Help role-playing a half-celestial! [Archive] - Wizards Community

Help role-playing a half-celestial! [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Arthur_Pendragon
11-08-03, 04:36 AM I'm both DM and Player to our small group (just myself and my wife, and she hates playing solo games, besides I enjoy playing a PC and DMing. :D

My difficulty is playing a half-celestial in a low-magic medival setting. I'm still working on exactly who his parents are and what events lead to his birth, but suffice to say such beings like him are rare. (suggestions are welcome).

His name is Galen.

He doesn't use the half-celestial template instead he has the following abilities (which I choose out of a sense of feel for what angelic hertiage means in the setting):

- No stat "+" or "-"

- Immunity to "earthly" diseases (like the bubonic plague) and certian magical curses (like lycanthrope, no weird half-celestial werewolf stuff :nonono: )

- Immunity to "earthly" poisons (like arsenic, but not posions demons use or would be supsecptable to)

- Immunity to Level Drain, Ability Drain, or Ability Damage from Undead (though I don't plan to use undead with those abilities much in the setting anyway)

- Does not need to eat or drink (though can do so), does not need to sleep (though can if he wishes, though it remains dreamless)

- Lacks a soul. Unlike mortals, his physical body is his soul, it directly reflects his nature (like other celestials, which is why demons look vile). This means his soul can't be trapped by Soul Trap, nor have his life force snuffed out by circle of death, or Finger of Death.

- On the other hand, he is Outsider (Good) so magic circles and protection from his alignment will hedge him out or trap him.

- Wings, Flight (Good), however, they could get damage, or burned, and he would require sufficent space to achieve full wing spread (so pretty much flight outdoors only). Though it tends to make people stare and make him stand out in a crowd.

- Angelic healing - Lay on Hands, as per Paladin's ability (our group will lack a cleric anyway).

- Angelic Regeneration - Essentially Fast Healing 1, which would regenearte damage body parts (such as his wings). NOT troll like regenearation.

- Life Sight - Can precive things like, if a person is healthy, ill, has cancer or a terminal disease, is pregnant, or is incapable of bearing children. (Keep in mind relatively Medival setting).

His stats will probably be something like:

Str 10
Dex 14
Con 12
Int 16
Wis 18
Cha 10

Though I'm unsure how to handle playing him in a low magic (both arcane and cleric magic, no ressurection magic, no flamestrikes or fireballs, or chain lightning). Or how as a DM to handle genearl reaction of others to him. I'm trying to aim for a more role-playing focus rather than combat focus. BTW help on the setting is welcome as well, here is a post on the What's a DM to do board? - The World (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=1794439#post1794439)

Additional Note: Wizards, which I plan the character to be, in this setting don't cast spells, the use either complicated rituals or else know "secrets" of the universe (soemthing like limited special abilites, like talk to animals, or charm person).
Morka
11-09-03, 08:26 PM I see two options for your character:
1) You are the son of some celestial, direct servant of the "unique" god of your setting. Those celestials are messangers between the unique god and the high clerics. Those high clerics are only males, so those celestials never saw women in their mission, and the high clerics keep the celestials existence secret. Now, either the unique god ordered his best celestial to mate with a woman (selected by the high clerics) to have child-king, who will lead the nation against the EVIL, either a woman surprised a celestial, and they become lovers, etc.

2) You are the son of a barbaric goddess and a great hunter. You were not planned, only fruit of the passion. But since you are here... The barbaric goddess can't enter the prime realms of your setting, because the "unique" god (LG or LN) want to remain "unique". With some protection against Evil and Chaos, the unique god was sure to remain unique, but your character is NG, so immuned against protection against Chaos. Now, you have to make a name for your mother.
TheMightyMcClaw
11-09-03, 10:16 PM Even though playing a supernatural being in a low-magic setting seems kind of hard, you actually have a wealth of sources to turn to, of a much higher caliber than what you'll find in the average DND book.
Ancient mythologies from all over the world are filled with such figures. The heroes of ancient Greece come to mind; Hercules, Perseus, and so on. Any myth about a person of godly heritage or power is a great example. However, most of the well-noted demideific heroes tend to be warriors (such as the two mentioned above); so you'll have to think in a different context in order to make a magician.
Also, I'd really recomend losing the wings; as I see it, they stand in a stark contrast to the low-magic setting you have. Likewise, with most historical/low fantasy settings, the locals tend to fear and shun those with supernatural ties, if not meet them with open violence. It also seems that a more mortal visage would keep in better ties with the aspects of secrecy associated with the mages in your game.
The other big thing to consider is the other character. With small games like yours, it's essential to have the characters closely tied; the old 'group of adventurers meeting in a bar' cliche should be much avoided (as I'm sure you know already).
As for your parentage, I'd recomend a great deal of distance from your supernatural parent, and probably from your natural one as well. Such characters as half-celestials tend to work out better as being relative loners, to do to their unique nature. Also, if half-celestials have an extended life span, you could've very well outlived your natural family (and possibly lovers, wives, and children).
Arthur_Pendragon
11-10-03, 12:47 AM Morka: I wasn't really into the whole adding additional deities, even ones outside this plane of existence. However your other point (point #1) has some possibility. It would solve the problem of entrance into society, as I would have already been part of the clergy, or at least kept by the clergy.

