Making a character disappear...? - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Making a character disappear...?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
sensei_v1
Jun 08, 2009 20:52:20 I have a character that has a mark on their soul. Long story short, he will be tortured, hunted and made miserable until he is dead. How can I make a character "disappear" without being unplayable? He is one of the best characters I've come up with in a long time.

I have proposed becoming an undead (It's been done, but still clever). It is a solo campaign with a DM who is very lenient, and can come up with great RP challenges along with the typical battle-type challenge.

The character is demonic, and is chaotic neutral. He is already versed in plains-hopping and is around level 10.

Help me come up with something INTERESTING!!!!

Thanks.
#2
Novacat
Jun 08, 2009 21:01:51 Don't long-story-short this. Where did the mark come from, and what is its nature? What end, exactly, are you trying to reach?

Give us some background on your character and this curse, and we'll be better able to help you come up with appropriate story elements.
#3
sensei_v1
Jun 08, 2009 21:10:17 Basically, the character's father is a demonic higher-up. However, the character does not know his familial history, and just recently began to look it up. As he found out more about his history (DM threw in some neat story twists that really made sense to the character... I let her do this quite often actually), he found out his mother was a devil, the father was a demon... he fell in love with someone on the wrong side of the Blood War, and so his entire family was sworn to death. Not only was I gone by this point (on the Material Plane), but very few people even knew I existed.

As I began to question my genealogy, more people found out I existed, and not only wanted me dead because of my father, but of the potential risk I could be (thanks to a prophecy naming the son of a chaotic father and a lawful mother on both sides of the Blood War). I am currently being protected by a Yugoloth who is not only a mediator, but a "collector of eccentricities", which I happen to fall under.

I want my friends and new family, on the material plane, to be safe. If I am alive, they are in danger. I want to "die" to protect them, but not put this character on the shelf. It has so much potential.

Anything else that you'd like to know?
#4
entropy_judge
Jun 08, 2009 21:51:28 I assume the Yugoloth can't/won't do something? ... Well, you're a 10th level something-or-other - if you're DM is particularly lenient, you could try to look up a decent Magic-User with Wish or a friendly temple with Miracle, see if you can be their treasure hunter and/or problem-solver in exchange for hiding or removing the mark, or making an effect similar to that of an Amulet of Proof Against Detection and Location. Depending on the strength, it should protect, at least in the short-term.

Regarding your "death" - can you be resurrected, and would doing so remove this 'mark' on you? What about reincarnation, followed by a polymorph effect if necessary? Or, give the prophecy the finger and get a gender change ....

Are any of these helpful, or wildly off-base?
#5
MechaPilot
Jun 08, 2009 21:57:09
I assume the Yugoloth can't/won't do something?

Knowing Yugoloths as I do, I wouldn't want to entrust one with my personal well-being; even if said Yugoloth was my father.

As for disappearing, unless the mark is detectable by those who want you dead (like a scent, or the immortal feeling from highlander), you can always get the character's race or gender changed through a ritual. You'd be surprised how easy it is to disappear that way. The hard part is if they know who your friends are.
#6
sensei_v1
Jun 08, 2009 22:21:51
Knowing Yugoloths as I do, I wouldn't want to entrust one with my personal well-being; even if said Yugoloth was my father.

The Yugoloth is merely a collector of interesting things... and at this point, I am the most interesting thing he's come across in a while... prophecy child, half devil/half demon but with generally humanoid figure, and with a large ransom (which he has no interest in... money is not important to him, only the interesting object/person). He also likes being in control of the situation, and as a Yugoloth with a possible stake in the Blood War, he likes having me as a piece of his puzzle.

My opinion on the change of identity matter is that my scent, soul and general essence are going to be the same no matter what I LOOK like. Also, it is pretty safe to say that a lower planes search party can find people on the Material Plane, especially those who don't know they need to hide.

The only place I consider to be truly safe is with the Yugoloth (good situation, eh) because he is protecting me for his own sick interests. If I leave his abode, any number of people, demons, devils, bounty hunters, or drunks that see my face on a wanted poster are on the lookout for me.

