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Fellfire
Master of Realmslore
1965 Posts |
 Posted - 18 Mar 2011 : 00:08:27
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I am seeking inspiration and mechanics for a 3.5 Wererat Necromancer Wizard that specializes in Contagion-type magics. I really like some of the "biological warfare" stuff to be found in Goodman Games Wererat book and I know that the 2e Necromancers HB has some good stuff on Thasmudyan and a God of Pestilence. Perhaps specialty priests of Talona? Has anybody used a similar concept? I don't mind novels, 3rd party books, even homebrew, whatever. Also any PrC's, spells, etc. that may be appropriate. I'm open to suggestions. Thanks.
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Misanthorpe
Love is a lie. Only hate endures. Light is blinding. Only in darkness do we see clearly.
"Oh, you think darkness is your ally? You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn't see the light until I was already a man, by then it was nothing to me but.. blinding. The shadows betray you because they belong to me." - Bane The Dark Knight Rises
Green Dragonscale Dice Bag by Crystalsidyll - check it out
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Edited by - Fellfire on 18 Mar 2011 02:21:41
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Kentinal
Great Reader
4704 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2011 : 01:09:28
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Interesting idea, however I do not recall anything at the moment that would be of much help.
There is of course the basic Dive spell cause disease, however even a mass version does not sound what you are looking for. |
"Small beings can have small wisdom," the dragon said. "And small wise beings are better than small fools. Listen: Wisdom is caring for afterwards."
"Caring for afterwards ...? Ker repeated this without understanding.
"After action, afterwards," the dragon said. "Choose the afterwards first, then the action. Fools choose action first."
"Judgement" copyright 2003 by Elizabeth Moon |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
8066 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2011 : 01:35:03
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A retired DM had merged Selûne-Shar into a dual-aspect goddess, as often cloaked in shadows as she was brilliantly radiant, one waxes as the other wanes (as did the powers of their warring clergies) - he actually did this to make transition for our existing 1E Dragonlance characters a little easier. We all noticed that the dual-goddess's name (Sharlûne) was remarkably similar to that of our DM's extremely vilified ex-girlfriend, though nothing was ever said of it at the game table.
A similar dualistic goddess idea might conveniently allow evil-aligned lycanthropes (would were-rats be called aroureanthropes?) to worship an evil/dark moon deity. From their perspective, it would even make sense for the aspect they worship to assume their natural were-beast form instead of the weak human-invented one. They would no doubt have a great dislike of silver (and mithril) outside of ceremonial purposes such as ritual scarring, coming of age, sacrifice, branding, execution, etc. They'd be disinterested in moonlight assisting navigation; they'd be very interested in lack-of-moonlight assisting stealth and assassination.
I would think the deities of werefolk might have natural enmity with deities who are associated with certain other creatures; for example, the were-rat god might hate the cat-goddess Bast, and thus their faiths might have some history of conflict or establish a "natural order" wherein one is subjugated by another. I'd be careful with this, since we impose many human preconceptions into the way we see relationships between animal species ... then again, these particular creatures are also partly human ...
If you need to adapt an existing Faerûnian deity then I suppose Malar (or one of his aspects or servants) would be your best choice. I even suggest the name Malûne, the darkmoon were-god. You could always import any sort of fiend, abyssal prince, beastlord, or foreign diety from planescape lore.
Individual were-rats might worship the (creator?) diety of their species yet also pray to human gods like Talona and Bhaal. They might revile Selûne the same way most people revile Shar. |
[/Ayrik] |
Edited by - Ayrik on 18 Mar 2011 02:05:31 |
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Fellfire
Master of Realmslore
1965 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2011 : 02:17:35
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| It does seem as if Clerical magic has much more to offer this idea, but for now I'm trying to keep it Arcane. Sorry, I realize my OP was a little unclear, but I can't think of many examples of wizardly magics involving plague and pestilence. The wererat in question is already heavily indebted to various infernal agencies. Also, I remember mention of a "Plague Demon" in the War of the Spider Queen series, but can't recall that in any of the MM's. |
Misanthorpe
Love is a lie. Only hate endures. Light is blinding. Only in darkness do we see clearly.
