Background for a Soulknife (my sample) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Background for a Soulknife (my sample) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Omnirahk, half-Rahkshi
01-19-06, 08:10 PM Anyone who likes this idea is free to use it. Beware: it comes with a +3 CR adjustment, so it could be really difficult for inexperienced players (like myself). So I'm more to share than seek advice (but both are welcome).

Basically, you're a half-Illithid. The person you once were was a victim of ceremorphosis. And like a handful of other Illithids, you retained a trait of your previous being. But not a nervous habit. A memory. A face. And an emotion relating to that face. Love.

An obvious oddity, you were forced to flee from Illithid society. They are too much afraid of the Adversary, an Illithid legend of a survivor of ceremorphosis: an Illithid only in body, but unchanged in mind and soul.

So you have chosen the path of the Soulknife, striking back at the former kin, who now perhaps hunt you down. Using as a weapon the one thing the other Illithids can never comprehend. Emotion.

Perhaps you join an adventuring party when you recognize a certain face (perhaps further awakening love, or even a flash of memory, a reason for your love). If this character is the star of the show, and your groups (and DM) allow it, maybe you are the Adversary. But you don't know it. Because memory doesn't come like that. But at a higher level, you take the feat Expanded Knowledge to gain access to the Psionic ability Fusion. You merge your body with another, and it turns out your former self knew that person. It awakens in you more memories, and BANG. You're the Adversary.

Or, for a different route, you're a Psychic Warrior. Perfect if you were a Fighter in life, but now you're a (psionic) Illithid/half-Illithid.

Any comments? I know, hard to use as an effective character, with a +3 Challenge rating. And I know, it could be corny with the whole love theme. But an experienced Roleplayer could pull it off. Criticize if you must, but try to say something good as well.

At the very least, this would make a great story. Run for your money Drizzt Do'Urden. You just got a rival. You may always be the best in combat, but this guy may have you beat when it comes to story potential.
Omnirahk, half-Rahkshi
01-24-06, 05:02 PM What? No one around who wants to talk about a Psionic character?

P.S.

This was a bump. If this were an actual gripe, this message would be followed by the following emoticon: :headexplo
Omnirahk, half-Rahkshi
02-09-06, 09:54 PM It's been almost a month. No posts.

DO I SMELL OR SOMETHING?!

Seriously, do psionics scare off everyone? Or is it the Soulknife? Or the half-Illithid? It's here more as an interest thing than an actual gaming mechanism.
WhrenKehrsyn
02-09-06, 10:10 PM All 3 scare me =0(

And to be perfectly honest, you smell a bit =0(

I dont know what a Soulknife class is honestly so cant comment on that. It would certainly be an RP challenge though I think, I doubt many places would welcome you with open arms if you look like an Illithid.
Omnirahk, half-Rahkshi
02-10-06, 02:52 PM Thanks. For those who don't know (this is for you, WhrenKehrsyn), a Soulknife is a Psionic class that can manifest a blade of psychic energy to fight with. It turns out many think it's a weak class.

Still, it could be RP gold. Though I guess with all the difficulties (high LA, weak class) probably makes this character better for fiction than RPing (or at best a recurring NPC with a major role).
WhrenKehrsyn
02-10-06, 05:07 PM A weak class doesnt mean it cant be RPed, just like a super optimized epic character is by no means unable to be RPed. For me the challenge in this isnt in the psionics or the relative strength of the class but rather in the race choice. I imagine this would be very difficult to play, just because Illithids are so widely feared and reviled.

I wont pretend I know tons about Illithids but isnt ceremorphosis how they reproduce? So basically youd be a person who the mind erasing and turning into a new Illithid didnt quite take? But you would still look like one? So I cant imagine you finding a warm welcome anywehre you go, underdark or surface.

Certainly an RP challenge and if its a weak class, coupled with the LA+ it would probably be fairly difficult to run mechanics wise as well. Definately something a competent gamer could enjoy though. I wouldnt suggest trying this for an inexperienced player though.
Omnirahk, half-Rahkshi
02-10-06, 08:47 PM Of course not. That's why I'm sharing. In case it attracts an experienced gamer. Or at worst to get a headstart on getting tips for when I am that level of gamer.

