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The Arcanamach
Master of Realmslore
1842 Posts |
 Posted - 29 Apr 2014 : 14:22:31
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Subject says it all. In the original write-up the tarrasque was said to be a punishment sent by the gods. But this could be explained simply as folklore (I mean most people in a primitive society would consider such a creature as a show of godly wrath).
I'm leaning toward considering it a primordial of destruction and/or consumption or even unending hunger.
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I have a dream that one day, all game worlds will exist as one. |
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Gary Dallison
Great Reader
United Kingdom
6352 Posts |
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Cbad285
Learned Scribe
160 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2014 : 15:20:14
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| i always pictured it as godzilla... |
"Beware the Dream Fever!" |
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hashimashadoo
Master of Realmslore
United Kingdom
1150 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2014 : 16:56:47
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My thoughts immediately turned to the '1 tarrasque per campaign setting except for the planet full of them' deal when I first saw this.
I suppose it depends if you include Spelljammer lore in your game but my vote would be 'no'. I always got the impression that each primordial was unique and if there's one on Oerth and another on Krynn as well, I don't think it qualifies as unique. |
When life turns it's back on you...sneak attack for extra damage.
Head admin of the FR wiki:
https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/ |
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Mirtek
Senior Scribe
595 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2014 : 21:47:04
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| In it's 4e dragon article it was described as a living weapon created by the primordials. |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7969 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2014 : 22:46:32
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In 1E/2E the Tarrasque could, at least theoretically, be permanently slain by outrageously potent PCs. Not likely, true, but it could be done.
So, too, could godly avatars ... but, unlike the Tarrasque, avatars would always manage to eventually return. |
[/Ayrik] |
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Kentinal
Great Reader
4685 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2014 : 23:20:12
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| Hmm an ancient power is what I had of what was a primordial, that is some intelligence. The versions I have seen of the Tarrasque is that it only sleeps (eats occasionally) and darn hard to kill. |
"Small beings can have small wisdom," the dragon said. "And small wise beings are better than small fools. Listen: Wisdom is caring for afterwards."
"Caring for afterwards ...? Ker repeated this without understanding.
"After action, afterwards," the dragon said. "Choose the afterwards first, then the action. Fools choose action first."
"Judgement" copyright 2003 by Elizabeth Moon |
Edited by - Kentinal on 29 Apr 2014 23:23:09 |
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
11695 Posts |
Posted - 30 Apr 2014 : 00:10:33
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| what if the Tarrasque is some kind of primordial that actually can manifest itself into multiple selves (perhaps like simulacrums) ...or something like avatar/manifestations like the Egyptian gods did.... such that he sends one of himself to each crystal sphere at a time (and sometimes a crystal sphere may have no tarrasque). The planet full of them may actually be where the "core" tarrasque is (where is this planet btw?), and the core tarrasque may be even more powerful than the "lesser" versions that it sends out. |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
11695 Posts |
Posted - 30 Apr 2014 : 00:11:29
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| oh, and perhaps these manifestations of the true tarrasque are of lesser intelligence than the true tarrasque, and it is scheming some nefarious plot. |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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The Arcanamach
Master of Realmslore
1842 Posts |
Posted - 30 Apr 2014 : 02:52:14
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| I can't see a planet surviving with numerous tarrasques populating it, unless sleyvas' idea (or something similar) is true. Sounds to me like the developers wanted a way to justify a tarrasque in each setting. The 'core primordial' idea works much better than a planet full of them. |
I have a dream that one day, all game worlds will exist as one. |
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Delwa
Master of Realmslore
USA
1268 Posts |
Posted - 30 Apr 2014 : 05:19:02
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quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
The planet full of them may actually be where the "core" tarrasque is (where is this planet btw?), and the core tarrasque may be even more powerful than the "lesser" versions that it sends out.
The Planet's name was Falx. Additionally, I seem to remember that that planet's soil was extremely high in mineral content, and because of this, the tarrasque was mild mannered, like a cow, and wandered peacefully around. That might have been my own spin on the lore, though. I can't seem to find my source atm.
Edit: Practical Planetology is the supplement name, page seven and following. The text does not say the tarrasque inhabits the planet. It says that the creatures that inhabit the planet are indistinguishable from the tarrasque. It also says that the tarrasque is unique.
So, I'm going with Primordial Tarrasque for 1000, please Alex.  |
- Delwa Aunglor
I am off to slay yon refrigerator and spoil it's horde. Go for the cheese, Boo!
"The Realms change; seldom at the speed desired of those who strive, but far too quickly for those who resist." - The Simbul, taken from the Forgotten Realms Campaign Conspectus |
Edited by - Delwa on 30 Apr 2014 05:51:16 |
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Baltas
Senior Scribe
Poland
955 Posts |
Posted - 30 Apr 2014 : 14:56:00
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quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
oh, and perhaps these manifestations of the true tarrasque are of lesser intelligence than the true tarrasque, and it is scheming some nefarious plot.
I like that idea! The Elemental Gods also exist on multiple worlds, so the aspect way is a nice way to explain the Tarrasque as a Primordial on multiple material spheres. |
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Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3737 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2014 : 01:51:53
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quote:
Originally posted by hashimashadoo
My thoughts immediately turned to the '1 tarrasque per campaign setting except for the planet full of them' deal when I first saw this.
