Haldren ir'Brassek- The Oldest Human in Eberron? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Haldren ir'Brassek- The Oldest Human in Eberron? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
The Wilgar
06-20-07, 11:21 PM I just got Forge of War today and I notice that Haldren ir'Brassek commanded Aundairian forces in 895 (page 13). In his entry on page 49 he was tried post war and was apparently still commanding forces at the time. Assuming he was as young as 18 when he took command, he'd be 121 during the present. What's going on here?
yrogerg
06-20-07, 11:25 PM I just got Forge of War today and I notice that Haldren ir'Brassek commanded Aundairian forces in 895 (page 13). In his entry on page 49 he was tried post war and was apparently still commanding forces at the time. Assuming he was as young as 18 when he took command, he'd be 121 during the present. What's going on here?

In YKK 999 he's swarmed by Maruts and battered to a thin paste. Obviously.
OctaviusIII
06-21-07, 03:20 AM Well, Player's Guide to Eberron mentions a human that may have found a path of immortality, or at least greatly lengthened life, by somehow channelling the properties of time in Lammania. Perhaps this guy did something similar.
Syltorian
06-21-07, 04:27 AM Well, he was active in the Eldeen Reaches. Maybe he had a ten-year campaign in Thelanis...:D
The White Sorcerer
06-21-07, 06:28 AM Is it made clear that he's human?
Syltorian
06-21-07, 07:31 AM Is it made clear that he's human?

Yes.

I was wondering whether they were father and son (or grandson), rather than the same person... but page 49 reiterates his conquests of Cragwar, twice in the war.

It doesn't give any dates, but that's an achievement mentioned in the first chapter: first in 895 YK (which mentions him by name), then in 959 YK (which doesn't mention him by name, but fits p.49 saying he captured it from Breland).

It seems to be the same person. Page 13 has a parenthesis note saying: "see page" (followed by a blank space instead of a number), which I would venture to assume is a note from a corrector who had picked up on it. I assume it got overlooked later. To errata it, it would probably easiest to make him an elf.
Melvin the Mediocre
06-21-07, 02:25 PM I'd much rather leave him human. If anyone in the campaign starts putting his history together, it could be a real cool campaign hook. And there are lots of ways to explain his ancientness.
Syltorian
06-21-07, 02:35 PM I'd much rather leave him human. If anyone in the campaign starts putting his history together, it could be a real cool campaign hook. And there are lots of ways to explain his ancientness.

It'd have a large impact on the campaign-world, though.

The Blood of Vol, for instance, would kill for his secret, unless the man is a Thief of Life himself. It's not mentioned, but it could fit. Otherwise, though, if he found a way to be immortal, or at least incredibly ancient, the Blood will virtually see him as a messiah. It's what they are looking for, after all.

That's not something bad - you could have a great campaign trying to stop the Blood breaking him out of Dreadhold, or getting him back (if the Emerald Claw gets hold of a brilliant general of his calibre, that could be very much fun), but the implications of his old age would have to be given very great consideration indeed.
OneWinged4ngel
06-28-07, 03:24 AM I'd guess it was just a mistake.
DarkWarriorKarg
06-28-07, 10:32 AM No... it's simpler than that...

Meets medusa mercenary.

Spends a few decades as a statue.

Someone finally frees him when they get around to contacting Dreadhold.

Repeat as necessary.

he can earn the nickname "Old Stoney":D
Romulus LoneWolf
07-01-07, 12:27 AM Well, he was active in the Eldeen Reaches. Maybe he had a ten-year campaign in Thelanis...:D

That sounds like the most likely possibility to me. It's also consistant with Faerie myth, too.
Burningspear
07-01-07, 05:10 PM It'd have a large impact on the campaign-world, though.

The Blood of Vol, for instance, would kill for his secret, unless the man is a Thief of Life himself. It's not mentioned, but it could fit. Otherwise, though, if he found a way to be immortal, or at least incredibly ancient, the Blood will virtually see him as a messiah. It's what they are looking for, after all.

That's not something bad - you could have a great campaign trying to stop the Blood breaking him out of Dreadhold, or getting him back (if the Emerald Claw gets hold of a brilliant general of his calibre, that could be very much fun), but the implications of his old age would have to be given very great consideration indeed.

