[3.5] Becoming a God...kinda

[jguy]

Okay, my group is reaching the end of our characters careers. We are level 15, starting out at level 6 or something (it's been awhile). Anyway, my characters first goal of turning the party into their perfect forms has already been accomplished. She is a Master Specialist transmuter and just got Polymorph any object. We are a monster group now.

Anyway, I was thinking about what to do next when we fought a Atropal Scion. This gave me an idea. If this is an stillborn godling, it still has some divine spark, or at least had some. After the fight, with the help of my ranger minion, (Another player, I call them my bodyguards/minions, they don't seem to mind after I gave them their new bodies), I shrank the body and stored it for later research.

Now the research is mostly going to be fluff and all, but I was wondering if there was any steadfast rules for godhood, or at least stuff you gain it? Most likely she is going to become a demi-god with a divine rank of 0, perhaps 1 but that is it.

[Urpriest]

Besides stuff like Proxies (where a god intentionally gives you some godhood, it's how Pun-Pun does it) there aren't any rules for becoming a god, just suggestions. Killing a god is one suggested method, as is gaining a bunch of worshipers. It's all very DM-dependent though.

[Toptomcat]

Well, there is the Dragon Ascendant PrC in Draconomicon, a ten-level epic dragon-only prestige class in which you gradually gain all the characteristics of DR 0 over the course of ten levels. It's not exactly what you're looking for, but you might adapt it to your purposes.

[Urpriest]

Well, there is the Dragon Ascendant PrC in Draconomicon, a ten-level epic dragon-only prestige class in which you gradually gain all the characteristics of DR 0 over the course of ten levels. It's not exactly what you're looking for, but you might adapt it to your purposes.

Minor correction: 12 levels. One of the cool features of the Draconomicon PrCs. One more reason I really wish they were more applicable to games, so much cool flavor built in to the crunch.

[Beelzebub1111]

The easiest way I can think of is to become a god's messenger. Quick way to Hero-Deity-hood. Otherwise you have to do amazing things that get people to worship you and learn your ways. Also try to write your own spells and name them after yourself for wizards.

[Urpriest]

The easiest way I can think of is to become a god's messenger. Quick way to Hero-Deity-hood. Otherwise you have to do amazing things that get people to worship you and learn your ways. Also try to write your own spells and name them after yourself for wizards.

But Mordenkainen, Tasha, Bigby et. al. aren't gods, unfortunately. Zagyg is, but he got that way via a magical god-trapping device, not getting fame for spell names. Come to think of it, very few spells are named after ascended wizards. Maybe Vecna?

[KellKheraptis]

A properly made Epic spell can get you into godhood. Also, you can achieve the same or greater power as a deity by becoming immortal (plenty of ways to do this, there was a thread on BG about it not long ago) and then blanketing yourself in a combination of persistent magic, a massive mythal, or both.

[Amoren]

The only known 'divine/god hood' benefits I know of come from the Marruspawn Abomination from Sandstorm. Spark of the Divine (or some such), causes all hit die to be maxed.

Another suggestion is probably treating all of her spells as supernatural abilities (rather than actual spells), and since she's a god and not a mortal studying magic, perhaps allow her to spontaneously cast any spell she knows. *Shrugs*

I've been pondering creating a template for an epic level character based off of the metaphysical benefits of enlightenment and true understanding of the universe, but I doubt I have the knowledge for it; or to help ya in other ways. Still, its probably something best left for you and your DM to discuss, or for you to toy with if she shows up as an NPC/religion in another game.

[HunterOfJello]

I remember an article on WotC that had a level 20 to 30 (I think) class that made a character a Demigod. It was a 3.5e version of the ideas that were going to be implemented into 4e.

There were a few examples of 'epic tier' classes that gave characters ridiculously powerful abilities. It's kind of obscure though and I've only seen it referenced once or twice.

But Mordenkainen, Tasha, Bigby et. al. aren't gods, unfortunately. Zagyg is, but he got that way via a magical god-trapping device, not getting fame for spell names. Come to think of it, very few spells are named after ascended wizards. Maybe Vecna?

The named spells were all converted into nameless spells during the 3.0 -> 3.5e conversion or once they were put into the Spell Compendium. Check out the front section of the book and you can see a long list of renamed spells.

It's kind of a shame. I like some of the old names. Like:


Eilistraee's grace -> grace
Elminster's evasion -> instant refuge
Caligarde's claw -> force claw

Mordenkainen's Force Missles -> Force Missles
Mordenkainen's Buzzing Bee -> Buzzing Bee
Tvash-Prull's bonefiddle -> Bonefiddle
Shelgarn's Presistent Blade -> Persistent Blade

Horizikaul's boom -> sonic blast
Horizikaul's cough -> sonic snap
Horizikaul's versatile vibration -> sonic rumble


*****EDIT*****


3.5e Epic Destiny to become a Demigod featured on the WotC Archives

The 30th level ability transforms the character into a minor deity.

There's also a variant suggestion for using the same epic destinies from level 12 to 20 along with using more level appropriate abilities granted.

[Coidzor]

then blanketing yourself in a combination of persistent magic, a massive mythal, or both.

What's this then?

[HunterOfJello]

What's this then?

Forgotten Realms Mythal.

"A powerful epic level magical effect, created by a circle of elven High Mages to protect and ward a large area with numerous powerful enchantments. They work by permanently altering The Weave to create an area wherein the normal rules of magic no longer apply."

