Help with a template - A creature which can not die [Archive] - Wizards Community

Help with a template - A creature which can not die [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
TwiddleStootch
03-03-08, 05:00 PM I am working on a new template, the main ability of which is that the creature can not die under normal circumstances. What I need help with is figuring an appropriate Level Adjustment for such a template.

Here is how it works:
If the deathless creature is ever killed, they will return to life in 1d4+1 days. If their body is destroyed, a new one will grow at some place of importance to the creature in 1d3 weeks. Either way, the character loses a level or loses 2 points of Constitution (as if having been raised). If they die while they are 1st level and with a Constitution score of 1 or 2, they can not come back (as it would reduce their Constitution score to 0). If the soul of the creature is trapped, they can not return to life until the soul is released.

I am looking at giving this ability, plus some ability bonuses (Probably just a +2 or +4 to Charisma) and a bonus on Will saves (they have a naturally strong will).

Another consideration is how they should be effected by aging. Should they age normally and just not die of old age? That seems to make the most sense to me.

So my question is, what do you think the LA on such a Template should be?

Thanks in advance.
mtbOgre
03-04-08, 04:08 PM I am working on a new template, the main ability of which is that the creature can not die under normal circumstances. What I need help with is figuring an appropriate Level Adjustment for such a template.

Here is how it works:
If the deathless creature is ever killed, they will return to life in 1d4+1 days. If their body is destroyed, a new one will grow at some place of importance to the creature in 1d3 weeks. Either way, the character loses a level or loses 2 points of Constitution (as if having been raised). If they die while they are 1st level and with a Constitution score of 1 or 2, they can not come back (as it would reduce their Constitution score to 0). If the soul of the creature is trapped, they can not return to life until the soul is released.

I am looking at giving this ability, plus some ability bonuses (Probably just a +2 or +4 to Charisma) and a bonus on Will saves (they have a naturally strong will).

Another consideration is how they should be effected by aging. Should they age normally and just not die of old age? That seems to make the most sense to me.

So my question is, what do you think the LA on such a Template should be?

Thanks in advance.

You might try looking at the ghost template and maybe the vampire template, both of which regenerate. You will probably get more replies in the Monsters Lair forum than here.
StevenO
03-04-08, 05:36 PM If you leave off the stat increases I could see using it as an EL +0 template for NPC creature although I guess you may need to charge the players +1 LA for the free Raise Dead effect. I can certainly see this type of immortality coming at no cost because a creature that gets "killed" is still removed from play for a time and comes back weaker than before.
wizarddog
03-08-08, 04:51 PM What about just using the clone spell?
fractal
03-09-08, 04:30 AM If you don't like someone who has this template, just kill them once, then set their body up in a booby trap that decapitates them again as soon as they move. Just wait patiently, eventually they'll die for good.
Max Octavious Xavier
03-09-08, 03:16 PM Here is how it works:
If the deathless creature is ever killed, they will return to life in 1d4+1 days. If their body is destroyed, a new one will grow at some place of importance to the creature in 1d3 weeks.
Isn't that similar to what the Lich template does.
Unless its phylactery is located and destroyed, a lich reappears 1d10 days after its apparent death.
Half_Dragon_Infernal
03-09-08, 04:00 PM Actually, this sounds a bit different than a Lich. Lich, no penalties for coming back. This, penalties, but always until the penalties are too much.
M-bark
03-09-08, 04:44 PM Instead of the body growing back, have it be an automatic Reincarnation.

Eventually, after becoming a duck or platypus or a grimlock for a few times, the PC will start getting a little more careful.
TwiddleStootch
03-10-08, 12:04 PM To answer the questions...

Clone is not readily available at any except high levels. This keeps the option in there from earlier. Also, this allows creatures to live beyond their natural maximum life span. Clone does not.

Yes, I thought of that and thought it was fine because there has to be some way to kill them. It just isn't easy.

Yes, it is similar to the Lich template, but with considerably different flavor. My idea is that these creatures are born this way, and many don't find out what they are until they come back from the dead.

