Please PEACH this NPC [Archive] - Wizards Community

Please PEACH this NPC [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Coridan
03-16-07, 11:59 PM This is a major NPC of my homebrew world (well, continent amongst my gaming group's homebrew world, we each have one continent/region to work with).

http://www.thetangledweb.net/profiler/view.php?id=4838

It's using the Psionics are Different variant

He's a Telepath who 243 years ago made a deal with Graz'zt to save his homeland from an evil empire. Graz'zt put an anti-magic field over the entire island (about 100 miles in diameter) and allowed the psionic populace (they replace their human bonus feat with Hidden Talent) to overthrow their fewer numbered overlords (they relied a lot on magic items). However should he ever exist in a body that is 30 years of age or older, Graz'zt gets to claim him. So he True Mind Switches into whomever he declares heir to his throne, then either Microcosms the old body and keeps it alive, or polymorphs it into someone else. He knows that if Graz'zt took him, he'd be used against his own people, so he sees no other alternative.

His own deity isn't happy with the situation, but wants to see how he'll resolve it himself. A few inevitables have attempted to come after him, but have failed miserably due to the anti-magic field and home-turf advantage (as a Thrallherd he's now Prince of the domain).

Character was built with 32 point buy. Attribute increases due to venerable age (mental stats only)

Original body had STR 9, DEX 14, CON 10,
Mind switched into body with 10 STR, DEX 16, CON 10

I don't know particularly what I want PEACHed (though if I made mistakes somewhere definately point them out) just wanna see what people think of it.
JulesCARV
03-17-07, 12:31 AM Looks good overall. My only problem is that it makes Graz'zt look like a bit of an idiot unless you give him more motivation for the whole "he's mine when the body turns 30" clause. The NG alignment may be a bit debatable, but I don't really want to turn this into an alignment thread so I'm not going to debate it.

One quibble -- how does he polymorph them into someone else? If there's no magic, there's no Polymorph Any Object. Metamorphosis is as close as it gets, and that is self-only and temporary.

Also, I think you forgot to add +4 to his diplomacy from synergies.
Coridan
03-17-07, 01:15 AM I just developed a Psionic version of Baleful Polymorph and Polymorph Any Object. The pp costs are mentioned in the other notes section.

Graz'zt was completely unfamiliar with psionics at the time and what they were capable of, but he's figuring out ways to get around it. That's a major part of a campaign storyline though so I can't reveal anything lest my players come across this thread.

As per the alignment, one neutral act every 15 years does not constitute a complete shift, or if it does, he quickly shifts back based on everything else he does (it's all also consentual, he draws his next body from amongst his thralls who are generally more than willing to go through with it).
Thomar_of_Uointer
03-17-07, 01:33 AM Polymerization Emancipate Affectionately Crawlspace Hamstrung? I don't think I can do that... However, I will tell you what I think about the ideas presented in your post, is that okay?

Very interesting Good use of true mind switch. Nice to see some creativity. But it still gives me the creeps, and this character makes a very good LG villain.

Anways, you don't need to say his alignment shifts every time he performs an evil act (if that was true, you'd never be able to have a piously true neutral character). Alignment is the underlying motivations behind a character, those only change if a character changes in a manner that would affect how he reacts to the world around him.

I'd like to see your psionic versions of the polymorph spells, just so we can critique you on it.
Coridan
03-17-07, 01:40 AM Baleful Polymorph, Psionic
Psychometabolism
Level: Psion/Wilder 5
Display: Visual
Manifesting time: 1 standard action
Range: Close (25 feet + 5 feet/2 levels)
Target: One creature
Duration: Instantaneous
Power Points: 9

As Baleful Polymorph, except as noted here.

PAO is just as similar to the spell. It's also psychometabolism and costs 15 power points.
Thomar_of_Uointer
03-17-07, 01:47 AM That's it? No augmentation? No ability to use baleful polymorph to turn someone into an inanimate object? Seems like a Psionic X to me, what's this adding to your game other than an easier method for your BBEG to dispose of corpses?
Coridan
03-17-07, 02:18 AM it was just a quick and dirty, it's not his main focus, just something he is capable of doing, I'm also not experienced enough with inventing high level psionic powers to want to risk overpowering the spell with augmentations. At least right now I know it's balanced.
Coridan
03-18-07, 12:18 AM Here's his first Thrall, Artemis, the firstborn of a pair of twins who would become the first and only Elans.

