Why does Lamashtu have such a large role in RotR? She isn't one of the demon lords associated with a sin. What part does she play?
Why doesn't Areshkagal-the Demon Lord of Greed-have a bigger part?
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It's a bit of a bait and switch. Everything the PCs deal with in Burnt Offerings suggests that the cult of Lamashtu will take a large role in the campaign to come. Really, the only thing that ties it to the campaign as a whole is the Sihedron medallion that Nualia wears, and the tie she had to Xanesha's plans in Magnimar. The whole point is to make the PCs go, "Wait, what's the connection between a monster cult and a serial killer?" And there isn't one. It's a red herring.
I think changing it to Areshkagal would be a bit too on the nose. Besides, Sandpoint is firmly in Bakrakhan's backyard, so Areshkagal is probably one of the few demon lords Alaznist didn't find favorable for worship. Besides, Areshkagal's a demon lord; Lamashtu's a deity. God trumps demon lord, every time.
That makes a lot of sense, and is along my lines of thought.
Just thought I'd ask the community their thoughts, ya know?
Doesn't the AP keep the Lamashtu ties a little bit longer than necessary?
The giants have lamias, Karzoug has that High Prophet or whatever.
Why so long?
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The lamias do indeed worship Lamashtu as their mother, and Most High Ceoptra is the more or less the head priestess of the cult in Varisia. Other than that, she has the same level of involvement in the campaign as Norgorber. People are offering sacrifices to her, even though there's an ulterior motive for them. She likely doesn't care, or consider the Runelords as a whole worth her time to worry about. They might be incredibly powerful wizards, but she's a goddess. They have to play by rules that don't apply to her.
Hmmm....thank you. I was just having some trouble understanding her role.
Appreciate it, Misroi.
I have modified the campaign to give Lamashtu a greater role:
One of my players is a sorcerer with the Abyssal bloodline. She is not aware of the details of this yet but essentially she has a distant 'family' connection to Lamashtu that will become more apparent over the course of the campaign. Right now this has been hinted at via some strong reactions when close to sources of Lamashtu's power.
Lamashtu has noticed Karzoug's attempts to return to power in Varisia. She has come to the conclusion that this presents her with an opportunity. She can either subvert Karzoug to serve her, or topple him and assume control of his 'empire'. Xin-Shalast with its planar instability and hidden nature would make a fine place to tear the fabric between the material plane and the Abyss: to push demons through into Golarion.
The Abyssal sorcerer PC becomes her vehicle for doing this, unwittingly. As the campaign progresses Lamashtu offers increasing yet subtle support for the PC's quest. Lamashtu presents this, via proxies, as support for one of her 'family' as well as presenting Karzoug as a natural enemy to the Abyss, something that is at best a white lie.
At a pivotal moment the PCs will be presented with what appears to be an impossible situation. All will likely be lost. At this moment Lamashtu will provide a means to overcome it, but this will be a trap that consigns the PCs to serve her. The dilemma they face: side with Lamashtu to easily defeat Karzoug or go it alone and feel the wrath of both. It's essentially a classic Faustian bargain.
Lamashtu's hope is to convert the PC to her cause whilst using her to defeat Karzoug. The eventual offer to the PC will be to be Queen of Xin-Shalast and oversee Abyssal domination of the place. The PC is not evil I should note, but nonetheless the plan is to make this a very tempting offer. Perhaps agreeing to not consign all her friends (the other PCs) to an eternity of unspeakable torture in the depths of the Abyss might sweeten the deal?
And that, is exactly why I would be a terrible hero.
I couldn't resist the urge for that much power.
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Sorry for the necro, but I was/am in the same boat. I've been playing up Lamashtu's overarching feel. The party has been having Brodert research demon worship in Thassilon and how it might be connected.
Hints, mind you are stronger on PC's then outright telling them "It's Lamashtu, she's behind it!!!" or "No, no, no - She isn't involved." They won't believe you.
So they know she's involved, and I've pulled in Pazuzu into the mix. One PC has been doing some detective work, and is slowly uncovering his involvement in the Chopper murders(in my game). Inadvertently, drawing the King of Air's attention. So much so, that I have random things pop up, like strange bird patterns, people speaking in strange patterns and references with him. "He watches." "He tests her." "The King sees all."
Just messing with him, and it's taken a life of it's own.
I was heading down that road with Lamashtu, just dropping hints and ideas. To where the group "thinks" she has a hand in the sidhedron symbol.
I say, play or down play to flavor your game as much as you see fit.
Keep us posted.