Iron Chef Optimisation Challenge in the Playground LXXXIX

[Heliomance]

A dimly-lit library. Rows of bookshelves line the walls, and as the camera slowly pans over them, we see that they are filled with gaming books. From the original brown-cover D&D manuals to the newest fifth edition supplements, we are given a brief but breathtaking history of over four decades of gaming in visual form.

A pair of feet, clad in Converse, appear. The camera pans back to reveal the Chairwoman as she strides out into Optimization Stadium. Slowly, she looks around at the battleground. Rapidly, we are shown shots of the gaming materials here assembled: books, miniatures, maps, dice. The Chairwoman reaches down and picks up a twenty-sided die. She rolls it, then turns to the camera... and smiles.

The camera pulls back from the smile to reveal... the Iron Gamers. Row upon row they stand, clad in the uniform of their trade: t-shirts with fantasy images, buttons with obscure quotes from novels and movies, dice bags at the ready. The shot dissolves into flames and the logo:


Iron Gamer

A montage of the contestants plays, with summaries of their optimization triumphs and achievements. Interspersed are brief interviews. Finally, though, the introductions are over. The contestants stand arrayed before the Chairwoman.

Chairwoman: We unveil the ingredient!

Tense music plays as the pedestal containing the mystery ingredient rises from below. Stacked neatly on the pedestal are copies of the Book of Vile Darkness.

Chairwoman: As requested, so delivered! Happy early Hallowe'en, everybody! This month's theme is... Thrall of Demogorgon! ALLEZ OPTIMISER!


-----------------------------------------------------------------

Welcome, contestants, judges, and guests to Iron Chef LXXXIV. Here in Optimisation Colosseum, contestants will endeavour to create an optimised and flavourful character using a specified D&D3.5 prestige class as a "Secret Ingredient".

Contestants: You will need to present a full 20-level build for your entry. Also required is a rundown of how your build works at lower levels, to demonstrate that it is a functional character that could be played from 1-20 in a real game. Traditionally contestants give "snapshots" of tactics and abilities at levels 5, 10, 15, and 20, as well as a "sweet spot" of their choosing that represents what they believe to be the high point of the build. The purpose of these snapshots is not just to showcase your use of the SI, it is to demonstrate that your character is playable at every level. For this reason, it's still worth giving a snapshot before you have entered the SI.

Menu: The "special ingredient" can be drawn from any legal source. Originally, the plan was to mostly use Core and Completes, but that was a long time ago, and we've started running out of interesting classes to use if we restrict ourselves to those.

32 point-buy is the presumed creation method, but we have generally allowed other levels of point-buy.
If you do use a different point-buy, please make your case for its necessity in your entry. Keep in mind that for using exceptionally large or small point-buys may warrant deductions in elegance and/or power.

Kitchen: Competitors will be free to use any official 3.5 rulebook in constructing their builds. Dragon magazine is disallowed, and Unearthed Arcana is allowed; but see Elegance below. Web-exclusive 3.0 or 3.5 materials by WotC are expressly allowed, but take care to verify that an updated version did not appear in print elsewhere, as this may cause an Elegance deduction at the judges' discretion. Alternate rule systems from UA such as gestalt or Generic Classes are not allowed, as they create a different playing field. Also, item familiars are forbidden because I hate 'em. Please refrain from using Taint unless it's necessary for the Secret Ingredient.
NB: Official Errata and 3.5 updates to 3.0 content are considered valid regardless of whether their sources would otherwise be legal. This includes the 3.5 update of Oriental Adventures given in Dragon Magazine, and the 3.5 updates of Dragonlance Campaign Setting content given in later third party Dragonlance books.

Cooking Time: Contestants will have until 07:59 GMT on Tuesday, October 3rd, 2017 to create their builds and PM them to the Chairwoman, Heliomance. Please put the name of your build in the subject line of your PM. Builds will then be posted simultaneously, to avoid copying. Judges will have until 07:59 GMT on Tuesday, October 17th, 2017 to judge the builds and submit their scores. If no judges have scored by that point, only the scores of the first judge to submit will be counted.

Judging: Judging will be based on the following criteria, with each build rated on a scale from 1 (very poor) to 5 (exemplary) in each area: Originality, Power, Elegance, Use of Secret Ingredient.

Power level is up to you. Cheese is acceptable, but should be kept to a sane level unless you're showcasing a new TO build you've discovered. In the words of one of my predecessors, a little cheddar can be nice, but avoid the mature Gruyere unless you're making a cheese fondue.
Elegance could bear a little elaboration. It basically measures how skillfully you put your build together, and whether you sacrificed flavor for power. We're cooking here - if your dish doesn't taste good, it doesn't matter how well-presented it is. Use of flaws is considered in poor taste, and judges are asked to take a dim view of this option, taking it into account while grading. Other things that will cause penalties here are excessive multi-classing, and classes that don't fit the concept - using Cloistered Cleric in a front-line melee fighter, for example, will lose you points.Please note the following change: a legal source's relative obscurity should not be considered as penalizing Elegance, excepting the aforementioned issues with Unearthed Arcana. Using too many sources may result in a penalty to Elegance at the judges' discretion, but a book's relative obscurity may not. In that same vein, drawing solely from the Core 3 (and the d20 SRD) should not be punished for lacking Originality.
Presentation: Builds will be posted anonymously, in order to avoid the potential of bias towards a particular competitor. For this reason, please don't put your name in the build, as I'm likely to miss it when reviewing the entries!

Due to concerns about standardizing entry format, I'd like everyone to try to use the following table for their entry.NAME OF ENTRY


Level
Class
Base Attack Bonus
Fort Save
Ref Save
Will Save
Skills
Feats
Class Features


1st
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities


2nd
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities


3rd
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities


4th
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities


5th
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities


6th
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities


7th
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities


8th
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities


9th
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities


10th
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities


11th
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities


12th
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities


13th
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities


14th
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities


15th
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities


16th
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities


17th
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities


18th
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities


19th
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities


20th
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities



Code immediately below (spoiler).

Level
Class
Base Attack Bonus
Fort Save
Ref Save
Will Save
Skills
Feats
Class Features


1st
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities


2nd
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities


3rd
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities


4th
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities


5th
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities


6th
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities


7th
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities


8th
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities


9th
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities


10th
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities


11th
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities


12th
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities


13th
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities


14th
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities


15th
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities


16th
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities


17th
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities


18th
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities


19th
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities


20th
New Class Level
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Feats
New Class Abilities



For entries with spellcasting, use the following table for Spells per day and Spells Known. (Spells Known only if necessary, i.e. Sorcerer or Bard, but not Wizard or Warmage)Spells per Day/Spells Known
Spells per Day/Spells Known


Level
0lvl
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
8th
9th


1st
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


2nd
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


3rd
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


4th
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


5th
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


6th
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


7th
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


8th
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


9th
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


10th
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


11th
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


12th
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


13th
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


14th
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


15th
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


16th
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


17th
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


18th
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


19th
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


20th
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


Code immediately below (spoiler)Spells per Day/Spells Known
Spells per Day/Spells Known


Level
0lvl
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
8th
9th


1st
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


2nd
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


3rd
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


4th
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


5th
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


6th
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


7th
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


8th
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


9th
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


10th
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


11th
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


12th
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


13th
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


14th
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


15th
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


16th
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


17th
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


18th
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


19th
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


20th
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-



For other systems (Psionics, ToB, Incarnum, etc.) keep track of PP/maneuvers/essentia separately, preferably in a nice neat list.
Speculation: Please don't post or speculate on possible builds until the "reveal," in order to avoid spoiling the surprise if a particular competitor is producing a build along those lines.

Leadership is banned; we're producing a meal, not a seven-course banquet for a hundred diners. If your entry includes a prestige class or ACF that grants Leadership or a Leadership-like ability as a bonus feat, the feat should be ignored and is not eligible to be traded away for another feat or ACF through any means.

So! Who wants to sign up as a contestant, and who wants to sign up as a judge? Looking for as many contestants and judges as feel like playing!

We will award 1st through 3rd places, as well as a shout-out for honourable mention. The honourable mention prize is given to the most daring or unexpected build. Judges, contestants and guests alike are invited to vote for honourable mention via PM. If there are no votes, Honourable Mention will go to the chairwoman's favourite build.

The Builds

Past Competitions

Iron Chef I: Entropomancer (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=142470)
Iron Chef II: Psibond Agent (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=146583)
Iron Chef III: Cancer Mage (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=148584)
Iron Chef IV: Stonelord (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=150595)
Iron Chef V: War Chanter (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=152543)
Iron Chef VI: Master of Masks (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=156876)
Iron Chef VII: Green Star Adept (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158633)
Iron Chef VIII: Pyrokineticist (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=160266)
Iron Chef IX: Animal Lord (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=162702)
Iron Chef X: Mythic Exemplar (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=164381)
Iron Chef XI: Blade Bravo (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=166539)
Iron Chef XII: War Mind (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=9426386)
Iron Chef XIII: Vigilante (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=172233)
Iron Chef XIV: Seeker of the Song (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=174434)
Iron Chef XV: Drunken Master (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=176049)
Iron Chef XVI: Assassin (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=178202)
Iron Chef XVII: Ardent Dilettante (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=182492)
Iron Chef XVIII: Unseelie Dark Hunter (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=186097)
Iron Chef XIX: Dread Pirate (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190607)
Iron Chef XX: Incandescent Champion (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=10976416)
Iron Chef XXI: Ghostwalker (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=198921)
Iron Chef XXII: Dervish (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=206576)
Iron Chef XXIII: Divine Crusader (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=210071)
Iron Chef XXIV: Tactical Soldier (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=214198)
Iron Chef XXV: Scion of Tem-Et-Nu (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=217441)
Iron Chef XXVI: Shadowdancer (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=220956)
Iron Chef XXVII: Mindbender (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=224008)
Iron Chef XXVIII: Cryokineticist (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=227304)
Iron Chef XXIX: Consecrated Harrier (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=229688)
Iron Chef XXX: Initiate of Pistis Sophia (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=233346)
Iron Chef XXXI: Shadow Sentinel (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=236908)
Iron Chef XXXII: Temple Raider of Olidammara (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=239786)
Iron Chef XXXIII: Drow Judicator (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=243052)
Iron Chef XXXIV: Dragon Disciple (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=246072)
Iron Chef XXXV: Death Delver (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=249542)
Iron Chef XXXVI: Acolyte of the Skin (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=252923)
Iron Chef XXXVII: Justiciar (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13865473)
Iron Chef XXXVIII: Hand of the Winged Master (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=255215)
Iron Chef XXXIX: Renegade Mastermaker (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=260333)
Iron Chef XL: Nightsong Infiltrator (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=263173)
Iron Chef XLI: Geomancer (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=266709)
Iron Chef XLII: Shadowblade (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=270196)
Iron Chef XLIII: Bladesinger (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=274122)
Iron Chef XLIV: Urban Soul (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=279116)
Iron Chef XLV: Talon of Tiamat (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15216595)
Iron Chef XLVI: Cipher Adept (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=287314)
Iron Chef XLVII: Cold Iron Warrior (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=291294)
Iron Chef XLVIII: Shadow Sun Ninja (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=297327)
Iron Chef XLIX: Thrall to Orcus (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=302487)
Iron Chef L: Corrupt Avenger (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=307823)
Iron Chef LI: Black Flame Zealot (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=312773)
Iron Chef LII: Anointed Knight (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=317934)
Iron Chef LIII: Zerth Cenobite (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=325164)
Iron Chef LIV: Osteomancer (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=330890)
Iron Chef LV: Mountebank (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?336373-Iron-Chef-Optimization-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LV)
Iron Chef LVI: Dwarven Defender (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?342807-Iron-Chef-Optimization-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LVI)
Iron Chef LVII: Darkrunner (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?349040-Iron-Chef-Optimization-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LVII)
Iron Chef LVIII: Spellsword (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?357412-Iron-Chef-Optimization-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LVIII)
Iron Chef LIX: Fleet Runner of Ehlonna (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?364667-Iron-Chef-Optimization-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LIX)
Iron Chef LX: Lasher (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?371835-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LX)
Iron Chef LX(II): Acolyte of the Ego (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?372145-Iron-Chef-Optimization-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LX)
Iron Chef LXII: Dungeon Lord (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?376810-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXII)
Iron Cheff LXIII: Witchborn Binder (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?382632-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXIII)
Iron Chef LXIV: Slime Lord (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?387166-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXIV)
Iron Chef LXV: Thunder Guide (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?394981-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXV)
Iron Chef LXVI: Dwarven Chanter (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?400810-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXVI)
Irogn Chef LXVII: Gnome Giant Slayer (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?406613-Irogn-Chef-Optimisatiogn-Challegnge-ign-the-Playgrougnd-LXVII)
Iron Chef LXVIII: Fang of Lolth (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?412530-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXVIII)
Iron Chef LXIX: Shiba Protector (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?420165-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXIX)
Iron Chef LXX: Order of the Bow Initiate (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?425634-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXX)
Iron Chef LXXI: Silver Key (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?431484-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXXI)
Iron Chef LXXII: Spellfire Channeler (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?439020-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXXII)
Iron Chef LXXIII: Flux Adept (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?448596-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXXIII)
Iron Chef LXXIV: Crinti Shadow Marauder (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?458711-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXXIV)
Iron Chef LXXV: Thief of Life (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?472831-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXXV)
Iron Chef LXXVI: Legacy Champion (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?477153-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXXVI)
Iron Chef LXXVII: Great Rift Skyguard (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?482249-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXXVII)
Iron Chef LXVIII: Risen Martyr (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?487560-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXXVIII)
Iron Chef LXXIX: Black Blood Hunter (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?492923-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXXIX)
Iron Chef LXXX: Master of Many Forms (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?498359-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXXX)
Iron Chef LXXXI: Serene Guardian (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?502666-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXXXI)
Iron Chef LXXXII: Elocator (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?505762-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXXXII)
Iron Chef LXXXIII: Winterhaunt of Iboorighu (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?510581-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXXXIII)
Iron Chef LXXXIV: Waverider (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?514631-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXXXIV)
Iron Chef LXXXV: Astral Dancer (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?519296-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXXXV)
Iron Chef LXXXVI: Twisted Lord (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?525401-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXXXVI)
Iron Chef LXXXVII: Shadowsmith (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?528361-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXXXVII)
Iron Chef LXXXVIII: Arboreal Guardian (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?533367-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-LXXXVIII)

[Heliomance]

FAQ:
Q: What's this even about?
A: I'm glad you asked, actually... (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=15415117&postcount=1)

Q: Is Dragon Compendium Allowed?
A: Yes (as well as its Errata), but individual issues of Dragon Magazine are not.

Q: What about 3.0 materials?
A: 3.0 materials, whether online or in printed form, are allowed unless they've been officially updated to a 3.5 edition.

Q: Are Dragonlance, Ravenloft, Planescape, Dark Sun, or Kingdoms of Kalamar allowable sources?
A: The Dragonlance Campaign Setting is allowed, but the subsequent books for Dragonlance are considered 3rd party, and are therefore not eligible, despite the "WotC approved" status of those books. The same holds for Oriental Adventures (1st party) and the subsequent Rokugan books (3rd party). Materials from Ravenloft, Planescape, Dark Sun, and Kingdoms of Kalamar are considered 3rd party for purposes of this contest, and are therefore not allowed.

Q: What about online sources in general?
A: If the online source is a) published by WotC, and b) not replaced by an updated version at a later time, it is eligible. Use it, link it.

Q: Where's the line drawn with "acceptable/unacceptable" for Unearthed Arcana? This will likely vary a bit from Chairman to Chairman. Item Familiars and Gestalt have always been verboten, since before IC migrated to GitP; don't expect that to change. Flaws have similarly always been noted as warranting a deduction; while I am Chairman, I'm extending that to Traits, though they warrant 1/2 the penalty in Elegance that a Flaw would because they're roughly 1/2 as useful. Alternate spell systems, alternate skill systems and alternate crafting rules all create an uneven playing field, and as such, will be disallowed for as long as I am Chairman. In a similar vein, LA buyoff and fractional BAB are also disallowed. Bloodlines and the Retraining options presented in the PHB2 are ripe for abuse, and will be strongly discouraged as long as I am Chairman. Note that judges are allowed to look askance at any use of Unearthed Arcana not specifically mentioned above, at their discretion, and otherwise penalize Elegance according to their preference.

Q: What, exactly, does the ban on Leadership mean?
A: As folks have started to try to work around the edges of this one, I'm forced to spell it out more plainly. No Leadership, Draconic Cohort, or Feats that grant a similar ability are allowed EXCEPT Wild Cohort while Heliomance is chairman. Any PrC you choose with Leadership or a Leadership-analog has that ability entirely ignored for this contest, as it may neither be used nor traded away via any means whatsoever.

Q: What's the minimum score in a category?
A: Assuming an entry is legal, the minimum score in any category is 1. If a judge is convinced that an entry is mechanically illegal by the RAW, the judge may give the build a score of 0 in Elegance, and proceed to judge the entry as if the offending material was not included. Failing to meet a special requirement for a prestige class does not merit a 0, but may qualify for a penalty, at the judge's discretion. Because this contest focuses on Player Characters, an entry that is not technically allowed for a PC, but is viable as an NPC, counts as a legal entry, but may receive a minimum score at the judges' discretion.

