Mournland Magebred (Spoiler?) - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Mournland Magebred (Spoiler?)

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
zsig
Jul 28, 2009 14:50:03 So, I was reading up my ECG (and I have to say I'm loving it so far), and I got to the section describing Cyre and it's "organizations".

Then I saw this Mournland Magebred and I got awestruck by the idea of running a campaign evolving around Donata and her followers (or thralls) or even running a character concept based on that, maybe some defective runaway magebred... anyways, I love the idea, it sorta brings back some memories of other media (more precisely Akira, Dark Angel (James Cameron's series), and Mage: the Ascencion's/Tecnocracy's Progenitors clones).

I think that's a pretty interesting concept to work on, as it deals with the "Science vs. Religion" sort of stuff, not to mention it could deal with the Day of Mourning in itself. Lots of possibilities to explore!

I used to run Eberron games back in 3.5 but I don't remember seeing Empress Donata and friends anywhere before, so I ask, is there anywhere else I can find more info about it/her? Maybe some ideas/suggestions to play a magebred as a PC race (in retrospect, I think the old Elan woud fit nicelly)?

Thanks in advance!
#2
Hellcow
Jul 28, 2009 18:38:02
I used to run Eberron games back in 3.5 but I don't remember seeing Empress Donata and friends anywhere before, so I ask, is there anywhere else I can find more info about it/her?

Nope. The Empress is one of the new threats we added for the 4E book, along with the Chaos Fleet, the Fading Dream, and others.
#3
RedRider
Jul 28, 2009 18:47:07
Maybe some ideas/suggestions to play a magebred as a PC race (in retrospect, I think the old Elan woud fit nicelly)?

You could just play humans, but make emphasis of certain "too perfect" elements that mark you as someone from a genetic caliber on par with heroic level heroes.

-Unusual skill at a young age ("So you're a fifteenth level sixteen-year-old?" "Yep. I can arm wrestle Orcs but I can't vote. How unfair is that?")
-Difficulty relating to "Normal" people.
-Excellent knowledge of complex lore, ignorance of mundane day-to-day living matters.
#4
devlonir
Jul 29, 2009 2:53:32 When seeing Magebred I emmediatly had to think of one other possible source of Genasi in Eberron.. An experiment in elemental infusion into humans gone wrong..
#5
zsig
Jul 29, 2009 6:14:13 Thanks Keith!
And thanks for the replies you two!

Yeah, I was just wondering as it is said that magebred humanoids are stronger, tougher, faster, smarter, and more attractive, than regular people, and how I could work that into a character sheet, unless of course, being a player character already accomplishes all of that without the need for rules to support it.

I'm also wondering whether they are created (like being cloned), or if they're just transformed and/or trained. Also, somewhat on the same topic, it is said that she's training a new generation of "super soldiers". How old is the first generation? I assume it should be around the time House Cannith mastered the warforged (which means, around 965YK).

This is a nice way of introducing Psionics into the setting (outside of the kalashtar/quori thing) too.
#6
rekko
Jul 29, 2009 9:01:24
When seeing Magebred I emmediatly had to think of one other possible source of Genasi in Eberron.. An experiment in elemental infusion into humans gone wrong..

I really like where this is going. Mixing this with my other Genasi origin story.

Rekko
#7
devlonir
Jul 29, 2009 9:17:02
I really like where this is going. Mixing this with my other Genasi origin story.

Rekko

Don't tell my player (he doesn't check these forums anyway :P) but he is a Genasi that doesn't know his own origin. His last memories were of being a hired guard at some research facility.. and now he is a Genasi.

I am planning on using Magebred Humans in his personal story arch(s)
#8
rauric
Jul 29, 2009 10:37:32 I think of Wrath of Khan. If I use the idea I will rework it a bit and not make them a Mournland deal. I like the idea of super-soldiers that rebelled against their creators.
#9
Hellcow
Jul 30, 2009 2:20:06
If I use the idea I will rework it a bit and not make them a Mournland deal. I like the idea of super-soldiers that rebelled against their creators.

