| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Shadowlord
Master of Realmslore
USA
1298 Posts |
 Posted - 16 Mar 2004 : 05:04:36
|
I've been trying (unsuccessfully, I might add... ) to create a custom Prestige Class, the Tainted Ones, for a campaign of mine, but I could use a lot of help with things such as skills, feats, limitations, etc... Any and all feedback and help is appretiated.
Well, here's what I have so far.
Tainted One
Once in a while, a True Tanar'ri will recruit a mortal to serve it's purposes instead of killing him/her on the stop. That mortal acts as the demon's agent on the Prime Material, and answers only to that fiend. In return, the demon grants the mortal spells, spell-like abilities, and skills. Should the PC make another pact with a different fiend, swear to serve a deity, have an alignment shift, or change his allegiance, that mortal loses all bonuses and skills that accompany the Tainted One Prestige Class, and ceases to gain levels in the class until an Unholy Sacrifice occurs (to be detailed later on). The mortal in question must be marked with the symbol of the demon, preventing any of the abilities gained by being a Tainted One from being used upon the fiend that gave them. (That's it for now, like I said, I need help...)
Hit Die: d8
Requirements: To qualify to become a Tainted One, a character must fulfill all of the following criteria.
Alignment: Any Evil
Skills: Bluff 2 Ranks, Diplomacy 4 Ranks, Listen 5 Ranks, Spot 5 Ranks.
Speaks Language: Abyssal
Special: The character must have made contact, peaceful or not, with a True Tanar'ri/Balor Lord. The PC must also have been accepted as a servant by the demon.
1st Level:Empathic Link: The Tanar'ri that the Tainted One serves has an empathic bond with the Tainted One. The fiend can see through the Character's eyes, and can communicate telepathically with the PC, regardless of distance. (Not so sure about the 'no distance limit'. Any ideas? Note that the fiend cannot hear what the PC hears, and can only see what the PC sees. Example: If the PC is under the effect of a blindness spell, the Tanar'ri wouldn't be able to percieve the character's surroundings.)
Well, thats all for now. Any ideas? I know it needs a lot of work, but suggestions are welcome.
|
The Chosen of Vhaeraun
"Nature is governed by certain immutable rules. By virtue of claw and fang, the lion will always triumph over the goat.Given time, the pounding of the sea will wear away the stone. And when dark elves mingle with the lighter races, the offspring invariably take after the dark parent. It is all much the same. That which is greater shall prevail. Our numbers increase steadily, both through birth and conquest. The dark elves are the dominant race, so ordained by the gods." Ka'Narlist of the Ilythiiri. |
|
|
Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 16 Mar 2004 : 06:37:17
|
Sounds like an infernomancer.  |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
 |
|
|
The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 16 Mar 2004 : 07:17:03
|
You have an interesting idea here Shadowlord, but ordinarily such a PrC would work better as a template. There are several on offer that can be converted into what you are trying to do here. There's the template from Oriental Adventures, that functions in much the same way and with the same effects on the mortal, only it is the result of the characters exposure to the Shadowlands.
There's also the Shadow Fey Taint template from the 'Ravenloft' setting's Van Richten's Guide to the Shadow Fey. In essence (if not in word) it does exactly what you are doing here...the only difference is, a Sidhe is the 'tainted' and not a mortal.
I'll look over the templates I've seen so far (as well as a 'tainted' template that I was working on a while back), there maybe something you can still use. I'll let you know.
|
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
|
|
|
Lord Rad
Great Reader
United Kingdom
2080 Posts |
Posted - 16 Mar 2004 : 08:24:10
|
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
There's also the Shadow Fey Taint template from the 'Ravenloft' setting's Van Richten's Guide to the Shadow Fey. In essence (if not in word) it does exactly what you are doing here...the only difference is, a Sidhe is the 'tainted' and not a mortal.
