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Charles Phipps
Master of Realmslore
1419 Posts |
 Posted - 29 Oct 2007 : 21:53:03
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Okay, I'm making my own possible alternative 4E and I was curious if people could pick it apart. This is sort of like "Anatomy of an Apocalypse" as posted by KnightErrantJr.
It takes the basic outline of 4E and it does it's own thing with it. So, please tell me what sticks out and what doesn't.
I'll divide the sections up with their changes. It's not just god stuff.
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My Blog: http://unitedfederationofcharles.blogspot.com/
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Charles Phipps
Master of Realmslore
1419 Posts |
Posted - 29 Oct 2007 : 21:54:59
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The Return of the Tyrant
Circa. 1375
Divine
The roots of this conflict stem from an event that shocked all of the pantheon of gods, in the rebirth of Bane. Xvim; absorbing the essence of all of Bane’s surviving Baneliches and numerous artifacts was overwhelmed by his father’s consciousness reforming itself in his mind. Xvim’s own soul was cast out of his divine essence and Bane assumed his son’s portfolios. It is believed this might also have been the work of Velsharoon since Bane immediately allies with him.
This resulted in many of the gods beginning their own plans to prevent the Tyrant from returning to his former position of power.
Mortal
Fzoul begins his purges and so on that are to be expected of the transformation of Xvim into Bane. There are a few dire holdouts though as Bane is a distant memory to most.
Changes
+ Bane is only recently returned and converting everyone to his worship.
+ Xvim resumes a Quasi-Deity form as an ongoing Tiefling villain in the campaign. He is an enemy of all Banites in the game and CE.
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My Blog: http://unitedfederationofcharles.blogspot.com/
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Edited by - Charles Phipps on 29 Oct 2007 22:20:21 |
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Charles Phipps
Master of Realmslore
1419 Posts |
Posted - 29 Oct 2007 : 21:57:51
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The Elder Elemental Evil
Circa 1379
Lolth’s attempt to drive Ghaunadaur out of the Demon Web Pits proved to be a harrowing experience as the monstrous being almost utterly destroyed her with but the barest motion of its ancient being. Only after consulting with the darkest Abyssal Princes of knowledge did she discover that the being she knew as a minor god of slime and ooze was the avatar of a much greater power.
Long ago had the gods wiped clean the knowledge of its followers to prevent the being from awakening to its true strength; a strength that would signal the end of Creation. Only the Greater Gods knew of this terrible truth and not even all of them, such as Cyric.
Changes
+ Ghaunadaur is actually an Overdeity.
+ Ghaunadaur's avatar ascends to the status of Greater Deity in the campaign.
+ Ghaundaur moves to the Abyss where he takes over on the 666th Lair and devours any deeper.
+ Vhaeraun and Kiranshlee are still alive at this point. |
My Blog: http://unitedfederationofcharles.blogspot.com/
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Edited by - Charles Phipps on 29 Oct 2007 22:16:07 |
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Charles Phipps
Master of Realmslore
1419 Posts |
Posted - 29 Oct 2007 : 21:58:38
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The Dwarvish Ragnarok
Circa. 1380
Divine
Moradin had long hoped for reconciliation amongst the Dwarven pantheon, but it was his wayward son Abbathor that brought the news that they could no longer dwell in peace together with him. Laduguer and Deep Duerra had committed the ultimate blasphemy amongst the gods and sought to experiment with the power of Ghaunadaur. They had even taught its true name, Tharizdun, to some of their followers.
Shocking most of the pantheons, Moradin attacked the plane of Hammergrim and slaughtered every one of their faithful with no soul spared in the furious assault. Gorm Gulthyn, Haela Brightaxe, and many brave Dwarf souls paid the ultimate price for their victory. Moradin would honor their clergy by granting them their spells and asking their clergy to continue praying for them in honor of their great deed.
Amongst the evil Dwarves; Abbathor would claim most of their souls by appearing to their clergy as a Duergar of incredible wealth and power. Thus, would Abbathor’s might rise to be nearly equal of Moradin.
Mortal
A portion of the Duergar, incensed at Abbathor’s effrontery, would go to worship Ghaunadaur or Shar instead. Much of the race would become less lawful and more treacherous as a result. Religious strife would wrack the Duergar race for some time.
The War of Gold and Gloom continues with no sign of abating.
Changes
+ Abbathor is now the God of Duergar and Derro. He ascends to the status of Intermediate God, bordering on Greater.
+ The Duergar move towards NE as an alignment.
