Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Ramius_Mordale 04-11-04, 04:07 PM	Hey all, need some help getting the creative juices flowing here, so your advice would be greatly appreciated. Now we just started a anti-Zhents campaign and, well, it started off fairly well, though my intro encounter to introduce the characters with each other didn't go quite like I wanted it, but, eh, it worked to get at least two of them together. (The third character unfornately died with their first run in with the Zhents) Here is how the group is composed as of right now. And they are both 1st Level. Half-elf rogue Human ranger (and one unknown for the moment) Basicly, the only thing they have done is run into a Zhent toll on a crossroads in Shadowdale and easily killed a group of 15 Zhent grunts 'guarding' it. (though they cleverly didn't kill each one by themselves, but something inadvertly did kill the rest alive though unknown to them) Here was what I know I want to do. I am making an opposing group of adventurers that are Zhents that they are competing to find treasure, magic items, etc. But the PCs are bent to foil Zhent plans and take on the Zhent organization. To halt their ever growing expansion throughout the world. We are using the rules that Rangers can pick an organization as their favored enemy and the Zhents are the Ranger's favored enemy in the group. So far I know the Zhents have the rangers brother, and the rogues human father (since the Zhents both took them away, and neither has seen their family member since and don't even know if they are still alive.) Now I also would like to have additional things for them to do besides the Zhents and bring them into plots within plots if that makes any sense. Oh and we are currently in the year 1372 right after Bane has returned. So start rolling in those suggestions, cause I could really use some. Thanks.
Ramius_Mordale 04-11-04, 07:46 PM	10 views and no one has anything to say on the subject. C'mon people don't be afraid, all suggestions are welcome.
Cherrn 04-11-04, 08:52 PM	The group could learn about Scyllua Darkhope's claim to the throne of Scardale. If Scyllua claims that throne the Zhent power in the Dales will greatly increase. Have the PC's try to foil this plot, and if they fail they could always begin resistance group in Scardale and rise against the Zhents that way.
Maskanodel 04-11-04, 09:14 PM	A few randow ideas... -An adventure idea for late on may revolve around Ironfang Keep. You mention that the PCs party and the Zhent party are competing for magic goods and the whatnot. So insert a rumor of untold magical treasures in Ironfang Keep. The PCs go to investigate, and they meet up with the Wizards who reside there. The FRCS mentions that they probably tap the Shadow Weave, so Shadow Adepts may be a good PrC. Regardless of how they do while in the Keep, once they leave, they are confronted by their Zhent rivals, who are intent on pillaging the party in their weakened state. -Maybe the PCs learn their relatives (brother and father) are alive and are being held prisoner in Zhentil Keep. You could base an adventure around rescuing them. This idea would be based mainly on subterfuge and stealth, as an all out strike agaisnt Zhentil Keep will more then likely get them killed - Banite temple in the Flooded Forest is being restored by the Church of Bane and the Zhents with hopes of expanding their influence in the vast. It could be the PCs job to hinder, destroy, and otherwise sabotage the overhaul of this temple and make sure they don't gain a bigger foothold in the Vast. -Mayhaps the PCs could partake in a diplomatic mission to The Ride in order to further unite the barbarian tribes against the Zhents. While there, they may be challenged to honor duel by two barbarians who feel they are undeserving of the barbarians aid. The overall success of their diplomatic mission could depend on how they fare in this battle. -They could happen upon Hamluth Bruil while he "investigates" a village accused of threachery agaisnt the Zhentarim. He could be preparing to raze the village just as the PCs come on the scene. They could do whatever they could to prevent the village from being destroyed. Where does the majority of the campaign take place? That would be a big help in figuring out some more hooks for you. I'll try and think of some more, maybe soem not dealing with the Dalelands/Moonsea are. Maskanodel
Ramius_Mordale 04-11-04, 09:44 PM	Oh, yeah sorry about that. It would help if I did tell you where they were. My bad on my part. Um, they are for right at the moment in Shadowdale in the city of Shadowdale. I was planning on them heading out to the Western Heartlands first before even entertaining anything after that. I know of Darkhold is there but I want them to be somewhat involved with what has recently developed with the Shades as well, but without detracking them away from their primary objective too much. Possibly having them tracking a Zhent caravan through the Anorach(sp?) Desert was a way I was going to let them see a preview of the soon to be coming shroud of evil that just moved in. Basicly, where ever the Zhents are or have an interest they would probably go to in order to foil their plans if they can. Am I right that the Zhents have, or should I say had, a make shift trail across the Anorach(sp?)? Also, I still want to have them focused slightly around the Dalelands since they probably will travel through there quite a bit, and possibly adding in the chance of skimming the Thayan boarders. Does the Zhents even come close to Thay's boarder? Or better to ask, does even the Zhents care about spreading their interests near Thay? I'm just having trouble, besides dropping rumors all the time about the father and brother, to get them to go to the Western Heartlands for right now. Plus need a real quick reminder, are the Ettercaps infesting the forest in Shadowdale or Battledale? I always seem to get that confused. Hope that helps it a little more clear of what I'm asking. Thanks and keep the suggestions coming please.
