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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
 Posted - 26 Dec 2011 : 05:36:10
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2012 is nearing... The world is about to end. Or so what some people believe (as the Mayan calendar ends in 2011). We've seen the film, and many more others that depict the ultimate doom.
Let's say you're the Prime Mover and there is an alternate Toril that should be destroyed as it threatens the existence of other Torils. How would you end it exactly? A more powerful version of the Spellplague? Super-Spellplague? Natural calamities such as volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, melting of the High Ice, endless blizzard? An incurable, fast-spreading disease that's impervious to magical, clerical, and mundane ministration? An advanced technology imported from other worlds, like Earth's atomic bombs? An unstoppable Shadowstorm? Also, would you leave survivors? If so, who would they be, and where would you place them after? Would you create another Toril as replacement? What kind of world would it be? Would you kill all the gods or let some live?
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Every beginning has an end. |
Edited by - Dennis on 26 Dec 2011 15:57:02
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sfdragon
Great Reader
2285 Posts |
Posted - 26 Dec 2011 : 05:37:49
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funky thing is about the end of the world deal... is that its just that. another day in parodiuse.
one world ends and a new one begins.
and a search for the philosopher's stone will begin all over again. |
why is being a wizard like being a drow? both are likely to find a dagger in the back from a rival or one looking to further his own goals, fame and power
My FR fan fiction
Magister's GAmbit
http://steelfiredragon.deviantart.com/gallery/33539234 |
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Therise
Master of Realmslore
1272 Posts |
Posted - 26 Dec 2011 : 06:45:55
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quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
2012 is nearing... The world is about to end. Or so what some people believe (as the Mayan calendar ends in 2011). We've seen the film, and many more others that depict the ultimate doom.
Let's say you're the Prime Mover and there is an alternate Toril that should be destroyed as it threatens the existence of other Torils. How would you end it exactly? A more powerful version of the Spellplague? Super-Spellplague? Natural calamities such as volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, melting of the High Ice, endless blizzard? An incurable, fast-spreading disease that's impervious to magical, clerical, and mundane ministration? An advanced technology imported from other worlds, like Earth's atomic bombs? An unstoppable Shadowstorm? Also, would you leave survivors? If so, who would they be, and where would you place them after?
The year: 1480. From beyond the celestial phlogiston comes a runaway planet, hurtling between Toril and Selune, unleashing cosmic destruction! All civilization is cast in ruin!
Two thousand years later, Toril is reborn... a strange new world rises from the old: a world of savagery, super science, and sorcery. But one woman bursts her bonds to fight for justice! With her companions Orclo the Orc and Prince Arion, she pits her strength, her courage, and her fabulous Vorpal Blade of Snicker-Snack against the forces of evil!
She is Thundarra, the Barbarian!
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Female, 40-year DM of a homebrew-evolved 1E Realms, including a few added tidbits of 2E and 3E lore; played originally in AD&D, then in Rolemaster. Be a DM for your kids and grandkids, gaming is excellent for families! |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7989 Posts |
Posted - 26 Dec 2011 : 06:52:27
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quote:
The world is about to end ... an alternate Toril that should be destroyed as it threatens the existence of other Torils. How would you end it exactly?
I'd leave it to the professionals. Will happen by itself in D&D 5E. |
[/Ayrik] |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 26 Dec 2011 : 06:59:21
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quote:
Originally posted by Ayrik
Exactly who's ending the world, and why? Pointless question without any context.
Reread the OP before posting a pointless response.
quote:
Originally posted by Ayrik
Ao might partition the world to isolate opposing forces which threaten to cause destructive imbalance.
Mystra would just "sacrifice herself" in another mighty blue explosion, turning all of the Realms into a magically unstable crater.
Shar would suck everything into nonexistence within a void.
Talos would enjoy blasting everything to ash in a variety of exciting ways.
Szass Tam would reshape things to suit his own megalomania.
Moander would just turn the world into a giant rotten Zerg hive.
I said alternate Toril. It's not the Abeir-Toril that we know. It's the Toril where gods and Ao possibly exist but are indifferent to. Some characters we know in (for the sake of this argument, I'd like to call) Prime Toril may not exist in this version that has to be nuked.
