| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| initiate |
Posted - 09 Dec 2007 : 03:57:33
Seems presumptuous to start a thread such as this, but as its also partially a request for opinions I figure I'll go ahead:
Today I started messing around with ideas for my own personal timeline to support any campaigns that I might run going into a future Faerun that diverges from cannon, (if I don't decide to just run in the early 1370s over again, or go back in time, which might well be cool.) Thus far I've found it a lot of fun. Its also given me a slightly new perspective. Essentially: I have cut the chains which bound me to the cannon timeline. I still value the cannon that has come before, and consider the words of Ed final in all things Realmsian, but WotC and this one lowly fan see different things when we look at the Realms's future, and that's cool. This does not mean I'm buying 4 E. It does not mean I'm not still a little ticked. I'm just not terribly worked up anymore, because really it doesn't effect me much, (except for some cannon characters croaking before they've gotten the novel treatment.)
So: Firstly, I'm not really that Realms-savvy, (with regard to sourcebooks, anyway; -- haven't even got a copy of the Grand History yet, though its on my "buy soonest" list), so I would be very grateful for any imput from those who no more: Are these events things you could see happening? Are there things you would change? Would you be happy playing in a setting where X happened? Also, if anyone else is cooking up alternate chronologies, I for one would be very interested to hear what you have in mind. There's already the excellent "Realms Reimagined" thread, started by Mace Hammerhand, and the only reason I've started a new scroll is that what I'm proposing here is the brainstorming of ideas for the continuation of a timeline unlike Mace's [great; I'm thinking of using it if that's okay] concept. Essentially, I'm starting here from the standpoint that the Spellplague doesn't happen at all; Mystra does not die; etcetera.
For the moment at least, this makes me feel much better, (or more ambivalent), about 4 E. It is simply one vision, one timeline, out of many possibilities. It just happens to have sourcebooks.
As for what I'm planning, I'm thinking that I'll be going region by region, and I'm still in the very early stages. Without writing an essay, (well, a longer one anyway):
--In the Moonsea I see a strong inclination towards Bane, (and therefore the Zhentarim), as the Black Network moves to exploit Hillsfar's weakness as much as they can.
--I've moved the drow pantheon throw-down up a year. While something will still happen I will be changing it drastically, (whatever happens in "Ascendancy", because there are already some things I'm not using, such as Vhaeraun's death.)
--While I'm keeping the reclamation of Myth Drannor, it will be more of a slow, on-going process than something that just goes "bam!"; (I know its really not that way in cannon either, but that's kinda how it seems.)
--I'm thinking that Shadowdale will probably be occupied by the Zhents for a bit longer, but they'll get smacked on the nose a mite harder in the end. (Also: Manshoon has been gone far too long. I'm just sayin'.)
--On a much smaller scale, I see Laeral "taking a break" from active life and going into relative seclusion for a few years to mourn Khelben, (though I don't for a moment imagine that she'll end her days in such a way -- the Chosen have been through far too much for that.)
Incidentally, one thing I'm finding is that I really have to resist the urge to change things just 'cause I can. Cyric, for instance: never liked him. Well; I'm working with my own timeline now, so why not whack him? I am currently struggling with the urge to do this; I'm supposed to be turning away from the tendency to godslay.
So, sorry for the length. Any thoughts? Other ideas or different directions?
|
| 19 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Bird844 |
Posted - 13 Jan 2010 : 01:17:58
It's a beautiful alternative. Much better than what wotc is giving us. |
| The Red Walker |
Posted - 16 Dec 2007 : 04:13:50
quote:
Originally posted by initiate
A couple background entries:
Mirtul 1377:
Drasek Riven, the Second of Mask, receives a directive from his god, commanding him to recover the shattered pieces of the sword Godsbane and secret them far away from the eyes and hands of Faerun. This Riven does.
