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Greyhawks Main People

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
zombiegleemax
Jul 06, 2004 6:24:55 Hello,

I am starting a Greyhawk campaign in a couple of months time. The group I play with has only ever done the Realms so I am going to be giving them some Greyhawk history and background info.

I also want to let them know some of the more well known names around Greyhawk. I am assuming as their characters have lived in Greyhawk all their lives they would have heard some names mentioned.

Thanks in advance

Yellowhippo
#2
zombiegleemax
Jul 06, 2004 7:07:15 My advice for you is to pick a political and geographic area and learn it off by heart. Then have all the PC's come from within that area. Then give them all a page of basic, local knowledge.

I also have a rule in my game where each player gets to pick 1 + 1 per point of intelligence bonus, monster from the MM and I allow that the character knows the general strength, basic abilities and typical weaknesses of the monster due to having heard tales about heroes fighting them and whatnot.

Other than that, there are the typical players. Growing up, they probably would've heard of the Circle of Eight and may even know a few of the members names, specifically Mordenkainen, Rary and Tenser and maybe Otiluke, Bigby and Otto. They'd probably know the name of the king in or near their country, plus a couple of names of great heroes or villains like Iuz, Robilar, Iggwilv, Eclavdra and Zagyg.

Other than that, I wouldn't say they'd know much more.
#3
scoti_garbidis
Jul 06, 2004 7:31:38
Originally posted by Iksander
I also have a rule in my game where each player gets to pick 1 + 1 per point of intelligence bonus, monster from the MM and I allow that the character knows the general strength, basic abilities and typical weaknesses of the monster due to having heard tales about heroes fighting them and whatnot.

I kind of like this idea Iksander but am a little unclear on the math. Do you give 1 + (total intelligence at 1st level)

i.e: 1 + (Intelligence 12) = 13

Or do you mean that they get 1+1 for every point of intelligence

i.e: (1+1) X (Intelligence 12) = 24

I'm pretty sure you mean the first example I give but want to be clear myself and clear it up for anyone else that might be confused. Thanks.
#4
Mortepierre
Jul 06, 2004 8:30:28
Originally posted by Iksander
They'd probably know the name of the king in or near their country, plus a couple of names of great heroes or villains like Iuz, Robilar, Iggwilv, Eclavdra and Zagyg.

Eclavdra is well-known ?!?
#5
zombiegleemax
Jul 06, 2004 9:18:18
Originally posted by Scoti Garbidis
I kind of like this idea Iksander but am a little unclear on the math. Do you give 1 + (total intelligence at 1st level)

i.e: 1 + (Intelligence 12) = 13

Or do you mean that they get 1+1 for every point of intelligence

i.e: (1+1) X (Intelligence 12) = 24

I'm pretty sure you mean the first example I give but want to be clear myself and clear it up for anyone else that might be confused. Thanks.

Per point of intelligence bonus. So with an intelligence of 12, the character would know the ins and outs of 2 creatures since the intelligence bonus of a character with an intelligence of 12 is +1.

The reason it's not a lot, is that it's safe to assume players are smart enough to choose pretty obscure or powerful monsters rather than goblins or orcs. Things like trolls and lycanthropes and whatnot which have specific weaknesses are the most likely candidates and so if you give too many, like say one per point of intelligence, then the PC's will know the weaknesses and strengths of pretty much everything you throw at them.
#6
zombiegleemax
Jul 07, 2004 0:55:21 Cheers for the ideas.

On the subject of Monster knowledge I am including a Knowledge (Monster) section. If a player selects this then they will then select a group type (humaniod, beast, undead, etc). Making a check lets them know certain info, they higher their check the more they know. They will never be told everything about the monster, but may get some clues into the way to defeat

(e.g., they know that using bladed weapons on the jelly ahead of them will cause it to split into multiple opponents).

I always keep track of what monsters they have faced and keep an updated sheet for my players which lets them know the monsters they have faced (assuming they know or find out its name) along with what they know about that monster. That way it stops any of them meta-gaming. I have one player that every time I describe a monster tells the rest of the grouyp its name. He doesn't start listing stats or special abilities but it kind of removes the suspense. The monster sheet at least stops him from doing that (most of the time!)
#7
zombiegleemax
Jul 07, 2004 23:20:23 The Knowledge skills themselves allow for Knowledge checks of monsters. Each monster type is assigned a different skill:

Arcana: constructs, dragons, magical beasts
Dungeoneering: aberrations, oozes
Local: Humanoids
Nature: animals, fey, giants, monstrous humanoids, plants, vermin
Religion: undead
The Planes: outsiders, elementals

or, the list in opposite format:

Aberrations: Dungeoneering
Animal: Nature
Construct: Arcana
Dragon: Arcana
Elemental: The Planes
Fey: Nature
Giant: Nature
Humanoid: Local
Magical Beast: Arcana
Monstrous Humanoid: Nature
Ooze: Dungeoneering
Outsider: The Planes
Plant: Nature
Undead: Religion
Vermin: Nature

The PHB says that a Knowledge check of DC 10+monster's HD reveals a piece of useful information and for every 5 points exceeding the DC another piece of useful information is known.
#8
Amaril
Jul 08, 2004 9:07:51
Originally posted by Mortepierre
Eclavdra is well-known ?!?

Maybe not well know, but significant enough if they run into drow. She's making a bid for the leadership in the Vault after returning from her service as an ambassador to Iuz on behalf of Lolth. She aims to prove to Lolth that she is now Lolth's servant and is worthy of being the High Preistess.

Why does this matter? Eclavdra was also a worshipper of the Elder Elemental Eye, and had invoked civil war in Erelhei-Cinlu. She's now back in the drow city. With the recent resurfacing of the Cult of the Elder Elemental Eye, Iuz and Eclavdra may both be playing significant roles to counter this betraying cult (remember they both had a hand in its development at different points in time).

Again, she may not be well-known, but she is definitely significant and has the potential to be well-known to adventurers.
#9
Mortepierre
Jul 08, 2004 11:33:01
Originally posted by Amaril
Again, she may not be well-known, but she is definitely significant and has the potential to be well-known to adventurers.

If they are high-level, perhaps. Else, I doubt it. The new, improved, Epic-level drow priestess doesn't waste time with low- or mid-level PC.

Of course, if they met her back in G3, that's another story :D
#10
Amaril
Jul 08, 2004 11:43:33
Originally posted by Mortepierre
If they are high-level, perhaps. Else, I doubt it. The new, improved, Epic-level drow priestess doesn't waste time with low- or mid-level PC.

