Iron Chef Optimization Challenge in the Playground XLIX [Archive] - Page 2

Kuulvheysoon

2013-09-23, 07:59 PM

It's just the Captain.

Captain Tardis

Background
Background
Captain Tardis, set about carefully placing the snare trap knowing eventually the trap would capture his quarry.
After a days wait Captain Tardis returned to the carefully set trap to find a squeeling goblin begging to be released.
After tieing up the goblin and transporting it to a secluded ruins which had an altar made of thirty goblin skulls.
The Captain said that he would in fact release the goblin after dark, true to his word the Captain released the goblin
from life by removing its head from its body with a swift but accurate strike.

Build
Build
{table=head]Level|Class|BAB|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Class Specific Features

1st|Human - Pyroclastic Half-dragon|
-|
-|
-|
-|See Racial Abilities Spoiler

2nd|Human - Pyroclastic Half-dragon|
-|
-|
-|
-|See Racial Abilities Spoiler

3rd|Human - Pyroclastic Half-dragon|
-|
-|
-|
-|See Racial Abilities Spoiler

4th|Fangshields Ranger Champion of the Wild|
1|
2|
2|
0|1st favored enemy goblinoid, Track, wild empathy

5th|FRCW|
2|
3|
3|
0|Two-Weapon Fighting

6th|FRCW|
3|
3|
3|
1|Endurance

7th|FRCW|
4|
4|
4|
1|Blind-Fight feat, animal companion ex: effective druid level 1/2 ranger+2

8th|FRCW|
5|
4|
+4|
1|2nd favored enemy orc

9th|FRCW|
6/1|
5|
5|
2|Improved Two-Weapon Fighting

10th|FRCW|
7/2|
5|
5|
2|Woodland stride

11th|FRCW|
8/3|
6|
6|
2|Swift tracker, Weapon Finesse

12th|FRCW|
9/4|
6|
6|
3|Evasion

13th|FRCW|
10/5|
7|
7|
3|3rd favored enemy giant

14th|Tempest|
11/6/1|
9|
7|
3|Tempest defense +1

15th|Tempest|
12/7/2|
10|
7|
3|Ambidexterity

16th|Tempest|
13/8/3|
10|
8|
4|Tempest defense +2, two-weapon versatility

17th|Tempest|
14/9/4|
11|
8|
4|Ambidexterity

18th|Tempest|
15/10/5|
11|
8|
4|Tempest defense +3, two-weapon spring attack

19th|Thrall of Orcus|
16/11/6/1|
13|
8|
6|Carrion stench, Coordinated Strike

20th|Thrall of Orcus|
17/12/7/2|
14|
8|
7|Touch of fear
[/table]

Feats and Skills
Feats
HRBF: Soul of the North
1st: Power Attack
3rd: Dodge
rbf2: two weapon fighting
6th: evil brand
rbf4: Blind-Fight
MIBF: Mobility
9th: Spring Attack
rbf6: improved two weapon fighting
rbf8: Weapon Finesse
12th: Lichloved
15th: Greater Two-Weapon Fighting
18th: Thrall to Demon
TOBF: Coordinated Strike

Skills
race: 6 + 2 × 4=32
lvl1: 6+2x4+4=36
level 1: 32+36=68
6+2+1=9*9lvls=81
2+2+1=5*7lvls=35
{table=head]Level|Skill|Ranks

4th|Climb|
4

4th|Concentration|
4

4th|Handle Animal|
4

4th|Heal|
4

4th|Hide|
4

4th|Jump|
4

4th|Knowledge (dungeoneering)|
4

4th|Knowledge (geography)|
4

4th|Knowledge (nature)|
4

4th|Listen|
4

4th|Move Silently|
4

4th|Ride|
4

4th|Search|
4

4th|Spot|
4

4th|Survival|
4

4th|Swim|
4

4th|Use Rope|
4

5th|Craft armorsmith|
4

5th|Sense Motive|
2

5th|Craft bowmaking|
1

6th|Appraise|
2

6th|Balance|
2

6th|Craft bowmaking|
2

7th|Bluff|
2

7th|Craft bowmaking|
3

7th|Craft Fletching|
2

7th|Craft weaponsmith|
1

7th|Craft blacksmithing|
1

8th|Disable Device|
2

8th|Disguise|
2

8th|Craft weaponsmith|
2

9th|Escape Artist|
2

9th|Gather Information|
2

9th|Craft weaponsmith|
3

10th|Knowledge (arcana)|
2

10th|Knowledge (architecture)|
2

10th|Craft weaponsmith|
4

11th|Knowledge (history)|
2

11th|Knowledge (local)|
2

11th|Craft blacksmithing|
2

12th|Knowledge (nobility)|
2

12th|Knowledge (religion)|
2

12th|Craft blacksmithing|
3

13th|Knowledge (the planes)|
2

13th|Open Lock|
2

13th|Craft blacksmithing|
4

14th|Balance|
5

14th|Craft bowmaking|
4

14th|Craft Fletching|
4

14th|Sleight of Hand|
1

15th|Sleight of Hand|
4

15th|Tumble|
2

16th|Tumble|
4

16th|Handle Animal|
7

17th|Ride|
7

17th|Knowledge (arcana)|
3

18th|Knowledge (religion)|
3

18th|Tumble|
7

19th|listen|
5

19th|search|
5

19th|spot|
5

19th|survival|
5

19th|Knowledge (arcana)|
7

20th|heal|
5

20th|hide|
5

20th|Handle Animal|
8

20th|ride|
8

20th|Knowledge (religion)|
7

[/table]

Racial Abilities & Stats

Racial Abilities
Human
Medium
Alignment: Neutral Evil
speed is 30 feet
1 extra feat at 1st level
4 extra skill points at 1st level and 1 extra skill point at each additional level
Automatic Language: Common. Bonus Languages: Any (other than secret languages, such as Druidic)

Pyroclastic Half-dragon
type changes to dragon
Natural armor improves by +4.
medium bite attack 1d6
medium 2 claw attacks 1d4
gains two types of breath weapon, a cone of superheated ash accompanied by crushing waves of sonic force
(dealing half fire damage and half sonic damage) or a disintegrating line
darkvision 60ft
immunity to sleep and paralysis effects
immune to fire, sonic
Str +8, Con +2, Int +2, Cha +2
skill points equal to (6 + Int modifier) × (HD + 3).
Level Adjustment: +3

An innate talent for magic grants you the following spell-like abilities as a 1st-level caster
1/day < chill touch -Necromancy
1/day < ray of frost -Evocation [Cold]
1/day < resistance -Abjuration
Save DC 10 + spell level + your Cha modifier

gains a +2 circumstance bonus on Diplomacy and Intimidate checks made against evil creatures
gains a +1 circumstance bonus on saving throws against mind-affecting effects, poison, sleep, paralysis, stunning, and disease
Once per day, while performing an evil act, add a +1 luck bonus on any one roll

Carrion Stench (Ex): A thrall of Orcus, when desired, emits a terrible smell in a 10-foot radius. Living creatures in
the radius (excluding the thrall) must succeed at a Fortitude save (DC 10 + thrall’s class level + thrall’s Con modifier)
or take a –2 penalty on all attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saving throws, skill checks
ability checks for 1 round per class level of the thrall of Orcus
Furthermore, mindless undead creatures within the radius of the stench believe the thrall of Orcus to be undead.

Touch of Fear (Sp): Three times per day, a 2nd-level thrall of Orcus can produce an effect identical to that of the cause fear
spell cast by a 10th-level caster.

Stats
{table=head]Attribute|32 pnt buy Base|Racial|Level|Magic|Misc.|Total

STR|
10|
8|
0|
0|
0|
18

DEX|
16|
0|
1|
2|
0|
19

CON|
14|
2|
0|
0|
0|
16

INT|
14|
2|
0|
0|
0|
14

WIS|
14|
0|
2|
0|
0|
16

CHA|
10|
2|
2|
0|
0|
12

[/table]

Equipment

Equipment
{table=head]Equipment Name|Body Slot|Cost
Standard Adventurer’s Kit|N/a|15 gp
Elven Chain of Mobility +2 armor|body|8,150
Strongarm bracers|arms|6,000
Gloves of Dexterity +2|hands|4,000
Dagger|1d4 P&S|2
Morningstar|1d8 B&P|8
Longsword|1d8 S|15
Saddle, Exotic Military|n/a|60
Bit and bridle|n/a|2
[/table]

Animal Companion Abilities & Stats

Animal Companion Abilities
DIRE WOLF (Warbeast, Magebred Templates)
Large Animal
Hit Dice: 7d8+18
Initiative: +2
Speed: 60 ft.
Armor Class: 14 (–1 size, +2 Dex, +3 natural), touch 11, flat-footed 12
Base Attack/Grapple: +4/+15
Attack: Bite +11 melee (1d8+10)
Full Attack: Bite +11 melee (1d8+10)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Trip
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent, combative mount
Saves: Fort +8, Ref +7, Will +6
Abilities: Str 30, Dex 19, Con 22, Int 2, Wis 14, Cha 10
Skills: Hide +0, Listen +7, Move Silently +4, Spot +7, Survival +2*

Carry Capacity: Light:1596 Medium:3192 Heavy:4800 Drag:24000

Feats: Alertness, Run, Track, Weapon Focus (bite), Improved Natural Attack

Combative Mount (Ex): A rider on a trained warbeast mount gets a +2 circumstance bonus on all Ride checks.
A trained warbeast is proficient with light, medium, and heavy armor.

Trip (Ex): A dire wolf that hits with a bite attack can attempt to trip its opponent (+11 check modifier) as a free action without
making a touch attack or provoking an attack of opportunity. If the attempt fails, the opponent cannot react to trip the dire wolf

Excellent Learner: can learn 8 tricksall Handle animal DC checks reduced by 2
Tracking Breed: survival checks +4 to follow tracks

Skills: A dire wolf has a +2 racial bonus on Hide, Listen, Move Silently, and Spot checks.
Skills: A warbeast receives a +1 racial bonus on Listen and Spot checks.
*It also has a +4 racial bonus on Survival checks when tracking by scent.

1 bonus tricks, Link, share spells
2 bonus tricks, hd +2, natural armor +2, str/dex adj +1, Evasion
3 bonus tricks, hd +4, natural armor +4, str/dex adj +2, Devotion

base attack bonus is the same as that of a druid of a level equal to the animal’s HD
good Fortitude and Reflex saves (treat it as a character whose level equals the animal’s HD
gains additional skill points and feats for bonus HD as normal for advancing a monster’s Hit Dice (see the Monster Manual).

Level Breakdown

Level Breakdown
{table=head]Level|writeup what the character is about during these levels

1|
the character is setting up for two-weapon fighting from dire wolf back

5|
gaining abilities

10|
gaining abilities

15|
Two weapon fighting near best progression

20|
the build benifits from the Stench as well as the Touch of Fear
[/table]
Ambidexterity:
2nd attack penalties for fighting with two weapons are lessened by 1
4th attack penalties are lessened by another 1

Two-Weapon Fighting Penalties:
Off-hand weapon is light and Two-Weapon Fighting feat:
(–2 / –2)

Attack Penalties with Ambidexterity, Two-Weapon Fighting & Off-hand weapon is light
(0 / 0)- none - No penalties

Use of the Secret Ingredient

Only used 2 levels of the SI as the build does not truely gain much from the rest of the SI levels.

Sources

{table=head]Source Book|Page(s)

PHB|
46, 90-91, 116, 123

PHB2|
216

MIC|
13, 139

DMG|
216, 220

RotW|
149

MM|
65, 146

MM2|
219

ECS|
295

Drac|
182

Carc|
83

CCh|
50

CoV|
41

Cadv|
81

Bovd|
49-50, 71

[/table]

Kuulvheysoon

2013-09-23, 08:02 PM

A controversial opinion on Orcus

The Decaying Tears
CE Middle-Aged Gnome Cloistered Cleric of Tenebrous 1/Binder 8/Thrall of Orcus 10/Tenebrous Apostate 1

"Proof of concept," the Decaying Tears cried, on her knees. The ravages had taken their toll. She wept an inky blackness down her jaundiced, nigh-rotting face, foul odors of death pouring from her hideously bloated body. Both remorse and abandonment suffused the Decaying Tears's mind.

Shadows flitted about her, now permanently tied to the mortal's soul.

"I have forged this fragment of what was once your divinity to my body," her voice creaked.

She did not know if Orcus could hear her from the shrine she had built. But it was worth a try.

"Tenebrous, the Shadow That Was. Through supplication and study to my god--the god you once were--I have shown that magic can tie your divinity to a body." She flung her robe to the side and bowed until her face touched the ground. With her backless dress, her demonic brand on her back faced upwards, now surrounded by a scarifications of Tenebrous's unholy seal. They glowed faintly, not enough to see by, but with clear magic therein.

"I have become a master craftswoman, and I promise to forge the rest of your divinity back into your body, through whatever means and sacrifice you deem necessary."

Her speech to the altar over, she stood up and retrieved her robe. Still sobbing, the Decaying Tears left the dimly-lit room, and looked up to the sky. Perhaps Orcus would reward her by ending this suffering and finally becoming one of the dead. Perhaps. But to forge divinity back into Orcus's body would take a lot of permission and waiting. Perhaps until she died, to be sent to the Abyss.

She could wait for that. Her life was half over, anyway.

The Decaying Tears allows several potent contributions to an adventuring party: debuffing, crafting, being an encyclopedia, some intimidation, and even a bit of meatshielding and action economy abuse--without having to jump through hoops to make the fluff work.

This is done primarily through the use of the Astaroth vestige, along with Focalor or Tenebrous, depending on application.

{table=head]Point Buy|Racial and Age Modifiers|Lv1 Total|Level Up/Massive Girth|Lv20 total
8|-3|5|0|5
8|-1|7|-2|5
15|+1|16|+2|18
17|+1|18|+5|23
12|+1|13|0|13
14|+1|15|0|15[/table]

The Decaying Tears: Build Table{table=head]Level|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills|Feats|Class Features

1st|Cloistered Cleric of Tenebrous 1|
+0|
+2|
+0|
+2|Intimidate 2, Knowledge (Religion) 4, Knowledge (The Planes) 4, Knowledge (Arcana) 4, Knowledge (Nature) 4, Knowledge (Local) 2, Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 2, Knowledge (History) 4, Bluff 2, Spellcraft 4|Divine Vigor, Evil Devotion (bonus), Death Devotion (bonus), Knowledge Devotion (Nature) (bonus)|lore, rebuke undead

2nd|Binder 1|
+0|
+4|
+0|
+4|Intimidate 3, Knowledge (Religion) 5, Knowledge (The Planes) 5, Knowledge (Arcana) 5, Knowledge (Nature) 4, Knowledge (Local) 2, Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 2, Knowledge (History) 5, Bluff 2, Spellcraft 4||Soul binding (1 vestige)

3rd|Binder 2|
+1|
+5|
+0|
+5|Intimidate 6, Knowledge (Religion) 6, Knowledge (The Planes) 6, Knowledge (Arcana) 6, Knowledge (Nature) 4, Knowledge (Local) 2, Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 2, Knowledge (History) 5, Bluff 2, Spellcraft 4|Thrall To Demon|Pact augmentation (1 ability), suppress sign

4th|Binder 3|
+2|
+5|
+1|
+5|Intimidate 7, Knowledge (Religion) 7, Knowledge (The Planes) 7, Knowledge (Arcana) 7, Knowledge (Nature) 4, Knowledge (Local) 2, Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 2, Knowledge (History) 5, Bluff 2, Spellcraft 4, Collector of Stories||

5th|Binder 4|
+3|
+6|
+1|
+6|Intimidate 8, Knowledge (Religion) 8, Knowledge (The Planes) 8, Knowledge (Arcana) 8, Knowledge (Nature) 6, Knowledge (Local) 2, Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 2, Knowledge (History) 5, Bluff 2, Spellcraft 4, Collector of Stories|Improved binding (bonus)|

6th|Binder 5|
+3|
+6|
+1|
+6|Intimidate 9, Knowledge (Religion) 9, Knowledge (The Planes) 9, Knowledge (Arcana) 9, Knowledge (Nature) 8, Knowledge (Local) 2, Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 2, Knowledge (History) 5, Bluff 2, Spellcraft 4, Collector of Stories|Evil Brand|Pact augmentation (2 abilities)

7th|Binder 6|
+4|
+7|
+2|
+7|Intimidate 10, Knowledge (Religion) 10, Knowledge (The Planes) 10, Knowledge (Arcana) 10, Knowledge (Nature) 10, Knowledge (Local) 2, Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 2, Knowledge (History) 5, Bluff 2, Spellcraft 4, Collector of Stories||Soul guardian (immune to fear)

8th|Binder 7|
+5|
+7|
+2|
+7|Intimidate 11, Knowledge (Religion) 11, Knowledge (The Planes) 11, Knowledge (Arcana) 11, Knowledge (Nature) 11, Knowledge (Local) 3, Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 2, Knowledge (History) 5, Bluff 2, Spellcraft 4, Collector of Stories||New Class Abilities

9th|Binder 8|
+6|
+8|
+2|
+8|Intimidate 12, Knowledge (Religion) 12, Knowledge (The Planes) 12, Knowledge (Arcana) 12, Knowledge (Nature) 12, Knowledge (Local) 3, Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 3, Knowledge (History) 5, Bluff 2, Spellcraft 4, Collector of Stories|Lichloved|Soul binding (2 vestiges)

10th|Thrall of Orcus 1|
+7|
+10|
+2|
+10|Intimidate 13, Knowledge (Religion) 13, Knowledge (The Planes) 13, Knowledge (Arcana) 13, Knowledge (Nature) 13, Knowledge (Local) 6, Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 7, Knowledge (History) 5, Bluff 2, Spellcraft 4, Collector of Stories|Open Minded (bonus)|Carrion Stench

11th|Thrall of Orcus 2|
+8|
+11|
+2|
+11|Intimidate 14, Knowledge (Religion) 14, Knowledge (The Planes) 14, Knowledge (Arcana) 14, Knowledge (Nature) 14, Knowledge (Local) 7, Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 8, Knowledge (History) 5, Bluff 2, Spellcraft 4, Collector of Stories||Touch of Fear

12th|Thrall of Orcus 3|
+9|
+11|
+3|
+11|Intimidate 15, Knowledge (Religion) 15, Knowledge (The Planes) 15, Knowledge (Arcana) 15, Knowledge (Nature) 15, Knowledge (Local) 11, Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 11, Knowledge (History) 5, Bluff 2, Spellcraft 4, Collector of Stories|Open Minded|Demon Wings

13th|Thrall of Orcus 4|
+10|
+12|
+3|
+12|Intimidate 16, Knowledge (Religion) 16, Knowledge (The Planes) 16, Knowledge (Arcana) 16, Knowledge (Nature) 16, Knowledge (Local) 12, Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 12, Knowledge (History) 5, Bluff 2, Spellcraft 4, Collector of Stories|Willing Deformity (bonus)|Massive Girth

14th|Thrall of Orcus 5|
+11|
+12|
+3|
+12|Intimidate 17, Knowledge (Religion) 17, Knowledge (The Planes) 17, Knowledge (Arcana) 17, Knowledge (Nature) 17, Knowledge (Local) 13, Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 13, Knowledge (History) 5, Bluff 2, Spellcraft 4, Collector of Stories||Summon minor undead

15th|Thrall of Orcus 6|
+12|
+13|
+4|
+13|Intimidate 18, Knowledge (Religion) 18, Knowledge (The Planes) 18, Knowledge (Arcana) 18, Knowledge (Nature) 18, Knowledge (Local) 14, Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 14, Knowledge (History) 5, Bluff 2, Spellcraft 4, Collector of Stories|Assume Supernatural Ability (Tomb Mote's Quickness)|Pallor of death

16th|Thrall of Orcus 7|
+13|
+13|
+4|
+13|Intimidate 19, Knowledge (Religion) 19, Knowledge (The Planes) 19, Knowledge (Arcana) 19, Knowledge (Nature) 19, Knowledge (Local) 15, Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 16, Knowledge (History) 5, Bluff 2, Spellcraft 4, Collector of Stories|Forge Ring (bonus)|Demon Wings (at will)

17th|Thrall of Orcus 8|
+14|
+14|
+4|
+14|Intimidate 20, Knowledge (Religion) 20, Knowledge (The Planes) 20, Knowledge (Arcana) 20, Knowledge (Nature) 20, Knowledge (Local) 17, Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 17, Knowledge (History) 5, Bluff 2, Spellcraft 4, Collector of Stories||Death Touch

18th|Thrall of Orcus 9|
+15|
+14|
+5|
+14|Intimidate 21, Knowledge (Religion) 21, Knowledge (The Planes) 21, Knowledge (Arcana) 21, Knowledge (Nature) 21, Knowledge (Local) 18, Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 19, Knowledge (History) 5, Bluff 2, Spellcraft 4, Collector of Stories|Extraordinary Artisan|Summon major undead

19th|Thrall of Orcus 10|
+16|
+15|
+5|
+15|Intimidate 22, Knowledge (Religion) 22, Knowledge (The Planes) 22, Knowledge (Arcana) 22, Knowledge (Nature) 22, Knowledge (Local) 20, Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 20, Knowledge (History) 5, Bluff 2, Spellcraft 4, Collector of Stories|Legendary Artisan (bonus)|Summon nightwing

20th|Tenebrous Apostate 1|
+16|
+17|
+5|
+17|Intimidate 23, Knowledge (Religion) 23, Knowledge (The Planes) 23, Knowledge (Arcana) 23, Knowledge (Nature) 23, Knowledge (Local) 21, Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 20, Knowledge (History) 5, Bluff 3, Spellcraft 4, Collector of Stories||Eternal bondage, Tenebrous's rebuke[/table]

Though the Decaying Tears is capable of spellcasting, I feel that the spells are unimportant beyond very low levels; the spell table has been omitted.

Level 5
The Decaying Tears is basically just a normal binder with a Cloistered Cleric dip as a speed bump. I'm guessing that worshiping Tenebrous means that the heterodoxy variant is not mandatory--I doubt Tenebrous has any reservations about pact magic. Improved Binding comes a little late, but we can deal with it. At this level, 3rd level vestiges are open. Binding is complicated, and I won't go into why it's awesome, but I'll just say that it is and move on.

The beginnings of two of the build's abilities are here. By binding Focalor and using Knowledge Devotion, you can deal a bit more electricity damage than normal. Secondly, you have Lore and a bunch of Knowledge skills. An effective +7 to Lore checks (remember the Knowledge (History) synergy bonus; Lore works just like bardic knowledge) means that you can unearth a bunch of plot threads as a backup to your regular knowledges, which themselves are augmented by Collector of Stories.

Divine Vigor is a bit of an odd choice, but it may save your bacon in the early levels. You'll learn to love it later.

Level 10
The good stuff.

8 levels in binder means that you can bind two vestiges, and you usually want Astaroth and Focalor. This will give you a deathly, crying appearance--thus the Decaying Tears's name. Astaroth's sign fits well with the flavor of Thrall of Orcus, which you just entered.

Astaroth is good for crafting. Get the required spells from scrolls or something (ask Karsus for help in activating them) and you can make a bunch of neat stuff for the party. Don't forget that you have gnome SLAs as a starting point. Your EBL is 8, so Forge Ring is outside of your range, but most other feats are fair game. Since you’re eventually aiming to forge Tenebrous back into Orcus, go ahead and use the Dark Craft rules to get some practice with working with souls.

Also, Astaroth grants Angelic Lore. You now have a +8 version from Cloistered Cleric and a +15 version from Astaroth, alongside a pile of Knowledges. Learn everything.

With Focalor, you have debuffs! Debuffs everywhere! Astaroth's Sickening breath + Aura of Sadness + Carrion Stench (Thrall of Orcus) + Death Devotion (you don't have to do significant damage, just hit them) = mommy, why are my numbers so low?

Finally, Focalor allows you to keep blasting with 4d6+Knowledge Devotion damage all day every day with complete disregard for your terrible Strength and Dexterity.

Don't fall into the trap of thinking that those two are your only options, though. Tenebrous is good for tanking, if necessary. Pop off a Divine Vigor every 6 rounds, using Tenebrous's Rebuke Undead to fuel it, and you have a continually refreshing source of HP to be a meatshield with (and Evil Devotion for DR). Tenebrous also gives you better mileage on Evil Devotion and Death Devotion, by saving you a turn attempt.

You can also actually use a bunch of the stuff you craft when you bind Karsus, and for that thing that you Really Need To Learn, ask Dantalion for help.

Level 15
I've gushed enough about pact magic; it's time to talk about Thrall of Orcus.

Touch of Fear adds to your debuffing ability, and can also be made into a wand or something when you use it to supply the required spell.

Demon Wings is great because of one of the major weaknesses of Binders as a "caster": they can't fly very well. Geryon is their only option, and that's just for one round at a time, so this is a welcome ability. You cannot afford a vestige tax.

Binders require a good Con score for some of their abilities (see Naberius and Dahlver-Nahr), so Massive Girth helps, and makes Tenebrous/Divine Vigor tanking easier. You weren't using that Dexterity score, anyway.

You've also received proficiency with all types of shields. I recommend using a tower shield--you like getting up in people's grills to dubuff and tank, your Dexterity is terrible anyway, and Focalor's lightning strike does not care about attack rolls. Show up, hide behind the tower shield, and let enemies swat at you while hitting them with lightning over and over.

Pallor of Death is very potent when combined with Assume Supernatural Ability. Alter Self into a Tomb Mote and nab its Quickness ability for an extra standard action per turn (including the current one; there's basically no action cost). Two lightning strikes for the price of one, and you become harder to hit, too. Note that I am interpreting Pallor of Death to mean that you Alter Self into an undead creature, and it must be humanoid-shaped.

Intimidate optimization seems practically mandatory for this class. Instead of going through the standard Imperious Command/Never Outnumbered motions we saw a billion times in the Talon of Taimat round and that I'm still sick of, I've simply maximized the score and allowed that to stand on its own for single-target debuffing and party facing. (If you insist on the standards, those two iterations of Open Minded can go.) Remember that you can craft that Fearsome armor, if you want. At level 15, using Pallor of Death to become a medium undead, your check is 18 (ranks) + 2 (Cha) + 6 (deformities) + 4 (Astaroth!) = +30, sans Fearsome armor and such.

Level 19 (sweet spot)
Finishing up Thrall of Orcus. You now have permaflight--other Binders have to wait until level 27 to get that--and with your bonus feats, you take the ones that make Astaroth's crafting easier. We're breaking down and just taking Forge Ring in-house; we qualify with the caster level of our gnomish SLAs, which default to HD because there's no CL listed. With the proper scrolls and some crafting time, we can make undead-boosting desecration rings (http://www.wizards.com/dnd/article.asp?x=dnd/dx20021031x) for the undead we summon.

Death touch is a neat little kicker to use when you've debuffed someone's saves to nothing, but it's not that interesting. What you're really here for is the vampire/ghost and the nightwing. They're both pretty cool now that you can make a desecration ring. With class levels, the vampire or ghost can supply you with a whole bunch of kinds of spells for crafting, and the nightwing is a downright treasure trove of SLAs. You only get it once a week...it's a good thing that you can wait up to a week between crafting days, then. One day to craft, six of doing other stuff, and repeat. The nightwing's SLAs are great, and you can potentially have them available to you whenever you want.

Level 20
The only thing to add for this level is Eternal Bondage--the Decaying tears has finally suceeded in permanently binding a fragment of Tenebrous to a body. The rules are unclear, but the ability is generally interpreted to give you a free binding to Tenebrous without locking up a vestige slot. In this way, you can be bound to Astaroth, Focalor, and Tenebrous all at once. No need to debate over which of the three you need anymore; now you can power all those divine feats with efficiency while still being an excellent debuffer.

Conclusion
The Decaying Tears is not a particularly focused build, but I hope I have shown its usefulness nonetheless in a wide variety of situations. Fundamentally, Thrall of Orcus is not a bad class. You just have to get a little bit 'out there' to really show how it's good at its jobs, which appear to be everything short of actually hitting the other guy with a weapon.

Sources
Core
Book of Vile Darkness: SI, prerequisite feats, Dark Craft
Tome of Magic: everything Binder-related except Astaroth (here (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/we/20070307a)); Tenebrous as a god
Libris Mortis: Tomb Mote
Savage Species: Assume Supernatural Ability
Complete Champion: Devotion Feats
Complete Warrior: Divine Vigor
Complete Scoundrel: Collector of Stories skill trick, Open Minded
Eberron Cmapaign Setting: Artisan Feats
Unearthed Arcana: Cloistered Cleric
Web Enhancement (http://www.wizards.com/dnd/article.asp?x=dnd/dx20021031x): Desecration Ring
Drow of the Underdark: Fearsome armor (optional)

Kuulvheysoon

2013-09-23, 08:05 PM

[redacted]

Kuulvheysoon

2013-09-23, 08:06 PM

It's all in the family

Henry Oakshield the 666th

Background
Background
Henry Oakshield the 666th
Hedid not like his father , whom did not like his, as did the previous generations of Henry
so as was tradition Henry took his father on henry the 666th's 66th birthday to the alter of Orcus at night and killed him exatly 666 seconds after the rise of the full moon, so he like his forfathers could become a thrall of orcus.

Racial
Racial
DWARF, FROST
Medium Humanoid (Dwarf, Extraplanar)
Base Attack/Grapple: +1/+2
Saves: Fort +5*, Ref +0*, Will –1*
Skills: Craft (blacksmithing) +4, Craft (stonemasonry) +2, Listen +2, Move Silently +4, Spot +2
Feats: Toughness
+4 Constitution, –4 Charisma
Darkvision out to 120 feet.
Immunity to paralysis, phantasms, and poison.
Resistance to cold 10.
Stability: +4 bonus on ability checks made to resist being bull rushed or tripped when standing on the ground
(but not when climbing, flying, riding, or otherwise not standing firmly on the ground).
+2 racial bonus on saves against spells and spell-like abilities (*not reflected in the saving throw numbers given here).
+1 racial bonus on attack rolls and +4 dodge bonus to Armor Class against creatures of the giant type (such as ogres, trolls, and frost giants).
Spell-Like Abilities:
1/day—chill touch and obscuring mist as a wizard of the frost dwarf’s class level +2 (minimum caster level 3rd).
Light sensitivity (dazzled in bright sunlight or with in the radius of a daylight spell).
+4 racial bonus on Move Silently checks
+2 racial bonus on Appraise and Craft checks related to stone or metal
Automatic Languages: Common, Dwarven, Giant
Level adjustment +1

Alignment [ CE ]

Build
Build
{table=head]Level|Class|BAB|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Class Specific Features

1st|Frost Dwarf|
1|
5|
0|
-1|See Background

2nd|Battle Sorcerer|
1|
5|
0|
1| Summon familiar

3rd|Fighter|
2|
6|
0|
1|Bonus Feat

4th|Fighter|
3|
7|
0|
1|Bonus Feat

5th|Fighter|
4|
7|
1|
2|-

6th|Fighter|
5|
8|
1|
2|Bonus Feat

7th|Fighter|
6|
8|
1|
2|-

8th|Fighter|
7|
9|
2|
3|Bonus Feat

9th|Fighter|
8|
9|
2|
3|-

10th|Fighter|
9|
10|
2|
3|Bonus Feat

11th|Fighter|
10|
10|
3|
4|-

12th|Fighter|
11|
11|
3|
4|Bonus Feat

13th|Orcus|
12|
13|
3|
6|Carrion stench, Bonus feat

14th|Orcus|
13|
14|
3|
7|Touch of fear

15th|Orcus|
14|
14|
4|
7|Demon wings

16th|Orcus|
15|
15|
4|
8|skeletal visage, Bonus feat

17th|Orcus|
16|
15|
4|
8|Summon minor undead

18th|Orcus|
17|
16|
5|
9|Pallor of death

19th|Orcus|
18|
16|
5|
9|Demon wings (at will), Bonus feat

20th|Orcus|
19|
17|
5|
10|Death touch

[/table]

Feats and Skills
Feats

level 0 Soul of the North
level 3 Willing defority feat
level 6 Evil brand
level 9 Lichloved
level 12 Thrall to Demon
level 15 Combat Reflexes
level 18 Blind-Fight
orcus 4 Gaunt feat
fighter 1 Power Attack
fighter 2 Cleave
fighter 4 Quick Draw
fighter 6 Great Cleave
fighter 8 Weapon Focus
fighter 10 Weapon Specialization

Skills
Craft (blacksmithing) +4
Craft (stonemasonry) +2
Listen +2
Move Silently +4
Spot +2

Lvl 1
Knowledge (arcana) 4 ranks
Knowledge (religion) 2 ranks
Lvl 2-5
Knowledge (religion) 4 ranks
Lvl 6-20
Concentration 4 ranks
Craft (blacksmithing) 2 ranks
Craft (stonemasonry) 2 ranks
Spellcraft 4 ranks
Climb 4 ranks
Intimidate 4 ranks
Move Silently 4 ranks
Jump 4 ranks
Listen 4 ranks
Spot 2 ranks

Stats
Stats
{table=head]Attribute|32 pnt buy Base|Racial|Level|Magic|Misc.|Total

STR|
17|
0|
3|
0|
0|
20

DEX|
12|
0|
0|
0|
0|
12

CON|
11|
4|
1|
0|
0|
16

INT|
10|
0|
0|
0|
0|
10

WIS|
10|
0|
0|
0|
0|
10

CHA|
15|
-4|
1|
0|
0|
12

[/table]

Equipment

Equipment
Dagger 2 gp 1d4 19–20/×2 10 ft. 1 lb. Piercing or slashing
Morningstar 8 gp 1d8 ×2 6 lb. Bludgeoning and piercing
Greataxe 20 gp 1d12 ×3 12 lb. Slashing
Longbow, composite 100 gp 1d8 ×3 110 ft. 3 lb. Piercing
Arrows (20) 1 gp
Chain shirt 100 gp ab+4 md+4 acp–2 asf20% spd30 ft.

Spells Known per Day

Spells Known per Day
{table=head]Level|0lvl|1st|2nd|3rd|4th|5th|6th|7th|8th|9th
1st|3|1
[/table]

Spells & Powers Prepared/Memorized

Spells & Powers Prepared/Memorized
spell-like abilities as a 1st-level caster:
(SotN):1/day—chill touch, ray of frost, resistance. Save DC 10 + spell level + your Cha modifier
(FD) :1/day—chill touch and obscuring mist as a wizard of the frost dwarf’s class level +2 (minimum caster level 3rd)
Sorcerer
0-level: Touch of Fatigue
0-level: Ray of Frost
0-level: Acid Splash
Sorcerer
1-level: Chill Touch

Level Breakdown

Level Breakdown
build is a fairly straight forward get in your face and hit you with the added bonuses that the levels of Orcus give.

Use of the Secret Ingredient

This secret ingredient SUCKS while restrictive due to implied need for specific feat to be useable and implied need for necromancy school to be cast.
overall the SI works well with the build

Sources

(planer 113)
(Carc 83)
(phb 37, 51, 90-91, 116-117, 123)
(bovd 49-50, 71)
(ua 56)

Kuulvheysoon

2013-09-23, 08:08 PM

There's a fine line between love and loathe

http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20111201041406/creepypasta/images/f/f4/Why_hello.jpg
Dr. Dellamorte
NE Half-Elf Druid 5/Ranger 1/Blighter 7/Thrall of Orcus 7

What Makes a Man?

You'd best mind your elders child, else we let old Dellamorte Dellamore have away with your soul!

Dr. Dellamorte wasn't always the dark figure that parents spook their children with and people speak about in hushed whispers, but he wasn't a saint, either. Sure, he had a hard life; abandoned as a child, called a freak and cast out of his home town as an adult. Sometimes adversity like that makes a man stronger. And sometimes ... something deep inside him breaks, and you wind up with a man like Dellamorte, forever bent on pain and death.

After his village cast him out, Dellamorte was taken in by a sect of druids who dedicated themselves to being the harbingers of nature's destructive power. Dellamorte excelled in his studies, and delighted in causing destruction upon those who, in his view, did not respect nature. He became a full-fledged druid, and set out to wander the natural places of the world and punish interlopers. For a time, this was all he needed to be happy. Then, while she was out for a ride in the countryside, he met Valentina, the daughter of the local Duke. True love blossomed, as it does, and the lovers would meet regularly in a secluded glade.

It wasn't long before the Duke became curious about where his daughter was spending much of her time, so he sent some of his men-at-arms to follow her with instructions to keep her safe. When the men-at-arms saw what she was up to, they attempted to intervene. Dellamorte was incensed, and slew one of them in his fury. The men-at-arms fought back, and during the scuffle Valentina threw herself in front of a crossbow bolt meant for Dellamorte. The druid drove them off, but was left with the cold, lifeless corpse of his love. Dellamorte sought the aid of his druid brethren, but they scorned him for his dalliances, and would do nothing to help restore Valentina to life. Having gone mad with grief at the loss of his love and further rejection of his brethren, Dellamorte sought the aid of a mad warlock, who was only able to reanimate Valentina as a zombie. But for the now unhinged Dellamorte, that was enough.

Dellamorte descended into madness and depravity, losing his connection to the natural world. He now understood that life and nature were not a perfect creation to be kept in balance - they were an abomination to be destroyed. This newfound understanding gave birth to fell powers within him, and he dedicated himself and his deeds to the fell prince of undeath himself, Orcus. Dellamorte hunted down the men-at-arms who slew Valentina and sacrificed them to Orcus, his zombie "bride" at his side the whole time. After that, it wasn't a difficult leap for Dellamorte to turn on his former brethren.

These days, Dellamorte can be found travelling from village to village, masquerading as a doctor to treat the ill and injured. He uses his cover to spread disease, death, and despair.

The Good Doctor
Dr. Dellamorte
{table=head]Level|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills|Feats|Class Features

1st|Druid 1|
+0|
+2|
+0|
+2|(4+Int)Concentration 4, Heal 4, Listen 4, Spot 4, Survival 4|Evil Brand|Spellcasting, Animal Companion, Nature Sense, Wild Empathy

2nd|Druid 2|
+1|
+3|
+0|
+3|(4+Int)Concentration 5, Heal 5, Listen 5, Spot 5, Survival 5| |Woodland Stride

3rd|Druid 3|
+2|
+3|
+1|
+3|(4+Int)Concentration 6, Heal 6, Listen 6, Spot 6, Survival 6|Lichloved|Trackless Step

4th|Druid 4|
+3|
+4|
+1|
+4|(4+Int)Concentration 7, Heal 7, Listen 7, Spot 7, Survival 7| |Resist Nature's Lure

5th|Druid 5|
+3|
+4|
+1|
+4|(4+Int)Concentration 8, Heal 8, Knowledge(Religion) (1), Listen 8| |Wildshape (1/day)

6th|Ranger 1|
+4|
+6|
+3|
+4|(6+Int)Concentration 9, Heal 9, Knowledge(Arcana) (1), Knowledge(Religion) (2), Listen 9|Thrall to a Demon, Track(B)|1st Favored Enemy(Humanoid[Human]), Track, Wild Empathy

7th|Blighter 1|
+4|
+8|
+3|
+6|(4+Int)Concentration 10, Heal 10, Knowledge(Arcana) (2), Listen 10| |Spellcasting, Deforestation

8th|Thrall of Orcus 1|
+5|
+10|
+3|
+8|(2+Int)Concentration 11, Spot 9| |+1 level of existing spellcasting class, Carrion Stench

9th|Thrall of Orcus 2|
+6|
+11|
+3|
+9|(2+Int)Concentration 12, Spot 11|Willing Deformity|Touch of Fear

10th|Thrall of Orcus 3|
+7|
+11|
+4|
+9|(2+Int)Concentration 13, Spot 13| |Demon Wings

11th|Thrall of Orcus 4|
+8|
+12|
+4|
+10|(2+Int)Concentration 14, Listen (10.5), Spot 14| |+1 level of existing spellcasting class, Skeletal Visage

12th|Thrall of Orcus 5|
+9|
+12|
+4|
+10|(2+Int)Concentration 15, Listen (11), Spot 15|Corrupt Spell|Summon Minor Undead

13th|Thrall of Orcus 6|
+10|
+13|
+5|
+11|(2+Int)Concentration 16, Listen (11.5), Spot 16| |Pallor of Death

14th|Thrall of Orcus 7|
+11|
+13|
+5|
+11|(2+Int)Concentration 17, Listen (12), Spot 17| |+1 level of existing spellcasting class, Demon Wings (at will)

15th|Blighter 2|
+12|
+14|
+5|
+12|(4+Int)Concentration 18, Spot 18, Survival 10|Malign Spell Focus|Blightfire, Sustenance

16th|Blighter 3|
+13|
+14|
+6|
+12|(4+Int)Concentration 19, Listen 14, Spot 19, Survival 11| |Undead Wild Shape (1/day)

17th|Blighter 4|
+14|
+15|
+6|
+13|(4+Int)Concentration 20, Listen 16, Spot 20, Survival 12| |Speak With Dead Animal, Undead Wild Shape (2/day)

18th|Blighter 5|
+14|
+15|
+6|
+13|(4+Int)Concentration 21, Listen 18, Spot 21, Survival 13|Natural Spell|Contagious Touch 1/day, Undead Wild Shape (Large)

19th|Blighter 6|
+15|
+16|
+7|
+14|(4+Int)Concentration 22, Listen 20, Spot 22, Survival 14| |Animate Dead Animal, Undead Wild Shape (3/day)

20th|Blighter 7|
+16|
+16|
+7|
+14|(4+Int)Concentration 23, Listen 22, Spot 23, Survival 15| |Contagious Touch 2/day[/table]

Stats and Increases

Starting Ability Scores:
Str - 10
Dex - 14
Con - 14
Int - 12
Wis - 16
Cha - 12

Final Ability Scores:
Str - 10
Dex - 16 (+2 Skeletal Visage)
Con - 14
Int - 12
Wis - 21 (+5 stat bumps)
Cha - 12

Spells per day

Spells per day
{table=head]Level|0lvl|1st|2nd|3rd|4th|5th|6th|7th|8th|9th

1st|3|1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

2nd|4|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

3rd|4|2|1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

4th|5|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

5th|5|3|2|1|-|-|-|-|-|-

6th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

7th|4|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

8th|5|3|0|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

9th|5|3|0|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

10th|5|3|0|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

11th|5|3|1|0|-|-|-|-|-|-

12th|5|3|1|0|-|-|-|-|-|-

13th|5|3|1|0|-|-|-|-|-|-

14th|6|3|2|1|0|-|-|-|-|-

15th|6|3|3|2|1|0|-|-|-|-

16th|6|3|3|3|2|1|0|-|-|-

17th|6|4|3|3|3|2|1|0|-|-

18th|6|4|4|3|3|3|2|1|0|-

19th|6|5|4|4|4|4|3|2|1|0

20th|6|5|5|4|4|4|4|3|2|1[/table]

Methods To His Madness

Level 5
Dr. Dellamorte has led an eventful life thus far, but is losing his grip on the forces of nature. He's lost his love, had her returned, in a fashion, and is starting to turn against his teachings. He operates as pretty much any other 5th level druid does. He's got some good spellcasting, an animal companion, and Wildshape to tackle combat. He also makes a reasonable scout.

Level 11
Life has taken quite a turn for the doctor, and he has now dedicated himself to destroying the living in the name of Orcus. He now operates as a scout and debuffer. His spells, Touch of Fear, and Carrion Stench all help to sap the strength of the opposition. He has flight, albeit limited, through Demon Wings. Skeletal Visage gives him a minor boost to Dex, as his form warps and shifts to more resemble his "love".

Level 16 "Sweet Spot"
The good doctor now has permanent flight, wild shape utility, battlefield control spells, minionmancy, and high DC save or lose tools added to his arsenal of destruction. Demon Wings provides flight regardless of form, which is handy given that any animal Dellamorte wildshapes into has the skeleton template applied to it. He is a potent debuffing force, can scout well, wade into combat as a skeletal bear with wings, and can summon or animate his own party. Sustenance removes the need for food and water, Blightfire gives him some fallback blasting utility, Summon Minor Undead means he's never alone for long, and Pallor of Death lets him take on an appearance that he hopes will be pleasing to his "love".

Level 20
The last few levels only serve to enhance Dr. Dellamorte. He gains even more potent spellcasting ability with 9th level Blighter spells, the ability to turn into large skeletal animals, a 1/day Animate Dead for animals that allows him to whip up cost-free bruisers, and Contagious Touch to spread disease among the living. Lastly, the doc tops out with a +16 BAB.

Usage of the Secret Ingredient

So, the first question you may be asking is, why only 7 levels of the SI? To answer that, let's look at what Dr. Dellamorte would get with those last few levels:

Pros:

A low DC at-will Death Touch
A 1/week super minion summon
+1 Spellcasting level
+17 BAB

Cons:

Lose access to 9th level spells, and has fewer spells
Lose access to free Animate Dead for animals
Lose access to usable combat forms for Undead Wild Shape

The low DC Death Touch and +1BAB aren't that bad, but losing Summon Nightwing hurts. Thankfully, Dr. Dellamorte has an approximation of Death Touch (Contagious Touch), better spellcasting, and a free bruiser minion each day. I decided that it was better to stick to his theme rather than finish the SI for the sake of finishing it. He loses very little by making the jump at 7th level, and is stronger for it.

Sources

Player's Handbook (Druid, Ranger, Natural Spell)
Book of Vile Darkness (Secret Ingredient, Corrupt Spell, Evil Brand, Lichloved, Malign Spell Focus, Thrall to a Demon, Willing Deformity)
Complete Divine (Blighter)

Kuulvheysoon

2013-09-23, 08:10 PM

He's sold his soul at least twice over
Dobluth - Thrall of Orcus

Birth

CE Lesser Drow Warlock 4/Wizard (Necromancer Variant) 1/Warblade 1/Demonbinder 4/Thrall of Orcus 10

Starting Attributes
Str: 10
Dex: 12
Con: 13
Int: 16
Cha: 16
Wis: 8

Lvl 4: +1 Con
Lvl 11: -2 Dex, +2 Con
Lvl 8, 12, 16, 20: +1 Cha

Final Attributes
Str: 10
Dex: 10
Con: 16
Int: 16
Cha: 20
Wis: 8

Leaving home a.k.a. The Build

{table=head]Level|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills|Feats|Class Features

1st|Warlock|
+0|
+0|
+0|
+2|Bluff +4, Concentration +4, Intimidate +4, Knowledge (Planes) +4 Knowledge (Arcana) +1, Sense Motive +2, Use Magic Device +1 |Evil Brand| Eldritch blast 1d6, Sickening Blast

2nd|Wizard (Necromancer Variant)|
+0|
+0|
+0|
+4|Bluff +4, Concentration +5, Intimidate +4, Knowledge (Planes) +5 Knowledge (Arcana) +2, Knowledge (Religion) +2, Sense Motive +2, Use Magic Device +1|Martial Study (Sudden Leap)|Bonus Feat (Fighter), Enhanced Undead

3rd| Warblade|
+1|
+2|
+0|
+4|Bluff +4, Concentration +6, Intimidate +6, Jump +4, Knowledge (Planes) +5 Knowledge (Arcana) +2, Knowledge (Religion) +2, Sense Motive +2, Use Magic Device +1|Lichloved|Battle Clarity (Reflex Saves), Weapon Aptitude

4th|Warlock|
+2|
+2|
+0|
+5|Bluff +4, Concentration +7, Intimidate +7, Jump +4, Knowledge (Planes) +7 Knowledge (Arcana) +2, Knowledge (Religion) +2, Sense Motive +3, Use Magic Device +1|-|Detect Magic, Baleful Utterance

5th|Warlock|
+3|
+3|
+1|
+5|Bluff +4, Concentration +8, Intimidate +8, Jump +4, Knowledge (Planes) +8 Knowledge (Arcana) +2, Knowledge (Religion) +2, Sense Motive +4, Use Magic Device +2|-|DR 1/Cold Iron Magic, Eldritch Blast 2d6

6th|Warlock|
+4|
+3|
+1|
+6|Bluff +4, Concentration +9, Intimidate +9, Jump +4, Knowledge (Planes) +8 Knowledge (Arcana) +2, Knowledge (Religion) +2, Sense Motive +4, Use Magic Device +5|Thrall to Demon(Orcus)|Deceive Item, Eldritch Glaive

7th|Demonbinder|
+4|
+5|
+1|
+8|Bluff +5, Concentration +10, Intimidate +10, Jump +4, Knowledge (Planes) +8 Knowledge (Arcana) +2, Knowledge (Religion) +2, Sense Motive +4, Use Magic Device +7|-|Damnation points, Demonbind

8th|Thrall of Orcus|
+5|
+7|
+1|
+10| Bluff +5, Concentration +11, Intimidate +11, Jump +5, Knowledge (Planes) +8 Knowledge (Arcana) +2, Knowledge (Religion) +2, Sense Motive +4, Use Magic Device +7 Skill Trick: Never Outnumbered |-|Carrion Stench, Eldritch Blast 3d6

9th|Thrall of Orcus|
+6|
+8|
+1|
+11| Bluff +5, Concentration +12, Intimidate +12, Jump +8, Knowledge (Planes) +8 Knowledge (Arcana) +2, Knowledge (Religion) +2, Sense Motive +4, Use Magic Device +7|Willing Deformity|Touch of Fear

10th|Thrall of Orcus|
+7|
+8|
+2|
+11|Bluff +5, Concentration +13, Intimidate +13, Jump +11, Knowledge (Planes) +8 Knowledge (Arcana) +2, Knowledge (Religion) +2, Sense Motive +4, Use Magic Device +7|-|Demonwings

11th|Thrall of Orcus|
+8|
+9|
+2|
+12|Bluff +5, Concentration +14, Intimidate +14, Jump +14, Knowledge (Planes) +8 Knowledge (Arcana) +2, Knowledge (Religion) +2, Sense Motive +4, Use Magic Device +7|Deformity Obese|Massive Girth, The Dead walk

12th| Thrall of Orcus|
+9|
+9|
+2|
+12|Bluff +5, Concentration +15, Intimidate +15, Jump +15, Knowledge (Planes) +8 Knowledge (Arcana) +3, Knowledge (Religion) +3, Sense Motive +4, Use Magic Device +7|Deformity (Tall)|Summon minor Undead

13th|Thrall of Orcus|
+10|
+10|
+3|
+13|Bluff +5, Concentration +16, Intimidate +16, Jump +16, Knowledge (Planes) +8 Knowledge (Arcana) +4, Knowledge (Religion) +4, Sense Motive +4, Use Magic Device +7|-|Pallor of Death

14th|Thrall of Orcus|
+11|
+10|
+3|
+13|Bluff +5, Concentration +17, Intimidate +17, Jump +17, Knowledge (Planes) +8 Knowledge (Arcana) +5, Knowledge (Religion) +5, Sense Motive +4, Use Magic Device +7|-|Demonwings (at will), Eldritch blast 4d6

15th|Thrall of Orcus|
+12|
+11|
+3|
+14|Bluff +5, Concentration +18, Intimidate +18, Jump +18, Knowledge (Planes) +8 Knowledge (Arcana) +6, Knowledge (Religion) +6, Sense Motive +4, Use Magic Device +7|Imperious Command|Death Touch

16th|Thrall of Orcus|
+13|
+11|
+4|
+14|Bluff +5, Concentration +19, Intimidate +19, Jump +19, Knowledge (Planes) +8 Knowledge (Arcana) +7, Knowledge (Religion) +7, Sense Motive +4, Use Magic Device +7|-|Summon Major Undead

17th|Thrall of Orcus|
+14|
+12|
+4|
+15|Bluff +5, Concentration +20, Intimidate +20, Jump +20, Knowledge (Planes) +8 Knowledge (Arcana) +8, Knowledge (Religion) +8, Sense Motive +4, Use Magic Device +7|-|Summon Nightwing, Flee The Scene

18th|Demonbinder|
+15|
+13|
+4|
+16|Bluff +5, Concentration +21, Intimidate +21, Jump +20, Knowledge (Planes) +8 Knowledge (Arcana) +8, Knowledge (Religion) +8, Sense Motive +4, Use Magic Device +10|Planar Familiar (Quasit)|DR 2/good, Eldritch blast 5d6

19th|Demonbinder|
+15|
+13|
+5|
+16|Bluff +5, Concentration +22, Intimidate +22, Jump +20, Knowledge (Planes) +8 Knowledge (Arcana) +8, Knowledge (Religion) +8, Sense Motive +4, Use Magic Device +13|-|Resistance to electricity 5, Relentless Dispelling

20th|Demonbinder|
+16|
+14|
+5|
+17|Bluff +5, Concentration +23, Intimidate +23, Jump +20, Knowledge (Planes) +8 Knowledge (Arcana) +8, Knowledge (Religion) +8, Sense Motive +4, Use Magic Device +16|-|Eldritch blast 6d6, Vitriolic Blast

[/table]

Invocations
Invocations: Sickening Blast, Baleful Utterance, Eldritch Glaive, the Dead walk, Flee The Scene, Vitriolic Blast
Maneuvers
Maneuvers: Sudden leap(Martial study), Action before thought, Moment of perfect Mind, Wall of Blades
Stance: Leading the Charge
Spells
Forbidden schools: Enchantement, Abjuration
0 Level: all
1 Level: Identify, Silent Image, Enlarge Person, Cause Fear, Grease, Obscuring mist

Coming home

Hundreds of animated Skeletons already strayed through the city. Finally Jot's master had animated every single corpse. Laughing he watched over his latest creation. For some time now the Quasit served his master in Orcus name, but still he couldn't figure him out. His appearance was hideous. A borderline giant being 7 ½ feet tall and fat beyond believe, he would be hideous to look at even without the white facepaint and his jester outfit. When hosting a demon his appearance becomes even more hideous. When Jot first saw his new master, he thought he was punished, although he couldn't figure out what for. It didn't take him long though to see that Dobluth was no fool. In fact he was terrible to look at and only the most curageous enemies didn't run from him.
The Quasit followed his master invisible, while Dobluth walked to the middle of the now extinct drow enclave. „Master Dobluth, may I ask, why we came down here in the first place?“ His master turned and grinned. „Jot, have you ever asked yourself what Dobluth means?“ The Quasit shrugged: „Not really.“ „Well, then let me just tell you this: I was born down here. Remember the priestess i killed last? She is my sister. Used to beat the crap out of me. As basically everyone in this town.“ Jot finally realized why his new master looked that way. His sister was gorgeous, white long breaded hair, black skin. Dobluth was bald, pianted his face white and tried his hardest to look hideous. "Hatred runs deep", Jot muttered. Dobluth bowed down and picked up a holy symbol of Lolth. „You know what that is?“, he asked Jot. Jot nodded. The symbol shattered in his masters hand. „Let's find all of them.“ Jot frowned. „You gotta be kidding me“, he thought to himself. „While you are at it,“ his master added laughing, „maybe you find a drow - abyssal dictionary and find out what Dobluth means.“

Breakdown

Level 1-3
Every level a different class. Sickening blast has some synergy with carrion stench and is therefor picked over frightful blast. The Wizard uses two variants: the first to get a fighter bonus feat and pick up Martial study (sudden leap) as it will very likely be a maneuver you don't need to survive and it doesn't hurt that much not to be able to refresh it. The second variant empowers animate dead whick you will pick up later. Warblade finally is your lifesaver. Your AC is close to nonexistent. Your reflex save is nonexistent. Your will save is okay but not great.

Level 4-7
Straight warlock into demonbinder. As soon as you hit level 7 you can use wands without ever being in danger of losing a charge. Demonbinder improves versatility a lot although the full round action to bind the demon hurts. The babau will very likely be a favourite to improve eldritch blast damage and get sneak attack. Vrock (improved damage on eldritch blast and possibly deafened) and Glabrezu (true seeing) are the contenders once you have enough damnation points. Everything else is rather situational. If you can afford it a Fearsome Enchantement on your Armor would allow you to use demoralize as a move action freeing up your standard action for something else. With the pick up of eldritch glaive Dobluths strategy is pretty simple. Debuff in the beginning, then use full round actions to deal the necessary damage and deliver further debuffs, while keeping a distance.

Level 8-12
Finally Orcus has chosen us. Carrion stench is an untyped penalty which is rather nice. The Save DC will get better when you get fat at level 11. To further increase your range you get tall too. If you can prepare for a fight, enlarge person and this with eldritch glaive means your nonexistent AC isn't that dangerous. The dead walk allows you to animate tons of undead who all don't mind that you are with them. At level 12 you can summon some more help once per day. When charging all of those within 60 feet gain a nice damage buff because of your martial stance. Due to your overweight you yourself would never try such a foolish thing as charging though. All in all level 12 might be a „sweetspot“.

Level 13-17
Pallor of death adds another fear effect to your arsenal. By this point you should maybe read the fear handbook. Helps a lot with managing your fear effects. Although Imperious Command makes things rather easy at level 15. At the same time you can now always use your standard action for a death touch at slightly improved range (once again Enlarge Person is a must have buff). Dobluth doesn't care which Vampire or Ghost joins his rampage. Although he'd love a guy able to use spellcraft, as he solely relies on the identify spell. A Flanking buddy charger/pouncer is also acceptable. The Nightwing Summon is great, but once a week means you will probably never dare to use it.

Level 18-20
The last levels give multiple very important things: BAB 16, vitriolic blast to bypass SR, a familiar to abuse use magic device and a decent damage buff on eldritch blast. Moreover a very annoying dispel option.

Things to check with your DM

While Dobluth doesn't rely on questionable stuff, you need to be a lesser drow. As all „lesser“ races this may cause issues. The only other option is LA buy off and the regular drow. Giving up 2 levels would hurt Dobluth a lot and I cannot recommend it.

Sources

Leser Drow: Player's Guide to Faerun.
Warlock: Complete Arcane
Wizard: PHB
Necromancer Variant and Fighter feat variant: Unearthed Arcana
Warblade, Martial Study: Tome of Battle
Deformity(Tall): Heroes of Horror
Imperious Command, Demonbinder, Fearsome Armor: drow of the underdark
Planar Familiar: Planar Handbook
The Rest: Book of vile darkness

Kuulvheysoon

2013-09-23, 08:11 PM

He's riding the Highway To Hell

Derek "Baelfire" Bragg
http://www.gadgetreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/New-Brutal-Legend-Images.jpg

The Tale of Metal

Host: Welcome back to DoomTV. We've got an exciting show planned for you today, with Derek "Baelfire" Bragg, the mind behind the band Midnight Ruin, here to talk about his new album, Everlost, and how he got his start. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Derek Bragg!

*Applause as the heavy metal legend flies down onto the set amid pre-recorded strains of the Everlost title track. He folds his wings back and thrusts a fist in the air amidst thunderous applause. Finally, after a few moments, he takes a seat as the cheers subside.*

Host: That's quite an entrance! We're glad to have you here today. Let's talk about this new album of yours, Everlost. I understand that this album is special to you. Can you tell us a little about that?

Baelfire: Yeah, as you know Midnight Ruin has been topping the charts since the debut album. Everlost has two new things going for it. This album rocks harder than any album has ever rocked before, and it's cover art.

Host: Cover art? What's special about it?

Baelfire: The Lord of Metal himself agreed to appear on the album cover. Everyone knows that Orcus is ****ing Metal as hell, and I dedicated the album to him by naming it after his personal fortress. This is only the second time in history that the big guy has graced an album cover. The first time was Dio's "Master of the Moon" album, and I don't have to remind you just how hardcore that guy was.

http://i44.tinypic.com/2z6h1cn.jpg
Orcus recently appeared on the cover of Midnight Ruin's new album

http://www.metalmusicarchives.com/images/covers/dio-master-of-the-moon.jpg
Orcus' first album cover appearance

Host: That's an impressive feat, to be sure. And it seems certain that Midnight Ruin will be remembered in the annals of Metal history. If you wouldn't mind, I'm sure our viewers want to know, how did you get your start in the business?

Baelfire: Well, it's not something that just anyone can do. I was lucky, I was born with Metal in my soul and a heart blacker than the blackest black times infinity. I knew from an early age that a great destiny lay before me. I started with small gigs here and there, and an agent from the Cult of Orcus heard me playing one night down at a local pub. After that, things really started to fall into place for me. Gigs, money, fame, groupies, you name it. I've never looked back, or regretted a moment of it. I even got inducted into the Cult. What a ****ed up party that was! Music, drugs, I killed a poser on a pile of ****ing skulls, and the groupies ... they weren't just mind-blowing, know what I'm saying?

Host: Speaking of that night, you've caught more than a little flack from various religious groups about it, haven't you? In fact, the Church of Pelor has publicly denounced you claiming that some of those groupies were ... less than living. How do you respond to that?

Baelfire: I'll tell you how I respond to that. First: **** you. Second: **** them too. Third: You snort as many lines of powdered cockatrice as I have, you'll **** pretty much anything.

Host: Ha! Well, that's all we have time for. Thanks for being on our show, and good luck with your new album. Ladies and gentlemen, be sure to pick up Midnight Ruin's new album Everlost! Available in stores October 31st!