(Note: I'm operating under the assumption that Riven does not die or undergo some sort of major change of faith in "Shadowrealm". I greatly enjoy Paul Kemp's work, and am likely to let anything he does stand, except the complete takeover of Sembia, which is a nation I like more or less how it is.)
Nightal 1378:
The god Mask, having long considered his course, and how he might turn his own great pain and lessening to his advantage, approaches two traditional brutal and brooding divine powers with an intriguing offer.
Elasis 1379:
Powerful priests of Mask, Bane, and Malar, [who desires the Murder portfolio], gather on a small island in the Sea of Fallen Stars and, over the course of a three day ritual, reforge the sword Godsbane, brought from its hiding place on the Wayrock by Drasek Riven. Much divine power is bound up in the sword, contributed by all three dark deities, linking the blade directly to each of them.
And now...
1385, The Year of Blue Fire:
The Hour of the Mad God:
In recent years, Cyric and Shar, both of whom resent Mystra's soul control of magic, have plotted together to seize the Weave. Both realize, of course, that they cannot work together in the long-term, yet they also acknowledge that neither has any chance alone. A battle between the two of them can come later. It is now, in the Year of Blue Fire, that they choose to make their attempt. Alone, neither would have a hope of assaulting Mystra in her place of power. Yet the frontal attack of Cyric's mad rage supplemented by Shar's smothering Shadow Weave enchantment deadens the strength of Dweomerheart for a crucial instant. And in that instant, Shar cuts Cyric a path of shadowstuff leading directly into the heart of Mystra's domain, and the God of Madness launches his attack.
Yet Mystra need not rely only upon the might contained in Dweomerheart. More, what Shar has never fully grasped is that the Shadow Weave's existence is predicated on that of the Weave: it is a ghost; an imitation. Thus, where the Shadow Weave exists, the Weave must also assert itself. Drawing upon the power vested in the Magister, her Chosen, and to a lesser extent all spellcasters, as well as the vast might of the Weave entire, Mystra lashes back at Cyric. The Dark Sun is hurled in agony from Dweomerheart, and is also stripped of his divinity by a wrathful Overgod in the instant he attempts to so endanger the Weave.
Shar, sensing failure as Cyric falls out of Dweomerheart and is cast down onto Faerun, opts to cut her losses. The Lady of Loss steps back silently into the shadows, accepting and savouring the bitter emptiness of her own failure, as she waits for another day....
In the instant of Cyric's despair he realizes that he still possesses a vestige of his former power: His fall has not yet been completely implemented by Ao, and thus he still carries his divine portfolios locked within himself, [though they can do nothing for him in and of themselves.] In a moment of degradation and panic, Cyric casts his eyes to the heavens and prays with all his soul to Mask, offering up that possession of the Thief God's which he stole in exchange for aid. To his surprise, Mask answers, offering him a weapon that will allow him to ascend once more in exchange for the Intrigue portfolio. Cyric eagerly accepts, and as part of the divine power he still momentarily holds in trust drains from him he is given the reforged Godsbane.
Working with frantic haste, Cyric determines which deity associated with portfolios in which he has an interest he considers weakest. In a desperate attempt to gain influence over the Death portfolio, Cyric launches an attack upon Jergal, Scribe of the Doomed, wishing to wrest from the old god the power to record the passing of the dead. Using some of the small reserve of power he managed to filch from Mystra to ride the Weave in an instant to the Pheug Plane, the former Mad God strikes at the ancient deity with the reforged Godsbane. However, the use of the sword reforged with Bane's power summons the Black Lord to the Pheug Plane. As Jergal retreats, grievously wounded, to the Crystal Spire, Cyric lashes out at Bane with Godsbane, only to have the weapon repaired partially by Bane's black fire bounce harmlessly from the god's skin. A mere mortal, Cyric stands no chance against Bane, and the Black Lord slays him in an instant, thus reclaiming the portion of the Strife portfolio Cyric held within himself. The Lord of Tyranny departs, satisfied, as Godsbane floats away into the infinite vastness of the Pheug Plane. The great weakening of Jergal, (though he is by no means destroyed), causes a concurrent weakening in the realm of the dead, and also the Wall of the Faithless. Kelemvor stabilizes this crack in the Wall's substance with the mighty soul of Cyric the Mad who, as he died a mortal in the end, comes to the Lord of the Dead for judgment.