Q: Creatures and templates with no listed LA are playable, right?
A: No. No listed LA is equivalent to LA: -. It is not suitable for PCs. If you use it, expect judges to look extremely disfavourably on it.

Q: So what's the deal with equipment, anyway?
A: There is no official policy on how much equipment you should list. Historically, judges have frowned upon "item dependent" builds, but unfortunately the definition of that has been applied to mean anything from builds that don't function if you remove one very specific item, to builds that so much as mention a particular weapon. Builds that don't list gear should be assumed to buy useful generics - items to boost their primary stats, cloaks of resistance, appropriate magical weapons and armour, and so forth. If a build would find particular items useful, they should be listed, but experience suggests that the more generic you keep them, the more favourably judges are likely to look upon them, as a build being shut down because the Thundering Bagpipes of Urist McTrumpetbritches were unavailable is considered a weakness. Similarly, requiring items in order to be able to qualify for things tends to be frowned upon.

Q: Do you have any other rules and guidelines on how to judge?
A: We do, actually, designed to try and avoid unpleasantness we've encountered in past contests. The things we've come up with to avoid repeating this are given below.

One Mistake, One Penalty

Judges are only allowed to penalise once for a given mistake. If someone messes up their skills and doesn't qualify for a PrC, ding them as hard as you like. Once. In one category. You don't then get to declare that because they didn't qualify for that PrC, they don't get those levels, and thus don't qualify for anything else. If Ranger is a common ingredient, ding them for Originality. Once. Don't also take off points for Two-Weapon-Fighting being a common ingredient.

Non-exhaustive list of examples:

Skills

Allowed:

Giving a penalty for miscalculating the number of skill points gained
Giving a penalty for not having enough ranks to meet a prerequisite
Increasing the harshness of a skill miscalculation penalty if it affects critical skills including prereqs


Not allowed:

Giving separate penalties for miscalculating skill points and for non-qualification where the non-qualification is solely caused by the miscalculation



Prereqs

Allowed:

Giving a penalty for not meeting prereqs
Scaling the penalty depending on how important the item that the build failed to qualify for is
Giving minimum score in UotSI for not qualifying for the SI
(Trial, may be disallowed later)Not giving credit for (note: not the same as penalising for) tactics using feats or classes other than the SI that were not qualified for (but see below)


Not Allowed:

"Cascading" failures to qualify - declaring that because a build doesn't qualify for a feat, for example, it also doesn't qualify for anything using that feat as a prereq
Treating a build as having fewer levels than it does because of FtQ for classes



Other general things that are no longer allowed:

Penalising because someone has chosen to build a tribute to an existing creative work
Deciding that a backstory has not met a fluff prerequisite well enough, or because its method of meeting it is "unrealistic". You may penalise if a fluff prereq is not addressed at all, but not for how well it is addressed.


Note that these are protections, not licenses. Deliberately taking a feat that you know you don't qualify for hoping to just suck up the judging penalty for a feat that you couldn't normally take is not okay, and may lead to your build being disqualified.

Q: Do you have any contest house rules or clarifications to ambiguous rules?
A: Some that have come up in previous contests and needed answers to:

All creatures are proficient with any natural weapons they may have or acquire.
Bonus feats that are granted even if you do not meet the prerequisites do not require you to meet the prerequisites in order to use.
Able Learner's benefit applies to the level you take it.


Q: Can I submit more than one entry?
A: You may submit up to two entries into a given competition.

[ZamielVanWeber]

Good news: cool SI. Bad news: thanks to the magic of bad editing IIRC this has unique BAB and save progressions. What do? I think I was supposed to be 3/4 BAB, Bad/Good/Good saves but I cannot find an errata file.

Edit: Also is it just me or is this an unusually good SI? I have ideas.

[Venger]

Good news: cool SI. Bad news: thanks to the magic of bad editing IIRC this has unique BAB and save progressions. What do? I think I was supposed to be 3/4 BAB, Bad/Good/Good saves but I cannot find an errata file.

Edit: Also is it just me or is this an unusually good SI? I have ideas.

no it doesn't. it's got full ba and a good fort save. some of the other classes, such as disciple of mammon have unique bab, but it was never errataed and monte claimed he toooooootally did it that way on purpose.

[ZamielVanWeber]

My copy must be off. Really off. Thank you.

[jdizzlean]

Might be in to cook again, if i can't get it done in time, I'll try judging this round :)

[Karl Aegis]

Please tell me these supernatural abilities are not, in fact, standard actions to use.

[Venger]

Please tell me these supernatural abilities are not, in fact, standard actions to use.

yeah if the chair could give us a break and just let us assume they're passive buffs like monte thinks they are, that would be great, otherwise they really don't do anything.

[Darrin]

Please tell me these supernatural abilities are not, in fact, standard actions to use.

By default... yes, they are standard actions.

This is particularly disappointing for Reaching Touch (Su), as you have to waste a round just to use it on your next round. I guess you still get the reach on AoOs until your turn comes up again.

Dual Actions I think we might have some wiggle room. Even though activating it would be standard action, the effect explicitly says you can take two rounds worth of actions in the same round. The sticking point would be, does that standard action count against you? Strict RAW might say yes, and thus you only get move/move/standard or move/full round available that round. However, I'd argue that violates the intent of the ability: if activating it counted against the actions you can take that round, then it would have said you get an extra move/standard/full/etc. If I activate Dual Actions on my turn and I only get a move/full or move/move/standard, then I'd have to say I'm not getting the full effect of the ability.

[daremetoidareyo]

D-Bag Demogorgon:

requires sneak attack...doesn't progress sneak attack.

[Karl Aegis]

Also: Did Intuit Direction get axed from the class or did we get Survival on our list of class skills? It may or may not come up when building.

[Venger]

D-Bag Demogorgon:

requires sneak attack...doesn't progress sneak attack.
what a jerkstore


Also: Did Intuit Direction get axed from the class or did we get Survival on our list of class skills? It may or may not come up when building.

it didn't. it was not addressed by monte.

could we assume we convert it to survival as normal, like with arboreal guardian.

[ZamielVanWeber]

I have a spiffy idea at least but I would not mind actually being allowed to use some of those SUs. I will work on this while I await our lovely lady's word. Also lemme just say how disappointed I am that this PrC does not have the obscene chassis that a bunch of the BoVD ones have.

[WhamBamSam]

Oh boy. One moderately interesting ability to take an extra round of actions twice per day and so burn through the other abilities' limited daily uses even faster. Well, I'll see what I can do.

Thrall of Demogorgon got a Dragon Magazine update if I'm not mistaken. As I recall it only makes some small addition to Twin Personas, but I'd still like to clarify whether we're using it.

[Venger]

to be 100% clear on the fluff req this time around, can we get a quick ruling that I sacrifice any intelligent being, where the sacrifice is dedicated to demogorgon, and I don't need to sacrifice an intelligent being who specifically reveres demogorgon? that's pretty clearly monte forgetting a comma, and none of the other thralls to x or disciples to y require team killing

[zlefin]

when you post the ingredient (in that nic elarge print) it'd be helpful if you specified the source to make it quicker to look up.

[The Viscount]

when you post the ingredient (in that nic elarge print) it'd be helpful if you specified the source to make it quicker to look up.



Tense music plays as the pedestal containing the mystery ingredient rises from below. Stacked neatly on the pedestal are copies of the Book of Vile Darkness.

Chairwoman: As requested, so delivered! Happy early Hallowe'en, everybody! This month's theme is... Thrall of Demogorgon! ALLEZ OPTIMISER!

You mean like she did one line above?

Certainly a difficult ingredient to manage, but I'm interested to see if I can manage. These skills are a total grab bag, how did they decide the list?

[Thurbane]

Oh yes! Definitely in to cook! :smallbiggrin:

http://i68.tinypic.com/288ut94.jpg

[Sian]

bit rusty, but I got an early inspiration and have already decided on Class Progression :)

[Amphetryon]

Putting together a build, while being laughed at by Vizinni.

[ZamielVanWeber]

Oh yes! Definitely in to cook! :smallbiggrin:

http://i68.tinypic.com/288ut94.jpg

Huh, I am not used to Demogorgon looking remotely attractive. Nice find.


Putting together a build, while being laughed at by Vizinni.

I am currently juggling ideas but I am like: this looks good... except I forsee an elegance penalty. Well this could be nice... ELEGANCE PENALTY. Ooooh, I like this idea... ELEGANCE 0 DIE IN A FIRE!

I am sure it is not nearly that bad as I would not give an elegance penalty for any of it if I were judging... Maximum Vizinni I guess?

[zlefin]

You mean like she did one line above?

Certainly a difficult ingredient to manage, but I'm interested to see if I can manage. These skills are a total grab bag, how did they decide the list?

no. not like that.
not put in the italic font which was used to denote fluff; and merely referencing something which is known to be an in universe book.
I mean in a clear and UNambiguous manner. the current system is very ambiguous, and a long time reader (like myself) may still not have seen it; because it's put in the font of the fluff text, and not highlighted or marked in any way.

[The Viscount]

That picture of Demogorgon looks like the Demogorgon from BoVD after completing the Charles Atlas Course.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2s7N2iuog4I/VWmzzUiROcI/AAAAAAAAESE/SPyBtyL5czY/s1600/232demomandril.jpg


no. not like that.
not put in the italic font which was used to denote fluff; and merely referencing something which is known to be an in universe book.
I mean in a clear and UNambiguous manner. the current system is very ambiguous, and a long time reader (like myself) may still not have seen it; because it's put in the font of the fluff text, and not highlighted or marked in any way.

I'm not trying to argue here, just letting you know that this is where the source of the book is found, and this is the pattern we've done it in for a while. A long time reader (like myself) remembers there being some confusion about where to find it when we first switched over until someone pointed it out.

[Thurbane]

Huh, I am not used to Demogorgon looking remotely attractive. Nice find.

Yes, it's one of my favorite pieces of non-official D&D art. Stumbled onto it a decade or so ago. Seriously though about getting it as a tatt when I was younger. :smalltongue:

[Zaq]

Hmm. Passive bonus, 1/day ability, 3/day ability, 3/day ability, 2/day ability, 1/day ability, 3/day ability, really bizarre passive ability, 1/day ability, 1/day ability with an XP cost. And four generic bonus feats or 4/10 levels of casting progression. Deceptively obnoxious prereqs.

Bizarre class design, to say the least. We'll have our work cut out for us. I concur that the skill list is a little haphazard.

Can a 9th level ToD summon a 5 HD demon 1/day and a 10 HD demon 1/day, or just a 10 HD demon 1/day? Are they separate abilities, or does one replace/augment the other?

I agree that I'd appreciate a ruling on whether we have to follow the RAW standard action activation on Reaching Touch and Dual Actions. RAW is clear. It's also clearly dumb.

[Venger]

Hmm. Passive bonus, 1/day ability, 3/day ability, 3/day ability, 2/day ability, 1/day ability, 3/day ability, really bizarre passive ability, 1/day ability, 1/day ability with an XP cost. And four generic bonus feats or 4/10 levels of casting progression. Deceptively obnoxious prereqs.

Bizarre class design, to say the least. We'll have our work cut out for us. I concur that the skill list is a little haphazard.

Can a 9th level ToD summon a 5 HD demon 1/day and a 10 HD demon 1/day, or just a 10 HD demon 1/day? Are they separate abilities, or does one replace/augment the other?

I agree that I'd appreciate a ruling on whether we have to follow the RAW standard action activation on Reaching Touch and Dual Actions. RAW is clear. It's also clearly dumb.

Seems like you get 2 demons.

since we will probably not get a ruling til next week, I wouldn't do any of the finesse work on the build til then.

good luck

[Darrin]

Thrall of Demogorgon got a Dragon Magazine update if I'm not mistaken. As I recall it only makes some small addition to Twin Personas, but I'd still like to clarify whether we're using it.

Dragon #357, which I think was the second-to-last issue for 3.5. It looks like they didn't change all that much.

Entry requirements changed slightly: Knowledge (religion) 2, Knowledge (the planes) 4, Knowledge (any other) 2. Special now says you have to undergo a ritual known as the Feast of the Self. Details are in a related article. Hmmm... first 2d6 Con and 2d6 Cha damage, then 1d4 Con damage and 2d6 Int drain (restored later via restoration).

Weapon and armor proficiency: Mostly the same, except proficiency with tower shields was removed.

Touch of Fear was changed, instead of cause fear it causes the frightened condition, but on a successful save the creature is shaken for 1 round.

Unfortunately, Reaching Touch and Dual Actions are identical to the 3.0 version. Rotting Touch is also the same.

They did add something to Two Personas: on any mind-affecting save, you can roll twice, and both saves have to fail for the effect to succeed.

Demogorgon's Will removed the sentence about having to pay the XP and material costs for the limited wish.


I'd say the two versions are close enough that we should just stick with the BoVD/3.0 version, switch Intuit Direction to Survival, and declare Reaching Touch/Dual Action to be free activation.

[Thurbane]

I'd say the two versions are close enough that we should just stick with the BoVD/3.0 version, switch Intuit Direction to Survival, and declare Reaching Touch/Dual Action to be free activation.

Seconded. http://www.giantitp.com/forums/images/sand/icons/icon_thumbsup.png http://www.giantitp.com/forums/images/sand/icons/icon_thumbsup.png

[Heliomance]

what a jerkstore



it didn't. it was not addressed by monte.

could we assume we convert it to survival as normal, like with arboreal guardian.
Yes. Do this.


Oh boy. One moderately interesting ability to take an extra round of actions twice per day and so burn through the other abilities' limited daily uses even faster. Well, I'll see what I can do.

Thrall of Demogorgon got a Dragon Magazine update if I'm not mistaken. As I recall it only makes some small addition to Twin Personas, but I'd still like to clarify whether we're using it.

I'd normally say yes, but if y'all'd rather not that's fine too.

Judgement about what type of actions the abilities are will be delayed until after the weekend unfortunately. It needs more consideration than I can give it posting from my phone just before getting up and heading off larping.

[Inevitability]

to be 100% clear on the fluff req this time around, can we get a quick ruling that I sacrifice any intelligent being, where the sacrifice is dedicated to demogorgon, and I don't need to sacrifice an intelligent being who specifically reveres demogorgon? that's pretty clearly monte forgetting a comma, and none of the other thralls to x or disciples to y require team killing

Of all abyssals Demogorgon is kind of the Archdemon of Teamkilling, though.

...And yes, I'm aware that's like saying something is the 'fire of burning'.

[Venger]

Of all abyssals Demogorgon is kind of the Archdemon of Teamkilling, though.

...And yes, I'm aware that's like saying something is the 'fire of burning'.

What book is fire of burning from again?

[Inevitability]

What book is fire of burning from again?

Sandstorm, page 53.

[Venger]

Sandstorm, page 53.

god, you got me.

[Sian]

Actually so inspired that I'm optimistic about being done with everything (but, perhaps, fluffy bits and a bit of arrangement) by the time Monday rolls around, since the job interview I was intended to go to today was delayed to next Wednesday due to the interviewer being ill. Allready built my class progression table and two others

EDIT: Hmm ... ran into a issue ... should I take the visually pleasing route (elegance) or the more effective route (Power)

[Zaq]

I have more of an idea than I expected to. Haven't figured out how to close the circle and really bring it home yet, but cooking is not entirely out of the question this time. It's not even a joke/protest build. Much. Yet.

[Amphetryon]

Well, that came together faster than I expected.

[Zaq]

These prereqs are killer. They don't look bad, but they're really impeding the smoothness of what I want.

[jdizzlean]

the thing that immediately sprung to mind, i don't think i can figure out how to do it, so i'm in for a judging attempt this round. I'll post up my thoughts on the categories sunday night.

i'll work on a build anyways, if i can figure out the block i'm in and submit it afterwards for general funness.

[Venger]

These prereqs are killer. They don't look bad, but they're really impeding the smoothness of what I want.

I spot a number of straightforward methods of egress, but depending on the judges, those ways will get slammed for being "obvious"

best of luck to you.

I've got the major details of my build squared away as well. what is it about this ingredient that's helping us all out so much? it doesn't really do anything.

[Wolfem]

ICO Spreadsheet (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1oyjVU5JmeCnC8YTMqDArDqE5PszHl0Ysadz630kuTGk/edit?ts=59a4835f#gid=0) has been updated in preparation for this new Cook. Interesting note is that the only time I have seen this class used was back during the Spellsword Cook.

[Thurbane]

My build is coming along nicely. I don't know if it's going to win in the raw power stakes, but I'm certainly happy with it from a thematic and elegeance persective.

On a loosely related note, I have the original Demogorgon miniature that was featured in "Stranger Things" (well, not the exact one from the show, but the same type). Ral Partha Grenadier from memory? It's still unpainted. When our 1E/2E group folded, some of the guys who weren't intending to play any more gave me all of their unpainted lead minis, including this one. Now that we play with pre-painted plastic minis, my lead minis are relegated to the status of collectables.

Ah. those were the days, when young people could buy and use game tokens made of toxic metals. :smallbiggrin:

http://www.mirliton.it/images/catalog/CR060.jpg
...oh, anyone remember the movie "The Gate (1987)" - I always thought the demon from that was inspired by Demogorgon. I really enjoyed that movie as a teenager. I'm afraid to go back and watch it in case it's aged incredibly badly.

https://monsterlegacy.files.wordpress.com/2016/10/gatedemonlord.jpg

[Karl Aegis]

I'm hitting snags. Many snags. I might be drowning soon. I hope I can actually get this to work.

