Post/Author/DateTime	Post
krichaiushii 05-30-05, 10:43 AM	The primary assistance required involves determining DCs for the abilities, determining a method of destruction (something difficult, yet possible), and deciding if the Destruction effect should be upgraded to Soul Bind. Some wordsmithing will no doubt need done, as well. The idea for this came this morning over coffee. I have no specific use for it, beyond as a MacGuffin and to build some world history on. As this will be a discovered item from another age, I see no point in putting a price to it; just a storied history as I build the world. As can be seen, it benefits undead users far more than living users - in fact, it punishes the latter. This follows my philosophy that artifact-level magic should have serious drawbacks. Mostly, I just wanted to share and perhaps inspire others (not towards ridicule, hopefully!). Any and all comments are welcome. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Scepter of the Lich King Crafted in another age by the Lich King known only as the Tyrant of Totenberg, this potent item is highly desired by necromancers of all stripes, due to the power it provides. This power also makes it sought after by those looking to destroy it or hide it away. Its method of destruction is currently unknown. The Scepter of the Lich King maintains 30 charges. These recharge at midnight. They can also be recharged by using the Death Knell ability on a living creature – gaining 1 charge per 2HD of the creature destroyed. It cannot be overcharged. All lesser and greater powers are communicated to wielder when first picked up; constant powers are only learned of through experience and research. Constant Powers: - Functions as a +2 Unholy Ghost Touch Heavy Mace. - Improved Initiative. - Greater Spell Focus: Necromancy (both cast and from the Scepter). - Greater Spell Penetration: Necromancy only (both cast and from the Scepter). - -4 to Constitution while wielded; cannot be prevented by mortal magic. - Wielder has permanent Deathwatch, as per spell. - Scepter radiates permanent Desecrate affect, which can be temporarily squelched by a casting of Consecrate. - Scepter emanates a constant aura of powerful evil and necromancy. - Every use of a Greater Power results in 50% chance of wielder being hit with Energy Drain spell, DC 35 - Should a living wielder die with the Scepter in his possession, the wielder is affected as per Destruction, DC 35. Lesser Powers (charges per use): Ray of Enfeeblement (1) Death Knell (2) Blindness/Deafness (2) Command Undead (2) Bestow Curse (3) Halt Undead (3) Ray of Exhaustion (3) Speak with Dead (3) Greater Powers (charges per use): Animate Dead (4) Enervation (4) Fear (4) Waves of Fatigue (5) Circle of Death (6) Create Undead (6) Eyebite (6) Undeath to Death (6) Blasphemy (7) Control Undead (7) Destruction (7) Finger of Death (7) Waves of Exhaustion (7) Create Greater Undead (8) Horrid Wilting (8) Unholy Aura (8) Wail of the Banshee (9) Energy Drain (9)
Always-Late 05-30-05, 02:51 PM	Wait. If half the time you use it you're hit by energy drain, why would anybody use it?
WCH 05-30-05, 03:00 PM	Agreed. 50% is ridiculously high, especially when the "greater powers" include lvl 3 spells, and the 50% results in a lvl 9 spell. That's just insane. [edit]Wait, I get it now. Energy Drain gives temporary hitpoints to undead -- and this is a scepter for a Lich King. Result is that you basically have to be a Lich to use it.
krichaiushii 05-30-05, 04:23 PM	WCH wins a cookie. The drawbacks only affect those that are NOT undead. Neatly preventing most of the Lich King's enemies from using it against him. Or most PCs, for that matter. But the item is powerful, and power is very tempting to many... 50% is a bit much. Would 25% or even 20% be better choices? Infrequent enough to tempt gamblers (especially clerics with the Luck domain), but frequent and powerful enough to create an impression of "ancient magics best left alone". As to the division between lesser and greater powers, I was going for something that is useful, yet not too powerful. Perhaps making the division between 4th and 5th level spells would be best.
Mirikon 05-30-05, 06:27 PM	You'd have to be a Lich, ghost (it is a ghost touch item, afterall), or vampire to use it to full effectiveness, which is thematically sound with the overall concept. I'd say put it at a 25% base, +5% for every use within the last ten minutes. Still low enough to tempt the gamblers, but if they press their luck... Perhaps boost the caster level some, toss in an epic spell or two? Like so: Animus Blast (15 charges), can only be used 1/week Demise Unseen (30 charges), can only be used 1/month The epic spells here are in the SRD, on this page: http://srd.pbemnexus.com/epicSpells.html Basically, they are cool things for a big necromancer to be using, and the limit on uses over a time period ensures they're not being used like candy