Story of Orcus in FR - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Story of Orcus in FR

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Promitheas
Jan 23, 2009 17:42:32 Hi all, Im a DM with little time in his hands.

I've decided to run the core adventures in FR. The BBEG is gonna be Orcus, problem is I have no idea of his past in the realms.

Search button revealed that he was slain twice. Once kiaranshalee killed him and got rotting jak (who is he?) ,his proxy, with her.... thats about it.

I'd like to know where, when or a source I could use. Pls spare no details...

Thank you all very much in advance, the bigger the post the better
#2
Shemeska_the_Marauder
Jan 23, 2009 18:01:35 The death of Orcus, his return as the undead entity Tenebrous, subsequent second death, and eventual return to demon lord status are all detailed in the 2e Planescape modules "The Great Modron March" and "Dead Gods" (primarily in Dead Gods).

Additional material about Orcus after the events in those modules is detailed in the 3.5 Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss (which is hands down the best 3.x sourcebook in my opinion).

Some little references are also mentioned in Dragon 359 in Orcus's writeup therein, and in Dragon 353 in the details of the demiplane Moil in the "Multiple Dimentia" article.
#3
lord_karsus
Jan 23, 2009 23:32:28 -Demiplane of Moil? What the hell goes on there!?

-Information on Orcus, in the Forgotten Realms, can be found primarily in any sourcebooks that mention Vaasa and Damara. Orcus has had a big influence there.
#4
Shemeska_the_Marauder
Jan 24, 2009 0:18:50
-Demiplane of Moil? What the hell goes on there!?

It's a former city from the prime material world of Renais that once worshipped Orcus. When they shifted away from that faith, Orcus tore the city from its world and trapped it inside a lightless demiplane of his own construction where its inhabitants fell into a cursed sleep unless touched by natural sunlight. Some time afterwards, Orcus was killed by Kiaransalee, Moil was forgotten, and Renais's star went nova, destroying all life on its surface.

Moil drifted like a fly in amber, perfectly preserved but sterile, till it was later discovered by the demilich Acererak. His use of the demiplane is recorded in the module 'Return to the Tomb of Horrors'.
#5
lord_karsus
Jan 24, 2009 0:46:44 -I guess I'm still the only one who finds the name comical...
#6
zanan
Jan 24, 2009 6:56:40 On a sidenote, he's probably the one evil-doer who is most backed by the D&D design teams, given his quite unrealsitic stand-up history. One would wish that they had spent their energy on other archfiends et al.
#7
18DELTA
Jan 24, 2009 8:43:28 -Orcus is Chris Perkins Homeboy! :P He uses Orcus as his avatar on these forums. I call Orcus the Bloated Goathead. :D 4E was called Project Orcus. :embarrass Why do I think of some neferious CIA plot.

18DELTA (CHOSEN OF CYRIC) ;)
#8
zanan
Jan 24, 2009 15:43:11
-Orcus is Chris Perkins Homeboy! :P He uses Orcus as his avatar on these forums. I call Orcus the Bloated Goathead. :D 4E was called Project Orcus. :embarrass Why do I think of some neferious CIA plot.

18DELTA (CHOSEN OF CYRIC) ;)

See, that what we drow do. Entice someone else to spill out all the truths err those in power happen by and slate the drow. Thanks for telling the truth then and ware the punishment.
#9
rinonalyrna_fathomlin
Jan 24, 2009 19:35:43
-I guess I'm still the only one who finds the name comical...

No, remember, I get the joke too, along with Eytan Bernstein.;)
#10
lord_karsus
Jan 24, 2009 20:41:52
No, remember, I get the joke too, along with Eytan Bernstein.;)

-We're all one big happy family, then.
#11
Evergreen_Aldaron
Jan 27, 2009 20:48:29
-Demiplane of Moil? What the hell goes on there!?

-Information on Orcus, in the Forgotten Realms, can be found primarily in any sourcebooks that mention Vaasa and Damara. Orcus has had a big influence there.

True.
Lots of info on Orcus in the H series of modules as well as the 2nd edition accessory, The Bloodstone Lands.
Orcus is heavily used in the region.
#12
markustay63
Jan 27, 2009 23:40:36
-We're all one big happy family, then.

Moils are evil... I had to be there when they terrorized my children and scarred them for life (literally).

Seriously... extremely gross and scarey occupation.. I don't kow how they are able to do that... I wince just reading the word here.
#13
quale1
Jan 28, 2009 5:39:34 OP: He's was worshipped in ancient Narfell, check GHoTR

http://www.necromancergames.com/pdf/HistoryOfOrcus.pdf

I don't this he's overused, Thanatos is an interesting place to play, my favorite beside Azzagrat and Androlynne in Abyss
#14
Promitheas
Jan 28, 2009 12:56:31 Excellent link quale1

Tyvm
#15
lord_karsus
Jan 28, 2009 21:03:38
Moils are evil... I had to be there when they terrorized my children and scarred them for life (literally).

