Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Khaelieth 03-12-07, 07:32 PM	How many DM's out there actually use Drizzt, Artemis, Obould, Manshoon and The Simbul directly in their campaigns? My players (who aren't very impressed with e.g. Drizzt) would probably laugh, point and then chuck skunk droppings at him, so there's one reason for not using him.
Kytat 03-12-07, 09:32 PM	I did with my first FR campaign and everyone was confused. They had no clue who they were and why there were so important to the storyline. Now with my newer FR campaign they may only meet a few of the Eviler characters to show them. Plus I can always bring in the good ones to save their butts. Another thing that I did was made the leader of the group trained by Danilo Thann as a wizard/sorcerer. That way he was forced into knowing the character and respecting or despising the character (having feelings at the character that wasn't laughter). But this is also a group of individuals not every group will react the same.
Lord Karsus 03-12-07, 09:38 PM	-I don't DM in the Realms, but in the campaign I am running, I mentioned Karsus, and my general story to the PCs, because it was relevant. They were not particularly impressed.
Karsus the Mad 03-12-07, 11:09 PM	I once featured Ioulaum in a campaign. He had taken the form of a human child who was apprenticed to an elven mage in Silverymoon. The teacher was arrogant and vastly annoyed every time his apprentice corrected him on magical theory (which was often) and the pcs would laugh. They never realized who he was tho', despite me giving him the unimaginative name of "young master Mualoui of Septem Town".
Ashathar 03-12-07, 11:36 PM	As a DM, the numerous Red Wizard, and especially Zhentarim higher-ups would be the big bad guys behind many various plots and schemes. Fzoul was a particular favorite of mine, and I crushed several PCs under his boot. Usually, though, the PCs would never get too close to the big guys, and would to deal with underlings as they worked to unravel the big evil plan until it fell apart. As far as famous heroes go, I never really used them in an active adventuring sense. If they made an appearance, they served as top-tier contacts for information, employers (though this was usually done through underlings), or, in the case of political seat-holders (Azoun, Piergeron) the ones who would bestow medals and recognition on the PCs for their valiant deeds. Beyond that, I played it so that the high-level folk were busy with their own adventures/research/travels/schemes which were beyond the scope or power level of the PCs, so the PCs simply would not come into regular contact with them. Khelben once got involved in some big events since it made sense for him to do so, but he kept his identity hidden, since that also made sense, so all the PCs knew was that a powerful wizard with virtually no traceable identity gave them a hand. Azoun and Vangerdahast made regular appearances whenever it was fitting since one of the PCs was a powerful and influential Paladin and Purple Dragon Knight. Rhauntides was a particular favorite of mine, since I have a particular fondness for Deepingdale and his great personality and profession as a sage made him fun to play as an NPC as well as accessible. Oh, and Storm was all over the place whenever I could justify her showing up, hiring the PCs for a task, or whatever else. I liked portraying her as infinitely busy, going in a million different directions at once, but also incredibly helpful and down to earth.
Stigger 03-13-07, 01:03 AM	I use them pretty frequently... mostly as sages/mentors/background stuff that are mostly just name dropped in reference to something I said they wrote that can be looked up in the archives, or really occassionally with an actual guest appearance. :D
Black Kitten 03-13-07, 07:07 AM	Most of my adventures currently are about Cormyr and some of it's secrets. former characters have fathered children with the 2 important ladies (Caladnei and Alusair) and one has descended directly from Karsus in some creepy fashion. So currently my campaign's characters are the son of Caladnei, called Odulf 'Karsuka' Farwise and the son of Alusair (actually, there's 3 characters that could all be this one, the players know one of them is, but they don't understand who the other two are, it's a kind of magic).
Khaelieth 03-13-07, 07:39 AM	I often enough use their organizations, but I just prefer not to let my players meet characters like Drizzt, Elminster etc. First, they'll break into laughter (as above) or they'll just be awed and/or feel like they're not heroes.
hento 03-13-07, 07:46 AM	Most of my adventurers have met few town regents such as Lord Nasher in Neverwinter and others in Luskan and Fireshar. They've generally decided to pick them of one by one after warmongering them one against the other, primary Nasher for putting them in prison after killing a bartender in The Moonstone Mask (spit in ones coffee). They've heard of Elminster in the assasins guild (name on a big trap wich was made for him and they ran in it), and i yet need to find a frost giant princess because they will probably try to get her to work for them in a war against Neverwinter. It's actually quite fun but you have to embroil them into your campaign (i usually put at least 50 guards around them :cool:) or they will make a mockery of them or kill them instantly if they can. :banghead:
Galad 03-13-07, 09:11 AM	I have used quite a few of the legendary characters of the Realms in my various campaigns. Mostly they are there as employers, sages or information contacts. Since quite a few are Harpers, a Harper character had reason to meet with a few briefly. I try not to use them in battle when they are more than a couple of levels above the PC's.
