BishGada (Private thread) Labyrinth of Madness

[BishGada]

Hi,
So as you know I was going over the long list of spells in https://adnd2e.fandom.com/wiki/All_Priest_Spells in order to better use Ke’Sha abilities.

The spell spheres are limited but the control over undead is strong.

There are several subjects I’d like to discuss:

Undead control

I know we decided he can control 3 times his level in HD and I thought it is more than enough.
When I tried to make a list of the reasonable army I wanted, it quickly went off much beyond 51 HD.
I thought having minimal army of:
1 leader (vampire/lich/spectre) - intelligent creature that is more powerful of the rest and not only muscles.
2 Lieutenant - still strong undead but less powerful: Shadows, mummy, giant skeleton, monster zombie with 10-12 HD, Thassaloss (greater/lesser)
several (4-8): cannon meat: Monster Zombies, Ghasts, Ghouls, Ju-Ju zombies
Few agents - scout the dungeon, infiltrate enemies army, spy, spread disease. Could be bat skeletons, skeletons, stalkers, shadows
As I said, it quickly sums up to 51HD and more…
The idea is also to have multiple abilities of the undead, such as level draining, being incorporeal, flying, different types of draining (CON=>especially for Ju-Ju creation, STR, DEX, …), paralyzation (always good), fear and so on.

So in order to “fix” this, there are spells that create undead and grant you the control over them (like create Thassaloss). Would you allow such undead, not to be count in the HD list?
Another way I thought of is using the spell “Summon Varrangoin” to fortify the undead small army.
One more option is to count the “Cannon meat” as half HD. For example Monster Zombies, Ghouls, Ghast and such.
I’m open to other suggestions if any.

Besides create Thassaloss, according to the Complete Necro., it is possible for an evil priest to control Fiends similar to undead, so using plane shift/astral spell/gate Ke’Sha would be able to meet fiends and try to take control over them. (I didn’t check yet the fiends… )
What do you think about it?

Also according to the complete necro it is possible to create dracolich from 12th level
They also mention it is possible to create flesh golem, bone golem and scarecrow, but I’ll pass (very expensive and time consuming)
But they say it is possible to create a skeleton warrior from 16th level.

About undead control/creation -
There is a spell “Cloak of Dark power” given by drow goddess. It let the priest act as one level higher in regards to undead. Will you allow it even that it is a drow goddess, while summoning or creating undead?
In any case the main source for special undead for control are summoning spells. (Both of Ke’Sha and Allikhain) so would it be possible to try and summon specific types of undead in some manner?

Please tell me what you think about special undead (such as Thassoloss) and the issues I raised here.

Spells:
After filtering the spells over and over, there is still a long list of spell that requires your permission.
When I tried to select spells for the day, similar to the undead army which quickly filled the 51HD, it also quickly filled the daily slots. So I thought I’ll just list the spells for “Tomorrow” that requires permission. The current “Tomorrow” is mainly focusing on building the undead army…

Please see below

Assume undead form: (and also special when summoning undead)
So this is going to be a though issue
I looked at the list from here: https://adnd2e.fandom.com/wiki/Undead
Tried to keep it to known resources.
I had in mind the variety of abilities, that might fit different situation. (similar to the consideration when planning the undead army).

So, first issue is HD. According to the spell you can assume form of undead of 8HD or less.
I check about the situation of 8HD + Xhp.
According to the monstrous manual, +3hp or more, counts as the next HD for attack and s.th only. in the DMG they say +4HP counts for the next level of S.Th.
In practice even these two more solid rules don’t really work as there are many creatures that their THAC0 is better than their HD or HD+1. It is more in respect to the monster role, is it more a “fighter” or other.
The other references to the HD+hp is even less clear. Most stick to +hp counts for THAC0 and S.Th only. Some argue that any +hp doesn’t effect the HD and some argue that any +hp is already +1 HD.

