Karrn and Cyran Secret Service? - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Karrn and Cyran Secret Service?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Siberys
Mar 14, 2011 9:09:32 What were the Karrn and Cyran secret services called? I mean, there's the Dark Lanterns in Breland and the Royal Eyes in Aundair; was the Cyran's ever given a name? Did the Karrns ever have one, or did the Emerald Claw cover that niche for most of the war?

I don't ever recall having read anything on either...
#2
Siberys
Mar 14, 2011 11:18:28 Nevermind, I found it; Champions of the Bell for Cyre, and none for Karrnath - each warlord maintains their own intelligence gathering operations.
#3
Hellcow
Mar 14, 2011 14:56:35 While each nation has something, it's intentional that the intelligence services of the nations are not equal. Different nations have different strengths and priorities. In particular, the concept of the Citadel of Breland is that it is an organization that existed long before the Last War. The Arcane Congress was based in Aundair; Rekkenmark was founded in Karrnath; Thrane had Flamekeep; and the King's Citadel - refering to the King of Galifar - was in Breland. When the war began, these organizations became national assets. Just as you had officers of all nations trained at Rekkenmark, you had agents of other nations who served at the Citadel and returned to their homelands when the war began, and the Royal Eyes of Aundair were founded around such a core. But it was a strength of Breland from the start, and it's why the Citadel is more developed than the forces of other nations... just as other nations have arcane programs, but not as strong as those of Aundair.

But hey, you can always hire Phiarlan in a pinch...
#4
Siberys
Mar 14, 2011 15:54:59 Oh, I figured as much. I wanted to know these specifically because one of the players wanted to be a former Cyran Spy, and another has a changeling with a child that was abducted and/or killed by Karrnathi raiders — a perfect opportunity for an indoctrinated spy if ever there was one.
#5
Ogiwan
Mar 15, 2011 10:18:37 The fragmentation of the Karrnathi intelligence and command apparati is something that us Last War grognards have been having a good amount of fun with. I, personally, had plans for a Karrnathi Warlord who nominally had control of the Office of Naval Intelligence (I just wanted that for the acronym) who stumbled across the PCs actions, and tried to use them in the usual Karrnathi internecine squabbles.
#6
eusko
May 18, 2011 20:04:20
I asked this question sometime ago about what Cyres' intelligence service was called. And although they might not be as good as Brelands' Dark Lanterns, Cyre still would have had an intelligence service. True they could have hired House Phiarlan's services, but I doubt they would completely relied too much of House Phiarlan due to the fact that House Phiarlan is mercenary by nature and so wouldn't completely be trusted to act in Cyres' interests.

As for Champions of the Bells, they were an elite fighting force weren't they? not Cyre's intelligence service. Until perhaps Keith comes up with a name for them, maybe you could come up with name for them like for example, The Warning Bells? just a suggestion.
#7
Ogiwan
May 19, 2011 9:28:15
As for Champions of the Bells, they were an elite fighting force weren't they?

That was my impression. Looking at Forge of War, the Champions of the Bells are a small unit of soldiers used for various types of unconventional warfare. Very analogous to adventurers, truth be told.

#8
Elton74
May 19, 2011 11:52:16 Except that adventurers are mercenary, independent, and some people of the nobility don't like them. Because they are independent, free-willed, and uncontrolled. Although, the anime Rune Soldier is a good look -- no matter how distorted -- of how adventurers can function in a lawful society.
#9
Ogiwan
May 19, 2011 14:22:28 I meant in terms of a small team of people who each have strengths kicking ass and taking names. The A-Team is just a modern variation of the classic, "Fighter Wizard Thief Cleric" party, for instance, and quite a few of the "special units" in Forge of War are small enough to scream "Your Adventurers Here" to me (or look like the Dirty Dozen. Either or.)
#10
jhanzur
May 27, 2011 8:35:36
Except that adventurers are mercenary, independent, and some people of the nobility don't like them. Because they are independent, free-willed, and uncontrolled. Although, the anime Rune Soldier is a good look -- no matter how distorted -- of how adventurers can function in a lawful society.

