| Author |
 Topic  |
|
Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
 Posted - 12 Oct 2011 : 14:35:36
|
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
quote:
Originally posted by Ayrik
lol, we're all in evil agreement that Zola's murder was perfectly reasonable.
I knew my alignment long before I joined Candlekeep. 
I always want the bad guys to win, the good guys are just too boring and predictable for me. 90% of my D&D characters were evil |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2
Try Audible and Get 2 Free Audio Books! https://amzn.to/2IgBede |
 |
|
|
sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
12194 Posts |
Posted - 13 Oct 2011 : 01:33:58
|
quote:
Originally posted by entreri3478
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
I would have to disagree. He killed Zola, the new Zulkir of Necromancy, just because he could not stand having someone so incompetent as part of the Zulkirate. He even said if she could not protect herself from a low-level demon, then she didn’t deserve to be their peers. [And of course, my favorite, Lallara, couldn’t agree more.]
I really enjoyed this scene and thought it was a fine portrayal of the Thayan Zulkir society. I 100% agree with Nevron: if you can't defend yourself against a simple demon, then you have no right being a Zulkir. Good stuff
Yeah, I did love this, and after the reminder... yeah, I do recall being irked with Aznar Thrul being killed by some demon vampire and thinking exactly what you said "what, this guy has no contingencies?" It would have been so much more believable if for instance they'd shown him get his contingencies blown in another encounter of some sort. |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
|
|
|
Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 13 Oct 2011 : 03:13:03
|
Indeed. Being the Zulkir of Evocation, if it came down to it, he could have easily leveled his own tower by unleashing his most potent spells. |
Every beginning has an end. |
|
|
|
Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 13 Oct 2011 : 14:25:32
|
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
Indeed. Being the Zulkir of Evocation, if it came down to it, he could have easily leveled his own tower by unleashing his most potent spells.
Did Aznar Thrul get any page time in other Realms books? |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2
Try Audible and Get 2 Free Audio Books! https://amzn.to/2IgBede |
|
|
|
Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 13 Oct 2011 : 17:05:47
|
quote:
Originally posted by entreri3478
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
Indeed. Being the Zulkir of Evocation, if it came down to it, he could have easily leveled his own tower by unleashing his most potent spells.
Did Aznar Thrul get any page time in other Realms books?
Sadly, no. But if you are interested in the other zulkirs and Thay itself, I would recommend Red Magic by Jean Rabe and The Simbul's Gift by Lynn Abbey. The former features Szass Tam and the then Zulkir of Transmutation, Maligor, who sought to rule Thay alone. The Simbul's Gift, obviously, features Alassra, but Lauzoril and Mythrellan also had a fair amount of screen time, as they had somehow, as Fate's jest, a certain connection to the Simbul's past. |
Every beginning has an end. |
|
|
|
Seravin
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1303 Posts |
Posted - 13 Oct 2011 : 18:53:29
|
Actually, the Simbul's Gift has the most of Aznar Thrul of all the books. He is pretty bad ass in it too, and is shown to be very devious, plotting, cautious and smart. He lets spies/traitors think they have the best of him and then crushes them when they finally reveal themselves.
As I stated before, to show the Zulkir of Evocation having no contingencies on him (which is evocation magic) on himself is ridiculous and horrible writing/contrivance. Ruined the whole series for me. |
Edited by - Seravin on 13 Oct 2011 18:54:16 |
|
|
|
Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 13 Oct 2011 : 19:14:32
|
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
quote:
Originally posted by entreri3478
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
Indeed. Being the Zulkir of Evocation, if it came down to it, he could have easily leveled his own tower by unleashing his most potent spells.
Did Aznar Thrul get any page time in other Realms books?
Sadly, no. But if you are interested in the other zulkirs and Thay itself, I would recommend Red Magic by Jean Rabe and The Simbul's Gift by Lynn Abbey. The former features Szass Tam and the then Zulkir of Transmutation, Maligor, who sought to rule Thay alone. The Simbul's Gift, obviously, features Alassra, but Lauzoril and Mythrellan also had a fair amount of screen time, as they had somehow, as Fate's jest, a certain connection to the Simbul's past.
Yeah Red Magic was great but i didn't enjoy the Simbul's Gift as much. Different writing style i guess. |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2
Try Audible and Get 2 Free Audio Books! https://amzn.to/2IgBede |
|
|
|
Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 13 Oct 2011 : 19:31:25
|
quote:
Originally posted by Seravin
As I stated before, to show the Zulkir of Evocation having no contingencies on him (which is evocation magic) on himself is ridiculous and horrible writing/contrivance. Ruined the whole series for me.
While I didn't like how his death was shown, I appreciate the author's attempt at justifying Aznar's incapacity to sufficiently protect himself. Torn robes and the loss of components for his most destructive spells. |
Every beginning has an end. |
|
|
|
Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 13 Oct 2011 : 19:45:54
|
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
quote:
Originally posted by Seravin
As I stated before, to show the Zulkir of Evocation having no contingencies on him (which is evocation magic) on himself is ridiculous and horrible writing/contrivance. Ruined the whole series for me.
