There are 5 main high level characters that are the I am looking for "realistic" and effective aid/direction that they could provide the characters. Starting from the top and working down there is the god Vhaeraun who heads the organization followed by the 14th level cleric who is his earthly emmissary in House Jhaelre and then there are the 3 Commanders that work for the cleric. I'll give the motivations for each in separate emails and ask for the "what would you do if you were this character" type advice.
Vhaeraun, CE god of Assassins, Male Drow and Half-Drow, Poisoners, Shadowdancers, Rogues and Thieves.
Motivation: Secretly plotting to overthrow his mother Lolth but currently does not have the power to succeed. Do away with the gender inequality within drow society and the squabbling rivalries so that a united Drow force can forcibly reclaim their surface world homeland.
Actions taken within the campaign so far:
Vhaeraun has made the following "laws" for his followers to try to achieve his vision.
The Laws of Secrecy
1) No worshipper of Vhaeraun may ever say the name or titles of the spider-kisser goddess (ie. Lolth, Queen of the Spiders, Queen of the Demonweb Pits). The reason is that the goddess knows any time one of these names is mentioned and can extend her senses to that location for up to an hour.
2) No drow worshipper of Vhaeraun may make war or commit violence against another drow. The reason is that the goddess can sense such actions and may extend her senses to that location and moment in time for up to fifteen tendays after the event occurred. Furthermore drow attacking one another weakens the drow forces who are already outnumbered by the surface worlders. (Note this law will of course be removed when the rebellion starts).
3) The general drow populace must be systematically exploited for the benefit of the elite few followers of Vhaeraun. The reason is that the spiderkisser goddess can sense the general change in welfare (health, happiness, well-being and prosperity) of any drow and knows the location of this welfare change occurs and can extend her senses to that location and moment in time for up to fifteen tendays after the event occurred. It is impossible to prevent the change in welfare for all drow however it is also impossible for the spiderkisser goddess to sense all of these events because these welfare changes occur in such mass numbers. It is assumed that Lolth only pays attention to these events when there is a mass improvement or worsening in the welfare of many drow in a single location within a short period of time or a systematic trend over a long period of time. In general Lolth expects the majority of drow to suffer while a few drow better their personal welfare thus it is important for all Vhaeraun sites to fit this profile so that Lolth does not pay attention to them.
4) No name or title of any deity other than Vhaeraun may be spoken within his shrines or temples. The reason is that those gods would know when this would occur and then have to ability to extend their senses into that location for up to 1 hour afterwards.
5) No follower of Vhaeraun may reveal the secrets of Vhaeraun to the enemies of the faith through any direct or indirect means.
Note: The nature of the war against the worshippers of Lolth is heavily affected by number 2 since any attack by a drow against another drow can be noticed by Lolth. To circumvent this the Vhaeraun must use intermediaries of non-drow to kill the Lolth worshippers. It is also the reason why different Houses, of Vhaeraun worshippers, do not attack one another even though they despise one another.
Also note that number 3 is the reason that drow superiors systematically attempt to worsen the general welfare of their subordinates. This is potentially counter-productive since followers need better equipment to become more effective and achieve the goal of world domination so the clerics have devised an elaborate credit system whereby followers gain better equipment but their overall welfare is actually worse because they owe so much gold to pay for the equipment. Thus Lolth doesn't notice any unusual drow welfare states in these areas.
The Laws of Sacrifice
1) “Especially effective spells, poisons and tactics devised by a cleric are to be shared with the Masked Lord and through him all clergy.” (Quote Faiths & Pantheons pg 114).
2) “Offerings of the wealth and weapons of those they vanquish (enemies of the drow or regalia of female drow clerics) are to be melted in black bowl-shaped altars. Offerings of magic and wealth are to be made regularly. The more value the more Vhaeraun is pleased, though he favors daily diligence more than rare, huge hauls.”
Note the Laws of Sacrifice are designed to keep his drow followers focused on killing Vhaeraun's enemies rather than each other. Since the offerings must come from vanquished foes and followers are not allowed to fight one another then followers are forced to fight their common enemies thus gaining experience and developing superior tactics.
Actions by Vhaeraun that will help the PCs in the near future:
1) Expand the cleric spell lists to include all the spells in the Forgotten Realms book and some other selected source books.
2) Expand the list of possible poisons that are available to the PCs.
3) Provide followers with more tactical advice through their high level clerics.
Final questions after a very lengthy post:
1) Are there any other "laws" that Vhaeraun should create or any of the above laws that should be modified to give Vhaeraun a better chance of success in his mission to keep the drow from killing themselves and united overthrow Lolth and reclaim the surface world?
2) Any tactical advice that Vhaeraun can provide for my PCs?
3) What else can a god do to help his minions without providing direct divine intervention?
Thanks in advance for your help,
Victor Sim
