Droaam Hordes Press Graywall Defenders [Archive] - Wizards Community

Droaam Hordes Press Graywall Defenders [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
St23aM
03-16-05, 02:49 AM Just curious but, what do you think is Droaam's position in this is? Perhaps Breland made a secret push into Droaam? A small warband being led by some rogue warlord is one thing but, an entire army lead by one of the daughters. There has got to be another side to this story. Just curious what the other DM's thought. I was thinking Droaam was being careful to avoid direct conflict like this to try and legitamize themselves as a nation and to instill confidince in there export (mainly being monsters as mercenaries, couriers etc.) Either way post your thoughts.
rwarner3701
03-16-05, 09:09 AM Perhaps one of the sisters saw something and felt the need to act upon the vision. They may have needed to kill a certian soldier or even a commander that would one day attack them. Also, an event of this magnitude will draw reactions from across the Five Nations perhaps setting into motion events that they wish to see.

You can find any number of reasons for them to attack and although they may seem insignificant, with the power of foresight, the sisters undoubtably have a plan or two tied to their actions.
Demon in Shades of Gray
03-16-05, 11:23 AM Perhaps some other nation managed to get Droaam to attack Breland as a distraction, while they move in to attack on the other side...

2,000 warriors isn't all that signifigant a portion of the population of Droaam, is it? Not since the entire country is populated by war-like monsters. What is Droaam's total population? Anyone have an ECS handy?
St23aM
03-16-05, 11:36 AM population 500,000

.. The ledger did say these were "Advanced outpost" perhaps they were a bit too advanced past brelands borders and a bit too close to some of the Byeshk mines? Or perhaps this noble that gave the speech that could not be published has hired the 2000 mercenaries in order to push a war agenda? Is it just me or does this not have a Raskahasa's meddleings written all over it?
SPQR Anarchy
03-16-05, 11:53 AM Where is the unity act printed? I'm want to know why the speech cannot be published.
James Silverleaf
03-16-05, 04:04 PM St23aM:
Is it just me or does this not have a Raskahasa's meddleings written all over it?

I think your right... this could seem like something set in motion by one of the Lords of Dust. maybe they brainwashed a Chieftain i Droaam, and made him attack breland, and make it look like it was the Sisters.

rwarner3701

Perhaps one of the sisters saw something and felt the need to act upon the vision. They may have needed to kill a certian soldier or even a commander that would one day attack them. Also, an event of this magnitude will draw reactions from across the Five Nations perhaps setting into motion events that they wish to see.

This could also be an option. the sisters are mysterious. and with the foresight ability of Sora Tereza, there could be tons of reasons.... i think this is all up to the DM's of the world.
Lily_Knight
03-17-05, 01:26 AM Either way, my first impression was, 'this is HUGE!' A small border raid is one thing, but two thousand ogres and trolls is an invading army. Not only this, but they took three brelish forts. I may be getting over excited, but I imagine (out of game) this is foreshadowing some near future event in a novel or adventure.
Vharuck
03-17-05, 01:55 AM Could be a rather charismatic rogue ogre magi or whatever leading the troops "for the better or Droaam!"
Gilganarz_the_reporter
03-17-05, 02:02 AM I wonder if I'm the only one who noticed that Graywall is a Droaamish city?
It's probably just infighting or an attack on humanoid holdings in the area. An aggressive push for Droaam as a nation maybe?
okaynowa
03-17-05, 02:27 AM Notice the article's subtle attitude towards Droaam? The sisters are described as an "organization" that "seized power," not rulers of a region. Additionally, the article assumes that the medusas are serving on a mercenary basis, rather than suggesting they might be loyal forces.

The nature of Droaam's unrecognized status becomes clearer to me.
Setherial
03-17-05, 03:28 AM I guess an army of 2000 can be called an invasion and I wonder if something like this could lead to war. Take your own country, if an army of 2000 soldiers of your neighbouring country attacked your borders would it lead to war ?

