| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Ergdusch |
Posted - 23 Jun 2006 : 23:19:22
I plan to use Sammaster, former Chosen of Mystra, Founder and Firstspeaker of the Cult of the Dragon as the end plot challange in my FR campaign. The past few days I was on a search through the shelves of Candlekeep and other sources of lore for statistics of this very well known villian. I have found nothing to my liking. Therefore I decided to start a poll to ask thee, as I have got to know thee as a group of well studied sages of Realms Lore, to give me advice:
What Challange Rating (CR) represents the power of Sammaster best?
Please give reasons for your choice (and possible class(es) he obtained if you can think of any).
(I have added a few well known NPCs in brackets for guidance/comparison.)
Thank thee all in advance for sharing thy thoughts.
Ergdusch |
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Nicolai Withander |
Posted - 07 Jul 2011 : 17:03:38
quote:
Originally posted by Ergdusch
Finally - lots of time and quite some nerves went ito his creation. Sammaster the Lich is ready to be taken apart. The stats I worked out for him are as follows:
Sammaster the Lich
Male Chondathan Human Wiz29/Acm5; CR 36; Medium-size Undead;
HD 36d12; hp 210; AL CE; Init +8; Spd 30 ft.; AC 31 (touch 14, flat-footed 15);
Base Atk +18; Full Atk +17/+11 melee (1d8+5, touch); Face/Reach 5 ft./5 ft.;
SV: Fort +14, Ref +18, Will +30; Abilities: Str 8, Dex 18, Con -, Int 30, Wis 17, Cha 16.
Special Attacks: Touch attack (DC 31), paralyzing touch (DC 31), fear aura (DC 31);
Special Qualities: Turning resistance +4, DR 15/bludgeoning and magic, undead traits, Immunities (Ex): Immune to cold, electricity, polymorph and mind-affecting attacks; Archmage High Arcana: Arcane Reach, mastery of counterspelling, mastery of elements, spell power +2; through the use of dark rituals and complex magical experiments Sammaster has the following permanent supernatural abilities: Darkvision, Detect Magic, See Invisibility, Tongues; Enhanced Intelligence: Sammaster used a Tome of clear Thoughts to increase his Intelligence. His Intelligence score has a+2 inherent bonus included in its value;
Skills and Feats: Appraise +24, Concentration +29 (+33 when casting defensively), Craft (alchemy) +20, Decipher Script +12, Diplomacy +8, Gather Information +10, Hide +14, Knowledge (arcana) +33, Knowledge (architecture and engineering) +18, Knowledge (dungeoneering) +18, Knowledge (geography) +28, Knowledge (history) +30, Knowledge (nature) +28, Knowledge (nobility and royalty) +20, Knowledge (religion) +28, Knowledge (the planes) +28, Listen +17, Move Silently +14, Profession (Merchant) +10, Ride (dragon) +6, Scry+20, Search +27, Sense Motive +22, Speak Language (chondathan, common, abyssal, celestial, damaran, draconic, dwarven, elven, illuskan, infernal, netherese, thorass), Spellcraft +34, Spot +16; Combat Casting, Craft Magic Arms and Armor, Craft Rod, Craft Staff, Craft Wand, Empower Spell, Heighten Spell, Greater Skill Focus (Spellcraft), Greater Spell Focus (Necromancy), Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Leadership, Maximize Spell, Quicken Spell, Scribe Scrolls, Skillfocus (Spellcraft), Spell Focus (Evocation), Spell Focus (Necromancy), Spell Focus (Transmutation), Spell Penetration, Summon Familiar;
Wizard Spells per Day: (4/7/14/12/6/6/6/5/5/5/3/3; base DC = 22 + spell level, DC 23 + spell level with Evocation and Transmutation spells; DC 24 + spell level with necromancy spells; caster level 36th).
Spellbook: As a very old lich and a powerful wizard Sammaster has access to a vast number of spells that are known and has created many unique necromancy spells known only to himself.
Possessions: As a powerful spellcaster and the head of an evil organisation, Sammaster has most likely access to incredible resources and can acquire almost any nonartifact item he might need, given time. He has bracers of armor +10, a headband of intellect +4, a ring of wizardry II & III (doubles 2nd & 3rd-level spells), staff of power and wings of flying in his possession at all times;
Height: 510, Weight: Unknown, Hair: Unknown, Eyes: Unknown.
