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T O P I C    R E V I E W
combatmedic Posted - 02 Oct 2015 : 06:04:41
I ran a Ravenloft/FR crossover a couple of years ago, as a follow on and in between segment in another DM's grand campaign.

Without getting into a lot of unnecessary detail, the heroes failed to stop the bad guys. As a result, the Mists descended on Marsmeber and stole away all the people in the city. Including the recently arrived Princess Regent and the boy-king.

In my epilogue, I mentioned a civil war that sundered the realm , but I've never worked all that out in detail.

Now I'm kicking around ideas about running an FR game in this continuity, set a generation or two after the Mists fell on Marsemeber.



Here are some rough notes on Cormyr divided in seven parts. None of this is set in stone. I'm assuming 3E rules because that's what we used in the previous games, but I could just as easily run this with AD&D 1E OR 2e.


• Kingdom of Southern Cormyr (Suzail)
One branch of the Obarskyrs rules this realm. A shadow of the ancient glory of Cormyr. Fighting against pirates out of Westgate.
Azoun VIII Obarskyr

• Kingdom of Northern Cormyr (Arabel)
Rivals to the king in Suzail. Facing monster raids from the mountains and deserts to the north.
Rhigeard V Obarskyr

• Bandit Princes of the King’s Forest
A contested borderland between the rival Cormyrean kingdoms. Most of the robber knights and bandit lords claim descent from royal bastards or ruined noble houses.

• Marsember
Ruined city, cursed by the death of a vampiric avatar. Infested with monsters and cultists. Wild magic zone with spooky/uncanny effects.
Claimed by Sembians as well as by the two Cormyrean successor states, but actually controlled by monsters.
The troika:
1. vampire
2. wererat boss
3. mindflayer

• Stonelands
A mage has begun assembling the monsters who live here into an army. Rumors suggest this wizard is part of, or at least allied to, the Zhentarim.


• Tilverton
Independent small city controlled by the chief priest of Gond’s temple and the masters of the loggers, miners, and trappers guilds. The Gondsmen have created a number of pumps, mills, and other such things that boost the industrial output of the town well beyond other settlements of its size.
rulers:
The Hierarch of Gond male human priest
Master Axel male human expert
Master Diggs male human expert
Master Ironjaws male human expert

• Sembian Protectorate
Battlerise and nearby towns between the Neck and the Vast Swamp. The governor is a retired adventurer who spent several years exploring the Vast Swamp and fighting evil monsters. The governor does her best to protect the land and people in her charge. Her mild treatment of dissent and protest have allowed a pro-Suzail monarchist faction to gain public influence, a development that displeases the government in Sembia and might cost the governor her position if it gets worse.
ruler:
Governor Samus Phrax
Female human ranger




------------


Ethnic groups and nationalities

Sembian immigrants have entered the southeast in increasing numbers. They tend to be strongly supportive of Sembian rule.


As Anauroch has expanded, the Bedine have ranged further south than in former times. Now some families have been cut off from their homeland by monster activity in the Stonelands, and have elected to remain in Cormyr. The grazing is so much better in this green country!

The culture clash between Bedine and native Cormyreans has not yet led to a general ethnic conflict, but brawls and other trouble are becoming more common.

-------------------


War Wizards:

Many perished in the civil wars, as wizards took opposing sides and unleashed their potent magic in fratricidal conflict. Each of the two major successor states possesses a small corps of mages, but neither kingdom can field anything even close to the old strength of the old War Wizards.


20   L A T E S T    R E P L I E S    (Newest First)
combatmedic Posted - 27 Feb 2018 : 06:28:42
I'm actually using this scenario now in my Ravenloft game.


The party partly succeeded in a planar ritual and ended up lost in the Mists. They emerged in the Vast Swamp (of Faerun).



