for those of you don’t know who King Obould is I’ll give the description the monster manual gives because I think it’s cool
KING OBOULD MANY-ARROWS
King Obould of the Many-Arrows tribe is a legend among the orc war chiefs of the Forgotten Realms, and he is the most famous orc chief in the history of the D&D game.
Smarter and more intuitive than most of his kind, Obould slew his chieftain to take control of his tribe. Skilled in the arts of war and renowned for his violent temper, Obould proved himself a fierce opponent in battle time and again. Over the years, he subsumed other orc tribes into his own, until he commanded a horde of thousands.
Obould leveraged his strength and influence to carve out a kingdom for himself in the Spine of the World, a mountain range overlooking numerous dwarven, human, and elven strongholds.
After years of bloody conflict with his more civilized neighbors, Obould did the unthinkable and brokered a peace treaty with his enemies. This treaty confused many of the orcs under Obould’s command. It was either a clever ploy by Obould to buy time while he strengthened his army for a final, decisive sweep across the Savage Frontier, or it was a troubling sign that Obould had forsaken the ways of Gruumsh and needed to be destroyed.
TLDR:this orc took over his main tribe, united a bunch of other tribes, made a kingdom for himself and then did the unthinkable and made piece with his Neighbors for unknown reasons
I think it’s really interesting and I’m wondering if anyone has used something like this before in a campaign
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Marvarax andSora (Dragonborn) The retired fighter and WIP scholar - Glory
Brythel(Dwarf), The dwarf with a gun - survival at sea
Jaylin(Human), Paladin of Lathander's Ancient ways - The Seven Saints (Azura Claw)
Urselles(Goblin), Cleric of Eldath- The Wizard's challenge
Viclas Tyrin(Half Elf), Student of the Elven arts- Indrafatmoko's Defiance in Phlan
All stars fade. Some stars forever fall. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Homebrew (Mostly Outdated):Magic Items,Monsters,Spells,Subclasses ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If there was no light, people wouldn't fear the dark.
If you're looking for stats, use the Orc War Chief (MM 246) and maybe max out the health. Probably improve Intelligence and Wisdom too. Lorewise, I think Volo's has some orc stuff, and forgottenrealms.com probably does too.
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All stars fade. Some stars forever fall. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Homebrew (Mostly Outdated):Magic Items,Monsters,Spells,Subclasses ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If there was no light, people wouldn't fear the dark.
I recon make a reason why he broker peace. for example in eberron orcs for example where not betrayed and became protectors of the realm. I am thinking of having an, old one or something similar be reason why he made the alliance. So that when it comes all armies be ready take it out. or something similar.
I was thinking having a old one, yeah one's invade the realm or something similar. Basically idea is around, how I would create a sect of secretive orcs that keep this secret, the reveal is something akin to having goblin punch interpretation of orcs. And, how that KING OBOULD MANY-ARROWS forseen the upcoming "story" And prepared an alliance in preperations, however warlocks of old ones and drow have been seeding, discontent with his rule & eventual breakdown of treaty!
And goal of adventurers is to, find out why alliance was made or to destroy orc horde before they get consumed by darkness.
That's at least an idea atm it's on back on to-do campaigns.
TLDR: I was thinking having king forsee an old one as next big bad, as result of god's apathy from his perspective & that, it's quite possible to undo all races. And that orcs struggle is keep people involved ie, players/heros to take interest to do right thing.
Kinda sounds like Warcraft Orcs to me, and there are plenty of stories about them if you're just looking to read about Orcs banning together. I'd go so far as to suggest the novel Durotan.
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He is in Forgotten Realms and I believe RA Salvatore wrote books where he was introduced.
Well, my campaign is set in the year 1500 in Forgotten Realms so quite a bit has happened to the Kingdom of Many Arrows in the meantime and Obould is long dead but his actions have had lasting consequences for at least one of my players.