Empirate 03-13-07, 09:15 AM	For me, it's mostly the evil guys that make an appearance. In a recent campaign, the group fought (briefly) "Selfaril" Uomdolphin, the High Blade of Mulmaster. He took one of the group captive (an incredibly good-looking Aasimar Druid) to keep as his sex puppet, but she escaped by Crumbling one of the palace windows and turning into a seagull. Later the group worked on bringing the Mulmaster/Zhentarim alliance down and, with the help of some anonymous Harpers exposed "Selfaril" not to be the real thing. They set up camp in Phlan, where the Zhentarim then came looking for them. In the end, Phlan turned out to contain a Crossroads/Backroads nexus that the Zhentarim hoped to occupy in a straight-out military bid for power in the Moonsea area. That expedition was led by Fzoul himself. The group actually made plans how to fight and kill him, but abandoned them in the end. They felt he was too much for them to handle, and anyway, he'd probably be resurrected. They settled for destroying the Half-Fey Green Dragon that had assumed control of all Backroads in the region and allied with the Zhentarim, which worked just as well. In a solo campaign I'm DMing from time to time I had Caladnei show up - the campaign is based in Cormyr and is military to a large degree, so it made sense to have the royal court magician show up. Especially since the PC's War Wizard mentor is a personal assistant to (and hopelessly in love with) Caladnei. In my current campaign one character, who is a 4th level thayan necromancer, once received a letter by Szass Tam... as did all his colleagues: It was a general order to all necromancers by the zulkir. But proud he was nonetheless. Usually I like to give my PCs the feeling that they're the biggest news in the world if they do the right thing. At least they always have the potential of turning into REAL heroes and probably defeating the big names. One of the most annoying recurring villains in the Zhentarim campaign was a cousin of Fzoul's, Shirov Chembryl. I statted him as a 12th level Cleric of Bane and he managed to thoroughly trounce the group twice (killing one of the PCs in the first encounter) before a Creeping Doom took care of him the third time around. This way, the group felt they were in a way duking it out with Fzoul, although they only met his younger relative in the field.
The_Shaman 03-13-07, 10:09 AM	I often enough use their organizations, but I just prefer not to let my players meet characters like Drizzt, Elminster etc. First, they'll break into laughter (as above) or they'll just be awed and/or feel like they're not heroes. Actually, the second is one of the reasons I like the Realms. You can always find someone to be humbled by, at least until you're lvl 40+ or so. Knowing that you've outdone someone who is clearly a superior foe is also quite satisfying imo.
Lord Karsus 03-13-07, 10:44 AM	They never realized who he was tho', despite me giving him the unimaginative name of "young master Mualoui of Septem Town". -I hate backwards names. In one of the games I was playing in, we met a mysterious NPC named Nogardama, who was an exotic-looking black woman. We didn't figure it out until it was too late. Luckily, no one died, though! :)
Karsus the Mad 03-13-07, 07:19 PM	-I hate backwards names. In one of the games I was playing in, we met a mysterious NPC named Nogardama, who was an exotic-looking black woman. We didn't figure it out until it was too late. Luckily, no one died, though! :) Meh, I simply find them funny. They're even more funny when the players don't recognize them:P "Hello, my name is Susrak and this is my friend Lodnihtra. May we bother you a moment to answer some questions?" <10th level wizard> "Begone silly cantrip tosser. I've not the time to waste on the likes of you." "Fair enough. I'll come back when you're in a more appropriate mood..."
