Hey
I have a player in Kaer Maga that would like to get a power-up for a price... His soul (or something) and I would like some help.
In-game situation:
Campaign: Curse of the Crimson Throne (begin of History of Ashes).
The party is currently on their way into the Cinderlands, and last session we ended it in Kaer Maga. Every one was exploring parts of the city on their own, or with one of the NPCs. The party is a cleric of Desna (buff and somewhat melee, but not strongly so), an inquisitor of Abadar (ranged) and a rogue (diplomatic character, but also good in melee thanks to sneak attack, bit low hp)
The player mentioned earlier is an inquisitor of Abadar whose girlfriend (a former Hell Knight) has disappeared and is currently being 'reprogrammed' in Korvosa into the Grey Maidens. She is not going to return to the story until the party returns to Korvosa. The inquisitor is now reluctantly following leads into the Cinderlands to gain more knowledge on the Crown of Fangs and the Queen's source of power.
Out-game situation:
When I mentioned you could get anything in Kaer Maga, and nothing was strange or illegal, I gave some examples, such as poisons, drugs, sex and also Infernal contracts. The player who plays the Inquisition was immediately interested.
The player is a decent roleplayer but has a bit of a tendency to go power-gamer, as he is still a bit on the younger side and has had exposure to a lesser group of min-max-maniacs, who only made characters towards ability and not towards background. I am slowly trying to guide him out of that mindset towards roleplaying, with good results so far.
My problem:
I have no idea how to make a contract that is
a) Fair to him as a player. I do not know what to ask from him in return for power (as he will not see his character's soul as big of a price - his character will not be played anyway after the campaign is done). I need to give him a good benefit, but I want to make him feel like he also had to make a big sacrifice in return.
b) Fair to the other players. I do not want to make the other players feel held back. The inquisitor is the major damage dealer so far (together perhaps with the rogue, if she is buffed).
c) simply cool. I want to create a contract that is unique. Not the standard gain a level for your soul or something like that.
I do not have the Princes of Darkness companion yet, since I can't get my hands on it. My next session is in two days... So far I haven't have much inspiration. Could someone give me some ideas for an infernal contracts, or give me the rules in the PoD book?
Hey
I have a player in Kaer Maga that would like to get a power-up for a price... His soul (or something) and I would like some help.
In-game situation:
Campaign: Curse of the Crimson Throne (begin of History of Ashes).
The party is currently on their way into the Cinderlands, and last session we ended it in Kaer Maga. Every one was exploring parts of the city on their own, or with one of the NPCs. The party is a cleric of Desna (buff and somewhat melee, but not strongly so), an inquisitor of Abadar (ranged) and a rogue (diplomatic character, but also good in melee thanks to sneak attack, bit low hp)The player mentioned earlier is an inquisitor of Abadar whose girlfriend (a former Hell Knight) has disappeared and is currently being 'reprogrammed' in Korvosa into the Grey Maidens. She is not going to return to the story until the party returns to Korvosa. The inquisitor is now reluctantly following leads into the Cinderlands to gain more knowledge on the Crown of Fangs and the Queen's source of power.
Out-game situation:
When I mentioned you could get anything in Kaer Maga, and nothing was strange or illegal, I gave some examples, such as poisons, drugs, sex and also Infernal contracts. The player who plays the Inquisition was immediately interested.The player is a decent roleplayer but has a bit of a tendency to go power-gamer, as he is still a bit on the younger side and has had exposure to a lesser group of min-max-maniacs, who only made characters towards ability and not towards background. I am slowly trying to guide him out of that mindset towards roleplaying, with good results so far.
My problem:
I have no idea how to make a contract that is
a) Fair to him as a player. I do not know what to ask from him in return for power (as he will not see his character's soul as big of a price - his character will not be played anyway after the campaign is done). I need to give him a good benefit, but I want to make him feel like he also had to make a big sacrifice in return.b) Fair...
Would Abadar approve of one of his Inquisitors entering into a pact with a devil?
Actually, he would probably advise against it because he does not trust the Infernal contracts, but as a LN deity he would not oppose the concept of a written agreement.
On the other side, I have thought of using the contract as a stepping stones for the devil owning it to corrupt the inquisitor to devil-worshiping (amongst other things).
