Lore Assistance

[FlippinFerrets]

The first thing to consider when your PC encounters a Warlock or a Gray Orc—heaven forbid a Gray Orc Warlock...for that, your PC just implodes —is just what does your Character know about warlocks or Gray Orcs.

In this regard, your PC's background is important. Does your PC have past experience with the brutality of Orcs? Is your PC an Elf or Dwarf, that has since birth been trained to hunt and kill Orcs with passion? Is your PC knowledgeable enough about spell casting to actually know the difference between invocations and arcane magic, or even divine magic? Would your Character be of the morality to even care?

Just because your Build has Spellcraft points, what comes up in the Combat Log does not mean that one knows everything about magic...or warlock invocations. But I digress.

In and near Baldur's Gate, there are actual Laws that define devil magic—invocations—as being illegal. Considering Server specific Lore, Orcs—because of the Black Orc—would be hated upon...and I do mean it, hated upon.

If you want to Role-play extreme hate towards a Class or a Race, as you feel it represents your Character's being in truth, then I recommend you do the opposing Player a favor and send a simple Tell that you are staying true to the nature of your Character, and that OOC, no hard feelings.

What you might gain is an actual partner in some interesting conflict Role-play, and when all the Players realize it is based in good-natured fun—though the Role-play is heated—a good gaming moment is had.

Never fear acting in-character, as all Players have the tools available to them to communicate OOC, in order to be polite and kind to each other.

This is very solid advice, thank you.

[TheKai]

The first thing to consider when your PC encounters a Warlock or a Gray Orc—heaven forbid a Gray Orc Warlock...for that, your PC just implodes —is just what does your Character know about warlocks or Gray Orcs.

In this regard, your PC's background is important. Does your PC have past experience with the brutality of Orcs? Is your PC an Elf or Dwarf, that has since birth been trained to hunt and kill Orcs with passion? Is your PC knowledgeable enough about spell casting to actually know the difference between invocations and arcane magic, or even divine magic? Would your Character be of the morality to even care?

Just because your Build has Spellcraft points, what comes up in the Combat Log does not mean that one knows everything about magic...or warlock invocations. But I digress.

In and near Baldur's Gate, there are actual Laws that define devil magic—invocations—as being illegal. Considering Server specific Lore, Orcs—because of the Black Orc—would be hated upon...and I do mean it, hated upon.

If you want to Role-play extreme hate towards a Class or a Race, as you feel it represents your Character's being in truth, then I recommend you do the opposing Player a favor and send a simple Tell that you are staying true to the nature of your Character, and that OOC, no hard feelings.

What you might gain is an actual partner in some interesting conflict Role-play, and when all the Players realize it is based in good-natured fun—though the Role-play is heated—a good gaming moment is had.

Never fear acting in-character, as all Players have the tools available to them to communicate OOC, in order to be polite and kind to each other.

This is very solid advice, thank you.

I agree. Thank you Novus.

[Nomster]

In and near Baldur's Gate, there are actual Laws that define devil magic—invocations—as being illegal.

Which law would cover this..? I cannot seem to find one which it would fall under.

[DM Novus]

In and near Baldur's Gate, there are actual Laws that define devil magic—invocations—as being illegal.

Which law would cover this..? I cannot seem to find one which it would fall under.

Spell casting—other than healing and light spells— is a moderate offense in Baldur's Gate and it's environs.

Repeated moderate offense leads to a severe offense.

Invocations such as The Dead Walk and Hellspawned Grace fall under the severe offense of Practicing Necromancy, and summoning of demons/undead.

I know you have a penchant for lawyering the DMs, Nomster. But this should seem apparent to anyone that knows the Lore of the Lands, at least OOC.

Player Character ignorance IS one of the more interesting ways to "learn" the Laws, in-character...though sometimes they are learned the hard way.

[Nomster]

I overlooked that. I was looking for something that was invocation/"devil magic" specific instead of thinking more broadly.

Not quite sure what you mean with your "penchant for lawyering the DMs" remark but you are free to think whatever you wish...

[GFN]

I have a question. How should someone react to seeing a warlock on the surface? I was in a low level area and someone flat out said, "You shouldn't talk to a warlock like that." and I pretty much just stopped in my tracks. I had no idea what to say or do, so I danced around the situation until I could disengage from it.

Edit: Warlock obtain their power by pacts with demons or having fey blood, right?

Why do I get the feeling that was me? And yes, we get our power from either creating a pact with a demon ourselves OR any of our ancestors doing so (Going off my Complete Arcane (3.5e Supplement) If there's anything more recent that overwrites this, let me know.) as in the case of Nicholas. IIRC, however, Hellfire Warlocks MUST enter a pact with a demon to learn the secrets of the flames of the 9 Hells.

As for my question, I can't seem to find anything in Book of Vile Darkness or either of the Fiendish Codexes that says what types of demons can possess people. So is there something that says, for example, a Babau or a Balor cannot possess someone to gain a presence on the material realm? I'd assume if they COULD then the creature would be much weaker than if it were here physically.

[The_Gruff_Stout]

I have a question. How should someone react to seeing a warlock on the surface? I was in a low level area and someone flat out said, "You shouldn't talk to a warlock like that." and I pretty much just stopped in my tracks. I had no idea what to say or do, so I danced around the situation until I could disengage from it.

