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Post by Rusty Radiator on Mar 1, 2021 15:22:26 GMT
Nice review. I had got the impression that the Supreme Master in book 32 will have all disciplines and all the CS and Endurance additions that goes with the jump in GM levels, as a result the only difference between a new player or a veteran in Book 32 will be their equipment. They shouldn't need different enemy stats then, as the band of possible SM stats will be so much narrower than most of the other books. Inspired solution to a longstanding problem. You spotted some lore connections that I missed. They really have covered it all, it's remarkable. Perhaps with some of the lore out the way, The Light of the Kai won't need to go into it in so much depth. Who am I kidding, Vincent clearly loves getting all the lore in and I'm all for it. Oh and Oriah? Yeah, I was in there straight away ha ha. I think I got the best ending with her where she changes her mind about Vassagonia and decides to come to live with me on Lorn. My GM is a smooth cat! Oriah? I was there, like a Rat up a Drainpipe. I think we should have had a chance to 'succumb to temptation and have a penalty of -2CS and -2 Disciplines for 'forgetting your Vows'. I wonder if the NOGM might be a true Son of The Wolf- remember Viveka in the Wildlands? If she bore LW a child wouldn't they have been roughly the right age! Maybe a little too old thinking about it.... |
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Post by Rusty Radiator on Mar 1, 2021 15:38:53 GMT
Yeah, the book size will be an interesting one, this book is so heavy the glue seems to struggle to keep it bound to the spine lol. Another thought, New Order GM is now a canon Supreme Master. So for the final book you will have presumably have all GM disciplines available to you even if you haven't gone through from 21. Wonder how this will be handled from a choice point of view? Will "do you have discipline x?" turn into a choice between disciplines with some being a "bad" choice"? Or will we graduate to "Supreme" disciplines - we know Lone Wolf knows "Supreme Weaponcraft" for instance - and have to choose some? I wonder too if we will play the whole book as the New Order GM or if it will be split, and we will play as Lone Wolf again for some parts. Though that may be too complex with character stats and so forth, so probably not. I imagine it will be like WOLW 4, ie, pick a couple of SM disciplines on top of a full set of GMs. I wonder if Lonewolf will take on Agarash, or lend the Sommerswerd to NOSM...? Because we are told that Vashna is now resistant to the Sommerswerd, but Agarash has never faced it. I think that using Lone Wolf and NOSMs combined powers of Weaponcraft, maybe with the help of Banedon's Second Level magic, they could forge a new weapon, as powerful as the Sommerswerd, that the other one could use on Vashna. It could be called the Wynterspier or some such mcguffin....? |
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Post by zorkraan on Mar 3, 2021 10:24:01 GMT
Rusty Radiator , OMG that IS a review ! Thank you so much for this huge feedback, the kind words and the well-argued criticisms, it made my day. I'll address a few of your comments / queries below : Just to be clear, where IS the Song of the Dead? I don't think it is in this book, is it? But I don't remember it from another.... But maybe I did encounter it and just forgot, it's been THAT long, lol! The Song of the Dead is a Shianti spell-chant to be found in the "Tome of the Dead" encountered in LW31, and taught to any Shianti agent who was trained in the Magick of Evocation. That Drodarin Bag of Munchkins for instance... I was under the impression you were forced to lose it, but I could be wrong. I think it's good not to have everything though, a veteran NOGM is already a Walking Tank. The Drodarin Bag of "Munchkins" is to be found in LW26, and no, you are not forced to lose it  I LOVE the 'boring political stuff', as I spent literally days poring through the Magnamund Companion as a kid, wondering about all those other nations and leaders listed. So glad to finally see them have relevance! I think Vincent is a little like me