I have already ruled that it would not make him suffer any consequences other than the contract itself...
Actually, he would probably advise against it because he does not trust the Infernal contracts, but as a LN deity he would not oppose the concept of a written agreement.
On the other side, I have thought of using the contract as a stepping stones for the devil owning it to corrupt the inquisitor to devil-worshiping (amongst other things).
I have already ruled that it would not make him suffer any consequences other than the contract itself...
My advice is to write the contract as a devil would. Purposefully leave loopholes in it for the devil to exploit. Leave it to the player to catch them and negotiate accordingly. It's up to him whether he accepts it or not. I don;t think Adabar would have a problem with the signing of the contract either, but if it makes him act in a manner thats contrary to his oaths, then a revocation of class features is a definate possible consequence. Turn this into a great RP opportunity, and reap the benefits!
...Hey
I have a player in Kaer Maga that would like to get a power-up for a price... His soul (or something) and I would like some help.
In-game situation:
Campaign: Curse of the Crimson Throne (begin of History of Ashes).
The party is currently on their way into the Cinderlands, and last session we ended it in Kaer Maga. Every one was exploring parts of the city on their own, or with one of the NPCs. The party is a cleric of Desna (buff and somewhat melee, but not strongly so), an inquisitor of Abadar (ranged) and a rogue (diplomatic character, but also good in melee thanks to sneak attack, bit low hp)The player mentioned earlier is an inquisitor of Abadar whose girlfriend (a former Hell Knight) has disappeared and is currently being 'reprogrammed' in Korvosa into the Grey Maidens. She is not going to return to the story until the party returns to Korvosa. The inquisitor is now reluctantly following leads into the Cinderlands to gain more knowledge on the Crown of Fangs and the Queen's source of power.
Out-game situation:
When I mentioned you could get anything in Kaer Maga, and nothing was strange or illegal, I gave some examples, such as poisons, drugs, sex and also Infernal contracts. The player who plays the Inquisition was immediately interested.The player is a decent roleplayer but has a bit of a tendency to go power-gamer, as he is still a bit on the younger side and has had exposure to a lesser group of min-max-maniacs, who only made characters towards ability and not towards background. I am slowly trying to guide him out of that mindset towards roleplaying, with good results so far.
My problem:
I have no idea how to make a contract that is
a) Fair to him as a player. I do not know what to ask from him in return for power (as he will not see his character's soul as big of a price - his character will not be played anyway after the campaign is done). I need to give him a good benefit, but I want to make him feel like he also had to make a big sacrifice in
Abadar probably would not approve. Even though he is LN and has friendly relations with Asmodeus, I would think all gods would consider the souls of their followers to kind of be personal property, and would take offense at their being bargained away to another power.
I would also say that if the character is even proposing this deal, he has already gone to the dark side and lost his soul, so what incentive would the devil have to give him something for it? He'd probably want more than just his soul. Something with real value to either the character or the devil or both.
I think the key in this situation is maintaining balance, while allowing cool (and I'm not really sure this idea fits my definition of cool). That means that if an in-game mechanical advantage is given, you should probably look to balance it with an in-game mechanical disadvantage, rather than just the abstract "lost his soul" or pure roleplaying disadvantages, which powergamers might ignore. Perhaps something like troubles with Abadar granting him spells, or a physical manifestation of his corruption that has a mechanical impact, like a faint odor of decay that follows him, causing a loss in Charisma or penalty to diplomacy and related skill checks.
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My problem:
I have no idea how to make a contract that is
a) Fair to him as a player. I do not know what to ask from him in return for power (as he will not see his character's soul as big of a price - his character will not be played anyway after the campaign is done). I need to give him a good benefit, but I want to make him feel like he also had to make a big sacrifice in return.
You're a bloody disgrace. The Infernal Hierarchy has informed me that very soon you will be a very lucrative contract - one I will gladly execute, because you deserve to be slain!
This is an Infernal Contract. They are not supposed to be fair to the Faust wannabe. That's the whole point. Those bird-curer goody-two-shoes praying to Serenrae or some other daft benefactors would want to be fair, but Infernal Contracts, by their very definition, are brokered between a mortal (hereafter called the Sucker) and Hell.
