Illumian Dread Necromancer [Archive] - Wizards Community

Illumian Dread Necromancer [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
malisteen
02-22-08, 04:12 PM I'm going to be playing in a 'good bye to third edition' rotating DM, fast advancement campaign meant to let us try out some of the options we never got to try during regular 3rd edition campaigns. Characters are starting at 6th level.

I'll be playing a True Neutral Illumian/Necropolitan Dread Necromancer, and I was wondering if anyone had any comments or criticism on my backstory:

The Gravewhispers: There are many types of Illumian Cabals, which follow a variety of philosophies. One of these philosophies is that of the Gravewhisper Cabals. All Cabals are lead by a ‘Black Table’ – a council of leaders who jointly determine the proper course for the Cabal. Gravewhisper Cabals use necromantic magic to preserve their council as Undead creatures – typically vampires or liches. They utilize baser undead minions to provide physical labor and defense, and rely on incorporeal undead to aid their spy networks. Non-Illumian allies are also sometimes turned into freewilled undead to preserve their value to the Cabal. Gravewhisper Cabals typically produce fewer children – since respected elders don’t die of old age, the birth rate must be kept low to avoid overpopulation.

The Blackshroud Cabal: Uniquely among Gravewhisper Cabals, the Blackshroud Cabal developed the Ritual of the Necropolitan, based in part on the portion of the Ritual of Words Made Flesh that they keep. This ritual transforms the subject into an intelligent, free willed undead creature. Though painful, the Necropolitan ritual has many benefits over other forms of undeath. Unlike a vampire the subject has no need or craving for any particular sustenance. Unlike a lich, the subject need not be a powerful spellcaster. Unlike other forms of undead, a Necropolitan maintains its sentience, abilities, soul, and ethical outlook. As with other Gravewhisper Cabals, the Blackshroud Cabal also sometimes transforms non-Illumian allies into intelligent undead to preserve their usefulness, and they use the Necropolitan ritual for this as well.

Early Years: Blackshroud Rhodrik was born on the eve of the Winter Solstice 28 years ago. As a child, he was recognized as a prodigy of the Necromantic Arts, one of the finest ever born into the Blackshroud Cabal. He quickly mastered the key principles, and had a natural flair for dark magic and negative energy that went well beyond any sorcerer. He also possessed a cunning and observant patience, a manipulative nature, and, when useful, could call upon a dispassionate cruelty that gave him a potent edge in the Blackshroud Cabal’s internal politics. Even his rivals respected him; for social maneuvering is the backbone of Illumian culture, and it rarely creates lasting enemies. Soon Rhodrik was invited into the ranks of the Necropolitans, one of the youngest to achieve the honor.

Frustrated Ambition: Eventually, Blackshroud Rhodrik’s ambitious rise was thwarted. The Black Table of the Blackshroud Cabal were all undead themselves. With a dozen powerful and respected undead Illumians in his way, each as manipulative and ambitious as he was, Rhodrik realized that it would be decades, if not centuries, before he could achieve a higher rank in his Cabal then he already held. He decided that the best way to move past those who stood between him and advancement was to seek knowledge and power from sources outside his Cabal. So it was that Rhodrik applied to become a ‘Seeker of Lore’; an Illumian who searches the world outside of his cabal for rare tomes, maps of ancient ruins, and items of historical or magical significance.
A call to Adventure: Knowing that the outside world was frequently distrustful of Illumians, and both hated and feared the undead, Rhodrik concealed his true nature and that of his powers. So it was that Blackshroud Rhodrik became Roderick Pale, traveling adventurer. He used his prodigious skills of disguise, coupled with a hat imbued with illusory magic, to hide his undead nature. He typically travels with his Illumian sigils suppressed, manifesting them only when in danger, and then trying to pass them off as a short duration protective ward. He typically avoids outright use of undead, and passes off his smattering of touch attacks, curses, and his ability to self heal as minor magical tricks he’s picked up in his travels. Though he can be cruel – such cruelty is more a honed tool then his natural disposition – his alignment is Neutral, not evil. He wears a fine, if unassuming cloak over a simple suit of chain, and carries gear appropriate to an adventurer of his experience. Strangers might assume he was a normal human – perhaps some some mix of sorcerer and fighter. In truth, this is what Roderick prefers.

An Illumian’s Allies: Knowing adventuring life to be fraught with danger, Roderick quickly sought out a group of adventuring companions to join, and found a group to which he could sell his unique mix of talents. Early relations with these companions were strained, as Roderick’s natural inclination was to find the social power structure in any group and manipulate his way to the top, primarily through subtle threats. This did not go over well. Further, Illumians form and strengthen alliances with each other through by making themselves indispensable – they become involved in each others secrets work their fingers into each others plots, until the breaking the alliance becomes an unthinkable risk. But what was appropriate in his old home was again counterproductive outside of it: his subtle prying put off some of his new companions as much as his veiled threats and social maneuvering.

