(IR) 1st ooc-thread of the 5th IR (open)

[William Ronald]

Suggestions for claims

(I am using Edena’s convention of suggesting natural features with populations for potential claims. So, remember that sometimes multiple nations – or none – control these places in the official Greyhawk canon. If you give me time, I can probably list important NPCs for your lands. These are probably already figured into your power levels except for any epic level figures. This is Serpenteye's call as DM.

One issue that has not been resolved, to my knowledge, is whether Rary the Archmage voluntarily turned to evil or was turned to evil by magical influences. There is some debate, although Tenser for one suspects he did not act under magical influence. If he is under magical influence, perhaps Maure Castle and the Id Core is involved. Again, Serpenteye's call.)


I am uncertain about the issue, but check my new links as well as the old ones. One of them on Edena's megapost has a description of the rest of Oerth. But it is very brief. TSR really did not develop the rest of Oerth beyond the Flanaess.

I cannot find Esmerin on any map, although it is mentioned in the LGG as a legendary land and other sources place it in the Lortmils. See the link in my previous post. (Maybe another player would like to claim it. I will research where it would be on Oerth.) So I will claim the Rovers of the Barrens, who were working on an alliance with my Wolf Nomads, and their associated territories of the Barren Wastes and the Forlorn Forest. The Bakhoury Coast, The Yecha Hills, the Banner Hills, the Udgru Forest, the Tusman Hills, and the Bramblewood Forest. I will also claim the Dry Steppes, Tovag Baragu, Azzor ‘alq (see the Greyhawk Legendary Places link – if Serpenteye decides this exists in the IR. The Plains of the Paynims, and Lake Udrukankar. Essentially,I will claim everything from Ket westwards to the edge of the map of the Flanaess. So, color it orange. I think we will get some new claims, so I will limit myself to the Baklunish area and the Rovers. (Now I am running a Baklunish and Flan power.) However, if a player wants a great alliance of barbarian powers, I will give up the Rovers and their lands. (They might be a good match for the northern Suel barbarians – they both oppose Iuz and are known as fierce warriors.) Remember there are many Flanaess and off the map powers to claim. Plus, I can try to see where a given concept might fit in.

Also, Serpenteye may or may not wish to include the Anakeris continent and the continent of Aquaria, with its Isle of the Phoenix, in the IR. Both are not strictly canon, but were created by people associated with TSR. (Aquaria was created by Frank Mentzner and has humans and demihumans. Anakeris is kind of Polynesian.)

As I ran my choice of a PC past Serpenteye, let me introduce him to you. As I read up on the Baklunish, their history, and their culture, I realized that there was someone who could bring unity to them. Someone who helped them greatly in the days of the Invoked Devastation, devoted himself to his people and the Baklunish gods, founded cities, and was honored by all his people. I claim the demigod Al’Akbar, the High Cleric, Restorer of Righteousness, lawful good demigod of guardianship, faithfulness, dignity, and duty. His domains are Good, Healing, Law, and Protection. His weapon is the falchion. (Remember, you can claim a demideity or a hero deity for your power. However, most will likely want to run things. So, they probably work best as PCs not NPCs. They might be of particular help to some of the minor powers, giving them an edge. Also, my suggestions to each of you is to help your power and are based on my understanding of how the World of Greyhawk.)

Also, I have an idea for any new players who want to try something a little different -- a new underdark faction. The svirfneblin and the deep dwarves (see the Monster Manual under dwarf) and some other races could form a neutral to good underdark power. (Among the races, deep halflings. I am not kidding – I ran into a guy who plays one in Living Greyhawk.) If Serpenteye rules they exist on Oerth, I can use the Forgotten Realms Underdark supplement for additional underdark races.

Before, I give individual players advice, here are areas that I think need to be claimed. Veluna, Verbobonc, Furyondy, Dyvers, the Lortmils, and associated territories. If no one else claims them, maybe Eluvan can claim them. Similarly, I am uncertain who is controlling the Domain of Greyhawk -- is it still Eluvan?

Now for the old Iron League, which I think can be turned into something substantial. Here are the territories an Iron League player might claim. We might want to make it available to a new player. (If no one else i interested, th ey might be good for James Heard as a support to the largely isolated Lendore Isles.)

I seriously considered playing Nyrond and its allies. So, to the Iron League player, I can give you a detailed list of what to take to recreate the old Iron League (which has its own secret military language.) Starting in the west, take the Hestmark Highlands. The humans here trade with the Sunndi. Take the Glorioles mountains (Home to dwarves, gnomes and halflings.) Take the Rieuwood (home to grey elves and many rangers.) Take the Menowood (home to the treants, sylvan elves, and others.), Take the Hollow Highlands (home to dwarves, halfling and gnomes.) Take Sunndi (humans and demihumans); take the Dwarven Kingdom of the Iron Hills and its ruler Holgi Hirsute (LG male hill dwarf, Fighter 15); Take Irongate. This was the old Iron League – minus Idee which Ahlissa now rules. (Meaning that Knight Otu runs Idee.)

