Lord of Corruption BBEG, suggestions?

[Ambrus]

For the last two years in my home campaign, I've been laying the foundation for the appearance of a BBEG elf, who in a past incarnation, was an epic level wizard who got utterly corrupted by an artifact he was trying to safeguard. He became the embodiment of corruption itself, turning all those he encountered to evil by his very presence. He eventually made a bid for power and tried to wield the power of this artifact to seize control from the rightful elven queen and corrupt the world entire. Luckily he was slain by righteous heroes. The PCs learned all of this while hunting down the long lost artifact responsible for those events. What they have yet to realize is that all slain elves eventually reincarnate in my campaign setting.

The NPC was eventually reborn as a Fey'ri (from the Forgotten Realms CS). The corruption of his soul persists even in his present incarnation and he himself is slowly becoming aware of his past. His development has mirrored that of his past life, though he hasn't yet reached the epic power he once had. He's studied wizardry and has even begun summoning evil outsiders.

What I'd like from you guys is some help fleshing out the details of my BBEG's build. Since my PCs are now 10th level he has to be of a ECL to challenge them directly and overtly through his evil minions (a sort of cabal of infernalists). I imagine him as making heavy use of both enchantment and summoning spells to corrupt the innocent and raise an infernal army. The best prestige class I've found for a "corrupter of souls" seems to be the Mindbender, though it's spellcasting loss combined with a Fey-ri's ECL makes for a substancial loss of magic power. Can anyone suggest a good optimized build for this bad guy beyond "evil 15th level wizard"? Something that will make the PCs fear his very presence and hint at his soul's ancient potential?

 

[Bryin]

give the wizard a demon or devil bloodline of moderate or major and a imp or or a small devil with sor7 and a magic item feat.

 

[Ambrus]

Thanks Bryin. Well, I'd already considered giving him the improved familiar feat to take an imp as a familiar or the leadership feat to provide some type of infernal cohort. Also casting summoning spells will give him some infernal help when he needs it. A fey-ri is already a half-elf/half-demon hybrid of sorts with an increased ECL. I think giving him a demon bloodline would be somewhat redundant and may just reduce his effectiveness.

What I'd like would be some type of soul corrupting ability that he could use to control those around him. Anyone have any other suggestions?

 

[Darren]

The Book of Vile Darkness has a few PrCs that might fit your character. They work well for an evil wizard seeking power, but maybe not so well if your main focus is on corruption, unless it is corruption through manipulation.

Diabolist, for lawful-evil wizard types. They get to keep their spell progression of their existing class as they advance in level, gain an imp familiar, and can choose to enhance some of their spells to do additional unholy damage. Downside: when the diabolist dies, his soul becomes the permanent possession of a powerful devil. Not sure how this would work for your reincarnation theme.

Demonologist, for chaotic-evil wizard types. They gain the spell-like abilities to charm, hold, or dominate demons (as the spell for a person) as they advance in levels, a quasit familiar, and enhanced summoning power that lets them summon from a summon monster list several levels higher than they normally could. Downside: they have their own spell list and spell progression, so you will miss out on some of the high-level wizard spells.

Thrall of Graz'zt, for any evil wizard type. They gain spells from their existing class at every other level, a charm spell-like ability, charisma bonuses when dealing with evil creatures, and extra damage to spells when a target is denied its dexterity bonus, similar to a sneak attack. Downside: the theme of the class is more of betrayal than corruption of souls.

Disciple of Asmodeus, for non-chaotic wizard types. Gain spells from their existing class at every other level, and gain a bonus to gather information checks to learn secrets. At higher levels they gain abilities similar to mass suggestion and greater planar ally. Downside: still not quite a corrupter of souls, but may come close with its themes of power, control, blackmail, and manipulation.

Edit: the only other thing that comes to mind is making him a vampire with a few vampire spawn and dominated mortals, but that might be a bit cliche...