Melysse Miron: Keeper of the Shadow in the Flame or Victim of Bad Press - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Melysse Miron: Keeper of the Shadow in the Flame or Victim of Bad Press

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
amulan
Nov 25, 2009 0:54:51
Looking for support or dissent for a paragon tier campaign story arc I'm working on that revolves around a plot to release Bel Shalor. I know that basic plot has probably been done a bunch, but not by me or my group. If you’re in my group (Tony G), please don’t read-on.

By paragon tier, the PC's learn of a plot to release this mighty Overlord with the aid of an ancient relic that was dismantled and hidden so long ago that few even know of its existence. Wyrmbreaker does remember it, but hasn't been able to track its pieces down since it was used to attempt his master's release in 299YK, which involved a plot that was foiled by Tira Miron. The fact that this relic was involved in those events is a secret that has been as well guarded as that of King Kaius. However, an event that unites the PC’s on the day of the Mourning starts a chain of events that unravels this mighty secret. Some even suspect this relic was involved in the Mourning itself (that’s not really true). As knowledge of a powerful artifact spreads, various organizations race to find it and control it for their own use or safe keeping.

While trekking across Khorvaire and beyond trying to catch up to and/or stay ahead of agents of those organizations, the PC’s stumble upon information that a previously unknown piece of that relic exhists that can be used to trap BS in a better prison. The only person known to know anything about this missing piece can be found in Dreadhold. After a brief background about Melysse Miron, it is explained that she was not the villian she was painted to be. In fact, Melysse was a rightful Keeper who realized that the Paladin, Tira Miron, while noble and pure nonetheless served as an imperfect part of the prison holding the Overlord. While Melysse was trying to release Bel Shalor, the plan was to transfer him to a special dragonshard that would truly imprison him. Melysse failed in her attempt to transfer the Overlord as her plans were cut short when she was petrified and placed in Dreadhold. Jaela Daran, the current Keeper, knows the true story but does not believe the transfer or the new prison will work. Thus, Jaela will oppose any effort to transfer the Overlord. Thus, whether the forces of good or evil petrified Melysse remains vague.

As it turns out, the missing ingredient in Melysse’s plan was the ancient relic Wyrmbreaker used to release his master. By rejoining the dragonshard and the relic, which can only be done by a special dragonmarked individual (that’s a whole other subplot), the transfer should work. But the only person known to know anything about that special dragonshard and how it can be used is Melysse. Thus, the PC’s realize they must get Melysse out of Dreadhold, unpetrify her and hope that she can help them to find the dragonshard and make the transfer.

I know about Dragon Issue #344, which mentions Melysse in two short paragraphs. The article says, “eventually the truth was revealed: Melysse was the chosen hand of the Shadow in the flame.” What if that was all a cover-up on the part of the Keeper of the Flame to avoid anyone attempting the transfer. Perhaps the Shadow himself planted the suggestion of eliminating Melysse in order to avoid being transferred. Also, I don’t see a conflict in their being two possible simultaneous Keepers at one point, since who says there can be only one Keeper – after all, the flame is a trinity.
#2
ellorin
Nov 25, 2009 8:39:31
after all, the flame is a trinity.

The only part where I disagree-the flame is a divine force far more ancient than the manifestation of Flamekeep. It's not a trinity, it's a collective.

Otherwise, it's a very interesting idea. Well thought.
#3
Hellcow
Nov 25, 2009 11:50:16
The only part where I disagree-the flame is a divine force far more ancient than the manifestation of Flamekeep. It's not a trinity, it's a collective.

Which actually supports the story idea. It's been suggested elsewhere that Tira wasn't THE Voice of the Flame, she was *A* Voice of the Flame - that the Ghaash'kala or Shulassakar might have their own parallels to Jaela and Tira. Once you take that as a concept, the idea that there could be two true Keepers at the same time isn't so hard to swallow... but given that the modern church knows little of the past history of the Flame (and at that point in time may well have not encountered Shulassakar or other Silver Flame faiths) ibe could see how the appearance of a second Keeper could lead to the assumption that "There can be only one" and one of them was false.
#4
amulan
Nov 25, 2009 12:22:18
The only part where I disagree-the flame is a divine force far more ancient than the manifestation of Flamekeep. It's not a trinity, it's a collective.

I guess I was referring to the way the particular manifestation at Flamekeep was assembled. Perhaps there need not be any limit on the number of Speakers; the number 3 just ties-in well with the background in this particular case.

