| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 09 Jul 2006 : 02:51:17
The following is the idea that I came up with to incorporate the items and ideas from the Malhavoc Press d20 product Chaositech into the Forgotten Realms. A few thoughts led to this, the first being, what would happen if an inevitable "fell" as several celestials have been said to have. Another thing that I thought of was, who does Gond have as an enemy? The more I followed this, the more the following idea grew. This is what it led to, and I hope you enjoy it. |
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 09 Jul 2006 : 16:20:55
It depends on how many classes, templates, etc you put on them . . . if you would, PM me and I'll answer anything you may need in regard to the program and how its worked in the past for me. |
| Mazrim_Taim |
Posted - 09 Jul 2006 : 16:12:56
quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
It's great, especially if you want to make up monsters with class levels.
Do you sometimes have trouble creating high level NPC's? I was trying to recreate some of them but the program kept freezing. (I have the gold version) |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 09 Jul 2006 : 14:17:36
It's great, especially if you want to make up monsters with class levels. |
| Mazrim_Taim |
Posted - 09 Jul 2006 : 14:09:04
I bought it. I am just waiting for the designer to send me my CD-Key. I am hoping this will take some of the boring crunchyness out of dming  |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 09 Jul 2006 : 07:33:47
The program can be found here: http://www.rpgattitude.com/npcdesigner.asp
Its not free, but its an awesome program. Its got most of the SRD material in it, so you can create NPCs of nearly anything from the SRD rules just by selecting a few options from the interface. Need to make a 5th level frost giant barbarian? Just a few clicks away.
The problem with Deirdre is that if you input a large number of specific parameters, i.e. her physical stats, levels, and skills, and especially if there are too many variables making an epic level NPC, it can fault out. Last time I had it happen I was making an ancient dragon sorcerer, and there was just too much for it to calculate and it faulted out. Its great for a lot of what I need it for though.
Also, I tend to generate the "skeleton" of NPCs that I want to make using non-SRD sources as well. For example, if I want to make a Krinth fighter, I just make a human fighter of the given level, take out a feat, manually add in the Krinth traits, and it still works faster than if I had typed out the stat block from scratch.
Oh, one time I did have a problem where the program made an error and gave a dwarf +22 on his stonecunning as a racial trait . . . that's one talented dwarf . . . |
| Mazrim_Taim |
Posted - 09 Jul 2006 : 06:32:35
quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
Hm . . . may take a bit longer to do stats on Deirdre. I tried to load her base stats into NPC Designer, and her variables fault the program out. Looks like if I do it, I do it the old fashioned way, using my own brain . . . 
What is this NPC Designer program you speak of. I'm very curious to know.  |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 09 Jul 2006 : 05:55:10
Giant sentient bugs have a tendancy to make people uneasy . . . he he . . . |
| Kuje |
Posted - 09 Jul 2006 : 05:50:49
quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
Its a bit out of the scope of an article introducing Chaositech to the Realms, but the more I think about it, the more I think that some of the body upgrade things in the book would work well for Xixchil from Spelljammer . . . which of course I can mention because I'm sure there are some Xixchil in Realmspace somewhere, meaning that I'm not mentioning something not strictly about FR here in Candlekeep . . . (back me up here guys)
Actually, that's what I thought of when I was reading/glancing through Chaostech when it came out. :) I've used those praying mantis types before in my 2e game and it really freaked out the player.
"A... bug... is going to... operate on my player... oh man, you suck!" |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 09 Jul 2006 : 05:47:12
Its a bit out of the scope of an article introducing Chaositech to the Realms, but the more I think about it, the more I think that some of the body upgrade things in the book would work well for Xixchil from Spelljammer . . . which of course I can mention because I'm sure there are some Xixchil in Realmspace somewhere, meaning that I'm not mentioning something not strictly about FR here in Candlekeep . . . (back me up here guys) |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 09 Jul 2006 : 05:45:01
But she was only MOSTLY dead . . . |
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 09 Jul 2006 : 05:44:00
I guess that's what happens when you are considered dead. |
| Kuje |
Posted - 09 Jul 2006 : 05:36:13
quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
Hm . . . may take a bit longer to do stats on Deirdre. I tried to load her base stats into NPC Designer, and her variables fault the program out. Looks like if I do it, I do it the old fashioned way, using my own brain . . .
