Khantalas
2007-02-05, 01:09 PM
Champion of the Corrupt Shadow
Champions are usually servants of good, and they find it easy to maintain their purity of spirit because they are vessels of divine power, avatars that grant them strength. However, champions are not infallible, and when they succumb to the call of evil, their patron will eventually abandon them for someone more worthy. To fill the void left by the avatar, these warriors turn to other means, and to a being known only as the Corrupt Shadow - who grants them a shadow of their former power at the cost of their health, sanity and soul. These fallen souls are known as champions of the Corrupt Shadow, and they bring the taint of their vile master everywhere they go.
Fallen champions are the only suitable candidates to be champions of the Corrupt Shadow, since the Corrupt Shadow can only fill the void left by other divine figures. Champion / clerics often turn to this path, even worshipping the Corrupt Shadow as if it were a god.
Adaptation: The easiest way to adapt this prestige class into your campaign setting is to replace the Corrupt Shadow with a similar evil figure. For example, Shar may replace the Corrupt Shadow in Forgotten Realms, already having ties to shadows. In Eberron, the Corrupt Shadow may be one of the Lords of Dust, or even a powerful daelkyr trapped within the Khyber, trying to gain enough power to free himself.
Hit Die: d8.
Requirements
To qualify to become a champion of the Corrupt Shadow, a character must fulfill all the following criteria.
Race: Any non-undead.
Alignment: Any evil.
Skills: Hide 5 ranks, Knowledge (religion) 10 ranks, Move Silently 5 ranks.
Feats: Mad Faith.
Taint: Moderate or higher depravity.
Special: Avatar class feature.
Class Skills
The champion of the Corrupt Shadow's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Bluff (Cha), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Disguise (Cha), Hide (Dex), Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Knowledge (religion) (Int), Knowledge (the planes) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Profession (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Spellcraft (Int), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str) and Tumble (Dex).
Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier.
The champion's avatar form has a separate list of class skills. The avatar form's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Bluff (Cha), Hide (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Spot (Wis) and Tumble (Dex).
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Champion of the Corrupt Shadow
{table=head]Level|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Special|Spells
1st|
+0|
+0|
+2|
+2|Shadow Avatar, Shadow Avatar Form (+1 / day), Shadow of Divine|+1 level of existing divine spellcasting class
2nd|
+1|
+0|
+3|
+3|Grace of the Corrupt Shadow|
-
3rd|
+2|
+1|
+3|
+3|Shadow Avatar Form (+1 / day), Tainted Feat|+1 level of existing divine spellcasting class
4th|
+3|
+1|
+4|
+4|Dark Blink (1 / day)|+1 level of existing divine spellcasting class
5th|
+3|
+1|
+4|
+4|Vampiric Casting|+1 level of existing divine spellcasting class
6th|
+4|
+2|
+5|
+5|Tainted Lash|+1 level of existing divine spellcasting class
7th|
+5|
+2|
+5|
+5|Shadow Avatar Form (+1 / day), Tainted Feat|+1 level of existing divine spellcasting class
8th|
+6|
+2|
+6|
+6|Improved Damage Reduction, Dark Blink (2 / day)|+1 level of existing divine spellcasting class
9th|
+6|
+3|
+6|
+6|Energy Resistance|+1 level of existing divine spellcasting class
10th|
+7|
+3|
+7|
+7|Class Ability|
- [/table]
Class Features
All the following are class features of the champion of the Corrupt Shadow prestige class.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Champions of the Corrupt Shadow gain no proficiency in any weapon or armor.
Spellcasting: At every level except 2nd and 10th, a champion of the Corrupt Shadow gains new spells per day (and spells known, if applicable) in whatever divine spellcasting class he had before he added the prestige class level. He does not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained. If the character had more than one divine spellcasting class before becoming a champion of the Corrupt Shadow, the player must decide to which class to add each champion of the Corrupt Shadow level for the purpose of determining spells per day and spells known.
Shadow Avatar (Su): Even though the divine patron left the champion, the Corrupt Shadow empowers him by granting him the ability to transform into what is a shadow of the avatar. Champion of the Corrupt Shadow levels stack with champion levels for determining qualities of avatar dependent on champion class levels, such as avatar hit dice and skill points. However, the avatar that the Corrupt Shadow grants is quite different than an avatar granted by a good power.
