Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Arthur_Pendragon 12-08-03, 05:14 PM	I'm preparing to play in a campaign, and am playing a ghost of a wizard who died during the fall of his enclave (the Caldean Enclaves; Think something like Nethriel in the Forgotten Realms, High magic society, but not an empire). He emphasizes illusionary magic (I may even outright make him an illusionist). As a ghost he has some unusal abilities (for reference) rather than the more common abilities in the Monsterous Manual. The key ones to worry about here are what I refer to as Corporeal Manipulation and Illusionary Manifestation. The Corporeal Manipulation means he can limitedly move things with his hands (pick up books, turn pages, but not move anything over 10 lbs.). Ilusionary Manifestation is an illusionary effect that he can will when he manifests (becomes visible) so that he appears completely normal (no ghostly translucency, or blurry effect). I'll add real quick, he is NG. (BTW, for reference I'm both DM and a PC in my group, due to group size). His stats are: Str 11 -------(when it matters, he's incorporeal) Dex 14 Con --- (when he lived it was 10) Int 18 Wis 16 Cha 18 (14 when in life, because a ghost added +4, I veiw this as not so much as an increase in being charismatic, but having the force of his "self" crystallized by having it be the only thing life (since he lacks a body). Kind of a "I think, therefore I am.") The abilities he posses are not quite the normal set ghosts have. He has: 1st level wizard (ECL (Effective Character Level) 6) - Incorporeal - Undead (Immunities, etc.) - Ghostly Vision 60ft (basically just Darkvision 60ft and the Ability to See Ethereal combined with fancy name) - Corporeal Manipulation (as mentioned earlier, so he can move small objects about by "touching" them (it just looks like he is touching them)) - Illusionary Manifestation (as mentioned above) - Manifestation (the normal ghost ability) - Minor Ethereal Shift (able to shift small objects into the ghostly realm, essentially allowing him to use wands, and other magic items they find, but not shift people or living things). - Spell Resistance (12 + level) Essentially I interpret this as since he has passed out of the mortal realm, he is partially shielded from magic by his non-mortal status. So he also can't conciously bring down his Spell Resistance nor can he loose it in an Anti-magic sphere. - Incorpereal "Ghostly Touch" does 1d6 "spiritual cold" damage (so creatures immune to elemental cold still get harmed, though firey creatures don't take doubble damage from the touch) - Reform (something like Rejuventation mentioned in MM). So he lacks the Malovelence ability and can't possess things. Nor can he telekenitcally move objects about as the Ghost in the Monsterous Manual can. Somehow I imagine he eventually got used to not being able to feel physical sensations by touch, though he probably tries not to think about it. Being romantically involved will be frustrating... In my setting he isn't so much here due to unfinished business, but simply exists. I'm still sorting out my cosmology for what exactly the afterlife is and how if functions. However, I do imagine after being alone for so long, he would really desire companionship, and that's part of the reason he goes with the party. So do you have any suggestions on how to roleplay an ancient 500 year old wizard, whose civilization is now in ruins?
Skrimshaw 12-08-03, 06:51 PM	Well, a lil off topic, but i have a question. how will he carry his spell book and spell components, as i assume you will be taking wizard levels. since you only may choose one feat assume it will be Eshew Materials, Corperal manipulation lets you manip 10 pounds, (not knowing the ability) i assume it requires at least concentration, how will you carry your spell book? what about magic items the group gets? will you not be getting any as you cannot wield them? for roleplaying: (quick and dirty version) play him very contimplative, yet absent minded. (ie) while the group is discussing tactics, start trailing off the topic while you try to remember something from your past life, never quite remembering. Think about (specifically) how he died. (ie) A grievace spear wound to the heart? Freak out when ever someone wielding a spear get to close to you.
Arthur_Pendragon 12-08-03, 10:03 PM	His peoples use of crystal magic had them commonly create rings that stored their spells in the rings gem stone. (think of it as magically recorded text, not the spell itself, just the info needed to memorize the spell.) And Galen has one such ring. Galen also has (up on the list, but its easy to miss) Minor Etheral Shift...basically allowing him to shift items into ghostly variants so things the party finds will be useful to him. But I'm still pondering the ability....I may not use it...I'm unsure...
Arthur_Pendragon 12-09-03, 02:05 AM	Actually I've reworked the stats (taking into accounting aging, just the kind normal characters would gain, nothing else). Str 11 Dex 14 Con -- Int 21 Wis 25 (Gains the +4 for becoming ghost instead of Cha, see below) Cha 10 I also decided the rethink ghosts in my setting a bit. I decided rather than ghosts existing on both a material and etheral plan, rather that they are the disembodied mind itself, kept coherent and existant by sheer force of will (and since Will saves use Wis not Cha I felt force of Will was wisdom, as opposed to the idea of Force of Personality). So 18 Wis in life, undeath forced a strenghtening of the will, and time has tempered it. I also reworked the skills to add Knowledge (Philosophy) to his skills. Essentially the ghost is incorporeal and shifts in and out of reality, because he is actually barely on the border of existence. Period. In other words, on one side lies the mortal world and physical existence, the other side is total oblivion of body and mind. And Ghosts by sheer will hold their existence together. I knida like the idea of a philosphical mage too...but as before I'm still unsure of how to roleplay him. Especially with a very high wis and high Int. :( PS: So the Minor Etheral Shift, becomes instead Minor Discorporealization (essentially take an object and break down it's reality so it also is on the boarder of oblivion, which then makes it an object of the ghosts will to exist (it takes a full minute to use the ability, aka AoO all around. So no using it to destroy somebody's sword.) Though he could likewise force an object back into more solid reality.
Arthur_Pendragon 12-10-03, 01:05 PM	Any suggestions on role-playing him or his stas? He has Knowledge (Philosophy) +9 and Profession (Poet) +12 :D
Arthur_Pendragon 12-12-03, 01:45 AM	Nevermind :P I put him under....that is to say I scrapped the character idea... Thanks to all who posted though...