|
Author
|
Comment
|
msherman
Kalkydrite
(10/20/03 6:24 am)
Reply
|
Thrommel's reaction to Fragarach?
So, my party just found Fragarach in last night's game. They've been told by Tymerian that it is consider a lost Crown Jewel of Furyondy, and they'd be well advised to return it; they've just gotten back from 2 months in verbobonc, so they plan to wait until their next trip to return it (which will be faster, since they're only one level away from Wind Walk).
They're about to enter the Outer Fane soon, and likely to encounter Thrommel.
How would he react to the presense of his sword? A chaotic member of the party currently has it strapped to his back, despite the fact that he can't use it (it's holy/axiomatic IMC), so I imagine he'd recognize it's distinct hilt as soon as he sees the party. That surprised me; a valuable item that can't be used really belongs in the portable hole... 
[Edit: spelled the sword's name correctly]
Edited by: msherman at: 10/20/03 12:24 pm
|
Thrommel
Runechild (mod)
Council of Magisters
(10/20/03 6:56 am)
Reply
|
Re: Thrommel's reaction to Fragerach?
I'd use this as an opportunity to turn the encounter with Thrommel into a role-playing session.
He's going to be awestruck when he sees that sword. Only Jolene's presence would be as strong of a reminder of his former life.
He'll give a pause and then gently ask them to hand the sword over. If they refuse, he will become more insistent (he is a prince, after all, and it is his sword).
If they continue to refuse, well, then it's fight time. He's going to viciously attack the sword's bearer.
If they barter or negotiate, I think Thrommel will agree to just about anything and rat out anyone to get his hands on his sword. Remember, however, that Thrommel is royalty and will not stoop to anything he feels is beneath his dignity. (Granted as a blackguard he has a pretty warped sense of dignity.)
If they hand over the sword, he might weep at being reunited with his lost blade. The sword will temporarily purge him of his chaotic evil ways (perhaps becoming neutral) and he'll agree to undertake whatever sort of magical restoration the party suggests.
However, I think they have to cure him of his vampirism before they're truly safe. He won't just join up with them as an ally indefinitely.
Thrommel becomes such an interesting character in these circumstances, use it to juice up your game with some good old-fashioned roleplaying. Remember, Fragarach is basically an artifact -- it's going to have a profound effect on Thrommel.
-Thrommel, who notes that there's a difference between weeping and bawling like a little nancy-boy. Princes weep.
~Council of Magisters~
~ Arcana Unearthed ~ |
msherman
Kalkydrite
(10/20/03 7:04 am)
Reply
|
Re: Thrommel's reaction to Fragerach?
Thanks, Thrommel. Those are great ideas. My one concern is that the party hasn't yet met him as a vampire; I think I may have given them the sword too early. I think the scene you describe is much more powerful if it happens after the party already considers Thrommel to be a powerful and terrifying evil enemy.
So, any suggestions on how to work in an "introductory" session with Thrommel as a pure vampire type before the sword comes into play? That's why I found it unfortunate that the player strapped it to his back instead of stowing it in the portable hole.
|
Thrommel
Runechild (mod)
Council of Magisters
(10/20/03 7:27 am)
Reply
|
Re: Thrommel's reaction to Fragerach?
Don't introduce him. You might start hinting around about him by introducing some vampire spawn as part of the Outer Fane's defenses.
You could also have him break up a fight in the Outer Fane -- the party is fighting the Hag and a bunch of warriors, etc. Thrommel arrives in gaseous form, observes for a round or two, and then starts kicking the crap out of the Hag & co.
Once the melee is mopped up, he insists the party hands over the sword.
But I think once he sees Fragarach, his redemption is close at hand. I would not have him personally appear to demonstrate the depths of his evil power. Use other forces in the Outer Fane to foreshadow that. Maybe some prisoners are afraid they're next to be sacrificed to the blackguard vampire... maybe the other guards are frightened by his vicious, chaotic behavior... there are a lot of ways to hint at what a bad mofo he is without having Thrommel appear in person.
