Evolution of Evil Souls - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Evolution of Evil Souls

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Pyrate_Jib
Jun 10, 2010 9:55:19 In 1st edition D&D there was a thread throughout the system that the souls of the dammed went to a place of torment (Hell or the Abyss) and were transformed into Larva. These Larva were then tortured by the evil hosts of the planes (devils or demons), often consumed and utterly destroyed, or if given the chance, evolved into Manes and Lemures. These least devils and demons could then evolve further, some becoming various types of undead, others into more powerful types of devilkin and demonkind. This theme gave you the impression that the souls of truly evil mortals could become greater fiends after decades of evolution in the lower planes.

I loved this concept! You could have a creepy mass murderer reborn in the Abyss return as a Vrock! WHAT A GREAT WAY TO HAVE A FOE RETURN TO VEX THE PCs!

Anyone else remember this?

This theme was still around in 2E (a little) but mostly gone with 3/ 3.5E. I'd like to bring it back for my home campaign. Any ideas how?
#2
angelofthenight
Jun 10, 2010 13:58:28 Actually, in Fiendish Codex II, that exact system is described in 3.5. WoTC even included a way that evil mortals who repented too late could be sent back to the world as Hellbred to live more virtuous lives, or not. I liked that concept as well. To my knowledge though, aside from the Hellbred race, there were no mechanics backing it up. Is that what you're looking for?
#3
sfurtwangler
Jun 11, 2010 9:30:31
... after decades of evolution in the lower planes.

It seems like you would need to focus on a particularly long-running campaign. The time it would take a for a soul to evolve through the various stages and eventually come back to haunt the PCs is typcially longer than most campaigns I have been in.

#4
Bandikoot
Jun 11, 2010 11:43:35 Or you could just insert a campaign break, if needed. The PC have their big climactic battle at 20th level and retire from adventuring, having saved the world. Many years later, now middle-aged, they have to take up arms again to protect their families/kingdoms.

Or you could take the scion route and have the next generation have to deal the baddie.
#5
Pyrate_Jib
Jun 11, 2010 14:05:08 Or perhaps the foe has made a deal with the dark powers and be on the 'fast track' returning as a quasit or imp familiar for another evil NPC?
#6
voodoocry
Jul 31, 2010 20:25:46 Im quite interested in this theme, any ideas of the timescale and requirements for moving up the infernal hierachy?

I cant see a fast track going any higher then least devils.

any information on souls or the infernal hierachy would be appretiated
#7
ravel8
Jul 31, 2010 23:58:34 or you can go the supernatural roughte 1 month in hell is like 10 years , or some vairation there of.
#8
voodoocry
Aug 01, 2010 7:36:32 i've got alot out of fiendish codex II, the supernatural thought is good, would allow a long time in hell to be experienced while not taking too much from home world timeline. thanks ravel8
#9
Pyrate_Jib
Aug 03, 2010 9:58:03 Yes! I like the idea that time flows differently amid the planes.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Pyrate_Jib Jun 10, 2010 9:55:19	In 1st edition D&D there was a thread throughout the system that the souls of the dammed went to a place of torment (Hell or the Abyss) and were transformed into Larva. These Larva were then tortured by the evil hosts of the planes (devils or demons), often consumed and utterly destroyed, or if given the chance, evolved into Manes and Lemures. These least devils and demons could then evolve further, some becoming various types of undead, others into more powerful types of devilkin and demonkind. This theme gave you the impression that the souls of truly evil mortals could become greater fiends after decades of evolution in the lower planes. I loved this concept! You could have a creepy mass murderer reborn in the Abyss return as a Vrock! WHAT A GREAT WAY TO HAVE A FOE RETURN TO VEX THE PCs! Anyone else remember this? This theme was still around in 2E (a little) but mostly gone with 3/ 3.5E. I'd like to bring it back for my home campaign. Any ideas how?
#2 angelofthenight Jun 10, 2010 13:58:28	Actually, in Fiendish Codex II, that exact system is described in 3.5. WoTC even included a way that evil mortals who repented too late could be sent back to the world as Hellbred to live more virtuous lives, or not. I liked that concept as well. To my knowledge though, aside from the Hellbred race, there were no mechanics backing it up. Is that what you're looking for?
#3 sfurtwangler Jun 11, 2010 9:30:31	... after decades of evolution in the lower planes. It seems like you would need to focus on a particularly long-running campaign. The time it would take a for a soul to evolve through the various stages and eventually come back to haunt the PCs is typcially longer than most campaigns I have been in.
#4 Bandikoot Jun 11, 2010 11:43:35	Or you could just insert a campaign break, if needed. The PC have their big climactic battle at 20th level and retire from adventuring, having saved the world. Many years later, now middle-aged, they have to take up arms again to protect their families/kingdoms. Or you could take the scion route and have the next generation have to deal the baddie.
#5 Pyrate_Jib Jun 11, 2010 14:05:08	Or perhaps the foe has made a deal with the dark powers and be on the 'fast track' returning as a quasit or imp familiar for another evil NPC?
#6 voodoocry Jul 31, 2010 20:25:46	Im quite interested in this theme, any ideas of the timescale and requirements for moving up the infernal hierachy? I cant see a fast track going any higher then least devils. any information on souls or the infernal hierachy would be appretiated
#7 ravel8 Jul 31, 2010 23:58:34	or you can go the supernatural roughte 1 month in hell is like 10 years , or some vairation there of.
#8 voodoocry Aug 01, 2010 7:36:32	i've got alot out of fiendish codex II, the supernatural thought is good, would allow a long time in hell to be experienced while not taking too much from home world timeline. thanks ravel8
#9 Pyrate_Jib Aug 03, 2010 9:58:03	Yes! I like the idea that time flows differently amid the planes.