Hi there!
I've just taken over for our old DM and am currently running the second part of Age of Worms adventure path. "The Spire of Long Shadows" is coming along nicely, so I'm already preparing for "The Prince of Redhand".
My problem is this [SPOILERS]:
I don't understand why Lashonna has created the Ebon Triad in the first place. What's the point? What has the Ebon Triad achieved for her? She doesn't seem to need it anymore, but why did she ever need it?
I'd like to give my players the chance to take out the Ebon Triad for good (and the adventure provides an opprotunity to do just that via a list of members), but I fear I'll be hard pressed to explain this whole charade (i.e. Lashonna being behind it all) once it comes out later...
Any help, whether by explaining it to me or suggesting an explanation of your own, is very much appreciated.
On a related note, I feel that I can't let the players know about the 'Great Project' in Alahaster - they'll spot the implications of this structure a mile away. Instead, I'm planning to (a) just include a reference to extensive construction projects all over Alahaster, (b) cover up the map's legend, and (c) move the new ziggurat underground (to be raised through the ground via _wish_ (or whatever) when the time comes.
Best regards,
P.
The Ebon Triad acts as cats-paws and disposable agents. Also, they disguise the real goals of the Cult of Kyuss from the rest of the world (since they don't know they are controlled by the Cult of Kyuss).
As far as Alahaster goes, the PCs are supposed to see the implications of the "Great Project" a mile away. The thing is, how are they going to convince Zeech to stop the construction? "You don't know us and we can't prove it, but if you finish building that ziggurat bad things will happen."
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I had always assumed that Dragotha and Lashonna had created the Order of the Ebon Triad hundreds of years ago for one purpose only: to fulfill the Age of Worms Prophecies without letting the rest of the world know Kyuss is behind everything. Why else would the Ebon Triad try to cause problems beneath Cauldron? Why else is the Ebon Triad looking for Kyuss spawn in the Cairn Hills?
According to the Champion's Belt, the Prophecies are recorded in the Necronomicon, the Libris Mortis, the Book of Vile Darkness, and the Apostalic Scrolls. Other possible sources are the Way of the Ebon Triad and the Nethertome of Trask. However, when the Prophecies were finally revealed in the Spire of Long Shadows, I was more confused than anything else. A hero of the pit shall use his fame to gift a city to the dead? Are they talking about Raknian? Didn't that just happen? So Kyuss won't come back unless Balakarde helps to destroy Dragotha? Or do the followers of Kyuss actually beleive in uniting Erythnul, Hextor, and Vecna (who wasn't even a god yet when the Way of the Ebon Triad was written) into an evil Overgod? Why would a Flan lich-king join with two Oeridian rival gods to become an overgod? Why is Lashonna having Zeech build a ziggurat if Kyuss is coming back anyways? Why did Ilthane try to create spawn in the Mistmarsh and not some other swamp? Is Raknian important to the cult or not? So to fix some plot issues, I got rid of the obscure references to adventures my players had never played and came up with a new set of prophecies:
- The Red Scourge shall sweep across the lands killing both the worthy and unworthy.
- The Maimed Lord shall return from the grave and even the Mighty shall fear him.
- The City in the Mountain of Fire shall suffer tragedy from Beneath.
- The Worm-Infested Dead shall rise from their graves and stalk the Hills of the Fallen.
- The Dark Priest shall Join with the Whispered One’s Hand before seeking out that which has been Forgotten.
- A Hero of the Pit shall use his fame to gift a City to the Dead.
- The Storm that is no more shall return to the world once again.
- A Tripartite Spirit shall once again become one, and at its advice will the Mighty be undone.
- On the Eve of the Age of Worms, the Fallen Hero shall summon the Wormlord to the Dark Temple.
Using these prophecies as a guideline I plotted out the villains' roles as such:
After the last attempt to free Kyuss was foiled by the Order of the Storm, Dragotha realised that the Prophecies needed to be fulfilled in order to free Kyuss. He tasked his new servant, Lashonna, with the creation of the Order of the Ebon Triad to accomplish this.
