I was able to pick up Griffon Mountain while I was there (for $5 I might add) and I was wondering about its status. Now that Balazar is a Blank Land and Griffon Island was published, GM is rendered moot. But, is there anything that directly contradicts what is in Griffon Mountain. Like having Gonn Orta's castle actually be in the Nidian Mountains, or what have you?
The Pharoah's trials: my take
Belnitar swims ashore in the Rightarm Isles. Goes up to a number of shocked and scared fisherfolk and inquires as to the year and local history. He asks for clothing promising that those who help him now would be greatly rewarded in seven years, but if they do not, no harm would come to them. One brave family gives him what he needs.
He then enters the Palace of Black Glass and vanquishes the OOO, trolls are dismayed and conquered.
Then, travels to Esrolia where the rituals show he would be an exceptional year king, one who would ensure the fertillity of the land for seven years. While the matriarchs fear him for what he did to the OOO, they are now free of his rule and accepting Belnitar's rule for short time period seems like small potatoes.
After being acclaimed as year king, Belnitar takes some "luck" and goes to Casino Town. After "winning " God Forgot, they pledge to accept him as their leader under threat of forclosure.
Taking a large sum of winnings, he goes and feasts with the Heortlanders. He conforms to all of the Orlanthi virtues and shows his generosity by tremendous gifting to the leaders. I think that after the loss of the OOO, there was a power vacuum among the Heortlanders that one of them was trying to fill. But before a full civil war broke out, Belnitar comes along and wins over the leaders through charisma, exceptional bribes, and giving a face saving choice to all of the other leaders.
Belnitar then goes to the Rightarm Islands and charms them as well. I haven't figured out what he could get from Heortland that he could use against them other than force of arms, and that doesn't work with how he gets the last Sixth. One of the promises that he makes the Rightarmers is that his capitol city will not intrude on any Sixth.
He then goes to Caladraland and presents to them that if the Caladralanders join with him, the whole of the Holy Country would be united again without resorting to fear or combat. He makes numerous promises centered on a theme of Harmony, which appeals to the Caladralanders. They agree, but only after other promises that Belnitar made are fufilled.
Belnitar takes knowledge either from the Caladraland or the Rightarm Isles, or both and raises Loon Island where he builds the City of Wonders, and reincarnates during the Year King Ceremonies. Promises fulfilled, the Sixth Provinces of the Holy Country are united.
Erich Schmidt
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