You are the Prime Mover. You can do as you like or as you need. This is just an exercise of the mind, to see if you can be the next Roland Emmerich, Alex Proyas, Mimi Leder, or Scott Derrickson. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7989 Posts |
Posted - 26 Dec 2011 : 07:06:59
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| I suppose it was pointless to respond to trolling. Count me out of your scroll. |
[/Ayrik] |
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Therise
Master of Realmslore
1272 Posts |
Posted - 26 Dec 2011 : 07:19:01
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quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
...This is just an exercise of the mind, to see if you can be the next Roland Emmerich, Alex Proyas, Mimi Leder, or Scott Derrickson.
Good lord, why would anyone want to be "the next one" in that lineup?
Everything Roland Emmerich has done, with possibly the exception of Stargate, has really blown serious chunks. And Stargate had that hokey child-villain that almost ruined it.
Mimi Leder, as a director, is responsible for what? Deep Impact and Pay It Forward?
Then Scott Derrickson, pretty much downhill since the remake he did of The Day the Earth Stood Still... which had Keanu Reeves as Klaatu. Keanu Reeves. As Klaatu. Now Scott's involved in some TV thing called Thunderstruck on AMC which is basic cable. When a film guy goes television, gack.
Too funny.
Edit: hang on, missed Alex Proyas. He's cool, and gets major props for Dark City and Knowing. So one out of four gets a pass.
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Female, 40-year DM of a homebrew-evolved 1E Realms, including a few added tidbits of 2E and 3E lore; played originally in AD&D, then in Rolemaster. Be a DM for your kids and grandkids, gaming is excellent for families! |
Edited by - Therise on 26 Dec 2011 07:30:08 |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 26 Dec 2011 : 07:51:06
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quote:
Originally posted by sfdragon
funky thing is about the end of the world deal... is that its just that. another day in parodiuse.
one world ends and a new one begins.
Perhaps. But some worlds that had been annihilated were never reborn, like Ephyras, where Shar reigned. Or maybe it's not reborn yet. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36912 Posts |
Posted - 26 Dec 2011 : 14:06:14
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quote:
Originally posted by Therise
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
2012 is nearing... The world is about to end. Or so what some people believe (as the Mayan calendar ends in 2011). We've seen the film, and many more others that depict the ultimate doom.
Let's say you're the Prime Mover and there is an alternate Toril that should be destroyed as it threatens the existence of other Torils. How would you end it exactly? A more powerful version of the Spellplague? Super-Spellplague? Natural calamities such as volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, melting of the High Ice, endless blizzard? An incurable, fast-spreading disease that's impervious to magical, clerical, and mundane ministration? An advanced technology imported from other worlds, like Earth's atomic bombs? An unstoppable Shadowstorm? Also, would you leave survivors? If so, who would they be, and where would you place them after?
The year: 1480. From beyond the celestial phlogiston comes a runaway planet, hurtling between Toril and Selune, unleashing cosmic destruction! All civilization is cast in ruin!
Two thousand years later, Toril is reborn... a strange new world rises from the old: a world of savagery, super science, and sorcery. But one woman bursts her bonds to fight for justice! With her companions Orclo the Orc and Prince Arion, she pits her strength, her courage, and her fabulous Vorpal Blade of Snicker-Snack against the forces of evil!
She is Thundarra, the Barbarian!
I give you points for that one, my dear Therise! |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Firestorm
Senior Scribe
Canada
826 Posts |
Posted - 26 Dec 2011 : 15:48:50
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quote:
Originally posted by Therise
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
...This is just an exercise of the mind, to see if you can be the next Roland Emmerich, Alex Proyas, Mimi Leder, or Scott Derrickson.
Good lord, why would anyone want to be "the next one" in that lineup?
Everything Roland Emmerich has done, with possibly the exception of Stargate, has really blown serious chunks. And Stargate had that hokey child-villain that almost ruined it.
Mimi Leder, as a director, is responsible for what? Deep Impact and Pay It Forward?
Then Scott Derrickson, pretty much downhill since the remake he did of The Day the Earth Stood Still... which had Keanu Reeves as Klaatu. Keanu Reeves. As Klaatu. Now Scott's involved in some TV thing called Thunderstruck on AMC which is basic cable. When a film guy goes television, gack.