Seriously... extremely gross and scarey occupation.. I don't kow how they are able to do that... I wince just reading the word here.

-Well, Moil is the evil world. "Mohel" is the occupation. So, Moils would indeed be evil, while mohels would not (or, be less so, depending on your viewpoint).
#16
markustay63
Jan 29, 2009 16:22:58 Perhaps Mohels are trained in Moil...

Think about it... it makes sense...
#17
myrkul_lives_again
Jan 30, 2009 4:53:37 -crawling out from under the corpse of 3rd edition and 3.5-

Woo! Its a long way up from there...

Anyway! Orcus is just a mediocre demon prince who wishes he were Myrkul, or in the very least, Velsharoon. What he really wants is a nice crown that has a few horns on it with a nice gem in the middle of the forehead.

No really, please put it on! I need to be free again.
#18
Zireael
Jan 31, 2009 13:08:27 Well, I think he's there only to be an opponent for BG and/or Kiaransalee.
#19
bonzai
Jan 31, 2009 17:40:28 Here is what I have heard about Orcus in the realms.

Earliest known appearance was in ancient Narfell. There he convinced the first Nentyarch to forge the Crown of Narfell. A powerful artifact that slowly consumed the souls of it's wearers. With Orcus's subtle backing, he was able to unite the various Nar tribes into a single empire. The Nar had learned magic from their time fighting in the Orc Gate wars, and possibly discovering Imaskari relics. With Orcus's influence the Nar started to focus on demonology. They quickly became the greatest experts in their field that the realms had eer seen. As their might grew, so did their empire. Unfortunatlely this led them into war with Raumathor, who was similarly magicly endowed (It's been hinted that they may have discovered a lost Imaskarcana). The resulting war destroyed both empires, and caused major upheavil in what is modern Rashaman.

Speculation: A theory of mine is that Orcus had a purpose in teaching the Nar the secrets of Demon Binding. Firstly, it offered him a steady streem of souls. But, more importantly, it caused Eltab to be permanently bound to Faerun. Perhaps this was all a means to be rid of an annoying rival?

Next he appears again many centuries latter, and had been secretly backing the Zhengi's rise to power. Gareth Dragon's Bane and crew defeated him, and from what I hear, Orcus as well (It may have actually been the party that destroyed Orcus's wand).

Then there is the whole Kiaransalee thing, where he dies, comes back as orcus, comes back as tenebrous, dies, and then comes back as Orcus

Lastly, on the link that was provided, it mentions that Orcus ran afoul of a human cleric named Bane, who worshipped a lawfull martial diety. It is very possible that this might have been the same Bane who became a god in the Realms.
#20
Zireael
Feb 01, 2009 3:36:54
Earliest known appearance was in ancient Narfell. There he convinced the first Nentyarch to forge the Crown of Narfell.
Speculation: A theory of mine is that Orcus had a purpose in teaching the Nar the secrets of Demon Binding. Firstly, it offered him a steady streem of souls. But, more importantly, it caused Eltab to be permanently bound to Faerun. Perhaps this was all a means to be rid of an annoying rival?
Lastly, on the link that was provided, it mentions that Orcus ran afoul of a human cleric named Bane, who worshipped a lawfull martial diety. It is very possible that this might have been the same Bane who became a god in the Realms.

As far as I remember, the Nentyarchs were sons of demonic princes (Grazz't and Orcus himself).
Speculation is good and I think right.
And the mention of Bane is really good. I really suspect that is the truth. So a question: why doesn't he smack Orcus now that he's a god?
#21
Shemeska_the_Marauder
Feb 01, 2009 10:25:57
And the mention of Bane is really good. I really suspect that is the truth. So a question: why doesn't he smack Orcus now that he's a god?

Because it would be suicide on Bane's part to try.

Bane = deity worshipped on a single planet. Orcus = abyssal lord worshipped on many multiple worlds across the material plane, plus having the resources of an infinite layer of the Abyss at his disposal.

Generally speaking, archfiends and gods don't muck around in one anothers' affairs, and they have radically different sphere's of interest and influence. But beyond that, fighting Orcus in the Abyss would be like Bane randomly showing up in Mystra's domain and trying to kill her. In both cases it would result in a very much dead Bane.
#22
lord_karsus
Feb 02, 2009 10:19:34
Lastly, on the link that was provided, it mentions that Orcus ran afoul of a human cleric named Bane, who worshipped a lawfull martial diety. It is very possible that this might have been the same Bane who became a god in the Realms.