Just making sure... you know that they weren't created BY the Mourning, right? They are super-soldiers who rebelled against their creators. It just happens that they've established themselves in the Mournland, which provides them with a safe and hidden haven.
#10
eehamburg
Jul 30, 2009 15:56:39
magebred humanoids are stronger, tougher, faster, smarter, and more attractive, than regular people

Isn't this what eventually became the Inspired? If so ... Are the Quori the ones really behind this?
#11
veltharis_ap_rylix
Jul 30, 2009 16:11:12
Isn't this what eventually became the Inspired? If so ... Are the Quori the ones really behind this?

Perhaps.

The key thing about the Inspired (in my mind) is that they are especially susceptible to possession, making them ideal hosts for the Quori. If this trait is shared by the Mournland Magebred, I could definitely see the Dreaming Dark being behind it.
#12
Hellcow
Jul 30, 2009 16:45:06
The key thing about the Inspired (in my mind) is that they are especially susceptible to possession, making them ideal hosts for the Quori.

Well, per canon, they aren't especially susceptible to ALL possession; each Chosen family is bound to a particular quori spirit. They can allow themselves to be possessed by other quori, but it's only the single one that has free access with no chance to resist. It's not like ANY random ghost or demon can come along and snatch an Inspired.

So sure, this seems like an excellent angle for the quori. After all, they wouldn't want to be perceived as an invading force from Riedra; they'd want home-grown idols for the locals to fall in love with.

Of course, even if that was the plan, it's quite possible that the unexpected fact of the Mourning has thrown things off... in which case the "possession" gene might not have been completed. In which case they could be completely safe... or it could simply take longer for possession to happen. Could Donata be forced to ally with the PCs against the Dreaming Dark when her people start to fall prey to Quori possession?
#13
veltharis_ap_rylix
Jul 30, 2009 18:09:50 Woohoo, my first Hellcow response!

Well, per canon, they aren't especially susceptible to ALL possession; each Chosen family is bound to a particular quori spirit. They can allow themselves to be possessed by other quori, but it's only the single one that has free access with no chance to resist. It's not like ANY random ghost or demon can come along and snatch an Inspired.

Yeah, I couldn't quite recall whether that was the case or they were easily possessed by anything, but I was too lazy to look it up. >_>

So sure, this seems like an excellent angle for the quori. After all, they wouldn't want to be perceived as an invading force from Riedra; they'd want home-grown idols for the locals to fall in love with.

Of course, even if that was the plan, it's quite possible that the unexpected fact of the Mourning has thrown things off... in which case the "possession" gene might not have been completed. In which case they could be completely safe... or it could simply take longer for possession to happen. Could Donata be forced to ally with the PCs against the Dreaming Dark when her people start to fall prey to Quori possession?

What's more, what if the Dreaming Dark start applying Vadalis magebreeding techniques to their forces in Riedra (Inspired and otherwise)? A couple of generations and the Kalashtar might have an army of super-soldiers on their doorstep.
#14
ront_iron-roar
Jul 31, 2009 0:49:26
Well, per canon, they aren't especially susceptible to ALL possession; each Chosen family is bound to a particular quori spirit. They can allow themselves to be possessed by other quori, but it's only the single one that has free access with no chance to resist. It's not like ANY random ghost or demon can come along and snatch an Inspired.

So sure, this seems like an excellent angle for the quori. After all, they wouldn't want to be perceived as an invading force from Riedra; they'd want home-grown idols for the locals to fall in love with.

Of course, even if that was the plan, it's quite possible that the unexpected fact of the Mourning has thrown things off... in which case the "possession" gene might not have been completed. In which case they could be completely safe... or it could simply take longer for possession to happen. Could Donata be forced to ally with the PCs against the Dreaming Dark when her people start to fall prey to Quori possession?

I assume there's still the Quori possessed Enclave of House Denieth in Sharn, right? I mean they were trying to breed newer more powerful hosts there too.
#15
zsig
Jul 31, 2009 6:41:54
Could Donata be forced to ally with the PCs against the Dreaming Dark when her people start to fall prey to Quori possession?

I'm stealing this shamelessly. Thank you.
#16
eehamburg
Jul 31, 2009 16:14:30
...Keith stuff...

