The boss for one of the epic level sections of my current campaign, Shi is a lich that used magic to keep his youth. He is a level 30 sor, level ten clr. I would like some feed back and will post his stats later for all to see his great power.
The Pc's will first encounter him in the city they are in (Hepseria) Here is an example of the encounter: " The tall strange Man points up at a building. He mutters a few words and a huge hole appears in the building as bodies and body parts rain down onto the street. He laughs and says 'Do you still wish to fight me pathetic mortals. I shall destroy this city if you do not do as I request'"
A lich that want to keep his youth?
Lich are by their choice trapped inside bodies that decay, they can always choose to transfer their soul to a new fresh body, that's easy, the phylactery is some kind of special magic jar.
The Dark lord Shi is a very starnge Lich. Even though he choose to be a lich he despises decay. As he also uses necromancy he does not use zombie like undead. He sees decay as "messy" and choose to be a lich so he could continue his plans for being a god even past the natural age limits of humans
The Dark lord Shi is a very starnge Lich. Even though he choose to be a lich he despises decay. As he also uses necromancy he does not use zombie like undead. He sees decay as "messy" and choose to be a lich so he could continue his plans for being a god even past the natural age limits of humans
Reminds me of a player I used to know, his character became a lich but couldn't stand the "messy" undead. So he insisted that all skeletons be dipped in lye baths to get rid of all the mortal remains. Needless to say he was mocked endlessly.
How about the title Champion of Death? The Dark Lord of Death sounds a bit repetitive, kind of like saying here comes the Holy Champion of Good.
There was a spell in 2ED Ravenloft called 'Fleah Graft' that allowed a lich to graft living flesh to their bodies to make them look living. I guess it's easier to talk to people you don't want to kill without that whole 'Ancient undead vissage' thing.
How about the title Champion of Death? The Dark Lord of Death sounds a bit repetitive, kind of like saying here comes the Holy Champion of Good.
The title is from the fact that there is a group of mages, four for each school of magic one of those each for an alignment. They are the Lords of Magic. the evil ones are The Dark Lords. Shi has dominion over death (necromancy). Therefore: The dark lord of Death, Shi.
If I remember how I did the history right it was an unguent of timelessness. Otherwise I used a permenent gentle repose.
If I remember how I did the history right it was an unguent of timelessness. Otherwise I used a permenent gentle repose.
Not sure where your going with this. Let me try and figure it out.
If I remember how I did the history right it was an unguent of timelessness.
So your saying that when you where coming up with the history of your campaign world it was like a unguent (a soothing or healing salve) or timelessness (fiction: that has a timeless appeal). So I guess the work was like a soothing salve that never went away?
Otherwise I used a permenent gentle repose.
I guess you mean is that if things would have been different you would have never reached the permanent state of non-agitated calmness?
One question, you mentioned that each school of magic had four Lords eace and one for each alignment? Did you mean three for good,evil,netural or did you mean five for good,evil,netrual,chaos,good?
Each school of magic (necro, trans etc) has four mages one for chaos, one for law, one for evil, one for good. In refrence to the unguent of timelessness that was the item Lord Shi used to keep his youth. i could not remember wether it was that or a spell he used.
The boss for one of the epic level sections of my current campaign, Shi is a lich that used magic to keep his youth. He is a level 30 sor, level ten clr. I would like some feed back and will post his stats later for all to see his great power.
The Pc's will first encounter him in the city they are in (Hepseria) Here is an example of the encounter: " The tall strange Man points up at a building. He mutters a few words and a huge hole appears in the building as bodies and body parts rain down onto the street. He laughs and says 'Do you still wish to fight me pathetic mortals. I shall destroy this city if you do not do as I request'"
I disagree with some of the other posters - I don't think anybody would want to look decayed. They might wanto to be immortal bad enough to deal with it, but want it doesn't make much sense it would only serve to hamper interaction and broadcast "Hey I'm an evil lich".
I would hold back the lich himself for a long time, presenting the characters with false leads and minions. Others that want to take advantage of the lich's power, magical or otherwise.
