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Wandering_mage
Senior Scribe
688 Posts |
 Posted - 21 May 2006 : 02:30:58
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Ok, I know there is very little known yet of the Moonstars after reading various postings but I have a simple request. How do you think the Moonstars operate? I will have my players meeting up with some moonstars for a mission but I want to know if they are your strict special forces dudes, or james bond and cool as they infiltrate the enemy base. Any help would be appreciated. I do realize that NPC personalities will be relevant but I haven't made the NPC's yet.  I just know that I want them to be Moonstars.
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Illum
The Wandering Mage |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 21 May 2006 : 02:44:52
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I didn't post a Moonstars thread for my "Field Report" threads because everything they are involved in with my campaign is in the background. Hopefully, if we ever conclude the Mistledale campaign, I can tie up what I have been planning, but the short story is this:
The PCs aided the Harpers in one matter, then they enlisted the Harpers for another matter that they got involved in that was of interest to Fzoul and some other members of the Zhentarim. The PCs haven't found out yet, but the Harpers basically have misled the PCs and are using them as decoys until they complete the issue that the PCs brought to them, although in the end, while the PCs will take the Zhent heat initially, Fzoul will see the PCs as pawns and blame the Harpers, but the PCs are still being manipulated.
The party's cleric of Helm wants to start a spy network dedicated to Helm looking for issues that might pop up that the church of Helm might need to shift resources to defend against. The cleric is from Cormyr, and Myrmeen Lhal is going to cross paths with him, since he is from Arabel, and after the PCs have found out the Harper plan, she is going to offer to help get the spy network of the ground with funding and resources, if the information is shared with a Moonstar contact.
I can picture the Moonstars having "black ops" teams as well as more "007" type agents, but I think the main thing is that the Moonstars see less of the total mission than a given Harper might, since Khelben is more likely to dispense information on a need to know basis.
For example, the above aid with the spy network has nothing to do with getting more information (the Moonstars could find out anything they allowed the Helmites to learn), but with having a soon to be important Helmite cleric that owes them a favor, and a means of getting information not on the people that the Helmites spy on, but on the church of Helm as well.
But that's just my take. |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 21 May 2006 : 02:46:19
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| BTW, do you have Dragon Magazine #335? It has an article by the lovely and talented Elaine Cunningham about the New Olahm Bard's College in Waterdeep, and also features some Moonstar agents affiliated with that school in it. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 21 May 2006 : 02:52:33
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You'd also do well to read through Steven Schend's many discussions on the Moonstars, and their "doings", in his replies here at Candlekeep. Though they're largely "unofficial"... they are pretty much *all* we have on further lore for the Moonstars -- excepting the tidbits released in various 3e FR sourcebooks.
As it is... I've made quite some use of his notes and ideas for the Moonstars in my own campaign.
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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 21 May 2006 02:54:54 |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 21 May 2006 : 03:12:57
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| Have you read the info in Cloak & Dagger? That kinda explains how they operate also..... |
For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium |
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Wandering_mage
Senior Scribe
688 Posts |
Posted - 21 May 2006 : 19:39:37
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I have read almost all that I can here at Candlekeep and I think every one is still holding their breath waiting for more information. The mysterious Moonstars (sigh) will we ever truly know them?  I do need to read the Cloak and Dagger resource but I am waiting until after my B-day before I buy more books.  |
Illum
The Wandering Mage |
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Steven Schend
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author
USA
1715 Posts |
Posted - 21 May 2006 : 20:40:54
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quote:
Originally posted by Wandering_mage
Ok, I know there is very little known yet of the Moonstars after reading various postings but I have a simple request. How do you think the Moonstars operate? I will have my players meeting up with some moonstars for a mission but I want to know if they are your strict special forces dudes, or james bond and cool as they infiltrate the enemy base. Any help would be appreciated. I do realize that NPC personalities will be relevant but I haven't made the NPC's yet. I just know that I want them to be Moonstars.
James Bond works for lack of a better model, though I kind of like the model that the spies on ALIAS used to operate a few years back--spies behind the official spies, doing work on the wheels within the wheels that various powers and agencies don't let people see....and just the sort of thing Khelben roots out for his personal agents to foul up....
Another analogy I've used before that might help is Khelben as the Batman, being arrogant and smart and paranoid enough to want to work behind everyone's backs and he only truly trusts those he's personally trained/recruited to do his work, even when it seems he works against his own outside allies.
You could have a married couple operating ala Steed & Peel of the Avengers...or use the old Mission Impossible style of special teams for special jobs....
In short, the Moonstars can operate however you need and want them to operate--very brazenly and boldly, as Kyriani Agrivar no doubt can be, or very subtly and politically minded like Malchor Harpell or Phaerl Hawksong or even very ruthlessly as some of the darker figures in the group do. All you need to remember is that the Moonstars are a secret within a secret, as you're not even supposed to admit to being a Harper, let alone a member of a splinter cell of former/current Harpers.
SES
Who's neither confirming nor denying his membership in any such group, nor will he testify or name names to the Harpers' Committe on UnHarperlike Activities. |
For current projects and general natter, see www.steveneschend.com
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Edited by - Steven Schend on 22 May 2006 13:26:59 |
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Wandering_mage
Senior Scribe
688 Posts |
Posted - 21 May 2006 : 22:35:01
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| The master of lore hath spoken and I have been educated! I will use the advice given to make my players enjoy the unique position the Moonstars take in the Realms. Thanks Steve Schend, once again. |
Illum
The Wandering Mage |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 22 May 2006 : 00:47:21
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| Lets just hope no one messes with any of Khelben's "Brother Eyes." |
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Wandering_mage
Senior Scribe
688 Posts |
Posted - 22 May 2006 : 01:34:46
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| KnightErrantJR, I am confused by yours words. Please do reveal the meaning of your words to a curious mage. |
Illum
The Wandering Mage |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 22 May 2006 : 01:39:31
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| Sorry, Batman reference . . . PM you to explain, rather than pull anything off topic, if you so wish . . . |
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Wandering_mage
Senior Scribe
688 Posts |
Posted - 22 May 2006 : 03:15:49
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 I see. You have my thanks. |
Illum
The Wandering Mage |
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Steven Schend
Forgotten Realms Designer & Author
USA
1715 Posts |
Posted - 22 May 2006 : 13:25:10
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quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
Lets just hope no one messes with any of Khelben's "Brother Eyes."
That could only happen if Khelben had a large stash of kiira n'vaelahr.......and I'm not saying he does have one....nor am I saying he doesn't have one..... 
SES |
For current projects and general natter, see www.steveneschend.com
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Wandering_mage
Senior Scribe
688 Posts |
Posted - 22 May 2006 : 15:20:42
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| An interesting thought.... |
Illum
The Wandering Mage |
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The Moonstars revisited....