I like this bit, it sounds like a weird kinda campaign link.. :plotting: , i'll feed it to my DM :tie:
OctaviusIII
07-02-07, 02:46 AM That sounds like the most likely possibility to me. It's also consistant with Faerie myth, too.

It sounds somewhat probable, but from the ECS, p. 99:

For every day spent on Thelanis, a week passes on the Material Plane. Time lost on Thelanis catches up with the traveler; nonnatives who spend time on Thelanis and then return to their home plane may be ravenous if they have not eaten in weeks as measured by Material Plane time, and they may actually grow old or die if they have been a long time on Thelanis.

Edit: Also, while rooting about in Faiths of Eberron, I think I came across what may have happened: he's a Thief of Life 10! At that level, you can steal the life of a creature you kill with a sneak attack and become immortal for a year. You do not age, and you do not need sleep or food.

Or, he may have found something similar.
Nevarre
07-02-07, 06:25 AM No... it's simpler than that...

Meets medusa mercenary.

Spends a few decades as a statue.

Someone finally frees him when they get around to contacting Dreadhold.

Repeat as necessary.

he can earn the nickname "Old Stoney":D

:D There's a potential business venture for the Medusa of Droam!

"Bored of life? Want to explore the future of Eberron? On the run from the authorities? Welcome to Medusa Storage Inc! For a small fee we can turn you to stone, store you and your equipment securely, and at a predetermined time restore you to your normal self - fresh and ready to venture into a new world, or one where your crimes are forgotten!
Prices start at 5000gp for 1 year and we have packages available for adventuring parties numbering 4 or more"

;)
Lancer2010
07-02-07, 11:44 PM The answer is simple:

He is the Everman!
Cifer
07-03-07, 03:47 PM There's a potential business venture for the Medusa of Droam!

"Bored of life? Want to explore the future of Eberron? On the run from the authorities? Welcome to Medusa Storage Inc! For a small fee we can turn you to stone, store you and your equipment securely, and at a predetermined time restore you to your normal self - fresh and ready to venture into a new world, or one where your crimes are forgotten!
Prices start at 5000gp for 1 year and we have packages available for adventuring parties numbering 4 or more"
I could actually see BoV-ites using that in order to stay alive until Death is conquered. Imagine seeing a temple with a massive amount of statues in its gardens and cellars...
It's like the Arthur myth, only that they will come back after the last battle is fought...
Nevarre
07-03-07, 06:27 PM It's like the Arthur myth, only that they will come back after the last battle is fought...

Or the Terracotta Army! ;)
Neofish
07-04-07, 04:52 PM :D There's a potential business venture for the Medusa of Droam!

"Bored of life? Want to explore the future of Eberron? On the run from the authorities? Welcome to Medusa Storage Inc! For a small fee we can turn you to stone, store you and your equipment securely, and at a predetermined time restore you to your normal self - fresh and ready to venture into a new world, or one where your crimes are forgotten!
Prices start at 5000gp for 1 year and we have packages available for adventuring parties numbering 4 or more"

;)

Dreadhold already does this, It was in Dragon mag.
Burningspear
07-04-07, 05:10 PM Dreadhold already does this, It was in Dragon mag.

does not mean u have to be a spoilsport on the idea, i thought it was quite funny :)
Yadot
07-04-07, 08:33 PM In one of the Eberron novels (I think it's the one that was a collection of short stories) their is mention of an Aundairian commander that was such a boon to Aundair that they went to great lengths to keep him alive -- though in the story he is extremely old and frail (skinny, spotted, can't hold his head straight up, that sort of thing).
Ront Iron-Roar
07-05-07, 02:18 AM A family or brotherhood of Changlings passing on the same identity?

Ethereal Doppleganger took his body when he was younger and lived his life. Meanwhile, he was in stasis or something that slowed his aging?

Could always be a young dragon trying to attain godhood in the manner the Red Dragon Tchazzar did in FR.
The White Sorcerer
07-05-07, 04:33 AM Dreadhold already does this, It was in Dragon mag.

No they don't. They use petrification as a type of incarceration, not as a time-machine-for-hire.
trevg
07-15-07, 09:58 PM No they don't. They use petrification as a type of incarceration, not as a time-machine-for-hire.

