Blood of Vol and Dread Necromancer? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Blood of Vol and Dread Necromancer? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
krocha
09-12-06, 12:09 PM Just curious on peoples thoughts on if this would be a good fit. Seems that most of what I read about the BoV is focused on Divine power but other then that the Dread Necro seems like a perfect class for a BoV Arcane caster. The Blood Magnus also seems like a good fit.

Thanks...

FYI: For those who haven't heard of it, the Dread Necromancer is a full 20 level class found in the Heroes of Horroe supplement.
DragonWatcher
09-12-06, 01:00 PM Yes and Yes. :)

Seriously, I couldn't agree more on either one.
darkthought
09-12-06, 03:33 PM I've always thought that the True Necromancer out of Libris Mortis fits more of the BoV mindset. Less dread, more "shadowy dealings".
Euangelion
09-13-06, 09:49 PM The trick with the Dread Necromancer is that it is such a good support class for undead, if Karrnath had them during the Last War in numbers, things might have gone differently. Can you imagine even a 4th level DN in the midst of a unit of Karnnathi skeletons and/or zombies? Yikes.
If I were to introduce them to a campaign, I would consider making the DN class a legacy of either the Qabalrin (sp?) of Xen'drik or of the Lords of Dust. Then it could be introduced through the Atur Academy as a very recent (as in post-Last War) discovery, making the PC basically the first humanoid ever to take that class in Khorvaire.
From a design standpoint, it seems a little much to give a light armor wearing spontaneous arcane spellcaster the full ability to rebuke/command/bolster undead. Very powerful combination. On the other hand, it must be a hoot to play.
Edymnion
09-13-06, 09:58 PM See, undead support for Karnnath was exactly the background I gave my BoV Dread Necromancer. Long story short was that karnnathi sorcerers that were caught before they manifested their powers on their own were trained by the BoV to become Dread Necromancers. Mine got rather upset when Kaius kicked the BoV out of Karnnath, and went with the BoV instead of staying with her country.

Anywho, the full background is in my "My PCs" thread over in People & Places if anybody wants to read it. Look for Eshrie Kesslar.
krocha
09-13-06, 10:06 PM The trick with the Dread Necromancer is that it is such a good support class for undead, if Karrnath had them during the Last War in numbers, things might have gone differently. Can you imagine even a 4th level DN in the midst of a unit of Karnnathi skeletons and/or zombies? Yikes.
If I were to introduce them to a campaign, I would consider making the DN class a legacy of either the Qabalrin (sp?) of Xen'drik or of the Lords of Dust. Then it could be introduced through the Atur Academy as a very recent (as in post-Last War) discovery, making the PC basically the first humanoid ever to take that class in Khorvaire.
From a design standpoint, it seems a little much to give a light armor wearing spontaneous arcane spellcaster the full ability to rebuke/command/bolster undead. Very powerful combination. On the other hand, it must be a hoot to play.

I know this will forge outrage from some but I was thinking of making it a legacy of the original elven line of Vol and maybe even mixed in a return of the Mark of Death.
Euangelion
09-14-06, 09:42 AM See, undead support for Karnnath was exactly the background I gave my BoV Dread Necromancer. Long story short was that karnnathi sorcerers that were caught before they manifested their powers on their own were trained by the BoV to become Dread Necromancers. Mine got rather upset when Kaius kicked the BoV out of Karnnath, and went with the BoV instead of staying with her country.

Anywho, the full background is in my "My PCs" thread over in People & Places if anybody wants to read it. Look for Eshrie Kesslar.

