Scarred Lands: Ask the Sage [New and Improved!]

[Trickstergod]

Trick,

When it comes to Enkili I'm 100% you're biased towards him. So its all good. I do think you raise a point about some time of another Divine War coming. If only because eventually ONE of the Titans will be restored or become active again. (I still favor Mormo or Mesos since they had the most power AND have the most active adherants. But that's me showing my bias I suppose.) Whether this will become a metaplot or just maybe a way to hearld in D&D 4.0 is hard to say. (I favor the latter if only because unlike Time of Troubles, the changes caused by Divine War/Titanswar are often far more serious since we have divine factions fighting than just some overgod's whim.)

Enkili lying about the thing with Mesos just seems like the most reasonable answer; I don't think it was an accident that the trickster god was the one who set off the final straw in the gods declaring war on the titans. Also keep in mind that Joe did hint that may have been the case. I also believe Hedrada was far too ready to believe Enkili, despite common sense saying the gods should have been a bit more suspicious about him. My belief that Enkili lied about the incident with Mesos was only strengthed by the Player's Guide to Clerics and Druids, due to Hedrada's prophecy that, were the gods not to stop the titans, the titans would destroy the world. After reading that, I decided Hedrada approached Enkili with this knowledge, and asked for Enkili to do what Hedrada was incapable of doing (to trick the gods into going to war on the titans, in such a way that all would agree to it). I doubt the gods would have gone to war with the titans just because Hedrada said he had this vision, so an event had to happen that would galvanize all the gods to action. Enkili did that, and because no one would likely really ever believe Enkili and Hedrada would work together (and Hedrada wasn't worried about the other gods believing Enkili if Enkili said Hedrada had approached him for help), no one's really suspected too much.

Furthermore, while on this part I think this is more just my own take on things, I think as a matter of universal balance, Hedrada's granted with the ability to see the future, and in return, cannot change it. That power lies with Enkili, as the Scarred Lands agent of chaos and change - thus Hedrada would have needed Enkili's help to avert the fate of Scarn being destroyed by the titans.

In regards to the titans becoming active again....hmm.

I seriously doubt Mesos will be coming back - I'll agree that of all the titans, he's the only one constantly growing closer and closer to returning, but I think the way he's going about it is too slow, and furthermore, that the gods would likely catch on before he became too much of a threat. While I think he may have knew about his destruction beforehand (and possibly worked with Enkili so that Mesos could manipulate the gods into getting rid of the other titans, so he could keep Scarn constantly under the dominion of his epoch), I believe his return will be a slow thing.

As for Mormo, well, that may be possible. I could see something happening with Geleeda's Grove, Geleeda, and Mormo's womb, for example.

But...eh. I might like to see some of those ideas explored a bit, but I've already given my opinion on metaplot.

 

[BiggusGeekus]

Dear Sage,

I finally got around to picking up SLCS: Ghelspad, but what did my crestfallen eyes did see, but an utter lack of the book on the shelves of my FLGS.

Woe.

Why did this happen? Why must I be subjected to such pain and loss? WHY ME, NIGHTFALL? WHY ME!?!?

 

[Zelda Themelin]

I hope, if there is going to be more metaplots in Scarn, they are about mortal wars and maybe something new, instead of slight and severe alterings of information in earlier products disguised as 'truth'.

I didn't like the whole 'let's bring high elves back'-plot-line, form numerious reasons. For example, though short story came up quite interesting (if I don't mention Drandari - Belsameth realitionship, which didn't feel right to me), but novels I found quite boring. Perhaps, bacause none of the whiny main-characters, or poor screen time getting enemies managed to raise my intrests to their fates.

It's also quite apperant, that not all writers have read through all the earlier material with carefulness, and all kind ol nasty little infomation bugs have crawled along with their friend, the features.

Also, in-character stories, sometimes feel like excuse to change 'truths' of earlier ones. Oh, and the brainwashing seemes to work too.

Metaplots can decide too much for us too. Suggestions and plot ideas work better IMO, than just go recurrecting a titan etc. If they do resurrect anyone, it should be Mormo. Makes a good bad guy too, or Kadum. Mesos and some of the others are too complicated.

Besides, we've gone through return of ancient powers plots in our campaings more than once. I want to read about something else from those books. Also, I doubt in light of last resurrection, anything offically pulled off would come out perhaps little too lame to suit my imagination. They are proven to write well enough those shady suggestions, and should stay with that art, if I'd pick.