I would also create some unique magical effects and itmes for the guy - including little ones.
Say birds that broadcast what they see back to a reflecting pool so that the lich is aware of the PCs plans and actions as well as everything else in his area of operation.
Also why would he destroy the city.
Destruction for the sake of evil is a poor motivation for a bad guy IMO. They need to want something - and don't care how they get it, that is evil. To want power over something is fine, but if you want it you want to control it, have it, not destroy it. You may risk destroying it to get but revelling in destruction for destruction sake is madness and beneath the intelligence and power of a 40th level character.
I think you should have to slog through a lot of underlings before you got the boss - so presumably he has staff of some sort, for a criminal organization, a school, a feifdom, whatever. And even at the end would have guardians and not be truly alone. The guy has had (presumably) years and years to plan his security and defenses, and wields a LOT of magic to be able to create them.
I want to chime in on the title. While Dark Lord is fun and evoactive, do something else. Every damn fantasy and RPG has a "Dark Lord" and it will really come off as hackneyed.
Also, why 30 Sor/10 Clr? Why not like a Lvl 10 Sor/Lvl 10 Clr/Lvl 10 Mystic Theurge? With that, and the lich template, you should get plenty of fire power, and not spread the levesl out so much.
Luke makes a great point
Lord of the Synod
Thane of "Where ever" in your campaign
Keeper of the Book of Shadows
Master of "Place Name"
Father of Night
Well these are all fairly cheesy, but just rank and place are pretty cool i.e. Count of Monte Cristo
I would stay away from "the chosen one" as well
If the guy is hiding his lich like look it may make sense to stay away from darkness related names and go with simple ranks
Sultan, Lord Marshal, Enchanter, Archmage, Priest, Shah, General, Master, etc.
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How about the title Champion of Death? The Dark Lord of Death sounds a bit repetitive, kind of like saying here comes the Holy Champion of Good.
Oh, I dunno about this. You are assuming that Death is already 'dark'. Death need not be 'dark' or 'bad', it depends on one's outlook. Certainly a murderous god might be viewed as 'dark' while a overseer god that shepherds souls to their rightful destinations may not be 'dark' at all.
Besides, I am married and often I long for the peace that death will bring :P
It all depends on your outlook...
I disagree with some of the other posters - I don't think anybody would want to look decayed. They might wanto to be immortal bad enough to deal with it, but want it doesn't make much sense it would only serve to hamper interaction and broadcast "Hey I'm an evil lich".
I would hold back the lich himself for a long time, presenting the characters with false leads and minions. Others that want to take advantage of the lich's power, magical or otherwise.
I would also create some unique magical effects and itmes for the guy - including little ones.
Say birds that broadcast what they see back to a reflecting pool so that the lich is aware of the PCs plans and actions as well as everything else in his area of operation.
Also why would he destroy the city.
Destruction for the sake of evil is a poor motivation for a bad guy IMO. They need to want something - and don't care how they get it, that is evil. To want power over something is fine, but if you want it you want to control it, have it, not destroy it. You may risk destroying it to get but revelling in destruction for destruction sake is madness and beneath the intelligence and power of a 40th level character.
He uses the threat of destroying the city because it holds over a million people. If the Pc's let him destroy the city he kills thousands of childern so that is the motivation for them to do what he wants. The reason they encounter him early is so they don't go after him to soon. He also shows up just to show of his power
Luke makes a great point
Lord of the Synod
Thane of "Where ever" in your campaignKeeper of the Book of Shadows
Master of "Place Name"
Father of Night
Well these are all fairly cheesy, but just rank and place are pretty cool i.e. Count of Monte Cristo
I would stay away from "the chosen one" as well
If the guy is hiding his lich like look it may make sense to stay away from darkness related names and go with simple ranks
Sultan, Lord Marshal, Enchanter, Archmage, Priest, Shah, General, Master, etc.
Everyone knows he is the Dark Lord of magic. he is not hiding his lichdom simply giving himself the apperance of divine favoring by his keeping his young looks for thousands of years.
