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Azar
Master of Realmslore
1287 Posts |
 Posted - 09 May 2021 : 23:38:32
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Hi there.
Are there any official Forgotten Realms NPCs that left the Zhentarim? If so, please share the name of the novel(s)/supplement(s) where they can be located.
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Stand with anybody that stands right. Stand with him while he is right and part with him when he goes wrong.
Earth names in the Realms are more common than you may think. |
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The Arcanamach
Master of Realmslore
1842 Posts |
Posted - 09 May 2021 : 23:51:33
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| Sememmon and Ashemmi. Google them in the Realms wiki for further info. The citations are all there. |
I have a dream that one day, all game worlds will exist as one. |
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6646 Posts |
Posted - 11 May 2021 : 10:00:24
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Dragon #357 - Renegades of Darkhold by yours truly.
-- George Krashos |
"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
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TheIriaeban
Master of Realmslore
USA
1289 Posts |
Posted - 12 May 2021 : 01:13:25
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quote:
Originally posted by George Krashos
Dragon #357 - Renegades of Darkhold by yours truly.
-- George Krashos
George, would you think that by the early 1360s, Sememmon was subtly doing things to sabotage Zhentilar operations occurring within the operational area of the Darkhold? |
"Iriaebor is a fine city. So what if you can have violence between merchant groups break out at any moment. Not every city can offer dinner AND a show."
My FR writeups - http://www.mediafire.com/folder/um3liz6tqsf5n/Documents
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6646 Posts |
Posted - 13 May 2021 : 01:17:04
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No, I think he's got no burning desire to get revenge on the Zhentarim. He was a willing participant in the organisation until his boss became a bastard and other things In his life assumed greater importance (Ashemmi). He doesn't want to get ensnared again in Manshoon's machinations and knows that Fzoul hates his guts and has always been gunning for him, so he's staying well away. He's focused on "being better" and as you may have picked up from my Dragon article is now aligned LN indicating his shift away from the his previous ethical outlook. Hope this helps.
-- George Krashos |
"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
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TheIriaeban
Master of Realmslore
USA
1289 Posts |
Posted - 13 May 2021 : 02:08:24
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That wasn't the answer I was hoping for but it is still useful. You see, I am trying to work out who did what and why when it comes to Zhent take over of Iriaebor. I think this would work:
The decision is made to intensify efforts to destabilize Iriaebor in the late 1340s. However, the activities of Bron and the people of Iriaebor in the early 1350s casts doubt on the plan (especially their response to the Banner War). Soon, things are looking up for the Zhents as it was only a short lull in near open warfare between merchants and things come to a head in 1355 when Bron is made High Lord of Iriaebor and he quadruples the size of The Shield.
That has the Darkhold shift gears a bit and Ravendas is told to form an army to see if that will put enough pressure on Iriaebor to cause the chaos the Zhents are looking for (and maybe draw out these new Iriaeben forces into a trap). At the same time, Zhentil Keep sends help in the form of 19th-level Illusionist Nathlar. Unfortunately for them, Ravendas is defeated by the Fellowship of the Dreaming Dragon. Since martial means seems to be doomed to failure, Sememmon tasks "The Three" with creating a thieves guild in Iriaebor that can be used to destabilize things behind the scenes. They will also provide Nathlar with whatever assistance he needs.
However, not long after the Night Skulls have grown enough to really make an impact, Nathlar is outed to Bron as a Zhent saboteur and he has to go underground just to stay in the city. Part of the blowback from that is an increased lack of trust in the Darkhold (in some quarters) and that is a contributing factor for the death of Sememmon. He is brought back and things move ahead with Ravendas (now Cutter) taking over Iriaebor through the efforts of the Night Skulls, Nathlar, and help that Ashemmi sent (to help smooth the way for Cutter to get made High Lord of Iriaebor). However, Ravendas has her own agenda that the Darkhold didn't know about which leads to an armed revolt and the restoration of Bron as High Lord.
That, I hope, fits everything together that you had in your article with the lore outlined in Crypt of the Shadowking. |
"Iriaebor is a fine city. So what if you can have violence between merchant groups break out at any moment. Not every city can offer dinner AND a show."
My FR writeups - http://www.mediafire.com/folder/um3liz6tqsf5n/Documents
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
11696 Posts |
Posted - 13 May 2021 : 16:32:30
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quote:
Originally posted by George Krashos
No, I think he's got no burning desire to get revenge on the Zhentarim. He was a willing participant in the organisation until his boss became a bastard and other things In his life assumed greater importance (Ashemmi). He doesn't want to get ensnared again in Manshoon's machinations and knows that Fzoul hates his guts and has always been gunning for him, so he's staying well away. He's focused on "being better" and as you may have picked up from my Dragon article is now aligned LN indicating his shift away from the his previous ethical outlook. Hope this helps.
-- George Krashos
Been a while since I read that article, but can you see Sememmon having a sentimental feeling for others still in the organization who may feel "trapped" and possibly seeking to offer them a possible out.... or is he all about himself and Ashemmi and just trying to stay off the radar, and also unwilling to risk that someone who defects might be a spy?
As an example, someone in our world might leave a company because the boss is an ass, and they go somewhere else and startup their own startup and offer to bring on the people at the old company who they felt had a similar mindset.
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Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
Edited by - sleyvas on 13 May 2021 16:34:53 |
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6646 Posts |
Posted - 13 May 2021 : 16:42:09
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I can see him doing some selective recruiting for Khelben's Moonstars if the opportunity arises but he's not going to actively look for such individuals and help them "get out".
-- 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
11696 Posts |
Posted - 13 May 2021 : 19:59:39
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quote:
Originally posted by George Krashos
I can see him doing some selective recruiting for Khelben's Moonstars if the opportunity arises but he's not going to actively look for such individuals and help them "get out".
