(4th IR) What does your character write?

[William Ronald]

Originally posted by Bugbear:

Published in the Fearun Gazater (with premision from Lichenhart)

Justice for the drow
An Editorial by Hannover Fist

It would seem that the elves of faerun have done their brothers a diservice, one which will take much work to make right, if it even can be made right. The Drow at long last have returned to the surface world (Due to the great retreat) and settled among the trees of Cormanthor. With the recent discoveres concerning the crown wars, I feel that it is important to open negotiations with the Drow. I ask that the nations of Faerun contact the Drow of Cormanthor. These Drow are worshipers of Vharaun and tend to be more lucid than those who worship Loth. perhaps an accord could be reached. Sembia has allready made a treaty with the Cormanthorian Drow, allowing for trade and safe passage through the great elven wood, something the Elves who once ruled there wouldn't allow...

Further I should point out that many of the Drow of Skullport are not worshipers of Loth, but followers of Vharaun (and to a lesser extent Elestarie). Due not blindly react and seek to distroy them out of hand. They are opposed to the demon queen and her works...

We can at least try to deal peacefully and honorably with all who dwell in Cormanthor. While I share Arkanyl's concerns, perhaps trade and diplomatic relations can bring those who were made outcasts back into the family of nations. Indeed, those who consider themselves the heirs of Arvaandar do owe the descendants of those forced into the Underdark an apology. Perhaps brothers and sisters can forgive each other.

Similarly, I truly desire to here why the Lords of Waterdeep have not informed people of the existence of Skullport. Perhaps peace and trade, which you counsel, are possible. However, I believe violent acts against those in Waterdeep must come to an end. The presence of the faithful of Ellistrae in Skullport gives me cause for hope.

However, I am quite troubled by much of the recent news. Many of the mighty, once accounted wise and noble, have betrayed ancient trusts. Some have allied themselves with societies that are diametrically opposed to the values that they and their ancestors have espoused. Too many have done little in the face of threats to their own lands. Explanations have not been forthcoming and sadly, neither is repentance of those who have wronged their friends and brethren. For what reasons so many so noble have abandoned the principles thay have espoused I do not know. However, there is still time for them to explain their actions and mend their ways. Truth is the key to the gates of repentance. It will not be easy, however. Few things of true worth are ever easy.

Perhaps there are ways to help those who have been abandoned by others. I believe that now is a time where the wise must consult with the wise, for the common good of all.

It is my hope that Toril can enter an age of Enlightenment. I hope that we can work closely together. Perhaps we should also explore how different cultures, particularly those that have been wronged by others or view the future with little hope, can contribute to building a better world.

Sincerely,

Ardan Turval


Sollir -- This is the 4th IR. On this Toril, the events of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd IR did not happen. Unless Edena rules otherwise, I doubt your character would have knowledge of the alternate Toril of the previous three IRs. Still, well written as always.

Edena: Maybe a little time to carry this thread this thread forward and a call for more players might be wise. Perhaps a recruiting thread and an effort to contact previous IR players might be welcome. I think some of them might be interested in joining us.

Plus we can also give you time for anything you might need to you. I fully appreciate the hard work you have put into the 3rd IR. So, no need to overwork yourself. Also, I think anyone who can be of help to you should be of help.

I find myself in agreement with Kalanyr and Bugbear. Rules light means more fun for everyone. And less work for you.

I have not had this much fun on the boards in ages. Thanks again for your hard work, your creativity, and your sense of fun.

 

[Edena_of_Neith]

Time out.

Refer to the Talking the Talk Forum, thread Edena to the IR.

 

[Edena_of_Neith]

A Most Modest Gnomish Development

Time in ...