+ Gorm and Haela continue to have clergies despite being "Dead Gods" |
My Blog: http://unitedfederationofcharles.blogspot.com/
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Edited by - Charles Phipps on 29 Oct 2007 22:06:36 |
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Charles Phipps
Master of Realmslore
1419 Posts |
Posted - 29 Oct 2007 : 22:11:24
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The Parting of the Ways
Circa 1381
Divine
Siamorphe had long found herself uncomfortable in the House of the Triad. The ultimate arbitrators of Law and Good in the Realms cared little for pageantry, bloodline, or birthright. Indeed, Torm outright rejected that these were anything more than trappings to the service of the greater good. Matters came to a head when Tyr refused to bring his full support down behind Tethyr and the divine right sensibilities she'd been cultivating.
Ultimately, Sune wooed Siamorphe away from the Triad by promising that her church would support hers. Sune appreciated the pretensions of nobility that were an end to themselves in Siamorphe's church and the romantic notions they fostered amongst the nobility. Tyr, on the other hand, was incensed by what he saw as the loss of a valuable stabilizing force.
In truth, this was a deeper game of Sunes as she hoped to draw Tyr into a dialogue with her. The allies of good had become too divided and the return of Bane terrified her. Setting in motion plans that would take decades to reach fruition, she intended to start a series of marriages across the Planes to unite the various powers in opposition to the Great Evils (Cyric, Shar, and Bane with Talos curiously exempted).
Tyr agreed, resulting in a terrible disaster.
Oddly, Red Knight and Torm Trueheart start spending a great deal more time together in a perfectly natural manner. This alarms both Tyr and Tempus.
Mortal
Siamoprhe is named the official state religion of Tethyr, thanks to the large support of the Knights of the Shield and Lord Hhune. Countless churches of Tyr, Ilmater, and Torm are shut down along with other Good deities. Nobility is encouraged by the new Church to act as they please due to divine right.
The King of Tethyr is disdainful of the new faith and suffers political consequences for his saying so.
The Church of Red Knight also starts having monuments in Torm's own churches and vice versa. Two faithful become very close with their names often invoked by each other's clergy. This results in Torm's faith weathering Siamorphe's political purge better than Tyr.
Myth Drannor is reclaimed by an alliance of Drow who promptly establish it as the first Dark Elven city on the Surface.
Changes
+ Siamorphe departs the Triad and assumes the status of a goddess in Brightwater.
+ She rises to the status of a Lesser Goddess.
+ The Churches of Torm and Red Knight become allied.
+ Myth Drannor becomes a Dark Elven city. |
My Blog: http://unitedfederationofcharles.blogspot.com/
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Edited by - Charles Phipps on 29 Oct 2007 22:17:49 |
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Charles Phipps
Master of Realmslore
1419 Posts |
Posted - 29 Oct 2007 : 22:14:57
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The Fall of Mulhorandi
Circa 1382
Mortal
The conquest of Unther is no sooner complete that fanatical followers of Set assassinate the Pharoah and cast its body into pieces. The land of Mulhorandi is thrown into chaos with the cities largely becoming independent. The Church of Set starts to set itself up as a stabilizing force in this chaos with more than half the country soon under the control of the evil religion.
Little does anyone realize that this is the result of Ssass Tam making an alliance with the patriarch of Set's faith. Red Wizard Enclaves become common sites in every city controlled by Set's faith and thus they prosper even more.
Changes
+ Mulhorandi falls into anarchy.
+ The Followers of Set become increasingly powerful in the Region.
+ Thay begins to grow more powerful to the South.
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My Blog: http://unitedfederationofcharles.blogspot.com/
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Charles Phipps
Master of Realmslore
1419 Posts |
Posted - 29 Oct 2007 : 22:58:09
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The Treachery of Velsharoon
Circa 1383
Immortal
Velsharoon slays Kiranshlee with ancient magic and proceeds to absorb her essence, this is believed to be partially the work of Shar. Most of her followers accept their new God without question.
Velsharoon further manages to steal away the power of Orcus by claiming his wand and using it as a focus. Orcus is promptly banished back to the Plane of Thanatos where he is reduced to the status of Demon Prince again.
Torm attempts to slay him before he becomes too powerful. Velsharoon's eye and hand fall to the Toril and become the Eye and Hand of Velsharoon. Curiously, Finder Wyverspur is revealed to have aided Torm in this battle.
This conflicte weakens Torm but Velsharoon is forced down to the status of Lesser God before he can ascend to Intermediate. Velsharoon nevertheless curses Finder.
Mortal
The Church of Velsharoon becomes drastically larger overnight. Churches devoted to "Saint Zhengyi of Velsharoon" and "Saint Orcus of Velsharoon" spring up in Bloodstone and Vaasa. Massive hordes of Undead become a major problem for King Gareth as he manages to complete his unification of the lands.
