Alien Invasion in Faerun: As If They Didn't Have Enough To Worry About. - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Alien Invasion in Faerun: As If They Didn't Have Enough To Worry About.

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
leliel
Apr 05, 2008 15:42:36 Well, since my "Alien Invasion in Eberron" thread was a relative sucess (and an eye-opener: I had underestimated their knowlege of quantum physics, apperently), I decided to take versions of the thread around the boards and get their input as well. So without further ado...

Is this a good idea? How would the Faruneans react when they realize that the Nic'en (the primary race of alien invaders), and their allies are not a race of outsiders or aberrations native to Faerun's cosmology or itself, but from different Prime worlds, both in this dimension and not? How should I illustrate the inside of Nic'en ships, so as to illustrate their millions of years of advancement in both science and magic?

Few notes about them:

1) For those of you who are wondering, the Nic'en are a race of warm-blooded avians, with an evolutionary path that has rendered them very similar to humanoids, albeit ones that look more like birdmen with wings more than humans. They are extremely intelligent, and have a great appreciation for all forms of art, especially poetry and literature. They're to big too fly, but they can use their wings to both run very fast and glide for long distances. They, like their archenemies the Iul, are extradimensional, using a type of "Skimmer Drive" to travel at FLT speeds and cross the borders between universes. They are also masters of AI, using a "hive structure" to coordinate the self-aware computers of their ships using a "mother brain", a semi-organic supercomputer with the ability to think outside it's directives and learn on it's own. In fact, this is the main weakness of the Nic'en: destroying the mother brain will cause the communication between the invading fleet to shut down entirely in some places, and confusing the AIs in others. Although this is only temporary in the long term (mother brains are replaceable), and not a viable option in many cases (The Nic'en have temporary backup computers just in case this happens, in which case they will also have to be destroyed in order cause the breakdown described above), but it will allow the opposing force enough time to launch a devastating attack against the Nic'en, or at least, build up defenses.

2) The Nic'en culture is similar in structure to feudal Japan, with the warriors expected to be poets and thinkers as well as conquerers and rulers. They are nomadic, divided across an unknown number of tribes. There is only one attacking Eberron, but their relatively low numbers are more then made up for by the fact that they have a tendency to assimilate cultures they come across, peacefully or not, into the individual tribe's fleet. The entirety of Nic'en society is dedicated to defeating and/or avoiding the Iul, a similar warrior race whose contact with forced the Nic'en to abandon their formerly peaceful ways. The countless eons that this war between the two races has more then whittled away at the Nic'en's collective sanity, and as a result, they have become dogmatic and fanatical in their search for a home safe from Iul attack. Ironically, if the Nic'en were able to forgive their enemies, they could probably live in peace with the Iul, who have grown equally tired of the constant war; If it weren't for Nic'en fanatics constantly arousing that race's instinctual paranoia via attacks against them, and their leaders not condemning them, or even supporting them, the Iul would happily form a truce that their honor would not allow them to break.

3) No, I do not plan on featuring the Iul in the first campaign I go about featuring the Nic'en. The next campaign, however...:evillaugh

4) The primary reason for invasion is that the Nic'en wish to use Faerun as a base in their war against the Iul.

I await your input.
#2
lord_karsus
Apr 06, 2008 0:18:59
Is this a good idea?

-If you can make it work in your campaign, then sure.

How would the Faruneans react when they realize that the Nic'en (the primary race of alien invaders), and their allies are not a race of outsiders or aberrations native to Faerun's cosmology or itself, but from different Prime worlds, both in this dimension and not?

-The average person wouldn't know one from the other. All they really would be thinking is that there's (another) threat to their wellbeing and security. Opinions would differ depending on the region, and where these aliens are attacking. As for the more "powerful" individuals, well, I'm sure they'd attempt to counter the "threat".

How should I illustrate the inside of Nic'en ships, so as to illustrate their millions of years of advancement in both science and magic?[/b]

-However you want? With color?
#3
lykor
Apr 06, 2008 11:31:33 The Realms have averaged about 1 "alien" invasion every 5 years or so since it was introduced. The average person in the Realms is probably used to it by now.

