I love Athas and its Elves. So much than a reunion group from my college days is having a party. I asked the master and he agreed I can play an Athasian Elf in Forgotten realm. I used the planar gate from City by the Sea of Silt campaing to take my PC to FR.
What do you think would be (if necessary) the adjustment from DS to FR in terms of stats? from a character? None? I've never played one character from one setting into another.
My guess is that I created the character in DS using the rules from Athas.org and then just use it as it is in FR?
Thanks for the advice
Cheers
I personally am quite interested in finding out how an Elf got to use Dregoth's personal, and highly prized mirror for travel. Last I checked, he wasn't a travel agency.
He is, but it costs a whole lot. More than you probably want to spend.
Character's reaction =
Me, I've used Dregoth himself as a "quest hub" of sorts for adventurers in places like Krynn... I don't personally run the Realms (they aren't my style), but Dregoth has proven to be an invaluable and bizarre addition to my campaigns that occasionally has resulted in the entire party being wiped (like some foolish Paladin getting a "bad vibe" from the creepy old guy and doing a "detect alignment" on him... getting Dregoth a bit upset... and everyone dies. While making the new batch of characters, everyone repeatedly says something to the effect of "don't look the gift horse in the mouth"... or having a few good laughs at the paladin's player and how absolutely brilliant it was to end that campaign suddenly)
I run my Dark Sun campaigns with all of the Transitive Planes being locked down, except for the obscure Plane of Mirrors that takes an effort to even be able to use or access (which I claim the Planar Mirror uses), and I rule that the Inner Planes are exclusive to each Material Plane (but Outer Planes are shared in my campaigns), I have a very limited form of travel I allow between Athas and the Outer Planes (or other Material Planes/worlds entirely). I do have a process that people can stumble into Ravenloft which I've used... not that that is anything resembling a better situation.
Basically, I rule planar travel (other than the Inner Planes, Black, or Gray) is restrictive, but not completely disallowed. I have had situations where characters accidentally slipped through into Athas (and didn't last very long after that, since a random roll dropped them in the middle of the Crimson Savnnah). So, as such, I'm curious about how others figure out some kind of travel (as long as it mostly fits within what I personally think is the only allowed/permissible modes of planar travel for Athasians). Your idea intrigues me, I'm merely curious how the story came to pass.
Mechanically you're good to go, but your elf would look alot different from Faerunian subraces and be alot taller as well. Athas.org elf is probably slightly better than the PHB one- favoured class rogue instead of wizard (Dwarves make beter wizards believe it or not) and fater speed as most of the core elfs racial package is kinda lame.
if you are playing 3.5, then no changes are needed. 3.5 is balanced across the board.
thanks. the DM is using the 3.5 v too then we are all set.
I personally am quite interested in finding out how an Elf got to use Dregoth's personal, and highly prized mirror for travel. Last I checked, he wasn't a travel agency.
I know my friend. The DM is not in DS but agreed with me to have my DS elf in his setting just for fun.
The PC is a spy from Night Runners tribe. The first idea i had was that she was caught in a raid made by the Shadows (paid by a mind lord). She was kept as a slave. This mindlord will feed his own portal to see if he can scape the athas sphere. the mindlord placed a "tracking device" on everyone sending out that way she was sent out and end up in FR.
Reviewing my books, I found the planar gate of Dregoth. the story i made was a little different but I understood the planar gate can communicate with everyone with psionics abilities (telepathy). This way my PC was not going in FR naked but with some weapons and stuff.
I'm more interested in playing an elf thinking she returned to the green age of athas and finding out she isn't there than how she got there.
Thanks to all for the comments
Don't let them get to you Aggilus, my Athasian half-elf ended also up in the Realmsafter our first DS game fizzeled out, only I went by way of Planescape.
Character's reaction =
Thanks Phoenix.... they won't get me.. I'm already out of Athas. hehehehehehe
I've gotten Athasian people brought into Ravenloft before. I just find it a little curious as to how an elf sweet-talked Dregoth.
Xlorep, the second idea (of how she crossed worlds) was like this.... my PC is an spy from the new moon clan of the night runners. She had access to many nobles and templars and clerics from several cities due to his endeavours over the years. She heard the stories about the blue and green ages of Athas.
