Avyctes
2010-09-02, 01:57 PM
I was messing around with the idea of a human-based race that possessed devilish blood. Originally, I was attempting to combine the fiendish template from MMI with the standard human statistics in Player's Handbook, but got caught up with the idea of having this mixing-of-blood be due to an infernal pact rather than simple breeding.
Nk'rulsh
A race of humans infused with devilish essence, Nk'rulsh are commonly known as being powerful spellcasters and exceedingly persuasive talkers.
History:
In ages past, a mortal noble named Imadrigal Correalis discovered a gromoire now known as the Tome of Correalis. Past down to him by his father after the late Sir Correalis was struck down by a mysterious disease, the Tome contains spells, incantations, and instructions on how to summon, bind, and make pacts with Devils as well as how to utilize investitures. [DC 20 Knowledge (History) or DC 25 Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty)]
Imadrigal used the spells contained within the Tome to bring himself great wealth and power, eventually forming a cult of diabolists that, through a pact with a particularly powerful devil, became the first Nk'rulsh. [DC 25 Knowledge (History) or DC 30 Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty)]
The devil to whom Imadrigal had contacted is Ronove, an ancient and powerful Falxugon (20 HD Harvester Devil with the effective spellcasting ability of a 25th level Sorcerer) who originally wrote the Tome of Correalis, drew up the bloodline pact that created the Nk'rulsh, and was the devil-patron of Imadrigal's cult. [DC 35 Knowledge (History) or DC 40 Knowledge (the Planes)]
Religion:
Evil Nk'rulsh commonly worship Ronove, a powerful devil-deity that has a special interest in the Nk'rulsh race.
Ronove (LE)
Lesser Deity
Devil-deity of pacts, dark magic, investitures, and devils. Patron of blackguards (DMG), evil binders/sorcerers, and the Nk'rulsh.
Domains: Diabolic (FFII), Magic (PH), and Pact (SC).
Favored Weapon: Barbed Dagger (CA).
Nk'rulsh Traits:
- +2 Charisma.
-Medium size
-Humanoid (human)
-Black Tongue: +2 profane bonus on all Bluff, Diplomacy, and Intimidate checks.
-Pact-Blooded: Character counts as possessing the Baatezu subtype and may cast spells/activate items that require the Nk'rulsh to be a fiend/Devil. Also, when determining which feats a Nk'rulsh character qualifies for, the Nk'rulsh may count as possessing a Lawful Evil alignment without actually being such.
Lastly, Pact-Blooded lowers the caster level of any spell or effect possessing the [good] descriptor a Nk'rulsh casts/utilizes in any form (including good magic items) by 1 (to a minimum of 0) and increases the caster level of any spell or effect possessing the [evil] descriptor by the same.
-Bonus Feat: All Nk'rulsh's gain Devil's Favor as a bonus feat, whether they meet its prerequisite or not. In addition, the Nk'rulsh gains an additional Devil-touched feat (FCII) to which he meets the prerequisites.
-Silver Vulnerability: Silver weapons deal 50% more damage to a Nk'rulsh character. A Nk'rulsh that comes into contact with Silver in any way must make a DC 16 Fortitude save or become nauseated for 1 round.
-Devil Vulnerability: All Nk'rulsh take a -2 on saves against the spells and effects (including supernatural abilities) of Evil Outsiders.
However, no matter what the circumstance, a Nk'rulsh does not take the increased penalty versus spells and effects that originate from a creature possessing Nk'rulsh blood (ex: a Nk'rulsh under attack by a Half-fiend Nk'rulsh casting a corrupted fireball would not take a -2 penalty on his save).
-Automatic Languages: Infernal and Common; Bonus Languages: any.
-Alignment: Any; usually lawful evil.
-Favored Class: Sorcerer and Binder (ToM).
-Level Adjustment: +0
Devil-touched/Racial Feats:
Devil's Magic [Devil-touched]
Pre: Caster Level 3+, Devil's Favor.
Benefit: When casting a spell, a character with this feat may choose to cast that spell as a supernatural ability rather than as a spell. This may be utilized a number of times per day equal to the number of devil-touched feats the character possesses.
In addition, the character gains a +1 profane bonus on all caster level checks to penetrate spell resistance.
