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Victor_ograygor
Master of Realmslore
Denmark
1075 Posts |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 25 Sep 2006 : 21:32:09
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Hm . . . usually they hold Mage Fairs outside of settlments because of the potential for creatures running loose, duels getting out of hand, experiments exploding and the like.
Do you have Magic of Faerun . . . it has a bit of information on this.
Generally speaking, I would have a lot of scroll, potions, and wand sellers in booths, some open spaces for formal duels, and lots of magical tents, floating lights, etc.
Its a good excuse to throw nearly any species that you want that might have arcane class levels together for a "street scene," as well as fiends, elementals, exotic creatures, and constructs following their masters around. |
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Kalin Agrivar
Senior Scribe
Canada
956 Posts |
Posted - 25 Sep 2006 : 21:38:08
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My poor memory is telling me there there is a novel out there (short story?) where Elminster goes to a Mage Fair...
And look in the 2E product Secrets of the Magister where it discusses the origins of the Mage Fair |
Kalin Xorell El'Agrivar
- High Mage of the Arcane Assembly - Lore Keeper of the Vault of Ancestors - 3rd Son of the Lord of the Stand |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 25 Sep 2006 : 21:45:31
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That would be "Elminster at the Mage Fair," by Ed himself. I can't remember where it was originally printed, but its in the Best of Ed Greenwood Realms anthology as well. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
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Ergdusch
Master of Realmslore
Germany
1720 Posts |
Posted - 26 Sep 2006 : 09:45:46
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If you do not have Magic of Faerun, well basically anything that has to do with Wizards and Magic can happen at a mage fair. Be inspired by your imaginattion. Everything is possible. Here are some ideas: - selling of useful magical items of minor value (and of greater but only in tents and wagons away from the common eyes) - strange experiments and other oddities are being shown around - promising potions and oils are being sold - mages engage at spell duels - rare and exotic drinks and finger food can be tasted (e.g. beans in all different colors and various tastes ) - unique creatures are being shown, one of them a mighty manticor but infact not more than an old lion enspelled with a good illusion... - a red wizard from thay is present
the list of posibilities goes on and on....
Maybe some of the other sages at candlekeep will chime in to add some more?! |
"Das Gras weht im Wind, wenn der Wind weht." |
Edited by - Ergdusch on 26 Sep 2006 12:20:48 |
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Wandering_mage
Senior Scribe
688 Posts |
Posted - 26 Sep 2006 : 12:36:31
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I actually DM'ed a Mage Fair in the forest East of Neverwinter. Magic of Faerun was key to planning the Fair. I had a decent write up for duels going on, an imp that was hiding from it's master that offered a diamond to the party to help it escape, and many more interesting events and scenes. Unfortunately I don't have it in my e-mail anymore or I'd post it for some ideas. Something I did that was fun was that I had Khelben escort one of the party there and by doing this I showed how you get into the Mage Fair by showing that a person can use magic and by allowing only one person to be escorted by the magic user. The Realms of Valor story was awesome and I strongly suggest reading it. It's one of my favorite stories in the Realms. Be sure to use your imagination and let it take you to the very edge. The possibilities are endless and you can justify ANYTHING! That is why I love Mage Fairs. Make sure to put plenty of famous NPCs in the scenes acting like regular people, blending in perfectly to the scenes. |
Illum The Wandering Mage |
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Gray Richardson
Master of Realmslore
USA
1291 Posts |
Posted - 26 Sep 2006 : 19:04:32
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Hmmm... you got me thinking.
Mages spying on each other to learn their rival's secrets.
A thief or two sneaking around, trying to steal anything from wondrous trinkets to mages spellbooks, to some exoctic artifact in one of the tents.
Upstart magical punks, challenging anyone to a magical duel, calling people out and making a nuissance of themselves.
Strange weather overhead...
A magical familiar salesman has a booth filled with cages containing all sorts of never-before-seen creatures with very strange looks and abilities.
