Eldritch_Ent
2007-10-21, 04:20 PM
Well, I suppose some people could always use some help homebrewing Vestiges, and Binders never get any love, so I decided to give people who like Binders a quick shot in the arm, even if I miss the vein. Over the course of the next few weeks I hope to add more to this thread, including example Vestiges, A few Binder prestige classes, and a table that will help in creating mathematically balanced Vestiges. However, as I'm studying taxes right now, my time is limited- But fear not, this is what I'm doing to keep my sanity between cram sessions, so steady progress should be made. :smallbiggrin:
The Anatomy of a Vestige-
The Name- All good vestiges have a name. Especially one that sounds vaguely demonic or strange. A good start is looking up a list of mythical monster names, especially notable creatures from mythology, folklore, and even religion. Few people will stand for summoning "Bob the Quackulant", so properly naming a vestige is a big help. If you're having trouble, just use a name from a myth, legend, or fairytale and abse the Vestige off of the creature selected. (It's what WOTC did, after all.)
The Legend- This is the important part to have in mind before you do the other parts, as it can give you a good idea of which powers the vestige might have and why. It will also help if you can explain just HOW the vestige became a vestige, or in some cases where it's not a vestige why it might be acting like one. Looking at old stories of ancient monsters might help get your creative juices flowing.
The Sign- Which should be fairly obvious, but practical to conceal. Just pick a notable feature of the Vestige and make the caster have it. (Like a change in skin color or an extra, useless, appendage.)
The Influence- Which should be something fairly common but not horrible... Generally if you pick two actions related to the Legend and present them in this format-
Fear X, Hate X, Do X for Y rounds, Do X under Y conditions, or Do not do X.
you should be in good condition. If you're really desperate, just ask these-
What caused the Vestige to become a Vestige? Most vestiges have issues with whatever caused their demise or Vestigehood, and will have you avoid it.
What did the Vestige love most in life? Most vestiges crave to have their life back, and will be eager to revel in whatever their favorite pleasure was.
Remember, the binder is not in any way obliged to follow these, so don't expect a Vestige with "stop breathing" to be a good way to kill your players, but they will incur a -1 penalty for the rest of the binding period if they fail to follow it. (Not that they'll ever summon that vestige again, mind you.)
There are three basic rules for balancing a Vestige's powers-
1: Never give the Vestige a power greater than, or less than a class that gets it as a class ability of the same level-range could cast. Also, try not to give it any abilities "below" that, either in quantity or quality. A quick rule of thumbs is never give a Vestige a Spell or Maneuver higher than their Vestige Rank.
2: Combat abilities that deal damage or have a minor effect, like Polar Ray, Lightning Bolt, Grease, Tasha's Hideous laughter, should generally by 1/5 rounds. More powerful or hard to avoid effects like Otto's Irresistable Dance, Glitterdust or Force-Cage should be limited to 1, 2, or 3/day depending on utility, and more importantly, the EXP/GP cost avoided by it being an SU ability. Truly powerful effects, like Wish, might best be avoided unless you really know what you're doing, especially since most classes hate when someone else gets access to their "capstone" abilities.
3: Give a Vestige either 3 very useful abilities, 4 moderately useful abilities, or 5 less useful abilities within their level range. A Vestige should, generally, have at least one "1/5 rounds" damage-dealing abilitiy to be used in combat.
One remaining factor to consider is the Vestige's "Binding DC". A Quick rule of thumb shoulld be (Vestige Rank x 3) + 10, with younger, weak-willed or particularly desperate Vestiges having lower DC's, but older, strong-willed and aloof vestiges having higher ones.
On a final note, The Vestige's "Seal" is generally merely a highly abstract representation of the Vestige done in lines with some arrows, dots, and circles in them. Never fill in spaces.
Any questions, comments, or suggestions on things you want added to the guide? Want to add your own information or request a vestige? Post!
The Anatomy of a Vestige-
The Name- All good vestiges have a name. Especially one that sounds vaguely demonic or strange. A good start is looking up a list of mythical monster names, especially notable creatures from mythology, folklore, and even religion. Few people will stand for summoning "Bob the Quackulant", so properly naming a vestige is a big help. If you're having trouble, just use a name from a myth, legend, or fairytale and abse the Vestige off of the creature selected. (It's what WOTC did, after all.)
The Legend- This is the important part to have in mind before you do the other parts, as it can give you a good idea of which powers the vestige might have and why. It will also help if you can explain just HOW the vestige became a vestige, or in some cases where it's not a vestige why it might be acting like one. Looking at old stories of ancient monsters might help get your creative juices flowing.
The Sign- Which should be fairly obvious, but practical to conceal. Just pick a notable feature of the Vestige and make the caster have it. (Like a change in skin color or an extra, useless, appendage.)
The Influence- Which should be something fairly common but not horrible... Generally if you pick two actions related to the Legend and present them in this format-
Fear X, Hate X, Do X for Y rounds, Do X under Y conditions, or Do not do X.
you should be in good condition. If you're really desperate, just ask these-
What caused the Vestige to become a Vestige? Most vestiges have issues with whatever caused their demise or Vestigehood, and will have you avoid it.
What did the Vestige love most in life? Most vestiges crave to have their life back, and will be eager to revel in whatever their favorite pleasure was.
Remember, the binder is not in any way obliged to follow these, so don't expect a Vestige with "stop breathing" to be a good way to kill your players, but they will incur a -1 penalty for the rest of the binding period if they fail to follow it. (Not that they'll ever summon that vestige again, mind you.)
There are three basic rules for balancing a Vestige's powers-
1: Never give the Vestige a power greater than, or less than a class that gets it as a class ability of the same level-range could cast. Also, try not to give it any abilities "below" that, either in quantity or quality. A quick rule of thumbs is never give a Vestige a Spell or Maneuver higher than their Vestige Rank.
2: Combat abilities that deal damage or have a minor effect, like Polar Ray, Lightning Bolt, Grease, Tasha's Hideous laughter, should generally by 1/5 rounds. More powerful or hard to avoid effects like Otto's Irresistable Dance, Glitterdust or Force-Cage should be limited to 1, 2, or 3/day depending on utility, and more importantly, the EXP/GP cost avoided by it being an SU ability. Truly powerful effects, like Wish, might best be avoided unless you really know what you're doing, especially since most classes hate when someone else gets access to their "capstone" abilities.
3: Give a Vestige either 3 very useful abilities, 4 moderately useful abilities, or 5 less useful abilities within their level range. A Vestige should, generally, have at least one "1/5 rounds" damage-dealing abilitiy to be used in combat.
One remaining factor to consider is the Vestige's "Binding DC". A Quick rule of thumb shoulld be (Vestige Rank x 3) + 10, with younger, weak-willed or particularly desperate Vestiges having lower DC's, but older, strong-willed and aloof vestiges having higher ones.
On a final note, The Vestige's "Seal" is generally merely a highly abstract representation of the Vestige done in lines with some arrows, dots, and circles in them. Never fill in spaces.
Any questions, comments, or suggestions on things you want added to the guide? Want to add your own information or request a vestige? Post!