| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Victor_ograygor
Master of Realmslore
Denmark
1076 Posts |
 Posted - 30 May 2007 : 21:24:14
|
Greetings sages and lore masters here at Candle keep.
I were trying to create a mass murder and where wondering how he could protect himself from the law, with the use of magic.
Many sages and other lawful characters would use magic to find him and this would make his time as mass murder in Iriaebor short.
1. Any god ideas that would make him undetectable?
(I know the spell: Mind Blank: Subject is immune to mental/emotional magic and scrying.)
2. Are there any great daggers ore knifes that would be favourable fore a mass murder?
3. What would the law in Iriaebor do if they could not find a mass murder with the use of magic?
4. If you have any good ideas please let me know?
(How would the thief guild in the city react to this mass murder)
(Any magic items that would be good fore a mass murder)
(Other....)
The work until now
Name :
The Ripping Knife of Iriaebor.
Knowledge :
This lunatic killer comes out of nowhere and slays common people without any reason.
The lord of Iriaebor:
Bron the lord of Iriaebor has promised a reward of 10.000 gp fore those bold enough to slay ore capture this Ripping Knife of Iriaebor.
Rumours :
Rumours say that this creature / Human have slaughtered over twenty innocent people and a duson of soldiers form the night watch.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mind Blank
http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/mindBlank.htm
Picture of The Ripping Knife of Iriaebor
http://www.123hjemmeside.dk/Drakul/3357489
|
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 May 2007 21:26:59
|
|
|
questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1733 Posts |
Posted - 31 May 2007 : 00:03:41
|
For some reason, i'm suddenly thinking Doppelganger!
Or for a realms specific monster...Master Doppelganger!
If i'm not mistaken for the Master Doppelganger in the Monsters' Compendium, it has natural qualities that makes it one of the best murderers while avoiding detection through spell-like means.
Just donating my 2 coopers worth
|
 |
|
|
Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36963 Posts |
Posted - 31 May 2007 : 05:28:18
|
quote:
Originally posted by questing gm
For some reason, i'm suddenly thinking Doppelganger!
Or for a realms specific monster...Master Doppelganger!
If i'm not mistaken for the Master Doppelganger in the Monsters' Compendium, it has natural qualities that makes it one of the best murderers while avoiding detection through spell-like means.
Just donating my 2 coopers worth
I believe you're thinking of the greater doppelganger, which can assume every aspect of a consumed victim's identity, save for divinely-granted abilities. It can even fool mind-reading. |
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!  |
|
|
|
questing gm
Master of Realmslore
Malaysia
1733 Posts |
Posted - 31 May 2007 : 08:14:08
|
My bad...Greater Doppelganger.
Master Cloaker... |
|
|
|
Faramicos
Senior Scribe
Denmark
468 Posts |
Posted - 31 May 2007 : 10:43:53
|
| What about having the dobbleganger infiltrate its victims surroundings. I played a session where the dobbleganger captured a member of the group, assumed his identity and then attacked the group in the silence of night. Devestating. I had the player play the dobbleganger to maintain the illusion to the rest of the group of being attacked by their friend. Instructed him on how to act and exchanged some basic signals if he came to be confused as to what to do. One of the coolest encounters ever. The group actually thought they killed their friend. Worked like a charm. |
"When dragons make war, worlds can only tremble in the shadow of angry wings" |
|
|
|
Mortagon
Acolyte
Norway
33 Posts |
Posted - 31 May 2007 : 11:10:41
|
| What classes and levels are you thinking about? |
|
|
|
Victor_ograygor
Master of Realmslore
Denmark
1076 Posts |
Posted - 31 May 2007 : 11:34:05
|
The problem is not creating a mass murder. But If you have any good ideas please let me know?
The idear about the greater doppelganger is fine.
I am really interested in question 3!
What would the law in Iriaebor do if they could not find a mass murder with the use of magic?
What would a town do if they can’t capture and find a mass murder with the use of magic.
What other methods do a town have… detectives ore traps, what would you do as a dungeon master if one of yore players were a mass murder and the town were unable to find him through magic (divination)
The questions about the weapons of the murder.. Were just if some of you knew some special weapon that would match this idear.
|
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 |
|
|
|
Mortagon
Acolyte
Norway
33 Posts |
Posted - 31 May 2007 : 12:43:10
|
quote:
What would the law in Iriaebor do if they could not find a mass murder with the use of magic?