Devil's Might [Devil-touched]
Pre: Str 15+, Devil's Favor feat.
Benefit: A number of times per day equal to the number of devil-touched feats he possesses, the character can draw upon infernal strength, gaining a +4 profane bonus to his strength score. These bonuses last for 2 rounds, plus an additional round for every devil-touched feat the character possesses.
In addition, the character gains a permanent +1 profane bonus on all strength-based skill and ability checks.
Devil's Resilience [Devil-touched]
Pre: Con 16+, Devil's Favor feat.
Benefit: The character gains Damage Reduction x/Silver. The Damage Reduction granted is equal to 2 times the number of devil-touched feats the character possesses.
Infernal Spell Power [Racial]
Pre: Caster level 1+, Cha 15+, Nk'rulsh.
Benefit: A Nk'rulsh with this feat may tap into the infernal power within his blood, allowing him to increase the power of his evil spells. Three times per day, this feat may be utilized to grant any spell the Nk'rulsh casts possessing the [evil] descriptor a +2 profane bonus to Spell DC. This bonus stacks with other bonuses that increase Spell DC (such as the Spell Focus feat).
Resist Silver Vulnerability [Racial]
Pre: Base Fort save +3, Con 15+, Great Fortitude feat, Nk'rulsh (or Silver Vulnerability).
Benefit: You take 25% more damage from silver weapons rather than 50% more. You are sickened, not nauseated, after failing the save for touching silver. This supersedes the original negatives described under the Silver Vulnerability special quality.
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Whatcha think? Mainly, is it balanced?
In addition, i was looking for some ideas on a backstory for this race involving a pact-based Devil that functions as a deity. I am thinking Magic, Pact, Tyrrany, and/or Diabolic domains. EDIT: Ronove has been added.
Thanks for the critque guys.
EDIT: gave them Black Tongue quality and improved Pact-blooded to grant a caster level bonus when casting evil spells.
EDIT (09-03-2010): Changed Enchantment Vulnerability quality to Devil Vulnerability.
EDIT (09-04-2010): Added History and Summary sections as well as the section on Ronove. In addition, Cold Iron Vulnerability has been changed to Silver Vulnerability and the homebrewed devil-touched/racial feats have been added.
Nk'rulsh
A race of humans infused with devilish essence, Nk'rulsh are commonly known as being powerful spellcasters and exceedingly persuasive talkers.
History:
In ages past, a mortal noble named Imadrigal Correalis discovered a gromoire now known as the Tome of Correalis. Past down to him by his father after the late Sir Correalis was struck down by a mysterious disease, the Tome contains spells, incantations, and instructions on how to summon, bind, and make pacts with Devils as well as how to utilize investitures. [DC 20 Knowledge (History) or DC 25 Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty)]
Imadrigal used the spells contained within the Tome to bring himself great wealth and power, eventually forming a cult of diabolists that, through a pact with a particularly powerful devil, became the first Nk'rulsh. [DC 25 Knowledge (History) or DC 30 Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty)]
The devil to whom Imadrigal had contacted is Ronove, an ancient and powerful Falxugon (20 HD Harvester Devil with the effective spellcasting ability of a 25th level Sorcerer) who originally wrote the Tome of Correalis, drew up the bloodline pact that created the Nk'rulsh, and was the devil-patron of Imadrigal's cult. [DC 35 Knowledge (History) or DC 40 Knowledge (the Planes)]
Religion:
Evil Nk'rulsh commonly worship Ronove, a powerful devil-deity that has a special interest in the Nk'rulsh race.
Ronove (LE)
Lesser Deity
Devil-deity of pacts, dark magic, investitures, and devils. Patron of blackguards (DMG), evil binders/sorcerers, and the Nk'rulsh.
Domains: Diabolic (FFII), Magic (PH), and Pact (SC).
Favored Weapon: Barbed Dagger (CA).
Nk'rulsh Traits:
- +2 Charisma.
-Medium size
-Humanoid (human)
-Black Tongue: +2 profane bonus on all Bluff, Diplomacy, and Intimidate checks.