Too funny.
Edit: hang on, missed Alex Proyas. He's cool, and gets major props for Dark City and Knowing. So one out of four gets a pass.
And then the return of Pun Pun the mighty Kobold! Most powerful 3.5 character ever made!! |
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Therise
Master of Realmslore
1272 Posts |
Posted - 26 Dec 2011 : 17:16:39
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I give you points for that one, my dear Therise!
Heh!
Thundarra: "There can't be more than 50 of them, I'll be fine!"
Prince Arion: "Thundarra!!!"
Orclo: "Arr-arragh!" |
Female, 40-year DM of a homebrew-evolved 1E Realms, including a few added tidbits of 2E and 3E lore; played originally in AD&D, then in Rolemaster. Be a DM for your kids and grandkids, gaming is excellent for families! |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 26 Dec 2011 : 17:21:30
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Its not the end of the world - its a new beginning. Weather humans survive it or not is neither here-nor-there.
Nature takes it course, and life goes on. We matter very little (as do Torillians, applying this to the thread-topic).
And on both - the RW and Abeir-Toril - this cycle has repeated many times already. Just ask the dinosaurs and the Creator-Races.
I'd like to think we are nothing more then an Etch-a-sketch in the hands of some uncaring uber-entity. Comforting, no?  |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 26 Dec 2011 : 17:43:29
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quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
Its not the end of the world - its a new beginning.
A matter of perspective. One sees a dot, another a hole. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Eldacar
Senior Scribe
438 Posts |
Posted - 27 Dec 2011 : 06:07:35
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| I'd just end it. One moment it would be there, and the next it would be gone. What sense is there in my needlessly prolonging the suffering of the inhabitants? |
"The Wild Mages I have met exhibit a startling disregard for common sense, and are often meddling with powers far beyond their own control." ~Volo
"Not unlike a certain travelogue author with whom I am unfortunately acquainted." ~Elminster |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 27 Dec 2011 : 14:39:35
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quote:
Originally posted by Eldacar
I'd just end it. One moment it would be there, and the next it would be gone. What sense is there in my needlessly prolonging the suffering of the inhabitants?
If you were their god, the inhabitants would definitely adore you. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Yoss
Learned Scribe
USA
259 Posts |
Posted - 27 Dec 2011 : 18:33:19
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quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
I'd like to think we are nothing more then an Etch-a-sketch in the hands of some uncaring uber-entity. Comforting, no?
Shake, shake, shake!! |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jan 2012 : 08:43:37
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quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
I'd like to think we are nothing more then an Etch-a-sketch in the hands of some uncaring uber-entity. Comforting, no?
Vhostym somewhat realized the same thing when he cast a spell that enabled him to view the world and the Weave.
Many even believe that those long-lived beings (evil, mostly) who think themselves to be too important are living an illusion. They've seen the truth, didn't like it, and so chose the lie which brings them comfort. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Wolfhound75
Learned Scribe
USA
217 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jan 2012 : 20:15:07
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On the last day of Nightal in the Year of Deep Water Drifting (1480 DR), Dendar the Night Serpent awakes from slumber in the Great Wastes.
He's famished after hibernating, and again tries to swallow the sun. This time he succeeds but winds up with bad heart burn. He tries to swallow Toril hoping the water will quench the burn, but discovers and wakes the Leviathan instead. Epic cosmic serpent battle ensues.
During the battle gods, primordials, and Abier are destroyed. With no sun, Toril quickly enters a flash ice-age, killing most life but preserving a select and fortunate few. Dendar and Leviathan wind up hopelessly and forever entwined - eating each other's tails in a twisted rune-like pattern.
"Doo-dads" inherit what remains of Toril and attempt to fix the problem, accidentally succeeding in spite of themselves. Thundarra and her group, preserved in ice, are discovered by the doo-dads. They thaw them out. Big mistake. Thundarra, Prince Arion, and Orclo proceed to slaughter all doo-dads they encounter, thus ending the threat of Drizzty Drizztness ever returning.
Seeking shelter from the cold, they stumble onto a frozen tower and discover Ed of the Greenwood and Elminster had also been part of the fortunate few, caught by the ice while playing wizard's chess. They revive the lucky duo.
