Failing necromancer, need advice.

[Seithes]

Hey,

Some of you may have met me, Seithes Varyon.

First off, he was my first ever NWN character. I probably shouldnt have put all my plans into it but he's way messed up because I had no idea what I was doing lol

So, I'd like to make my original plans happen with a new character and I was hoping some experienced players could offer me some advice on how to go about it.

I'll be rolling a new guy on Friday. What stats should I give him? Last time i put it all into into intelligence(18) and wisdom(16), everything else was around 10 (except strength which was 8) and it worked very poorly for me..

I'm aiming for palemaster, perhaps eventually even lich so any idea what level I should be to ask for these kinds of things?

As for my cult, I had a fair number of players under me but I had a lot of trouble trying to get us a hideout. Trying to remain in the shadows but I need to make some kind of contribution to general roleplay too so any advice on how to keep my new PC from being discovered too early, recruit members and still be noticed enough to get a place would be good.

Anything else you can think of will be more than welcome.

[godofpaincc8]

i recommend 17 intelligence with a nice wisdom and con as upgrading animations leeches health and it would make sense for a necro with good con to be able to be more stronger. As for the group keep it completely secret only invite those into it that you have learned to trust or know are directly dedicated to your aimes

[12 Hatch]

I would recommend that you crank that charisma up to represent his ability to exert his command over the undead!

[Wafflecone_Hiatus]

Wisdom could actually be lower considering anyone who persues necromancy might not be the wisest person, especially arcane necromancy. That being said-
 
you shouldn't be concerned about building stats, you should be concerned about building a character.

[Garem]

Welcome to EfU! I'm likewise a fan of necromancy, it's in-your-face nasty evil. It's also very, very hard to play because most people (should) want to kill you. But if you play it smart, it's exceptionally rewarding.

As GodOfPain says, it's usually safest to be secret about necromancy. Then again, RP + smart play keeps you alive better than that extra 8 HP or 2 AC ever will. Don't worry so much about mechanics- figure out what tactics keep you breathing, which ones leave you in the fugue.

As for hideouts, there are dozens upon dozens all across the server. Just take one. Make a note of using it in your character journal. This is a good task for minions- send your people exploring! Have them report their findings with recommendations.

As for applications, send in your Palemaster App ASAP. Before you make the character is best! That gives the DMs time to watch how awesome you are and see why you deserve the prestige class. Lich, on the other hand, is a MAAASSIVE goal. Talk to the DMs about that. Expect a long, difficult road to such a goal. Definitely go for it, but by no means expect to achieve it. This server isn't about the destination, it's about the awesome journey!

I have one small recommendation. If you like evil and necromancy (I sure do!) try a non-wizard class instead. Cleric, if you want to be dogmatic and use better armor, weapons, etc. with even better necromancy spells. Maybe fighter/barbarian if you want to be a undeath cultist and have awesome survivability. Bard is a great choice too, with unique talents for being a great Necromancer. If you don't think these choices would be more fun, ignore that I said them.

Again, welcome to EfU! If you want to chat more, never hesitate to contact me via IRC.

[PlayaCharacter]

EfU:A can be a tough nut to crack. If you want to delve into the lost arts of undeath and lichdom, there are very few NPCs on the Shrouded Isles who possess such knowledge, and you will get absolutely nowhere without their help.

If you want to approach those NPCs, your character should have plenty of natural Charisma. If you want to ask them questions, you should be able to Persuade them, as well. If you want to understand what they told you, then you must be well-versed in the Lore they will share with you. Finally, if you ever hope to put what they teach you into practice, you will need to understand Spellcraft.

While no PC has ever attained lichdom, it is not impossible. Take care of those four things first. Without them, you have no hope whatsoever of becoming a lich in this setting.

[12 Hatch]

Don't forget, you could try the alchemical route!

I honestly have no idea exactly how fruitful that would be, but you can obviously delve your research into the necromantic fields available to you, and see what happens!

[Semli]

Lichdom is a very difficult goal. I do not believe there has ever been a player lich in EFU history. That said, do not be discouraged if you fall short - if it were easy, it wouldn't be worth having.

If you intend to play a wizard, a high Intelligence is a must. Your Constitution should also be high since you have such a low hit die. Make your Wisdom and Charisma at least 10, but no more than 12 - they won't help you mechanically. Nobody gave a crap about the guy who couldn't do Orcs 1. Strength isn't as big a deal for a Necromancer beyond carrying corpses (there are rare items available that might help you in this). If you have to melee things or rely on a crossbow, you're doing something wrong.

If you choose a cleric, research Valsharoon (you probably should anyways). Put at least 14 into strength, con, wisdom, and charisma (normally I'd say go 12 or even 10 for cha but you'll actually be somewhat good at turning if you pick the right domain, and there's enough undead mobs to warrant it).

