Those with Knowledge (Orcus), please respond!

[MasterPast&Present]

I’m in the initial stages of developing a module for our gaming group, and it will be around 18th level. I was inspired by one of the sidebars in the Manual of the Planes, “The Return of Orcus.” The party is going to be sent to the Abyss to make sure Orcus stays dead (at least that will be their mission). I am in need of the following:

• The history of Orcus – As far back as possible, from the days before he became a demon lord, how he became a demon lord, what he did as a demon lord, and how his death came about. Also, if you can tell me anything about his life (er, unlife) as Tenebrous, and the power of the Last Word, that would be great.
  
• The Wand of Orcus (if it can still be called a wand in 3E) – How did the wand come about, and what has happened to it since Orcus’ death? Is it a magical item or is it a minor/major artifact? What powers does it possess/impart?
  
• Thanatos and Naratyr – I could us all the information any of you have on this layer of the Abyss and the city.
  
• Quah-Namog: Faithful, Half-Ogre Servant of Orcus – I haven’t seen any stats for half-ogres yet (MM II???), but maybe some of you have or created stats for them. Please let me know what you have come up with.
  
• Any other advice you can give me on running this high level module to make it run smoother, and insure the players have a great time would be appreciated.

I’m assuming (read: hoping) that stats for Orcus and his wand will be in The Book of Vile Darkness, but you never can tell. When responding, please let me know if the information is based on a previous D&D sourcebook (i.e. official) or not. Thank you, in advance, for your time and sharing your knowledge with me.

SRM

 

[gpetruc]

I don't know if Orcus had appeared in any D&D published material since MotP: anyway I don't have any official information on him. (I have only the D&D core manuals, FRCS, MotP, DoF and the free material found on the web)

If you want some homebrewed information on Orcus, instead, I might try to give some help.

 

[Kid Charlemagne]

Well, my first suggestion would be to try and get your hands on a copy of "Dead Gods" by Monte Cook, a 2nd edition adventure that covers exactly this ground (the death and return of Orcus).

I'd bet there are conversions to 3e for it, and even if the story line doesn't match exactly what you are planning, it would no doubt give you lots of fodder for ideas.

 

[Psychotic Jim]

I also recommend Dead Gods . It was a Planescape adventure, if that helps. Basically, what happens is that Orcus was long ago slain by the drow goddess of undeath, Kiaransalee. Now he has come back as an "undead god", now calling himself Tenebrous, seeking to learn a magical word so powerful it has the power to slay gods.
As for the wand, the creature catalog has stats for it under Orcus' entry.

 

[MasterPast&Present]

Thanks guys for your help. I will be sure to check out the Dead Gods adventure and Creature Catalog. I just hope they are available as a download from Wizards. And gpetruc, I would appreciate whatever homebrewed information you have. Thanks again guys!

SRM

 

[National Acrobat]

Check out Necromancer Games' Website. Their Rappan Athuk Series (1,2,3) is based on a Temple of Orcus. Their website has a section called "Product Support" and under that category somewhere is a PDF download file containing information on the gods of their world and Orcus is one of them. They also have random tidbits about him on the site and in the modules listed above. Dead Gods is a good place to check, as well as any information you can find on the Drow Diety Kiaransalee, as she is the one who slew him and took his portfolio. I believe this is mentioned in her write up in the 2e supplement "Demi Human Dieties".

 

[Tewligan]

Orcus is also statted in a Dungeon magazine from a little while back. It's a derro adventure, featuring a big ol' tower of heads.

 

[yipwyg]

Orcus

You might want to get the ESD H4: Throne of Bloodstone. This is the ending module of the Bloodstone modules for 1st edition. The modules were written for 18th to 100th level characters (1st edition). In it the players eventually have to go to the abyss and steal orcus's wand and destroy it. The module has maps and information about his domain and who lives there. Most of the other demon lords/princes, also make an appearance in H4 also.