What would a town do if they can’t capture and find a mass murder with the use of magic.
What other methods do a town have… detectives ore traps, what would you do as a dungeon master if one of yore players were a mass murder and the town were unable to find him through magic (divination)
The questions about the weapons of the murder.. Were just if some of you knew some special weapon that would match this idear.
many of these questions depends upon what tools and abilities are available to the mass murderer, but a few basic answers can be given.
What the law would do would depend upon whom the murderer targets, if he targets the poor and homeless, the law would barely notice, but the families might pleed adventurers for help. Also the church of Helm might take notice if the poor was targeted.
If the wealthy and poferful was targeted, the law would use any resources at their disposal to solve the problem. This would include hiring powerful magicians to cast divination magic on their behalf, but also hiring powerful adventurwers to track the murderer down or maybe even act as bait to lure him out.
In any case, if magic can't find the killer, you'd have to outsmart him. This means doing detective work, finding out about his habits, choice of targets, if he has a certain pattern etc.
I don't know if Iriaebor has any dedicated detectives, but perhaps that is why the players get involved so that they can be the ones to track down the killer.
If one of the players is the killer, the government may hire an elite team (other adventurers) that specializes in solving crimes and hunting down dangerous criminals.
The clerics and wizards of the twon may also summon extraplanar beings to aid in the apprehention of the killer. Celestials, espescially Archons would serve this purpose fine as would Inevitables.
watch any modern detective show like C.S.I or Profiler for ideas, the old Sherlock Holmes books and anything by Agatha Christie may also give you some ideas.Any movie or story about Jack the Ripper and other serial killers may also give some inspiration.
If the murderer was in fact a greater doppleganger he could disguise himself as anyone, even a wealthy noble or one of his victims so if the pc's discover his identity once, he'd just change his appearance and start over with a new face, giving his would be captors many headaches.
As for weapons I would recommend a weapon that destroyed the targets soul so that he could not come back or be questioned through magical means. Otherwise any weapon that had the ability to kill its target quickly without to much noise would be fine. |
|
|
|
Matthus
Senior Scribe
Germany
393 Posts |
Posted - 31 May 2007 : 13:11:42
|
Well maybe not the weapon as such but I read this: When Elaith Graunobler (spelling?) murderd some fellows in Waterdeep he used to carve magic symbols on the forehead of the victims. So there was no chance to speek with the dead - I think a useful way to avoid detection.
If you are looking of a way to murder a lot of people at the same time, you should find a Lantan deserter who is capable to planting some exploding divices in the market place...  |
|
|
|
Matthus
Senior Scribe
Germany
393 Posts |
Posted - 31 May 2007 : 13:36:39
|
Well thinking about the weapon for the job I just came about a moving garotte (spelling?). The murder is standing in the shadow and let loose his instrument. The simple cord just climbs the back of the prey and strangles it. Or it is falling from above after moving up on a wall. If the cord is detected it falls and shuffles away - you can push it with giving it invisibilty, move silently, even give the garotte intelligence etc..
|
|
|
|
AlorinDawn
Learned Scribe
USA
313 Posts |
Posted - 31 May 2007 : 14:59:07
|
| Some of the most prolific and terrible mass murderers I've ever seen in the game have been PCs lol. |
|
|
|
sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
12189 Posts |
Posted - 31 May 2007 : 16:28:33
|
Ok, you make it sound like this guy will have access to spellcasting of some sort, so let me put on my "if I were a wizard who wanted to kill someone" hat. I'm going to assume that the killing is what gets the person off and not the need for them to see him (and possibly their inability to see him really gets the sicko's rocks off).
1) If the enemy can't see me, he can't identify me after he's dead. Greater invisibility is wondrous.
2) If I'm not part of the plane in which I'm murdering someone, I can't leave behind "tell tale hairs, or blood, or anything else" which could be usable to trace me. Ghost touch weapons and etherealness or improved blink. With this, you could be waiting in the ground of an alleyway. Your weapon could be something just laying around in the alleyway (i.e. maybe its a makeshift weapon that you make ghost touch temporarily via spell, such as a old stick with a nail in it). The added advantage here is you can readily destroy the weapon afterwards without caring about it. Also, since you weren't part of the plane, it tends to put a kinder in most divinatory spells. This would be for the mass murderer who isn't seeking out challenging foes of course.
