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Urist
2011-01-24, 08:49 PM
(If you are one of my players, stay out! That means you, Michi.)
Hello Playgrounders!

I'm currently DM'ing a campaign in Eberron, in which my players have finally latched onto on of my plothooks. They are attempting to free an ancient magician, who was trained as a living weapon against the Daelkyr. This magician has been has been bound in a magic circle, whose power they wish to exploit/learn from for different reasons.

This man is actually a Spirit Binder(Secrets of Pact Magic, Radiance House). Think Tome of Magic Binder, but... actually, no real difference. He has been bound by thirteen symbols, the symbols corresponding to the thirteen constellations. Now, what else are there thirteen of? The Outer Planes(of Eberron), of course! Thus far, the plan is to send the players to different manifest zones of each of the planes,each one of which is associated with and have them commit certain rituals there on different gems in order to act as focuses for a magic ritual to free him. Biggest problems thus far: trying to find good matches thematically for each of the constellations. This is what I have so far:
Angel-Syrania
Crown-Daanvi
Dragon-Fernia
Fiend-Kythri
Genie-Thelanis
Ghoul -Dolurrh
Knight-Shavarath
Magi-Xoriat
Portal -Dal Quor
Spider-Risia
Shadow-Mabar
Tree-Lamania
Thief-Irian(This one is hard. Good match for the Thief is hard!
The other one is finding good locations and rituals to associate with them. I have a few ideas, but was wondering what the Playground might come up with. Thanks!

avr
2011-01-24, 09:10 PM
Who bound him, and what level are your players?

Urist
2011-01-24, 09:35 PM
The man was originally bound by the ancient Gatekeepers, after he went a little nuts and decided that Dal Quor was not the only thing that needed a little "cleansing". Players are level 3 at the moment,t but this was meant to be a campaign-spanning quest. Of course, if they walk away before fully releasing him, he will attempt to kill them with his(reduced)power(essentially, as they get rid of more seals, he gains more levels as his power and knowledge comes flowing back). After all thirteen seals go, he is to be a level 25 Spirit Binder, but if they fight him with only a few seals removed, he only has the power of a level 8.

avr
2011-01-25, 02:31 AM
The Thelanis one might be resolved by a game or contest against some fey. This probably needs to happen before the PCs get access to true seeing or similar as the fey are likely to use illusions to cheat, or at least to confuse the players.

In Daanvi they will surely need to make something, given what Formians are like. Perhaps a suitable substitute for the seal.

Sharn is a manifest zone to Syrania. Who knows which dragonmarked house has built their tower on the spot where the seal is? Or perhaps it's in the possession of a cult devoted to one of the Radiant Idols?

I'd leave Xoriat til later, but if you want to get it in early it is possible to deal politically with at least one mind flayer. Ambassador from Droaam to Breland, IIRC.

Dragon/Fernia - you could play it straight and set up a fight with a dragon. Or you could put a twist in it and have a sleeping dragon in there whose dreams the PCs must enter to solve the Dal Quor seal - one of the Kalashtars' Quori spirits is trapped in a dragons dreams. Or you could do both. Late in the campaign either way.

A Risia zone could be relatively early in the campaign. Dress warmly and most of the obvious ill effects aren't a problem. The problem could be figuring out which of the icy stalagmites/icicles in the cave is the gem they're after.

Prime32
2011-01-25, 09:57 AM
The Spirit Binder involves 13 constellations? Because Eberron has 13 moons corresponding to the planes, and at least one PrC which draws power from them (moonspeaker guardian, for shifter druids). Not to mention 13 dragonmarks.

Urist
2011-01-25, 02:24 PM
I wasn't aware of the amount of moons. Are they tied to specific planes, or what other significance do they have?

