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Asgetrion
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1564 Posts |
 Posted - 19 May 2005 : 17:23:36
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Greetings, all!
I thought to start this thread to hear your stories about what kind of campaigns you have run in the Land of the Purple Dragon, what kind of adventures you have used, what kind story hooks you have pulled on PCs etcetera. It would be nice to compare experiences.
My current campaign is based around Vast Swamp, where I am going to place the excellent "Mere of the Dead Men"-series from Dungeon magazine. I have also dropped a lot of details and pieces of history from Ed´s "Cormyr"-novel to my players in form of hand-outs(especially concerning the Witch Lords, who are still lurking around in my campaign).
I am also (probably) going to run "Tomb of the Lizard King" at some point of time (probably as part of the same story arc as the Mere-series).
So far my players have explored some long-lost elven ruins, trying to avoid both grells and elven undead still guarding them...
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"What am I doing today? Ask me tomorrow - I can be sure of giving you the right answer then."
-- Askarran of Selgaunt, Master Sage, speaking to a curious merchant, Year of the Helm |
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Chosen of Bane
Senior Scribe
USA
552 Posts |
Posted - 21 May 2005 : 15:22:16
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I have never run a campaign in Cormyr but the campaign I am currently running will probably end up there at some point. I am planning to run the "Into the Dragon's Lair" module although I plan to modify it, basically in terms of motivation.
One of the PC's is from Sembia and I am planning on having a Sembian merchant sell them the whereabouts of the Devil Dragon's horde. A rival group of Cormyrian loyalists will also be looking for the horde so they won't be able to take their time. |
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Snotlord
Senior Scribe
Norway
476 Posts |
Posted - 21 May 2005 : 18:05:38
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I'm about to run "Strike on the Rabid Dawn" from Dungeon 111 in Marsember. It should work out very well, although I have not yet decided if I should change Asmodeus with something more realms-specific. I kinda hope the characters fail. The thought of Asmodeus walking the corridors of the Suzail court is intriguing  |
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Asgetrion
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1564 Posts |
Posted - 22 May 2005 : 13:02:25
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quote:
Originally posted by Snotlord
I'm about to run "Strike on the Rabid Dawn" from Dungeon 111 in Marsember. It should work out very well, although I have not yet decided if I should change Asmodeus with something more realms-specific. I kinda hope the characters fail. The thought of Asmodeus walking the corridors of the Suzail court is intriguing
Well met!
Sounds good... how about substituting Gargauth for Asmodeus? I don´t have the Dungeon module at hand right now (nor the Book of Vile Darkness) so I cannot compare their portfolios. But my hunch is that Gargauth and Asmodeus have almost identical domains (both are corrupting, charming "devilish" deities) 
You could also include a plot twist (or change the major NPCs in the module) involving Knights of the Shield? How about then the "Wyrmskull Throne"-adventure? These two adventures could (perhaps) be linked, with Lord Hhune of the Knights being behind it all?
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"What am I doing today? Ask me tomorrow - I can be sure of giving you the right answer then."
-- Askarran of Selgaunt, Master Sage, speaking to a curious merchant, Year of the Helm |
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Snotlord
Senior Scribe
Norway
476 Posts |
Posted - 22 May 2005 : 13:26:20
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Using Gargauth is a wonderful idea!
I have to do some reading on the Knights of the Shield, but I'll look it up (I believe the 3e LoD has some material on them). Sadly I do not have the Wyrmskull Throne (I have very few 2e FR books). |
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Asgetrion
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1564 Posts |
Posted - 22 May 2005 : 13:28:25
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quote:
Originally posted by Chosen of Bane
I have never run a campaign in Cormyr but the campaign I am currently running will probably end up there at some point. I am planning to run the "Into the Dragon's Lair" module although I plan to modify it, basically in terms of motivation.
One of the PC's is from Sembia and I am planning on having a Sembian merchant sell them the whereabouts of the Devil Dragon's horde. A rival group of Cormyrian loyalists will also be looking for the horde so they won't be able to take their time.