in that regard, so let him indulge, lol. <Hugs>!!! Yes I admit I'm addicted to Magnamund lore and Ben is having hard time constraining me on this matter. Thanks for the support, anyway  The trouble is, it makes me wonder why the NOGM didn't follow up on them PREVIOUSLY... there were a lot of years before Book 29 that the NOGM could have rescued Oriah, for instance? I've no definitive satisfying answer here, but a Kai Grand Master is a VERY busy person, like a minister actually. When he's not sent by the Supreme Master on a mission to save an entire kingdom (and you can see in the timeline that the Kai weren't idle during the period between LW28 and LW29), he has to train the Kai Masters at his monastery and many other issues. I mean, he has very few time for more personal quests, especially when they have huge political implications. Sesketera was not identified by the Kai as a direct threat and they prefered to let their ally Grey Star deal with the ruler of Ghol-Tabras. Hence the NOKGM didn't find time to go to rescue Oriah. I am interested to know how much was your writing and how much was Ben- I get the feeling you had more input in this one, or am I wrong? Please have a look at the thread "ask your questions to Vincent" in this regard . Concretely I write the book's first draft and Ben rewrites every section in proper English, he remakes the dialogs to make them more interesting, he makes the descriptions more punchy. I too enjoyed the section where Shasarak tempts you in your dreams: I confess, I actually fell for it, thinking it was like a quest-within-a-quest or something. I knew it was the wrong decision after he gives you a Neverness Sphere- I remembered that the Neverness was pure Chaos magic. But it doesn't say you can't throw the Sphere over the side of the Skyship though, am I right? I mean any object can be dropped, so technically when the text asks 'Do you have a Neverness Sphere?' if I didn't take it with me Shasarak cannot command my soul....? I'm sadistically delighted Shasarak managed to fool you. Good criticism regarding the mechanics of the Neverness Sphere, we'll have to correct that in a reprint. The book states when you get it "you must record" but we should add "and you are not allowed to discard it because you have the feeling it's an invaluable item" or something like that. Thanks! I am genuinely intrigued by the idea of both Blazer and Shasarak being stuck in the Pit of Eternal Pain together, after both of them having their asses handed to them by NOGM. Will they fight, will they work together to escape? It has the makings of a mini-adventure! I imagine a duel similar to the one at the end of Harry Potter- maybe Shasarak will use some kind of Death Spell on Blazer, but it will end up killing the Ice Demon inside of him instead? Or maybe the Ice Demon can't take the Heat of the Pit of Eternal Pain- he might simply melt away...? You know what ? There might be an undergoing project regarding this specific issue... However I think the person who said it was unnecessary as a start to a book that was primarily about Southern Magnamund and Agarash and could have lent extra sections to developing that story more had a point. Maybe it could have been a Bonus Adventure, done from the perspective of Blazer or Marysu Doko (whatever his name was)? In fact Joe Dever really wanted us to feature what was happening with Vashna too in this book, in addition to feature the return of Agarash. On the subject of the battle, I feel like it is one of the places where you are punished for doing the sensible thing. After all the detailed description of troop formation and tactics and there are actually no sections devoted to make good strategical decisions. The only choice is whether to stay on the hill commanding the troops or leap right in. All these are serious, good criticisms and I swear in the future I'll propose battles with much more options. Incidentally have you tried the Bonus Adventure of LW29 with Lord Doko, in which you can make strategical decisions using the battle map ?? Yet if you only explore what he considers his 'Redemption' you will not find a means of surviving in the end. Not only that, but DESPITE the