| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Elrond Half Elven |
Posted - 25 Jan 2006 : 22:26:29
For my next Campaign I'm planning on having the players intercept information detailing a ritual and ritual temple which can be used to summon a powerful Demon Lord into the Realms. This information will be in the form of a book, which (this seems a bit ambitious) I will actually hand to the players- such that they will be free to read through it at anytime.
The Book of Three
-Or the Mad Mages' Travelogue-
Written By Arndyr Chelnuin
The Book of Three is the detailed travelling notes of the insane mage Arndyr Chelnuin, a human who was reputedly able to study several ancient artefacts including those of Netherese origin. Additionally and perhaps more importantly the book is said to detail a ritual, which can be used to summon Graz’zt a Demon Lord into the plane.
Arndyr Chelnuin, originally born in Halruaa in 1242 DR, was considered a talented, if misunderstood Wizard. It was in his twenty-third year that Arndyr fell prey to a wild-mages' miscast spell this was the first in a series of events, which included being captured and tortured by orcs, that led the mage to loose his mind, and his grip on reality. By his 30th birthday he was spurned by his fellow country men whom seen danger in his harmless insanities, and left Halruaa- never again to gaze upon its rolling hills and sprawling towns.
Now Arndyr has always been a fan of stories of old, and for many a year he'd be found sitting in a tavern and lapping up the stories of various bards. It is commonly thought that these tales inspired the Mad Mage's wanderings and penning. However it happened Arndyr found himself in the Western Heartlands and the surrounding regions. The vast majority of Arndyrs' work concerns these regions.
It is not understood exactly how Arndyr died, one common tale tells of Arndyr dying at the hands of a group of unscrupulous treasure hunters searching for a powerful Netherese artefact. Some darker rumours speak of the Zhentarium or an unknown Cult being responsible for the Mad Mages' death.
The book was eventually recovered from a ruin by an Elven bard named Rinoth Greencloak. Rinoth was amused by the book but found it more or less useless thinking it a work of fantasy, as such he sold it to a book shop in Baldur's Gate. It is here that the books trail ends...
Basically I'm hoping that the players will follow the footsteps of Arndyr in a hope to either; gather the various artefacts that he talks about or to find the Ritual Temple and perhaps destroy it; or then again perhaps they will use it, power corrupts.
I was looking for any criticism (constructive or not) concerning this arc, any ideas that are spawned from it or perhaps even advice on items to change.
*NOTE* I will treat this arc as a 'sleeping' or 'background' arc- where alot of smaller un-unified (Although not always) arcs will run throughtout.
Hanx
Elrond |
| 8 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Elrond Half Elven |
Posted - 09 Feb 2006 : 11:51:06
Ok, I've been fleshing out some of the NPCs in this adventure. Here is the first one Tshan Redwood; the Proprietor of Redwoods Tomes:
Tshan Redwood
Tshan Redwood is the owner of a small bookshop named “Redwood’s Tomes”; she purchased the store about 5 years ago from Kelp Tamwood. Enjoying the benefit of having established roots in the community, Redwood only made a few, somewhat, subtle changes. Her effort to preserve the ‘feel’ of the old shop has worked in her benefit for there has been not noticeable drop in sales, instead there has been somewhat of in increase. Locals put this down to Tshan’s ‘up-and-at-‘em” attitude.
Coming from a family of 4 boys, Tshan had to adopt this attitude. As she was surrounded by her brothers from a young age she’d to learn to fight for what she wanted- and while her brothers used the large bulk and size, Tshan used guile, cunning and a sheer stubborn streak never to give up.
The Redwoods family home is in Beregost, however seven years ago both Tshan and her fiancée Arnli Maerblone moved from the town to Baldur’s Gate. She used her inheritance money to purchase the store and hasn’t looked back since. Tshan knows very little about the murders, she isn’t too worried about them, thinking that they are the result of an argument which Pyran and Clargin where having. While she knew that both of them had a disagreement she does know what it was about.
Pyran- Tshan quite liked Pyran; she found him pleasant company but tended not to spend too much time around him (Mainly because Arnli was, incorrectly, worried about them having an affair). Redwood did know that Pyran’s methods of acquiring books for his collection, where not always legal but she feels that he’d never put anyone in danger nor harm them.