- - -

TO SERPENTEYE (AND TO ALL IN THE IR)

While Alarah Gomenei is staring gloomily at his books, reflecting on the hopelessness of this stagnant world and it's stagnant ways, there comes a knock on the door.
Whoever is knocking is patient. They knock only once, but the little gnome is still standing there when Alarah opens the door 15 minutes later as he was about to head to bed for the night.
'Domo Alarah, I am Frereryt of Lantan. A pleasure to meet you, sir.'
Before the irritated Alarah can swat the gnome out of the way, the gnome shoves the book he was holding behind his back in Alarah's face.
'A gift from Lantan, Domo.'
I must assume Alarah looks a bit disgusted. Another book ... aren't there enough of those already?
And haven't they accomplished little or nothing? That musical artifact would be much better.
However, the gnome must be guessing Alarah's thoughts, and he interrupts them: 'This is not just any book, Domo. This is the newest Lantanese invention. And THIS book' he gestures with pride 'is going to change the rules. All the rules.'
When Alarah takes the book and opens it, he sees that all the pages are blank. Great Gods, a blank book?
The gnome snickers, then bends up and whispers conspiratorially in Alarah's ear:
'We have mastered the process of Mass Permanency. We can mass produce books with magical dweomers on them.'
'Only we can do this. Only Lantan has this secret. And only we shall ever have it, for the magic is based on our own racial magic.'
The gnome smiles, then continues:
'This book has a permanent Comprehend Languages set on it. Thus, anyone who picks it up and attempts to read it, will comprehend it fully. Anyone ... any peasant or dumb humanoid who looks at it, will be able to read it.'

The gnome now really smiles wickedly, and he gestures at the blank book meaningfully.

'We have placed a permanent 9th rank Domination dweomer, and a permanent 9th rank Mass Suggestion dweomer, on this book. And on all our parchment that will go to the printing presses.'
'With this book, you can write down your thoughts, and all who read this book will automatically agree with you.'
'You can say anything you want ... you can state you are the rightful ruler, or that wizards should fall, or that merchants should rule the world, or that Mystra herself is a fraud, and ALL who read this book will take it as the Word of Truth!'
'With the mass production of this book, you can topple thrones, build armies, conjure legions of fanatical followers ... you can write ANYTHING you want, and people will follow your words like you were a deity!!'

The gnome smiles again, like some fiend from the Abyss.

'What is this book, and the support of Lantan, worth to you, Domo Alarah? A million gold coins? A hundred million coins? Your soul?'
'We give it to you ... we offer it to you ... with one minor price attached.'
'You must, in addition to your normal writings, give your protection to Lantan, when you become a great ruler, and you must espouse our cause: all the works of Gond the Wonderbringer and Lantan are good works, to be cherished, to be multiplied, to be used, to be spread all over the world. Nothing must stand in the way of Lantanese and Gondese business and religious interests.'

'What say you, Domo Alarah? Will you accept our offer?'
The gnome shrugs.
'Or shall we take our offer to someone else. Say, Gustav of Mulhorand?'


NOTE: Only the gnomes of Lantan can enchant books in this fashion, for it is indeed a racial magic - they deliberately fashioned this magic so that it could not be duplicated by the mages of other races.
The actual secret of the enchantments lies in the newest gnomish printing presses, not in the books themselves ... this is unknown to anyone but the gnomes.
Since nobody yet knows of the gnomish invention, and nobody was looking for it (everyone thinks of magical books as rarities from the past, look the Libram of Gainful Conjuration, or Book of Silver Magic), nobody is considering doing anything about it.
They cannot do anything about what they do not know about!

 

[Janos Audron]

[Edena, actually, I have played with the thought of mass producing magic tomes, but I had no idea where to start. Ah well, the Gnomes, like always, have all the good technical things ]

 

[Edena_of_Neith]

TO JANOS

The gnomish ambassador to Thay (there is no gnomish ambassador to Evermeet for the good reason that non-elves are not allowed on Evermeet) approaches Janos the Lich for a 'talk.'
The little fellow does not seem at all perturbed by the frightening apparition that is a lich; apparently, he is magically protected from such emanations of power.
Or perhaps, he is so drunk with power, he is not afraid of power.

He takes Janos aside, and places a powerful warding spell around them both so that none can hear what is being said.

Then he speaks:

'Domo Janos, I am Arlisstir of Lantan. Nice to meet you ... I have a proposal for you? Care to hear me out?'
'Or have you better things to do?'
Before Janos can react to this rather flippant statement, the gnome continues without input from Janos:
'We have mastered a way of producing books that will master the reader. That's right: master the reader.'
'With our spells and our gnomish understandings, we can put a book in your hands that, if read by the elves of Evermeet, would convince them to elect you King of the Isle.'
The gnome chuckles.
'Don't believe me? Ah dear me. Poor Janos. They won't let him onto the Isle of Evermeet. He is not worthy, say the elves, of coming to their island. He is not worthy, of even being allowed the briefest visit.'
'In fact, his very presence, say the elves, would be a desecration of Evermeet's pristine soil, for is he not an abomination? An undead monster?'