Lord Karsus 03-13-07, 07:38 PM	Meh, I simply find them funny. They're even more funny when the players don't recognize them:P "Hello, my name is Susrak and this is my friend Lodnihtra. May we bother you a moment to answer some questions?" <10th level wizard> "Begone silly cantrip tosser. I've not the time to waste on the likes of you." "Fair enough. I'll come back when you're in a more appropriate mood..." -Yeah, well like I said, we all got our asses handed to us. :(
Karsus the Mad 03-13-07, 07:49 PM	Hey, it's your own fault you didn't recognize "Am A Dragon" :P At least you didn't die. That's always a positive in the adventuring business;) Could have been worse. It could be an anagram! "A man o' Drag"...somehow would have been a twisted fit for your situation;)
Lord Karsus 03-13-07, 07:55 PM	Hey, it's your own fault you didn't recognize "Am A Dragon" :P At least you didn't die. That's always a positive in the adventuring business;) Could have been worse. It could be an anagram! -No, we did not die, but the majority of us were horribly scarred. My Zeetvah cleric had his CHA go down by one because of all of the burn scars and patches of missing fur/hair. We did eventually slay it, and take it's treasure, so in the broad scheme of things, we were succesful...
BrennonGoldeye 03-13-07, 08:02 PM	I have DM used most of them. 90% as background. None of my PC's have ever met El. Laeral and Dove have participated and one entire group is at Laeral's beck and call at this time. Very busy they are. My other group is in Chult at the moment. Personally I am still stuck on a Tear. :cloud9:
Khaelieth 03-13-07, 08:13 PM	I often use their organizations, like the Harpers, Cult of the Dragon, Zhentarim (Anyone up for some Robin Hoodeering?!) etc, with their masters as distant enemies. I meant who actually uses the (in)famous characters directly, e.g. the PC's meet Fzoul Chembryl.
BrennonGoldeye 03-13-07, 09:51 PM	Well, all my PC's fear a Red Skull mask. That and the sword that trails after it.:devil:
Alediran 03-14-07, 09:32 AM	In my case, I've used Alustriel as the one who hired the party (by intermediate of Alediran and his bethroded who know her a little, hence the reason for hiring the party), and they fought along with the companions of the hall against an orc invasion (a distraction made by the BBEGal of chapter 1, a half shadow dragon cleric of Shar)
Critalondel 03-14-07, 11:32 AM	In my recently started Silver Marches campaign, I'm gonna have the PCs tangle (in about 6-8 levels) with Obould Many-Arrows some, and there's been mentions of Alustriel and Bruenor Battlehammer ruling their kingdoms nearby (though I'm not sure if either will ever make a direct appearance).
Terraneaux 03-14-07, 02:40 PM	As much as I like to rib on realms npcs, if used properly an encounter with a "realmspc" can add to the setting/game. It's cool when your pcs can say to some other npc something like "Oh yeah? We roll with Khelben. Wanna mess with us?" or something a little less confrontative. It's also nice when your pcs defeat a well known villain and can look back and say "Man, he did some screwed up stuff, I'm real glad we ended his threat forever etc." With all that said in regard to the last post Alustriel could wipe out Obould and his tribe faster than you could say "chosen of mystra" and any potential threat he could offer the North is really laughable.
Critalondel 03-15-07, 04:25 AM	Well, uhh, yeah. And Elminster and Khelben could get together with The Simbul and Laerel and blah blah blah all the bad guys would be dead pretty fast. That's just not how the Realms NPCs work, though -- they're assumed to be busy running around trying to fix a million little things at once, so they don't have time between trips to Starbucks to swing by every little threat and stamp it out with a few maximized Fireballs. And Obould isn't going to be threatening "the North" in my game. He's going to be threatening a three-strong group of player characters. :) Alustriel's got more important things to do than take out Obould's tribe just 'cause a few PCs are getting hassled by him (or the whole mountain range would be clear of orcs and goblins, any-freaking-ways).