Also I guess Breland will send an army to respond to the treat. Will the inpact of this be visible in a city like Sharn, I mean will they have to send a lot of their soldiers and leave the city less protected as usual ?
James Silverleaf
03-17-05, 04:50 AM There IS going to be a small war in my opinion, In the article it is said that Argonth is moving high speed towards the area, and Argonth is BIG. And then there is the other flying fortress, maybe that will come into action to. Droam is going to give those forts back to Breland.

And i don't think that it is the City of Graywall they talk about when they say "The Graywall Defences." i thinik that it's the GRaywall Mountains. I just looked in my ECS, and on the maps, Droam borders only extend to the base of the mountains, and Brelands borders extend high into the mountains, and still leaving the very top of the mountains as some kind of "No-mans land."
Gez
03-17-05, 05:08 AM What is interesting is that it looks like a follow-up of this older article:
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ebsi/20050221a

Could it be the start of a metaplot? After all, web articles are official.
okaynowa
03-17-05, 05:23 AM Sudden brainstorm-- perhaps the hags are only trying to start a war, not finish or win one. That is, these attacks are merely a ruse to force Breland into diplomatic talks. Once Breland shows up at the table to avert further bloodshed, the hags' envoy says their forces can be called off once the crown recognizes Droaam as an independent entity.

Remember the film Thirteen Days? To paraphrase, "This is not an attack. This is language. A new vocabulary, the likes of which the world has never seen!"

These assaults are just the daughters' way of saying, "Hi! Validate me!"
Incudine
03-17-05, 05:48 AM I was thinking that even with or without the war happening, it will be interesting to see the reaction towards the droamites around breland.
I can imagine a mob of people screaming hate towards the Droamite Ogre mercenary bodyguarding in sharn, what i think of is a huge increase of racism (the droamite were not very popular already...)
what is the brelish crown going to do about the Droamites living on it's territory???

Just wondering
ciao
Setherial
03-17-05, 07:12 AM in response to whan Incudine said: I read in the Sharn book that Outlaws don't have any rights and can be killed without legal repercussions. But I also seem to remember (unless I'm mistaken) that this also applies to citizens of Droaam since the country is not recognized and as such it's inhabitants don't fall under the Galifar law and have no rights.
Now I was wondering if this is still the case for bodyguards, Droaamites employed by the houses. Do they suddenly have the rights that the house has ?
Also is it possible to become a legal citizen of Sharn/Breland when you are origenally from Droaam ?

Because if you slay a goblin, although the watch might not give a damn it's still a crime and goblins are as such protected BUT if you are from Droaam and mobs start forming against you I guess you have only your raw strength as a defence.

just wondering

Seth
okaynowa
03-17-05, 07:58 AM I would hope that anyone employed under a legal contract with one of the Houses would benefit from some sort of protection under law. At the very least, the House employing you should be willing to go to bat for you. A Droaamite's homeland might not be recognized, but his relatiohship with House Deneith should be.

Now, the goblin example... I'd say if the goblin were a Sharn native (and therefore a Brelish citizen), the watch should prosecute the case... if the watch is there to see it. Since a lot of Sharn's goblins live down in the unpatrolled sectors, there's every chance that the murderer would walk away scott-free.

If on the other hand the murdered goblin were a Droaamite, the watch might simply choose to look the other way even if it happened in front of them. In that situation, prosecuting the case depends on whether the watch sides with the murderer or not. That is, if the murderer were an off-duty Breland soldier, they'd let the case slide. If the murderer were a known member of the Daask, the watch could run him in for "disturbing the peace."

(All personal opinion and supposition.)
St23aM
03-17-05, 03:16 PM I think if a Droaamite body guard getting slain would be prosecuted more like destruction of property. However lets point out that the Dragonmarked houses take Destruction of Property very seriously. So it might be prosecuted as Assult on the house itself. It all depends on how seriously the crime was commited and by who most likely. If the House sees the person as threat already they will most likely pull all the weight they can and use the leverage they have to convict the person for everything possible. If however this was a misunderstanding that lead to violence or the house would rather not draw attention to itself as maybe the guard was guarding something they dont want revealed or was someplace he shouldnt be then they would probably either let it slide or ask for compensation for the destruction of property. House Dennith however at that point may get involved depending on how good of a mercenary the guard was and his rank not to mention any possible polical ties he might have w/ the sisters or droaam or how local droaamites feel about the murder. Dennith will try and do probably all it can to keep its political/business relationship w/ droaam friendly. Also am I wrong in thinking that House Tharask (sp) is mainly the ones employeeing droaamites? If this is the case it brings an entire other dynamic in that they also hold the reigns on the inquesitive guilds.
St23aM
03-17-05, 03:23 PM What is interesting is that it looks like a follow-up of this older article:
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ebsi/20050221a

Could it be the start of a metaplot? After all, web articles are official.