The transformation into avatar form is no longer a spectacular event. In fact, the champion of the Corrupt Shadow may attempt a Hide check as a swift action at a +10 circumstance bonus at the same time with the transformation. The shadow avatar is a Medium-sized Undead with the Evil subtype, and it slightly resembles the former avatar of the champion. The exact appearance varies with the champion, but they are all manifestations of the Corrupt Shadow, and are dark, twisted copies of the former avatar. The champion of the Corrupt Shadow has no Constitution score in shadow avatar form, and the shadow avatar's Constitution score replaces his Charisma score if higher. The shadow avatar gains bonus hit points equal to his Charisma modifier for every Hit Dice he has. The shadow avatar's Will save has good save progression. The shadow avatar is no longer susceptible to effects that affect outsiders, but it is susceptible to effects that affect undead. The avatar's damage reduction (if it has any) can be bypassed by good weapons, rather than evil. Although the shadow avatar's corruption and depravity scores remain the same as the champion's, he doesn't suffer from and retains his bonus feats granted by a high taint score.
This power comes at a price, however. When the transformation ends, the champion must make a Fortitude save (DC 5 + 1/2 champion of the Corrupt Shadow levels (rounded up) + champion's corruption score) or have his corruption score increased by 1d4 points and a Will save (DC 5 + 1/2 champion of the Corrupt Shadow levels (rounded up) + champion's depravity score) or have his depravity score increased by 1d4 points. This is the risky game every champion of the Corrupt Shadow plays in order to retain their powers, and what may ultimately lead to their destruction.
At 1st, 3rd and 7th levels, the number of times the champion can transform into the shadow avatar increases by one.
Shadow of Divine: The spells granted to a good champion do not fit the path of the Corrupt Shadow. Remove the following spells from the champion spell list: bless, bless weapon, cure critical wounds, cure light wounds, cure moderate wounds, cure serious wounds, detect evil, dispel evil, holy sword, magic circle against evil, prayer, protection from evil, shield other and remove fear. Add the following spells to the champion spell list: 1st - bane, cause fear, corrupt weapon*, detect good, inflict light wounds, protection from good; 2nd - death knell, inflict moderate wound; 3rd - contagion, inflict serious wounds, magic circle against good; 4th - dispel good, inflict critical wounds, unholy sword*.
Grace of the Corrupt Shadow (Ex): Beginning at second level, the champion of the Corrupt Shadow gains the grace of his vile patron, and a profane bonus to Bluff, Hide and Move Silently checks equal to half his champion of the Corrupt Shadow level (rounded down). He retains this bonus in shadow avatar form.
Tainted Feat (Ex): At 3rd and 7th level, the champion of the Corrupt Shadow gains a bonus tainted feat. He must still meet all the prerequisites to gain a feat, including a high taint score. He retains these feats in shadow avatar form.
Dark Blink (Sp): Starting at 4th level, once per day as a standard action, the champion of the Corrupt Shadow may spread his tainted essence, just like a taint elemental, and reform at another location, duplicating the spell dimension door. The range of this ability is dependent on the champion's corruption score: it has a range of close if the champion has mild corruption, medium if moderate and long if severe. At 8th level, the champion may use this ability twice per day. The shadow avatar does not retain this ability.
Vampiric Casting (Ex): At 5th level, the champion of the Corrupt Shadow gains the ability to use negative energy to transfer his opponent's life energy to himself. If he inflicts negative energy damage to a living creature with an inflict spell, he heals himself of damage equal to the damage dealt by the spell.
Tainted Lash (Su): Beginnig at 6th level, the shadow avatar gains the ability to wield his corruption as a physical weapon. This manifests as a whip-like shadow that the shadow avatar is proficient with. This functions exactly like a whip, and the avatar may apply his bonuses from feats such as Weapon Focus (whip) to this weapon. The lash deals 1d6 damage, with a +1 enhancement bonus to attack rolls for every ten points of depravity and a +1 enhancement bonus to damage rolls for every five points of corruption the shadow avatar has. Anyone hit by the lash must make a Fortitude save (DC 10 + 1/2 champion's level + champion's corruption score) or gain 1d4 points of Corruption.
Even though this is a supernatural ability, the shadow avatar may make a Concentration check (DC 15 + champion of the Corrupt Shadow levels) to retain the lash in a place where supernatural abilities don't work, such as an antimagic field.
Improved Damage Reduction (Su): At 8th level, the shadow avatar gains 5 / good or silver (if lawful evil) or cold iron (if chaotic evil). A neutral evil champion may choose which type of metal overcomes their damage reduction. This stacks with the damage reduction the shadow avatar may have gained from champion levels.
Energy Resistance (Su): At 9th level, the shadow avatar gains 5 points of resistance to acid, cold and fire. These stack with any energy resistance that the avatar might have gained due to champion levels.
* Corrupt Weapon and Unholy Sword are the evil equivalents of Bless Weapon and Holy Sword, respectively. Corrupt Weapon increases the effectiveness of a weapon against good creatures and Unholy Sword gives a weapon the unholy enhancement and the weapon emits a magic circle against good.
