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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
11690 Posts |
 Posted - 25 Oct 2005 : 16:29:52
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<<Thanks, glad you liked them. I really enjoyed putting them together. Sorry the stats are pretty screwed up ... I wrote them up originally for 3e, and some of the conversion issues didn't get fixed.
--Eric>>
Story is more important than stats any day. Stats can be fixed or fudged. Having the story all wrong just ruins things.
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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Kianna
Learned Scribe
USA
155 Posts |
Posted - 26 Oct 2005 : 02:39:34
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Question...a dumb one but I have to know:
What happened to the 90 foot golem in Waterdeep between 2E and 3E?
Where do you send something like that for salvage? |
Huzzah! |
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ericlboyd
Forgotten Realms Designer
USA
2066 Posts |
Posted - 26 Oct 2005 : 17:54:00
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quote:
Originally posted by Kianna
Question...a dumb one but I have to know:
What happened to the 90 foot golem in Waterdeep between 2E and 3E?
Where do you send something like that for salvage?
Still there, although the height may have changed ... see the stone colossi in the monster section of City of Splendors: Waterdeep.
--Eric |
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http://www.ericlboyd.com/dnd/ |
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Asgetrion
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1564 Posts |
Posted - 28 Oct 2005 : 17:00:55
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Well met, Eric!
I have pondering for a while about the Auantiver family, which is now extinct (as mentioned in your Polyhedron article about the Men of the Basilisk, and also in Volo's guide to Cormyr). What happened to them? Were they exiled? Did they just die out? Any lore about them or their Sword Herald-made labyrinth would be appreciated 
Also, if you happen to have any lore about the kingdom of Orva, which was later destroyed and became the Vast Swamp, please tell us! Any guesses about who founded that kingdom - Netherese, Chondathans? |
"What am I doing today? Ask me tomorrow - I can be sure of giving you the right answer then."
-- Askarran of Selgaunt, Master Sage, speaking to a curious merchant, Year of the Helm |
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Jon-Rigel
Acolyte
1 Posts |
Posted - 31 Oct 2005 : 20:31:40
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Dear Mr. Boyd,
First, thank you for Faiths and Pantheons. It never gets old.
I hope you can tell me who or what is the "Pale Tesseract" you reference in Tymora's entry. Is there any history on this entity of artifact?
Much obliged |
Jon-Rigel
Priest of Tymora |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 04 Nov 2005 : 23:37:33
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Eric, in the Lords of Waterdeep thread, there's a question about the ascension of new Lords of Waterdeep. As the most recent author to discuss this group, I thought I'd ask for your input.  |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen!  |
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Kentinal
Great Reader
4685 Posts |
Posted - 05 Nov 2005 : 21:01:43
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Looking at http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20020503a there appears to me to be an error that you might either correct or explain.
quote:
Special Qualities: Bardic knowledge +29, 20/day bardic music (countersong, fascinate, inspire competence, inspire courage, inspire greatness, suggestion) range 7 miles, divine aura (700 ft., DC 31), divine immunities, DR 42/+4, drow traits, fire resistance 27, godly realm (1 mile Outer Plane, 700 ft. Material Plane), plane shift at will, remote communication 7 miles, spontaneous casting of divine spells, SR 39, teleport without error at will, understand, speak, and read all languages and speak directly to all beings within 7 miles.
(bold added by me)
and this
quote:
Drow Traits: +2 racial bonus on Will saves against enchantment spells or effects, darkvision, entitled to a Search check when within 5 feet of a secret or concealed door as though actively looking for it, +2 bonus on Will saves against spells or spell-like abilities.
per the SRD Drow trists are this
quote:
* +2 Dexterity, +2 Intelligence, +2 Charisma.
* Darkvision out to 120 feet. This trait replaces the high elf’s low-light vision.
* Spell resistance equal to 11 + class levels.
* +2 racial bonus on Will saves against spells and spell-like abilities.
* Spell-Like Abilities: Drow can use the following spell-like abilities once per day: dancing lights, darkness, faerie fire. Caster level equals the drow’s class levels.
* Weapon Proficiency: A drow is automatically proficient with the hand crossbow, the rapier, and the short sword. This trait replaces the high elf’s weapon proficiency.
* Automatic Languages: Common, Elven, Undercommon. Bonus Languages: Abyssal, Aquan, Draconic, Drow Sign Language, Gnome, Goblin. This trait replaces the high elf’s automatic and bonus languages.
* Light Blindness: Abrupt exposure to bright light (such as sunlight or a daylight spell) blinds drow for 1 round. On subsequent rounds, they are dazzled as long as they remain in the affected area.