Lashonna, wrote the Way of the Ebon Triad, switching the last two prophecies with each other, to have humans believe that the Tripartite spirit was the Overgod, and that Kyuss was simply his Herald. Members of the newly formed Cult of Vecna, were indoctrinated into the Ebon Triad. One of the first was Trask, who wrote the Nethertome of Trask. In my game, the Ebon Triad is mostly made up of Vecna worshippers who believe that Vecna is destined to rule the cosmos in a three-step process: 1) Become an undead lich king. 2) Achieve divinity. 3) Join with weak Oeridian evil gods to become supreme Overgod! Vecna's recent ascension to godhood, as well as a few other exploits such as fighting Iuz and destroying the Circle of Eight have led credence to their beliefs. Obviously, the Ebon Triad followers of Hextor and Erythnul do not share this view, but the age-old Erythnul/Hextor rivalry has allowed the Vecnites to get the upper hand.
Years passed while Dragotha and Lashonna waited for a sign. Finally in 576 CY, the Red Death ravaged the Flanaess, fulfilling the 1st Prophecy. Lashonna sent her plans into motion, corrupting Prince Zeech of Redhand.
In 591 CY, Vecna freed himself from Ravenloft and finally achieved divinity. Ebon Triad agents were sent to the city of Cauldron to fulfill the 3rd Prophecy. Dragotha sent Ilthane to the Mistmarsh to create spawns of Kyuss, so as to fulfill the 4th Prophecy. Ilthane hoped that by turning the marsh denizens into spawns, that the nearby Cairn Hills would subsequently be infested. Bozal Zahol and Theldrick corrupted Raknian and prepared the 6th Prophecy. Finally, Zeech began construction of the new ziggurat for the 10th and final Prophecy. Unfortunately for Kyuss, his followers had yet to find the missing Hand of Vecna and the remaining two Prophecies had yet to be deciphered by the avolakia soothsayers. This is where the PC's and Darl come in...
Suddenly, the plot makes sense! Go Kyuss!
I've DMed Age of Worms a few times (but never got past Hall of Harsh Reflections, three TPKs!) and I've always figured that Lashonna et al created the Ebon Triad so that they could have spellcasting clerics involved in the cult of Kyuss' machinations without having to tell people "oh, and by the way, don't worry about getting life insurance. You're working for the Worm that Walks now...". Basically, with Kyuss celled off and not able to take effect in the Material Plane, he can't have clerics (I guess the Avolakias and stuff later are... maybe getting their old powers back as Kyuss comes closer to reality?!?) so he tricks others into working for him.
Just an idea, I haven't got the Dungeons in front of me, but as far as I remember that's how it worked.
Awesome, but not Eberron.
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Awesome, but not Eberron.
Obviously, I'm running a Greyhawk game, but elements such as Cauldron, the Red Death, the Order of the Storm, and even Vecna could probably be easily inserted into any campaign world (although I admit I'm not too familiar with Eberron). If the Hand of Vecna can exist in Eberron, so should Vecna. Just replace Erythnul and Hextor with something else, and change Vecna's history a bit to take out the Greyhawk stuff.
Cool, thanks Hagen. (Yoink!)
Hagen, that is brilliant. I copied this to use it if I ever get around using it.
Stefan
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Thanks Peruhain & Stefan. High praise indeed, considering all the ideas I've gotten from you since Age of Worms came out. Back in the day, I was hoping an Age of Worms hardcover compilation would fix some of the plot problems. When I realised that was never going to happen, I tried doing it myself. I had to modify the Faceless One's cipher a bit to give my players some clues as to the goals of the Ebon Triad. And since my players found a copy of the Nethertome of Trask in the Faceless One's quarters, I showed them the Ebon Triad version of the prophecies. Now I have to decide whether I'll reveal the original version in the Apostalic Scrolls or in the Spire of Long Shadows as visions. So far I'm leaning for the visions.
