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RodOdom
Senior Scribe
USA
509 Posts |
 Posted - 05 Feb 2007 : 16:17:58
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| Fzoul and Manshoon are like corporate CEOs, but with evil gods as board members ! |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 06 Feb 2007 : 04:04:19
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Hello again, scribes. This time Ed responds to Uzzy, re. this: “Hello again Ed! I'm currently reading Crown of Fire (and enjoying it thoroughly), and have a few questions about the Zhentarim wizard Gathlarue and her apprentices, Mairara and Tespril. I was wondering firstly if there was more you could tell us about them and the relationship between them all, which seemed to be rather close. Secondly, Gathlarue mentions that 'no woman, it seemed, rose high in the robed ranks of the Zhentarim' and that she needed to appear as a man around the other wizards. Ashemmi in Spellfire was similar mentioned as a 'him'. Is there any historical reason why women could not rise highly in the ranks of the Zhentarim in the time of Manshoon, or just cultural bias and has such changed, or are Syculla Darkhope and Ashemmi the exception to the rule? Thanks once again for your replies and excellent novels.”
Ed replies:
You’re quite welcome. I enjoy writing both, and hope I’m steadily getting better.
No, there’s no historical reason for a bar on the advancement of women within the ranks of the Zhentarim, but there is (see hereafter) something of a cultural bias. Here we go . . .
The conditions that existed from Manshoon’s founding of the Brotherhood until he was “overthrown” by Fzoul were, among ALL member wizards, a seething, constant struggle for supremacy.
Because a lot of the more powerful wizards had come from backgrounds where male wizards (their former tutors) habitually exploited females (including apprentices--and yes, some female tutors sexually used and “kept down” both male and female apprentices, just as some male tutors did the same with both male and female apprentices), these “senior Zhentarim” used the gender of female wizards against them, as one more way of “keeping down” potential rivals.
Manshoon saw all of this striving as good for the organization (and his continued control of it), and so didn’t intervene except in particular cases, as he personally desired to do so. As a result, female wizards got raped, dominated, and belittled as a matter of course, and many of them succeeded only by taking lovers and working with them in a team.
The Shadowsil (Symgharyl Maruel, as seen in SPELLFIRE and the forthcoming SWORDS OF DRAGONFIRE) “slept her way to the top” by becoming Manshoon’s lover and vaulting past the senior wizards in effective rank, but most female wizards didn’t get very high in the ranks EXCEPT through being every bit as efficient and ruthless as the men. Ashemmi used a male disguise for most of her career, and so did Gathlarue; both saw it as one way to overcome this handicap.
As for Gathlarue’s relationship with her apprentices, Mairara and Tespril: Gathlarue liked both males and females, but among the Zhentarim dared only enjoy females for fear of being “used” by males--so she exploited her apprentices and confined herself to that sexual outlet for her own “career safety.” She came to truly love her appentices, though she always put herself first. Mairara and Tespril also came to love their tormentor, and to really enjoy her cruel attentions. Yes, they’re the masochists in an S&M relationship; I didn’t see the need to try to battle TSR editors to make things more explicit, because there was no “story” need to do so; as Elaine and I once agreed to say: “We titillate and move on.” :}
So saith Ed. Who in the past often wrote fully detailed, frankly pornographic love scenes for his novels, and sent them in to his editors along with all the rest of the prose, so they could share them around the office for laughter and chuckles (yes, he’s always had male AND female editors). Nowadays, with the editors so overworked, he won’t waste their time in that manner without being specifically asked to do so.
(So, do they ask? NDA!)
love to all (and frequently),
THO
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 06 Feb 2007 : 11:24:58
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| Hm . . . in light of that response Steven's comment in Blackstaff about Ashemmi and "what Manshoon had done to her" becomes even more interesting, and definately makes some sense, even if its a bit of a vague comment. |
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Dargoth
Great Reader
Australia
4607 Posts |
Posted - 06 Feb 2007 : 13:58:24
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quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
Hm . . . in light of that response Steven's comment in Blackstaff about Ashemmi and "what Manshoon had done to her" becomes even more interesting, and definately makes some sense, even if its a bit of a vague comment.
Im guessing Manshoon some how managed to get a Helm of Opposite alignment or similar personality changing spell or item onto Ashemmi |
“I am the King of Rome, and above grammar”
Emperor Sigismund
"Its good to be the King!"
Mel Brooks |
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WalkerNinja
Senior Scribe
USA
575 Posts |
Posted - 06 Feb 2007 : 20:16:58
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THO,
Having been heartened by your previous suggestion, we have endeavored to run a poll in order to determine the relative popularity of a diversity of Realmslore topics, and in turn suggest them to Ed (and other authors) as potential topics for Web Enhancement. Thus far, we have recieved 87 votes (the most recent Candlekeep poll topped out at 75). Thus, even though polling will not end until this Sunday, we have a general feeling of what the most popular topics are. I was wondering whether you could peruse the proposed topics and comment upon their viability for Web Articles (or better yet, have Ed comment upon them).
