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Hey everyone, I am currently working on a campaign for my group where the Varisian Pathfinder lodge sponsors the hunt for the remaining runelords. Our group is hunting Xanderghul specifically. Given his area of control, and the fact that XinCyrusian was never found, I have been toying with the idea of the PCS finding the way into where Xin Cyrusian stood. It was going to be modeled after Saventh-Yhi, with the districts displaying Xanderghul's superiority over the other runelords. His palace would be inaccessible until every district was activated. Upon activating all of them, the PCs would enter but complete an ancient ritual Xanderghul had started wherein the city in its entirety, including all of its citizens, would be brought into the current day. Xanderghul would be loose in the world with his entire city at his disposal. Any thoughts? Hoping to get some cool ideas for building it out a bit more and how everyone would handle a runelords with his resources loose in modern Avistan.
Also, sorry for spelling capitalization, I'm on my phone. Looking forward to everyone's thoughts.
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Amplifying the above, Xanderghul's control over illusion extended to time, as it is an artificial concept created by the mind. The PCs came into possession of an inert artifact he created, called a shard of time. It basically transported everyone in Xin Cyrusian into a form of stasis in a timeless demiplane, awaiting the reactivation of his city.
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Rather than chronomancy, I'd go with Xanderghul's awakened territories being populated with shades. Perhaps the populace starts as mere illusions, then transition to being shades, and then transition back to being 100% real people if Xanderghul is revived.
I.e., Xanderghul converted his entire populace/armies into magical energy in order to wait out the toll of years.
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Rather than chronomancy, I'd go with Xanderghul's awakened territories being populated with shades. Perhaps the populace starts as mere illusions, then transition to being shades, and then transition back to being 100% real people if Xanderghul is revived.
I.e., Xanderghul converted his entire populace/armies into magical energy in order to wait out the toll of years.
Awesome idea. I had played with that idea a bit. I really want to play up the tour de force that Xanderghul is. He was the most powerful of all of the Runelords, so he would have a well thought out plan for maximizing his chances for survival. Karzoug and Krune both tipped their hands and were manageable. I think the shades would almost help the PCS along, which would cause them to kind of back off on the entire scheme.
As far as chronomancy is concerned, I'm really not opening that full can of worms. With the scepter of ages and the spells from Second Darkness, it exists but not as a full fledged subschool. I figured stasis on a demiplane with conditional release kind of sidestepped the idea of chronomancy proper.
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I remember a Conan story by Howard. I believe it was the Devil in iron. The people, the civilization all of it, only existed for as long as the devil remained alive and conscious. The people thought of their last moments of their real deaths as something like nightmares. I can't remember the exact details, like whether they only existed during a part of the day, but Xanderghul could have some level of power in that regard. The people won't exist until he awakens fully. But once he dies the power that sustains them dissipates completely. And they fade away.
I really like that mechanic, where Xanderghul is the only way the majority of the populace still survives. I may combine elements of that with some from Zhangar above, having them gradually become more substantial, as shadow conjurations through to shades into full beings again, with a period of time wherein if Xanderghul dies, they all disappear.
Now that I am thinking about it, does anyone have thoughts as to whether being a runelords would potentially have a gained template associated with it. Nearly all of the Runelords killed their predecessors, so would it be canonically correct to create a mechanic imbuing them with powers specific to their domain? I was thinking that if someone were to kill a runelord, and be a wizard specialist of that particular virtue/sin/school, would they inherit the powers/title?
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Xhanderghul, IMO, is hands down the toughest of the Runelords to crack. Non-mythic characters don't stand much of a chance against him simply because they can't penetrate his illusions.
I'd rate him at Mythic Archmage tier 6 (or higher) with 3-5 thematically appropriate templates plus the 20th level Shadow bloodline capstone ability that makes shadow conjuration, shadow evocation and its greater counterparts 20% more real. This means his shades are 100% real and probably are substantially enhanced above the norm.
Being able to perceive his illusions for what they are should be a monumental task. "Canon" seems to indicate that none of the other Runelords were successful in doing so. I'd estimate that only Emperor Xin when he was alive was able to do so with any degree of success.
Each Runelord acquired their own unique abilities asides from "mere" Wizard levels. For example, Sorshen acquired the Inveigler and Suzerain templates at a minimum as implied in the finale of CotCT. Quite a few takes on her add on some degree of vampire or dread vampire abilities.
Inheriting a mythic tier for each PC that survives the encounter with Sorshen or Xhanderghul seems appropriate. Not so for the "lesser" (non-mythic) Runelords.
Xhanderghul is going to have a good half-dozen artifacts of his own as part of his personal gear, most if not almost all of them major artifacts, asides from a Sihedron Tome of Pride.
I'd probably write him up as a ~CR 28 stat block, then add mini-onions. Lots of mini-onions.
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Xhanderghul, IMO, is hands down the toughest of the Runelords to crack. Non-mythic characters don't stand much of a chance against him simply because they can't penetrate his illusions.
