The obvious answer is that he's an elf, but that's got to be wrong - even in the DM's guide he is clearly described as human, and there's surely no way he could rise to rule the Azcans unless he was clearly an Azcan.
He goes on a quest to find out, and then returns - but there's no info in the GAZ as to what he found out!
Has anyone come up with an explanation for this?
BTW - I noticed this also impacts the half-elf question. Ahmanni Turtlerider and Atruaghin were reportedly lovers, but they did not marry because of his obvious longevity - he could not bear to see her grow old while he remained at his prime.
Having just got a copy of GAZ 14 (in pristine condition - yes! :D ), I have a question - did Atruaghin ever find out why his life-span was so incredibly long?
The obvious answer is that he's an elf, but that's got to be wrong - even in the DM's guide he is clearly described as human, and there's surely no way he could rise to rule the Azcans unless he was clearly an Azcan.
I felt that it had something to do with his Polymath status. It remarks that he'd undertaken the Path of the Polymath unknowingly (despite seemingly not fulfilling the reincarnation aspect). So he seems to have followed a Path that is a little bit different than the one given in the rules.
In any case, back to my point, I just figured it was a side-effect of unconsciously embarking on the path to Immortality- that his longevity came as a result of him being eternally on the quest.
I felt that it had something to do with his Polymath status. It remarks that he'd undertaken the Path of the Polymath unknowingly (despite seemingly not fulfilling the reincarnation aspect)
I'd missed that bit - thanks for pointing it out.
Note to self - read more carefully! ;)
I'd missed that bit - thanks for pointing it out.
Note to self - read more carefully! ;)
Not at all- as you mention, they never really point out precisely what the rationale was (that I can think of), and to me the only logical inference was the path to Immortality... then again, maybe it was spelled out and I don't remember.
In any case, Atruaghin and his particular "Path of the Polymath" point out a couple of interesting concepts to me (as does Mahmatti Running-Elk's)- 1) that the paths outlined in the Rules Cyclopedia/Masters Rules are just guidelines, really, and that individual paths to Immortality in the same sphere may not fit strictly within those parameters, and 2) in many cases, the paths to Immortality take so long that there must be some element of the undertaking itself that provides the candidate with his/her extended lifespan. Could be their Immortal sponsor (whether known to them or not), could be the nature of the path itself.
In the instance of #2, I have toyed with the notion (in 3E terms) of making candidates to Immortality Divine Rank 0 creatures- can't grant spells to followers, can't gain Divine Salient Abilities, but are effectively immune to aging (and a couple of other bonus abilities). Initiates would then be level 1 and up Divine Ranked creatures. In other words, embarking on the path itself (completing the petition- again, knowingly or not) endows the candidate with abilities beyond the scope of all but the most epic of mortals. I consider it the Immortals' "boon" to help ensure these candidates succeed in their quests. Doesn't always work, but it's a start.
Note that some Immortals seem to have risen to their divine powers in very short times indeed, and really throw the curve out the window. In fact, there's a comparison up at the Vaults somewhere (I can't find it offhand) that shows the ages of the Immortals and their paths to Immortality. IIRC, the more recent Immortals seem to not only be more numerous, but to have taken less time on their quests than the older and less numerous Immortals. Is it getting easier to become an Immortal? That's a topic for another time, I guess.
In the case of #1, I actually got creative and worked out some different stories of individual Immortals' Paths to Immortality. Some day maybe I'll get around to sharing them in the format I wanted to...
As for "getting easier to become an Immortal", could be the effect of the Radiance?
What product is "Divine Rank 0" described in? Is that an Epic Level thing, or is it Deities and Demigods?
Deities and Demigods. They have the Deities ranked from 0 (Quasi-deity) to 20 (Greater God). The ranks are roughly the equivalent of character levels, though they also have character levels.
As for "getting easier to become an Immortal", could be the effect of the Radiance?