The Technical Crap
Derek "Baelfire" Bragg
Silverbrow Human Bard 3/Warblade 2/Thrall of Orcus 10/Dirgesinger 5
{table=head]Level|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills|Feats|Class Features

1st|Bard 1|
+0|
+0|
+2|
+2|Balance 4, Bluff 4, Concentration 4, Intimidate (2), Knowledge(Arcana) 4, Knowledge(Religion) 4, Perform(Sing) 4, Perform(String Instruments) 4|Evil Brand, Thrall to a Demon|Spellcasting, Bardic Music, Bardic Knowledge, Countersong, Fascinate, Inspire Courage +1

2nd|Bard 2|
+1|
+0|
+3|
+3|Balance 5, Bluff 5, Concentration 5, Intimidate (2.5), Knowledge(Arcana) 5, Knowledge(Religion) 5, Perform(Sing) 5, Perform(String Instruments) 5| |

3rd|Warblade 1|
+2|
+2|
+3|
+3|Concentration 6, Intimidate 5.5, Perform(Sing) (6)|Lichloved|Battle Clarity(Reflex Saves), Weapon Aptitude

4th|Warblade 2|
+3|
+3|
+3|
+3|Concentration 7, Intimidate 6.5, Knowledge(Religion) (6), Perform(Sing) (7)| |Uncanny Dodge

5th|Bard 3|
+4|
+4|
+3|
+3|Concentration 8, Intimidate (8), Perform(Sing) 8, Perform(String Instruments) 8| |Inspire Competence

6th|Thrall of Orcus 1|
+5|
+6|
+3|
+5|Concentration 9, Intimidate 9, Perform(Sing) 9|Dragonfire Inspiration|+1 level of existing spellcasting class, Carrion Stench

7th|Thrall of Orcus 2|
+6|
+7|
+3|
+6|Concentration 10, Intimidate 10, Perform(Sing) 10| |Touch of Fear

8th|Thrall of Orcus 3|
+7|
+7|
+4|
+6|Concentration 11, Intimidate 11, Perform(Sing) 11| |Demon Wings

9th|Thrall of Orcus 4|
+8|
+8|
+4|
+7|Concentration 12, Intimidate 12, Perform(Sing) 12|Martial Study(Insightful Strike)(B), Song of the Heart|Massive Girth, Bonus Feat

10th|Thrall of Orcus 5|
+9|
+8|
+4|
+7|Concentration 13, Intimidate 13, Perform(Sing) 13| |Summon Minor Undead

11th|Thrall of Orcus 6|
+10|
+9|
+5|
+8|Concentration 14, Intimidate 14, Perform(Sing) 14| |Pallor of Death

12th|Thrall of Orcus 7|
+11|
+9|
+5|
+8|Concentration 15, Intimidate 15, Perform(Sing) 15|Willing Deformity(B), Requiem|Demon Wings(at will), Bonus Feat

13th|Thrall of Orcus 8|
+12|
+10|
+5|
+9|Concentration 16, Intimidate 16, Perform(Sing) 16| |Death Touch

14th|Thrall of Orcus 9|
+13|
+10|
+6|
+9|Concentration 17, Intimidate 17, Perform(Sing) 17| |Summon Major Undead

15th|Dirgesinger 1|
+13|
+10|
+6|
+11|Concentration 18, Intimidate 18, Knowledge(Religion) 7, Perform(Sing) 18, Perform(String Instruments) 10|Supernatural Transformation|Song of Sorrow

16th|Dirgesinger 2|
+14|
+10|
+6|
+12|Concentration 19, Intimidate 19, Knowledge(Religion) 10, Perform(Sing) 19| |Song of Bolstering

17th|Dirgesinger 3|
+15|
+11|
+7|
+12|Concentration 20, Intimidate 20, Knowledge(Religion) 13, Perform(Sing) 20| |Song of Grief

18th|Dirgesinger 4|
+16|
+11|
+7|
+13|Concentration 21, Intimidate 21, Knowledge(Religion) 16, Perform(Sing) 21|Ability Focus(Death Touch)|Song of Horror

19th|Dirgesinger 5|
+16|
+11|
+7|
+13|Concentration 22, Intimidate 22, Knowledge(Religion) 19, Perform(Sing) 22| |Song of Awakening

20th|Thrall of Orcus 10|
+17|
+12|
+7|
+14|Concentration 23, Intimidate 23, Perform(Sing) (23)|Martial Study (Greater Insightful Strike)(B)|Summon Nightwing, Bonus Feat[/table]

Stats
Starting Ability Scores:
Str - 14
Dex - 12
Con - 12
Int - 14
Wis - 10
Cha - 16

Final Ability Scores:
Str - 14
Dex - 12
Con - 14 (+2 Massive Girth)
Int - 14
Wis - 10
Cha - 21 (5 level increases)

Spells per day/Spells Known

Spells per day
{table=head]Level|0lvl|1st|2nd|3rd|4th|5th|6th|7th|8th|9th

1st|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

2nd|3|0|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

3rd|3|0|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

4th|3|0|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

5th|3|1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

6th|3|2|0|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

7th|3|2|0|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

8th|3|2|0|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

9th|3|2|0|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

10th|3|2|0|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

11th|3|2|0|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

12th|3|2|0|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

13th|3|2|0|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

14th|3|2|0|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

15th|3|2|0|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

16th|3|2|0|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

17th|3|2|0|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

18th|3|2|0|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

19th|3|2|0|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

20th|3|2|0|-|-|-|-|-|-|-[/table]

Spells Known
{table=head]Level|0lvl|1st|2nd|3rd|4th|5th|6th|7th|8th|9th

1st|4|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

2nd|5|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

3rd|5|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

4th|5|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

5th|6|3|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

6th|6|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

7th|6|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

8th|6|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

9th|6|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

10th|6|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

11th|6|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

12th|6|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

13th|6|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

14th|6|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

15th|6|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

16th|6|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

17th|6|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

18th|6|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

19th|6|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

20th|6|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-[/table]

0-Level
Dancing Lights, Detect Magic, Ghost Sound, Message, Prestidigitation, Summon Instrument

1st Level
Cause Fear, Inspirational Boost, Undersong

2nd Level
Animate Instrument, Master's Touch

Maneuvers Known

Maneuvers
{table=head]Level|Maneuvers Known|Maneuvers Readied|Stances Known|Special

1st|-|-|-|

2nd|-|-|-|Initiator Level: 1

3rd|3|3|1|Initiator Level: 2

4th|4|3|1|Initiator Level: 3

5th|4|3|1|

6th|4|3|1|Initiator Level: 4

7th|4|3|1|

8th|4|3|1|Initiator Level: 5

9th|5|3|1|

10th|5|3|1|Initiator Level: 6

11th|5|3|1|

12th|5|3|1|Initiator Level: 7

13th|5|3|1|

14th|5|3|1|Initiator Level: 8

15th|5|3|1|

16th|5|3|1|Initiator Level: 9

17th|5|3|1|

18th|5|3|1|Initiator Level: 10

19th|5|3|1|

20th|6|3|1|Initiator Level: 11[/table]

1st
Moment of Perfect Mind(Diamond Mind), Sapphire Nightmare Blade(Diamond Mind), Stone Bones(Stone Dragon), Leading the Charge Stance(White Raven)

2nd
Action Before Thought(Diamond Mind)

3rd
Insightful Strike(Diamond Mind)

6th
Greater Insightful Strike(Diamond Mind)

What it Means to be Metal

Level 5
"Feel the danger, see the glory."

Baelfire is a badass musician, but mostly undiscovered at this point in his career. The power of Metal flows through his veins, and he can inspire audiences (allies) to kick some ass, or rock the **** out with Bardic Music and Leading the Charge. He's no stranger to violence, either. He can dish out the pain and take it with Sapphire Nightmare Blade and Stone Bones. His bardic spells are all highly useful to him. His 0-level spells ensure he puts on a stage performance for the ages, and Summon Instrument means he can always call his guitar from the depths of hell if he needs to educate the stupid masses in the ways of Metal. It also means he can smash his guitar across some poser's face, free of charge. Cause Fear, coupled with his Intimidate skill (and boosted by Evil Brand) means that only those with Metal in their hearts can deal with his brutal presence (and Cause Fear is a Necromancy spell). Inspirational Boost is there for when he wants to crank his performance up to 11, and Undersong allows him to Unleash The Metal on his foes later on. For now, Undersong lets him use his performance skill instead of concentration for the save maneuvers to deflect harmful spells and shake of mind controlling effects of The Man with The Power of Metal.

He's at home smashing face with a greataxe, or shredding on his ax.

Level 10
"Hear the thunder of heavy metal."

Metal, noise, blood, and fire, tell me what you most desire. Baelfire has now dedicated himself to Orcus, the most Metal demon lord around. There are several high points here. The addition of Dragonfire Inspiration, Song of the Heart, and 2nd level spells means that Baelfire can drape his audience with the tools of destruction. Animate Instrument means that he can double down on his Bardic Music to get both Dragonfire Inspiration and Inspire Courage going at the same time, and keep them up for as long as needed. Song of the Heart increases Baelfire's Inspire Courage bonus, making it even more Metal. Baelfire has also learned one of the secrets of Metal. Similar to the save maneuvers, Insightful Strike (readied instead of Stone Bones) lets him substitute the damage roll for an attack with a Concentration skill check, and Undersong lets him substitute a Perform check any time he would make a Concentration skill check. That means Baelfire can now rock so hard, he can kill his enemies by Unleashing the Metal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0DdtTw_Cxc). This usage is also the only time he calls on his patron for aid, as Thrall to a Demon can give him a 1/day boost to a skill check, and the Master's Touch spell can bump that up to a total +5. The benefits don't stop there, Summon Minor Undead gives him his own bodyguards or bandmates, Touch of Fear frees up his spells for more Inspirational Boosts or Undersongs, and Carrion Stench makes the stupid masses more susceptible to his Fascinate ability, as well as weakening those who don't have The Metal in their veins. A number of physical changes have happened to Baelfire, as his connection to The Metal grows stronger, he begins to look more like his patron. He sprouts demonic wings, and his body swells as it tries to contain the power inside.

Level 15 "Sweet Spot"
"I will crank you up, you can't bring me down."

Baelfire's career continues to skyrocket. Pallor of Death gives Baelfire quick access to stage makeup, or a quick disguise if he wants to avoid being mobbed by lame groupies. His physical changes are now complete, as he has demonic wings whenever he wants them, and the Willing Deformity feat means that the power that has bloated his form now strengthens his body, and provides an extra boost to his Intimidate skill. Orcus has granted him two incredible abilities, Death Touch and Summon Major Undead. Death Touch is potent in his hands, and has two very significant boosts by this point. The first is that it is now an (Su) ability and not subject to SR, thanks to Supernatural Transformation. The second is the Doomspeak feat (-10 to saves), which is possessed by the ghost or vampire Bard that Baelfire summons with Summon Major Undead. Between these two boosts (and a further -2 to saves from Carrion Stench), it is highly unlikely that anything that can be affected by Death Touch will survive it. Requiem gives Baelfire the ability to rock so hard that the undead take notice, and Song of Sorrow provides provides additional debuffing, should it be necessary.

Level 20
"Metal will never die."

Baelfire's black heart now pumps The Metal through his veins. It has become his lifesblood. He is now capable of shredding such a sweet solo, he can cause the dead to rise from their very graves and rock out. Baelfire has picked up Ability Focus, to make his Death Touch even more unstoppable, and Greater Insightful Strike to annihilate his foes with pure Metal. Dirgesinger provides him with some much need extra Bardic Music uses, as well as a host of brutal new songs. The Song of Bolstering helps keep his undead groupies in the fight. Song of Grief gives some ample crowd control. Song of Horror gives some further debuffing power, and the awesome Song of Awakening raises the dead, as well as raising hell. His high BAB means he can curbstomp posers all night long. Lastly, Orcus grants him the use of an awesome Nightwing once per week. While Baelfire usually uses the Nightwing as a tour bus to travel between gigs, he also employs it to wreak death and destruction. Its aura further bolsters his other summoned undead, and it is capable of bringing for its own minions, or throwing out a Greater Dispel Magic or Finger of Death. Truly, Derek "Baelfire" Bragg is a heavy metal legend.

Inspiration

Player's Handbook (Bard)
Libris Mortis (Dirgesinger, Requiem)
Tome of Battle (Maneuvers, Warblade, Martial Study)
Dragon Magic (Dragonfire Inspiration)
Book of Vile Darkness (Willing Deformity)
Eberron Campaign Setting (Song of the Heart)
Champions of Ruin (Doomspeak)
Monster Manual (Ability Focus)
Savage Species (Supernatural Transformation)
Spell Compendium (Inspirational Boost, Master's Touch, Undersong)
Complete Scoundrel (Animate Instrument)

Kuulvheysoon

2013-09-23, 08:13 PM

He's far more reminiscent of one of Grimm's tales than the Disney one

The Frog Prince
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fwV8Q7upSME/S82uIpa4UOI/AAAAAAAAJRw/uZh_yT0ITVo/s1600/435_frogprince.jpg
Levels
CE Neraph Ranger 3/ Paladin of Slaughter 2/ Mortal Hunter 5/ Thrall of Orcus 10

abilities
str 16 dex 12 con 14 int 10 wis 8 cha 16

increases to cha

at 20: str 16 dex 10 con 16 int 10 wis 8 cha 21

Build table
{table=head]Level|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills|Feats|Class Features

1st|Ranger 1|
+1|
+2|
+2|
+0|climb 4, know (dungeoneering) 3, know (nature) 3, listen 4, Speak Language (Common), spot 4, Survival 4|Alertness, Elder Evil (Evil Brand)|Favored enemy (aberrations), Track, Celestial Slayer

2nd|Ranger 2|
+2|
+3|
+3|
+0| climb 1 (5), know (dungeoneering) 1 (5), know (nature) 1 (5), listen 1 (5), spot 1 (5), Survival 1 (5)||Combat Style (melee)

3rd|Ranger 3|
+3|
+3|
+3|
+1|climb 1 (6), know (dungeoneering) 1 (6), know (geography), know (nature) 1 (6), listen 1 (6), spot 1 (6)|Mortalbane|Endurance

4th|Paladin of Slaughter 1|
+4|
+5|
+3|
+1|know (religion) 2||Aura of Evil, detect good, smite good 1/day

5th|Paladin of Slaughter 2|
+5|
+6|
+3|
+1|know (religion) 2 (4)| Elder Evil (Thrall to Demon)|Divine Grace, deadly touch

6th|Mortal Hunter 1|
+6/+1|
+8|
+3|
+1|disguise 2, know (arcana) 2|Power Attack|Mortal hunting +1, mortal skin (any humanoid)

7th|Mortal Hunter 2|
+7/+2|
+9|
+3|
+1|disguise 4 (6)||Detect mortals, Boost Spell-Like Ability

8th|Mortal Hunter 3|
+8/+3|
+9|
+4|
+2|disguise 4 (10)||Mortal hunting +2

9th|Mortal Hunter 4|
+9/+4|
+10|
+4|
+2|disguise 2 (12), climb 2 (8)|Iron Will|Smite mortals

10th|Mortal Hunter 5|
+10/+5|
+10|
+4|
+2|disguise 1 (13), know (planes) 3 | Elder Evil: (Lichloved)|Spurn mortal magic, mortal skin (any nondragon)

11th|Thrall of Orcus 1|
+11/+6/+1|
+12|
+4|
+4|bluff 4|Orcus (Shape soulmeld (phase cloak))|Carrion stench

12th|Thrall of Orcus 2|
+12/+7/+2|
+13|
+4|
+5|bluff 4 (8)|Open chakra (shoulders)|Touch of fear

13th|Thrall of Orcus 3|
+13/+8/+3|
+13|
+5|
+5|bluff 3 (11), know (religion) 1 (5)||Demon wings

14th|Thrall of Orcus 4|
+14/+9/+4|
+14|
+5|
+6|know (religion) 4 (9)|Orcus (Willing Deformity)|Massive girth

15th|Thrall of Orcus 5|
+15/+10/+5|
+14|
+5|
+6|bluff 1 (17), know (arcana) 3 (5)| Divine Denial, Elder Evil (Evil's Blessing)|Summon minor undead

16th|Thrall of Orcus 6|
+16/+11/+6/+1|
+15|
+6|
+7|bluff 1 (18), know (religion) 1 (5), know (planes) 2 (7)||Pallor of death

17th|Thrall of Orcus 7|
+17/+12/+7/+2|
+15|
+6|
+7|know (religion) 2 (7), know (planes) 2 (9)|Orcus (Flyby Attack)|Demon wings (at will)

18th|Thrall of Orcus 8|
+18/+13/+8/+3|
+16|
+6|
+8|know (arcana) 4 (9)|Steadfast Determination|Death touch

19th|Thrall of Orcus 9|
+19/+14/+9/+4|
+16|
+7|
+8|know (religion) 2 (9), know (planes) 2 (9)||Summon major undead

20th|Thrall of Orcus 10|
+20/+15/+10/+5|
+17|
+7|
+9|know (arcana) 2 (11), know (religion) 2 (11)| Orcus (Deformity: Parasite), Elder Evil (Willing Deformity: Madness)|Summon Nightwing 1/week[/table]

Spells per day
{table=head]Level|0lvl|1st|2nd|3rd

6th|-|0|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

7th|-|1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

8th|-|1|0|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

9th|-|1|1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

10th|-|1|1|0|-|-|-|-|-|-

Progression does not advance after 10.[/table]

Mortal hunter spells known:
1st Level: cause fear, charm person, detect good, heartache, protection
from good, sleep, unnerving gaze.
2nd Level: detect thoughts, evil eye, hold person, magic circle
against good, see invisibility, web, wither limb.
3rd Level: flesh ripper, mirror sending, nondetection, scrying,
suggestion, vile lance, wrack.

Suggested play tips

level 5
you're something of an odd duck here. a charisma focused ranger seems odd at first, but paladin helps you defensively with its divine grace. Power attack isn't online yet, so you might like to take advantage of your free TWF while it's still relevant before your second attack comes online and you can begin dealing more damage by THFing with power attack.

aberrations are what a neraph is likely to encounter in limbo, especially chaos beasts, and it's a very broad type that's likely to remain relevant throughout low, mid, and high levels. celestial slayer is up from the start and provides a good degree of versatility. it gives SR 10 + ranger lvl against [good] subtype spells and SLAs, which is handy at low levels, and provides a +4 competence bonus to confirm crits against [good] subtype creatures.

for right now, make use of your str to deal damage in melee and enjoy divine grace having your back. don't forget about neraph camouflage to deny enemies their dex.

neraphim have a +2 racial to spot/listen (along with +5 to jump should it come up) so with that on top of a few ranks and alertness, you should be a decent scout at low levels.

endurance helps you with those little checks if you need to make forced marches and the like.

use thrall to demon in tight spots. it may be minor, but it is a nice little boost 1/day that stacks with just about everything

level 10
Now we've gotten serious.

This month's secret ingredient invited us to dive into the deep end of the alignment pool, and there are few classes deeper in that end than the mortal hunter. Ranger helps lay foundation here giving relevant abilities.

Mortal hunter builds on the platform ranger starts off by continuing your full BA along with paladin and the SI, helping you get a perfect 20 by the time you're all done.

Power attack is up here for the standard reasons. Helps with damage, etc. Now that you're done qualifying for stuff (for now), you have room to take it and enjoy it with your full BA.

You get some nice little bonuses against mortals with mortal hunting, applying to bluff, listen, sense motive, spot, and survival, same as favored enemy in addition to attack and damage (all damage not just weapon damage) rolls against mortals.

Mortals are everybody except outsiders, undead, constructs, and fey.

Mortal skin is up, granting the ability to skin your enemies and steal their power by turning into them. You can use this 1/day and it works as polymorph. Judiciously used, you can make it last as long as you like. If you turn into the same creature whose flesh you harvested, the duration is permanent. If it's the same type, you retain the shape for an hour, and even if it's not the same type, you retain the shape for 10 minutes, so you can use this ability on the fly in combat to turn into something bigger and meaner than the enemies you're fighting in addition to using this ability for long-term disguise/infiltration work.

There are no provisions made for the condition of the flesh, so if your DM is strict, carry around some unguent of timelessness to keep pieces of your favorite forms handy for different situations as with any shape changing character.

You can only do it once a day, as mentioned, so be careful with it and if it's possible try to maximize how often you can permanently retain a shape.

Initially you can only turn into humanoids, but at 5 you can turn into any creature that's not a dragon, outsider, undead, construct, or fey.

This offers one important edge over polymorph. Polymorph doesn't let you turn into elementals, while mortal skin does.

Iron will's up to boost your lowish will save and serve as groundwork for divine denial at 15. trust me, it's worth it

detect mortals does exactly what you think it does and is a very useful little ability, even nullifying darkstalkers! boost spell-like ability helps make your touch of fear and death touch stronger when that comes online later, and you get a smite attack against a mortal 1/day (every little bit helps)

Atropus, in its infinite generosity, graces you with the lichloved feat, the last thing you need to get into thrall of orcus.

your basic combat style is largely the same, however you rely more on THFing than TWFing at this point since PA's up. use your shape changing from mortal skin well and beat the bejeezus out of aberrations with murderous intent. you've got tons of ranks in disguise, so you should be able to pull off stealth/infiltration missions with relative ease between ranks, your good cha, and the +10 bonus mortal skin gives

mortal hunter also gives spells from a short but potent list. while your base allotment is a little puny, there's always wands which can provide a lot of use all throughout the game.

level 15
Hoo-ah, you're in the secret ingredient!

Having learned to slip through the spaces between planes, the worlds between worlds, you have unlocked the power of the phase cloak. the climb bonus is kind of handy, and retaining your AC while climbing is awfully nice. the real reason you want the phase cloak though is the shoulder bind effect.

when bound, you turn ethereal whenever you move at least 5 feet, letting you go through difficult terrain and walk through walls, avoiding aoos (unless enemies can see/target ethereal creatures)

use this in tandem with your demonic wings and really confuse your enemies on the battlefield.

willing deformity allows orcus to grace you with his preternatural fatness via your massive girth ability, beefing up your con to make your carrion stench ability harder to resist, and helping you get more mileage out of steadfast determination later on.

for a shape changer, a high con actually makes a difference since your HP are tabulated from your base con and not the con of the monster you turn into. you have no real reason to care about dex since you can just assume a shape with a higher dex such as a jungle giant and it gets you all the concordant benefits of a good dex score, hence the rationale for fatness instead of skininess

you've got your summons online now, so have fun with them. they're handy flanking buddies and can provide a variety of fun status effects, inflicting ability damage, granting negative levels, and getting to otherwise difficult to access enemies.

mortal hunter's boost spell-like ability bumps touch of fear's dc by 2. it works 3/day/sla, so will be able to enhance touch of fear every time you use it.

you have a lot more mobility around the battlefield now and you should make use of it. demon wings, being a su ability that's not tied to your physical form like a breath weapon, can still be used while you are polymorphed into another monster that can't fly, so keep this in mind when deciding when to time your use for the levels that you don't have demon wings at will.

evil's blessing adds cha to your saves yet again (as a profane bonus, so it stacks with divine grace) for 5 rounds when you make a standard action. if you damage a creature with an aura of good or with the [good] subtype, the bonus doubles for the round, which can get your saves pretty darn high. extremely useful ability if you have the time to prebuff, and you can use it as often as you like, so it'll help you out with all your day's encounters.

divine denial helps strengthen your defense even further, giving a +2 bonus to all saves vs divine spells that allow saves and allowing you to make a will save vs divine spells that don't! useful to the max and built upon later with steadfast determination

combat is similar to levels before it. when your mortal skin ability is available, turn into something big and mean to beat the hell out of your enemies. use your slas from orcus, they're still just as useful.

now that you have your carrion stench online, remember that the save is keyed off your con. this is also the level you hit the cap for polymorph, so if you pick a shape with a good con (such as mountain troll with a 31) it makes your stench much harder for enemies to resist

level 20

You are now truly a sight to behold. Due to the way pallor of undeath has been ruled to work, it can provide great utility for you since you're an outsider. standard uses of alter self apply, and if you really wanted to, you could use it in tandem with your mortal skin ability to change shape for a short period of time into a non-outsider form.

use your pallor of death's fear aura with your touch of fear to stack, and remember that mortal hunter has cause fear on its list as well, wands of which are dirt cheap to make up for its rather anemic base allotment of spells.

flyby attack makes you even more flexible on the battlefield popping in and out of walls and keeping enemies on their toes. Demon wings is at will now, so you don't need to worry about timing it right, and you can grow them when you're polymorphed by mortal skin and hide them if you're incognito.

don't forget that you don't provoke AoOs due to the phase cloak unless enemies can both see and target ethereal foes, nullifying one of flyby attack's biggest headaches

mortal hunter's boost SLA helps out again by making death touch harder to resist 3/day and you've got your appropriately epic capstone of summoning a night wing. this is an absolutely brutal monster to fight with and should help make a dent in almost any combat, even at 20.

deformity madness gives immunity to mind affecting, and steadfast determination earlier on keeps it from negatively affecting your will saves. it also helps you get more punch out of divine defiance by nudging your will save north a few points

fly around the battlefield and hide, spring out when your enemy least expects it, and keep tabs on them with detect mortals. you're all about versatility, so keep your options open and you should do fine
The Tale of Siegfried: Being the Story of a Frog, a Princess, Some Meat, and a Book of Stories

A Frog Is Born

The story begins with the birth of a frog. A special kind of frog, called a neraph.

Neraphim aren't born just once like you and me. They're born twice. First they chew through the rubbery shells of their eggs and swim out into the water as little red tadpoles, slithering and jostling and bumping each other in the communal lagoon where the adults in their tribe have their young, pooling them together to keep everyone's offspring safe.

Because of this, neraphim don't know their parents the same way we do. They're said to belong to their whole tribe. Everyone is their mother, their father, their brother or sister. Or no one is, depending on your perspective.

Life as a tadpole, as you might imagine, is far from glamorous, and the whole time those little froglets are tail to tail and cheek to cheek, they're dreaming of what life outside the pond will be like.

Once they are able, they climb out of the pool on their own two feet and breathe the peppery air of Limbo, their gills sealing shut forever as they set foot on land for the first time.

Land in Limbo came in little chunks at irregular intervals. If we have to crawl before we can walk, neraphim have to swim before they can stand and stand before they can fly.

There isn't an up or a down there. Up is whatever you want it to be, which can be terribly confusing when on the run from a slavering chaos beast.

This wasn't a terribly rare occurrence in Limbo, and it was where the neraphim got much of their food and clothing since, due to the chaotic environment, it was difficult to say when travelers would come to trade.

It was during one of these raids by the chaos beasts, jumbled messes of teeth and ears and eyes and tentacles that they were, that a particular neraph had his first personal encounter with one of the things.

Once the other members of his tribe had finished kicking it to death, he made his way through the crowd and looked at its deflated form.

"This one looks different," he said, gingerly using a stick to raise one of the beast's tentacles tipped with a bulbous eye.

"So what?" the neraph who had delivered the deathblow grunted. "They all look different. It's what separates them from us."

The blood from the beast had stopped flowing. Gravity had changed again in the middle of his sentence and drops of blood hung for a while in round, wobbling beads, drifting through the air like mercury. The crowd began to disperse, floating in different directions towards little hunks of land.

"Is it, though?" the curious neraph said. He supposed his comrade had a point. After all, if pressed to tell you how exactly he looked different from any other neraph, he wouldn't be able to. Perhaps that was why none of them had names.

"What's that supposed to mean?" the other said, an edge to his voice, the sack in his throat wavering a little and stretching his skin taut out of habit.

"Well," he continued hesitantly, his own breath sac not quite so grown yet, "we change from tadpoles into adults. That's not so different from what these creatures do, is it?"

His companion's eyes widened, their thin nictitating membranes flicking over them reflexively as some dirt from a nearby landmass sprinkled down on them.

"I'll pretend I didn't hear that," he said, and floated upwards to join some other neraphim for a dinner of the fleshiest parts of this beast.

The remaining neraph sighed to himself.

"You and everyone else."

At times, though he was surrounded by individuals like himself as far as meat and bones were concerned, he still felt lonely in a way he couldn't put words to.

He saw little circular rings lined up along the underside of the beast's tentacle, arranged in the neatest, most perfect rows. To see anything orderly in Limbo was quite unusual. To see anything familiar was more unusual still.

It wasn't his imagination, he could surely say this time. He'd seen this part on a beast before a few days ago during the evening meal. It was as though they were using some other kind of creatures as reference.

It was difficult for him to imagine a creature that wasn't a neraph having parts that all fit together. All the same shape and size and color and not a patchwork quilt like the chaos beasts.

He was just getting ready to take it up to the tribe's cook when he heard a great tearing noise from behind him. He whirled on a point in space just as you or I might turn on our heels and saw it.

A perfect, smooth circle right through space. For someone whose life was all jagged lines and uneven rhythms, there was something alien about a perfect circle.

What he saw through that circle was something else entirely. A group of four leapt through the circle at his feet and hovered in the air before him, seeming unsure of their bodies in the ambiguous gravity that surrounded them at the moment.

"Hello," he said, his tongue feeling dry in his mouth.

The creature in front of him recoiled in what he guessed was disgust, likely as a result of the chaos beast he still held on the end of his stick. Its flesh hadn't yet stabilized, and despite his fascination with them, he had no desire to be afflicted by their cursed touch.

"Oh, no, don't worry, it's quite dead," he said, nodding towards the beast. The four uncomprehending looks before him told him they didn't speak his language.

They were odd looking things. They had tiny little mouths that barely stretched wider than the space between their eyes. They had a strange patch of fur on top of their heads and some kind of bowl-shaped growth on either side of their heads. Their skin was smooth like porcelain and was a different color for each of them, and none of it close to the red of his own hide. Other than that, they had two arms and legs and no discernible tails, so whatever they were, they had entered the adult stage of their life cycle.

He tried his greeting again in Slaadi, knowing a phrase here or there, but this didn't seem to improve this group's attitude. They backed away from him as though afraid, and one of them held a trembling hand in front of its face and surrounded his companions in a shimmering bubble of force by speaking a few beautiful, musical syllables with a short, thick little tongue.

He watched them drift away and noticed that in their haste, they had left something behind.

It was made of skin of some sort and roughly rectangular. Narrow sheafs of paper filled out its middle and there was some kind of language he didn't quite recognize on the inside along with some pictures of more of the strange creatures he had just seen.

Not wanting to push his luck further after his argument about the chaos beast earlier, he tucked the thing into his bag and went home to peruse it later on.

The Shadow That Was
Once he had read the first book, he was hungry for more in a way that he felt would be sacrilegious to compare to food. The need to eat was something that happened on its own. This book had lit his soul on fire. Nothing he could do would quench it. All that could be done was to obtain more books.

When he had found the artifact's proper appellation, he was able to negotiate with traders in the tribe. There were adventuring parties that drifted through Limbo occasionally, he learned, and they were prone to losing things. Since no one else in his tribe seemed to have much use for the things, he was able to barter for them cheaply, and before long had filled his tent with books.

That first one still remained his favorite all this time later. The others had much to tell him indeed, yes. Those tentacles with little round rings were from a creature called an octopus from the prime material, and there were other creatures there that chaos beasts had taken other traits from. Sharp teeth from serpents, large snouts from alligators, and bulbous eyes from neraph-like creatures called frogs.

Once he had the Common word in his mind, he clung to it and sought out information on the subject wherever it became available.

Frogs were apparently quite prominent in the predominant culture in the prime material. There was no dearth of literature about them. Some peoples, from his studies, even revered them as gods.

As far as the ones who had left the book in his care in the first place, men, they were called, seemed to have a complex relationship with frogs. Some took frogs as familiar spirits, and still others put those people to death for doing so. It was all terribly confusing.

That was until one day he discovered a very special book. It was emblazoned with a wide, friendly neraphim face. Its cheeks were nice and round, thick rolls of fat under its chin showing his prowess as a great hunter.

His skin appeared to be green to the eye, but it might have just been the unusual material used to bind the book. He couldn't quite be sure, but thought it might be leather of some sort.

Warts dotted his cheeks and his mouth was cracked open in a toothy smile. He appeared friendly and genial, and the inside of the book was no different.

"Welcome, gentle reader. You must ask yourself not what you can do for Orcus, but what Orcus can do for you?"

The rest of the page was blank. This was most unusual since from what he understood, paper was quite the valuable commodity in the prime material.

What happened next surprised even a resident of Limbo.

The words on the page swirled and danced around his clawed hand as it rested against the blank page.

"Well? What'll it be, gentle reader?"

He blinked.

"Are you speaking to me?" he asked aloud.

"Who else?" the book said.

"Am I addressing Orcus?"

"In a manner of speaking," said the book. "I am but a shadow of what once was."

"What once was?

"You truly are an inquisitive sort…" it trailed off as though searching for his name.

"You can save yourself some time. Our kind doesn't have names."

The ink swam on the page and formed into the smiling face he'd seen on the cover.

"A wise decision. Never let anyone name you against your will. Names have power. It's why I'm not Orcus, at least not anymore."

He nodded, looking at the book without blinking his eyelids, his nictitating membranes flicking back and forth in excitement.

"So what have you named yourself?" he asked.

If it could be said that an ink drawing on a page drew itself up with pride, then that's exactly what happened as he asked Orcus or whoever he was this question.

"You may call me Tenebrous," it said, pride oozing from its lips as the ink coalesced into words under its many chins.

"So, you suggest I name myself? Take control of my own fate as you have yours?"

The head turned a little to the side as if to shrug

"Perhaps not exactly as I have. After all, you seem a decent sort of fellow, I'd hate to consign you within the pages of this tome of magic. It's not an entirely pleasant place to be. Although perhaps…" it trailed off.

The page was full, so he flipped it over to see if Tenebrous was still speaking.

The face reappeared as soon as he had laid the corner flat, looking as though it were chuckling, little "ha ha has" slipping from between his teeth.

In the books he had read, this was generally the part where the entity offered the reader something of value.

"I might transport you into one of these other books. In a more metaphorical sense, of course. Take you to this prime material you so fancy."

He stroked his chin and opened a book so it faced Tenebrous. It had an elaborate bird's feather filigree on its cover. He faced a meticulous illustration of a prince facing an evil wizard, a beautiful maiden clinging to his arm in fear or adulation, he wasn't sure which. He lightly traced his finger across the prince.

"You may call me Siegfried."

"Ah, a Renaissance man. I can respect that," the illustration purred in a florid cursive script.

"I'm not a man, per se," he said, "but I do appreciate Tchaikovsky."

"Well, would you like to be?"

Siegfried blinked his eyelids.

"Is such a thing possible?"

"My amphibian friend, anything is possible. I would expect a denizen of Limbo to know that. All I ask in return is that you visit a friend of mine."

Siegfried chewed on his thick, ropy tongue.

"Is it really like these stories? All I have to do is get a kiss from a beautiful maiden, and that will make a man of me?"

Tenebrous gave a lecherous wink so emphatic that he made ripples across the sea of his cheeks that traveled all the way down to the bay of his chins.

"You'll need to get a little more than just a kiss from her, but that is the general idea."

Had Siegfried been a man, he may have blushed. As it was, his red skin was able to hide his shock at Tenebrous's impropriety. As his books had taught him, such behavior was unbecoming of a gentleman.

"Well, all right then. What is it I must do?"

"Nothing too strenuous. Those creatures you hunt, do they have skulls?"

"Sometimes," said Siegfried. "Sometimes more than one."

"Do you know where they're kept?"

Siegfried nodded. "In the tannery. It's what we make clothes and tools out of."

"Fascinating. Do you think you could arrange for a live one to make its way there?"

"I could. What am I to do with it?" Siegfried asked.

"Kill it," said Tenebrous.

Siegfried felt a little sick. "If… if I must."

"Then we have a deal," Tenebrous said.

***

Siegfried tried not to look as he dashed the chaos beast's brains out against the makeshift dais Tenebrous had asked him to construct out of the chaos beasts' oddly shaped skulls.

He lit a tallow candle from a particularly greasy beast.

"There," he muttered. "I've done your distasteful deed."

The book smirked at him and opened its mouth wide, clearly laughing.

"You have no idea. Anyway, just smear some of that good stuff on my mouth here." Tenebrous opened his jaws.

Siegfried grimaced and wiped his finger through the slurry running down the altar of misshapen skulls and smudged it onto the page where it soaked in for a second and disappeared with a satisfied smack of Tenebrous's rubbery lips and impressive tongue.

"That's the ticket. Anyway, hang on, this might sting a little," Tenebrous said.

Siegfried was about to ask, but his question was answered with a searing pain in his finger.

He yanked it back in shock and popped it into his wide mouth, working hard not to make a noise, lest he be discovered in the tannery when he wasn't supposed to be there.

Siegfried looked to his hand and saw there was an odd, dark symbol that didn't look anything like a bite.

"What is this?" he said, feeling as though it was a gross understatement.

"Surely you're familiar with the mark of the beast," Tenebrous said, licking his lips.

"You're not telling me I've made some Faustian pact?"

Tenebrous's head rocked and rolled back and forth until it rolled off the page and onto the next one, forcing Siegfried to turn the page to see his bloated form again.

"I suppose you could say you're more von Rothbart than Siegfried."

Siegfried scowled. "You said not to let anyone else name me."

"Oh, yes, yes. Now do you want to see the world or not?"

Siegfried blew lightly on his finger.

"I suppose so."

"Just turn the page. You're good at that," he punctuated with a raspberry.

Siegfried rolled his bulging eyes and turned the page seeing Tenebrous pointing out his long, fat tongue at some text on the opposing page, giving a time, date, and location a short time from now.

"What is this?"

"You remember that odd group that you encountered a while ago. They traveled here through a portal. This is the location of the next one so you can find what you think you need to fill that hole in your heart."

Siegfried tried not to let the hurt show on his face, but it didn't seem to fool Tenebrous.

"And I'm supposed to believe that? I know what happens to the men in these sorts of stories"

Tenebrous rolled his eyes so forcefully they fell out of his head and rattled along the bottom of the page.

"As one predator to another, frogface, I've got what I need from you. If you don't want to collect, that's your problem. You've got the information. Whether you act on it or not's up to you. You want Odette? Go get her." He punctuated this with an eyeless wink that was truly unnerving to Siegfried.

He shut the book and drummed his fingers on the cover. Tenebrous's face still shifted beneath them, but he was at least free of his snide comments.

He wanted to pretend he had some choice in the matter. Being familiar with themes of fate, he knew that since he was embroiled in this choice in the first place, he would end up going along with Tenebrous's plan in the end.
A Frog In Love
The time came, and Siegfried held himself in position to wait for the portal to open.

The leader of the group of four opened the portal again, just as she had last time. She looked far different from how he had seen her last. Her hair was tied tightly away from her face and was showing streaks of gray. She looked as though she had scarcely eaten or slept since the last time Siegfried had last laid eyes on her. She had a look of determination burning in her eyes that Siegfried recognized from the illustrations in his books. She looked like Odette when she was facing von Rothbart in the final scene.

"Where is my book, slaad?" she hissed in Slaadi with a thick, Common accent, full of lips and teeth.

Siegfried snorted and reached into his bag to withdraw it.

"It's easier for me to speak your language, madam," he said in Common, pinching the sides of his mouth towards the center of his face to sound more human. "And for the record, I'm neraphim, not slaadi."

"Potayto, potahto," she said in Common, one hand on her hip and the other swirling some magic around her finger with the other. "Will you make this easy or difficult?" Her lip curled up into a sneer.

Siegfried followed her gaze to his wrist, submerged in his bag. She must have thought he was grabbing for a weapon. He took out the book and tossed it in her general direction, leaving it to hover between them.

"It was really quite a delightful little romp. Who was that fair maiden on page 46?" he said politely. The part of the page containing the caption had been damaged.

The woman in front of him made an odd face and gestured towards the book. It opened before her and turned to the page in question. She grimaced in disgust.

"You're sick! You know that?" she shouted. In a puff of smoke and foul-colored light, she was gone.

Siegfried shrugged and walked through the portal undeterred.

He found himself in a beautiful stone room. It wasn't just a little crumb of rock like the ones in Limbo. He appeared to be inside of a permanent structure, something unheard of in Limbo. When the landscape was so mutable, it didn't make sense to erect anything more than a tent.

There was a raised rectangular platform in the center of the room, a perfect shaft of sunlight beaming right down onto it. The room was all straight, clean lines, nothing jagged or irregular anywhere.

Siegfried walked over to the stone structure and saw a human shape on the top of it, a tradition for their royalty, he had read. There was no name on it.

When he was closer to it, he recognized the face as the symmetrical vision of loveliness that had greeted him on page 46 of the book he'd just returned to what he assumed to be its rightful owner. Her face looked slightly different cast in stone. Her eyes were closed, her cheeks much fuller than they appeared on the page.

"Hello there," Siegfried said, resting a hand on the lid. He was quite familiar with the story of the sleeping beauty. Imprisoned wrongfully by an evil witch until awoken by the ministrations of an amorous prince.

He was a prince, Siegfried thought. Despite his rough treatment, Tenebrous had had a point about the power experienced when one named himself.

Siegfried shoved the stone lid gingerly off the rectangular box and brought it to rest on the floor with a delicate scraping sound.

What lay before him was just what he'd seen on page 46. Her eye were black holes, empty as when Tenebrous's had rolled out of their sockets. Her face was clean and white, ivory cheeks and off-white teeth just like the tusks he'd seen on chaos beasts pasts, borrowed from what he now knew to be an elephant.

Her dress lay in tatters, making the task fate had appointed him somewhat easier. His fingers wandered across her long, smooth bones, searching for the magic splinter that kept his princess slumbering.

His palm rubbed across the round crests of her pelvis as he lowered himself into her resting place.

Siegfried lowered his face to her glimmering rictus and made the best approximation of a kiss he could to a princess with no lips.

Just as he did, two burning pinpricks of light flared to life in the middle of his lady's eye sockets, bathing the two of them in a deep red light the color of the sunset in his books.

Siegfried felt the bite of his lover's pointed phalanges digging into the back of his scalp, kissing him back far more adeptly than he would have thought she was able.

Since he knew she wouldn't have to come up for air, Siegfried was the first to pull away.

"What a treat," she purred.

Siegfried yelped as her bony hand pinched the bare flesh of his buttock.

"I'm here to-"

"Did Tenebrous send you?" she said, somehow inserting a yawn midway through the sentence. She stretched her arms wide over her head and climbed over the edge onto the floor.

Siegfried blinked and gratefully accepted his trousers when his lady handed them to him.

"In a manner of speaking. He told me when and where a mage would be opening a door here from Limbo in exchange for the book I first glimpsed you in." He leaned on the lip of the stone sarcophagus.

"Are you the friend he wished me to see, milady?"

She laughed, an odd, hollow noise without a tongue.

"Oh, you are precious," she said, her teeth chattering with every word as she watched him get dressed.

"He told me you would make a man of me," Siegfried said, feeling indecent. "And how did you know he sent me?"

"I'd say you took care of that yourself, Romeo." One of her gas lamp eyes flickered out for a second in what he guessed was supposed to be a wink. "You're bearing his mark," she said, pointing to his hand as he buttoned his shirt.

He cleared his throat, making his vocal sac swell a little, bulging like a balloon and eliciting a little giggle from his princess.

"It's Siegfried, actually," he said. "But I was speaking in a more literal sense."

"Ah. Well, that's simple enough." She reached through a hole in her dress and drew a withered scrap of meat that clung to the edge of her coccyx. "Bottoms up," she said said with another wink. Siegfried supposed without flesh, one's means of expressing oneself was rather limited.

Siegfried flicked his long tongue to his lady's hand and let it snap back to his mouth, savoring her salty aroma.

He swallowed and felt a strange sensation in his skin. It reminded him of the last stage in his life cycle when he went from tadpole to adult.

His skin faded from its normal scabby red to a pale, creamy color, like the Siegfried in his book. He felt hair shoving its way out of his scalp and his mouth shrinking to a human proportion.

His bones readjusted themselves until he was standing just a shade above his lady, as Siegfried should for his Odette.

"And that's all there is to it?" he said, his voice feeling reedy and thin coming from such a small mouth with no vocal sac to give his words some meat.

"Yes. It's not a bad trade for your soul, is it?" she said.

Siegfried swallowed. He'd heard reference to souls in a few of his books. It was what Anderson's little mermaid had so lacked and traded her life for. Was this what he had given up to do just the opposite?

"I suppose not. Can I turn into anything besides men?"

His lady shrugged. "I'm not sure. I asked for something else. You'll figure it out."

"What did you ask for?"

She looked at him blankly. "You're serious."

Siegfried simply waited.

"Eternal life. Of a sort, anyway. He does have a nasty sense of humor, our shadow that was."

"What's his twist for me?" he asked.

"My guess would be that you'll have an insatiable taste for mortal flesh."

Siegfried snorted. "I'm perfectly satisfied in this shape. Why should I want to metamorphose again?"

"You may not have a choice."

Siegfried didn't like the sound of that, but it did sound just like something out of his fairy tales.

Final chapter/Sources found here (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=16084614&postcount=285)

Kuulvheysoon

2013-09-23, 08:18 PM

By the Power of Greyskull!
Cara Skerritt, Nightchild; Chaotic Evil Strongheart Halfling Lich Death Master 10/Thrall of Orcus 10

Hush little baby, don't you cry
Daddy's gonna sing you a lullaby
Of death and darkness and eerie things
That travel the night on gilded wings
Of witches and demons and monsters so fierce
Of battles and swords and arrows that pierce
Of the spells and secrets of my sacred Art
That darken even the purest heart
And if, through it all, you begin to fear
Remember that I am always here
So take the legacy I gift to thee
And when I am gone, remember me.

Cara Skerritt was a troubled child. Born into the ruins on the outskirts of the city whose-name-is-unspoken, portents of doom heralded her arrival; for some she was a messiah, one who would protect them and lead them to victory against the oppressive overlords and barons, while to others, she would be the destroyer of everything. The signs that preceded and followed her birth rained down as the followers of the cults within the city fought to have her killed or saved. Things were looking grim for her followers until the dead rose to help them, unbidden from their graves. The birthsign which marred the skin on her heart was that of the shape of a skull.

All thought she was lost to the ruins when the signs that portended doom when fire-from-the-sky landed on her shelter, destroying it utterly. Yet blessed by her patron which she didn’t yet know of was watching these signs as the stillborn moon descended, Cara arose from the ashes of her broken shack; the dead spontaneously arising around her. She was one of them, and all bowed before her. None could stop her; for every man woman and child that was slain, they would arise but moments later under her will. Even the greatest of the Undead could not defend themselves, the darker-darkness above the heralded the arrival of Nightwings, while Vampires and the unbodied spirits of those who died with a grievance came at her bidding. Even the greatest of the dragons could not fail to heed her call from beyond the grave, and with but the slightest of touches, she would slay the strongest of foes.

When one would arise who would kill her, Cara would somehow reappear sometime later, and the slayer would meet a death that would be inexplicable, without even a sign of a scratch on them. Some reports would fancifully state that they would be later seen at the vanguard of an undead horde, but these reports are dismissed as fanciful exaggerations.

Over the centuries, there have been stories about cities, fortresses, strongholds, planar defences, dwarven undermountains, elven treetop homes all being besieged by the undead, closely following the fleeing hordes of the lay peoples who surrounded such locations. These attacks are seemingly random, but each and every occasion seems to make special awareness of a little orphan girl, alone and frightened, starving and with wyrdlight in her eyes…

{table=head]Level|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills|Feats|Class Features

1st|Death Master 1|
+0|
+0|
+0|
+2| Concentration 4, Disguise 4, K. Arcane 4, K. Planes 4, K. Religion 4|Evil Brand, City Slicker|Rebuke Undead, Undead Minion

2nd|Death Master 2|
+1|
+0|
+0|
+3|Concentration 5, Disguise 5, K. Arcane 5, K. Planes 5, K. Religion 5||

3rd|Death Master 3|
+2|
+1|
+1|
+3|Bluff 0.5, Concentration 6, Disguise 6, K. Arcane 6, K. Planes 6, K. Religion 5|Thrall to Demon (Orcus)|

4th|Death Master 4|
+3|
+1|
+1|
+4|Bluff 1, Concentration 7, Disguise 7, K. Arcane 7, K. Planes 7, K. Religion 5||

5th|Death Master 5|
+3|
+1|
+1|
+4|Bluff 1.5, Concentration 8, Disguise 8, K. Arcane 8, K. Planes 8, K. Religion 5||Master of the Dead

6th|Death Master 6|
+4|
+2|
+2|
+5|Bluff 2, Concentration 9, Disguise 9, K. Arcane 9, K. Planes 9, K. Religion 5|Lichloved|

7th|Death Master 7|
+5|
+2|
+2|
+5|Bluff 3, Concentration 10, Disguise 10, K. Arcane 10, K. Planes 9, K. Religion 5||

8th|Thrall of Orcus 1|
+6/+1|
+4|
+2|
+7|Bluff 4, Concentration 10, Disguise 10, Intimidate 4, K. Arcane 10, K. Planes 9, K. Religion 5|Planar Touchstone (Catalogues of Enlightenment; Deathbound)|Carrion Stench, Bonus Feat

9th|Thrall of Orcus 2|
+7/+2|
+5|
+2|
+8| Bluff 6, Concentration 10, Disguise 11, Intimidate 6, K. Arcane 10, K. Planes 9, K. Religion 5| Willing Deformity |Touch of Fear

10th|Thrall of Orcus 3|
+8/+3|
+5|
+3|
+8| Bluff 8, Concentration 10, Disguise 12, Intimidate 8, K. Arcane 10, K. Planes 9, K. Religion 5||Demon Wings (1 hour/day)

11th|Thrall of Orcus 4|
+9/+4|
+6|
+3|
+9|Bluff 10, Concentration 10, Disguise 13, Intimidate 10, K. Arcane 10, K. Planes 9, K. Religion 5|Imperious Command|Skeletal Visage, Bonus Feat

12th|Thrall of Orcus 5|
+10/+5|
+6|
+3|
+9|Bluff 12, Concentration 10, Disguise 14, Intimidate 12, K. Arcane 10, K. Planes 9, K. Religion 5|Abyss-Bound Soul (Orcus)|Summon Minor Undead

13th|Thrall of Orcus 6|
+11/+6/+1|
+7|
+4|
+10|Bluff 14, Concentration 10, Disguise 15, Intimidate 14, K. Arcane 10, K. Planes 9, K. Religion 5| |Pallor of Death

14th|Thrall of Orcus 7|
+12/+7/+2|
+7|
+4|
+10|Bluff 16, Concentration 10, Disguise 16, Intimidate 16, K. Arcane 10, K. Planes 9, K. Religion 5|Assume Supernatural Ability|Demon Wings (at will), Bonus Feat

15th|Thrall of Orcus 8|
+13/+8/+3|
+8|
+4|
+11|Bluff 18, Concentration 10, Disguise 18, Intimidate 17, K. Arcane 10, K. Planes 9, K. Religion 5|Spell Focus (Necromancy)|Death Touch

16th|Thrall of Orcus 9|
+14/+9/+4|
+8|
+5|
+11|Bluff 19, Concentration 11, Disguise 19, Intimidate 19, K. Arcane 10, K. Planes 9, K. Religion 5||Summon Major Undead

17th|Thrall of Orcus 10|
+15/+10/+5|
+9|
+5|
+12|Bluff 20, Concentration 13, Disguise 20, Intimidate 20, K. Arcane 10, K. Planes 9, K. Religion 5||Summon Nightwing, +1 Spellcasting

18th|Death Master 8|
+16/+11/+6/+1|
+9|
+5|
+13|Bluff 20, Concentration 17, Disguise 21, Intimidate 20, K. Arcane 10, K. Planes 9, K. Religion 5|Craft Wondrous Item|

19th|Death Master 9|
+16/+11/+6/+1|
+10|
+6|
+13|Bluff 20, Concentration 20, Disguise 22, Intimidate 20, K. Arcane 11, K. Planes 9, K. Religion 5| |

20th|Death Master 10|
+17/+12/+7/+2|
+10|
+6|
+14|Bluff 20, Concentration 20, Disguise 23, Intimidate 20, K. Arcane 15, K. Planes 9, K. Religion 5|Twin Spell, Invisible Spell, Black Lore of Moil, Arcane Thesis (Enervation)|Sustenance of the Dead[/table]
*I'd like to note that all instances of these feats use their most current versions, rather than those within the 3.0 BoVD.

Spells per day/Spells Known
{table=head]Level|0lvl|1st|2nd|3rd|4th|5th|6th|7th|8th|9th

1st|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

2nd|4|3|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

3rd|4|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

4th|4|4|3|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

5th|4|4|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-

6th|4|4|4|3|-|-|-|-|-|-

7th|4|5|4|3|1|-|-|-|-|-

8th|4|5|4|3|1|-|-|-|-|-

9th|4|5|4|3|1|-|-|-|-|-

10th|4|5|4|3|1|-|-|-|-|-

11th|4|5|4|3|1|-|-|-|-|-

12th|4|5|4|3|1|-|-|-|-|-

13th|4|5|4|3|1|-|-|-|-|-

14th|4|5|4|3|1|-|-|-|-|-

15th|4|5|4|3|1|-|-|-|-|-

16th|4|5|4|3|1|-|-|-|-|-

17th|4|5|4|4|2|-|-|-|-|-

18th|4|5|5|4|2|1|-|-|-|-

19th|4|5|5|4|3|2|-|-|-|-

20th|4|5|5|5|4|2|1|-|-|-[/table]

Typical Spells Prepared
0th; Prestigidation, Mage Hand, Invisible Touch of Fatigue (Pale Aura Reduced),
1st; Any of; Moilian Fell Drain Touch of Fatigue (Pale Aura Reduced), Expeditious Retreat, Shocking Grasp, Obscuring Mist, Grease, Invisible Animate Dead (Pale Aura Reduced), Invisible Desecrate (Pale Aura reduced)
2nd; Any of; Moilian Fell Drain Ray of Enfeeblement (Pale Aura Reduced), Alter Self, Blur, Shatter, Touch of Idiocy, Invisible Vampiric Touch (Pale Aura reduced), Invisible Ray of Exhaustion (Pale Aura reduced), Web
3rd; Invisible Moilian Fell Drain Enervation (Arcane Thesis + Pale Aura Reduced), Moilian Fell Drain Ghoul Touch (Pale Aura Reduced), Greater Magic Weapon, Dispel Magic
4th; Any of; Dimension Door, Evard’s Black Tentacles, Scrying, Solid Fog, Wall of Ice
5th; Baleful Polymorph, Cloudkill, Wall of Stone, Symbol of Pain, Invisible Circle of Death (Pale Aura reduced),
6th; Any of; Twinned Fell Drain Invisible Moilian Enervation (Arcane Thesis + Pale Aura reduced), Greater Dispel Magic, Harm, Invisible Moilian Finger of Death (Pale Aura reduced), Invisible Symbol of Weakness, Word of Recall
x3 Higher Order uses of any Domain I have via the Planar Touchstone: Catalogues of Enlightenment; typically Deathbound

Note; Thanks to Craft Wondrous Item, I am able to make Pearls of Power of the relevant level, granting better flexibility.

NB; note that Invisible Spell is used in cooperation with the Pale Aura reduction to grant a lower casting cost, NOT to necessarily make Invisible Undead. Although the cheese is there if you really wish, but it’s not for that reason).

Ability Scores

Strength; 12 (-2) = 10+1 = 11
Dexterity; 8 (+2) = 10 (+2 from Skeletal Visage) = 12
Constitution; 10 = 10 (-2 from Skeletal Visage) = 8, (- from Lich Template).
Intelligence; 16 = 16 (+2 from Lich) = 18
Wisdom; 16 = 16 (+2 from Lich) = 18
Charisma; 14 = 14 (+4 from levelling) = 18 (+2 from Lich) = 20
Build Explanation
Level 1-5

As a Death Master, there isn't much flexibility in my options until I hit levels 3 and up, at which point I can start raising the dead. My spell list is not that versatile as a Wizard; in combat I'm limited to Ray of Frost (No Save 1d3 Cold Damage) or Touch of Fatigue at 0-level, but my 1st level spells, like Ray of Enfeeblement, Grease, and Shocking Grasp provide me with a few staples to back myself up. Meanwhile, Shield, Entropic Shield back up my proficiency with Light Armour to make me a part way decent low level gish. When second level comes online, pick up Animate Dead to help provide a few meat shields. While they're not Corpsecrafted out the wazoo, they don't need to be to provide the relevant role. If Undead are encountered, they can be Rebuked, or failing that, just killed outright. The weapon proficiency as a Scythe gives me a relatively decent damage output should I critical, possibly swapping to two-handing a quarterstaff (presumably that's what "Staff" proficiency is), that allows me to frontline for a while, especially when combined with being small to make myself harder to hit.

Earlier on, I'll use the Zombie Troglodyte to help Wall, but when Animate Dead is available, switch to the Skeletal Wolf to give me something to ride on for a bit of mobility (20ft speed only gets you so far). City Slicker gives me Disguise as a class skill. At 5th level, I gain near enough immunity to Mindless Undead thanks to a combination of Master of the Dead and Rebuke, alongside disguise to look like them if I really need it; while Halt Undead is an option as well if I really need to get by them. At this level, not only am I capable of using Alter Self (typically taking a Skulk for the hide bonuses which outweigh the need for much investment in ranks, or Locathah for Swimming) and Desecrate+Animate Dead, but others like Touch of Idiocy, Shatter, Ghoul Touch, Blur all make me more capable in the front lines. Dispel Magic, Greater Magic Weapon, Phantom Steed, Magic Circle against Good, Poison, Protection from Energy, Stinking Cloud, Stone Shape, Vampiric Touch, and Wind Wall all help my case in not only combat but out of combat capabilities. In regards to Turn Undead checks, you explicitly gain a +2 bonus for having 5 ranks in Knowledge Religion as a Death Master; this possibly doesn’t stack with the Synergy bonus from Knowledge Religion normally, but as written, I think it does; giving a +4 to Turn Undead in total.

Level 6-10

Taking levels in the SI gives me the all-important Bluff as a Class Skill to back up my Disguise; investing ranks in that and Intimidation gives me the possibility to turn into an angry threatening little girl, or a poor abused, malnutritioned girl. Incidentally, Lichloved gives me even more protection against Mindless Undead; but the Stench ability backs this up 2 levels later.

Catalogues of Enlightenment gives me a useful spell the Blade of Pain and Fear, Frightening opponents and allowing me to deal touch attack damage (1d6+3) which isn’t reliant on Strength boosts. Vampire Fangs give me a Bite Attack dealing Con damage, combining well with Stench, Despite the limited uses of the Higher order spells, I can always purchase transportation to the Catalogues to renew them. Pearls of Power can allow me to reuse the spell, meaning the Higher Order usages possibly stay intact, but that is a DM dependent reading and not something I’m relying on.

At this level I am capable of casting 4th level spells; Enervation is the focus of the build later on; however, I can also do Lockdown with Evard’s Black Tentacles, Ice Storm deals a fair bit of damage to creatures weak to cold, Stoneskin makes me very resilient in combat, and Solid Fog or Wall of Ice provide fantastic battlefield control. Scrying gives me some additional out of combat utility for the party as well; or even Charming a monster when I’m not up against Undead. I’ve progressed as a Full Caster so far, but I also have some damage potential in melee; it is at this time when I take the SI; you can see the checklist below to see what I use effectively.

When I start the SI, I have just managed to squeeze in another level of the Death Master, which gains me a powerful Undead follower to help. Until I get my Wings at full speed, the Wyvern Zombie is the best bet for travelling. At this stage, I start to become more of a frontliner, and the power of the follower starts to drop off as I progress away from it, it’s not until I get Flight at will does it lose it’s potential, but even then, my slow speed is a limitation that the Wyvern overcomes. At ECL10, when I get Wings, it is still only hour/day, and at 20ft, it’s hardly going anywhere fast, it’s more for tactical advantage in battle as opposed to combat.

Level 11-15

At 11th level, I get the ability to Summon Undead; here is where I can begin a Wightocalypse, by Summoning a Wight, and then rebuking the wight that is created by my Summon. The same applies to Shadow summons or the Wraith; but the Wight is notorious for being the most capable of making one.

Imperious Command makes my rapidly advancing Intimidation ability more and more useable (by this stage I should have access to the Fearsome Armour Special Ability from Drow of the Underdark to make it a Move Action as well). Abyss-bound Soul increases my Caster Level for Necromancy Spells, Ray of Enfeeblement, Animate Dead and Vampiric Touch being the best uses of it.

The Pallor of Death ability comes online at ECL13, but it’s not particularly clear how it works; but I get more use out of it later anyway, but with Assume Su ability, there should be at least some form that I can take (however it is ruled) that gives me some sort of benefit.

Death Touch at ECL15 is a fantastic ability; while I don’t get the ability (yet) to load up on save debuffing from Metamagic’d Enervation, I am still able to use the Pallor to cause Panic checks, or failing that, Imperious Commanded Fear, while Skiurid Nuggets (+2), Death Knell’d (+1), Abyss-Bound Soul (+1) Animate Dead lets me make Necrosis Carnex’s, so I can still force a -10 on saves.

