A link to the WotC Archive page for this NPC can be found here. Which does include her D&D 3.5e build information at different levels.
In worlds where magic is common, powerful wizards sometimes use their dweomers to warp and change creatures for their own purposes. However, even more profound changes sometimes stem from the natural forces in the multiverse. One of those forces is love, and love somehow found the succubus known as Eludecia.
She does not talk about what happened, but during one of her many quests to tempt souls and bring them to the Abyss, she met a beautiful angel, and something unimaginable happened -- she fell in love. Eludecia fought against the unfamiliar emotion for a long time but finally realized that she could not win. So she sought out the angel and confessed her feelings for him, though she did not understand them.
When Eludecia asked for help in redeeming herself, the angel was only too happy to accommodate her. After all, the succubus was extremely beautiful, and he could not help but be attracted to her. Furthermore, the accomplishment of redeeming a demon would certainly make him well known in the angelic hierarchy and advance him in his master's service.
Redemption sometimes comes in a flash, but more often it takes years and years of painful work -- and so it was in this case. Born to evil, Eludecia found it hard even to understand goodness, let alone embrace it. However, she persevered until she finally achieved a shaky redemption. She then dedicated herself fully to the cause of good and took on the mantle of paladin, although no deity was willing to be her special patron.
Eludecia knows that she can never purge herself completely of her evil nature without magical aid, but for now, she shuns such help because she is determined to "make it on her own." Thus, she must fight each and every day to avoid slipping back into her evil ways. Thus far, she has succeeded admirably.
Basically, I've always had an interest in this character as an NPC when I first read about her many years back and think she could be an interesting encounter for my party. Perhaps even as a potential ally or a source of missions and adventures that they could go on. My thoughts being to make her a Paladin who took the Oath of Redemption, since that understandably is basically a no brainer. Given how she is the very rare example of a redeemed fiend... More so, one redeemed by the power of love. Admittedly, one aspect that I could keep or change is whether or not there is any deity willing to be her special patron yet maybe there could someone fitting for such a rare and one-of-a-kind NPC. Even if in the original, the only one who supported her fully was her angelic lover. Who had the patience to spend the years and years it took for her learn goodness, and make her shaky redemption before committing fully being a Lawful Good Paladin. Hopefully those of you here could be of help, since much has changed from D&D 3.5e and I want this work.
5e doesn't have a mechanical way of adding class levels to NPCs, you just figure out how the class levels change offense and defense and then shift CR to match. For example, if you add 2 levels of paladin to a Succubus, the paladin features gained are:
Armor and Weapon Proficiencies. If we don't change the base stats of a Succubus, probably a rapier. We expect CR 5+, so proficiency bonus +3. Attack becomes +6/1d8+3 (plus magic, if applicable). AC becomes probably 18 (breastplate, shield, Dex). HP become 79, HD become 12d8+2d10+14.
Divine Sense, Lay on Hands: no effect on CR.
Fighting Style: if we go with the rapier, probably Dueling. Attack becomes +5/1d8+5 (28.5 in 3 rounds)
Spellcasting: again, probably won't directly affect CR because she probably won't use spell slots for spellcasting.
Divine Smite: she can use it twice for +2d8 each (46.5 in 3 rounds, or 14.5 per round)
Okay, now we work out CR. From damage, offensive CR is between 1 and 2, bu expected accuracy is +3 and actual is +6 so we'll add +1 per 2 and then round up for a final offensive CR of 3 (4 with magic weapons). We expect a CR higher than 4, so we'll give a x1.5 hp multiplier for resistances (118 hp), which is a defensive CR of 4 with expected AC 14. As AC is 18, defensive CR is boosted to 6. Average CR is 4.5, so we'll set it to 5. Note that using a weapon is probably not noticeably superior to just using charm and draining kiss like a normal succubus, just with a few more hit points and better proficiency bonus.
Hmm, okay then. So instead of class levels per say, I'd just add the class features of whichever level of paladin Eludecia is? I guess I could work with that. --------------------------------------
Though Draining Kiss, much like Energy Drain from 3.5e, would be an ability Eludecia wouldn't use because of seeing it as evil.
I'd likely allow ability boosts and feats for her based on what paladin level Eludecia is, much like that of the party, even if 5e doesn't technically have a mechanical way of adding class levels... Though the DMG does seem to say you could stat up NPCs like a regular player character. It's just not the quickest compared to using regular statblocks. I'd have to think on that perhaps.
