Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Okkam 10-05-05, 02:15 PM	Hi all, I am about start running this for a 3 person group. I have been reading through it and think the storyline is pretty cool. I have already started overhauling some of the NPCs and encounters and got to thinking about the mindset that these people would have. For starters, you have the current overlords of Szith Morcane. I am trying to get a feel for if I am dealing with an actual invasion force or an opportunistic raiding band. Do they see this as a new permenant holding or just a temporary staging area for raids? For me, the mindset will dictate the quality and quantity of security present in the city. A raiding band is going to be leaner on guard posts, probably not as efficient in processing civilians, etc. They are going to be a smaller force who's forte is offense, not defense. On the other hand, an invasion group is going to be much more competent at holding the ground they have taken and administering it. Next, I was wondering about the mind flayers. This was mostly sparked by reading my new Lords Of Madness book and coming across the statement that the only things that mnid flayers really fear is undead, because they are mindless and immune to most of the normal things mind flayers do. This got me to thinking about if a drow city falls to a cleric who is bent on building an undead empire in the material plane, would they care? Would they want to intervene? Would they be working to bring about her downfall so as to prevent an infestation of things they have no power over? I think I get the motivations of the primary villaness. She and the fire giant seem to have fairly straightforward goals. He is bent on slaughter and plunder, she is trying to bring about the highest goals of her goddess. I see her as being more and more absorbed in the ultimate outcome as you go along and leaving more and more mundane details to her subordinates. Thoughts? Cheers, Okkam I want to play the NPCs in an intelligent manner with realistic motivations. I want to keep the atmosphere believable.
Zanan 10-06-05, 04:47 AM	Vendui! With regard to Szith Morcane ... remember that the Kiaransaleens have only recently taken over control. Given your timescale, their hold on that place and Maerimydra isn't that old and they could be currently about to rebuild this stronghold rather than staging surface raids which would weaken their attempts with the former plan. If the take-over was a few month back, I would rather see SM as a place to explore the surronding surface region (which the Kiaransaleens may not know that well) and start some hit and run raids to test the surfacers' strength. Obviously, it could well be in the SM drows' leaders blood to make this place their own, somewhat more independent of Irae than the leader actually intended. They are, compared to other matrons, not that far off regarding levels and all. Mindflayers ... need to get info on or into both places to notice the change and "do" anything. I would assume that both places are pretty well guarded, especially in such warlike times. If the chance arises, they will be on hand to march or subvert any drow city, as even the normal drow are pretty resistant to their mind attacks anyways. Irae ... well, if she wanted to, she could give the fire giant and his army a fairly hard time. While corporal undead make good canon fodder for Irae and exercise for the hellspawn, a dozen or so incorporal dread wraiths would give the invaders a rough ride ...
ericlboyd 10-06-05, 12:14 PM	I think there's more on mind flayers in the adventure in Dungeon #94, SPIRAL OF MANZESSINE, that supplements City of the Spider Queen. (It's a side quest that fits in perfectly.) --Eric Hi all, I am about start running this for a 3 person group. I have been reading through it and think the storyline is pretty cool. I have already started overhauling some of the NPCs and encounters and got to thinking about the mindset that these people would have. For starters, you have the current overlords of Szith Morcane. I am trying to get a feel for if I am dealing with an actual invasion force or an opportunistic raiding band. Do they see this as a new permenant holding or just a temporary staging area for raids? For me, the mindset will dictate the quality and quantity of security present in the city. A raiding band is going to be leaner on guard posts, probably not as efficient in processing civilians, etc. They are going to be a smaller force who's forte is offense, not defense. On the other hand, an invasion group is going to be much more competent at holding the ground they have taken and administering it. Next, I was wondering about the mind flayers. This was mostly sparked by reading my new Lords Of Madness book and coming across the statement that the only things that mnid flayers really fear is undead, because they are mindless and immune to most of the normal things mind flayers do. This got me to thinking about if a drow city falls to a cleric who is bent on building an undead empire in the material plane, would they care? Would they want to intervene? Would they be working to bring about her downfall so as to prevent an infestation of things they have no power over? I think I get the motivations of the primary villaness. She and the fire giant seem to have fairly straightforward goals. He is bent on slaughter and plunder, she is trying to bring about the highest goals of her goddess. I see her as being more and more absorbed in the ultimate outcome as you go along and leaving more and more mundane details to her subordinates. Thoughts? Cheers, Okkam I want to play the NPCs in an intelligent manner with realistic motivations. I want to keep the atmosphere believable.
Imruphel 10-08-05, 07:57 AM	I find it rather amusing that you're from Texas and you spell "strategy" as "strategery". Of course, you may be a president of the USA in disguise.... ;) IMO, Irae would have lost a lot of interest in the city. What matters is advancing Kiaransalee's cause... possibly with the promise of a reward as a Chosen of Kiaransalee for Irae if the plan succeeds.