I guess the way that I was looking at it was that through all of their machinations, the Quori developed the Inspired by making Super Men and that maybe this was their path to doing the same thing on khorvaire keeping in mind that it took them years to do it on Sarlona. Perhaps, it is all part of the same plan and path.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 zsig Jul 28, 2009 14:50:03	So, I was reading up my ECG (and I have to say I'm loving it so far), and I got to the section describing Cyre and it's "organizations". Then I saw this Mournland Magebred and I got awestruck by the idea of running a campaign evolving around Donata and her followers (or thralls) or even running a character concept based on that, maybe some defective runaway magebred... anyways, I love the idea, it sorta brings back some memories of other media (more precisely Akira, Dark Angel (James Cameron's series), and Mage: the Ascencion's/Tecnocracy's Progenitors clones). I think that's a pretty interesting concept to work on, as it deals with the "Science vs. Religion" sort of stuff, not to mention it could deal with the Day of Mourning in itself. Lots of possibilities to explore! I used to run Eberron games back in 3.5 but I don't remember seeing Empress Donata and friends anywhere before, so I ask, is there anywhere else I can find more info about it/her? Maybe some ideas/suggestions to play a magebred as a PC race (in retrospect, I think the old Elan woud fit nicelly)? Thanks in advance!
#2 Hellcow Jul 28, 2009 18:38:02	I used to run Eberron games back in 3.5 but I don't remember seeing Empress Donata and friends anywhere before, so I ask, is there anywhere else I can find more info about it/her? Nope. The Empress is one of the new threats we added for the 4E book, along with the Chaos Fleet, the Fading Dream, and others.
#3 RedRider Jul 28, 2009 18:47:07	Maybe some ideas/suggestions to play a magebred as a PC race (in retrospect, I think the old Elan woud fit nicelly)? You could just play humans, but make emphasis of certain "too perfect" elements that mark you as someone from a genetic caliber on par with heroic level heroes. -Unusual skill at a young age ("So you're a fifteenth level sixteen-year-old?" "Yep. I can arm wrestle Orcs but I can't vote. How unfair is that?") -Difficulty relating to "Normal" people. -Excellent knowledge of complex lore, ignorance of mundane day-to-day living matters.
#4 devlonir Jul 29, 2009 2:53:32	When seeing Magebred I emmediatly had to think of one other possible source of Genasi in Eberron.. An experiment in elemental infusion into humans gone wrong..
#5 zsig Jul 29, 2009 6:14:13	Thanks Keith! And thanks for the replies you two! Yeah, I was just wondering as it is said that magebred humanoids are stronger, tougher, faster, smarter, and more attractive, than regular people, and how I could work that into a character sheet, unless of course, being a player character already accomplishes all of that without the need for rules to support it. I'm also wondering whether they are created (like being cloned), or if they're just transformed and/or trained. Also, somewhat on the same topic, it is said that she's training a new generation of "super soldiers". How old is the first generation? I assume it should be around the time House Cannith mastered the warforged (which means, around 965YK). This is a nice way of introducing Psionics into the setting (outside of the kalashtar/quori thing) too.
#6 rekko Jul 29, 2009 9:01:24	When seeing Magebred I emmediatly had to think of one other possible source of Genasi in Eberron.. An experiment in elemental infusion into humans gone wrong.. I really like where this is going. Mixing this with my other Genasi origin story. Rekko
#7 devlonir Jul 29, 2009 9:17:02	I really like where this is going. Mixing this with my other Genasi origin story. Rekko Don't tell my player (he doesn't check these forums anyway :P) but he is a Genasi that doesn't know his own origin. His last memories were of being a hired guard at some research facility.. and now he is a Genasi. I am planning on using Magebred Humans in his personal story arch(s)
#8 rauric Jul 29, 2009 10:37:32	I think of Wrath of Khan. If I use the idea I will rework it a bit and not make them a Mournland deal. I like the idea of super-soldiers that rebelled against their creators.
#9 Hellcow Jul 30, 2009 2:20:06	If I use the idea I will rework it a bit and not make them a Mournland deal. I like the idea of super-soldiers that rebelled against their creators. Just making sure... you know that they weren't created BY the Mourning, right? They are super-soldiers who rebelled against their creators. It just happens that they've established themselves in the Mournland, which provides them with a safe and hidden haven.
