The War in the Core

[The Lesser Evil]

Just to try again at stretching the Nova Vaasa/Imperial Russia analogue, could a heretical Banite (or servant of Malken, remember as DL, he probably has a better idea of how things will turn out than Othmar) have become close to Othmar and the royal family, and through his pacifistic teachings be trying to keep Nova Vaasa out of the war?

It's a Rasputin rip off, but it might be interesting from a "Great Game" perspective. If a group of PCs were working for a power that wished to see Nova Vaasa in the war (I struggle to think of one with an obvious reason, maybe Malochio's Invidia to harry the eastern front? Maybe Darkon, just to mess with Strahd) then they might be tasked with assassinating/exposing the priest, in order to remove that barrier to war.

The priest would be a pretty bad guy, and pretty hard to kill (hmmm...seemingly immune to many toxins, maybe a Boritsi scion?) but even if the PCs could not do this then they might still expose his heretical practices which while the subject of open speculation and gossip, would be considered heinous crimes were proof ever to be revealed.

Othmar seems a bit too stubborn and willful to be manipulated by a (theoretical) agent of the church like that. His stubbornness is in fact the cause of his downfall as we have it. Perhaps following his fall, the noble families, church, etc. go to the opposite extreme by installing a weaker willed/more easily influenced figurehead as leader to prevent somebody like Othmar from abusing their station again. However, they fail to predict that their figurehead will become influenced by certain parties more than others.

Yes, I definitely see the Syndicate as "hawks" in this scenario, acting as a pro-war faction within Lamordian society. I've been wondering if with the Brain as DL, Dementlieu might begin suffering under it's own "Smothering of Reason", and that may have been part of the Syndicate's plan.

As an aside, according to the gaz entry, the "Smothering" has only been occurring in recent times. It seems unlikely, therefore, to actually be a manifestation of the DLs curse, but maybe the results of activity by a third party. Might the Syndicate be that third party? Might they have the means to extend it to other lands, given time and resources?

Either way the Societe de Legerdemain will have to stand against the Syndicate if it is to survive, while their cover is based on the fact that natives of Dementlieu are unused to magic, the Syndicate will surely quickly see through it and begin targeting the arcanists.

If it is true that the Smothering expands, then that would surely be a threat to the power of the Fraternity. While they might be content to simply rescue a few book collections and museum pieces at first, as evidence of the failure of magic began to mount up, I can see them investigating, and then actively working against the Syndicate, with both them and the Societe becoming active (if sometimes opposing) factions within La Resistance

I gather the Smothering is some more of an (un)natural pheneoma rather than a deliberate action. It seems like a collective belief made manifest, the (dis)belief of the Lamordians in the supernatural is draining the land of magic. It would be more unlikely in Dementlieu, where magic is a commonly accepted (if dismissed as irrelevant) fact of life.

However, if you wanted to have the Syndicate be responsible for the Smothering, you could have them have some kind of weird science/Dread Crafted apparatus, perhaps something that works off the collective imagination (or lack there of). In Dementlieu, perhaps it would work only on magic that is of a destructive or obviously potent nature. (Things like destructive spells like fireball, actual conjurations as opposed to illusionary creatures, etc.) It might have the unwanted (to the Syndicate) effect of making enchantments and illusions more powerful (since these are the sort of magic the Dementlieuse are more used to).

I doubt the Brain would want to work directly with the Syndicate, as he is himself something of a supernatural entity with psionics, etc. The Smothering would effect him and his psionics as well. He might manipulate them into going after his enemies though.

The Societe de Legerdemain could be a foe of the Syndicate, but I would think that the Fraternity of Shadows would make for a more adept opponent. They have a lot invested in the University of Dementlieu.

[thekristhomas]

I gather the Smothering is some more of an (un)natural pheneoma rather than a deliberate action. It seems like a collective belief made manifest, the (dis)belief of the Lamordians in the supernatural is draining the land of magic. It would be more unlikely in Dementlieu, where magic is a commonly accepted (if dismissed as irrelevant) fact of life.