Magical food that acts like potions: tiny cakes that make you fall in love with the first person you see, or maybe the cakes come in pairs and you have to get the one you love to eat the other half. A bottle of blue wine that turns your skin blue if you drink it. Animated food (gingerbread men, cookies shaped like angels that really fly). Food that eats other food: as you discuss the food with the baker, out of the corner of your eye you notice a large pie stalking a chocolate mouse that looks nervous and tries to skitter away. The pie exudes a long tendril of merengue, scoops up the little mouse and drops it into a huge crusty maw that opens in its side... |
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Kalin Agrivar
Senior Scribe
Canada
956 Posts |
Posted - 26 Sep 2006 : 19:09:39
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After I saw the first Harry Potter movie (Diagon [sp?] Alley), I figured that was like a Mage Fair...but less goofy |
Kalin Xorell El'Agrivar
- High Mage of the Arcane Assembly - Lore Keeper of the Vault of Ancestors - 3rd Son of the Lord of the Stand |
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Victor_ograygor
Master of Realmslore
Denmark
1075 Posts |
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Reefy
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
892 Posts |
Posted - 26 Sep 2006 : 23:24:56
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quote: Originally posted by Gray Richardson
Food that eats other food: as you discuss the food with the baker, out of the corner of your eye you notice a large pie stalking a chocolate mouse that looks nervous and tries to skitter away. The pie exudes a long tendril of merengue, scoops up the little mouse and drops it into a huge crusty maw that opens in its side...
I love it. |
Life is either daring adventure or nothing. |
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Victor_ograygor
Master of Realmslore
Denmark
1075 Posts |
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Calrond
Learned Scribe
USA
118 Posts |
Posted - 28 Sep 2006 : 17:12:41
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quote: - unique creatures are being shown, one of them a mighty manticor but infact not more than an old lion enspelled with a good illusion...
Nice "The Last Unicorn" reference. :D
Anyone or anything (animal, plant, object) could be a wizard in disguise.
Wizards showing new spells they have only just finished (and might not have perfected?) |
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Asgetrion
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1564 Posts |
Posted - 28 Sep 2006 : 20:07:17
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I also suggest reading the 'Mage Fair' content in Magic of Faerűn. It gives you a good glimpse at what may be found at such an occasion. Also, Ed's short story (as suggested by other scribes and sages) gives a possible plot hooks, NPC choices for the event. |
"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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Victor_ograygor
Master of Realmslore
Denmark
1075 Posts |
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Kalin Agrivar
Senior Scribe
Canada
956 Posts |
Posted - 13 Oct 2006 : 17:10:39
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quote: Originally posted by Victor_ograygor
Okay i will start thanking you all for ure ripleys on this matter "What to at a mage fair?" The mage fair are going to take place outside Arebel, but how should i take care of trubel makers. Ofcause there are war wizards, but the party has a habit making trouble. I know this sounds stupid, but what would you do as a DM.
I understood the mage fairs are supposed to placed far away from any settlement, usually in some forgotten corner of the wildreness or greatly hidden to protect the magic users, protect any surrounding settlement and to weed out any gawkers and on-lookers |
Kalin Xorell El'Agrivar
- High Mage of the Arcane Assembly - Lore Keeper of the Vault of Ancestors - 3rd Son of the Lord of the Stand |
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Victor_ograygor
Master of Realmslore
Denmark
1075 Posts |
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Kalin Agrivar
Senior Scribe
Canada
956 Posts |
Posted - 13 Oct 2006 : 17:51:31
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quote: Originally posted by Victor_ograygor
Ok lets say it is placed away from any settlement. How should i take care of trubel makers.
