Sauron as a player character in DND 3.5

[Ragnaros.]

I wanted your opinion if it makes sense this build of Sauron as a P.C in DND 3.5

My build of Sauron:

A) Medium Outsider (Ainur, Evil)

B) Divine Rank:
- First age and beginning of second age: 6

- Sauron after forging the One Ring (from S.A: 1693 on): 7

C) Hit Dice and classes:

- First age and beginning of second age: 39d8 +273 (449 hp); 18 artificer, 21 mage;

- After forging the One Ring: 41d8 + 280 (472 hp); 19 artificer, 1 fighter, 23 mage

D) Initiative: +9

E) Speed: 60 ft

F) Armor Class: First age and beginning of second age: 42 (+6 divine, +5 dex, +3 ring, + 18 DB), touch 42, flat-footed 37

After forging the One Ring: 44 (+7 divine, +3 dex, +13 armor, +1 helm, +10 DB) touch 30, flat-footed 41

G) Base Attack/Grapple: +39/+44 , +41/46 Attack: First age and beginning of second age: + 44 touch spell or + 44 ranged spell or by shape

After forging the One Ring: +51 longsword (2d8 + 11, 2d6 vs good opponents, 17-20 x2 +2d6 vs good opponents) melee, or +46 touch spell or + 46 ranged spell

H) Full Attack: First age and beginning of second age: + 44 touch spell or + 44 ranged spell or by shape;

After forging the One Ring: +51/46/41/36 longsword (2d8 + 11, 2d6 vs good opponents, 17-20 x2 +2d6 vs good opponents) melee, or +46 touch spell or + 46 ranged spell

I) Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.

J) Special Attacks: Domain powers, divine abilities, spells .

K) Special Qualities: Divine immunities; Divine senses; Divine aura (600 yards radius, DC 24, or 700 yards radius, DC 26);

L) Saves: Fort +34; Ref +32, Will +33 , Fort +35; Ref +33, Will +35

M) Abilities: Str 21, Dex 20, Con 24, Int 26, Wis 23, Cha 27 , Str 21, Dex 20, Con 25, Int 26, Wis 25, Cha 28

N) Skills: Appraise +28, Bluff +42/43, Climb +15, Concentration +37, Craft (stoneworking + 48/50, metalworking +46/50, gemcutting + 38, weaponsmithing +33), Decipher script + 18, Diplomacy +32/33, Disguise +18/21, Gather information +32/33, Handle animal +18/19, Hide +17, Intimidate +42/43, Jump +15, Knowledge (Arcana +48/50, architecture and engineering +28, Geography +38, History +38/40, Local +38, Nature +38, Nobility and royalty +28), Listen +26, Move silently + 15, Profession (smith + 26/30, architect + 26), Ride +15, Search +28, Sense motive + 28, Spellcraft + 48, Spot +27

O) Feats: Automatic silent spell, Cleave, Combat expertise, Craft epic magic arms and armor,

Craft magic arms and armor, Craft wondrous item, Dodge, Energy substitution, Enlarge spell, Epic reputation, Epic spellcasting, Forge epic ring, Forge ring, Heighten spell, Improved initiative, Improved singing, Maximize spell, Power attack, Quicken spell, Scribe scroll, Silent spell, Widen spell.

After forging the One Ring, add Power critical

P) Alignment: Lawful Evil

Q) Portfolio Darkness, Evil, Treachery, Tyranny Domains Craft, Evil, Trickery;

After S.A. 1693, add Tyrant

R) Divine immunities Immune to polymorphing, petrification, or any other attack that alters its form; not subject to energy drain, ability drain, or ability damage; all those immunities do not apply if the attacker is an ainur of equal or higher rank. Damage reduction 20/epic, darkvision 60 ft., immune electricity, cold and acid (unless the attacker is an ainur with higher DR). Immune to disease, poison, disintegration, paralysis and death effects. Fire resistance 11 or 12. Spell resistance 38 ot 39.

S) Divine abilities Alter form, Craft artifact, Divine glibness, Extra domain, Frightful presence (attacking), Shift form (large constrictor snake, large vampire, large werewolf).

After forging the One Ring, add Extra domain (Tyrant).