Renvale999 03-18-07, 08:45 AM	I generally play the Uber-NPC's as though they are basically retired. They have small things they do now and again but mostly they leave it up to the new genreration to take care of things. Elminster is currently researching how to be an old man and be as lazy as possible. Alustriel is just dealing with the politics of the Silver Marches. The Simbul is securing her country while she uses the current trade agreement with Thay to gather intelligence on her long time enemy(PC's anyone lol??) I could go on and on, but I like to use the Uber guys as though they've already had their adventuring days, it's time to nurture the younger generation, cause as Elminster likes to say.."I'm getting to old for this" :D
BrennonGoldeye 03-18-07, 02:23 PM	Indeed. :whatsthis
Kaewin 03-18-07, 02:48 PM	I've used the Mayor of Highmoon and Rhauntides in an adveture, but that was after the pcs beat down some Zhent slavers, freed the slaves and destroyed some powerful bandits that were causing severe problems with trade in the area. Right now we are playing Werewolf the Apocalypse and I am trying to find a way for them to meet King Albeicht. But i digress.:D
JaiaDrottsingr 03-20-07, 05:05 PM	I'm gonna pretend I don't know what you mean by infamous. My DM invented Tearlings. They're sort of the destructive force in the Universe. One destroyed Earth, theoretically. Other explanations imply that the sun collapsed, technology scattered to the Far Reaches of The Map, and that a massive quake shifted all land, opening up holes to the core known as Rose Holes. All three are canon in Selth, though. Tearlings also play a large part in a story I'm writing, "Peace in Battle." I played a female Fey'Ri once named Khaos, she was the self-proclaimed Insanity Incarnate. The rest of that all-good party knew she was evil, but she was just too wacked out to fight against them, so she just followed them around and shifted to incredibly random shapes a lot. "Khaos! We need you to turn into something small to fit into that hole!" She polymorphed into an ameboa. Due to interest of time, the DM changed the speed it would to cross the foot of wall from several years to five real life seconds. She became widely known as, "The Cracked Essence of Insanity." Seriously, though, I prefer when characters make themselves famous, and not have them meet with El to start a quest. Besides, I always leave games like that, and I do not count them in my Gamer Statistics.
The ShapeLess One 03-20-07, 05:20 PM	One time a new player to the group ( His first game ever) took out 11 orcs. He thought he was an ustoppable wizard. After the game the group and I got to talking, the subject of Manshoon came up. The player convinced himself that he could beat him at his current level of 3. We did what we could to talk him out of it. So he seeks out Manshoon, after a few years of travel, random encounters ect he hit mighty level 7. Found Manshoon, he was then kill as he attempted to fireball him. As Manshoon used Finger of death. The player learned. He is very cautious now. Thats about the only time one of the Famous character came up.
Narsil 03-20-07, 11:29 PM	If I were to include someone, it'd probably be a random minor villain like Manshoon or that Aeron Morieth fellow whose whole existence tends to irritate the local Mystic Theurge of Mystra due to his use of the Shadow Weave.
Terraneaux 03-21-07, 02:43 PM	a random minor villain like Manshoon We are talking about the same Manshoon, right?
Lord Karsus 03-21-07, 04:25 PM	We are talking about the same Manshoon, right? -Most people new to the Realms don't realize how big of a villian Manshoon is/was, considering how "little screentime" he gets.
Khaelieth 03-21-07, 05:41 PM	Aye, come to think of it... My brother (whom I often DM for) is more familiar with the likes of Fzoul, Scyllua Darkhope, Drizzt, Klauth etc.
JaiaDrottsingr 03-21-07, 05:54 PM	Klauth Wait. I am so *stupid*. I once killed Klauth at level, like, what, seven?, I think... He was at like, level... 60?, I think... I've also met Karsus and destroyed all four pieces. I just don't like early progression, is what I meant, famous people need to come in much later, before epic, but not during, to add that sense of one degree (very acute) Paranoia. I only really bring in characters that are famous when it is absolutely necessary to the plot. I will stay in a game if I do not recognize that the character is famous (like Jaia's second [known] adventure, he met a talking raven [and I had no prior knowledge of this character or its siblings]).
Lord Karsus 03-21-07, 06:01 PM	I've also met Karsus and destroyed all four pieces. -Yeah, well, it's not that easy in actuality...
JaiaDrottsingr 03-21-07, 06:07 PM	-Yeah, well, it's not that easy in actuality... You mean because there was only two of you? The rest of the party died a lot. I've never, nor have wanted to, played a cleric since.
MsMarvelDuckie 04-17-07, 12:33 AM	I have occasionally used Drizzt, El, and a few others in campaigns- usually when the party is small and/or inexperienced. they usually act as advisors, employers, and the like, although I've used Drizzt as a guide once or twice. But usually it's just name-dropping.
