Baldur's Gate : The Sword Coast Chronicles : NWN2 Persistent World

This is an attempt to prompt some RP, flesh out one of the schools of magic in Sshamath and create a spot for forum RP for all you evocation mages, warlocks, plus warriors and assassins etc that like to blow stuff up.

In the first post I will try to collect together all known lore/info about the school (there's not much) in one place.

In the second post I have created a list of NPC's to flesh out the staff a little bit. These are to create in-school reasons for doing the weekly quests, and also highlight that the schools are not just 'schools with classrooms' but power blocks within Sshamath, more akin to a major drow house in a drow city.

I am not a vet player when it comes to playing drow but fount the culture fun to dive into, especially Sshamath. Hence please PM me anything that seems out of place, or missing, and I'll update it. Likewise if there are any past RP/NPC's you've had interaction with within this school let me know.

Any newbs to playing drow, I am a past newb myself so its cool to ask questions, feel free to PM me.

The Registrar - I created this NPC as a way of introducing yourself to the school, either post an RP conversation with her, or just her shorthand notes about you. Its a way to show others in the school what they may hear/know about you.

For OOC discussion about the school, whether in the school or not, please see other thread in the guilds forum (You need to be logged in). I would like to keep the RP thread just for IC posts. Any questions or OOC comments can go in the other thread or PM me.

BigJ

Links:

New to Bgtscc UD - Gotta read this, its in the tips and tricks forum if you haven't seen it. Really helps with those early levels.

About the Schools of Magic, inc. rankings - MUST READ really to understand your position in the school. NOTE: Practised caster/invoker DO NOT count, only caster levels gained from your spellcasting classes count.

Lore:

Master of Invocation and Evocation - Krondorl Waeglossz (CE male drow Evoker) - The boss, the top dog in the school and member of the ruling Conclave of Sshamath (one of thirteen, check out the 'Rulers' section of the Lore: Everything about Sshamath thread)

There is a habitual alliance between the Schools of Conjuration, Evocation and Elemental magic because their interests usually align with one another. The school of Conjuration is the most influential institution in this alliance, being the second oldest school in S'shamath

The College of Evocation is charged with scattering threats outside the city walls, so it maintains soldiers that patrol the surrounding tunnels. Factions may also recruit associates who are not wizards, sorcerers, or bards, but these do not become school members unless they meet the criteria. (In other words you can be part of the school without spellcasting levels, soldiers, scouts, assassins, cooks etc, just not a student or faculty member)

Of all the Schools of Magic Warlocks are only welcomed within the School of Invocation and Evocation. In that school they advance as though they are sorcerers of equivalent level, and are similarly considered inferior to wizards of equal rank. They can however learn and study invocations alongside wizards in the School of Invocation and Evocation, along with the relevant magical theories and spellcraft

Okay, now the slightly grey area. I created these NPC's to help the IG UD quests become in-school RP'd quests, create RP between PC's with some other notable NPC's to RP around, and a couple to represent soldiers / assassins etc that serve within the school.

Its a grey area because I have no authority to do this, the DM's have absolutely authority to veto/change/delete any of this, I just wanted to put this out there and see what happens. To try and put some life into a little used school/resource in the forum.

The Registrar (Drow female, abilities undocumented) - A long time associate of Krondorl Waeglossz, this stern faced old drows real name is known only to a few. What is known is she has incredible insight + perception of an individuals worth and potential and as such all new members of the school report to her for 'assessment'. Some are also ordered for periodical re-assessment, the results of which are of course passed to the Master.

Archmage M'lan Dar'akstar - Master of the Tower (Drow male, LE Evoker) - This affable and diplomatic drow is responsible for the day-to-day running of the school and often mediates between departments. His sharp wit and smooth words however belie this archwizards power and extremely vengeful nature should he not get his way. The phrase "Must have seen the dark star" is often used within the school when someone disappears without a trace, or some other mysterious dire happening befalls them.