Edit: Warlock obtain their power by pacts with demons or having fey blood, right?

Why do I get the feeling that was me? And yes, we get our power from either creating a pact with a demon ourselves OR any of our ancestors doing so (Going off my Complete Arcane (3.5e Supplement) If there's anything more recent that overwrites this, let me know.) as in the case of Nicholas. IIRC, however, Hellfire Warlocks MUST enter a pact with a demon to learn the secrets of the flames of the 9 Hells.

As for my question, I can't seem to find anything in Book of Vile Darkness or either of the Fiendish Codexes that says what types of demons can possess people. So is there something that says, for example, a Babau or a Balor cannot possess someone to gain a presence on the material realm? I'd assume if they COULD then the creature would be much weaker than if it were here physically.

I always thought the Hellfire warlock got their power from pledging themselves (soul) to the Lord of the 8th hell.

http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Mephistopheles

"The offering of hellfire is yet one more way the fiends have worked their claws into our world. Each mortal who thinks to master this fell power is yet one more fool offering his soul to the Lord of the Eighth."

-- Alód the Traveler, planeshifter

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dn ... 07a&page=3

I don't think demons would have anything to do with it. They are from the abyss, not the nine hells. You would be dealing with devils in any case. At least that is what I've always thought to be the case.

This thread has some answers as well.

http://www.bgtscc.net/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=37180

Hope that sheds some hellish light on it for you.

[GFN]

I have a question. How should someone react to seeing a warlock on the surface? I was in a low level area and someone flat out said, "You shouldn't talk to a warlock like that." and I pretty much just stopped in my tracks. I had no idea what to say or do, so I danced around the situation until I could disengage from it.

Edit: Warlock obtain their power by pacts with demons or having fey blood, right?

Why do I get the feeling that was me? And yes, we get our power from either creating a pact with a demon ourselves OR any of our ancestors doing so (Going off my Complete Arcane (3.5e Supplement) If there's anything more recent that overwrites this, let me know.) as in the case of Nicholas. IIRC, however, Hellfire Warlocks MUST enter a pact with a demon to learn the secrets of the flames of the 9 Hells.

As for my question, I can't seem to find anything in Book of Vile Darkness or either of the Fiendish Codexes that says what types of demons can possess people. So is there something that says, for example, a Babau or a Balor cannot possess someone to gain a presence on the material realm? I'd assume if they COULD then the creature would be much weaker than if it were here physically.

I always thought the Hellfire warlock got their power from pledging themselves (soul) to the Lord of the 8th hell.

http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Mephistopheles

"The offering of hellfire is yet one more way the fiends have worked their claws into our world. Each mortal who thinks to master this fell power is yet one more fool offering his soul to the Lord of the Eighth."

-- Alód the Traveler, planeshifter

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dn ... 07a&page=3

I don't think demons would have anything to do with it. They are from the abyss, not the nine hells. You would be dealing with devils in any case. At least that is what I've always thought to be the case.

This thread has some answers as well.

http://www.bgtscc.net/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=37180

Hope that sheds some hellish light on it for you.

*slowly facepalms* Welp, time to fix a story error.. I knew I should have consulted books first and not have written from memory. Just glad this was caught early. And the forum post corrected both of us. Evidently you can just discover the power of hellfire through experimenting (makes sense..).

Also. I need to have a swift talking to with my DM for confusing Pit Fiends with Balors... though they DO look alike so I can understand why.

And I suppose the revised question now is if Pit Fiends can possess mortals.

[AlfarinIcebreaker]

While we're at Warlocks, how "common" are Fey Warlocks? I'm thinking of concept with Fey Heritage feats, so that would work towards that theme and concept.

[Ricastle]

Need some help with Gold Dwarven clans from the Rift. Any reference material provided would be greatly appreciated.

[Carski]

Anyone have an idea or example for a legitimate way a mage (sorc/wiz) could leave a message or send out a general communication to other mages, but such that only those of likemindedness or sensitivity to the Art, would receive it? Something like a weave-based message board? How to mages secretly communicate, indirectly?

[mireigi]

In the novel series War of the Spider Queen, the Drow Archmage Gromph Baenre does something similar to what you're asking, casting a Sending to everyone in his House. What the spell is called, however, I do not know. Not to mention it would probably be a pain to code it.

[Deathgrowl]

Mass Sending. Make it!

I'm going to assume you what you mean by "likemindedness" is general alignment at least on the good/evil axis?

And that you want to broadcast a radio show to people you don't already know? A way to attract fellow necromancers to form a cabal, for instance?

Don't know if you can do that.

If you on the other hand just want to contact people you know, Sending is a good way. And I think it would be reasonable for a mage of power to be able to create, say, a level 8 or 9 spell called Mass Sending.

[Carski]

You contact a particular creature with which you are familiar

How about those one is not familiar with? Yes, the idea is how to let all mages of a similar interest, be it School, morality or faith, know how to find my toon. But like all secret magic like, and stuff and stuff.

[Deathgrowl]

No. Don't think you can be a radio station for specific minds.

And it seems unlikely, at least for arcanists. Would be a bit OP as well. I can see a cleric being able to send a message to all fellow followers of his god within a radius, though.