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Snotlord
Senior Scribe
Norway
476 Posts |
 Posted - 01 May 2005 : 00:11:46
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Is there any published realmslore that cover worship of Kostchtchie, the demon lord of frost giants?
I'm tinkering with a epic-level plot that spans several planes, and I need a demonic cult that has has a thing for, well, cold. So I want to develop a backstory, hopefully based on official sources. Faiths and Pantheons mentions him (?) briefly, but that is about it so far.
Anyone? Thank you.
Edit: Here's my notes so far. I put them on the top for easy reference. They are sufficient for my plot to work, so I'll leave it to this for now. Feel free comment 
Updated December 2006
Servants of Kostchtchie
Kostchtchie is the Abyssal Lord that resides on the 23rd layer of the Abyss, the Iron Wastes. The Lord of Frost trained the first frost giant mages in the Iron Wastes. They all reside in the Glacier Citadel which is a massive ice fortress carved into ice between two extensively tall peaks at the utmost height of the layer.
The worship of Kostchtchie, or a demon lord of similar powers and interests, has existed since the Reign of Giants (-28000 DR to -25000 DR), and still exists among frost giants and a handful cults of mages. Demon worship was frowned upon by the ancient giants, and the cult of Kostchtchie thrived when the Colossal Kingdom fell.
There is at least one site from the early days of the worship of Kostchtchie. The Throne of White Bones, hidden in the Spine of the World, was built by a frost giant king in the later years of Reign of Giants.
Thousands of years later, in -699 DR, the Year of Furious Giants, demonologist frost giants allied with Narfell. The cabal of Kostchtchie in Narfell built an underground stronghold in the mountains north of Narfell. The cabal of Kostchtchie was destroyed when Narfell fell (-160 DR, Year of the Stone Giant), but the ruins remain, and a frequently inhabited by the Frozen One.
The worship of Kostchtchie experienced a small upsurge in 1360 DR when Meldhrunn and his apprentices bolstered their ranks after finding the Frostfell Tablets in an old elven ruin in the High Forest.
The Frostfell Tablets are two large slabs of stones with engravings by the frost giant mages of the Iron Wastes. Its powers are unknown, but the Olin Gisiae of Evereska has recorded legends that hint of great power over cold and snow.
The servants of Kostchtchie are weak facing both Auril and Thrym, and the manipulatations of the like of the powerful succubus sorceress Vastilj and the fey'ri Meldhrunn.
Headquarters: None.
Members: A few hundred frost giants scattered in the North, Anauroch and Narfell. The different cells have little contact, except when an ambitious Frozen One gathers the flock to perform tasks to celebrate the glory of Kostchtchie.
Hierarchy: Segmented.
Leader: Kostchtchie. Kostchtchie sometimes appears in visions to a selected frost giant who can become the Frozen One, a sort of wandering prophet among the frost giants. The current Frozen One is Ulmhrad of Narfell (Male Frost Giant Adept 8/ Runecaster 5).
Another leader is Meldhrunn, the fey’ri leader of a cabal of mages in the North, who has infiltrated the servants to Kostchtchie wearing frost giant shape. Ulmhrad and Meldhrunn have little or no contact, and both prefer to keep it so.
Religion: Kostchtchie.
Alignment: NE, CE.
Secrecy: High.
Symbol: A giant-sized war-hammer.
Ulmhrad of Narfell, Male Frost Giant Adept 8/Runecaster 5
Ulmhrad is watching Gerti Orelsdottr of the Spine of the World closely, because he sees Kostchtchie as a much more appropriate god for frost giants than Auril, but has chosen to ignore Gerti Orelsdottr as long as she is content with martial power and does not claim greater spiritual leadership over the frost giants.
Meldhrunn, CE Male Fey’ri Sorcerer 14/Archmage 5
Meldhrunn (1257 – present) is of medium build and is 5' 9" tall and weighs 154 pounds. He has dark, moderate in length hair and blue eyes.
Meldhrunn was raised and trained by a fey’ri cabal influenced by Netherese traditions somewhere in the North.
Meldhrunn is a planewalker who has studied demon cults worshipping cold demons on several worlds. Meldhrunn’s agenda is to unleash Kostchtchie, the great cold demon, on the world and destroy the elves.
Meldhrunn rightly assumes that Kostchtchie only would focus on Toril very briefly, which would leave Meldhrunn in control of the world shortly after the demon lord’s victory.
Meldhrunn found one of the Frostfell Tablets in an old elven ruin in the High Forest in 1360 DR. Meldhrunn discovered the Throne of White Bones in the Spine of the World in 1369 DR, and currently makes his residence there.
Meldhrunn found its location with careful divination and examining the mountainside ethereally. Once he found a safe place to use teleport he brought in his apprentices, and established his base in the dungeon.
