How Would You Defend A Mountain Fortress? (Volume II)

[Volaran]

Gah, nevermind

 

[mmadsen]

These also seem to contradict a bit, but in a reasonable way.

In Vallorea, you're allowed freedom of speech and freedom of religon -- as long as you don't say or believe anything wrong.

More seriously, our notions of freedom of speech and freedom of religion are predicated on the notion that reasonable people disagree on important issues. In a world where religion isn't an issue of faith, but a real, measurable force, a world where the gods regularly intercede, a world where many churches don't preach some variant of The Golden Rule but human sacrifice instead, does freedom of religion still make sense? Or do you eliminate all the evil cultists who are stealing babies for their blood-soaked rites?

Edit: This is probably a tangent we shouldn't follow up on. I don't want to get political.

 

[Maldur]

This is probably a tangent we shouldn't follow up on. I don't want to get political.

I second this.

We're charged with the defense of the mountain fortress ( what's its name anyway) by someone who could make our life, death, and afterlife very unconfertable. So let's talk defense.

Who has ideas for defending against the champions and heroes the Valloreans can throw our way?

What are their main strenghts? Do we know, by reputation or otherwise, these heroes? What can we expect?

Instant travel via Teleportation and gates. High martial and arcane prowess. The favor of their "lily-white" gods.

Do we know that the wielder of the famous "runesword of Kurn" is among them? Or the Hero of "Tridal Gap"? (Names and items are totally fictious , but you get the point).

Lets list their known and/or likely abilities and find ways to counter them.

SHARK can you tell us somethings about these heroes? What are our spies telling us?

 

[SHARK]

Greetings!

Well, I shall offer some character notes that the forces of Darkness can determine somewhat from intelligence gathering and research.

"The Guardians of Empire"

____________________________________________________

(01) Haldainethor: (M); Vallorean; Noble 10/Paladin 40/Knight-Templar 10
(02) Khellic: (M); Vallorean; Paladin 40/Knight-Templar 10
(03) Osric: (M); Vallorean; Paladin 40/Knight-Templar 10
(04) Darthian: (M); Vallorean; Paladin 40/Knight-Templar 10
(05) Khellsen: (M); Vallorean; Courtier 20/Fighter 30/Sorcerer 10
(06) Tarminion: (M); Vallorean; Ranger 30/Ranger-Captain 10/Rogue 10
(07) Hallendar: (M); Vallorean; Noble 10/Courtier 20/Bard 20
(08) Deitrich: (M); Vallorean; Courtier 20/Cleric 30/Inquisitor 20
(10) Sargen: (M); Vallorean; Noble 20/Wizard 30/Mage of The Silver Dragon 10
(11) Harthogg: (M); Ogre; Fighter 30/Legendary Dreadnaught 10
(12) Garthogg: (M); Ogre; Fighter 30/Legendary Dreadnaught 10
(13) Theracles: (M); Margallen; Fighter 30/Gladiator 10/Legendary Dreadnaught 20
(14) Tharwulf: (M); Valladain; Barbarian 60
(15) Dhargen: (M); Albeeri; Fighter 30
(16) Mardranna: (F); High-Elf; Ranger 30/Rogue 10/Forest Lord 10
(17) Ellthenar: (M); High-Elf; Barbarian 30/Fighter 20/Cleric 10
(18) Margellion: (M); High-Elf; Noble 20/Paladin 30/Knight of The Silver Lion 10
(19) Saerendor: (M); High-Elf; Noble 10/Bard 10/Paladin 40
(20) Malderathan: (M); High-Elf; Ranger 30/Rogue 10/Sorcerer 10/Agent Retriever 10
(21) Rhiannon: (F); High-Elf; Wizard 30/Mage of The Silver Dragon 10
(22) Rhethaina: (F); High-Elf; Wizard 30/Mage of The Silver Dragon 10
(23) Demarra/Daraina: (F); Ogre/High-Elf/Margallen; Infiltrator 20/Royal Explorer 10/Wizard 10
(24) Dharlanna: (F); Ogre/High-Elf/Naeben; Fighter 20/Infiltrator 20
(25) Malyra: (F); High Elf/Margallen/Tegeran; Courtier 20/Cleric 20
(26) Tyren: (F); High-Elf; Druid 30
(27) Isabelle: (F); Maltainian/High-Elf; Druid 30
(28) Nychen: (F); Khandar; Courtier 20/Wizard 30/Expert 10
(29) Lirryn: (F); High-Elf; Wizard 20/Alchemist 20
(30) Tiberius: (M); Albeeri; Wizard 30
(31) Titus: (M); Harthak; Cleric 30
(32) Darthenor: (M); Minotaur; Noble 20/Fighter 40
(33) Kendric: (M); Halfling; Rogue 30
(34) Indrethil: (F); High-Elf; Ranger 30
(35) Marnogg: (M); Ogre/High-Elf/Vallorean; Fighter 30
(36) Brandor: (M); Dwarf; Fighter 30/Warlord 10
(37) Brumbar: (M); Dwarf; Fighter 20/Cleric 40
(38) Thargrim: (M); Dwarf; Fighter 20/Rogue 10
(39) Vallarak: (M); Dwarf; Fighter 20/Ranger 10
(40) Mallyndi: (F); Halfling; Rogue 20/Thief-Acrobat 10
(41) Freidrich; (M); Vallorean; Infiltrator 20/Cleric 20/Witch-Hunter 10
(42) Otto; (M); Vallorean; Fighter 10/Cleric 20/Inquisitor 20
(43) Thandil; (M); Vallorean/High-Elf; Infiltrator 20/Sorcerer 10/Arcane Archer 10
(44) Hrolf; (M); Vallorean/Valladain/Werewolf; Barbarian 20/Ranger 20
(45) Darathain; (M); High-Elf; Ranger 20/Sorcerer 10/Arcane Archer 20
(46) Zahbinah; (F); Seren; Rogue 20/Spymaster 10
(47) Jahzerah; (F); Rogue 10/Thief-Acrobat 10/Cleric 10
(48) Ahkhanera; (F); Tegeran; Courtier 20/Cleric 10
(49) Khaeden; (M); Vallorean/Marthogg; Infiltrator 20/Shadow Raven 10
(50) Nebiah; (M); Fighter 20/Warlord 10