Cyric's portfolios are redistributed, with Bane receiving Strife and Mask retaining the Intrigue which Cyric had sacrificed to him. Malar attempts to seize Murder, but Ao intervenes, choosing to hold the portfolio in trust for the time being. The Beast Lord is furious but can do nothing. That portion of the Weave's essence which Cyric did manage to steal is returned to Mystra. The Lady of Mysteries also restabilizes those portions of her essence contained within selected mortal vessels such as the Chosen. The pantheon has, once again, been shaken by the actions of rogue deities, and has, also as before, weathered the storm.
I like it, nice work! Not only is Cyric gone, Bane is restored. Perfect. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 15 Dec 2007 : 22:10:59
quote:
Originally posted by nbnmare
I was just thinking: if the Shadow Weave "depends on the Weave to exist", then how come the Shadow Weave works just fine in dead magic zones? I smell plot hole!
Because the Shadow Weave exists in those spots where the Weave doesn't -- it's in the holes between the threads of the Weave. Dead magic areas are just larger holes between threads.
And if the Weave goes (as we know it will), then there will be no spots between threads -- because there are no threads. So the end of the Weave means the end of the Shadow Weave. |
| nbnmare |
Posted - 15 Dec 2007 : 20:00:31
I was just thinking: if the Shadow Weave "depends on the Weave to exist", then how come the Shadow Weave works just fine in dead magic zones? I smell plot hole! |
| initiate |
Posted - 15 Dec 2007 : 08:14:27
A couple background entries:
Mirtul 1377:
Drasek Riven, the Second of Mask, receives a directive from his god, commanding him to recover the shattered pieces of the sword Godsbane and secret them far away from the eyes and hands of Faerun. This Riven does.
(Note: I'm operating under the assumption that Riven does not die or undergo some sort of major change of faith in "Shadowrealm". I greatly enjoy Paul Kemp's work, and am likely to let anything he does stand, except the complete takeover of Sembia, which is a nation I like more or less how it is.)
Nightal 1378:
The god Mask, having long considered his course, and how he might turn his own great pain and lessening to his advantage, approaches two traditional brutal and brooding divine powers with an intriguing offer.
Elasis 1379:
Powerful priests of Mask, Bane, and Malar, [who desires the Murder portfolio], gather on a small island in the Sea of Fallen Stars and, over the course of a three day ritual, reforge the sword Godsbane, brought from its hiding place on the Wayrock by Drasek Riven. Much divine power is bound up in the sword, contributed by all three dark deities, linking the blade directly to each of them.
And now...
1385, The Year of Blue Fire:
The Hour of the Mad God:
In recent years, Cyric and Shar, both of whom resent Mystra's soul control of magic, have plotted together to seize the Weave. Both realize, of course, that they cannot work together in the long-term, yet they also acknowledge that neither has any chance alone. A battle between the two of them can come later. It is now, in the Year of Blue Fire, that they choose to make their attempt. Alone, neither would have a hope of assaulting Mystra in her place of power. Yet the frontal attack of Cyric's mad rage supplemented by Shar's smothering Shadow Weave enchantment deadens the strength of Dweomerheart for a crucial instant. And in that instant, Shar cuts Cyric a path of shadowstuff leading directly into the heart of Mystra's domain, and the God of Madness launches his attack.
