My level 4 Rouge just accepted membership with the Cult of Asmodeus in exchange for what he wanted most: "ability to control ppl". I am now going to start giving him missions that will test his loyalty to the other players and put him at risk of discovery and harm. My question is how to reward him without being unfair to the rest of the party. Here is what i thought so far.
1. Give him one time potions that increase/give him advantage on charisma/persuasion checks - These can increase in power or qty depending on the task and his character level.
2. Some kind of powder that he can slight of hand throw on a character to confuse them or maybe compel truth.
3. At higher levels, give him restricted access to certain spells like charm person, dominate person, suggestion. Etc This could also be in the form of potions/powders. So one time use, vs giving him the actual power.
Treat him like a baby warlock of sorts. If he can pass certain tests, he unlocks new powers along the way. The first test might unlock access to the Friends cantrip. Later on the progression rises to a choice of Charm Person, Command, or Hideous Laughter. After that, maybe Crown of Madness, Hold Person, or Suggestion. and so on as trials progress.
I assume as a Rogue, they may not already have spell slots, so just let them follow the Warlock progression for slots, where they have a few slots that rise in level every now and again. Instead of letting them choose their own spells though, give them a very few curated options to choose from after completing each trial. As long as you have control over the spells, then it should read more like a "treasure" reward instead of an unfair advantage.
I'd personally be leery of giving multiple one-shot items to duplicate an effect. Does the rogue have persuasion? If no, they get the skill. If they already have the skill, maybe a limited number of times per day\long rest they can roll with advantage or with a bonus to the roll.
I'd look at this "gift" the same as getting an uncommon magic item (which is appropriate at 4th level). So any effect within those constraints would be fair to the rest of the party. And the cult can always dangle additional power for performing specific tasks.
I'd give him Magic Initiate Warlock and the option to multiclass in Warlock if they want moving forward, flavouring gaining a level as rewards from the patron. This way it plays into the RP without being unfair to anyone as they're just levelling up the same as everyone else.
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If you want a little extra admin work(which you are getting already) use a piety style system ala Theros
have a numbered rank like 1-20/ 1-50 - as the player does things that benefit the Cult they increase, at key points that unlocks extra abilities as discussed by others above. However if they commit actions that go against the cult interests they get negative points and moving below the key points mean they lose the gifts.
I had a situation similar to this in a campaign where a player pledged fealty to Zodgilla (Godzilla) to avoid being eaten. I required him to multiclass at least three levels into warlock as a kind of punishment, as their really was no downside, but I immediately gave him the magic initiate feat for warlock.
Personally I wouldn’t force the PC to multi-class, since most campaigns don’t go up to tier 4, as that could make them miss out on some class features they’re really excited about. If the PC is fine with multi-classing then obviously feel free, but I would personally try something like the Piety system or giving them access to some items or ability once per rest that replicates a certain spell.
Magic Initiate feat for some kind of charm type spell works for me, but I would also rule that this actually an 'advance' on his next ASI. That is, when he gets 8th level, he gets nothing. The Devil is giving him something he already would have gotten, just a bit earlier. He he he. Never make a deal with the devil.
I offered Warlock multiclass but he didn't want to. And we are all pretty new to D&D so forcing a multiclass out of nowhere seems a bit a like a dick move. I'll look into those other systems. seems cool!
If you want a little extra admin work(which you are getting already) use a piety style system ala Theros
have a numbered rank like 1-20/ 1-50 - as the player does things that benefit the Cult they increase, at key points that unlocks extra abilities as discussed by others above. However if they commit actions that go against the cult interests they get negative points and moving below the key points mean they lose the gifts.
Do they have something within D&D Beyond to work the piety system for the characters on their character sheets?
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If you want sugar coating, go buy a dessert....
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My level 4 Rouge just accepted membership with the Cult of Asmodeus in exchange for what he wanted most: "ability to control ppl". I am now going to start giving him missions that will test his loyalty to the other players and put him at risk of discovery and harm. My question is how to reward him without being unfair to the rest of the party. Here is what i thought so far.
1. Give him one time potions that increase/give him advantage on charisma/persuasion checks - These can increase in power or qty depending on the task and his character level.
2. Some kind of powder that he can slight of hand throw on a character to confuse them or maybe compel truth.
3. At higher levels, give him restricted access to certain spells like charm person, dominate person, suggestion. Etc This could also be in the form of potions/powders. So one time use, vs giving him the actual power.
Thoughts?
Thank you all!
Treat him like a baby warlock of sorts. If he can pass certain tests, he unlocks new powers along the way. The first test might unlock access to the Friends cantrip. Later on the progression rises to a choice of Charm Person, Command, or Hideous Laughter. After that, maybe Crown of Madness, Hold Person, or Suggestion. and so on as trials progress.
I assume as a Rogue, they may not already have spell slots, so just let them follow the Warlock progression for slots, where they have a few slots that rise in level every now and again. Instead of letting them choose their own spells though, give them a very few curated options to choose from after completing each trial. As long as you have control over the spells, then it should read more like a "treasure" reward instead of an unfair advantage.
I'd personally be leery of giving multiple one-shot items to duplicate an effect. Does the rogue have persuasion? If no, they get the skill. If they already have the skill, maybe a limited number of times per day\long rest they can roll with advantage or with a bonus to the roll.
I'd look at this "gift" the same as getting an uncommon magic item (which is appropriate at 4th level). So any effect within those constraints would be fair to the rest of the party. And the cult can always dangle additional power for performing specific tasks.
I'd give him Magic Initiate Warlock and the option to multiclass in Warlock if they want moving forward, flavouring gaining a level as rewards from the patron. This way it plays into the RP without being unfair to anyone as they're just levelling up the same as everyone else.
Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond.
Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ this FAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
If you want a little extra admin work(which you are getting already) use a piety style system ala Theros
have a numbered rank like 1-20/ 1-50 - as the player does things that benefit the Cult they increase, at key points that unlocks extra abilities as discussed by others above. However if they commit actions that go against the cult interests they get negative points and moving below the key points mean they lose the gifts.
If you have access to the Descent Into Avernus module, there's an entire appendix that addresses diabolical deals. Might be worth a look. :)
Partway through the quest for absolute truth.
I had a situation similar to this in a campaign where a player pledged fealty to Zodgilla (Godzilla) to avoid being eaten. I required him to multiclass at least three levels into warlock as a kind of punishment, as their really was no downside, but I immediately gave him the magic initiate feat for warlock.
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Personally I wouldn’t force the PC to multi-class, since most campaigns don’t go up to tier 4, as that could make them miss out on some class features they’re really excited about. If the PC is fine with multi-classing then obviously feel free, but I would personally try something like the Piety system or giving them access to some items or ability once per rest that replicates a certain spell.
Magic Initiate feat for some kind of charm type spell works for me, but I would also rule that this actually an 'advance' on his next ASI. That is, when he gets 8th level, he gets nothing. The Devil is giving him something he already would have gotten, just a bit earlier. He he he. Never make a deal with the devil.
Thanks to all of you!
I offered Warlock multiclass but he didn't want to. And we are all pretty new to D&D so forcing a multiclass out of nowhere seems a bit a like a dick move. I'll look into those other systems. seems cool!
best,
Do they have something within D&D Beyond to work the piety system for the characters on their character sheets?
If you want sugar coating, go buy a dessert....