Medric Wottlebar - Department of Reactionary Substances. (Deep Gnome male, CE Evoker / alchemist). A genius in finding the corrosive/erosive or just plain explosive sweat spot in many different substances or formulas, even with just plain every day items. The items his department creates (mostly potions) are a good source of income for the school, which is good as not only being a svirf he also fount a 'sweat spot' within certain mushrooms to produce an altogether different reaction, which has lead to some of his classes being 'Far out there'. A certain female warlock, Uelaereene, once referred to him and others in his department as 'droug-adikks' and the label has stuck. (IG - The Mushroom quest)

Otar Blasthammer (Duergar, CE) - This overweight and crazy (but do not say that to his face) Duergar lives for two things - Destruction magic and unusually exotic delicacies, baked basilisk egg being a particular favourite. He is also fond of teleportation magic, though he overrates his abilities with such magic. His influence with the Duergar clans and their crafters protects his position within the school, although exactly what is that position is unclear. (IG -The Basilisk Egg quest)

Archmage Pau'ran Sshamath - Master of Alternative Studies (Drow Male, NE, Generalist with focus in Evocation) - Responsible for the classes relating to other forms of magic. These are provided to broaden a students understanding of magic and how to protect against them and as such he is often sharing research and communicating with others outside the school, some of whom are very old and very dead (IG - The Undead Crypt/Vampire quest)

Commander De'allac - Commander of the Guard (Drow male, LE, Fighter/Mage) - Responsible for the security of the school and the patrols outside the city in accordance with the school's responsibilities to the conclave. A skilled strategist and disciplinarian this agile spellsword can blast fireballs with his left hand whilst his right wields a deadly fast short sword, which is almost as sharp as his voice, his cuttingly deep and bellowing voice. He HATES driders, and will pay well for interesting artefacts/items/bodyparts taken from a dead drider (IG - The Lloth statue quest)

Zayoull (Drow Female, skills undocumented, title unknown - aka 'Mistress of Something', aka 'Dark Dagger'). Occasionally trains the scouts of the schools military, and other subtle roguish arts to a few others. Official duties unknown but not much goes on within the school without the beautiful and deadly Zayoull knowing about it, or outside the school for that matter. Assumed she reports to M'lan or directly to Krondorl Waeglossz.

Ucifeen Ne'palm (Tiefling, LE Warlock/Hellfire) - Mistress of Invocation - Ucifeen's mother served Krondorl Waeglossz and as such he is quite fond of her, especially when she began demonstrating considerable eldritch power at an early age. She has a deep connection to the Hells which helped her rise quickly through the ranks within the school, although she is still only a warlock within the schools hierarchy and a tiefling to boot. That said, not many cross her.


EDITS:
- Added hatred of Driders to Commander De'allac for those that want to avoid the for/against Lloth choice but still want to the IG quest to have RP purpose.

Some time ago at the School of Invocation & Evocation . . .

School of Invocation & Evocation application

Name: Barbaccas Full Bio Here
Born: Maerimydra, but now permanent resident of Sshamath
Vocation: Warrior, with blessings from Selvetarm
Magical Talents: After I died Selvetarm gave me blessings which are Eldritch in nature, Invocations. Also developed keen incite into magical items, scrolls etc. Gained understanding of spell casting and its craft.
Magical Interests: To expand my understanding of my blessings and magic in general to fortify my skill in battle.
Affiliations: None. I belong to no house or group.
Influences: Selvetarm (Lloth, to a lesser extent). My dead brother. The Hunt.
Other comments: Along with becoming a full member of the college I would also like to join the guard in their patrols of the caverns. I enjoy going into the dark and killing whatever lesser species I find there. I also like to think of myself as being reasonably astute, perhaps I could also serve the school as some form of Field Specialist.

The Registrar sits at her desk and reads through the application, she briefly looks up at Barbaccas with emotionless eyes before placing the form on her desk and leaning back in her chair.

"You died, then returned with so called 'blessings' from Selvetarm, eldritch blessings? How curious, perhaps you should describe them for me, and also expand on your comment about Lloth". She brings her hands together with interlocked fingers and stares at Barbaccas's eyes intently, as though peering through his very soul.