Seriously, the reaction depends on where they land. If they show up in Thay, for example, Tsazz Tam will probably send them to Mulhurand or Rasheman (same with Zhentil Keep and the Dales). If they show up somewhere with a weak central government (such as Icewind Dale or parts of the North) they can probably move in with little resistance. If they show up someplace like Cormyr, expect full-fledged resistance.
#4
golddragon
Apr 06, 2008 20:01:35
Well, since my "Alien Invasion in Eberron" thread was a relative sucess (and an eye-opener: I had underestimated their knowlege of quantum physics, apperently), I decided to take versions of the thread around the boards and get their input as well. So without further ado...

Is this a good idea? How would the Faruneans react when they realize that the Nic'en (the primary race of alien invaders), and their allies are not a race of outsiders or aberrations native to Faerun's cosmology or itself, but from different Prime worlds, both in this dimension and not? How should I illustrate the inside of Nic'en ships, so as to illustrate their millions of years of advancement in both science and magic?

Few notes about them:

1) For those of you who are wondering, the Nic'en are a race of warm-blooded avians, with an evolutionary path that has rendered them very similar to humanoids, albeit ones that look more like birdmen with wings more than humans. They are extremely intelligent, and have a great appreciation for all forms of art, especially poetry and literature. They're to big too fly, but they can use their wings to both run very fast and glide for long distances. They, like their archenemies the Iul, are extradimensional, using a type of "Skimmer Drive" to travel at FLT speeds and cross the borders between universes. They are also masters of AI, using a "hive structure" to coordinate the self-aware computers of their ships using a "mother brain", a semi-organic supercomputer with the ability to think outside it's directives and learn on it's own. In fact, this is the main weakness of the Nic'en: destroying the mother brain will cause the communication between the invading fleet to shut down entirely in some places, and confusing the AIs in others. Although this is only temporary in the long term (mother brains are replaceable), and not a viable option in many cases (The Nic'en have temporary backup computers just in case this happens, in which case they will also have to be destroyed in order cause the breakdown described above), but it will allow the opposing force enough time to launch a devastating attack against the Nic'en, or at least, build up defenses.

2) The Nic'en culture is similar in structure to feudal Japan, with the warriors expected to be poets and thinkers as well as conquerers and rulers. They are nomadic, divided across an unknown number of tribes. There is only one attacking Eberron, but their relatively low numbers are more then made up for by the fact that they have a tendency to assimilate cultures they come across, peacefully or not, into the individual tribe's fleet. The entirety of Nic'en society is dedicated to defeating and/or avoiding the Iul, a similar warrior race whose contact with forced the Nic'en to abandon their formerly peaceful ways. The countless eons that this war between the two races has more then whittled away at the Nic'en's collective sanity, and as a result, they have become dogmatic and fanatical in their search for a home safe from Iul attack. Ironically, if the Nic'en were able to forgive their enemies, they could probably live in peace with the Iul, who have grown equally tired of the constant war; If it weren't for Nic'en fanatics constantly arousing that race's instinctual paranoia via attacks against them, and their leaders not condemning them, or even supporting them, the Iul would happily form a truce that their honor would not allow them to break.

3) No, I do not plan on featuring the Iul in the first campaign I go about featuring the Nic'en. The next campaign, however...:evillaugh

4) The primary reason for invasion is that the Nic'en wish to use Faerun as a base in their war against the Iul.

I await your input.

As long as they stay away from Waterdeep, Shadowdale, Baulder's Gate or any other major "western" city they probablly wouldn't even be noticed.

When you head to the "Far East" regions there are bodyless vampire heads and other such weird monsters wondering around that bird-men with technology and magic matching the "gods" of the East (who are also from alternate Primes) will be seen as just more weird creatures wondering around at best and "Interlopers" by the god-kings as worse

Thing about Faerun is 99.99% of it is Mundane and boring and there are people that will never see a "monster" in their life and go about thier lives of being born,growing up,working on a farm from sun up to sun down, have a Ale at the Tavern and go to sleep for 60-70 years before finally dying (from boredom?)

With the vast tracks of land currently unoccupied it isn't hard to set up a outpost, a town or city of your own that doesn't interfere with the lives of others in the region unless you want to interfere with them.

