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| #1paulstraitDec 10, 2010 20:53:17 | I've developed quite a bit of material on Aldlas Sodhese, the netherese archwizard mentioned briefly in the arcane age Cormanthyr supplement (he suspected that the elves had stolen the nether scrolls and he set out to recover them-- at one point, summoned three nycoloths that wreaked havoc on Myth Drannor). Some of my material on Aldlas can be found here: www.thetangledweb.net/forums/showthread.... Also, see this thread: html_removed community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/758... In my campaign, the PCs are hunting Aldlas (now a lich) down. On their path to Aldlas, they face Cassius Iscariot, a former follower of Aldlas who turned against him. Cassius was a necromancer born in the 1340s who was employed by the shadovar to recover the nether scrolls, and spent a fair amount of time in Mulhorand. During the spellplague, he connected with Aldlas and was changed into an archwraith (a transformation he deeply resented). Cassius has two artifacts of note (I borrowed heavily from a couple official artifacts, especially for the Mask). If anyone finds these items or NPCs interesting and useful and involves them in some way with their campaign, I'd love to hear about it! [u]The Sword of Cassius[/u] The weapon-phylactery of the archwraith necromancer Cassius Iscariot has been imbued with a single purpose-- to destroy Aldlas Sodhese.
The Sword of Cassius is a +4 terror longsword with the following properties and powers. Weapon: Longsword Enhancement: Attack rolls and damage rolls Critical: +4d12 psychic damage Alignment: Neutral Evil Property: If you attack Aldlas, a servant of Aldlas, a cultist of Aldlas, or any other creature working directly to serve Aldlas's ends, you deal 5 extra damage on a hit. Property: The Sword can be used as an implement and a weapon. Power (Encounter): Free Action. When you would pull or push a target, you slide the target the same distance instead. Power (Encounter * Divine, Implement, Necrotic, Shadow): Standard Action. Close burst 8. Target: Each undead creature in the burst. Attack: Wisdom vs. Will. Hit: You slide the target up to a number of squares equal to 3 + your Charisma modifier. The target then becomes immobilized until the end of your next turn and each enemy adjacent to the target takes 1d10 necrotic damage. Miss: The target is dazed until the end of your next turn. Power (Daily): Free Action. Trigger: You score a critical hit with the Sword. Effect: The target is weakened (save ends). While it is weakened, the target cannot deal ongoing damage. Power (Daily * Poison, Necrotic): Free Action. When you hit with the Sword, the target takes ongoing 15 necrotic and poison damage (save ends). Saving throws made to end this effect take a -2 penalty.
Goals of the Sword of Cassius *Betray that which is most fiercely loved, whether the owner's love or another's. *Wreak harm to Aldlas, Aldas's plans, and any creature affiliated with Aldlas. *Destroy all confidences, reveal all secrets, lay bare all that is kept hidden.
Roleplaying the Sword of Cassius The Sword of Cassius seethes with the desire for vengeance against Aldlas, whispering constantly to its wielder of this dark goal. The Sword communicates in whispers that only its bearer can hear. The weapon can abide long periods in silence, but is quick to point out small opportunities for betrayal, especially if such an act would increase the wielder's standing in the short term. As a consequence of Aldlas's dishonesty, the Sword despises secrets and lies. The Sword is very happy to speak long about its hatred for Aldlas and his undead minions. It was initially forged by Aldlas, who clearly had no intention of crafting an undead-hating sword, or one that would become his nemesis. The Sword strongly desires that Cassius find a way to reincarnate as a living being, and to be reunited with him at that point. The Sword becomes more and more insulting and acerbic the lower its concordance becomes.
Concordance Starting score: 5 Owner gains a level: +1d10 Owner kills an ally (maximum 1/day): +2 Owner completes a quest against Aldlas's interest: +2 Owner breaks another's confidence (maximum 1/day): +1 Owner kills an undead creature: +1 Owner or ally uses Bluff skill (maximum 1/day): -2 Owner squanders a chance to hinder Aldlas's plans: -2 Owner undertakes a major quest that does not involve Aldlas or his plans: -2 Owner flees a fight with Aldlas or his servants: -5
Pleased (16-20) One more confidence is broken, one more undead is destroyed. The path is complete. Aldlas dies at my hands.” The Sword sees good things ahead for its owner. The Sword's enhancement bonus increases to +5. Critical: +5d12 psychic damage. Property: The Sword deals 2d10 extra damage against undead. Power (Daily): Minor Action. Close burst 5; All invisible creatures and objects within the burst becomes visible and cannot become invisible again within 5 squares of the sword until the end of the encounter. Power (Daily): Free Action. When you hit with the Sword of Cassius against a creature that has insubstantial or phasing, the creature loses those qualities until the end of your next turn.