Involving using a rapier, I will admit I do find the stats of the 5e succubus lacking compared to what is shown for Eludecia with the link provided. The loss of tongue as a permanent ability does bothers me, yet perhaps monsters in general might not have that.
I would like to kept similar stats and equipment if possible, especially since monsters and divine beings can have scores as high as 30 (PHB p. 173)... In this case Charisma. So in this case making her weapons being a greatsword, composite longbow, and glaive.
Admittedly though, that may simply be too strong when paired with paladin class features... So if I must,I could keep that capped at 20 if I must.
I think Tongues was swapped out for Telepathy the 5e succubus. She can still communicate through ideas and images, even if they don’t share a language. Though, roleplaying how someone who is especially sensitive to evil would treat using such an ability would be interesting. Would she feel the need to get explicit permission to enter someone’s mind? Do her intentions or the need of the situation make a difference?
Given the way that monster Telepathy trait works, in how it doesn't actually allow Eludecia to read others minds or anything like that and just allows her to communicate mentally, I think she'd be okay with using it and her Telepathic Bond trait.
Charm I think is the trait that may be trickier to use with her being more sensitive in avoiding falling back on her evil ways from the past. Yet I think finding ways and scenarios she could use such won't be too difficult. Especially since there's nothing in her Oath as a Paladin of Redemption that necessarily prevents her from using enchantment, deception, and guile... As long as she does such for the right reasons and doesn't abuse such.
I will though be keeping this detail in mind.
Eludecia refuses to be deceitful with most creatures, though she deceives evil outsiders without a second thought. She knows that they would have no scruples about tricking her, so she has none about returning the favor. Otherwise, she uses deception only for good ends and never to save her own life.
One thing I'm going to want to see if I can figure out, given how I admittedly first converted her to Pathfinder when I made the jump from D&D 3.5e because of not being a fan of D&D 4e, there are a few things I'd like to try to bring in from that conversion. Since I actually found she could be used quite strategically and tactically. One ability in particular having benefit, a “purified” version of Pathfinder's Succubus trait from Pathfinder called Profane Gift, which I had planned to have it allow her to have an order of knights, paladins, and other followers she had so gifted who were her eyes and ears across the land or even into other planes. That she could stay in communication with easily, and even use such while in battle. A way of directing troops in battle, as one way to look at it.
-------------------------------------- Profane Gift (Su): Once per day as a full-round action, a succubus may grant a profane gift to a willing humanoid creature by touching it for 1 full round. The target gains a +2 profane bonus to an ability score of his choice. A single creature may have no more than one profane gift from a succubus at a time. As long as the profane gift persists, the succubus can communicate telepathically with the target across any distance (and may use her suggestion spell-like ability through it). A profane gift is removed by dispel evil or dispel chaos. The succubus can remove it as well as a free action (causing 2d6 Charisma drain to the victim, no save).
Which I had changed to:
Eludecia’s Gift (Su):Once per day as a full-round action, Eludecia may offer a gift to a willing humanoid creature by being in contact with it for 1 full round… often as a kiss or embrace. The target gains a +2 sacred bonus to attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, or one save. A single creature may have no more than one gift from Eludecia at a time. As long as the gift persists, Eludecia can communicate telepathically with the target across any distance (and may use her suggestion spell-like ability through it). This gift is removed by dispel good or dispel lawful. Eludecia can remove it as well as a free action with no harm to the target.
Now part of this can can simply be folded into Telepathic Bond, applying to those so gifted similar to those she has used Charm on, but still. Where maybe I could have it replace Draining Kiss in a sense. Though in it providing the gifted a buff of some sort... I'm not sure what I could or should go about that. Perhaps it providing those gifted with an effect similar to the bless spell if enhanced. Maybe allow them an increase to one ability score of its choice by 2, or two different ability scores by 1 each. Another option is giving them advantage in either one type of ability check, saving throw, or to their attack rolls, perhaps usable only once per short/long rest. Until or unless she revokes such a gift from them.
Mainly just brainstorming ideas with this. Since, as DM, I can technically homebrew content. Even if I do for the most part want to stay within the rules as provided for D&D 5e. Of course, such an ability could make a difference in CR... Yet the hope is the party doesn't try to pick a fight with Eludecia but see her a a valuable ally and contact, an NPC they can go if they need advice or assistance. Since, when I plan on introducing her, they wouldn't be strong enough to take her out anyway. Where I'd want her to be a potential recurring NPC in the campaign while otherwise keeping a more hands off approach to her involvement in the party's adventures.