I think there would be hired or volinteer high-level casters to help keep the peace...quite possible clergy of Azouth or Mystra...maybe powerful magical creatures like dragons or celestail servants of the powers of magic
Think of it as instead of a wizard's fair but as a gunslinger fair...most everyone there is a rival and a threat to each other but they all want a neutral place for trade, competition, etc. and they need to keep it peaceful so they can do so...no one wants to "draw" first and get blown away by everyone else.. |
Kalin Xorell El'Agrivar
- High Mage of the Arcane Assembly - Lore Keeper of the Vault of Ancestors - 3rd Son of the Lord of the Stand |
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Haman
Seeker
USA
60 Posts |
Posted - 23 Oct 2006 : 02:19:36
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I asked Ed awhile back about Mage Fairs and he gave me this excellent answer:
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Hello, all. Ed makes reply to Haman:
MageFairs - - what fun! Your chief sources of published Realmslore on these events are indeed the sources youre already familiar with: MAGIC OF FAERUN and my short story Elminster At the MageFair, originally published in REALMS OF VALOR and recently reprinted in BEST OF THE REALMS Volume 1. Yes, they make wonderful roleplaying settings. Lets delve into your questions: First, there are mage fairs and there is THE annual MageFair. Im not going to discuss the small local ones, because they vary tremendously, are indeed essentially like our real-world flea markets and gaming conventions (as your questions lead me to believe you already see them as), and you can tailor their sizes, rules, and essential nature to whatever you want them to be for your campaign needs. Whats in the MAGIC OF FAERUN covers them forwards, backwards, and sideways for those who need 3e rules. Many realms and cities ban the small local magical fairs, but Im not aware of anyone banning MageFairs. Such bans would be meaningless fiction anyway, because the wizards who hold them pay no attention to the decrees of kings. MageFairs (the big annual sort) are never held in cities or populated areas anyway, but only in remote wilderlands (often inhospitable rock badlands, deserts, or the like), as they can be dangerous to non-magical folk - - and said folk knowing the precise time and location of a great arcane gathering might well be dangerous to the wizards and sorcerers taking part. In general, those who ban the small local fairs do so because their rule is insecure and they fear wizards entering their territory, or wreaking destruction there - - or they fear someone selling magic or hiring their spellcasting services out to a foe or rival, who will then challenge their rule. In rarer cases (Rashemen and Thay are examples, and in elder days, Athalantar would have been, too), mage fairs arent wanted because the rulers or inhabitants of a land want themselves to be the only users of magic in it; no groups or gatherings of magically-powerful outlanders are welcome. THE MageFair moves from place to place, the locale for any given year clearly shown (with location; usually the dream is of soaring over anything from ones sleep location to the spot) to the everchanging Council who run them by mind-visions sent by Azuth (who also chooses every years Council, revealing the Council members to each other in dreams). No one except the Chosen, Azuth and Mystra and their servants, and the Council know the location of an annual MageFair until three mornings beforehand. All other arcane spellcasters are reminded in dreams of the impending event, and passwords (not always the same one for everyone) are mind-whispered to them. To get in, one must travel to outside the wards of a MageFair (attempts to translocate past them will result in severe mind-pain, and failure of the magic), give the password to a sentinel-mage, and demonstrate magical ability to that sentinel by casting (any) spell (of the attendees choice). Anyone who just tries to burst through the wards should be warned that unless a sentinel lets them through - - something that happens invisibly, silently, and without apparent spellcasting - - or they happen to be a Chosen or other powerful servant of Azuth or Mystra attuned to the Weave [such individuals can step around the wards, and bring companions who lack such powers along with them, unharmed] the wards will act as a Prismatic Wall spell, plus several additional inner curtain effects if the prismatic effects are breached. Spells sent against the wards usually encounter spell reflection. (The wards have all these fearsome effects in one direction only: from outside to inside. They dont even seem to exist, to creatures and spells moving from inside to outside.) The Council, usually about a dozen strong and usually including at least two experienced members (whove been on previous Councils), are responsible for checking and securing the site, casting the wards (which Azuth channels through them, achieving magical defenses far stronger than they could cast unaided, and somewhat mysterious to everyone - - yes, including Council