Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Mythic Races
Mythic Races
Credits
LINE DEVELOPER
Greg Benage
WRITING
Justin Bacon, Mark Chance, Tod Gelle, Darrell Hardy, Lizard, David Lyons, Mike Mearls, Brian Patterson, Peter
Schweighofer
INTERIOR ILLUSTRATIONS
Jesper Ejsing, Eric Lofgren, Kieran Yanner
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Brian Schomburg
COVER DESIGN
Brian Schomburg ‘d20 System’ and the ‘d20 System’ logo are Trademarks owned by
Wizards of the Coast and are used according to the terms of the d20
CONTENT EDITING System License version 1.0. A copy of this License can be found at
www.wizards.com.
Greg Benage
Lizard
Dungeons & Dragons® and Wizards of the Coast® are Registered
Trademarks of Wizards of the Coast and are used with permission.
COPY EDITING
Greg Benage
Catten Ely
LAYOUT
Greg Benage
PUBLISHER
Christian T. Petersen
PRINTING
Quebecor Printing, Inc.
Printed in Canada
Contents
AALEEAR 5
ANAEMA 11
ANIMEN 17
ARTATHI 23
BLICKISH 30
COIVALDS 36
THE CURST 42
ELETI 47
FAIRIES 53
ILLONIS 62
THE LUMINOUS 67
MHUINNTIRS 73
NIOMUS 80
OOLOI 86
PEVISHAN 91
QUISSIANS 97
REZURBEKS 102
RHONIANS 108
RHOODE 115
RISEN DEMONS 121
SENDASTI 128
SIARRANS 134
SKTAK 140
STONEGRUNTS 146
TREMEN 152
UTHUK Y’ LLAN 157
VERMEN 163
For the most part, the races presented here are
minor and often isolated cultures. This makes it
Welcome! easy to introduce a new race in the form of a
traveler, envoy, or adventurer from faraway,
unknown lands. Even a minor NPC of an exot-
INTRODUCTION
Fantasy Flight Games is pleased to present ic race can lend your campaign depth and real-
Mythic Races, the second volume in our ism. Characters (and players!) who thought
Legends & Lairs line of sourcebooks for the they knew all there is to know about your world
d20 System. Mythic Races is the definitive will realize they’ve only scratched the surface.
source for new character races, cultures, and
civilizations. Be sure to check out the official Mythic Races
web enhancement at Fantasy Flight Games’
The d20 System core rules offer a good selec- website: www.fantasyflightgames.com. This
tion of traditional fantasy races to choose from. free download offers three additional character
These are the staples of most fantasy campaign races to enrich your campaign.
settings and roleplayers have been enjoying
them for almost three decades.
The Open Game License
Mythic Races provides a wealth of information Mythic Races is published under the terms of
for those players who are looking for some- the Open Game License and d20 System
thing new. The character races in this book Trademark License. The OGL allows us to use
offer new abilities, strengths, weaknesses, and the d20 System core rules and to publish gam-
roleplaying possibilities that should challenge ing material derived from those rules.
and inspire even the most veteran gamers.
In fact, material that is strictly rules related is
Mythic Races is also a very useful tool for Open Content. You can use this material in
DMs. If you’re planning to create a new cam- your own works, as long as you follow the con-
paign setting—or add new material to an exist- ditions of the Open Game License. You can
ing one—the original cultures and civilizations copy the material to your website or even put it
in this book will help you to create a truly in a book that you publish and sell.
unique world. The races can be used as-is, of
course, and the sheer variety of them will no Not everything in this book is Open Content,
doubt inspire your own creations. however. The names of races, prestige classes,
feats, skills, equipment, and spells and the
How to Use This Book game statistics, mechanics, and rules derived
from the d20 SRD are designated as Open
If you’re a player looking for a new race for Content. The descriptions of the races and pres-
your next character, you’ll find a wide range of tige classes are closed content and cannot be
exciting options in Mythic Races. The races in republished, copied, or distributed without the
this book range from the familiar, to the exotic, consent of Fantasy Flight Games.
to the downright bizzare. Remember that you
should get your DM’s approval before choos- All illustrations, pictures, and diagrams in this
ing one of these races. The races that exist in a book are Product Identity and the property of
game world have a tremendous effect on the Fantasy Flight Games, © 2001.
makeup of the setting, and the DM always gets
the final call to insure cohesion and continuity. The Open Game License is printed in its entire-
ty at the end of this book. For further informa-
If you’re a DM, you should find that it’s a rel- tion, please visit the Open Gaming Foundation
atively simple task to integrate these races into website at www.opengamingfoundation.org.
most fantasy campaign settings. We’ve taken
care to avoid campaign-specific details in the
descriptions of the races. Where such details
are offered, consider them optional. They’re
there to add depth and new possibilities to your
campaign world, but they should never inter-
fere with your own vision.
4
AALEEAR
AALEEAR
Gentle and genteel, the aaleear dwell in harmo- Physical Description: The aaleear are a
ny with nature and natural creatures. diminutive but often plump people standing on
Inquisitive by nature, aaleear are often wander- average only two feet high and weighing 20 to
ers, traveling the lands in search of a new plea- 30 pounds. Despite their characteristically
sure or rare experience. Above all, the aaleear rounded faces and bellies, aaleear have thin
love song, and their haunting, powerful lyrics arms and legs, delicate, artistic hands, and
are famous throughout the world. long, narrow feet. Aaleear are almost without
exception fair skinned and graced with fine
But do not be fooled. The aaleear are not paci- yellow or golden hair. Males often have neatly
fists. War too is an art painted in bloody strokes trimmed beards while the females grow their
both bold and cunning. In their distant past, the hair long and weave it into elaborate braids.
aaleear fought a series of terrible battles against Aaleear love fine needlework, and their clothes
evil humanoids to secure the borders of their are often richly embroidered, usually at great
forest kingdom. The memories of these con- expense. They are a long-lived people, reach-
flicts are preserved in song, poetry, and art. ing maturity at about age 30 and living three
centuries on average.
Personality: The aaleear tend toward polite
extroversion. They are endlessly curious and Relations: Aaleear love most of all elves and
highly creative. Aaleear settlements, though other sylvan folk who share their passion for
seldom sized for visitors, often welcome trav- music. Relations are often cordial with
elers nonetheless, assuming these guests mind halflings. Dwarves are looked down upon in
their manners. It would be wrong to say aaleear much the same way the well educated some-
do not value wealth, but they are more likely to times pity the uneducated, for aaleear widely
favor works of art or antiquities to coins and believe dwarves cannot appreciate the fine arts.
gems. A profound respect for the cathartic Gnomes, with their penchant for jokes, are usu-
power of art, theater, and music is central to ally seen as bothersome while half-orcs are
aaleear thought and culture. This leads many barely tolerated. Humans who share the
aaleear to be sensitive and expressive. Others aaleears’ passion for music and nature can find
become so enamored of the arts they lose touch acceptance.
with the needs and worries of the real world,
becoming aloof and somewhat condescending. Alignment: Artistic and mercurial,
5
AALEEAR
aaleear have a strong inclination toward chaos. These aaleear serve as a kind of parliament and
They are generally a benevolent people, and as advisors to the king. The small but well-
most tend toward good. trained aaleear military is also represented in
parliament, as are the ranking priests from the
Aaleear Lands: The aaleear build towns atop three major aaleear cults.
platforms anchored to the boughs and trunks of
mighty trees. Platforms are connected by Public festivals are common in aaleear lands.
bridges and ladders. The ground around the Birthdays are celebrated once monthly as a
aaleear’s trees is often cultivated with various community wide event in which all aaleear
mushrooms and tubers. Orchards of fruit and born that month are publicly honored with
nut trees are also common. Aaleear also domes- food, wine, and song. Funerals are handled in a
ticate various types of songbirds, squirrels, rab- similar manner. Every new moon, all the recent
bits, as well as other animals valued for their dead are remembered with a mournful proces-
pelts such as minks or ermine. This diminutive, sion that is followed by a eulogy banquet. Dead
artistic race trades with merchants and nearby are interred in the burial grounds, except for the
towns. Aaleear cloth and produce are almost nobility, who are laid to rest within a mau-
always of high quality and are in good demand. soleum carved inside an exceptionally large,
The aaleear in turn acquire weapons, armor, ancient tree. Weddings are a somewhat more
and other worked metal goods. private affair to which the bride and groom
invite whom they choose. Typically, however,
As mentioned above, the aaleear live in a cen- wedding parties are exuberant affairs with large
tralized forest kingdom. Within the forest are audiences.
several towns with the aaleear capital Nocturne
at their center. Government is actually a form Polygamy is not unknown among the aaleear,
of republic combined with a hereditary but multiple wives are a sign of social status.
monarch. Each town, including the capital, Only the wealthy or pretentious take more than
and major guild elects a representative. one bride. In polygamous households, the first
6
wife is usually the matriarch, but this is not a have a complicated, musical language.
rule. A first wife who loses favor with her hus- Meanings of words rely as much on inflection
band may find her position as head of house- and tone as they do context and pronunciation.
hold turned over to a junior wife. The practice Written aaleear is a flowing script that closely
of polygamy is losing some of its attraction, resembles Elven. The sheer quantity of aaleear
AALEEAR
largely due to pressure from the priestesses of literature, poetry, music, and history is truly
the Tangled Woman. prodigious. Books themselves, quite apart from
their contents, are works of art. Even a cook-
Other races who venture into aaleear lands will book may be filigreed or otherwise decorated.
likely find themselves welcome visitors but
also inconvenienced by size. The aaleear are a Names: All aaleear have a birth name, usually
tiny people, and their towns are not built to given by the grandmother, as well as a family
accommodate larger races. More prosperous name passed through the father’s line. Most
aaleear communities, including Nocturne, have adult aaleear also adopt some sort of descrip-
a visitor’s quarter built at ground level. A visi- tive nickname, such as “Tunesmith” or
tor’s quarter typically includes an inn, a stable, “Firedancer.”
a small market, and a central park. Often, the
amenities in the quarter are managed by non- Male Names: Cirrin, Tadorfy, Jaredeni.
aaleear. Female Names: Wilamlea, Aladina, Amilea.
Aaleear living in human lands seem invariably Adventurers: Aaleear adventurers are rare.
to be artists who work by commission or else Those who do travel in search of danger and
enjoy the patronage of some rich family. glory also prize most highly knowledge in all
Among the best and brightest poets, painters, its forms. Many aaleear adventurers would
playwrights, and composers are found aaleear approach the “rescue” of some work of art or
emigrants. rare book with the same zeal a paladin would
approach the rescue of a maiden.
Religion: The chief deity of the aaleear is
Limpang-Lahai, goddess of art and music. Her
clerics strive for aesthetic excellence in all of
Aaleear Racial Traits
their endeavors and are often great patrons of • +2 Wisdom, +2 Charisma, –2 Strength:
art and learning. Many aaleear practice devo- Aaleear are a sensitive, likeable people, but
tion to the gods and forces of nature as well. their size means reduced muscle power.
The Tangled Woman is also an important figure
in the aaleear pantheon. She governs nature, • Tiny: As Tiny creatures, aaleear gain a +2
animals, and agriculture. The cult of the size bonus to Armor Class, a +2 size bonus
Tangled Woman is matriarchal, and it actively on attack rolls, and a +8 bonus on Hide
seeks to better the lot of aaleear females. The checks, but they must use smaller weapons
smallest aaleear religion is devoted to Hollos than humans use, and their lifting and carry-
the Archer, god of war. The cult of Hollos dom- ing limits are one-half of those of Medium-
inates the aaleear’s military. The three cults are size characters.
generally cooperative with each other, but dis-
putes can and do arise, especially between the • Aaleear base speed is 20 feet.
ranking clergy who hold positions in the parlia-
ment. • Fey: The aaleear are fey creatures, relatives
of sprites. This renders them immune to cer-
Deity Alignment Domains tains spells, such as charm person and hold
Limpang-Lahai Chaotic good Air, Good, person.
Knowledge
Tangled Woman Neutral good Animal, • Low-light Vision: Aaleear can see twice as
Nature, far as a human in starlight, moonlight, torch-
Plant light, and other conditions of poor illumina-
Hollos the Archer Lawful good Destruction, tion. They retain the ability to distinguish
Law, War detail and color under these conditions.
Language: As would be expected, the aaleear • Proficient with fey bow. All aaleear are
7
Weapon Cost Damage Critical Increment Weight Type
Feybow 30 gp 1d6 x3 60 ft. 1 lb. Piercing
Arrows (20) 1 gp — — — 1 ½ lb. —
AALEEAR
trained in the use of this remarkable weapon. to temporarily imbue nonmagical objects with
Despite its tiny size, it is as powerful as a limited magical power. She does this by means
shortbow. An aaleear must, of course, pur- of special chants that attune the item with the
chase his own fey bow. Other races desiring spell being enchanted into it. There is a certain
proficiency with the fey bow must use the amount of innate talent required to become an
Exotic Weapon Proficiency feat to do so. enchanter. Not all aaleear can be a member of
this prestige class. Enchanters are grouped into
• +2 racial bonus on Listen, Move Silently, and craft guilds that provide in-house training to
Sense Motive checks. aspiring aaleear as well as providing goods and
services to the community as a whole.
• Automatic Languages: Common and Aaleear.
Bonus Languages: Auran, Gnoll, Gnome, Bards and sorcerers most often become
Goblin, Orc, and Sylvan. Additionally, once enchanters. The particular abilities of this pres-
per day as a 1st-level caster, an aaleear can tige class augment nicely their somewhat limit-
use speak with animals as a spell-like ability ed spell-casting abilities. Adventuring
to communicate with any sort of bird. enchanters find themselves occupying an
important position in any group. Their ability
• All aaleear have certain spell-like abilities. to temporarily enchant items enables them to
They can utilize the 0-level spells (cantrips) provide useful spells to their allies, thus great-
detect magic, ghost sound, and mending, ly increasing the magical capabilities of the
each once per day. Treat the aaleear as a 1st- adventuring party.
level caster for all cantrip spell effects depen-
dent on level. An aaleear can also cast the 1st- Hit Die: d4
level arcane magic spell enlarge, but it
affects only his person and belongings. Treat Requirements
the aaleear as a 4th-level caster for enlarge
spell effects dependent on level. To qualify to become an aaleear enchanter, a
character must fulfill all the following criteria.
• An aaleear with a Charisma of 12 or higher
has additional spell-like abilities. In all cases, Race: Aaleear.
these abilities are usable once per day. Caster Craft (any): 4 ranks.
level is equal to the aaleear’s class levels. Knowledge (arcana): 9 ranks.
Perform (chant): 9 ranks.
Charisma Gained at Spell-like Spellcasting: Ability to cast 1st-level arcane
Modifier Level Ability spells.
+1 2nd Charm person
+2 4th Invisibility Class Skills
+3 7th Charm monster The enchanter’s class skills (and the key abili-
+4 10th Improved invisibility ty for each skill) are Alchemy (Int), Appraise
+5 13th Dominate person (Int), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int),
+6 16th Mass suggestion Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Perform (Cha),
Profession (Wis), Scry (Int, exclusive skills),
• Favored Class: Bard. A multiclass aaleear’s and Spellcraft (Int).
bard class does not count when determining
whether or not he suffers an XP penalty. Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier.
• Level Equivalent: Class levels + 2. Class Features
All of the following are class features of the
Aaleear Enchanter aaleear enchanter prestige class.
The enchanter is an aaleear who has learned
8
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: An
enchanter is proficient with all simple
weapons. Enchanters are proficient with light
armor, but not shields.
AALEEAR
Guild Membership: All enchanters are
expected to be members in good standing of a
craft guild. They pay dues and accept certain
duties in exchange for certain benefits. Dues
are paid monthly in the amount of 15 gp. A
guild member’s duties include two weeks ser-
vice per year in the guildhall. This service typ-
ically involves work-for-profit and tutoring
junior members. In addition, the enchanter
must accept any special commissions given to
him by senior guild members. An enchanter
who does not pay his dues for more than four
months, fails to put in his two weeks service, or
refuses a special commission will find his
membership revoked. It is possible for mem-
bership to be reinstated, but this requires the
approval of the senior guild members who are
free to set whatever requirements they desire.
An ex-member can progress in level as an
enchanter but loses access to bonus feats as
described below.
Enchant Normal Item: As the enchanter gains A 1st-level enchanter can only imbue an item
levels, he becomes increasingly more capable with a spell whose range is “You” or “Touch.”
in bestowing a single magical effect upon any Furthermore, the enchanter himself is the only
normal item. Magical items cannot be enchant- one who can utilize the item.
ed. No item can hold more than one enchant- At 3rd level, the enchanter becomes able to
ment at a time. To enchant an item, the charac- imbue spells whose range is “You” for the
ter must hold the item and cast the spell to be use of other people. For example, the
9
enchanter could imbue a normal ring
The Aaleear Enchanter
with blink that could then be used by another imbue any spell he can cast into an item for
person. Furthermore, the enchanter can imbue anyone to use. In all cases, all spell effects are
ranged spells for use by himself alone. determined by the enchanter’s actual caster
level, not by his level as an enchanter.
At 5th level, the enchanter acquires the power
to imbue “Touch” range spells for the use of Enchanted items are activated by a command
others. He could, for example, enchant a gaunt- word chosen by the enchanter at the time he
let with shocking grasp for another a member imbued the item with magic. Activating an
of his party to use in combat. enchanted item is a standard action that does
not provoke an attack of opportunity. Once a
Finally, at 7th level, the enchanter is able to spell has been expended from an item, the item
loses its enchantment.
10
ANAEMA
ANAEMA
Though they appear human, the anaema are an other forms of wealth are only useful to them in
insubstantial race of humanoids living in a how it contributes to their lives—with the pur-
world they cannot completely touch. Anaema chase of supplies and equipment. Anaema
seem a somber people, focused on their lives entertain themselves with music and tales, usu-
and carrying on in spite of difficulties. They ally melancholy songs and tragic stories.
make homes for themselves within human
societies, where these determined people build Anaema dislike waste. They lay careful plans
enclaves for their own kind. Though their and organize themselves efficiently to avoid
neighbors may find them strange, the forthright wasted effort or supplies. They are meticulous
anaema work to earn the trust of those upon in caring for their belongings and prefer to have
whom they depend. old heirlooms and well-maintained equipment
over anything new. However, they also exam-
Many sages believe the anaema were brought ine anything they find to determine how it
from ethereal or astral homes. Who might have might be of use to them. Their determined
brought them and why are questions that have avoidance of waste sometimes leads others to
never been suitably answered, but their clearly believe they are greedy.
unearthly nature leads many to suspect that the
anaema come from an entirely different realm. The often-dour demeanor of the anaema stems
Others surmise that the anaema are the rem- from the focus required of them. It is a contin-
nants of a human nation, city, or perhaps fami- uing effort for anaema to touch and interact
ly that was cursed or enchanted long ago. The with corporeal objects. When their concentra-
similarities in appearance between anaema and tion slips, physical objects can fall through
normal humans are notable. The fact that some their not quite incorporeal forms. Though such
enchantments can easily bridge the gap mishaps cannot kill them, it is nonetheless
between human and anaema could support painful. Similarly, corporeal weapons are not
either theory. The anaema do not know any lethal to anaema, but they are painful and can
more of their origins than do human sages. cause harm. Regardless of their partly ethereal
state, anaema need to eat, drink, and sleep as
Personality: Anaema are focused, determined, much as a human does. However, consum-
and pragmatic. They value what they have by ing normal human food and drinks
how they use it. Gold and silver, gems, and requires concentration and effort.
11
Physical Description: Anaema appear
completely human. They stand between
five and six feet tall and weigh 120 to 200
pounds. Anaeman men are a little taller and
a bit heavier than women. However, anae-
ANAEMA
ANAEMA
their own within human kingdoms. Because an accept their fate and avoid the unwarranted
anaema on his own is more susceptible to the pride that may have caused their downfall.
difficulties of the corporeal world, these people
strive to stay together. The communities they Language: The Anaeman language seems to
form are designed to meet their specific needs. be a variant of Common. Anaeman uses the
Anaema raise all the food they can, make their same alphabet as Common, and the two lan-
own clothes, and buy tools from anaema black- guages often sound quite similar. Whether this
smiths. Despite the efforts and precautions, is indicative that Anaeman developed from
anaema cannot rely on what they make for Common or that the anaema have adapted their
themselves. Anaema communities are invari- language is unclear. The anaema rarely use
ably built within or near human cities and the their native language, preferring to use
anaema make every effort to maintain friendly Common exclusively.
relations with those around them. Without the
trade and mercantile interests of human lands, Names: Anaema model themselves after
anaema would be hard pressed to survive. human society. They are more concerned with
fitting in with their neighbors than with pre-
Anaema have learned that by magic or by force serving a history or culture of their own. As a
of will they can interact normally with the result, they use human names matching the
mundane world. Anaema sorcerers developed region or society near them.
the skills necessary to bridge the gap between
their people and the humans around them. They Adventurers: Adventurers among the anaema
learned to craft “spirit tools,” mundane objects are rare. There is a strong sentiment among
enhanced by subtle magic so that anaema can their people that each should do his duty and
interact normally with them. Though this fulfill his place. They have little respect for
method does allow anaema to use otherwise those who try to go their own way, believing
mundane objects easily, the time and energy that such irreverent independence only leads to
expended in crafting these tools result in goods disaster. Because of this feeling, anaema
that are often significantly more expensive. adventurers are most likely those who failed to
Tiny (or smaller) goods and weapons as well as fit in with their own people. Lone anaema are
small shields cost an additional 25 gp. Small often courageous and determined, leaving their
items and weapons, large shields, and light home and family in an effort to forge their own
armor cost an extra 50 gp. The cost for medi- path and perhaps discover some way to break
um-size items and weapons, tower shields, and the curse that lingers over their heads.
medium armor is increased by 75 gp. Large
items and weapons and heavy armor cost an Anaema do have other reasons to adventure.
additional 100 gp. Anaema can use normal Rather than breaking free of anaeman society,
human goods, but they will have some difficul- some stalwart adventurers set out in an effort to
ty. Magical items of any kind present no prob- help or free their people by seeking out power-
lems. Anaema can easily wear magic armor and ful magics. It is common knowledge among the
may just as easily be killed by a magic sword. anaema that magic affects their people as easi-
ly as it does normal men. This has led many to
Religion: Anaema follow human gods, usually believe that suitably powerful ancient magics
those of law, justice, and craftsmanship. They could break their curse and change their peo-
take grim satisfaction in feelings of justice and ple. Such adventurers often have the blessing,
retribution, as many anaema feel they have if not the confidence, of their kin.
been wrongly cursed or tormented. The com-
mon opinion is that they were changed from
normal humans to their current state by the
machinations of a powerful wizard or a divine
curse.
Though many anaema have striven for a way to
13
• Concentration Required: Anaema must main-
Anaema Racial Traits tain focus to interact with purely corporeal
objects. To pick up or use a corporeal object
• +2 Constitution: Anaema are a hardy race, or to interact with a corporeal creature, anae-
having endured significant trials. ma must make a Concentration check (DC
ANAEMA
14
Requirements
To qualify to become an anaeman crafter, a
Craft Anaema Tool [Item character must fulfill all the following criteria.
Creation]
ANAEMA
Race: Anaema.
The anaema has learned to create “spirit Concentration: 5 ranks.
tools” with which anaema and humans Two Craft Skills (any type): 8 ranks in each.
may each interact normally. Knowledge (arcana): 5 ranks.
Spellcraft: 5 ranks.
Prerequisite: Spellcaster level 1st+. Feats: Craft Anaema Tool.
Craft Focus: At 1st level, an anaeman crafter Shroud Creature: At 8th level, an anaeman
may select an item creation feat he knows. All crafter may shroud another creature. This
gp and XP costs for crafting magic items of that changes the creature to an insubstantial state.
type are reduced by one-fourth. At 7th level, he The target of this effect may now interact nor-
may select an additional item creation feat to mally with anaema, but has the qualities of
receive the same reduction in costs. insubstantial, concentration required, and
weakness as an anaema does. Unwilling targets
Bonus Feats: Throughout his career, an anae- may make a Will save (DC 10 + anaeman
man crafter studies a variety of crafting tech- crafter class level) to negate the effect. Shroud
niques. At 2nd, 6th, and 10th levels, an anae- creature is a spell-like ability and lasts 10 min-
man crafter gains a bonus item creation feat. If utes per class level.
he already knows all item creation feats avail-
able to his highest spellcasting level, he may Spells per Day: An anaeman crafter continues
select a metamagic feat, Spell Focus, Spell training in arcane or divine magic as he pro-
Penetration, or Spell Mastery (only if he also gresses in levels. Thus, when an anaeman
has wizard class levels). crafter gains a level, the character gains new
spells per day as if he had gained a level in a
Shroud Object: Once per day, an anaeman spellcasting class he belonged to before the
crafter of 3rd level or higher may shroud a non- added anaeman crafter level. He does not gain
magical object so that it acts as if it were any other benefits a character of that class
enchanted with the Craft Anaema Tool feat. would have gained.
Anaema can interact freely with the object
without Concentration checks. The effect lasts If a character has more than one other spell-
10 minutes per class level in anaeman crafter. casting class, he must select the class to which
Shroud object is a spell-like ability. he adds each level of anaeman crafter for pur-
poses of determining spells per day when he
Incorporeal Understanding: Upon reaching adds the new level.
5th level, the anaeman crafter’s study of magic
and the insubstantiality of his people allows
him to utilize some of the defensive ability of
true incorporeal creatures. The character may
apply his Charisma modifier (minimum +1
regardless of Charisma) as a deflection bonus
to AC. This deflection bonus does not stack
with any other deflection bonuses, such as
those gained from shield of faith or a ring of
protection.
16
ANIMEN
ANIMEN
The outer planes are not metaphor or legend; Other races that deal with them learn to accept
they are real and their energies swirl around the their mood swings and their tendency to view
worlds of the Material Plane. Throughout the the world as a series of superlatives. Every
ages, a rare few individuals—and even whole meal is the finest (or the worst), every battle the
races—have been warped by planar energies, deadliest, every mountain the tallest. This is a
some more so than others. Ages ago, a surge of stereotypical view, but it draws close to the
celestial power created a new race, and in the truth. The animen do nothing meekly or
aftermath, led to the creation of another. reservedly—they do things utterly or not at all.
The animen are touched by a celestial plane of Physical Description: Animen appear human
wild chaos tinged with benevolence, home to from the neck down, with skin colors and body
many outsiders with animal forms and the types from all races of man. From the head up,
domain of shamanistic and totemic deities. each bears a properly scaled head of a verte-
They have a wide range of forms, but they are brate, land-dwelling animal. This animal is
all one people. Beings with the heads of beasts referred to as the animan's aspect. Some 80%
but the minds and bodies of men, they are con- of animen are mammalian, 10% reptilian, 5%
sidered legendary in all but the wildest places. avian, and 5% amphibian. There is no inheri-
tance of aspects: A lion mated to a swan might
Personality: As with most planetouched, ani- well have a frog and a zebra as children. There
men are shaped by the energies that gave them is also no prejudice among their own kind as
birth. They are freedom loving, wild, and most- regards physical form; an elephant and a mouse
ly benevolent, but theirs is a rough-edged can be friends, lovers, or deadly enemies as
benevolence shaped by a harsh and isolated their own personalities dictate. The only con-
life. They are quick to rage and quick to for- stant seems to be that the animal heads match
give, but if a deep and true wrong is done to those of beasts found in the area where the ani-
them their fury is bound to tenacity, and they man was born—no polar bears are born in the
give no respite until they have extracted a full deep tropics, for example. Likewise, the human
and just retribution. They are fundamentally portions of their bodies fit the dominant
creatures of passion: They feel nothing in mod- human ethnicity in the region in terms of
eration, but veer from emotion to emotion. skin color, average height and weight,
and so forth.
17
Relations: The greatest
problem animen face in deal-
ing with other races is over-
coming the assumption that
their animal aspect somehow
ANIMEN
ANIMEN
them across lands inhabited by other races, good deeds beyond the prosperity of their own
they may trade, fight, or change their habits— people. Not a few paladins over the centuries
predicting which can be difficult. have come from such a background. Others,
motivated more by ego, leave their homelands
Religion: Animen have a spiritualistic religion to find a more prestigious accomplishment
strongly centered on the belief that each of with which to name themselves—bards still
them remains bound to a creature living in the recount the saga of how Squirrel-Healer Mov
outer planes. Religious ceremonies involve quested until he became Demon-Slayer Mov,
connecting to this higher self and appealing to and how it still brought him no pleasure. Lastly,
it for guidance and direction. The role of a reli- there are those who leave because they need to:
gious leader is to guide the individual to his They are hunting an enemy or seeking some-
own transcendence, not to command or preach. thing their tribe needs. Regardless of their
Those for whom this goal of spiritual connec- motives, their enthusiasm and ability will make
tion becomes all consuming often choose the them welcome in most bands of wayfarers.
path of the atavist (see page 20).
Animan adventurers are most often rangers but
Language: Animen speak a highly altered barbarians and sorcerers are not unknown.
form of Celestial, which has become their While the path of the druid is also an appropri-
native tongue. Many also know Sylvan, and ate calling for these beings, their low native
some scholars learn pure Celestial. Elven is wisdom makes druids rare. Those with regular
also a common second language. Any who deal contact with more civilized communities can
with non-animen on a regular basis will, of learn the disciplined arts of the fighter or the
course, know Common. Many animen have shifty skills of the rogue. Animan talespinners
trouble with different aspects of foreign lan- may take up the path of the bard. Despite their
guages due to their odd jaw and tongue con- general good nature, few animen can restrain
structions—a lion-aspected animan will speak their passions enough to walk the path of the
Common with a very different accent than a paladin. Likewise, very few animen have the
hawk-aspected animan. discipline to become wizards or monks, though
these paths are not wholly closed to them.
Names: Animan names consist of an accom-
plishment and a birth name, in that order. The
accomplishment may change over time: It is
Animan Racial Traits
usually the animan's greatest triumph or • +2 Constitution, –2 Wisdom: Animen are
achievement. A lot can be learned about an ani- hardy and tough but lack self-discipline.
man's personality by considering what he
believes to be his greatest achievement. Birth • +2 racial bonus on Spot and Hide checks, +4
names are short and usually monosyllabic. racial bonus on Wilderness Lore checks:
Animen live in the deepest wilderness and
Animan Names: Deceiver-of-Hunters Vol, learn to know it well by the time they reach
Finder-of-Good-Roots Mar, Ten-Foes-Slain adulthood.
