As I sit preparing the last half of Lords of Oblivion, which in reality is the first half (my party discovered what Vhalantru was before finishing Secrets of the Soul Pillars and decided to take him out first...) I was inspired with several ideas that might improve the hardcover version.
1) It would be great if the criminals that are at House Rhiavadi were introduced or at least mentioned earlier on in the campaign. One great example would be Zarn Kyass the "Blue Duke". The fact that he is a dealer in ogres and half orcs makes it very easy to bring him up earlier in the campaign.
Adrick could easily be affiliated with Kazmojen.
In my campaign I had my group travel to a temple of Vecna (dealers in knowledge and information) and they had a to strike a deal with them to find the location of the Ebon Triad (the Temple of Vecna had only recently discovered the location and were making plans for destroying the Triad when the PC's offered to do the dirty work for them). This would be great time to offer Khyron Bonesworn's name either as the supplier of info or as a 'rogue' who has pissed off someone in the clergy.
Vervil could also be affiliated with Kazmojen since he is a slave trader.
Rumors of Mhad could easily persist throughout the campaign.
The remaining members could also easily be added.
2) Make use of some of these guys as hooks or suggested side adventures in which they tackle some of these guys henchmen and thus make enemies of them. When the battle comes, some of the bad guys have a bone to pick with them.
My point is, if the PC's are aware of the 'major criminals' in the Cauldron area it would be much more intoxicating, exciting, scary and meaningful to be in a room that contains ALL these villains. What a true environment to make heroes (or mincemeat) of the characters.
While I think the encounter is certainly neat as written, some of these suggestions could enhance it even further IMHO.
Hope you like the ideas James. Use as desired. ;)
Creative Director
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1) It would be great if the criminals that are at House Rhiavadi were introduced or at least mentioned earlier on in the campaign. One great example would be Zarn Kyass the "Blue Duke". The fact that he is a dealer in ogres and half orcs makes it very easy to bring him up earlier in the campaign.
I just turned over the files for the Shackled City book, but never fear. One of the things I did my best to fix was the problem with all those cool NPCs popping up as villains in the last half of the campaign without them being introduced earlier. There's now plenty of opportunities for the PCs to interact with the villains before they get to "Lords of Oblivion."