However, if you wanted to have the Syndicate be responsible for the Smothering, you could have them have some kind of weird science/Dread Crafted apparatus, perhaps something that works off the collective imagination (or lack there of). In Dementlieu, perhaps it would work only on magic that is of a destructive or obviously potent nature. (Things like destructive spells like fireball, actual conjurations as opposed to illusionary creatures, etc.) It might have the unwanted (to the Syndicate) effect of making enchantments and illusions more powerful (since these are the sort of magic the Dementlieuse are more used to).

I doubt the Brain would want to work directly with the Syndicate, as he is himself something of a supernatural entity with psionics, etc. The Smothering would effect him and his psionics as well. He might manipulate them into going after his enemies though.

The Societe de Legerdemain could be a foe of the Syndicate, but I would think that the Fraternity of Shadows would make for a more adept opponent. They have a lot invested in the University of Dementlieu.

You're entirely correct that the Smothering is presented as a "natural" phenomenon, part of the DLs curse, and consequence of Lamordian rationalism. My point is that, IIRC, Lamordians have always been rationalists and Victor's curse remains unchanging, it's the recency of the Smothering arrival which suggests (to me) that other agencies might be involved.

I really like your take on the Smothering in Dementlieu, I like how there could be an "adapting to local conditions" that could result in a strengthening of locally accepted forms of magic. That could be something of a coup for the Societe whose members already are invested in those fields, potentially strengthening one of the Syndicates foes.

By my reading of the text on the Smothering, the Brain would not be affected. This is because, as a creation of Mordenheim, he is, himself, a product of science. Therefore, even if a full Lamordian version of the Smothering were to be in effect, the Brains psionic/enchanting abilities would still be fully functional as they are a by-product of science. (YMMV)

I agree that the Fraternity would be a better resourced and more capable opponent to the Syndicate than the Societe. However, I think that the Societe has far more to lose, being a) comprised mostly of arcanists b) an institution found only in Dementlieu. Also, I think that while the Fraternity and the Syndicates primary goals (that is, the use and control of magic to gain power and the use of power and influence to remove magic, respectively) are directly opposed, their secondary goal, that of keeping the general population ignorant of magic is very much aligned.

Add to this your suggestion that the Smothering may actually strengthen the schools of enchantment and illusion, and the stage magicians may suddenly have the potency to be effective opponents, while the Fraternity, with it's lack of focus on these schools, is suddenly hampered by the Smotherings effect on all other arcanists.

[The Lesser Evil]

Actually the Fraternity is composed mostly of illusionists (and all have to be capable of casting illusion spells) but you are correct the Societe does have more to lose, being almost entirely located within Dementlieu, whereas the Fraternity has a much wider base of operations. Having the Societe face off against the Syndicate could also have interesting repercussions in that their leader, Claude LaGrange, is (or was) both a member of the Council of Brilliance and an Obedient. Following Dominic demise, if Celeste inherited command of the Obedients, this could put a significant thorn in the side of the Brain.

[Rock of the Fraternity]

Or it could become a bridge between the two of them?

[thekristhomas]

Or it could become a bridge between the two of them?

Sorry do you mean a bridge between the Fraternity and the Societe, or between Celeste and the Brain?

[Rock of the Fraternity]

Celeste and the Brain.

The Fraternity wouldn't operate on equal level with anyone.

[thekristhomas]

I'd imagine that the Brain would in general be sympathetic/ignore the actions of the Syndicate as their actions would have little effect on him, similarly as Celeste's powers derive from psychology/mesmerism she would have little to fear and would only oppose them (IMO) if and when she supported the Resistance, as they are representatives of the Lamordian establishment. As, in my imagining of the scenario, Celeste, before revealing her support for the Resistance, has more access to the Lamordian uppercrust in Port-a-Lucine than the Brain, there's a fair chance that she may come to control large sections of the Syndicate's presence in Dementlieu, thereby gaining control of both the Syndicate and the Societe.

That would certainly give the Brain reason to work against his countrymen.

I wonder, would Celeste allow both groups to continue to work against each other, for the sake of appearances?