Revised notes on Former Cormyr:

Seven states or regions:
Southern Cormyr (capital at Suzail)
Northern Cormyr (capital at Arabel)
Sembian Protectorate (formerly the southeastern part of Cormyr)
Tilbar (Tilverton—now ruled by Bedine clients/tributaries of Shade)
Marsember (the Accursed City, from whence a corruption in the Weave spreads)
Robber-Princes of the Kingswood (bandits and sellswords led by men claiming royal and noble blood)
Hullack Enclave (elf terrorists)

In this version, Shade does not conquer Sembia, but rather allies with the Sembians.
(Originally, I had ignored Shade’s return, as I really didn’t know anything about it.)
The Eldreth Veluuthra taking over Hullack Forest is a bit of 4E lore I decided I liked.

Southern Corymyr’s monarch works to keep his realm orderly and stable at all costs, even forcing frightened villagers to continue living in settlements near Marsember. Purple Dragons launch raids by night or day to haul troublemakers off to the royal dungeons.
The king plots to conquer the North Kingdom, but for now relies on espionage and subversion, lacking the opportunity and power for a full-scale invasion.


Northern Cormyr’s ruler, a descendent of Gondegal married to an Obarksyr princess, casts about for allies, surrounded as his realm is by unfriendly powers.
The Masked Mage Posted - 12 Nov 2015 : 11:15:41
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert

quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth

Didnt one of the Cormyrian Rebel leaders end up in Ravensloft?


Gondegal, the Lost King.

quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth

Also theres a offical FR/Ravensloft Crossover in 2ed if I rememeber correctly the FR module was Castle Spultzer (Set in Tethyr) and the 2nd module is set in Ravensloft



Castle Spulzeer, and the companion module The Forgotten Terror. I've got both, though I think I've never done more than flip thru them.



I recommend everyone read these. The first gives great insight and background into Kartak Spellseer (one of the twisted rune), and the other is a description of one of the most unique realms of the Demiplane of Dread.
combatmedic Posted - 10 Nov 2015 : 00:29:29
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay

I like it.

I figured you were going 2e, before you even said it, otherwise the Shades would have made quite a difference in such a campaign (they blew-up Tilverton, took over Sembia, etc).

Good call - Although I like a lot of what 3e did for the setting as far as fleshing-out certain things, I've never really been fully on board with the whole 'Return of the Archwizards' thing.

I'd do something with the Tunlands - have that 'bandit lord' living there unite that area into a new kingdom (a crappy one), and how they are pretty-much the 'last line of defense' keeping Darhold at bay (so the soldier-turned-bandit lord becomes more of a 'Robin Hood', in that as much as he hated certain things about his former kingdom, he will not allow it to fall to Zhentarrim scum).

I'm also now imagining a strange juxtaposition in the Domains of Dread - a crazed 'boy king' (he doesn't age in Ravenloft) ruling his own domain, and his rebel-at-large aunt - the one person who he can't effect with his domain powers - fighting for liberty, justice, and the 'Cormyrean' way.

I love Cormyr and hate seeing it torn asunder like this, but I have to admit, its makes for a hell of a campaign.



I like that idea about the boy king and his aunt.
It could make for a fun domain.


RE Tunlands

Hmmmm, I will have to look into this one. Thanks for the hook suggestion.

combatmedic Posted - 10 Nov 2015 : 00:19:18
Flood of fun responses!

RE Gondegal:

Yeah, Gondegal has a fairly substantial well-defined canon history in Ravenloft.
He shows up in the first boxed set.

Someone who might have been Gondegal showed up in the campaign of the DM who preceded my turn at the helm ( the inestimable Rafael).
In that version, he was an old, blind minstrel.

RE Boyd of the Mists

Oh?
IIRC, he wrote at least one of the deities books for 2E FR. I have held on to those. Good stuff.

I have part of the Old Gray Box, and of all the " news" items, the mists around Dragonspear always stood out to me as seeming especially cool. Devils!

RE Edition and continuity

The original game was 3E, but I think the previous DM played fast and loose with canon. Some things beyond Cormyr were not defined. Barovia was actually part of Faerun (in Damara, IIRC). Without contradicting anything that happened or was revealed in his game, I inserted some of my alternate Time of Troubles stuff in play when I took over. And, really, my alternate ToT was mostly a way to retain more elements of of the Gray Box setup. I like Bane, Bhaal, and Myrkul

I like the Bedine.