Our humble poll is found in this thread:
http://forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8810 |
*** A Forgotten Realms Addict since 1990 ***
Treasures of the Past, a Second Edition Play-by-Post game for and by Candlekeep Sages--http://www.rpol.net/game.cgi?gi=52011 |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2007 : 00:16:32
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Thanks, WalkerNinja. I will pass these on to Ed. My general feeling is that all of these topics are too "big" for Realmslore web columns (series, yes, though both Ed and the WotC web folks seem happiest with one- , two- , or three-part coverage of topics), but we'll see what Ed says.
Oh, hi again, all!
Foxhelm recently posted a barrage of questions for Ed, and he’s tackled some of them now, leaving others for later. Here we go: “Has Ed read Eric L. Boyd's article in Dragon 350 (Legacies of Ancient Empires: Planetouched of Faerun)? If so, could he spin some lore about the planetouched that lie within, with my interests being with Azerblood and the Celadrins in particular?
Also what do the Seven Sister and the other Chosen of Mystra react to the news of the ending of "Blackstaff"? Do they even know? And what is their opinion of Khelben now?
Now a couple of humourous question...
Does Elminster have groupies? Like with sexy wizardresses who are turned on by skillful hands or warrior women that hunger for a man with the ability to become very dangerous? And what would the Simbul think of that?
Also a who would win question: The Simbul...or Granny Weatherwax from Discworld?
These are all of the questions I have for the moment. Thanks and good health.
Foxhelm, who still wonders if the Realms word for Librarian is Ed?”
Ed replies:
Of course I read Eric’s article, but I’m afraid you’ll have to wait quite some time for follow-up lore from my pen regarding the planetouched; I’m way beyond wildly busy, right now.
As for the reactions of the Chosen to the events of BLACKSTAFF: yes, they know. How do they feel? NDA. And think of Khelben? NDA. (Sorry, but to say anything more would reveal too much of forbidden-right-now future Realmslore.)
Yes, Elminster has groupies. I’ll write some scenes touching on that, some day. The Simbul finds it amusing. (And understands his needs in responding to them; see THO’s reply to Charles Phipps in the novel thread, in his review of THE TEMPTATION OF ELMINSTER.)
You are correct about two of the sorts of groupies he gets. There are others, including non-spellcasters fascinated by powerful wizards and/or shapechangers; by those who lust after men who’ve been alive for centuries and personally known heroes and heroines now dust, that said groupies idolize; and those fascinated by humans who have been both genders.
As for your “who would win” query; that’s hardly fair unless you also get Terry’s reply, but for my money: The Simbul would win ONLY if she got in a devastating surprise attack or first strike; otherwise, my coins would be on Esmerelda Weatherwax, all the way.
As for the Realms word for librarian: there are many. Ook, indeed.
So saith Ed. No, Ed is the Realms word for “Creator.”  Librarians are the beautiful, intelligent, capable women Ed has worked under for over three decades (and yes, I chose the words “worked under” deliberately  ).
love to all,
THO
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AlorinDawn
Learned Scribe
USA
313 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2007 : 16:03:25
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Ed,
I have recently started playing a gnomish bard and am having a great time. In an effort to provide some depth to my character can you provide some information about gnomish arts and music please? Some specifics I'd like to know is what instruments do gnomes favor, what styles of music they play.
Thanks |
Edited by - AlorinDawn on 07 Feb 2007 16:33:12 |
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Purple Dragon Knight
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1796 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2007 : 22:22:41
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Originally posted by Purple Dragon Knight
Eric,
In "The Spire of Long Shadows" FR adapdation notes, you speak of maps of Longsaddle and the Tower of Twilight in "Volo's Guide to the North" and "The North", downloadable online, etc.
All I can find is the overland map showing the two locations of the above places, but nothing showing an actual 'map' or 'layout' of the Tower of Twilight (the map of Longsaddle "is" present though, and the Ivy Mansion is shown in the FR Atlas, so that's good... all I need is a layout of the ol' archmage's Tower! :) )
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I am unaware of any existing map of the Tower of Twilight, unless one showed up in one of the computer games or on the FR5 - Savage Frontier gatefold.
Ed might have one scribbled in pencil and moldering in his basement, but I've never seen one.
--Eric
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Ed? |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 08 Feb 2007 : 01:32:07
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Ah! There are maps of both the Tower and Longsaddle in the old Fonstad print-version FR Atlas. The Longsaddle can best be described as "partial," though.
Hello again, scribes!
This time Ed answers createvmind, re. this: “Hello Ed, In your games how do you deal with Players who have traveled 8 hours, been forced into combat thereafter then chosen to stand watch for the remainder of the night, basically being up almost 24 hours. I know they are fatigued but at what point do they make Con checks to see if they take nonlethal damage?
Whats your house rule?”
