| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Lemernis
Senior Scribe
378 Posts |
 Posted - 04 Sep 2007 : 13:12:13
|
I have a quest idea that depends on an alchemical basis for gradually robbing minds of the power of thought and understanding, such that that metaphysical energy is stored and made useable to enchant an item. It's a research project being conducted by an evil cleric-mage, using kidnapped subjects.
Based on your knowledge of magic in FR, does an alchemical basis for such a process sound plausible? And if so, what types of alchemical reagents might be used?
Basically, I need to salt an item to be discovered as a clue for this process. If the process isn't alchemical, then I'd very much appreciate suggestions as to what type of process could be used, and what sort of item could be left as a clue. Having a mindflayer involved came to mind, but such a creature is going to be too high level for the party.
|
Edited by - Lemernis on 04 Sep 2007 18:42:49
|
|
|
Kiaransalyn
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
762 Posts |
Posted - 04 Sep 2007 : 15:04:35
|
This is a nice question but the answer is quite tricky.
But first I should get some flippancy out of the way.
quote:
Originally posted by Lemernis
I have a quest idea that depends on an alchemical basis for gradually robbing minds of the power of thought and understanding,
Beer works very well for this, so I'm told. 
quote:
Originally posted by Lemernis
I have a quest idea that depends on an alchemical basis for gradually robbing minds of the power of thought and understanding, such that that metaphysical energy is stored and made useable to enchant an item. It's a research project being conducted by an evil cleric-mage, using kidnapped subjects.
As I understand it, is it worth asking you about psionics? Or have you already considered such an option?
The only magical/alchemical things I can think about at the moment involve fairly high-level spells. |
Death is Life
Love is Hate
Revenge is Forgiveness
Ken: You from the States?
Jimmy: Yeah. But don't hold it against me.
Ken: I'll try not to... Just try not to say anything too loud or crass. |
Edited by - Kiaransalyn on 04 Sep 2007 15:06:10 |
 |
|
|
Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 04 Sep 2007 : 15:06:18
|
| I was thinking it could be psionic in nature also. :) |
For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium |
|
|
|
Kiaransalyn
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
762 Posts |
Posted - 04 Sep 2007 : 15:17:49
|
quote:
Originally posted by Kuje
I was thinking it could be psionic in nature also. :)
It kind of screams it, doesn't it? (I guess somebody will say it mind-blasts it.) Anyway, I shall have a look through my various psionics books this evening and see what I can find. Assuming another scribe doesn't beat me to it and that Lemernis hasn't discounted the option. |
Death is Life
Love is Hate
Revenge is Forgiveness
Ken: You from the States?
Jimmy: Yeah. But don't hold it against me.
Ken: I'll try not to... Just try not to say anything too loud or crass. |
|
|
|
Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 04 Sep 2007 : 15:19:24
|
quote:
Originally posted by Kiaransalyn
quote:
Originally posted by Kuje
I was thinking it could be psionic in nature also. :)
It kind of screams it, doesn't it? (I guess somebody will say it mind-blasts it.)
Indeed it does, at least to me but I wasn't sure if I wanted to offer that suggestion because a lot of people don't enjoy psionics or believe psionics "belongs" in FR even though psionics has existed in FR since 1e or even before it was published. |
For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium |
Edited by - Kuje on 04 Sep 2007 15:19:52 |
|
|
|
Lemernis
Senior Scribe
378 Posts |
Posted - 04 Sep 2007 : 19:16:00
|
Love the response about beer, hehe!
This is a 2nd ed. AD&D, btw.
I have nothing against psionics in FR. But this is, for the villain, who is a human Nightcloak of Shar/Mage, intimately connected with Shar's neverending battle against light in all of it's manifestations. Metaphysically, in this cleric-mage's working of the Weave, the consciousness he's stealing from his subjects is a form of light.
The party is low level and could handle some Shadows summoned by the villain. But I think involving any sort of psionic monster is probably beyond them.
Even if there's no 'documented cases' of such magic in FR, I think I should be able to fudge this if I can find a list of reagents to look through. Then I can probably find something suitable for a potion he's cooking up and giving to the subjects. That's the direction I was seeking to take it, anyway. |
|
|
|
sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
12221 Posts |
Posted - 04 Sep 2007 : 21:41:22
|
Hmmm, 2nd edition, all I can think of is the feeblemind spells and the later spells that came out for blanking memories (can't think of the name).
Third edition though, I do believe that you can create scrolls & concievably potions which are of spells with metamagics applied. If doctored with the proper illusions for taste and coloration, a potion with "delay spell" metamagic applied should work. Granted, you're limited to 5 rounds of delay and it raises the level of the spell by 3 and potions can't be above 3rd.... so this would pretty much only work for 0-lvl spells. Guess it'd be easier to slip a micky into their drink. |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
|
|
|
Lemernis
Senior Scribe
378 Posts |
Posted - 04 Sep 2007 : 23:07:23
|
| Btw, the item that the cleric-mage is attempting to make is one that may impart a number of spell effects, all of which twork in some way against consciousness (understood as illumination). I haven't quite figured out specifically what the item will be (maybe a staff), but some of the spell effects it could impart include: Blindness, Sleep, Deafness, Feeblemind, Power Word Blind, Symbol, Stun, Rigid Thinking and Confusion. |
|
|
|
Kiaransalyn
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
762 Posts |
Posted - 05 Sep 2007 : 06:32:36
|
Here are some ideas I've had:
1. If you have The Illithiad you may want your cleric-mage to make use of resonance stones (page 82.) These stones are imprinted with an emotion and radiate the emotion that they contain. Your cleric-mage may have an unusual one that allows him to drain a victim of an emotion even though he is not psionic. The trapped emotion could then be used to discourage enemies if the emotion is negative, such as despair and depression or encourage allies if it is positive. And he may even want to use the positive emotions to influence good-aligned character. An NPC might initially think the cleric-mage is untrustworthy but then after experiencing the resonance stone the NPC may view him in a much more favourable light.
2. Something akin to the Feed ability of the Barghest from 3rd Edn Monster Manual. Link to SRD - Barghest.
3. Use the Hypnotism spell from 2nd Edn PHB, page 135.
4. Vampiric Mist from Monstrous Manual, page 254.
Perhaps what your cleric-mage can do is use hypnotism to ensnare his victims then use an energy drain effect to drain the victim. He then uses the negative energy to charge weapons, etc. Maybe your character underwent some Sharran ritual whereby he was infused in negative energy?
Anyway, I hope these ideas are useful to you. |
Death is Life
Love is Hate
Revenge is Forgiveness
Ken: You from the States?
Jimmy: Yeah. But don't hold it against me.
Ken: I'll try not to... Just try not to say anything too loud or crass. |
Edited by - Kiaransalyn on 05 Sep 2007 06:33:56 |
|
|
|
Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 11 Sep 2007 : 17:54:33
|
quote:
Originally posted by Lemernis
I have a quest idea that depends on an alchemical basis for gradually robbing minds of the power of thought and understanding, such that that metaphysical energy is stored and made useable to enchant an item.
Well, start off by using excessive amounts of alcohol (half-serious)... |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
|
|
|
sirreus
Learned Scribe
USA
118 Posts |
Posted - 13 Sep 2007 : 17:43:16
|
it sounds slightly like the phaerim's magic drain. it happens over time too. it's worth looking into. there's also a spell in 3e that makes the subject take a penalty to will saves. perhaps you could tweak it some.
good luck. |
"The measure of an undisciplined mind, is that the intellect allows emotion to challenge the observed truth" Richard Baker |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
alchemical forms of 'brain drain'?
