Hordes of the Abyss: Q&A

[Nightfall]

Any chances in the Vile feats (like Evil brand) and what is the chain using Evil Brand?

So I take there's no new Pr-classes in this book huh?

Spells that stand out for an Orcus lover like me? (You know, new necromancy spells?)

Any mention of FR events regarding Orcus' demise or not?

 

[Shemeska]

On layer 377, the Plains of Galenshu, is there any mention of the now obliterated civilization of the Varrangoin that was alluded to in Planes of Chaos?

Are Bebeliths mentioned at all?

Are the Ships of Chaos mentioned during the discussion of the layer of Twelve Trees?

Is the bloodline between Grazzt, Vucarik, and Lupercio described or elaborated upon (with Pale Night being their mother)?

 

[Erik Mona]

On layer 377, the Plains of Galenshu, is there any mention of the now obliterated civilization of the Varrangoin that was alluded to in Planes of Chaos?

The original turnover included a short description of this layer, but the whole "short descriptions of minor layers" section was cut, presumably for space. So I'm not sure the varrangoin are mentioned at all.

Are Bebeliths mentioned at all?

Yes, of course.

Are the Ships of Chaos mentioned during the discussion of the layer of Twelve Trees?

Yes, as well as in the section describing how to get around on the Abyss. They are not statted up, but they're given some detail and associated adventure hooks.

Is the bloodline between Grazzt, Vucarik, and Lupercio described or elaborated upon (with Pale Night being their mother)?

It is mentioned within the context of Pale Night herself, but is not elaborated upon further.

--Erik

 

[Shemeska]

The original turnover included a short description of this layer, but the whole "short descriptions of minor layers" section was cut, presumably for space. So I'm not sure the varrangoin are mentioned at all.

Sooo.... Mr Mona... Erik... my buddy, my pal.... any chance of mentioning what was intended for that if it did indeed get cut?

And that cut section would make an awesome web enhancement, especially if the short descriptions would have expanded upon previous material.


And a trio of 'very cool' 's for the three other questions I had.

 

[Shemeska]

*with a flutter of fiendish lashes*

More questions:

With respect to the origins of the Tanar'ri, is that presented as legend, fact, in character speculation from a biased source?

And is there any mention, or even a mention of, the Baernaloth/Yugoloth creation myth for the Tanar'ri, even if just as another competing myth?

Is Dweirgus the Chrysalid Prince mentioned anywhere in the book? The teasers about him in the Baphomet article in Dragon really picked a spot in my brain.

 

[JoeGKushner]

More questions:

With respect to the origins of the Tanar'ri, is that presented as legend, fact, in character speculation from a biased source?

I believe it's legend, from the Black Scrolls. The section on the history of the Abyss also seems to indicate something else as the Tanar'ri aren't the first inhabitants of the plane either.

 

[Mouseferatu]

The original turnover included a short description of this layer, but the whole "short descriptions of minor layers" section was cut, presumably for space. So I'm not sure the varrangoin are mentioned at all.

Dang. That probably included the only mention of Turaglas's home layer, didn't it? Oh, well...

 

[Erik Mona]

Sooo.... Mr Mona... Erik... my buddy, my pal.... any chance of mentioning what was intended for that if it did indeed get cut?

And that cut section would make an awesome web enhancement, especially if the short descriptions would have expanded upon previous material.

I've suggested to WotC that the material would be good for the web enhancement or even a follow-up Dragon article, but I haven't heard back from them yet. We'll see.

--Erik

 

[Erik Mona]

With respect to the origins of the Tanar'ri, is that presented as legend, fact, in character speculation from a biased source?

The whole business about everything coming from the Abyss is in an excerpt from the Black Scrolls of Ahm, and written in character, in italics. That history is pretty much invalidated by the introduction to the "Into the Abyss" section (which I wrote) that categorically states that the obyriths predate mortals, and that the Inner Planes existed before the Outer Planes (you'll have to read this in context to understand what I mean). So my advice would be not to take the Black Scrolls too seriously, and to choose whatever works best for your campaign.

And is there any mention, or even a mention of, the Baernaloth/Yugoloth creation myth for the Tanar'ri, even if just as another competing myth?

Of course. Here's the text in question:

"Obyriths: The rusting iron fortresses of the eldest demons crowd the Plain of Infinite Portals, crumbling testaments to a near-forgotten age. Before the first mortal was born, the obyriths ruled the Abyss, and their political ambitions and plots have seldom extended beyond the plane of their origin. Certain blasphemous texts of incalculable antiquity claim that the obyriths and a proto-race of ancient Baatorians were the spawn of a greater fiendish race called the baernoloths, but this unified creation myth enjoys few proponents outside Gehenna and the Gray Wastes of Hades."

And, you know, EN World.

Is Dweirgus the Chrysalid Prince mentioned anywhere in the book? The teasers about him in the Baphomet article in Dragon really picked a spot in my brain.

James turned in his Baphomet article about a day before I made my official turnover, so I only had time to mention Dweirgus in the list of demon lords in the appendix.

--Erik

 

[Erik Mona]

Dang. That probably included the only mention of Turaglas's home layer, didn't it? Oh, well...

Nope. Turaglas was only ever mentioned in the appendix, and is still there.

--Erik