I mainly care about vampires that are 8HD+3hp.
There are few types of vampires: Western (regular), Eastern (I don’t really care about it), illithid (Mind Flayer + Vampire. Very strong , 4 attacks in a round each can drain 2 levels + mind flayer immunities and psionics abilities, and it is still 8HD+3hp, cerebral vampire 8+3.
There are few others: Greater agarat (8+6), Alhoon - it’s like vampire illithid that keeps his psionics if I got it right (8+4), Skullsnake (8+6),

Now, there is the subject of Dracolich and lesser undead dragons.
There are few dragon types that their base HD is low: Crystal, Jacinth, Pearl, Amber, Moonstone
This allows them to get to Very young - Adult as Draco-Liches, but the main loophole is that lesser undead dragons (Failed Draco-Liches) have half the HD, so these types of dragons can get from Very old to Great wyrm.
Each dragon has the number of spells he can cast a day is innate spell ability which they keep. They lose the breath weapon and the flying abilities and attacks.
They also lose the ability to cast non-innate spells (spells added to their spell book with copies and research)
And Jacinth, Pearl, Amber can have 7th level spells.

This leads to discussion about spell caster undead (not only undead dragons) and Assume undead form:
How to select the spells? Could Ke’Sha assume the undead form that knew A,B,C spells in one spell and the next use of the spell assume the same type of creature that knows D, E, F spells?
According to the description there is no restriction not to have that.
It means that as Amber Skeleton Dragon, Ke’Sha would be able to cast 3 limited wishes for example.

Please tell me what you think about vampires, dracoliches, lesser undead dragons and spell casting

Tactics:
Enemy infiltration - would you allow some minion try to “join” the enemy and spy on them for the group giving information of what he enemy knows and plans? Numbers, abilities etc?

Plague - There are few (I think 2 or three) spells that creates plagues (obviously there are immunities to some monsters) - would you allow to try and spread such plagues and then it will be considered during fights? Plagues have different effects such asNegative plane protection x 2 reducing ATK, AC concentration etc.
Breath of death (7th level) - spread by itself
Chain madness - spread by minion

Use animal summoning/monster summoning together with Animate dead monster

Get banedites (and other bipedal creatures) by using Aerial servant or powerful creatures such as fire elemental, Gate, Exaction, use Quest and such. Then create undead from them. “Create undead minion” with bipedal, “Undeath after death” with banedites. In undeath after death I can create a vampire. If you allow the “Cloak of dark power” for that, it can be done with no risk, if not, need to save vs. death or die, so I’d try to do it with all spells that improves S.Th.

Similar to (3) but just ask the “power” to bring the undead ready-made. Would you rule it is possible? Or even get the paladin we seek

I wanted to check if it is possible to put spell abilities on objects for temporary period. (Permanency prayer, holy investing, eternal flame, dewmorflow). I haven’t read exactly how they go together. I remember that it is possible to create “magic grenades, by bestowing spells into container and then break it, results in explosion.

Use divination spells to learn about our enemies, traps, and the sigils: (Divine inspiration, All seeing crystal ball (6th lvl), seek, stone tell, Commune, Genius, Idea etc)

Use locate object, seek and such to find the sigils

Use the mask of Garauth to change form to one that can fly

So you know all my devious plans... What do you think?

Turn/Control undead table:
Well, it ends at level 14. Would you agree that for priest of the Lord of the Undead it will progress farther?
The spell “Seek Eternal Rest” allow the priest to destroy on his next turn any creature he managed to turn. What would be the implications of such spell to Ke’Sha? Total domination?

Would like to hear your thoughts, especially on the table.