Changes
+ Velsharoon's Cult is now widespread and terrifying.
+ The Hand and Eye of Vecna have their equivalents in the Realms.
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My Blog: http://unitedfederationofcharles.blogspot.com/
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Charles Phipps
Master of Realmslore
1419 Posts |
Posted - 29 Oct 2007 : 23:04:22
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The Duel of the Gods
Circa 1384
Cyric, twisted and insane, was possessed of an unpredictability that made him dangerous in ways that few gods could deal with even with their omniscience. Knowing about Sune's actions thanks to his domination of intrigue, he sought some way to destroy them in a suitably ironic way.
The answer would come from human emotion that few amongst the gods were prepared to battle against. Beshaba provided the answer as she came with the news that Tymora had once been Helm's lover in the distant past. Their relationship had been deep and meaningful even if it could not stand long given their varying natures.
Sacrificing a good portion of his divine essence; Cyric crafted a terrible potion that could effect even a god. This potion inflamed Helm's jealousy against Tyr and the former challenged the later to a duel until one of them yielded. It was a minor change in their personality but one that could only end one way. Helm and Tyr were, by their nature, unable to yield except by death.
Disgusted by the violence and the lengths that Tyr would go to for 'duty', Ilmater left the Triad and became more moderate in his views. Instead of pursuing a mixture of law and goodness, he would solely seek good.
Tyr, unwilling to dishonor his friend, allowed Helm's portfolios to be claimed by Torm.
Sune's alliance would never come to pass as nothing but hatred existed in Tymora's heart existed for the murderer of her once lover.
Mortal
Tyr's churches were soon vandalized by much of Helm's clergy as civil war broke out between many of the temples over their god's murder. Few Helm clergy would convert to Tyr's worship.
After the initial violence settled down; most of Helm's followers would convert to either Torm or Siamorphe with a small contingent turning to Bane's worship in outrage.
This doesn't prevent the Clergy of Torm, Tyr, and Ilmater from declaring the "Purification Crusade" that has most nobility declare the Church of Cyric to be punishable by death for association with. Thousands of Cyrcists die as it even takes root in Tethyr despite their presence as a major religion there.
A Paladin of Torm, meanwhile slays the two Ogre Mages controlling the Rebellious Empire of Western Amn.
Changes
+ The Destruction of Helm's Church.
+ Torm absorbing most of Helm's clergy along with some for Bane.
+ Ilmater becoming NG.
+ Riots against Tyrism by Helmites.
+ The Purity Crusade reduces Cyric to an Intermediate God. |
My Blog: http://unitedfederationofcharles.blogspot.com/
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Charles Phipps
Master of Realmslore
1419 Posts |
Posted - 29 Oct 2007 : 23:15:13
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The Fall of Mystra
Circa 1385
Though Tyr was weakened by requiring all of his strength to defeat Helm, he immediately called for a Crusade to destroy Cyric's followers throughout the Realms. Countless Cyricist sects were found and uprooted by Tyr, Torm, Helm's former followers along with even Tyrmora and Sune's clergy. Abetted by Mystra and Bane, the following of the Dark Sun seemed likely to become extinct.
Cyric's end seemed assured before he recieved aide from an unexpected source in Shar. Sensing Cyric's suicidal bravery, motivated by his sense that he was doomed, she made him an offer to use the Shadow Weave for a nightmarish spell. Cyric would repeat Karsus' folly and absorb the totality of Mystra's essence. Cyric, barely clinging to Lesser God status, agreed to the demon's bargain.
Velsharoon leads Cyric into Dweomerheart were he confronted her. Mystra would have slain Cyric if not for the fact that she realized Shar would use this opportunity to seize control of the Weave.
Mystra thus allowed herself to be absorbed into Cyric as she proceeded to then strike back at Shar through him. Dweomerheart was destroyed in the resulting cataclysm that spread across the Planes in a cosmic detonation.
The reshaping of Creation performed by Mystra shattered Shar's control of the Weave and resulted in countless gods being banished from the Realms to their original home planes. It would require titanic efforts from their followers and gods for them to restore their original connections. However, Shar's ancient power was utterly shattered and her plans for creation set back by tens of thousands of years.
Rumors persist that Mystra still lives but Cyric’s form was bound then in his own dimension by an alliance of the gods. Cyric's sentence would be torment by the Night Serpent continually filling his mind with nightmares for a thousand years. In the end, The Dark Sun's life was spared solely by the unexpected insistence of Bane.
The Tyrant intended to torture the Dark Sun by forcing him to watch his faith slowly dwindle to nothing before execution at the end of his sentence. The Supreme Throne then sinks to the Abyss.