Another time they learn of Shi's great power is much later on when he destroys Mechanus (almost). here it is: " A tall older looking man dressed in noble finery approaches you. he asks you to talk to him in private. when you are away from the bustling of the common room he looks at you and pulls out a crystal orb. he says " A very powerful mage assulted the capital of Mechanus. He completly wiped it out killing everyone but me. he told me that he let me live so I could relay the message to you. Here is a recording of the destruction." He waves his hand over the crystal and mutters a few words. and suddenly...." Thats where I'll stop.
Another time they learn of Shi's great power is much later on when he destroys Mechanus (almost). here it is: " A tall older looking man dressed in noble finery approaches you. he asks you to talk to him in private. when you are away from the bustling of the common room he looks at you and pulls out a crystal orb. he says " A very powerful mage assulted the capital of Mechanus. He completly wiped it out killing everyone but me. he told me that he let me live so I could relay the message to you. Here is a recording of the destruction." He waves his hand over the crystal and mutters a few words. and suddenly...." Thats where I'll stop.
Geez, and Primus couldn't even stop this guy from almost destroying Mechanus? Do you even want your players to beat this guy? If Shi is a lich shouldn't he be more like the Dark Lord of Undeath.
I mean he is cheating death by becoming a lich so why would he be a Dark Lord of something he is been avoiding for thousands of years? What about the other three "Lords of Necromancy" why don't they stop Shi? Better yet where are all the "other" Lords of Magic?
Don't know about you but if some guy is running around wiping out cites or almost wiping them out I think I would either jump ship or gather my peers in a desperate attempt to stop him.
The players at the time of the destruction of Mechanus should be able to take on Shi. He and the other Dark lords of magic have either killed or trapped the others. Shi may be a lich and have dominion over undeath but he killed more then a million people during a Great war. That gained him the title Lord of death.
The players at the time of the destruction of Mechanus should be able to take on Shi. He and the other Dark lords of magic have either killed or trapped the others. Shi may be a lich and have dominion over undeath but he killed more then a million people during a Great war. That gained him the title Lord of death.
What is the min level you expect your players to be to take on Vecna Jr?
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What is the min level you expect your players to be to take on Vecna Jr?
45. and equipped with a massivly powerful artifact spear.
45. and equipped with a massivly powerful artifact spear.[
What is the min level you expect your players to be to take on Vecna Jr?
I'm assuming they are currently around 20-30? Is that correct? I'm also assuming that this is a epic campign designed to build them till they reach 45.
Now will Shi gaining levels? otherwise why would a group of 45th level characters be a afraid from a 40th level putz.
They are currently level 2. Shi will not be gaining any levels but will have some potent servents (hd 93 Necronaut and maxed out hd shadesteel golems.)
They are currently level 2. Shi will not be gaining any levels but will have some potent servents (hd 93 Necronaut and maxed out hd shadesteel golems.)
Wow, your going to be playing with this guy as the main villian for a looooonnnnnngggggg time then.
The best way to handle the inevitable charater bordom is to take the advice of a few other posts. Best not have Shi start out as the main protagonist, best have one of his minions set the statge for him.
Oh yeah. The Pc's will face slavers, bandits and all sorts of other baddies before even learning of the Dark lord Shi.
To destroy Mechanus, an entire plane, powered by a Greater Deity, he would need to have Divine Ranks. It doesn't make sense otherwise.
Maybe you should scale Shi down to a lower level. Playing long enough to get to that power level will take an obscenely long time. Make him closer to their level, for greater game effect.
To destroy Mechanus, an entire plane, powered by a Greater Deity, he would need to have Divine Ranks. It doesn't make sense otherwise.
Maybe you should scale Shi down to a lower level. Playing long enough to get to that power level will take an obscenely long time. Make him closer to their level, for greater game effect.
Ah but he only nearly destroyed the main part of mechanus. The huge castle described in the DMG. Shi gets his arcane power from charisma like any sorceror. His cha is 41 he would have enough firepower to take out the castle with his armie of undeads and constructs in a day easly.