There are two “rebel” (in this case meaning good and neutral) areas in the Old Great Kingdom. These are the Grandwood (wood elves and some humans) and the Lone Heath (humans, demi-humans, rangers and druids – the Wanderer of the 3rd IR was from here.) This might be a good place to interact peacefully or otherwise with Knight Otu's territories.

A new player, taking the good aligned Iron League states, may want to claim a demideity as a PC. If you want a human one of good alignment who is a warrior deity, perhaps Mahayeine will do. Or I can try to find another one. Remember demideities and hero deities usually want to run the show. Serpenteye might allow the player of the Iron League to claim some hero deities as well. An Iron League player would be advised to make alliances and be ready for hard fighting. Other options might include taking one or both of the two organizations -- the Emerald Order and the Silver Coins -- to help with defense. In which case, the archmages Philidor and Tenser, both epic level, could be important to the Iron League.

AIRWHALE

Spoiler:[sblock]I know very little about the spelljamming powers of Greyspace. Edena had a list of powers. Check out Canonfire and do a search for Spelljammer. Maybe you could also take something on the planet as a base of operations off the map. [/sblock]

BUGBEAR

Spoiler:[sblock] In Greater Nyrond, you can claim the Adri Forest. The elves and humans there resist Ahlissa and the North Kingdom. There are also druidsl led by Archdruid Immonara (Neutral, female human, Druid 13 of Obad-Hai.) Creamsteak used guerilla tactics very effectively here in the 3rd IR. Take the Gnatmarsh, which has humans living in the swamp. Take the Celadon Forest, as it is the home to elves and woodsmen. It is said that treants, sylvan elves, and others live here. Reportedly, some rare substances in the wood can be used to make Keoghtom’s ointment. Claim the Gamboge Forest, home to humans, gnomes, wood elves, and high elves. These territories might be useful to you to slow possible advances and to shore up your borders. Remember, you have the Forsaken One as a neighbor – playing a chaotic evil faction in the Brightlands. Also, Ashdarlon is a chaotic evil red dragon and runs the old Great Kingdom. So, I doubt that Ashdarlon will always be friendly.[/sblock]

CREAMSTEAK

Spoiler:[sblock]As the illithid are lawful evil, you might want to make a slight change and make your allied psionic demons into allied psionic devils. Also, you or another Underdark power may wish to claim the aboleth. You may also want to check on some more aberrations. If we are having spelljammers, you may want to claim an evil spelljamming faction or two. It is more appropriate for the Illithid than many other evil factions.

Also, if you have the Fiend Folio, consider giving some of your creatures the half-illithid template.[/sblock]

DEMON ATHEIST

Spoiler:[sblock]It is hard to figure out where your faction is located. Perhaps it is dispersed throughout different territories. Or you could consider the Iron League as a good infiltrator organization. They do have their own secret language, Ferral, and were working on a magical version to carry secrets. (I would treat this as using some sort of code. So, a message in Ferral might seem innocuous with a Comprehend language spell -- unless you know the language or can decipher script.) If you want an evil power, maybe tack the Solistarrim. Then claim The Barren Wastes and the Land of Black Ice. There are reports of a hidden valley past the Ice which is warm and temperate. See the Legendary Places link in my last post.[/sblock]

DEVILISH

Spoiler:[sblock]The leader of the Valley of the Mage is identified as Jaran Krimeeah, an Aerdi wizard also called the Black One. It is known that he has gnomes and valley elves in his service. He has a drow henchman or henchwoman. Enemies include Geoff exiles, Bissel, Gran March, Knights of the watch, Keoland, Sterich, the Circle of Eight, the elves of the Flanaess and even the drow. Indeed, one of the few things that the surface elves and the drow share is a disdain for the valley elves. You might want to see about claiming a portion of the Dim Forest, as it borders Gran March and Geoff.

As for Blackmoor, the LGG identifies the ruler as the Archbaron Bestmor (NE, male human, Ftr 11/Wiz 4). Most inhabitants are lawful neutral or evil. He rules from Dantredun, as the Egg of Coot, a mysterious entity, claims the ruined city of Blackmoor. The Egg of Coot is said to possess great magical power and is responsible for “automata” near the city. Enemies include Iuz and the Wolf Nomads. However, Iuz seems to avoid the land – possibly due to a magical influence from various ancient mounds and standing stones. You might want to claim the adjacent Cold Marsh and the Burneal Forest.

As for the Vast Swamp, it is home to many non-humans – particularly bullywugs. The Vast Swamp is said to be the home of the demilich Acererak and Wastri the Hopping Prophet. (Your faction seems to be chaotic evil, or leaning that way. So, Wastri would not be a good fit for you.) You could claim the Spine Ridge as a buffer zone with the Scarlet Brotherhood. The Spine Ridge is supposed to have monstrous humanoids.[/sblock]

MR DRACO

Spoiler:[sblock]As you are a great strategist, the Iron League might be right up your alley. You have many dangers, but you have possible allies in Bugbear and James Heard.[sblock]

EDENA OF NEITH

Spoiler:[sblock]You might want to claim some surrounding Underdark powers. Claim the driders and if they exist on Oerth, the chitine. Perhaps the derro, now that Melkor is here. I think your claim of Geoff is a sound one as is the Yuan-Ti. (By the way, what did you think of my idea for a new Underdark faction?)[/sblock]

