Vow of Nonviolence refers specifically against causing HP and/or Ability damage to Humanoid and Monstrous Humanoids, so everything else should be fair game. Also it does allow the adherent to fight the protected Types, provided they deal nonlethal damage.
Vow of Peace specifically excludes nonliving creatures (Constructs and Undead) and gives AC bonuses.
I believe I called his Vow of Peace out a few strips ago.
She may not care. She may also be genuinely confused why would someone want to look up her skirt. What they are going to see? Just another part of her body. Which she may or may not have.
Also, according to Fiend Folio, Devas were averse to clothing and only wear it to adhere to mortal customs.
Fair point from a character POV – nudity taboos in general are pretty daft when you think about it (It’s one thing to need clothes as protection against cold/heat/tools/chemicals/etc, and other to require clothing for the sake of clothing)…
..but OTOH, this is a comic strip which absolutely has to conform to those “mortal customs”, as shown in the very last strip when Madeline’s skirt repeatedly defied the conservation of momentum to adhere to them!
The difference between character POV and strip POV is that strip can use convenient angles to not show something (and, yes, cheat a little with conversation of momentum.)
There is, in fact, a long tradition of showing completely naked characters in visual media in way audience can’t see anything problematic. See Austin Powers films for best examples 🙂
Even if the Planar Ally herself doesn’t care, she might find that she is inexplicably wearing bike shorts under that skirt, because Madeline assumes that she would. Reality knows it’s rarely worth the trouble to disagree with Maddie.
Don’t know whether it’s just colouring or not, but her legs are a slightly different colour than her arms and face. This means either the artist didn’t quite get the colour matching right, or she’s wearing “flesh-coloured” leggings.
@TelMcQ
Now that you mention it, I do see that! Honestly, it’s a bit lighter, either because she is in mid-summon, or just glowing, but it looks very similar to the leggings Maddy is wearing.
Yes, the summons generally have to play by the same functional rules as the summoner when it comes to Vows… but Planar Ally also has a vast array of nonviolent applications. Protective Aura is great, most angels have some sort of healing SLA… and it’s the best way to access certain spells between 2 and 6 levels sooner than you otherwise could.
Just because he has a Code Versus Killing, doesn’t mean he can’t release undead.
After all, he wouldn’t be killing then, he’d be setting them free from their torment.
And, as Yuki Kurai said, Planar Allies have lots of useful abilities and spells that aren’t primarily offensive – under 2nd Edition Rules, a Planetar could cast Heal pretty much as often as it liked (yeesh). Assuming this is a deva, tey can cast Cure Disease three times a day and Heal once per day – and that’s not counting the laundry list of other spells the would have access to. ;D
“Now this may sound rather odd,
but sometimes the best in the squad
is the one with the cross
who can smite like a boss
by harnessing the bitchslap of god.”
Looks like it’s finally time for my Patreon reward… *squee*
The angel Derek summoned is an OC of mine from a high-level campaign years back. Her name is Angelissa and she is an astral deva with class levels. And she absolutely detests undead. ^^
She looks epic AF. I just really hope she’s wearing some kinda underclothes, or a celestial v. aberration fight isn’t the only show the people in the stands are gonna get.
Yes, the eyes are fantastic — that lens-flare effect! — as is her whole mixture of alien transcendence, and down-to-earth, “what order do you want me to smash these guys in?” annoyance. And the Calamiti are just a warmup; somewhere on the battlefield, there’s still that eldritch abomination hipster thing.
Derek looks great too, with his casual summoning slouch and Finger of Power. “Don’t make me use the next one, because it upsets Madeline.” That is one badass pacifist.
Mm, it’s been a long time and I lost the character sheet, but at the end of the campaign she had an effective level somewhere in the early 30s (level adjustment for astral deva PCs is +8 if I recall correctly). Then again, we don’t know what level Madeline is, she seems to be grinding out a lot of them between appearances. Let’s just say that Calamitus is doomed either way. ^^
I haven’t played tabletop D&D in a while, but if I recall, aren’t paladins and clerics who serve good deities able to detect undead beings? Don’t recall if it’s via spell, feat or innate ability; but I’m pretty sure Derek shouldn’t have had to rely on hearing Calamitus verbally admit to being undead before being able to act.
He admitted to being “not alive”, not to being undead. Also, what paladins/clerics can detect (and how they do it) changes a lot based on edition, build, etc.
