Ask Arkanis

[DM Arkanis]

I was recently asked what the protocol is with respect to attacking "neutral" creatures such as deer or farm animals. I'm pretty sure it is an RP-only thing, and then better make sure your don't emote bashing a badger with a druid close by... That said, on another server I played on you could in fact attack farm animals and such and at first level new players often thought this was an easy source of XP. Ends up the clever folks behind the scenes had made all the neutral creatures CR 35+ or so, with uber high AC and HP, some had breath weapons, some cast death magic, etc. and the newby low levels got pasted pretty quick by the bird they thought was going to be an afternoon snack... I have heard there are Vorpal Bunnies, Death Chickens, Giant Turkeys and Mother Woodpeckers that roam our server from time to time who have similar traits and abilities, but I haven't seen one in quite some time...

[LISA100595]

Could you please clearly define the Dukes of Baldur's Gate controlled lands to the North, South, East and West? Also can it be added into the Lore of the Lands.. Thanks!

[mireigi]

What role or importance does faith and the various clergy play in the powerstruggles and on the political scene in both the Land of the Dukes and Amnian territory?

Would a Duke or Amnian equivelant be inclined to follow the wishes of a respected clergy from among the worshipped deities in order to gain divine favor in some way?

[Storm Munin]

What is required to summon the vorpal bunnies?

*saucershaped innocent eyes and facial expression failing bluff skill roll*

[Xanfyrst]

Could you please clearly define the Dukes of Baldur's Gate controlled lands to the North, South, East and West? Also can it be added into the Lore of the Lands.. Thanks!

Boundaries, clock-wise: Troll Hils, Boarskyr Bridge, Field of the Dead, Wood of Sharp Teeth, Bridge north of Beregost and the area north of Candlekeep. Oh, and the isles just outside of Baldur's Gate itself and the small town/hamlet of Ulgoth's Beard at the mouth of Chiontar river.

[Valefort]

Controlled =/= claimed !

[Hitman Hard]

What role or importance does faith and the various clergy play in the powerstruggles and on the political scene in both the Land of the Dukes and Amnian territory?

Would a Duke or Amnian equivelant be inclined to follow the wishes of a respected clergy from among the worshipped deities in order to gain divine favor in some way?

Tempus, Baldur's Gate is a ball of fury. Their idea of law enforcement reflects it well enough-- also alot of Flaming Fist worshiping Him.

I believe Helm and Waukeen have the strongest influence up North? . . .alot of waukeen worshipers residing in The Gate also.

[DM Arkanis]

What role or importance does faith and the various clergy play in the powerstruggles and on the political scene in both the Land of the Dukes and Amnian territory?

Would a Duke or Amnian equivelant be inclined to follow the wishes of a respected clergy from among the worshipped deities in order to gain divine favor in some way?

In my opinion it varies between rulers. Each one comes from their own background with respect to faith, and some of great faith rule by the edicts of their god, and others of great faith do not. It depends on a few things: if the ruler can be persuaded by clergy to take up their laws/ways, if the area has a large number of devout people to a certain god(s), and if there is history in the place of having an ecclesiastical hierarchy for ruling/advising/meddling. As for a duke or other leader following the wishes of clergy, I would say it would depend on how influenced the duke or leader was by their argument(s) - there might be a little religious persuasion in terms of pressuing the leader to follow a faith tennet, but I think in the end that they would act based upon what was best for their realm and themselves (not necessarily in that order.) Leaders, religious or not, are first and foremost politicians at heart, and the good ones know how to survive in an environment both hostile to and friendly to religious intervention.

[DM Arkanis]

What is required to summon the vorpal bunnies?

*saucershaped innocent eyes and facial expression failing bluff skill roll*

Vorpal Bunnies are generally considered to be rare to unique in terms of their appearance on the Sword Coast. Reclusive, angry, and generally foul tempered, the Vorpal Bunny finds itself most at home stomping through marshes and fields of tall grass. When threatened, the Vorpal Bunny will use either its breath-weapon or it's disintigrating rays that come from its eyes to destroy its opponents. The Vorpal Bunny is a magical creature and can appear at any location, at any time that it chooses, and Vorpal Bunnies vary in size, shape, and colour.

For more information on the Vorpal Bunny contact the Canadian Wildlife Federation, in Ottawa.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwWHk8azaAc

[mireigi]

What role or importance does faith and the various clergy play in the powerstruggles and on the political scene in both the Land of the Dukes and Amnian territory?

