Need ideas for insane PC

[kramis]

So, I've been toying with the idea of playing an insane PC in an upcoming campaign for a total change of pace. Assuming it's ok with the DM, I wanted some ideas on "special characteristics" that are balanced yet fitting and possibly entertaining.

I was going to have a background rife with hooks ... character used to be a very powerful telepath, but something went wrong (either faced off with the wrong bad guy, went for some forbidden knowledge type of stuff, etc.). So when he now levels up, he more "remembers" lost powers.

Besides just roll playing him in an entertaining (and potentially annoying to the other players) fashion, the obvious thing is to modify his powers. For example, Brain Lock now becomes "Dance with me". He uses this power to compell someone to dance with him. They can still defend as usual, though on each one's turn (me and the dance partner) you can make an opposed will roll to try and "lead" your partner half your movement somewhere. Same duration and other stats as Brain Lock. Higher level version of this could be a rumba line, or whatever it's called, where everyone holds each other's hips and dances in a line. It could compell others seeing it to join, unfortuantely including your allies (or not so unfortunate).

Anyway, random spell suggestion are always welcome, but I was looking more suggestions on core modification outside the normal scope of the rules. And everything has to be balanced.

A few things I was thinking of was -4 with all charisma based skills vs. most people. Maybe +2 to saves vs. mind control since my mind is so random, but this has to be balanced by a decent minus. I was also thinking of having people have a really hard time remembering me or anything about me. I can't tell if this is a plus or minus, or maybe both depending on the circumstances, but it seemed like a cool effect that fit the character concept.

That about as far as I got. I think it would be quite a challenge to play so I'm looking forward to making it work out, should be really interesting, and I think the DM will like it, though the other players will probably go up and down on being entertained mixed with annoyance when I work against them sometimes.

I was thinking of trying to adapt the wild magic rules to psionics for this character too.

Anyway, opinions welcome.

 

[Crothian]

Well, what type of insantity are you going for? Insanity is a very broad term.

 

[kramis]

I wasn't getting technical

I wasn't planning on getting into techincal details ... this is a fantasy setting and the differences between Type I and Type II Schizophrenia aren't so relevant.

I meant something along the lines of "not entirely lucid" if it makes you happier.

 

[Moon_Goddess]

I was about to say, why would anyone adventure with an insane character who could try to kill them at any point. Then I suddenly remembered all the parties I've seen where the rogue is secretly trying to kill the whole party and everyone still let's rogues in the party so, I guess it's not that unusual.

 

[Steven McRownt]

I remember i kit for bards in 2nd edition AD&D that had something in common with your ideas. Now i can't find anymore the lists of powers of that kit, so i'm trying to remember them. It was something closely connected to idea of Joker, of course it doesn't seem to adapt very well to your wild psionic character, but...

As a starting point we can consider to:

-fully play a chaotic neutral character, that is the closest thing to madness normally know (even if for 3e it is cooled down)

-give his some kind of luck bonuses (each day he rolls dice and see where those luck bonuses will be)

-i agree to give him some bonus to saves versus mental related spells

-give him the chance to cast some spells or powers (arcane, divine, psionic powers: same spell progressions, three different spell lists) and each week roll to see which one he his able to cast!

-Nearly incapable to use armor, kept away from weapons (he could harm himself or other people)

...what do you think?

Steven McRownt

 

[Crothian]

Perhaps a version of Beserk. Instead of just damage, a certain common situation hasa chance to set him off. And then the reaction can be tailored also.

I'd go with a +2 verse mind effecting spells, and -2 to all charisma checks with NPCs.

 

[Steven McRownt]

Crothian and me are givin' you different points to start, a warriorlike the first, a sort of colouful spellcaster myself. Choose your destiny then, and give us a virdict.

Crothian don't you think that there are a lot of versions of berserker? ...From battlerager to the masters of the wild Prc for Barbarians... there's already a lot of stuff...

Steven Mcrownt

 

[Crothian]

Crothian and me are givin' you different points to start, a warriorlike the first, a sort of colouful spellcaster myself. Choose your destiny then, and give us a virdict.

Crothian don't you think that there are a lot of versions of berserker? ...From battlerager to the masters of the wild Prc for Barbarians... there's already a lot of stuff...

Steven Mcrownt

I'm basing it off the Beserker because the Beserker can be made to go into a rage even when he doesn't want to. That is the key point. Someone who is insane can be set off by the most mundane of things. Let's see if I can come up with an example.

Bob seems like a normal guy until something slimey touches him. Even just seeing something slimey can get a explosive reaction. So, Bon must make a Will save DC 15 for seeing DC 20 for touching or go into an uncontrollible rage. He will do anything to get the slimey stuff off of him and be away from it.

I hope that makes more sense. I'm not trying to make an additional Beserker, but using the basic Beserker premise that they don't always control when they fly off the handle.

 

[Quetzocoatl]

You may want to look at this PRC:

Mind of 100 Whispers

 

[Steven McRownt]

I'm basing it off the Beserker because the Beserker can be made to go into a rage even when he doesn't want to. That is the key point. Someone who is insane can be set off by the most mundane of things. Let's see if I can come up with an example.

Bob seems like a normal guy until something slimey touches him. Even just seeing something slimey can get a explosive reaction. So, Bon must make a Will save DC 15 for seeing DC 20 for touching or go into an uncontrollible rage. He will do anything to get the slimey stuff off of him and be away from it.

I hope that makes more sense. I'm not trying to make an additional Beserker, but using the basic Beserker premise that they don't always control when they fly off the handle.

Ok, Crothian perhaps my english is not as fluid as i consider, and my words became a sort of critic when i didn't want to. I am very Sorry (even because i do really appreciate your work in this board). And i should say that now i can understand better what you were thinkin.

Quetzcoatl made an interesting PrC, i like the idea of +1 level of precedent class (bit in those case, if you are a multiclass which one will be considered to advance? the higher one, probably, but i'm not sure) to let it be very versatile, a sort of 'template'...

(mumble mumble) (noise of an italian brain forced to work)

What if we consider MADNESS as a template, with some increasing powers on a class progression, without touching the avancement of a core class? I mean, after all everybody could be MAD from a sorcerer to a paladin...

It could be... It could be.... I'm going to sleep, and let this thoughts grow to something real: and i hope to find tomorrow something to compare!!!!


Steven McRownt