-Thrommel, who notes that 'mofo' stands for Main Outer Fane Opponent.
~Council of Magisters~
~ Arcana Unearthed ~ |
msherman
Kalkydrite
(10/20/03 7:46 am)
Reply
|
Re: Thrommel's reaction to Fragerach?
Yeah, that's a good idea. I think I remember somewhere seeing a handout that was a journal covering Thrommel's turn to the dark side? What do you think about dropping that on the party before they meet him?
|
JRedGiant
Memunite
(10/20/03 8:00 am)
Reply
|
Thrommel
I love it when Thrommel refers to Thrommel in the third person. 
Anyways, the journel in question was "Memoirs of the First" and is on the BoB. I forget who wrote it but it's excellent. I've got to figure out where a good place to put it is...seems silly to leave it in the First's care. I mean, while that is a logical place for it, the journal is a terrific device for establishing the story of Thrommel and what a sadist the First is...both best done before these encounters.
|
Thrommel
Runechild (mod)
Council of Magisters
(10/20/03 8:15 am)
Reply
|
Re: Thrommel
{I love it when Thrommel refers to Thrommel in the third person. }
Hey, if Arnold Schwarzenegger can do it, so can the Thrommel!
-Thrommel, who sez "The Thrommel is as pumped up as he ever was!" *flex*
~Council of Magisters~
~ Arcana Unearthed ~ |
Astaroth
Mortal
(10/20/03 8:28 am)
Reply
|
Re: Thrommel's reaction to Fragerach?
msherman,
If you don't mind me asking, how did you bring Fragerach into the game? Did you have the PCs do a side quest, or did you place it somewhere within the CRM?
I am looking to integrate Fragerach into my game, but haven't come up with a good way how.
Thanks!
|
msherman
Kalkydrite
(10/20/03 9:11 am)
Reply
|
Re: Thrommel's reaction to Fragerach?
I put it in the horde of the white dragon from the wandering monster list.
He's been hunting cultists in the area forever, and 25 years ago, he killed a caravan of cultists which was bringing the sword back from Emridy Meadows after Thrommel's death.
The party was attacked by the dragon the session before last, and then yesterday they tracked him back to his lair and killed him.
|
 Infiniti2000
Cherub
(10/20/03 9:18 am)
Reply
ezSupporter
|
Re: Thrommel's reaction to Fragerach?
Those are great ideas. The party has met, but not defeated the white dragon IMC (named Krystaf, if anyone wants 3.5 stats, let me know). What abilities did you Fragarach?
|
arcane12
Memunite
(10/20/03 12:03 pm)
Reply
|
Re: Thrommel's reaction to Fragerach?
Infiniti2000: Yes please, those stats would be great After the party fooled me and ran straight for Varanthis and I had to try to convert on the fly, I think that would save me some effort (I was just thinking of doing that as I have be alluding to the white dragon recently...that would be a fun encounter )
|
msherman
Kalkydrite
(10/20/03 12:15 pm)
Reply
|
Re: Thrommel's reaction to Fragerach?
I2K: I made Fragerach a +1 Holy Axiomatic Answerer Bastard Sword, where the Answerer ability causes any opponent who successfully strikes the bearer in melee to immediately provoke an AOO (really only useful with Combat Reflexes, since it just provokes, you still only get one AOO per round normally).
IMC, the CG fighter/rogue has it on his back now, but doesn't plan to use it. I'm kind of surprised the NN barbarian didn't take it instead.
|
Caedrel
Kalkydrite
(10/20/03 5:44 pm)
Reply
|
Another view
Loath as I am to gainsay the man himself, here’s a different picture of the encounter:
“The blade is mine, mortal – mine by right of birth and of deeds done with it in my hand… by what claim dost thou withhold it from me?”