(Books used: 3.x Ed.: Players Handbook, Dungeon Master Guide, Monster Manual, Epic Level Handbook, Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting, Magic of Faerūn; 2. Ed.: Cult of the Dragon)
Got a question about your creation: Why have you not maxed out his Knowledge arcane? My lvl 25 mage have + 40! |
| Nicolai Withander |
Posted - 07 Jul 2011 : 16:55:48
It says on FR wiki, that he's a lvl 26 necromancer and a lich. That would make him CR 28 in my book. But I dont know much about him. |
| Keldren |
Posted - 23 Jun 2011 : 15:00:54
I recently stumbled across the following stats for Sammaster, so I can't really take credit. He is pegged as a CR 28 here. Might be useful.
Sammaster
Necromancer 10, Incantatar 7, Archmage 4, Pale Master 5
The Lich
Medium Undead (Augmented Human)
Hit Dice: 26d12 (175 hp)
Initiative: +3 (+3 Dex)
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares)
Armor Class: 31 (+3 Dex, +8 armor, +5 deflection, +5 natural), touch 18, flat-footed 28
Base Att/Grapple: +13/+12
Attack: Staff of necromancy +12 melee (1d6-1); or paralyzing touch +12 melee (1d8+3 negative energy [Fort DC 33 halves] plus paralysis [Fort DC 33 negates]); or spell +12 melee touch, or +16 ranged touch
Full Attack: Staff of necromancy +12 melee (1d6-1); or paralyzing touch +12/+7 melee (1d8+3 negative energy [Fort DC 33 halves] plus paralysis [Fort DC 33 negates]); or spell +12 melee touch, or +16 ranged touch.
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Arcane fire, control undead, rebuke undead, spells.
Special Qualities: Animate dead, cooperative metamagic, darkvision 60 ft., damage reduction 15/bludgeoning, enhanced ability scores, high arcana (arcane fire, arcane reach, mastery of elements, mastery of shaping), instant metamagic, metamagic effect, metamagic spell trigger, immunities, phylactery, seize concentration, summon familiar, turn resistance +4, undead traits.
Saves: Fort +16, Ref +19, Will +32
Abilities: Str 8, Dex 17, Con --, Int 33, Wis 19, Cha 18
Skills: Concentration +33, Decipher Script +26, Diplomacy +6, Hide +7, Intimidate +18, Knowledge (arcana) +40, Knowledge (dungeoneering) +21, Knowledge (geography) +23, Knowledge (history) +31, Knowledge (nature) +17, Knowledge (nobility and royalty) +18, Knowledge (religion) +43, Knowledge (the planes) +40, Move Silently +7, Spellcraft +47, Survival +4 (+6 in aboveground natural environments, +8 on other planes, +6 to avoid getting lost), Use Magic Device +4 (+8 to use scrolls).
Feats: Delay Spell, Empower Spell, Eschew Materials, Heighten Spell, Initiate of Mystra, Iron Will, Maximize Spell, Quicken Spell, Silent Spell, Scribe Scroll, Skill Focus (Knowledge [religion]), Skill Focus (Spellcraft), Spellcasting Prodigy, Spell Focus (Evocation), Spell Focus (Necromancy), Still Spell, Twin Spell.
Salient Abilities: Fear Aura, Paralyzing Touch.
Environment: Faerūn
Organization: Solitary (unique)
Challenge Rating: 28
Treasure: Bracers of armor +8, cloak of resistance +5, ring of protection +5, staff of necromancy
Alignment: Chaotic evil
Advancement: --
Level Adjustment: --
- This creature is skeletal, with dry skin pulled taught in some areas and exposed bone in others. Its black hair and mustache are long and scraggly, its nose has rotted away, and its eyes are empty sockets filled with points of red light. It wears tattered black robes and heavy iron bracers, and clutches an ornate staff topped by a demonic-looking skull.
- Animate Dead (Sp): 1/day, Sammaster may use animate dead as a spell-like ability (CL 26th).
- Arcane Fire: Sammaster may change arcane spell energy into arcane fire, manifesting it as a bolt of raw magical energy. The bolt is a ranged touch attack (560 foot range) that deals 4d6 points of damage plus 1d6 points of damage per level of the spell used to create the effect.
- Arcane Reach: Sammaster's touch spells have a 30-foot range.
- Cooperative Metamagic (Su): 11/day, Sammaster may apply any metamagic feat he possesses (except Silent Spell, Still Spell, or Quicken Spell) to a spell being cast by an adjacent willing spellcaster by making a Spellcraft check (DC 18 + [3 x modified spell level]).
- Control Undead (Sp): 1/day, Sammaster may gain control over an undead creature of up to 25 HD by making a successful melee touch attack (the creature receives no saving throw). The control lasts for 5 rounds.
- Enhanced Ability Scores: Sammaster has gained a +2 inherent bonus to his Intelligence score.