As for the Ebon Triad, I was thinking of giving them more of a role to play, giving my players more info early on such as the name of their leader: Mother Maggot. Perhaps Ebon agents could be hunting for Darl, attempting to retrieve the Hand of Vecna. I could even try coming up with an Ebon Triad prestige class. Since the Ebon Triad is in contact with the cult of Kyuss, as evidenced by the relationship between Theldrick and Bozal Zahol, perhaps the Ebon Triad could have a role to play in the last two adventures. At the very least, have the PC's know they're facing the leader of the Ebon Traid when they go up against Mahuudril. After Mahuudril's death, Lashonna could summon Ebon Triad cells to Alhaster to keep the population in check. Give the PC's a chance to convince the Ebon Triad leaders that they've been pawns of a vampiric dragon for over 900 years. You know how it goes, these 'end of the world' events tend to draw out all the crazies...
- The Dark Priest shall Join with the Whispered One’s Hand before seeking out that which has been Forgotten....
I used something like this, but made it a bit harder to figure out--don't remember how I worded it exactly, but it was something like -"The sinister legacy of the long-dead king shall become known." I really didn't want to give anything away by directly mentioning Vecna or his hand.
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32
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I rather like the ambiguity with the "Hero of the Pit" gifting a city to the dead. Either the Free City or Alhaster would fit the bill neatly, and it makes sense to me to consider the Alhaster plan a fallback, in case the Free City is saved - or the Free City the efforts of an over-zealous lose cannon, who wants to make the prophecy true before the appointed time (appointed by Lashonna, that is)
It is Hinted at in Prince of Red Hand (#4 The Vault) that the cult may have also created as an army that could one day be used against Dragotha. Lashonna wants to replace him. By the time the PCs show up, she realizes they may be better suited to the task.
I saw the Ebon Triad as a group that could be used to further Lashonna's plans, while making things difficult for Dragotha's minions.
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That's very interesting Hagen.
However I am a little confused (maybe because this is my first Greyhawk campaign). If someone can help me clarify the following I'll appreciate it.
We will begin Spire of Long Shadows next session and as I read the list of prophecies (and items, by the way) I just could forsee my players asking me what all that meant.
You said two prophecies are yet to be deciphered, so are these unknown to Tenser? I suppose these are 7th and 10th. I dont know what this Storm refers to, by the way.
Also, which are the two prophecies then yet to be fulfilled? The same ones (aka 6th and 8th in your list)?
- The Worm-Infested Dead shall rise from their graves and stalk the Hills of the Fallen. (This was never accomplished)
- The Dark Priest shall Join with the Whispered One?s Hand before seeking out that which has been Forgotten. (Yet to be fulfilled?)
- A Hero of the Pit shall use his fame to gift a City to the Dead. (Yet to be fulfilled?)
- The Storm that is no more shall return to the world once again. (Yet to be fulfilled?)
- A Tripartite Spirit shall once again become one, and at its advice will the Mighty be undone. (Yet to be fulfilled?)
- On the Eve of the Age of Worms, the Fallen Hero shall summon the Wormlord to the Dark Temple. (Yet to be fulfilled?)
Also, any reference regarding the artifacts? I bet my players will ask what all those do...
Thanks in advance
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Here's my take on the Prophecies:
The Red Scourge shall sweep across the lands killing both the worthy and unworthy.
This refers to the Red Death plaque that hit the Flanaess in 576 CY, from the Fate of Istus adventure. Another possibility is the Scarlet Brotherhood, which struck out during the Greyhawk Wars (582-584 CY) and conquered several nations through assassination and subterfuge.
The Maimed Lord shall return from the grave and even the Mighty shall fear him.
Vecna escaped from the Demiplane of Dread (Ravenloft) in 591 CY and finally achieved true divinity.
The City in the Mountain of Fire shall suffer tragedy from Beneath.
The Ebon Triad actually appeared (for the first time) in the Shackled City adventure, Flood Season.
The Worm-Infested Dead shall rise from their graves and stalk the Hills of the Fallen.
