Succubus Paladin - Yes or No

[Storyteller01]

FFG had a race just for this issue. You were a redeemed demon, so you were booted out. None of your original powers, none of your original stats, just those listed for the race and the fact that you showed up on Detect spells as your past alignment AND your current alignment (which had to be diametrically opposed to the past).

 

[Ridley's Cohort]

It sounds like a cool idea, although if I were DM I'd immediately discount the succubus' powers. No more summoning demons, even in distress. I'd let the succubus keep the energy drain ability... but would completely forbid its use, lest the paladin wish to kiss her status good-bye. I'd leave the energy drain ability merely as the temptation . Kind of just look at the player and say "Yeah, you can use energy drain... but the consequences are grave." And then leave it at that.

Summoning evil creatures is an intrinsically Evil act, as per the spell. She is allowed, but would lose her palidan status forever. I would expect Energy Drain would have the same restriction.

 

[Doctor Shaft]

Not a cool house rule but whatever floats your boat, I guess.

You'd let the succubus keep energy drain? What would be the downside to playing a succubus paladin then? It's like "Okay... I get free energy drain."

I guess it does float my boat.

 

[Undead Pete]

Ultimately, if the DM allows it....it's legal.

 

[Kemrain]

It sounds like a cool idea, although if I were DM I'd immediately discount the succubus' powers. No more summoning demons, even in distress. I'd let the succubus keep the energy drain ability... but would completely forbid its use, lest the paladin wish to kiss her status good-bye. I'd leave the energy drain ability merely as the temptation . Kind of just look at the player and say "Yeah, you can use energy drain... but the consequences are grave." And then leave it at that.

I wouldn't do this. I'd just say to the player, "Use any powers in a way that isn't Lawful and Good, and you're not a Paladin." Simply becoming a different alignment isn't enough for a demon to lose her powers. The only place I'm aware that we see rules for such things is in Divine classes, and a succubus' powers are innate, not given by a Power.

I see no reason for her not to be using Greater Teleport, or Etherialness, Polymorph, or even Charm Monster. Suggestion gets a bit iffy, but I suppose it could be used safely, with great care. Detect Good is fine and dandy. Energy Drain... That one's up for grabs, cuz I don't know how it's described in the book and IDHMBIFOM.

That said, without a helm of opposite alignment, it's a stretch to see a Succubus even getting to Chaotic Neutral. I'm playing a Half-Demon who's CN, which is often difficult for her. CG is very, very far away, and LG is "Never Gonna Happen." As cool as a Succubus Paladin is, and it is cool, this character will have to be just about THE most messed up Demon in the history of Ever. Self esteem issues, guilt; she's not going to be a happy person most of the time. She's from the Abyss, she knows how bad bad can get. she knows she can never defeat the lower planes. She knows better than any mortal does... And she's a traitor. Top priority for slaughter. Both Hell and the Abyss would have her on their extinction list. Hope she has some powerful friends. VERY cool concept.

- Kemrain the Chaotic Neutral [Evil].

 

[Darkness]

You'd let the succubus keep energy drain? What would be the downside to playing a succubus paladin then?

See below.

It's like "Okay... I get free energy drain."

"Free?" You aren't aware that a succubus has an ECL of 12 (6 HD + 6 LA)?

 

[yennico]

A lawful good succubus has to convince a god to grant her the status as a paladin.

As cool as a Succubus Paladin is, and it is cool, this character will have to be just about THE most messed up Demon in the history of Ever. Self esteem issues, guilt; she's not going to be a happy person most of the time. She's from the Abyss, she knows how bad bad can get. she knows she can never defeat the lower planes. She knows better than any mortal does... And she's a traitor. Top priority for slaughter. Both Hell and the Abyss would have her on their extinction list. Hope she has some powerful friends. VERY cool concept.

A demonic paladin polymorphed in a human form with hunting foes from Abyss and Hell will have a problem if their demonic or devilish enemies will constantly send demonic or devilish hunter after her. A paladin which is hunted by outsiders will be known in the world. Hunted by outsiders can become a rumor like she, who is a person of nearly unearthly beauty is consorting with evil outsiders.

 

[Krafen]

It sounds like a cool idea, although if I were DM I'd immediately discount the succubus' powers. No more summoning demons, even in distress. I'd let the succubus keep the energy drain ability... but would completely forbid its use, lest the paladin wish to kiss her status good-bye. I'd leave the energy drain ability merely as the temptation . Kind of just look at the player and say "Yeah, you can use energy drain... but the consequences are grave." And then leave it at that.

I don't know whether a Vrock would heed her call or not, but attempting to summon one would be an intentional evil act. There would be no need to remove the ability.

I don't think her Energy Drain ability is intrinsically evil. The spell energy drain is not evil, and the ability is basically a weaker version of the spell with a suggestion added in. While succubi ordinarily use it for evil purposes, it is really just another weapon.

Okay, yeah. Why do you want a succubus paladin again? It's not one of those "I am Both the Dark and the Light... haha I transcend them both!" characters, is it?

Well, it might be the +16 Charisma.

Powergaming aside, it is an interesting idea for a conflicted character.

 

[Voadam]

You'd let the succubus keep energy drain? What would be the downside to playing a succubus paladin then? It's like "Okay... I get free energy drain."

I guess it does float my boat.

The downside would be the LA. Still have to not do evil or grossly violate the code but otherwise it is fine.

 

[Kemrain]

A lawful good succubus has to convince a god to grant her the status as a paladin.

You mean clawing her way from Chaotic Evil to Lawful Good isn't convincing enough for you? Were I a God, I'd make it a rule that if Demons become Lawful Good, they can take levels of Paladin for free. C'mon, d'ya actually ecpect any takers?! Heheh.

A demonic paladin polymorphed in a human form with hunting foes from Abyss and Hell will have a problem if their demonic or devilish enemies will constantly send demonic or devilish hunter after her. A paladin which is hunted by outsiders will be known in the world. Hunted by outsiders can become a rumor like she, who is a person of nearly unearthly beauty is consorting with evil outsiders.

Like I said, very cool character. Jhulae, please, I'd love to hear a bit about the character's background and personality.

- Kemrain the Not a God.