Puritan13 04-17-07, 08:03 PM	As a DM, you only really meet these famous NPC's if you go looking for them. Even then, they may not like you. Although, I did let one player who wanted to multiclass into the Assassin class (back in 2e, we still used some 1e classes) be trained by Artemis Entreri. He loved that storyline. As a player, I used to play under a DM that brought in Drizzt and his friends in every campaign. We'd get into a fight, and before you knew it, Wulfgar's hammer would fly into the fight and strike dead one of our enemies. It got to the point where we tried to kill them. One of our more powerful wizards dropped a freaking wall of iron on Drizzt, and this DM wouldn't allow it to happen. We tried like crazy session after session to kill these NPC's that we outleveled by a good 10 levels, and we just couldn't do it. This is what taught me not to bring in those NPC's unless the players seek them out. And even then, if the Players end up killing the NPC's, they no longer exist in my campaign world unless there is a reasonable chance at resurrection.
Stigger 04-17-07, 09:24 PM	Well, that's a damned good reason not to want them Puritan... never gotten to that point thankfully.
King_Neckchopper 04-18-07, 01:05 PM	My character King Neckchopper met Wulfgar, and the two shared stories. As a player I thought it was cool. I was quite suprised when my DM threw him in the game, and did;nt make him to be this prick that all his NPC usually are.
King_Neckchopper 04-18-07, 01:15 PM	As a DM, you only really meet these famous NPC's if you go looking for them. Even then, they may not like you. Although, I did let one player who wanted to multiclass into the Assassin class (back in 2e, we still used some 1e classes) be trained by Artemis Entreri. He loved that storyline. As a player, I used to play under a DM that brought in Drizzt and his friends in every campaign. We'd get into a fight, and before you knew it, Wulfgar's hammer would fly into the fight and strike dead one of our enemies. It got to the point where we tried to kill them. One of our more powerful wizards dropped a freaking wall of iron on Drizzt, and this DM wouldn't allow it to happen. We tried like crazy session after session to kill these NPC's that we outleveled by a good 10 levels, and we just couldn't do it. This is what taught me not to bring in those NPC's unless the players seek them out. And even then, if the Players end up killing the NPC's, they no longer exist in my campaign world unless there is a reasonable chance at resurrection. I guess thats why Wulfgar was'nt a prick, because Neckchopper would have killed him easy.
Renvale999 04-18-07, 03:11 PM	Indeed. :whatsthis Where you making fun of me or disagreeing or agreeing with me? Or was your post not all intended to follow mine lol?
BrennonGoldeye 04-18-07, 05:28 PM	Where you making fun of me or disagreeing or agreeing with me? Or was your post not all intended to follow mine lol? :D I believe I was joining this statement... "I'm getting to old for this" :D As in you are getting too old for this. :rimshot: ;)
Renvale999 04-18-07, 09:47 PM	You're so funny lol
Brooks86 04-19-07, 01:42 PM	I actually included Storm and Khelban in a super-adventure that was used as the entry requirement for the party's bard into the ranks of the Harper Scout. The bard tried very hard to stick to the Harper's agenda through his early adventuring career. He made sure to make friends in the Harpers since basically the beginning. Story elements went something along the lines of Storm sends word through the Harpers that she wanted to meet the party. Party accepts and meets Storm in a nondescript location in Waterdeep. Storm essentially says that she would be proud to present such a capable adventurer before the High Harpers for consideration. But according to the few rules that the Harpers follow it had to be a unanimous vote between them. Being that Khelban left the Harpers last year, the Harpers were more ineffective than usual. Storm said that regardless of the Harpers condition the other High Harpers and her would not welcome back Khelban without him renouncing some of his more brutal tactics. Party locates Khelban bard really shines in negotiations with the former Harper. Khelban asks them to complete a task for him(of course). Khelban demands to be allowed to scry on the bard. If he can complete the task without resorting to violence Khelban would indeed return to the Harpers and bring his Moonstars with him. The task? Simple, liberate an Old Green Dragon's treasure trove. Thanks to a high caster-level check and a natural one on the resulting will save the dragon was throughly convinced that giving his horde to the PC's for safe keeping was the prudent course of action as the local Copper dragon was going to steal it. Khelban returned to the Harpers. Storm brought the bard in front of the High Harpers and they all agreed to induct the bard into the Harper Scouts. Wow I just got a little long winded. Sorry that was so long, but my players particularly loved that storyline. And I'm very proud of it.
