Warlock's Crypt/Troll Hills [Archive] - Wizards Community

Warlock's Crypt/Troll Hills [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Balanor
08-11-05, 04:16 PM Hi there. This is my first post on these boards. :)

I am looking at beginning a campaign around the region of the Troll Hills and Trollbark Forest along the Sword Coast. I know the forest and hills are inhabited by Trolls, mainly battling it out with themselves but not getting anywhere due to regenerating if they get injured. The nearby Fields of the Dead has been the site of many battles in times past. Boarskyr Bridge is the site of Bhaal's death and it poisoned the waters of the Winding River to the west.

I was wondering if anyone could tell me a little about those areas, especially Warlock's Crypt. I heard mention of some lich :eek: name Larloch? Is there anything special about The Way Inn?

Thanks for any replies!
Demetrios
08-11-05, 05:40 PM Hi there. This is my first post on these boards. :)

I am looking at beginning a campaign around the region of the Troll Hills and Trollbark Forest along the Sword Coast. I know the forest and hills are inhabited by Trolls, mainly battling it out with themselves but not getting anywhere due to regenerating if they get injured. The nearby Fields of the Dead has been the site of many battles in times past. Boarskyr Bridge is the site of Bhaal's death and it poisoned the waters of the Winding River to the west.

I was wondering if anyone could tell me a little about those areas, especially Warlock's Crypt. I heard mention of some lich :eek: name Larloch? Is there anything special about The Way Inn?

Thanks for any replies!

Heh, unless your party is extremely powerful, you should steer them clear of Warlock's Crypt. Larloch is not just any lich, he's an incredibly powerful one. In fact, even if your party is extremely powerful, they should probably steer clear of Warlock's Crypt!

The Fields of the Dead is a very good place for a campaign. There have been lots of battles there, so ample opportunity for undead encounters, and over the centuries hundreds of people have tried to set up minor kingdoms, principalities, baronies, and the like in the area but failed, so there are many ruins in the region.

The Way Inn is a pretty typical inn, although more sturdily built than most, due to its isolated position.
Arilou_skiff
08-11-05, 06:16 PM Larloch is, inarguably, one of the most powerful spellcasters in the Realms and arguably one of the most powerful non-god people at all, he has at least 50 liches serving him, many of which are epic level, he is not someone you want to **** off. And Warlock's Crypt is so full of traps and deadly stuff that most people would die just entering.
Norhg
08-11-05, 07:56 PM Alas, even the avatars should stay out of warlock crypt.
Nothing good comes from dying, know that!
druid berrymore
08-11-05, 08:13 PM If you want to see a sketch that I did of Warlock's Crypt head on over to candlekeep.com I tried to keep it as true to the books as I could, so I think it is a fairly true representation of the place.
http://www.candlekeep.com/images/gallery/mueller_warlock.jpg
Myssa Rei
08-11-05, 09:24 PM Some things you should consider even BEFORE going to Warlock's Crypt (aside from settling accounts, because it's likely whoever is going there isn't coming back):

- Larloch is not just 'any' lich that your adventuring party can take out... For most people, writers and players, is one of those people you do not want to encounter.

Depending on who you ask, Larloch is a 46th-level caster (according to Ed Greenwood, creator of FR), a 33rd-level lich (3rd Ed. Lords of Darkness), or a 26th-level wizard (according to Volo's Guide, but we all know we can't take Volo for his word anyway).

- The fact that he has spell immunities AND infinite spell turning/reflection (a result of years of research), is enough to make someone think twice, nevermind the fact that he has 60 liches (minumum level 18 in 2nd Edition, but more likely low-epic now) and what amounts to an army of undead and automata servitors, not to mention his Crypt is a deathtrap to the living...

- The Chosen avoid him (that should speak volumes) and leave him to his devices, but several Red Wizards have tried over the centuries to slay him and steal his magic. None have succeeded. Well, there's Szass Tamm, but it's likely the Zulkir of Necromancy used diplomacy (and a good deal of begging and groveling) instead of force.
WraithCaller
08-11-05, 09:45 PM Larloch is, quite possibly, the most powerful spellcaster in all of Faerun. He has an army of undead soldiers, a retinue of 60 liches, a vast subterranean lair filled with death traps that look like they are right out of an Indiana Jones movie, AND if you SOMEHOW manage to get past all that, you'll have to face Larloch himself, which would be on par with battling a demigod, if not a true god.