Have you ever read stuff on the Modrons? There is enough of them to march through THE LOWER PLANES and not be stopped. Mechanus is also the home to a God, Primus. The questions isn't just of firepower. Can a high-level lich match the power of a deity, especially a Great one? And a millions-strong race that has never been defeated?
I understand your idea. But the plain fact is it is not that easy to do. Why not have him destory something on the Material plane? Why go after Mechanus?
Have you ever read stuff on the Modrons? There is enough of them to march through THE LOWER PLANES and not be stopped. Mechanus is also the home to a God, Primus. The questions isn't just of firepower. Can a high-level lich match the power of a deity, especially a Great one? And a millions-strong race that has never been defeated?
I understand your idea. But the plain fact is it is not that easy to do. Why not have him destory something on the Material plane? Why go after Mechanus?
A) I have no deity on Mechanus in my campaign. B) Shi goes after mechanus as his master plan to rule everything (and I do mean everything) C) Shi has enough magical fire power to cast 8 wishes A DAY! He could easily take down the big city in Mechanus where the capital from the DMG is and escape.
Another thing. He has 100 beads of force, 4 darkskulls and many powerful magic Items and artifacts that he has collected over the 6,000 years he has existed. He is nigh unstopable which why I will give the PCs in a high powered campaign the most powerful weapon in the world. The Draconis spear. A +7 flight (oriental adventures) Holy crystal (extra damage against undead) Vorpal impaling (like vorpal but for piercing) Modified grt spear (also can slash) It also has many other powers such as the abillity to cause an undead slain by it to be eternally destroyed with out being returned without at least 2 greater deities using wish.
A) I have no deity on Mechanus in my campaign. B) Shi goes after mechanus as his master plan to rule everything (and I do mean everything) C) Shi has enough magical fire power to cast 8 wishes A DAY! He could easily take down the big city in Mechanus where the capital from the DMG is and escape.
Ok, you have no god on Mechanus (not realistic since it's the ultimate plane of law, hence a top down driven society with one prime leader), but what about the rest of the multiverse? If Shi's master plan is to take over everything wouldn't the other gods, demon princes, archdevils, celestials, guardinals and the other beings of power have something to say about it or have the "Dark Lords" of your campaign world taken care of them too?
I'm sorry but someone has to say it. Your campign is bording on the absurd. Your little lich maybe a big fish on his home campign world but when he wants to take over everything get realistic.
Better villians then him have tried and failed. Vecna in "Die Vecna Die" or Orcus in "Dead Gods" came close but failed.
This seems a clear case of the DM loving his creation more then the campign for the players. Honestly, I don't think you want the players to suceed, more likely you want to to play Shi as your character with the Unlimited power and invincibility of the DM.
I wish you luck but suspect that your campaign wont last past the second night "The all powerful" Shi makes his first apperance.
I'm starting to think this thread is a joke.
I'm starting to think this thread is a joke.
Luke, see me previous post.
A) I have no deity on Mechanus in my campaign. B) Shi goes after mechanus as his master plan to rule everything (and I do mean everything) C) Shi has enough magical fire power to cast 8 wishes A DAY! He could easily take down the big city in Mechanus where the capital from the DMG is and escape.Ok, you have no god on Mechanus (not realistic since it's the ultimate plane of law, hence a top down driven society with one prime leader), but what about the rest of the multiverse? If Shi's master plan is to take over everything wouldn't the other gods, demon princes, archdevils, celestials, guardinals and the other beings of power have something to say about it or have the "Dark Lords" of your campaign world taken care of them too?
I'm sorry but someone has to say it. Your campign is bording on the absurd. Your little lich maybe a big fish on his home campign world but when he wants to take over everything get realistic.
Better villians then him have tried and failed. Vecna in "Die Vecna Die" or Orcus in "Dead Gods" came close but failed.
