Ask Azalin - Q&A thread for lore and trivia

[Mischief]

I don't see an obvious thread for your one quick question. So that's what this is. I'll try to use this first post to index questions and answers. Of course you don't have to ask Azalin, you can any character or real life person, but imaginary bonus points if you answer in character.

1. Who has discovered Azalin's Darklord curse?
2. Who in the Amber Wastes are the best non-Vistani rumormongers?
3. Mechanics of Toben's body control and soul.
4. Ghosts go Oooh, Strahd goes NOOOO, Az does plots, And Hyskosa gives prophecies. But there's one sound, that no one knows. What does the rock say? (Borca's Death Stone during the Grand Conjunction)

[Mischief]

So I will ask the first two three questions!

Azalin, canonically your curse comes in two parts: You can't learn new magic, and you can't bring back your son because somehow every method available comes with a catch or misfortune that ruins the plan. You also do your best to hide your curses. Has anyone who didn't work directly for you found out #1. You can't learn new magic, #2. You had a kid (clones don't count), #3. both?
I know Oldar Wahldrun I knows about #2, and Strahd was maybe guessing about #1. But who else?

Ankhtepot, I am curious to know more about the merchants and rumor mongers of the Amber Wastes cluster. Who would you talk to besides the Vistani if you wanted to hear gossip about trade and the local area?

Toben the difficult to count, you have many bodies, but how many souls? If the soul is fragmented, does that mean magic targeting one soul propagates to the collective because you are still in unity? What is the information medium by which the bodies coordinate? If someone jams psionics, is a body cut off? What about antimagic field?

[brothersale]

Ankhtepot, I am curious to know more about the merchants and rumor mongers of the Amber Wastes cluster. Who would you talk to besides the Vistani if you wanted to hear gossip about trade and the local area?

[Mistmaster]

The Azal'lan of the Darkonese Hegemony looks at the interviewer "Canon informations about me are wrong. I'm perfectly able to learn any new magic, what I lack is time, governement require all my attention; and the only reason I can't have my son back is that he is awfully stubborn, the one thing he takes from me!" Then provides to modify the interviewer memories.

The late Pharaon grumbled about unrespectfull strangers, then said "The kingdom I ruled and shall rule again is a merchantile Hub; Merchants flock to the capital city from the Amber Reaches and the Corelands; Pharazian and Zeindosteins merchants bring in goods and news"

After trying to kill the interviwer in three different way one of the more rational personality takes hold on Toben and explains " We are different souls in one body; we can't be caught ot of our body and atimagic fields do not affect us."

[Joël of the FoS]

4. During the GC, a servant came to Ivana to tell about strange voices coming out of the Death Stone. But Ivana waved here away and Ivan killed the servant before she spoke. What did the voices say?

[Mischief]

The only reason I can't have my son back is that he is awfully stubborn

Actual Canon Irik: Keeps telling Azalin to be nice, he forgives him for beheading him, please stop doing the bad things okay, and dad is sick of hearing it.
Mischief Canon Irik: Sneaks out without dad's permission, occasionally has a stress-induced ghostly breakdown and trashes part of the castle.
Mistmaster Canon Irik: Elemental being of light that wrecks hell on Azalin's schemes as a 15th level cleric + fudge sauce and extra sprinkles.

All Azalins: Irik is awfully stubborn!

4. During the GC, a servant came to Ivana to tell about strange voices coming out of the Death Stone. But Ivana waved here away and Ivan killed the servant before she spoke. What did the voices say?

Is there a specific canon place this was mentioned that I can research, or should I make up something very dramatic and creepy? The language is probably ancient Egyptian though!

[Mischief]

Az or anyone else who would like to chip in, what is Baron Metus' first name, and what is his father's name? (In other words, help me pick a name!)

[Gonzoron of the FoS]

Az or anyone else who would like to chip in, what is Baron Metus' first name, and what is his father's name? (In other words, help me pick a name!)

Good question! I know of no canon answer to either. Personally, I've always considered Metus to be his first name, and that he didn't have a last name. (or didn't use one if he had it, much like royalty). He is mentioned to be a bastard son, so maybe he's "Metus Snow" .

[Mistmaster]

Metus is the last name and his name is Sebastian; Sebastian Metus III. (Homebrew)

[Sageheart]

I hope this isn't Necro Posting. I have been following this forum for some time but this is my first post here!

I am doing a forward Curse of Strahd game using Azalin as the next major NPC. I was curious how Azalin became aware of The Gentleman Caller? Do we know, or was that never fully flushed out when "S" story wasn't completed?

I appreciate the response!

[Gonzoron of the FoS]

To the best of my knowledge, there's no canon explanation of that. There's a bit of a hint in Az's comments in the Invidia Gaz, re: Malocchio: "I know his kind, with much thanks to you." So maybe he picked up on something in the earlier Gaz's about the GC's other children. His comments in the Invidia Gaz do make it clear he knows something about the GC and that Malocchio and/or the other children are pivotal to Azalin's plans.

ETA: oh, and welcome to the forum!

[Rock of the Fraternity]

By the time 'S' came to Malocchio, she'd already given Azalin notes on the Beast of the Hills, Vigo Drakov and the Jongleur, right? Combined with his Knowledge (planes) and his ability to know everything anyone in Darkon knows, maybe that was enough for Azalin to put two and two together.