For the Faerun RPers [Archive] - Wizards Community

For the Faerun RPers [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Ivarrius
07-14-03, 10:47 AM Do you think it is unfair to add the Chosen of Mystra template to a character in a campaign? As it turns out.. because of the role playing I have been doing in my campaign, and the way the story has been going, it is a possibility that my DM will be adding that to my Character in the near future.

Question is, I dont want to be too overpowerful, but who wouldnt want that sort of thing? I can't wait, but how would all of you deal?
Savras
07-14-03, 10:51 AM I advise you refrain from taking the Template.

Roleplay 'till you fall, enjoy, perhaps have Mystra answer one dire prayer and grant you a favour or two; strive to gaurd, nourish and protect both the Weave (=Mystra) and her Church; take quests from hder church, but leave the template out.

Unless all your fellow PCs also get +1000 to their ECL, you will ridicolously outshine them all.

Enjoy your game,
Savras
Faraer
07-14-03, 11:03 AM In terms of world consistency, assuming your DM understands what Chosen of Mystra are, new ones can be made.

In terms of your enjoyment, 'who wouldnt want that sort of thing' is most people. It's called Mystra's Burden, and your character would turn from a free-willed person to a strictly bound servant and receptacle of divine energy. It's a huge weight of responsibility.

In terms of game balance, the 3E rule is that the character won't gain any more levels until he's 'paid off' the template.

In terms of story structure, such quasidivine personages are more suited as NPCs. Your character, if played accurately, would become the thematic and plot focus of the campaign. The DM would have to do a lot of work in planning the actions of your character's new enemies.

So I'd advise against it, but *maybe* it would suit your group, especially for a short-term campaign.
Ivarrius
07-14-03, 11:31 PM Thanks. My DM is amazing at working together really cool storylines, and also at working very cool bonuses in for all characters in the game. We all have to make very solid backstories for our characters, adn it just so happens that Mine and the Rogue of the group have a very cool dynamic in both storyline and RP. The actual direction of the campaign seems to follow well with the template and vice versa. Yes it is understood that the template would mean a bit of an overpowering character (by CR +4).

Thanks for the help.
Thrudjelmer
07-15-03, 07:56 AM Well, I've got a player in my campaign who is striving towards ascending to godhood, and I may well let him have it... and that's a lot bigger than a Chosen template.

Of course, the way I'll be working the game mechanics is similar to Savage Species monster class progression... basically, once the player achieves the notiriety and divine sponsorship necessary, he will be permitted to start taking levels in a special class I'll design. The idea is to give him the benefits of Divine Rank 0 over several (epic) levels while the other characters continue to gain class levels in the epic range.

Of course, once the player reaches the pinnacle of Divine Rank 0, he will have to gain one more level to ascend to Divine Rank 1, thereby removing him from active play and establishing the character as an NPC and new religion in the Forgotten Realms.
Savras
07-15-03, 08:05 AM Just remember that CR is not ECL, if the ECL is below 10 than you calculated wrong.

Savras
Ivarrius
07-15-03, 10:38 AM The template in Forgotten realms Campaign setting says CR +4.
(I didn't do any calulations of my own.) The DM and I also worked out that, if this happens, initially I will be spending a lot of time in Silverymoon, working at the lady's college, and thus spending a fair amount of EXP on items and such, in order to help balance out the difference. There may be a session or two where I am learning new spells, studying, creating etc, while the rest of the group are adventuring.

I guess its all still very hypothetical, but I appreciate all your input. keep it coming.

Thanks. Ivarrius
Savras
07-15-03, 11:08 AM CR and ECL are *not* the same.

For instance, half celestial is CR +1.
Aasimar is ECL +1.

Need I say more?

Savras
Ivarrius
07-15-03, 12:05 PM You might have to. You didn't really say anything.

I don't understand how else you would calculate that, and I am not the DM. So if you have more insight into this.. post up. Because perhaps I don't understand.
Iuducium
07-15-03, 01:24 PM Not a single bit of ECL is raised when you take the Chosen of Mystra template. The CR is raised by 4 because of the special abilities.