3) Non-detection -
4) Mis-direction -
5) Disguise Self -
6) False Vision -
7) geas/quest - perfect for setting up a patsy. Nothing says that the geas'd individual has to see the person geas'ing them. Combined with spells like sending, you could "instruct" the individual to commit a murder with some implement and never speak of the voice that told him to do this.
While blocking the individual from seeing you (greater invis) and touching you (being ethereal), there are other senses you should also block just in case.... sound being one, your scent being another, your thoughts (of which the mindblank you mention is great)
Other useful spells, spectral hand so you don't have to touch something or someone. This can be used to create layers between you and a murder weapon by using a spectral hand to cast a touch spell to animate the weapon to kill for you.
Oh, and never forget fly... not leaving tracks is useful. While your passing will still affect dust and whatnot, it should SIGNIFICANTLY increase any tracking DC. Occasionally walking inside the earth helps too.
|
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
|
|
|
Aureus
Learned Scribe
Luxembourg
125 Posts |
Posted - 31 May 2007 : 21:09:37
|
sounds like a job for
CSI: Faerun!
rangers due to their trademark skill to find, analyse and follow tracks would be perfect to investigate if no divination magic works |
That is not the weirdest thing that happened to me |
|
|
|
Jorkens
Great Reader
Norway
2950 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2007 : 09:11:55
|
Well the first thing the authorities probably would do, is to put out a reward for the apprehension of the killer. They would then talk to every informant in town, interrogate ( rather roughly) any suspects and increase their watch. As so many members of the watch has been killed there would be some questions asked as to whether there is a link between these. Any tyrites or rangers near the city might be contacted.
Another idea for a mass-murderer might be a somewhat deranged cleric of Hoar exacting revenge for slights that to most people are small but to him are a justification of murder. An example of this would be that the watch-members where taking bribes and he therefore sees them as responsible for the further crimes of those they have "overlooket" such as drug-smugglers, slavers and even craftsmen using faulty materials. He might have gone so far that his real patron by now is Malar, even though he himself still believes his actions are justifiable. |
|
|
|
Asgetrion
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1564 Posts |
Posted - 01 Jun 2007 : 09:24:59
|
Victor, this reminds of the time my DM ran us a Ravenloft adventure set in the Realms... I can't recall the name, but I *think* it was in one of the Ravenloft adventure anthologies ('Chilling Tales', maybe?).
This adventure began when we picked up a magical knife from a crazed killer (or was it part of a treasure hoard in the previous session? Can't remember...). Anyway, bodies began to turn up everywhere as we traveled through the North. There was always a note found beside each body, describing the victim and his (or her) death in poetic detail ("This one died with the melancholy of a tolling bell..." or something like that). The notes were signed by "The Knife". I think that the original module featured a variant Magic Jar -spell and the killer was a necromancer, but in our modified version each of us slew the victims (and wrote the notes) as were possessed in turn by the Harrla of Hate that resided in the knife.