"Well, I suppose you could describe them as spiderlike. I can be resilient and quick like a spider, attack with an acidic or magical poisonlike bite to my blade and also attack like an ambush predator, using invisibility. I can be hard to hit, I can also create a magical web to slow my foes and then unleash a plague of magical spiders to tear them apart"

Barbaccas raises his right hand and as it begins to resonate a purple glow little spiders form around his hand. "Ferocious little beasts these, once I unleash them they would tear at me given half a chance. I think that's why I like them so much".

He lowers his hand and the glow dissipates "As for Lloth, back in Maerimydra she was my beginning and end. However, after certain events and living in Sshamath for so long, well, this place seems to have rubbed off on me and I have become a little more liberal". Barbaccas leans back in a brief reflective thought as a small smile crosses his face.

The Registrar, unmoving, deadpan and unreadable allows a moments silence before continuing the questioning. "That finger bone clipped to your belt and the ring it bears. It reeks of Necromancy, what is it?"

"A family matter" Barbaccas replies, now looking at the item. "It came with me from Maerimydra, some in the School of Necromancy helped me . . develop it a little, in exchange for some work I did for them. It is quite useful in certain situations".

Her eyes narrow as she leans forward slightly "I see. You do understand the political situation in Sshamath hmm Barbaccas? Once you join our school you will not aid the other schools in their goals, except as when such action would also benefit us or give us incite to their activities" She points her finger at Barbaccas as though to emphasize her words.

"Of course Registrar, I understand perfectly. I am not without intelligence" His eyes glance at the point of her finger as though to parry a blow.

"Bweal. I sense that in you Barbaccas but I also sense a fearlessness, be sure it is kept in check by your intelligence. Now, hold this orb for a moment". The Registrar tosses a small black orb from her desk which, after Barbaccas catches it, begins to cycle through several colours of differing intensity before becoming black once more.

The Registrar scribbles some notes on the application as she speaks "Hmm, seems your talents have already advanced considerably, if they were arcane in nature you would already rank as a Mage, but Faehlil you are and Faehlil you will always be. See Ucifeen for direction on developing your 'blessings', and see Archmage Pau'ran if you want to work on that thing any further" She points briefly with the quill at the fingerbone, then places the quill to one side.

"I will inform Commander De'allac about you regarding the patrols. Now, about your entrance fee. It seems I owe that bloated oaf Otar a dozen Basilisk eyes, hells knows what he wants them for, probably some dish he wants to cook up. As you are a "Field specialist" go out and fetch them for me would you, personally. He wants them fresh".

Barbaccas says nothing but stands and nods respectfully as he places the black orb back on the desk, then leaves the office. A little while later a chilled box is placed on the Registrars desk along with a note which merely states 'It was my pleasure'.

General Info: Barbaccas is a STR based melee warlock. He fights with either a mace or scimitar and a buckler shield and wears Mithril chainmail at all times (red and grey, mostly red). Has immunity to fear so is rather confident and also likes to chat. He will discuss anything even sensitive/taboo subjects but isn't stupid (INT 16 base, no + item)). He is also charismatic (CHA 18, 15 base +3 ring) in the way he presents himself. If he does get angry he can be quite intimidating.

Can often be fount at the Spiders Kiss, dancing with the girls. Will almost always refer to non-drow by a nick-name rather than true name.

A report lands of the desk of Commader De'allac . .

Patrol Report

Patrol Members: Barbaccas (solo patrol)
Region: Illithid Mine/Duergar compound area
Objective: Routine patrol
Reason for Report: Prevent possible discord with Bregan D'aerthe.

Report:

Whilst fighting Duergar in their compound I came across a group already doing the same. I joined them for a while and took note of one in a particular, an orc. He displayed the insignia of Bregan D'aerthe which initially caught my eye, but then also displayed considerable magical power of a raw, elemental, almost primal nature. I had not seen such in an orc before.

He name was 'Wirg', bald, small for an orc with only one good eye, a patch covers the other. He was wearing a plated mithral armour.