That's a sweeping statement. If that's how you run your game, that's fine, but remember that's not some hard and fast rule of DnD or something, which is how you worded it. I use work for the government often as a hook for my campaigns.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Siberys Mar 14, 2011 9:09:32	What were the Karrn and Cyran secret services called? I mean, there's the Dark Lanterns in Breland and the Royal Eyes in Aundair; was the Cyran's ever given a name? Did the Karrns ever have one, or did the Emerald Claw cover that niche for most of the war? I don't ever recall having read anything on either...
#2 Siberys Mar 14, 2011 11:18:28	Nevermind, I found it; Champions of the Bell for Cyre, and none for Karrnath - each warlord maintains their own intelligence gathering operations.
#3 Hellcow Mar 14, 2011 14:56:35	While each nation has something, it's intentional that the intelligence services of the nations are not equal. Different nations have different strengths and priorities. In particular, the concept of the Citadel of Breland is that it is an organization that existed long before the Last War. The Arcane Congress was based in Aundair; Rekkenmark was founded in Karrnath; Thrane had Flamekeep; and the King's Citadel - refering to the King of Galifar - was in Breland. When the war began, these organizations became national assets. Just as you had officers of all nations trained at Rekkenmark, you had agents of other nations who served at the Citadel and returned to their homelands when the war began, and the Royal Eyes of Aundair were founded around such a core. But it was a strength of Breland from the start, and it's why the Citadel is more developed than the forces of other nations... just as other nations have arcane programs, but not as strong as those of Aundair. But hey, you can always hire Phiarlan in a pinch...
#4 Siberys Mar 14, 2011 15:54:59	Oh, I figured as much. I wanted to know these specifically because one of the players wanted to be a former Cyran Spy, and another has a changeling with a child that was abducted and/or killed by Karrnathi raiders — a perfect opportunity for an indoctrinated spy if ever there was one.
#5 Ogiwan Mar 15, 2011 10:18:37	The fragmentation of the Karrnathi intelligence and command apparati is something that us Last War grognards have been having a good amount of fun with. I, personally, had plans for a Karrnathi Warlord who nominally had control of the Office of Naval Intelligence (I just wanted that for the acronym) who stumbled across the PCs actions, and tried to use them in the usual Karrnathi internecine squabbles.
#6 eusko May 18, 2011 20:04:20	I asked this question sometime ago about what Cyres' intelligence service was called. And although they might not be as good as Brelands' Dark Lanterns, Cyre still would have had an intelligence service. True they could have hired House Phiarlan's services, but I doubt they would completely relied too much of House Phiarlan due to the fact that House Phiarlan is mercenary by nature and so wouldn't completely be trusted to act in Cyres' interests. As for Champions of the Bells, they were an elite fighting force weren't they? not Cyre's intelligence service. Until perhaps Keith comes up with a name for them, maybe you could come up with name for them like for example, The Warning Bells? just a suggestion.
#7 Ogiwan May 19, 2011 9:28:15	As for Champions of the Bells, they were an elite fighting force weren't they? That was my impression. Looking at Forge of War, the Champions of the Bells are a small unit of soldiers used for various types of unconventional warfare. Very analogous to adventurers, truth be told.
#8 Elton74 May 19, 2011 11:52:16	Except that adventurers are mercenary, independent, and some people of the nobility don't like them. Because they are independent, free-willed, and uncontrolled. Although, the anime Rune Soldier is a good look -- no matter how distorted -- of how adventurers can function in a lawful society.
#9 Ogiwan May 19, 2011 14:22:28	I meant in terms of a small team of people who each have strengths kicking ass and taking names. The A-Team is just a modern variation of the classic, "Fighter Wizard Thief Cleric" party, for instance, and quite a few of the "special units" in Forge of War are small enough to scream "Your Adventurers Here" to me (or look like the Dirty Dozen. Either or.)
#10 jhanzur May 27, 2011 8:35:36	Except that adventurers are mercenary, independent, and some people of the nobility don't like them. Because they are independent, free-willed, and uncontrolled. Although, the anime Rune Soldier is a good look -- no matter how distorted -- of how adventurers can function in a lawful society. That's a sweeping statement. If that's how you run your game, that's fine, but remember that's not some hard and fast rule of DnD or something, which is how you worded it. I use work for the government often as a hook for my campaigns.