-Pact-Blooded: Character counts as possessing the Baatezu subtype and may cast spells/activate items that require the Nk'rulsh to be a fiend/Devil. Also, when determining which feats a Nk'rulsh character qualifies for, the Nk'rulsh may count as possessing a Lawful Evil alignment without actually being such.
Lastly, Pact-Blooded lowers the caster level of any spell or effect possessing the [good] descriptor a Nk'rulsh casts/utilizes in any form (including good magic items) by 1 (to a minimum of 0) and increases the caster level of any spell or effect possessing the [evil] descriptor by the same.
-Bonus Feat: All Nk'rulsh's gain Devil's Favor as a bonus feat, whether they meet its prerequisite or not. In addition, the Nk'rulsh gains an additional Devil-touched feat (FCII) to which he meets the prerequisites.
-Silver Vulnerability: Silver weapons deal 50% more damage to a Nk'rulsh character. A Nk'rulsh that comes into contact with Silver in any way must make a DC 16 Fortitude save or become nauseated for 1 round.
-Devil Vulnerability: All Nk'rulsh take a -2 on saves against the spells and effects (including supernatural abilities) of Evil Outsiders.
However, no matter what the circumstance, a Nk'rulsh does not take the increased penalty versus spells and effects that originate from a creature possessing Nk'rulsh blood (ex: a Nk'rulsh under attack by a Half-fiend Nk'rulsh casting a corrupted fireball would not take a -2 penalty on his save).
-Automatic Languages: Infernal and Common; Bonus Languages: any.
-Alignment: Any; usually lawful evil.
-Favored Class: Sorcerer and Binder (ToM).
-Level Adjustment: +0
Devil-touched/Racial Feats:
Devil's Magic [Devil-touched]
Pre: Caster Level 3+, Devil's Favor.
Benefit: When casting a spell, a character with this feat may choose to cast that spell as a supernatural ability rather than as a spell. This may be utilized a number of times per day equal to the number of devil-touched feats the character possesses.
In addition, the character gains a +1 profane bonus on all caster level checks to penetrate spell resistance.
Devil's Might [Devil-touched]
Pre: Str 15+, Devil's Favor feat.
Benefit: A number of times per day equal to the number of devil-touched feats he possesses, the character can draw upon infernal strength, gaining a +4 profane bonus to his strength score. These bonuses last for 2 rounds, plus an additional round for every devil-touched feat the character possesses.
In addition, the character gains a permanent +1 profane bonus on all strength-based skill and ability checks.
Devil's Resilience [Devil-touched]
Pre: Con 16+, Devil's Favor feat.
Benefit: The character gains Damage Reduction x/Silver. The Damage Reduction granted is equal to 2 times the number of devil-touched feats the character possesses.
Infernal Spell Power [Racial]
Pre: Caster level 1+, Cha 15+, Nk'rulsh.
Benefit: A Nk'rulsh with this feat may tap into the infernal power within his blood, allowing him to increase the power of his evil spells. Three times per day, this feat may be utilized to grant any spell the Nk'rulsh casts possessing the [evil] descriptor a +2 profane bonus to Spell DC. This bonus stacks with other bonuses that increase Spell DC (such as the Spell Focus feat).
Resist Silver Vulnerability [Racial]
Pre: Base Fort save +3, Con 15+, Great Fortitude feat, Nk'rulsh (or Silver Vulnerability).
Benefit: You take 25% more damage from silver weapons rather than 50% more. You are sickened, not nauseated, after failing the save for touching silver. This supersedes the original negatives described under the Silver Vulnerability special quality.
-----------------------
Whatcha think? Mainly, is it balanced?
In addition, i was looking for some ideas on a backstory for this race involving a pact-based Devil that functions as a deity. I am thinking Magic, Pact, Tyrrany, and/or Diabolic domains. EDIT: Ronove has been added.
Thanks for the critque guys.
EDIT: gave them Black Tongue quality and improved Pact-blooded to grant a caster level bonus when casting evil spells.
EDIT (09-03-2010): Changed Enchantment Vulnerability quality to Devil Vulnerability.
EDIT (09-04-2010): Added History and Summary sections as well as the section on Ronove. In addition, Cold Iron Vulnerability has been changed to Silver Vulnerability and the homebrewed devil-touched/racial feats have been added.