Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Mr_Miscellany May 17, 2013 16:23:39	Now that WotC has solved their download problems, I was able to download Dragon #423 and read through the latest Eye on the Realms article: Masters of the Alluring Dungeons. This article focuses on one cabal of young illithids, imparts several adventure ideas and details new dungeon locations (in Ankhapur, Arabel, Elturel, Iriaebor, Urmlaspyr and Yhaunn--complete with new tidbits of lore about each) and then gives lots of illithid love: eight(!) words in the illithid language, illithid names, details on illithids in the Heartlands (and the conflicts brewing amongst them) and describes four other illithid cabals. Some mention of the history of powerful individual illithids and their plots and goals are made. I like the illithids who 1) tried to found monster nations on the surface because they preferred monster brains to that of humans and 2) created (and still create) societies of wizards because they prefer the taste of their brains and think consuming the right wizard brains in the right order will confer arcane might. The names for some local thieves guilds were pretty cool too. The Thronedrench Knife (out of Arabel) are my favorite. Great article!
#2 Stigger May 17, 2013 17:05:40	I actually hate illithids... reminds me way too much of that Lovecraftian crap I despise so very much.  Have I mentioned I really hate all things Cthulu-esque? But yeah, besides that, sounds like a great article!
#3 Mr_Miscellany May 17, 2013 17:45:41	I actually hate illithids... reminds me way too much of that Lovecraftian crap I despise so very much.  Have I mentioned I really hate all things Cthulu-esque? HA! How did I know you were gonna go there... But yeah, besides that, sounds like a great article!   I give it five
#4 Andrekan May 18, 2013 22:35:07	I've been working on one of these cabals before this Article came out.  Must have picked it up from another Ed Article, where he briefly mentions an illithid manipulation of a Trade and Nobles, etc.  The area I am using is further south in Darromar.  This mind-flayer belongs to an order (which this might fit perfect) the Players may never find out any of the back story, but just in case...  I am ready to deliver to which ever hook they follow.  I've got the Illithid, Shadow Thieves, Vampire Bandit Spies from the Night Barony of Erlkazar, some ambitious Tethyrian Nobles, Calishite Slavers and agents of Calimport, Janessar Rebels of Almraiven, and a few agent of the Twisted Rune in the mix (which have no idea they are agents of the Twisted Rune).  Almost forgot the most important spys, the Shadovar (They also cross over into the other groups above).   War is brewing and the Gods are stirring.  My players are just about to stop in on a trade caravan.   Thanks for the heads up on the Article, I've been brain storming on the illithid all week!
#5 Imruphel May 19, 2013 1:22:45	I've got at least one illithid in my Neverwinter campaign. In my notes I have it as a member of the Sept of Ill'ghact from Menzoberranzan: City of Intrigue but now I'm thinking that it might be better suited to one of the new groups from this article. Anyway, I loved it. I would happily pay money for a really large book written by Ed simply detailing how he uses illithids and beholders: he's really mastered those two monsters, in particular.
#6 Mr_Miscellany May 20, 2013 0:37:44	Thanks for the heads up on the Article, I've been brain storming on the illithid all week! Looks like fortuitous timing then. And you're most welcome. Anyway, I loved it. I would happily pay money for a really large book written by Ed simply detailing how he uses illithids and beholders: he's really mastered those two monsters, in particular.  Agrees with everything you just said, including the paying money part. What's awesome about this is we get to see how one Master DM has taken stock monsters out of the MM and turned them into something unique. It's that next level of world development that I hope 5E is able to both encourage DMs to do and teach them how to do it.