The party started out by earning the trust of the local regent that they saved during a funeral that was blessed by a revanant (reduced for the party somewhat) of the local lord. The son, who is now a lord, is too busy soiling his royal oats to be bothered with things so his high council sits in for him. This regent is trying to get the local towns/cities and other lords to form up against the Orc threat all without going into full blown war that threatens the treaty. The party is charged with gathering evidence of this new orc faction/horde and bring it to Many-Arrows to see if he can help stop total war or is culpable to the machinations at hand.
In my FR campaign, there has been relative peace with the orcs as a whole. Sure there are occasional raids or small bands here and there, but nothing near the scale of war. A younger upstart has been gathering orcs not satisfied with peace a little further South. At first my group is stopping their scout parties and early raids for supplies. They are learning how the orc's new encroachment is affecting the hobgoblin army to the East and gnolls to the South-East, who are now more active to protect the edges of their domain. The party has learned that these factions are at odds with each other and with the more 'civilized' towns/cities. Hill giants are an issue for the waring factions too, but that has not been discovered yet. There is more to it but that is what has transpired so far.
Are you asking about character backgrounds or Forgotten Realm novels?
As far as novels go you have it right. Last story I remember Many-Arrows signed a peace treaty with Gauntlgrym, the Dwarven Empire below and The human civilizations of Icewind Dale.
As for Drizz't most people believe he is the last of the original companions of the hall. However they've all been reincarnated as his current companions.
Obould was certainly an interesting character (and a breathe of fresh air as far as a complex villain goes).
He was ambitious, certainly...but he was irregular as far as orcs go. His ambition wasn't conquest for conquest's sake; he wanted to build something...a country. I enjoyed reading about how he kept envisioning cities, trade routes, and establishing relations with the neighboring kingdoms...that definitely wasn't what his thousands of orcs were thinking about. He had to play the role of conqueror; but he clearly was born to be a king. Dude surprised everyone (including Alustriel) with his diplomacy.
In fact, Obould was almost annoyed by how his people behaved...he understood them, gave them enough conflict to be satisfied...but he kind of used them. Obould justified it as giving them what they needed, even if they lacked the ability to comprehend it.
Don't get me wrong...Obould was a terrifying fighter. Killed a close friend of Drizzt; and had the strength & stamina of a demigod, thanks to the blessing of Gruumsh. He was menacing and ruthless when it was required.
But he had a vision. I recall him speaking with a half orc, some time after he had established his territory, and he firmly stated that being part orc was something that made her better.
Clearly, Obould wanted the legacy of orcs to be something more than bloodthirsty savages.
He was selfishly motivated, and did terrible things to get what he wanted...but he did have good intentions for the orcs.
At times, during the combat scenes, I found him to be a little OP but, then again, it is the only way for someone to match Drizzt, who is ridiculously OP, imo.
Spoilers below.
I found the reasons behind the forced diplomacy to be contrived. The refusal of the other nations to sweep Obloud and his Orcs away seemed out of character considering what they have done before and the heavy weight of death the Dwarves endured trying to save the people of Nesme. All in all, I feel like the Dwarves were betrayed by Alustriel when they needed her most.
Obould was certainly an interesting character (and a breathe of fresh air as far as a complex villain goes).
He was ambitious, certainly...but he was irregular as far as orcs go. His ambition wasn't conquest for conquest's sake; he wanted to build something...a country. I enjoyed reading about how he kept envisioning cities, trade routes, and establishing relations with the neighboring kingdoms...that definitely wasn't what his thousands of orcs were thinking about. He had to play the role of conqueror; but he clearly was born to be a king. Dude surprised everyone (including Alustriel) with his diplomacy.
In fact, Obould was almost annoyed by how his people behaved...he understood them, gave them enough conflict to be satisfied...but he kind of used them. Obould justified it as giving them what they needed, even if they lacked the ability to comprehend it.
Don't get me wrong...Obould was a terrifying fighter. Killed a close friend of Drizzt; and had the strength & stamina of a demigod, thanks to the blessing of Gruumsh. He was menacing and ruthless when it was required.