I am not big on Shade, but maybe I would really like it if I had read the books. I was never into 3E FR.

RE Spulzeer mods, Tethyr

I have never played, run, or even read the modules. But Tethyr, with its history of bloody revolution and fallen aristocratic houses, seems like a solid setting for a Gothic In FR.








Wooly Rupert Posted - 09 Nov 2015 : 23:43:53
quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth

Didnt one of the Cormyrian Rebel leaders end up in Ravensloft?


Gondegal, the Lost King.

quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth

Also theres a offical FR/Ravensloft Crossover in 2ed if I rememeber correctly the FR module was Castle Spultzer (Set in Tethyr) and the 2nd module is set in Ravensloft



Castle Spulzeer, and the companion module The Forgotten Terror. I've got both, though I think I've never done more than flip thru them.
Markustay Posted - 09 Nov 2015 : 23:43:48
I like it.

I figured you were going 2e, before you even said it, otherwise the Shades would have made quite a difference in such a campaign (they blew-up Tilverton, took over Sembia, etc).

Good call - Although I like a lot of what 3e did for the setting as far as fleshing-out certain things, I've never really been fully on board with the whole 'Return of the Archwizards' thing.

I'd do something with the Tunlands - have that 'bandit lord' living there unite that area into a new kingdom (a crappy one), and how they are pretty-much the 'last line of defense' keeping Darkhold at bay (so the soldier-turned-bandit lord becomes more of a 'Robin Hood', in that as much as he hated certain things about his former kingdom, he will not allow it to fall to Zhentarrim scum).

I'm also now imagining a strange juxtaposition in the Domains of Dread - a crazed 'boy king' (he doesn't age in Ravenloft) ruling his own domain, and his rebel-at-large aunt - the one person who he can't effect with his domain powers - fighting for liberty, justice, and the 'Cormyrean' way.

I love Cormyr and hate seeing it torn asunder like this, but I have to admit, its makes for a hell of a campaign.
Dargoth Posted - 09 Nov 2015 : 23:36:36
Didnt one of the Cormyrian Rebel leaders end up in Ravensloft?

Also theres a offical FR/Ravensloft Crossover in 2ed if I rememeber correctly the FR module was Castle Spultzer (Set in Tethyr) and the 2nd module is set in Ravensloft
George Krashos Posted - 09 Nov 2015 : 23:03:09
Eric Boyd wrote up an adventure to (cooly) explain the mists of Dragonspear Castle. Unfortunately it was never finished/polished before Dungeon magazine went belly up. The reason behind the mists could easily translate into other areas of Faerun, so the idea isn't farfetched at all.

-- George Krashos
combatmedic Posted - 09 Nov 2015 : 18:14:18
The Garnet Damosel
Kyton
Female(at least in aspect)
Lawful Evil

This kyton appears as beautiful lady wearing an inordinate array of jeweled pedants, caracanets, chains of office, and so on over the torn and stained remnant of a fancy gown. This display might look ridiculous or grotesque, but laughing at it in her presence earns the offender an immediate vivisection. Hidden barbs spring out of clasps on her jewelry the instant she attacks with the animate chains.
She must perform a bloody ritual every new moon in order to remain on the Prime Material.

Boss Lothar

Adventuring do-gooders murdered his baby brother, Ignatz, when he was still a young were rat.
But Lothar got his revenge and ever since, he's been keen to bash out the brains of so-called heroes with his maces.
Squeeeeeerik!

Bigger, stronger, better at fighting than a common were rat.


Wererat
Male
Fighter
Lawful evil
Specialized in mace, two weapon fighting style


Okithruu

Okithruu seeks to extend its lifespan beyond what is natural for an illithid. It refuses to return to its home city and join the elder brain there.
Time runs short for the aged creature, and it has begun to consider ever more radical methods.
Okithruu has developed brain canisters for efficient storage and transportation of his food. The brain remains alive and, horribly so, conscious.

