Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Kensan_Oni 03-21-07, 11:08 AM	You know, due to lack of being tired last night, I was thinking, "You know, what would Vol, the last of the Mark of Death, be like if you were facing her in her strong hold?" ... and I started to write down ideas. Vol, a 16th level Wizard Liche with the Greater Mark of Death. (Least Cause Light Wounds, Lesser, Vampiric Touch, Greater Slay Living), with Leadership Feat High Preist - 14th Level Cleric Ghost with Leadership feat Champion - 12th level SwordWraith 2 9th Level Wizards 2 8th Level Clerics 2 6th level Fighters 4 5th Level Wizards 4 4th level Clerics 4 3rd Level Fighters 8 2nd Level Wizards, Fighters, and Clerics 16 1st level Wizards. Fighters and Clerics Other Creatures likely to be found in court 2 Shield Guardian Iron Golem Huge Fire, Water, Air, And Earth Elemental (From the typical Elemental Summoning Generators) Horned Devil (bound to Vol) Bone Devil (Bound to High Priest) A handful of shadows and an unlimited supply of skeletons. ... Do you think I missed anything?
law 03-21-07, 11:21 AM	If you have Libris Mortis I would make all her followers Necropolitans given that she would just be making her own court. Plus I would expect she would have plenty of Slaymates (also from libris Mortis) to use to boost there necromancy spells. But thats just right off the top of my head.
taski 03-22-07, 03:39 AM	Probably an artificer or two? Rogues for her spy network? Pirate ship as lookout and for defending the island? Scrolls, wands and other items for use as backup and contingency plans? Negative energy traps (harms living invaders and heals your undead minions!)? Vampires, mummies, or even another Lich (eek!)? Where's her phylactory? Where's her other safehouse? She has one, right?
Kensan_Oni 03-22-07, 03:51 PM	ya know, I wasn't exactly worried about where her phylactory is hidden... as far as I know, it's buried in cement 500 meters underground where no one can get to them... cause, you know, it would be foolish to put them someplace adventures, or backstabbing minions could get at them. I had thought about making the Cleric a Liche, but it occures to me Vol probably would be the jealous kind, and not wanting to share that kind of power with anyone. And really, I was just thinking the throne room itself. I wasn't thinking too far beyond that, cause you know... high level characters with scry and teleport tend to skip over those kind of details...
Kensan_Oni 03-22-07, 03:52 PM	Oh, and I should mention I do like all of your ideas, and I am sure someone will find this handy sometime... someday... in some game.
Yakman 03-22-07, 05:43 PM	Traps and the dead. Nothing else. Make it extra creepy--nothing makes a sound, nothing bleeds, you have no warning about what is going to hit you next.
The Fireballed Mage 03-23-07, 02:50 PM	At least 4 (and if we're all Eberron-ish, 12 + the real one) simulacrums of Vol herself. Sure they'll only be 8th level wizards at best, but how do know which is the real Lady of Death?
Kensan_Oni 03-23-07, 02:55 PM	At least 4 (and if we're all Eberron-ish, 12 + the real one) simulacrums of Vol herself. Sure they'll only be 8th level wizards at best, but how do know which is the real Lady of Death? Cause, you know, after that fifth scroll of Feeblemind cast upon the party, everyone's going to be a bit punch drunk to care...
Dragom 03-24-07, 02:13 AM	Point taken. Though it might be worth while to take a ghoul, straiten him up, put him in a courtiers outfit and hand him a glass of wine and a plate of orderve's... Make a handy surprise. No one really appreciates how smart ghouls are.
bad_phil 03-25-07, 06:50 PM	I think it's a very good setup. I would put vampires instead of lich as clerics....she seems to like vampires as spawns. Be careful about her mark of death, she can't use it!!! She's an undead and her mark is not compatible with that template(or any other). Her goal is to restore the power of her mark even if she's undead... Well I remember reading this in one books.
Kreistor2 03-26-07, 12:35 AM	Go heavy on elves. One of the BoV's goals is restoration of the Mark of Death, which is an elven mark. For this to work, elves need to be heavily involved in the BoV in order to cause teh genetic lines to mingle properly.