members - - in structure if not in workings; everyone knows what they do, but its almost impossible to breach or dispel them, because Azuth changes their nature every year), and arranging the schedule, any trials or demonstrations, who will be allowed as a vendor and precisely what theyll be allowed to sell, and so on. Azuth always rewards Council members (usually with new spells placed in their spellbooks) afterwards, so very few of them worry about any costs in time or coin of these preparations. MageFairs have conduct rules and traditions (events, such as spell-hurling duels, that are always held), but their chief value is in socialization: mastering arcane spells, like writing, is an essentially lonely occupation, and MageFairs provide a way for wizards and sorcerers to get to know each other. Many of them, despite legendary feuds and the arrogance and eccentricity exhibited by so many wizards and sorcerers, soon come to look upon MageFairs as high points of their year, where they get to see old friends (in some cases, make trades, do business, get drunk, or even make love with old friends). Hmmm, rather like GenCon, though there were no GenCons (or D&D, for that matter) when I created MageFairs. :} Yes, most of the big names make at least a brief appearance, even if heavily disguised or by riding the eyes (by spell, from afar) of agents who attend for them. They simply dont want to be out of the loop as much as they will be if they miss MageFair after MageFair. Yes, there are lectures and demonstrations. No, there are no autograph booths, though a certain sort of wizard (usually the short, pompous types who never go adventuring, but who make a good living selling blank spellbooks, spell inks, and potions to others) exchanges what can only be described as business cards. Most of the time theyre gab-and-chatter-fests. Friends of the Council members work frantically making meals and dispensing drinkables for three days and nights, and then collapse from exhaustion, to be magically whisked back to their homes, and made much richer for their efforts. Azuth and Mystra consider MageFairs vital in keeping magic-use healthy, strong, and ever-growing, and even the wizards who hate crowds and especially detest other wizards admit that MageFairs are the best way to hear the news, spread warnings (especially of lands that have passed laws affecting spell use, but also of wild magic, unleashed monsters, and other perils). They also gather many arcane spellcasters together for Azuth and Mystra (and their servants) to observe and judge and impart things swiftly to. Would-be troublemakers are warned that servants of those two deities, as well as the visible sentinel-mages, watch events closely. One MIGHT get away with deftly and swiftly murdering a fellow wizard, but attempts to release a spreading spell, poisonous gas or dust, germs, or other means of affecting many arcane spellcasters will be noticed and foiled - - and the perpetrators shapechanged into something helpless for a decade or so. As for tales of colourful events at MageFairs: I have hundreds, but let me leave you with just one (now prevented by the altered wards, which govern the area within them as well as being an outer sphere of defense): a clever virus illusion passed from person to person by touch or eye contact, that swapped illusory faces of everyone in the virus, randomly and every third breath drawn by the caster. This led to many moments of shock and horror as wizards discovered themselves apparently in bed with someone other than their expected partner, and so on. It went on and on, most disconcertingly, and the caster then started to mix in monster likenesses, which led to several spell-attacks - - and an angry Azuth personally appearing to set things right. Oh, all right, TWO stories: an attempt to steal a wand with a snatch-from-afar spell that was twisted by a defensive spell akin to a mantle into an unintended-by-anyone effect that snatched random garments off wizards, OR teleported them straight up, from twenty to eighty feet aloft, to hover motionless and then teleport right back to their starting-points. This, too, went on and on, with progressively barer mages popping up into the sky here, there, and everywhere - - until Mystra ended it by altering the wards to deny all translocation spells but create a fly field, wherein everyone could fly, and hurling several magic items into their midst, causing a wild rumble-and-chase game to occur. Most of the other tales I could tell involve long explanations of why certain events triggered feuds, so . . . youll just have to wait for books and short stories as yet unwritten, I guess. I hope this has been of help.
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I used the info he kindly gave, and ran a fantastic session with my group. Hope it helps you as much as it did me. |
Some people say we gamers have no lives....I think we have too many. |
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Mace Hammerhand
Great Reader
Germany
2296 Posts |
Posted - 23 Oct 2006 : 19:30:10
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What is a fair mage?
