Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Hizar 02-05-07, 09:12 PM	First I would like my players to please stay out of this thread… For now. I will soon be running a modified campaign in which the post Time of troubles Cyric finds a way to travel back in time (**** plane of chaos) to the beginning of the Time of troubles. Uses his own body as an avatar, steals and uses the powers secreted away by Mystra and trusted to Midnight, and basically kills all of the other gods one by one while they are mortal, and places himself as the one true god. For the sake of an interesting game I am leave AO out of things, the mortals have to sort things out, and my players have been tapped to become “True Champions” and overthrow Cyric. Essentially it is 100 years (give or take) since “The fall of the false gods” or “The Rise of the True God Cyric”. Cyric rules with an iron hand, Zhental Keep is the center of the world, the champions of old have been destroyed or chased into exile, and darkness reigns everywhere. We will be running a Gestalt campaign (which is great to play but really hard to run), and will have 5 active players. Right now I am thinking to run it very Nazi Germany, lots of oppression with a little Fall of Rome thrown in for flavor. My intention is take my players to Epic levels (starting at 6th). I have several plot ideas already, but could always use more. Just a note this is a home brewed game, the books and reality are not doctrine. I welcome all of you who like the idea to steal, or adapt it to your own games. Those who do not like it keep it to yourself. That being said. What can you contribute to this modified world?
BrianCritchley 02-06-07, 02:23 AM	cconsidering that traveling in time falls under Mystra's domain that'd be a neat trick. it's also foolish to not include Ao in the mix, Ao cast the deities out, logic would be fair to say that he'd not let this trick happen,I imagine things would go as follows Cyric> muhahahahahaha! my masterplan is sucessful! while all the other gods are weak I shall slay them all Ao> I cast all gods outta the heavens that means you too. *cyric proceeds to get knifed in an alley in zhentil keep*
Stigger 02-06-07, 04:31 AM	Gotta agree... at the time he wasn't a deity, so he'd create a remarkably nasty paradox and force Ao's hand to do something about it. Given the nature of the plan, I can't really justify anything other than obliteration of said nascent Cyric... it fits his nature, certainly, but it's too insane to work. Now as an alternate suggestion after that downer... consider the idea of Bane getting his hands on the Scepter of Savras, enslaving said Savras, pumping him for information, finding out about the upcoming ToT, and being completely and utterly prepared for them and pulling off essentially the same plan. Makes a bit more sense canon-wise, not to mention that you don't risk confusing your players as much. That and the whole Bane thing lends itself far more to fascism than does Mr. Hello Chaos!
MarkusTay63 02-06-07, 01:31 PM	Better still, Lets say Cyrics plan with the Cyrinishad worked, and the book was spread throughout the lands. The OP said that he is going to ignore AO's existance, but then why did the Gods decend to Toril in the first place? I would say that Ao would not interfere with Cyrics religous spread, because he is acting within the boundaries of his portfolio. However, He WOULD do something, let us say make many people in the following generation IMMUNE to the Cyrinishad effect (They built up immunities). Now the first generation reads it, and everyone worships Cyric and the other gods fall by the wayside do to lack of worship. Most would die out completely (or at least as complete as any devine being can), and a select few (Mystra?) would survive with teeny tiny cults that isolated themselves from reading the evil book. Now, a hundred years later, people dream of a better life. They no longer believe in the Supreme divinity of Cyric, as their fathers and grandfathers had. Will True Champions rise up and answer the call of truth, justice, and all that is good? In this scenario, you no longer need to go back in time, the Cyrinishad will do all the work for you. Very few people will know the truth, because only a few would have been immune to the books effects (DMs choice). The characters now have several new options available to them as well, like finding whatever remains of some of the 'old gods' and bring them back. Two things - The world would not be like Nazi Germany, if anything the Germans are a highly lawful bunch. I would say the world would be more like Rome, with an avatar of Cyric (Ceasar?) on the throne. Think Rome from the television series, all twisted and nasty and full of slavery and double-crosses. Good stuff there. Also, the characters may want to find the 'mythical' land of Evermeet. I have no idea what would be left there; maybe a last retreat for the goodly folk, or a destroyed wasteland. Either way, it would be a good place to 'hide' an artifact that may help the characters bring the 'good' back into the world. Just my :twocents:
Tergiver 02-06-07, 02:48 PM	Now as an alternate suggestion after that downer... consider the idea of Bane getting his hands on the Scepter of Savras, enslaving said Savras, pumping him for information, finding out about the upcoming ToT, and being completely and utterly prepared for them and pulling off essentially the same plan. Makes a bit more sense canon-wise, not to mention that you don't risk confusing your players as much. That and the whole Bane thing lends itself far more to fascism than does Mr. Hello Chaos! In addition, Bane was one of the thieves of the Tablets of Fate. So instead of using time travel, just say that whatever the heck Bane's cunning plan actually was worked, and it's up to the PCs to find a way to unseat successful-Bane. (Or go back in time to the Time of Troubles and change how things worked out...) You don't even have to set the campaign in the future, since it's already been a few decades after the Time of Troubles. Google discovered a discussion on time-travel+Bane takes over in late 2005. http://boards1.wizards.com/archive/index.php/t-538970.html
Hizar 02-06-07, 09:30 PM	Better still, Lets say Cyrics plan with the Cyrinishad worked, and the book was spread throughout the lands. I like this it works well with my origional intent, while being more streamline.