So, spell for tomorrow:
1th:
Cloak of Dark Power (for turning banedite into vampire) - need approval
Skeletal servant - need DM approval
Magical stone x 2 - need DM approval
Analyze opponent - need DM approval
Foresight (different from 4th level) - need DM approval
Command
Ebony hand
Undead Alaracity
Spectral senses

2nd: Bone bite
Chilling scythe x 2
idea
Augury
Find traps x 3
Crocodile tears (17h)
Withdraw

3rd: Animate dead
Negative plane protection x 2
Etherealness
Speak with dead
Locate object
Find portal
Mask of Gsrgauth (2d - 17d)
Forested protection (+34% MR)

4th Animal Sum. I (8 4HD)
The doom of bane - need DM approval
Plague - need DM approval
Genius
Unfailing endurance (17d 17 people no tire, bonuses against weakness)
Foresight - need DM approval
Heart Blight
Cause insanity - need DM approval
Bad medicine - need DM approval
Assume undead form
Solipsism

5th Lifebane x2 (in order to create ju-ju)
Animate dead monster
Imbue undead with spell ability
Raise dead
Quest
Scourge

6th Aerial servant (for banedite)
Summon undead
Conj. Fire Elemental

7th Breath of death - need DM approval
Undeath after death - need DM approval

ioun stone (9 levels): Create undead minion (7th), Undead alaracity (1th), Ebony hand (1th)

Thanks.

[TristenC]

-As a single adventurer you're not supppsed to be able to create an entire army on a whim in the space of a couple of days. We're sticking eith the 3x HD. In a long-term campaign or villain story arc a full ar,y would be built over Months if not Years, not mere hours and days.

-controlling fiends and extraplanar creatures is possible yes, and counts towards your 51 HD. It is much easier to control them on the prime material plane, going to their home plane and siezing one would be extremely challenging (they get saving throws, have allies around, are in their home element). You could reach almost any plane you wish to attempt this with a "Plane Shift" spell.
Anything he controls counts towards the 51 HD total, and the book actually mentions that a 6th level wiz could command up to 6HD undead or fiends. So technically the book allows FAR Less than you are getting for this game...

-The Create Tassalos spell entry lists the creation as needing a bunch of wizard spells to prepare, so he would presumably need a wizard ally of 16th level to cast all those spells for him; including Limited Wish. While Allikhain does have that spell, she does Not have Paralyzation, one of the other Required spells to create a Tassalos.

-like the others a Skeletal warrior would be expensive and time consuming. Including, but not limited to, creating the crown/circlet to control the creature; which is outside the scope of this campaign.

-The Drow goddess will not allow her special spells to those outside her race. Otherwise tgey are not special (as with all the other racial spells you asked about)

-

So, first issue is HD. According to the spell you can assume form of undead of 8HD or less.
I check about the situation of 8HD + Xhp.
According to the monstrous manual, +3hp or more, counts as the next HD for attack and s.th only. in the DMG they say +4HP counts for the next level of S.Th.
In practice even these two more solid rules don’t really work as there are many creatures that their THAC0 is better than their HD or HD+1. It is more in respect to the monster role, is it more a “fighter” or other.
The other references to the HD+hp is even less clear. Most stick to +hp counts for THAC0 and S.Th only. Some argue that any +hp doesn’t effect the HD and some argue that any +hp is already +1 HD.

Yeah, the dmg discusses HD as a pseudo-equivalent to level but many creatures have low HD but high 'level' (which i would base off of xp awarded b/c of abilities. It is a bit messy in 2e imo. But vampires are 8-9k xp award as a 8HD which is a "lvl 18" creature with respect to xp awarded. Not sure where in the dmg you saw that. The +3 hp rule will stand for this campaign

-Dracoliches: From the Necromancer handbook you would first need someone with the 'enchant item' spell, which nobody has. Then you would need to find a LIVING DRAGON to feed it to (by agreement or trickery) which I guarantee will not happen in the scope of this one-shot module.

-

Tactics:
Enemy infiltration - would you allow some minion try to “join” the enemy and spy on them for the group giving information of what he enemy knows and plans? Numbers, abilities etc?