After 3319 (Akallabeth), replace Shift form with Divine weapon mastery; after his demise at the end of the second age, replace Divine weapon mastery with Far senses (sight).

Note: after the first destruction of his body in the Akallabeth, Sauron can't use his Alter form ability or spell, even epic, to assume a fair form.

T) Domain powers: Creation spells at +1 level; skill focus (metalworking); cast evil spells at +1 level; cast a wish spell once every day in connection with his domains.

After forging the One Ring, add: all enchantment (compulsion) spells have +2 DC

U) Class abilities: Reduce xp cost: Forge ring, Forge epic ring, Craft magic arms and armor. Favored crafts: stoneworking, metalworking, gemcutting, weaponsmithing.

V) Artificer spells known (1-6): 5/5/4/4/2/2; level 18°, Ability used: Charisma.

Artificer spells per day: 7/7/6/6/3/3; DC 18 + spell level.

Spell Known:

6th level: Fire seeds, Suggestion (mass)

5th level: Command (greater), Fire shield

4 th level: Freedom of movement, Magic weapon (greater) Scrying, Voice of the dragon

3rd level: Bestow curse, Dispel magic, Nondetection, Suggestion,

2nd level: Aid, Arcane lock, Produce flame, Resist energy, Shatter

1st level: Charm person, Command, Endure elements, Magic weapon, Raging fire

W) Mage spells known: 3/10/10/9/10/10/10/10/6/7/4; level 23°. Ability used: Charisma.

Mage spells per day: (level 1-9): 7/7/7/6/5/4/4/3/1; DC 18 + spell level. Spheres: Air/Water, Fire, Illusion, Nature, Sorcery.

Spell known:

9th level: Eruption (Orodruin), Dominate monster, Shapechange, Hold Monster, mass

8th level: Simpathy, Create Greater Undead (Nazgûl), Screen (over Mordor), Charm Monster, Mass, Prying Eyes, Greater, Trap the Soul, Protection from Spells

7th level: Control weather, Limited wish, Control Undead, Hold Person, Mass, Earthquake,

6th level: Mastery of forms, Veil, Eyebite, Create Undead, Symbol of Persuasion, Heroism, Greater, True Seeing, Repulsion, Dispel Magic, Greater, Antimagic Field

5th level: Permanency, Telekinesis, Magic Jar, Nightmare, Wall of Force, Feeblemind, Hold Monster, Dominate Person, Telepathic Bond, Major Creation

4th level: Contagion, Fear, Enervation, Ice Storm, Geas, Lesser, Crushing Despair, Confusion, Charm Monster, Scrying, Stoneskin

3rd level: Magic Weapon, Greater, Dispel magic, Halt Undead, Major image, Suggestion, Hold Person, Heroism, Protection from Energy, Dispel Magic

2nd level: Darkness, Darkvision, Alter Self, Scare, Command Undead, Minor Image, Scorching Ray, See Invisibility, Detect Thoughts, Resist Energy

1st level: Cause fear, Charm animal, Magic Weapon, Disguise Self, Burning Hands, True Strike, Comprehend Languages, Unseen Servant, Protection from Chaos/Evil/Good/Law, Endure Elements

0th level: Prestidigitation, Arcane Mark, Resistance

Epic spells known: 7. Epic spells per day: 4; spellcraft check +48

Mage spells per day: (level 1-9): 8/7/7/6/6/4/4/3/2; DC 19 + spell level[/SPOILER]

Some of Sauron's Spells from the books:

Spoiler: Sauron's Spells from the books

- Volcano Control? - 9th level spell?

"There above the valley of Gorgoroth was built his fortress vast and strong, Barad-dûr, the Dark Tower; and there was a fiery mountain in that land that the Elves named Orodruin. Indeed for that reason Sauron had set there his dwelling long before, for he used the fire that welled there from the heart of the earth in his sorceries and in his forging; and in the midst of the Land of Mordor he had fashioned the Ruling Ring"

"Now Sauron prepared war against the Eldar and the Men of Westernesse, and the fires of the Mountain were wakened again."

- Earthquake

"I don’t know,’ said Frodo. ‘It’s been going on for a good while now. Sometimes the ground seems to tremble, sometimes it seems to be the heavy air throbbing in your ears."

