Unfamiliar DM seeking assistance [Archive] - Wizards Community

Unfamiliar DM seeking assistance [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
HassanNinkin
02-01-08, 09:16 AM I've never played a psionic character or used a psionic NPC in 3.5
I don't think it's broken, it's just a taste issue. I like the way magic works, and I never felt like I needed to use psionics for any reason. Now I have a reason and I'd like assistance making an NPC.
setting: forgotten realms
The NPC is the head of a secret slave trading and assassination organization operating out of Waterdeep. He is a master manipulator and a cunning businessman. His plans have always seemed to fall into place for him, and his minions have always been surprisingly effective. He sees himself as a businessman of curious ethics and he recognizes that he may be the luckiest man he has ever known. What he doesn't realize is that he has been tapping into latent psionic abilities to manipulate the will of those around him into doing his bidding and thinking nothing of it. It is this innate power that has kept his lackeys reliable and trustworthy even in such a shady business.
I'm not really looking for an optimized build, I'm looking for an easy to use and understand build, since I'm new to psionics.
My games are very cinematic and flavor takes the front seat over crunch.

What ideas are there that I can consider?
Nephlite
02-01-08, 09:41 AM I've never played a psionic character or used a psionic NPC in 3.5
I don't think it's broken, it's just a taste issue. I like the way magic works, and I never felt like I needed to use psionics for any reason. Now I have a reason and I'd like assistance making an NPC.
setting: forgotten realms
The NPC is the head of a secret slave trading and assassination organization operating out of Waterdeep. He is a master manipulator and a cunning businessman. His plans have always seemed to fall into place for him, and his minions have always been surprisingly effective. He sees himself as a businessman of curious ethics and he recognizes that he may be the luckiest man he has ever known. What he doesn't realize is that he has been tapping into latent psionic abilities to manipulate the will of those around him into doing his bidding and thinking nothing of it. It is this innate power that has kept his lackeys reliable and trustworthy even in such a shady business.
I'm not really looking for an optimized build, I'm looking for an easy to use and understand build, since I'm new to psionics.
My games are very cinematic and flavor takes the front seat over crunch.

What ideas are there that I can consider?

The closest character would be a Prc Thrallherd level. It acts similar to Leadership, but you don't have make them yours willingly, you kinda get linked to them so they follow you.
So a 6th level Psion/Thrallherd 1 would work. I think 5th level Psion/ Thrallherd 1 works too.
All casting/manifestong classes have crafting/profession so you can still do that.
You can make his powers mostly buffs or charm stuff.
You need to be a telepath or have expanded knowledge to get Mindlink though.

Powers might include + required Mindlink:
1) Empathy: know subject's surface emotions
2) Telepathic Projection: alter subject's mood
3) Vigor: you might not know why you can take more damage than usual, but you can (it prodives Temp hps for a few minutes)
4) Conceal Thoghts: helps one bluff/save versus mind reading
5) Attraction: makes people listen to you or have a willingness to go somewhere. Not forcing them, but they do get a urge.
2nd Level:
6) Cloud Mind: Save or target forgets you are in area. It is almost like invisiblity except save issue. But it does work against Blindsense so not useless.
7) Detect Hostile Intent: Spidersense kinda (like Spiderman)
Noty sure what else:
From Telepath Devotion:
1) Charm person, Psionic
2) Suggestion, Psionic

These are useful abilities that can occur without too much active use.
Maybe your mind sensed you might be in a bad area so activated Detect Hostile intent. And somehow to you: You know something is coming before it happened.

When trying to make a guy listen you hit him with attracton so he had to listen (even if he still doesn't like it or will still not agree with you).
Bacris
02-01-08, 10:03 AM Telepath to Thrallherd is definitely the progression you want. Your character concept screams "THRALLHERD!"

So chalk this up as seconding what Nephlite says. :)
HassanNinkin
02-01-08, 10:39 AM Awesome feedback. I don't know what a thrallherd is, but for a psychic slaver, the name alone sounds excellent. Is it in complete or expanded?
Nephlite
02-01-08, 11:21 AM Awesome feedback. I don't know what a thrallherd is, but for a psychic slaver, the name alone sounds excellent. Is it in complete or expanded?