Thrommel held out his open palm and his eyes blazed with a preternatural brilliance. Unable to resist the sudden compulsion that swept over him, the fighter/rogue stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and laid the hilt of sheathed blade in Thrommel’s icy grasp. With a small, contemptuous grin, the vampire swept the glittering sword from its sheath and brandished it aloft with wild exultation, as the party fell back in dismay.
A pause.
Another.
An expression flickered across Thrommel’s face that they had not seen before. The arm that held Fragarach overhead trembled, as the shadow of pain sent cracks of doubt over Thrommel’s arrogant demeanor. The shaking grew greater; with a terrible cry, the rune encrusted blade slipped from his fingers, as the vampire crumpled to the ground, stricken. With a bell like sound, Fragarach landed point first, stabbing into the stone floor upright, swaying gently back and forth. Great sobs escaped from Thrommel’s gaunt frame.
“Fragarach… loyal blade, deliverer of justice… you burned me?”
He raised his head, and they saw the awful emptiness in his eyes as the painful truth dawned on the prince. Thrommel looked at his hands, seeing them as if for the first time.
“What have I become?”
The silence fell thick around them – heroes, sword, fallen prince. A new light came into Thrommel’s eyes, contesting with the terrible hunger that had lurked there previously. He laid a hand on the gleaming hilt before him.
“I swear, by all I once held dear,” he whispered, “I will be worthy of you again.”
A mist rose about him, and he became indistinct, merging into it.
“Farewell, heroes,” came his voice, as it vanished into the air. “Look for me before the coming of the dawn. Keep it safe; use it wisely. I lend it to you, for a time and a space…”
Okay, it probably doesn't work so well in our RPG context - doesn't give enough choice to the players. But surely Thrommel would try his dominate ability against the person with the sword? And at DC 21, the fighter/rogue is going to have to roll well to make the Will save...
And what happens when an undead creature gains a negative level, anyway? They clearly shouldn't become more powerful, so I guess they should just suffer the same penalties as if they were a living person
|
Thrommel
Runechild (mod)
Council of Magisters
(10/21/03 5:59 am)
Reply
|
Re: Another view
Sounds like a great scene to me, I like it.
The only thing to be careful of in something that so nicely scripted is that as soon as the rogue starts shuffling forward, the cleric and the mage are going to start yelling "Searing Light! Dispel Magic! Fireball!" at you trying to get the jump on things.
-Thrommel, who notes: you're all stunned for 15 seconds.
~Council of Magisters~
~ Arcana Unearthed ~ |
JRedGiant
Memunite
(10/21/03 7:38 am)
Reply
|
Just curious
Just curious...is it out of the realm of possibility that Thrommels touch might corrupt Fragarach rather than Fragarach redeeming Thrommel? Perhaps the characters can be led to believe by someone (Jaroo impersonating Jolene would be fun IMC) that Fragarach will redeem Thrommel. Then when they give him the sword, a battle of wills occurs, culminating with the blade turning a swirl of purple and black.
|
Killiak 
Dynama
(10/21/03 8:56 am)
Reply
|
Re: Just curious
Nah, Fragarach is an artifact that has survived several generations already. I don't think that something as relatively simple as a Blackgyard Vampire would corrupt an artifact like that. It just feels ... I dunno.... icky.
Quote:
-Thrommel, who notes that there's a difference between weeping and bawling like a little nancy-boy. Princes weep.
Thrommel, the word is "batty boy" 
|
msherman
Kalkydrite
(10/21/03 9:10 am)
Reply
|
Fight! Fight!
Whoa... Killiak just called Thrommel "relatively simple"... Them's fighting words!
Seriously, thanks for all the input, folks. I still have a while before I make any final decisions, but this is definitely useful stuff. I'll post here and let you know how things develop.
|
setanta14
Memunite
(10/22/03 3:13 pm)
Reply
|
Re: Fight! Fight!