They're his chief guardians and aides, in combat they fusion together (the other twin, Apollo who I still have to stat out, is an 18 Egoist) and then greater metamorphisize into a Great Wyrm Gold Dragon (whom they met on their path to becoming Elans). Then take to the sky and wild surge their powers at enemies.

I'm not sure what they'll morph into when there's not enough room for a colossal creature yet.

http://www.thetangledweb.net/profiler/view.php?id=11638

Made with 32 point buy.

(in our group each of us is making a level 20 character to be the most powerful and influential NPC in our region/continent. We're all using 32 point buy and have agreed to use 32 point buy for any cohorts we may have. They are equipped using NPC gear value however)
cymbolik
03-19-07, 11:32 AM Is everyone building a psionic NPC, or are you the only one?
I ask because of your age modifiers.
If the other players/designers don't have access to the youthful bodies and the wisdom of the ages the way you do they may call foul play.
Coridan
03-19-07, 04:59 PM Of the 4 of 5 of us who've done it, we all have some sort of immortality.

The other (whose region is very icy) is a Cloud Anchorite, another is a Walker in the Waste (and a dry lich), the third who runs very gothic/horror games (in fact we're just about to start Ravenloft in his games) is a Vampire Beguiler.

The last guy is trying to figure out a way to be an immortal while keeping to an asian-flavored game.
Soel Griffin
03-19-07, 07:31 PM Of the 4 of 5 of us who've done it, we all have some sort of immortality.

The other (whose region is very icy) is a Cloud Anchorite, another is a Walker in the Waste (and a dry lich), the third who runs very gothic/horror games (in fact we're just about to start Ravenloft in his games) is a Vampire Beguiler.

The last guy is trying to figure out a way to be an immortal while keeping to an asian-flavored game.