Though, it would be interesting to see what they would come up with. Well, can't really decide, need to make my leave before I start countering myself.

Ah, but despite my misgivings, I get each and every one of those books. I love to collect. Oh, and sorry for my lack of english skill.

 

[Nightfall]

Dear Sage...
Why did this happen? Why must I be subjected to such pain and loss? WHY ME, NIGHTFALL? WHY ME!?!?

Cause Enkili likes to torment you. I know he does with me. (See Trick for details. )

Trick,

Yes I'm well aware of your stance my friend. However I don't necessarily believe Mesos would allow to be detected. Perhaps, due to his innate power as sorcery, he managed to cloak himself from detection. Also while it would be within Mesos' character to betray, I don't necessarily believe he'd care THAT much to see his Epoch last longer. It ends when it ends. None of the titans can change that. But does beg the question...maybe DENEV wanted hers to last longer. But back to Mesos, I think he'll hide out from the sight of the gods long enough to power himself back up and then come all out. Mormo...well I think you and I outlined the basic only but there are others. The Blood Crone, perhaps the Druids of Khirdet. Perhaps even more unholy, a composite Mormo with Chern's aspects. Even so, I still favor Mesos...mostly because he's like raw magical power. And that to me is what sorcery is all about. Yes Joe hinted that being possible or likely. But even so it might just be more Enkili being Enkili. Also if you ask me the TRUE agent of change isn't Enkili. It's Vangal. He's raw destruction incarnate. Name me one thing or creature Enkili has personally destroyed. Then look at Vangal's record. I think the numbers alone speak for themselves. So yeah while Enkili is pretty raw chaos, Vangal I feel is closer to that whole Moorcockian view of Law versus Chaos. Maybe a little cruder I'll grant you, but still.

Zelda,

Raising up Kadum is a good idea...in theory. However having a large hole in one chest DOES tend to make for a less than stellar return. Mormo I favor cause...well it's Mormo! But don't worry about your English. It's fine. I think you get your point across fine. That being said, I do think that regarding ancient powers, I don't foresee a return of the Slacerians. (At least I HOPE not. God knows they caused enough damage the last time around.) The stories/novels I'll agree have been a little weak, but maybe someone else can handle it. Regarding mortal wars, well depends on which places are at war. Sure the Calastian warmachine is on the march, but I'm not sure they can maintain the foresight due to a lot of other factors coming into play. Between the Queen's "secret" and the obvious plays by Duke Travik, Virduk is going to have a hard time keeping things completely under his thumb. Plus there's always Anteas. The man shouldn't be counted out of anything. All that adds up to some voliate mixes when you think about it. The other continents I doubt will be having much in the way of war. (Sure a few human nations and the elves/charduni but it's pretty minor at the moment.) In any case those are my thought.

Okay people I take questions seriously here, so ask em!

 

[Darrin Drader]

Dear sage,

I sometimes get an itch at times when it would be very inappropriate to scratch it. Yet, at the same time, if I don't scratch, it will just become more and more uncomfortable, causing me to lose my concentration. Do you have any advice on an appropriate way to get some relief?

Aside from that, what's up with Termana? I'm thinking about buying it so I can stay up to date. Is it really worth it, or should I just stick with the tried and proven FR? Drizzt really is a cool dark elf, you know.

 

[Nightfall]

Dear sage,

I sometimes get an itch at times when it would be very inappropriate to scratch it. Yet, at the same time, if I don't scratch, it will just become more and more uncomfortable, causing me to lose my concentration. Do you have any advice on an appropriate way to get some relief?

Aside from that, what's up with Termana? I'm thinking about buying it so I can stay up to date. Is it really worth it, or should I just stick with the tried and proven FR? Drizzt really is a cool dark elf, you know.

Darrin,

I'm not a medic. I don't heal people. I just know stuff. If you want herbalism advice try my cousin "Mad Witch Doctor Dabby" down the street.

SLCS: Termana is a GRAND book. (Okay might be exaggrating a little but still!). With a completely new twist to everything you thought you knew about the Scarred Lands, along with a new religion and even new feats as well. That's on top of the two biggest evil around, the Jack of Tears and the Ghoul King. FR is okay but vastly overthought on some levels. Drizzt wouldn't last five seconds against two battle ready Assathi just using longsword kurkis.