* Favored Class: Wizard (male) or cleric (female). This trait replaces the high elf’s favored class.
* Level adjustment +2.
(bold added by me)
Which by my calculations Eilistree's SR should be a minimun of of 51 and that not counting the 20 outsider HD which if counts SR would be 71. She casts as a 60 level character when using the racial spells. Thus I am very confused about the 39 SR that is reported at the URL.
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"Small beings can have small wisdom," the dragon said. "And small wise beings are better than small fools. Listen: Wisdom is caring for afterwards."
"Caring for afterwards ...? Ker repeated this without understanding.
"After action, afterwards," the dragon said. "Choose the afterwards first, then the action. Fools choose action first."
"Judgement" copyright 2003 by Elizabeth Moon |
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Mumadar Ibn Huzal
Master of Realmslore
1338 Posts |
Posted - 06 Nov 2005 : 15:46:33
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| Eric, I posted a question to Steven here, since it touches upon a topic addressed by you in Drizzt's Underdark Guide (Giants & Shanatar), you might have some input on the qyuestion as well... |
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Skeptic
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1273 Posts |
Posted - 06 Nov 2005 : 20:35:00
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Hi, in City of Splendors, we learn that the Unseen has moved their HQ from the Hanging Lantern festhall to the sewers (After Volo published Volo's guide to Waterdeep) but does the festall was then closed or it's still in operation?
If it's the case then, do they still use doppelganger escorts?
If "all the city" knows about it, how can the authorities accept such a [evil] monstrous presence in the city of splendors?
My player's (Shadow thieves "unoffical" agents) are going to start a more direct war between this group and the agents of the Eye, so they could try an assault on this place..
Of course, that if they can survive Nar'shinddah Sugimar.. |
Edited by - Skeptic on 06 Nov 2005 21:31:15 |
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Arivia
Great Reader
Canada
2965 Posts |
Posted - 06 Nov 2005 : 20:55:37
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quote:
Originally posted by Kentinal
Looking at http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20020503a there appears to me to be an error that you might either correct or explain.
quote:
Special Qualities: Bardic knowledge +29, 20/day bardic music (countersong, fascinate, inspire competence, inspire courage, inspire greatness, suggestion) range 7 miles, divine aura (700 ft., DC 31), divine immunities, DR 42/+4, drow traits, fire resistance 27, godly realm (1 mile Outer Plane, 700 ft. Material Plane), plane shift at will, remote communication 7 miles, spontaneous casting of divine spells, SR 39, teleport without error at will, understand, speak, and read all languages and speak directly to all beings within 7 miles.
(bold added by me)
She has 39 SR not from being a drow, but from being a goddess, which makes her have a SR of 32+her divine ranks(7). See page 27 of Deities and Demigods. |
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Kentinal
Great Reader
4685 Posts |
Posted - 07 Nov 2005 : 00:55:06
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quote:
Originally posted by Arivia
She has 39 SR not from being a drow, but from being a goddess, which makes her have a SR of 32+her divine ranks(7). See page 27 of Deities and Demigods.
But she is Drow and casts at level 60 because she is Drow. Also can not see page 27 as I do not have that tome. Core rules indicate that things do not stack of same ability, to use the best one. Eilistraee is clearly listed as having Drow traits, whatever page 27 says about SR for dieities it should not over ride the Deow gene. It becomes very inane if a follower of a Drow deity can achieve a higher SR then their deity. |
"Small beings can have small wisdom," the dragon said. "And small wise beings are better than small fools. Listen: Wisdom is caring for afterwards."
"Caring for afterwards ...? Ker repeated this without understanding.
"After action, afterwards," the dragon said. "Choose the afterwards first, then the action. Fools choose action first."
"Judgement" copyright 2003 by Elizabeth Moon |
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Arivia
Great Reader
Canada
2965 Posts |
Posted - 07 Nov 2005 : 01:04:21
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quote:
Originally posted by Kentinal
quote:
Originally posted by Arivia
She has 39 SR not from being a drow, but from being a goddess, which makes her have a SR of 32+her divine ranks(7). See page 27 of Deities and Demigods.
But she is Drow and casts at level 60 because she is Drow. Also can not see page 27 as I do not have that tome. Core rules indicate that things do not stack of same ability, to use the best one. Eilistraee is clearly listed as having Drow traits, whatever page 27 says about SR for dieities it should not over ride the Deow gene. It becomes very inane if a follower of a Drow deity can achieve a higher SR then their deity.
