Couatls [Archive] - Wizards Community - Pages Merged by Solauren

Couatls [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Gurv
10-13-04, 10:14 PM I'm starting this thread to discuss all things Couatl related. First and foremost, I'd like to collect information on them, since they are mentioned in so many scattered places.

To start things off, where do people think that the couatl are? Although most sacrificed themselves to bind the demons in Khyber, some still exist. Where do DMs plan to place them?
SirLoin
10-14-04, 06:58 AM Excellent question. I do plan on an encounter with one of the characters in my group, but not in the immediate future. He is a Paladin of the Silver Flame.
I definately plan on having one involved with the Church, but not as a working role, more of an overseer to 'guide' their actions and to make sure they are fanatically dedicated. Mostly I will use it for Adventure Seeds.

On a side note I always pictured some living on Xen'drik in the 'Aztec' like ruins.
ImmortalBlueMage
10-14-04, 07:11 AM Xen'drik is the obvious place I suppose. I always liked the idea of the surviving Couatls secluded on Argonesse though, on account of their supposed Draconic heritage.
GoodGuy89
10-14-04, 07:54 AM Hellcow did an excellent article on this subject.

Shulassakar: The Feathered Servants
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ebds/20040920a
Gurv
10-14-04, 10:22 AM Well, piecing together what is scattered throughout the ECS as well as Keith's excellent article, it seems to me that the truth behind the Silver Flame is that it is in fact the essence of the couatl that sacrificed themselves to bind the demons to Kyber. So the silver flame has been around for longer than humanity. It just wasn't worshiped by such until 299YK when Tira Miron was contacted in a vision by a "rainbow-winged serpent", and got herself caught in the middle of a couatl-demon battle.

Long before any of this, the shulassakar of Sarlona had allied themselves with the couatl. It doesn't really say if any of them remain on Sarlona, simply mentioning them as the guardians of Krezent (Talenta Plains). Apparently, this is their largest stronghold.

The ECS says that "In the Age of Demons, they ruled the land of Xen'drik". Keith's dragonshard article says "The couatl were born on the continent of Sarlona". Is this a mistake?
GoodGuy89
10-14-04, 01:34 PM Being born somewhere isn't the same as ruling it. Just because they were born on Sarlona, doesn't mean that they couldn't rule over Xen-Drik...
Aaramis
10-14-04, 02:47 PM Hiya Gurv,

Also keep in mind that the Couatl also have "ancient ruins" in Sarlona, in the lands of the Inspired.

So I'm sure you can easily place them in any continent in a campaign.

Also, if you haven't already, Keith wrote some awesome responses in the "ask Keith" thread on page... 76/77 I think?, on the Couatls.

For what it's worth, I envisioned them very similarly to what Keith described them as. Mostly guardians of seals and other areas they went kept secretive, with a few guiding (or attempting to) the Church of the Silver Flame, but with a few remaining "roamers" who may discreetly meddle in the affairs of the world.
Nothing drastic or overt, obviously, but I can see alot of things happening in the world that the Couatl may be concerned about.

In some fan fiction I'm working on, I have a Couatl who has achieved communication with one of the Kalashtar elders in Adar, who it has "nudged" into allowing two young Kalashtar to leave the refuge, and journey into the world.
Eventually, I would like to ease them into an uneasy friendship, maybe even alliance, with the Kalashtar. I know Keith is a big Babylon5 fan, like myself, so to use a B5 analogy it would similar to the Vorlons secretly guiding the Mimbari - the majority of the society wouldn't know, with the exception of a few chosen leaders (aka elders).
But that would be a long time coming, and further in the span of my story than I can see at the moment.

It would also be interesting to explore the relationship between Couatls and Dragons.
And their interest in the Prophecy!

So much to explore, so little time.... *sigh*
Hellcow
10-14-04, 02:57 PM The ECS says that "In the Age of Demons, they ruled the land of Xen'drik". Keith's dragonshard article says "The couatl were born on the continent of Sarlona". Is this a mistake?
More of a changed premise. The demons have always been strongest in Khorvaire, the dragons strongest in Argonnessen. After some consideration, I decided that it made more sense to have Sarlona as the stronghold of the couatl, with Xen'drik as a melting pot. Which is not to say that creatures of all three types couldn't be found on all four continents; dragons and imprisoned fiends are both mentioned in Sarlona.

So the couatl had a presence in Xen'drik, but Sarlona was their birthplace.
Nature-boy
10-14-04, 04:07 PM On a side note I always pictured some living on Xen'drik in the 'Aztec' like ruins.

