Post/Author/DateTime	Post
chrono9665 01-15-08, 12:31 PM	Okay, I kinda need a few questions answered because they may effect the campaign I'm running (not that I am incredibly canon or anything) but it would help. First, When, Why and How did Shar get the Karsestone? I understand most of the history leading up to Karsus's folly, and the return of shade, but after that I can't seem to follow the Karsestone. Basically, how did it jump from from Galaeron's hands to Shar's. Second, What exactly does it do and why does Shar want it? Third, Halaster Blackcloak was recently killed off in expedition to undermountain, I was wondering if the disaster he saw coming had anything to do with the spellplague or was it something else? and if so, what does the twisted rune have to do with it? Thanks for any help you guys can give me.
Lord Karsus 01-16-08, 12:12 AM	First, When, Why and How did Shar get the Karsestone? I understand most of the history leading up to Karsus's folly, and the return of shade, but after that I can't seem to follow the Karsestone. Basically, how did it jump from from Galaeron's hands to Shar's. -It happened in The Return of the Archwizards trilogy. Shar seemed to have just appeared and stole it. Second, What exactly does it do and why does Shar want it? -We don't know. One possibility simply could have been to take it away from Cyric, as the two are enemies, and Cyric was poised, at one point, to sieze the Karsestone. Third, Halaster Blackcloak was recently killed off in expedition to undermountain, I was wondering if the disaster he saw coming had anything to do with the spellplague or was it something else? and if so, what does the twisted rune have to do with it? -Halaster Blackcloak apparently foresaw the Spellplague. What exactly he learned, and how, is currently unknown. He began preparing for it, attempting to develop a way to counter it. However, there was an arcane accident (I believe that had something to do with the Liches of the Twisted Rune), and this resulted in Halaster's death. His soul was shattered into multiple fragments, and who knows what happened with them. Until they are all united once more, Halaster cannot be raised, either.
chrono9665 01-16-08, 01:59 PM	Thank you Lord Karsus
Lord Karsus 01-16-08, 02:14 PM	-No problem.
Alediran 01-16-08, 02:41 PM	LK, now that you mentioned it. I had the odd feeling that we'll see Halaster in the 4ed FRCG. They "killed" him to avoid him stopping the Spellplague and now that the Spellplague ended they'll resurrect him.
Lord Karsus 01-16-08, 02:42 PM	LK, now that you mentioned it. I had the odd feeling that we'll see Halaster in the 4ed FRCG. They "killed" him to avoid him stopping the Spellplague and now that the Spellplague ended they'll resurrect him. -Just like Mystra, I hope it's not within two seconds of 4e being released. Give it time, so that when/if they do decide to bring him back, it's noteworthy, in our eyes.
Alediran 01-16-08, 02:46 PM	it's noteworthy, in our eyes. Did they did anything noteworthy? I'm sure not only Halaster will return just like he left, but he'll be crazy again, and will be the raid boss to kill for groups that go to Undermountain.
Lord Karsus 01-16-08, 02:49 PM	Did they did anything noteworthy? I'm sure not only Halaster will return just like he left, but he'll be crazy again, and will be the raid boss to kill for groups that go to Undermountain. -Halaster was cured of his insanity.
Kenzuki 01-16-08, 02:53 PM	I think that was a reference to how WoW seems to be handling its raid bosses lately. Everyone is apparantly "Gone insane!", well except Malygos the Spellweaver. The Blue Dragon Aspect of Magic recovers his sanity and wages war on mortal spellcasters he sees are abusing magic. Of course he will probably be killed and his loot taken. Jeff Kaplin must be stopped!
Alediran 01-16-08, 02:54 PM	-Halaster was cured of his insanity. I know, that's why I said he'll be crazy again, otherwise there would be no need to have a sane Halaster if he can't be the final fight in an Undermountain module.
Lord Karsus 01-16-08, 03:01 PM	-Oh, gotcha. Wonder is Undermountain is even going to make it to the new Realms.
Alkasyn 01-16-08, 04:05 PM	LK, now that you mentioned it. I had the odd feeling that we'll see Halaster in the 4ed FRCG. They "killed" him to avoid him stopping the Spellplague and now that the Spellplague ended they'll resurrect him. Personally, I think he will be back, eventually. Not every other npc in the realms is a thousand years old ancient mage.
Lord Karsus 01-16-08, 04:10 PM	Not every other npc in the realms is a thousand years old ancient mage. -Of course they are. Just ask the people who know the setting best- the people who passionately hate it, and never play there. :cool:
Alkasyn 01-19-08, 10:33 AM	-Of course they are. Just ask the people who know the setting best- the people who passionately hate it, and never play there. :cool: Good for those people that new books come out, which will picture how some new guys transcend from a zero to a hero and eventually become thousand year old mages:P
Lord Karsus 01-19-08, 10:56 AM	Good for those people that new books come out, which will picture how some new guys transcend from a zero to a hero and eventually become thousand year old mages:P -That put something in perspective for me. Imagine how boring a novel about 1st level characters, dealing with 1st level threats, would be! Book One: "The heroes save Little Jimmy from three Orcs who kidnap him!" Book Two: "The heroes fight off a horde of Troglydites, and discover that they are working for a Kobold Shaman!" Book Three: "The heroes stop the dreaded Kobold Shaman in the mine, and stop him from poisoning the town's water supply!"
Alkasyn 01-19-08, 04:19 PM	-That put something in perspective for me. Imagine how boring a novel about 1st level characters, dealing with 1st level threats, would be! Book One: "The heroes save Little Jimmy from three Orcs who kidnap him!" Book Two: "The heroes fight off a horde of Troglydites, and discover that they are working for a Kobold Shaman!" Book Three: "The heroes stop the dreaded Kobold Shaman in the mine, and stop him from poisoning the town's water supply!" Indeed, but seeing at whom the new edition is aimed at(all the simplifications) I think that at least some of the targeted population would be pleased with "save the kitty" scenarios.I mean, kids just love animals, don't they?
Rinonalyrna Fathomlin 01-19-08, 09:14 PM	Anyone who saves a kitty is a HERO to me!:)
Arliekkos 01-22-08, 12:01 AM	Would think that if they were going to off Halaster then bringing low Halruaa and its council should have been paramount. Not only do we have some of the most potent diviners in the Realms but also a powerful opponent to offset the return of Shade. For them to reduce the Halruaans to a rag tag group of skyship mercenaries.. Well if you want to pull in the Adama there's your Battlestar Galactica. There are just too many places that could 'foresee' such events happening prior to what set it all in motion. I am looking forward to the new 4e core rules, not so hot on the FR part in large part due to the poor storyline transitioning and this need to wipe the slate clean of nearly all the npc's that made the Realms the Realms for that 'flavor'. Yes I know I do not have to choose to follow the time line jump and all that entails but I still have to question the actual intent of the game designers in electing to make such a massive change to the setting. I hope that the new FR delivers in all ways but I fear that the real reason behind this is the catering to the vocal minority of power gamers and the 'evil is cool' crowd and an attempt to gather more of the same from online gaming communities. Trust me I play those and those are not really the sort of players that are into the Role play scene as a rule.