warnings you must repeat his mistakes and take up the Rod of Ruin, that he tried so painstakingly to hide from ever being reused. Thankfully, like a good little Munchkin, I hoovered it up. But it felt like the Wrong decision. It wasn't. I'm sad you didn't enjoy this path (which actually reveals what truly happened in Naaros), but that's life. To be fair, you cannot reach the chamber of the Spirit of Scaldar if you don't visit both his 'Redemption' and his 'Sin', so the Player is forced to see the rod, and has to choose if he wants it or not; but your criticism is right regarding the fact the NGO has to take it whereas Scaldar wanted to hide it forever. But haven't the Kai already conveyed very dangerous items they should have hidden or destroyed instead... like for instance the Dagger of Vashna ? On that subject, I was annoyed that NOGM stood there like a 🍋, whilst the Naarvakim got on with completing the new body of Agarash... I LITERALLY HAD A WEAPON OF MASS DESTRUCTION IN MY POCKET! I mean, I know Grey Star said Agarash was cool with Fire Magic now, and could totally Rock It. But before his body was complete...? Or what if I incinerated the Children of Agarash and the Naarvakim? But annoying he didn't try. Reminded me of horror films or thrillers where you shout at the screen "stab him again, just to make sure! No, don't turn your back, you Pillock!" Excellent and totally legitimate criticism actually, and I can only plead that indeed Agarash would have used that power to reduce the KGM to a pile of ashes (Grey Star's warning was true). To be 100% honest, this very insta death section was written, but I was forced to remove it because not enough sections. Sorry for the disappointment, maybe in an hypothetical 'expanded' version . I thought Grey Star had checked out Otavai? How did he miss the demon statues and the vampire cult and the bleeding SoulSieve in the middle of the Golden Pagoda!? At the very least the ancient Blood Fountain should have had Dark Magic screaming out at him. Grey Star must have been in a hurry to get back to Tanith on that inspection! It is specifically explained in section 211 that Grey Star can't look into the Golden Pagoda using the Tiger Beacon, it was magically shrouded by Sejanoz: “Can your gaze pierce the walls of the Golden Pagoda, Wizard Regent?” you venture. “To Sejanoz’s private chambers?”
“The Autarch did not trust his servants, Grand Master. The Golden Pagoda is a shadow. Sejanoz will have ensured this beacon could not spy on him.”Anyway I'm delighted you've enjoyed Otavai, I had immense fun writing it, notably the tribute to Gildas. Can I use Kai Surge with the Spear? I assume Yes, as it's just like normal combat..? I normally subtract an extra END point though, even though we're technically on Round Zero. ANOTHER QUESTION. I assume if you have the Grand Weaponmastery 'quickdraw' ability you can draw another weapon? YES and YES ;-). You got it. I'm delighed someone saw all the potential of this Spear!
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Post by Rusty Radiator on Mar 4, 2021 1:47:06 GMT
I am totally stoked that you answered all my rambling brainfarts about your magnificent rendering, thank you. Let me give some feedback on the feedback, and clear up some miscommunication... Just to be clear, where IS the Song of the Dead? I don't think it is in this book, is it? But I don't remember it from another.... But maybe I did encounter it and just forgot, it's been THAT long, lol! The Song of the Dead is a Shianti spell-chant to be found in the "Tome of the Dead" encountered in LW31, and taught to any Shianti agent who was trained in the Magick of Evocation. Yes, but WHERE was the Tome of the Dead? The book seemed to ask if you'd heard the song before the island at the end, or not give you the option to activate the ghosts...? <Hugs>!!! Yes I admit I'm addicted to Magnamund lore and Ben is having hard time constraining me on this matter. Thanks for the support, anyway Keep fighting the fight. I'm with you and so are many of the worst geeks, lol! Sesketera was not identified by the Kai as a direct threat and they prefered to let their ally Grey Star deal with the ruler of Ghol-Tabras. Hence