As you may or may not know by reading my posts on the FR bords, I am totally uninteressted in 4e realms, and am going to run a 3e game in Cormyr. But, there is a slight problem. I am using all the supplements I and my players have, including the Libris Mortis (book of the Undead) supplement. One of my players wishes to play as a half vampire. I am not sure if this would work in an FR campaign. Should I allow it? He needs to know before Sunday this week (when we play). If he can't he will play a tiefling (which is fine with me as I am allowing them to be all the palyer races in the FR campaign setting except drow, dueregar, and deep gnoms).
Can you help me decide if I should allow him to be half-vampire?
Very well then, I will allow him to be a half-vampire. But not one of the ones that are blood dependent. I think that would be a little hard for me to run and the player to control.
I dunno, making him dependent creates alot of flavor and possible story archs along the way. Maybe making his dependency a little longer, say every 2 or 3 days he needs to feed might be better thugh. He'd have to leave the party for short periods of time to feed on cattle, animals he caught, maybe even people! It could be his little dark secret he doesn't want anyone to know about, and for good reason. An example of what I'm suggesting could be seen when Kelemvor was still mortal. He had lycanthropy and had to leave at certain times to transform into a panther because of his curse. Plus with the charcters dependency and him running off all the time to feed will create an flavor of mystery around him as well. Just throwing some ideas around though.
I dunno, making him dependent creates alot of flavor and possible story archs along the way. Maybe making his dependency a little longer, say every 2 or 3 days he needs to feed might be better thugh. He'd have to leave the party for short periods of time to feed on cattle, animals he caught, maybe even people! It could be his little dark secret he doesn't want anyone to know about, and for good reason. An example of what I'm suggesting could be seen when Kelemvor was still mortal. He had lycanthropy and had to leave at certain times to transform into a panther because of his curse. Plus with the charcters dependency and him running off all the time to feed will create an flavor of mystery around him as well. Just throwing some ideas around though.
That is an interesting idea. But I have talked to him via phone, told him he can be half-vampire, and he said he wanted to be the type that makes gaze attacks. Also, he has an interesting background as a former Zhent. He was a Zhentarim member as a vampire from the Zhentarim created him in Waterdeep. He was given a mission to assassinate a half-elf (one of the party members), but hes informed his target, seeking to betray his master. So they fled to Cormyr from Waterdeep, starting my campaign...
I explained it with the Spellplague hitting the day he was supposed to turn, but you can just say your PC was in a Wild Magic Zone the night he/she was supposed to turn, and it would have the same effect (a 'mutated' version of the curse).
I'd stick with some dependency , because it makes the character so much more memorable.
I have it where Dûdon Ahörz needs a special Alchemical Elixir to keep the bloodlust at bay, and the Elixir requires several rather rare ingredients.
Oh... and when his horse died at the end of 3e, he got a Spectral steed as a mount. :D
The Lone Ranger meets Blade meets Batman meets Ghost Rider, all reimagined for FR.
-How does one become Half-Vampire? Born to a mother infected with vampirism while you were still in the womb?
Lord Krausus doesnt know something!!! :OMG! Anyway, they can be created one of two ways, a vampire gets pregnet or makes a mortal pregnet, which is possible after blood feast, or when a pregnet mortal has her blood sucked but survives but she isn't infected with vampirism, the unborn child normally is.
Lord Krausus doesnt know something!!! :OMG!
-Well, that Lord Krausus. He doesn't know anything. ;)
Anyway, they can be created one of two ways, a vampire gets pregnet or makes a mortal pregnet, which is possible after blood feast, or when a pregnet mortal has her blood sucked but survives but she isn't infected with vampirism, the unborn child normally is.
-Gotcha.
-Well, that Lord Krausus. He doesn't know anything. ;)
True, true. Wait, spelt your name wrong! I ment Lord Karsus!!!!
True, true. Wait, spelt your name wrong! I ment Lord Karsus!!!!
:P
As for the charm bit and the illusion / enchantment stuff, there's a whisp of powerplay around that, but that depends on how the player will use it and how the character works. Do note that charm-folk can be a real pain in the backside of a DM, especially if you use many NPCs susceptible to somesuch.
