[FR] To Chosen or Not to Chosen...

[Paladin]

IMC, a PC has effectively become the High Priest of Mystra. He's just reached 20th level (Human Male NG Cleric 13/Divine Disciple 5/Contemplative 2 of Mystra). We plan on keeping the campaign going and using the Epic Level rules.

My question is: should he be rewarded with Chosen status?

The player is my best role-player and has at every possible instance put the Church of Mystra, her dogma, and the overall good of the Realms first. If he should be rewarded like this, I'm trying to decide whether or not he should be granted this as he has just reached 20th level (gaining 20th level when he and the party defeated a major Shadovar plot in the North), or should he have to go on an epic quest to "earn" it? He even had his character permanently enlarged to always show those he meets the power of magic. Nine foot humans are pretty rare, so he figured he's always going to get asked, "How'd you get so tall/big?" He says, "By the might of Mystra, of course. Do you know of her teachings?"

I think he's done enough, but I would like your thoughts.

 

[Rackhir]

Well, if they are that much of a role player and have gone to those efforts for the Church, they'd probably enjoy having to go on a quest to Earn the status, rather that just be given it. But you know your players best.

 

[Davelozzi]

I'm not really familiar with the Chosen template, but the question I'd be asking myself if I were you is if you grant the status, would this character then completely outshine the rest of the party? If so, I'd say no. If yes, maybe, although I would probably require a quest of some sort.

 

[Nightfall]

Well there's two ways I can see this working out. One is what I call the In Crowd effect. The other is the Undead Dragon Workout.

Basically falls like this: IF you want him IN the campaign AS a PC, but aren't sure that means he will outshine the party, then I'd do the epic quest thing. Elminster went through it, so should he.

Or you could have him become Chosen ONLY to have him later on FALL and thus become the NEW Evil guy for your OTHER PCs having to fight. One of the fun things is even if he loses chosen status, he's got PLENTY of other magic gods to fall back on, especially evil ones.

 

[Paladin]

I'm not really familiar with the Chosen template, but the question I'd be asking myself if I were you is if you grant the status, would this character then completely outshine the rest of the party? If so, I'd say no. If yes, maybe, although I would probably require a quest of some sort.

The Chosen of Mystra template grants one bonus spell of 1st through 9th level usable as a spell-like ability once a day. It also grants immunity to one spell, 1st - 9th level. Other immunities include aging, disease, disintegration and poison. Other boons: no need to sleep, permanent detect magic, the ability to use Silver Fire (raw magic energy) and a +10 enhancement bonus to Constitution.

Basically, all of these abilities can be accomplished through magic items or spells, but having them as innate abilities is a pretty hefty reward. I think I will have him wait until around 25th level, that should take quite a while and I'll have him quest for something at every level between 20 to 25. After all, by that time we should have the Epic Level Handbook, and that would allow the other party members to catch up somewhat in the overall power level.

Thanks for the feedback guys.

 

[Crothian]

How about slowly rewarding him with the abilities over the next 5 or so levels? As he does more and more for the Church he geats another ability. That way he doesn't get it all at once and if at any point it seems to be getting to strong, you can stop it there.

 

[Paladin]

How about slowly rewarding him with the abilities over the next 5 or so levels? As he does more and more for the Church he geats another ability. That way he doesn't get it all at once and if at any point it seems to be getting to strong, you can stop it there.

I like that idea Crothian. Perhaps while training for 20th level, his Constitution enhancement kicks in......at 21st he gains immunity to aging, disease, disintegration and poison, and so on. This way it'll give him the abilities like a Prestige Class. Cool idea.

 

[jollyninja]

from what you have said, he has done as much if not more then alot of mystra's previous chosen, give it to him. but do not tell him that you are going to do it, here's hoping that he doesn't go nuts with power.

 

[Green Knight]

Slightly Off-Topic: I can't wait til Faiths and Pantheons comes out in May. That's gonna detail the Chosen for the top 30 gods. I'd LOVE to have a character become a Chosen of Torm some day.

Anyway, I say have him quest for it. Only he doesn't collect any experience. Keep track of the amount of experience he earns in his questing, though. Once it's enough to make him 24th level, THEN make him Chosen. That way all the other characters will be caught up with him. They'll be 24th level, and he'll be 20th level Chosen (which means all of them will be ECL 24).

 

[PenguinKing]

I like that idea Crothian. Perhaps while training for 20th level, his Constitution enhancement kicks in......at 21st he gains immunity to aging, disease, disintegration and poison, and so on. This way it'll give him the abilities like a Prestige Class. Cool idea.

Keep in mind that the "Chosen of Mystra" template is something like +4 ECL - so if you're going to give him the abilities over 4 levels, that's all he should get for those levels (to keep his effective character level in line with the character levels of the other members of the party).

- Sir Bob.

P.S. Nih!