But he had a vision. I recall him speaking with a half orc, some time after he had established his territory, and he firmly stated that being part orc was something that made her better.
Clearly, Obould wanted the legacy of orcs to be something more than bloodthirsty savages.
He was selfishly motivated, and did terrible things to get what he wanted...but he did have good intentions for the orcs.
That'd place him as Neutral Evil, I reckon.
Obould was very firmly a lawful evil character who leaned toward Lawful Neutral. If he were Neutral Evil he'd have simply used the orcs he commanded to get what he wanted and his goals would have been more nihilistic.
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Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
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for those of you don’t know who King Obould is I’ll give the description the monster manual gives because I think it’s cool
TLDR:this orc took over his main tribe, united a bunch of other tribes, made a kingdom for himself and then did the unthinkable and made piece with his Neighbors for unknown reasons
I think it’s really interesting and I’m wondering if anyone has used something like this before in a campaign
Marvarax and Sora (Dragonborn) The retired fighter and WIP scholar - Glory
Brythel(Dwarf), The dwarf with a gun - survival at sea
Jaylin(Human), Paladin of Lathander's Ancient ways - The Seven Saints (Azura Claw)
Urselles(Goblin), Cleric of Eldath- The Wizard's challenge
Viclas Tyrin(Half Elf), Student of the Elven arts- Indrafatmoko's Defiance in Phlan
How are you planning to use him?
All stars fade. Some stars forever fall.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Homebrew (Mostly Outdated): Magic Items, Monsters, Spells, Subclasses
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If there was no light, people wouldn't fear the dark.
If you're looking for stats, use the Orc War Chief (MM 246) and maybe max out the health. Probably improve Intelligence and Wisdom too. Lorewise, I think Volo's has some orc stuff, and forgottenrealms.com probably does too.
All stars fade. Some stars forever fall.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Homebrew (Mostly Outdated): Magic Items, Monsters, Spells, Subclasses
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If there was no light, people wouldn't fear the dark.
no... I just wanted to know if anyone has any stories of him or someone like him in there games
I just think he's cool
Marvarax and Sora (Dragonborn) The retired fighter and WIP scholar - Glory
Brythel(Dwarf), The dwarf with a gun - survival at sea
Jaylin(Human), Paladin of Lathander's Ancient ways - The Seven Saints (Azura Claw)
Urselles(Goblin), Cleric of Eldath- The Wizard's challenge
Viclas Tyrin(Half Elf), Student of the Elven arts- Indrafatmoko's Defiance in Phlan
I recon make a reason why he broker peace. for example in eberron orcs for example where not betrayed and became protectors of the realm. I am thinking of having an, old one or something similar be reason why he made the alliance. So that when it comes all armies be ready take it out. or something similar.
I was thinking having a old one, yeah one's invade the realm or something similar. Basically idea is around, how I would create a sect of secretive orcs that keep this secret, the reveal is something akin to having goblin punch interpretation of orcs. And, how that KING OBOULD MANY-ARROWS forseen the upcoming "story" And prepared an alliance in preperations, however warlocks of old ones and drow have been seeding, discontent with his rule & eventual breakdown of treaty!
And goal of adventurers is to, find out why alliance was made or to destroy orc horde before they get consumed by darkness.
That's at least an idea atm it's on back on to-do campaigns.
TLDR: I was thinking having king forsee an old one as next big bad, as result of god's apathy from his perspective & that, it's quite possible to undo all races. And that orcs struggle is keep people involved ie, players/heros to take interest to do right thing.
Kinda sounds like Warcraft Orcs to me, and there are plenty of stories about them if you're just looking to read about Orcs banning together. I'd go so far as to suggest the novel Durotan.
Have an idea for a great character, but no clue how to get started writing a backstory? Let me help! Check out www.rent-a-bard.com for more.
He is in Forgotten Realms and I believe RA Salvatore wrote books where he was introduced.