While I didn't like how his death was shown, I appreciate the author's attempt at justifying Aznar's incapacity to sufficiently protect himself. Torn robes and the loss of components for his most destructive spells.
Perhaps we should take a lesson from Aznar's fate: thinking with our loins can get us into trouble |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2
Try Audible and Get 2 Free Audio Books! https://amzn.to/2IgBede |
Edited by - Artemas Entreri on 13 Oct 2011 19:46:14 |
|
|
|
Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 13 Oct 2011 : 19:58:08
|
Still, an archmage is expected to have contingencies that do not necessitate the use of spell components, so when he's divested of his robes he still has a fair chance to survive. Like ensorcelled tattoos. |
Every beginning has an end. |
|
|
|
Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 13 Oct 2011 : 20:13:59
|
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
Still, an archmage is expected to have contingencies that do not necessitate the use of spell components, so when he's divested of his robes he still has a fair chance to survive. Like ensorcelled tattoos.
Personally i have never really liked the idea of spell components. Part of what (in my mind) makes wizards awesome is their ability to instantly unleash magical power....not mix together some ingredients, do the Macarena with your hands, and recite the alphabet backwards before the magic is released. |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2
Try Audible and Get 2 Free Audio Books! https://amzn.to/2IgBede |
|
|
|
Seravin
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1303 Posts |
Posted - 13 Oct 2011 : 20:21:15
|
| I know the Symbul had some spell (2nd edition stuff) that allowed 4 spells at once to go off (lower level spells like fireball) with no casting time or verabl/material/somantic components and for max damage. It's why she always won spell duels with the Red Wizards etc. Ah well...the game mechanics and the novels rarely coincide (which is a good thing except when it comes to chain contingency spells on Anzar). |
|
|
|
Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 13 Oct 2011 : 20:28:10
|
quote:
Originally posted by Seravin
I know the Symbul had some spell (2nd edition stuff) that allowed 4 spells at once to go off (lower level spells like fireball) with no casting time or verabl/material/somantic components and for max damage. It's why she always won spell duels with the Red Wizards etc. Ah well...the game mechanics and the novels rarely coincide (which is a good thing except when it comes to chain contingency spells on Anzar).
Delayed Blast Fireball was always a good one too  |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2
Try Audible and Get 2 Free Audio Books! https://amzn.to/2IgBede |
|
|
|
Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 13 Oct 2011 : 20:30:04
|
quote:
Originally posted by entreri3478
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
Still, an archmage is expected to have contingencies that do not necessitate the use of spell components, so when he's divested of his robes he still has a fair chance to survive. Like ensorcelled tattoos.
Personally i have never really liked the idea of spell components. Part of what (in my mind) makes wizards awesome is their ability to instantly unleash magical power....not mix together some ingredients, do the Macarena with your hands, and recite the alphabet backwards before the magic is released.
That's my initial reaction when I first immersed into FR fiction. Eventually, though, I got used to the system. |
Every beginning has an end. |
|
|
|
Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 13 Oct 2011 : 20:32:18
|
quote:
Originally posted by Seravin
I know the Symbul had some spell (2nd edition stuff) that allowed 4 spells at once to go off (lower level spells like fireball) with no casting time or verabl/material/somantic components and for max damage. It's why she always won spell duels with the Red Wizards etc. Ah well...the game mechanics and the novels rarely coincide (which is a good thing except when it comes to chain contingency spells on Anzar).
She's called the Witch-Queen for a reason. |
Every beginning has an end. |
|
|
|
Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
8035 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2011 : 01:26:49
|
Actually, I didn't enjoy Red Magic at all. Maligor's grand ambitions seemed too simplistic and small-minded; he was even defeated by a handful of icky little Harpers, 'nuff said. Szass Tam was hardly mentioned as being anything more than just another treacherous background-villain Zulkir who's best avoided, albeit one with a lot more gold than any of the others.
In 2E the Simbul had a great many spells, including pretty much all of the metamagic incantrix "school", which could combine, layer, trigger, delay, or alter the casting of other spells. Unleashing stacks of spells or contingencies (along with various other spells to enhance them) with a single word or gesture could be done rather easily. Plus of course she was also powered up in various materials as one of the Seven Sisters, a Chosen of Mystra, Rashemi Witch Queen, and given plenty of unique magics as well. She was something like a 2E version of Larloch, in terms of breaking game mechanics. |
[/Ayrik] |
|
|
|
Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2011 : 04:52:14
|
And I think she still is. [Speaking of, I'm seriously considering buying Bury Elminster Deep to know how she recovered her powers and what else she's done during and after her nigh-incurable madness.] |
Every beginning has an end. |
|
|
|
Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
8035 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2011 : 05:45:44
|
| I thought you'd already read all the available Sage of Shadowdale novels, Dennis? Although I do recall you excoriated Elminster Must Die with apoplectic vitriol, a little too much Manshoon seasoning for your palette. |
[/Ayrik] |
|
|
|
Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 14 Oct 2011 : 08:41:01
|
Nope. Didn’t read BED for reasons you [and I suppose many scribes as well] already know. |
Every beginning has an end. |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
Haunted Lands Trilogy *Spoiler*