Level 16-20

As a Gish, the Nightwing is a powerful ally to have; At Will Deeper Darkness, Haste, Greater Dispel Magic (3/day), along with its Telepathy and Invisibility give me a fairly good Scout. It would become a perfect ally if it could Plane Shift, but sadly, the limitation from Summon Monster is a right pain. If it's not, it could be used to Plane Shift to the Catalogues of Enlightenment and get extra uses of the Higher Order abilities. As it stands, however, I'll be limited to requesting another caster for the spell.

At 20th level, I can create myself a Phylactery, turning me into a Lich. This might be considered to be "cheating" as I have gained 4 "free" LA by taking the template at this level, but it fits with the theme of not only the Prestige Class, but also my base classes Capstone ability. I now become Undead; my Carrion Stench ability now becomes Cha based, and the Penalties from Skeletal Visage are lost. In addition to that, you can gain Taint without hurting myself as a Lich; hence the four free bonus feats. Arcane Thesis is the big part here; Twinned (+3) Invisible (-1) Fell Drain (+1) Enervations of Moil (-1) apply +2 overall to the spell itself (putting out . While this normally would make the Spell of limited use (without Pearls of Power), using Pallor of Death (or failing that, Alter Self, which is on the Death Master's spell list (and available for me to craft as a 1/day command worded item, if your DM rules that you need to be in the form for the entire time of preparing the spells)) to become a Slaymate, as Assume Supernatural Ability grants me the required -1 Metamagic thanks to the Pale Aura.

Another option is the Lesser Bonedrinker, which allows me to deal Constitution damage (1d4) on a Grapple. The Pallor of Death isn’t clear on what a “Humanoid Undead” undead is; whether it’s Humanoid that’s Undead in appearance, Undead that’s based off a Human, Undead that are Humanoid in shape,or just based off Alter Self; the main use is to get the Pale Aura available for the Slaymate, but other notables include;

Allip; 1d4 Wis Drain Touch Attack, 30ft Perfect Fly; SRD
Nighthunter Deep Bat; 50ft Perfect Fly; MoF
Brain in a Jar; Rebuke Undead (Su) as a Cleric with the HD of the Lich; LM
Ghast; Ghoul Fever; SRD
Murk; Fly 30ft Good, 1d6 Wisdom Damage to Living opponents; LM
Necrosis Carnex; 30ft aura -2 to saves of living creatures, MM4
Quell; 60ft Flight Good, Intercession (Turn Check (as if a Cleric of the HD) to determine max HD of people unable to cast Divine Spells/Turn Undead for 1 minute), LM
Shadow; Create Spawn (Triggered by Ray of Enfeeblement), SRD
Skin Kite; Steal Skin (Ex) causing Charisma Drain, LM
Slaymate; Pale Aura (Necromancy Spells are at -1 metamagic cost when prepared), LM
Spawn of Kyuss; Create Spawn; MM2
Tomb Mote; Quickness (Extra Standard Action/Round); LM
Vampire Spawn; Negative Level Slam Attack, -OR- Domination Gaze, SRD
Wight; Create Spawn; SRD
Wraith; Create Spawn; SRD

Bolded forms are ones which are Humanoid in shape and Undead (not Templated Undead); which is how I read the ruling, but offer particularly unique abilities that are inaccessible or advisable options for me to use.

The Pale Aura is one of the most powerful abilities when combined with Metamagic +0 spells, like Invisible Spell. Regardless of any “cheese” such as creating Invisible Undead, which is not included and not expected, it allows an effective -1 level cost Metamagic. It is explicitly missing the wording of Arcane Thesis which reduces it to its normal spell level at its lowest allowing this; so Invisible/Moilian 7th level spells can be affected by Pale Aura.

Summon Major Undead; the notable options are the previously inaccessible template monsters. Although the ECL of the Undead is behind that of the party, Undead have a fair old shift of Immunities, and a Vampire’s Dominate ability or ability to load on Negative Levels makes it a powerful force multiplier in conjunction with the Carrion Stench ability (which presumable stacks with itself; if getting in the additional actions is the issue, then taking the form of a Tomb Mote with the Pallor of Death gets the lovely Quickness Su ability for an extra Move/Standard Action a turn). Adding in the Pallor of Death’s Fear aura simply makes any none-fear-immune creature subject to a DC25 Charisma check each turn or Panic. Combined with Intimidate ranks and Fearsome Armour, I can quickly stack on Fear checks like no tomorrow; trapping them with the numerous Battlefield control spells (Acid Fog, Blade Barrier, Wall of Ice, Evard’s Black Tentacles etc) or a wall of undead I have access to.

The Death Touch is just the icing on the cake; the Fear Aura, Carrion Stench, Necrosis Carnexes made via Animate Dead (CL11th, 3 Corpses and Cold Iron Hammered Bands worth 200gp) or Alter Self into one and focus on negative levels and a wounding weapon, combined with a full BAB means I can reliably put on massively reduced saves; -10-12 before Negative levels makes the DC25 Fort saves fairly difficult to make, while the 17BAB makes the attack fairly likely to hit.

To finish off with, Sustenance of the Dead allows me to destroy my own Undead (which I can summon) for immediate temporary HP. Meanwhile, my Undead Companion has no progressed so far as to be able to take a Wight; and have a Wightocalypse begin! Alternatively, rather than using Summoned/Created Undead, I can use it on a Gray Render Zombie (20HD for +40 temp HP for 1 hour).

If you’ve not guessed; ECL20 is the Sweet spot, but the build is able to contribute to EVERY phase of party life, pretty much from 1-20.

Adaptations

Variant Touchstones; obviously, the Undeath Domain from the Catalogues of Enlightenment was picked up for the higher HD limit; but others that are quite viable include things The Metacube (1/day, grant HP equal to character level over and above that of its original maximum x2; making a nigh Indestructible Phylactery), or the White Feather Bridge (1/day Planar Ally x2). Alternatively, rather than Undeath Domain, I could potentially choose Necromancer Domain for the further +1 to Necromancy Spells.

Expanding the Spell-list; as a Dragon Magazine Compendium book, there is nothing to support to Death Master or it's spell list; it is currently just using Necromantic flavoured Wizard/Sorcerer spells. Perhaps ask your DM if it's possible to gain additional spells. None of this is included within, but including things like Animate Dread Warror etc make you at the heart of a powerful Undead army. None of this is needed to make the build work, but it gives you a few more options.

Reforming after Death; as a Lich, it is not explicitly clear whether reforming is counted as "created" for the purposes of Desecrate. If it is, have fun, and kill yourself. Put the Phylactery in a Permanently Desecrated area, and you've got yourself +40HP every time you die (because I'm definately going to have an Altar to Orcus within it). While it doesn't alleviate the problems of having no Con, it makes it less dangerous in full combat.

Elder Evil Worship; I personally do not agree with the by RAW reading of the Bonus Willing Deformity Feats and would rule otherwise should I be running a game using the Thrall. However, the build meets the RAW reading by getting the use out of Willing Deformity (Gaunt). As there is no further gain from Willing Deformity, I could actually worship an Elder Evil (explicitly allowed; recognised since The Dead Mists (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=15385939&postcount=565) back in XLV; Talon of Tiamat); and gain other Willing Defomity Feats; Abominable Form, and Deformity (Face) give me +6 to Intimidate with Defomity (Gaunt) (+2 Gaunt, +2 for Abominable Form, +2 for Face), as well as Fear Stacking, while Dark Speech gives me more powerful spellcasting, while Evil's Blessing is enough to grant me between a +4 to +8 to Saves. Atropus being one dedicated to Undead seems to make sense.

Evolved Undead Template; If a DM rules that each age category for Undead is 100 years as per the Evolved Template, then casting “Bestow Curse” upon oneself gives me exponentially more powerful abilities. Although playable as a PC from 1-20, as a DM you could apply the Evolved Template as many times as you like; in such an instance you might want to consider providing the stat boosts to Intelligence for extra spell slots and using the Evolved Undead to boost charisma.

Spellstitched Undead Template; you might want to get yourself Spellstitched (in which case, an item to gain 19 Wisdom while you are being Spellstitched is needed to gain the 6th level SLA’s; Animate Dread Warrior is pretty much a must here, if your DM does not allow you to expand your spell-list outside of the PHB; even Animate Dead as an SLA to ignore the expensive gems).

Flaws; the build isn’t especially feat starved, but more are always welcome; Practised Manifester and Imperious Command being the notable ones I’d like to pick up (quick reshuffle of feats to make room), while Reserves of Strength would allow me to bypass the 5HD Limit of Alter Self and take the form of a Bonedrinker (MM3) for Pounce. Incidentally, as the stench provides the exact same benefit as the Lichloved feat, it might be worth asking the DM if you even need the Lichloved feat to qualify; which opens up further feats, like say Corpsecrafted to improve the Undead. After all; the fluff for Lichloved doesn’t really flow well as a… well, little girl, let’s say; sadly I had my theme prior to the build, and

Retraining; if Retraining is allowed, I could theoretically swap out Craft Wondrous Item for any of the relevant Craft feats; I’m undead, and have all the time in the world.

Variant Undead; Libris Mortis has rules for variant Undead, but it doesn’t state how to create them, making them normally a DM only tool. However, for a bit more differentiation between Undead followers/summons/animated/rebuked, see if any of the following can be used;
Ghost; Haunting (Major Image at will), Sagacious (Bardic Knowledge, add HD+Cha to check)
Skeleton; Fiery/Lightning/Frost Skeleton (deals Elemental damage on natural attacks), Nimble Skeleton (Climb Speed, +4 Dex), Soldier (Weapon Focus, works best in groups of Soldier Skeletons), Vicious Skeleton (count as larger size to deal damage with claw attack, and Rend).
Vampire; Psychic Vampire (Wisdom Drain in place of Energy Drain), Savage Vampire (2 Claws, more melee orientated, each claw attack bestows negative levels)
Zombies; Bloodthirsty (Crits cause Con damage), Fast Zombie (removes action limitation, perfect on Dragons for Flyby Attacks), Hunting Zombie (Track and Scent), Unkillable Zombie (Fast Healing 5 and Improved Toughness).

Items

Thanks to Craft Wondrous Item, many of my Magic Items are available for me to craft at the expense of just hiring the requisite spellcaster for the length of time taken to make the item.
The two big ones for this build are "Pearls of Power" and the Phylactery; these I can make myself. In addition to that, though, things which help the Undead Controlling side, such the Rod of Undead Mastery, the Battle Bridle grants me Mounted Combat as a bonus feat.
I can also make x/day items to potentially increase my damage capacity; of course these are subject to the DM as it is dealing with custom items. However, it's a relatively decent investment; for example, command word 2/day Animate Dead and a continuous item of Desecrate is 16,320 GP, freeing up my spell slots. Another option is to create one of Alter Self (4,320 GP for a 1/day 60 minute duration) for taking the form of a Slaymate when preparing spells. The Talisman of Undead Mastery allows me to burn charges to increase my effective Turning Level.
Theoretically, I can also use the Planar Touchstone feat to create any item that uses a 6th level spell or lower from any of the domain lists.
Notable inclusions are the Amber Amulets of Vermin (requires Giant Vermin); using these I can equip my Risen Undead army/Dominated living allies with monstrous vermin. Amulet of Fortune Telling (Break Enchantment from the Luck Domain), Amulet of Retributive Healing (Mass Cure Light Wounds, Healing Domain), Amulet of Tears (Aid, Luck Domain), Anklet of Translocation (Dimension Door, own class list), Belt of Battle (Haste, Celerity Domain), Belt of Growth (Enlarge Person, Strength Domain), Greater Boots of the Mountain King (Freedom of Movement from Luck Domain, Stoneskin from Class list), Bracers of Quick Strike (Haste, Celerity Domain), Chronocharm of the Horizon Walker (Expeditious Retreat, own class list), Cloak of Turn Resistance (Turn as a 10th level Cleric), Cloak of Weaponry (Leomund’s Secret Chest, Wealth Domain), Counterstrike Bracers (Haste, Celerity Domain), Ghost Shroud (Create Undead, class list), Gloves of Object Reading (Scrying, class list), Greatreach Bracers (Enlarge Person, Strength Domain), Shadow Veil (Create Undead, class list), Strongarm Bracers (Enlarge Person, Strength Domain), Mirror of the Time Hop (Dimension Door, on class list), Skin of the Defender (Barkskin, Plant Domain), Stench Stones (Ghoul Touch, class list).
As I'm putting across the image of a little girl, using Bluff and Disguise, walking around in horrific full plate carrying a greatsword with an animated shield is not particularly characteristic of a starving little girl looking for shelter. Glamered Armour is pretty much a must, while a Hideaway weapon from RotW is another. As I'm going to need to offset my size penalty, the Fearsome Armour (DotU) comes into its own, thanks to its Move Action activation (and Shaken stacking with the stench ability to reduce enemy saves is helpful for my SLA's reducing saves). For the Hideaway weapon, the Wounding Enchantment to deal damage to enemy constitution scores makes it even more dangerous for the Con based saves which are forced by the SI; Death Touch and Carrion Stench explicitly; while the spells of the Death Master has several that are reliant on Fort Saves (http://dndtools.eu/spells/?name=&range=&spell_resistance=&area=&duration=&saving_throw=Fort&casting_time=&school__slug=&sub_school__slug=&descriptors__slug=&verbal_component=1&somatic_component=1&material_component=1&arcane_focus_component=1&divine_focus_component=1&xp_component=1&rulebook__slug=&description=&class_levels__slug=death-master&spellclasslevel__level=0&spellclasslevel__level=1&spellclasslevel__level=2&spellclasslevel__level=3&spellclasslevel__level=4&spellclasslevel__level=5&spellclasslevel__level=6&domain_levels__slug=); all shown in the link are Death Master spells of 0-6th level, which have reduced effects based on Fort Saves.
Other generic items all have their use; Strength, Intelligence and Charisma items especially; these are craftable by the Domain switch. Items which boost my caster level would be fantastic; an Orange Ioun Stone (among others) would be a first choice item).
Of course, all the Planar Travel would need a custom item of Planar Travel, which would require renting a 9th level Clerics services for the day to borrow the spell.

Maths

Intimidate Checks: 20 Ranks, +4 High Cha, +5 Fearsome Armour, +3 Willing Deformity, +2 Gaunt, +2 versus Evil, Alter Self negating Size penalty vs Medium = +36, and Imperious Command and Move Action activation.
Disguise; 23 Ranks, +4 High Cha, +10 Alter Self, +2 Synergy = +39
Bluff; 20 Ranks, +4 High Cha = +24
Enervation/Negative Level Optimization;

- Caster level 11 Class Levels, +1 Abyss-bound Soul, +1 Necromancy Domain, +2 Arcane Thesis = CL 15.
- Save DC = 10 Base, +4 Spell Level, +4 High Int, +1 Spell Focus = DC19, -10 to Saves from Necrosis Carnex (-2), Stench (-2), Panic (-6), and possibly Sickened (-2), and any additional boosts from the huge number of Negative Levels myself or my minions can put out.
- Twinned Fell Drain Black Lore Enervation or Moil deals 2d4+2 Negative Levels. BAB20 ensures it hits. Dispel is able to counter Deathward. Queued up with the Save reducers as above, I average 7 Negative levels per casting; resulting in a -17 to Saves after 1 round; in the next round, a Death Touch of DC25 (without items, remember) resulting in effectively a DC of 42.
- Black Lore of Moil is usually to guarantee that the spell deals Negative Levels even on a successful save; but Enervation is no save. However, it has additional benefits when included alongside Invisible Spell and Arcane Thesis for reducing overall Metamagic costs by 2 on Enervation (in addition to the reduction on the other Metamagics). Combined with the Pallor of Death from Alter Self into a Slaymate I can get -3 for it.
- Against Undead, the Black Lore of Moil allows me to inflict Negative Levels. On the Spells which I can cast which have “negates (http://dndtools.eu/spells/?name=&range=&spell_resistance=&area=&duration=&saving_throw=negate&casting_time=&school__slug=necromancy&sub_school__slug=&descriptors__slug=&verbal_component=1&somatic_component=1&material_component=1&arcane_focus_component=1&divine_focus_component=1&xp_component=1&rulebook__slug=&description=&class_levels__slug=death-master&spellclasslevel__level=0&spellclasslevel__level=1&spellclasslevel__level=2&spellclasslevel__level=3&spellclasslevel__level=4&spellclasslevel__level=5&spellclasslevel__level=6&domain_levels__slug=)” or “partial (http://dndtools.eu/spells/?name=&range=&spell_resistance=&area=&duration=&saving_throw=partial&casting_time=&school__slug=necromancy&sub_school__slug=&descriptors__slug=&verbal_component=1&somatic_component=1&material_component=1&arcane_focus_component=1&divine_focus_component=1&xp_component=1&rulebook__slug=&description=&class_levels__slug=death-master&spellclasslevel__level=0&spellclasslevel__level=1&spellclasslevel__level=2&spellclasslevel__level=3&spellclasslevel__level=4&spellclasslevel__level=5&spellclasslevel__level=6&domain_levels__slug=)” can cause more Negative Levels even when Enervation is not an option
Checklist

Here follows a checklist of how I've used the requirements/class features of the SI
FLUFF; Both the Thrall and the Death Master are dedicated to Orcus. While I'd have got more benefit as a Spellcaster by taking the base class through to 20th, I've become much more of a Cult Leader and spreader of Undeath through taking the SI. And what's better than a stunted growth character like Esther from "Orphan" disguising herself as a little girl, sending invisible laser beams of Negative Levels shooting all over the place before controlling the newly risen Wights while her Wight companion continues the Wightocalypse, meanwhile shapeshifting into a Shadow and making an army of Shadows for a Shadocalypse. As a Death Master, I ignore ASF as long as I use vials of blood from sacrificial victims; those sacrificial victims would likely provide the skulls that would be used in the Rite to become a Thrall, while the Altar held within would likely be the place I'd keep my Phylactery and hence keep in a Permanent Desecration. Not only that, but the Black Lore of Moil requires specially crafted runebones as a another material component. By sacrificing these bones and vials of blood, I become even more powerful.
EVIL ALIGNMENT; qualification to become a Lich
BAB 4+/FULL BAB ADVANCEMENT; Made the all-important 16+ BAB; the Full BAB advancement gives me higher BAB than continued advancement in the Base Class would.
SKILLS; Knowledge Arcane improved and Knowledge Religion gains the Synergy bonus with Turn Undead. The Skill List grants me Bluff, and Intimidate.
FEATS; Lichloved lets me appear to be one of the mindless Undead so I'm not attacked. Thrall to Demon gets me into Abyss-bound Soul for +1 to Necromancy Spells. I'm a Necromancer; combined with +2 to Intimidate checks to make it a bit easier. Plus, I can get more money from the bank manager by getting all angry; and we all know Bank Managers are evil.
SPELL CASTING; I'm a Necromancer with Deathbound Domain. Combined with Animate Dead, Desecrate and a Rod of Undead Mastery, I can gain 48HD of Undead. Gaining the Spellcasting as one of the class's features also allowed me to become a Lich.
SAVES; Good Fort Save backs up the low Fort Save of the Lich and Death Master, and gives an even better Will Save.
PROFICIENCIES; As a Death Master, provided I spend extra effort on preparing Vial's of blood from sacrifices to Orcus as a special Material Componenet, I can cast without ASF; so I can include the Shield and Armour as my equipment.
BONUS FEATS; Skeletal Visage has no penalties associated with it; it is a bonus feat/class feature that is effectively +2 Dexterity at 20th level.
CARRION STENCH; stacking with Intimidation to help reduce saves for my SLA’s. The fact that it’s keyed off my Charisma when I become a lich makes it even more potent (DC25 before boosting). Piling on Negative Levels as either an Alter Self’d Wight type creature, Enervation, or dealing Constitution damage through things like
TOUCH OF FEAR; again, stacking with Intimidation, it helps with Battlefield control against mooks. However; it’s not particularly useful in the long run due to Cause Fear’s HD limitation; it is however, something that was gained early enough to not be completely useless (ECL9).
DEMON WINGS; At 10th level, I have 1 hr/day flight with 20ft speed, ECL14 gives it all day long. With Expeditious Retreat, this becomes 50ft speed for 1 Min/level. Fly is not a spell available for a Death Master normally, and alongside optimizing Enervation for a Ray, I can stay out of range, and just rain down negative levels.
SKELETAL VISAGE; Dexterity was slightly dumped due to getting in the requisite mental stats, as was Con. Becoming a Lich made the Con penalty nothing, so it was a essentially a free +2 Dex and +2 to Intimidate.
SUMMON UNDEAD; In the event I have no Undead army to protect me, I can always summon these. Sustenance of the Dead gives me the ability to if I really need it, just break them down for HP; a Mohrg gets me 28 Temporary HP, for example. Even if they only last an hour, and it’s a 1/day ability, it’s a much needed boost on a Con- character. If a Summon brings in a templated summons creature, then I believe it diverts to just bringing a typical one. As there is no such typical one (being a template), then I just assumed that the build brought in a Templated Human commoner of the relevant Character Level (by that, I understand it to mean HD total); the power of a ghost after all comes from being a Ghost Template, or a Vampire Template and the competition is down to using the ingredients. A Ghost’s Horrific Appearance can lower the enemies Con score, making the Stench or Death Touch even more likely to trigger, while the Malevolence ability may arguably let it bypass the Summon Monster duration, giving me a full time monster to tramp around in. A Vampire’s Domination is another way of giving me a full time fellow creature to boss around; a living one this time (“Follow the ugly small girl as if she was your Mistress”); which can be chained every fortnight or so.
PALLOR OF DEATH; aside from taking the forms of Humanoid Undead (which term is so vague as to clarify) and taking useful SU abilities from Assume Supernatural Ability (for extra actions, Rebuke as a Cleric of my HD, -1 Necromancy, shutting down Divine Spellcasting etc), I can stack on the Fear penalties even quicker to reduce saves for when I target the enemies with my Fort Save SLA’s (-6 from Panicked, -2 from Stench, -2 from a Necrosis Carnex). With Ghoul Touch for progressing a sickened status as well, it gets to become a further -2 for -12 total.
SUMMON NIGHTWING; The SLA’s of the Nightwing free up a number of spell slots, as well as providing yet another powerful combatant. In addition, it’s a 17HD creature, and when it’s due to be dismissed, I can always use my Sustenance of the Dead ability to steal a further number of HD. This, along with the Summon Undead abilities is one thing that the Death Master cannot gain without Arcane Disciple or access to another Spell-list for Planar Binding. That it’s cast as a 15th level caster means it lasts for even an extended combat. See Invisibility, Telepathy, alongside Greater Dispel Magic (at CL17). In conjunction with the save reducers mentioned earlier, the Finger of Death is a highly potent ability (effectively DC38-40 Saves) to use for another, well, Save or Die, while its Cone of Cold gives me something to do with the Battlefield Control spells I have access to, particularly when I’m surrounded by enemies due to my Lich Immunity to cold.

Sources

Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting; Strongheart Halfling
Dragon Magazine Compendium Vol. 1; Death Master
Book of Vile Darkness; Thrall of Orcus
Fiendish Codex 1; Evil Brand, Thrall to Demon, Abyss-Bound Soul
Races of Destiny; City Slicker
Planar Handbook; Planar Touchstone, Catalogues of Enlightenment
Spell Compendium; Deathbound Domain
Heroes of Horror; Willing Deformity
Drow of the Underdark; Imperious Command, Fearsome Armour
Savage Species; Assume Supernatural Ability
Complete Arcane; Twin Spell,
Cityscape; Invisible Spell
Libris Mortis; Black Lore of Moil
PHB2; Arcane Thesis

Kuulvheysoon

2013-09-23, 08:22 PM

I mean, we all know that it's the crazy ones that have the good pills
Prologue

The Sanctuary of Noon was subject to an unusual state of agitation.
Squires were sharpening the swords of knights, and priests were giving blessings. The chivalry commanders were spending most of their time in the war room, discussing strategies. A battle was coming, and it would be a glorious one ; when the night came, knights and squires gathered and drank, exchanging tales about their enemy.
A knight was shouting. « I've heard his skin's pale as the Moon, and he's got tiny wings, and he can fly with them !»
« Well I've heard he's tall as a giant, and twice as large, and he breathes fire as a dragon ! »
« When I was still a squire, my knight told me about him... he'd met him, and he told me the man was the ugliest thing he'd ever laid eyes on ! »
« Actually, he's a she. »
The voice that just spoke these words belonged to a knight in her forties, probably the most senior in the room. She had kept to herself until now, drinking slowly, a grim expression on her face.
« And how do you know that, m'lady ? » said a young knight, having seemingly been quick to drink his manners away.
She looked straight at him.
« I met her », she said. « Twice. »

Adrienne Fzembrel, the Pilgrim Dead Inside

LE Human Hexblade 7 / Thrall of Orcus 10 / Paladin of Tyranny 3

Tell me, child... what ails you?

« I was a squire at the Sanctuary of Dawn at the time. She was a young woman, and most of you were still pages. If you were born at all, that is. » She paused to take a sip ; if she enjoyed being the center of attention, she certainly didn't want it to show. Nevertheless, she kept talking.
« She came to the Sanctuary in search of guidance. She told the priest that she was... dead, or born without a soul, I believe. At the time, I wasn't paying attention. She was just another pilgrim, looking for a miracle cure to an ailment that no magic can cure. We saw dozens of these every day.»
« But that one... Adrienne... she kept coming back, begging the priest to cure her. She was lamenting, down on her knees... it was pathetic. And the man could do nothing, but she didn't want to listen to him. »
« He told me what it was. She didn't feel... neither sorrow nor joy, and so she thought herself to be dead. It was probably all in her mind, and it could have become better with time, but the obstination she showed... let's just say, it didn't arrange things. »
« One day, she left screaming curses towards the priest, and his disciples, and basically, everyone in the Sanctuary. Even the Sun itself. » She brought her palm to her heart ; a sign of devotion to honor the name she spoke. Everyone in the room imitated her ; even inebriated, the piety of the knights was absolute.
« I thought that was it, and we would never see her again. »

How do you go on living when you feel dead inside?

Starting stats :
STR 14 DEX 8 CON 14 INT 12 SAG 8 CHA 18

Charisma +1 every four levels.

The Pilgrim Dead Inside
{table=head]Level|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills|Feats|Class Features

1st|Hexblade 1|
+1|
+0|
+0|
+2|Diplomacy +4, Intimidate +4, Bluff +4, Knowledge (Arcana) +2, Knowledge (Religion) +1|Evil Brand, Lichloved|Hexblade's curse 1/day

2nd|Hexblade 2|
+2|
+0|
+0|
+3|Diplomacy +5, Intimidate +5, Bluff +5, Knowledge (Religion) +1 ½||Arcane Resistance

3rd|Hexblade 3|
+3|
+1|
+1|
+3|Diplomacy +6, Intimidate +6, Bluff +6, Knowledge (Religion) +2|Thrall to Demon|Mettle

4th|Hexblade 4|
+4|
+1|
+1|
+4|Diplomacy +7, Intimidate +7 , Speak Language (Abyssal)||Dark Companion

5th|Thrall of Orcus 1|
+5|
+3|
+1|
+6|Intimidate +8, Bluff +8, Knowledge (Local) +1|Power Attack|Carrion Stench, bonus feat

6th|Thrall of Orcus 2|
+6|
+4|
+1|
+7|Intimidate +9, Knowledge (Nature) +1, Never Outnumbered|Imperious Command|Touch of Fear

7th|Thrall of Orcus 3|
+7|
+4|
+2|
+7|Intimidate +10, Social Recovery, Knowledge (Dungeoneering) +1||Demon wings

8th|Thrall of Orcus 4|
+8|
+5|
+2|
+8|Intimidate +11, Use Magic Device +1, Knowledge (Planes) +1|Willing Deformity, Deformity (Obese)|Massive Girth, bonus feat

9th|Thrall of Orcus 5|
+9|
+5|
+2|
+8|Intimidate +12, Use Magic Device +2, Knowledge (Religion) +3|Deformity (Madness)|Summon minor undead

10th|Thrall of Orcus 6|
+10|
+6|
+3|
+9|Intimidate +13, Use Magic Device +3, Knowledge (Religion) +4||Pallor of death

11th|Thrall of Orcus 7|
+11|
+6|
+3|
+9|Intimidate +14, Use Magic Device +4, Knowledge (Religion) +5|Chosen of Evil|Demon wings (at will), bonus feat

12th|Thrall of Orcus 8|
+12|
+7|
+3|
+10|Intimidate +15, Bluff +9, Use Magic Device +5|Shape Soulmeld (Strongheart Vest)|Death touch

13th|Thrall of Orcus 9|
+13|
+7|
+4|
+10|Intimidate +16, Bluff +10, Use Magic Device +6||Summon major undead

14th|Thrall of Orcus 10|
+14|
+8|
+4|
+11|Intimidate +17, Bluff +11, Use Magic Device +7|Deformity (Tall)|Summon nightwing, bonus feat

15th|Paladin of Tyranny 1|
+15|
+10|
+4|
+11|Intimidate +18, Collector of Stories|Deformity (Tongue)|Aura of evil, detect good, smite good

16th|Paladin of Tyranny 2|
+16|
+11|
+4|
+11|Intimidate +19, Diplomacy +9||Divine grace, deadly touch

17th|Paladin of Tyranny 3|
+17|
+11|
+5|
+12|Intimidate +20, Diplomacy +11|New Feats|Aura of despair, divine health

18th|Hexblade 5|
+18|
+11|
+5|
+12|Intimidate +21, Diplomacy +13, Bluff +12|Spell Focus (Necromancy), Dilate Aura|Hexblade's curse 2/day

19th|Hexblade 6|
+19|
+12|
+6|
+13|Intimidate +22, Diplomacy +15, Bluff +13||New Class Abilities

20th|Hexblade 7|
+20|
+12|
+6|
+13|Intimidate +23, Diplomacy +17, Bluff +14||Greater hexblade's curse[/table]

Hexblade Spells per Day
{table=head]Level|1st

1st|-|

2nd|-|

3rd|-|

4th|1|

5th|1|

6th|1|

7th|1|

8th|2|

9th|2|

10th|2|

11th|2|

12th|2|

13th|2|

14th|2|

15th|2|

16th|2|

17th|2|

18th|2|

19th|3|

20th|3|[/table]

Hexblade spells known :
Level 4 : backbiter, charm person
Level 19 : protection from good

Feeling blue? Here's how you make your friends feel it too!

Mood swings and sword swings (levels 1-4)

If we want to enter the Secret Ingredient as early as possible (and we do), that means we have to get three specific (and, sadly, quite poor) feats on the first four character levels. That leaves Adrienne with no other tricks than that offered by our class features and our skills, but she'll manage. Give her light armor, a weapon, and try not to get her killed; before level 4, her main in-combat trick will be hitting people repeatedly, and debuffing the odd enemy with her curse.
With a moderately high Constitution and a Fighter's hit die, survivability at low levels should not be a problem. That goes double for spells, thanks to Arcane Resistance and Mettle.
Out of combat, we're the face, in case you didn't notice the maxed out Charisma and ranks in all three social skills. This goes double when interacting with evil NPCs, thanks to Evil Brand; and it goes triple for the undead, thanks to Lichloved. No need to thank me for the lovely mental image.
At level 4, we grab Dark Companion and the last requirement for the Thrall of Orcus : our necromancy spell, Backbiter, which can help against enemy chargers. Our second spell, Charm Person, comes into play if our finely honed diplomatic skills fail us.

To the Secret Service of Orcus (levels 5-8)

At these levels, Adrienne's most potent weapon is fear. Never Outnumbered, Imperious Command – everyone knows the drill (and since I'm the one saying this, dear judges, feel free to tank Originality. Well, to some extent at least, since this is only one trick among many others she will be using.). Of note are the Deformity feats acquired at level 8. In addition to their standard benefits, they boost Intimidate by 4 points. That means she can achieve a naked Intimidate check at +22 by level 8. Quite good, if I may say so myself. You also get Cause Fear, so if they survive that first round, you can stack fear effects on the second ! It's only effective for about one level because of the HD limit, but for that level, it has its uses.
She can still act as the face, thanks to increased ranks in Bluff and Intimidate and the skill trick Social Recovery (to be used very carefully, as it comes with a huge penalty).
She's able to Power Attack to some extent, thanks to her full BAB and Dark Companion lowering the AC of her enemies. In terms of survivability, the lower Hit Die and Deformity (Obese) basically cancel each other, leaving you with poor Reflex saves (except against spells, see Arcane Resistance) and higher Fortitude saves and leaving your HP in a slightly higher place.
Also, wings. 1 hour per day is nothing to scoff at at seventh level.
Finally, Dark Companion lowers saves without a chance to resist it, which makes it easier for people to be affected by her Carrion Stench, which makes it easier for them to be affected by her Hexblade's Curse. If all of these things land, it means -6 to saves, -2 to AC, -4 to attack, ability checks and skill checks, and -2 to damage. What's more, they require either no action or a free action, so hooray for the action economy! And apart from the curse, which is a once-per-day trick, they can be used at will. Your party spellcasters can then proceed to beat those guys into the ground with their save-or-X spells.
I hear you asking : Hey, what's with the cross-class skill points in UMD, and the one odd point in all those Knowledge skills? Yeah, you can't do much with them right away, but just wait... you'll see.

Who needs sanity, anyway? (levels 9-12, sweet spot : level 12)

This is where it gets good.
Let's start with the big guns. And by that, I mean Chosen of Evil. For a class that requires three Vile feats to enter, that gives you another Vile feat at level 4, which needs you to take another Vile feat for it to be usable... let's just say that for one more feat, you get the ability to add +6 to basically any roll you make with a D20 for the price of an immediate action and a point of Con damage. Reflex was your weak save ? Now, when needed, you get +6 to it. You can't land your second / third iterative when Power Attacking? Boost it and watch it pierce through your opponent's defenses. It's a shame you can't abuse it because of the Constitution damage, isn't it ? You know what I'm about to mention, aren't you ?
Strongheart Vest. You get your +6 bonus to one roll per round without taking the Con damage. Which means that you have no reason not to use it on your trained-only skill checks, for example, UMD, and the Knowledge skills in which you dumped one point each, and Diplomacy and Intimidate and you get the point so I'll stop right there. And the bonus is oh so very versatile. A bonus to saving throws won't help you against a trip attempt, but a bonus to an ability check will.
Before that, you grab Deformity (Madness). Vile feat, so it boosts Chosen of Evil to a +7 bonus ; immunity to mind-affecting, because becoming a liability for your party is not fun.
The summoning SLA is versatile, and has some nice uses. For example, summon shadows to finish your dying enemies, and ask them to gently give their spawn the very simple instruction of following your every word before they are unsummoned. This is the poor man's Create Undead. And it goes for wights, and for wraiths, and for ghouls – except that ghouls will never land a hit and are therefore useless, so it doesn't go for ghouls, actually, forget I said that. Who would want a ghoul, I wonder.
Thanks to your save-and-AC-lowering routine, your wraith and shadows will deal their Con and Str damage (respectively) with regularity, as would your ghouls if their attack bonus wasn't so excruciatingly low.
At level 12, you get the kill-everything-with-your-touch-at-will ability. And if you can get in touch range (which is made easier by the fact that your wings are at-will now), your target already is subject to your Dark Companion and your Carrion Stench. Which means that they have to make a DC 23 Fortitude save or die where they stand, with a penalty on their saves that can go from -2 to -6, depending of the degree to which you want them dead.
On another note, Pallor of Death. You might be able to make mindless undead believe that you are an undead creature! Fool them thrice, shame on you!

Extended service (levels 13-16)

By level 14, you're already out of the Secret Ingredient, and you immediately proceed into Paladin of Orcus. The lawful evil kind of Paladin. Corellon Larethian has lawful Paladins, so why not Orcus?
You've added some undead to your summoning repertoire – the mummies are particularly nice in combat if you've succeeded in lowering the saves of your opponents. Will Save 1d3 times against DC 16 with a -2 to -6 penalty or be paralyzed. Same goes for the Vampire – dominating people is easier when their saves are tanked – and, well, just about every summon on there. Your minion creation abilities are reinforced by the Mohrg, which can create zombies with no HD limit and give them the very simple order of following your orders before it is unsummoned.
At level 14, you get the Nightwing. If you're in need of planehopping, your Nightwing has Plane Shift. If your undead troops have trouble landing blows on the enemy, your Nightwing has an Aura of Desecration. Invisibility, See Invisibility, Haste. CL 17 Greater Dispel Magic ability, three times per day. There are probably better dispellers in your ECL 14 party, but the point is, you're polyvalent.
Two more deformities : Tall and Tongue. With Tall, you can land your Death Touch from 10 feet away (and it boosts Chosen of Evil to +8), and with Tongue, you get Blindsense 30 ft (and it boosts Chosen of Evil to +9). You're very, very ugly now.
The two Paladin of Tyranny levels give you Divine Grace. From this point on, the only acceptable excuse for failing a saving throw against any spell is rolling a natural 1.

What's the point of all these sections...(levels 17-20)

Hello, Aura of Despair. With this (dilated on the first round of combat with Dilate Aura – now, it covers a 20-feet radius around you!) and Dark Companion, that's a -4 automatic penalty to your opponent's saving throws. Add in your Carrion Stench (with a DC of 23) and you're already looking at a free, no-expense -4 to -6 penalty on saving throws. On top of this, if necessary, you can add a curse, of which you now have two uses per day. You're looking at a possible -10 penalty (accounting for the Greater Curse you get at level 20) to all saving throws for people in range. And all of this without expending a single action. See them try resisting the DC 26 death touch when their saving throws are down in the dumps. Should they be immune to death effects, you can fall back on Imperious Command and stack the fear effects. If all else fails, just smack'em upside the head with Chosen of Evil-fueled Power Attack and let the party casters benefit from the save penalties.

Anger is unpleasant, but it is still preferable to feeling nothing at all.

« I had been a knight for about three years when I saw her again. I was stationed at the Sanctuary, and I was guarding the entrance, one night, with three of my fellows. And she appeared at the light of the torches. » She put her drink down, staring in the distance, as the memories replayed in her head.
« I didn't recognize her at first. She was in armor, and there were scars on her face... Everything you said was true, by the way. Nearly as tall as an ogre, and twice as large ; her skin had the pallor of death itself ; and she had wings coming out of her back. No dragon breath, though. I don't know where you heard that one. »
« She went directly for the door. We tried to stop her, but... as she approached... I had never felt as empty. It was as if her sole presence was draining my will to live... and I could see the same feeling on the faces of my companions. Anton barely tried to defend himself when she reached for him. He had this look of resignation... as if he knew that he was dying on this moment. She barely touched him, and he fell to the floor, inanimate.»
« I would have suffered the same fate. But the priest came out of his study, alerted by the noise ; and she saw him, and turned from me. I'll never forget the look on her face as she noticed him ; it was the most hateful expression I had ever seen... She was there for petty revenge, nothing more.
« I was barely standing, but as she went for him, I felt the dread and despair disappear. But I knew that my actions would be useless there. So I ran. I didn't stop running until I arrived here. I don't think it ended well for those who stayed in the Sanctuary. I never had the heart to ask around. »
She emptied her glass.
« I pray that I'll be lucky enough to survive a third encounter. Maybe this time, with preparation, we might fell her. But I doubt it. »
Silence fell on the room, for a few precious seconds, before the voice of a squire shattered it by uttering this one word :
« Buzzkill. »
Laughter rose, and the celebration began anew.

Try turning your life around, you will soon notice that every day still feels as hollow

Possible little tweaks for this particular build. Devotion to an Elder Evil comes to mind (Elder Evils 10). More vile feats means more slots for fun goodies, such as Power Attack at first level instead of fifth, and Knowledge Devotion. It isn't included in the main build because it seems to me that it would conflict with the pledge to Orcus. If your DM sees a demon prince as an elder evil, go nuts.
Switching the later levels in order to grab 4 levels of Paladin and take a divine feat might be a better tactic than going Hexblade 7. It all depends on whether you find a divine feat more adapted to your playstyle than the Greater Curse.

Reading keeps your mind busy when your heart feels empty

Book of Vile Darkness : Thrall of Orcus, Thrall to Demon, Lichloved, Evil Brand
Complete Warrior : Hexblade base class
Complete Scoundrel : skill tricks (Never Outnumbered, Social Recovery, Collector of Stories)
Drow of the Underdark : Imperious Command (didn't expect that, huh?)
Magic of Incarnum : Shape Soulmeld feat, Strongheart Shirt soulmeld
Unearthed Arcana : Paladin of Tyranny class variant
Player's Handbook 2 : Dark Companion ACF
Elder Evils : Deformity (Madness), Chosen of Evil
Heroes of Horror : Deformity (Tall), Deformity (Tongue)
Complete Arcane : inclusion of the spell Backbiter to the Hexblade list, sidebar p.94
Spell Compendium : up-to-date version of Backbiter

Everything else is from the Player's Handbook / Monster Manual.

Kuulvheysoon

2013-09-23, 08:25 PM

The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is

Waratah-Blossom

Seven are the veils of the dancing-girl in the harem of IT.
Seven are the names, and seven are the lamps beside Her bed.
Seven eunuchs guard Her with drawn swords; No man may come
nigh unto Her.
In Her wine-cup are seven streams of the blood of the Seven
Spirits of God.
Seven are the heads of THE BEAST whereon She rideth.
The head of an Angel: the head of a Saint: the head of a Poet:
the head of an Adulterous Woman: the head of a Man of Valour:
the head of a Satyr: and the head of a Lion-Serpent.

Seven letters hath Her holiest name; and it is BABALON.
This is the Seal upon the Ring that is on the Forefinger of IT:
and it is the Seal upon the Tombs of them whom She hath slain.

-The Book of Lies, To Mega Therion

BABALON, QUEEN OF BONES
Human, Hexblade 4/Thrall of Orcus 10/Horned Harbinger 6

BABALON, QUEEN OF BONES
{table=head]Level|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills|Feats|Class Features

1st|Hexblade 1|
+1|
+0|
+0|
+2|Knowledge (arcana) 4 ranks, knowledge (the planes) 2 ranks, knowledge (religion) 2 ranks|Evil Brand, Lichloved|Hexblade's curse 1/day

2nd|Hexblade 2|
+2|
+0|
+0|
+3|Knowledge (arcana) 5 ranks, knowledge (religion) 2.5 ranks, knowledge (the planes) 2.5 ranks||Arcane resistance

3rd|Hexblade 3|
+3|
+1|
+1|
+3|Knowledge (arcana) 6 ranks, knowledge (religion) 3 ranks, knowledge (the planes) 3 ranks|Thrall to Demon|Mettle

4th|Hexblade 4|
+4|
+1|
+1|
+4|Collector of Stories skill trick, knowledge (the planes) 3.5 ranks||Dark companion

5th|Thrall of Orcus 1|
+5|
+3|
+1|
+6|Knowledge (the planes) 6.5 ranks|Power Attack|Carrion stench

6th|Thrall of Orcus 2|
+6/+1|
+4|
+1|
+7|Knowledge (religion) 4 ranks, knowledge (the planes) 8.5 ranks|Martial Study (Leading the Attack)|Touch of fear

7th|Horned Harbinger 1|
+6/+1|
+6|
+1|
+9|Knowledge (religion) 6 ranks, knowledge (the planes) 9 ranks|Death Devotion|Bone horns, rebuke undead, Death domain

8th|Horned Harbinger 2|
+7/+2|
+7|
+1|
+10|Knowledge (religion) 8 ranks, knowledge (the planes) 9.5 ranks||Deathwatch, animate dead

9th|Horned Harbinger 3|
+8/+3|
+7|
+2|
+10|Knowledge (religion) 10 ranks, knowledge (the planes) 10 ranks|Extra Turning, Divine Might|Bonus feat

10th|Horned Harbinger 4|
+9/+4|
+8|
+2|
+11|Knowledge (religion) 12 ranks, knowledge (the planes) 10.5 ranks|Extra Turning|Bonus feat

11th|Horned Harbinger 5|
+9/+4|
+8|
+2|
+11|Knowledge (religion) 14 ranks, knowledge (the planes) 11 ranks||Captain of undeath

12th|Thrall of Orcus 3|
+10/+5|
+8|
+3|
+11|Knowledge (religion) 15 ranks, knowledge (the planes) 13 ranks|Martial Stance (Leading the Charge)|Demon wings

13th|Thrall of Orcus 4|
+11/+6/+1|
+9|
+3|
+12|Knowledge (religion) 16 ranks, knowledge (the planes) 15 ranks|Willing Deformity, Deformity (Obese)|Massive girth

14th|Thrall of Orcus 5|
+12/+7/+2|
+9|
+3|
+12|Knowledge (religion) 17 ranks, knowledge (the planes) 17 ranks||Summon minor undead

15th|Thrall of Orcus 6|
+13/+8/+3|
+10|
+4|
+13|Knowledge (arcana) 7 ranks, knowledge (religion) 18 ranks, knowledge (the planes) 18 ranks|Martial Study (White Raven Tactics)|Pallor of death

16th|Thrall of Orcus 7|
+14/+9/+4|
+10|
+4|
+13|Knowledge (arcana) 8 ranks, knowledge (religion) 19 ranks, knowledge (the planes) 19 ranks|Ability Focus (Carrion Stench)|Demon wing (at will)

17th|Thrall of Orcus 8|
+15/+10/+5|
+11|
+4|
+14|Knowledge (arcana) 9 ranks, knowledge (religion) 20 ranks, knowledge (the planes) 20 ranks||Death touch

18th|Thrall of Orcus 9|
+16/+11/+6/+1|
+11|
+5|
+14|Knowledge (arcana) 10 ranks, knowledge (religion) 21 ranks, knowledge (the planes) 21 ranks|Improved Flight|Summon major undead

19th|Thrall of Orcus 10|
+17/+12/+7/+2|
+12|
+5|
+15|Knowledge (arcana) 11 ranks, knowledge (religion) 22 ranks, knowledge (the planes) 22 ranks|Deformity (Madness)|Summon nightwing

20th|Horned Harbinger 6|
+18/+13/+8/+3|
+13|
+6|
+16|Knowledge (arcana) 13 ranks, knowledge (religion) 23 ranks||Create undead[/table]

Additional Character Details

Swinging belly and pendulous bosom, the Queen of Bones plucked a squirming mouse from the cage before her and popped it into her mouth. Crunching it between her teeth, loud squeaks escaped her thick red lips. The Queen of Bones was always hungry. Her thick carrion-stench radiated from her in waves, nauseating, powerful, and her long and darting tongue flickered out to catch crumbs of mouse-brain captured in her jowls. She stood up, then, quick for her bulk, her crown of bones rattling, a pink blossom placed obscenely in her hair. Her prisoner retched at the full, foul sight of her. She smiled, rotted teeth peeking out from blackened gums, and plunged her long double-bladed spear into his heart. All around her, the dead stirred, crying hoarsely, cheering for their bilious queen.

She was Babalon, the Queen of Bones, and the dead loved her.

Hexblade Spells

Spells per day/Spells Known
{table=head]Level|1st|2nd|3rd|4th

1st|-|-|-|-

2nd|-|-|-|-

3rd|-|-|-|-

4th|0 / 2|-|-|-
[/table]

Spells Known:
1- Reaving Aura, Karmic Aura

Stats

STARTING: Str 16/Dex 10/Con 14/Int 10/Wis 10/Cha 16
Boost Charisma at each level.

Suggested Items

Babalon likes to fight with a reach weapon such as a spear or duom (Dragon Compendium), using her horns of bone to strike adjacent enemies.

Items to boost Babalon's Strength, Charisma and Constitution are ideal, as they are the three most important stats to her.

Wands of hexblade spells can open up several options, both defensive and offensive.

She is primarily a melee character, so make sure she has a good set of armor that still lets her fly and keep her weapon up to date. Beyond that, make sure to hit up Ernir's list of necessary magic items, and she should be good to go.

Throwing the Bones - Playing Babalon

FROM THE DIARY OF ALGENSON, MAD POET:

Her teeth were a loud cage and before her, the heads of saints adorned her bed.
Seven powerful saints, and seven are woman, the seal upon them.

This bloated angel of bile, this demonic queen, She hath slain and tortured:
Seven letters of bones made prisoner of him, wretched, bones popping, and she
plucked at the blood-full bosom, the Queen captured in her jowls.

A man of valour no more, the head radiated from of the adulterous form of Her
in waves, the veils of beast whereon blackened gums and nauseating,
swinging belly made eunuchs of the guards.

Her tongue flickered out, her words formed seven streams,
each stream spelling out a letter:
BABALON.

This poet: unto her he brought his head, the tombs of his lips.
The Queen's carrion-stench enveloping him, the lamps shining beside the
bones of a God.

Seven are always hungry.

In the harem she rideth a lion-serpent. The seven names stood up, then.
The poet opened his mouth, but only squeaks escaped at the sound of Her
pendulous name; and from this poet a mouse was made.

She was Babalon, Queen of Bones, and the dead loved Her.

Level by Level

LEVEL 5: Hexblade 4/Thrall of Orcus 1. The Queen of Bones combines melee and debuffing. Full BAB and Power Attack assist her damage-wise, while her hexblade's curse and her Dark Companion combine with her carrion stench to debuff her enemies. Defensively, mettle and arcane resistance combine with excellent saves to keep her going all day long.

LEVEL 10: Hexblade 4/Thrall of Orcus 2/Horned Harbinger 4. Between levels five and ten, she continues to improve her offense and debuffing, but also begins turning into a powerful leader, a queen so beloved by the dead that they rise to defend her.

The early entry into Thrall of Orcus means that Babalon picks up touch of fear at a level when it is still viable, and it combines well with her Dark Companion and her carrion stench for debuffing enemies. Better yet, she gains the Death domain from Horned Harbinger, which is promptly traded out for Death Devotion. Now she is stacking on negative levels with every thrust of her spear, on top of the debuffing from fear, stench and Dark Companion.

As she seeks out the bones of Myrkul, the dead god whose mastery of undeath raised Orcus the Demon-Prince, she grows a crown of bone. This serves as a natural weapon to strike adjacent enemies, and also does well on a charge. She has also added the Death domain and picked up rebuking, which powers Divine Might. Using her Horned Harbinger bonus feats for Extra Turning, she should be able to use Divine Might every round of combat. She also gains deathwatch at will, see all enemies before her.

Perhaps most importantly, however, Babalon picks up animate dead as a spell-like ability twice per day. As an SLA, this is usable as a standard action with no expensive components, meaning that Babalon can cause the dead to rise in the middle of combat. Best of all, the adds her Charisma bonus to her Horned Harbinger level when determining the caster level of the ability. With her Charisma focus, that means she can control up to 36 HD of undead, with up to 18 HD of undead being created with a single use of the SLA.

To further boost her army of the dead, the Queen of Bones has taken Leading the Attack via Martial Study.

LEVEL 15: Hexblade 4/Thrall of Orcus 6/Horned Harbinger 5. Babalon's undead mastery improves dramatically.

First off, she gains the Captain of Undeath feature from Horned Harbinger. Now she can control five times her CL in undead, meaning she is looking at 60 HD of undead under her control. Second, in addition to creating undead permanently, the Queen of Bones is also summoning undead. Of particular value is the ability to summon incorporeal undead - shadows and wraiths - as those are things she cannot create with her SLAs.

She also is better at aiding her allies. Picking up the Leading the Charge stance, she adds half her character level in damage on every charge attack for her or her allies. This is a fantastic way to open up combat, especially when multiplied across her army of undead. It also combines nicely with her crown of bones, which deals double damage on a charge. In addition, she picks up the incomparable White Raven Tactics, allowing her to give her more powerful undead additional chances to take out her foes.

For all that she is a general of the dead, the Queen of Bones is still a ferocious character in her own rights. Nearly full BAB, Power Attack and Divine Might give her excellent damage. Massive girth not only increases her survivability, but also boosts her carrion stench. She can fly without items thanks to her demon wings, and still manages to debuff enemies with stench, Dark Companion and negative levels, and her pallor of death gives her a powerful fear ability on top of that. Best of all, the four debuffs all make each other stronger - each lowers her enemy's saves, making the next more likely to take effect.

LEVEL 20: Hexblade 4/Thrall of Orcus 10/Horned Harbinger 6. The crowning achievement of the Queen of Bones. The last four levels of Thrall of Orcus give several powerful abilities.

First, demon wings is now at will, and Babalon has picked up Improved Flight to give her good maneuverability. This means she can do things like hover and attack enemies from above with her reach weapons, and no longer needs to maintain forward momentum to fly.

Second, she gains a death touch at will. With a typical DC of 31, and the fact that she is handing out penalties to saves of -6 or more, this is a particularly potent ability. She also improves the save DC of her carrion stench, thanks to Ability Focus. As it is a passive ability that is always on, keeping its DC at 22+Con will go a long way toward softening up her foes.

Third, her undead summoning has vastly improved. Now she can summon spectres, mohrgs, vampires and ghosts on top of the many undead she has created. Even better, her capstone ability allows her to summon a nightwing. Not only is this a powerful undead creature in its own rights, it also exudes a powerful desecrating aura that literally doubles her animate dead abilities and provides a significant combat boost to her army of dead. She also picks up create undead as a spell-like ability, allowing her to create powerful creatures such as mummies.

Finally, the madness of the grave has infected Babalon's mind, and this madness gives her immunity to all mind-affecting spells and abilities.

Thrall of Orcus

Entry requirements: Though they are primarily fluff-based feats, it is worth noting that Lichloved and Evil Brand fit the fluff of Babalon, Queen of Bones perfectly. She is the Queen of the Dead, for whom the dead love so much that they rise to defend her. She is branded with the seals of her masters, Orcus the demon-prince and Myrkul, the dead god whose necromantic strength raised him.
Bonus feats/casting: Thrall of Orcus offers four bonus feats throughout its levels, which are key in allowing Babalon, Queen of Bones to pick up her myriad abilities.
Carrion stench: Babalon dedicates much to her carrion stench, as it is a passive ability that she keeps on at all times. The undead she surrounds herself with are immune to it, and with Ability Focus and massive girth to boost its DC, and Dark Companion to debuff enemy saves, most foes should fall victim to it. This is especially so because it does not have the clause that other similar abilities have, where a successful save renders immunity to the effect. This combines well with Babalon's many other debuffs.
Touch of fear: By entering Thrall of Orcus early via hexblade, the Queen of Bones picks this ability up when she still is facing foes of 5 HD or less. This gives her an additional debuff to use alongside Dark Companion, Death Devotion and carrion stench, and instills the shaken status even on a successful save.
Demon wings: As a melee character with several short range auras, it is important that the Queen of Bones can close with all enemies. Demon wings allow her to do so, and Improved Flight gives her the maneuverability to hover near foes as she stabs, sickens, frightens and energy drains them.
Massive girth: In addition to increasing her hit points and Fortitude (essential for a melee character), massive girth also boosts her carrion stench ability. As she is already picking up Willing Deformity for Deformity (Madness), this is essentially a free Constitution boost.
Summon minor undead: While the Queen of Bones has a sizable undead army under her control thanks to animate dead, create undead and Captain of Undeath, she does not have the ability to create incorporeal undead. This allows her to summon them. In addition, all of her undead benefit from her White Raven maneuvers, in particular her Leading the Charge stance, and from the powerful aura of the nightwing.
Pallor of death: The Queen of Bones loves stacking on auras to keep her opponents suffering. Now she adds a powerful fear aura on top of carrion stench, Dark Companion and energy drain from Death Devotion.
Death touch: All of her debuffing pays of nicely when she picks up death touch. Now a simple touch, combined with a heavy Charisma focus and several abilities that hurt enemy saves, will kill the foes of the Queen of Bones.
Summon major undead: What's better than summoning shadows and wraiths to plague your enemies? How about summoning vampires for energy drain and dominating gaze? Or ghosts, who have a whole host of debuffing attacks such as their baleful moan, draining touch and corrupting gaze? Rather than merely focusing on summoning bruisers, which her animate dead ability should supply in droves, she focuses on summoning undead with more debuffing auras and abilities to further hamper her enemies. This becomes even more powerful if allowed to select what kind of ghost and vampire is summoned, as she can do things like summon paladins of tyranny or blackguards or binders to stack on even more auras, or bards with Requiem or warblades or crusaders with White Raven focuses to further boost her army.
Summon nightwing: A nightwing is an extraordinarily powerful creature, almost certainly under-CR'd, so almost any build will enjoy the ability to summon one, even if it is only once a week. However, it is especially potent for the Queen of Bones thanks to its desecrating aura. This doubles the HD of undead she can create with her animate dead ability, and provides a handy boost to all the undead she controls. Babalon prefers to save this ability for when she comes across particularly powerful foes with high HD, such as dragons. This way, not only does it aid her in fighting them off, it also allows her to raise the creature as her thrall after it falls.

Roles and Abilities

MELEE FIGHTER: +18 BAB, with decent Strength, Power Attack and Divine Might (alongside a huge Charisma and 11+Cha turn attempts before damage) means Babalon is consistently putting out excellent damage. She also is boosted by Leading the Charge (+10 damage on charge attempts, doubled thanks to her bone horns). Still more, she can fly with good maneuverability, allowing her to take the fight to her opponents.

DEBUFFER: The Queen of Bones has many ways to weaken and debilitate foes: Dark Companion, carrion stench (DC 22+Con before items), pallor of death (fear aura that frightens foes who fail their save or shakens those who succeed), negative levels on melee attacks via Death Devotion, and summoned creatures that drain ability scores or levels.

LEADER: With animate dead twice per day and create undead once per day, an effective caster level of 17 after Charisma-boosting items are taken into account, and Captain of Undeath allowing her to control 85 hit die of undead, the Queen of Bones should regularly be leading a veritable army of undead. She can further boost this by summoning a nightwing for its desecrating aura or by commanding low HD undead outside of her control. Furthermore, she can summon even more undead, and then boost them all with White Raven maneuvers and stances, including the incredible White Raven Tactics.

UTILITY/SUPPORT: Deathwatch at will, undead rebuking, an army of undead under her control, and the ability to alter self via her pallor of death ability means that despite her low skills, Babalon can provide a surprising amount of out of combat utility. She also has access to the hexblade spell list via spell trigger items, and can charm or dominate foes by summoning vampires and similar creatures.

DEFENSE: With Constitution as a tertiary stat and massive girth boosting it, plus the fact that most enemies are taking huge penalties to their attacks from her many debuffs, Babalon is more than a little sturdy. She also has excellent saves, which are boosted into the stratosphere thanks to Arcane Resistance and a Charisma focus, and Mettle.

Controlled Undead Breakdown

Babalon, Queen of Bones, is capable of leading a tremendous army of the dead. In addition to the creatures she summons, she has two free animate dead SLAs per day, and one free create undead (which can instead be converted into animate dead). She adds her Charisma bonus to her caster level for this, and she also has the class feature Captain of Undeath, which allows her to control even more undead.

All in all, her numbers break down as follows:

Charisma 32 (16 base +5 levels +5 tome +6 cloak)
CL 17 (6 levels in Horned Harbinger +11 Cha)
Total HD of undead controlled: 85 (5xCL per Captain of Undeath)
Most undead created with a single use of animate dead, without a nightwing: 34 HD (2xCL)
Most undead created with a single use of animate dead in the presence of a nightwing: 68 HD (4xCL)

Sources

Book of Vile Darkness
Faiths and Pantheons
Complete Arcane
Complete Champion
Complete Warrior
Tome of Battle
Races of the Wild
Elder Evils

"Glory unto the Scarlet Woman, BABALON, the Mother of Abomination, that rideth
upon the Beast, for She hath spilt their blood in every corner of the earth,
and lo!"

"With the breath of Her kisses hath she fermented it, and it hath become
the wine of the Sabbath; and in the Holy Assembly hath She poured it out for
Her worshippers; and they have become drunken thereon, so that face to face
they beheld my Father. Thus are they made worthy to partake of the mystery
of this holy vessel, for the blood is the life."

"Beautiful art thou O BABALON, and desirable, for thou hast given Thyself
to everything that liveth, and thy weakness hath subdued their strength.
For in that union Thou didst understand. Therefore art Thou called
Understanding, O BABALON, Queen of Bones, Lady of the Night."

"O my God, though I am dead, in one last rapture let me attain to
the union of the one with the many. For She is Love, and Her Love is one,
and She has divided the one love into infinite loves, and each love is one,
and equal with the One, and therefore is She passed from the Assembly and
the Law and the enlightenment into the anarchy of solitude and darkness. For
ever thus must She veil the brilliance of Herself."

-Third Invocation in the Ritual of Babalon
(altered from the Vision and the Voice)

Kuulvheysoon

2013-09-23, 08:28 PM

So, is this the D&D Version of a Nemesis-corrupted Winter Knight?
http://i1337.photobucket.com/albums/o667/sabelo2000/HellFairy_zps3016cd9d.jpg (http://s1337.photobucket.com/user/sabelo2000/media/HellFairy_zps3016cd9d.jpg.html)

Seven years. That is now the heartbeat, the cadence of my life. Every seven years, we Unseelie owe a tithe, a blood debt. Every seven years, one of our own is owed to the Darkest of Lords.

