How secretive is Rockrun ?

[Tekill]

So how secretive is Rockrun?
Did the Duergar than ran the place before the Svivs, keep it a secret- a hidden dwarves fortress?
Did the war make enough ruckus to alert the UD including Shamath to its existence.
The town guards seem to let just about anyone into the city (very Un-Svirv like) - so how much of the life in Rock run is secret?
I'm rping a Tunnelrunner scout so want to have a good idea what I should and should not divulge to the other UD races about my home and it's people.

[Steve]

In my personal opinion, a Svirf village may be known about, but a non-Svirf would most likely be unable to find it, nor would a non-Svirf ever be invited in—Svirf lore supports this opinion as well.

But Rockrun was installed on BGTSCC with a custom story and use behind it, so...we have it as is (though I imagine it could change with RP).

[Zanniej]

In my personal opinion, a Svirf village may be known about, but a non-Svirf would most likely be unable to find it, nor would a non-Svirf ever be invited in—Svirf lore supports this opinion as well.

But Rockrun was installed on BGTSCC with a custom story and use behind it, so...we have it as is (though I imagine it could change with RP).

Drizzt got in one, ergo non-Svirfs can be invited, because Drizzt is a stereotype drow in a stereotype world!

The town guards seem to let just about anyone into the city (very Un-Svirv like) - so how much of the life in Rock run is secret?

I think that is a mechanical issue, and I think it would fall under meta-gaming the guards to abuse that.

According to the lore I found, all Svirf cities are hidden, and hidden quite well. That doesn't mean you wouldn't be able to find it however, I imagine. As a Svirf I'd imagine you to stay hidden while entering your city, making sure you aren't followed. Especially as a lone scout.

As another race, I'd imagine you to stay hidden when/if you find the entrance, as I'd imagine you'd be KOS for the svirf guards.

However, as Steve points out, it is a BGTSCC custom city, so conditions may apply

[Glowfire]

So did the server add a town for surface and UD interaction, and chose one where only svirfs can enter...?

Still not sure why a small trading outpost wasn't chosen. The exterior of Rockrun is huge. Too large for its use (which is barely any). Large maps like that makes it difficult to find RP on.

[Cubicle]

Much like how Sshamath was chosen amongst all other Drow cities, Rockrun was created to help add variety to the UD. Though the entrance is hidden and can only be accessed through conversation, the Rockrun Svirfneblin have opened their doors to unhostile traders and adventurers. At this time, there is no way to simply enter the city without an escort from a member of Rockrun, due to their illusions.

Sort of how an UD'er can easily bypass the guards of any Human city on the surface (unless that's changed), it's really up to the player to decide whether they belong, or not.

Due to both Sshamath and Rockrun possessing very powerful wizards, I wouldn't doubt that they have crossed paths, trade-wise, and know of each others existence. If players feel neither would tolerate the other, then go ahead and start some sort of conflict.

^ There are 4 small trading outposts besides Rockrun. If you want something added, RP and it can be added.

[Flasmix]

Sshamath wasn't really chosen for it's interaction... It's really just the only Drow city that is directly beneath our play area if you look at an Underdark map and compare it to the surface.

As for who is allowed in this city... It's odd. Lore obviously doesn't add up when we have caravans that can bring us directly into the city.

[Tekill]

Okay, so Rockrun is known, by others- that's fine. But It's exact location is veiled in magic - I like that.

It was an old Duergar fortress once, so we can assume that perhaps unlike other Svirv settlements Rockrun is much more defensible. The Blackrock guard consist of a lot of veteran soldiers and as Cubicle pointed out the city also has powerful wizards (illusionists I assume). So also unlike other Sviv settlements Rockrun is much more heavily fortified.

I should assume that the guards are not letting just anyone in. The community is open for trade and so will let in small groups to trade, and the odd lost traveler. And since the city is so heavily fortified, security is not such a huge issue as it would normally be.

I'm going to assume that the Deep Gnomes of Rockrun would feel a bit exposed having a uniquely unhidden city. Two previously obscured villages (Blackrock and Tunnelrun) coming together and forming one large community out in the open. Although, they would be sensitive, or maybe even a touch paranoid about being exposed, I think they would also have a bit of extra pride for forging ahead of their race for bravely living out in the open such as they do.

I think that is a good start.

I know this is off topic but since we are on the topic of Rockrun - Regarding religion....
I sort of have been assuming that the two main gods the citizens of Rockrun would follow, would be Callarduran Smoothhands and Segojan Earthcaller. Maybe a hold of Grumbar for the earthen purists like my character.
Agree, disagree?

[chad878262]

Sshamath wasn't really chosen for it's interaction... It's really just the only Drow city that is directly beneath our play area if you look at an Underdark map and compare it to the surface.

As for who is allowed in this city... It's odd. Lore obviously doesn't add up when we have caravans that can bring us directly into the city.

Sshamath wasn't the Drow City you visit in BGII, it was Ust Natha. I always assumed Sshamath was chosen specifically because the powers that were at the time didn't want the 'standard' drow city, such as Ust Natha and wanted to have an UD location that was more lore appropriate to having multiple UD races enjoy the RP setting.

