Color mechanics: Turning [Archive] - Wizards Community

Color mechanics: Turning [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
boozerker
02-02-07, 02:15 PM It's reasonable that when being turned, undead should have a greater fear of clerics whose goodness shine powerfully. Yet the rules have undead cowering before neutral and evil clerics, which is hardly necessary since those already halt and command undead.

I've reassembled the (SRD) listed powers of clerics over undead, giving the (moral) alignments 3 powers each. Usually, an evil cleric has 4 powers (http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/specialAttacks.html#turn): halt, awe, control, or bolster. However it's just as easy to imagine undead cowering before a good cleric, in fear rather than awe. So let it be done.

Far as destroying undead goes, at first glance it might seem natural for a good cleric (to do so), but wouldn't giving the undead a peaceful rest or sacred ceremonies be even more good?

My thoughts are that alignment best fits Turning in the following ways.

Good. If turn attempts would destroy an undead creature, instead it lays peacefully to rest (as a corpse or spirit), incapable of undeath ever after. Otherwise, undead cower or flee.

Neutral. Positive energy -- halt, rout (drive off), or destroy undead. Negative energy -- halt, control or bolster undead.

Evil. Awe (rebuke), control or bolster undead.

Thougts?
Seeker95
02-02-07, 02:27 PM I like the direction a lot. I think you have stopped a bit early, but that is likely more a consequence of summary, not consideration. The four options ascribed to an Evil cleric could easily be paralleled for Good and Neutral clerics, with a bit of variability within these as well.

Definitely worth a bit more flesh. But before you flesh it out more here, consider submitting such an idea to Dragon Magazine for the Class Acts column. You have a good thing here, and it is worth money if you want to try that route.
boozerker
02-02-07, 02:49 PM Thanks Seeker.

It's brief so that DMs have more leeway in what "peaceful rest" means, but I see where you're going (I think), and will surely consider your advice.

:cookie:

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
boozerker 02-02-07, 02:15 PM	It's reasonable that when being turned, undead should have a greater fear of clerics whose goodness shine powerfully. Yet the rules have undead cowering before neutral and evil clerics, which is hardly necessary since those already halt and command undead. I've reassembled the (SRD) listed powers of clerics over undead, giving the (moral) alignments 3 powers each. Usually, an evil cleric has 4 powers (http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/specialAttacks.html#turn): halt, awe, control, or bolster. However it's just as easy to imagine undead cowering before a good cleric, in fear rather than awe. So let it be done. Far as destroying undead goes, at first glance it might seem natural for a good cleric (to do so), but wouldn't giving the undead a peaceful rest or sacred ceremonies be even more good? My thoughts are that alignment best fits Turning in the following ways. Good. If turn attempts would destroy an undead creature, instead it lays peacefully to rest (as a corpse or spirit), incapable of undeath ever after. Otherwise, undead cower or flee. Neutral. Positive energy -- halt, rout (drive off), or destroy undead. Negative energy -- halt, control or bolster undead. Evil. Awe (rebuke), control or bolster undead. Thougts?
Seeker95 02-02-07, 02:27 PM	I like the direction a lot. I think you have stopped a bit early, but that is likely more a consequence of summary, not consideration. The four options ascribed to an Evil cleric could easily be paralleled for Good and Neutral clerics, with a bit of variability within these as well. Definitely worth a bit more flesh. But before you flesh it out more here, consider submitting such an idea to Dragon Magazine for the Class Acts column. You have a good thing here, and it is worth money if you want to try that route.
boozerker 02-02-07, 02:49 PM	Thanks Seeker. It's brief so that DMs have more leeway in what "peaceful rest" means, but I see where you're going (I think), and will surely consider your advice. :cookie: