Based on the recent discussion on this board about improving David Noonam´s defiling system (Dragon #315) by using the expanded taint rules presented in Heroes of Horror, and about making defiler spellcasting an addicition (xlorepdarkhelm´s idea), I would like to submit to your severe scrutiny an add-on to the defiling system described in DRAGON #315.
The rules presented bellow are based on the defiler system presented in the DRAGON MAGAZINE # 315, but also intend to improve it. Also, the "defiler score" will be treated here same as a "taint score" for depravity, and will be submited to the standart taint rules described in Heroes of Horror, p. 63-68 (specially, for the effects related to mental symptons). So, in all cases, where the rules presented here don't contradict then, the Dragon Magazine #315 rules (covering defiler spellcasting) and the Heroes of Horror rules (reggarding taint) should be used.
DEFILING ADDICTION: Defiling causes adiction. Each time a wizard chooses to defile the land to cast a spell, he must succeed in a Will Save (DC 10 + total number of defiler points accumulated) or attain defiling addiction (the DM may roll this Will saving throw for the player so that he doesn't know whether the addiction has taken hold). Defiling addiction functions much like the disease mechanic described in the DMG, but according to the table bellow:
Futhermore, most SK´s can have private gardens for meditation (in some cases even trees of life), so most of then can easily eliminate defiler points (at impressive rate of 2 per hour of meditation), without the risk of taking any mental symptoms (or suffering attacks from anoying druids or spirits of the land that usually guard undefiled areas). Thus, only reckless SK´s would suffer mental symptons.
Also, the Wisdom damage is only temporary, not permanent (see rules for addiction in the Book of Vile Darkness, or diseases in the DMG). Even so, to take temporary Wisdom damage a wizard must be addicted (1), must choose to stay in abstinence of defiliment (2), and must fail his Will saving throw (3).
The only thing I agree is that there is no evidence in DS histories about the T´liz. But nothing is perfect. David Noonam introduced the T´liz, and I tryed to offer some explanation for their existance in my "behind the curtain" section, see above.
Finally, I would like to remind that this is only an ALTERNATIVE system, not the defiling system I´m currently using in my campaing (by the way, the system I´m currently using is detailed in the other thread about Gladiator revision).
My purpose here was just to build an alternative system trying to implement xlorepdarkhelm´s idea about making defiling an addiction. But before testing it in my own campaing, I would like to hear what people think about this idea and, if considered viable, have some feedback to improve it.
Thanks in advance.
Kelsen.
I will post a fuller critique when I have a bit more time. This was just to signal my general approval and give kudos for your willingness to share solid material.
Till later
Chahir
I have made some clarification in the section about EFFECTS OF ACCUMULATION OF DEFILER POINTS AND DEFILER SCORE, because I thought it was a little bit confusing. Better now. Take a look.
It just seems too easy to become addicted to me, one major battle and you defiler starts to losse it. Two or three in a row and he's the GM's new pet.
Lastly I don't have access to Heroes of Horror, Book of Vile Darkness or any of the other supliment books, my group choose to remain "Core Rules"
so I never picked them up.I've always seen a strong similarity between Defilers and Jedi falling to the Dark Side in Star Wars. I was trying to come up with an appropriate mechanic, but this looks pretty cool. Good work!
I'm actually going to use the Taint rules for the Dark side of the Force in my DoD game once I get it going. I am also going to incorporate them for defiler use. Not having access to the addiction rules, I hadn't considered it. I do like this as it is a little more complete than what I have.
I like this whole concept because it really fits in with how I see defiling. I like this because not only are you destroying the environment, but also yourself, all in the pursuit of more power. Past iterations never really came close to capturing my feeling, but this is the closest yet.
Good job.
This system is looking good. I think it will balance the two component parts and make them synergise with each other in interesting and rewarding ways.
I game on sunday and will use these rules in an upcoming battle (poor tainted evoker 4 being used as a guinea pig for my delusions of defiler system l33tn3ss).
I shall post on the outcome and see how it works in actual play.
As usual, Kelsen produces the goods.
Neither have I neglected your other mechanics. In fact, The PCs are about to meet one nasty lady (bard poisonmaster) and her half-giant savage crony :D
P.S: Strangely you have given me one of the most coherent, well argued reasons for NOT including 3.5 psionics into DS
P.P.S: How do you feel about Untapped potential by Dreamscarred Press?
Chahir
Phoenix_M: I disagree with you that by using this system wizards will easily become "GM´s pets". Everything depends on your wizard´s or GM´s style of play.
A campaing with lots of encounters can be challenging for your players but, even so, a wizard does not need to rely on defiling at every encounter. Remember that defiling, as it is described in Dragon #315, is a VERY strong source of power that allow a wizard to apply FREE metamagic effects on his spells (empower, maximize, quicken, or even recall spells freely) so it cannot be abused. IMHO, a GOOD defiling system must incentive self-restraint and discourage abusive use of such power with IN GAME penalties.
Thus, if a wizard chooses to defile carelessly (for instance, taking 10+ defiler points per day), he really deserves become addicted. In the other hand, a self-disciplinated wizard that holds defiling for the most important encounters only, and avoid acculating too much defiler points at a time, will be able to benefit from defiling without taking the penalties from this system. Even if due to desperate situations, a wizard was forced to accumulate a large number of defiler points and became addicted, such a wizard will be able to recover by seeking safe undefiled areas for meditation. For example, while the addiction forces a wizard to take at least 1 defiler point per day to avoid Wisdom damage, by meditating in an oases he may reduce 2 defiler points per day, so in the long term he will be able to recover from his addiction without having to assume the taint (that is, assuming that the oases is a safe place to meditate).
Personally, what I most like in this system is that the distinction between defilers and preservers become much more FLUID. Defiler is no more the one who "always defiles", neither preserver is the one who "always preserve". In this system, we can consider "TRUE" defilers the wizards with a permanent defiler score... "MORE or LESS" defilers the wizards with accumulated defiler points... and "TRUE" preservers (or still defilers in potential) the wizards with NONE defiler score and NONE defiler points.
Also, you do not need access to the BoVD to use this defiling system, because the rules for addiction are described above. You will only need the Heroes of Horror, specially because of the table for random generation of mental symptoms.
Jaysyn: I wasn´t envisioning the Ashen when I first designed this system. But if it suits for you, you can go ahead. Personally, I prefer using the T´liz template described at Dragon #315, because it preys life energy from creatures rather than plants, fiting nicely as an instrument for the First Sorcerer´s old plans (see my "behind the curtain" section above).
Chahir: Sorry but I didn´t have access to Untapped potential by Dreamscarred Press, so I can´t comment it.