"Oh, you think darkness is your ally? You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn't see the light until I was already a man, by then it was nothing to me but.. blinding. The shadows betray you because they belong to me." - Bane The Dark Knight Rises
Green Dragonscale Dice Bag by Crystalsidyll - check it out
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Edited by - Fellfire on 18 Mar 2011 02:20:57 |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
8066 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2011 : 03:14:00
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2E — (PHB) contagion; (ToM) Abi-Dalzim's horrid wilting; (PHBR4) detect disease (reversible), ghoul touch, mummy rot; (PO:S&M) protection from vermin, protection from poison, vitriolic sphere, vile venom; (FRA) mummy touch, plague
You can always have spells like charm person, chromatic orb, Beltyn's burning blood, Melf's acid arrow, ray of enfeeblement, curse, pain touch, paralyze, throbbing bones, enervation, and blackmantle apply their effects through poison/sickness. You can always make arcane spell equivalents of priest spells. You can even devise a few variants like poisoned web or Evard's poisoned tentacles ... especially effective against PCs, they *hate* being poisoned because it's scary. Mind ye, that might be because I'd be a bastard and invent some sort of poison elemental or plague golem. 
It would be a bit easier if your NPC were a priest.  |
[/Ayrik] |
Edited by - Ayrik on 18 Mar 2011 03:14:36 |
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Galuf the Dwarf
Senior Scribe
USA
755 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2011 : 03:34:44
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What about the Cancer Mage PrC from the Book of Vile Darkness? Then again, that's not technically a spellcaster PrC, BUT it offers lots of plague-bringing opportunities, including use of Contagion as a spell-like ability.
As far as Talona's specialty priests, called Malagents, I've been trying to convert that and EVERY specialty priest from all three 2nd edition books (that haven't been already made into PrCs in 3.X edition), but I'll see if I can whip that up right here. Still will need to be play-tested to make sure it works, though...
Malagent
Hit Die: d8
Requirements
Skills: Profession (Herbalist) 6 ranks.
Feats: Willing Deformity (BoVD)
Deity: Talona
Spellcasting: Must be able to cast 3rd-level divine spells; must also be cast spells from the Pestilence*, Plague** or Suffering domains. (Notes: * = presented in Spell Compendium, ** = domain created by me, in my homebrew cleric domains thread, which the URL is located in my signature)
Special: [The DM can create a special condition, likely involving ritual scarification or tattooing]
Class Skills
Concentration (Con), Heal (Wis), Knowledge (Arcana) (Int), Knowledge (History) (Int), Knowledge (Religion) (Int), Knowledge (The Planes) (Int), Profession (Herbalist) (Wis), Spellcraft (Int)
Skill points at each level: 4 + Int modifier
Class Features
Weapon and Armor Proficiencies: The Malagent does not gain additional weapon or armor proficiencies.
Base Attack Bonus: As per the Cleric class.
Saving Throw Bonus: As per the Cleric class.
Spellcasting: +1 to divine spellcasting at every level.
Marked One (Ex): Upon acquiring their first level of Malagent, the character’s scars or tattoos mark them for being amongst the faithful to the Mother of All Plagues. The Malagent gains a +4 divine bonus on all dialogue checks with fellow worshippers of Talona, but suffers a -4 penalty to similar checks with worshippers of opposing faiths.
Poison Resistance (Ex): At 1st level, a Malagent gains a +4 divine bonus on Fortitude saves against poisons.
One with Diseases (Ex): At 2nd level, a Malagent is immune to non-magical diseases. The Malagent also gains a +4 divine bonus on Fortitude saves against magical diseases.
Rot-gut (Ex): At 4th level, a Malagent can identify poisons within food or drink by only ingesting a small portion of the affected substance without risk of poisoning themselves.
Stinking Cloud (Sp): At 5th level, a Malagent can use Stinking Cloud as a spell-like ability once per day.
Contagion (Sp): At 7th level, a Malagent can use Contagion as a spell-like ability once per day.
Cause Disease (Su): Once per day at 8th level, a Malagent can chant as a standard action and force a target to roll on Fortitude Save (DC 10 + half the Malagent’s wisdom modifier, rounded down) or contract a disease known as Green Rot. The disease immediately incubates, and the initial damage is 1d4 Constitution. If the save fails, the disease sets in and every following day (unless cured by magic), the target make another fortitude save or suffer another 1d4 Constitution damage.