ArnimThayer 02-06-07, 09:53 PM	I have used decided to use the same event for my Dark realms campaign (see other post). Cyric subverted the other gods to his will, twisting the realms to reflect his perspective, retroactively. Only a few stand against him in this Dark version of the Realms. I have chosen the following as mentor type NPCs for the party, aiding them as they can. 1). Larloch - A lich who now wanders the Realms trying to right what wrongs he can. 2). Semmenon - He watched as his honorable master, Manshoon, was slain by the wizard tyrant Elminster, and now seeks the aid of any who will oppose him. 3). Waukeen - This deity was locked away on another plane when the Cyrinshad was read, and is the sole god who remembers the Realms as they should be. It is she who has "awakended" the PCs, seeking champions to put right the Realms. Any other suggestions?
MarkusTay63 02-07-07, 01:44 AM	Gee, did I just convince two DMs to torture players with my twisted little mind? :eek: I HOPE SO! :D Go gets them nasty players... always eatin' all our snacks... <Mumble, grumble> ;)
Zevox 02-07-07, 03:27 AM	So instead of using time travel, just say that whatever the heck Bane's cunning plan actually was worked, and it's up to the PCs to find a way to unseat successful-Bane. Well, uh, actually, his plan wasn't so cunning. You see, he for some reason thought that Ao's power might actually be tied to the Tablets of Fate, and that in stealing them he could weaken Ao enough to overthrow him. Which obviously was a completely incorrect guess on his part. Zevox
Khaelieth 02-07-07, 08:53 AM	I believe Vecna tried something much akin to it in Die Vecna, Die. He somehow stops even the Lady of Pain from intervening by setting up camp in Sigil. I can't remember how he got there though =(
Tergiver 02-07-07, 06:56 PM	Well, uh, actually, his plan wasn't so cunning. You see, he for some reason thought that Ao's power might actually be tied to the Tablets of Fate, and that in stealing them he could weaken Ao enough to overthrow him. Which obviously was a completely incorrect guess on his part. My idea was that Ao's power was tied to the Tablets, and stealing them did allow Bane to overthrow Ao (or at least weaken him enough to slaughter the other gods, if not become an overpower himseif). Eventually, doughty time-travellers travel to the Time of Troubles and let Ao know what is up, so he removes his ties to the Tablets and foils Bane's strategy... It's either that, or Bane was a total idiot.
Jenkins007 02-07-07, 11:54 PM	time-travellers travel to the Time of Troubles Heh heh, sorry just had to point that out. I love alliteration. I apologize for the ridiculous amounts of off topic that was. I prefer the Cyrinishad idea the most, myself.
BrianCritchley 02-08-07, 12:08 AM	My idea was that Ao's power was tied to the Tablets, and stealing them did allow Bane to overthrow Ao (or at least weaken him enough to slaughter the other gods, if not become an overpower himseif). Eventually, doughty time-travellers travel to the Time of Troubles and let Ao know what is up, so he removes his ties to the Tablets and foils Bane's strategy... It's either that, or Bane was a total idiot. Bane wasn't a total idiot, it's easy to use that in hindsight but Bane doesn't KNOW the rules Ao operates by now does he?
ZolDarklock 02-08-07, 12:31 AM	What if you just play out the ToT struggles, and let your players play out all the important events that happened, let it be decided more realistically, not the way some writer decided how it should end... PS - In my campaign, Cyric got eaten by a random encounter Owlbear in the woods, while running from Fzoul at the battle of Shadowdale. Bane stomped the hell out of Torm in Tantras, and then killed his own son Xvim for the extra power, and destroyed Mystra., Myrkul some were-rat avatar and Bhaal all got punk'd by Artemis., Kalchesis, Mellifluer, Kartek, Shoon, Zire, and Saed destroyed Azuth., Tych was reformed after the battle from it's two halfs destroyed both of them., Tiamat got owned by Gilgamesh, an then got owned again by her own high priest., Set screwed everybody over so many times he basically earned the title as the most deadliest god of them all, Sammaster eventually after many battle became the god of necromancy, undead, and dracolichs., stuff happens, let the PC play the part and decide who are the winners and losers during game play, my players loved battling each other for the right to claim the title as the realms most powerful god...
