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silonez
Mortal
(10/20/03 8:08 pm)
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Some questions about Rastor
There's some grey area in Rastor that I'd like to get some opinions on. My group will likely be heading there tomorrow, and I want to be a little better prepared.
First of all, regarding Tal. It seems odd that no one in town is willing to discuss the drugs he sells. Surely some of the other inhabitants (that aren't addicts) have some suspicions? I don't want to make it too easy for the group to figure out, but then again, I don't see how he could hide something like this if someone starts asking around. It also seems odd that Rerrid would allow this to happen in his town.
Second, what does Rastor actually do to make money? Just trade with the orcs? Wasn't it a mining town at one point? Again, I'd like some feedback from those of you who have tackled this already and can help me flesh it out a bit.
Next, Tymerion (sp?), the wizard and former adventurer who has chosen to live in Rastor. Why would she stay there? How does she make a living?
Anyway, I have a feeling that the whole Tal thing isn't going to hold up at all under close scrutiny, and I know that my group will be very suspicious when he starts telling them that the first one is free..
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errant42
Memunite
(10/20/03 8:22 pm)
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Re: Some questions about Rastor
I did some work fleshing out Rastor a while back, trying to fill it in as much as Hommlet is, and adding a more detailed (and expansive) cult presence. I posted it, but I'm not sure where that thread is these days.
Regarding your questions:
1. Rastorians are a keep-to-themselves type of group. They have learned from their dealings with orcs and the other strange types who pass through not to ask or answer questions. Rerrid himself doesn't like the stuff, but unless he's presented with concrete evidence of its lethal potential, he won't act. The addicts aren't really willing to discuss it, because Tal has let them know in no uncertain terms that to tell anyone too much is to lose their supply. In short, a little investigation will certainly reveal that there is something wrong, but it may take some prying. I got one of my PCs addicted to Tanbrosh before they fully dealt with the problem.
2. It used to be a dwarven mining town, but the cultists drove the miners off (killing many of them in the process). Now the town makes its money on trade with the orcs and other natives of the region... but it's a scant living.
3. She stays here out some feelings of guilt for having been (a) the only survivor of her party and (b) unable to stop what she knows to be a great evil. She sells potions and scrolls, and acts as the town's wizard. She also gives Rerrid arcane magical support in ruling, for which he pays her what he can out of church coffers.
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silonez
Mortal
(10/20/03 10:25 pm)
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Re: Some questions about Rastor
"2. It used to be a dwarven mining town, but the cultists drove the miners off (killing many of them in the process). Now the town makes its money on trade with the orcs and other natives of the region... but it's a scant living."
That wouldn't make much sense would it? Considering that the residents of the temple seem to trade freely with the people of Rastor. If they had driven the miners off, wouldn't the people of Rastor found some way to retaliate? Say, working with the orcs, or seeking outside help from one of the larger cities in the region.
And since it is common knowledge in town that there is a new temple somewhere in the mountains, wouldn't the more seasoned townfolk (Rerrid, Tymerion) know that they had better start looking for help? Considering the trouble that this region has had with evil temples in the past, I would think that this would be a big warning flag.
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JRedGiant
Memunite
(10/20/03 10:40 pm)
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Re: Some questions about Rastor
It's not necessarily common knowledge in Rastor that Mt. Stalagos hosts a temple. Just that a long time ago it used to be a dwarven diamond mine, contact was lost with the miners and that people who go there generally don't come back.
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grimbold
Memunite
(10/20/03 11:09 pm)
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Some answers about Rastor
Imc, things were like this:
Tymmerian was still suffering from nightmares and madness. I portray her as a woman aged beyond her years (white hair etc.) who had lucid moments, but would just sit and stare and mumble about 50% of the time. She is very friendly and somewhat tired when in her lucid moments, but might snap into her catatonic state any time. Interrogating her was very hard for my players.
Tal Chammish is the main source of income for Rastor nowadays. He not only keeps the population "quiet" by dealing drugs, but also keeps the orc tribe under control by buying their furs and other trade goods (in reality, he does not make profit from this). Rerrid does not want to confront Tal without certain evidence, as he suspects that the uneasy peace with the orcs will not last if they cannot sell their wares anymore.
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errant42
Memunite
(10/21/03 9:10 am)
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Re: Some questions about Rastor
silonez said:
Quote:
That wouldn't make much sense would it? Considering that the residents of the temple seem to trade freely with the people of Rastor. If they had driven the miners off, wouldn't the people of Rastor found some way to retaliate? Say, working with the orcs, or seeking outside help from one of the larger cities in the region.