"But it was too late. At that moment the rock quivered and trembled beneath them. The great rumbling noise, louder than ever before, rolled in the ground and echoed in the mountains."

- Control Weather

"The skirts of the storm were lifting, ragged and wet, and the main battle had passed to spread its great wings over the Emyn Muil, upon which the dark thought of Sauron brooded for a while. Thence it turned, smiting the Vale of Anduin with hail and lightning, and casting its shadow upon Minas Tirith with threat of war."

- Dominate Monster - Orcs, Trolls, Nazgûl, Wargs:

"From all his policies and webs of fear and treachery, from all his stratagems and wars his mind shook free; and throughout his realm a tremor ran, his slaves quailed, and his armies halted, and his captains suddenly steerless, bereft of will, wavered and despaired. For they were forgotten. The whole mind and purpose of the Power that wielded them was now bent with overwhelming force upon the Mountain."

"But the Nazgûl turned and fled, and vanished into Mordor's shadows, hearing a sudden terrible call out of the Dark Tower; and even at that moment all the hosts of Mordor trembled, doubt clutched their hearts, their laughter failed, their hands shook and their limbs were loosed. The Power that drove them on and filled them with hate and fury was wavering, its will was removed from them;"

- Sympathy - the attraction of Gollum and all evils to Mordor:

"Yes, to Mordor,’ said Gandalf. ‘Alas! Mordor draws all wicked things, and the Dark Power was bending all its will to gather them there."

- Antimagic field?

"In his great need he drew out once more the phial of Galadriel, but it was pale and cold in his trembling hand and threw no light into that stifling dark. He was come to the heart of the realm of Sauron and the forges of his

Spoiler: Sauron's Spells

ancient might, greatest in Middle-earth; all other powers were here subdued."

"But the Temple itself was unshaken, and Sauron stood there upon the pinnacle and defied the lightning and was unharmed"

Spoiler: Sauron's Spells

- Mass suggestion/Mass charm person?

"Ar-Pharazôn, as is told in the 'Downfall' or Akallabêth, conquered a terrified Sauron's subjects, not Sauron. Sauron's personal 'surrender' was voluntary and cunning* he got free transport to Numenor! He naturally had the One Ring, and so very soon dominated the minds and wills of most of the Númenóreans"

- Create undead? The Nazgûl, Barrow Wight

- Shapechange - Werewolve, serpent, vampire, Annatar

Then Sauron shifted shape, from wolf to serpent, and from monster to his own accustomed form;
(...) And immediately he took the form of a vampire, great as a dark cloud across the moon (...) and the most perilous, for he could assume many forms, and for long if he willed he could still appear noble and beautiful, so as to deceive all but the most wary

- Self resurrect - twice. With and without the ring.

- Aura of Terror;

- Disease? The Great Plague in third age;

Sauron's Deeds:

Spoiler: Sauron's Deeds

I think that He called himself Tar-Mairon, the GREAT (like the Mouth of Sauron called him).

And he really deserves the nickname. If we look at Sauron's "career", he accomplished some feats that few characters can match:

A) In the beginning:

- Was a spy for Melkor in the Court of the Valar, providing vital information and (theoretically) structurally weakening the lamps to be dropped by Melkor.

- Lieutenant of Melkor in Angband in the War of Powers to threaten the flank of the Valar in the siege of Utumno.

- Managed to escape, when wanted by the Valar, after the fall of Utumno.

- Participated in the corruption and creation of the Orcs. The accursed race multiplied, while Melkor was imprisoned in Valinor; already thinking of a numerous force to his master.

- Must have helped rebuild Angband for Melkor's return.

B) In the First Age:

- Took the fortress of Tol Sirion, when it was blessed by the power of Ulmo.

- Imprisoned evil spirits in beasts and created Werewolves.

- With Necromancy and illusion, destroyed an experienced guerrilla group.

- He was able to face the "clash of wills" against Mélian, the Maia.

- Fought and defeated Finrod in the "Battle of Songs of Power".

- He was defeated by the Hound of Oromë (immune against magic), but he was fighting Fate Itself as well.

C) In the second age:

- Religiously engineered the prehistoric men of Middle-earth through displaying powers, occult knowledge of metallurgy and engineering.