(Yes, the canisters are a straight rip off of something from Lovecraft.)
combatmedic Posted - 09 Nov 2015 : 15:30:13
Going with 2E instead of 3E.

Some stats and notes on NPCs:

Samus Phrax (Governor of The Sembian Protectorate)
Human
Female
Ranger, 8th level
Lawful Good
Species enemy : gnolls


Samus never wanted to be a politician or a heroine. War and victory made her both, and now she must deal with enemies she cannot simply track and slay like monsters. Men who hide, not in the brush, but behind the smiles and writs. She tries to be just and merciful, hoping her good example will inspire loyalty to Sembia.
Word of gnoll raids will always tempt her to get out in the field.

Tilverton rulers:

Thubalt, Hierarch and WonderWorker
Human
Male
Cleric (Gond) level 4
Lawful neutral(Evil tendencies)

Thubalt is not the most powerful cleric of Gond in the entire region, if one considers only magical and personal might. But he has proved masterful at playing politics. If he can redirect a rival's energies to some time- consuming technical problem, he will do so. If he must employ more devious means, so be it. In his mind, so long as he remains within the letter of the law, however loosely read, he has committed no crime and no sin.

Master Ironjaws
Human
Male
Thief lvl 1
Neutral

IronJaws used to work as a poacher until he stepped on a wolf trap and almost lost his left foot. He has limped ever since. The injury forced him to seek a job that involved less running about, so he stole some traps and went into business as a fur seller. Eight years later, he has worked his way up to the top of the fraternity of local trappers.
He has recruited crooks who owe him favors , turning the once honest trappers' brotherhood into a semi criminal organization.

Master Diggs
Human
Male
Engineer ( Sages & Specialists) lvl?


Master Axel
Human
Male
0 lvl ?


...
Obviously,some of these guys are not even close to finished.
As a general rule, I will keep NPC levels in the single digit range.
There might be some exceptions.

...

combatmedic Posted - 09 Nov 2015 : 14:33:42
quote:
Originally posted by froglegg

Combatmedic you always seem to come up with the coolest ideas whether it's here or at Dragonsfoot or The Piazza.

I think playing at your table would be such a blast.




John



Thanks, dude.

A broken up realm appeared to be one of the logical (and fun) outcomes of the chain of events the old PCs' choices could have created,so I went with that for these notes.

A weaker, divided Cormyr would likely benefit some other powers. Sembia may expand, as it has done in my notes.

Zhentil Keep might push further south.



froglegg Posted - 17 Oct 2015 : 00:56:50
Combatmedic you always seem to come up with the coolest ideas whether it's here or at Dragonsfoot or The Piazza.

I think playing at your table would be such a blast.




John
combatmedic Posted - 04 Oct 2015 : 03:20:27
quote:
Originally posted by Jeremy Grenemyer

quote:
[i]Originally posted by combatmedic

Do you think many Faerunian ( Faerunese?) people might draw a connection between the mists that enveloped Dragonspear and spat out all those armies of Devils, and the mists that stole away the people of Marsember?

forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Dragonspear_Castle

Not 100% on this, but I think it is Faerunians.

I'd wager that most would consider the two events linked, if the descriptions they got about both stories were mostly identical. That no Devils have come rampaging out of Marsembet might make a listener think twice, but if the teller of the story suggests the same entity or power controls all "the mists" and then goes on to relate other tales of strange mists and the troubles they bring by, then I think your average listener would be sold on the idea.
[/quote]


There were devil summoning circle traps under a wizard's house in my previous campaign. Trip ward and a cage with barbed chains drops around you. Then the summoned chain devil appears outside the cage.
That was pretty brutal on the poor PCs.
Hellraiser style.

So it is possible that adventures or monsters have fouled up and brought at least some other Devils to Faaerun in that way, by setting off traps.