And Hell doesn't play fair.
However, they will seem fair at the time, or more than fair - the usual modus operandi is to trick the fool into believing he has tricked the Dark Forces into giving him too much and asking over too little.
In this case, there is a good course of action:
And, depending on what you prefer, this could be one of two things:
Remember what happens to people who break contracts.
Both really nasty things, of course, but that's what happens if you make a deal with the devil...
And both will have repercussions during the campaign, not after.
And, no matter what you do, his days as a priest of Abadar are over, of course. No matter what you actually sign over when you sign an Infernal Contract, you're going to Hell for it. He's lost to Abadar, and the Master of the First Vault will not grant powers to a weak-minded fool like that. But I'm sure Asmodeus can use another inquisitor.
If you want to give him a last chance, let Abadar send him a vision, making it clear where he is going with this and what can happen (and what will happen) to people who sign Infernal Contracts. The good old "Are you sure? YES/NO" message box popping up before you permanently format your Redemption drive. If the character goes through with it after that, he deserves what he gets.
b) Fair to the other players. I do not want to make the other players feel held back. The inquisitor is the major damage dealer so far (together perhaps with the rogue, if she is buffed).
Nobody keeps them from making their own contracts. Or, if there is someone, and that someone is their deity, they could oust the betrayer from their midst.
c) simply cool. I want to create a contract that is unique. Not the standard gain a level for your soul or something like that.
A level is boring, but for a contract like this, you have the power of Hell at your beck and call. Grant the ability to manipulate and/or invoke Hellfire, call devils to help him, get the powers of a devil, gain another domain, maybe even with associated domain spells, from among the list of Asmodeus's domains....
Cool. I am going to find out what he wants in-game and then screw him over royally (or infernally)...
I am going to rethink my previous decision of having him not be expelled from the Abadar clergy, maybe grant him infernal spells instead with a domain from Asmodeus and slowly taunting him into service for his diabolic faith.
If he wants a chance to save his girlfriend, I will grant him that sooner than I had planned, but with a twist. I liked the story hook of her turning to Sarenrae, or maybe I will make him see that she cannot truly be saved at all, and her spirit might be too broken to endure... Something like that...
And ohterwise, enough cool ideas from this thread.
Thanks guys
If it were me...
I would be ambiguous on exactly what power he was getting...then give him the half-fiend template. It is technicly an increase in his power, and may help him a great deal.
Then I'd make him spend his XP on it till his cr matched the party.
The sacrifice shouldnt just be an RP one.
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A good loophole to use is a "whole agreement clause". They look something like this:
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties and supersedes all prior communications, understandings and agreements relating to the subject matter hereof, whether oral or written.
Or
This Agreement and its Exhibits constitute the final, complete and exclusive statement of the agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter thereof.
Or
This Agreement, together with its Schedules, and any amendments of this Agreement constitute the entire Agreement between the Parties with respect to the matters dealt within it.
Put this sort of statement in the middle of the contract somewhere. It has the fun effect of rendering any other prior agreements null and void - letters of intent, oral contracts, previous written contracts. So your devil can promise the sun and the moon, shake on it, swear on it what ever, and then produce the actual contract that does something else.
A good loophole to use is a "whole agreement clause". They look something like this:
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties and supersedes all prior communications, understandings and agreements relating to the subject matter hereof, whether oral or written.
Or
This Agreement and its Exhibits constitute the final, complete and exclusive statement of the agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter thereof.
Or
This Agreement, together with its Schedules, and any amendments of this Agreement constitute the entire Agreement between the Parties with respect to the matters dealt within it.
Put this sort of statement in the middle of the contract somewhere. It has the fun effect of rendering any other prior agreements null and void - letters of intent, oral contracts, previous written contracts. So your devil can promise the sun and the moon, shake on it, swear on it what ever, and then produce the actual contract that does something else.
Tricks like that are the reason lawyers will be the first ones up against the wall when the Revolution comes. Pure evil. :)
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Well, its not really a trick in the real world - Lord Denning saved us from evil small print and overly onerous clauses. And legislation depending on where you live.
