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Galuf the Dwarf
Senior Scribe
USA
622 Posts |
 Posted - 01 Nov 2024 : 21:47:29
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Granted, this is a few years in the making, but I have an idea for a 3-part campaign. It revolves around a very powerful and charismatic/influential Cleric of Kossuth who rallies a bunch of fire-elemental creatures under his banner in an attempt to take over Faerun and put much (if not all) of it under the sway of the Lord of Fire.
The first part is called Rise of Fire and sees the beginning of this, probably as a campaign for lower-level parties, possibly levels 1-5, 1-10 or 5-10. The aformentioned BBEG gains significant humanoid followers, namely Humans, Half-Elves and Half-Orcs. However, he also starts gaining non-humanoid followers with an affinity for fire, like Azers (likely including their Efreeti slavers) or Salamanders. The PCs may be able to stem the flow of the lower ranks of this rising threat but may not be able to do TOO MUCH damage to such.
The next campaign arc is tentatively titled Ring of Fire, and things really start to heat up (no pun intended). This would be meant for levels 10-15 or 10-20. The BBEG's crusade gains even more followers and attracts even more powerful fire-elemental creatures, like Fire Giants and/or Fire Elementals. The party can do more to halt the advance but once ago, not able to stop the BBEG's advance, ultimately.
Finally, there's the finale arc, which I'll call Reign of Fire. This is meant for either 15-20 or 20-30. The BBEG's scheme is at its apex, maybe it's become a borderline (but illegitimate) empire, and attracted some of the most powerful fire-oriented creatures, like Red Dragons. Either way, it's time to take it down. The party may make more subtle approaches to dissolve some of the alliances within this whole campaign before finally taking on the bulk of the armada and - finally, but maybe not without some sacrifices - ends the BBEG and their plans for conquest once and for all.
As far as the BBEG themselves, I was thinking of making them (could be male or female) as a Neutral Evil-aligned lvl 20 Cleric of Kossuth, possibly with levels in either Warpriest or Evangelist from Complete Divine. For domains, they'd have the Fire domain (obviously) and possibly one other domain (I'm eyeing the Destruction or Wrath domains, namely the former if they have levels in Warpriest) or possibly using an alternate class feature that only grants one domain if they don't have Warpriest. Also might have the Leadership feat and whatever makes them able to attract so many soldiers and allies (or opportunists) under their banner. They've got to be powerful and able to sway a lot of followers to their cause.
I just thought I'd present the bare bones ideas for any DM to take this, flesh it out, and roll with it. How does it sound?
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Galuf's Baldur's Gate NPC stats: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8823
Galuf's 3.5 Ed. Cleric Domains: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14036
Galuf's Homebrew 4th Edition Races: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=13787
Galuf's Homebrew Specialty Priest PrCs: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14353
Galuf's Forgotten Realms Heralds and Allies thread: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8766 |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 01 Nov 2024 : 23:40:16
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| Looks good to me. Kossuth has always been one of my favourite elemental lords… so any campaigns that see him receive some fiery love is beato neato for me. *thumbs up* |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
Edited by - The Sage on 01 Nov 2024 23:40:35 |
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Delnyn
Senior Scribe
USA
958 Posts |
Posted - 02 Nov 2024 : 12:01:21
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| The Red Wizards are generally allies with the Church of Kossuth, at least in Bezantur. I recommend having some Thayan influence in your second and third campaigns. |
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Galuf the Dwarf
Senior Scribe
USA
622 Posts |
Posted - 02 Nov 2024 : 20:11:00
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quote:
Originally posted by Delnyn
The Red Wizards are generally allies with the Church of Kossuth, at least in Bezantur. I recommend having some Thayan influence in your second and third campaigns.
Possibly. After doing some research, I could see this campaign starting in or around Proskur. |
Galuf's Baldur's Gate NPC stats: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8823
Galuf's 3.5 Ed. Cleric Domains: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14036
Galuf's Homebrew 4th Edition Races: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=13787
Galuf's Homebrew Specialty Priest PrCs: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14353
Galuf's Forgotten Realms Heralds and Allies thread: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8766 |
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Delnyn
Senior Scribe
USA
958 Posts |
Posted - 02 Nov 2024 : 20:50:17
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| Does the cleric have ties to the Sultan that rules the City of Brass? |
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Galuf the Dwarf
Senior Scribe
USA
622 Posts |
Posted - 03 Nov 2024 : 01:44:10
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quote:
Originally posted by Delnyn
Does the cleric have ties to the Sultan that rules the City of Brass?