Poison Touch (Su): At 10th level, a Malagent can infect an assailant with a mild poison upon a successful melee touch attack once per day. The Malagent must declare the use of this ability before they make the attack. If the melee touch attack misses, the ability is wasted. If the touch attack is successful, the target is exposed to a contact poison that causes 1d4 immediate Constitution damage unless they succeed on a Fortitude save (DC 10 + half the Malagent’s Wisdom modifier, rounded down). If the save fails, then the target suffers the Constitution damage, and must roll another save in 1 hour in order to avoid suffering another 1d4 Constitution damage. |
Galuf's Baldur's Gate NPC stats: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8823
Galuf's 3.5 Ed. Cleric Domains: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14036
Galuf's Homebrew 4th Edition Races: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=13787
Galuf's Homebrew Specialty Priest PrCs: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14353
Galuf's Forgotten Realms Heralds and Allies thread: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8766 |
Edited by - Galuf the Dwarf on 18 Mar 2011 03:38:19 |
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Diffan
Great Reader
USA
4496 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2011 : 12:03:44
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Heck, you can probably even just add on Spellcasting Prereqs and Progression on the Cancer Mage. I'd say with it's abilities (and penalties) I could easily see everything from 8/10 to full spellcasting progression.
You could even change the spellcasting requirements for the Blighter (Complete Divine) to be Arcane in nature or even that of Arcane Spellcasting patrons of Talona and her Blightlord PrC found in Unapproachable East supplement.
As for specific Arcane-based PrC in 3.5, your probably going to have to go a 3PP to find the stuff. |
Diffan's NPG Generator: FR NPC Generator
E6 Options: Epic 6 Campaign |
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Fellfire
Master of Realmslore
1965 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2011 : 12:27:20
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| One of the reasons I'm trying to avoid Divine magic is that the character is actually a Ninja/Necromancer. I will be using the Kara-Tur setting. Are there any Scribes who know this setting well? Are there any divine patrons similar to Talona there? Any Wu-Jen spells in this vein? I am having a hard time finding the right "feel" for this campaign. I'm looking for a good blend of "cheesy kung-fu" and fantasy RPG. Any 5 Rings players out there? Do any of those products have something similar for the Nezumi? |
Misanthorpe
Love is a lie. Only hate endures. Light is blinding. Only in darkness do we see clearly.
"Oh, you think darkness is your ally? You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn't see the light until I was already a man, by then it was nothing to me but.. blinding. The shadows betray you because they belong to me." - Bane The Dark Knight Rises
Green Dragonscale Dice Bag by Crystalsidyll - check it out
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Diffan
Great Reader
USA
4496 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2011 : 13:06:07
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Problem is there is little info on Kara-Tur and even less supplemental information. I don't even know what sort of religion they utilize let along any deities names (don't they refer to something called the Celestial Bureaucracy?)
You could always homebrew a PrC called the Plague Mage, granting them contagion-like spells which would give them the usage of "divine" spells but they'd still be Arcane. The Wu-Jen doesn't have a "elemental focus" such as death or plague-ish stuff.
Alternatively, if you Wisdom is high enough you can just take the Arcane Disciple feat (Complete Divine) and select a domain that featres such spells. This would mean a little more in the way of creating your own fluff but the mechanics would be sound. |
Diffan's NPG Generator: FR NPC Generator
E6 Options: Epic 6 Campaign |
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Eltheron
Senior Scribe
740 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2011 : 16:45:30
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Lu Yueh is is a Chinese/Kara-Tur deity-demon of epidemics. He is chaotic evil, has three demon heads and six arms, and is known for bringing rotting sickness and Red Fever to various regions. Gods and spirits aren't worshipped quite the same way as in Western Faerun, and religion itself tends more toward ancestor worship or following "The Way" (similar to some Buddhist concepts), but there were many different deities and demons that people venerated or attempted to placate. There are local deities, family deities, cult deities, more than one can imagine, though generally speaking there is only the Celestial Emperor (greater) and his court that hold power greater than "lesser deity" or "demigod" status.
Chirasu, for example, is one of the "Eight Million Gods" of Kozakura (more Japanese-themed as well), the goddess of stealth. She is neutral evil, patron of ninja, yakuza and thieves. There are also the Oni, horned demon-spirits associated with disease, famine, soul-sickness, and soul-stealing; they can change size, or appear as frightening animals, or become invisible.