- Tricked the elves into creating rings and created the One. Through the One he was able to control the Morgoth Ingredient present in matter. In this way he controlled monsters, human kingdoms, animals and increased his power over the Earth (storms, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions).

- Gave 7 rings to the dwarves. They grew rich, but they attracted Balrogs, dragons, and misfortunes.

- Gave the men 9 rings. And these men must have launched dynasties in Harad, Rhûn, Khand, &c. And created the Nazgûl.

- Feigned to be captured by Númenor. From political prisoner he became the king's greatest adviser and high priest.

- Defeated the Valar's lightnings. Used spells to break the barrier of clouds that surrounded Valinor to help Ar-pharazôn's Navy.

- Was physically destroyed by Eru, but survived and "resurrected".

- Even weakened, managed to (telepathically) control half of all creatures, animals or rational beings. And Monster in the Battle of Dagorlad.

- Even weakened, he defeated Gil-galad and Elendil.

D) In the third age:

- Without the One Ring, he was capable of earthquakes, control the weather, volcanic eruptions.

- Gathered (by force of will/presence) Orcs, Trolls, Wargs and other monsters.

- He must have caused the great plague in the Third Age that devastated the realms of men.

- Caused Arnor's downfall.

- He physically rebuilt himself for the second time, without the One Ring in his hand. And still filled Mirkwood with darkness and monsters.

- Rebuilt the entire hierarchical structure and its armies to attack Middle-earth.

 

[Omand]

I would say, as in your previous thread, the answer you are going to get is that Sauron cannot be built as a PC in any edition of D&D.

By lore in the Tolkien mythos he is a fallen angel, possibly approaching the power of a god when the One Ring is involved. Even without the One Ring being involved he is likely more powerful than any other being in Middle Earth (with the possible exception of Gandalf, and likely not even that exception because Gandalf's whole purpose is to advise and guide, not be naked power incarnate).

So, TLDR, no Sauron does not work as a PC.

Cheers

 

[GreyLord]

Go for it.

I remember from the MERP days...if I recall right...Maiar were super ridiculous levels though.

Saruman was something like 50th level.

I'd imagine Morgoth or one of those like him to be something like 150th to 200th level.

So...Sauron probably is in the right range for what you are wanting if he was a PC...in a VERY HL game.

 

[RuinousPowers]

I would lean towards Artificer/Cleric more than Mage.

 

[Man in the Funny Hat]

Any player in MY campaigns would never get away with being anything like as powerful as Sauron, nor even if they weren't ever as powerful, to act like Sauron acts and still expect to remain a PC like those run by the others at the table. His "build" therefore would be moot.

Sauron as an NPC does whatever I want/need him to be/do and I would feel no compulsion to have a build for him adhering to anything like the restrictions that a PLAYER character would have. Again, the "build" would be moot.

 

[ThrorII]

Don't forget, Sauron was killed by a High Elf and a Man (Gil-Galad and Elendil) in single combat. Yes, they both died in the process, but they did kill Sauron. I'm always leary of statting up things as 40th level X and 26th level Y, with 5,003 hit points just for that reason.

 

[Ragnaros.]

Don't forget, Sauron was killed by a High Elf and a Man (Gil-Galad and Elendil) in single combat. Yes, they both died in the process, but they did kill Sauron. I'm always leary of statting up things as 40th level X and 26th level Y, with 5,003 hit points just for that reason.

The Sauron defeated by Gil Galad and Elendil was greatly weakened after the Fall of Númenor! He was not in his peak!

"Sauron was, of course, 'confounded' by the disaster, and diminished (having expended enormous energy in the corruption of Númenor). He needed time for his own bodily rehabilitation, and for gaining control over his former subjects. He was attacked by Gil-galad and Elendil before his new domination was fully established" - Letter 211

 

[Omand]

Don't forget, Sauron was killed by a High Elf and a Man (Gil-Galad and Elendil) in single combat. Yes, they both died in the process, but they did kill Sauron. I'm always leary of statting up things as 40th level X and 26th level Y, with 5,003 hit points just for that reason.

Except, they did not kill him.

They dis-embodied him (got rid of his physical form), but his spirit was still intact and able to reform. Hence all of Third Age Middle Earth and LotR et al.

