Another curisoity driven survey how far would you go for power? Details inside.

[Liam Warner]

Okay simple little concept here you get offered a way to gain levels in the class/es of your choosing at a price. A mysterious being approaches you and say's they will give you X levels in whatever class or classes you want but you will have to live through a number of centuries as payment. If you decline their offer you remain in the current time as you are no second chance. If you go back to the year 2,000 (midnight at the begining of January first) you gain 2nd level, for each additional 2 levels you go back another 100 years e.g. 4th level 1900, 6th level 1800, 8th level 1700, 10th level 1600, 12th level 1500, 14th level, 1400, 16th level 1300, 18th level 1200 and 20th level 1100. You will then live down the ages with the following conditions . . .

1) You don't age till you hit the current date.
2) You can get sick, injured etc but if you die 24 hours later you rise again.
3) You are free to do anything you like but when you hit the current date you leave that alternate dimension returning to your original one with only personal changes carrying over with you. That is you retain your memories, wealth, etc but if you were to for example kill Napolean as a child the changes from that would be undone.
4) Classes are adapted to be real i.e. no ability changes but a BAB +20 would become a vast knowledge of fighting techniques and styles, a will save of +12 would become you becoming very strong willed (stubborn even).

So you can potentially gain 20 levels in whatever class or classes you want but the more power you take the longer it will be until you can see your familiy, friends and loved ones again and the more changed you will probably be when you do. Afterall if you don't see your husband/wife for 1,000 years your time and then they haven't changed can you take it up where you left off?

Would you take that offer and if so how much would you pay for?
If you got mythic tiers in addition to normal levels at a ratio of 1 per 100 years e.g. if you go back to 1500 you are 12/6 would that make a difference in your taking this offer?
If while non-personal changes are erased legends and myths would remain e.g. like the stories of Atlantis, Heracles Tomb etc no physical proof but deeply entrenched in the tales of various people (so if you founded an empire it would be erased from history but the stories of it would remain and people would have theories about what it really was and where it existed if it were real attributing its tales of magical weapons to advanced metulurgy and the like) would that change your choice?

EDIT
Only classes and associated changes e.g. an overweight person putting a lot of points into physical stats and charisma would become fit but you don't turn into an elf/dwarf/dhampir or gain any non class/mythic ability increases, well unless you take levels of mage and cast a spell to turn yourself into something else.

[Deadmanwalking]

I'd go back the full 2000 years, become a Mystic Theurge with 9th spell level Wizard casting (Wizard 7/Cleric 3/Mystic Theurge 10), with Archmage 10 as well if possible (yeah, that makes it 2500 years, doesn't matter), make myself immortal somehow (very doable with 9th level spells), jack all my stats to unreasonable levels and craft some seriously good items, put myself in suspended animation for the 2000 years (again, easy with Wizard casting...there's an 8th level spell that does this, for example), and wake up with godlike power back in the present after, subjectively, less than a year has passed (and it's only that long due to crafting times).

Just seems the smart thing to do.

If the changes to the timeline didn't reverse, I'd probably feel obligated to try and change history for the better...but since it all reverts, none of it's real, so I can do this guilt free.

[Liam Warner]

Deadmanwalking wrote:

I'd go back the full 2000 years, become a Mystic Theurge with 9th spell level Wizard casting (Wizard 7/Cleric 3/Mystic Theurge 10), with Archmage 10 as well if possible (yeah, that makes it 2500 years, doesn't matter), make myself immortal somehow (very doable with 9th level spells), jack all my stats to unreasonable levels and craft some seriously good items, put myself in suspended animation for the 2000 years (again, easy with Wizard casting...there's an 8th level spell that does this, for example), and wake up with godlike power back in the present after, subjectively, less than a year has passed (and it's only that long due to crafting times).

Just seems the smart thing to do.

If the changes to the timeline didn't reverse, I'd probably feel obligated to try and change history for the better...but since it all reverts, none of it's real, so I can do this guilt free.

Sorry that's a stacked ability for the mythic (result of thorwing it on as an afterthought to see if people would change their opinion). That is to say if you go back to 1100 you get 20/10 you don't need to go back to 100 AD for that although . . .

If mythic and levels were seperate so its 100 years per tier or 2 levels so to get both you need to back to 100 AD or you can go back to 1900 and be level 2, mythic 1 would that change your opinion?

Also there's a mythic path ability that gives you immortality and as I said personal changes e.g. money, owning a company do carry over even if they change a bit.

I have another survey on this site asking what people would be here I'm just interested in whether they would go back X hundred years in exchange for power. However since you pointed out the stasis I'm adding . . .

5) You have to live the full period awake, aware and active that is afterall the price for the power you can't skip out of it (said mysterious being is much smarter than me and has thought of all the loopholes I've not doubt people will find in my basic rules).

