CON, EXP, and Ritualized Murder [Archive] - Wizards Community

CON, EXP, and Ritualized Murder [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
SammasterT
03-19-05, 11:21 PM As a matter of curiosity; in 2nd Ed. wizards were required to sacrifice CON points in order to work certain powerful spells. Likewsie, in 3+ ed.s, if I am not mistaken EXP is used to pay for the casting of certain spells and/or the creation of certain magic items.

I'm curious to know what folk think of evil wizards and priests, unwilling to depart with their own lifeforce, using ritualized murder as a means to provide a substitute, ie. someone elses lifeforce.
Endarire
03-20-05, 12:21 AM Investigate my Magesmith PrC (http://www.angelfire.com/alt2/endarire/Magesmith_PrC_1.7.htm), especially Siphon, for some ideas.

-EE
Dartanel
03-20-05, 12:24 AM Such a system is detailed within the book of vile darkness.
Nom
03-20-05, 07:04 AM I think it is an excellent "plot rule" - a rule which is designed to apply to plot-important characters and events. In such cases, you as DM should control how and when this rule is applied so as to maintain both plot coherency and game balance.

It may also be appropriate to allow PCs limited access to such a rule, if:
- it allows for a heroic sacrifice for the good of all.
- it gives you a reason to send "good" heroes to destroy "evil" PCs.

PCs should not be allowed to use this rule to turn the game into a "death for magic" monty haul.

One excellent limiter is to require complex rituals and special sites, available to your plot-significant villain but not to any old wizard. Some form of taint or penalty from using such magics may also be appropriate.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
SammasterT 03-19-05, 11:21 PM	As a matter of curiosity; in 2nd Ed. wizards were required to sacrifice CON points in order to work certain powerful spells. Likewsie, in 3+ ed.s, if I am not mistaken EXP is used to pay for the casting of certain spells and/or the creation of certain magic items. I'm curious to know what folk think of evil wizards and priests, unwilling to depart with their own lifeforce, using ritualized murder as a means to provide a substitute, ie. someone elses lifeforce.
Endarire 03-20-05, 12:21 AM	Investigate my Magesmith PrC (http://www.angelfire.com/alt2/endarire/Magesmith_PrC_1.7.htm), especially Siphon, for some ideas. -EE
Dartanel 03-20-05, 12:24 AM	Such a system is detailed within the book of vile darkness.
Nom 03-20-05, 07:04 AM	I think it is an excellent "plot rule" - a rule which is designed to apply to plot-important characters and events. In such cases, you as DM should control how and when this rule is applied so as to maintain both plot coherency and game balance. It may also be appropriate to allow PCs limited access to such a rule, if: - it allows for a heroic sacrifice for the good of all. - it gives you a reason to send "good" heroes to destroy "evil" PCs. PCs should not be allowed to use this rule to turn the game into a "death for magic" monty haul. One excellent limiter is to require complex rituals and special sites, available to your plot-significant villain but not to any old wizard. Some form of taint or penalty from using such magics may also be appropriate.