Renvale999 04-19-07, 03:03 PM	I actually included Storm and Khelban in a super-adventure that was used as the entry requirement for the party's bard into the ranks of the Harper Scout. The bard tried very hard to stick to the Harper's agenda through his early adventuring career. He made sure to make friends in the Harpers since basically the beginning. Story elements went something along the lines of Storm sends word through the Harpers that she wanted to meet the party. Party accepts and meets Storm in a nondescript location in Waterdeep. Storm essentially says that she would be proud to present such a capable adventurer before the High Harpers for consideration. But according to the few rules that the Harpers follow it had to be a unanimous vote between them. Being that Khelban left the Harpers last year, the Harpers were more ineffective than usual. Storm said that regardless of the Harpers condition the other High Harpers and her would not welcome back Khelban without him renouncing some of his more brutal tactics. Party locates Khelban bard really shines in negotiations with the former Harper. Khelban asks them to complete a task for him(of course). Khelban demands to be allowed to scry on the bard. If he can complete the task without resorting to violence Khelban would indeed return to the Harpers and bring his Moonstars with him. The task? Simple, liberate an Old Green Dragon's treasure trove. Thanks to a high caster-level check and a natural one on the resulting will save the dragon was throughly convinced that giving his horde to the PC's for safe keeping was the prudent course of action as the local Copper dragon was going to steal it. Khelban returned to the Harpers. Storm brought the bard in front of the High Harpers and they all agreed to induct the bard into the Harper Scouts. Wow I just got a little long winded. Sorry that was so long, but my players particularly loved that storyline. And I'm very proud of it. Not bad, totally off canon, but the important thing is players are having fun..I mean this with no sarcasm, It's a nice little twist on the storyline. Good Job.
Renvale999 04-19-07, 03:05 PM	:D I believe I was joining this statement... :D As in you are getting too old for this. :rimshot: ;) And I'm not getting too old for this, we just had a 42 year old join our group, I'm 26...kinda of weird (having an older guy in the group, not him in as a person lol) But he did a good job assimilating into the group so it went smoothly.
Brooks86 04-19-07, 03:20 PM	Not bad, totally off canon, but the important thing is players are having fun..I mean this with no sarcasm, It's a nice little twist on the storyline. Good Job. Well yeah I guess that was kind of my point. The famous NPCs are in there to give the setting a life of it's own, but once the game starts the agendas and motivations of even the great NPCs are the DMs to control. What took me a long time to understand was that even with all these great characters, the story was still about my players and them carving a place alongside these epic NPCs. Because ultimately at the end of the session the most important thing to the players is their characters.
Renvale999 04-20-07, 03:10 PM	Well yeah I guess that was kind of my point. The famous NPCs are in there to give the setting a life of it's own, but once the game starts the agendas and motivations of even the great NPCs are the DMs to control. What took me a long time to understand was that even with all these great characters, the story was still about my players and them carving a place alongside these epic NPCs. Because ultimately at the end of the session the most important thing to the players is their characters. True, true. Personally I'd like to know now if anyone has had their party kill a famous NPC?? Personally my group took down Fzoul Chembryl...it s*cked and we lost half the party (I was GMing, and I played him very smart and brutal), but he's currently pushing up daisies in my forgotten realms.
Chosen of Bane 04-20-07, 03:45 PM	The only iconic character I ever introduced in one of my campaigns was Scyllua Darkhope. The campaign was my "Black Network" campaign where all the PC's were members of the Zhentarim. Once they built a reputation for themselves and reached level 10-12ish she called on them in Zhentil Keep to perform some errands for her. I had planned on using Fzoul in a similar fashion once they acheived considerably higher level but the campaign ended before I got to that point.
Sir_Wolfgar 04-21-07, 01:08 PM	I ran a campaign in Sembia where the PCs were tied to a noble house. All of the Selkirks made appearances, and the Countess Mirabeta was killed. Miklos has actually showed up in a few other campigns as well. For another group, one of the PCs was a Red Wizard, so it was nice to look in the Campaign Setting and be able to twll where an embassy was, and who ran it. This group of PCs will probaly meet Drizzt soon, as they are going to "save" a town in the silver marches where adventurers are mustering to take on a tribe of orcs (the PCs are really going to kidnap a child with silverfire in the region). Elminster has been used only once, for a one-shot high level adventure. The PCs hopped around the realms alot, and Elminster was able to pop in to move the plot along.