[jdizzlean]

i might actually have a viable build... it all depends on the legality of one tiny thing...

i hate rules lol.

and dammit, i have to wait for a ruling. Oh well, this will give me something to do at work tonight :D

[Zehinoc]

Hi, I'm gonna be cooking for the first time.

I have a question about the elegance score: since the fluff for the prestige class specifically states that Demogorgon prefers multiclass characters due to their versatility, will chefs be given some more leeway with excessive multiclassing?

Edit: Also, since Willing Deformity (on of the prerequisites to the SI) appears in HoH, updated to 3.5, with a change from +2 Intimidation to +3 Intimidation, could we use that to fulfill the prereq as well?

[Zaq]

Hi, I'm gonna be cooking for the first time.

I have a question about the elegance score: since the fluff for the prestige class specifically states that Demogorgon prefers multiclass characters due to their versatility, will chefs be given some more leeway with excessive multiclassing?

That's up to the individual judge!

I'm not judging this round (I haven't finished my build, but I'm hoping to cook), but speaking for myself alone, when I judge, I never penalize for multiclassing that makes sense. Better to spend one level meeting a requirement than four levels, right? I've penalized when a dip comes out of nowhere and it's not apparent why that's a better choice than staying the course, but if you make it clear what benefit you're gaining out of your choices, I think you'll be fine. Not every judge sees it that way, but there's a reason that we don't usually get more than one "base class 10 / Secret Ingredient 10" build per competition, if that. The chef's touch is often more apparent in a well-chosen multiclass than in a slavish devotion to one class only.

Regarding "excessive" muticlassing, I'm again speaking for myself and for no one else, but I've personally submitted two separate builds to this competition that had literally eleven different classes in them (ten levels in the SI and one level each in ten different classes), but I had strong thematic reasons to do so. I'm still very proud of those builds, since I argue that it takes a lot of skill to make a character like that work and not appear haphazard (I assure you, every single choice of what I took and why I took it took a LOT of planning), and they both got HM. My point is that you probably couldn't go farther than that even if you tried, so don't worry about coming off as "excessive."

Long story short, no one but the individual judge can make the final decision, but as long as your choices are purposeful and you make that clear in your write-up, you'll likely gain more than you lose. (That's not true if you have a level plopped in this middle that doesn't seem to give you any benefit and doesn't get explained well, but you'll probably be fine.)

Either way, welcome to the kitchen! Don't let any of us scare you. First, it's just a game, and second, the best way to learn it is to do it. We've had some surprising showings from rookies, so don't talk yourself out of trying something weird and fun!

[Venger]

Hi, I'm gonna be cooking for the first time.

I have a question about the elegance score: since the fluff for the prestige class specifically states that Demogorgon prefers multiclass characters due to their versatility, will chefs be given some more leeway with excessive multiclassing?

Edit: Also, since Willing Deformity (on of the prerequisites to the SI) appears in HoH, updated to 3.5, with a change from +2 Intimidation to +3 Intimidation, could we use that to fulfill the prereq as well?

as zaq said, back in the very early rounds, some judges had a personal dislike for multiclassing, but in recent years, it's seldom deducted for (and most judges do not assume that favored class/multiclass xp penalty is in play, so don't worry about that too much)

willing deformity in HoH is actually the update to bovd's willing deformity, so yes, we all have +3 to our checks, not +2.

[Amphetryon]

as zaq said, back in the very early rounds, some judges had a personal dislike for multiclassing, but in recent years, it's seldom deducted for (and most judges do not assume that favored class/multiclass xp penalty is in play, so don't worry about that too much)


Which makes the Dual Personalities Class Feature oh so useful.

[jdizzlean]

even if it was in play, it's irrelevant. the build would still eventually get to 20..

[ZamielVanWeber]

even if it was in play, it's irrelevant. the build would still eventually get to 20..

It is not irrelevant as your build could lose points in elegance for tripping multiclassing penalties.

So my level up is done and I have a bunch of feats chosen, but I have a question for the chairwoman: what, if anything, are we using from the Dragon Magazine 3.5 update? That will be important.

Also as a weird note I have not yet picked a race. I am torn by a weird dichotomy: a mechanically strong as I can get, something thematically weird, or something unique?

[Venger]

It is not irrelevant as your build could lose points in elegance for tripping multiclassing penalties.

So my level up is done and I have a bunch of feats chosen, but I have a question for the chairwoman: what, if anything, are we using from the Dragon Magazine 3.5 update? That will be important.

Also as a weird note I have not yet picked a race. I am torn by a weird dichotomy: a mechanically strong as I can get, something thematically weird, or something unique?

god I hope we're not doing the same race.

[ZamielVanWeber]

god I hope we're not doing the same race.

Lemme put it this way: if you, upon reading their racial features, gently closed the book and beat your head with simply because of how the English language forced them to be awkwardly worded, then yes we may be in trouble. I am currently at a tie between: decent race I personally like that gets no love but works nicely here, garbage race that actually does something relevant here, or race where English betrayed them.

[Zaq]

&$%#!

I was like 90% done, and then I realized that a feat that I'd devoted a nontrivial portion of the build to doesn't do what I thought it does.

I can probably salvage this, but it might look, y'know, salvaged. I've gotta make a sacrifice or two that I'd rather not make.

[Zehinoc]

god I hope we're not doing the same race.

Speaking of people having the same race, about the originality score: do you get docked points only for using material common to previous competitions, or could you also get deducted for using material everyone else in the same competition is using? My understanding is that if every build in the past three competitions was a goblin character, you could get points taken off for submitting yet another goblin. But if everyone in the current competition chose goblin for the race, and you chose bugbear, would you get a higher originality score? In other words, do you get more points for having builds different from those that have come previously, or for having a build more creative than the other submissions?

Also, couldn't figure out how to specifically quote them, but thank you to Zaq and Venger for answering my earlier questions.

[bean illus]

Oct 3rd? My life might actually allow me cooking time! First timer ... might be pretty basic.

I vote for use ALL updates, and the reach and extra actions be free (or why bother) but standard action for the rest.

Also PLEASE enforce multiclassing rules. Elegance is a thing.

[ZamielVanWeber]

Speaking of people having the same race, about the originality score: do you get docked points only for using material common to previous competitions, or could you also get deducted for using material everyone else in the same competition is using? My understanding is that if every build in the past three competitions was a goblin character, you could get points taken off for submitting yet another goblin. But if everyone in the current competition chose goblin for the race, and you chose bugbear, would you get a higher originality score? In other words, do you get more points for having builds different from those that have come previously, or for having a build more creative than the other submissions?

Also, couldn't figure out how to specifically quote them, but thank you to Zaq and Venger for answering my earlier questions.

As an occasional judge I can say I do not care about previous competition. I do not want to see a situation where players are forced to dig through Complete Lords of Drow of the Stormwrack in a desperate attempt to not lose originality points when a MM dwarf variant would do perfectly.

I would deduct if a lot of people used the same race unless that was objectively the best choice and every other choice cut down power unacceptably. I can write up a general thought process I use when I generate criteria to give you an idea. Remember each judge will generate their own criteria though and my stuff applies strictly to me.

[Amphetryon]

Speaking of people having the same race, about the originality score: do you get docked points only for using material common to previous competitions, or could you also get deducted for using material everyone else in the same competition is using? My understanding is that if every build in the past three competitions was a goblin character, you could get points taken off for submitting yet another goblin. But if everyone in the current competition chose goblin for the race, and you chose bugbear, would you get a higher originality score? In other words, do you get more points for having builds different from those that have come previously, or for having a build more creative than the other submissions?

Also, couldn't figure out how to specifically quote them, but thank you to Zaq and Venger for answering my earlier questions.

There was a time, early in the competition's life, where you could get a deduction for using Base Classes that were common in previous rounds; this is essentially untenable at this point in the competition, though.

If everyone in a given round uses (random example) a Gnome Factotum as the basis of their entry, THAT could well warrant a deduction because the idea was obviously not Original within the parameters of that specific round.

[Venger]

Speaking of people having the same race, about the originality score: do you get docked points only for using material common to previous competitions, or could you also get deducted for using material everyone else in the same competition is using? My understanding is that if every build in the past three competitions was a goblin character, you could get points taken off for submitting yet another goblin. But if everyone in the current competition chose goblin for the race, and you chose bugbear, would you get a higher originality score? In other words, do you get more points for having builds different from those that have come previously, or for having a build more creative than the other submissions?

Also, couldn't figure out how to specifically quote them, but thank you to Zaq and Venger for answering my earlier questions.
no. yes. versus the other dishes



Oct 3rd? My life might actually allow me cooking time! First timer ... might be pretty basic.

I vote for use ALL updates, and the reach and extra actions be free (or why bother) but standard action for the rest.

Also PLEASE enforce multiclassing rules. Elegance is a thing.
ugh, no multiclassing. also, this is up to individual judges, heliomance doesn't tell them how to judge.

[jdizzlean]

at this point I am attempting a build. If it falls thru, or no other judges come forward, I'll withdraw it from the comp and judge instead. Should that come to pass, here are my thoughts on the categories:

How I intend to Judge:
First off, to repeat the original instructions: Please don’t assume I know the source of where you are getting your information. Kindly cite all sources used. If a basic google search doesn’t give me the answer as to the source you are pulling from, or if there are multiple options, I’m likely to pick the first one if it’s something I’m unfamiliar with, and then judge based off that. (Regardless of whether that was your intention or not, if you aren’t specific, well that’s your fault!)

In general, is it fun to read your build, and more importantly, would it be fun to play?

Power

Combat ability and spell casting are just as important as utility to the group. Are you a standalone or a member of a team? If you make a glass cannon, will a level 1 cat be your downfall when you trip on one in a dark alley?
Are you the one that forces the group to stop for 8 hours to replenish your spell list after every encounter? Are you effective early and late in the build?
Can you do more than 1 thing well?
Does your build function in more than 1 environment, under a mix of situations, or only on clear sunny days?
Do you rely on tricks and creative interpretations of the rules to be effective? Whatever it is, tell me, or I have to base it off how I would play it, which all things considered, probably isn’t how you would.
How well can you do what you do?

Originality

Does your build make me sit up and go “oh my” /George Takei? Do you take opportunities to step out from the masses and make your build different?
Did you take the road less traveled?
Are you using your classes/traits/etc in different ways to augment the build as a whole?
Did you do something I wouldn’t have thought of to try?
I’m a fan of optimization, but you have to self-regulate. Taking VoP for example is considered to generally be in poor taste if the entirety of the rest of your build isn’t thematically on the same premise. I will penalize for excessive cheesiness.


Elegance

Are you able to do your build w/o an excess of unnecessary classes or dips? Does your build accomplish what it states it’s purpose is? Does it rely on 1-2 key features or tricks, or does it function at every step along the path?
Do all the things you have listed make sense? Or are they there to fill out the pre-reqs and then never used again? Is your character info relevant, or do you have 4 pages of scrawling for the sake of taking up space?
If I cut away all the fluff and rhetoric, will I still be amazed? Does the fluff make sense and work together?
I won’t necessarily penalize for the number of sources used, but if I have to have 5 books open to look up the legality and functionality of any ability or level, I’m likely to give a headache rating.
If you have to take feat and skill point taxes, do you make them work for you in the build, or do they just take up space so you can get to the SI?
Does your overall build flow from level 1 to 20, or do you all of a sudden gain massive insight on until now unspent/unknown abilities when they all of a sudden become available to you? i.e. do you go from no ranks in a skill to maxed out in it at a later level?
You should be “BUILDING” a character from the beginning, not just when it becomes convenient and cheap to do so at a later time.


Use of Secret Ingredient

I will deviate from the norm in this category from tradition. My rating won’t be based on the number of levels of the SI you’ve taken, but how well the number you have taken works for the rest of the build. Arbitrarily taking 10 levels of the SI for the sake of “automatically” scoring a 5 in the category will reflect on a negative score from me if you aren’t actually using all 10 levels to benefit the build.
Likewise, only taking 1 level of the SI will also reflect negatively. You should be using as much of the SI as possible while still respecting the rest of your build. Every ingredient matters, and should work together to make a great dish. Too much, or too little salt makes a big difference.

[Venger]

jdizzlean, I do hope you cook. I enjoyed the spirit (pun intended) you displayed with horace and would love to see you get a crack at medaling. best of luck to you.

[WhamBamSam]

I'm going to try to judge this round, as I've missed the past few Iron Chefs, but the only build ideas I've come up with for this are boring me. I'll dredge up my full criteria sometime in the next week, but in the meantime I'll offer some vague thoughts on people's musings about how this will be judged.

I do, barely, penalize the incursion of multiclass penalties, with a quarter point ding to Elegance. However, if Twin Personas gets you out of multiclass penalties, that'll be worth some similarly small boost to UoSI. Theoretically, you could both avoid the Elegance penalty and get the UoSI bonus with a build that would incur the penalties but for Twin Personas, but it's small enough that you shouldn't really worry about it. Beyond that, I'm pretty lax about multiclassing, and likely most or all of you will get the same "overall progression" score in Elegance.

As for races, I try not to penalize for "standard" races (particularly any sort of bonus feat race, such as human or strongheart halfling). I'll award a bonus if you do something interesting with a slightly out of the ordinary choice, and actively punish "shameless Originality grabs," where I perceive your choice of race to be for its obscurity rather than because it really furthers your build goal. Again, it won't impact your score more than a quarter point either way.

Ultimately, the lesson you should take away is to build what makes you happy or indeed to just build something and not worry about it. I scrap builds that are probably good enough to compete for medals regularly because I personally find them unsatisfactory in some aspect, and then often regret not just hammering them out when the reveal comes. Even when judges tell you how they're going to score things, they tend to be difficult to predict, so just have fun with your optimization and hope they do too.

[jdizzlean]

jdizzlean, I do hope you cook. I enjoyed the spirit (pun intended) you displayed with horace and would love to see you get a crack at medaling. best of luck to you.


I am cooking right now. the first hurdle is whether the race i chose is legal, if not, there is a way around that, it's just a reorganizing of a few things. Thanks to a few people on here, i figured out the block i had to my build, it's just a matter of building it now.

I was actually awake for about an hour last night just thinking about backstory...

[Deadline]

I've been out of the competition for a while, and don't think I've got the time to do much this round either (which is a shame, I loved the Thrall of Orcus round), but wanted to add my two cents with regards to judging. As has already been mentioned, every judge will do it slightly differently, with their own take on the criteria, so there isn't some magic solution that scores full marks from every judge. For my part, I consider multiclass xp penalties as part of the Elegance category. For Originality, if it's something that caught me by surprise (which is pretty subjective, I admit), you get a higher score. If you made a character that looks remarkably similar to the sample character for the PrC, then you can very much expect a lower score. Also, if you took an obvious entry, you might see a hit in Originality there. I think the only other thing I've tweaked over the various rounds that I've judged are feats and class powers turning off when you don't have a sufficient prerequisites to use them (I use the Complete Warrior take on that, and no, Dragon Disciples don't self-disqualify), and my various interpretations on what constitutes "using" the SI.

The best advice I ever got from the other chefs here is to build something that you like, make it interesting, and present it well. Also, don't take it too seriously, because this is just a silly internet contest after all. :smallbiggrin:

[Darrin]

Speaking of people having the same race, about the originality score: do you get docked points only for using material common to previous competitions, or could you also get deducted for using material everyone else in the same competition is using?

I don't penalize anyone for using a race that was popular in previous rounds, and I don't think we currently have any judges who do that. However, one thing you may want to watch out for is if an obscure or unusual race has been used quite a bit in previous rounds, then it's less likely to surprise the judge just because it may still be fresh in their mind.

I also try hard to avoid penalizing someone for using a race or entry method that was simultaneously chosen by another contestant. Since the submission is "blind", I'm not going to penalize you for having the same brilliant idea as another contestant. We can assume that you both arrived at that brilliant idea independently, and if it's a cool idea then it should be rewarded regardless of whether someone else thought of it.

[Zaq]

The only time I've personally given someone a penalty in Originality directly based off of previous rounds is for seeing yet another race-locked SI being entered by a changeling with Racial Emulation who dipped Changeling Rogue 1 at first level, because it feels like that always freaking happens.

I mean, I get it. Changeling Rogue 1 is one of the most interesting and character-defining single levels in the game, and it gives you an extraordinarily solid foundation to build a face character off of. I wouldn't be surprised if I end up doing it myself someday. It's a genuinely great strategy. And using Racial Emulation certainly feels like a way to stand out from the pack when the SI expects you to be a race that isn't a changeling. But when I handed out that penalty, we'd had a LOT of characters that looked like that over the last few rounds, and I was sick of it.

That said, one, I'm not judging this round, and two, this isn't a race-locked SI, so folks aren't going to need to differentiate themselves from, for example, all the other dwarves that everyone else is assumed to be using. So what I'm talking about right now isn't likely to be directly relevant.

Again, every judge is different, and there isn't a checklist-style formula of Always Do This and Never Do That that you can use to make every possible judge happy. As I kind of indicated earlier, one of the best things you can do for your score (though again, this isn't foolproof) is to indicate very clearly why you made the choices that you made and to indicate what benefit your characters gains from them.