Grin.
Yeah, pity there's no 3/3.5e stats for her. |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 09 Jul 2006 : 05:27:37
Hm . . . may take a bit longer to do stats on Deirdre. I tried to load her base stats into NPC Designer, and her variables fault the program out. Looks like if I do it, I do it the old fashioned way, using my own brain . . . |
| Kuje |
Posted - 09 Jul 2006 : 05:16:39
quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
Wow . . . there is a thought . . . Deirdre as a ressurected half-machine . . . Kuje, I may just have to ponder that one for a while . . . thanks 
:) Maybe have her have a glassy appearance because of all the shards of glass that struck her.....
I should get my copy of Chaostech out and look through it again, been awhile. |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 09 Jul 2006 : 05:01:28
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
I want to go over this properly with regard to the material in Chaositech... but let me say now... I love we're you're going with this KEJR.
I have loved most of what Malhavoc put out, and a lot of it has resonated with me as far as incorporating elements into the Realms, but I have to admit, it took me a while to come up with this one. The funny thing is, when I read through Anger of Angels, I thought, why not a fallen inevitable, and then I thought, hey, I could use that for Chaositech stuff . . . and it kind of snowballed from there.
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| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 09 Jul 2006 : 04:48:09
Wow . . . there is a thought . . . Deirdre as a ressurected half-machine . . . Kuje, I may just have to ponder that one for a while . . . thanks |
| Kuje |
Posted - 09 Jul 2006 : 04:45:49
quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
I don't know, it didn't take long, but the idea of Talos having something to do with this increasingly appeals to me. The poor guys hasn't really stirred up much trouble since he messed with the Moonshaes, unless you count making Velsharoon a demi-god. I kind of like the idea of him using disgruntled Gond worshippers to create destructive items and working with the Chaotic evil Galchutt, even if the Galchutt could care less about Toril and if they have any foothold there.
If you're set on going with Talos and since you mentioned the Moonshaes..... you could use Deirdre in there somehow.... She is "dead" but maybe Talos turned her into a proxy or the like and sent her off to mess with Gond followers or these Galchutt...... |
| Mazrim_Taim |
Posted - 09 Jul 2006 : 04:35:57
Aren't the elemental deities primarily neutral? I am not sure. I like the idea of associating the cult with Talos, it would seem fitting that a rogue heretical cult would secretly worship the religion's enemy.
I may even try to use this in my own regular FR game when I get it started. Just imagine my players surprise when they discover a hidden laboratory where maniacal little gnomes experiment with half machine half human golems over the sound of evil genius laughter. Am I the only one seeing references to Frankenstein here?  |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 09 Jul 2006 : 04:32:49
I don't know, it didn't take long, but the idea of Talos having something to do with this increasingly appeals to me. The poor guys hasn't really stirred up much trouble since he messed with the Moonshaes, unless you count making Velsharoon a demi-god. I kind of like the idea of him using disgruntled Gond worshippers to create destructive items and working with the Chaotic evil Galchutt, even if the Galchutt could care less about Toril and if they have any foothold there.
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| Kuje |
Posted - 09 Jul 2006 : 04:29:25
You could also maybe use the four main elemental deities? I dunno, just a idea.... since they are usually less hands on for thier clergy and they are distant.... |
| Chosen of Bane |
Posted - 09 Jul 2006 : 04:28:22
quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
Now that I think of it though, (and thanks guys for bringing this up), I think that Talos should be the secret patron of the group. The Galchutt really don't give a hoot about any living thing, and could care less if anyone appealed to their lords for power, since they don't collect souls like demons do. I may make a bit of an edit.
Thanks for the kind words Sage, and thanks for the Talos idea guys.
