Appropriate Prestige classes for this necromancer [Archive] - Wizards Community

Appropriate Prestige classes for this necromancer [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Devil Gnasher
01-23-07, 12:15 AM I came up with an NPC named Doctor Jonathan Ellington. He's a master necromancer and president of a medical and necrological academy in the elven capitol of north Airgeadcoill, or "Silverforest". South Airgeadcoill is home to the goblin capitol, whose culture is based off of that of the Roundheads of the 1640‘s. His healing spells are all necromantic because they are based off of biological studies, as are all other wizarding necromancy spells. So what PrC would be suitable for him?
Ariath Ska'Vhor
01-23-07, 12:19 AM True Necromancer.
Pale Master.

That's all I got.
Devil Gnasher
01-23-07, 12:51 AM He's also strongly Good aligned and his enemies include Orcus worshipers, Demogorgon cultists, the philosophers of Mephistopheles, and the Church of Asmodeus.
Devil Gnasher
01-23-07, 01:46 AM Hi, does any one have any other ideas for this character?
kadeity
01-23-07, 03:00 AM honestly, a good necromancer is a whole other bag of tricks. There arent any prestige classes for him really.
katarl
01-23-07, 02:12 PM Jonathan is my necromancers name too... it seems to be popular for a necromancer to be 'dr' jonathan something.

Being biased, i would recommend my prc, but I doubt it fits a goodly necro. Does he animate creatures at all?
Father Dale
01-23-07, 03:23 PM [QUOTE=katarl;11266857]Jonathan is my necromancers name too... it seems to be popular for a necromancer to be 'dr' [QUOTE]

Is this off of Jonathon from the Death Gate Cycle?

I always liked Jonathon and Baltazar as names from the Necromancers in those books.
Devil Gnasher
01-24-07, 12:25 AM Jonathan is my necromancers name too... it seems to be popular for a necromancer to be 'dr'

Is this off of Jonathon from the Death Gate Cycle?

I always liked Jonathon and Baltazar as names from the Necromancers in those books.

No. I'm not familiar with the series at all. The name just popped into my head.
Devil Gnasher
01-24-07, 12:42 AM Jonathan is my necromancers name too... it seems to be popular for a necromancer to be 'dr' jonathan something.

Being biased, i would recommend my prc, but I doubt it fits a goodly necro. Does he animate creatures at all?

Not unless you consider using arcane Epic (10th+, before meta-magic) level spells duplicating raise dead, resurrection, and true resurrection “animating” creatures. If not, then no.
Devil Gnasher
01-24-07, 02:16 PM If any one else comes up with an idea, just post it. Take your best shot.
Xaktsaroth
01-24-07, 02:47 PM Well, that fact he's called 'Dr' would indicate he's well trained, so Master Specialist from Complete Mage would be good if he's an arcane necromancer.
The_Shaman
01-24-07, 02:50 PM Technically, he could be an incantatar (PGtF Incantatrix PrC) and boost his necromantic spells with various additional effects. Bloodmage can also be an interesting way to study the life-death relationship that he seems to specialize in, although it focuses on your own body and how to use the magical reserves it has. And, of course, the archmage represents a talented, well-trained arcanist who is a master of at least two branches of the Art. Does the character use undead minions, btw, or is he simply using the necromantic discipline of magic?
BigRobC101
01-24-07, 03:37 PM Death Delver from HoH, it gives you rebuke undead, and animate dead, and you can be any alignment, Also gives you other cool abilitys like 9 lives, die hard .

but limited spell casting progression.
Regular_K
01-24-07, 04:50 PM True Necromancer.
Pale Master.

That's all I got.

Where can you find Pale Master? I've heard much about it, and I'd like to see it.
Devil Gnasher
01-24-07, 05:20 PM Well, that fact he's called 'Dr' would indicate he's well trained, so Master Specialist from Complete Mage would be good if he's an arcane necromancer.
Technically, he could be an incantatar (PGtF Incantatrix PrC) and boost his necromantic spells with various additional effects. Bloodmage can also be an interesting way to study the life-death relationship that he seems to specialize in, although it focuses on your own body and how to use the magical reserves it has. And, of course, the archmage represents a talented, well-trained arcanist who is a master of at least two branches of the Art.

Either of these can apply to him. However I have one question, what is the PGtF?
Does the character use undead minions, btw, or is he simply using the necromantic discipline of magic?

Any "minions" of his are simply awakened animals with genetic mutations. He also summons Eladrians to learn new necromantic spells from them. They also serve as research partners.
Ariath Ska'Vhor
01-24-07, 07:29 PM Where can you find Pale Master? I've heard much about it, and I'd like to see it.

Pale master and True necromancer are both in Libris Mortis.
The_Shaman
01-25-07, 08:25 AM Either of these can apply to him. However I have one question, what is the PGtF?