Remember, you've spent hours or days creating your build entry, so you know it inside and out, but the judges haven't. They're hit with a large number of extremely information-dense entries all at once, and they haven't lovingly hand-crafted those entries from the ground up, so the clearer you make your strategy, the less likely it is that the judges will miss something you don't want them to miss. Judges who are confused are less likely to score you well than judges who understand what you're doing and why you're doing it.

[Thurbane]

If and when I judge, 1 level Lion Totem Barbarian dips for Pounce may get an originality/elegance hit, if the Barbarian level doesn't otherwise "fit" with the character.

I get that in optimization circles it's more-or-less mandatory for melee types, but it doesn't mean I have to like it.

[Zaq]

If and when I judge, 1 level Lion Totem Barbarian dips for Pounce may get an originality/elegance hit, if the Barbarian level doesn't otherwise "fit" with the character.

I get that in optimization circles it's more-or-less mandatory for melee types, but it doesn't mean I have to like it.

That's 100% your prerogative. In contrast, I'm not judging this round, but if I were judging a melee build that obviously had room for a Pouncebarian dip (say, there were several pre-SI levels that were obviously taken just for BAB and not so much for specific features) and cared about charging but that ended up either ignoring the option or investing significantly more resources into solving the problem than would have been invested by just taking Pouncebarian, I could see room for an Elegance or Power hit.

The takeaway from this that I hope we're all getting is that you will not and cannot please every judge in the same way. Don't expect to, and don't even necessarily try to. Do try to make the best build possible, using whatever metric of "best" you happen to like, and it'll all work out in the end. Blatant attempts to either grab points or to conspicuously avoid losing points tend to end up biting you in other ways.

[jdizzlean]

I loved the Thrall of Orcus round),

i went back and read the entries for that, it was before my time.

This is epic on any scale.

http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=16084519&postcount=279

[Thurbane]

Cooking Time: Contestants will have until 07:59 GMT on Tuesday, October 3rd, 2017 to create their builds and PM them to the Chairwoman, Heliomance.

So just to be 100% clear, we still have almost 2 weeks to submit our entries, right?

[Venger]

So just to be 100% clear, we still have almost 2 weeks to submit our entries, right?

Yes, because heliomance is busy camping all week this week so isn't around to answer any questions and presumably didn't want to deal with all that in just one week.

I'm actually already done with my dish. it's very refreshing. so now I have longer to obsess about whether I missed anything.

[Thurbane]

Yes, because heliomance is busy camping all week this week so isn't around to answer any questions and presumably didn't want to deal with all that in just one week.

Works for me, I'm still furiously trying to finish off me entry for the current Villainous Competition.

[Heliomance]

Yes, because heliomance is busy camping all week this week so isn't around to answer any questions and presumably didn't want to deal with all that in just one week.

I'm actually already done with my dish. it's very refreshing. so now I have longer to obsess about whether I missed anything.

Actually it was just the weekend, I'm back now. Yes, you still have two weeks. I generally give two weeks from the Tuesday following whenever the new thread goes up. If it goes up on Tuesday you get two weeks exactly, if it goes up on Wednesday you miiight get unlucky and only have 13 days, if it goes up any later than that then you get the extra time. This one went up on Thursday which is basically the best case scenario for cooking time.

[Venger]

Glad to see you're back. Have you reached a decision on the outstanding questions on the class's su abilities?

[jdizzlean]

I'm actually already done with my dish. it's very refreshing. so now I have longer to obsess about whether I missed anything.

Ditto, I could keep reviewing it, but my eyes are bleeding from looking at numbers for the last three days :)

[Amphetryon]

Can we talk about the Two Personas "benefit" as presented in BoVD? I mean, PrCs are already exempt from the Multiclass Penalty rules, so how is this supposed to be applied? Is it a retroactively applied XP boost? Does it only apply for Base Classes taken after acquiring the Two Personas ability?

[WhamBamSam]

Can we talk about the Two Personas "benefit" as presented in BoVD? I mean, PrCs are already exempt from the Multiclass Penalty rules, so how is this supposed to be applied? Is it a retroactively applied XP boost? Does it only apply for Base Classes taken after acquiring the Two Personas ability?I'd assume the latter. Applying it retroactively is generally not how things work and kind of a headache in this case.

[Amphetryon]

I'd assume the latter. Applying it retroactively is generally not how things work and kind of a headache in this case.

As would I... But that appears to make it essentially a non-ability, since most late-game builds benefit more from some type of PrC than from a late add-on Base Class.

[Zaq]

As would I... But that appears to make it essentially a non-ability, since most late-game builds benefit more from some type of PrC than from a late add-on Base Class.

I mean, I hate to be unnecessarily snarky (okay, that's often a lie), but are you REALLY shocked that the SI (any SI, really) grants a weird ability that's basically impossible to use at the level it appears and yet treats it like it's some grand prize? Especially when the words "favored class" appear anywhere within a four-page radius? I'm surprised they didn't try to find a way to make it 1/day.

[WhamBamSam]

As would I... But that appears to make it essentially a non-ability, since most late-game builds benefit more from some type of PrC than from a late add-on Base Class.I don't want to speculate too much as to how I would expect the ability to be used, but it's not going to count for more than a quarter point anyway, and it's possible to get a 5 in UoSI under my criteria without using absolutely every feature if you use the other ones especially well.

Speaking of, here are my judging criteria.

Originality
Start from a baseline score of 3.

Up to 1 point of bonus or penalty based on whether the classes and such you used were things I expected and whether they were used by other entrants. Known cheese or standard handbook fare will see a deduction here (though I don't penalize Human or similar default race choices). Note that I don't reward "shameless originality grabs." If you use something that's unique or unusual for its own sake (rather than because it actually does something relevant for your build), you won't get points for it.

Up to 1 point of bonus or penalty to a build doing something interesting or something we've all seen it before respectively. You can fill a common niche without incurring my wrath, but I'd like to see a new spin on it. Cool factor in your crunch may see a bonus here.

A 0.25 point bonus if I find your fluff to be particularly excellent.

PowerStart from a baseline score of 3

Up to 0.75 point of bonus or penalty based on how beneficial or harmful the SI is to your build. A 0 is a hypothetical build which isn't especially helped or hindered by having Astral Dancer in it (though given the specialized nature of the SI, that seems unlikely).

Up to 1.25 points of bonus or penalty for how well you do the things that you do. For example, if you're a front line fighter, how good are you at hurting things? If you're a caster, do you lose a lot of caster levels? Are your tricks easy to shut down and can you function if you can't go with your usual MO?

EleganceStart from a baseline score of 4.

Each failure to qualify for a non-SI class or feat results in a 0.5 point deduction.

Up to a 0.5 point deduction for questionable rules interpretations and for any cheese stinky enough to make it onto my personal ban list (note that I'm pretty cheese tolerant, in general).

Up to 1 point of bonus or penalty based on the overall flow of the build and how well everything fits together. A clean, flowing progression will score more points, whereas something that feels awkward may be penalized. As with cheese, I'm not going to try to be especially punitive toward dipping, unless you're really asking for it. Note that I try not to reward "shameless elegance grabs" any moreso than I will "shameless originality grabs." For example, I may consider 2/3/5/10 more elegant than 5/5/10 depending on circumstances. Almost everyone gets +0.5 here. The last build that I'm certain I'd have given the full +1 was over 3 years ago.

I'll assign a 0.25 point penalty for incurring multiclass penalties that can't be easily resolved by rearranging levels. They're a stupid, stupid rule, but they are a rule and one of the SI features references them.

Up to 0.5 points of bonus or penalty if the build just screams classy or is especially distasteful in a way not quantified by the above.

Use of Secret IngredientStart From a Baseline Score of 1.

Good uses of the collective prereqs, Touch of Fear, Scaly Flesh, and Twin Personas are worth 0.25 points of bonus apiece.

Good uses of Bonus Feats or Spells, Hypnosis, Reaching Touch, Dual Actions, Summon Demon, Rotting Touch, Death Touch, and Demogorgon's Will are worth up to 0.75 points apiece in increments of 0.25. Note that a 0.75 in a given category indicates going above and beyond expectations with an exceptionally clever or powerful use of an ability and even a 0.5 indicates an impressive application of the feature beyond what any old build could pull off. There are a lot of features here, so I'm going to be trying to grade somewhat hard to avoid an overabundance of 5s.

Failure to qualify for the SI will result in a -0.25 point penalty to each class ability, to a minimum of 0. So abilities that you neither use nor qualify for don't hurt you, but you need to qualify for the things you do use to get fully rewarded for them.

If you leave the SI early, but provide a convincing explanation as to why this is a better use of the secret ingredient (better use of the ingredient, mind, not just making your build better), then you will receive partial credit for abilities you miss (+0.25 each).

[The Viscount]

As would I... But that appears to make it essentially a non-ability, since most late-game builds benefit more from some type of PrC than from a late add-on Base Class.

You are correct, sir. Such is our lot.

[PrismCat21]

Can we talk about the Two Personas "benefit" as presented in BoVD?

To me it seems pretty straight forward.
You no longer apply multiclass penalties when you gain experience points.
Worst case scenario, no new base class levels would apply penalties. The way I see it, you no longer gain penalties for any multiclassing you have done at any point in your career. Penalties applied before they point still count.

[Amphetryon]

I mean, I hate to be unnecessarily snarky (okay, that's often a lie), but are you REALLY shocked that the SI (any SI, really) grants a weird ability that's basically impossible to use at the level it appears and yet treats it like it's some grand prize? Especially when the words "favored class" appear anywhere within a four-page radius? I'm surprised they didn't try to find a way to make it 1/day.

Given that this "ability" is apparently less useful than the Dwarven Chanter's Timing Chant ability? Yup, I'm a little surprised. Frankly, it reads to me as if Monte (or whoever contributed this particular PrC to the book) forgot that PrCs don't count against Multiclassing Penalties when he wrote the ability, and never corrected this slip of memory,

[Venger]

Given that this "ability" is apparently less useful than the Dwarven Chanter's Timing Chant ability? Yup, I'm a little surprised. Frankly, it reads to me as if Monte (or whoever contributed this particular PrC to the book) forgot that PrCs don't count against Multiclassing Penalties when he wrote the ability, and never corrected this slip of memory,

Monte is the only person credited with writing anything in BoVD, so everything wrong with it is his fault. Given the other mistakes in the book (pincer claws, anyone?) it's hardly difficult to believe that he forgot this.

[Zaq]

I have the build table done. I still need to do the write-up, but at least the build itself seems solid.

I have an idea for a second entry, which is rare for me. The problem is that said second entry is basically being pulled in two contradictory directions (each of which would be funny in its own distinct way), and I'm not sure which is funnier. No promises that I'll be able to concoct a workable second build in the time allotted, though I'll definitely tell you all about it when the time comes if I don't get it together in time. One build at a time, though. (Okay, that's a lie. That's a total lie. I'm totally devoting brainspace to the second build while still working on the first one. But so it goes.)

[jdizzlean]

I have an idea for a second entry, which is rare for me.

damn you, now i'm thinking of a possible 2nd...

the first idea just got shot down in a fiery death...we'll see

[Heliomance]

So, belatedly, Supernatural abilities.

By the rules, both Su abilities should be standard actions. The intent is quite clearly for them to be non actions, though, as anything else rather limits their use. I'm fine with treating them as non actions, but I'll note that anyone that manages to make them useful as standard actions probably deserves extra credit.

[Darrin]

I'm fine with treating them as non actions, but I'll note that anyone that manages to make them useful as standard actions probably deserves extra credit.

Thank you. Do you want to address the minor changes made in the Dragon #357 article? Or would you rather just stick to the BoVD text with the exception of "Intuit Direction is now Survival"?

[Heliomance]

Thank you. Do you want to address the minor changes made in the Dragon #357 article? Or would you rather just stick to the BoVD text with the exception of "Intuit Direction is now Survival"?

Given that I've taken so long to respond to rules queries and I have three entries in my inbox already, I'm going to say that using or not using the Dragon updates is up to the individual chefs, and either is fine, so long as they're consistent - if you use any of the Dragon updates, you need to use all of them. Intuit Direction is now Survival.

[Zaq]

Hey Heliomance, your PM box is full.

[Heliomance]

Aye, just noticed that myself. Fixed now.

[Thurbane]

My entry is coming along nicely, and should be well and truly ready before the deadline.

I've had a bit of a change-of-plan with the fluff, but the crunch is pretty much nailed down.

[Zaq]

The deed is done. Submission complete. I cannot wait to see what everyone came up with!

[Thurbane]

Around 34 hours to go by my reckoning?

I'll have to finish everything up after work tonight. The bulk of it's already done, just fine tuning the formatting and fluff.

[The Viscount]

Found a sudden resolve and inspiration to formalize my idea so I should be finishing. Excited to see what people ended up doing with this ingredient.
It's like cooking with white pepper or something. It definitely can be sensed and guides the dish, but you have to work to make sure it's not lost in the stuff you brought in to bolster it.

[WhamBamSam]

I've gone and stumbled into what feels like a really great idea. I'm going to try to crank out a build before the deadline after all, but if I don't manage it, I'll post it after the reveal and judge like I'd originally planned.

[jdizzlean]

finished by the hair of my chinny chin chin!

can it be reveal time already? I don't know if i can handle the agony of waiting...

[Thurbane]

finished by the hair of my chinny chin chin!

can it be reveal time already? I don't know if i can handle the agony of waiting...

I certainly hope not, I'm hoping to be finished up within the next 14 hours or so! :smalltongue:

[jdizzlean]

I certainly hope not, I'm hoping to be finished up within the next 14 hours or so! :smalltongue:


but, but, but, but........

:eek:

[Venger]

but, but, but, but........

:eek:

fret not. reveal's scheduled for 13 hours from now. can't wait to see what you did.

[Zaq]

The waiting is the hardest part.

Who wants to be the one to remind him that we have to wait for the reveal and then we have to wait even longer for the judging?

[Heliomance]

Um. So.

Judges, you have your work cut out for you this time. By my count, there are 12 entries in my inbox right now. I'm afraid there will not be witty comments posted for each one, as I haven't read them and don't currently have time to read 12 entries well enough to think of something to say!

Hold on to your hats - here we go!

[Heliomance]

Entry number 1!

Supreme Broodlord Nausho, The Thrallmaker, Lord of the Darkened Vale, Bane of the Light

http://evil.motifake.com/image/demotivational-poster/0901/evil-overlord-evil-overlord-murder-mayhem-minions-magic-demotivational-poster-1232338101.jpg

Build:



Level
Class
Base Attack Bonus
Fort Save
Ref Save
Will Save
Skills
Feats
Class Features


1st
Feral Template
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Willing Deformity, Woodsman Apprentice, Improved Grab
+6 natural ac, claw attacks 1d8, fast healing 2, Darkvision 60ft


2nd
Shugenga 1
+0
+0
+0
+2
Conc 4, Know Arcana 4, Know Religion 4, Know Nature 1, Spellcraft 4, Survival 4, Spot (CC) 2
Spell Focus (Fire)
Sense Elements 3/day, Element Focus (Fire)


3rd
Shugenga 2
+1
+0
+0
+3
Conc 5, Spellcraft 5, Survival 5, Spot 3, Know Arcana 5
Combat Casting
-


4th
Shugenga 3
+1
+1
+1
+3
Conc 6, Spellcraft 6, Survival 6, Know Nature 3, Know Arcana 6, UMD .5
-
Pounce, Fast Healing 3


5th
Shugenga 4
+2
+1
+1
+4
Conc 7, Spellcraft 7, Survival 7, Spot 4, Know Arcana 7,
-
-


6th
Shugenga 5
+2
+1
+1
+4
Conc 8, Spellcraft 8, Survival 8, Know Nature 5, Know Arcana 8
Thrall to Demon
Sense Elements 4/day


7th
Shugenga 6
+3
+2
+2
+5
Conc 9, Spellcraft 9, Survival 9, Spot 5, Know Arcana 9
-
-


8th
Shugenga 7
+3
+2
+2
+5
Conc 10, SC 10, Surv 10, Know Nature 7, Know Arcana 10
-
Rake, Darkvision 90ft, Fast Healing 4


9th
Shugenga 8
+4
+2
+2
+6
Conc 11, SC 11, Surv 11, Know Religion 6, Spot 6
Mother Cyst
-


10th
Thrall of Demogorgon 1
+5
+4
+2
+6
Conc 12, Intimidate 2, Spot 6.5, Surv 12, Know Religion 7
-
Scaly Flesh +1, Hynosis 1/day, +1 lvl spellcasting


11th
Thrall 2
+6/+1
+5
+2
+6
Intimidate 3, Spot 7, Surv 13, Know Nature 8, Know Arc 11, Know Religion 8
-
Touch of Fear 3/day


12th
Thrall 3
+7/+2
+5
+3
+7
Intimidate 5, Spot 7.5, Surv 14, Know Nature 19, Know Rel 9
Practiced Spellcaster
Reaching Touch 3/day, Rend, Darkvision 120ft, Fast Healing 5


13th
Thrall 4
+8/+3
+6
+3
+7
Intimidate 7, Spot 8.5, Surv 15, Know Arc 12, Know Nat 10
-
Dual Actions 2/day, Scaly Flesh +2, +1 lvl Spellcasting


14th
Thrall 5
+9/+4
+6
+3
+7
Intimidate 9, Surv 16, Conc 14, Know Rel 10
-
Summon Minor Demon 1/day


15th
Thrall 6
+10/+5
+7
+4
+8
Intimidate 11, Surv 17, Conc 15, Know Rel 12
Frightful Presence
Rotting Touch 3/day


16th
Thrall 7
+11/+6/+1
+7
+4
+8
Intimidate 13, Surv 18, Conc 17, Know Rel 13
-
Scaly Flesh +3, +1 lvl Spellcasting


17th
Thrall 8
+12/+7/+2
+8
+4
+8
Intimidate 15, Surv 19, Conc 18, Know Nat 13
-
Two Personas, Death Touch 1/day


18th
Hexer 1
+13/+8/+3
+8
+4
+10
Conc 19, Know Arc13, Know Rel 14, Spellcraft 12, Surv 20
Lightning Reflexes
Hex 1/day, +1 lvl Spellcasting


19th
Hexer 2
+14/+9/+4
+8
+4
+11
Conc 20, Know Arc 14, Know Rel 15, SC 13, Surv 21
-
Hex 2/day, Bonus Spell, +1 lvl Spellcasting


20th
Hexer 3
+15/+10/+5
+9
+5
+11
Know Arc 15, Know Rel 16, Spot 9, SC 14, Surv 22
-
Sicken Hex, +1 lvl Spellcasting




Mechanics

CE Feral Human Shugenga 8: (Oriental Adventures page 24), Thrall of Demogorgon 8, (Book of Vile Darkness page 67) 8, Hexer 3: (Masters of the Wild pg 63)

HP: d6x12+d8x8 /2 +20 = approx. 88
Speed: 40
Languages: Common, Abyssal

Feral Template (Savage Species 116) LA +1. Become Monstrous Humanoid, Hit Dice d10, Speed +10 base, +6 natural AC, gain 2 claw attacks MED=1d8, gain special attacks/abilities based on hit dice, 1-3=Imp Grab/ darkvision 60ft Fast healing 2, 4-7=Pounce/ DV 60ft FH 3, 8-11=Rake/DV 90ft FH4, 12+=Rend/DV 120ft FH 5. +4 STR, -2 DEX, +2 CON, -4 INT, +2 WIS

Shugenga gain Spell Focus, Fire (+1 save DC’s), Feat free, can’t learn Water spells. Ashaga School of Phoenix Clan. Sense Elements as SLA 3/day at lvl 1, 4/day at lvl 5.

