I've read most (if not all) of the 3.5 and older RPG materials on Rashemen, but would like to know if any novels specifically deal with the area...or even anyone from the area.
THANKS!!
--Bruin
Crusade has a witch character who comes in to intimidate the western rulers, has fighting on rashemen's borders, and some other interesting stuff. I think this was the first novel with a Rashemaar character.
Bladesinger, I think, is set in Rashemen. That was a stupid book, though. I didn't read more than the first few pages.
edit: There are also some short stories set in Rashemen in some of the early Realms of... anthologies. Realms of Valor and Magic I think both had them, and maybe one more as well. IIRC, that character never got a stand-alone novel of her own, however.
Bladesinger, I think, is set in Rashemen.
It is. I agree that it wasn't a particularly good novel.
It is. I agree that it wasn't a particularly good novel.
It could however, have been much worse. If I was to be locked in a Room with Taen from Bladesinger, and Walker from Ghostwalker, I think I would kill myself. They both have their good points, but they spend to bloody much time whining and grumbling about their life. Throw Drizzt* into the group, and it'd have been all she wrote.
*Note: I am talking Post-The Crystal Shard, Drizzt. Pre-The Crystal Shard, Drizzt was pretty fun. :P
It is. I agree that it wasn't a particularly good novel.
-No, no it was not. Not only did I not really care about the characters in question, it barely discussed Bladesingers (except mostly in the flashback scenes), and it took place in Rasheman of all places. It's not that I don't like Rasheman, but I normally don't associate it with Bladesingers.
The hathran hag found a way to get power by necromanticly draining a vremyonni male and wanted to eventually challenge the uppercircles of the hathrans by corrupting a tree of thelthor spirits.
I liked the hag villain in the book Bladesinger.
-Was she a Hag? I don't particularly remember that part. I was under the impression she was a normal Human, a normal Wychlaran, who used the Shadow Weave. I may be allowing the seeds for two different plot hooks from different sources to cross, though, with that one, now that I am thinking about it...
Another gem I'm glad I missed.
It sounds to me like someone got the go-ahead to do a book about Bladesingers, but really wanted to write a novel about Rasheman (which they did not get permission to do), so they snuck the novel they wanted past the editors. I've seen that a couple of times.
The Liriel stuff is a bit confusing (I couldn't tell who all those different Elves were at the end there) when she gets to Rashemen, and I don't think you really get to see their culture much there (aside from the stuff about the beserkers, which is pretty good).
Good trilogy though, and I'd recommend it highly.
I wish WotC/TSR/ the designers had explored the connections between Rauthym and Rasshemi more, though. Although Elaine did an adequate job trying to work with some of the odd lore there, I still find some of that could have been better connected.
IMG, I have linked the two portals around lake Ashane together with the one in the south, to make it an ancient, malfunctioning three-way portal, rather then two seperate broken two-way ones (that just happen to have several coincidental similarities). I say the second group of Rauthym went looking for their 'missing forefathers' years later, and stumbled into the same portal, which had been sealed on the other end, thus shunting the group to the southernmost portal near the Council hills. I don't like coincidences, but I do so love connections.
Blame it all on the Batrachi. :P
-Was she a Hag? I don't particularly remember that part. I was under the impression she was a normal Human, a normal Wychlaran, who used the Shadow Weave. I may be allowing the seeds for two different plot hooks from different sources to cross, though, with that one, now that I am thinking about it...
Well, she disguised herself as a Hag... But your right, LK. She was a Wychlaran.
I also agree, seeing a Bladesinger, be they Elven or Half-Elven in Rashemen is kind of "WTF?" But it would have worked... Stranger things have happened in most p&p games. In hindsight though, I wouldn't be surprised if Taen shows up again later, as a Ghostwalker.
A book about Rashemi 'politics' called Bladesinger?!
-Yeah, I was plesantly "surprised". So was Dan.
It sounds to me like someone got the go-ahead to do a book about Bladesingers, but really wanted to write a novel about Rasheman (which they did not get permission to do), so they snuck the novel they wanted past the editors. I've seen that a couple of times.