ELUVAN

Spoiler:[sblock]As you now control Keoland under a Paladin, you might want to make a minor change to the ruler of Greyhawk. You could easily shift his alignment to Lawful Neutral and have him being an expert in devils. (Although devils are always lawful evil, there is the rare individual who is not evil. Plus, there is the bit about knowing your enemies. Also, it looks like everyone got their hands on the blue prints. And as I suggested, there are alternate sources of technology. The hero deity Murlynd, LG, is the hero god of magical technology – and has six shooters. (Yes, he does dress like a Western sheriff.) Also, take the Silent Ones of Keoland. Claim the Dim Forest in Gran March to gain the support of the elves who live there. Claim the Good Hills, home to gnomes and halflings. As you have Granmarch, you can claim the Rushmoors. (Paxus or the power running Geoff might want to claim it because of its humanoids.)

You might want to put in a claim for Sterich, the Little Hills,– or leave them for another player. The Hornwood in Geoff is run by a circle of druids and sylvan elves. The Oytwood, which is in Geoff has some wood elves but has monsters in it. Possibly Edena or Paxus Asclepius would want these woods. If you claim Sterich, claim the Stark Mounds which border Geoff. Whoever gets Geoff, can cliam the central and northern portions. You can also claime the Axewood (in the Duchy of Ulek and Keoland – it is the home of Unicorns, treants, and various faerie folk.) Also claim the Silverwood, home to swood elves and a good source for elven mead. You might want to claim the Rushmoors – they have refugees from the Sea Princes but also some lizard men and worse. You may end up splitting the Rushmoors with Guilt Puppy.

Also, if no one takes the territories of the Lortmils and points north, take Veluna, Verbobonc, Furyondy, Dyvers and their associated lands. I can give you details.[/sblock]

FORSAKEN ONE

Spoiler:[sblock]The northern part of the continent of Hepmonaland is traditionally rulled by the Scarlet Brotherhood. However, Guilt Puppy and you can be seen as splitting Hepmonaland whose scale is best revealed on the big map. (Regrettably, someone I no longer have contact with might have my Scarlet Brotherhood Greyhawk supplement. It is a good book.) The Pelisso Swamps in Hepmonaland is supposed to be very dangerous, filled with reptiles – including black dragons. Your troll druocracy could be in Zindia.[/sblock]

GNOMEWORKS

Spoiler:[sblock]You might want to consider the Iron League, although you had it last time. If not, consider the northern Suel Barbarians and the Rovers of the Barrens as a change of pace.[/sblock]

GUILT PUPPY: MAPMAKER OF THE 5TH IR

Spoiler:[sblock]You may wish to claim Wastri the Hopping Prophet. If so, you and Devilish could be seen as splitting the Vast Swamp. You now rule a large empire. Also, make sure your claim the Olman Islands and isle of Lof Bosok off your northeast coast. Claim the Spine Ridge. Much of your population in the Amedio jungle, the Olman Isles, and Hepmonaland are enslaved Olman, once members of a proud civilization that collapsed. There are also some Suel and half Suel barbarians. (About the Olman: They are culturally similar to their inspirations – the Maya, Aztec, and other Mesoamerican cultures and worship deities of the Central American pantheon.) The Rushmoors border Keoland and the Sea Princes. You may realistically split this with Eluvan, who may have the stronger claim for it.

In addition to monks, the Scarlet Brotherhood is known for its assassins and spy network.
[/sblock]

JAMES HEARD

Spoiler:[sblock]As you now control Keoland under a Paladin, you might want to make a minor change to the ruler of Greyhawk. You could easily shift his alignment to Lawful Neutral and have him being an expert in devils. (Although devils are always lawful evil, there is the rare individual who is not evil. Plus, there is the bit about knowing your enemies. Also, it looks like everyone got their hands on the blue prints. And as I suggested, there are alternate sources of technology. The hero deity Murlynd, LG, is the hero god of magical technology – and has six shooters. (Yes, he does dress like a Western sheriff.) Also, take the Silent Ones of Keoland. Claim the Dim Forest in Gran March to gain the support of the elves who live there. Claim the Good Hills, home to gnomes and halflings. As you have Granmarch, you can claim the Rushmoors. (Paxus or the power running Geoff might want to claim it because of its humanoids.)

You might want to put in a claim for Sterich, the Little Hills,– or leave them for another player. The Hornwood in Geoff is run by a circle of druids and sylvan elves. The Oytwood, which is in Geoff has some wood elves but has monsters in it. Possibly Edena or Paxus Asclepius would want these woods. If you claim Sterich, claim the Stark Mounds which border Geoff. Whoever gets Geoff, can cliam the central and northern portions. You can also claime the Axewood (in the Duchy of Ulek and Keoland – it is the home of Unicorns, treants, and various faerie folk.) Also claim the Silverwood, home to swood elves and a good source for elven mead. You might want to claim the Rushmoors – they have refugees from the Sea Princes but also some lizard men and worse.