 

[Trickstergod]

Why did this happen? Why must I be subjected to such pain and loss? WHY ME, NIGHTFALL? WHY ME!?!?

Don't look at me.

I only strike out at the proud or foolish, though I do have a penchant for pointing out mistakes.

 

[Trickstergod]

Trick,

...I don't necessarily believe Mesos would allow to be detected. Perhaps, due to his innate power as sorcery, he managed to cloak himself from detection. Also while it would be within Mesos' character to betray, I don't necessarily believe he'd care THAT much to see his Epoch last longer. It ends when it ends. None of the titans can change that. But does beg the question...maybe DENEV wanted hers to last longer. But back to Mesos, I think he'll hide out from the sight of the gods long enough to power himself back up and then come all out. Mormo...well I think you and I outlined the basic only but there are others.

Zelda,

Raising up Kadum is a good idea...in theory. However having a large hole in one chest DOES tend to make for a less than stellar return. Mormo I favor cause...well it's Mormo!

Interesting you point out Kadum having a problem being brought back, despite the fact that he's far less messed up than either Mormo or Mesos. Who's the one being biased here?

And of course Mesos isn't going to want to be discovered. But he doesn't embody stealth - that honor goes to Hrinruuk more than anyone else. It's not a matter of allowing the god's to detect him; if they could destroy him, then he's not so omnipotent to be beyond detection. As for the epoch's, titans being the primal beings they are, dominance and submission seems an almost integral part of their being. It's in their nature to try to be top of the heap. I also go more with the Ushadan look at things - the titans could care less about the natural order, and the epochs weren't about keeping the universe in order, but instead, a titan claiming power for itself and holding onto it as long as possible.

All told, though, there's a difference between what one would like to see, and what makes sense. In the case of Mesos, I care little, and don't see his return a likely thing, either. Of all the titans other than Golthain, he was the most thoroughly destroyed, and not to mention, the one the gods would be the most wary of returning. I grant his return is a likely thing, but not a quick one.

Oh, and one creature or thing Enkili destroyed? How about the Hundred Handed Ones? Who he defeated, then changed into the cloud-like celestians. Not to mention, as you said - Vangal, crude. Murder does not an agent of change make.

 

[Nightfall]

Interesting you point out Kadum having a problem being brought back, despite the fact that he's far less messed up than either Mormo or Mesos. Who's the one being biased here?

Me of course! But I don't want the Blood Sea to lose its greatest feature. Now if it comes down to a Kaiju showdown, Kadum versus the Mithril Golem I'd love to see.

And of course Mesos isn't going to want to be discovered. But he doesn't embody stealth - that honor goes to Hrinruuk more than anyone else. It's not a matter of allowing the god's to detect him; if they could destroy him, then he's not so omnipotent to be beyond detection. As for the epoch's, titans being the primal beings they are, dominance and submission seems an almost integral part of their being. It's in their nature to try to be top of the heap. I also go more with the Ushadan look at things - the titans could care less about the natural order, and the epochs weren't about keeping the universe in order, but instead, a titan claiming power for itself and holding onto it as long as possible.

All told, though, there's a difference between what one would like to see, and what makes sense. In the case of Mesos, I care little, and don't see his return a likely thing, either. Of all the titans other than Golthain, he was the most thoroughly destroyed, and not to mention, the one the gods would be the most wary of returning. I grant his return is a likely thing, but not a quick one.

Understood Trick. I guess I just favor him because he's not a god and isn't a gateway. He's just raw power and egotistical being that enjoys doing things his way. So he reminds me of a less crazy but no less ruthless Halaster. He was the only FR archmage I ever liked.

Oh, and one creature or thing Enkili destroyed? How about the Hundred Handed Ones? Who he defeated, then changed into the cloud-like celestians. Not to mention, as you said - Vangal, crude. Murder does not an agent of change make.

No but if you have genicidical indicents, the changes of a race ever affecting history or causing change is remote. But thanks for the reminder. (I was referring to Titanslaying, but that's still a good point on him defeating a titanspawn race.)

One further thing, you also have a penchent for getting under my skin like I do yours. But that's what makes our relationship far from dull.

 

[NarlethDrider]

*chitter**scree* a narleth bump *chitter**scree*