I've read somewhere that Graf Reydrich, the leader of the Principality of Ahlissa was assassinated and replaced by a Scarlet Brotherhood clone. Personally, I've never liked this little twist (and generally dispise most plotlines that involve clones). So, I decided that for my campaign, Reydrich killed the clone, but let the clone's SB controllers believe that the assassination succeeded.
This puts Reydrich in a very interesting position. Overking Xavener wants to bring the lands of the Iron League into the fold of the United Kingdom of Ahlissa, but he also wants to avoid open war. Reydrich, because of his position as a SB clone (so it is believed), can possibly open diplomatic relations with Scant, offering Exalted Sister Kuranyie the economic and military backing of Zelradton, thus satisfying his SB "controllers", Xavener, and his own desire to rule Onnwal. After all, once the Free Onnwal Army is defeated and Ahlissan troops are stationed in Scant, what is stopping Reydrich from ousting Kuranyie?
Comments and thoughts on this little scenario would be most welcome!
-wn
You might very well think that sir, but I couldn't possibly comment... :D
"Reydrich, because of his position as a SB clone (so it is believed), can possibly open diplomatic relations with Scant, offering Exalted Sister Kuranyie the economic and military backing of Zelradton, thus satisfying his SB "controllers", Xavener, and his own desire to rule Onnwal. After all, once the Free Onnwal Army is defeated and Ahlissan troops are stationed in Scant, what is stopping Reydrich from ousting Kuranyie?"
Well...how could Reydrich offer Kuranyie military backing while avoiding open war or betraying his apparent alliegence to the SB to the outside world? Sending ambassadors to Scant to open diplomatic relations would be a pretty big giveaway. Ditto sending Ahlissan soldiers to storm the quays of Killdeer.
Reydrich could repeat his long distance assassination trick on the leaders of the Free State, sure. But if he's not really working for the SB, then all that's going to achieve is the SB regaining control of Onnwal. OK - then that might justify an Ahlissan invasion, but that'll mean a costly open war which Ahlissa isn't yet ready for.
Reydrich could assassinate Kuranyie (though he narrowly failed in 586) - but then the SB would know they weren't pulling his strings any more, plus this would hand victory (eventually) to the Free State and doesn't really gain Ahlissa anything (unless they then jump the Free State - which would make them look as bad as the old Great Kingdom).
Secondly, as Ahlissa and the SB are enemies - how would Reydrich justify sending Ahlissan soldiers into aid the Brotherhood against oppressed scions of Aerdy, fellow heirs to the Great Destiny promised the Oeridians by Johydee, yadda-yadda-yadda?
Equally, why would the Brotherhood allow Ahlissan troops anywhere near Scant?
Destroy the rebels in Killdeer? Yes.
Allow regiments of Ahlissan soldiers to march into nigh impregnible Scant? Not a chance.
Kuranyie might be cruel, tactless and tyrannical, but she's not stupid (or at least THAT stupid).
Yes - Reydrich could send secret forces in - but someone's going to notice - be it the Jade Mask (Iron League spies) or Xavener's own agents, not to mention the forces of the Free State of Onnwal, who'll be on the pointy end of this covert war.
The last thing Xavener wants is it getting out that Ahlissa is in league with the Scarlet Brotherhood. The Scarlet Brotherhood is the big boogy man that Xavener can use to get other nations like Nyrond and the states of the Iron League to cooperate with Ahlissa. Of course, the advantage of this boogy man is that the threat is real. Appearing to side with the SB, even to eventually stick a dagger in their back, would be a far too risky strategy for Ahlissa to pursue, IMO.
Think of the repercussions:
"Ahlissa is a puppet of the SB!"
Therefore Ahlissans must be SB agents (cf why you can count the realms that welcome vessels flying the colours of the Lords of the Isles on one hand).
What group of Ahlissans are most widespread in the Flanaess? The Royal Guild of Merchants of Aerdy.
"Burn the SB spies!"
And faster than you can say "pitchfork-wielding mob", Ahlissa loses its commercial ties with the rest of the Flanaess.
Big losses for the Royal Guild, and therefore a big loss for Xavener, who relies on having the faith of the Guild and the Church of Zilchus to bankroll and bolster his power, elevating him above the snapping piranha pit of Ahlissan princes.
The United Kingdom is back out in the cold, ostrasized, isolated and even more distrusted than the old Great Kingdom.
Nearly a decade of careful diplomacy down the drain.
Of course if you were the SB - this would be a perfect outcome...