Also, if no one takes the territories of the Lortmils and points north, take Veluna, Verbobonc, Furyondy, Dyvers and their associated lands. I can give you details.[/sblock]

KNIGHT OTU

Spoiler:[sblock]
You can and perhaps should claim the Hextorian portion of the Knights of the Great Kingdom as an elite group. Also, take the Bonewood and the Gull Cliffs. Also, do recall that Rel Astra is ruled by an animus. There are others in the former Great Kingdom, but only a limited number. (It seems only some nobles got the animus treatment.). I don’t have stats, but the ruler of Rel Astra seems to be strong, command mindless undead, charm people, cause fear by touch, heal quickly and have standard undead immunities. (Maybe treat them as a template). Also, I recall that Ivid created some undead outside of Rauxes. So, the undead can boost Ashdarlon's armies. [/sblock]

MELKOR

Spoiler:[sblock] First, welcome to the IR!! Your faction is interesting. Possibly its leader is an old noble of Keoland or the Great Kingdom who became a vampire. As you heard there were ancient dwarven ruins in the Hellfurnaces, that might have attracted you to settle there. Ivid the Undying, who is trapped in a barrier around the city of Rauxes (the Great Kingdom, Knight Otu's territory.), may well have a number of demons, undead, and other monsters. If you want to strike in that part of the continent, or put pressure on Knight Otu, Ivid is a good resource. He will have to be treated as if he is still the Overking -- which he believes. (Ivid is more than a little insane, so your PC would probably try to seem the wise counsellor of Ivid. )[/sblock]

NAC MAC FEEGLE

Spoiler:[sblock] James Heard said you are a Machiavellian player. You have a good opportunity to play off several factions with the Iron League. You might want to choose a more cunning demideity than Mahayeine if you pick a demigod as a PC. [/sblock]

PAXUS ASCLEPIUS

Spoiler:[sblock] In the LGG, there is an reference to Garel Enkdal, a city of some 25,000 plus orcs, with some numbers of ogres, orc-ogre crossbreeds and other creatures. It is located in the Griff Mountains near Stonehold. I don’t know if this is part of your claims already. If not, claim it. Also, claim the Hraak Forest, as it is in your territory. It is home to a tribe of warlike humans called the Forest People – who are part of Stonehold. (Edena does have something beneath your territory. Also, either he or you can put in a claim for Geoff – the drow did motivate the giants years ago.) You may also want to claim the Suss Forest which borders the Pomarj. It is rumored to have an abandoned ancient Suel city – a possible source of magic and materials. Also, claim the Drachensch, Also, make sure to claim the Blemu hills and its humanoids in the Bonemarch.[/sblock]

RIKANDUR AZEBOL
Spoiler:[sblock] Concerning one of your earlier questions, Wastri is the demigod of bigotry and amphibians. He is lawful neutral/lawful evil and may have been a member of the Scarlet Brotherhood long ago. He resides in the Vast Swamp. His goal is to have humans rule and eliminate demihumans. Orcs, goblins, and bullywugs are among the races that exist to serve humanity in his view. His priests become more amphibian over time.

As for Iuz’s territory, circa 591 CY, he controls the Shield Lands (except for some 20-30 miles near Critwall) and Scragholme Isle (in the mouth of the Veng-Ritensa river), the old Bandit Kingdom Lands, the Lands of the Horned Society, and the Old Empire of Iuz. There is strong resistance to Iuz from many factions in the Fellreev forest. Factions include sylvan elves, former bandits, some flan, some remnants of the Horned Society under Heirarch Nezmajen (NE male human Clr 15 of Nerull), and the lich Dahlvier (NE male human undead, Wizard 18.) You might want to claim the Tanglewoods, the Bluff Hills, (there is some trouble for Iuz in the are, like the Fellreev Forest) and Rift Canyon.

Iuz has received some help from his mother Iggwilv, a woman of mixed Baklunish ancestry. She is an evil wizard of epic level. The Greyhawk adventure, Return of the Eight, suggests she is likely at least 25th level. She is known to be skilled at summoning fiends and necromancy. She has great knowledge of the planes, and actually bound Graz’zt for a time. I can also give you some information from a Greyhawk module on Tuerny, if you wish.

Iuz, as you might expect for a chaotic evil demigod, has a long list of enemies. Here they are, beginning with deities and moving into nations: Saint Cuthbert, Vecna, Zagyg, Ahlissa, Bissel, Bonemarch, Celene, Circle of Eight, County of Urnst, Duchy of Urnst, Dyvers, Flinty Hills, Frost Barbarians, Ice Barbarians, Snow Barbarians, Furyondy, Gran March, Greyhawk, Horned Society, Keoland, Ket, Knights of Holy Shielding, Kinights of Luna, Knights of the Hart, Knights of the Watch, Kron Hills, Nyrond, Onnwal, the Theocracy of the Pale, Perrenland, the Pomarj, Ratik, the Rovers of the Barrens, the Scarlet Brotherhood, the Shield Lands, Sterich, Stonehold, Sunndi, the County of Ulek, the Duchy of Ulek, the Principality of Ulek, different Tenh factions, Veluna, Verbobonc, Wolf Nomads, Yeomanry , and all religions of Oerth except for that of Iuz. The LGG has a nice remark: “In short, most sane beings of Oerth count Iuz as their mortal enemy; all fear and hate him.” As for allies, the LGG just says none. So, Rikandur, you already are doing better than the official Iuz. Also, if someone takes the Solistarrim, Iuz is an enemy of theirs as well. [/sblock]