-- George Krashos
Hmmm, that's an interesting take... I didn't realize he'd gotten involved with the moonstars, but I do like that idea of taking former zhents and turning them into either expatriate informants or existing individuals to be spies in wolf's clothing. |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 13 May 2021 : 21:47:27
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quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
quote:
Originally posted by George Krashos
I can see him doing some selective recruiting for Khelben's Moonstars if the opportunity arises but he's not going to actively look for such individuals and help them "get out".
-- George Krashos
Hmmm, that's an interesting take... I didn't realize he'd gotten involved with the moonstars, but I do like that idea of taking former zhents and turning them into either expatriate informants or existing individuals to be spies in wolf's clothing.
It was in Krash's "Renegades of Darkhold" article in Dragon 357. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen!  |
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6646 Posts |
Posted - 14 May 2021 : 12:36:17
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quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
quote:
Originally posted by George Krashos
I can see him doing some selective recruiting for Khelben's Moonstars if the opportunity arises but he's not going to actively look for such individuals and help them "get out".
-- George Krashos
Hmmm, that's an interesting take... I didn't realize he'd gotten involved with the moonstars, but I do like that idea of taking former zhents and turning them into either expatriate informants or existing individuals to be spies in wolf's clothing.
There was a bit of stuff that didn't make the editorial cut for my article. Here is a snippet:
In the next two winters Sememmon and Ashemmi undertook several daring and successful missions on behalf of the Moonstars. In snatching Phaan Colwyvv, Tessarch of Amn, from monster-infested Murann and into the waiting hands of Moonstar agents in Mintarn and assisting in the slaying of the Chondathan noble (and secret Zhentarim information broker) Lord Gaelrin Irithmaerl of Reth at the hands of the vampire Moonstar Asraf yn Malik el Kahaman, they served the Blackstaff well. Their deeds and loyalty saw them both participate in the events of the Feast of the Moon in the Year of the Lightning Storms (1374 DR) where Khelben sacrificed his life to restore a city of lost Miyeritar. Yet notwithstanding the sanctuary offered by the hidden city of Rhymanthiin, Sememmon has elected not to stay there. Sememmon knows that the flesh of his body exists only due to the magecraft of Manshoon. He fears that his former master has a hitherto unrevealed way of finding him or taking control of him. Given the dangers this poses he has elected to travel the paths and trails of Faerūn with Ashemmi by his side.
-- George Krashos |
"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
Edited by - George Krashos on 14 May 2021 12:36:39 |
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Brimstone
Great Reader
USA
3286 Posts |
Posted - 14 May 2021 : 14:25:49
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| That's good stuff George! |
"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 |
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
11696 Posts |
Posted - 14 May 2021 : 19:37:24
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quote:
Originally posted by George Krashos
quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
quote:
Originally posted by George Krashos
I can see him doing some selective recruiting for Khelben's Moonstars if the opportunity arises but he's not going to actively look for such individuals and help them "get out".
-- George Krashos
Hmmm, that's an interesting take... I didn't realize he'd gotten involved with the moonstars, but I do like that idea of taking former zhents and turning them into either expatriate informants or existing individuals to be spies in wolf's clothing.
There was a bit of stuff that didn't make the editorial cut for my article. Here is a snippet:
In the next two winters Sememmon and Ashemmi undertook several daring and successful missions on behalf of the Moonstars. In snatching Phaan Colwyvv, Tessarch of Amn, from monster-infested Murann and into the waiting hands of Moonstar agents in Mintarn and assisting in the slaying of the Chondathan noble (and secret Zhentarim information broker) Lord Gaelrin Irithmaerl of Reth at the hands of the vampire Moonstar Asraf yn Malik el Kahaman, they served the Blackstaff well. Their deeds and loyalty saw them both participate in the events of the Feast of the Moon in the Year of the Lightning Storms (1374 DR) where Khelben sacrificed his life to restore a city of lost Miyeritar. Yet notwithstanding the sanctuary offered by the hidden city of Rhymanthiin, Sememmon has elected not to stay there. Sememmon knows that the flesh of his body exists only due to the magecraft of Manshoon. He fears that his former master has a hitherto unrevealed way of finding him or taking control of him. Given the dangers this poses he has elected to travel the paths and trails of Faerūn with Ashemmi by his side.
-- George Krashos
Well, my initial thoughts were "vampire moonstar what?", and so I decided to google the name first. I am always amazed at how well done the FR wiki is. Apparently Eric used him in Dungeon 128 where he was a harper in contact with Kyriani Agrivar AND he was in the original cloak and dagger entry for the Moonstars. I guess since I've only imagined using the moonstars and never ACTUALLY used them (as well as rarely ever even used Waterdeep in a campaign, but more in stories or researching ideas). Gods there is so much realmslore out there that I simply didn't have time to read way back when and has been lost to me, and now I'm just trying to wrap my head around the post-sundering realms and what I'd like to see instead. With my interests so much headed into areas outside Faerun too (which most people don't even care about), in some ways I just feel very disconnected as well sometimes. |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6646 Posts |
Posted - 14 May 2021 : 20:55:17
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The secret is to remember everything.
George Krashos |
"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
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TBeholder
Great Reader
2384 Posts |
Posted - 19 May 2021 : 21:35:53
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| Maybe in Ruins of Zhentil Keep? When the Keep was broken, some obviously had to run, and many won't bother to report to whoever is in charge, seeing how (the chance to get paid)/(the chance to die as cannon fodder) rate considerably worsened. |
People never wonder How the world goes round -Helloween
And even I make no pretense Of having more than common sense -R.W.Wood
It's not good, Eric. It's a gazebo. -Ed Whitchurch |
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Canon ex-Zhent members?