An option would be to let the devil purchase the soul gradually - he pays 10%-15% of the character's wealth per level - as the character levels up the devil needs to pay up again or lose its interest or have its interest reduced (as the wealth per level increases and presumably higher level souls are worth more.) Gives a bonus each level but its not super crazy.
And then when the character dies, the devil collects the soul and the extra wealth (so it doesn't kick around in the party) - no raising the character.
Its extremely important to make sure the benefit gained from signing an infernal contract is considerable as well as the cost - after all, signing one is meant to be extremely tempting; particularly to greedy and power-hungry characters/players.
With that in mind, a contract might involve granting the player's cleric character 2 whole levels (representing the acquisition of power through quick and unethical means rather than hard work), a +2 inherent/profane bonus to charisma (representing the infernal allure of Hell, and making the character a more effective representative of Hall's interests) AND an advanced consular imp familiar.
Now on the surface this certainly sounds like an attractive bargain (as indeed it should). HOWEVER, as for the costs, you could specify that the Inquisitor character loses access to all spellcasting and can only regain it by converting to the worship of Asmodeus AND carrying out a quest in his name (which should be highly unethical and involve strongly harming the interests of his former god/church, and thereby destroying his previous alliances e.g. capturing and mutilating/torturing the newborn baby daughter of the highest level priest of Abadar in the region, and threatening to sacrifice her to Asmodeus unless he converts/does what the Asmodeun church wants).
FURTHERMORE you could also rule that the character automatically fails all saving throws against his Imp familiar's suggestion power, and that his life force is tied to his familiar's e.g. if the imp dies, it's spirit returns to hell and automatically drags the characters soul with it. Alternatively, the character could be subject to a permanent, unbreakable geas effect that requires him to further the will of Hell in all things.
I have no idea how to make a contract that is
a) Fair to him as a player. I do not know what to ask from him in return for power (as he will not see his character's soul as big of a price - his character will not be played anyway after the campaign is done). I need to give him a good benefit, but I want to make him feel like he also had to make a big sacrifice in return.b) Fair to the other players. I do not want to make the other players feel held back. The inquisitor is the major damage dealer so far (together perhaps with the rogue, if she is buffed).
c) simply cool. I want to create a contract that is unique. Not the standard gain a level for your soul or something like that.
OK, think of how a scam artist would make a contract. That's basically what a devil's contract is: it's an offer on something to good to be true, because it isn't. You get enough of what you think you are getting in order to make you think it's all going swimmingly, but the devil will collect at the earliest opportunity, or else use mishaps (maybe ones he engineers) to trip you into deeper debt with him.
However, the character is an Inquisitor ... and it really strikes me that from the fluff, an inquisitor is meant to root out the likes of infernal contracts.
Best advice on infernal contracts... Dont Make one :) Or get a lawyer, cause theres no better lawyer than a Devil :) Mind the Devil will give you all you want without a hitch if you are giving him greater prizes... like leading others into contracts and making chirches to Azmodeus and such, just look at Cheliax and the House Thrune who dominates the country :) And if he is an inquisitor well somtimes the good guys fall... and the hellknights are turning more lawful evil...
The player doesn't think much about his soul because he envisions the Devil not getting it until the PC reaches a ripe old age aka campaign end and he retires.
In reality, the devil *actively seeks to have the PC slain* from that point forward. Unless the PC specifically writes it into the contract otherwise, the Devil might well grant the deal then try to slay the guy on the spot.
Or arrange an ambush when the PC sleeps. Or in the next dungeon, or whatever.
Getting the soul of the PC becomes that devil's #1 priority. He can and will pay/bribe others to do the combat if he can, or just tip off the bad guys that your PC's are coming. (Pc's- plural.. your guy is in a group, afterall).
Just imagine the look of the PC's when they go to face the next BBEG fight and the devil is in the background laughing, just before Teleporting away on his first Init count.
"My soul isn't worth anything" is only true if YOU let the PC dictate when the devil gets it.
-S
The player doesn't think much about his soul because he envisions the Devil not getting it until the PC reaches a ripe old age aka campaign end and he retires.
In reality, the devil *actively seeks to have the PC slain* from that point forward. Unless the PC specifically writes it into the contract otherwise, the Devil might well grant the deal then try to slay the guy on the spot.
