| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
I know the canon material for a few Runelords, how they survived and where they are trapped.
So, what about the other 3? Is there any canon, or hint, about how they survived, or where they are hidding? It's easy to suppose that Azlanist might be hidding below the Hollow Mountain, but that's not sure as far as I know. Also, I have no clue about how did she attain inmortality or survived the 10.000 years since the Earthfall.
The other 2, I have no clue
A standard Wizard can attain immortality at Wizard 20 if he chooses that particular Arcane Discovery (introduced in UM). I would assume that Thassilonian specialists can also choose arcane discoveries.
However, some of the the lower-ranked Runelords might not have reached (or exceeded) Wizard 20, so they would have chosen other routes to immortality.
One theory has it that the Runelord of Pride IS the Peacock Spirit (via the Mythic rules). A related theory has it that he is Razmir (although I don't know why a Wizard would masquerade as a Sorcerer masquerading as a non-Starstone-ascended deity).
Some of the runelords don't have lvl 20 yet. Krune is 18th I think. Besides that, "pick Inmortality discovery" is just the mechanical thing. It still has an effect in background and fluff, which is more important, specially for NPCs. Bathing yourself in the blood of 1001 virgins in the Great Mastaba has a very different feel than drinking water from the fountain of youth, becoming a lich, creating the sun orchid elixir, or having a painting in your cellar that becomes old for you, even if all of them could work as a Discovery of Inmortality
I've heard the theory about the Peacok spirit, and it sounds solid. The part about masquerading as Razmir sounds more convoluted, though. Specially as Razmir is mortal and still seeks inmortality through sun orchids elixir through contacts in Thuvia. He's getting older, by the Campaign book, which doesn't make sense if he were Xanderghul
I know the canon material for a few Runelords, how they survived and where they are trapped.
So, what about the other 3? Is there any canon, or hint, about how they survived, or where they are hidding? It's easy to suppose that Azlanist might be hidding below the Hollow Mountain, but that's not sure as far as I know. Also, I have no clue about how did she attain inmortality or survived the 10.000 years since the Earthfall.
Dungeons of Golarion describes Hollow Mountain (briefly.. like all the entries, it is more overview and 1 level than a complete level-by-level thing) and indeed puts Alaznist's refuge there... somewhere.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
@Myrryr Xanderghul's was the Kodar Mountains in north Varisia and part of Linnorm Kings land, Southmoor. Most of Azlanist's kingdom is underwater now, including Xin, the original capital of Thassilon, but the most relvant part, Hollow Mountain (which is where Urath DM confirms that Azlanist hides) is above sea level. Also half of Sorshen kingdom was sunk.
EDIT: a map of old Thassilon
Yes, he has all the potential to be a real major threat. But probably his political maneouvering wiould be even more dangerous than his combat ability.
I think a good way to show his power is to notice that his ream was defended by armies of angels. And he has Conjuration as a prohibited school
the novel Lord of Runes changes who owns the 3 parts of Zutha's phylactery and it gives the location of his resting place
As previously speculated, I suspect Xhanderghul is Mengkare. Good luck finding him ... ;)
Creative Director
|
Yes, he has all the potential to be a real major threat. But probably his political maneouvering wiould be even more dangerous than his combat ability.
I think a good way to show his power is to notice that his ream was defended by armies of angels. And he has Conjuration as a prohibited school
Yeah, and Sorshen had necromancy as a prohibited school... yet managed more vampirism than anyone, including actual f*ckin' vampires.
Both of them probably just took Harmonious mage as they're both high tier archmages.
And yeah, his politics would be as scary, if more subtle, than Sorshens. Probably why both were the only two individual Lust and Pride Runelords. That said, an AP where he's resurrected around say, book 3, then you have to deal with everything he's doing in book's 4-6 and manipulating Varisia, Cheliax, Absalom, Ustalav, etc., would be a really awesome thing. Especially after Ultimate Intrigue. And might have a bit of flavor of 'well, you lost heroes, the big bad evil got loose of it's can and is now free to wreak vengeance. What do you do?'. Feels like when Kefka actually blew up the world despite trying to stop him. Having the villain actually win some stuff halfway through the AP would go a huge distance to making him feel really scary and memorable.