The gnome looks Janos in the face, eyes hard.
He holds out a book that radiates immense magical power, even thought - when looked at - it's pages are empty.

'This book has been enchanted so that all who read it will be Dominated - a 9th rank Domination! - by the author. They will fanatically believe whatever the author write. They will fanatically desire to read more of what the author write! They will fanatically DO what the author writes!'
'They will perceive the writer as being all wise, all knowing, even moreso than their own leaders and rulers.'
'Would you like to dispose of Queen Amlaruil, or make her your personal slavegirl? Let her read your writing, and she will beg you for your collar!'
'Would you like the elves to kneel to you? With these books, you can supplant the very Seldarine, and rule them as a God-King!!'

The gnome softens his voice.

'The Red Wizards of Thay are weak and soft. Easily swayed, easily tempted. They puruse every book they can, without taking any safeguards - Thayvian wizards die every day from entrapped books.
They will be easy prey for your books, if you agree to our terms and we print your books using our magic.
Elves are fascinated by knowledge. They are cautious - Oh, they are cautious! - but they will read the books, and the seeds of the poison will be implanted in their minds. The more they read, the more they will want to read, and the poison will spread.'

The gnome shrugs.

'But our help is only for the ambitious.'
'We have no desire to waste our time and effort on cowards, weaklings, and the timid.'
'Are you one of the cowards, Domo Janos? One of the timid?'
'Or are you willing to seize the reigns of power and remake the world as YOU want it to be?'

The gnome shrugs again.

'If you say yes, we have our conditions. You must accept a Geas, backed by a Wish on our part, that you will agree to our conditions, and trust me ... you will NOT find it easy to break that Wish.'
'You must agree that, when you are a ruler and wield great power and influence, that you will ally with Lantan. Lantan shall share in your glory, and be co-ruler of your Realm. The Church of Gond the Wonderbringer shall be the pre-eminent Church of the land.'
'We do not object to other churches. However, our Church will be supreme. And our devices, our businesses, our works, shall be given first priority over all other goods and services, and they will be the most aggressively marketed.'
'Those who would shut down our operations, businesses, or smash our works, must be killed.'
'And that, is all we ask.'

The gnome frowns, then states bluntly:

'If you say no, a contingency magic will go off, and you will remember nothing of this conversation, Domo Janos.'
'You will not be contacted or bothered by us again. We have no use for weaklings and cowards.'
'What say you, Domo Janos?'

 

[Edena_of_Neith]

TO MR. DRACO

Hey there, my friend. Welcome to the IR.
What would you character like to write about?
Would your character like a nation or two to sponsor him, so that he is protected if his works infuriate others?

 

[Edena_of_Neith]

Gnomish ambassadors and agents approach the characters being played by:

Bugbear
Lichtenhart
Inez

The offer is the same in each case.
The gnomes will print out your books on their new and improved printing presses, and your books will have the power to dominate (domination, suggestion, enthrallment) all who read them into being absolute believers of every word said.
(Of course, those who make their saves won't be affected, but not many will do so.)

In every case, the gnomes point out that this is the road to power, to rulership, to riches, to changing the very reality of Toril.
The gnomes argue vehemently that Toril needs change - that Toril has been dominated by idiot mages and stupid clerics, that progress has been forcibly halted, that stagnation and a lack of change has destroyed all hope ... but that is all about to change, if certain writers are willing to bring that change.

In your case, Bugbear and Lichtenhart, the gnomes request that you portray the gnomish race as the supreme race, better than all the others, and that everyone should believe this as fact.
Gnomes should be the rulers. Gnomes should be the keepers of the peace.
Gnomes have the wisdom and knowledge to govern, to bring prosperity, to bring a new golden age to the world.
And Gond the Wonderbringer, is THE diety worth worshipping (not that stupid Mystra or those other stupid deities.)

In both your cases, the gnomes state you will be held to your agreement by Geas and Wish (breaking both will be difficult.)

And in both your cases, the gnomes state that if you say no, you will remember nothing of the conversation (Serpenteye is the only exception so far to this rule.)

