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The Sage
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Posted - 03 Jul 2004 :  08:57:25  Show Profile Send The Sage a Private Message  Reply with Quote  Delete Topic
I'm setting aside this scroll for some potential adventure hooks for PCs using the 'Infused' PrC from Dragon #321.

Of course, I would appreciate the thoughts of other scribes, regarding these intriguing characters (Arivia, that means you ) as well.

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The Sage
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Posted - 03 Jul 2004 :  09:05:45  Show Profile Send The Sage a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Okay, the first few adventures concerning 'Infused' characters would likely have to revolve around the way they originally come to be bonded with a celestial.

The article suggests that both celestials and good-aligned deities see the creation of 'Infused' as a possible check against the multitudes of lower plane hordes that are brought into being by the fiendish masters of those planes.

The 'Infused' are mostly created from a power's most devoted follower, but I rather doubt that this is the only reason. Another could be the result of the baatezu and tanar'ri taking one of their frequent battles to the Material Plane. A deity, seeing very few devoted followers or divine champions on this Material Plane could select a member of a community to undergo the ritual for bonding with a celestial. Necessity, rather than reward is the likely reason in this instance.

What are some other possibilities for adventures involving 'Infused'?

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Dargoth
Great Reader

Australia
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Posted - 03 Jul 2004 :  09:15:05  Show Profile  Visit Dargoth's Homepage Send Dargoth a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Infused?

Is that like a Half Celestial?

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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High

Australia
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Posted - 03 Jul 2004 :  09:27:22  Show Profile Send The Sage a Private Message  Reply with Quote
From Dragon #321 pg. 17 -
quote:
The infused are mortals the creatures of the Upper Planes deem worthy of being agents for good in a time of peril. Each infused's soul is bonded with a celestial who then lives inside her.
That should give you a basic idea...

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Dargoth
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Posted - 03 Jul 2004 :  09:30:55  Show Profile  Visit Dargoth's Homepage Send Dargoth a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage

From Dragon #321 pg. 17 -
quote:
The infused are mortals the creatures of the Upper Planes deem worthy of being agents for good in a time of peril. Each infused's soul is bonded with a celestial who then lives inside her.
That should give you a basic idea...




hmmm sounds like the Good version of The Tainted Article from Dragon 302

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The Sage
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Posted - 03 Jul 2004 :  09:36:29  Show Profile Send The Sage a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I believe that was the basic idea behind the concept for the article. Some of the details were supposed to be included in the BoED, but 'tome size' and 'publishing date' constraints prevented that.

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Dargoth
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Posted - 03 Jul 2004 :  09:40:33  Show Profile  Visit Dargoth's Homepage Send Dargoth a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage

I believe that was the basic idea behind the concept for the article. Some of the details were supposed to be included in the BoED, but 'tome size' and 'publishing date' constraints prevented that.




Hows this infused thing work?

Is it a Class like Savage progression?

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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High

Australia
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Posted - 03 Jul 2004 :  09:46:24  Show Profile Send The Sage a Private Message  Reply with Quote
It's basically a PrC that has two paths of advancement. One for spellcasting PCs, and another for the more combat-oriented PC.

Over time, and increasing levels, the bond between the soul of the mortal and the celestial grows stronger which in turns grants the PC more and more of the celestial's powers and abilities.

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Dargoth
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Posted - 03 Jul 2004 :  10:02:59  Show Profile  Visit Dargoth's Homepage Send Dargoth a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage

It's basically a PrC that has two paths of advancement. One for spellcasting PCs, and another for the more combat-oriented PC.

Over time, and increasing levels, the bond between the soul of the mortal and the celestial grows stronger which in turns grants the PC more and more of the celestial's powers and abilities.




Sounds alot like The Tainted PrC

Are there Tainted Points in the Infused?

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The Sage
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Posted - 03 Jul 2004 :  10:19:56  Show Profile Send The Sage a Private Message  Reply with Quote
No. Essentially, as the character advances through the class he has the choice of selecting various abilities that are taken from the celestial. They are categorised as minor and major abilities.

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Dargoth
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Australia
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Posted - 03 Jul 2004 :  10:44:00  Show Profile  Visit Dargoth's Homepage Send Dargoth a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Are they divided up into Physical and Supernatural?

The Tainted would grow to physically resemble there outsider parent, they'd also get the outsiders special abilities (At least some of them)

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Sarta
Senior Scribe

USA
505 Posts

Posted - 03 Jul 2004 :  11:23:30  Show Profile Send Sarta a Private Message  Reply with Quote
How dependent on the Book of Exalted Deeds is the write up? And what is the level adjustment for an "infused" pc?

