Detailz on The Madrigorian? - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Detailz on The Madrigorian?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
zombiegleemax
May 04, 2004 18:10:16 One of the PCs has come across a copy of this book in the campaign I'm currently DM-ing, and, to my discredit, I know close to nothing about it, beyond the blueprints for the Kyton Device contained therein. I know it's spoken of in Van Richten's Guide to Fiends, but I'm finding it difficult to find a copy of that particular supplement.

Anyone wanna give me a pointer or two as to what's contained inside? Or what language it's in, for that matter? I assume it's in Infernal...
#2
zombiegleemax
May 04, 2004 21:41:07
Originally posted by Antedeus
One of the PCs has come across a copy of this book in the campaign I'm currently DM-ing, and, to my discredit, I know close to nothing about it, beyond the blueprints for the Kyton Device contained therein. I know it's spoken of in Van Richten's Guide to Fiends, but I'm finding it difficult to find a copy of that particular supplement.Anyone wanna give me a pointer or two as to what's contained inside? Or what language it's in, for that matter? I assume it's in Infernal...

As of the time of VRGtF, the Madrigorian was "a series of tomes... sixteen total,... written by a clan (The Madrigore family) of purported mystics over the course of centuries. It seemed that in each generation, one member of the family would continue the writings of his uncle or father... Although the works were extensive, they appeared to be the collected ravings of a family cursed with hereditary insanity.... Despite no evidence of formal education, the members of the Madrigore family write with a surprising facility and seemingly instinctive grasp of vocabulary and its proper usage. Even more intriguing is the amazing symmetry in writing style and penmenship found among the authors across the generations."

The true author of the series is Drigor, a Shator gehreleth (us old 1E gamers recall them as demodands...) that originally entered Ravenloft in "Edrigan, a small village in Dementlieu." "Drigor prefers to manipulate humanity through mortal pawns while keeping its presence and its very existence a secret. For generations it suceeded in this goal, controlling the Madrigore family and using it as a front for it's writings: the Madrigore, a huge work of philosophy, poetry, and other musings concerning demons and their relationship to our world."

Dr. Van Richten came into possession of the creature's phylactery, and attempted to trap the gehreleth in a mystic cage, but a miscalculation on the nature of the beast allowed it to escape and slay all of his companions (his curse at work!). There is no reason I know of not to believe that Drigor is still at work today in Ravenloft, other than the framing fiction in one of the Book of S.. series that had him escape to Gothic Earth. I would think that the books are written in the language of the domain they originated from.
#3
zombiegleemax
May 04, 2004 22:22:02 There back to demodands in 3rd edition (I think there covered in the fiend folio).

Of course this means that Yugoloths are the only ones that didn't get there original names back (Daemons).
#4
windwalker
May 04, 2004 22:38:07 I'll give it a shot....

The Madrigorian is a 16-volume "work of philosophy, poetry, and other musings concerning fiends and their relationship to the Land of the Mists." It has supposedly been authored by subsequent generations of the Madrigore family "a clan of purported mystics" who hail from the hamlet of Edrigan in Dementlieu, and the first volume appeared approximately 400 years ago.

The series of books is actually the writings of a fiend named Drigor who has possessed various members of the Madrigore family for centuries. The guide notes that "Drigor prefers to manipulate humanity through mortal pawns while keeping its presence and very existence a secret. For generations it succeeded in this goal, controlling the Madrigore family and using them as a front for its writings...writing is Drigor's favorite activity and its preferred method of spread its corruptive philosophy."

Drigor is described as being "seven feet tall and almost as wide" with a large head and mouth, small wings, and three-fingered clawed hands. It is a shator (a type of ghereleth) with a one-mile in diameter reality wrinkle. "Drigor's confirmed powers include the ability to control the minds and emotions of mortals, tremendous strength, and the ability to create a ray of enfeeblement. Drigor appears to be immune to all non-magical attacks, and has a powerful resistance to magic as well." Its phylactery appears as a "beautiful replica of a quill pen, made from marble and gems." The last member of the Madrigore family Drigor was known to have possessed the late Bethany Madrigore.

Not much on the volumes themselves, other than that , despite being penned by several different authors, there is an "amazing symmetry in writing style and penmanship." Each volume appears to be approximately 5-6 inches thick (based on how Van Richten reports that a stack of eight almost reach his chest) and they all "appear to be the collected ravings of a family cursed with hereditary insanity." Since both Van Richten and his associate, Dr. Ottelie Farringer, could read The Madrigorian, I assume that the volumes were all written in a language common to Dementlieu, such as Mordentish.

