Raveler1
2007-09-23, 11:50 AM
Reference: Main Kudur Thread (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33457)
Deities Thread (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39697)
It's been a while since I was around and able to post on the boards... but I've dusted off my campaign notes and wanted to get back to work on the setting. One thing it desperately needs are a new ghost template - I'm not happy with D&D's template, as it grants a whole lot of powers all at once. I've looked over a couple other templates, but I think the most effective is to create several templates, that have requirements for application. These are of course based around the Sumerian traditions for ghosts, and not our later medieval traditions.
Utukku (Generic Spirit)
Template
Utukku is the generic name for spirits in Kudur, encompassing all the newly dead. Utukku are extremely faint spirits, able to communicate easily only with people who knew them well in life. Most ordinary people have at least one or two ancestor Utukku who offer "suggestions" as to how they behave, and gripe about how things were better in their day. Most Utukku go to the Netherworld after those who knew them pass away, but some find the secret to the next level of afterlife.
Game Rule Information
Alignment: Any
Essence Die: d2+2 (Spirits use essence rather than hit points)
Requirements
To be an Utukku, a character must have perished, been buried, and refused to go directly to the Netherworld.
Features
The following are features of the Utukku:
Incorporeal - As a spirit, Utukku are unable to affect the material plane, thus negating their physical stats - with the sole exception of speed, which is set at whatever their naked speed was in life. Utukku are limited to travel along the ground, as they have not lost their habits of life. Likewise, the Utukku are unable to be affected by the material plane, taking no damage in combat. However, due to being creatures of essences, the "essence" of walls and doors often cause the Utukku to behave as though they were "real" for the spirit.
Essence - Utukku use spiritual essence rather than hit points to determine their length of existence. If at any time an Utukku has no essence points remaining, they are unable to resist the call of the netherworld, and leave the material plane of existence. Essence constantly drains away, at a level of 1 point per month of existence. In order to maintain essence levels, living beings must provide the Utukku with symbolic food and drink (at least one drop of beverage, or a symbolically significant portion of food per week). Most humans follow the tradition of feeding the dead, but the food must be dedicated to the Utukku (i.e., the Utukku cannot simply swoop in and consume the essence of food on a random family's table, or from another Utukku's grave).
Nugga (Voice of the Dead)- Utukku can speak with those who knew them in life without any penalty. To speak with someone who did not know them in life, an Utukku must spend essence points. 1 essence point allows them to speak with someone one step removed (knew a relative or friend of the Utukku) for one minute (or ten rounds). 2 essence points allows them to speak with anyone for ninety seconds (or 15 rounds).
Edimmu (Lesser Demon)
Template
Edimmu are traditionally the spirits of the restless dead, those not buried properly, or reverenced at all. They are vengeful spirits, known for sucking the life out of the helpless or possessing those who cannot be directly killed. Unlike the Utukku, Edimmu have a form but no speech - they screech like cats in pain instead. An Utukku can become an Edimmu if something disturbs their burial location.
Game Rule Information
Alignment: Any
Essence Die: d4+2 (Spirits use essence rather than hit points)
Requirements
To be an Edimmu, a character must have perished, not been buried properly, or have had his or her grave disturbed.
Features
The following are features of the Edimmu:
Incorporeal - See Utukku
Essence - Edimmu rely on essence just as Utukku, but they are not fed by mortals. Instead, Edimmu steal their essence from the helpless (sleeping babies, the infirm), often killing them in the process. To maintain their essence, Edimmu possess a living creature, controlling it until it dies (See Possession). While possessing a living creature, Edimmu lose no essence - otherwise, they lose essence points at the same rate as Utukku. Edimmu cannot steal essence while possessing a creature. 4 HP convert into 1 EP, and the process takes one hour for every EP stolen in this manner. The Edim is locked in place until all the HP is stolen - they lose any EP gained in this manner if the victim does not perish.
Possession - Edimmu may spend one essence point to possess a non-sentient creature. While in possession, the Edimmu controls every function of the creature, taking on all of its characteristics. Possessed creatures have eyes that reflect light (if they would not normally do so), and only make the screeching noise of the Edimmu, no matter their natural call. Possession is ended either when the host creature dies, a spirit (or deity) of higher power is invoked, or the proper potion is applied (either drunk or directly on the skin). An Edimmu removed forcibly from a host loses 1d4 points of essence.
Nugga (Voice of the Dead) - Edimmu may only speak when possessing a creature, and then only after spending an essence point.
Others to follow:
Aluu - Evil Utukku which can posess humans and sentients and cause disease
Asakku - Aluu who are worshiped as demons and control the fate of a few.
Shedu - Good Utukku who negotiate possession with sentients or offer advice to travelers
Igigi - Utukku who are worshiped as gods and can control the fate of a few
Anunnaki - Igigi or Asakku who have a temple and may possess "prophets" - one step removed from major deities
Deities - Anunnaki who control a city-state, either by forming a new city, or by replacing a former god or goddess.
