Post/Author/DateTime	Post
brum 02-15-07, 11:24 AM	Hi! I've got a PC in my campaign who is a Cleric of Torm. He used a Planar Ally to call upon an Angel and I gave him the task of building a church/temple to Torm in Hillsfar and gather two dozens of believers. And this should be done in 10 days (!). I figured that the city already has a shrine dedicated to the god. Also he is a cleric with access to 7th level spells, which should help him greatly in the building/aquiring of believers. What I would like is tips on roleplaying opportunities in this regard. Also I would like to throw some obvious threats/sabotage along the way. Ie. he could face the wrath of a Zentarhim/Bane follower who strongly dislikes his enterprise. Also there might be city-officials/guards who doesn't like what he's up to. Any (other) ideas would be greatly appreciated!
BrianCritchley 02-15-07, 02:39 PM	as of late dr 1374 hillsfar is now a zhent protectorate so yes, he might have a LOT of trouble with clerics of Bane
Blackened_Blade 02-15-07, 03:13 PM	Assuming of course that the campaign you are in does not have Hillsfar as a Zhent protectorate, then you'll still have trouble. Remember that Hillsfar is goverened purely by trade. The First Lord Maalthiir frankly does not care what you believe or whom you worship. He has on several occassions banned the use of magic in Hillsfar in order to maintain order. The Red Plumes are guilty of assault, extortion and murder on an everyday basis. Xenos, or non-humans are persecuted with a special zeal; they more often then not are tortured, beaten and then finally cast into the arena to fight for the perverse enjoyment of the crowd. I hope I've given you an idea of what Hillsfar is generally like. Now, for practical problems. You plan on just randomly building a temple in a city? Ok, so what about bribes, property rights, and zoning? You'll have to acquire some sort of builders’ permit that will no doubt cost you an arm and a leg given the dense urban setting Hillsfar is. Other factions? You'll have to deal with the other temples. There is a Thayans have a huge presence as well, with a 13th level Red Wizard leading them. While they cannot intervene directly with your plans, they are known Bane worshipers. Expect them to seek action through political sabotage, threats, or perhaps more overt action if Maalthiir should request their assistance (though he has an entire city with over 5000 soldiers at his disposal).
MarkusTay63 02-15-07, 03:29 PM	Accepting everything the above poster said (well put, BTW), you 'may' have a shot if you can find Torm worshippers amongst the Red Plumes. While on the surface it does seem ify, he does espouse order, stabilty, and supports knightly orders. You must understand that the RP's do not consider themselves evil, they are just upholding the laws of the land and are convinced that ALL non-humans are bad. If you can find enough of them to back you, you may be able to get permission from the ruler to have a gov't-sanctioned temple as part of the barracks, to bless the soldiers before going into battle. By playing it this way, you get your foot in the door with some slim chance of being able to expand into non-military areas, just as long as you continue to prove useful to the city as a whole. Its still a big 'IF' though, because between the Zhents (weather in control or not) and the Thayans your in for a hell of a ride. Remember, TORM killed THEIR GOD, I think they'll be slightly annoyed by that.
MerrikCale 02-15-07, 04:43 PM	as of late dr 1374 hillsfar is now a zhent protectorate so yes, he might have a LOT of trouble with clerics of Bane no wonder you have a tribute thread:)
Hizar 02-15-07, 06:23 PM	A helpful stranger gives him a lute of building (not sure of the name it is in the DMG builds things when played halfs the time or the cost) unfourtunatly it is actually cursed and instead of a lute of building it is a lute of distruction, and it undoes all the work that he has already done. Thank You helpful stranger
brum 02-16-07, 07:09 AM	Thanks for all your input. Especially yours, Blackened_Blade. The Torm cleric is a human so he won't be prosecuted for that. But the Torm/Bane story arc intrigues me. I was thinking about a Zhentarim spy who learns about the PC's plans and makes efforts to 1) learn more about what he's doing, and 2) thwart his building plans by killing his believers and workers. Is this a good idea?!
Stigger 02-16-07, 07:30 AM	Probably not as far as the PC's are concerned, but certainly logical... though the cleric being the target of an assassin or two would seem a decent eventuality as well. Can't imagine the rogues guild being all that happy about the shrine/temple of Torm down the street either.
brum 02-16-07, 07:47 AM	It should also be said that Hillsfar, according to Mysteries of the Moonsea, already has a shrine to Torm (!).