Hope this helps!!
#5
zombiegleemax
May 04, 2004 23:29:31 Thank you all very much, that's precisely what I needed to know. ^_^
#6
Tintagel
May 13, 2004 21:55:11 From what I could gather, the Madrigorian was a collection of many books. Here are some excerpts, taken from various sources:

There are realms incomprehensible to the puny mortals who dwell within this cage of a world. If only they knew that they were but prisoners, if only they could see the bars. But only I have that power because only I have stepped wide-eyed into this pestilent corner of creation, granting the groveling morsel that was my original self the opportunity to travel to that beyond, even as my true mind took hold of this mortal shell.
- The Madrigorian
Book I, Chapter I

For it is the calling of we mortals to prepare our bodies and spirits through the most debased acts. Only by acting out the secret desires that lurk in the darkest corners of our minds can we rid ourselves of the festering within us. Otherwise, we will forever be unclean, full of impure thoughts and desires. But if we lance the festering boils our consciences create, we might be blessed with the attention of one of the wandering Great Ones. And if we are truly vigorous and do not shirk acting out our innermost evil, then might such a Great One deign to reward us by translating his body with our own. The pain of such a transportation will be glorious in its horror, but only through pain can we be cleansed. Then will we receive the highest of honors as the Great One will take our place on this tainted land so that we might enjoy our just rewards.
- The Madrigorian
Book III, Chapter VII

Though it seems difficult to believe, even the Great Ones face temptation. They too know the sweet lure of power – tantalizingly close, like ripe fruit there for the picking. Reveling in the fullness of their power, the Great Ones must beware of powers that even they do not understand. Oh, the delicious irony and great tragedy! Even they may act as do the mortal sheep, and so fall into a honey-coated trap that they themselves construct.
Whispers of powers unimagined, promises of glory and freedom, worm their way to the spirit and wear on even the stoutest resolve. Give in to the temptation, though, and you may lose your heart’s desire! This land is sweet and seductive – here nothing is as it seems.
- The Madrigorian
Book IX, Chapter IV

It is ironic that those in power in our land, purporting to lead the people, often are the ones who most fervently resist the wisdom of the Great Ones. This shows that power and wisdom do not go hand in hand! These fools are so blinded by ambition that they cannot see the truth. They clutch anxiously to their power and prerogatives like children grasping their bed sheets to guard against the bogeyman!
Our so-called leaders lack true vision, shaking with impotent rage at the coming of the new order. Yet their shreds of power will not protect them! If they do not follow the will of the Great Ones, they will be crushed and fall by the wayside!
- The Madrigorian
Book IX, Chapter IV

I find that it is very rare for a mortal to comprehend the powers of the Great Ones. It may well be that most of us are simply incapable of doing so. The magic of wizards and the arrows of warriors are nothing to them. They brush aside and laugh heartily at our mortal impudence and foolishness. It is truly futile to oppose them, for they can shape the very land where they walk. Those who understand these facts will serve them. Those who do not will be crushed in their path. To each, his Just reward.
- The Madrigorian
Book II, Chapter III
#7
zombiegleemax
May 15, 2004 6:21:54 I just put this fiend into my current game.

(thats all i can say incase on of the players from my group read this board :D) wouldnt want them knowing whats coming...