TheMightyMcClaw: I had thought of removing the wings...it's really not a big deal if I don't have them. However I had imagined them as being the only thing to emphasize his celestial nature, as I really didn't want to do some of the weirder stuff like silver skin, or eyes that are pools of light. But it might be a good idea to remove the wings, it will allow him to pass incognito in dangerous lands. hmmmm....

How ever I had earlier toyed with the idea of having his mother having been an evil wizard's former guardin angel, who was then summoned by the evil wizard (who was in league with demons) who then after binding her, essentially "assaulting" her resulting in Galen's conception. (and since she is a celestial she won't punish an unborn child for something he had no more control over than she did). Eventually bears him and raises him on earth (his father was slain by an unrelated event involving angry peasants.) However due to certian divine laws, Galen is caught in the middle of a nasty divine loop hole. His celestial nature makes him immortal (doesn't die of old age, I mean), but it also means sacrements meant for humans (baptism, eucharist) have no effect on him, and his human nature means he was born with the taint of "original sin" which means he can't enter heaven, either. His mother teaching him about the nature of the universe resulted in him learning some of the basic secrets most 1st level wizards spend years discovering or learning from mentors. (was my original thought).

Trick is even if I did that, how "introduce" him into society? How do I handle the removal of his mother (as I wanted him to essentially loose her shortly before the game, I had toyed with her succumbing to a curse inflicted by his father after spending many years fighting it (or perhaps I also toyed with (while I know this is NOT how "original sin" worked (as I studied theology)) the idea that Galen's conception also resulted in his mother being tainted with "original sin" which in her case functioned like a slow spiritual decay or cancer, she eventually sucumbed to).

As a side note, I remember another famous indiividual who was created in a similar manner (though which person was which race was reversed), the famous Merlin Ambrose from the Aurthian Legend, who "had no mortal father" because his mother was in a nunnery and was assualted by an demon.

