Warlock Pact Questions

[ZabelSword]

I could use some help here.

After reading through most of this thread: http://www.bgtscc.net/viewtopic.php?f=4 ... lock+pacts

It seems that the character concept I created a couple years back is flawed. Initially I thought it was acceptable to have a lineage pact, where the pact can be handed down from generation to generation, perhaps as a term of the pact the demon/devil must infuse the next generation with the abilities offered to the original pact maker. After reading though this seems to be cheesy at best, if not downright lore-breaking.

I'd prefer not to retcon the RP I've had, and would really like to try to play this character through since in my opinion there is a rich history and future yet to be told. It could be said that since this character is chaotic neutral he has no problem with lying and has been lying about his pact since the day he made it, preying on the gullibility of those not familiar with demonic/devilish powers.

1) So, first question, is a heritage pact reasonable or just an excuse to get out of the inherent risks of admitting you made a pact with a demon/devil?

2) Is it possible for a lawful devil to make a pact with a chaotic character? Does it even make sense that a being of law would risk making a pact with a chaotic mortal or vice versa?

3) Is amnesia a commonly used reason for not remembering the terms of a pact, who it was made with or why? If one of the terms of the pact was to remember not making the terms of the pact it seems idiotic since breaking a term could have serious consequences. Seems like cheese to me but there could be something there.

4) If said character worships a non-evil deity would they be automatically shunned for making a pact with a devil/demon regardless of circumstances?

5) Is it possible to obtain redemption through a deity the character vehemently worships and acts with the devotion of a cleric?

6) Wouldn't a person who made a pact with a devil not find themselves at odds with a person who made a pact with a demon? Even if they don't know, it seems natural that the infernal beings would use the warlocks as pawns to destroy one another. I see this as something that could happen unintentionally, as one is tricked into betraying the other.

Any help is appreciated, sorry if these things have already been answered over and over, I'll probably have more questions later but I don't want to overwhelm.

[Azmodeth]

Ive seen many people use "was born into this pact.." as an excuse/rp reason for being a warlock..

some have said it has been in their family for generations. Other say they are half fey or partly from the planes themselves, or that their warlock powers are natural because they are tieflings...

I have no IDEA what is a good rp backstory for a warlock... I just accepted them all..and rp'd it from there..

though, I don't play warlock and never have...

I would love to read more about their Lore mind you. I actually surprisingly know very little on where they fit in, into FR..

[ZabelSword]

Was reading this:

Some additional read:
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/frcc/20070314
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/frcc/20070328

Warlock bloodlines are exceptionally rare and the only playable races they can apply to are certain planetouched races.

The planetouched populations of Faerûn tend to have more warlocks among them than the rest of the populace. These warlocks often develop their powers in concentrations of supernatural energy. All planetouched regions in the Player's Guide to Faerun are affected, but the ones with the greatest number of warlocks are tieflings (Thay and Unther), genasi (Calimshan and Thay [fire]), celadrin (Cormanthor), and worghests (the Mines of Tethyamar). While warlocks with heritage-based powers can be found anywhere in Faerun, these are the most common sources among the planetouched races.

However, the whole class seems really open to speculation about rare situations which could lead to warlock-like powers, but the impression is that they are so rare it's almost like someone playing a Bhaalspawn or offspring of another deity.

To be honest I almost prefer it be left an open question. It seems like the class is subject to opinion more than any other. So what you said about accepting their story and continuing to RP is the best solution to avoid drama. I would suspect more often than not these characters are indeed bluffing, but who knows, maybe there is some creative background story they would only tell to those they trust.

[Azmodeth]

about " FEY "pacts...

These most commonly arise from pacts with the unseelie courtiers of the Queen of Air and Darkness

is it me or does that sound a lot like Auril....That made me go "dun dun dunnnn. . ."

To be honest I almost prefer it be left an open question. It seems like the class is subject to opinion more than any other. So what you said about accepting their story and continuing to RP is the best solution to avoid drama. I would suspect more often than not these characters are indeed bluffing, but who knows, maybe there is some creative background story they would only tell to those they trust.

Yeah, many times I've seen the gaps in the known history of where someones warlock powers came from (to other peoples knowledge at least) end up creating interesting circumstances and even lead to small lil' events..

[Eclypticon]

Just for the record. Auril does not grant pacts. That is another edition.