Well, my campaign is set in the year 1500 in Forgotten Realms so quite a bit has happened to the Kingdom of Many Arrows in the meantime and Obould is long dead but his actions have had lasting consequences for at least one of my players.
The party started out by earning the trust of the local regent that they saved during a funeral that was blessed by a revanant (reduced for the party somewhat) of the local lord. The son, who is now a lord, is too busy soiling his royal oats to be bothered with things so his high council sits in for him. This regent is trying to get the local towns/cities and other lords to form up against the Orc threat all without going into full blown war that threatens the treaty. The party is charged with gathering evidence of this new orc faction/horde and bring it to Many-Arrows to see if he can help stop total war or is culpable to the machinations at hand.
In my FR campaign, there has been relative peace with the orcs as a whole. Sure there are occasional raids or small bands here and there, but nothing near the scale of war. A younger upstart has been gathering orcs not satisfied with peace a little further South. At first my group is stopping their scout parties and early raids for supplies. They are learning how the orc's new encroachment is affecting the hobgoblin army to the East and gnolls to the South-East, who are now more active to protect the edges of their domain. The party has learned that these factions are at odds with each other and with the more 'civilized' towns/cities. Hill giants are an issue for the waring factions too, but that has not been discovered yet. There is more to it but that is what has transpired so far.
Are you asking about character backgrounds or Forgotten Realm novels?
As far as novels go you have it right. Last story I remember Many-Arrows signed a peace treaty with Gauntlgrym, the Dwarven Empire below and The human civilizations of Icewind Dale.
As for Drizz't most people believe he is the last of the original companions of the hall. However they've all been reincarnated as his current companions.
I am doing a homebrew campaign using a hobgoblin Lich.
Not all those who wander are lost.
Check out my Monsters, Magic Items, and Spells. (These are all links.)
OP, If you want to read about the events in the Monsters Manual, it is the Hunter's Blades trilogy, by RA Salvatore.
Book 1 - The Thousand Orcs
Book 2 - The Lone Drow
Book 3 - The Two Swords
The story concludes in The Orc King, also by RA Salvatore
Obould was certainly an interesting character (and a breathe of fresh air as far as a complex villain goes).
He was ambitious, certainly...but he was irregular as far as orcs go. His ambition wasn't conquest for conquest's sake; he wanted to build something...a country. I enjoyed reading about how he kept envisioning cities, trade routes, and establishing relations with the neighboring kingdoms...that definitely wasn't what his thousands of orcs were thinking about. He had to play the role of conqueror; but he clearly was born to be a king. Dude surprised everyone (including Alustriel) with his diplomacy.
In fact, Obould was almost annoyed by how his people behaved...he understood them, gave them enough conflict to be satisfied...but he kind of used them. Obould justified it as giving them what they needed, even if they lacked the ability to comprehend it.
Don't get me wrong...Obould was a terrifying fighter. Killed a close friend of Drizzt; and had the strength & stamina of a demigod, thanks to the blessing of Gruumsh. He was menacing and ruthless when it was required.
But he had a vision. I recall him speaking with a half orc, some time after he had established his territory, and he firmly stated that being part orc was something that made her better.
Clearly, Obould wanted the legacy of orcs to be something more than bloodthirsty savages.
He was selfishly motivated, and did terrible things to get what he wanted...but he did have good intentions for the orcs.
That'd place him as Neutral Evil, I reckon.
At times, during the combat scenes, I found him to be a little OP but, then again, it is the only way for someone to match Drizzt, who is ridiculously OP, imo.
Spoilers below.
I found the reasons behind the forced diplomacy to be contrived. The refusal of the other nations to sweep Obloud and his Orcs away seemed out of character considering what they have done before and the heavy weight of death the Dwarves endured trying to save the people of Nesme. All in all, I feel like the Dwarves were betrayed by Alustriel when they needed her most.
Obould was very firmly a lawful evil character who leaned toward Lawful Neutral. If he were Neutral Evil he'd have simply used the orcs he commanded to get what he wanted and his goals would have been more nihilistic.
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.