Pedantic This Week @aarakocra84@TheEdVerse
I’ve a question about Gargauth. In terms of lore, he is persona non grata in Baator, having been exiled under threat of extreme pain. Why is it then, he believes that going back to Baator would allow his release from the shield?— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) November 28, 2020
1)
Gargauth believes he’ll be freed from the shield because when in Baator (only) he can shift into three other forms not available to him elsewhere: an amorphous ozzing inky-black mass of many tentacles; a tatter-edged, semi-tangible wraith-like form that visually.. 2)
…resembles an allip; and a larva-like form with two tiny arms jutting from the sides of his head. He thinks “going wraith” will allow him to seep out of the shield.#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) November 28, 2020
…if that’s where he thinks he’ll break free?
— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) November 28, 2020
3)
…meeting) will be waiting there to seize the shield and kill Gargauth slowly and in torment, draining his powers over some years to enchant various items. (You’d be surprised at how many powerful beings are being-drained captives, in various hands, scattered…
#Realmslore 4)
…all over the planes of existence.)#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) November 28, 2020
And his being trapped in the shield likely arose due to the Spellplague in 1385 DR. The “Cloak & Dagger” 2E sourcebook states that he uses the shield as a magical conduit for his machinations and lies, and that he doesn’t actually inhabit it. Magic obviously twisted in 1385 DR.
— George Krashos (@gkrashos) November 28, 2020