Perhaps even Melvos Hammerstars from Ed´s web article published on WoTC webpages?
I love the greedy, back-stabbing Sembian merchants My PCs are on their way from Daerlun to Seaspring (a small town by the Darkflow river), unaware that they are carrying a bag of magical gems from a strange tomb (featured in Dungeon Issue #1, don´t remember the name of the module). These gems have shadows tied to them, and they will wreak a lot of havoc in a small town after the PCs have been shopping for new gear (and spreding their gems around the town)
I only read it once, but my impression was that the "Into the Dragon´s Lair"-module needs to be modified a bit... I would suggest changing some of the NPCs in the adventure, such as the Freedom Fighters. Why could they not have been Gondegal´s men, for example? But maybe 20 years since that incident is a bit too long, and what have they been doing since? Perhaps they were adventuring in the Moonsea Region, and have now returned? Or perhaps the Freedom Fighters are being manipulated by the more pragamatic members of the Eldreth Veluudra? There was a great elf NPC in some of the Dragon articles by Ed... just thinking out aloud here 
Then, as George Krashos noted in his revies of this module, it would be a good idea to come with some history for the items in the dragon´s hoard. Such as change a description of "a golden necklace (400 gp)" to"a golden necklace, engraved with crest of the Turcassan noble family which was exiled during King Duar´s reign cirka 400 DR (400 gp)" (I am not quoting him 100% accurately here ;)
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"What am I doing today? Ask me tomorrow - I can be sure of giving you the right answer then."
-- Askarran of Selgaunt, Master Sage, speaking to a curious merchant, Year of the Helm |
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Asgetrion
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1564 Posts |
Posted - 22 May 2005 : 13:34:20
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quote:
Originally posted by Snotlord
Using Gargauth is a wonderful idea!
I have to do some reading on the Knights of the Shield, but I'll look it up (I believe the 3e LoD has some material on them). Sadly I do not have the Wyrmskull Throne (I have very few 2e FR books).
Originally I read about them in the "Cloak & Dagger" (which is a great book). LoD gives a good description of them, I think.
I should check out that Dungeon module myself to see how it would fit my campaign - thanks for the idea
If you only can get your hands on the "Wyrmskull Throne", buy it! There are also great plot hooks for dwarven PCs there, and information about Myth Nantar, elven history etc... filled with small details of tasty Realmslore.
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"What am I doing today? Ask me tomorrow - I can be sure of giving you the right answer then."
-- Askarran of Selgaunt, Master Sage, speaking to a curious merchant, Year of the Helm |
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Asgetrion
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1564 Posts |
Posted - 22 May 2005 : 14:46:08
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quote:
Originally posted by Snotlord
I'm about to run "Strike on the Rabid Dawn" from Dungeon 111 in Marsember. It should work out very well, although I have not yet decided if I should change Asmodeus with something more realms-specific. I kinda hope the characters fail. The thought of Asmodeus walking the corridors of the Suzail court is intriguing
Apparently the novel "Elminster´s daughter" contains a lot of new lore about Marsember - have you considered buying and reading it?
There is also a Dungeon module (in issue #113 or #114) where Delthrin the Deadmaster kidnaps a visiting wizards in Marsember. It also has a great color map of Marsember, but the map seems to contain some errors. One of Ed´s players posted an errata (plus new Realmslore) to this module... |
"What am I doing today? Ask me tomorrow - I can be sure of giving you the right answer then."
-- Askarran of Selgaunt, Master Sage, speaking to a curious merchant, Year of the Helm |
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Iliphar1
Learned Scribe
Austria
133 Posts |
Posted - 23 May 2005 : 00:51:11
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absolutely awesome adventures in Cormyr are "Four of Cormyr" With just a few minor changes and a bit improvement you can run a wonderful campaign in Cormyr. lot's of roleplaying and a few good battles. My players loved that adventure, I think one of the best, that had been brought out.