#5
Hellcow
Nov 25, 2009 14:28:26
I guess I was referring to the way the particular manifestation at Flamekeep was assembled.

Which makes sense. In my opinion, Tira wasn't the only Voice. People like Tira have a close connection to the Flame and can hear it in a way others can't, and serve as a bridge for others in their community. I would expect that the Ghaash'kala have a Voice - an orc who first brought them to the Flame. Likewise in ancient Khalesh. Voices are the people churches get founded around.

In Tira's case, she ended up in the couatl-fiend-Tira binding situation to hold Bel Shalor in. Sure, BS is only one of the Overlords. And the fountain in Flamekeep is just one little spark of the Flame as a whole. But it's a localized focal point - and it called a Keeper to watch it. Jaela is a holy servant of the Silver Flame - but SHE is specifically tied to Flamekeep. Her power is based there. Go to the Demon Wastes, and Jaela is weak - but you might have a Ghaash'kala mystic tied to one of the points of power there.

So the Silver Flame is ancient and vast, but the Tira-Jaela-Melysse aspect of it is a drama played out on a small local stage... where they are the local stars.

Looking to the overall story, sounds like fun to me. The whole "Is Melysse a victim of ancient propaganda, or are you really playing into her hands?" is very Eberron to me. Heck, I could see Krozen trying to weaken Jaela's support by branding her an anti-Keeper; how do we know the same thing didn't happen to Melysse? As long as you can keep that mystery going, it's a story I'd love to play in.
#6
amulan
Nov 25, 2009 23:14:14 Thanks folks, I'm excited to see how it goes. The harder part for me is working these story arcs into a flexible and challenging campaign at the table, but I'm sure it'll go fine.

I was originally turned-off to the idea of what I considered a "canned world," but a couple of friends mentioned the complexity and intrigue of Eberron. I only cracked the books a few months ago in order to see how things were organized, but I was very quickly hooked. One of those friends lent me a bunch of his 3.5 books for Eberron and I get even more hooked. I can't get over all the different angles. Thank you Keith for your contribution to the game. I just hope WotC keeps up the support.
#7
stmunks
Dec 01, 2009 15:16:23 I like how the Silver Flame works well as both a Divine power source AND a Primal power source... Speakers really seem as much like highly civilized Shamans as anything else, and the idea of the Silver Flame as a collective of spirits... yeah.

Now I want to make a Coautl summoning Shaman...

