Grim Reaper character concept [Archive] - Wizards Community

Grim Reaper character concept [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
dr-vlad
07-19-05, 10:13 AM Hey, everyone! I was thinking of a character similar to the proverbial Grim Reaper. I pretty much have the black-cloak-and-schythe image in my mind, but I am trying to find a suitable character class. Was thinking of a Wizard specilizing in necromancy, worshiper of Nerull. But I am definitley open to suggestions. Also, please suggest relevant background aspects which could have made him/her act this way. A race is also required. Hope this proves a worthy and fun challenge for you. Thanks
BadCatMan
07-19-05, 11:12 AM The Grim Reaper is more the one who strikes someone down dead, and escorts them to the afterlife. He need not be one who commands the undead afterwards.

So following the path of the Angel of Death, and the Saint of Killers*, make a fighter and weapon master of the scythe. Make him the ultimate one-hit killer.

Take Fighter, and grab weapon focus, specialisation and improved critical, and the prerequisites for WM and EWM. Take Exotic Weapon Master (3.5), then Weapon Master (3.0). Hope for a keen scythe, and hope your DM will allow the crit ranges to stack. Powergame all the way.

Also try:

Rogue, and grab stealth and sneak attack.

Pale Master or Lich, for the skeletal appearance.

Undead-like feats from Libris Mortis and other books, for more deadiness.

He'd be either True Neutral or Lawful Neutral.

*from the Preacher graphic (very graphic) novel series. A dead gunslinger from the Old West who died, went to Hell, then took over from the Angel of Death. His pistols are forged from the Angel's sword. He shot Satan dead, and later, God. Every shot hits, every shot kills.
dr-vlad
07-19-05, 11:29 AM Thanks for pointing out that mistake for me. I'll go with Fighter/EWM/WM if I can find them in books (will probably be easy). Any suggestions about background? I was thinking of making the character a little (or even a little more) on the insane side.
LiquidDarkness
07-19-05, 11:40 AM The closest thing to a mortal death would be Shuruppak. http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/EPIC_Gallery/Gallery7/44214_CA_Shuruppak.jpg

Emulate him as best as you can, and use a scythe instead of a greatsword ;)
BadCatMan
07-19-05, 01:55 PM Thanks for pointing out that mistake for me. I'll go with Fighter/EWM/WM if I can find them in books (will probably be easy). Any suggestions about background? I was thinking of making the character a little (or even a little more) on the insane side.

That was my take on the Reaper anyway. If you want to play a caster, then by all means. There are no mistakes here.

Medieval Death characters have had many different personas, including a creepy, pasty-white bald guy who'd hover around the sick and dying, IIRC. He could well be spellcaster of some kind.
Edymnion
07-20-05, 04:14 PM First thing you should decide before you make a Death character is, what kind of Death do you want to be?

"Classic" Death, a dark figure that has come to reap your soul at the end of your natural life, the collector, who jealously guards those he has taken.

"Good" Death, the death angel, a being that comes at the moment of death in order to ease the transition, a friendly spirit that accompanies you on your journey to the other side.

"Evil" Death, the skeletal monster, who ravages through cities, striking down anyone who catches his eye, evil and uncaring about who he takes.

Once you choose that, you'll have a better basis on coming up with a character.
I'm going to assume, from the sound of what you already said, that you want a kind of cross between Classic Death and Evil Death.

I would probably go as a fighter/cleric, devoted not to a god in particular, but the concept of Death itself. That gives you good combat abilities, and the ability to take things like the Death Domain.