Attr Pts: 4: CON 8, 12, 16, 20: CHA

32 pt buy: STR 7 DEX 12 CON 9 INT 16 WIS 10 CHA 18
Template: STR 11 DEX 10 CON 11 INT 12 WIS 12 CHA 18
Final: STR 11 DEX 10 CON 12 INT 12 WIS 12 CHA 22

Feats:
1-Willful Deformity – Heroes of Horror 125
1-Woodsman Apprentice – DMG2 178
3-Combat Casting - PHB 92
6-Thrall to Demon – Book of Vile Darkness 50
9-Mother Cyst - Libris Mortis 28
12-Practiced Spellcaster – Complete Arcane 82
15-Frightful Presence - Draconomicon 106, Req 9 ranks Intimidate
18-Lightning Reflexes – PHB 97


Spells / Spells Known:
(Bonus Spells 1-2, 2-2, 3-1, 4-1, 5-1, 6-1 // Spells Known = 1+x+x (school + fire element + any other element)

Spells per Day/Spells Known
Spells per Day/Spells Known


Level
0lvl
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
8th
9th


1st
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


2nd
5 / s+2+2
4 / s+1+1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


3rd
6 / s+3+2
5 / s+1+1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


4th
6 / s+3+2
6 / s+2+1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


5th
6 / s+3+3
7 / s+2+1
4 / s+1+0
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


6th
6 / s+3+3
7 / s+2+2
5 / s+1+1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


7th
6 / s+4+3
7 / s+2+2
6 / s+1+1
4 / s+1+0
-
-
-
-
-
-


8th
6 / s+4+3
7 / s+3+2
7 / s+2+1
5 / s+1+1
-
-
-
-
-
-


9th
6 / s+4+4
7 / s+3+2
7 / s+2+1
6 / s+1+1
4 / s+1+0
-
-
-
-
-


10th
6 / s+4+4
7 / s+3+2
7 / s+2+2
7 / s+2+1
5 / s+1+1
-
-
-
-
-


11th
6 / s+4+4
7 / s+3+2
7 / s+2+2
7 / s+2+1
5 / s+1+1
-
-
-
-
-


12th
6 / s+4+4
8 / s+3+2
7 / s+2+2
7 / s+2+1-
5 / s+1+1
-
-
-
-
-


13th
6 / s+5+4
8 / s+3+2
7 / s+3+2
7 / s+2+1
6 / s+1+1
4 / s+1+0
-
-
-
-


14th
6 / s+5+4
8 / s+3+2
7 / s+3+2
7 / s+2+1
6 / s+1+1
4 / s+1+0
-
-
-
-


15th
6 / s+5+4
8 / s+3+2
7 / s+3+2
7 / s+2+1
6 / s+1+1
4 / s+1+0
-
-
-
-


16th
6 / s+5+4
8 / s+3+2
7 / s+3+2
7 / s+2+2
7 / s+2+1
5 / s+1+1
-
-
-
-


17th
6 / s+5+4
8 / s+3+2
7 / s+3+2
7 / s+2+2
7 / s+2+1
5 / s+1+1
-
-
-
-


18th
6 / s+5+4
8 / s+3+2
7 / s+3+2
7 / s+2+2
7 / s+1+1
6 / s+1+1
3 / s+1+0
-
-
-


19th
6 / s+5+4
8 / s+3+2
7 / s+3+2
7 / s+2+2
7 / s+2+1
7 / s+1+1+1 Bonus
-4 / s+1+1
-
-
-


20th
6 / s+5+4
8 / s+3+2
8 / s+3+2
7 / s+2+2
7 / s+2+2
7 / s+2+2+1 Bonus
6 / s+1+2
3 / s+1+0
-
-


Plus Necrotic Spells 1-1, 2-2, 3-1, 4-1, 5-1, 6-1, 7-1



Spell Suggestions (**denotes school spell ,* denote fire spell):

50+ total spells known, 8 of them necrotic, 1 of them arcane, over half the remaining from the shugenga fire domain. This is just a sample, not an exhaustive list.
Lvl 0- Flare**, Dancing Lights*, Disrupt Undead*, Light*, Daze, Resistance, Read Magic, Detect Magic
Lvl 1- Burning Hands**, Faerie Fire*, Cause Fear*, Hypnotism*, Shocking Grasp*, Change Self, Endure Elements
Lvl 2- Produce Flame**, Flame Blade*, Flaming Sphere*, Heat Metal*, Silence, Hold Person
Lvl 3- Searing Light**, Call Lightning*, Fire Wings*, Dispel Magic, Stone Shape
Lvl 4- Fireball**, Flame Arrow*, Lightning Bolt*, Death Ward, Dismissal
Lvl 5- Flamestrike**, Feeblemind*, Confusion*, Dimension Door, Disintegrate (Bonus Spell @ LVL 19)
Lvl 6- Fires of Purity**, Greater Glyph of Warding*, Greater Dispelling
Lvl 7- Fire Storm**, Chain Lightning*

Necrotic Cyst Spells:
1st—necrotic awareness;
2nd—necrotic cyst, necrotic scrying;
3rd—necrotic bloat;
4th—necrotic domination;
5th—necrotic burst;
6th—necrotic eruption;
7th—necrotic tumor;


Background:


Another scream rent through the night. It was yet another in a never ending string of purges. The lesser sheep were being culled from the fold, drained of whatever paltry contribution they had to give. It had always been this way, and always would be.

I was born into this Clan, birthed by an unknown Broodmother. One of just another in a string of experiments gone wrong, another unholy union of species created in the hunt for power. My destiny was to end up as just one of those screams, but I was too smart for that. I first made myself useful, I found an unwilling mentor, and from that pairing I learned to survive.

Here, as in any Cult, you are either part of the clergy, or part of the cattle. I learned how to harness the power of the elements to serve me. To twist the minds of those around me, and to bathe those who resisted in fire. I marked myself as one of the faithful, so that others would know and be afraid.

It is said that the Great One himself takes the strongest of us as disciples. To serve the Lord would be a great honor. The path was long and arduous, and many fell along the Way. On my journey, my desire for power created something that grew within me. It awoke another path to power that was unknown among my kind. I used it to climb above my peers, and my power grew.

When I was ready, I took the Rite and became one of His disciples. After subduing and binding my childhood tormentor, I plunged my clawed fist into his chest and ripped his heart out. I let his life spill out upon the burning brazier, and threw his still beating heart to the watcher in the shadows to consume.

I learned to stop others in their tracks with a glance or a touch. I gave presents to those that pleased or displeased me alike. I created my own thralls to do as I bid. When their usefulness came to an end, or they became too bothersome, the gifts grew. Expanding and breaching the host, they burst forth in an explosion of blood to feed upon another host, implanting them in the process. And my power grew.

The weak began to fear me in battle. Their fear a boon to the Lord Prince. I can cripple with a touch, or paralyze with a look. I can rain fire and lightning down upon my foes, crushing them underfoot. Warp their minds and send them fleeing in fear in a glorious symphony of wanton destruction. I can do this and more.

And my power grows.




Snapshots:

5- Feral grants us a few minor abilities at 1st level, most importantly the big buff to our AC. The fast healing and Darkvision allow us to survive a scrap or two and fight another day. A well placed claw attack might come as a surprise to an assailant that just sees a priest as easy meat. With 4 ranks in Shugenga, there’s 13 spells to pick from, and we’re halfway to the next class already. Combat Casting helps to get more spells off at this level than might otherwise be possible. Shugenga sacrifices BAB progression for spell power, but you aren’t intended to be a front line combatant. There’s nothing wrong w/ firing a xbow from the back.

10- Having finished off Shugenga with 8 ranks, it’s time to move into the SI. Picked up Mother Cyst, which we abuse at every possible opportunity to do so. In the cult, all newborns and young are given a cyst to carry inside them, they can’t fight it off. Our spellcasting is up to level 4 spells. Scaly Flesh stacks with our Feral granted natural armor, throw on a layer of traditional armor and we’re getting pretty hard to hit. If someone is lucky enough to get to close, all it takes is a well-placed touch on our part to make them regret it. Our spellcasting and SLA’s help to make our opponents more susceptible to the gift of a cyst.

15 so sweet- We’re now 6 ranks into the SI, our fast healing has topped out at 5, helping to offset a lower health pool. We picked up Practiced Spellcaster to regain lost caster levels from the SI so our spells are more powerful, and Frightful Presence to further shake our enemies off foot. Rotting Touch allows us to further disable an enemy in order to abuse Mother Cyst some more. Dual Actions has come online, giving us either multiple 5th lvl spells (double flame strike anyone?) or even more Mother Cyst abuse.

20- Finishing off the build we’ve now moved into Hexer. Hexer abuses the gaze attack that we started using at level 10. We’re casting at an effective caster level of 18 and have access to level 7 spells, including Disintegrate or another wiz/sorc spell of your choosing from lvl 5/6 spell list. Our gaze attacks, when successful, place nearly permanent penalties on our enemies. We’re casting at an actual level of 14, but the Shugenga spell list, augmented by the Necrotic, gives us plenty of offensive and defensive abilities. Lightning Reflexes was taken as the final feat to help bolster the abyssal Reflex save. Another option would be Shielded Casting to prevent AoO. (or I swear there’s a feat that lets you double the number of class granted sla’s per day, but I can’t find it). The build is designed to wear you down mentally and physically to make you susceptible to a cyst invasion. If that fails, there’s always fire and lightning, or fear and guile.



Variants:

In a game/contest where Leadership was allowed, you can see where a cult leader with a massive CHA might get ahead. I however would use the “followers” differently. With Mother Cyst, I’d implant them all w/ a necrotic cyst which would then allow me to use the full power of it almost at will. An army (cult) of every conceivable class would allow me access to every spell or ability in the game. Each follower would also be a weapon that could be used against my enemies as walking bombs. No one would be safe, when anyone could possibly be carrying a cyst inside them. Going into epic levels would continue the Hexer class progression.

Nothing stops us from implanting cysts into animals or mounts either if they can’t make the save. Attack from wherever your enemy doesn’t expect you. Stopping the front rank of a cavalry charge cold in its tracks, instigating mass chaos in your enemies camp by having all the dogs explode, these are a few of the things you can do. Made worse after using your other spells to push the enemy closer together.




Sources:

Book of Vile Darkness 50, 67
Complete Arcane 82
Draconomicon 106
Dungeon Masters Guide II 178
Heroes of Horror 125
Libris Mortis 28, 67-69
Masters of the Wild 63
Oriental Adventures 24
Players Handbook 13,92,97
Savage Species 116

[Heliomance]

Entry number 2!




https://images.sobadsogood.com/apparently-skeleton-erotica-used-be-thing-victorian-age/16.jpg
Marcus Armstrong: the Helping Hand



“Hey, inmate, you gotta visitor. On your feet!” the guard yelled from around the corner, well outside of Marcus’s reach. Once bitten, he supposed.

Marcus backed away from the bars, faced the wall, bent his second set of elbow joints and put his arms behind his head as best he could.

An irregular click clack rang out on the cold stone floors of the jail. A familiar sound.

“Professor?” Marcus called out. His voice echoed in the cell.

Cyrus coughed into his handkerchief, as was his habit. Marcus could smell the peppermint oil from where he stood.

“Oh, Marcus, where was that perception back at Morgrave?” Cyrus teased.

“‘Misdirected,’ I think was what you said in the letter you sent to my parents,” Marcus said.

Cyrus laughed, breaking into a barking cough halfway through. “That was Dean Konek’s decision, not mine. Your extracurricular activities are of little concern to me.”

Marcus drummed his fingers on his knuckles. His hands had a mind of their own sometimes. Part of why he was here.

“You can turn around now, boy. We’re quite alone,” Cyrus said.

Marcus turned and stalked toward the bars. Cyrus was a few paces away from them. He looked even frailer than he had when Marcus was back in the dormitories. He leaned on a silver-tipped cane, clutching its dragon head topper in his fist.

“What about the guard?” Marcus drew his finger across his throat.

Cyrus shook his head. “You always were the first to come to blows, weren’t you? You’re not a murderer, Marcus,” Cyrus said, “or at least you haven’t been arrested for killing anyone this time,” he added when he noticed Marcus’s incredulity. “People can be paid to look the other way over a few measures of devilweed.”

“You talking from experience?” Marcus asked.

“I wasn’t always an old man.” Cyrus cleared his throat. “That stuff’ll kill you.”

“So you came here to rub it in?” Marcus cracked some of his knuckles.

“Perhaps.”

Marcus unhinged his elbow. The flaps and folds of his extra skin bunched around his joints stretched taut and he grabbed Cyrus around the throat through the bars.

“Then why shouldn’t I snuff you right here? Not like I can get arrested again.”

If Cyrus was worried, he didn’t show it. He held up a key.

“Why don’t we discuss this over a drink? Were I a gambling man, I’d wager it’s been a while since you had one,” Cyrus said.

He wasn’t wrong.

Marcus held him a little while longer and let go. Cyrus unlocked the cell and let him out.

Marcus growled at the guard on his way out of the jail.

“Listen, thanks and everything, but there’s a bar or three around here I ain’t exactly supposed to show my face at anymore,” Marcus said.

Cyrus tsked. “I can see why. What have you done to yourself? You used to be such a handsome boy.” He brushed the scars on Marcus’s face with the back of his hand.

Marcus swatted his fingers away. “Gross. It’s a whole thing.”

“I see. Some beast you made a deal with and weren’t able to control when it came off its leash?” Cyrus asked and pointed at the placard for the Whistling Pig. “How about this place?”

“Stabbed a waitress.” Marcus didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of turning his face away, so held his gaze as they walked further down the street.

“Here?” Cyrus indicated the Laughing Lady.

“Waitress stabbed me.”

Cyrus looked mournfully to the Prancing Stag when Marcus shook his head before the question was asked.

“What, did you kill the cook?” Cyrus asked.

“Just don’t like their beer,” Marcus said.

“Fair enough. I know one place you haven’t been barred from,” Cyrus said.

Marcus scoffed. “How can you be so sure?”

They were far enough away from the town now Marcus could’ve run if he wanted. Not that he had anywhere to go.

Cyrus unlatched an iron gate and beckoned Marcus to enter.

“The same way I know you gave yourself those scars.”

Marcus shoved past Cyrus and looked the place over. There wasn’t a sign.

“Little off the beaten path, huh?” Marcus said.

Cyrus crouched and opened a storm cellar. “That’s the way I like it. Welcome to my home.” He descended the stair first. There was already a lamp burning underneath. Looked like he knew he would be expecting company.

Marcus crouched and barred the door behind them. He hunched his back to fit within. Even then, his head scarcely avoided scraping the ceiling on the way down. The screws in his spine ached when he had to contort himself like this. They never had healed right. Oh well. Not like he hadn’t made the chirurgeon pay in spades for his shoddy work.

Marcus reached the floor and stepped in something even he, with his repeated exposure to society’s undesirables, thought was vile.

“Your can busted?” Marcus steadied himself on a wall and scraped the scum off his boot onto the stairs.

He jerked back when an eye appeared in the muck and winked at him.

“Gimme your stick and I’ll kill it,” he offered, holding his hand out toward Cyrus.