Every seven years, one of us goes to Hell.

It began with our Queene's return, fivescore years ago. After her long exile at the hands of Titania and Oberon, Our Queene of Air and Darkness delivered us out of the farthest forgotten worlds and we returned to Faerie with rage and fury and terror. And a debt.

The accounting of this debt is now my task. The Mark upon my brow announces me to all the worlds as the seneschal and gravekeeper of Faerie. From this day forth, every seven years. Some are damned by their own treachery or incompetence; some are captured from Titania's armies; some are selected by lot. It matters not whence they came; every seven years one will be delivered to me. I will scribe their names in my Book. I will play them a dirge on my ghastly flute, which they say was carved from the thighbone of fallen Oberon. And I will perform the Rite as it was followed in ancient days, with golden sickle and oakwood bowl. And I will deliver their souls to Hell.

--

A Seventh Seven. A powerful number, deserving of a powerful tribute. This one, I hear, was a member of Our Queene's own inner circle; Mab's closest advisors. He had delved too deeply into Our Queene's ancient secrets, and so he damned himself. But this one, he did not plead. He did not struggle, or weep. When he heard my dirge upon my flute, he did not cringe or cower. When he beheld the Mark on my brow, he did not shake. He came before me proudly; and before he died, he spoke with me.

I learned much from this doomed soul. He told me much about the long ages of Mab's exile. I learned that, following her defeat by Oberon and Titania, Our Queene of Air and Darkness in fact perished from this world. I learned of the realms where her spirit dwealt for an Age of the World, and of the Powers with Which she treated there. I learned the nature of Mab's return, and of Him to whom Our Queene owes this blood debt.

Most importantly, I learned that this ancient Power seeks servants, and of the gifts and rewards he bestows upon his faithful.

I feel no betrayal in this knowledge. I do not resent Our Queene. I love and serve her still. But this knowledge cannot now be removed from me. I know now that there are even greater Powers in these Worlds. Before he died, this tribute showed me the true face of Him who we Unseelie serve. I have seen the true face of power.

--

It has been done.

For seven years I pondered, I sought answers and unburied dark secrets long forgotten. For seven years I have endeavored to learn the nature of this Power who owns the service of Our Queene Mab. And now, today, I have entered his service as well. As the hot blood gushed from my golden sickle, and fell steaming into the oakwood bowl, my words in the Rite consigned this soul not only to Mab and to Hell, but to Lord Orcus.

Already he has answered me; already I feel his touch. And now I feel that my service must end, or change; no longer can I languish in this stony cavern beneath the dolmen. No, Lord Orcus calls me to greater purpose. But I shall not abandon my duties here; after all, a debt is owed, and Lord Orcus rewards me well for paying this debt. In seven years, I will return.

Neither shall I abandon my Queene. The War continues, and as Mab's servant I will bring all the terror of Hell with me into Faerie and cut down the armies of wretched Titania. My mournful flute goes with me, and the sound of my piping will herald the arrival of the armies of Orcus. As seneschal to the Queene of Air and Darkness, and herald to the Demon Lord of the Dead, I will bring fear where fear is yet unknown.

--

At last the time of power comes again. The seventh seven, when at the dark of the moon I will again spill Faerie blood from my golden sickle. And now, for the first time in my long service, I understand that this tithe is but a means to a greater end. I now see that this tithe increases the power of Lord Orcus, and Lord Orcus will in turn bestow great gifts upon Our Queene Mab. And as the Seelie fall before Mab's armies, as Titania's power wanes, Orcus will muster the dead in his cold realm and amass an army the likes of which has never been seen in all the realms of Heaven, Hell, or Faerie.

When finally the armies of the dead have swelled and burst their cages, Orcus will march them upon the world of fragile and pitiful Men, with Mab as his captain. And when the world of mortals falls, Our Queene of Air and Darkness shall forever provide refuge for the armies of the Dead against the hated sun.

Ah! Such a simple scheme, and yet so far-sighted in perspective. I swell with pride to be esteemed so highly in the ranks of such great Lords as Mab and Orcus.

I am renewed in my purpose. May tonight's tithe bring great power unto Orcus and Mab, as I cast my gaze across the long ages, the untold seven-year heartbeats, until the armies of Hell and Faerie are united in victory.

Ankou, executioner of Mab.
NE Jaebrin Male Bard 9/Thrall of Orcus 10
Starting Stats
{table=head]STR|DEX|CON|INT|WIS|CHA
6|14|12|14|10|20[/table]

{table=head]Level|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills|Feats|Class Features

1st|Level Adjustment|
+x|
+x|
+x|
+x|+2 Racial bonus to Appraise, Bluiff, Perform, Diplomacy checks. Spellcraft is a class skill. +4 racial bonus to Spellcraft checks regarding Enchantment school||Fey creature type. Low-Light vision. +1 luck bonus to AC. Immunity to Enchantment spells and effects. +1 racial bonus to Enchantment DCs. Special quality: Feign Enchantment (see below). Special attack: Will Sapper (see below). Natural attack: Bite 1d3.

2nd|Bard1|
+0|
+0|
+2|
+2|Concentration 4, Hide 4, Knowledge (Religion) 4, Knowledge (Arcane) 2, Move Silently 4, Perform (Flute) 4, Tumble 4, Intimidate 2, Sense Motive 2|Evil Brand|Bardic Music, Bardic Knowledge, Countersong, Fascinate, Inspire Awe ACF, Spells

3rd|Bard 2|
+1|
+0|
+3|
+3|Concentration 5, Hide 5, Knowedge (Religion) 5, Move Silently 5, Perform (Flute) 5, Tumble 5, Intimidate 2.5, Sense Motive 3||

4th|Bard 3|
+2|
+1|
+3|
+3|Concentration, Hide, Knowledge (Religion), Move Silently, Perform (Flute), Tumble 6; Intimidate 3, Sense Motive 4|Weapon Finesse|Inspire Competence

5th|Bard 4|
+3|
+1|
+4|
+4|Concentration, Hide, Knowledge (Religion), Move Silently, Perform (Flute), Tumble 7; Intimidate 3.5, Sense Motive 5||Ability Increase: Charisma 21

6th|Bard 5|
+3|
+1|
+4|
+4|Concentration, Hide, Knowledge (Religion), Move Silently, Perform (Flute), Tumble 8; Intimidate 4, Sense Motive 6||

7th|Bard 6|
+4|
+2|
+5|
+5|Concentration, Hide, Knowledge (Religion), Move Silently, Perform (Flute), Tumble 9; Intimidate 4.5, Sense Motive 7|Lichloved|Suggestion

8th|Bard 7|
+5|
+2|
+5|
+5|Concentration, Hide, Knowledge (Religion), Move Silently, Perform (Flute), Tumble 10; Intimidate 5, Sense Motive 8||

9th|Bard 8|
+6/+1|
+2|
+6|
+6|Concentration, Hide, Knowledge (Religion), Move Silently, Perform (Flute), Tumble 11; Intimidate 5.5, Sense Motive 9||Inspire Awe (60 ft), Ability Inrease: Charisma 22

10th|Bard 9|
+6|
+3|
+6|
+6|Concentration, Hide, Knowledge (Religion), Move Silently, Perform (Flute), Tumble 12; Intimidate 6, Sense Motive 10|Thrall to Demon|Inspire Greatness

11th|Thrall of Orcus 1|
+7|
+5|
+6|
+6|Intimidate 7, Knowledge (Religion) 13, Perform (Flute) 13||Carrion Stench, +1 Caster Level Abilities

12th|Thrall of Orcus 2|
+8|
+6|
+6|
+9|Intimidate 8, Knowledge (Religion) 14, Perform (Flute) 14||Touch of Fear

13th|Thrall of Orcus 3|
+9|
+6|
+7|
+9|Intimidate 9; Knowledge (Religion), Perform (Flute) 15|Daunting Presence|Demon Wings, Ability Increase: Charisma 23

14th|Thrall of Orcus 4|
+10|
+7|
+7|
+9|Intimidate 10; Knowledge (Religion), Perform (Flute) 16|Deformity: Gaunt, Haunting Melody|Skeletal Visage, Bonus Feat

15th|Thrall of Orcus 5|
+11/+6/+1|
+7|
+7|
+9|Intimidate 11; Knowledge (Religion), Perform (Flute) 17||Summon Minor Undead

16th|Thrall of Orcus 6|
+12|
+8|
+8|
+9|Intimidate 12; Knowledge (Religion), Perform (Flute) 18|Requiem|Pallor of Death

17th|Thrall of Orcus 7|
+13|
+8|
+8|
+9|Concentration 13; Knowledge (Religion), Perform (Flute) 19|Doomspeak|Demon Wings, Bonus Feat, Ability Increase: Charisma 24

18th|Thrall of Orcus 8|
+14|
+9|
+8|
+10|Intimidate 13; Knowledge (Religion), Perform (Flute) 20||Death Touch

19th|Thrall of Orcus 9|
+15|
+9|
+9|
+10|Concentration 14; Knowledge (Religion), Perform (Flute) 21|Hover|Summon Major Undead

20th|Thrall of Orcus 10|
+16/+11/+6/+1|
+10|
+9|
+11|Intimidate 14; Knowledge (Religion), Perform (Flute) 22|Evil's Blessing|Summon Nightwing, Bonus Feat[/table]

Spells per day
{table=head]Bard Level|0lvl|1st|2nd|3rd|4th|5th|6th

1st|2|-|-|-|-|-|-

2nd|3|1|-|-|-|-|-

3rd|3|2|-|-|-|-|-

4th|3|3|1|-|-|-|-

5th|3|4|2|-|-|-|-

6th|3|4|3|-|-|-|-

7th|3|4|3|1|-|-|-

8th|3|4|4|2|-|-|-

9th|3|4|4|3|-|-|-
10th|3|4|4|3|1|-|-[/table]

Level 0: Detect Magic, Light, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation, Read magic, Summon Instrument
Level 1: Sorrow*, Cause Fear, Lesser Confusion, Hideous Laughter
Level 2: Wave of Grief*, Dance of Ruin*, Vison of Entropy**, Hold Person
Level 3: Fear, Curse of the Putrid Husk*, Stunning Screech*, Displacement
Level 4: Dominate Person, Greater Invisibility

*Book of Vile Darkness
** Fiendish Codex 1: Hordes of the Abyss

Racial Specials

Feign Enchantment (Su): Jaebrin absorb the energy of enchantment effects used on them, allowing them to know the intended effect. The Jaebrin can then pretend to be affected, foolling even detect magic, arcane sight, and similar effects, since the absorbed enerty is displayed in the Jaebrin's aura for the duration of the spell (or until the Jaebrin dismisses it). Only by winning an opposed Sense Motive check against the Jaebrin's Bluff check can a viewer discern that the fey is not enchanted.

Will Sapper (Ex): Any creature damaged by a Jaebrin's bite must succeed on a Will save (DC 10+ 1/2 character level= CON modifier) or take a -4 penalty on Will saves for 1 minute.The effect of mulitiple bites doesn't stack.

Levels 1-5

Ankou is neither physically imposing nor particularly skilled in combat. While he wields a rapier suitably, his main tactic is to dishearten and disrupt enemies via spells and a dirge played on his masterwork flute. He is not as sneaky as a dedicated rogue, but maintains proficiency in moving unseen and unheard. At need, he can use Tumble to escape a melee.

Ankou's primary purpose in the service of Queene Mab is as interrogator and to deliver the blood tithe to Hell. In practice of this, he makes optimum use of his Knowledge (Religion) to extract a boon from each sacrifice (see BoVD, p.26). His Bardic training is weak in intimidation, but this is well-bolstered by his Charisma and a properly stocked dungeon.

Levels 6-10

Ankou continues as before, with the addittion of suggestion to his capabilities. If sent on assignment, Ankou rarely travels alone and makes frequent use of Inspire Greatness to aid his counterpart(s).

Levels 11-15

Entering Orcus' service expands Ankou's existing tactics. The stench of death which now surrounds him debilitates weaker enemies; likewise, Haunting Melody can cow low-level opponents for a significant duration, freeing Ankou to deal with stronger enemies (perhaps beginning with use of his Daunting Presence). Foes who succomb to one of these effects may prove vulnerable to a fear spell to further debilitate them. A terrified opponent makes a much more fitting target for Ankou's summoned companions. At need, Ankou can now use Greater Invisibility to hide from enemies while he enfeebles them; or he can simply dominate a weak-willed opponent.

Levels 16-20

Ankou is now a truly terrifying opponent. His Pallor of Death adds yet another option to his arsenal of fear effects, and his summon abilities (while limited) provide an effective closing option to finish off already weakened and terrified foes. Ankou selects a Vampire or Ghost companion based on his appraisal of his enemies' capabilities: a Ghost to deal incorporeal attacks against heavily-armored opponents, or a Vampire to drain levels from less evasive foes. Against weak enemies, Ankou prefers to summon a multitude of lesser undead.

While his undead minions rampage about the battlefield, Ankou remains aloft and invisible and continues to bolster them through his piping, then uses his death touch (boosted by his high Charisma) against high-priority targets. Against any foes who resist his existing fear options, Doomspeak provides a final opportunity since it is based on full character level, not Bard level and will likely reduce the target's Will save enough to succomb to other effects.

In the end, each foe should now be at least Frightened, if not Panicked, and subject to whatever further penalties Ankou elects to apply through his spells. These Frightened enemies are faced with at least two significant undead foes, while an invisible, flying Ankou flits about snuffing out life with his death touch.

Of course, Ankou's duties as Tither continue, and his Knowledge (Religion) is now high enough to secure significant boons from each sacrifice. An average roll of 10 should be enough to earn the services of a greater planar ally, or to bless any and all companions with divine power.

Sources

Jaebrin race: Monster Manual V, p.92

Insipre Awe ACF: Dragon Magic, p.13

Feats
Daunting Presence: Libris Mortis, p.25
Doomspeak: Champions of Ruin, p.20
Evil's Blessing: Elder Evils, p.13
Haunting Melody: Heroes of Horror, p.123
Requiem: Libris Mortis, p.29

NOTE: This entry assumes a stock Vampire or Ghost for the purposes of this competition. No additional stats for the undead companion are provided here.

Kuulvheysoon

2013-09-23, 08:29 PM

Didn't I see this movie?

9th Moonday, Season of Summertide; Year of Our King Leoric 47

Perhaps young Ophelia was doomed from the beginning. From origins such as hers, one can extrapolate that the course of her life, and what she eventually became, were inevitable. I do not count myself among those who hold the Gods determine each mortal's fate before we are born, yet... when I consider Ophelia, perhaps this belief offers us the best hope. The alternatives are disturbing.

I first met Ophelia when she was brought to this abbey as a child, barely old enough to walk. The plague that destroyed her village was terrible, and Ophelia was one of only a score of souls to be saved.

I say "saved," but was she truly? When the farmers and tradesmen from Eld vanished, when we no longer saw their carts on the road, when we sent men to investigate, instead of a farming village we found a charnel house. Those who were not dead of plague had been cut down by their own neighbors, I assume in fits of madness such as accompany such calamities. Ophelia was the only member of her familly to survive; we found her sleeping in the arms of her dead mother.

The child was very quiet when she was brought to us, and as she grew she spoke very little. My heart grieved for this poor soul, and I sought to reach out to her. What I heard from her young lips moved me to tears.

Poor Ophelia's innocence had been all but destroyed by the plague. Always her thoughts turned to her lost family, the friends she had known and would never seen again. Ever her speech returned to her parents and siblings.

Perhaps it was I who first erred, in bringing the girl Opehelia to assist me in the churchyard. I endeavored to explain to demonstrate to her the cycle of life, and how the soul departs at the end; the spirit journeying to its final rest among the Gods, and the body remaining here to be interred.

Young Ophelia seemed such a wonderful pupil. Her work with me was without fault, and if she went about her tasks in thoghtful silence, who was I to question it? When she spoke, the she demonstrated such a strong force of personality. In time, I hoped to groom her for other purposes, to work amongst the city comforting the families of the departed.

Perhaps I should have been more concerned that she seemed more at ease caring for the dead than she did walking amongst the living.

Perhaps, again, it was inevitable that as Ophelia grew, her interests transformed. As I look back now on events, I see how Ophelia carried with her, always, the final comfort she sought in the cold arms of her mother. Did she often sneak down to the morgue to seek comfort in the arms of others, likewise departed? I now believe it to be so. She was always a slight and quick girl; doubtless there are many avenues about this abbey that such a child could follow, and we as adults be none the wiser.

Perhaps, if we watch the course of her life from these origins, as Ophelia's body transformed into that of a young woman, her interests transformed as well. What I witnessed in the morgue that night, so long ago, I will never again speak aloud. But the consequences are known to you all.

Yes, I argued for her. I beseeched the High Abbot, and I invoked laws of both God and Man. In the end, it was agreed that the girl should not be killed; our land only allows blood for blood, and all concurred that Ophelia had never laid violent hand on anyone. But also we agreed that she could not remain among us. I argued against the Mark; but the High Abbot overruled me. Ophelia was branded upon the forehead, and turned away from us forever.

I will never forget her acts as she left. How she came by such power, I may never know. Surely our Gods would not respond to prayers such as she raised; and yet, we all saw the results. I now wonder... did she ever, in truth, walk in the light of or Gods? Or had she always followed a different master? It saddens and disturbs me to think of these things.

I think that, among all of us here, I alone was truly saddened when Ophelia's body was brought back to us months later. Even then, I saw not evil but tragedy in her life and her acts. What final desperation must have caused her to turn a knife upon herself? I cleaned her body, the least kindness I could do for such an unfortunate; but our laws of course do not allow one such as her to be interred in our churchyard. Still, as I prepared her grave without our walls, my mind dwelled on a remark she once made to me: "I miss them so much," the girl had said, "I would rather be with Mama and Papa than be here."

From the events that followed, I know that Ophelia's wish was not granted. The disturbances in the wood outside our churchyard began soon after Ophelia was laid to rest. The stories of "hauntings" reached us from the town, but for so long we shook our heads and wagged our tongues and cast aside the stories of "superstitious" townsfolk... even as the disappearances and the mysterious deaths began. My thoughts returned to Ophelia's words and actions while among us; what I took then for dedication I now see as obsession, a fixation on the dead and a drive to subvert the normal process of life. Still, I convinced myself that she could not have succeeded.

Then the day came when we could not deny. I saw her myself: Ophelia, the woman I had raised, marching proud and terrible ahead of an army of the dead and unhallowed. I belive now that Ophelia was indeed the cause of the hauntings; and that whatever dread power she now serves, had granted her life anew to lead this unholy force. But the form of life she was granted; the change this dark power had wrought in her body, were horrible.

I wish it had been me who had struck her down. Even now, after all the suffering and horror that followed, I wish it had been my hand; a hand that still bore the capacity to love her, for what she had been; rather than a hand that new only hate at what she had become.

My brothers and sisters, we have suffered greatly. Our town has suffered, and the expanse of our churchyard bears witness to those who have suffered with us. But now the suffering and horror are over. Ophelia is again at rest, and now we lay her in our Holy of Holies, where the Gods shall ensure she will remain at rest forevermore, never again to rise and bring this awfulness among us. I, Brother Mercius, pray this: that this time, she completes her journey to her final rest, and the spirit returns to the Gods who gave it.

Funeral transcript found in the ruins of Oakwood Abbey, 3rd Stoneday, Year of Our King Leoric 49. Capt. Jonathan Farrier, King's Guard.

Ophelia
NE Human Female Ghost (see Ghostwalk) Cleric 3 (Non-denominational)/Eidolon7/Thrall of Orcus 10/Eidoloncer 1
Starting Stats
{table=head]STR|DEX|CON|INT|WIS|CHA
10|16|12|10|12|16[/table]

{table=head]Level|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills|Feats|Class Features

1st|Cleric 1|
+0|
+2|
+0|
+2|Concentration 4, Hide 4, Knowledge (Religion) 2, Knowledge (Arcane)2|Evil Brand, Lichloved|Death Domain, Trickery Domain, Rebuke Undead

2nd|Cleric 2|
+1|
+3|
+0|
+3|Concentration, Hide 5; Intimidate .5||

3rd|Cleric 3|
+2|
+3|
+1|
+3|Concentration, Hide 6; Intimidate 1|Thrall to Demon|

4th|Eidolon 1|
+3|
+3|
+1|
+5|Hide 7, Intimidate 2, Spot 1|Corrupting Touch|Ghost (Ghostwalk) Template, Free Multiclassing, Bonus Feat (Ghost), Focus Trait (See Below), Charisma Increase (17)

5th|Eidolon 2|
+4|
+3|
+1|
+6|Hide 8, Intimidate 3, Spot 2|Agony Touch (Constitution)|Bonus Feat (Ghost)

6th|Thrall of Orcus 1|
+5|
+5|
+1|
+8|Hide 9, Intimidate 4, Spot 3|Enervating Touch|Carrion Stench, Caster Level

7th|Thrall of Orcus 2|
+6|
+6|
+1|
+9|Hide 10, Intimidate 5, Spot 4||Touch of Fear

8th|Thrall of Orcus 3|
+7|
+6|
+2|
+9|Hide 11, Intimidate 6, Spot 5||Demon Wings, Charisma Increase (18)

9th|Thrall of Orcus 4|
+8|
+7|
+2|
+10|Hide 12, Intimidate 7, Spot 6|Willing Deformity, Deformity (Tall), Deformity (Gaunt)|Skeletal Visage, Bonus Feat

10th|Thrall of Orcus 5|
+9|
+x7|
+2|
+10|Hide 13, Intimidate 8, Spot 7||Summon Minor Undead

11th|Thrall of Orcus 6|
+10|
+8|
+3|
+11|Hide 14, Intimidate 9, Spot 8||Pallor of Death

12th|Thrall of Orcus 7|
+11|
+8|
+3|
+11|Hide 15, Intimidate 10, Spot 9|Agony Touch (Wisdom), Shriveling Touch (Constitution)|Demon Wings (at will), Bonus Feat, Charisma Increase (19)

13th|Thrall of Orcus 8|
+12|
+9|
+3|
+12|Hide 16, Intimidate 11, Spot 10||Death Touch

14th|Thrall of Orcus 9|
+13|
+9|
+4|
+12|Hide 17, Intimidate 12, Spot 11||Summon Major Undead

15th|Thrall of Orcus 10|
+14|
+x10|
+4|
+13|Hide 18, Intimidate 13, Spot 12|Touch Attack Specialization (Ability Damage), Ghost Ride|Summon Nightwing, Bonus Feat

16th|Eidolon 3|
+15|
+11|
+5|
+13|Hide 19, Intimidate 14, Spot 13||Charisma Increse (20)

17th|Eidolon 4|
+16|
+11|
+x5|
+14|Hide 20, Intimidate 15, Spot 14|Corpse Malevolence|Bonus Feat (Ghost)

18th|Eidolon 5|
+17|
+11|
+5|
+14|Hide 21, Intimidate 16, Spot 15|Iron Will|

19th|Eidolon 6|
+18|
+12|
+6|
+14|Hide 22, Intimidate 17, Spot 16|Minor Malevolence|Bonus Feat (Ghost)

20th|Eidoloncer 1|
+18|
+12|
+6|
+16|Hide 22, Concentration 7|Malevolence|Caster Level, Bonus Feat (Ghost), Wisdom Increase (13)[/table]

Focus Trait
Ophelia remains fixated on the trauma of her family's death. Once a week, she must view a humanoid family (which must include a daughter) interacting for 1 hour.

See the template description below for further information.

Spells per day/Spells Known
{table=head]Cleric Caster Level|0lvl|1st|2nd|3rd|4th|5th|6th|7th|8th|9th

1st|3|2+1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

2nd|4|3+1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

3rd|4|3+1|1+1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

4th|5|4+1|2+1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

5th|5|4+1|2+1|1+1|-|-|-|-|-|-[/table]

Typical Spell Selection:

Level 0: Detect Magic x3, Read Magic, Light

Level 1: Doom, Obscuring Mist, Shield of Faith, Cause Light Wounds; Disguise Self (Trickery)

Level 2: Desecrate, Hold Person; Death Knell (Death)

Level 3: Dispel Magic; Animate Dead (Death)

The Ghostwalk Template

Ghosts in a Ghostwalk campaign are not undead. They are the disembodied spirits of player characters, which have the following traits:

*Outsider (Incorporeal) type. A ghost's native plane is the True Afterlife, beyond the Veil of Souls.

*Low-Light Vision

*Disembodied Soul: A ghost counts as a living creature for the purpose of any effects that target living creatures. A ghost is subject to spells that affect outsiders, such as banishment.

*No Discernable Anatomy: A ghost is immune to critical hits, sneak attacks, or bonus damage such as from a ranger's favored enemy. It can be polymorphed, but retains this trait. A ghost is immune to diseases and poisons that would affect a corporeal body. Ghosts are subject to stunning effects.

*Ectoplasmic Body: A ghost is immune to fatigue or exhaustion.

*Incorporeal: A ghost is incorporeal as described in the Dungeon Master's Guide. A ghost's natural touch attack deals no damage. A ghost must wield ghost touch weapons and armor, if any.

*While incorporeal, a ghost gains a fly speed of 30 feet. An incorporeal ghost applies its Charisma bonus as a deflection modifier to AC and gains a +4 racial bonus to Hide checks. While incorporeal, a ghost has no Strength score and instead applies its Dexterity modifier to melee attacks.

*Ghost Weakness: If a ghost is hit by a sneak attack or critical hit from a silver weapon, it must succeed at a DC 15 Fortitude save or be stunned for 1 round. The sneak attack or critical hit does not deal additional damage.

*Disturbing Appearance: Unless otherwise noted, a ghost is assumed to begin play with a disturbing appearance from the wounds or effects that killed it. This applies a -2 penalty to the Bluff, Diplomacy, Gather Information, and Perform skills, as well as Charisma checks to influence NPC attitudes. A +2 bonus applies to the Intimidate skill.

*A ghost can only advance in the Eidolon or Eidoloncer classes while in that state. If resurrected, the ghost can choose to instantly convert any number of Eidolon or Eidoloncer levels to class levels, losing all ghost class abilities accordingly. If a ghost's Eidolon or Eidoloncer levels ever exceed its other class levels, the ghost is pulled to the True Afterlife and ceases to be a character. The Eidolon and Eidoloncer classes do not incur multiclassing XP penalties. Any class abilities that depend on being a ghost, as well as ghost feats, are retained while alive but cannot be used by a living being.

*Focus Trait: A ghost has a fixation on a particular aspect of its former life; a sound, sight, location, taste, etc. The ghost must indulge this trait once per week (by viewing an object or act, consuming a food, hearing a sound, visiting a place) or take a -1 penalty to attack rolls, saves, and skill and ability checks. If the ghost does not indulge its fixation for a whole month, it must make a Wisdom check each day (DC 15 + the number of weeks since last indulgence + eidolon/eidoloncer class level) or depart for the True Afterlife.

Levels 1-5

Despite being raised in an abbey, Ophelia feels no connection to the benevolent gods. None in the abbey are aware that when the monks and priestesses observe evening prayers, Opheila is receiving spells from some dark agency. Even Ophelia cannot say for certain who answers her prayers; she only knows that the abbey would disapprove, and so she hides her devotion to the powers of Death.

Following her exile and suicide, Ophelia discovers new power as a disembodied spirit. Angry at the world and still obsessed with death, Ophelia immediately begins learning how to apply her new form for nefarious purpose. She rtains her cleric spells and abilities, and primarily focuses on her incorporeal touch attack to deal Constitution damage to her opponents, until they are weak enough to be destroyed by her spells or Death domain attack.

Levels 6-15

Following her resurrection and intitiation into Orcus' following, Ophelia finds she may actually be weaker as a living human than she was as a ghost. Encumbered by a corporeal body, Ophelia loses the combat options and touch attacks that previously made her fearsome. She longs to shed her mortal coil and return to spectral form; but Orcus commands differently.

Ophelia is a weak melee combatant, and her few 2nd-level Cleric spells do little to bolster her. At this point, she focuses mainly on support and enhancement spells, and relies on heavy armor to protect her in battle. When faced with single opponents, she relies on invisibility and silence to mask her approach so that she can ambush foes with her death touch attack; against multiple foes, she employs summon monster spells to even the odds. If she happens to be supported by other members of Orcus' church, she lets them do most of the fighting while she supports from the rear. She uses much the same tactic after summoning a Ghost, Vampire, or Nightwing, especially via use of the desecrate spell.

Ophelia's carrion stench and pallor of death reduce the chances that her opponents will save against any offensive spells she might choose, and Deformity (tall) gives her enough reach that foes will think twice about closing within range of her mace. When Orcus' blessing allows her to sprout wings, she readily takes to the sky either to avoid combat or to harry enemies from above. Ophelia frequently employs a heavy crossbow using this tactic, sniping from the air and hoping to stay out of range of return fire and spells.

Ophelia knows that her return to life is a temporar stage, and most of her energy at this point is dedicated to the continued study of death, undeath, and other options at the end of life. Through contacts within Orcus' churc (not all of which are living) she acquires new knowledge and tricks that will serve her well when she returns to her afterlife.

Levels 16-20

Her second death returns Ophelia to the state she has now come to prefer. Now she is again an incorporeal ghost who can deal death attacks, level drain, Constitution drain, or Wisdom damage at-will; or, should she choose, Ophelia can inhabit any nearby corpse and enter melee combat, secure in the knowledge that when the body is destroyed, her ectoplasmic form will be unharmed. Ophelia also learns to possess and control living foes, which she does whenever the opportunity presents itself. If necessary, she will first reduce the target's Will save using her Wisdom-damaging touch. Bear in mind that, since she has both the Malevolence and Corpse Malevolence feats, Ophelia gets double mileage out of any enemy she posesses.

As an effective 5th-level Cleric, Ophelia's spell options are not overwhelming but do provide support and alternatives to her normal tactics. Given time to prepare, Ophelia will tailor her spell selection to each challenge; but she shows a preference for death knell, bestow curse, hold person, and inflict spells. Now that she can animate her own undead, Ophelia maintains a cadre of zombies and skeletons, which are mainly used as distractions or battlefield fodder.

Sources

Ghostwalk template: Ghostwalk, pg.163. Expanded rules pg.8-15.
Eidolon Class: Ghostwalk, pg.16
Eidoloncer Class: Ghostwalk, pg.17

Feats (brief description provided for those lacking Ghostwalk reference):

Corrupting Touch: Ghostwalk, pg.29. Incorporeal touch deals 1d4 damage.

Agony Touch: Ghostwalk, pg.28. Incorporeal touch deals 1d4 ability damage (ability is chosen when the feat is taken). 1/day per character level. Prerequisites: Corrupting Touch, CHA 11

Shriveling Touch: Ghostwalk, pg.38. Incorporeal touch deals 1d4 ability drain. 1/day per character level. Prerequisites: Corrupting Touch, Agony Touch, CHA 13

Enervating Touch: Ghostwalk, pg.31. Touch attack deals 1 negative level. Fort save to remove: DC 10+1/2HD+CHA. Prerequisites: Corrupting Touch, non-good alignment, CHA 15

Ghost Ride: Ghostwalk, pg.33. Can occupy another humanoid's body, but not exercise any control. Will save to resist: DC 10+1/2HD+CHA. New Will save every 10 minutes to expel posessing ghost. 1/day per point of CHA bonus. Maximum duration 10xHD.

Corpse Malevolence: Ghostwalk, pg.29. Can posess and control a dead (not undead) corpse. No save. Corpse's physical ability scores are modified: -2 STR, -4 DEX, no CON score. Same duration as Ghost Ride. Prerequisites: Ghost Ride.

Minor Malevolence: Ghostwalk, pg.37. Can posess and control a Humanoid living body. Will save to resist; same as Ghost Ride. Same maximum duration as Ghost Ride. Each use deals 2 CHA damage to posessing ghost. Prerequisites: Ghost Ride, Iron Will, CHA 13

Malevolence: Ghostwalk, pg.37. As Malevolence, except maximum duration 1 hour per point of CHA bonus. Prerequisites: Ghost Ride, Iron Will, Minor Malevolence CHA 15

Touch Attack Specialization: Ghostwalk, pg. 39. Any touch attack that deals damage, ability damage, or ability drain, deals +2 on each successful hit.

Willing Deformity: Book of Vile Darkness

Deformity (Gaunt): Book of Vile Darkness

Deformity (Tall): Heroes of Horror pg.121. Gain additional 5ft reach, -1 penalty to AC, -2 to Hide checks. Prerequisites: Evil alignment, Willing Deformity, Medium size

NOTE: This entry assumes a stock Vampire or Ghost for the purposes of this competition. No additional stats for the undead companion are provided here.

Kuulvheysoon

2013-09-23, 08:31 PM

No, this isn't the one presented in the Tome of Magic
Luxx
CE Human Binder 5/Cleric 1/Tenebrous Apostate 4/Thrall of Orcus 10
"Praise Orcus the One True King, and His herald Tenebrous, the Shadow that Was."

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/W-PL247PVxw/0.jpg

The Story:Most of the boys in the village fashioned their identity after their fathers. Roderick ruled the schoolyard much like his father, the mayor. Jack was just as fat and mean as his father Gristly Joe, the town butcher. There were many other boys desperately trying to emulate their fathers as they grew into men themselves...and then there was Luxx.

For the bastard son of the village's perpetually-single seamstress, there was nowhere to turn for identity so he became a quiet boy, interested more in drawing and reading than interacting with the others as they lived vicariously through the most recent exploits of their parents. Whenever Luxx asked about his father, though, the boy's mother would either fall eerily silent or begin to sob. Never anything more--never any answers to his question. For years, he continued to live his life in the dark until his mother shared the truth with him.

It's one thing to tell your son that you're a member of a secret Tenebrous cult; it's quite another thing to have him experience a Session of Shadow firsthand. Deep in the wine cellar of the local inn, Luxx was fascinated to see many familiar faces parading around and playacting in strange costumes. The entirety of it was fraught with religious symbolism, but that was all lost on the ten-year-old boy who watched with wide eyes.

The ceremony was divided into three parts, the first of which was called The Schism; according to Luxx's mother it was a dramatic retelling of the events that led to the death and resurrection of Orcus as Tenebrous. From Luxx's viewpoint, though, it was simply an occasion for the lanky tailor from next door to walk around with his arms splayed while Gristly Joe the butcher donned a pair of horns and fake bat wings. "Do you see him, Luxx?" his mother had asked with tears in her eyes. She pointed to the butcher as he clutched a replica Wand of Orcus and threw his massive naked girth around the room. "He's your father." Luxx was confused, and asked if she meant Gristly Joe. "No, child," she responded with the tears now running down her face. "Orcus is your father. You're a prince in the Court of the One True King. He will bless you with everything you could ever want."

As the play concluded, the Session moved into its next act: the Sacrifice. Luxx watched in blissful naivete as the priest stepped forward and asked for a volunteer to give themselves to the coming king. He cheered for his mother as she grimly stepped forward to the altar of skulls and raised her hand, and he wondered why none of the adults cheered as well. Moments later, he found out why as Luxx's mother met her grisly fate on an altar made of skulls. Thankfully, the torches were extinguished so that Luxx could not see the sights that accompanied his mother's horrific cries of pain. Minutes later, the torches were re-lit as the priest placed one more skull on the altar. "Praise Orcus, the One True King!" he shouted. "And his herald Tenebrous, the Shadow that Was," the crowd replied with the memorized response. Looking for a way to cope with the shock, Luxx set to quietly counting the skulls on the altar. Before his mother's, there had been 29. He stared at the 30th and began to cry quietly.

As if the second act was as mundane as a midday meal, the cult continued their session with the third act: one called The Sacrament. The priest explained how Tenebrous would one day reunite with Orcus to restore the One True King, the only god worthy of worship. He then drew a seal on the ground and invited others to step forward to share their souls with Tenebrous so that he may live within them until the time of the Sacrament. Many came forward and bound the dark, shadowy figure to themselves before dispersing for the night. The priest invited Luxx to stay in the rectory with him, and the next morning the village was back to normal. Nobody mentioned anything about the death of Luxx's mother nor even acted as if she had existed in the first place.

Life resumed, with mundane routines by day and Sessions of Shadow by night. As the years went by, the shock wore off and Luxx began to believe that secret ritual sacrifices could actually be considered normal. As he grew in understanding, he began to soak in the religious imagery of the Sessions, even taking up the path of those that bound souls like Tenebrous' to their own while learning the role of the priesthood from his guardian. One night, Luxx stepped forward during the Sacrament to bind Tenebrous to his own soul, drawing applause from the crowd and a smile from the priest which broke the usually somber mood. He had long studied the symbol, drawing it compulsively. When Tenebrous' shadowy self adhered to him, he had hoped to feel some connection to his demonic father as promised by the priest. Instead, he felt more alone than he ever had before.

The darkness of Tenebrous grew within him, coming to a head as he volunteered for the Sacrifice at one session. The priest hovered over him with the same smile that had been affixed to his face when Luxx had bound Tenebrous for the first time. As they extinguished the lights for the ceremony, though, Luxx saw perfectly through his father's eyes as Tenebrous was still bound to him. He knocked the knife from the priest, laid the old man down on the altar, and pinned him. Many more skulls had been added to the altar since the first Luxx had seen it, but he always remembered exactly where the 30th one had been placed. He retrieved his mother's skull, clutched it in his hand, and bludgeoned the priest to death with it. He felt the darkness of Tenebrous spread for the last time, consuming his entire soul. Finally, he felt the presence of his father within him.

As the torches were relit, the congregants were shocked to see Luxx standing before the altar, covered in the priest's blood. "Praise Orcus, the One True King!" he said as he lifted his mother's bloodied skull over his head. "And his shadow Tenebrous, the Shadow that Was," the townsfolk replied in rote fashion, unfazed by the grisly murder. From that night forward, the townsfolk worshiped with renewed vigor, stepping forward to sacrifice themselves to the king of destruction one after another until Luxx found himself alone with his mother's skull and his father's shadow once more.

He left town, moving to the next Tenebrous cult and beginning the cycle anew. He shared the tale of his descent, whipped the worshipers into a revival, and allowed them to sacrifice themselves to Orcus one after another until the sect was gone and there was no one left to tell his tale. Ignorant to the truth of the matter, a fable began spreading among members of various cities' watch that a vigilante hero was among them, systematically erasing evil. Little did they know that he sought to see it spread. Every sacrifice bestowed a blessing upon him and he grew ever stronger, ever more vile. But with each ritual, he wished for the one thing that never came: to meet his father and see his mother once more, to truly be together with them.

As time went on, Luxx became something of a spectre himself. Eventually, the abandoned feeling of Tenebrous' influence on his soul was too much to bear, and he visited a far-off Tenebrous cult. He watched the story of the Schism, silently mouthing every line. When it came time for the Sacrifice, he volunteered himself. He had learned from the ancient scrolls that the only true reunion with his mother and Orcus would be found in his father's layer of the Abyss. However, his tale had preceded him, and nobody saw fit to slay the heir of the Rightful King. Instead, they all threw themselves at Luxx's feet, begging for him to sacrifice them instead. He obliged and sought out another cult the next night, hoping for a different result...but they were all the same.

Luxx grew bitter at their unwillingness to let him experience the release of death and unity with his unholy family. He grew into his role as executioner, spreading the word of Orcus throughout the land. The tales of Luxx the vigilante hero or Luxx the priest faded from memory, replaced only by gory vignettes of Luxx the executioner. Tenebrous cults throughout the land still look for his presence, but they still rouse his ire by refusing to sacrifice him. Rather than breaking his oath as a Tenebrous Apostate, Luxx obliges by playing his part in the continuing routine. Some worshipers whisper that Luxx may never die, as Orcus is so proud of the destruction wrought by his son. His Father continues to bless him richly with everything but the one thing he truly seeks.

The Build:
{table=head]
Level|
Class|
Base Attack Bonus|
Fort Save|
Ref Save|
Will Save|
Skills|
Feats|
Features

1|Binder 1|
+0|
+2|
+0|
+2|Bluff 4, Intimidate 4, Know: Religion 4, Know: Planes 4|Evil Brand, Chosen of Evil|Soul binding (1 vestige)

2|Cleric 1|
+0|
+4|
+0|
+4|Bluff 4, Intimidate 4, Know: Arcana 5, Know: Local 1, Know: Religion 5, Know: Planes 5|Knowledge Devotion, Chaos Devotion|Aura of Evil, Rebuke Undead, Lore

3|Binder 2|
+1|
+5|
+0|
+5|Bluff 5, Intimidate 4, Know: Arcana 6, Know: Local 1, Know: Religion 6, Know: Planes 6|Thrall to Demon|Pact augmentation (1 ability), suppress sign

4|Binder 3|
+2|
+5|
+1|
+5|Bluff 5, Intimidate 5, Know: Arcana 7, Know: Local 1, Know: Religion 7, Know: Planes 7||+1 CHA

5|Binder 4|
+3|
+6|
+1|
+6|Bluff 5, Intimidate 6, Know: Arcana 8, Know: Local 1, Know: Religion 8, Know: Planes 8|Improved Binding|Bonus feat

6|Binder 5|
+3|
+6|
+1|
+6|Bluff 5, Intimidate 8, Know: Arcana 9, Know: Local 1, Know: Religion 9, Know: Planes 8|Power Attack|Pact augmentation (2 abilities)

7|Tenebrous Apostate 1|
+3|
+8|
+1|
+8|Bluff 5, Intimidate 10, Know: Arcana 10, Know: Local 1, Know: Religion 10, Know: Planes 8||Eternal Bondage, Tenebrous' Rebuke

8|Tenebrous Apostate 2|
+4|
+9|
+1|
+9|Bluff 5, Intimidate 11, Know: Arcana 10, Know: Local 2, Know: Religion 11, Know: Planes 9, Collector of Stories||Soul Binding, Visage of the Dead, +1 CHA

9|Tenebrous Apostate 3|
+5|
+9|
+2|
+9|Bluff 5, Intimidate 12, Know: Arcana 10, Know: Local 3, Know: Religion 12, Know: Planes 10, Collector of Stories|Lichloved|Soul Binding, Destroy/Empower Undead

10|Tenebrous Apostate 4|
+6/+1|
+10|
+2|
+10|Bluff 5, Intimidate 13, Know: Arcana 10, Know: Local 5, Know: Religion 13, Know: Planes 10, Collector of Stories||Soul Binding (2 vestiges), Umbral Body

11|Thrall of Orcus 1|
+7/+2|
+12|
+2|
+12|Bluff 5, Intimidate 14, Know: Arcana 10, Know: Dungeoneering 1, Know: Local 5, Know: Nature 1, Know: Religion 14, Know: Planes 10, Collector of Stories||Carrion stench

12|Thrall of Orcus 2|
+8/+3|
+13|
+2|
+13|Bluff 5, Intimidate 15, Know: Arcana 10, Know: Dungeoneering 1, Know: Local 7, Know: Nature 1, Know: Religion 15, Know: Planes 10, Collector of Stories|Divine Might|Touch of fear, +1 CHA

13|Thrall of Orcus 3|
+9/+4|
+13|
+3|
+13|Bluff 5, Intimidate 16, Know: Arcana 10, Know: Dungeoneering 1, Know: Local 9, Know: Nature 1, Know: Religion 16, Know: Planes 10, Collector of Stories||Demon Wings

14|Thrall of Orcus 4|
+10/+5|
+14|
+3|
+14|Bluff 5, Intimidate 17, Know: Arcana 11, Know: Dungeoneering 1, Know: Local 10, Know: Nature 1, Know: Religion 17, Know: Planes 10, Collector of Stories|Deformity (Obese), Willing Deformity|Massive Girth

15|Thrall of Orcus 5|
+11/+6/+1|
+14|
+3|
+14|Bluff 5, Intimidate 18, Know: Arcana 13, Know: Dungeoneering 1, Know: Local 10, Know: Nature 1, Know: Religion 18, Know: Planes 10, Collector of Stories|Abominable Form|Summon Minor Undead

16|Thrall of Orcus 6|
+12/+7/+2|
+15|
+4|
+15|Bluff 5, Intimidate 19, Know: Arcana 15, Know: Dungeoneering 1, Know: Local 10, Know: Nature 1, Know: Religion 19, Know: Planes 10, Collector of Stories||Pallor of Death, +1 CHA

17|Thrall of Orcus 7|
+13/+8/+3|
+15|
+4|
+15|Bluff 5, Intimidate 20, Know: Arcana 17, Know: Dungeoneering 1, Know: Local 10, Know: Nature 1, Know: Religion 20, Know: Planes 10, Collector of Stories||Demon Wings (at will)

18|Thrall of Orcus 8|
+14/+9/+4|
+16|
+4|
+16|Bluff 5, Intimidate 21, Know: Arcana 19, Know: Dungeoneering 1, Know: Local 10, Know: Nature 1, Know: Religion 21, Know: Planes 10, Collector of Stories|Beloved of Demons|Death Touch

19|Thrall of Orcus 9|
+15/+10/+5|
+16|
+5|
+16|Bluff 5, Intimidate 22, Know: Arcana 21, Know: Dungeoneering 1, Know: Local 10, Know: Nature 1, Know: Religion 22, Know: Planes 10, Collector of Stories||Summon Major Undead

20|Thrall of Orcus 10|
+16/+11/+6/+1|
+17|
+5|
+17|Bluff 5, Intimidate 23, Know: Arcana 23, Know: Dungeoneering 1, Know: Local 10, Know: Nature 1, Know: Religion 23, Know: Planes 10, Collector of Stories||Summon nightwing, +1 CHA[/table]

{table=head]Stat|Base|Levels|Obese|Items|Total|Mod
STR|14|0|0|0|14|+2
DEX|12|0|-2|0|10|+0
CON|12|0|2|6|20|+5
INT|12|0|0|0|12|+1
WIS|14|0|0|0|14|+2
CHA|15|5|0|6|26|+8[/table]

{table=head]Level|Vestiges Available
1|Amon, Aym, Leraje, Naberius, Ronove
2|
3|
4|Dahlver-Nar, Haagenti, Malphas, Savnok
5|Andromalius, Focalor, Karsus, Paimon
6|Agares, Andras, Buer, Eurynome, Tenebrous
7|Tenebrous ONLY
8|Tenebrous ONLY
9|Tenebrous ONLY
10+|Acererak, Balam, Dantalion, Geryon, Otiax[/table]

Spells per Day
{table=head]Level|0|1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9
1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
2|3|1+1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
3|3|1+1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
4|3|1+1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
5|3|1+1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
6|3|1+1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
7|3|1+1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
8|4|2+1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
9|4|2+1|1+1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
10|5|3+1|2+1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
11|5|3+1|2+1|1+1|-|-|-|-|-|-
12|5|3+1|2+1|1+1|-|-|-|-|-|-
13|5|3+1|2+1|1+1|-|-|-|-|-|-
14|5|3+1|2+1|1+1|-|-|-|-|-|-
15|5|3+1|2+1|1+1|-|-|-|-|-|-
16|5|3+1|2+1|1+1|-|-|-|-|-|-
17|5|3+1|3+1|2+1|-|-|-|-|-|-
18|5|3+1|3+1|2+1|-|-|-|-|-|-
19|5|3+1|3+1|2+1|-|-|-|-|-|-
20|6|4+1|3+1|2+1|1+1|-|-|-|-|-[/table]

Tactics:
Levels 1-5: Being a binder always gives great versatility from the word "Go." You've got darkvision w/ Amon, ranged attacks are covered w/ Leraje, and my personal favorite...You've heard the name before, but Naberius is your best friend. You can use Disguise Self to infiltrate the ranks of Tenebrous sects or cults of Orcus in any form beside your own, you gain access to Naberius' skills for utility (which is based on your CON mod, so Obese gives you an extra skill). You gain face abilities, but you also gain Naberius' fast ability healing, trademark of optimizers everywhere. More on that in a moment. We also pick up some versatility through 1st-level cleric spells, and we pick up the Chaos and Trickery domains from Tenebrous. Knowledge Domain is swapped for Knowledge Devotion, and Chaos Domain for Chaos Devotion for free boosts and something to do with our turn attempts. After that, it's back to binder for even more versatility. Dahlver-Nar lets us tank a bit with 1/2 CON to natural armor (also boosted by Obese) as well as shield self. Malphas gives us Invisibility until we get it from Trickery Domain, as well as excellent scouting skills with Bird's Eye viewing. At 5th level, we snag Improved Binding to grab third-level vestiges right on schedule. Andromalius gives us some divining skills with locate item and see invisibility, Focalor is always fun if we need to lower enemies' saves further than we already can (more on that later), Karsus lets you play wizard and Paimon lets you play stabber. Season to taste; you've got all the goodies of a full binder progression with some clericy goodness added in to boot. On top of all that, your two instances of pact augmentation let you snag DR 2/- so you can hang out and ignore just as many wounds as all the cool Dread Necromancer kids.

But we're not a hellfire warlock or anything like that, so what are we doing with Naberius' faster ability healing? Scope out the Chosen of Evil feat--this'll be our bread and butter from levels 1-20, as we keep picking up Vile feats. As an immediate action, we can gain a bonus to our attacks, skills (including [CON mod] number of untrained skills thanks to Naberius), or saves in exchange for 1 CON damage. With Naberius, we still TAKE the damage, but then we heal it away for free every round. So we can boost up our attacks, skill checks, or saves (especially our abysmal Reflex saves) without penalty every round. At first level, that's a free +2 bonus every round without penalty. At third level, that becomes +3. Every round. It only gets better from here, folks.
Levels 6-10: At 6th level, you pick up access to 4th-level vestiges thanks to Improved Binding. Agares lets you function as a trapspringer and advance scout in dungeons thanks to your small earth elemental, whereas Andras lets you charge in and smite good away. If you need healing or wilderness skills, Buer's there with fast healing and Track.

But really, we're here for Tenebrous. His Deeper Darkness grants constant concealment as well as a means to penetrate it so you don't suffer from your own concealment--that's a defensive 1-2 punch. His Turn/Rebuke ability stacks with your cleric levels to give you some OOMPH against undead as well as letting you power Divine feats (like Chaos Devotion and, soon to come, Divine Might). Lastly, Flicker lets you up your miss chance to 50% and teleport in instances when you need to get out of dodge fast. Power Attack ups our damage output, and then we enter Tenebrous Apostate. We've detailed the benefits of Tenebrous' Rebuke below, and we can also use Umbral Body 1/day when we need the incorporeal subtype.

We enter Tenebrous Apostate for other goodies, but they come at a price. Namely, we can only bind Tenebrous from levels 7-9. This is great for our constant concealment, turning, and the like, but trades in some of our versatility. Additionally, it seems like it shuts off our Chosen of Evil trick...but not so fast! You see, while we're forced to bind Tenebrous, we also get advanced soul binding AND cleric casting out of the deal. While Naberius is offline, we gain access to 2nd-level cleric spells at level 9 which allows us to cast Lesser Restoration! We're taking CON damage from Chosen of Evil, but now at least we still have a way to heal it away. Good thing, too, because we just snagged Lichloved to bring our Chosen of Evil bonus to +4 as an immediate action every round. Say it with me, friends...every round.

"But wait!" you'll say, "you can only do that until you run out of Lesser Restorations." I'll point you in the direction of potions, scrolls, and wands, but raise you the fact that at 10th level, we have 8th-level binding and thus can continue binding Naberius alongside Tenebrous for fast ability healing. Every round.

If you need more versatility, you can choose to bind any of the vestiges we had access to before, or a whole host of new ones, as we snag access to 5th-level vestiges only a level behind a straight binder thanks to Improved Binding (remind me to send a Christmas card to whoever wrote that feat). Acererak is available if you want your Tenebrous' Rebuke to heal YOURSELF as well as your undead minions, Balam gives you the ability to reroll 1/5 rounds, Dantalion is tons of fun defensively and for face skills (detect thoughts for the win!), not to mention giving a +8 to all knowledges on a build with Knowledge Devotion. Geryon lets you muck about with flight before you sprout your demon wings, and Otiax means that nothing's ever locked. Options? Yeah, you've got options.
Levels 11-15: Ah, the Secret Ingredient. The main chassis of our build is online, so from this point forward we just keep getting more evil, slapping folks around with fear effects, SLAs, and the like. Oh yeah, we also pick up 3rd-level cleric spells at level 11. Summon Minor/Major Undead is good, and summon nightwing is fun, but Animating Dead in a desecrated area is even better. Granted, you won't control an army of expendable mooks, but you'll have a few decent undead members of your entourage with the ability to heal them all quickly thanks to Tenebrous' Rebuke (or Empower Undead, if mindless undead are more your type). Divine Might comes online at level 12, giving us a way to supercharge our damage output at the cost of a measly turn attempt (P.S. we have a lot of those). Our Chosen of Evil bonus keeps scaling with level, too; it's a +6 at level 14, and level 15 bumps it to +7 to any attack, check, or save as an immediate action. All my people say? That's right...every round (thanks again, Naberius and cleric casting).
Levels 16-20: Again, see below for the nastiness we start pulling with our class features from the Secret Ingredient. Your main routine is "Bind Tenebrous because you have to and you love him. Bind Naberius because you want to and he loves you. Kill everything in sight with free bonuses along the way and temporary HP from anything good you kill." Capiche? You can always switch up your second vestige if you're going into a situation that requires a particular skill set, but Naberius and Chosen of Evil makes you pretty darn good at every skill set. However, binding anything else is an option because your cleric casting advances to 6th-level at level 17 and 7th-level at level 20. We snag access to fourth level spells because there's so many good ones, from Freedom of Movement to Divine Power to everything in between. By picking up Beloved of Demons at Level 18, your free Chosen of Evil bonus is +8. If you'd rather, though, you can cash in that immediate action and 5 temporary HP from Beloved of Demons for DR 5/good instead. One last time...every. Round.
Use of the Secret Ingredient:
Requirements: Let's start with the feats...all those feats. Awful things, aren't they? Lichloved requires Evil Brand, so you're required to take three admittedly lackluster feats to get into this class. But we're not content to let them remain lackluster! Here in Iron Chef, we polish turds until they shine, and we're doing the same with these feats. Thrall to Demon's random "+1 to any roll 1/day" isn't going to win any awards on its own, but once you pair it up with the right feats it gives you a little extra edge. Chaos Devotion gives a bonus depending on the roll of a die, and whether you add it to attacks or AC is determined by whether it's odd or even. Roll an odd number at a time when you could actually use the extra AC or an even number when you REALLY need to land a hit? Activate Thrall to Demon for a +1 and remind Chaos that you're the one calling the shots. Also worth consideration is the vile feat Master's Will (see our Adaptation section). As an immediate action, you have a 50/50 shot of getting a +8 to any roll or taking some damage depending on whether you roll odd or even. Activate Thrall to Demon if you roll an unfortunate even number to prevent yourself from taking damage. Granted, we've got another way of getting +8 to a roll per round, which is why Master's Will is just a footnote. Later versions of the feat specify what rolls you can effect, but not the one printed in BoVD. if your DM is keen to use the latest version of feats, at least Thrall to Demon is a vile feat--Chosen of Evil means it's not just +1 1/day, but adds +1 to any attack roll, skill, or save 1/round if you're willing to take some CON damage (but more on that above). Lichloved (and its prerequisite Evil Brand) are rubbish, but Evil Brand is required to take the ever-so-lovely Chosen of Evil. These two "feat taxes" have suddenly become a further +2 to any attack roll, skill, or save you'd like 1/round. Enjoy.

That takes care of our feats, but what about our BAB and skill requirements? We've actually managed to maintain a +16 BAB by 20th level, keeping the all-important fourth iterative attack. With Knowledge Devotion, Power Attack, and Divine Might in play, we'll also be able to cash in some of that BAB for damage and still ensure a hit. Keep in mind, 1/round we also have a free +8 to any one roll by 20th level. In terms of skills, both required skills are maxed out and put to use via Knowledge Devotion (which we acquired for free thanks to Cloistered Cleric--an oldie, but a goodie). However, that's not enough for us. You see the special requirement about a sacrifice? Ask your DM if the sacrifice rules from Book of Vile Darkness are in play. If so, your mindless slaying now carries a mechanical benefit! It's keyed off a Knowledge: Religion skill check, so you've already got max ranks. You know how I keep pestering you about a free +8 every round? Well, here's another use for it. That makes +32, and there's a handy list of other bonuses you can get on page 27 of BoVD. Don't forget that cleric casting makes Lore of the Gods a spell you can easily cast. We can be making sacrifices of DC 50 with a great roll by level 9. This can get us a Wish once in our lives (make it count), or a list of other goodies ranging from persisted stat-boost spells (DC 15) to persisted Divine Power (DC 25) to Limited Wishes (DC 40). While the Wish is 1/individual, Limited Wish carries no such caveat, and you'll be autosucceeding on a DC 40 for free Limited Wishes every time you sacrifice someone reliably by 12th or 13th level. Have fun.
Carrion Stench: This ability has a DC based on your CON modifier. Luckily for us, we'll pick up Deformity (Obese) in a few to pump our CON which increases the save DC by +1. However, if you need to make sure your foes receive a -2 penalty to most things, you can always bind Focalor for his aura of sadness. This imposes a further -2 penalty to the same things as Carrion Stench, including your foes' save against Carrion Stench itself. This is a good thing, as the two together impose a -4 penalty to most things (including saves). We also have Abominable Form coming online in a few for another -2, so we're at a -6 penalty to opponent's saves. This will come in handy for our touch of fear, pallor of death, and touch of death SLAs that comes online in a few levels.
Touch of Fear: This ability is underwhelming for a few reasons. First of all, it only affects creatures with 5 or fewer HD. Secondly, on a failed save you only render opponents frightened for 1d4 rounds (or shaken for 1 round on a successful save). The good news, though, is that fear effects are cumulative. With Abominable Form, we can render foes shaken for a number of rounds equal to our CON mod (just a touch better than 1d4). They have to save against this shaken condition whenever they look at us. Because of this, a failed save means they'll be panicked instead of frightened, and even a successful save against touch of fear means we've got 1 round to get them to look at us and fail a save in order to become frightened for CON mod rounds. Since Abominable Form takes no action on our part, this should automatically kick in after activating Touch of Fear when our opponents look at us. Either that, or they could close their eyes and accept their imminent doom.
Demon Wings: Every build needs a way to get flight, and this one is no exception. We only have average maneuverability and a 30-foot speed, but that's really all we need. We don't want to get away from our opponents; we just want to position ourselves OVER them.
Massive Girth: Why position ourselves over our enemies, you ask? Because due to the wording of the Deformity (Obese) feat we pick up for free, we can do some fun things with falling damage. You see, you're now at least triple the average weight of a person...but there's absolutely no indication of a maximum weight. Take wing, lifting your massive girth into the air, then drop it all on some poor, unsuspecting schmoe. Granted, you'll probably get to do this once before your DM goes into conniptions, at which point you can mollify their cries of cheese by suggesting that you simply use Deformity (Obese) for the more mundane purposes of adding +1 to the save DC of your Abominable Form ability we discussed above (since it's a Deformity feat) and to your free bonus every round from Chosen of Evil (since it's also a Vile feat). Also, your +2 CON means +1 to the DC of your Carrion Stench and, if you're in the need for more AC, you can bind Dahlver-Nar to turn that into a +0.5 natural armor bonus to AC (which can help make up nicely for the -2 DEX you get from the deformity).
Summon Minor/Major Undead: Here's the thing about summoning undead minions--they usually soak up damage faster than it's worth it to heal them. However, Tenebrous Apostate comes to the fore here. You can rebuke undead as a 9th-level cleric (1 cleric and 8 from your EBL thanks to Tenebrous); with Tenebrous' Rebuke, you can spend a turn attempt to heal ALL undead creatures within 30 feet of 9d6 points of damage. Pick and choose whether you need multiple minions or just one, knowing full well that you can heal them til the cows come home. Also, there's no need to lay out a specific vampire or ghost; we're summoning them rather than calling them, so you can summon a different one for any given situation: vampire meatshield, ghostly caster, etc. You've got the ultimate in versatility, so why pigeonhole yourself? Granted, you can also use your cleric casting to cast Black Sands if you're in a smaller spot in order to create a no-save zone of undead healing that harms your enemies at the same time. While you're at it, cast desecrate to give your minions some bonuses and extra hit points for fun!
Pallor of Death: Alter Self is always fun, but we're really here for the fear aura. Living outsiders within 25 feet have to save against being panicked for 6 rounds. Remember Abominable Form? Yeah, your panicked foes will need to make another save if they look at you or else they'll be cowering for 6 rounds! Of course, Pallor of Death lasts for up to 10 minutes, so that's plenty of time to scare away idiots. Even if they succeed on their save, they're shaken for a round which Abominable Form can escalate to frightened for CON modifier rounds.
Death Touch: We've got plenty of save reducers to make sure this lands, as well as Knowledge Devotion and Chosen of Evil 1/round that can allow us to boost our touch attack. Since this is at will, we can kill our foes all day long...and there's something in it for us! The Beloved of Demons feat allows us to gain 9-10 temporary hit points every time we kill someone. While it triggers when we kill folks the old-fashioned way, it also triggers when we use this SLA. If a free +8 every round doesn't sound like a good way to spend your immediate actions, you can instead cash in 5 temporary HP for a round of damage reduction. Keep in mind, if you use Death Touch to sacrifice someone you can also get a whole bevy of other goodies (see Requirements, above).
Bonus feats/casting:Here's the thing about Beloved of Demons, though...it requires a caster level of 6. And us? We only have a caster level of 4 before we enter this prestige class. We can snag advanced casting at 1st and 7th levels, bringing us to CL 6 with perfect timing for Beloved of Demons. At 4th level, the bonus feat allows us to pick up Willing Deformity, which has a few perks for us: it gives +2 to the DC of Abominable Form, +1 to our bonuses from Chosen of Evil, and actually allows us to use the free Deformity (Obese) we picked up. At 10th level, season to taste. If there's a vile feat you've been waiting to pick up, you can snag it as well as boosting our Chosen of Evil bonus to +9. I opted for the added caster level instead, meaning that we pick up 4th-level spells (which give us a bunch of great options).
Suggested Items:
Honestly, you don't need much.
Some Dreadful Armor from Drow of the Underdark gives you something to do in combat with your move actions and maxed Intimidate skill (with bonuses). Not to mention that this fear effect would stack with your Pallor of Death, Touch of Fear, and Abominable Form. If you have your Pallor of Death up, hit a fool with Touch of Fear, they look at you and trigger abominable form, and you use your move action to intimidate, you can get a foe from 0 to cowering for CON modifier rounds in no time.
Stat boosting items are handy for CON and CHA, but those are really the only two we care about. WIS boosts our spell save DCs, but we're mainly using spells for buffing and animating undead, so we don't give a rip about spell save DCs.
Execution Devices: these little beauties are in Book of Vile Darkness. Tie someone up on one, and you can slay them with a simple Profession (executioner) check. Granted, you're not trained...but you've got Naberius' skills! Make Profession (executioner) one of them, pop in your WIS bonus and your Chosen of Evil bonus, and you can sacrifice people in style in no time flat! Now if only sacrificing people could get you goodies like persisted spells or limited wishes...:smalltongue: Vestige Phylactery: this bad boy is great for on-the-go switching of bound vestiges without needing the Expel Vestige feat and the time to bind a new one. Helpful if you find yourself in need of contingency plans, or you know a particular vestige may be helpful for the task at hand. Bind Naberius to use faster ability healing with Chosen of Evil, along with the full knowledge that you can tag him out at a later time if need be. Always be prepared, that's the binders' motto.

