With everybody heading into the Abyss these days, some questions have come up leafing through and preparing the final installments. While I do have personal take on most of them, I would appreciate some outside input
I ) - Demogorgon and many of his greater minions have a (Su) Touch effect caused by their attack - namely "rotting flesh", causing Con-damage, with additional Con damage over time, until a remove disease is used on the victim. Now, would this be treated as a supernatural disease ? Or if not, what other sort of effect would it be ?
Personally I would treat it as a disease, even if not specifically named so, but I am up for alternative explanations and I want to make certain that applicable defenses and tailor-made items are taken into account, if it comes down to bandages in Dungeon #149
II ) How extensive is the protective effect of "Mind Blank" ? Does it only extend to such mind-affecting effects that target and influence emotions (say fear or a phantadmal killer ) or does it also protect from domination and charms ? Because, in effect, this might make the entire Malcanteth encounter rather..... absurd ? Yes, protection from evil is a cheap substitute against domination and possession, and will close that gap, but where is the limit ?
Since we are at it - is Magic Jar being warded against ?
And do positive mind affecting spells or effects such as bardic music affect the recipient of Magic Jar neither ? What about telepathic communication - blocked by Mind Blank, right ?
III ) How will "Dominate" and/or energy drain effects affect a person which is currently under the Magic Jar command of an arcane caster, hence technically possessed. Who will be affected ? The body or the occupying lifeforce ? I am inclined to rule for it being the lifeforce (the body will likely get abused enough ), but am foreseeing player protests.
IV ) Would either domination - of which the PC is likely aware, yet helpless to resist the commanded compulsions - possession, Magic Jarring or the "rot" from Demogorgon qualify as a "spell, effect or condition" from which a Warblade could free himself through the use of the "Iron Heart Surge" maneuvre (BoNS, P. 68 )?
I have already ruled so with regard to blindness, confusion, slowing, poisoning and normal disease, but ruled against it being a viable maneuvre versus paralysis and stun.
Input is absolutely appreciated, because I may have to adapt some monstrosities to be more or less challenging to the group "as per rules", especially so Malcanteth ( the "item forge" wizard" has become very much enarmoured with "Eyes of Winking" from the MoF, and I guess, by the time they are going to snuggle up with Shami and Mal, they will all be wearing one. Succubi Queens carry a certain reputation....). The encounter may just develop a nasty turn if they think they are immune to her viles and charms