Wanderer (forum adventure)

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looks up the chapter on formian history

 

Page 169

Formians have been in existence for as long as anyone can remember. However, there has been surely some beginning to their existence. Communes with various Deities and powerful Planar beings show that the Formians may have been descended from some sort of other race. However, the exact origins are so far unknown by most sages and scholars. . .

Page 175

Much of their History is based upon warfare. Formians will almost always attack anyone who is "not one of their kind". However, records do indicate that trade, barter, and even peace has been made with a few Hives across the Planes. . .

Page 208

There is one Formian who is above all others of her kind. Currently, it is a Formian Queen known as the Scion Mother. She is a gigantic (and some prefer to say bloated) Queen who makes and regulates the laws of the Formians. Of course, many Formian Hives only pay respect - not obedience to her. In any case, she rules a Hive of uncountable lesser Formians, and is believed to be a truly powerful Being - one to rival even the Gods. . .

Page 210

It is believed that the Scion Mother has not always been the Queen of the Formians. Some Celestials nobles and Demon Lords are able to recall a time in which not a Formian led the Formians, but another Being. Its gender, appearance, and even name has been lost to time, but one description remains consistent: she wields a ruby-capped rod.

Where this Being is now, no one knows. Some Planar sages speculate that it (he? she?) may have "transcended", or risen to a higher level of existence, but of course, the very subject of "transcendence" remains debated. . .

Sheth finds Jhor looking over his shoulder. The Wizard fiddles with his beard and says, "Yes, very interesting and, well, far-fetched, it seems. But believe me, these things have been recorded from fairly reliable sources. Not too many believe this 'junk' in these old tomes, but I for one would trust whoever wrote this tome."

(I know, it's a lot )

[ January 12, 2003, 21:09: Message edited by: C'Jakob ]

 

Seth also looks up the chapter on the formians on our plane. Meanwhile Seths asks Johr "how odd a rubytipped staff. I wonder what it looks like!" as an afterthought Seth also looks up the chapter on interaction with humans

 

Jhor fiddles with his wispy beard again.

"Hmm, yes, a ruby-tipped rod. Well, to be, ah, honest with you, I really have no idea on what it looks like. Er, after all, these facts are quite obscure in the first place."

---

Chapter 3: Formians on our World

Page 60

The Planar Gate in the Granite-stone Hills, as amentioned before, is a possible link for the Formians to enter our world. However, Scholars have never seen Formians enter through it; many agree that the Gate is only one-way; one can enter through it into some other Plane of being, but not the other way around. . .

Other Planar Gates have been cited, two in the rest of Thantes, and another one in Jhordia. These other three are speculated to lead to other Planes. . .

Page 69

Formians have attempted conquest of the lands of this world, as well as of other worlds before. As they reside on Mechanus (as well as Acheron and Arcadia), it is truly likely that they have conquered large amounts of those planes. In Thantes, at least four Formian attacks have been described, but none has had any significant impact. In Mezria, it is speculated that a Formian army was partially responsible for the collapse of a Duchy or two. . .

In any case, it is widely presumed that Formians would seek to conquer lands at any given opportunity. Although few Scholars would suggest that they are truly Evil, it is agreed that they do pose a threat to Humans, simply because of their conquest-driven nature. . .

---

Chapter 4: Formians interacting with Humans (as well as Elves, Dwarves, and the like).

Page 76

One rumour (and shown to be true, on more than one accout) is that some Formians are able to exercise some sort of "control" over another person (or animal, Devil, etc). When this happens, the person speaks in a straight and clear voice, and it is as his very features harden. For what reason this is used varies, but Formians sometimes employ these Controlled people as spies, emissaries, or even as slaves. . .

Page 99

An extremely strange happening that only concerns Formians indirectly is the appearance of tattoos of them. In this case, both a picture of a Formian and a Slaad are found tattooed on the person. The tattoo might be large as one's head, or extremely diminiutive. The bearers of these tattoos all claim that they did not have them put on themselves voluntarily, but simply have had them since as long as they know. For what reason these tattoos exist, no one knows. . .

Many people throughout the Planes have had these tattoos, ranging from a Vampire, to an unremarkable Mephit, to even mighty Solars. Talks with Demon Princes, Celestial Wizards, and even Gods of Knowledge have revealed nothing. The mystery of these tattoos is strange indeed. Given that they are a Formian and Slaadi tattoo, Formian Queens or Slaadi Lords might reveal something. However, a direct talk with them, has, more than once, led to an untimely demise. . .