-S
Not necessarily. If the devil's ambitions and the will of Hell/Asmodeus will be furthered by keeping the character alive (at least for the time being), then alive they will remain. In the case of the Inquisitor of Abadar, keeping the character alive and corrupted, and using them to spread the corruption further throughout Abadar's church and the region as a whole might be far more tempting to the devil in question - remember that Devils (unlike Demons) tend to be long-term thinkers and extremely patient, and might willingly pass up the chance to claim one soul today in order to claim 100 souls tomorrow.
Not necessarily. If the devil's ambitions and the will of Hell/Asmodeus will be furthered by keeping the character alive (at least for the time being), then alive they will remain. In the case of the Inquisitor of Abadar, keeping the character alive and corrupted, and using them to spread the corruption further throughout Abadar's church and the region as a whole might be far more tempting to the devil in question - remember that Devils (unlike Demons) tend to be long-term thinkers and extremely patient, and might willingly pass up the chance to claim one soul today in order to claim 100 souls tomorrow.The player doesn't think much about his soul because he envisions the Devil not getting it until the PC reaches a ripe old age aka campaign end and he retires.
In reality, the devil *actively seeks to have the PC slain* from that point forward. Unless the PC specifically writes it into the contract otherwise, the Devil might well grant the deal then try to slay the guy on the spot.
-S
This of course is possible, but I imagine the player would first discover that they have just lost their divine powers. After all, they have just forsaken their patron deity (Abadar) for an infernal one (Asmodeus), so unless their contract specifies infernal powers/infernal magic, they just lost the lot.
"This of course is possible, but I imagine the player would first discover that they have just lost their divine powers. After all, they have just forsaken their patron deity (Abadar) for an infernal one (Asmodeus), so unless their contract specifies infernal powers/infernal magic, they just lost the lot."
Yes but whilst the character will realise this, his former fellow priests in the church of Abadar may not (at least at first)... giving him plenty of scope to spread corruption throughout their ranks for the glory of Hell/Asmodeus.
Oh I agree, he may have time to spread corruption, but it'll really send a wake-up call to the player that he really should have thought a bit more carefully about things! And he'll have to either break the contract to get his power back, or else deal again for more from the devils to replace it ... either way, he's just discovered the first and last word on making deals with devils: DON'T!
Oh I agree, he may have time to spread corruption, but it'll really send a wake-up call to the player that he really should have thought a bit more carefully about things! And he'll have to either break the contract to get his power back, or else deal again for more from the devils to replace it ... either way, he's just discovered the first and last word on making deals with devils: DON'T!
Quite so. As I suggested in an earlier post, it might be appropriate to require the character to undertake a highly unethical quest involving corrupting/extorting members of Abadar's church (and thereby making enemies of his former allies) before Asmodeus will consent to grant him spells.
The example I gave of kidnapping the newborn baby daughter of a high level cleric of Abadar (perhaps sending the priest one of the baby's severed hands as proof) and threatening to sacrifice her to Asmodeus unless said cleric acts in accordance with Hell's wishes was specifically designed to hopefully horrify the player and make him/her have second thoughts about their decision - albeit far, far too late :-)
However, the character is an Inquisitor ... and it really strikes me that from the fluff, an inquisitor is meant to root out the likes of infernal contracts.
Depends on what power/deity that inquisitor serves. Some, like, say, Iomedae (goddess of justice) will send their inquisitors out against those who make you sign such contracts.
Abadar, on the other hand, is just lawful. He expects people to look at a contract and know what they're doing when they sign their name on it. He doesn't care about justice, so he doesn't care when you're screwed over on technicalities.
And an inquisitor of Asmodeus (something this character will likely be very soon) actually makes sure nobody tries to wriggle out on such contracts (maybe even killing people before they can find or be granted redemption, so their soul's destination will remain Hell) or find clerics of Asmodeus who make fair contracts (unless they do it for the express purpose of fooling everyone, like the scam on the street corner who loses intentionally to draw in the rubes).
In this case, I think the "kill your G/F" makes most sense: The character would gain power from the contract, but would have to swear his heart and soul to Asmodeus, and agree to undergo a few challenges to show his devotion to his new master. Failure to carry out any of them will result in the contract being revoked, as well as the failure clause of the contract to come into effect.