Actually, both are correct. The article indicates there are 32 individuals in the "Stone Ward" voluntarily and 175 prisoners. The volunteers are there waiting for curses to be lifted or cures for diseases and in some cases people wanting to wait out the some problems, in many cases the war (in the latter case the Warden isn't quite sure the war is over, so they still wait to be released).

TG
El_Machinae
07-16-07, 01:01 AM Well, Player's Guide to Eberron mentions a human that may have found a path of immortality, or at least greatly lengthened life, by somehow channelling the properties of time in Lammania. Perhaps this guy did something similar.

With his resources, it does make sense that an analogue solution (at least) would be available.
Celestial Revenant
07-16-07, 08:17 PM I could actually see BoV-ites using that in order to stay alive until Death is conquered. Imagine seeing a temple with a massive amount of statues in its gardens and cellars...
It's like the Arthur myth, only that they will come back after the last battle is fought...

Following this idea to a random extreme...

What if there is an ancient statue floating around somewhere, perfectly taken care of and preserved, of a likeness of a Dragonmarked elf. Oh, say from about... 4000 years ago?

The family reunion that would occur when Erandis reunites with her long-thought-dead cousin would exude pure awesomeness. Much cackling would ensue, I'm sure. ;)
Nightshade
07-18-07, 03:11 PM Whatever happened to Potions of Longevity?!
ArcTan
07-24-07, 04:59 PM They no longer exist as of 3e, because the 3e designers thought that routinely playing around with someone's lifespan was bad for roleplaying and a consistent world.
El_Machinae
07-28-07, 06:36 PM That's it. The metaphysics aren't favourable towards 'unnatural' longevity or immortality. There are even monster to hunt down those who violate the 'natural order' in extending their lives.

It's only that way due to the 'magical nature' of the setting, though. Realistically, there should be ways of becoming immortal.
yrogerg
07-28-07, 08:39 PM It's only that way due to the 'magical nature' of the setting, though. Realistically, there should be ways of becoming immortal.

