Tom Marlow |
So my players have killed Karzoug the Runelord of greed and now one of them wants to take the mantle of the Runelord. Since we are continuing the campaign to higher levels I see no problem with this.
However,apart from Looting Karzoug body, wearing his cloths, and wielding his swag how do you think one could officially become a Runelord. At least in the "eyes" of the Alara'quin Karzoug's Burning Glaive and Chellan, Sword of Greed.
I was thinking of having them use the anathema archive to learn how, but what that would be is why I am asking. Any Ideas would be appreciated.
Scavion |
So my players have killed Karzoug the Runelord of greed and now one of them wants to take the mantle of the Runelord. Since we are continuing the campaign to higher levels I see no problem with this.However,apart from Looting Karzoug body, wearing his cloths, and wielding his swag how do you think one could officially become a Runelord. At least in the "eyes" of the Alara'quin Karzoug's Burning Glaive and Chellan, Sword of Greed.
Being a Transmutation Wizard.
Uhm. The weapons recognizing the greater power that the new wielder has over Karzoug since y'know he got vanquished.
Rabbiteconomist |
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James Jacobs' official take on this is that it is not possible due to there being no more Thassilonians around or something, and also did not want to encourage it. His exact words are in his AMA thread here on the forums.
Personally, more power to you and our players if you try to come up with something. I'm sure you've got some good ideas in mind.
Issac Daneil |
There's no real rule for it, but if this helps:
I would say the player has to be a Sin Mage of the relevent sin (Sin mage is a Wizard school specialization)
Then, they don't really have much of a distinction to make. I'd suggest they use their own magical powers to create their own signature weapon, and items.
For items locations like the Eye of Avarice and the like, that as the GM will be up to you to construct, or turn into a quest line.
Tom Marlow |
James Jacobs' official take on this is that it is not possible due to there being no more Thassilonians around or something, and also did not want to encourage it. His exact words are in his AMA thread here on the forums.
Personally, more power to you and our players if you try to come up with something. I'm sure you've got some good ideas in mind.
Thanks
But, apart from playing loot the corpse and Identity theft. I am drawing a blank at the moment.
sunbeam |
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Geez they try to give things the patina of history, just like in some fantasy story.
Then attach nuts and bolts to it.
Look, don't have your guy take secondhand titles.
Instead have him say, "History begins now, with me. What came before is unimportant."
Then call himself Powerlord or Magelord or something.
In ten thousand years they won't remember any Runelords. They'll be dungeon delving in the history he made.
Lost In Limbo |
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The rank of Runelord was a position of nobility in the now destroyed Thassilonian empire. Becoming a Runelord would most likely require rebuilding said ancient empire.
Think of it like if a mummy came to life in modernish times and named itself Pharoh of Egypt. Just because you killed him and took his swag doesn't mean you're now the King of the Nile.
Tom Marlow |
The rank of Runelord was a position of nobility in the now destroyed Thassilonian empire. Becoming a Runelord would most likely require rebuilding said ancient empire.
Think of it like if a mummy came to life in modernish times and named itself Pharoh of Egypt. Just because you killed him and took his swag doesn't mean you're now the King of the Nile.
Fair point
Third Mind |
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Forgive my ignorance on the matter but what exactly does a rune lord have over normal classes and such? If its simply a name, one that is largely dead save for a few, perhaps he'd simply need to start spreading word that he's a rune lord and get the general population to believe through diplomacy checks and showing power, maybe dressing as they once did.
If they had specific powers available only to them, then he may need necromancy to syphon the power (a ritual you could make him have to do, side mission perhaps). If they're simply sin magic users, you could allow the player, if they so choose, to re-stat into a sin magic user after say, drinking the dead guys blood or something symbolic like that.
Perhaps the ritual could be that he has to bind the now dead runelord's spirit to him, or an item he can wear. Say a bracer or amulet. If its taken off or stolen, his runelord-y-ness leaves him.
Taku Ooka Nin |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
So my players have killed Karzoug the Runelord of greed and now one of them wants to take the mantle of the Runelord. Since we are continuing the campaign to higher levels I see no problem with this.
However,apart from Looting Karzoug body, wearing his cloths, and wielding his swag how do you think one could officially become a Runelord. At least in the "eyes" of the Alara'quin Karzoug's Burning Glaive and Chellan, Sword of Greed.
I was thinking of having them use the anathema archive to learn how, but what that would be is why I am asking. Any Ideas would be appreciated.
If I remember you have to be an Azlanti to be runelord, but don't quote me on that. Runelords are effectively level 30 Wizards, but since Paizo doesn't have epic levels these would be level 20 wizards level 10 archmages. When one of your players fulfills that they might be able to become one, but what is required for that to happen is mostly lost.
He could try to make a divination spell that lets him see into the past, but he might be stopped by Aroden who might have stopped him from learning the secrets since some things should be nothing more than an echo of the past.
Might I offer that the Runelords were more or less completely evil characters, and it is entirely possible that if someone became a runelord that they would be completely evil as well.
Tangaroa |
It seems in the various adventures, a key feature of the "rune" part of being a runelord is using rune-magic to exert will over another. Rune giants are the obvious example, but there are others. The specific nature of the binding is probably best if it is dependent on the school of magic - for conjuration, binding outsiders is obviously a solid choice.
