the PCs to start devising protections for their wealth or else call in an expert. (I have a 16th level character with rogue skills "off the chart" who has left a calling card and then hired himself out as a security contractor, guaranteeing that no one of lesser ability will be able to break in where he did, bonding himself for the value of the items protected, but with the caveat that if they are stolen and he pays for them, the stolen goods belong to him and he is authorized to recover them, just as would be an insurance company. He makes it plain, of course, that he will be extraordinarily displeased if one of his customers files a phoney claim....  ) |
| Osieu |
Posted - 19 Jul 2005 : 03:21:41
quote:
Originally posted by Snotlord
Great stuff Any word on her age and looks?
She should fit perfect for my game. The mask cleric wants to establish her own temple in the city, and a rivaling cleric is just perfect.
...in a mask shop no less. Ed is a genious 
Again, thank you, thank you, thank you!
She looks young and graceful. White skin, greens eyes, and husky voice. A patient diplomat against hard-to-please customers (among others) too. And I think she keeps her age a secret even to old EL.
You're welcome! |
| Snotlord |
Posted - 18 Jul 2005 : 22:21:01
Great stuff Any word on her age and looks?
She should fit perfect for my game. The mask cleric wants to establish her own temple in the city, and a rivaling cleric is just perfect.
...in a mask shop no less. Ed is a genious
Again, thank you, thank you, thank you! |
| Skeptic |
Posted - 18 Jul 2005 : 18:38:00
Nothing about it in the new Waterdeep HC. |
| Osieu |
Posted - 18 Jul 2005 : 17:49:48
quote:
Originally posted by Snotlord
Thank you!
Sceptic also mentioned the shrine. Do you know where in the city it is located? I do not have that issue of Dragon (typical, the one I did not get), and I could not find it in the CoS pdf (the old box).
Is it mentioned in the new book? (It has not arrived yet)
On the east side of the Street of Bells in Castle Ward.
It has a big black mask which just looks like Mask's symbol in the front window, so you will never miss it anyway...
The leader cleric and the shop-owner is Nurneene (NE female human Clr6/Exp6/Rog1).
And I don't have new Waterdeep. |
| Snotlord |
Posted - 18 Jul 2005 : 16:50:46
Thank you!
Sceptic also mentioned the shrine. Do you know where in the city it is located? I do not have that issue of Dragon (typical, the one I did not get), and I could not find it in the CoS pdf (the old box).
Is it mentioned in the new book? (It has not arrived yet) |
| Osieu |
Posted - 18 Jul 2005 : 15:31:35
There's a shrine of Mask under a mask shop named Nurneene's Marvelous Masks in Waterdeep. This place is detailed in Dragon #321, by Ed Greenwood. |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 14 Jul 2005 : 15:44:40
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
The House of Spires and Shadows (Westgate)
Anyone have experiences gaming which involved this Mask temple? |
| DDH_101 |
Posted - 14 Jul 2005 : 01:05:08
Well, the one I mentioned is supposedly his strongest and largest temple. Of course, I haven't touched my copies of Cloak & Dagger or Unapproachable East so my memory may be incorrect. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 13 Jul 2005 : 22:44:19
quote:
Originally posted by DDH_101
I think the only place where Mask has a widely known temple is in Teflamn. Even there, that temple is inside the headquarters of the Shadowmasters of Teflamn, a powerful thieves guild.
According to the list of Named Temples of the Realms hosted on this very site, Mask has temples in the following cities:
Telamuzhidah (Calimport)
The House of Spires and Shadows (Westgate)
The House of the Master's Shadow (Telfamm)
The Rogue Redeemed (Proskur)
House of the Master's Shadow (Uthmere)
|
| DDH_101 |
Posted - 13 Jul 2005 : 20:51:32
I think the only place where Mask has a widely known temple is in Teflamn. Even there, that temple is inside the headquarters of the Shadowmasters of Teflamn, a powerful thieves guild. |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 13 Jul 2005 : 15:46:22
And remember, in cities where the worship of Mask is strong, having a temple to contribute to might actually be the same as saying "here, I'll give you some willingly if you keep out of my house/business, etc." |
| Snotlord |
Posted - 13 Jul 2005 : 10:58:21
quote:
Originally posted by Crust
I'm not sure why the clergy of Mask would ever think to create a temple. That doesn't make sense to me.
Good point, but makes sense when the faith have become very strong in city or region.
If they have so many followers that they have problem blending in with the population, a strong bastion makes more sense than small safehouses and cellar shrines. It explains why there are so few strong Mask temples (Thesk, Westgate and possibly Athkathla, as far as I know).
In Waterdeep is blending in a far better tactic, so IMO are the followers that uses and maintains the shrine in the Plinth are not likely to be the leaders of the local Mask faith. |
| Crust |
Posted - 12 Jul 2005 : 23:48:03
quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth
The Shadow Thieves worship Mask and have a strong interest in Waterdeep (Although there not based there)
Other than the Plinth (which serves all faithes) there doesnt appear to be a Temple to Mask in Waterdeep (or suprisingly in Skullport)
I'm not sure why the clergy of Mask would ever think to create a temple. That doesn't make sense to me. That's like walking around with a sign on your chest that says, "I'm a cleric of Mask. I'll likely steal something in the near future." |
| Snotlord |
Posted - 12 Jul 2005 : 23:28:42
quote:
Originally posted by Skeptic
Yeah, but its harder to walk on the roofs of the city with a big treasure chest 
Indeed |
| Snotlord |
Posted - 12 Jul 2005 : 23:27:01
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
It is a strong statement -- mayhaps too strong. Some DMs are a bit heavy-handed, and use theft as a method of depriving PCs of too much loot.