 Damn! Ive been waiting for the Shadow Fey guide for ages! How long have you had this Sage?
One your note Sage, this may seem like a stupid question (im not very "up" on 3/3.5 at the mo) but what IS the difference between creating a Prestige Class or a PrC Template?!? |
Lord Rad
"What? No, I wasn't reading your module. I was just looking at the pictures"
|
|
|
|
Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 16 Mar 2004 : 08:49:46
|
| A template isn't a PrC. It's more like a frame that has nothing to do with levels. Or, in another sense, an add-on to the racial abilities. For instance, a vampire doesn't have levels in "vampire," since all things "vampiric" (save for the inevitable feats and such I'm sure are in the making) are covered by the template "Vampire." |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
|
|
|
The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 16 Mar 2004 : 09:30:26
|
quote:
Originally posted by Rad
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
There's also the Shadow Fey Taint template from the 'Ravenloft' setting's Van Richten's Guide to the Shadow Fey. In essence (if not in word) it does exactly what you are doing here...the only difference is, a Sidhe is the 'tainted' and not a mortal.
Damn! Ive been waiting for the Shadow Fey guide for ages! How long have you had this Sage?
One your note Sage, this may seem like a stupid question (im not very "up" on 3/3.5 at the mo) but what IS the difference between creating a Prestige Class or a PrC Template?!?
I've had the Guide to the Shadow Fey since the 14th of this month... ...this is one RL tome I just can't put down, it's so well written.
As for the template/PrC difference, the Bookwyrm is essentially correct with what he said. It is said (by WotC) that a template can, and should, only be applied to everything that a PrC cannot be applied to. Essentially, what this means is, (mostly) anything that causes racial changes, creature-type changes, or fundamental differences to complex to be covered by the particulars of a PrC should have a resultant template. The 'vampire', 'lich', and 'were-creatures' entries in most 'Monster' tomes are examples of templates, and have the relevant creature templates for your PC, or an NPC should you require it.
|
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
|
|
|
Lord Rad
Great Reader
United Kingdom
2080 Posts |
Posted - 16 Mar 2004 : 10:39:13
|
Thanks Sage \ Bookwyrm, thats cleared it up nicely 
Looks like ill be heading to the hobby store after work today then  |
Lord Rad
"What? No, I wasn't reading your module. I was just looking at the pictures"
|
|
|
|
Shadowlord
Master of Realmslore
USA
1298 Posts |
Posted - 16 Mar 2004 : 18:34:00
|
| Sage, I can see your point, but I think that a template just wouldn't serve my purposes. Anyways, have you found anything that might assist me? |
The Chosen of Vhaeraun
"Nature is governed by certain immutable rules. By virtue of claw and fang, the lion will always triumph over the goat.Given time, the pounding of the sea will wear away the stone. And when dark elves mingle with the lighter races, the offspring invariably take after the dark parent. It is all much the same. That which is greater shall prevail. Our numbers increase steadily, both through birth and conquest. The dark elves are the dominant race, so ordained by the gods." Ka'Narlist of the Ilythiiri. |
|
|
|
The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 17 Mar 2004 : 01:06:37
|
Well, if you want to use a PrC, then I suppose that's your decision. I still think this would be better suited towards a template, given the great changes to the mortal being that are about to occur.
Let me ask you this, how common or rare will these PrCs in your campaign be...?
|
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
|
|
|
Shadowlord
Master of Realmslore
USA
1298 Posts |
Posted - 17 Mar 2004 : 01:49:16
|
As far as I know, there will be only one character with this PrC. Why do you ask?
