* * * Wizards Community Thread * * * -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Thread : energy drain Started at 04-20-04 11:44 PM by kangaroo boy Visit at http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=225107 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 1] Author : kangaroo boy Date : 04-20-04 11:44 PM Thread Title : energy drain I have played 2e Ad&d (and have also DMed a few short campaigns) for the last 10 years or so. One thing I thought really sucked as a player were energy draining undead. I remember I once had a mage who had managed to survive up to level 8 and within a few short combat rounds was reduced to 2nd level after a wraith used him as a punching bag. Anyway, I digress... I'm wondering what house rules might be out there in the 2e or 1e community that addresses this (to me) severe power of undead associated with the negative material plane? I've toyed with the idea that levels can be regained by spending a certain period of time in full sunlight to "recharge" a characters life energy. Any suggestions or ideas? thanks -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 2] Author : imayb1 Date : 04-21-04 12:34 AM You could always allow a saving throw. It'd still suck if you missed the save, but there'd be a chance... IMHO, a DM shouldn't be throwing level-draining UD against a party unless 1. He *really* wanted to warn them off or 2. The party was equipped with magical weapons and/or spells capable of defeating the UD. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 3] Author : Hiryu Date : 04-21-04 01:54 AM I houserule that the character temporary looses 1 point of Con for each "level" drained. Then they regain those at a rate of 1 point of Con per week. If the character is reduced to 0 or less Con he is dead and will raise as an undead of the same type that killed him in 3d10 days. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 4] Author : RobertFisher Date : 04-21-04 03:11 PM My rules for dealing with energy draining undead have always been pretty simple: As a player: Run! As a DM: Avoid using. While I never liked the energy drain mechanic, I have to admit that nothing else could properly stike abject fear into the hearts of players the way undead should. Kill my PC? OK. Take his levels away? Never! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 5] Author : Stonebeard Date : 04-21-04 08:16 PM per page 103-104 of the 1e DMG "Hring Non-Player Characters to cast spells or use devices" a Cleric could be hired to cast restoration for 10,000 gp + a like amount per level of experience of the recipient... some price adjusting is discussed in the text after the chart showing the prices. For this situation I have always used this approach as a guide throwing in some appropriately leveled mini adventures for money raising purposes or once i even allowed a loan from the local thieve's guild... with a heft interest rate! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 6] Author : kangaroo boy Date : 04-21-04 10:01 PM Yeah, I like the idea of it being temporary, although I don't know I'd substitute constitution instead of levels... Think I might make a house rule that drained levels return at the rate of 1 per week (perhaps this week must be spent resting and not adventuring?). How does this affect the relative worth of the 3rd level priest spell "negative plane protection" (which allows a save vs death to avoid the effect of a level-draining attack?)? I guess it is still of use (since it can be used to avoid the drain altogether, altough it looses some of its charm if the level-draining attacks are made temporary -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 7] Author : Hiryu Date : 04-22-04 01:08 AM I would highly discourage making it a resting week. Why? because of this: DM: Okay, the vampire is defeated, but he drained 4 of your levels! *maniacal laugh* Player: Dammit!... well, then I rest at an inn with my buddies for a whole month DM: K... Player: YAY! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 8] Author : Yorlum Date : 04-22-04 07:51 AM Resting *might* be ok, if time is a valuable commidity... EG, while Gomer is resting for two weeks, the Royal barge is sailing up the nearby river and with it, the mystical sneeze-guard of Bo-Da-Pho, which Gomer has been trying to get for years. Now Gomer has to make a choice... Rest and recover or go for the gusto... Or, if Goober and Barney are at loose ends while Gomer is resting, and decide to go Confront the Rat-King. If Gomer hangs back, Goober and Barney may be in for a rough ride, but they may also come out rich and many XP the better for it... Decisions, decisions... -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- [Post 9] Author : Krothos Date : 04-22-04 11:00 AM As a DM, I also never liked using level-draining undead. But that didn't mean that the PCs never encountered them. I've always allowed the PCs a save vs Death to avoid the affects. While the group know the risks of being attacked, they feel the saving throw is a nice balance. I do have to say I like the loss of CON instead of levels. This easily shows the weakening of the PC, and he/she would lose additional hp as well. An 8th lvl character would lose 8 hp by having his CON reduced 16 to 15. For those of you truly sadistic :smirk:, you can have the undead drain 1 point from ALL stats (STR, DEX, CON, INT, WIS, CHR)!!! Again, I would recommend a save vs Death to avoid this affect. :angel: And having the PC's stats return at a rate of 1/week isn't bad. They can effectively do the same thing by continuing to adventure if they don't get their levels restored magically. My $.02. :D -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Downloaded from Wizards Community (http://forums.gleemax.com) at 05-10-08 08:20 AM.