How to take the edge off of a Warlock?

[Steve]

Keep in mind that practicing Eldritch magic of ANY kind is very illegal in both BG and Amn.
Banishment or death is the punishment... which means potential perma-strikes.

What does this mean? And where do I find clarification of it?

Laws of the Lands (for Baldur's Gate controlled Areas)

- Practicing Necromancy, eldritch magic, and those Arts that are known as Blood Magic are strictly forbidden, punishable by banishment or death, as determined by judicial ruling. Creation of items or trade of such magic in any form is equally punishable.

[Diamore]

So eldritch magic means warlock magic? Or is this just a catch-all for magic the dukes and the Fist don't like?

Essentially I would like clarification as over the years I have seen dozens of glowing fists around the Gates and thought nothing of it. If this magic is unique and identifiable to the point that law enforcement recognises it and it is punishable by death perhaps some clearer warning about it should be listed in the warlock class entry itself.

[Steve]

Well, I go for lawyering on this one:

"Warlock spells are also called invocations...The most basic of all invocations is called an eldritch blast and is essentially a charged blast of pure arcane energy.

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

[Xanfyrst]

Eldritch is commonly referred to as black magic or devil magic, because that's what it's typically associated with. Most clerics, priests, paladin, guardsmen etc don't care if you're pacted to some neutral/good entity, it's still black magic to them.

[Diamore]

If the class ability "eldritch blast" is what is referred to, then all warlocks regardless of origin and background are outlawed (and importantly identifiable) by the Fist.

If it is in regards to eldritch's link to devilry and evil, then that is a more general link that includes evil druids, clerics and mages who use evil planars and evil spells.


To somewhat return to the poster's topic, if warlocks are identifiable and hated/outlawed in the same way as necromancers and blood mages are, there is no "taking the edge off them". Evil or not, you are a hunted and hated outsider.

[Xanfyrst]

Guards and others who don't know much about magic, shouldn't know what you're casting is Eldritch Magic. Clerics, druids and wizards of higher level wouldn't be as easily fooled. They would know something isn't right with your magic. The more knowledgeable they are, the more likely they'll figure out what you're doing.

Basically, warlocks are better off avoiding goodly spell casters.

[PhantomLamb]

Thanks so much for making the warlock thread, that is a super read on the origin of devils. Unfortunately, I'm trying to play a chaotic-aligned warlock and struggling to find a good story line as such with a devil pact.

Is there similar source material for the fey, or any other pact-capable beings that could support a chaotic alignment better? I don't want to cop out of a devil pact, but I can't envision a Pact Insidius between the guy I want to create an a LE creature.

[MasterSilke]

As far as I'm aware, source materials regarding warlocks is pretty slim, especially within the sphere of Forgotten Realms. However, if you're looking for inspiration for fey pacts in particular, I would highly recommend that you delve into some classic fairy tales and folk tales that have sinister or at least less-than-friendly fairies, witches, and the like. Some examples include Rumpelstiltskin, The Nixie of the Mill-Pond, Baba Yaga, and the Erlkonig.

[Steve]

I liked to solve the problem of a Warlock-not-Evil by taking the Fey Heritage feat, and RPing the warlock powers coming from this Family inherited bloodline.

Considering this is the first line of the NWN2 wiki description for a Warlock:

Born of a supernatural bloodline, a Warlock seeks to master the perilous magic that suffuses his soul.

This is also from the Culture of Warlocks from the Forgotten Realms wiki:

Like sorcerers, many warlocks came from a supernatural bloodline, and it had been said that warlocks were "born, not made." This was not true for all warlocks, though many did indeed come from fiendish bloodlines. Those that weren't were still often touched by destiny in some special way, sought out by powerful extraplanar forces as tools and minions, altering their souls and giving them supernatural abilities beyond the ken of most mortals.[6] These forces beheld warlocks to their power, though some broke away from the chains of their servitude to forge their own destiny.

What I personally think is the key to a Warlock of any Alignment, is that it is a Character always in conflict with the power they wield, be it born into them, or made through a Pact (of whatever reason).

And, I think THAT is the most interesting part for you and for others to enjoy, in the Role-play you bring to the Server.

That said, one always need to keep in mind OOC that many other Characters have IC reason to make all sorts of one-sided judgements, either hugging or hating, on the spot or through time-to-get-to-know-you. And, I might add, a Warlock is really a High RP type of Character that needs some serious investment in type, not just a laissez-faire "I like the power play" attitude of the Build.

[scriver]

I'm gonna make a super special snowflake warlock character that's bonded to a Daemon, and there's nothing youvcsn do about it!

[PhantomLamb]

Hm, I'm curious if this could fit into a story, should I go elf:
http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Daemonfey

If anyone is particularly knowledgeable about and charmed by warlock stories, DM or player, I'd like to chat via PM for some ideas. I have some lose concepts about his personality and motivations that I want to tie into a solid pact story. Don't want to publish it publicly yet though. Thanks!

[Tantive]

Let me come with a counter opinion. How to take the edge of a warlock?
Don't
I mean this in the way that warlock in its nature is a very dangerous proposition regardless of the sort of pact you choose. Moreso the alignment and traits that your pactor has will start to shape your personality. And depending on the type of pact you've engaged in can make completely different, and a very deep roleplay. Even though so called thought to be benigner pacts like Fey, are not benign at all, for it can lead to actual insanity.

I would argue taking the edge of warlock is the same as diminishing the importance the oaths of the paladin that are taken, and the dogma of the religion. Which is mostly in my opinion, a reduction of the flavor you would otherwise have had in your roleplay. Take your class, and own it!

[PhantomLamb]

Totally agree. I don't want to go the bloodline route.

[TeoDeathDealer]

I've been playing warlocks on this server for the last 10 years. So, this has come up before. I believe in the Forgotten Realms definition, since that is the closest to NWN2 gamplay there is. 3.5 is D&D....we are not D&D.

Lets touch on the bans. The ban in BG and Amn is against the "use" of Eldrige magic. So, don't use it in BG, Beregost, or Naskel. There are plenty of territories in the game controlled by neither power. I would argue even in giants, xvarts, and areas off the beaten path of the tradeway are game. Have you ever seen an Amnian patrol anywhere in those areas?

Lastly, my main is Teo. He is a warlock and managed to gain respect enough to become Guide of Candlekeep. So, such things are possible. Its all in how you role play. I can see, for example, a fiendish-pacted CG warlock rebelling against his pact using his powers for good as an example. Unless a DM shows up as the Pact Owner, you should be fine. (DMs, ignore that sentence).

(Shameless plug): Teo works to identify Coast warlocks who are just beginning to deal with their powers in order to help guide them in their use and not fall to their dark natures. He's developed a system of contemplation and self mind control to help eleviate dark thoughts with the intent of making them productive (at least not destructive) citizens of the Coast.

My bottom line message...Warlocks will always be suspect and feared. Its up to you how you respond.

[scriver]

My quip above was actually a query in disguise. Daemonpacts, yay or nay?