Nice! That explains a lot, and gives me some resources to work with on a "Realms conquest" campaign later. I might have to find a reason Elminster et all don't take them down as soon as they set foot in Waterdeep though.
— Jon Forel (@Jon_4L) June 8, 2019
2)
Oh, that’s easy. Elminster runs the secret service for Laeral, and Mirt is one of her James Bond-style roving-the-world dirty-tricks agents. They have SO many problems to deal with that they’re always overworked and super-busy. Keeping the Xanathar from doing… …"Waterdeep conquest" for one, and there are literally scores of other villains and wannabe-villains busily at work. So give Elminster et al a major crisis to keep them occupied or even offstage, and your PCs can shine/do all the adventuring work, in-campaign.#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) June 8, 2019
Makes sense. I’ve started to think about the consequences of fame, which as we all know is that everyone wants your help, has a grudge, or wants a piece of you. It makes sense, with the tiers of play as a sort of guide on adventuring life, to see why some change names, use magic/ Or costumes to change appearances, and would definitely want a potion of longevity or the life-expanding assistance of Mystra.
— Jon Forel (@Jon_4L) June 8, 2019
Yes! Add this level of "life-planning"/far-thinking to all rulers, villains, elder nobles, and merchant kingpins as well as PC adventurers, and any campaign changes instantly. For the better.
— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) June 8, 2019