The half-vampire template is quite neat, even at LA +2. The dependency stuff is something I'd use in an evil campaign or only with experienced players. IMHO, LM overdoes that a bit, especially with the other undead. If you go by the book, most undead encountered would be blood-mad savages or essentially "dead", especially some entombed wights or ghouls.
As for the charm bit and the illusion / enchantment stuff, there's a whisp of powerplay around that, but that depends on how the player will use it and how the character works. Do note that charm-folk can be a real pain in the backside of a DM, especially if you use many NPCs susceptible to somesuch.
I am probably gonna change the charm rules for the gaze attack. I will make completly unusable in combat, and only makes them the charecters friend for 24 hours.
you ever read Dhampir and the Noble Dead books?
No.
No.
good books. The main charcter is a half-vampire and her partner is a half-elf assassin. Fantasy setting
good books. The main charcter is a half-vampire and her partner is a half-elf assassin. Fantasy setting
Similar to my charecters! Two of them (tha half vampire and a half elf) already know each other in the storyline of my campaign.
Similar to my charecters! Two of them (tha half vampire and a half elf) already know each other in the storyline of my campaign.
try www.nobledead.com
If there's one thing I've learned in the past nine months, its that the less 'officially' said about a region, the better off it - and you - are. ;)
I agree with this statement.
If there's one thing I've learned in the past nine months, its that the less 'officially' said about a region, the better off it - and you - are. ;)
-Mmmhmm...
-Mmmhmm...
What? Are you against this statement? Or is that you voicing your agreement? And what is up with all the dashes before all of your posts?
P.S., there is a typo in the post about how a half vampire is made. When I said the unborn child is normaly infected with vampirism, the child doesn't become a vampire, but becomes a half-vampire. By the way, half-vampires ARE NOT considered undead, they are considered the type of their base creature.
What? Are you against this statement? Or is that you voicing your agreement?
-Mmmhmm. Yes. Agreement.
And what is up with all the dashes before all of your posts?
-It is impossible to make indentations, so, rather, I use dashes.
-It is impossible to make indentations, so, rather, I use dashes.
Which raises the off-topic question why you need either?
Which raises the off-topic question why you need either?
-Don't want to be grammatically incorrect when I write responses that span several paragraphs.
As for the charm bit and the illusion / enchantment stuff, there's a whisp of powerplay around that, but that depends on how the player will use it and how the character works. Do note that charm-folk can be a real pain in the backside of a DM, especially if you use many NPCs susceptible to somesuch.
Perhaps there is a little powergaming involved, but let us also remember that even with feats to boost DC's, it is still basically a coin toss whether a spell succeeds or fails when the spell requires a failed save to take effect. While its true such spells effect scrubs easily enough, it is difficult to effect foes that pose any serious challenge. Besides, most of the spells chosen are to enhance the roleplay aspects of the character rather than to min/max the combat aspect, but make no mistake, my character can hold her own in a fight
Also keep in mind the campaign is intrigue based and there is seldom any significant combat encounters.When it comes to charm effects you gotta keep in mind that when such effects run their course the subject often becomes aware that he was charmed and may respond unkindly to such manipulations. That's the great thing about enchantments and illusions, its not just about the combat aspect its about all the myriad consequences that are possible with their use.
Besides overuse of such abilities gets boring and eventually opponents will develop counters that only serve to invalidate such tactics in the future. Always gotta be mindful of the long term consequences.
For example, in my previous Night Below campaign, our enchantrix managed to persuade a couple of ogre barbarians, war trolls and even an erinnye to fight for her. It only got nasty when an area dispel relieved the erinnye, who - at the time - stood right next to the enchantrix, of the enchantment and the latter was in real bother. Of course, if the charms do not work (and you are fighting undead or constructs), the character is somewhat isolated in a fight. (The half-vampire we are talking about is not a beguiler, is she?)
Obviously, that's what charm/illusion specialists are for, but as a DM it gives you much more pains that having your NPCs et al slain. Especially if you spent quite some time to make the NPCs more "special". Hence my quiet "warning". ;)
Well, I was not implying that the player is of the powerplaying type, but it could well end up like this. Of course, the half-vampire would not be a first choice here, given LA and all. The problems come more often than not later on, when the character has accumulated all that there's needed. Unless the DM utilizes the most simple of all enchantment blockers, i.e. "protection from ..." - spells, many NPCs of the low-Will-save ilk will fall to/for the character.