That failure clause would not only take away the power the contract granted, but would invoke heavy penalties (like -4 or more to all ability scores) and would be indelible (short of, maybe, a wish with the right wording - and we all know about that - or a miracle or at least atonement cast by a cleric of Asmodeus - and we all know what that guy will want)
The tests would start easy (and stating their nature would, of course, not be part of the contract).
The first is to murder an illegitimate newborn, an indiscretion by a noblewoman with a commoner that was left on the doorstep of a temple. This will make sure the character is evil.
The second would be to strike down an enemy of the Church - ideally a former ally of the party's. This will ensure that the character's estranged from his allies, including the rest of the party (as he couldn't do this underhandedly, it would be part of a public duel or something like that), and some might even turn against him.
The final test would be performing his duties as an inquisitor - by killing his GF, as described above, for trying to become non-evil. This ensures the guy ends up totally screwed up afterwards, or, if he refuses to go along with that, loses all his powers, gets a terrible curse, and is still on the way to Hell (baby killing and all), maybe sooner than expected, what with those former allies who hate him now and his power being diminished all of a sudden.
Older, eviler adventurer=more powerful soul. Its not in Hell's Interest to get the contract then immediately slay the recipient. Its an assurance that they WILL get it someday, and if the boon Hell grants helps to prolong the recipients life, all the better for Hell...
I guess it all depends on his chances for redemption. If they think the guy will never turn away from Hell, they'll go along with it. If they think he might be redeemed one day, they won't delay. A weaker soul is valuable still, while no soul at all is bad.
However, the character is an Inquisitor ... and it really strikes me that from the fluff, an inquisitor is meant to root out the likes of infernal contracts.Depends on what power/deity that inquisitor serves. Some, like, say, Iomedae (goddess of justice) will send their inquisitors out against those who make you sign such contracts.
Abadar, on the other hand, is just lawful. He expects people to look at a contract and know what they're doing when they sign their name on it. He doesn't care about justice, so he doesn't care when you're screwed over on technicalities.
And an inquisitor of Asmodeus (something this character will likely be very soon) actually makes sure nobody tries to wriggle out on such contracts (maybe even killing people before they can find or be granted redemption, so their soul's destination will remain Hell) or find clerics of Asmodeus who make fair contracts (unless they do it for the express purpose of fooling everyone, like the scam on the street corner who loses intentionally to draw in the rubes).
In this case, I think the "kill your G/F" makes most sense: The character would gain power from the contract, but would have to swear his heart and soul to Asmodeus, and agree to undergo a few challenges to show his devotion to his new master. Failure to carry out any of them will result in the contract being revoked, as well as the failure clause of the contract to come into effect.
That failure clause would not only take away the power the contract granted, but would invoke heavy penalties (like -4 or more to all ability scores) and would be indelible (short of, maybe, a wish with the right wording - and we all know about that - or a miracle or at least atonement cast by a cleric of Asmodeus - and we all know what that guy will want)
The tests would start easy (and stating their nature would, of course, not be part of the contract).
The first is to murder an illegitimate newborn, an indiscretion by a noblewoman with a commoner that was left...
Now THAT is an infernal contract.
Now THAT is an infernal contract.
I generally don't do cartoon evil. }>
Anyway, you can't be an undercover agent undermining the Cheliax faction for as long as I did without picking up the occasional thing (and I don't just mean all the stuff I stole to get some diabolists in trouble ;-)).
I think they have woodcuts for making standardised prints of "So you just signed an Infernal Contract" (the Sucker Tract).
give him a little, take a little, and take much later (story-wise)
like
gain service of an imp for a week, all healing heals 1 less forever (or only spells) (part of the soul), and when she dies, she goes to hell (later bigger evil).
The player can however be resurected normally.
The player can however be resurected normally.
Why?
If the soul belongs to the devil, there is no Raise Dead, no Resurrection, nothing.When the character dies, he goes to Hell. Game over.
my take was that he offers a small part of his soul and changes his afterlife to serve in hell.
The devils will however try to restrain him down there and look that noone tries to resurrect him.
