Hey guys and gals. How do you RP the various abilities of your warlocks? What makes your warlocks stand out from the party?
Here, I'll start with my feylock, Sisa'kofa. She is a lithe and shapely woman, with fiery-red hair and a temper to match. She wears a greatcloak with the cowl extending down her back, tapering to a point. Her fey eyes gleam with mystery.
Magic courses through my warlock's veins. Literally. Every so often, one can glimpse something moving beneath her skin. A fleeting shadow or a certain soft color(rose or cobalt hued) that shifts across her skin. The movement does not bulge out or anything gross like that, but it is nonetheless disturbing. It is as if her very blood is glowing and moving with intelligence. For this reason, Sisa'kofa always wears a dark cloak that wraps and billows around her.
Excerpt from background:That night, Sisa’kofa dreamed a strange dream, vivid and disturbing. She was in a glade that shone silver with the waxing light of the full moon overhead. Large stones with glyphs inscribed upon the surface encircled the place. And before her stood the shattered remains of a stone column, upon which rested her mother’s diary. Suddenly, a cold wind gusted through the clearing and ripped open the book. The pages sat unmoving in the bitter cold wind. Shivering, as she was wearing only a nightshift, Sisa’kofa approached the book. Treading carefully upon the rubble strewn ground, she still managed to trip and fall forward. Sisa’kofa caught herself upon the pedestal, but the edges were jagged and tore into her hand. Strangely, the pain seemed distant and muted, as if she was feeling someone else‘s wounds. Steadying herself, she reached for the book, but as her blood dripped upon the pages, the book flared brightly and the pages disappeared. In its place was a window into empty space filled with stars and swirling clouds of multi-colored dust. Her astonished cry echoed through the window and out into the sea of stars. However, instead of fading, her cry echoed even louder, increasing in volume and intensity. A bright light woke within the starry depths and started to rise towards her. In panic, Sisa’kofa wrenched herself from the pedestal and fell back just in time as a column of ethereal fire roared from the pedestal into the sky. The column of fire stretched towards the moon, and upon touching it, the moon burned away to reveal a gateway limned in silvery flames. A fey being of terrible beauty emerged from the hole in the sky. Flames not of this world licked across skin of metal the color of blood. A mouth formed on the luciferous face and opened, and a wild cackle emerged from the creature’s throat.
“Blood has been spilt. The price is paid. The bargain is struck. Done and done.”, a voice that sounded like flames crackling over dry leaves whispered in her ears. The Lady of the Blood Moon reached out as if to embrace Sisa‘kofa, and then, she was struck with blinding pain. Liquid fire poured into her mind, body, and soul. Flames scoured her from within, hollowing her out and then filling the emptiness with eldritch power. Sisa'kofa felt as if she was stretched thin. She heard wild laughter and screams of anguish, but could not sense who voiced either. And just as abruptly, darkness took her into cool oblivion.
Her Eldritch Blast pulses with a lurid glow, blood red in color. The very air around it shrinks away, as if it is anathema to the world.
Implement (wand): With an overhead flourish as if striking with a whip, the eldritch blast whips out in a coruscating line of pure magic. Exactly like Dumbledore's first wand motion/strike effect in his battle vs. Voldy.
Her Eyebite effects varies. To her targets, her eyes become pinpoints of light that flares. And when the glow dims, the warlock is gone from their vision. Or her pupils shrink to little pin-pricks and her form spins and then blinks out. Very creepy.
Implement (wand): A thorn grows from the tip of the wand and then launches itself into target's eye. It burrows through the pupil and into the frontal lobe, causing it pain and hallucinations.
When Shadow Walking during the day, light bends around her, blurring her figure. During the night or in any shadowy illumination, the shadows deepen around her, absorbing any light; obscuring her form. It was fun doing this constantly just by walking. My companions get freaked whenever we travel on foot.
When using Misty Step or any other teleport effect, she seems to be either swimming through the air with her dark cloak flowing around her, popping in and out of vision, or she simply moves so fast the eyes barely register her movement, only hearing a strange skittering noise. The last bit was inspired by Queen Mab in Merlin (the movie with Sam Neil).
Her Witchfire, instead of a white hot fire, is more of a ghostly silvery flame. She breathes it from her mouth unto her hands, shaping it and then throwing it. The witchfire howls as it flies toward its target. Upon impact, the fire streams into every visible orifice on the target's body and flares up. The fire licks at their joints, hindering their attacks.
Implement (wand): Instead of breathing the fire out, she opens her mouth with the wand tip over it. She pulls the ghostly flames from her throat, which then swirls and contracts until she flicks her wrist, launching it at her foe.
Crown of Stars: The light around her dims as it gets funneled into flickering motes of flame, manifesting around her head. The crown of flames orbit around her. She then lets fly a star mote with a pointed gesture.
Implement (wand): After the crown forms, she puts her wand tip to her temple and captures a star mote on her wand tip. Then she flicks it at her target. (Almost the same gesture as Dumbledore extracting a memory.
