Demonic Possession

tleilaxu

First Post
I've been looking at Mongoose's Demonology handbook. I'm looking for people who have first hand experience using the possession rules to tell me how they play out. Also, what other d20 releases have detailed possession?

How do the rules in the BoVD differ? Which is your favorite system?

(i assume this is a general question not a rules question because i am not talking about mechanics)
 

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Demonology is the superior book, by far, IMHO.

I've never had a case of accidental possession in my game, but a few cases of willing posession (IE, by The Possessed class)... what exactly is it you want to know?
 

What do I want to know?

How do you feel Mongoose's Demonology rules work re/balance, fun, interest?

What other Demonology suppliments are out there? For those with experience with more than one Demonology book, how do they stack up to each other?

Any interesting anecdotes?

That's about it
 

Actualy, to be perfectly honest, I think Demonology can be a bit underpowered.

No, that's not right...

It's not that it's underpowered, exactly, it's that the power you DO get is more than compensated for by the risks of Demonology. But I like this approach to a point... for example, a wizard who trains in demonology isn't going to use it often. Too risky. But it will be something they can DO, if they are pressed into it. And this I like.

But some of it... the possessed prestige class specificly, I think, are actualy too over-compensated. The possessed suffers massive, permanent ability point drain to even be able to use his abilities... doesn't gain any spell levels... can never be resurected, and really doesn't gain THAT much for it... until he reaches really high levels, and can bind some of the really powerfull demons... and demonologists, to be honest, don't tend to live that long in my experience.

Mind you, that part I like. A demonologist puts himself in grave danger whenever he tries to summon a demon. Summoning it is only half the battle... he still has to manage to control the demon. And there are all sorts of modifiers for this... from +s from blood and soul sacrifices, offerings, etc to -s for being unprepared, offering an offensive gift, or having other people around (So no having the rest of your party standing right behind you in case something goes wrong). And a demon uncontrolled is a bad thing (TM).

Generaly most experiences I have had with Demonology have been as a DM, and have ended... tragicly. It always seems like a demonologist tries to push himself too far, too fast... with predictable results. But I'm currently playing a modified Possessed in a friens game, so we shall see how that goes :).
 

I like the Book of Vile Darknesses rules on possession. They are comprehensive, balanced, fit the system well, and cover a lot of areas you would think it would need to cover (like different states of the possessing spirit, ability to sneak past wards and protection, etc.)

Demonology's possession rules are more of a "mishap rules for failed possession" sort of thing, and the DC for it tends to be too high. The possession rules are much less well developed and don't handle as many situations.
 


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