Ed replies:
By Players I assume you mean PCs, here. I try not to mistreat my players like that, because I want them to come back. :}
My house rule regarding PCs depends on the nature of the combat (extreme heat or cold? lightning damage? spell effects on them?) Otherwise, I leave the checks until highsun of the next day (so, up and active more than 24 hours), because they ARE heroes. Veteran adventurers standing watch know how to relax muscles, lounge against supporting walls and trees, change their breathing, shifting their eye focus, massage each other’s muscles, etc. AND “cat nap” with their eyes open, gaining all the benefits of relaxation without deep sleep. Novices, on the other hand, usually can’t do all of these things, and would be at risk sooner.
I once experienced a GenCon D&D Open play session in which 1st level PCs had to walk overland for five days on a well-travelled road to reach a town to begin the scenario. The novice DM ruled automatic loss of 1 hp a day for sleeping in the open (camping with fires and tents), killing both of the party’s magic-users (1st level, so both had the maximum of 4 hp under the game rules of the time), and reducing most of the rest of the party to 1 or 2 hp (before any roleplaying had begun).
This was an early round of the Open tournament (team elimination), and when all of the players--politely, mind you--disagreed with the DM’s interpretation of the rules, he killed all of the surviving PCs on the spot with an angry god’s lightning bolts.
When one of the by-then-angry players informed him he’d just killed characters run by Ed Greenwood, head TSR mapper Dave Sutherland, and Nigel Findlay, and was disagreeing with their rules interpretations, the DM was elated, and couldn’t wait to get home from the con and boast about who he’d “beaten” in play. Sigh.
So saith Ed. Not a GenCon I attended, which is probably why that DM is still alive today. Way to ruin the con experience for paying customers (events were free in those days, but there was still an admission/registration fee). 
love to all,
THO
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Neriandal Freit
Senior Scribe
USA
396 Posts |
Posted - 08 Feb 2007 : 02:13:36
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| What a horrible GenCon thought.. |
"Eating people is wrong...unless it's on the first date." - Ed Greenwood, GenCon Indy 2006 |
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createvmind
Senior Scribe
490 Posts |
Posted - 08 Feb 2007 : 02:29:42
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Thanks Ed,
They are currently heading from Asbravn to Hluthvar during Flamerule 1372 and I've been using the weather extremes caused by the Shadovar. They choose to travel through the day being only 3 lvl characters with 1 4th and 1 5th lvl player and only one possessing darkvision, party of 8 total so you know the combat rounds can be a pain with all the delaying actions but I manage with a magnetic dry erase board with little magnets with names on them I can swap up and down. The two fighters choose to watch party through the night attack, I used the forced march rule since both players choose to walk a perimeter around the camp for the entire time until several hours past dawn. I only had them make one Fort roll for nonlethal which they both saved on.
Thanks for the little veteran knowledge you threw in there, my players are defintiely not there yet being young bucks and still erratic in their choice of behavior. It's funny that you mention the sadist DM because I try to use fleshing out concepts like you've mentioned and several of my players find them too unnerving, looking at their characters as stats rather than a person.
My group was TPK'd during the first encounter at last years con, the DM was kind enough to continue the module and it was a very entertaining 3 hours after that, sort of a "What If the party has survived?" Marvel comic story.
I was actually thinking of having players make a dex roll on falls from heights and if failed having a fragile item they possess break during the fall. But not sure all members of this group would be able to handle this since some are uber rules lawyer/metagamers.
Thanks again. |
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Garen Thal
Master of Realmslore
USA
1105 Posts |
Posted - 08 Feb 2007 : 02:48:44
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quote:
Originally posted by Neriandal Freit
What a horrible GenCon thought..
In response, I shall point out a lovely anecdote wherein our very own Ed walked around the entire Indianapolis Convention Center--through the Circle Centre Mall, across the skywalk into the area around the dome, up into the next skywalk, crossing over into the Marriot and going down into the lobby--telling every single person he ran across how his "stick" (a lovely staff presented to him by friends at the roast held for/of him at GenCon 2005) fit so nicely into the... ahem, hexahedral cardboard container in which the special Ed Greenwood/"Elminster Speaks" paint of the D&D Elminster mini that Mary-Elizabeth Allen and the fine folks at the publishing department arranged for him.
A frustrated world-builder in his own game is a disaster, but there is truly no better salve than thinking of Ed walking around telling all of his friends and colleagues--some who had known him nearly twenty years--telling off-color jokes and giggling like a twelve-year-old.
Which is, of course, why Ed does all this in the first place. Off-color jokes. That, and the occasional long drive and interesting -ahem- (I seem to be contracting a cough) autograph request. ;) |
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Purple Dragon Knight
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1796 Posts |
Posted - 09 Feb 2007 : 06:43:59
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THO/Ed:
This month's Dragon article "Volo's Guide to the Forgotten Dead" (great pun by the way!) states that "Any humanoid killed by a skuz's energy drain  swiftly decays and rises in 1d4 days as a skuz."