Special Notes:

Haldainethor: Haldainethor is the crown prince of the Vallorean Empire; He is an excellent commander, and wields “Alaric” also known as the “Hand of Judgment”—a powerful artifact sword from the founding of the empire.

Deitrich: Deitrich has the appearance of an older man, his hair is salt and pepper; He wields the Mace of Tarmen, an awesome weapon against Undead.

Sargen: Sargen is one of the most powerful wizards in the empire; He wields the Staff of Alderrion, a weapon so awesome that is can burn entire companies of soldiers to ash; He also wears a Ring of Arcane Might, and a Ring of The Ancient Dominion.

Theracles: Theracles is a famous warrior and gladiator from the South; He wields “Vallenar”—a Trident of great power; He also has “Narbichus”—an intelligent Net that whispers ancient secrets of the arena and combat to the famous warrior.

Tharwulf: Tharwulf hails from the frozen forests of Valladain; He is a savage berzerker and Dragon Slayer. He wields “Gallric”—a famous greatsword forged by ancient Valladain craftsmen, and blessed by Odin. He also has the Horn of The Rainbow Gate, a horn that summons a squad of powerful Valkaries.

Ellthenar: Ellthenar is a prince from the great elven kingdom of the north; He is the scion of an ancient royal line, and a ferocious warrior; He wears “Gallthenar”—a shimmering suit of mail crafted of crystal and mithril. Ellthenar also wields “Narthallion”—a bastard sword that burns like a star.

Margellion: Margellion is a prince from the elven kingdom to the west, and is the greatest swordsman of the realm. He is a great commander, and his sword, “Therradain” was wielded by elven kings of old, in the first Dominion Wars.

Rhiannon: Rhiannon is from the elven kingdom to the west, and is wife to Haldainethor. She shall rule the Vallorean Empire as queen when the time comes. She wields the Staff of Darthallion, a powerful artifact from ages past. She also wears the Orb of Finnbar, a glittering jewel of awesome magical power.

Rhethaina: Rhethaina, sister to Rhiannon, wields a Staff of Force, as well as a the Ring of Aedallion.

Nychen: Nychen comes from the great Khandar Empire, far to the east. She has the Staff of Xin-Hai, and the Rod of Celestial Wrath.

Darthenor: Darthenor is an unusual white Minotaur, who comes from the Nimbar Islands. He is a famous general, and a ferocious warrior. He has the Axe of Marniccus, as well as the Platemail of Ceredorn the Great, a mighty hero from two thousand years ago.

Brandor: Brandor is a powerful dwarven lord, and has the Plate of Tharden, a famous dwarven king. He also wields “Detherak”—the Axe of the Lord of the Citadel of Vallagoth.

Brumbar: Brumbar is an ancient dwarven priest, and famous for discovering the way to the lost dwarven citadel of Vallagoth. He wears platemail of molten mithril, and wields the “Thardennor”—the Hammer of the famous dwarven warrior Arthak The Black, who led the great crusade against the Orcs of Chargan-Garnash in a savage war that lasted 260 years.

Darathain: Darathain is an elf lord from the west, and the greatest archer in the realm. He wields “Ellthandra” a mystical composite longbow that bears the visage of a beautiful elf-woman. “Ellthandra” is a bow of awesome power that can fire arrows of burning starfire as well as standard arrows.