Any "minions" of his are simply awakened animals with genetic mutations. He also summons Eladrians to learn new necromantic spells from them. They also serve as research partners.

PGtF is the Player's Guide to Faerun, the 3.5 update of the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting. Don't worry, though: the incantatrix can easily be adapted for your setting even if you're not playing in the Realms. I asked about minions to check if you need any of the undead boosting feats. With all the summoning and planar contacting I'd think thaumaturgist could fit him, but you'd need to change the required spell or pick up the arcane devotee feat: right now the required spell is only on the cleric list. Beats me...

Just to check this: you meant eladrins, right? I'm nooot sure if they'd be the best source of new necromancy spells. I mean, that's not exactly right up their alley, being CG and part of the court of stars and all... Why don't you hook up with a few baelnorns instead?
Sul_Zain_Aserbet
01-25-07, 12:17 PM Back in the old days of 2ed there used to be a kit out of The Complete Book of Necromancers called the Anatomist. The theme for the kit pretty much describes what your character does perfectly.
3.5 doesnt typically smile its gifts on the "good" necromancer, which i think is one of 3.5e's weaknessness when it comes to necromancy. 3.5e takes a very narrow, and often contrary view of the art.
My suggestion would be a grab an old copy of the Complete Book of Necromancers and use it for inspiration to concoct a PrC of your own.
Devil Gnasher
01-26-07, 12:25 AM Back in the old days of 2ed there used to be a kit out of The Complete Book of Necromancers called the Anatomist. The theme for the kit pretty much describes what your character does perfectly.
3.5 doesnt typically smile its gifts on the "good" necromancer, which i think is one of 3.5e's weaknessness when it comes to necromancy. 3.5e takes a very narrow, and often contrary view of the art.
My suggestion would be a grab an old copy of the Complete Book of Necromancers and use it for inspiration to concoct a PrC of your own.

Well, the Umbrasa Gravelands has an anatomist conversion that I'll use.
It's listed under Necromancer Variants (http://greyhawkonline.com/pitsofevil/v2/YaBB.pl?num=1139635405/0#0).
Devil Gnasher
02-02-07, 12:43 AM Just to check this: you meant eladrins, right? I'm nooot sure if they'd be the best source of new necromancy spells. I mean, that's not exactly right up their alley, being CG and part of the court of stars and all... Why don't you hook up with a few baelnorns instead?

Why not, if necromancy could include healing and biological improvement spells why wouldn't the Eladrins teach a few necromantic spells of those orders.
The_Shaman
02-02-07, 04:17 PM Possibly, but I've always considered them too full of zest of life for serious necromantic research. It's just that visceral feel that as necromancy, in any form, involves too much tinkering with the forces of life and death, it wouldn't quite be their thing. I can understand a few doing it, but hardly getting a name as master necromancers.
Devil Gnasher
02-02-07, 05:04 PM Possibly, but I've always considered them too full of zest of life for serious necromantic research. It's just that visceral feel that as necromancy, in any form, involves too much tinkering with the forces of life and death, it wouldn't quite be their thing. I can understand a few doing it, but hardly getting a name as master necromancers.

I see necromancy as being the most nuanced of magical schools. It can be used to destroy and it can be used to create. It can be used to take life, and to restore it. It can also be used to authenticate genealogies and map out family trees. Necromancy can also be used to determine cause of death and contact long dead historical figures for the purpose of academic accuracy.

P.S. Necromancy comes from the Greek nekromanteia : nekros, corpse; + manteia, divination. Therefore a classical necromancer would use corpses to form a biological and spiritual link to that dead person's soul.
The_Shaman
02-02-07, 05:50 PM I generally consider it to mean - in fantasy, at least - anything involving the manipulation life, as in the general force of animation. With the separation of at least some of it into conjuration (the healing spells :rolleyes: ), the remaining part of the school of necromancy becomes a bit too tied to the use of life-force for the animation of some material.
Devil Gnasher
02-02-07, 07:24 PM I generally consider it to mean - in fantasy, at least - anything involving the manipulation life, as in the general force of animation. With the separation of at least some of it into conjuration (the healing spells :rolleyes: ), the remaining part of the school of necromancy becomes a bit too tied to the use of life-force for the animation of some material.