Dav, and Weaver-of-Legends Kyl.
• Bestial Toughness: Animen are built tougher
Humans and others tend to shorten these than men and a touch of their celestial her-
names, either using the birth name (Vol, Mar) itage shines through. They receive a +2
or a nickname based on the accomplishment toughness bonus to their Armor Class.
(Finder, Tenslayer). Animen used to such
things bear this indignity with rough grace; an • Automatic Languages: Common, Animan,
animan encountering humans for the first time and Sylvan. Bonus languages: Elven,
might well come to blows the first time some- Celestial, Gnome, Gnoll, Orc.
one calls him "Fisher" rather than "Fed-the-
Tribe-with-Full-Nets Drem." • Druidic Tongue: Because of their close
19
ties with nature, non-druid animen can learn ment by 10 feet (deer, cheetah).
Druidic as a bonus language.
• Favored Class: Ranger.
• Skill Proficiency: Wilderness Lore and
Knowledge (nature) are always class skills • Level Equivalent: Class levels +3.
ANIMEN
for animen.
Fur: The animan, while still human in form, Hit Die: d8.
has thick hair covering more of his body,
often colored as the fur of the animal whose Requirements
aspect he possesses. This gives the animan a
+4 racial bonus on saving throws against cold To qualify to become an atavist, a character
(polar bear, musk ox, walrus). must fulfill all the following criteria.
ANIMEN
atavist gains the spell-
like ability to speak with
animals at will, but only
with his aspect or very
similar creatures.
At the atavist's discretion, Fortitude and Reflex saves can be swapped, making Fortitude the good
save. This must be decided when the first level of atavist is taken. It should tie in with the aspect
of the character: Is it a "tough" animal or a "fast" animal?
modifier. When the bestial fury expires, the prematurely. Furthermore, the atavist must
atavist is fatigued (–2 Str, –2 Con, cannot make an attack action each combat round if
charge or run) for the duration of the encounter. possible, and if not, he must take whatever
actions will enable him to make an attack as
There is a dark side to this power, however, that soon as possible (e.g., move closer to a foe if
makes it markedly different from barbarian there are no foes in range). If all enemies are
rage. The atavist cannot end the bestial fury dead while the bestial fury is still in effect, the
atavist will turn on his nearest
comrade and attack with as
much ferocity as he can.
The artathi are a proud race of felinids who live upper castes, but their frustrations will fre-
upon and rule the savannas and jungles of the quently manifest in a more violent tempera-
south. They believe they are the sons and ment when dealing with anyone to whom they
daughters of Ba en Aset and thus divine among do not have to show deference—outsiders to
the “lesser races” of the world. On a personal Artathi society.
level, they are constantly seeking ways to
prove their own worth; as a race they look for Physical Description: Artathi are essentially
ways to expand their domains. humanoid cats. They range from five to six feet
in height (Vyk’artathi) all the way up to seven
The artathi race is composed of seven different and a half to eight feet tall (Il’artathi), with a
castes: three upper castes—Il’artathi (resem- similar variance in weight. The members of the
bling lions), Tal’artathi (tigers), and Ahl’artathi seven castes each resemble one species of big
(pumas); and four lower castes—Htak’artathi cat; the appearance of mongrels can vary wide-
(lynx), Sal’artathi (cheetah), Dal’artathi (leop- ly but generally seems to favor a generic fea-
ard), and Vyk’artathi (jaguar). Although mem- ture of little note (a tendency which increases
bers of one caste are capable of mating with with each generation of separation from “pure”
those from another, the offspring from such a stock).
union are mongrels. Those unlucky enough to
be tainted as such from birth are considered to Relations: Artathi generally have little
be letathen, casteless ones, and are considered patience for humans, considering their relative-
the lowest members of artathi society. ly chaotic societies, unfocused nature, and
unstructured lives to be signs of weakness.
Personality: Artathi tend to be one of two However, there are some human cultures—typ-
types, and this often has as much to do with the ically those with sophisticated and well-
caste in which they were raised than anything ordered societies—the artathi respect.
else. Il’artathi, Tal’artathi, Htak’artathi, and
Vyk’artathi tend to be impulsive and quick to The artathi almost universally view halflings
anger. Ahl’artathi, Sal’artathi, and Dal’artathi, and gnomes with disdain: Their cultures lack
on the other hand, are quick of wit, sly, and honor and their lifestyles suggest that of
subtle in their dealings with others. Mongrels the letathen. Half-elves and similar races
are almost always subservient to those of the are, likewise, looked upon with distaste
23
Artathi Lands: The
artathi race is one of
divisions. The artathi
of the jungle are differ-
ent from those of the
ARTATHI
ARTATHI
Vyk’artathi.
Language: The artathi express their native
In general, the Durek are more influential on tongue interchangeably through both their own
the savanna, while the Surek are more influen- writing and that of the Elven script. Each of the
tial in the jungle. However, there is no distinct seven castes is noted for its excellence at vari-
or formal separation, and the Durek are still ous sorts of literature. The Ahl’artathi, for
considered “closer to Ba en Aset” (and thus example, are known for their works of epic
more powerful on an individual basis, at least poetry. The Il’artathi are known best for their
in theory) throughout artathi society. The true works on military strategy and conquest. The
division of power between the Durek and letathen are frequently illiterate, and those who
Surek lies in the selection of emperor and can read rarely know more than the few pidgin
empress. The former is the “Divine Light of Ba phrases they need to go about their daily busi-
en Aset” and “Father of the Seven Castes,” ness.
holding supreme power over all living artathi.
He is selected by the Durek from among their Names: Artathi of the Seven Castes have
own ranks. names that are practically works of art. Each is
composed of three parts. The Name of Birth (or
Similarly, the Surek select the empress. Her el’nalak) is the shortest part and is given to the
approval is required for any marriage to take newborn artathi by the empress. These names
place. For the lower members of a caste, this is are descriptive in the artathi language but are
frequently nothing more than a formality. For also selected from the Sethe’nalak (the
the upper (or royal) members of a caste, how- Imperial Roll of Names). To have one’s name
ever, this approval is an absolute necessity. added to the Sethe’nalak is considered one of
Because the emperor holds the ultimate politi- the greatest honors of the artathi and can only
cal authority among the artathi, the empress’ be achieved by earning the extreme gratitude of
importance is frequently overlooked. However, the emperor and empress. Such a name would
her ability to control alliances and lines of suc- have been selected from among the Names of
cession within and between the households of Honor (or sul’nalak), which precedes the Name
the Durek and Surek is of supreme importance of Birth. The number and variety of the Names
in shaping the political reality within which the of Honor depend entirely upon the artathi who
emperor must function. possesses them, as they are earned throughout
his life by demonstrated greatness in the eyes
The emperor and empress, selected from dif- of the caste leaders. Finally, there are the
ferent castes, are capable of producing only Names of Caste (or artath’nalak). These follow
letathen offspring, preventing any attempts to the Name of Birth and are also attached at
form an imperial dynasty. birth. The Names of Caste, however, are drawn
through a complex ritual from the ancestors
Religion: The artathi worship a single goddess, and caste-mates of the newborn, identifying his
Ba en Aset. Her church represents a branch of heritage to all who hear the full name.
power within artathi society that is related to
but separate from that of the imperial and caste Letathen are given only a Name of Birth, and
systems. Power within her church is divided such a name cannot appear on the Sethe’nalak.
into nine hierarchies, each representing one of
the goddess’ nine lives. Adventurers: Letathen, of all the artathi, are
the most likely to become adventurers, fleeing
It is said that those who turn from the Church a society that has oppressed them. Though it is
of Ba en Aset lose her favor, but the continued rare for members of the Seven Castes to leave
success of clerics and paladins who have fled artathi society, those who are exiled or choose
from artathi society seem to belie such teach- to leave are also frequently called down the
ings. Perhaps even more damning of the path of adventure.
Church’s claim of orthodoxy are those of the
25
Artathi Castes
Artathi Racial Traits
Il’artathi (Lion): Six of the last seven emper-
ors have been of the Il’artathi, a result of the
Mongrel/Letathen caste’s tremendous political strength.
ARTATHI
• +2 racial bonus on Hide and Move Silently Tal’artathi (Tiger): While the Il’artathi rule
checks. In areas of tall grass or heavy under- within the secular world, the Tal’artathi control
growth, the Hide bonus increases to +6. the realm of spiritual power within artathi soci-
ety. Members of the Tal’artathi fill the highest
• +6 racial bonus on Balance checks. ranks of the Church of Ba en Aset. Of the three
upper castes, they are the most conservative in
• +2 dodge bonus. This bonus represents the their outlook, preferring to prepare for long-
artathi’s uncanny natural instincts for danger. term gain rather than short-term benefits—an
Any time a character loses his positive attitude they typically carry into their personal
Dexterity bonus to Armor Class, such as lives, as well. Tal’artathi have the standard
when he’s caught flat-footed, he loses his artathi racial traits, with the following excep-
dodge bonus, too. tions:
ARTATHI
following exceptions:
Class Features
All of the following are class fea-
tures of the chosen of Ba en Aset.
ARTATHI
Level Bonus Save Save Save Bonus Damage AC Bonus Special Mystic Disciplines
1 +1 +2 +0 +0 +1 1d6 +1 Unarmed strike, evasion Light
2 +2 +3 +0 +0 +2 1d6 +1 Detect evil, stunning fist Fleetness of foot
3 +3 +3 +1 +1 +3 1d6 +1 Aura of courage Daylight
4 +4 +4 +1 +1 +4/+1 1d8 +2 Divine grace Fireball
5 +5 +4 +1 +1 +5/+2 1d8 +2 Purity of body Telekinesis
6 +6 +5 +2 +2 +6/+3 1d8 +2 Improved trip Improved invisibility
7 +7 +5 +2 +2 +7/+4/+1 1d8 +3 Wholeness of body Lesser geas
8 +8 +6 +2 +2 +8/+5/+2 1d10 +3 Improved evasion Wall of force
9 +9 +6 +3 +3 +9/+6/+3 1d10 +3 Diamond body Dismissal
10 +10 +7 +3 +3 +10/+7/ 1d10 +4 Diamond soul Antimagic field
+4/+1
Purity of Body: At 5th level, a chosen gains Diamond Body: At 9th level, the Chosen are
control over his body’s immune system. He gifted by Ba en Aset with a perfection of body,
gains immunity to all diseases except for mag- granting them immunity to poisons of all kinds.
ical diseases such as mummy rot and lycan- Diamond body is a supernatural ability.
thropy.
Diamond Soul: At 10th level, the chosen gain
Improved Trip: At 6th level, a member of the spell resistance. Their spell resistance equals
chosen gains the Improved Trip feat for free their class levels + 10. In order to affect the
(PHB 83). He need not have the Expertise feat, atavist with a spell, a spellcaster must roll the
normally a prerequisite. atavist’s spell resistance or higher on 1d20 +
the spellcaster’s level.
Wholeness of Body: At 7th level, the chosen
can cure their own wounds. They can cure up Mystic Disciplines: At each level, a chosen
to twice their character level in hit points each gains a mystic discipline. Mystic disciplines
day, and they can spread this healing out are spell-like abilities that operate according to
among several uses. the spell of the same name (with the exception
of fleetness of foot, which works like the expe-
Improved Evasion: At 8th level, the chosen’s ditious retreat spell).
evasion ability improves. He still takes no dam-
age on a successful Reflex saving throw, but
henceforth he takes only half damage on a
failed saving throw.
29
BLICKISH
BLICKISH
The blickish were born in ancient times, the rior quickly evaporates to reveal a deadly seri-
children of a celestial and a halfling. The mat- ous and vindictive nature. Having celestial
ing of two planes imbued blickish with several parentage, however distant, has earned blickish
distinct characteristics, most notably their abil- fear and suspicion from other races. They often
ity to blink short distances. This gift brought become targets because of their small stature
blickish unwanted prejudice and persecution in and inevitably feel like others single them out
times past, so they closely guard their true for repression. Blickish resent that they must
identities and use their talents only when nec- avoid using their powers openly, lest they
essary. With a small population dispersed arouse interest and invite oppression. Although
among hidden enclaves, they conceal their they are inwardly proud of their celestial her-
proud heritage to survive. Those who venture itage, they constantly act as if they have some-
out into the world often masquerade as thing to prove. Blickish inevitably allow this
halflings, hiding their past in the face of a pride to drag them into trouble.
boastful, intolerant society.
Physical Description: The blickish physique
Personality: Blickish often adopt personality retains many similarities to that of halflings.
traits of halflings when among others but don’t They average about three feet in height, though
always successfully repress their own natural they typically weigh 35 to 45 pounds, depend-
tendencies. They share the halfling penchant ing on the density of their build. They mature at
for curiosity and a daring spirit to survive. 20 and live as long as 300 years.
They enjoy comfortable accommodations and
good food when available but restrain them- Blickish have more hair than most halflings.
selves from complaining when such amenities Most shave their facial hair regularly and trim
aren’t present. Unlike halflings, blickish do not their bushy eyebrows and tufted ear-tips to bet-
obsess about collections. Given their history of ter blend into halfling society, but some take
persecution, blickish have become wary of pride in elaborately styled mustaches and
accumulating wealthy possessions that aren’t beards. Their eye color also diverges from that
easily portable. of halflings. Stunning blue, green, and hazel
eyes set them apart from others—it also lends a
Blickish are overly sensitive to persecution. distant, cold quality to their gaze. Slightly elon-
Once offended, their seemingly casual exte- gated incisors also give blickish a canine
30
appearance that enhances
their toothy grin with a sinis-
ter edge.
BLICKISH
style of dress as halflings—
simple, comfortable attire—
though they sometimes adorn
these with items of wealth as
a practical means of carrying
it with them.
BLICKISH
Male Names: Bethar, Dirren, Gallus, • Track: Blickish have the ability to follow the
Thammar, Ulmagnus, Veller. trails of others across most types of terrain.
This ability is identical to the Track feat.
Female Names: Anava, Chevelle, Dirra, Halla,
Merevar, Navine, Shara. • Blink: Blickish enjoy an ability to blink in
and out of the material plane like the spell of
Family Names: Dewmeadow, Gladwing, the same name (PHB 180). Consider the
Sharptooth, Smokehollow, Strutter, Wandring. blickish a 5th-level caster for all spell effects
dependent on level. Blickish do not blink
Adventurers: Blickish frequently wander. without difficulty. Moving from the ethereal
Some search for a new home in an accepting to the material plane scrambles their con-
community; others hope to prove themselves scious thoughts and short-term memories for
and find their way in the world. Young blickish a moment afterward, but they can quickly
often set out on roaming quests, dedicating recover from this disorientation and set about
themselves to aiding anyone they find suffering their purpose. In the round when they return
at the hands of tyranny. Through these experi- to the material plane, blickish must make a
ences they hope to make a small difference in Will save (DC 10) to regain their sense of
the world. They often join transient bands of purpose. Should they fail, they can only take
adventurers, seeking opportunities to gain defensive action, reacting instinctively to
wealth and notoriety, as well as acceptance into immediate threats. Blickish can roll their Will
a broader section of society. Adventurers also save once per round until they succeed.
tend to encounter those who most require assis- Otherwise they remain aimless and confused
tance fighting the iron gauntlet of oppression. about their immediate objectives. Blickish
may blink up to three times per day.
Since years of persecution have scattered many
blickish, some leave their homes to seek lost • Automatic Languages: Celestial, Common,
relatives or hidden settlements. During their Draconic, Halfling, and Infernal. Bonus
travels, adventuring blickish search for rumors Languages: Dwarven, Elven, Giant, Gnoll,
of lone, wandering halflings fleeing to Gnome, Goblin, and Orc. Blickish under-
unknown regions. As they follow these leads, stand the language of those among whom
they work to hone their survival skills and gain they live, but also those from whom they
enough wealth to take care of themselves and descend. They rarely use their ancestors’ lan-
others who might depend on them. guages in public lest they betray their true
heritage.
Blickish Racial Traits • Favored Class: Rogue. A multiclass blick-
• +2 Charisma, +2 Strength, –2 Constitution, ish’s rogue class does not count when deter-
–2 Wisdom: The blickish heritage gives them mining whether he suffers an XP penalty for
good looks and greater physical might. Their multiclassing.
small stature has difficulty supporting such
muscle, and their pride often clouds their • Level Equivalent: Class levels +1.
judgment.
Requirements
To qualify to become a blickish infil-
trator, a character must fulfill all the
following criteria.
Race: Blickish.
Alignment: Any lawful.
Base Attack Bonus: +6.
Feats: Dodge, Improved Disarm, Iron
Will.
Intuit Direction: 4 ranks.
Move Silently: 2 ranks.
Class Skills
objectives—most often releasing a prisoner, The infiltrator’s class skills (and the
returning stolen goods, or aiding a fellow in key ability for each skill) are Balance (Dex),
danger. They exist to aid the downtrodden, save Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Disable
those beyond hope, and champion lost causes. Device (Int), Disguise (Cha), Escape Artist
Although this profession has the potential for (Dex), Forgery (Int), Gather Information (Cha),
dishonorable conduct like thievery, assassina- Hide (Wis), Intimidate (Cha), Intuit Direction
tion, and espionage, blickish infiltrators hold (Wis), Jump (Str), Listen (Wis), Move Silently
themselves to high standards of conduct. They (Dex), Open Lock (Dex), Profession (Wis),
believe all their actions are observed by the Search (Int), Spot (Wis), and Tumble (Dex).
spirit of their noble ancestor Ulmagnus, the
epitome of self-sacrifice for the good of others. Skill Points at Each Level: 8 + Int modifier.
To act ignobly would dishonor their forefather
and shame their people. Class Features
All of the following are class features of the
Many blickish infiltrators rise from the ranks of
blickish infiltrator prestige class.
rogues, fighters, paladins, rangers, and others
skilled in the arts of surreptitious entry and
Blink Increase: Infiltrators gain an increase in
defense. Members of magic-using classes fre-
the number of times they may blink each day.
quently focus their spells to improve their
At 2nd level they can blink up to four times per
chances of stealthily entering forbidden areas,
day; this increases to five times per day at 7th
defending themselves, and escaping.
level and to six times per day at 10th level.
Each time they blink, infiltrators must make a
People who encounter NPC blickish infiltrators
Will save (DC 10) to recover from the disori-
initially believe they are wayward halflings,
entation of returning to the Material Plane.
loners who keep to themselves but stand up to
defend others. They wait quietly on the side-
Piggyback Blink: Infiltrators learn to expand
lines until a strong tyrant begins abusing the
their blinking ability to bring others with them
weak or they hear of an innocent who requires
into the ethereal plane and blink back into the
help. Infiltrators seldom band together—only
material plane. This technique increases the
when they face overwhelming odds do they
range of the infiltrator’s blink power from per-
join forces. Nobles whose fiefs shelter blick-
sonal to touch, allowing them to blink with one
ish settlements sometimes call upon infiltra-
other person at 1st level, two people at 5th
34
The Blickish Infiltrator
Class Base Fort Ref Will
Level Attack Bonus Save Save Save Special
BLICKISH
1st +2 +1 +2 +2 Piggyback blink (1)
2nd +2 +1 +2 +2 Blink 4/day
3rd +3 +1 +2 +2
4th +3 +2 +3 +3 Ethereal jaunt
5th +4 +2 +3 +3 Piggyback blink (2)
6th +4 +2 +3 +3 Celestial aid
7th +5 +3 +4 +4 Blink 5/day
8th +5 +3 +4 +4
9th +6 +3 +4 +4 Piggyback blink (3)
10th +7 +4 +5 +5 Blink 6/day
COIVALDS
Coivalds are a quiet and somber race of forest- taboos against breaking one’s word have
dwellers. Generally considered wise and helped the coivalds in developing their
patient, coivalds are renowned as healers and renowned skill for verbal evasion and trickery.
herbalists. Coivalds give the impression that However, once they have given their word or if
they are an awkward race, ungainly and slow to they face social obligation or a debt of honor,
move. They do move somewhat slower than they are bound.
humans due to their smaller frame, but they are
neither as slow nor as ungainly as they appear. Physical Description: Coivalds are short but
A coivald’s thick fingers are sensitive and fairly stout, with only four fingers on each hand
capable of surprising manual dexterity. and four toes on each foot. They stand from
three to four feet tall and weigh 60 to 80
Personality: Coivalds are a calm and peaceful pounds. Coivalds’ hair is usually a shade of
race. They prefer to live in a natural setting— brown, and their eyes are usually amber, blue,
they love the forest best of all. They rarely green, or yellow. It is traditional among the
grow agitated or excited, and only the greatest coivalds to wear their hair in braids. When a
threats or the direst horrors can stir true fear in coivald passes a significant milestone in his
them. Coivalds are more given to consideration life, he divides his hair into an additional braid
than outburst, and anger among them is all but to reflect the change. Occasions such as mar-
unknown. Coivalds enjoy crafts, weaving, and riage, loss of spouse or child, honors granted,
carving. Their manual dexterity allows them to recovery from a serious disease, or the end of
excel in these interests and coivald master some other trouble are all considered appropri-
craftsmen are much admired. ate times to add a braid. Coivalds who have led
a hard life, as well as those who are heroes to
Coivalds have no respect for what they consid- their people, are marked by their many braids.
er dishonesty. However, they are a subtle race
by nature, and it is common among them to Coivalds usually wear simple, loose fitting
hint at the truth or to trick or deceive others by clothes with patterns and bright colors.
omission. They seldom speak plainly for fear Criminals or others who have suffered social
that direct words may be considered an oblig- recriminations sometimes cut their hair quite
ation on their part. Oathbreaking among short as a symbol of their new beginning. As
coivalds is a serious offense. The strong their hair grows back, they build their new
36
lives. Coivalds are considered children until
they begin courting. This usually happens
around age 30, though they reach physical
maturity about five years earlier. Most coivalds
live about 250 years, though some few are
COIVALDS
known to have survived to 300 or longer.
COIVALDS
(nature) checks: Coivald have a strong
empathic bond with both the natural world
and other creatures that allows them to excel
in the arts of healing and natural lore.
Green Mystic
The wisest among the wise, the green mystics act in groups—councils of coivald mystics
are known for their natural lore and affinity for have been known to convene and agree on the
dealing with animals and plants. Green mystics best course of action before advising their clans
are also known for their skills in crafting magic on major decisions. When they seek to pursue
items. Within the forests of their home, the a goal or quest they act on their own.
green mystics are widely respected for their
steadfast loyalty as much as their understand- Hit Dice: d8.
ing. Despite this, they share the same skills at
subtlety and innuendo enjoyed by other Requirements
coivalds. Green mystics, however, tend
towards cryptic lore more than trickery and To qualify to become a green mystic, a charac-
deception. Their skills in this regard also allow ter must fulfill all the following criteria.
them to learn the lore of omens.
Race: Coivald.
Clerics and druids are the most common and Heal: 6 ranks.
often the most effective green mystics. Knowledge (nature): 4 ranks
Paladins and rangers rarely follow the path of Wilderness Lore: 4 ranks.
the green mystic, but it is not unknown. Such Spellcasting: Ability to cast 3rd-level divine
characters are usually not as widely respected spells.
for their wisdom and lore due to their warrior
past whether they would otherwise be worthy Class Skills
of such respect or not. The green mystic’s class skills (and the key
ability for each skill) are Animal Empathy
NPC green mystics are the leaders of their peo- (Cha), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int),
ple, in fact if not in law. They act as guides and Diplomacy (Cha), Handle Animal (Cha),
teachers to the coivalds, showing and advising Heal (Wis), Innuendo (Wis), Intuit
rather than commanding. In this capacity, they Direction (Wis), Knowledge (nature)
39
The Coivald Green Mystic
Base
Class Attack Fort Ref Will
COIVALDS
Skill Points at each Level: 6 + Int modifier. Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A green
mystic gains no armor or weapon proficiencies.
COIVALDS
1–2 +1 6 Alertness, empathic link, improved evasion, share spells
3–4 +3 7 Speak with master
5–6 +5 8 Speak with animals of its type
7–8 +7 9 Spell resistance
9–10 +9 10 Share senses
are identical to the divination spell, except that When the green mystic is within one mile of his
no material component is required. The green totem animal, he gains a +2 bonus on checks
mystic must still be able to interpret natural involving one skill possessed by the totem ani-
signs, thus the chance for a correct greater mal. The skill affected is chosen when the
omen are reduced in the same manner as the totem is called and may not be changed.
omen if the green mystic is in an inappropriate
setting. Spell Resistance: A totem of a green mystic
who is 7th level or higher has spell resistance
Spells per Day: A green mystic continues equal to the green mystic’s character level + 5.
training in divine magic as he progresses in lev-
els. Thus, when a green mystic gains a level, Share Senses: Once per day a green mystic
the character gains new spells per day as if he may choose to use the senses of his totem ani-
had gained a level in a divine spellcasting class mal for up to one minute per class level. The
he belonged to before the added green mystic chosen senses experienced by the totem replace
level. He does not gain any other benefits a those of the green mystic himself. Any or all of
character of that class would have gained. the animal’s senses may be used. The green
mystic may even elect to change which specif-
If a character has more than one other divine ic senses he is experiencing after activating this
spellcasting class, he must select the class to power. Thus, he may elect to see through his
which he adds each level of green mystic for totem’s eyes while retaining his own hearing so
purposes of determining spells per day when he that he may carry on a conversation or listen for
adds the new level. intruders. Later, during the same use of this
ability, he may choose to replace his own hear-
Totem: Upon reaching 2nd level, a green mys- ing with that of his totem as well.
tic can call a totem animal. This requires a full
day of meditation and consumes 100 gp worth Track: A green mystic gains the Track feat for
of herbs and incense. A green mystic’s totem free. If the character already had the Track feat,
must be an animal normally found in forests or he gains a +2 competence bonus on all
jungles and may be no larger than Small size. Wilderness Lore checks related to tracking.
The advantages and disadvantages of a totem
are similar to those of a familiar for a sorcerer
or wizard. The alertness, empathic link,
improved evasion, share spells, speak with
master, and speak with animals abilities of
totems are identical to the abilities of the same
name possessed by familiars.
41
THE CURST
THE CURST
Human history has its share of comedy and given up hope almost entirely and exist by beg-
tragedy, and the curst fall squarely within the ging, toadying, and thievery. The worst of this
latter category. Once like humans, the curst are sort make their living by means of murder for
now a fallen race, shunned and mistrusted by hire.
nearly all. In bygone ages, the curst were the
aristocracy of a decadent kingdom that offend- The curst do not make friends easily even if
ed the gods. Divine punishment fell upon these they desire to. On the other hand, enemies often
ancestors, shattering the kingdom and trans- seem to be a copper a dozen. Those rare curst
forming the aristocrats and all of their descen- who do have friends tend to be slavishly loyal.
dants into the curst. In the areas of virtue and vice, the curst run the
entire gamut but tend toward extremes. It is
Since that fateful time, the curst have spread almost as if moderation is an alien concept to
across the world, usually living in human soci- many curst.
eties as outcasts. Some curst are solitary, resid-
ing in remote wilderness places as hermits. In Physical Description: The curst are very near-
recent years, however, a company of curst ly entirely human in appearance, including all
adventurers seized control of a frontier settle- of the varieties of height, weight, skin tone, and
ment renamed Blessed with the aim of building hair and eye color that characterize the diverse
a home for others of their kind. So far, the idea human species. All curst, however, bear some
of a new curst homeland has not caught on, and sort of physical deformity. This imperfection
the former rulers of the settlement desire may be as mild as a slight limp or as severe as
strongly to oust the usurpers. missing or shriveled limbs, blindness, or mis-
shapen facial features. The curst age as humans
Personality: The curst are most often inflexi- do until their mid-60s. Thereafter, they age
ble, fatalistic, and moody. Descended from more slowly and have life spans comparable to
nobility but now living as outcasts amongst those of half-elves. It is believed this extended
humans, most affect an aristocratic bearing life span is itself part of the curse, as if the gods
although few have the means to acquire the wished each curst a long, miserable life.
necessary trappings to go along with the act.
The worst of this sort fly into murderous Relations: Virtually no one likes the curst,
rages at any imagined slight. Others have including even other curst. They are almost
42
everywhere outcasts, subject to mistrust, mis-
treatment, and fear. It is a rare member of the
curst who bothers to overcome the pitiful repu-
tation of his species. Most of the curst do very
little to encourage others to like them. It is
THE CURST
probably among humans, where most curst
live, that this fallen race has the hardest time
finding acceptance. Half-orcs, being outcasts
of a sort themselves, are sometimes sympathet-
ic to the curst.
The Soulless
One way for a curst to deal with his wretched
Languages: The curst speak Common. Like lot in life is to embrace wholeheartedly the
humans, they typically learn other languages as divine punishment that afflicts him. This is
the mood or need strikes them. accomplished by striking a dark pact with some
evil outsider. In exchange for his soul, the curst
Names: Again, the curst are similar to humans acquires great power and a terrible freedom of
in that their names vary greatly. There is no sorts. No longer is the curse a source of pain
unifying culture to shape any sorts of customs but instead becomes a fount of strength and
or mores about names. Many of the curst retain power. Most who take this drastic step become
their ancestral titles even though few indeed the wholly evil embodiment of all that makes
have any authority or station for doing so. the curst so hated. A very few indeed, however,
find a measure of peace and dignity, and are no
Adventurers: Most of the curst who adventure longer burdened by their heritage.
do so for some sort of personal gain. Some seek
to recapture their family’s former glory, includ- Most soulless are wizards, but more than a few
ing power over others. A few strive to rise sorcerers and clerics find their way down the
above their race’s lot and earn respect, admira- black paths that lead to this prestige class. Few
tion, and acceptance. members of other classes have easy access to
the knowledge required to become one of the
soulless. Reportedly, the leader of the curst
Curst Racial Traits company in Blessed is a soulless of spine-chill-
• +2 Intelligence, –2 Charisma: The curst are ing evil.
bright but their lineage makes them acerbic
and unlikable. Hit Die: d8.