After all, Karzoug is built up as a threat... then basically rolls out of bed to get smacked back down.
Keep in mind that Sorshen's chosen school, enchantment, is pretty handy at getting her plenty of loyal slaves to cast all the necromancy she wants.
We'll reveal a lot of this in time, but for now, I'm keeping those cards close to the chest. Until then, the best resource to reference for hints would be the Runelord article we put in the last volume of Shattered Star.
It's a pitty that my campaign probably will finish sooner ^^
But I understand that Xanderghul is probably a major mover and shaker in Golarion, both if he's already awake (be it Razmir, or somebody else) or slumbering and getting ready to be back. Karzoug was a major thread, and he was literally a middle of the pack Runelord.
the novel Lord of Runes changes who owns the 3 parts of Zutha's phylactery and it gives the location of his resting place
OH!
That's something I didn't know. Can I ask for a small spoiler taggered briefing?
Keep in mind that Sorshen's chosen school, enchantment, is pretty handy at getting her plenty of loyal slaves to cast all the necromancy she wants.Yes, he has all the potential to be a real major threat. But probably his political maneouvering wiould be even more dangerous than his combat ability.
I think a good way to show his power is to notice that his ream was defended by armies of angels. And he has Conjuration as a prohibited school
Yeah, and Sorshen had necromancy as a prohibited school... yet managed more vampirism than anyone, including actual f*ckin' vampires.
Both of them probably just took Harmonious mage as they're both high tier archmages.
And yeah, his politics would be as scary, if more subtle, than Sorshens. Probably why both were the only two individual Lust and Pride Runelords. That said, an AP where he's resurrected around say, book 3, then you have to deal with everything he's doing in book's 4-6 and manipulating Varisia, Cheliax, Absalom, Ustalav, etc., would be a really awesome thing. Especially after Ultimate Intrigue. And might have a bit of flavor of 'well, you lost heroes, the big bad evil got loose of it's can and is now free to wreak vengeance. What do you do?'. Feels like when Kefka actually blew up the world despite trying to stop him. Having the villain actually win some stuff halfway through the AP would go a huge distance to making him feel really scary and memorable.
After all, Karzoug is built up as a threat... then basically rolls out of bed to get smacked back down.
Most of them seem to aware of the weakness that having a ban school is, and try to circunvent it, it seems.
Krune does something to get Contingency in Waking Rune. Azlanist is a demonologist, even with Conjuration as a forbidden school. Xanderghul have armies of angels.
I love that about them. They are focused, because of their Sin Magic, but they are incredibly smart, and they understand that they should overcome those weaknesses.
Also would be cool to see the Thassilonian Specialist Wizards (not necessarily Runelords) fleshed out more.
|
Creative Director
|
That... kind of diminishes her accomplishments if instead of her being the one to create the Everdawn Pool she just convinced someone else who was better than her to make it? Seems disheartening honestly.Keep in mind that Sorshen's chosen school, enchantment, is pretty handy at getting her plenty of loyal slaves to cast all the necromancy she wants.Yes, he has all the potential to be a real major threat. But probably his political maneouvering wiould be even more dangerous than his combat ability.
I think a good way to show his power is to notice that his ream was defended by armies of angels. And he has Conjuration as a prohibited school
Yeah, and Sorshen had necromancy as a prohibited school... yet managed more vampirism than anyone, including actual f*ckin' vampires.
Both of them probably just took Harmonious mage as they're both high tier archmages.
And yeah, his politics would be as scary, if more subtle, than Sorshens. Probably why both were the only two individual Lust and Pride Runelords. That said, an AP where he's resurrected around say, book 3, then you have to deal with everything he's doing in book's 4-6 and manipulating Varisia, Cheliax, Absalom, Ustalav, etc., would be a really awesome thing. Especially after Ultimate Intrigue. And might have a bit of flavor of 'well, you lost heroes, the big bad evil got loose of it's can and is now free to wreak vengeance. What do you do?'. Feels like when Kefka actually blew up the world despite trying to stop him. Having the villain actually win some stuff halfway through the AP would go a huge distance to making him feel really scary and memorable.
After all, Karzoug is built up as a threat... then basically rolls out of bed to get smacked back down.