the NOKGM didn't find time to go to rescue Oriah. He did not do a great job. I just knew that guy'd be trouble. Poor Oriah... I too enjoyed the section where Shasarak tempts you in your dreams: I confess, I actually fell for it, thinking it was like a quest-within-a-quest or something. I knew it was the wrong decision after he gives you a Neverness Sphere- I remembered that the Neverness was pure Chaos magic. But it doesn't say you can't throw the Sphere over the side of the Skyship though, am I right? I mean any object can be dropped, so technically when the text asks 'Do you have a Neverness Sphere?' if I didn't take it with me Shasarak cannot command my soul....? I'm sadistically delighted Shasarak managed to fool you. Good criticism regarding the mechanics of the Neverness Sphere, we'll have to correct that in a reprint. The book states when you get it "you must record" but we should add "and you are not allowed to discard it because you have the feeling it's an invaluable item" or something like that. Thanks! I'm mischievously delighted that I managed to make the wrong choice and get away with it, because of a loophole in the First Edition, lol!😜 I am genuinely intrigued by the idea of both Blazer and Shasarak being stuck in the Pit of Eternal Pain together, after both of them having their asses handed to them by NOGM. Will they fight, will they work together to escape? It has the makings of a mini-adventure! I imagine a duel similar to the one at the end of Harry Potter- maybe Shasarak will use some kind of Death Spell on Blazer, but it will end up killing the Ice Demon inside of him instead? Or maybe the Ice Demon can't take the Heat of the Pit of Eternal Pain- he might simply melt away...? You know what ? There might be an undergoing project regarding this specific issue... Nice.😎 On the subject of the battle, I feel like it is one of the places where you are punished for doing the sensible thing. After all the detailed description of troop formation and tactics and there are actually no sections devoted to make good strategical decisions. The only choice is whether to stay on the hill commanding the troops or leap right in. All these are serious, good criticisms and I swear in the future I'll propose battles with much more options. Incidentally have you tried the Bonus Adventure of LW29 with Lord Doko, in which you can make strategical decisions using the battle map ?? I loved it. Yet if you only explore what he considers his 'Redemption' you will not find a means of surviving in the end. Not only that, but DESPITE the warnings you must repeat his mistakes and take up the Rod of Ruin, that he tried so painstakingly to hide from ever being reused. Thankfully, like a good little Munchkin, I hoovered it up. But it felt like the Wrong decision. It wasn't. I'm sad you didn't enjoy this path (which actually reveals what truly happened in Naaros), but that's life. To be fair, you cannot reach the chamber of the Spirit of Scaldar if you don't visit both his 'Redemption' and his 'Sin', so the Player is forced to see the rod, and has to choose if he wants it or not; but your criticism is right regarding the fact the NGO has to take it whereas Scaldar wanted to hide it forever. But haven't the Kai already conveyed very dangerous items they should have hidden or destroyed instead... like for instance the Dagger of Vashna ? True enough, but this seems to be flagged up as folly. I thought you could go straight from Redemption to the last chamber of you wanted? Don't get me wrong I enjoyed the history lesson, it just suffered in comparison. I thought Grey Star had checked out Otavai? How did he miss the demon statues and the vampire cult and the bleeding SoulSieve in the middle of the Golden Pagoda!? At the very least the ancient Blood Fountain should have had Dark Magic screaming out at him. Grey Star must have been in a hurry to get back to Tanith on that inspection! It is specifically explained in section 211 that Grey Star can't look into the Golden Pagoda using the Tiger Beacon, it was magically shrouded by Sejanoz: “Can your gaze pierce the walls of the Golden Pagoda, Wizard Regent?” you venture. “To Sejanoz’s private chambers?”