You can download the adventures on the wizards homepage, "classic downloads"
One example for improvement: in the 3rd adventure, I made the 2 barmaids not mere vampires but also created an ancient temple of Moander in the swamp and having them keeping there their victims. It spiced up everything
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'You see dead bones? ... I see an army!' Ezechiel 37 |
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Asgetrion
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1564 Posts |
Posted - 23 May 2005 : 13:58:57
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quote:
Originally posted by Iliphar1
absolutely awesome adventures in Cormyr are "Four of Cormyr" With just a few minor changes and a bit improvement you can run a wonderful campaign in Cormyr. lot's of roleplaying and a few good battles. My players loved that adventure, I think one of the best, that had been brought out.
You can download the adventures on the wizards homepage, "classic downloads"
One example for improvement: in the 3rd adventure, I made the 2 barmaids not mere vampires but also created an ancient temple of Moander in the swamp and having them keeping there their victims. It spiced up everything
I didn´t like the ´Four from Cormyr´that much, but with some modifications it certainly holds some potential.
Sounds good what you did with those barmaids  I also have used ancient temples of Moander and tombs of its worshippers in my campaign. Especially if you use villains who discover them and start to use it as their base ("These ruins look suitable for a decent base") and then PCs may stir things up after defeating the villains (=discover places that the villains were unaware of, such as "Hey, there´s a secret door over here. Looks like no one has been here for a while.")
In fact, Moander is still a relatively active deity in my Realms (and not replaced by either Lolth or Finder) and his cultists strive to have him "elevated" back to a lesser deity status...
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"What am I doing today? Ask me tomorrow - I can be sure of giving you the right answer then."
-- Askarran of Selgaunt, Master Sage, speaking to a curious merchant, Year of the Helm |
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Snotlord
Senior Scribe
Norway
476 Posts |
Posted - 23 May 2005 : 16:00:41
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Elminster's Daughter is an excellent resource on Marsember (in fact, those chapter are amonge the best in the book), and I'll probably reread those before next sesssion.
I have used the Marsember Dungeon module, but the adventure itself never fitted properly. The map and the npcs are excellent. We have a Tyr paladin in the group, so social interaction with a heroic evil necromancer would be interesting.
The characters are approaching 16th level, and I am in fact a bit tired with the campaign, so I'm looking for ways end the campaign in a satisfying manner (for everyone, not just me).
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Fletcher
Learned Scribe
USA
299 Posts |
Posted - 23 May 2005 : 16:29:06
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I have played several campaigns in Cormyr. Had loads of fun.
Played with a group that started as members of a company of Purple Dragons on patrol of the Border. One player was a cavalry scout, two were line troops, and one was the low ranking War Wizard apprenticing himself to a more experienced War Wizard. Through the play the players go attached and mourned the loss of many detailed members of the company. The replacement troops seldom had the level of energy or ability. So the players began to really value the soldiers as people and not just as red shirts. Eventually through time in service, accomplishments, promotions and company attrition the players were running the company. They were last seen reactivating the Lost Keep.
A group of us got the bright idea to restart the Fireknives. Starting in Marsembar we worked through several game years, slowly adding members and then we slowly let the public know we were back. Well to make a short story shorter, the damned Cormyrian guards set us up with a beautiful opportunity for some operating money and we had a total party death experience.
During the siege of Arabel we played a 9-11th level party of alternate races. Half Ogres, Half Orcs, half Troll and a Goblin. We infiltrated the enemy ranks in Arabel, caused some confusion, caused some highly skilled invaders to meet an untimely end, and right before the retaking of Arabel, we weakened the gate guards. The party was last seen heading into the Hullack Forest leading some of the surviving orcs from Arabel.
I have also played a very entertaining adventuring party primarily in Cormyr. That country is full of opportunity for those enterprising enough to look for it.