Adaptation:
Flaws & Traits: I really, really wanted to build Luxx as a Krinth, the gluttonous spawn of shadow demons depicted in Champions of Ruin. Unfortunately, the feats just weren't lining up to squeeze in everything I wanted. If you can take even one flaw, grab one like Shaky in exchange for Chosen of Evil at first level to allow room to fit everything. The second flaw can be seasoned to taste, but you should probably snag another Vile feat for a free +3 to an attack, save, or check as an immediate action every round via Chosen of Evil...you know, in case +2 wasn't good enough to start. If even that's not good enough, snag Master's Will. As an immediate action, you've got a 50/50 chance of getting a +8 to your attack/save/check or taking damage based on whether you roll odd or even on a d20. As detailed above, Thrall to Demon doesn't specify what rolls it can impact, so that +1 1/day can be the difference between odd or even, which means the difference between a +8 to your check or taking damage.
LA Buyoff and the like: I don't think LA buyoff can be used to get rid of Bloodline levels, but if it can it would be flavorful as all get out to snag a Demonic Bloodline for Luxx. Any of the three would snag you Power Attack for free, meaning that you don't have to burn a flaw feat in order to play a Krinth. If your DM allows both, you can make that flaw feat another Vile feat, just to pile on the hurt. If your DM allows LA buyoff but states it's not for bloodlines (which I think is the case), you should look at the Curst undead template from pg 166 of Lost Empires of Faerun. It's got a whole bevy of defensive goodies for the whole "evil servitor of an overlord who won't let it die" vibe, but it absolutely tanks your mental ability scores. You'd have to do some gymnastics with them to make sure you still qualify for everything, and it lowers the saves of some of the SI's abilities, so it's not my first choice...but it's a small price to pay for nigh-invulnerability.
Elder Evil Service: In the book of the same name, page 10 details how an intelligent evil creature can swear service to an Elder Evil. Ask your DM if you can gain the benefits by swearing service to Orcus, and you're looking at five free Vile feats (at levels 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20). Snag a bunch of Deformity feats to up your Abominable Form save (Madness is a good one if you allocate some more points to WIS) or flavorful minor perks like Demonsworn Knight--what really matters is that this equates to an additional +5 bonus from Chosen of Evil for free every round, bringing our total to a +13 by 20th level.
Taint: Of course, +13 is good--heck, it's even flavorful for an evil character with the whole "unlucky number" thing. But a little more power can never hurt, right? If your DM uses taint rules, you're guaranteed to rack up the points with your constant sacrifices. Use the feats you gain from Moderate and Severe taint for two more vile feats, bringing your possible total from Chosen of Evil to a +15 every round. Yeah, that's good...we should probably stop there :smallamused:. Obese ups your CON score for purposes of resisting corruption, but you'll probably get nice and depraved since your WIS isn't the highest. Some of the corruption effects give bonuses along with penalties (Skin Seeps, Bones Thicken, Paralyzed Face, Skin Thickens, Lich Vision, and Wrigglers), so look at those first. Same goes for Depravity, but only Prophetic.
Look, Ma, no Domains!: The way Complete Champion is written, clerics can actually give up their domains to gain domain feats, so you can forego the benefits of the Trickery Domain for Trickery Devotion. The double from this feat is always the subject of much cheese and debate (what are combat actions? Does it take an action to command the double? etc.) so I left it out of the build proper, but please ask your DM how he or she rules on this feat. If you get a free duplicate, we can have so much fun. You can possibly bind different vestiges for additional versatility, cast different spells for giggles, or my personal favorite: you can double up on Secret Ingredient features. Having one fear aura is good--having two makes you a competent battlefield controller. Having one death touch per round is fun; having two is MORE fun. Since you're not focused on casting in the first place, you don't miss much by giving up 1 domain spell/level.
But wait, Luxx is a sample character!: In name alone, yes. The idea of a favored of Orcus/Tenebrous who is actively destroying worshipers was intriguing to me, and I wanted to explore why such a creature would not only be allowed to exist but still maintain the favor of his dark lord. As such, I decided to flesh out the hook a little and change up some of the mechanical portions of Luxx.

Sources:
Book of Vile Darkness: Deformity (Obese), Evil Brand, Lichloved, Thrall of Orcus, Thrall to Demon, Willing Deformity
Complete Champion: Chaos Devotion, Knowledge Devotion
Complete Warrior: Divine Might
Elder Evils: Abominable Form, Chosen of Evil
Exemplars of Evil: Beloved of Demons
PHB: Cleric, Power Attack
Tome of Magic: Binder, Improved Binding, Tenebrous Apostate

Kuulvheysoon

2013-09-23, 08:33 PM

Billy, you son of a goat!
Bill E. Kidd
Chaotic Evil Ibixian Hexblade 4/Thrall of Orcus 10/Avenging Executioner 2

http://i389.photobucket.com/albums/oo338/rokko666_2008/PossessedGoat.jpg

Story:
Father Luxian hurried down the hallway, then stopped cold at the open doorway. He covered his eyes at the sight before him, but the image lingered to haunt him behind his eyelids. The blood splattered across the walls, the red puddles on the floor, the droplets beaded along the platinum sun embedded in the ivory floor. There were parts here and there, arms and legs, a head, toes, fingers, all scattered around the room. They had been his friends and colleagues, his abbot, his acolytes, his mentors and students. And here they were, bruised, battered, bloodied, broken.

A man stood up slowly from where he was squatting in the middle of the room. He turned to the doorway and dipped his head slightly in greeting.
Father Luxian bow low in reply. "Inquisitor, may I welcome you to the Presence of Pelor, Temple of Glory."

The High Inquisitor glanced around the room at the blood splatter dripping from every surface of the room. "This isn't, exactly, a welcome I'd have preferred."

Father Luxian bowed in silence, partly in awkward embarrassment of the situation, but mostly to avert his eyes from the horror of the sight of the room.

"I'll need to review your security measures, of course." The Inquisitor walked slowly around the room, examining the scene closely, all senses alert for clues. "Standard set-up for a Temple of Pelor in a town this size, yes?"

Father Luxian glanced up at the Inquisitor and nodded, trying to keep his eyes focused away from the blood. "Yes. All standard, though with one addition. I prayed to Pelor for months for His insight and He blessed me with a understanding of a new way to keep the Cup safe. Its been implemented here, over the sun."

The Inquisitor looked up from where he stooped over a body, its form crushed and broken, its chest horrendously ripped apart, entrails violently torn and scattered, its heart missing. "The Cup? The Everflowing Cup of Pelor's Blessing? It's here?"

"Yes. We've been Keepers of the Cup for decades now." Father Luxian pulled back the sleeve of his robe, showing his guest the tattoo of the chalice emblazoned on his arm. "We keep the Cup here, safe beneath the floor, under the rays of the sun."

As he spoke, Father Luxian moved to the edge of the platinum arc in the floor, the metal curving in a perfect circle in the middle of the ivory floor. He bowed low, stooping down to press his tattoo against the platinum. The ivory moved away, pulling back to offer an opening in the circle, showing stairs descending into the sun.

"As I said, Pelor Himself showed me the spell to secure the Cup. Tattoos on my arm, and my abbot's, hold the key to the entrance, a ward on the stairs blocks passage to all but those who have the heart of a pure man."

The two men stepped carefully down the stairway, each holding aloft a platinum disc that spread light out before them like the noonday sun. When he reached the bottom of the stairs and looked into the chamber beyond, Father Luxian turned away in revulsion.

"Dear sweet Light of Pelor!" Father Luxian sunned himself, his shaking fingers drawing the arc from the middle of his forehead along the side of his face to his chin, then back up in a holy circle.

The Inquisitor stepped forward into the chamber. On full display atop the pedestal in the middle of the room was a tattooed arm with a bloody, pure heart clutched in its palm. The Cup lay shattered on the floor, broken pieces dry, the waters of Pelor's blessings no longer flowing. On the pedestal was scratched a crude carving.

"Wh-what is th-that?"

The Inquisitor leaned forward, shining his light onto the pedestal, and examined the carving. "The head of a goat. The same was carved into the temples of Elhonna, Obad-hai, St. Cuthbert, Heironeous, Nerull...."

Father Luxian started at hearing the last. "What? Who would attack both the glory of a Temple of Pelor and attack Nerull, too?"

"That," the Inquisitor replied, "is what I'm here to find out."

Miles away now, the overly large Ibixian ducked his head and curled back his wings to squeeze through the mountain pass and into the cave entrance beyond. He moved swiftly through the darkness, as though he knew the nooks and crannies of the cavern well. He stopped in the darkest corner, his knees bending back, bringing himself down into a low squat. He closed his eyes, slowed his breathing, and offered himself up to his Master. And soon, a quiet voice came to him from the darkness.
You have done well, my child. But there is no time to rest. Gather your forces and head south. There is a Monastery of Yondalla in the valley beyond the river....

Stats:
{table=head]Condition|Str|Dex|Con|Int|Wis|Cha

Start|16|12|14|14|8|14
Race|+4|--|+2|-2|-2|--
Lvl 4|--|--|+1|--|--|--
Lvl 8|--|--|+1|--|--|--
Deformity (Obese)|--|-2|+2|--|--|--
Lvl 12|--|--|--|--|--|+1
Lvl 16|--|--|--|--|--|+1
Total|20|10|20|12|6|16[/table]

Build:
Bill E. Kidd
{table=head]Level|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills|Feats|Class Features

2nd|Monstrous Humanoid (Ibixian) 1|
+1|
+0|
+2|
+2|
Intimidate 4(4) K:R 4(2) Spot 4(4)
|1st: Evil Brand|Head Butt; Pack Fervor

3rd|Monstrous Humanoid (Ibixian) 2|
+2|
+0|
+3|
+3|
Intimidate 1(5) K:R (2) Listen 1(1) Spot 1(5)|--|--

4th|Monstrous Humanoid (Ibixian) 3|
+3|
+1|
+3|
+3|
Intimidate 1(6) K:R (2) Listen 1(2) Spot 1(6)|3rd: Lichloved|--

5th|Hexblade 1|
+4|
+1|
+3|
+5|
Bluff 2(2) Intimidate 1(7) K:R (2) Listen (2) Spot (6)|--|Hexblade's Curse 1/day

6th|Hexblade 2|
+5|
+1|
+3|
+6|
Bluff 2(4) Intimidate 1(8) K:R (2) Listen (2) Spot (6)|--|Arcane Resistance

7th|Hexblade 3|
+6/1|
+2|
+4|
+6|
Bluff 1(5) Intimidate 1(9) K:A 1(1) K:R (2) Listen (2) Spot (6)|6th: Thrall to Demon|Mettle

8th|Hexblade 4|
+7/2|
+2|
+4|
+7|
Bluff (5) C:Poison 1(1) Intimidate 1(10) K:A 1(2) K:R (2) Listen (2) Spot (6)
|--|Dark Companion (ACF)

9th|Thrall of Orcus 1|
+8/3|
+4|
+4|
+9|
Bluff (5) C:Poison (1) Intimidate 1(11) K:A (2) K:R (2) Listen (2) Spot (6) Skill Trick: Never Outnumbered|B: Power Attack|Carrion Stench

10th|Thrall of Orcus 2|
+9/4|
+5|
+4|
+10|
Bluff (5) C:Poison (1) Intimidate 1(12) K:A (2) K:R (2) Listen (2) Spot 2(8) Skill Trick: Never Outnumbered|9th: Intimidating Strike|Touch of Fear

11th|Thrall of Orcus 3|
+10/5|
+5|
+5|
+10|
Bluff (5) C:Poison (1) Intimidate 1(13) K:A (2) K:R (2) Listen (2) Spot 2(10) Skill Trick: Never Outnumbered|--|Demon Wings

12th|Thrall of Orcus 4|
+11/6/1|
+6|
+5|
+11|
Bluff (5) C:Poison (1) Intimidate 1(14) K:A (2) K:R (2) Listen (2) Spot 2(12) Skill Trick: Never Outnumbered|B: Willing Deformity; B: Deformity (Obese)|Massive Girth

13th|Thrall of Orcus 5|
+12/7/2|
+6|
+5|
+11|
Bluff (5) C:Poison 1(2) Intimidate 1(15) K:A (2) K:R (2) Listen (2) Spot 1(13) Skill Trick: Never Outnumbered|12th: Deformity (Tall)|Summon Minor Undead

14th|Thrall of Orcus 6|
+13/8/3|
+7|
+6|
+12|
Bluff (5) C:Poison 1(3) Intimidate 1(16) K:A (2) K:R (2) Listen (2) Spot 1(14) Skill Trick: Never Outnumbered|--|Pallor of Death

15th|Thrall of Orcus 7|
+14/9/4|
+7|
+6|
+12|
Bluff (5) C:Poison (3) Hide 1(1) Intimidate 1(17) K:A (2) K:R (2) Listen (2) Move Silently 1(1) Spot (14) Skill Trick: Never Outnumbered|B: Brutal Strike|Demon Wings (at will)

16th|Thrall of Orcus 8|
+15/10/5|
+8|
+6|
+13|
Bluff (5) C:Poison (3) Hide 1(2) Intimidate 1(18) K:A (2) K:R (2) Listen (2) Move Silently 1(2) Spot (14) Skill Trick: Never Outnumbered|15th: Deformity (Teeth)|Death Touch

17th|Thrall of Orcus 9|
+16/11/6/1|
+8|
+7|
+13|
Bluff (5) C:Poison (3) Hide 1(3) Intimidate 1(19) K:A (2) K:R (2) Listen (2) Move Silently 1(3) Spot (14) Skill Trick: Never Outnumbered|--|Summon Major Undead

18th|Thrall of Orcus 10|
+17/12/7/2|
+9|
+7|
+14|
Bluff (5) C:Poison (3) Hide 1(4) Intimidate 1(20) K:A (2) K:R (2) Listen (2) Move Silently 1(4) Spot (14) Skill Trick: Never Outnumbered|B: Demonsworn Knight|Summon Nightwing

19th|Avenging Executioner 1|
+17/12/7/2|
+9|
+9|
+16|
Bluff (5) C:Poison 1(4) Hide (4) Intimidate 1(21) K:A (2) K:R (2) Listen (2) Move Silently (4) Spot 5(19) Skill Trick: Never Outnumbered|18th: Imperious Command|Bloody Blade; Sudden Strike +1d6

20th|Avenging Executioner 2|
+18/13/8/3|
+9|
+10|
+17|
Bluff (5) C:Poison 5(9) Hide (4) Intimidate 1(22) K:A (2) K:R (2) Listen (2) Move Silently (4) Spot 1(20) Skill Trick: Never Outnumbered|--|Rapid Intimidation[/table]

Spells:

I'm not going to include a chart here. Simply stated, at ECL 8, Bill gets two 1st level spells known. Death's Call (Complete Mage) fulfills the necromancy requirement for Thrall of Orcus and is useful against swarms. Undetectable Alignment (PH/SRD) just seems handy to have when you're evil and lasts all day long.

ECL 5:

Ibixian 3/Hexblade 1 (+1 LA)
Bill is a front-line fighter. With a BAB of +4, he's using a two-hand weapon (a great axe or a great club) as a primary attack and following it with a head butt as a secondary natural attack. Intimidate and Hexblade's Curse can be used to debuff, as necessary.

ECL 10:

Ibixian 3/Hexblade 4/Thrall of Orcus 2 (+1 LA)
Now Bill is a scary guy. To start combat, Bill uses a free action to move his Dark Companion into place, a move action to engage his enemy, a free action to use Carrion Stench, another free action to use Hexblade's Curse, and a standard action to attack with Intimidating Strike. If all are successful, his opponent will be suffering -2 AC, -6 to hit, -8 saves, -6 ability and skill checks, and -4 weapon damage. In his next round, he follows with a full-attack (2 weapon attacks and a head butt) with wicked awesome Power Attack potential. Arcane Resistance and Mettle help to keep safe.

ECL 15:

Ibixian 3/Hexblade 4/Thrall of Orcus 7 (+1 LA)
Black goat gives you wings!! The ibixian is becoming deformed, willingly. Demon Wings grants better movement (and carries over to the Dark Companion), Deformity (Tall) increases Bill's reach (which is always helpful in combat), and much of the deformity increases his Intimidate ability. Combat tactics remain much the same, though the first attack of each round becomes a Brutal Strike, adding the sickened condition to his enemies, bringing the debuff totals to: -2 AC, -8 to hit, -10 saves, -8 ability and skill checks, and -6 weapon damage. The undead Bill summons to use as flankers obviously get helped well from those debuffs. Those summons also fill Bill's Lichloved needs at night. (See other uses in the "At Your Table" section.)

ECL 20:

Ibixian 3/Hexblade 4/Thrall of Orcus 10/Avenging Executioner 2 (+1 LA)
Bill can summon major undead now. Other Ibixian, as vampire or ghost, brings about a Pack Fervor that increases combat abilities for them all. Bill's got 4 weapon attacks followed by a head butt and a bite. All of the debuffs he brings about make it that much harder for an enemy to resist his Death Touch.

Items of Interest:

(All found in Magic Item Compendium)
Hexbands
Weapon with Cursespewing
Veil of Allure
Circlet of Persuasion

At Your Table:

If level adjustment buy-off is available, do it! Take another level of Avenging Executioner.

Check with your DM. If Summon Minor Undead can be used to summon undead using the Monstrous Levels in Libris Mortis, summon Ibixian ghouls or wights to utilize Pack Fervor four levels earlier.
If you can choose class levels for your summoned undead, Bill should take advantage and use his crafting skill to aid his summoned undead in crafting poisons for Bill to use in combat.

References:

Ibixian: Monster Manual III
Hexblade: Complete Warrior
Hexblade ACF (Dark Companion): Player's Handbook II
Thrall of Orcus: Book of Vile Darkness
Avenging Executioner: Complete Scoundrel

Feats:
Fiendish Codex I: Evil Brand, Thrall to Demon, Demonsworn Knight,
Elder Evils: Lichloved
SRD/Player's Handbook: Power Attack
Player's Handbook II: Intimidating Strike, Brutal Strike
Heroes of Horror: Willing Deformity, Deformity (Tall), Deformity (Teeth),
Drow of the Underdark: Imperious Command

Kuulvheysoon

2013-09-23, 08:37 PM

I... just... no. There's nothing that I can say for this one.

http://www.goatgarden.com/images/chickens.jpg
Sentrosi the Death Chicken
Sentrosi was born to a poor family of dirt farmers in the Midlands. In addition to raising dirt, her family had a small flock of chickens, which she eventually bonded with. She loved her chickens more than life itself. She would spend all of her free time with them, finding weeds and bugs for them to eat. She often slept in the coop with the chickens on hot afternoons. They would often peck at her, lovingly she thought, until one day a strange rooster appeared in the coop. It pecked her fiercly, drawing blood. After she ran home, she told her family. They followed her to the coop, but the strange and awful chicken was not there.

Then bandits came and took all of her family's dirt, leaving behind only the chickens and slaughtering her family. How she survived, she didn't know, at least at first. As she stood in the ashes of her cottage, destroyed by an evil sorcerer who accompanied the bandits, she swore revenge on everyone and especially on all magic users. She left her home, followed only by her flock.

White Meat
Sentrosi, NE Strongheart Halfling Were-Chicken / Commoner 1 / Death Master 6 / Thrall of Orcus 9
{table=head] Level | Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills| Feats|Class Features
1st | Commoner |
+0 |
+0 |
+0 |
+0 | Control shape 4 Craft (Pottery) 4 Handle Animal 4 Listen 4 Profession (Dirt Farmer) 4 Spot 4 | Chicken Infested, Evil Brand |
2nd | LA |
+0 |
+0 |
+0 |
+0 | | | Wis +2, natural armor +2, alternate form (Chicken), low-light vision, shapechanger subtype, Were-chicken feat (Alertness)
3rd | LA |
+0 |
+0 |
+0 |
+0 | | | Alternate form (hybrid), chicken empathy, damage reduction (5/silver), were-chicken feats (Iron Will, Weapon Finesse)
4th | Animal HD (Chicken) |
+0 |
+2 |
+2 |
+0 | Control Shape 5 Handle Animal 4.5 Listen 5 Knowledge (Nature) 1 Spot 5 | | Str -10, Dex +4, Claws
5th | Death Master 1 |
+0 |
+2 |
+2 |
+2 | Control Shape 6 Concentration 2 Knowledge (Arcana) 1 Knowledge (Religion) 1 Spellcraft 1 | Lichloved | Rebuke Undead, spells, undead minion
6th | Death Master 2 |
+1 |
+2 |
+2 |
+3 | Control Shape 7 Concentration 4 Knowledge (Arcana) 2 Knowledge (Religion) 2 Spellcraft 2 | |
7th | Death Master 3 |
+2 |
+3 |
+3 |
+3 | Control Shape 8 Concentration 6 Knowledge (Arcana) 3 Knowledge (Religion) 3 Spellcraft 3 | |
8th | Death Master 4 |
+3 |
+3 |
+3 |
+4 | Control Shape 9 Concentration 8 Knowledge (Arcana) 4 Knowledge (Religion) 4 Spellcraft 4 | Thrall to Demon |
9th | Death Master 5 |
+3 |
+3 |
+3 |
+4 | Control Shape 10 Concentration 10 Knowledge (Arcana) 5 Knowledge (Religion) 5 Spellcraft 5 | | Master of the dead
10th | Death Master 6 |
+4 |
+4 |
+4 |
+5 | Control Shape 11 Concentration 11 Knowledge (Arcana) 6 Knowledge (Religion) 6 Spellcraft 7 | |
11th | Thrall of Orcus 1 |
+5 |
+6 |
+4 |
+7 | Control Shape 12 Concentration 12 Knowledge (Arcana) 7 Knowledge (Religion) 7 Spellcraft 9 | Lycanthropic Spell | Carrion Stench
12th | Thrall of Orcus 2 |
+6 |
+7 |
+4 |
+8 | Control Shape 13 Concentration 13 Knowledge (Arcana) 8 Knowledge (Religion) 8 Spellcraft 11 | | Touch of fear
13th | Thrall of Orcus 3 |
+7 |
+7 |
+5 |
+8 | Control Shape 14 Concentration 14 Knowledge (Arcana) 9 Knowledge (Religion) 9 Spellcraft 13 | | Demon wings
14th | Thrall of Orcus 4 |
+8 |
+8 |
+5 |
+9 | Control Shape 15 Concentration 15 Knowledge (Arcana) 10 Knowledge (Religion) 10 Spellcraft 15 | Divine Defiance | Massive girth
15th | Thrall of Orcus 5 |
+9 |
+8 |
+5 |
+9 | Control Shape 16 Concentration 16 Knowledge (Arcana) 12 Knowledge (Religion) 11 Spellcraft 16 | | Summon minor undead
16th | Thrall of Orcus 6 |
+10 |
+9 |
+6 |
+10 | Control Shape 17 Concentration 17 Knowledge (Arcana) 14 Knowledge (Religion) 12 Spellcraft 17 | | Pallor of death
17th | Thrall of Orcus 7 |
+11 |
+9 |
+6 |
+10 | Control Shape 18 Concentration 18 Knowledge (Arcana) 16 Knowledge (Religion) 13 Spellcraft 18 | Willing Deformity | Demon wings (at will)
18th | Thrall of Orcus 8 |
+12 |
+10 |
+6 |
+11 | Control Shape 19 Concentration 19 Knowledge (Arcana) 18 Knowledge (Religion) 14 Spellcraft 19 | | Death touch
19th | Thrall of Orcus 9 |
+13 |
+10 |
+7 |
+11 | Control Shape 20 Concentration 20 Knowledge (Arcana) 20 Knowledge (Religion) 15 Spellcraft 20 | | Summon major undead
20th | Thrall of Orcus 10 |
+14 |
+11 |
+7 |
+12 | Control Shape 21 Concentration 21 Knowledge (Arcana) 21 Knowledge (Religion) 17 Spellcraft 21 | Heighten Spell | Summon nightwing [/table]

Dark Meat
Spells per day/Spells Known
{table=head]Level|0lvl|1st|2nd|3rd|4th|5th|6th|7th|8th|9th

1st|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

2nd|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

3rd|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

4th|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

5th|3|1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

6th|4|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

7th|4|2|1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

8th|4|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

9th|4|3|2|1|-|-|-|-|-|-

10th|4|3|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-

11th|4|4|3|2|1|-|-|-|-|-

12th|4|4|3|2|1|-|-|-|-|-

13th|4|4|3|2|1|-|-|-|-|-

14th|4|4|3|3|2|-|-|-|-|-

15th|4|4|3|3|2|-|-|-|-|-

16th|4|4|3|3|2|-|-|-|-|-

17th|4|4|4|3|2|1|-|-|-|-

18th|4|4|4|3|2|1|-|-|-|-

19th|4|4|4|3|2|1|-|-|-|-

20th|4|4|4|3|3|2|-|-|-|-
[/table]

Commonly used spells include animate dead (level 2) and dispel magic (level 3, later heightened and used in slots for spell levels 4 and 5)

The gizzard
Starting Stats: Str 12, Dex 8, Con 14, Int 18, Wis 8, Cha 14
Template: +2 Wis
Levels: All to Int
Final (without items) Str 12, Dex 8, Con 14, Int 22, Wis 18, Cha 14

Break down that bird:
Levels 1-5: Sentrosi survives her initial levels due to hiding with her chickens. When confronted, she fights, using her chicken allies as a "white-meat"-shield to protect herself, and using her DR to help protect against direct damage. She learns a few spells, not many though, as a Deathmaster.

Levels 6-10: Sentrosi sells her soul to Orcus for revenge. She continues to grow in power, learning to animate dead corpses and to dispel magic. Typically she relies upon her allies to fight and do damage, while she readies actions to counterspell any casters, sending her undead minions to fight and protect her while she casts.

Levels 11-15: Sentrosi's camouflage is complete - she can cast spells while in chicken form, meaning all foes see is a bunch of chickens clucking and scratching on the ground while their spells are counterspelled. Because of divine defiance, she can counter twice as many spells per round as she was formerly able to, should she ready an action to do so.

Levels 16-20: Sentrosi and her undead minions continue their rampage. She is the magic against her foes magic, while her minions and undead summons are the steel against their steel. Because honestly, who believes the chicken is behind all of it?

Are you kidding me? A were-chicken?!?

No, this is legitimate.

This animal can be any predator, scavenger, or omnivore whose size is within one size category of the base creature’s size.

As a halfling, Sentrosi can go to size tiny.

The Common Raven has coexisted with humans for thousands of years and in some areas have been so numerous that they are considered a pest. Part of its success comes from its omnivorous diet.

These glossy black birds are about 2 feet long and have wingspans of about 4 feet. They combine both claws into a single attack. The statistics presented here can describe most nonpredatory birds of similar size.

Chickens are omnivores.

So chickens can use the same stats as a Raven (size timy), and as omnivores, qualify for the animal side of a lycanthrope.

Sources:
Faiths and Pantheons: Lycanthropic Spell Feat
MM: Control Shape Skill, Were-RavenChicken
Fiendish Codex II: Divine Defiance feat
Dragon Magazine Compendium: Death Master
Book of Vile Darkness: Thrall to Orcus, Evil Brand, Lichloved, Thrall to Demon
Dragon Magazine #330: Chicken Infested Flaw Feat
Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting: Strongheart Halfling
Sword of Truth Novels: Inspiration behind sentrosi (a chime)

Kuulvheysoon

2013-09-23, 08:40 PM

Now, why does cancer Mage look familiar...:smalltongue:
Ari, Scourge of the Gods
CE Vashar Spirit Shaman 4/Spirit Lion Totem Barbarian 1/Thrall of Orcus 4/Cancer Mage 5/ Thrall of Orcus 10

Stats
Str 12
Dex 12 (-2 from massive girth)
Con 16 (+2 from massive girth)
Int 10 (1 point here)
Wis 14 (4 points here)
Cha 14
Build
Ari, Scourge of the Gods
{table=head]Level|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills|Feats|Class Features

1st|Spirit Shaman 1|
+0|
+2|
+0|
+2|Concentration 4, Heal 3, Knowledge (Arcana) 2(4), Knowledge (Religion) 2(4), Handle Animal 4, Tumble 1|Evil Brand, Thrall to Demon|Skilled City Dweller, Spirit Guide, Wild Empathy

2nd|Spirit Shaman 2|
+1|
+3|
+0|
+3|Concentration 5, Handle Animal 5, Tumble 4||Chastise Spirits

3rd|Spirit Shaman 3|
+2|
+3|
+1|
+3|Concentration 6, Handle Animal 6, Knowledge (Nature) 1, Tumble 6|Lichloved|Detect Spirits

4th|Spirit Shaman 4|
+3|
+4|
+1|
+4|Concentration 7, Handle Animal 7, Knowledge (Nature) 3, Tumble 7||Blessing of the Spirits

5th|Spirit Lion Totem Barbarian 1|
+4|
+6|
+1|
+4|Handle Animal 8, Survival 3, Tumble 8| |Rage 1/day, Pounce

6th|Thrall of Orcus 1|
+5|
+8|
+1|
+6|Hide 2, Move Silently 1|Toughness|Carrion Stench, +1 Spirit Shaman Casting

7th|Thrall of Orcus 2|
+6/+1|
+9|
+1|
+7|Hide 3, Move Silently 3||Touch of Fear

8th|Thrall of Orcus 3|
+7/+2|
+9|
+2|
+7|Hide 5, Move Silently 4||Demon Wings

9th|Thrall of Orcus 4|
+8/+3|
+10|
+2|
+8|Hide 6, Move Silently 6|Great Fortitude, Poison Immunity (Black Lotus)|Bonus Feat, Massive Girth

10th|Cancer Mage 1|
+8/+3|
+12|
+4|
+8|Hide 9, Move Silently 9, Tumble 9||Sneak Attack +1d6, Disease Host

11th|Cancer Mage 2|
+9/+4|
+13|
+5|
+8|Balance 1, Hide 11, Move Silently 11, Tumble 11||Contagion, Cancerous Companion, Blindsight 30 ft

12th|Cancer Mage 3|
+10/+5|
+13|
+5|
+9|Balance 2, Hide 13, Move Silently 13, Tumble 13|Willing Deformity|Tatterdemalion, Poison, Companion Spell 1/day

13th|Cancer Mage 4|
+11/+6/+1|
+14|
+6|
+9|Balance 4, Hide 15, Move Silently 15, Tumble 14||Children of the Night, Evasion

14th|Cancer Mage 5|
+11/+6/+1|
+14|
+6|
+9|Balance 5, Heal 5, Hide 17, Move Silently 17||Sneak Attack +2d6, Viral Agent, Uncanny Dodge

15th|Thrall of Orcus 5|
+12/+7/+2|
+14|
+6|
+9|Concentration 10|Deformity (Tall)|Summon Minor Undead

16th|Thrall of Orcus 6|
+13/+8/+3|
+15|
+7|
+10|Concentration 13||Pallor of Death

17th|Thrall of Orcus 7|
+14/+9/+4|
+15|
+7|
+10|Concentration 16|Improved Flight|Bonus Feat, Demon Wings (at Will)

18th|Thrall of Orcus 8|
+15/+10/+5|
+16|
+7|
+11|Concentration 19|Staggering Strike|Death Touch

19th|Thrall of Orcus 9|
+16/+11/+6/+1|
+16|
+8|
+11|Concentration 20, Hide 18, Move Silently 18||Summon Major Undead

20th|Thrall of Orcus 10|
+17/+12/+7/+2|
+17|
+x|
+12|Hide 20, Move Silently 19|Insane Defiance|Bonus Feat, Summon Nightwing[/table]
Spells
Spells per day
{table=head]Level|0lvl|1st|2nd|3rd|4th|5th|6th|7th|8th|9th

1st|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

2nd|4|3|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

3rd|5|4|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

4th|6|5|3|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

5th|6|5|3|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

6th|6|6|4|2|-|-|-|-|-|-[/table]

Spells Retrieved
{table=head]Level|0lvl|1st|2nd|3rd|4th|5th|6th|7th|8th|9th

1st|3|1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

2nd|3|2|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

3rd|3|2|1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

4th|3|3|1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

5th|3|3|1|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

6th|3|3|1|1|-|-|-|-|-|-[/table]
BackstoryAs a young child Ari was raised in a bright and bustling city filled with clean, pious, upstanding citizens. Ari hated every one of them. He hated their pointless attention to detail and hygeine, their slavish devotion to uncaring gods, and above all their unrelenting, smothering niceness.

His parents understood his hatred. They, too, were Vashar, and they to knew the bitterness and anger that lived within him. They told him that he must be patient, that he must bide his time and swallow his outbursts when the people prayed. They warned him that he must keep his violent urges in check, that he should not bite the other children lest the city discover their true identity.

He tried, but not hard enough and after one too many blasphemous screams and vicious attacks on others, his parents decided they had had enough. They took him out into the woods for a retreat as they sometimes did, for a chance to be themselves, not bound by the city's arbitrary rules. They went to sleep comfortably that night. When he awoke the next morning his parents had gone. They abandoned him to the wild to die like an animal. He was ten years old. He sneered at their cowardice. They couldn't even kill him themselves. The city had made them soft.

The first few months were terrible. Ari overestimated his limited hunting prowess, recklessly attacking animals with little more than pointed sticks. He earned many an injury for his pride. On one day of a truly awful week, when he had lost track of when he had last eaten, he came across the body of a huge moose, dead for some time from the smell. It was filthy and discolored, torn to pieces and then left by whatever predator had brought it down. Standing on the carcass, lording over it all was a lone vulture. Ari approached, and it spread its wings possessively. Ari would not be stopped by a simple vulture. His spear struck true. It was his first kill. He partook greedily of its flesh, only to find himself still unsatisfied. He suddenly heard a reedy voice full of smugness. Vultures are surprisingly small, aren't we? Well then, if you are still hungry, eat. You've certainly earned it.

Ari was not going to argue. He gorged himself to bursting on the excess of meat that lay in front of him, then lay back in contentedness.

When the intestinal spasms hit it was all the more terrible. The tainted meat soon found its way out of him in the fastest way possible. Doubled over in anguish, he heard the mocking laughter of Vulture echoing in his now empty stomach. Couldn't hold it, eh boy? You won't last long out here.

Ari wanted to prove the damned thing wrong. He slowly learned not to meet the creatures head on in a fair fight, but to calm and cajole them into a sense of security, then strike them where they were weakest. Improved tactics still could not help his weak body, and he was sick more often than not.

Late one night after a particularly successful ambush, Ari sat picking his teeth when he heard the noise of approaching footfalls. A party of ghouls strode before his cave, sniffing the air. They spotted Ari and his kill. They brought their own kills before him, animals and men and things too far destroyed to be recognizable as either. As they sat down to eat and began to talk amicably, Ari realized they mistook him for one of their own. One could hardly blame them. He was so caked in gore and enshrouded in the stench of rot that he seemed one of their own. They all shared their kills with no regard for the filth and disease that clung to many. The ghouls regarded each as humans would regard a sauce or spice rub, savory and completely normal. As the night drew on, feasting gave way to revelry. A ghoul drew from its pack a wineskin. When it was uncorked it emanated a stench so foul it blackened the very air around it. The ghouls drank from it with relish, and Ari followed suit.The rest of the night faded into pleasant blurs, moving shapes and chants of joy.

Ari awoke the next morning with the memory of a conversation with the clear leader of the ghouls. He told Ari of how his clan's power came through a compact with Orcus. Not so much a religion as a business deal, the sacrifice of life for power. To Ari this sounded acceptable, and he undertook the sacrifice that was to begin the deal. A child lost from a walk in the forest with her family was the perfect candidate.

Years passed, and Ari grew in power as he sacrificed more to Orcus. With time he could hunt and kill animals with ease, and he no longer fell victim to the ravages of the illnesses. He soon wielded the power of the very diseases themselves in his hands, and he no longer needed to hunt. He was the instrument that culled the herds, and he culled with a firm hand. He ate his fill and more at every meal, growing fatter with every week, and still the rotting dead littered the land. Vulture squawked in ecstasy at the sight of it all, rustling the massive wings that he had grown from Ari's back. Ari had shown his dominance over the animals. The time had come to cull the herd of man.

Ari appeared high above the city, circling for days as he called down his diseases upon them. The animals came in droves, birds and bats and rats, each bearing one of the multitude of diseases that were his subjects, his soldiers. He heard them cry out that the plagues must be the scourge of the gods. Ari laughed at the idea. Yes, he was the scourge of the gods. He was the scourge that would slay their followers till the very gods bled. The citizens died in many horrible ways, but worst were those taken by ghoul fever. These rose again to feast on the living and dead, running through the streets in open pursuit of their urges. Ari eventually landed and ran among them, scattering the citizens in his wake, striking them down with fear and rot and the very scent of his presence. He reveled with the ghouls in a way to outdo the great feast of his youth.

And then Ari looked up, and it was over. The streets stood empty, and only ghouls and shadows roamed listlessly. Ari saw this and spoke to them, stirring them to amass and move themselves north along the travel roads to the next city. They roared and cheered and licked their slavering jaws at the thought of all that unspoiled flesh that awaited. They poured out of the city like a tainted flood, moving to wipe out all in its path. Ari quirked his mouth as he took to the sky above them. That was too easy. Vulture whispered hoarsely in his ear. Never satisfied, are you boy? Perhaps the next one, then.
Playtips
Level 5
At this point you have pounce from barbarian as well as a rage to use when the going gets tough. When that runs out you have Spirit Shaman to fall back on. Spirit Shaman casts rather oddly, you essentially select your spells “known” at the beginning of every day, and choose from the druid list, which has all sorts of neat odd little things on it. Second level spells mean you’re only a tad behind straight casters at this point. You’re best off focusing on buffs and spells that don’t allow saves, but at this point you might get away with using some things that do allow saves, as your cl is only one behind at this point. Blessing of the spirits means that you have nothing to fear from summoned spirits, which is a good thing, because incorporeal undead are nasty to deal with. You’re immune to possession and mind control from them as well, and you can find and damage them with ease, making it easier to bend them to your will. You can gish it up fairly well at this level, so don’t be afraid to do so.
Level 10
Yes, it’s our old friend Cancer Mage, back to make another splash in Iron Chef. Sneak attack is always nice to be able to throw on when it applies. If you don’t want to wait another level, feel free to cast contagion on yourself from the spirit shaman list. Some of the diseases on there are contact or inhaled, so it’s recommended you get them up and running as soon as possible to affect the most people. If you’re feeling particularly mean you can seek out the nasty stuff like blood fever from a bloodrot. Don’t be terrible and abuse stuff like plague blight’s gangrenous touch, thickening or the infamous festering anger. It makes DMs sad. At this point the SI has generously provided you with the one more level of casting needed to get 3rds. A quick mention for spiritjaws, as it grapples your enemies, meaning you can toss on SA quite a lot of the time. Wracking touch also provides more opportunities to make use of it. Demon wings help out for those times you just need flight, and touch of fear and carrion stench stack nicely to debuff foes, especially to soften them up for spells. Rage boosts the DC for carrion stench, which hilariously means you get so mad that you get stinkier. Carrion Stench says nothing about a how often someone can be affected by it, so presumably you can refresh the duration whenever it runs out. Thrall of Orcus also generously provides you with the free feat you needed to enter cancer mage, where you’ll be for a while. Take immunity to black lotus. It’s one of the worst poisons out there, and one of the few you can actually be killed by. The SI also generously provides you with martial weapon proficiency, so have fun with greatswords and longbows.
Level 15
We’re done with Cancer Mage now, and begin our entry back into the SI. Willing Deformity allows you to make use of Massive Girth, boosting your Con even more to extend rage and up the DC for carrion stench. Poison SLA is an excellent way to start the debuffing to make them more likely to fail against carrion stench and your various diseases, and less health is always good. Your tumor provides you with blindsight, Uncanny Dodge, and Evasion, which are all great things to have to sneak better and beat sneaks with, as well as the ability to cast one of your spells or SLAs once a day without using your action. Use it however you see fit. Feel free to use it to cast touch of fear when debuffing your enemies. Children of the night make excellent flanking buddies, or you can simply use them to keep enemies at a distance or occupied while you deal with other problems. Alternatively, you can use them, especially the 10d10 bats as vectors for spreading your many diseases, as well as viral agent targets for spying when it comes online. Tall means your reach goes up as if Large, so keep foes at your arm’s length but comfortably within carrion stench radius during combat. It also means that flanking becomes easier when fighting alongside your summoned undead. Speaking of, disease host makes wonderful use of your summons from the SI. Fulfill that Lichloved and don’t worry about taking any of the negative effects of ghoul fever. Pass it on to your enemies, then spy on them! The spare point of Int means you won’t feel the bite when using viral agent. Ask your DM if you can use lesser restoration to undo the Int damage it causes. If your DM says you can, feel free to spread more viral agents at a time and undo the damage as soon as it arises. From now on you can Tumble without fail, so don’t be afraid to fly around people and move about the battlefield.
Level 20
Everything comes together now. Pallor of Death means some nice disguises to make your enemies waste turn attempts and the like, but more importantly it means more fear stacking, yay! Debuff layers are getting pretty thick now. If you’re willing to be patient enough for the minute it takes for fast diseases to spread, that’s even more penalties your enemies are taking. Demon Wings come on permanently just in time to make use of improved flight. Stepping up to good maneuverability means hovering. Float 10 feet above your enemies heads (20 if you want to use a reach weapon) and laugh at them as you hit them with spells and superior reach safe from melee harm. Staggering strike means that when you SA a guy, he’ll stay hindered. Death Touch is online now, go ahead and soften them up with your various debuffs before you hit them with it. Don’t be afraid to try again if it fails the first time. Summon major undead provides you with even more flanking and debuff buddies bringing along ability damage, energy drain, or even possession depending on the ghost you summon (assuming the default ghost you are given has that ability). Summon major undead means one other major thing, though. Before level 19, you were only guaranteed access to the contagion list and ghoul fever. Now you are guaranteed access to mummy rot, and that’s a very nasty disease to have. A 1 minute incubation period means that it’s plausible to employ some hit and run tactics. If you can’t get away or don’t like the wait, you can always send some of the children of the night ahead as a scouting party to attack someone you know is coming. That way it should kick in by the time they reach you. Not sure about multiple instances of mummy rot stacking, they likely won’t. If they do, then a group of rats becomes a much more irritating and potentially deadly foe. You’re spreading it by contact, too, so if someone does hit you they get to save against mummy rot. With all the triggering of saves flying around and the debuffs you’re throwing on, someone’s bound to fail eventually. Insane Defiance lets you simply say no to a mind affecting spell for 1 point of wisdom, which you can quickly undo with lesser restoration. If you’re lucky one of your enemies will fail the save. If things really aren’t going your way, a nightwing can shift the balance more towards your favor in most circumstances. It’s all sorts of tough. With all this backing you up, you can spread disease, death, and undeath faster than ever before.
Sources
Vashar, Cancer Mage, Poison Immunity: Book of Vile Darkness
Spirit Shaman: Complete Divine
Evil Brand, Thrall to Demon: Fiendish Codex I
Lichloved, Insane Defiance: Elder Evils
Spirit Lion Totem Barbarian: Complete Champion
Willing Deformity, Deformity (Tall): Heroes of Horror
Staggering Strike: Complete Scoundrel
Improved Flight: Complete Adventurer
Toughness, Great Fortitude: srd
Skilled city dweller ACF:Cityscape Web Enhancement (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/we/20070228a)

Kuulvheysoon

2013-09-23, 08:41 PM

I can barely stop myself from the Porky Pigs jokes that are popping up in my head

Thrall of Porkus: Female Half-Orc
ST: 16|+3
DX: 12|+1
CN: 12|+1
IT: 12|+1
WS: 10|-0
CH: 14|+2 <--- Four level-up bonuses go here, to a max of Cha 18
{table=head]Level|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills|Feats|Class Features

1st|Barbarian 1|
+1|
+3|
+1|
+0|Climb +7, Handle Animal +6, Intimidate +6, Jump +7, Listen +4, Ride +5|Evil Brand|Fast Movement, Illiteracy, Rage 1/day

2nd|Sorceress 1|
+1|
+2|
+1|
+2|Climb +7, Handle Animal +6, Intimidate +6, Jump +7, K:Arcana +2, K: Religion +2, Profession:Actress +1, Listen +4, Ride +5|No New Feats|Frog Familiar, 1st level spells

3rd|Sorceress 2|
+2|
+4|
+2|
+3|Climb +7, Handle Animal +6, Intimidate +6, Jump +7, K:Arcana +3, K: Religion +3, Profession:Actress +2, Listen +4, Ride +5|Thrall to Demon(Orcus)|No New Class Abilities

4th|Sorceress 3|
+2|
+4|
+2|
+3|Climb +7, Handle Animal +6, Intimidate +6, Jump +7, K:Arcana +4, K: Religion +3, Profession:Actress +4, Listen +4, Ride +5|No New Feats|No New Class Abilities

5th|Sorceress 4|
+3|
+4|
+2|
+4|Climb +7, Handle Animal +6, Intimidate +6, Jump +7, K:Arcana +4, K: Religion +3, Profession:Actress +7, Listen +4, Ride +5|No New Feats|2nd level spells (including Scare)

6th|Dread Witch 1|
+3|
+5|
+3|
+4|Climb +7, Handle Animal +6, Intimidate +7, Jump +7, K:Arcana +4, K: Religion +3, Profession:Actress +9, Listen +4, Ride +5|Lichloved|Master of Terror, Unnatural Will

7th|Thrall of Orcus 1|
+4|
+7|
+3|
+7|Climb +7, Handle Animal +6, Intimidate +9, Jump +7, K:Arcana +4, K: Religion +3, Profession:Actress +10, Listen +4, Ride +5|No New Feats|Carrion Stench of Heavy Perfume, Sorc CL 5

8th|Thrall of Orcus 2|
+5|
+8|
+3|
+7|Climb +7, Handle Animal +7, Intimidate +12, Jump +7, K:Arcana +4, K: Religion +3, Profession:Actress +11, Listen +4, Ride +5|No New Feats|Touch of Fear

9th|Thrall of Orcus 3|
+6|
+9|
+4|
+8|Climb +7, Handle Animal +7, Intimidate +14, Jump +7, K:Arcana +4, K: Religion +3, Profession:Actress +12, Listen +4, Ride +5|Improved Unarmed Strike|Demon Wings

10th|Thrall of Orcus 4|
+7|
+9|
+4|
+8|Climb +7, Handle Animal +7, Intimidate +16, Jump +7, K:Arcana +4, K: Religion +3, Profession:Actress +13, Listen +4, Ride +5|No New Feats|Massive Girth, Sorc CL 6, 3rd level spells

11th|Thrall of Orcus 5|
+8|
+9|
+4|
+9|Bluff +4, Climb +7, Handle Animal +7, Intimidate +17, Jump +7, K:Arcana +4, K: Religion +3, Profession:Actress +14, Listen +4, Ride +5|No New Feats|Summon Minor Undead

12th|Thrall of Orcus 6|
+9|
+10|
+5|
+9|Bluff +5, Climb +7, Handle Animal +7, Intimidate +18, Jump +7, K:Arcana +4, K: Religion +3, Profession:Actress +15, Listen +4, Ride +5|Superior Unarmed Strike|Pallor of death

13th|Thrall of Orcus 7|
+10|
+10|
+5|
+10|Bluff +6, Climb +7, Handle Animal +7, Intimidate +19, Jump +7, K:Arcana +4, K: Religion +3, Profession:Actress +16, Listen +4, Ride +5|No New Feats|Demon Wings (at will), Sorc CL 7

14th|Thrall of Orcus 8|
+11|
+11|
+5|
+10|Bluff +7, Climb +7, Handle Animal +7, Intimidate +20, Jump +7, K:Arcana +4, K: Religion +3, Profession:Actress +17, Listen +4, Ride +5|No New Feats|Death Touch

15th|Dread Witch 2|
+12|
+12|
+6|
+11|Bluff +8, Climb +7, Handle Animal +7, Intimidate +21, Jump +7, K:Arcana +4, K: Religion +3, Profession:Actress +18, Listen +4, Ride +5|Stunning FistKiss|Absorb Fear, Sorc CL 8, 4th level spells

16th|Dread Witch 3|
+12|
+13|
+6|
+11|Bluff +10, Climb +7, Handle Animal +8, Intimidate +23, Jump +7, K:Arcana +4, K: Religion +3, Profession:Actress +19, Listen +4, Ride +5|No New Feats|Fearful Empowerment 1/day, Sorc CL 9

17th|Dread Witch 4|
+13|
+13|
+6|
+12|Bluff +11, Climb +7, Handle Animal +8, Intimidate +24, Jump +7, K:Arcana +4, K: Religion +3, Profession:Actress +20, Listen +4, Ride +5|No New Feats|Delay Fear, Greater Master of Terror, Sorc CL 10, 5th level spells

18th|Dread Witch 5|
+13|
+14|
+7|
+12|Bluff +12, Climb +7, Handle Animal +8, Intimidate +25, Jump +7, K:Arcana +4, K: Religion +3, Profession:Actress +21, Listen +4, Ride +5|Improved Natural Weapon (Unarmed Strike)|Fearful Empowerment 2/day, horrific aura, reflective fear, Sorc CL 11

19th|Thrall of Orcus 9|
+14|
+14|
+7|
+13|Bluff +13, Climb +7, Handle Animal +8, Intimidate +26, Jump +7, K:Arcana +4, K: Religion +3, Profession:Actress +21, Listen +4, Ride +5|No New Feats|Summon Major Undead

20th|Thrall of Orcus 10|
+15|
+14|
+7|
+13|Bluff +14, Climb +7, Handle Animal +8, Intimidate +27, Jump +7, K:Arcana +4, K: Religion +3, Profession:Actress +23, Listen +4, Ride +5|No New Feats|Summon Nightwing, Sorc CL 12, 6th level spells[/table]

Spells/day are not really crucial; the Thrall of Porkus uses Aura of Terror in conjunction with her Dread Witch abilities to make herself all the more fearsome, and has the spells needed to qualify for her PrCs.

Backstory and Play Style
The Thrall of Porcus was born to an orc tribe, the daughter of a warrior orc-woman who had thought a human captive exotic enough with whom to dally. Growing up amongst orcs, her unnaturally pale flesh reminded them of swine. When she eventually met humans, her orcine snout gave them a similar reaction. So much so that this curly blond-haired "beauty" took up a stylized pig as her personal sigil.

Her desire to be loved and her temper at being insulted led her to bully people into watching her perform, and telling her how young and beautiful they found her. She claims delicacy, though her demeanor when not humored completely belies it. She dotes fondly over her little frog familiar, calling him all sorts of sickly-sweet pet names.

When she finally underwent the ritual to devote herself to Orcus, the...whatever...that was left of her sacrificial victim horrified even her fellow Thralls. Some whisper that it may have been a suitor she rejected; others wonder if she was rejected and that was her punishment to the one who dared do so.

Her acting career thrives despite her...untraditional...aesthetics. Unlike most Thralls of Orcus, her odiferous aura is not one of carrion, unless it is the corpses of a floral holocaust. It is no less choking for its differing odor. She even has suitors; rumors that she uses mystical help to attract their adoration is met with a fury that is more frightening than magics designed for the same. The survivors often envy the dead.

In combat, she uses her speed and flight to land single hits which she doubles up with her death touch and stunning fist. Her dreaded "HA-YIIIA!!" heralds every attack.

A favored tactic is to grip them by the lapels and head-but them, snout to lips, with a loud smchMMMMMMPWA! Those who survive the stunning kiss of death still are left reeling. And, when she chooses to summon her vampire follower, his maddening need to count everything as he fights often drives foes to (non-mechanical) distraction.

Th-th-th-th-at's all, folks!

Kuulvheysoon

2013-09-23, 08:42 PM

Your princess is in my dungeon now

Ruk Rak, The Blister of Orcus

Arctic Kobold Fighter 4/Barbarian 1/Dungeon Lord 5/Thrall of Orcus 10

Draconic Rite of Passage: Ray of Enfeeblement, 1/day

The Blister with a Tale

Initial Ability Scores:
STR: 13
DEX: 16
CON: 12
INT: 10
WIS: 10
CHA: 14

Final Ability Scores:
STR: 16
DEX: 14
CON: 18
INT: 10
WIS: 10
CHA: 16

Draconic Rite of Passage: Ray of Enfeeblement, 1/day

Levels
Ruk Rak
{table=head]Level|Class|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Skills|Feats|Class Features

1st|Kobold Fighter 1|
+1|
+2|
+0|
+0|Intimidate 4, Knowledge (Arcana) 2|Dodge, Power Attack|Spear Focus

2nd|Kobold Fighter 2|
+2|
+3|
+0|
+0|Knowledge (Religion) 1| |Constitution Boost (CON +2)

3rd|Fighter 3 (Zhentarim Soldier)|
+3|
+3|
+1|
+1|Intimidate 6|Skill Focus (Intimidation), Evil Brand|

4th|Kobold Fighter 4|
+4|
+4|
+1|
+1|Knowledge (Religion) 2| |Strength Boost (STR +2)

5th|Barbarian 1 (Ferocity, Spiritual Totem[Lion])|
+6|
+1|
+1|
+1|Intimidate 8, Never Outnumbered| | Ferocity 1/day, Pounce

6th|Dungeon Lord 1|
+5|
+6|
+3|
+3|Intimidate 9 (1 Unassigned)|Lichloved|Dungeon Mastery, Horde Lord +1

7th|Dungeon Lord 2|
+6|
+6|
+4|
+4|Intimidate 10 (1 Unassigned)| |Dungeon Step

8th|Dungeon Lord 3|
+7|
+7|
+4|
+4|Intimidate 11 (1 Unassigned)| |Complete Awereness, Dungeon Minions

9th|Dungeon Lord 4|
+8|
+7|
+5|
+5|Intimidate 12 (1 Unassigned)|Thrall to Demon|Animate Objects

10th|Dungeon Lord 5|
+8|
+7|
+5|
+5|Intimidate 13 (1 Unassigned)| |Dungeon Defender, Horde Lord +2, Leadership

11th|Thrall of Orcus 1|
+9|
+9|
+5|
+7|Intimidate 14 (1 Unassigned)|Intimidating Strike|Carrion Stench, Bonus Feat

12th|Thrall of Orcus 2|
+10|
+10|
+5|
+8|Intimidate 15 (1 Unassigned)|Willing Deformity|Touch of Fear

13th|Thrall of Orcus 3|
+11|
+10|
+6|
+8|Intimidate 16 (1 Unassigned)| |Demon Wings

14th|Thrall of Orcus 4|
+12|
+11|
+6|
+9|Intimidate 17 (1 Unassigned)|Deformity (Obese), Brutal Strike|Massive Girth, Bonus Feat

15th|Thrall of Orcus 5|
+13|
+11|
+6|
+9|Intimidate 18 (1 Unassigned)|Combat Reflexes|Summon Minor Undead

16th|Thrall of Orcus 6|
+14|
+12|
+7|
+10|Intimidate 19 (1 Unassigned)| |Pallor of Death

17th|Thrall of Orcus 7|
+15|
+12|
+7|
+10|Intimidate 20 (1 Unassigned)|Flyby Attack|Demon Wings (At will), Bonus Feat

18th|Thrall of Orcus 8|
+16|
+13|
+7|
+11|Intimidate 21 (1 Unassigned)|Robilar's Gambit|Death Touch

19th|Thrall of Orcus 9|
+17|
+13|
+8|
+11|Intimidate 22 (1 Unassigned)| |Summon Major Undead

20th|Thrall of Orcus 10|
+18|
+14|
+8|
+12|Intimidate 23 (1 Unassigned)|Defensive Sweep|Summon Nigthwing, Bonus Feat[/table]

Leveling Deconstruction

Levels 1-5

Ruk Rak is a Kobold Fighter/Barbarian decently equipped for Intimidation, and as he progresses in levels he gains CON and STR to be effective in combat.

Levels 6-10

Dungeon Lord provides the use of Leadership, but it is ignored due to IC restriction. From these levels on, Ruk Rak becomes a stationary character, staying in the dungeon. This makes it best suited to be an NPC.

Ruk Rak becomes a Dungeon Lord, having overthrown the previous keeper. Ruk Rak is not a leader, but a frenzied beast in combat, his mere pressence inspiring all the other habitants in combat. As time passes, a supernatural force starts calling to him in his dreams, so he begins recognizing every single space of the cave searching for its source, . Until one day...

Levels 11-15

Ruk Rak gains his first levels as Thrall of Orcus, his summons affected by the Dungeon Lord bonuses and a good CON score to perform Carrion Stench, which combined with Intimidating Strike increases the difference in combat with the enemy in his favor and that of his allies.

Having entered the wrong passage in one of his explorations, Ruk Rak awakens an ancient pressence, which calls itself the ruler of the cave. Ruk Rak barks and spits in fury that the cave and everything that lies in it belongs to him. But now he knows that whatever lies beyond this point is not his to be taken, but to be treasured. A single word booms in his mind, like a zealous madness. Orcus. Orcus...

Levels 16-20

Ruk Rak benefits from maneuverability in combat, using Flyby Attack to perform Carrion Stench and getting away. Intimidation and Carrion Stench lower the saves of the enemies, which allows Death Touch to connect more realiably.

Ruk Rak has never entered beyond the forbidden path. He only serves the cause of protecting the entrance, the madness growing each day. Those that served him before, have either fleed, died by his own hand and risen as undead, or succumbed to the same call, serving under Ruk Rak, serving under Orcus.

Sources:
Races of the Dragon
Player's Handbook
Champion's of Valor Web Enhancement (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/we/20060327a)
Cityscape Web Enhancement (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/we/20070228a)
Dungeonscape
Book of Vile Darkness

Kuulvheysoon

2013-09-23, 08:45 PM

Okay, I couldn't help it.:smallbiggrin:

That's all that I got, folks. Have at it!

EDIT: Few last-minutes corrections

Kazyan

2013-09-23, 08:45 PM

So it looks like...19 entries. That's at least below 20 this time.

Some unique ideas, some ideas that paralleled others. I'm not allowed to say which category my build fell into, but this should be a fun discussion.

Kuulvheysoon

2013-09-23, 08:50 PM

Note - missing stub to The Frog Prince

Recalled from the Light
Unfortunately, Siegfried's princess was right. By the time he had knocked down the barred door to her crypt, he noticed that his mortal skin was sloughing off in patches.

When they were outside in what appeared to be a graveyard, Siegfried caught his reflection in a statue and saw he was a neraph again.

"Damnation," he growled.

"Exactly," said his princess. "You and me both. Might as well enjoy it."

Siegfried flexed his fingers, disappointingly red and scaly again.

"I don't suppose he might consider un-damning us?"

She laughed. "Not unless someone takes him down a peg. He does have one enemy that may have a shot at it."