I could replace the vampire lord in Marsember with a summoned chain devil that has figured out a way to remain long term on the Prime (again,Hellraiser suggests some ideas...),. Devils are Lawful Evil, just like wererats and mind flayers. Nice alignment match up.
Jeremy Grenemyer Posted - 04 Oct 2015 : 02:53:47
quote:
[i]Originally posted by combatmedic

Do you think many Faerunian ( Faerunese?) people might draw a connection between the mists that enveloped Dragonspear and spat out all those armies of Devils, and the mists that stole away the people of Marsember?

forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Dragonspear_Castle
[/quote]Not 100% on this, but I think it is Faerunians.

I'd wager that most would consider the two events linked, if the descriptions they got about both stories were mostly identical. That no Devils have come rampaging out of Marsembet might make a listener think twice, but if the teller of the story suggests the same entity or power controls all "the mists" and then goes on to relate other tales of strange mists and the troubles they bring by, then I think your average listener would be sold on the idea.
combatmedic Posted - 04 Oct 2015 : 02:45:45
quote:
Originally posted by Aldrick

Hm. It doesn't seem like there are many interesting factions going on here. Where do you intend to have the players start? What type of game are you looking to run?

Personally, I'd handle things something like the following...

Sembia & Westgate Alliance - Controls the territory east of the Wyvernwater, Thunderflow, and Wyvernflow. Lots of intrigue and infighting as merchant princes, pirates, and exiled Cormyr nobles fight for their slice of the pie.

Obarskyr Loyalists & Noble Traditionalists - Controls the territory west of the Wyvernflow, south of the Wyvernwater and Kings Forest, and east of the Stormhorns. This faction are the Noble Traditionalists, who believe that an Obarskyr must sit on the throne. With the disappearance of King Azoun V and the Queen Regent, one of Azoun IV's bastards has been recognized as the rightful heir to the throne. This was orchestrated by Vangy, and the War Wizard Loyalists who support this faction. The noble traditionalists who support the crown are strongly opposed to the common folk having any real power, and are undoing much of the progressive work done by King Azoun IV and Vangy to diminish the power of the nobility. Suzail is their capital.

Noble Separatists - Controls the territory west of the Immerflow, south of the Helmlands, east of Eveningstar, and south to the Wyvernwater. This faction are a group of Noble Separatists who wanted to be independent of the Obarskyr monarchy. Their capital is Arabel. Their form of government is based around a Council of Nobles who have the power to appoint and remove the king. The most influential family, and the current ruling family are the Marliir's. The common people under the Noble Separatists have more influence than under the Traditionalists, and there is an actual charter of basic rights given to each Cormyrian under their rule. It is also possible for a commoner to be raised to the nobility by the council, something opposed by the traditionalists. It should also be noted that a sizable chunk of the War Wizards defected here, largely Vangy haters.

The Assembly of Wonder - This faction controls the territory surrounding Tilverton. It is a hybrid of theocracy and a council of guilds. Tilverton is a theocracy who is technically governed by the High Wonderbringer of Gond in the city. The High Wonderbringer has more-or-less absolute power. However, more practically, the High Wonderbringer "loans" out that power to the Assembly, which is a collection of guilds. The Assembly has nine seats, six of them come from the major guilds, and three come from the minor guilds. One of the nine becomes the Chancellor. The Chancellor is an elected position from among the nine members of the Assembly, and is the official "secular" head of the government. He is elected from his or her fellows in the Assembly.

