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redking
Learned Scribe
131 Posts |
Posted - 11 Sep 2016 : 05:32:16
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Why was Vhok so desperate to bathe in the lifespring within the House of the Triad? According to the books, the lifespring can enhance charisma and leadership qualities. Surely there are easier ways to go about this, unless the advantages provided by the lifespring are huge.
So what specifically are the powers granted by the lifespring?
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The Masked Mage
Great Reader
USA
2420 Posts |
Posted - 11 Sep 2016 : 19:52:05
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I would guess it would be an effect akin to a rod of rulership, maybe combined with beguiling. |
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redking
Learned Scribe
131 Posts |
Posted - 12 Sep 2016 : 06:52:39
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I was thinking that too, but somehow that seems to cut and dry. Also, Kaanyr Vhok seems a bit optimistic about just walking into Sundabar and having the people just overthrow their king on his behalf. Taurus seems more circumspect.
Vhok: "It is a wellspring of golden waters that brims with the energy and power of godhood. Though it would not make me a god, it would grant me the power to rule like I have never had before. With that magic at my command, I could enter Sundabar not as a mere conqueror but as a beloved leader, a sovereign worth worshiping. The people would cast out Helm Dwarf-friend, pull him from his throne, and kneel before me in adoration, never wondering why at all."
Taurus: "I cannot promise that each and every one of them will be enslaved to your charms, but your influence and charisma will be august."
Obviously Taurus would have a better idea of what the lifespring can do than Vhok. Therefore I offer this as a possibility.
Powers granted by the lifespring.
Once bathing in the lifespring, the bather's charisma is now set at a base 25 Charisma. This is considered the character's starting charisma before ability score adjustments or level gain increases.
The bather gains the following feats, even if he does not normally qualify for them:
Leadership, Improved Cohort, Practiced Cohort, Inspirational Leadership, Might Makes Right, Epic Leadership, and Legendary Commander.
Alignment: Bathers in the lifespring have their alignment changed one step towards lawful. If already lawful, alignment moves one step towards good. If already lawful and good, no change. |
Edited by - redking on 12 Sep 2016 06:53:49 |
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Lilianviaten
Senior Scribe
489 Posts |
Posted - 12 Sep 2016 : 13:29:10
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quote: Originally posted by redking
I was thinking that too, but somehow that seems to cut and dry. Also, Kaanyr Vhok seems a bit optimistic about just walking into Sundabar and having the people just overthrow their king on his behalf. Taurus seems more circumspect.
Vhok: "It is a wellspring of golden waters that brims with the energy and power of godhood. Though it would not make me a god, it would grant me the power to rule like I have never had before. With that magic at my command, I could enter Sundabar not as a mere conqueror but as a beloved leader, a sovereign worth worshiping. The people would cast out Helm Dwarf-friend, pull him from his throne, and kneel before me in adoration, never wondering why at all."
Taurus: "I cannot promise that each and every one of them will be enslaved to your charms, but your influence and charisma will be august."
Obviously Taurus would have a better idea of what the lifespring can do than Vhok. Therefore I offer this as a possibility.
Powers granted by the lifespring.
Once bathing in the lifespring, the bather's charisma is now set at a base 25 Charisma. This is considered the character's starting charisma before ability score adjustments or level gain increases.
The bather gains the following feats, even if he does not normally qualify for them:
Leadership, Improved Cohort, Practiced Cohort, Inspirational Leadership, Might Makes Right, Epic Leadership, and Legendary Commander.
Alignment: Bathers in the lifespring have their alignment changed one step towards lawful. If already lawful, alignment moves one step towards good. If already lawful and good, no change.
I would have been interested to see that in effect. Dwarves are awfully stubborn, and Vhok was an orc (who dwarves have an eternal hatred of) mixed with demonic blood. I can't imagine how much charisma it would take to have a city of dwarves accept his rule. |
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Fellfire
Master of Realmslore
1965 Posts |
Posted - 12 Sep 2016 : 16:33:08
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Where did you glean that Kaanyr was orc-blood, Lilianviaten? All the sources that I can recall only name him as marqui cambion. I guess I never gave much thought to his mortal stock. In fact, the more I think about it, wasn't he Tanta Hagara's get? |
Misanthorpe
Love is a lie. Only hate endures. Light is blinding. Only in darkness do we see clearly.
