Post/Author/DateTime	Post
MalariaMoon 06-10-07, 04:22 AM	Hey All, I'm putting together a campaign set in the North, and I want it to revolve around a showdown between the Silver Marches and King Obould Many-Arrows. I have read Salvatore's latest Drizzt trilogy, in which Obould is the principal "baddie", but don't have my own copy. From my recollection, by the end of the trilogy Obould has conquered a lot more territory than presented in the FRCS. Could someone define the boundaries of his new realm? I intend to launch the campaign with an attack on the small hamlet of Newfort (presented in the Silver Marches book) by Obould's forces. I know that Newfort is a mere fifteen miles from Sundabar, would this make sense? I'm considering it a daring move by Obould - a taunt to the dwarves by annihilating a settlement right at their doorstep (his forces will then retreat before the dwarves can send a force against him).
Questing GM 06-10-07, 07:15 AM	Greetings. My memory on the novels has been fuzzy but if i'm not mistaken the orcs have taken the entrance to Mithral Hall (Settlestone, IIRC) and one side of the River Surbin. That's the newest border of Obould's kingdom. As for attacking Newfort unexpectedly, I would say that Obould's troops would have to take an Underdark route to get there without being spotted. That way, they could also make their speedy retreat without being pursued by the reinforcements. From the looks of the novels though, Obould seem more interested to maintain a truce with the Silver Marches and wants the confederation to acknowledge the Kingdom of Arrows existence or else... On the 'good guys' side, Alustriel doesn't look like she would muster the might of the Silver Marches to retaliate on the orcs as well for some unknown reason. This looks like a call for a campaign set on court intrigue and diplomacy, which is an interesting twist to the sitaution in the North especially when the PCs find out who they have to deal with. By the way in case you were not aware, a new series will be starting soon by Salvatore that would continue the events set after the Hunter's Blade trilogy, starting with 'The Orc King' due on September, i think.
MalariaMoon 06-10-07, 07:42 AM	Many thanks, With that in mind, Obould's kingdom is quite some way from Newfort, so it wouldn't really make a logical location for a "first strike" in a new campaign. I'm developing the idea of Obould attempting to form an alliance with the orcs of the Rauvin mountains, and the prospect of the Silver Marches facing seperate orc hordes on two fronts - Obould's orcs and Rauvin orcs such as the Tornskulls. With the aid of Alustriel and the Harpers, the PCs are going to be busy trying to sabotage this alliance. Perhaps the Tornskulls can destroy Newfort later in the campaign. I'm not too concerned with contradicting Salvatore's story, and future developments thereof. It seems that Drizzt has a scimitar with Obould's name on it, and that's fine with me. I plan to make Obould more of a background figure in the campaign. I have a nice roster of nasty orc characters who will be more immediate villains, probably led by one of Obould's sons and perhaps featuring his priestess, Black Lorog, who is detailed in the Silver Marches book. A couple of further questions; Where exactly is Dark Arrow Keep situated? (I've lost my poster map). I know its in the Spine of the World, but thats one long chain of mountains. Can anyone give me a clue referencing it to a better known site further south ie north of Silverymoon or north of Citadel Adbar etc. what year does the Hunters Blades trilogy conclude?
Iakhovas 06-10-07, 10:35 AM	Dark Arrow Keep is located in the Spine of the World mountains, west of the Druarwood, northwest of the Moonwood, and northeast of the Frost Hills. It's marked on the map included with the Silver Marches accessory. I believe you can also find it on MarkusTay's map of the region. Edit: Hmmm. You asked for better known sites. DAK is northwest of Silverymoon, northeast of Mithral Hall. And yes it is even further north (though much farther west) than Citadel Adbar. It's not as far north as Hartsvale however. The Hunter's Blade trilogy concludes in the early winter months of 1371 DR.
MarkusTay63 06-10-07, 01:56 PM	Dark Arrow Keep is located in the Spine of the World mountains, west of the Druarwood, northwest of the Moonwood, and northeast of the Frost Hills. It's marked on the map included with the Silver Marches accessory. I believe you can also find it on MarkusTay's map of the region.Ask an yea shall receive. ;) My Silver Marches Map (http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/49808728/?qo=14&q=by%3Amarkustay&qh=sort%3Atime+-in%3Ascraps) There is also a four-part printable version there as well. :)
Questing GM 06-10-07, 02:46 PM	Obould already has an uneasy alliance with the Frost Giants and there are many other factions that has very similar interest which can be reason enough to participate in Obould's conquest. The orcs of the Rauvin and Nether mountains would most certainly join forces with Obould if his status as Chosen is confirmed, if word of this spreads across the North, Obould would find many new followers waiting for him inside the Silver Marches itself. The Silver Marches sourcebook already mentions a group of hobgoblins led by a warchief in the Cold Mountains that is inspired by Obould's actions and the Monsters of Faerun compendium mentions the peryton having an alliance with Obould to watch over his borders at the Spine of the World. Also you might to check out this thread Candlekeep (http://forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9346) It might just give you some ideas on how the campaign can develop.
MalariaMoon 06-11-07, 03:37 PM	Thanks all for the help! The maps at Candlekeep are excellent; if only wizards would make an equal effort! I'm starting to think that I'll play the orc invasion as a bit of a slow burner. I'll give my PCs some quieter adventures in the North and hint at what's to come. But I still fully intend to grind Newfort off the map under the heels of a tusker horde!!!