Well, as written in 5e, a lot of that IS folded into Telepathic Bond. She can already communicate telepathically with any creature under her charm at any distance, even across planes. Granted, that's mechanically a bit niche. Maybe you could add something like the Kalashtar's Dual mind for a creature she's charmed and can freely share knowledge with, but still nerf that a bit and make it function more like a Guidance spell.
Now, who is going to be using this "gift" should make a big difference in how it functions mechanically. For NPCs/enemies, rolling an extra d4 on checks probably won't come up very often (I haven't rolled many checks for monsters outside of grapple checks, or the odd perception check), and it won't be very natural feeling within the other mechanics of running monsters in the game. Maybe just giving them advantage on WIS/INT/CHA saves would be in line with the nature of their telepathic union with her. But if you're planning on charming and "gifting" PCs, that guidance d4 feels in line with the way 5e works (to me, at least).
Sacred Gift (1/day). Eludecia grants a sacred gift to a willing humanoid she touches. Once per long rest, when the target makes an attack roll or either a WIS/INT/CHA saving throw, the target can roll a d4 and add the number rolled to the attack roll or saving throw. A single creature can have sacred gift apply to only a one ability score at a time. A sacred gift is removed by a dispel evil and good spell or more powerful magic. Eludecia can remove one of her gifts as a bonus action, and she can choose that doing so causes the target’s Charisma score to be reduced by 2d6 until it finishes a long rest. If this reduces the target’s Charisma to 0, the target falls unconscious until it regains at least 1 point of Charisma.
I changed it from causing no harm to potentially causing harm for one particular reason. Since, if one she has so gifted betrays her trust or commits an particularly evil act, it could be seen as additional punishment over simply removing the gift Eludecia had given them. Even if in most cases she may simply remove the gift given to the one who so lost her favor and be done with it, otherwise not harming them.
The only issue is that Guidance is that it's a cantrip, that and it doesn't really fit as a "gift" that could be used once per day until it is dispelled or the gift revoked. Since it would be more of a blessing or boon then merely guidance that Eludecia is giving the one she shows favor towards.
So how about this instead: Sacred Gift (1/day). Eludecia grants a sacred gift to a willing humanoid she touches. The target gains the ability to cast the blessspell once with sacred gift and regains the ability to do so when they finish a long rest. A sacred gift is removed by a dispel evil and good spell or more powerful magic. Eludecia can remove one of her gifts as a bonus action, and she can choose that doing so causes the target’s Charisma score to be reduced by 2d6 until it finishes a long rest. If this reduces the target’s Charisma to 0, the target falls unconscious until it regains at least 1 point of Charisma.
I know this post is old, but Roll For Combat has a Renegade Succubus race in their BattleZoo Year of Monsters collection that is 5e compatible (they've got several different demons that can be used as player characters), even has an option of being a Redeemed Succubus. If you need a 5e version of Eludecia you could always build a character sheet for her using that as a basis and use the Paladin class. Seems like an easy way to make a 5e version of her provided you don't mind using 3rd party content.
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A link to the WotC Archive page for this NPC can be found here. Which does include her D&D 3.5e build information at different levels.
Basically, I've always had an interest in this character as an NPC when I first read about her many years back and think she could be an interesting encounter for my party. Perhaps even as a potential ally or a source of missions and adventures that they could go on. My thoughts being to make her a Paladin who took the Oath of Redemption, since that understandably is basically a no brainer. Given how she is the very rare example of a redeemed fiend... More so, one redeemed by the power of love. Admittedly, one aspect that I could keep or change is whether or not there is any deity willing to be her special patron yet maybe there could someone fitting for such a rare and one-of-a-kind NPC. Even if in the original, the only one who supported her fully was her angelic lover. Who had the patience to spend the years and years it took for her learn goodness, and make her shaky redemption before committing fully being a Lawful Good Paladin. Hopefully those of you here could be of help, since much has changed from D&D 3.5e and I want this work.