[Deadmanwalking]

Liam Warner wrote:

Sorry that's a stacked ability for the mythic (result of thorwing it on as an afterthought to see if people would change their opinion). That is to say if you go back to 1100 you get 20/10 you don't need to go back to 100 AD for that although . . .

If mythic and levels were seperate so its 100 years per tier or 2 levels so to get both you need to back to 100 AD or you can go back to 1900 and be level 2, mythic 1 would that change your opinion?

My bad, I misread. However long it is, I'd just go back as far as necessary to become as powerful as possible.

Liam Warner wrote:

Also there's a mythic path ability that gives you immortality and as I said personal changes e.g. money, owning a company do carry over even if they change a bit.

I have another survey on this site asking what people would be here I'm just interested in whether they would go back X hundred years in exchange for power. However since you pointed out the stasis I'm adding . . .

5) You have to live the full period awake, aware and active that is afterall the price for the power you can't skip out of it (said mysterious being is much smarter than me and has thought of all the loopholes I've not doubt people will find in my basic rules).

Ah, that does change things and I'd actually have to think. There are other workarounds (creating a Demiplane where time moves 2000 times as fast, for example)...but if they're all countered, I'd actually have to think.

Still, even then, the choices are don't take the offer, go back to the year 2000 to make some money in the stock market, or take the full offer and go back as far as possible for godlike power.

I'd probably still go for godlike power.

[Liam Warner]

Deadmanwalking wrote:

Liam Warner wrote:

Sorry that's a stacked ability for the mythic (result of thorwing it on as an afterthought to see if people would change their opinion). That is to say if you go back to 1100 you get 20/10 you don't need to go back to 100 AD for that although . . .

If mythic and levels were seperate so its 100 years per tier or 2 levels so to get both you need to back to 100 AD or you can go back to 1900 and be level 2, mythic 1 would that change your opinion?

My bad, I misread. However long it is, I'd just go back as far as necessary to become as powerful as possible.

Liam Warner wrote:

Also there's a mythic path ability that gives you immortality and as I said personal changes e.g. money, owning a company do carry over even if they change a bit.

I have another survey on this site asking what people would be here I'm just interested in whether they would go back X hundred years in exchange for power. However since you pointed out the stasis I'm adding . . .

5) You have to live the full period awake, aware and active that is afterall the price for the power you can't skip out of it (said mysterious being is much smarter than me and has thought of all the loopholes I've not doubt people will find in my basic rules).

Ah, that does change things and I'd actually have to think. There are other workarounds (creating a Demiplane where time moves 2000 times as fast, for example)...but if they're all countered, I'd actually have to think.

Still, even then, the choices are don't take the offer, go back to the year 2000 to make some money in the stock market, or take the full offer and go back as far as possible for godlike power.

I'd probably still go for godlike power.

I'd do the same but then I don't have family/friends where my relationships would be irrecovably altered like most people. Yes all work arounds are countered you have to live the intervening years to pay the price for your power.

That said I"m also throwing another one out there as your posts have brought it to my mind, so since I'm curious which if any of the following sets of conditions people would accept this under I'll recap and revise . . .

Rules are . . .

1) You don't age till you reach the date the offer was made.
2) You can get sick, injured etc as normal but if you die in 24 hours you rise back to life until current date then you age/die normally.
3) You are free to do whatever you want but when you hit the current date any non=personal changes are erased and you only retain your skills/abilities/memories.
4) Classes are adapted to be real i.e. no ability changes but a BAB +20 would become a vast knowledge of fighting techniques and styles, a will save of +12 would become you becoming very strong willed (stubborn even grin).
5) You have to LIVE those years as the price no work arounds allowed (stasis, planar travel, something you think I missed) as that is the price for your power.

So you can potentially gain 20 levels in whatever class or classes you want but the more power you take the longer it will be until you can see your familiy, friends and loved ones again and the more changed you will probably be when you do. Afterall if you don't see your husband/wife for 1,000 years your time and then they haven't changed can you take it up where you left off?

1) 2,000 and each additional 100 years (1900, 1800 etc) gets you 2 levels.
2) As above but it gets you 2 levels OR 1 mythic tier.
3) As 1 but each category gets you 2 levels AND mythic tier.
4) As 1 but each category gets you 1 mythic tier NO levels so you'll be mythic 10 but just you no new skills in 1100 AD.
5) As any of the above but in addition to
6) Rule 3 is altered so that things like things that majorly alter history e.g. killing a major historical figure at childhood are erased and your deeds become myths and legends but more personal ones (being worht millions, owning a international company) are altered to fit in. So while the world will be different you'll still own an international company albeit one only those in the field are likely to know about (actually happened to someone I know when he started looking for work he found out hte 3rd largest company in the country was one he'd never heard of).