Interesting point kind of goes w/ my thought that perhaps the person who is rallying to fill these gaps might be looking to further his political career. Think about it. Warn of immeniate danger knowing that there is none (that they can see) the crown turns a deaf ear. This person then goes out and strikes a deal w/ one of the sisters if she promises to lead attacks on the borders he will make it to where when he comes to power because of popularity and being a war hero now after the crown comes to him for his assessment of what should be done and he fixes the problem, he will then at a later date insure that Droaam is reconized as an official nation as part of a "peace treaty".
Euangelion
03-18-05, 12:06 AM To me the fact that we've even thought "Raskahasa" almost certainly means that it has nothing to do with the Lords of Dust. They're too subtle to be caught in the open like that. Second, the Daughters of Sora Kell themselves are probably more subtle than that. Just because it's from Droaam doesn't mean it's from the Daughters. Most likely explanation? Just ogres and trolls and medusa doing what they do best. Or, if there's any politcal motivation at all behind it it's to embarrass the Daughters not support them, or it's part of a Brelish plot to replace the monarchy with a prime minister.
St23aM
03-18-05, 12:15 AM im thinking the last thing. After reading the first article agian about the need for more defenses on the Greywall lines , I am thinking there is definately some policial intrigue and power plays going on there. What do the rest of you think. Are any DM's planning on using this event as a story arc? If so where are you taking it?
nyysjan
03-18-05, 02:13 AM I smell a rat
and ain't my lunch

that whole article stinks skyhigh as
1. propaganda to start fighting
2. way to turn popular opinion against present leadership
3. sheer stupidity from the journalist working for the chronicle
if droaam wanted to invade they would not bother with little surgical strikes like that
not to mention that the city of Graywall is in Droaam and under their controll

who wants to bet that some loose money has been moving around in blank envelopes
Raster
03-18-05, 01:10 PM One thing to consider for those suggesting Droaamite have no rights. Just because Droaam isn't recognized as a country in it's own right doesn't mean its not recognized at all. I'm pretty sure that as far as the Treaty of Thronehold goes, Droaam is part of Breland and any Droaamites in Sharn could register as a Brelish citizen.
Gilganarz_the_reporter
03-18-05, 05:43 PM I smell a rat
and ain't my lunch
1
3. sheer stupidity from the journalist working for the chronicle
if droaam wanted to invade they would not bother with little surgical strikes like that
not to mention that the city of Graywall is in Droaam and under their controll

who wants to bet that some loose money has been moving around in blank envelopes

Gee, thanks for that.
Remember, Droaam isn't an organised nation, But a wide area of various monster groups and factions that even the sisters don't have control over.
Euangelion
03-18-05, 08:01 PM I'm pretty sure that as far as the Treaty of Thronehold goes, Droaam is part of Breland and any Droaamites in Sharn could register as a Brelish citizen.
I'm not so sure. I'm sure as long as they behave themselves in Sharn they're left alone. But I bet that if a Droaamite went up to a government clerk and said "Hey, I live in Breland. Can I have my Brelish ID papers please?"
Then the clerk would say "Okay, where are you from."
"Uh, I live 2 miles east of Znir."
"Okay, let's look it up. Hmmm, it says here that that land is owned by the Crown. You're under arrest, squatter."