The Followers of the Brier King - Within the scattered forests of divided Cormyr: the King's Forest, the Hullack, the Hermit's Woods, and the Redwoods, and along the disputed territory south of the Eastern Stormhorns, a new kingdom has emerged. Though only loosely united, they are influenced by the individual that the Cormyrian nobles derisively refer to as the "Brier King" a Half-Elven Ranger and ex-Harper. His identity is not truly known, and he rarely stays in one place for any length of time. He appears to be driven more by ideology than any desire for power. He encourages the common folk to rise up against the nobles of Cormyr, and to assert their independence. Each village that declares its independence elects a council to govern it, and all adult members of the population vote with colored stones for their chosen candidates. Each village also declares, based on its population, a number of individuals to represent them in the Grand Council. The Grand Council is found in Eveningstar, and has very loose powers to govern the various independent villages and towns. They are, in a sense, a loose confederacy. The Grand Council exists to make decisions for the confederacy primarily regarding war and trade. Eveningstar hosts a ragtag but highly fanatical and dedicated militia. However, the real threat is the Brier King himself and his allies who move throughout Cormyr causing trouble, and stirring up revolutionary sentiments.



Sorry you found the material boring.


I don't find the Brier King compelling, unless he's supposed to be a villain. Democracy? Naw.

Most of your other factions seem to map onto the kingdoms/ territories I listed, but are developed differently. You've ignored the city of Marsember, I think. I would very much want to make use of it as a reminder of the past and how things went wrong for Cormyr as a whole. And , of course, as a big above ground dungeon and "wretched hive of scum and villainy."

But that is all good. Different DMs will naturally develop the same basic idea in different ways, as suits their interests and needs.

As far as where players would start, likely in the Sembian Protectorate. But any region/realm part from the Stonelands and Marsember would work well as a home base. Marsember and the Stonelands are more like adventuring zones than places you'd begin.

If I ran this, I'd consider what sort of stuff the players said they wanted to see. Likely both they and I would want a mix of town, wilderness, and (small, quick) dungeon adventures, with a light to moderate political element.
Not heavy on the intrigue, but not disconnected from background goings on.

Thanks for posting all the ideas and feedback, Aldrick.



Aldrick Posted - 04 Oct 2015 : 02:01:53
Hm. It doesn't seem like there are many interesting factions going on here. Where do you intend to have the players start? What type of game are you looking to run?

Personally, I'd handle things something like the following...

Sembia & Westgate Alliance - Controls the territory east of the Wyvernwater, Thunderflow, and Wyvernflow. Lots of intrigue and infighting as merchant princes, pirates, and exiled Cormyr nobles fight for their slice of the pie.

Obarskyr Loyalists & Noble Traditionalists - Controls the territory west of the Wyvernflow, south of the Wyvernwater and Kings Forest, and east of the Stormhorns. This faction are the Noble Traditionalists, who believe that an Obarskyr must sit on the throne. With the disappearance of King Azoun V and the Queen Regent, one of Azoun IV's bastards has been recognized as the rightful heir to the throne. This was orchestrated by Vangy, and the War Wizard Loyalists who support this faction. The noble traditionalists who support the crown are strongly opposed to the common folk having any real power, and are undoing much of the progressive work done by King Azoun IV and Vangy to diminish the power of the nobility. Suzail is their capital.

Noble Separatists - Controls the territory west of the Immerflow, south of the Helmlands, east of Eveningstar, and south to the Wyvernwater. This faction are a group of Noble Separatists who wanted to be independent of the Obarskyr monarchy. Their capital is Arabel. Their form of government is based around a Council of Nobles who have the power to appoint and remove the king. The most influential family, and the current ruling family are the Marliir's. The common people under the Noble Separatists have more influence than under the Traditionalists, and there is an actual charter of basic rights given to each Cormyrian under their rule. It is also possible for a commoner to be raised to the nobility by the council, something opposed by the traditionalists. It should also be noted that a sizable chunk of the War Wizards defected here, largely Vangy haters.

The Assembly of Wonder - This faction controls the territory surrounding Tilverton. It is a hybrid of theocracy and a council of guilds. Tilverton is a theocracy who is technically governed by the High Wonderbringer of Gond in the city. The High Wonderbringer has more-or-less absolute power. However, more practically, the High Wonderbringer "loans" out that power to the Assembly, which is a collection of guilds. The Assembly has nine seats, six of them come from the major guilds, and three come from the minor guilds. One of the nine becomes the Chancellor. The Chancellor is an elected position from among the nine members of the Assembly, and is the official "secular" head of the government. He is elected from his or her fellows in the Assembly.