Yet Mystra need not rely only upon the might contained in Dweomerheart. More, what Shar has never fully grasped is that the Shadow Weave's existence is predicated on that of the Weave: it is a ghost; an imitation. Thus, where the Shadow Weave exists, the Weave must also assert itself. Drawing upon the power vested in the Magister, her Chosen, and to a lesser extent all spellcasters, as well as the vast might of the Weave entire, Mystra lashes back at Cyric. The Dark Sun is hurled in agony from Dweomerheart, and is also stripped of his divinity by a wrathful Overgod in the instant he attempts to so endanger the Weave.
Shar, sensing failure as Cyric falls out of Dweomerheart and is cast down onto Faerun, opts to cut her losses. The Lady of Loss steps back silently into the shadows, accepting and savouring the bitter emptiness of her own failure, as she waits for another day....
In the instant of Cyric's despair he realizes that he still possesses a vestige of his former power: His fall has not yet been completely implemented by Ao, and thus he still carries his divine portfolios locked within himself, [though they can do nothing for him in and of themselves.] In a moment of degradation and panic, Cyric casts his eyes to the heavens and prays with all his soul to Mask, offering up that possession of the Thief God's which he stole in exchange for aid. To his surprise, Mask answers, offering him a weapon that will allow him to ascend once more in exchange for the Intrigue portfolio. Cyric eagerly accepts, and as part of the divine power he still momentarily holds in trust drains from him he is given the reforged Godsbane.
Working with frantic haste, Cyric determines which deity associated with portfolios in which he has an interest he considers weakest. In a desperate attempt to gain influence over the Death portfolio, Cyric launches an attack upon Jergal, Scribe of the Doomed, wishing to wrest from the old god the power to record the passing of the dead. Using some of the small reserve of power he managed to filch from Mystra to ride the Weave in an instant to the Pheug Plane, the former Mad God strikes at the ancient deity with the reforged Godsbane. However, the use of the sword reforged with Bane's power summons the Black Lord to the Pheug Plane. As Jergal retreats, grievously wounded, to the Crystal Spire, Cyric lashes out at Bane with Godsbane, only to have the weapon repaired partially by Bane's black fire bounce harmlessly from the god's skin. A mere mortal, Cyric stands no chance against Bane, and the Black Lord slays him in an instant, thus reclaiming the portion of the Strife portfolio Cyric held within himself. The Lord of Tyranny departs, satisfied, as Godsbane floats away into the infinite vastness of the Pheug Plane. The great weakening of Jergal, (though he is by no means destroyed), causes a concurrent weakening in the realm of the dead, and also the Wall of the Faithless. Kelemvor stabilizes this crack in the Wall's substance with the mighty soul of Cyric the Mad who, as he died a mortal in the end, comes to the Lord of the Dead for judgment.
Cyric's portfolios are redistributed, with Bane receiving Strife and Mask retaining the Intrigue which Cyric had sacrificed to him. Malar attempts to seize Murder, but Ao intervenes, choosing to hold the portfolio in trust for the time being. The Beast Lord is furious but can do nothing. That portion of the Weave's essence which Cyric did manage to steal is returned to Mystra. The Lady of Mysteries also restabilizes those portions of her essence contained within selected mortal vessels such as the Chosen. The pantheon has, once again, been shaken by the actions of rogue deities, and has, also as before, weathered the storm.
|
| initiate |
Posted - 15 Dec 2007 : 07:58:02
These are all really interesting possibilities. Keep 'em coming!
I've been sporadically continuing my time-lining endeavours and, today, quite by accident, found myself writing up the bare bones of an alternate version of the whole 1385 throw-down. I've discarded the Tyr-Helm-Tymora plot as, (imo), silly and completely unnecessary. But Cyric and Shar still attack Mystra. Things just fall out differently ... because I will not under any circumstances be killing Mystra in my campaign. She's died twice. I may or may not have liked Midnight, but I'm good with the goddess how she is.
Just to get another alternative out there, I'll post what I've got on my own personal Year of Blue Fire. Keep in mind that this is very, very early, and was just dashed off quickly. I'm not yet sure if I'm happy with any sort of catacclysmic event taking place at this point at all, but if I was to do something it might look like this. I've taken Red Walker's advice partially to heart in dealing with the Black Sun.
