Wheloon - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Wheloon

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
hollowerfollower
Feb 22, 2009 11:11:31 I'm working on making a character who comes from this town but I've had difficulty finding information on it. Basically, what I have gathered from both the FR Player's Guide and from browsing through the Campaign Guide is that, after discovering that most of the city's inhabitants were worshipers of Shar, House Obarskyr declared the city a prison city and all of its citizens lifetime prisoners and then walled it up. Since then, the city has been taken over by gangs and whenever Shadovar spies or supporters are found they are put into Wheloon, as well.

Now, what I'm wondering is if there is any more information available about this city, even if its information from before Wheloon became a prison city. Anything that people can offer would be extremely helpful.

Also, people who join gangs (which is really the only way to survive in Wheloon) end up with prisoner and gang tattoos. Have these marks ever been detailed? Would everyday people in Cormyr who saw these tattoos know them for what they are? And, last but probably least (I should know the answer to this), would anyone bearing these tattoos in Cormyr be captured or attempted to be captured by the guards to be sent back to Wheloon?
#2
lord_karsus
Feb 22, 2009 13:12:37 -Information about Wheloon can be found in assorted books. Most of them are little burbs. You'll get the most from the FRCS, and Waterdeep.
#3
marius4
Feb 22, 2009 13:40:35 If there's info out there for you to find it's more likely to be on pre-Spellplague Wheloon. Current details on the area (and the tattoo designs) aren't specified any further than in FRCG & FRPG afaik and thus are up to DMs and players.

In my game, I would say the tattoos appear anywhere from interesting or a bit rough-looking to "definitely gang-related" to your average commoner depending on how streetwise s/he is. However, unless Wheloon is the subject of widely publicized sociological research or is being magically taped 24/7 and broadcast across Cormyr (Real World: Wheloon :P), I highly doubt anyone outside would be able to recognize that the tattoos originate in Wheloon specifically unless a tattoo explicitly indicates it. Having a tattoo isn't necessarily unheard of in Cormyr I don't think, and most people don't escape Wheloon in the first place. A commoner might piece things together, but not just off hand.

The major exception would be when there is a combination of, say, clearly gang-related tattoos, a gruff personality, and the right situation. If the guards are on the lookout for an escapee from Wheloon, many Cormyrians will be suspicious of the shady loner covered in ink. If an escapee were actually captured, I would think they would be executed...just because the throne has been so extremely strict with Wheloon so far.

That's just my take, though, and what I think the general intent of the write-up is. The tattoos from Lutcheq in Chessenta, on the other hand, seem much more intended to convey a specific message to the people of that nation.
#4
BadCatMan
Feb 22, 2009 19:42:06 For more about classic Wheloon, you can check out the Cormyr: The Tearing Of The Weave adventure from 3.5 edition, and the Cormyr sourcebook from 2nd edition.

Also check out Volo's Guide To Cormyr available free here:
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/downloads
#5
hvulpes
Feb 22, 2009 19:55:39
If there's info out there for you to find it's more likely to be on pre-Spellplague Wheloon. Current details on the area (and the tattoo designs) aren't specified any further than in FRCG & FRPG afaik and thus are up to DMs and players.

In my game, I would say the tattoos appear anywhere from interesting or a bit rough-looking to "definitely gang-related" to your average commoner depending on how streetwise s/he is. However, unless Wheloon is the subject of widely publicized sociological research or is being magically taped 24/7 and broadcast across Cormyr (Real World: Wheloon :P), I highly doubt anyone outside would be able to recognize that the tattoos originate in Wheloon specifically unless a tattoo explicitly indicates it. Having a tattoo isn't necessarily unheard of in Cormyr I don't think, and most people don't escape Wheloon in the first place. A commoner might piece things together, but not just off hand.

The major exception would be when there is a combination of, say, clearly gang-related tattoos, a gruff personality, and the right situation. If the guards are on the lookout for an escapee from Wheloon, many Cormyrians will be suspicious of the shady loner covered in ink. If an escapee were actually captured, I would think they would be executed...just because the throne has been so extremely strict with Wheloon so far.