Actually, the listing of drow traits in her stat block don't include the SR. And if you don't like it, change it, but that's the way it is. |
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Kentinal
Great Reader
4685 Posts |
Posted - 07 Nov 2005 : 01:33:39
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quote:
Originally posted by Arivia
Actually, the listing of drow traits in her stat block don't include the SR. And if you don't like it, change it, but that's the way it is.
What I am seeking is an explaination from the writer of Faiths and Pantheons as to conflicting statements. It is not a matter of me not liking it, it is a matter of me not undersyanding such a low SR for a 60 \ level Drow. It would strike me odd that a Drow deiety has lower SR then what her followers can achive without being a deity.
Edited for content. |
"Small beings can have small wisdom," the dragon said. "And small wise beings are better than small fools. Listen: Wisdom is caring for afterwards."
"Caring for afterwards ...? Ker repeated this without understanding.
"After action, afterwards," the dragon said. "Choose the afterwards first, then the action. Fools choose action first."
"Judgement" copyright 2003 by Elizabeth Moon |
Edited by - Wooly Rupert on 07 Nov 2005 02:00:55 |
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ericlboyd
Forgotten Realms Designer
USA
2066 Posts |
Posted - 07 Nov 2005 : 02:44:37
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Your guess is as good as mine.
Sorry to sound flippant, but I don't recall if I did that write-up or not. Regardless the early draft of the Deities & Demigods rules I was working from had little to do with the final version of the deities rules. In other words, the stat blocks that were printed have little to do with our developer turnover, and I've never bothered to figure out the published rules for deity avatar creation.
--Eric
quote:
Originally posted by Kentinal
quote:
Originally posted by Arivia
Actually, the listing of drow traits in her stat block don't include the SR. And if you don't like it, change it, but that's the way it is.
What I am seeking is an explaination from the writer of Faiths and Pantheons as to conflicting statements. It is not a matter of me not liking it, it is a matter of me not undersyanding such a low SR for a 60 \ level Drow. It would strike me odd that a Drow deiety has lower SR then what her followers can achive without being a deity.
Edited for content.
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http://www.ericlboyd.com/dnd/ |
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ericlboyd
Forgotten Realms Designer
USA
2066 Posts |
Posted - 07 Nov 2005 : 02:45:46
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I assume it's "under new management" with non-doppelganter employees. (Renegade clerics of Leira?)
--Eric
quote:
Originally posted by Skeptic
Hi, in City of Splendors, we learn that the Unseen has moved their HQ from the Hanging Lantern festhall to the sewers (After Volo published Volo's guide to Waterdeep) but does the festall was then closed or it's still in operation?
If it's the case then, do they still use doppelganger escorts?
If "all the city" knows about it, how can the authorities accept such a [evil] monstrous presence in the city of splendors?
My player's (Shadow thieves "unoffical" agents) are going to start a more direct war between this group and the agents of the Eye, so they could try an assault on this place..
Of course, that if they can survive Nar'shinddah Sugimar..
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http://www.ericlboyd.com/dnd/ |
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Kentinal
Great Reader
4685 Posts |
Posted - 07 Nov 2005 : 10:47:18
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quote:
Originally posted by ericlboyd
Your guess is as good as mine.
Sorry to sound flippant, but I don't recall if I did that write-up or not. Regardless the early draft of the Deities & Demigods rules I was working from had little to do with the final version of the deities rules. In other words, the stat blocks that were printed have little to do with our developer turnover, and I've never bothered to figure out the published rules for deity avatar creation.
--Eric
Is there anybody I can ask? Nor was I talking about the avatar, but the goddess herself. It appears the avatars have half the Divine Rank (rounded down) that the deity has. |
"Small beings can have small wisdom," the dragon said. "And small wise beings are better than small fools. Listen: Wisdom is caring for afterwards."
"Caring for afterwards ...? Ker repeated this without understanding.
"After action, afterwards," the dragon said. "Choose the afterwards first, then the action. Fools choose action first."
"Judgement" copyright 2003 by Elizabeth Moon |
Edited by - Kentinal on 07 Nov 2005 10:53:55 |
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ericlboyd
Forgotten Realms Designer
USA
2066 Posts |
Posted - 07 Nov 2005 : 14:39:06
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I would suggest a note to The Sage at Dragon magazine and/or a post to the Ask Rich Baker Thread on the WoTC boards.
--Eric
quote:
Originally posted by Kentinal
quote:
Originally posted by ericlboyd
Your guess is as good as mine.
Sorry to sound flippant, but I don't recall if I did that write-up or not. Regardless the early draft of the Deities & Demigods rules I was working from had little to do with the final version of the deities rules. In other words, the stat blocks that were printed have little to do with our developer turnover, and I've never bothered to figure out the published rules for deity avatar creation.