Satisfied (12-15) The servants of Aldlas tremble before me. The pursuit of Aldlas requires patience, but the Sword has faith in its wielder. Property: Allies within 1 square of you take a -1 penalty to their attack rolls. Power (Daily): Minor Action. You gain a +2 bonus to skill checks against undead creatures until the end of the encounter. Power (Daily): Free Action. When you hit with the Sword of Cassius against a creature that has insubstantial or phasing, the creature loses those qualities until the end of your next turn.
Normal (5-11) I accept the power the Sword offers. I have a lot to learn-- the Sword tells me that the way is hard, but that I am up to the challenge. The Sword of Cassius hopes to lure the owner into keeping it around, and eagerly anticipates pushing the owner into the first of many betrayals. It withholds its full power, assessing the new wielder's desire to see Aldlas destroyed.
Unsatisfied I am no match for Aldlas, and the Sword knows it. I am a moral coward and a failure. If I do not do better, the Sword promises egregious consequences. The Sword is upset that the owner doesn't have the strength of will to serve it and, more importantly, is not capable of destroying Aldlas. The weapon begins to suspect that the owner isn't a choice wielder. Special: You take a -2 penalty to attack rolls and damage rolls against any creature that does not have the undead keyword, that is not your ally, or that is not Aldlas, one of his servitors, or one of his allies. This penalty applies whether or not you are using or even holding the Sword of Cassius.
Angered (0 or lower) “By my failure, I aid Aldlas-- and I must pay the price. The Sword wonders how one as incompetent, clumsy, and ignorant as I managed to claim it. It thinks my end is near.” The Sword knows that the wielder has no intention of fulfilling its goals and is merely holding onto the weapon to gain the abilities it possesses. It will not remain in the owner's possession for long. The Sword's enhancement bonus drops to +3. Critical: +3d12 psychic damage. Special: You must make a DC 25 Charisma check (a minor action) to use any of the Sword's powers. While you are bloodied, whenever you make an attack (whether you attack with the Sword or not), you take 20 psychic damage. Special: You take a -5 penalty to attack rolls and damage rolls against any creature that does not have the undead keyword, that is not your ally, or that is not Aldlas, one of his servitors, or one of his allies. This penalty applies whether or not you are using or even holding the Sword of Cassius. Special: Each time you miss an enemy with the Sword, make a melee basic attack as a free action with the Sword against a randomly chosen adjacent ally.
Moving On “With Aldlas destroyed, the Sword's quest is done.” With the destruction of Aldlas, the Sword's quest has been fulfilled. The blade turns to black mist and vanishes from the campaign unless it acquires a new goal. On the other hand, if the Sword moves because it is angered, it slips from the owner's hands and into the grasp of the possessor's closest nemesis (which could be a creature across the battlefield, or one across the planes). The new owner is charged with a quest to slay the individual whom the Sword just abandoned.
The Sword of Cassius and the Hand of Aldlas Now perhaps we have power enough to kill even a god!” If the owner affixes the Hand of Aldlas and wields the Sword of Cassius, a new property is unlocked, regardless of either artifact's concordance. Property: Every successful attack you make with the Sword of Cassius against Aldlas, his servants, his cultists, or any creature working directly to serve his ends, you score a critical hit. However, each time you make such an attack, you take a -1 concordance penalty to the concordance of both the Hand and the Sword (maximum 1/day). If either artifact's concordance drops to 0 as a result, both immediately move on-- with one exception: if the wielder is battling Aldlas and has a chance to kill him, the Sword remains with the wielder for the duration of the encounter.