-The author was Keith Francis Strohm.
Well, she disguised herself as a Hag... But your right, LK. She was a Wychlaran.
-Alright, good to see I wasn't misremembering things.
I also agree, seeing a Bladesinger, be they Elven or Half-Elven in Rashemen is kind of "WTF?" But it would have worked...
-Well, it did work, more or less. But, as MT alluded to, the book was more about Rasheman, and what was going on there, than about Bladesingers. That was the point that disappointed me.
-Well, it did work, more or less. But, as MT alluded to, the book was more about Rasheman, and what was going on there, than about Bladesingers. That was the point that disappointed me.
Yeah, I wasn't really all that thrilled ether. If you don't pay attention to the name of the novel, it wasn't that bad of a book. Though really, all it was was a redemption story. Which wasn't even that good to start with, seeing as how it was just all in Taen's head. I could understand the fear of losing one's self to the Song, but all of his own little other issues made me want to get him a shrink, and go beat some sense into a few Elves...
Yeah, I wasn't really all that thrilled ether. If you don't pay attention to the name of the novel, it wasn't that bad of a book.
-Eh. Like I said before, I had a lot of trouble just caring for the characters. If an author cannot get readers to care for the protagonists, something is going wrong. And, I mean, it's not like I was automatically biased or anything. I figured there'd just be more about Bladesingers later on in the novel. And then, when I got to the end, then I was disappointed.
-I was under the impression she was a normal Human, a normal Wychlaran, who used the Shadow Weave.
I dont remember it was said explicitly she used the shadow weave. Good guess though. Under her ivory hathran mask (I love those things) she had replaced her left eye with a darkness glowing with power.
If I understand it right wychlarans allow an Iron King to rule and the hathrans exist to advise that king. The wychlarans are mostly active locally and as defence against the Thayans, right?
Rashemen feels very crisp in the descriptions of mr Strohm. Elaine has written there too huh? A must read for me then. I'd love to see more authors take a shot at describing that energetic landscape.
It sounds to me like someone got the go-ahead to do a book about Bladesingers, but really wanted to write a novel about Rasheman (which they did not get permission to do), so they snuck the novel they wanted past the editors. I've seen that a couple of times.
Alternatively, it could have been a book about Rashemen all along (called Owlbear Berserker or something), and the author was ordered by editors to splice in some Elves and Bladesingers to sell it.
I haven't read it, but from what I've read it here, it sounds like a cut-and-sub job.
I dont remember it was said explicitly she used the shadow weave. Good guess though. Under her ivory hathran mask (I love those things) she had replaced her left eye with a darkness glowing with power.
-If it didn't say explicitly, then I am mixing up a couple of different things. There is a mention of Wychlaran turning to the Shadow Weave (with a different name, of course) in either the FRCS, or Unapproachable East.
If I understand it right wychlarans allow an Iron King to rule and the hathrans exist to advise that king. The wychlarans are mostly active locally and as defence against the Thayans, right?
-The Iron King is more a less a figurehead, and the Wychlaran have the true power, yes.
Elaine has written there too huh? A must read for me then. I'd love to see more authors take a shot at describing that energetic landscape.
-Yes, her novel Windwalker takes place there, and her short story concerning Liriel Baenre in Realms of Elves also takes place there, after the events of Windwalker, if I am not mistaken.
I haven't read it, but from what I've read it here, it sounds like a cut-and-sub job.
-In retrospect, having read it and all, it really is sounding more and more like that.
Sometimes, thats the ONLY way some of them can get to do the stories they want. Unfortunately, it leads to some confusing titles and lore.
I wish I can remember the exact discussion and who said it, though.
-If it didn't say explicitly, then I am mixing up a couple of different things. There is a mention of Wychlaran turning to the Shadow Weave (with a different name, of course) in either the FRCS, or Unapproachable East.
Nice.. Think I'm gonna use that for a future campaign.
-Yes, her novel Windwalker takes place there, and her short story concerning Liriel Baenre in Realms of Elves also takes place there, after the events of Windwalker, if I am not mistaken.