[ January 12, 2003, 23:03: Message edited by: C'Jakob ]

 

Sheth decides to glance at chapter 5 "Formian interaction with other Planar Beings', and, as an afterthought, asks Jhor is he knows anything relevant about Slaadi.

 

"Slaadi, eh? Yes, Beings of Chaos; mad, unpredictable, and completely, er, incomprehensible. The diametric opposite of Formians, if you will. They do as they please; they are both free and insane and random, but, ah, I digress.

"I suppose plenty of Slaadi might know plenty on Formians; after all, countless wars have been waged with them."

---
Page 111

Almost always, the Formian code of conduct with other races is hostility, if mutualism. Because all other Planar Beings, be they Slaadi, Demons, or even Celestials, are not Formians, the Ant-race is compelled to exterminate them. However, because Slaadi are Beings of Chaos and Madness, it is believed that Formians detest them to an extraordinary degree. . .

Of course, trade is not unheard of by Formians. Sometimes Formian diplomats and emissaries are sent to negotiate with other Planar Beings, although this is only done if the Formians will not benefit in other options. . .

Formians will also make war among themselves; rival Hives fighting each other are not unheard of. In any case, Formians are very aggressive towards most races, and have almost never been known to spare their enemies, unless in the case of "Control" as described previously. . .

Page 138

As written before, the phenomenon of the tattooed people have sometimes been able to communicate with Formians. Various stories tell how a person was shown mercy by the Formians because of his tattoo; others tell how people were able to converse with and even command the Ants. Of course, what is known about the tattooed people is fairly obscure. . .

 

seth thinks "oh what the heck" and looks up the remaining chapters as well. "Johr" ask Seth while leaving through the book, "have you perchance a picture of what a Slaadi looks like?"

 

Chapter 1: What is a Formian?

Page 8

Formians dwell on the Law-aligned Planes; Mechanus, Acheron, and Arcadia. They are sometimes found in Baator and Celestia; there they are usually either slaves or diplomats, respectively. . .

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Chatper 2: Formian Social Interaction

Page 19

Formian society is extremely hierarchial. Workers do all the menial tasks, and fight only in emergencies. Warriors do combat and perform chores outside the battlefield. The higher Formians oversee and direct the lower castes. . .


---

Jhor replies, "Well, Slaadi do vary in color; anywhere from red to green to black. And as for what they look like - they look rather a lot like this."

The wizard chuckles to himself. His skin turns jet-black, and he almost doubles in size. His back becomes hunched; a dagger-filled maw replaces his thin lips, terrible claws replace his bony fingers. His back becomes hunched, and his legs bend backwards. A third eye sprouts in his forehead. Spikes protrude form his shoulder blades. Sheth watches in fright as he realizes this is the exact same being on his tattoo; he has met both manifestations of the pictures.

---

(for a good detailed picture of Slaadi and Formians, look in the 3rd Edition Monster Manual)

(Sheth also managed to find a picture portraying Slaadi; why it was in a book concerning Formians, no one knows. )

[ January 14, 2003, 03:02: Message edited by: C'Jakob ]

 

seth backs eyes terror filled! as quickly as he can he pulls the rod out of his bag and opens the front of his tunic so that the tattoos are visible

 

The Slaad takes a step back from Sheth.

"Yes, Sheth. That tattoo on your chest - the one resembling me is certainly that of a Slaad."

 

Sheth looked at the book again, then set it aside.

"Jhor, do you know any more about the 'tattooed people' than is mentioned in this book?"

 

"Jhor" laughs for a second, then replies, "Well, for starters, lad, don't call me Jhor. Jhor was a wizard whom I killed and whose persona I took on."

The Slaad chuckles.

"Sorry, but the deaths of fishermen and sages are insignificant in the events that'll occur. I'll tell you one thing: I know plenty about the "tattooed people". But then again, you read it all. But I know Beings who know Beings who might know about you. Just. . . might.

"But not here. Not on this Plane. I'm sure your elf-friend knows where the Granite-stone Hills are. Look for me there. 'Til then, adieu.

"Oh, and do call me H'tleth. It's a tad hard to pronounce, but it is my Slaadi name."