A New Cabal: However, it did not take Roderick long to adapt to the accepted social interactions of the group, and after proving his worth several times, including saving the party from a group of powerful undead by turning them against each other, he was welcomed as one of their own. Roderick Pale now thinks of these adventuring companions as his new Cabal, and would risk his life, or sacrifice the lives of others, to defend them. Though he still frequently thinks of home, and still sends important finds and information back too them, Roderick has begun to feel that perhaps his old Cabal was too small, too secluded, and he wonders if even an invitation to a seat at the Black Table itself could bring him home. He does not want to see his new friends age and die, however, and has recently been trying to slowly convince some of them of the virtues of undeath, while communicating the virtues of these same companions to his superiors in the Blackshroud Cabal.

What the Party Knows: If you can detect alignments, then you know Roderick to be Neutral. If you can detect undead, you know him to be such. All of Roderick’s companions know by now that he is an Illumian (though you probably knew before he told you if you have many ranks in Knowledge: Arcana), and a Lore Seeker for the Blackshroud Cabal. Roderick has carefully judged the opinions of his allies about death and the undead, and he revealed his nature as a Necropolitan and a Dread Necromancer, and the Blackshroud's nature as a Gravewhisper Cabal, to those who had a neutral or better bias – though he asked them to keep the secret from those allies more fearful and distrustful of the undead while he slowly attempts to work their opinions around. If you have been with the group long, you may recall Roderick’s early time with the party, the veiled threats, social maneuvering, and subtle prying that set everyone on edge. Though he has long since stopped such behavior, at least, within the party, and has proved his loyalty many times over, it may still color your opinion of him, if your character tends to make lasting judgments based on first impressions.
Terjon of the Blue Rose
02-23-08, 11:06 PM It's an interesting character but there isn't much background. While we learn a good deal about him from what you have we don't learn much about how he came to be who he is. For example Illumians are supposed to hold diversity in very high regard, right? Even in a cabal that focuses on necromancy I would imagine most of the leaders are generalist wizards or sorcerers.