Maskanodel 04-11-04, 10:06 PM	Geographically the Moonsea (the Zhents primary stomping grounds) is nowhere near Thays borders. There are, however, several Thayan Enclaves in the Moonsea area. Mulmaster has one, and there are a few others, but I cant quite remember where. But there is an interesting sidenote. The Highblade of Mulmaster, Selfaril Uoumodolphin is adamantly opposed to any Zhent expansion into the Mulmaster area. He's alos married to the First Princess of the Thay, the Tharchion of Eltabbar, Dmitra Flass. She's also a powerful Red Wizard. So if the Zhents try to expand their interests into Mulmaster, the Red Wizards may take offense to this, and there may be soem grave political tensions in the Moonsea, of hell, even outright war if you so desire. The role your PCs play in this is up to you. You want them to head into the Western Heartlands? Have the PCs relations held captive at Darkhold, a Zhent fortress ruled over primarily by Cyricist Zhents, as opposed to Banite Zhents. Wanting full Banite control over Zhent forces, Fzoul Chembryl may send a force of Bane worshipping Zhents to take Darkhold by force. The PCs may learn of this and wish to rescue their family in the confusion of the battle. And finally, the ettercap infestation occurs in Shadowdale. Battledale has more immediate concerns (ie The Drow). If you want to do so, you could have the PCs battle the drow in Battledale, and then run a little bit of the City of the Spider Queen adventure.
Ramius_Mordale 04-12-04, 10:41 AM	Thanks Maskanodel and Cherrn for this advice its really helping a lot. Hmm, I guess my next question would be, besides the Harpers, are there any organizations besides them, and the Cyric priest, that oppose the Zhentrium (or Banite Zhentrium). Plus any ideas on how to make the Shades a third well in these plots? Also, I read on some post about Baneliches? How buff are those? And are there any statistics for them in a 3.0 or 3.5 book? Or are they just like standard Liches? Plus are there any specific clerical PrCs for Cyric and Bane clerics? And as always, all advice is appreciated.
Maskanodel 04-12-04, 11:22 AM	The Zhents have a caravan route leading through Anauroch called the Black Road. The Shades now consider Anauroch their realm, so I'm guessing they wouldnt want Zhents running all over the place, as its common knowledge that the Zhents pillage all sorts of Netherese ruins for for magicla artifacts and the whatnot. The Shades want those for themselves, being citizens of Netheril themselves, so they definitely wouldnt appreciate the Zhents taking their rightful belongings. Way back when, when the Church of Bane was newly formed, Bane wanted a way to protect his followers. So ever 50 years or so, Bane would give one of his most powerful followers knowledge of a ritual that would turn them into a Banelich. If I recall correctly, there about 40 of these before the Tyrantfog, a deadly mist sent forth by Iyacthu Xvim to destroy all followers of Bane, his own father. A lot were destroyed by the fog, and those that remained spent their time hiding or plotting against the Chosen of Xvim, Fzoul Chembryl. But now that Bane is back, and Fzoul is now his Chosen Tyrant, and as far as I know, the current status of the Baneliches is unknown, as is whether or not if Bane made more Baneliches. You can find rules for making Baneliches in Monsters of Faerun.