At some point, most likely, namely in order to get the Efreeti (and their Azer slaves) involved in their scheme to take over.
Speaking of the Azers, I was thinking that by the third campaign arc, one quest the party would undertake is helping the Azer slaves to rebel, eventually taking both them and the Efreeti out of the equation as the start of making the BBEG's forces start to dwindle.  |
Galuf's Baldur's Gate NPC stats: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8823
Galuf's 3.5 Ed. Cleric Domains: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14036
Galuf's Homebrew 4th Edition Races: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=13787
Galuf's Homebrew Specialty Priest PrCs: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14353
Galuf's Forgotten Realms Heralds and Allies thread: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8766 |
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Galuf the Dwarf
Senior Scribe
USA
622 Posts |
Posted - 03 Nov 2024 : 19:11:43
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As far as a name, I'm questioning if any of these sound like they'd work.
- The Armada of Fire
- Army of the Purifying Flame
- Disciples of the Cleansing Fire
- The Hand of Kossuth
- The Burning Ring
Obviously some adversaries to this BBEG's regime, who could potentially become allies of the party:
1) The Church of Ishtishia. Who else but Kossuth's mortal enemy?
2) Djinn and/or Marids. At least as far as opposing the Efreeti.
3) The Harpers. The fire armada's menace might come under their radar, particularly if they threaten their holdings.
4) The church of Auril. Obviously, winter/cold and fire don't mix. More likely an ally for a nongood-aligned party.
5) Druids of Silvanus. Fire is not their cup of tea with nature, so if many woodlands are threatened, they'll be up in arms about it.
Potential allies of the BBEG not previously mentioned.
1) The church of Tiamat and/or (more likely) the church of Tchazzar. If Red Dragons are involved, these organizations might be involved.
2) The Cult of the Dragon. As above.
3) The Zhentarim. Doubtful, but you never know, especially if they can profit from an alliance. For all I know, the Black Network might actually oppose this group's efforts if the BBEG encroaches on their own.
4) The Fire Knives guild. Just a thought of mine.
5) Bregan D'aerthe. Why not? |
Galuf's Baldur's Gate NPC stats: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8823
Galuf's 3.5 Ed. Cleric Domains: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14036
Galuf's Homebrew 4th Edition Races: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=13787
Galuf's Homebrew Specialty Priest PrCs: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14353
Galuf's Forgotten Realms Heralds and Allies thread: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8766 |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 03 Nov 2024 : 23:49:10
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What year is this campaign set in?
I’m just thinking that you could play the Zhentarim angle devilishly fragmentary if it’s around the fractious period when different arms of the Black Network are working all for their own agendas rather than to the advantage of the organisation as a whole. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Galuf the Dwarf
Senior Scribe
USA
622 Posts |
Posted - 04 Nov 2024 : 15:34:38
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
What year is this campaign set in?
I’m just thinking that you could play the Zhentarim angle devilishly fragmentary if it’s around the fractious period when different arms of the Black Network are working all for their own agendas rather than to the advantage of the organisation as a whole.
No clue, but I was thinking some time during the Era of Upheaval. Like I said, this is more of a bare bones concept that a DM can fill in the details to their liking. |
Galuf's Baldur's Gate NPC stats: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8823
Galuf's 3.5 Ed. Cleric Domains: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14036
Galuf's Homebrew 4th Edition Races: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=13787
Galuf's Homebrew Specialty Priest PrCs: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14353
Galuf's Forgotten Realms Heralds and Allies thread: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8766 |
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Delnyn
Senior Scribe
USA
958 Posts |
Posted - 04 Nov 2024 : 21:49:53
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| The Zhentarim would definitely be the most dubious allies. If you wanted to allow a rift among the allies, the Zhentarim would be the target. |
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Galuf the Dwarf
Senior Scribe
USA
622 Posts |
Posted - 05 Nov 2024 : 00:11:05
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quote:
Originally posted by Delnyn
The Zhentarim would definitely be the most dubious allies. If you wanted to allow a rift among the allies, the Zhentarim would be the target.
