Is my mind playing tricks on me or did I read that the next issue of Dragon Magazine is going to include a v3.5 animus?
If I read correctly, AWESOME! What perfect timing!
After Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil, my campaign is going to move to Old Almor, and I plan on touching on all of the history and current politics of that area post-Greyhawk Wars. Ivid's legacy of madness, death, and destruction continues!
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Is my mind playing tricks on me or did I read that the next issue of Dragon Magazine is going to include a v3.5 animus?
If I read correctly, AWESOME! What perfect timing!
After Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil, my campaign is going to move to Old Almor, and I plan on touching on all of the history and current politics of that area post-Greyhawk Wars. Ivid's legacy of madness, death, and destruction continues!
What's that? another kind of demon or shapeshifter?
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It is a form of undead that was added in the "From the Ashes" 2nd edition box set (at least that is the first place I came across it). I would assume that it the 3.5 version would a templete of some sort.
The Animus was created by the priesthood of Hextor to create a new form of powerful undead. Ivid would grant this special "gift" to certain nobles and generals in the old Great Kingdom. Needless to say, most recipiants of the "gift" did not accept it willingly.
What's that? another kind of demon or shapeshifter?
Believing--with good reason--that his generals conspired to mutiny, the Overking [Ivid] sought even greater control over them. The priests of Hextor, seeking favor in the eyes of the mad Overking, devised a solution to his problem. Through secret rituals, the priests revived each dead general as an animus--a being that, though dead, retained its intelligence and abilities. Perhaps the Overking believed such beings would serve him better or be more amenable to his will. In fact, Ivid was so taken with his animus generals that he broadened the program, first slaying and reviving those nobles who offended him and eventually working the death and revivification as a reward for all his favored courtiers.
Though Ivid's nobles were undeniably decadent, they were not mad: they considered Ivid's gift an unenviable "reward." Because winning the Overking's favor had become as deadly as incurring his wrath, most nobles sought refuge in mediocrity, obscurity, and anonymity. A few of the more courageous and less astute nobles attempted to dissuade Ivid from his insane schemes, but succeeded only in convincing Ivid to "reward" them on the spot. Fear gave way to defiance as the nobles plotted against their mad lord. Thus, Ivid's prediction of mutiny became a self-fulfilling prophecy.
If you want to read more about the Greyhawk Wars:
http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/dreadwood/greyhawk/wars.htm
They're more like liches than anything else -- they get a few defenses and a few powers that augment their ability to dominate and abuse the people around them, but nothing gross like ghoul stength, no mindlessness like a zombie or skeleton, etc.
I wrote them up for 3.0 in the Living Greyhawk Journal, the article is my 3.5 conversion of them (and other creatures).
They're more like liches than anything else -- they get a few defenses and a few powers that augment their ability to dominate and abuse the people around them, but nothing gross like ghoul stength, no mindlessness like a zombie or skeleton, etc.
I wrote them up for 3.0 in the Living Greyhawk Journal, the article is my 3.5 conversion of them (and other creatures).
Sean, did you provide any sample characters such as some of the key NPCs associated with Ivid, Almor, the North Kingdom, or Ahlissa?
It's a shame there's no related adventure in Dungeon Magazine that's associated with this region. *hint hint*
sean, as badly as i'm itching to have a look at the Boccob article in this month's Dragon, i even more want to see your monster article in next month's issue. :)
The writeup, like all template writeups, includes a sample creature, but he's not anyone of note in the hierarchy of the Great Kingdom, he's a guy I created.
He is a minor Aerdy noble, though.
He is a minor Aerdy noble, though.
Interesting. *ponder*
The Animus was created with the help of the only female death knight(cannot quite remember her name though) and fiends in the service of Ivid aiding the priests of Hextor. It is though to no longer be possible to create one. Animus are great tragic characters. I hope you continue this part of their personalities. Great idea to convert them to 3.5, Sean.
The Animus was created with the help of the only female death knight(cannot quite remember her name though)
Lady Lorana Kath of Naelax, Living Greyhawk Journal #7 (included in Dragon 291).
She is a 16th Level Cleric of Hextor and a real monstrosity, even for a death knight. Gary Holians ideas are truly frightening. I just like his writeups of the death knights :-)Stefan
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The Animus was created with the help of the only female death knight(cannot quite remember her name though)Lady Lorana Kath of Naelax, Living Greyhawk Journal #7 (included in Dragon 291).
She is a 16th Level Cleric of Hextor and a real monstrosity, even for a death knight. Gary Holians ideas are truly frightening. I just like his writeups of the death knights :-)Stefan
Is that one who wears the faces of beautiful women she skinned alive? i thought there were two lady death knights.