It also doesn't mean you are likely to stay Isolated as Orc raiders or Bandits or such might eventually find you.

E.G. The outpost of the WDS Merchat House of Meril is in a Isolated region of Faerun where mountains meet Sea so they can send out caravans as well as ships as needed. Eventually Orc Raiders found the outpaost and now regularly try to ambush caravans and enter the opening in the Outpost walls where the Sea flows into the docking bay. Unfortunately for them 100 automated Machineguns and automated Flameguns gaurd the docking bay and because there are worst threats on the long road to Waterdeep, Thay, and CHult the Carvan is huge,heavily equipt,and heavily gaurded and the Caravan hardly has to stop leaving the Outpost as bandits are mowed down as easily as swatting flies.

Even when the Caravan is gone, and even if some Orcs get in the compound all they will find is 15 Shield Gaurdians, The "Foodmaster' (Human Wizard, from Ravenloft, with crazy Ideas about enchanting food like Lolipops with "color Spray" spells and Apples with "Stoneskin" spells, who controls the Gaurdians) and Johlm a "Automation" (formally human,from "Serpent Isles" in Ultima Universe) that lay waste to intruders and Johlm, a Ranger, alway likely to continually attack/harass fleeing Orcs out to the 1 mile mark while the Food Master and the 15 Shield Gaurdians "hold the fort"

Plus Orc Chops, Orc stew, and Orc roast fufil the residents of the outpost needs for the lack of pork...supposedly Orcs taste like pork(something they discovered when the supply ship was running late and the Orcs tried a raid) so some of the Caravan occupants are almost disapointed when the Orcs don't try to attack. when it does happen the Caravan slows down and counter attack the Orcs and then runners come out and grab the bodies and haul them to the Chuck Wagon for prepping.

Hmmm. They might wonder what kind of bird do Nic'en tastle like if the Chuck Wagon is running low and encounter a attack by them...lol (Goblins and hobgoblins taste like Duck, Kolbolds taste like deer, Giants of all types taste like Buffalo, Demons taste like salted pork,Yutani properly prepared taste like Turkey as do Dinosaurs down in Chult, and Physical Undead make excelent "Jerky" once properlly prepared. They don't normally eat "long pig" which is what they call Human Bandits,Dwarf Bandits,Gnome or Halfling Bandits, or Elf bandits cause they rarely run into those)
#5
Eli_the_Tanner
Apr 07, 2008 8:14:33
Is this a good idea? How would the Faruneans react when they realize that the Nic'en (the primary race of alien invaders), and their allies are not a race of outsiders or aberrations native to Faerun's cosmology or itself, but from different Prime worlds, both in this dimension and not? How should I illustrate the inside of Nic'en ships, so as to illustrate their millions of years of advancement in both science and magic?

I take it you are posing these questions to the various Setting threads in an effort to determine which setting would have the most possiblities, compatibility, interest etc. if you decide to run a campaign with this event occuring?

In short, this is a good idea for a campaign. Introducing such a race into Faerun eould work quite well and is not without Precedant. Faerun has a long history of 'Alien invaders' which can all be looked at as examples of how your home-brew invasion would be received.

Now how this invasion is received will be dependant on how you decide to integrate them, similarily how your race enters will determine their own reactions to Faerun.

I understand they are few in number - certain 'alien' interlopers have arrived on Faerun in a similar state. We have a range of 'Low' numbers as example This range goes from the Malaugryms' (which number about 5 active in Faerun) to the city of Shade which has about 25,000 residants. Historically immigrations have occured like the Orc Gate wars where inestimable numbers of orcs were brought to Faerun; an entire pantheon along with it's people even came to Faerun known as the Mulhorandri people and avatars. Even most of the commonly accepted natives to Faerun were originally from other worlds, elves, mind flayers, Goblins, dwarves.

So one can see there are ample examples for invasion/migration into Faerun which can be used as a basis for your own campaign....and indeed Faerun is still a place that has much room and energy to create an interesting campaign based around such an event.

