Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 wanderer3791 May 05, 2009 9:44:09	I have a new player joining our game, and he is extremely interested in "recreating" Erevis Cale. Usually I would ask a player to put some unique spin on a character, but given that this is his first foray into the wonderful world of D&D, I feel obliged to help him as much as possible. If it will hook him to play a favorite character from the novels - it's a small price to pay in my opinion! Not having read the books, I am at a bit of a loss. I googled and found that his 3.5 stats would have been: Shade - Rogue 6, Fighter 3, Cleric of Mask 11, Divine Agent 2 (he is also apparently a Chosen of Mask) I have tweaked 4e FR to allow some of the old gods to survive so Mask is still around. Any suggestions on how to create this character? I couldn't find anything on Shades, but the Shadar-kai appeared to be close (though not exactly and not ideal for a rogue [bonus to INT]). Thanks for any insight or suggestions.
#2 red_wizard May 06, 2009 14:17:26	The Shade itself is a template that can be added to NPC's in the FRCG. You could possibly rework it to be added at 11th level, in the place of a paragon path, but this would be a houserule, and thus I'd be careful when implementing it. More than that, I can only suggest that he goes Rogue, MC Cleric. I don't know what levels you're playing, but new arrivals tend to prefer the Strikers to the other categories, simply for a lot of flashy damage. After that, it really boils down to him picking feats, and for that I'll leave it to you and he to decide. Though I'd recommend including both the PHB and the MP books when deciding. -RW
#3 ScrivenerofDoom May 07, 2009 0:54:18	Another option would be similar to that posted by Red-Wizard but: rogue; multiclass cleric 9and maybe fighter also); cleric as paragon path; and shade as epic destiny (there is already one that has some similarities). You would probably need more than the standard point buy to pull this off exactly.
#4 red_wizard May 07, 2009 10:50:21	I'd thought of that, but with that Shadovar Esq ED, you'd have to wait a very long time to access some of Erevis' Abilities. Also, with the Cleric MC PP, you'd rule out the simplest way of taking the template. This all ties back into the unknown level of his game. This said, the only other alternative would prove quite a bit more risky, and gives a very lopsided, and grossly overpowered view of 4E. You COULD allow ALL of you players to take a template, thus semi balancing themselves to avoid jealousy/ frustration. I warn against this one though, as the templates powers vary so greatly, that some will ultimately wind up stronger than the others. -RW
#5 wanderer3791 May 07, 2009 12:27:39	Thanks for the great feedback guys! Looking over the FRCG Shade template, it doesn't seem as jacked from a power perspective as some of the DMG guide templates. It could be my "noobness" as a DM though. I am debating letting him take the Shade template at level 11, minus the defense bonuses and saving throw bonus. It would amount to: Darkvision Benighted Presence - aura 10 that limits surrounding light Regeneration - 10 at paragon and 15 at epic (yikes) Shadow Stride (recharge on 5/6) - can teleport as a move action from darkness to darkness Coalescing Darkness - if moves 3 spaces, cloaked with darkness +5 bonus to stealth checks Seeing it typed out - the regeneration will need to come out for sure I think. The rest seems like it might work out. Also - I suspect that this will need to replace a paragon path selection. Am I way off in your estimation?
#6 Astromath May 07, 2009 12:49:11	Leave Regeneration in, but reduce it to 5/10 and increase it back to 10/15 while in the plane of Shadowfell.
#7 red_wizard May 07, 2009 14:01:59	Leave in the regeneration, but reduce it if you feel it is too much. Alternatively, you could make it an encounter, or daily power, and just restrict the number of rounds it works for. Also, make sure you offer this to your other players as well. There is nothing more frustrating than having one person appear to be favoured by the DM. Even if they don't want a template in lieu of a PP, they should have the option there to feel included. -RW
#8 markustay63 May 10, 2009 6:40:23	So your player wants to re-create the ultimate 'mary Sue' anti-hero? Would he like Conan, Elric, and Gandalf as his sidekicks as well? Just let him be Cyric... its what he really wants anyway. Rules will just ruin his day. Also remember to have treasure constantly falling out of the sky on top of him, and allow him to have his pick of any magical device from any edition. You can never make your players too happy, after all. Edit: Just ignore me... this subject just struck a nerve, is all. :embarrass
#9 krownhunter07 May 11, 2009 10:03:48	My suggestion; Don't read if you don't want spoilers Since EC is dead currently (IE post 1385 to 1479 DR, and the fact that he 'died' a god, it would be a simple matter to start him as 'normal' and have him (which could really just be an aspect that was projected to Toril to gain power and return to Cania to free himself?) work his way to being a shade again. Maybe, as he gains levels and grows in power, he can begin to unlock what he was, or his aspect could go in a different direction if he so chooses. Making the Shade template a PP is a sound idea in this case.
#10 BROM54 May 11, 2009 12:05:11	I think the recharge on the pp power is overpowered personally. And if I remember correctly, he didn't become a shade until he was a chose of mask, which would be an ed I think(there is the chosen of the gods). Otherwise, maybe create a shade race that could work. maybe a racial power similar to the eladrin teleport, but it must be into a shadow, possibly some type of small aura(1 or 2 maybe) that inhibits light, give them stealth and arcana bonuses, bonuses to dex and maybe wisdom, and low-light vision. Then you could make feats to enahnce the other abilities, i.e. a feat to give darkvision at paragon, maybe another feat that expands their aura. Also if you are gonna bring Mask back and he mc's cleric, you might look into a channel divinity feat.
#11 wanderer3791 May 12, 2009 13:03:33	Thanks for all the fantastic ideas guys! To be honest, I'm not sure my player knows as much about EC as you all do (he is in the process of reading the books now I think). This might play perfectly for an "oh my god" moment later in the campaign. Thanks again.