Expanded.
The_Mess
02-01-08, 12:07 PM And it's also right here (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/prestigeClasses/thrallherd.htm)!
jbsaff
02-01-08, 12:13 PM Quick note: with a CHA modifier of +3 or more, he'll have at least a few followers from his first level of Thrallherd. I'd also go heavy on the Intellegence; it seems like he'd go through a number of power points in a day.

The power selection above looks good for pulling off your concept. One thing to consider: what about a psicrystal? This could be his "lucky gem". When he's got this thing around his neck, it seems like he has eyes in the back of his head (alertness). And for some reason, he picks up on the smallest lies (Sympathetic personality) or wins over even the grumpiest adversaries (Friendly personality). Also could be funny to watch the rock get up and start walking around, much to the fright of his master, during the final battle. Just an idear, feel free to set it aside if it doesn't fit.
CrimsonDeath
02-01-08, 01:27 PM From Telepath Devotion

Just a quick note, since the OP isn't familiar with psionics...

"Devotion" is a slang term developed on the Psionics board to differentiate between powers that happen to be from a particular psionic discipline (like Conceal Thoughts) and powers on a particular Discipline-exclusive list (like Mindlink). The latter are commonly referred to as "devotion powers".
jbsaff
02-01-08, 02:13 PM That reminds me. Make sure you read the FAQ thread and at least the first few posts in the "Myth: the XPH is Overpowered" thread, both stickied to the top of this forum. It's a good way to gain familiarity with the core rules of the system.

If you've already read them, go to the head of the class and give yourself a :cookie:.
teshen
02-01-08, 10:08 PM I support all the above suggestions for Thrallherd. It fits like a glove for this npc.