And actually, I did take a long time considering your question, PrC or Template? I'm going with PrC because, fundamentally, its like the Elemental Archon from Faiths and Pantheons, page 190. At Level 10, the mortal becomes an outsider (evil), much like the elemental becomes an elemental of their chosen element. |
The Chosen of Vhaeraun
"Nature is governed by certain immutable rules. By virtue of claw and fang, the lion will always triumph over the goat.Given time, the pounding of the sea will wear away the stone. And when dark elves mingle with the lighter races, the offspring invariably take after the dark parent. It is all much the same. That which is greater shall prevail. Our numbers increase steadily, both through birth and conquest. The dark elves are the dominant race, so ordained by the gods." Ka'Narlist of the Ilythiiri. |
Edited by - Shadowlord on 17 Mar 2004 01:52:36 |
|
|
|
The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 17 Mar 2004 : 04:24:34
|
Ah, the Elemental Archon is your focus...Now that helps to understand your decision behind this class.
The reason I asked about this PrC's frequency of usage within your campaign was mainly because...templates are normally associated with entities or specialised creatures that do not appear often in a campaign. A PrC leaves the door open for just about anyone to walk through and pick the class up - unless you have very specific and restrictive prerequisites or class-based properties.
Since you are dealing with a class that so obviously affects the mortal it is based upon, I just thought a template would fit better. It would signify the almost rare occurence of such a situation actually happneing.
I've got some ideas coming though. I'd like to spend time detailing them now, but I'm reading up on all this 'Sedna' buzz (I can't believe [nor do I understand why] it's taken so long for this story to reach the main avenues of the press - I had first learned of this back in November when Dr. Michael Brown had made the discovery of this Oort Cloud Object public  )
|
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
Edited by - The Sage on 17 Mar 2004 05:25:34 |
|
|
|
Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 17 Mar 2004 : 07:40:28
|
Yes, rather surprising that it delayed so much. Tonight was the first I'd heard of it through the radio news. I'd been listening to some talk show programs all this afternoon, evening, and into the night. In fact, I only just turned it off, as the kook who's on now was irritating me.
Normally the station's political/social in nature, but the guy on before the kook has an interest in space exploration, and had Robert Zubrin on for a phone interview. Anyway, not having listened so late before, I was unprepared for the next guy. He's interested in space too, and had an interview with the two-man crew on the ISS (can't we have a freakin' name for it already???) that I hung around to listen to.
Then he got on about conspiracy theories, UFO coverups, and ancient Sumerian texts that he thought delt with the Sedna object.
("Hello? Yes, we found your sense of logic and reason. . . Huh? . . . What do you mean you don't want it back? . . . Um . . . okay . . . if that's what you want . . . .")
 |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
|
|
|
Shadowlord
Master of Realmslore
USA
1298 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2004 : 03:26:49
|
Thank thee for your help, Sage. Hmm, I agree. The ISS should already have a name. Must be a severe case of writers (well, namers  ) block. Interesting that they can't classify the object... I would guess it to be a small planet. |
The Chosen of Vhaeraun
"Nature is governed by certain immutable rules. By virtue of claw and fang, the lion will always triumph over the goat.Given time, the pounding of the sea will wear away the stone. And when dark elves mingle with the lighter races, the offspring invariably take after the dark parent. It is all much the same. That which is greater shall prevail. Our numbers increase steadily, both through birth and conquest. The dark elves are the dominant race, so ordained by the gods." Ka'Narlist of the Ilythiiri. |
Edited by - Shadowlord on 18 Mar 2004 03:30:24 |
|
|
|
The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2004 : 03:45:31
|
I still have some suggestions that you may find useful for your PrC Shadowlord. Unfortunately, I'll be at the university library for most of the day (researching the specifics of Martian dust-storms), so access to my tomes is limited.