Sarta
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Dargoth
Great Reader

Australia
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Posted - 03 Jul 2004 :  11:33:12  Show Profile  Visit Dargoth's Homepage Send Dargoth a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Sarta

How dependent on the Book of Exalted Deeds is the write up? And what is the level adjustment for an "infused" pc?

Sarta



its apparently a PrC so there shouldnt be a LA

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The Sage
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Australia
31774 Posts

Posted - 03 Jul 2004 :  15:16:47  Show Profile Send The Sage a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Dargoth

Are they divided up into Physical and Supernatural?

The Tainted would grow to physically resemble there outsider parent, they'd also get the outsiders special abilities (At least some of them)

No, they are not.

As for Infused growing to physically resemble the celestials they are bonded with, yes, it does occur to a degree. But the real bodily changes do not occur until the major abilities come into effect.

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The Sage
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Australia
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Posted - 03 Jul 2004 :  15:21:32  Show Profile Send The Sage a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Sarta

How dependent on the Book of Exalted Deeds is the write up? And what is the level adjustment for an "infused" pc?

Sarta

There's very little need for either the DM or a player to have access to the BoED to effectively use this PrC. As long as you have the access to both the planar details in the 3.5e of the DMG, and the various celestials that have been detailed in both MM, and MMII, you shouldn't have much of a problem. Besides, the class receives a four-page treatment. If you encounter an issue with the PrC that hasn't been addressed... well, that's what the DM is for...



As for the level adjustment, by now you should be aware that this is a class we are talking about, and not a race or template.

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Edited by - The Sage on 03 Jul 2004 15:22:16
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Arivia
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Canada
2965 Posts

Posted - 03 Jul 2004 :  16:01:15  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage

I'm setting aside this scroll for some potential adventure hooks for PCs using the 'Infused' PrC from Dragon #321.

Of course, I would appreciate the thoughts of other scribes, regarding these intriguing characters (Arivia, that means you ) as well.




Three responses to that:
1)Are you trying to get me to break my vow to not buy Paizo products that much sooner?
2)Aye aye, sir.
3)Ye gods, I've missed a nice brainstorming conversation like this-it's nice to be back.

Thoughts from what has already been established(keep in mind, I don't have the magazine in question):

The Campaign:
Evidently, a campaign focusing upon the Infused would greatly focus upon the conflict between the celestials and fiends. I can see a group thwarting a minor fiendish plan(eliminating the local demonic summoner, for example), and attracting the attention of a celestial agent. This agent gives them tasks to test their skills, and as they complete these, they gain more power and become more attached to celestial aims, eventually resulting in them becoming full-blown infused agents themselves, and stopping the conspiratiorial greater plans of fiends. This would lend itself to a complete campaign, from low to epic levels.
Sources:
I can particularly see the older(from the twilight days of 2e) supplement Warriors of Heaven being of great usage here, as it focused upon work as a celestial agent. Obviously, work would need to be done to adapt this to the Realms from example, from its original dualistic ideas, but quite a few of its plot ideas may be of help.
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High

Australia
31774 Posts

Posted - 03 Jul 2004 :  16:16:01  Show Profile Send The Sage a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Three responses to that:
1)Are you trying to get me to break my vow to not buy Paizo products that much sooner?
2)Aye aye, sir.
3)Ye gods, I've missed a nice brainstorming conversation like this-it's nice to be back.

1)I'd forgotten about your vow. I apologise...
2)Indeed...
3)I'm surprised no one else mentioned this class. It's a rather fascinating addition to the basic campaign set.



quote:
Sources:
I can particularly see the older(from the twilight days of 2e) supplement Warriors of Heaven being of great usage here, as it focused upon work as a celestial agent. Obviously, work would need to be done to adapt this to the Realms from example, from its original dualistic ideas, but quite a few of its plot ideas may be of help.
Hmmm... I hadn't considered Warriors of Heaven, but you are absolutely right. It would be a very useful supplement when using this PrC.

An excellent suggestion .

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Sarelle
Senior Scribe

United Kingdom
508 Posts

Posted - 03 Jul 2004 :  20:52:09  Show Profile Send Sarelle a Private Message  Reply with Quote
(Yay! I've got my first ever Dragon!)

I like this PrC, to a point. It just seems too close to the monster classes ala Savage Species/Progressions. In that sense we've seen it all before. On the other hand, it does have some nice points - the fluff and the variation introduced give it a little independent credit - but I likely won't be using it.

What do you make of the planar dragons/plane of Radiance therein, Sage?

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Arivia
Great Reader

Canada
2965 Posts

Posted - 03 Jul 2004 :  23:35:12  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Sarelle

(Yay! I've got my first ever Dragon!)

I like this PrC, to a point. It just seems too close to the monster classes ala Savage Species/Progressions. In that sense we've seen it all before. On the other hand, it does have some nice points - the fluff and the variation introduced give it a little independent credit - but I likely won't be using it.