For example, in my previous Night Below campaign, our enchantrix managed to persuade a couple of ogre barbarians, war trolls and even an erinnye to fight for her. It only got nasty when an area dispel relieved the erinnye, who - at the time - stood right next to the enchantrix, of the enchantment and the latter was in real bother. Of course, if the charms do not work (and you are fighting undead or constructs), the character is somewhat isolated in a fight. (The half-vampire we are talking about is not a beguiler, is she?)
Obviously, that's what charm/illusion specialists are for, but as a DM it gives you much more pains that having your NPCs et al slain. Especially if you spent quite some time to make the NPCs more "special". Hence my quiet "warning". ;)
Nope not a beguiler, 2nd/13th Bard/Sorcerer (my sig has a brief overview). Personally, I would have gone all bard if the bard's spell selections were more diverse. I find that even with a limited spell selection, the sorcerer fits better with my character concept than a pure bard. My group also makes use of a few non-core sources including The Book of Erotic Fantasy (there are some mature themes but not as indepth or focused as the book implies hehe).
Take my spell lists for example:
Bard Spells Known: 5 / 2
0-Level: Ghostharp (Spell Compendium), Lullaby, Mystical Performance (Ultimate Arcane Spellbook), Mage Hand, Message
1st Level: Undetectable Alignment, Cure Light Wounds
*Expanded spells known because of the feat Known Spell Focus: Sorcerer (Ultimate Feats) and Sorcerer class features from Pathfinder Alpha 3 (I'm testing it out. So far I'm liking the expanded utility of sorcerers which was a critique of mine hehe)
Spells Known: 9 / 7+1 / 7+1 / 6+2 / 6+1 / 4+1 / 3+2
0-Level: Detect Poison, Detect Magic, Read Magic, Daze, Ghost Sound, Distort Shadow (Relics & Rituals), Mending, Wash (Pocket Grimoire: Arcane), Prestidigitation
1st Level: Block the Seed (Book of Erotic Fantasy), Identify**, Charm Person, Magic Missile, Shadow Hands (Ultimate Arcane Spellbook), Disguise Self, Ray of Enfeeblement, Spirit Worm (Spell Compendium)
2nd Level: Glitterdust, Summon Swarm, Entice Gift (Spell Compendium), Rapturous Touch (Ultimate Arcane Spellbook), Mystic Lullaby (Ultimate Arcane Spellbook), Darkness, Invisibility**, Blindness/Deafness
3rd Level: Dispel Magic**, Confidante (Ultimate Arcane Spellbook), Enthrall (*adapted from the bard spell of the same name, just bumped a level), Lightning Bolt, Cruel Disappointment (Book of Vile Darkness), Major Image, Phantasmal Lover (Book of Erotic Fantasy), Gaseous Form
4th Level: Dimension Door**, Arcane Eye, Emotion (Ultimate Arcane Spellbook), Phantasmal Killer, Shadow Conjuration, Fear, Beast Shape II (Pathfinder Alpha 3)
5th Level: Dominate Person, Cyclonic Blast (Spell Compendium), Shadow Evocation, Wrack (Spell Compendium), Overland Flight**
6th Level: Summon Monster VI, True Seeing**, Rie’s Dance of Seduction (Relics & Rituals), Dream Casting (Spell Compendium), Disintegrate
*Some of the sources are originally for 3.0 but the spells seemed appropriate for the level so they were just taken as is.
Looking at the list you can see that I chose spells that feed the impression that she is a vampire. Also she has a fairly decent spread of spells that doesn't pigeonhole her into a purely enchantment/illusion motif. It's also amusing when the rare good cleric tries to turn her or use positive energy to harm her. I always get a good laugh from that
-It is impossible to make indentations, so, rather, I use dashes.
Hmmm.... I see.
Hmmm.... I see.
-That's why.
Nope not a beguiler, 2nd/13th Bard/Sorcerer (my sig has a brief overview). Personally, I would have gone all bard if the bard's spell selections were more diverse. I find that even with a limited spell selection, the sorcerer fits better with my character concept than a pure bard. My group also makes use of a few non-core sources including The Book of Erotic Fantasy (there are some mature themes but not as indepth or focused as the book implies hehe).