Ilthane's plans with the Twisted Branch might have been foiled by the PC's, but the rumours of spawn of Kyuss in the Whispering Cairn and the Three Faces of Evil are evidence that she succeeded elsewhere, possibly with another lizardfolk tribe. Im my campaign I had my PC's ambushed at an abandoned farmstead on their way to the Free City.
The Dark Priest shall Join with the Whispered One’s Hand before seeking out that which has been Forgotten.
This one refers to Darl, who recently obtained the Hand of Vecna will fighting off Ebon Triad agents on his trail. Suprisingly, I gave Darl similar goals as the PC's, with as much knowledge of Kyuss and the Ebon Triad. His research on how to get rid of this Ebon Triad heresy permanently pointed him in the direction of Tilagos Island.
A Hero of the Pit shall use his fame to gift a City to the Dead.
This refers to Raknian, and is not necessarily dependant on the ritual succeeding. Perhaps simply killing Auric will do. Or maybe, if Raknian's plan is foiled, he can come back and fulfill the prophecy in Alhaster. Anyways, I don't see how this prophecy could refer to Zeech, unless it was changed to Hero of the Hells.
The Storm that is no more shall return to the world once again.
This refers to the return of the Order of the Storm, reborn as the PC's. Perhaps one of the wld watchers could request that the PC's continue where they left off. This is one of the prophecies that the cult of Kyuss has yet to decipher.
A Tripartite Spirit shall once again become one, and at its advice will the Mighty be undone.
The other unknown prophecy, this one refers to Bucknard (Balakarde) aiding in the defeat of Dragotha, but the Ebon Triad believes this is the prophecy which will give birth to the Ebon Overgod.
On the Eve of the Age of Worms, the Fallen Hero shall summon the Wormlord to the Dark Temple.
Finally, the role of Zeech and the reason for his corruption comes into play. I tried to leave this vague enough so that if Lashonn'a plan is foiled, then the cult of Kyuss can perhaps try again later at some other Dark Temple with another fallen hero.
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Thank you Hagen.
Tenser says there are 2 prophecies that have not happened. Here we have three though (not counting Raknian's attempt, we could also say he succeeded by summoning the ulgurstasta):
The Storm that is no more shall return to the world once again.
A Tripartite Spirit shall once again become one, and at its advice will the Mighty be undone.
On the Eve of the Age of Worms, the Fallen Hero shall summon the Wormlord to the Dark Temple.
So should Tenser say 3 instead of 2?
What do you think?
Thank you Hagen.
Tenser says there are 2 prophecies that have not happened. Here we have three though (not counting Raknian's attempt, we could also say he succeeded by summoning the ulgurstasta):
The Storm that is no more shall return to the world once again.
A Tripartite Spirit shall once again become one, and at its advice will the Mighty be undone.
On the Eve of the Age of Worms, the Fallen Hero shall summon the Wormlord to the Dark Temple.
So should Tenser say 3 instead of 2?
What do you think?
Well, you might argue that the "Storm" prophesy is fulfilled - kind of, with the PCs in motion. But I don´t know if Tenser could know this already.
Stefan
A Hero of the Pit shall use his fame to gift a City to the Dead.
This refers to Raknian, and is not necessarily dependant on the ritual succeeding. Perhaps simply killing Auric will do. Or maybe, if Raknian's plan is foiled, he can come back and fulfill the...
Or, with this one, you can do what I did. Rephrase it slightly to "A Hero of the Pit shall grant a City to the Dead."
Loris Raknian isn't the prophesied 'hero', Lashonna is. When this one is revealed as unfulfilled, the PCs will believe that they've prevented it (or, at least, that they've bought themselves time). This particular prophecy is actually the last one to be done, during "Into the Wormcrawl Fissure".
My group is currently in that particular adventure, and I plan on having Bucknard inform them that all the prophecies have come true... then watch their faces as they realize which one they just made happen.
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I'm thinking that when the folks at Paizo came up with the 'hero of the pit' prophecy, they had Raknian in mind. According to the Overload and the Champion's Belt, Raknian was supposed to return as a recurring villain. Somewhere along the lines, someone decided to remove Raknian from the rest of the adventure path. I'm still not too sure why.