What do you make of the planar dragons/plane of Radiance therein, Sage?



Plane of Radiance? Ooo, another reprint!

What's the planar dragon?
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Sarelle
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United Kingdom
508 Posts

Posted - 04 Jul 2004 :  01:19:48  Show Profile Send Sarelle a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Arivia



Plane of Radiance? Ooo, another reprint!

What's the planar dragon?



Yeah - the Plane of Radiance was handled quite well, with some very interesting new monsters and slightly different take. I resented that, now that Quasi-Elemental planes don't exist, they lumped it as an opposite to the Plane of Shadow. It makes some sense, but I don't like it.

Planar dragons were first introduced in Draconomicon - they are true dragons that live on the various Geat Wheel planes. The ones in Dragon finished the list that Drac started quite nicely.

In particular I liked the illustrations for both articles a lot - especially in comparison to other 3.x D&D impressions.

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Arivia
Great Reader

Canada
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Posted - 04 Jul 2004 :  01:50:35  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Sarelle
Yeah - the Plane of Radiance was handled quite well, with some very interesting new monsters and slightly different take. I resented that, now that Quasi-Elemental planes don't exist, they lumped it as an opposite to the Plane of Shadow. It makes some sense, but I don't like it.

Planar dragons were first introduced in Draconomicon - they are true dragons that live on the various Geat Wheel planes. The ones in Dragon finished the list that Drac started quite nicely.

In particular I liked the illustrations for both articles a lot - especially in comparison to other 3.x D&D impressions.



Oops-I already knew what the planar dragons were. I was trying to ask what dragons were presented therein?
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High

Australia
31774 Posts

Posted - 04 Jul 2004 :  03:29:30  Show Profile Send The Sage a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Sarelle

quote:
Originally posted by Arivia



Plane of Radiance? Ooo, another reprint!

What's the planar dragon?



Yeah - the Plane of Radiance was handled quite well, with some very interesting new monsters and slightly different take. I resented that, now that Quasi-Elemental planes don't exist, they lumped it as an opposite to the Plane of Shadow. It makes some sense, but I don't like it.

Planar dragons were first introduced in Draconomicon - they are true dragons that live on the various Geat Wheel planes. The ones in Dragon finished the list that Drac started quite nicely.

In particular I liked the illustrations for both articles a lot - especially in comparison to other 3.x D&D impressions.

That's essentially correct. Although there was virtually nothing new added to the Plane of Radiance that hasn't already been detailed in previous PS tomes, it was nice to see one of my favorite quasi planes receiving some 3e treatment. One particular aspect of the write-up that did interest me though, was the fact that the Rainbow Bridge is now much larger and connects to far more regions (including [supposedly] other outer planes) but within and without the plane. I think it was WotC's intention to recreate the Plane of Radiance into a transitive plane. It's rather reminiscent actually, of the Rainbow Bridge in Norse mythology.

It was also nice to see the glimmerfolk receive some statistical treatment since they were nothing more than a plot device during 2e.



Arivia, the planar dragons detailed are from:
  • Arborea
  • The Beastlands
  • Bytopia
  • Mechanus (my favorite, obviously )
  • The Outlands

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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High

Australia
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Posted - 04 Jul 2004 :  03:35:08  Show Profile Send The Sage a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Sarelle

(Yay! I've got my first ever Dragon!)

Since it's your first issue, you may want to make an attempt of finding the other 'planar-themed' Dragon issues. Issue #287 has all manner of planes information, as well as detailing several Factions from PS in the form of PrCs. Much more recent is the 'Campaign Classics' issue, #315. It also details several PS aspects, which also relate to the Factions (in the post-Faction War period).

"Consider those details for free berk. The next 'ot w'll cost ya..."

Or rather, that's just some interesting planar facts from your local Sage of Planarlore...

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Edited by - The Sage on 04 Jul 2004 03:38:36
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High

Australia
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Posted - 04 Jul 2004 :  03:36:55  Show Profile Send The Sage a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Oh, I also neglected to mention issue #312. That particular Dragon dealt heavily with the Elemental Planes.

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Sebastrd
Acolyte

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Posted - 06 Jul 2004 :  21:48:06  Show Profile  Visit Sebastrd's Homepage Send Sebastrd a Private Message  Reply with Quote
The article suggests a character may become a candidate for infused status through prolonged exposure to a holy relic. This is likely the route I will take when I (hopefully) use the PrC in my campaign.

That gives me another idea, as well. It would be interesting to create an infused who is bonded , not to a celestial, but to a holy relic or artifact. The different abilities could be mixed and matched to make an appropriate package. Some different physical changes could be necessary as well - changes that reflect the nature of the relic.

I love this game!
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