[thekristhomas]

Nova Vaasa invades Tepest. The Nova Vaasans are harried by various monsters that make their progress into the domain less than it appears. However, the Tepestani don't know this. In the face of superior numbers and an organized force, the Tepestani look outward for allies for the first time. Several of them cross into Darkon looking for non-heathen allies. They discover the Via Corona mistway and contact the Nidalans for help. Differences in doctrine are not immediately apparent, and Faith-hold sends some of her enforcers to help the Tepestani.

...

Meanwhile, Azalin has his hands full. The clash between the Blessed Army and the Darkonian branch has been going on for some time, causing a more than desirable death toll. Although he has no love for the Ezrans, the foreign invader can no longer be tolerated. Between dealing with the Mordentish invaders and finding Malocchio, Azalin has his hands full. As such, he allows the Nidalans to cross the border into Tepest without much molestation.

We may have lessened Darkon's role in the Vaasi/Tepest conflict, I was reading gaz 5 and it says that the main reason for hostility between Tepest and Nova Vaasa is the Vaasi inability to build a useful road through Tepest to Darkon. Darkon would benefit from the road as much as Nova Vaasa, and therefore, to some extent benefit from the invasion. He would need a compelling reason (IMHO something more compelling than feuding Ezrans, but YMMV) to assist (by inaction) the Tepestian cause.

Unless...what if the introduction of Nidalans and Tespestians was a deliberate attempt to cause schisms in both churches, both groups would eventually witness priests of Belenus with profoundly different interpretations and opinions on Belenus, all seemingly receiving the blessing of their god. How would the two faiths reconcile this fact?

The Nidalans would likely declare the Tepestian viewpoint heretical, certainly if Elena has anything to do with it. The Nidalans however are on foreign turf, how long before they realise they are beyond the Stranglehold's reach? Would they cling to their dogma once they realise they were free? I think that for the majority of the Nidalan Expeditionary Force, regardless of whether they remained faithful to Elena or not, would probably retain their view on Belenus and the teachings of the church.

So I can see that group splitting into three groups, those who remained true to Elena, who would continue to honour any alliance until heresy was declared against the Tepestians, being the first. Those who fled from Elena's rule would comprise the remaining groups, one who rebelled against their former leader but still refuted the Inquistions interpretation of their faith, these rebel knights would probably take to the woods and attempt to carve out some territory for themselves, while the remaining minority might defect to the Inquisition.

As for the Tepestians, there is much in the strident nature of the Nidalan church that might appeal to the Tespestian mindset, particularly those Inquisitors who want to get on with the killing of the forces of darkness rather than the seemingly endless search for quislings. It seems unlikely though that, once Elena declared the heresy, any Tespestians would defect to her cause. The woodland rebels may still appeal, if they can survive the woodlands. If enough Tepestians joined with the Rebel Nidalans, they could turn they tide against the loyal Nidalans, and the loyal Tespestians. Perhaps, the rebel Nidalans become military leaders to rebel Tepestians tired of the Inquistions yoke, and once the war is won intend to become the aristocratic upper class that Tepest lacks.

The War in Tepest then might have several outcomes

Nova Vaasa conquers Tepest and constructs a road to Darkon
or
Tepest, with the assistance of Nidala rebuffs Nova Vaasa's invasion, the road remains unconstructed
or
After initial success against Nova Vaasa, the Nidalans turn on the Tepestians, the Inquistion is overthrown and a new government loyal to Elena is installed, resistance is ruthlessly crushed, and because it makes economic sense, the road is constructed to Darkon
or
After leaving Nidala a large number of Nidalan troops mutiny/desert and join with Tepestian rebels to overthrow the Inquistion, and because it makes sense build a road.

Three of these outcomes result in the road being built, thus I could see Azalin and the Kargat working to support any and all of these outcomes, though I can't help but think he would prefer the rebels to win, as a Nova Vaasa victory might indirectly strengthen Malken, and a Nidalan victory would strengthen Elena, and I don't think Azalin would happily increase the strength of another DL just on principle (YMMV).

What of the Sisters? Well part of the reason for this war is the Tepestian respect/fear of those territories deemed under the sisters protection (while the Tespestians may not know what manner of creatures protect the deep woods, they know enough not to venture there) so they are capable of having a fair amount of influence on events.

