Overview
Today, I wanted to take a look at a really fun trope that I've actually played before, and help inspire different variations on this trope for others to use.
I'm talking about the idea of making a "possessed character" - or rather, a character that shares their consciousness or body with another being that isn't human, and usually has some kind of arcane or divine power. I like this idea because of the different aesthetics that are able to come from it. Depending on the other creature involved in the possession, there are so many different ways this could go. A humanoid possessed by an archfiend is going to be far different from one possessed by a divine being, like a deva or even a god. How they act is going to be so wildly different and their goals are also going to be wildly different.
That's what we're going to dive into today.
Race, Class, Stats, and Background
Let's start with race. There's not a specific race I had in mind; any race could technically be possessed for whatever reason. However, I think there are three races that work really well for the aesthetics I'm going for. If they don't work for you and how you want to build a possessed character, then pick a different race!
When I created my possessed character Carter Shannon (you can read all about him under "My PCs,") I made him a human. (Player's Handbook) I think that a lot of people in the D&D community see humans as basic or boring. I think that the fact that they are pretty basic, even in the fantasy settings of D&D and other TTRPGs, makes them perfect for a character like this. On the outside, they're unassuming. They look like every other human. Until you realize that there's something remarkably exceptional about them. I use humans in some of my craziest character concepts because I like the juxtaposition - I like taking someone who is widely considered ordinary and making them extraordinary. Carter was a bookworm, very awkward, just trying to get through art school... but he was also a Warlock and possessed by the creature that gave him his powers. I also see an aasimar (Volo's Guide) being an interesting take on this character, especially if you're going the divine possession route. It's already written in the source book that aasimar are typically tied to devas or even to higher beings like gods. Perhaps the god uses them as a vessel when needed. My last option here is a kalashtar (Ebberon) because of their dual / linked mind. They have a connection with a dream spirit. Would it be possible for that spirit to possess them? If so, why? What's the goal there?
Background can also be pretty fluid here, but my personal favorite for this would be Haunted One. (Curse of Strahd) A character with this background is essentially defined as having severe trauma in their life, usually due to something supernatural or arcane in nature. For this character, it could relate to meeting the thing that possesses them. This is great for a character who is unwillingly possessed but there's a chance that your character is possessed by choice. In that case, you might want to select a different background that works better with whichever aesthetic you're going for.
I think that if you want this possession to be part of your character's class, then you're kind of limited in what classes and subclasses you can pick. However, that's not necessarily a bad thing, especially when I've still got potential classes for all kinds of players, even those who like melee more than the arcane.
- Warlock is the obvious first choice. Make sure Charisma is your highest stat, since that's your spellcasting skill. The beauty of Warlock with this build is that you can be possessed by several patrons on that list, including:
- The Archfey (Player's Handbook) but this one depends on how fey work in your world. Some archfey may not have this capability necessarily.
- The Celestial (Xanathar's Guide) for those who want arcane casting, but still want the aesthetic of divine possession.
- The Fiend (Player's Handbook) is a classic and the go-to for the demonic possession aesthetic. This was Carter's subclass.
- The Great Old One (Player's Handbook) has great potential for scary like the fiend, but also far more unknowable. Great for anyone who loves a Lovecraftian aesthetic for their characters.
- The Undying (Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide) but it'd probably have to be more of a very powerful spirit, rather than a lich or other such beings.
- If divine casting is more your style and you want a divinely-possessed character, then Cleric is probably more your speed. Wisdom is your spellcasting stat for that, so keep that nice and high. Gods are great for a possession because not all of them are good. If your character worships a god that is not necessarily good and also has the potential to be possessed by that god, that might cause conflict.
- If you're a half-caster kind of person, then Paladins are also a fun choice, especially going with the divine possession route again. Charisma and Strength are probably your best bets for good spells and attacks. Much like how a cleric's domain dictates their god, perhaps your oath dictates yours.
- Depending on how your table rules homebrew, the very popular Blood Hunter class (DMsGuild, made by Matt Mercer) might be another part-caster Warlock-esque alternative if you go with the Profane Soul subclass. Intelligence is your highest stat for this class, followed by either Strength or Dexterity, depending on whether you want to be a melee or ranged fighter.
- For all of my friends who want to go full melee fighter, Barbarian is actually going to be your best bet for a possessed character. Strength and Constitution are your high stats for this. Go with Path of the Ancestral Guardian (Player's Handbook) and be possessed by one of your ancestors whenever you rage. It won't necessarily add much in terms of abilities, but it's great for roleplay. You could also pick Path of the Zealot (Xanathar's Guide) in case you still want that divine aesthetic. When you rage, you're a vessel for your god and their power.
You may also choose not to incorporate your character's class into their possession, which works too. In that case, you have every class and subclass at your disposal!
Roleplay Potential
Any interaction between your character and the creature possessing them, if you work with the DM and you have a good DM, will be excellent. When I played Carter, I lived for every interaction he got to have with anyone where Abraxas, his patron, was brought up and every interaction with Abraxas. There was a lot of trauma involved in Carter's possession, especially because it was unwilling. Carter never wanted to be a Warlock; he picked up the wrong book at the library. Talk to your DM about what the interactions would historically be like between your character and the creature possessing them. How long has this been going on? What kind of personality does this creature have? Even though you didn't ask to be possessed, do the two of you still get along? Are you trying to get rid of this creature? Did the other creature even intend to possess you? Abraxas didn't intend to possess Carter. His involvement was just as unwilling.
If your character actually wants to be possessed or actively asked for the situation they're in, why did they do it? What was the motivation? Is there a shared goal? What happens if it comes to be that... your goals don't align anymore? What does that mean?
Then, of course, there are the interactions that come about when the other being is "in the driver's seat" so to speak. In this scenario, it presumes that this creature is "piloting" the character's body. There are interactions that can be had with enemies, or even within the party. Depending on the situation, they can be friendly or hostile.
A character's personal quest can be all about figuring out exactly what the creature is, or exactly what it wants if they don't already know. They can find out "why me?" and maybe discover something new about themselves. There's an element of growth with a character like this that I think is really special.
For example: when Carter and Abraxas started the campaign, they were in Carter's body, and they hated each other. Each had very valid reasons to hate the other. Abraxas was also the only thing that Carter truly feared. About halfway through the campaign, they split and got their own bodies. Carter was no longer possessed, but still retained his Warlock powers. They did not see each other at all for about six years in-game after that point. Carter grew. He healed. He moved on. During our last session, Carter needed to see Abraxas again to ask him questions. He was nervous, but for once, he wasn't afraid. Abraxas, too, had done some healing. He had grown. By the end of the campaign, the overall feeling was that they could tolerate each other. They'd never be friends - they couldn't be after what they put each other through - but they could sit and have a civil conversation if they had to. There were no apologies needed. Neither wanted one. They had other things now.
A character that is possessed might not believe that they have anything else or that they are anything more than that: a vessel for something unknowably powerful. Maybe, along the way, they find those other things that Carter and Abraxas found.
No comments:
Post a Comment