THE CURST
Special: To become a soulless, a character total of all his class levels. This ability is often
must expend 5,000 XP. The character’s base used in conjunction with essence theft to
Will save must still be at least +5 after any acquire an ability that the curst’s normal anato-
modification for level incurred due to XP my could not duplicate.
expenditure. Furthermore, this expenditure
must be a sacrifice to a non-hostile abyssal or Essence Theft: The soulless have the supernat-
infernal creature. ural ability to temporarily absorb some of the
essence of a dying creature, thus gaining some
Class Skills of the dying creature’s capabilities. Essence
theft is a full-round action. It must be per-
The soulless’s class skills (and the key ability formed within one round of the creature’s
for each skill) are Balance (Dex), Climb (Str), death. Only living creatures from the Material
Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Disguise Plane are subject to essence theft upon their
(Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Hide (Dex), demise. A soulless cannot, for example, use
Innuendo (Wis), Intuit Direction (Wis), Jump essence theft against the undead or an outsider.
(Str), Knowledge (Arcana) (Int), Knowledge Essence theft has a range of touch.
(The Planes) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently
(Dex), Profession (Wis), Search (Int), Sense By means of essence theft, a soulless can tem-
Motive (Wis), Spellcraft (Int), Spot (Wis), and porarily gain any one special attack or special
Swim (Str). quality of the creature this ability is used
against. To succeed, the soulless must make a
Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier. Will save with a DC equal to 10 plus the crea-
ture’s Hit Dice. If this Will save fails, essence
Class Features theft cannot be used again for one day.
All of the following are class features of the Otherwise, essence theft can be used once per
soulless prestige class. day per level earned as a soulless.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Life as a A character successful with essence theft
soulless is dangerous. Members of this prestige retains the stolen attack or ability for a number
class are proficient with all simple and martial of rounds equal to his level earned as a soulless
weapons. The soulless gain no proficiency with plus his Wisdom modifier. Essence theft cannot
armor or shields. be used to steal spell-casting abilities from a
wizard or other spellcaster. Furthermore, abili-
Spells per Day: At every odd numbered level ties dependent on devotion to a higher power,
as a soulless, including 1st level, the curst gains such as a cleric’s ability to turn undead, cannot
new spells per day just as if he had advanced a be stolen. Other class-related abilities are sub-
level in the spellcasting class he had before ject to essence theft.
becoming a soulless. His actual level in that
spellcasting class does not change, and so he For example, a 3rd-level soulless with a 15
does not gain any additional benefits associat- Wisdom is fighting a displacer beast. The beast
ed with advancing a level, such as an addition- falls, and the soulless steps forward to use
al hit die, improved base attack bonus or base essence theft as a full-round action. He must
saves, and so on. The soulless can use a num- make a Will save (DC 16). If successful, the
ber of spells per day equal to his newly adjust- soulless can steal either the beast’s displace-
ed level in his spellcaster class, and his caster ment or resistance to ranged attacks (player’s
level is adjusted as well to determine level- choice). He keeps the stolen quality for five
variable spell effects. If the soulless has more rounds.
than one spellcasting class, he must choose
which one is affected by the increase in spells Immunities: At 5th level, the soulless gains
per day. Once this decision is made, it cannot the extraordinary ability of immunity
be changed. either to poison, fire, or electricity. At
45
The Curst Soulless
Base
Class Attack Fort Ref Will
THE CURST
10th level, he gains a second immunity to he can choose one of the following attack
another one of these three attack forms. forms to be resistant to: cold, fire, or acid. The
characters gains resistance 20 against the cho-
Resistance to Necromancy: The soulless sen attack form. He cannot choose any one
gains a +4 resistance bonus against all attack form more than once. Resistances are
Necromancy spells and spell-like abilities. extraordinary abilities.
Resistances: As the soulless increases in level, See in Darkness: At 5th level, the soulless’
he becomes resistant to certain forms of attack. eyes change in both appearance and ability. His
At 3rd level and then again at 6th and 9th level, eyes become solid white, lacking both iris and
pupil. The soulless also becomes able to see
perfectly in darkness of any kind, even that cre-
ated by a deeper darkness spell.
The eleti (sing. eletum) are undead. They form around them. Most eleti go about this in one of
no societies and rarely group together. Using three ways. These factions are seekers, judges,
disguise, stealth, and cunning they hide among and slayers.
the living for fear of destruction. The eleti look
similar to skeletons. Unlike skeletons, eleti Seekers among the eleti strive to help other
have independent minds and can learn and races and earn respect and trust from the living.
adapt. They seek to explore a world that would Their goals in this effort are to make friends
destroy them if it discovered their nature. among living races and to help protect the wel-
fare of others. They try to connect themselves
An eletum is an animate skeleton formed from to others and appease their sense of longing and
the remains of a humanoid creature. An eletum separation.
gathers the necessary magical energy into one
of its own bones over the course of a year. It Judges prefer to destroy the unworthy or
then places the empowered bone within a unjust. Some eleti judges seek out evil undead
skeletal corpse that becomes its “child.” This to destroy. They hope to demonstrate their own
process is somewhat uncomfortable for the par- independent nature and to differentiate them-
ent but not really painful. selves from the monsters they fight. Many oth-
ers instead hunt the criminal and unjust ele-
Eleti do not eat or sleep as a living creature ments of living society. By doing so, they feel
does. They also do not grow old in any notice- that they contribute to the general welfare and
able way and do not expire from age. Eleti are, create a place for themselves in the living
in effect, immortal. world.
Personality: Eleti are envious of the ease with Eleti slayers see living races as enemies.
which living folk interact. Most want the life Slayers operate alone as murderers or may
that is denied to them and to enjoy the diverse raise armies of undead followers. They lash out
cultures they can only glimpse from the shad- at others and become universally feared, even
ows. Eleti follow a spiritual path, attempting to among eleti. Slayers are the epitome of unliv-
attune themselves with their own magical ener- ing vengeance.
gies. In this way they hope to gain more control
over themselves and influence with the world
47
Physical Description: These creatures appear
as animate humanoid skeletons. Little flesh
clings to their bones, and their joints are held
together solely by magic. Their eyes come
closest to seeming alive. They are normal eyes,
ELETI
ELETI
tures, eleti travel with caution. They use masks spellcasting eletum uses its Charisma modifi-
and disguises when possible and rely on stealth er when making Concentration checks.
and cunning otherwise. Some eleti find friends
among the living. Some people look past the • Medium or Small size: Eleti may be of either
undead face and see the good of which an ele- Medium or Small size. They gain all the nor-
tum is capable. Other men of evil nature have mal benefits and restrictions for their size.
no qualms about dealing with undead.
Whatever the nature of the relationship, eleti • Eleti base speed is 30 feet for Medium-size or
rely upon living friends to conduct business 20 feet if they are Small.
and help them hide from humanity.
• Darkvision: Eleti can see up to 60 feet with-
Religion: Some eleti offer homage to gods of out any source of light. Darkvision is black
death, believing that they owe their existence to and white only, but otherwise it functions just
the beneficence of these gods. Others worship like normal sight.
gods appropriate to their skills and interests.
Followers of good-aligned deities are rare: • +2 racial bonus on Hide and Move Silently
These gods often show a vengeful aspect due to checks. Eleti are naturally adept at stealth.
the ability of their priests to destroy undead.
• Immunities: Eleti are immune to cold damage
Language: Eleti have no language of their and take only half damage from piercing or
own. They speak Common but may learn any slashing weapons as they lack internal
other languages they choose. Despite the lack organs.
of a throat, eleti can speak clearly. Their voices
sound human, though there is a subtle hollow • Undead: As undead creatures, eleti are
ring to be distinguished by astute listeners. immune to mind-influencing effects, poison,
sleep, paralysis, stunning, and disease. They
Names: Eleti usually use only one name. Most are also not subject to critical hits, subdual
use human names from the lands around them. damage, ability damage, ability drain, energy
Others use more guttural names from orc or drain, or death from massive damage.
other humanoid tribes. Few eleti use elven or
dwarven names, because their intense mistrust • Turn and Rebuke Undead: Eleti are subject to
of undead makes it difficult for eleti to remain turning attempts by clerics and paladins. For
near those races. purposes of turning, the eletum possesses a
number of Hit Dice equal to its class levels.
Adventurers: The lives of eleti are adventur- Turn and rebuke attempts have their normal
ous. Rarely able to stay in one place for long, effects on eleti. If a turn undead attempt
they wander through barren or inhospitable would normally destroy an undead of the ele-
lands to avoid the attention of those who would tum’s level outright, it receives a Will saving
destroy them. Some eleti adventure to seek throw (DC 10 + cleric’s class level + cleric’s
wealth and fame, believing that success will Charisma modifier). If the save fails, the ele-
help others accept them. Others adventure to tum is destroyed. Even if the save succeeds,
gain the power they need to exact revenge. the eletum is still subjected to the turn effect.
Always alone among living men, eleti also
adventure to seek allies or followers in com- • Command Undead: Successful command
mon cause, whether that cause is good or evil. undead attempts allow the eletum a Will save
(DC 10 + cleric’s class level + cleric’s
Eleti Racial Traits Charisma modifier). If the Will save fails, the
cleric may control the eletum as if by a dom-
• +2 Dexterity: The magical nature that binds inate person spell. If the save succeeds, the
the eleti together gives them great speed and eletum is able to retain control, though it
flexibility. is still affected as if by charm person.
49
• Turn Resistance: Eleti may gain Turn rogue aemidun. Fighters and rangers only
Resistance as a general feat whenever they rarely learn to become aemidun, though they
are allowed to learn a new feat. can become quite dangerous.
• Automatic Languages: Common. Bonus NPC aemidun commonly travel alone, much as
ELETI
Languages: Any (other than secret languages, any eletum does. However, it is not unknown
such as Druidic). Eleti may encounter any for them to gather followers and undead min-
sorts of creatures during their travels and ions whether their intentions are for good or ill.
often learn to speak a broad variety of lan-
guages. Hit Dice: d6.
ELETI
their creator. An aemidun may create one imp
per day per class level. Summoning any num-
ber of imps requires a full round. Each remains
for 10 minutes per class level. If one is
destroyed, its aemidun suffers 1d6 damage.
Drain Unlife: Aemidun of 8th level or higher Greater Command: An aemidun of 8th level
may make a touch attack to drain unlife. An increases its ability to command undead. When
undead target struck by this attack suffers 1d6 resolving a rebuke or command undead attempt
damage for every two class levels of the by the aemidun, it receives a +3 bonus to its
aemidun (round down). A successful Will save class level. This bonus also counts for deter-
(DC 10 + aemidun class level) reduces this mining the maximum number of undead the
damage by half. The aemidun does not gain aemidun may command. When determining the
these hit points. total Hit Dice of undead rebuked or command-
ed, the aemidun rolls 4d6 + class level +
Charisma modifier.
52
FAIRIES
FAIRIES
From one end of the world to the other there earned their enmity, you will be fearful of their
live many different races of the fey, but the revenge until your dying day.
sidhe are most familiar to the common folk.
Stories of these winsome and fickle creatures In contrast to the open, good-hearted nature of
capture their flights of fancy and pernicious their seelie brethren, the unseelie are cruel and
trickery, the innate magic that is their soul and capricious, delighting in pain and misery. They
spirit, and the magical wonders of the Fairy are as quick to change their behavior as the
Realms. seelie, but the sidhe noctur can never be trust-
ed. Even when they have been forced to work
But the stories also speak of darker things, for with those of another race due to circumstance
the sidhe are a race divided. On the one hand or compulsion, somewhere in their twisted
there are the sidhe themselves—the seelie who minds always lurks the desire to torture and
live in their fairy hills, serve the Fairy Lords, kill.
and personify the light. On the other are the
sidhe noctur, dark fairies—the unseelie who Physical Description: Some fairies are as
have been corrupted by the Nether Gods, ban- small as three inches tall, while those taller
ished from the Fairy Realms, and placed in ser- than one foot in height are a rare sight indeed.
vice to the evil forces of the world. The average fairy usually stands between seven
and 10 inches tall.
Personality: The seelie are temperamental yet
passionate creatures, a potent combination that Those of the seelie are pale of skin, with gos-
has earned them a wide range of seemingly samer wings on their backs. These wings are
contradictory reputations. On the one hand they translucent and potent with the magic of the
are known for their ceaseless dedication and on fey. As such, evil wizards and sorcerers often
the other for their faithlessness. They are prize them as spell components. Fairy wings
known for their whimsical and carefree lives, come in the widest scope of brilliant shades and
just as they are known for their fearful rage. hues. Similarly, the hair of a seelie is often of
One thing that can always be relied upon, how- unnatural color, sometimes, though not
ever, is this: If you have earned the trust and always, matching that of his wings.
friendship of the seelie, there are no surer com-
panions in your life. If, however, you have The unseelie have black skin, the color
53
neously find some
means of expression. In
some cases, that expres-
sion takes the form of a
newborn sidhe.
FAIRIES
FAIRIES
Seelie who begin to follow the path of evil are Fairy Court, and they are always near at hand.
succumbing to a corruption of their basic The court is made up of the six Fairy Lords
nature. As this corruption grows, their bodies (Those Who Were Once Seven) and ruled by
will begin to twist and deform. Finally, when Oberon and Titania, the King and Queen of
the evil has consumed them utterly, they will Fairy. The members of the Court are strange
become unseelie. deities, for they can be found as the rulers of
every fairy hill. At times it will seem that the
The unseelie are almost always evil, and rarely Titania of one court is the same as the Titania
neutral—they are never good. Members of the of another, while at others they appear to be
unseelie who wish to return to the ways of good different. Perhaps, like much of the Dreaming,
will walk a long path before they can find the truth lies somewhere in between.
redemption.
The unseelie, in similar fashion, are ruled by
Fairy Lands: The seelie are at home in the the Dark Fairy Court, which is also known as
Fairy Realms, which are also known as the Phynnod’s Court. Phynnod was once a Fairy
Dreaming. Like the Astral and Ethereal planes, Lord, but in his hubris he lusted after the fair
the Fairy Realms lie “beneath” or “alongside” Titania. The Queen of Fairy spurned Phynnod’s
the world as the mortal races know it. Unlike advances, and in the rage that followed the
the Astral and Ethereal planes, however, the forces of darkness consumed him. Phynnod’s
Fairy Realms can only be reached in certain Court is a dark mockery of the true Fairy Court,
places and through specific gateways. The best and it is believed that Phynnod himself is now
known of these places are the fairy hills them- quite mad, having convinced himself that his
selves, places where the Dreaming and the Court is the same Court he left behind. Indeed,
mortal world are one and the same. The sidhe Phynnod is even possessed of a Queen Titania,
make their homes within the fairy hills. who is known to all those among the fey as
Dark Titania. It is even whispered that Dark
Beyond the fairy hills, the Dreaming is a wild Titania was once the Titania of a fallen fairy
and dangerous place, an ever-shifting forest hill, but such whispers are perhaps better left
whose shadows and glades hold the greatest of for unwholesome ears.
wonders. Mortals sometimes reach it, unwit-
tingly, in their hours of deepest dreaming, and Many among the sidhe noctur also worship the
it is said to be the place where all dreams are Nether Gods, serving as protectors over those
born. In the Dreaming, one may leave a city places that have been corrupted by their touch
forged from towering spires of the finest crys- of evil.
tal and lose sight of it within three paces, never
to see it again. Or one may be tempted by Language: Like the Elven language to which it
strange, dancing lights, and never be heard is related (both the fey and the elves claim that
from again. The only truly safe places within the other’s language sprang from their own),
the Dreaming are the Fairy Roads that run from the Sylvan tongue is fluid and quick, a lan-
one fairy hill to another. guage made for song and laughter. Despite this,
in the mouths of the dark fairies, it seems to be
The unseelie have been cast out of the Fairy a twisted distortion of the natural world.
Realms, and must make their homes within the
lands of mortals, often seeking the deepest Names: The seelie are each possessed of two
depths of the forests in which to settle. In some names: their true names and their chosen
cases, the sidhe noctur have forced open new names. The true name of a fairy is a long string
ways to the Fairy Realms, imposing their dark of flowing syllables, each intimately connected
essence on the Dreaming and tapping into the to the others. A true name, when spoken aloud,
primal nightmares. But beyond the protection is like a song that seems to bare the essence
of the fairy hills, which benefit as much from of the fairy to whom it belongs. The cho-
the solidity of the mortal world as they do from sen name of a fairy can vary wildly, both
55
between fey and within the course of a single while attacking. After using the ability, the
fey’s life. In general, younger sidhe tend to fairy will be unable to use it again for anoth-
choose descriptive names (Goodorchard, er 1d20 rounds.
Petalblossom), while elder sidhe will opt for
less intuitive names (Maayiel, Sutheseyal). • Faerie Fire: At will, a fairy can surround a
FAIRIES
Unseelie in the company of other adventurers • Automatic Languages: Common and Sylvan.
are frequently seeking redemption from their Bonus Languages: Abyssal, Aquan, Auran,
dark past, in one way or another. On rare occa- Celestial, Draconic, Elven, Ignan, Infernal,
sions, however, an unrepentant dark fairy will and Terran.
be found adventuring, often on a quest given to
him by the Dark Court. • Favored Class: Sorcerer. A multiclass fairy’s
sorcerer class does not count when determin-
Seelie Racial Traits ing whether he suffers an XP penalty for mul-
ticlassing. The fey are creatures of magic, and
• +2 Dexterity, +2 Charisma, –4 Strength, –2 many find that they possess the inborn talent
Constitution: Although light, quick, and necessary for the arts of sorcery.
charming, a fairy is small and relatively frail.
• Level Equivalent: Class levels +3.
• Tiny: As Tiny creatures, fairies gain a +2 size
bonus to Armor Class, a +2 size bonus to
attack rolls, and a +8 size bonus on Hide
Unseelie Racial Traits
checks, but they must use smaller weapons • +2 Dexterity, +2 Charisma, –4 Strength, –2
than humans use, and their lifting and carry- Constitution: Although light, quick, and
ing limits are one-half of those of Medium- charming, a fairy is small and relatively frail.
size characters.
• Tiny: As Tiny creatures, fairies gain a +2 size
• Fairy base speed is 30 feet. Fairies can fly 50 bonus to Armor Class, a +2 size bonus to
feet (good). attack rolls, and a +8 size bonus on Hide
checks, but they must use smaller weapons
• A fairy’s Hit Die type is always d4, no matter than humans use, and their lifting and carry-
what class he chooses. ing limits are one-half of those of Medium-
size characters.
• Natural Invisibility: Fairies can become
invisible at will for 1d4 rounds as a free • Fairy base speed is 30 feet. Fairies can fly 50
action. The fairy will remain invisible, even feet (good).
56
FAIRIES
• A fairy’s Hit Die type is always d4, no matter spell-like abilities (see below), it will be sur-
what class he chooses. rounded by faerie fire—as per the spell of the
same name—for 1d6 rounds.
• Natural Invisibility: Fairies can become
invisible at will for 1d4 rounds as a free • Spell-like Abilities: 2/day—bane, detect
action. The fairy will remain invisible, even good, dispel magic, darkness, dancing lights,
while attacking. After using the ability, the sleep, obscuring mist, and chill touch.
fairy will be unable to use it again for anoth-
er 1d20 rounds. • Automatic Languages: Common and Sylvan.
Bonus Languages: Abyssal, Aquan, Auran,
• Dark Faerie Fire: At will, a dark fairy can Celestial, Draconic, Elven, Ignan, Infernal,
surround itself with dark fairy fire. While Terran, and Undercommon.
under the effects of dark faerie fire, a dark
fairy will be limned in darkness so deep and • Favored Class: Sorcerer. A multiclass fairy’s
palpable that the utter lack of light seems to sorcerer class does not count when determin-
glow. This unnatural sight twists the eye, and ing whether he suffers an XP penalty for mul-
the dark fairy gains the benefits of a blur ticlassing. The fey are creatures of magic,
spell (granting the dark fairy a one-half con- and many find that they possess the inborn
cealment/20% miss chance). A dark fairy talent necessary for the arts of sorcery.
cannot use its dark faerie fire while under the
effects of faerie fire. • Level Equivalent: Class levels +3.
FAIRIES
Secondhand (you have heard of the subject or location) 15
Firsthand (you have met the subject or been to the location) 10
Familiar (you know the subject or location well) 5
*You must have some sort of connection or be physically near (within 100 feet) a creature or loca-
tion.
Distance Bonus
10 feet +15
20 feet +10
50 feet +5
100 feet or more +0
future events may hold. This spell-like ability True Mind: At 3rd level, a fairy dreamer gains
is identical in all respects to the spell augury. a +2 bonus to saving throws against spells and
The dreamer’s caster level is equal to his class effects from the Illusion school, since their
levels in fairy dreamer. close connection to the Dreaming has made
their minds particularly sensitive to the differ-
Dream Summoning: The dreamer’s dream ence between reality and falsehood.
summoning abilities work as per the summon
monster spells of the same name, with the fol- Dream Fear: Once per day per class level, the
lowing exception: Creatures summoned using fairy dreamer can tap into the potential of the
the dream summoning ability are creatures of Dreaming and summon forth the nightmares
the Dreaming and are thus immune to all that are buried in the deepest, darkest parts of
Illusion spells and effects. A fairy dreamer may the mind. These nightmares have no physical
use his dream summoning abilities a number of effect but are capable of causing terror to the
times per day equal to his class level x 2. The dreamer’s victims. Dream fear functions as per
dreamer’s caster level is equal to his class lev- the fear spell. The dreamer’s caster level is
els in fairy dreamer. equal to his class levels in fairy dreamer.
Dream Step: At 3rd level, the fairy dreamer Dream Window: The Dreaming is, in some
gains the ability to travel through the Dreaming part, a reflection of the world itself, and events
as if by means of a dimension door spell. The in the mortal world will often have an effect on
dreamer may dream step a total of 20 feet each the makeup of the Dreaming. At 9th level, the
day, although this may be a single step of 20 fairy dreamer’s sensitivity to the forces of the
feet or two steps of 10 feet each. Every two lev- Dreaming allows him to distinguish and detect
els thereafter, the distance a fairy dreamer can these subtle variations, enabling him to reach
travel each day doubles. This amount can be through the Dreaming and summon an
split among many steps, but each step, no mat- image of some creature or locale that may
ter how small, counts as at least a 10-foot step. be at any distance from the Dreamer.
59
The Fairy Dreamer
Base
Class Attack Fort Ref Will
FAIRIES
A dream window takes one minute to create, Some creatures such as undead, at the DM’s
and the caster must succeed at a Scry check in discretion, may not possess a connection to the
order to open the window. Dreaming and therefore cannot be detected
with the dream window.
The subject or location must be present on the
Material Plane or within the Dreaming. The following spells can be cast through a
dream window: comprehend languages, read
Even if the Scry check is successful, the unre- magic, tongues, and darkvision. The following
liable nature of the Dreaming may still con- spells have a 5% chance per caster level of
found the dreamer’s attempt. There is a 10% operating correctly: detect magic, detect chaos,
chance each time a window is opened that it detect evil, detect good, detect law, and mes-
will return a false of fanciful result, showing sage. Other spells may be cast through the
events from the Dreaming rather than true dream window, but doing so will make the win-
events within the world. This chance is doubled dow visible to everyone on both sides if the
to 20% if the dreamer is attempting to detect dreamer who summoned the window fails a
something or someone within the Dreaming. Spellcraft check (DC 35).
The chance is eliminated if the dreamer is
attempting to contact another dreamer with the Other fairy dreamers can detect and see
dream window ability. If a fairy dreamer with through the window and use it as if it were their
the dream window ability does not wish to be own, even if the original creator attempted to
detected, he can double the standard chance of keep the window invisible. An attempt to see a
failure, deliberately confounding attempts to window that a dreamer wanted to keep invisi-
distinguish his true self from various dream ble requires an opposed Spellcraft check
versions of himself. The dreamer will not rec- between the two dreamers. Each attempt to use
ognize a failure if he takes this approach. or change the window requires an opposed
Attempts to cast spells through a false window Spellcraft check. Only the dreamer who wins
will have no effect on the actual subject the the opposed check can use or alter the window.
fairy dreamer is trying to reach.
Finally, travel is possible through a dream win-
An open dream window is invisible from the dow. Anyone to whom the window is visible
far side but appears as a one-sided opening in can simply step through it, appearing on the
the air within 10 feet of the fairy dreamer. It is other side as if by a teleport without error spell.
visible to anyone in the area. The fairy dream- This immediately makes the window visible to
er can also choose to make the far side of the everyone on both sides if the dreamer who
window visible, allowing those on the other summoned the window fails a Spellcraft check
side to see back to the dreamer. If invisible, the (DC 35).
window can be found with spells such as
detect magic. Dispel magic and similar Dream Trap: Once per day, the fairy dreamer
spells will close the window. can attempt to trap a soul within the Dreaming.
60
FAIRIES
The dreamer must be able to see his chosen vic- Incorporeal undead targeted by a dream trap
tim—either directly or through a dream win- are simply transported to the Dreaming.
dow—in order to attempt the dream trap. Creatures without souls (skeletons and zom-
Attempting the dream trap is a full round bies, for example) cannot be affected by a
action, and if the dreamer is interrupted, the dream trap.
attempt is wasted for the day.
A trapped soul appears in the Dreaming as
A dream trap can be targeted against a living though it were a ghost (MM 212).
target or against one who is recently dead (no
longer than one round per class level). If the The effects of a dream trap can only be
victim is dead, the attempt automatically suc- removed in two ways: by killing the fairy
ceeds. If the victim is still living, the victim dreamer who created the effect or by returning
must make a Fortitude save (DC 10 + dream- the soul to its body (either by taking the body
er’s class level + Intelligence modifier). into the Dreaming or by bringing the soul back
to the body). If the body was dead to begin with
If the victim was dead, his soul is drawn into or has died since the dream trap was created,
the Dreaming and trapped there. The victim returning the soul to the body will only free the
cannot be returned through clone, raise dead, soul. The character will still be dead, but he can
reincarnation, resurrection, true resurrection, then be returned to life through magic.
miracle, or wish until the soul is freed.
ILLONIS
Shrouded in mystery and plagued by a curse them in despair. The torments of their cursed,
that has haunted them for more than a millen- unsettling appearance and strange afflictions
nium, the illonis move from plane to plane on a should have robbed them of all hope long ago,
seemingly hopeless quest. The illonis’ plane of but the illonis have persevered. Many other
origin is unclear as is the reason they are races do not understand what keeps the illonis
doomed to wander the multiverse. Generations going—their curse or the sheer determination
of rumors, hearsay, and tall tales have blurred of their unbreakable spirit? The illonis never
the line between fact and fiction, even among give in to hopelessness and always find the
the illonis themselves. It is thought that the illo- strength to battle impossible odds. This is their
nis were once a proud race of traders and nature.
explorers who pioneered several methods of
planar travel when the human race was still Physical Description: The image of the race
young. Intelligent and daring, the illonis trav- they once were is all but lost to the passage of
eled the multiverse, trading exotic goods across time and the ravages of a cursed existence, and
the infinite planes. Then the peaceful race incit- all illonis now face the challenges of finding a
ed the fury of a vengeful god. small measure of acceptance on the planes they
visit. Illonis are humanoid creatures standing
Legend has it that the illonis elders cast a high between six and six and a half feet tall, weigh-
priest of an evil deity into unknown planes dur- ing an average of 155 pounds. They have thin
ing a confrontation in which the cleric attempt- gray skin spotted by black birthmarks that
ed to steal the travelers’ secrets. Enraged by the resemble the war branding of some barbarian
incident, the dark god laid a horrid curse on the tribes. Most illonis have deep gray or black hair
illonis, dooming them to a life of misery as worn at varying lengths depending on the indi-
they were magically compelled to search the vidual. Many, even the women, have recently
multiverse for the lost priest. They would never taken to shaving their heads.
see their home plane again and never find last-
ing acceptance in the worlds they traveled. Illonis possess many of the standard humanoid
characteristics: two arms, two legs, a mouth,
Personality: The illonis are a determined nose, and ears. All of these features are remi-
race. Generations of wandering and seem- niscent of the human or elven races but for two
ingly pointless searching should have left notable differences. First, illonis possess six
62
long, triple-jointed digits on each hand, and
this feature gives them remarkable talents
with musical instruments. Secondly, illonis
have no eyes but rather “see” with a strange
form of echosense. Stories suggest the race
ILLONIS
was once known for its art and culture, hence
the cruelty of the deity’s curse: With no eyes
and no sense of color, the illonis’ artistic abil-
ities are now almost entirely limited to
music.
64
• Speak Language: As a race of planar travel-
Class Skills
ers, illonis have learned a wide variety of lan-
guages and have a natural aptitude for learn- The doomsinger’s class skills (and the key abil-
ing new ones. Illonis characters at 1st level ity for each skill) are Balance (Dex), Bluff
gain one Speak Language skill for free in (Cha), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int),
ILLONIS
addition to any they choose individually. Diplomacy (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Gather
Information (Cha), Hide (Dex), Knowledge (all
• Favored Class: Bard. A muticlass illonis’s skills taken individually) (Int), Listen (Wis),
bard class does not count when determining Move Silently (Dex), Perform (Cha), Scry (Int,
whether he suffers an XP penalty for multi- exclusive skill), Sense Motive (Wis), Speak
classing. With such a strong affinity for Language (Int), Spellcraft (Int), Tumble (Dex),
music and storytelling, a bard’s life is ideal and Use Magic Device (Cha, exclusive skill).
for an illonis.
Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier.
• Level Equivalent: Class levels +1.
Class Features
Illonis Doomsinger All of the following are class features of the
doomsinger prestige class.
Cursed to wander the planes for eternity, the
illonis live the life of the damned. While most
Aura of Sorrow: The last vestiges of happi-
are able to come to terms with their loneliness
ness and contentment fade and the doomsinger
and sorrow, a tragic few embrace their despair
knows only sorrow. Those around the doom-
and hopelessness. These wretched souls are
singer sense this pain, as he radiates a sense of
known as doomsingers. Journeying in dark
hopelessness and despair. At 1st level, a doom-
lands and aiding those in need, doomsingers
singer can manifest this aura as a bane spell.
harness centuries of pain and fear to unleash
The doomsinger’s caster level is equal to his
the wrath of the damned on evildoers. Many
class level, and he can use this ability three
doomsingers wander the land alone and are
times per day.
known as the Hollow Ones by their kinsmen.
