Ultimately, I'd like to see this edition tread lightly with setting dependent material. This includes things like the social details of races, languages and the like. A lot of this material is OK for a 'default setting', but some thought should go into how this will interact with setting material. This is a general comment that extends to PC things like race fluff, language, and alignment.
View full commentUltimately, I'd like to see this edition tread lightly with setting dependent material. This includes things like the social details of races, languages and the like. A lot of this material is OK for a 'default setting', but some thought should go into how this will interact with setting material.
This is a general comment that extends to PC things like race fluff, language, and alignment.
The only thing I really don't like about the stat block is the average damage stat. I guarantee I will never use that rule, and it will only get in my way. I'd prefer that you stick with the old school damage dice plus modifiers only.
The important part for any undead is a focus on the "rule of three". Why are they undead. What is their desire. How do they naturally expire. Zombies, skeletons, and ghouls are most often times made by necromancers, gods or very corrupt magical areas. Their desires are what their master bids or wonton destruction and death "mindless murder" being the key. They all expire when the magic or power that made them expires. Vampires liches are different in that they either choose or resolve that...
View full commentThe important part for any undead is a focus on the "rule of three". Why are they undead. What is their desire. How do they naturally expire. Zombies, skeletons, and ghouls are most often times made by necromancers, gods or very corrupt magical areas. Their desires are what their master bids or wonton destruction and death "mindless murder" being the key. They all expire when the magic or power that made them expires. Vampires liches are different in that they either choose or resolve that their existence is as such. They are intelligent in their desires and goals. Vampires will die without blood but other then that will continue for eternity. Liches will continue on until their souls are destroyed. Mummy's wraths and wraiths are the guardians and the plagues of areas. A mummy being created for protection. A wrath being created for destruction. A wraith being created for revenge. They all expire when their mission is completed.
As for the argument on energy drain. Health and hit points have always represented two things to me, blood in the body and physical damage taken. Energy drain with the draining component should not focus on restoring what these creatures care nothing about. They should bolster the vigor of the undead creature making a wrath even more angry and full of rage. With the example of Snow White, the drain allowed the queen to focus on her beauty and extending her life... A wrath might energy drain a particularly hearty guard or civilian to allow his muscles to sustain the wear and tear that killing hundreds of humans would cause to humanoid body.
If a Wight or Wraith kills a living being that being becomes a Wight or Wraith but it does NOT have the ability to create any more of its kind. AKA they are a lesser Wight or Wraith. It keeps the threat of being turned into something so horrible but stops the perpetuation craziness.
This is a general comment that extends to PC things like race fluff, language, and alignment.
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