-Well, "Bane" isn't exactly a very common know. I only know of two 'Banes': Bane, and Darth Bane.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Promitheas Jan 23, 2009 17:42:32	Hi all, Im a DM with little time in his hands. I've decided to run the core adventures in FR. The BBEG is gonna be Orcus, problem is I have no idea of his past in the realms. Search button revealed that he was slain twice. Once kiaranshalee killed him and got rotting jak (who is he?) ,his proxy, with her.... thats about it. I'd like to know where, when or a source I could use. Pls spare no details... Thank you all very much in advance, the bigger the post the better
#2 Shemeska_the_Marauder Jan 23, 2009 18:01:35	The death of Orcus, his return as the undead entity Tenebrous, subsequent second death, and eventual return to demon lord status are all detailed in the 2e Planescape modules "The Great Modron March" and "Dead Gods" (primarily in Dead Gods). Additional material about Orcus after the events in those modules is detailed in the 3.5 Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss (which is hands down the best 3.x sourcebook in my opinion). Some little references are also mentioned in Dragon 359 in Orcus's writeup therein, and in Dragon 353 in the details of the demiplane Moil in the "Multiple Dimentia" article.
#3 lord_karsus Jan 23, 2009 23:32:28	-Demiplane of Moil? What the hell goes on there!? -Information on Orcus, in the Forgotten Realms, can be found primarily in any sourcebooks that mention Vaasa and Damara. Orcus has had a big influence there.
#4 Shemeska_the_Marauder Jan 24, 2009 0:18:50	-Demiplane of Moil? What the hell goes on there!? It's a former city from the prime material world of Renais that once worshipped Orcus. When they shifted away from that faith, Orcus tore the city from its world and trapped it inside a lightless demiplane of his own construction where its inhabitants fell into a cursed sleep unless touched by natural sunlight. Some time afterwards, Orcus was killed by Kiaransalee, Moil was forgotten, and Renais's star went nova, destroying all life on its surface. Moil drifted like a fly in amber, perfectly preserved but sterile, till it was later discovered by the demilich Acererak. His use of the demiplane is recorded in the module 'Return to the Tomb of Horrors'.
#5 lord_karsus Jan 24, 2009 0:46:44	-I guess I'm still the only one who finds the name comical...
#6 zanan Jan 24, 2009 6:56:40	On a sidenote, he's probably the one evil-doer who is most backed by the D&D design teams, given his quite unrealsitic stand-up history. One would wish that they had spent their energy on other archfiends et al.
#7 18DELTA Jan 24, 2009 8:43:28	-Orcus is Chris Perkins Homeboy! :P He uses Orcus as his avatar on these forums. I call Orcus the Bloated Goathead. :D 4E was called Project Orcus. :embarrass Why do I think of some neferious CIA plot. 18DELTA (CHOSEN OF CYRIC) ;)
#8 zanan Jan 24, 2009 15:43:11	-Orcus is Chris Perkins Homeboy! :P He uses Orcus as his avatar on these forums. I call Orcus the Bloated Goathead. :D 4E was called Project Orcus. :embarrass Why do I think of some neferious CIA plot. 18DELTA (CHOSEN OF CYRIC) ;) See, that what we drow do. Entice someone else to spill out all the truths err those in power happen by and slate the drow. Thanks for telling the truth then and ware the punishment.
#9 rinonalyrna_fathomlin Jan 24, 2009 19:35:43	-I guess I'm still the only one who finds the name comical... No, remember, I get the joke too, along with Eytan Bernstein.;)
#10 lord_karsus Jan 24, 2009 20:41:52	No, remember, I get the joke too, along with Eytan Bernstein.;) -We're all one big happy family, then.
#11 Evergreen_Aldaron Jan 27, 2009 20:48:29	-Demiplane of Moil? What the hell goes on there!? -Information on Orcus, in the Forgotten Realms, can be found primarily in any sourcebooks that mention Vaasa and Damara. Orcus has had a big influence there. True. Lots of info on Orcus in the H series of modules as well as the 2nd edition accessory, The Bloodstone Lands. Orcus is heavily used in the region.
#12 markustay63 Jan 27, 2009 23:40:36	-We're all one big happy family, then. Moils are evil... I had to be there when they terrorized my children and scarred them for life (literally). Seriously... extremely gross and scarey occupation.. I don't kow how they are able to do that... I wince just reading the word here.
#13 quale1 Jan 28, 2009 5:39:34	OP: He's was worshipped in ancient Narfell, check GHoTR http://www.necromancergames.com/pdf/HistoryOfOrcus.pdf I don't this he's overused, Thanatos is an interesting place to play, my favorite beside Azzagrat and Androlynne in Abyss
#14 Promitheas Jan 28, 2009 12:56:31	Excellent link quale1 Tyvm