Her MC power is Scorching Burst. She rakes her hands forward, clawing the air before her. Molten fire rips forth, wounding the very air before it.
Implement (wand): A wide flourishing arcing downward, as a fire rains down from above.
And finally, her Dilettante power is Enfeebling Strike. She spears those foolish enough to come close with a serpent like strike, her 'fang' gleaming silver from the shadows wrapped about her.
When using more powerful teleport spells in the future, I might have lightning flash and her form blink in and out before disappearing altogether. Or appear as if she is coming out of some object, like a tree or boulder, or even the ground.
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Addendum: This is an update in her selection of spells, items, etc.
Leveling Up Sisa'kofa, has an ancient ritual book, called the Blood Diary, that is actually a gateway to her patron's realm. I came up with the book idea, and my DM just went with it, making it the instrument of leveling up for my character. By pricking her finger with a needle and entering a meditative trance, my character opens the way to her patron with her blood upon the pages of her book. The pages in the open book disappears and becomes a window into space, where a full blood moon shines amidst stars and nebulae. My patron then confers to me knowledge of arcane spells and rites.
The wizard in our group (we look out for each other) who watched over me during my "ritual" told me afterwards that my sitting form floated into the air, my hair drifting up as well, and a luridly glowing pulse of energy connected me and my book. The DM also said I acted like the Gatekeeper from Ghostbusters.
Ethereal Stride: She steps toward the desired location and her body dissipates and fades away as if blown by a breeze. Sisa'kofa reappears the same way, but in reverse. It is very much air element-ery.
Otherwind Stride: A cold wind whips up around Sisa'kofa and shadows speckled with starlight whip up encircling her form. The tendrils of shadow flail around her, attacking anyone close before wrapping about her ,compressing and then disappearing, whisking away the witch within. She re-enters the world as blood-red mist through cracks in space, moonlight filtering in behind her.
Implement (wand): "DISAPPARATE!" lol, j/k. A ghostly sigh echoes through the air as the wand is flourished over her own body. Disappears like Voldemort does, with shadows writhing around.
Curse of the Bloody Fangs: Sisa'kofa whistles as if summoning a dog. The sound echoes with power and reverberates outward. Bone-chilling howls answer her call. The sound nears until you can hear the growls and snapping of teeth. Yet, you see nothing. Suddenly, Sisa'kofa flings back her cloak and within the darkness of her mantle appear a mass of glowing red eyes and slavering maws. She gestures toward you as if loosing the reins and suddenly, razor sharp teeth rip into you. Screams and howls harmonize into a sweet song of slaughter.
Sustaining it: If the target survives, Sisa'kofa closes her hand and flicks her wrist, as if pulling something back. Ghostly lines of eldritch energy extends from her fist to the invisible fell hounds, tethering them to this world to continue their attacks.
Implement (wand): She gestures with the wand, as if shooing dogs towards the target. When sustaining, the reins whip out from the tip of the wand, which she grabs with a free hand.
Dark One's Own Luck: Time crawls to a slow as I invoke my fey pact-lord's presence, thereby altering reality. The world momentarily becomes photo-negative as I will something to happen (make a save, successfully hit, or make a skill check).
"My will be done. So mote it be!"
Howl Of Doom: A hauntingly beautiful sound emerges from her throat, as if a banshee is singing a dirge. It is as if many voices are emerging from one throat. The very air shivers and throbs, slamming into her foes and driving them back. This is similar to the banshee of Ireland from The Gargoyles cartoon. www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnIbmFxqNYI
Implement (wand): She places the tip of the wand under her chin, which increases the intensity and volume of her keening song. The grief prevalent in the wailing seizes your heart and squeezes until it bleeds.
Implements & other items of power As for implements, Sisa'kofa shall wield a branding-iron (a magic rod to channel my Warlock's Curse), a wand (shaped from the branch of a willow tree) to focus/sharpen her warlock/wizard spells, and finally an athame (pact blade) to channel her blood magic.
She also has a ritual book titled the Blood Diary. The DM gave it a special property that allows her to contact her patron for ritual spells, auguries, and knowledge. "Blood opens the way."
Apparently, I did NOT lose my safewing amulet +1. Anyways, shadows collect about her in the shape of a raven's wings, unfurled and lessening the impact of her fall.
Managed to purchase a nice wand of radiance +1; it alters some of my powers' manifestations, as seen above.
