I'm having a few doubts on how my goals and nature will interfere with the campaign.
Currently I'm playing a LE Tiefling Bladebound Magus. I died but was brought back to life to get revenge for my murder in exchange for my soul and marrying one of Asmodeus' daughter (who is my cohort). The party has just gotten past the Cindermaw.
When Bestiary 4 came out I was allowed to take the Devil-bound template instead of leveling.
Previously I convinced the party to make getting rid of the Queen our goal and allow me to rule Korvosa in her place.
So I am a Lawful Evil servant and son-in-law of Asmodeus.
How much different am I from the Queen?
Will my association with Asmodeus disrupt our goals or make them more in line with the Queen's?
I figured that the queen's forces were abyssal in nature so was thrilled to kick them out and put Korvosa under the rightful banner of infernal influence but it seems like there are more devils than demons in the horizon.
Considering what my character is what should my goals be?
Answering these questions is harder than just a 'yes/no', unless you've recovered certain items as doing so spoils some things.
If you want, try and get your GM on here so he can talk to other players/GMs about this issue as I can see one way of making it work and it wouldn't involve much extra work on his part.
I can't tell you if you are or aren't like Ileosa and I can't tell you what your goals should be. Both involve plot points, while the second is also more of 'up to you' than us. We can give you ideas or hints as to what you can do with your character, but beyond that, it's your choice.
Just to speak in general terms, it's not like everyone associated with any of the lower planes is in a club. You can still have a devil step on another devil, yelling "My toy!"
Here is the problem. Ileosa obviously has some connection to the fiendish races. This might simply be that it's possible she has a powerful caster in her employ that is using magic to bind fiendish outsiders to Ileosa's service. It might be that Ileosa has entered into a contract with Asmodeus. It might be that she has partnered with the church of Asmodeus and is borrowing their Infernal allies. It might be that Ileosa has used her Assassin allies to bind fiendish outsiders (especially if she is using Demons and Devils as the Church of Asmodeus is unlikely to use Demons as their minions).
The Magus doesn't know. But, if Ileosa is affiliated with Asmodeus in any such way, logically, he would be unable to assist the party in taking her down, and neither would his wife. His wife is a Daughter of Asmodeus, and the Magus is therefore a Son-in-Law of Asmodeus (other people have it tame compared to you!). Why would the Son and Daughter of Asmodeus, both Lawful Evil, and loyal to Asmodeus no-doubt, be attempting to thwart someone who also could be a loyal servant, or ally of Asmodeus in her machinations? The Magus and his Wife would be spitting in Asmodeus' eye if Ileosa in such a case.
@Malwing I've given it some more thought, and I think, at this point, your character could have a couple of directions. First of all, he needs to find out just exactly where Ileosa is getting her fiendish allies from. If she is just binding them through the use of magic, it matters not as Asmodeus is unlikely to strictly monitor who binds Devils, he's got many far more important matters to attend to. In this case, your Magus has nothing to worry when it comes time to de-throne her.
If she is receiving magical aid from the Church of Asmodeus, this isn't necessarily a bad thing. In fact, even if Ileosa were a direct servant of Asmodeus, that doesn't mean Asmodeus would be opposed to you taking over.
Asmodeus is nothing if not cunning. His plans are always long term, and sometimes, what looks like a failure, was intentional all along.
It's entirely possible that Asmodeus allied with Ileosa, so she could raise up an army of Fiends in Korvosa (as the rightful ruler), and subjugate it to Infernal rule, only so that he could betray her. Casting her from her throne, he replaces Ileosa with the person he truly deems worthy, his new Son-in-Law and his Wife, Asmodeus' own daughter.
Where before he had an ally controlling the throne, now he would have his own family controlling Korvosa. His family would be even more loyal than that of the most devout priest.
As for why the Magus would believe this? Why else would Asmodeus give the Magus a second chance? Or reward him with his daughters hand in marriage? Or even allow him to bind a Devil to his flesh? Would this not mean that Asmodeus approves of the Magus assuming the throne? If he didn't why would he give the Magus such powerful gifts?
[Edit] The Devil-Bound Template is in Bestiary 4? Ugh, now I need to get that even more! I love that template for bad guys. Well, at least if it resembles the one from the Advanced Bestiary.
We got to the part where we're told some of the source of Ileosa's power and goals. Seems like she's looking to be immortal which is a big no-no for people who are devil-bound considering that their souls are promised after their death. She's obviously trying to skirt her inevitable trip to Hell so I should send her there before she has a chance to become immortal and in the meantime take over the throne and put it under proper lawful infernal control.
(Also if I can I could take over the ritual and become immortal myself... Although technically with this template I am immortal except by good weapons.)
Immortality isn't ever Immortality, usually it's just 'Eternal Youth' because everyone can die at some point. The people of Hell often barter for souls and grant people methods of extending their life (arguably one of the most commonly asked for things).