I didn't say she didn't create the Everdawn Pool... and really? The fact that she can mind control whoever she wants (and likely mind control things normally immune to mind affecting effects) plays to her strengths, I think.
That... kind of diminishes her accomplishments if instead of her being the one to create the Everdawn Pool she just convinced someone else who was better than her to make it? Seems disheartening honestly.Keep in mind that Sorshen's chosen school, enchantment, is pretty handy at getting her plenty of loyal slaves to cast all the necromancy she wants.Yes, he has all the potential to be a real major threat. But probably his political maneouvering wiould be even more dangerous than his combat ability.
I think a good way to show his power is to notice that his ream was defended by armies of angels. And he has Conjuration as a prohibited school
Yeah, and Sorshen had necromancy as a prohibited school... yet managed more vampirism than anyone, including actual f*ckin' vampires.
Both of them probably just took Harmonious mage as they're both high tier archmages.
And yeah, his politics would be as scary, if more subtle, than Sorshens. Probably why both were the only two individual Lust and Pride Runelords. That said, an AP where he's resurrected around say, book 3, then you have to deal with everything he's doing in book's 4-6 and manipulating Varisia, Cheliax, Absalom, Ustalav, etc., would be a really awesome thing. Especially after Ultimate Intrigue. And might have a bit of flavor of 'well, you lost heroes, the big bad evil got loose of it's can and is now free to wreak vengeance. What do you do?'. Feels like when Kefka actually blew up the world despite trying to stop him. Having the villain actually win some stuff halfway through the AP would go a huge distance to making him feel really scary and memorable.
After all, Karzoug is built up as a threat... then basically rolls out of bed to get smacked back down.
I don't think the lackeys she dominates are "better than her", to be honest
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
I don't think the forbidden schools for Thassilonian magic are related to focusing or just being lazy. It's something intrinsecal to the sin magic itself, those sins oppose each other. If it was just a matter of lack of study, a Runeforged weapon wouldn't get magical properties against a kind of sin magic just because it holds the opposite sin(s). It's part of this kind of magic, and thus a supernatural handicap, not just that you didn't like to attend that particular class in Hogwarts.
Runelords dodge that supernatural forbidance going through different methos, such as conjuration, enchantment, or deception of people who can, or using magic items or powerful artifacts. I personally love this part of the Runelords personality/background, YMMV
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
To flesh out my above idea about fleshing out Thassilonian Specialist Wiards some more, here is the example that comes to mind for Thassilonian Specialists of Wrath (Evocation):
New Wizard Discovery (can be taken when any other Wizard Discovery could be taken, but requires you to be a Wrath Thassilonian Specialist of Wrath of at least 5th level): Furious casting, which gives you the Benefit of Mad Magic as a bonus feat even if you do not meet the qualifications. In addition, Rage effects boost your spellcasting modifier by the same amount that they boost your physical ability scores (if more than one, the highest one applies); this benefit includes raising the DC of spells you cast under such effects. This does not automatically give you the ability to enter a rage -- you have to gain that by some other means (such as casting the Rage spell on yourself, receiving induced Rage from an ally, or taking levels in Barbarian, Bloodrager, or Skald).
Alternatively, instead of a Wizard Discovery, this could be a replacement for the Evoker's normal first level Arcane School abilities (although giving up the option of Admixture would be painful), and also allow the Thassilonian Specialist of Wrath to gain rounds of Rage like a Skald (which makes up for much of the pain of losing the option of Admixture).
|
Huh? Where does info that Alaznist is in the mountain comes from? I thought I had heard somewhere(can't remember if it was this forum or somewhere else) something to contrary, but I might remember wrong too ._.; Second hand sources (and bad memory) are unreliable
Also, where does info on Sorhsen's location come from and is it confirmed or is it in setting rumor?
Xanderghul is completely mystery what happened to him and about Belimarius... Well no clue either, maybe he is actually dead or something? :P
Alaznist is in Dungeons of Golarion in black and white (with colour illustrations). This places her in the top floor of the mountain with a nascent demon lord in the basement.
Sorshen if confirmed I believe in the Curse of the Crimson Throne and is I believe certain.
Technically, "Alaznist retreated to a place of safety accessed via her runewell located in her Demesne at the top of Hollow Mountain. Yet the realm into which Alaznist retreated is not physically present within Hollow Mountain."