I'm just going to let that statement sit there for a while.
Kaodi
07-31-07, 10:42 AM Or maybe it is something really simple, like his grandmother was a khoravar. NPCs can sometimes bend the rules a little, so you could say someone with mixed blood may have a minor benefit from it, outside of the normal rules for determining race.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
The Wilgar 06-20-07, 11:21 PM	I just got Forge of War today and I notice that Haldren ir'Brassek commanded Aundairian forces in 895 (page 13). In his entry on page 49 he was tried post war and was apparently still commanding forces at the time. Assuming he was as young as 18 when he took command, he'd be 121 during the present. What's going on here?
yrogerg 06-20-07, 11:25 PM	I just got Forge of War today and I notice that Haldren ir'Brassek commanded Aundairian forces in 895 (page 13). In his entry on page 49 he was tried post war and was apparently still commanding forces at the time. Assuming he was as young as 18 when he took command, he'd be 121 during the present. What's going on here? In YKK 999 he's swarmed by Maruts and battered to a thin paste. Obviously.
OctaviusIII 06-21-07, 03:20 AM	Well, Player's Guide to Eberron mentions a human that may have found a path of immortality, or at least greatly lengthened life, by somehow channelling the properties of time in Lammania. Perhaps this guy did something similar.
Syltorian 06-21-07, 04:27 AM	Well, he was active in the Eldeen Reaches. Maybe he had a ten-year campaign in Thelanis...:D
The White Sorcerer 06-21-07, 06:28 AM	Is it made clear that he's human?
Syltorian 06-21-07, 07:31 AM	Is it made clear that he's human? Yes. I was wondering whether they were father and son (or grandson), rather than the same person... but page 49 reiterates his conquests of Cragwar, twice in the war. It doesn't give any dates, but that's an achievement mentioned in the first chapter: first in 895 YK (which mentions him by name), then in 959 YK (which doesn't mention him by name, but fits p.49 saying he captured it from Breland). It seems to be the same person. Page 13 has a parenthesis note saying: "see page" (followed by a blank space instead of a number), which I would venture to assume is a note from a corrector who had picked up on it. I assume it got overlooked later. To errata it, it would probably easiest to make him an elf.
Melvin the Mediocre 06-21-07, 02:25 PM	I'd much rather leave him human. If anyone in the campaign starts putting his history together, it could be a real cool campaign hook. And there are lots of ways to explain his ancientness.
Syltorian 06-21-07, 02:35 PM	I'd much rather leave him human. If anyone in the campaign starts putting his history together, it could be a real cool campaign hook. And there are lots of ways to explain his ancientness. It'd have a large impact on the campaign-world, though. The Blood of Vol, for instance, would kill for his secret, unless the man is a Thief of Life himself. It's not mentioned, but it could fit. Otherwise, though, if he found a way to be immortal, or at least incredibly ancient, the Blood will virtually see him as a messiah. It's what they are looking for, after all. That's not something bad - you could have a great campaign trying to stop the Blood breaking him out of Dreadhold, or getting him back (if the Emerald Claw gets hold of a brilliant general of his calibre, that could be very much fun), but the implications of his old age would have to be given very great consideration indeed.
OneWinged4ngel 06-28-07, 03:24 AM	I'd guess it was just a mistake.
DarkWarriorKarg 06-28-07, 10:32 AM	No... it's simpler than that... Meets medusa mercenary. Spends a few decades as a statue. Someone finally frees him when they get around to contacting Dreadhold. Repeat as necessary. he can earn the nickname "Old Stoney":D
Romulus LoneWolf 07-01-07, 12:27 AM	Well, he was active in the Eldeen Reaches. Maybe he had a ten-year campaign in Thelanis...:D That sounds like the most likely possibility to me. It's also consistant with Faerie myth, too.
Burningspear 07-01-07, 05:10 PM	It'd have a large impact on the campaign-world, though. The Blood of Vol, for instance, would kill for his secret, unless the man is a Thief of Life himself. It's not mentioned, but it could fit. Otherwise, though, if he found a way to be immortal, or at least incredibly ancient, the Blood will virtually see him as a messiah. It's what they are looking for, after all. That's not something bad - you could have a great campaign trying to stop the Blood breaking him out of Dreadhold, or getting him back (if the Emerald Claw gets hold of a brilliant general of his calibre, that could be very much fun), but the implications of his old age would have to be given very great consideration indeed. I like this bit, it sounds like a weird kinda campaign link.. :plotting: , i'll feed it to my DM :tie:
OctaviusIII 07-02-07, 02:46 AM	That sounds like the most likely possibility to me. It's also consistant with Faerie myth, too. It sounds somewhat probable, but from the ECS, p. 99: For every day spent on Thelanis, a week passes on the Material Plane. Time lost on Thelanis catches up with the traveler; nonnatives who spend time on Thelanis and then return to their home plane may be ravenous if they have not eaten in weeks as measured by Material Plane time, and they may actually grow old or die if they have been a long time on Thelanis. Edit: Also, while rooting about in Faiths of Eberron, I think I came across what may have happened: he's a Thief of Life 10! At that level, you can steal the life of a creature you kill with a sneak attack and become immortal for a year. You do not age, and you do not need sleep or food. Or, he may have found something similar.