I see absolutely no reason for your DM to not grant you the template, if you have done a valid amount of work and have shown that you are good candidate to become a powerful servant of the Lady.

You would have to go wherever Mystra told you to, but most of the time, that seems to involve plenty of fun and adventure (Silverfall, anyone?).

Heck, you'd still probably adventure all around Faerūn, seeing as most of the Chosen now don't go anywhere unless it threatens the entire freakin' world.
tauster
07-15-03, 04:08 PM question about the chosen: do other gods also have chosen?

the only concept occuring to me that of that resembles this is the speciality- priest of 2nd edition (we still play 2nd edition, converting some of the 3rd ed.- stuff to our house rules...), but that“s way less- powered...

i plan to let one of my players become a chosen of kelemvor, or at least grant him some powers beyond the ones a usual (speciality) priest commands. think of someone like the vampirehunter from the two john carpenter "vampires" -movies, pepped up with magic... :fight!: :)

thankfully none of my players are rules lawyer, so i do not need hard- and fast rules... but some guidelines would help!

tauster
Ivarrius
07-15-03, 08:15 PM There is also a Chosen of Bane Template in F&P, Page 213. It has somewhat different powers than the chosen of Mystra, but it is just as powerful.

Check it out, and compare it to Mystra's template in FRCS, and maybe build one of your own. As far as I know, these are the only two templates that are called chosen.

Azuth has the Magister, In MoF, and it is also quite powerful, but there is only ever one Magister in existence.
Prendiloriasslyth
07-16-03, 12:24 PM ...and the current Magister is Elminster. The magister is tasked with spreading the teachings of the Art, and helping people learn new spells as well as making his/her own.

I think both being the Chosen of Mystra and/or the Magister would add levels upon levels of responsibilities on said PC that may possibly clash with those of the party, and of course will add benefits to the Chosen that the party will probably not match up to.
Thrudjelmer
07-16-03, 01:14 PM Originally posted by tauster
the only concept occuring to me that of that resembles this is the speciality- priest of 2nd edition (we still play 2nd edition, converting some of the 3rd ed.- stuff to our house rules...), but that“s way less- powered...

That's a very inaccurate way to look at Chosen. The specialty priest of 2nd Edition is reflected in all 3E clerics with the addition of cleric Domains and diety Favored Weapons. Taking the idea a step further, certain prestige classes really specialize the cleric toward worship of his chosen diety... thus, specialty priest.

The various Chosen of the different gods are special servants that are outside the church hierarchy; they need not be clerics or divine spellcasters at all. They are favored above all others* by their respective god and are given special abilities to perform special duties.

(* Except Mystra who maintains at least 9 favored beings to see to her special needs. While I'm sure all the greater gods can have more than one Chosen, it doesn't necessarily fit into their mission statement... Bane, for example, doesn't need a half dozen perfect tyrants running around, just one. Anything more and it lessens each one's ability to bring everyone else into line.)
Ivarrius
07-16-03, 06:53 PM Is Elminster listed as the Magister, or is that in the novels somewhere? ( I haven't read the Elminster novels)

I looked at his write up in FRCS, and I didn't see it listed there. Am I missing it? I would like to read over that if I am.
Faraer
07-16-03, 06:56 PM No, Elminster isn't and has never been the Magister. The most recent Magisters are Nouméa Drathchuld (1354-1370) and Talatha Vaerovree (1370-).
Desies
07-17-03, 12:27 AM I always just assumed Elminister was the magister. Are there any stats anywhere on those other two guys?
Azuth
07-17-03, 01:44 PM A writeup on Talatha Vaerovree can be found at the end of Magic of Faerūn, while Nouméa Drathchuld is found in the 2e supplement Secrets of the Magister.

As for the rules concerning who gets chosen as the Magister, there is among other criteria a rule which says that none who's been touched by a god, that is having been a chosen or special servant of a divine power, will be elected for the office.