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 amulan Nov 25, 2009 0:54:51	Looking for support or dissent for a paragon tier campaign story arc I'm working on that revolves around a plot to release Bel Shalor. I know that basic plot has probably been done a bunch, but not by me or my group. If you’re in my group (Tony G), please don’t read-on. By paragon tier, the PC's learn of a plot to release this mighty Overlord with the aid of an ancient relic that was dismantled and hidden so long ago that few even know of its existence. Wyrmbreaker does remember it, but hasn't been able to track its pieces down since it was used to attempt his master's release in 299YK, which involved a plot that was foiled by Tira Miron. The fact that this relic was involved in those events is a secret that has been as well guarded as that of King Kaius. However, an event that unites the PC’s on the day of the Mourning starts a chain of events that unravels this mighty secret. Some even suspect this relic was involved in the Mourning itself (that’s not really true). As knowledge of a powerful artifact spreads, various organizations race to find it and control it for their own use or safe keeping. While trekking across Khorvaire and beyond trying to catch up to and/or stay ahead of agents of those organizations, the PC’s stumble upon information that a previously unknown piece of that relic exhists that can be used to trap BS in a better prison. The only person known to know anything about this missing piece can be found in Dreadhold. After a brief background about Melysse Miron, it is explained that she was not the villian she was painted to be. In fact, Melysse was a rightful Keeper who realized that the Paladin, Tira Miron, while noble and pure nonetheless served as an imperfect part of the prison holding the Overlord. While Melysse was trying to release Bel Shalor, the plan was to transfer him to a special dragonshard that would truly imprison him. Melysse failed in her attempt to transfer the Overlord as her plans were cut short when she was petrified and placed in Dreadhold. Jaela Daran, the current Keeper, knows the true story but does not believe the transfer or the new prison will work. Thus, Jaela will oppose any effort to transfer the Overlord. Thus, whether the forces of good or evil petrified Melysse remains vague. As it turns out, the missing ingredient in Melysse’s plan was the ancient relic Wyrmbreaker used to release his master. By rejoining the dragonshard and the relic, which can only be done by a special dragonmarked individual (that’s a whole other subplot), the transfer should work. But the only person known to know anything about that special dragonshard and how it can be used is Melysse. Thus, the PC’s realize they must get Melysse out of Dreadhold, unpetrify her and hope that she can help them to find the dragonshard and make the transfer. I know about Dragon Issue #344, which mentions Melysse in two short paragraphs. The article says, “eventually the truth was revealed: Melysse was the chosen hand of the Shadow in the flame.” What if that was all a cover-up on the part of the Keeper of the Flame to avoid anyone attempting the transfer. Perhaps the Shadow himself planted the suggestion of eliminating Melysse in order to avoid being transferred. Also, I don’t see a conflict in their being two possible simultaneous Keepers at one point, since who says there can be only one Keeper – after all, the flame is a trinity.
#2 ellorin Nov 25, 2009 8:39:31	after all, the flame is a trinity. The only part where I disagree-the flame is a divine force far more ancient than the manifestation of Flamekeep. It's not a trinity, it's a collective. Otherwise, it's a very interesting idea. Well thought.
#3 Hellcow Nov 25, 2009 11:50:16	The only part where I disagree-the flame is a divine force far more ancient than the manifestation of Flamekeep. It's not a trinity, it's a collective. Which actually supports the story idea. It's been suggested elsewhere that Tira wasn't THE Voice of the Flame, she was A Voice of the Flame - that the Ghaash'kala or Shulassakar might have their own parallels to Jaela and Tira. Once you take that as a concept, the idea that there could be two true Keepers at the same time isn't so hard to swallow... but given that the modern church knows little of the past history of the Flame (and at that point in time may well have not encountered Shulassakar or other Silver Flame faiths) ibe could see how the appearance of a second Keeper could lead to the assumption that "There can be only one" and one of them was false.
#4 amulan Nov 25, 2009 12:22:18	The only part where I disagree-the flame is a divine force far more ancient than the manifestation of Flamekeep. It's not a trinity, it's a collective. I guess I was referring to the way the particular manifestation at Flamekeep was assembled. Perhaps there need not be any limit on the number of Speakers; the number 3 just ties-in well with the background in this particular case.
#5 Hellcow Nov 25, 2009 14:28:26	I guess I was referring to the way the particular manifestation at Flamekeep was assembled. Which makes sense. In my opinion, Tira wasn't the only Voice. People like Tira have a close connection to the Flame and can hear it in a way others can't, and serve as a bridge for others in their community. I would expect that the Ghaash'kala have a Voice - an orc who first brought them to the Flame. Likewise in ancient Khalesh. Voices are the people churches get founded around. In Tira's case, she ended up in the couatl-fiend-Tira binding situation to hold Bel Shalor in. Sure, BS is only one of the Overlords. And the fountain in Flamekeep is just one little spark of the Flame as a whole. But it's a localized focal point - and it called a Keeper to watch it. Jaela is a holy servant of the Silver Flame - but SHE is specifically tied to Flamekeep. Her power is based there. Go to the Demon Wastes, and Jaela is weak - but you might have a Ghaash'kala mystic tied to one of the points of power there. So the Silver Flame is ancient and vast, but the Tira-Jaela-Melysse aspect of it is a drama played out on a small local stage... where they are the local stars. Looking to the overall story, sounds like fun to me. The whole "Is Melysse a victim of ancient propaganda, or are you really playing into her hands?" is very Eberron to me. Heck, I could see Krozen trying to weaken Jaela's support by branding her an anti-Keeper; how do we know the same thing didn't happen to Melysse? As long as you can keep that mystery going, it's a story I'd love to play in.
#6 amulan Nov 25, 2009 23:14:14	Thanks folks, I'm excited to see how it goes. The harder part for me is working these story arcs into a flexible and challenging campaign at the table, but I'm sure it'll go fine. I was originally turned-off to the idea of what I considered a "canned world," but a couple of friends mentioned the complexity and intrigue of Eberron. I only cracked the books a few months ago in order to see how things were organized, but I was very quickly hooked. One of those friends lent me a bunch of his 3.5 books for Eberron and I get even more hooked. I can't get over all the different angles. Thank you Keith for your contribution to the game. I just hope WotC keeps up the support.
#7 stmunks Dec 01, 2009 15:16:23	I like how the Silver Flame works well as both a Divine power source AND a Primal power source... Speakers really seem as much like highly civilized Shamans as anything else, and the idea of the Silver Flame as a collective of spirits... yeah. Now I want to make a Coautl summoning Shaman...