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shades of eternity
Learned Scribe
288 Posts |
 Posted - 27 Sep 2016 : 18:00:06
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I've always like the character.
He felt like the only competent villain during the period where the heroes had to win.
He assisted the pcs in numerous occasions to deal with bigger evils (see Curse of the Azure Bonds).
He brought back his own god.
He became the chosen of Bane because of his devotion.
since he was killed by the Netheril, he has become Bane's avatar.
If he weren't a villain, he'd be a dang hero.
I wanted to see if he had been updated in 5e and/or any ideas on how to use him for an adventure path.
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check out my post-post apocalyptic world at www.drevrpg.com |
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nblanton
Seeker
USA
92 Posts |
Posted - 27 Sep 2016 : 23:07:45
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I agree. I always like Fzoul.
I did think some of his character went downhill after he took over the Zhentarim. I liked it better when he was in background and Manshoon was running his organization. |
It is the spirit of the game, not the letter of the rules, which is important. Never hold to the letter written, nor allow some barracks room lawyer to force quotations from the rule book upon you, if it goes against the obvious intent of the game.
Afterword, DMG pg 230. |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 28 Sep 2016 : 03:00:37
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| Fzoul for President. |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36803 Posts |
Posted - 28 Sep 2016 : 03:17:02
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| A competent, reasonable evil person is always more interesting to me than Insane Villain #4 or Evil-for-Evil's-Sake cliché #17. |
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The Masked Mage
Great Reader
USA
2420 Posts |
Posted - 28 Sep 2016 : 05:42:22
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| Could not disagree more... Fzoul's life story never made any sense if you ask me. He was a powerful, but only moderately so cleric who repeatedly switches his allegiance from god to god - and they are so poorly written that they just keep rewarding him with more power so he can (in the next edition) turn coat again. :P |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31772 Posts |
Posted - 28 Sep 2016 : 14:28:57
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| Fzoul was another interesting NPC with potential - which unfortunately suffered as a result of some of the BIG-REALMS-CHANGES that impacted the setting in the latter 3e-era. |
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 |
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Gyor
Master of Realmslore
1625 Posts |
Posted - 28 Sep 2016 : 15:03:33
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| I think Fzoul ended up a Demigod of sorts, one of the Exarchs. |
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Lilianviaten
Senior Scribe
489 Posts |
Posted - 28 Sep 2016 : 15:59:10
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I thought we would be getting more Fzoul focus. He's an amazing villain, and 4e really made it seem like they were prepping Bane for a major run. Bane strongarmed Tiamat, bullied Hoar, took over the goblin pantheon, and ended up with 4 or 5 full fledged gods serving him as exarchs. Plus his main enemy Cyric was incarcerated in the Supreme Throne for 1,000 years.
Oh, and since Bane helped Szass Tam take over Thay, only Bane can be worshipped there. So Bane has several HUGE victories in 4e, seemingly setting him up to be center stage in 5e after Shar, Lolth, and Asmodeus are done hogging the spotlight. Even with his longtime allies Bhaal and Myrkul back, Bane seems to be doing nothing.
I feel as though the war against Bane's resurgent followers, or a plot to foil one of his schemes, should be a 5e adventure. They are totally sidelining the Black Hand, and by extension his servant Fzoul.
Btw, whatever happened to Scyulla Darkhope? She was awesome too. |
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Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6361 Posts |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36803 Posts |
Posted - 28 Sep 2016 : 20:44:02
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quote:
Originally posted by Lilianviaten
I thought we would be getting more Fzoul focus. He's an amazing villain, and 4e really made it seem like they were prepping Bane for a major run. Bane strongarmed Tiamat, bullied Hoar, took over the goblin pantheon, and ended up with 4 or 5 full fledged gods serving him as exarchs. Plus his main enemy Cyric was incarcerated in the Supreme Throne for 1,000 years.
Oh, and since Bane helped Szass Tam take over Thay, only Bane can be worshipped there. So Bane has several HUGE victories in 4e, seemingly setting him up to be center stage in 5e after Shar, Lolth, and Asmodeus are done hogging the spotlight. Even with his longtime allies Bhaal and Myrkul back, Bane seems to be doing nothing.
I feel as though the war against Bane's resurgent followers, or a plot to foil one of his schemes, should be a 5e adventure. They are totally sidelining the Black Hand, and by extension his servant Fzoul.
Xvim has done pretty well for himself since taking over his dad's name and position. 