And yes, the incomplete ceremorphosis will leave the character welcomed nowhere. But he'll (it'll?) still be better off on the surface. Mindflayer prophecies speak of "the Adversary," an Illithid who completely retains his memories as a humanoid. They fear the adversary so much, they kill off anyone who retains anything from the past life (many Illithids hide little things: nervous habits or humming a tune).

Mind you, my character isn't the adversary. Unless of course his fleeing the Illithids leads to the awakening of more memories. In other words: Oh the irony! We the Illithids have created the Adversary in trying to stop his coming. And are attempts to destroy him when he was harmless gave him both his power and his hatred of us!

Might be better off for fan fiction than gaming. Still, it's open for any advanced players who would actually read this topic. (Looks around and sees a ghost town.) Ah, well.

By the way: Illithids have an ECL of 15: 7 from LA, 8 from Abberation HD.
Harrow Blade
02-10-06, 09:33 PM Am I correct in guesing that you are looking for ideas on how to play this half-illithid soulknife, or looking for some one to play the style of character and give feedback?
psionics holds a special place in my gaming heart and soul knives have a 'cool' factor that is not matched by many other classes. Add to that my penchant for playing weird, alien and all round strange characters this is right up my alley. As to experienced game does 12 years count? I started in 2e and have seen 3e and now 3.5.

As you said this could be roleplaying gold as well as a great character for fan fic or a novel. ths is a person who has been radically altered from thier former physical state, in the process they were supposed to get a new mindset, memories and outlook yet somehow that didn't completely happen and so now there is a major internal conflict. the big 'who am I really?' Mix in some new found psionic power (mind blade etc) and you have almost limitless self torment to fuel your play.

That is not to mention the potential for your character to be the source of numerous plot hooks for the Dm. For example illithids have found you out and are hunting you killing all who get close to you. A memory surfaces that leads you to believe some one you may have been close to is in danger,you are not sure if it is a real memory but have to investigate it anyway.

I like the idea, but while I consider it I get the feeling that I would possibly play something along the lines of a Thri-Kreen soul knife. (I love those buggy dudes). Hope this helps

Harrow Blade
JulesCARV
02-10-06, 10:53 PM The big obstacle I'd see in RP is that, even if you're running around with the kind of party that has regular enough encounters that you can legitimately kill people, and then eat their brains, a lot of players will find it disturbing. We humans tend to be terrible hypocrites about this sort of thing:

DM: Okay. Initiative goes to Bob, then Rebecca, then Omnirahk, then the goblins:

Bob: I cast "Evard's black tentacles" on the hobgoblins!

DM: Okay. Rebecca?

Rebecca: I charge the hobgoblins, my +2 wounding greatsword in front of me, attacking the nearest hobgoblin.

DM: Fine. Omnirahk?

Omnirahk: I charge one of the hobgoblins, grapple it, wrap my tentacles around its head, and suck its brain out.

DM: Ewww!

Omnirahk: What? I'm not making it any deader than it would have been if Bob or Rebecca had gotten to him first, and I gotta eat somehow.
Omnirahk, half-Rahkshi
02-11-06, 08:52 AM Well Harrow Blade, I am looking for ideas for how to play it, but I'm also advertising for anyone interested. So if you like, it's yours. I don't even have a month of playing experience, so I'm not seriously considering playing him any time soon. But advanced preparation never hurt.

Most of all, I'm just posting to test the waters, see how people feel about certain ideas, and use that to learn what's good for RPing and what isn't.

Summary: I'm above all looking for someone to play and give feedback, but I'll happily accept anything that can be said about him.
Omnirahk, half-Rahkshi
02-24-06, 04:05 PM Bump.

I'm not done with this yet. Come on. There has to be something new here.
Ayodrinn the Silver
02-24-06, 04:23 PM I have to say that no sane DM would allow a 1 month old player to use a freakin' brai eater. Then again, I'm insane, so you can ignore me.
Omnirahk, half-Rahkshi
02-24-06, 05:23 PM I have to say that no sane DM would allow a 1 month old player to use a freakin' brai eater. Then again, I'm insane, so you can ignore me.