[jguy]

I think I might have left something out when I made the original post. What she is going to do is research/take apart that body of the scion to discover what gave it its divine spark. She is then going to recreate it, somehow, and either give it to herself or alter her own genetics to create whatever makes the spark inside of her. Since the scion is a stillborn godling, it doesn't have a very high amount of divinity, so at best she will be a divine rank 0, maybe 1.

My main question is what being a demi-god gives you? Fluff stuff according to Dm or what?

[Douglas]

RAW only contains suggestions for possible ways a DM might allow a PC to become a god, but there are plenty of rules about the benefits of pulling it off.

Divine ranks and powers
Salient divine abilities

[Toptomcat]

Edit: Ha, forgot the deity rules were OGC!

[Coidzor]

I believe if deity-status (or feeding it in order to continue it) is dependent upon number of worshipers, the minimum is in the low-mid hundreds from what little the RAW sheds on things anyway.

So, coming up with some sort of tenets or persona to sell would be a good idea to at least have some ideas for already if it comes to that.

[Toptomcat]

Which, disturbingly, could put DR 0 in reach of a high-level character with the Leadership feat.

[Coidzor]

Or a mid-level bard.

[Douglas]

Ah, but followers from Leadership do not normally worship their leader as a god.

I suppose the bard could fast-talk his way into convincing people he's a god, but that would have one hell of a circumstance modifier for being hard to believe and he'd have to go so far as to convince people to worship him in preference to their previous god. And then there are the headaches involved in faking miracles to maintain the Faith, not to mention the risk of a cleric denouncing you when he discovers you can't grant him divine spells...

[Toptomcat]

Thrallherd, then.

[Coidzor]

not to mention the risk of a cleric denouncing you when he discovers you can't grant him divine spells...

You can't grant divine spells to someone who's already a cleric without them going through a big ol' quest anyway.

[Toptomcat]

You don't neccesarily need to claim you're a god already. Just explicitly tell them that their worship will uplift you to divine status.

Why lie when the truth will serve as well?

[DragonOfUndeath]

And then there are the headaches involved in faking miracles to maintain the Faith, not to mention the risk of a cleric denouncing you when he discovers you can't grant him divine spells...

this only occurs before you ascend so unless this happens in the first year or two you will actually be a god and can grant spells

You don't neccesarily need to claim you're a god already. Just explicitly tell them that their worship will uplift you to divine status.

Why lie when the truth will serve as well?

1) does the character know that?
2) if you tell them that worship=godhood they will make THEMSELVES out as gods and ascend without you

[Toptomcat]

Cohorts and followers don't exactly strike me as the power-hungry self-starter types that would do that kind of thing. And sufficient Knowledge: Religion ought to take care of that.

[Crow]

Every method of becoming a god ever printed in a book means jack squat. As does any method suggested by anyone on this board.

Talk to your DM and ask him about the gods in the setting you are playing in, and how one can possibly ascend to godhood, if such a thing is even possible in his game.

Explain to your DM what it is you want to do, and find out if it is somewhere he even wants to go with the game. If he's cool with it, work with him to make it happen. If you're interested in what gaining divine ranks will net you, it is all open gaming content and can be found at d20srd.org

[dgnslyr]

What's this then?

A missile crafted by a wizard with a lisp?

[Myth]

Can't believe it took you guys so long to point him to the SRD link for divine ranks. BTW OP, you will probably be a Quasi-Deity rather then a Demigod. The difference is huge. If you ever get to Demigod (Divine Rank 1) with Greater Teleport and Plane Shift at will and one SDA, pick Alter Reality.

It is the single most broken thing out of all the Salient abilities, because it has NO prerequisites whatsoever, and it allows you to:

- cast every spell/SLA in the game
- make any continous spell effect permanent

So if your DM is foolish enough to give you Divine Rank 1, tell him. "I take Alter Reality. My character goes away for a month or two" (btw DR0+ means you get 20 Outsider HD, and no longer need to breathe, eat, sleep etc.)

After that inform him that you now have every beneficial spell, castable by any and all class ever printed, made permanent on yourself. Including an AMF that does not impede your own magic.

[Beelzebub1111]

But Mordenkainen, Tasha, Bigby et. al. aren't gods, unfortunately. Zagyg is, but he got that way via a magical god-trapping device, not getting fame for spell names. Come to think of it, very few spells are named after ascended wizards. Maybe Vecna?

Murlynd has a few.

[dsmiles]

A properly made Epic spell can get you into godhood. Also, you can achieve the same or greater power as a deity by becoming immortal (plenty of ways to do this, there was a thread on BG about it not long ago) and then blanketing yourself in a combination of persistent magic, a massive mythal, or both.

Mythals are bad juju, my friend...baaaaaad juju. Never heard of Myth Drannor? Or the fact that they had to write Return to Myth Drannor? Obviously once wasn't enough.

EDIT: @Beezlebub: ...and a SPOOOOOOON! Can't forget that.

[Urpriest]

So if your DM is foolish enough to give you Divine Rank 1, tell him. "I take Alter Reality. My character goes away for a month or two" (btw DR0+ means you get 20 Outsider HD, and no longer need to breathe, eat, sleep etc.)

I had the impression the 20 outsider HD were only for naturally formed gods. Check out some of the risen ones, in particular Imhotep. The 20HD are just a way for the printed gods to be less massively multiclassed, since they don't use the epic rules.

[Urpriest]

Murlynd has a few.

He also was a paladin, IIRC.