Burning up - Khelben "Blackstaff"Arunsun

[Judd]

One of the PC's has a relationship with him, another has a relationship with his wife and has written beliefs about how much he doesn't like him. So its time to burn up the Archmage of Waterdeep (no, Elminster is the Sage of Shadowdale...wrong wizard).

I am going by his description in the original gray boxed set and the supplement, Waterdeep and the North and tossing out any other history I could dig up because it just doesn't interset me. Here's what I am building off of:


Powerful Archmage
Masked Lord
Instrumental in keeping the Lord's Alliance together
Forester and painter
Gravely Wise
Fully learned in the history, lore and traditions of magic as practiced by humans in the North since the rise from barbarism


But tossing away:


It is suggested that DM's adjust Khelben's level upwards to ten levels above the strongest PC, for use in humbling "runaway" characters.


Name: Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun

Concept/Bio: Arch-mage of Waterdeep

Age : a few centuries

Stats: Wi: G6, Pe: G6, Po: B4, Fo: B6, Ag: B4, Sp: B4, Speed Mult.: x3.5

Attributes: Ref: B5, Ste: B6, Hes: 2, Hea: B7, MW: B11, Circles: G4, Resources: B7

PTGS: Su: B0 Li: B0 Mi: B0 Se: B0 Tr: B0 Mo: B11

Beliefs:


The North must remain united against tyranny and evil. The integrity of the Lord's Alliance must be protected at all costs.

The Harpers are not willing to go far enough to combat evil; the Moonstars will show them how far one needs to go in order to fight the Zhentarim.

Waterdeep is under my staff's protection; none will threaten the City of Splendors and live.


Instincts:

Always put forth the cold demeanor they expect until they earn my trust.

Always have the appropriate traveling spellbook for the occasion.

Instinct 3

Traits:


Gifted
Dismissive
Second Sight
Barely Mortal (Dt) - Like Vigor of Youth but with a magic touch. Due to arcane bonds, the character barely ages, maybe a touch of gray in the hair but even centuries leave the character youthful, strong and unbent.
Arch-Mage (C-O) - This is a wizard or sorcerer who can use Sorcery, Summoning and Enchanting. The call-on can be for any one of those skills, the one the Arch-Mage is best known for. However, this call-on can only be used when the magic being cast is truly epic (as determined by all of the gamers at the table).



Skills: Caligraphy B4, Enchanting G4, Symbology G4, Circination G4, Summoning G5, Sorcery G6, Plane-wise G3, Magic-wise G4, Waterdeep-wise G2, Painting G2, Forest Wise G2, Bargaining G3, Alchemy G4, Enchanting G6, Astrology G4, Staff B4, Write B3, Read B3, Persuasion G4, Orate G4, Falsehood G3

Affiliations: Moonstars 3D, Lords' Alliance 2D, Lords of Waterdeep 2D, Arch-Mage 2D

Reputations: Many Apprentices 3D, 2nd most Powerful Arch-Mage in the world 3D, Mediocre Painter 1D

Relationships: Laeral Silverhand, Elminster of Shadowdale, Peirgeirgon Paladinson, latest apprentice, Blackstaff Tower Butler

Gear: The Blackstaff, Traveling Spellbook, Traveling Gear, Robes, Shoes, Finery

Property: Tower Spellbook, Blackstaff Tower

Spells: Everything in the book, can only carry around the traveling spellbook, as per MaBu rules

Summoning
Restless Dead 3D
Sanctified Dead 3D
Minor Corp. Spirit 3D
Corp. Spirit 2D
Major Corp. Spirit 2D
Minor Deity 1D
Major Deity 1D

Summoning Reputations
3D Archmage
3D Chosen of Mystra
2D 2nd most powerful wizard in the Realms


Weapons:

Bare Fisted I:B2 M:B4 S:B6 Add 2 VA - Fast Shortest

The Blackstaff:



Wow, I kinda hate him. If I'm feeling inspired, I might Magic Burn up the Blackstaff but honestly, I might not, might just leave it as a badge of office.

I don't see the players fighting him and I certainly hope he doesn't fight with them. I don't want to live down to the Forgotten Realms' rep of having PC's bailed out by ultra-powerful NPC's.