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 zombiegleemax May 04, 2004 18:10:16	One of the PCs has come across a copy of this book in the campaign I'm currently DM-ing, and, to my discredit, I know close to nothing about it, beyond the blueprints for the Kyton Device contained therein. I know it's spoken of in Van Richten's Guide to Fiends, but I'm finding it difficult to find a copy of that particular supplement. Anyone wanna give me a pointer or two as to what's contained inside? Or what language it's in, for that matter? I assume it's in Infernal...
#2 zombiegleemax May 04, 2004 21:41:07	Originally posted by Antedeus One of the PCs has come across a copy of this book in the campaign I'm currently DM-ing, and, to my discredit, I know close to nothing about it, beyond the blueprints for the Kyton Device contained therein. I know it's spoken of in Van Richten's Guide to Fiends, but I'm finding it difficult to find a copy of that particular supplement.Anyone wanna give me a pointer or two as to what's contained inside? Or what language it's in, for that matter? I assume it's in Infernal... As of the time of VRGtF, the Madrigorian was "a series of tomes... sixteen total,... written by a clan (The Madrigore family) of purported mystics over the course of centuries. It seemed that in each generation, one member of the family would continue the writings of his uncle or father... Although the works were extensive, they appeared to be the collected ravings of a family cursed with hereditary insanity.... Despite no evidence of formal education, the members of the Madrigore family write with a surprising facility and seemingly instinctive grasp of vocabulary and its proper usage. Even more intriguing is the amazing symmetry in writing style and penmenship found among the authors across the generations." The true author of the series is Drigor, a Shator gehreleth (us old 1E gamers recall them as demodands...) that originally entered Ravenloft in "Edrigan, a small village in Dementlieu." "Drigor prefers to manipulate humanity through mortal pawns while keeping its presence and its very existence a secret. For generations it suceeded in this goal, controlling the Madrigore family and using it as a front for it's writings: the Madrigore, a huge work of philosophy, poetry, and other musings concerning demons and their relationship to our world." Dr. Van Richten came into possession of the creature's phylactery, and attempted to trap the gehreleth in a mystic cage, but a miscalculation on the nature of the beast allowed it to escape and slay all of his companions (his curse at work!). There is no reason I know of not to believe that Drigor is still at work today in Ravenloft, other than the framing fiction in one of the Book of S.. series that had him escape to Gothic Earth. I would think that the books are written in the language of the domain they originated from.
#3 zombiegleemax May 04, 2004 22:22:02	There back to demodands in 3rd edition (I think there covered in the fiend folio). Of course this means that Yugoloths are the only ones that didn't get there original names back (Daemons).
#4 windwalker May 04, 2004 22:38:07	I'll give it a shot.... The Madrigorian is a 16-volume "work of philosophy, poetry, and other musings concerning fiends and their relationship to the Land of the Mists." It has supposedly been authored by subsequent generations of the Madrigore family "a clan of purported mystics" who hail from the hamlet of Edrigan in Dementlieu, and the first volume appeared approximately 400 years ago. The series of books is actually the writings of a fiend named Drigor who has possessed various members of the Madrigore family for centuries. The guide notes that "Drigor prefers to manipulate humanity through mortal pawns while keeping its presence and very existence a secret. For generations it succeeded in this goal, controlling the Madrigore family and using them as a front for its writings...writing is Drigor's favorite activity and its preferred method of spread its corruptive philosophy." Drigor is described as being "seven feet tall and almost as wide" with a large head and mouth, small wings, and three-fingered clawed hands. It is a shator (a type of ghereleth) with a one-mile in diameter reality wrinkle. "Drigor's confirmed powers include the ability to control the minds and emotions of mortals, tremendous strength, and the ability to create a ray of enfeeblement. Drigor appears to be immune to all non-magical attacks, and has a powerful resistance to magic as well." Its phylactery appears as a "beautiful replica of a quill pen, made from marble and gems." The last member of the Madrigore family Drigor was known to have possessed the late Bethany Madrigore. Not much on the volumes themselves, other than that , despite being penned by several different authors, there is an "amazing symmetry in writing style and penmanship." Each volume appears to be approximately 5-6 inches thick (based on how Van Richten reports that a stack of eight almost reach his chest) and they all "appear to be the collected ravings of a family cursed with hereditary insanity." Since both Van Richten and his associate, Dr. Ottelie Farringer, could read The Madrigorian, I assume that the volumes were all written in a language common to Dementlieu, such as Mordentish. Hope this helps!!
#5 zombiegleemax May 04, 2004 23:29:31	Thank you all very much, that's precisely what I needed to know. ^_^
#6 Tintagel May 13, 2004 21:55:11	From what I could gather, the Madrigorian was a collection of many books. Here are some excerpts, taken from various sources: There are realms incomprehensible to the puny mortals who dwell within this cage of a world. If only they knew that they were but prisoners, if only they could see the bars. But only I have that power because only I have stepped wide-eyed into this pestilent corner of creation, granting the groveling morsel that was my original self the opportunity to travel to that beyond, even as my true mind took hold of this mortal shell. - The Madrigorian Book I, Chapter I For it is the calling of we mortals to prepare our bodies and spirits through the most debased acts. Only by acting out the secret desires that lurk in the darkest corners of our minds can we rid ourselves of the festering within us. Otherwise, we will forever be unclean, full of impure thoughts and desires. But if we lance the festering boils our consciences create, we might be blessed with the attention of one of the wandering Great Ones. And if we are truly vigorous and do not shirk acting out our innermost evil, then might such a Great One deign to reward us by translating his body with our own. The pain of such a transportation will be glorious in its horror, but only through pain can we be cleansed. Then will we receive the highest of honors as the Great One will take our place on this tainted land so that we might enjoy our just rewards. - The Madrigorian Book III, Chapter VII Though it seems difficult to believe, even the Great Ones face temptation. They too know the sweet lure of power – tantalizingly close, like ripe fruit there for the picking. Reveling in the fullness of their power, the Great Ones must beware of powers that even they do not understand. Oh, the delicious irony and great tragedy! Even they may act as do the mortal sheep, and so fall into a honey-coated trap that they themselves construct. Whispers of powers unimagined, promises of glory and freedom, worm their way to the spirit and wear on even the stoutest resolve. Give in to the temptation, though, and you may lose your heart’s desire! This land is sweet and seductive – here nothing is as it seems. - The Madrigorian Book IX, Chapter IV It is ironic that those in power in our land, purporting to lead the people, often are the ones who most fervently resist the wisdom of the Great Ones. This shows that power and wisdom do not go hand in hand! These fools are so blinded by ambition that they cannot see the truth. They clutch anxiously to their power and prerogatives like children grasping their bed sheets to guard against the bogeyman! Our so-called leaders lack true vision, shaking with impotent rage at the coming of the new order. Yet their shreds of power will not protect them! If they do not follow the will of the Great Ones, they will be crushed and fall by the wayside! - The Madrigorian Book IX, Chapter IV I find that it is very rare for a mortal to comprehend the powers of the Great Ones. It may well be that most of us are simply incapable of doing so. The magic of wizards and the arrows of warriors are nothing to them. They brush aside and laugh heartily at our mortal impudence and foolishness. It is truly futile to oppose them, for they can shape the very land where they walk. Those who understand these facts will serve them. Those who do not will be crushed in their path. To each, his Just reward. - The Madrigorian Book II, Chapter III
#7 zombiegleemax May 15, 2004 6:21:54	I just put this fiend into my current game. (thats all i can say incase on of the players from my group read this board :D) wouldnt want them knowing whats coming...