(4th IR) What does your character write?

[Edena_of_Neith]

POSTED BY BUGBEAR:

As the first Gnomish Mind-control books hit the streets, I shall aquire several copies.
Then with the greatest possible care I shall attempt to understand the enchantments placed upon them, how these magicks effect the reader, and investigate means in which the suggestions can be undone and/or the books can be made harmless.

FROM EDENA_OF_NEITH

If you start working now, there is a counterspell that could be produced in about another 200 posts.
The Counterspell would have to be contagious, spreading from one person to another, until it infected most of the people on the Continent of Faerun, making them immune to the Gnomish domination and suggestion magic.
The Counterspell, would require Faerie support (there is someone out there with the Faerie as a Sponsor, I would note) in order to work ... magic of a level necessary to counter the ingenious gnomish magic needs to come from the innately magical Faerie. (At least, if you want your Counterspell in time to do any good. You could not use the help of the Faerie, but it will take much longer then. Of course, the Faerie must AGREE to help you first.)

The Gnomish magic is based on their Printing Presses.
The actual enchantments of Domination (9th level), Suggestion (9th level), and Tongues (9th level) are all on the Printing Presses, which have been specially built out of rare materials for this purpose.
The Gnomes have somehow made the enchantments Permanent and Contagious, so that every book that is produced on those printing presses, bears the lethal enchantments.
The books then spread their enchantments to any readers.

Based on your understandings, you realize that it IS possible to duplicate what the gnomes have done.
It would take 200 posts worth of effort, and a major nation would have to sponsor it, but it could be done.

Any of the Gnomish books can be easily destroyed, of course.
The enchantments on them can be broken by Dispel Magic, Anti-Magic Shell, Mordenkainen's Disjunction, or any other antimagic dweomers or psionics.
Unfortunately, the enchantments must be broken one book at a time, and there are a lot of Gnomish Books.
That is why a Contagious Counterspell is in order.

 

[Edena_of_Neith]

TO TOKIWONG

Tokiwong, I know you're not going to believe this, but the phaerimm are offering to sponsor your character (protect your character, and distribute his books via magic.)
The phaerimm declare that the gnomes are worse than the blasted Netherese, and if someone on the surface does not stop them ... then the phaerimm WILL.

Tokiwong, mobs are attacking your publishing house and trying to kill your character, for daring to speak out against the gnomes (Serpenteye's book has spread far and wide, you see.)
I suggest you take a Sponsor!!

 

[Tokiwong]

Choice is for the People

A short and simple treastise on the validity of personal choice, and freedom...

An excerpt

...The fact that all beings, given freewill are allowed to choose for themselves, how they wish to live and feel. One may believe that I speak of Anarachy, but that is an over simplification of these views. I see choice as the will of a person, freewill given manifest, and a given facet of personal rights. There is no greater violation of the spirit then the removal of freewill.

I consider that Mental Rape, to force one's will upon another, to defile their intrinsic ability to choose by the insinuation of an outside force. For what is domination but the absolute and total control of the spirit, the removal of all ability to choose and live for themselves. If one chooses to beleive my words, then I commend them, if one chooses to not belive my words, then I commend them, for that is the decision of the reader to decide how they must feel... that is the matter of Freewill...

- Misha Koldun

 

[Tokiwong]

TO TOKIWONG

Tokiwong, I know you're not going to believe this, but the phaerimm are offering to sponsor your character (protect your character, and distribute his books via magic.)
The phaerimm declare that the gnomes are worse than the blasted Netherese, and if someone on the surface does not stop them ... then the phaerimm WILL.

Tokiwong, mobs are attacking your publishing house and trying to kill your character, for daring to speak out against the gnomes (Serpenteye's book has spread far and wide, you see.)
I suggest you take a Sponsor!!

Misha Koldun will accept their aid if they swear to promote an ideal of freewill and choice... and allow the people the chance to choose for themselves.. if possible he will look to Evermeet as well... though they may sponsor another already...

 

[Edena_of_Neith]

JANOS POSTED:

The two books are: The History of Karsus the Great and A Study on Wishes.
Both books are limited edition. Both books are so enchanted that the reader does not wish to read from any other author.
The first book is spread amongst the Shades and contains the suggestion to pass it on to other Shades (not other races).
The second book is spread amongst the Red Wizards and contains the suggestion to pass it on to other Red Wizards (not other wizards).
With these books, Janos hopes to gain control over Thay and the City of Shade.

THE CONSEQUENCES

The City of Shade, amazingly, reasserts order and law.
Apparently, the memory of mighty Karsus has fired up these people, and a burst of super-nationalism is in progress.
Thanks to your book, Janos, the Shade throw off the effect of Serpenteye's book.

In Thay, the Red Wizards start making Wishes. This is very unfortunate, for Wishes tend to go awry - especially when spell bedazzled Red Wizards start throwing them around like popcorn.
A lot of rather scary things start happening in Thay. It is not a good time to visit that country.

Janos, the Shade then kidnap your character, take him to the City of Shade, and wish to know how he knew of Karsus, whether Karsus can be returned, and whatever else he might know concerning Netheril, and ... also ... what in the name of Shadow is going on?
Janos, I hope you make a good case for being the ruler of the Shade. For Lord Shadow of the Shade is NOT happy with the recent turn of events, and is thinking of having your character slowly and painfully drained of life by a wraith.

Write carefully!

 

[Edena_of_Neith]

The phaerimm arrive just in time to save your character, Tokiwong, from outraged mobs.