--Eric
Is there anybody I can ask? Nor was I talking about the avatar, but the goddess herself. It appears the avatars have half the Divine Rank (rounded down) that the deity has.
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http://www.ericlboyd.com/dnd/ |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 07 Nov 2005 : 16:38:45
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quote:
Originally posted by ericlboyd
I would suggest a note to The Sage at Dragon magazine and/or a post to the Ask Rich Baker Thread on the WoTC boards.
--Eric
Kentinal can also try Eric Mona, since Eric Mona has said, recently, that he was the one that designed most of the stats for the deities in that book. He visits ENworld's boards and also the Dragon boards. The Dragon boards are probably better, since he works on Dragon now. :) |
For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
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Dargoth
Great Reader
Australia
4607 Posts |
Posted - 19 Nov 2005 : 03:12:20
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Hey Eric with the new organisation stat blocks can an organisation have more than one type?
For example how would you stat the Zhentarim?
They would be Religious (There lead by the Church of Bane,)Arcane (Theres plenty of Arcane spellcasters in the Zhentarim), Mercantile (They are Merchatnts, they run caravans etc) and Criminal (They steal, deal in slaves etc) |
“I am the King of Rome, and above grammar”
Emperor Sigismund
"Its good to be the King!"
Mel Brooks |
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ericlboyd
Forgotten Realms Designer
USA
2066 Posts |
Posted - 19 Nov 2005 : 21:47:30
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quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth
Hey Eric with the new organisation stat blocks can an organisation have more than one type?
For example how would you stat the Zhentarim?
They would be Religious (There lead by the Church of Bane,)Arcane (Theres plenty of Arcane spellcasters in the Zhentarim), Mercantile (They are Merchatnts, they run caravans etc) and Criminal (They steal, deal in slaves etc)
I think they can only be one type. There's not really much effect from the type. In the case of the Zhentarim, I'd probably make them Mercantile. Arcane and Religious only cover a subset. My second choice would be criminal.
--Eric |
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http://www.ericlboyd.com/dnd/ |
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Octa
Learned Scribe
USA
138 Posts |
Posted - 01 Dec 2005 : 19:30:02
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Eric- I have a question about Waterdeep.
Where in the city do they sell big ticket magic items. In the section on shops it lists two places to get magic weapons for instance and one of them is Halasters Heirs, but that only has an organizational GP value of 15k. The Red Wizards have a higher GP max at 40k but specialize in low ticket items.
Am I right in reading the organizational GP value as the max for sales of magic items for that group?
Am I right in thinking that both the House of Wonder (I think this is the name of the temple to mystra), and the Watchful Order would be willing to make/trade/sell high ticket magic items. Also maybe the Temple of Waukeen as well. In general the Temple of a worshippers god is a good place to start for this. The PCs would of course need a contact at these places and maybe go on a little quest in order to show they are of good heart, sound mind, mean no harm to the city, etc...
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Dargoth
Great Reader
Australia
4607 Posts |
Posted - 01 Dec 2005 : 22:36:33
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Ive always looked at the GP limit as working this way: magic items that are equal to or less than GP limit are readily avaliable and can be picked up more or less onsite, anything over the GP limit has to be built or aquired from scratch and wont be avaliable (This is also dependent on there being a spellcaster able to create the requested item.
To use a real world example
If you wolk into local liqueror store and ask the Salesmen for a 6 Pack of Beer, chances are he'll able to sell it to you on the day. However if you walk into the same store and ask to buy a Bottle of Dom Perignon 55 (An exstremely rare and expensive French wine)hes not going to have it. He maybe able to order it in but he certainly wont have it in the store. |
“I am the King of Rome, and above grammar”
Emperor Sigismund
"Its good to be the King!"
Mel Brooks |
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Octa
Learned Scribe
USA
138 Posts |
Posted - 06 Dec 2005 : 00:22:07
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| I understand, but I am too old school to let my PCs buy things without some roleplaying the whole thing out, and just wanted to be accurate. I still think those GP limits are set way too high. |
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Skeptic
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1273 Posts |
Posted - 16 Dec 2005 : 21:03:12
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Hi,
First, nothing new about the 2nd Waterdeep enhancement ? (I know you are surely tired to be asked about this one but... )
Second, about your recent adventures in Dragon Magazines.. it seems to be that the Fireplace level & Dungeon of the Crypt would be quite dangerous for a "low-level" fighter like Unger. How could he often use this way to get in Skullport without being killed by all the monstrous creatures lurking in this "small" place ?
