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Author
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Comment
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Breakgate
Human
(8/6/03 11:36 am)
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Using the obelisk
Hi gang,
one of my PC's is a wizard/incantatrix-wannabe whoes only goal in life is to gain more power (for the fans: she's based on and named after the anime-character Lina Inverse).
She's trying to figure out how she can use the obelisk to her ends. She's neutral so doesn't object to using an instrument of an evil God (but she will however face some opposition from the rest of the party who's mostly good.
I'm willing to play along but of course there will be severe consequences of using an object as powerful and evil as the obelisk. As she's only 7th lvl so she's probably in WAY over her head.
I figured she'll have to do extensive research outside of Hommlet (Verbobonc or even further) cause it will be very obscure knowledge, and since it will probably need the use of some high level magic, she'll probably have gain the help of a high-level wizard.
Whatever she'll gain, it'll have to be balanced so i was thinking about something she can only use in emergencies
Anyone got any suggestions for what kind of powers she might gain and what de downsides may be? Has anyone used the obelisk in similar way?
I could probably come up with something for myself, but this forum being the mithril-mine it is i couldn't resist posing this question. 
thanks,
Breakgate
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 Infiniti2000
Verrik
(8/6/03 1:29 pm)
Reply
ezSupporter
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Re: Using the obelisk
The downside should clearly be madness and becoming chaotic evil. Any upside to the research might be something like the Infernal Machine, but grants a pseudonatural appendage instead of an demon one. Perhaps the whole outcome is even applying the pseudonatural template the character (adding the appropriate ECL if you even let the PC continue in the campaign).
The obelisk is way too powerful not to seriously and adversely affect the character.
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Cordo Crowfoot
Litorian
(8/6/03 10:49 pm)
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Re: Using the obelisk
I think I2K has some good ideas, and I agree with him that the character should become an NPC afterwards.
Good chance to give the clear message that Tharizdun = bad at the same time that you get the player to switch to a PC with goals more inline with the rest of the party (this kind of thing could lead to even more conflict - most good PCs would never adventure with someone who behaved this way).
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Siobharek 
Verrik
(8/7/03 12:20 am)
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ezSupporter
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Re: Using the obelisk
First off, I2K is spot on.
Second, do you have the Book of Vile Darkness? The obelisk should certainly require sacrifices to give any boon beyond eating the fruit, but would, on the other hand, provide a hefty bonus on the Knowledge check to perform the sacrifice.
I could easily imagine benefits along the lines of personal boosting (improved ability scores, more hit points, maybe even improved caster levels for the purposes of SR and dispel magic), but each of these benefits should entail a saving throw to avoid madness (and this save should have a DC in the mid-to-upper twenties).
Siobharek
...it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing. |
Breakgate
Human
(8/7/03 1:16 am)
Reply
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Re: Using the obelisk
Thanks for the info guys,
hmm, I think his char becoming NPC, wasn't what the player had in mind. Nor actually what *I* had in mind but I agree that there should be a possibility that the consequences are so bad that the PC is not fit for the campaign anymore. That might become interesting if she decides to join forces with the doomdreamers.
I like the idea of madness. Maybe i'll implement the madness progression chart I read about in the BOB, adding a few points each time she uses one of her new abilities.
I'm not familiar with the pseudonatural template, where can I find it?
cheers
Breakgate
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Siobharek
Verrik
(8/7/03 1:39 am)
Reply
ezSupporter
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Re: Using the obelisk
Look for the Pseudonatural template in Tome and Blood.
As to the player not counting on his PC to become an NPC: It is my honest opinion that they're really messing with something Man Was Not Meant To Know™ While there are Decks of Many Things and Ability Bonuses to be picked up, these are like the goblet Bilbo steals from Smaug: Trinkets that are snatched from the beast.
The player needs a wake-up call. Tharzdun = Oblivion. Get too close, and you die, lose your mind, or both. It's not really a resource to be tapped or a piggy-bank of freebies. Its... it's... it's like raiding a former Soviet missile silo without radiation suit: You'll be burned. Bad.
All IMHO of course, but there you are.
Siobharek
...it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing. |
msherman
Faen
(8/7/03 4:11 am)
Reply
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Re: Using the obelisk
You might want to give the character (or perhaps, instead, some other member of the party) the chance to make a wisdom check to realize the danger of the path the character is walking. At least then the player will know that they stand a good chance of losing the character as a PC.
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Breakgate
Human
(8/8/03 3:29 am)
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Re: Using the obelisk
Thanks again, people. You made some usefull suggestions.
I decided to use the pseudonatural template, in combination with madness and/or insanity points. With some slight modifications to make sure things don't get to unbalanced.
At this stage the players don't really know about Tharizdun yet. They've heard of Him (from Ysslansh) and know that the EEE doesn't really exist, but they haven't figured that the cult is actually about Tharizdun.
But don't worry, they will soon find out what a bad-ass mofo Big T really is and the player, and the character will get ample warning about what could (or more likely: WILL) happen to her mind and body.
Like Cordo said: it's a good opportunity to show the PC's what they're fighting against, without spelling out for them that existence as they know will end when Big T's released.
I'll make up some scenes that'll make @#%$ their pants
and one last argument: it will be FUN! 
cheers
Breakgate
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