Mortals are foolish in such away. They think that a method of extending their life that is given to them by the very people he sold his soul to, would be foolproof. If that were the case, then the people of Hell are truly fools, as they are giving out true methods of Immortality (never age, can't be killed) in exchange for a soul that they can then never claim.
The reality is, the Devils of Hell are far more intelligent and aware of things going on than mortals truly realize. Undoubtedly they are aware of what Ileosa is doing, and don't really care. What's a few hundred or thousand years to being that are truly ageless? In the end, Ileosa will die at some point, despite her immortality rituals, and then Hell will claim her soul.
However, I doubt the contract she signed mentions anything about the servants of Hell not being allowed to interfere. It wouldn't surprise me at all that Hell would give people the secrets to eternal youth, and then arrange for their deaths shortly after. After all, they find a perverse glee in thwarting the legal writing of their own contracts.
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I died but was brought back to life to get revenge for my murder in exchange for my soul and marrying one of Asmodeus' daughter (who is my cohort).
Doesn't sound like much of a punishment.
Previously I convinced the party to make getting rid of the Queen our goal and allow me to rule Korvosa in her place.
And they never thought of casting detect evil on you?
How much different am I from the Queen?
Very. Ileosa is just using Korvosa and is willing to sacrifice every living being in it to meet her goals.
Asmodeus wants stability, see Cheliax. Asmodeus and Zon Kuthon are the same alignment but are very different.
Will my association with Asmodeus disrupt our goals or make them more in line with the Queen's?
I think you're still following the same goals, although the reason for it is nefarious. Perhaps some encounters around devils will be resolved with diplomacy instead of combat, but that's up to your GM.
Considering what my character is what should my goals be?
Only you can answer that question. It sounds like you know what you want, get rid of the queen, possibly take her power, gain as many devil allies as possible.
The only problem is, I believe the throne is a monarchy, so it's unlikely Korvosa would support an usurper on the throne. Also, your secret (of being evil and a thrall of Asmodeus) wouldn't last long, other people would notice and tell the party. And assuming there are at least some good members of your party, I can see them supporting getting rid of you or rejecting your bid to take the throne when the campaign concludes.
This is all stuff for your GM to determine though and everyone has their own opinion.
I died but was brought back to life to get revenge for my murder in exchange for my soul and marrying one of Asmodeus' daughter (who is my cohort).Doesn't sound like much of a punishment.
It's not, it was a means of gaining a servant.
Previously I convinced the party to make getting rid of the Queen our goal and allow me to rule Korvosa in her place.And they never thought of casting detect evil on you?
The rest of the party is mostly CG yet I'm probably one of the least like a murderhobo. I'm motivated to save children from the plague, risk my life to keep the party out of danger, very friendly to the Shaonti (Some of the party repeatedly calls them savages) The only person who was unwilling to kill the Kuthonites on site for being helpful, and disapproves of turning random NPCs into skeletons. The Lawful part of LE has kept me out of more trouble so I don't get much flak from the rest of the party except from out recent addition of a CG Aasimar, and more recently when I went out of my way to try to murder 5 Goro-gargoyles by myself. But I did ask them what they were doing instead of catching them flat-footed.
Will my association with Asmodeus disrupt our goals or make them more in line with the Queen's?I think you're still following the same goals, although the reason for it is nefarious. Perhaps some encounters around devils will be resolved with diplomacy instead of combat, but that's up to your GM.
I'm pretty much the only reason why we didn't fight Sial and his Kyton.
Considering what my character is what should my goals be?
Only you can answer that question. It sounds like you know what you want, get rid of the queen, possibly take her power, gain as many devil allies as possible.
The only problem is, I believe the throne is a monarchy, so it's unlikely Korvosa would support an usurper on the throne. Also, your secret (of being evil and a thrall of Asmodeus) wouldn't last long, other people would notice and tell the party. And assuming there are at least some good members of your party, I can see them supporting getting rid of you or rejecting your bid to take the throne when the campaign concludes.
Me being evil is not a secret to the party.
I made a point to befriend the Shaonti, Zon-Kuthanites, Were-rats, Otyugs, and making the local law enforcement depted to me in anticipation for opposition. So if it turns to PVP after the game I can roll a new character and hand my character sheet to the GM so we can continue with it as the new villain.
It's not, it was a means of gaining a servant.
Wouldn't bringing you back to life and owning your eternal soul (and maybe more) be enough?
I'm motivated to save children from the plague, risk my life to keep the party out of danger...
OK, so you have a good ruse.
I'm still surprised no one cast a basic detect evil. My players would do that and more to you, even if you were the Pope.
The rest of Korvosa is not that trusting.
I'm pretty much the only reason why we didn't fight Sial and his Kyton.
And? That doesn't make you good or evil, especially when he declares his allegiances. Just makes them bloodthirsty.
Me being evil is not a secret to the party.
So they know you're evil (despite your many good actions) and they still want you on the throne?
Like I said, it's a monarchy so it doesn't really matter what you or the party wants.
I think overall you misunderstood what I was saying. I was saying that everything should play out as normal. The only difference will be the end game, after the Queen is dead. Stuff that's not written in the books. All of that is really up to your GM, the players, and you; and there is no right or wrong answer.
