Mmmm...Libris Mortis.

[Felon]

IMO Draconomicon was an outstanding book that greatly exceeded expectaions. It isn't a good plan to make that your new standard because it just is not going to happen.

Yes, Dragonomicon was extremely impressive. That was a big, beautiful book. Libris Mortis isn't quite in that league, and if makes some rather obvious blunders--lots of space wasted on unplayable monster classes for one thing, when what really needed to be presented were templates for bodaks, mohrgs, and other undead that haven't had templates yet--but there are more hits than misses.

 

[Nightfall]

So it's not perfect. So what? It still has Orcus mentioned in it! That alone makes it a 3.

 

[Garnfellow]

Could someone please provide some details on the gravetouched ghoul?

BUMP?

 

[BryonD]

Yes, Dragonomicon was extremely impressive. That was a big, beautiful book. Libris Mortis isn't quite in that league, and if makes some rather obvious blunders--lots of space wasted on unplayable monster classes for one thing, when what really needed to be presented were templates for bodaks, mohrgs, and other undead that haven't had templates yet--but there are more hits than misses.

Yeah, I will agree with that.
I also wish it had been a little less monster manual-ish, and more on the exploring the undead we know and loath.
But all-in-all it is good enough.

 

[BryonD]

Gravetouched ghoul is pretty much just a template for making a ghoul version of most anything.

It becomes an undead with a disease bite and paralysis touch and bite.
Gain a little natural armor and ability bumps.
Keep all its original abilities.

CR+1

 

[Vocenoctum]

to interject (and I think it was mentioned before), in Miniatures Handbook, the Skullclan Hunter gets a power termed "Divine Strike".
"Due to his specialize skill training and connection with the forces of light, a skullclan hunter of 2nd level or higher can make a special attack that is infused with positive energy. Effectively, this ability allows him to deal extra damage to undead as though making a sneak attack. Divine strike damage applies to any sneak attack dice the skullclan hunter has, as well as those gained through advancement in this class."

What do people think of that?

 

[teitan]

hrm

 

[teitan]

I agree that this would have been some good info to put in. But, alas, it was not meant to be...

I thought it was explained rather nicely in the first few pages, what exactly powers the undead that is and how the negative energy plane interacts with the undead and the relationships with different types. Now, an explanation of a Nightshade and what makes them undead, well, I haven't seen that "yet". Prolly not there but the book is damn good. I put it up there in usefulness with BoVD which I LOOOOOOVE as a DM.

Jason

 

[teitan]

Da-da-dum. Orcus.


*this bump/Orcus drive by brought to you by the truest Orcus nut in existance, Nightfall*

Do you have the Book of Vile Darkness or Ghostwalk? That is about it. IT is a write up in the COmplete Divine style.

 

[teitan]

I was especially disappointed that I didn't find any discussion as to why animating mindless undead (e.g. zombies and skeletons) is considered an "evil" spell with the [Evil] descriptor. What's the difference between that and constructs? The negative energy? If so, then why, for pete's sake? Tell me.

The corruption of the body is what makes it evil. If you want to get bold faced about it though, the myths and legends that D&D is based on are what the basis of the "evil zombie/skeleton/whatever" concept comes from. In traditional western spiritual teachings the physical body is as sacred as the spiritual body. The spirit that once inhabited the body can not rest until the body has been put to rest/burnt etc. because of its ties to its body. When the body is disturbed/incomplete etc. the spirit is disturbed.

Jason