Meldhrunn has tried to find the other Frostfell Tablet, and possessed at one point a tablet of very similar properties, but was somehow tied to another demonic entity of the 23rd layer of the Abyss. This other tablet was involved in a struggle between the now famous Company of the Broken Lance and some unknown other planar power. Meldhrunn was glad to be rid of it when it was stolen.
The church of Auril sees Meldhrunn as a potential tool and possible scapegoat if necessary, and seeks to control him. Auril want to cover the world in cold and darkness, and use Meldhrunn to pave the way even if he does so in Kostchtchie’s name.
Meldhrunn is envious of Sarya Dlardrageth’s power and ambitions, but he has no desire to become her pawn, and he believes Sarya ultimately will overextend herself and fail, so he try to stay out of her way as much as possible. Sarya Dlardrageth on her side has no time to waste on a weakling like Meldhrunn.
Sources
"Ecology of the Leucrotta" Dragon 91, Hordes of the Abyss, Dragon 345
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Edited by - Snotlord on 16 Dec 2006 00:02:40
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2005 : 00:34:38
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On Hallowed Ground for Planescape says he is a Abyssal Lord that resides on the 23rd layer of the Abyss. He lives in The Iron Wastes.
He's also worshipped in the Birthright campaign setting, according to On Hallowed Ground :)
I'd try to Planes of Chaos box set for more.... |
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
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6689 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2005 : 03:06:28
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The only FR reference to this demon lord is in Ed's "Ecology of the Leucrotta" in Dragon #91.
-- George Krashos
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"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2005 : 03:12:19
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In addition to what Kuje just said, I'll add the few details of my own that I have on the Lord of Frost.
The Iron Wastes is a realm where only the power of Kostchtchie and the frost giants dwell. There is little other life in the Iron Wastes and the entire layer is illuminated by a cold and distant light source that is said to be "no brighter than a moon."
It is also written that the Lord of Frost trained the first frost giant mages in the Iron Wastes. They all reside in the Glacier Citadel which is a massive ice fortress carved into ice between two extensively tall peaks at the utmost height of the laye.
Aside from On Hallowed Ground and the Planes of Chaos boxed set, the 2e Monster Mythology also details the Lord of Frost and a little about his worshippers.
From this tome we learn that he is a murderously brutal creature, matching his kin in terms of raw tanar'ri ferocity. His power among the frost giants was small, but has been steadily growing.
Kostchtchie is presently at a dilemma. He cannot choose between aggrandisement and seeking to convert more frost giants to his cause. He is also cautious, fearing the greater powers of greater demon lords.
Monster Mythology also states that the avatar of the Lord of Frost cannot enter the Material Plane unless gated in or through the expended use of an amulet of the planes. He only has one of these magical devices, so he uses it very rarely. This in itself has made him desparate as he seeks to accumulate more magical artifacts that will allow him to travel between planes.
And finally, Kostchtchie is ranked as a demigod in 2e.
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Dargoth
Great Reader
Australia
4607 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2005 : 03:30:52
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The only reference Ive seen for frost giant "deities" was in the novel Prince of lies, the Frost Giants where worshiping a Ice Elemental Lord |
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SomeDude
Acolyte
USA
23 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2005 : 04:00:29
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quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth
The only reference Ive seen for frost giant "deities" was in the novel Prince of lies, the Frost Giants where worshiping a Ice Elemental Lord
If I remember right, this seemed to be just an elder elemental messing with the giants because they were dumb and it was fun. |
This is the highest my post count has ever been. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2005 : 05:09:41
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quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth
The only reference Ive seen for frost giant "deities" was in the novel Prince of lies, the Frost Giants where worshiping a Ice Elemental Lord
Yes, I recall that also.
It could be that the Ice Elemental Lord was a proxy or divine servant for Kostchtchie. Remember, he is constantly working to draw more and more frost giants to his cause.
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Snotlord
Senior Scribe
Norway
476 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2005 : 11:31:02
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Thank you all for making this much easier for me
I assume that the cult of Kostchtchie should be considerably less powerful than Auril, since even frost giants worship her. I also assume that Kostchtchie is much older than Auril. Any comments on this?
I keep you posted, if I make any progress. |
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Rudar Dimble
Learned Scribe
131 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2005 : 13:23:45
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Some background info that I found with a quick search on th Internet. Although this is AD&D stuff, it still gives you an impression of his powers. I don't have the 3E of F&P here, so I don't know what's in there about Kostchtchie...