*edit*

I have a PC with a fey pact to the Unseelie Court, and the things he has to do are horrible because fey are unpredictable creatures that can often make unreasonable demands.

[Xanfyrst]

Not sure what edition it is, but there's like only 13 existing pact-bloodlines in existence on the material plane. They are descendent from the original 13 warlocks or something.

Warlock pacts are usually not inheritable as the pacts are for the warlocks soul and that of his victims only.

[Considerate_]

Warlock pacts are usually not inheritable as the pacts are for the warlocks soul and that of his victims only.

I was of the belief, that the only one who could sell a soul, was the owner of that soul... so it seems strange to me that all victims of a warlock is sent to hell. I'm fairly certain that neither the Abyss or the Nine Hells could withstand the assault of all the deities combined... because if they start directly 'stealing' their faithfuls souls, they're in for a heap of troubles.

Mortals negotiating and willingly trading them, are another matter entirely.



I've only read a few things about warlocks so I could be wrong, but I'd be delighted if someone could find some sourcematerial on this. I'll be looking too

[Blame The Rogue]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warlock_(D ... 6_Dragons)

Warlocks in Dungeons & Dragons receive their abilities through the influence of some unearthly being such as a Demon or Fey. They are either born with these powers or receive them through a fell pact, which turns their soul into a dark font of eldritch powers.

that listed above is 3.5 rules

[Simian]

The problem here really comes from the fact most of the Warlock Lore comes from 4th edition.

[Eclypticon]

I like how they sort of retroactively apply some of that lore, LOL.

[ZabelSword]

Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition (2008-)

In 4th edition, the warlock's powers are known as spells, and use the standard power system. The warlock has many different unique abilities, though a warlock's trademark ability is still Eldritch Blast. They can also deliver various effects through Warlock's Curse. The Warlock's other class features make them more accurate at ranged attacks when no ally is closer to their target and allow them to gain concealment whenever they move a sufficient distance. Almost all of the warlock's attack powers depend on charisma or constitution for accuracy and damage, with some powers gaining bonuses from intelligence.

The specific source of the warlock's power is defined as a Pact (with a non-divine supernatural entity or power), which affects at-will power options and makes certain powers more effective and provides a pact boon, an effect which is triggered whenever a cursed enemy is killed or incapacitated. There are six Pacts:

The Star Pact is made with an entity from the Far Realm or a star located near it, which grants powers of grand revelations from the stars that madden foes. Star Pact warlocks can use either Constitution or Charisma for their attacks. There are also Star Pact spells which use Intelligence for attack rolls.[1]

The Fey Pact, forged with a power of the Feywild, giving the user access to both wondrous and dangerous spells of the Faerie realm. Fey Pact warlocks use Charisma for their attacks.

The Infernal Pact represents an agreement with a devil of the Nine Hells, giving one powers of hellish and demonic proportions. Infernal Pact warlocks use Constitution for their attacks.

The Dark Pact is made with powerful residents of the Underdark and the Abyss, which grants spells of plagues, illness and disease. This was presented in the Forgotten Realms Player's Guide.[2] Dark Pact warlocks use Charisma for their attacks.

The Vestige Pact, presented in the Arcane Power supplement, represents an agreement with vestiges, arcane "echoes" of once-great individuals and powers, allowing the Warlock to act as a spirit medium through which entities manifest their powers.

The Sorcerer-King Pact is included in the Dark Sun Campaign Setting. This pact is made with a Sorcerer-King of Athas, giving access to abilities that destroy and defile. Sorcerer-King Pact warlocks can use either Constitution or Charisma for their attacks.

The Gloom Pact is made with creatures of the Shadowfell, which gives the ability to connect with the shadows and use them to bind foes to them.

The Elemental Pact which allows Warlocks to draw their power from ancient Primordials in the Elemental Chaos, which in turn gives them chaotic elemental powers.

I assume taking from these fourth edition Warlock pacts is not allowed here, or more often than not folks will roll their eyes at you.

[Blame The Rogue]

ya, that was my thought too ZS. 3.5 would be the accepted lore

[Wolfrayne]

as far as im concerned 4th edition never existed (seriously biggest mistake ever made!)

[scriver]

5th Ed will be worse.

...Though perhaps not for the lore. That still remains to see.

[thids]

The only good thing that came out of 4th edition is that we were reminded once again how much of a badass Szass Tam is