Did Brian Cortijo mean "killed by a skuz's Drowning Grapple?" (since I do not see energy drain as one of the skuz's Special Attacks...) |
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Garen Thal
Master of Realmslore
USA
1105 Posts |
Posted - 09 Feb 2007 : 13:52:33
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quote:
Originally posted by Purple Dragon Knight
This month's Dragon article "Volo's Guide to the Forgotten Dead" (great pun by the way!) states that "Any humanoid killed by a skuz's energy drain swiftly decays and rises in 1d4 days as a skuz."
The original writeup of the monster had energy drain (as part of its slam damage). The drowning grapple (which is a more appropriate special attack) was added during editing and development, and the energy drain was dropped.
So yes, it should read, "Any humanoid killed by a skuz's drowning grapple..." |
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AlorinDawn
Learned Scribe
USA
313 Posts |
Posted - 09 Feb 2007 : 15:21:25
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Ed & THO,
I again ask about your home Realms play out of curiosity and appreciate your previous response. When you all (The Knights) started playing how often did you meet? How many years did regular play continue? And how often do you all meet on average now? In your previous response you stated that Florin was still actively adventuring. Does this mean that when you get the chance you might have a play session with one or a few of the Knights and the rest conveniently elsewhere in the world at large? Any details you might share about your play sessions would be appreciated, as I have enjoyed those you and THO have shared in previous posts.
I suppose much of my curiosity is based on the fact that the Realms have been such a large part of my friends and my life and we have spent sooo many enjoyable nights role playing and rolling dice that I wonder about how your play sessions have played out over the years.
I will close with one other obscure inquiry. What can you tell me of the homes and lives of the populations of pixies, sprites, griggs, and other small farie folk of Faerun?
I know you and THO hear it often, as you should, but thank you ever so much for interacting with us here. As always it is a pleasure and an honor.
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Edited by - AlorinDawn on 09 Feb 2007 17:23:02 |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 09 Feb 2007 : 15:24:12
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Well met again, all. This time I present Ed’s answer to Jamallo Kreen: “Well met! I have what I hope is a simple question on blazonry: will the Heralds allow a worshipper of the Red Knight to use a querterly or checky field without it counting as a first "blazon" if there is one charge on the field? (I.e., can a worshipper of the Red Knight use a quarterly or checky field without having to pay the Heralds big gold for it?)”
Ed replies:
To keep the answer short and simple: yes. “Patterns of simple” (e.g. bends, repeated shaped colored areas such as checked patterns, “plain” quartering, etc.) are not considered “charges” by the Heralds of Faerûn. However, a repeated pattern of a charge (such as a badge or any detailed depiction of something [e.g. a star, gauntlet, moon, hunting horn]) WOULD constitute multiple charges, yes.
So saith Ed, Heralde Extraordinaire and Supreme of Faerûn.
love to all,
THO
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Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3741 Posts |
Posted - 09 Feb 2007 : 17:50:58
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| -Ed, I've got a fairly straighforward, non-NDA, simple query: Could you go into a little detail about what typical Elven marriage ceremonies are like? What are some of the things that are said? What are some of the things that are eaten? What is the structure of the ceremony? Things like that...Let's go with Moon Elves, Sun Elves and Wood Elves, since they are the most prevalent in the Realms. Anything would be great, and would put me forever in your debt! |
(A Tri-Partite Arcanist Who Has Forgotten More Than Most Will Ever Know)
Elves of Faerûn
Vol I- The Elves of Faerûn
Vol. III- Spells of the Elves
Vol. VI- Mechanical Compendium |
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EricKRod
Acolyte
USA
2 Posts |
Posted - 09 Feb 2007 : 18:20:52
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Mr. Greenwood,
Thank you for the response. Your detailed information definitely will help me in the future. I have been a Forgotten Realms fan since it first came out in the 80's. However I will have to admit that I am a Robert E. Howard fan first.
I current am a freelance writer for Mongoose Publishing working on the Conan rpg and have written and published several adventures and articles.
Still, I will have to admit that the Forgotten Realms still holds my attention more and I can't read enough of the Realms. I was wondering if you were going to be at Gen Con Indy this year? Did you know they were going to have a Robert E. Howard Day? If you are interested in reading anything from the new Conan rpg and don't have access, just let me know and I will send you some stuff, free of charge.
Anyways, enough babbling. About the campaign. There are three main characters, who all happen to be related. There are cousins and one is a Ranger of Mielikki, a Warrior/Priest of Lathander and finally a Paladin of Lathander. The Paladin is the one who claims he is a descendent of the Dusk Lord.