Plague - There are few (I think 2 or three) spells that creates plagues (obviously there are immunities to some monsters) - would you allow to try and spread such plagues and then it will be considered during fights? Plagues have different effects such asNegative plane protection x 2 reducing ATK, AC concentration etc.
Breath of death (7th level) - spread by itself
Chain madness - spread by minion

Use animal summoning/monster summoning together with Animate dead monster

You're welcome to try in-game

-summons dissapear when killed, there is no body to raise

-what is a banedite? I cant find a reference anywhere.

-permanancy prayer is for creating items of permanant power, yes. The items must be very well made and usually very rare or expensive. Is there something specific you wanted?

If the 'magic grenade' is like the one Grubnick made in Jaded's Dragonlance game, all you need is a breakable flask of oil and the 'Fire Trap' spell.

-

Similar to (3) but just ask the “power” to bring the undead ready-made. Would you rule it is possible? Or even get the paladin we seek

I dont know what '3' you're referring to. I'll be honest, this is a LOT to ask about in one post. I'll have to get to the rest later, but remember: this is a One-Shot

[BishGada]

Hi.
Yeah, it is a long post. I worked researching its background over three weeks at least. This is the summary of the results.
The answer is not urgent. But I thought it would be correct to write all the ideas, requests, and question together, instead of sending only several at a time. Especially that I have already did few "small measures" before.

Sorry if you get annoyed by me trying to maximize Ke'Sha's power. There is high sphere restrictions in spells, the given power of the death pact, well there is that spell he could cast, the powers to create special undead in rituals are irrelevant for this adventure, the previous minions were destroyed within few rounds it the one actual fight we had.
so I thought that what can balance it is the high usage he could make with the undead.

If you want me to stop looking for optimizing Ke'Sha, I will. That's OK. (In fact I pretty much already finished going over all the material I could find). Just lets sum up what he can do. (51HD - probably ju-ju monsters and whatever will come in summon undead, or not even that? Just what we encounter by chance? Assume undead form of only classic undead up to spectre, no vamps, no spell casters?)

Regarding having more HD than the book mentions, well, that's what we said the x3 of the priest on the lord of the undead gets. That's the only power which is relevant for him. Even that was a compromise with the infinity HD that one could possibly argue one could control, as there are no specific rules. Don't get me wrong, I'm fine with the 51HD except it means about 5 strong creatures and not 10-12 that I initially thought.

For create Thassaloss, well, limited wish could also replace other spells, like paralyzation. But... tossed the subject to the can.

Regarding racial spells, I understand racial as when in the spell description it mentions "restricted to race X" which many spells has similar lines in the description. Not necessarily each spell granted by some god is restricted to the race the god is worshiped by. But "Cloak of Dark power" tossed to the can.

Dracolich - So, creating one is out of scope, but what about assume undead form of the age categories I mentioned for the specific types, and for Dragon Lesser Undead? It is within the spell rules and restrictions. I know it is powerful, but that's why I bring it up to you and not just use it.

(3) got lost in copy paste between formats. The idea was to use "Power" or Quest on a monster, to bring living or dead body required for undead creation by spell. (Not the horrifyingly expensive and time consuming rituals). So later I wrote that instead of bringing the "material" for the spell, I could command the "Power" to bring the undead, ready made.
Banedites are followers of Bane. The spell Undeath after Death mentions you can sacrifice them to create undead. The undead creature depends on the level of the follower that was sacrificed. If his level is less than the priest who casts the spell, there is no danger in it. If not, the caster need to roll S.Th. vs. death magic or die, while the undead is still created.

[TristenC]

It's fine to try to get the full potential for your character, sometimes it just takes a while to wade through. Remember also the the Book of Necromancers is meant to be a DM suppliment, not a Player suppliment, and as such the power scaling between them and normal PCs is something I have to balance.

Having an entire army at his command would basically take the other players out of the game or out of serious danger; part of the reason the entire camp full of adventurers doesnt just go down together conga-line style and nuke everything... not fun for most of the players. Having a small handful of strong creatures is a good balance i think, but dozens (or even 1 dozen) is too much.