I think you missed the memo. I'll not be playing this guy soon. I'll be writing about him, biding my time and developing him as I work to be ready.
zavin
02-24-06, 06:08 PM ya know what, I'll play him in my next campaign, which will actually be starting in a week or so. It's a cool idea and I love the half-Illithid idea. I'll letcha know how it goes, PM me if you wanna talk further.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Omnirahk, half-Rahkshi 01-19-06, 08:10 PM	Anyone who likes this idea is free to use it. Beware: it comes with a +3 CR adjustment, so it could be really difficult for inexperienced players (like myself). So I'm more to share than seek advice (but both are welcome). Basically, you're a half-Illithid. The person you once were was a victim of ceremorphosis. And like a handful of other Illithids, you retained a trait of your previous being. But not a nervous habit. A memory. A face. And an emotion relating to that face. Love. An obvious oddity, you were forced to flee from Illithid society. They are too much afraid of the Adversary, an Illithid legend of a survivor of ceremorphosis: an Illithid only in body, but unchanged in mind and soul. So you have chosen the path of the Soulknife, striking back at the former kin, who now perhaps hunt you down. Using as a weapon the one thing the other Illithids can never comprehend. Emotion. Perhaps you join an adventuring party when you recognize a certain face (perhaps further awakening love, or even a flash of memory, a reason for your love). If this character is the star of the show, and your groups (and DM) allow it, maybe you are the Adversary. But you don't know it. Because memory doesn't come like that. But at a higher level, you take the feat Expanded Knowledge to gain access to the Psionic ability Fusion. You merge your body with another, and it turns out your former self knew that person. It awakens in you more memories, and BANG. You're the Adversary. Or, for a different route, you're a Psychic Warrior. Perfect if you were a Fighter in life, but now you're a (psionic) Illithid/half-Illithid. Any comments? I know, hard to use as an effective character, with a +3 Challenge rating. And I know, it could be corny with the whole love theme. But an experienced Roleplayer could pull it off. Criticize if you must, but try to say something good as well. At the very least, this would make a great story. Run for your money Drizzt Do'Urden. You just got a rival. You may always be the best in combat, but this guy may have you beat when it comes to story potential.
Omnirahk, half-Rahkshi 01-24-06, 05:02 PM	What? No one around who wants to talk about a Psionic character? P.S. This was a bump. If this were an actual gripe, this message would be followed by the following emoticon: :headexplo
Omnirahk, half-Rahkshi 02-09-06, 09:54 PM	It's been almost a month. No posts. DO I SMELL OR SOMETHING?! Seriously, do psionics scare off everyone? Or is it the Soulknife? Or the half-Illithid? It's here more as an interest thing than an actual gaming mechanism.
WhrenKehrsyn 02-09-06, 10:10 PM	All 3 scare me =0( And to be perfectly honest, you smell a bit =0( I dont know what a Soulknife class is honestly so cant comment on that. It would certainly be an RP challenge though I think, I doubt many places would welcome you with open arms if you look like an Illithid.
Omnirahk, half-Rahkshi 02-10-06, 02:52 PM	Thanks. For those who don't know (this is for you, WhrenKehrsyn), a Soulknife is a Psionic class that can manifest a blade of psychic energy to fight with. It turns out many think it's a weak class. Still, it could be RP gold. Though I guess with all the difficulties (high LA, weak class) probably makes this character better for fiction than RPing (or at best a recurring NPC with a major role).
WhrenKehrsyn 02-10-06, 05:07 PM	A weak class doesnt mean it cant be RPed, just like a super optimized epic character is by no means unable to be RPed. For me the challenge in this isnt in the psionics or the relative strength of the class but rather in the race choice. I imagine this would be very difficult to play, just because Illithids are so widely feared and reviled. I wont pretend I know tons about Illithids but isnt ceremorphosis how they reproduce? So basically youd be a person who the mind erasing and turning into a new Illithid didnt quite take? But you would still look like one? So I cant imagine you finding a warm welcome anywehre you go, underdark or surface. Certainly an RP challenge and if its a weak class, coupled with the LA+ it would probably be fairly difficult to run mechanics wise as well. Definately something a competent gamer could enjoy though. I wouldnt suggest trying this for an inexperienced player though.
