I’m going to play (finally) Dungeons of Drakkenheim and will like to play a “lovecraftian” themed character. We’re using only the 2024 PBH rules and I’m undecided between the Aberrant Mind Sorcerer and the Great Old One Warlock. Which one do you think represent the horror theme better?
I'm a couple of sessions into running DoD myself so I've spent a lot of time immersed in the world while I prepped. To be honest both of those are excellent and fitting choices, it's essentially the same theme with slightly different wording, so it comes down to whether you'd rather play a Sorcerer or a Warlock?
Personally, if I were going for the Lovecraft vibe, I would take Scribe Wizard - particularly in a setting with corruption spells and mechanics. While Lovecraft’s stories are full of cultists, the primary characters tend to be highly educated scholars whose research leads them down a dark path. Scribe Wizard fits really well with that vibe.
Of those two options, it depends what route you are looking to take. Warlock fits the cultist theme, actively interfacing with the ancient evil for a taste of power. Sorcerer hits a different theme common in Lovecraft - the idea someone in your ancestry can do something which taints the entire bloodline and, while it might lie dormant for generations, ultimately manifests. Either is a good option, so it is going to depend on what element of Lovecraft you are specifically looking to explore.
I will note, you should be very careful with the second option - not sure how much Lovecraft you have read, but the man was incredibly racist, and his “corrupted bloodline” stories are where his bigotry shines the loudest. Each of these stories is rooted in Lovecraft’s vile belief that having a minority ancestor tainted your entire lineage. So, while that is not a reason to avoid the subclass, it probably would be a good idea to just double check on your backstory if you are going to utilize this particular Lovecraftian trope.
Yes, the Order of the Scribes would be cool to play (it’s one of my favorites classes too) but my DM said we can only pick the classes that are in the 2024 PBH + Artificer.
To be honest I have been intrigued about the warlock and its mechanics. I have not played one with the exception of one shots where I mostly did the darkness/devil’s sight combo and the Eldritch Blast everything action.
I like the sorcerer and have played some in the past so I more familiar with its game mechanics. I will re-read botch classes and see which one will be the coolest to role-play.
About the “racism and his “corrupted bloodline” stories are where his bigotry shines the loudest.” They will never surface at our table as I have been subjected to them in real life. I just like the feel of some incomprehensible antediluvian entity bestowing a tiny ounce of his power to my ancestors, which have manifested in my character.
As for the Warlock: you don't necessarily have to play it like they entered into a Pact with a Cosmic Horror or a Cultist; instead you can go the route of an occultist that draws their abilities by tapping into spells and rituals that steal power from an Eldritch Being. The more you tap into this power, the stronger you become but you also start to either change, or the more you risk the "Patron" noticing you. You can have an antagonistic relationship with your Patron
I’m going to play (finally) Dungeons of Drakkenheim and will like to play a “lovecraftian” themed character. We’re using only the 2024 PBH rules and I’m undecided between the Aberrant Mind Sorcerer and the Great Old One Warlock. Which one do you think represent the horror theme better?
I'm a couple of sessions into running DoD myself so I've spent a lot of time immersed in the world while I prepped. To be honest both of those are excellent and fitting choices, it's essentially the same theme with slightly different wording, so it comes down to whether you'd rather play a Sorcerer or a Warlock?
Personally, if I were going for the Lovecraft vibe, I would take Scribe Wizard - particularly in a setting with corruption spells and mechanics. While Lovecraft’s stories are full of cultists, the primary characters tend to be highly educated scholars whose research leads them down a dark path. Scribe Wizard fits really well with that vibe.
Of those two options, it depends what route you are looking to take. Warlock fits the cultist theme, actively interfacing with the ancient evil for a taste of power. Sorcerer hits a different theme common in Lovecraft - the idea someone in your ancestry can do something which taints the entire bloodline and, while it might lie dormant for generations, ultimately manifests. Either is a good option, so it is going to depend on what element of Lovecraft you are specifically looking to explore.
I will note, you should be very careful with the second option - not sure how much Lovecraft you have read, but the man was incredibly racist, and his “corrupted bloodline” stories are where his bigotry shines the loudest. Each of these stories is rooted in Lovecraft’s vile belief that having a minority ancestor tainted your entire lineage. So, while that is not a reason to avoid the subclass, it probably would be a good idea to just double check on your backstory if you are going to utilize this particular Lovecraftian trope.
Thank you very much for your responses.
Yes, the Order of the Scribes would be cool to play (it’s one of my favorites classes too) but my DM said we can only pick the classes that are in the 2024 PBH + Artificer.
To be honest I have been intrigued about the warlock and its mechanics. I have not played one with the exception of one shots where I mostly did the darkness/devil’s sight combo and the Eldritch Blast everything action.
I like the sorcerer and have played some in the past so I more familiar with its game mechanics. I will re-read botch classes and see which one will be the coolest to role-play.
About the “racism and his “corrupted bloodline” stories are where his bigotry shines the loudest.” They will never surface at our table as I have been subjected to them in real life. I just like the feel of some incomprehensible antediluvian entity bestowing a tiny ounce of his power to my ancestors, which have manifested in my character.
Once again thanks for your responses…
As for the Warlock: you don't necessarily have to play it like they entered into a Pact with a Cosmic Horror or a Cultist; instead you can go the route of an occultist that draws their abilities by tapping into spells and rituals that steal power from an Eldritch Being. The more you tap into this power, the stronger you become but you also start to either change, or the more you risk the "Patron" noticing you. You can have an antagonistic relationship with your Patron
The antagonistic relationship sounds very interesting. Thank you. Btw cool name and avatar. I still remember that character 🤣