THOMAS HOBBES

Spoiler:[sblock]You or James Heard, or anyone playing an elven power might consider claiming Ye’Cind, the Chaotic Good elven demigod of music and magical song. As you are off the map, you might want to choose some allies to act with for diplomatic or military purposes. Also, remember Vecna will be showing up. So, you will need to devote some resources to defense, I suspect.[/sblock]

VENUS

Spoiler:[sblock]In the LGG gazetteer, there is a reference to a land called Komal to the east of the Sultanate of Zeif – off the map. If Serpenteye allows, you could claim it. It appears to be the section of coast opposite of Zeif on the big map. Also, if you want a demideity or hero deity for your faction, I can see what I can find for you. Let me know how I can help with information.[/sblock]

XAEL

Spoiler:[sblock]As you have the Vesve Forest and Highfolk, you have access to elven forces. (Highfolk is mostly elven.) These forces are opposed to Iuz and are known for the guerilla tactics. They are also being aided by Philidor the Blue (NG, male human?, Wizard 20 +) who appeared in the Flanaess sometime between 581 and 591 CY. (As I recall, Philidor’s skin is actually blue. If the Silver Coins exist, he would likely be one of its members and under the control of anyone who takes it. However, there might be a few good roleplaying opportunities with a faction that is fairly friendly to the Circle of Eight.) Take the Clatspur Range and the Sepia Uplands. (Rikandur might claim the easternmost portion.)

As you control the Yatils , Highfolk, and Vesve, I think you should claim Perrenland. You can also claim the Mounds of Dawn, and gains some mineral wealth and dwarves.

I hope that my information on the Circle of Eight was helpful. I can perhaps give you information on Mordenkainen, if you wish.[/sblock]

ZELDA THEMELIN

Spoiler:[sblock]Maybe you and Airwhale might want to take the Iron League, although it might require a lot of work. Another option is to take an off the map power as something to work with. Additionally, the moon Celene, the larger of Oerth's moons, has an atmosphere and may be a place to operate from for your spelljammers.
[/sblock]

Everyone, I will have Al'Akbar contact different factions but not tonight. I will try to do so in the next day. Does anyone want anything in particular for their factions that I can research? Also, I have an idea for a post showing a reaction to Greyspace being isolated. This would be in character, so I think it should wait until later. (I will run the idea past you, Serpenteye.)

 

[Creamsteak]

As the illithid are lawful evil, you might want to make a slight change and make your allied psionic demons into allied psionic devils.

If you want me to be specific, I'll state both.

Also, you or another Underdark power may wish to claim the aboleth.

Maybe a few. I don't believe that the Aboleth have any form of organization.

You may also want to check on some more aberrations.

I don't think it's necessary for me to list the 40 or so types of creatures (aberrations, undead, outsiders, oozes, and even two species of giants) that would be related to my claim. If Serpenteyes wants me to be that specific I can.

If we are having spelljammers, you may want to claim an evil spelljamming faction or two. It is more appropriate for the Illithid than many other evil factions.

Makes some degree of sense, though being based in the deep underdark would make these relics of the past empire from ages ago.

Also, if you have the Fiend Folio, consider giving some of your creatures the half-illithid template.

I'm just assuming that this is assumed in my claim.

 

[Melkor Lord Of ALL!]

Origins of Gallador! This history may be found out through powerful divination magic, also may be known by Church of Pelor sages.

600 years ago, Gallador, a powerful Paladin devoted to Pelor, was a Great Champion of The Light, defending Keoland from the forces of evil. His valor and leadeship skills were unmatched, and bards all over the land were creating songs about heroic deeds of Gallador, Knight of The Sun. And minions of darkness felt nothing but dread upon hearing his name. Yet few noticed the flaws of Gallador, for he was a man of great pride, which was growing with each victory, and his wrath was terrible, though always righteous. He lead many sucessful campaigns against goblinoids, having no mercy for them, for he claimed they are capable only of wickedness and destruction.

One day Gallador learned that his entire family, including wife and young children, was murdered in an unexpected attack. He rushed to the High Temple of Pelor and confronted the Archpriest, demanding his loved ones to be resurrected, surely he deserved it as a Champion of The Faith! But Archpriest answered that the souls of Gallador`s family are with Pelor, their happiness is much greater than during their lifetime, they would not return! But Gallador loved his wife and children more than he loved Pelor, and he felt betrayed, for the first time in his life he felt forsaken by his God. Rage overtook him, and he slew the Archpriest, whose blood flew at the holy altar, desecrating it.