Doomsingers radiate an aura of despair and
Song of Sadness: At 1st level, a doomsinger
sorrow that makes even other illonis uneasy.
can wail a song of sadness that saps the courage
They have abandoned the last thread of happi-
from his enemies. To be affected, an enemy
ness to become destroyers of evil, and their
must hear the doomsinger’s wail for a full
minds are balanced precariously on the edge of
round. The effect lasts as long as the doom-
insanity.
singer sings and the enemy can hear the song,
plus an additional 5 rounds. Using this ability is
Most doomsingers are bards whose talent over-
a move-equivalent action. Affected creatures
shadows even the most skilled illonis. In rare
suffer a –1 morale penalty to attack and dam-
cases, illonis wizards and sorcerers become
age rolls. This is a mind-affecting ability.
doomsingers when they learn to embrace the
sadness and despair within themselves.
Veil of Darkness: Shrouded in misery, doom-
singers can manifest the darkness within their
Hit Dice: d6.
souls. At 3rd level, a doomsinger can cast dark-
ness once per day as an arcane spellcaster equal
Requirements to his character level. As an illonis with the
To qualify to become an illonis doomsinger, a echosense ability, the darkness has no effect on
character must fulfill all the following criteria. the doomsinger. The effect is centered on the
doomsinger and moves with him.
Race: Illonis.
Alignment: Any non-lawful. Touch of Despair: Doomsingers can taint
Spellcasting: Ability to cast arcane spells. other creatures with their own cursed existence.
Base Attack Bonus: +5. At 3rd level, a doomsinger can cast bestow
Move Silently: 4 ranks. curse once per day as an arcane spellcaster
Perform: 10 ranks. equal to his character level. The doom-
Sense Motive: 4 ranks. singer can choose the specific effect
when using this ability (PHB 178).
65
The Illonis Doomsinger
Base
Class Attack Fort Ref Will
ILLONIS
Scream of Fury: Living in thrall to his misery doomsinger uses wail of destruction, he must
and despair, a doomsinger finds a destructive make a successful Will save (DC 20) or suffer
voice for his fury. At 4th level, a doomsinger one point of permanent Wisdom damage. This
can unleash an agonizing scream that acts as a ability score damage can only be restored
disintegrate spell as cast by an arcane spell- through spells such as limited wish, wish, or
caster equal to his character level. miracle.
Wail of Destruction: Consumed by despair, Spells per Day: An illonis doomsinger contin-
the doomsinger learns to unleash his inner ues to cast arcane spells as if he were a spell-
demons, manifesting them as a dark and caster of his total character level. When a new
destructive wail. At 5th level, the doomsinger doomsinger level is gained, the character gains
can cast wail of the banshee once per day as an new spells per day as if he had also gained a
arcane spellcaster equal to his class level (PHB level in a spellcasting class he belonged to
269). before he added the prestige class. He does not,
however, gain any other benefit a character of
This hideous power comes with a price. When that class would have gained. If a character had
a doomsinger calls forth this power, he places more than one spellcasting class before he
his own sanity in jeopardy. Each time the became a doomsinger, he must decide to which
class he adds each level of doom-
singer for purposes of determining
spells per day when he adds the
new level.
66
THE LUMINOUS
THE LUMINOUS
Centuries ago, the luminous greatly resembled sacrificing thousands of their numbers to save
the elven races, with slender builds and a the land from the evil forces. Though the lumi-
graceful yet powerful presence. Unlike the nous were victorious, it came at a heavy cost as
elves, the luminous devoted their entire exis- only a fraction of the race survived. Legend
tence to the destruction of evil, often taking the holds that a deity of chivalry and heroism took
role of paladins and clerics of benevolent notice of the sacrifice made by the luminous
deities. As the efforts of the luminous escalat- and offered a sign of thanks and acceptance by
ed, so too did the efforts of evil. This led lumi- granting them the connection with the positive
nous sages to begin experimenting with the energy plane that they desired.
forces of the positive energy plane, a plane that
many of the luminous champions called upon Since that momentous event, the luminous
regularly to aid them in battle. The sages have worked to live up to the faith placed in
believed that a way could be found to literally them by the deity by working as champions of
integrate these forces into the physiology of the good and justice. They are living conductors of
luminous race. positive energy and a bane to the forces of evil,
especially the undead.
After generations of research, the sages had
made steps in the right direction but stood no Personality: More focused than friendly and
closer to their final goal. It would take a great far more driven than flippant, the luminous are
tragedy and divine intervention to allow the often perceived as aloof or antisocial. This
luminous to realize their dream. As legends tell characterization is rarely true; in fact, the lumi-
it, a war raged across the lands and the death nous make great efforts to find acceptance in
tolls reached unimaginable numbers as the the lands of other races. Luminous are natural-
forces of a great evil ravaged the innocent. At born champions of honor, justice, and chivalry.
the forefront of the resistance stood the lumi- They use their unique appearance both to
nous who valiantly fought the undead legions, frighten those who would commit evil and to
caring not for themselves but rather for the sur- calm or inspire their allies.
vival of the other races who had fallen.
Physical Description: Luminous are
On the eve of the luminous’ near extinction, the humanoids who stand between five and a
race took a collective stand against the enemy, half and six and a half feet tall and weigh
67
between 115 and 225 pounds.
Though they once resembled elves,
the luminous have become some-
thing more by acting as living con-
ductors of the positive energy
THE LUMIINOUS
THE LUMINOUS
to either uplift or frighten casual onlookers. As By carefully controlling and manifesting
chivalrous as the luminous are, their devotion your energies, you can aid and inspire
to the destruction of evil makes them a very your allies in battle.
focused, and unfortunately, very unsociable
race. Despite their lack of social graces, they Prerequisites: You must be a luminous.
are one of the most devoted and fiercely loyal
races one is likely to encounter. When a lumi- Benefit: Once per day, you can manifest
nous devotes himself to a cause, he will act as the forces of the positive energy plane to
its champion for life. create a 20-foot radius aura that grants all
of your allies in the area of effect a +1
Alignment: Luminous believe in law and morale bonus to all attack rolls, damage,
order, and they are devoted to the struggle and saving throws. However, you must
against evil. Many luminous view the ways of take 1 hit point of damage for each round
chaos as sternly as they view the ways of evil, you manifest the aura.
believing them to be two sides of the same dark
path.
Religion: The luminous worship deities of law,
Luminous Lands: The luminous usually dwell heroism, and chivalry. Centuries of devotion to
in human lands, viewing many of the other the deity who transformed them have solidified
races as too disorganized or chaotic. While the their bond to the forces of light and order.
luminous often respect dwarves, they have a However, rumors persist of a corrupted faction
more difficult time finding their place in dwar- that has turned to evil, their life energies having
ven lands. The luminous do not often stay for been tainted by the negative energy plane. If
long in the lands of other races, but this does these rumors are true, these evil luminous have
not mean they will not champion other peoples succeeded in concealing themselves, even from
if the need arises. Most luminous travel across the elders of their race.
the realms fighting evil wherever they find it.
An ancient luminous saying proclaims, “Evil Language: The luminous speak a strange
knows no borders, and neither shall we.” hybrid of Common, Elven, and Celestial called
Lumin. The language is almost impossible for
most other races to speak, aside from the elves
and pevishan (see page 91). Some sages sug-
gest that the early luminous had strong ties to
the ancient pevishan, thus explaining the lat-
Purifying Light [General] ter’s affinity for Lumin.
As a luminous, you can use your energies
to aid allies from the harmful effects of Names: Luminous names are often as orderly
poisons. as the race itself. A mother and father will
sometimes spend weeks or even months
Prerequisites: You must be a luminous. researching ancestral texts and records before
choosing a child’s name. Luminous usually
Benefit: Each day, a number of times have two names—a Lumin one and a Common
equal to your Wisdom modifier, you can one. The mother chooses the Lumin name and
channel your energies to grant a victim the father chooses the Common name. Among
stricken by poison an additional saving many luminous circles, it is considered very
throw (if the first failed). You also give rude to speak the Lumin name in the presence
the victim a +2 sacred bonus on the sec- of those who do not speak the language.
ond save attempt against the poison.
Male Names: Lumin—Qiol, Ulizanz,
Ruilixn, and Equirizolo. Common—Dirk,
Faren, and Millikan.
69
• Poison Immunity:
As beings of energy,
luminous have a
racial immunity to all
natural poisons. This
THE LUMIINOUS
• +4 racial bonus on
all saving throws vs.
Necromancy magic. As
beings of positive
energy, the luminous
have an increased
resistance to the pow-
ers of necromancy.
• Unique Anatomy:
As a being of pure
energy, a luminous
can intensify his nat-
ural glow to match the
effects of torchlight or
moonlight. A lumi-
Female Names: Lumin—Zzirta, Willjula, and nous can also dim this glow at times when
Aqixan. Common—Talliya, Lucinda, Eveliya. stealth is called for, but this is more difficult
to accomplish. A luminous must make a
Adventurers: Luminous typically adventure Fortitude save (DC 15) to dim his glow for a
for one reason: to fight the forces of evil. number of rounds equal to his Constitution
Luminous often join good-aligned adventuring score. The character can attempt this any
companies or knightly orders to gain allies in number of times, but it requires a Fortitude
their struggle. save each time.
In recent years, elders have described a prophe- • Enhanced Turning: As beings of positive
cy that foretells the return of their ancient energy, the luminous are deadly foes to the
enemy and a thousand years of pain and suffer- undead. A luminous character who has the
ing to follow. With this revelation, many of the ability turns undead as a character two levels
luminous have renewed their efforts to train higher.
their young and prepare for the coming battle.
Others wander the lands looking for those • Automatic Languages: Lumin and Common.
responsible for the enemy’s return. Bonus Languages: Celestial and Elven. A
well-traveled luminous can learn a wide vari-
Luminous Racial Traits ety of languages.
• +2 Wisdom, –2 Charisma: Luminous are gift- • Favored Class: Paladin. A multiclass lumi-
ed with insight and a strong bond to both nous’ paladin class does not count when
divine powers and the positive energy plane. determining whether he suffers an XP penal-
Their rigid beliefs and values sometimes lead ty for multiclassing. The luminous are inher-
to the luminous being characterized as harsh ently suited to lives as champions of law and
and closed minded, and this often impairs goodness.
their ability to interact with others.
THE LUMINOUS
hearts of even the coldest of evils. Whether (Cha), Heal (Wis), Knowledge (religion) (Int),
they roam the land alone or unite to form Profession (Wis), and Ride (Dex).
imposing orders, lightbringers share a common
goal: destroy evil in all of its forms, no matter Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
the cost. Sometimes viewed with a cautious eye
for their unsettling devotion, lightbringers have Class Features
only the best intentions for the world. They
believe their discipline is necessary to protect All of the following are class features of the
the realms from the darkness. lightbringer prestige class.
All lightbringers are clerics or paladins, having Weapon and Armor Proficiency:
worked within the temples of deities of chival- Lightbringers are proficient with all simple and
ry and justice. Lightbringers are incredibly martial weapons, as well as all types of armor
focused on their goal and will stop at nothing to and shields.
see evil destroyed. Sometimes despised as
much as they are loved, lightbringers walk a Spells per Day: A luminous lightbringer con-
path that few can follow. They can see the dark- tinues to cast divine spells as if he were a spell-
ness that others cannot and bear a heavy burden caster of his total character level. When a new
on their shoulders. lightbringer level is gained, the character gains
new spells per day as if he had also gained a
Rumors continue to circulate among the lumi- level in a spellcasting class he belonged to
nous of an evil order, a cadre of “darkbringers.” before he added the prestige class. He does not,
The lightbringers believe that this group acts in however, gain any other benefit a character of
secret, striving to thwart their every plan and that class would have gained. If a character had
divert their every quest.
Whether or not this order
truly exists remains a mys-
tery, even to the elder light-
bringers.
Requirements
To qualify to become a
luminous lightbringer, a
character must fulfill all the
following criteria.
Race: Luminous.
Alignment: Lawful good.
Base Attack Bonus: +7.
Concentration: 6 ranks.
Knowledge (religion): 6
ranks.
Feats: Extra Turning,
Weapon Focus, and
Unyielding Aura.
Turn Undead: Ability to
turn undead as a cleric or
paladin.
71
The Luminous Lightbringer
Base
Class Attack Fort Ref Will
THE LUMIINOUS
more than one divine spellcasting class before Bane of Evil: At 3rd level, a lightbringer is
he became a lightbringer, he must decide to able to channel his positive energy, manifesting
which class he adds each level of lightbringer it in powerful attacks and defenses against evil
for purposes of determining spells per day beings. When battling creatures of evil align-
when he adds the new level. ment, the lightbringer receives a +1 sacred
bonus on all attacks, damage, and saves. Using
Heart of Valor: A lightbringer’s passion for this ability is a free action.
battling evil inspires those around him to
greater courage. A lightbringer can infuse his Brilliant Radiance: With his powers reaching
allies with valor a number of times each day their peak, a lightbringer has learned many
equal to his Wisdom modifier. This ability acts techniques to aid him in his unyielding quest to
as a remove fear spell cast as a divine spell- destroy evil. His connection to and understand-
caster of the lightbringer’s character level. ing of the positive energy that created and
flows through him are nearly complete. The
Weapon of Justice: With the power of the pos- lightbringer is a living weapon for justice and a
itive energy plane coursing through his body, a living terror to the forces of evil.
lightbringer beginning at 2nd level can infuse
his chosen weapon with positive energy, trans- At 5th level, the lightbringer is considered a
forming it into a magical, blessed weapon. magical creature. He is classified as an out-
sider, rather than a humanoid. The character
This ability works as the greater magic weapon gains the celestial template (MM 211), with all
spell as cast by a divine spellcaster of the light- of the corresponding benefits and hindrances.
bringer’s character level. The lightbringer
gains a +1 enhancement bonus per three char-
acter levels to attacks and damage with the
weapon. This ability is usable once per day.
72
MHUINNTIRS
MHUINNTIRS
Mhuinntirs are natural shapechangers. Born in Mhuinntirs seem calm, but it is a thin illusion.
human forms, they grow as a human until they They are given to strong emotional outbursts,
manifest their unique heritage and learn to and at these times their animalistic sides
shapechange into jaguars. Often mistaken for emerge. When angry, hungry, or frightened,
lycanthropes if their natures become known, they are likely to transform into jaguar form to
mhuinntirs learn to hide what they are when hunt, fight, or flee. Even when they do not
traveling in foreign lands. shapechange against their will, they have a
furious temper and the fight-or-flight instincts
Within their society, mhuinntirs have no gov- of their animal side.
erning authority. Each hunts on his own or with
close families or friends. Though they will They normally take a reactive attitude to the
band together against outside threats, they offer world around them, enjoying what they find
each other little support in survival. They take but rarely striving to make a lasting impact.
pleasure in hunting, which they normally do in Though disinterested or confused by the value
jaguar form. Success in a difficult hunt is a humans place on particular metals and stones,
mark of pride. mhuinntirs enjoy collecting trinkets that appeal
to them. They keep these treasures in their
Personality: Mhuinntirs enjoy knowledge and cuimhne (“memory bag”), a drawstring pouch
mystery. While secretive about themselves, worn around the neck.
they are inquisitive about others. The young
show a curious streak that presses them to Mhuinntirs collect remembrances as they age
exploration and solitude. As they grow older, and can recite the memories, lessons, or emo-
mhuinntirs often become well-practiced spies tions that each represents. This context is worth
or gossips. When mhuinntirs fight among more than the value of the items, and they
themselves it is due to a lack of respect for one become protective of their belongings. Theft is
another’s privacy. Those few conflicts not a serious crime. It is also difficult to accom-
caused by invasion of privacy are a result of plish—they almost never remove the cuimhne.
injury to mhuinntir vanity. The shapechangers Although they try to learn one another’s
are vain and take care of the appearance of both secrets, mhuinnirs won’t steal unless they
their forms. intend to inflict a grave insult or initiate a
blood challenge.
73
Physical Description: In human form, mhuin- not uncommon for others to mistake mhuin-
ntirs are slimmer than normal humans and have ntirs for lycanthropes and, fearing the curse of
wiry builds. They stand five to six feet tall and lycanthropy, hunt the shapechangers or flee
weigh 110 to 200 pounds. There is no differ- them. Because of these mixed reactions,
ence in size between males and females. Hair mhuinntirs try to hide their dual nature.
MHUINNTIRS
74
Mhuinntir Lands: Mhuinntirs prefer living in selves. Few who are not mhuinntirs attempt to
jungles and forests, though they are at home in duplicate their efforts in this.
any warm land where there is food to hunt. No
development marks lands ruled and hunted by Names: Adult mhuinntirs have two names. The
mhuinntirs. The shelters they build blend into first is given to them at birth by their parents.
MHUINNTIRS
the surroundings, using the terrain to hide. The second is chosen by the mhuinntirs and
Their unobtrusive dwellings are an extension presented to the council of elders on their
of their own secretive nature. It is possible for Changing Day when they become adults. Once
an outsider to walk through a mhuinntir gather- this second name is chosen, it is their primary
ing and never see anything but natural jungle name. Among adults, using the birth name can
around. be either a sign of endearment or an insult,
depending on intention.
Though they have no governing authority,
mhuinntirs have a council of elders with the Male Names: Aigeannach, Alainn, Beag,
power—granted by their superior age and Beanntan, Clachan, Dailean, Ditheanan,
respect—to enforce justice. It is to this council Feasgairean, Gruagan, Iongantach, Lasrach,
that blood challenges are brought. The blood Luith, Meadhon, Neamh, Neartmhor, Onfhadh,
challenge is a simple, non-lethal fight between Priomh, Rannsaich, Righ, Salach, Sealbhach,
peers. The first to draw blood is declared the Sgeul, Tlachd, Tuath, Ulaidh.
victor. While losing the duel involves no seri-
ous injury, the scar remains as a reminder of the Female Names: Acair, Amhra, Baine,
loss. Scoring a hit on the opponent’s face is Bhearnain, Ciuine, Comhla, Duirche, Eudail,
considered the most decisive victory, and it is Faoine, Fliche, Gleusda, Ionmholta, Lacha,
difficult for mhuinntirs with visible scars to Luaithe, Mhaille, Mistolda, Neonaiche,
regain respect. Once the blood challenge is Nighinne, Oraine, Parice, Rian, Ruaidhe,
done it is tradition that the conflict is forgotten Saoire, Sasaichte, Tuigsiche, Ullaimhe.
and the combatants resolved to one another, but
the wounded pride of the loser often creates a Adventurers: Curiosity or wanderlust typical-
long-standing grudge. ly motivates mhuinntir adventurers. Inquisitive
about everything, their curiosity turns to the
Religion: The patron god of mhuinntirs is world outside their own kind. Some also
Sealgairean, the Hunter. He is depicted in choose to leave their homes to pursue greater
humanoid form with the head, claws, and tail of hunts, and they pursue feats of adventure as
a hunting cat. His clerics teach self-reliance opportunities to prove their skill. Such mhuin-
and sometimes the generosity of providing for ntir wanderers are a tradition among the
others. True clerics of Sealgairean are rare, as shapechangers. When they return home with
mhuinntirs have no organized religion. His grand tales of their exploits, they earn the
clerics are hunters most of their lives. They respect of their peers.
usually pursue other skills and become clerics
only after they join the elders of a village. A
cleric of Sealgairean may choose from the
Mhuinntir Racial Traits
Animal, Knowledge, Plant, and Strength • Medium-size: As Medium-size creatures,
domains. mhuinntirs have no special bonuses or penal-
ties due to their size.
Language: Mhuinntirs speak their own lan-
guage that uses the Elven alphabet. It is a com- • Mhuinntir base speed is 30 feet.
bination of long vowels and harsh consonants,
usually spoken with a rolling lilt. While • Low-light Vision: Mhuinntirs can see twice
Mhuinntean is difficult for humans to speak as far as a human in starlight, moonlight,
properly, the shapechangers enjoy singing bal- torchlight, and similar conditions of poor
lads and epics. They commonly recite the beul- illumination. They retain the ability to distin-
aithris, the traditional oral history, but compos- guish color and detail under these conditions.
ing new stories is also a respected pastime.
They enjoy reliving the old stories through • +2 racial bonus on Balance, Climb, Hide,
lively storytelling, and they gather to compose Jump, and Move Silently checks: A
for hours as they bandy words among them- mhuinntir’s feline nature gives him
75
undergo the following changes:
improved balance, athletic ability, and stealth Bite and claw natural weapons. Bite
even in human form.
MHUINNTIRS
As natural shapechangers, mhuinntirs may Pounce [General]
learn a great degree of control over their own
form. The mhuinntir has learned to leap onto his
prey during an attack in animal form.
Benefit: Mhuinntirs with this feat gain a +2
competence bonus to all Control Shape skill Prerequisite: Dex 13+, Jump skill (4 ranks).
checks. In addition, the character may volun-
tarily shapechange as a standard action with- Benefit: The character may make a Jump
out a Control Shape check. check to initiate an attack in animal form. The
target makes a Reflex saving throw (DC
equals the Jump check result). If the saving
Improved Grab [General] throw fails and the Jump check was sufficient
Mhuinntirs with this feat have learned to use to reach the target, the jump is a free action
their powerful natural weapons to make more and the mhuinntir may make a full attack even
devastating grappling attempts. if he has already taken a move action that
round. If the Reflex save is successful, the
Prerequisite: Str 13+. jump takes a move-equivalent action, pro-
vokes attacks of opportunity, and the target
Benefit: If the mhuinntir hits a creature of avoids the pounce.
Medium size or smaller with one of its natural
weapons in jaguar form, he deals normal dam- Rake [General]
age and may attempt to start a grapple as a free
action without provoking an attack of opportu- The character has learned to use his powerful
nity. The mhuinntir has the option to conduct rear claws in close combat.
the grapple normally or simply use the part of
his body used in the improved grab to hold the Prerequisite: Dex 13+, base attack bonus +4
opponent. If he chooses to do the latter, he suf- or higher.
fers a –10 penalty to grapple checks but is not
considered grappled himself; he does not lose Benefit: Whenever mhuinntirs with this feat
his Dexterity bonus to AC, still threatens an are involved in a grapple, they may make
area, and can use his remaining attacks against attacks with both rear claws at their normal
other opponents. Each successful grapple attack bonus, with the standard –5 penalty for
check the mhuinntir makes during successive secondary attacks. Damage for each claw is
rounds automatically deals the damage for the 1d3 plus half the mhuinntir’s Strength bonus.
attack used in the improved grab. If the character pounces, he may also rake.
Multiattack [General]
The mhuinntir is adept at using all its natural
weapons at once.
Requirements
To qualify to become a mhuinntir claw of the
hunt, a character must fulfill all the following
78 criteria.
Race: Mhuinntir. Hunter’s Claws: Beginning at 2nd level,
Base Attack Bonus: +5. claws of the hunt learn to use their claws and
Control Shape: 8 ranks. fangs to deadlier effect. In animal form, the
Move Silently: 6 ranks. character’s natural weapons gain a +1 enhance-
Wilderness Lore: 4 ranks. ment bonus and become enchanted weapons
MHUINNTIRS
Feats: Improved Control Shape, Track. for purposes of harming creatures with damage
reduction. For every two class levels, the char-
Class Skills acter’s natural weapons gain +1 greater potency.
The claw of the hunt’s class skills (and the key Sneak Attack: A claw of the hunt gains the
ability for each skill) are Balance (Dex), Climb ability to make sneak attacks for extra damage
(Str), Hide (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Intuit like rogues. If the character gets a sneak attack
Direction (Wis), Jump (Str), Knowledge bonus from another source, the bonuses to
(nature) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently damage stack. A claw of the hunt may not make
(Dex), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str), Tumble (Dex), a sneak attack to deal subdual damage.
Wilderness Lore (Wis).
Defensive Shift: At 3rd level, a claw of the
Skill Points at each Level: 4 + Int modifier. hunt learns to use his natural shapechange abil-
ity to protect himself from potentially lethal
Class Features blows. Once per day when the character would
All of the following are class features of the be reduced to 0 hit points or below by a weapon
claw of the hunt prestige class. or other blow during combat (not a spell or spe-
cial ability), he can attempt to instantly
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A claw of shapechange to protect himself. The character
the hunt is proficient with all simple and mar- must succeed at a Control Shape skill check
tial weapons and with light armor but not (DC = 10 + damage dealt). If successful, the
shields. fluid motion possible during the instantaneous
shapechange allows the claw of the hunt to suf-
Bonus Feats: At 1st level and every three class fer only half damage from the blow. If the
levels thereafter, a claw of the hunt gains a Control Shape check fails, the character’s form
bonus feat. These bonus feats may be used to does not change, as he fails to retain the neces-
learn any of the fighter bonus feats or any sary concentration.
mhuinntir racial feats. The claw may only take
Weapon Specialization as a bonus feat if he is
also a fighter of at least 4th level.
79
NIOMUS
NIOMUS
Niomus are winged humanoids, making their guests and willing to welcome almost anyone
homes in lofty eyries on mountaintops or inac- to nioman feasts and parties—though many
cessible cliffs. The sheer cliffs and high moun- such gatherings take place on foreboding cliff
tains they prefer provide a formidable defense sides or mountain peaks.
against invaders or intruders, and the niomus
are happy to use these defenses as well as their These proud creatures enjoy beauty, particular-
natural ability to fly to their advantage. ly fine gems and precious metals. Niomus wear
many types of jewelry, including amulets,
Niomus can be stubborn and protective of their belts, bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and rings.
freedoms. They are fierce opponents because The prestige of a niomus can be judged by the
of their cunning and determination but they are quality and number of such ornaments. Niomus
also quick to forgive misunderstandings and lords and adventurers make a special effort to
insults. Proud of their accomplishments, collect magical jewelry. They also enjoy stories
niomus are generous with friends and guests and song, particularly tales that focus on clev-
and consider it a mark of honor and success to erness and wit.
provide freely for others.
Physical Description: Niomus appear human
Personality: Niomus believe they are born to with the exception of a pair of membranous
inherit the open sky. Because of this, they chafe wings extending from their shoulder blades.
at restrictions and hindrances, which seem both They are between five and a half and six and a
unnatural and unfair to them. Though they will- half feet tall and weigh from 80 to 140 pounds.
ingly follow the wise in the interest of common Despite their relatively low weight, niomus are
good, niomus grow stubborn if they feel some- not thin. Like birds, they have hollow bones
one is becoming domineering or controlling. and lightweight, whipcord musculature that
allow them to fly. Niomus usually have fair
Niomus are fond of raucous entertainment. hair and complexions, though their wings tend
They are known for their strong wine and loud to be more darkly tanned. Their eyes are dark
songs, as well as the musical pipes they prefer. brown, gold, and rarely blue.
They find dancing intriguing, though they pre-
fer their flying “dance” that allows for grand A niomus’ wings are made of a fleshy mem-
gestures and dives. They are generous with brane stretched over supporting bones that
80
extend from the spine near the shoulders.
The wings are flexible and can be folded
over the niomus’ back and concealed under a
robe or cloak. Niomus often hide their wings
when traveling, and most can pass for
NIOMUS
human.
Niomus lords are almost always wizards, often Names: Niomus have a personal name, a fam-
specialists in Illusion and Transmutation. The ily name, a clan name, and also use the name of
leaders of the niomus claim no titles, levy no their homeland. Only the first is of daily use.
taxes, and raise no troops. Rather, nioman lords Family and clan names are used in introduc-
may call upon those who live near their eyries tions or formal settings, while their eyrie name
to act for the common good. Together, the clans is rarely mentioned except during introductions
and families build new homes and monuments, between niomus from different eyries.
fight the rare encroachers, and gather the food
and supplies necessary for the niomus to sur- Male Names: Aaris, Dycan, Eddin, Helad,
vive. Joresh, Mikel, Podran, Ranled, Sloves, and
Voren.
Some successful niomus clans live among
mountains also inhabited by dwarves. They Female Names: Batli, Celesta, Dyan, Katila,
remain on friendly terms with the dwarves and Laren, Mesala, Naseni, Olasa, Tyana, and
trade regularly, as well as providing scouts and Weslyn.
information to their allies. Niomus feel they
get the better end of such bargains. Family Names: Dy’nalen, Jor’lys, Ma’hali,
Ol’dyren, and Yl’tris.
82
Clan Names: Alabin, Fabereth, Moldanan, • Favored Class: Wizard. A multiclass niomus’
Stearyn, Telibes, and Wernidal. wizard class does not count when determin-
ing whether he suffers an XP penalty for mul-
Eyrie Names: Airfall, Cloudwish, Firelake, ticlassing.
Stormhold, and Windpeak.
NIOMUS
• Level Equivalent: Class levels +2.
Adventurers: Niomus enjoy lives of adven-
ture. Born to freedom, they feel it natural to
travel as far as one is able. During their travels
Niomus Windweaver
they see and learn a great deal about the outside The windweavers are the elite niomus wiz-
world and they try to bring the best of what ards—the masters of air, sky, and weather.
they find back to their eyries. Interesting tales, Apart from simply mastery of the skies, the
items of beauty or value, and new magic items windweavers are expected to protect and pro-
or spells bring prestige and respect to those vide for their people. Windweavers enchant
who return. magic items for the defense of the eyrie and the
niomus. It is they who craft the magic weapons,
Niomus also adventure for more serious rea- armor, and jewelry that allow the niomus to
sons. Despite their lighthearted fondness for thrive against all opposition. The eyries—quite
beauty and wit, they are neither selfish nor literally—rest on the pillars formed by the most
superficial. Willing to fight fiercely for the wel- powerful windweavers.
fare of others, even those they do not know,
niomus also adventure to fight the agents of Any arcane spellcaster can learn the art of the
evil gods or sects. They take the war against windweavers. However, wizards are far more
evil quite seriously and strive to destroy the common than sorcerers. While bards can
twisted and corrupt. Victory against such ene- become windweavers, they are ill suited to the
mies brings the most joyous celebrations. tasks other niomus expect of a windweaver.
Windweaver wizards are often specialists in the
Niomus Racial Traits schools of
Transmutation.
Evocation, Illusion, or
Special: Must be accepted as a student of a as stinking cloud and cloudkill. They must still
master windweaver. breathe and are susceptible to drowning and
suffocation. This is an extraordinary ability.
Class Skills
Good Flying: Because of their mastery of the
The windweaver’s class skills (and the key air, a windweaver’s flying maneuverability
ability for each skill) are Alchemy (Int), becomes good and his flying movement rate
Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Knowledge increases to 60 feet.
(all skills, taken individually) (Int), Profession
(Wis), Scry (Int, exclusive skill), Spellcraft Control Winds: Once per day, a 5th-level or
(Int), and Wilderness Lore (Wis). higher windweaver may use control winds as a
spell-like ability, cast at his arcane caster level.