Windwalker. Noted. Love that title.
-In retrospect, having read it and all, it really is sounding more and more like that.
Yeah, on Candlekeep the author explained how he wanted to write a story in rashemens locale AND how he wanted to show an adventuring party at work AND how he wanted to show the merging of song and sword in the bladesong AND.. he just should not have taken on that much.
Like I said, I've heard of this very thing going on by authors over at WotC, and I heard it from one of the authors at CK, who freely admitted he did just that - he (or even she) wrote the novel they wanted, and just used the title and whatever little details WotC insisted upon.
-Well, that's kind of what always happens. They give you the major points that they want to see, and then it's up to you to form all of that into a story they find acceptable.
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After hearing what happened, he should've gladly gone into exile along with his son. Screw being 'First Hilt'. After a community, who he's pledged to serve and protect, ridicules his son and does nothing in the way of seeing things done fairly he should've walked away then and there. IMO, they acted little better than drow (espically Faelyn). By him leaving, he would've help Taen better learn the ways of bladesinging, to become a better bladesinger, and help him get past his personal Demons.
As a side note, I also liked Borovazk :D.
-I didn't, because not even a week or two before I got the book (I got it and read it fairly close to it's release date), I created an NPC who was a Northern Barbarian (in my own campaign setting) with Russian mannerisms and Russian speech patterns named Borovich. So...Yeah...
-I didn't, because not even a week or two before I got the book (I got it and read it fairly close to it's release date), I created an NPC who was a Northern Barbarian (in my own campaign setting) with Russian mannerisms and Russian speech patterns named Borovich. So...Yeah...
Yea, damn Keith Francis Strohm for not consulting you before his character creation and developement ;).
Still, if you want the lands just east of Rashemen, that's a good one. (it's good anyway)
Yea, damn Keith Francis Strohm for not consulting you before his character creation and developement ;).
-Seriously.
Which story was that? I know there's one about the Vil Adanrath, but that actually takes place on the Plain of Horses (though it starts with the fall of Citadel Rashemen).
Still, if you want the lands just east of Rashemen, that's a good one. (it's good anyway)
Mercy's Reward by Mark Sehestedt, the one about that Rashemi dark druid/spirit sort of chap and the werewolves.
-No, no it was not. Not only did I not really care about the characters in question, it barely discussed Bladesingers (except mostly in the flashback scenes), and it took place in Rasheman of all places. It's not that I don't like Rasheman, but I normally don't associate it with Bladesingers.
That, and I thought the villain was ridiculously cartoony (even stupid). I was surprised she remained hidden for so long and made the progress she did, given how unsubtle her actions were during the actual story.
I expect better than that from a modern FR novel (really).
-Was she a Hag? I don't particularly remember that part. I was under the impression she was a normal Human, a normal Wychlaran, who used the Shadow Weave.
I recall her being human as well, a "hag" only in the general sense of the term (not the Monster Manual sense).
I recall her being human as well, a "hag" only in the general sense of the term (not the Monster Manual sense).
-I went back and checked, just to make sure, and she was Human.
Nah. As stated earlier Yulda was a human wychlaran who disguised herself as a hag for most of the time in the book.
-Was she a Hag? I don't particularly remember that part. I was under the impression she was a normal Human, a normal Wychlaran, who used the Shadow Weave. I may be allowing the seeds for two different plot hooks from different sources to cross, though, with that one, now that I am thinking about it...
Unapproachable East lists her and the half-orcess on page 143.
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Chaul (NE female annis hag sorcerer 6 / durthan 7), Durakh Haan (female half-orc cleric 9 of Luthic)
-Durthan...That's the name of the Wychlaran who used the Shadow Weave. Thank you.
With regard to that novel. The usual durthan is just the Rashemen-centric version of the wychlaran. Not exactly an evil version, but usually "gray or darker". Though I'd assume that you know this.
Hm ... so they we now got the minced FR-boards
I remember from the novel that it was implied that the villian wasn't actually a durthan...in fact, I recall her saying (or thinking to herself) that durthans were ineffectual.
-I was mixing things up, then.