With Elminster's scrying abilities, they are able to locate other notable survivors. Ed and Elminster discuss who is worth reviving and who is better off gone from The Realms. They revive the selected few and together re-forge The Realms.
They discover in the process that Leviathan was really an aspect of WotC and Dendar an aspect of Hasbro. The new celestial body is christened WizBro and credited with being the closest The Realms have ever come to being destroyed. Otherwise it is largely ignored since they are busy chewing on each other and can't otherwise break away to threaten all creation again.
Life resumes in The Realms.
It is Glorious.
Good Hunting! |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jan 2012 : 22:08:17
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I'd do a necromunger-style invasion, and have them overpower everyone, good and bad.
In fact, in my head, I have already written that story. I was planning on putting it to paper as fanfic someday, but the Spellplague/4e kinda destroyed any thoughts of creating my own stories (since it ended all the storylines, basically).
It would have been glorious - The Simbul and Szazz Tam fighting back-to-back in the east, Larloch reporting-in to Elminster, telling him Khelben, Laeral, and hundreds Drow Wizards have just fallen... Waterdeep has been taken. The Elven Armada is keeping Evermeet safe for now, but the Moonshaes are lost. Obould's Orcs have finally arrived to reinforce Silverymoon, but it doesn't look good - the mythal is collapsing. Hopefully Iouun's illithids and the Phaerimm can reinforce it psionically. Cormyr's a smoking crater - everyone's dead. The Sembians are all being enslaved as we speak... lost contact with Halruaa...
Oh yeah, when I do Armageddon, I do it right, None of this half-arsed spellplague nonsense.
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
I'd like to think we are nothing more then an Etch-a-sketch in the hands of some uncaring uber-entity. Comforting, no?
Vhostym somewhat realized the same thing when he cast a spell that enabled him to view the world and the Weave.
Many even believe that those long-lived beings (evil, mostly) who think themselves to be too important are living an illusion. They've seen the truth, didn't like it, and so chose the lie which brings them comfort.
They chose not to take the Red Pill?  |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 12 Jan 2012 19:53:42 |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jan 2012 : 13:43:18
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That's nice, MT. But I would involve more characters, and perhaps resurrect or reincarnate those that can be of help (like Karsus, some Imaskari archwizards, etc). And I would have the story told in various points of view. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Marc
Senior Scribe
662 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jan 2012 : 13:48:16
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| I would teleport the planet somewhere, to Limbo, or atop the Outland's Spire to roll down, imagine the fun |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jan 2012 : 13:56:21
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Might as well smash it with Alara. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 12 Jan 2012 : 19:58:41
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quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
That's nice, MT. But I would involve more characters, <snip> And I would have the story told in various points of view.
Precisely.
The argument between Manshoon and Elminster would have been legendary - Manshoon would be in the 'inner council' directing the war, since he has access to all the 'bad guys'.
The Dalesmen and Moonsea types (inlcuding the Zhents) are hold-up in Myth Drannor, fighting a desperate, street-by-street pitched battle, etc, etc...
Good and evil no longer matter - even resident fiends (like the ones in Hellgate Keep) would be assisting the war effort.
Like I said - EPIC. You gonna kill off a setting, you have it go out in a blaze of glory. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 13 Jan 2012 14:20:09 |
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Thauranil
Master of Realmslore
India
1591 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jan 2012 : 10:58:14
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Yeah i totally agree if your going down take some od them with you. Its only right for the realms characters we love to do the same.
This might actually make for a good alternative timeline type of story. |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jan 2012 : 14:17:33
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quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
That's nice, MT. But I would involve more characters, <snip> And I would have the story told in various points of view.
Precisely.
The argument between Manshoon and Elminster would have been legendary - Manshoon would be in the 'inner council' directing the war, since he has access to all the 'bad guys'.
It goes without saying that in my version, Manshoon dies at the early stage of this ultimate doom, limiting his participation to, say, trying to convince the Abolethic Sovereignty to join their cause. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jan 2012 : 14:27:12
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Ahhhhhh...
But that was merely ONE of the Manshoons. 
