Hopefully quick questions

[Aesmael]

I was wondering if Alhoons are mechanically any different from slapping a lich template on a mindflayer. Heard that a dracolich is simply dragon+lich, so probably not, but best to be sure. Also, there was, I believe, an illithid focused prc in Savage Species. Has that been updated? Does it need to be?
One more question before I embark on a journey into the great ocean of results that is google: anyone know the name for the practice of binding a weapon so that it cannot be drawn, or if it is that it will at least be noticeable? The phrase 'peace-bond' springs to mind, but that might just be Wheel of Time memories speaking.
Gracias

 

[glass]

I was wondering if Alhoons are mechanically any different from slapping a lich template on a mindflayer. Heard that a dracolich is simply dragon+lich, so probably not, but best to be sure. Also, there was, I believe, an illithid focused prc in Savage Species. Has that been updated? Does it need to be?

I'd say it's up to you. I am not sure if there is a specific alhoon template out there anywhere, but if not you could create your own using the lich template as a base. I like the idea of alhoons being different for flavour reasons. OTOH, just wanging a lich template on a standard ilithid spellcaster would work fine too, and be somewhat easier.

BTW, there is a specific Dracolich template (in FRcs; probably other places too), which is similar to the lich template but not identical.

One more question before I embark on a journey into the great ocean of results that is google: anyone know the name for the practice of binding a weapon so that it cannot be drawn, or if it is that it will at least be noticeable? The phrase 'peace-bond' springs to mind, but that might just be Wheel of Time memories speaking.

Peace-bonding sounds good to me. Mind you, I have read Wheel of Time too, but I think I heard the term before that.


glass.

 

[Whisper72]

The practice of binding a weapon so it cannot be easily drawn is called peacebonding in the Forgotton Realms as well, so it is prolly the 'regular' name for it...

 

[Mouseferatu]

"Peace-bonding" is also a term used by Rennies (Renaissance Faire folk) everywhere. While I don't know if that means it's historically accurate--some Rennies know more about history than others--you can be fairly sure it's not original to Wot or FR.

 

[Piratecat]

Vrroom, off to Rules.

 

[Davelozzi]

I was wondering if Alhoons are mechanically any different from slapping a lich template on a mindflayer.

Alhoons appear in Monsters of Faerun in the lich entry. They use the general lich stats, though the entry in MoF has some additional options for lich powers that didn't appear in the Monster Manual (at least not 3.0, I didn't check to see if they were added into the 3.5 version).

 

[Aesmael]

Well, thanks for the answers. Pretty sure there were no options presented in the srd, so standard lich it is. They're scary enough anyway. Anyone care to comment on the illithid class?

Btw, one of the great things about no one in the group having ever played before is that you can use names like 'Ilsensine Empire' with impunity.

 

[noeuphoria]

The illithid class is the illithid savant from Savage Species. And the mechanics of it are pretty weird, I believe they get abilities from brains they eat, eventually even getting (su) or (ex) ones. If you ask me, that's begging for munchkinism. But you sound like you have a hand on your campaign.

 

[Aesmael]

Thanks again. I saw the epic advancement for it on Wizard's website and it seemed like a good fit, but not essential. I won't be buying Savage Species for just the one class.
As for having it under control, that's debatable. But I am of the opinion that a well-run illithid is one the players never hear of.