Would a Duke or Amnian equivelant be inclined to follow the wishes of a respected clergy from among the worshipped deities in order to gain divine favor in some way?

In my opinion it varies between rulers. Each one comes from their own background with respect to faith, and some of great faith rule by the edicts of their god, and others of great faith do not. It depends on a few things: if the ruler can be persuaded by clergy to take up their laws/ways, if the area has a large number of devout people to a certain god(s), and if there is history in the place of having an ecclesiastical hierarchy for ruling/advising/meddling. As for a duke or other leader following the wishes of clergy, I would say it would depend on how influenced the duke or leader was by their argument(s) - there might be a little religious persuasion in terms of pressuing the leader to follow a faith tennet, but I think in the end that they would act based upon what was best for their realm and themselves (not necessarily in that order.) Leaders, religious or not, are first and foremost politicians at heart, and the good ones know how to survive in an environment both hostile to and friendly to religious intervention.

So the correct interpretation of faith in relation to government would be akin to countries today where church and government are losely tied as a contributing factor to the decision-making, but not in as an extreme way as the church dominated or influenced the government during the Dark Ages during the times of the Inquisition?

[LISA100595]

Could you please clearly define the Dukes of Baldur's Gate controlled lands to the North, South, East and West? Also can it be added into the Lore of the Lands.. Thanks!

Boundaries, clock-wise: Troll Hils, Boarskyr Bridge, Field of the Dead, Wood of Sharp Teeth, Bridge north of Beregost and the area north of Candlekeep. Oh, and the isles just outside of Baldur's Gate itself and the small town/hamlet of Ulgoth's Beard at the mouth of Chiontar river.

"Claimed" is a better word. Thanks. Arkanis can you verify this for an official DM reply please?

[JCVD1]

I've got a question! (another one)

Why are items with "permanent spells on" are illegal/banned? (such as freedom of movement and haste)

[DM Arkanis]

What role or importance does faith and the various clergy play in the powerstruggles and on the political scene in both the Land of the Dukes and Amnian territory?

Would a Duke or Amnian equivelant be inclined to follow the wishes of a respected clergy from among the worshipped deities in order to gain divine favor in some way?

In my opinion it varies between rulers. Each one comes from their own background with respect to faith, and some of great faith rule by the edicts of their god, and others of great faith do not. It depends on a few things: if the ruler can be persuaded by clergy to take up their laws/ways, if the area has a large number of devout people to a certain god(s), and if there is history in the place of having an ecclesiastical hierarchy for ruling/advising/meddling. As for a duke or other leader following the wishes of clergy, I would say it would depend on how influenced the duke or leader was by their argument(s) - there might be a little religious persuasion in terms of pressuing the leader to follow a faith tennet, but I think in the end that they would act based upon what was best for their realm and themselves (not necessarily in that order.) Leaders, religious or not, are first and foremost politicians at heart, and the good ones know how to survive in an environment both hostile to and friendly to religious intervention.

So the correct interpretation of faith in relation to government would be akin to countries today where church and government are losely tied as a contributing factor to the decision-making, but not in as an extreme way as the church dominated or influenced the government during the Dark Ages during the times of the Inquisition?

It will depend on:

1) The ruler or rulers themselves and how (non) religious they are;
2) The religion of the realm in which they rule - does it do its own thing or is it part of the ruling caste system, and;
3) The history of the particular realm - founded by religious authoritiesm or was it set up as a free-state with no religions playing active roles in the rulership?

It is fluid and can change at any time. A religious movement could take over a particular realm or area, claimed for their god, or a religious ruling sect removed by a more secular organization in favour of a government free from religious edicts.

[DM Arkanis]

I've got a question! (another one)

Why are items with "permanent spells on" are illegal/banned? (such as freedom of movement and haste)

Magical items that grant blanket immunity or give these kind of feats create situations for power-building. On a role-play server the idea is really not to amass vast amounts of uber-magical gear for PvP or defense purposes, but rather to build a character that has a good bio/background that interracts with others. "Too high fantasy gear" like the kinds you mention above tends to create a greater disparity in terms of power between the players that have it and those that don't as well. There is a limit, and this is where we drew the line.

Ark

[mireigi]

Lathander's Grace, granted by 10th level Morninglord of Lathander includes a persistent aura. How is this aura granted? Through divine favor in recognition of devout worship and service or something else? Is it a gift from Lathander; or is it discovered similarly to when you reach an odd caster-level and gain access to a higher tier of spells?