Grab a few free pdf.s or downloads of some of these events (maybe even a book or two) and take a look at how Faerun works in relation to these situations. It will give you a good idea of how to run your own campaign.

Good Luck
Eli the Tanner

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 leliel Apr 05, 2008 15:42:36	Well, since my "Alien Invasion in Eberron" thread was a relative sucess (and an eye-opener: I had underestimated their knowlege of quantum physics, apperently), I decided to take versions of the thread around the boards and get their input as well. So without further ado... Is this a good idea? How would the Faruneans react when they realize that the Nic'en (the primary race of alien invaders), and their allies are not a race of outsiders or aberrations native to Faerun's cosmology or itself, but from different Prime worlds, both in this dimension and not? How should I illustrate the inside of Nic'en ships, so as to illustrate their millions of years of advancement in both science and magic? Few notes about them: 1) For those of you who are wondering, the Nic'en are a race of warm-blooded avians, with an evolutionary path that has rendered them very similar to humanoids, albeit ones that look more like birdmen with wings more than humans. They are extremely intelligent, and have a great appreciation for all forms of art, especially poetry and literature. They're to big too fly, but they can use their wings to both run very fast and glide for long distances. They, like their archenemies the Iul, are extradimensional, using a type of "Skimmer Drive" to travel at FLT speeds and cross the borders between universes. They are also masters of AI, using a "hive structure" to coordinate the self-aware computers of their ships using a "mother brain", a semi-organic supercomputer with the ability to think outside it's directives and learn on it's own. In fact, this is the main weakness of the Nic'en: destroying the mother brain will cause the communication between the invading fleet to shut down entirely in some places, and confusing the AIs in others. Although this is only temporary in the long term (mother brains are replaceable), and not a viable option in many cases (The Nic'en have temporary backup computers just in case this happens, in which case they will also have to be destroyed in order cause the breakdown described above), but it will allow the opposing force enough time to launch a devastating attack against the Nic'en, or at least, build up defenses. 2) The Nic'en culture is similar in structure to feudal Japan, with the warriors expected to be poets and thinkers as well as conquerers and rulers. They are nomadic, divided across an unknown number of tribes. There is only one attacking Eberron, but their relatively low numbers are more then made up for by the fact that they have a tendency to assimilate cultures they come across, peacefully or not, into the individual tribe's fleet. The entirety of Nic'en society is dedicated to defeating and/or avoiding the Iul, a similar warrior race whose contact with forced the Nic'en to abandon their formerly peaceful ways. The countless eons that this war between the two races has more then whittled away at the Nic'en's collective sanity, and as a result, they have become dogmatic and fanatical in their search for a home safe from Iul attack. Ironically, if the Nic'en were able to forgive their enemies, they could probably live in peace with the Iul, who have grown equally tired of the constant war; If it weren't for Nic'en fanatics constantly arousing that race's instinctual paranoia via attacks against them, and their leaders not condemning them, or even supporting them, the Iul would happily form a truce that their honor would not allow them to break. 3) No, I do not plan on featuring the Iul in the first campaign I go about featuring the Nic'en. The next campaign, however...:evillaugh 4) The primary reason for invasion is that the Nic'en wish to use Faerun as a base in their war against the Iul. I await your input.
#2 lord_karsus Apr 06, 2008 0:18:59	Is this a good idea? -If you can make it work in your campaign, then sure. How would the Faruneans react when they realize that the Nic'en (the primary race of alien invaders), and their allies are not a race of outsiders or aberrations native to Faerun's cosmology or itself, but from different Prime worlds, both in this dimension and not? -The average person wouldn't know one from the other. All they really would be thinking is that there's (another) threat to their wellbeing and security. Opinions would differ depending on the region, and where these aliens are attacking. As for the more "powerful" individuals, well, I'm sure they'd attempt to counter the "threat". How should I illustrate the inside of Nic'en ships, so as to illustrate their millions of years of advancement in both science and magic?[/b] -However you want? With color?