And if you were an ambitious Naelax archmage, pulling Xavener down might not be a bad thing either - but Reydrich must know that even if he gets rid of Xavener - the main power blocs in Ahlissa (the Darmans, the Zilchans and the Merchants) would never allow him to take the Nightingale Throne without a fight. To follow that policy would lead to the fragmentation of Ahlissa. Which perhaps Reydrich wants. After all, he never wanted the UK - just his own little Ahlissa (plus Idee and Onnwal, and Irongate too). However, the chaos and civil war that would result would play directly into the hands of the SB (who want a weak and disunified Aerdy). So if Reydrich is still Reydrich - he'd probably not go down this road IMO.
If Reydrich is an SB marionette on the other hand...
In short - the Reydrich/SB angle is an interesting one with a lot of potential, but IMO, I don't see Reydrich showing his hand in the way you describe above, unless he's an SB Ahlissan Candidate, bent on splitting up the UK of Ahlissa.
All IMO of course.
I do have other ideas about what Ahlissa might do in Onnwal (and what the SB might do in Ahlissa), but if I told you, I'd have to kill you.
For more details, watch the space marked "LG Onnwal".
P.
Former LG Onnwal Triad Fellow;
Current LG Splintered Sun Metaregion Plot Fellow;
Originally posted by Woesinger
.. elevating him above the snapping piranha pit of Ahlissan princes ..
LOL! Loved that. Don't mind me if I steal that quote :D
As for Reydrich killing his clone, I don't think so. Let's not forget that he was murdered, THEN his clone was grown and brainwashed by SB. It's not as if the clone appeared on Reydrich's door one day to replace him on the spot.
Besides, I am willing to bet only the clone was trusted with a list of SB agents to contact in Ahlissa. If Reydrich kills him, how could he get in touch with those agents?
Even if he killed his clone, the SB would known instantly their pawn was dead. Wouldn't work.
I'll have to chew a bit on what you said, Woeslinger, and see if I can't come up with some better ideas for Reydrich. The best information I have about him comes from Sargent's Ivid supplement.
Mortepierre: Remember that Reydrich is an archmage who is just a few levels shy of Mordenkianen in power, a former candidate for the Circle of Eight, and according to Sargent, Reydrich knows more of what is going on in Zelradton and Ahlissa than even Ivid's former spy network. The Graf would know he's a target for assassination, and do everything in his power to foil it. Who knows how many years he's had to prepare for the assassin attempt AND the clone. He knows it's coming, and he knows how to deal with it, so I think it's feasible for him to pull off his little deception. Again, it's just my opinion for my campaign. ;)
-wn
After all if the Circle of Eight can do it...
P.
I've not heard the clone theory - where was that from?
One of the things I like most about Ahlissa is the politics. Xavener and Reydrich and all the subtle plots.
IMC Reydrich is plotting against the Iron League, officially on behalf of Xavener, but in reality seeking ways to grow his own power to overthrow Xavener.
Wiping out SB influence in Onnwal and Naerie and seizing control would be a good move, though not likely to happen for a while. Ahlissa (including Zelradton) needs time to recover from the last wars and re-build its economy.
At the moment, IMC, Reydrich is busy plotting all this, sending agents far and wide, so that he will be in a good position to strike further down the track.
Other ideas:
1. Reydrich strikes a deal with the rebels and assists them in their struggle in return for special favour when they eventually regain control. Favours such as favourable trading deals....
2. Reydrich convinces Prince Barzhann of Naerie to join with him against Xavener.
3. Reydrich gambles: He strikes at a few select towns in Onnwal that the rebels hold and establishes a foot hold in Onnwal. The rebels then have to deal with SB and Reydrich.
4. Reydrich strikes a deal with SB and attacks the rebels. He gains land and resources in Onnwal to aid him in his plan to overthrow Xavener.
Originally posted by Morphious
I've not heard the clone theory - where was that from?
In The Scarlet Brotherhood accessory
What Reydrich needs to do if he wants to deal is to either build up some credibiliy with these other factions, or find some means of forcing them into an agreement. Both of these methods may take some time.
I think an interesting scenario might be for Reydrich to hire some outside help (*cough PCs cough*) who are relatively unknown. This way, he can have these people do his dirty work (either knowingly or through deception), and then deny involvement if things get sticky. By using adventurers, Reydrich can accomplish his goals without implicating himself until it is advantageous for him to do so.
-wn
And a redirect: What would non-clone/non-SB minion Prince Reydrich need to make a serious attempt at ruling Onnwal and ending the SB's control of the area?
Perhaps he could woo Irongate and court the Onnwal rebels, but since neither are likely to give him anything but a cold shoulder, I think he would need to find some economic leverage. Maybe he could concentrate on wining over the dwarves of the Iron Hills.
Is there a magical artifact in the ruins of Chathold or somewhere in Medegia that could give Reydrich an upper hand? (I have my own ideas, of course, but I want to see what others think).
-wn