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Alaundo
Head Moderator
United Kingdom
5695 Posts |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
 Posted - 15 Jan 2006 : 07:38:16
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I like the idea of the Antiquarians, essentially an evil adventuring party. I have always been a fan of the idea that the adventuring party is part of the social structure of the Realms, and having an adventuring party, even an evil one, that acts like an adventuring party does make this feel more "Realmsian."
The revelation about Ardeth betraying the dwarven conspiracy was interesting. I have a feeling that this isn't the last of the revelations about the slight woman.
Mythkar Leng is a twisted puppy. I know, he is a Cyricist, what do I expect. He reminds me of that one kid in school that pulled the legs off of insects or burned them with magnifying glasses, except in Mythkar's case, his tools include the divine gifts granted by Cyric. He doesn strike me as a bit . . . immature? I know he is suppose to be the one in Lorkh that is more in tune with the politics of the Zhentarim, but he also seems to enjoy being twisted and evil for its own sake.
I like how Sungar and Hurd started off on shaky footing, with Sungar's hasty comments fueled by his own outrage at not being able to do anything about his situation, but then manage to progress to the point of seemingly to develop a friendship, dispite that fact that they've not even seen one another.
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Murray Leeder
Forgotten Realms Author
Canada
228 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jan 2006 : 16:30:56
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| I really enjoyed creating the Antiquarians quite a bit. My outline called for group of Lord's Men for the expedition, but when I came to it I realized a group of adventurers made a lot more sense for this "unauthorized" mission, plus it was on record that Geildarr sponsored adventuring bands to scavenge local ruins. Mostly as a lark, I vaguely modeled them on a favourite rock group of mine. |
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darkcrow
Learned Scribe
USA
269 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jan 2006 : 05:31:20
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| Moritz, it is hard to figure him out as of yet. Is he really working for Sememmon or is he about personal gain, or maybe both. The thing is that he is very intrested about this axe. If he wanted to have, it seems he can just take it. He keeping a close eye on all the events that take place and always being in the right place at the right time without being noticed. He can also roam anywhere he want in Lords Keep cause he likes to get the upper hand on Gieldarr by sneaking up on him all the time. He's probably having Gieldarr do all the dirty work by having him retrieve the artifact that axe is the key for a then just take it. |
May Tymora smile upon ye |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jan 2006 : 05:36:01
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| I could be wrong, but I have a feeling that Moritz is still working for Semmemon, but that he may be manipulating Geildarr as a side project for his own personal benefit. Its just a gut feeling really, and not anything I can back up right now. |
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darkcrow
Learned Scribe
USA
269 Posts |
Posted - 18 Jan 2006 : 23:03:02
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| Geildarr, we are starting to see how much of a push over he really is. He is definitly stuck in a bad situation. You got Fzoul ready to just kill him off when ever he has got the time. Sememmon smells a weakness Zhentrium rule and is trying to slide right in. Moritz likes to toy with him with his silent threats. Leng seeks leadership in Llorkh. Ardeth, well I don't know what she's up to yet but I know she's up to something. It's seems just a matter of time for poor old Geildarr to be no more. |
May Tymora smile upon ye |
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Dhomal
Senior Scribe
USA
565 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jan 2006 : 02:24:01
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Hello-
I just finished up through Chapter 9 earlier today.
I echo the previous comments - I like the scenes in the dungeon - and the 'evil' adventuring party is a concept I have used / had used on me for probably the last 20 years or so. Sometimes an opposing group (needent be evil necessarilly - just after the same goal - i.e. - competition) is the best adversary. Especially if run correctly - which can be rough with 4-8 PC-type leveled characters needing different types of thought - as opposed to - say - a 1/2 dozen monsters of type X. :)
I especially liked the scenes around the Grandfather Tree. Truly impressive! I just keep wondering if there will be some reason to head to the dungeon beneath it that was referenced briefly, and I recall reading about... somewhere!
One personal aside - I have a friend that has a character he plays whose name is Vrell - and its somewhat difficult not to insert the 'r' while reading! LOL
Dhomal |
I am collecting the D&D Minis. I would be more than willing to trade with people. You can send me a PM here with your email listed - and I can send you my minis list. Thanks!
Successfully traded with Xysma! |
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Beezy
Learned Scribe
USA
280 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jan 2006 : 06:37:04
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Leng is indeed one twisted man. He seems to really enjoy destroying things that are good or beautiful just for the sake of destroying it.
I hope to see a lot more of the gnome as the story progresses.
Geildarr seems to have found himself in a bad spot. He has to watch his back because of Leng, Fzoul is no doubt upset about his recent failure, he is getting pressured by Sememmon and Moritz to join them, and on top of that when you find yourself in an evil organization anyone could be a potential enemy and ally such as Ardeth.
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Lord Rad
Great Reader
United Kingdom
2080 Posts |
Posted - 05 Feb 2006 : 11:03:36
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I read a particular line a few times as I couldn't grasp it. Maybe I couldn't see the wood for the trees, or it may be a typo...