Thought it might be interesting to see what he looked like and I might've over-done it. I dunno.

[Judd]

I was really tempted to give him a trait called:

Elminster's Dick Move Contingency Evasion Spell (Dt)

This wizard has insured their own safety with an arcane contingency spell. When they are forced to make a Steel test due to wounds and fail, they can elect to trigger the dormant spell. They must make a Sorcery check, the obstacle being their Hesitation + the margin they missed the Steel test by (subject to any and all wound penalties). If they succeed, they are immediately teleported to a safe spot designated by the character when the spell was first cast.

[Rafe]

Why do you hate him? Is he a bit too much of a Mr. Paragon Awesome of Everything (ie, a Forgotten Realms character)?

[Verrain]

I think you need to bump most of his Wises up. G2 for Waterdeep Wise is way too low for a Masked Lord and the 2nd most powerful arch mage with only a 4 in Magic-wise? This ain't Dark Sun.

Also, if you don't burn up the Blackstaff I may have to. :)

[Thor]

With both Gray Will and Gray Sorcery, his Destroyer spells will do Gray damage. That's not necessarily a problem, but something to be aware of.

Teleportation spells are kind of problematic in BW, but if you do wind up doing a Contingency sort of spell, I'd make it a Sustained spell that can be triggered at will (or possibly with a physical action, i.e. two actions in Fight!). That way he has a chance of losing it if subjected to a May Not.

Finally, you may find a bit more to like in the character if you give him a full burn (6 or 8 LPs) and then layer on some traits and Gray stats and stuff. The required skills and traits may give him a bit more texture. Also, with all those Summoning Orders, does he have any Marks or Geases or the like?

[Judd]

Thanks, folks. This will all help the second pass.

Yeah, I'll end up burning up the Blackstaff, no doubt.

[pseudoidiot]

The first thing that jumped out to be was the B6 Forte. My gut tells me a powerful wizard should have a higher exponent than 6 in Forte.

[Judd]

Also, if you don't burn up the Blackstaff I may have to. :)

I just re-read the Enchantment section of the MaBu. I think I got it. Thanks.

[Dwight]

Why do you hate him? Is he a bit too much of a Mr. Paragon Awesome of Everything (ie, a Forgotten Realms character)?

I personally didn't get past "It is suggested that DM's adjust Khelben's level upwards to ten levels above the strongest PC, for use in humbling "runaway" characters" before a cloud of red descended and blinded my sight. Although I'm not sure that contempt is for Khelben the imaginary construct but rather the D.I.C.K. that wrote that and the attitude driving the [standard] use of the imaginary construct of Khelben.

[Dwight]

The most brutally sucking moment in any Shadowrun canned module is when the foundational magic rule of "no teleportation" is tossed out the window and the GM is instructed to hand wave Harlequin to immediately leave, with no intervention by the PCs possible, and to another place [thousands of miles away]. This is a character, and Immortal Elf, that already has "stock" abilities that has him towering over PCs as an elephant over ants.

The barest minimum to avoid that pinnacle of suck is Thor's suggestion. The minimum.

EDIT: And the potential combination of Arch-Mage + Elminster's Dick Move Contingency Evasion Spell doesn't help. :p

[Judd]

The most brutally sucking moment in any Shadowrun canned module is when the foundational magic rule of "no teleportation" is tossed out the window and the GM is instructed to hand wave Harlequin to immediately leave, with no intervention by the PCs possible, and to another place [thousands of miles away]. This is a character, and Immortal Elf, that already has "stock" abilities that has him towering over PCs as an elephant over ants.

The barest minimum to avoid that pinnacle of suck is Thor's suggestion. The minimum.

As I said, I was tempted to burn up that trait.

I did not.

[Dwight]

As I said, I was tempted to burn up that trait.

I feel it necessary to treat any urges with a generous application of the cleansing fire. :D It is for your own good.....

[Dwight]

BTW I went back and got past that quoted line to read the character over. *thumbs up* The making of a truly loathable, ergo memorable foil you've got there. Maybe Instinct 3 should be something like "I am always right" or "I always know best" or "Always trust my first impressions"?