You asked some very vague questions, I'm not trying to argue with you, I'm trying to reassure you that you're not breaking the campaign.
Okay. My main concern was my motivations inevitably derailing the game or turning to PvP before endgame.
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Like I said, it's a monarchy so it doesn't really matter what you or the party wants.
Eodred and Ileosa don't have any children and the party will be the most powerful individuals in the city after the end of campaign, there's not much to stop them if they want the throne, really.
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Like I said, it's a monarchy so it doesn't really matter what you or the party wants.Eodred and Ileosa don't have any children and the party will be the most powerful individuals in the city after the end of campaign, there's not much to stop them if they want the throne, really.
Especially if the end the oppression, the plague, and save the city from an impending Shoanti attack. In the absence of a rightful ruler (Ileosa had a bunch of the nobility killed), the heroes that saved the city and the kingdom would probably have first dibs.
Eodred and Ileosa don't have any children and the party will be the most powerful individuals in the city after the end of campaign, there's not much to stop them if they want the throne, really.
It's possible, but I have 3 words for you. "Game of Thrones". lol.
Eodred and Ileosa have brothers and sisters. And then there's the question of the population accepting it. Unless you want to kill or subjugate everyone.
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Eodred and Ileosa don't have any children and the party will be the most powerful individuals in the city after the end of campaign, there's not much to stop them if they want the throne, really.It's possible, but I have 3 words for you. "Game of Thrones". lol.
Eodred and Ileosa have brothers and sisters. And then there's the question of the population accepting it. Unless you want to kill or subjugate everyone.
Eodred does not have any sisters and his only brother, Venster, is dead. Moreover Venster was hidden from the world because he was a tiefling.
Whether or not Ileosa had siblings is irrelevant, since they have no claim whatsoever to the throne.
If you wanted "Game of Thrones", you'd better use the current noble families in Korvosa (House Arkona, if still alive, maybe Ornelos has ambitions or maybe someone like Endrin, Kroft, Jeggare ...) or relatives of the Arabasti family in Cheliax (like Domina did some decades ago).
The devs - particularly James Jacobs - have said a few times in various threads that the intent was for the PCs to claim the throne post-campaign.
Unless you want to kill or subjugate everyone.
Well, I am evil.
And then there's the question of the population accepting it.
PCs stopped the plague, got rid of Gray Maidens and tyrannical queen. Why wouldn't they accept?
Whether or not Ileosa had siblings is irrelevant, since they have no claim whatsoever to the throne.
And even if they did... Are they lvl 16? I wouldn't expect so.
And even if they did... Are they lvl 16? I wouldn't expect so.
So if a legitimate ancestor tries to claim the throne, the PCs just kill / subjugate them? Hope they're not "good" (a term loosely used by people who play RPGs).
Just because the party are some of the most powerful people in Korvosa and are heroes who stopped Korvosa from being destroyed, doesn't mean you make them King.
If that was the case, Superman would be president of all countries in the world, and Batman would be mayor of Gotham. The X-Men would be in congress and bypass the entire electoral procedure.
Sorry, I just don't like it.
The difference of course being, that Korvosa is a monarchy. If you kill the King and assume the throne, you become the King. It's kind of how medieval politics tend to work.
As it stands, the king is dead, the queen (Assuming the PCs win) is dead, the nobility is in shambles. Korvosa has a history of the Monarchy to die in unnatural ways, that's why it's the Curse of the Crimson Throne. It's very possible that the throne has changed hands on numerous occasions.
The PCs have saved the city from a plague, prevented a war with the Shoanti, defeated the oppressive Grey Maidens and overthrown a tyrannical queen. I would expect nothing less than the populace clamoring for one of the players to assume the throne.
Pretty much exactly what Tels said. That was the intent of the writers anyway.
Oddly, the group in my game used their wish from the deck to ensure Kroft ended up on the throne. She, in turn, made on of them Field Marshall & he then ran the Arkpnas out of town. Glorio plots his revenge even now.
Heh, the outcome of this is funny to me. Lets replace an evil monarch that basically sold their soul for power, for another evil monarch that sold their soul for power!
Especially since the last evil oppressive regime killed like half the city! The idea that the populace would 'clamor' for the equally evil King with a devil consort, yeah, that makes sense.
But hey, its up to each game group to play it how they want.
Heh, the outcome of this is funny to me. Lets replace an evil monarch that basically sold their soul for power, for another evil monarch that sold their soul for power!
Especially since the last evil oppressive regime killed like half the city! The idea that the populace would 'clamor' for the equally evil King with a devil consort, yeah, that makes sense.
But hey, its up to each game group to play it how they want.
Chelaxian Citizens:
Korvosa Citizen:
Korvosan Mob: A temple to Asmodeus!
Korvosan Citizen:
Korvosan Mob: Now!
Funnily enough, the three major temples in Korvosa are to Abadar, Pharasma, and Asmodeus.