Droaamites have no legal right to the land that they live in, and thus are almost certainly not recognized as citizens of Breland. Now, if they bought property in Sharn...
nyysjan
03-19-05, 05:49 AM Gee, thanks for that.
Remember, Droaam isn't an organised nation, But a wide area of various monster groups and factions that even the sisters don't have control over.
you might note that i left thenumber three as the last and least likely alternative

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
St23aM 03-16-05, 02:49 AM	Just curious but, what do you think is Droaam's position in this is? Perhaps Breland made a secret push into Droaam? A small warband being led by some rogue warlord is one thing but, an entire army lead by one of the daughters. There has got to be another side to this story. Just curious what the other DM's thought. I was thinking Droaam was being careful to avoid direct conflict like this to try and legitamize themselves as a nation and to instill confidince in there export (mainly being monsters as mercenaries, couriers etc.) Either way post your thoughts.
rwarner3701 03-16-05, 09:09 AM	Perhaps one of the sisters saw something and felt the need to act upon the vision. They may have needed to kill a certian soldier or even a commander that would one day attack them. Also, an event of this magnitude will draw reactions from across the Five Nations perhaps setting into motion events that they wish to see. You can find any number of reasons for them to attack and although they may seem insignificant, with the power of foresight, the sisters undoubtably have a plan or two tied to their actions.
Demon in Shades of Gray 03-16-05, 11:23 AM	Perhaps some other nation managed to get Droaam to attack Breland as a distraction, while they move in to attack on the other side... 2,000 warriors isn't all that signifigant a portion of the population of Droaam, is it? Not since the entire country is populated by war-like monsters. What is Droaam's total population? Anyone have an ECS handy?
St23aM 03-16-05, 11:36 AM	population 500,000 .. The ledger did say these were "Advanced outpost" perhaps they were a bit too advanced past brelands borders and a bit too close to some of the Byeshk mines? Or perhaps this noble that gave the speech that could not be published has hired the 2000 mercenaries in order to push a war agenda? Is it just me or does this not have a Raskahasa's meddleings written all over it?
SPQR Anarchy 03-16-05, 11:53 AM	Where is the unity act printed? I'm want to know why the speech cannot be published.
James Silverleaf 03-16-05, 04:04 PM	St23aM: Is it just me or does this not have a Raskahasa's meddleings written all over it? I think your right... this could seem like something set in motion by one of the Lords of Dust. maybe they brainwashed a Chieftain i Droaam, and made him attack breland, and make it look like it was the Sisters. rwarner3701 Perhaps one of the sisters saw something and felt the need to act upon the vision. They may have needed to kill a certian soldier or even a commander that would one day attack them. Also, an event of this magnitude will draw reactions from across the Five Nations perhaps setting into motion events that they wish to see. This could also be an option. the sisters are mysterious. and with the foresight ability of Sora Tereza, there could be tons of reasons.... i think this is all up to the DM's of the world.
Lily_Knight 03-17-05, 01:26 AM	Either way, my first impression was, 'this is HUGE!' A small border raid is one thing, but two thousand ogres and trolls is an invading army. Not only this, but they took three brelish forts. I may be getting over excited, but I imagine (out of game) this is foreshadowing some near future event in a novel or adventure.
Vharuck 03-17-05, 01:55 AM	Could be a rather charismatic rogue ogre magi or whatever leading the troops "for the better or Droaam!"
Gilganarz_the_reporter 03-17-05, 02:02 AM	I wonder if I'm the only one who noticed that Graywall is a Droaamish city? It's probably just infighting or an attack on humanoid holdings in the area. An aggressive push for Droaam as a nation maybe?
okaynowa 03-17-05, 02:27 AM	Notice the article's subtle attitude towards Droaam? The sisters are described as an "organization" that "seized power," not rulers of a region. Additionally, the article assumes that the medusas are serving on a mercenary basis, rather than suggesting they might be loyal forces. The nature of Droaam's unrecognized status becomes clearer to me.
Setherial 03-17-05, 03:28 AM	I guess an army of 2000 can be called an invasion and I wonder if something like this could lead to war. Take your own country, if an army of 2000 soldiers of your neighbouring country attacked your borders would it lead to war ? Also I guess Breland will send an army to respond to the treat. Will the inpact of this be visible in a city like Sharn, I mean will they have to send a lot of their soldiers and leave the city less protected as usual ?
