hope stones

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

wizarddude

Apr 26, 2010 1:38:41
Hi,

I am running a 4e campaign in Mystara.  One of the players is playing a character from Irendi who is obsesed with finding the hope stones.  I plan on eventually running an adventure to fine one or more of them.  Perhaps either "The Purloined Tablet" (Gaz 4, pg13)  or "Leave no stone unturned" (pg 17).

Has anyone developed an adventure based on these hooks (for any edition)?

How do the immortals feel about  the People's Temple having them hidden?  Would they support the players for revealing the truth?  Or is this a truth or old docturine that they want to remain hidden?  Which immortals would care?

thanks,
Mike
#2

Hugin

Apr 26, 2010 8:18:22
Very interesting character goal! Lots to develop and run with, but also tons of potential.
#3

drpaige

Apr 28, 2010 9:56:13
You know, it is an interesting idea you bring up.  On one hand, it certainly does not seem that Tomia had any clerical powers or backing.  Seems more like a charlatan character with good intentions.  

But the fact that the original stones are being protected after Tomia, that suggests that now there is Immortal backing on the faith.  Current clerics certainly have sponsorship from someone.

I guess the question is who is backing the People's Temple?  I guess it is up to you to decide the inner Immortal politics of the People's Temple.  If you want it to be sinister, go with Loki or another Entropy Immortal using the Temple as a way to pull from other faiths, like The Eternal Truth.  A more positive Immortal can be chosen for more beneficial aspects.  I guess it is up to you how you want to use the People's Temple.

In hand, depending on what Immortal is backing the Temple will determine the view of the stones.

I've never seen anyone else write anything about the Hope Stones, so I think you have full reign to do what you feel. Not that you didn't have that before, but you are not going to give anyone butt-hurt feelings on working with the Hope Stones.

If it was me, I would use a minor (Initiate or Temporal) good Immortal who is trying to get the Temple back in order.  Resurfacing the Stones will return the faith to it's intended path.  The clerics on the other hand, don't necessarily want this, as per the motives given in the Gaz4.  I would suggest Koryis as the Immortal patron.  His passive nature would give, semi-logical, reason why there is no immediate consequences to the alteration of his faith.  It would also be good reasons why he is using adventurers to fix his problem (aka, his negotiators).  Again, just my suggestion.
#4

Hugin

Apr 29, 2010 8:37:37
But the fact that the original stones are being protected after Tomia, that suggests that now there is Immortal backing on the faith.  Current clerics certainly have sponsorship from someone.


This is something I think the Immortals would do through time as they discovered people groups with developing cultures/ religions that have aspecs of the Immortal's portfolio. For example, Ixion most likely found early humans that had developed a culture or rudimentary religion around fire, and thus inserted / revealed himself in some manner to them, thus gaining followers.
#5

wizarddude

Apr 29, 2010 14:19:10
Thanks for the replies.  Here are some ideas I've come up with based on your comments.

1) The immortals are indifferent about the hope stones.  They only care that they are worshipped and how is not important to them.  However they would probably prefer that the stones not be revealed since it will have a negative effect on the church, and thus they may of a net loss of worshippers.

2) Tomia was a agent of Loki or Loki himself.  He created the hope stones to encourge rituals and practices that would be favorable to Loki.  Over time the priests recognized the wrongness of these practices and phased them out and replaced them with more resonable pratices.  Loki wants to either bring back these practices or destroy the church, so he has sent agents to talk the group into finding the stones.

3) Loki is aware of the changes made to the hope stones and wishes to cause chaos in the church so gets the search in progress.

I like the idea of using Loki because anouther member in the group is an Avenger from Vestland who worships Thor and is hunting assasins who worship Loki, so now maybe I can combine these two characters goals.