[williamoak]

I would go wizard (conjuration), full monty (with mythic) in 1100 AD (or earlier). Take "student of philosophy" trait to be great at convincing people. Take the immortality arcane discovery (no antimagic will stop my immortality!. Create a vast underground network to control the world (as much as possible) from the shadows, amassing tremendous wealth. Not changing history much, though skilled individuals that normally had died young might "survive" in my care... Have a massive secret research network under my command from the middle ages. Have a secret answer to all the modern world's problems hidden in my back pocket.

When I get to the 20th century, I would have so much fun trolling conspiracy nuts. When back at the current date, I would chill.

Note: for rule 3, do we keep any class levels/abilities after current date?

[Zhayne]

I cannot fathom the idea of wanting to live that long, or even being able to tolerate it. No sale.

[williamoak]

OH OH! I would also start a secret scientific revolution so that I could colonize mars long before any of our technology catches up. Just be there, chilling on mars when the first astronauts arrive I'd be like "Yo!". So basically, I would create the magical world from Negima.

As for boredom, that could become an issue. But I would pass the time trolling conspiracy theorists & advancing our knowledge of the universe. I would create elaborate "conspiracies" that lead to false information whose entire purpose would be to drive conspiracy away from my actual work. And create technologies we could only dream of, fusing my magic & modern technology! Magitech, here I come!

Also, magic crafting. Hella magic crafting. I would have SOOOOO many wondrous items, magical arms & armor, and constructs...

[Liam Warner]

@Williamoak (Sorry if I mispelled your name but reply/create thread shrink text to size 6 font or something and I can barely read it.

Interesting but again I have a thread somewhere several pages in now on what you would be, here I just want to know would you do it and do the different circumstances change when you would/wouldn't take it. However to answer your question yes abilities e.g. spellcasting are a personal change and remain.

@Zhayne

What about a shorter period then? As I said you can get level 2 (or level 2/1 mythic, 1 mythic) just going back 14 years to 2,000. Then every 100 years is an option too so 1900 for 114 years you don't have to go the full 900+. However while I think I could take it I agree its going to be harsh especially as the years pass and you bury friends/family, run out of things to learn, new things to see hence why its a price for power and not a boon.

[williamoak]

Well, you're level 20 MR 10. You have higher saves/abilities than anyone on earth (where max level is otherwise 5). You have high enough fortitude to resist pretty much all non-magical disease. There are very few conditions where I would not accept this type of power. Time isnt an issue (I would just use it for more research), and I'm likely too strong for anything natural on earth to do much damage to me so...

[Liam Warner]

williamoak wrote:

Well, you're level 20 MR 10. You have higher saves/abilities than anyone on earth (where max level is otherwise 5). You have high enough fortitude to resist pretty much all non-magical disease. There are very few conditions where I would not accept this type of power. Time isnt an issue (I would just use it for more research), and I'm likely too strong for anything natural on earth to do much damage to me so...

So . . . what about option 4 no class levels allowed just Mythic tiers?

[Deadmanwalking]

Thinking about it, I'd take godlike power and then experiment with building utopia. I've got over a millennium, I should be able to get it right if I keep trying, and, as noted, none of these people are real in the strictest sense, so when it all goes horribly wrong (as it will the first few times), I don't have to feel that bad.

And then when I get back I can apply those lessons to the real world. With Godlike Power and more Items than you can shake a stick at.

This still applies to everything but Option #4...which is really weird since it's not generally allowed by the actual Pathfinder rules. Which makes the power set too weird for me to give an answer.

[williamoak]

Mythic tiers in what? You cant take mythic tiers without class levels, you cant take mythic feats, and I dont really see what abilities you could use with 0 class levels... I would not take that because it is incoherent. You cannot have mythic tiers without class levels.

Now, if you're saying we have 1 level in a random NPC class (like, let's say commoner) it becomes very unappealing, since you cant take most of the mythic feats, the stat boosts are nice but not enough to compensate for the low ability... In the end, this does not give you power, just a bunch of weird abilities you dont really have the power to make the best of. You would probably still be stronger than most creatures on earth, but it aint nearly as appealing.

[Jeremias]

Quote:

However while I think I could take it I agree its going to be harsh especially as the years pass and you bury friends/family, run out of things to learn, new things to see hence why its a price for power and not a boon.

I think you underestimate the things you can see if you have a whole world to experience.

I would take the whole deal. And then make a list of things I would like to see... Like experiencing the byzantine court, etc. pp.

[Liam Warner]

williamoak wrote:

Mythic tiers in what? You cant take mythic tiers without class levels, you cant take mythic feats, and I dont really see what abilities you could use with 0 class levels... I would not take that because it is incoherent. You cannot have mythic tiers without class levels.

Now, if you're saying we have 1 level in a random NPC class (like, let's say commoner) it becomes very unappealing, since you cant take most of the mythic feats, the stat boosts are nice but not enough to compensate for the low ability... In the end, this does not give you power, just a bunch of weird abilities you dont really have the power to make the best of. You would probably still be stronger than most creatures on earth, but it aint nearly as appealing.