Then take healing spells out of Conjuration and put them back in Necromancy where they belong. I tend to think of Conjuration as the fantasy equivalent of astrophysics, and Necromancy as a magical combination of genetics, biology, and other life and medical sciences.
Line_of_light
02-02-07, 07:29 PM thereis the dread necromancer out of the heros of horror book not sure if it is what you are looking for but it is a really net class with some cool abilities
Devil Gnasher
02-02-07, 07:45 PM I'm already going to use the anatomist variant for a base class. What I'm interested in is what his prestige class or classes would be. Most likely he'll be an incantor or master specialist.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Devil Gnasher 01-23-07, 12:15 AM	I came up with an NPC named Doctor Jonathan Ellington. He's a master necromancer and president of a medical and necrological academy in the elven capitol of north Airgeadcoill, or "Silverforest". South Airgeadcoill is home to the goblin capitol, whose culture is based off of that of the Roundheads of the 1640‘s. His healing spells are all necromantic because they are based off of biological studies, as are all other wizarding necromancy spells. So what PrC would be suitable for him?
Ariath Ska'Vhor 01-23-07, 12:19 AM	True Necromancer. Pale Master. That's all I got.
Devil Gnasher 01-23-07, 12:51 AM	He's also strongly Good aligned and his enemies include Orcus worshipers, Demogorgon cultists, the philosophers of Mephistopheles, and the Church of Asmodeus.
Devil Gnasher 01-23-07, 01:46 AM	Hi, does any one have any other ideas for this character?
kadeity 01-23-07, 03:00 AM	honestly, a good necromancer is a whole other bag of tricks. There arent any prestige classes for him really.
katarl 01-23-07, 02:12 PM	Jonathan is my necromancers name too... it seems to be popular for a necromancer to be 'dr' jonathan something. Being biased, i would recommend my prc, but I doubt it fits a goodly necro. Does he animate creatures at all?
Father Dale 01-23-07, 03:23 PM	[QUOTE=katarl;11266857]Jonathan is my necromancers name too... it seems to be popular for a necromancer to be 'dr' [QUOTE] Is this off of Jonathon from the Death Gate Cycle? I always liked Jonathon and Baltazar as names from the Necromancers in those books.
Devil Gnasher 01-24-07, 12:25 AM	Jonathan is my necromancers name too... it seems to be popular for a necromancer to be 'dr' Is this off of Jonathon from the Death Gate Cycle? I always liked Jonathon and Baltazar as names from the Necromancers in those books. No. I'm not familiar with the series at all. The name just popped into my head.
Devil Gnasher 01-24-07, 12:42 AM	Jonathan is my necromancers name too... it seems to be popular for a necromancer to be 'dr' jonathan something. Being biased, i would recommend my prc, but I doubt it fits a goodly necro. Does he animate creatures at all? Not unless you consider using arcane Epic (10th+, before meta-magic) level spells duplicating raise dead, resurrection, and true resurrection “animating” creatures. If not, then no.
Devil Gnasher 01-24-07, 02:16 PM	If any one else comes up with an idea, just post it. Take your best shot.
Xaktsaroth 01-24-07, 02:47 PM	Well, that fact he's called 'Dr' would indicate he's well trained, so Master Specialist from Complete Mage would be good if he's an arcane necromancer.
The_Shaman 01-24-07, 02:50 PM	Technically, he could be an incantatar (PGtF Incantatrix PrC) and boost his necromantic spells with various additional effects. Bloodmage can also be an interesting way to study the life-death relationship that he seems to specialize in, although it focuses on your own body and how to use the magical reserves it has. And, of course, the archmage represents a talented, well-trained arcanist who is a master of at least two branches of the Art. Does the character use undead minions, btw, or is he simply using the necromantic discipline of magic?
BigRobC101 01-24-07, 03:37 PM	Death Delver from HoH, it gives you rebuke undead, and animate dead, and you can be any alignment, Also gives you other cool abilitys like 9 lives, die hard . but limited spell casting progression.
Regular_K 01-24-07, 04:50 PM	True Necromancer. Pale Master. That's all I got. Where can you find Pale Master? I've heard much about it, and I'd like to see it.
Devil Gnasher 01-24-07, 05:20 PM	Well, that fact he's called 'Dr' would indicate he's well trained, so Master Specialist from Complete Mage would be good if he's an arcane necromancer. Technically, he could be an incantatar (PGtF Incantatrix PrC) and boost his necromantic spells with various additional effects. Bloodmage can also be an interesting way to study the life-death relationship that he seems to specialize in, although it focuses on your own body and how to use the magical reserves it has. And, of course, the archmage represents a talented, well-trained arcanist who is a master of at least two branches of the Art. Either of these can apply to him. However I have one question, what is the PGtF? Does the character use undead minions, btw, or is he simply using the necromantic discipline of magic? Any "minions" of his are simply awakened animals with genetic mutations. He also summons Eladrians to learn new necromantic spells from them. They also serve as research partners.
Ariath Ska'Vhor 01-24-07, 07:29 PM	Where can you find Pale Master? I've heard much about it, and I'd like to see it. Pale master and True necromancer are both in Libris Mortis.