To make him a little more skillful and a little less 'magical' consider the psychic rogue (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/psm/20040723b). Human with the Hidden Talent (mindlink) feat or Kalashtar from Eberron would work. Then dip into Thrallherd for the virtual leadership and then back to psychic rogue for more skill points... not the best way to do it, but you did say optimization was not a priority.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
HassanNinkin 02-01-08, 09:16 AM	I've never played a psionic character or used a psionic NPC in 3.5 I don't think it's broken, it's just a taste issue. I like the way magic works, and I never felt like I needed to use psionics for any reason. Now I have a reason and I'd like assistance making an NPC. setting: forgotten realms The NPC is the head of a secret slave trading and assassination organization operating out of Waterdeep. He is a master manipulator and a cunning businessman. His plans have always seemed to fall into place for him, and his minions have always been surprisingly effective. He sees himself as a businessman of curious ethics and he recognizes that he may be the luckiest man he has ever known. What he doesn't realize is that he has been tapping into latent psionic abilities to manipulate the will of those around him into doing his bidding and thinking nothing of it. It is this innate power that has kept his lackeys reliable and trustworthy even in such a shady business. I'm not really looking for an optimized build, I'm looking for an easy to use and understand build, since I'm new to psionics. My games are very cinematic and flavor takes the front seat over crunch. What ideas are there that I can consider?
Nephlite 02-01-08, 09:41 AM	I've never played a psionic character or used a psionic NPC in 3.5 I don't think it's broken, it's just a taste issue. I like the way magic works, and I never felt like I needed to use psionics for any reason. Now I have a reason and I'd like assistance making an NPC. setting: forgotten realms The NPC is the head of a secret slave trading and assassination organization operating out of Waterdeep. He is a master manipulator and a cunning businessman. His plans have always seemed to fall into place for him, and his minions have always been surprisingly effective. He sees himself as a businessman of curious ethics and he recognizes that he may be the luckiest man he has ever known. What he doesn't realize is that he has been tapping into latent psionic abilities to manipulate the will of those around him into doing his bidding and thinking nothing of it. It is this innate power that has kept his lackeys reliable and trustworthy even in such a shady business. I'm not really looking for an optimized build, I'm looking for an easy to use and understand build, since I'm new to psionics. My games are very cinematic and flavor takes the front seat over crunch. What ideas are there that I can consider? The closest character would be a Prc Thrallherd level. It acts similar to Leadership, but you don't have make them yours willingly, you kinda get linked to them so they follow you. So a 6th level Psion/Thrallherd 1 would work. I think 5th level Psion/ Thrallherd 1 works too. All casting/manifestong classes have crafting/profession so you can still do that. You can make his powers mostly buffs or charm stuff. You need to be a telepath or have expanded knowledge to get Mindlink though. Powers might include + required Mindlink: 1) Empathy: know subject's surface emotions 2) Telepathic Projection: alter subject's mood 3) Vigor: you might not know why you can take more damage than usual, but you can (it prodives Temp hps for a few minutes) 4) Conceal Thoghts: helps one bluff/save versus mind reading 5) Attraction: makes people listen to you or have a willingness to go somewhere. Not forcing them, but they do get a urge. 2nd Level: 6) Cloud Mind: Save or target forgets you are in area. It is almost like invisiblity except save issue. But it does work against Blindsense so not useless. 7) Detect Hostile Intent: Spidersense kinda (like Spiderman) Noty sure what else: From Telepath Devotion: 1) Charm person, Psionic 2) Suggestion, Psionic These are useful abilities that can occur without too much active use. Maybe your mind sensed you might be in a bad area so activated Detect Hostile intent. And somehow to you: You know something is coming before it happened. When trying to make a guy listen you hit him with attracton so he had to listen (even if he still doesn't like it or will still not agree with you).
Bacris 02-01-08, 10:03 AM	Telepath to Thrallherd is definitely the progression you want. Your character concept screams "THRALLHERD!" So chalk this up as seconding what Nephlite says. :)
HassanNinkin 02-01-08, 10:39 AM	Awesome feedback. I don't know what a thrallherd is, but for a psychic slaver, the name alone sounds excellent. Is it in complete or expanded?
Nephlite 02-01-08, 11:21 AM	Awesome feedback. I don't know what a thrallherd is, but for a psychic slaver, the name alone sounds excellent. Is it in complete or expanded? Expanded.
The_Mess 02-01-08, 12:07 PM	And it's also right here (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/prestigeClasses/thrallherd.htm)!
jbsaff 02-01-08, 12:13 PM	Quick note: with a CHA modifier of +3 or more, he'll have at least a few followers from his first level of Thrallherd. I'd also go heavy on the Intellegence; it seems like he'd go through a number of power points in a day. The power selection above looks good for pulling off your concept. One thing to consider: what about a psicrystal? This could be his "lucky gem". When he's got this thing around his neck, it seems like he has eyes in the back of his head (alertness). And for some reason, he picks up on the smallest lies (Sympathetic personality) or wins over even the grumpiest adversaries (Friendly personality). Also could be funny to watch the rock get up and start walking around, much to the fright of his master, during the final battle. Just an idear, feel free to set it aside if it doesn't fit.
CrimsonDeath 02-01-08, 01:27 PM	From Telepath Devotion Just a quick note, since the OP isn't familiar with psionics... "Devotion" is a slang term developed on the Psionics board to differentiate between powers that happen to be from a particular psionic discipline (like Conceal Thoughts) and powers on a particular Discipline-exclusive list (like Mindlink). The latter are commonly referred to as "devotion powers".
jbsaff 02-01-08, 02:13 PM	That reminds me. Make sure you read the FAQ thread and at least the first few posts in the "Myth: the XPH is Overpowered" thread, both stickied to the top of this forum. It's a good way to gain familiarity with the core rules of the system. If you've already read them, go to the head of the class and give yourself a :cookie:.
teshen 02-01-08, 10:08 PM	I support all the above suggestions for Thrallherd. It fits like a glove for this npc. To make him a little more skillful and a little less 'magical' consider the psychic rogue (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/psm/20040723b). Human with the Hidden Talent (mindlink) feat or Kalashtar from Eberron would work. Then dip into Thrallherd for the virtual leadership and then back to psychic rogue for more skill points... not the best way to do it, but you did say optimization was not a priority.