If people are interested, I can throw up some of the other stuff as well, (though there isn't much of it yet.)
|
| Jamallo Kreen |
Posted - 14 Dec 2007 : 23:02:15
It's not going to happen in my campaign.
|
| Hawkins |
Posted - 13 Dec 2007 : 17:43:18
quote:
Originally posted by nbnmare
Ah sorry, completely misread that :).
In my "personal vision" of the Realms, the Weave and Shadow Weave don't exist on other planes of existence, and I have the arcanists of Shade learning and mastering the art of Shadowcasting (utilising the energy of the plane of Shadow, as featured in Tome of Magic) while they were on the Plane of Shadows.
Of course that's not cannon, but I would suspect that in the "official Realms" the Shades have at least done some research into Shadowcasting, and it's definitely possible they may switch to that if Shadowcasting becomes an official part of 4E.
Eytan describes the role of Shadowcasters in this Class Chronicles article. It makes sense that at least some of the Sharrans in Shade would experiment with it, but it does not look like they have adopted it as a whole. However, you are correct, if Shade was powered by Shadowcasters instead of Shadow Adepts then it would not be affected by the death of Mystra, and subsequently the deaths of the Weave and Shadow Weave.
What I was wondering, is why the flying cities of Netheril fell when Karsus attempted to to steal Mystryl's godhood and the Weave failed (and split into the Weave and the Shadow Weave), but why Shade would not plummet when Cyric murders Mystra and the Weave and Shadow Weave both cease to exist. Though, they might have had some sort of contingency planned considering that Shar was in on the murder of Mystra. |
| nbnmare |
Posted - 13 Dec 2007 : 12:36:08
Ah sorry, completely misread that :).
In my "personal vision" of the Realms, the Weave and Shadow Weave don't exist on other planes of existence, and I have the arcanists of Shade learning and mastering the art of Shadowcasting (utilising the energy of the plane of Shadow, as featured in Tome of Magic) while they were on the Plane of Shadows.
Of course that's not cannon, but I would suspect that in the "official Realms" the Shades have at least done some research into Shadowcasting, and it's definitely possible they may switch to that if Shadowcasting becomes an official part of 4E. |
| The Red Walker |
Posted - 12 Dec 2007 : 23:24:59
quote:
Originally posted by nbnmare
Shade's survival isn't weird at all. It's stated in several sources that they used the Shadow Weave to transport their entire city to the Plane of Shadows, which is why they've been residing there for the past couple of millenia.
The incident even featured in one of the short stories in Realms of Shadow.
I think he means it would be weird if Shade survived the Spellplague, which Has Already Happened according to GHOTR |
| nbnmare |
Posted - 10 Dec 2007 : 19:58:19
Shade's survival isn't weird at all. It's stated in several sources that they used the Shadow Weave to transport their entire city to the Plane of Shadows, which is why they've been residing there for the past couple of millenia.
The incident even featured in one of the short stories in Realms of Shadow. |
| Hawkins |
Posted - 10 Dec 2007 : 17:32:45
I like these ideas, keep coming up with them you guys! On the note for the death of Cyric, if you want to employ Kelemvor as the agent of his death, make sure it is by some sort of straight forward confrontation. As much as I like him, Kelemvor has never been subtle. If you decide to keep the death of Mystra, this would be the perfect catalyst to cause Kelemvor to seek revenge. Especially if you keep them as lovers after their ascendancy to godhood. And, if you want to keep the death of Mystra but have no Spellplague, you could always have Seluné sweep in and take up her portfolio, putting her on even ground with Shar as a Greater deity again (which I think would just be awesome).