If you wish to use the doppleganger-idea, I sugguest purchasing the Ravenloft module 'Hour of the Knife', which is a Jack the Ripper -themed adventure featuring dopplegangers.  |
"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 |
|
|
|
Marquant Volker
Learned Scribe
Greece
273 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2007 : 01:39:47
|
Hm a simple idea to use an adventure hook for the PCs for this one
Since the law enforcement of Iriaebor cannot catch the killer, and word is spread through the city, the authorities comes with a plan to calm spirits: they found an innocent and decent person and charge him for the crimes of the real killer with the penalty of death, now this person is one of PCs friends/lovers/family etc. and they have to race against time to catch the real killer and free the innocent prisoner
While i am typing this an idea came to my head and i will share it with you:
Now the killer seems to be very professional (he dont leave any evidence behind) and his victims are random persons so the PCs doesnt know where he will strike next
The truth is that the killer is a zealot of an evil Deity of murder (Cyric), and he kills those that he sees in his dreams, he believes it is Cyric who gives him these visions. Now the previous fact cant be true or false its your choise, if it is false you have a fanatic/psychotic killer however if it is true (the visions come from Cyric) well, you have a villain that everyone should be afraid (i believe second option is better with the upcoming events written below)
The town claims that the last nights its it hard to sleep because people fear/have nightmares of this assasin (his renown is such that they afraid of him even since he suppost to be behind bars, only after the execution they will relief), this is merely true, the real fact is that the horrible dreams of evil and slaughter of the killer are disturbing some sort of getaway/portal (near Iriaebor) to the plane of Dreams thus the people of Iriaebor have nightmares or they are unable to sleep at all
Let the PCs do a some research around without findng anything or running into dead-ends, after some efford the players are eventually going to sleep, then have some them make some sort of a strange dream -a nightmare- where he and the killer will see each other when a small disfunction comes to the portal of the plane of dreams (due to the killer as stated above) in that dream the PC(s) will see the killer and a 3rd person, then make some sort of horror scene with the person dying dramatically.Then the PC(s) awakes. In the next morning the PC hear/find out unnoficially that the 3rd person was killed in the same way as in the dream. The Law Enforcements deny everything and the result is covered-up as an accident.
I believe this should continue with the PCs traveling in the plane of Dreams and trying to enter another of the killer's dreams (that should be an adventure in a nightmare and weird landscape) after battles with otherworldy creatures and walking upon the stuff on nightmares they find the same spot that the PC(s) have first encountered the killer, there is a 3rd person too (someone important? perhaps the same innocent guy thats imprisoned,because the Vilain and his God want to spread terror in the city?)
Now the PCs knows whos the next victim, so they race to the material plane to prevent this assasination, they arrive at the same time with the killer where the climax is reached with a tramadic battle.
As the night passes on the first rays of the sun fall upon Iriaebor, its population is safe now, the killer is dead and the executioner wont have the blood of an innocent in his axe. Justice have prevailed! To the Tavern! More Ale etc etc!
Hope that helps, this idea (kind of inspiration) came to me while tying the first words of my reply
|
Edited by - Marquant Volker on 02 Jun 2007 01:45:44 |
|
|
|
Asgetrion
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1564 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2007 : 10:02:27
|
quote:
Originally posted by Victor_ograygor
2. Are there any great daggers ore knifes that would be favourable fore a mass murder?
Almost any bladed weapon consecrated to Bhaal or Cyric would do. I don't think that any "famous" magical daggers of that type exist in Realmslore, but you could look up some high-level Bhaalist assassins or priests and name it after them ("Aye, this dagger is called 'Angarfel' and it belonged to Deathstalker Ghulvin Taeldath, whose name is still, after two centuries, feared hereabouts.").
If you wish the weapon to be definitely evil or highly intelligent, perhaps Bhaal has possessed a dagger/knife/short sword centuries ago and some lingering effect of his evil still remains in the weapon? Or maybe some madmen or assassins have traveled to Boareskyr Bridge to "imbue" some of his essence into a weapon, as part of its enchantment process? |
"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 |
|
|
|
Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36963 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2007 : 17:24:39
|
quote:
Originally posted by Victor_ograygor
2. Are there any great daggers ore knifes that would be favourable fore a mass murder?
The Dagger of Anar-Lod, a creation of mine, is well-suited to use as a murder weapon. Check out my fifth Hook in Volume III of the Candlekeep Compendium.
The Dagger destroys the souls of those it kills, draws power from doing this, and is also tied to Bhaal. |
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 02 Jun 2007 17:26:50 |
|
|
|
Asgetrion
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1564 Posts |
Posted - 02 Jun 2007 : 21:14:39
|
| Another thought... an unholy weapon might be possessed/created by a Demon of Corruption (3.0 stats in BoVD, I don't remember if they've been updated to 3.5). Thus, it would be the real killer, riding and dominating the minds of the unfortunate souls who'd commit the acts of killing. Maybe this demon would target and/or possess only divine servants of deities, such as low-level clerics and paladins? Maybe it'd seek to start a "Holy War" in Iriaebor? |
"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 |
|
|
|
Darkmeer
Senior Scribe
USA
505 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jun 2007 : 03:11:05
|
It didn't quite work perfectly, but a dagger that Grim Greycastle once held was sacred to the deity of death. It caused the soul of the victim with but a scratch and sent their soul directly to the front of the line at bone castle/crystal whatever (not so good with the deities of the dead on Toril). It disappeared after use, so the killer might have a few on hand? Perhaps pale imitations.
