The Liberation of Tenh Plot Thread

[Urbanmech]

I think you might want to up the Spell Resistance. 15 at lv 12 isn't very much, unless you want them to just terrify clerics below 5th lv. Plus it only is effective vs divine spells. Maybe raise it to 10+class level, basically 50% resistance to equal level divine casters.

Other than that things look pretty good. Maybe add a rank or two of Knowledge: Law or Profession: Lawyer to show that they are able to act as judges for the church. Good for handing down judgement against the those who hide from the light of the Shining One.

 

[(contact)]

Why, he's a mech, from a city-- and he's right!

 

[(contact)]

Varooom! I updated the Pholtan Templar to reflect your suggestions.

Incognito is currently helping me on the side with a *wicked* hit squad that will certainly be shaking things up in our game . . . I'll post their stats (with his permission, of course) when I get them all tweaked.

 

[Rhialto]

Here's an evil idea...

Iuz, like most evil overlords, uses evil lieutenants. Now, there are advantages to this--no suddenly squeamish consciences, no crippling attacks of remorse, no problems with casual torture--but there are also problems--loyalty is generally low. Oh, sure, there are your priests, but even those guys tend to be a little less than utterly devoted to you--and seeing as that's thier job, you know you've got trouble.

And there are others--evil wizards, assassins and warriors who'll serve your beck and call, all the while trying to serve their own interests even more. The only way you have to keep them in line is to make them so afraid of you that they don't dare betray you. And losing isn't a good way to do that...

So now, Iuz is losing his hold on Tenh. But a lot of his lieutenants are still in the region. And yes, many of them are going to be writing home to Iuz and making sure the bad work continues. But at this point, a good chunk of them are going to thinking about how to flee a sinking ship with as many valuables as they can carry.

Some will of course join up or start low-level crime syndicates, mercenary companies, and the like. But a few of your more ambitious ones might think they have a chance to become a power on their own. Of that group, some might try to serve the Liberators heads up on a platter. But one with the right amount of cunning would try to cut a deal with them--aiding them in their efforts to defeat Iuz in return for rule of a city, or small region. This offer should come at a time when the characters are slightly (or even very) desperate. The characters will then face a choice--accept his aid, and the devil's bargain it brings, or refuse it, and face failure.

Given the way the Liberators handle things, it'd be interesting to see how they'd react to this...

 

[(contact)]

That's a brilliant summary of Iuzian politics and loyalty, Rhialto, and a fine, fine idea. I'll keep your suggestion in the back of my scheming little mind and spring it on the Liberators when they really need the help.

But I bet I know what they'll do-- kill the poor son of a bitch before he can say "So, whattaya say?".

 

[Rhialto]

That's a brilliant summary of Iuzian politics and loyalty, Rhialto, and a fine, fine idea. I'll keep your suggestion in the back of my scheming little mind and spring it on the Liberators when they really need the help.

But I bet I know what they'll do-- kill the poor son of a bitch before he can say "So, whattaya say?".

Well, that is what minions were invented for--to take the sword in the throat in case the brilliant scheme doesn't pan out as expected...

 

[Urbanmech]

It is almost like we need a list of threats facing the Liberators every once in awhile.

(after 5 minutes of trying to make the quote function work...good old copy and paste will have to do)

from (contact's) earlier post:
a definate villain in the forces of Iuz-- chaotic evil, barbarians and demons
a definate villain in the conspiricy against Thrommel -- unknown
a possible villain in the Mayor of Stoink -- chaotic evil, rogues
a possible villain in the Church of Pholtus -- Lawful Neutral, celestials

I think the Bleeding Stone and the other artifact stones form another threat. Sure the Iuzans want them but the intelligent stones may have their own seperate agenda.

Maybe a 2nd telepathic stone is behind one of the plots against Thrommel. Secretly dominating a ally or neutral party against the good guys. I'm not exactly sure how the 2nd stone would show up in Furyondy. Maybe a noble family with some mining ability dug up the stone after it was burried in a long ago conflict. Just a few ideas.

 

[(contact)]

The original plot against Thrommel was comprised of two major factions:

1. The Furyondian nobility who were qued up to vie for the throne after Belvor's death, and

2. War-hawks within Furyondy who felt that if Thrommel died, Belvor could be pushed to war.

------

While the Cadaverous Ones were looking for the party, they made the acquaintence of several medium and high-ranking Furyondians with a common beef: Heydricus boned their wives/girlfriends/daughters. The Iuzians secretly helped organize this group (which I call the He Man Heydricus Haters Club), and had them out "on the street" looking for signs of the Liberators.

Recently, the HMHHC has made connections with the plot against Thrommel (now believed to be deceased). The *Iuzians* know that Thrommel isn't dead, and they are hinting as much to the anti-Thrommel faction, hoping to use them (and their resources) against the Liberators someday.

This unhappy alliance is what this passage is all about:

• From Chapter 29:
  
  A voice wells up from the depth of Heydricus’ being, and echoes in his mind. “I am your father, and your mother. I am your child and your sibling. I am your nation, your liege-- and all your loyalty is due to me. What you are, I made you. What you have, I gave you. What you do, I set you to. Name Me, Heydricus and Know Me.”
  
  “You are my Lord Tritherion, my God,” Heydricus replies.
  
  “And because you are Mine, I will tell you this—beware, for your enemies are multiplied, and they have discovered the knowledge of one another.”

 

[(contact)]

Rackhir wrote:
Hmmm, you know a smart enemy could use that tension between Prisantha & Heydricus to drive a wedge into the party and there are plenty of opportunities for playing up Jespo's political disfavor. Fortunately, however they are facing Iuzians.

Heh, heh.

As a point of distinction, the Iuzians in Tenh are a particularly debauched lot. You know the Colonel in Apocalypse Now? Completely over-the-top f--ked, but living in a dream-world of gluttony, pain and cruelty? That's them, and the Stonefisters are worse. The crafty, have-their-ish-together Iuzians fled the sinking ship after the Crook of Rao and the Great Crusade!

The Iuzians in Chendl, however . . . they might be smart enough to use this advantage. Certainly, they were smart enough to get rid of Jespo Crim (without killing him, and raising suspicion) and convince Thrommel's dumb ass to "adventure" his way into a trap.

Also, the Furyondian nobility opposed to Thrommel might see the Liberators as a threat once Thrommel's living state becomes public knowledge.

The He-Man Heydricus Hater's Club would be *perfect* for this sort of thing-- they're not adventurers, they're just really pissed off, so scheming and manipulating makes a lot of sense for them.

How would you (all) exploit the tension between Heydricus and Prisantha?

 

[Urbanmech]

Well it seems that Heydricus is much more envious of Prisantha than she is of him. Perhaps find some beefcake members of the He Man Heydricus Haters to spread some rumors about the various dalliances Pris has had with them. (Maybe use the psionic memory modification power to make sure they can stand up to an interrogation/truth magic) Or else they could use some type of polymorph magic to take Prisantha's form so that she is seen with certain undesirable people or in compromising locations.

The Pris double could maybe be used to lure Heydricus into a trap. He seems to always want to be around when she goes anywhere other than the Wizard school. Or just kidnap Prisantha and use the double to lure Heydricus into a trap.

Hm I think watching some Melrose Place would provide more ideas for trying to split Prisantha and Heydricus apart. Magic just makes things difficult.