We don't have comeliness scores anymore...maybe I'll have to get the Book of Erotic Fantasy... |
Mace's not so gentle gamer's journal My rants were harmless compared to this, beware! |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36805 Posts |
Posted - 23 Oct 2006 : 20:02:32
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quote: Originally posted by Mace Hammerhand
What is a fair mage?
We don't have comeliness scores anymore...maybe I'll have to get the Book of Erotic Fantasy...
Well, we do have many fair mages, like Kyriani, Alustriel, Laeral, etc... |
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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Mace Hammerhand
Great Reader
Germany
2296 Posts |
Posted - 23 Oct 2006 : 20:14:29
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Alustriel, the fair mage, at a mage fair, treats mages fair, that fair mage |
Mace's not so gentle gamer's journal My rants were harmless compared to this, beware! |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36805 Posts |
Posted - 23 Oct 2006 : 20:32:36
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Ahem.
Topic......................................................................... Us.
There's a little too much distance between those two things. |
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! |
Edited by - Wooly Rupert on 23 Oct 2006 20:32:59 |
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Victor_ograygor
Master of Realmslore
Denmark
1075 Posts |
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Haman
Seeker
USA
60 Posts |
Posted - 24 Oct 2006 : 09:30:08
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No problem Vic....
When I ran that session, I added a few other things from off the top of my noggin. See if they sound decent:
-There was a series of tents set up, where wizards could go in and run a gambit of challenges. Basically, you started at one end, and the hole goal was to guess what spells people were casting. The one going through payed a small wager (I think it was like 100 gold) and went down the line. The first wizard would be casting a simple "magic Missile" or something of that nature, and the contestent had to guess by gestures and hearing the words (the spells of course wouldn't go off...there was a dampening field). The player rolled spellcraft with a simple DC. If they made it, they went to the next booth, which had a nother wizard casting, just harder this time. The DC's would go up as the spells got more complex (adding in things like a "Stilled" Fireball for instance). If the contestent missed one, they were out and won whatever prize they qualified for...I think one of my players won a wand of summon creature III (of course with the companies logo emblazoned on the shaft!).
-Another area was set up for spell duels, my players did really well there...
-And of course the late night drinking tents. Let me tell ya, you can have a blast (sometimes literally!) with a bunch of drunken wizards trying to show off to each other...
Hope some of those help. |
Some people say we gamers have no lives....I think we have too many. |
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Victor_ograygor
Master of Realmslore
Denmark
1075 Posts |
Posted - 08 Nov 2006 : 09:51:47
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I am a DM, and my player´s a going to this large mage fair outside Arabel.
I give you a chance to create a tent at my mage fair. Please desribe the tent, what's it is doing there and how is responsible for the tent. Are they selling somthing ore showing somthing stage material. Is the tent dark reed, and smell´s strange. ? Let me hear about your tent ? -
I am playing 6 og December. |
Victor Ograygor The Assassin and Candel keeps cellar master
Everything I need to know about life I learned from killing smart people.
Links related to Forgotten Realms http://forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9571
Adventuring / Mercenary Companies / Orders / The chosen from official sources http://forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=11047
Priests in Forgotten Realms. http://forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9609&whichpage=1 |
Edited by - Victor_ograygor on 30 Nov 2006 05:31:50 |
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Ergdusch
Master of Realmslore
Germany
1720 Posts |
Posted - 29 Nov 2006 : 10:48:54
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Alright - here is my tent:
Its a rather small tent, no more than 6 square meters. It has stripes blue white running from top to bottom (vertical?). No noise comes from inside and no sign is posted outside. Only a rather bored looking guard in chainmail and with a badly polished Helbard stands next to the entrance waiting for costumers. If anyone wants to enter he opens the tent for them. However, only one customer may enter the tent at a time.