Wizardman 03-26-07, 01:40 AM	Go heavy on elves. One of the BoV's goals is restoration of the Mark of Death, which is an elven mark. For this to work, elves need to be heavily involved in the BoV in order to cause teh genetic lines to mingle properly. Many of these elves should have dragonmarks of some sort, as Vol would be concentrating on those bloodlines likely to produce dragonmarks to begin with.
Raziel_Brokodar 03-26-07, 02:17 AM	edit: it's been said lol! (though not from a design standpoint) Well Vol's type is undead so she couldn't use her dragonmark's granted abilities. So the power and abilities of it wouldn't matter, if you were designing Vol she could have a least and it wouldn't matter. If you're making her it'd be a waste of feats.
Nuclear_Buddha 03-26-07, 09:41 AM	Plus I would expect she would have plenty of Slaymates (also from libris Mortis) You rock, sir. Take the rest of the day off.
Recovering_Blackguard 03-26-07, 11:12 AM	I recently statted out (and created a backstory for) a 14th level wizard (Necromancer 11/Pale Master 3) as one of Vol's inner circle. But now I'm thinking that may be too high a level if Vol is "only" level 16. Is that canon?
Yakman 03-26-07, 11:43 AM	I recently statted out (and created a backstory for) a 14th level wizard (Necromancer 11/Pale Master 3) as one of Vol's inner circle. But now I'm thinking that may be too high a level if Vol is "only" level 16. Is that canon? Not necessarily. After all, Vol was spirited out of Aerenal by house loyalists. While Pale Masters are still alive, if the guy is an elf, it's not out of the question that one of these guys might still be alive.
Recovering_Blackguard 03-26-07, 12:48 PM	Not necessarily. After all, Vol was spirited out of Aerenal by house loyalists. While Pale Masters are still alive, if the guy is an elf, it's not out of the question that one of these guys might still be alive. Vol was spirited away from Aerenal more than 2,000 years ago, and there's no way a still living elf would still be around that long. Plus my backstory is more of a young prodigy that recently joined Vol's court. I guess my question is, how canonical is it that Vol is only level 16?
Yakman 03-26-07, 04:20 PM	Vol was spirited away from Aerenal more than 2,000 years ago, and there's no way a still living elf would still be around that long. Plus my backstory is more of a young prodigy that recently joined Vol's court. I guess my question is, how canonical is it that Vol is only level 16? How canonical is it that all elves aren't level 20s?
taski 03-26-07, 05:35 PM	As with other villains like Kaius and the Lord of Blades (there are several official versions of the Lord of Blades at different levels), Vol's level is dependent on your campaign. So, by canon, Vol's level is whatever you need it to be.
Dragonlord20000 03-27-07, 10:28 PM	You forgot to put Vol as a half green dragon, which is canon. Also, while I completely agree with Taski, the ECS version of Vol is a 16 Wizard.
Daydreamer 03-27-07, 11:18 PM	vol is listed as level 16, but much like the lord of blades being listed at level 12, the idea was the pcs could 'encounter' the lord of blades/vol at mid level-early high levels, and survive an encounter, and that she would progress in levels with the pcs. Explaining her not leveling is easy enough, perhaps she has been intensely in hiding out of fear of the dragons..maybe only recently bc of certain developments is she starting to act. As an aside, i appreciate this tactic and find it makes alot of sense for say, the lord of blades, but i would have buffed vol up some more myself.
Recovering_Blackguard 03-30-07, 09:52 AM	You forgot to put Vol as a half green dragon, which is canon. Also, while I completely agree with Taski, the ECS version of Vol is a 16 Wizard. Actually what I realized after my initial post is that when you add in both her half-dragon and lich templates, Vol becomes CR 20, more where I'd imagined her anyway. And the flesh-stitched baboon familiar I gave her is a riot.
snakebliskan 03-30-07, 10:00 AM	Inmy campian Vol is epic VOL half green dragon elf wizard 16 evolved lich... ( she evolved 12 times out of the 26 she could have) I will post her stats if there is a desire but i dont have the time right now. srry
InfinityStar8 03-30-07, 10:31 AM	Inmy campian Vol is epic VOL half green dragon elf wizard 16 evolved lich... ( she evolved 12 times out of the 26 she could have) I will post her stats if there is a desire but i dont have the time right now. srry I, for one, would like to see some other peoples stats of Vol. Please post them. Thanks.