Yeah, probably. Like I said, though, making the Azers rebel against the Efreeti would be another major blow to them, because in (potentially) destabilizing those evil genies, that will be a significant amount of backing removed from the campaign. If the BBEG was framed for the event, then he'd/she'd DEFINITELY lose their support, the army's forces being crippled as a result.
Other ways the BBEG's forces could dwindle:
- Red Dragons either A) get decimated (which might be difficult, depending on their numbers and the average age/size of the dragons), B) convinced to defect to the Church of Tiamat or Tchazzar (namely if said church[es] break their alliance with the BBEG) or the Cult of the Dragon (similarly removing their support), or C) are shown the true intentions of the BBEG and realize they're being used and otherwise would be double-crossed eventually and abandon the BBEG
- Fire Giants come into conflict with mortal enemies (ex: Dwarves) and are defeated, are influenced to abandon the cause in favor of their native faith (ie: Surtr), or are similarly made privy to the BBEG's true intentions
- Fire Knives guild realizes they're being cheated and possibly betray the BBEG as a result |
Galuf's Baldur's Gate NPC stats: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8823
Galuf's 3.5 Ed. Cleric Domains: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14036
Galuf's Homebrew 4th Edition Races: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=13787
Galuf's Homebrew Specialty Priest PrCs: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14353
Galuf's Forgotten Realms Heralds and Allies thread: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8766 |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 05 Nov 2024 : 00:20:52
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| Fire Giants usually like to follow their own path. I could see them easily saying “Flame On!” and abandoning the BBEG when they think they’re own ambitions are longer served by working with him. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Galuf the Dwarf
Senior Scribe
USA
622 Posts |
Posted - 05 Nov 2024 : 00:28:39
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Fire Giants usually like to follow their own path. I could see them easily saying “Flame On!” and abandoning the BBEG when they think they’re own ambitions are longer served by working with him.
I take it you mean "when their own ambitions are no longer served by working with him/her"? |
Galuf's Baldur's Gate NPC stats: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8823
Galuf's 3.5 Ed. Cleric Domains: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14036
Galuf's Homebrew 4th Edition Races: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=13787
Galuf's Homebrew Specialty Priest PrCs: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14353
Galuf's Forgotten Realms Heralds and Allies thread: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8766 |
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
11829 Posts |
Posted - 05 Nov 2024 : 13:22:28
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So, a LONG time ago during second edition I wrote up a cult around Kossuth, and it was more to play with NPC stories. So, that being said, I figure why not share the NPC ideas to you
First, an Efreeti... who wears a white suit pants & jacket that is flame retardant, loves to puff cigars, and pontificates in a vein similar to Mark Twain. He likes to start his statements with "Olore', good friend, what do you think of .....". He will often use his power of illusion to appear as a normal old man and uses the smell of his cigars to cover his own burning smell.
Second, a Vampyre... (see Ruins of Undermountain I) ... the creator of Spadreera Omarkhont (see Ruins of Undermountain I page 96), who was a Waterdhavian merchant before being converted into a lonely, fire-touched vampyre. For details of Vampyres, see Ruins of Undermountain "Undermountain Adventures" page 27 or the below URL.