James Silverleaf 03-17-05, 04:50 AM	There IS going to be a small war in my opinion, In the article it is said that Argonth is moving high speed towards the area, and Argonth is BIG. And then there is the other flying fortress, maybe that will come into action to. Droam is going to give those forts back to Breland. And i don't think that it is the City of Graywall they talk about when they say "The Graywall Defences." i thinik that it's the GRaywall Mountains. I just looked in my ECS, and on the maps, Droam borders only extend to the base of the mountains, and Brelands borders extend high into the mountains, and still leaving the very top of the mountains as some kind of "No-mans land."
Gez 03-17-05, 05:08 AM	What is interesting is that it looks like a follow-up of this older article: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ebsi/20050221a Could it be the start of a metaplot? After all, web articles are official.
okaynowa 03-17-05, 05:23 AM	Sudden brainstorm-- perhaps the hags are only trying to start a war, not finish or win one. That is, these attacks are merely a ruse to force Breland into diplomatic talks. Once Breland shows up at the table to avert further bloodshed, the hags' envoy says their forces can be called off once the crown recognizes Droaam as an independent entity. Remember the film Thirteen Days? To paraphrase, "This is not an attack. This is language. A new vocabulary, the likes of which the world has never seen!" These assaults are just the daughters' way of saying, "Hi! Validate me!"
Incudine 03-17-05, 05:48 AM	I was thinking that even with or without the war happening, it will be interesting to see the reaction towards the droamites around breland. I can imagine a mob of people screaming hate towards the Droamite Ogre mercenary bodyguarding in sharn, what i think of is a huge increase of racism (the droamite were not very popular already...) what is the brelish crown going to do about the Droamites living on it's territory??? Just wondering ciao
Setherial 03-17-05, 07:12 AM	in response to whan Incudine said: I read in the Sharn book that Outlaws don't have any rights and can be killed without legal repercussions. But I also seem to remember (unless I'm mistaken) that this also applies to citizens of Droaam since the country is not recognized and as such it's inhabitants don't fall under the Galifar law and have no rights. Now I was wondering if this is still the case for bodyguards, Droaamites employed by the houses. Do they suddenly have the rights that the house has ? Also is it possible to become a legal citizen of Sharn/Breland when you are origenally from Droaam ? Because if you slay a goblin, although the watch might not give a damn it's still a crime and goblins are as such protected BUT if you are from Droaam and mobs start forming against you I guess you have only your raw strength as a defence. just wondering Seth
okaynowa 03-17-05, 07:58 AM	I would hope that anyone employed under a legal contract with one of the Houses would benefit from some sort of protection under law. At the very least, the House employing you should be willing to go to bat for you. A Droaamite's homeland might not be recognized, but his relatiohship with House Deneith should be. Now, the goblin example... I'd say if the goblin were a Sharn native (and therefore a Brelish citizen), the watch should prosecute the case... if the watch is there to see it. Since a lot of Sharn's goblins live down in the unpatrolled sectors, there's every chance that the murderer would walk away scott-free. If on the other hand the murdered goblin were a Droaamite, the watch might simply choose to look the other way even if it happened in front of them. In that situation, prosecuting the case depends on whether the watch sides with the murderer or not. That is, if the murderer were an off-duty Breland soldier, they'd let the case slide. If the murderer were a known member of the Daask, the watch could run him in for "disturbing the peace." (All personal opinion and supposition.)
St23aM 03-17-05, 03:16 PM	I think if a Droaamite body guard getting slain would be prosecuted more like destruction of property. However lets point out that the Dragonmarked houses take Destruction of Property very seriously. So it might be prosecuted as Assult on the house itself. It all depends on how seriously the crime was commited and by who most likely. If the House sees the person as threat already they will most likely pull all the weight they can and use the leverage they have to convict the person for everything possible. If however this was a misunderstanding that lead to violence or the house would rather not draw attention to itself as maybe the guard was guarding something they dont want revealed or was someplace he shouldnt be then they would probably either let it slide or ask for compensation for the destruction of property. House Dennith however at that point may get involved depending on how good of a mercenary the guard was and his rank not to mention any possible polical ties he might have w/ the sisters or droaam or how local droaamites feel about the murder. Dennith will try and do probably all it can to keep its political/business relationship w/ droaam friendly. Also am I wrong in thinking that House Tharask (sp) is mainly the ones employeeing droaamites? If this is the case it brings an entire other dynamic in that they also hold the reigns on the inquesitive guilds.