Here are the rituals I've finally copied. Some of her rituals will include the various humours of the body (i.e. saliva, blood, bile ...) Ritual Cookbook Brew Potion - She succeeded in using Arcana to make signature tastes for potions; altering the recipe for potions of healing to give it a minty flavor. Yum! Cure Disease - Combining components into a paste (with own spit), she draws healing runes upon the diseased body. The runes ignite and burn away the disease. Delay Affliction - A mixture of components and her own blood, she coats her hand and lays it upon the target. The hand print delays the affliction, until it fades away. Enchant Magic Item - Regular components, with her own blood added to seal the magic. Endure Elements - Arcane mark upon body, its warmth warding away the chill. Gentle Repose - Strips of cloth/bandages soaked in preserving oils and such. With a drop of honey on the eyelids to lure the soul back to the vessel (windows to the soul, hehe) Magic Circle - Halved apples (has a natural pentacle in center) with a laurel leaf pressed unto it. Then place it down in the 4 cardinal points. Make Whole - just that
Here is her mask. It is made of silver birch wood, inlaid with mother of pearl.
Ok, thanks to my DM I can use a pendant as an implement counting as a rod. The pendant is shaped after the rune of torment. My Feylock is only level 1 right now, so I can't add much.
Eldritch Blast: The pendant begins to spin for a moment before a beam of light blasts towards the opponent. Eyebite: Her eyes begin to glow pink and a beam strikes the target. Witchfire: The rune begins to glow purple for a moment and a rune appears below the target. A moment later, the rune errupts in bright pink light and disappears. Curse of the Dark Dream: Pink flames start to dance along the target's body, while his mind is tormented by his worst nightmare. He staggers about helplessly. Shadow Walk: A thing haze of fog covers the immediate area around her. Misty Step: She fades out of existance only to reappear a short distance away.
That was very .... pink. I like the pendant concept. I can envision it floating up from her chest, spinning between her hands and shooting bolts of eldritch power.
My warlock Gunslinger, working off this thread. An emaciated man in a dark greatcloak, razor spurs on his boots, a wide brimmed hat obscuring his features, and a mad glare in his eyes, wielding two 6-shooters.
Gunslinger's Eldritch Guns (eldritch blast) manifests his two pistols, as he fires a barrage of bullets towards his enemy.
Keep your Distance (dire radiance) is him keeping an eye (and a gun) focused on a foe he doesn't want to get too close, and making that foe think twice before approaching further.
A sudden volley of bullets slams into the target's chest, pushing him stumbling backward. Kickback Volley (diabolic grasp) is Gunslinger doing his level best to keep enemies at a safe distance.
Gunslinger channels the dark energies bestowed upon him by an incomprehensible greater entity in Starbreath Shot (fiery bolt) with a single rune-scribed bullet.
Sometimes you want to keep an enemy in place for a time. Foot Shot (dread star) does the trick nicely, rendering them immobile with a few well placed bullets.
When he needs to get somewhere quick, Gunslinger asks his patron for a ride. Using the limitless power of the cosmos in a quick Space Jaunt (ethereal stride) Gunslinger dissolves into a mote of starlight, re-appearing in a more desirable location instantaneously.
Heavens' Step (shadow walk) is the movement of the stars echoed through a mortal's footstep, as strange patterns of fate twine with memory and destiny wrap Gunslinger in a protective embrace. It is difficult to focus on him when he moves, for it seems fate itself has taken Gunslinger under its wing.
My Warlock (Infernal Pact) has an "Infernal flame" motif. So almost any power that can look like crimson fire of unnatural and unholy origin.. does so.
Redemption and finding a purpose for his life and powers is key to his character though, he's a multi class cleric of Avandra, and follows her teachings of change and redemption. "Life is like a giant river, always flowing, always changing. There is no use in fighting that change, one must embrace it, and trust in Avandra."
He'll eventually pick up that one Cleric Paragon path with the radiant fire stuff, after which point he'll have mastered the ability to mix divine fire with infernal fire. Crimson and gold flame shall henceforth surround him.
The infernal runes on his chest from the time he made his pact will also be enforced with holy symbols and glyphs from that point on.
I plan to have him ascend to become the Demi-god of Redemption when he hit's 30, so... the mix of holy and unholy is pivotal in that role.
"Saint Nikolas the Redeemed, lantern of the Crimson and Gold flame, and guiding light to those seeking redemption."
That was very .... pink. I like the pendant concept. I can envision it floating up from her chest, spinning between her hands and shooting bolts of eldritch power.
Actyally, she holds the pendant more like a holy icon. Similiar to that priest/cleric of pelor miniature.
And she has a glabrezu grandfrather, so she inherited his violet eyes.
I like my alternative names for the Warlock pacts:
When Shadow Walking during the day, light bends around her, blurring her figure.
Now I have a picture of a predator-like warlock dragonborn (possibly multiclassed with ranger) that disappears into the woods with his victim at hand...
I like my idea for Infernal Pact better: METAL Pact! :D
Back on topic, my first concept for a warlock was someone who got a glimpse of Things Man Was Not Meant To See and gone mad; I'd probably go mostly with powers that deal psychic damage and otherwise mess with people's minds, and as a bit of flavor I'd say that any enemy that I bring to 0 HP using a psychic attack doesn't die but goes insane and spends the rest of his days in fetal position softly weeping.
