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Alrunes Sinethal
Acolyte
USA
17 Posts |
 Posted - 11 Apr 2004 : 03:33:35
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Hello sages, besides the usual FRCS, Lords of Darkness (3e)
1. Are there any other information on Darkhold's history?
2. The Cyricist and Banite conflicts and personnel? Has Dag Zoreth's stats ever been published?
3. Any news on Sememmon and Ashemmi? Do they still influences Darkhold politics?
It's really too bad WotC turned the Zhentarim into a "religious" cult. It's just unthinkable to me that they ousted Manshoon from the leadership. He was an astute politician that clawed his way to the top to rules Zhentil Keep, I really don't think he would lose political control over an organization and be fine just as an agent. Time for the Zhentarim to say goodbye to Bane if he doesn't wanna work with Manshoon. (At least in my FR world).
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.........reborned from the ashes
belovéd of the dead............. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
Posted - 11 Apr 2004 : 05:23:49
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Alrunes, if you execute a general search of the Candlekeep forums, you'll find a number of scrolls that discuss many of the aspects of the Zhentarim you are asking about. Especially concerning Cyricist and Banite conflicts.
As for Ashemmi, here's a Realms Personality update for the Lord of Darkness tome, that you may find interesting.
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36784 Posts |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
Posted - 11 Apr 2004 : 07:06:49
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Yes, the information in Elfshadow is good. I especially remember the earlier portions, when the text focuses on the Darkhold.
In fact, I put together a concordance of Zhentarim (and elven) information (for use in my campaigns) from Elfshadow, and a number of other novels.
It's truly a great resource to draw notes from...
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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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Alrunes Sinethal
Acolyte
USA
17 Posts |
Posted - 11 Apr 2004 : 08:44:53
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Thanks Sage and Wooly, I will do a search in Candlekeep like a good scholar should. 
Oh I love Elfshadow! The mysticism of elves simple oozes and captivates her audience (I probably shouldn't discuss novels here) |
.........reborned from the ashes
belovéd of the dead............. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36784 Posts |
Posted - 11 Apr 2004 : 15:16:15
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quote:
Originally posted by Alrunes Sinethal
Thanks Sage and Wooly, I will do a search in Candlekeep like a good scholar should.
Oh I love Elfshadow! The mysticism of elves simple oozes and captivates her audience (I probably shouldn't discuss novels here)
Feel free to discuss novels on these forums. Candlekeep lacks the heavy-handed moderation of the WotC forums, and discussions of novels are freely allowed.  |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen!  |
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Steven Schend
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author
USA
1707 Posts |
Posted - 11 Apr 2004 : 19:36:44
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quote:
Originally posted by Alrunes Sinethal
Hello sages, besides the usual FRCS, Lords of Darkness (3e)
1. Are there any other information on Darkhold's history?
Others can correct me if I'm wrong, but the 2E CASTLES supplement, while not specifically an FR product, did provide the stats and a lot of info on Darkhold, including maps. Unsure if it's provided among WotC's downloadable products, but there's always eBay.... (And I ought to think about clearing a lot of old products out of storage and onto ebay one o' these days....)
quote:
2. The Cyricist and Banite conflicts and personnel? Has Dag Zoreth's stats ever been published?
I believe they were handled there and perhaps in Cloak & Dagger, though I don't have either immediately at hand to check that fact.
quote:
3. Any news on Sememmon and Ashemmi? Do they still influences Darkhold politics?
I don't think either has any influence on Darkhold any longer, as they're renegades on the run from both Fzoul and Manshoon. I'd like to think this situation might be enough to see some changes in these characters, but one never knows....
quote:
It's really too bad WotC turned the Zhentarim into a "religious" cult. It's just unthinkable to me that they ousted Manshoon from the leadership. He was an astute politician that clawed his way to the top to rules Zhentil Keep, I really don't think he would lose political control over an organization and be fine just as an agent. Time for the Zhentarim to say goodbye to Bane if he doesn't wanna work with Manshoon. (At least in my FR world).
Well, we've covered some of our reasons on these changes in other threads, for good or ill. As for how Manshoon was ousted from power, it's akin a bit to Russian politics--there were others far more astute and politically minded than Joseph Stalin, but when you thunder your way to power by force, politics don't always protect you. 
Steven
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For current projects and general natter, see www.steveneschend.com
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31701 Posts |
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coach
Senior Scribe
USA
479 Posts |
Posted - 04 May 2004 : 04:13:46
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"Others can correct me if I'm wrong, but the 2E CASTLES supplement, while not specifically an FR product, did provide the stats and a lot of info on Darkhold, including maps. Unsure if it's provided among WotC's downloadable products, but there's always eBay.... (And I ought to think about clearing a lot of old products out of storage and onto ebay one o' these days....)"
that is correct, Darkhold has its own book in this supplement
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Bloodstone Lands Sage |
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Mystery_Man
Senior Scribe
USA
455 Posts |
Posted - 04 May 2004 : 15:10:59
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Volo's Guide to the Sword Coast also details Darkhold castle. It is not up to date and has Sememmon as the ruler but the write up on the actual castle is still useful.