The_Shaman 01-25-07, 08:25 AM	Either of these can apply to him. However I have one question, what is the PGtF? Any "minions" of his are simply awakened animals with genetic mutations. He also summons Eladrians to learn new necromantic spells from them. They also serve as research partners. PGtF is the Player's Guide to Faerun, the 3.5 update of the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting. Don't worry, though: the incantatrix can easily be adapted for your setting even if you're not playing in the Realms. I asked about minions to check if you need any of the undead boosting feats. With all the summoning and planar contacting I'd think thaumaturgist could fit him, but you'd need to change the required spell or pick up the arcane devotee feat: right now the required spell is only on the cleric list. Beats me... Just to check this: you meant eladrins, right? I'm nooot sure if they'd be the best source of new necromancy spells. I mean, that's not exactly right up their alley, being CG and part of the court of stars and all... Why don't you hook up with a few baelnorns instead?
Sul_Zain_Aserbet 01-25-07, 12:17 PM	Back in the old days of 2ed there used to be a kit out of The Complete Book of Necromancers called the Anatomist. The theme for the kit pretty much describes what your character does perfectly. 3.5 doesnt typically smile its gifts on the "good" necromancer, which i think is one of 3.5e's weaknessness when it comes to necromancy. 3.5e takes a very narrow, and often contrary view of the art. My suggestion would be a grab an old copy of the Complete Book of Necromancers and use it for inspiration to concoct a PrC of your own.
Devil Gnasher 01-26-07, 12:25 AM	Back in the old days of 2ed there used to be a kit out of The Complete Book of Necromancers called the Anatomist. The theme for the kit pretty much describes what your character does perfectly. 3.5 doesnt typically smile its gifts on the "good" necromancer, which i think is one of 3.5e's weaknessness when it comes to necromancy. 3.5e takes a very narrow, and often contrary view of the art. My suggestion would be a grab an old copy of the Complete Book of Necromancers and use it for inspiration to concoct a PrC of your own. Well, the Umbrasa Gravelands has an anatomist conversion that I'll use. It's listed under Necromancer Variants (http://greyhawkonline.com/pitsofevil/v2/YaBB.pl?num=1139635405/0#0).
Devil Gnasher 02-02-07, 12:43 AM	Just to check this: you meant eladrins, right? I'm nooot sure if they'd be the best source of new necromancy spells. I mean, that's not exactly right up their alley, being CG and part of the court of stars and all... Why don't you hook up with a few baelnorns instead? Why not, if necromancy could include healing and biological improvement spells why wouldn't the Eladrins teach a few necromantic spells of those orders.
The_Shaman 02-02-07, 04:17 PM	Possibly, but I've always considered them too full of zest of life for serious necromantic research. It's just that visceral feel that as necromancy, in any form, involves too much tinkering with the forces of life and death, it wouldn't quite be their thing. I can understand a few doing it, but hardly getting a name as master necromancers.
Devil Gnasher 02-02-07, 05:04 PM	Possibly, but I've always considered them too full of zest of life for serious necromantic research. It's just that visceral feel that as necromancy, in any form, involves too much tinkering with the forces of life and death, it wouldn't quite be their thing. I can understand a few doing it, but hardly getting a name as master necromancers. I see necromancy as being the most nuanced of magical schools. It can be used to destroy and it can be used to create. It can be used to take life, and to restore it. It can also be used to authenticate genealogies and map out family trees. Necromancy can also be used to determine cause of death and contact long dead historical figures for the purpose of academic accuracy. P.S. Necromancy comes from the Greek nekromanteia : nekros, corpse; + manteia, divination. Therefore a classical necromancer would use corpses to form a biological and spiritual link to that dead person's soul.
The_Shaman 02-02-07, 05:50 PM	I generally consider it to mean - in fantasy, at least - anything involving the manipulation life, as in the general force of animation. With the separation of at least some of it into conjuration (the healing spells :rolleyes: ), the remaining part of the school of necromancy becomes a bit too tied to the use of life-force for the animation of some material.
Devil Gnasher 02-02-07, 07:24 PM	I generally consider it to mean - in fantasy, at least - anything involving the manipulation life, as in the general force of animation. With the separation of at least some of it into conjuration (the healing spells :rolleyes: ), the remaining part of the school of necromancy becomes a bit too tied to the use of life-force for the animation of some material. Then take healing spells out of Conjuration and put them back in Necromancy where they belong. I tend to think of Conjuration as the fantasy equivalent of astrophysics, and Necromancy as a magical combination of genetics, biology, and other life and medical sciences.
Line_of_light 02-02-07, 07:29 PM	thereis the dread necromancer out of the heros of horror book not sure if it is what you are looking for but it is a really net class with some cool abilities
Devil Gnasher 02-02-07, 07:45 PM	I'm already going to use the anatomist variant for a base class. What I'm interested in is what his prestige class or classes would be. Most likely he'll be an incantor or master specialist.