Priest of Velsharoon (Necrophant) - A Spontaneous Divine Caster Kit
humanist
Member Posts: 5
Hi everyone,
I've been working on a Priest of Velsharoon, also known as a Necrophant, and wanted to share the concept for feedback on its theme, abilities, and balance.
First, a clarification about how it works: the kit technically belongs to the Shaman class, which provides its spontaneous divine casting. With the help of EEex and changes to the character creation interface, I've made it appear under Cleric, alongside the other priest kits in the kit selection menu.
I've also replaced the shaman's Find Traps action with Turn Undead, wired cleric spells into its spell selection, and removed the druid and shaman spell options that don't belong in its intended spellbook. Together with Cleric equipment restrictions and proficiency progression, the aim is to make it feel like a priest with spontaneous casting, in other words a divine sorcerer.
The foundation is already developed, while the more ambitious features below, particularly the forbidden knowledge progression and lichdom quest, are still planned.
Why Velsharoon?
Velsharoon is a former mortal necromancer who became a demigod associated with necromancy and undeath. His own pursuit of immortality makes him a fitting patron for a priest who studies death, commands undead, and eventually seeks lichdom.
Velsharoon background:
His ascension is placed at the end of 1368 DR, shortly before Baldur's Gate II's 1369 DR setting. That makes his faith particularly interesting for this period: the character could be an early follower of a newly ascended power, helping establish a young cult while pursuing its forbidden teachings. This is the interpretation I'd like to explore through the kit and its eventual quest.
What appeals to me is the combination of divine devotion, necromantic research, and the pursuit of immortality. The character begins as a mortal priest, develops a personal repertoire of spells, and can eventually pursue permanent lichdom through research, preparation, and a dedicated ritual.
Class: Shaman (presented under Cleric in the kit selection menu)
Kit: Priest of Velsharoon (Necrophant)
Requires: EEex
Class Features:
- Uses spontaneous divine casting system.
- Learns a limited selection of spells when gaining levels.
- Hit Die: 1d8.
Kit Features:
- May use Turn Undead in place of the Shaman's Find Traps ability.
- Uses a custom spellbook built around Cleric spells, custom necromancy spells and curses.
- Removes access to Druid and Shaman spells.
- Uses Cleric weapon proficiency progression and equipment restrictions.
- Receives the evil Cleric stronghold at the Temple of Talos, despite using the Shaman class internally.
- May only become proficient (one slot) in permitted weapons.
Disadvantages:
- May only be Human, Half-Elves, and Half-Orcs (for now, since I am having a bit of trouble in the character creation if all races all allowed).
- May only be of evil alignment.
- Requires a minimum Intelligence of 11, Wisdom of 16, and Constitution of 14.
- Maximum Dexterity and Charisma are reduced.
HLAs:
- Energy Blades.
- Ethereal Retribution.
- Globe of Blades.
- Implosion.
- Aura of Flaming Death.
Planned Additional HLAs:
- The Black Arcanum: A prerequisite to unlocking Absolute Immunity, Spellstrike, Imprisonment, and Chain Contingency as level 7 spell choices, that can be chosen later during level ups. (specific spells still to be decided, this is just an example)
- Spell Upgrades: After selecting The Black Arcanum, may spend further HLA selections to upgrade certain spells, replacing the original spell with an improved version - for example, Ethereal Retribution with Greater Ethereal Retribution (e.g. longer duration). More upgrades will be available than the character can select, allowing the player to shape the kit around their preferred playstyle.
The concern here is obviously power: access to these spells would need to justify the investment without making the ordinary divine options redundant.
Another idea is to make Time Stop a reward for exploration and forbidden research.
The player would recover three fragments of a forbidden text from powerful enemies and assemble them into a unique scroll. Using it would permanently teach the Necrophant a special level-7 version of Time Stop, unavailable through normal level-up choices. The mechanics for combining the fragments and learning the spell are already implemented.
I'm considering a slightly longer duration than the standard spell, although that is one of the more ambitious balance proposals.
The path to lichdom (yes, inspired by a mod from my most played game Skyrim)
The largest part of the concept is an optional quest leading to permanent lichdom. (currently in development)
Gaining levels would not automatically transform the character. The Necrophant would need to discover the ritual, construct a phylactery, gather rare components, and acquire the souls or spiritual essences required to complete it.
After the ritual, the character's true form would be a lich.
Possible benefits include undead immunities, resistance to cold and electricity, protection from normal weapons, and an Aura of Death. The exact package would need careful balancing, with weaknesses such as fire vulnerability, reduced movement speed, penalties while exposed to daylight, and consequences for being openly undead.
A magical mask would allow the lich to assume a mortal appearance. This would help with travel and conversations, while revealing their true nature could provoke reactions from selected temples, paladins, companions, and other characters.
I'd like the transformation to feel like a major achievement with lasting consequences. The phylactery would be part of the ritual, though I haven't settled on whether it should also allow resurrection (not sure yet how to aproach this stuff).
What do you think?
Does this sound like a kit you would enjoy playing? I'm especially interested in which spells you think should be excluded, and what costs or weaknesses would make permanent lichdom powerful but still interesting to play.
The late-game abilities are deliberately ambitious, and their numbers are still open. I realise this kit may never be perfectly balanced, especially with the option to pursue lichdom. It's primarily a personal character fantasy I'd love to explore, though I'd still like to preserve a meaningful sense of challenge.
