From a basic standpoint, I would view that if a character sold their soul, then they would not have that soul upon their death. Mechanically speaking, I'd say that such a person would be unable to be brought back (i.e., revived) from death via spells like revivify, raise dead, reincarnate, resurrection, etc. The idea being that their departed soul is property of the devil and no longer under the control of the character.
Along the lines of what Plaguescarred mentioned above, I would even consider having death saving throws be at disadvantage or even an automatic failure each time a role is required. Since the player's soul is no longer theirs, there would be less lifeforce available to help keep them alive and going. Plus, it might even be worked into the contract to help ensure that the devil gets said soul sooner than later.
And for a truly diabolic DM and a willing player, maybe the character does get revived by the spell in question, but it isn't the character's soul that is brought back to the body...it's actually a lesser devil that temporarily gets to take the character's body for a ride. Potential diabolical loophole allowing a devil to be "summoned" to the Prime Material from where they're normally barred?
The devil grants you something, in return he asks for you to kill someone or something.. failure to complete task or tasks, your soul is the devils, if you complete the task contact is complete you gained a gift your soul is safe.
Little does thd party know, the soul of whatever you killed goes to the devil. Either way the devil wins.. example my sorcer asks for more spells and ability to cast an extra spells. great, the devil says fine, you want power bring me back the head of an ancient dragon you have 1 year..(my world is 13 month year). Contract is signed. Party gets a few minor gifts to help with quest. Sorcer gets additional spells and slots. Off he goes.. the time line adds urgency. Alot can happen in a year. If the dily daly the may not be strong enough in a year.. this is an example. Have fun.
Remember devils are lawful. I imagine them to not send someone to kill the contractee. It would be unfair. You already gonna get a soul no matter the outcome.
Souls given to devil becomes devils in his army.. The more power the party asks for the harder the contract..
The purpose of a devils bargain from the devil's perspective is to spread corruption and evil as much as possible in the world the characters inhabit. Collecting a soul as an object and token of power in hell is nice but by itself doesn't really spread evil in the world of the character. As mentioned earlier a contract should have a series of steps each requiring the character to make greater sacrifices. If your characters have backstories (connections to the world around them) the devil will ask for things related to those first before stampeding off to collect the characters soul, for instance a magic item in exchange for the wedding ring of the PC's brother, or the memory of their first kiss or their sister's honor. You'll have to mine the PCs backstories for something specifically appropriate.
Another way to do the same thing Wango declared is to reverse it. From now on, anything they do just randomly happens to help the devil.
Save a child? Whoops, actually an Imp in disguise. Thanks!
Kill a monster? Well, turns out to be a human True polymorphed and they revert to their original form on death.
Find a very valuable piece of art? Actually that treasure was recently stolen and if it does not get delivered in it's entirety, two kingdoms will go to war.
Here is a Tome of Understanding, but it happens to be inside Pandora's Box.
Late to the game here, and someone else may have already said it, but the fiction as I understand it, isn't literally selling your soul. It's putting your soul up for collateral. "I'll give you the map to the treasure, but you have to pay me 999 gold in a year and a day or your soul is forfeit." See, that's reasonable. Just don't be late. Or early. Or 1 coin short. Or one coin extra. Or go save your sister from devils on that day
so I made a couple of monsters inspired by BPGG, including the crossroads devil(its the most annoying thing to fight ever) but it can but souls. it's on its statblock. and it can summon any creature whose soul it owns to come be the devil's meat shield. maybe you could do something like that
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Pronouns: Any/All
About Me: Godless monster in human form bent on extending their natural life to unnatural extremes /general of the goose horde /Moderator of Vinstreb School for the Gifted /holder of the evil storyteller badge of no honor /king of madness /The FBI/ The Archmage of I CAST...!
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Fun Fact: i gain more power the more you post on my forum threads. MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!
