So I have an idea for a villain. He is the ghost a Duegar King who was once a powerful wizard. To ensure that he could never be raised or menace the dwaven kingdom ever again, the dwarves placed multiple wards and safeguards about him. One of these was to remove his hands. In death he has risen as a ghost. My idea is that the group will unwittingly release him from his bonds and as the campaign progresses, he will search for his hands and gain the ability to cast once again.
So what spells could he cast without hands? Should he be able to case every spell considering he is a ghost or does his ghost form mimic the form he was left with at his death? Does he reform once he dies? Other than accomplish his goal, how can you kill him then?
These spells. Remember that he would have other spells he simply can't use. What might be fun is that because he's a ghost when he possesses someone he can show off some of his power.
If you have his tomb infested with, say goblins, when the adventurers release him, he possesses a goblin and then shows off his power before the adventurers kill the goblin.
Edit: I realize a ghost may not be what you want. Consider a wraith
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
Possession (Recharge 6). One humanoid that the ghost can see within 5 feet of it must succeed on a DC 13 Charisma saving throw or be possessed by the ghost; the ghost then disappears, and the target is incapacitated and loses controlofits body. The ghost now controls the body but doesn't deprive the target of awareness. The ghost can't be targeted by any attack, spell, or other effect, except ones that turn undead, and it retains its alignment, Intelligence, Wisdom, Charisma, and immunity to being charmed and frightened . It otherwise uses the possessed target's statistics, but doesn't gain access to the target's knowledge, class features, or proficiencies.
The possession lasts until the body drops to 0 hit points, the ghost ends it as a bonus action, or the ghost is turned or forced out by an effect like the dispel evil and good spell. When the possession ends, the ghost reappears in an unoccupied space within 5 feet of the body. The target is immune to this ghost's Possession for 24 hours after succeeding on the saving throw or after the possession ends.
Doesn't say you don't I guess? I would have to be careful not to make the ghost to powerful if that's the case. Perhaps say that he can only cast up to a certain level while he possesses a non caster? I'm not sure on this one.
A Wraith can't possess creatures can they? I thought that would make for a frightening foe later when they never know if the NPC they are talking with is the ghost. He could also effectively possess the Dwarven King etc unless the party forewarn the monarch and set protection in place. I'm thinking that the Duegar King's eye may flicker to his true colour (silver) when he becomes angry so the party may latch on to this and begin insulting people to see if they are the ghost but in the end leave a large line of angry NPC's in their wake as a result.
The possession ability will also cause hell for the group if they can not turn him. I'm going to have the Ghost initially possess a character or NPC that is accompanying them and just remain a passenger in the body so he can learn about the world he has just been freed into. He will be hopeful that they lead him to the weapon. He will then convince the party to take the weapon back up to the gates he was guarding and use demand that the seal be shattered. If he has possessed the character that claims the weapon, he will reemerge once he comes in contact with the weapon they killed him(and which protects the owner from possession) and be shunted out of body. He will then attempt to possess one of the NPC's (some of which are children) and threaten to kill them if his demands are not met.
The possession ability will be fun to use. Only the cleric with his turn ability can spoil the party.
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So I have an idea for a villain. He is the ghost a Duegar King who was once a powerful wizard. To ensure that he could never be raised or menace the dwaven kingdom ever again, the dwarves placed multiple wards and safeguards about him. One of these was to remove his hands. In death he has risen as a ghost. My idea is that the group will unwittingly release him from his bonds and as the campaign progresses, he will search for his hands and gain the ability to cast once again.
So what spells could he cast without hands? Should he be able to case every spell considering he is a ghost or does his ghost form mimic the form he was left with at his death? Does he reform once he dies? Other than accomplish his goal, how can you kill him then?
These spells. Remember that he would have other spells he simply can't use. What might be fun is that because he's a ghost when he possesses someone he can show off some of his power.
If you have his tomb infested with, say goblins, when the adventurers release him, he possesses a goblin and then shows off his power before the adventurers kill the goblin.
Edit: I realize a ghost may not be what you want. Consider a wraith
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"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
Can he cast in the body of another creature?
Possession (Recharge 6). One humanoid that the ghost can see within 5 feet of it must succeed on a DC 13 Charisma saving throw or be possessed by the ghost; the ghost then disappears, and the target is incapacitated and loses controlofits body. The ghost now controls the body but doesn't deprive the target of awareness. The ghost can't be targeted by any attack, spell, or other effect, except ones that turn undead, and it retains its alignment, Intelligence, Wisdom, Charisma, and immunity to being charmed and frightened . It otherwise uses the possessed target's statistics, but doesn't gain access to the target's knowledge, class features, or proficiencies.
The possession lasts until the body drops to 0 hit points,
the ghost ends it as a bonus action, or the ghost is turned or forced out by an effect like the dispel evil and good spell. When the possession ends, the ghost reappears in an unoccupied space within 5 feet of the body. The target is immune to this ghost's Possession for 24 hours after succeeding on the saving throw or after the possession ends.
Doesn't say you don't I guess? I would have to be careful not to make the ghost to powerful if that's the case. Perhaps say that he can only cast up to a certain level while he possesses a non caster? I'm not sure on this one.
A Wraith can't possess creatures can they? I thought that would make for a frightening foe later when they never know if the NPC they are talking with is the ghost. He could also effectively possess the Dwarven King etc unless the party forewarn the monarch and set protection in place. I'm thinking that the Duegar King's eye may flicker to his true colour (silver) when he becomes angry so the party may latch on to this and begin insulting people to see if they are the ghost but in the end leave a large line of angry NPC's in their wake as a result.
The possession ability will also cause hell for the group if they can not turn him. I'm going to have the Ghost initially possess a character or NPC that is accompanying them and just remain a passenger in the body so he can learn about the world he has just been freed into. He will be hopeful that they lead him to the weapon. He will then convince the party to take the weapon back up to the gates he was guarding and use demand that the seal be shattered. If he has possessed the character that claims the weapon, he will reemerge once he comes in contact with the weapon they killed him(and which protects the owner from possession) and be shunted out of body. He will then attempt to possess one of the NPC's (some of which are children) and threaten to kill them if his demands are not met.
The possession ability will be fun to use. Only the cleric with his turn ability can spoil the party.