This seems a clear case of the DM loving his creation more then the campign for the players. Honestly, I don't think you want the players to suceed, more likely you want to to play Shi as your character with the Unlimited power and invincibility of the DM.
I wish you luck but suspect that your campaign wont last past the second night "The all powerful" Shi makes his first apperance.
Excuse me. you might of not realized this. what if Shi has cowed the demon princes into serving him and a god might be protecting him as shi trys to rule all in that gods name making that god the ultamite deity.
And as for mechanus I said no deity governs it. What does keep law in order is the power of th alignment itself. The power is what gives shape to law and its enforcers, the Inevitables.The reason Shi is so powerful and I have him like this is so that the Pc's want to rid the world of him more even if they only want to do it for the challenge. You may not understand my reasoning. Maybe you are just to short sighted. I like creating a world where the Pc's must think under difficult situations like being attacked by someone who could kill them so easliy like Shi.
Director of Narrative
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The reason Shi is so powerful and I have him like this is so that the Pc's want to rid the world of him more even if they only want to do it for the challenge. You may not understand my reasoning. Maybe you are just to short sighted. I like creating a world where the Pc's must think under difficult situations like being attacked by someone who could kill them so easliy like Shi.
Maybe I don't understand either, but I really think there are other ways to challenge a party without shredding cosmology and reason. The only thing Shi is missing is a 'T' at the end.
A) I have no deity on Mechanus in my campaign. B) Shi goes after mechanus as his master plan to rule everything (and I do mean everything) C) Shi has enough magical fire power to cast 8 wishes A DAY! He could easily take down the big city in Mechanus where the capital from the DMG is and escape.Ok, you have no god on Mechanus (not realistic since it's the ultimate plane of law, hence a top down driven society with one prime leader), but what about the rest of the multiverse? If Shi's master plan is to take over everything wouldn't the other gods, demon princes, archdevils, celestials, guardinals and the other beings of power have something to say about it or have the "Dark Lords" of your campaign world taken care of them too?
I'm sorry but someone has to say it. Your campign is bording on the absurd. Your little lich maybe a big fish on his home campign world but when he wants to take over everything get realistic.
Better villians then him have tried and failed. Vecna in "Die Vecna Die" or Orcus in "Dead Gods" came close but failed.
This seems a clear case of the DM loving his creation more then the campign for the players. Honestly, I don't think you want the players to suceed, more likely you want to to play Shi as your character with the Unlimited power and invincibility of the DM.
I wish you luck but suspect that your campaign wont last past the second night "The all powerful" Shi makes his first apperance.
Excuse me. you might of not realized this. what if Shi has cowed the demon princes into serving him and a god might be protecting him as shi trys to rule all in that gods name making that god the ultamite deity.
And as for mechanus I said no deity governs it. What does keep law in order is the power of th alignment itself. The power is what gives shape to law and its enforcers, the Inevitables.The reason Shi is so powerful and I have him like this is so that the Pc's want to rid the world of him more even if...
Nope, I'm pretty sure your "in love" with your own creation. As for Shi cowering the Demon Princes into submission, that's a joke, have you seen their stats in the Book of Vile Darkness? Each one of them is match for Shi...t.
When are you gonna post the stats for his Imperial Highness the Overking of the Multiverse and all around pain in ass of all things good Dark Lord Shi?
I did have a big rant here, but I deleted it.
There is NO way this can be serious. Someone is having fun with us, and the joke has been on me, for one.
Hahaha!
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Director of Narrative
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I did have a big rant here, but I deleted it.
There is NO way this can be serious. Someone is having fun with us, and the joke has been on me, for one.
Hahaha!
Maybe. And if so...I was had. But, I did remember this post from a few days ago.
Cade Darkhouse from "new players are fun!" thread
**Blinks** Okay. That reminds me of when I was playing a Dog person (using the hybrid hengenyokai only as the creature) who rode a giant praying mantis. One of the other adventureers threw a whetstone at me when I was trying to negotiate with some elves who he had insulted. I went after him with Greatspear and glaive in hand.
*shrugs*