I'd rate him at Mythic Archmage tier 6 (or higher) with 3-5 thematically appropriate templates plus the 20th level Shadow bloodline capstone ability that makes shadow conjuration, shadow evocation and its greater counterparts 20% more real. This means his shades are 100% real and probably are substantially enhanced above the norm.
Being able to perceive his illusions for what they are should be a monumental task. "Canon" seems to indicate that none of the other Runelords were successful in doing so. I'd estimate that only Emperor Xin when he was alive was able to do so with any degree of success.
Each Runelord acquired their own unique abilities asides from "mere" Wizard levels. For example, Sorshen acquired the Inveigler and Suzerain templates at a minimum as implied in the finale of CotCT. Quite a few takes on her add on some degree of vampire or dread vampire abilities.
Inheriting a mythic tier for each PC that survives the encounter with Sorshen or Xhanderghul seems appropriate. Not so for the "lesser" (non-mythic) Runelords.
Xhanderghul is going to have a good half-dozen artifacts of his own as part of his personal gear, most if not almost all of them major artifacts, asides from a Sihedron Tome of Pride.
I'd probably write him up as a ~CR 28 stat block, then add mini-onions. Lots of mini-onions.
I really appreciate everything above! Xanderghul is definitely a rough one. I honestly don't know if I am even going to properly Stat him up. I definitely want to use him as a centerpiece to the campaign, but not necessarily as the BBEG. After the PCS let him loose as described above, Xanderghul is going to attempt to Co opt them into his scheme. It gets pretty complex, but he has been able to.manipulate various power players for the last 2000 years to force just the right set of circumstances for his return. In The grand scheme of the campaign, he has total control over several members of the decemvirate, and has been using them to help eliminate his runelord rivals. Zutha, Krune, Karzoug and Xin have all been permanently killed through various paizo products. In my version Bellimarius was killed in the immediate aftermath of the starfall. That leaves Sorshen and Alaznist. Sorshen is in the Grand Mastaba and Alaznist in Hollow Mountain. As the PCS are making their way into XinCyrusian, multiple teams are headed into the mountain to thwart Alaznist. Once they raze the mountain by basically dumping vast amounts of adventurers into it, the society will have culled anyone who would object to Xanderghul being overt. He will also utilize his longstanding pact with fahfneir and have him mobilize the linnorms against the Linnorms Kings and Mammoth lords along with the Winter Witches of Irrisen. Xanderghul's legions will move on belkzen, the river kingdoms and varisia, while Xanderghul proper heads to Xin and tries to revitalize the clockwork army there to send southward and secure southern varisia from Chelaxion and Nidalese intervention. The PCs will be exposed as his descendents, beginning to gain mythic levels there while acting as generals and field marshals for his armies and military campaigns, or as ambassadors to Garund.
Just realized that was a ton of writing. The PCs can work for or against him. Either way, they will need to take military action, evade assassination, and try to maintain power in the new Cyrusian world. Thoughts?
I will only say this about Xanderghul: In my Golarion, he's already awake and he has the power to "awaken" illusions as well, making them sentient beings.
My Shattered Star group will be confronting Runelord Sorshen in her mastaba over the next two weeks, attaining 20th level before they get to do much more than look at her funny. It's going to be nasty. And she's only Trickster 3rd tier clocking in at a CR 24-25. She hasn't had anywhere near the build-up time Karzoug enjoyed, let alone Xanderghul.
If the PCs take too long, this changes of course...
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My Shattered Star group will be confronting Runelord Sorshen in her mastaba over the next two weeks, attaining 20th level before they get to do much more than look at her funny. It's going to be nasty. And she's only Trickster 3rd tier clocking in at a CR 24-25. She hasn't had anywhere near the build-up time Karzoug enjoyed, let alone Xanderghul.
If the PCs take too long, this changes of course...
If you don't mind, let me know how that turns out. I may, with your permission, have your group act as the Sorshen expedition. Ties things up in a neat little bow for the 6 (7) other runelords...
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I will only say this about Xanderghul: In my Golarion, he's already awake and he has the power to "awaken" illusions as well, making them sentient beings.
I am totally stealing this idea. I actually hadn't considered that. That's a pretty nifty unique power.
Speaking of unique powers, anyone have any nifty ideas for Xanderghul? I was thinking of almost using hallucinatory terrain in the way described above, where he can basically reform a battlefield anyway he wants...
I will only say this about Xanderghul: In my Golarion, he's already awake and he has the power to "awaken" illusions as well, making them sentient beings.I am totally stealing this idea. I actually hadn't considered that. That's a pretty nifty unique power.
Speaking of unique powers, anyone have any nifty ideas for Xanderghul? I was thinking of almost using hallucinatory terrain in the way described above, where he can basically reform a battlefield anyway he wants...
Kyle's Golarion is similar to mine - Xanderghul's already awake, has been for ~2 centuries .. and no one, no one has a clue except for a few souls that most perceive to be of the tinfoil haberdashery patronizing sorts. I like Kyle's idea, consider that yoinked if the opportunity arises.