Finding a high level Bane priest willing to be a to sacrifice for someone not of Bane seems out of norm also. Why sacrifice a powerful leader of their church who will continue to live, grow in power and serve his god just to give someone not of their order another tool to control?

[BishGada]

OK. Short message:
Army:
51HD hopefully minions will survive.
Preferable more simple spells: Summon undead, Lifebane, Animate dead monster, Summon Varrangoin (the spell ensures the control per day, so will you allow choosing full control against the 51HD or probability control without counting it?), Create undead minion, the doom of bane
Hope to get 1-2 strong minions

Assume undead form: up to 8HD+2. Need to rule about spell casters (see loophole below while sticking to the rules).

These two are what makes Ke'Sha unique.

============================================================

Long details:

Well, I hope the ju-ju zombies (if I ever manage to get them), the 7HD troll zombies and few strong undead appear by summon undead and hopefully get controlled, will survive more than 1 fight and will actually do something valuable in the game.

Regarding banedites, I didn't think of finding a willing high level follower (doesn't have to be priest. can also be warrior or other classes in their service), but kidnapping one and killing him. Using Aerial servant \ Fire or earth elemental or some being that come with "gate" to kidnap him. I hope it's creative enough (and dangerous) way to justify getting one powerful elite minion.

Regarding assume undead form. No vampires. But the spell allow anything up to 8HD, and there are draco-liches and dragon skeletons and zombies that are 8HD and less and are still powerful.

There are also other types of spell casters. (https://adnd2e.fandom.com/wiki/Neogi,_Undead_Old_Master, https://adnd2e.fandom.com/wiki/Night_Rider, Arch-Shadow (the description says 8+ HD but not plus what...), https://adnd2e.fandom.com/wiki/Ghul mage, Web-Specter (6HD undead that can be with 18lvl wiz/priest spells), etc.)

According to the spell description you become this creature in all aspect except for one. If you kill a creature using draining it will not rise as undead under your control as happens with undead monsters of that type. The rest is the same. (But I could still become gossamer that drains CON, then cast Lifebane to finish it off and make it rise as ju-ju)

The main loophole is that Skeleton dragons of types Crystal, Jacinth, Pearl, Amber and moonstone (all listed in the normal monster compendium) can get to age categories that gives 4th level priest spells, so I could turn to one, have one of the priest spells be "assume undead form" and keep it a loop forever (all within the spells restrictions).

[TristenC]

Even the 7HD trolls are much stronger than the bear and ogre you had before, so they should be more sturdy. The biggest proble, you had before was not having a chance to regen your undead before they died. More hps means better chances probably. But in the end Ho and Rror protected the party by being the front-line, so they served well.

I think the juju zombies will definitely be a big help (especially for scouting), even if it only ends up being 1 of them. Lifebane, finger of death from Allikahin etc are your friends for this.

About the Banedites, There really arent any nearby and I think sending a summoned spirit or elemental through a gate to another part of the world to collect a sufficiently high level one for the purpose of turning him into an undead minion is a little out of scope for this one shot. Sorry.

Varrangoin: yes, the spell handles the control so it does Not count against your 51 HD.

Assume undead form:
Yep, up to 8+2 HD undead creature. So you could turn into an 8 HD dracolich (which have an evil dragon base type)

Using this to become a level draining undead in order to drain someone down so you could finish them off to make a juju zombie is a pretty neat Idea. That would work.

The problems with your with your proposed 'infinite loop' are 1)Dracoliches are only created from evil dragons. The gem-dragons are all Neutral. There are no Crystal, Jacinth, Pearl, Amber and moonston Dracoliches. But even without that, 2) if they have access to spells (and not just spell like abilities) then they are a type of spellcaster, and not allowed by the spell anyway.

