Okay, if they need Residuum to feed to the Mythallar so why aren't they just creating magic items with the low level ritual and then turning it into Residuum instead of going out of their way to search ruins for magic items?
Why is it taking so long for god like Princes of Shade to search ruins for magic items? They have been here now for over 100 years and I don't understand what's taking them so long.
When I find more I will be sure to post them.
There are a few things that are starting to bother me about the Shades.
Okay, if they need Residuum to feed to the Mythallar so why aren't they just creating magic items with the low level ritual and then turning it into Residuum instead of going out of their way to search ruins for magic items?
Why is it taking so long for god like Princes of Shade to search ruins for magic items? They have been here now for over 100 years and I don't understand what's taking them so long.
When I find more I will be sure to post them.
-Even with magic, it may be impossible to break E=MC2 in a way. This alternative you bring... it is probably not economical, or you loose residuum, not gain. Not viable.
-Patience, young padawan. ;)
I can see some reasons, like patiently awaiting defusing or traps, or the ruins are Batshit HUGE.
Residuum: Rituals (particularly that one) are a game mechanic, not really a story element. No doubt they DO do this, but it's kinda cheesy, and also inefficient.
If they just funneled gold in, then they don't have that gold to spend on fighting their foes, funding expeditions to discover treasures/magic items, etc, all of which are better than just dumping it. Even buying magic items from PCs at 20% is a MUCH better return on investment than just making your own items and burning them for the coin you put in.
Think of it in real world banking terms: Would you prefer to take your money and just put it in a 0% savings account, or would you use it to try to make more?
Ruins: The Realms is filled with ruins, but not every ruin is filled with treasure. Also, ruins are not always easy to find. Also, a lot of them have massively dangerous monsters. A 100 years is a long time to make a concerted effort, but the Shades are not adventurers, and they have other concerns, like staving off war with all the many countries that hate them, internecine warfare, etc.
But the short, simple answer to both your questions is that the Netherese search for magic items is a source of ADVENTURE. This setup lets the PCs get involved, while just dumping coin in doesn't.
Cheers