https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Vampyre
This Vampyre is a former priest of Sune who was also a master painter. One day while travelling with his wife, they took up camp in an old burned down shell of a castle. They were attacked in the night by brigands, and his wife was mortally wounded. The priest of Sune had already used his healing spells in the battle, and a female vampyre appeared and offered that she could save his wife's life if he would give up his own with a "fiery kiss". The female vampyre then used her "transfer life energy" kiss to bring the Sunite priest's wife back to life, but doing so left her drained and ravenous. So, she used her energy drain to drain the Sunite priest, turning him into a vampyre as well. The Sunite priest became embittered by the fact that he could no longer paint, for his brushes would immediately set to fire when he grabbed them, but he has become an accomplished artist with charcoal drawings, though the medium has a tendency to make him much more moody than normal. He also misses being able to walk in sunlight and is affected by essentially having to "live" as a night owl. He also became embittered that he could no longer touch his wife unless they employed some form of fire resistance, but he did not leave her. He lived with his love until she eventually died of old age. He continued to visit his creator over the years, but eventually he believes she was slain by adventurers, for he returned to the burned out castle to find her gone. Over the centuries, the Sunite priests relish for Sune waned, and he turned instead to Kossuth, especially since most cultists of Kossuth possessed the ability to love him due to some form of fire resistance. As another thought, he may have fathered dhampir{s} upon fire genasi females in the intervening years and may maintain contact with his children, using their ability to travel in daylight to interact with society. |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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DoveArrow
Learned Scribe
105 Posts |
Posted - 05 Nov 2024 : 17:18:42
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| Have you thought about fleshing this out and publishing it to the DM's Guild? This would be a good one. If so, would you be interested in a collaboration? I wrote a five part series, called Rise of the Genie Lords, so I have some experience. Now might be a good time since the release of the 2024 ruleset. Feel free to PM me. |
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Galuf the Dwarf
Senior Scribe
USA
622 Posts |
Posted - 05 Nov 2024 : 21:27:02
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quote:
Originally posted by DoveArrow
Have you thought about fleshing this out and publishing it to the DM's Guild? This would be a good one. If so, would you be interested in a collaboration? I wrote a five part series, called Rise of the Genie Lords, so I have some experience. Now might be a good time since the release of the 2024 ruleset. Feel free to PM me.
No idea how that DM's Guild thing works, honestly. |
Galuf's Baldur's Gate NPC stats: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8823
Galuf's 3.5 Ed. Cleric Domains: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14036
Galuf's Homebrew 4th Edition Races: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=13787
Galuf's Homebrew Specialty Priest PrCs: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14353
Galuf's Forgotten Realms Heralds and Allies thread: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8766 |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 06 Nov 2024 : 00:30:18
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quote:
Originally posted by Galuf the Dwarf
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Fire Giants usually like to follow their own path. I could see them easily saying “Flame On!” and abandoning the BBEG when they think they’re own ambitions are longer served by working with him.
I take it you mean "when their own ambitions are no longer served by working with him/her"?
That’s the dealie. I posted that before I’d had my morning orange juice. :P |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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DoveArrow
Learned Scribe
105 Posts |
Posted - 06 Nov 2024 : 00:58:57
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quote:
Originally posted by Galuf the Dwarf
No idea how that DM's Guild thing works, honestly.
Well I do. I would be happy to chat about it. Even if you decide to go it alone, I would be happy to chat.  |
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Galuf the Dwarf
Senior Scribe
USA
622 Posts |
Posted - 08 Nov 2024 : 01:32:38
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| Another potential ally (or enemy) I JUST thought of? The cult of Mephistopheles. Their use of Hellfire may or may not mesh well with the BBEG. It could either be a tool to further their conquest, or the antagonist's group could see it as impure due to its infernal nature. |
Galuf's Baldur's Gate NPC stats: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8823
Galuf's 3.5 Ed. Cleric Domains: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14036
Galuf's Homebrew 4th Edition Races: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=13787
Galuf's Homebrew Specialty Priest PrCs: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14353
Galuf's Forgotten Realms Heralds and Allies thread: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8766 |
Edited by - Galuf the Dwarf on 08 Nov 2024 01:33:02 |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
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Galuf the Dwarf
Senior Scribe
USA
622 Posts |
Posted - 09 Nov 2024 : 01:50:37
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
I like the second angle you referenced as a potential action for the Cult. Definitely vibes with their whole impetus for nefariousness.
Yeah, I wasn't too sure if Kossuth and Mephistopheles would mix. After all, the Duke of Brimstone would likely want the Lord of Fire's portfolio for his own, given that he stole some of the essence of Mask. |
Galuf's Baldur's Gate NPC stats: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8823
Galuf's 3.5 Ed. Cleric Domains: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14036
Galuf's Homebrew 4th Edition Races: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=13787
Galuf's Homebrew Specialty Priest PrCs: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14353
Galuf's Forgotten Realms Heralds and Allies thread: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8766 |
Edited by - Galuf the Dwarf on 09 Nov 2024 01:51:06 |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 11 Nov 2024 : 00:27:41
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| Yep. I even think that… in one of the 2e “Planes of ….. “ there’s a reference to Mephistopheles siphoning off some fire-creature support from Kossuth after a deal brokered between the two lords by a third-party, broke down. Itnink it was the Chaos boxed set. I’ll have to check. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Campaign Idea I Was Thinking Of