Then Pelor himself intefered, sending an Avatar to confront his Champion. But Gallador rejected his Master as a liar and hypocrite,claiming that Gods want only to enslave mortals, to use them in their games. They are allowing the world the suffer, while laughing at the mortal struggles. Pelor`s Avatar said nothing, looking only in sadness. Suddenly, there was more and more blood flowing from Archpriest`s body, and it turned into the river, that completely covered terrified and screaming Gallador. Then Pelor spoke:

"It was you who betrayed your God. Since you rejected my light, I curse you to an eternity in darkness, you shall never again walk in the light of the sun! You will have ages to reconsider your foolishness, and you will be forced to steal the life of others to feed the void inside you, pathetic existence of a parasite!'

So died Gallador the Paladin, and Gallador the Vampire Lord was born. Pursued by his former friends and allies, he escaped to the Underdark, swearing that he will one day revenge himself against false Gods and their pathetic followers. He has never been seen again in the outside world...

 

[Serpenteye]

(I'm paraphrasing here. )

You are, of course, correct. It might be a good idea to have a vague idea about how fast an army can move, though (which is pretty easy to figure out, since movement by the day, hour and minute is in the PHB).

There are just so many factors... but I'll try to give you some examples.

An army can walk, trough friendly territory, from Lynn to Aerdy in six months. An army can ride the same distance in four months and a courier with fresh horses in one month.
An army can walk trough the Flannaes, trough friendly territory, from Ket to Sunndi in two months.
An army is very unlikely to be able to walk that far trough friendly territory, though.

Serpentseye, we indeed play Spacejammers.

All hail Zelda, the Queen of Heaven!

- I am requesting a Minor Faction in addition to my Major Faction, the Drow of the Flanaess. Here is the Minor Faction, and why I am claiming it:

- The Empire of the Yuan-Ti covers a sizeable region in interior Hempmonaland, where the Yuan-ti have long lived in peace and isolation. The recent events, however, have changed all that: The Devils have come with their agenda of ruin, to stir up and cause war among all the peoples of Oerth. Now the Yuan-ti are threatened, and they intend to respond.
The Yuan-ti are a famous reptilian humanoid race of legend (from N1: Against the Cult of the Reptile God), are chaotic evil, and it is thought that they once ruled the Oerth (or at least a large part of it) before humanity came and usurped the world from them. The Yuan-ti dream of restoring their ancient glory, but in recent millennia they have been decrepit and their empire decayed.
- The Empire of the Yuan-ti is a homebrew nation of my own creation. It existed in the 3rd IR. It could have officially existed in interior Hempmonaland: N1 suggests that this might be the case. However, I am not sure of that.
- The Yuan-Ti, while not adding much power to the IR, will add diversity. Too many humans out there powermongering. Time to get some lizard folk into the mix. The human usurpation of Oerth shall not stand!
- Melkor and Guilt Puppy think they have Hempmonland (which is a small continent: it is smaller than the Flanaess) all to themselves, with their trolls and Scarlet Brotherhood. I wish to throw a monkey wrench into their neat little conclave down there. They will find that they cannot live in peace down in that tropical paradise! (Well, ok, they can live in peace, but the Yuan-ti intend to dictate the terms of that peace. )
- The yuan-ti are chaotic evil, a race of schemers and plotters, who dislike their fellow surface races, considering them usurpers and evil. Very much like the drow. Therefore, I believe they are one of the very few surface races the drow would be able to ally with. If the Empire of the Yuan-Ti in central Hempmonland (off-map to the southeast) is granted to me, they will be considered to be in alliance with the Drow Dirty Dozen.

You are throwing a lot of wrenches, Edena, , but yes, your claim is granted.

Iuz, your Divinity, why not use your power to break Ivid and his armies out of the shield surrounding Rauxes? Break the shield: free Ivid and his hosts! I'm quite sure Ivid would be of great use to us. After all, he will seek vengeance on his enemies, who are our enemies. The slime of Aerdi and Nyrond, who have ever plotted against you!

(In other words, Rikandur, I'm recommending you claim Ivid and the City of Rauxes! Heh. Do you know about Ivid? If not, I can fill you in on a few juicy details. )

Ivid is a bit incommunicable behind his shield, so contacting him to suggest an alliance would be difficult. And he is probably quite insane...

Yep, that's sounds right to me!(we have been communicating by e-mail) The short version of who we are is the nation/alliance(/maybe even trading house)! that won the war of grayspace 10 years ago. The evil races have been wiped out of the sphere, and now we are very concerned about what is currently happening in Oerth.

Give us a couple days and we will come up with something more detailed =)

Also, I get the feeling I actually understand the rules now! So, maybe I can help answer questions.

This is gonna be fun =)

So you are the King of Heaven?

Sterich is, but she was thinking of Geoff, which is still overrun by giants. That is what you were talking about, right?

And actually, I am claiming the Yeomanry, if I may. It fits quite nicely. It's an odd faction I've got- Yeomanry, Celene, the Pale, and Lendarl. Plus partial control a bunch of places where the Church is. Interesting.

