Reviewing game organisations: Bregan D'aerthe

[Kelemvor]

Bregan D'aerthe is a drow mercenary band based in the drow stronghold of Menzoberranzan and appears in many R. A. Salvatore novels. Founded by Jarlaxle Baenre as a means for houseless rogues to survive in Menzoberranzan, the group has thrived and expanded greatly since its inception. Due to its array of skilled soldiers and its many connections with the outside world, Bregan D'aerthe is a valued ally of many powerful drow houses. More than once in various novels, it has been remarked that Jarlaxle is one of the most protected drow in the Underdark due to the competent soldiers he surrounds himself with. This band of societal malcontents consists of approximately 150 members (though at times known to employ many more, having nearly one thousand agents at work with the Calimport initiative), mainly houseless males. Bregan D'aerthe has been very influential in the chaotic happenings of Menzoberranzan and has connections with Blingdenstone and has agents in Ched Nasad as well as major cities on the surface, most notably Luskan, Waterdeep, Calimport, and Heliogabalus

Bregan D'aerthe is a formidable force. Jarlaxle has worked hard to recruit individuals with a wide variety of talents (such as fighters, psionicists, etc.) into the band. When necessary it will fight, and is deadly, but Jarlaxle prefers making a profit without fighting whenever possible. Bregan D'aerthe will do anything to make a profit, be it merchant operations, spying, assassinations, or brokering information--even to the deep gnomes, blood enemies of the drow, if it can be done without drawing the wrath of the ruling houses or Lolth's priestesses.

Bregan D'aerthe
===============
Bregan D'aerthe is a band of drow mercenaries based in Menzoberranzan.
They are a powerful force in that community though the ruling Matron Mothers
wish that were not the case. They have on occasion hired his band for their
own purposes. This band is made up of drow commoners lead by the flamboyant
Jarlaxle.

[Kelemvor]

This is a drow only organisation based within Menzoberranzan. Other than the auction character leader I am not aware of significant numbers of members or any particular agenda or activity.

The group has a modest 9 room hideout with a trainer and quartermaster which looks to have been built quite some time ago.

Much has been made of the lack of opportunities for drow, so such an organisation might well have a future on the game. The restriction of commoners only is an interesting one and could impact on recruitment and activity, but a male dominated organisation in a matriarchy would widen drow appeal perhaps.

My thought here would be to suspend activity until the drow playerbase is more able to support the organisation. All opinions welcome (except those pertaining to drow going to the surface *cough*)

[Aegir]

...this wouldn't be needed if Drow could come to the surface! </Joke>

I think it has a place, but probably not a priority one. At one time there were a few active members (never more than 2-3 that I can recall), and its a popular option for male Drow, but you're right in that it has little purpose right now.

[Duranamir]

Speaking IC as a male commoner Drow i would be quite interested in joining this organisation. It has been quite annoying to know of the group, even where its HQ is and not been able to enter. I can think of probably 3 or 4 other characters who would qualify.

How much work would it actually be to get this group working again ?, is it just needing a new Jarlaxle equivalant (or the original back again ) ? Who can then induct other characters into the group ?.


Duranamir

[Aegir]

thats about it, yes. The org HQ is a small place with little to offer, but a few active players with interest in expanding it would be able to add alot in the way of interest.

As it is, its really the only game in town if you're a commoner, and I know several male nobles in the past that have wanted to join too. It would likely need a PC leader or two to really bring it to life, however. Way back when I envisioned it being something akin to a Zhentarim-style mercenary guild, which helped to supply the Drow with items from other environs; trading with surfacers in Skullport, setting up a store in Menzo to supply components, things of that nature.

[Nedylene]

*coughs* I vote Duranamir helps revitalize this organization. He already has established a good underdark merchant group and proves it can be done.... Sorry not really an idea on this one *innocent*

[Oghma]

As a secular group available for drow use in the Underdark I am in favour of keeping it. However I would want to see active recruitment and the auctioned npc character figurehead made into a npc while the group would be mostly run by pc's.