Besides, you'd be pressed just to even hit him... He must have a +20 AC bonus from all those Ioun stones he has orbiting his body constantly...
warlockco
08-11-05, 11:59 PM Besides, you'd be pressed just to even hit him... He must have a +20 AC bonus from all those Ioun stones he has orbiting his body constantly...

Let's give him full cover also, since all those stones are in the way ;)
Myssa Rei
08-12-05, 04:07 AM Like he even needs it. He's already intimidating enough as he is in Lords of Darkness, nevermind how Ed thought him out to be... Gotta love a villain who could have destroyed the world a loooooooooooooong time ago (and many times over too :eek: ), had he the urge, but instead focuses on other matters.
Balanor
08-12-05, 10:24 AM Whoa. :mymy:

So there goes my idea of basing a low to mid-level campaign at the mouth of the Winding River on the Sword Coast. Being a stone's throw away from the Troll Hills and the Warlock's Crypt, I can't imagine Larloch would tolerate my idea of having the PCs grow a little outpost to a town/city/kingdom.

Oh well...back to the drawing board. :)

Thanks everyone for your replies and help on this. That's a great pic by the way! I was doing some more research and saw it on the Candlekeep website too. You're famous!

(And I realized after I posted, I should have asked this question on the Geopraghy forum. Sorry about that!)
Kuje31
08-12-05, 12:27 PM Ed has also given us more info on Larloch and his replies can be found in his files that are in my sig. :)

Basically he said, "Leave him alone, and if the DM is playing him right, then the PC's will be swatted like flies. Oh and remember undead don't have to sleep but PC's do and Larloch can send thousands of undead after PC's. Yes, even skeletons and zombies can take down high level PC's." There was more that Ed said about Larloch though. :)

Lost Empires also has some info on Larloch in the Netheril chapter.
Arilou_skiff
08-12-05, 12:39 PM I can't imagine Larloch would tolerate my idea of having the PCs grow a little outpost to a town/city/kingdom.

