Mmmm...Libris Mortis.

[Obfuscated]

Where did I get my Libris Mortis Fix?

I got my dose of undead goodness all thanks to my FLGS! They usually have the newest releases right on schedule.

Amazon, on the other hand, doesn't get their WotC books until 1-2 weeks after the distributors have sent them to all the FLGS.

 

[Zuoken]

Very interesting, it's very nice to know that WoTC has held the product to the same level of quality as the Draconomicon.

One question: How much focus is given to ghosts and other incorporeal undead in the book? I plan on them being a major evil force in my world and I did not like the benevolent outlook that Ghostwalk put most of them in.

 

[Mouseferatu]

I'll admit that, while powerful, the Mystic Theurge is not totally unbalanced. However, what would you say about a Mystic Theurge with very powerful class abilities at every level in addition to the double caster progression? The True Necromancer does get 8th and 9th level spells as class abilities, which he can cast for free 1-2 times per day each. What other PrC gets class abilities as powerful as Wail of the Banshee (all in area save or die) and Horrid Wilting (19d6 damage to all in area at 20th lvl)? And the Necromantic Prowess ability means that by 20th level, he casts necro spells as a 19th level Arcane/Divine caster! Unlike the Theurge, he also still advances in his Rebuke Undead power, and he acts as if he always has the Desecrate spell active. In a single spellcaster, these powers may be balanced, but the tradition of double caster advancement (Mystic Theurge, Psychic Theurge, and Cerebromancer) has always had absolutely no class abilities at all... no bonus powers or feats of any kind, since the double caster progression is plenty. Not only does the True Nec break that tradition, it does so in a big way...

The necromancer gains one or two 8th and 9th level abilitiles, and they're fixed--he'll never be able to gain any others. And he'll never have 9th level spells, since a maxed-out TN is effectively a 15th-level caster in each class. That's less advancement than the MT, and therefore (IMO) justifies the extra abilities.

What you wind up with is a class that, when it comes to necromancy, is probably more powerful than a straight 20-level cleric or wizard (although even then, he's only 19 caster level), and when it comes to all other magics but necromancy is notably weaker. Sounds like exactly what a necromancer PrC should be, to me, and I don't find it unbalanced at all.

 

[Samurai]

The necromancer gains one or two 8th and 9th level abilitiles, and they're fixed--he'll never be able to gain any others. And he'll never have 9th level spells, since a maxed-out TN is effectively a 15th-level caster in each class. That's less advancement than the MT, and therefore (IMO) justifies the extra abilities.

What you wind up with is a class that, when it comes to necromancy, is probably more powerful than a straight 20-level cleric or wizard (although even then, he's only 19 caster level), and when it comes to all other magics but necromancy is notably weaker. Sounds like exactly what a necromancer PrC should be, to me, and I don't find it unbalanced at all.

That is not less advancement than a Mystic Theurge... the MT is only a 10 level PrC. MT can be entered at 7th level, same as TrNec, but it'll end at level 16. Assuming he then takes 2 more levels each in Wizard and Cleric, that leaves him a 15/15 caster as well, but without any of the powerful abilities a TrNec gets.

 

[Nightfall]

Thats easily the lamest name I've ever heard for a diety.

What's so special about that fellow?

You joke I know...but when it comes to Undead Orcus is da'bomb. No doubt about it, I mean only HE would create skeletons you can't turn! Black Skeletons of Rappan Athuk are STILL my favorite little things to toss out.

Anyway thanks to the fellows that have the book for the thing on Orcus. (Just a brief summary of the one page guys! Please!)

Also could I have a short one sentence summary and list of the monsters in this book.

List of spells perhaps?

(Just curious Ari, you think about half this book would be good in a Hollowfaust game? Or is it more suited to Glivid Autel?)

 

[TwoSix]

That is not less advancement than a Mystic Theurge... the MT is only a 10 level PrC. MT can be entered at 7th level, same as TrNec, but it'll end at level 16. Assuming he then takes 2 more levels each in Wizard and Cleric, that leaves him a 15/15 caster as well, but without any of the powerful abilities a TrNec gets.

Yes, but the MT allows you to get 9th level spells, since you can take 4 levels of wizard or 4 levels of cleric after the progression ends, ending up as a 17/13 caster. Getting 9th level spells at lvl 20 is just barely acceptable from a power standpoint, which is the factor that makes the MT fairly well-balanced (although underpowered at the mid-levels). If the True Necromancer hadn't given special powers to compensate for the 5-level (!) casting loss, it would have been completely unacceptable.

 

[ForceUser]

Maybe you can answer a question for me.

In a fairly recent dragon - I think it was 309, I wrote up an article containing three prestige classes for Bards, one of which was the Mourner. It was originally a 10 level class, but they kind of gutted it and took out the upper 5 levels of progression.

The Mourner had the ability to seal a dead body from the effects of necromantic magic permanently, and the ability to restore the undead to death with the power of their mournful dirge.

Is the Dirgesinger the same, only with a different name? Could you maybe list the class abilities and put a really short summary of the class' purpose?

Thanks;
Patrick Younts

Quite the opposite, actually. The dirgesinger's 5th-level song allows them to animate an undead creature for the duration of their performance. They also get songs that allow them to weaken the attacks & damage capabilities of enemies, sap their Strength, and frighten them. Dirgesingers have no spellcasting ability, either, since their songs are more powerful than standard bardic music.

 

[Nightfall]

Wonder how they'd compare with say Mourner of Hollowfaust Pr-class from Hollowfaust...

Just thinking maybe I might use Dirgesinger as an alternative version of Mourner for Glivid Autel.

 

[cignus_pfaccari]

One question: How much focus is given to ghosts and other incorporeal undead in the book? I plan on them being a major evil force in my world and I did not like the benevolent outlook that Ghostwalk put most of them in.

Quite a bit, actually. There are loads of feats and stuff for incorporeals, like a feat that lets them pick stuff up (which is problematic...so, I have a Str of -, how can I pick anything up?), a weapon enhancement that allows you to sneak attack and crit incorporeal undead as well as being ghost touch, the aforementioned incorporeal class, etc. It's not the primary focus, but incoporeality is very present.

Brad

 

[Doug McCrae]

What are the requirements for True Necromancer?

I'm a 4th level wizard-necromancer in our Thursday night game and I'd like to steer my PC in that direction. Going to buy Libris Mortis when it's available on Amazon.