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    Canonfire :: View topic - Any known rivalries between Orcus and Kostchtchie
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    Any known rivalries between Orcus and Kostchtchie
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    Journeyman Greytalker

    Joined: Oct 08, 2003
    Posts: 157
    From: Pretoria

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    Thu Feb 16, 2017 12:56 am  
    Any known rivalries between Orcus and Kostchtchie

    Hi Guys.

    Do any of you know of any existing rivalries between the two demon princes Kostchtchie and Orcus? I would like to work this rivalry in to my campaign, as an additional layer of complexity.

    Thanks,

    Darrel
    Apprentice Greytalker

    Joined: May 31, 2008
    Posts: 75


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    Thu Feb 16, 2017 10:34 am  

    It appears in this version the Demon Prince being controlled behind the scene from the Witch Queen herself.


    Quote:
    Most folk might welcome the rise of a demon lord bent on slaughtering its own kind. But Kostchtchie is merely a pawn in a much larger game. It was Iggwilv the Witch Queen who set the frost giant king along his path to demonhood, and who continues to manipulate him. With her subtle guidance, Kostchtchie grows more powerful as he wages war against other demon lords. If he ever succeeds in conquering the Abyss, Iggwilv stands ready to snatch away the fruits of his victory. In his youth, Kostchtchie was mocked for his capriciousness and leaden intellect. Although strong, he lacked the cunning of the most powerful berserkers of the frost giant clans. For the crime of killing one of his tormentors, he was banished from his tribe. He wandered the frozen wastes, until one day he came across a small hut built at the base of a towering glacier. There, Kostchtchie met the Witch Queen. Iggwilv had foreseen the frost giant's fate, but saw also that a far greater destiny lay before him. Iggwilv granted Kostchtchie two gifts, one was the mighty Maul of Brutal Endings, and the other was the cacodemon essence of a slain fiend whose intellect she had corrupted. Possessed by this powerful demonic entity in Iggwilv's control, Kostchtchie began his rise to power, compelled to obey her every secret command. At her behest, he rampages through the Abyss to challenge more demon lords, increasing his strength. Eventually, Iggwilv believes that the Prince of Wrath will have the power to crush Orcus and Demogorgon. When that happens, Kostchtchie will command the entirety of the Abyss, at which point, Iggwilv will seize that prize from her thrall, becoming the most powerful being in the cosmos. As yet, no one has confirmed Iggwilv's connection to Kostchtchie. though Graz'zt sees the influence of some greater intellect in the frost giant's tactics. None of the demon lords dare to challenge Kostchtchie directly. Even if the Prince of Wrath were to fall, his foe would be left weak enough that other enemies might quickly overwhelm the victor. Kostchtchie thus grows stronger with each passing year. By banding together, the lords of the Abyss or the gods of the Astral Sea might stop him. However, by the time those always-feuding entities decide to do so, it might already be too late.[2]


    Taken from the Forgotten Realms Wikia
    GreySage

    Joined: Sep 09, 2009
    Posts: 2470
    From: SW WA state (Highvale)

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    Thu Feb 16, 2017 3:23 pm  

    Not sure about a rivalry between those two, but Demogorgon and Orcus have a known enmity.

    -Lanthorn
    GreySage

    Joined: Aug 03, 2001
    Posts: 3310
    From: Michigan

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    Fri Feb 17, 2017 8:12 am  

    "Demonomicon of Iggwilv: Kostchtchie" in Dragon #345 credited Baba Yaga with inspiring Kostchtchie's rise to power, rather than Iggwilv. It was changed to Iggwilv in the 4th edition book Demonomicon.

    According to Dragon #345, Kotchtchie has a longtime hatred of Graz'zt, who humiliated him long ago, and is building a potential alliance with Obox-ob.

    He has no other real alliances or rivalries with demonkind, but it's said that one of his major goals is the annihilation of the entire tanar'ri race (which he doesn't consider himself to be part of).

    It doesn't take a lot to inspire two demon lords to fight each other, though. Here are some suggestions:

    - Cults of Orcus have begun forming among frost giants, which Kostchtchie considers to be his chosen race.
    - While Orcus was absent, Kostchtchie conquered, or began to conquer, some Abyssal layers that Orcus had previously claimed for his own.
    - Kotschtchie wants to annihilate all tanar'ri, which includes Orcus. Orcus doesn't have much loyalty for his race but doesn't particularly want to be a victim of this genocide.
    - Orcus has stolen the amulet in which Kostchtchie has hidden his mortality, and is using this leverage to force Kostchtchie to do his bidding. Kostchtchie is scheming to get his amulet back.
    Journeyman Greytalker

    Joined: Oct 08, 2003
    Posts: 157
    From: Pretoria

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    Sun Feb 19, 2017 9:49 pm  

    Wow, thanks guys - appreciate the advice. There is a lot to use - especially the amulet stolen and hidden by Orcus.

    One of my players, is playing a warlock type whose patron is Kostchtchie. We're talking players new to role playing and Greyhawk so they have no idea who these critters are. Happy
    GreySage

    Joined: Aug 03, 2001
    Posts: 3310
    From: Michigan

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    Sat Feb 25, 2017 3:37 pm  

    I checked the Gord books (forgive me if I don't provide page numbers). In that series, the recovery of the Theorparts, the three keys to Tharizdun's prison, has altered the power balance in the Abyss so that the plane has three major factions.

    The first faction is ruled by Demogorgon, who has allied himself with Nerull and other powers who seek Tharizdun's liberation.

    The second faction is ruled by Graz'zt. Yeenoghu and Kostchtchie have become generals in this faction, subordinate to Graz'zt.

    The third faction is controlled by Iuz and Iggwilv. By Dance of Demons, Orcus has allied himself with this faction purely to spite Demogorgon (and presumably Graz'zt).

    Of course, 3e canon has Graz'zt and Kotchtchie as bitter enemies. But in any case, Kotchtchie and Orcus are in different factions here.
    Journeyman Greytalker

    Joined: Oct 08, 2003
    Posts: 157
    From: Pretoria

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    Wed Mar 08, 2017 12:10 am  

    Thanks Rasgon, I am using the amulet idea that will pit the characters against a necromancer of Orcus and his cult. Hopefully fun will ensue as I ensnare my poor sorcerer deeper in to the politics of the Abyss.
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