[Aegir]

As a secular group available for drow use in the Underdark I am in favour of keeping it. However I would want to see active recruitment and the auctioned npc character figurehead made into a npc while the group would be mostly run by pc's.

I agree totally. Even in 3E, Jarlaxle is leader of Bregan D'aerthe in name only at this point; he spends most of his time away from the city and has left the organization in the hands of his lieutenant (which would in this case be the PC leader).

[Cret]

So, uh.. can non-drow who have Menzo/UM influence join this?

[Aegir]

I'd personally extend its influence through the underdark so that Skullport residents can join as well, but extending it beyond Skullport wouldn't really fit.

[Nedylene]

Agreed, Would be great for Skullport people both drow and non-drow to join and extend the influence. Would need some who can go to the surface to get supplies, merchandise etc.

so if there is an interest anyone feel up for refurbishing and leading the organization?

[Glim]

I actually always was of the idea that it should be made into the Menzo thieves guild. Same org, but just the place where drow commoners could become the class of thief (we have no sneaky drow! GAH).

On the organisation itself, I don't think it should be removed. It affects everyone else just about as much as the drow themselves do, so might as well leave it and try and get a more active leader to revive it to a small extent.

[Aldren]

I agree in that this may be just what Menzo/Skullport needs to revive the Drow RP that's been stagnant on and off for the history of FK. Giving players more and more options to join organizations with their characters, especially characters that players get bored with playing, can only benefit the furthering of RP and expanding the playerbase to create characters that may not be so run-of-the-mill.

[Duranamir]

I actually always was of the idea that it should be made into the Menzo thieves guild. Same org, but just the place where drow commoners could become the class of thief (we have no sneaky drow! GAH).

On the organisation itself, I don't think it should be removed. It affects everyone else just about as much as the drow themselves do, so might as well leave it and try and get a more active leader to revive it to a small extent.

Actually there IS a Drow thieves guild in game independant of Bregan D'arthe if you can find it

So if anyone wants to play a sneaky Drow they can ....

Duranamir

[Glim]

Really?

Hmm, must be fairly new. When I played my drow there weren't any.

[Duranamir]

I hereby volunteer to revive this group... *sticks hand in air*. Duranamir as a character is i think well qualified to help lead the Bregan D'arthe on into a new era of prosperity.

The best position i would guess is to have one or more second in commands to Jarlaxle who would remain as an NPC. Each with the same powers over membership, so spreading the load a little. And hopefully not leaving a single person to cripple the organistion if they leave.

As far as regenerating the HQ, i think that would come second to the actual RP of being a member of the organisation (the fun bit ).

Duranamir

[Kelemvor]

Remember, that these are preliminary discussions only. The enthusiasm is great to see, but try to limit it to why we need to keep it active/why we need to shelve it for a while rather than volunteering to resurrect it, asking if you can join it, asking if it can be expanded to non-drow.

Once we've reviewed all the organisations I'll post a summary and we'll pick a few to work on immediately, some to put away for a while and some to ignore or demote to the level of player org.

[Lerytha]

I say re-activate this one. The fact that drow players have said they'd like it to stay proves it has a valuable purpose. I also imagine it gives drow players a sort of excuse to help younger drow players, so that they aren't left alone in Menzo, they can have the aid of the brotherhood.

[Mariela]

I am all for a full set of different organizations specific to the Underdark being formed. This one sounds like fun, and also if there is more revitalizations witht he actual faith/temples of the Underdark as well as maybe a formal merchants house formed specifically to moniter the supplies in the underdark and MAYBE lead in smaller expeditions 2 times a year to the surface or something like that... that'd be pretty fun.

[Jaenoic]

The prospect of this organization be revitalized actually makes me inclined to create a drow myself. Not saying it will or won't happen, but it makes me inclined. For that reason alone I say keep it, give it new life, it seems to be attracting attention and interest which is always a good thing.