Not sure what year it is in your campaign but I think this is pretty good timing to attach Talos to an antagonist cult in your game. For some reason I think the Year of Lightning Storms needs some Talos action. |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 09 Jul 2006 : 04:17:09
Now that I think of it though, (and thanks guys for bringing this up), I think that Talos should be the secret patron of the group. The Galchutt really don't give a hoot about any living thing, and could care less if anyone appealed to their lords for power, since they don't collect souls like demons do. I may make a bit of an edit.
Thanks for the kind words Sage, and thanks for the Talos idea guys. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 09 Jul 2006 : 04:14:41
I want to go over this properly with regard to the material in Chaositech... but let me say now... I love we're you're going with this KEJR.
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| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 09 Jul 2006 : 03:59:10
Thanks for the input guys, and I hope maybe even without Chaositech it might be useful as a sinister cult of Gond heretics. Heck, just have them trafficking with demons and throw in a few half iron golems (or half machines from Dungeon magazine), and you have a lot of the same flavor for the cult.
I know, I ran across the Talos thing eventually, but it doesn't seem like a burning hatred type of rivalry, more like just a "this guy is a pain because he wants to destroy the stuff I create" kind of thing. But I appreciate the responses nonetheless. Heck, Talos might even be a good god to use as an alternate for who is actually providing the cleric of the heresy with spells. |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 09 Jul 2006 : 03:56:05
The Inner Circle of the Cult
The members of the inner circle of the Cult are those that have been introduce to the creatures known as Galchutt, uncaring chaotic evil demonic creatures from planes far beyond Toril (the few sages that know anything of them cite that they may have ties, or even hail from, the Far Realm). The Galchutt are demonic creatures that often times serve as harbringers of the knowledge of Chaos, the everchanging rules that simultaneously governed and redifined reality endlessly before reality was tamed and the current planes emerged.
The Galchutt themselves could care less if the cult survives or fails, or what the cult accomplishes. They simply are part of the chaos that follows the knowledge of the science that the Clockwork Prophet has learned.
While the heritics of the lower ranks truly beleive that they are worshiping Gond in the manner the god should be worshiped, the inner circle has truly abandoned Gond. They beleive that they are gaining power from Chaos itself, or from the Galchutt lords they have come in contact with, but in truth, Talos the Destroyer has taken an interest in subverting the Church of Gond, as well as encouraging the spread of the destructive weapons of the cult to eager consumers.
The inner circle seeks to supplant the church of Gond as the paragons of invention and industry in the Realms, and eventually, they seek to spread the need for all of their wares, including the weapons of war and destruction they create. In this regard, they will eventually run into conflict with Tempus and the Red Knight, as many of the "war advanced" they may do not reconcile with the tenants of Tempus and his allied goddess.
Ironically, the Clockwork Prophet has little dealing with the Inner Circle of the Cult. It makes few moral judgements of any kind, except for deeming the lack of technological advancement in Toril the greatest sin. In his "heart" he truly hopes that the cult will force Gond to change and evolve into accepting the devices that are developed by the cult, and force him to adopt a more proactive approach to technology.
The Cult does its best to not upset or draw the attention of the Prophet, working with themselves and their Galchutt allies. |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 09 Jul 2006 : 03:46:45
The Cult Membership
Many of the cult members are simply frustrated, chaotically aligned members of the clergy of Gond, members that wish to create greater wonders than their brothers and be remember for their accomplishments. Most members of the cult aren't evil, but they are preoccupied with invention for the sake of invention, and in topping their last creation. They worry little about the consequenses of their action.
Members of the Cult of the Everchanging Machine often have the Heretic of the Faith feat from Power of Faerun. This feat gives them access to Chaos and Trickery domain, as they often have to hide the source of their wondrous devices when more orthodox members of the faith come to call on them.
Most members of the Cult of the Everchanging Machine are CN, although there are those who are truly depraved that are CE. Those that have shown an aptitude for this twisted science and a true calling for evil may enter the "inner circle" of the cult. |
| Kuje |
Posted - 09 Jul 2006 : 03:45:01
quote:
Originally posted by Chosen of Bane
quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
... who does Gond have as an enemy?...