Neogi are a spelljammer race, and the undead old masters are even more rare. Has Ke'Sha been to space? even so, this is inherently a spellcaster, and not allowed by the spell description.

Arch Shadow: so they start with 8 HD and can grow stronger with each level they drain (hence the +). But the spell not working for undead spellcasters makes it pretty clear to me that this is not a valid creature.

Same for the others. Undead casters are not eligible.

[BishGada]

I didn't see the restriction of undead spell casters, so I read it again and I understand why...

I assume you refer to the sentence: "This spell does not work for undead spellcasters."

If that's the case, I think it is a matter of interpretation, but in my opinion the more probable meaning in this sentence is that undead spell casters can't use the spell "assume undead form".
This indeed will break the infinite loop but still allows becoming a spell caster.

[TristenC]

Ah, i see what you are saying. Hmmm yes that interpretation does seem more likely

[BishGada]

Hi,
So I posted in the OOC thread asking the other players to consider few directions each taking few days time.
While checking for long term boosting spells, I read again about Animal/Monsters/Summoning/Conjuring and I noticed that:

Spell - Wizard Conjure Animals - Appear: "the wizard creates the animal". Slain: no mention
Spell - Priest Conjure Animals - Appear: "the priest creates the animal". Slain: "the conjured animals disappear when slain"
Spell - Wizard monster summoning - Appear: "the wizard magically conjures the animals". End: "These creatures do not check morale, but they vanish when slain"
Spell - Wizard shadow summoning - Appear: "the shadows appear": End: no mention that something special happens when they die, but they don't have bodies anyway, right?
Spell - undead summoning II - appear: "undead summoning II conjures..." End: "The undead summoned by this spell vanish when slain"
Spell - wizard summon shadow - appear: " the wizard conjures.." End: no mention of vanish
Spell - priest Conjure Aurumvorax - appear: "enables the priest to magically create " End: "A conjured aurumvorax dis­appears when slain..."
Spell - priest summon insect - appear: "a swarm appears" End: no mention of vanish, by they dissipate if there is no concentration or fire or others. more like flying away...
Spell - priest Summon Cetacean - appear: "Only cetaceans within a mile of the caster at the time of the cast­ing will respond." (so they come and not conjured). End: no mention of slain or vanish
Spell - priest Summon Lock Lurker - appear: "the priest magically conjures" End: "They vanish when slain or when.."
Spell - priest Spider Summoning - appear: "the priest call..." End: "surviving spiders dis­appear, returning whence they came." no mention of vanish
Spell - priest Summon Undead - appear: "The creatures answer the summons ... Upon their arrival...". End: no mention of vanish or anything
Spell - priest animal summoning (I,II...) - appear: "the caster calls... Only animals within range of the caster at the time the spell is cast will come... " End: "The animals summoned aid the caster by whatever means they possess, staying until a fight is over, a specific mission is finished, the caster is safe, he sends them away, etc." No mention of vanish.


So my conclusion is that the rules are pretty consistence with:
1. If the spell conjures/creates things:
- the creature is conjured. doesn't have to be in range.
- usually you can be specific about the type you create.
- You always get the creature
- When it dies it vanishes

2. If the spell calls/summons
- the creature comes or arrive and need to be in range (true for spiders, undead, animals, and smei-true for swarm)
- You don't necessarily get what you want if at all
- The dead just stay dead.

For (1) there is only 1 inconsistency with the shadows that are conjured and not vanish (but they are ethereal, so it might be that)
For (2) there is only partial inconsistency that I think you can choose what swarm will appear, but I think they still need to be around, and in general swarm is different form the other creatures.

And I think it makes sense. If the creature "magically transported" (conguration/creation) then it vanishes. If the creature WALKED to the place by a call, it just fall dead. Why vanish?

If you agree this can be source for high HD undead monsters without special abilities.

Thanks.