"Oh, you think darkness is your ally? You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn't see the light until I was already a man, by then it was nothing to me but.. blinding. The shadows betray you because they belong to me." - Bane The Dark Knight Rises
Green Dragonscale Dice Bag by Crystalsidyll - check it out
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Edited by - Fellfire on 12 Sep 2016 16:36:01 |
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Barastir
Master of Realmslore
Brazil
1600 Posts |
Posted - 15 Sep 2016 : 13:52:17
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I'm also curious, for unless this was retconned, the 2e Hellgate Keep entry on Vhok says:
"As the son of a true tanar'ri and a human father, Kaanyr Vhok is a marquis cambion, though he looks different from other Realms-bound cambions. Most observers see only his light olive complexion and silver-gray hair and believe him to be an aging half-elf due to his pointed ears, but beneath Kaanyr's rich clothes and cloak, his chest, upper arms, and legs are covered with deeper green scales as his tanar'ri legacy." |
"Goodness is not a natural state, but must be fought for to be attained and maintained. Lead by example. Let your deeds speak your intentions. Goodness radiated from the heart."
The Paladin's Virtues, excerpt from the "Quentin's Monograph" (by Ed Greenwood) |
Edited by - Barastir on 15 Sep 2016 13:53:04 |
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
11716 Posts |
Posted - 15 Sep 2016 : 21:19:36
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remember, just because someone says it doesn't make it true until it happens. Vhok could simply have been misinformed. |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6648 Posts |
Posted - 16 Sep 2016 : 01:32:01
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quote: Originally posted by Fellfire
Where did you glean that Kaanyr was orc-blood, Lilianviaten? All the sources that I can recall only name him as marqui cambion. I guess I never gave much thought to his mortal stock. In fact, the more I think about it, wasn't he Tanta Hagara's get?
No, he "married" Tanta Hagara when her forces marched on Hellgate Keep, eliminating any threat and adding to his following. He bred the tannaruks using orcs and demons as I recall so that might be where you thought he had orc blood.
-- George Krashos |
"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
11716 Posts |
Posted - 16 Sep 2016 : 02:07:54
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quote: Originally posted by George Krashos
quote: Originally posted by Fellfire
Where did you glean that Kaanyr was orc-blood, Lilianviaten? All the sources that I can recall only name him as marqui cambion. I guess I never gave much thought to his mortal stock. In fact, the more I think about it, wasn't he Tanta Hagara's get?
No, he "married" Tanta Hagara when her forces marched on Hellgate Keep, eliminating any threat and adding to his following. He bred the tannaruks using orcs and demons as I recall so that might be where you thought he had orc blood.
-- George Krashos
Wait, seriously? Vhok married a hag? I get the succubus.... well, I guess hags can shapechange.... |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6648 Posts |
Posted - 16 Sep 2016 : 08:32:58
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She became his consort but Helgate Keep made it clear that it was a "marriage of convenience" with no bumping uglies (literally) involved.
-- George Krashos |
"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
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Brimstone
Great Reader
USA
3286 Posts |
Posted - 16 Sep 2016 : 11:00:35
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Or he is a freak like that! |
"These things also I have observed: that knowledge of our world is to be nurtured like a precious flower, for it is the most precious thing we have. Wherefore guard the word written and heed words unwritten and set them down ere they fade . . . Learn then, well, the arts of reading, writing, and listening true, and they will lead you to the greatest art of all: understanding." Alaundo of Candlekeep |
Edited by - Brimstone on 16 Sep 2016 11:01:11 |
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Barastir
Master of Realmslore
Brazil
1600 Posts |
Posted - 16 Sep 2016 : 19:25:16
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quote: Originally posted by sleyvas Wait, seriously? Vhok married a hag? I get the succubus.... well, I guess hags can shapechange....
She could... And she presented herself as a "stunningly beautiful, barbaric hunter goddess (with sky-blue skin) or a blue-furred bear". Some harpers revealed she was an annis hag to the Blue Bear tribe members, but instead of rejecting her they saw it as a good omen, for she got stronger, and kept following her.
Vhok, the son of one of the three mariliths which ruled the Keep then (for a short time, due to his schemes), got married to Hagara to join the forces of the Keep with the barbarians. |
"Goodness is not a natural state, but must be fought for to be attained and maintained. Lead by example. Let your deeds speak your intentions. Goodness radiated from the heart."
The Paladin's Virtues, excerpt from the "Quentin's Monograph" (by Ed Greenwood) |
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