1)
The spell was cast by Halaster, to dissuade explorers of Undermountain from using the stairs. (He wanted them to run into his other traps and monsters, not avoid them.) He intends the stairs to be maintenance access-ways for… Thank you for offering to take questions about the Ruins of Undermountain boxed @TheEdVerse!My first question is about ROOM #8: THE SINISTER STAIRS.
Here the party meets a projection of a 7 ft elf clad in ornate black armor. Who is the elf or who cast this spell and why? pic.twitter.com/WIduhQrPs6
— DM Wyvern (@dm_wyvern) February 14, 2020
2)
…himself and his apprentices (only). The printed text says the tall elf in black armor is an apparition of “unknown origins” because it’s reflecting what PCs can find out by asking in the Yawning Portal or querying sages or…#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) February 15, 2020
3)
…talking with veteran Undermountain delvers. None of whom will have a clue, though there are various concocted explanations floating around.
The truth is that Halaster long ago magically tried to magically coerce a baelnorn 4)
…(and failed); this is what that ancient undead elf tomb-guardian looked like.
His (few) failures gnaw at the Mad Mage of Undermountain’s mind; he took glee in crafting this apparition to toy with, to make up for his defeat…#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) February 15, 2020
5)
…under the spells of the real baelnorn. Who called on the tomb’s magic items to drive off Halaster (who lost because Mystra wanted him to; she used the Weave to covertly aid the baelnorn and diminish Halaster’s spells).#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) February 15, 2020
As a dungeon of mad mage delver I love it
I wish to witness baelnorn.
Though I have zero idea how to interact with them having main character being a grave cleric of Kelemvor.
Should my pc still dare and try killing baelnorn despite being almost typical LG? That depends on how crazed/suicidal your PC is…and why any cleric of Kelemvor would want to disturb a tomb (remember, all baelnorn are tomb guardians).#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) February 16, 2020
It looks like a bit of a bigotry when “all undead are to be destroyed and it undeath is bad. Unless these ones. I created them.
If grave deities create undead on “daily basis” how do their dogmas gonna even work.
I am btw not arguing I am just super confised Welcome to the world of mortals trying to understand the words, deeds, and intents of the gods. ;}
A lot of adventure opportunities spring out of such confusion. It's almost as if we designed it that way…#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) February 16, 2020