Well, I would be the first to say that any Karnnathi warlord commanding undead legions would be drooling at the prospect of seeding his units with Dread Necromancers, so I'm not saying it doesn't make sense. If it makes sense in a particular Eberron campaign for the DN to have been part of Karnnath all along, that's fine. But they are so good at what they do that their impact should be huge, because even one 1st level DN can greatly increase the effectiveness of an undead unit, more than even a cleric could. So my suggestiosn were more along the lines of answering the question "So, where have you been all my life?" Of course, another way of dealing with that question which keeps them rare enough so that they wouldn't necessarily have a such a big impact would be to say (quite reasonably, IMHO) that the prospective sorcerer/warmage who would also show the potential of channeling negative energy should be a very rare combination indeed.
Edymnion
09-14-06, 09:07 PM Well, its also important to remember that we are in Eberron, anyone with PC levels is going to be rare. Anyone with several levels in PC classes even more so. So an actual Dread Necromancer with levels is going to be a big deal, but they're going to be rare enough that you could only count on them being in big important battles. They're the elite troops.

I would be much more concerned with the impact of a Bone Knight in the ranks than I would be a Dread Necromancer.
krocha
09-15-06, 09:44 AM Slightly hijacking my own thread here but in listening to the suggestions people have made here, I'm thinking an even better connection is to tie the DN in with the original practices of the House of Vol and the Qabalrin.

That could be why they hadn't been mentioned before in regards to Karrnath and would tie into a way to start bringing back the House of Vol. As mentioned earlier, I've been looking for a good tie in to bring back the HoV and the Mark of Death, and a rogue (i.e. not cirrently a pawn/experiment of Erandis) elf DN who has manifested the MoD would be perfect. I'd also alter the Black Lore of Moil feat from the Complete Arcane to work with the Qabalrin Shapers of the Night sect. Maybe it's his/her practice of the DN traditions which help bring back the MoD.

