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5 years ago ::
Mar 17, 2008 - 11:38PM
#51
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The main problem I see with the OPs suggestion is that it requires the prospective Warlock to already have some sort of power. A character would probably need a few levels in a casting class such as wizard or cleric to be able to summon and bind a demon, which makes the warlock into a PrC, which no longer exists, so a paragon path rather than the base class it is.
Not necessarily, because we have rituals. In my opinion, most rituals won't work if you don't have real power to back it up, but, in this case, devils are always listening. Sometimes, they respond and sometimes, the devil is weak enough to be tricked or dominated by the mortal. That would be rare, but it could exist. I also think that most warlocks don't learn their art alone. They have a master that can summon their first devil for them.
Speaking of Feys toying with mortals : "A Midsummer Night's Dream" by Shakespeare and "Lord and Ladies" by Terry Pratchett.
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5 years ago ::
Mar 18, 2008 - 2:27PM
#52
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The main problem I see with the OPs suggestion is that it requires the prospective Warlock to already have some sort of power. A character would probably need a few levels in a casting class such as wizard or cleric to be able to summon and bind a demon, which makes the warlock into a PrC, which no longer exists, so a paragon path rather than the base class it is.
You're thinking inside the D&D box. Step out of it.
Many fantasy stories involve sorcerers who take their first steps towards power by making a contract with another being. The trope of a world where no magic exists except that to bind demons to your service is not an uncommon one. (e.g. Black Easter, by James Blish). The RPG Sorcerer has no PCs except for those who gain all their powers from binding demons of one variety or another.
In fact, I'll go further. The idea of magic that exists in some form *other* than power channeled from deities or bargained for with spirits or devils is entirely the invention of the 20th century swords & sorcery genre (in the West, anyway). The D&D Wizard that masters spells without contact with supernatural beings is a modern deviation from millennia of stories of shamanism, animism, pagan rites, diabolism, hermeticism, miracle working, voodoo and prayer. Magic as a neutral force, like electricity, is modernist.
Even 3e had support for Pact Magic in the form of Tome of Magic's Binder class. The class had no powers except to bind vestiges and was quite serviceable.
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5 years ago ::
Mar 18, 2008 - 11:04PM
#53
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Infernal pact.... 16 year old boy: "I can't believe that Johnny stole my girlfriend and beat me up around all my friends... I wish I could do something about it." *looks at the sky* "Some one plase help me!" *poof of black smoke* Strange voice: "I will give you the power you seek... But you must challenge me.." *black cloaked figure steps out of darkness.* "If you win, I shall grant you the power, but if you lose... then your soul is mine forever..." Boy: "um.... ok... What do I challenge you at?" Figure: "Anything you wish..." Boy: "Ok lets play *blank* *insert replica of death in Bill and Teds Bogus journey* Boy: "... Your wrong! it was professor Plum!" Figure: "I said Plum! Boy: "Whatever, give me my power!" Figure: *sigh* "So it shall be..." Thats pretty much how I see that going... But hey, as long as you get what you want right? 
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5 years ago ::
Mar 18, 2008 - 11:14PM
#54
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Date Joined:
Feb 24, 2008
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In worlds and monsters it said that they are veering away from "Fairy Tales" instead concentrating on the things of nightmares. I imagine some examples might be the fairy that attacks Jen Connelly early in Labrynth, the evil Leprachan from the movies of the same name, and the darkest horrors of the original Grimm's Fairy Tales. As well as inspriartions from real life legends, tales in which one translation of fairy was furie. I think thats the effect they are going for.
Yes, it does sound like WotC is going with the older version of fairies. The ones in the really old folklore were not nice at all. It should be fun to stroll through the feywild now. :evillaugh
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5 years ago ::
Mar 21, 2008 - 6:27PM
#55
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Date Joined:
Mar 15, 2008
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Have we heard any more about potential powers for the Warlock? As far as the other Pacts are concerned?