In both builds make sure you get Greater Spell Focus Necromancy to modify undead.

Beyond that, the best advice I can give you is to focus on making an NPC ally who appreciates your stance on undeath. There are a lot of necromancers out there! You can probably find out a great deal by reading older posts. This character will provide you with not only quests and loot but also valuable information in your quest for lichdom.

The final parting advice I can offer is that there are a lot of lesser forms of sentient undeath that past players have actually achieved. If you are willing to compromise a bit, I think your odds of pulling this off are much more significant.

Good luck!

[Semli]

As far as alchemy goes, if you have both the Lore and Spellcraft skills you will be good at it (especially if you are a wizard). Even if you cannot find anything pertinent to your quest from undeath, lots of useful items can be made. It's well worth putting the effort in to learn about it.

Concentration is a must for both. Can't be forgetting your spells everytime an arrow lodges itself in your temple.

Healing and Lore is nice in the event you want to do Herbalism as well. I don't want to spoil it for you but characters that can do both really have a lot of options. Healing also pertains to your ability to handle delicate operations such as undead grafts. A very creative necromancer might be able to even build some sort of frankensteiny thing with DM help.

Don't neglect your EFUSS skills either!

Good luck! Again!

[Juzza]

Come and join us on IRC Seithes, irc.darkmyst.org #efu , you can talk to us all in real time and personal message us with ease.

[Drakill Tannan]

RPwise, and in order not to die, you need to ether:

a) Remain in cover
b) Get a powerfull ally. I'm talking of either a very powerfull PC who will kill anyone who threatens you  (wich still places you at great risk) or a powerfull NPC. House Harvix likes undead, you could try looking there. If you can get the duke to recocnise you, Lord Harvix to sponsor you or something like that, you will be safe within the dominion, and can go "NECROMANCERS UNITE" publically, and not die, as long as you remain in the dominion unless it's necesary to leave

Mechanically wise I have a few tips on how to survive as a wizard

1) Be selfish with your buffs. Does the fighter in the frontline could use haste? well YOUR extended ghostly vissage takes priority. NO MATTER WHAT. Invisibility also, try to be invisible always, if imposible be invisible whenever there is a mayor threat. Wands of invisibility, darkness and ghostly vissage are your BFFs here. Especally the first one. Buy them, 1500 gold is well worth it.

2) Play a buffbot. While less fun, it's far safer to buff up, stay back and crush quests. Don't get near the enemy unless you are invisible or at least under ghostly vissage.

3)Don't strive to save the idiots. Many times my selfless wizard places himself in danger for attempting to save that airhead that insisted in rushing ahead into the fray. And many times i saved him, but others we would both die. ABANDON the idiots imo.

4) Even if not idiots, if it looks like it's going to be total party kill soon, just say "screw you all" and FLEE.

On necromancers:

1) Since you need scrolls to animate, frequent quests that drop them. You can also attempt to farm nighrtisers in the sewers. A few ways of doing this:
   a) Find a group, while invisible, summon a shelegans persistant blade in front of you. Throw a fireball to the mob, as they come near flee and send your dagger to fight them, while they are distracted by it, cast another fireball. If thouse 2 fireballs don't kill them, just drink an invis potion and flee. ALWAYS KEEP A POTION OF INVISIBILITY QUICKSLOTED.
   b) Go invisible, summon creatures, buff them up and lead them to the nightrisers.

This might eventually give you some scrolls and necromancer supplies.

But don't go animating unless you need to. And when you do, animate a corspe, don't just cast the spell. Orcs are awsome, Ogres are THE SHIT, kobolds are good too, and thouse can be purchased without going too far from the ziggy. Look arround. Remember to buff up your animates.

Do alchemy. There are neat thigns for necromancers you can get that way. But be carefull, buff up to avoid damage from failed experiments. Potions of polarity are a must if you are going to mess with sinester ingredients like negative esence and skeleton knuckles.

[Wafflecone_Hiatus]

RPwise, and in order not to die, you need to ether:
 
a) Remain in cover
b) Get a powerfull ally. I'm talking of either a very powerfull PC who will kill anyone who threatens you (wich still places you at great risk) or a powerfull NPC. House Harvix likes undead, you could try looking there. If you can get the duke to recocnise you, Lord Harvix to sponsor you or something like that, you will be safe within the dominion, and can go "NECROMANCERS UNITE" publically, and not die, as long as you remain in the dominion unless it's necesary to leave
 
Mechanically wise I have a few tips on how to survive as a wizard
 
1) Be selfish with your buffs. Does the fighter in the frontline could use haste? well YOUR extended ghostly vissage takes priority. NO MATTER WHAT. Invisibility also, try to be invisible always, if imposible be invisible whenever there is a mayor threat. Wands of invisibility, darkness and ghostly vissage are your BFFs here. Especally the first one. Buy them, 1500 gold is well worth it.
 