#10 eehamburg Jul 30, 2009 15:56:39	magebred humanoids are stronger, tougher, faster, smarter, and more attractive, than regular people Isn't this what eventually became the Inspired? If so ... Are the Quori the ones really behind this?
#11 veltharis_ap_rylix Jul 30, 2009 16:11:12	Isn't this what eventually became the Inspired? If so ... Are the Quori the ones really behind this? Perhaps. The key thing about the Inspired (in my mind) is that they are especially susceptible to possession, making them ideal hosts for the Quori. If this trait is shared by the Mournland Magebred, I could definitely see the Dreaming Dark being behind it.
#12 Hellcow Jul 30, 2009 16:45:06	The key thing about the Inspired (in my mind) is that they are especially susceptible to possession, making them ideal hosts for the Quori. Well, per canon, they aren't especially susceptible to ALL possession; each Chosen family is bound to a particular quori spirit. They can allow themselves to be possessed by other quori, but it's only the single one that has free access with no chance to resist. It's not like ANY random ghost or demon can come along and snatch an Inspired. So sure, this seems like an excellent angle for the quori. After all, they wouldn't want to be perceived as an invading force from Riedra; they'd want home-grown idols for the locals to fall in love with. Of course, even if that was the plan, it's quite possible that the unexpected fact of the Mourning has thrown things off... in which case the "possession" gene might not have been completed. In which case they could be completely safe... or it could simply take longer for possession to happen. Could Donata be forced to ally with the PCs against the Dreaming Dark when her people start to fall prey to Quori possession?
#13 veltharis_ap_rylix Jul 30, 2009 18:09:50	Woohoo, my first Hellcow response! Well, per canon, they aren't especially susceptible to ALL possession; each Chosen family is bound to a particular quori spirit. They can allow themselves to be possessed by other quori, but it's only the single one that has free access with no chance to resist. It's not like ANY random ghost or demon can come along and snatch an Inspired. Yeah, I couldn't quite recall whether that was the case or they were easily possessed by anything, but I was too lazy to look it up. >_> So sure, this seems like an excellent angle for the quori. After all, they wouldn't want to be perceived as an invading force from Riedra; they'd want home-grown idols for the locals to fall in love with. Of course, even if that was the plan, it's quite possible that the unexpected fact of the Mourning has thrown things off... in which case the "possession" gene might not have been completed. In which case they could be completely safe... or it could simply take longer for possession to happen. Could Donata be forced to ally with the PCs against the Dreaming Dark when her people start to fall prey to Quori possession? What's more, what if the Dreaming Dark start applying Vadalis magebreeding techniques to their forces in Riedra (Inspired and otherwise)? A couple of generations and the Kalashtar might have an army of super-soldiers on their doorstep.
#14 ront_iron-roar Jul 31, 2009 0:49:26	Well, per canon, they aren't especially susceptible to ALL possession; each Chosen family is bound to a particular quori spirit. They can allow themselves to be possessed by other quori, but it's only the single one that has free access with no chance to resist. It's not like ANY random ghost or demon can come along and snatch an Inspired. So sure, this seems like an excellent angle for the quori. After all, they wouldn't want to be perceived as an invading force from Riedra; they'd want home-grown idols for the locals to fall in love with. Of course, even if that was the plan, it's quite possible that the unexpected fact of the Mourning has thrown things off... in which case the "possession" gene might not have been completed. In which case they could be completely safe... or it could simply take longer for possession to happen. Could Donata be forced to ally with the PCs against the Dreaming Dark when her people start to fall prey to Quori possession? I assume there's still the Quori possessed Enclave of House Denieth in Sharn, right? I mean they were trying to breed newer more powerful hosts there too.
#15 zsig Jul 31, 2009 6:41:54	Could Donata be forced to ally with the PCs against the Dreaming Dark when her people start to fall prey to Quori possession? I'm stealing this shamelessly. Thank you.
#16 eehamburg Jul 31, 2009 16:14:30	...Keith stuff... I guess the way that I was looking at it was that through all of their machinations, the Quori developed the Inspired by making Super Men and that maybe this was their path to doing the same thing on khorvaire keeping in mind that it took them years to do it on Sarlona. Perhaps, it is all part of the same plan and path.