There seems to be no one person that will leap out as an uber-PC, except for perhaps the Bard/Evangelist who will be the current leader of the Church. And he will be pretty uber, but not in the Smiting way, like the wolf-god or Iuz. Very, very, very inspirational and diplomatic, perhaps. (Convert! Convert! Convert!) In any case, I have little to no idea how to use the epic rules, I'll not do anything further stats-wise unless someone points out something really appropriate (although he will pick up Legendary Commander and Epic Leadership, for the obvious reasons). Other important PCs will be Queen Yolande of Celene, and maybe the Freeholder of Yeomanry. Not big stats-wise, I expect, but worth noting as a roleplaying thing.

You get the Yeomanry, Edena gets Geoff and Elivan has Sterish.

First, I am sorry that this is so late in the day. I have been very busy.
...
My next post will have some more ideas for specific players. And some thoughts on how to strengthen weaker factions.

Let's try to limit new claims for now, most factions are powerful enough. We don't want to trigger an armsrace.

 

[Serpenteye]

Keep in mind that yesterday the "IR crashes messegeboad" switch was switched to the on position during the board upgrade. Morrus allways does that, it's kinda a running gag.

So, we have been noticed by the powers that be...
It's an honour.

Origins of Gallador! This history may be found out through powerful divination magic, also may be known by Church of Pelor sages.

600 years ago, Gallador, a powerful Paladin devoted to Pelor, was a Great Champion of The Light, defending Keoland from the forces of evil. His valor and leadeship skills were unmatched, and bards all over the land were creating songs about heroic deeds of Gallador, Knight of The Sun. And minions of darkness felt nothing but dread upon hearing his name. Yet few noticed the flaws of Gallador, for he was a man of great pride, which was growing with each victory, and his wrath was terrible, though always righteous. He lead many sucessful campaigns against goblinoids, having no mercy for them, for he claimed they are capable only of wickedness and destruction.

One day Gallador learned that his entire family, including wife and young children, was murdered in an unexpected attack. He rushed to the High Temple of Pelor and confronted the Archpriest, demanding his loved ones to be resurrected, surely he deserved it as a Champion of The Faith! But Archpriest answered that the souls of Gallador`s family are with Pelor, their happiness is much greater than during their lifetime, they would not return! But Gallador loved his wife and children more than he loved Pelor, and he felt betrayed, for the first time in his life he felt forsaken by his God. Rage overtook him, and he slew the Archpriest, whose blood flew at the holy altar, desecrating it.

Then Pelor himself intefered, sending an Avatar to confront his Champion. But Gallador rejected his Master as a liar and hypocrite,claiming that Gods want only to enslave mortals, to use them in their games. They are allowing the world the suffer, while laughing at the mortal struggles. Pelor`s Avatar said nothing, looking only in sadness. Suddenly, there was more and more blood flowing from Archpriest`s body, and it turned into the river, that completely covered terrified and screaming Gallador. Then Pelor spoke:

"It was you who betrayed your God. Since you rejected my light, I curse you to an eternity in darkness, you shall never again walk in the light of the sun! You will have ages to reconsider your foolishness, and you will be forced to steal the life of others to feed the void inside you, pathetic existence of a parasite!'

So died Gallador the Paladin, and Gallador the Vampire Lord was born. Pursued by his former friends and allies, he escaped to the Underdark, swearing that he will one day revenge himself against false Gods and their pathetic followers. He has never been seen again in the outside world...

Ahh, how tragic... What will he do to fill the void, I wonder?

 

[The Forsaken One]

I think the "one" thing is a typo. There's me (Elves!) and you at the least.

Edit: I just thought of something... we're the only ones that can bring people back from the dead! May not be in the same body, but still.

Indeed indeed my pointy eared friend

Ehm, I'm working from my memory here... But there's not a lot of druidic factions anyway.

Serpenteye, are the Adri Elves Arcane users or druidic magic users? Concerning their artifact and all that.

- Melkor and Guilt Puppy think they have Hempmonland (which is a small continent: it is smaller than the Flanaess) all to themselves, with their trolls and Scarlet Brotherhood.

Edena has something going with my name, really I think you mean TFO and Guilt Puppy hehe I spent the whole 3rd IR name Forgotten One if I remember correctly

The northern part of the continent of Hepmonaland is traditionally rulled by the Scarlet Brotherhood. However, Guilt Puppy and you can be seen as splitting Hepmonaland whose scale is best revealed on the big map. (Regrettably, someone I no longer have contact with might have my Scarlet Brotherhood Greyhawk supplement. It is a good book.) The Pelisso Swamps in Hepmonaland is supposed to be very dangerous, filled with reptiles – including black dragons. Your troll druocracy could be in Zindia.

I wish to change my claim then indeed. Seeing that Zindia Nippon, and the Nippon Dominion are unclaimed and a huge area on the map I would now Officially like to claim Zindia, Nippon and the Nippon Dominion as areas.

I this is sanctioned by the GM I will post a history of my faction.

This means I'm changing my claim to the Ice Elves of the Adri and Nippon + Dominions + Zindia. I'm dropping Hempmonaland and the Troll Fens.

Origins of Gallador! This history may be found out through powerful divination magic, also may be known by Church of Pelor sages.