5e doesn't have a mechanical way of adding class levels to NPCs, you just figure out how the class levels change offense and defense and then shift CR to match. For example, if you add 2 levels of paladin to a Succubus, the paladin features gained are:
Okay, now we work out CR. From damage, offensive CR is between 1 and 2, bu expected accuracy is +3 and actual is +6 so we'll add +1 per 2 and then round up for a final offensive CR of 3 (4 with magic weapons). We expect a CR higher than 4, so we'll give a x1.5 hp multiplier for resistances (118 hp), which is a defensive CR of 4 with expected AC 14. As AC is 18, defensive CR is boosted to 6. Average CR is 4.5, so we'll set it to 5. Note that using a weapon is probably not noticeably superior to just using charm and draining kiss like a normal succubus, just with a few more hit points and better proficiency bonus.
Thank you for replying! I do much appreciate it.
Hmm, okay then. So instead of class levels per say, I'd just add the class features of whichever level of paladin Eludecia is? I guess I could work with that.
--------------------------------------
Though Draining Kiss, much like Energy Drain from 3.5e, would be an ability Eludecia wouldn't use because of seeing it as evil.
I'd likely allow ability boosts and feats for her based on what paladin level Eludecia is, much like that of the party, even if 5e doesn't technically have a mechanical way of adding class levels... Though the DMG does seem to say you could stat up NPCs like a regular player character. It's just not the quickest compared to using regular statblocks. I'd have to think on that perhaps.
Involving using a rapier, I will admit I do find the stats of the 5e succubus lacking compared to what is shown for Eludecia with the link provided. The loss of tongue as a permanent ability does bothers me, yet perhaps monsters in general might not have that.
I would like to kept similar stats and equipment if possible, especially since monsters and divine beings can have scores as high as 30 (PHB p. 173)... In this case Charisma. So in this case making her weapons being a greatsword, composite longbow, and glaive.
Admittedly though, that may simply be too strong when paired with paladin class features... So if I must,I could keep that capped at 20 if I must.
I think Tongues was swapped out for Telepathy the 5e succubus. She can still communicate through ideas and images, even if they don’t share a language. Though, roleplaying how someone who is especially sensitive to evil would treat using such an ability would be interesting. Would she feel the need to get explicit permission to enter someone’s mind? Do her intentions or the need of the situation make a difference?
Given the way that monster Telepathy trait works, in how it doesn't actually allow Eludecia to read others minds or anything like that and just allows her to communicate mentally, I think she'd be okay with using it and her Telepathic Bond trait.
Charm I think is the trait that may be trickier to use with her being more sensitive in avoiding falling back on her evil ways from the past. Yet I think finding ways and scenarios she could use such won't be too difficult. Especially since there's nothing in her Oath as a Paladin of Redemption that necessarily prevents her from using enchantment, deception, and guile... As long as she does such for the right reasons and doesn't abuse such.
I will though be keeping this detail in mind.
One thing I'm going to want to see if I can figure out, given how I admittedly first converted her to Pathfinder when I made the jump from D&D 3.5e because of not being a fan of D&D 4e, there are a few things I'd like to try to bring in from that conversion. Since I actually found she could be used quite strategically and tactically. One ability in particular having benefit, a “purified” version of Pathfinder's Succubus trait from Pathfinder called Profane Gift, which I had planned to have it allow her to have an order of knights, paladins, and other followers she had so gifted who were her eyes and ears across the land or even into other planes. That she could stay in communication with easily, and even use such while in battle. A way of directing troops in battle, as one way to look at it.
--------------------------------------
Profane Gift (Su): Once per day as a full-round action, a succubus may grant a profane gift to a willing humanoid creature by touching it for 1 full round. The target gains a +2 profane bonus to an ability score of his choice. A single creature may have no more than one profane gift from a succubus at a time. As long as the profane gift persists, the succubus can communicate telepathically with the target across any distance (and may use her suggestion spell-like ability through it). A profane gift is removed by dispel evil or dispel chaos. The succubus can remove it as well as a free action (causing 2d6 Charisma drain to the victim, no save).
Which I had changed to:
Eludecia’s Gift (Su): Once per day as a full-round action, Eludecia may offer a gift to a willing humanoid creature by being in contact with it for 1 full round… often as a kiss or embrace. The target gains a +2 sacred bonus to attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, or one save. A single creature may have no more than one gift from Eludecia at a time. As long as the gift persists, Eludecia can communicate telepathically with the target across any distance (and may use her suggestion spell-like ability through it). This gift is removed by dispel good or dispel lawful. Eludecia can remove it as well as a free action with no harm to the target.