Ancient_DM 04-21-07, 11:09 PM	I have a FR campaign set in the Silver Marches before Bruenor Battlehammer reclaims Mithril Hall. The PC's have already massacred a raiding party of Obould's and have beaten a party of higher level orcs sent after them. They have heard that Obould may be using the upper levels of Mithril Hall as a staging area (I'm thinking Moria)... Any ideas on sealing their doom?? :evillaugh
Khaelieth 04-22-07, 10:29 AM	Reverse gravity spells (with automatic resets every round!) in a room full of spikes and boulders! Dubbed the "Dry tumbler"!
Deren 04-23-07, 08:10 AM	-Most people new to the Realms don't realize how big of a villian Manshoon is/was, considering how "little screentime" he gets. I once played in a party once that happened to be in Tantras when two clones of Manshoon duked it out over the city. Although we couldn't/didn't want to get involves (4th level party at the time) we did rush around cleaning up and helping people after wayward spells etc. fell on the city below. Was a pretty cool way to include an NPC (well two!) without a direct involvement in the plot if you ask me, well done Joe! Deren
Lord_Madrigan 04-24-07, 12:39 AM	I tend to have the Big names stay in the background. although there was an incident involving a malfunctioning portal in Myth Drannor. Elminster is getting another bowl of soup looks in the pot and see's the player looking back at him. Elminster:Pardon me but what are you doing in My soup? Player: well I walked through this portal in Myth Drannor.... Elminster:I see.Elminster replaces the lid on the pot and goes to have a word with Storm about her slipping things into his pipeweed again. Player: Hello? Sir?
Karsus the Mad 04-24-07, 07:00 AM	Elminster:Pardon me but what are you doing in My soup? Player: well I walked through this portal in Myth Drannor.... Elminster:I see.Elminster replaces the lid on the pot and goes to have a word with Storm about her slipping things into his pipeweed again. Player: Hello? Sir? :rofl:
Grandmaster_Kane 04-24-07, 06:02 PM	i killed off vanderhast in one of my campaigns he fell down the stairs and snapped his neck lol
Stigger 04-24-07, 06:40 PM	You know, that's strangely fitting for him...
Karsus the Mad 04-24-07, 07:57 PM	i killed off vanderhast in one of my campaigns he fell down the stairs and snapped his neck lol :embarrassIf you're going to give him such a real end, at least spell his name correctly.....Vangerdahast... I had a PC die by getting a loogy stuck in his throat during the casting of an epic spell...hehehehe:D Yes, I DO roll for such things....he just happend to get the two 20's in a row that I had previously decided would be the random factor for failure (the whole loogy in the throat was the in-game reasoning....the chap played it perfectly, as he litterally started coughing just as I rolled the second 20).
BrennonGoldeye 04-24-07, 08:05 PM	I once played in a party once that happened to be in Tantras when two clones of Manshoon duked it out over the city. Although we couldn't/didn't want to get involves (4th level party at the time) we did rush around cleaning up and helping people after wayward spells etc. fell on the city below. Was a pretty cool way to include an NPC (well two!) without a direct involvement in the plot if you ask me, well done Joe! Deren Very nice. This is an excellent example of a way to give your players a taste of canon without spoiling your own homebrew recipe.:D
Mr. Master 04-25-07, 04:46 PM	My group,that has now reached 18th level,is a party faithful to the Cormyrean crown.The Knight is a powerful earl,while the Cleric is the head of the Lathander's temple in Eveningstar.The elven wizard comes from Evermeet,but he is a loyal friend for the Knight,his court wizard and has obtained the War Mages' respect.The half dragon Ranger comes from Shadowdale and spend most of his time in the Hullack forest (the Knight's castle is close to this dangerous forest),where he first met his wife (a female weretiger Druid:D ),and in Suzail (little Azoun V was saved by him during a civil war that occured in my campaign). Therefore,up to now,my players have met and interacted with Alusair,Caladnei,Filfaeril, Azoun V and Elminster.