 

[Celebrim]

I very much lean towards the "Gandalf was a 6th level magic user" end of the spectrum. I mean, Gandalf is a bit more than that and depending on the edition we could go into how he's a bit more than that, but I think he's much closer to that than a 20th (or higher) level character.

Likewise, I'd stat Sauron in the third age as something like a Specter/Ghost Sorcerer 11.

The sort of power you are talking about simply shows up nowhere in the story.

 

[Ragnaros.]

I very much lean towards the "Gandalf was a 6th level magic user" end of the spectrum. I mean, Gandalf is a bit more than that and depending on the edition we could go into how he's a bit more than that, but I think he's much closer to that than a 20th (or higher) level character.

Likewise, I'd state Sauron in the third age as something like a Specter/Ghost Sorcerer 11.

The sort of power you are talking about simply shows up nowhere in the story.

But the Sauron's powers mentioned do appear in the books:

- Volcano Control? - 9th level spell?

"There above the valley of Gorgoroth was built his fortress vast and strong, Barad-dûr, the Dark Tower; and there was a fiery mountain in that land that the Elves named Orodruin. Indeed for that reason Sauron had set there his dwelling long before, for he used the fire that welled there from the heart of the earth in his sorceries and in his forging; and in the midst of the Land of Mordor he had fashioned the Ruling Ring"

"Now Sauron prepared war against the Eldar and the Men of Westernesse, and the fires of the Mountain were wakened again."

- Earthquake

"I don’t know,’ said Frodo. ‘It’s been going on for a good while now. Sometimes the ground seems to tremble, sometimes it seems to be the heavy air throbbing in your ears."

"But it was too late. At that moment the rock quivered and trembled beneath them. The great rumbling noise, louder than ever before, rolled in the ground and echoed in the mountains

- Control Weather

"The skirts of the storm were lifting, ragged and wet, and the main battle had passed to spread its great wings over the Emyn Muil, upon which the dark thought of Sauron brooded for a while. Thence it turned, smiting the Vale of Anduin with hail and lightning, and casting its shadow upon Minas Tirith with threat of war."

- Dominate Monster - Orcs, Trolls, Nazgûl, Wargs:

"From all his policies and webs of fear and treachery, from all his stratagems and wars his mind shook free; and throughout his realm a tremor ran, his slaves quailed, and his armies halted, and his captains suddenly steerless, bereft of will, wavered and despaired. For they were forgotten. The whole mind and purpose of the Power that wielded them was now bent with overwhelming force upon the Mountain."

"But the Nazgûl turned and fled, and vanished into Mordor's shadows, hearing a sudden terrible call out of the Dark Tower; and even at that moment all the hosts of Mordor trembled, doubt clutched their hearts, their laughter failed, their hands shook and their limbs were loosed. The Power that drove them on and filled them with hate and fury was wavering, its will was removed from them

- Sympathy - the attraction of Gollum and all evils to Mordor:

"Yes, to Mordor,’ said Gandalf. ‘Alas! Mordor draws all wicked things, and the Dark Power was bending all its will to gather them there."

- Antimagic field:

"In his great need he drew out once more the phial of Galadriel, but it was pale and cold in his trembling hand and threw no light into that stifling dark. He was come to the heart of the realm of Sauron and the forges of his ancient might, greatest in Middle-earth; all other powers were here subdued."

"But the Temple itself was unshaken, and Sauron stood there upon the pinnacle and defied the lightning and was unharmed"

- Mass suggestion/Mass charm person:

"Ar-Pharazôn, as is told in the 'Downfall' or Akallabêth, conquered a terrified Sauron's subjects, not Sauron. Sauron's personal 'surrender' was voluntary and cunning* he got free transport to Numenor! He naturally had the One Ring, and so very soon dominated the minds and wills of most of the Númenóreans"

- Create undead: The Nazgûl, Barrow Wight

- Shapechange:

Then Sauron shifted shape, from wolf to serpent, and from monster to his own accustomed form;
(...) And immediately he took the form of a vampire, great as a dark cloud across the moon (...) and the most perilous, for he could assume many forms, and for long if he willed he could still appear noble and beautiful, so as to deceive all but the most wary

- Self resurrect - twice. With and without the ring.

- Aura of Terror;

- Disease: The Great Plague in third age;