Take my spell lists for example: ...
Now the important question: what's your CHA score then?
Anyway, it looks like being a high level campaign, involving 15th or rather 17th level people.
Now the important question: what's your CHA score then?
Anyway, it looks like being a high level campaign, involving 15th or rather 17th level people.
Ya, it's a high level campaign, but we worked from starting levels to get there, so I'd say it was earned.
27 unbuffed (+3 due to level, +4 Inherent bonus from tome of leadership)
31 with Cloak of Charisma +4 (which isn't calculated into the spells known list because its a temporary bonus)
This gives her a save DC range of 18-24 or 19-25 for enchantments/illusions, unbuffed, and 20-26 or 21-27 for enchantments/illusions, with the cloak.
Let's take a look at a couple fairly common CR 17 monsters. These are best case numbers
Marilith - Fort 19, Ref 14, Will 14 + SR 25 (my spells fail on 7+, 12+, 13+, 12+SR)
Aboleth Mage - Fort 15, Ref 10, Will 15 (my spells fail on 11+, 16+, 12+)
Mindflayer Sorcerer - Fort 8, Ref 9, Will 16 + SR 34 (my spells fail on 18+, 17+, 11+, 21+SR)
While it's true that against monsters 3 or so levels below this the enchanter type excels. Against even level monsters successful use of a spell or ability is more of a coin toss, slightly in my favor. At least until SR comes into the picture. As you can see, I have a chance against the first 2 on the list. But against the Mindflayer Sorcerer, I'm hosed! While the saves I can overcome, its that horrid SR that will get me killed.
These are just samples I've gathered from the MM. Against some villains it will be easy for me to work my charms, against most others though, I'm hosed and must find another way to overcome the foe
Though that charisma score may seem high, it is on par for her adjusted level. Even then she is still somewhat underpowered compared to what is possible or optimal. But that isn't why I play her. It's all about the roleplay here. 
I just like to be fairly competent in a fight Well, our session happened. Nothing went wrong, but he did charm a weponsmith to haggle for a lower price on a masterwork dagger. The only ironic thing is that he is a rouge and has a strength score of 20.
That sounds about right
The only ironic thing is that he is a rouge and has a strength score of 20.
-I hear you. A player who plays in my campaigns always does the same thing when he plays. A character he just took out of the campaign was a Rogue with a maxed out strength for his race/level. His Dex was only, like 14 or 15, don't remember.
-I hear you. A player who plays in my campaigns always does the same thing when he plays. A character he just took out of the campaign was a Rogue with a maxed out strength for his race/level. His Dex was only, like 14 or 15, don't remember.
Well, I am not sure about his dex, all i know is that he hasn't failed any reflex saves yet.
Also in the group, I have a human sorcerror with the dragonblood feat (I think thats what its called), a human warlock, and a human cleric of Helm. Another player might join, who will most likely be a lightfoot halfling ranger.
the rogue must seem silly walking around in a Gold's Gym wife-beater
-I'd annoying, because I need to take into account, with his two-weapon fighting feats and all, he can dish out massive amounts of damage, but only has like around fifty HP.
-I'd annoying, because I need to take into account, with his two-weapon fighting feats and all, he can dish out massive amounts of damage, but only has like around fifty HP.
Plus, hes got slam attacks. His punches do lethal damage. Kinda getting on my nerves.
Plus, hes got slam attacks. His punches do lethal damage. Kinda getting on my nerves.
-Yeah, that makes it all the more "breaking".
-Yeah, that makes it all the more "breaking".
But I've worked it out. Today was another session, and to combat his damage reduction and other special abilities, I threw more powerful and more monsters at him.
But I've worked it out. Today was another session, and to combat his damage reduction and other special abilities, I threw more powerful and more monsters at him.
-Was it "fair" for everyone else at the party? Things with Level Adjustments, even though it takes them longer to level up, makes things harder for everyone else without the LA.
The only ironic thing is that he is a rouge and has a strength score of 20.
I tried running a rouge once, but all he was good for was selling Avon dungeon-to-dungeon.
Thats why I only stick with Rogues now. ;)
-It is impossible to make indentations, so, rather, I use dashes.
.....It is a bit of a bother.