Mikayla 04-25-07, 05:27 PM	I have not used the really famous PCs when I DM, but for the past 3 years I've been playing in a large campaign during which my drow priestess has encountered Drizzt several times (my PC was captured by King Bruenor's dwarves once and Drizzt was among those that peeked in on her in her cell), Hallister once (at the Promenade of Eilistraee in Undermountain), and Alustriel once (in her court in Silverymoon, at a big meeting to discuss what all the peoples of the North ... and under it ... were going to do about the Shades). And that is about it for encounters with the really famous - sometimes it was a very big honor and big deal in game (the meeting with Alustriel), sometimes it was really scary (the meeting with Hallister) and sometimes it was just plain puzzling ("Hey, there is another drow peeking in on us outside - he's friends with the dwarves! What gives?!?"). Never in all these encounters did I or any member of the party fight or even think about fighting said folks - usually it was just not an option. And even if we had ... well ... we would have been smushed I think - the highest of us is now 12th level.
WilliamTheSly 05-02-07, 06:20 PM	I have had the Lady of Silverymoon make a cameo once, as one campaign I ran was parallel to Salvatore's story of the siege on Mithril Hall. I have also used the Queen of Impiltur and of Damara, and currently the characters (all level 15ish) are 3/4's done with the campaign, which recently bore the Harpers getting involved (scantily) to help the party get on their way to the great glacier and the imminent assault on the lair of the white wyrm ('the' White Wyrm) to retrieve an artifact needed to find another artifact hidden (by ancient Netherese mages) somewhere deep in Anauroch. The PCs have had two dealings with Khelben in Waterdeep and a brief introduction to his lovely companion/sorceress (sorry - name slips my mind - Laerel?), who set them on the path to Shadowdale and then dead north into the arctic from there. Being shy of any sort of decent rogue, Khelben (begrudgingly) arranged for the group to meet with Elaith Craulnober before they disembarked. Elaith is actually accompanying the group to the glacier (in search of a legendary elven item rumored to be in the dragon's hoard) for about 65% of the total salvage take. Some of the players have no clue who he is (thus, I am introducing him in a way they might read about in one of Elaine's novels) and some of the players know full well who he is, and are simultaneously geeked about it... and terrified (because they know who he is - LOL). Having cameos occasionally is a splendid idea, as long as there is a solid reason for them to be there, and you keep it somewhat brief... unless you know the npc fairly well and there is need for that npc to be along (such as the case is with Elaith in my present campaign). Even then it is risky and can backfire horribly. In addition, the players do enjoy occasionally meeting a 'famous' person, as much as they would enjoy meeting someone famous in real life. Just try to keep the exposure to a minimum. Now, as a previous poster elaborated on, this is vastly different when using famous npcs as the "bad guy." Prolonged exposure to said-npc (whether direct or indirect) is very necessary at times, as they are the constant thorn in the party's side, so to speak. Basically, just be smart about it and remember the mithril rule: "Too much of Anything is a bad thing" Except, of course, RPGs. :D
Sigurdur Yorsalfarne 05-15-07, 06:53 PM	I think one of the greatest strengths of FR is the stories available in all kind of books and the personalities. The geography is also great, making it all easier to run it as a backstage. I use many many perosnalities from various books. Normally, I know my players well and know excactly what thy read/have read. Those that have read much, typically are encouraged to weave in background components as part of THEIR background. It really is not a problem at all and makes it tremendously memorable whenever one of my characters make successfull encounters. One of my Master-Thief Rogues of lvl eighteen met Deepshadow in alleys of Athkatla and it was a memorable experience to us all. He is a drow, not unlike Drizzt in many ways. He sometimes aspire to meet Drizzt and this has become a small infatuation of his, LOL. He is now aspiring to become a streetfighter and later a duellist and I have started now telling the character great fragments of Drizzt. At same time, he is running a small rogues guild north of Waterdeep with the <very hesitantly> endorsement of Mirt. I have also had him meet Manshoon once, to the horrible dismay of my Roge!! In all, I strongly reccommend anyone that want to enrich their game with using "celebrities" from FR. THe problem only starts if you are such in love with a famous NPC that you start granting that character privilieges ahead of the players. Whatever you do, don't do that!!!! At the same time, don't forget creating your own characters and-occationally, which I have done with Lord Texter- a Paladin in the originial story, while I made him a fighter with cavalty skills and opportunist policies. My players never know where things will end with NPC's and sometimes have gotten upset when I haven't played the character like they have read him/her in the books, like in Texters case. I also had them meet Wulfggaar once in a bar-brawl at the bloody Fist in Waterdeep, LOL LOL..