I'll see about posting some up when I get home late tonight...
|
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
|
|
|
Shadowlord
Master of Realmslore
USA
1298 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2004 : 04:10:29
|
| Alright, Sage. I suppose that's .... acceptable. |
The Chosen of Vhaeraun
"Nature is governed by certain immutable rules. By virtue of claw and fang, the lion will always triumph over the goat.Given time, the pounding of the sea will wear away the stone. And when dark elves mingle with the lighter races, the offspring invariably take after the dark parent. It is all much the same. That which is greater shall prevail. Our numbers increase steadily, both through birth and conquest. The dark elves are the dominant race, so ordained by the gods." Ka'Narlist of the Ilythiiri. |
|
|
|
Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 20 Mar 2004 : 07:42:37
|
Since you wanted to steal borrow some of Sage's Heir of the Seven Crowns PrC, Shadowlord, I had a thought. The H7C PrC requires everything to be voluntary on the character's part. Yours does not.
Here's my suggestion. The demon (or whatever it's called) claims the PC as his own, which bestows a template on the character. The template is mostly the empathic link, which is one-way. (The demon looks through, but the PC can't communicate anything back.)
This template, then, is a prerequisite for the PrC. The PrC is only taken by those who enjoy their new lot in life (likely because of the power it promises). Then the PC, with increasing levels, takes on aspects of a demon. That includes things like the "hide-able" aspects of Sage's PrC, and also an increasing link with the demon master. At higher levels, the PC can communicate back to the master when the master wishes (and later initiate the link at will).
What do you think? |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
|
|
|
The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 20 Mar 2004 : 08:52:46
|
Well, I'm not Shadowlord, but I must say that this is a brilliant idea Bookwyrm...
Whilst I believe that templates and PrCs should not be brought together in this way, the combination of Shadowlord's 'Tainted Ones', and my own H7C PrC as you have presented, would seem to suggest such a technique is (at least without proper play-testing) possible. I would think however, that these types of situations would be very rare, if they were to occur at all. As you point out, only those mortals satisfied with the power at their command would want to take the next step.
I still believe that Shadowlord's 'Tainted Ones' would be better served by a template, but this is just too much of an intriguing idea not to try.
If your willing Shadowlord, I like to help out (in whatever capacity you require) on any collaborative project that would see such a template/PrC combination come to pass...
|
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
|
|
|
Shadowlord
Master of Realmslore
USA
1298 Posts |
Posted - 20 Mar 2004 : 14:18:36
|
Indeed.  Bookwyrm, your idea of merging a template and a PrC greatly interests me. I shall have to see what comes up, however, I do have abilities until 5th level already thought out.... |
The Chosen of Vhaeraun
"Nature is governed by certain immutable rules. By virtue of claw and fang, the lion will always triumph over the goat.Given time, the pounding of the sea will wear away the stone. And when dark elves mingle with the lighter races, the offspring invariably take after the dark parent. It is all much the same. That which is greater shall prevail. Our numbers increase steadily, both through birth and conquest. The dark elves are the dominant race, so ordained by the gods." Ka'Narlist of the Ilythiiri. |
|
|
|
The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
|
|
Shadowlord
Master of Realmslore
USA
1298 Posts |
Posted - 20 Mar 2004 : 16:57:44
|
| When I get a chance, Sage. The life of a drow is not an easy one.... |
The Chosen of Vhaeraun
"Nature is governed by certain immutable rules. By virtue of claw and fang, the lion will always triumph over the goat.Given time, the pounding of the sea will wear away the stone. And when dark elves mingle with the lighter races, the offspring invariably take after the dark parent. It is all much the same. That which is greater shall prevail. Our numbers increase steadily, both through birth and conquest. The dark elves are the dominant race, so ordained by the gods." Ka'Narlist of the Ilythiiri. |
|
|
|
SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 21 Mar 2004 : 02:35:00
|
quote:
Originally posted by Shadowlord
When I get a chance, Sage. The life of a drow is not an easy one....
Yeah, shouldn't you be helping your god with this whole Spider Queen being silent event? |
|
|
|
Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 22 Mar 2004 : 16:54:38
|
I think he's actually on a scouting mission to find information hidding in Candlekeep vaults for just that very purpose . . . .
But don't let on, let him think he's fooled us. |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
Custom PrC: Tainted Ones
