A cohort that isn't a cohort. [Archive] - Wizards Community

A cohort that isn't a cohort. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Lord Pendragon
11-06-04, 08:17 PM Could someone give me a rundown of the various abilities/creatures out there that provide a PC with a cohort that's not really a separate character? By this I mean a cohort that merges with the PC, or the PC's weapon, etc. etc.

I've picked up that there's a "Fiend of Possession" in the Fiend Folio that seems to work this way.

Any others?
Stoned Golem
11-07-04, 01:58 AM Cancer Mage from the BoVD gets a tumor "cohort". It gives benefits such as Uncanny Dodge and the ability to use spells on behalf of the main character a few times per day.
Dark_and_Stormy
11-07-04, 05:30 PM Comlete Divine's "Spirit Shaman" does, I think. Or maybe it's the old OA "Shaman"

Both are base classes, I can't remember which is which.
scrollreader
11-07-04, 05:32 PM Glimmerskins.
Fiend's of Possesions.
Incarnated Compression on Petal Bard (fine size w/ bardic music)

If you're Psionic, anything you can manifest FUSION on.
TemporalEnergon
11-07-04, 06:11 PM The item familiar feat in unearthed arcana.
Lord Pendragon
11-08-04, 04:26 AM So, so far we have:

Fiend of Possession (Fiend Folio)
Glimmerskin
Incarnated Compression on Petal Bard (source?)
Cancer Mage's tumor "cohort"

Is that all there is out there? A few questions for those of you who've played with these, or just know their abilities well:

1. I looked over the Glimmerskin, but it seemed fairly unplayable, since the host blows up when the positive energy reaches double hp. How does this work in actual play?

2. I'm assuming the Fiend of Possession is just that, a fiend. Is this correct? How difficult would it be to use the creature as a start and write up a non-fiend version? Perhaps even a celestial counterpart?

3. Is the Item Familiar as strong as an ordinary cohort? I've heard it mentioned in the forum, but assumed it was comparable to a wizard's familiar...
PhaedrusXY
11-08-04, 04:34 AM Fiend of Possesion is a prestige class available only to fiends (i.e. outsiders with the Evil subtype). It is in the Fiend Folio.
Lord Pendragon
11-09-04, 06:26 AM No other thoughts on these "cohorts"?

Perhaps I should have named the thread "OPTIMIZE MY NON-COHORT!" :D
scrollreader
11-09-04, 07:17 AM I recommend a Kaorti for your cohort. They are the lowest ECL that gets you the [Evil] subtype, and have some useful apell-likes abilities, besides.

You, of course, are a Kensai, or have an ancestral relic, or are a Samurai, or whatever. You amp the sword up to as much as you can, then take the Fiend of Possession for all it's worth.

It's worth noting that you don't, actually, have to be evil to have/use a fiend of possession. They just need the evil subtype. (which they keep, regardless of alignment.) This does mean, however, that they'll show up on detect evil. So be prepared for your cohort to demonstrate his reformed nature, or get yourself a good diplomacy score.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Lord Pendragon 11-06-04, 08:17 PM	Could someone give me a rundown of the various abilities/creatures out there that provide a PC with a cohort that's not really a separate character? By this I mean a cohort that merges with the PC, or the PC's weapon, etc. etc. I've picked up that there's a "Fiend of Possession" in the Fiend Folio that seems to work this way. Any others?
Stoned Golem 11-07-04, 01:58 AM	Cancer Mage from the BoVD gets a tumor "cohort". It gives benefits such as Uncanny Dodge and the ability to use spells on behalf of the main character a few times per day.
Dark_and_Stormy 11-07-04, 05:30 PM	Comlete Divine's "Spirit Shaman" does, I think. Or maybe it's the old OA "Shaman" Both are base classes, I can't remember which is which.
scrollreader 11-07-04, 05:32 PM	Glimmerskins. Fiend's of Possesions. Incarnated Compression on Petal Bard (fine size w/ bardic music) If you're Psionic, anything you can manifest FUSION on.
TemporalEnergon 11-07-04, 06:11 PM	The item familiar feat in unearthed arcana.
Lord Pendragon 11-08-04, 04:26 AM	So, so far we have: Fiend of Possession (Fiend Folio) Glimmerskin Incarnated Compression on Petal Bard (source?) Cancer Mage's tumor "cohort" Is that all there is out there? A few questions for those of you who've played with these, or just know their abilities well: 1. I looked over the Glimmerskin, but it seemed fairly unplayable, since the host blows up when the positive energy reaches double hp. How does this work in actual play? 2. I'm assuming the Fiend of Possession is just that, a fiend. Is this correct? How difficult would it be to use the creature as a start and write up a non-fiend version? Perhaps even a celestial counterpart? 3. Is the Item Familiar as strong as an ordinary cohort? I've heard it mentioned in the forum, but assumed it was comparable to a wizard's familiar...
PhaedrusXY 11-08-04, 04:34 AM	Fiend of Possesion is a prestige class available only to fiends (i.e. outsiders with the Evil subtype). It is in the Fiend Folio.
Lord Pendragon 11-09-04, 06:26 AM	No other thoughts on these "cohorts"? Perhaps I should have named the thread "OPTIMIZE MY NON-COHORT!" :D
scrollreader 11-09-04, 07:17 AM	I recommend a Kaorti for your cohort. They are the lowest ECL that gets you the [Evil] subtype, and have some useful apell-likes abilities, besides. You, of course, are a Kensai, or have an ancestral relic, or are a Samurai, or whatever. You amp the sword up to as much as you can, then take the Fiend of Possession for all it's worth. It's worth noting that you don't, actually, have to be evil to have/use a fiend of possession. They just need the evil subtype. (which they keep, regardless of alignment.) This does mean, however, that they'll show up on detect evil. So be prepared for your cohort to demonstrate his reformed nature, or get yourself a good diplomacy score.