The way to not be detected as prescribed by Elaith Craunoble (that evil moon elf) would probably work anywhere, and not facilitate the need for a doppelganger.
As to the idea of not being able to detect, and what the Nobles would do? They most certainly would have/want a scapegoat. If the killer were smart, he'd pause his killing spree, or, better yet, be at the front of the line for accusing innocent folk. This implies a smart, well-educated, cold-hearted, nobleman/noblewoman killer.
Following the trail leads to cronies and other underworld types that have assisted the noble, perhaps leading to a much larger organization dedicated to hiding the identity of the noble, and of course blackmailing him/her.
Come to find out, the noble merely killed the wrong person in a duel, and covered it up, but had to pay a price. This makes the area morally grey, as the noble was under duress, even blackmailed, perhaps.
/d |
"These people are my family, not just friends, and if you want to get to them you gotta go through ME." |
|
|
|
KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jun 2007 : 03:17:39
|
quote:
Originally posted by Darkmeer
It didn't quite work perfectly, but a dagger that Grim Greycastle once held was sacred to the deity of death. It caused the soul of the victim with but a scratch and sent their soul directly to the front of the line at bone castle/crystal whatever (not so good with the deities of the dead on Toril). It disappeared after use, so the killer might have a few on hand? Perhaps pale imitations.
The way to not be detected as prescribed by Elaith Craunoble (that evil moon elf) would probably work anywhere, and not facilitate the need for a doppelganger.
As to the idea of not being able to detect, and what the Nobles would do? They most certainly would have/want a scapegoat. If the killer were smart, he'd pause his killing spree, or, better yet, be at the front of the line for accusing innocent folk. This implies a smart, well-educated, cold-hearted, nobleman/noblewoman killer.
Following the trail leads to cronies and other underworld types that have assisted the noble, perhaps leading to a much larger organization dedicated to hiding the identity of the noble, and of course blackmailing him/her.
Come to find out, the noble merely killed the wrong person in a duel, and covered it up, but had to pay a price. This makes the area morally grey, as the noble was under duress, even blackmailed, perhaps.
/d
How did I know that this topic would draw you out?
Back on topic:
The Quiet Daggers from Dragon #330 might be interesting, depending on how you want them to aid their weilder (i.e. the user of the dagger gets the benefit of a bonus to his move silently and works as a silent metamagic rod, and the greater ones also grant spell resistance. The items are reprinted in the Dragon Compendium Volume One. |
|
|
|
Darkmeer
Senior Scribe
USA
505 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jun 2007 : 03:33:23
|
quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
How did I know that this topic would draw you out?
Back on topic:
The Quiet Daggers from Dragon #330 might be interesting, depending on how you want them to aid their weilder (i.e. the user of the dagger gets the benefit of a bonus to his move silently and works as a silent metamagic rod, and the greater ones also grant spell resistance. The items are reprinted in the Dragon Compendium Volume One.
How it drew me out? Umm, well, err, I didn't do it. I had NOTHING to do with the Shade ambassador blowing up. Nope, he just lit up like a roman candle. Hurt my friends too.
I really like those quiet dagggers. Grim could use one (hint, hint!).
Back on topic: Daggers seem to be a trade thing with assassins, why not somethihng unusual. An axe perhaps? Even stranger yet: A wooden stake through the victim's hearts? Dementia is a powerful motivator .
/d |
"These people are my family, not just friends, and if you want to get to them you gotta go through ME." |
|
|
|
KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jun 2007 : 04:03:54
|
quote:
Originally posted by Darkmeer
It didn't quite work perfectly, but a dagger that Grim Greycastle once held was sacred to the deity of death. It caused the soul of the victim with but a scratch and sent their soul directly to the front of the line at bone castle/crystal whatever (not so good with the deities of the dead on Toril). It disappeared after use, so the killer might have a few on hand? Perhaps pale imitations.
Just because Darkmeer mentioned it . . .
http://forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9443
|
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
Creating a mass murderer in Forgotten Realms