Prime32
2011-01-25, 02:29 PM
I wasn't aware of the amount of moons. Are they tied to specific planes, or what other significance do they have?Well, lycanthropes are affected when any of the moons are full. IIRC the reason the Silver Flame launched a crusade against them was because of a rare event where all the moons became full at the same time, turning all lycanthropes into the infectious kind and driving them berserk. Of course, they kept killing lycans long after the alignment was over...

avr
2011-01-25, 03:11 PM
I think this was posted on WotC's old boards once. Ignore the sizes/distances, they make no sense.
Zarantyr, the Storm Moon
Color: Pearly white
Associated Dragonmark: Storm
Approximate Diameter: 1,250 miles
Approximate Mean Distance from Eberron: 14,300 miles
Zarantyr is the closest moon to Eberron, and it has the
greatest effect on the planet's tides. Superstition holds that
there is a far greater chance of being struck by lightning
when Zarantyr is full, and that bolts can fall from a clear
sky. According to the druids, those born in the month of
Zarantyr have a wild and tempestuous nature. Sometimes this
translates to aggression, but it can also manifest as pure,
unbridled energy; barbarians, fighters, sorcerers, and evokers
may all feel a bond with the Storm Moon.
Olarune, The Sentinel
Color: Pale orange
Associated Dragonmark: Sentinel
Approximate Diameter: 950 miles
Approximate Mean Distance from Eberron: 22,500 miles
To the naked eye, the orange disk of Olarune seems to have a
slight fringe that vaguely resembles the rim of a shield. The
druids say that those born when Olarune is ascendant have a
strong bond to community and to order, and a natural desire to
protect others; superstition holds that more paladins are born
in this month than any other. Scattered lycanthropes,
especially weretigers, revere Olarune as a sort of
demigoddess-protector.
Therendor, The Healer's Moon
Color: Pale gray
Associated Dragonmark: Healing
Approximate Diameter: 1,100 miles
Approximate Mean Distance from Eberron: 39,000 miles
Therendor is the "brother moon" of Barrakas, sharing a similar
but narrower orbit with the Lantern Moon. The Serens and
druids maintain that natural medicines concocted when
Therendor is full and Barrakas is new are more potent than
normal. Those born in the month of Therendor are thought to be
gentle and empathetic; priests, mediators, and healers often
have Therendor as their ascendant moon.
Eyre, the Anvil
Color: Silver-gray
Associated Dragonmark: Making
Approximate Diameter: 1,200 miles
Approximate Mean Distance from Eberron: 52,000 miles
When Eyre is full, a keen-eyed observer can pick out on its
surface a shadowy shape that vaguely resembles an anvil.
According to druidic belief, those born under Eyre inherit a
solid, practical nature and a gift for nature crafts. Some
smiths will wait until Eyre is full to work on especially
difficult projects, and House Cannith enclaves often hold
celebrations when the Anvil is full in the sky.
Dravago, the Herder's Moon
Color: Pale lavender
Associated Dragonmark: Handling
Approximate Diameter: 2,000 miles
Approximate Mean Distance from Eberron: 77,500 miles
Large and lavender, Dravago is a striking image in the sky.
Its orbit typically keeps it at a distance from other moons,
and old legends say that it is herding the rest and keeping
them in motion. Children of Dravago are said to be more
comfortable with animals and plants than with people -- gifted
herders, handlers, and farmers, but often awkward in social
situations. Some say that stones from Dravago occasionally
fall to Eberron, and alchemists have long claimed that this
"purple dust of Dravago" holds remarkable magical properties.
Nymm, the Crown or King Nymm
Color: Pale yellow
Associated Dragonmark: Hospitality
Approximate Diameter: 900 miles
Approximate Mean Distance from Eberron: 95,000 miles
The golden disk of Nymm is most typically associated with
royalty. Those born when Nymm is ascendant are said to be
sociable and charismatic, gifted orators and con artists. The
halflings of House Ghallanda frequently offer discounted rates
at their hostelries on nights when "King Nymm" is in its full
moon phase.
Lharvion, the Eye
Color: Dull white with black slit
Associated Dragonmark: Detection
Approximate Diameter: 1,350 miles
Approximate Mean Distance from Eberron: 125,000 miles