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Run faster! The Kobolds are catching up! |
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Asgetrion
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1564 Posts |
Posted - 23 May 2005 : 21:01:05
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quote:
Originally posted by Snotlord
Elminster's Daughter is an excellent resource on Marsember (in fact, those chapter are amonge the best in the book), and I'll probably reread those before next sesssion.
I have used the Marsember Dungeon module, but the adventure itself never fitted properly. The map and the npcs are excellent. We have a Tyr paladin in the group, so social interaction with a heroic evil necromancer would be interesting.
The characters are approaching 16th level, and I am in fact a bit tired with the campaign, so I'm looking for ways end the campaign in a satisfying manner (for everyone, not just me).
Ah, I have to get my hands on that book - I think I haven´t seen it in my local store yet 
In our Waterdeep campaign we are approaching 15th level, and we players at least don´t want it to end
But if are tired with your campaign, discuss it with your players. If they are against it, maybe you could put it on hold to wait? Perhaps you will "rediscover" the inspiration to continue it one day? It is always a better option to retire all characters, and start a new campaign, than kill off the whole party.
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"What am I doing today? Ask me tomorrow - I can be sure of giving you the right answer then."
-- Askarran of Selgaunt, Master Sage, speaking to a curious merchant, Year of the Helm |
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Snotlord
Senior Scribe
Norway
476 Posts |
Posted - 24 May 2005 : 13:54:07
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quote:
But if are tired with your campaign, discuss it with your players. If they are against it, maybe you could put it on hold to wait? Perhaps you will "rediscover" the inspiration to continue it one day? It is always a better option to retire all characters, and start a new campaign, than kill off the whole party.
I think they know me well enought to read the signs of creeping DM boredom
It would be nice the pick but this campaign once the events in Cormyr during the Year of Rogue Dragons are nailed down. So far we have played from Azoun IV burial to Shieldmeet the following year, in about 40 sessions, so the players, the DM and certainly the characters need a well-earned break.
That said, Elminster's Daughter suggests 8-9 fairly peaceful months in Cormyr since Shieldmeet in the Year of Wild Magic. This gives me room to let the characters to settle down and develop their own projects, if they would like to do that. I guess I know more after next session  |
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Asgetrion
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1564 Posts |
Posted - 24 May 2005 : 16:57:45
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quote:
Originally posted by Snotlord
I think they know me well enought to read the signs of creeping DM boredom
It would be nice the pick but this campaign once the events in Cormyr during the Year of Rogue Dragons are nailed down. So far we have played from Azoun IV burial to Shieldmeet the following year, in about 40 sessions, so the players, the DM and certainly the characters need a well-earned break.
That said, Elminster's Daughter suggests 8-9 fairly peaceful months in Cormyr since Shieldmeet in the Year of Wild Magic. This gives me room to let the characters to settle down and develop their own projects, if they would like to do that. I guess I know more after next session
[/quote]
It is always nice to give some time for the characters to develop their own projects, from "mundane" actions (such as buying furniture, property, setting up a workshop/store etc.) to "magical" ones (developing spells and items).
Currently we are playing a long-running campaign in which every hour sometimes counts, so we rarely have even a day off adventuring (always busy saving the Realms ;). Sometimes this is frustrating for me as a player, but you should see how those wizards are fuming over "deadlines" we have all the time ("Maybe I should relocate to Halruaa, since that seems to be the only way to take some time to finish those spells/items I am reseraching. To hell with saving the North!")
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"What am I doing today? Ask me tomorrow - I can be sure of giving you the right answer then."
-- Askarran of Selgaunt, Master Sage, speaking to a curious merchant, Year of the Helm |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 24 May 2005 : 18:16:23
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I am kind of interested if anyone followed up on the little comment in "Into the Dragon's Lair" where they mention that the body of Nalavara was never specifically detailed as to its disposition after her death.
That might be an interesting "Year of Rogue Dragons" tie in. A double agent War Wizard/Dragon Cultist might have "disintegrated" her body, then the cult tries desperately to nail down her soul and bring her back as a dracolich.
