Lavok Corthala is an ancient, plane-hopping mage who has lived for many centuries. He is a relative of Valygar Corthala and resides within The Planar Sphere, which is currently "parked" in the Slums District, having 'phased' into several homes in the district.
Gameplay[]
When Lavok detects intruders, a series of dialogue exchanges is likely (unless the party initiates attacks from invisibility or similar). No matter what is said or unsaid, the result ends in battle for the party, who are viewed as a threat to Lavok's plans and also as intruders in the sphere.
Lavok is located up a staircase, and will attempt spell casting from this elevated position, which has a commanding view of the entire chamber. He'll start out with some near instantly cast self-buffs for protection (won't be able to disrupt these), including Spell Turning, SI: Invocation, Stoneskin and Mantle.
Spell casting combat will continue, and if not disrupted, as soon as any enemy is detected (typically the closest or second closest) will be subjected to an Abi-Dalzim's Horrid Wilting, then a Hold Person (wizard) followed by Power Word, Silence. Afterwards a combination Mirror Image, Greater Malison with Chaos will be next.
Further along another triple style sequencer will apply a Protection From Electricity (spell) to itself, and a Breach with Chain Lightning to a party member.
Expect a Power Word, Stun, a Death Spell if the party summons any creatures, and Magic Missile attacks.
When Lavok's hit points are reduced to 10% of original, then a transition will be scripted to cause the creature to morph into a mortally wounded state. The wizard will be prone and laying on the floor with a new series of dialogue. The party will need to listen to the dying mage's statements (as this is the only way to eventually be able to leave the sphere), as well as to potentially grant a last request for the mage.
Pickpocketing Lavok[]
Lavok wears the Ring of Acuity when first encountered in a ring slot. It's possible to pickpocket this item as long as he doesn't detect the party. Once the necromancer has been damaged sufficiently a second form of the creature (who is lying prone on the ground) also is spawned with another Ring of Acuity - this time the ring in the general inventory slot. This can also be pickpocketed. In the Enhanced Edition if the party already possesses the Ring of Acuity - then Lavok will not issue another one during his reward phase with a party mage. This item duplicate coding faux pas has been identified to Beamdog - but as of version 2.6 nothing has been changed. It is most likely an exploitable error - not some hidden bonus the developers intended for the player to get two of the same items from the same creature.
Bugs[]
- Though being referred to as a male necromancer,[1][2][3][4][5] technically Lavok is of neither sex nor mage specialization.
Mod content[]
This section is about unofficial content that is only available via fan-made mods.
The Sword Coast Stratagems mod revises this creature with a new default AI script, and especially with the "Smarter Mages" component installed. An entire reworked spell book is memorized, and spell choices are changed as well. The mage is now assigned a Necromancer kit, and spell casting choice will naturally be favoring that school.
Lavok will open up with a group of (previously cast) protective buffs including: Minor Globe of Invulnerability, Spell Turning, SI: Invocation, Shield (spell), Protection From Normal Missiles, Protection From Cold and Stoneskin. With Spell Revisions then Spell Turning will be "Greater Spell Deflection" and Spell Immunity will be "Dispelling Screen". Almost instantly afterwards, he'll be able to add an Abi-Dalzim's Horrid Wilting on top of himself, in case an invisible adversary was undetected and close by. Normally A True Sight is also at the tail end of the initial spellcasting spree.
Will then launch Animate Dead bringing forth a Skeleton Warrior next to the closest party member, and a contingency will automatically provide Lavok with either a Protection From Magical Weapons or a Improved Mantle. With Spell Revisions this will be a PFMW and "Moment of Prescience".
The mage will now respond with offensive and disabling spells, perhaps even more Undead summons, based up the AI's threat assessment scripting. It will be variable depending on the party's actions and their protections. If the player's difficulty settings are on Hardcore or Insane, then Lavok will use its mage High-level class ability which includes Improved Alacrity and Summon Dark Planetar. Also, expect a Time Stop at some point in the battle, and the mage may provide itself with Melf's Minute Meteors as a means to hurl missiles in between spell casts. On Insane difficulty a Wail of the Banshee or Imprisonment spells are likely.
With the Spell Revisions mod installed, Lavok's spell use will the SR versions. Summoned help will likely be a gated "Death Knight".
Mod gallery[]
External Links[]
- Lavok Corthala on the Forgotten Realms Wiki, a wiki for the Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting Forgotten Realms.
References[]
- ↑ Valygar's dialogue (
BVALYGA.dlg), state 27: "I did say he was a necromancer, didn't I? As I understand it, Lavok felt that tampering with the veil that separates life from death was his prerogative." - ↑ Valygar's dialogue (
VALYGARP.dlg), state 2: "He is dead. Lavok the necromancer is finally dead... I can scarce believe it." - ↑ Llarsh's dialogue, state 12: "Oh, something about the necromancer Lavok from long ago, I think. He was looking for blood relatives; I have no idea why. That family was cursed, I tell you."
- ↑ Valygar's dialogue (
BVALYGA.dlg), state 8: "I find it hard to believe that anything tainted with the scent of lichdom or Lavok's necromancy can lead to anything good." - ↑ Valygar's dialogue (
VALYGAR.dlg), state 3: "A planar sphere appeared in the slums of Athkatla weeks ago. My ancestor, the necromancer Lavok, built that sphere as some sort of planar-traveling device."