-Was that changed, or am I misremembering something? |
(A Tri-Partite Arcanist Who Has Forgotten More Than Most Will Ever Know)
Elves of Faerūn
Vol I- The Elves of Faerūn
Vol. III- Spells of the Elves
Vol. VI- Mechanical Compendium |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7969 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2014 : 02:26:38
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The Tarrasque is certainly a creature which inspires dread expectations, no doubt that peoples across Oerth and Toril, perhaps also other worlds and planes, know and fear it. I've seen an adventure in which a beast cult worships the Tarrasque. I wonder if these priest-cultists can summon a Tarrasque to serve them, or if they can take the form of a Tarrasque ...
I also wonder if the Tarrasque is technically a "beast" and therefore also subject to manifesting a Beastlord archetype somewhere in the higher planes ... |
[/Ayrik] |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2014 : 05:24:23
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| I love the Pathfinder spin on the tarrasque... In Golarion, there is a deity called Rovagug that wants to destroy everything. He's been imprisoned by all the other deities, but sometimes some seriously big nasty critters, called the Spawn of Rovagug, get out and cause a lot of damage. And the tarrasque is one of those Spawn. |
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
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Baltas
Senior Scribe
Poland
955 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2014 : 11:05:14
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Well if Rovagug sees past his hatred of all other divine beings, this could a begining of wonderful friendship Or more seriously, yeah they could make some sort of alliance, with Shar helping to release the The Rough Beast, and it/he giving his/it's hand in destroyning Toril. What is also interesting James Jacobs, said that Rovagug is Obox-Ob, the first prince of all demons in all but name, and it has some reflection in the lore, as Rovagug is also sugested to be the strongest of Obyrith/Qlippoth, who ascended into godhood. |
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hashimashadoo
Master of Realmslore
United Kingdom
1150 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2014 : 13:32:20
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quote:
Originally posted by Baltas
Well if Rovagug sees past his hatred of all other divine beings, this could a begining of wonderful friendship Or more seriously, yeah they could make some sort of alliance, with Shar helping to release the The Rough Beast, and it/he giving his/it's hand in destroyning Toril. What is also interesting James Jacobs, said that Rovagug is Obox-Ob, the first prince of all demons in all but name, and it has some reflection in the lore, as Rovagug is also sugested to be the strongest of Obyrith/Qlippoth, who ascended into godhood.
This however, would raise the ire of Asmodeus, who is in charge of the key to opening Rovagug's prison. I for one would like to see a showdown between Asmodeus and Shar. |
When life turns it's back on you...sneak attack for extra damage.
Head admin of the FR wiki:
https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/ |
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Baltas
Senior Scribe
Poland
955 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2014 : 13:38:13
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quote:
Originally posted by hashimashadoo
This however, would raise the ire of Asmodeus, who is in charge of the key to opening Rovagug's prison. I for one would like to see a showdown between Asmodeus and Shar.
Yeah, that would be an awesome confrontation. Especialy if we take the World Serpent origin with Asmodeus, he is quite similar to Shar. |
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Brian R. James
Forgotten Realms Game Designer
USA
1098 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2014 : 15:55:14
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In my 'Reign of Dragons' article in Candlekeep Compendium IV I put forth the notion that Tarrasque is the progeny of two primordials: Ubtao and Lotan.
In the aftermath of The Sundering (the original one /sigh), Tarrasque was stranded on mainland Faerūn separated from Katashaka and her home. Soon after, Tarrasque is slain by an avatar of the yuan-ti god Sss`thasine`ss as she attempts to conquer Mhairshaulk. In his grief Ubtao attempts to resurrect his daughter, but she returns to Toril a mindless uncontrollable killing machine. Fortunately she remains dormant much of the time. When unleashed Tarrasque is a creature feared even by the mighty dragons. Even more alarming is that Tarrasque is immortal. She has been slain many times over the millennia but always returns to rampage once more.
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Brian R. James - Freelance Game Designer
Follow me on Twitter @brianrjames |
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Baltas
Senior Scribe
Poland
955 Posts |
Posted - 01 May 2014 : 16:03:46
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quote:
Originally posted by Brian R. James
In my 'Reign of Dragons' article in Candlekeep Compendium IV I put forth the notion that Tarrasque is the progeny of two primordials: Ubtao and Lotan.
In the aftermath of The Sundering (the original one /sigh), Tarrasque was stranded on mainland Faerļæ½n separated from Katashaka and her home. Soon after, Tarrasque is slain by an avatar of the yuan-ti god Sss`thasine`ss as she attempts to conquer Mhairshaulk. In his grief Ubtao attempts to resurrect his daughter, but she returns to Toril a mindless uncontrollable killing machine. Fortunately she remains dormant much of the time. When unleashed Tarrasque is a creature feared even by the mighty dragons. Even more alarming is that Tarrasque is immortal. She has been slain many times over the millennia but always returns to rampage once more.
Remember the article, truly awesome stuff there, and I think it's my favorite one in the Candlekeep Compendium. Does this mean that Tiamat/Yaldabaoth, Null, and Xymor were originally Primordials in Forgotten Realms? |
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Would the Tarrasque be considered a Primordial?
