Dragonshard: House Phiarlan Part Three [Archive] - Wizards Community

Dragonshard: House Phiarlan Part Three [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
DwarvinJedi
02-21-05, 04:51 PM I didn't see a thread, and I did a search so, Dragonshard: House Phiarlan, part three (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ebds/20050221a) it is up. I love this one, now I really(as if the other two didn't make me think this) want to play a Phiarlan Elf. I love the Incorporeal Undead rankings, (it reminds me of the Covenant's vehicles in Halo). But what would the ranks of diviners be called? What about the other mages implemented?(or would they follow the same pattern, I know it hints at this, but they seem to work for rogues and maybe illusion specialists best.)
Gurv
02-21-05, 05:25 PM Part III holds up to the rest. There were a lot of questions about how the Phiarlan worked, and now it's a lot clearer. I like the vibe I am getting about elven culture on Eberron from the Dragonshards on both the Phiarlan and the Valenar. The differences are subtle, but the way the elves think is almost scarier than the fact that they have a centuries-old secret spy network in the first place!

I'm sure we'll find out when they get their own Dragonshard, but I want to know what the official cause of the Thuranni conflict was. Different ideas about tradition, sure, but what were they?

Way to build suspense, Keith.
papytofu
02-21-05, 05:33 PM That part of the dragonshard series on the phiarlan could be renamed Phiarlan PC Guide I think. It was exactly what I needed. I really like the concept that make being a Phiarlan easy and it doesn't mess up the DM storyline. Just have to deliver a package here and there and that sort of thing. The thing that kept me from playing a spy is no more there. Phiarlan are the best! I'm also wondering what caused the split in the house too.
MarkB
02-21-05, 06:05 PM Very nice article, bringing the Phiarlan series to a nice conclusion.

Protection: A continual stream of information flows through House Phiarlan, and a client can pay a monthly fee to be alerted about any activity that poses a threat to her or relates to a subject of her choosing. Depending on the depth of the coverage, this can cost thousands of gold pieces, and few people take advantage of it. But when a party of adventurers plots against a wealthy criminal, there's always the chance that she'll receive a telepathic scrystone warning from House Phiarlan!
Can one also pay a fee to prevent information one one's activities from being circulated, or at least passed on to other clients? Could someone go further, and pay to have misinformation passed on by default?

Presumably, the House is an excellent potential source of information for higher-level private Inquisitives. Would it be common for such people to maintain some sort of retainer or mutual-help arrangement, in order to have preferential or discounted access to information when needed?
Korhal_IV
02-21-05, 08:34 PM Can one also pay a fee to prevent information one one's activities from being circulated, or at least passed on to other clients? Could someone go further, and pay to have misinformation passed on by default?

They don't hurt clients, and that's a big chunk of their reputation, so I'd say no, you can't pay them to pass on misinformation. Paying to prevent info on your own activities from passing around...well, that sort of straddles the harming clients line, but you're looking at a big bidding war between you and the other guy. "He offered 10k to know about my laboratory? I'll pay you 12k to never say a word - what do you mean he upped it to 12k after the explosion? Fine, 15k!"

Even worse, the guy you're bidding against might be fictional. :eek:
Marshall Stone
02-22-05, 01:03 AM I too was impressed with part three.

As I was reading it though, I could not help but suddenly get an image of the Harpers from Forgotten Realms.

They're both realtively "good" organizations, secretive, and honorable, willing to get the job done but not necessarily at any price.

Actually that's how might even use them in Eberron.
Beleriphon
02-22-05, 02:19 AM I too was impressed with part three.

As I was reading it though, I could not help but suddenly get an image of the Harpers from Forgotten Realms.

They're both realtively "good" organizations, secretive, and honorable, willing to get the job done but not necessarily at any price.

Actually that's how might even use them in Eberron.

Don't know about that good part. I think the House more neutral. They collect information for themselves, if they can turn a profit by selling the information so much the better, but it isn't their primary focus. Heck, they probably already have the information the client wants before they get there, because the House has been spying on the client.

Also, I could see House Phiarlan providing misinformation. They wouldn't sell it to a paying client, but they might be willing to place, or spread misinformation to other sources, for example the The Trust.
Isran_Imrador
02-23-05, 03:29 PM As Always a good Shard! :D
kisama
02-23-05, 03:35 PM Very nice article, bringing the Phiarlan series to a nice conclusion.

Can one also pay a fee to prevent information one one's activities from being circulated, or at least passed on to other clients? Could someone go further, and pay to have misinformation passed on by default?

My vote would be yes as long as the misinformation did not directly harm another respected client.

For instance, the leader of a nation could pay the Phialan's to circulate misinformation regarding the strength of their army in order to deter encroachment on their territory. This misinformation would not directly harm anyone and it would be a great noir style plot device.

PC: Is this information correct?
Elf Informant: The Phiarlan make no guarantee regarding the information they provide. As stipulated in our contract, the information is provided as is and we will only vouch for the authenticity of the source of the information. Not the information itself.
PC: So if I cannot trust on my own this information you have provided me with then I will need to verify it from another source through some kind of cross-reference then.
Elf Informant: Excatly. Now it just so happens I know a man who knows an Elf who works for...
greatfrito
02-23-05, 05:14 PM Presumably, the House is an excellent potential source of information for higher-level private Inquisitives. Would it be common for such people to maintain some sort of retainer or mutual-help arrangement, in order to have preferential or discounted access to information when needed?

Okay, this idea is awesome. I think that yes, a preferential arrangement could probably be stricken - very dark for the setting - very nice.