Before you start though, may I suggest that you read "On A Pale Horse" by Piers Anthony, book one of the Incarnations of Immortality. It not only is a great read, but it will give you a totally new view on Death.
dr-vlad
07-20-05, 05:18 PM You are correct about my concept of death and your suggestion is one to take note of. However, as far as the book is concerned, I'm afraid I can't get my hands on it at this time; this kind of books are surely unavailable in my country. Thanks for the suggestion anyway, and I'll keep my eyes open for that book.
LiquidDarkness
07-20-05, 07:48 PM Check this pic out,

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/libris_gallery/84751.jpg

(it doesn't get more "reaper" than this)
Mist of Shadows
07-20-05, 10:11 PM There is a feat in the complete arcane twisted knowledge -2 wisdom but gives some benifits and such. The reason I suggest that is it causes a person to wear black and dark colors obsessively. That might be a good lead in to the death idea. Go for a wizard/fighter/edrich knight (or if you can find it there is a class that is better then eldrich knight that does interesting things with a phantom horse. Knight Phantom http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20050706a&page=4

That seems to go well with the whole death rider in the night idea.
dr-vlad
07-21-05, 04:21 AM I'll try to get a hold of Complete Arcane and that PrC; since I am not under a time limit I will take my time and look through all material. Thanks again for the suggestions. btw the pic is awesome!
Morka
07-21-05, 10:45 AM IMHO, the Scythe is the perfect weapon for Coup-de-Grace. So before using the scythe, he should make its target helpless:
- paralysed: ghoul's touch, lich's touch, the spells ghoul touch, hold person.
- held: hold person?
- bound: If you are able to bind an opponent, you should be able to Coup-de-grace him before. Unless you go like a cow-boy catching a calf and binding it. In this case I would require to grapple the opponent, use an attack action to bind him with some rope with a Use Rope check opposed by the target's Escape Artist check. If succesful, the opponent is bound...
- sleeping: Many spells like Sleep, Deep Slumber, Symbol of Sleep.
- unconscious: Some poison make a subject unconscious; INT, WIS or CHA damaged up to 0 make the subject unconscious; a dying character between -1 and -9 HP is unconscious; petrified; staggered (non-lethal damage exceed its current HP).

So I would suggest either a ghoul or lich PC, paralysing his foes then Coup-de-gracing them. Or a ghost with a drain INT touch attack; that ghost use a ghost-touched scythe to coup-de-grace his foes.
dr-vlad
07-21-05, 03:19 PM I'll have to review the rules for coup de grace, but it does sound quite interesting. Also, it's pretty close to my image of Death: just a simple formality -- a hit with a mighty weapon and they're already on th other side...