#3 lykor Apr 06, 2008 11:31:33	The Realms have averaged about 1 "alien" invasion every 5 years or so since it was introduced. The average person in the Realms is probably used to it by now. Seriously, the reaction depends on where they land. If they show up in Thay, for example, Tsazz Tam will probably send them to Mulhurand or Rasheman (same with Zhentil Keep and the Dales). If they show up somewhere with a weak central government (such as Icewind Dale or parts of the North) they can probably move in with little resistance. If they show up someplace like Cormyr, expect full-fledged resistance.
#4 golddragon Apr 06, 2008 20:01:35	Well, since my "Alien Invasion in Eberron" thread was a relative sucess (and an eye-opener: I had underestimated their knowlege of quantum physics, apperently), I decided to take versions of the thread around the boards and get their input as well. So without further ado... Is this a good idea? How would the Faruneans react when they realize that the Nic'en (the primary race of alien invaders), and their allies are not a race of outsiders or aberrations native to Faerun's cosmology or itself, but from different Prime worlds, both in this dimension and not? How should I illustrate the inside of Nic'en ships, so as to illustrate their millions of years of advancement in both science and magic? Few notes about them: 1) For those of you who are wondering, the Nic'en are a race of warm-blooded avians, with an evolutionary path that has rendered them very similar to humanoids, albeit ones that look more like birdmen with wings more than humans. They are extremely intelligent, and have a great appreciation for all forms of art, especially poetry and literature. They're to big too fly, but they can use their wings to both run very fast and glide for long distances. They, like their archenemies the Iul, are extradimensional, using a type of "Skimmer Drive" to travel at FLT speeds and cross the borders between universes. They are also masters of AI, using a "hive structure" to coordinate the self-aware computers of their ships using a "mother brain", a semi-organic supercomputer with the ability to think outside it's directives and learn on it's own. In fact, this is the main weakness of the Nic'en: destroying the mother brain will cause the communication between the invading fleet to shut down entirely in some places, and confusing the AIs in others. Although this is only temporary in the long term (mother brains are replaceable), and not a viable option in many cases (The Nic'en have temporary backup computers just in case this happens, in which case they will also have to be destroyed in order cause the breakdown described above), but it will allow the opposing force enough time to launch a devastating attack against the Nic'en, or at least, build up defenses. 2) The Nic'en culture is similar in structure to feudal Japan, with the warriors expected to be poets and thinkers as well as conquerers and rulers. They are nomadic, divided across an unknown number of tribes. There is only one attacking Eberron, but their relatively low numbers are more then made up for by the fact that they have a tendency to assimilate cultures they come across, peacefully or not, into the individual tribe's fleet. The entirety of Nic'en society is dedicated to defeating and/or avoiding the Iul, a similar warrior race whose contact with forced the Nic'en to abandon their formerly peaceful ways. The countless eons that this war between the two races has more then whittled away at the Nic'en's collective sanity, and as a result, they have become dogmatic and fanatical in their search for a home safe from Iul attack. Ironically, if the Nic'en were able to forgive their enemies, they could probably live in peace with the Iul, who have grown equally tired of the constant war; If it weren't for Nic'en fanatics constantly arousing that race's instinctual paranoia via attacks against them, and their leaders not condemning them, or even supporting them, the Iul would happily form a truce that their honor would not allow them to break. 3) No, I do not plan on featuring the Iul in the first campaign I go about featuring the Nic'en. The next campaign, however...:evillaugh 4) The primary reason for invasion is that the Nic'en wish to use Faerun as a base in their war against the Iul. I await your input. As long as they stay away from Waterdeep, Shadowdale, Baulder's Gate or any other major "western" city they probablly wouldn't even be noticed. When you head to the "Far East" regions there are bodyless vampire heads and other such weird monsters wondering around that bird-men with technology and magic matching the "gods" of the East (who are also from alternate Primes) will be seen as just more weird creatures wondering around at best and "Interlopers" by the god-kings as worse Thing about Faerun is 99.99% of it is Mundane and boring and there are people that will never see a "monster" in their life and go about thier lives of being born,growing up,working on a farm from sun up to sun down, have