This is to ensure that the Magister is under no compulsion or pressure to use the powers the office bestows to anything but the furthering of magic throughout Faerūn.
Thrudjelmer
07-17-03, 02:25 PM Yes, very much unlike Mystra's servants who are given what seems like free reign to use her gifts to further their own do-gooder agendas.
WraithXIII
07-19-03, 09:38 AM I think you should take the template only if you know you can control how you use it. If you plan to \use it to unbalance the game, then walk away from it. If you plan to use it in a fair and balnced matter, then by all means, enjoy.
In our game on Faerun, one of my characters became a diety, and some of the PC's now worship him. Since this diety is my character, yet I am playing another character, the DM and I collaborate on answers and I have told the players to not ask for much, all in the interest of keeping balance in the game. To top that off, I play the half god son of this diety in our epic quest. With an INT of 55 and a WIS of 54, sometimes its hard to not take advantage of the DM's schemes, and I have learned to be creative with my magic. I have a tendency to stand back in certain situations and let the other players do what they may. But I have jumped in and wreaked some havok here and there(like killing the slaver I met with a delayed blast fireball down his throat...messy) I like to keep game balance and only last night I told my DM that he should send some serious guns after us, which now he is. Overall, balance is the biggest issue, and if you can play the template without endangering it, go for it.
GoodOlWillickers
07-19-03, 12:02 PM You could do it, but make the power of being chosen somewhat unkown to the character. Or even make the fact that he is chosen unkown. Reveal it subtly at times when it's needed.

For example, in a 2e campaign I had an intelligent katana +5 named Guidian. Guidian had bajillions of powers, but when I got him I didn't know what they were. I learned that it would return when I threw it when I threw it into a pit of infinite negative energy to free Orcus (looooooong story there). I learned it could absorb fireballs and stuff when I was cowering in a corner when a mage threw a lightning bolt at me and Guidian happened to be in front of me.

Also, add some kind of drawback to it. The main one of Guidian was that whenever it talked, I was the only one who could hear it so the entire party thought I was bonkers.

Make it fair for the other players, too. Don't leave them out. Also to be the chosen of a god is not easy at all, otherwise every high level adventurer would be a chosen.

