Wandering God - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Wandering God

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Myst_the_Moonscout
Apr 28, 2004 15:29:26 This doesn't fit collectivly in one place so I am spreading it around. Basicaly I am collecting bits and pieces of knowledge and theories on obscure things to use with an ancient deity.
He is a forgotten god of the afterlife and lore. His pantheon is dead but he remains, recovering and preserving lost knowledge and other forgotten discoveries.

I would like any info on the mists or anything else of note if anyone feels like contributing. Info, facts, wives tales, anything interesting I can work with. Any thoughts?
#2
zombiegleemax
Apr 30, 2004 5:00:57 I'm not quite sure what you're asking for.

Am I correct in the reading that you want Ravenloft campaign info on the Mists that might tie in with this diety?

-Eric Gorman
#3
Myst_the_Moonscout
Apr 30, 2004 13:38:23 In truth, I'm not really sure what I'm asking for but that sounds about right. Campaign info or significant events in Ravenloft history.
#4
zombiegleemax
Apr 30, 2004 23:43:25 Others with willing to sort through Mangrum's Annotated RL Timeline can do better than I but I'll at least start the ball rolling.

(1) The Mists: are part of a demi-plane in the (Deep) Ethereal that set the boundaries of Ravenloft. Tendrils of them seem to "leak" out to other locations and act as a transport that sometimes pulls people from outside locations into Ravenloft. Typically a big mist rolls in on the party and by the time its gone the PCs are "elsewhere".

The laws of reality inside RL are a bit distant from the rest of the multiverse. No divination spell can determine good or evil. Many other divination spells are also hampered. There is no way for mortal magic to take you out of RL once you are inside - even a wish can't do it. Priests who find themselves in RL feel a "distance" to their deity...and it may not even be their deity who grants them spells while inside.

(2) The Demi-Plane: The main stomping grounds of Ravenloft is called the Core and consists of several domains. There are also clusters and Islands floating in the mist as well. Each domain is a bit like a country, but is really a customized prison for a dark Lord (or several related Lords) that reflect the sins of that doomed individual. Each darklord desires something greatly and has those desires continually thwarted. To date only two Darklords have ever gained their freedom - Vecna and Lord Soth. Vecna over powered the "jailors" (see below) and Soth came to terms with his sins. Within each domian the darklord has certain abilities that trump any mortal magic. For example most Lords can close their domain border somehow. The Lich Azalin causes an unending horde of undead to rise several ranks deep. You can't fly or teleport over it and for every thing you cut down another rises in its place. Each DL is a prisoner and can't leave their domain. Many DLs also rule as the major political figure of their realm.

(3) The jailers: we still don't know squat about what RL is governed by. And its a traditional staple of the camapaign that no official answer will ever be given by the writters. Some people says it is the sentient core of the mists, other refer to Dark Powers (presumably deific creatures) or the "death" entity that made its bargain with Strahd and presumably created the first domain of Barovia. Whatever it is - there does seem to be some malign purpose to RL.

(4) Notable figures: The two most powerful DL's in the core are Strahd (the "Dracula" of RL) and Azalin (a lich, and one time Strahd's mentor in magic before gaining his own domain). Most of the major event's in RL are a result of one or the other in their long term plans. Also important are the Vistani, a group of mysterious gypsies who have the ability to navigate the mists and even (among the most power group or Tasque) to leave Ravenloft entirely. Their women have powers of Foretelling as well. The Vistani have a legend about a male of their line being born with the same powers the women have. This "Dukkar" is prohesied to bring ruin and destruction. They seem to have no clerics of Dieties, but one of their leaders is known as Madame Eva has the stats of a 10th level cleric.

Slightly less important: the Gentleman Caller and his spawn Malochio. The GC is an inncubus with his own far reaching schemes. His motives have so far been inscrutable. His son Malochio is was born of the DL Gabrielle Aldare (part Vistani herself) and would have the power to move people into and out of RL (even including the DLs) save for the fact that the vistani have trapped him in the domain of Invidia.