As those contracts can be made multiple times, (1 less healing would stack), you could argue that after 1W100 times, the soul is completly lost.
But anyway, mine was just a suggestion to have a minor contract, of course you could try to get a "wish" for your whole soul or something, but that probably not the best idea.
my take was that he offers a small part of his soul and changes his afterlife to serve in hell.
The devils will however try to restrain him down there and look that noone tries to resurrect him.As those contracts can be made multiple times, (1 less healing would stack), you could argue that after 1W100 times, the soul is completly lost.
But anyway, mine was just a suggestion to have a minor contract, of course you could try to get a "wish" for your whole soul or something, but that probably not the best idea.
Alternatively why not specify that the character cannot be raised/resurrected unless doing so would further Hell's interests.
Indeed, perhaps each time the character is raised/resurrected they are subject to an unbreakable Geas/Quest-like effect requiring them to perform a specific task in Asmodeus' name - however, instead of the normal Geas effect, the character could be informed that they have exactly nine days, nine hours and nine minutes (or maybe even six days, six hours and six minutes) to complete the task or they will die on the spot and their soul sent straight to Hell.
Don't demand his whole soul. Ask for his soul for say three years: but don't specify when he pays the rent. Then at the least opportune moment, have the devil show up and posses him, with the contract as a back up so he can't resist.
Wreak havoc.
If one of my players asked for an internal contract, I think I'd just say:
"No. Devils are cleverer than you, and would hose you one way or the other. It's like playing an evil PC, it's something I prefer not to adjudicate in my games because it would get too nasty too fast, and your characters already have enough problems."
The way I see it, if you play the infernal contract right, the character and the party will be in deep, deep doggy-do, because that is how infernal contracts work. If you don't do it right, you have a PC with too much power wandering around.
*A variation of the Infernal Pact in the Princes of Darkness*
MATERIAL PLANE, Being the FOURTH incarnation of the THIRD Cycle of Mortality on file in Fallen Fastness 9485785,68863:2141,70036233.
This is a lawful contract between
_____________________________
hereinafter called "COVENANTER"
and
_____________________________
hereinafter called "CONSIGNATORY."
Their names used for this pact only.
HERETOFORE shall the efforts of the COVENANTER be bound to the CONSIGNATORY to the effect of the following terms.
1) The indenturing of an agent of the COVENANTER, of no potency less than a single imp, bound in service and obedience to the CONSIGNATORY. This agent's tern of service to continue into perpetuity or upon the complete fulfillment of this pact.
2) The boon of immediate and dramatic alteration to the CONSIGNATORYs physique for the purpose of enhancement as mitigated under Clause 17.sigma of the Appleyard Treaty, with the added stipulation of an exclusion of sub-clause 63 as CONSIGNATORY lacks required organ.
In recompense, upon the cessation of mortal continuaton, the CONSIGNATORY binds all personal efforts, agendas, service, and attendance to the COVENANTER, to employ or dispose of as individually deemed fit, or at the demand of masters whose names are struck from this contract yet known by the foresigned to be the ones whose hands guide these words.In code 9485784, 3728.7845, 9888491. Subject to the veto of the Nine, honor to their names and Asmodeus most high.
Signed in blood and bound by soul.
**The above would grant him 1 imp familiar. If the familiar is slain it is restored to life the following evening at the cost of 1 perminant negative level to the player. As his boon he will be granted great strength in the form of the half-fiend template. All ties to Abadar are cut and now he is in service to Asmodeus as an inquisitor. One demand his new found service would require of him would be to uphold the fact that Asmodeus does not favor those whom were sworn to his service being taken from him. As such he would be forced to return his love to the Hellknights where she would suffer for her fall from their tenants, be tortured (probably infront of the PC or even by the PC) and broken until she once again serves.**
Then again, as an inquisitor he should have a decent sense motive. Get him to use his skills, make some rolls. Knowledge planes, maybe law. Sense motive for sure. If he rolls well, just let him know: "You look over the contract and things look in order, several items seem vague to you as you are unfamiliar with the terms of the legalize, however you note a strange glint in the eye of the one selling it to you. Every ounce of your training screams that this contract is a foolish move, that what ever gains you were to obtain would be twisted against you and those you cared for."