No, she would have her agents and underlings interact with the PCs. Additionally, one could have her meet the PCs and her sheer power alone could be used as a tool to prevent the PCs from simply trying to slaughter her like most PCs usually would. Remember, she doesn't have to neccessarily want to kill them. she might be interested in forming a temporary alliance to fight against a more pertinent threat. For example, I'm using this idea in my RttToEE campaign.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 zombiegleemax Jul 06, 2004 6:24:55	Hello, I am starting a Greyhawk campaign in a couple of months time. The group I play with has only ever done the Realms so I am going to be giving them some Greyhawk history and background info. I also want to let them know some of the more well known names around Greyhawk. I am assuming as their characters have lived in Greyhawk all their lives they would have heard some names mentioned. Thanks in advance Yellowhippo
#2 zombiegleemax Jul 06, 2004 7:07:15	My advice for you is to pick a political and geographic area and learn it off by heart. Then have all the PC's come from within that area. Then give them all a page of basic, local knowledge. I also have a rule in my game where each player gets to pick 1 + 1 per point of intelligence bonus, monster from the MM and I allow that the character knows the general strength, basic abilities and typical weaknesses of the monster due to having heard tales about heroes fighting them and whatnot. Other than that, there are the typical players. Growing up, they probably would've heard of the Circle of Eight and may even know a few of the members names, specifically Mordenkainen, Rary and Tenser and maybe Otiluke, Bigby and Otto. They'd probably know the name of the king in or near their country, plus a couple of names of great heroes or villains like Iuz, Robilar, Iggwilv, Eclavdra and Zagyg. Other than that, I wouldn't say they'd know much more.
#3 scoti_garbidis Jul 06, 2004 7:31:38	Originally posted by Iksander I also have a rule in my game where each player gets to pick 1 + 1 per point of intelligence bonus, monster from the MM and I allow that the character knows the general strength, basic abilities and typical weaknesses of the monster due to having heard tales about heroes fighting them and whatnot. I kind of like this idea Iksander but am a little unclear on the math. Do you give 1 + (total intelligence at 1st level) i.e: 1 + (Intelligence 12) = 13 Or do you mean that they get 1+1 for every point of intelligence i.e: (1+1) X (Intelligence 12) = 24 I'm pretty sure you mean the first example I give but want to be clear myself and clear it up for anyone else that might be confused. Thanks.
#4 Mortepierre Jul 06, 2004 8:30:28	Originally posted by Iksander They'd probably know the name of the king in or near their country, plus a couple of names of great heroes or villains like Iuz, Robilar, Iggwilv, Eclavdra and Zagyg. Eclavdra is well-known ?!?
#5 zombiegleemax Jul 06, 2004 9:18:18	Originally posted by Scoti Garbidis I kind of like this idea Iksander but am a little unclear on the math. Do you give 1 + (total intelligence at 1st level) i.e: 1 + (Intelligence 12) = 13 Or do you mean that they get 1+1 for every point of intelligence i.e: (1+1) X (Intelligence 12) = 24 I'm pretty sure you mean the first example I give but want to be clear myself and clear it up for anyone else that might be confused. Thanks. Per point of intelligence bonus. So with an intelligence of 12, the character would know the ins and outs of 2 creatures since the intelligence bonus of a character with an intelligence of 12 is +1. The reason it's not a lot, is that it's safe to assume players are smart enough to choose pretty obscure or powerful monsters rather than goblins or orcs. Things like trolls and lycanthropes and whatnot which have specific weaknesses are the most likely candidates and so if you give too many, like say one per point of intelligence, then the PC's will know the weaknesses and strengths of pretty much everything you throw at them.
#6 zombiegleemax Jul 07, 2004 0:55:21	Cheers for the ideas. On the subject of Monster knowledge I am including a Knowledge (Monster) section. If a player selects this then they will then select a group type (humaniod, beast, undead, etc). Making a check lets them know certain info, they higher their check the more they know. They will never be told everything about the monster, but may get some clues into the way to defeat (e.g., they know that using bladed weapons on the jelly ahead of them will cause it to split into multiple opponents). I always keep track of what monsters they have faced and keep an updated sheet for my players which lets them know the monsters they have faced (assuming they know or find out its name) along with what they know about that monster. That way it stops any of them meta-gaming. I have one player that every time I describe a monster tells the rest of the grouyp its name. He doesn't start listing stats or special abilities but it kind of removes the suspense. The monster sheet at least stops him from doing that (most of the time!)
#7 zombiegleemax Jul 07, 2004 23:20:23	The Knowledge skills themselves allow for Knowledge checks of monsters. Each monster type is assigned a different skill: Arcana: constructs, dragons, magical beasts Dungeoneering: aberrations, oozes Local: Humanoids Nature: animals, fey, giants, monstrous humanoids, plants, vermin Religion: undead The Planes: outsiders, elementals or, the list in opposite format: Aberrations: Dungeoneering Animal: Nature Construct: Arcana Dragon: Arcana Elemental: The Planes Fey: Nature Giant: Nature Humanoid: Local Magical Beast: Arcana Monstrous Humanoid: Nature Ooze: Dungeoneering Outsider: The Planes Plant: Nature Undead: Religion Vermin: Nature The PHB says that a Knowledge check of DC 10+monster's HD reveals a piece of useful information and for every 5 points exceeding the DC another piece of useful information is known.
#8 Amaril Jul 08, 2004 9:07:51	Originally posted by Mortepierre Eclavdra is well-known ?!? Maybe not well know, but significant enough if they run into drow. She's making a bid for the leadership in the Vault after returning from her service as an ambassador to Iuz on behalf of Lolth. She aims to prove to Lolth that she is now Lolth's servant and is worthy of being the High Preistess. Why does this matter? Eclavdra was also a worshipper of the Elder Elemental Eye, and had invoked civil war in Erelhei-Cinlu. She's now back in the drow city. With the recent resurfacing of the Cult of the Elder Elemental Eye, Iuz and Eclavdra may both be playing significant roles to counter this betraying cult (remember they both had a hand in its development at different points in time). Again, she may not be well-known, but she is definitely significant and has the potential to be well-known to adventurers.
#9 Mortepierre Jul 08, 2004 11:33:01	Originally posted by Amaril Again, she may not be well-known, but she is definitely significant and has the potential to be well-known to adventurers. If they are high-level, perhaps. Else, I doubt it. The new, improved, Epic-level drow priestess doesn't waste time with low- or mid-level PC. Of course, if they met her back in G3, that's another story :D
#10 Amaril Jul 08, 2004 11:43:33	Originally posted by Mortepierre If they are high-level, perhaps. Else, I doubt it. The new, improved, Epic-level drow priestess doesn't waste time with low- or mid-level PC. No, she would have her agents and underlings interact with the PCs. Additionally, one could have her meet the PCs and her sheer power alone could be used as a tool to prevent the PCs from simply trying to slaughter her like most PCs usually would. Remember, she doesn't have to neccessarily want to kill them. she might be interested in forming a temporary alliance to fight against a more pertinent threat. For example, I'm using this idea in my RttToEE campaign.