Maenad Paladin of Ilmater [Archive] - Wizards Community

Maenad Paladin of Ilmater [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
OatsMalone
10-26-07, 12:43 AM So I'm playing this maenad paladin of Ilmater named Tor Valentin. The game is starting at level 2; his stats (rolled randomly in view of the group, and unfairly above average) are as follows: Str 17, Dex 13, Con 16, Int 15, Wis 15, Cha 17. He's currently wearing simple-looking but masterworked banded mail, and wields an average-looking, somewhat nice longsword, also humbly masterworked. He bears a longbow, but doesn't utilize it much.

The real draw of the character is how well the maenad personality would fit with the Church of Ilmater. The intense rage that the maenad is cursed with is kept under by the doctrines of the Church; Tor believes his anger to be evil and sinful, and is trying to lose himself in aiding others and the worship of Ilmater.

But like Ilmater himself, in the face of great suffering and injustice, the maenad lets out a roar (his only feat is Kiai Shout) and goes into a rage, both mechanically and for flavor. He then profusely apologizes to his allies for frightening them, and prays to Ilmater to forgive him for giving into his unholy rage.

He's very quiet, and is utterly calm and a picture of self-control. He's considerably more withdrawn than a crusading paladin should be, but when he does speak, people listen. Like any maenad, his words are efficient and succinct; if anything, he's even more abrupt than his brethren.

So what I want from the boards is ideas on where to go in pursuing the "roar of rage" route. He already has Kiai Shout and the maenad ability to use a sonic energy ray. Other feats I might look into include things that allow him to take on the suffering of others, to intercede for their behalf.

I think I have a good idea of how I'm going to roleplay him, but I won't turn down tips or quirks.
Terjon of the Blue Rose
10-26-07, 01:07 AM Interesting character. Where's the cursed rage come from?
Uberwoot
10-26-07, 02:15 AM Where's the cursed rage come from?

Maenads have a pair of racial abilities that are characterized as a sudden outburst that releases their pent-up emotions. I actually had to look it up, as I'm not -that- familiar with psionic races... I was drawn in by the title mention of Ilmater. I'm a sucker for Ilmatari, especially paladins.

If I recall correctly, the Divine Champion prestige class (which I believe I remember being in the Player's Guide to Faerūn) has a personal boost ability (divine fury, or something like that) which could be flavored to match your character.

/woot
Terjon of the Blue Rose
10-26-07, 02:25 AM Ah. Well then. The only real suggestion I can give for roleplaying him is to consider that he knows of the racial outburst he suffers from and focus to some extent on finding a means of controlling them. It may well even be why he began his paladin's training.

Do you have a background written up for the character or were you just looking for suggestions on playing him?
CrimsonDeath
10-26-07, 04:05 AM So what I want from the boards is ideas on where to go in pursuing the "roar of rage" route. He already has Kiai Shout and the maenad ability to use a sonic energy ray. Other feats I might look into include things that allow him to take on the suffering of others, to intercede for their behalf.

Ordinarily, I'm hesitant to mention Complete Psionic, but it does have some Maenad racial feats to build on their psi-like abilities.
Terjon of the Blue Rose
10-26-07, 04:32 AM I would also suggest always wearing one of the ring focuses for shield other and making sure you give out several of the second one... not just to PCs either but to recurring NPCs as well. Its a waste of money most of the time but a good DM will give you at least one chance for it to pay off.
OatsMalone
10-26-07, 10:19 AM I'll look into Divine Champion; might be worthwhile. Hrm... why didn't I think of Complete Psionic? Thanks, CrimsonDeath.

Ring of Shield Other might work out; I was at least planning on preparing the spell when it became available.

I don't have a fleshed out background yet, because I know next to nothing about the Forgotten Realms (I run two Eberron games and am involved in a Grayhawk and non-D&D homemade game). I CAN say that he didn't go crazy and kill someone, especially his family. Ugh, I hate that trope. He actually received the call to become a paladin and accepted, knowing that the strict code he'd follow would keep his anger in check.
Uberwoot
10-26-07, 01:34 PM If it's any consolation, I skipped right over the Maenad racial feats in Complete Psionic because I was so single-mindedly looking for the racial stat block.