The latest novel of the citadels series I believe it is called The Shield of Weeping Ghosts has Rashemen characters in it and i enjoyed the story.
-Yes, it is The Citadels series. And, for whatever reason, all of the novels in The Citadels series have covers that are a different material than the covers of other Forgotten Realms novels.
-I was mixing things up, then.
You could always double-check that--after all, I'm going from memory.
You could always double-check that--after all, I'm going from memory.
-Eh, it's not really worth the effort. ;)
-Durthan...That's the name of the Wychlaran who used the Shadow Weave. Thank you.
It does not say in "Unapprachable East" that the durthans have anything to do with the shadow weave, that they are just the Wychlaran's rivals for control over Rashemen.
I remember from the novel that it was implied that the villian wasn't actually a durthan...in fact, I recall her saying (or thinking to herself) that durthans were ineffectual.
My above quote from UE says that she is and in the novel she mused that the other durthan were ineffectual. ;)
My above quote from UE says that she is and in the novel she mused that the other durthan were ineffectual. ;)
That's not what I recall, but of course, it's possible I'm recalling wrong. I haven't looked her up in the UE, although it's possible the novel departed from the official sourcebook (wouldn't be the first time that's ever happened).
I know it isn't a novel but if you are looking for portrayals of Rashemen, it's pretty good.
Too bad they are demon influenced as I am partial to devils.
Mask of the Betrayer features iconic Rashemi characters like Okku and the Wood Man. It also has a Hag-spawn character and takes place in and around the city of Mulsantir for a big chunk of the game.
I know it isn't a novel but if you are looking for portrayals of Rashemen, it's pretty good.
Yeah, I loved that game. A couple of errors here and there (can't be a Spirit Shaman without a patron deity, so having a Spirit Shaman who's almost completely unfamiliar with the Faerunian Pantheon seems a bit much), but the game was fantastic as well as moody. I gained a new appreciation for Rashemen after having played it.
Incidentally, it was a pleasure killing that little bastard badger hanging out at that barbarian lodge. Mmm mmm good! :D
I own MotB, but I still haven't played it yet. I will one of these days...
For the love of God, woman, get on it, already!
http://home.comcast.net/~renef78/(206).jpg
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And yeah, the game is a performance hog. I couldn't play it at all on my old computer, and that's after I did everything I could to upgrade it for gaming. The moment it started it'd crash. Wasn't til I got my new laptop that I could play it. And even then I still had to turn off shadows.
Whoops, sorry. Forgot that what looks fine on my monitor doesn't necessarily look alright on others.
:P
-It's not that the pictures didn't show up, but they totally messed up the proportions of the webpage.
:P
-It's not that the pictures didn't show up, but they totally messed up the proportions of the webpage.
Yeah, looked fine for me but the image widths were big enough that they'd stretch things out for others. Forgot about that. I'm gonna resize those pics one of these days.
That's not what I recall, but of course, it's possible I'm recalling wrong. I haven't looked her up in the UE, although it's possible the novel departed from the official sourcebook (wouldn't be the first time that's ever happened).
Just believe me! ;)
Gann's such a man*****. ;)
If I have the opportunity to romance a handsome hagspawn...well, how could I pass that up?
-I find it funny that the graphics for that game not only don't work on my computer, but when you post those images, they also mess up the boards, when I respond.
Yikes!
Just believe me! ;)
Oh fine.:P
If I have the opportunity to romance a handsome hagspawn...well, how could I pass that up?
If Smurfs are your thing, then go right ahead. ;)
If Smurfs are your thing, then go right ahead. ;)
Gann isn't a smurf.
Smurfs are shorter!He's a Smurf who got hit with a permanent enlarge spell. :P
Does he use the word "smurf" as an adjective?
If not, he's not a smurf, so.:P
Fie on you and your canny linguistic skills! Foiled again!
Ha ha!:P
Oh Zanan, the durthan villians name was Yulda, not Chaul. So she is someone else then that real hag in UE. There!
:P
Lets talk hag reproduction. Hagspawn are the failed reproduction products of hags. A nighthag would have a different hagspawned than a green or annis hag? I know a character of mine has had his hagspawn child be killed by his partymembers. Some scary scenes that were.