Then again, as an inquisitor he should have a decent sense motive. Get him to use his skills, make some rolls. Knowledge planes, maybe law. Sense motive for sure. If he rolls well, just let him know: "You look over the contract and things look in order, several items seem vague to you as you are unfamiliar with the terms of the legalize, however you note a strange glint in the eye of the one selling it to you. Every ounce of your training screams that this contract is a foolish move, that what ever gains you were to obtain would be twisted against you and those you cared for."
I wouldn't actually bother with any check. I'd just outright tell the player "You know this is an Infernal Contract, with capitals and all, right? You know Hell is full of damned souls who thought they could wriggle out of it, and the world is full of tragedies where people thought they didn't need to care about their soul, since 'you only pay at the end'?" If he wants to go along with it, I'd really, really mess him up.
And, of course, not in the power department. He'd get his power all right. He'd just lose everything that might keep him from using that power the way Hell wants. You know, like non-evil allies, loved ones, former allegiances, all that stuff.
Then again, in the case of certain players, I'd say that they now had to play that character for at least three campaigns - just to see the look on their faces (as I have one player who, if not held back, would probably bring a new character each week, to hell with story integration. Okay, B., slight exaggeration ;-P)
*A variation of the Infernal Pact in the Princes of Darkness*
MATERIAL PLANE, Being the FOURTH incarnation of the THIRD Cycle of Mortality on file in Fallen Fastness 9485785,68863:2141,70036233.
This is a lawful contract between
_____________________________
hereinafter called "COVENANTER"
and
_____________________________
hereinafter called "CONSIGNATORY."
Their names used for this pact only.HERETOFORE shall the efforts of the COVENANTER be bound to the CONSIGNATORY to the effect of the following terms.
1) The indenturing of an agent of the COVENANTER, of no potency less than a single imp, bound in service and obedience to the CONSIGNATORY. This agent's tern of service to continue into perpetuity or upon the complete fulfillment of this pact.
2) The boon of immediate and dramatic alteration to the CONSIGNATORYs physique for the purpose of enhancement as mitigated under Clause 17.sigma of the Appleyard Treaty, with the added stipulation of an exclusion of sub-clause 63 as CONSIGNATORY lacks required organ.In recompense, upon the cessation of mortal continuaton, the CONSIGNATORY binds all personal efforts, agendas, service, and attendance to the COVENANTER, to employ or dispose of as individually deemed fit, or at the demand of masters whose names are struck from this contract yet known by the foresigned to be the ones whose hands guide these words.In code 9485784, 3728.7845, 9888491. Subject to the veto of the Nine, honor to their names and Asmodeus most high.
Signed in blood and bound by soul.
**The above would grant him 1 imp familiar. If the familiar is slain it is restored to life the following evening at the cost of 1 perminant negative level to the player. As his boon he will be granted great strength in the form of the half-fiend template. All ties to Abadar are cut and now he is in service to Asmodeus as an inquisitor. One demand his new found service would require of him would be to uphold the fact that Asmodeus does not favor those whom were sworn to his service being...
I like this.
This may not be a problem with your player but in my experience most DM's are not devils. This means the player can be as much of a pain with the contract as you can. You might be able to come up with some devilish lawyer speak but try to do it on the spot when your player changes their mind on what they want and pulls out their own lawyer speak.
The problem is this doesn't work by the devil offering something the PC wants and the PC accepts, it is the PC asking for something and the devil offering it (regardless of what it is) for something.
I once talked my way into never giving my soul because I was given an at-will contingency upon death to be resurrected (it wasn't actually the spell, I just worded it funny to get the same effect)
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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There was a nice bit of fiction in Wayfinder #1 about a cleric of Asmodeus praying for spells. It might be a good starting point.
Reference something in one spot, then something similar in another. If they choose the wrong thing... (Like specify they will cast bane using a second level spell slot every morning, then later the devil 'reminds' the player to cast bless every morning outside of the contract. If the player 'forgets' to cast bane as a second level spell, or casts bless as a second level spell he's in violation.)
Short change the inquisitor. Promising the ability to 'strike fear in the hearts of his enemies' sounds good, but when it's a widened bane spell (DC 11+ Cha modifier) not so much.