Clargin- Tshan never really knew the dwarf but anytime that they did meet she found him a bit grouchy. She has heard however, that was very reliable and if agreed on a deal would follow it to the letter. Tshan, correctly, guessed that the argument was caused over Pyran’s methods of obtaining books. She, incorrectly, guesses that Pyran stole a book from Clargin (Instead Pyran tried to sell him a stole and almost worthless book, the dwarf took offence and seen the attempted con as a personal insult.)
Erlar Oskyn
A man of some 47 years of age, Erlar is a tall and gangly chap. He often wears simple practicable clothing. He is often seen smoking a pipe, which spews forth a thick acrid smoke. He seems to prefer the cheapest varieties of ‘Baca, due to this and the amount he smokes, the aroma of tobacco lingers even after he leaves an area.
Upon first meeting Erlar it would not be hard to assume that he was mute, the man barely says two words. However once a person gets to know him Erlar will often engage in long conversations with them. He likes nothing more than complaining, and there is always something to complain about, be it taxes, drunken dwarves, nuisance mercenaries, the upkeep of the streets or the price of tobacco. His real love however lies with books, displaying his personal collection next to the stores counter (with a large not for sale and do not touch sign, next to them) if a person engages in a conversation, about his collection, they better be ready to stand there talking all afternoon!
He is the last Oskyn in Baldur’s Gate; he does have some family in Amn but has not spoken to them in years. The murders have worried Erlar, naturally a worrier, he’s advertising for a ‘personal guard’. He is yet to find one; perhaps he should look at his strict interviews.
Pyran- He strong disliked Pyran, feeling that he was a little more than a thief. He feels this way for two reasons, firstly (although he cannot prove it) he is sure that Pyran stole a book from him, a copy of “Delblood's Atlas of Faerun” (Although he doesn’t admit it, a large sum of money appeared in his safe, the same night that the book went missing. He recons that there was more gold left than the book was worth.). Secondly he was very friendly with Clargin, and was told why Pyran and Clargin where arguing.
Clargin- He was extremely friendly with Clargin, despite the two of them owning rival book stores, perhaps this was because Clargin also stocked dwarven art work and so Erlar didn’t see him as a threat to business. After work the pair would often share an ale or two in the Three Kegs Inn, it was here that Clargin revealed that Pyran has deeply insulted him, although he wouldn’t say exactly how. Erlar automatically assumed that Pyran stole a book from the dwarf. Despite his ‘he had it coming to him’ attitude, Erlar is really surprised by the murders, and cannot think why they occurred. Secretly he, correctly, feels that the argument has very little to do with the deaths.
Hopefully I'll be posting some more later on today!
Hanx
Elrond
*EDIT* not wanting to double post, I added Erlar Oskyn another Store owner. |
| Elrond Half Elven |
Posted - 07 Feb 2006 : 00:11:40
Argh! I've not been able to spend as much time as I would have liked on this, but i have written the following small piece of lore:
The Six Portends of the Dark Prince
His Dark Lord has shown us displeasure with us lowly mortals. He uses me as a tool to write that which must be done to appease Him. After the time of Chaos, when fire reigns down upon us, the faithful must rise and commit themselves to Him, it must be seen to that, that which is meant to pass, passes and only then shall He return to us and guide us.
1. In the time of His coming, the face of His enemies shall be consumed and they shall stand before Him naked
2. And their death, His enemies shall portray His weapon*
3. His mark shall be worn proudly by His faithful, and all who see it shall know fear
4. His Servant, whom remains, shall come forth and lead the faithful
5. She, who once was the enemy, shall be seduced by His concubine and together they shall serve Him.
6. And the place of worship of Antiquity shall be found, and He shall appear to the summons of the faithful to take His rightful place as ruler of all.