I agree, but it not necessarily a bad thing. The players may become really mad, and the conflict with the villain becomes personal. It adds to the obstacles that later leads to rewarding victory.
If the players on the other hand become plain angry, well, use a different tactic. |
| Melfius |
Posted - 12 Jul 2005 : 22:51:38
Hey, Wooly! What exactly are the abilities of a +27 longsword of OMG It's Powerful! an a wand of niftiness? |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 12 Jul 2005 : 22:38:34
quote:
Originally posted by Snotlord
Ah. I assumed that Sceptic's players bickered or "changed" hiding places to keep their gold. I know a couple of those guys 
If we're talking about geniune plot-hooks, I'm clearly on the wrong track
I've often wanted to play true rivalry between the characters and npc, without having the npc slaughtered after a simple theft. Recurring non-combat villains are cool, but I find them difficult to design and play.
Still, I think stealing the chest can be a good idea. Its practical and a strong statement. The villain can put the calling-card on the floor.
It is a strong statement -- mayhaps too strong. Some DMs are a bit heavy-handed, and use theft as a method of depriving PCs of too much loot. I'm not saying Skeptic is one of those DM's; I'm pointing out that that's a common failing.
Another point is that stealing the whole chest has more of a negative impact on the players. They put the time and effort into getting all that loot; to have it all lost in an instant is a harsh blow. Some would feel that was unfair.
Going with the method of only stealing a few items gives the DM a lot more possibilities, it's more interesting and less harsh, and all around the more fun alternative. |
| Skeptic |
Posted - 12 Jul 2005 : 22:36:07
Yeah, but its harder to walk on the roofs of the city with a big treasure chest |
| Snotlord |
Posted - 12 Jul 2005 : 21:43:22
Ah. I assumed that Sceptic's players bickered or "changed" hiding places to keep their gold. I know a couple of those guys
If we're talking about geniune plot-hooks, I'm clearly on the wrong track
I've often wanted to play true rivalry between the characters and npc, without having the npc slaughtered after a simple theft. Recurring non-combat villains are cool, but I find them difficult to design and play.
Still, I think stealing the chest can be a good idea. Its practical and a strong statement. The villain can put the calling-card on the floor. |
| DDH_101 |
Posted - 12 Jul 2005 : 21:24:25
Snotlord, Skeptic's way is basically trying to challenge the PC. By not taking everything and leaving a calling card, it's a message saying, "If I can do it once, I can come back and do it again". |
| Snotlord |
Posted - 12 Jul 2005 : 21:05:51
Why not simply steal the chest? |
| Skeptic |
Posted - 12 Jul 2005 : 18:07:53
While they are adventuring, their loot is in a chest (DC 40 lock and Glyph of Warding) in their appartment in Waterdeep...
Maybe I could take 1-2 items and replace them with a calling card ;)
DC40 lock means a + 20 total skill (like 10th level rogue), a good challenge for them (avg. level 8). |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 12 Jul 2005 : 17:35:35
quote:
Originally posted by Forge
Magic.. pure and simple, divine magic. Remind them that Mask is a GOD for chrissake...
Course if they get really anal just set them in a point where they are continually being relieved of their goods by a certain Divine Champion who's sleight of hand is off the scales. :P
That's what I was thinking...
Create an NPC. Make him/her a high-level thief, at the least. Maybe add in some arcane spellcaster levels... And then, when the PCs go to great lengths to secure their wealth, this NPC slips in, steals one or two choice items -- but not everything, or even a large amount of stuff -- leaves some sort of "calling card" and then leaves.
When the PCs lock up their +27 longsword of OMG It's Powerful!!, along with 5 gazillion gold pieces and 3 fully-charged wands of niftiness, they'll be thinking it's secure. And then this thief sneaks in, grabs the sword and just a handful of gold, leaves a holy symbol of Mask behind, and disappears. That will get the PCs' attention!
It could also lead to several adventures, with the thief being a recurring villain. Plus, with selective thefts, it's more interesting and not as frustrating as it would be if everything was stolen.
For another twist, this thief, after becoming a recurring villain, could wind up having to enlist the aid of the PCs for some reason -- perhaps he/she stole an artifact that is now active and threatens to destroy half of creation... |
| Forge |
Posted - 12 Jul 2005 : 14:38:08
Magic.. pure and simple, divine magic. Remind them that Mask is a GOD for chrissake...
Course if they get really anal just set them in a point where they are continually being relieved of their goods by a certain Divine Champion who's sleight of hand is off the scales. :P |
| Snotlord |
Posted - 12 Jul 2005 : 09:01:22
quote:
Originally posted by Skeptic
I find it really hard to take some gold from the players in this way, it seems that they are always keeping their money in such a way that no thiefs could take it..
Was the hiding place written on the character sheet? If not, you should be free to assume at least parts are kept in the purse.
...and if they have a clever hiding place on their person, make a point of it every time they make a purchase. Lots of people around them should be able to see where they keep the gold. |