This seemed like a rhetorical question so I'm not sure if you're looking for answers to these questions, but I believe Talos is the most hated enemy of Gond.
It's the classic builder/creator vs. destroyer relationship.
Yup, Faiths & Avatar's only lists Talos as a foe. |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 09 Jul 2006 : 03:33:34
The Clockwork Prophet
The Clockwork Prophet himself is actually a fallen inevitable, one damaged in a conflict with a chronomancer renegade that it was trying to bring to justice. The inevitable now known as the Clockwork Prophet sensed the disturbances created by the chronomancer Kaeldarra Sethdreniil. When Kaeldarra was cornered by the Clockwork Prophet, she cast a spell that whirled the inevitable through a myriad of alternate realities very rapidly, in order to take him out of phase with the multiverse and disorient him.
The Clockwork Prophet took in what he saw in many different realities, technologies and engineering feats that amazed him, and he was facinated by them. Being shifted out of phase with the multiverse made the inevitable loose track of his mission, and he became fixated on the pursuit of the technologies that he found in various alternate realities that he had visited.
The Clockwork Prophet's inevitable collegues tried to retreive him in order to repair the damage done by the chronomancer, by having him return to the creche-forges to wipe away the memories that had taken root due to the spells of Kaeldarra. Unfortunately, the Clockwork Prophet proved too evasive for them, especially hiding in alternate realities while doing his research.
Eventually, the Clockwork Prophet returned to Toril, the world that he was most familiar with of all prime material planes. When he arrived, he began to try and construct some of the wonders that he had observed in other realities. When he did, he was disappointed that they did not function properly, dispite his confidence that all of the items were constructed excactly as they needed to be.
The Clockwork Prophet used all of its knowledge of planar politics and connections to gain an audience with the god Gond himself. When in the presense of the avatar, the Clockwork Prophet found that Toril itself was slightly out of phase with other realities, which meant that all technologies and engineering feats had to be uniquely developed using processes native to Toril itself. The Prophet was incensed, and demanded that Gond allow its machines to work. Gond at first thought to destroy the damaged inevitable, but could not bring himself to destroy a creature so devoted to the pursuit of technology and invention, and so, he banished the Clockwork Prophet from his realm and bid him to find his own way to create the wonders he had discovered.
The Clockwork Prophet did indeed seek new ways, but they did not involve inventing his own proceedures for Toril. He used his knowledge of the planes to contact engineers and inventors from around the planes, trying to find some that knew how to make inventions work with Toril's unique physical limitations. Eventually he contacted some beings that told him that they knew a way to do what he sought to do.
The beings told the Clockwork Prophet that the science they practiced involved using the rules of the Chaos that existed before any of the prime material planes had come into existance, and so, as long as any shred of Chaos existed in Toril, the laws governing this new science would work. For they were not laws at all, but complex formulas that could change and shift and alter the more one learned about them, so that they constantly shifted away from the physical laws of the universe they were used in.
The Clockwork Prophet set out to teach this new science to any interested in such works, especially members of the clergy of Gond that might not be happy with the works that they were producing in the names of their god. Eventually the Clockwork Prophet founded the heresy known as the Cult of the Everchanging Machine.
The Clockwork Prophet, CN Quarut "male" Chaostechnition 10
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| Mazrim_Taim |
Posted - 09 Jul 2006 : 03:08:04
Interesting stuff KEjr. The cult sounds a bit nutto to be sure, in an evil scientist kind of way. Reminds me of Young Frakenstein. (now was that Frodrick, or Fredrick?)
Anyway, another very good interpretation on how to incorporate a non-realms product into our campaigns. Though I don't have the D20 sourcebook you mentioned, I am sure those that do will find a lot of use in this.  |
| Chosen of Bane |
Posted - 09 Jul 2006 : 03:01:42
quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
... who does Gond have as an enemy?...
This seemed like a rhetorical question so I'm not sure if you're looking for answers to these questions, but I believe Talos is the most hated enemy of Gond.
It's the classic builder/creator vs. destroyer relationship. |
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