Of course, that might also be a good trial by fire of Cormyr's new draconic guardians . . .
Hm . . . possiblites . . . |
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Asgetrion
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1564 Posts |
Posted - 24 May 2005 : 19:57:02
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quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
I am kind of interested if anyone followed up on the little comment in "Into the Dragon's Lair" where they mention that the body of Nalavara was never specifically detailed as to its disposition after her death.
That might be an interesting "Year of Rogue Dragons" tie in. A double agent War Wizard/Dragon Cultist might have "disintegrated" her body, then the cult tries desperately to nail down her soul and bring her back as a dracolich.
Of course, that might also be a good trial by fire of Cormyr's new draconic guardians . . .
Hm . . . possiblites . . .
What do you mean by Cormyr´s new draconic guardians? Possibly Dargoth´s article on Bahamut? It seems to be a decent article, though I prefer that the Stonelands remain in the good ol´Zhentarim hands
Is there a reference to Nalavara´s body having been disintegrated in "canon" lore?
Certainly the cult would be *very* interested in Nalavara´s body and soul... one possibility is that they would try to bind her soul into a magic item at first? Ed has described how Netherese used to do this to gain "immortality"... |
"What am I doing today? Ask me tomorrow - I can be sure of giving you the right answer then."
-- Askarran of Selgaunt, Master Sage, speaking to a curious merchant, Year of the Helm |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 24 May 2005 : 20:28:24
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Without ruining anything, read Elminster's Daughter for the "draconic guardians" comment. I don't want to ruin anything for you.
As far as Nalavara's corpse, they specifically mention in "Into the Dragon's Lair" that no one has specifically said what happened to Nalavara's corpse. I just threw that in becuase I am sure the War Wizards would have at least tried to figure out what happened to her body (unless it just mysteriously faded away, and they didn't worry about it due to the fact that it was a "special" dragon).
I would imagine that finding and binding Nalavara's soul would be step one in a very nefarious plan by the Cult of the Dragon, and step two would be to figure out how to make her a dracolich since her body wasn't properly prepared before death.
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Asgetrion
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1564 Posts |
Posted - 24 May 2005 : 20:50:51
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quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
Without ruining anything, read Elminster's Daughter for the "draconic guardians" comment. I don't want to ruin anything for you.
As far as Nalavara's corpse, they specifically mention in "Into the Dragon's Lair" that no one has specifically said what happened to Nalavara's corpse. I just threw that in becuase I am sure the War Wizards would have at least tried to figure out what happened to her body (unless it just mysteriously faded away, and they didn't worry about it due to the fact that it was a "special" dragon).
I would imagine that finding and binding Nalavara's soul would be step one in a very nefarious plan by the Cult of the Dragon, and step two would be to figure out how to make her a dracolich since her body wasn't properly prepared before death.
I only wish I could get that book as soon as possible Thanks for not posting any spoilers!
I agree that the war wizards probably would do something about it. I just wonder what they did to Thauglor´s corpse when The Purple Dragon was slain? There seems to be no mention of this either anywhere...
I guess it would be just easiest to disintegrate it, yet I believe that something would be kept as a trophy (and a remainder). Perhaps the skull (or heart) would have been buried with Azoun? This would also give the Cult a "material" component for the ritual...
In the novel ´Stormlight´ there appears to be a powerful "spectral" dragon bound to a scepter. I don´t remember which dragon, or why it was bound, but it was released from its prison (and soon vanquished by Vangy).
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"What am I doing today? Ask me tomorrow - I can be sure of giving you the right answer then."
-- Askarran of Selgaunt, Master Sage, speaking to a curious merchant, Year of the Helm |
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Asgetrion
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1564 Posts |
Posted - 24 May 2005 : 21:06:14
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Just a thought...
Eric Boyd´s marvelous ´Eye of Myrkul´-module from Dungeon#73 features a ghost dragon, venetrated by the Dragon Cult. Maybe your PCs would be sent (=manipulated) on an errand by a Cult member to retrieve information how this could be achieved from the ruins in the Vast Swamp (which I substituted for the Mere of the Dead Men). Of course, the Cult member would only say that "bring all the manuscripts and tomes you find" or something like it...