The night runners were finding out if the rummor of a undergroung city was true and were exploring the caves of Guisternal. Suddenly all heard a blast and she began to run in any direction. After a while she took a turn and entered a chamber. She saw the mirror and a picture of the green age of athas came to his mind. She kept the thought for a little longer and then heard another blast this she was pushed forward
When she woke up, her eyes couldn't believe her.... she was in the Athas of the Green age? That's the start of her story (more or less)
I used it as a element for the story not expecting my DM to return her or the party to athas
Dregoth could let the elf through as some sort of scout and interrogate him if he ever returns. Faerun would offer some advantages to Dregoth if he was careful and didn't try and take part of it over or start defiling. Dregoth is tough but Faerun does have gods and assorted epic characters that could give him a run for his money (Netherise liches for the most part).
That's an interesting thought.... being a spy she talked to Dregoth and she let him send her in an expedition to Faerum in return for her life.... and of course information of the world....so she will have a sort of mission in faerun... I'll talk with the DM about it
Mechanically you're good to go, but your elf would look alot different from Faerunian subraces and be alot taller as well. Athas.org elf is probably slightly better than the PHB one- favoured class rogue instead of wizard (Dwarves make beter wizards believe it or not) and fater speed as most of the core elfs racial package is kinda lame.
Indeed. She is a rogue (spy). She will be taller, faster and darker than all the elf she could meet over there I guess hehehe.
I made this PC in memory of Gary Gygax. I love Athas since the moment I knew about it. My first PC back in 89 was an elf spy... When I asked the DM (I didn't know anything about D&D back then) If there was a restriction to play female characters he said no... WE ALL HAD A VERY FUN TIME with her until she retired (after one ressurection she became a half-elf (level 6th) and retired at level 18th).
Thus I combined everything in a find new package.
Dregoth could let the elf through as some sort of scout and interrogate him if he ever returns. Faerun would offer some advantages to Dregoth if he was careful and didn't try and take part of it over or start defiling. Dregoth is tough but Faerun does have gods and assorted epic characters that could give him a run for his money (Netherise liches for the most part).
Mechanically you're good to go, but your elf would look alot different from Faerunian subraces and be alot taller as well. Athas.org elf is probably slightly better than the PHB one- favoured class rogue instead of wizard (Dwarves make beter wizards believe it or not) and fater speed as most of the core elfs racial package is kinda lame.
I'm curious .. would magic users "Defile" in FR? Would the mechanics of magic translate to a different plane? And for that matter would a MU coming from FR end up defiling in Athas?
-just wondering
I'm curious .. would magic users "Defile" in FR? Would the mechanics of magic translate to a different plane? And for that matter would a MU coming from FR end up defiling in Athas?
-just wondering
I would rule yes.Basically, that the Arcane magic that is taught on Athas is not the same Arcane magic on the Realms. It functionally ends up with equivalent results, but is achieved through different mechanics. So yes, the Realms would basically be a Defiler's paradise.
As for a FR 'caster going to Athas... thre is no "weave" or whatever it is called on the Realms. Just like for Krynnish 'casters, there is a distinct lack of the three moons of magic (or the Gods of magic) so the three Orders of Wizardry would also have a similar problem. Basically, they would not be able to cast spells. Whether or not the DM lets the person study to learn the new mechanic or not is up to that DM. Just as whether or not that character has to start at square 1, or can just pick up and effectively figure things out to continue along using spells he/she already knew is up to the DM too.
At least, that's how I'd rule it. Athasian arcane magic relies on something that exists on all of the different settings. Other settings' arcane rules tend to rely on something unique to that setting. Then again, divine magic tends to be the same (however, I might rule that an Athasian cleric's ability to tap into divine elemental/paraelemental power is directly tied the the lack of deities on Athas -- it is a use of what would be sort of "background noise" divine energy, which fades to nothingness if there is even one deity).
Of course, since plant life is extremely abundant on non-Athasian settings... I'd also probably start making a lot more checks for a Preserver to be tempted into Defiling (after all, there seems to be *more than enough* plants around to make up for one insignificant use of Defiling to get an edge). A Defiler would be in heaven... seemingly limitless power at their fingertips... Meanwhile a whole new set of adventurers have to try and figure out what is happening, why is a field being reduced to lifeless ash and turned infertile... Basically.... I'd use a Defiler as an opponent possibly in a non-Athasian campaign... one where people have to figure out what is happening, and why it is happening, then needing to stop it before the ecology really starts to take a toll...