Additionally I'm trying to come up with a way to create a tight party bond, but I'm having trouble coming with such a plan.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Arthur_Pendragon 11-08-03, 04:36 AM	I'm both DM and Player to our small group (just myself and my wife, and she hates playing solo games, besides I enjoy playing a PC and DMing. :D My difficulty is playing a half-celestial in a low-magic medival setting. I'm still working on exactly who his parents are and what events lead to his birth, but suffice to say such beings like him are rare. (suggestions are welcome). His name is Galen. He doesn't use the half-celestial template instead he has the following abilities (which I choose out of a sense of feel for what angelic hertiage means in the setting): - No stat "+" or "-" - Immunity to "earthly" diseases (like the bubonic plague) and certian magical curses (like lycanthrope, no weird half-celestial werewolf stuff :nonono: ) - Immunity to "earthly" poisons (like arsenic, but not posions demons use or would be supsecptable to) - Immunity to Level Drain, Ability Drain, or Ability Damage from Undead (though I don't plan to use undead with those abilities much in the setting anyway) - Does not need to eat or drink (though can do so), does not need to sleep (though can if he wishes, though it remains dreamless) - Lacks a soul. Unlike mortals, his physical body is his soul, it directly reflects his nature (like other celestials, which is why demons look vile). This means his soul can't be trapped by Soul Trap, nor have his life force snuffed out by circle of death, or Finger of Death. - On the other hand, he is Outsider (Good) so magic circles and protection from his alignment will hedge him out or trap him. - Wings, Flight (Good), however, they could get damage, or burned, and he would require sufficent space to achieve full wing spread (so pretty much flight outdoors only). Though it tends to make people stare and make him stand out in a crowd. - Angelic healing - Lay on Hands, as per Paladin's ability (our group will lack a cleric anyway). - Angelic Regeneration - Essentially Fast Healing 1, which would regenearte damage body parts (such as his wings). NOT troll like regenearation. - Life Sight - Can precive things like, if a person is healthy, ill, has cancer or a terminal disease, is pregnant, or is incapable of bearing children. (Keep in mind relatively Medival setting). His stats will probably be something like: Str 10 Dex 14 Con 12 Int 16 Wis 18 Cha 10 Though I'm unsure how to handle playing him in a low magic (both arcane and cleric magic, no ressurection magic, no flamestrikes or fireballs, or chain lightning). Or how as a DM to handle genearl reaction of others to him. I'm trying to aim for a more role-playing focus rather than combat focus. BTW help on the setting is welcome as well, here is a post on the What's a DM to do board? - The World (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=1794439#post1794439) Additional Note: Wizards, which I plan the character to be, in this setting don't cast spells, the use either complicated rituals or else know "secrets" of the universe (soemthing like limited special abilites, like talk to animals, or charm person).
Morka 11-09-03, 08:26 PM	I see two options for your character: 1) You are the son of some celestial, direct servant of the "unique" god of your setting. Those celestials are messangers between the unique god and the high clerics. Those high clerics are only males, so those celestials never saw women in their mission, and the high clerics keep the celestials existence secret. Now, either the unique god ordered his best celestial to mate with a woman (selected by the high clerics) to have child-king, who will lead the nation against the EVIL, either a woman surprised a celestial, and they become lovers, etc. 2) You are the son of a barbaric goddess and a great hunter. You were not planned, only fruit of the passion. But since you are here... The barbaric goddess can't enter the prime realms of your setting, because the "unique" god (LG or LN) want to remain "unique". With some protection against Evil and Chaos, the unique god was sure to remain unique, but your character is NG, so immuned against protection against Chaos. Now, you have to make a name for your mother.
TheMightyMcClaw 11-09-03, 10:16 PM	Even though playing a supernatural being in a low-magic setting seems kind of hard, you actually have a wealth of sources to turn to, of a much higher caliber than what you'll find in the average DND book. Ancient mythologies from all over the world are filled with such figures. The heroes of ancient Greece come to mind; Hercules, Perseus, and so on. Any myth about a person of godly heritage or power is a great example. However, most of the well-noted demideific heroes tend to be warriors (such as the two mentioned above); so you'll have to think in a different context in order to make a magician. Also, I'd really recomend losing the wings; as I see it, they stand in a stark contrast to the low-magic setting you have. Likewise, with most historical/low fantasy settings, the locals tend to fear and shun those with supernatural ties, if not meet them with open violence. It also seems that a more mortal visage would keep in better ties with the aspects of secrecy associated with the mages in your game. The other big thing to consider is the other character. With small games like yours, it's essential to have the characters closely tied; the old 'group of adventurers meeting in a bar' cliche should be much avoided (as I'm sure you know already). As for your parentage, I'd recomend a great deal of distance from your supernatural parent, and probably from your natural one as well. Such characters as half-celestials tend to work out better as being relative loners, to do to their unique nature. Also, if half-celestials have an extended life span, you could've very well outlived your natural family (and possibly lovers, wives, and children).
Arthur_Pendragon 11-10-03, 12:47 AM	Morka: I wasn't really into the whole adding additional deities, even ones outside this plane of existence. However your other point (point #1) has some possibility. It would solve the problem of entrance into society, as I would have already been part of the clergy, or at least kept by the clergy. TheMightyMcClaw: I had thought of removing the wings...it's really not a big deal if I don't have them. However I had imagined them as being the only thing to emphasize his celestial nature, as I really didn't want to do some of the weirder stuff like silver skin, or eyes that are pools of light. But it might be a good idea to remove the wings, it will allow him to pass incognito in dangerous lands. hmmmm.... How ever I had earlier toyed with the idea of having his mother having been an evil wizard's former guardin angel, who was then summoned by the evil wizard (who was in league with demons) who then after binding her, essentially "assaulting" her resulting in Galen's conception. (and since she is a celestial she won't punish an unborn child for something he had no more control over than she did). Eventually bears him and raises him on earth (his father was slain by an unrelated event involving angry peasants.) However due to certian divine laws, Galen is caught in the middle of a nasty divine loop hole. His celestial nature makes him immortal (doesn't die of old age, I mean), but it also means sacrements meant for humans (baptism, eucharist) have no effect on him, and his human nature means he was born with the taint of "original sin" which means he can't enter heaven, either. His mother teaching him about the nature of the universe resulted in him learning some of the basic secrets most 1st level wizards spend years discovering or learning from mentors. (was my original thought). Trick is even if I did that, how "introduce" him into society? How do I handle the removal of his mother (as I wanted him to essentially loose her shortly before the game, I had toyed with her succumbing to a curse inflicted by his father after spending many years fighting it (or perhaps I also toyed with (while I know this is NOT how "original sin" worked (as I studied theology)) the idea that Galen's conception also resulted in his mother being tainted with "original sin" which in her case functioned like a slow spiritual decay or cancer, she eventually sucumbed to). As a side note, I remember another famous indiividual who was created in a similar manner (though which person was which race was reversed), the famous Merlin Ambrose from the Aurthian Legend, who "had no mortal father" because his mother was in a nunnery and was assualted by an demon. Additionally I'm trying to come up with a way to create a tight party bond, but I'm having trouble coming with such a plan.