In the above examples of potential outcomes, I've assumed that Nidalan or Vaasi perseverance would eventually persuade the Sisters to simply move their area of influence to elsewhere in the domain, after all, while they are perfectly capable of defending themselves, they would probably find soldiers crashing about annoying. But, the Sisters equally have a history of being receptive to negotiation, is it possible a bargain could be stuck for their co-operation? Could Azalin, either to avert war entirely or to smooth progress once the war was resolved, simply send and emissary to inquire the price of their movement, in whatever currency was agreeable He might even point out that the area around Brigdarrow would become even more of a backwater once the highway bypassed it.

[The Lesser Evil]

My assessment is that Azalin would largely stay out of it personally because he has bigger fish to fry, namely the situation with Ezrans from Mordent and later capturing Malocchio and the new GC child we have corrupting the Nevuchar Springs Ezrans. Not to mention keeping tabs on what is going on in the Western Core and making sure nobody from Falkovnia ventures up north into Darkon.

Azalin also knows of the power of the Three Hags, having commissioned them to build a crystal he used to craft the Death Shards/Blood Blades for the events of the Grim Harvest. I would think he would know not to fool around with them in their own backyard. That's not to preclude some token Darkonian cooperation or interference from the Kargat, but I think Darkonian involvement would be relatively low.

I mentioned my thoughts previously on the Hags. The Hags are powerful enough to threaten most invading forces all by themselves. At first they'd allow the invaders to have their fun merely to see lives lost or ruined, as they are the Core's greatest trolls. But if it seemed like there would be a foreign power, the Hags would unleash the goblins and their other minions to wipe out the invaders like a surprise hurricane. My understanding is that the Hags are largely unknown by most people, including the Nova Vaasans.

Once Azalin was done with his other distractions, he might clamp down on Nidalan troops coming through the borders, effectively trapping any Nidalans deployed in Tepest to stay in Tepest, allowing for the eventual boiling over of relations between the Tepstani and the Nidalans. This likely only occurs after the Nova Vaasans have been removed from the picture, as the doctrinal differences don't become salient until the invaders are ejected.

[Dion of the Fraternity]

I reckon that if and when this Core-wide war would take place, Barovia and Borca would have some sort of contingency plan. Here's the story I wrote to present how it could have been formed:

http://mhobservatory.blogspot.com/2015/ ... ummit.html

Basically, if the Treaty of Four Towers fails to halt a Falkovnian invasion, then Borca (the non-Dorvinian portion, anyway) could always count on its cultural backwater for refuge and support. As for what Barovia gets in return...well, the story has to be read.

[thekristhomas]

I reckon that if and when this Core-wide war would take place, Barovia and Borca would have some sort of contingency plan. Here's the story I wrote to present how it could have been formed:

http://mhobservatory.blogspot.com/2015/ ... ummit.html

Basically, if the Treaty of Four Towers fails to halt a Falkovnian invasion, then Borca (the non-Dorvinian portion, anyway) could always count on its cultural backwater for refuge and support. As for what Barovia gets in return...well, the story has to be read.

I think the kind of "backchannels" treaty you describe in this story would be a possibility, but I think that the Dilisnya being "enemies of the state" in Barovia would make any overt actions of support between the two fraught with difficulty. Although...Ivana is a Boritsi...I wonder whether a second bargain might be struck.

What if it was Ivana that struck first against Ivan, possibly with the covert support of Strahd and the Order. It's also in Ivana's style to take out not just Ivan but his supporters, essentially almost the whole Dilisnya clan within Borca. Might not this act allow Strahd to publically open "friendly" relations? With a Pan-Balok Alliance presenting a stronger front against Invidian aggression, and a Darklord with the ability to close the borders, maybe the Borcans stand more of a chance than the initial analysis suggested

[Rock of the Fraternity]

Azalin also knows of the power of the Three Hags, having commissioned them to build a crystal he used to craft the Death Shards/Blood Blades for the events of the Grim Harvest. I would think he would know not to fool around with them in their own backyard.

HELLO!
... I've missed out on so much awesome Ravenloft stuff by first being introduced to AD&D when it was already in its third edition.