shadowpavement 03-30-07, 11:40 AM	And the flesh-stitched baboon familiar I gave her is a riot. Does the baboon also wear a jester's outfit with the bells? :D
Recovering_Blackguard 03-30-07, 05:48 PM	Does the baboon also wear a jester's outfit with the bells? :D It does now :P
Recovering_Blackguard 03-30-07, 05:49 PM	I, for one, would like to see some other peoples stats of Vol. Please post them. Thanks. I'll try to post mine over the weekend.
Recovering_Blackguard 03-31-07, 05:09 PM	I, for one, would like to see some other peoples stats of Vol. Please post them. Thanks. Ok. My take on Vol: Erandis d’Vol, NE female half-green dragon elf lich necromancer 16 CR 20 (+2 half-dragon template, +2 lich template) Size M (5 ft., 1 in. tall); HP 103; Init +7 (+3 Dex, +4 Improved Initiative); Spd 30 ft.; Defense: AC 24 (+3 Dex, +5 natural, +3 armor, +3 deflection); Touch 13; flat-footed 21; DR 15 / bludgeoning and magic; SR 16 (item); Turn Resistance +8 Immunities: Acid, cold, electricity, mind-affecting attacks, paralysis, poison,polymorph, sleep effects Attack +12/+7 melee, or +11/+6 ranged; Grapple +12 Bite +12/+7, 1d6+4 Claws +12/+7, 1d4+4 Touch attack (1/round) +12, 1d8+5 (Will SV DC 22 half damage) + permanent paralysis (Fort SV DC 22 negates) Breath weapon (30’ cone of acidic gas, 1/day) dmg 6d8, Reflex SV DC 11 half dmg) Saves: Fort n/a, Ref +11, Will +14; includes +2 enhancements from item Abilities: Str 18, Dex 16, Con n/a, Int 24 (includes +2 enhancement from item),Wis 14, Cha 18. Languages Spoken: Common, Draconic, Elven, Giant, Dwarven, Gnome, Goblin, Abyssal, Infernal. Skills: Concentration +10, Decipher Script +16, Hide +11, Knowledge (Arcana) +26, Knowledge (History) +26, Knowledge (Nobility) +26, Knowledge (Religion) +26, Knowledge (The Planes) +26, Listen +14, Move Silently +12, Search +17, Spellcraft +26, Spot +14, Use Magic Device +10 Feats: Bolster Resistance, Corpsecrafter, Fell Animate, Improved Initiative, Improved Turn Resistance, Least Mark of Death, Scribe Scroll, Spell Focus (Necromancy), Stitched Flesh Familiar, Summon Familiar, Undead Leadership. Special abilities: Alertness (when familiar is nearby), Darkvision 60’, Low light vision, Scry on Familiar, Undead Traits Possessions: Bracers of Armor +3, Cloak of Resistance +2, Headband of Intellect +2, Mantle of Spell Resistance 16, Ring of Protection +3, 2,000 gp Wizard Spells per Day (4/6/6/6/5/5/4/4/2) (0th to 8th level) Spell Save DC: 10 + 7 + spell level (+1 for necromancy spells) Prohibited schools: Abjuration, Enchantment.