[Soloswolf]

BTW I went back and got past that quoted line to read the character over. *thumbs up* The making of a truly loathable, ergo memorable foil you've got there. Maybe Instinct 3 should be something like "I am always right" or "I always know best" or "Always trust my first impressions"?

He's not -really- a foil. (Yet, anyways...) Pete's character wants to show him that he made a shitty move by splintering into his own group, so there is certainly antagonism there. On the other hand, I'm kinda pals with him. We certainly have a similar concern for Waterdeep and the North, just different ways of getting there.

I think the feel of that suggested instinct is given with the first instinct. I don't think he feels he's always right, I think he knows that he has a lot to prove with his Moonstars. I feel like he's afraid to fail and I like that about him. He's not consumed by it, but aware enough to stay on his toes. The North is better for having him there.

[luke]

The first thing that jumped out to be was the B6 Forte. My gut tells me a powerful wizard should have a higher exponent than 6 in Forte.

If you're using traditional Sorcery, he'd have a B8 Forte minimum.

[Trithemius]

No "Chosen of Mystra" trait? I see he has a rep for it but surely it's a trait of some kind too?

[Judd]

No "Chosen of Mystra" trait? I see he has a rep for it but surely it's a trait of some kind too?

John, I definitely thought about that but decided not to bother, instead putting it as a rep under his summoning, meaning that he can use it when summoning shit. Felt like piling on a bad-ass magical goddess trait on top of Archmage was heading towards overkill.

Any ideas on what a trait like that would do?

[Judd]

Here's another swipe at him:


One of the PC's has a relationship with him, another has a relationship with his wife and has written beliefs about how much he doesn't like him. So its time to burn up the Archmage of Waterdeep (no, Elminster is the Sage of Shadowdale...wrong wizard).

I am going by his description in the original gray boxed set and the supplement, Waterdeep and the North and tossing out any other history I could dig up because it just doesn't interset me. Here's what I am building off of:


Powerful Archmage
Masked Lord
Instrumental in keeping the Lord's Alliance together
Forester and painter
Gravely Wise
Fully learned in the history, lore and traditions of magic as practiced by humans in the North since the rise from barbarism


But tossing away:


It is suggested that DM's adjust Khelben's level upwards to ten levels above the strongest PC, for use in humbling "runaway" characters.


Name: Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun

Concept/Bio: Arch-mage of Waterdeep

Age : a few centuries

Stats: Wi: G6, Pe: G6, Po: B4, Fo: B8, Ag: B4, Sp: B4, Speed Mult.: x3.5

Attributes: Ref: B5, Ste: B6, Hes: 2, Hea: B8, MW: B12, Circles: G4, Resources: B7

PTGS: Su: B0 Li: B0 Mi: B0 Se: B0 Tr: B0 Mo: B12

Beliefs:


The North must remain united against tyranny and evil. The integrity of the Lord's Alliance must be protected at all costs.

The Harpers are not willing to go far enough to combat evil; the Moonstars will show them how far one needs to go in order to fight the Zhentarim.

Waterdeep is under my staff's protection; none will threaten the City of Splendors and live.


Instincts:

Always put forth the cold demeanor they expect until they earn my trust.

Always have the appropriate traveling spellbook for the occasion.

Instinct 3

Traits:


Gifted
Inscrutable
Respectful of one's betters
Dismissive
Second Sight
Barely Mortal (Dt) - Like Vigor of Youth but with a magic touch. Due to arcane bonds, the character barely ages, maybe a touch of gray in the hair but even centuries leave the character youthful, strong and unbent.
Arch-Mage (C-O) - This is a wizard or sorcerer who can use Sorcery, Summoning and Enchanting. The call-on can be for any one of those skills, the one the Arch-Mage is best known for. However, this call-on can only be used when the magic being cast is truly epic (as determined by all of the gamers at the table).



