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#1 ellorin Aug 09, 2011 6:24:55

The more experienced of use played the "Temple" and  the "Return" almost a decade ago and we all have good memories of that time, while the more recent players had been curious, so, now that I got to DM for our group since quite some time, I decided to use the ol'  Temple again...with a lot of Eberronian spin and modifications. So far it seems to be working for my group, but I would like to listen to what the commuity has to comment and suggest. And now that the introductions is over, let's talk about... Placing your Temple of Elemental Evil Although I did consider Droaam(it certainly has potential) and the Principalities(briefly), I decided that Xen' drik is the place to go. All kinds of strange cults and people can be found there, so why not the Temple? Let's put our empry canvas to good effect. Locating it there also explains why it has never had a great effect on the modern "civilised world", that is, Khorvaire. The crazy magical effects won't hurt either. And after placing it there, why not going all the way? Let''s discuss about... Gigantism and your Elemental Cult Our Temple needs a dark grandeur, a history of power and arcane magic that has made it a think of legend. Having the birth of the cult take place during the Age of Giants does help to give that impression, I believe. It certainly matches with the elemental aspects of the 4e Giants and can explain the appearance of Azers and Galeb Dhurs. Furthermore, the sight of a Temple of Elemental Evil of truly gigantic propotions is tempting, don't you think? And yes, the first fall of the Temple took place during the sack of Xen' drik by the Dragon of Argonessen. Pure coincidence, of course. Totally. Trust us. Things to worship in a Temple of Elemental Evil This is Eberron...just dropping vanilla Tharizdun as in Chained God would be unsatisfactory and somewhat confusing. Thus, I suggset turning things around-in this case the object of worship is not a deity disguised as a primordial(a.k.a. Elder Elemental Eye) but the exact opposite- a primordial called the Elder Elemental Eye worshipped as a god known as Tharizdun.  Now, the ECS does suggest using the Primordials as Overlords of the First Age but a a) creatures like the Storm Serpent do not give an evl enough vibe to me and b)I really liked the hypothesisthat had appeared in these boards months ago, according to which some, if not all, Primordials are actually ancient ascendant God Sorcerors, a parralel version of Thyr ascendancy that trns to elementalism instead of the Sovereigns, so I'll go with that. The Elder Elemental Eye was a powerful Giant Emeror-Sorceror that ascended and created his/her realm(I'm not sue about the gender yet) until defeated and chained by other Giant natins or during the Fall of the Giants(or both, in a First and Second Chaining sense).  Imix and co. work the same way I suppose, altough one could be a more ancient being forced into servitude(or would that be an unnecessary complication?) Zuggtmoy will stay as she is-no surprises here. Poor litle demon Lady, she's so going down in late Paragon or early Epic tier. Just how evil is this Temple? Eberron's shades of grey are practically everywhere. With the worshippers Six occasionally having a good point, the Cults of the Dragon Below making a bizarre, twisted sense for twisted post-war lives, the CotSF having a dark shadow and the Blood of Vol dichotomy issue, to name only a few examples, an evil religion of evil would be out of place (Lords of Dust notwithstanding).  What to do, what to do...  Since the Cult has already been established as primarily a Xen' drik one, it could be an answer of the continent's people to the rest of the world and definitely the Dragons. The Cult emphasises the greatness of the Xen' drik civilisations, the wrongs done top them by the Light of Siberys, the Quori, the elven traitors(more on that later) and worshippers of the Sovereigns. The cultists are ruthless but they are the only force actively trying to undo the Durashka Tul, Yuan-Ti worshippers not out of the question. As for the name itslf...I'm not really sure about that. It could be a name applied to it by the its enemies-Giants following the Sovereigns or the Light of Siberys. It could be taken in irony. It could, on the other hand, be a mention of practicality.-attempting to do goos with evil means. Classic Elemental Evil characters    Hedrack is a big must, of course. I am concideing placing him during the Age of Giants, an archbishop winning victory after victory for the Elemental Eye until defeated?Imprisoned/ Somehow slipping from the time stream? I plan his ritualistic reappearance on the face of Eberron as a climactic point for the campaign. Oh...and yes, he is a giant. Still unsure about the type, though...Storm perhaps?     Folk like Oohlgrist and Ashrem work as intended. Xen' drik folk like Yuan-Ti, Kenku and the occasional Minotaur or even Thri-Kreen might appear.Kelno or Belsornig will be turned to a Yuan-Ti pureblood.    Lareth the Beautiful was a favourite of the old group-I HAVE to use him an actually did. I even kept Lolth(a modified version-an equivalent of Tiamat. if the Daughter of Khyber is the the worst aspects of dragons personified, Lolth is the same case for the fey. Specialising on corruption of the Fey, eladrin, gnomes and secrets. Had a hand in the elven rebellions-that's how I introduced the FR Fey'ri into the setting-not that mst elves were happy went they ound out about her plotting. NO drow followers).I did turn him into an Eladrin though.    Prince Thrommel, like in Return, is a vampire and a prisoner of the Cultists. A Qabalrin vampire. He never was a goodish knight.    The people of Hommlet and Nulb will probably be placed  in Stormreach. I don't plan to use many of them anyway. All-Consumption and the Devourer This is mostly tied to the specific PCs of our group. The Paladin worships the Devourer, while the Minotaur and the Pelion elf worship the six as well. As a base for the PCs a temple called the Temple of All Consumptions is a suitable choice, I hope you'll agree. Forget all about the "Return's" Temple of All Consumption-this is a temple of the Six shattered by the Cult of th Elemental Eye during an ancient religious war. It was erected by Qabalrin elves and Sachuagin(perhaps some Gyrderi ties as well). The group unearthed it and once again it has risen. Led by a Kraken Archhierophant. That's all I've done so far. That was a rather long read-my apologies. Looking forward to your ideas, suggestions and alternative takes on the idea. Thanks in advance!