Isn't it? :D
Does anyone but me think it's weird that Woobyluv and Chapien are using the same avatar, but the picture is actually different? One has purplish-skin and the other Brown. Is it a 3e/4e before-and-after shot? :P
-Hey, now. Weren't you the one who helped upload a whole bunch of avatars?
.....It is a bit of a bother.
Isn't it? :D
-Yes, yes it is, Mr. LemonChiffon. I don't even know what that is, lemon chiffon!
Normally I'd just use white to do that, but on these parchment-colored boards, you got to get a little creative.
Normally I'd just use white to do that, but on these parchment-colored boards, you got to get a little creative.
-I don't even have parchment.
Anyhow, I was just wondering...
Do half-Vampires only have a Fang on one side?
There's a way of changing the color-scheme here?
Anyhow, I was just wondering...
Do half-Vampires only have a Fang on one side?
Depends on the type of half-vampire, Blood Dependent ones have fangs just like normal vampires, while other half-vampires have no fangs, or small useless ones.
Oh, and Lord Karsus, it was indeed fair to the rest of the group. All I through at em was a bunch of goblins (a LOT of goblins), and some orcs. They literally cut their way through. Well, the sorcceror blasted her way through, but still...
There's a way of changing the color-scheme here?
-Sure. The bottom lefthand corner.
Oh, and Lord Karsus, it was indeed fair to the rest of the group. All I through at em was a bunch of goblins (a LOT of goblins), and some orcs. They literally cut their way through. Well, the sorcceror blasted her way through, but still...
-Just saying. I find that Level Adjustments make things unfair for everyone else. The larger ones, anyway. In order to give the Level 1 character with a LA of +5 a challenge, you need to use tougher monsters, which in turn makes things harder for the rest of the party. Likewise, if you don't, the character with the LA "shines" more, as he/she/it is tougher, and can do more.
It's more of a story based campaign not a traditional hack n' slash game. In fact, I'm not really a fan of the hack n' slash style. That's one of my problems with 4e, but that's another story :evillaugh
P.S. Good catch Markus on the avatar differences. It never crossed my mind, but yes, they are slightly different. I still like mine better...just because
-Just saying. I find that Level Adjustments make things unfair for everyone else. The larger ones, anyway. In order to give the Level 1 character with a LA of +5 a challenge, you need to use tougher monsters, which in turn makes things harder for the rest of the party. Likewise, if you don't, the character with the LA "shines" more, as he/she/it is tougher, and can do more.
That is why we don't allow characters with LA to start until the campaign catches up to their adjusted level. Besides, each and every character made with a LA must get approval to play so the DM can make adjustments, as mandated, to the campaign. Just a little common sense hehe
For my group this approach works well.-Sure. The bottom lefthand corner.
Well... you just ruined my year.
I did a boatload of Avatars for this site using the organizational emblems for various groups (noble houses, Elven Houses, Mercantile companies, Religions, etc, etc...), and I gave them all the 'Parchment' background to make them 'see through' (since they have to be in JPG format, and not png, which is better for that sort of thing).
Now I know all that work was a huge waste of time!
I was waiting until I had more 4e ones ready before sending them off to the powers that be, but I guess thats one more project I'll never get back to. And I already had over three hundred more ready....
Well... you just ruined my year.
-I should've waited until December, then. Sorry.
That is why we don't allow characters with LA to start until the campaign catches up to their adjusted level. Besides, each and every character made with a LA must get approval to play so the DM can make adjustments, as mandated, to the campaign. Just a little common sense hehe
-I don't allow characters with LA, period. ;)
-Sure. The bottom lefthand corner.
cool
P.S. Good catch Markus on the avatar differences. It never crossed my mind, but yes, they are slightly different. I still like mine better...just because
Don't make me feel unimportent! This is my avatar 'cause drow are my favorite villain race to through at my PCs. All the other avatars were female or just unappeasing.
-Sure. The bottom lefthand corner.
There's some sort of button in the bottom left hand corner? I see no button when I edit my avatar!
There's some sort of button in the bottom left hand corner? I see no button when I edit my avatar!
-There is a scroll bar on the bottom lefthand corner that allows you to adjust the "skin" of the boards. The background.
-What MT was saying is that he made the background of his avatars the same color as the default one that he sees, thus making the avatar more..."spiffy". By changing the background, you then see the color he used.