You could say that I am the "Vash the Stampede" of the outer planes... only less cool, with less battle skill. Plus, I haven't really tapped all of my innate powers (because I just recently figured out the bulk of my past).

If they kill me and I get resurrected, the manhunt may continue. If they kill me and trap my soul, I can't be resurrected. Plus the idea of dying without actually dying (like undeath) seems kinda cool. Anything else? I appreciate the input!!!
#7
gregt_314
Jun 08, 2009 22:49:55 You got the mark for a reason; deal with the reason. If it's a curse put on you by an enemy, defeat the enemy. If it's punishment for a crime, then repent and atone. Make it clear to your DM that you're not enjoying what's going on with your character, at which point it's their job to urgently change the game to fix things.
#8
pyromancer2k
Jun 09, 2009 2:25:11 Perhaps a soul transfer ritual of some kind? That way you leave you old body behind in death and reincarnate into a new one.

You said the conditions of the mark were until you were dead. Unlike polymorph you are not altering the shape of your body but instead discarding it which would mean it's death.
#9
Novacat
Jun 09, 2009 3:15:04 Here are some thoughts:

• With all the investigative resources of the lower planes, is it really conceivable that they don't already know who your friends are?

• Isn't it also reasonable to assume that the unholy agents attempting on your life will use your friends to get to you?

• And finally, would beings of absolute and unrepentant selfishness be able to comprehend that you, their kinsman, might be capable of sacrificing yourself for your companions?

Therefore, I propose that your character not only has no reason to die, but has every reason to live! The demons/devils will probably come after his friends, regardless if he's alive or dead, unless he dies at their hands. He is therefore obligated to protect those that he has already unknowingly endangered.
#10
entropy_judge
Jun 09, 2009 9:42:51
If they kill me and I get resurrected, the manhunt may continue. If they kill me and trap my soul, I can't be resurrected. Plus the idea of dying without actually dying (like undeath) seems kinda cool. Anything else? I appreciate the input!!!

Unfortunately, then, unless I'm missing something, you're ****ed. You can't remove the mark, so you seem to have only two options:

Remain with the Yugoloth (or a different Patron of similar power)
Kill everyone who's after you, or at least enough (and on both sides) that they get the idea to leave you alone

And it's entirely possible that I'm missing something, but it looks like you're stuck with Yugo until the DM gets the plot ball rolling again. Your soul, which is apparently what's being used to track you, is *you*, and if your hunters are at all competent and have an INT score above 10, are going to look for you if you just drop off the face of the multiverse. Simply going undead doesn't look like it's going to help, as the ones you'd want to be (greater, intelligent) appear - to my way of thinking - to be animated *by* the soul.
#11
veltharis_ap_rylix
Jun 09, 2009 22:49:57 Assuming that your enemies can't recognize you instantly regardless of your form (i.e. Highlander-style "immortal sense"), I think the best way to do this is to take on a new body (more than simply shapechanging).

I'd recommend using a True Mind Switch type effect to take over a new body (permanently) and use Programmed Amnesia to make it seem that your old body is still you, then either leaving your old body with the Yugoloth in stasis (or something similar), letting it go free (and draw away your enemies), or leading them to it somehow and letting them kill "you" (taking away their incentive to harm your family/friends).

Of course, unless the subject in question is willing (and who would be?), this is clearly an evil act, so make sure you (and your character) are comfortable with that.

And don't let the 'loth know unless you have to. Best to get out from under him while you can.
#12
death_isthe_begining
Jun 12, 2009 4:13:06 The only thing I can think of is Clone but that is probably too high level of a spell maybe get the Yugoloth to do it ?
The enemies can kill you and you can live(probably under the Yugoloth's heel for awhile though).
#13
kelb_havoc
Jun 12, 2009 16:20:17 I'm gonna have to side with the people that say take the fight to the enemy, don't let them bring the fight to you. Get moving on fulfilling that prophecy, they'll be too busy trying to stop you directly to worry about using your friends/family in a bid to get you to stop, besides any demons that try to barter your life for your loved ones' will most certainly kill everyone in the end anyway. Devils are just as bad, the one doing the talking will tell you that "he" won't harm anyone you care about, then when he has you were he wants you he'll have someone else do the killing.

