Abalach-Re's Endgame - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Abalach-Re's Endgame

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
formosus
Oct 15, 2010 16:40:56 I've been reading about Raam, the primary setting for a brief campaign that I'm running, and I'm intrigued by its Queen Grand Vizier.

It seems like Abalach-Re has let the city get completely away from her, and on top of that invented a religion that no one takes seriously. I think that as a Sorcerer Queen, she must have some ulterior motive for letting this happen. Her entry in the Creature Catalogue seems to hint at this.

Any ideas on what this plan may be? Or is she in fact really an incompetent ruler?
#2
talid
Oct 15, 2010 19:14:25 Not sure what the official story is with the Grand Vizier in 4E, but in 2E she was probably the most encountered sorcerer-monarch of that edition. She was the mastermind behind the Forest Maker module, where she tried to pull a Kalak-style stunt by jumping several stages through the dragon metamorphosis. She was also involved in the Black Flames module where she faced off against a fledgling dragon/defiler. If I remember correctly, that was also about dramatically advancing the metamorphosis stages.
#3
603
Oct 15, 2010 20:14:44 Ultimately, its up to the DM. Some versions have her going off and becoming an Avagnion, others have her doing stunts like the Forest Maker. So whatever her plan is, its like Slayers where Gaav asks Xellos what Hellmaster's plan is, and gets a big run up like he's going to get something big revealed, and then Xellos finishes with his trademark "...is a SECRET!" line.
#4
aumshantih
Oct 16, 2010 13:11:14 There's a thread about it here.
community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/758...

I am running a game center around Raam, and let me tell you, Abalach-Re is up to something big. Who needs to sacrifice thousands in a draconic transformation when you can consume the worship of tens of thousands for generations?
#5
Bly2729
Oct 16, 2010 15:12:51 Remember that other than Borys and Dregoth, Abalach-Re is the only Chaotic Evil Sorcerer with a capital S. If you give her an ulterior motive or grand plan that's fine, but I don't think its implied that she does. She's not incompetent, she just doesn't care.

Contrast her with some other Sorcerer Kings. Nibenay is also distanced from his city, but trains his templars well and gives the nobility incentives to pursue commerce. Tectuktitklay and Lalali-Puy are both worshiped, and rely heavily on secret police to impose their will (Jasuan Knights and Nganga), but they are more consistent in their ability to enforce their monarch's will.

Abalach-Re is capricious even by the standards of her brethren. All she cares about is her own transformation. She needs test subjects, which her city provides.

Honestly though, if there was anyone to give some kind of secret master plan, it'd be her. The text doesn't give enough clues as to how Raam functions. Abalach-Re is a chaotic evil nympho, but she enshrines all of her mates. Raam should be a cosmopolitan city like Nibenay, but its nobles and templars don't seem able to put aside their desire to throw away lives in a futile effort against an all powerful Level 23 Solo Sorcerer Queen. Or put aside their political rivalries with each other to pursue...you know...food and wealth.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 formosus Oct 15, 2010 16:40:56	I've been reading about Raam, the primary setting for a brief campaign that I'm running, and I'm intrigued by its Queen Grand Vizier. It seems like Abalach-Re has let the city get completely away from her, and on top of that invented a religion that no one takes seriously. I think that as a Sorcerer Queen, she must have some ulterior motive for letting this happen. Her entry in the Creature Catalogue seems to hint at this. Any ideas on what this plan may be? Or is she in fact really an incompetent ruler?
#2 talid Oct 15, 2010 19:14:25	Not sure what the official story is with the Grand Vizier in 4E, but in 2E she was probably the most encountered sorcerer-monarch of that edition. She was the mastermind behind the Forest Maker module, where she tried to pull a Kalak-style stunt by jumping several stages through the dragon metamorphosis. She was also involved in the Black Flames module where she faced off against a fledgling dragon/defiler. If I remember correctly, that was also about dramatically advancing the metamorphosis stages.
#3 603 Oct 15, 2010 20:14:44	Ultimately, its up to the DM. Some versions have her going off and becoming an Avagnion, others have her doing stunts like the Forest Maker. So whatever her plan is, its like Slayers where Gaav asks Xellos what Hellmaster's plan is, and gets a big run up like he's going to get something big revealed, and then Xellos finishes with his trademark "...is a SECRET!" line.
#4 aumshantih Oct 16, 2010 13:11:14	There's a thread about it here. community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/758... I am running a game center around Raam, and let me tell you, Abalach-Re is up to something big. Who needs to sacrifice thousands in a draconic transformation when you can consume the worship of tens of thousands for generations?
#5 Bly2729 Oct 16, 2010 15:12:51	Remember that other than Borys and Dregoth, Abalach-Re is the only Chaotic Evil Sorcerer with a capital S. If you give her an ulterior motive or grand plan that's fine, but I don't think its implied that she does. She's not incompetent, she just doesn't care. Contrast her with some other Sorcerer Kings. Nibenay is also distanced from his city, but trains his templars well and gives the nobility incentives to pursue commerce. Tectuktitklay and Lalali-Puy are both worshiped, and rely heavily on secret police to impose their will (Jasuan Knights and Nganga), but they are more consistent in their ability to enforce their monarch's will. Abalach-Re is capricious even by the standards of her brethren. All she cares about is her own transformation. She needs test subjects, which her city provides. Honestly though, if there was anyone to give some kind of secret master plan, it'd be her. The text doesn't give enough clues as to how Raam functions. Abalach-Re is a chaotic evil nympho, but she enshrines all of her mates. Raam should be a cosmopolitan city like Nibenay, but its nobles and templars don't seem able to put aside their desire to throw away lives in a futile effort against an all powerful Level 23 Solo Sorcerer Queen. Or put aside their political rivalries with each other to pursue...you know...food and wealth.