Ivid V in his present form - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Ivid V in his present form

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
zombiegleemax
Aug 29, 2003 17:23:15 Regarding the same scenario as that detailed in the thread "Rauxes" I am planning on having Ivid V be the final "boss" for the PCs in this little scenario. I'm thinking that because of his insane state and loss of clerical spell-casting, he should be a defeatable encounter. Here's what I know so far (from Ivid the Undying):

-Ivid V is a NE Clr7/Wiz14 animus (base human). I have the LGJ #2 so I know how to convert the animus template.
-Ivid V cannot cast cleric spells because he no longer follows Hextor, instead choosing to worship Baalzy, the monomer for Baalzephon.
-Ivid V has a 25% (+1% per spell level) spell failure chance for his arcane spells because of his madness.

That's about all I can figure out. I would like to determine a way to figure out what his CR should be for experience purposes. I'm thinking that his cleric levels add very little to his CR since all he gets is some extra hp, BAB, and save bonuses. I'm also thinking that there should be some ad-hoc XP adjustment because his spells fail quite often. In addition, he is mad, so he probably doesn't think as clearly as a 14th level wizard should.

Assuming he had full control of his faculties, he would be CR 24 (21 for levels, 3 for animus). However, taking into account his lack of cleric spell-casting alone, I would make him CR 19. That's still too difficult for six 9th level characters. However, factoring in his spell failure chance and his poor grasp of tactics induced by insanity, I think he should be at most CR 15. By the time the players fight through Rauxes to get to the character they are trying to rescue, they will probably be 10th level. This seems like a dangerous enough final encounter.

Another thing I'm intersted in is Ivid's ability scores. Anyone have any idea what they are? I'm assuming a very low Wisdom induced by the disease that is making him insane. I'm also thinking he is fairly intelligent otherwise. Any ideas?
#2
zombiegleemax
Aug 29, 2003 23:03:18 Personally, I'd make Ivid barely able to wield a weapon, let alone cast a spell. If you're using the Ivid as presented in 'Ivid the Undying' then he is little more than a shell. His power waned a long time ago and the only real power he wields is that of the Malachite throne and his 'power' over Baalzephon.

In reality, it is Karoolck and Baalzephon who are the powers in Rauxes who need defeating. In fact, I'd have Ivid be an anti-climax. Not all anti-climaxes are bad you know. Imagine the epic battle between Karoolck and the PC's and then, staggering, beaten and bloodied, they encounter Ivid V in all his glory... it'd scare the shite out of them :D

But in truth, they realize that he's just a shell of his former self. A man so totally consumed with paranoia that his own hand in front of his own face would seem a serpent about to strike him down; someone so utterly insane that he sees and hears nothing that is real and only imagines what is before him. No magic can bring him back. Not even the touch of a deity can cure him. The only thing that can stop his insanity is the peace of true death, and even then...
#3
grodog
Aug 30, 2003 1:36:54 For an alternate take on Ivid's insanity and as an NPC in general, see Rob Kuntz's Maze of Zayene modules (AD&D/1e generic c. 1987 from his company Creations Unlimited, the first three were reissed in d20 format via Necromancer Games, the fourth and last to appear soon from Rob's Pied Piper company).
#4
zombiegleemax
Aug 30, 2003 17:38:54 Delglath, I'm actually well-aware of the fact that Karoolck is the true power behind Ivid. It's the very reason I choose to make Ivid the final boss and not Karoolck. It accomplishes two things. First of all, it makes the players feel like their characters are really important. You'd feel important if you vanquished Ivid, wouldn't you? (Karoolck will just res him again, but the PCs don't know that.) Second, it creates the onion layer effect. The PCs will defeat Ivid, but then realize that there is still a power that is keeping some of his horrid schemes running. Then they will have to discover the true source behind his machinations... that is of course, much later in the campaign. Karoolck, being in full control of his faculties, and being 19th level (as of 586, he might be higher in 591) would be more than a challenge at this point. Karoolck, being the evil villain mastermind he is will choose NOT to slay the PCs when he has the chance. No evil mastermind ever does that. No, once he decides they are a pain in his side he will work some extraordinarily elaborate scheme to decimate the PCs by striking their families, friends, and loved-ones before moving in and attempting to torture them personally.