[flipside43]

The only other option that I am familiar with would have been Eryndlyn, under the High Moor and even that is not a traditional drow city and focuses on trade.

Philock is the Netherese Ruins most likely already in game and is west of Cloakwood (which forms a little hook on the coast) and Sharp Teeth. Below that you can see the outline for the Amnian mountain range.

http://www.realmshelps.net/faerun/under ... aphy.shtml

http://www.pocketplane.net/volothamp/im ... nlarge.jpg

[Flasmix]

Sshamath wasn't the Drow City you visit in BGII, it was Ust Natha. I always assumed Sshamath was chosen specifically because the powers that were at the time didn't want the 'standard' drow city, such as Ust Natha and wanted to have an UD location that was more lore appropriate to having multiple UD races enjoy the RP setting.

Yes, the city you visit in BG2 is Ust Natha... But we're playing in the BG1 area. My understanding, at least by looking at the map is that Ust Natha is farther south in the UD then we have on the surface. We'd have to add in all of Amn to be able to represent where Ust Natha is located.

If you take a look at the BG2 in game map, it's really far to the south.
http://www.tgeweb.com/ironworks/baldurs ... _large.jpg

EDIT: Actually Flip, Sschindylryn is probably even better as it's not even that far east of Sshamath. It also focuses on trade.

http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Sschindylryn

[Steve]

viewtopic.php?f=13&t=73

[Cubicle]

You summed that up pretty well, Tekill. Leoril Blackrock was actually the one that convinced the previous King, Daedry Blackrock to send aid to help Tunnelrun in the first place. Daedry was, imo, a more traditional Svirfneblin ruler. Leoril, the current King of Rockrun is fairly different. He has a big heart, but is somewhat arrogant (I feel his conversation expresses that well).

Currently, Sshamath has 4 Temples (Smoothhands, Llolth, Deep Duerra, Vhaeraun), whereas Rockrun only has 1 temple (Smoothhands) located in the Garden. I don't see why more can't be added to Rockrun.

I believe Eryndlyn is even closer then Sshamath. I've actually seen requests for Ched Nasad, since it rests under the Greypeak Mountains.

[7threalm]

well, before any of it went in, the idea I had wasto have Rockrun Represent - Philock

the dm's at the time didn't like the idea for some reason



Philock is an ancient nethersese area shrouded in shadows, filled with sneakers, (forgot their name they are like gnomes but darker and more evil that worship shar, with ties to goddess shar from netherese)

Since the death of netherese other races have moved into change the ruins around to suit their needs, It would make more sense lore wise. It a place of shadows and hiding which the svib excel at.

Philock had certain race there

That was my intent during the upperdark expansion

sadly there isn't more lore about region outside of sshamath


As for server lore I would suggust it be Philock (renamed Rockrun)

Nethese fall, a floating city crashed (they worshiped Shar Primarly)

Philock is the remenats of that city, where darkstalkers took up shars mantle and losely worshipper her, whether they knew it or not, (netherese worshipped shar)

The titianfist Duegar overran the darkstalkers (Server lore for philock) and claimed the ruins of Philock and Renamed it Rockrun

After the battle between the titanfist and the Svibs who won the battle and the ruins and improved the city

That way we follow dnd lore, so it makes more sense

Here is the lore for reference


Philock is on the – disputable – border between the Upper and Middle Dark, and the Dark Ones have most competition with trolls and goblinoids in the Upper Dark regions and other more dangerous foes from the Middle Dark and denizens from the Plane of Shadow.

The Dark Ones of Philock very rarely venture above ground, and only then in the middle of the night, when Selûne and the stars are hidden by cloud cover.

The Dark Ones of Philock venerate few deities, Shar (in both her own aspect and the aspect of Ibrandul), Baravar Cloakshadow and Jergal are the most common. Leira used to hold a prominent place of worship, until her sudden silence in the Time of Troubles; her clergy’s activities predominantly taken up by Shar and Baravar.

Not very numerous and surrounded by a hostile environment, the Dark Ones rely primarily on stealth and ambushes. The predominant class among the Dark Ones of Philock is rogues, but there are also several Underdark rangers, sorcerers and a few clerics/adepts of the deities aforementioned. Most magic – arcane and divine – centers around the use of shadow magic and illusion.

The Netherese Caverns are not connected by any know Underdark passages, but has seen a few incursions of other races in the past – explorers from Shanatar on their trek North, drow mercenary bands or exiles. At least one clan of Rock-gnomes inhabits an area bordering the Cloak Wood. Cloakers, Hooked-horrors, Umberhulks are commonly encountered creatures.

Philock is in a barren stretch of the Underdark, but in the area of The Netherese Caverns, the only area large enough to hold the initial population of humans and gnomes. The network of tunnels and caverns around Philock only holds sparse amounts of edible food – mostly in the form of fungi and molds. Closer to the surface several ‘wet’ areas exist, and these would make ideal foraging areas weren’t it for the fact that the other denizens of the Upper dark also use these areas for their food and water.