Skills: Caligraphy B4, Enchanting G4, Symbology G4, Circination G4, Summoning G5, Sorcery G6, Plane-wise G3, Magic-wise G6, Waterdeep-wise G4, Painting G2, Portal-wise G4, Forest Wise G3, Bargaining G3, Alchemy G4, Enchanting G6, Astrology G4, Staff B4, Write B3, Read B3, Persuasion G4, Orate G4, Falsehood G3

Affiliations: Moonstars 3D, Lords' Alliance 2D, Lords of Waterdeep 2D, Arch-Mage 2D

Reputations: Many Apprentices 3D, 2nd most Powerful Arch-Mage in the world 3D, Mediocre Painter 1D

Relationships: Laeral Silverhand, Elminster of Shadowdale, Peirgeirgon Paladinson, latest apprentice, Blackstaff Tower Butler

Gear: The Blackstaff, Traveling Spellbook, Traveling Gear, Robes, Shoes, Finery

Property: Tower Spellbook, Blackstaff Tower

Spells: Everything in the book, can only carry around the traveling spellbook, as per MaBu rules

Summoning
Restless Dead 3D
Sanctified Dead 3D
Minor Corp. Spirit 3D
Corp. Spirit 2D
Major Corp. Spirit 2D
Minor Deity 1D
Major Deity 1D

Summoning Reputations
3D Archmage
3D Chosen of Mystra
2D 2nd most powerful wizard in the Realms


Weapons:

Bare Fisted I:B2 M:B4 S:B6 Add 2 VA - Fast Shortest

The Blackstaff: - Staff stats...



The Blackstaff

Antecedent: Blood, freely given, of the dwarven stone-masons who built Blackstaff Tower and the first arch-mage in the Realms.

Hook
This is the staff crafted by the first arch-mage to settle in the area now known as Waterdeep. He crafted it so that he might better defend his tower and the growing port, then just a tiny village/cow pasture.

Powers
This magic item allows the bearer to utilize the following spells with 2D bonus dice when they are within Blackstaff Tower, even if that spell is not among those chosen for their traveling spellbooks or is a spell they do not know:

Eldritch Shield
Spirit Servant
Magesense
Binding (doorways only)

When the wielder of the Blackstaff is outside of the tower, they can cast Whisper on the Wind to anyone back in the tower (assuming someone is in the tower) at no extra obstacle, as long as they are on the same plane.

[Soloswolf]

I didn't double check everything, but his MW should be B12 now that his Forte is up to B8.

Having not read the MB, I don't know what all the Staff stuff does, but it sounds coolio.

[BobSlaughter]

Having not read the MB, I don't know what all the Staff stuff does, but it sounds coolio.

The more useful usage is "MaBu" (or is is "MagBu"?) and "MonBu", since MB is a wee bit ambiguous. :)

[Soloswolf]

The more useful usage is "MaBu" (or is is "MagBu"?) and "MonBu", since MB is a wee bit ambiguous. :)

When taken in the context of referring to a *magic* staff, I think the ambiguity is less distinct.

Any thoughts on the actual content of the thread?

[Judd]

Eeeasy, fellas.

Khelben's about as burned up as he's going to get, I think. Unless someone sees a real terrible error, this NPC is good and burned.

I even almost like him. Almost.

So, unless someone is really dying to discuss the finer points of Arunsun's life story, I'm pretty well done here. If someone has different ideas on how the second best wizard in the Forgotten Realms should be burned up, please do start your own thread and get to burnin'.

Now to decide what/who to burn up next. Have to rinse my mouth of this uber-wizard archmage taste before taking a hand at Elminster (who probably won't be much different than Blackstaff except for a few little tinkers).

We are using the Arsenal method out of the MaBu, so I jotted down two traveling spellbooks, one for travel and another geared for war.

[Marune]

@Judd,

I'm glad that you toned down the Chosen of Mystra aspect for BW, but are you using very specific bit of setting lore about him and ignoring others randomly or is there some design I fail to see ?

For example, you made the Moonstars/Harpers distinction, but made him younger (he's more near a thousand years old) and more importantly ignored that he has elven blood and a deep connection with the elven people*.

Also, any reason why you insist on a "2nd most powerful wizard" reputation ?

Edit : Just to be clear, I'm not trying to be a "canon-nazi" here, I do think that a BW re-interpreation of such characters needs to be trimmed down to the essential.