That's a great opportunity to throw in a Rainbow Servant (Complete Divine) NPC, too.
Somebloke
10-15-04, 12:13 AM Anyone else think the pureblood Yuan-Ti variants would make excellent Chamber members?
ThanisKartaleon
10-15-04, 04:58 AM A scale (5) of coatls guard the Lake of Fire in the Demon Wastes in my game, as they have since the end of the Age of Demons. If the Rakshasa Rajahs have Divine Rank 5-6 as Kieth has mentioned, then there better be some beefy opposition keeping them down. ;)
Gurv
10-15-04, 08:54 PM "Adherents of the Church of the Silver Flame believe that flametouched iron carries the particular blessing of their deity, and they use it to make holy symbols, weapons, and armor."
-ECS 127

Well, considering that flametouched iron really does do cool things, the CSF must be on to something. But if the Silver Flame is the combined spirits of the couatl, why does flametouched iron have special powers?

I like to think that flametouched iron is imbued with the couatl's power. Maybe the Silver Flame told the early followers where to find it and how to refine it. Or maybe the followers are making a terrible mistake and flametouched iron is part of the binding the couatl used on the demons; every ounce removed for mortal use weakens the effect...

In any event, a flametouched arrow can penetrate the DR of a rakshasa. No wonder the longbow is their favored weapon. A quiver of arrows carved to resemble serpents, with rainbow-colored fletching and flametouched iron heads is the kind of equipment a demon-hunting paladin of the SF might have.
Hellcow
10-15-04, 09:59 PM In any event, a flametouched arrow can penetrate the DR of a rakshasa. No wonder the longbow is their favored weapon. A quiver of arrows carved to resemble serpents, with rainbow-colored fletching and flametouched iron heads is the kind of equipment a demon-hunting paladin of the SF might have.
Good thinking, Gurv!
GoodTeletubby
10-15-04, 10:52 PM That's a great opportunity to throw in a Rainbow Servant (Complete Divine) NPC, too.

the Eberron setting and the prominence of Couatls in religion in it makes me thing that this PrC was written for eberron, it fits perfectly.
Gurv
10-16-04, 12:00 AM the Eberron setting and the prominence of Couatls in religion in it makes me thing that this PrC was written for eberron, it fits perfectly.

It is a very interesting prestige class, and I thought of it as soon as I read Keith's dragonshard article. It grants some very interesting abilities.

Jhonen Olain's Eberron Journal has an article on unconventional ancestors (http://www.coveworld.net/eberron/eberron-sorceror.html) that gives a list of arcane spells that are appropriate for someone seeking to emulate couatl (as well as other mystical species). I think that is where I would start a character that I planned on making a Rainbow Servant. I think I'd play that kind of character as a bard; if not, then as a sorcerer focused on the social skills.