One question along this though, who did the original House of Vol worship? I can't see it being their ancestors like the Aereni. Would they have been the originators of the Divinity Within?
Euangelion
09-15-06, 12:45 PM I would be much more concerned with the impact of a Bone Knight in the ranks than I would be a Dread Necromancer.
Good point, and a Bone Knight/Dread Necromancer team would be truly frightening.
Euangelion
09-15-06, 12:46 PM Would they have been the originators of the Divinity Within?
In a word, yes.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
krocha 09-12-06, 12:09 PM	Just curious on peoples thoughts on if this would be a good fit. Seems that most of what I read about the BoV is focused on Divine power but other then that the Dread Necro seems like a perfect class for a BoV Arcane caster. The Blood Magnus also seems like a good fit. Thanks... FYI: For those who haven't heard of it, the Dread Necromancer is a full 20 level class found in the Heroes of Horroe supplement.
DragonWatcher 09-12-06, 01:00 PM	Yes and Yes. :) Seriously, I couldn't agree more on either one.
darkthought 09-12-06, 03:33 PM	I've always thought that the True Necromancer out of Libris Mortis fits more of the BoV mindset. Less dread, more "shadowy dealings".
Euangelion 09-13-06, 09:49 PM	The trick with the Dread Necromancer is that it is such a good support class for undead, if Karrnath had them during the Last War in numbers, things might have gone differently. Can you imagine even a 4th level DN in the midst of a unit of Karnnathi skeletons and/or zombies? Yikes. If I were to introduce them to a campaign, I would consider making the DN class a legacy of either the Qabalrin (sp?) of Xen'drik or of the Lords of Dust. Then it could be introduced through the Atur Academy as a very recent (as in post-Last War) discovery, making the PC basically the first humanoid ever to take that class in Khorvaire. From a design standpoint, it seems a little much to give a light armor wearing spontaneous arcane spellcaster the full ability to rebuke/command/bolster undead. Very powerful combination. On the other hand, it must be a hoot to play.
Edymnion 09-13-06, 09:58 PM	See, undead support for Karnnath was exactly the background I gave my BoV Dread Necromancer. Long story short was that karnnathi sorcerers that were caught before they manifested their powers on their own were trained by the BoV to become Dread Necromancers. Mine got rather upset when Kaius kicked the BoV out of Karnnath, and went with the BoV instead of staying with her country. Anywho, the full background is in my "My PCs" thread over in People & Places if anybody wants to read it. Look for Eshrie Kesslar.
krocha 09-13-06, 10:06 PM	The trick with the Dread Necromancer is that it is such a good support class for undead, if Karrnath had them during the Last War in numbers, things might have gone differently. Can you imagine even a 4th level DN in the midst of a unit of Karnnathi skeletons and/or zombies? Yikes. If I were to introduce them to a campaign, I would consider making the DN class a legacy of either the Qabalrin (sp?) of Xen'drik or of the Lords of Dust. Then it could be introduced through the Atur Academy as a very recent (as in post-Last War) discovery, making the PC basically the first humanoid ever to take that class in Khorvaire. From a design standpoint, it seems a little much to give a light armor wearing spontaneous arcane spellcaster the full ability to rebuke/command/bolster undead. Very powerful combination. On the other hand, it must be a hoot to play. I know this will forge outrage from some but I was thinking of making it a legacy of the original elven line of Vol and maybe even mixed in a return of the Mark of Death.
Euangelion 09-14-06, 09:42 AM	See, undead support for Karnnath was exactly the background I gave my BoV Dread Necromancer. Long story short was that karnnathi sorcerers that were caught before they manifested their powers on their own were trained by the BoV to become Dread Necromancers. Mine got rather upset when Kaius kicked the BoV out of Karnnath, and went with the BoV instead of staying with her country. Anywho, the full background is in my "My PCs" thread over in People & Places if anybody wants to read it. Look for Eshrie Kesslar. Well, I would be the first to say that any Karnnathi warlord commanding undead legions would be drooling at the prospect of seeding his units with Dread Necromancers, so I'm not saying it doesn't make sense. If it makes sense in a particular Eberron campaign for the DN to have been part of Karnnath all along, that's fine. But they are so good at what they do that their impact should be huge, because even one 1st level DN can greatly increase the effectiveness of an undead unit, more than even a cleric could. So my suggestiosn were more along the lines of answering the question "So, where have you been all my life?" Of course, another way of dealing with that question which keeps them rare enough so that they wouldn't necessarily have a such a big impact would be to say (quite reasonably, IMHO) that the prospective sorcerer/warmage who would also show the potential of channeling negative energy should be a very rare combination indeed.
Edymnion 09-14-06, 09:07 PM	Well, its also important to remember that we are in Eberron, anyone with PC levels is going to be rare. Anyone with several levels in PC classes even more so. So an actual Dread Necromancer with levels is going to be a big deal, but they're going to be rare enough that you could only count on them being in big important battles. They're the elite troops. I would be much more concerned with the impact of a Bone Knight in the ranks than I would be a Dread Necromancer.
krocha 09-15-06, 09:44 AM	Slightly hijacking my own thread here but in listening to the suggestions people have made here, I'm thinking an even better connection is to tie the DN in with the original practices of the House of Vol and the Qabalrin. That could be why they hadn't been mentioned before in regards to Karrnath and would tie into a way to start bringing back the House of Vol. As mentioned earlier, I've been looking for a good tie in to bring back the HoV and the Mark of Death, and a rogue (i.e. not cirrently a pawn/experiment of Erandis) elf DN who has manifested the MoD would be perfect. I'd also alter the Black Lore of Moil feat from the Complete Arcane to work with the Qabalrin Shapers of the Night sect. Maybe it's his/her practice of the DN traditions which help bring back the MoD. One question along this though, who did the original House of Vol worship? I can't see it being their ancestors like the Aereni. Would they have been the originators of the Divinity Within?
Euangelion 09-15-06, 12:45 PM	I would be much more concerned with the impact of a Bone Knight in the ranks than I would be a Dread Necromancer. Good point, and a Bone Knight/Dread Necromancer team would be truly frightening.
Euangelion 09-15-06, 12:46 PM	Would they have been the originators of the Divinity Within? In a word, yes.