Cyrus laughed. “No need, that’s only Alex. Make something of yourself, would you?”

No sooner had he said this than the slime slid off the stairs and merged with huge pools scattered all around the basement. It poured itself into a vaguely elfin shape and waved, but didn’t speak.

It turned away and shuffled along the floor toward a buffet table. An orc in a pair of pince-nez gamely lifted the ladle from a punch bowl and poured a spoonful directly onto Alex’s head where it was immediately absorbed.

“There you are, chum,” he said. Alex gurgled and discorporated over a platter of sandwiches.

“Archibald? Is that you?” Marcus asked him, squinting in the dim light.

“Marcus!” He glided over to him and gave him a firm handshake, not delaying for one second or having to adjust his normal grip for Marcus’s new hands. Good old Archie. Nothing ever caught him off guard.

“What’re you doing here? I thought you were sentenced to death after the whole thing with the mayor’s daughter,” Marcus asked.

“Oh, I was. My sentence was carried out as well with a little help from our friend here.” Archibald indicated the pile of goo on the table and delicately rasped some nutmeg on it. “Not having a face does lend one a certain talent for disguise.”

“Man of many talents,” Marcus said. “Or uh, woman?” He glanced unsurely at the slime as Alex blew a bubble.

“To be honest, old chap, I haven’t the faintest idea. I don’t think anyone does, isn’t that right, professor?” he asked Cyrus.

Cyrus took a seat in a large, overstuffed chair and pulled a pipe out of its cushions. He packed it with a few leaves of Marcus’s confiscated devilweed and fumbled for a match.

“Unfortunately, that part of Alex’s records were destroyed in the fire that claimed most of the evocation department,” Cyrus said.

From the shadows behind him, a figure reached out its thumb and touched it to Cyrus’s pipe. It glowed red and he exhaled a cloud of smoke.

“What can I say? Subtlety never was one of my vices, teach.”

“Ah, thank you, Charles. Could you freshen the lamp? It’s dark as hell down here.”

Charles flicked his fingers onto a candle and placed it into a lantern.

“Ha! You brought Marcus here? Way to diversify assets. We didn’t have a 98 pound weakling yet.” Charles looked Marcus up and down, lingering on his expensive additions. “Or maybe 130 pound weakling now. What’d you do, break into the zoo and kill a girallon?”

Marcus sneered. “Let me guess. You got expelled for picking on the wrong first year?”

“Close. For grilling one medium-rare,” Charles said.

Marcus swallowed and looked uneasily to the charcuterie board by Alex’s leftmost pseudopod.

“Oh, don’t worry, Marcus, that poor girl is ancient history. As are Charles’s transgressions against you as far as our little cabal is concerned. We have to be willing to set these things aside if we’re to move forward,” Cyrus said in between puffs of devilweed.

“Move forward toward what exactly?” Marcus asked.

Cyrus upturned his pipe onto the floor and Alex encroached over it shortly after.

“I don’t know the precise details of your expulsion. My mind was on more pressing matters at the time, but I’d wager it has something to do with what lies below,” Cyrus said.

Marcus put the buffet table between himself and Charles and reached for a crab cake Alex had not yet made foul.
“What makes you say that?”

“Archibald here botched up a kidnapping on the mayor’s surviving daughter. Charles burned down far more of the school than he needed to to cover up the evidence of his crimes. You’ve seen what Alex has done. And I haven’t forgotten why I walk with this limp.” Cyrus eyed him. Neither had Marcus. It’d been by his hand. It’d shown that old man what it meant to flunk him.

“On the face of it, there was no reason for any of you to complicate your various crimes with these unnecessary risks. You must’ve thought it would get you some extra reward from otherworldly patrons. My working theory is that each of you only had a small piece of the rituals needed, which is why none of your bizarre errands panned out. I’m afraid Anthony and Ferris are out attending to Danielle, so you’ll have to meet them later. Unfortunately, she’s on the hook for something I’m unable to pay off on a professor’s salary,” Cyrus said.

“What, she’s in a dungeon or something somewhere?” Marcus asked.

“She’s run afoul of the drow of Xen’drik. Tried to pilfer one of their sacred gewgaws and they didn’t take it kindly. Not the kind of thing that can be solved diplomatically, I’m afraid.” Cyrus said.

“Why didn’t you send Jacob? He probably could’ve convinced those savages it rightfully belonged to Danielle with that silver tongue of his,” Charles asked.

“Another of his grandmothers died,” Cyrus said.

“That makes what, eight?” Charles said.

“If his grandfather was anything like him, it doesn’t strike me as the least bit suspicious,” Cyrus said.

“What about Siegfried? He loves chewing through drow,” Charles said.

“It’s his one month anniversary tonight,” Cyrus said.

Archibald laughed and sipped a glass of sherry. “Siegfried on an anniversary. That poor girl. Is it someone else from the school, professor?”

“No, he told me she was ‘trapped forever in a dimension of eternal suffering and damnation,’ so I didn’t know her,” Cyrus said. They all laughed.

After it had subsided, Marcus asked “So what, you’ve set yourself up as some kind of spymaster? Sending out malcontents to collect on contracts?”

“A means to an end, I assure you,” Cyrus said. “Once everyone is assembled, I believe we’ll have the necessary components to successfully perform the ritual. If we all participate, we’ll all be equally rewarded, if equally damned.”

Marus shrugged. “Nothing new for me at least. So who do we have to kill?”

Charles snorted and warmed a sandwich between his hands, a light smoke rising into the air. “Yeah, yeah, we’re all impressed with how tough you’ve gotten, runt. But we can’t just sacrifice anyone. Whoever’s on the receiving end is picky as hell.”

“Fitting, I suppose,” Archibald said. “We’ve got designs on a suitable target. Joshua something-or-other. He’s of sufficiently noble birth, although that only recently came to light through our intelligence network.” He nodded toward Alex, who gurgled appreciatively. “He’s former military, highly decorated, and although he’s been retired a while, he can still be roused now and again for a bit of for-hire work,”

“A mercenary?” Marcus asked.

“Though he wouldn’t deign to refer to himself as such, yes,” Archibald said.

“Is that a good idea?” Marcus asked. In his experience, people who could fight back made poor victims.

“There’s a reason we want to wait until we’ve got all our pieces in play,” Cyrus said. “None of us would be able to take him in a fair fight, so we’ll just have to stack the odds in our favor. As far as he’s concerned, we’re inviting him over soon for food and wine and pleasant conversation. He doesn’t need to know what being our guest of honor entails.”

“And how exactly are you going to make sure he’ll come?” Marcus asked.

“Our research shows Anthony’s just his type,” Cyrus said. “He’s got quite the knack for getting in peoples’ good graces.”

“That’s Archie’s favorite kind of recon, huh?” Charles bit into his sandwich.

“Oh, hush.” Archibald said.

“So what exactly is it you need from me?” Marcus asked. People like him didn’t give with one hand without taking with the other.

“Well, tell us everything you did back when you made your little bid for power,” Archibald said. He took out a notepad.

Marcus swallowed. “I’m sure the professor’s filled you in on the broad strokes.”

Cyrus drummed his finger on his pipe. “Humor me.”

“All right. It was midday. Right when lunch was starting. The kitchen was making that butterscotch pudding everyone likes,” Marcus said.

“By the Host, it’s been too long. We should have Danielle pinch the recipe. I’d have to say it’s the thing I miss most about the old place,” Archibald said.

Marcus continued. “So I knew I’d have a little time in the summoning lab by myself. The professor had ducked out early to have a drink and she left the cabinet unlocked,”

“Naughty,” Charles slid onto the seat by Cyrus and elbowed him in the side.

“I’m sure you lot drove her to it, you wretches. Go on,” Cyrus said.

“I followed the directions in the teacher’s edition of the book toward the back about demoniac invocation. Some parts were blacked out, but I figured I could eyeball it. I summoned something, but it came out… wrong. Its insides were on its outsides and it was just… it was all teeth and hair. Professor came in and heard the ruckus and was able to banish it with some magic dust or something and it leapt out the window and drowned in the moat.”

Cyrus sighed. “It was salt, Marcus. The whole thing’s body was one big open wound. I had to help clean up after, the poor woman was a wreck.”

Archibald had been assiduously taking notes. “And how many skulls did you use?”

“What?” Marcus asked.

“Skulls. How many were there? Siegfried said he tried twenty-nine last time and it still wasn’t enough,” Archibald said.

“Well, none, I guess. I was just focusing on getting some kind of demon in the mix. I mean, if that who I’m trying to get in good with, it makes sense to have one handy, right? They come from wherever we’re trying to get our power from,” Marcus said.

“And that’s what we need from you, Marcus,” Cyrus said. “Perhaps your irresponsibility might be good for something after all. We’ll see to it a demon attends our little get together. Might as well throw a devil in the mix too. Can’t hurt to cover our bases. ‘Never hurts to play both sides,’ as Anthony always says.”

“That’s just something you can do?” Marcus asked.

“Not alone. It’s part of what the rest of our happy few have to contribute to our group,” Cyrus said. “It’ll take a while for all the pieces to come together, but I trust you’re interested in the final stage?”

“Easy there, teach. Trust’s a four letter word around the likes of us,” Charles said.

Marcus didn’t want to seem too eager, so pretended to deliberate. “I’d need somewhere to stay.”

“You can stay here for the time being. I know you’re used to worse,” Cyrus said.

Marcus couldn’t argue.


Things didn’t take shape quite as soon as Cyrus had implied.

With Cyrus busy during the day chasing down leads, information, or strange ingredients for the group’s increasingly byzantine ceremony, Marcus saw little of him in the evenings since he preferred to retire to his chambers in the house proper upstairs. As the only one of the remaining boarders who wasn’t currently wanted for a capital crime, the day to day scutwork fell on his large shoulders. It wasn’t as though they could send Alex to the market. Not if they wanted to be able to eat whatever came back to Cyrus’s cellar.

Marcus was haggling with a vendor over the price of potatoes when he felt an unwelcome hand in his pocket. His huge fist groped for the intruder and closed on something delicate and feminine. He couldn’t wait to break it.

But as soon as he bore down, he found an empty glove in his hand. He turned and saw her darting down the alleyway. Marcus wasn’t the type to cry “Stop! Thief!” He preferred to take matters into his own hands.

He broke into a run and loped along the street in a two beat gait, stepping in turn with both feet and slinging himself along on his arms, his knuckles bracing him against the ground like a girallon hunting its prey.

She ducked into an alcove and shut the door behind her. Marcus caught up in short order and smashed the door to splinters.

Inside the building, everyone inside the smart, little bistro eyed him. The thief was sitting at a table sipping wine without a care in the world, as though she’d meant to leave the house with only one glove on. She slipped the waiter a coin from Marcus’s purse.

“Don’t worry, darling, put it on his bill,” she said.

The restaurant gamely laughed and no one approached Marcus. Probably afraid to, as it should be.

The thief wasn’t alone. Beside her sat an achingly beautiful man. The utter symmetry and flawlessness of his nose made Marcus want to go at it with a pair of pliers.

He ordered wine and beckoned Marcus over with a six-fingered hand.

“The man of the hour,” he said. “Have a seat, Marcus.”

Marcus approached their table, his knuckles dragging on the fine carpet. “You know me?”

“We’ve got a friend in common. Wouldn’t be here now without the dear old professor. He’s pulled my fat out of the fryer more times than I can count.” He tapped his extra thumb against the rim of his glass as he sipped his wine.

“He truly is the best of us. Here’s to the professor,” his companion raised her glass and pushed an empty toward Marcus.

“Your friend seems to be under the impression that I’m not going to cut her hands off.” Marcus’s fingers twitched.

“Oh, Danielle didn’t mean anything by it,” he said.

Marcus grabbed the bottle and took a belt. “You’re Ferris?”

“Ha! He wishes. I’m Anthony. Pleased to make your acquaintance.” Marcus shook his hand without having to sit down and squeezed the thumbs on Anthony’s left hand harder than strictly necessary.

“So why’re you cornering me here instead of just rendezvousing with the professor like you were supposed to a month ago? We figured the drow had eaten you,” Marcus said.

“What fun is there in doing what one’s told? Now, you could take Danielle’s hands and go tattle on us, or you could give in to your curiosity, sit down like a gentleman, and listen to the proposal you know is so juicy we had to corner you and give it to you in secret away from our friends’ prying eyes,” Anthony said.

Marcus collapsed into the empty chair and drummed his knuckles on the floor. “I’m listening.”


Marcus lounged in Cyrus’s chair and watched him tidy. He still could be spry when he had something approaching a good enough reason.

“How many crab cakes do we have?” Cyrus asked.

“Two dozen. Should be plenty,” Archibald checked them off his clipboard.

“So Siegfried’s not coming, then?” Marcus asked.

“You’re right. Better make it three,” Cyrus said.

“I’ll go and mix up some more of that cornmeal.” Archibald tied on an apron and started up the stairs. “Have Alex’s friends arrived yet?”

“Courier delivered them earlier. They’re in those urns in the broom closet. If you value your own well-being, don’t open them. We’ll make Alex roll them out once the party starts,” Cyrus said.

Archibald stopped on the stair and tilted his head as though listening to some unseen conversation.

“Siegfried says he’s bringing his lady friend,” Archibald said.

Cyrus grumbled. “He would pull this at the last minute. Marcus, do you have time to run out to the market?”

“Wait, professor, he says not to worry, she won’t be eating,” Archibald said and hopped upstairs.

“That makes what? Two months? Being around Siegfried for that long would kill my appetite too,” Charles said. He crouched under a fondue pot and nudged at the coals beneath it til they started to smolder.

“Hey, new guy, give me a hand with this,” Ferris murmured in between hammer blows against his anvil. Marcus reached over to his furnace without getting out of his seat. He picked up a piece of Cyrus’s garden gate and bent it into a small enough piece to fit in Ferris’s crucible.

“How long’re you keeping up this ‘new guy’ thing?” Marcus mopped at his brow. The basement was heating up as Ferris stoked his fire to melt the lumps of iron.

“Til someone newer comes. You know how it is. ETA on our guest of honor?” Ferris leaned on his bellows.

Cyrus checked his pocket watch. “Anthony said he was taking him to the matinee over at Phiarlan. They’re going out for drinks after and then they’re heading here. The show started three hours ago, so it shouldn’t be long.”

A yawning abyss opened in front of the sofa, jagged flaps of reality twisting in a hellish wind. From within the fired skies inside the portal, a grotesquely swollen man waddled out, dragging a bound and gagged demon on a leash.

“Hey guys,” Siegfried said.

“Close that thing, would you?” Charles shouted. “It’s hot enough in here.”

“Just a second. Hurry up, sweetie pie. Everyone’s dying to meet you,” Siegfried shouted behind him.

The silhouette of a skeleton crept up behind Siegfried from the portal, reaching its claw out for his neck.

“Blunted! Duck, Siegfried!” Ferris hurled his hammer at the skeleton and caught it in the chest. It stumbled out of the portal and snapped its fingers somehow. It closed.

“Well, that’s a fine how do you do,” the skeleton said in the voice of a young Brelish woman.

“Oh, uh, I’m sorry. You understand how it looked,” Ferris picked up his hammer and brushed it on his leather apron. He went back to work melting down the gate. “And you are?”

Siegfried brushed off his date’s fuchsia evening gown with the back of his hand and leered at Ferris. “Oh, actually her name is too ancient and terrible to be rendered in the tongues of man, so you can just stick with ‘hey you.’”

Archibald came down the stairs with a fresh tray of crab cakes, his oven mitts still on. “What’s the ruckus?”

“Oh, boy, now it’s a party,” Siegfried scooted over and grabbed a handful. “Man, I love these things.”

Someone rapped on the cellar door using the secret knock. Marcus, seeing no alternative, answered it himself. He slid the viewing window aside. Jacob leaned down over the door dressed in mourning garb, a black veil masking his face from beneath a silk top hat.

“Who died this time?” Marcus asked.

“My grandma,” Jacob said.

“So that’s what, nine now?” Marcus asked.

“Ten. She and my grandma killed each other when they found out they were married to my grandpa at the same time. It was a beautiful ceremony, but it ran a little long, which is why I’m late,” Jacob said.

“Uh huh. Priests just never know when to can it, right?” Marcus said.

“Priestess actually. It was a family affair. It was officiated by-“

Marcus opened the door to let him in, or he’d be here all night. “Your grandma?”

“How’d you know?” Jacob shrugged off his cloak and handed Marcus his hat. “Gin and bitters.”

Marcus tossed them into the corner and pointed toward the bar Archibald had set up. “Bottles are over there, and if you treat me like the help again, I’ll tell you where you can stick ‘em.”

“Gotcha,” Jacob said and went to fix himself a drink and chat with the others.

“Have you got it?” Cyrus asked him.

Jacob passed him a scroll and a small bag of gold. “Kept the fee too. Told him there was a check in the mail.” They both laughed.

“Some people will believe anything. Sorry to hear about your grandmas,” Cyrus said with some vague gesture to the Host.

“Much obliged,” Jacob said. “And thanks for the plots. You know my family couldn’t have afforded them without your help.”

Cyrus waved his gratitude away like fumes from Ferris’s crucible. “Oh, please, don’t give it a second thought.”

Anthony knocked on the cellar door using the knock to herald the arrival of Joshua.