“The Autarch did not trust his servants, Grand Master. The Golden Pagoda is a shadow. Sejanoz will have ensured this beacon could not spy on him.”I mean after Bhanar fell. I'm sure Grey Star said he checked the city out, at one point? Can I use Kai Surge with the Spear? I assume Yes, as it's just like normal combat..? I normally subtract an extra END point though, even though we're technically on Round Zero. ANOTHER QUESTION. I assume if you have the Grand Weaponmastery 'quickdraw' ability you can draw another weapon? YES and YES ;-). You got it. I'm delighed someone saw all the potential of this Spear! It is up there with the Silver Oak Bow and the Firesphere dude. |
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Post by Rusty Radiator on Mar 4, 2021 2:06:02 GMT
And as for Oriah, since a Kai Lord can get married, then the NO GM should marry her... They will have kids and then we could have the New New Order series, the sequel to the NO series! The series will continue past book 32! When was this confirmed? I don't see a creche, or a Wives Quarter of the Monastery. So do they live outside the Monastery or just visit family when given Leave? |
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Post by zorkraan on Mar 4, 2021 13:55:57 GMT
I am totally stoked that you answered all my rambling brainfarts about your magnificent rendering, thank you You're really welcome. I was a member of PA before writing those books, so it feels natural to answer, especially when the feedback is so amazing. Yes, but WHERE was the Tome of the Dead? The book seemed to ask if you'd heard the song before the island at the end, or not give you the option to activate the ghosts...? Ha ok sorry. In fact, the NOKGM never finds the Tome of the Dead before exploring Amida. However there is a section somewhere in book 31 in which he can hear somebody else chanting the Song of the Dead. SPOILER: explore again Gyanima's path  . I just knew that guy'd be trouble. Poor Oriah... It's never easy to go out with a godlike world-saviour... But Oriah is a strong, resourceful woman. She'll overcome! I thought you could go straight from Redemption to the last chamber of you wanted? No actually the entrance of the chamber of Scaldar is a secret passage, which only appears if you saw BOTH his Sin and Redemption. So that you can judge him. Otherwise, it is hidden and even the KGM can't see it. He has to visit both paths. Don't get me wrong I enjoyed the history lesson, it just suffered in comparison. And don't worry too I don't want to force you to love it! It's sure there is less exploration and unexpected revelations than in the 2 other paths. However, there is something absolutely crucial in that very path that you may have not noticed/realized... I mean after Bhanar fell. I'm sure Grey Star said he checked the city out, at one point? No he didn't (it's not told in the book). Grey Star, as you can read in a few sections, has been extremely busy with "Cosmic" issues during the 20 past years, and when he was on Magnamund, he was hunting down the Naarvakim. I think the book showed he's not infallible, and he never searched the Golden Pagoda. |
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Post by Black Cat on Mar 4, 2021 16:32:01 GMT
]When was this confirmed? I don't see a creche, or a Wives Quarter of the Monastery. So do they live outside the Monastery or just visit family when given Leave? In one of the Newsletters (can't remembered which one). Also, Joe confirmed it in an interview at the Lucca's Comics & Games in 2004 (which is not online anymore). EDIT: ok, I'm so sure about the Newsletter anymore, but for the interview, I'm certain that he confirmed that Kai Lords can marry. |
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Post by Rusty Radiator on Mar 5, 2021 23:46:23 GMT
]When was this confirmed? I don't see a creche, or a Wives Quarter of the Monastery. So do they live outside the Monastery or just visit family when given Leave? In one of the Newsletters (can't remembered which one). Also, Joe confirmed it in an interview at the Lucca's Comics & Games in 2004 (which is not online anymore). EDIT: ok, I'm so sure about the Newsletter anymore, but for the interview, I'm certain that he confirmed that Kai Lords can marry. This seems like JKRowling adding stuff, years after the main Canon, lol. I'm actually quite interested about the life cycle of Sommlending warrior families: does one kid go to Monastery and one to Crystal Star and one inherit the title? Do half the Kai drop out around the age of thirty to start a family and/or inherit a title? Do Royals train with the Kai for a bit? Could Steel Hand become Baron of Ruanon? Do non Sommlending join the Kai now? What about the Southern Monastery? Do most of the Kai get imported from Northern Magnamund? Do they do a 'Tour of Duty', then return Northwards? Do they have family in Lorn, or the Port of Suhn? Joe throwing out little nuggets like that just leaves me with MORE questions! |
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Post by Black Cat on Mar 6, 2021 23:09:18 GMT
Some Kai Lords never progress far in the ranks of the Order, so when they seem to not progress anymore, they probably just go live a regular life. In Newsletter 9: "Each of the Kai developed their innate skills at differing rates of progress. Some Kai never progressed higher than the rank of Warmarn (Journeyman) or Guardian, whilst others, having entered the monastery as children aged seven, developed their skills very quickly and attained these ranks before they were 12 or 13 years old."