The Followers of the Brier King - Within the scattered forests of divided Cormyr: the King's Forest, the Hullack, the Hermit's Woods, and the Redwoods, and along the disputed territory south of the Eastern Stormhorns, a new kingdom has emerged. Though only loosely united, they are influenced by the individual that the Cormyrian nobles derisively refer to as the "Brier King" a Half-Elven Ranger and ex-Harper. His identity is not truly known, and he rarely stays in one place for any length of time. He appears to be driven more by ideology than any desire for power. He encourages the common folk to rise up against the nobles of Cormyr, and to assert their independence. Each village that declares its independence elects a council to govern it, and all adult members of the population vote with colored stones for their chosen candidates. Each village also declares, based on its population, a number of individuals to represent them in the Grand Council. The Grand Council is found in Eveningstar, and has very loose powers to govern the various independent villages and towns. They are, in a sense, a loose confederacy. The Grand Council exists to make decisions for the confederacy primarily regarding war and trade. Eveningstar hosts a ragtag but highly fanatical and dedicated militia. However, the real threat is the Brier King himself and his allies who move throughout Cormyr causing trouble, and stirring up revolutionary sentiments.
combatmedic Posted - 04 Oct 2015 : 00:52:49
quote:
Originally posted by Jeremy Grenemyer

I just realized that any exiled Cormyrean nobility now living in Westgate might want a slice of a divided Cormyr (or revenge).

Might be a useful adventure hook or two there, depending on how you structure the adventures in your campaign.

Westgate, for example, might be concerned they are the next place where the Mists will come, so they want to avoid that fate. Best to send the scions of exiled Cormyreans back to their homeland to find out what happened.




That sounds fun.
It could work equally well for a group of PCs or NPCs.

Do you think many Faerunian ( Faerunese?) people might draw a connection between the mists that enveloped Dragonspear and spat out all those armies of Devils, and the mists that stole away the people of Marsember?

forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Dragonspear_Castle
Jeremy Grenemyer Posted - 03 Oct 2015 : 23:45:34
I just realized that any exiled Cormyrean nobility now living in Westgate might want a slice of a divided Cormyr (or revenge).

Might be a useful adventure hook or two there, depending on how you structure the adventures in your campaign.

Westgate, for example, might be concerned they are the next place where the Mists will come, so they want to avoid that fate. Best to send the scions of exiled Cormyreans back to their homeland to find out what happened.
combatmedic Posted - 02 Oct 2015 : 13:13:28
quote:
Originally posted by Jeremy Grenemyer

Other than pirates, did you have any role for Westgate to play? Seems like they'd want a bigger role to play.

Are the Sembians buying off Westgate, in that Westgate agrees to harry, harass and distract the Kingdom of Southern Cormyr after Westgate is paid much coin and gems from Sembia, and in return Sembia gets to play exclusively in Cormyr without facing Westgate competition?




Great questions. I haven't decided yet what to do with Westgate.
But I like your idea of Sembia buying them off.
Westgate gets money from two sources (piracy and the subsidy/tribute) while Sembia spends less than fighting multiple enemies would entail.

But the Sembians might change their minds once they establish a firmer hold of their part of Cormyr, or Westgate's rulers might get greedy and ask for two much.

I will want to double check the maps, but perhaps Sembia would simply double down protection of the overland route (The Manticore's Way), and take its risks with coastal raids in SE Cormyr.

One party in Sembia may be pressing to just pay tribute, another to keep on with the current plan, and a third seeking full on war against Westgate.
Jeremy Grenemyer Posted - 02 Oct 2015 : 07:38:58
Other than pirates, did you have any role for Westgate to play? Seems like they'd want a bigger role to play.

Are the Sembians buying off Westgate, in that Westgate agrees to harry, harass and distract the Kingdom of Southern Cormyr after Westgate is paid much coin and gems from Sembia, and in return Sembia gets to play exclusively in Cormyr without facing Westgate competition?

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