Kishar: Mechanics

[Matt Larkin (author)]

For an internal system of taint, something like your circles of power might work well. Write up a half-dozen or so levels, with some description of emotive/psychological effects, and perhaps some accompanying crunch, if you so choose.

I have been thinking about this more, and I think one possibility is to say there are 6 levels, and it takes 3 taint to reach each level.  I know I want the higher levels to begin transforming the character into a lesser demon.  The question is how to describe the effects of the levels.  I kind of already used the losing touch with your humanity thing for Circles of Power, so I want something darker and more depraved.  I hesitate to simply say you become evil (especially since I don't use alignment), but I don't quite know how to detail 6 levels of depravity at this point.

LC, or anyone else following this, I'd appreciate some suggestions on how this might work.

As always, thanks.

[Tybalt]

I think you did a very nice job on this. The character system is varied and interesting, and I like the way that your magic system works. My only question would be this: would you consider putting in something like say virtues as well as taints? Or does that not fit your worldview?

[Matt Larkin (author)]

I think you did a very nice job on this. The character system is varied and interesting, and I like the way that your magic system works. My only question would be this: would you consider putting in something like say virtues as well as taints? Or does that not fit your worldview?

Thanks :D .

It's an interesting idea that had never really occured to me.  Ideally, I'd prefer to keep from making too many more houserules, but if the benefit outweighs the complication of learning another new rule, it would be worth it.  However, I'm not even sure how to handle it in terms of fluff or crunch at the moment, and without those, it's hard to say whether it fits.

I see taint as being corrupted by exposure to something terrible, much like the One Ring, or tapping the forces of the darkest magicks.  In my setting, this errodes your soul and eventually transforms you into a demonic creature.  I don't want to make it a frequent thing the way it seems in OA, UA, or Heroes of Horror.  Or rather, I should say it's a self-inflicted penalty by your choice to use necromancy or the handful of other magical actions that can cause it.

For virtues, I'm not sure what it could be that is happening.  I'd say virtue is often more subtle and open to intrepretation.  But I'm open to suggestions and I will certainly consider something like that if someone has good ideas for fluff and crunch for it.

[Matt Larkin (author)]

Well, I have a new draft of how taint might opperate.

The Kishar Campaign Setting presents new rules for Taint â,¬' corruption that overwhelms your soul.  The main ways to gain taint are through necromancy, magical disasters, and making pacts with demons.  Long-term contact with tainted objects can also impose taint.  Some kinds of taint gain offer a Will save to negate the taint (DC based on circumstance).
As your taint increases, more of your soul is lost to darkness.  You become a vile monster capable of great wickedness.  In addition to destroying your soul, Taint applies as a circumstance penalty on Gather Information and Handle Animal checks.
Every three points of Taint increases your degree.  The effects are cumulative.

First Degree
You exhibit greater cruelty and a predisposition towards violence.  You are less likely to empathize with others.  You find it hard to control your emotions, becoming given to extremes (this is muted if you possess a Circle of Power).

Second Degree
You have lost some significant part of yourself and sink into greater depths of depravity.  You start to take pleasure in the suffering of others, if only because it mutes your own.

Third Degree
Your level of aggression increases.  You see every new being as a potential threat and react with distrust.  You are willing to go to lengths to make others suffer.  You cannot easily suppress murderous urges.  You must make a coup de grace whenever possible, though if the target is an ally you receive a Will save to resist (DC 15 + your taint score).

Fourth Degree
You have begun to actually transform into a demon.  You take pleasure in vile acts, and others are unnerved by your presence, imposing a -4 circumstance penalty on Charisma-based ability and skill checks.  You gain a demon trait of the DMâ,¬,,¢s choice: Darkvision (60â,¬,,¢), Energy Resistance (one type), Claws, Fangs, or Horns, damage reduction 5/magic.

Fifth Degree
You have come to hate all living things and revel in destruction.  You gain an additional demon trait.

Sixth Degree
You have become a lesser demon.  The DM may decide your character is no longer playable.

As always, I appreciate any feedback on how workable this seems.

[Matt Larkin (author)]

Okay, I think I am satisified with the taint system.  After thinking about it I think I will use the Virtue idea Tybalt presented in another project.  I like it a great deal, but I think it doesn't quite fit Kishar, which I see as darker (if not quite dark fantasy).  

I'll edit the original post to include the new taint rules.  

As always, I'd welcome insight on any aspect of all this.