Nevarre 07-02-07, 06:25 AM	No... it's simpler than that... Meets medusa mercenary. Spends a few decades as a statue. Someone finally frees him when they get around to contacting Dreadhold. Repeat as necessary. he can earn the nickname "Old Stoney":D :D There's a potential business venture for the Medusa of Droam! "Bored of life? Want to explore the future of Eberron? On the run from the authorities? Welcome to Medusa Storage Inc! For a small fee we can turn you to stone, store you and your equipment securely, and at a predetermined time restore you to your normal self - fresh and ready to venture into a new world, or one where your crimes are forgotten! Prices start at 5000gp for 1 year and we have packages available for adventuring parties numbering 4 or more" ;)
Lancer2010 07-02-07, 11:44 PM	The answer is simple: He is the Everman!
Cifer 07-03-07, 03:47 PM	There's a potential business venture for the Medusa of Droam! "Bored of life? Want to explore the future of Eberron? On the run from the authorities? Welcome to Medusa Storage Inc! For a small fee we can turn you to stone, store you and your equipment securely, and at a predetermined time restore you to your normal self - fresh and ready to venture into a new world, or one where your crimes are forgotten! Prices start at 5000gp for 1 year and we have packages available for adventuring parties numbering 4 or more" I could actually see BoV-ites using that in order to stay alive until Death is conquered. Imagine seeing a temple with a massive amount of statues in its gardens and cellars... It's like the Arthur myth, only that they will come back after the last battle is fought...
Nevarre 07-03-07, 06:27 PM	It's like the Arthur myth, only that they will come back after the last battle is fought... Or the Terracotta Army! ;)
Neofish 07-04-07, 04:52 PM	:D There's a potential business venture for the Medusa of Droam! "Bored of life? Want to explore the future of Eberron? On the run from the authorities? Welcome to Medusa Storage Inc! For a small fee we can turn you to stone, store you and your equipment securely, and at a predetermined time restore you to your normal self - fresh and ready to venture into a new world, or one where your crimes are forgotten! Prices start at 5000gp for 1 year and we have packages available for adventuring parties numbering 4 or more" ;) Dreadhold already does this, It was in Dragon mag.
Burningspear 07-04-07, 05:10 PM	Dreadhold already does this, It was in Dragon mag. does not mean u have to be a spoilsport on the idea, i thought it was quite funny :)
Yadot 07-04-07, 08:33 PM	In one of the Eberron novels (I think it's the one that was a collection of short stories) their is mention of an Aundairian commander that was such a boon to Aundair that they went to great lengths to keep him alive -- though in the story he is extremely old and frail (skinny, spotted, can't hold his head straight up, that sort of thing).
Ront Iron-Roar 07-05-07, 02:18 AM	A family or brotherhood of Changlings passing on the same identity? Ethereal Doppleganger took his body when he was younger and lived his life. Meanwhile, he was in stasis or something that slowed his aging? Could always be a young dragon trying to attain godhood in the manner the Red Dragon Tchazzar did in FR.
The White Sorcerer 07-05-07, 04:33 AM	Dreadhold already does this, It was in Dragon mag. No they don't. They use petrification as a type of incarceration, not as a time-machine-for-hire.
trevg 07-15-07, 09:58 PM	No they don't. They use petrification as a type of incarceration, not as a time-machine-for-hire. Actually, both are correct. The article indicates there are 32 individuals in the "Stone Ward" voluntarily and 175 prisoners. The volunteers are there waiting for curses to be lifted or cures for diseases and in some cases people wanting to wait out the some problems, in many cases the war (in the latter case the Warden isn't quite sure the war is over, so they still wait to be released). TG
El_Machinae 07-16-07, 01:01 AM	Well, Player's Guide to Eberron mentions a human that may have found a path of immortality, or at least greatly lengthened life, by somehow channelling the properties of time in Lammania. Perhaps this guy did something similar. With his resources, it does make sense that an analogue solution (at least) would be available.
Celestial Revenant 07-16-07, 08:17 PM	I could actually see BoV-ites using that in order to stay alive until Death is conquered. Imagine seeing a temple with a massive amount of statues in its gardens and cellars... It's like the Arthur myth, only that they will come back after the last battle is fought... Following this idea to a random extreme... What if there is an ancient statue floating around somewhere, perfectly taken care of and preserved, of a likeness of a Dragonmarked elf. Oh, say from about... 4000 years ago? The family reunion that would occur when Erandis reunites with her long-thought-dead cousin would exude pure awesomeness. Much cackling would ensue, I'm sure. ;)
Nightshade 07-18-07, 03:11 PM	Whatever happened to Potions of Longevity?!
ArcTan 07-24-07, 04:59 PM	They no longer exist as of 3e, because the 3e designers thought that routinely playing around with someone's lifespan was bad for roleplaying and a consistent world.
El_Machinae 07-28-07, 06:36 PM	That's it. The metaphysics aren't favourable towards 'unnatural' longevity or immortality. There are even monster to hunt down those who violate the 'natural order' in extending their lives. It's only that way due to the 'magical nature' of the setting, though. Realistically, there should be ways of becoming immortal.
yrogerg 07-28-07, 08:39 PM	It's only that way due to the 'magical nature' of the setting, though. Realistically, there should be ways of becoming immortal. I'm just going to let that statement sit there for a while.
Kaodi 07-31-07, 10:42 AM	Or maybe it is something really simple, like his grandmother was a khoravar. NPCs can sometimes bend the rules a little, so you could say someone with mixed blood may have a minor benefit from it, outside of the normal rules for determining race.