He speech is somewhat . . confusing, his words are easily mis-understood hence the reason for this report. If encountered by a patrol do not mis-understand his words for hostile intent, do not engage. Despite being an ilbith and dangerous, he seemed intelligent for an orc and respectful to Drow, both myself and others there. As the Bregan group are a potential asset it would be unwise to create any discord over a few mis-understood words.

Signed,

Barbaccas
Faehlil of School of Evocation & Invocation.

Since some tendays ago, one of the topics of conversation among the School of Invocation and Evocation members is the fact that the faehlil Uelaereene is having hard training sessions with Zayoull. The jalil is instructing the apprentice into the effective use of two daggers and the combination of this style with the raw magic Uelaereene possesses. How did manage the, at first sight, naïve and calm faehlil to convince Zayoull to instruct her is a mystery. This has leaded into multiple theories and rumours within the School walls.

Some years ago at the School of Invocation & Evocation ...

School of Invocation & Evocation application

Name: Istar'rada
Born: Sshamath
Vocation: reaching adulthood
Magical Talents: I can make a light, a flare too. I can makes things dizzy, well rats anyway. Have you ever spoken to rats? Surprisingly intelligent for their size, rats.
Magical Interests: I would like to make stuff, I like making stuff, then burning it.
Affiliations: I was of House Sshamath, but they wanted to make me leave and I decided to let them make me.
Influences: Former House before they made me leave, just 'cause I said I liked Vhaeraun. I mean what's wrong with that? I guess some of your magic gods can influence me now, and maybe some comical rothe, rothe can be funny when they want to be.
Other comments: I suppose they'll be a new bunch of folk telling me what to do now but that's alright. I like your building. I hope you'll show me how to blow things up, with fire, I like it when things burn sometimes. And plants. I like plants too, not burning plants, although some smell nice when you burn them, really nice.

Notes from the registrar . .

Sold to us from House Sshamath for indentured service for very cheap price. Has peculiar habits hence cheap price but tested well with the orb. There is potential for arcane development and perhaps even some creative talent.

Subject also has some natural affinity so put him to work in the kennels and the gardens for now. Work on curbing his peculiarities and once his indentured period is over re-evaluate for joining the faculty, assuming he develops some independent means of paying the fees.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

1351 - File update.

Subject has adapted well within the school, though some peculiarities still persist. Seems very adept at calming the creatures in the kennels, also had some positive feedback from the garden staff, save the one incident of a greenhouse burning down. Indentured service extended due to said event.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

1352 - Re-evaluation.

Subjects indentured service period is completed. He already shows signs of arcane development and has fount some work outside the school to cover the cost of some basic lessons.

Orb test confirms earlier implication of potential in creation of arcane items. Monitor. Inducted into to school at rank - Student.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

1352 - File update

Subject has progressed quickly. Already shows promising signs of wand craft and alchemy, arcane talent has advanced enough for an apprenticeship. Assigned to Department of Reactionary Substances for said apprenticeship.

Subject prefers to go by shortened name of 'Is' .. some peculiarities still persist. Watch Medric's influence over him as may only make things worse.

1352 - File update

Subject is branching out more with expeditions into the caverns for ingredients and financial gain. Has been stated that he possesses a 'sixth sense' when traversing the wilds and caverns. Also desires to open a stall of some kind in the marketplace for the wands and potions he creates. As long as the school receives a suitable percentage, authorised.

Attempt to curb Medric's influence over him - Failed. Still, like the rest of Medric's department he may generate a good amount of gold for the school despite the ... peculiarities.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

An earth genasi could be seen standing outside of the School gates. He stands for quite a while in thought then continues on

Returning from a patrol Barbaccas notices the static ilbith standing outside the school and hangs back in a dark alley to see what he does. Watching him finally continue on Barbaccas shrugs, making a mental note of genasi's appearance.