"Not only are you wrong, but I even created an Excel spreadsheet to show you how wrong you are." --James Wyatt, May 2006
Dilige, et quod vis fac
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5 years ago ::
Mar 21, 2008 - 6:54PM
#56
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Date Joined:
Dec 15, 2006
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Whether or not official pacts along these lines are ever created, I plan to homebrew some additional pacts for Warlocks and powers to go with them. The Sea Pact would give you strange powers pertaining to the ocean (and would allow you to call yourself a Sea-Witch!). To get the power of the "deep, silent, complete" one, you must either strike a bargain with some sea-dwelling spirit, or discover lore on how to exploit the boons of the ocean. IMO, the sea is as much deserving of its own "plane" as the Feywild, and whether or not there is any support for an "undersea world," it is an important part of my fantasy genre. The second pact I plan to create for the Walrock is the Theurge Pact. The theurge pact would apply to both those who make sacrifices to gods simply as a business transaction, and those who have unearthed the blasphemous rites required to siphon away the power of the divine ones.
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5 years ago ::
Mar 21, 2008 - 10:42PM
#57
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The Sea Pact would give you strange powers pertaining to the ocean (and would allow you to call yourself a Sea-Witch!). To get the power of the "deep, silent, complete" one, you must either strike a bargain with some sea-dwelling spirit, or discover lore on how to exploit the boons of the ocean.
STOLEN. Leviathan Pact FTW!
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5 years ago ::
Mar 21, 2008 - 11:14PM
#58
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Whether or not official pacts along these lines are ever created, I plan to homebrew some additional pacts for Warlocks and powers to go with them. The Sea Pact would give you strange powers pertaining to the ocean (and would allow you to call yourself a Sea-Witch!). To get the power of the "deep, silent, complete" one, you must either strike a bargain with some sea-dwelling spirit, or discover lore on how to exploit the boons of the ocean. IMO, the sea is as much deserving of its own "plane" as the Feywild, and whether or not there is any support for an "undersea world," it is an important part of my fantasy genre...
Haha, yeah I like the idea of making a Pact with the immortal Deep Ones as well. I would especially be interested in what form of power this would give you.
Since the best guesses are that Fey is going to be the subtler movement/evasion pact, Infernal is probably along the lines of brutal straight-up damage, Star sounds like it might be lots of mind-affecting Horror type abilities, and Vestige... eh I dunno, specially now that people are saying it might have been pushed back from the first PHB.
But a Leviathan Pact? Hmm.... tricky. If I come up with anything I'll make sure to come back and post it.
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5 years ago ::
Mar 21, 2008 - 11:45PM
#59
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Haha, yeah I like the idea of making a Pact with the immortal Deep Ones as well. I would especially be interested in what form of power this would give you.
Since the best guesses are that Fey is going to be the subtler movement/evasion pact, Infernal is probably along the lines of brutal straight-up damage, Star sounds like it might be lots of mind-affecting Horror type abilities, and Vestige... eh I dunno, specially now that people are saying it might have been pushed back from the first PHB.
But a Leviathan Pact? Hmm.... tricky. If I come up with anything I'll make sure to come back and post it.
I'm thinking of the smothering, black depths of the ocean. Slowing effects, choking effects, darkness, cold, crushing pressure, suffocation, despair. The implacable and timeless tides of forces more ancient and massive than the meager and pathetic film of life that crusts the land.
Storms. Waves. Sea serpents. Brutal, predatory hunger. Claws from the deep. Lots of fun stuff there.
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5 years ago ::
Mar 22, 2008 - 1:49AM
#60
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I'm thinking of the smothering, black depths of the ocean. Slowing effects, chocking effects, darkness, cold, crushing pressure, suffocation, despair. The implacable and timeless tides of forces more ancient and massive than the meager and pathetic film of life that crusts the land.
Storms. Waves. Sea serpents. Brutal, predatory hunger. Claws from the deep. Lots of fun stuff there.
Ok, you win. :D
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