Gazetteer Metaplot: Speculations on the Fate of S

[DocBeard]

Yeah, for all his razzing Drakov, Azalin isn't any quicker to give up a scheme, is he?

[Tobias Blackburn]

He wouldn't be a darklord if he didn't constantly struggle to reach the goals denied him by the Dark Powers, regardless of what setbacks he suffers.

Still, at least his plans grow (in scale and purpose, though his overarching goals don't really), which is more than anyone can say for Drakov.

[Rotipher of the FoS]

Moreover, Azalin's plans are the sort which would probably work, if the DPs didn't stack the deck against his success. Drakov's failures are far more the fault of his own pig-headed stubbornness.

[Nathan of the FoS]

Moreover, Azalin's plans are the sort which would probably work, if the DPs didn't stack the deck against his success. Drakov's failures are far more the fault of his own pig-headed stubbornness.

Well, I don't know about that. Drakov's plans to conquer things are perfectly functional, as far as we know; if Azalin didn't have undead-control powers massively beyond those of the average lich, it seems likely that Falkovnia would be in control of large parts of Darkon by now.

Azalin, of course, would never admit that the only reason he still has a throne to sit on is due to the continuing intervention of his "tormenters", but it is kinda funny to think about it in those terms.

[Rotipher of the FoS]

But that's just it: Drakov knows about Darkon's undead, has known of them for decades, yet he refuses to accept the idea that the place isn't susceptible to conventional invasion tactics. If he had more sense than ego, Vlad would have redirected his efforts elsewhere, ages ago. And Azalin's control of the dead pre-dates Drakov's presence in Ravenloft, so it can't really be considered active DP intervention when Falkovnia's latest expeditionary force gets eaten by Darkonian zombies: those hordes of zombies exist because of Azalin's darklord status, not Drakov's.

[DocBeard]

Yeah, but he keeps trying to use simulated children to further his plans and breach his limitations. Frankly, I think he'd run into the same problem-the kid succeeding and becoming more than Azalin can control or use-even if he were back in Greyhawk.

[Nathan of the FoS]

But that's just it: Drakov knows about Darkon's undead, has known of them for decades, yet he refuses to accept the idea that the place isn't susceptible to conventional invasion tactics. If he had more sense than ego, Vlad would have redirected his efforts elsewhere, ages ago.

Strike "Drakov", "Darkon's undead", and "invasion tactics", replace with "Azalin", "the Dark Powers", and "escape routes"...

I agree that Azalin is much smarter than Drakov, and is working on a different level of understanding; Azalin is engaged in a meta-struggle with the Dark Powers, trying to get "behind the scenes", so to speak, whereas Drakov operates on the level of what's presented to him. I mean to say only that, from what we know of him, Drakov is a perfectly competent general--more than likely, the best tactician (NOT the best strategist--from that point of view you're quite right, he's pretty limited) in the Core by a fair margin. If the deck weren't stacked against him by the Dark Powers, he probably would have conquered the western Core by now. Having conquered it, he would almost certainly be unable to rule it, but there you have it.

And Azalin's control of the dead pre-dates Drakov's presence in Ravenloft, so it can't really be considered active DP intervention when Falkovnia's latest expeditionary force gets eaten by Darkonian zombies: those hordes of zombies exist because of Azalin's darklord status, not Drakov's.

Repurposing! Two birds with one stone! And who can say just how far in advance the Dark Powers are planning, anyway?

[nothri]

Bluetspur may have nothing to do with the fate of S. After all, she apparently was able to write and send a full report to the lich before whatever happened to her happened (unless we are given a scenario like the Drowning Deeps entry for the Nocturnal Sea Gazetteer, some otherworldly thing decides to finish up her section in her stead).

Its clearly not simply a matter of her death, either. Azalin threatened at various points to "replace" her if the need arose- which implies he needn't be more than passingly concerned if she died- he has other canidates. No...whatever would enrage Azalin so would have to ultimately crush his poor dreams of escape. Perhaps S was meant to do something in Bluetspur, and she chooses another path? Azalin seems to have chosen her as much for her own callouslessness as her scholarly works- perhaps this implies some kind of "redemption" for her? A choice being made that Azalin has gambled will be made in his favor? Perhaps a choice of raw power that benefits Azalin over a moral one, and ultimately S chooses the moral path? Hard to say.

[cure]

Blutspur is assuredly only a piece of the puzzle, but it has the perfume of being an important one.