- Immunities (Ex): Sammaster is immune to cold, electricty, polymorph (though he can use polymorph effects on himself) and mind-affecting effects.
- Instant Metamagic (Su): 1/day, Sammaster may apply a single metamagic feat to a spell as it is being cast, without preparing it that way beforehand.
- Mastery of Elements: Sammaster can prepare any arcane spell he knows with the acid, cold, fire, electricity, or sonic descriptor to be cast as a different element. For example, a fireball may be prepared to deal sonic damage instead of fire damage.
- Mastery of Shaping: Sammaster can alter area of effect spells that use on the following shapes: burst, cone, cylinder, emanation, or spread. The alteration consists of creating spaces within the spell's area of effect that are not subject to the spell. The minimum dimension for these spaces is a 5-foot-cube. Furthermore, any shapeable spells have a minimum dimension of 5 feet instead of 10 feet.
- Metamagic Effect (Su): 11/day, Sammaster may apply a metamagic feat he possesses to an adjacent persistent spell that is already in place by making a Spellcraft check (DC 18 + [3 x modified spell level]).
- Phylactery (Su): If slain, Sammaster's soul returns to his phylactery - a small uncut diamond worth over 10,000 gp. If a living creature consumes ashes that were once part of Sammaster's mortal remains (part of a process detailed in the Tome of the Dragon), Sammaster may possess that creature and use it as a host body. The body, once possessed, has the same statistics as Sammaster did before his destruction.
- Rebuke Undead: 5/day, Sammaster may rebuke or command undead creature as a 26th level cleric.
- Seize Concentration (Su): Sammaster may wrest control of a spell that requires concentration from another spellcaster within 30 feet by making an opposed caster level check (divine casters recieve a +2 bonus). The original caster receives a +2 circumstance bonus on his saving throw should the spell be redirected against him. If Sammaster allows his concentration to lapse, the original caster may attempt to reassert control with a caster level check (DC 15 + spell level).
- Necromancer Spells per Day: 4/7+1/7+1/7+1/7+1/6+1/5+1/5+1/5+1/4+1. Base DC 21 + spell level, 22 + spell level for Evocation and Necromancy spells. Caster level 25th. Having gained his necromantic knowledge through twisted ceremonies and dark pacts, Sammaster does not suffer the usual penalties for being a specialized wizard, and has no restricted schools.
|
| elglanto |
Posted - 23 Jun 2011 : 07:52:28
Hello,
I would have two questions about Sammaster.
1) It is said that he was destroyed in 1285 DR then, he came back again almost one century later. Why didn't he came back before? He is a lich with a phylactery, he could have came back a long time ago no?
2 )The first time he was slained by Lathander avatar, how did he came back to unlife since he wasn't a lich with a phylactery at that time?
Thanks for your anwsers.
Elglanto. |
| GRYPHON |
Posted - 18 Apr 2008 : 16:05:30
36 seems to be right... |
| BARDOBARBAROS |
Posted - 17 Apr 2008 : 11:15:20
I think it's CR 36 .. |
| Tombo |
Posted - 16 Apr 2008 : 20:12:37
Thanks for doing this!! I am running a campaign based on the Year of Rogue Dragons trilogy, which was one of my favorite FR series by the way. |
| Ergdusch |
Posted - 18 Aug 2006 : 17:03:01
Any comments are appreciated, especially since I am a little uncertain about his epic levels.
Ergdusch |
| Ergdusch |
Posted - 18 Aug 2006 : 16:58:47
Finally - lots of time and quite some nerves went ito his creation. Sammaster the Lich is ready to be taken apart. The stats I worked out for him are as follows:
Sammaster the Lich
Male Chondathan Human Wiz29/Acm5; CR 36; Medium-size Undead;
HD 36d12; hp 210; AL CE; Init +8; Spd 30 ft.; AC 31 (touch 14, flat-footed 15);
Base Atk +18; Full Atk +17/+11 melee (1d8+5, touch); Face/Reach 5 ft./5 ft.;
SV: Fort +14, Ref +18, Will +30; Abilities: Str 8, Dex 18, Con -, Int 30, Wis 17, Cha 16.
