Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Atch 06-09-05, 02:28 PM	*Spoilers* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ok... by the end of Grasp of the Emerald Claw, the party has faced Xulo, the schema from way back when. Now, as a DM my job is to anticipate what happens as a result of this climactic battle. First of all, there are two possible outcomes: a.) party kills/destroys/defeats Xulo. b.)party loses. Now if the party loses, (B), then the party either dies or flees and Xulo has the width and depth of Xen'drik to explore and build an empire (possible). Now if the party kills/destroys/defeats then the party must decide to either c.) give the schema to the Eastern house Cannith or d.) keep the schema. If the party gives the schema to Cannith, then the party is rewarded, Elaydren gives the schema to the head of Sharn's House of Cannith, can't remember name, Xulo convinces the head of the Sharn House to put Xulo back together, Xulo dominates the guy, gains control over House Cannith (east) maybe even making a new body and taking the House Head's place claiming that it is the guy in a WF body, uses Cannith's resources to search Xen'drik, and ulitmately wants all parties that can identify it "removed" to prevent anyone from discovering the conspiracy. This fact means that the party is being hunted by a number of agents similar to WoVB. If the party keeps the schema, (D), then Elaydren and the House Cannith (East) wants it back by any means necessary. This fact means that the party is being hunted by a number of agents similar to WoVB. Now, here is an additional question. Does the Western House Cannith help the party through Elaydren or not?
Psymnotica 06-09-05, 03:21 PM	If the party gives the schema to Cannith, then the party is rewarded, Elaydren gives the schema to the head of Sharn's House of Cannith, can't remember name, Xulo convinces the head of the Sharn House to put Xulo back together, Xulo dominates the guy, gains control over House Cannith (east) maybe even making a new body and taking the House Head's place claiming that it is the guy in a WF body, uses Cannith's resources to search Xen'drik, and ulitmately wants all parties that can identify it "removed" to prevent anyone from discovering the conspiracy. This fact means that the party is being hunted by a number of agents similar to WoVB. Merrix d'Cannith (the head of Cannith South) is not some nobody who would easily be dominated by the Xulo. Granted, the Xulo is a very powerful sentience (Ego 29!) but you have to remember that Merrix is a 12th level character, the (nominal) head of one of the greatest magic-making Houses in Khorvaire, and one of only two (or three... can't remember) canon characters who controls an active Creation Forge. As such, Merrix has access to magic that most characters will never see in their lifetimes (and most players will only have encountered once or twice during their gaming careers), not to mention massive resources and numerous lackeys. He could easily have some sort of anti-magic transportation case that suppresses all magic of items placed within it, have his specialized agents place the Xulo within, transport it to his Sharn facility, and carefully, in a tightly controled environment, begin examining/studying/interrogating it. Anytime the Xulo seems to get out of hand *BAM*, down comes the Anti-Magic field. I'd eventually capitulate (or appear to capitulate) if I were threatened with being permanently stuck in a comatose state unless I cooperated, especially if I had only recently been brought back to life. And if you run with the idea (or something resembling the idea), House Cannith South doesn't end up being their enemies. Merrix continues to think of them as Elaydren's (successful) agents, and the players can continue to buy goods at reasonable prices from the Tinkers and Fabricators Guilds without worrying about warforged assassins suddenly jumping them.
Atch 06-09-05, 04:33 PM	Thanks for the feedback Psymnotica! I still think that there is something to be found here. I think that real issue here is Merrix ambitions. He was named after his grandfather who designed the primitive WF that lacked intelligence and awareness and his father finished the job by making WF what they are at the current game time. Using that little fact, we can assume that he wants make an impact like both his father and his father's father but his hands are tied b/c of the Treaty. He has access to one of two creation machines but what does he lack? Is he trying to perfect the process to put living beings into a WF body? Is he trying to find something from the time of the Giants to "reveal" to the world to gain fame from? (which he may assume was what his grandfather did) Is the Lord of the Blades his puppet? (doubtful) How can he improve upon the WF design? What else do they need or need to do? Does he want to do to all magic items what his father did to the WF? Also, even though he is a 12th level character, his base will save is only +9 and his wisdom score should not be that high (assumption), so unless he keeps a "+ will save bonus" on him at all times then there is a good to high chance that he will be dominated. Remember, that what Xulo wants may be what Merrix wants which means that domination wouldn't be that hard. Thoughts?
Wasteland Knight 06-09-05, 06:26 PM	Also, even though he is a 12th level character, his base will save is only +9 and his wisdom score should not be that high (assumption), so unless he keeps a "+ will save bonus" on him at all times then there is a good to high chance that he will be dominated. Remember, that what Xulo wants may be what Merrix wants which means that domination wouldn't be that hard. Thoughts? Well, let's think this out...+9 base Will save, say a 14 Wisdom with a Periapt of Wisdom +6 (+5), and a Cloak of Resistance +5 would give Merrix a +19 bonus to his will save. The DC for Xulo's domination is 29, so Merrix fails on a 9 or less. I'm sure there are ways to increase the save bonus with more exotic magic items, so it seems reasonable that Merrix could avoid being dominated by Xulo. Of course the scenario of "oops, Merrix made a mistake and Xulo's in charge now" is also reasonable. Ultimately it's the DM's call which way it might go... I think Psymnotica has it right though when he suggests Merrix would create a "controlled environment" to study the pattern, basically overriding it's ability to control any Cannix researchers.
Bluebrush 06-09-05, 06:50 PM	Well remember that they can't all be happy endings. Does the party hand over a dangerous artifact to a very important political figure who may be overwhelmed by it's powers or do they make an enemy of one of the most powerful economic and political forces in Khorvaire? (and worse yet, they won't get paid!) Whatever the answer, the players are in for trouble, and by trouble I mean another exciting adventure! Same game time, same game table!