Battlesmith 04-01-07, 10:41 PM	Traps and the dead. Nothing else. Make it extra creepy--nothing makes a sound, nothing bleeds, you have no warning about what is going to hit you next. Kind of like playing Silent Hill on mute. -Battlesmith
DanFor 04-02-07, 10:19 AM	I, for one, would like to see some other peoples stats of Vol. Please post them. Thanks. My version: Erandis d’Vol CR 20 LE Female half-dragon elf lich Nec14 Medium double-evolved undead dragon (green) Init +9; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; low-light vision; Listen +12, Spot +12 Aura fear (Will DC 25) Languages Common, Draconic, Elven, Gnoll, Gnome, Goblin, Orc, Sylvan AC 33 (Dex +5, natural +7, ring of protection +3, bracers of armor +6, staff of power +2), touch 20, flat-footed 28 hp 122 (14d12), DR 15/bludgeoning and magic, fast healing 6 Immune acid, cold, electricity, polymorph, mind-affecting effects, poison, sleep effects, paralysis, stunning, disease, death effects, critical hits, nonlethal damage, ability drain, energy drain, ability damage (physical), fatigue, exhaustion, any effect that requires a Fortitude save (unless it also works on objects or is harmless), death from massive damage, raise dead or reincarnate spells Resist +4 turn resistance SV Fort +10, Ref +15 (evasion), Will +17 (+19 vs. enchantments) Speed 30 ft.; slippers of spider climbing Melee staff of power +16 (1d6+12), or Melee touch +14 (1d8+5 negative energy damage plus paralysis, Will save DC 25 for half damage, Fortitude save DC 25 to negate paralysis), or Melee 2 claws +14 (1d6+7) and 1 bite +9 (1d4+3) plus 1d8+5 negative energy damage on one natural weapon attack Base Atk +7; Grp +14 Atk Options breath weapon (6d8 acid, 30 ft. cone, Reflex DC 17 for half damage); smite (double damage/charge) or retributive strike (staff of power) Spell-like Abilities (1/day; CL 14; DC 18): circle of death, unholy blight Spells Prepared (CL 15, DC 16 plus spell level or DC 17 plus spell level for necromancy spells, abjurations and illusions prohibited, 5/7/7/6/6/5/5/3): 0 – detect magic, flare (x2), touch of fatigue (x2); 1 – expeditious retreat, feather fall, magic missile, obscuring mist, ray of enfeeblement (x3); 2 – bear’s endurance, cat’s grace, see invisibility, spectral hand (x2), touch of idiocy, web; 3 – haste, magic missile (empowered), sleet storm, stinking cloud, suggestion, vampiric touch; 4 – acid arrow (empowered), bestow curse (x2), crushing despair, enervation (x2); 5 – baleful polymorph, lightning bolt (empowered), telekinesis, transmute rock to mud, waves of fatigue; 6 – disintegrate, eyebite, flesh to stone, ice storm (empowered), summon monster VI; 7 – finger of death, lightning bolt (quickened), limited wish Abilities Str 24, Dex 20, Con –, Int 22, Wis 14, Cha 26 SQ phylactery; Mark of Death (inert dragonmark) Feats Combat Casting, Empower Spell, Improved Initiative, Quicken Spell, Scribe ScrollB, Spell Focus (necromancy) Skills Concentration +23, Decipher Script +23, Diplomacy +13, Hide +17, Knowledge (arcana) +23, Knowledge (history) +23, Knowledge (religion) +23, Listen +12, Move Silently +17, Search +16, Sense Motive +10, Spellcraft +23, Spot +12 Possessions bracers of armor +6, cloak of resistance +4, ioun stone (orange prism), pearl of power (3rd and 5th), ring of evasion, ring of protection +3, scroll of summon monster VIII, slippers of spider climbing, staff of power (25 charges)
Kaodi 04-02-07, 10:25 PM	What the heck is this " evolved " business about?
snakebliskan 04-02-07, 10:56 PM	What the heck is this " evolved " business about? It is a template in libris mortis for intelligent undead! look it up makes them really nasty!
Kaodi 04-03-07, 08:37 AM	I whipped up a bare bones version of Vol last night (really, no pun intended, since my conception of Erandis is not really skeletal). For the sake of skills, and since she already breaks a few rules, I decided she was 6th level when she was lichified. Certainly, it's difficult to give her everything you'd want to in terms of skills and feats. Vol, female half-green dragon elf lich wizard 16, neutral evil Str 18, Dex 15, Con -, Int 26, Wis 17, Cha 20 Feats: craft staff, craft wondrous item, enlarge spell, extend spell, heroic spirit, mark of death, scribe scroll, spell focus (necromancy), quicken spell, undead empathy Skills: concentration +25, craft (alchemy) +12, decipher script +12, diplomacy +9 (+13 vs. intelligent undead), hide +10, knowledge (arcana) +27, knowledge (architecture and engineering) +11, knowledge (dungeoneering) +13, knowledge (geography) + 17, knowledge (history) +20, knowledge (local) +12, knowledge (nobility and royalty) +18, knowledge (nature) +13, knowledge (religion) +27, knowledge (the planes) +15, knowledge (psionics) +10, listen +11, move silently +10, search +16, sense motive +15, spellcraft +29, spot +11
bbthereaper 04-03-07, 11:45 AM	Y'know, as a half-dragon, she would've technically become a dracolich, which is even nastier than a normal lich (CR +3 instead of CR +2). Vol is an interesting piece of work. Also, as a sort of addition to the jealous lich thing mentioned, this page (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20040905a&page=4) has a creature that you might find with Vol.