Replicating reincarnation would be too chaotic for my taste, but if you like it go for it.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
TwiddleStootch 03-03-08, 05:00 PM	I am working on a new template, the main ability of which is that the creature can not die under normal circumstances. What I need help with is figuring an appropriate Level Adjustment for such a template. Here is how it works: If the deathless creature is ever killed, they will return to life in 1d4+1 days. If their body is destroyed, a new one will grow at some place of importance to the creature in 1d3 weeks. Either way, the character loses a level or loses 2 points of Constitution (as if having been raised). If they die while they are 1st level and with a Constitution score of 1 or 2, they can not come back (as it would reduce their Constitution score to 0). If the soul of the creature is trapped, they can not return to life until the soul is released. I am looking at giving this ability, plus some ability bonuses (Probably just a +2 or +4 to Charisma) and a bonus on Will saves (they have a naturally strong will). Another consideration is how they should be effected by aging. Should they age normally and just not die of old age? That seems to make the most sense to me. So my question is, what do you think the LA on such a Template should be? Thanks in advance.
mtbOgre 03-04-08, 04:08 PM	I am working on a new template, the main ability of which is that the creature can not die under normal circumstances. What I need help with is figuring an appropriate Level Adjustment for such a template. Here is how it works: If the deathless creature is ever killed, they will return to life in 1d4+1 days. If their body is destroyed, a new one will grow at some place of importance to the creature in 1d3 weeks. Either way, the character loses a level or loses 2 points of Constitution (as if having been raised). If they die while they are 1st level and with a Constitution score of 1 or 2, they can not come back (as it would reduce their Constitution score to 0). If the soul of the creature is trapped, they can not return to life until the soul is released. I am looking at giving this ability, plus some ability bonuses (Probably just a +2 or +4 to Charisma) and a bonus on Will saves (they have a naturally strong will). Another consideration is how they should be effected by aging. Should they age normally and just not die of old age? That seems to make the most sense to me. So my question is, what do you think the LA on such a Template should be? Thanks in advance. You might try looking at the ghost template and maybe the vampire template, both of which regenerate. You will probably get more replies in the Monsters Lair forum than here.
StevenO 03-04-08, 05:36 PM	If you leave off the stat increases I could see using it as an EL +0 template for NPC creature although I guess you may need to charge the players +1 LA for the free Raise Dead effect. I can certainly see this type of immortality coming at no cost because a creature that gets "killed" is still removed from play for a time and comes back weaker than before.
wizarddog 03-08-08, 04:51 PM	What about just using the clone spell?
fractal 03-09-08, 04:30 AM	If you don't like someone who has this template, just kill them once, then set their body up in a booby trap that decapitates them again as soon as they move. Just wait patiently, eventually they'll die for good.
Max Octavious Xavier 03-09-08, 03:16 PM	Here is how it works: If the deathless creature is ever killed, they will return to life in 1d4+1 days. If their body is destroyed, a new one will grow at some place of importance to the creature in 1d3 weeks. Isn't that similar to what the Lich template does. Unless its phylactery is located and destroyed, a lich reappears 1d10 days after its apparent death.
Half_Dragon_Infernal 03-09-08, 04:00 PM	Actually, this sounds a bit different than a Lich. Lich, no penalties for coming back. This, penalties, but always until the penalties are too much.
M-bark 03-09-08, 04:44 PM	Instead of the body growing back, have it be an automatic Reincarnation. Eventually, after becoming a duck or platypus or a grimlock for a few times, the PC will start getting a little more careful.
TwiddleStootch 03-10-08, 12:04 PM	To answer the questions... Clone is not readily available at any except high levels. This keeps the option in there from earlier. Also, this allows creatures to live beyond their natural maximum life span. Clone does not. Yes, I thought of that and thought it was fine because there has to be some way to kill them. It just isn't easy. Yes, it is similar to the Lich template, but with considerably different flavor. My idea is that these creatures are born this way, and many don't find out what they are until they come back from the dead. Replicating reincarnation would be too chaotic for my taste, but if you like it go for it.