Skill Points at each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Shielding Winds: At 6th level, a windweaver
Class Features learns to shield himself from ranged attacks by
All of the following are class features of the using the air around him to deflect attacks.
windweaver prestige class. Once per day he may create a shield of wind.
This shield lasts for two rounds per class level
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A and while it lasts the windweaver gains a +4
windweaver gains no armor or weapon profi- deflection bonus to AC against ranged weapons
ciencies. (but not siege weapons or rocks hurled by
giants). This deflection bonus does not stack
Air Mastery: The windweaver is a master of with any other deflection bonuses to AC, such
air and electricity-based effects. Whenever he as that provided by a ring of protection.
casts a spell using air or electricity effects, add Shielding winds is a spell-like ability.
the listed bonus to the Difficulty Class of all
saves against his spells and spell-like effects. Perfect Flying: As the windweaver progresses,
The bonus is also added to the windweaver’s his improved air mastery gives him perfect
caster level checks for purposes of penetrating maneuverability and a movement rate of 70
spell resistance. Additionally, the windweaver feet while flying.
gains the listed bonus on all saving throws
against air and electricity effects. Weather Command: A windweaver of 9th
level gains the spell-like ability to control the
Perfect Air: Windweavers learn to purify the weather around him. This effect is similar to
air around them. Windweavers are immune to the control weather spell, but weather com-
inhaled poisons and other contaminants. mand is effective in a five-mile radius. The
Furthermore, they gain a +4 bonus on all windweaver may not direct the specific appli-
saves against airborne magical effects, such cations of the weather, such as the point of a
84
lightning strike or the path of a tornado.
However, the windweaver may cause any sort
of normal weather to manifest within the area
of effect.
NIOMUS
As long as the windweaver remains within the
area of effect, the weather patterns he created
will continue. Should the windweaver leave an
area where he has used weather command, nat-
ural weather will reassert itself after 4d12
hours. The windweaver may choose not to use
weather command and allow natural weather to
run its course.
Windweavers use their weather command abil- If a character has more than one other arcane
ity to keep their eyries permanently covered in spellcasting class, he must select the class to
clouds and use cloudweaving to harden the which he adds each level of windweaver for
clouds. They work together to create huge purposes of determining spells per day
expanses of hardened clouds thick enough to when he adds the new level.
85
OOLOI
OOLOI
Dwelling deep in the cold depths of the sea, 85 and 110 pounds. Unlike many humanoid
ooloi look at the world with a childlike wonder. races, the female ooloi are typically taller than
They are often curious about all the different the males. While appearing frail, ooloi are
cultures found in the surface world. An ooloi deceptively strong and agile (especially in the
favors religious study and inner improvement water), as they have almost no body fat at all.
rather than mastering the arts of war, but if With blue skin that varies in shades and no hair
someone close to him is in peril, he will put of any kind, ooloi anatomy may seem exotic to
everything at risk to protect those he loves. the casual observer. Their webbed hands and
feet make ooloi excellent swimmers, and using
Personality: Ooloi are more curious than mili- the small fins on their forearms and calves,
tant, more friendly than hostile, and more at they have few equals in terms of aquatic
peace with themselves than many races. With maneuverability. All ooloi have black, glassy,
an average life span slightly longer than that of deep-set eyes that can be imposing or unset-
a human, ooloi tend to be more patient, allow- tling to some. Even more noticeably, ooloi have
ing the grand scheme of things to play out two long appendages that grow from the back
before making a decision. When it comes to of their heads and vary in length. These “head-
learning something new (such as a skill or new tails” are very significant in the ooloi culture,
philosophy), ooloi are nothing short of driven, as the longer an ooloi head-tail grows (typical-
pushing their mental abilities to their very lim- ly as he ages), the more favorably he is viewed
its. Most ooloi make friends easily and are by his people. In recent times, females have
fiercely loyal to their allies. Ooloi also have taken to twisting their head-tails into braids,
long memories, which makes them deadly ene- buns, and other such styles (usually to mimic a
mies. Lifetimes of experience with the great hair style that has caught their eye). Male ooloi
predators of the oceans have taught them to use tend to simply pull the tails back or allow them
their intellect and devotion to plan, divide, and to hang freely. A few of the more barbaric ooloi
conquer, rather than stumble blindly into a con- tribes have even been known to cut off their
frontation. head-tails as a bizarre rite of passage. An ooloi
reaches adulthood at about 25 years of age and
Physical Description: Ooloi are of medium can live to be 150 years old.
height and slim, standing between five and
six feet tall and typically weighing between
86
Ooloi sleep, but not as humans and other
races do. Ooloi fall into a deep medita-
tive trance. This resembles the elves’
“four hours of trance,” but the trance of
an ooloi is deeper and can seem danger-
OOLOI
ous to an uneducated observer. After
falling into the meditative state, an ooloi
begins to unconsciously whisper in his
native language. These whispers are spo-
ken mental exercises that the ooloi prac-
tices to achieve a higher understanding
and a closer bond with his chosen deity.
Naturally, this practice can be annoying
to some companions or fellow adventur-
ers who prefer a quiet camp.
OOLOI
in thick leather straps to prevent it from abrad-
ing the wielder’s hands. A coral battleaxe
Ooloi Journeyman
weighs only 4 lbs. and is in all other ways iden- Ooloi journeymen are members of the ooloi
tical to a standard battleaxe. Masterwork ver- race who take the next step in their life-long
sions are very common among the ooloi. pursuit of peace and social understanding.
Usually working as ambassadors for kingdoms
Ooloi Racial Traits embroiled in conflict, an ooloi journeyman
uses his unique talents in negotiation to calm
• +2 Wisdom, –2 Charisma: With their devo- hostile emissaries, reach peaceful solutions to
tion to spiritual strength, ooloi are naturally hostile conflicts, and travel the great distances
focused and learned in religion and philoso- between kingdoms in mere seconds to hasten
phy. While friendly and outgoing, the ooloi’s negotiations. Constantly putting himself in
appearance, language, and mannerisms are harm’s way as he travels into unknown and
somewhat alien and discomforting to most hostile territories, an ooloi journeyman puts his
other races. own well being on the line for the greater good
and the hope of peace.
• Medium-size: As Medium-size creatures,
ooloi have no special bonuses or penalties Most ooloi journeymen are clerics. It is not
due to their size. unusual for ooloi paladins to heed the journey-
man’s call, as they find their knowledge of
• Ooloi base speed is 30 feet. combat and military protocols gives them an
advantage when dealing with warring factions.
• Swimming: Ooloi are aquatic creatures and Ooloi journeymen from other classes are
can swim at a base speed of 60 feet without extremely rare, as they must be able to cast
making Swim checks. They gain a +8 racial divine spells. Ooloi journeymen must also be
bonus on any Swim check to perform a spe- accomplished in several skills common to the
cial action or avoid a hazard. Ooloi can clergy.
always choose to take 10 on Swim checks,
even if rushed or threatened. They can use Hit Dice: d8.
the run action while swimming provided they
swim in a straight line. Requirements
• Water Breathing: Ooloi can breathe both To qualify to become an ooloi journeyman, a
water and air equally well. While especially character must fulfill all the following criteria.
adapted to the oceans, ooloi can also survive
and prosper on land. Race: Ooloi.
Alignment: Any good.
• Darkvision: Ooloi can see in the dark up to Spellcasting: Ability to cast 3rd-level divine
60 feet. Darkvision is black and white only, spells.
but it is otherwise like normal sight, and Concentration: 5 ranks.
ooloi can function just fine with no light at Diplomacy: 5 ranks.
all. Knowledge (religion): 5 ranks.
Feats: Skill Focus (Diplomacy).
• Automatic Languages: Common and Ooloi. Patron Deity: An ooloi journeyman must
Years of study of the surface world have led choose a deity of Travel as his patron deity.
the ooloi to teach Common to their young, to Nation’s Trust: Obviously, an ooloi journey-
prepare them for the day when they too might man must have the trust of the rulers he repre-
journey out onto the land. sents. The journeyman usually earns this trust
by completing a test or quest assigned by the
• Favored Class: Cleric. A muticlass ooloi’s ruler.
cleric class does not count when determining
89
The Ooloi Journeyman
Base
Class Attack Fort Ref Will
OOLOI
Touched at birth by the mysteries of the arcane, Physical Description: Pevishan are Medium-
many believe the pevishan—quite literally— size humanoids who typically stand between
have magic in their blood. Stories of genera- five and a half and six and a half feet tall and
tions past suggest that the pevishan were born weigh between 100 and 250 pounds. On aver-
in the image of the god of magic, a chosen peo- age, pevishan men tend to stand slightly taller
ple who could truly master and control the and weigh more than females. Pevishan are
arcane powers. Pevishan roam freely in the very similar to humans in terms of physical
world of humans, and with their outgoing description and musculature, though there are a
demeanor, always seem to make friends and few notable differences.
allies easily. Pevishan are most well known for
their natural talents in the mystic arts, but if a The most obvious difference is that pevishan
friend or ally stands in harm’s way, pevishan are beings of magic; they were forged from it,
will do whatever is necessary to aid them. and they live through it. At birth, all pevishan
Whether it be spellcraft, swordplay, or fisticuffs, children have a series of birthmarks that resem-
the pevishan can be fierce combatants. ble magical inscriptions from a particular
school of magic (Evocation, Necromancy,
Personality: Pevishan are more likely to be etc.). Along with these markings, pevishan hair
friendly than hostile. Charismatic by nature, color also coincides with their birth school, as
pevishan have a particular flare for diffusing these castes are called. And finally, a pevis-
hostile situations with words and subtle spell- han’s eyes have no irises (except for the necro-
craft as opposed to sharp tongues and destruc- mancers) and have a faint glow determined by
tive magic. Most pevishan are naturally curious his birth school. Below are the colors for each
when it comes to a new field of magical study birth school and a brief description of how it
but tend to favor their birth schools above all might affect a pevishan’s appearance and
others. When faced with fear or prejudice behavior.
toward their unique appearance and abilities,
most pevishan simply smile and make a serious Abjuration (Silver): A pevishan of this birth
effort to diffuse any hostile or fearful feelings school typically has silver-white hair and sil-
with honesty and charm. ver markings on his body. His eyes also
glow with a silver sheen that can have a
powerful effect on others.
91
Conjuration (Gold): Pevishan
of this birth school typically
have no hair at all. Many of
the other pevishan are some-
what envious of the conjurer’s
PEVISHAN
PEVISHAN
agreements in their communities. While they
Pevishan reach adulthood at 22 years of age are of a single race, the birth schools are too
and typically live into their 50s, but some different from one another to truly unify.
pevishan can live to be even older. Though
strong in the arcane arts, pevishan life spans are In human lands, pevishan are highly prized as
very short. Only through magical means can a royal wizards, teachers, and archmages. Many
pevishan exceed his natural life span. times, pevishan sorcerers are brought in as
instructors in prominent universities of magical
Relations: Most pevishan tend to blend into study.
human societies well. With such a strong affin-
ity for the arcane arts, pevishan tend to have Religion: As with their spectrum of align-
close relations with members of the gnomish ments, pevishan religion tends to be equally
races. On the whole, pevishan view elves as a diverse. Most pevishan worship a deity of
bit haughty (as many races do), dwarves as too magic or knowledge, who they believe to be
serious, halflings as amusing, and humans as their creator. Others adopt the religious cus-
good allies. That said, a pevishan can get along toms of the lands in which they reside.
with anyone until given a reason not to.
Language: Common is the chosen language of
Alignment: Pevishan characters can cover the pevishan, but many also know Draconic and
spectrum of alignments, from good to evil, Gnome. Rumors persist that at one time the
chaotic to lawful. The magic that runs through pevishan spoke an arcane language all their
the veins of the pevishan can have a strong own, but centuries of wandering and interracial
influence on their psychology and actions, marriage have caused the ancient tongue to
however. The alignment that each birth school become lost, possibly forever.
favors is listed below. As with any race, there
are exceptions to the rules. Names: A with many facets of pevishan soci-
ety, pevishan names tend to be widely diverse.
Birth School Alignment Generations of travel and exploration have
Abjuration Lawful marked the pevishan in many ways. But the
Conjuration Neutral process of choosing names is probably the
Divination Lawful most heavily influenced, depending on the
Enchantment Chaotic child’s birth school. For example, the children
Evocation Any of transmutation have historically favored the
Illusion Chaotic elven races, and these pevishan tend to choose
Necromancy Lawful their own names when reaching maturity. The
Transmutation Chaotic children of enchantment tend to favor more
extravagant names that reflect the child’s per-
Pevishan Lands: Almost all pevishan migrate sonality. Children of necromancy might opt for
to areas of high magical activity or centers of a simple, one-word name (something that can
arcane study. Most prefer to live in large cities be easily forgotten, as they prefer not to draw
in the comfort of warm, clean homes surround- attention to themselves).
ed by overflowing volumes of arcane lore.
While pevishan are gracious hosts, many prefer Male Names: Monzel, Tret, Tazen-Ro, Jerrel,
to keep their homes private, as they possibly Viskin, and Flattizel.
better than anyone understand the dangers of
magic and what can be done when it is in the Female Names: Kalia, Eliza, Ralla, Halie-Sun,
wrong hands. Pevishan who are not proficient Quizna, and Illia.
in the ways of illusion tend to enlist the ser-
vices either of fellow pevishan or trusted Adventurers: Pevishan adventurers can be
gnome associates to help disguise or hide their motivated by several callings: exploration,
homes. love of excitement, lust for power, greed,
93
• Birth School Benefits: The player of a
pevishan character must choose his
birth school during character creation.
The character is literally infused with
the power of this school and receives
PEVISHAN
PEVISHAN
• Level Equivalent: Class levels +2.
he became a spell siphon, he must decide to gies reaching its zenith, a spell siphon’s power
which class he adds each level of spell siphon continues to grow. At 4th level, the DC to resist
for purposes of determining spells per day a spell siphon’s birth-school spells is increased
when he adds the new level. by 2, and he receives an additional +2 compe-
tence bonus on all attempts to learn new spells
Second Familiar: With his connection to the from the birth school.
power of the birth school increasing, a spell
siphon may find it helpful to call forth a second Spell Absorption: At 5th level, a spell siphon
familiar. This familiar functions just like a stan- gains the ability to absorb spells of his birth
dard familiar, except that it enters the spell school that are cast at him by enemy spellcasters.
siphon’s service with abilities determined by To use this ability, a spell siphon must make a
the master’s current character level (PHB 51). successful Spellcraft check (DC 15 + the
spell’s level) as a readied action. If the check is
Improved Connection: As he increases in successful, the spell siphon absorbs the spell
level, a spell siphon’s connection to his birth energy. The spell siphon may then cast a spell
school becomes stronger, making it more diffi- he knows of that level as a bonus spell for that
cult for enemies to resist the effects of his birth- day. If the spell is not used by the end of the
school magic. At 2nd level, the DC to resist a day, the potential is lost. For example, Tazen-
spell siphon’s birth-school spells is increased Ro, a pevishan spell siphon, is locked in fierce
by 1, and he receives an additional +1 compe- magical combat with Vesher the dread lich.
tence bonus on all attempts to learn new spells Tazen-Ro elects to ready an action against
from the birth school. Vesher in anticipation of a spell absorption
attempt. On his action, Vesher begins casting a
Arcane Eye: With a constant connection to the cone of cold spell (a 5th-level Evocation spell),
energies of his birth school, a spell siphon can while Tazen-Ro declares his spell absorption
cast a variation of detect magic at will. This attempt. With a successful Spellcraft check
ability functions as the spell but will only iden- (DC 20), Tazen-Ro absorbs the spell into him-
tify magic from the spell siphon’s birth school. self. The spell has no effect and Tazen-Ro can
cast one extra 5th-level spell that he knows.
Masterful Connection: With his focus, con-
nection, and mastery of his birth school’s ener-
96
QUISSIANS
QUISSIANS
It was a time of great loss and tragedy. As the For several decades thereafter, Orlem contin-
blood war between the luminous and the ued to use the quissians to protect his lands. He
undead minions ravaged the lands (see page allowed the race to procreate and form their
67), many nobles and landholders could only own small society but keept them under his
stand and watch as all they held dear was lost thumb. Many quissians revered him as a god.
in the bloody and destructive struggle. While This would continue until Orlem’s mysterious
many lands and many warriors were destroyed, disappearance some years later.
a select few took the precautions necessary to
defend their homes and loved ones from the Centuries would pass as the quissians contin-
brutality. ued to evolve and grow as a species, their intel-
ligence and abilities growing and developing.
One such individual was the wizard Orlem the Without the influence and fear of Orlem to hold
Mad. While Orlem’s true origins remain a mys- them back, quissian chieftains were free to lead
tery, it is known that for several decades he their people and forge a new destiny for them-
controlled a great realm in the desert, using fear selves. For a brief time, many quissians would
and his legendary arcane abilities to hold the venture to the long-abandoned tower in search
lands and its people within his maniacal grasp. of the mad mage. They either didn’t return
(most likely falling to the mad wizard’s defens-
With the luminous’ holy war raging violently es) or returned only to speak of their false god’s
toward his lands, Orlem took the initiative. He mysterious disappearance.
used his skill in arcane creation and with the
aid of a powerful relic created a race of reptil- Today, the quissians are a free race and control
ian humanoids with the strength to divert the the small desert kingdom once held by their
carnage from his domain. That race of creator through arcane might and cunning
humanoids came to be known as the quissians. intellect. Focused yet savage, graceful yet bru-
A frightful combination of humanoid and rep- tal, and strangely beautiful to some, the quis-
tile, the quissians utilized their physical sians are a testament to the arcane forces and
prowess and cunning to stop the holy war from twist of fate that created them.
spilling over into the desert.
Personality: Quissians are cold and
methodical. Many believe this is a
97
reflection of their cold-blooded
anatomy, but this is likely just a
superstition of the ignorant.
Nevertheless, outsiders are
often uncomfortable in the
QUISSIANS
presence of quissians.
Quissians tend to a racial isola-
tion bordering on xenophobia
and rarely interact with other
races. Their interactions are
usually brief and perfunctory,
and they often choose to speak
quickly and honestly, eschew-
ing casual conversation. In bat-
tle, quissians are fierce,
focused, and aware, as they
always seem to think two or
three steps ahead of their ene-
mies. Quissians never underes-
timate their enemies and never
fully trust their allies. To a
quissian, a moment of relax-
ation is a moment of weakness.
QUISSIANS
the desert allowed them to overcome the need 400 or more, this tribe controls nearly half of
for water. the quissians’ desert homeland. Led by a coun-
cil of quissian chieftains, the tribesmen are
Relations: Quissians are stern individuals who feared and respected by other quissians, as well
find humans too weak, elves too fragile, and as foreign traders, ambassadors, and travelers.
halflings annoying. The only races the quis- Recently, the tribe has taken control of the
sians seem to respect are dwarves and, oddly abandoned tower of Orlem. No one knows
enough, gnomes. Dwarves share an apprecia- what they plan to do with it, but some who
tion for short conversation and military effi- have visited the tribe believe they have made it
ciency that has occasionally brought the two a holy place. Travelers have reported seeing
races together as allies. Gnomes share the quis- strange ceremonies around the tower at night,
sians’ love for fine gems and the skills needed with countless quissians dancing and chanting
to work with them. around large bonfires.
Quissians have a deep hatred for orcs and half- Religion: Quissians do not believe their race
orcs. The reasons for this antipathy are unknown, has a patron deity. They usually worship gods
but the bad blood between the two races has of war and battle introduced from other cul-
become legendary. A quissian will travel with a tures and civilizations. A few savage tribes
half-orc and even fight alongside him, but will have been known to follow darker shadows of
never fully trust such a companion. these deities, ones representing death and
slaughter. It is thought that a small sect still
Alignment: At the time of their origins, the worships the quissians’ ancient creator, Orlem,
quissians were a very chaotic and savage race. as a divine being.
After centuries of freedom and growth, howev-
er, they have learned the value of patience, dis- Language: Quissians speak a unique language
cipline, and organization, becoming a more of hisses and pops that sounds like the primal
lawful race. There are a few scattered tribes communication of serpents. Few races are able
who have not accepted these new ways, contin- to speak Quissian correctly, but elves, humans,
uing to embrace the savage and chaotic ways of and other races can usually manage the strange
their forefathers. language with a heavy accent.
Quissian Lands: Quissians are a desert race Names: Quissians are bound together by
created for the express purpose of desert sur- strong tribal ties, and their names are very
vival and combat. With the disappearance of important to them. Quissians have no formal
Orlem centuries ago, the quissians have slowly names until their 17th birthday. Children are
grown in numbers, spreading out across their known by pet names given them by their par-
former lord’s kingdom, conquering it for them- ents or by family names when interacting with
selves. In truth, the quissians should have dom- people from outside the tribe. When a quissian
inated their desert land decades ago. A civil war turns 17, he meditates with a chieftain or
between two of the larger quissian tribes cost shaman for two days to receive a message from
them many lives and slowed the progress of the gods. This message is believed to instruct
their expansion. the quissian on the path he must follow in life,
and a name is then chosen accordingly.
After the internal struggle ceased, the quissians Quissians traveling in the wider world usually
continued their march across the desert, taking translate their names into Common for the sake
back the lands lost to them and gaining control of convenience, as many outsiders are unable
of new regions that even Orlem had no control to pronounce their names.
over. Many tribes now trade freely with other
races and with foreign lands. Exotic stones are Male Names: Szzickra (Shen Proud-Path),
the quissians’ major trade commodities. Some Zrrilin (Allek Bright-Star), Ozvveriaz
of the rare gems found in the desert fetch a (Len Fire-Brand).
99
• +2 racial bonus on Climb checks: The quis-
sians’ clawed hands and feet make them
excellent climbers.
QUISSIANS
Level Bonus Save Save Save Special
1st +1 +3 +0 +0 Precise strike 1/day
2nd +2 +4 +1 +1 Bonus feat
3rd +3 +4 +2 +2 Mind over body
4th +4 +5 +2 +2 Precise strike 2/day
5th +5 +5 +3 +3 Self healing
REZURBEKS
Natives to dark, wild mountain forests, the cared for. Any member of a rezurbek tribe will
fierce rezurbeks are a territorial, warlike race. die fighting to defend a rezurbek child, even if
Far and wide, rezurbeks have a reputation for there is no blood relation at all.
savagery in battle, foolhardy courage in the
face of danger, and an unflinching dislike of all Physical Description: Rezurbeks are short,
intelligent creatures except rezurbeks. The lat- muscular creatures. The average male stands
ter trait is not much an exaggeration. Aside about three to three and a half feet tall and
from visits by satyrs and centaurs, and then weighs in at around 70 pounds. Females are
only in moderation, it seems as if the rezurbeks somewhat lighter. They have dark, hairy skin,
are content to simply be left alone. and thick, jutting brows. Hair itself ranges from
reddish-brown to black. Eyes are typically dark
Personality: Outsiders characterize rezurbeks to light brown in coloration. Ears are pointed
in three words: nasty, brutish, and short. The and extend from the head like a boar’s. A
latter is a simple physical characteristic. The rezurbek’s lower canine teeth grow quite long,
first two, however, are facets of the rezurbek curving up to just above the top lip by adult-
psyche. These forest denizens have no need for hood. A rezurbek reaches adulthood by his
niceties or etiquette. They are plain-speaking, mid-20s and usually lives to be about two cen-
plain-dealing folk, so much so that they often turies old.
have a hard time understanding why others
take offense to their brusque manners. A The lack of manners exhibited in rezurbek per-
rezurbek who says a pampered, overweight sonalities is mirrored in their physical hygiene.
halfling is soft and fat is simply making an Most are quite smelly. They are also seemingly
observation. If a rezurbek wants to hurt some- insensible to the bites of fleas and other such
one, it is not that someone’s feelings but his pests. Like the boars they resemble, rezurbeks
body that will receive the attention. like to roll in dust or mud for relaxation.
Rezurbeks are not all bad, however; they have Relations: No one likes the rezurbeks much,
a strong sense of commitment to family and and the feeling is mutual. Some of the more
tribe. They also have a deep love of nature, chaotic sylvan races are welcome in rezurbek
especially wild, rugged places. Children are communities so long as they don’t overstay
particularly valued and exceptionally well their welcome. Other races tend to find
102
rezurbeks unpleasant at best. It might seem at
first that half-orcs would be a natural partner
for rezurbeks, but this is not so. Rezurbeks
have often fought bitter territorial wars
against orcs. Whereas a human or elf is sim-
REZURBEKS
ply unwelcome in a rezurbek village, a half-
orc is likely to be reviled.
Language: Rezurbeks speak a relatively • Low-light Vision: Rezurbeks can see twice as
sophisticated language related to Sylvan. Most far as a human in starlight, moonlight, torch-
literature is historical or religious in nature. light, and other conditions of poor illumina-
Family sagas are especially important, and tion. They retain the ability to distinguish
public gatherings for recitals of heroic legends color and detail under these conditions.
are a popular form of entertainment. There is a
strong tradition of oral history among • +4 racial bonus on Search, Spot, and Listen
rezurbeks as well. Chanters, rezurbeks trained checks in wilderness settings: Rezurbeks
to memorize these oral histories, are revered have exceptional senses and are keenly alert.
and often consulted in times of trouble.
• +1 racial attack bonus against orcs and gobli-
noids: There is a long rezurbek history of
104
warfare against evil humanoids, and all
rezurbeks are trained in techniques devel-
oped against these ubiquitous foes.
REZURBEKS
are also all-too-common intruders in
rezurbek lands. All rezurbeks are trained in
special maneuvers effective against giants.
Any time a rezurbek loses his Dexterity
bonus to Armor Class, he also loses this spe-
cial dodge bonus.
• +4 Strength.
The buerin’s class skills (and the key ability for • +2 resistance bonus to all Fortitude and Will
each skill) are Animal Empathy (Cha, exclu- saves.
sive skill), Control Shape (Wis), Craft (Int),
Handle Animal (Cha), Intuit Direction (Wis), • +8 natural AC bonus.
Knowledge (nature) (Int), Profession (Wis),
Swim (Str), and Wilderness Lore (Wis). • An additional +4 racial bonus on Search,
Spot, and Listen checks.
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
• Base speed increases to 40 feet.
Class Features
All of the following are class features of the • Animal Empathy: This extraordinary ability
buerin prestige class. functions only against boars and dire boars.
The buerin can communicate with and influ-
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A buerin is ence these animals. Communication is limit-
proficient with all simple and martial weapons, ed to simple concepts and commands, assum-
all types of armor, and shields. Armor and other ing the animal is friendly. The buerin gains a
equipment does not transform into boar form. +4 racial bonus to checks when influencing
For this reason, most buerin prefer not to wear the animal’s behavior.
armor or restrictive clothing.
• Damage Reduction: A buerin has damage
reduction 15/silver.
106
The Rezurbek Buerin
Base
Class Attack Fort Ref Will
REZURBEKS
Level Bonus Save Save Save Special Spells per Day
1 +1 +2 +0 +2 Improved Control Shape,
Control Shape +1
2 +2 +3 +0 +3 +1 level of existing class
3 +3 +3 +1 +3 One bonus rank in Control Shape
4 +4 +4 +1 +4 +1 level of existing class
5 +5 +4 +1 +4 One bonus rank in Control Shape
6 +6 +5 +2 +5 +1 level of existing class
7 +7 +5 +2 +5 One bonus rank in Control Shape
8 +8 +6 +2 +6 +1 level of existing class
9 +9 +6 +3 +6 One bonus rank in Control Shape
10 +10 +7 +3 +7 +1 level of existing class
• Ferocity: This extraordinary ability allows a ability for this class feature to have any effect.
buerin to continue fighting even while dis- He does not gain any other benefits associated
abled or dying (PHB 129). with a level increase, such as improved chances
to turn or rebuke undead, additional feats, abil-
• Natural Weaponry: A buerin in boar form can ity score increases, an additional hit die, and so
gore with his tusks, causing 1d8 points of on, except for an increased level of effective
damage. All bonuses to attack and damage spellcasting.
resulting from Strength and appropriate feats
apply to the buerin’s gore attack. If his base For example, after much hard adventuring, a
attack bonus is high enough, the buerin is 5th-level druid/1st-level buerin acquires
capable of multiple gore attacks. enough experience to reach 2nd level in his
buerin class. He gains all the appropriate bene-
• Scent: A buerin in boar form has the Scent fits from increasing his buerin prestige class by
feat (DMG 81). one level. He also determines his spells per day
as if he had risen to 6th level in druid.
Spells per Day: At every second level as a
buerin, the character gains new spells per day
as if he had gained a level in either cleric or
druid only. The buerin must have divine spell
107
RHONIANS
RHONIANS
Rhonians are renowned for their diplomatic words rather than weapons. Their slight
abilities, intellectual achievements, and artistic physique discourages the use of heavy armor
talents. The members of this bird-like race live and melee weapons. Rhonians prefer using
in sheltered, wealthy enclaves in their home- ranged weapons (particularly longbows)
land and venture abroad to share their talents instead of bloodying their hands in close com-
among the less fortunate and more menial bat. Rhonians avoid filth, manual labor, and
races. Others tolerate their superior attitude other unpleasantness whenever possible.
only to gain the benefits of their ambassadorial
and creative wisdom. Rhonians keep servants to tend to such menial
tasks as everyday chores, simple errands, and
Personality: Average people would describe anything dealing with dirt. The rhoode (see
most rhonians as snobs. The entire race page 115) are one such servant race that has
believes itself superior to all others in matters catered to the rhonians for centuries, though
of intellect, art, and diplomacy, and constantly other individuals are also used as hired laborers
reminds others of their importance. They do or slaves. Rhonians reward their servants well
not tolerate filth, poor manners, shoddy work- for good work, but frequently offer criticism
manship, or any other goods or services and constantly demand improvement. Leaving
beneath their noble station. Rhonians disdain mundane labor to servants allows rhonians to
such conditions, and make sure those responsi- pursue the finer aspects of life: art, learning,
ble for them hear about their contempt. They and negotiation.
know just how far to take such haughty atti-
tudes before they make some humble conces- Physical Description: Rhonians descend from
sion and resolve all tension. a long-beaked, long-legged species of marsh
bird, a heritage that gives them a most regal
When they want to, rhonians can be pleasant stature. Their tall legs end in a clawed foot that
and affable in almost any cultural setting, a tes- has adapted to stylish enclosed footwear. The
tament to their diplomatic skills. They can be stilt-like legs ascend into a feathered torso,
genuinely humble yet assertive all in the same often adorned with the most fashionable attire.
sentence. Rhonians pride themselves on Their wings have developed into jointed arms
knowing both their allies and their oppo- with elegantly spindly fingers; vestigial feath-
nents, preferring to spar with them through ers along the arms leave rhonians incapable of
108
flight. They often snap their elongated
beaks when making points, much as
humans might snap their fingers.