Some cults in Kara-Tur are actually headed by Wu Jen sorcerers, though they would tend to use a variety of destructive magics and/or shapeshifting to kill their enemies. That said, there's nothing that says a Wu Jen cannot be themed.
Another thing to consider, there are intelligent races of animal shapeshifters who aren't lycanthropes. As a group they are called the Hengeyokai, and are a "race" with their own language and history, although technically they are separate animals (cat, rat, crab, carp, sparrow, fox, etc...). When shapeshifting, their equipment is left behind in a pile. They do have an intermediary bipedal form, a mix of human and their specific animal shape. Rat-shifters are one of the evil sub-species of Hengeyokai.
Anyway, just some things that might help. You might also find the Oriental Adventures or the boxed set for Kara-Tur helpful, though both are decades old and rather hard to find these days. |
"The very best possible post-fourteenth-century Realms lets down those who love the specific, detailed social, political and magical situation, with its thousands of characters, developed over forty years, and want to learn more about it; and those who'd be open to a new one with equal depth, which there just isn't time to re-produce; and those repelled, some past the point of no return, by the bad-taste-and-plausibility gap of things done to the world when its guardianship was less careful."
--Faraer |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
8066 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2011 : 20:56:14
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| Oriental poisons seem (in my mind) to often have associations with alchemy and sorcerous ways, basically something akin to bottled curses. No doubt they'd make use of the usual scorpion venoms, poisonous plant roots, and other such common stuff ... but the poisons (or at least the components within) are probably chosen because of their spiritual and symbolic associations. This could just be me complicating things needlessly, though a ninja/assassin slipping some kind of poisoned leaf from Lord Wu's Weeping Tree of Thirty Hanged Men (or whatever) into your tea just seems more in line with the sophisticated mysteries of Kara-Tur. Why just take damage and fall over when the far more insidious and horrible fate might be an "incurable" and possibly contagious leprous rotting affliction which gradually turns you into a mindless undead? I hate to side with ninja fanbois, but I think that it is important to cultivate some sense of elegance, deserved irony, and "artistic expression" in these civilized acts of murder. |
[/Ayrik] |
Edited by - Ayrik on 18 Mar 2011 20:59:08 |
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Fellfire
Master of Realmslore
1965 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2011 : 23:14:24
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| It makes sense for me to have this Necromancer (Ink-Eyes), the leader of the ninja-clan, doing much research into the nature of disease, especially ones that are magical in nature. Lycanthropy is after all a supernatural affliction. In addition to being a poisoner and a chemist (yogen) it seems logical for such a character (a lycanthrope and a rat) to experiment with all types of pathogens. I have two more NPC's that this also ties into. A unique type of Mummy (Skullsnatcher) made by the Necro. and a "Vermin Mage" (Gnat-Miser.) The Mummy is fairly self explanatory and I see the Vermin Mage as being a host for a swarm of (possibly) infernal insects that, in turn, are carriers of some other kind of insidious plague. Perhaps I'm overdoing it with the disease angle. |
Misanthorpe
Love is a lie. Only hate endures. Light is blinding. Only in darkness do we see clearly.
"Oh, you think darkness is your ally? You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn't see the light until I was already a man, by then it was nothing to me but.. blinding. The shadows betray you because they belong to me." - Bane The Dark Knight Rises
Green Dragonscale Dice Bag by Crystalsidyll - check it out
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
8066 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2011 : 23:41:32
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| There's no such thing as overdone villainy. More detail (and more complications) just adds to the evilness and develops respect for the ever industrious ranks of misguided and morally ambiguous madmen (madpersons I suppose, in these socially sensitive times). |
[/Ayrik] |
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Fellfire
Master of Realmslore
1965 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2011 : 17:02:29
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Whilst pondering monsters with which to populate my wererat ninja citadel, the Otyugh immedietly sprang to mind. Thumbing through some MM's I discovered both the the Lifeleech Otyugh and the Gulguthydra, a bizarre combination of Otyugh and Hydra (strangely enough I had already thought to use a Thessalhydra, but this is even better!). I thought, why not a Lifeleech Gulguthydra? Why not an Advanced Lifeleech Gulguthydra? Perhaps some type of Plague Carrier Template? Is there anything similar in any of the established lore? Some kind of Typhoid-Mary Template? Also which other types of monsters would be appropriate in a disease ridden stronghold? Since it is a Necromancer in control here, Undead are to be expected. In fact, another of the MtG cards that inspired this den of evil, the Deathmask Nezumi, I have considered making into some type of monstrosity similar to the Quth-Maren from the City of the Spider Queen module. Transformed into hideous undead by having their faces flayed off, and wearing a mempo or noh mask to disguise themselves. What would the effect of this have on a lycanthrope? Just musing aloud, so to speak, I know that is a lot of questions. As always, any creative input is appreciated.