- - -

In your case, Inez, the gnomes want books destributed to the Sharn.
The gnomes want the Sharn to see how elves and mankind has ruined the planet (which is partly true, unfortunately), creating vast deserts and moors where lush forests once were, destroying vast amounts of the raw stuff of life, conjuring horrific outsiders to ravage Toril, and acting utterly without responsibility altogether.
Heck, elves and humans are even responsible for the decline of the Weave, and humans are leading the charge to strength the Shadow Weave, threatening the entire world.
The Sharn should come up and do something about these humans and elves. Humans and elves are no better than their ancient foes, the phaerimm. Humans and elves should be made to obey the Sharn, or suffer the consequences.
Of course, the gnomes have acted responsibly. The gnomes should rule alongside the Sharn. Gnomes and Sharn together could create a better world, if only the effort was made.

The gnomes also want you to deliver to them all the information you receive, immediately, to Lantan. This information must be presented accurately, and it must be complete (no lying by omission.)

As with the others, if you turn down this offer, the gnomish agent informs you that you will remember nothing of the conversation.
But if you accept, the possibilities for you are endless.

- - -

The gnomes do NOT approach you, Kalanyr, because your sponsors are the Chosen of Mystra.
The gnomes think of the Chosen as slaves of the Balance, who must interfere in EVERYTHING that happens, who already have shaped the Realms to their will, and who are determined not to let a clod of earth be kicked up without throwing 10,000 spells at the matter.
In other words, the Chosen are seen as the agents of stagnation, as enemies, as threats to be removed.
Since your character is being sponsored by these Chosen, the gnomes will not approach him.

- - -

The other characters in the IR have not been approached yet.
Apparently, the gnomes are considering whether you're worth their time, and haven't made up their minds yet.

The gnomes very much want Serpenteye to agree to their terms.
They see great potential in Serpenteye's character to advance their agenda.

 

[Edena_of_Neith]

To answer a very old question of Serpenteye's:

I am using the Pantheon system for this IR as described in the FRCS.

 

[Forrester]

Hmmmm.

Oh, the books! SOMEONE needs to counter the damn elvish propaganda.

[color=royal blue]The Evil That Elves Do[/color]
[color=royal blue]Racism in the Realms[/color]

That'll be good enough of a start. By the time I'm done, no adventurer (except probably elvish ones, the self-righteous snots) will casually cut off the head of kobold babies again!

Also need to write something to start pulling the different humanoid races together . . . get them to realize that some unity against the *real* enemies are necessary . . . how about something straightforward like

[color=royal blue]On the Brotherhood of Humanoids[/color]

I've never been good at titles .

(note: I have zero intention of getting pulled into IR #4, though I respect Edena for being insane enough to go through it again, and I hope all of you have a TON of fun! I figured that I might as well have a tiny tiny tiny presence, though.)

 

[Edena_of_Neith]

TO ANABSTERCORIAN AND ZOURON

The gnomes now approach Anabstercorian, with the same speeches, offers, and conditions given above.

Anabstercorian, in your case the gnomes apparently do not want anything in return for their service!!!

The gnomish agent just chuckles at the end, and comments:

'We know you well. We believe you'll turn out just fine, and a splendid future will be yours.'
'And the gnomes will be there to share that future.'

Again, if your character says no, he will not remember the conversation. (Again, Serpenteye is the only exception to this rule.)

- - -

The gnomes approach Zouron, with the same speeches, offers, and terms they gave everyone else.
Zouron, in your case the gnomes want you to play up the value of Necromancy. Necromancy should be the supreme school of magic. Undead should be regularly used by everyone.
Intelligent undead should be figures of awe and respect, to be bowed to, for men to humble themselves before.
Necromancers should be the rulers, or the advisors to rulers. Necromancers should hold the positions of power, should be spiritual leaders, should be the heroes of the common man.
Only fools and idiots hate necromancers: only the bigoted and unenlightened attack necromancers and their works, and these bigots and fools should be ... at best ... restrained or imprisoned or run out of town. Or better yet, killed and brought back as undead.

The gnomes request nothing more.
If you say yes, your books will be empowered with the special gnomish magic, to dominate and enthrall all who read them.
If you say no, you also will remember nothing of the conversation with the gnomish agent.