I am saying you are you with X mythic tiers, if say you went back to 1100 AD you would be you (as you are now) with the following . . .

1) Tougher and more resistant to damage (+30 hp, hard to kill - automatically stabilize from wounds that should kill you, recuperation - heal from injuries and the like far faster than normal, unstoppable - your able to negate negative conditions like bleeding from an injury or echaustion from pushing yourself too hard long list of condi9tions, immortal - even after you get back you return from death unless killed by a major artifact and earth's not crawling with those)
2) More capable (+10 to stats of your choice so you can for example go from average intelligence to genius level)
3) Mythic Feats I admit are a bit of a waste but you can always take some nice extra powers e.g. no need to eat, sleep, breath.
4) Mythical power - doesn't just run your abilities but can do other things like if you take archmage path + wild surge you can cast spells admitedly only limited times per day but when no one else can cast any . . .
5) Impose your will on reality (Surge force things to turn out better, that shot to be a bit more accurate, that painting a little better, force of will negate a natural failure say you know that arrow will miss the deer no wait it bounced off the tree and hit it afterall).
6) Faster reactions (improved reactions and use mythic power to perform more in the same time as others).
7) Mythic saving throws again a bit useless as your the only mythic being around (or are you? Who was that mysterious being who did this to you in the first place?)

All in all even without class levels I'd take the deal.

Also I really, really am getting to hate this tiny writing.

@Jerimias

Maybe, maybe not there's a lot to see yes but 900 years + even with the slower transport in the earlier centuries is a very, very long time to do so. How many times can you marvel at unspoiled wilderness or the temples and shrines of a country?

[williamoak]

The problem is still that we do not currently have class levels, nor HP, nor anything else game related. So we would need at least one level in something (plus relevant stats) before this could happen.

For an interesting look at how combining game/real world can work, check out the manhwa "the gamer", I quite like it.

http://www.mangahere.com/manga/the_gamer/

Also, dont be coy about the situation please. We need to be aware of the entire situation beforehand otherwise you're just messing with us.

As for exploration, despite the problems of speed, there are several things to our advantage:

1) We dont need to eat/cant die
2) We have 900 years
3) We could go werever the hell we want

You seem to underestimating the appeal of time travel.

[Liam Warner]

williamoak wrote:

The problem is still that we do not currently have class levels, nor HP, nor anything else game related. So we would need at least one level in something (plus relevant stats) before this could happen.

For an interesting look at how combining game/real world can work, check out the manhwa "the gamer", I quite like it.

http://www.mangahere.com/manga/the_gamer/

As I said the mechanical class abilities are converted to a "real world" equivilent e.g. +20 BAB to an extensive knowledge of fighting techniques or in this case you'd be like Rasputin, black beard, trotsky and are ridiculously hard to kill.

Rasputin
Stabbed, poisoned, shot (multiple times), clubbed, dumped in a river and finally died from Hypothermia.

Magellen
Hit with a poison dart, stabbed in the face with a spear, stabbed and beaten but didn't finally die till he was sure his men made it to safety.

Gabriel Garcia Moreno

Had his kneck, head and brain sliced through with a mechete and his left arm and right hand cut off, shot six times in the chest and slashed another 14 times before falling and writing "God does not die" in his own blood then after the attackers fled survived another 15 minutes before succumbing to his wounds.

EDIT
I don't underestimate the appeal of time travel I just am dubious about the appeal of living through the black plague like it or not or spending several centuries travelling from site to site for a couple of weeks sight seeing or even worse being locked up in an Oubliette for a prolonged period of time because the ruling body/religion deemed you a demon/monster/witch and literally locked you up and threw away the key.

I am trying to be clear about the situation but people keep coming up with stuff I didn't anticipate. I mean take the first response of using a stasis spell to skip the centuries when I thought I'd been clear living through them was part of the price. Obviously not so I tried to reclarify it what I have in mind is to me simple I'm just obviously not getting it across.

As I said in my post basic premise if you live (as in on earth, active, awake, LIVING those years in exchange for power). I'm just offering up several different scnearios to see which ones people would take the offer on. Basic premise is class levels no mythic but if you wouldn't take that would you take class levels and mythic? If you would take that would you hesitate if you get mythic but no class levels or nothing but you and your currently exisitng skills.

[LazarX]

Zhayne wrote:

I cannot fathom the idea of wanting to live that long, or even being able to tolerate it. No sale.

Not even to guard and protect the cube imprisoning the woman you love? :)

[williamoak]

As a side note liam: while you do not the possibility of accusations of witchcraft, you are much less likely to have problems if you are constantly traveling than otherwise. You'll never BE somewhere long enough for it (IE immortality) to be a problem. Also, the "main" dangers of the black plague, constant war, etc. IS NOT A PROBLEM! At all. You can easily survive. Heck, even 1000 years in an oubliette. Not like you need to breathe.

That's why I tend to dislike speculative, overly-vague scenarios. There is always holes.