(Note: that's not officially stated anywhere, it's my interpretation of a lot of hints scattered throughout 3E material) |
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Mirtek
Senior Scribe
595 Posts |
Posted - 28 Sep 2016 : 21:09:41
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Lilianviaten
I thought we would be getting more Fzoul focus. He's an amazing villain, and 4e really made it seem like they were prepping Bane for a major run. Bane strongarmed Tiamat, bullied Hoar, took over the goblin pantheon, and ended up with 4 or 5 full fledged gods serving him as exarchs. Plus his main enemy Cyric was incarcerated in the Supreme Throne for 1,000 years.
Oh, and since Bane helped Szass Tam take over Thay, only Bane can be worshipped there. So Bane has several HUGE victories in 4e, seemingly setting him up to be center stage in 5e after Shar, Lolth, and Asmodeus are done hogging the spotlight. Even with his longtime allies Bhaal and Myrkul back, Bane seems to be doing nothing.
I feel as though the war against Bane's resurgent followers, or a plot to foil one of his schemes, should be a 5e adventure. They are totally sidelining the Black Hand, and by extension his servant Fzoul.
Xvim has done pretty well for himself since taking over his dad's name and position.
(Note: that's not officially stated anywhere, it's my interpretation of a lot of hints scattered throughout 3E material)
You mean before Cyric grew tired of him, murdered him and since then pretends to be the reborn Bane? |
Edited by - Mirtek on 28 Sep 2016 21:10:08 |
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shades of eternity
Learned Scribe
288 Posts |
Posted - 28 Sep 2016 : 23:27:33
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please can the political speak and get back on topic. :(
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Fzoul was another interesting NPC with potential - which unfortunately suffered as a result of some of the BIG-REALMS-CHANGES that impacted the setting in the latter 3e-era.
In the 2e era, I think there was an unofficial mandate to keep any non magic user character under 20th level.
It has been a while, but I'm scratching my head to remember one. |
check out my post-post apocalyptic world at www.drevrpg.com |
Edited by - shades of eternity on 28 Sep 2016 23:37:14 |
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Brimstone
Great Reader
USA
3287 Posts |
Posted - 28 Sep 2016 : 23:29:35
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There is a female Zhent Agent in Storm King Thunder with the last name of Darkhope. Could she be related to Scyulla Darkhope in some way?
I was never really impressed with Fzoul myself... |
"These things also I have observed: that knowledge of our world is
to be nurtured like a precious flower, for it is the most precious
thing we have. Wherefore guard the word written and heed
words unwritten and set them down ere they fade . . . Learn
then, well, the arts of reading, writing, and listening true, and they
will lead you to the greatest art of all: understanding."
Alaundo of Candlekeep |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36803 Posts |
Posted - 29 Sep 2016 : 02:33:31
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Let's keep the real world politics out of this, please. I've just removed a couple of posts because of that.  |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36803 Posts |
Posted - 29 Sep 2016 : 02:34:41
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quote:
Originally posted by Mirtek
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Lilianviaten
I thought we would be getting more Fzoul focus. He's an amazing villain, and 4e really made it seem like they were prepping Bane for a major run. Bane strongarmed Tiamat, bullied Hoar, took over the goblin pantheon, and ended up with 4 or 5 full fledged gods serving him as exarchs. Plus his main enemy Cyric was incarcerated in the Supreme Throne for 1,000 years.
Oh, and since Bane helped Szass Tam take over Thay, only Bane can be worshipped there. So Bane has several HUGE victories in 4e, seemingly setting him up to be center stage in 5e after Shar, Lolth, and Asmodeus are done hogging the spotlight. Even with his longtime allies Bhaal and Myrkul back, Bane seems to be doing nothing.
I feel as though the war against Bane's resurgent followers, or a plot to foil one of his schemes, should be a 5e adventure. They are totally sidelining the Black Hand, and by extension his servant Fzoul.
Xvim has done pretty well for himself since taking over his dad's name and position.
(Note: that's not officially stated anywhere, it's my interpretation of a lot of hints scattered throughout 3E material)
You mean before Cyric grew tired of him, murdered him and since then pretends to be the reborn Bane?
Seriously, there were a lot of hints in 3E material that Bane 2.0 was either full-on Iyachtu Xvim or some amalgam of Bane 1.0 and Xvim. |
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Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 29 Sep 2016 : 06:00:12
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I've never been a fan of Wooly's take on all that, but considering whats been said here (Lilianviaten's points), it almost seems more probably now that that guy ISN'T actually Bane.
Inheriting all of 'Dads stuff', and then just lying back and chillin' does seem like something a spoiled adolescent would do.
{Somewhere in 'Banes Crib')
Myrkul: "So when are we going to take over the world?"
Bane: "Relax, dude, its all good. I got you covered - I scored some Mulhorandi Mauve last night... the stuff's off the hook! Who's going on a Mead Run?"
