27 replies to this topic

[Deathsangel]

To start with I ain't gonna do both, before anyone says that.

Okay. This is the deal. My feelings for making Zartran have gone downhill. I don't know where to place him or really what I want with him. I know his character, but it is just to shallow. I once thought of slavers, but I undid that thought. Besides, the Aklon NPC project is a project that also introduces a monk at the slaving pits.

Today, a new idea came to my mind. To add one of the new NPC's to the Bleak Academy quest: Ian Keltor. This is anagram of Torian Kel and much like him (he is of the game arcanum) is the introductory way of Ian Keltor. You have Horace the Bone Collector LG Skeleton, and Net'haniel LN Judicial Knight as lawful undead types of NPC's (as Valen is logically CE). Here I come with a the evil one in the form of Ian, as LE Fallen Paladin.

Ian Keltor shall be one of the good heroes who assailed the Bleak Academy. However, jealousy and treason run also in the veins of good. To this Ian lost his live and he is, when arisen, angry and seeks vengeance. Thus, good turned sour, corrupted. He has had a couple of hunderd years to build up his anger The murder is because of said jealousy, and the jealousy is because of love... Yes, for once not a romance that saves the entire day, if you catch my drift.

He will have a life between life-and-death, so to speak, as he is not completly undead, as you give his body more or less anew. I reckon he will either get some neat innate abilities or I'll give him a new Blackguard kit, or so, but he will have bonuses due to being half undead (and also penalties mostly in Dex, Int, Cha or so). His avatar will be alike his race (human), but more undead skin like, so grayish.

He will sing this when arisen:

To my death I march, as once before
to settle an ancient score
I will get you
I will get you
I will get you

I've arisen from my grave
and vengeance is what I crave
You shall die
You shall die
You shall die

And the old oaths that I once swore
and the banners that I bore
They are gone
They are gone
They are gone

I'll make a sure that you will fail
You no shall not prevail
You shall die
You shall die
You shall die

Stats? Around: Str 18/56, Dex 8, Con 17, Int 9, Wis 13, Cha 11
I won't change int, as I want him to still talk correctly. Perhaps con can go up, and cha & dex a bit up or down.

I think Ian Keltor has more depth to him and is more interessting. However, I am in doubt. So vote. The more I think the more I lean towards Ian. However, prove me wrong with votes and arguments

Zatran's mask will become 'just' a magic item you can find (no worries for all that trouble Sir Kill). Or perhaps he is even going to be a villian you will have to fight and then, after the fight, you can take his mask of him. Evil vs. Evil is not unlikely and I ain't gonna make Zartan good. Even as non-joinable NPC.

[edit] edited, because his old name still stood in there

Edited by Deathsangel, 29 May 2005 - 01:58 AM.

[Aion]

I think they both sound interesting, but Ian sounds like the one who should be in the party. Letting Zartran appear as an enemy seems like a better idea.

[Deathsangel]

I think they both sound interesting, but Ian sounds like the one who should be in the party. Letting Zartran appear as an enemy seems like a better idea.

So says my fellow countryman Anyone having trouble with undead-like NPC's?

More on the idea.

Ian would ask the PC, if under the right conditions (Ian won't like Paladins naturally), to restore him. When he is restored, he partially, almost rambling like, will tell of the betrayel. Not why and how, only that vengeance now drives him. However, wisdom has not failed him. He knows that through all these years not where to find his enemies. How can he alone search all of Fearun and beyond for those families that can have spread so wide? However, he will not let his will faulter. At this moment the PC can offer his services. Saying that you are the he will be the new god of Murder and that with his/her aid Ian can exact his vengeance (I won't leave out all of it. Some obligated missions or he will stray from the PC). For this Ian aids his weapon to your cause.

Don't hesitate to give comments (good and bad)

Edited by Deathsangel, 12 April 2005 - 10:18 AM.

[Surtr]

"Sorry Zartran... Have nothing against you personally, really...But you will slowly die~...hehehe! "

Well, lets face it: kill Zartran... take his mask and other things... Ian Telkor shall be now in the deathbringer party of Junior Bhaal the Second!!!BWUAHAHAHAHAHAHA

BTW, from the sound of Ian Telkor is not living, nor dead nor really undead... He reminds me of an curst (to find in the AD&D source book Monster of Fearun and some 3e-3.5e books):

Curst are unfortunate undead humanoids, trapped under a curse that will not let them die. Curst are created when an evil spellcaster touches a victimwhile casting bestow curse, when within 4 rounds adding a proberly worded wish of miracle spell. Curst are in no way controlled by their creators, and seldom serve them expect to attain the mercy of death by means of a remove curse spell. By doing that they will fall into themself, are destroyed and freed from they curse. Curst are sligtly mad cause of the pain, fear, anger and other suffering they got by being cursed and being undead, of course.

Edited by Surtr, 12 April 2005 - 11:18 AM.