*in other words, its secret past before he took the identity of the real Khelben Arunsun.

[Judd]

I didn't want him to be a thousand because that over-shadows a player whose elf is 4oo+ years old.

2nd most powerful wizard is just a joke comparing him to the better known Elminster.

I'd have just gone with what I could glean out of the gray boxed set but both of my players has really latched on to the Moonstars/Harper split, so that became important.

I'm going by what I could glean from the gray boxed set and a few odd 3E details that resonated with our table. If there's no rhyme or reason to it, its because there is none. I went with the basic concept of Khelben, added in what he has become in our campaign and sprinkled in what interested me about him in the first place.

Hope that makes some sense.

[Marune]

Yeah I tought that since you have an elf PC, Khelben's secret "elven" identity could be useful to you, of course it was not revealed at that point (grey box), which is probably the best starting point for a BW interpretation of FR.

Are you considering burning Laeral too ? She always appeared to me as the most bland of the Sisters.

Mirt(!), Piergeiron and Durnan would probably make great BW characters too.

[Judd]

Yeah I tought that since you have an elf PC, Khelben's secret "elven" identity could be useful to you, of course it was not revealed at that point (grey box), which is probably the best starting point for a BW interpretation of FR.

Are you considering burning Laeral too ? She always appeared to me as the most bland of the Sisters.

Mirt(!), Piergeiron and Durnan would probably make great BW characters too.

Yeah, his whole link to the elven court as a half-elf felt really wrong to me, so I ejected it.

Laeral is a relationship for one of the players, so yeah, the 7 Sisters will probably get their characters burned up too. I don't have much of a handle on her, so it will be nice to allow the burning process to help me out.

I have Mirt, Piergeiron and Durnan all burned up! Once I get their weapon damages done, I will post up a thread in the Character Burner forum for the Forgotten Realms Iconics. Mirt was the 1st character I burned up and he ended up great; I was really pleased.

[Marune]

As BW assume more mature players/themes, you'll have fun with Alustriel ;)

and for Mirt, I hope you have incorporated his creepy relationship with his adopted daughter/wife ...

[Judd]

As BW assume more mature players/themes, you'll have fun with Alustriel ;)

and for Mirt, I hope you have incorporated his creepy relationship with his adopted daughter/wife ...

No, with Mirt, I am going with him just out of the box. So he won't have married his ADOPTED DAUGHTER!!!! yet. That won't be occuring in our timeline. Eff that. He has a belief about making sure she is prepared for violence but raised with love that is pretty awesome.

[Trithemius]

I see it as an massive reputation thing. Shade circles up a notch perhaps? Mystra is pretty damn important in the Realms after all.
My main thought though was "shouldn't being the Chosen at least have a chance to be a problem for him?" assuming it was a trait that anyone could get. Bad Dudes must see the Chosen as major targets if their patrons have beef with Mystra. To me this suggests it should at least be a character trait.

And I feel you about pilling up magical bad-assery - even if that seems to be what was originally intended with the Chosen. Ah, the Realms! :)

EDIT: Oops missed the wrap up post Judd.

[Judd]

EDIT: Oops missed the wrap up post Judd.

Nah, don't worry about it. Truth is, I am more than happy to discuss my reasoning.

If he was going to be played and the player wanted it to be a thang, I'd be open to it. As a NPC, I just don't care.

I like that Chosen of Mystra is subtle in this take on Khelben, it is something that is important to his summoning, really important when he is dealing with the Dead, Spirits, Demi-gods and Gods. I dig that, dig that the normal rank and file shmoe might not even know that he is so Chosen and I get to that because it is rarely mentioned in the 1e books that he holds that title.

When I am adapting these NPC's, I have a bunch of choices to make, how much later books to allow in, how much info I get from the Realms Wiki and so on. When in doubt, I err on the side of going with the vague bits in the original gray boxed set, as that is the Realms me, Pete and Aaron all adore most. This is why I started the thread with the bullet-points of the Khelben bits that I found intriguing, sticking with the Monster Concept, rather than becoming buried in Realms lore.