On a similar note, am I the only one to think that it is weird that Shade will still be around even though when Mystral was killed it caused all of the floating cities to drop to their doom? Also, it is a mageocracy (sp?), and Rich Baker has stated that the Shadow Weave was destroyed along with the Weave, so doesn't that mean that the Spellplague would have affected Shadow Weave users as well? |
| nbnmare |
Posted - 10 Dec 2007 : 00:01:00
quote:
Waterdeep is well known for its many passing fads, and one of the latest is a series of bardic tales collectively known as "The Guiding Light". These tales resolve around supposed antics of the gods, although in these stories the deities act less like omnipotent beings and more like a particularly rowdy group of nobles, or even a bunch of love-lorn teenagers in some tales. Specific stories within the tradition have come to be known as "episodes"; two of the more popular resolve around a love triangle between Helm, Torm, and Tymora, and a plot against Mystra by a jealous Cyric and Shar.
It is supposed that original idea for the "The Guiding Light" episode originated with one single bard, but many others have seized on the new fad, and the stories have quickly become so varied, convuluted, exagerrated, and often outright ridiculous that no-one is sure who is responsible for starting it.
Amongst those bards who have begun telling tales of "The Guiding Light" are several of the more prominent Waterdhavian bards, including the famous poet-scholar Bordell, normally noted for his fantastic tales of aberrations and other ancient horrors.
Members of numerous clergies, knighthoods, and other religious organizations, as well as many particularly zealous layworshippers have been outraged by the new craze, and several organized protests have been formed to demand the Lords of Waterdeep declare a permanent ban on the "The Guiding Light" episodes. The reaction of many other Waterdhavians, particularly those of the older generation, is to simply roll their eyes and declare this to be "yet another nail in the coffin of the once fine bardic tradition."
|
| The Red Walker |
Posted - 09 Dec 2007 : 23:03:30
quote:
Originally posted by initiate
The Red Walker Wrote:
Go ahead and whack Cyric, why wait my friend!
Your encouragement gives me heart. Yunno, I might just go ahead and ax 'im. Now, to figure out how... Should I let Bane kill him?
I am a big believer in revenge being best served cold, very cold.
Have Kelemvor kill him why don't you? |
| nbnmare |
Posted - 09 Dec 2007 : 18:54:53
You know, I was just thinking... Both the Siamorphe/Tyr/Sune/Helm/Tymora thing and the Cyric/Shar/Mystra thing could be kept in the setting, but turned into heresies that have only the tiniest glimmer of truth to them. Perhaps they started out as a silly taven tale invented by a particularly untalented bard  .
You could even keep the spellplague, but have it be caused by something else; perhaps some act of the gods (an attempt by Shar to create shadow high magic?), or epic magic/circle magic/high magic ritual gone wrong causes the Weave and the Shadow Weave to start interfering with each other, causing those sensitive to magic to be driven insane or even killed. Mystra would step in to save the day, but have to sacrifice herself in order to do so ("sacrifice" might not neccessarily even mean her death, just a significant loss of power). |
| initiate |
Posted - 09 Dec 2007 : 17:43:27
The Red Walker Wrote:
Go ahead and whack Cyric, why wait my friend!
Your encouragement gives me heart. Yunno, I might just go ahead and ax 'im. Now, to figure out how... Should I let Bane kill him?
Nbnmare, those are some very impressive details in that timeline. I'm not as familiar with the Lands of Intrigue as I'd like to be, but I downloaded the free PDF of the 2 E sourcebook from WotC the other day, and hope to dive into it soon.
LordArcana: Yes; I now see the glory of tinkering. I only see this getting more fun as I get farther into the process!
[Long live Manshoon!] |
| LordArcana |
Posted - 09 Dec 2007 : 14:27:41
quote:
Originally posted by initiate
Seems presumptuous to start a thread such as this, but as its also...
i know exactly how you feel about not being fond of how things play out. i have dm'd since first edition and right around the switch to 2nd i was unhappy with the history.
that is part of the reason all my campaigns take place between 1360-1370...i can easily make adjustments to the few things i do not like and i know this time very well. going back to 1345 has its points as well...really makes the 'players' not use out of character info if they are the type to read all the novels.
don't ever feel bad about changing cannon material! one thing i noticed was left out in 3e+ that made it a little easier for dm's to justify their changes was the little note in the front of the core books (like in 2e) that stated as a dm its not only your right to do so, but your duty to change what you don't like.