BrianCritchley 02-10-07, 02:32 AM	PS - In my campaign... in my campaign we killed Ao.
Hizar 02-10-07, 10:20 AM	I think I will go with something like this: Basic Setting The year is 199 RC (Rise of Cyric) soon will come the yearly forced reading of the Cyrinishad, the “Holy” word of Cyric the one true god. The mood is oppressive as the beleaguered population makes the preparations for the celebration. “200 hundred years of Cyric” murmured the old man, “You know my great grandpa, used to tell stories of their being lots of gods, some good, some bad, but lots to choose from” “Shut up! You old fool, or do you want the Hand to hear you talking like that?” “Too late” Thought the man in the shadows. “Too late, one more none believer to sacrifice to Cyric … been a lot of those lately” Mechanics It has been almost 200 years since the creation of the Cyrinishad. 200 years of Cyric failing to live up to his own writings. 200 years of his hypocrisies eroding the magic of the Cyrinishad. 200 years since the death of all of the gods of Faerûn. 200 years, long enough. Now it is time for new hero’s to rise to godhood and depose Cyric. Now is the time to restore the balance.
MarkusTay63 02-10-07, 01:16 PM	Nice. :D Very good lead in for the players, I like it a lot. I'd love to see how this plays out, like what happened when he ran into the Kara-Tur pantheon, and the gods from other continents? Were they cast-aside as well? Obviously the Mulhorandi Gods would have went with the Faerunians ones, but what of the more primitive gods from Chult or Ulutiu? Perhaps Cyric didn't bother with these out-of-the-way places? Sounds like a good one to me.
BrianCritchley 02-11-07, 02:40 AM	I think I will go with something like this: Basic Setting The year is 199 RC (Rise of Cyric) soon will come the yearly forced reading of the Cyrinishad, the “Holy” word of Cyric the one true god. The mood is oppressive as the beleaguered population makes the preparations for the celebration. “200 hundred years of Cyric” murmured the old man, “You know my great grandpa, used to tell stories of their being lots of gods, some good, some bad, but lots to choose from” “Shut up! You old fool, or do you want the Hand to hear you talking like that?” “Too late” Thought the man in the shadows. “Too late, one more none believer to sacrifice to Cyric … been a lot of those lately” Mechanics It has been almost 200 years since the creation of the Cyrinishad. 200 years of Cyric failing to live up to his own writings. 200 years of his hypocrisies eroding the magic of the Cyrinishad. 200 years since the death of all of the gods of Faerûn. 200 years, long enough. Now it is time for new hero’s to rise to godhood and depose Cyric. Now is the time to restore the balance. and I garentee you the minute you start this the first thing one of your players says will be "I wanna be a cleric"
MarkusTay63 02-11-07, 02:59 PM	Personally, I would dis-allow clerical magical (for PCs) until they have made contact with a cult of some vestigal god.
Stigger 02-11-07, 03:07 PM	Or just wait for the bombshell of the whole mess actually being Shar behind everything, who killed Cyric secretly and took his portfolio for herself...
MarkusTay63 02-11-07, 04:42 PM	What a great campaign-stopper, Stigger! :D The characters, after many years and trials and tribulations, finally manage to make it into the outer planes and enter Cyrics realm. Fighting their way through his palace and then throne room, they arrive at a secret door behind the throne. Opening it, they find Cyric in a straight-jacket, drooling in a corner of a dark, padded cell. They approach him, and he looks up, tears streaming down his face, "Please... kill me". A shadow suddenly fills the open doorway, the characters turn, and their stands Shar, in all her magnificent glory. "Hello, boys" :devil:
Renvale999 02-15-07, 01:20 PM	Nice. :D Very good lead in for the players, I like it a lot. I'd love to see how this plays out, like what happened when he ran into the Kara-Tur pantheon, and the gods from other continents? Were they cast-aside as well? Obviously the Mulhorandi Gods would have went with the Faerunians ones, but what of the more primitive gods from Chult or Ulutiu? Perhaps Cyric didn't bother with these out-of-the-way places? Sounds like a good one to me. Or, you could have the players be champions of the Hebomad (Mount Celestia paragons) and have the Hebomad decide it's been long enough for Cyric ruling everything and they start to bring back the other gods. When Cyric is finally defeated, his essence splits and some of the old gods are re-born (Bane, Shar so on, so forth) now you got a Realms with infinite possibilities. Just my two cents.