-Aren't there different versions of Hagspawn in UA?
Easy to adapt it to the different hags by changing the stat modifiers and/or level adjustment abit.
The Durthans, Wychlarans and Vremyonni would make excellent local affiliations. Might make one later on.
How would you represent a mechanical benefit to being in those respective organisations?
Nope. Just the template for a hagspawned creature.
Easy to adapt it to the different hags by changing the stat modifiers and/or level adjustment abit.
-Right, right...I thought there might be three, instead of one universal one. Well, perhaps, no matter what kind of Hag the progenator was, the Hagspawn child comes out the same.
What dieties would a hag follow? 2nd edition agains said hags follow the old gods or primordials.. what would make a good old patron god for a hag in Rashemen?
Affilitation bonusses for high ranked Durthans I was thinking on are an improved ability to scry and gradually gain a gather information bonus. Wychlarans might get a improved initiative against evil organisations in nearby Rashemen and a gradual spellcraft bonus. Wychlarans get reduced cost for material crafting and a knowledge arcane bonus.
As for the other stuff, it's only cosmetic. The differences that is in physical appearance. Not sure why they're all male, but blue, green, night, whatever, they come out mechanically the same, just skin color largley is indicative of host mother.
As for the "tear their way out of in utero", that sounds nasty in dramatic fashion and all, but wouldn't that pretty much guarantee their demise? No midwife would allow for such an abomination to be birthed in that fashion.
For what it's worth, I'm posting a link to the fiction section as I've posted a chunk that is pertinent to Rashemen. Well, an invasion; amphibious assault across Lake Mulsantir. This is just a segment mind you considering the full 200+ pages might be in bad form to cut/paste.
http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=1035373
What dieties would a hag follow? 2nd edition agains said hags follow the old gods or primordials.. what would make a good old patron god for a hag in Rashemen?
Cegilune, patron goddess of all hags.
As for the "tear their way out of in utero", that sounds nasty in dramatic fashion and all, but wouldn't that pretty much guarantee their demise? No midwife would allow for such an abomination to be birthed in that fashion.
-The Hags giving birth wouldn't have midwives, of course.
Cegilune is behind this all! I looked in to her.. and I am impressed (or revolted) by her. Great little flavor to add. I really need to get myself a copy of the monstrous dieties somewhere...
Cegilune is behind this all! I looked in to her.. and I am impressed (or revolted) by her. Great little flavor to add. I really need to get myself a copy of the monstrous dieties somewhere...
-Paizo.com, RPGnow.com, Drive-ThruRPG (I believe that the name), NobleKnight.com, and whole bunch of others sell previous-edition PDF files for $4-$6. Somone is bound to have that one. And then, of course, there is always eBay.
-The Hags giving birth wouldn't have midwives, of course.
I'm sorry, got my parties muddled concerning the traditional "weird character race" birthing premise. ie)humanoid female carrying odd race to term.
Um, wouldn't breaching the birthmother in the previous fashion kill the hag though? I mean, self-preservation and all...
I'm sorry, got my parties muddled concerning the traditional "weird character race" birthing premise. ie)humanoid female carrying odd race to term.
Um, wouldn't breaching the birthmother in the previous fashion kill the hag though? I mean, self-preservation and all...
Well, like I said, I know of one hagspawn character, and his mother is still alive.
Are you sure about the "baby hag eats the mother" factoid?Well, like I said, I know of one hagspawn character, and his mother is still alive.
That's exactly it, I didn't believe there was one. A few posts back, someone had mentioned it, but I wasn't sure if that was a bit of folklore IRL or a game fluff piece I was not familiar w/.
I woudl be inclined to say they are birthed in a somewhat normal fashion, well, as normal as possible for a hag in labor anyway otherwise nature would have it's way and there wouldn't be any spawn.
Um, wouldn't breaching the birthmother in the previous fashion kill the hag though? I mean, self-preservation and all...
-The Hags aren't giving birth. That said, if you mean the baby...Well...