Avigor
2014-01-09, 05:57 AM
What would you guys suggest to create a character themed around a formalized study of the nature of evil itself?
I was a bit surprised that google found nothing for any kind of homebrew ponerologist prestige classes.
For a build, I'd like the Alignment to be neutral, albeit I'm willing to go Lawful or Chaotic if needed for some reason. While he's fascinated by the abyss, he still has enough of a conscience to find the idea of actually doing (at least serious) evil himself revolting. However, his studies have left him too jaded to be altruistic or self-sacrificing.
If religion is of interest, here are some thoughts on three deities:
Boccob: At least lip service and respect, and if he goes Archivist he chooses not to correct assumptions that he's one of Boccob's more bookish clerics, probably carrying a holy symbol of Boccob on his person.
The Xammux: When having an especially dark episode or cynical moment, he might flirt with the idea of idolizing the Xammux, but he's too averse to doing evil to truly embrace these teachings of amorality.
Vecna: He sometimes debates on the merits of Vecna's policy of keeping secrets, due to his firsthand experience with knowledge being dangerous, but again finds evil distasteful, if curious, at best.
Here are my thoughts on classes:
Archivist: Thematically, this seems to be the best match, between Dark Knowledge and the flavor text.
Wizard: Could also work. A couple prestige classes I've contemplated are only available to arcanists.
Cleric: I guess there might be some who might work, but I suspect they'd be more likely to listen to Nietzsche's warning against gazing into the abyss then to Lovecraft's fascination with the abyss, and I want to lean towards the latter. Also, has to have some kind of devotion, which I want to avoid.
Prestige Classes:
Alienist: Looks like it can fit thematically, but I must admit it seems at least as much to be about the nature of madness as evil, and I can't help but feel the impression that the Far Realm entities hinted at by the fluff are less interested in corruption or power than in utter annihilation, so I'm leaning against it, but I'm open to alternative arguments.
Tainted Scholar: Really strong thematically, but it's powers are fueled by allowing oneself to become more tainted (risking going too far, which I'm not sure if I want to do), and a lot of blood magic that weakens the user. Leaning against, but might be persuaded.
Demonologist: Described as one who considers himself a student of lore that most are afraid of while falling headlong into darkness himself. Much further into "gone too far" than the Tainted Scholar. Also, requires CHA for it's spellcasting, but then again Planar Binding might be right up the final build's alley so CHA might not be a dump stat here.
Malconvoker: This might be the best bet, as it focuses on using the power of evil against itself, and allows summoning evil creatures without alignment shifts. So far from what I've been reading through myself, unless someone has a really good argument for another prestige class, or someone points out a class I've completely missed, I'm leaning towards this one.
Any thoughts? Did I miss any good alternatives? Anyone want to take a shot at creating a Ponerologist prestige class?
I was a bit surprised that google found nothing for any kind of homebrew ponerologist prestige classes.
For a build, I'd like the Alignment to be neutral, albeit I'm willing to go Lawful or Chaotic if needed for some reason. While he's fascinated by the abyss, he still has enough of a conscience to find the idea of actually doing (at least serious) evil himself revolting. However, his studies have left him too jaded to be altruistic or self-sacrificing.
If religion is of interest, here are some thoughts on three deities:
Boccob: At least lip service and respect, and if he goes Archivist he chooses not to correct assumptions that he's one of Boccob's more bookish clerics, probably carrying a holy symbol of Boccob on his person.
The Xammux: When having an especially dark episode or cynical moment, he might flirt with the idea of idolizing the Xammux, but he's too averse to doing evil to truly embrace these teachings of amorality.
Vecna: He sometimes debates on the merits of Vecna's policy of keeping secrets, due to his firsthand experience with knowledge being dangerous, but again finds evil distasteful, if curious, at best.
Here are my thoughts on classes:
Archivist: Thematically, this seems to be the best match, between Dark Knowledge and the flavor text.
Wizard: Could also work. A couple prestige classes I've contemplated are only available to arcanists.
Cleric: I guess there might be some who might work, but I suspect they'd be more likely to listen to Nietzsche's warning against gazing into the abyss then to Lovecraft's fascination with the abyss, and I want to lean towards the latter. Also, has to have some kind of devotion, which I want to avoid.
Prestige Classes:
Alienist: Looks like it can fit thematically, but I must admit it seems at least as much to be about the nature of madness as evil, and I can't help but feel the impression that the Far Realm entities hinted at by the fluff are less interested in corruption or power than in utter annihilation, so I'm leaning against it, but I'm open to alternative arguments.
Tainted Scholar: Really strong thematically, but it's powers are fueled by allowing oneself to become more tainted (risking going too far, which I'm not sure if I want to do), and a lot of blood magic that weakens the user. Leaning against, but might be persuaded.
Demonologist: Described as one who considers himself a student of lore that most are afraid of while falling headlong into darkness himself. Much further into "gone too far" than the Tainted Scholar. Also, requires CHA for it's spellcasting, but then again Planar Binding might be right up the final build's alley so CHA might not be a dump stat here.
Malconvoker: This might be the best bet, as it focuses on using the power of evil against itself, and allows summoning evil creatures without alignment shifts. So far from what I've been reading through myself, unless someone has a really good argument for another prestige class, or someone points out a class I've completely missed, I'm leaning towards this one.
Any thoughts? Did I miss any good alternatives? Anyone want to take a shot at creating a Ponerologist prestige class?