Mortals
The Prime Material Plane did not go unscathed for Mystra's choice for gates were opened throughout the Realms to various planes. Demons, Devils, Deva, Jinn, and spirits of long dead Dragons poured forth to try and claim a portion of the Realms for themselves. Many great heroes (and villains) perished containing the damage.
Worse, Cyric's brief control of the Weave allowed him to place a nightmarish curse upon the Wizards of the Realm. Countless wizards were driven insane by connection to Cyric's mind for even the briefest moments. Oddly, the number of Sorcerers in the Realms would greatly amplify while wizards found they no longer had anyone to answer to for their magic. The Weave has become one with the Realms.
After effects of the Spell Plague include the devastation of Haruula with much of the nation in ruins, a Civil War in Thay that takes several months to put down with countless wizards scattering across the Realms, and the destruction of Cormyr's War Wizards. It also results in the re-appearance of most of Manshoon's clones that were secretly hidden. Many magicians are drawn by a strange sight into Anauroch where they begin working on a new Netheril.
Changes
+ Cyric loses the portfolio of Illusion, Lies, and Intrigue.
+ Shar loses the Portfolio of Secrets.
+ Mask gains all of the portfolios of the above and rises to the status of a Greater God. He also gains the portfolio of Assassins.
+ Cyric gains the portfolio of Nightmares, Madness, Monsters, and Horror. He returns to the status of Greater God and becomes God to many Abberations.
+ The Setting reverts to the Great Wheel.
+ Cyric's avatars are banned from the Prime Material Plane.
+ Magic is outlawed in Amn. The Cowled Wizards become an official policing organization.
+ A resuming of the Manshoon Wars.
+ Haruula's collapse as a Magocracy.
+ The War Wizards of Cormyr collapse to be replaced with the "King's Cloaks"
+ The beginnings of a new Netheril in Anauroch. |
My Blog: http://unitedfederationofcharles.blogspot.com/
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Edited by - Charles Phipps on 29 Oct 2007 23:27:35 |
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Charles Phipps
Master of Realmslore
1419 Posts |
Posted - 29 Oct 2007 : 23:24:27
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The Lyre Wars
Circa 1386
Divine
Mask to solidify his power as a Greater Deity, proceeds to sneak into the House of Knowledge and slay both Deneir as well as Milil. This is done by aiding Velsharoon in bringing forth Finder's Dark Side and briefly reviving Moander to take over his essence. Mask steals countless priceless objects and works of knowledge that he adds to strengthen himself against other Gods. He also revenges himself against Oghma for his part in unleashing Kesef against him.
Finder eventually manages to slay the evil Moander once and for all. Repentent, he discards his name and becomes the new Milil. Finder Wyvernspur's repentence is complete and he becomes a much more noble and kind god.
Azuth and Savas both take up residence in the House of Knowledge after this.
Meanwhile, Selune absorbs most of the ragged remnants of Mystra's Church. She provides them with focus against the rising Anti-Magic Bigotry and also a new focus for their faith. She soon creates her own domain in the Silver Heavens. Lurue and Nobanion come to live with her.
Mortals
Finder-Milil becomes the god of their united Church after a brief war occurs between the CN & CG members of the faith with CE members that had grown in recent years. The CE worshippers are exterminated along with all of the Lolth supported Moander cultists in Myth Drannor.
Deneir's ghost prophecizes to his faithful that a champion of the Faith will read his sacred tome and assume his place amongst the gods. Many believe this refers to Cadderly of the Spirit Soaring but he disappears soon after.
Azoun the Fifth dies at the hands of Fire Knives assassins. This throws the Realm into Chaos.
Changes
+ Milil and Deneir are both destroyed.
+ Finder ascends to Lesser God status.
+ Finder becomes CG.
+ The Silver Heavens appears in the Outer Planes.
+ Selune gains the portfolio of Magic, Mysteries, and Enlightenment.
+ Selune raises to a Greater Goddess status.
There we go, that's my campaign setting. |
My Blog: http://unitedfederationofcharles.blogspot.com/
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Edited by - Charles Phipps on 29 Oct 2007 23:25:36 |
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AlorinDawn
Learned Scribe
USA
313 Posts |
Posted - 19 Nov 2007 : 01:59:52
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| Nice work man, nice indeed. |
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GRYPHON
Senior Scribe
USA
527 Posts |
Posted - 20 Nov 2007 : 14:48:14
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| Sounds like it will be a very interesting campaign... |
'Everyone dies...I only choose the time and place for a few.' --Eric Destler |
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Charles' Alternative 4E campaign setting