2) Play a buffbot. While less fun, it's far safer to buff up, stay back and crush quests. Don't get near the enemy unless you are invisible or at least under ghostly vissage.
 
3)Don't strive to save the idiots. Many times my selfless wizard places himself in danger for attempting to save that airhead that insisted in rushing ahead into the fray. And many times i saved him, but others we would both die. ABANDON the idiots imo.
 
4) Even if not idiots, if it looks like it's going to be total party kill soon, just say "screw you all" and FLEE.
 
On necromancers:
 
1) Since you need scrolls to animate, frequent quests that drop them. You can also attempt to farm nighrtisers in the sewers. A few ways of doing this:
a) Find a group, while invisible, summon a shelegans persistant blade in front of you. Throw a fireball to the mob, as they come near flee and send your dagger to fight them, while they are distracted by it, cast another fireball. If thouse 2 fireballs don't kill them, just drink an invis potion and flee. ALWAYS KEEP A POTION OF INVISIBILITY QUICKSLOTED.
b) Go invisible, summon creatures, buff them up and lead them to the nightrisers.
 
This might eventually give you some scrolls and necromancer supplies.
 
But don't go animating unless you need to. And when you do, animate a corspe, don't just cast the spell. Orcs are awsome, Ogres are THE SHIT, kobolds are good too, and thouse can be purchased without going too far from the ziggy. Look arround. Remember to buff up your animates.
 
Do alchemy. There are neat thigns for necromancers you can get that way. But be carefull, buff up to avoid damage from failed experiments. Potions of polarity are a must if you are going to mess with sinester ingredients like negative esence and skeleton knuckles.

 
1. Do not be selfish with your buffs. Use invis pots and stand in the back. If the warriors die, YOU will die. Also adventurers don't like selfish wizards.
 
2. Play a buffbot.
 
3. Let idiots die, but do place yourself in danger to save party members. Invis pots are your friend. Always beg for invis pots. DOn't be ashamed to beg for healing supplies, invis pots, or anything else that can keep you alive or lend you support. If your following rule 1, they should be glad to do this since frontliners have minimal PVE use for invis pots unless things go very bad.
 
4. If it looks like a TPW, do flee. But wait until your sure. people will tolerate cowardice in a mage, but not if you running away instead of throwing down a heal RESULTS in the TPW.
 
A good rule of thumb I have btw, is to use moderate or serious healing if a target is listed as injured or badly injured, but not before.
 
Also be mindful of your surroundings, situational awareness is a very valuable skill.
 
PS: Try not to play a dick dastardly, if people are ambivilant about killing you because they happen to like your necromancer personally despite his evil evil practices, you will live longer.

[Drakill Tannan]

...maybe i was a bit harsh. But i'll stand for what i said. Once you are more used to the server, you can begin to take more risks and become more usefull.

[godofpaincc8]

also try to find those with similar goals, as well as trying to get people to like you so they never suspect you of trying anything such as necromancy. Also on alchemy and herbalism watch out there are so many nasty combination's that require so high of skills to work and if they don't kill you. "trust me" im not going to tell you any combination's as that would be spoiling the fun of discovering the stuff on your own but i can tell you some results like for instance i mixed many crazy ingredients that were negative "not telling which ones" the result required so high of skills that i failed miserably and it resulted in a demon reaching out and blasting me with a negative wave that did 167 points of damage even with all my protections and then unsummoned. I will admit even though upset from the failure and level loss i was excited at finding such a potent mix and seeing its awesome failure it was really cool. Also i do not advise leaving idiots and having witnesses s a very nasty result usually unless the others agree with letting the fool die. Also another thing if you plan to become a lich or palemaster i suggest doing a whole lot of study on body grafts and of course necromancy in general and start stocking up on negative essences and the like. Also learn a lot of stuff in healing skill and others around that as said earlier those are related to body grafting and are quite important for such things.

[godofpaincc8]

On getting attention of DMs other than telling them before you make the character i suggest you make a lot of public shows without the source being known as you. Such as finding a well known PC and having him killed if possible then making a gruisome public scene such as leaving his body laying in the orphanage with a note scrawled with his blood laying there saying some scary message or even better leave a message on the floor or walls with his entrails "for walls having them nailed there in position". Other ways to get noticed maybe get lots of members and (not too many as that may lead to public notice). Also perhaps have your character get pretty powerful first as to increase the strength and possibilities to the point where your goal may be possible.