Could be, though I also attribute it to the existence of other Immortals to provide guidance and the wisdom of their experience. When there were few to no other Immortals, I imagine the path must have been much more arduous to undertake (hence why some Immortals, such as Khoronus, were their own sponsors or otherwise stumbled into Immortality). Now that the paths have been set, it is easier to follow. Sort of the way new, emerging technologies make things easier for newer generations of people.
Of course, that could also have its own inherent dangers, just as new technologies can. One such byproduct of this "Immortal Population Growth", as I see it, is the Wrath of the Immortals, where the "old guard" comes into conflict with the "new breed" (like Rad), who buck against the established system.
Why a blessing? Prolly he was a cleric of Kalaktatla who rewarded his most pious and devout follower with longevity to help him fight Atzanteotl's revolution in Azca, hoping he could bring things back to normal.
Why a curse? Maybe it was Otzitiotl who cursed him because he chose to flee rather than fight to death the spreading wave of Entropy in Azca. He cursed him to live forever in shame, witnessing his beloved grow older and die, until he could have cleansed his soul... something he did by saving the children of Atruaghin from the humanoids' yoke in the outer world...
In both cases a nice way to force him to take big responsibilities upon his shoulders ;)
That, or it could have been a gift on Xochiquetzal's part, his first lover when he was in the middle of the world... Xochi could have easily accomplished this, being the queen of the underground fairy race and a character of immense power (look at her stats in HWR1).
I don't believe it had something to do with the Path of the Polymath... I believe it could be explained as the result of a divine blessing or a divine curse, it depends on how you see it. And when he managed to reach immortality, he was able to lift that curse or to surpass that blessing ascending to a higher level.
Huh- that's an interesting take on it that I'd never considered before. Both options, really. Now I'm not sure which version I like better, mine or yours.
Definitely gets me to thinking more about it, though. Nice ideas!
DM, thanks for the mention of Xochiquetzal. I don't have the HWR1 ESD yet, it's on my shopping list, and this discussion has moved it to the top of the list.
As far as a curse/blessing goes, I'd be inclined to go with the blessing, given the tone of the write ups in GAZ 14, but the curse is a really interesting idea too.
I also like Andrew's idea that the Immortal sponsor, in the case of really promising individuals, would grant an extended life-span, but I'm not sure if it would imbalance the game to apply that to PC's.
This is great, we're getting spoiled for choice here.
Has anyone else come up with a different explanation?
I also like Andrew's idea that the Immortal sponsor, in the case of really promising individuals, would grant an extended life-span, but I'm not sure if it would imbalance the game to apply that to PC's.
I shouldn't think it would imbalance the game too much, I've yet to play in ANY role playing game where aging has become a major concern (the only game where it would be - though I've never played long enough for it to happen is Pendragon).
IIRC there's also an epic feat that gives a character an extended lifespan.
Gary
... the paths outlined in the Rules Cyclopedia/Masters Rules are just guidelines, really, and that individual paths to Immortality in the same sphere may not fit strictly within those parameters, and 2) in many cases, the paths to Immortality take so long that there must be some element of the undertaking itself that provides the candidate with his/her extended lifespan. Could be their Immortal sponsor (whether known to them or not), could be the nature of the path itself.
Considering that there were several unsponsered Immortals, and others who didn't follow the standardized/codified paths, I agree. An alternate Path of the Polymath might be to become name level in all four basic classes (fighter, thief, cleric, mage), which would have described Atruaghin: Started a priest in the Hollow World, probably became a thief after the fall of Mictlan. Then became a warrior to impress the Atruaghin Clans & unite them. Then, he visits Glantri & Alfheim, and learns magic, later using this powerfull magic to create the Plateu (which suffices as a monument). Atruaghin could have also become an Immortal of Energy since he almost followed the standard Path of the Paragon (the world elevator, changing the land, trained leaders/apprentices)
A PC mage in one of my non-Mystaran campaigns unwittingly followed the Path of the Paragon, and when a new Immortal level being was needed in the campaign, I arranged for him to have a trip to Mystara where a curious Immortal from the Council of Intrusion read his mind and offered him Immortality after a quick test of loyalty. The character left Mystara, and became a thorn in the side of the dieties of his home Prime.