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From a basic standpoint, I would view that if a character sold their soul, then they would not have that soul upon their death. Mechanically speaking, I'd say that such a person would be unable to be brought back (i.e., revived) from death via spells like revivify, raise dead, reincarnate, resurrection, etc. The idea being that their departed soul is property of the devil and no longer under the control of the character.
Along the lines of what Plaguescarred mentioned above, I would even consider having death saving throws be at disadvantage or even an automatic failure each time a role is required. Since the player's soul is no longer theirs, there would be less lifeforce available to help keep them alive and going. Plus, it might even be worked into the contract to help ensure that the devil gets said soul sooner than later.
And for a truly diabolic DM and a willing player, maybe the character does get revived by the spell in question, but it isn't the character's soul that is brought back to the body...it's actually a lesser devil that temporarily gets to take the character's body for a ride. Potential diabolical loophole allowing a devil to be "summoned" to the Prime Material from where they're normally barred?
My player loves this idea and she is gong to change races to a tefing after death
Spider acolyte
cultist
“keep your enemies close and you gnomes even closer”- definitely, 100 percent, not gnomeish78
What i do.. A contact is a double edged sword...
The devil grants you something, in return he asks for you to kill someone or something.. failure to complete task or tasks, your soul is the devils, if you complete the task contact is complete you gained a gift your soul is safe.
Little does thd party know, the soul of whatever you killed goes to the devil. Either way the devil wins.. example my sorcer asks for more spells and ability to cast an extra spells. great, the devil says fine, you want power bring me back the head of an ancient dragon you have 1 year..(my world is 13 month year). Contract is signed. Party gets a few minor gifts to help with quest. Sorcer gets additional spells and slots. Off he goes.. the time line adds urgency. Alot can happen in a year. If the dily daly the may not be strong enough in a year.. this is an example. Have fun.
Remember devils are lawful. I imagine them to not send someone to kill the contractee. It would be unfair. You already gonna get a soul no matter the outcome.
Souls given to devil becomes devils in his army.. The more power the party asks for the harder the contract..
The purpose of a devils bargain from the devil's perspective is to spread corruption and evil as much as possible in the world the characters inhabit. Collecting a soul as an object and token of power in hell is nice but by itself doesn't really spread evil in the world of the character. As mentioned earlier a contract should have a series of steps each requiring the character to make greater sacrifices. If your characters have backstories (connections to the world around them) the devil will ask for things related to those first before stampeding off to collect the characters soul, for instance a magic item in exchange for the wedding ring of the PC's brother, or the memory of their first kiss or their sister's honor. You'll have to mine the PCs backstories for something specifically appropriate.
Another way to do the same thing Wango declared is to reverse it. From now on, anything they do just randomly happens to help the devil.
Save a child? Whoops, actually an Imp in disguise. Thanks!
Kill a monster? Well, turns out to be a human True polymorphed and they revert to their original form on death.
Find a very valuable piece of art? Actually that treasure was recently stolen and if it does not get delivered in it's entirety, two kingdoms will go to war.
Here is a Tome of Understanding, but it happens to be inside Pandora's Box.
Late to the game here, and someone else may have already said it, but the fiction as I understand it, isn't literally selling your soul. It's putting your soul up for collateral. "I'll give you the map to the treasure, but you have to pay me 999 gold in a year and a day or your soul is forfeit." See, that's reasonable. Just don't be late. Or early. Or 1 coin short. Or one coin extra. Or go save your sister from devils on that day
Also, after a second death saving throw failure is a great time to offer a deal. let's see just how much you like that pc
so I made a couple of monsters inspired by BPGG, including the crossroads devil(its the most annoying thing to fight ever) but it can but souls. it's on its statblock. and it can summon any creature whose soul it owns to come be the devil's meat shield. maybe you could do something like that
Pronouns: Any/All
About Me: Godless monster in human form bent on extending their natural life to unnatural extremes /general of the goose horde /Moderator of Vinstreb School for the Gifted /holder of the evil storyteller badge of no honor /king of madness /The FBI/ The Archmage of I CAST...!
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Fun Fact: i gain more power the more you post on my forum threads. MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!