[Liam Warner]

williamoak wrote:

As a side note liam: while you do not the possibility of accusations of witchcraft, you are much less likely to have problems if you are constantly traveling than otherwise. You'll never BE somewhere long enough for it (IE immortality) to be a problem. Also, the "main" dangers of the black plague, constant war, etc. IS NOT A PROBLEM! At all. You can easily survive. Heck, even 1000 years in an oubliette. Not like you need to breathe.

That's why I tend to dislike speculative, overly-vague scenarios. There is always holes.

Well all I'm really after here is your inital response of yes you would take the power evertyhing else is sort of eemrging from response to posts. I'm just curious if peopel were offered power in exchange for living through several centuries of history would they take it. Maybe they run afoul of hte inquisition and spend 221 years in prison, maybe they found an empire and rule for centuries its beyond the scope of the question. We can't predict the future so all I'd like to know is whether people would take the power (levels, mythic ranks, both) in exchange for being seperated from everyone they know for a prolonged period of time the more powerful they wish to be the longer the period is.

[Kryzbyn]

I think I'd go 20 Druid or Cleric/10 MR.
Probably druid. Could both help others and watch out for myself.
And have a tiger like Mike Tyson... ;)

A level 20 anything isn't going to be threatened by the Spanish Inquisition...

"we've come to arrest you!"
<morphs into an elder earth elemental>
"Nevermind!"

[Liam Warner]

Kryzbyn wrote:

I think I'd go 20 Druid or Cleric/10 MR.

Probably druid.

A level 20 anything isn't going to be threatened by the Spanish Inquisition...

"we've come to arrest you!"
<morphs into an elder earth elemental>
"Nevermind!"

No need to say what you'd be (I have a thread for that) just that you'd take the full 900 years for max level.

[Kryzbyn]

In a heartbeat.

[Deadmanwalking]

Liam Warner wrote:

Well all I'm really after here is your inital response of yes you would take the power evertyhing else is sort of eemrging from response to posts. I'm just curious if peopel were offered power in exchange for living through several centuries of history would they take it. Maybe they run afoul of hte inquisition and spend 221 years in prison, maybe they found an empire and rule for centuries its beyond the scope of the question. We can't predict the future so all I'd like to know is whether people would take the power (levels, mythic ranks, both) in exchange for being seperated from everyone they know for a prolonged period of time the more powerful they wish to be the longer the period is.

As a 20th level spellcaster...nothing bad will happen to you. Like ever. You're just so far beyond what ordinary people can do it's silly. If the Inquisition annoys you you can destroy it. Yes, the whole thing. Bad things can happen to those you care about...but even then, you can do things like raise them from the dead.

And...for me, this isn't about me, it's about the fact that someone with 9th level Wizard and 7th level Cleric spells could fix so any of the world's problems and make it a better place. I'd give up much more than getting to be a God-King for 1000 years for the power to do that.

[Karl Hammarhand]

So do you get the power before or after you've lived upteen years?

[Arctic Sphinx]

Assuming psionic classes are totally off the table, I'd go with 20 levels of Sorcerer (Draconic Bloodline) and 10 MR (archmage path).

I don't think the long wait is that much of an issue in the grand scheme of things.

Edit: Karl Raises an excellent point. How long (if at all) do I need to wait for my powers to kick in?

[LazarX]

Arctic Sphinx wrote:

Assuming psionic classes are totally off the table, I'd go with 20 levels of Sorcerer (Draconic Bloodline) and 10 MR (archmage path).

I don't think the long wait is that much of an issue in the grand scheme of things.

Save for the minor detail that you'd most likely wind up a complete sociopath by the end of the process, the inevitable result of being an immortal in a world of mortals.

[Arctic Sphinx]

LazarX wrote:

Arctic Sphinx wrote:

Assuming psionic classes are totally off the table, I'd go with 20 levels of Sorcerer (Draconic Bloodline) and 10 MR (archmage path).

I don't think the long wait is that much of an issue in the grand scheme of things.

Save for the minor detail that you'd most likely wind up a complete sociopath by the end of the process.

Eh. I like to think I'm pretty well-adjusted. Besides, even if I become a sociopath, I doubt I'd be much worse than the average politician, anyway.

[LazarX]

Arctic Sphinx wrote:

LazarX wrote:

Arctic Sphinx wrote:

Assuming psionic classes are totally off the table, I'd go with 20 levels of Sorcerer (Draconic Bloodline) and 10 MR (archmage path).

I don't think the long wait is that much of an issue in the grand scheme of things.

Save for the minor detail that you'd most likely wind up a complete sociopath by the end of the process.

Eh. I like to think I'm pretty well-adjusted. Besides, even if I become a sociopath, I doubt I'd be much worse than the average politician, anyway.

If you're well-adjusted it's because you function in a society of your peers. That does not exist for a solitary Immortal.