Asakku and Igigi (and higher) can store their essence points in material objects, allowing them a much greater freedom and power.
Deities Thread (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39697)
It's been a while since I was around and able to post on the boards... but I've dusted off my campaign notes and wanted to get back to work on the setting. One thing it desperately needs are a new ghost template - I'm not happy with D&D's template, as it grants a whole lot of powers all at once. I've looked over a couple other templates, but I think the most effective is to create several templates, that have requirements for application. These are of course based around the Sumerian traditions for ghosts, and not our later medieval traditions.
Utukku (Generic Spirit)
Template
Utukku is the generic name for spirits in Kudur, encompassing all the newly dead. Utukku are extremely faint spirits, able to communicate easily only with people who knew them well in life. Most ordinary people have at least one or two ancestor Utukku who offer "suggestions" as to how they behave, and gripe about how things were better in their day. Most Utukku go to the Netherworld after those who knew them pass away, but some find the secret to the next level of afterlife.
Game Rule Information
Alignment: Any
Essence Die: d2+2 (Spirits use essence rather than hit points)
Requirements
To be an Utukku, a character must have perished, been buried, and refused to go directly to the Netherworld.
Features
The following are features of the Utukku:
Incorporeal - As a spirit, Utukku are unable to affect the material plane, thus negating their physical stats - with the sole exception of speed, which is set at whatever their naked speed was in life. Utukku are limited to travel along the ground, as they have not lost their habits of life. Likewise, the Utukku are unable to be affected by the material plane, taking no damage in combat. However, due to being creatures of essences, the "essence" of walls and doors often cause the Utukku to behave as though they were "real" for the spirit.
Essence - Utukku use spiritual essence rather than hit points to determine their length of existence. If at any time an Utukku has no essence points remaining, they are unable to resist the call of the netherworld, and leave the material plane of existence. Essence constantly drains away, at a level of 1 point per month of existence. In order to maintain essence levels, living beings must provide the Utukku with symbolic food and drink (at least one drop of beverage, or a symbolically significant portion of food per week). Most humans follow the tradition of feeding the dead, but the food must be dedicated to the Utukku (i.e., the Utukku cannot simply swoop in and consume the essence of food on a random family's table, or from another Utukku's grave).
Nugga (Voice of the Dead)- Utukku can speak with those who knew them in life without any penalty. To speak with someone who did not know them in life, an Utukku must spend essence points. 1 essence point allows them to speak with someone one step removed (knew a relative or friend of the Utukku) for one minute (or ten rounds). 2 essence points allows them to speak with anyone for ninety seconds (or 15 rounds).
Edimmu (Lesser Demon)
Template
Edimmu are traditionally the spirits of the restless dead, those not buried properly, or reverenced at all. They are vengeful spirits, known for sucking the life out of the helpless or possessing those who cannot be directly killed. Unlike the Utukku, Edimmu have a form but no speech - they screech like cats in pain instead. An Utukku can become an Edimmu if something disturbs their burial location.
Game Rule Information
Alignment: Any
Essence Die: d4+2 (Spirits use essence rather than hit points)
Requirements
To be an Edimmu, a character must have perished, not been buried properly, or have had his or her grave disturbed.
Features
The following are features of the Edimmu:
Incorporeal - See Utukku
Essence - Edimmu rely on essence just as Utukku, but they are not fed by mortals. Instead, Edimmu steal their essence from the helpless (sleeping babies, the infirm), often killing them in the process. To maintain their essence, Edimmu possess a living creature, controlling it until it dies (See Possession). While possessing a living creature, Edimmu lose no essence - otherwise, they lose essence points at the same rate as Utukku. Edimmu cannot steal essence while possessing a creature. 4 HP convert into 1 EP, and the process takes one hour for every EP stolen in this manner. The Edim is locked in place until all the HP is stolen - they lose any EP gained in this manner if the victim does not perish.
Possession - Edimmu may spend one essence point to possess a non-sentient creature. While in possession, the Edimmu controls every function of the creature, taking on all of its characteristics. Possessed creatures have eyes that reflect light (if they would not normally do so), and only make the screeching noise of the Edimmu, no matter their natural call. Possession is ended either when the host creature dies, a spirit (or deity) of higher power is invoked, or the proper potion is applied (either drunk or directly on the skin). An Edimmu removed forcibly from a host loses 1d4 points of essence.
Nugga (Voice of the Dead) - Edimmu may only speak when possessing a creature, and then only after spending an essence point.
Others to follow:
Aluu - Evil Utukku which can posess humans and sentients and cause disease
Asakku - Aluu who are worshiped as demons and control the fate of a few.
Shedu - Good Utukku who negotiate possession with sentients or offer advice to travelers
Igigi - Utukku who are worshiped as gods and can control the fate of a few
Anunnaki - Igigi or Asakku who have a temple and may possess "prophets" - one step removed from major deities
Deities - Anunnaki who control a city-state, either by forming a new city, or by replacing a former god or goddess.
Asakku and Igigi (and higher) can store their essence points in material objects, allowing them a much greater freedom and power.