***
I need a keystone ability that has ties to taint. Any comments and advice otherwise?
Champions are usually servants of good, and they find it easy to maintain their purity of spirit because they are vessels of divine power, avatars that grant them strength. However, champions are not infallible, and when they succumb to the call of evil, their patron will eventually abandon them for someone more worthy. To fill the void left by the avatar, these warriors turn to other means, and to a being known only as the Corrupt Shadow - who grants them a shadow of their former power at the cost of their health, sanity and soul. These fallen souls are known as champions of the Corrupt Shadow, and they bring the taint of their vile master everywhere they go.
Fallen champions are the only suitable candidates to be champions of the Corrupt Shadow, since the Corrupt Shadow can only fill the void left by other divine figures. Champion / clerics often turn to this path, even worshipping the Corrupt Shadow as if it were a god.
Adaptation: The easiest way to adapt this prestige class into your campaign setting is to replace the Corrupt Shadow with a similar evil figure. For example, Shar may replace the Corrupt Shadow in Forgotten Realms, already having ties to shadows. In Eberron, the Corrupt Shadow may be one of the Lords of Dust, or even a powerful daelkyr trapped within the Khyber, trying to gain enough power to free himself.
Hit Die: d8.
Requirements
To qualify to become a champion of the Corrupt Shadow, a character must fulfill all the following criteria.
Race: Any non-undead.
Alignment: Any evil.
Skills: Hide 5 ranks, Knowledge (religion) 10 ranks, Move Silently 5 ranks.
Feats: Mad Faith.
Taint: Moderate or higher depravity.
Special: Avatar class feature.
Class Skills
The champion of the Corrupt Shadow's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Bluff (Cha), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Disguise (Cha), Hide (Dex), Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Knowledge (religion) (Int), Knowledge (the planes) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Profession (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Spellcraft (Int), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str) and Tumble (Dex).
Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier.
The champion's avatar form has a separate list of class skills. The avatar form's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Bluff (Cha), Hide (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Spot (Wis) and Tumble (Dex).
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Champion of the Corrupt Shadow
{table=head]Level|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Special|Spells
1st|
+0|
+0|
+2|
+2|Shadow Avatar, Shadow Avatar Form (+1 / day), Shadow of Divine|+1 level of existing divine spellcasting class
2nd|
+1|
+0|
+3|
+3|Grace of the Corrupt Shadow|
-
3rd|
+2|
+1|
+3|
+3|Shadow Avatar Form (+1 / day), Tainted Feat|+1 level of existing divine spellcasting class
4th|
+3|
+1|
+4|
+4|Dark Blink (1 / day)|+1 level of existing divine spellcasting class
5th|
+3|
+1|
+4|
+4|Vampiric Casting|+1 level of existing divine spellcasting class
6th|
+4|
+2|
+5|
+5|Tainted Lash|+1 level of existing divine spellcasting class
7th|
+5|
+2|
+5|
+5|Shadow Avatar Form (+1 / day), Tainted Feat|+1 level of existing divine spellcasting class
8th|
+6|
+2|
+6|
+6|Improved Damage Reduction, Dark Blink (2 / day)|+1 level of existing divine spellcasting class
9th|
+6|
+3|
+6|
+6|Energy Resistance|+1 level of existing divine spellcasting class
10th|
+7|
+3|
+7|
+7|Class Ability|
- [/table]
Class Features
All the following are class features of the champion of the Corrupt Shadow prestige class.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Champions of the Corrupt Shadow gain no proficiency in any weapon or armor.
Spellcasting: At every level except 2nd and 10th, a champion of the Corrupt Shadow gains new spells per day (and spells known, if applicable) in whatever divine spellcasting class he had before he added the prestige class level. He does not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained. If the character had more than one divine spellcasting class before becoming a champion of the Corrupt Shadow, the player must decide to which class to add each champion of the Corrupt Shadow level for the purpose of determining spells per day and spells known.
Shadow Avatar (Su): Even though the divine patron left the champion, the Corrupt Shadow empowers him by granting him the ability to transform into what is a shadow of the avatar. Champion of the Corrupt Shadow levels stack with champion levels for determining qualities of avatar dependent on champion class levels, such as avatar hit dice and skill points. However, the avatar that the Corrupt Shadow grants is quite different than an avatar granted by a good power.