[Deathsangel]

On the sight I have for the mod I also have plans to put down my D&D 3.5 work. I created a race much like the Curst you say, without knowing their existence. I happens more often that WoC thinks alike me To bad I probably will never get a job there Have to still put the races on the site though. I created more then one.

You are also very close to the reason why Ian has remaind alive for all that time he remained at the Bleak Academy. It seems, however, that indeed Zartran is dying a slow, aggrevating death... (very MftW like) Will delete his topic if this goes on and create a new: "Ask Ian Telkor"

[edit] Argh... named my own PC wrong. I keep typing Ian Keltor. Is that a better name perhaps? Or is that to easy an anagram? Or is that no reason to not name him Ian Keltor?

Edited by Deathsangel, 12 April 2005 - 12:09 PM.

[Surtr]

Ian Keltor sounds strong, mean and agressive to me. Also its a name that could tell of pride, honor and lawfulness... Waaaaay better than Ian Telkor I think, sorry about that.

PS: WotC has published at least ca. 483 races/creatures/templates by now, and I know only ca. 0,5/3 of that. They not seem to have that few thinkers.

[Deathsangel]

Off Topic: Not all of them of playable or got a freaking high ECL, I am also only aiming at the 3.5 races at the moment, as I only create extra of those. To get back On Topic, I'll chang the name. I can't help saying Ian Keltor.

Edited by Deathsangel, 12 April 2005 - 11:33 PM.

[Deathsangel]

More Ideas on Ian Keltor. Probably will crick up Con to 19, as to show toughness as being undead-like. Will slow his walking speed by 2 (inverse of barbarian), will get half attack lesser. Both to simulate he is rather slow moving due to being zombie like. Advantages Base AC 8 or 7, immunityies for poison and level drain (and backstab?).

Comments?

Would like to have a few more votes (2 or so) as to cast Zartran aside.

Edited by Deathsangel, 18 April 2005 - 03:33 AM.

[Surtr]

First of all: do you plan to make Ian Keltor to be fully undead (and if yes, what kind of undead?), or do you just plan to make him undead-like?

A small note of beiing undead (AD&D rules from Monsters of Fearun):
As you should know, any types of undead have NO CON at all! But are immune against mind-influencing, poison, sleep, paralysis, stunning, diseases, critical hits, subdual damage, ability damage, energy drain, death from massive damage and perhaps also immunity to negative energy.
And some undeads also have other weaknesses/immunities on top of that.

[Deathsangel]

No, he will be undead-like. I know the rules of undead. Thus I use a bit of this and a bit of that. A bit slow, but firm, so to speak. In my former post everything was said with like. I'm thinking like a undead, but with metabolism (and sentient mind, but vampires are also sentient so that doesn't make him different). Perhaps I need to throw away his poison immunity. Or make him totally human again, like Torian Kel. And just give him a neat weapon. Hm...

Edited by Deathsangel, 18 April 2005 - 06:47 AM.

[Surtr]

I would say: let him be undead-like, throw away his immunity to poison and replace it with either immunity to mind-influencing, immunity to ability damage, or immune to critical hits (one of those may be fit his background-story, personallity or something else)!

The other abilities/immunities of Ian Keltor are much for my liking, I must say! :thumb:

[Deathsangel]

How about immunity to death magic, level drain and backstab? Thus the immunity against negative energy and an immunity against that which killed him.

[Surtr]

You're the boss!

But to give Ian Keltor also immunity to mind-influencing sounds reasonable to me... Beholder/illithids to be able, to controlling undead-like beings via psionic-powers sounds somewhat too strange to me.

Any plans to give him special supernatural abilities, such as some necromantic spell-like abilities?

[Deathsangel]

Yep, but first I am going to go further develop Ariena.

[Deathsangel]

What about healing? The effects of positive energy have a reverse effect on undead.

slowing his movement will be rather annoying for meny players.  :closedeyes:

Healing will work. As he isn´t entirely undead. It is just an extra protection. He will be quite annoying if that don´t work. I wonder how that is done with Horrace Bone Collector. He can be healed I believe. I shall test it tonight with Valen if they programmed that. If they did I can see what if I might flip it around. However, he is, as said, not entirely undead. Having died in such away he did just gave him extra protections. So, it can justified, if I don´t do it that way.

I understand of the slow moving, so I think I will add boots of speed to the Dungeon lying close to him, then he should faster then the average person.

Edited by Deathsangel, 19 April 2005 - 11:52 PM.

[Deathsangel]

Here is a discussion about which god Ian would have formally prayed to and to which one he takes when he is born anew.