St23aM 03-17-05, 03:23 PM	What is interesting is that it looks like a follow-up of this older article: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ebsi/20050221a Could it be the start of a metaplot? After all, web articles are official. Interesting point kind of goes w/ my thought that perhaps the person who is rallying to fill these gaps might be looking to further his political career. Think about it. Warn of immeniate danger knowing that there is none (that they can see) the crown turns a deaf ear. This person then goes out and strikes a deal w/ one of the sisters if she promises to lead attacks on the borders he will make it to where when he comes to power because of popularity and being a war hero now after the crown comes to him for his assessment of what should be done and he fixes the problem, he will then at a later date insure that Droaam is reconized as an official nation as part of a "peace treaty".
Euangelion 03-18-05, 12:06 AM	To me the fact that we've even thought "Raskahasa" almost certainly means that it has nothing to do with the Lords of Dust. They're too subtle to be caught in the open like that. Second, the Daughters of Sora Kell themselves are probably more subtle than that. Just because it's from Droaam doesn't mean it's from the Daughters. Most likely explanation? Just ogres and trolls and medusa doing what they do best. Or, if there's any politcal motivation at all behind it it's to embarrass the Daughters not support them, or it's part of a Brelish plot to replace the monarchy with a prime minister.
St23aM 03-18-05, 12:15 AM	im thinking the last thing. After reading the first article agian about the need for more defenses on the Greywall lines , I am thinking there is definately some policial intrigue and power plays going on there. What do the rest of you think. Are any DM's planning on using this event as a story arc? If so where are you taking it?
nyysjan 03-18-05, 02:13 AM	I smell a rat and ain't my lunch that whole article stinks skyhigh as 1. propaganda to start fighting 2. way to turn popular opinion against present leadership 3. sheer stupidity from the journalist working for the chronicle if droaam wanted to invade they would not bother with little surgical strikes like that not to mention that the city of Graywall is in Droaam and under their controll who wants to bet that some loose money has been moving around in blank envelopes
Raster 03-18-05, 01:10 PM	One thing to consider for those suggesting Droaamite have no rights. Just because Droaam isn't recognized as a country in it's own right doesn't mean its not recognized at all. I'm pretty sure that as far as the Treaty of Thronehold goes, Droaam is part of Breland and any Droaamites in Sharn could register as a Brelish citizen.
Gilganarz_the_reporter 03-18-05, 05:43 PM	I smell a rat and ain't my lunch 1 3. sheer stupidity from the journalist working for the chronicle if droaam wanted to invade they would not bother with little surgical strikes like that not to mention that the city of Graywall is in Droaam and under their controll who wants to bet that some loose money has been moving around in blank envelopes Gee, thanks for that. Remember, Droaam isn't an organised nation, But a wide area of various monster groups and factions that even the sisters don't have control over.
Euangelion 03-18-05, 08:01 PM	I'm pretty sure that as far as the Treaty of Thronehold goes, Droaam is part of Breland and any Droaamites in Sharn could register as a Brelish citizen. I'm not so sure. I'm sure as long as they behave themselves in Sharn they're left alone. But I bet that if a Droaamite went up to a government clerk and said "Hey, I live in Breland. Can I have my Brelish ID papers please?" Then the clerk would say "Okay, where are you from." "Uh, I live 2 miles east of Znir." "Okay, let's look it up. Hmmm, it says here that that land is owned by the Crown. You're under arrest, squatter." Droaamites have no legal right to the land that they live in, and thus are almost certainly not recognized as citizens of Breland. Now, if they bought property in Sharn...
nyysjan 03-19-05, 05:49 AM	Gee, thanks for that. Remember, Droaam isn't an organised nation, But a wide area of various monster groups and factions that even the sisters don't have control over. you might note that i left thenumber three as the last and least likely alternative