Some Kai Lords have also a title. In Newsletter 28: "Sun Eagle, who was a Baron of Toran, is buried in a tomb in the centre of that city, close to the Guildhall of the Brotherhood of the Crystal Star."
And let's not forget the Story so far of book 1, clearly stating that Kai Lords are still member of the order once they leave the Monastery, having them to come back to celebrate the Feast of Fehmarn: "The Kai monks are masters of their art, and the children in their charge love and respect them in spite of the hardships of their training. For one day when they have finally learnt the secret skills of the Kai, they will return to their homes equipped in mind and body to defend themselves against the constant threat of war from the Darklords of the west. [...] Now it is in the morning of the feast of Fehmarn, when all of the Kai Lords are present at the monastery for the celebrations."
EDIT: I would recommend that you check the Magnamund Companion on Project Aon's main site as it has some more information regarding the Kai Order which also gives answers to some of your questions.
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Post by Rusty Radiator on Mar 9, 2021 1:03:50 GMT
Some Kai Lords never progress far in the ranks of the Order, so when they seem to not progress anymore, they probably just go live a regular life. In Newsletter 9: "Each of the Kai developed their innate skills at differing rates of progress. Some Kai never progressed higher than the rank of Warmarn (Journeyman) or Guardian, whilst others, having entered the monastery as children aged seven, developed their skills very quickly and attained these ranks before they were 12 or 13 years old." Some Kai Lords have also a title. In Newsletter 28: "Sun Eagle, who was a Baron of Toran, is buried in a tomb in the centre of that city, close to the Guildhall of the Brotherhood of the Crystal Star." And let's not forget the Story so far of book 1, clearly stating that Kai Lords are still member of the order once they leave the Monastery, having them to come back to celebrate the Feast of Fehmarn: "The Kai monks are masters of their art, and the children in their charge love and respect them in spite of the hardships of their training. For one day when they have finally learnt the secret skills of the Kai, they will return to their homes equipped in mind and body to defend themselves against the constant threat of war from the Darklords of the west. [...] Now it is in the morning of the feast of Fehmarn, when all of the Kai Lords are present at the monastery for the celebrations." EDIT: I would recommend that you check the Magnamund Companion on Project Aon's main site as it has some more information regarding the Kai Order which also gives answers to some of your questions. I know The Magnamund Companion inside out and it doesn't answer all my questions. I'm surprised the royals don't train, as Ulnar had powerful Kai skills from the sounds of it. Maybe they DO now, but it's never mentioned. The royals in 5050 didn't, as they would have been back for the Feast of Fehmarn. Are the Southern Kai purely hardcore adherents, in it for the long haul, never settling down? It was said that NOSM could get married, but all your examples were Kai who dropped out at a pre-Master level. |
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Post by moonblade on Mar 10, 2021 14:29:40 GMT
I’ve had a new thought rattling around in my brain. Anyone besides me remember this speech courtesy of Alyss from the end of The Curse of Naar?
Thank you, Grand Master. I shall never forget what you have done for me. Had you not returned when you did I would have forfeited my freedom to the Dark God. And freedom, to me, is the most precious of things. For without freedom I would cease to be.
Combined with the NOSM’s dream, and their clear unease at worlds being subjugated by Good (and it is a definite forcing, no matter what the end result), and that prophecy (yup, I’m still hung up on that too), I’m beginning to wonder ... is the end game to force the gods to leave Magnamund altogether? To take away the eternal worship of the deities and just ... let the people live? Whether they align with darkness or light, to just let them be?
I always wondered what Alyss’s statement was getting at, since such a thing would have been unthinkable in Lone Wolf’s day. But a lot has changed ...