How then did other see your choice to devote yourself so fully to a single art? Why did you choose to do it in the first place? What earned you the right to undergo the necropolitan ritual and how did that honor affect you? I assume if population is a concern not everyone gets to. You are a manipulative character by nature but who taught you that art? I understand you grew up around a great deal of manipulation but if it's a natural talent where did you hone it with parents, teachers, or higher ranking officials in the cabal? If it's not something you were born to who first taught the art of subterfuge to you?
malisteen
02-24-08, 12:30 AM Good questions, thank you! Will ponder and update in a while.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
malisteen 02-22-08, 04:12 PM	I'm going to be playing in a 'good bye to third edition' rotating DM, fast advancement campaign meant to let us try out some of the options we never got to try during regular 3rd edition campaigns. Characters are starting at 6th level. I'll be playing a True Neutral Illumian/Necropolitan Dread Necromancer, and I was wondering if anyone had any comments or criticism on my backstory: The Gravewhispers: There are many types of Illumian Cabals, which follow a variety of philosophies. One of these philosophies is that of the Gravewhisper Cabals. All Cabals are lead by a ‘Black Table’ – a council of leaders who jointly determine the proper course for the Cabal. Gravewhisper Cabals use necromantic magic to preserve their council as Undead creatures – typically vampires or liches. They utilize baser undead minions to provide physical labor and defense, and rely on incorporeal undead to aid their spy networks. Non-Illumian allies are also sometimes turned into freewilled undead to preserve their value to the Cabal. Gravewhisper Cabals typically produce fewer children – since respected elders don’t die of old age, the birth rate must be kept low to avoid overpopulation. The Blackshroud Cabal: Uniquely among Gravewhisper Cabals, the Blackshroud Cabal developed the Ritual of the Necropolitan, based in part on the portion of the Ritual of Words Made Flesh that they keep. This ritual transforms the subject into an intelligent, free willed undead creature. Though painful, the Necropolitan ritual has many benefits over other forms of undeath. Unlike a vampire the subject has no need or craving for any particular sustenance. Unlike a lich, the subject need not be a powerful spellcaster. Unlike other forms of undead, a Necropolitan maintains its sentience, abilities, soul, and ethical outlook. As with other Gravewhisper Cabals, the Blackshroud Cabal also sometimes transforms non-Illumian allies into intelligent undead to preserve their usefulness, and they use the Necropolitan ritual for this as well. Early Years: Blackshroud Rhodrik was born on the eve of the Winter Solstice 28 years ago. As a child, he was recognized as a prodigy of the Necromantic Arts, one of the finest ever born into the Blackshroud Cabal. He quickly mastered the key principles, and had a natural flair for dark magic and negative energy that went well beyond any sorcerer. He also possessed a cunning and observant patience, a manipulative nature, and, when useful, could call upon a dispassionate cruelty that gave him a potent edge in the Blackshroud Cabal’s internal politics. Even his rivals respected him; for social maneuvering is the backbone of Illumian culture, and it rarely creates lasting enemies. Soon Rhodrik was invited into the ranks of the Necropolitans, one of the youngest to achieve the honor. Frustrated Ambition: Eventually, Blackshroud Rhodrik’s ambitious rise was thwarted. The Black Table of the Blackshroud Cabal were all undead themselves. With a dozen powerful and respected undead Illumians in his way, each as manipulative and ambitious as he was, Rhodrik realized that it would be decades, if not centuries, before he could achieve a higher rank in his Cabal then he already held. He decided that the best way to move past those who stood between him and advancement was to seek knowledge and power from sources outside his Cabal. So it was that Rhodrik applied to become a ‘Seeker of Lore’; an Illumian who searches the world outside of his cabal for rare tomes, maps of ancient ruins, and items of historical or magical significance. A call to Adventure: Knowing that the outside world was frequently distrustful of Illumians, and both hated and feared the undead, Rhodrik concealed his true nature and that of his powers. So it was that Blackshroud Rhodrik became Roderick Pale, traveling adventurer. He used his prodigious skills of disguise, coupled with a hat imbued with illusory magic, to hide his undead nature. He typically travels with his Illumian sigils suppressed, manifesting them only when in danger, and then trying to pass them off as a short duration protective ward. He typically avoids outright use of undead, and passes off his smattering of touch attacks, curses, and his ability to self heal as minor magical tricks he’s picked up in his travels. Though he can be cruel – such cruelty is more a honed tool then his natural disposition – his alignment is Neutral, not evil. He wears a fine, if unassuming cloak over a simple suit of chain, and carries gear appropriate to an adventurer of his experience. Strangers might assume he was a normal human – perhaps some some mix of sorcerer and fighter. In truth, this is what Roderick prefers. An Illumian’s Allies: Knowing adventuring life to be fraught with danger, Roderick quickly sought out a group of adventuring companions to join, and found a group to which he could sell his unique mix of talents. Early relations with these companions were strained, as Roderick’s natural inclination was to find the social power structure in any group and manipulate his way to the top, primarily through subtle threats. This did not go over well. Further, Illumians form and strengthen alliances with each other through by making themselves indispensable – they become involved in each others secrets work their fingers into each others plots, until the breaking the alliance becomes an unthinkable risk. But what was appropriate in his old home was again counterproductive outside of it: his subtle prying put off some of his new companions as much as his veiled threats and social maneuvering. A New Cabal: However, it did not take Roderick long to adapt to the accepted social interactions of the group, and after proving his worth several times, including saving the party from a group of powerful undead by turning them against each other, he was welcomed as one of their own. Roderick Pale now thinks of these adventuring companions as his new Cabal, and would risk his life, or sacrifice the lives of others, to defend them. Though he still frequently thinks of home, and still sends important finds and information back too them, Roderick has begun to feel that perhaps his old Cabal was too small, too secluded, and he wonders if even an invitation to a seat at the Black Table itself could bring him home. He does not want to see his new friends age and die, however, and has recently been trying to slowly convince some of them of the virtues of undeath, while communicating the virtues of these same companions to his superiors in the Blackshroud Cabal. What the Party Knows: If you can detect alignments, then you know Roderick to be Neutral. If you can detect undead, you know him to be such. All of Roderick’s companions know by now that he is an Illumian (though you probably knew before he told you if you have many ranks in Knowledge: Arcana), and a Lore Seeker for the Blackshroud Cabal. Roderick has carefully judged the opinions of his allies about death and the undead, and he revealed his nature as a Necropolitan and a Dread Necromancer, and the Blackshroud's nature as a Gravewhisper Cabal, to those who had a neutral or better bias – though he asked them to keep the secret from those allies more fearful and distrustful of the undead while he slowly attempts to work their opinions around. If you have been with the group long, you may recall Roderick’s early time with the party, the veiled threats, social maneuvering, and subtle prying that set everyone on edge. Though he has long since stopped such behavior, at least, within the party, and has proved his loyalty many times over, it may still color your opinion of him, if your character tends to make lasting judgments based on first impressions.
Terjon of the Blue Rose 02-23-08, 11:06 PM	It's an interesting character but there isn't much background. While we learn a good deal about him from what you have we don't learn much about how he came to be who he is. For example Illumians are supposed to hold diversity in very high regard, right? Even in a cabal that focuses on necromancy I would imagine most of the leaders are generalist wizards or sorcerers. How then did other see your choice to devote yourself so fully to a single art? Why did you choose to do it in the first place? What earned you the right to undergo the necropolitan ritual and how did that honor affect you? I assume if population is a concern not everyone gets to. You are a manipulative character by nature but who taught you that art? I understand you grew up around a great deal of manipulation but if it's a natural talent where did you hone it with parents, teachers, or higher ranking officials in the cabal? If it's not something you were born to who first taught the art of subterfuge to you?
malisteen 02-24-08, 12:30 AM	Good questions, thank you! Will ponder and update in a while.