Another element to play upon is the fusion of metaphysical and magical concepts. From a storytelling perspective, tying rune magic to the seven Christian sins seems a little silly. However, if you run with it: magic when used should specifically call upon, or promote, those vices.
Tom Marlow |
Tom Marlow wrote:So my players have killed Karzoug the Runelord of greed and now one of them wants to take the mantle of the Runelord. Since we are continuing the campaign to higher levels I see no problem with this.
However,apart from Looting Karzoug body, wearing his cloths, and wielding his swag how do you think one could officially become a Runelord. At least in the "eyes" of the Alara'quin Karzoug's Burning Glaive and Chellan, Sword of Greed.
I was thinking of having them use the anathema archive to learn how, but what that would be is why I am asking. Any Ideas would be appreciated.
If I remember you have to be an Azlanti to be runelord, but don't quote me on that. Runelords are effectively level 30 Wizards, but since Paizo doesn't have epic levels these would be level 20 wizards level 10 archmages. When one of your players fulfills that they might be able to become one, but what is required for that to happen is mostly lost.
He could try to make a divination spell that lets him see into the past, but he might be stopped by Aroden who might have stopped him from learning the secrets since some things should be nothing more than an echo of the past.
Might I offer that the Runelords were more or less completely evil characters, and it is entirely possible that if someone became a runelord that they would be completely evil as well.
Not all the Runelords were Mythic, Karzoug was not. He was just a beefed up Lv 20 transmuter.
Tom Marlow |
Forgive my ignorance on the matter but what exactly does a rune lord have over normal classes and such? If its simply a name, one that is largely dead save for a few, perhaps he'd simply need to start spreading word that he's a rune lord and get the general population to believe through diplomacy checks and showing power, maybe dressing as they once did.
If they had specific powers available only to them, then he may need necromancy to syphon the power (a ritual you could make him have to do, side mission perhaps). If they're simply sin magic users, you could allow the player, if they so choose, to re-stat into a sin magic user after say, drinking the dead guys blood or something symbolic like that.
Perhaps the ritual could be that he has to bind the now dead runelord's spirit to him, or an item he can wear. Say a bracer or amulet. If its taken off or stolen, his runelord-y-ness leaves him.
I would like to think that there is more to a runelord than just a powerful sin wizard with a title.
As for the siphoning a power, that is a good idea, I will think about this. Thanks.
Tom Marlow |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
It shouldn't be that hard - all you need is a time machine, a dozen trained monkey pickpockets, 3 ounces of blood from a dead god, a case of cheap white wine & a 1000 faceted ruby the size of a hen's egg. Once you've assembled the materials, the rest is obvious.
Ha yes I see, but I think you would also need two cc of mouse blood.
LazarX |
So my players have killed Karzoug the Runelord of greed and now one of them wants to take the mantle of the Runelord. Since we are continuing the campaign to higher levels I see no problem with this.
However,apart from Looting Karzoug body, wearing his cloths, and wielding his swag how do you think one could officially become a Runelord. At least in the "eyes" of the Alara'quin Karzoug's Burning Glaive and Chellan, Sword of Greed.
I was thinking of having them use the anathema archive to learn how, but what that would be is why I am asking. Any Ideas would be appreciated.
Being a Runelord was essentially being the the appropriate Thassilonian specalist wizard named as the titled ruler of the Thassilon domain of Greed. The fact that said domain doesn't exist anymore complicates things. :)
Wheldrake |
I mean, if I went 'round claiming I was "emperor", just because some moistened bint had lobbed a scimitar at me, they'd lock me away!
Also: Read Shelley's short poem "Ozymandias". Very pertinent.
Claxon |
Runelord is a virtually dead title.
There is nothing to "being" a runelord anymore. It's like saying you're the King of Persia when there is no place left anymore.
Sure, you could make the title mean something by killing or committing other acts, but on it's own it's just a meaningless title. A title without recognition or powers granted by it are just empty words.
Also, it could be a bit like some guy popping out of nowhere claiming to be the inheritor of a long dead line of something. Most people will probably just think you're crazy.
Tom Marlow |
Alright,from what a gather, Raw wise a Runelord is a title and nothing more. However, I feel differently and for my game will have it be an embodiment of a type magic. Thus, I will be running a side quest with Third Mind’s syphon the power suggestion and tie in the church of Lissala. Probably having them hunt for a high level 11-15 priest of Lissala to perform the right of succession.
Akerlof |
I'd start by having them establish dominance over the inhabitants of Xin Shalast through diplomacy, threats and violence most likely. Once you get the Lamia Harridans, Rune Giants and Dragons calling you a Runelord, people are going to accept that.
Next, you'll probably want to expand your borders by conquering territories. Establishing a few giant populated cities and an army in central Varisia ought to get most of the rest of the world calling you "Runelord" as well.
Historically, I have no idea how Runelords became Runelords. I imagine it had a lot more to do with political wrangling and assassination than quests or pre-set actions. But you're the GM and it's an undefined area of the game, so feel free to create whatever you want that you and your players will enjoy.