Bhaal: {raises hand} |
"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 29 Sep 2016 06:01:21 |
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shades of eternity
Learned Scribe
288 Posts |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31772 Posts |
Posted - 29 Sep 2016 : 14:00:24
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quote:
Originally posted by shades of eternity
please can the political speak and get back on topic. :(
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Fzoul was another interesting NPC with potential - which unfortunately suffered as a result of some of the BIG-REALMS-CHANGES that impacted the setting in the latter 3e-era.
In the 2e era, I think there was an unofficial mandate to keep any non magic user character under 20th level.
It has been a while, but I'm scratching my head to remember one.
Fzoul had some rather unique situations to negotiate during, and after, 2e -- not the least of which was the death of his god and the fall of Zhentil Keep. I would accept that such enduring and struggles should be reflected in his stat's, for sure, but not to the extent that we saw in mid-3e. |
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 29 Sep 2016 14:01:22 |
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Eilserus
Master of Realmslore
USA
1446 Posts |
Posted - 29 Sep 2016 : 15:20:45
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quote:
Originally posted by Gyor
I think Fzoul ended up a Demigod of sorts, one of the Exarchs.
Yeah, I think he would be a better banelich. In 2E days, they were almost a demipower unto themselves, maybe that's what he will be. |
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shades of eternity
Learned Scribe
288 Posts |
Posted - 29 Sep 2016 : 16:14:24
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Plus I always liked how the God of Tyranny was able to control one of the more antisocial beings on the planet: the beholders.
I could easily see a couple of them acting as bodyguards for Fzoul. |
check out my post-post apocalyptic world at www.drevrpg.com |
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jordanz
Senior Scribe
556 Posts |
Posted - 29 Sep 2016 : 16:56:58
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quote:
Originally posted by The Masked Mage
Could not disagree more... Fzoul's life story never made any sense if you ask me. He was a powerful, but only moderately so cleric who repeatedly switches his allegiance from god to god - and they are so poorly written that they just keep rewarding him with more power so he can (in the next edition) turn coat again. :P
I was always under the impression that Fzoul was insanely powerful, otherwise how would he keep Manshoon in check? |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36803 Posts |
Posted - 29 Sep 2016 : 17:38:45
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quote:
Originally posted by jordanz
quote:
Originally posted by The Masked Mage
Could not disagree more... Fzoul's life story never made any sense if you ask me. He was a powerful, but only moderately so cleric who repeatedly switches his allegiance from god to god - and they are so poorly written that they just keep rewarding him with more power so he can (in the next edition) turn coat again. :P
I was always under the impression that Fzoul was insanely powerful, otherwise how would he keep Manshoon in check?
I would expect that it's not just personal power in the form of levels... I would expect it to be alliances with other powerful types, political power, personal power, and the power of the church at his back. |
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Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36803 Posts |
Posted - 29 Sep 2016 : 17:47:02
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quote:
Originally posted by The Masked Mage
Could not disagree more... Fzoul's life story never made any sense if you ask me. He was a powerful, but only moderately so cleric who repeatedly switches his allegiance from god to god - and they are so poorly written that they just keep rewarding him with more power so he can (in the next edition) turn coat again. :P
I wouldn't call the way Fzoul shifted deities to be that much of a shift in allegiance... As I recall, he went from Bane, to Bane's replacement, which was logical, given the death of Bane. Then Bane's son came around, and Fzoul changed from the deity he hated and only followed by necessity to his chosen deity's heir. And then, with the (apparent) demise of that heir and (apparent) return of the original, he went back to the one he'd always been most loyal to.
It would be the same if a king disappeared without an heir, and then someone else took the throne. You serve that person not out of loyalty or love, but because he's the one whose butt's in the throne. When the prince and rightful heir reveals himself, it makes sense to shift allegiance from the pretender to the prince -- and it makes sense to shift allegiance back to the king when he returns. |
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Edited by - Wooly Rupert on 29 Sep 2016 17:47:44 |
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shades of eternity
Learned Scribe
288 Posts |
Posted - 29 Sep 2016 : 19:05:09
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Yeah Fzoul is/was a Bane worshipper through and through.
He didn't turn away from his god.
His god turned away from him by dying. :p
Cyric was because of spheres of influence and even then, he really didn't stick with him all that long. |
check out my post-post apocalyptic world at www.drevrpg.com |
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The Masked Mage
Great Reader
USA
2420 Posts |
Posted - 29 Sep 2016 : 21:00:34
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Fzoul starts out as a 13th level priest of bane CS1e and served as a temporary Avatar in the TOT.