#15 lord_karsus Jan 28, 2009 21:03:38	Moils are evil... I had to be there when they terrorized my children and scarred them for life (literally). Seriously... extremely gross and scarey occupation.. I don't kow how they are able to do that... I wince just reading the word here. -Well, Moil is the evil world. "Mohel" is the occupation. So, Moils would indeed be evil, while mohels would not (or, be less so, depending on your viewpoint).
#16 markustay63 Jan 29, 2009 16:22:58	Perhaps Mohels are trained in Moil... Think about it... it makes sense...
#17 myrkul_lives_again Jan 30, 2009 4:53:37	-crawling out from under the corpse of 3rd edition and 3.5- Woo! Its a long way up from there... Anyway! Orcus is just a mediocre demon prince who wishes he were Myrkul, or in the very least, Velsharoon. What he really wants is a nice crown that has a few horns on it with a nice gem in the middle of the forehead. No really, please put it on! I need to be free again.
#18 Zireael Jan 31, 2009 13:08:27	Well, I think he's there only to be an opponent for BG and/or Kiaransalee.
#19 bonzai Jan 31, 2009 17:40:28	Here is what I have heard about Orcus in the realms. Earliest known appearance was in ancient Narfell. There he convinced the first Nentyarch to forge the Crown of Narfell. A powerful artifact that slowly consumed the souls of it's wearers. With Orcus's subtle backing, he was able to unite the various Nar tribes into a single empire. The Nar had learned magic from their time fighting in the Orc Gate wars, and possibly discovering Imaskari relics. With Orcus's influence the Nar started to focus on demonology. They quickly became the greatest experts in their field that the realms had eer seen. As their might grew, so did their empire. Unfortunatlely this led them into war with Raumathor, who was similarly magicly endowed (It's been hinted that they may have discovered a lost Imaskarcana). The resulting war destroyed both empires, and caused major upheavil in what is modern Rashaman. Speculation: A theory of mine is that Orcus had a purpose in teaching the Nar the secrets of Demon Binding. Firstly, it offered him a steady streem of souls. But, more importantly, it caused Eltab to be permanently bound to Faerun. Perhaps this was all a means to be rid of an annoying rival? Next he appears again many centuries latter, and had been secretly backing the Zhengi's rise to power. Gareth Dragon's Bane and crew defeated him, and from what I hear, Orcus as well (It may have actually been the party that destroyed Orcus's wand). Then there is the whole Kiaransalee thing, where he dies, comes back as orcus, comes back as tenebrous, dies, and then comes back as Orcus Lastly, on the link that was provided, it mentions that Orcus ran afoul of a human cleric named Bane, who worshipped a lawfull martial diety. It is very possible that this might have been the same Bane who became a god in the Realms.
#20 Zireael Feb 01, 2009 3:36:54	Earliest known appearance was in ancient Narfell. There he convinced the first Nentyarch to forge the Crown of Narfell. Speculation: A theory of mine is that Orcus had a purpose in teaching the Nar the secrets of Demon Binding. Firstly, it offered him a steady streem of souls. But, more importantly, it caused Eltab to be permanently bound to Faerun. Perhaps this was all a means to be rid of an annoying rival? Lastly, on the link that was provided, it mentions that Orcus ran afoul of a human cleric named Bane, who worshipped a lawfull martial diety. It is very possible that this might have been the same Bane who became a god in the Realms. As far as I remember, the Nentyarchs were sons of demonic princes (Grazz't and Orcus himself). Speculation is good and I think right. And the mention of Bane is really good. I really suspect that is the truth. So a question: why doesn't he smack Orcus now that he's a god?
#21 Shemeska_the_Marauder Feb 01, 2009 10:25:57	And the mention of Bane is really good. I really suspect that is the truth. So a question: why doesn't he smack Orcus now that he's a god? Because it would be suicide on Bane's part to try. Bane = deity worshipped on a single planet. Orcus = abyssal lord worshipped on many multiple worlds across the material plane, plus having the resources of an infinite layer of the Abyss at his disposal. Generally speaking, archfiends and gods don't muck around in one anothers' affairs, and they have radically different sphere's of interest and influence. But beyond that, fighting Orcus in the Abyss would be like Bane randomly showing up in Mystra's domain and trying to kill her. In both cases it would result in a very much dead Bane.
#22 lord_karsus Feb 02, 2009 10:19:34	Lastly, on the link that was provided, it mentions that Orcus ran afoul of a human cleric named Bane, who worshipped a lawfull martial diety. It is very possible that this might have been the same Bane who became a god in the Realms. -Well, "Bane" isn't exactly a very common know. I only know of two 'Banes': Bane, and Darth Bane.