Peace
-Will
http://www.angelfire.com/md2/willspalace

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Ivarrius 07-14-03, 10:47 AM	Do you think it is unfair to add the Chosen of Mystra template to a character in a campaign? As it turns out.. because of the role playing I have been doing in my campaign, and the way the story has been going, it is a possibility that my DM will be adding that to my Character in the near future. Question is, I dont want to be too overpowerful, but who wouldnt want that sort of thing? I can't wait, but how would all of you deal?
Savras 07-14-03, 10:51 AM	I advise you refrain from taking the Template. Roleplay 'till you fall, enjoy, perhaps have Mystra answer one dire prayer and grant you a favour or two; strive to gaurd, nourish and protect both the Weave (=Mystra) and her Church; take quests from hder church, but leave the template out. Unless all your fellow PCs also get +1000 to their ECL, you will ridicolously outshine them all. Enjoy your game, Savras
Faraer 07-14-03, 11:03 AM	In terms of world consistency, assuming your DM understands what Chosen of Mystra are, new ones can be made. In terms of your enjoyment, 'who wouldnt want that sort of thing' is most people. It's called Mystra's Burden, and your character would turn from a free-willed person to a strictly bound servant and receptacle of divine energy. It's a huge weight of responsibility. In terms of game balance, the 3E rule is that the character won't gain any more levels until he's 'paid off' the template. In terms of story structure, such quasidivine personages are more suited as NPCs. Your character, if played accurately, would become the thematic and plot focus of the campaign. The DM would have to do a lot of work in planning the actions of your character's new enemies. So I'd advise against it, but maybe it would suit your group, especially for a short-term campaign.
Ivarrius 07-14-03, 11:31 PM	Thanks. My DM is amazing at working together really cool storylines, and also at working very cool bonuses in for all characters in the game. We all have to make very solid backstories for our characters, adn it just so happens that Mine and the Rogue of the group have a very cool dynamic in both storyline and RP. The actual direction of the campaign seems to follow well with the template and vice versa. Yes it is understood that the template would mean a bit of an overpowering character (by CR +4). Thanks for the help.
Thrudjelmer 07-15-03, 07:56 AM	Well, I've got a player in my campaign who is striving towards ascending to godhood, and I may well let him have it... and that's a lot bigger than a Chosen template. Of course, the way I'll be working the game mechanics is similar to Savage Species monster class progression... basically, once the player achieves the notiriety and divine sponsorship necessary, he will be permitted to start taking levels in a special class I'll design. The idea is to give him the benefits of Divine Rank 0 over several (epic) levels while the other characters continue to gain class levels in the epic range. Of course, once the player reaches the pinnacle of Divine Rank 0, he will have to gain one more level to ascend to Divine Rank 1, thereby removing him from active play and establishing the character as an NPC and new religion in the Forgotten Realms.
Savras 07-15-03, 08:05 AM	Just remember that CR is not ECL, if the ECL is below 10 than you calculated wrong. Savras
Ivarrius 07-15-03, 10:38 AM	The template in Forgotten realms Campaign setting says CR +4. (I didn't do any calulations of my own.) The DM and I also worked out that, if this happens, initially I will be spending a lot of time in Silverymoon, working at the lady's college, and thus spending a fair amount of EXP on items and such, in order to help balance out the difference. There may be a session or two where I am learning new spells, studying, creating etc, while the rest of the group are adventuring. I guess its all still very hypothetical, but I appreciate all your input. keep it coming. Thanks. Ivarrius
Savras 07-15-03, 11:08 AM	CR and ECL are not the same. For instance, half celestial is CR +1. Aasimar is ECL +1. Need I say more? Savras
Ivarrius 07-15-03, 12:05 PM	You might have to. You didn't really say anything. I don't understand how else you would calculate that, and I am not the DM. So if you have more insight into this.. post up. Because perhaps I don't understand.
Iuducium 07-15-03, 01:24 PM	Not a single bit of ECL is raised when you take the Chosen of Mystra template. The CR is raised by 4 because of the special abilities. I see absolutely no reason for your DM to not grant you the template, if you have done a valid amount of work and have shown that you are good candidate to become a powerful servant of the Lady. You would have to go wherever Mystra told you to, but most of the time, that seems to involve plenty of fun and adventure (Silverfall, anyone?). Heck, you'd still probably adventure all around Faerūn, seeing as most of the Chosen now don't go anywhere unless it threatens the entire freakin' world.
tauster 07-15-03, 04:08 PM	question about the chosen: do other gods also have chosen? the only concept occuring to me that of that resembles this is the speciality- priest of 2nd edition (we still play 2nd edition, converting some of the 3rd ed.- stuff to our house rules...), but that“s way less- powered... i plan to let one of my players become a chosen of kelemvor, or at least grant him some powers beyond the ones a usual (speciality) priest commands. think of someone like the vampirehunter from the two john carpenter "vampires" -movies, pepped up with magic... :fight!: :) thankfully none of my players are rules lawyer, so i do not need hard- and fast rules... but some guidelines would help! tauster