(5) Major events: *THE FIRST DOMAIN* Strahd killed his brother Sergei in a pact with an entity calling itself death in order to stop growing older. With Segei gone he hoped to claim the love of Sergei's would be bride Tatyana. Tatyana commits suicide instead, Strahd becomes a vampire, his country Barrovia becomes surrounded by mists. What appears to be the true reincarnation of Tatyana will continually re-appear in Barrovia. Strahd will try to possess her/win her love each time but events will conspire to lead all his efforts to failure. *THE VISTANI ARRIVE* They negotiate free passage and protection from Strahd in exchange for acting as his ears and eyes. *AZALIN ARRIVES* He's tough enough to take out Strahd but doesn't know what would then happen to Barrovia. If Barovia discorporates with Strahd's death then Azalin might cease to exist too. Reluctantly Azalin serves as Strahd's mentor as the two try to escape. Azalin and Strahd come to loathe each other. *OTHER DOMAINS APPEAR* From these examples, ultimately Azalin walks into the mist and forms the Domain of Darkon ending his efforts to escape with Strahd. *THE GRAND CONJUCTION* Manipulating events to fulfill an ancient Vistani Prophesy Azalin nearly causes the disoloution of RL. Briefly the DLs all run free. Even though its stopped the geography of the Core is permantly changed as a result. *BITTER HARVEST* Azalin tries again to escape from Ravenloft with a device that will infuse him with enough negative energy to turn him into a demi-lich and escape. It instead goes off like a negative energy nuclear bomb and levels his capitol. Azalin temporarily appears destroyed but ultimately returns. In the aftermath a new DL is created who rules the created "Necropolis" (Death, formerly a clone of Azalin turned into a "negative energy elemental").

Also: *GENTLEMAN CALLER ARRIVES* He's ostensibly fleeing Isolde who will become the master of the travelling Carnival when she enters Ravenloft in pursuit. He seems to have long range plans that we don't know the full extent off. Among other things he sires a Dukar (Malochio) the feared adversary of the Vistani.

In the Future: Sometime in the future an event called *THE TIME OF UNPARRALLED DARKNESS* is coming. We don't know what it will be or who instigates it but it will be bad.

(6) Major Religions of the Core: Transplanted Religions: The Cult of the Morning Lord CG (derived from lathander of the Forgattten Realms), The Lawgiver LN/LE (derived from Bane of the Forgotten Realms) Belenius N/NE/NG(derrived from Celtic Myths).

Native Faiths: Hala (N, the witch goddess). Servants of Hala tend to be healers who keep a low profile. They hate and have some connection to hags. The Eternal Order (LE) cobbled togther from the faiths of several death/afterlife dieties this religion is prominent but in decline in Darkon. Ezra LN,N,LG,LE (The Protector). Ezra when into the Mist to seek succor for the people who lived in the Hallow. Probably the most powerful faith in the Core it is divided around the home bastions (Cathedrals) of 4 countries. The Wolf God, CE - favored by werewolves and hunters.

Hope that helps somehow.