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ericlboyd
Forgotten Realms Designer
USA
2067 Posts |
Posted - 04 May 2004 : 15:40:27
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Dag Zoreth's 2e stats were published in Dragon, in an article by Elaine released around the same date as Thornhold.
In 3.5e, I would probably make him a Clr or a Clr/Strifeleader (see Faiths & Pantheons).
--Eric |
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http://www.ericlboyd.com/dnd/ |
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Veszaun Auvryath
Acolyte
28 Posts |
Posted - 05 May 2004 : 03:20:23
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Hrm, I have a related question, hoping it doesn't go off topic too much.
Anyway, in Drizzt Do'Urden's Guide to the Underdark (great book, by the way) there is the mention of Sememmon finding Varalla's Passage, and, in a nutshell, after this led to that trade accord negotiations were opened between Darkhold and Sshamath.
I'm just wondering if this was ever touched up on in any other gaming product and/or novel in any way? Or was it something too obscure or considered too insignificant to merit further attention?
I know I'm grasping at straws here, but figure it can't hurt to ask *shrugs* , as any tidbits of knowledge on Sshamath are of interest to me and those in our campaign.
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"You scoff at the notion of a drow Bladesinger? My, my. How very foolish of you to believe that the Ilythiiri did not possess the secrets of the Bladesong in ages long past. A select few of us have carried a twisted rendition of the 'Song down through the generations. Now, bearing that in mind, will you wipe that ridiculous look of incredulity from your face, or must the keen edge of my blade do it for you?"
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Faraer
Great Reader
3308 Posts |
Posted - 05 May 2004 : 13:15:07
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| The "Rogues Gallery" for Thornhold is in Dragon #251 and includes writeups of Bronwyn, Dag Zoreth, Algorind of Tyr, and Ebenezer Stoneshaft. |
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ericlboyd
Forgotten Realms Designer
USA
2067 Posts |
Posted - 05 May 2004 : 20:54:25
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<<< Anyway, in Drizzt Do'Urden's Guide to the Underdark (great book, by the way) there is the mention of Sememmon finding Varalla's Passage, and, in a nutshell, after this led to that trade accord negotiations were opened between Darkhold and Sshamath.
I'm just wondering if this was ever touched up on in any other gaming product and/or novel in any way? Or was it something too obscure or considered too insignificant to merit further attention? >>>
Glad you liked the book.
As far as I know, this has never been touched on. In fact, it's sort of been neglected, given that Sememmon was "given the boot" from Darkhold in 3e. (My personal preference would have had the Zhentarim split into open civil war as proxies for a religious war between the Banites and the Cyricists, but that hasn't happened officially ... at least not yet.) I'd say it's up to the DM whether the trade continues, how closely held Sememmon kept the trade's existence or the passage's location, or, if it continues, who controls it now.
--Eric |
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http://www.ericlboyd.com/dnd/ |
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Dargoth
Great Reader
Australia
4607 Posts |
Posted - 06 May 2004 : 04:15:42
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quote:
Originally posted by ericlboyd
[br
Glad you liked the book.
As far as I know, this has never been touched on. In fact, it's sort of been neglected, given that Sememmon was "given the boot" from Darkhold in 3e. (My personal preference would have had the Zhentarim split into open civil war as proxies for a religious war between the Banites and the Cyricists, but that hasn't happened officially ... at least not yet.) I'd say it's up to the DM whether the trade continues, how closely held Sememmon kept the trade's existence or the passage's location, or, if it continues, who controls it now.
--Eric
Ive actually addressed this as part of the campaign Im DMing "Banites on the March"
(in the interests of not derailing the thread Ill post a link to the Banites on the March thread in the Running the Realms forum
http://www.candlekeep.com./forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2165 |
“I am the King of Rome, and above grammar”
Emperor Sigismund
"Its good to be the King!"
Mel Brooks |
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Veszaun Auvryath
Acolyte
28 Posts |
Posted - 06 May 2004 : 05:59:23
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quote:
As far as I know, this has never been touched on. In fact, it's sort of been neglected, given that Sememmon was "given the boot" from Darkhold in 3e. (My personal preference would have had the Zhentarim split into open civil war as proxies for a religious war between the Banites and the Cyricists, but that hasn't happened officially ... at least not yet.) I'd say it's up to the DM whether the trade continues, how closely held Sememmon kept the trade's existence or the passage's location, or, if it continues, who controls it now.
Many thanks for the reply, Eric. I'll leave it to my creative whims, then
And I agree that an internal civil/religious war would have been a much more interesting prospect. Perhaps you can 'strongarm' WotC into it down the road 
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"You scoff at the notion of a drow Bladesinger? My, my. How very foolish of you to believe that the Ilythiiri did not possess the secrets of the Bladesong in ages long past. A select few of us have carried a twisted rendition of the 'Song down through the generations. Now, bearing that in mind, will you wipe that ridiculous look of incredulity from your face, or must the keen edge of my blade do it for you?"
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Edited by - Veszaun Auvryath on 06 May 2004 06:01:22 |
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ericlboyd
Forgotten Realms Designer
USA
2067 Posts |
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Darkhold