The transformation into avatar form is no longer a spectacular event. In fact, the champion of the Corrupt Shadow may attempt a Hide check as a swift action at a +10 circumstance bonus at the same time with the transformation. The shadow avatar is a Medium-sized Undead with the Evil subtype, and it slightly resembles the former avatar of the champion. The exact appearance varies with the champion, but they are all manifestations of the Corrupt Shadow, and are dark, twisted copies of the former avatar. The champion of the Corrupt Shadow has no Constitution score in shadow avatar form, and the shadow avatar's Constitution score replaces his Charisma score if higher. The shadow avatar gains bonus hit points equal to his Charisma modifier for every Hit Dice he has. The shadow avatar's Will save has good save progression. The shadow avatar is no longer susceptible to effects that affect outsiders, but it is susceptible to effects that affect undead. The avatar's damage reduction (if it has any) can be bypassed by good weapons, rather than evil. Although the shadow avatar's corruption and depravity scores remain the same as the champion's, he doesn't suffer from and retains his bonus feats granted by a high taint score.
This power comes at a price, however. When the transformation ends, the champion must make a Fortitude save (DC 5 + 1/2 champion of the Corrupt Shadow levels (rounded up) + champion's corruption score) or have his corruption score increased by 1d4 points and a Will save (DC 5 + 1/2 champion of the Corrupt Shadow levels (rounded up) + champion's depravity score) or have his depravity score increased by 1d4 points. This is the risky game every champion of the Corrupt Shadow plays in order to retain their powers, and what may ultimately lead to their destruction.
At 1st, 3rd and 7th levels, the number of times the champion can transform into the shadow avatar increases by one.
Shadow of Divine: The spells granted to a good champion do not fit the path of the Corrupt Shadow. Remove the following spells from the champion spell list: bless, bless weapon, cure critical wounds, cure light wounds, cure moderate wounds, cure serious wounds, detect evil, dispel evil, holy sword, magic circle against evil, prayer, protection from evil, shield other and remove fear. Add the following spells to the champion spell list: 1st - bane, cause fear, corrupt weapon*, detect good, inflict light wounds, protection from good; 2nd - death knell, inflict moderate wound; 3rd - contagion, inflict serious wounds, magic circle against good; 4th - dispel good, inflict critical wounds, unholy sword*.
Grace of the Corrupt Shadow (Ex): Beginning at second level, the champion of the Corrupt Shadow gains the grace of his vile patron, and a profane bonus to Bluff, Hide and Move Silently checks equal to half his champion of the Corrupt Shadow level (rounded down). He retains this bonus in shadow avatar form.
Tainted Feat (Ex): At 3rd and 7th level, the champion of the Corrupt Shadow gains a bonus tainted feat. He must still meet all the prerequisites to gain a feat, including a high taint score. He retains these feats in shadow avatar form.
Dark Blink (Sp): Starting at 4th level, once per day as a standard action, the champion of the Corrupt Shadow may spread his tainted essence, just like a taint elemental, and reform at another location, duplicating the spell dimension door. The range of this ability is dependent on the champion's corruption score: it has a range of close if the champion has mild corruption, medium if moderate and long if severe. At 8th level, the champion may use this ability twice per day. The shadow avatar does not retain this ability.
Vampiric Casting (Ex): At 5th level, the champion of the Corrupt Shadow gains the ability to use negative energy to transfer his opponent's life energy to himself. If he inflicts negative energy damage to a living creature with an inflict spell, he heals himself of damage equal to the damage dealt by the spell.
Tainted Lash (Su): Beginnig at 6th level, the shadow avatar gains the ability to wield his corruption as a physical weapon. This manifests as a whip-like shadow that the shadow avatar is proficient with. This functions exactly like a whip, and the avatar may apply his bonuses from feats such as Weapon Focus (whip) to this weapon. The lash deals 1d6 damage, with a +1 enhancement bonus to attack rolls for every ten points of depravity and a +1 enhancement bonus to damage rolls for every five points of corruption the shadow avatar has. Anyone hit by the lash must make a Fortitude save (DC 10 + 1/2 champion's level + champion's corruption score) or gain 1d4 points of Corruption.
Even though this is a supernatural ability, the shadow avatar may make a Concentration check (DC 15 + champion of the Corrupt Shadow levels) to retain the lash in a place where supernatural abilities don't work, such as an antimagic field.
Improved Damage Reduction (Su): At 8th level, the shadow avatar gains 5 / good or silver (if lawful evil) or cold iron (if chaotic evil). A neutral evil champion may choose which type of metal overcomes their damage reduction. This stacks with the damage reduction the shadow avatar may have gained from champion levels.
Energy Resistance (Su): At 9th level, the shadow avatar gains 5 points of resistance to acid, cold and fire. These stack with any energy resistance that the avatar might have gained due to champion levels.
* Corrupt Weapon and Unholy Sword are the evil equivalents of Bless Weapon and Holy Sword, respectively. Corrupt Weapon increases the effectiveness of a weapon against good creatures and Unholy Sword gives a weapon the unholy enhancement and the weapon emits a magic circle against good.
***
I need a keystone ability that has ties to taint. Any comments and advice otherwise?