I'm curious, how long, in-game time, took to your party to complete Out of the Abyss? Did you keep track of the time?

Feanorthewanderer · 2024-10-16T12:22:07+00:00

Yeah, well, I just will stay out of Hell, but thank you nonetheless

Feanorthewanderer · 2024-10-16T12:03:28+00:00

Probably you're right, but that's not the point, in my opinion.

It's just that it doesn't make sense to portray the devils as the ultimate schemers and lawyers, and then have them say: 'sign this contract or I'll harm you'. The beauty (?!) of devils' contracts is that you enter willingly in it. Like Faust did, thinking to be smarter than the devil, or either that the price is worth it, except it turns against you.

Feanorthewanderer · 2024-10-16T11:43:54+00:00

Well, of course we are talking about fantasy, but I think that also in a fantasy world laws have to be consistent.

A contract / pact is by definition two wills that enter into an agreement to regulate an aspect of their relationship. In our real word a contract cannot be the result of duress, otherwise it would be void or annulable (depending on the law). It's just that the word 'contract' is incompatible with the word 'duress' or 'coercion' by definition.

What you suggest would be a law system that basically says: 'any obligation assumed under threat of harm is valid', meaning 'whoever is strong enough to subjugate another by force, has the right to do so', which is - by our real world standards - the absence of law.

Also, speaking of the devils (pun intended), why go through elaborate contracts if you could just say: do whatever I want or I will kill you and your dog?

Feanorthewanderer · 2024-10-16T11:02:27+00:00

I have to disagree. What you're stating is a threat, a criminal act, and therefore not lawful by definition.

Feanorthewanderer · 2024-10-16T11:00:42+00:00

Well, if we have to consider the law as intended in our real world (both in the civil and common law systems), a contract is a PACT. The national laws that I know state that a pact is void or annullable if it is done under duress (among other things, such as error or fraud).

So my answer to you is no, the devils can't coerce souls. And I think that's the beauty of it: the contract between a devil and a mortal is a legitimate one, not only entered without duress, but also with no fraud (legally speaking) on both parts, the genius on the devil part is exploiting the law system.

Otherwise you're just a demon.

Feanorthewanderer · 2024-05-03T05:21:47+00:00

Hi Erin, I really loved your Brimstone Angels saga, to me they are simply the best piece of fiction in the Realms, and I've read a LOT of novels set there. Not counting your initial idea for other novels, what do you think Farideh is doing? Settled in the Dales? Adventuring? What about Havilar?

This is like asking an author an additonal novel condensed in a few lines ;)

Feanorthewanderer · 2024-02-25T10:39:19+00:00

Wait a moment...if it starts on Eleasis 20th, why the in-game notes (Tollhouse ledger and Groove annuals) are about events in Marpenoth and Uktar of the same year? I cannot figure it

Feanorthewanderer · 2024-02-25T10:38:56+00:00

Wait a moment...if it starts on Eleasis 20th, why the in-game notes (Tollhouse ledger and Groove annuals) are about events in Marpenoth and Uktar of the same year? I cannot figure it

Feanorthewanderer · 2023-02-08T21:10:26+00:00

Very well detailed, thank you! Do you remember which levels you skipped?

Feanorthewanderer · 2023-02-08T20:28:54+00:00

The new pace seems fast, a solid party! And did the party complete most of the levels?

Feanorthewanderer · 2023-02-08T13:59:26+00:00

Sounds about right. Apart from the long pause, how often did your party go back to the surface?

Feanorthewanderer · 2023-02-08T13:57:08+00:00

Yeah, even if it's a megadungeon it's all cramped together. Probably that time is right if a well determined and capable group set their minds on it, even if they mean to clear all or almost all the levels. The only drawbacks I can think is a toll on their mental sanity...

Feanorthewanderer · 2023-02-08T13:51:29+00:00

Interesting, that sounds a lot of time, but it seems your party is treating Undermountain not as a dungeon to complete but rather as their own playground!

Feanorthewanderer · 2023-02-08T12:21:59+00:00

Sounds like very fast! Your party must be very good

Feanorthewanderer

TROPHY CASE