Kostchtchie
(The Frost Master, The Frost Demon)
Demipower of the Abyss, CE
Portfolio: Strength, violence, rebels, frost giant wizards
Aliases: None
Domain Name: 23rd layer/Iron Wastes
Superior: None
Allies: None
Foes: Annam's Brood (especially Thrym), Auril, Kosssuth
Symbol: A giant-sized war-hammer
Wor. Align: CN, NE, CE
Kostchtchie's Avatar (Fighter 20, Wizard 10)
Kostchtchie's avatar appears as a huge, hunched frost giant who possesses ice-blue skin, pale blue eyes, and a very slight amount of stringy pale blonde hair. He is heavily muscled and wears fine clothing as well as a set of fine steel chain mail when necessary. He carries a huge war hammer and relishes wielding it in combat. He rarely casts spells; when he does they are most often from the school of invocation/evocation, especially those which deal out cold damage.
AC -2, MV 15, HP 174, THAC0 1, #ATT 5/2
Dmg: 2d8 + 14 (hammer +3, +9 STR, +2 specialization)
MR 35%, SZ G (30 feet tall)
STR 21, DEX 17, CON 19, INT 18, WIS 19, CHA 19
Spells: W: 4/4/3/2/2
Saves: PPDM: 3, RSW: 5, PP: 4, BW: 4, Sp: 6
Special Att./Def.: Kostchtchie has no compunction about engaging in combat; indeed, he relishes the chance to swing Winter's Hammer, his war hammer +3, which not only possesses all the abilities of a frost brand, but also allows him to cast cone of cold and Otiluke's freezing sphere three times per day. Even without this powerful weapon, the avatar is able to cast darkness 15' radius, poison, and protection from good 10' radius at will three times a day each. He casts all cold-based spells as if he were a 20th-level wizard, and each such spell does an extra +1 damage for each die.
The Frost Demon is immune to cold-based and gaseous attacks, poison, and weapons of +1 or less enchantment. He also suffers only half damage from electrical attacks. He wears an amulet of the planes, but is loath to use it frivolously, as it is currently his only method of interplanar travel (a lingering legacy of his demonic past); Kostchtchie waits with impatience for the time he is powerful enough to travel the planes under his own power.
Because of this restriction, Kostchtchie very rarely sends avatars to Toril. He was more likely to do so in the past, when he was actively recruiting followers, but now that Thrym has taken notice of his activities, he tends to manifest in more subtle ways. Kostchtchie may send an avatar to help recruit a particularly high-ranking frost-giant, train or fetch a particularly bright frost wizard student, or to help his followers if they face annihilation by angry followers of Thrym or other giant gods. He also desires the acquisition of other planar travel devices, and will rapidly dispatch an avatar if the capture of one is a definite possibility. |
Jesus saves... and takes ½ damage |
Edited by - Rudar Dimble on 01 May 2005 13:25:56 |
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Dargoth
Great Reader
Australia
4607 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2005 : 13:45:48
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quote:
Originally posted by SomeDude
quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth
The only reference Ive seen for frost giant "deities" was in the novel Prince of lies, the Frost Giants where worshiping a Ice Elemental Lord
If I remember right, this seemed to be just an elder elemental messing with the giants because they were dumb and it was fun.
True but that doesnt stop Kossuth/Grumbar/Ishitia and co from having followers and while their "official gods" Demon lords like Orcus and Grazzt, Bazig the Slaad lord and various arch devils can have worshipers..why not a Elder Elemental or Prince? |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2005 : 14:30:05
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quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth
True but that doesnt stop Kossuth/Grumbar/Ishitia and co from having followers...
Indeed. We need only turn our attentions to Thay to see the numbers of mortal followers who worship Kossuth... an elemental lord.
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36982 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2005 : 15:06:21
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| As I recall, Kostchtchie is from Russian folklore.... You might be able to find some interesting stuff there. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2005 : 15:25:17
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Indeed.
I'd actually forgotten about this small reference I had in my files -
quote:
Kostchtchie
Revolting goblins from Russian mythology. Said to lust after young girls.
"Short, hideous, frog-like demons with wings. Have the ability to crawl upon walls and ceilings with their thin, long fingers. Extremely intelligent."
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Rudar Dimble
Learned Scribe
131 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2005 : 15:48:57
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Indeed.
I'd actually forgotten about this small reference I had in my files -
quote:
Kostchtchie
Revolting goblins from Russian mythology. Said to lust after young girls.
"Short, hideous, frog-like demons with wings. Have the ability to crawl upon walls and ceilings with their thin, long fingers. Extremely intelligent."
Funny.  His avatar isn't that extremely intelligent. Ok, he has an intelligence of 18, but most deities are smarter, aren't they.
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Jesus saves... and takes ½ damage |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
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Rudar Dimble
Learned Scribe
131 Posts |
Posted - 02 May 2005 : 05:41:14
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Well, he is ONLY a demigod remember...