He has led his two cousins, followers and retainers along with priests of Lathander and Chauntea to Sessrendale to reclaim the land. The paladin, Justerian Whitehelm, having had a dream from Lathander, re-named the dale "Dawndale". The Warrior/Priest, Lars Bloodsworth, has begun construction of a keep on the north end of the dale to counter threats from the Zhentarim. The Ranger, Advorcass Darkbow, has strong ties with Mistledale and has convinced several half-elves and humans to build a village on the southern edge of the Cormanthor woods, west of Deepingdale.
Justerian has begun construction of a fortress that abuts the Thunder Peaks near the base of the river that flows out of those mountains and eventually empties into Lake Sember. The fortress, Immarel, is named after his deceased mother. A temple of Lathander will reside within it and a large plot of land with an abbey to Chauntea on it is being built about three miles east from the fortress. Dwarves from the lost clan (is Patrakis a dwarven clan name or a different type of humanoid?) are helping with the construction of the fortress as well as providing mineral and ore from the Peaks.
(I had the dwarves provide iron, copper and some semi-precious stones. I didn't want the characters to have access to gold, mithral or something so valuable that they would be filthy rich too quick or attract the attention of some very powerful individuals).
So far relations with Archendale have been strained and the other dales are indifferent. Cormyr has been very forthcoming with promises of aid if needed and the characters are unsure if the help is genuine or if Cormyr is just looking for a reason to extend their influence beyond the Thunder Peaks. Since the characters started out in Cormyr and have some ties there, they are taking the support in good faith...at least for now.
All the undead wandering around make it easy for me to keep the characters occupied. I mean followers of Lathander and Undead just go hand in hand. However I was going to have the Dusk Lord appear from time to time as either an information npc or help out the characters when they might need it. However since he is Undead, and very powerful I find it difficult to justify him staying around or even helping the characters out.
What do you think?
Eric in Vegas
quote:
Sessrendale was a small, vigorous, fast-growing dale community of Arkhen-folk who'd moved out of Archendale after recurring clashes and disagreements with the authoritatian rulership there. Like all Arkhen, the Sessrar were proud, independent, "Don't tell ME what to do!" people, who swiftly established trade successes, exchanging their mined metals with traders from afar (Sembians in particular). They were guilty of being a threatening rival to Archendale far more than they were guilty of any fell evil, and although Archendale invaded and destroyed Sessrendale, doing so broke all trust any other Dalefolk, and the governments of Cormyr and Sembia, may have had in Archendale, and condemned it to being disliked, feared, and largely shunned by all, to slowly wither in isolation. So Archendale today is a shadow of what it once was, and a mere fading echo of what it might have risen to become, if it hadn't treated Sessrendale so brutally.
For one (very interesting, Patrakis, in light of your own dwarven elements) thing, dwarves interested in the Sessren mines and in using humans as a front and buffer between them and the surface human realms were planning to ally and work with the Sessrar (and then continue on to work with strategically-located Archendale) to establish a newly-strengthened dwarven presence in the Thunder Peaks between Cormyr and Sembia (surviving by playing one realm off against the other, if necessary).
Of course, it was not to be. For the record, the Sessren were NOT evil or in league with anyone but each other; they had a few very ambitious mages, and their ruler, the Dusk Lord (about whom I don't want to Reveal All here and now, for good and true future Realmslore reasons I can't divulge at this time) dabbled in arcane magic.
As the hostilities with Archendale increased, and imminent war became more and more certain (Archendale sending divers hired spies, mainly outlander peddlers and merchants, but also sending assassins and using hired spellcasters to hurl damage from afar, sometimes by means of summoned monsters let loose in Sessrendale), the frightened mages started to work together closely, with their ruler, a warrior and increasingly capable arcane spellcaster, to try to develop some defenses for their dale.
They failed to get anything properly ready in time, and almost all perished fighting to protect fleeing Sessrar or to make the Arkhen invaders pay for despoiling favored spots; in many cases, they literally died on their own doorsteps, overwhelmed after their spells ran out and they'd filled their own fields and front yards with heaped-up, dead foes.
It's Arkhen propaganda that has given us the "evil Dusk Lord" of so many tales, the black cowled sword-wielding, amorphous flying wraith whose touch withers and chills, or burns flesh like a brand if he wills.
The REAL Dusk Lord desperately dabbled in necromancy along with all of the dozen-some most powerful Sessren mages, in the month or so before the invasion began. They were guilty of animating skeletons, dread, and zombies (particularly those of beasts, since they hesitated to animate their own dead and recently-buried older relatives) to fight the invading Arkhen, and of both inadvertently and in a few cases deliberately freeing some wights and ghosts of earlier (pre-Sessrendale) burials in the area. Many of these lurk in the region to this day, adding to its fell reputation.
Several of the Sessren mages, and the Dusk Lord, died defending their dale in such a manner that their own spells, and spells hurled against them, affected them, and they became unique undead of various sorts (DMs should feel free to design their own).
In general, most of them look like curst (see LOST EMPIRES OF FAERUN), but can't be destroyed by a remove curse [only entirely restoring Sessrendale will destroy them]; if "destroyed," they re-form and rise again to fight on.