-Eric Gorman
#5
Myst_the_Moonscout
May 01, 2004 0:49:35 It helps very much, thank you.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Myst_the_Moonscout Apr 28, 2004 15:29:26	This doesn't fit collectivly in one place so I am spreading it around. Basicaly I am collecting bits and pieces of knowledge and theories on obscure things to use with an ancient deity. He is a forgotten god of the afterlife and lore. His pantheon is dead but he remains, recovering and preserving lost knowledge and other forgotten discoveries. I would like any info on the mists or anything else of note if anyone feels like contributing. Info, facts, wives tales, anything interesting I can work with. Any thoughts?
#2 zombiegleemax Apr 30, 2004 5:00:57	I'm not quite sure what you're asking for. Am I correct in the reading that you want Ravenloft campaign info on the Mists that might tie in with this diety? -Eric Gorman
#3 Myst_the_Moonscout Apr 30, 2004 13:38:23	In truth, I'm not really sure what I'm asking for but that sounds about right. Campaign info or significant events in Ravenloft history.
#4 zombiegleemax Apr 30, 2004 23:43:25	Others with willing to sort through Mangrum's Annotated RL Timeline can do better than I but I'll at least start the ball rolling. (1) The Mists: are part of a demi-plane in the (Deep) Ethereal that set the boundaries of Ravenloft. Tendrils of them seem to "leak" out to other locations and act as a transport that sometimes pulls people from outside locations into Ravenloft. Typically a big mist rolls in on the party and by the time its gone the PCs are "elsewhere". The laws of reality inside RL are a bit distant from the rest of the multiverse. No divination spell can determine good or evil. Many other divination spells are also hampered. There is no way for mortal magic to take you out of RL once you are inside - even a wish can't do it. Priests who find themselves in RL feel a "distance" to their deity...and it may not even be their deity who grants them spells while inside. (2) The Demi-Plane: The main stomping grounds of Ravenloft is called the Core and consists of several domains. There are also clusters and Islands floating in the mist as well. Each domain is a bit like a country, but is really a customized prison for a dark Lord (or several related Lords) that reflect the sins of that doomed individual. Each darklord desires something greatly and has those desires continually thwarted. To date only two Darklords have ever gained their freedom - Vecna and Lord Soth. Vecna over powered the "jailors" (see below) and Soth came to terms with his sins. Within each domian the darklord has certain abilities that trump any mortal magic. For example most Lords can close their domain border somehow. The Lich Azalin causes an unending horde of undead to rise several ranks deep. You can't fly or teleport over it and for every thing you cut down another rises in its place. Each DL is a prisoner and can't leave their domain. Many DLs also rule as the major political figure of their realm. (3) The jailers: we still don't know squat about what RL is governed by. And its a traditional staple of the camapaign that no official answer will ever be given by the writters. Some people says it is the sentient core of the mists, other refer to Dark Powers (presumably deific creatures) or the "death" entity that made its bargain with Strahd and presumably created the first domain of Barovia. Whatever it is - there does seem to be some malign purpose to RL. (4) Notable figures: The two most powerful DL's in the core are Strahd (the "Dracula" of RL) and Azalin (a lich, and one time Strahd's mentor in magic before gaining his own domain). Most of the major event's in RL are a result of one or the other in their long term plans. Also important are the Vistani, a group of mysterious gypsies who have the ability to navigate the mists and even (among the most power group or Tasque) to leave Ravenloft entirely. Their women have powers of Foretelling as well. The Vistani have a legend about a male of their line being born with the same powers the women have. This "Dukkar" is prohesied to bring ruin and destruction. They seem to have no clerics of Dieties, but one of their leaders is known as Madame Eva has the stats of a 10th level cleric. Slightly less important: the Gentleman Caller and his spawn Malochio. The GC is an inncubus with his own far reaching schemes. His motives have so far been inscrutable. His son Malochio is was born of the DL Gabrielle Aldare (part Vistani herself) and would have the power to move people into and out of RL (even including the DLs) save for the fact that the vistani have trapped him in the domain of Invidia. (5) Major events: THE FIRST DOMAIN Strahd killed his brother Sergei in a pact with an entity calling itself death in order to stop growing older. With Segei gone he hoped to claim the love of Sergei's would be bride Tatyana. Tatyana commits suicide instead, Strahd becomes a vampire, his country Barrovia becomes surrounded by mists. What appears to be the true reincarnation of Tatyana will continually re-appear in Barrovia. Strahd will try to possess her/win her love each time but events will conspire to lead all his efforts to failure. THE VISTANI ARRIVE They negotiate free passage and protection from Strahd in exchange for acting as his ears and eyes. AZALIN ARRIVES He's tough enough to take out Strahd but doesn't know what would then happen to Barrovia. If Barovia discorporates with Strahd's death then Azalin might cease to exist too. Reluctantly Azalin serves as Strahd's mentor as the two try to escape. Azalin and Strahd come to loathe each other. OTHER DOMAINS APPEAR From these examples, ultimately Azalin walks into the mist and forms the Domain of Darkon ending his efforts to escape with Strahd. THE GRAND CONJUCTION Manipulating events to fulfill an ancient Vistani Prophesy Azalin nearly causes the disoloution of RL. Briefly the DLs all run free. Even though its stopped the geography of the Core is permantly changed as a result. BITTER HARVEST Azalin tries again to escape from Ravenloft with a device that will infuse him with enough negative energy to turn him into a demi-lich and escape. It instead goes off like a negative energy nuclear bomb and levels his capitol. Azalin temporarily appears destroyed but ultimately returns. In the aftermath a new DL is created who rules the created "Necropolis" (Death, formerly a clone of Azalin turned into a "negative energy elemental"). Also: GENTLEMAN CALLER ARRIVES He's ostensibly fleeing Isolde who will become the master of the travelling Carnival when she enters Ravenloft in pursuit. He seems to have long range plans that we don't know the full extent off. Among other things he sires a Dukar (Malochio) the feared adversary of the Vistani. In the Future: Sometime in the future an event called THE TIME OF UNPARRALLED DARKNESS is coming. We don't know what it will be or who instigates it but it will be bad. (6) Major Religions of the Core: Transplanted Religions: The Cult of the Morning Lord CG (derived from lathander of the Forgattten Realms), The Lawgiver LN/LE (derived from Bane of the Forgotten Realms) Belenius N/NE/NG(derrived from Celtic Myths). Native Faiths: Hala (N, the witch goddess). Servants of Hala tend to be healers who keep a low profile. They hate and have some connection to hags. The Eternal Order (LE) cobbled togther from the faiths of several death/afterlife dieties this religion is prominent but in decline in Darkon. Ezra LN,N,LG,LE (The Protector). Ezra when into the Mist to seek succor for the people who lived in the Hallow. Probably the most powerful faith in the Core it is divided around the home bastions (Cathedrals) of 4 countries. The Wolf God, CE - favored by werewolves and hunters. Hope that helps somehow. -Eric Gorman
#5 Myst_the_Moonscout May 01, 2004 0:49:35	It helps very much, thank you.