Detect Undead is indeed a spell, meaning it’s fully possible neither of them prepared it this morning. It also requires a combat round to cast, which matters a lot in a fight.
Planar Ally’s mother: “Do you really have to wear that kind of dress to work? At least make sure that you put on clean undergarments before you leave for the Prime Material plane, young lady!”
True, I know of at least two other characters going by that name. ^^
Alright, here is one page of a comic featuring her. This is actually SFW, mostly. As I warned before, a lot of my other stuff is not, so browse at your own risk.
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So, uh, is Angel Thor meant to be some echo of Madelyne, did Derek summon her?
[And even if his vow doesn’t apply to the Calamiclones, why would he have offensive spells ready?]
Planar Ally isn’t an offensive spell, the ally called upon can be offensive however.
Yeah, but surely a vow of non-violence would apply to your summoned creatures too.
[Unrelated question – is it wise for a being taller than many skyscrapers to wear a short skirt? Answers on a postcars…]
If I had to guess, he took a vow to hurt no LIVING things, hence why he can now mess up some undead.
Or Simulacrums?
At least in 3.5, Vow of Non-Violence specifically excluded Constructs and Undead, so he should be in the clear.
Vow of Nonviolence refers specifically against causing HP and/or Ability damage to Humanoid and Monstrous Humanoids, so everything else should be fair game. Also it does allow the adherent to fight the protected Types, provided they deal nonlethal damage.
Vow of Peace specifically excludes nonliving creatures (Constructs and Undead) and gives AC bonuses.
I believe I called his Vow of Peace out a few strips ago.
That’s why he let rip only after the enemy admitted to not being alive.
She may not care. She may also be genuinely confused why would someone want to look up her skirt. What they are going to see? Just another part of her body. Which she may or may not have.
Also, according to Fiend Folio, Devas were averse to clothing and only wear it to adhere to mortal customs.
Fair point from a character POV – nudity taboos in general are pretty daft when you think about it (It’s one thing to need clothes as protection against cold/heat/tools/chemicals/etc, and other to require clothing for the sake of clothing)…
..but OTOH, this is a comic strip which absolutely has to conform to those “mortal customs”, as shown in the very last strip when Madeline’s skirt repeatedly defied the conservation of momentum to adhere to them!
The difference between character POV and strip POV is that strip can use convenient angles to not show something (and, yes, cheat a little with conversation of momentum.)
There is, in fact, a long tradition of showing completely naked characters in visual media in way audience can’t see anything problematic. See Austin Powers films for best examples 🙂
One notes that Maddie wears biker shorts — that’s part of the mortal customs around here.
Even if the Planar Ally herself doesn’t care, she might find that she is inexplicably wearing bike shorts under that skirt, because Madeline assumes that she would. Reality knows it’s rarely worth the trouble to disagree with Maddie.
Don’t know whether it’s just colouring or not, but her legs are a slightly different colour than her arms and face. This means either the artist didn’t quite get the colour matching right, or she’s wearing “flesh-coloured” leggings.
@TelMcQ
Now that you mention it, I do see that! Honestly, it’s a bit lighter, either because she is in mid-summon, or just glowing, but it looks very similar to the leggings Maddy is wearing.
Yes, the summons generally have to play by the same functional rules as the summoner when it comes to Vows… but Planar Ally also has a vast array of nonviolent applications. Protective Aura is great, most angels have some sort of healing SLA… and it’s the best way to access certain spells between 2 and 6 levels sooner than you otherwise could.
I believe “Dude, Where’s My Car?” attempted to answer that question.
It’s ok, her battle briefs are opaque
If you can’t think ways to use an offensive-spell in non destructive way, you’re doing something wrong~
Disintegrate? No no – Permanent door unlocking spell.
Fireball? Iron golem army heal spell.
Wall of blades? Wall of “Try me, beech.”
You’re thinking too small. Wall of Blades is clearly the ultimate industrial vegetable peeler!
It SLICES, it DICES! It even JULLIENNES FRIES!!
In most versions curing/healing spells deal damage to undead.
Just because he has a Code Versus Killing, doesn’t mean he can’t release undead.
After all, he wouldn’t be killing then, he’d be setting them free from their torment.