600 years ago, Gallador, a powerful Paladin devoted to Pelor, was a Great Champion of The Light, defending Keoland from the forces of evil. His valor and leadeship skills were unmatched, and bards all over the land were creating songs about heroic deeds of Gallador, Knight of The Sun. And minions of darkness felt nothing but dread upon hearing his name. Yet few noticed the flaws of Gallador, for he was a man of great pride, which was growing with each victory, and his wrath was terrible, though always righteous. He lead many sucessful campaigns against goblinoids, having no mercy for them, for he claimed they are capable only of wickedness and destruction.

One day Gallador learned that his entire family, including wife and young children, was murdered in an unexpected attack. He rushed to the High Temple of Pelor and confronted the Archpriest, demanding his loved ones to be resurrected, surely he deserved it as a Champion of The Faith! But Archpriest answered that the souls of Gallador`s family are with Pelor, their happiness is much greater than during their lifetime, they would not return! But Gallador loved his wife and children more than he loved Pelor, and he felt betrayed, for the first time in his life he felt forsaken by his God. Rage overtook him, and he slew the Archpriest, whose blood flew at the holy altar, desecrating it.

Then Pelor himself intefered, sending an Avatar to confront his Champion. But Gallador rejected his Master as a liar and hypocrite,claiming that Gods want only to enslave mortals, to use them in their games. They are allowing the world the suffer, while laughing at the mortal struggles. Pelor`s Avatar said nothing, looking only in sadness. Suddenly, there was more and more blood flowing from Archpriest`s body, and it turned into the river, that completely covered terrified and screaming Gallador. Then Pelor spoke:

"It was you who betrayed your God. Since you rejected my light, I curse you to an eternity in darkness, you shall never again walk in the light of the sun! You will have ages to reconsider your foolishness, and you will be forced to steal the life of others to feed the void inside you, pathetic existence of a parasite!'

So died Gallador the Paladin, and Gallador the Vampire Lord was born. Pursued by his former friends and allies, he escaped to the Underdark, swearing that he will one day revenge himself against false Gods and their pathetic followers. He has never been seen again in the outside world...

Nice! Very flavorfull, I'm looking forward to more

 

[The Forsaken One]

Iuz, your Divinity, why not use your power to break Ivid and his armies out of the shield surrounding Rauxes? Break the shield: free Ivid and his hosts! I'm quite sure Ivid would be of great use to us. After all, he will seek vengeance on his enemies, who are our enemies. The slime of Aerdi and Nyrond, who have ever plotted against you!

Perhaps Ivid sealed himself in to prevent him from being disturbed in a grand summoning, transformation or other ritual... or some grand quest for knowledge or research of an ultimate spell? Who will tell... and who will fortell his wrath if disburbed?

 

[Bugbear]

By William:

In Greater Nyrond, you can claim the Adri Forest. The elves and humans there resist Ahlissa and the North Kingdom. There are also druidsl led by Archdruid Immonara (Neutral, female human, Druid 13 of Obad-Hai.) Creamsteak used guerilla tactics very effectively here in the 3rd IR. Take the Gnatmarsh, which has humans living in the swamp. Take the Celadon Forest, as it is the home to elves and woodsmen. It is said that treants, sylvan elves, and others live here. Reportedly, some rare substances in the wood can be used to make Keoghtom’s ointment. Claim the Gamboge Forest, home to humans, gnomes, wood elves, and high elves. These territories might be useful to you to slow possible advances and to shore up your borders

These are reasonible inclusions. I Would like to claim (with Serpenteyes aproval) The Adri Forest, Gnatmarsh, Celedon Forest, Gamboge forest.

 

[Serpenteye]

Serpenteye, are the Adri Elves Arcane users or druidic magic users? Concerning their artifact and all that.

Mostly Arcane, I'd think. They strike me as a very (socially) advanced civilization, a high-culture in ruins but still remembering their past with pride. They have strong ties to their land (like most elves) but are not really "down to earth" enough to be very druidic.

Edena has something going with my name, really I think you mean TFO and Guilt Puppy hehe I spent the whole 3rd IR name Forgotten One if I remember correctly

Both Melkor and you are strong and distinct personalities, but anybody can make mistakes.

I wish to change my claim then indeed. Seeing that Zindia Nippon, and the Nippon Dominion are unclaimed and a huge area on the map I would now Officially like to claim Zindia, Nippon and the Nippon Dominion as areas.

I this is sanctioned by the GM I will post a history of my faction.

This means I'm changing my claim to the Ice Elves of the Adri and Nippon + Dominions + Zindia. I'm dropping Hempmonaland and the Troll Fens.

I'll give you Nippon+ Dominions + Zindia, but the Ice Elves are half a world away and with those other territories you don't really need more power. (You'd rule an area the size of half the Flannaes!)

 

[Serpenteye]

These are reasonible inclusions. I Would like to claim (with Serpenteyes aproval) The Adri Forest, Gnatmarsh, Celedon Forest, Gamboge forest.

Those areas all border your main territories and fit together nicely thematically. Granted.
The Adri forest and Gamboge would be contested with the Ice Elves and Iuz respectively, a situation that could give you a good legal justification for war...