H'tleth turns away from Sheth, and his image blurs until Sheth can only see a silhoutte of the Slaad. In seconds, he has vanished.

[ January 14, 2003, 21:27: Message edited by: C'Jakob ]

 

Sheth turned towards the door with the crimson trail, then decideed that he he didn't want his suspicions to be confirmed after all. He walked deeper into the wizard's house, in search of Ikholian and additional provisions.

 

Sheth walks the corrdiros in search for Ikholian. He manages to find the elf donning his leather jerkin, and putting on his quiver of arrows. Noticing Sheth, Ikhoian turns and says, "I saw what happened. I have taken some provisions. Let us take our arms and go."

 

Seth runs back to get the book about formians and to look if he can find any books on the planes, saadi, or anything else that might come in handy. (sorry me is obsessed with books )

 

Ikholian and Sheth set off again, knowing only scraps and bare bones of what is to come. Yet something does not sit well with Sheth; a strange feeling looms over the sky. Despite the oddities of the predicaments Sheth has been placed in, he looks up to the robin's-egg-blue sky and strides forward with a small semblance of confidence.

I have nothing to lose. Not my identity - I have only that to make or find. Not my home - I am a vagrant. Not my family, not my possessions. I have everything to search for. All I need to gain is answers. And those are everywhere.

Which ones are right, of course, is a different matter.

Ikholian does not talk. He simply walks along the roads, looking straight ahead. Sheth only follows the elf down the road.

The pair comes to a pasture of bright green, dotted with white flecks of sheep. The sky is still a brilliant blue, with fluffy, pillow-like clouds riding the winds.

"The Granite-stone Hills," Ikholian announces. He continues walking - to where, Sheth can only guess the Gate. The elf marches into the field, quiet and solemn, and Sheth follows.

It has been four hours since they left the library, and both pairs of feet are sore, and both mouths are hungry. They break out food and begin eating at the base of a hill. No conversation is made. When they finish, Sheth manages to spy a lone ant, tall as a man, staring at him from the top of the hill.

Equipment
-Staff
-Various coins
-Ruby-tipped rod
-Provisions
-Sword, bow, and arrows
-Various books concerning Formians, Slaadi, and the Planes

Tidbits
-Formians, Beings of Order and Structure, and the Slaadi, Beings of Chaos and Freedom, are both somehow connected to Sheth; he bears tattoos of both.
-Ikholian has been acting strangely silent since the Formians attacked.
-A Slaad, who killed Jhor, has bid the two to come to the Granite-stone Hills.

[ January 15, 2003, 21:11: Message edited by: C'Jakob ]

 

Sheth rises to his feet and begins to approach the ant, staff at the ready.

 

Approaching the Ant, gripping his staff, Sheth walks up the hill. The Formian watches him, two bulbous, black eyes boring into his face. When Sheth approaches within around four or so meters of it, the Ant scurries away down the hill.

Sheth is now standing at its crest, and beneath him is a great field, full of green grass and flowers, with a tranquil pond in the middle. The only thing that stands out is the rust-red skin of dozens - if not hundreds - of Formains surrounding the pond.

The Ant that spied Sheth has scurried back the the horde of Formians.

(In case anyone is wondering, I have never played Planescape: Torment, and this Forum Adventure was not inspired by it.)

[ January 16, 2003, 03:17: Message edited by: C'Jakob ]

 

Seth starts walking towards the formians with the rod in his hands and the tattoos on his chest clearly visible.

(ps I'm a bit lost. Some hints possibilities to do would be nice )

 

(Okay - current situation: A Slaad (Being of Chaos) hints that he knows about who Sheth really might be. Sheth also read about a Planar Gate in the Granite-stone Hills - which the Slaad has invited him and Ikholian to come to. This is where Sheth presently is.)

(Formians have killed two people who Sheth met, and for some reason left him alive. Both the Slaad's and Formians' connection to him are unknown.)

(On the current scenario, Sheth is standing on top of a hill, with countless Formians at the bottom.)

---

The Formians look fairly unfazed by the tattooed human walking toward them. Suddenly, Sheth sees Ikholian, no weapons in hand, sprinting toward the Ants. The elf walks straight into the crowd of Formians and stares directly into the eyes of one of them. That Ant stares back at the elf.

(What Sheth does, aegron, is competely of to you, of course. )

[ January 16, 2003, 21:44: Message edited by: C'Jakob ]