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Dalor Darden
Great Reader
USA
4211 Posts |
 Posted - 01 Mar 2013 : 04:47:57
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Ok, I've heard pieces of information here and there...but I'm a bit stumped by a couple things about this fella:
Why is he called "Baron" anyway? He is a Zhent...and I thought they only had Lords.
What is his particular affiliation with Lord Phandymm of Zhentil Keep?
Any and all information on this fellow would be great!
EDIT: Oh, and I already know about about this link:
http://www.candlekeep.com/library/articles/es/elminster_02.htm
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The Old Grey Box and AD&D for me! |
Edited by - Dalor Darden on 01 Mar 2013 04:51:21
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7989 Posts |
Posted - 01 Mar 2013 : 05:00:33
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| But Baron von Shoon sounds so cool! |
[/Ayrik] |
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Dalor Darden
Great Reader
USA
4211 Posts |
Posted - 01 Mar 2013 : 05:07:32
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The thing that confuses me is this, from ye ol' Grey Box (page 87 about Voonlar):
quote:
Bron Bourstag Hlammythyl is an 8th level fighter of lawful evil alignment.
Now, I can say the level doesn't really matter...but such a different alignment is very much an entirely different matter as it reflects his views on the world. The only thing I can think of is that he changed to Neutral Evil after the fall of Bane? |
The Old Grey Box and AD&D for me! |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7989 Posts |
Posted - 01 Mar 2013 : 05:28:32
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Lawful Evil is classic Zhentil Keep, and remember that in AD&D 1E/2E a lot of people were labelled as "fighters" for no reason other than not being wizards, priests, or thieves. Although F8 suggests a jovially tyrannical warlord sorta fellow, perhaps (after building a keep or stronghold) just barely famous enough to attract a small army of followers.
My guess is that this guy may be (or claim to be) a Baron from elsewhere who retained the title while shifting aristocratic regions; this was common practice in Europe. I suspect strength and ruthlessness are more important traits than noble birth and bearing for such folk.
I also suspect that every character appearing in FR0 was a PC or NPC in Ed's gaming ... characters seemed to have more grand and worldly importance back in the days when the Realms were smaller and the rulesets less refined ... |
[/Ayrik] |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 01 Mar 2013 : 14:09:51
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I think that in some societies, which have very undefined 'lords' (such as Zhentil Keep), many of these self-made lords take on whatever titles they have the hubris to call themselves by.
Not really on-topic...
quote:
Originally posted by Ayrik
Lawful Evil is classic Zhentil Keep, and remember that in AD&D 1E/2E a lot of people were labelled as "fighters" for no reason other than not being wizards, priests, or thieves. <snip>
This is so weird, because I am constantly tweaking my own ideas about 'the perfect system', and just this morning I thought, "shouldn't everyone just start-out fighters, and then specialize outward from there?
After all, when you come right down to it, thats what everyone is going to do during each session, and it is usually how every campaign ends; with everyone fighting in a great, 'final battle'. It doesn't really matter how they are doing it, the PCs are all fighting. |
"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 01 Mar 2013 14:12:13 |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 01 Mar 2013 : 17:12:07
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Markustay is very close to the truth about why "Buorstag the Boar" (so nicknamed for his aggressive character, jutting lower teeth, huge belly, and shaggy/bristly unshaven appearance) was called "Baron."
Here's Ed on Zhentil Keep's Barons:
In the early days of Zhentil Keep's rise, a number of mercenary captains, semi-retired adventurers, and brigands undertook to seize and patrol bits of the Moonsea North wilderlands (formerly overrun by ogres, hobgoblins, and flind) once it became apparent that there was rich mineral wealth at or near the surface. They styled themselves "Barons," undertook to "protect" prospectors and miners in their areas in return for a share of what was mined, enforced this with the sword and with crude smelters to turn tons of rock ore into not-very-pure but much smaller blocks of "melt metal" that could be transported more easily than carts of rock to Zhentil Keep for proper refining.
In return for agreeing to funnel all of the mined metals (and gems) through Zhentil Keep (as opposed to rival Moonsea ports), they were recognized by Zhentil Keep as "Barons," and were sent regular shipments of remounts and oxen (many beasts don't survive harsh north-of-Moonsea winters) and food.
As the Zhentarim rose in power, they murdered or forcibly replaced (or magically mind-coerced) any Baron who refused to join their ranks or who disagreed with them . . . and one by one the Barons vanished (one or two fled for their lives, far across the Realms, but most perished) as the years passed, the growing Zhentilar taking over their patrolling and "swords-enforcement" functions.
So saith Ed, and there you have it, Dalor Darden. The Boar was reposted to Voonlar in the early days of the Keep's takeover of it (when Hillsfar was still resisting their expansion in the area). Of course, the Boar soon ran hard into us (the Knights). That's why there's little updated lore about him. 
love,
THO |
Edited by - The Hooded One on 01 Mar 2013 17:14:32 |
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Dalor Darden
Great Reader
USA
4211 Posts |
Posted - 02 Mar 2013 : 01:38:33
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Thank you so much THO! That is awesome information.
Too bad you killed him...but then I'm currently playing before you guys came along and wiped out so many interesting characters. lol |
The Old Grey Box and AD&D for me! |
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Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6361 Posts |
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Baron Buorstag Hlammythyl