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
dr-vlad 07-19-05, 10:13 AM	Hey, everyone! I was thinking of a character similar to the proverbial Grim Reaper. I pretty much have the black-cloak-and-schythe image in my mind, but I am trying to find a suitable character class. Was thinking of a Wizard specilizing in necromancy, worshiper of Nerull. But I am definitley open to suggestions. Also, please suggest relevant background aspects which could have made him/her act this way. A race is also required. Hope this proves a worthy and fun challenge for you. Thanks
BadCatMan 07-19-05, 11:12 AM	The Grim Reaper is more the one who strikes someone down dead, and escorts them to the afterlife. He need not be one who commands the undead afterwards. So following the path of the Angel of Death, and the Saint of Killers, make a fighter and weapon master of the scythe. Make him the ultimate one-hit killer. Take Fighter, and grab weapon focus, specialisation and improved critical, and the prerequisites for WM and EWM. Take Exotic Weapon Master (3.5), then Weapon Master (3.0). Hope for a keen scythe, and hope your DM will allow the crit ranges to stack. Powergame all the way. Also try: Rogue, and grab stealth and sneak attack. Pale Master or Lich, for the skeletal appearance. Undead-like feats from Libris Mortis and other books, for more deadiness. He'd be either True Neutral or Lawful Neutral. from the Preacher graphic (very graphic) novel series. A dead gunslinger from the Old West who died, went to Hell, then took over from the Angel of Death. His pistols are forged from the Angel's sword. He shot Satan dead, and later, God. Every shot hits, every shot kills.
dr-vlad 07-19-05, 11:29 AM	Thanks for pointing out that mistake for me. I'll go with Fighter/EWM/WM if I can find them in books (will probably be easy). Any suggestions about background? I was thinking of making the character a little (or even a little more) on the insane side.
LiquidDarkness 07-19-05, 11:40 AM	The closest thing to a mortal death would be Shuruppak. http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/EPIC_Gallery/Gallery7/44214_CA_Shuruppak.jpg Emulate him as best as you can, and use a scythe instead of a greatsword ;)
BadCatMan 07-19-05, 01:55 PM	Thanks for pointing out that mistake for me. I'll go with Fighter/EWM/WM if I can find them in books (will probably be easy). Any suggestions about background? I was thinking of making the character a little (or even a little more) on the insane side. That was my take on the Reaper anyway. If you want to play a caster, then by all means. There are no mistakes here. Medieval Death characters have had many different personas, including a creepy, pasty-white bald guy who'd hover around the sick and dying, IIRC. He could well be spellcaster of some kind.
Edymnion 07-20-05, 04:14 PM	First thing you should decide before you make a Death character is, what kind of Death do you want to be? "Classic" Death, a dark figure that has come to reap your soul at the end of your natural life, the collector, who jealously guards those he has taken. "Good" Death, the death angel, a being that comes at the moment of death in order to ease the transition, a friendly spirit that accompanies you on your journey to the other side. "Evil" Death, the skeletal monster, who ravages through cities, striking down anyone who catches his eye, evil and uncaring about who he takes. Once you choose that, you'll have a better basis on coming up with a character. I'm going to assume, from the sound of what you already said, that you want a kind of cross between Classic Death and Evil Death. I would probably go as a fighter/cleric, devoted not to a god in particular, but the concept of Death itself. That gives you good combat abilities, and the ability to take things like the Death Domain. Before you start though, may I suggest that you read "On A Pale Horse" by Piers Anthony, book one of the Incarnations of Immortality. It not only is a great read, but it will give you a totally new view on Death.
dr-vlad 07-20-05, 05:18 PM	You are correct about my concept of death and your suggestion is one to take note of. However, as far as the book is concerned, I'm afraid I can't get my hands on it at this time; this kind of books are surely unavailable in my country. Thanks for the suggestion anyway, and I'll keep my eyes open for that book.
LiquidDarkness 07-20-05, 07:48 PM	Check this pic out, http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/libris_gallery/84751.jpg (it doesn't get more "reaper" than this)
Mist of Shadows 07-20-05, 10:11 PM	There is a feat in the complete arcane twisted knowledge -2 wisdom but gives some benifits and such. The reason I suggest that is it causes a person to wear black and dark colors obsessively. That might be a good lead in to the death idea. Go for a wizard/fighter/edrich knight (or if you can find it there is a class that is better then eldrich knight that does interesting things with a phantom horse. Knight Phantom http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20050706a&page=4 That seems to go well with the whole death rider in the night idea.
dr-vlad 07-21-05, 04:21 AM	I'll try to get a hold of Complete Arcane and that PrC; since I am not under a time limit I will take my time and look through all material. Thanks again for the suggestions. btw the pic is awesome!
Morka 07-21-05, 10:45 AM	IMHO, the Scythe is the perfect weapon for Coup-de-Grace. So before using the scythe, he should make its target helpless: - paralysed: ghoul's touch, lich's touch, the spells ghoul touch, hold person. - held: hold person? - bound: If you are able to bind an opponent, you should be able to Coup-de-grace him before. Unless you go like a cow-boy catching a calf and binding it. In this case I would require to grapple the opponent, use an attack action to bind him with some rope with a Use Rope check opposed by the target's Escape Artist check. If succesful, the opponent is bound... - sleeping: Many spells like Sleep, Deep Slumber, Symbol of Sleep. - unconscious: Some poison make a subject unconscious; INT, WIS or CHA damaged up to 0 make the subject unconscious; a dying character between -1 and -9 HP is unconscious; petrified; staggered (non-lethal damage exceed its current HP). So I would suggest either a ghoul or lich PC, paralysing his foes then Coup-de-gracing them. Or a ghost with a drain INT touch attack; that ghost use a ghost-touched scythe to coup-de-grace his foes.
dr-vlad 07-21-05, 03:19 PM	I'll have to review the rules for coup de grace, but it does sound quite interesting. Also, it's pretty close to my image of Death: just a simple formality -- a hit with a mighty weapon and they're already on th other side...