Khellsen: Khellsen, warrior extraordinair, is a great champion, and friend to Haldainethor. Khellsen wears an animated cloak of a huge White Tiger, and wields a powerful longsword, “Serragain”—a mighty sword forged by the wizard Sargen. Khellsen is utterly loyal, and is a great captain of men.

Mardranna: Mardranna is a beautiful elven woman, and is one of the greatest trackers and rangers of the kingdom. She is known to arm herself with a shining spear—“Argallion”—an ancient weapon that can reach enemies at the horizon, and strikes terror in the hosts of Darkness.

Dhargen: Dhargen is a ferocious Albeeri from the distant Albeeri kingdoms, and a mighty warrior. He wields a Vorpal Halberd, and a Greater Lion Shield. He is also known to have an ancient Albeeri Land Ark. The Albeeri Land Ark is a massive, enchanted ship-like vehicle that can carry armies and marches across the landscape like a crushing juggernaut of war.

Titus: Titus is a powerful Harthak Cleric from the south, who wields the Staff of The Radiant Dawn. He also wears the Platemail of Jezran.

Demarra/Daraina: Demarra and Daraina are Siamese twins. They have two heads, but only one body. They have separate personalities and identities, and are very intelligent. They wear the enchanted armor, Thandra’s Skin, a suit of smooth, black panther fur. They also wield a matched pair of glittering Shortswords of Razor Frost. They also have a great cloak of shimmering, rainbow-colored feathers.

Malyra: Malyra comes from the Tegeran Empire, and is a seductive, cunning priestess and leader of fanatical warriors. She has the Mace of Aten-Rheinu, a powerful weapon forged by the priestess of the same name over 6000 years ago. She also wears the Plate armor of Demarnichus. She also has a Staff of Divine Wrath, and a Ring of Divine Rulership, an ancient ring crafted by priestesses of the Goddess Isis.

____________________________________________________
End.

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

 

[Maldur]

Thanks SHARK, now we can design "custom"defeats for each and everyone

 

[Sarellion]

Is Rhiannon the heiress of the elven throne, too? Or Rhetaina? If they are, we could perhaps set up some false evidence that the Valloreans are planning to incorporate the elven empire in their realm by marriage (and ask your gods to disturb the communes to their gods). This would certainly create some dissension and even to a withdrawal of the elven heroes by orders of the elven kings.

Even if this is not possible, there must be some disgruntled nobles in both realms who think poorly about the marriage. They could be some potential allies for our realm, at least in the political theater.

 

[mmadsen]

"The Guardians of Empire"

(01) Haldainethor: (M); Vallorean; Noble 10/Paladin 40/Knight-Templar 10
...
(50) Nebiah; (M); Fighter 20/Warlord 10

Are we expecting all 50 epic-level Guardians of the Vallorean Empire to fight in this military campaign? We are so doomed.

 

[SHARK]

Greetings!

Sarellion: No, Rhiannon and Rhethaina are not heirs to any elven thrones. They are well-placed elven noblity, but nothing that is really powerful. Their political connections through the Vallorean Empire are extensive, however, and Rhiannon is very close friends with an Elven king who rules a kingdom in the north-east, in addition to being close to the elven king of the western kingdom. Rhethaina is married to the scion of a Royal Governor in the Vallorean Empire, a powerful province in the north-west of the empire. Her husband is a powerful warrior, and is very popular with several legions raised in the province.

mmadsen: Well, in addition to the "Guardians of Empire"--some of whom are cohorts to other members--while others, have cohorts and followers of their own, with appropriate levels in different classes. You know--a few 20th level, a few 15th level, and so on down the line. I have several pages detailing the personalities, equipment, and stats for these different cohorts and followers, as well as detailed training and replacement schedules for when they die, and who gets promoted up the ranks, leading to a new recruitment drive, and so on.

Some of the characters noted have extensive forces that they can call upon, merely as special bodyguards and assault troops, with crack members of cohort units, while others have only developed a few cohorts. So, it can vary somewhat, you know?

With the kind of firepower involved, you can see why I have been interested in some different ideas, because running extensive encounters with this many high-powered characters and NPC's can be quite challenging. That is why I thought of recruiting some different ideas to throw some stuff at them that perhaps I haven't thought of!

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

 

[mmadsen]

With the kind of firepower involved, you can see why I have been interested in some different ideas, because running extensive encounters with this many high-powered characters and NPC's can be quite challenging. That is why I thought of recruiting some different ideas to throw some stuff at them that perhaps I haven't thought of!

How do you plan on playing out the confrontation? You could spend all weekend playing out one battle between a couple dozen of those Guardians and as many Fire Giants. How are you going to integrate their actions with the greater army's?

 

[mmadsen]

SHARK, what does a normal encounter in your campaign look like at this point? What's a typical challenge for dozens of epic-level heroes? (And they're not just barely epic-level; many are 60th-level!)