Inside sits a rather fussy looking gnome in black yellowish robes, a bold head and uncept wild beard behind a low table offering the customer to take a seat across from him, where a carpet and comfortable pillows are spread out across the flour. The tent is enligtend by red candles and is comfortably warm. It smells of exotic insenses and a yellow singing bird hopps around excitedly in his cage, which is dangling from the ceiling of the tent. The gnome proclames to be 'Theolomaio' (HIS NAME), a fortune teller. He may cast minor divinations for money and lais cards for 1 gp. If asked for anything 'special' he offers a very rare and lasting game experience in exchange for a magical item of no miner value (at least 2000 GP). From his he than produces a card game in a leather case, which is nothing less than a "Deck of many things". (See the DMG for discription)
Imagine the excitement once a player has summoned a minor death to fight against.
Let me know if you used it.
Greets, Ergdusch |
"Das Gras weht im Wind, wenn der Wind weht." |
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Delzounblood
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
578 Posts |
Posted - 29 Nov 2006 : 12:25:51
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Nice
Delz
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I'm Back! |
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Victor_ograygor
Master of Realmslore
Denmark
1075 Posts |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 30 Nov 2006 : 05:43:26
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Hmmm. This thread gives me some ideas for a Compendium article. I've been pondering over a place to set a article or a theme and now maybe I found one. Scribbles down some notes. :) |
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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LucianBarasu
Fellaren-Krae Co-ordinator
USA
214 Posts |
Posted - 30 Nov 2006 : 07:42:42
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Well since you're playing on the date after my birthday i'll give ya a tent.
The players come upon a 20ft x 10ft green and purple sectioned tent. The massive tent is flying banners at the two tops with flags with three wyverns stacked atop a tower. A sign above the entry says "Three Wyverns Magic Emporium" The scent of burnt willow wood from a fire and very sweet honey mead inside wafts out into the crowd and the player's noses. THe soud of a squaking birdlike creature echoes from inside as well. The players enter the tent, spotting rarities from all over the region. A blinded cocktrice in a cage flap it's clipped wings sits in a corner, as mages and sorcerers alike poke around the tent's items. Table and platforms ring the tent's interior, and a mage in a long purple robe with a green vest and cloak over it watches each of the shoppers. The old wizard still with black peppered through his beard smiles and greets the players. Sir Dubois "the Wyvern" Parsirchinaoll introduces the players to his wares inside. The Three Wyverns school and empoium specializes in rings and magical jewlery. Tables with hundreds of differently gemmed and ornately carved rings of iron, silver and gold. A few rarer metal and ems are littered throughout the tables. Sir Dubois attests that he can alter a ring to completely mask and copy any magical effect any other item in the realms can to. A ring of Keen and sharpness is specially created for monks of the Yellow Rose, which has now been made available to other fist fighting martial art classes are just one example. Most people know the inside joke of the Three Wyverns school, and thge PCs can find out about this joke only AFTER they make a few purchases... Most say the Three Wyverns school is named that because it usually takes them three times to make anything worth the costs of materials. 66% of items bought from the Thre Wyverns Emporium either only work once ( i.e. the magic doesn't take) or the items works with semi effective results. (Rings of flying only can lift up half the body, two are needed to lift a normal person. or Rings of Giant growth only made the PC's ring hand and arm grow to a giant's size. THAT arm DOES have giant strength, just that the PC's body can't lift the arm effectively.) IF the PCs pick up a ring on the table, it will ALWAYS be a working one. The PCs may not walk outwearing the items, due to a spell on the items cast to make them null if they leave the tent enchanted. Sir Dubois takes the ring or jewlery piece and places it on a small marbel table behind the ring table and cast a minor spell dispelling the enchanment on the ring to allow it to leave. (roll d00, 34+ the dispell has reacted badly to the original ring's magical effect and turns it to one like the two listed above.) Hilarity ensues... |
Lucian "The Bringer" Barasu Fellaren Krae Project Co-Ordinator
"Why do you cry?" "He is Conan, Cimmerian. He won't cry... So I cry for him."
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Edited by - LucianBarasu on 30 Nov 2006 07:47:20 |
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