Their epiglottis contains muscled
folds of skin similar to lips that allow
RHONIANS
rhonians to articulate a broad range of
languages and dialects.
with other nations and sell their artistic and servants to build villages and cities with the
diplomatic skills to those who need them. best possible natural defenses in mind. They
Other races are grateful to have rhonian nego- site their enclaves on platforms in soggy
tiators on hand to mediate disputes, parley marshland, in slow-flowing rivers, and off the
truces, and settle treaties, but their welcome shores of lakes. Some rhonians construct their
often wears out quickly as their haughty atti- villages within the top-most limbs of trees.
tude constantly proves that they hold everyone Most buildings consist of stilted structures
else in contempt. joined by bridges and wide plaza platforms.
Not only are these designs practical for
The rhonians themselves almost never go to defense, they are symbolic of the rhonians’
war, though many speculate that the rhoode perceived place in relation to all other races—
were enslaved after an ancient defeat at the isolated and far above average creatures.
hands of once-mighty rhonian armies.
Rhonians contend that they’ve never had to Architecture emphasizes tall, lofty spaces with
fight a battle because they’ve always resolved stylized nature motifs. Although most build-
their differences by reaching an amiable com- ings consist of wood or reed frameworks and
promise through diplomacy. Others claim walls, they are covered inside and out by layers
they’ve wheedled their way out of conflict of plaster that provide workable surfaces for
using negotiation, bribery, and their intricate the fine decoration in which rhonians take
alliances with various political and economic pride. Multi-storied structures contain ornate
factions. staircases or ramps—a rhonian would rarely
deign to climb the ladders or ropeways his ser-
Rhonians hold the elves in high esteem for their vants use in the more functional spaces in his
devotion to the natural world and art (most home.
elves return the sentiment). Other groups man-
age well enough with the rhonians, balancing Rhonian enclaves maintain their self-sufficien-
their need for economic and political interac- cy thanks to the tireless efforts of their servant
tion with a tolerance of their superior attitudes. races. These laborers catch fish and harvest
Of all the civilized races, the rhonians hold the marsh crops, produce basic items of practical
dwarves in the greatest contempt—they are worth, and run households and businesses.
rude, squat creatures devoid of any love for Rhonians involve themselves in higher forms
learning or artistic creation. Orcs, goblins, and of work: architecture, craftsmanship, music,
the like are barbaric savages to the rhonians, writing, and the military arts. They also journey
who would do away with all monstrous races if abroad to offer their diplomatic services to oth-
they had such military and political power. ers, establish treaties for the protection of their
lands, and negotiate economic terms that prove
Alignment: Average rhonians favor lawful and most beneficial to their enclave. When outside
neutral behavior. Most prefer to follow meticu- forces threaten the isolation and security of
lous schedules, precise instructions, and their sanctuaries, rhonians quickly rally, sum-
detailed order in their lives, though some slack- moning their officer corps, calling up their ser-
en in their devotion to such a rigorously vant militia, and bringing to bear political
planned lifestyle. The rhonians who stand out influence among their allies to provide imme-
most among their peers and other races tend diate aid.
toward chaos in their methods, particularly arti-
sans and diplomats who rely on this philosophy Religion: Rhonians do not practice a formal
in achieving their ultimate goals. Ultimately all religion, and do not maintain official temples
rhonians shun evil, and prefer that good or neu- or a cadre of dedicated clergy. Such institutions
tral actions govern their lives. interfere with more important activities, and
their absence contributes to the essential belief
Rhonian Lands: Rhonians maintain several that rhonians are superior to others inhabiting
closely guarded enclaves, many located in the world. They rely on individual excellence,
110
artistry, and intelligence rather than the
often-indiscriminate favor of the gods.
RHONIANS
shrines to their favored gods in their
homes. Many households include an easi-
ly concealed cabinet shrine to Hegretta, an
ancient mother goddess of the marshland
and provider of all goodness to the rhoni-
ans. She protects the home, nurtures the
weak, and supplies every need.
Language: Rhonians speak many languages, Rhonians keep their family and clan names
but reserve their own tongue for use in their secret from all but their peers—even their ser-
enclaves and among their peers. It consists of vants rarely know for which family they work.
flowing, sonorous notes, with inflections pro- Others have difficulty distinguishing rhonians
vided by chirping and beak clicking. Although as members of clan groups. Perhaps the best
others find the language difficult to master, method of familial identification comes from
they note that rhonians can write it easily in interpreting feather patterns on individuals;
many different scripts. those from the same clan often have similar
coloration and texture. If they did discover a
With others present, rhonians prefer to commu- rhonian’s family name, outsiders would find
nicate in a language everyone can understand. them unpronounceable without having both a
They long ago mastered the linguistic and civil traditional and avian vocal structure.
intricacies of Common, and can speak as elo-
quently as any native aristocrat in a royal court. Nicknames exist for lesser beings who enjoy
They speak Common when engaged with wanton playfulness, trickery, and base humor.
mixed company to avoid offending anyone in If they did have nicknames, rhonians would
particular (unless, of course, that is their objec- certainly not share them with anyone outside
tive). When traveling abroad, rhonians deign to their own race.
speak the local language as a point of courtesy
to their hosts, at least until courtesy becomes Male Names: Crisp Breeze, Floatleaf,
secondary to their true motives. They address Floodrage, Glimmerfish, Redcrest, Sandtide,
their servants harshly in their own language to Silent Waters, Storm Willow.
ensure no order is misinterpreted.
111
Female Names: Dawnsfire, Feather Tongue, • +2 racial bonus to any Craft checks of an
Running Brook, Slashing Beak, Swayreed, artistic nature, including basketweaving,
Tranquil Pool. bookbinding, bowmaking, calligraphy,
leatherworking, painting, pottery, sculpture,
Adventurers: Rhonians frequently venture and weaving. Their talent for fine artistry
RHONIANS
from their enclaves to pursue trade, gain new makes rhonians exceptional craftsmen.
knowledge, and examine the finer examples of
artistry among lesser races. Some make • +2 racial bonus to any skill checks to influ-
announced pilgrimages to known centers of ence others, including Animal Empathy,
learning, while others journey as wanderers, Bluff, Diplomacy, Gather Information,
noting anything of interest they encounter or Innuendo, and Intimidate. Others who great-
masking their true purposes behind the facade ly admire the rhonians’ graceful and noble
of a roving traveler. Diplomats often inhabit stature easily succumb to their authority.
foreign courts, journeying to distant realms as
political situations necessitate. • +1 racial bonus to Listen and Spot checks.
Their marsh-bird heritage gives rhonians
Rhonians tolerate the company of others heightened senses to better identify threats.
because they have something to gain from
them: knowledge, wealth, notoriety, or political • Automatic Languages: Rhonian, Rhoode,
influence. In many cases they deign to grace and Common. Bonus Languages: Aquan,
others with their presence to educate them in Auran, Elven, Gnome, Sylvan. Given the
the ways of higher intelligence, culture, and Rhonian affinity for writing and language,
good etiquette. Rhonians consider this a great they could easily learn any known system of
burden—constantly subjecting themselves to communication. Although they might under-
rudeness, filth, and the base occupations of stand other inferior languages (such as
common races—but believe it is a necessary Draconic, Gnoll, Goblin, and Orc), they do
obligation of their higher status to share their not speak or write these unless necessary.
knowledge and artistic sensibilities.
• Favored Class: Bard. A multiclass rhonian’s
Rhonians rarely travel without at least one ser- bard class does not count when determining
vant, either a rhoode indentured to their service whether he suffers an XP penalty for multi-
or a personal assistant hired from among one of classing. Rhonians easily relate to the bard’s
the lesser yet literate races. If a member of his wandering nature and love of the musical
current party has not reached some agreement arts, and the profession offers them opportu-
to serve a rhonian character, he should begin nities for more prestigious diplomatic profes-
with an NPC servant. sions.
RHONIANS
path must also gain the respect of his
future peers. At least three established
emissaries must endorse a rhonian before
he attains that office. A hopeful emissary
often gains recommendations through dis-
plays of flattery, wealth, or exceptional
diplomacy in the service of his peers.
checks.) For example, identifying members of Such a display becomes a performance that
the royal council by their style of clothing captivates everyone within hearing distance
might require a DC 10 check, while intuitively (though they might not always agree about
knowing which of the king’s advisors would what the emissary is saying).
most likely betray him (and in what manner)
might require a DC 25 check. When using this technique, the emissary gains
several temporary benefits:
Preemptive Strike: Emissaries must some-
times act swiftly as bodyguards to save their • +2 enhancement bonus to Charisma
masters or their own persons. They learn to
identify concealed threats and train to quickly • +2 circumstance bonus to all Will saves
neutralize them using ranged attacks.
Preemptive strike provides a bonus to the emis- • +2 circumstance bonus on Bluff, Diplomacy,
sary’s Spot checks to notice hidden dangers, and Intimidate checks (stacks with the +2
and an additional initiative and attack bonus to Charisma bonus)
thwart those threats using a missile weapon.
This bonus is +1 when an emissary first gains These bonuses remain in effect for the duration
preemptive strike at 2nd level and increases by of the emissary’s speech, as long as his argu-
+1 every two levels thereafter (+2 at 4th level, ment continues and he maintains control over
+3 at 6th level, etc.). The bonus for ranged his audience. When he gains stirring oration at
attacks applies only to the first round in which 3rd level, an emissary can use it once per day.
the emissary reveals and confronts the hidden He may employ this technique twice per day at
threat. 5th level, three times per day at 7th level, and
four times per day at 9th level. Each use of the
Stirring Oration: Emissaries learn to use their stirring oration ability may last up to a number
full array of talents when verbally influencing of minutes equal to the character’s rhonian
individuals or crowds. They moderate their emissary class levels.
voices’ tones to best fit the situation and the
ideas expressed, puff themselves up in posture
and feathers, and present logical arguments to
draw on the audience’s sympathies and bring
them around to the emissaries’ way of thinking.
114
RHOODE
RHOODE
The rhoode work as capable servants to the wishes. They show no emotion in public; they
rhonians and other masters who depend on an do not smile, cry, or laugh aloud. Rhoode speak
autonomous, subservient labor class to main- only when initially addressed, remain quiet in
tain their society. Their sturdy, toadlike bodies their work, and refrain from complaining about
make them ideal for a variety of mundane tasks their lot in life. In return for their service they
for which their lords have little time: house- expect to enjoy the high standard of living their
work, farming, construction, crafting, and gen- masters provide.
eral labor. Their squat build also helps make
them innocuous despite their ubiquitous pres- In private, however, the rhoode are a vulgar
ence in communities that rely on rhoode labor. bunch, disrespectful of authority, critical of
Many accompany their masters in their wan- their masters, and weary of their servitude.
derings and foreign duties. Although they Gather a crowd of rhoode in the kitchen corner
openly serve their lieges efficiently and loyally, when chores are done and one hears com-
rhoode often harbor some hidden degree of cal- plaints, sob stories, vile jokes, and sarcastic
lous resentment. voices mocking their lords. They secretly hate
everything that isn’t of their own doing and
Personality: The general rhoode personality hold others in quiet contempt.
displays two facets, one servile facade in pub-
lic, and one more boastful, cranky demeanor Despite this deep-seated discontent with their
among themselves. station in society and a perpetual inferiority
complex, rhoode cannot rouse themselves from
When in their masters’ presence or among their servile state. Although they excel at whin-
strangers, rhoode play the part of the humble, ing about things, they’re not very organized or
busy servant. They rush about trying to execute dedicated to improving their lot. They’d rather
every last order even as it’s uttered. They duti- sit about during off hours complaining than
fully run errands, work tirelessly at their man- band together and rebel against their masters—
ual labor, and honestly administer the petty that would entail taking responsibility for the
domestic and professional domains their lords manner in which they ran society, and that’s
entrust to them. Rhoode wear a face of com- far more work and trouble than the average
plicit obedience, a neutral expression that never rhoode wants. Rumors claim the rhoode
reveals their true opinion of their masters’ once rose up against their rhonian lords,
115
only to founder without the wealth,
leadership, and determination of
society’s upper echelons.
RHOODE
rhoode in particular. Rhoode keep their religious preferences and
practices to themselves, revealing them only
Alignment: Rhoode tend toward neutrality. when it might please their lords. They tuck
During generations of servitude they have holy symbols beneath their clothes and hold
adapted to both strict order of routine and soci- any ceremonies in the seclusion of the ser-
ety (a lawful trait) and the appearance of vari- vants’ quarters. If they utter any prayers for
ous unanticipated developments that naturally safety and endurance in public, they’re kept to
plague a servant’s life (a trait common to no more than a grumble or whisper. One might
chaos). This balance also reflects their station think such overworked creatures would seek
in life. Rhoode dislike their servile status but aid from gods of discontent and rebellion, but
aren’t ambitious enough to do anything to real- rhoode long ago learned such deities care little
ly change it. for their plight.
Rhoode Lands: In the ancient past, before the Language: Like many aspects of rhoode cul-
rhonians bound them to servitude, the rhoode ture, their own language has been usurped by
inhabited numerous small villages scattered that of their masters. Those serving elves learn
throughout a vast swamp. Although their civi- the Elven dialects; rhoode working for dwarf
lization developed quite well on its own, they nobles understand Dwarven. Their wide jaw
could never tolerate working together to forge structures and fat tongues do not allow the
a single kingdom. After the rhonians incorpo- rhoode to articulate any language in its full ele-
rated them into their own society, the rhoode gance, so they often speak with various clumsy
forgot many elements of their own original cul- accents (depending on the language). Rhoode
ture and adapted to their masters’ society. trying to speak Elven vary their pitch on each
syllable, while those forcing Common from
Rhoode now inhabit the locales and kingdoms their mouths often elongate their vowels.
their masters call home. Many labor in the Although they can still communicate their
rhonian marsh enclaves or accompany rhonian meaning, rhoode sound more like village idiots
envoys on diplomatic missions. Those serving than native speakers.
others make their homes in their lords’ lands.
Rhoode first emerged from the swamps, so Vestiges of the rhoode home-tongue remain in
they have a natural affinity to work for those Vulgar Rhoode, a singsong tongue filled with
who live in marshlands and forests. Arid cli- sarcasm and mimicry, often used to make fun
mates do not agree with rhoode, but they toler- of their masters behind their backs. To out-
ate these regions with the usual amount of siders it sounds like casual croaking, burping,
grumbling to themselves. and yakking. Rhoode do not use this tongue in
public, reserving it expressly for communica-
Religion: Rhoode subscribe to a variety of reli- tion among their own kind.
gious beliefs, often dependent on their masters
and duties. In many cases they follow the same All rhoode speak Rhonian, Common, and
religion as their lords, partly as an open show Vulgar Rhoode. Those serving lords who speak
of respect, but mostly for convenience. Some a different primary language are also fluent in
masters require rhoode assistance in perform- that tongue.
ing holy ceremonies, so the servants find shar-
ing the same beliefs expedient. Names: Like their language, rhoode names
reflect the whims of their masters. Their given
Many rhoode believe in neutral deities who names often echo their duties: Cutter, Ink-
reflect their role in society. Domestic servants Fingers, Tanner, Thimble, Wet-Hands. Some
often place their faith in Hegretta, the ancestral lords deign to distinguish their servants with
rhonian mother goddess of hearth and home. more elegant names typical of their culture, a
Those serving masters who engage in magic vain attempt at treating them with the dig-
and scholarship often worship such gods. Farm nity accorded to others in society.
117
Rhoode do not have family names. Instead they nities for gain within it. In the open a servant
take a surname based on their liege. Some may kowtow to his master, obeying his every
adopt one of his names, either his title or a wish. When left alone, however, he often
given or clan name. Cutter Dawnsfire com- schemes for his own personal gain, making
bines the rhoode servant name Cutter with a deals on the side and pursuing prospects for
RHOODE
Adventurers: Rhoode leave their home on • +2 racial bonus to Swim checks: As descen-
adventures to accompany their lords. They dants of amphibians, rhoode still retain a nat-
carry baggage, cook meals, make arrangements ural affinity for water and are able to navigate
for lodging, and deal with undesirables beneath it with ease.
their masters’ station. Rhoode even take up
arms to defend their lieges. Everything an • –2 penalty for others using Sense Motive to
adventuring rhoode does caters to his self- read a rhoode’s expressions or interpret the
interest. If one’s lord is satisfied, he provides tone of a rhoode’s voice. This also applies to
all a servant needs to live, often with rewards Gather Information checks that rely on read-
for good service. A gracious master even shares ing body language for verifying facts. Others
a portion of treasure with his servant. have difficulty trying to see beneath rhoodes’
neutral expressions and demeanor—as ser-
Adventurous rhoode view travel as a means vants they conceal their emotions from their
to learn about their world and find opportu- masters and strangers.
118
• +2 racial bonus to Craft: This bonus reflects
experience rhoode gained from service in a
particular chore. At the time of creation, a
rhoode character should select a specific craft
in which he focused as part of his servile
RHOODE
labor.
Among the legions of hell walk the cruelest, Personality: The risen are often quiet and
most despicable beings known to the universe. withdrawn. Many of them are wracked by guilt
Demons and devils are the absolute epitome of over the crimes they committed. Their dedica-
evil, working tireless to further their masters’ tion to redeeming their souls often comes
foul plots. However, just as angels may fall across as a grim, deadly serious determination
from grace and turn to evil, so too may the to fight evil in all its forms. Rare is the risen
occasional spirit of evil turn against its masters who can smile, and rarer still is one who can
and walk in the light of good. These unfortu- laugh. The risen have seen the horrors the dark
nate creatures are stripped of their demonic powers are capable of, and this knowledge
powers and banished to the realms of man to haunts them throughout their mortal existence.
live their lives as mortals. These once utterly
foul creatures strive to prove themselves wor- The risen work tirelessly to see to the common
thy of forgiveness and redemption. Should they good, often working themselves to exhaustion.
succeed, they may gain access to the afterlife of A risen warrior involved in a siege may fight
the benevolent deities of good. Should they throughout the day and then move through the
fail, their souls once again journey to the besieged fortress by night, tending to the
abyssal plane and an eternity of torment at the wounded and helping ease the fears of the civil-
hands of vengeful demons and devils. ians trapped within its walls. The risen also
tend to be very forgiving of the harsh judg-
The risen demons are a study in contradictions. ments often levied against them by humans,
Often feared and hated by the very people they dwarves, and elves they meet. Many of them
have sworn to protect, they face danger on both simply accept it as the price for their previous-
sides as they work to prove themselves worthy ly evil ways.
of absolution by the gods of good. Some risen
follow the path of the holy warrior, striking Physical Description: The risen appear as
down evil wherever they find it, while others humans with a few diabolical features, such as
look to the spiritual and physical needs of mor- a serpentine tail, goat’s horns, or hoofed feet.
tals, offering their assistance wherever they They always detect as evil to paladins or
wander. Sadly enough, acceptance of their aid magic spells whatever their true alignment
is all too rare for these reformed crusaders. may be, as the diabolical taint on their
souls is never truly removed. This curse,
121
combined with their otherworldly appearance,
leaves many risen scorned and feared by civi-
lized beings. Still, despite these barriers the
risen have dealt many defeats to the forces of
evil.
RISEN DEMONS
RISEN DEMONS
turn to the light. While risen demons won’t hes- others.
itate to destroy evil, they are often compassion-
ate and merciful toward the weak or those who Adventurers: All risen demons are adventur-
serve evil through ignorance or fear rather than ers of one sort or another. Some seek out evil
malevolence. and destroy it at its roots, while others move
through the land, offering their skills and abili-
Risen Demon Lands: There are extremely few ties to those who need them the most. A risen
risen demons wandering the world at any given demon is driven by a tremendous sense of guilt
time. Fewer than half a dozen appear in the to do as much good as possible, making him
world during the course of a century, making it extremely active in the affairs of the world. The
impossible for a risen demon settlement to risen do not seek out gold, glory, or fame.
appear. Instead, the risen make their homes Instead, they face the much more daunting task
among the cosmopolitan and accessible king- of proving themselves worthy of redemption.
doms of humanity, usually striving to mask
their nature while quietly pursuing their goals.
Risen demons are incapable of producing off-
Risen Demon Racial Traits
spring, either with each other or with mortal • +2 Wisdom, +2 Charisma, –2 Constitution:
races. Risen demons enjoy the experience and
knowledge gained over several centuries. In
Religion: Most risen demons choose a single addition, while their physical forms are often
good deity to venerate, often one that was a strange or unsettling, they possess a strong
sworn enemy of their old masters. Risen sense of themselves and powerful personali-
demons often find it difficult to worship at the ties. On the downside, their previous masters
temples of their chosen gods because of the curse them with somewhat frail, twisted
fear and hate that dog their every step. Still, the forms that leave them vulnerable to disease
gods have been known to favor risen demons and injury.
and often aid them on their quests for atone-
ment. Risen clerics are rather common, and • Medium-size: As Medium-size creatures,
most risen demons dedicate themselves to a risen demons have no special bonuses or
benevolent deity. penalties due to their size.
Some risen demons spurn the worship of all • Risen demon base speed is 30 feet.
deities. These risen often see themselves as lit-
tle more than pawns in the schemes of the gods. • Risen demons are dogged by the taint of evil
Rather than venerate a deity or serve some that marked their previous forms. For the
greater power, they seek to serve humanity purposes of magical effects and spells, they
with their heroic deeds and personal sacrifices. are considered to be both their current align-
ment and its diametrically opposed counter-
Language: Risen demons do not have a lan- part. For example, lawful good risen demons
guage of their own. They enter the mortal are affected by magic as if they were both
world with knowledge of Infernal, the accursed lawful good and chaotic evil. Thus, both
tongue of the hells. Unlike other races, risen detect evil and detect good can reveal the
demons do not start with a knowledge of presence of a risen demon. When an item or
Common but may choose to learn any available spell has separate effects for both of the risen
language, including Common. demon’s effective alignments, the more dis-
advantageous of the two effects applies to the
Names: Some risen demons use the names risen.
they were given by their masters, but most sim-
ply choose a common human name to go by in • Risen demons are treated as native out-
their current incarnation to better blend in with siders. While they are created and live in
human society. The risen commonly take on a the mortal world, they maintain
123
extremely strong ties to the outer planes. • Favored Class: Paladin. As devoted champi-
Risen demons are immune to spells that ons of good, risen demons find the paladin’s
affect only humanoids, such as hold person calling to be a natural role.
or charm person. They are considered to be
outsiders for determining how magical spells • Level Equivalent: Class levels +1.
RISEN DEMONS
Class Skills
RISEN DEMONS
The avenger’s class skills (and the key ability
for each skill) are Climb (Str), Craft (Int),
Handle Animal (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Jump
(Str), Ride (Dex), and Swim (Str).
Class Features
All of the following are class features of the
risen avenger prestige class.
The avenger may opt to take damage in order to takes in this manner, he gains a +1 damage
inflict damage on his opponents. An avenger bonus to his next attack.
character may elect to take enough damage to
drop his total to –10 hit points, but no lower. Of Channel Demonic Essence II: The avenger has
course, a risen demon who goes below 0 hit learned to better control the transformation
points while using this ability falls uncon- process. For every 2 hit points of damage he
scious, while one who drops to –10 dies. Bonus takes when using this power, he gains a +1
damage gained from this ability only affects damage bonus to his next attack.
creatures with an evil alignment. Against all
other opponents, the extra damage is wasted Channel Demonic Essence III: The avenger has
but the avenger still takes damage for using the mastered the art of converting his physical
ability. essence into raw energy. For every point of
damage he uses to activate this power, he gains
The avenger must inflict this damage upon a +1 damage bonus to his next attack.
himself before making his attack roll, and he
must activate this power separately for each Terrifying Aspect: As the avenger learns to
attack if he has more than one attack in a round control and change his physical form, his body
and wishes to boost the damage of each one. begins to mutate and change in response to the
Using this ability counts as a free action. warping stress to which it has been exposed.
The avenger develops startling otherworldly
The ability is broken down into three levels of traits such as large horns, golden eyes, tusks,
power. and other bizarre physical characteristics.
These changes strike terror into the avenger’s
Channel Demonic Essence I: At this level, the enemies and grant him a +2 competence bonus
avenger has only just begun to master the art of on all Intimidate checks.
transforming his physical form into raw energy.
For every 3 hit points of damage the avenger Detect Outsiders: This ability is similar
125
The Risen Demon Avenger
Base
Class Attack Fort Ref Will
RISEN DEMONS
to the spell detect evil. This ability works evil forces to the weak and defenseless. Where
exactly like detect evil except it reveals the an avenger may sacrifice himself to destroy an
presence of outsiders instead of evil. In addi- evil entity, the redeemer seeks to give his life to
tion, if the avenger concentrates for one repair the damage wrought by evil outsiders
minute, he may detect the presence but not the and their ilk.
strength or location of any outsiders within a
one-mile radius. The avenger may use this abil- Redeemers believe that fighting fire with fire,
ity three times per day. as the avengers practice, only aggravates the
situation. They swear off their old ways and
Risen Redeemer embrace a new path dedicated to rendering aid
to whoever needs it. While a redeemer is not
While some risen demons seek to strike down afraid to take up a sword and fight the enemy,
the monstrous entities with whom they once he places more faith on a good defense rather
allied, others seek to repair the damage done by than a strong offense when facing evil.
Hit Die: d8
Requirements
To qualify to become a redeemer, a character
must fulfill all the following criteria.
Class Skills
The redeemer’s class skills (and the key ability
for each skill) are Concentration (Con), Craft
(Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Heal (Wis),
Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Knowledge (reli-
gion) (Int), Profession (Wis), and Spellcraft
(Int).
126
The Risen Demon Redeemer
Base
Class Attack Fort Ref Will
RISEN DEMONS
Level Bonus Save Save Save Special
1 +1 +2 +0 +0 Channel demonic essence I
2 +2 +3 +0 +0 Calming aspect
3 +3 +3 +1 +1 Channel demonic essence II
4 +4 +4 +1 +1 Detect outsiders
5 +5 +4 +1 +1 Channel demonic essence III
127
SENDASTI
SENDASTI
While desert civilizations thrive in isolated rear, prepared to spring into action from a con-
oasis cities and along well-guarded caravan cealed or advantageous position.
tracks, the sendasti inhabit the savage, arid
regions where few dare to tread. They wander Physical Description: Centuries living in
the sandy wastes, rocky crags, and desolate desert wastelands have bred the sendasti into
canyons in tightly knit clans that survive by tall, gaunt desert tribesmen wrapped in layers
foraging, trading, and conserving their stores. of robes, sashes, shawls, cloaks, turbans,
Every day they live by the belief that conflict scarves, and gloves. They strive to hide as
forges strength. much of their features as possible. They use
cloth of white, tan, or brown for most of their
Personality: The fiercely independent sendasti garments, though accessories like sashes,
chafe at outside authority, rely on their own scarves, belts, and headdresses often employ
abilities, and generally keep to themselves. colored embroidery. While these costumes pro-
Even when traveling through civilized regions tect them against the cruel desert winds, raging
they discourage waste, conserve all practical sandstorms, and unrelenting sun, they also
resources, and spend sparingly. Their frugality serve to conceal their distinct racial character-
even extends to conversation. They often sit istics: cracked, sandy skin; small, dark eyes
back and listen, holding their opinions to them- protected by overly fleshy lids; foreshortened
selves, speaking rarely and with as few words nose with pinched nostrils; and fox-like ears to
as possible. Since sendasti are accustomed to both close over their ear-slits and extend to
harsh environments, they manage through the pick up far-ranging desert sounds. Sendasti
worst situations without complaint. They main- have little body hair, often only a meager cov-
tain strong loyalties to their own kind, though ering of patchy, fine hairs on their heads. They
they extend this devotion to others who prove average six feet tall, though with their slight
worthy of their trust and friendship. Although builds they only weigh between 150 and 225
they experience a wide variety of emotions, pounds. Sendasti reach maturity at 15 years,
sendasti conceal them like they protect their but few survive the harsh desert conditions past
bodies from a sandstorm: under defensive lay- 60.
ers of cold expressions and seemingly unfeel-
ing attitudes. In mixed company they prefer Relations: Sendasti manage well with most
to stay in the shadows, watching from the races, though others initially view the sendasti
128
with suspicion. They maintain a good
affinity for humans, halflings, and
elves, with whom they trade for essen-
tial supplies. Sendasti also barter with
dwarves, though they harbor some mis-
SENDASTI
trust for such stocky and stereotypical-
ly greedy individuals. Those willing to
cast aside their suspicions of the enig-
matic sendasti find them adept mer-
chants, loyal mercenaries, and deter-
mined survivalists.
129
Language: The sendasti language is
an amalgam of archaic tongues spoken
by peoples living near their territory.
Although the dialects differ among
tribes, they can still understand one
SENDASTI
SENDASTI
they grew up. Youngsters must set out on their
own on a Wandering quest to prove their worth • Sendasti are proficient with either the fal-
to themselves and their tribe. They must fend chion or scimitar. Sendasti prefer these
for themselves for six months to a year, provid- blades over all others, often possessing fine-
ing for their basic needs, defending themselves ly crafted weapons passed down from one
from hostile creatures and people, and gaining generation to the next.
character and perseverance through the rigors
of survival. Some choose to wander the desert • +2 racial bonus to saving throws against poi-
far from any known clan territory. Others son, disease, charm person, and illusion
explore more civilized parts, making allies, spells. Desert life hardens sendasti against
delving into caverns, and exposing themselves the hazards of their environment.
to foreign cultures. Sendasti on Wandering
must follow two restrictions: They cannot • +2 racial bonus on Handle Animal, Intuit
accept aid from others unless adequate pay- Direction, Listen, Spot, and Wilderness Lore
ment is rendered, and they cannot speak in checks. Sendasti maintain a keen awareness
defense of themselves or their actions. of their surroundings and know how to
manipulate it to their advantage.