The best inquisitives would get information out of the House, and also be putting it back in (perhaps about clients, perhaps not). Oh damn it, now I'm remembering the way information selling worked in Snowcrash (by Neil Stephenson if you haven't read it, and if now then do it now! Nooooow!) - that's a pretty good idea for it too.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
DwarvinJedi 02-21-05, 04:51 PM	I didn't see a thread, and I did a search so, Dragonshard: House Phiarlan, part three (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ebds/20050221a) it is up. I love this one, now I really(as if the other two didn't make me think this) want to play a Phiarlan Elf. I love the Incorporeal Undead rankings, (it reminds me of the Covenant's vehicles in Halo). But what would the ranks of diviners be called? What about the other mages implemented?(or would they follow the same pattern, I know it hints at this, but they seem to work for rogues and maybe illusion specialists best.)
Gurv 02-21-05, 05:25 PM	Part III holds up to the rest. There were a lot of questions about how the Phiarlan worked, and now it's a lot clearer. I like the vibe I am getting about elven culture on Eberron from the Dragonshards on both the Phiarlan and the Valenar. The differences are subtle, but the way the elves think is almost scarier than the fact that they have a centuries-old secret spy network in the first place! I'm sure we'll find out when they get their own Dragonshard, but I want to know what the official cause of the Thuranni conflict was. Different ideas about tradition, sure, but what were they? Way to build suspense, Keith.
papytofu 02-21-05, 05:33 PM	That part of the dragonshard series on the phiarlan could be renamed Phiarlan PC Guide I think. It was exactly what I needed. I really like the concept that make being a Phiarlan easy and it doesn't mess up the DM storyline. Just have to deliver a package here and there and that sort of thing. The thing that kept me from playing a spy is no more there. Phiarlan are the best! I'm also wondering what caused the split in the house too.
MarkB 02-21-05, 06:05 PM	Very nice article, bringing the Phiarlan series to a nice conclusion. Protection: A continual stream of information flows through House Phiarlan, and a client can pay a monthly fee to be alerted about any activity that poses a threat to her or relates to a subject of her choosing. Depending on the depth of the coverage, this can cost thousands of gold pieces, and few people take advantage of it. But when a party of adventurers plots against a wealthy criminal, there's always the chance that she'll receive a telepathic scrystone warning from House Phiarlan! Can one also pay a fee to prevent information one one's activities from being circulated, or at least passed on to other clients? Could someone go further, and pay to have misinformation passed on by default? Presumably, the House is an excellent potential source of information for higher-level private Inquisitives. Would it be common for such people to maintain some sort of retainer or mutual-help arrangement, in order to have preferential or discounted access to information when needed?
Korhal_IV 02-21-05, 08:34 PM	Can one also pay a fee to prevent information one one's activities from being circulated, or at least passed on to other clients? Could someone go further, and pay to have misinformation passed on by default? They don't hurt clients, and that's a big chunk of their reputation, so I'd say no, you can't pay them to pass on misinformation. Paying to prevent info on your own activities from passing around...well, that sort of straddles the harming clients line, but you're looking at a big bidding war between you and the other guy. "He offered 10k to know about my laboratory? I'll pay you 12k to never say a word - what do you mean he upped it to 12k after the explosion? Fine, 15k!" Even worse, the guy you're bidding against might be fictional. :eek:
Marshall Stone 02-22-05, 01:03 AM	I too was impressed with part three. As I was reading it though, I could not help but suddenly get an image of the Harpers from Forgotten Realms. They're both realtively "good" organizations, secretive, and honorable, willing to get the job done but not necessarily at any price. Actually that's how might even use them in Eberron.
Beleriphon 02-22-05, 02:19 AM	I too was impressed with part three. As I was reading it though, I could not help but suddenly get an image of the Harpers from Forgotten Realms. They're both realtively "good" organizations, secretive, and honorable, willing to get the job done but not necessarily at any price. Actually that's how might even use them in Eberron. Don't know about that good part. I think the House more neutral. They collect information for themselves, if they can turn a profit by selling the information so much the better, but it isn't their primary focus. Heck, they probably already have the information the client wants before they get there, because the House has been spying on the client. Also, I could see House Phiarlan providing misinformation. They wouldn't sell it to a paying client, but they might be willing to place, or spread misinformation to other sources, for example the The Trust.
Isran_Imrador 02-23-05, 03:29 PM	As Always a good Shard! :D
kisama 02-23-05, 03:35 PM	Very nice article, bringing the Phiarlan series to a nice conclusion. Can one also pay a fee to prevent information one one's activities from being circulated, or at least passed on to other clients? Could someone go further, and pay to have misinformation passed on by default? My vote would be yes as long as the misinformation did not directly harm another respected client. For instance, the leader of a nation could pay the Phialan's to circulate misinformation regarding the strength of their army in order to deter encroachment on their territory. This misinformation would not directly harm anyone and it would be a great noir style plot device. PC: Is this information correct? Elf Informant: The Phiarlan make no guarantee regarding the information they provide. As stipulated in our contract, the information is provided as is and we will only vouch for the authenticity of the source of the information. Not the information itself. PC: So if I cannot trust on my own this information you have provided me with then I will need to verify it from another source through some kind of cross-reference then. Elf Informant: Excatly. Now it just so happens I know a man who knows an Elf who works for...
greatfrito 02-23-05, 05:14 PM	Presumably, the House is an excellent potential source of information for higher-level private Inquisitives. Would it be common for such people to maintain some sort of retainer or mutual-help arrangement, in order to have preferential or discounted access to information when needed? Okay, this idea is awesome. I think that yes, a preferential arrangement could probably be stricken - very dark for the setting - very nice. The best inquisitives would get information out of the House, and also be putting it back in (perhaps about clients, perhaps not). Oh damn it, now I'm remembering the way information selling worked in Snowcrash (by Neil Stephenson if you haven't read it, and if now then do it now! Nooooow!) - that's a pretty good idea for it too.