In her training with daggers, Uelaereene is said to have been admonished by Zayoull and temporaly relegated from the training. rumours spread by witnesses assure that the faehlil has tried to use her new acquired knowledge of conjuring acid with her raw powers in combination with the double daggers fighting style Zayoul is teaching her. This has lead into Uelaereene transforming the training weapons into a bunch of melted steel on the floor of the training yard.

Some rumours speak of undoubtable physical punishment from the the teacher, as well from higher ranked members of the School. Others say that the faehlil has been relegated to only study her new abilty and improve it until she is capable of erasing the stain she has left on the yard with the sole use of her powers.

Only one thing is sure in this matter: a small pile of deformed steel is heavily sticked to the training yard floor and the Archmage M´lan Dar'akstar himself has forbidden to all the members of the School, teachers, apprentices or other type of staff, to even touch it until new order.

Only one thing is sure in this matter: a small pile of deformed steel is heavily sticked to the training yard floor and the Archmage M´lan Dar'akstar himself has forbidden to all the members of the School, teachers, apprentices or other type of staff, to even touch it until new order

Returning from the Bureaucracy meeting and distracted by reflecting on what occurred there, Barbaccas walks through the training yard and almost stumbles over the pile of deformed steel. He angrily beckons one of the nearby guards to explain and upon hearing the story begins to smile instead.

He smirks at the guard as he speaks "About time Uelaereene began flexing her muscles a little, two daggers you say? Hmm, interesting, and instructed by Zayoull as well, I wonder how she managed that" As he prods the melted metal with his foot he dismisses the guard before then continuing on to Commander De'allac's office.

Shortly after meeting with Commander De'allac efforts are made over the next few cycles to re-enforce the protective wards around the school and the number of guards on duty increases.

Rumors begin to circulate as to the reason why.

BigJ wrote:Returning from the Bureaucracy meeting and distracted by reflecting on what occurred there, Barbaccas walks through the training yard and almost stumbles over the pile of deformed steel. He angrily beckons one of the nearby guards to explain and upon hearing the story begins to smile instead.

He smirks at the guard as he speaks "About time Uelaereene began flexing her muscles a little, two daggers you say? Hmm, interesting, and instructed by Zayoull as well, I wonder how she managed that" As he prods the melted metal with his foot he dismisses the guard before then continuing on to Commander De'allac's office.

When the common activities of the cycle are almost finishing in the training yard and only a pair of apprentices chatting and some bored guards remain there, the shadow of a training target on the stone wall acquires more substance. The hooded figure that silently emerges with no sound looks for a second the melted pile as the golden gleam from her eyes narrow for an instant, then the figure looks to the ground and sighs as her shoulders go down for a second. Shaking her head, the figure starts walking among the wall shadows. When the guard Barbaccas talked with is spotted by the figure on his post, gossiping with another jaluk guard, the gleam narrows again. The figure gestures the hands and suddenly disappears.

The training yard remains quiet and silent for the rest of the evening.

School of Invocation & Evocation application

Name: Jormax
Born: Menzoberranzan, Baenre Compound
Vocation: Sorcerer (Warmage)
Magical Talents: Surely it was by the blessing of Lolth that I was born with a strong natural affinity for magic. I have explored and subjugated the power of the Weave by force of will rather than tedious academic labor. I have breached the equivalent of what is third circle arcane spellcraft.
Magical Interests: Exploring the height, breadth and depth of the mystery that is magic and then to make it slave to my will. True power is blasting the flesh from your enemies bones with a word - or less!
Influences: House Baenre - yes, I am of no doubt you have heard of us. Quite prestigious. The tutorials of The Tower's headship guided my progress; Julani Baenre, my kinsman and the master of Evocation at Sorcere, was an influential figure from my youth.
Other comments: What else is there to say? Grant me admittance.

[WIP: interview to be added.]

Urebril enters the school and looks worried. he asks around if anyone has heard the name "The Wizard of Ss'zurass'nee" He says it's very urgent Bureaucracy business.

Hearing about Urebril's request and curious about the importance of this "The Wizard of Ss'zurass'nee" to the Priest, Barbaccas makes some further enquires to a few of the Archmages. He also enquires about another item of lore with regard to an additional issue.