--- [u]The Mask of Cassius[/u] This solid silver mask is fashioned in the form of a fanged skull. It was originally forged for the necromancer Cassius Iscariot by his overlord Aldlas Sodhese
Body Slot: Head Property: You gain darkvision Property: You gain a +2 item bonus to Perception checks. Property: You gain a +4 item bonus to Diplomacy checks and Intimidate checks against undead creatures. Power (At Will): Standard Action. You can use commander's strike (warlord 1). Power (Encounter): Standard Action. You can use bolstering blow (warlord 13), but the attack deals necrotic damage, Power (Daily) : Free Action. When you hit an undead creature with a melee attack, make a secondary attack vs. Will using the same attack bonus. On a hit, the target is dominated (save ends). Power (Daily): Standard Action. You open yourself to the vestigial spirits bound to the Mask and learn about necromancy within your immediate environs (within 1 mile of you). You can ask a number of questions based on the result of a Religion check about undead creatures, necromantic terrain and hazards, necromancers, and other necromantic aspects of your surroundings. Typical questions are about the presence, type, quantity, and rough location of such necromantic features. The spirits communicate empathically and are poor at complex answers. Religion check: 9 or lower, 1 question; 10-19, 2 questions; 20-29, 3 questions; 30-39, 4 questions; 40 or higher, 5 questions.
Goals of the Silver Mask of Cassius *Aid the undead against the living *Gain followers for its owner *Convince noble warriors that personal power and advancement are the most important goals
Roleplaying the Silver Mask of Cassius The Mask is a soft-spoken tempter. Indead of ordering or begging its possessor to perform and action, it offers quiet suggestions that help both the owner and the item's agenda. Sometimes it whispers into the owner's ear; at other times, its thoughts manifest in its possessor's mind and are indistinguishable from naturally occurring ones. the owner also has regular dreams revealing the pwoer and glory attainable if the Mask's directions are followed. The artifact is especially eager to suggest that its possessor betray any feloows and aid the undead against the living.
Concordance Starting score: 5 Owner gains a level: +1d10 Owner betrays a comrade to gain an advantage: +2 Owner defeats an enemy three or more levels higher than he or she is (max 1/day): +1 Owner fights alongside an undead creature (max 1/day): +1 Owner or ally kills an intelligent undead creature (max 1/encounter): -2 Owner ignores an insult to his or her honor (max 1/day): -2
Transcendent (21 or higher) “I near my glorious eternity” The Mask exults in its ideal servant and grants the possessor greater power. Property: You cease to age. Power (Encounter) : Free Action. Use this power before you make an attack roll. If the attack hits, it deals necrotic damage and you regains 15 hit points.
Pleased (16-20) “I am a proud and loyal friend of Cassius. The Mask is pleased with the owner's actions-- for now. The artifact focuses on advancing Cassius's agenda and finds its owner to be a useful servant. It occasionally asks the owner to perform certain tasks, in return for a reward. Property: The Mask's item bonus to Diplomacy checks and Intimidate checks made against undead creatures increases to +6. Power (Daily): Standard Action. You can use exalted retribution (paladin 25).
Satisfied (12-15) “The Mask has plans for me—glorious plans.” The owner has proved to be a worthy representative of Cassius, and the Mask works to shape the wearer into an even better tool. At this point, the Mask attempts to encourage the possessor with promises of wondrous rewards, but still includes the occasional threat to provide extra motivation. Property: You gain a +2 item bonus to Diplomacy checks and Intimidate checks made against targets that do not have the undead keyword.
Normal (5-11) “The Mask promises me great power in return for my aid and loyalty. The Mask encourges its new owner, boosting confidence and granting powers. Otherwise, the artifact offers quiet promises of the glories and wonders to come. It does not threaten the owner... yet.
Unsatisfied (1-4) “The Mask is angry with me. I fear its rage.” The Mask thinks its possessor might be unsatisfactory, but still attempts to exert influence. At this point, the Mask mixes threats and promises in equal measure and fills the owner's mind with horrific visions of the price of failure. Special: The artifact's item bonus to Diplomacy and Intimidate checks against undead creatures decreases to +2. The character cannot use the daily power that allows a secondary attack.
Angered (0 or lower) “The Mask is plotting against me. I can hear it.” The Mask calls out to the greedy, the evil, and the undead within 10 miles, drawing them with thoguhts of murder and theft. You take a -2 penalty to all defenses against undead creatures. This penalty applies whether you are using or even holding the Mask.
Moving On “I claim the reward of faithful service to Cassius.” The Mask vanishes, going in search of a place where it can do more to further the cause of the undead, and to tempt other warriors into evil. As a reward for good service, the former owner becomes a vampire lord. If the Mask is displeased with its former owner, it instead tries to cause the owner's death by attracting hordes of undead to his or her location. |