edit: Ha ha! I found this Plague Carrier Template here |
Misanthorpe
Love is a lie. Only hate endures. Light is blinding. Only in darkness do we see clearly.
"Oh, you think darkness is your ally? You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn't see the light until I was already a man, by then it was nothing to me but.. blinding. The shadows betray you because they belong to me." - Bane The Dark Knight Rises
Green Dragonscale Dice Bag by Crystalsidyll - check it out
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Edited by - Fellfire on 20 Mar 2011 04:41:17 |
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Fellfire
Master of Realmslore
1965 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2011 : 17:43:06
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| Variant Lifeleech Otyugh |
Misanthorpe
Love is a lie. Only hate endures. Light is blinding. Only in darkness do we see clearly.
"Oh, you think darkness is your ally? You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn't see the light until I was already a man, by then it was nothing to me but.. blinding. The shadows betray you because they belong to me." - Bane The Dark Knight Rises
Green Dragonscale Dice Bag by Crystalsidyll - check it out
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Fellfire
Master of Realmslore
1965 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2011 : 18:25:49
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| What about a strain of air-borne lycanthropy? This seems insidious in the extreme. |
Misanthorpe
Love is a lie. Only hate endures. Light is blinding. Only in darkness do we see clearly.
"Oh, you think darkness is your ally? You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn't see the light until I was already a man, by then it was nothing to me but.. blinding. The shadows betray you because they belong to me." - Bane The Dark Knight Rises
Green Dragonscale Dice Bag by Crystalsidyll - check it out
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Edited by - Fellfire on 19 Mar 2011 18:42:44 |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
8066 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2011 : 22:29:57
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| Airborne mummy rot seems more insidious. Undeath is a far worse fate than lycanthropy in my mind. Actually, lycanthropy is kinda cool. |
[/Ayrik] |
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Fellfire
Master of Realmslore
1965 Posts |
Posted - 19 Mar 2011 : 23:52:14
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| From where do you get the idea that victims of mummy rot rise as undead? I think it is a great idea, very evil plague of undead, but that is not the description of mummy rot that I have. Which flavor of undead would victims rise as? Lowly zombies or something more formidable? |
Misanthorpe
Love is a lie. Only hate endures. Light is blinding. Only in darkness do we see clearly.
"Oh, you think darkness is your ally? You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn't see the light until I was already a man, by then it was nothing to me but.. blinding. The shadows betray you because they belong to me." - Bane The Dark Knight Rises
Green Dragonscale Dice Bag by Crystalsidyll - check it out
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Edited by - Fellfire on 19 Mar 2011 23:54:24 |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
8066 Posts |
Posted - 20 Mar 2011 : 00:25:13
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| Perhaps mummy rot is not the best example, ghoul touch might be better. I was thinking more in terms of any kind of contagious necrotic leprosy which ultimately decays the victim into a walking undead. The name doesn't matter as much as the horror it inspires. |
[/Ayrik] |
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Fellfire
Master of Realmslore
1965 Posts |
Posted - 20 Mar 2011 : 00:35:43
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| Very true. And that is indeed quite horrifying. Not to just get sick and die, but to be trapped eternally, enslaved to some Necromancers dark will. That may be outside the scope of what I had planned, but I will ruminate on that idea. It sounds very much like something that a demon may have inspired (casts detect evil on Arik). Thanks. |
Misanthorpe
Love is a lie. Only hate endures. Light is blinding. Only in darkness do we see clearly.