Special Attacks: Touch attack (DC 31), paralyzing touch (DC 31), fear aura (DC 31);
Special Qualities: Turning resistance +4, DR 15/bludgeoning and magic, undead traits, Immunities (Ex): Immune to cold, electricity, polymorph and mind-affecting attacks; Archmage High Arcana: Arcane Reach, mastery of counterspelling, mastery of elements, spell power +2; through the use of dark rituals and complex magical experiments Sammaster has the following permanent supernatural abilities: Darkvision, Detect Magic, See Invisibility, Tongues; Enhanced Intelligence: Sammaster used a Tome of clear Thoughts to increase his Intelligence. His Intelligence score has a+2 inherent bonus included in its value;
Skills and Feats: Appraise +24, Concentration +29 (+33 when casting defensively), Craft (alchemy) +20, Decipher Script +12, Diplomacy +8, Gather Information +10, Hide +14, Knowledge (arcana) +33, Knowledge (architecture and engineering) +18, Knowledge (dungeoneering) +18, Knowledge (geography) +28, Knowledge (history) +30, Knowledge (nature) +28, Knowledge (nobility and royalty) +20, Knowledge (religion) +28, Knowledge (the planes) +28, Listen +17, Move Silently +14, Profession (Merchant) +10, Ride (dragon) +6, Scry+20, Search +27, Sense Motive +22, Speak Language (chondathan, common, abyssal, celestial, damaran, draconic, dwarven, elven, illuskan, infernal, netherese, thorass), Spellcraft +34, Spot +16; Combat Casting, Craft Magic Arms and Armor, Craft Rod, Craft Staff, Craft Wand, Empower Spell, Heighten Spell, Greater Skill Focus (Spellcraft), Greater Spell Focus (Necromancy), Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Leadership, Maximize Spell, Quicken Spell, Scribe Scrolls, Skillfocus (Spellcraft), Spell Focus (Evocation), Spell Focus (Necromancy), Spell Focus (Transmutation), Spell Penetration, Summon Familiar;
Wizard Spells per Day: (4/7/14/12/6/6/6/5/5/5/3/3; base DC = 22 + spell level, DC 23 + spell level with Evocation and Transmutation spells; DC 24 + spell level with necromancy spells; caster level 36th).
Spellbook: As a very old lich and a powerful wizard Sammaster has access to a vast number of spells that are known and has created many unique necromancy spells known only to himself.
Possessions: As a powerful spellcaster and the head of an evil organisation, Sammaster has most likely access to incredible resources and can acquire almost any nonartifact item he might need, given time. He has bracers of armor +10, a headband of intellect +4, a ring of wizardry II & III (doubles 2nd & 3rd-level spells), staff of power and wings of flying in his possession at all times;
Height: 510, Weight: Unknown, Hair: Unknown, Eyes: Unknown.
(Books used: 3.x Ed.: Players Handbook, Dungeon Master Guide, Monster Manual, Epic Level Handbook, Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting, Magic of Faerūn; 2. Ed.: Cult of the Dragon)
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| Ergdusch |
Posted - 18 Aug 2006 : 16:55:46
Well Wolly and his link - again!  Always appreciated!!!
|
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 16 Aug 2006 : 05:11:17
quote:
Originally posted by Zimme
"cult of the dragon" rulebook that is!! ;)
And you can get it for free from the Wizards downloads page.  |
| Reefy |
Posted - 16 Aug 2006 : 02:31:55
CR doesn't usually mean a lot when looking at events in novels. |
| Zimme |
Posted - 15 Aug 2006 : 13:41:42
"cult of the dragon" rulebook that is!! ;) |
| Zimme |
Posted - 15 Aug 2006 : 13:39:57
36 seems as fitting, again he's powerfull but judgeing from the books not as powerfull as Elminster. in the book "cult of the dragon" it took both Khelben and Laeral to take him down......so 36 is a ok CR. |
| Fletcher |
Posted - 26 Jun 2006 : 19:49:29
I don't see him as as much higher than a 32. But when he has a few dozen Dracoliches and around 50 or so purple robes backing him up...he is scary powerful.
Of course he was chumped by a 'barely CR15 half construct' :) |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 26 Jun 2006 : 18:27:57
quote:
Originally posted by msatran
He's SAMMASTER. He's one of the classic enemies of evil.
He's also dead, according to the author. And, according to the book, it wasn't a false phylactery; he had to use his own phylactery to be able to control the Rage.
So, regardless of the fact that he's Sammy and has been kicking for centuries, we have every indication that he is dead, and none at all that he could have survived. |
| Chosen of Bane |
Posted - 26 Jun 2006 : 15:25:43
quote:
Originally posted by msatran
There's dozens of means of Sammaster escaping death at the hands of some ridiculous half-construct character who is barely CR 15.
Kind of off topic there but...
Did you read the Ruin? Dorn had nothing to do with Sammaster's demise. |
| msatran |
Posted - 26 Jun 2006 : 15:19:18
I'm certain Sammaster has constructed so many false phylacteries that no one could ever possibly figure it out, made a million slotless amulets of dramatic death so he can be assured of his demise being fake, and rise to plot again.