Cunning Linguist 04-12-04, 11:29 AM	Also, I read on some post about Baneliches? How buff are those? And are there any statistics for them in a 3.0 or 3.5 book? There is no 3.0 statistics other then the info in Monsters of Faerun. The Baneliches where the 2.ed version of Chosen of Bane, it was given to atleast 35 clerics of Bane over the last 1500 years . A Banelich was a cleric of at least 17 level, and they gained a special power every 100 years. Before the Tyranfog there was only 10 recorded deaths of a Banelich, but the Tyrantfog did take care of alot more. Monsters of Faerun tells us that there is still a few left, and these have all kind of agendas. However, with the knowlage that the Tyranfog did destroy several Baneliches, I would wager that most of the Baneliches are either in Thay (a big Bane area), or hiding away in the North, where the tyrantfog was not active. Also a note, from 2.ed Ruins of Zhentil Keep. Baneliches did not need to pray for spells, since they had a portion of Bane in them, and could grant them for themselves. In my world, there are about 5 Baneliches left, and all are powerful (atleast 25 level), and serve mostly themselves. They pay lip service to Fzoul, but they see themselves as far more powerful, and more worthy the title of Chosen then him, but they don't do anything about Fzoul, Bane has said that this is his guy, and it would be wrong to go against Bane's word.
Ruler of All Beer Mugs 04-12-04, 04:29 PM	The Silver Ravens of Sembia are rivals of the Zhents for trade. They would be obvious candidates to sponsor the PCs on an anti-Zhent crusade. They are a covert organization, so the PCs might not even know that their new patron is secretly working for the Ravens. The DM could use the Ravens as a plot device to move the PCs around the Moonsea by ship to adventures all over the middle of Faerun. The Ravens also would be the logical candidates for a series of plots-within-plots to undermine any foes of Sembia. The PCs might set out to slay evil, but the Ravens would steer them in the direction of killing off their competition.
Ramius_Mordale 04-13-04, 02:10 PM	Maskanodel, Cunning Linguist and Ruler of All Beer Mugs, I thank you all for your input on the subject at hand. Its definiately helped me out a lot in forming my adventures for the campaign. One more question though, I know the Cyric sect of the Zhentrium has been in a power struggle with the Banite Sect and was wondering if they have any plots set up to take over the Zhentrium again? I know Cyric and Bane have a huge grudge against one another, and does Manshoon(sp?) still in a station of power and still commmanding the Zhentrium, or is he just doing whatever he wants and not really doing much but advising Fzoul? And if you have anymore ideas feel free to share them. Thanks.
Maskanodel 04-13-04, 05:10 PM	No wories about the help ramius. I like getting my creative juices flowing. As for the Bane/Cyric grudge. I think (and someone correct me if I'm wrong) Sememmon, Manshoons apprentice, is a worshipper of Cyric, as well as a foe to Fzoul. HE was once the commander of the Western Zhentarim and the Ruler of Darkhold, but when Fzoul made it quite obvious he wanted Sememmon out of the picture, he queitly slipped out of Darkhold with his lover Ashemmi, and disappeared. No one knows where he is right now, so he could be plotting against Fzoul, trying to wrest control of the Zhents away and make himself leader. Manshoon killed by Fzoul, but in case of such an event, he had many clones lying around. These all awakened at once, and were essentailly programmed to kill one another. One Manshoon, however came back and recalimed his role in the Zhentarim, serving directly under Fzoul, the man who killed him. But he has a deal with Fzoul that allows him to use all of the Zhents manpower and resources. So basically, Manshoon has all the benefits of ruling the Zhents, without actually having to worry about ruling the Zhents and is free to pursue his own devices, whatever they may be.