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I really like the concept of the moldspeaker, but I think the campaign as written doesn't really utilize the full potential of it. So, I'd really like to hear stories from other GMs who played this campaign. How did you play out the Moldspeaker and Vardishal's lingering spirit? Did you expand upon the written material, let Vardishal meld into the personality of the PC, let NPCs recognize him, let the player see glimses of unknown memories, play Vardishal out as a malignant possessor, relate it to the Demon Prince of Molds, or any other bright ideas?
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Entropi,
First off, i stayed as close to the "as written" material as I could. I felt that the story of the Templars was very good for the background of the AP and with the Suli Mage/genie binder, desert druid, and Cavalier, I felt this was best for my Campaign.
I knew this possession would be an interesting part of the campaign, and to be honest, I was prepared for the pc's totally bypassing this encounter, and also causing themselves to be struck or splashed by the mold.
To me, I had to wait until I saw what happened from this before I made the plans on what to do with the personality of Vardishal.
I am glad I waited, for our Cavalier was the one struck and possessed.
So far, I have kept with the as written material but changed these aspects..
1) I made the Sword of Vardishal a Legacy Weapon, incorporating the powers mentioned in the 6th installment into the sword, as well as the extra abilities gained from the end of HotCK if someone chose to explore the aspect of the moldspeaker, then rounded out the powers with what fitted the Cavalier the best.
(if you like, I will post it)
2) I used the mold speaker throughout to give the Cavalier the heads up in numerous situations to give him the edge as he was the forceful leader type that needed to know more than anyone to lead the band of misfits he was saddled with. (They were not misfits, but headstrong individuals that I needed the Cavalier at the begining to know more and save the other folks asses when they would not go with what the Cavalier said.) After three times, the other players got the jist that the Cavalier was one knowing individiual, and to listen to him when it came to the nasties. This was culminated when they fought Kardswann at the end of HotCK. Only the Cavalier knew his weakness, and it was exploiting that the saved them.
3) Lastly, I used Vardishal to slightly nudge combat with certain genie types that I wanted conflict with. This was mainly to push some story lines with the cavalier and the others (which I call character story arcs) but also kept the fell of conflict as a main means of resolving confrontation in Katapesh and the whole persian/arabian nights theme. I also used Vardishal when slavery issues arose to push the mentality that slavery is a way of life in katapesh.
All minor things for sure, but very useful. I was glad it splashed on the Cavalier. I dont know how it would have turned out if Vardishal would have gone to anyone else.
Hope this helps.
I will send you the sword in email.