The Six Portends where written by Embre Zavvin, who at one point was the leader of the cult of Graz’zt in Faerun. She was reputedly the first and last thrall of Graz’zt in Faerun, although this has never been proven- many have said to have the blessing of Graz’zt but indeed his blessing and manifesting his power are two totally different things. It was in Embre’s time that Graz’zt was summoned by the mad archmage, Zagyg. Due to his Imprisonment Graz’zt couldn’t communicate with his thrall or grant any powers to her.
Embre was devastated by her master’s silence and loss of powers. She blamed everyone else- from the lowest to the highest cult member. Over the next few years of silence the cults rituals grew more debased, until Embre claimed she had a flitting contact with Graz’zt. It is often claimed, by the few sages who know the story, that Embre’s claim was false, and that she had not indeed been contacted but in fact was suffering from madness and delusion. Indeed the likelihood of the imprisoned Demon Lord contacting his thrall is very slim- unless another entity had made contact with Embre.
Embre told her fellow cultists that their lord was displeased with them, and they must wait for the time when they can rectify this. She told her fellows that this time was far off and until then they must leave the Temple of Antiquity, never to meet there until the portends where fulfilled. And so the unified Cult of Graz’zt dissolved and its members returned to their homes. However the seduction of Graz’zt’ lay in their hearts, and smaller cell like cults where established to the Dark Prince. Over time the cults evolved in different ways and forgot where the temple was; only the Portends remained the core of the cults.
As usual any criticisms, ideas, note etc are appreciated. Also if anyone can think of a better was to express this; in both structure and language please say!
Asgetrion Unfortunately I don't own the Dungeon that you speak of, however I'll see if I can find what issue it is an look it up. Thanks for the suggestion.
Volo Thanks for the comment! i'll make sure you can get a copy if i ever finish (i'm notorious for not completing work)
Hanx
Elrond
Edit: *Of all the Portents I think that this one, the second, is the weakest, to be honest I'll admit I was running out of ideas.  |
| Volo |
Posted - 31 Jan 2006 : 13:46:11
I can't wait to see how this turns out; heck, with the way you've been describing it, I might want to run it, too! |
| Asgetrion |
Posted - 31 Jan 2006 : 00:52:09
Sounds very good! All you have written here (including NPC names  ) is quite well thought out 
If I may be so bold as to suggest here running a Dungeon adventure (I do not remember which issue, though) which featured a Tome of the Lich (Easily replaced by your book) falling into the hands of a mad noblewoman. The module began with a masquerade (the PCs are hired by a book merchant) and the PCs are supposed to disguise themselves as guests, and then sneak around the manor to find the Tome. I remember that the woman had killed all his family (their poisoned corpses were upstairs - maybe your zealous cultist could have sacrificed them all to Gr'azzt?). Anyway, I enjoyed playing the module, and I think it might suit your noblewoman to hold a feast (and maybe sacrifice some poor, hapless guests, hey?) to celebrate the finding of the Tome?
Maybe your PCs could be employed by a bookseller (who suspects the lady), or maybe they find some clues left behind in one of the victims' shops, that hint at the particular noblewoman?
Just some thoughts...   |
| Elrond Half Elven |
Posted - 31 Jan 2006 : 00:01:20
I'm about to call it a night, before I do however, I'll write this post;
I've been toying around with an idea for a major NPC in the campaign and possibly the murderer. with out further a-do I present to you Ashenin Tansuld
Ashenin Tansuld
Seduced by the blasphemy of the Demon Prince Graz'zt, Ashenin Tansuld joined his cult. Originally this was a way to release built up (sexual) frustration, and as a networking tool for the aspiring young noble. Exhilarated by the first few rituals she attended, Ashenin soon grew to experience what she called her 'awakening'; instantly she was suddenly aware of the depth of Graz'zt's psyche, and the Dark Prince wooed the human. Driven by the wish to be the Demon's Concubine Ashenin carries out Graz'zt will on Toril.
To say that without a doubt, Graz'zt himself appeared to Ashenin would be a lie. For none know wither Graz'zt or one of his Demonetic followers appeared to the lady, although suggesting such would cause Ashenin to drive into a insane rage purposely maiming the offending person. Regardless, of who the actual entity that appeared to Ashenin is, Graz'zt's force is placed squarely behind said entity and already is communicating the Dark Princes warped wishes and plans for Toril to the hapless human.