The phaerimm, in which must be the strangest of alliances, work with the local authorities (in your area, Tokiwong) to restore order and break the hold of the Gnomish Domination.
Unfortunately, the appearance of the phaerimm - in force - on the surface starts a panic.
Soon, the news is flying - THE PHAERIMM ARE ATTACKING!

The name of the phaerimm is terrifying. Local Lords, already dealing with destablization or revolt, are whelmed.
Entire towns head for the hills. Cities brace for assault. Cries for assistance against the phaerimm onslaught to come are heard everywhere.
In Halruaa, this news comes, and these ancient enemies of the phaerimm go to highest alert.

The Shade, hearing of the phaerimm, rally behind their leader, Lord Shadow (making Jano's job even harder) who declares the Shade will recover the Glory of Netheril.

- - -

Rumors start spreading across Faerun that the Chosen of Mystra are openly attempting world domination and mind control (Serpenteye, you did this one.)
As a result, Churches of Mystra are being assaulted, smashed, reduced to cinders, in a number of places.
Even the elves are suddenly wary of the Chosen.
A mob tries to storm Blackstaff Tower in Waterdeep, where Khelben and Laeral live, to evict them from the city ... a number of mages join in, and hundreds are killed in the magical firefight.
Khelben and Laeral are victorious, and Khelben states that the gnomes are behind ALL of what is happening - unfortunately, nobody believes him.
Why should they? The gnomes are a pathetic little people out on a pathetic little island in the middle of the ocean.

 

[Janos Audron]

[Edena, let me tell you the problem here:

I. Am. A. Lich.

Geas does not affect me.
Wraiths do not affect me.
Killing me does not affect me.

There are some things that can kill me:

Hunter of the Dead (If he encounters a cleric that attacks him in melee, he Shapechanges, thus negating a Hunters of the Dead ability)

10th level or Epic Magic. (There is no 9th level or lower defense against this. This is one of the few threats I can not counter.)

Mordenkainen's Disjunction. (This is countered using a Contingecy that brings an Antimagic Field into effect when it is cast.)

Janos is aware of all this, and is incredibly arrogant. That is his only real weakness.

The entire character can be found here


]

 

[Tokiwong]

...The Phaerimm, perhaps there is something to be said, that the world is in chaos now.. because of the written works of choice individuals who by thier own merits wish to subvert the general populace for their own ends, be it ill or good, they force innocents by the usage of tomes printed on enchanted presses of Gnomish design to control and force individuals into their way of thinking... The Phaerimm are here to maintain stability, and help, for the world will be drug into chaos by those who continue to use this enchanted printing press for their own benefit.

But many beleive that the gnomes are simply beneath notice. I find that odd. For a threat can come in many guises, and to dismiss one simply because of them being a gnome is an act of supreme ignorance and arrogance... A threat to personal freedom and choice, is a threat to all people. There will not be stability until such Enchanted Printing Presses are destroyed, and the gnomes involved censured for their actions.

What price do you put upon personal freedom to choose one's way of thought, I say I put that price nearly beyond reach, and there is nothing I would not do, to preserve that personal choice for all peoples. I may not agree with all peoples, but I will not forc my beleifs upon another for my own gain! That is rape, plain and simple, and death is too simple a punishment for one who would do such a thing...

An excerpt from the Articles of Freedom, written by Misha Koldun...

 

[Edena_of_Neith]

The Second Book of Domination: Sollir's Shackles of the Godss

SOLLIR POSTED:

Shackles of the Gods

(See Sollir's article on page 7.)

THE CONSEQUENCES

Very large numbers of churches and cathedrals across the Realms are destroyed, going up in flames, hacked down, blown to bits, as outraged readers revert to athiesm, or worship of Asmodeus.
This book, like Serpenteye's, spreads like wildfire, and the authorities cannot stop it's spread.

Dambrath collapses into total anarchy as it's common people revolt against both Lolth and Loviatar.
Aglarond revolts against the Simbul (this is rather tragic, as the Simbul and her people start fighting each other.)
Another attempt to storm Blackstaff Tower is made, and once more hundreds of people die in the magical firefight.
The people of Shadowdale attempt to evict Elminster, Dove, Storm, and Sylune. Elminster retreats into his tower to keep the peace - they bring a catapult to knock it down, and Elminster fries the catapult. Sylune kills a number of people, infuriated at this treason. Dove and Storm flee.
In Luruar, Queen Alustriel manages to hold on to power, for she is very much beloved by her people.
Rashemen disintegrates as the men revolt against the Witch rulers of that realm.
Mulhorand erupts into chaos as the devil worshippers attempt to overthrow both the Mulhorandi Pantheon and the government. There is civil war there.
It is the final blow for Unther. That beset nation collapses, it's government toppled. Separate factions battle it out for control.

The Avatars of a number of the Deities of the Realms APPEAR, in various places around the Realms, denouncing the gnomes, denouncing Lantan, denouncing Sollir's character, and calling for war against Lantan.
However, many of these Avatars are attacked by their own worshippers. The Gnomish Magic is strong, and the Avatars cannot dispel it all at once.
Soon, a lot of Avatars are banished as their former worshippers assault them.

The Avatar of Asmodeus and others of his ilk start showing up in Faerun.
New Unholy Churches and Cathedrals go up.
Many, many peoples flock to the new, dark, faiths.

As a result, ALL of the Deities of the Forgotten Realms are now angry, and ready to become involved in what is happening.
They do not appreciate this assault on their power.

Again, a large group of athiests (the first, perhaps, in the Forgotten Realms) forms.
They want no deities, and advocate no religion. They eschew religion altogether.

 

[Edena_of_Neith]

Lord Shadow challenges Janos directly.
Combat to the death.
Winner take all ... rulership of the city, authority over the Shade ... all of it!