Those sendasti adventurers who aren’t under-
taking their Wandering pursue personal desires • Fasting: Sendasti can function unimpaired
to see more of their world and prove they can without water for up to two days plus a num-
survive in different environments. They take ber of hours equal to their Constitution score
great pleasure in experiencing the variety of before they must make Constitution checks
dwellings, clothing, and foods beyond their against subdual damage and fatigue. Sendasti
homeland—though never to an excess that can survive without food for five days in
would disgrace their frugal heritage. Sendasti growing discomfort before they must make
view their ability to flourish in new environ- Constitution checks against subdual damage
ments as a challenge that helps establish their and fatigue.
worth as survivors. In other lands bountiful in
life’s necessities, such survival often includes • Automatic Languages: Common and
working well with strangers, striving for com- Sendasti. Bonus Languages: Dwarven,
mon goals, and sacrificing one’s comfort and Elven, Gnome, Goblin, Orc. Sendasti are also
self for the good of the whole. Although they familiar with the languages of various desert-
seem sometimes awkward among outsiders, dwelling species.
they make up for it by their faithful devotion
and dedication to proving themselves. • Favored Class: Rogue. A multiclass
sendasti’s rogue class does not count when
Sendasti Racial Traits determining whether he suffers an XP penal-
ty for multiclassing. Surviving in hostile con-
• +2 Constitution, –2 Charisma: The desert cli- ditions requires a variety of skills, including
mate toughens the sendasti against many the ability to adapt quickly by employing
physical threats, molding their bodies to bet- cunning and resourcefulness. Although
ter adapt to arid conditions; however, it also sendasti society discourages thievery, trick-
socially isolates them, giving others cause to ery, and deceit among its own, aspects of
view them with suspicion. these talents are essential to desert survival.
Class Features
All of the following are class features of the
sendasti windmaster prestige class.
SENDASTI
Level Bonus Save Save Save Special
1st +1 +2 +0 +2 Speak with animals
2nd +2 +3 +1 +2
3rd +2 +3 +1 +2 Find water
4th +3 +4 +2 +3
5th +4 +4 +3 +3 Wind blades
6th +4 +5 +3 +4
7th +5 +6 +4 +4 Voice of the desert
8th +6 +6 +5 +5
9th +6 +7 +5 +5 Fasting trance
10th +7 +8 +6 +6
name when communicating with various crea- one behind the windmaster (including the
tures accustomed to life in deserts (including windmaster himself). The character may use
baboons, camels, cheetahs, dogs, hawks, hors- this ability once per day for a number of min-
es, lions, and vipers). They may do this a num- utes equal to his class levels in windmaster.
ber of times per day equal to their class levels
in windmaster; they also use their level for pur- Sendasti value the wind blades maneuver as a
poses of determining the duration of their con- means of holding off an enemy to buy more
versation (1 minute per level). (See the speak time for others to act.
with animals spell description, PHB 254, for
more details.) Voice of the Desert: Beginning at 7th level,
windmasters can manipulate their voices to
Find Water: Starting at 3rd level windmasters produce enchanting and suggestive sounds that
gain the uncanny ability to find water in even influence others. They may choose to employ
the most barren environment: from desert this ability like any of the following spells: ani-
plants, in depressions in the ground, beneath mal friendship, animal trance, calm emotions,
cool rocks, in sandy caves. The windmaster or hypnotism. Windmasters can use their voice
must make a Wilderness Lore check (DC 15) of the desert a number of times per day equal to
and an Intuit Direction check (DC 15). He may half their class levels rounded down. These
attempt to find water no more than three times spell-like abilities are cast as a sorcerer with a
a day. If successful, he discovers a hidden number of levels equal to the caster’s class lev-
water source that yields sufficient liquid for a els in windmaster.
number of people equal to his class levels in
windmaster to remain alive for one day. Fasting Trance: At 9th level windmasters gain
mystical abilities associated with the altered
Wind Blades: Upon reaching 5th level, wind- mental state incurred by prolonged fasting. To
masters become skilled in the wind blade reach this trance, a windmaster must fast long
maneuver for melee combat. By swinging two enough to start taking subdual damage and
blades at once in one of several intricate pat- become fatigued. Once he reaches this state,
terns, the windmaster essentially creates a the windmaster can emulate the effects of one
blade barrier with a 10-foot radius. Anyone try- of the following spells: discern location,
ing to pass through this field of slashing blades dream, legend lore, or sending. Windmasters
takes 1d6 points of damage per class level of can only use their fasting trance powers once
the windmaster. The windmaster is not affected per week, and must fully recover from the fast-
by this damage, though he is vulnerable to ing effects before making another attempt.
attack. Anyone within the area of effect when
the windmaster starts the wind blades attack
may make a Reflex save (DC 10 + the wind-
master’s class levels) to avoid the blades. Wind
blades offer one-quarter cover (+2 AC) for any-
133
SIARRANS
SIARRANS
Siarrans are a gentle, artistic people. They Physical Description: Siarrans are typically
believe in the value of expression and music. tall and thin, between five and a half feet and
They prefer an active life and their kind can be just under seven feet in height. They weigh
found traveling across foreign lands, either in between 130 and 200 pounds. They have dark,
groups or alone. They often say they go where coppery brown or even black complexions and
the wind takes them. They face the dangers light brown, blonde, white, or silvery hair.
their travels bring with a calm heart and seek to They have four arms, an upper pair placed at
cause as little harm as possible. Despite their the shoulder, much as a human’s, and a second,
gentle natures and peaceful philosophies, how- lean and thin pair a little above the waist. Their
ever, siarrans moved to anger can be frighten- fingers are long and lithe, giving them superb
ing opponents. However, it is difficult to anger manual dexterity. Their eyes slant upward at
a siarran, as most have great patience and are the outside, and they have high cheekbones and
slow to become agitated or angry. thin mouths.
Personality: Siarrans enjoy freedom. Like the Siarrans usually dress in draping, loose-fitting
wind they revere, they move where they will garments or robes. They use subtle embroidery
and refuse to be restrained. This is reflected to decorate their clothes, preferring patterns of
throughout their culture and in their individual earth tone or red threads. However, siarrans are
nature. When at rest, siarrans usually give the also known to adopt clothing styles from other
impression of a barely restrained energy. They nearby realms for their own use. Siarrans are
seem ready to move in any direction with little considered adults at age 25, and they live about
notice. Even so, their movements never seem 150 years.
sudden because of their natural grace.
Relations: Siarrans usually enjoy the company
The siarrans appreciate things of beauty, partic- of other good races. They believe in allowing
ularly beauty of expression. They prefer their everyone their own freedoms, and siarrans are
art and their lives to be filled with activity, and rarely bothered by the cultural or social differ-
it is rare that a siarran remains idle. They grow ences found among other peoples. Societies
easily bored with a slow pace of life, a fact with strong martial traditions or a tendency
that drives many siarrans to adventure or toward violence are disconcerting to siarrans,
wanderlust. but they will travel among even such people in
134
an effort to demonstrate the “touch of the
wind” for those people they view as less
enlightened.
SIARRANS
they have much in common. They see humans
as unsubtle and dwarves as downright repres-
sive. Half-orcs, to the siarran way of thinking,
are usually brutish beasts, scarred and twisted
by their upbringing. A siarran who has the
opportunity to travel with a half-orc almost
always takes the chance to show him a “better”
way—at least for as long as the siarran can han-
dle the half-orc’s company. While most races
enjoy the company and entertainment of siar-
rans, many dwarves and half-orcs consider
them condescending and generally irritating.
SIARRANS
often travel to see where the wind has touched. The character is an expert in fighting with
multiple weapons.
A siarran might have other reasons for travel-
ing away from his own kind. Conflict with Prerequisite: Multiweapon Fighting,
other races might easily drive siarrans away Ambidexterity, base attack bonus +9 or
from their homes, and scattered refugees of higher.
siarran lands under attack are not unknown.
Benefit: In addition to the standard single
Siarran Racial Traits extra attack the character gets with his off-
hand weapons, he gets a second attack with
• +2 Dexterity, –2 Constitution: Siarrans are each offhand weapon, though at a –5
agile and quick, but their thin stature makes penalty.
them more easily hurt.
SIARRANS
Level Bonus Save Save Save Special
1st +1 +0 +2 +2 Bard spell use
2nd +2 +0 +3 +3 Touch the breeze
3rd +3 +1 +3 +3
4th +4 +1 +4 +4 Hold the wind
5th +5 +1 +4 +4
6th +6 +2 +5 +5 Song of the storm
7th +7 +2 +5 +5
8th +8 +2 +6 +6 Howl of the gale
9th +9 +3 +6 +6
10th +10 +3 +7 +7 Free the tempest
Song of the Storm: A bladedancer of 6th level make a Reflex save (DC 10 + bladedancer’s
or higher may sing the song of the storm. This Dexterity modifier + bladedancer class level).
song focuses his dance, giving the bladedancer Failure means that the opponent is knocked
increased prowess and endurance. The back about 10 feet directly away from the
bladedancer gains +4 to Constitution, a +2 bladedancer. Any opponent that fails this save
competence bonus to all melee attack rolls and takes 2d6 points of subdual damage and is
Reflex saves, and a +2 dodge bonus to AC. The knocked prone.
bladedancer may use the song for up to two
rounds per class level each time he uses this Each opponent must also make a Fortitude save
ability. In order to use this ability, the (DC 10 + bladedancer’s Charisma modifier +
bladedancer must be able to sing and hear his bladedancer class level). Failure in this
voice. A silence spell or deafness effects will Fortitude save renders that opponent stunned
prevent or negate the use of this ability. for 1d6 rounds. The foe is unable to act, loses
any Dexterity bonus to AC, and attackers get a
The increase in Constitution during the song of +2 bonus on attack rolls against him. A suc-
the storm increases the bladedancer’s hit points cessful save reduces the duration of the stun
by two points per character level, but these hit effect by half (round down).
points go away when the bladedancer’s song
ends and his Constitution score drops back to Spells: A bladedancer uses spells as a bard of
normal. They are not lost first the way tempo- the same level. If the bladedancer character
rary hit points are. also has bard levels, add the class levels togeth-
er to determine the character’s bard spell abili-
Howl of the Gale: A bladedancer of 8th level ties. Bladedancers receive bonus spells for high
has learned to use his keening song and the Charisma, just as a bard does, and to cast a
high-pitched whistle of his spinning blades to spell a bladedancer must have a Charisma
direct a devastating sonic attack at a single score at least equal to 10 + the level of the
opponent within 30 feet. The howl of the gale spell. The Difficulty Class for a saving throw
delivers 1d4 damage per class level of the against a bladedancer’s spell is 10 + the spell’s
bladedancer. The target of this attack may make level + the bladedancer’s Charisma modifier.
a Fortitude save (DC 10 + bladedancer’s
Charisma modifier + bladedancer class level)
to reduce this damage to half.
SKTAK
Not all frontiers are home to wild barbarians Many sktak tattoo their bodies, especially to
living in uneasy, shifting alliances with other commemorate some important victory or
clans. The sktak are what many who live is so- defeat. These markings are usually simple,
called civilized lands would consider savages, such as a geometric design in two colors. In
but this is not so. The sktak are a proud, disci- some cases, a sktak’s tattoo may represent a
plined race. The simplicity of their technology special vow or contract. If and when this oblig-
belies the regimented social caste system that ation is fulfilled, the sktak will typically burn
dominates sktak life. away the tattoo, leaving a plain scar in its place.
Personality: As noted, sktak are proud. A good Physical Description: Sktak are human-size
motto for any sktak is, “A thing worth doing is but more muscular. The average sktak weighs
worth doing well.” Most are intensely private 25 to 50 pounds more than a human of the same
as well, especially with regard to their true feel- height. The flesh of a sktak is covered with
ings. Public displays of emotion are considered smooth, interlocking scales, the largest being
undignified at best. It is not that a sktak is cold about the same size as a gold piece. The scales
or unfeeling, but that they prefer to express appear wet, but are in fact dry and cool to the
their feelings through action rather than talk or touch. Coloration ranges from dark green to
outbursts. Cross a sktak and the only likely sign tan, with darker stripes common along the
of his anger will be the violence he inflicts spine and the top of the head. Sktak are hairless
upon you. except for thin eyelashes. Their eyes are typi-
cally of a solid color, usually red or orange,
Sktak live an austere life. They dislike ostenta- with slitted pupils. Sktak have no external ears.
tious displays of wealth. Functionality is more
important than decoration. Style over substance Being a desert people, sktak favor loose-fitting
is a most un-sktak-like way of living. clothing, including turbans with trailing cloth
Nonetheless, sktak appreciate a finely crafted that can be wrapped about the face as protec-
weapon or suit of armor, or a quality mount, or tion against the elements. Colors for their garb
well-tailored clothing, but not because these tend toward white and gray, but this is not a
things are status symbols. Instead, excellent rule. Gaudy displays, however, are quite
craftsmanship is valued for its utility. uncommon. A sktak’s maturation and life span
are comparable to a half-elf’s.
140
Relations: Sktak are quite probably the least
concerned about racial differences of all of
the races. For a sktak, it is not a being’s
height or skin tone or ear shape that matters.
Individuals, not groups, are judged based on
SKTAK
their individual actions. The sktak then
responds in kind. Treat a sktak honorably,
and, even if you are an orc, you will likely be
treated honorably in return.
SKTAK
transactions but too impersonal for preserving degrees Fahrenheit) is normal weather to a
the sktak’s proud customs and culture. sktak. Cold weather (below 40 degrees
Fahrenheit) affects a sktak as if extremely
Names: As children, all sktak have the same cold (below 0 degrees Fahrenheit).
name, which roughly translates into Common
as “Sacred Gift,” followed by a family name— • +2 racial bonus to Intuit Direction, Ride, and
either the father’s name for boys or the moth- Wilderness Lore checks.
er’s name for girls. When a sktak becomes an
adult, either the father or mother bestows a per- • Proficient with either scimitar or lance (light
sonal name that is usually indicative of some or heavy); proficient with shortbow or com-
quality possessed by the offspring. Many sktak posite shortbow. Sktak are trained from youth
who travel in human lands translate their gift to be accomplished riders and warriors.
names into Common.
• Mounted Combat: Any sktak with at least
Male Names: Korbok, Spakk, Velkeer, Zottas. two ranks in the Ride skill at 1st level gains
Female Names: Kakida, Savellis, Akdinu. the Mounted Combat feat for free.
Adventurers: Sktak take up adventuring for • Automatic Languages: Common and Sktak.
various reasons, but many have to do with Bonus Languages: Gnoll, Goblin, Hobgoblin,
some point of honor. Personal quests for Ogre, or Orc. Sktak commonly know the lan-
revenge or the advancement of the tribe are guages of both their friends and their ene-
most common. Some sktak adventurers have mies.
left behind their tribe and homeland in order to
redeem themselves of some sort of disgrace. • Favored Class: Ranger. A multiclass sktak’s
Others of a more chaotic nature travel abroad to ranger class does not count when determin-
escape what is perceived as a confining, restric- ing whether he suffers an XP penalty for mul-
tive society. ticlassing. Cleric/rangers are a common mul-
ticlass among the sktak.
Sktak Racial Traits
Sktak Windrider
• +2 Strength, +2 Constitution, –2 Intelligence,
–2 Charisma, –2 Dexterity: Sktak are strong Warriors and holy ones, windriders are among
and hardy but somewhat slow of mind and the most revered of sktak tribesmen. They are
body. Their sense of personal honor often renowned for their equestrian talents, knowl-
rubs others the wrong way. edge of the wilderness, and ferocity in battle. A
single windrider is often a champion of some
• Medium-size: As Medium-size creatures, specific tribe or cause. A squad of windriders
sktak have no special bonuses or penalties usually serves a mighty chieftan or priest. Most
due to their size. windriders are rangers or cleric/rangers.
• Sktak base speed is 30 feet. In sktak lands, windrider squads patrol areas
away from the normal nomadic paths. They spy
• Hardiness: Sktak require one-third as much on evil humanoids, attacking groups that stray
food and water as normal Medium-size char- too close to sktak territory. Closely affiliated
acters. A sktak can go without water for one with the majority sect of Trevk and Ellayk, the
day plus a number of hours equal to three windriders are also holy warriors of sorts. They
times his Constitution score before risking are dedicated foes of Ehromen and opposed to
dehydration. the evil sect of their own cult as well.
SKTAK
Level Bonus Save Save Save Special 1st 2nd 3rd 4th
1st +1 +2 +0 +0 Improved mounted combat 0 — — —
2nd +2 +3 +0 +0 Improved mounted archery +1 1 — — —
3rd +3 +3 +1 +1 Improved ride-by attack 1 0 — —
4th +4 +4 +1 +1 Improved mounted archery +2 1 1 — —
5th +5 +4 +1 +1 1 1 0 —-
6th +6 +5 +2 +2 Improved mounted archery +3 1 1 1 —
7th +7 +5 +2 +2 2 1 1 0
8th +8 +6 +2 +2 Improved mounted archery +4 2 1 1 1
9th +9 +6 +3 +3 2 2 1 1
10th +10 +7 +3 +3 2 2 2 1
STONEGRUNTS
Carved from the living rock and animated believe the forces they fight are bad, while their
through divine and dwarven power, stone- allies are good. From collective experience
grunts are imposing giants wielding great they know that dwarves are friends and goblins
strength and resilience. They were created ages their foes. The people who accept them into
ago by the dwarves of a remote outpost under their company are close companions, while
siege by goblin hordes intent on plundering those who make them feel angry, sad, unwel-
their gold and working their rich mines. During come, or hurt are their enemies. Although they
their isolation the dwarves carved and animat- were originally created for war, stonegrunts
ed an army of stone soldiers. Despite the power have difficulty grasping complex concepts
of such a force, the goblin hordes eventually such as betrayal and insincerity. They listen to
massacred the dwarves and all but a few of the and believe those who are proven friends and
warriors. Only a handful of stone soldiers ignore the taunts and lies perpetuated by their
escaped. The dwarven gods took pity on these enemies. Once a stonegrunt determines who his
brave, homeless stone children—the deities friends and enemies are, it’s very difficult to
infused them with independent spirits and free change his beliefs.
will that they might walk the earth, exploring
its rich cultures and learning to become more Stonegrunts reflect their physiques in their
like flesh-and-blood creatures. tenacious and determined nature. Once they set
their mind to achieving a goal, they pursue it as
Personality: Stonegrunts have relatively sim- relentlessly as they would a fleeing foe.
plistic personalities. They experience very Stonegrunts do not abandon their friends and
basic emotions—sorrow, happiness, regret, would fight to the end if someone didn’t con-
hope—that rapidly change depending on their vince them that retreat was the better strategy.
situation. A stonegrunt who feels sadness at They value loyalty and friendship above mate-
losing a game of chance easily becomes overly rial possessions, fighting more for their allies
joyful when treated to a meal. They bond than any personal gain. Stonegrunts are as apt
quickly with others, trusting those who treat to give away the treasure they acquire as they
them with even the most limited kindness. are to spend it on themselves.
Stonegrunts view the world in terms of black Physical Description: Stonegrunts’ massive
and white. When they wade into battle, they bodies take the shape of burly men standing
146
between seven and nine feet tall. Their skin
texture and color varies by stone type—some
are flecked pink with granite, others are the
solid black of slate. Those touching their skin
find it smooth as well-polished marble, cold
STONEGRUNTS
on the outside, but with an inner warmth. No
hair adorns their bodies, since their dwarven
creators were so hurried that they didn’t even
carve hair or beards onto their heads. Severe
brows protect the shiny coal orbs that func-
tion as their eyes. Although articulated, their
hands seem brawny and clumsy. Their thick
limbs move slightly slower than creatures of
true flesh but pack considerably more power.
One might think their grinding joints, abra-
sive clothing and armor, and general wear
would erode stonegrunts’ outer layers, but
their inner bodies compensate for this mini-
mal loss by generating new stony “tissue”
much like flesh-and-blood beings.
STONEGRUNTS
intended destiny—but such a course is rarely Smallfellow might seem out of place in a
marked clearly. halfling village.
Stonegrunts refer to the dwarven deities as their Stonegrunts are technically neuter beings, but
parents—most people assume they mean this in they prefer male first names.
a spiritual sense, but for the stonegrunts the
gods are truly their natural family. They look to Stonegrunt Names: Blag, Crunch, Dak, Grug,
them for guidance in troubling times, for pro- Fist, Pag, Rak, Slag, Trug, Zugg.
tection against the forces of wickedness, and
for relief in personal distress. Stonegrunts have Adventurers: Stonegrunts seek opportunities
difficulty understanding the difference between to make a positive difference in the world.
other people’s parents and gods, often believ- Aiding good causes satisfies this need, even if
ing them to be the same entities. They fre- their effort makes only a small dent against evil
quently pray to dwarven deities but don’t think powers. Stonegrunts gravitate toward expedi-
to openly worship them with elaborate cere- tions against threatening forces, aiding anyone
monies unless they encounter a temple or who represents goodness in the world. They
shrine dedicated to them. enthusiastically join parties with dwarves, who
obviously undertake righteous quests because
Stonegrunt clerics function as wandering holy they helped create stonegrunts. Their natural
men, spreading belief in dwarven religious curiosity also leads them to join expeditions to
doctrine by traveling across the countryside travel to and explore new and wild regions.
and acting as an example of the deities’ protec- They quickly enter the ranks of armies created
tive nature. for patriotic purposes and are particularly influ-
enced by calls to arms inspired by the proud
Some stonegrunts adopt the religion of those rhetoric of authorities they trust.
who accept them into their communities. They
do this more to fulfill a social need than out of Since jealousy and greed are complex concepts
theological belief. They participate in religious to them, stonegrunts do not obsess over trea-
ceremonies as a shared experience with their sure. They happily accept whatever wealth
neighbors. No matter where they are, in their might supply their basic needs, spending it to
hearts stonegrunts are truly children of the enjoy newfound goods and services and lavish-
dwarven gods. ing it on their friends. Adventuring in general
gives stonegrunts an opportunity to make new
Language: Stonegrunts have no language of friends, share common experience, and learn
their own. They speak the language of their more about the world.
dwarven creators and know Common well
enough to make their way in the world. Their
deep, gravelly voices can articulate most other
Stonegrunt Racial Traits
tongues. Stonegrunts have the capacity to learn • +4 Strength, +2 Constitution, –4 Dexterity,
other languages, focusing on those using –2 Intelligence.
Dwarven script: Gnome, Giant, Goblin, Orc,
and Terran. • Large: As Large creatures, stonegrunts
receive a –1 size penalty to Armor Class, a
Names: Simple names suit stonegrunts best, –1 size penalty on attack rolls, and a –4 size
especially those consisting of only one syllable penalty on Hide checks, but they can wield
with harsh consonants. Since they have no fam- larger weapons than humans use, and their
ilies or clans, they rarely have surnames. lifting and carrying limits are twice those of
Stonegrunts choose names characteristic of Medium-size creatures.
their attitude and nature, though they have no
compunction against changing them to fit their • Stonegrunt base speed is 30 feet.
current circumstances. Some adopt dwarven Although they are large creatures,
149
Giant, Goblin, Orc, and Terran.
Stonegrunts know the tongues of their
dwarven brothers and of those whose
lands they traverse. They also learn the
languages of their traditional allies and
STONEGRUNTS
enemies.
Siege Grunt
Stonegrunts sometimes specialize in
combat tactics for besieging or defend-
ing fortifications. These siege grunts
are hulking, living siege machines that
effectively dominate the battlefield.
stonegrunts move more slowly because of
Commanders charge siege grunts with assault-
their rocky physiology.
ing enemy fortifications, creating a breach
through which conventional troops can pass
• +2 racial bonus to saving throws against
and overrun the fortress. They train themselves
spells and spell-like effects. As dwarven cre-
and reinforce their bodies to withstand the rig-
ations, stonegrunts inherit this natural magic
ors of the defenders’ attacks. Siege grunts lead
resistance from their brothers.
their forces across battlefields, slamming their
towering bodies against the foe’s ramparts.
• Stoneskin: Stonegrunts have 10/+2 damage
Those defending a castle sally forth from
reduction. They ignore the first 10 points of
postern gates to counterattack siege forces and
damage each time they sustain an injury,
quickly react to block breaches in the battle-
although a weapon with a +2 enhancement
ments.
bonus or any magical attack ignores the
reduction. Any weapon more powerful than a
Siege grunts primarily rise from the ranks of
+2 bonus also ignores the reduction.
fighters, barbarians, paladins, rangers, and oth-
ers who survive by combat skills. Other class-
• Non-Breathing: Since stonegrunts do not
es can become siege grunts, but the reliance on
require air to live, they are immune to the
non-military skills sometimes limits their
effects of drowning, gas attacks, or other
effectiveness in battle. A stonegrunt’s natural
threats that inflict damage through the respi-
defenses help him withstand the rigors of a
ratory system. Unfortunately, their stone
siege, but he must still actively fight to main-
physiology negates any effort at using the
tain his position and protect his comrades.
Swim skill to remain afloat or pass through
water without sinking.
One often encounters NPC siege grunts in
small squads serving a particular noble or gen-
• +2 racial bonus to saving throws against con-
eral. They stick together, looming like silent
tact and ingested poisons. Stonegrunts’ rocky
mountains apart from the conventional troops
physiology makes them naturally resistant to
until called into action. Siege grunts most often
toxins entering the body through the diges-
serve the forces of good and lawfulness unless
tive system and wounds.
a clever opponent manages to brainwash them
into fighting for his twisted cause.
• Automatic Languages: Common and
Hit Dice: d12.
Dwarven. Bonus Languages: Gnome,
150
The Stonegrunt Siege Grunt
Base
Class Attack Fort Ref Will
STONEGRUNTS
Level Bonus Save Save Save Special
1st +1 +2 +0 +1
2nd +2 +2 +0 +1 Fire resistance (5)
3rd +3 +3 +0 +2 Reinforced skin 15/+3
4th +4 +3 +1 +2 Ram (3d6 damage)
5th +5 +4 +1 +3 Fire resistance (10)
6th +6 +4 +1 +3 Ram (4d6 damage)
7th +7 +5 +2 +4 Fire resistance (15)
8th +8 +5 +2 +4 Reinforced skin 20/+4
9th +9 +6 +2 +5 Ram (5d6 damage)
10th +10 +7 +3 +5 Fire resistance (20)
TREMEN
In some enchanted forests, the fey spirits of the their careful, deliberate manner prevents them
wood select young saplings to journey out into from getting into too much trouble when deal-
the world and learn its ways. These magical ing with humans and other civilized creatures.
plant creatures eventually return to their home Their speech is often very slow, as if the tremen
forests in order to help protect and preserve it, carefully weighs each word before uttering it.
using the knowledge they gained of the world In fact, this appearance is not far from the truth.
to defend their homes. These living trees are A tremen in human lands is acutely aware of
known as the tremen, a bizarre cross between a how far he is from his forest home and often
humanoid and a mobile tree. Unlike treants, the feels a deep sense of isolation. Many of them
tremen are roughly human-size and are known are cautious almost to a fault around humans,
to travel far and wide in order to gain a better elves, and dwarves. Tremen can expect to live
understanding of the world. The world extends hundreds of years, and many of them have
far beyond the limits of any forest, and the already seen a human lifetime’s worth of expe-
woodland fairies, spirits, and other magical riences before leaving the forest. Thus, they
creatures long ago learned that what comes to tend to approach problems with a very long-
pass outside of the wood may eventually have term, careful, and patient mind.
a tremendous impact on it.
Some tremen exult in their role as pilgrims in a
The tremen seek to learn the ways of the world. strange land, observing human culture and
Many of them eventually return to their home striking at enemies of their home forest before
forests in order to put their knowledge and skill they can become a threat. These curious, rest-
to use there. These tremen settle down with less tremen sometimes elect to remain among
others of their kind and build small enclaves humans for far longer than the typical tremen.
dedicated to preserving their forest homes. While they never forsake their native forest and
However, some tremen continue to champion often return there to share the stories of their
nature’s cause in a more active manner, seeking adventures, these tremen prefer life among
adventure and heroism wherever they can find humans and live out their years as adventurers
it beyond the bounds of their wooded homes. and observers.
Personality: Tremen are naive and thought- Physical Description: Male tremen look like
ful. They know little of civilization, but tall, bulky, brown-skinned humanoids. Their
152
hair is made of moss and vines, and
many have woolly beards of thick
foliage. Their skin often seems similar to
the bark of trees such as pine, oak, or
yew. The average male tremen stands
TREMEN
over six feet tall, and it is not uncommon
for them to reach over seven feet in
height. A male tremen’s voice is often a
deep, rumbling bass tone.
believe that they have a responsibility to pro- Names: Tremen place great value on their
tect those beyond their immediate community names, as a tremen’s full name is in fact a long
or their beloved forest. narrative recounting his deeds. “Short named”
is a common derisive tremen term for humans
Tremen who choose to remain in civilized and other humanoid races. However, tremen
lands are very often good. These tremen are the rarely recite their entire name outside of the
crusaders and active protectors of their kind, most formal occasions, such as a meeting with
seeking to aid not only their forest homes but a group of previously unknown tremen or an
also the homes of other creatures. important ceremony such as a marriage or
funeral. As a tremen ages and accomplishes
Tremen Lands: Neighboring kingdoms and various deeds, he adds these new events to his
other sovereign states only very rarely recog- name. As the tremen see it, you are what you
nize tremen lands. Any large, isolated forest do, so how else should one name oneself? This
could serve as a tremen homeland, and some tremen tradition reinforces their deliberate,
tremen view any wood, no matter how small, as careful manner. No tremen wants to add a dis-
part of the tremen domain. What a kingdom astrous choice or regrettable action to his name.
may view as the simple expansion of civiliza-
tion into unclaimed forest territory, the tremen While traveling amongst humanoid civiliza-
view as a wholly unwarranted attack. A few tions, tremen usually pick a single important
times the tremen have marched to war over event condensed to a few words or a short
such misunderstandings, much to the terror of phrase to use as a name. Some tremen may
the encroaching pioneers. Luckily for both par- choose to change this name after accomplish-
ties, the tremen prefer to take action slowly, ing a particularly noteworthy deed. Thus, many
weighing the matter carefully and coming to a adventuring tremen change their names quite
decision only after analyzing the problem and often.
weighing all the evidence. Such actions have
headed off violence in the past, but some- Tremen Names: Troll Foe, Iron Breaker,
154
Fought at Aylbridge, Clever Tongue, Orc • +2 racial bonus to Animal Empathy, Handle
Cleaver, Dwarf Friend, Thief Catcher. Animal, and Wilderness Lore checks. As
creatures of the forest, tremen have an intu-
Adventurers: Tremen all spend at least part of itive understanding of how nature works.
their lives in the realms of man, but most stay
TREMEN
only long enough to gain a firsthand under- • –2 racial penalty to Disable Device, Open
standing of the ways of civilization before Lock, and Pick Pocket checks. Tremen have
returning home. Many never directly interact stiff and clumsy limbs, making it difficult for
with humanity, preferring to remain on the them to perform tasks that require fine man-
edges of civilization and to merely observe its ual dexterity.
activities. Others visit a simple hamlet or tiny
village and never see anything more. Tremen • –2 racial penalty to saving throws against all
adventurers, on the other hand, find humanity fire-based effects.
and the rest of the world outside of the forest
intensely fascinating. While they still feel an • Automatic Languages: Common and Sylvan.
attachment to their forest homes, tremen Bonus Languages: Celestial, Draconic,
adventurers see themselves as active defenders Elven, Gnome, Gnoll, Terran.
of the forest. They reason that by defeating
threats far from the forest they can prevent • Favored Class: Druid. A multiclass tremen’s
them from ever posing even the slightest threat. druid class does not count when determining
Rarely, a tremen may become a vagabond and whether he suffers an XP penalty. Tremen are
wanderer, forced to leave the forest for some at home in nature and feel a fundamental tie
transgression against his fellows. These unfor- to the land and its creatures.
tunates often turn to adventuring in order to
reclaim their place in the forest through brave
deeds.