By 2nd Ed he was 15th level priest of Cyric CS2e by switching to Cyric by burning every other priest of Bane alive (if that is not a betrayal then I have no fkn clue what is)
He then decides to go ahead and betray Cyric because he was jealous of mot being the High Priest by commissioning the True Life Of Cyric during the Cyrinishad debacle, then calling upon Mask to murder Cyric's high priest.
Because he had pissed off Cyric he spent months hiding in Teshwave until he discovered Xvim still existed. He then goes all in with Xvim, which goes up to the end of 2nde. Inexplicably, Xvim decides Fzoul is exactly the one he wants to be his Chosen and then Fzoul jumps into power and instantly takes over the Zhents and the Moonsea (everyone's goal for over a decade in real time, made to happen in C&D in 1 paragraph despite the loss of Manshoon - the bribes of power offered as a reason everyone decided to join the Zhents and be Fzoul's servants still makes no sense if you ask me).
In consecrating the altar he somehow manages to cast the most powerful spell unleashed in the realms since the killing storms of the Crown Wars which destroys and remnant of Bane's power within the Moonsea region, including all the Baneliches (who were all more powerful than Fzoul), AND all the Relics, as well as all the priests of Cyric. I mean seriously - while it sounds cool, this is the most nonsensical RSE ever. Cyric's power trumps Xvims by a TON at this point, but a single ritual by a human reverses that and wipes out hundreds or even thousands of worshippers/ and consumes their souls/power. This consumes Fzouls body and creates a tower (high magic by a single 16th level priest anyone?)
Then comes 3rd-5th E where I understand there is more of the same but refuse to take the time to try to learn :P
If Fzoul was a Bane worshiper through and through, then he destroyed the vast majority of his God's power in the realms - remember worshipers = divine power in FR |
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The Masked Mage
Great Reader
USA
2420 Posts |
Posted - 29 Sep 2016 : 21:01:28
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| PS. if I was a god he would be the LAST individual I would imbue with my power. |
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Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6361 Posts |
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Brimstone
Great Reader
USA
3287 Posts |
Posted - 29 Sep 2016 : 22:22:01
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| LOL Fzoul sounds like a WWE wrestler with all of the face/heel turns! |
"These things also I have observed: that knowledge of our world is
to be nurtured like a precious flower, for it is the most precious
thing we have. Wherefore guard the word written and heed
words unwritten and set them down ere they fade . . . Learn
then, well, the arts of reading, writing, and listening true, and they
will lead you to the greatest art of all: understanding."
Alaundo of Candlekeep |
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jordanz
Senior Scribe
556 Posts |
Posted - 30 Sep 2016 : 00:51:04
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by jordanz
quote:
Originally posted by The Masked Mage
Could not disagree more... Fzoul's life story never made any sense if you ask me. He was a powerful, but only moderately so cleric who repeatedly switches his allegiance from god to god - and they are so poorly written that they just keep rewarding him with more power so he can (in the next edition) turn coat again. :P
I was always under the impression that Fzoul was insanely powerful, otherwise how would he keep Manshoon in check?
I would expect that it's not just personal power in the form of levels... I would expect it to be alliances with other powerful types, political power, personal power, and the power of the church at his back.
Good points and understood. But on a personal level , as a Chosen of Bane, I'm betting he wasn't your typical run of the mill 15th level cleric. |
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shades of eternity
Learned Scribe
288 Posts |
Posted - 30 Sep 2016 : 01:34:03
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indeed.
this has always bothered me that after his insane story arc, he still hadn't breached 20th level, despite a lot of other npcs doing a hell of a lot less.
quote:
Originally posted by Brimstone
LOL Fzoul sounds like a WWE wrestler with all of the face/heel turns!
You just created the folding chair of tyranny that is now hanging in the center of the ring of the hillsfar gladitorial arena for one night only! |
check out my post-post apocalyptic world at www.drevrpg.com |
Edited by - shades of eternity on 30 Sep 2016 01:35:26 |
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Jorkens
Great Reader
Norway
2950 Posts |
Posted - 01 Oct 2016 : 10:06:56
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| My favourite Realms villain of all time, but I dint like how they developed him from the late 90's on(big surprise eh?)in story and art. I always ran him as a somewhat self ironic politician and diplomat, that used a grumbling charm to hide how ruthless he really was. Combining the clerical, military and political elements into a sort of Realmsian Cesare Borgia. Visually the depiction in the 2nd. ed. rules set of course. I also had a more equal power balance between him and Manshoon, where the hidden plottings of one was offset by the megalomanic plots of the other. |
No Canon, more stories, more Realms. |
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Fzoul