Omnirahk, half-Rahkshi 02-10-06, 08:47 PM	Of course not. That's why I'm sharing. In case it attracts an experienced gamer. Or at worst to get a headstart on getting tips for when I am that level of gamer. And yes, the incomplete ceremorphosis will leave the character welcomed nowhere. But he'll (it'll?) still be better off on the surface. Mindflayer prophecies speak of "the Adversary," an Illithid who completely retains his memories as a humanoid. They fear the adversary so much, they kill off anyone who retains anything from the past life (many Illithids hide little things: nervous habits or humming a tune). Mind you, my character isn't the adversary. Unless of course his fleeing the Illithids leads to the awakening of more memories. In other words: Oh the irony! We the Illithids have created the Adversary in trying to stop his coming. And are attempts to destroy him when he was harmless gave him both his power and his hatred of us! Might be better off for fan fiction than gaming. Still, it's open for any advanced players who would actually read this topic. (Looks around and sees a ghost town.) Ah, well. By the way: Illithids have an ECL of 15: 7 from LA, 8 from Abberation HD.
Harrow Blade 02-10-06, 09:33 PM	Am I correct in guesing that you are looking for ideas on how to play this half-illithid soulknife, or looking for some one to play the style of character and give feedback? psionics holds a special place in my gaming heart and soul knives have a 'cool' factor that is not matched by many other classes. Add to that my penchant for playing weird, alien and all round strange characters this is right up my alley. As to experienced game does 12 years count? I started in 2e and have seen 3e and now 3.5. As you said this could be roleplaying gold as well as a great character for fan fic or a novel. ths is a person who has been radically altered from thier former physical state, in the process they were supposed to get a new mindset, memories and outlook yet somehow that didn't completely happen and so now there is a major internal conflict. the big 'who am I really?' Mix in some new found psionic power (mind blade etc) and you have almost limitless self torment to fuel your play. That is not to mention the potential for your character to be the source of numerous plot hooks for the Dm. For example illithids have found you out and are hunting you killing all who get close to you. A memory surfaces that leads you to believe some one you may have been close to is in danger,you are not sure if it is a real memory but have to investigate it anyway. I like the idea, but while I consider it I get the feeling that I would possibly play something along the lines of a Thri-Kreen soul knife. (I love those buggy dudes). Hope this helps Harrow Blade
JulesCARV 02-10-06, 10:53 PM	The big obstacle I'd see in RP is that, even if you're running around with the kind of party that has regular enough encounters that you can legitimately kill people, and then eat their brains, a lot of players will find it disturbing. We humans tend to be terrible hypocrites about this sort of thing: DM: Okay. Initiative goes to Bob, then Rebecca, then Omnirahk, then the goblins: Bob: I cast "Evard's black tentacles" on the hobgoblins! DM: Okay. Rebecca? Rebecca: I charge the hobgoblins, my +2 wounding greatsword in front of me, attacking the nearest hobgoblin. DM: Fine. Omnirahk? Omnirahk: I charge one of the hobgoblins, grapple it, wrap my tentacles around its head, and suck its brain out. DM: Ewww! Omnirahk: What? I'm not making it any deader than it would have been if Bob or Rebecca had gotten to him first, and I gotta eat somehow.
Omnirahk, half-Rahkshi 02-11-06, 08:52 AM	Well Harrow Blade, I am looking for ideas for how to play it, but I'm also advertising for anyone interested. So if you like, it's yours. I don't even have a month of playing experience, so I'm not seriously considering playing him any time soon. But advanced preparation never hurt. Most of all, I'm just posting to test the waters, see how people feel about certain ideas, and use that to learn what's good for RPing and what isn't. Summary: I'm above all looking for someone to play and give feedback, but I'll happily accept anything that can be said about him.
Omnirahk, half-Rahkshi 02-24-06, 04:05 PM	Bump. I'm not done with this yet. Come on. There has to be something new here.
Ayodrinn the Silver 02-24-06, 04:23 PM	I have to say that no sane DM would allow a 1 month old player to use a freakin' brai eater. Then again, I'm insane, so you can ignore me.
Omnirahk, half-Rahkshi 02-24-06, 05:23 PM	I have to say that no sane DM would allow a 1 month old player to use a freakin' brai eater. Then again, I'm insane, so you can ignore me. I think you missed the memo. I'll not be playing this guy soon. I'll be writing about him, biding my time and developing him as I work to be ready.
zavin 02-24-06, 06:08 PM	ya know what, I'll play him in my next campaign, which will actually be starting in a week or so. It's a cool idea and I love the half-Illithid idea. I'll letcha know how it goes, PM me if you wanna talk further.