a Ale at the Tavern and go to sleep for 60-70 years before finally dying (from boredom?) With the vast tracks of land currently unoccupied it isn't hard to set up a outpost, a town or city of your own that doesn't interfere with the lives of others in the region unless you want to interfere with them. It also doesn't mean you are likely to stay Isolated as Orc raiders or Bandits or such might eventually find you. E.G. The outpost of the WDS Merchat House of Meril is in a Isolated region of Faerun where mountains meet Sea so they can send out caravans as well as ships as needed. Eventually Orc Raiders found the outpaost and now regularly try to ambush caravans and enter the opening in the Outpost walls where the Sea flows into the docking bay. Unfortunately for them 100 automated Machineguns and automated Flameguns gaurd the docking bay and because there are worst threats on the long road to Waterdeep, Thay, and CHult the Carvan is huge,heavily equipt,and heavily gaurded and the Caravan hardly has to stop leaving the Outpost as bandits are mowed down as easily as swatting flies. Even when the Caravan is gone, and even if some Orcs get in the compound all they will find is 15 Shield Gaurdians, The "Foodmaster' (Human Wizard, from Ravenloft, with crazy Ideas about enchanting food like Lolipops with "color Spray" spells and Apples with "Stoneskin" spells, who controls the Gaurdians) and Johlm a "Automation" (formally human,from "Serpent Isles" in Ultima Universe) that lay waste to intruders and Johlm, a Ranger, alway likely to continually attack/harass fleeing Orcs out to the 1 mile mark while the Food Master and the 15 Shield Gaurdians "hold the fort" Plus Orc Chops, Orc stew, and Orc roast fufil the residents of the outpost needs for the lack of pork...supposedly Orcs taste like pork(something they discovered when the supply ship was running late and the Orcs tried a raid) so some of the Caravan occupants are almost disapointed when the Orcs don't try to attack. when it does happen the Caravan slows down and counter attack the Orcs and then runners come out and grab the bodies and haul them to the Chuck Wagon for prepping. Hmmm. They might wonder what kind of bird do Nic'en tastle like if the Chuck Wagon is running low and encounter a attack by them...lol (Goblins and hobgoblins taste like Duck, Kolbolds taste like deer, Giants of all types taste like Buffalo, Demons taste like salted pork,Yutani properly prepared taste like Turkey as do Dinosaurs down in Chult, and Physical Undead make excelent "Jerky" once properlly prepared. They don't normally eat "long pig" which is what they call Human Bandits,Dwarf Bandits,Gnome or Halfling Bandits, or Elf bandits cause they rarely run into those)
#5 Eli_the_Tanner Apr 07, 2008 8:14:33	Is this a good idea? How would the Faruneans react when they realize that the Nic'en (the primary race of alien invaders), and their allies are not a race of outsiders or aberrations native to Faerun's cosmology or itself, but from different Prime worlds, both in this dimension and not? How should I illustrate the inside of Nic'en ships, so as to illustrate their millions of years of advancement in both science and magic? I take it you are posing these questions to the various Setting threads in an effort to determine which setting would have the most possiblities, compatibility, interest etc. if you decide to run a campaign with this event occuring? In short, this is a good idea for a campaign. Introducing such a race into Faerun eould work quite well and is not without Precedant. Faerun has a long history of 'Alien invaders' which can all be looked at as examples of how your home-brew invasion would be received. Now how this invasion is received will be dependant on how you decide to integrate them, similarily how your race enters will determine their own reactions to Faerun. I understand they are few in number - certain 'alien' interlopers have arrived on Faerun in a similar state. We have a range of 'Low' numbers as example This range goes from the Malaugryms' (which number about 5 active in Faerun) to the city of Shade which has about 25,000 residants. Historically immigrations have occured like the Orc Gate wars where inestimable numbers of orcs were brought to Faerun; an entire pantheon along with it's people even came to Faerun known as the Mulhorandri people and avatars. Even most of the commonly accepted natives to Faerun were originally from other worlds, elves, mind flayers, Goblins, dwarves. So one can see there are ample examples for invasion/migration into Faerun which can be used as a basis for your own campaign....and indeed Faerun is still a place that has much room and energy to create an interesting campaign based around such an event. Grab a few free pdf.s or downloads of some of these events (maybe even a book or two) and take a look at how Faerun works in relation to these situations. It will give you a good idea of how to run your own campaign. Good Luck Eli the Tanner