Asides from stealing anything and everything from assorted "shadowy/illusion-y" bloodlines/mysteries that isn't nailed down? ;)
Stealing foe's shadows and making them into copies of those they came from. Think mirror of opposition-style. In essence, a master's simulacrum cast as a standard action.
If you don't mind, let me know how that turns out. I may, with your permission, have your group act as the Sorshen expedition. Ties things up in a neat little bow for the 6 (7) other runelords...My Shattered Star group will be confronting Runelord Sorshen in her mastaba over the next two weeks, attaining 20th level before they get to do much more than look at her funny. It's going to be nasty. And she's only Trickster 3rd tier clocking in at a CR 24-25. She hasn't had anywhere near the build-up time Karzoug enjoyed, let alone Xanderghul.
If the PCs take too long, this changes of course...
Feel free to do so. I'll drop a linky to the campaign journal as they enter the mastaba this Saturday the 8th of August.
If/when the PCs kill her/drive her off, I'll post my stat block for Sorshen in that thread. She's ... impressive. Which is why I fear for those attempting to confront Xanderghul.
Another thread is discussing Sorshen using dominated mini-onions to build her Everdawn Pool. I don't see this working for several reasons, not the least of which is that Sorshen suffers the same unwillingness to share her toys that all of the Runelords seem to have.
There's also the stupid-simple Arcane Discovery route, which she and Xanderghul (if no others) had more than an eon to refine Opposition Research into Prohibited School Research. (Hint: necromancy is no longer an issue.)
Unwilling partners are slaves, fit only for labor and as fodder in an army or to feed that army. Sorshen currently doesn't have an army. ;)
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If you don't mind, let me know how that turns out. I may, with your permission, have your group act as the Sorshen expedition. Ties things up in a neat little bow for the 6 (7) other runelords...My Shattered Star group will be confronting Runelord Sorshen in her mastaba over the next two weeks, attaining 20th level before they get to do much more than look at her funny. It's going to be nasty. And she's only Trickster 3rd tier clocking in at a CR 24-25. She hasn't had anywhere near the build-up time Karzoug enjoyed, let alone Xanderghul.
If the PCs take too long, this changes of course...
Feel free to do so. I'll drop a linky to the campaign journal as they enter the mastaba this Saturday the 8th of August.
If/when the PCs kill her/drive her off, I'll post my stat block for Sorshen in that thread. She's ... impressive. Which is why I fear for those attempting to confront Xanderghul.
Another thread is discussing Sorshen using dominated mini-onions to build her Everdawn Pool. I don't see this working for several reasons, not the least of which is that Sorshen suffers the same unwillingness to share her toys that all of the Runelords seem to have.
There's also the stupid-simple Arcane Discovery route, which she and Xanderghul (if no others) had more than an eon to refine Opposition Research into Prohibited School Research. (Hint: necromancy is no longer an issue.)
Unwilling partners are slaves, fit only for labor and as fodder in an army or to feed that army. Sorshen currently doesn't have an army. ;)
So I have been toying with builds for Xanderghul for a long time and have made several attempts to bring over some of the shadow caster elements from WotC products in 3.5. The feel of them, and not necessarily the mechanics, really seemed to gel nicely and I have been trying to get it to work mechanically without porting the entire alternate magical system. I can shoot you the hero lab files I have made for them once I get it to make sense the way I envision it. I was also thinking of grafting binder/medium esque portions in the form of unique abilities, as he would've manipulated or force of willed cosmic entities to his own devices. I am still bouncing those back and forth, so they are no where near ready for prime time. Again if you'd like I can shoot you the files if you are interested. Once I get a handle on how he is completely shaping up, I will post them here.
I think you won't need to quite make it so elaborate. Prohibited School Research (Conjuration) is a suitable Arcane Discovery. He bound angelic armies and dragons to his will, so he makes use of planar binding - possibly variants that last longer or by means of subsequent magic extends their length of involuntary service. Also - heheh - there's every possibility that the angels were all shades whilst the dragons are very real.
That WotC product isn't one I'm familiar with, but it's easy enough to simply lift the juicy parts and splice them in as part of one or two "templates" out of the (3-5) templates. ;)
HeroLab is not something I have/use.
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I think you won't need to quite make it so elaborate. Prohibited School Research (Conjuration) is a suitable Arcane Discovery. He bound angelic armies and dragons to his will, so he makes use of planar binding - possibly variants that last longer or by means of subsequent magic extends their length of involuntary service. Also - heheh - there's every possibility that the angels were all shades whilst the dragons are very real.
That WotC product isn't one I'm familiar with, but it's easy enough to simply lift the juicy parts and splice them in as part of one or two "templates" out of the (3-5) templates. ;)
HeroLab is not something I have/use.
Tome of Magic. Also, my group and I always remind ourselves that herolab makes you lazy (which it certainly can), so we usually try the old fashioned hand jam and numbercrunch. That may be part of my problem... I fell for Krune's slippery dlope...
Part 1 of my group's sojourn into Sorshen's mastaba can be found here.
Next Saturday the campaign concludes. Victorious or not remains to be determined. ;)