Horror Campaign Concepts [Archive] - Wizards Community

Horror Campaign Concepts [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
WarColonel
12-12-07, 01:31 PM I am about to begin a Heroes of Horror campaign, based around undead and using the mental taint rules. My character is a NG or LG Archivist, likely human or aasimar, ECL 4. I am the only player in the group with experience so I am taking the leader role for the time being. The DM actually has me there to try and teach the other players how to RP. Anyway, I need some help.

First, my character is going to have a mental disorder, likely OCD, but I was wondering if there were any sudgestions for a mental illness for a lwaful character.

Second, I need to come up with creepy equipment, things like the Hand of Glory. I am usually pretty good at finding the right items (my usual character is a rogue with items for any situation) but I really couldn't find anything that stuck out at except to say "hey, it is not just a +1 longsword/ring of protection/helm of opposed alignment, but a (fill in the blank) with spikes!" So, what magical items strike you as inherintly creepy?
RobbyPants
12-12-07, 01:53 PM Well, for the OCD thing, it would probably just be an RP thing; just something you do. If you're looking for some mechanical thing, you could look at the flaws from Unearthed Arcana. Perhaps taking something like Weak Willed would justify it. For that matter, perhaps you could start with a depravity score higher than zero. I remember there being a depravity effect that makes you commit some OCD behavior unless you do something wierd like eat bugs. Talk to your DM and see what he'll work out.

As for the item, I'm not sure what you can afford at level 4, if your DM sticks semi-close to the wealth by character guidlines. The MIC has a whole slew of items if you can get your hands on that book. Some are as simple as a mask that gives you a bonus to Intimidate. It's a bit bland mechanically, but it's supposed to be a creepy mask. As for anything more specific, I'd have to think about it for a bit.

Also, if you're playing an archivist, go the human route and not aasimar. You cast based off of Int, so the +2 Wis and Cha won't help, plus you have to eat a +1 LA, which is terrible for casters. Sorry. Had to get that off of my chest! ;)
Talisman
12-12-07, 02:03 PM For the mental disorder, nothing says "Lawful Crazy" like an obsession. Pick something innocuous, like cleanliness, hating bugs, or having people arranged equidistantly around the table/campfire/whatever. Then focus on it to the extreme. For example, have your character stop to bathe at every stream, creek or river you come to. Bathe every morning and every evening. Spend insane amounts on soap. Insist that the other PCs bathe twice a day as well. Base your like or dislike of NPCs on how they smell, whether they seem to have bathed recently, etc. Anyone who's dirty must be evil; you just have to prove it, and then you can kill them.

For the equipment, it's all in the description. A +1 dagger that constantly drips blood, or has a skull motif...a potion of cure moderate wounds that tastes disturbingly like blood...a cloak of resistance +1 that appears to be made of human skin...a ring of feather fall that bears the symbol of a demon lord...an amulet of natural armor +1 that has a small spike on the back, and must be stabbed into your flesh to function...you get the idea.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
WarColonel 12-12-07, 01:31 PM	I am about to begin a Heroes of Horror campaign, based around undead and using the mental taint rules. My character is a NG or LG Archivist, likely human or aasimar, ECL 4. I am the only player in the group with experience so I am taking the leader role for the time being. The DM actually has me there to try and teach the other players how to RP. Anyway, I need some help. First, my character is going to have a mental disorder, likely OCD, but I was wondering if there were any sudgestions for a mental illness for a lwaful character. Second, I need to come up with creepy equipment, things like the Hand of Glory. I am usually pretty good at finding the right items (my usual character is a rogue with items for any situation) but I really couldn't find anything that stuck out at except to say "hey, it is not just a +1 longsword/ring of protection/helm of opposed alignment, but a (fill in the blank) with spikes!" So, what magical items strike you as inherintly creepy?
RobbyPants 12-12-07, 01:53 PM	Well, for the OCD thing, it would probably just be an RP thing; just something you do. If you're looking for some mechanical thing, you could look at the flaws from Unearthed Arcana. Perhaps taking something like Weak Willed would justify it. For that matter, perhaps you could start with a depravity score higher than zero. I remember there being a depravity effect that makes you commit some OCD behavior unless you do something wierd like eat bugs. Talk to your DM and see what he'll work out. As for the item, I'm not sure what you can afford at level 4, if your DM sticks semi-close to the wealth by character guidlines. The MIC has a whole slew of items if you can get your hands on that book. Some are as simple as a mask that gives you a bonus to Intimidate. It's a bit bland mechanically, but it's supposed to be a creepy mask. As for anything more specific, I'd have to think about it for a bit. Also, if you're playing an archivist, go the human route and not aasimar. You cast based off of Int, so the +2 Wis and Cha won't help, plus you have to eat a +1 LA, which is terrible for casters. Sorry. Had to get that off of my chest! ;)
Talisman 12-12-07, 02:03 PM	For the mental disorder, nothing says "Lawful Crazy" like an obsession. Pick something innocuous, like cleanliness, hating bugs, or having people arranged equidistantly around the table/campfire/whatever. Then focus on it to the extreme. For example, have your character stop to bathe at every stream, creek or river you come to. Bathe every morning and every evening. Spend insane amounts on soap. Insist that the other PCs bathe twice a day as well. Base your like or dislike of NPCs on how they smell, whether they seem to have bathed recently, etc. Anyone who's dirty must be evil; you just have to prove it, and then you can kill them. For the equipment, it's all in the description. A +1 dagger that constantly drips blood, or has a skull motif...a potion of cure moderate wounds that tastes disturbingly like blood...a cloak of resistance +1 that appears to be made of human skin...a ring of feather fall that bears the symbol of a demon lord...an amulet of natural armor +1 that has a small spike on the back, and must be stabbed into your flesh to function...you get the idea.