ArnimThayer 02-15-07, 05:36 PM	The characters, after many years and trials and tribulations, finally manage to make it into the outer planes and enter Cyrics realm. Fighting their way through his palace and then throne room, they arrive at a secret door behind the throne. Opening it, they find Cyric in a straight-jacket, drooling in a corner of a dark, padded cell. They approach him, and he looks up, tears streaming down his face, "Please... kill me". A shadow suddenly fills the open doorway, the characters turn, and their stands Shar, in all her magnificent glory. I had already planned to use something similar in my campaign. I figured that even raised to godhood, there is no way Cyric could ever have a seriously clever plan. Don't believe me? Reread the Avatars trilogy - Cyric for the most part was just just luck enough to be in the right place at the right time. He did nothing to truly "earn" godhood. I like the idea of him being a puppet ruler.
Hizar 02-15-07, 05:50 PM	and I garentee you the minute you start this the first thing one of your players says will be "I wanna be a cleric" Actually that has happened, and I have allowed it. I have allowed them to be a cleric of and Ideal. this way they do not worship one thing only to become a thing of worship later. Infact I had each of them give me a draft of a portfolio for them to work towards, kind of a set of ideals that they will eventually become. After all what are gods but a collection of ideals? As for why they are doing this, I gave each of them a vision. Each vision was tailored to that charcter as the primary champion, with the other charcters as supporting staff only, as they defeated cyric in a cataclysmic battle. At this time they have no idea where the vision came from, but feel a truth to it. This also helps to bring the party together and allows for an excuse for charcters of different alignments (and ideals) to be working together when they would normally fight each other. Whose behind the visions? Only I know and I won't say even here.
Hizar 02-15-07, 05:54 PM	Or, you could have the players be champions of the Hebomad (Mount Celestia paragons) and have the Hebomad decide it's been long enough for Cyric ruling everything and they start to bring back the other gods. When Cyric is finally defeated, his essence splits and some of the old gods are re-born (Bane, Shar so on, so forth) now you got a Realms with infinite possibilities. Just my two cents. My players already have drastically differnt backgrounds and protofolio's. While I will have to add a few other gods (prehaps working in other parts of the realms at the same time). for the most part they will become the new gods without the need of any outside guidence.
Renvale999 02-16-07, 01:07 PM	My players already have drastically differnt backgrounds and protofolio's. While I will have to add a few other gods (prehaps working in other parts of the realms at the same time). for the most part they will become the new gods without the need of any outside guidence. I was thinking if Cyric has control of the Weave, how in the heck are your guys gonna take him on, as he negate most of their abilities?? Just curious.
MarkusTay63 02-16-07, 03:11 PM	#1 Cyric's unstable #2 Cyric's still fairly new to godhood, even after a hundred years #3 Perhaps his interest lies elsewhere? Maybe he is going after the Kara-Tur pantheon? Or Challenges Fate itself over dominion of Zakhara? If he is otherwise engaged he wouldn't notice what a few mortals are doing, considering the sheer magnitude of that which he now nows control.
BrianCritchley 02-16-07, 06:13 PM	Actually that has happened, and I have allowed it. I have allowed them to be a cleric of and Ideal.. forgotten realms doesn't work that way though thats been part and parcel of FR since day 1. I also dislike the whole ideal idea, if your channeling divine power it should require you to worship the divine
MarkusTay63 02-16-07, 06:44 PM	I would agree with you, except where Druids are concerned. I preferred that they 'venerated nature' as originally intended; FORCING them to choose a god seems a bit artificial to me.
BrianCritchley 02-18-07, 12:32 AM	I would agree with you, except where Druids are concerned. I preferred that they 'venerated nature' as originally intended; FORCING them to choose a god seems a bit artificial to me. unless you actually look at most historic druids which venerated natural gods. then it seems quite fine
MarkusTay63 02-18-07, 01:32 AM	Perhaps, but I've been playing since pre-1e, and I'm used to them not having a god, that used to be only neccessary for clerics. Druids could CHOOSE to worship a god, just like anyone else, but it wasn't a stipulation back then. I would just rather have the choice back, even in Realms canon there is at least one druid that DOESN'T venerate any gods.
Stigger 02-18-07, 02:53 AM	Makes more sense to me that they would venerate gods rather than not... but that's something that would make sense to me regardless of the setting.
MarkusTay63 02-19-07, 04:53 PM	You are quite correct, traditionally they venerated some aspect of 'The Goddess'. But old-school D&D Druids were a little different from them, and I liked that about them. The one and only Druid I ran in 1e venerated a god, but only as a worshipper, his spells were still derived from his connection to nature itself. Just a different way of looking at the same thing, thats all. ;)