Bottom line: your family's boned and you're probably destined for martydom.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 sensei_v1 Jun 08, 2009 20:52:20	I have a character that has a mark on their soul. Long story short, he will be tortured, hunted and made miserable until he is dead. How can I make a character "disappear" without being unplayable? He is one of the best characters I've come up with in a long time. I have proposed becoming an undead (It's been done, but still clever). It is a solo campaign with a DM who is very lenient, and can come up with great RP challenges along with the typical battle-type challenge. The character is demonic, and is chaotic neutral. He is already versed in plains-hopping and is around level 10. Help me come up with something INTERESTING!!!! Thanks.
#2 Novacat Jun 08, 2009 21:01:51	Don't long-story-short this. Where did the mark come from, and what is its nature? What end, exactly, are you trying to reach? Give us some background on your character and this curse, and we'll be better able to help you come up with appropriate story elements.
#3 sensei_v1 Jun 08, 2009 21:10:17	Basically, the character's father is a demonic higher-up. However, the character does not know his familial history, and just recently began to look it up. As he found out more about his history (DM threw in some neat story twists that really made sense to the character... I let her do this quite often actually), he found out his mother was a devil, the father was a demon... he fell in love with someone on the wrong side of the Blood War, and so his entire family was sworn to death. Not only was I gone by this point (on the Material Plane), but very few people even knew I existed. As I began to question my genealogy, more people found out I existed, and not only wanted me dead because of my father, but of the potential risk I could be (thanks to a prophecy naming the son of a chaotic father and a lawful mother on both sides of the Blood War). I am currently being protected by a Yugoloth who is not only a mediator, but a "collector of eccentricities", which I happen to fall under. I want my friends and new family, on the material plane, to be safe. If I am alive, they are in danger. I want to "die" to protect them, but not put this character on the shelf. It has so much potential. Anything else that you'd like to know?
#4 entropy_judge Jun 08, 2009 21:51:28	I assume the Yugoloth can't/won't do something? ... Well, you're a 10th level something-or-other - if you're DM is particularly lenient, you could try to look up a decent Magic-User with Wish or a friendly temple with Miracle, see if you can be their treasure hunter and/or problem-solver in exchange for hiding or removing the mark, or making an effect similar to that of an Amulet of Proof Against Detection and Location. Depending on the strength, it should protect, at least in the short-term. Regarding your "death" - can you be resurrected, and would doing so remove this 'mark' on you? What about reincarnation, followed by a polymorph effect if necessary? Or, give the prophecy the finger and get a gender change .... Are any of these helpful, or wildly off-base?
#5 MechaPilot Jun 08, 2009 21:57:09	I assume the Yugoloth can't/won't do something? Knowing Yugoloths as I do, I wouldn't want to entrust one with my personal well-being; even if said Yugoloth was my father. As for disappearing, unless the mark is detectable by those who want you dead (like a scent, or the immortal feeling from highlander), you can always get the character's race or gender changed through a ritual. You'd be surprised how easy it is to disappear that way. The hard part is if they know who your friends are.
#6 sensei_v1 Jun 08, 2009 22:21:51	Knowing Yugoloths as I do, I wouldn't want to entrust one with my personal well-being; even if said Yugoloth was my father. The Yugoloth is merely a collector of interesting things... and at this point, I am the most interesting thing he's come across in a while... prophecy child, half devil/half demon but with generally humanoid figure, and with a large ransom (which he has no interest in... money is not important to him, only the interesting object/person). He also likes being in control of the situation, and as a Yugoloth with a possible stake in the Blood War, he likes having me as a piece of his puzzle. My opinion on the change of identity matter is that my scent, soul and general essence are going to be the same no matter what I LOOK like. Also, it is pretty safe to say that a lower planes search party can find people on the Material Plane, especially those who don't know they need to hide. The only place I consider to be truly safe is with the Yugoloth (good situation, eh) because he is protecting me for his own sick interests. If I leave his abode, any number of people, demons, devils, bounty hunters, or drunks that see my face on a wanted poster are on the lookout for me. You could say that I am the "Vash the Stampede" of the outer planes... only less cool, with less battle skill. Plus, I haven't really tapped all of my innate powers (because I just recently figured out the bulk of my past). If they kill me and I get resurrected, the manhunt may continue. If they kill me and trap my soul, I can't be resurrected. Plus the idea of dying without actually dying (like undeath) seems kinda cool. Anything else? I appreciate the input!!!
