Character Creation Challenge: Day 17, Aeronwy

 What if one of my normally good witches turned evil? That is the question I asked when I sat down to work on this witch. She isn't one of my witches turned evil, she is built new from the ground up, but it is an interesting thought experiment. I am also revisiting my Complete Netbook of Witches & Warlocks book and revising my warlock ideas. 

As it turns out, I really have three different warlocks. 

• Complete Netbook of Witches & Warlocks
• Eldritch Witchery for Spellcraft & Swordplay
• Warlock for Swords & Wizardry
• Warlock for Basic-era Games (very similar to S&W)

They are all similar but not identical. Today I am going to look into the CNoW&W warlock since it is the most different than the others and it is also the most similar to the witch class.

So a witch-like warlock. Evil. Fits into my world. That is the recipe for today's witch. I am interested in how this witch works, so I am not giving her cantrips.

Aeronwy is, for the most part, Rhiannon, the one I got from Grenda's collection of characters.  The characters of Eria, Rhiannon, and Aeronwy all represent the same character as she progresses from good pagan to evil malefic witch. I have taken some liberties with the posted versions over the years, but they all represent, if not the same character, the same sort of character. 

• Rhiannon, Level 1
• Eria, Level 3
• Rhiannon, Grenda's original
• Rhiannon, Basic era Level 8
• Rhiannon, Malefic Witch Priestess, Level 8

It's not a clean progression to be sure. And I "cheated" by combining a couple of similar characters named Rhiannon here. But the idea is compelling. A good pagan girl turning to evil devil worship. Sounds fun!

Aeronwy
17th level Human Warlock (Malefic), Lawful Evil

S: 12
I: 16
W: 16
D: 13
C: 13
Ch: 16

Paralysis/Poison: 7
Petrify/Polymorph: 7
Rod, Staff, or Wand: 8
Breath Weapon: 10
Spells: 9

AC:  (Leather AC 8 +2)
HP: 34
THAC0: 14

Weapon
Dagger +1 1d4/1d3

Occult Powers
1st level: Healing Herbs
6th level: Supernatural Protection
9th level: Word of Fear
12th level: Necromantic Protection
15th level: Fiend Summoning
18th level: Astral Travel

Base chance of discovery: 58%
Can't tread on holy or consecrated ground. Double damage from cold wrought steel/iron.

Spells
First level: Bleeding Touch, Beguile I, Blood Strike, Foretell, Lesser Banishing Rite, Pain, Wich Light
Second level: Air Blast, Aura Reading, Dance Tantra, Glamour, Minor Hex, Pain Armor, Summon Undead
Third level: Astral Sense, Aura Manipulation, Charm Undead, Kiss of Slavery, Lesser Strengthing Rite, Witch Writing
Fourth level: Broom, Card Reading, Hate, Middle Banishing Rite, Spiritual Dagger, Witch Bottle
Fifth level: Blade Dance, Bull of Hell, Escape of the Snake, Minor Rite of Enchantment, Rite of Mental Resistance
Sixth level: Anchoring Rite, Greater Banishing Rite, Pentagram of Protection, Wave of Mutilation
Seventh level: Demon Trap, Widershins Dance

Theme Songs: Everybody Scream

My old witch and warlock had a lot more Occult Powers, but fewer spells.Both in choice and in use. I think the balance I struck in the Basic-era witches is better. 

This is not 100% the Aeronwy I have been playing since Halloween. But she is really close. To give you an idea of what she has become, the Halestorm song "Vicious" was almost her theme song. I put her through hell (and Hell), and she comes back even angrier and more powerful. She is great, and I think she is going to be one of those characters that really leaves a mark on my games.