07-16-2020, 01:14 AM
Sorry for being slow to reply. Between work and trying to figure out my Artificer, I haven't had a lot of time focus on this game.
Re Cantrips: I looked at the 5e cantrips. At higher levels the cantrips are more powerful than 1st level spells like magic missile. For example, Acidic Bolt can eventually do 4d6 piercing + 4d6 acid damage every round because cantrips never disappear from memory. And even at the lowest levels, cantrips like Acidic Bolt can do 2d6 damage with a failed Fortitude save throw, all day long! That's a significant boost to the power of Wizards! I think it would unbalance the game and turn Strahd into a pin cushion.
I'm more inclined to go with the Pathfinder Cantrips. They aren't uber powerful but you still can cast them an unlimited time per day. The problem is, certain spells already exist at different levels. Like the light spell is a 1st level spell in 2e but a cantrip in Pathfinder. I'm leaning toward, if there are 2 spells with the same name, go with the 2e spell. Suggestions welcome.
The curse is interesting but I'm not a fan of 'roleplaying' drawbacks. Basically you would get to be ageless while you role play, "Oh no's, I had another bad dream again. I feel sad." Then there's no further affects. In real life that would be a terrible curse but in a role playing game it's a curse I'm sure most players wouldn't have a problem being cursed with. But I do have a couple of ideas.
Here is a couple of ideas I had because Ravenloft would love to screw with someone cursed.
How about, every time you look in a mirror you see yourself aging at an accelerated rate until you wither and turn to dust. You would need to make a save vs spell or be affected by a fear spell for 1d4 rounds. I was also thinking you could look young but if you age unnaturally you will receive the normal penalties but none of the bonuses. You can of course still gain the bonuses for aging when you reach your natural age.
This spell is pretty good. My only concerns might be the duration being 1 hour/level. I think it would be ok as long as the elements didn't have any permanent effects. Like the firebolt can't set stuff on fire. I just think it could be too easily abused. A wizard could spend hours setting an entire city on fire, or even Strahd's castle! Also I don't think there's anything that compares to Force energy in 2ed. I've read Magic Missile and it mentions nothing about any kind of force damage. Spiritual hammer does mention force but not that it has any further effects. Why not just stick with the elements and create Fire, Ice, Lightning and Earth. The earth could create a small meteor that strikes with bludgeon damage.
As for the additional magic items, I would prefer if we stuck with the items MiB offered. I really don't want to go through a list of unique magic items from everyone's wish lists. But I will think about maybe placing some of your suggestions in the game for you to find.
Any items that were taken by players who are no longer playing are free game to take. So the Bracers AC5 are yours. As is the Potion of healing.
Re Cantrips: I looked at the 5e cantrips. At higher levels the cantrips are more powerful than 1st level spells like magic missile. For example, Acidic Bolt can eventually do 4d6 piercing + 4d6 acid damage every round because cantrips never disappear from memory. And even at the lowest levels, cantrips like Acidic Bolt can do 2d6 damage with a failed Fortitude save throw, all day long! That's a significant boost to the power of Wizards! I think it would unbalance the game and turn Strahd into a pin cushion.
I'm more inclined to go with the Pathfinder Cantrips. They aren't uber powerful but you still can cast them an unlimited time per day. The problem is, certain spells already exist at different levels. Like the light spell is a 1st level spell in 2e but a cantrip in Pathfinder. I'm leaning toward, if there are 2 spells with the same name, go with the 2e spell. Suggestions welcome.
Eloric Aetherion Wrote:5. I was going to use the ring of agelessness kinda like a curse. Where the ring wont come off, (So he gives up a magical item location) It was the ring his wife gave to him, While he was off learning to control his magical gifts, their village was destroyed by Orcs. She was killed rather horrifically and she cursed him right before she died for not being there. It was a death curse that said he'd see her death and experience how she died every night of his life, living forever with what he had done and never know peace. So he has nightmares of his wife being murdered and raped by orcs every time he sleeps. The only reprieve he has is if he is intoxicated or high, then he doesn't have the dream. He loved his wife dearly, and though the ring cursed him to never grow old and relive her death each night, he keeps it as a reminder of his failure. So even if he could take it off, he never tried. Sometimes she even taunts him in the dream. "If it's too much... you could just kill yourself." Sometimes he actually considers it.
The curse is interesting but I'm not a fan of 'roleplaying' drawbacks. Basically you would get to be ageless while you role play, "Oh no's, I had another bad dream again. I feel sad." Then there's no further affects. In real life that would be a terrible curse but in a role playing game it's a curse I'm sure most players wouldn't have a problem being cursed with. But I do have a couple of ideas.
Here is a couple of ideas I had because Ravenloft would love to screw with someone cursed.
How about, every time you look in a mirror you see yourself aging at an accelerated rate until you wither and turn to dust. You would need to make a save vs spell or be affected by a fear spell for 1d4 rounds. I was also thinking you could look young but if you age unnaturally you will receive the normal penalties but none of the bonuses. You can of course still gain the bonuses for aging when you reach your natural age.
Quote:Eloric's Energy Bolt
Range: 5/10/15
Components: V, S, M
Duration: 1 hour/level
Casting Time: 1
Area of Effect: 1 creature
Saving Throw: None
This allows the wizard to charge themselves with magical energy of one of four basic types of energy; fire, ice, force or electrical. They are then able to launch bolts of that energy type at their enemies. This attack is subject to all the normal limitations of firing an object such as an arrow, a bolt, or a bullet at a target. This means, The wizard has to roll an attack check to hit with the energy bolt, as well as it is subject to resistances, cover, range, etc. A successful energy attack deals 1d6 points of that specific energy types damage. This attack gains +1 to its damage every 5 levels. They can only utilize one energy type at a time. The Wizard may, with 10 minutes of uninterrupted concentration, change the energy type to any of the four listed. However ANY action other than complete silent mediation interrupts this process.
This spell is pretty good. My only concerns might be the duration being 1 hour/level. I think it would be ok as long as the elements didn't have any permanent effects. Like the firebolt can't set stuff on fire. I just think it could be too easily abused. A wizard could spend hours setting an entire city on fire, or even Strahd's castle! Also I don't think there's anything that compares to Force energy in 2ed. I've read Magic Missile and it mentions nothing about any kind of force damage. Spiritual hammer does mention force but not that it has any further effects. Why not just stick with the elements and create Fire, Ice, Lightning and Earth. The earth could create a small meteor that strikes with bludgeon damage.
As for the additional magic items, I would prefer if we stuck with the items MiB offered. I really don't want to go through a list of unique magic items from everyone's wish lists. But I will think about maybe placing some of your suggestions in the game for you to find.
Any items that were taken by players who are no longer playing are free game to take. So the Bracers AC5 are yours. As is the Potion of healing.