"Vell", he said, "it is your not your place"
I assume this to be: "Vell", he said, "it is your not your place"? Am I correct, or am I being thick? 
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Lord Rad
"What? No, I wasn't reading your module. I was just looking at the pictures"
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Lord Rad
Great Reader
United Kingdom
2080 Posts |
Posted - 05 Feb 2006 : 11:06:54
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Hehehehe I love that dwarf! He's great. And what a name - Hurd Hardhalberd.... try saying that after a couple of pints 
I thought it a great touch when Hurd was telling Sungar how he used to trade with them back in the old days, and then tells him exactly where he is, mentioning names of places, of which Sungar was unfamiliar. I think we often forget the scale of the Realms and that there is very little communication - quite different from our own world today. It's very likely that many people won't know what's 10 miles beyond there home. A little point, which just seemed to click nicely with me for some reason, so thought i'd mention it 
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Lord Rad
"What? No, I wasn't reading your module. I was just looking at the pictures"
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Lord Rad
Great Reader
United Kingdom
2080 Posts |
Posted - 05 Feb 2006 : 11:10:04
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It made me chuckle when Sungar said "Have you ever thought of killing yourself" when Hurd told him about the torturing and despair of his imprisonment  As though it's a quick and easy release
I like the touches where Geildarr is providing all the background and history to Leng and company. I found myself completely engrossed in this and was listening just as intently as the characters appeared to be
Good sly move how Leng claimed that he was being ordered, by Geildarr stated that was not the case at all and that he may be tempted by what he was about to say instead. |
Lord Rad
"What? No, I wasn't reading your module. I was just looking at the pictures"
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Lord Rad
Great Reader
United Kingdom
2080 Posts |
Posted - 05 Feb 2006 : 11:14:03
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The scenes with Leng firing the Treant really got to me. I'm a big nature lover and it really made my hatred from Leng grow tenfold.
I remember reading somewhere (perhaps in the DMGII, or 2nd ed Campaign Sourcebook) that a good way for a DM (or author in this case) to get a player really drawn in, is to give them something that effects them personally...in this case (and the next few chapters), this certainly got me |
Lord Rad
"What? No, I wasn't reading your module. I was just looking at the pictures"
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Murray Leeder
Forgotten Realms Author
Canada
228 Posts |
Posted - 05 Feb 2006 : 19:06:57
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quote:
Originally posted by Lord Rad
I read a particular line a few times as I couldn't grasp it. Maybe I couldn't see the wood for the trees, or it may be a typo...
"Vell", he said, "it is your not your place"
I assume this to be: "Vell", he said, "it is your not your place"? Am I correct, or am I being thick?
Looks like an error to me. A few are bound to crop up. There's one later in the book that's a pretty silly one, and it sent me back to my draft copy to check if I missed it all that time. I won't bother naming it; I'm sure somebody will stumble onto it in time.
Yeah, Hurd Hardhalberd is a tongue twister. I thought it was a bit of a silly name when I came up with it, which is why I think I only actually write it out once. The "Hurd" part is borrowed from old Hollywood actor Hurd Hatfield -- it seemed like a dwarf kind of name to me. |
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Lord Rad
Great Reader
United Kingdom
2080 Posts |
Posted - 05 Feb 2006 : 19:14:48
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quote:
Originally posted by Murray Leeder
Yeah, Hurd Hardhalberd is a tongue twister. I thought it was a bit of a silly name when I came up with it, which is why I think I only actually write it out once. The "Hurd" part is borrowed from old Hollywood actor Hurd Hatfield -- it seemed like a dwarf kind of name to me.
Don't worry about the typo, it didn't take any enjoyment away from the book
Well there's been some overly-silly names in some of R.A. Salvatore's novels, so I think you're quite safe with this one  |
Lord Rad
"What? No, I wasn't reading your module. I was just looking at the pictures"
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ShadowJack
Senior Scribe
USA
350 Posts |
Posted - 24 Mar 2006 : 20:51:56
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| I have to agree with the sentiment of Leng burning that Treant it really made me hate the Cyricists. (of course, I have never really liked them anyway...) The later scene of him trying to destroy the different fey was sad also. I love the way he buys it in the end though... |
ShadowJack |
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Murray Leeder
Forgotten Realms Author
Canada
228 Posts |
Posted - 25 Mar 2006 : 06:16:25
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| It was fun writing Leng -- I just tried to make him an awful bastard. |
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ShadowJack
Senior Scribe
USA
350 Posts |
Posted - 25 Mar 2006 : 13:05:39
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| You accomplished your goal very well, indeed! Leng was an awful bastard, but still credible as a vilian. It is interesting to think that in the Realms these sadistic, twisted people would gravitate towards the church of Cyric where they would fit right in... |
ShadowJack |
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Son of Thunder: Chapters 5 - 9