Now part of this can can simply be folded into Telepathic Bond, applying to those so gifted similar to those she has used Charm on, but still. Where maybe I could have it replace Draining Kiss in a sense. Though in it providing the gifted a buff of some sort... I'm not sure what I could or should go about that. Perhaps it providing those gifted with an effect similar to the bless spell if enhanced. Maybe allow them an increase to one ability score of its choice by 2, or two different ability scores by 1 each. Another option is giving them advantage in either one type of ability check, saving throw, or to their attack rolls, perhaps usable only once per short/long rest. Until or unless she revokes such a gift from them.
Mainly just brainstorming ideas with this. Since, as DM, I can technically homebrew content. Even if I do for the most part want to stay within the rules as provided for D&D 5e. Of course, such an ability could make a difference in CR... Yet the hope is the party doesn't try to pick a fight with Eludecia but see her a a valuable ally and contact, an NPC they can go if they need advice or assistance. Since, when I plan on introducing her, they wouldn't be strong enough to take her out anyway. Where I'd want her to be a potential recurring NPC in the campaign while otherwise keeping a more hands off approach to her involvement in the party's adventures.
Well, as written in 5e, a lot of that IS folded into Telepathic Bond. She can already communicate telepathically with any creature under her charm at any distance, even across planes. Granted, that's mechanically a bit niche. Maybe you could add something like the Kalashtar's Dual mind for a creature she's charmed and can freely share knowledge with, but still nerf that a bit and make it function more like a Guidance spell.
Now, who is going to be using this "gift" should make a big difference in how it functions mechanically. For NPCs/enemies, rolling an extra d4 on checks probably won't come up very often (I haven't rolled many checks for monsters outside of grapple checks, or the odd perception check), and it won't be very natural feeling within the other mechanics of running monsters in the game. Maybe just giving them advantage on WIS/INT/CHA saves would be in line with the nature of their telepathic union with her. But if you're planning on charming and "gifting" PCs, that guidance d4 feels in line with the way 5e works (to me, at least).
How about this?
Sacred Gift (1/day). Eludecia grants a sacred gift to a willing humanoid she touches. Once per long rest, when the target makes an attack roll or either a WIS/INT/CHA saving throw, the target can roll a d4 and add the number rolled to the attack roll or saving throw. A single creature can have sacred gift apply to only a one ability score at a time. A sacred gift is removed by a dispel evil and good spell or more powerful magic. Eludecia can remove one of her gifts as a bonus action, and she can choose that doing so causes the target’s Charisma score to be reduced by 2d6 until it finishes a long rest. If this reduces the target’s Charisma to 0, the target falls unconscious until it regains at least 1 point of Charisma.
I changed it from causing no harm to potentially causing harm for one particular reason. Since, if one she has so gifted betrays her trust or commits an particularly evil act, it could be seen as additional punishment over simply removing the gift Eludecia had given them. Even if in most cases she may simply remove the gift given to the one who so lost her favor and be done with it, otherwise not harming them.
You could also just give her the Guidance cantrip. Alternately, NPCs are under no obligation to follow character rules in the first place.
The only issue is that Guidance is that it's a cantrip, that and it doesn't really fit as a "gift" that could be used once per day until it is dispelled or the gift revoked. Since it would be more of a blessing or boon then merely guidance that Eludecia is giving the one she shows favor towards.
So how about this instead:
Sacred Gift (1/day). Eludecia grants a sacred gift to a willing humanoid she touches. The target gains the ability to cast the bless spell once with sacred gift and regains the ability to do so when they finish a long rest. A sacred gift is removed by a dispel evil and good spell or more powerful magic. Eludecia can remove one of her gifts as a bonus action, and she can choose that doing so causes the target’s Charisma score to be reduced by 2d6 until it finishes a long rest. If this reduces the target’s Charisma to 0, the target falls unconscious until it regains at least 1 point of Charisma.
Anyone else think they could help?
Pretty sure the DMG has a section around custom spells and races about adding classes to monster stats.
I know this post is old, but Roll For Combat has a Renegade Succubus race in their BattleZoo Year of Monsters collection that is 5e compatible (they've got several different demons that can be used as player characters), even has an option of being a Redeemed Succubus. If you need a 5e version of Eludecia you could always build a character sheet for her using that as a basis and use the Paladin class. Seems like an easy way to make a 5e version of her provided you don't mind using 3rd party content.