S is on a research mission, which is to say a quest for knowledge, and she arrives in the domain that is ruled by an abomination that literally devours knowledge.

It is difficult to see any connections between the Gentleman Caller's children and Blutspur however.

And we still don't know what Azalin ultimately intends, especially as he is no longer attempting to escape Ravenloft, but rather somehow remake it to his liking, probably by loosening or breaking the chains that bind him to Darkon and/or limit his potential.

It is noteworthy that Vecna did manage an escape and the next most intelligent prisoners are probably Azalin and the God Brain. Now of course the God Brain's ambitions haven't been running on a parallel track to Azalin's but perhaps that is about to change.

If S actually manages to divine the solution to Azalin's plight and carries that knowledge into Blutspur, the God Brain is more than capable of extracting that knowledge and perhaps putting the Gentleman Caller's children to work for its own benefit, in effect stealing from Azalin his prize.

[Rock of the Fraternity]

And we still don't know what Azalin ultimately intends, especially as he is no longer attempting to escape Ravenloft, but rather somehow remake it to his liking, probably by loosening or breaking the chains that bind him to Darkon and/or limit his potential.

That, or he could be planning to crash the whole demiplane of dread, ruining whatever the DP are really up to, and 'releasing' himself in one fell swoop. Granted, it doesn't seem to fit Azalin's MO to go for a mass murder/suicide scheme, but the possibility still exists. People in prisons do things they wouldn't even have expected themselves ...

[Rotipher of the FoS]

Just a thought, that might or might not be relevant to this: did we ever learn which other domains were intended to be included in Gaz XIII? If so, those might also offer clues to what fate might have befallen her, if only by influencing her state of mind when she makes her ultimate decision to fulfill or defy Azalin's plans.

[cure]

Just a thought, that might or might not be relevant to this: did we ever learn which other domains were intended to be included in Gaz XIII? If so, those might also offer clues to what fate might have befallen her, if only by influencing her state of mind when she makes her ultimate decision to fulfill or defy Azalin's plans.

In a related vane, there was to be one child of the Gentleman Caller per Gaz. Would it have been a slightly revised Bonespur, the nightmare riding lackey from Thoughts of Darkness (if that fits the timeline) and, if so, what would the significance of that be?

[Matthew L. Martin]

Just a thought, that might or might not be relevant to this: did we ever learn which other domains were intended to be included in Gaz XIII? If so, those might also offer clues to what fate might have befallen her, if only by influencing her state of mind when she makes her ultimate decision to fulfill or defy Azalin's plans.

The rough outline the Kargatane had when Gaz I was going to press:

Gaz XIII (early 2008; spring-fall 762)

Staunton Bluffs
(new domain)
(new domain)
Bluetspur

Also, let it be known that the Gazetteer project was only Phase 1 of Azalin's plan for S.

Matthew L. Martin, demi-Kargatane

[DocBeard]

Staunton Bluffs?!

I, uh, don't suppose we could get the rest of that list, could we?

[Matthew L. Martin]

Staunton Bluffs?!

I, uh, don't suppose we could get the rest of that list, could we?

Gaz VI (late 2004; winter 758-759)

Liffe
The Nocturnal Sea (including Graben/Todstein, L'ile de la Tempete,
the Isle of Ravens, etc.)
Shay-Lot (Maybe? What do you guys think? If so, we need to start
brainstorming what's actually down there.)
Vechor

In this book, Azalin provides S with a ship and crew that sticks
around until halfway through Gaz VIII. I'd like us to start thinking
up little character notes that we can use to personalize these folks
a bit while they're around. These folks work for Azalin, so use that
as a starting point.

And any thoughts on the ship's name?


Gaz VII (early 2005; spring-fall 759)

Sea of Sorrows
Blaustein (short)
Ghastria (short)
Dominia
Markovia

...and then we're completely done with the Core.


Gaz VIII (late 2005; winter 759-760)

Souragne
Saragoss (S abandons the ship & crew to escape)
Sri Raji
The Wildlands


Gaz IX (early 2006; spring-fall 760)

G'Henna
Har'Akir
Sebua
Pharazia


Gaz X (late 2006; winter 760-761)

Nidala
Avonleigh
Shadowborn Manor
Odiare


Gaz XI (early 2007; spring-fall 761)

Paridon
Timor
Vorostokov
Sanguinia


Gaz XII (late 2007; winter 761-762)

Farelle
Rokushima Taiyoo
I'Cath
(new domain)