[Guang]

In real life? Nope. I've had power, and I don't like who it makes me become. The only tempting part for me would be the chance to watch what really happened way back in history.

In character, any character, though.....absolutely yes. Sign me up for 20 levels plus mythic plus whatever else I could weasel out of it.

[Liam Warner]

Arctic Sphinx wrote:

LazarX wrote:

Arctic Sphinx wrote:

Assuming psionic classes are totally off the table, I'd go with 20 levels of Sorcerer (Draconic Bloodline) and 10 MR (archmage path).

I don't think the long wait is that much of an issue in the grand scheme of things.

Save for the minor detail that you'd most likely wind up a complete sociopath by the end of the process.

Eh. I like to think I'm pretty well-adjusted. Besides, even if I become a sociopath, I doubt I'd be much worse than the average politician, anyway.

They say one of the signs of madness is not believing your mad in the first place.

As for when t doesn't really matter I was assuming when you took the deal but either works.

Again no need to say what you'll be or take it to my other thread on that matter but no psionic classes aren't off the table.

[Arctic Sphinx]

LazarX wrote:

Arctic Sphinx wrote:

LazarX wrote:

Arctic Sphinx wrote:

Assuming psionic classes are totally off the table, I'd go with 20 levels of Sorcerer (Draconic Bloodline) and 10 MR (archmage path).

I don't think the long wait is that much of an issue in the grand scheme of things.

Save for the minor detail that you'd most likely wind up a complete sociopath by the end of the process.

Eh. I like to think I'm pretty well-adjusted. Besides, even if I become a sociopath, I doubt I'd be much worse than the average politician, anyway.

If you're well-adjusted it's because you function in a society of your peers. That does not exist for a solitary Immortal.

An excellent point, though that just makes me even more curious to know how a solitary immortal would view the world, having lived in it for centuries.

[Deadmanwalking]

LazarX wrote:

Arctic Sphinx wrote:

Assuming psionic classes are totally off the table, I'd go with 20 levels of Sorcerer (Draconic Bloodline) and 10 MR (archmage path).

I don't think the long wait is that much of an issue in the grand scheme of things.

Save for the minor detail that you'd most likely wind up a complete sociopath by the end of the process, the inevitable result of being an immortal in a world of mortals.

Eh, I'm already a borderline sociopath and I manage alright. And I'm not sure that's the inevitable consequence of being immortal anyway. It's not like we have a lot of real evidence to support that conclusion...

Besides, with the powers of a 20th level character you can make individual people immortal, too. Though they'll die when your time runs out and the world resets. Which sucks, but isn't as bad as it could be.

[Liam Warner]

Entirely off topic but I want that gamer power sooooo many possibilities and what does he mean he doesn't need luck I always raise it by 1 per level and in real life having good luck is even more important.

True there are options which is why I didn't want to get too specific about what happens next and just see if people would take the deal.

[Tiny Coffee Golem]

Yes. I'd take it all. Throw me back in time as far as you want. Given the option I's choose the Arcane Heirophant PRC from 3.5. Basically it's a Druid/Wizard Mystic Theurge variant. I'm not really a fan of deities IRL. Though if they were real and I found the right one, then Perhaps a more classic Mystic Theurge would be in order. I'd need to sit down and have tea with the elven moon goddess of magic before I decided that though. I digress.

So that Arcane Heirophant (Dru3/Wiz7/ AH10). I'd have to play with the feats some, maximizing spell casting, a couple of magic item creation feats (because seriously, who else would be able to make them), and whatever else I decided. Immortality is a must, naturally.

Then I'd have my little utopian island (may take more than one try to get this right) hidden and protected by magic.

I don't foresee boredom being much of an issue.

I'd walk among the people as one of them (having people throw themselves at my feet would get tedious). I'll meet all the greats (Socrates, Davinci, etc), I'd dance with kings and queens (perhaps be a king or queen here and there. Research, learn new things, perfect a skill (I know nothing about music, but perhaps I'll finally have time to properly learn the Piano...From Motzart). All-in-all since I can't actually change the course of the world I'll concentrate on amusing myself and experiencing lifetimes of new things. If I get truly and irrevocably bored I'll concentrate my attention on intraplanar teleport as well as appropriate protections/precautions for preserving my life. Then i'll visit other plants. Perhaps the ones where diamonds rain from the sky.

Adults only please:

I'd probably do lots of kinky fun sex stuff across the ages too, but i'm not going to go into great detail for reasons of propriety. For clarity everything will be consensual and with adults. <- I say that only to keep anyone from going to some creepy gross place.

Most likely I'll end up with a very Dr. Who -like legend. Perhaps I'll inspire the same.

[mswbear]

Druid 12/Barbarian 6 (Blight Druid Archetype/invulnerable rager archetype) I wouldn't play a character like that but going back in time and being all super powered amounts mundane people would be awesome and that makes up about the powers and experience I would want.

