(BOVD) A question concerning Steal Life

[Edena_of_Neith]

This question should go to Monte Cook, but where did that thread go?

Here are the questions on the spell:

Are the effects of this spell permanent? (They seem to be.)
That is, can I concentrate, and start upping my strength, then dexterity, then constitution, etc. by 1 point each per round, and have that be permanent?
Or, be younger permanently?

If the answer is no, is there a 9th level (or Epic Level) version of Steal Life that does allow permanent ability transfers?

Also, can any of the spells that leech abilities from the BOVD be made Permanent?

- - -

The Bloodstone Pendant from Dragonlance allowed this kind of permanent ability transfer (on a truly grand scale.)
It was how Fistandantilus, and ultimately Raistlin, became the greatest mages Krynn had ever known.
And of course, it was very, very evil ...

 

[00durrin]

I don't believe that you gain ability points. It simply says it drains life force away from the target and adds to your own (this does not mean you gain ability points...it goes on to explain that what you gain is a week of your life back).

The answer then is no, you cannot gain ability points permanently because this spell does not allow you to gain ability points at all (only to drain them from the victim). I'm not sure whether the drain is permanent for the victim or if they get another saving throw to get the ability points back after a day of rest...

As for the youth effect, yes, that is permanent. You could grow several years younger off a normal human if you completely drained them to CON 0.

The questions I would have about this spell are
1. Does the victim get a saving throw for each ability point the caster tries to drain? Or just for the spell initially?
2. Is the ability drain permanent for the victim? (i.e. do they recover ability points as normal or do they have to roll to see if they return)

 

[Arcturus_Rugend]

I read the spell like this:

1) The save is just for the initial time the spell is cast. After that, you need to break the caster's concentration.

2) The spell description says "ability drain" which is different than "ability damage." See the DMG p. 83. Ability drain is permanent, while ability damage is temporary.

In summary, this spell is NASTY.

 

[Edena_of_Neith]

What a pity!

You mean that, after 15th levels of fiendish evil, no just reward for the poor, abused, evil spellcaster?
No instant, permanent 30 to 50 in all stats?
(cries)

But you just wait!
There will be Epic Vile spells, and perhaps one of them WILL allow for permanent stat transfers.

Then Watch Out World!

 

[Edena_of_Neith]

And just think, with Steal Life, the poor abused evil mage will gain all the time he or she needs to reach those Epic Levels, for he or she will remain youthful.
After several hundred years (and thousands of victims of Steal Life), I'm sure the evil wizard will find the answer to the question of permanent ability stat transfers!

 

[Tar-Edhel]

This question should go to Monte Cook, but where did that thread go?

Not that I mind you asking BOVD questions here but since you asked

Go to Miscelaneous Monte's project. You'll find many BOVD related topics. The first thread: BOVD Questions. Monte answers questions personnaly there.

 

[Darkness]

What a pity!

You mean that, after 15th levels of fiendish evil, no just reward for the poor, abused, evil spellcaster?
No instant, permanent 30 to 50 in all stats?
(cries)

But you just wait!
There will be Epic Vile spells, and perhaps one of them WILL allow for permanent stat transfers.

Then Watch Out World!

Try this for a start:
http://www.wizards.com/dnd/article.asp?x=dnd/ei/ei20021110a

Not that I mind you asking BOVD questions here but since you asked

Go to Miscelaneous Monte's project. You'll find many BOVD related topics. The first thread: BOVD Questions. Monte answers questions personnaly there.

http://pub58.ezboard.com/fokayyourturnfrm4
The "Monte answers" thread is no longer open, though...

 

[Edena_of_Neith]

Thanks much, Darkness, Tar-Edhel.