I'm going to go out on a limb and say that her CR is "Moot"- If she gets out during the course of a campaign, it means something went terribly wrong, and everyone in her stead is going to die.
This is true of all Rajhas, whom I felt did not need to be statted, but here we are.
Did anyone else hear REM's "It's The End Of The World As We Know It" while they read the Overload rules...?
I assume it was an error that Sul Khatesh (page 68) had no CR listing, right? I'd say she's in the upper 50's, but it'd be nice to see an official word on this.
Think of the Overlords as Deities with divine rank 7. Because that's what they're based off of. So, no CR. If your party manages to defeat an Overlord, that's one of those "okay, you all just gained 2 levels" moments.
Does the article provide a clear background for those of us who are non-Eberronians.
The crunch on the rajah overlords is not setting specific, with the exception of part of their remote sensing ability. But if you read the fluff (highly recommended), you'll be able to figure out things from there.
If you don't want rakshasas to play a big part in your campaign, then this article won't be nearly as useful.
There are, however, 2 creatures mentioned that are not rakshasas, and have pretty cool backstories (an advanced pit fiend and a succubus assassin). Did I ever mention this article has very nice art? It does.
What I find funny is that Boccob, Greyhawk's god of magic, wouldn't stand a chance against Sul Khatesh in an arcane duel.
Ah see, that is what sucks about not having a subscription, I have to wait for the issue to hit the stands. Be that as it may, I'm not familiar with Eberron, so my question is: Does the article provide a clear background for those of us who are non-Eberronians.
Not in so many words, but there's valuable information for anyone using Rakshashas, or other Outsiders. Several of the creatures described therein have unique powers, and fairly interesting personalities.
Further, since most of the creatures and concepts outlined are iconic, they're likely of use to DMs of any setting.
It's a good article, probably the best one in the magazine (Well, that and the Demonomicon entry...) despite the pages that I felt were ill-spent on describing the Overlords.
What I find funny is that Boccob, Greyhawk's god of magic, wouldn't stand a chance against Sul Khatesh in an arcane duel.
That is exactly why divine beings should NOT be given game statistics.
Okay, since we're talking errata here.... anyone else troubled by the Thrall of Zugtmoy? It says many of them are druids, but then has a Chaotic evil alignment requirement... which no druid can fulfill without losing all of their druid abilities.
Did I miss an explanation for this in the article?
- Ashavan
What about the 3rd level Rahjas spell that was insanely overpowered? Does anyone think that was a stinker? Beats a much higher level spell and lasts for days/level.
Is there anyone checking these articles for balance?
Well, it does have a few drawbacks; the six hour wait and the need for focus proximity. It's perhaps a bit over the top IMO; if they had made it a 4th level spell I don't think I would have had any qualms about it at all.
Creative Director
|
Okay, since we're talking errata here.... anyone else troubled by the Thrall of Zugtmoy? It says many of them are druids, but then has a Chaotic evil alignment requirement... which no druid can fulfill without losing all of their druid abilities.
Did I miss an explanation for this in the article?
- Ashavan
The explanation for this is unfortunately missing from the article. Basically, druids who become thralls of Zuggtmoy must change their alignment to Chaotic Evil at some point before they become a thrall (typically, just before they take their first level in the class). The chaotic evil druid retains her druid abilities as a benefit of the thrall of Zuggtmoy prestige class, even though her alignment is no longer neutral.
errata it is, then. ;)
This is true of all Rajhas, whom I felt did not need to be statted, but here we are.
My feeling is that the overlords are a diverse group of beings. This article gives you one set to use, and is intended for those people who want to actually square off against divine-level threats. But if someone else wants to use the existing archfiends as overlords, or to make an overlord that's an even more nebulous and statless threat - a sentient hurricane that obliterates all matter it comes into contact with - go for it. There's "at least" thirty, and I'm only covering six here... so you can get as weird as you want with the rest.
It's a difficult road to walk, because while some DMs and players don't want definition, others do. So what we're trying to do is provide options. Here's an overlord if you feel the need for stats. If you don't, come up with a new name and say it's a different order than the others, and you're good to go. Same with Secrets of Xen'drik: it provides options for DMs to use, but ideally, it won't close any doors for DMs who want Xen'drik all to themselves. It's a tool box more than a blueprint, and it's up to you to choose what to use.
Keith, Keith, Keith. You're missing the point. The point is this is a ROLEplaying game. That means no one can play epic level or have statted gods or rajahs because it's not true to the GAME.
Oh, Keith. So young. So inexperienced. In time you will see there's only one way to play - the right way!
-Amber S.
P.S. Did that sarcasm come through clear enough? I can add more... ;-)
Keith, Keith, Keith. You're missing the point. The point is this is a ROLEplaying game. That means no one can play epic level or have statted gods or rajahs because it's not true to the GAME.
Oh, Keith. So young. So inexperienced. In time you will see there's only one way to play - the right way!
-Amber S.
P.S. Did that sarcasm come through clear enough? I can add more... ;-)
AHEM.
... Anyway...
I merely thought the space was somewhat ill-spent (in comparison to the rest of the "meat" of the article, anyway), but Keith's explination does help me understand why the data was included. And it does make sense when you look at it in that light. Furthermore, my complaints about the Eberron articles, and Keith's contributions in particular, have been few, and barely worth noting. The quality has been great, top-tier writing, good art, and a near-perfect smattering of crunch.
I just thought that the inclusion of nearly indestructable godlike beings was a bit odd, but I had forgotten that rumbling with gods is some people's idea of a good time. In that light, I have no further complaints.
Was Sul Khatesh made with full epic rules? More important: Was she given a divine rank?
If she isn't at least DvR 0, Boccob won't have any trouble defeating her in an arcane duell (because deities are immune to Anti Magic Field and can still cast all their spells within, but beings without DvR can't).
Can't wait to get 337, I hope it will arrive where I live next week
Technically, she doesn't, but she was made with full epic rules and has all the abilities of a deity with DvR 7 except for granting spells (though she still has access to domains). She ignores antimagic fields; actually if she casts prestidigitation within or into an antimagic field... poof!
Sorry to work thread necromancy on something so old, but I've just started playing a new game and my DM has allowed me to work towards the Thrall of Zuggtmoy Prestige Class. I've hit a curio though, and I was hoping someone else might remember back far enough to give me some pointers.
I'm going at it from the starting point of a Druid, with no particular desire to multiclass. But look through the list of abilities granted by the class, I see one from which I can't see myself getting any use. This would be Raise the Rotten power, which allows the thrall to give Str & AC bonuses to any undead they create. Only problem is, as far as I can see it, Druids and Rangers never get to create undead. Without splitting into Cleric for 5 levels or so, is there any way to get anything out of this power?
It just seems a bit odd to me that when Druids and Rangers are described as making the best thralls, for there to be something like this. I must be missing something obvious, right?
Thanks in advance,
Filch