Idea concept, wanting feedback

[konrad13]

Hello everyone, new here, but loving the look and feel of BFRPG. I'm trying to get my group in on it, but they are playing AD&D 2E, and are in the GDQ adventure (for those who don't know what that is, We face down various Giants, the Drow, then the Queen of Spiders herself).

So, while looking through the rules, I've noticed that the only evilish (though not necessarily) looking spellcaster was the Necromancer. A cool concept, I admit. However, I am thinking of designing a spellcaster that works via Hexes. Basically the idea is a Warlock.

My idea is that they are slightly more combat-capable, able to use small and medium bladed weapons, and instead of spells, the Hex opponents and areas. An idea Hex would be like catching a portion of the enemy on fire to where they take 1d4 damage for 2 rounds while also lowering their AC by 1. Basically Hexes do two small things in one neat little package.

An area Hex would work along similar guidelines, but not to damage opponents. Basically a low level area Hex would be a 20 ft. x 20 ft. area would suddenly be slicked for 1d4-1 (minimum 1) rounds, but up to two allies of the Warlocks choice (who must be adjacent to the Warlock at casting) are not affected by it. Enemies would be slowed, and the warriors could rush in to hold them down.

Thoughts and comments are, of course, always appreciated.

[SmootRK]

Welcome!

An all-together new sort of magic-caster would be cool to see. Not sure I have much input for that (not really ever seeing the 3rd edition warlock nor other similar ideas), but once a class is there I will take a look and see if I have any constructive input for you. Others around here will surely join in on giving opinions as well... we are good at that.

[Dimirag]

Welcome aboard. If you want to do it on monster format talk with medievalman, he does great monsters. If you want a class/npc you can use something like this:
HD and attack bonus as cleric
Weapon and armor as thieves
Saving as mu
Make a spell list with hex-type spells (use the libram magica for extra spells or ask here)

[LibraryLass]

That's kind of a cool idea. Have you seen the ACKS warlock? It might possibly be to your liking, with a little tweaking. It uses the Magic-user spell list, but at a slightly slower rate of advancement, but it starts with a free familiar (which in my ACKS campaign I replaced with a different ability), and it gets a few more special abilities as it levels. If I was making a warlock I'd use it for my model.

[konrad13]

Okay, my idea is basically this after some brainstorming:
Levels up at the same rate as Cleric with a d6 HD
Gains Attack Bonuses as a Thief/Cleric
Saves a Magic-User
They may use up to Leather Armor
They may use any small or medium bladed weapon
They begin play with a free Familiar

The Warlock gains their powers from pacts with mighty arcane, fey, devilish or other appropriate powerful being, but never from a deity. If an alignment system is used, they must be some form of neutral.

There are four tiers of Hexes. Each tier will, in the released packet when done, have 6 single-target Hexes and 2 area-affecting Hexes (allowing a random roll for Hexes, if the GM wants it that way, on a 1d8).

I have a number of the Hexes concepted now, and here are a few:

Tinder Hex Range: 30 ft.
Warlock 1 Duration: 2 rounds + 1 for every 4 levels

The Warlock ignites a portion of the target creature or it's
surroundings on fire, causing harm and distracting it with
it's strange colors and mystical patterns. The creature
takes 1d4 points of fire damage per round, and suffers a
-1 to it's AC for the same duration.

Slick Hex Range: 50 ft.
Warlock 1 Duration: 1d4-1 rounds (+1 round/4 levels)

The Warlock enchants an area with arcane slipperiness. Any
creature who starts it's turn in the zone or enters it must
make a save versus spells or fall prone to the ground. If it
saves, they do not need to save again for the spells duration.
The Warlock can choose 2 people (1 if they include themselves)
that are not subject to the zone's slipperiness. They must be
adjacent to the Warlock at casting to get this benefit.

Spite Hex Range: 50 ft.
Warlock 2 Duration: 1d6 rounds+1 round/4 levels

The Warlock calls upon the arcane to spite the creature
selected for the Hex. The creature affected take 1d4 damage
and is forced to take a -1 (additional 1/4 levels) to it's attack
roll. It does not take damage on following rounds, but continues
to suffer the penalties to it's attacks. SPECIAL: The Warlock
may use this Hex to harm two creature at once, at the cost of
not forcing an attack penalty. The two creatures must be
within range at casting and in sight of the Warlock.

Venom Hex Range: 40 ft.+10 ft./3 levels
Warlock 3 Duration: 1d6+1 rounds

The Warlock summons an arcane viper which strikes the
creature targeted with it's venomous fangs. The creature
targeted must make a save vs Death Ray/Poison. If it fails,
it suffers 3d6+1/level of damage per round. If it succeeds, it
instead takes 1d6+1/level of damage outright, but does not
suffer any penalty thereafter.

Tangle Hex Range: 50 ft.+10 ft/2 levels
Warlock 3 Duration: 3d6 rounds

Arcane bindings leap out from the ground, grasping for the
feet of all caught in the 25 ft. zone. All creatures in the
zone must make a save vs Spells, or are subject to the
entangling elements. If they fail, they also suffer a -2 to all
attacks and their AC, as they struggle against the moving
and erratic bonds. The Warlock may, at their discretion,
choose two creatures in the zone that are not subject to
the Tangle Hex.

Thoughts so far?

[Dimirag]

Nice job! Attibute req? Int and cha 9?
Its nice to see you dont stick to simply change the spell list. How doesthe hexing mechanism works?

[LibraryLass]

Interesting so far, I think.

[konrad13]

Nice job! Attibute req? Int and cha 9?
Its nice to see you dont stick to simply change the spell list. How doesthe hexing mechanism works?

Yeah, Int and Cha 9 were my original thoughts on the prereqs. As for how the Hexing system works, it's basically the same as spells, only when evoked, they are not calling in a divine patron, nature or the arcane, they are calling for power from their personal patron. It is a nifty concept because the patrons involved are usually aloof and indifferent, and may in fact be tied to the story as per the GMs discretion. A few examples of patrons could be the Summer Queen of the Fey, a horror from beyond the veil of reality, an infernal prince, an archmage of extreme power and age, etc.

[Dimirag]

The roleplay mechanic is good. But how about the game mechanic? It uses the mu spell progression with hex having a spell level equivalent? It can be used once per day per level? Once per opponent per day? Once per opponent per level per day? Etc etc...

[konrad13]

The roleplay mechanic is good. But how about the game mechanic? It uses the mu spell progression with hex having a spell level equivalent? It can be used once per day per level? Once per opponent per day? Once per opponent per level per day? Etc etc...

Ah! I see what you mean now. Level 1 Hexes are useable 4/day +1/4 levels. Level 2 Hexes are useable 3/day +1/4 levels. Level 3 Hexes 2/day +1/4 levels. Level 4 Hexes are useable 1/day +1/5 levels. Im planning a mere handful of level 5 Hexes, but these are really powerful ones that have to be used in rituals and the expend 1/2 of all hexes one can use for the day outright, and will knock out the Warlock if this results in them going into negatives in any level of Hexes (so always be careful and make sure you have the slots still...)