I wonder if shulassakar purebloods might take the class to increase their connection to the faith.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Gurv 10-13-04, 10:14 PM	I'm starting this thread to discuss all things Couatl related. First and foremost, I'd like to collect information on them, since they are mentioned in so many scattered places. To start things off, where do people think that the couatl are? Although most sacrificed themselves to bind the demons in Khyber, some still exist. Where do DMs plan to place them?
SirLoin 10-14-04, 06:58 AM	Excellent question. I do plan on an encounter with one of the characters in my group, but not in the immediate future. He is a Paladin of the Silver Flame. I definately plan on having one involved with the Church, but not as a working role, more of an overseer to 'guide' their actions and to make sure they are fanatically dedicated. Mostly I will use it for Adventure Seeds. On a side note I always pictured some living on Xen'drik in the 'Aztec' like ruins.
ImmortalBlueMage 10-14-04, 07:11 AM	Xen'drik is the obvious place I suppose. I always liked the idea of the surviving Couatls secluded on Argonesse though, on account of their supposed Draconic heritage.
GoodGuy89 10-14-04, 07:54 AM	Hellcow did an excellent article on this subject. Shulassakar: The Feathered Servants http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ebds/20040920a
Gurv 10-14-04, 10:22 AM	Well, piecing together what is scattered throughout the ECS as well as Keith's excellent article, it seems to me that the truth behind the Silver Flame is that it is in fact the essence of the couatl that sacrificed themselves to bind the demons to Kyber. So the silver flame has been around for longer than humanity. It just wasn't worshiped by such until 299YK when Tira Miron was contacted in a vision by a "rainbow-winged serpent", and got herself caught in the middle of a couatl-demon battle. Long before any of this, the shulassakar of Sarlona had allied themselves with the couatl. It doesn't really say if any of them remain on Sarlona, simply mentioning them as the guardians of Krezent (Talenta Plains). Apparently, this is their largest stronghold. The ECS says that "In the Age of Demons, they ruled the land of Xen'drik". Keith's dragonshard article says "The couatl were born on the continent of Sarlona". Is this a mistake?
GoodGuy89 10-14-04, 01:34 PM	Being born somewhere isn't the same as ruling it. Just because they were born on Sarlona, doesn't mean that they couldn't rule over Xen-Drik...
Aaramis 10-14-04, 02:47 PM	Hiya Gurv, Also keep in mind that the Couatl also have "ancient ruins" in Sarlona, in the lands of the Inspired. So I'm sure you can easily place them in any continent in a campaign. Also, if you haven't already, Keith wrote some awesome responses in the "ask Keith" thread on page... 76/77 I think?, on the Couatls. For what it's worth, I envisioned them very similarly to what Keith described them as. Mostly guardians of seals and other areas they went kept secretive, with a few guiding (or attempting to) the Church of the Silver Flame, but with a few remaining "roamers" who may discreetly meddle in the affairs of the world. Nothing drastic or overt, obviously, but I can see alot of things happening in the world that the Couatl may be concerned about. In some fan fiction I'm working on, I have a Couatl who has achieved communication with one of the Kalashtar elders in Adar, who it has "nudged" into allowing two young Kalashtar to leave the refuge, and journey into the world. Eventually, I would like to ease them into an uneasy friendship, maybe even alliance, with the Kalashtar. I know Keith is a big Babylon5 fan, like myself, so to use a B5 analogy it would similar to the Vorlons secretly guiding the Mimbari - the majority of the society wouldn't know, with the exception of a few chosen leaders (aka elders). But that would be a long time coming, and further in the span of my story than I can see at the moment. It would also be interesting to explore the relationship between Couatls and Dragons. And their interest in the Prophecy! So much to explore, so little time.... sigh
Hellcow 10-14-04, 02:57 PM	The ECS says that "In the Age of Demons, they ruled the land of Xen'drik". Keith's dragonshard article says "The couatl were born on the continent of Sarlona". Is this a mistake? More of a changed premise. The demons have always been strongest in Khorvaire, the dragons strongest in Argonnessen. After some consideration, I decided that it made more sense to have Sarlona as the stronghold of the couatl, with Xen'drik as a melting pot. Which is not to say that creatures of all three types couldn't be found on all four continents; dragons and imprisoned fiends are both mentioned in Sarlona. So the couatl had a presence in Xen'drik, but Sarlona was their birthplace.
Nature-boy 10-14-04, 04:07 PM	On a side note I always pictured some living on Xen'drik in the 'Aztec' like ruins. That's a great opportunity to throw in a Rainbow Servant (Complete Divine) NPC, too.
Somebloke 10-15-04, 12:13 AM	Anyone else think the pureblood Yuan-Ti variants would make excellent Chamber members?
ThanisKartaleon 10-15-04, 04:58 AM	A scale (5) of coatls guard the Lake of Fire in the Demon Wastes in my game, as they have since the end of the Age of Demons. If the Rakshasa Rajahs have Divine Rank 5-6 as Kieth has mentioned, then there better be some beefy opposition keeping them down. ;)
Gurv 10-15-04, 08:54 PM	"Adherents of the Church of the Silver Flame believe that flametouched iron carries the particular blessing of their deity, and they use it to make holy symbols, weapons, and armor." -ECS 127 Well, considering that flametouched iron really does do cool things, the CSF must be on to something. But if the Silver Flame is the combined spirits of the couatl, why does flametouched iron have special powers? I like to think that flametouched iron is imbued with the couatl's power. Maybe the Silver Flame told the early followers where to find it and how to refine it. Or maybe the followers are making a terrible mistake and flametouched iron is part of the binding the couatl used on the demons; every ounce removed for mortal use weakens the effect... In any event, a flametouched arrow can penetrate the DR of a rakshasa. No wonder the longbow is their favored weapon. A quiver of arrows carved to resemble serpents, with rainbow-colored fletching and flametouched iron heads is the kind of equipment a demon-hunting paladin of the SF might have.
Hellcow 10-15-04, 09:59 PM	In any event, a flametouched arrow can penetrate the DR of a rakshasa. No wonder the longbow is their favored weapon. A quiver of arrows carved to resemble serpents, with rainbow-colored fletching and flametouched iron heads is the kind of equipment a demon-hunting paladin of the SF might have. Good thinking, Gurv!
GoodTeletubby 10-15-04, 10:52 PM	That's a great opportunity to throw in a Rainbow Servant (Complete Divine) NPC, too. the Eberron setting and the prominence of Couatls in religion in it makes me thing that this PrC was written for eberron, it fits perfectly.
Gurv 10-16-04, 12:00 AM	the Eberron setting and the prominence of Couatls in religion in it makes me thing that this PrC was written for eberron, it fits perfectly. It is a very interesting prestige class, and I thought of it as soon as I read Keith's dragonshard article. It grants some very interesting abilities. Jhonen Olain's Eberron Journal has an article on unconventional ancestors (http://www.coveworld.net/eberron/eberron-sorceror.html) that gives a list of arcane spells that are appropriate for someone seeking to emulate couatl (as well as other mystical species). I think that is where I would start a character that I planned on making a Rainbow Servant. I think I'd play that kind of character as a bard; if not, then as a sorcerer focused on the social skills. I wonder if shulassakar purebloods might take the class to increase their connection to the faith.