#7 gregt_314 Jun 08, 2009 22:49:55	You got the mark for a reason; deal with the reason. If it's a curse put on you by an enemy, defeat the enemy. If it's punishment for a crime, then repent and atone. Make it clear to your DM that you're not enjoying what's going on with your character, at which point it's their job to urgently change the game to fix things.
#8 pyromancer2k Jun 09, 2009 2:25:11	Perhaps a soul transfer ritual of some kind? That way you leave you old body behind in death and reincarnate into a new one. You said the conditions of the mark were until you were dead. Unlike polymorph you are not altering the shape of your body but instead discarding it which would mean it's death.
#9 Novacat Jun 09, 2009 3:15:04	Here are some thoughts: • With all the investigative resources of the lower planes, is it really conceivable that they don't already know who your friends are? • Isn't it also reasonable to assume that the unholy agents attempting on your life will use your friends to get to you? • And finally, would beings of absolute and unrepentant selfishness be able to comprehend that you, their kinsman, might be capable of sacrificing yourself for your companions? Therefore, I propose that your character not only has no reason to die, but has every reason to live! The demons/devils will probably come after his friends, regardless if he's alive or dead, unless he dies at their hands. He is therefore obligated to protect those that he has already unknowingly endangered.
#10 entropy_judge Jun 09, 2009 9:42:51	If they kill me and I get resurrected, the manhunt may continue. If they kill me and trap my soul, I can't be resurrected. Plus the idea of dying without actually dying (like undeath) seems kinda cool. Anything else? I appreciate the input!!! Unfortunately, then, unless I'm missing something, you're ***ed. You can't remove the mark, so you seem to have only two options: Remain with the Yugoloth (or a different Patron of similar power) Kill everyone who's after you, or at least enough (and on both sides) that they get the idea to leave you alone And it's entirely possible that I'm missing something, but it looks like you're stuck with Yugo until the DM gets the plot ball rolling again. Your soul, which is apparently what's being used to track you, is you, and if your hunters are at all competent and have an INT score above 10, are going to look for you if you just drop off the face of the multiverse. Simply going undead doesn't look like it's going to help, as the ones you'd want to be (greater, intelligent) appear - to my way of thinking - to be animated by* the soul.
#11 veltharis_ap_rylix Jun 09, 2009 22:49:57	Assuming that your enemies can't recognize you instantly regardless of your form (i.e. Highlander-style "immortal sense"), I think the best way to do this is to take on a new body (more than simply shapechanging). I'd recommend using a True Mind Switch type effect to take over a new body (permanently) and use Programmed Amnesia to make it seem that your old body is still you, then either leaving your old body with the Yugoloth in stasis (or something similar), letting it go free (and draw away your enemies), or leading them to it somehow and letting them kill "you" (taking away their incentive to harm your family/friends). Of course, unless the subject in question is willing (and who would be?), this is clearly an evil act, so make sure you (and your character) are comfortable with that. And don't let the 'loth know unless you have to. Best to get out from under him while you can.
#12 death_isthe_begining Jun 12, 2009 4:13:06	The only thing I can think of is Clone but that is probably too high level of a spell maybe get the Yugoloth to do it ? The enemies can kill you and you can live(probably under the Yugoloth's heel for awhile though).
#13 kelb_havoc Jun 12, 2009 16:20:17	I'm gonna have to side with the people that say take the fight to the enemy, don't let them bring the fight to you. Get moving on fulfilling that prophecy, they'll be too busy trying to stop you directly to worry about using your friends/family in a bid to get you to stop, besides any demons that try to barter your life for your loved ones' will most certainly kill everyone in the end anyway. Devils are just as bad, the one doing the talking will tell you that "he" won't harm anyone you care about, then when he has you were he wants you he'll have someone else do the killing. Bottom line: your family's boned and you're probably destined for martydom.