They tarry in Sessrendale, but do have the ability to leave it if chasing a "foe of the dale." They will usually only strike once at such a target outside the dale, and then return to their beloved former home.
These unique Sessren undead usually look like black-robed men or women, can fly, become visible or invisible, and become tangible or intangible at will, and can see, hear, and think with all the intelligence they had in life (remembering and acquiring new knowledge constantly). They can only animate dead (corpses [including foes they've just slain; they love to employ such servitors against the deads' former, still-living companions], bones, and body parts by touch, into zombies, dread, dread warriors, crawling claws, and skeletons), hurl spells (DMs should choose a roster of spells, that "return" to the undead some hours after being cast), and wield weapons when tangible; when intangible, contact with them chills and causes 1 round of confusion if touched living things fail a Con Check (DC 22), but does no other damage. A few Sessren undead have minor magic wands or rings they can employ in battle, but will drop these if they become intangible, and so rarely use them except where they can dump them in ponds or down dungeons, to serve as a lure for foes so other Sessren undead can have more opportunities to attack such foes. Most Sessren mage undead are Wizard 14s to 17s.
The Dusk Lord himself manifests as a headless (but cowl-wearing, as if he had a head, and able to see as if he had eyes, though attacks on his non-existent head do him no damage at all, as several adventurers have discovered far too late, as they thrust and hacked and fired arrows through the nothingness above the Dusk Lord's shoulders, and dealt him no damage whatsoever) male human torso, with his arms clad in chainmail and gauntlets under the cowled cloak. He fades away into "nothingness" at his waist, and flies about with the perfect, precise control of a hummingbird, and wields a sword that can fire spells as well as hack. The sword is a part of him, not a weapon that can be seized by foes if separated from him (if he loses it in battle, it fades away and reforms back in his hand).
He should be a warrior of 12th level or higher, and a wizard (again, spells return spontaneously) of about 7th level or so.
All of these Sessren undead are now evil by nature, but hate being so; they succumbed to all temptation in their desperation to defend Sessrendale, and lost anyway, and are enraged. Non-Sessren intruding in their dale enrage them, the sight of any Arkhen enrages them, and the mere continued existence of Archendale (and lack of action of the other dales to destroy it just as utterly as Sessrendale was destroyed) enrages them. These rages aren't "blind," but rather a cold fuel that keeps these cunning, thinking undead going in their energetic bids to slay the living who come within their reach (though they'll neither attack nor disturb the slumber or work of living beings whom they believe are trying to rebuild the dale).
As in life, they are proud, ruthless, and reckless of their own safety beings, but their "natural evil" is a borderline, forced-upon-them thing that they loathe. As a result, they sometimes aid lost wayfarers and others in need, kindly but unpredictably. They NEVER aid anyone they know to be Arkhen, however, and scheme to somehow bring down destruction on Archendale, so that it, too, will be destroyed and sewn with salt.
EricKRod, the plan for Dawndale outlined in your campaign shouldn't meet with much resistance from these "ringleader" Sessren undead if the PCs conduct things properly. The other undead (the roaming wights, wraiths, and mindless undead) will of course be opponents - - as will elements of the Zhents, Wearers of the Purple, Sembian cabals, Arkhen, and others who don't want to see a new dale rise (or Sessrendale refounded) in that location.
I'd be interested in hearing from you how things turn out in your campaigns, if my reply hasn't come too tardily to be of use.
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Conan Rocks! |
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AlorinDawn
Learned Scribe
USA
313 Posts |
Posted - 10 Feb 2007 : 01:21:00
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quote:
Originally posted by EricKRod
Mr. Greenwood,
I was wondering if you were going to be at Gen Con Indy this year?
So....will ya Ed? having just found this fantastic site near the end of '06 and finding what a great community we have hear, I would attend if you will be present... not to put you on the spot or anything
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Charles Phipps
Master of Realmslore
1425 Posts |
Posted - 10 Feb 2007 : 09:12:26
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Well Ed, the wedding of Princess Alusair is on. I didn't go into much specifics with the player but instead said there was a 140 page prenuptial agreement, that the marriage could be conducted in Cormyrian civil law, that children were not to be expected, and the player character would be given no additional title because she was Regent not Queen (so he wouldn't be Prince Consort).
Privately, the Princess and the husband to be had a bit of a row about "what's good for the goose should be good for the gander" regarding bed rights. While this might be reason for calling the wedding off, I decided Alusair was happy that he was upset about at least some of the restrictions or it wouldn't be the type of man she'd want to be permanently attached to anyway.
[I haven't yet decided if the Princess will compromise on this issue or its a non-negotiable one. The player character does love her and will agree if he has to but he's a fairly healthy adventuring male who has made 'friends' a plenty in the Royal Court and country. Given the rather uhhh specific nature of the circumstance, I'm not sure if you'd have any advice O' Sage of the Realms]
My second question is a 'simple' issue of how to handle the first Royal Wedding since Queen Filfaril and Good Azouns given Tanalasta's wasn't much in the way of a gala affair. I'm privately sure everyone is invited from Chosen to Harper with all manner of intrigues plotted now that our Lady of the Naked Blade (our player's nickname for her) is finally getting hitched but some specifics would be helpful.