Forest Shepherd
The tremen serve as protectors and tenders of
Tremen Racial Traits the forest, driving away invading enemies and
helping to maintain the forest’s health and
• +4 Strength, +2 Wisdom, –4 Dexterity, –2 prosperity. Tremen view normal trees as every
Intelligence: Tremen are tremendously bit as important as humans, treants, or tremen.
strong, yet their tough, woody bodies are Where a human may see a small stand of trees,
both slow and inflexible. While a tremen’s the tremen sees as a small community of living
ponderous, deliberate manner allows him to creatures who have the same right to peace and
catch details that others miss, this same man- safety as any other creature.
ner tends to stifle innovation and places little
value on quick wits. Forest shepherds are responsible for maintain-
ing the woods and keeping them safe from out-
• Medium-size: As Medium-size creatures, siders. Not only do they tend to the trees, but
tremen have no special bonuses or penalties they also learn ancient lore that allows them to
due to size. converse with the trees in their secret language.
While a forest shepherd often uses this ability
• Tremen base speed is 30 feet. to meet the needs of its charges, a forest shep-
herd also learns the words of rage and fury that
• Plant: A tremen’s creature type is plant, not can awaken a tree and call it to the defense of
humanoid. Spells such as hold person have its home.
no effect on a tremen, while spells such as
control plants work normally. However, Hit Die: d8.
tremen are still subject to critical hits, poison,
sleep, paralysis, stunning, and polymorphing. Requirements
The tremen are a magical cross between
humanoid and plant, and function as To qualify to become a forest shepherd, a char-
humanoids in most circumstances. acter must fulfill all the following criteria.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Forest shep- Mending Touch: At 5th level, the forest shep-
herds gain no proficiency in any weapon or herd learns how best to apply healing magic to
armor. plants. When using any cure spell on a plant,
the forest shepherd doubles the number of dice
Spells per Day: A forest shepherd continues to rolled.
develop the ability to cast divine spells. Thus,
when a new forest shepherd level is gained, the Call Treant: At 6th level, the forest shepherd
character gains new spells per day as if it had gains the ability to summon 1d3 treants once
also gained a level in a spellcasting class it per day. These treants obey the forest shep-
belonged to before it added the prestige class. It herd’s commands to the best of their ability.
does not, however, gain any other benefit a
character of that class would have gained by Treant Form: The forest shepherd gains
increasing in level. Thus, for example, a 5th- absolute mastery over his ability to change his
level druid/5th-level forest shepherd casts form. At 10th level, he may take the form of a
spells as a 10th-level druid. treant. The forest shepherd may choose to
remain in this form for as long as he wishes.
156
UTHUK Y’ LLAN
UTHUK Y’ LLAN
The Uthuk Y’llan (literally translated as “chil- exploring the mysteries of their dark goddess.
dren of Y’llan”) were once human. According They have no time for subtle intrigue or long-
to tradition, the then-human barbarians turned term political scheming. They live life to the
to the dark goddess Y’llan to save them from a fullest, from one moment to the next.
terrible drought that was killing off the neigh-
boring tribes. In exchange for their worship, Physical Description: The uthuk resemble
Y’llan blessed her children with new, more swarthy-skinned humans but are on the average
powerful bodies that could thrive under these taller, heavier, and more muscular than their
extreme conditions. human counterparts—the uthuk average
between six and seven feet tall and weigh
Today, the barbaric Uthuk Y’llan are renowned between 200 and 300 pounds. Males are heav-
for their cunning, violence, and cruelty. But ier and wider than females and have no facial
they are not mindless savages. The uthuk have hair. Both males and females tend to wear their
a surprisingly complex culture that produces black hair long, sometimes tying it in topknots
not only bloodthirsty warriors but also wise or braids. Tattoos and ritual scars are popular
leaders and passionate artists. among the uthuk, both as decoration and as
badges of strength. (It takes a strong person to
Personality: The uthuk value strength above endure the pain of primitive tattooing.)
all else. They believe weakness must be eradi-
cated, not only in themselves but also in others. At a glance, most uthuk can pass for human,
Therefore, the uthuk tend to be aggressive, but upon closer inspection, there are two
arrogant, and quick of temper. Mercy, patience, aspects that set them apart. The first is their
and humility can be interpreted as signs of eyes. Uthuk eyes have no discernable pupils
weakness and are to be avoided. Cowardice is and vary in color (from white to yellow to red)
worse than death. depending on their mood. When enraged, an
uthuk’s eyes actually glow. The second distinc-
An uthuk’s reckless bravery in combat carries tion is a common deformity amongst the
over into the rest of his life. The uthuk throw uthuk: large bone spurs. These spurs often
themselves into their tasks with wild abandon, resemble horns growing from the skull,
whether they are hunting, eating, dancing, or spikes growing from the spine, or claws
157
growing from the hands or forearms.
Despite their appearance, the bone
spurs are not naturally occurring but are
a side effect of a common uthuk prac-
tice (see page 160).
UTHUK Y’ LLAN
UTHUK Y’ LLAN
elders use the runic version to record the clan’s
Religion: The uthuk are fanatical in their wor- achievements on long scrolls of cured animal
ship of Y’llan, known as the Mother with a skin. Most uthuk have no need for writing and
Thousand Faces. Y’llan is a goddess of con- maintain their family records through oral tra-
trasts. She is the destroyer who brings life and dition and epic poems.
the killer who nurtures her young. A goddess of
both fertility and death, she is a demanding Most uthuk can also speak Common. It makes
mother, rewarding those who follow her wish- it easier to communicate orders to their slaves.
es (to strengthen the uthuk race) and punishing
those who don’t. Y’llan encompasses the entire Names: The clan leader names uthuk children
uthuk experience. when they’re born. These names are indicative
of the leader’s hopes for the future. This results
The uthuk have composed hundreds of odes to in names like F’tan (bringer of rain), Gorath
their dark mother that are passed down through (slayer of enemies), and Asya (protector of the
oral tradition. A recurring theme in these songs people). Of course, if the child’s parents are in
is the “thousand faces” of Y’llan. Each face of the leader’s disfavor, the child may end up
Y’llan represents a different aspect of her named Orthos (bringer of shame), Zok (weak-
being. For example, Q’aro Fenn is known as minded), or Tash (easily killed).
the Subjugator. She is a manifestation of Y’llan
forcing her dark will upon her enemies. Uthuk have two other names: the name of their
Likewise, the aspect Dhall is the Benefactor clan and a name reflecting their first great
and represents Y’llan’s generosity to her chil- accomplishment. These names translate to
dren. phrases such as “deathblade,” “slavelord,” and
“bonesplicer.” While anyone may claim these
Each clan worships one of the thousand faces names, those who do so without having actual-
of Y’llan, often taking its name as their own. ly accomplished the tasks in question are dis-
The uthuk clan known for their penchant for honored, mocked, and given the name T’roto
slavery call themselves the Q’aro Fenn, while (weak one).
the Dhall Uthuk raiders are known for sharing
their plunder with other clans. Because each Adventurers: Uthuk who leave their clan to
clan follows its own face of Y’llan, each has its seek out adventure usually fall into one of three
own interpretation of the goddess’ desires and broad categories: seekers, wanderers, or rebels.
how best to fulfill them. Conflict over religion
is uncommon but not unheard of. Seekers are those who have been sent by their
clan into the world on some sort of quest:
The clan leader’s power is absolute. None may recover a stolen artifact, destroy an enemy of
defy his commands, for he speaks for Y’llan. If the clan, trade with a distant ally, etc. The quest
a clan member disagrees with the leader, he may take years, but when it is completed, the
may claim to truly speak for Y’llan and chal- seeker is to return to her clan, where she will
lenge the leader for his position. Uthuk clan receive honor and rewards.
leaders tend to be short-lived, and their time of
power shorter still. Wanderers are similar to seekers, but they are
neither sent by their clan nor expected to
Clan leadership is determined partially by pop- return. Instead, they decide on their own to
ular consensus and partially through bizarre leave the clan and make a life for themselves in
contests of will. These contests are often trials the wider world. They leave with their honor
by combat or tests of pain endurance but just as intact (some of the greatest uthuk heroes have
often involve composing odes or carrying out been wanderers) and are welcome to return to
rituals of devotion to Y’llan. the clan at any time. Wanderers often set out
on specific self-imposed quests similar to
those of the seekers but just as often
159
• +2 racial bonus on all Intimidation checks.
With their glowing eyes, primitive tattoos,
and bone spurs, uthuk are terrifying to their
enemies.
UTHUK Y’ LLAN
Uthuk Racial Traits The rage sets in 1d6 minutes after ingestion and
lasts one hour. If the character chews another
• +2 Constitution, +2 Strength, –2 dose before the hour is up, his barbarian rage
Intelligence: Uthuk are raised to be hardy ability continues uninterrupted. He must also
survivors and brutal warriors not scholars or make a Fortitude save (DC 20) to avoid the side
military geniuses. It’s not that they are stupid, effects listed below. The DC for the Fortitude
but that they don’t often have the patience for save increases by 5 for each dose of root the
thinking things through. character has chewed in the last day.
• Medium-size: As Medium-size creatures, If the character fails the Fortitude save, he
uthuk have no special bonuses or penalties begins to grow 1d6 bone spurs. Roll 1d6 to find
due to their size. where they grow (1-2: head, 3-4: spine, 5: right
arm, 6: left arm). Each spur grows half an inch.
• Uthuk base speed is 30 feet. If a spur grows in a location where there is
already a spur, the previous spur simply
160
extends half an inch and a new spur does not his way to serve the dark Mother. The few who
appear. Note that spur growth is not instanta- devote themselves to understanding the mys-
neous but happens over the course of one day teries of Y’llan are rewarded by their Mother
after the saving throw is failed. with arcane power. These are the Qi’nok (liter-
ally, “voice of the mother”). It is said that they
UTHUK Y’ LLAN
For each inch of bone spur visible, the uthuk speak with the tongue of Y’llan, causing the
receives a +1 racial bonus on any Charisma- world itself to listen and obey.
based skill checks when dealing with other
uthuk and a +1 enhancement bonus to damage Qi’nok usually begin as sorcerers who are
in unarmed combat (maximum +3 bonus). devout in their worship of Y’llan. Instead of
However, for each inch of bone spur visible, pursuing the mysteries of magic, they strive to
the uthuk receives a –1 penalty on all understand the thousand faces of the dark
Charisma-based skill checks (except mother. According to tradition, if a qi’nok can
Intimidation) when dealing with non-uthuk. comprehend all thousand faces, he will ascend
The spurs are also painful: Uthuk characters and become part of Y’llan.
must add +1 per inch of bone spur to the DC of
any Concentration check. Furthermore, when a Hit Die: d10.
spur grows to more than one inch on one por-
tion of the body, the uthuk may no longer wear Requirements
armor over that body part (unless he cuts a hole
in the armor or otherwise makes allowances for To qualify to become a qi’nok, a character must
the spur). fulfill all the following criteria.
before he became a qi’nok, he must decide to then once more per day for every three levels
which class he adds each level of qi’nok for she acquires. The qi’nok’s caster level is equal
purposes of determining spells per day when he to his character level.
adds the new level.
Scorch: This spell-like ability causes the
Dispel Magic: A qi’nok can cast dispel magic qi’nok and one target he is touching to burst
once per day at 1st level, then once more per into flame. The flame does 1d6 points of dam-
day for every three levels he acquires. The age per class level of the qi’nok. The damage is
qi’nok’s caster level is equal to his character applied to both the qi’nok and the target. The
level. flame vanishes if the contact between the
qi’nok and the target is broken. At 7th level, a
Sympathetic Sacrifice: This spell-like ability qi’nok can use scorch once per day. The target
allows a qi’nok to injure himself and, through cannot save against this ability.
sympathetic magic, inflict the injury on anoth-
er character as well. Using this ability is a stan- Earthspears: Using this spell-like ability, a
dard action, and it must be targeted on an qi’nok causes sharp spears of stone to shoot up
enemy at close range. With the target in sight, out of the earth, impaling those above them.
the qi’nok inflicts an injury on himself (cutting This ability can only be used on a patch of soil
with a dagger, stabbing with a sword, bashing (it doesn’t work inside buildings with floors or
with a rock, etc.), taking all damage normally. on stone-paved streets) within short range of
The same damage is immediately applied to the the qi’nok. The ability generates 2 spears for
target, ignoring any armor and wounding the each of the qi’nok’s class levels. They appear
same location the qi’nok wounded. For exam- one foot apart from each other in a circle cen-
ple, if a qi’nok stabs himself in the left hand tered on the target of the ability. Each spear is
with a blade for 3 points of damage, his target’s six feet tall and does 1d6 points of damage.
left hand will begin to bleed and he will take 3 Characters caught in the area when the spears
points of damage. The target may make a Will erupt may make a Reflex save (DC 15 + the
save (DC 15 + the qi’nok’s character level) to qi’nok’s character level) for half damage.
negate the effects of the ability. The qi’nok still
takes the self-inflicted damage.
The energies of the outer planes continually genocide, but their creator left them a gift—he
seep into the Material Plane. Whether by cler- ability to cloak themselves in illusion, to walk
ics channeling the powers of their gods or among men without raising suspicion. With
arcane casters shaping the primal disorder of this gift, they are able to infest castles and
the energy planes, there is a small but constant cities, working to destroy from within.
flow of alien force into the mortal realms.
Occasionally, these forces accidentally create a Personality: Vermen are usually treacherous,
new race. And sometimes, it happens by sadistic, cruel, greedy, and vile. Even the best
design. of them are difficult companions. They are not
exceptionally violent or warlike but only
A few centuries ago, a demon prince of consid- because they prefer to see someone else being
erable power was actively involved in a series hurt. They live by deceit, spending most of
of complex plots impacting the mortal world. their adult lives cloaked in the semblance of
He found himself continually opposed by ani- another being. They were made to advance evil
men (see page 17)—why they seemed to focus and destroy order, and most take to their her-
on him, he never learned. The fact is, they had itage with blood-red joy and venomous enthu-
no idea he was behind the evil they were fac- siasm. Of course, there are exceptions, but they
ing; they were just trying to protect their home- are so few and far between that they’re little
land. The demon prince was angered and more than legends.
decided to do something about it. He took a
cabal of his most loyal cultists and exposed Physical Description: In their natural form,
them to energies from his home plane, altering vermen are humans with the heads of arthro-
them at a fundamental level and creating the pods or worms. From spider to scorpion to
race of vermen. Shortly thereafter, he was dis- slug, each possesses a visage fit to drive most
tracted by events closer to home and forgot men mad. This head is scaled to the rest of their
about his creations entirely. Such are the ways bodies. The species whose head a verman bears
of demons. Nonetheless, the race he created is called his aspect: Thus, a verman might have
lives on. an ant aspect, a scorpion aspect, or a slug
aspect. There is no general pattern or rela-
A race of twisted, evil, insect-headed tionship between a verman’s aspect and
humanoids would seem a ripe target for wars of his personality—an ant-aspected verman
163
is not necessarily a hard
worker, nor is a slug-aspect-
ed verman any slower mov-
ing than any other. However,
most vermen have at least
VERMEN
VERMEN
they must fend for themselves. funhouse distortions of the animen, and both
races have an instinctual and furious hatred for
Even after that time, there is no recognition of each other. Gnomes and dwarves have occa-
family bonds among vermen. A verman is sionally come upon the verman hives that exist
never concerned with whether or not another is under some cities, but they have no concept
his parent, sibling, or child. After the second that the race lives primarily on the surface—as
birth, the newly aware verman almost always far as they’re concerned, vermen are just anoth-
abandons his foster family as well, leaving er annoying infestation of the subterranean
them to believe the son or daughter simply ran world.
off one night and vanished.
Alignment: Vermen are usually chaotic evil.
The average verman lifespan is 70 to 90 years, The energies of the Abyss ebb and flow in their
but very few ever die of old age. There are also blood, and it taints their every action. Perhaps
the rare Eternal Crawlers—perhaps one ver- once in a generation a verman will turn away
man in a hundred has a lifespan approaching a from his heritage.
millennium. Such individuals are often at the
root of ten thousand plots and conspiracies, Verman Lands: Generally, vermen have no
some stretched out over centuries. lands of their own. They live and grow within
the largest cities, changelings planted within
Vermen survive among men and other races unsuspecting human families. When they
due to the Veil, an innate spell-like power that undergo the second birthing, they know how to
enables them to cloak their features in a seem- seek out their fellows and learn the secret of
ing of humanity. their own existence.
There are two drawbacks to the Veil. First, the In very old and very large cities, there may
verman must drop it for at least four hours a exist an undercity of vermen, perhaps equaling
day, though this does not need to be a continu- 1/500 of the total population. Under the streets,
ous stretch of time. This is rarely done when under even the sewers and crypts, they have,
sleeping, unless the verman feels exceptionally over the centuries, built a hive, a warren of tun-
secure. Usually, it is done when the verman is nels and chambers. Here they practice dark
awake and alone, and does not expect to be dis- arts, train the newly reborn, and take prisoners
turbed. The Veil can be raised in one second, for a long and exceptionally unpleasant death.
but the verman must be conscious and not sur-
prised, flat-footed, or stunned in order to do it. Religion: The vermen are the deliberate spawn
of a demon lord, created in a fit of fury when
Second, vermen cannot truly eat when wearing his plans were destroyed by a small group of
the Veil. They can seem to eat, and will in fact animan adventurers. After warping a group of
consume food, but they do not derive nourish- cultists with abyssal energies and creating the
ment from it. To truly eat as his nature verman race, he found his attention drawn else-
demands, a verman must drop the Veil and con- where and no longer pays his offspring much
sume living prey—rats, fish, worms, anything, heed. Thus abandoned by their creator, the ver-
so long as it is an animal and is alive when it is men turn to other demonic entities, human gods
consumed. Fortunately, only about half a of evil, and anyone else willing to have them as
pound of such food each day is needed to sur- worshippers.
vive. Even vermen of the most saintly
demeanor must feed in this fashion. Language: Vermen speak their own language
and Abyssal. They can also speak Chitinian, the
Relations: The fact that vermen exist as a race, “common tongue” of insects and arthropods.
and not as isolated aberrations, is a closely
guarded secret. Therefore, the race as a whole
doesn’t really have relations with other peo- Names: Vermen use the names they were
165
may be more open with comrades after a short-
er period of time than is considered typical—or
wise. Vermen in general consider the Unveiled
to be a threat to the species and will kill anyone
who openly proclaims loyalty to their ways.
VERMEN
VERMEN
do not resemble the features the verman shed
upon discovering his true nature. Attempting Survivor: The verman is exceptionally resis-
to see through the Veil requires a Will save tant to physical assault and gains a +2 racial
(DC 35), and there must be some reason to bonus to Fortitude saves (cockroach).
suspect the verman of not being what he
seems. Races that can innately penetrate illu- Poison: The verman produces a vile toxin.
sions, or anyone using true sight or similar Once per day, the character can spit this
spells, will not be fooled by the veil. A dispel venom up to 10 feet. The poison has a DC to
magic will destroy the Veil but only for 2d4 resist equal to 10 + ½ the verman’s hit dice +
rounds. The Veil is a pattern illusion (PHB the verman’s Constitution modifier. It causes
158). 1d4/1d4 Con damage. For every four of the
verman’s character levels, add +1 to the dam-
• Verminous Nature: Vermen are considered to age. For example, a 4th-level character’s poi-
be vermin as well as humanoids for purposes son would cause 1d4+1/1d4+1 Con damage,
of magical effects. They are immune to and an 8th-level character’s poison would
mind-influencing effects, including charms, cause 1d4+2/1d4+2 Con damage (scorpion,
compulsions, phantasms, patterns, and spider).
morale effects.
Extreme Revulsion: The verman is even
• Restricted Diet: Vermen must eat at least a more disgusting than most of his race. The
half pound of live food per day in order to DC to resist the frightful presence ability is
survive. They cannot derive nutrition from increased by 5.
dead food or plants.
Web: Once per day, the verman can create a
• Improved Sneak Attack: Vermen are espe- web, as per the arcane spell, with the excep-
cially good at hitting someone when he isn’t tions that the range is Close (25 ft+2 ft./level)
looking. Any verman with the sneak attack and the radius is only 5 feet. The web is treat-
ability receives a +1 bonus to damage for ed as if it were cast by a wizard of the ver-
every five character levels. man’s Hit Dice or character levels, up to a
maximum of 8th level (spider).
• Abyssal Mien: There is obviously something
“wrong” with vermen. This unnatural aura Wallcrawler: The verman can scurry along
gives them a –2 racial penalty to Handle walls with ease. He can climb at 1/2 his base
Animal, Ride, and Animal Empathy checks. speed and receives a +8 racial bonus on
Climb checks (fly, cockroach).
• Verminous Traits: Every verman retains
some part of his ancestry, which is expressed Hard to Kill: The verman simply doesn’t
in a variety of ways. At 1st level, a verman know how to die. He has a 15% chance each
may pick one of the following special abili- round to stabilize each round and does not
ties. Aspects that are especially likely to have die until his hit points drop to –15.
the ability are noted as well.
• Favored Class: Rogue. A multiclass verman’s
Mandibles: The verman has fangs, rogue class does not count when determining
mandibles, or pincers. These natural weapons whether he suffers an XP penalty for multi-
cause 1d4 points of normal damage as an classing. Vermen depend on stealth and
unarmed attack (ant, spider). deception to conceal their true identities.
limited magic of their own but do not advance Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The cor-
in any prior spellcasting class, so corrupters rupter is proficient with all simple weapons and
tend to begin their careers as rogues or fighters. with light armor.
Corrupters gain their powers through service to Spells: The corrupter gains access to a limited
an evil outsider. Corrupters who cast divine number of spells, all of which revolve around
spells should make sure their actions as cor- his purpose and passions—destruction, confu-
rupters are likely to advance the cause of their sion, and decay. The corrupter must have a
deities. Wisdom score of at least 10 + the spell’s level
to cast it and gains bonus spells for a high
Hit Die: d6. Wisdom. The corrupter must prepare spells as a
cleric.
Requirements
Plaguetouch: The corrupter can cast contagion
To qualify to become a corrupter, a character as a spell-like ability once per day, increasing
must fulfill all the following criteria. to twice per day at 5th level and three times per
day at 10th level. The corrupter’s caster level is
Race: Verman. equal to his character levels.
Alignment: Neutral evil or chaotic evil.
Base Attack Bonus: +4. Cloak of Lies: The corrupter can alter his aura
Bluff: 4 ranks. to appear as any alignment he wishes for the
Sense Motive: 5 ranks. purposes of any spells or abilities that detect
Gather Information: 6 ranks. alignment.
Intimidate: 6 ranks.
Forgery: 6 ranks. Schadenfreude: The corrupter lives to corrupt.
Special: The verman must contract, and sur- If he succeeds in destroying a person’s life
vive, a potentially lethal disease or take at least without directly harming the victim, the char-
half of an ability score in damage from poison. acter gains XP as if he had defeated the victim
For example, if the character has Dexterity 14, in combat.
he must have been reduced to Dexterity 7 from
poison. Unholy Health: The corrupter gains a +6
toughness bonus on Fortitude saves against
The verman must also have betrayed a trust in poison or disease.
such a way that the person who was betrayed
was killed due to the betrayal but not by the Alter Veil: While most vermen have only a sin-
hand of the betrayer. Furthermore, this act must gle seeming, a corrupter can change the appear-
have been committed solely to become a cor- ance of his Veil once per day. Simply changing
rupter. to another set of human features can be done at
will; changing to mimic a specific person
Class Skills requires a Disguise check. The result of this
The corrupter’s class skills (and the key ability check is the DC of any Spot checks made to
for each skill) are Alchemy (Int), Appraise notice the disguise.
(Int), Bluff (Cha), Concentration (Con), Craft
(Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Disguise (Cha), Venomous Touch: The corrupter exudes poi-
Escape Artist (Dex), Forgery (Int), Gather son from his skin. This enables him to gather
Information (Cha), Hide (Dex), Innuendo one dose of nerve toxin (1d8/1d4 Dex, DC 15
(Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Listen (Wis), + corrupter’s level + corrupter’s Con modifier)
Profession (Wis), Read Lips (Dex), Search per day. This toxin can be placed on weapons.
(Int), and Sense Motive (Wis). Alternatively, once per day, the corrupter can
Skill Points at Each Level: 6 + Int modifier. cause any food or drink to be tainted with the
same venom merely by touching it briefly. A
168 single serving of food can be affected in this
manner.
Corrupter Spell List
Corrosive Skin: At 7th level, the corrupter can Corrupters choose their spells from the follow-
cause his flesh to become acidic and corrosive. ing list:
Any non-magical weapon that damages the 1st—cause fear, change self, charm person,
VERMEN
corrupter takes 3d6 points of damage. Anyone doom, grease, misaligned aura*, ventrilo-
touching the corrupter’s bare skin takes 1d4 quism.
points of damage. This ability can be used once 2nd—blindness/deafness, darkness, desecrate,
a day and lasts a number of rounds equal to misdirection, rewrite*, shatter, suggestion,
1d4+the corrupter’s Con modifier. warp wood.
3rd—bestow curse, confusion, deeper dark-
Touch of Centuries: At 9th level, the corrupter ness, fatal error*, fear, giant vermin, invisibil-
gains a limited control over the most corrosive ity.
and destructive force known—time itself. 4th—charm monster, hallucinatory terrain,
While he cannot directly affect living things, he poison, rusting grasp, unholy blight.
can cause unliving things (including con-
structs) to suffer rapid aging. This is not easy Spells marked with an asterisk are new spells,
for him to do, however. For each point of tem- detailed below.
porary Con damage he takes, the corrupter
causes any object to permanently lose 1d4
Hardness and take 2d6 points of damage.
Misaligned Aura
Against constructs, he can do 4d6 points of Illusion
damage with a successful touch attack. The Level: Corrupter 1
corrupter can only expend one point of Components: V, S
Constitution per round. This ability manifests Casting Time: 1 action
as a rippling in the air at the point of contact, Range: Close (25 feet + 5 ft./2 levels)
then a rapidly spreading rust, rot, or decay (as Target: One person
appropriate to the material being aged). Duration: 1 hour per caster level
Saving Throw: Will negates
Twist the Soul: Using this most-feared ability, Spell Resistance: Yes
a corrupter selects a specific individual to
“twist.” The process is slow but can be very Misaligned aura allows the caster to cause the
effective. To use the ability, the corrupter must target’s alignment to appear as other than it
spend at least one hour a day and at least four truly is. Thus, to casters of the appropriate
days a week with the victim, engaging in con- spells, the corrupter can make a paladin appear
versation, working or traveling together, and chaotic evil. Most often, though, this spell is
otherwise peacefully interacting. At the end of used on a randomly chosen bystander when the
the first week of such close contact, if the cor- corrupter wishes to deflect suspicion.
rupter expends 100 XP per level of the victim, Combined with cloak of lies, this spell guaran-
the target must make a Will save (DC 10 + cor- tees that attempts to locate the caster by means
rupter’s level + corrupter’s Charisma modifi- of alignment will fail.
er). If he fails, the victim’s alignment shifts one
step towards that of the corrupter (lawful to
neutral to chaotic, good to neutral to evil). The
Rewrite
corrupter can repeat this ability until the vic- Transformation
tim’s alignment matches his own. If the victim Level: Corrupter 2
makes the Will save by less than 10, he is Components: V, S, M
unaware of the intention of the corrupter. If the Casting Time: 1 action + time to dictate con-
victim succeeds by 10 or more, he is suddenly tents (about 2 minutes per page)
aware of exactly what the corrupter is trying to Range: Touch
do and may act accordingly. Target: 1 page of written text per level
Duration: 1 day per level
Infernal Taint: By 10th level, the corrupter Saving Throw: None (see text)
has truly become an entity of evil. He gains the Spell Resistance: No
fiendish template (MM 211) and uses his class This spell has been used to bring down
level to determine any level-based benefits. kingdoms and destroy cities. In the hands
169
The Verman Corrupter
Base
Class Attack Fort Ref Will
VERMEN
Fatal Error
Enchantment (Compulsion)
170
OPEN GAME LICENSE Version 1.0a 6. Notice of License Copyright: You must update the COPY-
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5. Representation of Authority to Contribute: If You are con- Mythic Races Copyright 2001, Fantasy Flight, Inc.
tributing original material as Open Game Content, You represent
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Mythic Races
Mythic Races is the essential d20 System resource for new character
races and prestige classes. This beautifully illustrated sourcebook
presents more than two dozen fully detailed and original races.
Entries include information on physical description, personality, reli-
gion, relations with other races, unique racial traits, a racial prestige
class, and much more.
FANTASY
FLIGHT
GAMES
www.fantasyflightgames.com