Thanks for the tip, grodog. I'll have to see if I can get my hands on that.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 zombiegleemax Aug 29, 2003 17:23:15	Regarding the same scenario as that detailed in the thread "Rauxes" I am planning on having Ivid V be the final "boss" for the PCs in this little scenario. I'm thinking that because of his insane state and loss of clerical spell-casting, he should be a defeatable encounter. Here's what I know so far (from Ivid the Undying): -Ivid V is a NE Clr7/Wiz14 animus (base human). I have the LGJ #2 so I know how to convert the animus template. -Ivid V cannot cast cleric spells because he no longer follows Hextor, instead choosing to worship Baalzy, the monomer for Baalzephon. -Ivid V has a 25% (+1% per spell level) spell failure chance for his arcane spells because of his madness. That's about all I can figure out. I would like to determine a way to figure out what his CR should be for experience purposes. I'm thinking that his cleric levels add very little to his CR since all he gets is some extra hp, BAB, and save bonuses. I'm also thinking that there should be some ad-hoc XP adjustment because his spells fail quite often. In addition, he is mad, so he probably doesn't think as clearly as a 14th level wizard should. Assuming he had full control of his faculties, he would be CR 24 (21 for levels, 3 for animus). However, taking into account his lack of cleric spell-casting alone, I would make him CR 19. That's still too difficult for six 9th level characters. However, factoring in his spell failure chance and his poor grasp of tactics induced by insanity, I think he should be at most CR 15. By the time the players fight through Rauxes to get to the character they are trying to rescue, they will probably be 10th level. This seems like a dangerous enough final encounter. Another thing I'm intersted in is Ivid's ability scores. Anyone have any idea what they are? I'm assuming a very low Wisdom induced by the disease that is making him insane. I'm also thinking he is fairly intelligent otherwise. Any ideas?
#2 zombiegleemax Aug 29, 2003 23:03:18	Personally, I'd make Ivid barely able to wield a weapon, let alone cast a spell. If you're using the Ivid as presented in 'Ivid the Undying' then he is little more than a shell. His power waned a long time ago and the only real power he wields is that of the Malachite throne and his 'power' over Baalzephon. In reality, it is Karoolck and Baalzephon who are the powers in Rauxes who need defeating. In fact, I'd have Ivid be an anti-climax. Not all anti-climaxes are bad you know. Imagine the epic battle between Karoolck and the PC's and then, staggering, beaten and bloodied, they encounter Ivid V in all his glory... it'd scare the shite out of them :D But in truth, they realize that he's just a shell of his former self. A man so totally consumed with paranoia that his own hand in front of his own face would seem a serpent about to strike him down; someone so utterly insane that he sees and hears nothing that is real and only imagines what is before him. No magic can bring him back. Not even the touch of a deity can cure him. The only thing that can stop his insanity is the peace of true death, and even then...
#3 grodog Aug 30, 2003 1:36:54	For an alternate take on Ivid's insanity and as an NPC in general, see Rob Kuntz's Maze of Zayene modules (AD&D/1e generic c. 1987 from his company Creations Unlimited, the first three were reissed in d20 format via Necromancer Games, the fourth and last to appear soon from Rob's Pied Piper company).
#4 zombiegleemax Aug 30, 2003 17:38:54	Delglath, I'm actually well-aware of the fact that Karoolck is the true power behind Ivid. It's the very reason I choose to make Ivid the final boss and not Karoolck. It accomplishes two things. First of all, it makes the players feel like their characters are really important. You'd feel important if you vanquished Ivid, wouldn't you? (Karoolck will just res him again, but the PCs don't know that.) Second, it creates the onion layer effect. The PCs will defeat Ivid, but then realize that there is still a power that is keeping some of his horrid schemes running. Then they will have to discover the true source behind his machinations... that is of course, much later in the campaign. Karoolck, being in full control of his faculties, and being 19th level (as of 586, he might be higher in 591) would be more than a challenge at this point. Karoolck, being the evil villain mastermind he is will choose NOT to slay the PCs when he has the chance. No evil mastermind ever does that. No, once he decides they are a pain in his side he will work some extraordinarily elaborate scheme to decimate the PCs by striking their families, friends, and loved-ones before moving in and attempting to torture them personally. Thanks for the tip, grodog. I'll have to see if I can get my hands on that.