"Who?" asked Siegfried, his tongue feeling too big for his mouth.

"A creature called Gorguth. Truthfully, I'm not sure what he used to be. I gather that he was someone like us once and made a bad deal. He used to work for Tenebrous back when he was still called Orcus, but tired of service, so defected to Atropus's banner."

Siegfried nodded along, trying to keep up.

"So why not seek out Atropus directly?"

His princess shook her head. "In short, he doesn't socialize. He's a giant, cancerous moon. It's not that he cares for us, exactly, just that I know Gorguth won't pass up a chance to spit in Orcus's eye."

"I… see," said Siegfried, even though he didn't .

"I could take you to him, if you like. Now that we're out of that mausoleum, my magic is back."

With that, she cut another hole in the world, a perfectly round slice right in the middle of the night, showing an imposing throne room with an inert, black man-shaped thing sitting in the center of it.

Siegfried nodded gratefully and made his way through the portal. He turned and was surprised to see his lady wasn't following him, but had instead turned around and was opening another.

"Aren't you coming?" he asked.

"Oh, no, dear. From what you told me, it sounds like that little girl still has her hands on my book. I wanted to go share the good news of my freedom with her."

She touched the heel of her hand to her chin and then made a hissing noise in Siegfried's direction. He guessed she had blown him a kiss, which he made sure he caught before she disappeared through her portal to Limbo. He remembered men in his position often kept a token from their ladies. He could still feel the tang of her meat on the back of his tongue. Much better than a handkerchief. No matter where he went, she would always be with him.

He looked before him to the form that must have have been Gorguth.

"Enter," Gorguth intoned.

"I understand you have a grievance with my," he grimaced for a moment, "master, Orcus."

Gorguth snarled and extended his hand, closing the portal behind Siegfried.

"There is nothing for you here, creature." Gorguth stood from his throne with a cracking of bones. "I can see plainly whatever pittance that bloated fiend offered you for your soul isn't great enough for you to give me what I need."

Siegfried looked around him for an exit but saw none. "What is that?" he asked, hopefully giving himself enough time to think of something.

"Oblivion," he boomed in a voice that shook the whole chamber. "Just as your," he sniffed with contempt, "mistress sold her soul for eternal life, I seek the opposite. I serve Atropus because he might bring an end to this world, and by extension me as well, along with Orcus."

He gestured and a slavering beast appeared before Siegfried, intent on swallowing him whole. "Until then, I wait. Goodbye, thrall of Orcus," he said, sounding bored.

Siegfried was quickly pinned beneath the creature's weight, its foul breath hot in his face. He craned his neck forward as far as he could and bit off one of the creature's toes. He swallowed it quickly so as not to taste it and stole the creature's shape. From that point, he was able to make short work of it and tear out the beast's throat.

As his lady had surmised, he found himself unable to stop until his stomach was full. The whole time, Gorguth simply watched, his gray, featureless face inscrutable to Siegfried.

"You may prove of use after all," Gorguth said. "Very well. Consider yourself under Atropus's banner. Orcus will be unable to revoke your newfound fell powers without returning your soul, so either way, it seems you're coming out ahead…" he trailed off, so Siegfried chose now to supply his name.

"Prince Siegfried," he said proudly.

"Well, then, your highness," Gorguth said without a shred of respect, "I suggest you lie low for the time being. It will be some time before he is weak enough for us to strike. When it comes, you will know."

Siegfried nodded, and before he could ask how he was supposed to leave, Gorguth sent him back to his lady's graveyard with a wave of his hand.

Once enough time had passed for him to disguise himself in some unobtrusive shape, Siegfried did some reconnaissance in town as an owl. He thought since this time he was planning out his devouring of flesh, he might find the time to cook it, but when the time came, he found he much preferred his prey raw.

His lady's enemy, the mage, was a local big wig in this town. Apparently when she and her friends had seen him in Limbo that first time, it was after their first encounter with his lady, who even after all his spying, he found was indeed too ancient and terrible to have a name known by the hoi polloi. This gave him a certain sense of pride.

Apparently, she had indeed been trying to take down Orcus in order to reclaim her own soul through Gorguth's master, Atropus. By causing a large enough tragedy on the surface of the prime material, Atropus would be attracted to the scent, like Siegfried to the smell of fresh meat.

Her plan was to encase the city in a bubble of force and fill it with water. The sorrow would hopefully summon Atropus. Without Orcus to hang onto her soul, she would be free to enjoy whatever hereafter she has been destined for before she met him.

The mage and her companions had been able to cage his lady and steal her book. They wanted to use it to warn Orcus of her strike against him that he might prepare himself for the forces of Atropus. While they knew he was a malefic force, they viewed him and the other demon lords as a necessary evil. With him out of his position in the Abyss, they thought there would be a power vacuum.

Be that as it may, he could understand his lady's plan, and not only because he stood to benefit from it. While before making the deal with Tenebrous, he would have been able to answer plainly who was at fault, now, he could understand what would drive someone to go to such extremes.

He'd never really noticed his soul before, but now it was gone, he thought he had finally given a name to that unreasoning pain in his stomach that persisted regardless of whose form he stole.

Orcus had apparently received the news poorly and had managed to dispatch the mage's companions. She was able to escape and went to his lady's chamber to check that she was still imprisoned there. She was able to divine where the book had last been read and tracked Siegfried down. After she had retreated, she went back to her tower to recuperate.

This was where Siegfried went to find her. She wasn't there personally, but she had left her study in the care of her familiar spirit, a raven that was so busy filing papers, it didn't notice Siegfried swoop in behind it and bite through its spinal cord.

Siegfried appreciated the poetry of an owl's sharp beak and curved talons now that he was using them for their intended purpose. Once he'd filled his stomach with feathers and gizzards, he found a reflective surface to make sure he got the details of the bird right.

After preening for a moment, he got back to filing, so his mistress, the mage, wasn't surprised when she saw him.

"I have more information on that damned lich," she said and collapsed into a chair.

"Oh?" Siegfried chirped. He alighted on a falconer's glove she held out before her face.

"Yes. It appears as though some perverse individual has managed to free her from my curse," she said, sounding annoyed.

"How?" he asked.

"If you can believe it, true love's kiss. And I think a little more than that." She made a face.

"Why do you think that?" Siegfried asked, glad his current form had no lips, or he was sure he would have smiled.

"She told me in… great detail of how her prince had come when she confronted me. It wasn't easy, but I was able to escape with my life. I'm not sure what her aims are, but I wouldn't be surprised if she attempted to pick up where she left off to destroy this city."

Siegfried nodded sagely.

"What do you think we should do to prepare?" he said.

The mage sighed deeply. "Truthfully, I have no idea. Ever since the rest of my order was lost to that damned woman, it's been… difficult being the sole guardian of this city."

Siegfried hopped onto her shoulder and rubbed his feathers against her cheek.

"Then rest," he said. "I can hold down the fort until then."

She nodded. "Perhaps that would be a prudent decision."

Siegfried watched her get undressed and slip into bed from a small wooden perch. Some part of him wanted to pounce on her now, but he thought better of it. If she were able to take on his lady singlehandedly, he had best not try to take her on alone.

Over the next few weeks, Siegfried familiarized himself with the mage's library, looking for information on his lady and her plan. He was able to learn enough to assume that his lady was busy at the moment removing abjurations cast at strategic locations around the city. He likely had time to wait before he would see her again.

Eventually, the day came when the mage flew into her tower in a fury, blood dripping down her face from four diagonal slashes across her cheek of the precise dimension to be a token from his lady.

"Hark unto me!" she snapped. Siegfried landed on her shoulder and listened to her as she caught him up on the situation.

"She's in the town square. She's managed to undo my abjurations despite my best efforts. She's surrounded the city in her force field, but there should still be time to prevent her from creating the flood!"

He held on fast and the mage carried him high above the town square.

His lady hovered in the air, a low droning noise
coming from her beautiful, white teeth. She let out a primal scream and ripped a hole in the sky, not at all like the portals he'd seen before. It was rough and asymmetrical, and for a moment, Siegfried felt homesick for his chaotic plane.

Not a moment later, sinister black shapes started pouring out from it. Gorguth was riding atop a great, mechanical bat, tearing a hole in the sky, black and jagged as a fissure in the earth. Behind him, all manner of horrible creatures from whatever far-off realm Atropus hailed from were following, claws and teeth bared and chewing through the clouds.

Before the first of them touched down on the surface of the city, the ground shook and cracked. A band of demons, no doubt Orcus's minions, dragged themselves up from the depths of the Abyss.

Siegfried now understood his lady's plans. Regardless of which side won between Orcus's and Gorguth's forces, there would be plenty of collateral damage amongst those caught in the middle. That was how she was planning to summon Atropus.

The mage brought herself to bear in front of his lady and surrounded herself in a shimmering white light. She flicked her gaze to Siegfried for a moment and quirked her eyebrow at him seeing he wasn't encapsulated by the spell.

The mage's head turned away from his lady, he realized now was the best time to strike.

Without a handy bit of flesh nearby, he dismissed the demonic magic that kept him in the bird's shape and was himself again, even if just for a second. Since Orcus's forces and his magic was so close, Siegfried could feel his power growing and extruded a pair of bat's wings to stay aloft behind the mage.

He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and put her in a full nelson. He latched on and bit down on the first thing he could find to distract her, an ear. It came right off and slid down his throat. His stomach still bulged with all the mortal flesh he'd swallowed. His skin felt tight. Now even the illustration of Tenebrous would respect his prowess as a hunter, so corpulent was he.

"Good to see you again, my lady," Siegfried gurgled through a mouthful of blood.

"And you as well, my prince," she said, and drifted over to Siegfried and the mage to finish her off.

The mage managed to buck Siegfried and teleport a few feet away, fire blazing in her eyes.

He beat his wings and interposed himself between the two women. Siegfried between Odile and Odette. Just as it was meant to be.

No matter how this battle ended, whether Orcus was victorious and retained claims to their souls, if Atropus succeeded in consuming the planet, or if the mage beat the odds and was able to ward all of them off, he knew he had done what he could for his lady. That was what princes did.[/spoiler]

Sources
srd: paladin of slaughter, ranger, alertness, power attack, iron will, flyby attack
phb2: steadfast determination, flyby attack
bovd: si, mortalbane, mortal hunter
fiendish codex 1: evil brand
elder evils: devotion to elder evils, thrall to demon, lichloved, murderous intent, deformity (madness), evil's blessing, deformity (parasite)
magic of incarnum: shape soulmeld, open chakra
exemplars of evil: celestial slayer, divine denial

Amphetryon

2013-09-23, 08:55 PM

I. . . was afraid of that.

OMG PONIES

2013-09-23, 08:58 PM

An interesting crop this time around, that's for sure.

Vaz

2013-09-23, 08:59 PM

I knew it! They all share the same ingredient!

Thrall of Orcus!

That'll never get old.

Kazyan

2013-09-23, 08:59 PM

I'm already sick of that joke. :smallyuk:

CyberThread

2013-09-23, 09:00 PM

I am willing to help judge if need be, but not as a raw cruncher, just on where I think the powerbase and usefulness as something is.

I see one build already though that broke the rules, chicken infested is a dragon magazine flaw.

But am also very glad/proud that my idea did not get replicated, fiend of possession and become the weapon that the thrall of orcus vampire wields as a wand of orcus.

Vaz

2013-09-23, 09:17 PM

Time for a list, methinks.

1; Captain Tardis; Half-Pyroclastic Dragon Human Fangshields Champion of the Wild Ranger 10/Tempest 5/Thrall of Orcus 2
2; The Decaying Tears; Gnome Cloistered Cleric 1/Binder 8/Thrall of Orcus 10/Tenebrous Apostate 1
3; Gem; Unknown race Dread Necromancer 10/Thrall of Orcus 10
4; Henry Oakshield the 666th; Battle Sorcerer 1/Fighter 11/Thrall of Orcus 10
5; Doctor Dellamorte; Half-elf Druid 5/Ranger 1/Blighter 7/Thrall of Orcus 10
6; Dobluth; Lesser Drow Warlock 4/Necromancer Wizard 1/Warblade 1/Demonbinder 4/Thrall of Orcus 10
7; Derek "Baelfire" Bragg; Silverbrow Human Bard 3/Warblade 2/Thrall of Orcus 10/Dirgesinger 5
8; The Frog Prince; Neraph Ranger 3/Paladin of Slaughter 2/Mortal Hunter 5/Thrall of Orcus 10
9; Cara Skerritt; Strongheart Halfling Lich Death Master 10/Thrall of Orcus 10
10; Adrienne Fzembrel; Human Hexblade 7/Thrall of Orcus 10/Paladin of Tyranny 3
11; Babalon; Human Hexblade 4/Thrall of Orcus 10/Horned Harbinger 6
12; Ankou; Jaebrin Bard 9/Thrall of Orcus 10
13; Ophelia; Human Ghost Cleric 3/Eidolon 7/Thrall of Orcus 10
14; Luxx; Human Binder 5/Cleric 1/Tenebrous Apostate 4/Thrall of Orcus 10
15; Bill E. Kidd; Ibixian Hexblade 4/Thrall of Orcus 10/Avenging Executioner 2
16; Sentrosi; Strongheart Halfling Were-Chicken Commoner 1/Death Master 6/Thrall of Orcus 9
17; Ari; Vashar Spirit Shaman 4/Spirit Lion Totem Barbarian 1/Thrall of Orcus 10/Cancer Mage 5
18; Thrall of Porkus; Barbarian 1/Sorcerer 4/Dread Witch 5/Thrall of Orcus 10
19; Ruk Rak; Arctic Kobold Fighter 4/Spirit Lion Totem Barbarian 1/Dungeon Lord 5/Thrall of Orcus 10

- - - - - -

As an aside, I know I'm nowhere near the top 3, possibly 5. Some... Inspired builds; Doctor Dellamorte, Babalon, and Baelfire are my favourite, and I'll call it now that those 3 will place.

:smallfrown:

And I'd felt so good about mine going into this one.

Kazyan

2013-09-23, 09:21 PM

And I'd felt so good about mine going into this one.

That feel, I know it so well.

OMG PONIES

2013-09-23, 09:22 PM

mattie_p

2013-09-23, 09:25 PM

I know this ruins the anonymity, but I don't care if people know this one isn't mine: I think Gem is in violation of forum rules. Even if the creator thinks it's an amusing way to respond to a rules disagreement, something makes me uneasy about posting a fictitious account in which you set another poster on fire. I'd normally just report the post quietly, but due to the nature of this competition Kuulvheysoon is the one that posted it. Any suggestions on how we should handle it?

Kuulvheysoon posted it without complaint. If our esteemed chairman is cool with it, I don't see an issue. (I am not a mod, though).

OMG PONIES

2013-09-23, 09:27 PM

Kuulvheysoon posted it without complaint. If our esteemed chairman is cool with it, I don't see an issue.

Even if the subject of the offense is fine with it, I'd rather our contest not include things that violate forum rules. I know I'm probably seeing a worst-case scenario, but I'd hate to see our competition derailed or thread locked due to rules violations.

Venger

2013-09-23, 09:29 PM

I know this ruins the anonymity, but I don't care if people know this one isn't mine: I think Gem is in violation of forum rules. Even if the creator thinks it's an amusing way to respond to a rules disagreement, something makes me uneasy about posting a fictitious account in which you set another poster on fire. I'd normally just report the post quietly, but due to the nature of this competition Kuulvheysoon is the one that posted it. Any suggestions on how we should handle it?

Even if the subject of the offense is fine with it, I'd rather our contest not include things that violate forum rules. I know I'm probably seeing a worst-case scenario, but I'd hate to see our competition derailed or thread locked due to rules violations.

I'm with you on this.

The Viscount

2013-09-23, 09:31 PM

Venger

2013-09-23, 09:36 PM

What did we do in GSA when the thread devolved into personal attack? Ask the mods for help? It's not like we don't know who did gem.

Piggy Knowles

2013-09-23, 09:41 PM

Several fun builds here! Skimmed most of them, I'm going to enjoy reading them all in detail over the next couple of days.

Two ideas I didn't use ended up being used by other contests, so I won't mention them.

I must admit, I expected Ur-Priests galore, and am pleasantly surprised to have been mistaken.

I did consider the following build, but just thought of it yesterday and didn't have time to get anything together:

Paladin of Slaughter 4/Thrall of Orcus 3/Divine Crusader 2/Thrall of Orcus +7/Divine Crusader +4

...with the Demonic domain.

That would end up with +18 BAB, 9th-level spells (which means the ability to cast Gate), turn undead, Charisma focus, etc.

I also thought of using a lesser drow (which gets Touch of Fatigue as an SLA) as an entry point for a crusader build with a focus on lots of deformity feats, but the end product was messy and I discarded it pretty early on.

Vaz

2013-09-23, 09:43 PM

RE; Gemgate
Got to say I didn't even bother to read the submission after it followed a similar layout to another entry that I felt didn't even bother to attempt the competition; quite frankly embarrassed that someone even considered that a decent thing to put down in words, and a little bit disgusted.

When such a personal attack is made in regards to a ruling made regarding a game, I don't feel that they should be a part of the game.

Perhaps Kuulv posted it out of a sense of fairness, but it's not something that should be taken lightly. While yes, we're dealing with the BoVD and we have baby's being slaughtered while mass murderers are getting jiggy with decomposing bodies, I think that posting about about setting another member of the board on fire is bang out of order.

- - - - -

@Piggy, I'd considered Ur-Priest; the problem was the casting progression; X4/Orcus 1/Ur-Priest 1/Orcus +9/Ur-Priest advancement 6 means that you've got at best Ur-Priest 9 casting; not much to sniff at, but compared to how good Cleric 9ths are, and how powerful Ur-Priests can be when played right, there's a difference.

Sure, you could go Orcus 8/Ur Priest 7 instead for it, but compare that to a dual 9th's, say. You'd also sacrifice that power gain in not getting the Nightwing.

S'all Vizzini at the end of it.

Deadline

2013-09-23, 09:45 PM

Even if the subject of the offense is fine with it, I'd rather our contest not include things that violate forum rules. I know I'm probably seeing a worst-case scenario, but I'd hate to see our competition derailed or thread locked due to rules violations.

Mostly I'm just really disappointed in the chef who entered that. This is supposed to be a fun,light hearted competition. A submission like that is ... yeah. I figured that entry would probably have the judges decline to judge it.

Piggy Knowles

2013-09-23, 09:52 PM

Amphetryon

2013-09-23, 09:53 PM

While I agree that the comment/entry in question was in poor taste, I'd recommend refraining from personal attacks on whomever posted it or his/her other builds.

Things have stayed fairly civil thus far, but Iron Chef is my single favorite thing about the playground, and I'd really, really hate to see things turn uglier than they have to.

This seems a wise comment, in my humble opinion.

OMG PONIES

2013-09-23, 10:03 PM

dysprosium

2013-09-23, 10:11 PM

Just started skimming over the builds when I noticed the numerous posts accumulating about Gem.

As a confirmed judge, I will judge it in the spirit it was presented.

Even with this development, I will begin the judging process.

Book dive!

Deadline

2013-09-23, 10:26 PM

There are some stand out builds here. I can't wait until the reveal! I think I know who built some of these, but wow are some of them nuts!

yougi

2013-09-23, 11:23 PM

Well, I ended up not participating because I was certain somebody else would have the same dish, and I ended up being right. Then again, my write-up wouldn't have been as awesome.

On another note, I'm looking forward to hearing how the judges will look unto Elder Evil worship to get the pre-req feats. The fact that I could not decide on whether or not to include them was the second reason for me not to submit my dish.

CyberThread

2013-09-23, 11:26 PM

who are the judges?

thethird

2013-09-23, 11:40 PM

Personally I am really happy and at some point disappointed that there are no ur-priest. I almost build a Binder 5 / Ur-Priest 2 / Tenebrous Apostate 3 / Thrall of Tenebrous 10 but this have been the busiest times of all.

mattie_p

2013-09-23, 11:56 PM

I am going to have trouble deciding who to nominate for honorable mention.

sabelo2000

2013-09-24, 01:30 AM

Things have stayed fairly civil thus far, but Iron Chef is my single favorite thing about the playground, and I'd really, really hate to see things turn uglier than they have to.

Every bit of agreement here, Piggy. I can't describe how much I would cry if Iron Chef were endangered.

Well, okay, maybe I wouldn't physically cry, but I'd definitely Facebook a picture of a crying baby and hotlink it to Iron Chef.

Thurbane

2013-09-24, 02:47 AM

Question: does using material from a non-allowed source (i.e. Dragon Magazine, not reprinted in the compendium) cause an elegance penalty, or does it cause the entry to be illegal?

Gemini476

2013-09-24, 03:33 AM

Question: does using material from a non-allowed source (i.e. Dragon Magazine, not reprinted in the compendium) cause an elegance penalty, or does it cause the entry to be illegal?

In the case of Chicken Infested, being a Flaw already leads to a penalty in Elegance. Technically it could be swapped out for almost any other allowed Flaw, but since Chicken Infested has an actual mechanical benefit in this case I don't know.

I'd suggest that it either be an illegal build or judged as if the flaw was something else, like Shaky. That would lead to a loss in power during low levels, but would also let the build be judged as if it were a legal build.

That's my opinion, anyway.

I haven't read through all of the entries yet, but did anyone use the Thrall of Orcus 9's guaranteed, consequence-free vampirism? It's unique as a class feature, from what I can tell.

Vaz

2013-09-24, 05:12 AM

I'd considered it. Get yourself bitten at CL17+ by an 8th level vampire to not be under its control, and ignore most of the LA by having it done so late.

Thing is, strong as a Vampire template is, it just isn't that hard to defeat.

Repelling a Vampire
Vampires cannot tolerate the strong odor of garlic and will not enter an area laced with it. Similarly, they recoil from a mirror or a strongly presented holy symbol. These things don’t harm the vampire—they merely keep it at bay. A recoiling vampire must stay at least 5 feet away from a creature holding the mirror or holy symbol and cannot touch or make melee attacks against the creature holding the item for the rest of the encounter. Holding a vampire at bay takes a standard action.

Vampires are also unable to cross running water, although they can be carried over it while resting in their coffins or aboard a ship.

They are utterly unable to enter a home or other building unless invited in by someone with the authority to do so. They may freely enter public places, since these are by definition open to all.

Even with wings, they cannot cross the water. And simply saying "Nope" means that the vampire is stuck outside.

Gemini476

2013-09-24, 05:23 AM

I'd considered it. Get yourself bitten at CL17+ by an 8th level vampire to not be under its control, and ignore most of the LA by having it done so late. Thing is, strong as a Vampire template is, it just isn't that hard to defeat.

Even with wings, they cannot cross the water. And simply saying "Nope" means that the vampire is stuck outside.

Become bitten at 18HD by a vampire with 9HD (or 20HD if it's a Master Vampire), kill your half-your-level master, get some spawn, bug one of them until it tries to kill you and fails miserably, spend 100 years in a fast time plane and boom! You qualify for Vampire Lord. That's the best immortality in the game right there.

As for weaknesses... A canoe in a Bag of Holding could work, and you know what they say about Muhammed and the mountain. Clever vampires are scary since they can creatively avoid their weaknesses.

Vaz

2013-09-24, 05:43 AM

Gemini476

2013-09-24, 06:31 AM

You can't kill your summoned "Master"; it's a Vampire, and can be from anywhere; you'd have to be really knowledgeable (like... Epic scale, or capable of forcing it to tell the truth wheI you ask it) to learn where that vampire could be found. Irregardless, however, you're more than twice its level, so you're free willed anyway.
Or you just ask it for it's name (as well as the number of thralls) before getting turned. Then just scry or whatever to find out where it is - you can get 8th level casting as a 18th level Ur-priest/ToO, after all.

As for level, it's a 9HD vampire. It can control 18HD of spawn - or 18+2CHA if its a Master Vampire - so you just need to make sure that it releases all of its previous spawn before turning you. In fact, given the description of the control given in Libris Mortis -affection towards your master, wanting to follow his every order - it might be enough to be from a race that would severely freak out about such feelings, like a Vashar. Who gets a free Vile feat, incidentally. But that's more in the scope of actually using it as a GM rather than as a character build.

However, taking the Vampire Lord requires that you slay your former master. If you're free willed, you don't have a Master. QED, you can't become a Vampire Lord. And even if you become bitten while under mastery, you've still got to find that Vampire you summoned; and then kill it. Which could be anywhere;
Yeah, that's the tricky part. I suspect that it's part of the switch from 3.0 to 3.5, since I don't know of any definite mechanics for a spawn to disobey its master. Clearly there's precedent for it being possible, however.

Edit; not only that, but much of the abilities gained by Vampire/Lord templates would then outweigh the benefits of the class. Anyone can be bitten by an ECL9 Vampire at level 19+, and recieve those benefits; infact, have more of a chance of locating said "Master" than a summoned one.
Well, yes. But you're not exactly guaranteed to find a 9HD vampire, are you? The Summon may be tricky, but at least it's available.

Meanwhile, your Perfect Flight is better than that gained by the wings, you have Create Spawn which is almost always better than Summon Undead, your Dexterity is already Sky High (+8), making the numerical bonus from Skeletal Visage not particularly high. The Death Touch while having its DC boosted by your increased charisma (+8) is hardly required. The Stench, again, Boosted by being a Vampire (+4 DC, for a further -2 for saves), but those are just stat boosts; they can be got anywhere. Touch of Fear is useless. Without a proper use for the Nightwing which cannot even Planar Travel, or Pallor of Death, the actual abilities of the Thrall of Orcus are overshadowed.

Yeah, I just thought that it was interesting that the best ability of the Thrall of Orcus was completely unintended. I suppose Pallor of Death is decent if you use the 3.5 version of Alter Self, though.

Oh wow, that was long. Sorry about that.
I contemplated making a Binder/Warlock/Ur-Priest/Thrall of Orcus (retrain some levels into Master Vampire later) but decided that it was both surprisingly weak and also had some highly schizophrenic swings in power. Oh, and using Ur-Priest for a slow-casting PrC and using Naberius to deal with ability damage seemed a bit unoriginal. Eh.

Hey, at least you can turn into a vampire upon a Desecrated shrine to Orcus, giving you +2HP/HD. That helps a little bit.

123456789blaaa

2013-09-24, 07:13 AM

Looks like nobody used the extremely low investment way to satisfy the necromancy spell requirement. It's the Magical Training feat from the Player's Guide to Faerûn, p. 41. Allows you to cast any 3 cantrips. Pick a necromancy spell for one of them.

Also, Babalon is incorrect about one of her class abilities. The Horned Harbinger's Captain of Undeath ability only applies to undead animated by spells, not SLA's by RAW. So it doesn't apply to the animate dead and create undead SLA's that HH provides.

amalthia

2013-09-24, 07:16 AM

I think Gem is in violation of forum rules. ?

It's not like we don't know who did gem.

RE; Gemgate I felt didn't even bother to attempt the competition;
When such a personal attack is made in regards to a ruling made regarding a game
I don't feel that they should be a part of the game.

Mostly I'm just really disappointed in the chef who entered that.
This is supposed to be a fun,light hearted competition

While I agree that the comment/entry in question was in poor taste
I'd recommend refraining from personal attacks on whomever posted it

Rules of Posting
Moderators will remove any part of a post that violates these forum rules
Flaming -
Any poster that openly attacks, insults, belittles, or abuses another poster will have their offending post modified and an Infraction issued to them. Please do not attack, insult, or belittle other posters, individually or collectively. You can be critical of another poster's viewpoint in a debate, even going as far as to explain why you believe them to be mistaken and backing your points up with rules quotes as appropriate, but the moment your criticism extends to the person who posted that viewpoint, it has crossed the line

RE: Gem's Background Mr. Chairman if you find that I have offended you personally then I do appologize publicly where all the others may see it for themselves
the references to the Chairman were done with no rules violations so you whom think otherwise should read- I have copied the portion that matters.

I am the sole owner of my account and do not share with anyone- the formatting text for purpose of build was given to me by other folk here.
to infer or assume otherwise is wrong.

Infering that my build might belong to another whom has been fairly outspoken on the chairmans choice to rule portions in a particular was is unfair to that person and you your self should appologize in public format for doing so, and withdraws from this competition.

MR. Chairman I have violated the rules of this competition by disclosing my build - I hearby make it known that I do forfiet.
I will NEVER RETURN to this format EVER - because of the above quoted peoples.
Good Day!

Amphetryon

2013-09-24, 07:38 AM

Well, that appears to quench any concerns about how to judge the build in question, rather tidily, then, I'd say.

Korahir

2013-09-24, 09:48 AM

More importantly: Let's return to the things that matter in theses contests: fun and horrible SIs. Any fresh suggestions on the next SI front?

Thurbane

2013-09-24, 09:59 AM

I'd really like to see a SI that has a monstrous/non humanoid req.

Kuulvheysoon

2013-09-24, 09:59 AM

More importantly: Let's return to the things that matter in theses contests: fun and horrible SIs. Any fresh suggestions on the next SI front?

It'll be a 3.5e prestige class.

Deadline

2013-09-24, 10:02 AM

It'll be a 3.5e prestige class.

Not a 3.0 PrC this time, eh? Dang, there goes my hope for Oozemaster ...

Korahir

2013-09-24, 10:09 AM

Siren from Savage Species?

Deadline

2013-09-24, 10:19 AM

Siren from Savage Species?

That's ... a rough entry requirement to meet. I can only think of a small handful of "races" that qualify for that out of the box. That's assuming you take a strict reading of the "must have an innate sonic attack". If you allow class abilities to qualify for that, then you are wide open.

Venger

2013-09-24, 11:37 AM

In the case of Chicken Infested, being a Flaw already leads to a penalty in Elegance. Technically it could be swapped out for almost any other allowed Flaw, but since Chicken Infested has an actual mechanical benefit in this case I don't know.

I'd suggest that it either be an illegal build or judged as if the flaw was something else, like Shaky. That would lead to a loss in power during low levels, but would also let the build be judged as if it were a legal build.

That's my opinion, anyway.

I haven't read through all of the entries yet, but did anyone use the Thrall of Orcus 9's guaranteed, consequence-free vampirism? It's unique as a class feature, from what I can tell.

treating chicken-infested (or any other illegal content) as legal is unfair to those chefs who actually obeyed the rules.

no one used vampire, but there was one lich and one ghost.

Not a 3.0 PrC this time, eh? Dang, there goes my hope for Oozemaster ...

don't get too blue. slimelord is still on the table.

Gemini476

2013-09-24, 12:52 PM

I'd really like to see a SI that has a monstrous/non humanoid req.

That'd be neat, yeah. Personally I'm hoping for the Dungeon Lord from Dungeonscape - although that has five levels and Leadership as a capstone, so it's unlikely to come up.

Speaking of which, one of the builds had Dungeon Lord in it (including leadership). I don't think it used the feat as such, but it might be good to remind everyone that leadership-esque abilities are banned.

EDIT:

treating chicken-infested (or any other illegal content) as legal is unfair to those chefs who actually obeyed the rules.

With "treat it as legal" I was more meaning "Judge the build as it would be if it didn't have Chicken Infested".

The Viscount

2013-09-24, 02:06 PM

You are allowed to enter a PrC that gives you leadership by the rules of the competition. You simply ignore that you have the feat.

A required non-humanoid PrC might be fun to enter, but as seen with siren, it would rather limit the range of entries.

As for Magical Training, we likely Vizzini'd ourselves out of that front.

A 3.5 PrC, eh? Come on, fleet runner of Elhonna!

dysprosium

2013-09-24, 02:21 PM

Win ter HAUNT!
Win ter HAUNT!
Win ter HAUNT!

Vaz

2013-09-24, 02:35 PM

Arcane Archer! Runescarred Berserker! Slimelord! Skylord!

Venger

2013-09-24, 02:37 PM

Arcane Archer! Runescarred Berserker! Slimelord! Skylord!

we'll need to houserule something if we do runescarred berserker, since RAW it's impossible to qualify for.

+1 for slimelord

CyberThread

2013-09-24, 02:48 PM

I would like to make an official request on WHO are being judges, so I can see if am needed or not.

Venger

2013-09-24, 02:51 PM

I would like to make an official request on WHO are being judges, so I can see if am needed or not.

Deadline and Amphetryon are both judging. I'll scour the thread to see if anyone else is and edit their names in.

judges:

amphetryon
dysprosium

Piggy Knowles

2013-09-24, 02:58 PM

Deadline is competing this round, not judging.

123456789blaaa

2013-09-24, 02:58 PM

Slime Lord is cool. However, it requires the Willing Deformity deformity feat so we'd probably see some vile feat optimization. Given that we've already seen a lot of that in this particular comp, I don't think it should be the next SI.

Arcane Archer would be pretty boring I think. It's abilities are either flat numerical bonuses or only usable 1/day. Its most interesting ability is Imbue Arrow and that only requires a 2 level dip.

Elemental Scion of Zilargo would be pretty awesome I think.

Piggy Knowles

2013-09-24, 03:02 PM

I'm still waiting on Thief of Life, although I suspect it might be a long wait. Sometimes I think Kuulvheysoon lives to tease me... I mean, Cipher Adept? Really?

Venger

2013-09-24, 03:02 PM

With "treat it as legal" I was more meaning "Judge the build as it would be if it didn't have Chicken Infested".

That's completely unfair to people who followed the rules. If I took levels of metaphysical spellshaper, judges shouldn't just judge around it, they should take points off because I didn't follow the rules. if everyone else had known they were allowed to use irresistible spell and eidetic wizard and half-minotaur, then they would have too. I'm drawing from a much wider bench if I just ignore banned material for IC.

CyberThread

2013-09-24, 03:03 PM

more leaning towards sandshaper myself

The chicken build is taking a hit if I judge, and the protest build is.....well why judge if you arn't going to try.

Venger

2013-09-24, 03:06 PM

more leaning towards sandshaper myself

The chicken build is taking a hit if I judge, and the protest build is.....well why judge if you arn't going to try.

I love sand shaper.

What was your condition for judging? if we only had 1 judge? there are 2 now, so that's where we stand. I edited my earlier post.

glad you think so. I mean, it's why we have rules. That chef actually dropped out, so his builds, gem and 666 whatever, do not need to be judged.

CyberThread

2013-09-24, 03:10 PM

123456789blaaa

2013-09-24, 03:11 PM

That's completely unfair to people who followed the rules. If I took levels of metaphysical spellshaper, judges shouldn't just judge around it, they should take points off because I didn't follow the rules. if everyone else had known they were allowed to use irresistible spell and eidetic wizard and half-minotaur, then they would have too. I'm drawing from a much wider bench if I just ignore banned material for IC.

I'm not really arguing for either side but assuming the judges are doing what Gemini said, why would contestants do that? They're not getting points for it and stuff that depends on the banned stuff would be weaker.

Venger

2013-09-24, 03:13 PM

Deadline

2013-09-24, 03:13 PM

Deadline is competing this round, not judging.

http://assets.diylol.com/hfs/439/c5d/3a2/resized/judging-you-meme-generator-careful-there-i-m-judging-you-233dbf.jpg?1363374156.jpg

Also, Piggy is right, I am competing this round. (I submitted two dishes!) :smallbiggrin:

Venger

2013-09-24, 03:14 PM

Also, Piggy is right, I am competing this round. (I submitted two dishes!) :smallbiggrin:

fixed my earlier post. thanks for the correction. I think I know which are yours :smallwink: good job!

dysprosium

2013-09-24, 03:22 PM

judges:

amphetryon
dysprosium

It's true. I'm totally judging.

I apologize for not posting criteria sooner. I post it along with my judgings.

Looks like a picked an awesome round for judging too!

Lots of controversies! But on the flip side looks like some rather delightfully evil dishes.

Venger

2013-09-24, 03:24 PM

It's true. I'm totally judging.

I apologize for not posting criteria sooner. I post it along with my judgings.

Looks like a picked an awesome round for judging too!

Lots of controversies! But on the flip side looks like some rather delightfully evil dishes.

looking forward to your judgings as always. hope you like my guy/gal/thing

Kuulvheysoon

2013-09-24, 03:27 PM

I have no condition just if I feel like it when I get home tonight, I may offer to split the duties of judging I'll do the first 10 and someone can do the other 8 or 9. If someone does not have the huge time commitment.

I'm afraid that I'm going to have to ask you for all or nothing. If someone "took over" your judging, they'd use different criteria than you.

Hell's bells, even if they tried, it still wouldn't be on the level because you might have different interpretations.

Vaz

2013-09-24, 03:46 PM

we'll need to houserule something if we do runescarred berserker, since RAW it's impossible to qualify for.

+1 for slimelord

Hmm? How so?

Amphetryon

2013-09-24, 03:59 PM

Hmm? How so?

The Region that granted the required Feat for Runescarred Berserker in 3.0, no longer does in 3.5, and they simultaneously changed the rules for qualifying for out-of-Region Regional Feats. So, yeah.

relytdan

2013-09-24, 04:03 PM

just because

Vaz

2013-09-24, 04:07 PM

This is not the place to continue the conversation, particularly when you weren't even involved with it.

Keynub

2013-09-24, 05:12 PM

Some raw data for your viewing pleasure.

{table=head]Race|Count
Human|7
Halfling|2
Dwarf|1
Elf|1
Gnome|1
Half-Elf|1
Half-Orc|1
Ibixian|1
Jaebrin|1
Kobold|1
Neraph|1
[/table]

{table=head]Template|Count

Ghost|1
Half-Dragon|1
Lich|1
Were-Chicken|1

[/table]

{table=head]Class|Count|Cumuled Levels|Avg length

Thrall of Orcus|18|166|9.22
Death Master|2|16|8
Fighter|2|14|7
Blighter|1|7|7
Eidolon|1|7|7
Binder|2|13|6.5
Ranger|2|13|6.5
Bard|2|12|6
Horned Harbinger|1|6|6
Hexblade|3|15|5
Cancer Mage|1|5|5
Dirgesinger|1|5|5
Dread Witch|1|5|5
Druid|1|5|5
Dungeon Lord|1|5|5
Mortal Hunter|1|5|5
Tempest|1|5|5
Demonbinder|1|4|4
Spirit Shaman|1|4|4
Warlock|1|4|4
Paladin|2|5|2.5
Sorcerer|2|5|2.5
Tenebrous Apostate|2|5|2.5
Avenging Executioner|1|2|2
Cleric|3|5|1.67
Warblade|2|3|1.5
Barbarian|3|3|1
Commoner|1|1|1
Eidoloncer|1|1|1
Wizard|1|1|1

[/table]
I particularly like this one; sorted by the average length of a class (in builds that use at least one level of it), you can see the SI on top, followed by what is most likely to be the main classes of the builds, and dips on the bottom. It's unclear in-between, a median would probably do a better job, but we would need a bigger sample for it to be usable. (Guess what variety of barbarian those three 1-level dip were?)

{table=head]Alignment|Count
Lawful Evil|1
Neutral Evil|5
Chaotic Evil|8

[/table]

My vote for Honorable Mention goes to Baelfire.

(powdered cockatrice *snickers*)

Piggy Knowles

2013-09-24, 05:27 PM

Oh, hey, I just realized... this might be the first time since Dervish that we've had a full BAB PrC without any entries going (Hex/Dusk)blade 5/SI 10/Abjurant Champion 5!

EDIT: ...Also, reading over the builds again, I count a whopping six builds that don't actually qualify for the PrC :smallredface:

Venger

2013-09-24, 05:28 PM

Oh, hey, I just realized... this might be the first time since Dervish that we've had a full BAB PrC without any entries going (Hex/Dusk)blade 5/SI 10/Abjurant Champion 5!

this is the first time in a long time that we've had a round without any duskblades or factota as well

Vaz

2013-09-24, 06:06 PM

Venger

2013-09-24, 06:11 PM

EDIT: ...Also, reading over the builds again, I count a whopping six builds that don't actually qualify for the PrC :smallredface:

only six? maybe I flagged one mistakenly.

that's the most that don't qualify for the SI since ardent dilettante

Deadline

2013-09-24, 06:13 PM

You've got me paranoid :smallfrown:

I just doubled checked mine. If they don't qualify, I'm not seeing what I'm missing (I took great pains to make sure they were good to go).

yougi

2013-09-24, 06:14 PM

The Region that granted the required Feat for Runescarred Berserker in 3.0, no longer does in 3.5, and they simultaneously changed the rules for qualifying for out-of-Region Regional Feats. So, yeah.

Could you expand on that, I'm not sure I follow that second part (which I bolded in the quote above).

Amphetryon

2013-09-24, 06:18 PM

Could you expand on that, I'm not sure I follow that second part (which I bolded in the quote above).

In 3.0, you could take 2 ranks in Knowledge (Local: [Region]) to qualify for out-of-Region Regional Feats. They removed the verbiage allowing this from the PGtF; Curmudgeon has commented on this at least once, as I recall, though I've no idea how far back the link to this comment is. I'd wager he still knows the appropriate pages for reference, if asked.

yougi

2013-09-24, 06:46 PM

In 3.0, you could take 2 ranks in Knowledge (Local: [Region]) to qualify for out-of-Region Regional Feats. They removed the verbiage allowing this from the PGtF; Curmudgeon has commented on this at least once, as I recall, though I've no idea how far back the link to this comment is. I'd wager he still knows the appropriate pages for reference, if asked.

Thank you, I'll look into that!

Piggy Knowles

2013-09-24, 06:52 PM

IIRC, Curmudgeon argued that 3.5 eliminated knowledge (local - region) altogether, making it impossible to qualify for out of region feats. That said, it's been a while since I've seen it come up, so I could be misremembering.

Macabaret

2013-09-24, 08:40 PM

You've got me paranoid :smallfrown:

If Piggy's seeing the same thing I am, the builds that don't qualify aren't qualifying as a result of information in one of Keynub's four tables.

Kazyan

2013-09-24, 08:47 PM

Trivia: all 7 core races are, in some variety, represented among the entries.

Which builds are the ones that don't qualify, actually?

Segev

2013-09-24, 08:51 PM

Since I'm new to these competitions, Piggy, I doubt you can guess mine. ^_^ But these guessing games do always amuse me when people know enough to make them educated guesses.

Venger

2013-09-24, 08:53 PM

Trivia: all 7 core races are, in some variety, represented among the entries.

Which builds are the ones that don't qualify, actually?

Chairman, is answering this question against the rule of influencing the judges?

Deadline

2013-09-24, 08:57 PM

Chairman, is answering this question against the rule of influencing the judges?

It's probably best to answer via PM.

mattie_p

2013-09-24, 09:00 PM

I'm pretty sure I know what people are talking about, and all I will say, after consideration, is to check your source.

CyberThread

2013-09-24, 09:04 PM

whew, folks are getting fiesty. Calm down and let the judges be the judges, lets not you be judged......

Oi that was bad.

ericp65

2013-09-24, 09:11 PM

Regional feats still exist in 3.5e for Forgotten Realms. A character is allowed one regional feat at character creation, and has to live in a given region for a certain amount of time, if memory serves, to consider another region to be "home region," and take a regional feat for it.

sabelo2000

2013-09-24, 10:49 PM

To any Minnesotans in the Playground: Just got back from the Minneapolis renaissance festival, my first visit there. I had a blast, thanks everybody!

Darkcouch

2013-09-24, 11:52 PM

EDIT: ...Also, reading over the builds again, I count a whopping six builds that don't actually qualify for the PrC :smallredface:

I'm counting 8

relytdan

2013-09-25, 07:10 AM

I'm counting 8

Guess I don't see what you see -I did not check spells for schools
Alignment: Any evil.
Base Attack Bonus: +4.
Skills: Knowledge (arcana) 2 ranks, Knowledge (religion) 2 ranks.
Feats: Evil Brand, Lichloved, Thrall to Demon.
Special: Must be able to cast a spell of the Necromancy school

Tardis - Feat Soul of the North - questionable as to if it truely casts
Sentrosi - Chicken Infested appears to come from disallowed source -
Porkus - you take the SI when you do not meet the +4 BAB

Tears - appears to qualify
Oakshield - appears to qualify
Dellamorte - appears to qualify
Dobluth - appears to qualify
Derek Bragg - appears to qualify - though your useage of certain images may or may not have violated copywrite rules
Frog - appears to qualify
Nightchild - appears to qualify
Adrienne - appears to qualify
BABALON - appears to qualify - no mention of alighment - presumed evil
Ankou - appears to qualify
Luxx - appears to qualify
Bill - appears to qualify - no mention of alighment - presumed evil
Ari - appears to qualify
Ruk Rak - appears to qualify

overall great looking builds

Vaz

2013-09-25, 08:15 AM

Gemini476

2013-09-25, 09:17 AM

I'm not entirely sure that calling out specific builds saying "don't qualify", "don't qualify" "qualify" etc is particularly helpful. And comments like "Breach copyright rules"; etc? REALLY not helpful. At least spoiler; at worst, it's influencing the judges. Judges should be able to figure out for themselves.

It's a bit of fun parodying Brutal Legend, which is explicitly allowed. I've done the same in the past with Dark Prince from Prince of Persia The Two Thrones (Shadow Sun Ninja) and Spyro the Dragon (Talon of Tiamat).

In regards to what you're missing, I really want to post it; all I will say is down to updated material which was a prerequisite had an additional alignment. The updating happened in 2, perhaps 3 fairly obscure sourcebooks, 1 of which was setting specific. I don't want to specify, I know at least 1 or 2 other people have picked up on it, however, and if any judges are interested, ask Kuulv to PM one of the people who's identified that there is a missing qualification; and he can pass that info onto the judges anonymously.

The kicker is, it's a 3.0 class referencing a feat in its own book. It's not like the Alter Self ability making more sense as a 3.0 spell unintentionally becoming far more powerful with the 3.5 update, as Alter Self is a core spell. However; the first post also states that a source's obscurity is not a penalty in elegance; perhaps it should work the other way.

At least one class I can remember explicitly stated that they've used the more recent versions of the feats mentioned, and a few others may have mentioned as such in their sources; perhaps bonus points for qualifying with that, rather than penalizing those who don't might be in order? :smalltongue:

The books with [Vile] feats in them are, if I remember correctly: Book of Vile Darkness, Champions of Ruin, Heroes of Horror, Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss, and Elder Evils. I think that's the order of publication as well, but may be wrong regarding FC1/HoH.

Feats have smaller and greater updates between them: For instance, the Elder Evils version of Lichloved only mentions "repeatedly consorting with the undead" (rather than BoVD's outright "repeatedly committing perverted sex acts with the undead"), and Thrall to Demon lost the "Nor may he take the Disciple of Darkness feat" qualifier somewhere down the line, although Disciple of Darkness didn't. Oh, and Heroes of Horror gave all the Deformity feats the [Deformity] tag.

There's a surprising amount of support for [Vile] feats out there! I suppose all those BBEGs need something to pad out their lists with.
Oh, and the version of Abyss-bound Soul in Elder Evils doesn't have the list of demon princes and benefits from FC1, which is probably an editing error.

Piggy Knowles

2013-09-25, 09:31 AM

My favorite version of a class that changed considerably because of updates to feats way down the road is the master of flies prestige class from savage species. It requires Quick Change, which used to be for any creature with alternate form, in order to reduce the time needed to change. Then it was updated in RoE to be a totally different changeling-only feat, so now the only masters of flies are changelings.

Keynub

2013-09-25, 10:23 AM

The books with [Vile] feats in them are, if I remember correctly: Book of Vile Darkness, Champions of Ruin, Heroes of Horror, Fiendish Codex I: Hordes of the Abyss, and Elder Evils. I think that's the order of publication as well, but may be wrong regarding FC1/HoH.

Exemplars of Evil has vile feats as well.

Beware judges, don't read below if you don't want to be influenced! :smallbiggrin:

And yeah, the most notable update for the purpose of this contest is the "chaotic evil alignment" restriction that was added to Thrall to Demon post-BovD.

Not noticing the restriction of the updated version was a honest mistake to make, at least in my opinion.

Vaz

2013-09-25, 11:29 AM

Venger

2013-09-25, 11:34 AM

Just read through Winterhaunt; I like it. A Full Progression class would be nice, but I fear a mass walk out of judges when they have half a million entrants to do, each one with Snowcasting and Full Progression.

more importantly, full casting SIs drastically reduce the variety we see in dishes' entry techniques.

dysprosium

2013-09-25, 11:51 AM

Beware judges, don't read below if you don't want to be influenced! :smallbiggrin:

I had already caught this latest controversy in my initial walk through of the builds.

I am currently working out how this will be scored by myself.

As far as Winterhaunt goes, I have to admit I have a build already statted out for that one. My oldest daughter plays a pyromaniac wizard so a cold themed adversary is almost obligatory.

Deadline

2013-09-25, 12:50 PM

I had already caught this latest controversy in my initial walk through of the builds.

I am currently working out how this will be scored by myself.

Looking forward to your judgings!

WhamBamSam

2013-09-25, 02:46 PM

Finally got through a first reading of all of the entries. I'll hopefully be judging as well based on the criteria posted earlier in the thread.

Does the forfeiture of Gem mean that the chef's other entries don't need to be judged either?

I considered a few things which no one else went with, so here are the stubs for your reading pleasure.

1. Human Factotum 8/Chameleon 2/Thrall of Orcus 10 - Using Chameleon spellcasting and dedication to Atropus to qualify, the idea was to essentially be a Mini-Atropus, an Elder Evil in a can which Orcus would use to simultaneously bring about the real thing and to serve as a stand-in in the meantime. It had a number of tricks up its sleeve as you might expect from a Factotum/Chameleon, but the big one was Cunning Surge/Deformity (Tall)/Death Touch/Flyby Attack to deliver the boop of doom to multiple enemies in the same turn. I didn't know about the Tomb Mote or Chosen of Evil though, and both could have done a lot to improve his schtick.

2. Human Hexblade 4/Bloodline 3/Thrall of Orcus 10/Uncanny Trickster 3 - The basic idea here was to push the effective Thrall of Orcus class level as high as it would go to add more class levels to the Ghost/Vampire. Not really viable when the summon is only 1/day though.

Venger

2013-09-25, 02:48 PM

Does the forfeiture of Gem mean that the chef's other entries don't need to be judged either?
In the past, this is how we've done things.

1. Human Factotum 8/Chameleon 2/Thrall of Orcus 10 - Using Chameleon spellcasting and dedication to Atropus to qualify, the idea was to essentially be a Mini-Atropus, an Elder Evil in a can which Orcus would use to simultaneously bring about the real thing and to serve as a stand-in in the meantime. It had a number of tricks up its sleeve as you might expect from a Factotum/Chameleon, but the big one was Cunning Surge/Deformity (Tall)/Death Touch/Flyby Attack to deliver the boop of doom to multiple enemies in the same turn. I didn't know about the Tomb Mote or Chosen of Evil though, and both could have done a lot to improve his schtick.

you can't use your foci to qualify for prcs.

WhamBamSam

2013-09-25, 02:56 PM

In the past, this is how we've done things.Okay, good. That makes things easier on me.

you can't use your foci to qualify for prcs.And Arcane Dilettante spells are SLAs which don't work either. Good thing I didn't enter it then.

Deadline

2013-09-25, 03:00 PM

Does the forfeiture of Gem mean that the chef's other entries don't need to be judged either?

Unless the chairman rules otherwise, I'm fairly certain all the remaining entries are supposed to be judged. Also, we don't know which dishes belong to whom. Only Gem was claimed by amalthia (who stated it as their only entry).

Also, could we just move on from that unpleasantness and finish this round out on a high note?

Segev

2013-09-25, 03:06 PM

Also, could we just ... finish this round out on a high note?

I'm sure we have at least one entry that could probably do this, if I'm reading them right.

OMG PONIES

2013-09-25, 03:51 PM

1. Human Factotum 8/Chameleon 2/Thrall of Orcus 10 - Using Chameleon spellcasting and dedication to Atropus to qualify, the idea was to essentially be a Mini-Atropus, an Elder Evil in a can which Orcus would use to simultaneously bring about the real thing and to serve as a stand-in in the meantime. It had a number of tricks up its sleeve as you might expect from a Factotum/Chameleon, but the big one was Cunning Surge/Deformity (Tall)/Death Touch/Flyby Attack to deliver the boop of doom to multiple enemies in the same turn. I didn't know about the Tomb Mote or Chosen of Evil though, and both could have done a lot to improve his schtick.

I toyed around w/ an Elan Factotum 8/Necromancer 4/ToO 8, trying to max out my number of standard actions in order to pop off multiple death touches per round. I had Assume Supernatural Ability and second-level spells so he could alter self into a choker with or without the nebulously-worded Pallor of Death for an extra standard action every round. Cunning Surge everyone already knows, of course. I also snagged Action Surge from the Eberron Campaign Setting for an extra standard action at the cost of 2 action points. I tried cranking the casting to snag Celerity in order to pick up another one, which would have allowed 5 death touches in one round, and I was tinkering with ways to squeeze in Mark of the Dauntless to avoid the dazed condition of celerity. Unfortunately, that pony only had one trick.

Vaz

2013-09-25, 04:19 PM

Whooo! Anuzzer judge! I forgot you Whambamsam! Sorry!

So hopefully that means 3! DOn't remember having that many since I started. I'm more interested now in seeing how the judges view each different build.

Kazyan

2013-09-25, 04:25 PM

"Boop of doom" is the best way to describe Death Touch.

Piggy Knowles

2013-09-25, 04:29 PM

*snip*

Can I just say that I'm still absurdly inspired by your never-submitted build stub from Justiciar, the Factotum/Swordsage/Justiciar, that went Sudden Leap -> Initiate Grapple -> Hog-Tie -> Quick Draw a scythe -> Cunning Surge -> Death Blow? On more than one occasion, when I've been thinking about builds and felt like tinkering, I've messed around with turning that idea into a full build.

OMG PONIES

2013-09-25, 05:06 PM

Can I just say that I'm still absurdly inspired by your never-submitted build stub from Justiciar, the Factotum/Swordsage/Justiciar, that went Sudden Leap -> Initiate Grapple -> Hog-Tie -> Quick Draw a scythe -> Cunning Surge -> Death Blow? On more than one occasion, when I've been thinking about builds and felt like tinkering, I've messed around with turning that idea into a full build.

Yeah, that's the one unfinished stub that made me the maddest. I felt like it could have been awesome. What can I say, I love me some Factotum 8...heck, I'm even a nerd for factotum 3.

WhamBamSam

2013-09-25, 05:51 PM

I toyed around w/ an Elan Factotum 8/Necromancer 4/ToO 8, trying to max out my number of standard actions in order to pop off multiple death touches per round. I had Assume Supernatural Ability and second-level spells so he could alter self into a choker with or without the nebulously-worded Pallor of Death for an extra standard action every round. Cunning Surge everyone already knows, of course. I also snagged Action Surge from the Eberron Campaign Setting for an extra standard action at the cost of 2 action points. I tried cranking the casting to snag Celerity in order to pick up another one, which would have allowed 5 death touches in one round, and I was tinkering with ways to squeeze in Mark of the Dauntless to avoid the dazed condition of celerity. Unfortunately, that pony only had one trick.Well, a Factotum never really has only one trick, and I'd have loved to see that build show up, but I see what you're saying.

Seems a shame to lose out on Summon Greater Undead though. Having a pet WRT Warblade one encounter/day would probably do more than being able to cast Celerity.

Also, with ranks in crafting, you can go with The Decaying Tears' schtick and call up low level casters with whatever spells you want to make scrolls of and scrap them for parts, getting Celerity along with a bunch of other things assuming they don't need to stick around for the whole crafting process. If they arrive with spells prepared you can get any 4th level or lower spell via a Wizard 6/Wyrrm Wizard 2 at Thrall of Orcus 9.

Maybe Factotum 8/Cloistered Cleric 1/Thrall of Orcus 10/Warblade 1?

Whooo! Anuzzer judge! I forgot you Whambamsam! Sorry!

So hopefully that means 3! DOn't remember having that many since I started. I'm more interested now in seeing how the judges view each different build.No need to apologize, but yeah. It should be fun.

"Boop of doom" is the best way to describe Death Touch.Heh, thanks.

Kuulvheysoon

2013-09-25, 11:06 PM

Chairman, is answering this question against the rule of influencing the judges?

I would prefer that people not examine the entries before Judges have taken a good solid look at them, but since I apparently missed out on that... :smallsigh:

Does the forfeiture of Gem mean that the chef's other entries don't need to be judged either?

In the past, this is how we've done things.

Might I remind the honourable judges that amalthia only submitted the one entry (Gem). I would very much appreciate ending the speculation that amalthia has multiple accounts (as that's against Da Rulez). Gem is the only build that you need not judge. All other entries need to be judged (unless you deem them illegal, see the OP).

Unless the chairman rules otherwise, I'm fairly certain all the remaining entries are supposed to be judged. Also, we don't know which dishes belong to whom. Only Gem was claimed by amalthia (who stated it as their only entry).

Also, could we just move on from that unpleasantness and finish this round out on a high note?

Listen to the man's words of wisdom - they will serve us well.:smallsmile:

Gemini476

2013-09-26, 04:15 AM

I woke up somewhat recently, and I had a dream that the Generic Spellcaster had been chosen as the next Secret Ingredient. Oh, and the next round had already started today.
It was a very strange dream, and I'm fairly certain the Generic Class as do not work like they did in that dream.

Keynub

2013-09-26, 10:22 AM

I would prefer that people not examine the entries before Judges have taken a good solid look at them, but since I apparently missed out on that... :smallsigh:

Oh.

Sorry. It won't happen again.

dysprosium

2013-09-27, 09:07 AM

Thought everyone would like an update from this judge.

Skimming done and I know how I'm going to handle some of the entries.

Thorough judging to be done this weekend and looking at results posting Monday or Tuesday night.

Vaz

2013-09-27, 11:03 AM

woooooooooooo.

OMG PONIES

2013-09-27, 01:11 PM

dysprosium

2013-09-27, 01:37 PM

Why must you taunt me so?! :smalltongue:

Well it's either that or we let the thread dwindle on page (3 or lower)

Deadline

2013-09-27, 02:46 PM

Well it's either that or we let the thread dwindle on page (3 or lower)

Huzzah for taunting! Also, huzzah for impending judgings!

WhamBamSam

2013-09-28, 11:36 AM

I'm currently 5 entries in, but I need to stop now for a while to do some real world work. I expect someone else will get their judging in before I do, but rest assured, I'll make it in before the deadline with time to spare for disputes.

sabelo2000

2013-09-29, 04:03 AM

And so begins the most difficult part of any ICOC competition: no more build to tweak, no more pre-submission discussion. Entry is submitted, all is set in stone. Nothing but the

Long...

Slow...

Painful...

TORTUROUS...

Wait for the judgings to appear.

Keynub

2013-09-29, 05:33 AM

If you don't know what to do, well... I seem to be the only one who has cast a vote for Honorable Mention, so that's one thing.

sabelo2000

2013-09-29, 01:15 PM

Thanks for the reminder keynub!

Thurbane

2013-09-30, 12:31 AM

A bit of controversy this round, judging will be most interesting.

Vaz

2013-09-30, 09:57 AM

Deadline

2013-09-30, 10:06 AM

Just been reading through one of the old competitions; (Justiciar, out of interest), and saw a passing mention to a joint effort entry.

I'm not sure if anyone's tried this, yet, or if it's not in the spirit of the game, but would anyone be interested in doing one? Could be interesting to see whether it's a "too many cooks", or we get a masterpiece from having two or more people reading through, all who have different system mastery; for example, I don't really have a clue where to begin with Eberron stuff outside of the usual Planar Shepherd Shenanigans.

If the chairman deems it to be acceptable, I could be interested in doing that. Maybe we could have a "Special Edition: Iron Chef Doubles Round" to allay any fears of unfairness.

Also, we need to make sure that Piggy and PONIES don't merge together like some unholy Voltron and destroy us all. :smallbiggrin:

WhamBamSam

2013-09-30, 10:50 AM

If the chairman deems it to be acceptable, I could be interested in doing that. Maybe we could have a "Special Edition: Iron Chef Doubles Round" to allay any fears of unfairness.

Also, we need to make sure that Piggy and PONIES don't merge together like some unholy Voltron and destroy us all. :smallbiggrin:Could be fun. It'd probably cut down on the judges work too*, unless each duo submitted twice as many dishes as a solo chef.

Maybe some rule limiting who can team up based on how many medals the chefs have won in the past.

*On that note, I'm now about 6 1/2 builds into my judging. Today is getting swallowed up by an essay I have due tomorrow (why can't IC count for my Upper Level Writing requirement?), but I'm going to try powering through the rest of it tomorrow.

Deadline

2013-09-30, 10:53 AM

Maybe some rule limiting who can team up based on how many medals the chefs have won in the past.

I was only joking about that. I wasn't actually advocating it. :smallsmile:

At any rate, I'm excited for the incoming judging scores. Good luck with it!

OMG PONIES

2013-09-30, 11:16 AM

If the chairman deems it to be acceptable, I could be interested in doing that. Maybe we could have a "Special Edition: Iron Chef Doubles Round" to allay any fears of unfairness.