Corey
|
| The Red Walker |
Posted - 09 Dec 2007 : 12:25:20
Go ahead and whack Cyric, why wait my friend! |
| nbnmare |
Posted - 09 Dec 2007 : 08:13:41
One of several FR-related projects I have on the go is a timeline of Amn, Tethyr, and Erlkazar from Eleint 1370 DR (where Lands of Intrigue's timeline finishes) up to 1385 DR. This will naturally include the events mentioned in other source books (particularly Cloak & Dagger, Power of Faerun, and Grand History of the Realms), but it will also have a lot of stuff of my own devising. Here's a few of the completed entries:
quote:
Eleint 30th 1370 DR: Shortly after midnight, five monks of the Dark Moon take advantage of the chaotic situation in Murann to launch an assault on Moonmaiden's Hall. The occupants of the temple, including numerous citizens taking shelter from the fighting in the streets, are slaughtered to the man, woman, and child. Unbeknownst to the attackers, Lunar Christen Flechen and a small number of other Selunites were absent from the temple at the time of the attack, visiting the homes of lay worshippers wounded by the Sythillisian invaders.
Hammer 22nd 1371 DR: In Murann, members of the resistance movement (including Captain Ordl "Starpoon" Fiathrn, Lunar Crister Flechan, Shadowmaster Arialle Systone and Lord Isteer Lurraxol) launch a raid on the city's prison, believing it to be where Arturius Vymmar and two other high ranking Shadow Thieves are being held. Their information proves to be correct, but unfortunately all three thieves are already dead. They do, however, find and liberate another prisoner, an unremarkable man who claims to be an Athkatlan merchant. In truth, this "merchant" is Phaan Colwyvv, Tessarch of the Council of Six.
Ches 8th 1371: The monarchists make their move. At slightly after three in the morning, Namarch Qar Jysstev and his wife are killed in their own home when a dozen black armoured warriors burst through the doors and windows. Simultaneously, elite Shadow Thief assassins sneak into Meisarch Erlranther Alibakkar's bedchamber. However, the bed is empty, and before the group can leave to report their failure, the entire house explodes in a burst of magical fire. Fearing retribution, Shadow Master Rhinnom Dannihyr makes the Meisarch's elimination the Shadow Thieves' top priority, placing Shade Rheax Bormul in personal command of the hunt.
The Meisarch, who had received word of the plot from house Ophal, immediately begins planning a counter-attack. While one of the two Council members he knows to be loyal is dead and the other is missing, Alibakkar is well prepared for treachery. Over the years, he has cultivated many allies and granted many favours. The Meisarch decides his immediate priority should be to decide which of his connections would prove most loyal, and recruit them as his four new Council members.
3rd Flamerule 1371 DR: The armies of Amn gather outside Murann. Alongside the regular members of the army are members of the Harmonious Order, paladins of the Field Guardians, Selunite crusaders, priests and monks of Loviatar, Cyricist priests and assassins from the Mountain of Skulls, a small contingent of Knights of the Shield, and numerous mercenary companies.
14th Uktar 1378 DR: Several minor Athkatlan nobles are found murdered in their own homes, a silk black mask left by their bodies. Most suspect the involvement of Mask-worshipping Shadow Thief assassins, and an outraged nobility begins placing pressure on the Council of Six to actively persecute the still weakened guild.
Unknownst to all but the true perpetrators, the attacks are actually part of a covert crusade by Sharran monks of the Dark Moon and Cyricist Flames of the Dark Sun to rid Amn of all influences of the god Mask.
|
|
|