snakebliskan 04-03-07, 12:34 PM	Y'know, as a half-dragon, she would've technically become a dracolich, which is even nastier than a normal lich (CR +3 instead of CR +2). Vol is an interesting piece of work. Also, as a sort of addition to the jealous lich thing mentioned, this page (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20040905a&page=4) has a creature that you might find with Vol. I dont believe a half dragon can become a dracolich due to the fact it isnt a dragon... its a dragon subtype! under dracolich it states that only evil dragons can become a dracolich and a half dragon isnt a dragon.
bbthereaper 04-03-07, 01:27 PM	Then what is a half-dragon? I'm looking at the half-dragon entry in the Monster Manual and it says that its type is dragon. And the dracolich entry just says evil dragon...it doesn't have to be a true dragon, just needs to be evil and of the dragon type.
Battlesmith 04-03-07, 02:33 PM	Then what is a half-dragon? I'm looking at the half-dragon entry in the Monster Manual and it says that its type is dragon. And the dracolich entry just says evil dragon...it doesn't have to be a true dragon, just needs to be evil and of the dragon type. I think she'd be treated under 'Augmented Elf" or some such. The normal ability for a dracolich to respawn after it's been physically destroyed requires another reptilian body nearby, that slowly shifts to appear as the original form of the dracolich's undead body. This would mean, if Vol were to use a Wyvern or something as her substitute body were she destroyed, you'd be looking at a Wyvern body reforming into a smaller, humanoid body. Even if she does qualify for Dracolich, which I'm not even sure about, I think I'd leave her as a standard lich just for the sake of flavour. -Battlesmith
snakebliskan 04-03-07, 09:01 PM	Then what is a half-dragon? I'm looking at the half-dragon entry in the Monster Manual and it says that its type is dragon. And the dracolich entry just says evil dragon...it doesn't have to be a true dragon, just needs to be evil and of the dragon type. Ok i just looked again.... the half dragon could technically become a dracolich. But the standard lich template in my opinion is way better in many ways.. one a lich if killed doesnt need another body to possess.... he just reforms 1d10 days later.. also a lich get bonuses to alot more stats and better hitdice, the lich has better DR also, and a better bonus to nat ac. so i cant see why anyone would think the dracolich template is better. the only redeaming thing in the dracolich as far as i can see is its special attacks but any self respecting party isnt going to get with in 40 ft (Gaze attack)unless your a fighter (ewww), but most of its oither specials arnt that good!
Faithful_One 04-03-07, 10:03 PM	Personally I've always chalked Vol being a Lich up to this simple fact: Magic has NO "rules." Now dont get me wrong, I wont be having my players go up against a Lich Red Dragon, but since Vol is only Half-Dragon and has the Mark of Death (which changes the rules about her a bit) then I don't see it as to much of a strech to have her be a Lich or Dracolich.
bbthereaper 04-04-07, 12:26 AM	Actually, looking at it, you're right, it's probably better (for her, anyway) if she's a lich. I guess they figured that paralyzing gaze to be pretty intimidating, since that's the only thing I see that justifies the increased CR. Unless I'm not seeing something. A dracolich automatically gets SR 16, if I'm reading it right. I wouldn't figure anyone at the point where they would be fighting Vol would have that much problem with it, though.
Daydreamer 04-05-07, 01:15 AM	speaking of vol etc. http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/eberron/959777400 it mentions for this adventure something about a new "The adventure uses a new combat encounter format designed to make the Dungeon Master’s job easier and to speed up play." does anyone know what this is about or means?