And, as Yuki Kurai said, Planar Allies have lots of useful abilities and spells that aren’t primarily offensive – under 2nd Edition Rules, a Planetar could cast Heal pretty much as often as it liked (yeesh). Assuming this is a deva, tey can cast Cure Disease three times a day and Heal once per day – and that’s not counting the laundry list of other spells the would have access to. ;D
To quote A Crap Guide to D&D:
“Now this may sound rather odd,
but sometimes the best in the squad
is the one with the cross
who can smite like a boss
by harnessing the bitchslap of god.”
And now you know how to play Cleric, amen
And Derek steps up to the plate. This is going to be good!
“Now hitting for the Giants, Angelissa, a recent pick-up from the Angels and former Most Valuable Planar…”
Two thumbs WAY up for this comment =)
Some of the previous commenters seem to think Maddy isdoing the summoning but it seems obvious Derek is.
To be honest, the first thing that popped into my mind was: “Cherubim and Seraphim, Smite together in perfect harmony” to the tune of Ebony and Ivory.
Because I feel it must be said.
“IT’S HAMMER TIME!”
Also, given the last page, I think these guys are gonna be surprised how much Maddie can hurt them.
Remember, kids…blunt weapons hurt more.
Looks like it’s finally time for my Patreon reward… *squee*
The angel Derek summoned is an OC of mine from a high-level campaign years back. Her name is Angelissa and she is an astral deva with class levels. And she absolutely detests undead. ^^
She looks epic AF. I just really hope she’s wearing some kinda underclothes, or a celestial v. aberration fight isn’t the only show the people in the stands are gonna get.
Yes, I love the way Mike drew her. Those glowing divine eyes really say “Don’t mess with me!” .
Yes, the eyes are fantastic — that lens-flare effect! — as is her whole mixture of alien transcendence, and down-to-earth, “what order do you want me to smash these guys in?” annoyance. And the Calamiti are just a warmup; somewhere on the battlefield, there’s still that eldritch abomination hipster thing.
Derek looks great too, with his casual summoning slouch and Finger of Power. “Don’t make me use the next one, because it upsets Madeline.” That is one badass pacifist.
It took me a second look to realize that was his index finger.
Woot!
In that case, how do you feel about the alt text? Would you say it’s accurate? Or is it accurate?
Mm, it’s been a long time and I lost the character sheet, but at the end of the campaign she had an effective level somewhere in the early 30s (level adjustment for astral deva PCs is +8 if I recall correctly). Then again, we don’t know what level Madeline is, she seems to be grinding out a lot of them between appearances. Let’s just say that Calamitus is doomed either way. ^^
In one fleeting moment, from the land doth life flow~
Oh dear, here come Da Smak™.
I haven’t played tabletop D&D in a while, but if I recall, aren’t paladins and clerics who serve good deities able to detect undead beings? Don’t recall if it’s via spell, feat or innate ability; but I’m pretty sure Derek shouldn’t have had to rely on hearing Calamitus verbally admit to being undead before being able to act.
He admitted to being “not alive”, not to being undead. Also, what paladins/clerics can detect (and how they do it) changes a lot based on edition, build, etc.
Detect Undead is indeed a spell, meaning it’s fully possible neither of them prepared it this morning. It also requires a combat round to cast, which matters a lot in a fight.
Planar Ally’s mother: “Do you really have to wear that kind of dress to work? At least make sure that you put on clean undergarments before you leave for the Prime Material plane, young lady!”
And now we know why it’s called the “Bush Leagues”.
Wallpaper for the giant angel?
I second this
Angel, we’d need your permission for that I suspect, your character. Are you willing to O.K wallpapers all round? 😉
I’ve got no problem with that. Not like there isn’t already plenty of artwork of her, she’s my favorite.
(I won’t link to them here because a lot of them are various degrees of NSFW. Google at your own risk.)
i have no idea what we’d even google to find such artwork, since “Angelissa” is hardly a distinctive online handle haha
True, I know of at least two other characters going by that name. ^^
Alright, here is one page of a comic featuring her. This is actually SFW, mostly. As I warned before, a lot of my other stuff is not, so browse at your own risk.
https://www.deviantart.com/angelissa/art/Angelissa-versus-Necromancer-3-7-360944652
Maddie should have led with the surprise attack again, but of course, online comics have to progress, otherwise the battle is over.
Oh, an Invitation to the Brawl.
Loving the hammer angel in background. Could be a cool wallpaper, especially if smiling.
> Could be a cool wallpaper, especially if smiling.
That’s an unusual way to spell “smiting”.
Could be doing both
And that’s when the Power came on…
“Come into my bailiwick, said the Angel to the Wraith…”