Another possibility is another Dungeon module, ´Anvil of Time´ by Tracy Hickman (Issue #86). Our DM substituted Fistandantilus into Sammaster, whom was slain by one of the early Lords of Waterdeep (=substitution for Huma). Maybe you could use of the warrior-kings of Cormyr? And use his court wizard also instead of Magius? And the Anvil could be one of the creations of the Sword Heralds...
My point was that our characters got hold of the original Tome of the Dragon (=stole it quickly from the dead Sammaster)for some time, before we got rid of it... I know it may not be wise, but let´s say that Sammaster has some notes about ancient Dracolich rituals (=more powerful)?
I don´t know... these are just suggestions... |
"What am I doing today? Ask me tomorrow - I can be sure of giving you the right answer then."
-- Askarran of Selgaunt, Master Sage, speaking to a curious merchant, Year of the Helm |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 24 May 2005 : 21:12:57
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| Without ruining anything for those who haven't read the Year of Rogue Dragons books . . . there is an easier way for people to find a copy of Sammaster's work. |
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Asgetrion
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1564 Posts |
Posted - 24 May 2005 : 21:24:09
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quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
Without ruining anything for those who haven't read the Year of Rogue Dragons books . . . there is an easier way for people to find a copy of Sammaster's work.
There is?  |
"What am I doing today? Ask me tomorrow - I can be sure of giving you the right answer then."
-- Askarran of Selgaunt, Master Sage, speaking to a curious merchant, Year of the Helm |
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Asgetrion
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1564 Posts |
Posted - 24 May 2005 : 21:25:36
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I am shocked... I thought no copies existed, or ever would exist in "official" Realmslore, unless one travelled to the past?
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"What am I doing today? Ask me tomorrow - I can be sure of giving you the right answer then."
-- Askarran of Selgaunt, Master Sage, speaking to a curious merchant, Year of the Helm |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 24 May 2005 : 21:42:25
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| Easier is a relative term . . . perhaps I should say . . . there is a more current source for the information. |
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Asgetrion
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1564 Posts |
Posted - 24 May 2005 : 21:45:54
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| Sounds mysterious... hopefully this is featured in "Elminster´s Daughter"? If not, it won´t ruin anything to tell me |
"What am I doing today? Ask me tomorrow - I can be sure of giving you the right answer then."
-- Askarran of Selgaunt, Master Sage, speaking to a curious merchant, Year of the Helm |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 24 May 2005 : 22:06:25
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| Actually, that has more to do with the Year of Rogue Dragons . . . |
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Asgetrion
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1564 Posts |
Posted - 24 May 2005 : 22:34:18
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quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
Actually, that has more to do with the Year of Rogue Dragons . . .
So a new Flight of Dragons is about to take place? Where is this information from? |
"What am I doing today? Ask me tomorrow - I can be sure of giving you the right answer then."
-- Askarran of Selgaunt, Master Sage, speaking to a curious merchant, Year of the Helm |
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Kajehase
Great Reader
Sweden
2104 Posts |
Posted - 25 May 2005 : 05:51:46
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| The Year of Rogue Dragons-trilogy. |
There is a rumour going around that I have found god. I think is unlikely because I have enough difficulty finding my keys, and there is empirical evidence that they exist.
Terry Pratchett |
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Asgetrion
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1564 Posts |
Posted - 25 May 2005 : 23:52:44
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quote:
Originally posted by Kajehase
The Year of Rogue Dragons-trilogy.
Ah, I should probably use my crystal ball more frequently to check on those FR novels  |
"What am I doing today? Ask me tomorrow - I can be sure of giving you the right answer then."
-- Askarran of Selgaunt, Master Sage, speaking to a curious merchant, Year of the Helm |
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Campaigns in Cormyr