True, but still, I know many PC's of level 12-25 who have a higher intelligence |
Jesus saves... and takes ½ damage |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 02 May 2005 : 05:57:46
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| An 18 in the old rules was a big deal also. :) Besides it's just his avatar. There was no stats for the deities themselves in 2e. |
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
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Rudar Dimble
Learned Scribe
131 Posts |
Posted - 02 May 2005 : 06:01:25
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quote:
Originally posted by kuje31
An 18 in the old rules was a big deal also. :) Besides it's just his avatar. There was no stats for the deities themselves in 2e.
Ture, I forgot about the differences in stats in AD&D. Hell, it feels like a thousand years ago that I was playing AD&D |
Jesus saves... and takes ½ damage |
Edited by - Rudar Dimble on 02 May 2005 06:02:09 |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 02 May 2005 : 17:22:06
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quote:
Originally posted by Rudar Dimble
quote:
Originally posted by kuje31
An 18 in the old rules was a big deal also. :) Besides it's just his avatar. There was no stats for the deities themselves in 2e.
Ture, I forgot about the differences in stats in AD&D. Hell, it feels like a thousand years ago that I was playing AD&D
Grin. I still use some of those old rules since it was a simplier time. :) |
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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Rudar Dimble
Learned Scribe
131 Posts |
Posted - 02 May 2005 : 21:19:30
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quote:
Originally posted by kuje31
quote:
Originally posted by Rudar Dimble
quote:
Originally posted by kuje31
An 18 in the old rules was a big deal also. :) Besides it's just his avatar. There was no stats for the deities themselves in 2e.
Ture, I forgot about the differences in stats in AD&D. Hell, it feels like a thousand years ago that I was playing AD&D
Grin. I still use some of those old rules since it was a simplier time. :)
You tell that to my players. They have only played 3rd edition and last week I tried to explain 2nd edition to them  |
Jesus saves... and takes ½ damage |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2005 : 01:20:33
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I recall that some poster over at the WotC boards actually fleshed-out an entire cult for Kostchtchie late last year. They also expanded on the details about the Iron Wastes.
I performed a search on the board, but it came up empty. Did anyone here happen to save that thread?
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Snotlord
Senior Scribe
Norway
476 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2005 : 08:51:25
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I found 3e stats and some notes on the enworld boards. I believe the enworld post stated that Kostchtchie was very much able to travel between the planes, which I believe contradicted the 2e notes posted by Rudar on this thread. Either way, I am more interested in his worshippers than the actual demon.
Again, thank you all for helping out 
The enworld post:
http://www.enworld.org/forums/showpost.php?p=1406525&postcount=383 |
Edited by - Snotlord on 03 May 2005 08:55:28 |
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Rudar Dimble
Learned Scribe
131 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2005 : 09:00:09
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quote:
Originally posted by Snotlord
I found 3e stats and some notes on the enworld boards. I believe the enworld post stated that Kostchtchie was very much able to travel between the planes, which I believe contradicted the 2e notes posted by Rudar on this thread. Either way, I am more interested in his worshippers than the actual demon.
Again, thank you all for helping out
The enworld post:
http://www.enworld.org/forums/showpost.php?p=1406525&postcount=383
Well, if there's any contradiction between 2nd and 3rd edition stats and skills, you should obviously go for the newest version |
Jesus saves... and takes ½ damage |
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lowtech
Learned Scribe
USA
315 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2005 : 04:42:35
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quote:
Kostchtchie is presently at a dilemma. He cannot choose between aggrandisement and seeking to convert more frost giants to his cause. He is also cautious, fearing the greater powers of greater demon lords.
Sage, there's a important typo here. |
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lowtech
Learned Scribe
USA
315 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2005 : 04:45:40
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| As for the question of whether Kostchtchie is older than Auril, that's difficult to say: Auril was a member of the anti-Seldarine, while Kostchtchie's age has never been indicated. |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 16 Dec 2006 : 02:52:13
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SL, I wrote up my take on Kostchtchie and his cult here. Definately not official, but you might find some interesting ideas in it. Part of how this is suppose to be presented is as a legend though, so it may not literally be the history of Kostchtchie so much as a retelling of his history, as retold by various narrators of varied degrees of repute.
http://forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7048 |
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Snotlord
Senior Scribe
Norway
476 Posts |
Posted - 16 Dec 2006 : 18:16:46
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Yeah, I saw it when you first posted it, and liked it quite a bit. I tried to avoid contradictions with your stuff in my later updates, as I like to keep my plots open to new material (official or otherwise).
The demonomicon contradicted alot of my initial ideas, but Kostchtchie is only a sub-plot in one of my campaigns and minor edits fixed that. |
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The Cult of Kostchtchie?