(Plus wild shape into an angry dinosaur during huge historical wars and junk)

and then Guardian 10 Mythic class. I'd be so stupid powerful....I would run into the middle of battles naked and just challenge people to fist fights.

I mean you said that you effectively couldn't die and would just come back 24 hours later if you were killed....so I might also spend a year or two attempting to get myself killed in the craziest ways ever every century or so.

Seriously though I think leaving everything behind and being forced to live that long would be brutal hard but I also think that just the sheer knowledge you would have and firsthand experience. I mean if you get to keep your wealth you could make yourself stupid rich but also have an extensive library of "first editions" that would enrich the world so much...plus you would be able to speak now dead languages super well. i don't know I think the ability to use it to enrich the current world is just too great.

I'd take the max time

[The black raven]

I would not describe the trace I would leave in the Universal psyche as a legend. More likely as a nightmare, or even the origin of all Hell stories.

I mean all that power and no consequences and all the time in the world (mostly) and no competitors ?

Too bad they would put me in the loon bin as soon as I return.

No thanks.

I will stay the same, I will not go anywhen and I will remain who I am.

[Tiny Coffee Golem]

Someone more creative than I could turn this concept into an epic series of novels. Just saying.

[David knott 242]

The ability to live through 900+ years of time is not necessarily a "cost" -- I would consider doing that without gaining the additional power unless I run the risk of being permanently disabled early. But if I am guaranteed the ability to recover form any misfortune I might suffer, then such an adventure could be fun.

[LazarX]

Arctic Sphinx wrote:

LazarX wrote:

Arctic Sphinx wrote:

LazarX wrote:

Arctic Sphinx wrote:

Assuming psionic classes are totally off the table, I'd go with 20 levels of Sorcerer (Draconic Bloodline) and 10 MR (archmage path).

I don't think the long wait is that much of an issue in the grand scheme of things.

Save for the minor detail that you'd most likely wind up a complete sociopath by the end of the process.

Eh. I like to think I'm pretty well-adjusted. Besides, even if I become a sociopath, I doubt I'd be much worse than the average politician, anyway.

If you're well-adjusted it's because you function in a society of your peers. That does not exist for a solitary Immortal.

An excellent point, though that just makes me even more curious to know how a solitary immortal would view the world, having lived in it for centuries.

We really can't have a qualitative answer here given the well lack of immortals. We have to turn to writers to look at that question for us.

There are tons of examples in literature, and television, but my favorite example was from a classic Twilight Zone story when a father discovers that the man her daughter is planning to marry is an immortal who's married and left behind scores of women during his existence, and is determined that his daughter won't suffer the same fate.

In TOS Star Trek, an Immortal tries to solve the problem by creating another creature as immortal as himself. It doesn't work out that well.

In the Immortal RPG, the weight of memories becomes such an issue that every now and then an Immortal will purge himself of his memories and powers and reincarnate as an apparent mortal, only to eventually rediscover his heritage. In addition the personality of what he was before he gave himself the amnesia treatment lurks as an "avatar" inside his mind, and quite shockingly will have a different and anachronistic point of view of present things.

[Cevah]

Liam Warner wrote:

2) You can get sick, injured etc but if you die 24 hours later you rise again.

Duncan MacCloud -- There can be only one.

***

I think Witch 20, played as a sage. Got to have the Forced Reincarnation Hex. Do it to myself and then do the restores to get levels back, and instant new form at young adult age. Add Beast Bonded to have another form of immortality. Wander the world and make notes. Later make money "discovering" lost things. Live through the intervening time as a helper rather than warrior. Fight when needed, but try to avoid otherwise. Go more for the Diplomancer style of play. I don't know the Mythic stuff, but I am sure I would like that also.

As to the duration, by wandering and never making long commitments, there is always something new to see or do. If you do find someone to spend time with, the hex can fix old age nicely. Last thing to ask before hitting the present: Can you work for uber-person?

/cevah

[kyrt-ryder]

Depends entirely on the Character. Some would jump on it, others would hesitate and struggle back and forth over the choice, while yet others would never touch such a deal with an 11 foot pole.

[Weirdo]

LazarX, those are all fantastic stories but imagination isn't the same thing as evidence. It may very well be that humanity's distrust of immortality is merely a coping mechanism for dealing with our eventual death. Besides, I can cite counter-examples in fiction, like this immortal from Gunnerkrigg Court (spoilers) who isn't particularly happy but certainly isn't insane. Anyanwu from Wild Seed is also a well-adjusted immortal. Connor MacLeod gets 500 years as an Immortal under conditions more or less similar to the deal presented (as noted above). Even Tolkien, who called death a "gift," allowed for some of the (essentially) human Dunedain to live 400-500 years.

As for the deal, yes, I take it. All the way back. Even assuming there's more being burned at the stake as a witch than being pals with DaVinci.

I have loved ones with chronic illness. Remove Disease would be a miracle for so many people. And once you're in for 200 years you might as well experience the whole 900 for Heal, Regenerate, and, oh yes, Raise Dead.