Cyrus tapped his cane on the floor to get everyone’s attention. “He’s here! Places, everyone, just like we rehearsed. Don’t any of you ruin this for me.”

Everyone grabbed their cloaks and masks from the box on the coffee table and put them on.

“Blunted, which one’s mine again, the hawk or the monkey?” Ferris asked.

“No, you’re the dog, I’m the crane,” Archibald said, rummaging around the box.

“That’s an ibis and that’s for Charles, give me the ram,” Cyrus muttered and grabbed his. “It doesn’t matter, just take one. I can’t believe you idiots. Just stand on the goddamned thirteen pointed star, I put tape on the floor with your names on it and I’m in the center. Move the fondue pot, Charles.”

“It’s too heavy, just stand next to it,” Charles said. Anthony knocked at the door more insistently.

“There’s no time. That’ll have to do. Jacob, flip on the darkness once everyone’s situated,” Cyrus said. “These people,” he muttered to himself.

He opened the door and Joshua stood before him bedecked in gleaming military armor with a cheap black cloak and a lizard’s mask. He had his left arm around Anthony’s shoulder, his right around Danielle’s. “I hope we’re not unfashionably late,” he slurred. “Forgive me, I’ve had maybe a few too many. I hope that’s all right, perfesher.”

“Oh, no, that’s just fine.” Cyrus welcomed the trio in and motioned to bolt the door after them.

“Hang on, we’ve got one more,” Danielle said. “She followed us home from the bar. Can we keep her, dad?” she teased.

An erinyes slithered in after them, a hood over her head and a sack slung over her shoulder.

“I don’t see why she can’t stay for the party,” Cyrus said and locked up behind them.

“She’s got some of my old war trophies in that there sack. Your friend said the folks at your party might like to see ‘em. I’m afraid one of ‘em got a little banged up at the bar when I stepped on this enchanting specimen’s wing. Sorry again about that, sweetheart,” Joshua purred at the erinyes.

“It’s already forgotten,” she said, her eyes on Marcus, conspiring.

“Wait, how banged up is the skull?” Siegfried said through a mouthful of crab.

“I’m afraid it’s— wait, how’d you know it was a skull?” Joshua said.

“Uh, the shape of the sack or something, lemme look at it.” Siegfried jabbed his fat hands into the sack before it hit the ground and took out a hydra’s skull broken into pieces where someone had stepped on it. “27, 28, 29. This is no good at all!” he cried. “Does anyone have a skull they’re not using?”

“What the hell kind of seance is this?” Joshua demanded while Archibald filled his glass, adding a surreptitious pinch of powder when Joshua’s back was turned. He winked at Cyrus.

“Just a little game we play before we get things started,” Cyrus said. The room fell silent for a moment and everyone gradually turned to look at Siegfried’s date.

Siegfried noticed. “Not cool, guys. You’re acting totally necrophobic right now.”

“Now now, why don’t we ask her and let her decide for herself? That way no one’s doing anything they didn’t agree to,” Cyrus said.

Siegfried sighed and looked genuinely shy. “Honey muffin, would you mind lying down on this dais and letting Ferris pour molten iron all over your skull?”

His date looked at him without any discernible expression. “That’s hysterical. Sure, just hold my earrings.” She pulled off the small pieces of wax affixing them to her bone and put them in Siegfried’s hand.

Alex dripped down off the ceiling and gurgled at Cyrus.

“Yes, it’s time now, go ahead and let out your horrible pals,” Cyrus said.

Alex coalesced into an elf shape and opened up the closet. The jars quivered and when the lids lifted, a couple of slimes glistened from within.

“Is that dessert?” Joshua asked and leaned over one of them with a spoon. “Smells good.”

“I wouldn’t eat that black pudding there, friend. It’ll eat you right back,” Charles said. “You wanna help, start pilin’ up those skulls.”

Joshua quaffed his drink and started making a pile of hydra skulls on the dais by the fondue pot. “Any particular arrangement or anything?”

“No one cares, new guy,” Marcus chimed in, eager to be part of the conversation.

“How rude,” Cyrus said behind Joshua’s back and winked.

Ferris applied the molten iron and motioned for Siegfried’s date to lie down. “Make yourself comfortable, I guess. I really don’t know if this will hurt, so just try not to break any more of these skulls.”

“It’s fine, I don’t feel pain as you mortals perceive it. Be a lamb and fill up my eye sockets, would you? I adore the sensation,” she said.

“Explains why she’s with Siegfried,” Charles muttered under her expression of delight while Ferris obliged. Charles elbowed Marcus in the side and they took their places on the thirteen pointed star.

“Jacob, the darkness?” Cyrus said.

Jacob read from his scroll and the basement disappeared in blackness.

“Thank you for your service to our country, Joshua. For what it’s worth, I really am sorry about this,” Cyrus said from within the cloud. He gasped as a wet, sucking sound filled the air. “Careful, you imbecile! You got me with that thing!”

Anthony chuckled and twisted his knife somewhere in Cyrus. “Oh, it’s no mistake, professor. Or should I say, your lordship?”

Archibald stabbed him next. “You see, while I was researching Joshua’s lineage, I found that you’re actually the second cousin once removed of the governor. Much higher than the minor nobility granted to our friend here. No offense intended of course, old man.”

A meaty thud let Marcus know Joshua went next. “None taken. You folks sure know how to throw a party.”

“Speaking of friends, that’s why it had to be you.” Jacob went next. “Joshua seems perfectly nice and all, professor, but it couldn’t just be an acquaintance. It had to be our best friend.”

Danielle followed. “You’ve done more for me than anyone ever has.” Marcus heard a kiss in between Cyrus’s wretched inhalations. “Thank you.”

Ferris nearly knocked Cyrus out of the circle with the strength of his blow. “No one ever believed in me like you did, professor.”

Charles took his turn and didn’t say anything.

The labored breathing that accompanied the next blow let Marcus know it was Siegfried. “I never would’ve learned to travel to other dimensions without going to office hours with you.”

“What’s going on? Are we stabbing someone to death?” Siegfried’s date asked. “It’s hard to hear through the metal.”

“Yes, sugarloaf. You go in a minute, we’re in the middle of something.”

From the sound, Marcus gathered Alex took the next turn.

Marcus went last.

“Et tu, Marcus?” Cyrus asked in between gasps.

“It had to be unanimous. You’re the best friend any of us has ever had. That’s why it had to be you.” Marcus took his turn and hit something important, his aim off from his huge arms.

“That doesn’t sound good,” Danielle said.

“Damnit, stretch here must’ve hit an artery. I have to be the one to actually kill him or all this is for nothing. Just hold him steady and try not to screw it up,” Charles said and slapped Marcus in the back of the head. Charles lit the pot of boiling oil with his fire and the air was thick with greasy smoke.

“Siegfried, hold that horrible thing you brought and make it watch. Alex’s friends can see ok. Lady with the wings, your view all right?” Charles asked.

“What is happening?” the erinyes asked.

“Truthfully, I think we’re all a bit lost right now,” Jacob said.

Charles intensified his flames and lit Cyrus’s body on fire. He made Marcus hold him until he stopped screaming. He dropped Cyrus in the pot and licked his wounds from the flames.

“Wimp. All right, Alex, you and those other freaks go ahead and chow down,” Charles said.

“Okay, it’s super hot in here. Since the darkness is already on, does anyone mind if I take off this stupid robe?” Danielle asked.

“Only if Siegfried doesn’t peek,” his date said. The ingots of iron thudded to the floor from her eye sockets.

“I’ve only got eyes for you, dumpling,” Siegfried said.

“So, how do we know if it worked this time?” Marcus asked.

Everyone was silent for a moment.

“It worked. It had to have worked. Trust me,” Jacob said.

For once, Marcus believed him.

CE human rogue 1/warblade 4/thrall of demogorgon 10/ master of nine 5


stry 16 (increases here)
dex 14
con 14
int 12
wis 8
cha 14




Level
Class
Base Attack Bonus
Fort Save
Ref Save
Will Save
Skills
Feats
Class Features


1st
Rogue 1
+0
+0
+2
+0
bluff 4, forgery 4, intimidate 4, jump 4, k (arcana) 4 (2), k (religion) 4, (2), k (local) 2, open lock 1, sleight of hand 1, sense motive 4, tumble 4, umd 4,
thrall to demon, willing deformity
Sneak attack +1d6, trapfinding


2nd
Warblade 1
+1
+2
+2
+0
concentration 5, intimidate 1 (5)

battle clarity (ref saves), weapon aptitutde


3rd
Warblade 2
+2
+3
+2
+0
balance 5, tumble 1 (5)
dodge
uncanny dodge


4th
Warblade 3
+3
+3
+3
+1
concentration 2 (7) , intimidate 2 (7), jump 1 (5), tumble 1 (7)

battle ardor (critical confirmation)


5th
Warblade 4
+4
+4
+3
+1
concentration 1 (8), intimidate 1 (8), jump 3 (8), tumble 1 (8)




6th
Thrall of Demogorgon 1
+5
+6
+3
+1
bluff 1 (5), concentration 1 (9), intimidate 1 (9), jump 1 (9), never outnumbered
adaptive style
(Scaly flesh +1, hypnosis (bonus) blind-fight


7th
Thrall of Demogorgon 2
+6/+1
+7
+3
+1
bluff 3 (8), concentration 1 (10), intimidate 1 (10), jump 1 (10)

touch of fear


8th
Thrall of Demogorgon 3
+7/+2
+7
+4
+2
bluff 1 (9), concentration 1 (11), intimidate 1 (11), jump 1 (11), sense motive 2 (6)

reaching touch


9th
Thrall of Demogorgon 4
+8/+3
+8
+4
+2
bluff 1 (10), concentration 1 (12), intimidate 1 (12), jump 1 (12), sense motive 2 (8)
improved initiative
dual actions, scaly flesh +2, (bonus) improved unarmed strike


10th
Thrall of Demogorgon 5
+9/+4
+8
+4
+2
bluff 1 (11), concentration 1 (13), intimidate 1 (13), jump 1 (13), sense motive 2 (10)

summon minor demon


11th
Thrall of Demogorgon 6
+10/+5
+9
+5
+3
bluff 3 (14), concentration 1 (14), intimidate 1 (14), jump 1 (14)

rotting touch


12th
Thrall of Demogorgon 7
+11/+6/+1
+9
+5
+3
bluff 1 (15), concentration 1 (15), intimidate 1 (15), jump 1 (15), swift concentration
deformity (madness)
scaly flesh +3, (bonus) deformity (tall)


13th
Thrall of Demogorgon 8
+12/+7/+2
+10
+5
+3
bluff 1 (16), concentration 1 (16), intimidate 1 (16), jump 1 (16), sense motive 2 (12)

two personas, death touch


14th
Thrall of Demogorgon 9
+13/+8/+3
+10
+5
+3
bluff 1 (17), concentration 1 (17), intimidate 1 (17), jump 1 (17), sense motive 2 (14)

summon major demon


15th
Thrall of Demogorgon 10
+14/+9/+4
+11
+5
+3
bluff 1 (18), concentration 1 (18), intimidate 1 (18), jump 1 (18), sense motive 2 (16)
aberration blood (flexible limbs)
demogorgon’s will, scaly flesh +4, (bonus) martial study (shadow stride)


16th
Master of Nine 1
+14/+9/+4
+11
+5
+5
concentration 1 (19), diplo 1, intimidate 1 (19), jump 1 (19), tumble 4 (12)




17th
Master of Nine 2
+15/+10/+5
+11
+5
+6
concentration 1 (20), diplo 4 (5), jump 1 (20), social recovery

Dual stance


18th
Master of Nine 3
+16/+11/+6/+1
+12
+6
+6
concentration 1 (21), diplo 5 (10), intimidate 1 (21), jump 1 (21),
inhuman reach
Perfect form


19th
Master of Nine 4
+17/+12/+7/+2
+12
+6
+7
concentration 1 (22), diplo 5 (15), intimidate 1 (22), jump 1 (22)

Counter stance


20th
Master of Nine 5
+17/+12/+7/+2
+12
+6
+7
concentration 1 (23), diplo 5 (20), intimidate 1 (23), jump 1 (23)

Mastery of nine




number in parenthetical is number of maneuvers total known in that discipline

2: (three 1s) moment of perfect mind (diamond mind 1), wolf fang strike (tiger claw 3), sudden leap(tiger claw 3)
stances: hunter’s sense (tiger claw 3),*
3* one 1 leading the attack (white raven 1)
4 one 2 mountain hammer (stone dragon 1)
stances: hunter’s sense (tiger claw 3), leading the charge (white raven 2)
5 one 2 wall of blades (iron heart 1) (retrain a 1 to a 2: replace wolf fang strike* with tactical strike (white raven 3))*
16: two more 5s*
pouncing charge (tiger claw 3)*
rapid counter (diamond mind 2)
17: one 6
foe hammer (devoted spirit 1)
stances: hunter’s sense (tiger claw 3), leading the charge (white raven 5), press the advantage (white raven 5)
18: two 6s
moment of alacrity (diamond mind 3)
order forged from chaos (white raven 5)
19: one 7
clarion call (white raven 6)
stances: hunter’s sense (tiger claw 4), leading the charge (white raven 5), press the advantage (white raven 5), thicket of blades (devoted spirit 2) (pick something to qualify for this now or later)
20 two 7s
swooping dragon strike (tiger claw 5)
swarming assault (white raven 7)



You function more or less as a standard warblade here albeit with the skills and goodies of a rogue. Jump around and make use of your maneuvers, with tiger claw offering valuable mobility and damage. Wall of blades shores up your defenses, and mountain hammer lets you bypass locked doors. Get your brute on and brace yourself for the secret ingredient.


Adaptive style is up letting you refresh maneuvers more easily. Improved initiative means you’ll hit first more often, and you’re in the secret ingredient already. Congratulations. Summon minor demons to flank with and do miscellaneous scutwork. You’re paying your taxes for master of nine and they’re helping you be even beefier in melee.


Your rotting touch is up and ready and your madness is on and protecting you. You’re now wholly immune to mind-affecting effects. 1/minute, you can add 1/2 your character level to a will save when you run into a different kind of will save and you’ve already used moment of perfect mind to protect yourself. Thrall of Demogorgon gamely gives concentration, so you can keep up your ranks in it alongside your other important discipline skills, such as jump for tiger claw. You’ve discovered your latent aberration blood, making your arms slightly noodlier, to bolster Thrall of Demogorgon’s reaching touch, further improving your reach. You’ve got a major demon to push around now, so enjoy it alongside your death touch. Deformity tall gives more reach still. Since you’ve got proficiency with martial, use the duom when the opportunity strikes to poke at enemies next to you and up to 30 feet away. Shadow stride helps out with mobility, giving the always-valuable teleportation. Swift concentration is on for when you need to mimic a spell like that through demogorgon’s will, which you can sling with impunity to replicate a desire of effects.


The time for the secret ingredient has come and passed. Thanks to thrall of demogorgon imparting 4 unrestricted feats, you can easily enter master of nine, which normally requires at least five. It allows you to learn maneuvers from every school, lets you stand in two stances at once, change stances when you use a counter, and boosts your DCs, attack, and damage. Inhuman reach is up, boosting your reach to 40, and your new maneuvers allow you to pounce, further abuse the action economy through white raven, especially in conjunction with dual actions, allowing up to two rounds of white raven and other maneuvers, especially white raven tactics and moment of alacrity, allowing you to act a great many times in a round along with your friends. Master of nine allows you to access shadow hand and devoted spirit. Devoted spirit gives you thicket of blades, which allows you to make aoos against anyone in your huge swath of threatened space. No 5 foot steps. No withdrawing. Do not pass go. Do not collect 200gp.


elder evils: deformity (madness), thrall to demon, willing deformity
heroes of horror: deformity (tall)
book of vile darkness: thrall of demogorgon
srd: dodge, blind-fight, improved initiative, improved unarmed strike, rogue
tome of battle: adaptive style, martial study
lords of madness: aberration blood, inhuman reach

[Heliomance]

Entry number 3!