I, too, have introduced Fragarach into my RttToEE campaign... I started leaving clues about Thrommel and Fragarach early on in the campaign while the party was still in Hommlet, and I used alot of ideas from this forum:
I had them come upon Xaod, weeping and drunk before a war monument to Thrommel (overgrown with weeds and brush) on the battlefield of Emridy Meadows while they were on their way to the old temple.
I had Redithidoor singing the song "The Battle of Emridy Meadows" while the party was at the Welcome Wench one night.
After the party destroyed the Air Temple/South Entrance, I had Thrommel show up and threaten the party to recover his coffin from the Fane, or he would destroy them all and make Rastor into a ghost(vampire spawn?)-town. The party had built up a good rappor with Rerrid since they recovered Tulian's Eye for him, and the party is generally good aligned, so the threat had meaning.
Later, I had the party encounter some drow near Vranthis' lair in the CRM, and the party found on them evidence that the drow were apparently emmisaries from an entity calling itself the "Crypt Wyrm of Dorob Kilthduum" (Dorob Kilthduum being a dwarven stronghold not far Rastor which was overtaken by orcs during the Hateful Wars). The correspondence on the drow was apparently a letter from the Wrym thanking Hedrack for the gift of the Champion's sword and the record of his breaking (the journal of the First regarding Thrommels fall into darkness) which the Wyrm apparently enjoyed having read to him while he dines.
The party did some research about Dorob Kilthduum, found the ruins, determined that beneath the ruins was an entrance to the Underdark and a large slave colony run by drow, duergar, grimlocks and trolls. They are about to assault the lair of the Crypt Wyrm himself (I used an Adult Cairn Dragon that I found on an online random dragon generator). They will discover Fragarach and the First's journal of Thrommel's breaking there.
As far as Fragarach itself, I gave it the powers I found on the BotB's here (+4 Holy Lawful Bastard Sword, Karmic Strike, Improved Combat Reflexes, etc.), but I also made it an intellegent item with some primary powers, empathy, and the special purpose of defending the interests, etc. of the Furyondian Royal family, and a special purpose power of True Ressurection one time only (from the DMG)
|
deafdungeonmasterRIT
Dynama
(10/22/03 6:06 pm)
Reply
|
I know@@
Change that sword to PURE BLADE!!!!
|
msherman
Kalkydrite
(10/23/03 5:40 am)
Reply
|
Crypt wyrm
Oh, putting the book with the sword is a very nice touch. I wish I'd thought of that. My dragon wasn't quite so... sophisticated...
IMC, Thrommel can't cross the Stalagos, due to the running water thing. That explains why the party has seen no trace of him yet. If they want to rescue him and attempt to restore him, they'll find it very difficult to do in the Outer Fane due to the unholy influences all around, so they'll have to find and steal the coffin to get him out of there, at which point they run the risk of letting a volatile vampire loose on the countryside. That'll be an adventure.
I think I'll have the book in Hedrack's room, and have him enjoy having it read to him. Perhaps with a slave-girl permanently shackled to the book as it's reader. Though Hedrack may not fall early enough, any suggestions on how to get it into the party's hands sooner? I'm definitely going to sprinkle some Vampire Spawn throughout the outer fane to tip the party off to the existance of a vampire before they meet him.
|
Infiniti2000
Cherub
(10/24/03 8:11 am)
Reply
ezSupporter
|
Re: Crypt wyrm
arcane12, I'll do that tonight.
One other comment on Fragarach. Is it just me, or is Fragarach a silly name? It certainly doesn't inspire fear, but it also doesn't inspire respect. It almost sounds like a joke. In fact, if you pronounce the "rach" as in "rock", then it sounds like a children's muppet-like show (remember Fragglerock?).
|
Okay -- Your Turn
Email This To a Friend
Topic Commands
Click to receive email notification of replies 
Click to stop receiving email notification of replies