But you're of course invited to the wedding Ed with plenty of foulness afoot I'm sure from Sembia to Zhentil Keep in the works. Thankfully, rumors of a newly sighted cranky purple tinged dragon mated to a Song dragon paying attention to the couple our player characters should see the couple survive to their honeymoon.
:-)
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My Blog: http://unitedfederationofcharles.blogspot.com/
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Asgetrion
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1564 Posts |
Posted - 10 Feb 2007 : 11:11:46
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Well met Milady and Ed!
Another question regarding the Power of Faerûn:
There are many coat-of-arms throughout the book - can you identify which towns/cities/countries/nobles/organizations they all belong to?
One day, I hope that we will have a complete list of the heraldic devices and coats-of-arms, at least for all the major settlements (cities) and noble families (*cough* Cormyr *cough* ;) |
"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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Charles Phipps
Master of Realmslore
1425 Posts |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 10 Feb 2007 : 15:22:51
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Hello again, everyone.
Some great queries, and although Ed is chained to his computer frantically writing, writing, writing as we speak, I can confirm that he certainly INTENDS to attend GenCon Indy 07. Every year he has an increasing struggle with the GenCon website to register, however, and I don't expect this year to be any exception. So he can't confirm until he's managed it, which sometimes includes e-mails back and forth with the GenCon staff!
As for Realsmlore replies, this time I present a brief response by Ed to this query from Blueblade: “At the most recent GenCon, Ed (just before the young WotC lady jumped into your lap --brave girl!), you answered a question about how loving and gentle and open Alustriel seemed to be by saying, "Ah, but she has more than a few daggers in her garters."
Now, was this just a figure of speech, meaning she has powerful spells or magical defenses? Or magical daggers? Or "skeletons in closets"? Or psionics? Or she's insane? Or . . . something else?
Thanks!”
Ed replies:
It’s a Faerûnian figure of speech, meaning someone has hidden depths, or “something up her sleeve,” or another side to her personality or experiences or preparations that someone meeting her for the first time might not expect, from the initial outward show that they see. The apparent airhead who’s acting that part, and is in truth a calculating, shrewd manipulator, for instance.
So saith Ed. Who for an example used something I have been guilty of, a time or two. You wiggle your behind, you make your eyes shine, you speak breathlessly . . . and WAY too many males fall for it, every time. Watch the bright shiny thing, fellows -- THERE’S a good pack of dogs . . . watch those tongues, now!
Ahem.
love to all,
THO
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createvmind
Senior Scribe
490 Posts |
Posted - 10 Feb 2007 : 18:07:00
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Help please Ed,
In Faerun does a Periapt of Health work immediately upon donning it or must it attune itself over 24 hour period. And if the person just was victim of a Vargouille's kiss will the Periapt remove or prevent the disease from progressing?
This just occured last night and the party may have no option but to full-out boogy back to Asbravn if they wish to save the player, it's currently 3am. So once again a forced march may happen but I am unsure what happens in regard to the periapt and a cleric of Savras rolled a natural 20 on his knowledge arcana so I need to tell him what he knows about the periapt so he can then pass on whatever crucial information.
Thanks if you have the answer off the top of your celestial with a slight taint of infernal crown. |
Edited by - createvmind on 10 Feb 2007 18:08:10 |
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Jamallo Kreen
Master of Realmslore
USA
1537 Posts |
Posted - 10 Feb 2007 : 19:04:40
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quote:
Originally posted by The Hooded One
Well met again, all. This time I present Ed’s answer to Jamallo Kreen: “Well met! I have what I hope is a simple question on blazonry: will the Heralds allow a worshipper of the Red Knight to use a querterly or checky field without it counting as a first "blazon" if there is one charge on the field? (I.e., can a worshipper of the Red Knight use a quarterly or checky field without having to pay the Heralds big gold for it?)”
Ed replies:
To keep the answer short and simple: yes. “Patterns of simple” (e.g. bends, repeated shaped colored areas such as checked patterns, “plain” quartering, etc.) are not considered “charges” by the Heralds of Faerûn. However, a repeated pattern of a charge (such as a badge or any detailed depiction of something [e.g. a star, gauntlet, moon, hunting horn]) WOULD constitute multiple charges, yes.
So saith Ed, Heralde Extraordinaire and Supreme of Faerûn.
love to all,
THO
Mercy buckets!
-- Jamallo Kreen, Friend of Religion
(Writing for Captain Marek Ilsor, who has some 'splainin' to do about that star in dexter chief!)
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I have a mouth, but I am in a library and must not scream.
Feed the poor and stroke your ego, too: http://www.freerice.com/index.php.