That's just my take, though, and what I think the general intent of the write-up is. The tattoos from Lutcheq in Chessenta, on the other hand, seem much more intended to convey a specific message to the people of that nation.

Your making the note of the idea that the government itself, doesn't have tattoos for the prisoners which they are branded with. Or it doesn't make notes of the tattoos by magic or other means.
#6
hollowerfollower
Feb 23, 2009 9:35:09 The information I've been getting so far has been helpful, so thank all of you for that.

Also, I have another Wheloon question for anyone who's interested in answering: How does one escape Wheloon?

From the information I've gathered as well as from other people who seem to know a bit, I figured out that basically, besides being walled up, there's also a magical barrier over the city. It's passable coming in, but impassable when trying to leave, naturally. The question is, what does the magic barrier shield against? Just physical attempts to leave or could a person simply teleport out of the city?
#7
hvulpes
Feb 27, 2009 13:14:04
The information I've been getting so far has been helpful, so thank all of you for that.

Also, I have another Wheloon question for anyone who's interested in answering: How does one escape Wheloon?

From the information I've gathered as well as from other people who seem to know a bit, I figured out that basically, besides being walled up, there's also a magical barrier over the city. It's passable coming in, but impassable when trying to leave, naturally. The question is, what does the magic barrier shield against? Just physical attempts to leave or could a person simply teleport out of the city?

To escape Wheloon, you need one man: Snake Pleskin! He can get you out of there, but it's going to cost you.
#8
wannabesuperman
Feb 28, 2009 14:28:35 Generally, the details of the barrier, the walls and Wheloon are left for the DM to create as is desired.

You'll find many generalities in the description that leave most of the city open for interpretation. Because of this, DMs have to make some potentially problematic decisions about the barrier, as an example.

In the description of Wheloon, we learn that the Wyvernflow still passes through the city. That means the river both enters and leaves. How about fish?

Perhaps nothing living can pass through. What about undead?