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Post by sunsnake on Mar 22, 2021 11:37:32 GMT
Agarash the Damned seems to to be the one the NOSM is supposed to face, because Agarash is a south Magnamud problem which is the NOSM's "turf".
I think Agarash the Damned is still far more powerful than any Darklord even one that has a powerup so NOSM is going to have his work cut out for him.
In the scheme of things, any Darklord while an awesome threat, I think barely cracks the top 5 maybe top 10 of the most powerful beings LW has faced. For example, Deathlord of Ixia and the various opponents in the curse of Naar, e.g. Kekataag,Zantaz, Huan'zhor the Dragonlord I feel should be stronger than any Darklord (CS scores not withstanding).
Agarash makes them all look weak.
My logic is Agarash = All the power, Naar could put in one champion.
While with Darklords, he decided to split his power between a dozen or so Darklords, so each was individually less powerful, but less vulnerable to getting taken out in one shot.
I seriously doubt the Sommersword can one hit Agarash, the way it can normal Darklords.
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Post by palarran on Apr 11, 2021 16:47:19 GMT
I can’t believe I got the book back in 2020 and waited more than three months to actually play it…
Overall, a really great book! Just one comment from my side: While I liked the three different paths the GM can take after the crypt, I felt a bit disappointed in the end that whichever option I took, it felt that some things were left unfinished. In “my” timeline, the GM went to Otavai, being the Slayer of Sejanoz, and having just had revealed the Tome of Tzu. But since he didn’t get caught, Gildas’ spirit was never freed there. Moreover, Scaldar probably lost his final chance at redemption, and Bright Star’s soul didn't reach the Plane of Light either.
Oh, and there was one additional, personal twist I really liked: It felt like another piece of the puzzle falling into place when I realized which skyship took Kai Grandmaster Moonstrider to Naaros.
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Post by GhostofLandar on Dec 30, 2022 18:16:31 GMT
I’ve had a new thought rattling around in my brain. Anyone besides me remember this speech courtesy of Alyss from the end of The Curse of Naar? Thank you, Grand Master. I shall never forget what you have done for me. Had you not returned when you did I would have forfeited my freedom to the Dark God. And freedom, to me, is the most precious of things. For without freedom I would cease to be.Combined with the NOSM’s dream, and their clear unease at worlds being subjugated by Good (and it is a definite forcing, no matter what the end result), and that prophecy (yup, I’m still hung up on that too), I’m beginning to wonder ... is the end game to force the gods to leave Magnamund altogether? To take away the eternal worship of the deities and just ... let the people live? Whether they align with darkness or light, to just let them be? I always wondered what Alyss’s statement was getting at, since such a thing would have been unthinkable in Lone Wolf’s day. But a lot has changed ... That's a fine observation. The issue I'd have is that it would not solve the rest of Aon, as Magnamund is the final jewel to possess and one that (at least per the Magnamund Companion) would be tipping the scales in favor of one side or the other. I recall the Samor game with Kelman in the novelization and that has much the same negative attitude. But the Kai Lords' power comes from Kai. Naar is evil, hence how would we give up his quest to conquer Magnamund? Kai and Ishir seem to have a plan but they also do more to just rescue Magnamund from being conquered than themselves imposing and subjugating. Even the most goodly nations have evil people in their ranks (and not just those who directly serve Naar or Vurnos or whoever.) I thought it was that Alyss is an elemental part of Aon itself representing the freedom of will. That's my understanding, so I can see why she specifically would not want to be subjugated. But then...um, she helps LW whose explicit mission is to fight Evil on Magnamund, so she's not neutral but Unaligned Good who chose at the dawn of creation to be Good (maybe.) |
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Post by GhostofLandar on Dec 31, 2022 15:42:02 GMT
Vincent,
I had no idea there was an epilogue but moon's post enlightened me. The "thin laugh" after having killed three Brotherhood members makes it harder to believe Vonotar is on the edge of redemption. Darn. I hope that moment or whatever thread really explains that prophecy.
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