Also, we need to make sure that Piggy and PONIES don't merge together like some unholy Voltron and destroy us all. :smallbiggrin:

The doubles idea was kicked around before, and basically came down to the decision that it would get too confusing. Based on how much confusion we've seen in some of the single-chef rounds, it may get worse :smalltongue:. Also, I'm really liking the sound of "Unholy Voltron," but I think you overstate our awesomeness. There's plenty of others that constantly astound me with their creativity.

*On that note, I'm now about 6 1/2 builds into my judging. Today is getting swallowed up by an essay I have due tomorrow (why can't IC count for my Upper Level Writing requirement?), but I'm going to try powering through the rest of it tomorrow.

Is that what successful people do, allow RL to take precedence over a game? Oh, it is? :smalleek: Explains what I've been doing wrong.

WhamBamSam

2013-09-30, 11:28 AM

I was only joking about that. I wasn't actually advocating it. :smallsmile:

At any rate, I'm excited for the incoming judging scores. Good luck with it!Doesn't necessarily mean it's not a good idea.:smalltongue: I doubt we'd really have to face the pony-pig of annihilation though. They don't really seem the types to just go for the jugular like that.

Thanks. I think I've basically hit a rhythm and will be able to get through the remaining two thirds of it with a solid Tuesday's work.

EDIT:

The doubles idea was kicked around before, and basically came down to the decision that it would get too confusing. Based on how much confusion we've seen in some of the single-chef rounds, it may get worse :smalltongue:. Also, I'm really liking the sound of "Unholy Voltron," but I think you overstate our awesomeness. There's plenty of others that constantly astound me with their creativity.Phrases like unholy voltron are worth a bit of hyperbole now and again.

And speaking for myself personally, regardless of how creative aspects of my entries may have been I've had to deluge them in known cheese to make them work, and haven't yet managed to put together a full IC build without a qualification error somewhere. Another brain to bounce things off and help share proofreading duties could be a big help. It would be a bit confusing though, I'll admit.

Is that what successful people do, allow RL to take precedence over a game? Oh, it is? :smalleek: Explains what I've been doing wrong.Only for a few days out of any given week. I've been procrastinating pretty hard up to now.

dysprosium

2013-09-30, 11:50 AM

I am about 2/3 through with judging myself with tonight being set for finishing as much as I can.

Looks like more likely a Tuesday or Wednesday judging post. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause our viewers.

As an aside, I will probably not be too popular after my judgings come out. :smallsigh:

About doubles, it could work. I'd be interested one way or another. Part of the success would be who the pairings are. There would have to be good chemistry to get a good build. But the chances for a spectacular build go up tremendously. Look at Tempest Stormwind and Co: the base idea may come from one person but then the brain trust gets together and puts out some good product.

OMG PONIES

2013-09-30, 11:51 AM

As an aside, I will probably not be too popular after my judgings come out. :smallsigh:

Are we your sacrifices to qualify yourself for entry into Thrall of Orcus? :smalleek:

dysprosium

2013-09-30, 11:52 AM

Are we your sacrifices to qualify yourself for entry into Thrall of Orcus? :smalleek:

I was hoping I wasn't that obvious . . .

OMG PONIES

2013-09-30, 11:55 AM

I was hoping I wasn't that obvious . . .

The altar of 30 skulls in your living room may have tipped your hand a bit. :smalltongue:

Amphetryon

2013-09-30, 11:56 AM

.

As an aside, I will probably not be too popular after my judgings come out. :smallsigh:

Good to know I won't be the only one dodging stones. :smalleek:

Korahir

2013-09-30, 01:54 PM

Honestly I'd be surprised to see very high scores. This SI was harder than it appeared at first glance.

Venger

2013-09-30, 02:20 PM

Honestly I'd be surprised to see very high scores. This SI was harder than it appeared at first glance.

three feat taxes is really a lot more difficult than it seems. especially alongside the stringent alignment req and the other stuff we needed to get into the class. I'm expecting lowish scores all around as well

mattie_p

2013-09-30, 02:43 PM

three feat taxes is really a lot more difficult than it seems. especially alongside the stringent alignment req and the other stuff we needed to get into the class. I'm expecting lowish scores all around as well

Are you saying it is a race to the bottom? I'm already there. :smallamused:

Macabaret

2013-09-30, 02:48 PM

Venger

2013-09-30, 02:50 PM

Rest easy, judges, I'm sure at least one contestant won't be too mad at you. Perhaps even three. (Which isn't to say that they'll be willing to shield you from flying stones, though.)

As for the double-chef entry idea: I think it would be a more interesting idea to partner up with someone to create two entries (one each) that work together, two characters of the same party collaborating skills and abilities for a stronger whole. Write them up and submit as two separate entries, but include each other in backstories and level explanations.

Just spitballin'.

That sounds like a much more interesting idea. It could be a sort of "special" round to fill up time during a normally very long round (such as the november IC or december IC, which always have extra long time periods given due to holidays)

Deadline

2013-09-30, 03:03 PM

Not to worry, I'll cast no stones at the judges. I know how hard that job is, and I don't really have any interest in making it harder.

Now, I may full well dispute some of your findings, but it most certainly won't be personal.

123456789blaaa

2013-09-30, 03:54 PM

So...why'd you pick this SI Kuulv (I think I've asked this question previously actually. Let me know if I'm bugging you)?

And what favorite builds do you guys have from previous comps that didn't win any medals? I really liked Wruk from the Blade Bravo comp. Not so much for use of the SI but rather because of the cool template and tricks with it.

Kuulvheysoon

2013-09-30, 07:19 PM

So...why'd you pick this SI Kuulv (I think I've asked this question previously actually. Let me know if I'm bugging you)?

Probably just missed the question.

I wanted something Evil to balance out the Good requirement of SSN, and my first high-level adventure as a player involved going into the Hells to tackle with an avatar of Orcus, so it was mainly nostalgia.

Funny enough, I thought that this week was time for the reveal and was disappointed at the lack of judges. Whoops...

Vaz

2013-10-01, 05:39 PM

It happens to the best of us. Even me!

Interesting that people like the idea over a doubles round. Perhaps draw names out of a hat on the Chairmans part out of those who state they are up for a entering a paired idea after a few days (with a random participant doing 2 doubles if there is an odd number, and there is no other entrants).

In regards to high powered entrants, would Master Transmogrifist have plenty of variety?

With all the favoured forms and whatnot, but the lost caster levels limiting it, and the handbook as such is barely finished, but easy enough entry, it is still fairly high powered (it is after all Polymorph), but the 7 favoured forms and how they interact would allow for some extremely interesting abilities and combinations from our esteemed cooks.

As an aside, i've watched Breaking Bad seasons one and two today, that word has an entirely new meaning.

Venger

2013-10-01, 05:41 PM

In regards to high powered entrants, would Master Transmogrifist have plenty of variety?

One might say it has...

infinite variety

Vaz

2013-10-01, 05:51 PM

Waitwaitwait, have some sunglasses.

Fakedit; Here you go.
http://www.traveljournals.net/pictures/l/20/205076-got-some-new-sunglasses-and-got-to-use-them-while-we-hung-out-on-the-beach--cadiz-spain.jpg

Piggy Knowles

2013-10-01, 06:14 PM

As an aside, i've watched Breaking Bad seasons one and two today, that word has an entirely new meaning.

I'll confess, there are times when I feel like my cooking for ICitP has more resembled Breaking Bad's style of cooking than what you see on the Food Network...

Venger

2013-10-01, 06:15 PM

I certainly hope you have more fun doing it than walter does, though.

123456789blaaa

2013-10-01, 07:49 PM

Venger

2013-10-01, 07:50 PM

Amphetryon

2013-10-01, 08:25 PM

You know I'm surprised we didn't see any Vasharans. Normally they're suboptimal but given that most people are taking a vile feat with the human bonus feat anyways being a Vasharan instead of a human seems like an easy way to get some more Originality.

It is not unheard of in this competition for judges to ignore or penalize what they perceive as "obvious grabs" at Originality or Power. This is not to say that my score of the Vasharan entry will ignore or penalize it on those grounds.

dysprosium

2013-10-02, 12:47 AM

Orcus is one of the most powerful demon princes of the Abyss. His numerous thralls carry out his varied plans across the Prime Material Plane. This month’s Secret Ingredient introduces us to nineteen eighteen of these followers.

As judge I will rate each of these followers on the four categories. I will not use a formula per se but gage each category relative to the other dishes presented. Based on this, a score of 3 in a category is average. If the entry does not qualify for the Secret Ingredient at all, a score of 0 will be given for that category. Please note that no comment is personal.

This month’s Secret Ingredient caused some controversies among the competitors. The largest one has been dealt with already. As I had posted earlier in the thread, I would have judged that entry in the spirit it was presented.

A second one arose during the discussions prior to judging. It was a question of alignment. The Book of Vile Darkness lists the alignment prerequisite for Thrall of Orcus as “any evil.” The feat requirement Thrall to Demon in the BoVD lists no alignment restriction. As the feat was reprinted into later books an alignment restriction of Chaotic Evil was added to the feat Thrall to Demon. So does that mean that any entry without the alignment Chaotic Evil automatically gets disqualified? In my eyes, the answer is no. The BoVD says “any evil” so that is legal for entries. However it will result in an Elegance deduction. Look at it this way: If a build was posted on these boards as the poster says the build is great because it can do such and such or if the poster asked for a critique, the Playground would respond how such a build would not work because of errata, later versions of the class/feat/race in question, and so on. Elegance is a thing—demons are Chaotic Evil. Followers of demons should most likely be Chaotic Evil too . . .

As for the controversy surrounding the entry that used an illegal source, Dragon Magazine content, it will be dealt with in its judging. But let me just say here that automatically disqualifying it is the easy way out and we here at IC do not do things the easy way.

Captain Tardis 8.5
Originality: 4
Pyroclastic half dragon certainly was unexpected, and kudos to you for eating all of that Level Adjustment. Ranger and Tempest were also unexpected considering that two weapon fighting is considered subpar without some kind of attack augmentation i.e. sneak attack. The Champion of the Wild and Fangshields alternate class features are also unexpected.
Power: 3
You are a pyroclastic half dragon. That alone gives you higher ability scores, immunities, natural attacks, breath weapon, which are all good things. As mentioned, two weapon fighting is subpar without some kind of extra damage being added. I appreciate the Power Attack route and you can get early mileage out of it. Your animal companion is also stronger than standard Rangers thanks to your Fangshields level. You have a reliance on your magic armor to grant you the Mobility feat to keep it for Spring Attack and qualification into the Tempest prestige class. Your Thrall of Orcus bonus feat Coordinated Strike serves you very little at the level you get it.
Elegance: 1.5
You are a half dragon of molten lava yet have the Soul of the North feat for some cold spell likes? Not very thematic. Your listed alignment is Neutral Evil—see my explanation above. As a half dragon, you do not get the skill points from the template—that is only for monsters with the template added. As you took a base class, only it gives you the skill points of your first level at ECL 4. Furthermore, as Ranger nor Tempest give you Knowledge (arcana) or Knowledge (religion) as class skills they are considered cross class and are incorrectly calculated. The entry’s table format made it harder to read.
Use of Secret Ingredient: 0
You use the feat Soul of the North and its casting of chill touch to qualify for your Necromancy requirement. However, according to the Chairman’s ruling spell like abilities are not viable for entering the SI and Soul of the North grants its casting as a spell like ability, not a spell. You also only took two levels in the prestige class so you were not going to score high here anyway. Captain Tardis is a two weapon fighter that just happens to follow Orcus, not a follower of Orcus that uses two weapon fighting.

The Decaying Tears 12.5
Originality: 2.5
One of the concepts I had before dropping out to judge was a Cleric of Tenebrous/Binder/Tenebrous Apostate so not really surprising to me. The fluff meshes so well together. A plain old gnome was unexpected. I thought the Playground used whisper gnomes exclusively. Cloistered Cleric is well known for its (ab)use. Binders are as awesome as you explained. Aging up is also a known practice to get higher ability bonuses. Open Minded to nab more Knowledge skill points for is different.
Power: 4
Binder really makes you go. Focalor is a great debuffing vestige and in conjunction with Astaroth, carrion stench, and death devotion, you do make enemies wish they were not there. You are also a walking encyclopedia which gives you out of combat relevance. I question your character’s ability to actually carry a tower shield tough your reasoning for its usefulness makes sense. Flight is great for any character. Your ability to terrorize enemies is also high. Standard action lightning strikes are another reason why Focalor is such a great vestige.
Elegance: 2
The Decaying Tears is pretty much great until Level 14. Your interpretation of pallor of death was not the Chairman’s interpretation—the change is cosmetic and as such you would not qualify for the feat Assume Supernatural Ability. This takes away your quickness ability and action economy shattering. According to the SRD, the caster level for the gnome spell like abilities is 1 and does not increase with your level. As such you do not qualify for Forge Ring, nor the following Artisan feats. As for eternal bondage at Level 20, my reading is that Tenebrous takes the place of one of your vestige spots not in addition to your vestige spots but ymmv with different DMs.
Use of Secret Ingredient: 4
You qualify wholly for the SI, no debate here. Despite some differing interpretations for some of your bonus feats, the Decaying Tears makes a fine Thrall of Orcus. You explain how the SI enhances your other class features. Your binder levels combined with the thrall of Orcus levels make for an interesting minion of the demon prince.

Henry Oakshield the 666th 7
Originality: 3
Frost dwarf is certainly not expected and mostly fits thematically too as they originate in the Abyss. I also make a note to myself not to be a member of this family—you don’t even get to live to be middle aged. So is he the 666th member of the family line to have the name Henry Oakshield or is that a title the family member takes? A Battle Sorcerer dabble and mostly (non variant) Fighter before the SI is a different direction too.
Power: 1
You are a stock base line Fighter--no variants, no dungeon crasher, no nothing. You are a Fighter plain and simple. The Fighter bonus feat choices also are stock NPC type choices. This is an optimization contest right? The starting dip into Battle Sorcerer gets you into the SI but that’s about it. You forgot about the Thrall of Orcus bonus feats that you get. I’m guessing bonus feats since from the description it looks like the Sorcerer was not advanced. What can you do beside walk up, full attack, full attack, full attack, full attack?
Elegance: 2
You have two base classes and qualify for all of your feats. However, you incorrectly dealt with the frost dwarf’s level adjustment by counting it as a level. The presentation made it difficult to read your entry. The lack of any kind of description outside of a few sentences makes this hard to digest.
Use of Secret Ingredient: 1
You qualify for the SI but you told me nothing about how it is good for you. The only mention of the prestige class itself is how it is restrictive. I also have to question Henry’s choice of skeletal visage over massive girth. The latter would have given more to Henry’s combat capability and staying power. Henry did not complete the SI either with no explanation of why.

Dr Dellamorte 15.5
Originality: 4
A half elf Blighter? You make use of an underachieving race and a not too often seen prestige class. I also like the picture of the plague doctor as your character image. The story of a druidic man who lost his sanity after losing his star crossed love turning to Orcus as his savior may be used before but works well here.
Power: 4
Your power level is playable at all levels of the progression. You may have some troubles mid levels when your druidic abilities disappear and before you gain the Blighter version. Getting the +16 BAB and access to 9th level spells is a staple of power for many builds. You do not rely on magic items or other things to shine.
Elegance: 4
You qualify for all of your feats and prestige classes outside of the SI. Your listed alignment is Neutral Evil—see my explanation above. I have to admit when I first read the entry before I realized it was a Blighter, I was afraid of Dark Chaos Shuffle Shenanigans. I was happy to see that there are none.
Use of Secret Ingredient: 3.5
The explanation of why Dr Dellamorte did not complete the SI was good enough for me. It made sense both in character and mechanically. A more detailed explanation of certain abilities and how they interact with your other class abilities would have scored higher.

Dobluth – Thrall of Orcus 15
Originality: 3.5
Lesser drow along with the highest multiclass combination in this competition is definitely unexpected. Warlock into Demonbinder is thematic with the SI. Necromancers are expected. Wait a second, a drow that doesn’t follow Lolth?
Power: 4
Your combination of abilities makes you quite formidable. You have the uber demoralization trick albeit a little later than you may have wanted. Lots of minionmancy and combined with your necromancer variant makes them stronger. Demonbinder gives you more versatility. A familiar that can utilize magic items is always welcome but comes a little later than you may have wanted.
Elegance: 3.5
You do not qualify for Martial Study (sudden leap) when you take it, as you need to have one Tiger Claw maneuver which you do not have. I understand why you took the Warblade dip, but it is a dip. Personally I’m not a fan of the “lesser” races. If you want to play a drow, eat the level adjustment. I was hoping for more of an explanation of a non Lolth worshipping drow too.
Use of Secret Ingredient: 4
You qualify for the SI and you take it through completion. You explain how your abilities mesh with the SI but none of the abilities get a real showcase. The demonbinding is a flavorful combination and fits with the theme presented here.

Derek “Baelfire” Bragg 16 16.5
Originality: 4
Is it wrong to say that this entry is one I looked forward to reading? I love the idea of a heavy metal bard who actually is a thrall to a demon. He’s the kind of guy that made mothers everywhere hate heavy metal in the 80s. Silverbrow human to nab Dragonfire Inspiration is not new but it fits your build.
Power: 4
You have the all important BAB +16 before epic and some strong maneuvers to complement it. Not only can you perform some minionmancy yourself, you would be a welcome addition to a party that had one in it. Your spellcasting is not strong but you can make up for it with your bardic feats. Getting your death touch to become supernatural and adding an ability focus to it makes it one of your strongest abilities. You do have a reliance on a very particular summon for your summon greater undead and that could be vetoed by certain DMs.
Elegance: 4 4.5
You qualify for all of your feats and prestige classes outside of the SI. The presentation is well done including your album covers. However, you do not have a listed alignment and as such I cannot automatically assume that you are Chaotic Evil so see my explanation above. Edited score should appease the Gods of Metal.
Use of Secret Ingredient: 4
You are indeed a Thrall of Orcus. You qualify for the class and take it to completion. The entry into Dirgesinger takes the Knowledge (religion) ranks further along. Death touch is obviously your favorite power from the SI as you dedicate quite a lot to it. As mentioned the summons assumes a specific undead. The other abilities do get some mention.

Siegfried the Frog Prince 9.25
Originality: 3
The neraph, the oft forgotten LA +0 outsider, tracking down and slaying those who go against his evil master (whichever one it is). Ranger into Mortal Hunter is great for an outsider and fits thematically. And here we have a Paladin variant to take advantage of the high Charisma.
Power: 2.75
At low levels you can accomplish your goals as a scout. Mortal Hunter’s abilities are useful for following marks and becoming what you hunt. You have a BAB +20 so Power Attack away. Phase cloak is useful for you being able to travel the ethereal though a lack of essentia can make its usefulness limited. You make yourself good against your poor Will saves but you also could use some help for the Reflex saves.
Elegance: 1
Can I just say that I absolutely HATE double dipping for extra Vile feats? Elder Evils are not Demon Princes and vice versa. What makes this entry worse is that the story does not even match up with the crunch. Siegfried enters into Tenebrous’ (Orcus’) service before serving Atropus. So here we have bonus vile feats being used from Atropus to qualify for Orcus. As I’ve said before, elegance is a thing. Siegfried also does not qualify for Mortal Hunter as he does not have any ranks in Move Silently.
Use of Secret Ingredient: 2.5
You qualify for the Thrall of Orcus prestige class but most of it comes through the devotion to Atropus. But when you do make use of the SI class abilities you are effective with them. Having the class for the last ten levels of the build can make for some of your abilities a little behind the curve. You do make use of the Knowledge (religion) through Divine Denial. Please let me be clear: I liked the story. It was well written and flavorful but it made it seem like he was not really a Thrall of Orcus.

Cara Skerritt, Nightchild 15.5
Originality: 3.5
Death Master as an entrance into the SI is quite flavorful if not totally unexpected. Another small character but this time it is everyone’s favorite halfling variant. You have truly dedicated yourself to Orcus in his role as master of undead and can lead the cult to glory.
Power: 4
You are quite a minionmancer with your Death Master. Along with this BAB +17 and 6th level spells from the Death Master spell list. Being able to actually control your summons is helpful. You do not rely on any particular equipment to make your character go but the suggestions are nice.
Elegance: 3
Your interpretation of pallor of death was not the Chairman’s interpretation—the change is cosmetic and as such you would not qualify for the feat Assume Supernatural Ability. Some DMs might also put the hammer down on your becoming a lich at 20th level, even if it is thematic and follows the capstone for your base class. Not to mention the ramping up of the Taint to get extra feats. That will get books thrown at you. Your entry was easy to read and follow but remember, spoilers are your friend too.
Use of Secret Ingredient: 5
You wholeheartedly qualify for the SI and even take it further with Abyss Bound Soul. Each single class ability is examined and explained into the build’s strength.

I also agree with your statement about Elder Evil worship in your adaptations.
Adrienne Fzembrel , the Pilgrim Dead Inside 15.25
Originality: 3
Humans are standard fare in optimization contests for obvious reasons. You use Hexblade for early entry goodness of which you were one of the only ones to do so. And another Paladin variant.
Power: 4.25
You have all of the standard demoralization abilities here and make good use of them. The use of strongheart vest to negate the damage for Chosen of Evil is also a nice touch basically giving her a nice insight bonus each round for no penalty. I like the dark companion alternate class feature for Hexblades too. You also have out of combat relevance with your social skills. Also the fact that you get into the SI early means that the class abilities can still be somewhat relevant at these lower levels. You also do not rely on equipment or items to make your abilities shine.
Elegance: 4
Your listed alignment is Lawful Evil—see my explanation above. You do qualify for all of your feats outside of the SI. Your presentation is clean and easy to read. The fluff was nice to read as well.
Use of Secret Ingredient: 4
You spend time talking about each of the class abilities though none of them really shine on their own. Most of your best abilities are supported by the SI. But when it comes down to it you would make a good minion for our Demon Prince.

Waratah-Blossom (Babalon Queen of Bones) 17.5
Originality: 3.5
And as soon as I start gushing about early entries into the SI, we have another one here. Human Hexblade into Thrall of Orcus. Horned Harbinger is a nice change of pace too and fits with the flavor of the SI, especially given the Forgotten Realms canon.
Power: 4.5
Unlike our entry above, the Queen of Bones does not go the demoralization route and instead focuses on debuffs and minionmancy. Again I like the dark companion alternate class feature for the Hexblade. Combining Horned Harbinger and Death Devotion proves to be a strong tactic from early on and is still viable later in the build. I also like actually picking up Extra Turning multiple times instead of relying on nightstick shenanigans to power your divine feats and prevent books being thrown. Being able to throw White Raven maneuvers makes summoned or animated minions that much more effective. She’s a general on the battlefield and a warrior in her own right.
Elegance: 4.5
However, you do not have a listed alignment and as such I cannot automatically assume that you are Chaotic Evil so see my explanation above. Myrkul’s alignment was Neutral Evil. Your presentation is easy to read and the fluff is relevant and interesting.
Use of Secret Ingredient: 5
You qualify for the SI and take it to completion. Each ability has its own focused write up as well as a tactics section for level breakdown. You are indeed one of Orcus’ generals for the Prime Material ready with an undead army to march in his name.

Ankou 14 14.5
Originality: 4
A jaebrin? Those fey creatures with the needle like teeth right? That’s new. Bard has been seen already but this is taken in a different direction and further along in the base class. You are also the only remaining contestant without any dips or entries into any other classes outside of the SI. The fluff with the fey is also nice. Even the unseelie court has to pay a toll . . .
Power: 3.5
You are definitely no powerhouse despite having a BAB +16. Physical combat is really not Ankou’s thing. You are definitely a social creature early on and a lurker later in the build. Both have its merits and both are relevant outside of combat. You can influence your summoned undead through your bardic feats. During the course of your build in the SI you become more of a fear generator which at higher levels ymmv.
Elegance: 3.5 4
Your listed alignment is Neutral Evil—see my explanation above. One base class into the SI—does not get much cleaner than that. I calculate your starting point buy to be 34, not 32. You qualify for your feats outside of the SI but note below about Willing Deformity. You also make use of the place Hell. In the D&D cosmology, Hell is where devils live and the Abyss is where demons live. Upon further review this score has been revised.
Use of Secret Ingredient: 3
You qualify for the SI and take it to completion. However, since you do not have the Willing Deformity feat, you cannot benefit from the skeletal visage class feature. It’s like not taking full advantage of the SI itself, and you provide no explanation for doing so. Likewise all of the class abilities of the SI get a generalization and do not get explained in a showcase type manner.

Ophelia 13.75
Originality: 4.25
Here we have an entry that uses the Ghostwalk supplement. Let me dig that one out and dust it off. Though the “ghost” is not undead it is a disembodied spirit and to me anyway fits with the theme of the SI. Besides in that supplement, Orcus is a major player there. The Eidolon classes are rarely seen in these parts. Human of course is standard fare and it’s nice to see a non Cloistered Cleric. Had I remembered this book I would have considered it for my own entry.
Power: 3
You are incorporeal for the early and late parts of the build, basically only solid for the SI. Ability damage/drain hurts just about every monster that you would not want to associate or control. Your ghost abilities are pretty much what makes you tick here. You have weak spellcasting but you reach a high BAB of +18. Your more powerful ghost abilities come late in the build.
Elegance: 3.25
Your listed alignment is Neutral Evil—see my explanation above. The template out of Ghostwalk does not have a level adjustment as it was one of the last 3.0 books to come out before the revision. As such some DMs might either ban hammer it or give it a level adjustment. Personally I think I would give it a level adjustment given its abilities. Some DMs also might not go with the whole death/resurrection theme you have going here. Definitely something you would have to chat with your DM about before the campaign starts. Now that’s out of the way, you were kind enough to give all of the particulars out of Ghostwalk and presented your build quite nicely.
Use of Secret Ingredient: 3.25
You qualify for the SI and take it to completion. Your fluff makes me believe that you are a Thrall of Orcus. However it is your ghost form and all of those ghost feats that really make you shine. The SI is more of an add on. You do not showcase or go into great detail about how the SI enhances your ghost abilities.

Luxx 16.75
Originality: 2.5
Like I had mentioned earlier, the Binder/Tenebrous Apostate route was one I had considered before relegating myself to judging, so this was expected. Humans of course are bread and butter for these competitions. And Cloistered Cleric (even though your table doesn’t list it as such) dip is an optimization staple. You do have a different class allocation than the earlier entry so that makes it a little different.
Power: 4.5
You get the all important BAB +16 before epic play. I like your choice for getting fourth level spells for the versatility. And Binders are all about versatility aren’t they? Using Naberius to negate the Chosen of Evil feat’s drawback is a nice touch. Yes you get to be viable during your entire build’s career. You might be called a one trick pony but it is quite a trick and you get more mileage out of it than the other Chosen of Evil contestant. But Luxx does not wholly depend on it. He is also relevant outside of combat which is important for any character at the table.
Elegance: 4.75
You qualify for all of your feats and prestige classes outside of the SI. What a wonderfully evil story. This was along the lines of what I was thinking the Playground could produce. I like your interpretation of how Tenebrous Apostate works with Tenebrous—it’s the way I read the class too.
Use of Secret Ingredient: 5
Here is another instance of every feature being explained individually as well as level by level. Your feat choices and Binder abilities help to mitigate any limitations of the class and you explain it well.

Bill E Kidd 11.75
Originality: 3.75
Have we ever had an ibixian in these competitions before? Looks like you were going with the “classic” goat head for demon worship and the goat folk fit in here. Monstrous humanoid racial levels are better than most for melee oriented builds and you take advantage of it. Hexblades have been seen in this competition and make sense considering the skill requirements. Avenging Executioner is a nice touch for the end of the build.
Power: 3
Black Goat SMASH! You are a melee type plain and simple. You don’t rely on items to make your abilities go. Ibixians get bonuses to Intimidate. I like your intimidation tactics. I just think some of them come online a little late. Imperious Command at Level 18. Avenging Executioner helps but comes at ECL 19 and 20. Sudden strike is piddly now and you would have loved to have the rapid intimidation earlier. Maybe if these levels were taken earlier you could do more with them. Using your summons to get more ibixians helps also but that also comes near the end of your build. Your best stuff comes late and early on you have minor debuffs but strong melee.
Elegance: 3
You qualify for all of the feats and prestige classes outside of the SI. Your presentation was easy to read. You correctly take your level adjustment into account. I believe you may have forgotten some skill points for your monstrous humanoid levels, even with the Knowledges counting as cross class (as they should). Dang that’s a low Wisdom score! The build feels rushed to me—I think if you had more time you could have tweaked this to get higher scores.
Use of Secret Ingredient: 2
You qualify for the SI and take it to completion. You are a strong member of the cult, but I have no idea why you are a Thrall of Orcus. None of the abilities get a huge showcase and are mostly mentioned in passing. I want to know more about your character, like why he attacks all of the temples. I want it to be more than just “Orcus told me too!”

Sentrosi the Death Chicken 8
I’m taking a stab in the dark here that this entry was not entirely serious though I judged it as if it was serious.
Originality: 4
OK. You score well here because I would not ever have guessed seeing a were-chicken in an optimization contest. You start life as our favorite halfling variant Commoner. I know Commoner was chosen for the Chicken Infested flaw but to use Commoner in an optimization contest is gutsy so you get points here. Death Master is a thematic Orcus spellcaster so that was expected.
Power: 2.5
Starting out with a Commoner, you had to expect a hit here. Adding a LA +2 is not going to help your early career either. Death Master gives you some arcane power and necromantic spells to make you go and you use the SI for caster levels. Your hybrid form is not bringing anything to the table except a few laughs but you can cast spells in it thanks to Lycanthropic Spell. Heighten Spell for your capstone feat seems a little anticlimactic to me.
Elegance: 0
Well it’s been talked about enough so let’s deal with it. You use a flaw from Dragon Magazine and that alone gets you the score of zero for this category. Personally I don’t have any problem with using the Dragon Magazines at my table but they are an illegal source here in Optimization Coliseum. But even if you were not getting a zero here, you were not going to score highly. The rules state that flaws automatically deserve an Elegance hit, even if you consider the flaw to be a feat in and of itself. Your listed alignment is listed as Neutral Evil—see my explanation above. Were-chicken might also be shut down by certain DMs even if it is a legally created template. You do not qualify for Divine Defiance as you do not cast divine spells—Death Master spells are arcane.
Use of Secret Ingredient: 1.5
You qualify for the SI but you do not take it to completion due to the level adjustment. None of your class abilities get much attention in your tactical write up. In fact I can’t tell exactly how you would be a Thrall of Orcus. I get the revenge angle but you could even be a non evil aligned character to follow out your vengeance.
Ari, Scourge of the Gods 15.75
Originality: 4.5
I was surprised by the lack of Vasharans for this competition. Likewise Spirit Shaman is a different entry tactic. We see the (triumphant?) return of the Cancer Mage here too. So far you are unique to the competition. Oh wait, there’s that Pouncebarian again!
Power: 3.5
You have Cancer Mage potential and even though you explain that you do not need to do it, some players would not make such sacrifices. Your BAB is +17 which is quite nice for you wanting to get up close and personal. The Druid spell list is ripe with potential but you only get up to 3rd level spells with your casting. The idea of spreading your diseases through minions can provide long term grief.
Elegance: 4
Given the way Spirit Shaman receives his spells, it would have been nice to know what your “standard” spell list would have been. I can appreciate also your restraint in the more brokenness of the Cancer Mage prestige class. You qualify for all of your feats and prestige classes outside of the SI. Your presentation is easy to read and your fluff was a nice read too. The Playground delivers another gruesome tale.
Use of Secret Ingredient: 3.75
You qualify for the SI and take it to completion. You get into it pretty early on and use its features to enter Cancer Mage which is nice to see. Your class abilities get mentioned during the level breakdown but none of them are really showcased. But Ari is definitely a Thrall of Orcus spreading undead like the diseases he carries on himself.

Thrall of Porkus 11.5
Originality: 4
Who knew that Miss Piggy was a Thrall to Orcus? Definitely a thematic build here. Female half orcs are almost unknown in these parts and at least it is a standard Barbarian. We don’t see many of those in the optimization world these days. Sorcerer by itself was not expected and I’m surprised that there were not more Dread Witches since of the fear synergies. The fluff was nice even if it was very short.
Power: 3.5
I’m seeing a fear based gish here, relying on the Dread Witch to make the fear work. A BAB of +15 is nice but just shy of the magical +16 and 6th level spells are nice to have. I’m guessing it is seasoned to taste.
Elegance: 2.5
However, you do not have a listed alignment and as such I cannot automatically assume that you are Chaotic Evil so see my explanation above. It would have been nice to see a full list of spells known for your Sorcerer levels—especially when the SI and your other prestige class depend on specific spell knowledge. You do not qualify for Stunning Fist without stat boosting items. Non monks need a Dexterity and Wisdom of 13 and you have 12 in both. You also do not have a natural attack and unarmed strikes are not considered natural attacks anyway so you do not qualify for this feat either. I’m guessing that you meant Improved Natural Attack rather than Improved Natural Weapon which does not exist.
Use of Secret Ingredient: 1.5
You do not qualify for the SI when you take it (which is not the same as not qualifying for it at all) though you do complete it. In addition, I don’t really see how you are a Thrall of Orcus. Most of the class abilities are not even glossed over and those that are do not get much of an explanation. In fact most of her tactics do not even rely on the SI at all. The perfume stench is an interesting take on the class ability, such a cosmetic change normally would not get a ban hammer. You do not have the Willing Deformity feat so you cannot benefit from the massive girth class ability. Not that I would call Miss Piggy fat anyways . . .

Ruk Rak the Blister of Orcus 9.5
Originality: 4
Arctic kobold? Not my first choice to be a Thrall of Orcus. Making use of the kobold Fighter substitution levels to make up for the race’s drawback is nice. Zhentarim Fighter substitution level is known for intimidation route. Ferocity is different than your standard rage but you are a Pouncebarian. Dungeon Lord is unexpected and fits with the theme you were going with here. At least you acknowledge that you are pretty much an NPC, not that this is a problem for the competition.
Power: 3
You are an intimidator plain and simple but you do not rely on the standard fare of Imperious Command and Never Outnumbered, so your effectiveness can be questioned. Ruk Rak’s tactics are pretty straight forward melee fighter. I’m guessing he uses different weapons since he has Spear Focus thanks to the kobold substitution level but Brutal Strike needs a bludgeoning weapon to work.
Elegance: 2.5
However, you do not have a listed alignment and as such I cannot automatically assume that you are Chaotic Evil so see my explanation above. You qualify for all of your feats and your prestige class outside of the SI. I think it is customary to fill out the skill ranks in the tables. Your presentation is easy to read though short. A little more about our little kobold would have scored higher here.
Use of Secret Ingredient: 0
You use the Draconic Rite of Passage and your choice of casting ray of enfeeblement to qualify for your Necromancy requirement. However, according to the Chairman’s ruling spell like abilities are not viable for entering the SI and the Draconic Rite of Passage says that it grants its casting as a spell like ability, not a spell. And that is a shame though because you qualify otherwise and make use of the bonus feats and make yourself quite a tactical fighter. And being the guardian in a dungeon and a hidden passage to evil fits with being a Thrall of Orcus.
Judging complete! Please check my maths but I'm going to bed now.

Venger

2013-10-02, 01:17 AM

thanks for the judgings. I find them as a whole, fair and accurate.

The Viscount

2013-10-02, 01:25 AM

Excellent, judgings getting us started well here. Looking pretty close clustered around 2nd-6th.

Gemini476

2013-10-02, 01:34 AM

You know I'm surprised we didn't see any Vasharans. Normally they're suboptimal but given that most people are taking a vile feat with the human bonus feat anyways being a Vasharan instead of a human seems like an easy way to get some more Originality.

One of the issues with making a Vasharan Thrall is that they, according to their fluff, never take the Thrall classes. It's for the same reason they have Ur-Priests rather than Clerics: the only power worth having is what they take, rather than what they get for serving.

On another note, I was totally going to make a Binder 1/Warlock 4/Ur-Priest 2/Thrall of Orcus 10 who worshipped Pandorym before I decided that "nah, everyone's expecting Ur-Priest." On a side note, getting the Vile feats from Pandorym means that Orcus couldn't revoke your thralldom should you betray him to a god-destroying weapon from the Far Realm.

On yet another note, Ranger 4 also qualifies for Thrall of Orcus. They have two first-level necromancy spells, on of which is Death Ward for animals minus the [Evil] tag.

Kazyan

2013-10-02, 01:39 AM

I can't actually post my feelings re: judging without tipping my hand as to whether my score was high or low, but they're strong feelings.

OMG PONIES

2013-10-02, 06:54 AM

Three cheers for dysprosium! Thanks for judging :smallbiggrin:.

I'll confess, there are times when I feel like my cooking for ICitP has more resembled Breaking Bad's style of cooking than what you see on the Food Network...

Reminds me of the time I shot a guy in a trailer in the desert for his collection of splatbooks...

I can't actually post my feelings re: judging without tipping my hand as to whether my score was high or low, but they're strong feelings.

Psh, feelings are for human beings! Robot Pony Spreadsheet Man relies on arithmetic to tell dysprosium that Ophelia's total is listed as 13.75 while her category scores add up to 13.25.

Final[?] Tallies After One Judge (Before Disputes)
{table=head]Entry|Medal|Total|Average
Babalon|Gold|17.5|4.375
Luxx|Silver|16.75|4.1875
Derek "Baelfire" Bragg|Bronze|16|4
Ari|Fourth|15.75|3.9375
Doctor Dellamorte|Fifth|15.5|3.875
Cara Skerritt|Fifth|15.5|3.875
Adrienne Fzembrel|Seventh|15.25|3.8125
Dobluth|Eighth|15|3.75
Ankou|Ninth|14|3.5
Ophelia|Tenth|13.75|3.4375
The Decaying Tears|Eleventh|12.5|3.125
Bill E. Kidd|Twelfth|11.75|2.9375
Thrall of Porkus|Thirteenth|11.5|2.875
Ruk Rak|Fourteenth|9.5|2.375
The Frog Prince|Fifteenth|9.25|2.3125
Captain Tardis|Sixteenth|8.5|2.125
Sentrosi|Seventeenth|8|2
Henry Oakenshield the 666th|Eighteenth|7|1.75[/table]

The Uncaring Spreadsheet of Orcus demands more numbers!

Piggy Knowles

2013-10-02, 07:20 AM

Awesome! Thanks, dysprosium. Hard to believe this was your first time judging - everything looks well thought out and consistent.

dysprosium

2013-10-02, 08:44 AM

Three cheers for dysprosium! Thanks for judging :smallbiggrin:.
Robot Pony Spreadsheet Man relies on arithmetic to tell dysprosium that Ophelia's total is listed as 13.75 while her category scores add up to 13.25.

It really should be 13.75--I edited my judging post to reflect this. That's what I get for posting at 1:30 in the morning!

Awesome! Thanks, dysprosium. Hard to believe this was your first time judging - everything looks well thought out and consistent.

You're welcome! I tried to be fair throughout and follow precedents in judging styles from you, PONIES, and TG Oskar.

Korahir

2013-10-02, 10:16 AM

thanks for judging, dysprosium. +1 on consistency. simply well done.

Keynub

2013-10-02, 10:48 AM

Thanks for judging, dysprosium! :smallsmile:

It's clear, and I too think it looks good and consistent.

OMG PONIES

2013-10-02, 11:23 AM

It really should be 13.75--I edited my judging post to reflect this. That's what I get for posting at 1:30 in the morning!

Tally updated, spreadsheet will be updated at home where I have Google Drive access.

You're welcome! I tried to be fair throughout and follow precedents in judging styles from you, PONIES, and TG Oskar.

Look, ma, I set a precedent!and you told me I'd never amount to anything...

Deadline

2013-10-02, 12:01 PM

Woo hoo! Judgings! Everything looks pretty good, and one of my builds scored right about where I though it would, with the other surprising me!

Thanks dysprosium! You've done a fine job here.

Kuulvheysoon

2013-10-02, 12:54 PM

One of the issues with making a Vasharan Thrall is that they, according to their fluff, never take the Thrall classes. It's for the same reason they have Ur-Priests rather than Clerics: the only power worth having is what they take, rather than what they get for serving.

And we've never re-interpreted fluff here in Optimization Colosseum. I mean, no one could possibly score a Warforged in the Realms highly.

As soon as I logged in, I saw that I had more than one PM, so I knew that judging was up.:smallbiggrin:

DISPUTES for Herr dysprosium -

Thanks for judging, Dysprosium. I have no dispute, but rather a question regarding the following statement :

Using Naberius to negate the Chosen of Evil feat’s drawback is a nice touch. Yes you get to be viable during your entire build’s career. You might be called a one trick pony but it is quite a trick and you get more mileage out of it than the other Chosen of Evil contestant.

Could you please clarify in what way does Luxx get more mileage out of Chosen of Evil than Adrienne does?
Again, I'm not disputing, so not looking for score changes here. I'm just curious.

Thanks again!
A couple of clarifications, and a dispute:

(Read all Guardian of Metal quotes in Ozzy Ozbourne's voice)

Clarifications

Missing Alignment

http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120215183918/brutallegend/images/6/6f/Guardian_of_Metal_Prove_Yourself.png

Guardian of Metal: "The wanker responsible for forgetting that has been reprimanded, and then set on fire to please the Gods of Metal. But really, it should have been obvious, man.

As the most Metal Alignment, Baelfire is Chaotic Evil, of course. All the best musicians are.

As a Bard, Lawful Evil is right out (not to mention that it's a tool of The Man). And Neutral Evil is the alignment of ****ing posers who can't make up their minds."

Yeah, I forgot to write down the alignment. I'm going to be kicking myself for that for a while. It really is CE (for the reasons specified above).

Summoned Undead/"Requires Specific Undead" - May affect Power and Use of the Secret Ingredient

http://images.wikia.com/brutallegend/images/3/34/Guardian_Hands.png

Guardian of Metal: "Right, that one's a bit more confusing. He told you that he uses it to summon up the band and maybe some roadies. But summoning up a specific servant isn't required to make his Touch of Death something to be feared man, it just means that anyone who suffers from both is totally ****ed."

Sorry about the confusion on this. I don't know if it changes the score any, but in the level 10 breakpoint, it was mentioned that Summon Undead was used for extra bandmates or bodyguards. Also, a Doomspeaker Bard isn't required to make the build function, it just zeros out any chance of an equal CR opponent making their save. Without it, Carrion Stench, Ability Focus, and a high Charisma all combine to make it something that will still reliably work on anything that isn't immune to it.

Dispute

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRHM7ZsfTBBN9eYPbWII1IKiUpFjXy0q V5y1NRdSR3nmUUBC2ZG

Missing Alignment

Guardian of Metal: "Bloody hell man, you've come down harder on Baelfire than anyone else for this. Sure, he can take it (and he probably deserves it), but **** like this is not going to please the Gods of Metal, man."

I'm a little unclear, but it looks like you penalized Baelfire 1 full point for missing his alignment, rather than the .5 point that you penalized other builds (like Babalon).

123456789blaaa

2013-10-02, 03:26 PM

A post from earlier in the thread that should probably impact judging:

<snip>
Also, Babalon is incorrect about one of her class abilities. The Horned Harbinger's Captain of Undeath ability only applies to undead animated by spells, not SLA's by RAW. So it doesn't apply to the animate dead and create undead SLA's that HH provides.

Thus she gets 17 HD of undead controlled, not 85.

Piggy Knowles

2013-10-02, 03:36 PM

17 HD? Even if Captain of Undeath doesn't apply to the animate granted by Horned Harbinger, she would still have 4xCL HD controlled as is normal for Animate Dead, so 68 HD, plus whatever she gets from rebuking.

123456789blaaa

2013-10-02, 03:54 PM

mattie_p

2013-10-02, 09:45 PM

Hey! Judging!

I got about what I expected. Thanks for your critique and the scores.

sabelo2000

2013-10-03, 12:01 AM

Yeah, all in all, pretty fair I thought. Thanks for the scores, D!

relytdan

2013-10-03, 06:54 AM

iron chef optimization challenge

OMG PONIES

2013-10-03, 07:53 AM

dysprosium - I want to know where your judging criteria are at I have looked every page from when you said you were going to judge to when chairman posted the builds - no criteria posted -

Relytdan, as we discussed in the last round, posting criteria before the reveal (or at all) is not compulsory for our judges. Here was my response on the matter from last round:

Judges aren't required by contest rules to post any criteria. Some judges provide them as a courtesy; I do it to give me a standard rubric and hopefully help prevent any disputes. But judges are by no means required to provide them.

Though he is not required to, dysprosium did provide his criteria this round. They're in the same post as his scores.

As judge I will rate each of these followers on the four categories. I will not use a formula per se but gage each category relative to the other dishes presented. Based on this, a score of 3 in a category is average. If the entry does not qualify for the Secret Ingredient at all, a score of 0 will be given for that category. Please note that no comment is personal.

This month’s Secret Ingredient caused some controversies among the competitors. The largest one has been dealt with already. As I had posted earlier in the thread, I would have judged that entry in the spirit it was presented.

A second one arose during the discussions prior to judging. It was a question of alignment. The Book of Vile Darkness lists the alignment prerequisite for Thrall of Orcus as “any evil.” The feat requirement Thrall to Demon in the BoVD lists no alignment restriction. As the feat was reprinted into later books an alignment restriction of Chaotic Evil was added to the feat Thrall to Demon. So does that mean that any entry without the alignment Chaotic Evil automatically gets disqualified? In my eyes, the answer is no. The BoVD says “any evil” so that is legal for entries. However it will result in an Elegance deduction. Look at it this way: If a build was posted on these boards as the poster says the build is great because it can do such and such or if the poster asked for a critique, the Playground would respond how such a build would not work because of errata, later versions of the class/feat/race in question, and so on. Elegance is a thing—demons are Chaotic Evil. Followers of demons should most likely be Chaotic Evil too . . .

As for the controversy surrounding the entry that used an illegal source, Dragon Magazine content, it will be dealt with in its judging. But let me just say here that automatically disqualifying it is the easy way out and we here at IC do not do things the easy way.

relytdan

2013-10-03, 08:04 AM

OMG PONIES

2013-10-03, 08:13 AM

ok so my 2 cents worth here specifically on judging-
1 if the builders do not know what the judges are looking for they will get marked down for crap-
2 posting criteria in the scores, it is like asking someone to create a build then say hey because you did X your getting dinged and not giving the builder a chance.
3 to be fair and equal to the builders the would be judes should have some sort of criteria posted pre-reveal, not post as it is unfair and can show bias.

I have found several flaws in the scores presented by dysprosium- and have sent them to the chairman.

I understand your desire to know how you'll be evaluated before submitting your build. Ultimately, though, we should be building what we want to create rather than trying to appease a particular judge's criteria. The anonymity of the Reveal as well as the dispute process allow entrants to interact with judges' scores while mitigating the risk of personal bias in the judges' responses.

Deadline

2013-10-03, 09:44 AM

3 to be fair and equal to the builders the would be judes should have some sort of criteria posted pre-reveal, not post as it is unfair and can show bias.

Fair and equal really only means you need to have the judge be consistent from entry to entry, and have the chefs on an even playing field. It would be nice if the judge explained their scores along with their judging. In my opinion, dysprosium pretty much nailed all three. In specific reference to your concern, no one got to see his criteria beforehand, so no one had an advantage. Ergo, fair. Personally, I like it when judges post their criteria before the reveal, but as has been mentioned before, it isn't necessary (and doesn't guarantee that you'd be able to accommodate their listed whims anyway; two judges might have diametrically opposed criteria).

As far as bias goes, sometimes you just like a build more than another. The judges do try to avoid letting that influence their scoring (they are only human), but other than that, I'm not sure what you mean by bias. That's why we have an anonymous reveal.

This seems like a good time to link the Handy Tips for an Iron Chef Noob (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=287603). I find myself referring back to it often. In particular, #2 is generally what I strive for.

And sometimes ... sometimes your creation that you are proud of just doesn't click with any of the judges and you don't place as high as you want to (Master-Of-None, you were my favorite!).

Keynub

2013-10-03, 11:02 AM

You really shouldn't say that you sent a dispute to the chairman. It defeats the purpose of anonymous disputes.

Also, I'll add my voice to others on this topic : judges are not required to post their criteria. Amphetryon did, and it was appreciated, but it was going beyond the duty of a judge.
I'll also remind you that judging is a long, time-consuming process, and that no one is obligated to do so. Those who do judge provide the participants with a free service, and they would have every right not to. Even if you disagree with them, which is understandable, don't you want to show them basic courtesy? Maybe even thank them for their time and efforts? :smallsmile:

And finally, I'll just quote someone who phrased it much better than I could :

5. Repeat After Me - It's Not That Serious: This is a contest with no real prize on a message board dedicated to a comic that pokes fun at a game.

WhamBamSam

2013-10-03, 11:41 AM

Venger

2013-10-03, 11:42 AM

No problem! school comes first

OMG PONIES

2013-10-03, 11:42 AM

I'm now 12 builds into my judging. The essay I had due Tuesday took close to an all-nighter, which burnt me out a bit and slowed down judgings. I'm probably going to be pulling another all-nighter tonight for a math assignment, and most of the time tomorrow that I can squeeze out around other responsibilities will be devoted to nappy times. My judging will be here Saturday. I apologize for the inconvenience.

Psh, you provide us updates. Apologize for nothing. Except my birthday IS Friday, so it would be really nice to see judging then...

No problem! school comes first

Mom? :smallconfused:

Venger

2013-10-03, 11:44 AM

Mom? :smallconfused:

well, it's not like he's getting graded on his judging.

perils of being a teacher:smallredface:

OMG PONIES

2013-10-03, 12:00 PM

well, it's not like he's getting graded on his judging.

perils of being a teacher:smallredface:

I knew it was you. :smalltongue: My mom taught special ed for 28 years, and even outside the classroom she was always a teacher. Homework on snow days, etc.

Venger

2013-10-03, 12:01 PM

I know that feel. hard to change gears sometimes.

WhamBamSam

2013-10-03, 01:03 PM

Psh, you provide us updates. Apologize for nothing. Except my birthday IS Friday, so it would be really nice to see judging then...http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lin6rlCFkg1qzfi5eo1_500.gif

Random side note, back when I thought that we didn't have to qualify for the Thrall of Orcus bonus feats, I was toying around with a cheese build using Warrior Skald and Landforged Walker which would have used an Epic Bardic Music feat to pump Inspire Greatness for the highest possible character level to set up Epic Wildshaping Feats. The fluff would have made him a Hedonism Bot expy with the vampire being statted out as a War Weaver buffer type named Jambi.

I just always feel bad when I say "this will happen by Tuesday!" and then have to come back on Thursday with "er, will Saturday do?" even if it's something that I'm volunteering myself for.

Kuulvheysoon

2013-10-03, 01:28 PM

Dispute from Ankou coming your way, dysprosium

"You also make use of the place Hell. In the D&D cosmology, Hell is where devils live and the Abyss is where demons live."

This appears in the Elegance section, and while not specifically declared as such it seems to be phrased as a deduction for departing from the core D&D planar canon. In a non-Core class, with a non-Core race. With a back story that includes a non-Core realm (Faerie) and hinges on a key character (Mab) that has not been described in Core.

Granted, I did not declare that Ankou does not exist in Core D&D cosmology (despite all the above). But must we begin with a contractual list of terms definitions in order to avoid flavor penalties?

Gemini476

2013-10-03, 02:21 PM

Extremely nitpicky thing regarding "Hell" in D&D: it doesn't actually exist. Yes, Baator is a thing. However, that's the Nine Hells, plural, rather than there being Hell as a singular place. You could go to a hell, perhaps, but you could not go to hell. That's much like how you can go to a country, but cannot go to country. The grammar doesn't work that way. You can also walk up to a cow, but not walk up to cow, and so on and so forth for most plurals that aren't like sheep.

</nitpick>
I may be wrong, in which case feel free to call me on that.

EDIT:And after a minute of factchecking I discovered that apparently it is actually called Hell, in singular, sometimes! I have now called myself on that.

yougi

2013-10-03, 10:02 PM

This seems like a good time to link the Handy Tips for an Iron Chef Noob (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=287603). I find myself referring back to it often. In particular, #2 is generally what I strive for.

That link made my day. Thank you Deadline, have a cookie.

Extremely nitpicky thing regarding "Hell" in D&D: it doesn't actually exist. Yes, Baator is a thing. However, that's the Nine Hells, plural, rather than there being Hell as a singular place. You could go to a hell, perhaps, but you could not go to hell. That's much like how you can go to a country, but cannot go to country. The grammar doesn't work that way. You can also walk up to a cow, but not walk up to cow, and so on and so forth for most plurals that aren't like sheep.

</nitpick>
I may be wrong, in which case feel free to call me on that.

EDIT:And after a minute of factchecking I discovered that apparently it is actually called Hell, in singular, sometimes! I have now called myself on that.

It still is setting-specific, and would not necessarily apply outside of Core.

Amphetryon

2013-10-04, 11:42 AM

Note on scoring: As far as my judging is concerned, any Evil Alignment qualifies an entry for all required Feats for Thrall of Orcus, regardless of modifications to those Feat(s) in later printed sources. I felt that to do otherwise would be unfairly punishing those entries that never touched the books where the Feats were revamped.

Captain Tardis: 5.5
Originality: Old reliable Ranger/Tempest concept freshened up by Pyroclastic Half-Dragon and a couple of ACFs, with Thrall of Orcus tacked on at the end. Score - 2

Power: Two-weapon fighting Ranger/Tempest with a hefty LA. That slots in at below average on my criteria. Score - 2

Elegance: Non-standard entry format used, despite the OP both requiring standardized format and providing the template for that format in easy to copy-paste code. Why you chose to do this, I do not know. Thrall of Orcus is entered WAY too late to finish before Epic levels. Class levels, Feats, and Skills are vaguely consistent with a Ranger's typical modus operandi, I think, but the format makes me question this, and no Skills are advanced to a level where they're particularly useful beyond the earliest levels playable levels. Build concept appears to require a strong working rapport with the DM. Score - 1.5

Use of SI: Captain Tardis does not qualify for the SI, per the Chairman's ruling. Score - 0

The Decaying Tears: 10.5
Originality: Cleric/Binder/Tenebrous Apostate/Thrall of Orcus is a fairly intuitive Class combination, I think. It's not what I'd call "stock standard," but I don't think the combination qualifies as "unusual," either. Score - 2

Power: Solid debuffer and sage with some ability to do reasonable spell damage. I'd put your power level slightly, but not significantly, above the average of this round. Were you Caster level higher, enabling better use of crafting (see below) you'd move up further here. Score - 3.5

Elegance: The main problem with the Elegance category for you is qualifications. You don't qualify for Forge Ring, Assume Supernatural Ability, Extraordinary Artisan, or Legendary Artisan. That's a rather large number of things in your build that simply don't function. Selecting to start as Middle-Aged reads as a power grab. Entry into Thrall of Orcus is later than is expected or typical of this contest. Score - 2

Use of SI: Pairing Thrall of Orcus with Tenebrous Apostate is fairly intuitive. Use of Thrall of Orcus is typical of this contest. Score - 3

Henry Oakenshield the 666th: 7.5
Originality: Frost Dwarf was an unusual touch. Everything else reads as stock standard Fighter with a splash of Battle Sorcerer to qualify for Thrall of Orcus. Score - 2

Power: Fighter 10/ Battle Sorcerer 1 is a very weak lead-in to Thrall of Orcus, from a Power perspective. Couple this with the fairly ordinary Feat choices, drawn exclusively from the PHb except where qualifying for Thrall of Orcus, and you'll be hard-pressed to keep up with the power level of nearly any adventuring party, let alone the other entrants in this IC round, though you might be able to contribute somewhat without relying on other party members. Score - 1.5

Elegance: Non-standard entry format used, despite the OP both requiring standardized format and providing the template for that format in easy to copy-paste code. Why you chose to do this, I do not know. The chart and write-up provided, copy-pasted from the Planar Handbook's Frost Dwarf entry, are incorrect here from start to finish, as the example Frost Dwarf gets its BAB and strong Fort save from the Warrior NPC Class chassis and default stats. Thrall of Orcus is entered too late to finish before Epic levels. Class levels, Feats, and Skills are vaguely consistent with a Fighter's typical modus operandi, I think, but the format makes me question this, and no Skills are advanced to a level where they're particularly useful beyond the earliest playable levels. Score - 2

Use of SI: No information is provided on how your use of Thrall of Orcus makes the build function, let alone function better than it would otherwise. Skeletal Visage is probably a poor choice here over Massive Girth, given the function of the build, but per the Chairman's ruling, either one is irrelevant without the prerequisite Willing Deformity Feat, as you gain Skeletal Visage but it does nothing for you. Score - 2

Dr. Dellamorte: 13.75
Originality: I didn't particularly expect a Druid entry, and particularly didn't expect a Blighter. Score - 4

Power: You get 9th level spells, 'nuff said. However, your path to the power of 9ths is circuitous and delayed due to forays into Ranger, Blighter, and Thrall of Orcus, causing a hiccup in Power level for arguably half of your adventuring career or more. Score - 4

Elegance: Thrall of Orcus is entered slightly late, and abandoned before reaching its capstone. Feats, Skills, etc. are useful and work toward a thematic whole. One would reasonably expect to be allowed to use this concept in a campaign that allowed Evil Characters. Several Skills are left without full development. Score - 3.5

Use of SI: You unquestionably qualify for all Thrall of Orcus features (using the above note on Alignment concerns), which cannot be said of all entrants this round. That said, this build reads much more as a Blighter who happens to have some Thrall of Orcus levels than a Thrall of Orcus who happens to have some Blighter levels. In all honesty, I have to judge that the main trick you're highlighting is based on your other Class(es), with a small bonus for paying attention to qualifying for all Thrall of Orcus features. Score - 2.25

Dobluth: 14.75
Originality: Lesser Drow and Demonbinder were unexpected, though Warlock and Necromancer were not. Score - 3.75

Power: You are a reasonably powerful debuffer with some minionmancy and blasting abilities for versatility, and can hold your own in the front line if necessary. Score - 3.5

Elegance: Thrall of Orcus is entered slightly late, but taken to completion in a straight shot. Unearthed Arcana variants were used, but the concept has no other significant hindrances to use in a campaign that allows Evil Characters. Several Skills are left without full development. Score: 3.25

Use of SI: You unquestionably qualify for all Thrall of Orcus features (using the above note on Alignment concerns), which cannot be said of all entrants this round. This build reads very much as a Thrall of Orcus who happens to have other Class levels. Overall, a very nice UoSI, that somehow feels like there was more to the concept left to wring out. Score - 4.25

Baelfire: 15.25
Originality: You're a bleedin' Bardblade/Dirgesinger with Thrall of Orcus. Not the most bleedin' Original concept altogether, but not sod-all common as bleedin' muck, either. Score - 3.25

Power: You're a bleedin' Dragonfire Inspiration throwing minionmancer getting fat and happy off the bleedin' efforts of your roadies, er, summons, but who can still swing that axe better than some hair-metal wannabe. Rock on. Score - 3.75

Elegance: Thrall of Orcus is rushed into as fast as you can: most metal. You take bleedin' Willing Deformity two whole levels after you gain bleedin' Massive Girth; I blame the powdered cockatrice. The whole concept works together like Ozzie and bleedin' Randy, man. Several of your sodding Skills are left without full bleedin' development. Score - 4.25

Use of SI: This is a bleedin' solid, complete usage of Thrall of Orcus. Specific strengths are emphasized without particular attention paid to minimizing weaknesses, like a soddin' musician cranking up the distortion and playing faster. Baelfire might not be Yngwie, but he's no bleedin' Kip Winger, either. Score - 4

Siegfried: 9
Originality: Neraph was unexpected, but Mortal Hunter is a pretty intuitive fit, particularly in combination with Ranger/Paladin of Slaughter. Score - 2.5

Power: You're a reasonable scout and front-liner, but your delay in getting Power Attack is costly in your early-game viability. Score - 2

Elegance: Thrall of Orcus is taken to completion, but entered later than expected. Lack of Essentia limits the viability of your Soulmelds. Extended usage of the Elder Evils rules would likely require a close working relationship with the DM, even in an Evil game. Siegfried does not qualify for all listed PrCs, and gains no benefit from Massive Girth, per the Chairman's ruling. Several Skills are left without full development. EDIT: I apparently misread how you put together your table. Adjusted score. Score - 1.75

Use of SI: This reads as a Mortal Hunter who took Thrall of Orcus to shore up some specific weaknesses, rather than the other way around. Overall, this falls just below average on my listed rubric. Score - 2.75

Cara Skerritt: 12.75
Originality: Death Master was an unusual but not unexpected choice for entrance, given the theme of Thrall of Orcus. Score - 3.5

Power: You're a reasonably powerful debuffer and minionmancer, with some BFC thrown in. You can hold your own on the front line if absolutely necessary. Score - 3.75

Elegance: You do not qualify for all of your Feats. You entered Thrall of Orcus later than expected, though you completed the PrC. You wrote yourself a "free" +4 LA template into the end of your progression. You relied on Taint abuse. Several of your Skills are left without full development. Please use spoilers in future (had no effect on score). Score - 1.5

Use of SI: This is a solid, complete usage of the SI, emphasizing known strengths of the PrC. Score - 4

Adrienne Fzembrel: 12.5
Originality: Hexblade/Paladin of Tyranny is neither particularly Original on its own, nor as a pairing with Thrall of Orcus. We're pretty much in "old, reliable concept" territory here. Score - 2

Power: You're a reasonably powerful debuffer and front-liner, who has some minor minionmancy available as a backup plan. Your delay in getting Power Attack is costly in your early-game viability. Score - 2.5

Elegance: Given my note on scoring above, you qualify for all aspects of your build without issue, and you enter Thrall of Orcus at the earliest opportunity. Your progression, while free of shady rules interpretations, is somewhat disjointed. Several of your Skills are left without full development. Score - 4.5

Use of SI: Use of Thrall of Orcus was typical for this contest. Specific strengths of the SI were emphasized without negating known weaknesses. Score - 3.5

Babalon: 14.25 and HM vote
Originality: Hexblade was an expected entry into this Prestige Class. Horned Harbinger is unusual, but not a particularly surprising pairing, given the theme of Thrall of Orcus (more on this pairing below). Score - 3.5

Power: You're a reasonably powerful Debuffer and front-liner, boosted by WRT, who has some minionmancy available as a backup plan. Your delay in getting Power Attack is costly in your early-game viability. Score - 3.25

Elegance: You worship Myrkul, I mean Orcus, I mean Myrkul. While the Horned Harbinger/Thrall of Orcus pairing makes a certain cosmetic sense, thematically, it's rife with issues and in-game problems regarding where your loyalties actually lie. Entrance into Thrall of Orcus is timely, but piecemeal, bringing the issue of divided loyalties even more to the fore. One would expect to have to work closely with a DM to allow this particular combination to function as described, and wouldn't necessarily expect to get this concept approved by a DM that doesn't know the Player well. Several of your Skills are left without full development. Score - 3

Use of SI: This is a solid, complete usage of Thrall of Orcus, attempting a fairly original spin on the PrC, relative to this concept. . . regardless of whether or not that attempt is pulled off without a hitch. Score - 4.5

Ankou: 14.25
Originality: Jaebrin Bard? I admit, I did not expect that to be the straight entry and pairing with Thrall of Orcus. Score - 4.5

Power: Ankou's a pretty powerful debuffer and minionmancer, who has melee as an emergency backup plan despite the +16 BAB and nice little bite attack. Score - 3.75

Elegance: You have a small LA, and enter Thrall of Orcus later than expected for this contest, though you finish the progression. You gain no benefit from Skeletal Visage, per the Chairman's ruling. Progression is otherwise logical and works cohesively toward a stronger, clear goal. Several of your Skills are left without full development. Score: 3.25

Use of SI: Solid, complete usage of Thrall of Orcus that suffers mostly from a lack of explicit detailing of how Thrall of Orcus benefits your concept more than continuing Bard or using other alternatives might. Score: 3.75

Ophelia: 13.5
Originality: Eidolon(cer)/Cleric is definitely unusual, particularly in this contest. Score - 5

Power: This is really difficult to judge, in part because the text provided on the template is self-contradictory. The Ghost is immune to Critical Hits and Sneak Attacks, and if hit by a Sneak Attack or Critical Hit is Stunned. . . what? Otherwise, you're basically deriving power primarily from your template, with Thrall of Orcus' abilities as a backup plan. Score - 3.5

Elegance: The Ghostwalk Ghost Template is pretty high on the list of 'Known Cheese,' if you spend any time reading Char-Op fora. Entrance into Thrall of Orcus is delayed. Without an established rapport with the DM, you'd better have a Plan B before pitching this idea, unless it comes about in play by direct DM interference with your Character concept. ALL of your Skills are left without full development. Score - 2

Use of SI: Use of Thrall of Orcus was typical for the contest. Synergies were not emphasized especially, and some features were ignored for the sake of maximizing the abilities of your Ghost template. Score - 3

Luxx: 12.5
Originality: Cleric/Binder/Tenebrous Apostate/Thrall of Orcus is a fairly intuitive Class combination, I think. It's not what I'd call "stock standard," but I don't think the combination qualifies as "unusual," either. Score - 2

Power: Your Wish shenanigans make you powerful, no doubt, but you're not the only entrant who can potentially pull off that DM-dependent trick. You're otherwise a solid debuffer and sage with some ability to do minionmancy and front-line as needed. Score - 3.5

Elegance: Entrance into Thrall of Orcus is delayed, but you take it to completion. Progression is otherwise logical anw works toward a stronger, clear goal. Several of your Skills are left without full development. Score - 3.5

Use of SI: Aside from your noted Wish shenanigans - which, again, would be a viable strategy for others in this contest - the use of Thrall of Orcus was typical for this contest. Usage was solid and building toward a cohesive whole, without particularly attempting to minimize the weaknesses of Thrall of Orcus. Score - 3.5

Bill E. Kidd: 12.5
Originality: Hexblade was an expected entry into Thrall of Orcus; Ibixian, not so much. Avenging Executioner is a thematically interesting and appropriate combination with the preceding. Score - 4

Power: You're a solid debuffer and front-line combatant with some minionmancy as a backup plan. Score - 3.5

Elegance: You have a hefty combination of LA and Monstrous Humanoid levels that could put a serious cramp in your early-game viability at many tables. Entrance into Thrall of Orcus is delayed as a direct result of the preceding. Essentially all of your build is focused on the Intimidation/Debuff shtick. ALL of your Skills are left without full development. Score - 2.75

Use of SI: Others used the Thrall of Orcus more thoroughly, but this entry's usage wasn't bad. The overall concept works, but reads very much as a one-trick goat, er, pony. Score - 2.25

Sentrosi: Contestant used sources specifically disallowed for this contest. Decline to score.