Edit : I ask this because for my current campaign, securing ways to Skullport is something really important for the characters.
I would add too that I would never run this kind of "dungeon crawl" adventures as printed, but all the lore & details added in it is very much appreciate. |
Edited by - Skeptic on 16 Dec 2005 22:39:55 |
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Octa
Learned Scribe
USA
138 Posts |
Posted - 27 Dec 2005 : 20:32:05
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Eric- My question is along the lines of the last poster as well.
1, Does Unger know Fhang as himself or as 'Artor', ie. which guise does Fhang use when interacting with him. My PCs found the second secret entrance to the Fireplace level, since they don't have a thief in their party they are always full up on wands of detect secret door, knock and dispel magic. So of course they are going to interrogat Unger or charm him and see what he knows.
2, How does Unger get down into Skullport. the only path described in the adventure has two place he has to be either size small or tiny, i.e. the collapsed spiral stair for the dungeon of the crypt requires small, and the fissure into the fireplace requires him to be tiny or in gaseous form.
I guess he drinks potions and its why no one follows him though, |
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Skeptic
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1273 Posts |
Posted - 27 Dec 2005 : 22:19:30
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| He goes down by first going up in the Dungeon of the Crypt... |
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ericlboyd
Forgotten Realms Designer
USA
2066 Posts |
Posted - 28 Dec 2005 : 17:48:12
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quote:
Originally posted by Skeptic
Hi,
First, nothing new about the 2nd Waterdeep enhancement ? (I know you are surely tired to be asked about this one but... )
I haven't heard anything recently, although I do continue to ask.
quote:
Second, about your recent adventures in Dragon Magazines.. it seems to be that the Fireplace level & Dungeon of the Crypt would be quite dangerous for a "low-level" fighter like Unger. How could he often use this way to get in Skullport without being killed by all the monstrous creatures lurking in this "small" place ?
Edit : I ask this because for my current campaign, securing ways to Skullport is something really important for the characters.
I would add too that I would never run this kind of "dungeon crawl" adventures as printed, but all the lore & details added in it is very much appreciate.
Unger survives through a combination of luck, cunning (he hides rather than fights), powerful backers (The Two-Cities Consortium), and careful alliances (such as his arrangement with Fhang). He also is careful to listen to reports of adventurers who have crossed his usual route of late and he's not above duping a band of low-level adventurrs to "blaze the trail" for him when he's worried about his usual route.
--Eric
PS He won't survive forever ... and when he's dead the Two-Cities Consortium will simply replace him with someone else.
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http://www.ericlboyd.com/dnd/ |
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Octa
Learned Scribe
USA
138 Posts |
Posted - 28 Dec 2005 : 20:45:04
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| I understand that he goes through the fireplace and down 120' to Fhangs lair and from there through to the stairs to undermountain and from there on to skullport, I just thought it was odd that that path wasn't traversable by someone medium sized and so thought I had missed something. |
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ericlboyd
Forgotten Realms Designer
USA
2066 Posts |
Posted - 28 Dec 2005 : 22:14:05
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quote:
Originally posted by Octa
Eric- My question is along the lines of the last poster as well.
1, Does Unger know Fhang as himself or as 'Artor', ie. which guise does Fhang use when interacting with him. My PCs found the second secret entrance to the Fireplace level, since they don't have a thief in their party they are always full up on wands of detect secret door, knock and dispel magic. So of course they are going to interrogat Unger or charm him and see what he knows.
I imagine he knows him in the form of Artor, but may not know his name. He may also think he knows other individuals who are actually alternate identities for Fhang. I doubt he's ever seen the doppelganger in his true form.
quote:
2, How does Unger get down into Skullport. the only path described in the adventure has two place he has to be either size small or tiny, i.e. the collapsed spiral stair for the dungeon of the crypt requires small, and the fissure into the fireplace requires him to be tiny or in gaseous form.
I guess he drinks potions and its why no one follows him though,
My copy explicitly states that the Wormshake Fissure (#F1) and the Fireplace Flue (#F1A) are accessible by a size Medium or smaller creature in Dungeon #128, page 77.
As for the "Tiny aperture", I think I've misled the reader. Unger's route does not lead through C21A (although he might pay to enlarge it if he realized where it led). His route leads out of the Dungeon of the Crypt via #C19 into the first level of Undermountain. From there it's up to the DM as to how he gets down to Skullport on the 3rd level, but the original Ruins of Undermountain boxed set suggests several means (both portals and physical connections).
--Eric
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http://www.ericlboyd.com/dnd/ |
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Questions for Eric L Boyd