I don't think the cultists come down into Rastor in their colored robes screaming "ALL HAIL ELEMENTAL EVIL!! ALL HAIL THARIZDUN!!" They do their business much more quietly-- secrecy and subtlety is the only thing between them and another army of good guys. Sure, some of the townsfolk suspect something unusual going on, but they've learned to keep to themselves... which is the primary reason their town hasn't been wiped out by the cult (who could easily do so).
Quote:
And since it is common knowledge in town that there is a new temple somewhere in the mountains, wouldn't the more seasoned townfolk (Rerrid, Tymerion) know that they had better start looking for help?
Well, it's really up to you. As published, the Rastorians are not taking nor even planning any action. IMC, Rerrid was among the most helpful and friendly NPCs once the PCs had dealt with Tal and the Tanbrosh problem. He didn't armor up and go with them, but he gave them discounts on healing and told them about the dwarven temple in the CRMs. But if you want the Rastorians to rally to the cause and help the PCs, then go for it.
Quote:
Considering the trouble that this region has had with evil temples in the past, I would think that this would be a big warning flag.
Exactly... which is why the cult has had to remain secret in order to survive. They've already been defeated twice (Emridy Meadows and the original ToEE), so they're VERY careful about letting anyone know what they're up to. Or that's how it reads to me, and that's how I've played it.
You could play it that the cult is so confident of their victory that they don't care anymore. They swagger into Rastor in full ritual regalia, rough up the locals, and charge their meals to the Elemental Evil Company Credit Card. If that's the case, then the PCs should have no trouble getting help from, oh say, every paladin and good cleric within 1000 miles, and probably the Circle of Eight themselves.
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ZansForCans 
Cherub
(10/21/03 10:01 am)
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Re: Some questions about Rastor
I actually stole most of e42's material and reworked it back down to match the adventure (e42 had more cultists there and a bit more nastiness going on) because it was so close to a drop-in I couldn't resist.  But it does have all the great personality descriptions and motivations that the original posting did. I even drew up basic maps of the area and Rastor that match the adventure for my own campaign that go nicely with it.
I never got around to uploading it because it never quite got done enough for me (like the Rastor map and more Rastor sites), but I'll try to clean it up enough and put it up on my site this week. Maybe someone can add a little more to it so there really is a pick-up, drop-in replacement for the hole in the adventure for those that want it.
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silonez
Mortal
(10/21/03 11:50 am)
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Re: Some questions about Rastor
Thanks a ton for all your suggestions guys, it's been very helpful.
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arcane12
Memunite
(10/21/03 12:58 pm)
Reply
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Re: Some questions about Rastor
zans: That would be great I think I will need to work on Rastor some more myself: I have a PC wanting to be a Warmaster (PrC) and he will be wanting his tower - I coul dhave him one built in Rastor or even find him one closeby...
The way I see Rastor is this:
~100 years ago the Doomdreamers invaded the mines, killed off 95% of the populance, the other 5% fled. (Rerrid IMC is a sole local survivor, but was too young to remember much - just monsters invading)
Now that there is no mine to support a hamlet the town dwindled down to a throp sized community, with a few orcs becoming resident (outcasts and 'black sheep').
Trading with the orcs as well as travellers (I put mountain passes here to support the idea of a inn) has broadened the outlook of residents - they are used to being open minded, which makes them miss the problems with the cult.
The town is mostly just self-sufficient - trading with orcs and some of the cultists earns money to pay for what they can't make. (the amount of people in the CRM is too many for this town to support, so I see the cultists as trading with townsfolk to supplement what they bring in on trade wagons of their own.)
Tymerion stays out of compasion, IMC Rerrid helped her when she dragged herself into town, using a resoration scroll and other magics to fix her up. (Actually I even decided to detail her escape - after she was captured and subdued by the wights, when she was able she retrived her spellbook (8th level caster drained down to 2nd, made one save, got one level restored) and used the spells within to make her escape.)
Tal is quite smart with his drug pushing - he becomes friends with a likely target and then gets them to 'try it just once' never targeting anyone too important, and slowly pulls them in, then once they are addicted show his true colors, forcing them to do his will.
Anyway, this is just how I run things, hope it helps
Note:
My Sunday game has yet to deal with Tal. They got a dose in their food at the tavern and suspected the cook, but once they cleared his name they did not check in the waiteress (the real poisoner) even though it was quite clear she was the only other one that had the opportunity. Of course they did not get the note from the flour mill, and she stopped poisoning them once they cured their fellow.
The Thursday game however got the note (they 'found' it at the mill after the bad guys cleared out - the party went shopping in Verbobonc straight after the moathouse even with the journal) and went to talk to Tal about his 'helping' out the evil cultists by supplying a wagon. With very heavy handed attitudes the spooked him, and he fled - they searched his house found his gear - all over red rover. :/
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smetzger
Memunite
(10/22/03 5:29 am)
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Re: Some questions about Rastor
There should be a large mellon patch in Rastor.
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