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Jamallo Kreen
Master of Realmslore
USA
1537 Posts |
Posted - 10 Feb 2007 : 19:16:42
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quote:
Originally posted by EricKRod
Mr. Greenwood,
Thank you for the response. Your detailed information definitely will help me in the future. I have been a Forgotten Realms fan since it first came out in the 80's. However I will have to admit that I am a Robert E. Howard fan first.
I current am a freelance writer for Mongoose Publishing working on the Conan rpg and have written and published several adventures and articles.
Still, I will have to admit that the Forgotten Realms still holds my attention more and I can't read enough of the Realms. I was wondering if you were going to be at Gen Con Indy this year? Did you know they were going to have a Robert E. Howard Day? If you are interested in reading anything from the new Conan rpg and don't have access, just let me know and I will send you some stuff, free of charge.
(snip)
I intend to run a side jaunt from my "Waterdeep 1360" campaign into the Hyborian Age (which will really shake up players from magic-rich Toril!), and shall post details of it on Candlkeep in the scroll room for adventures. For now, suffice it to say that my premise seemed to amuse Matthew Sprange. In the near future I hope to share details with Vincent Darlage and some appropriate Loremasters here (Ed is much too busy, I ween!), in order to make the transition a logical one. There is already published Realmslore which lends itself to such a cross-over.
The biggest obstacle is that contemporary Faerun is contemporary with OUR "real world," whereas the Hyborian Age is thousands of years in Earth's past. I already received word from Ed (or as THO said of him, "Ed, who has always hated chronomancy") on the current state of time travel in the Realms, but the wealth of lore available here at Candlekeep (some of it soon to be published by WotC) has helped me get around that obstacle, I think.
I take up no more of Ed's scroll with this, but shall post elsewhere on it later this year.
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I have a mouth, but I am in a library and must not scream.
Feed the poor and stroke your ego, too: http://www.freerice.com/index.php.
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Delzounblood
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
578 Posts |
Posted - 10 Feb 2007 : 23:04:55
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Hi THO and ED:
1:
The Great Glacier,
The tension for a RLE (Realms Level Event) or RCE (Realms Cataclismic Event) has been building for a long while. I know there is alot on at the moment with the Shade etc: BUT with this MAJOR ICE MASS will there be a MELT and How will this affect the realms as we know it???
2:
The Shade,
Will there be a definative source book on the shade due out anytime soon?????
3:
I have another question but will wait until I have researched more!!!
Thanks
Delz
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I'm Back! |
Edited by - Delzounblood on 10 Feb 2007 23:05:22 |
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nbnmare
Learned Scribe
United Kingdom
205 Posts |
Posted - 11 Feb 2007 : 00:58:30
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| Regarding your second question, the third book of the Realms 'super adventure' is entitled Anauroch: The Sundering of the World. According to WotC's blurb, the book contains "detailed source material on the land of Anauroch, home of ancient Netherese ruins and the Empire of Shade." |
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 11 Feb 2007 : 01:51:03
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Hi, all. This time Ed tackles a query from RodOdom: “What colors are the seas of Faerun? Would it be determined by phenomena similar to our real world ( green where phytoplankton blooms, clear where waters are poorer in nutrients, etc.)”
Ed replies:
The seas of Faerûn are very like our own; the hue is primarily dictated by the sunlight and sky hue (from black to wine-dark, to crystal clear blue), and secondarily by what’s in the water, and thirdly by the depth and the nature of the bottom (fine white sand? Or a deep ocean trench? Or rocks festooned with algae and weed?).
The only (real but slight) differences are that some areas of Faerûn have purple sands (this will affect the southeasternmost arm of the Sea of Fallen Stars), and that the water appears clearer and cleaner (because there’s more translucent and lightly-colored microscopic aquatic life, and greater numbers of efficient weed-devourers).
So saith Ed, Master of the Seas of Faerûn. A Big Fish in Oceans He Created (ooh, THAT will look good on the resumé!).
love to all,
THO
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The Hooded One
Lady Herald of Realmslore
5056 Posts |
Posted - 11 Feb 2007 : 16:01:51
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Hi again! createvmind, Ed responds to your plea for help:
I would run it like this: the Periapt cures the Vargouille-conferred malady instantly, but in doing so is delayed in its other functions: the PC remains wounded and in whatever battered state they currently enjoy; if walking, they can continue to do so (dazed, so being led is good), otherwise, they lapse into unconsciousness (if they aren’t there already).
Then make a Con check every quarter-hour. The moment three in a row have succeeded, the Periapt goes right to work (so, yes, they can “miraculously” spring back to operancy by the time a fourth check would otherwise be made).
Some DMs are far less lenient and merciful than this, but I believe the best gaming and fun is to be had when PCs are up and functioning.
So saith Ed. And there you have it: lighting-fast Realmslore!
love,
THO
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Questions for Ed Greenwood (2007)
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