"Oh, you think darkness is your ally? You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn't see the light until I was already a man, by then it was nothing to me but.. blinding. The shadows betray you because they belong to me." - Bane The Dark Knight Rises
Green Dragonscale Dice Bag by Crystalsidyll - check it out
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Edited by - Fellfire on 20 Mar 2011 00:36:38 |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
8066 Posts |
Posted - 20 Mar 2011 : 00:45:23
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| Your detect evil spell is inconclusive; the strange DM creature appears to be unaligned, though you cannot be certain. |
[/Ayrik] |
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Fellfire
Master of Realmslore
1965 Posts |
Posted - 20 Mar 2011 : 01:21:08
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Unpublished "Ecology of" articles...Monster Hunter's Association: Ecology of the Gulguthydra by (Jonathan) Richards
Also to be found there are the Elven Cat, Grey Render, Winter Wolf, and other fun monsters. |
Misanthorpe
Love is a lie. Only hate endures. Light is blinding. Only in darkness do we see clearly.
"Oh, you think darkness is your ally? You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn't see the light until I was already a man, by then it was nothing to me but.. blinding. The shadows betray you because they belong to me." - Bane The Dark Knight Rises
Green Dragonscale Dice Bag by Crystalsidyll - check it out
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Edited by - Fellfire on 20 Mar 2011 01:26:38 |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
8066 Posts |
Posted - 20 Mar 2011 : 01:41:16
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Darkenbeasts (and the spell which creates them) might be somewhat appropriate as well, though perhaps not.
One of the novel trilogies (Haunted Lands perhaps?) featured an unusual death/corruption sort of deity I can't recall. One of the first chapters describes a random poor nobody being led away from his home and consuming a potion which transforms him into zombie. The overall tone was that of horror genre, and the descriptions were very well done ... sadly I cannot recall exactly which novels or many other details about them (primarily, I think, because they were set in a part of the Realms that doesn't especially interest me). I recall a number of druids (including an alaghi) and aquatic elves, as well as an entertaining and lively (if slightly amateur and surprisingly permissive) protagonist ... alas, library books from years ago. |
[/Ayrik] |
Edited by - Ayrik on 20 Mar 2011 01:57:03 |
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Galuf the Dwarf
Senior Scribe
USA
755 Posts |
Posted - 20 Mar 2011 : 01:43:13
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quote:
Originally posted by Arik
Perhaps mummy rot is not the best example, ghoul touch might be better.
You mean ghoul fever? According to the spell description, ghoul touch only paralyzes and gives the target a carrion stench.
quote:
Originally posted by Fellfire
a "Vermin Mage" (Gnat-Miser.) [...] I see the Vermin Mage as being a host for a swarm of (possibly) infernal insects that, in turn, are carriers of some other kind of insidious plague.
I might suggest the Vermin Lord PrC from BoVD for that. |
Galuf's Baldur's Gate NPC stats: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8823
Galuf's 3.5 Ed. Cleric Domains: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14036
Galuf's Homebrew 4th Edition Races: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=13787
Galuf's Homebrew Specialty Priest PrCs: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14353
Galuf's Forgotten Realms Heralds and Allies thread: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8766 |
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Fellfire
Master of Realmslore
1965 Posts |
Posted - 20 Mar 2011 : 02:19:57
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Darkenbeasts are a good suggestion.
Vermin Lord has some things that I can use for this character (Gnat Miser). I especially like the swarmform and hivemind special abilities. I've yet to pin down (sorry) the hellish insect that I want to use. I will probably have to create one to suit my needs. Also if you've seen Ninja Scroll the character, Mushizo, with the hornet's nest on his back was also a source of inspiration.
Thanks Scribes! |
Misanthorpe
Love is a lie. Only hate endures. Light is blinding. Only in darkness do we see clearly.
"Oh, you think darkness is your ally? You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn't see the light until I was already a man, by then it was nothing to me but.. blinding. The shadows betray you because they belong to me." - Bane The Dark Knight Rises
Green Dragonscale Dice Bag by Crystalsidyll - check it out
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Edited by - Fellfire on 20 Mar 2011 02:21:43 |
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Galuf the Dwarf
Senior Scribe
USA
755 Posts |
Posted - 20 Mar 2011 : 02:59:38
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quote:
Originally posted by Fellfire
Darkenbeasts are a good suggestion.
Vermin Lord has some things that I can use for this character (Gnat Miser). I especially like the swarmform and hivemind special abilities. I've yet to pin down (sorry) the hellish insect that I want to use. I will probably have to create one to suit my needs. Also if you've seen Ninja Scroll the character, Mushizo, with the hornet's nest on his back was also a source of inspiration.
Thanks Scribes!