Actually as long as they kept away from the actual Crypt I don't think he would care: Larloch doesen't really deal with others much, except "leaking" a spell into the world now and then (to keep himself on Mystra's good side)
Brom Greenstar
08-12-05, 01:39 PM The trolls will be enough for them, for a really long time. Anyway the region is huge so just move them somewhat east or south, to a somewhat quieter area. Like the Reaching Woods or near Elturel.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Balanor 08-11-05, 04:16 PM	Hi there. This is my first post on these boards. :) I am looking at beginning a campaign around the region of the Troll Hills and Trollbark Forest along the Sword Coast. I know the forest and hills are inhabited by Trolls, mainly battling it out with themselves but not getting anywhere due to regenerating if they get injured. The nearby Fields of the Dead has been the site of many battles in times past. Boarskyr Bridge is the site of Bhaal's death and it poisoned the waters of the Winding River to the west. I was wondering if anyone could tell me a little about those areas, especially Warlock's Crypt. I heard mention of some lich :eek: name Larloch? Is there anything special about The Way Inn? Thanks for any replies!
Demetrios 08-11-05, 05:40 PM	Hi there. This is my first post on these boards. :) I am looking at beginning a campaign around the region of the Troll Hills and Trollbark Forest along the Sword Coast. I know the forest and hills are inhabited by Trolls, mainly battling it out with themselves but not getting anywhere due to regenerating if they get injured. The nearby Fields of the Dead has been the site of many battles in times past. Boarskyr Bridge is the site of Bhaal's death and it poisoned the waters of the Winding River to the west. I was wondering if anyone could tell me a little about those areas, especially Warlock's Crypt. I heard mention of some lich :eek: name Larloch? Is there anything special about The Way Inn? Thanks for any replies! Heh, unless your party is extremely powerful, you should steer them clear of Warlock's Crypt. Larloch is not just any lich, he's an incredibly powerful one. In fact, even if your party is extremely powerful, they should probably steer clear of Warlock's Crypt! The Fields of the Dead is a very good place for a campaign. There have been lots of battles there, so ample opportunity for undead encounters, and over the centuries hundreds of people have tried to set up minor kingdoms, principalities, baronies, and the like in the area but failed, so there are many ruins in the region. The Way Inn is a pretty typical inn, although more sturdily built than most, due to its isolated position.
Arilou_skiff 08-11-05, 06:16 PM	Larloch is, inarguably, one of the most powerful spellcasters in the Realms and arguably one of the most powerful non-god people at all, he has at least 50 liches serving him, many of which are epic level, he is not someone you want to **** off. And Warlock's Crypt is so full of traps and deadly stuff that most people would die just entering.
Norhg 08-11-05, 07:56 PM	Alas, even the avatars should stay out of warlock crypt. Nothing good comes from dying, know that!
druid berrymore 08-11-05, 08:13 PM	If you want to see a sketch that I did of Warlock's Crypt head on over to candlekeep.com I tried to keep it as true to the books as I could, so I think it is a fairly true representation of the place. http://www.candlekeep.com/images/gallery/mueller_warlock.jpg
Myssa Rei 08-11-05, 09:24 PM	Some things you should consider even BEFORE going to Warlock's Crypt (aside from settling accounts, because it's likely whoever is going there isn't coming back): - Larloch is not just 'any' lich that your adventuring party can take out... For most people, writers and players, is one of those people you do not want to encounter. Depending on who you ask, Larloch is a 46th-level caster (according to Ed Greenwood, creator of FR), a 33rd-level lich (3rd Ed. Lords of Darkness), or a 26th-level wizard (according to Volo's Guide, but we all know we can't take Volo for his word anyway). - The fact that he has spell immunities AND infinite spell turning/reflection (a result of years of research), is enough to make someone think twice, nevermind the fact that he has 60 liches (minumum level 18 in 2nd Edition, but more likely low-epic now) and what amounts to an army of undead and automata servitors, not to mention his Crypt is a deathtrap to the living... - The Chosen avoid him (that should speak volumes) and leave him to his devices, but several Red Wizards have tried over the centuries to slay him and steal his magic. None have succeeded. Well, there's Szass Tamm, but it's likely the Zulkir of Necromancy used diplomacy (and a good deal of begging and groveling) instead of force.
WraithCaller 08-11-05, 09:45 PM	Larloch is, quite possibly, the most powerful spellcaster in all of Faerun. He has an army of undead soldiers, a retinue of 60 liches, a vast subterranean lair filled with death traps that look like they are right out of an Indiana Jones movie, AND if you SOMEHOW manage to get past all that, you'll have to face Larloch himself, which would be on par with battling a demigod, if not a true god. Besides, you'd be pressed just to even hit him... He must have a +20 AC bonus from all those Ioun stones he has orbiting his body constantly...
warlockco 08-11-05, 11:59 PM	Besides, you'd be pressed just to even hit him... He must have a +20 AC bonus from all those Ioun stones he has orbiting his body constantly... Let's give him full cover also, since all those stones are in the way ;)
Myssa Rei 08-12-05, 04:07 AM	Like he even needs it. He's already intimidating enough as he is in Lords of Darkness, nevermind how Ed thought him out to be... Gotta love a villain who could have destroyed the world a loooooooooooooong time ago (and many times over too :eek: ), had he the urge, but instead focuses on other matters.
Balanor 08-12-05, 10:24 AM	Whoa. :mymy: So there goes my idea of basing a low to mid-level campaign at the mouth of the Winding River on the Sword Coast. Being a stone's throw away from the Troll Hills and the Warlock's Crypt, I can't imagine Larloch would tolerate my idea of having the PCs grow a little outpost to a town/city/kingdom. Oh well...back to the drawing board. :) Thanks everyone for your replies and help on this. That's a great pic by the way! I was doing some more research and saw it on the Candlekeep website too. You're famous! (And I realized after I posted, I should have asked this question on the Geopraghy forum. Sorry about that!)
Kuje31 08-12-05, 12:27 PM	Ed has also given us more info on Larloch and his replies can be found in his files that are in my sig. :) Basically he said, "Leave him alone, and if the DM is playing him right, then the PC's will be swatted like flies. Oh and remember undead don't have to sleep but PC's do and Larloch can send thousands of undead after PC's. Yes, even skeletons and zombies can take down high level PC's." There was more that Ed said about Larloch though. :) Lost Empires also has some info on Larloch in the Netheril chapter.
Arilou_skiff 08-12-05, 12:39 PM	I can't imagine Larloch would tolerate my idea of having the PCs grow a little outpost to a town/city/kingdom. Actually as long as they kept away from the actual Crypt I don't think he would care: Larloch doesen't really deal with others much, except "leaking" a spell into the world now and then (to keep himself on Mystra's good side)
Brom Greenstar 08-12-05, 01:39 PM	The trolls will be enough for them, for a really long time. Anyway the region is huge so just move them somewhat east or south, to a somewhat quieter area. Like the Reaching Woods or near Elturel.