The only thing that was taken down instantly at the beginning was Shade - they were able to generate a magic-supression field around Shade, dropping it to the ground and killing (nearly) everyone. This happened during the initial assault (suggesting the invaders considered them the biggest threat).
Needless to say, Telamont became one of the wars greatest heroes, single-handedly taking out dozens of enemy world-crusher ships. He fought for three days straight, and gave the rest of the planet enough time to martial their forces.
Like I said, EVERYONE gets a cameo.
Elminster also had some advance warning - he lost touch with Mordenkainen (Oerth fell before the attack on Toril began). Larloch and Ambuchar (Tan Chin) had an inkling of what was going on as well (both monitor other-worldy portals). Entire worlds were just 'winking out'. That makes Toril the first planet to be semi-prepared, and also the only one to put up a strong defense.
But the Bio-Golems of Borgonia-9 always win... Resistance is futile. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 13 Jan 2012 14:33:44 |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jan 2012 : 14:46:44
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quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
Ahhhhhh...
But that was merely ONE of the Manshoons.
All the Manshoon clones were destroyed before the "doom," and the one that remained was the vampire...but didn't last long.
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
The only thing that was taken down instantly at the beginning was Shade - they were able to generate a magic-supression field around Shade, dropping it to the ground and killing (nearly) everyone. This happened during the initial assault (suggesting the invaders considered them the biggest threat).
Of course, I'm not surprised to hear this from you. I'd rather have Shade, Cormyr, Thay, Rashemen, and Evareska mount the last stand.
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
Needless to say, Telamont became one of the wars greatest heroes, single-handedly taking out dozens of enemy world-crusher ships. He fought for three days straight, and gave the rest of the planet enough time to martial their forces.
Nice. But I'd have him do more than that. He, Larloch, Aumvor, Halaster, Madryoch, the Eldest, the High Mages of Evareska, the Skulls, and all the surviving Netherese archwizards cast a Grand Ritual that obliterated half of the army of the first wave of invasion.
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
Like I said, EVERYONE gets a cameo.
Definitely. But I'd rather give the Harpers a very brief mention, just in passing, most likely. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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Wolfhound75
Learned Scribe
USA
217 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jan 2012 : 16:24:59
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Why not make the Harpers a bunch of Liasons bent on keeping the peace between various factions so they fight the enemy and not each other?
Seems like a suitably behind-the-scenes meddling that would be hallmark for them. And the internal struggles would be great to play up. "We're opposed to evil. But they're in just as much peril as we are from a different evil. Is the enemy of my enemy my friend?" Oh the drizzty drizztness that could play up with the little internal monologue.
Good Hunting! |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jan 2012 : 17:43:26
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Drizzt, BTW, was leading a large Underdark army, but was killed in Skullport by friendly fire - an 8 year old with a bow and bad aim.
Sorry Drizzt fans, but someone has to finally figure out Drizzt is NOT immune to arrows (why does everyone try to melee him? Is the entire planet that stupid?) He dies a useless death and fades into obscurity (which, as a disembodied spirit, he can appreciate, and is finally at peace).
@Dennis: Your lucky - I wasn't going to mention the Shades at-all, and Telamont seems more like the "I'm just going to do it all by myself" type, then trust a bunch of outsiders (he is a xenophobic Netherese, after all). I had this worked out at the end of 2e, just before 3e came out, so my story was set just before the arrival of Shade (and I moved the timeline forward for the Shade-lovers here). Note I also ended Halruaa's participation abruptly - they hit all the biggest threats first. Thay was practically obliterated as well - that's why whats left of the Red Wizards are fighting on the Aglarond peninsula.
The Harpers and Chosen are spread-out, so they couldn't be taken down in that style of concentrated attack.
Most of the deities have gone silent. The Invaders use a type of Lifejammer-Helm called a Godjammer. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 13 Jan 2012 17:45:04 |
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Varl
Learned Scribe
USA
284 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jan 2012 : 17:46:28
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quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
Let's say you're the Prime Mover and there is an alternate Toril that should be destroyed as it threatens the existence of other Torils. How would you end it exactly?
The Zombie Apocalypse. |
I'm on a permanent vacation to the soul. -Tash Sultana |
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At the Precipice of Doom