Ninja Scroll is nothing I've ever watched, honestly. Most of what I watch are police procedurals (ie: Law & Order, NCIS), Smallville, and any American 'Transformers' series. The only actual anime I can swear to ever watching with any passion would have to be Record of Lodoss War.
As far as a "hellish insect," I take it you've looked over the usual Hellwasp Swarm? Granted, there's also the Demonet Swarm from Monster Manual IV, at least. |
Galuf's Baldur's Gate NPC stats: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8823
Galuf's 3.5 Ed. Cleric Domains: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14036
Galuf's Homebrew 4th Edition Races: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=13787
Galuf's Homebrew Specialty Priest PrCs: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14353
Galuf's Forgotten Realms Heralds and Allies thread: forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8766 |
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Fellfire
Master of Realmslore
1965 Posts |
Posted - 20 Mar 2011 : 03:15:06
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Lodoss War was very good. It's been years since I've seen that.
I have seen the Hellwasp swarm, but was unaware of the Demonets. Both will be helpful in developing my own bugs. I also seem to recall some type of frightening flea from Ravenloft, I think, but have been unable to find it again. |
Misanthorpe
Love is a lie. Only hate endures. Light is blinding. Only in darkness do we see clearly.
"Oh, you think darkness is your ally? You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn't see the light until I was already a man, by then it was nothing to me but.. blinding. The shadows betray you because they belong to me." - Bane The Dark Knight Rises
Green Dragonscale Dice Bag by Crystalsidyll - check it out
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
8066 Posts |
Posted - 20 Mar 2011 : 03:15:43
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Ninja Scroll is a classic piece of anime. I don't generally find much appeal in the genre/style, but I'd still recommmend it. I admittedly have weakness for cheesy kung-fu flicks.
I recall a veneficent assassin girl from the film who might also serve as useful inspiration, though she would perhaps be better suited to some sort of cult of serpent worship than one of disease.
The only "natural" (basically non-fiend) organism from the lower planes that I know of is the razorvine which infests Sigil. Ravenloft, however, is filled with all manner of nasty (un)life; DMs were encouraged to invent any type of hungry lifesucking little nasties imaginable, much of the native ecosystem in Ravenloft is similar to that of other worlds but there's always something lurking in the wilderness which is far less innocuous than it seems. |
[/Ayrik] |
Edited by - Ayrik on 20 Mar 2011 03:26:33 |
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Fellfire
Master of Realmslore
1965 Posts |
Posted - 20 Mar 2011 : 03:26:53
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| Arik, have you read Rappacini's Daughter by Hawthorne? A delightful little short story that I suspect may have influenced the creation of Kagero. |
Misanthorpe
Love is a lie. Only hate endures. Light is blinding. Only in darkness do we see clearly.
"Oh, you think darkness is your ally? You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn't see the light until I was already a man, by then it was nothing to me but.. blinding. The shadows betray you because they belong to me." - Bane The Dark Knight Rises
Green Dragonscale Dice Bag by Crystalsidyll - check it out
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Edited by - Fellfire on 20 Mar 2011 03:35:00 |
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Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
8066 Posts |
Posted - 20 Mar 2011 : 03:38:12
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| Of course I've read it ... I'm well acquainted with classic literature (at least of those books translated into languages I can read). I'm not any sort of expert on culture, but I suspect the reverse is true in this instance: Kagero (the name of the venom-girl, yes?) was more likely drawn from legends of the orient which had some influence on Western literature. Though of course venomous serpents are symbolic of all sorts of things in many cultures; it seems to me that peoples outside the sphere of Western influence associated serpents with a much wider variety of meanings than just evil deception. |
[/Ayrik] |
Edited by - Ayrik on 20 Mar 2011 03:43:16 |
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Fellfire
Master of Realmslore
1965 Posts |
Posted - 20 Mar 2011 : 04:10:26
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| Good points. Inspired or inspirer, 'twas a pretty good yarn. |
Misanthorpe
Love is a lie. Only hate endures. Light is blinding. Only in darkness do we see clearly.
"Oh, you think darkness is your ally? You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn't see the light until I was already a man, by then it was nothing to me but.. blinding. The shadows betray you because they belong to me." - Bane The Dark Knight Rises
Green Dragonscale Dice Bag by Crystalsidyll - check it out
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Plague Mage
