Insane spellcasters [Archive] - Wizards Community

Insane spellcasters [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
caeruleus
04-04-05, 10:46 PM I like the whole notion of practitioners of magic slowly losing their sanity, the further they progress in magic. But I don't like the complexity of the insanity rules in UA. No, they're not too complex, but it's not quite what I wanted. So I have another system worked out, and I wanted to pass it by some people.

First of all, start by eliminating all classes that allow spellcasting. Then, pick one spellcasting class. (It need not be restricted to one, but that's what I have in mind.) My choice happens to be the psion from XPH (a manifesting class, actually), but it could be wizard or whatever. Change spellcasting (or manifesting) ability to Wisdom (if necessary).

Now, subtract one from Wisdom for each level in this class. Then, add two to the newly adjusted Wisdom for purposes of spellcasting/manifesting.

Also, with each level gained, the character must make a DC 15 Wisdom check. Failure means that the character's alignment shifts one step towards Chaotic. If already Chaotic, shift one step towards Evil. If already Chaotic Evil, no further effect.

Finally, every time a new level is gained and the character wants to take a level of a nonspellcasting/nonmanifesting class, he/she must make a DC 15 Wisdom check. Failure means a level of psion (or whatever) must be taken.

In such a campaign, spellcasters/manifesters can become quite powerful, but also insane and destructive. Needless to say, anyone practicing these arts will be hunted down, if discovered, before they grow too powerful.

Thoughts?
BrianD
04-05-05, 01:15 AM So the more powerful spellcasters (higher Wisdom score) are less likely to succumb to the corrupting effects? It seems to me it should be the other way around.

What if it was a level check + Wisdom modifier, and if it exceeded 20 then the chaotic/evil shift would occur, so that the more powerful a mage you were the more susceptible you were to the tainting effects?
HailSpork
04-05-05, 02:58 AM Well, the get a lower wisdom as their level progresses; also, a 15th level caster has made 14 checks, and is more likely to have failed some, even if his wisdom didn't change.

What happens when your caster level reaches/excedes your original wisdom score? (IE, wisdom of 0).

Also, I can understand your alignment shifting towards chaos, but why evil?
Lina_Inverse
04-05-05, 03:45 AM so your party just rolls over and dies by lvl10?
caeruleus
04-05-05, 10:55 AM What happens when your caster level reaches/excedes your original wisdom score? (IE, wisdom of 0).

Either what normally happens with a wisdom of 0, or maybe they just go under DM control.

Also, I can understand your alignment shifting towards chaos, but why evil?

Part of the sort of insanity I have in mind. When they go far enough, they would tend to do things without any regard for others. It's a way of saying to a player, "Okay, your insanity has reached a point where I expect you to roleplay in such-and-such a manner."
caeruleus
04-05-05, 10:57 AM so your party just rolls over and dies by lvl10?

Only if they decide to take levels of psion. They don't have to. I'm looking to create a swords and sorcery campaign, where magic is powerful and feared but not very common. Magic-users tend to be villians. I just wanted a mechanic to reflect that flavor.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
caeruleus 04-04-05, 10:46 PM	I like the whole notion of practitioners of magic slowly losing their sanity, the further they progress in magic. But I don't like the complexity of the insanity rules in UA. No, they're not too complex, but it's not quite what I wanted. So I have another system worked out, and I wanted to pass it by some people. First of all, start by eliminating all classes that allow spellcasting. Then, pick one spellcasting class. (It need not be restricted to one, but that's what I have in mind.) My choice happens to be the psion from XPH (a manifesting class, actually), but it could be wizard or whatever. Change spellcasting (or manifesting) ability to Wisdom (if necessary). Now, subtract one from Wisdom for each level in this class. Then, add two to the newly adjusted Wisdom for purposes of spellcasting/manifesting. Also, with each level gained, the character must make a DC 15 Wisdom check. Failure means that the character's alignment shifts one step towards Chaotic. If already Chaotic, shift one step towards Evil. If already Chaotic Evil, no further effect. Finally, every time a new level is gained and the character wants to take a level of a nonspellcasting/nonmanifesting class, he/she must make a DC 15 Wisdom check. Failure means a level of psion (or whatever) must be taken. In such a campaign, spellcasters/manifesters can become quite powerful, but also insane and destructive. Needless to say, anyone practicing these arts will be hunted down, if discovered, before they grow too powerful. Thoughts?
BrianD 04-05-05, 01:15 AM	So the more powerful spellcasters (higher Wisdom score) are less likely to succumb to the corrupting effects? It seems to me it should be the other way around. What if it was a level check + Wisdom modifier, and if it exceeded 20 then the chaotic/evil shift would occur, so that the more powerful a mage you were the more susceptible you were to the tainting effects?
HailSpork 04-05-05, 02:58 AM	Well, the get a lower wisdom as their level progresses; also, a 15th level caster has made 14 checks, and is more likely to have failed some, even if his wisdom didn't change. What happens when your caster level reaches/excedes your original wisdom score? (IE, wisdom of 0). Also, I can understand your alignment shifting towards chaos, but why evil?
Lina_Inverse 04-05-05, 03:45 AM	so your party just rolls over and dies by lvl10?
caeruleus 04-05-05, 10:55 AM	What happens when your caster level reaches/excedes your original wisdom score? (IE, wisdom of 0). Either what normally happens with a wisdom of 0, or maybe they just go under DM control. Also, I can understand your alignment shifting towards chaos, but why evil? Part of the sort of insanity I have in mind. When they go far enough, they would tend to do things without any regard for others. It's a way of saying to a player, "Okay, your insanity has reached a point where I expect you to roleplay in such-and-such a manner."
caeruleus 04-05-05, 10:57 AM	so your party just rolls over and dies by lvl10? Only if they decide to take levels of psion. They don't have to. I'm looking to create a swords and sorcery campaign, where magic is powerful and feared but not very common. Magic-users tend to be villians. I just wanted a mechanic to reflect that flavor.