This moon features a 750-mile-long black chasm, and, when
viewed from Eberron, the full disk of Lharvion resembles a
slitted eye. Many superstitions exist about the baleful
influence of this moon, and strange occurrences and calamities
seem to happen when the Eye of Lharvion is full in the sky.
The druids believe that children of Lharvion possess unnatural
insights, and gifted diviners and researchers are often born
in this month.
Barrakas, the Lantern
Color: Pale gray
Associated Dragonmark: Finding
Approximate Diameter: 1,500 miles
Approximate Mean Distance from Eberron: 144,000 miles
Barrakas is the brightest of Eberron's moons, and hunters
value its light when stalking prey at night. This "sister
moon" of Therendor shares a similar (if wider) orbit and
occasionally seems to hide behind her closer brother. On
nights when Therendor eclipses Barrakas -- "when Barrakas is
shy" -- sailors worry about getting lost at sea. Those born
when Barrakas is ascendant are thought to be gifted hunters,
but many also believe they have a knack for clarifying things
that others find confusing. The son of Lharvion sees what
others cannot see, while the daughter of Barrakas sheds light
on that which is already in the open.
Rhaan, the Book
Color: Pale blue
Associated Dragonmark: Scribing
Approximate Diameter: 800 miles
Approximate Mean Distance from Eberron: 168,000 miles
The smallest of Eberron's moons, Rhaan looks more like a
bright star. When viewed with a spyglass, one may see a series
of ridges that vaguely resemble scribblings on a page. The
druids say that Rhaan empowers creative thought, and they
believe that dancers, musicians, poets, and artists of all
stripes draw inspiration from the Book.
Sypheros, the Shadow
Color: Smoky gray
Associated Dragonmark: Shadow
Approximate Diameter: 1,200 miles
Approximate Mean Distance from Eberron: 193,000 miles
Sypheros is a dim moon, and people often find it difficult to
spot in the night sky. Recent observations using powerful
spyglasses have confirmed that a jagged crack runs down the
center of the moon, as if the moon is splitting in two. Many
believe that children born in the month of Sypheros inherit a
shifty, untrustworthy nature, and parents often seek to time
pregnancies to avoid this month. However, the druids say that
the children of Sypheros are not evil; rather, they are
comfortable with the shadows and can face them without fear.
Aryth, the Gateway
Color: Orange-red
Associated Dragonmark: Passage
Approximate Diameter: 1,000 miles
Approximate Mean Distance from Eberron: 221,000 miles
The black dragon Vvarrak told the first druids that Aryth has
a similar effect on manifest zones as Zarantyr has on tides,
and that particularly weak manifest zones appear only when
Aryth is in its full moon phase. Some say that those born
under this moon are restless folk, driven to travel and
explore; Lhazaar, who led the first great migration from
Sarlona to Khorvaire, is said to have been a child of Aryth.
Vult, the Warding Moon
Color: Gray and pockmarked
Associated Dragonmark: Warding
Approximate Diameter: 1,800 miles
Approximate Mean Distance from Eberron: 252,000 miles
Vult is the farthest moon from Eberron, and some legends say
that it holds back forces that lurk out within the stars. The
druids say that children of Vult are practical, careful folk
who generally plan ahead and prepare for the worst; when
disaster strikes, the children of Vult hold civilization
together. In his study of the Serens, the sage Galeoin
reported that the barbarians believe that Vult "devours" the
spirits of deceased great wyrms that fail to attain godhood.
Lycanthropes and the Moons of Eberron
The full moon has a powerful effect on lycanthropes -- and on
Eberron, a shapeshifter may have to contend with the influence
of multiple moons on a single night. A creature afflicted with
lycanthropy changes involuntarily into animal form whenever
one of the twelve moons is full. An afflicted creature can
resist the involuntary transformation with a successful
Control Shape check (see Monster Manual, page 303); however,
for each additional full moon after the first, apply a -2
penalty to the check.
This means that an afflicted lycanthrope has to contend with
the effects of the curse an average of nineteen nights of the
month. Thus, rarely does an afflicted lycanthrope last a week
before the curse takes hold and permanently alters her
alignment.