He's SAMMASTER. He's one of the classic enemies of evil. You guys really should go and read an old Hero Games article called "How the villian gets away." If the PC's believe that the villain blew himself up, the villain gets away. If our villain doesn't need to breathe, and the heroes chase him to the shores of a lake, and they can't get down there, he gets away. If the heroes can't follow the villain into the sun, he gets away. There's dozens of means of Sammaster escaping death at the hands of some ridiculous half-construct character who is barely CR 15. |
| Ergdusch |
Posted - 26 Jun 2006 : 14:34:55
Toasted - well as for my campaign he soon might be exactly that. We will see how my players will handle the job - a very tough one not to mention. 
As for your answers - thank you for the participation and your help. I will take the majority vote as a guidance (CR 36 it is). If I have Sammasters stats ready (and believe them to be worth charing) I will post it here, if there is any interest.
Thanks again, Ergdusch |
| Skeptic |
Posted - 26 Jun 2006 : 03:52:47
quote:
Originally posted by Chosen of Bane
I agree with Wooly here. Sammy is toast, and more importantly, Richard Lee Byers agrees with Wooly also.
He's dead until another author/WOTC wants to give it another "comeback". |
| Chosen of Bane |
Posted - 26 Jun 2006 : 03:50:12
I agree with Wooly here. Sammy is toast, and more importantly, Richard Lee Byers agrees with Wooly also. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 26 Jun 2006 : 03:24:48
quote:
Originally posted by Shadovar
Surely there are ways to bypass the conventional need for a phylactery to anchor the soul, even the natural or unnatural stuff found everywhere can serve as a makeshift sort of phylactery. That will depend on how strong is Sammaster will and power. Well, that's just pure speculation.
Yeah, but the phylactery is used when the caster first becomes undead, and they are flat-out tied to it. No one has found a way around that yet. |
| Shadovar |
Posted - 25 Jun 2006 : 06:05:19
Surely there are ways to bypass the conventional need for a phylactery to anchor the soul, even the natural or unnatural stuff found everywhere can serve as a makeshift sort of phylactery. That will depend on how strong is Sammaster will and power. Well, that's just pure speculation. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 25 Jun 2006 : 04:32:25
quote:
Originally posted by Shadovar
I strongly suspect that Sammaster would return in a even more powerful and stronger form of an undead, though we can speculate what undead form he will return in.
Except, didn't the author say he was truly dead this time? Besides, (spoiler, highlight to read) how is a lich going to come back after his phylactery is destroyed? |
| Shadovar |
Posted - 25 Jun 2006 : 02:29:56
I strongly suspect that Sammaster would return in a even more powerful and stronger form of an undead, though we can speculate what undead form he will return in. |
| Chosen of Bane |
Posted - 24 Jun 2006 : 19:52:32
quote:
Originally posted by Kajehase
Well...(SPOILER FOR THE YEAR OF ROGUE DRAGONS TRILOGY, highlight to read)...if he reappered in 1374, that would probably be reincarnated as a worm or something equally low
I was going to post something of the sort but wanted to avoid spoilers. But to say the least, I don't think Sammaster would be a suitable challenge in 1374. |
| Kajehase |
Posted - 24 Jun 2006 : 19:44:25
Well...(SPOILER FOR THE YEAR OF ROGUE DRAGONS TRILOGY, highlight to read)...if he reappered in 1374, that would probably be reincarnated as a worm or something equally low |
| Chosen of Bane |
Posted - 24 Jun 2006 : 15:36:44
quote:
Originally posted by Ergdusch
quote:
Originally posted by GothicDan
Sammaster at what point in time?
I was thinking of Sammaster as he (re)appears in 1374 DR (Year of Rogue Dragons).
Not meaning to nit-pick, but 1374 is the Year of Lighting Storms... 1373 is Year of Rogue Dragons. |
| Ergdusch |
Posted - 24 Jun 2006 : 14:31:01
WARNING: Spoilers for the Rogue Dragons-trilogy ahead.
quote:
Originally posted by GothicDan
Sammaster at what point in time?
I was thinking of Sammaster as he (re)appears in 1373 DR (Year of Rogue Dragons).
__________________________________________________________________
Edited Spoiler note (hope that suffices) and changed the year(thanks CoB) |
| GothicDan |
Posted - 24 Jun 2006 : 11:12:27
Sammaster at what point in time? We have different 2E stats for him, the most powerful of which lists him as a 26th level Lich Necromancer with a few unique traits still left over from being a Chosen (no banned schools, ability to control undead, and I think immunity to 9 spells still, off the top of my head). I'd put him at about CR 29 at that point. |
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