[LazarX]

Weirdo wrote:

LazarX, those are all fantastic stories but imagination isn't the same thing as evidence. It may very well be that humanity's distrust of immortality is merely a coping mechanism for dealing with our eventual death.

What in Hades are you expecting for evidence? We do however have a good deal of psychological evidence of what long term separation does for people, none of it good. And yes as an immortal who's got to hide their nature, you're going to wind up pretty much separate. The problem isn't so much Immortality, but being immortal in a world of mortals.

[Cevah]

LazarX wrote:

We do however have a good deal of psychological evidence of what long term separation does for people, none of it good. And yes as an immortal who's got to hide their nature, you're going to wind up pretty much separate. The problem isn't so much Immortality, but being immortal in a world of mortals.

That is what your familiar is for, silly. :-)

Also, there are plenty of immortals or near immortals, and you can make more.

/cevah

[Ellis Mirari]

This really doesn't seem like much of a trade to me. I would have entire lifetimes to master virtually every art and the chance to try everything I could possibly think of without any real risk (I could get my head cut off by a guillotine, just to see if it's as painless as they claimed).

Gaining the ability to cast spells not-withstanding (and I would certainly go in Trickery-themed witch), I would return with skills and knowledge that not a SINGLE living human possessed (unless we're all getting this deal in the same universe, in which case we all will now have to fight to the death with swords).

I wouldn't go back all the way:200-300 years should do the trick. Enough for me to get Major Image and experience everything I can think to. Even at just 6th level, I'm STILL more powerful than any other human being alive. Going longer for more levels isn't worth it: it'd just be "winning more", and after a few centuries I would surely get bored.

[Rynjin]

In a heartbeat.

You have the chance to A.) Gain UNLIMITED COSMIC POWAH in the field of your choice (be it combat, magic, or some mix thereof), B.) True Immortality (regardless of class, because Mythic tiers), and C.) The chance to experience every major event in human history after the point you return to.

Satiation of curiosity alone is almost enough. The magic powers are a bonus.

[Liam Warner]

Ellis Mirari wrote:

This really doesn't seem like much of a trade to me. I would have entire lifetimes to master virtually every art and the chance to try everything I could possibly think of without any real risk (I could get my head cut off by a guillotine, just to see if it's as painless as they claimed).

Gaining the ability to cast spells not-withstanding (and I would certainly go in Trickery-themed witch), I would return with skills and knowledge that not a SINGLE living human possessed (unless we're all getting this deal in the same universe, in which case we all will now have to fight to the death with swords).

I wouldn't go back all the way:200-300 years should do the trick. Enough for me to get Major Image and experience everything I can think to. Even at just 6th level, I'm STILL more powerful than any other human being alive. Going longer for more levels isn't worth it: it'd just be "winning more", and after a few centuries I would surely get bored.

Its what got me thinking about this in the first place. For some its a great deal while for others its horrble (also why I was curious how other factos e.g. not getting power till you reach the current date, onlyh getting mythic etc would affect your choices). I don't really care what people would want to be only whether they as in YOU the person you are now not some character in a game would take the deal. Would you never see your familiy, friends for hundreds of years in exchange for power you couldn't get otherwwise?

Like most deals it depends on the person offer say 6/1 to a regular person in exchange for their HAVING to live the remaining years as the opposite sex and its a dubious trade, make teh same offer to a transgendered person and it leaves them wondering what the price is meant to be.

I think I'll need to make another thread in a few months where I stipulate any power gained is gained after you get back andyou need to live through the centuries with only what you know/can do now and learn over that time. Maybe throw in enough money to live on for a few weeks, speaking the local language. resurection if killed and healing from anythjing in time (normal healing rate i.e. a broken arm takes months to heal but you will eventually recover from antyhing regrow limbs, restore nerve damage etc).; Anything else like even 1 level in a martial class of choice is too open to abuse it seems.

I do think a lot of peoople who are leaping at the centuries of knowledge don't really understand just how much of a burden that long a time period would be (althoguh giving X levels at the start seems to avoid a lot of the problems).

[NoncompliAut]

14 years would be enough for me to pick up 2 alchemist levels and make me a fortune on the pseudoscience circuit. Take a trait to get prestidigitation, win that prize for demonstrating psychic powers. I would suffer an alignment change (I'm probably LN, but pseudoscience is definitely evil), though.

[Te'Shen]

Quote:

The Path of a Thousand Whispers: The Dharma embracing balance. Known also as "Rootless Trees", they adopt a series of different mortal identities in order to learn from a variety of experiences, while their true self remains detached and "Zen" about these lessons.

This came to my mind. You can be anyone and anything. Before our current age, it probably was as easy as moving five miles down the road and saying your name is Kurt rather than William.

Rynjin wrote:

. . . Satiation of curiosity alone is almost enough. The magic powers are a bonus.

Agreed.