Ari: 12.5
Originality: Vashar and Barbarian were expected and/or common to this round; Spirit Shaman and Cancer Mage were not. Score - 3.5

Power: You're a solid debuffer and front-line combatant with some casting and minionmancy as a backup plan. Good on you for specifically mentioning avoidance of Festering Anger. Score - 4

Elegance: You enter Thrall of Orcus as soon as you're able, but take it piecemeal in order to snag the goodies from Cancer Mage. I die a little inside whenever I see it brought up, but apparently several folks play at tables where multiclassing into Barbarian is frowned upon, making this ever so slightly controversial. Use of Contagion with Cancer Mage is clever, but probably requires a strong working relationship with the DM to avoid having books and/or dice thrown at you when you start Cancer Mage. ALL of your Skills are left without full development. Score - 3

Use of SI: All told, I'm sorry to say this reads much more as a Cancer Mage who happens to have Thrall of Orcus than as a Thrall of Orcus who happens to have Cancer Mage. Score - 2

Thrall of Porkus: 10.25
Originality: Barbarian and Dread Witch were expected components to a Thrall of Orcus build; Sorceress and Half-Orc - particularly combined - were not. Score - 3.25

Power: Contrary to what the write-up indicates, Spell selection is actually a very large part of how one can judge a Sorceress' Power and versatility. As far as I can tell, Thrall of Porkus is intended as an Unarmed melee combatant with some debuffing and minionmancy as backup plans. Given no information on what particular tricks and synergies are being used beyond what's in the chart, I'm left considering this build to be merely average in Power. Score - 3

Elegance: No Alignment listing means that even under my relaxed standards of qualification, I cannot be sure you qualify for Thrall of Orcus on Alignment grounds; I can be sure you don't qualify to enter it at the point in your career where it's listed on the chart. There is no discussion of how the build works overall. These issues fall outside of my listed rubric, but can produce a reasonable ballpark figure on that chart. Several Skills are left without full development. Score - 2

Use of SI: Others used - or explained their use of - Thrall of Orcus more thoroughly, but this entry's usage wasn't bad. The overall concept works as far as it is explained, but doesn't especially emphasize why it synergizes with the Thrall of Orcus' strengths well. Score here is not 0 because qualification does eventually occur. Score - 2

Ruk Rak: 7.25
Originality: Fighter and - especially - Barbarian were expected components to a Thrall of Orcus build; Arctic Kobold and Dungeon Lord were not. Score - 3.25

Power: You're a decent frontline combatant with some debuffing and minor minionmancy as backup plans. The fact that the rules of this contest make Dungeon Lord's Leadership Bonus Feat completely useless is a significant blow to your potential Power rating. Score - 2

Elegance: You delay entering Thrall of Orcus as long as possible while still allowing yourself to finish the PrC pre-Epic. No Alignment listing means that even under my relaxed standards of qualification, I cannot be sure you qualify for Thrall of Orcus on Alignment grounds; I can be sure you don't qualify to enter it from a Spellcasting perspective, per the Chairman's ruling on SLAs vs. Spells. This build would basically require extensive work with the DM to function. Several Skills are left without full development, including the choice to simply not assign available Skill points for some reason. Score - 2

Use of SI: Build does not qualify to use Thrall of Orcus, even under my relaxed standards for judgment. Score - 0

OMG PONIES

2013-10-04, 12:06 PM

Huzzah for more scores!

Final[?] Tallies After Two Judges (Before Disputes)
{table=head]Entry|Place|Total|Average
Babalon|Gold|31.75|3.96875
Derek "Baelfire" Bragg|Silver|31.25|3.90625
Dobluth|Bronze|29.75|3.71875
Doctor Dellamorte|Fourth|29.25|3.65625
Ankou|Fourth|29.25|3.65625
Luxx|Fourth|29.25|3.65625
Cara Skerritt|Seventh|28.25|3.53125
Ari|Seventh|28.25|3.53125
Adrienne Fzembrel|Ninth|27.75|3.46875
Ophelia|Tenth|27.25|3.40625
Bill E. Kidd|Eleventh|24.25|3.03125
The Decaying Tears|Twelfth|23|2.875
Thrall of Porkus|Thirteenth|21.75|2.71875
The Frog Prince|Fourteenth|18|2.25
Ruk Rak|Fifteenth|16.75|2.09375
Sentrosi|Sixteenth|8|2
Henry Oakenshield the 666th|Seventeenth|14.5|1.8125
Captain Tardis|Eighteenth|14|1.75[/table]

Keynub

2013-10-04, 12:08 PM

Sweet. Thanks for judging, Amphetryon!

Is Sentrosi rejected from the competition as a whole, or does the absence of a score equate a score of 0?

The Viscount

2013-10-04, 12:21 PM

I believe it's simply treated as a 0 for a score. Any other judges are free to judge or not judge it as they see fit. Thanks for the scores, Amphetryon. It's always nice to get more than one judge's opinion.

Piggy Knowles

2013-10-04, 12:23 PM

Huzzah! More judges! Excellent as always, Amphetryon.

Ponies, unless I'm mistaken, Baelfire should be first, as I'm pretty sure Babalon's combined scores add up to 30.75, not 31.75.

dysprosium

2013-10-04, 12:32 PM

Dang! I was hoping to answer disputes before more scoring came up.

@Adrienne: Adrienne chooses Chosen of Evil at 11th level whereas Luxx chooses it at 1st level. So the mileage here was just the length of character career.

@Balefire: Best. Dispute. Ever. That should warrant points just for that but you get them because of my non formulaic scoring. By the looks of it I did come down harder on you than others. Elegance increase by 0.5.

@Ankou: My personal issue with the Hells/Abyss things stems from how some of my players (who I've played with for years and years) still interchange the terms. Believe it or not, I did not penalize you for it either. My draft notes had a line that should have made it into the judging that explicitly said that. I did however relook at your score and revised it based on what I had given others. Elegance increase by 0.5.

My judgings have been edited to take these new scores into account.

Kuulvheysoon

2013-10-04, 01:13 PM

...And just as you answer, dysprosium, more come up! (don't worry, you're sharing them with Amph this time).

I would like to ask you to respond on my behalf to the two judges thus far:

Fighting-style wise, the Thrall of Porkus is mostly built around taking advantage of her flight to move in and use her Death Touch as a single attack. Possibly by flying in and smooching them with a head-butt. If she can use her Stunning Fist, so much the better.

Alignment-wise, she's NE or CE, depending on how you view her utter self-centeredness and willingness to abuse those to whom she isn't trying to ingratiate herself.

As for the qualification: you're quite right; that was an error on my part in designing her. I would like to note that her build is harmed in no way by delaying entry to the SI by one level; move a level of Dread Witch from post-PrC to pre-, and she becomes legal with no other side-effects.

I can't believe I made that error. >_< Woops.

Anyway, thanks for judging. She is, in the end, mostly a fun theme build. Though honestly, one might question whether Orcus or Porkus is really the Thrall...

the essentia effect of the phase cloak is merely a bonus to climb checks, which I don't care about due to my ability to fly. the thing that matters is the bound effect, which allows me to turn ethereal while moving (and thus move in 3 dimensions, even when demon wings aren't at will, from 14 to 16.

I specifically took willing deformity at level 14 with one of the SI's bonus feats in order to compensate for the chairman's ruling re: massive girth/skeletal visage requiring plain willing deformity in order to function, so I do in fact gain benefit from massive girth. I'm not sure what you are referring to.
Thank you for your time and effort in judging. I would like some clarification on something, though.

Use of Contagion with Cancer Mage is clever, but probably requires a strong working relationship with the DM to avoid having books and/or dice thrown at you when you start Cancer Mage.

What about the use of Contagion (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/contagion.htm) is liable to provoke outrage? These are all perfectly mundane diseases with normal incubation times and damage. Cancer Mage itself gives one the ability to use Contagion as an SLA, so it seems pretty much use as intended. I'm simply getting access to it a level earlier. Is there something I'm missing? Is it simply using Cancer Mage to be a carrier for all these diseases that is the problem?

Dispute re: Amphetryon's scoring:

More of a request for clarification than anything else - you mention that "several" of Babalon's skills are left incomplete, but the only skill not almost maxed is knowledge (arcana). Babs has the following skill load out:
Knowledge (religion) 23 ranks
Knowledge (planes) 22 ranks
Knowledge (arcana) 13 ranks
Collector of Stories

Also, I realize in retrospect that this wasn't necessarily clear in my write-up, since I tried to stick to the poems in getting the fluff across. However, the idea was that she reveres Myrkul, the dead god, for granting the powers of unlife to Orcus, the dead demon-prince. I did reference this in the level by level write up, but I can see how this might not be clear.

Thanks for all you do!

Amphetryon

2013-10-04, 01:43 PM

Babalon: So, by your count, 2 of your 3 Skills aren't maxed, right? :smallwink:

Ari: Cancer Mage itself will require a strong working relationship with a DM; I've seen it banned at many more tables than I've seen it allowed. Deliberately choosing to infect yourself with another disease from your Spell list adds another potential concern for a prospective DM. Those you've played under may have few issues with this; my experience is that those who don't take issue with it are the exception, not the norm.

Siegfried: As I read your table, it appeared you were counting "Willing Deformity: Massive Girth" as a single bonus Feat at that level. Adjusted score by +.25 on that aspect. Regardless of intended use, the lack of Essentia does limit the usefulness of Feats that utilize that resource.

Korahir

2013-10-04, 02:56 PM

Thanks for judging, amphetryon.

With Whambamsam also judging, we could get a third set of scores. If I am not mistaken, we didn't have that for a while?

Deadline

2013-10-04, 04:07 PM

Woohoo! Thanks for judging Amphetryon! Much like Korahir, I think this one will be a three judge extravaganza!

Now to dig in and read through the scores.

Kuulvheysoon

2013-10-04, 05:40 PM

More goodies for everyone (and by everyone, I mean dysprosium and Amph)

This is in regards to both Amphetryon and Dysprosiums scorings regarding feats - assuming both refer to Assume Su Ability; in which case I qualify via Alter Self being on my class list.

If there were other feats I did not qualify for I'd be interested in learning about.

@Amphetryon; While elegance is hard to judge as that especially is down to judges personal opinion, the Taint Rules are not 'abused'; they are used entirely as intended. The template was not free; I still had to pay for it, through feats and a LA. Which was bypassed by taking it late enough that it was not relevant to the competition.

I had considered just being Necropolitan and getting it that way, but decided against it, in favour of the Death Masters own Capstone of getting Lich. The taint rules are used entirely as expected and written within the Heroes of Horror, and "assume" a game continuing on past the point of immediately gaining 20th level.

In regards to not finishing some skills; i'll have to double check, but didn't every build have this? Did they get penalised for it? And is that an Elegance thing, not finishing skills?

Out of interest where would I have gotten the final point for the UoSI; I feel that all bases were adequately covered.

Sorry to be a nag, but which is the "another disease from your Spell list" that you are referring to? Spirit Shaman's contagion uses the same list as Cancer Mage's contagion SLA. Are you referring to mummy rot? If so, I am obtaining that through using Thrall of Orcus' summon greater undead ability to summon a mummy, not through my spell list. I simply mentioned it to showcase to the SI's abilities. Infecting a foe with mummy rot and then waiting the 1 minute will still only result in one dose of Con and Cha damage, a moderate debuff at best. It's not going to be breaking any games if played normally, and many things can break a game if played with cruel intent.
level 3 Willing defority feat - getting penalties for not having what is clearly listed as a feat - UNFAIR JUDGING!
13th Orcus entered into orcus late - that's debateable.

Amphetryon

2013-10-04, 09:08 PM

@ Cara: Using the Taint rules (an optional mechanic, as you know) is itself somewhat cheesy/abusive. As with Cancer Mage, I've seen it banned at far more tables than I've seen it permitted at, including my own and the old Test of Spite threads (which were notoriously hi-op).

Every build that did not finish all Skills they started got the same boilerplate commentary/minor deduction about it. You may be interested to note that, as a long-time participant in IC, I have received penalties relating to Skill points for:

Not finishing all Skills taken at level 1
Focusing too tightly on a Skill list so that all Skills were maxed
"Only" taking Skills to 5 ranks to gain synergy bonuses
Spreading Skills out so that they weren't all maxed.

If, in reading the above list, you can come up with a method of appeasing all judges re: Skill distribution, please share it. I merely selected one of the above, and applied it consistently. If it is your belief that I did NOT apply it consistently, please cite my inconsistency so that I may address it.

Keynub

2013-10-05, 03:53 AM

If, in reading the above list, you can come up with a method of appeasing all judges re: Skill distribution, please share it.

...Only picking up languages? :smallbiggrin:

OMG PONIES

2013-10-05, 05:55 AM

Is Sentrosi rejected from the competition as a whole, or does the absence of a score equate a score of 0?

Since Amphetryon declined to judge, neither. He's not rejected from the competition since dysprosium assigned him a score. The absence of a score does not equal 0s, since that would lower his average. Instead, since Amphetryon declined to judge, I have based Sentrosi's average off the scores received only from other judges.

Ponies, unless I'm mistaken, Baelfire should be first, as I'm pretty sure Babalon's combined scores add up to 30.75, not 31.75.

Thanks for pointing out a possible arithmetic error! Amphetryon, the total score given for Babalon is 13.25, but the scores provided for each category tally up to 14.25.

Amphetryon

2013-10-05, 06:36 AM

Thanks for pointing out a possible arithmetic error! Amphetryon, the total score given for Babalon is 13.25, but the scores provided for each category tally up to 14.25.

:smallredface: Math is hard. Fix'd.

Piggy Knowles

2013-10-05, 06:51 AM

Wow, so that means we're currently looking at a tie for first between Babs and Baelfire, once dysprosium's latest adjustment gets taken into account. Talk about a tight round!

123456789blaaa

2013-10-05, 10:27 AM

Piggy Knowles

2013-10-05, 10:35 AM

Amphetryon

2013-10-05, 10:59 AM

Out of curiosity Amph, what was the reason given by the various people for the banning of Cancer Mage? The only thing I can think of is Festering Anger abuse. It was a previous IC SI for cryin out loud!

Festering Anger isn't the only disease that can give you an ability score of NI, when you ignore the penalties. Cancer Mage also fundamentally removes a (small) core portion of the available encounters from a DM's toolkit, since s/he is no longer able to use even the threat of disease.

When it was a previous IC SI, as I'm sure you noticed from reading the thread before commenting here, folks went out of there way to avoid obvious abuses, and commented on that fact in the thread. The tone of that third sentence reads as more "challenging" than "curiosity," incidentally.

123456789blaaa

2013-10-05, 12:06 PM

There's another disease that's not quite as ridiculous as Festering Anger but still pretty abusive, IIRC - one that boosts natural armor but penalizes Dex. I'm blanking on the name right now.

I would allow Cancer Mage in a game I ran, personally, although I would sit down with the player beforehand and explain to them in the game, Festering Anger and similar diseases stop giving their benefit when they lose their drawbacks. It's a fun class with a lot of flavor. One of my favorite early Iron Chef builds was a bird-flu themed Cancer Mage/Birdlord from the Animal Lord competition.

(Nosomatic Chirurgeon is another class I love, which makes me realize that I must really enjoy the idea of a PC that's a disease vector... wonder what that's all about?)

Cause diseases are awesome obviously :smallbiggrin:. It's just too bad that Cancer Mage is pretty much the only way to make them viable in combat (the Contagion+Viral Agent trick allows you to bypass incubation time for any disease).

Festering Anger isn't the only disease that can give you an ability score of NI, when you ignore the penalties. Cancer Mage also fundamentally removes a (small) core portion of the available encounters from a DM's toolkit, since s/he is no longer able to use even the threat of disease.

When it was a previous IC SI, as I'm sure you noticed from reading the thread before commenting here, folks went out of there way to avoid obvious abuses, and commented on that fact in the thread. The tone of that third sentence reads as more "challenging" than "curiosity," incidentally.

Challenging to those DMs yes. I'm not disputing your ruling. I just think Cancer Mage was one of the best things to come out of the BOVD (and it also made for one of my favorite IC comps as well) so I don't get the banning. Festering Anger et all is fixed in about two seconds (especially since it's RAW ambiguous to begin with) and I don't see how disease immunity is different than the multitude of other things in dnd that gives a PC immunities (not to mention it's not easy to make disease a threat to the PC's in the first place). In a really disease-focused campaign sure (immunity then ruins the whole point after all) but I was not under the impression that those were widespread at all.

I can understand the banning of Cancer Mage because it requires an evil alignment, because it comes from a 3.0 book, even because the dm thinks that the Cancerous Companion is insensitive to Cancer patients, etc. I may see some of those things as bad reasons but I can still accept them. Power concerns though? The fact that Cancer Mage was an SI just encapsulates in a nutshell what makes no sense to me about that.

A question to past contestants: what SI's have you most enjoyed cooking for?

Venger

2013-10-05, 12:10 PM

WhamBamSam

2013-10-05, 12:38 PM

Here's one final batch of judgings. Here are my criteria (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=16000763&postcount=68) posted on the third page of this thread. Whenever I judge again, I'll be changing the Elegance rubric somehow, as everyone's scores came out pretty high there. I didn't penalize non-chaotic alignments for Thrall to Demon, as it's too terrible a feat for it to be common knowledge that it was updated, though I did make a note of it in builds that had issues there with no penalty assigned.

Doctor Dellamorte gets my vote for honorable mention.

Captain Tardis – 5.75
Originality – 1.5I expected Ranger, and other entrants used it, though amusingly none of you actually used the spellcasting to qualify. Half-dragon could have been interesting, but really isn’t used for much other than stats and qualifying for Fangshields Ranger, the latter of which doesn’t do much for you as you lose an effective druid level to the LA and only get +2 from the substitution. (-0.5)
Mechanically, you made a completely bog standard TWF build, and didn’t even bother to try incorporating much of the SI into it. (-1)
Power – 1.25 All you can do is swing pointy things. Even the Touch of Fear and Carrion Stench afterthoughts don’t do anything. Cause Fear only affects things of up to 5HD, which don’t matter at level 20 when you get it, and even if that weren’t the case, almost everything level appropriate is immune to fear and your Thrall of Orcus level is far too low for the Carrion Stench save DC to be even close to relevant. Spring Attack doesn’t work for mounted combat, and you don’t really have the points in Ride for that to be an effective option anyway. So you’re on foot, either spring attacking or standing in melee full attacking and doing nothing else. (-0.75)
Worse still, you’re really not that good at fighting. The Half-Dragon LA would probably have served you better as more class levels and you burn a ton of feats to meet the prereqs for Spring Attack and the SI. You do manage the baseline feats for TWFing, but can’t move and full attack on the same round or take much punishment. So you’re stuck with Spring Attack, and that’s really not enough to get by. (-1)
Elegance – 3 You can’t apply inherited templates to your animal companion, so a magebred dire wolf isn’t kosher. (-0.5)
Having Thrall of Orcus as an afterthought dip at the end makes your progression a bit less clean, and really isn’t in the spirit of the challenge. (-0.5)
Use of Secret Ingredient – 0 First off, the ultimate decision was that SLAs do not satisfy the necromancy spell requirement, so you don’t qualify for the SI, but even if Soul of the North did qualify you, you would still receive a 0. You take barely any of the SI at the very end of your career and get absolutely nothing from it. You spend 4 feats that you do nothing with to get in, so the bonus feat brings you to a net loss of 3 feats, and the abilities you pick up are completely irrelevant at the level you get them. (-1)

The Decaying Tears – 15.5
Originality – 3.25 There was another Cloistered Cleric/Binder/Tenebrous Apostate, though you were the only gnome this round and it was a well used racial choice. (-0.25)
However, you do distinguish yourself from Luxx in having a different standard operating procedure for combat and with your crafting. I especially liked the latter as I was really hoping that someone would find a way to scrap the Nightwing for parts to get around the 1/week limitation. (+0.5)
Power – 4.25 You have a few tricks up your sleeve, between blasting, various debuffing, tanking, crafting, and the usual goodness that the binder chassis offers, with a nice little bit of action economy cheese sprinkled on top. In terms of sheer number of things you can do, you’re in good shape. (+0.75)

Your blasting seems a little weak without increasing EBL to keep the lightning relevant at higher levels and some of your crafting tricks require scrolls or allies to supply the spells. You are pretty difficult to kill and an effective nerf bat though, so it more or less balances out, and breaking the action economy is sufficiently powerful and does enough to keep your blasty damage respectable that you come out looking pretty solid on the whole, at least in the small window out of every day that you can use Pallor of Death. (+0.5)
Elegance – 3.75 You qualify for everything. (0)
Your overall build progression is pretty clean but you do have the little dips in Cloistered Cleric at the beginning and Tenebrous Apostate at the end. I’d be inclined to call it a wash, or even give you a small bonus, as it isn’t something that’d get rejected at any reasonable table, but you also incur multiclass penalties from level 4 onward, as neither Cleric nor Binder is a favored class for gnomes. (-0.25)
Use of Secret Ingredient – 4.25 The bonus feats ultimately even out to a wash at best, as you spend 3 feats that you don’t really use qualifying for the SI, and two feats on Open Minded to make up for Thrall of Orcus’ low skill points. (0)
You have debuff stacking and a good Con mod (boosted in-house by Massive Girth) to synergize with Carrion Stench. (+0.5)
Flight covers up one of the glaring weaknesses of a Binder. (+0.5)
Your Death Touch DC isn’t as tough as some of the other builds here, but your Cha and debuffs make it pretty effective. (+0.5)
Assume Supernatural Ability for Tomb Mote’s Quickness and your aforementioned debuffing ability gets a lot of mileage from Pallor of Death. (+0.75)
Boosting the summons through desecration rings you craft yourself and using them to provide spells for crafting is very snazzy indeed. (+0.75)
Feels like a Thrall of Orcus to me. (+0.25)

Henry Oakenshield – 8.75
Originality – 1.75 You weren’t the only Fighter or the only Sorcerer. Frost Dwarf could have been interesting, but I’m sort of at a loss as to what it’s doing here. It really doesn’t seem to be doing anything to warrant the LA. (-0.25)
A one level spellcasting dip that you won’t use beyond very low levels going into straight Fighter is just about the laziest way to go about building for this class you could come up with. There’s nothing mechanically unique or even all that interesting going on here. (-1)
Power – 1.25 Thrall of Orcus gets your versatility beyond that of a straight fighter, because anything would, but you’re still slumming it down in Tier 4-5. (-0.75)
By which I mean Tier 5. Flight and Summons help you a bit, but your save DCs for your other abilities are pretty weak, and you don’t really have particularly good damage output. Your Carrion Stench was okay, but you took Gaunt over Obese, which reduces your Con, making the save easier as well as actively making you worse at standing in melee where you’ll have to block a sword with your face every now and again. Your feat choices are pretty poor in general, actually. This is the sort of standard Fighter fodder that you’d expect from new players, and really not up to the standard that we expect here. (-1)
Elegance – 4.25 You qualify for everything. (0)
As harsh as I was on it before for being boring, sticking close to straight fighter in your progression means that no DM is likely to look askance at the build. The Sorcerer dip mars this a bit, but with Fighter as a favored class you avoid multiclass penalties. (+0.25)
Use of Secret Ingredient – 1.5 Protip: Sucks should not be the most prominent word in the description of your Use of Secret Ingredient. Presentation is important.
You don’t mention any of the bonus feats that you take with Thrall of Orcus, and you don’t do anything with the prereq feats, which means even in the best case scenario, you’re breaking even on that front. (0)
Skeletal Visage actively works against you, weakening your Carrion Stench DC and your survivability in exchange for Dex that you’ll have a hard time making use of in heavy armor. (0)
Your racial Cha penalty renders all your other DCs pretty low. (0)
Your summons are weaker than those of many other entrants due to missing out on the 10th class level. (0)
Flight covers up a prominent weakness of Fighters. (+0.5)
I’m really not getting much of a vibe at all from this guy. He doesn’t really feel like a Thrall of Orcus, just an evil fighter. (0)

Doctor Dellamorte – 14.75
Originality – 4 Blighter always sort of comes out of left field and even when it’s making all the grass decay and wilt as it approaches, it’s tough to see coming. No one used it either. The half-elf choice is sort of baffling me though. While it’s unique for this round and doesn’t seem to be a big problem, I can’t really see what you’re getting from it that you wouldn’t from just going human. (+0.5)
The use of Thrall of Orcus abilities to make up some of the various deficiencies of the average Blighter is cool. You’re still playing catch up to the Druid 20 that could have been, but you really do a good job of bridging a lot of those gaps. If I ever want to throw a Blighter at my players, I’ll seriously consider stealing this. (+0.5)
Power – 4.5 You don’t have the sheer versatility of a straight Druid, but you do have a fair amount of spellcasting, Wildshape, and a bit of minionmancy to push you at least to the level where the greener grass on the other side of the divide is visible to you. (+0.5)
You scrape 9th level spells, have respectable melee capability, and have some undead backup. If the hammer needs to come down, it can come down hard. (+1)
Elegance – 4.25You qualify for everything except Thrall to Demon. I’m ignoring the chaotic component of the alignment restriction, but it’s worth noting that you have one of the more serious problems with it, as you would have to make an alignment shift from NE or CN to CE when becoming an Ex-Druid, but the build would still work. (0)
The hopping back and forth between Blighter and Thrall of Orcus and the Ranger dip keep you from getting much of a bonus here, but you avoid multiclass penalties, and nothing’s really all that questionable. You get a little bonus here. (0.25)
Use of Secret Ingredient – 2 You don’t do anything with the prerequisite feats, and use spellcasting over bonus feats, so you’re coming out behind on that front. (0)
The DCs of the other Thrall of Orcus SLAs are pretty low due to your mediocre Cha and not finishing out the class. (0)
While I appreciate the summons thematically as filling a hole that was left by the transition from Druid to Blighter, and while you can buff them up a bit with your casting, you are coming up a bit short on that front without the Greater Undead or the Nightwing. (0)
Skeletal Visage cuts into your Con, which reduces your HP both in and out of Undead Wild Shape along with the save DC of your Carrion Stench. You do however get to keep the Dex bonus while Wildshaped, while ignoring the Con penalty in all respects other than reduced HP due to having no Con score in Undead form, as Vile feats are (Su) abilities, which are retained under Alter Self. I still think it comes out to a wash though. (0)
You manage to eke out 9th level spells even with the crappy spellcasting progression. (+0.5)
Flight fixes a major problem of the skeletal forms taken through Undead Wild Shape. (+0.5)
While there’s room for both on the palate, this really tastes more like a Blighter build than a Thrall of Orcus. (0)

Dobluth – 14.5
Originality – 3.5 Warlock and the Necromancer Wizard dip were unique this round, as was the Lesser Drow race choice, which you actually put to good use qualifying for Demonbinder (also unused this round). The only common element here is the Warblade dip. (+0.5)
Mechanically, there isn’t anything especially novel. This is pretty standard Warlock fare, though the minionmancy focus is fun, and there are a number of other nice little touches that keep it from being boring. (0)
Power – 3.75 You have a number of different options. You can debuff enemies, blast a bit, throw minions at a problem, and have a solid save or die from Death Touch at higher levels. (+0.5)
Your eldritch blast is a little weak with all of the lost Warlock levels, but your debuffing and minions are pretty potent, and at high levels you can follow up your debuffs with Death Touch which is quite powerful thanks to your reach boosting and Cha focus. As is often the case for Warlocks, you aren’t exactly nuking things from orbit, but on the whole things balance out to a little better than even. (+0.25)
Elegance – 3.5 You qualify for everything. (0)
You start off a little messy what with the three base classes, but I’m inclined to let the Wizard and Warblade dips slide and let you off with no bonus or penalty to your overall progression. However, as neither Warlock nor Warblade is a favored class for Lesser Drow, you incur multiclass penalties from level 5 onward. (-0.5)
Use of Secret Ingredient – 3.75 You’re coming out behind on feats as you don’t do anything with the prerequisites, and are advancing invocations instead of taking bonus feats. (0)
Flight is an improvement over the standard Warlock Spider Climb, but it’s not as big a boost for you as for some other builds, and you wait longer than a stock Warlock for the improvement to mobility. (0)
Invocation advancement does allow you to squeeze a few important powers into the build. (+0.25)
You have debuff stacking and a good Con mod (boosted in-house by Massive Girth) to synergize with Carrion Stench. (+0.5)
Your Cha focus and fear stacking get you some good use out of Pallor of Death. (+0.5)
Leading the Charge and the baseline minionmancy focus synergizes with the summoning abilities. While the 1/week restriction on the Nightwing is indeed a problem, it does a lot to power up your standard undead when it does come out, and there are a lot of things that a class leveled ghost or vampire (even a relatively low level one) could do for them as well. (+0.5)
You make the save for Death Touch quite difficult, and the reach optimization on top of that kicks it up a notch. (+0.75)
Feels like a Thrall of Orcus. (+0.25)

Derek Bragg – 14.25 14.5
Originality – 2.5 Warblade was common this round, and we had another Bard. Dirgesinger was a nice little spin, though not a super difficult one to see coming. Silverbrow Human is essentially Human for DFI Bards so no bonus or penalty there. (-0.25)
Mechanically you aren’t exactly reinventing the wheel. Bardblades are well known enough to have the moniker “bardblade” be a thing and DFI is a very popular way to boost undead minions. To wit, you’re paying tribute to the Metal gods of old rather than actually pushing the medium forward. (-0.5)
That said, you hit one of my automatic happy buttons, and did a good job of it, so you get fluff points. Rock on. (+0.25)
Power – 3.75 4 You have a lot of buffing and debuffing, can mix things up in melee when you need to, and have a potent Save or Die through Death Touch. Overall you’re in pretty good shape in terms of versatility. (+0.5)
You lose a lot of effective bard levels to Thrall of Orcus and Warblade, only ending up with 2d6 for your DFI bonus and taking until level 19 to get the second dice EDIT: Song of the Heart and Inspirational Boost help you keep up better on that front than I thought, though you could still do better with more Bardic music progression. You do get some goodies to make up for it though, and the summons synergize well with the bonuses that are there. You come out a little ahead here. (+0.25)
Elegance – 3.75You don’t qualify for Supernatural Transformation, as Death Touch is not an innate ability, but one that comes from a class feature. (-0.5)
Apart from the delay of the final Thrall of Orcus level to go into Dirgesinger, you have a fairly clean progression. Nothing would raise eyebrows and you avoid multiclass penalties. (+0.25)
Use of Secret Ingredient – 4.25 You were one of the few who actually mentioned Thrall to Demon, but on the whole you don’t get much more from it or the other prereq feats than anyone else does. You break about even on the feats spent vs. feats gained through Thrall of Orcus, though you do get an extra spell level out of the Bard casting progression at Thrall of Orcus 1, and the effective delaying of the feats allows you to qualify for more high level feats, most notably higher level maneuvers through Martial Study. Between those two things you eke out a little bonus here. (+0.25)
You gain Touch of Fear early enough for it to briefly be somewhat relevant. (+0.25)
Your Cha focus helps Pallor of Death and you have other debuffing and the ability to stack more fear on top of it (especially during the period where Touch of Fear is functional). (+0.5)
You have debuff stacking and a good Con mod (boosted in-house by Massive Girth) to synergize with Carrion Stench. (+0.5)
Flight is something that you’d be sorely missing as a Bard/Warblade. (+0.5)
Your buffing abilities make your summons much more formidable. (+0.5)
You really pump the save for Death Touch and can do a lot to tank enemy saves to set it up. (+0.75)
There’s a reason why the devil is dancing on the end of Eddie’s strings on the cover of Number of the Beast and not the other way around. A truly metal character is thrall to no one, Orcus included. (0)

Siegfried – 16
Originality – 4.25 Ranger cropped up in a few other entries and there wasn’t another Paladin of Slaughter, there was a Paladin of Tyranny, but Mortal Hunter was a nice surprise, and going Nepharim for the Outsider type to make the most of the Pallor of Death ruling was cool. I do have to give you a little ding for dedication to an Elder Evil though. Saw that coming a mile away in this challenge. (+0.5)
While shapeshifting is known as a high power ability in 3.5, your means of going about it is unique enough that I’ll give you a bonus here. (+0.5)
Long read though it was, I quite enjoyed the story you presented. You get fluff points. (+0.25)
Power – 4 Shapeshifting always provides a good deal of versatility, and you have a nice defensive focus, the mobility advantage of flyby attack, a powerful save or die with Death Touch, and a few other tricks on top of that. I can’t really ask for much more in terms of sheer number of things to do. (+0.75)
You are a little limited by the fact that both Mortal Skin and Pallor of Death are 1/day, and by the lack of an essentia pool for your Phase Cloak chicanery. You can keep Mortal Skin up all day, but if you’re facing the standard 3 fight adventuring day, you have to stick to a general usefulness form for two of them and have to pick which one is worth pulling out Pallor of Death for. Granted the 1/day limit of Pallor of Death is a problem for everyone, but the ability is a bigger focus for you. Still that general purpose form is going to be pretty powerful, and your Flyby Boosted Death Touch delivered from the Ethereal Plane is nothing to sneeze at. (+0.25)
Elegance – 4 You lack the required Move Silently ranks to qualify for Mortal Hunter. (-0.5)

Nothing here is especially questionable except for dedication to an Elder Evil which I already hit you for in originality and the use of the Pallor of Death ruling which might be questionable at a table, but isn’t here as the chairman’s word is law. (0)
You have a clean, straightforward build progression and avoid multiclass penalties. (+0.5)
Use of Secret Ingredient – 3.75 Even though you’re getting the prerequisite feats from Atropus, you still aren’t doing much with them. You’re getting some use out the bonus feats, but it’s mostly just small extra stuff. (0)
You mention Touch of Fear a lot, but as it doesn’t work on anything with more than 5 HD it comes too late to do much for you. (0)
Summons are nice, but everyone gets them. They don’t really synergize with your other abilities in any meaningful way. (0)
You can use your shapeshifting to boost your Con (and will retain the bonus from Massive Girth when you do, as it’s a (Su) ability) making the save DC for your Carrion Stench tough to beat. (+0.5)
As a shapeshifter you could fly without the Demon Wings, but with Flyby Attack and the limited number of times you can change your form each day you still get a lot out of them. (+0.5)
Boost SLA, high Cha, and Flyby Attack help you make the most of Death Attack. (+0.75)
Being able to take Outsider forms makes your Pallor of Death seriously powerful. High Cha for the fear effect is nice too. (+0.75)
Even with though he’s rebelling against Orcus by the end of the story, I think Siegfried’s little Faustian deal gels with the feel of the PrC. (+0.25)
Cara Skerritt – 13.75
Originality – 2.75 Death Master huh? Sure, why not? Strongheart Halfling is basically the same as human though, so no bonus or penalty there. (+0.25)
Mechanically, Slaymate tricks are common handbook fare and you don’t really seem to have any other big ideas at play. (-0.5)
Power – 3.75 You get up to 6th level spells including some effective buffing and enough BAB to wade into melee once you’ve magically augmented yourself. You have a bit of minionmancy and a few other tricks that you can fall back on. (+0.5)
Unfortunately, not getting up into higher spell levels/caster levels means that you lose out a bit on sheer power. You also have problems lasting through the adventuring day with the most used abilities from Thrall of Orcus being the 1/day ones. You have enough from your spellcasting to come out just a little ahead, though. (+0.25)
Elegance – 3.5 You qualify for everything. (0)
I’m pretty sure becoming a Lich doesn’t work the way you say it does. You don’t get to just toss it on to a 20th level build for the cost of a phylactery. You seem to mostly use it for the undead type though, so you could do it with Necropolitan, and because of that this penalty isn’t as big as it could have been. (-0.25)
The Slaymate stuff is also questionable as Pallor of Death only lasts 1/minute per class level (so a maximum of 10 minutes) and spell preparation always takes at least 15. RAW, I don’t think you can gain the benefits of Slaymate on prepared spells through Pallor of Death. (-0.25)
Your build progression is nice and straightforward and you avoid multiclass penalties. However, making a Phyllactery or becoming a Necropolitan require that you gain more exp than the other builds. (0)
Use of Secret Ingredient – 3.75 I don’t know of any rule that would make Carrion Stench default to a Cha based save automatically. I’m pretty sure you’re just stuck with that ability being mostly irrelevant. (0)
You do use the prerequisite feats to qualify for Abyss-Bound Soul, and the spellcasting progression does help you reach 6th level spells. I guess that’s enough for a small bonus, but really you’d probably have been better off just sticking it out to Death Master 20. (+0.25)
You have decent enough Cha and enough debuffing to set Death Touch up pretty well. (+0.5)
Having a baseline minionmancy focus makes the Nightwing and any buffer classed Major Undead more effective, and your spells do a lot to stack on more Con damage and negative levels. (+0.5)
Flight gets you something that Death Master casting would ordinarily be lacking in. (+0.5)
While the Slaymate tricks probably don’t work (see elegance), Assume Supernatural Ability gets you extra oomph out of Pallor of Death, and you’ve got decent Cha and debuff/fear stacking as a starting point for it. (+0.75)
The Death Master fluff is centered around Orcus, so the PrC makes sense thematically. (+0.25)

Adrienne Fzembrel – 14
Originality – 2.25 Hexblade was common and expected, and there was a Paladin of Slaughter. No bonus or penalty for being human. (-0.5)
Mechanically, you’re not exactly reinventing the wheel. I’m not going to penalize Chosen of Evil too hard as I didn’t know about it going into this competition and it’s really the only way to make use of the prerequisite feats, but you’re not gaining points in Originality for it either as you weren’t the only one to use it. Strongheart Vest is a common means of dealing with ability damage, so no bonus there either. I’ve got to take points off here. (-0.5)
I liked the backstory though, so you get points for fluff. (+0.25)
Power – 3 You’re not really super versatile, but you do have fear effects and other solid debuffing, as well as a potent death touch to support your melee. (-0.5)
You do well in the areas that you do focus on though. Your debuffing is excellent, your save DCs are high, especially when you’re getting abilities early, and Chosen of Evil pushes you that extra step further. (+0.5)
Elegance – 4.5 You qualify for everything except Thrall to Demon. I’m ignoring the chaotic component of the alignment restriction, but I will note that with the most recent version of the feat you would not be able to be a Paladin of Tyranny. (0)
Your progression is clean and straightforward, avoiding multiclass penalties. (+0.5)
Use of Secret Ingredient – 4.25 The summons don’t really do anything for you that they don’t do for everyone who took all 10 levels of Thrall of Orcus. (0)
You gain Touch of Fear early enough for it to be briefly relevant. (+0.25)
Chosen of Evil allows you to make use of the prerequisite feats, meaning you come out ahead with the Bonus Feats that the class grants. (+0.5)
You have debuff stacking and a good Con mod (boosted in-house by Massive Girth) to synergize with Carrion Stench. (+0.5)
Your Cha focus helps Pallor of Death and you have other debuffing and the ability to stack more fear on top of it (especially during the period where Touch of Fear is functional). (+0.5)
Flight is something you would be lacking as a Hexblade/Paladin of Tyranny. (+0.5)
You have a high save DC for Death Touch (especially with how early you get it), can do a lot to tank enemy saves to set it up, and can use it from greater distances with Deformity (Tall). (+0.75)
Feels like a Thrall of Orcus to me. (+0.25)

Babalon – 16 16.5
Originality – 4 Hexblade was common and expected, but Horned Harbinger was pretty nifty. No bonus or penalty for being human. (+0.25)
Others went for the White Raven maneuvers too, but Horned Harbinger comes to your rescue yet again, giving a fun little extra combination with Leading the Charge, opening up use of reach weapons, and giving you a unique source of minionmancy, rebuking. Using a natural weapon to threaten adjacent squares when wielding a reach weapon is a pretty common tactic, but it was a nice change from all the use of Deformity (Tall). (+0.5)
Your fluff was visceral and spooky and wonderful. (+0.25)
Power – 4 Minionmancy, debuffing, a sizable Rebuke pool with divine feats to fuel, White Raven Tactics, and Death Touch elevate you above the standard melee knuckle dragger. You’ve got things to do. (+0.5)
Better still, the things you do, you do well. Both you and your undead army are big and bad, and thanks to your debuffs, your enemies are decidedly less so. (+0.5)
Elegance – 3.75 4.25 The most recent version of Improved Flight (Races of the Wild) specifies that your fly speed must be natural, which means the Demon Wings aren’t enough to qualify you. You would however qualify for Hover. (-0.5) Complete Adventurer was published at the same time and has a version that you qualify for with Demon Wings. (0)
You have a little bouncing between Thrall of Orcus and Horned Harbinger, but your progression is pretty clean and straightforward on the whole, and you avoid multiclass penalties. (+0.25)
Use of Secret Ingredient – 4.25 You don’t do anything with the prerequisite feats, meaning you’re basically breaking even, but a significant number of your feats require higher levels and the abilities therein to qualify, so you benefit from pushing feats back into later levels. You get the same small, begrudging bonus here that I’ve given out to a few others. (+0.25)
You gain Touch of Fear early enough for it to be briefly relevant. (+0.25)
Debuffing and Cha focus make Pallor of Death more potent, but you don’t have the fear stacking synergy that some other builds do. (+0.25)
You have debuff stacking and a good Con mod (boosted by Ability Focus and by Massive Girth) to synergize with Carrion Stench. (+0.5)
You have high Cha and enough debuffing to set Death Touch up pretty well. (+0.5)
Flight is something that you’d have been missing out on as a Hexblade. (+0.5)
Having a baseline minionmancy focus makes the Nightwing and any buffer classed Major Undead more effective. The sheer size of that starting point army of the dead, and the various White Raven stuff you can do to boost the summons makes things even better. (+0.75)
Babalon is a Thrall of Orcus through and through. I especially appreciate the connection between Myrkul and Orcus being played up through your use of Horned Harbinger. (+0.25)

Ankou – 12.75
Originality – 2.25There was another bard, but Jaebrin was a nifty choice for the Will Sapper bite and the fey type. (-0.25)
Inspire Awe is a nice little wrinkle, but for the most part you’re not reinventing the bardic wheel here. You go into dungeons and sing at people. (-0.25)
Power – 2.75 You can debuff and face, but that’s about it, at least until Death Touch comes online to give you a finishing move. (-0.25)
Your debuffing is coming up a little short until you get Doomspeak, but as long as the enemy isn’t immune to fear, you it’s not too bad. (0)
Elegance – 4.5 You qualify for everything. (0)
Turning into fey undead might be questionable at a table, but isn’t here, as the chairman’s word is law. (0)
You have a clean, straightforward build progression and avoid multiclass penalties. (+0.5)
Use of Secret Ingredient – 3.25You don’t use the prerequisite feats for anything, so you’re breaking even at best with the bonus feats. (0)
Your Carrion Stench save DC isn’t as powerful as some due to later entry and lower Con than many other entries. If you qualified for Deformity (Gaunt) this would be even worse. You can whittle away Fort saves a bit though, so you do get some points. (+0.25)
You can buff up your summons a bit, but without Inspire Courage/DFI you’re a bit limited in that regard. (+0.25)
Your high Cha makes your Death Touch formidable and your fear abilities make enemy saves a bit weaker. (+0.5)
Flight is something that you would be missing as a bard. (+0.5)
Your fear stacking and the ability to take undead forms of the fey type allows you to get a lot out of Pallor of Death. (+0.75)
While I get that evil alliances are a thing, Ankou feels more like an agent of the Unseelie Court than the Prince of Undeath. (0)

Ophelia – 15
Originality – 4.5 Ghostwalk Ghost? Eidolon? Eidoloncer? We saw a few Cloistered Cleric dips, but really Cleric was pretty unique too. You got weird for this one and I like it. (+0.75)
In a round downright bloated with debuffers, the various ghost powers are a nice spin. (+0.5)
To top it off you’ve got a nice little spooky story to go along with it. Have some fluff points. (+0.25)
Power – 3.75 Debuffing things down to the point where they either can’t fight any more or can’t resist your death touch is about all you do a lot of the time, but you have a wide range of afflictions, from negative levels, to ability damage/drain in a few different ability scores, to Fear, to nausea, making you a bit more versatile. The incorporeality and possession abilities you have at higher levels, and the undead outsider forms gained through Pallor of Death at higher levels are also a big help. (+0.5)
Even with all the variety, you can still stack the debuffs well. You swing the nerf bat as hard as anyone else in this competition, and that’s saying something. Possessing bodies is a bit situational in how powerful it is, but can be huge and you have better durations to make it less so at higher levels. In the one fight a day where you get it Pallor of Death can be used you’ve got a big hammer to swing. Not being a ghost for the middle 10 levels really hurts you though. (+0.25)
Elegance – 3 You qualify for everything. (0)
Unlisted LA counting as LA+0 for a template is probably the correct interpretation, but it’s not going to fly with every DM. (-0.25)
Bouncing back and forth from being a Ghost to being among the living is really awkward for your overall progression, especially when so much of your focus is on your ghostly abilities. (-0.75)
Use of Secret Ingredient – 3.75 You don’t use the prerequisite feats for anything, so the bonus feats are just helping you break even. (0)
You gain Touch of Fear early enough for it to be briefly relevant. (+0.25)
Between a base Con of only 12 and Skeletal Visage, you don’t have a very high save DC on your carrion stench, but you can do a lot to weaken enemy Fort saves, which balances things out somewhat. (+0.25)
A straight Cleric wouldn’t have much issue with mobility, but strangely enough your ghost template and classes seem to be relatively earthbound, so getting flight helps out there. (+0.25)
You have the ability to deal Con drain on your own which gives you extra synergy with your vampire minion. You don’t really have much of an undead army, as you only rebuke as a third level Cleric and don’t get Animate Dead until 20th level, but there’s a little bit there as well. (+0.5)
Your debuffing makes Pallor of Death hard to resist, and as an Outsider you can take more powerful forms with it. (+0.75)
Your Death Touch has a high save DC, you can deliver it at reach with Deformity (Tall), and you can do a whole lot to tank enemy saves to set it up. (+0.75)
Even with the 10 levels that you lose out on your ghostliness for Orcus’ sake, you still feel less like his Thrall and more like a free agent. (0)

Luxx – 14.25 14.75
Originality – 2.5 There was another Cloistered Cleric/Binder/Tenebrous Apostate. No bonus or penalty for being human. (-0.5)
I’m not going to penalize you for Chosen of Evil, as it’s just about the only way to use the prerequisite feats, but you don’t get any points for it either, as another entrant also thought of it. Your tactics don’t really go that far beyond handbook fare for Binders, though there were cute tidbits here and there. (-0.25)
Even if it was basically a sprucing up and fleshing out of a sample character I thought you did a good job with the backstory. You get fluff points. (+0.25)
Power – 4 It’s hard to fault a Binder/Cleric for versatility. You’ve got a number of effective options from your spells and vestiges, in addition to solid melee capability from your various bonuses. (+0.5)
Unfortunately, your binding and cleric casting are relatively low level, but you can do enough to contribute meaningfully and make your melee power difficult to shut down. (+0.5)
Elegance – 4.25 You qualify for everything. (0)
The Cloistered Cleric dip is unlikely to raise any eyebrows and you avoid multiclass penalties. (+0.25)
Use of Secret Ingredient – 3.5 4 You have a decent Con mod with the bump from Massive Girth, and a few other tricks to stack debuffs, but your debuffing doesn’t seem to have the same oomph as many other entrants. (+0.25) (+0.5)
Similarly, while you have a high Cha, you don’t have the same ability to whittle saves down to set up Death Touch or the various other tricks for boosting it that other entries do and have the ability to set Death Touch up as a finishing move with your debuffs. (+0.25) (+0.5)
Pallor of Death is more of the same story, as you’re an okay debuffer and have Intimidate maxed but don’t have the same dedication to it that others do. (+0.25)
You use the prerequisite feats to fuel Chosen of Evil and qualify for Beloved of Demons, and the spellcasting progression gets you a few more spell levels. (+0.5)
You have a decent baseline minionmancy for a Major Undead buffer or your Nightwing to support and you can support your summons through Tenebrous’ Rebuke. (+0.5)
Flight covers up a glaring weakness as a Binder. (+.5)
Feels like a Thrall of Orcus to me. (+0.25)

Bill E. Kidd – 14.25
Originality – 2.75 Hexblade was common and expected, but Ibixian was really quite clever. I don’t have super strong feelings about the Avenging Executioner levels, but no one else used them. On the whole it comes to a small bonus. (0.25)
Apart from the trick with your summon and the Ibixian racial ability, you’re a pretty standard “scary frontline fighter guy.” (-0.5)
Power – 3 You’re not really super versatile, but you do have fear effects and other solid debuffing, as well as a potent death touch to support your melee. (-0.5)
You get Power Attack kind of late for a frontliner, but you’re a beast in melee and your debuffs and fear are powerful. You really only do one thing, but damn it, you do it well. (+0.5)
Elegance – 4.5 You qualify for everything. (0)
You have a clean, straightforward build progression, avoiding multiclass penalties. (+0.5)
Use of Secret Ingredient – 4 You use Thrall to Demon to qualify for Demonsworn Knight, but the prerequisite feats are otherwise unused and cause you to delay several important feats, like Power Attack and Imperious Command. (0)
You have debuff stacking and a good Con mod (boosted by Ability Focus and by Massive Girth) to synergize with Carrion Stench. (+0.5)
You have high Cha and enough debuffing to set Death Touch up pretty well. (+0.5)
Flight is something that you’d have been missing out on as a Hexblade. (+0.5)
Pack tactics synergizes with the ability to summon Ibixian Major Undead. (+0.5)
You have a lot of fear stacking to synergize with Pallor of Death and the ability to take Monstrous Humanoid undead forms is icing on the cake. (+0.75)
A fat murderous goat monster works as a Thrall of Orcus from where I’m sitting. (+0.25)

Sentrosi – This build is declined judging as it relies on Dragon Magazine content which is not allowed by the rules of Iron Chef.

Ari – 14.5 15
Originality – 4 Spirit Shaman and Cancer Mage were nifty, but the Pouncebarian dip came up in other builds, as you’d expect. When everyone is stuck taking Vile feats at first level anyway, a Vashar is just an a-hole human though, so not bonus or penalty there. (+0.5)
Cancer Mage is always in danger of drifting into known cheese and TO territory as the class is a bit of a mess, but you have some neat tricks and it does get you a distinct spin on the nerf bat routine that the SI basically forces you into. On the whole, I thought it was pretty fun. (+0.5)
Power – 3.5 You have solid debuffing and scouting, but without power attack or much by way of Sneak Attack damage, your melee output is kind of weak. The variety of diseases and the Spirit Shaman spells help a bit, but without TO stuff, your options are a bit more limited than some other entries. (+0.25)
You can do a lot of your debuffing well before the fight even starts, and it sticks with people, meaning you can run away if need be and leave them to the diseases they’re infected with. This is something of a double-edged sword however, as diseases tend to have an incubation period during which they can potentially be removed and aren’t immediately useful in bringing an enemy down. You can debuff really hard under the right conditions though, and you at least have Poison and the Thrall of Orcus abilities for situations when you need something immediately. (+0.25)
Elegance – 3.5 4 The most recent version of Improved Flight (Races of the Wild) specifies that your fly speed must be natural, which means the Demon Wings aren’t enough to qualify you.(-0.5)Complete Adventurer was published at the same time and has a version that you qualify for with Demon Wings. (0)
You bounce around a bit between Cancer Mage and Thrall of Orcus, and have that Barbarian dip, but as long as Cancer Mage isn’t banned, I can’t see anything overly objectionable with your progression. (0)
Use of Secret Ingredient – 3.5 You don’t do anything with the prerequisite feats, and don’t gain much from feats being pushed back to later in your career. You get a higher spell level from spellcasting progression at Thrall of Orcus 1, but really you don’t do enough here to warrant a bonus. (0)
You have lower Cha than many other entrants, no fear or intimidate capability to speak of at the time when you get Pallor of Death, your debuffs aren’t all that well suited to setting up fear, and spreading diseases in advance of the fight means that the weakened saves from Pallor of Death don’t really help. (0)
You gain Touch of Fear early enough for it to be briefly relevant. (+0.25)
Your Death Touch DC is only okay with your Cha, but you have longer reach on it thanks to Deformity (Tall) and can weaken enemy saves against it considerably. (+0.5)
You wouldn’t have much trouble getting flight when you needed it as a Spirit Shaman, but Cancer Mage’s disease spreading really likes it. (+0.5)
Access to Mummy Rot and flanking buddies for Sneak Attack gets you a good bit of use out of the summons. (+0.5)
You have a powerful Carrion Stench thanks to debuff stacking and a high Con (boosted further by Massive Girth and Rage). (+0.75)
There’s room for both, but Ari really feels more like a Cancer Mage than a Thrall of Orcus. (0)

Thrall of Porkus – 9.5
Originality – 3.25 Others used Sorcerer and Barbarian, though Dread Witch was a nice little wrinkle. No one else used half-orc, but it doesn’t seem to really get you anything other than fluff. (-0.25)
Dread Witch fearomancy isn’t especially novel, but it’s at least a distinct means of fear stacking. The Unarmed Strike stuff was interesting to see as well, so you get a little bonus for it here, though you’ll pay for it later. (+0.5)
Power – 2.75 You scrape 6th level spells. You can debuff effectively, especially with fear effects, though I’m not sure what else you can do, as you don’t list spells known, but you at least have a bit of versatility. (+0.25)
The unarmed strike stuff helps you in your emulation fluff, but you’d have been much better off Power Attacking with a two handed weapon. Losing out on higher spell levels costs you a lot as a devoted caster as well. (-0.5)
Elegance – 3.5 You do not qualify for Stunning Fist, as your Dex and Wis are too low. (-0.5)
I’m not sure if Unarmed Strikes actually count as natural weapons for non-Monks, so you may not qualify for Improved Natural Attack, but it doesn’t matter anyway, as non-Monks with Superior Unarmed Strike don’t have any change in unarmed damage based on their size category. (0)
You bounce back and forth between Dread Witch and Thrall of Orcus and have a Barbarian dip, but I can’t see a DM finding your overall progression too much of a problem, and you avoid multiclass penalties. (0)
Use of Secret Ingredient – 0 You do not qualify for Thrall of Orcus, as your BAB is only +3 at the time when you enter. (-1)

Ruk Rak – 9.5
Originality – 3 Others used Barbarian, but Kobold Fighter and Dungeon Lord were surprises, as was non-dragonwrought kobold as a racial choice. There’s no reason to ever not take Dragonwrought as a kobold unless your DM bans it, or you’re going for Originality points (DWK is one of the few things I’d actually penalize as a racial choice as opposed to giving no-bonus or a small bonus), but you do use your racial choice for a few things, so I’ll give you points for it. (+0.5)
Dungeon Lord gives you a few sort of neat abilities, but you don’t drift very far away from a standard “scary fighter guy.” (-0.5)
Power – 2.75 All you really do is melee, but the intimidation stuff and Dungeon Step keeps this from being as bad as it could be. (-0.5)
You’re actually decent in melee, and your intimidation is good even with the penalties it suffers against creatures medium sized and larger due to being small. (+0.25)
Elegance – 3.75 You qualify for everything apart from the Secret Ingredient. (0)
The Barbarian dip is innocuous enough that I’d be inclined to give you a small bonus to your overall progression, but you incur multiclass penalties from level 5 onward as neither Fighter nor Barbarian is a favored class for kobolds. (-0.25)
Use of Secret Ingredient – 0 It was ultimately decided that a SLA is not enough to meet the necromancy spell prerequisite by RAW, so you do not qualify for Thrall of Orcus. (-1)