[TristenC]

Basically that's how it works, for something to leave a body after the spell duration it has to be 'called' from nearby. The most important distinction is that, for those type of spells, there has to be something nearby able to get to the caster

[BishGada]

So, Ke'Sha can try animal summoning III for up to 16HD animals and if killed, raise them as monster zombies, right? He could try it in camp or in the dungeon, and maybe nothing will come. Right?

Let's try to come with a list that will make both you, the other players and me happy enough. I really don't want to ruin the game and I really don't want to give up all the necromancy abilities. (I would choose a different god, was that the case).

When we just begun I thought it was nice having the 6 undead I had, but they were so squishy they had no effect on the game. Then I saw all the possibilities a necromancer at 17th level had! I see that it is OP, but giving up on it is not easy, especially that Ke'Sha is limited with other abilities and spheres. Similar to that is the assume undead form. I saw that I don't know much about the available spells. I searched it and found the options to be really interesting and strong. Then it seems to be OP, and again, difficult to give up on it.

So I suggest I will list three "types" of armies: Strong, medium, weak. Also, later I'll suggest guidelines to assume undead form as I see it, and you will decide what can work for the party.

I'm OK with starting with medium and see how it goes. If we can find points in the adventure that for short term the army can become strong it will be even nicer.

Strong:
1 Vamp/Lich/Spectre
2 greater Varrangoins
2 Giant skeletons/mummies/12+ HD zombies
4 Jujus/Monster zombies/shadows/ghasts mix
2 skeletons/skeletal bats/ghouls as agents

Medium:
1 greater Varrangoin
1 spectre
4 Monster zombies
2 juju

Weak:
2 juju
2 Monster zombies
4 skeletons/zombies

Obviously, the 'army' or 'unit' doesn't have to come ready made. For example, if Ke'Sha casts summon undead, he will have to face whatever comes, even if he doesn't manage to take control over it.

So given some range of how I see it, what do you think can work in the game for the other players and you?

[BishGada]

So I know that I said that if the team rules out the undead unit, I'm OK with it, but that was only because I predicted they will say they have no problem with it.

I feel that saying that for a necromancer is like telling a warrior that he shouldn't use steel and he can fight only with a toothbrush and only with his weak hand.

But, again, I'm trying to be a man of my word, so I guess Weak army is the only option.

[TristenC]

did he say anything about varrangoin?

[TristenC]

Regarding the vampire, lich, is basicslly out of scope to create one within this one-shot anyway, based on time/resources/spells etc.

[BishGada]

Yeah, I know. I didn't mean to create these in crazy rituals. I meant to use summon undead which have some chance (depending on the rolls) that lich or vampire or "special" will appear.
Another option which *I* think is still valid and within the one-shot game limits is to command Aerial Servant (or however it is called 6th level spell) to fetch me a bandite ( ) and with one spell (no ritual, money and other out of scope things) make it a vampire (with the risk of 4/20 that Ke'Sha dies).

He didn't mention varrangoin, but I think it is on the same note... Especially that with the varragoin spell it is explicitly telling you that the demon tries to break the commanding force every morning and return to the Abyss (or where ever).
Varrangoins are really strong.

If you think it is OK, I'll create on the downtime the troll zombies, few (one or two) 9-17 HD monster zombies that could take the stairs by using summon animals III, and during game will try to have 2 jujus. (maybe one could be fetched on the downtime - go out of the camp, call Aerial servant to get some local human, drain it and juju it)

I would rather have also undead that drains levels or abilities and can get ethereal, but I think they all are intelligent.

You must understand the frustration that after you see the great power you can achieve, and then it is stripped from you, it is worse than don't knowing about it at all (as I was at the first few months of the game).
That said, it is only a game, I rather we all enjoy and I think most of the time we are just having fun with no connection to fights and extra powers. Ke'Sha is still powerful without armies of undead and assuming undead form of Mind Flayer vampires that drain 8 levels in a round. He does have the Quasit, and with stronger zombies I hope they will survive.