/woot
OatsMalone
10-26-07, 02:28 PM So... yeah. Next level he'll take Maenad Rage as his feat, giving him three uses of rage a day. That he can actually use in succession. He-yo!
Terjon of the Blue Rose
10-26-07, 10:52 PM The spell requires something like a 50gp platinum ring worn by both participants in the spell as a focus. Mind you, I'm not suggesting a magic item just handing out more than the neccessary number of focuses.
OatsMalone
10-27-07, 01:59 PM Yeah, that does make quite a bit of sense. Never know when the scout will run into trouble.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
OatsMalone 10-26-07, 12:43 AM	So I'm playing this maenad paladin of Ilmater named Tor Valentin. The game is starting at level 2; his stats (rolled randomly in view of the group, and unfairly above average) are as follows: Str 17, Dex 13, Con 16, Int 15, Wis 15, Cha 17. He's currently wearing simple-looking but masterworked banded mail, and wields an average-looking, somewhat nice longsword, also humbly masterworked. He bears a longbow, but doesn't utilize it much. The real draw of the character is how well the maenad personality would fit with the Church of Ilmater. The intense rage that the maenad is cursed with is kept under by the doctrines of the Church; Tor believes his anger to be evil and sinful, and is trying to lose himself in aiding others and the worship of Ilmater. But like Ilmater himself, in the face of great suffering and injustice, the maenad lets out a roar (his only feat is Kiai Shout) and goes into a rage, both mechanically and for flavor. He then profusely apologizes to his allies for frightening them, and prays to Ilmater to forgive him for giving into his unholy rage. He's very quiet, and is utterly calm and a picture of self-control. He's considerably more withdrawn than a crusading paladin should be, but when he does speak, people listen. Like any maenad, his words are efficient and succinct; if anything, he's even more abrupt than his brethren. So what I want from the boards is ideas on where to go in pursuing the "roar of rage" route. He already has Kiai Shout and the maenad ability to use a sonic energy ray. Other feats I might look into include things that allow him to take on the suffering of others, to intercede for their behalf. I think I have a good idea of how I'm going to roleplay him, but I won't turn down tips or quirks.
Terjon of the Blue Rose 10-26-07, 01:07 AM	Interesting character. Where's the cursed rage come from?
Uberwoot 10-26-07, 02:15 AM	Where's the cursed rage come from? Maenads have a pair of racial abilities that are characterized as a sudden outburst that releases their pent-up emotions. I actually had to look it up, as I'm not -that- familiar with psionic races... I was drawn in by the title mention of Ilmater. I'm a sucker for Ilmatari, especially paladins. If I recall correctly, the Divine Champion prestige class (which I believe I remember being in the Player's Guide to Faerūn) has a personal boost ability (divine fury, or something like that) which could be flavored to match your character. /woot
Terjon of the Blue Rose 10-26-07, 02:25 AM	Ah. Well then. The only real suggestion I can give for roleplaying him is to consider that he knows of the racial outburst he suffers from and focus to some extent on finding a means of controlling them. It may well even be why he began his paladin's training. Do you have a background written up for the character or were you just looking for suggestions on playing him?
CrimsonDeath 10-26-07, 04:05 AM	So what I want from the boards is ideas on where to go in pursuing the "roar of rage" route. He already has Kiai Shout and the maenad ability to use a sonic energy ray. Other feats I might look into include things that allow him to take on the suffering of others, to intercede for their behalf. Ordinarily, I'm hesitant to mention Complete Psionic, but it does have some Maenad racial feats to build on their psi-like abilities.
Terjon of the Blue Rose 10-26-07, 04:32 AM	I would also suggest always wearing one of the ring focuses for shield other and making sure you give out several of the second one... not just to PCs either but to recurring NPCs as well. Its a waste of money most of the time but a good DM will give you at least one chance for it to pay off.
OatsMalone 10-26-07, 10:19 AM	I'll look into Divine Champion; might be worthwhile. Hrm... why didn't I think of Complete Psionic? Thanks, CrimsonDeath. Ring of Shield Other might work out; I was at least planning on preparing the spell when it became available. I don't have a fleshed out background yet, because I know next to nothing about the Forgotten Realms (I run two Eberron games and am involved in a Grayhawk and non-D&D homemade game). I CAN say that he didn't go crazy and kill someone, especially his family. Ugh, I hate that trope. He actually received the call to become a paladin and accepted, knowing that the strict code he'd follow would keep his anger in check.
Uberwoot 10-26-07, 01:34 PM	If it's any consolation, I skipped right over the Maenad racial feats in Complete Psionic because I was so single-mindedly looking for the racial stat block. /woot
OatsMalone 10-26-07, 02:28 PM	So... yeah. Next level he'll take Maenad Rage as his feat, giving him three uses of rage a day. That he can actually use in succession. He-yo!
Terjon of the Blue Rose 10-26-07, 10:52 PM	The spell requires something like a 50gp platinum ring worn by both participants in the spell as a focus. Mind you, I'm not suggesting a magic item just handing out more than the neccessary number of focuses.
OatsMalone 10-27-07, 01:59 PM	Yeah, that does make quite a bit of sense. Never know when the scout will run into trouble.