I'm curious .. would magic users "Defile" in FR? Would the mechanics of magic translate to a different plane? And for that matter would a MU coming from FR end up defiling in Athas?
-just wondering
As written Defiling wouldn't work on FR- there is no mystical energy in FR plants for a Defiler to draw power from. Its more or less set in stone in that setting all magic comes from the weave or shadow weave. You could houserule that it does work but FR has gods and its likey it would set off their portfolio sense ability. Chauntea (FR mother earth goddess) has the mass life/death salient divine power so she could kill you with no saving throw if need be or various Druids would come say hi and be very angry. Moral of the story don't defile on Faerun.
A FR wizard going to Athas couldn't cast any spells let alone defile until they figured out how to power their spells via plant energy.
As written Defiling wouldn't work on FR- there is no mystical energy in FR plants for a Defiler to draw power from. Its more or less set in stone in that setting all magic comes from the weave or shadow weave. You could houserule that it does work but FR has gods and its likey it would set off their portfolio sense ability. Chauntea (FR mother earth goddess) has the mass life/death salient divine power so she could kill you with no saving throw if need be or various Druids would come say hi and be very angry. Moral of the story don't defile on Faerun.
A FR wizard going to Athas couldn't cast any spells let alone defile until they figured out how to power their spells via plant energy.
Interesting position on Athasian arcane spellcasters in Faerun. I'd think that it isn't a "mystical energy found in plants" beyond they are, I dunno, alive. There would be an energy associated to the essence of life itself... And unless Faerun is covered in astroturf and plastic trees, I just don't see how a Defiler couldn't defile there.
Now... as to it setting off one of the deities and getting that deity to snuff out that Defiler... I could easily see that as happening. Potentially a very short lifespan for said Athasian Defiler.
Interesting position on Athasian arcane spellcasters in Faerun. I'd think that it isn't a "mystical energy found in plants" beyond they are, I dunno, alive. There would be an energy associated to the essence of life itself... And unless Faerun is covered in astroturf and plastic trees, I just don't see how a Defiler couldn't defile there.
Now... as to it setting off one of the deities and getting that deity to snuff out that Defiler... I could easily see that as happening. Potentially a very short lifespan for said Athasian Defiler.
Just stating the game rules from Faerun and made up a reason why defiling wouldn't work on FR. Its a very big rule in FR about magic coming from the weave or shadow weave. For whatever reason I would rule defiling just doesn't work on FR or if it did you would also be drawing on the weave as well.
Interesting position on Athasian arcane spellcasters in Faerun. I'd think that it isn't a "mystical energy found in plants" beyond they are, I dunno, alive. There would be an energy associated to the essence of life itself... And unless Faerun is covered in astroturf and plastic trees, I just don't see how a Defiler couldn't defile there.
Now... as to it setting off one of the deities and getting that deity to snuff out that Defiler... I could easily see that as happening. Potentially a very short lifespan for said Athasian Defiler.
Actually, Mystra, goddess of magic, might be inclined to let you live despite what the Nature goddess might want. This inclusion of a new way of magic adds to her portfolio and increases her power. I would argue that the goddess with the most power would have their way.
Of course, it is all up to the DM. Personally, I'd let it happen, and see what kind of fun/destruction happens. If you want to really mix it up... have the defiler pass through Sigil first, and join the Doomguard, then travel to FR. If we are mixing, might as well go all the way.
Actually, Mystra, goddess of magic, might be inclined to let you live despite what the Nature goddess might want. This inclusion of a new way of magic adds to her portfolio and increases her power. I would argue that the goddess with the most power would have their way.
Of course, it is all up to the DM. Personally, I'd let it happen, and see what kind of fun/destruction happens. If you want to really mix it up... have the defiler pass through Sigil first, and join the Doomguard, then travel to FR. If we are mixing, might as well go all the way.
Chuck in Eberron as well and Rokugan. Robot, Ninja, Pirate, Dinosaur riders OMG
On Faerun Mystra is outclassed by Chauntea the Earth Mother. Chauntea is divine rank 19 and Mystra is 18. Silvanous the nature god is divine rank 18 as well. Mystra would also oppose defiling if it didn't draw on the weave somehow- defilers would be like shadow weave users. In any event Mystar is taking a tumble in 4th ed as she is gonna be killed off. If you thought the Prism Pentad metaplot was bad for Athas it looks worse for 4th ed Forgotten Realms.