In general for Shadows, if they kill a humanoid creature via strength damage, it will return in 1d4 rounds under the control of the killer.
With the item Bottle of Shadows, you control a Shadow for a period of rounds, and then it returns to the bottle.
If the humanoid creatures return, they are under the Shadows control, and subsequently, yours... What happens if the original Shadow dies/is returned whilst controlling other Shadows OR if the Shadows return after the original dies/is returned?
Hope this makes sense, thanks
This bottle is crafted from the darkest ebony. When opened and held upright, faint whispers can be heard emanating from the bottle's mouth. The bottle initially has 4 charges. When turned upside down, the bottle summons a shadow to do the bidding of the user, draining 1 charge each round of service. As a standard action, the bearer may dismiss the summoned shadow. If the shadow kills a humanoid creature of at least 4 HD, the bottle gains 1 charge. The bottle is automatically restored to 4 charges at sundown.
Its not written clearly, but I feel that the comment about the shadow killing creatures adding charges to the bottle is the substitute for this effect.
Agreed. A creature killed in this way does not return as a shadow. Instead, it recharges the bottle. Sorry, but no Shadow army. At least not with this item.
@CraziFuzzy thanks
Thanks, @Claxon , what you mean at least not with this item, is there a better item?
@CraziFuzzy thanks
Thanks, @Claxon , what you mean at least not with this item, is there a better item?
The shadowstaff is a much more powerful (artifact?) item that can summon shadows. But in the end, if you want an army of shadows to command, there isn't going to be an off the shelf magic item that will do it. Its going to take opening a gate to the shadow plane and binding them yourself. MAJOR GM FIAT needed.
Eh....sort of.
You can't get shadows. But Create Undead can get your creatures that do create spawn. The creatures you create are under your control. And the creatures that are created as spawn are under their control.
the fact that there are easy paths to a necromancer, as Claxon mentions, and no way to do so with the other planes does bring up a shortcoming in the 'evil' sides. It would be great to have a shadow-mancer type class/archetype, or some other form of shadow conjuration that isn't just a lesser mimic of other spells. For the Plane of Shadow to be so closely linked to the material plane, and have no real specialists in it's manipulation is sad, in some way. Sure, there are Shadowdancers, Shadow Blooded sorcerors, and such, who use the matter and energy from the Plane of Shadow, but there isn't really a way to exploit the residents of the plane - especially with their spawning capabilities/tendencies.
@CraziFuzzy will look into it
@Claxon I read somewhere that they get daily will saves and could break out of your control, as they are intelligent? also, you need to use command undead to control them after you create them apparently
@Claxon I read somewhere that they get daily will saves and could break out of your control, as they are intelligent? also, you need to use command undead to control them after you create them apparently
True, but that'd be the case trying to lead a mostly unwilling living army as well.
@CraziFuzzy & @Claxon
Thanks for your help
And actually, off the top of my head, I'm not sure the DC of the control undead checks to keep an undead army in line is that much different than Diplomacy skill checks.
Yeah, it's not necessarily easy if you're not prepared. But go and research any necromancer build and it should provide you with all you need to know to raise an undead army of your own.
And actually, off the top of my head, I'm not sure the DC of the control undead checks to keep an undead army in line is that much different than Diplomacy skill checks.
Increase diplomacy, aids control of undead?
And actually, off the top of my head, I'm not sure the DC of the control undead checks to keep an undead army in line is that much different than Diplomacy skill checks.Increase diplomacy, aids control of undead?
No, I don't believe so. But increases your charisma does increase your DC for Command Undead ability.
A negative energy channeling cleric with command undead feat and create undead is basically what you're after. You will need a high charisma and a high wisdom to cast effectively and control your creations.
And actually, off the top of my head, I'm not sure the DC of the control undead checks to keep an undead army in line is that much different than Diplomacy skill checks.Increase diplomacy, aids control of undead?
No, I was comparing controlling an undead army to controlling a living one.