Thanks for reading! I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions.
I've been working on a Priest of Velsharoon, also known as a Necrophant, and wanted to share the concept for feedback on its theme, abilities, and balance.
First, a clarification about how it works: the kit technically belongs to the Shaman class, which provides its spontaneous divine casting. With the help of EEex and changes to the character creation interface, I've made it appear under Cleric, alongside the other priest kits in the kit selection menu.
I've also replaced the shaman's Find Traps action with Turn Undead, wired cleric spells into its spell selection, and removed the druid and shaman spell options that don't belong in its intended spellbook. Together with Cleric equipment restrictions and proficiency progression, the aim is to make it feel like a priest with spontaneous casting, in other words a divine sorcerer.
The foundation is already developed, while the more ambitious features below, particularly the forbidden knowledge progression and lichdom quest, are still planned.
Why Velsharoon?
Velsharoon is a former mortal necromancer who became a demigod associated with necromancy and undeath. His own pursuit of immortality makes him a fitting patron for a priest who studies death, commands undead, and eventually seeks lichdom.
Velsharoon background:
His ascension is placed at the end of 1368 DR, shortly before Baldur's Gate II's 1369 DR setting. That makes his faith particularly interesting for this period: the character could be an early follower of a newly ascended power, helping establish a young cult while pursuing its forbidden teachings. This is the interpretation I'd like to explore through the kit and its eventual quest.
What appeals to me is the combination of divine devotion, necromantic research, and the pursuit of immortality. The character begins as a mortal priest, develops a personal repertoire of spells, and can eventually pursue permanent lichdom through research, preparation, and a dedicated ritual.
Class: Shaman (presented under Cleric in the kit selection menu)
Kit: Priest of Velsharoon (Necrophant)
Requires: EEex
Class Features:
- Uses spontaneous divine casting system.
- Learns a limited selection of spells when gaining levels.
- Hit Die: 1d8.
Kit Features:
- May use Turn Undead in place of the Shaman's Find Traps ability.
- Uses a custom spellbook built around Cleric spells, custom necromancy spells and curses.
- Removes access to Druid and Shaman spells.
- Uses Cleric weapon proficiency progression and equipment restrictions.
- Receives the evil Cleric stronghold at the Temple of Talos, despite using the Shaman class internally.
- May only become proficient (one slot) in permitted weapons.
Disadvantages:
- May only be Human, Half-Elves, and Half-Orcs (for now, since I am having a bit of trouble in the character creation if all races all allowed).
- May only be of evil alignment.
- Requires a minimum Intelligence of 11, Wisdom of 16, and Constitution of 14.
- Maximum Dexterity and Charisma are reduced.
HLAs:
- Energy Blades.
- Ethereal Retribution.
- Globe of Blades.
- Implosion.
- Aura of Flaming Death.
Planned Additional HLAs:
- The Black Arcanum: A prerequisite to unlocking Absolute Immunity, Spellstrike, Imprisonment, and Chain Contingency as level 7 spell choices, that can be chosen later during level ups. (specific spells still to be decided, this is just an example)
- Spell Upgrades: After selecting The Black Arcanum, may spend further HLA selections to upgrade certain spells, replacing the original spell with an improved version - for example, Ethereal Retribution with Greater Ethereal Retribution (e.g. longer duration). More upgrades will be available than the character can select, allowing the player to shape the kit around their preferred playstyle.
The concern here is obviously power: access to these spells would need to justify the investment without making the ordinary divine options redundant.
Another idea is to make Time Stop a reward for exploration and forbidden research.
The player would recover three fragments of a forbidden text from powerful enemies and assemble them into a unique scroll. Using it would permanently teach the Necrophant a special level-7 version of Time Stop, unavailable through normal level-up choices. The mechanics for combining the fragments and learning the spell are already implemented.
I'm considering a slightly longer duration than the standard spell, although that is one of the more ambitious balance proposals.
The path to lichdom (yes, inspired by a mod from my most played game Skyrim)
The largest part of the concept is an optional quest leading to permanent lichdom. (currently in development)
Gaining levels would not automatically transform the character. The Necrophant would need to discover the ritual, construct a phylactery, gather rare components, and acquire the souls or spiritual essences required to complete it.
After the ritual, the character's true form would be a lich.
Possible benefits include undead immunities, resistance to cold and electricity, protection from normal weapons, and an Aura of Death. The exact package would need careful balancing, with weaknesses such as fire vulnerability, reduced movement speed, penalties while exposed to daylight, and consequences for being openly undead.
A magical mask would allow the lich to assume a mortal appearance. This would help with travel and conversations, while revealing their true nature could provoke reactions from selected temples, paladins, companions, and other characters.
I'd like the transformation to feel like a major achievement with lasting consequences. The phylactery would be part of the ritual, though I haven't settled on whether it should also allow resurrection (not sure yet how to aproach this stuff).
What do you think?
Does this sound like a kit you would enjoy playing? I'm especially interested in which spells you think should be excluded, and what costs or weaknesses would make permanent lichdom powerful but still interesting to play.
The late-game abilities are deliberately ambitious, and their numbers are still open. I realise this kit may never be perfectly balanced, especially with the option to pursue lichdom. It's primarily a personal character fantasy I'd love to explore, though I'd still like to preserve a meaningful sense of challenge.
Thanks for reading! I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions.
0
Comments