Wheloon is a bit of a challenge, IMO. Watch that movie with Leo and Daniel Day Lewis for some ideas about gangs/people groups in a close-quarters city.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 hollowerfollower Feb 22, 2009 11:11:31	I'm working on making a character who comes from this town but I've had difficulty finding information on it. Basically, what I have gathered from both the FR Player's Guide and from browsing through the Campaign Guide is that, after discovering that most of the city's inhabitants were worshipers of Shar, House Obarskyr declared the city a prison city and all of its citizens lifetime prisoners and then walled it up. Since then, the city has been taken over by gangs and whenever Shadovar spies or supporters are found they are put into Wheloon, as well. Now, what I'm wondering is if there is any more information available about this city, even if its information from before Wheloon became a prison city. Anything that people can offer would be extremely helpful. Also, people who join gangs (which is really the only way to survive in Wheloon) end up with prisoner and gang tattoos. Have these marks ever been detailed? Would everyday people in Cormyr who saw these tattoos know them for what they are? And, last but probably least (I should know the answer to this), would anyone bearing these tattoos in Cormyr be captured or attempted to be captured by the guards to be sent back to Wheloon?
#2 lord_karsus Feb 22, 2009 13:12:37	-Information about Wheloon can be found in assorted books. Most of them are little burbs. You'll get the most from the FRCS, and Waterdeep.
#3 marius4 Feb 22, 2009 13:40:35	If there's info out there for you to find it's more likely to be on pre-Spellplague Wheloon. Current details on the area (and the tattoo designs) aren't specified any further than in FRCG & FRPG afaik and thus are up to DMs and players. In my game, I would say the tattoos appear anywhere from interesting or a bit rough-looking to "definitely gang-related" to your average commoner depending on how streetwise s/he is. However, unless Wheloon is the subject of widely publicized sociological research or is being magically taped 24/7 and broadcast across Cormyr (Real World: Wheloon :P), I highly doubt anyone outside would be able to recognize that the tattoos originate in Wheloon specifically unless a tattoo explicitly indicates it. Having a tattoo isn't necessarily unheard of in Cormyr I don't think, and most people don't escape Wheloon in the first place. A commoner might piece things together, but not just off hand. The major exception would be when there is a combination of, say, clearly gang-related tattoos, a gruff personality, and the right situation. If the guards are on the lookout for an escapee from Wheloon, many Cormyrians will be suspicious of the shady loner covered in ink. If an escapee were actually captured, I would think they would be executed...just because the throne has been so extremely strict with Wheloon so far. That's just my take, though, and what I think the general intent of the write-up is. The tattoos from Lutcheq in Chessenta, on the other hand, seem much more intended to convey a specific message to the people of that nation.
#4 BadCatMan Feb 22, 2009 19:42:06	For more about classic Wheloon, you can check out the Cormyr: The Tearing Of The Weave adventure from 3.5 edition, and the Cormyr sourcebook from 2nd edition. Also check out Volo's Guide To Cormyr available free here: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/downloads
#5 hvulpes Feb 22, 2009 19:55:39	If there's info out there for you to find it's more likely to be on pre-Spellplague Wheloon. Current details on the area (and the tattoo designs) aren't specified any further than in FRCG & FRPG afaik and thus are up to DMs and players. In my game, I would say the tattoos appear anywhere from interesting or a bit rough-looking to "definitely gang-related" to your average commoner depending on how streetwise s/he is. However, unless Wheloon is the subject of widely publicized sociological research or is being magically taped 24/7 and broadcast across Cormyr (Real World: Wheloon :P), I highly doubt anyone outside would be able to recognize that the tattoos originate in Wheloon specifically unless a tattoo explicitly indicates it. Having a tattoo isn't necessarily unheard of in Cormyr I don't think, and most people don't escape Wheloon in the first place. A commoner might piece things together, but not just off hand. The major exception would be when there is a combination of, say, clearly gang-related tattoos, a gruff personality, and the right situation. If the guards are on the lookout for an escapee from Wheloon, many Cormyrians will be suspicious of the shady loner covered in ink. If an escapee were actually captured, I would think they would be executed...just because the throne has been so extremely strict with Wheloon so far. That's just my take, though, and what I think the general intent of the write-up is. The tattoos from Lutcheq in Chessenta, on the other hand, seem much more intended to convey a specific message to the people of that nation. Your making the note of the idea that the government itself, doesn't have tattoos for the prisoners which they are branded with. Or it doesn't make notes of the tattoos by magic or other means.
#6 hollowerfollower Feb 23, 2009 9:35:09	The information I've been getting so far has been helpful, so thank all of you for that. Also, I have another Wheloon question for anyone who's interested in answering: How does one escape Wheloon? From the information I've gathered as well as from other people who seem to know a bit, I figured out that basically, besides being walled up, there's also a magical barrier over the city. It's passable coming in, but impassable when trying to leave, naturally. The question is, what does the magic barrier shield against? Just physical attempts to leave or could a person simply teleport out of the city?
#7 hvulpes Feb 27, 2009 13:14:04	The information I've been getting so far has been helpful, so thank all of you for that. Also, I have another Wheloon question for anyone who's interested in answering: How does one escape Wheloon? From the information I've gathered as well as from other people who seem to know a bit, I figured out that basically, besides being walled up, there's also a magical barrier over the city. It's passable coming in, but impassable when trying to leave, naturally. The question is, what does the magic barrier shield against? Just physical attempts to leave or could a person simply teleport out of the city? To escape Wheloon, you need one man: Snake Pleskin! He can get you out of there, but it's going to cost you.
#8 wannabesuperman Feb 28, 2009 14:28:35	Generally, the details of the barrier, the walls and Wheloon are left for the DM to create as is desired. You'll find many generalities in the description that leave most of the city open for interpretation. Because of this, DMs have to make some potentially problematic decisions about the barrier, as an example. In the description of Wheloon, we learn that the Wyvernflow still passes through the city. That means the river both enters and leaves. How about fish? Perhaps nothing living can pass through. What about undead? Wheloon is a bit of a challenge, IMO. Watch that movie with Leo and Daniel Day Lewis for some ideas about gangs/people groups in a close-quarters city.