It should not be thought that Ashenin is an innocent in all of this; she has always possessed a cruel twisted sense of morality and a love for certain vile taboos. She was always a dangerous adversary- she moves towards the completion of hers goals regardless of whom gets hurt, even family and friends. Perhaps unsurprisingly Ashenin is often the 'life and soul' of a party, seducing and breaking the hearts of many in a long line of men, a hobby that she enjoys and frequently engages in.
Let me know what you think
Hanx
Elrond |
| Elrond Half Elven |
Posted - 30 Jan 2006 : 23:13:14
Warning
The following Adventure Plot has a mature theme similar in style to the Book of Vile Darkness and if anyone is uncomfortable with said tome or the topics of death/murder/dismemberment please read no further.
Plot:
There have been a series of unexplained deaths in Baldur's Gate- a Male Elf and a male dwarf have all been murdered. The watch is treating their deaths as the work of a serial killer. The only link between them is books. The Elf is a long time collector of obscure tomes, and the dwarf ran a bookshop.
The deaths occurred under several bizarre circumstances; all the victims where killed in their shops, or personal library, the corpses where mutilated and arranged in a most un-natural position additionally it was found that both males where castrated. Death was said to be caused by multiple stab wounds, with some small bladed weapons.
The First victim, a Pyran Silverstar, received facial wounds for a corrosive substance. The discovering watchman reputedly said, "We've got a sick one here, gives me the creeps... His 'ole face was burned off, bloody gives me nightmares just thinking 'bout it" It emerged that Pyran's personal library had been ransacked although according to the private caretaker nothing was missing.
The Second Victim, Clargin Oathenshield's dismembered limbs had been arranged it a particular order, details of which have been hushed up. It is reported that none of the responding watchmen nor a local priest could comprehend the meaning of the design.
The members of the cities book culture have reacted in different ways Tshan Redwood has stated that she believes that she believes neither her nor her business "Redwood's Tomes" are in any current danger, her biggest rival however, does not agree Erlar Oskyn of 'The Pages from the Past Book Emporium’ has been hiring bodyguards- sources say that he is also considering closing up shop for a short period.
I've not decided exactly what position that Clargin's corpse was placed in, although it obviously will have a subtle or hidden meaning known only to those who follow Graz'zt. I'm considering having the murdered being a cultist of Graz'zt, however I would like he/she to survive the adventure to become a re-occuring villain. I'm actually considering having the cultist frame someone for the murders.
Cultist has heard whispered rumours of the book and wishes to find it.
I would appreciate any suggestions, help, npcs, potential encouters or red hearings that you can think of. While I've got my own idea of how I want the adventure to occur I would like to hear what springs to my fellow DMs (or Players) minds.
Hanx
Elrond |
| Fletcher |
Posted - 26 Jan 2006 : 21:43:09
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Wow! It's kind of scary to think that such a dangerous book can just end up on the shelves of some humble bookshop.
You've got a solid idea here Elrond . I look forward to hearing more...
-- Oh, I would think that the process involved in bringing Graz'zt to the Material Plane would be long and complicated... not something any fiendish NPC can knock-over in half-a-session. He *is* a Demon Lord afterall .
I totally agree the book could make for an awesome plot driver. Especially if one of the PC's decides to try to make the summoning detailed in the book happen.
I can see all sorts of long, tedious, and dangerous quests where the PC's try to collect all of the exotic and rare materials necessary to bring a demon lord of such magnitude to Toril.
Not to mention all of the good guy groups that will start to hunt down the PC's in an attempt to save the world from destruction.
Ooh, you have a great storyline waiting to happen. I might keep that sort of an idea in the back of my head for future campaigns! |
| The Sage |
Posted - 26 Jan 2006 : 00:23:37
Wow! It's kind of scary to think that such a dangerous book can just end up on the shelves of some humble bookshop.
You've got a solid idea here Elrond . I look forward to hearing more...
-- Oh, I would think that the process involved in bringing Graz'zt to the Material Plane would be long and complicated... not something any fiendish NPC can knock-over in half-a-session. He *is* a Demon Lord afterall .
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