[Deathsangel]

Something I've been working on:

Ian and the rest

Minsc - Ian finds this man too emotional. What would happen, if that 'Boo' were to die? He will cause mayhem! Besides the big galoot wants to 'kick my ass with his boot of justice'. From Minsc's point of view the 'bad man' turned away from his good faith. Relation = bad (possibly a fight)

Jaheira - She can deal well with the loss of her husband, one must indeed go forward and seek revenge when the time comes. Though an abomination to nature, the man is clearly sensible. Relation = fair

Yoshimo - Ian has no knowledge of Kara-Tur and wonders if all that hail form the place are so cheerful and full of irony as Yoshimo. Yoshimo has a logical interest in Ian, about his past and such. Though both are quite strangers to (now-a-days) Fearun, they feel no bond. The relation is fairly supervisial. Relation = fair

Aerie - Ian feels sorry for Aerie and whishes her, as for himself, to no more feel pain. Though Aerie is against Ian's views and way of living she sympathises quite a lot. Relation = fair/good

Nalia - The family name d'Arnise is known to Ian, but only in a cursed way. In older days d'Arnise family was quite bad and it's keep feared. Ian finds it hard to believe Nalia to be honest about her feelings and wonders if she not uses this 'disguise' for a plot of the d'Arnise family. Naturally Nalia isn't very pleased about this. Ian does not really care for it, but has offended Nalia enough to have damaged the relationship severly. Relation = rough

Korgan - Ian acknowledges Korgan's strength. However, the dwarf may no strategy it is mostly a simple one. There priorities lie far from each other and though there is respect for each other's skill, they dislike the other ones personality. Relation = rough/fair

Anomen - Ian 'suffers' Anomen. And no matter the outcome the relation will have problems. LG Anomen thinks Ian an abomination. Whereas Ian has trouble with CN Anomen. He will like Anomen not entering Helm's service even more, but Anomen just becomes to twisted. Relation = rough
(changed relation)

Edwin - Ian doesn't know Thay and is therefor little impressed, to the great annoyance of Edwin. However, as time grows Ian can see that Edwin is an extreme capable wizard and compliments him striking very well the ego of Edwin. Relation = good

Jan Jansen - Ian is a peaceful man that enjoys the quite times, thus he dislikes Jan. Jan is quite curious as to Ian's condition and finds him hard-pressed as to think of a comparible story. Jan tries to please Ian, but many efforts fail. Relation = rough (Ian's view)/fair (Jan's view)

Viconia - Ian will be quite humble towards Viconia, as she is a cleric of his new godess. He tries to counsel her, but also seeks strength at her. Viconia is quite curious about Ian's past. Relation = fair

Keldorn - Keldorn and Ian do not see eye to eye, though they remain 'mature' about it. Keldorn tries to redempt Ian, whereas Ian tries to corrupt Keldorn. Relation = rough

Haer'Dalis - Ian is a fan of poetics and therefor will be glad with Haer'Dalis his presence. Poems stir Ian's heart the best and the tragic tell of Ian is something that attracts Haer'Dalis. Relation = good (perhaps special condition for NPC love with Aerie)

Mazzy - Mazzy feels quite sorry for Ian, alike Aerie, understanding the pain that he went through. Mazzy would still rather see Ian enjoy life once again and not be so gloomy. Ian will respect the fighter of Arvoreen. Relation = fair

Valygar - Ian and Valygar stand almost on one line when it comes to magic. Though Valygar does not quite feel comfortable he is glad they have the same views. Ian's wish to stop existing helps the relation. Ian will also have info on the Corthala family, though it are stories of old (read: when he lived) Relation = fair/good

Sarevok - A bit more honourable and Sarevok could have been almost a brother to Ian. His ability to do massive damage is something which calls for respect, on the other side respect is given for Ian's ability to handle many a blow and has a good sense of tact. Relation = good

Kido - Ian believes Kido is an unreliable factor and a menace. Kido is quite curious about the lore that Ian brings, but he is not interested. Relation = rough (Ian's point)/fair (Kido's point)

Ariena - Ian sees in Ariena a capable ally in combat, but wished she would show a bit more tact at moments. Ariena finds Ian 'scary' and wishes him to stay at a distant. Relation = rough


Ian is in general against love and will make remarks about all possible love situtations.

Stats:

Str 18/56 (Ian has always been a fighter and was trained for combat, though having died killed a few muscles)
Dex 7 (Ian was never very dexterous, but once again the muscles are no more what they used to be)
Con 17 (Ian is still as sturdy as he was when he died)
Int 11 (Ian was quite smart when alive, his brain has suffered some damage though)
Wis 13 (As a paladin one must be wise, however as said braindamage has occured)
Cha 13 (His near emotionless state and looks have taken down his charisma, though he still has a certain aura)

Edited by Deathsangel, 29 May 2005 - 02:13 AM.

[Deathsangel]

I couldn't resist. Here is an example of Ian's voice.

[edit] It goes the same way as with Ariena's sample. Download, hit the bat file and presto! You've got your .wav files.

[edit 2] Also posted a portrait request at Sol Ek Sa

Tell me what you think. Both of them, voice and portrait (number 1 will be the default after the tweaking).

Edited by Deathsangel, 02 May 2005 - 09:31 AM.

[Aion]

Hehe, lovely voice. It suits him quite well. In the way you pronouce the words, I can hear a little bit of Kido in it.