Ivarrius 07-15-03, 08:15 PM	There is also a Chosen of Bane Template in F&P, Page 213. It has somewhat different powers than the chosen of Mystra, but it is just as powerful. Check it out, and compare it to Mystra's template in FRCS, and maybe build one of your own. As far as I know, these are the only two templates that are called chosen. Azuth has the Magister, In MoF, and it is also quite powerful, but there is only ever one Magister in existence.
Prendiloriasslyth 07-16-03, 12:24 PM	...and the current Magister is Elminster. The magister is tasked with spreading the teachings of the Art, and helping people learn new spells as well as making his/her own. I think both being the Chosen of Mystra and/or the Magister would add levels upon levels of responsibilities on said PC that may possibly clash with those of the party, and of course will add benefits to the Chosen that the party will probably not match up to.
Thrudjelmer 07-16-03, 01:14 PM	Originally posted by tauster the only concept occuring to me that of that resembles this is the speciality- priest of 2nd edition (we still play 2nd edition, converting some of the 3rd ed.- stuff to our house rules...), but that“s way less- powered... That's a very inaccurate way to look at Chosen. The specialty priest of 2nd Edition is reflected in all 3E clerics with the addition of cleric Domains and diety Favored Weapons. Taking the idea a step further, certain prestige classes really specialize the cleric toward worship of his chosen diety... thus, specialty priest. The various Chosen of the different gods are special servants that are outside the church hierarchy; they need not be clerics or divine spellcasters at all. They are favored above all others* by their respective god and are given special abilities to perform special duties. (* Except Mystra who maintains at least 9 favored beings to see to her special needs. While I'm sure all the greater gods can have more than one Chosen, it doesn't necessarily fit into their mission statement... Bane, for example, doesn't need a half dozen perfect tyrants running around, just one. Anything more and it lessens each one's ability to bring everyone else into line.)
Ivarrius 07-16-03, 06:53 PM	Is Elminster listed as the Magister, or is that in the novels somewhere? ( I haven't read the Elminster novels) I looked at his write up in FRCS, and I didn't see it listed there. Am I missing it? I would like to read over that if I am.
Faraer 07-16-03, 06:56 PM	No, Elminster isn't and has never been the Magister. The most recent Magisters are Nouméa Drathchuld (1354-1370) and Talatha Vaerovree (1370-).
Desies 07-17-03, 12:27 AM	I always just assumed Elminister was the magister. Are there any stats anywhere on those other two guys?
Azuth 07-17-03, 01:44 PM	A writeup on Talatha Vaerovree can be found at the end of Magic of Faerūn, while Nouméa Drathchuld is found in the 2e supplement Secrets of the Magister. As for the rules concerning who gets chosen as the Magister, there is among other criteria a rule which says that none who's been touched by a god, that is having been a chosen or special servant of a divine power, will be elected for the office. This is to ensure that the Magister is under no compulsion or pressure to use the powers the office bestows to anything but the furthering of magic throughout Faerūn.
Thrudjelmer 07-17-03, 02:25 PM	Yes, very much unlike Mystra's servants who are given what seems like free reign to use her gifts to further their own do-gooder agendas.
WraithXIII 07-19-03, 09:38 AM	I think you should take the template only if you know you can control how you use it. If you plan to \use it to unbalance the game, then walk away from it. If you plan to use it in a fair and balnced matter, then by all means, enjoy. In our game on Faerun, one of my characters became a diety, and some of the PC's now worship him. Since this diety is my character, yet I am playing another character, the DM and I collaborate on answers and I have told the players to not ask for much, all in the interest of keeping balance in the game. To top that off, I play the half god son of this diety in our epic quest. With an INT of 55 and a WIS of 54, sometimes its hard to not take advantage of the DM's schemes, and I have learned to be creative with my magic. I have a tendency to stand back in certain situations and let the other players do what they may. But I have jumped in and wreaked some havok here and there(like killing the slaver I met with a delayed blast fireball down his throat...messy) I like to keep game balance and only last night I told my DM that he should send some serious guns after us, which now he is. Overall, balance is the biggest issue, and if you can play the template without endangering it, go for it.
GoodOlWillickers 07-19-03, 12:02 PM	You could do it, but make the power of being chosen somewhat unkown to the character. Or even make the fact that he is chosen unkown. Reveal it subtly at times when it's needed. For example, in a 2e campaign I had an intelligent katana +5 named Guidian. Guidian had bajillions of powers, but when I got him I didn't know what they were. I learned that it would return when I threw it when I threw it into a pit of infinite negative energy to free Orcus (looooooong story there). I learned it could absorb fireballs and stuff when I was cowering in a corner when a mage threw a lightning bolt at me and Guidian happened to be in front of me. Also, add some kind of drawback to it. The main one of Guidian was that whenever it talked, I was the only one who could hear it so the entire party thought I was bonkers. Make it fair for the other players, too. Don't leave them out. Also to be the chosen of a god is not easy at all, otherwise every high level adventurer would be a chosen. Peace -Will http://www.angelfire.com/md2/willspalace