Upcoming issue of Dragon (next month's, I believe,) has an article on immortals and a new race/template called Elders. Basically, its a way for players to gain immortality as a beginning option in play.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Coridan 03-16-07, 11:59 PM	This is a major NPC of my homebrew world (well, continent amongst my gaming group's homebrew world, we each have one continent/region to work with). http://www.thetangledweb.net/profiler/view.php?id=4838 It's using the Psionics are Different variant He's a Telepath who 243 years ago made a deal with Graz'zt to save his homeland from an evil empire. Graz'zt put an anti-magic field over the entire island (about 100 miles in diameter) and allowed the psionic populace (they replace their human bonus feat with Hidden Talent) to overthrow their fewer numbered overlords (they relied a lot on magic items). However should he ever exist in a body that is 30 years of age or older, Graz'zt gets to claim him. So he True Mind Switches into whomever he declares heir to his throne, then either Microcosms the old body and keeps it alive, or polymorphs it into someone else. He knows that if Graz'zt took him, he'd be used against his own people, so he sees no other alternative. His own deity isn't happy with the situation, but wants to see how he'll resolve it himself. A few inevitables have attempted to come after him, but have failed miserably due to the anti-magic field and home-turf advantage (as a Thrallherd he's now Prince of the domain). Character was built with 32 point buy. Attribute increases due to venerable age (mental stats only) Original body had STR 9, DEX 14, CON 10, Mind switched into body with 10 STR, DEX 16, CON 10 I don't know particularly what I want PEACHed (though if I made mistakes somewhere definately point them out) just wanna see what people think of it.
JulesCARV 03-17-07, 12:31 AM	Looks good overall. My only problem is that it makes Graz'zt look like a bit of an idiot unless you give him more motivation for the whole "he's mine when the body turns 30" clause. The NG alignment may be a bit debatable, but I don't really want to turn this into an alignment thread so I'm not going to debate it. One quibble -- how does he polymorph them into someone else? If there's no magic, there's no Polymorph Any Object. Metamorphosis is as close as it gets, and that is self-only and temporary. Also, I think you forgot to add +4 to his diplomacy from synergies.
Coridan 03-17-07, 01:15 AM	I just developed a Psionic version of Baleful Polymorph and Polymorph Any Object. The pp costs are mentioned in the other notes section. Graz'zt was completely unfamiliar with psionics at the time and what they were capable of, but he's figuring out ways to get around it. That's a major part of a campaign storyline though so I can't reveal anything lest my players come across this thread. As per the alignment, one neutral act every 15 years does not constitute a complete shift, or if it does, he quickly shifts back based on everything else he does (it's all also consentual, he draws his next body from amongst his thralls who are generally more than willing to go through with it).
Thomar_of_Uointer 03-17-07, 01:33 AM	Polymerization Emancipate Affectionately Crawlspace Hamstrung? I don't think I can do that... However, I will tell you what I think about the ideas presented in your post, is that okay? Very interesting Good use of true mind switch. Nice to see some creativity. But it still gives me the creeps, and this character makes a very good LG villain. Anways, you don't need to say his alignment shifts every time he performs an evil act (if that was true, you'd never be able to have a piously true neutral character). Alignment is the underlying motivations behind a character, those only change if a character changes in a manner that would affect how he reacts to the world around him. I'd like to see your psionic versions of the polymorph spells, just so we can critique you on it.
Coridan 03-17-07, 01:40 AM	Baleful Polymorph, Psionic Psychometabolism Level: Psion/Wilder 5 Display: Visual Manifesting time: 1 standard action Range: Close (25 feet + 5 feet/2 levels) Target: One creature Duration: Instantaneous Power Points: 9 As Baleful Polymorph, except as noted here. PAO is just as similar to the spell. It's also psychometabolism and costs 15 power points.
Thomar_of_Uointer 03-17-07, 01:47 AM	That's it? No augmentation? No ability to use baleful polymorph to turn someone into an inanimate object? Seems like a Psionic X to me, what's this adding to your game other than an easier method for your BBEG to dispose of corpses?
Coridan 03-17-07, 02:18 AM	it was just a quick and dirty, it's not his main focus, just something he is capable of doing, I'm also not experienced enough with inventing high level psionic powers to want to risk overpowering the spell with augmentations. At least right now I know it's balanced.
Coridan 03-18-07, 12:18 AM	Here's his first Thrall, Artemis, the firstborn of a pair of twins who would become the first and only Elans. They're his chief guardians and aides, in combat they fusion together (the other twin, Apollo who I still have to stat out, is an 18 Egoist) and then greater metamorphisize into a Great Wyrm Gold Dragon (whom they met on their path to becoming Elans). Then take to the sky and wild surge their powers at enemies. I'm not sure what they'll morph into when there's not enough room for a colossal creature yet. http://www.thetangledweb.net/profiler/view.php?id=11638 Made with 32 point buy. (in our group each of us is making a level 20 character to be the most powerful and influential NPC in our region/continent. We're all using 32 point buy and have agreed to use 32 point buy for any cohorts we may have. They are equipped using NPC gear value however)
cymbolik 03-19-07, 11:32 AM	Is everyone building a psionic NPC, or are you the only one? I ask because of your age modifiers. If the other players/designers don't have access to the youthful bodies and the wisdom of the ages the way you do they may call foul play.
Coridan 03-19-07, 04:59 PM	Of the 4 of 5 of us who've done it, we all have some sort of immortality. The other (whose region is very icy) is a Cloud Anchorite, another is a Walker in the Waste (and a dry lich), the third who runs very gothic/horror games (in fact we're just about to start Ravenloft in his games) is a Vampire Beguiler. The last guy is trying to figure out a way to be an immortal while keeping to an asian-flavored game.
Soel Griffin 03-19-07, 07:31 PM	Of the 4 of 5 of us who've done it, we all have some sort of immortality. The other (whose region is very icy) is a Cloud Anchorite, another is a Walker in the Waste (and a dry lich), the third who runs very gothic/horror games (in fact we're just about to start Ravenloft in his games) is a Vampire Beguiler. The last guy is trying to figure out a way to be an immortal while keeping to an asian-flavored game. Upcoming issue of Dragon (next month's, I believe,) has an article on immortals and a new race/template called Elders. Basically, its a way for players to gain immortality as a beginning option in play.