If a schism appeared inside the Nidalan troops in Tepest -- soldiers and military commanders seem like more likely candidates to seize such an opportunity, given their training for aggressively seeking advancement and their better food and equipment -- I could easily see any who rebel against Elena Strangle-hold joining up with anyone who was opposed to the Inquisition. They'd be reluctant to walk out of one religious autocrat's strangle-hold into another one, or so it seems to me.
The problem is, from what I've read of Tepest, such people would be in the minority; the Inquisition has done a bang-up job of fomenting a state of panic throughout the land. Not that the Arak's depredations and the Goblin activity have helped any...

If Nidalan troops and Tepestani anti-Inquisition rebels wanted to make a real go for it, they'd need an emphatic symbol, something that would draw the hearts and minds of the other people more strongly than the blind terror and promise of safety offered by the Inquisition...
They could try to resurrect the position of the Axe-Lords, the ancient noble class from Tepest's false history. If their commanders are clever enough to draw on the Tepestani's own culture and stoke the people's hope and sense of patriottic pride, they could basically pull an Arthur; say that the rulers who once brought peace and prosperity by strength of arms have now returned and are here to establish a new, better Tepest.
If they manage to raise an actual fortress around the land's old ruins and maybe wipe out a few Goblin warrens, they'd start to have recruits first trickle in, then come in ever greater numbers, including some of the Inquisitors who genuinely want to fight the forces of evil.

Of course there would be two big problems: the other Nidalans and the Inquisition on one hand, the Hags and their Goblin lackeys on the other.
Clever commanders would capitalize on the division between Elena's loyalists and the Inquisition by welcoming Clerics and worshipers of both branches of Belenus-worship and preaching unity; the sun shines equally on all, but is not beheld equally by all eyes. They might be able to deal the Inquisition a crippling blow by liaising with Wayland and offering him what he truly wants; a force opposing evil and bringing hope to the people. Even with his apprentices trying to take away the Inquisition from him, Wayland endorsing the new Axe-Lords would take the fight out of a lot of the Inquisitors -- and increase the power-base of the new establishment.
The Hags could probably be persuaded by pragmatic commanders, if they found out about their existence; an offer to let the Hags have free access to the corpses of their enemies -- and probably some live prisoners -- would do much to mollify them, and the Goblins would have to obey. Also, the commanders could point out that a more stable Tepest with a centralized government would not necessarily diminish the Hags' opportunities for mayhem and suffering. After all, if there is an aristocracy, there must be an underclass, and there will always be discontent in one form or another. If the new Axe-Lords win, there will be opposition to their regime, trying to make a go of it in the wild woods -- where they'll be easy pickings for the Goblins and the Hags. In addition, a centralized government would do much to reestablish the trade routes, which means more prey and potential customers wandering into the land...

[IrvyneWolfe]

A potential wild card in this could by Lyssa Von Zarovich. The woman had already sided with mind flayers to get one over on Strahd. If a core-wide war was brewing who would she jump into bed with to bring the fight to his doorstep?

As a random aside I see her as so conniving she's even turned her sleeping sickness to her favor and gotten in tight with the Nightmare court.

[The Lesser Evil]

A potential wild card in this could by Lyssa Von Zarovich. The woman had already sided with mind flayers to get one over on Strahd. If a core-wide war was brewing who would she jump into bed with to bring the fight to his doorstep?

As a random aside I see her as so conniving she's even turned her sleeping sickness to her favor and gotten in tight with the Nightmare court.

Hmm, in our situation, it's conceivable she might throw her lot in with one of the foreign powers, have to flee to Immol, and then throw into the Hazlani, whom we currently have as "sitting on" Immol. If during the uproar of the war she committed enough heinous acts, she might become the lord of a "pocket domain" within Hazlan's political jurisdiction, cursed to rule as a petty vassal for a foreign power while still being overshadowed by Strahd in his neighboring domain.

[Rock of the Fraternity]

Speaking of wild cards...

What about Duke Gundar and Leo Dilisnya?
Two old vampires, each with scores to settle and powerful skillsets. If the whole Core is in a state of chaos, it'd be a fine time for Gundar to break Leo out of his crypt and recruit him on the basis of their shared loathing for Strahd -- but then what will they do?