Reed Armstrong

https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3660/3697666982_dc7ee72551.jpg


Caotic Evil Woodelf Hexblade 4/ Justicar of Taiia 1/ Thrall of Demogorgon 8/ Binder 3/ Crusader 1/ Warblade 1/ Thrall of Demogorgon +2
Sworn service to Ragnorra
Starting Abilities: STR 15, DEX 14, CON 13, INT 14, WIS 8, CHA 14
Level Adjustments: STR +1, CHA +2, DEX +2
Wood Elf Adjustment: STR +2, DEX +2, CON -2, INT -2
Final Abilities: STR 18, DEX 16, CON 11, INT 12, WIS 8, CHA 16
Languages: Common, Elvish, Abysal






Level
Class
Base Attack Bonus
Fort Save
Ref Save
Will Save
Skills
Feats
Class Features


1st
Hexblade 1
+1
+0
+0
+2
Bluff 4(4), Knowledge (arcana) 4(4), Knowledge (planes) 2(4)
Willing Deformity(b), Deformity(Tall)
Hexblade's Curse 1/day


2nd
Hexblade 2
+2
+0
+0
+3
Bluff 5(1), Knowledge (arcana) 5(1), Knowledge (planes) 2(0) Intimidate 1(1)

Arcane resistance


3rd
Hexblade 3
+3
+1
+1
+3
Bluff 5(0), Knowledge (arcana) 5(0), Knowledge (planes) 2(0), Knowledge (religion) 3(3) Intimidate 1(0)
Knowledge Devotion(religion)
Mettle


4th
Hexblade 4
+4
+1
+1
+4
Bluff 5(0), Knowledge (arcana) 5(0), Knowledge (planes) 2(0), Knowledge (religion) 6(3) Intimidate 1(0)

Dark Companion


5th
Justicar of Taiia
+4
+1
+3
+6
Bluff 5(0), Knowledge (arcana) 5(0), Knowledge (planes) 2(0), Knowledge (religion) 6(0) Intimidate 8(7)
Thrall to Demon(b), Exotic Weapon Proficency(spiked chain)(b)
sneak attack +1d6


6th
Thrall to Demogorgon 1
+5
+3
+3
+6
Bluff 5(0), Knowledge (arcana) 5(0), Knowledge (planes) 3(1), Knowledge (religion) 6(0), Knowledge (dungeon) 3(3),Intimidate 9(1)
Abberation Blood, Inhuman Reach(b)
Scaly flesh +1, hypnosis


7th
Thrall to Demogorgon 2
+6
+4
+3
+6
Bluff 7(2), Knowledge (arcana) 5(0), Knowledge (planes) 4(1), Knowledge (religion) 6(0), Knowledge (dungeon) 4(1), Intimidate 10(1)

Touch of fear


8th
Thrall to Demogorgon 3
+7
+4
+4
+7
Bluff 9(2), Knowledge (arcana) 5(0), Knowledge (planes) 5(1), Knowledge (religion) 6(0), Knowledge (dungeon) 5(1), Intimidate 11(1)

Reaching touch


9th
Thrall to Demogorgon 4
+8
+5
+4
+7
Bluff 10(1), Knowledge (arcana) 6(1), Knowledge (planes) 6(1), Knowledge (religion) 6(0), Knowledge (dungeon) 6(1), Intimidate 12(1)
Combat Reflexes, Power Attack(b)
Dual actions, scaly flesh +2


10th
Thrall to Demogorgon 5
+9
+5
+4
+7
Bluff 11(1), Knowledge (arcana) 7(1), Knowledge (planes) 7(1), Knowledge (religion) 6(0), Knowledge (dungeon) 7(1), Intimidate 13(1)
Abominable Form(b)
Summon minor demon


11th
Thrall to Demogorgon 6
+10
+6
+5
+8
Bluff 12(1), Knowledge (arcana) 7(0), Knowledge (planes) 7(0), Knowledge (religion) 7(1), Knowledge (dungeon) 7(0), Knowledge (local) 2(2), Intimidate 14(1)

Rotting touch


12th
Thrall to Demogorgon 7
+11
+6
+5
+8
Bluff 13(1), Knowledge (arcana) 7(0), Knowledge (planes) 7(0), Knowledge (religion) 7(0), Knowledge (dungeon) 7(0), Knowledge (local) 3(1), Intimidate 15(1), Never Outnumbered(2)
Intimidating Strike, Imperious Command(b)
Scaly flesh +3


13th
Thrall to Demogorgon 8
+12
+7
+5
+8
Bluff 14(1), Knowledge (arcana) 7(0), Knowledge (planes) 7(0), Knowledge (religion) 7(0), Knowledge (dungeon) 7(0), Knowledge (local) 6(3), Intimidate 16(1), Never Outnumbered

Two personas, death touch


14th
Binder 1
+12
+9
+5
+10
Bluff 16(2), Knowledge (arcana) 7(0), Knowledge (planes) 7(0), Knowledge (religion) 7(0), Knowledge (dungeon) 7(0), Knowledge (local) 6(0), Intimidate 17(1), Never Outnumbered

Soul binding(1 vestige)


15th
Binder 2
+13
+10
+5
+11
Bluff 18(2), Knowledge (arcana) 7(0), Knowledge (planes) 7(0), Knowledge (religion) 7(0), Knowledge (dungeon) 7(0), Knowledge (local) 6(0), Intimidate 18(1), Never Outnumbered[
Evil Brand(b), Improved Binding
Pact augmentation (1 ability), suppress sign


16th
Binder 3
+14
+10
+6
+11
Bluff 19(1), Knowledge (arcana) 8(1), Knowledge (planes) 7(0), Knowledge (religion) 7(0), Knowledge (dungeon) 7(0), Knowledge (local) 6(0), Intimidate 19(1), Never Outnumbered




17th
Crusader 1
+15
+12
+6
+11
Bluff 19(0), Knowledge (arcana) 8(0), Knowledge (planes) 7(0), Knowledge (religion) 11(4), Knowledge (dungeon) 7(0), Knowledge (local) 6(0), Intimidate 20(1), Never Outnumbered

Furious counterstrike, steely resolve 5


18th
Warblade 1
+16
+14
+6
+11
Bluff 19(0), Knowledge (arcana) 8(0), Knowledge (planes) 7(0), Knowledge (religion) 11(0), Knowledge (dungeon) 7(0), Knowledge (local) 10(4), Intimidate 21(1), Never Outnumbered
Martial Stance (Dancing Blade Form)
Battle clarity (reflex saves), weapon aptitude


19th
Thrall to Demogorgon 9
+17
+14
+7
+12
Bluff 19(0), Knowledge (arcana) 8(0), Knowledge (planes) 7(0), Knowledge (religion) 11(0), Knowledge (dungeon) 7(0), Knowledge (local) 14(4), Intimidate 22(1), Never Outnumbered[

Summon major demon


20th
Thrall to Demogorgon 10
+18
+15
+7
+12
Bluff 19(0), Knowledge (arcana) 8(0), Knowledge (planes) 7(0), Knowledge (religion) 11(0), Knowledge (dungeon) 7(0), Knowledge (local) 18(4), Intimidate 23(1), Never Outnumbered
Abyss-Bound Soul(demogorgon)(b), Stand Still(b)
Demogorgon's will, scaly flesh +4





Hexblade Spells per Day


Level
0lvl
1st




4th - 20th
-
0






Hexblade Spell list

1 - Detect Magic, Expeditious Retreat

WIS is too low to learn Justiciar of Taiia spells




Manuvers Known

Crusader - Martial Spirit, Defensive Rebuke, Revitalizing Strike, Leading the charge, White Raven Tactics, Mountain Hammer

Warblade - Punishing Stance, Iron Heart Surge, Covering Strike, Rapid Counter, Dancing Blade Form(feat)





Cleric of Ragnorra: in a distant voice What progress have you made?
Reed: Taiia was a pushover; she'll let in anyone. Destruction is her thing and we can definitely help with that. Demogorgon was a little harder to infiltrate. He wanted my soul and a little bit of human sacrifice, but am I really going to need my soul when everything is said and done? He's half abberation already and Aameul is all about getting Hethradiah to make that transition too.
Cleric of Ragnorra: Carry on.

Reed starts off by pledging himself to the service of Ragnorra and her quest to transform all entities into abberations. For his service he receives deformities and Thrall to Demon. Paired with abberation blood/inhuman reach that extends his base reach 10 feet. He starts out as a Hexblade mostly for the additional survival it provides in Arcane resistance and Mettle, but also can use the debuffs provided by Dark companion and Hexblade curse. He picks up Knowledge devotion for a bit more raw damage and so he can get into Justicar of Taiia in a timely manner. Justicar of Taiia allows Reed to start using a spiked chain to double his reach and gives him a bit of sneak attack in case Demogorgon isn't impressed enough by a single first level spell. And he enters into the special ingredient using the additional feat to grab the previously mentioned Inhuman reach. Hypnosis can be used if he get himself outnumbered and is easier to land due to his dark companion. And additional AC from Scaly flesh is always welcome.





Reed now has most of Thrall of Demogorgon's goodies. Touch of fear, Rotting touch, and death touch all blend together beautifully with Dark companion, Abominable form, Intimidating Strike, Imperious Command, and Never outnumbered to create a fairly hard to resist death attack. It takes a few rounds to get the best chance for death touch to land, but Dual actions reduces the setup time. Reaching Touch stacks with his other reach feats to provide a 40 ft reach with the spiked chain which is helped by opportunity attacks from Combat Reflexes and more potential damage via Power attack and Knowledge Devotion. Once he's used his death touch for the day, he can use Dual actions to get his minor demon out without losing an attack round. Two personas will come in handy for the next portion of Reed's progression.





With Demogorgon's help in the form of Two personas, Reed is now able to experiment in new the disciplines of binding, maneuvers, and stances. Three levels of Binder and the Improved Binding feat allows binding of Piamon and it's always a beneficial bind because he has enough Bluff skill. Crusader allows him to pick up the key Devoted Spirit maneuver Defensive Rebuke and Warblade and a feat grants Covering Strike, Rapid Counter, and Dancing Blade Form and a couple other useful manuevers. Finishing up Thrall of Demogorgon grants a higher level demon summon and limited wish once a day if he's willing to give up the xp. Abyss-bound Soul gives yet another daily demon summon and Stand Still allows him to use his multitude of opportunity attacks for even better crowd control.

When Reed wants to go nova he starts by using Dual actions and reaching touch, then in turn 1a initiates Covering Strike as a swift action, using Piamon dance as a standard action to hit everything he walks by within his now 50 foot reach (base 5, reaching touch +5, Dancing Blade form +5, deformity(tall) +5, inhuman reach +5, reach weapon *2) without taking attacks of opportunity and potentially pumped up by power attack and Knowledge Devotion, then a move action to get to the most advantageous position. On turn 1b, he uses Defensive rebuke as a swift action to force everyone he hits to attack him or draw opportunity attacks, then use Whirlwind which is given by the Piamon bind to hit everything within his 50 feet reach as a full round action. On the enemy's turn, they either try to attack Reed which means they have to move toward him through his 40 foot reach (Dancing Blade Form is only when attacking) drawing attacks of opportunity which he has 2 more of due to Piamon's +4 to DEX and one additional free attack due to Rapid Counter, or if they ignore him and attack his fiends he gets to take attacks of opportunity anyways. Those opportunity attacks can either be for damage or to force them to stay put using Stand Still. Alternatively, he can keep the same turn 1a and either summon a friend to better take advantage of Defensive Rebuke later or start ramping up for the death touch in turn 1b. If he has time to prepare before battle, he casts one or more of his summons and uses expeditious retreat to get extra distance on his Piamon's Dance.





Book of Vile Darkness - Thrall of Demogorgon
Complete Champion - Knowledge Devotion
Complete Scoundrel - Never outnumbered
Complete Warrior - Hexblade
Deities and Demigods - Justicar of Taiia
Drow of the Underdark - Imperious Command
Elder Evils - pledged to Ragnorra, Willing Deformity, Abominable Form, Thrall to Demon, Evil Brand, Abyss-Bound Soul
Expanded Psionics Handbook - Stand Still
Heroes of Horror - Deformity(Tall)
Lords of Madness - Aberration Blood, Inhuman Reach
Player's Handbook II - Dark Companion, Intimidating Strike
Tome of Magic - Binder, Improved Binding
Tome of Battle - Crusader, Warblade, Martial Stance

[Heliomance]

Entry number 4!


Altaes Dimare, Lord of House Dimare, First of His Name.
https://image.ibb.co/cMgZJk/fiendblooded.png (https://imgbb.com/) https://image.ibb.co/cMgZJk/fiendblooded.png (https://imgbb.com/)


Stub

CE Human Sorcerer 5, Fiend Blooded 4, Thrall of Demogorgon 7, Fatespinner 4


Numbers

HP= d4x13+d8x7/2+20=74
speed=30
Sorcerer – PHB 51
Fiend-Blooded – Heroes of Horror 102 PRC
Thrall of Demogorgon – Book of Vile Darkness 67
Fatespinner – Complete Arcane 37

Fiendish Weasel Familiar +2 REF (Fiendish Companion, MM 108)
(However, at later levels would probably switch out to a flying Familiar to take advantage of the deliver touch spells ability.)

Feats:
1- Skill Knowledge (Know Planes) – Unearthed Arcana 81
1-Eschew Materials – PHB 94
3-Blood calls to Blood – Heroes of Horror 120
6-Willing Deformity – HoH 125
9-Thrall to Demon – BoVD 50
12-Reach Spell – CDiV 84
15- Corrupt Spell –CdiV 79
18-Empowered Spell – PHB 93



32 pt buy
STR 8 DEX 12 CON 12 INT 12 WIS 12 CHA 18
fiend-blooded
STR 8 DEX 12 CON 12 INT 13 WIS 12 CHA 19
All pts into CHA, Final
STR 8 DEX 12 CON 12 INT 13 WIS 12 CHA 24


Build



Level
Class
Base Attack Bonus
Fort Save
Ref Save
Will Save
Skills
Feats
Class Features


1st
Sorcerer 1
+0
+0
+0
+2
Conc 4, Knowledge Arcana 4, Knowledge Planes 4, Perform(Gamble)4
Eschew Materials, Skill Knowledge (Planes)
Summon Familiar (Badger)


2nd
Sorcerer 2
+1
+0
+0
+3
Conc 5, KnArc 5, KnPl 5, Perform 5
-
-


3rd
Sorcerer 3
+1
+1
+1
+3
Conc 6, KnArc 6, KnPl 6
Blood calls to Blood
-


4th
Sorcerer 4
+2
+1
+1
+4
Conc 7, KnArc 7, KnPl 7, Knowledge Religion .5
-
-


5th
Sorcerer 5
+2
+1
+1
+4
Conc 8, KnArc 8, KnPl 8, KnRel 1
-
-


6th
Fiend-Blooded 1
+2
+1
+1
+6
Conc 9, KnArc 9, KnPl 9, KnRel 1.5
Thrall to Demons
Fiendish Companion, Fiendish Heritage (+1ac), +1 spellcasting


7th
Fiend-Blooded 2
+3
+1
+1
+7
Conc 10, Spellcraft 2, KnRel 2
-
Fiendish Sorcery (3-Cruel Disappointment ), +1 spellcasting


8th
Fiend-Blooded 3
+3
+2
+2
+7
Spellcraft 4, KnRel 3
-
Blood of Fiends, Fiendish Heritage +1CHA, +1 spellcasting


9th
Fiend-Blooded 4
+4
+2
+2
+8
Spellcraft 6, Intimidate 2
Willful Deformity
Fiendish Sorcery (4-Stop Heart ), Smite Spell 1/day, +1 spellcasting


10th
Thrall of Demogorgon 1
+5
+4
+2
+8
Conc 11, Intim 3, KnArc 10, KnPl 10, KnRel 5
-
Scaly Flesh +1, Hypnosis, +1 spellcasting


11th
Thrall 2
+6
+5
+2
+8
Conc 13, Intim 5, KnRel 7
-
Touch of Fear


12th
Thrall 3
+7
+5
+3
+9
Conc 14, Intim 7, KnArc 11, KnPl 11, KnRel 6
Reach Spell
Reaching Touch


13th
Thrall 4
+8
+6
+3
+9
Conc 15, Spellcraft 7, Intim 8, KnRel 8
-
Dual Actions, Scaly Flesh +2, +1 spellcasting


14th
Thrall 5
+9
+6
+3
+9
Conc 16, Spellcraft 8, Intim 9, KnRel 10
-
Summon Minor Demon


15th
Thrall 6
+10
+7
+4
+10
Conc 17, Spellcraft 9, Intim 10, KnRel 12
Corrupt Spell
Rotting Touch


16th
Thrall 7
+11
+7
+4
+10
Conc 19, Spellcraft 10, KnArc 12, KnPl 12
-
Scaly Flesh +3, +1 spellcasting


17th
Fatespinner 1
+11
+7
+4
+12
Conc 20, KnArc 13, Spellcraft 12
-
Spin Fate, +1 spellcasting


18th
Fatespinner 2
+12
+7
+4
+13
KnArc 15, Spellcraft 14
Empowered Spell
Fickle finger of Fate, +1 spellcasting


19th
Fatespinner 3
+12
+8
+5
+13
KnArc 17, Spellcraft 16
-
Spin Destiny, +1 spellcasting


20th
Fatespinner 4
+13
+8
+5
+14
KnArc 19, Spellcraft 17
-
Deny Fate, +1 spellcasting




Spells

Spells per Day/Spells Known


Level
0lvl
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
8th
9th


1st
5/4
4/2
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


2nd
6/5
5/2
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


3rd
6/5
6/3
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


4th
6/6
7/3
4/1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


5th
6/6
7/4
5/2
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


6th
6/7
7/4
6/2
4/1
-
-
-
-
-
-


7th
6/7
7/5
7/3
5/2
-
-
-
-
-
-


8th
6/8
8/5
7/3
6/2
4/1
-
-
-
-
-


9th
6/8
5/5
7/4
7/3
5/2
-
-
-
-
-


10th
6/9
8/5
7/4
7/3
6/2
4/1
-
-
-
-


11th
6/9
8/5
7/4
7/3
6/2
4/1
-
-
-
-


12th
6/9
8/5
7/4
7/3
6/2
4/1
-
-
-
-


13th
6/9
8/5
8/5
7/4
7/3
5/2
-
-
-
-


14th
6/9
8/5
8/5
7/4
7/3
5/2
-
-
-
-


15th
6/9
8/5
8/5
7/4
7/3
5/2
-
-
-
-


16th
6/9
8/5
8/5
7/4
7/3
6/2
4/1
-
-
-


17th
6/9
8/5
8/5
7/4
7/4
73
5/2
-
-
-


18th
6/9
8/5
8/5
7/4
7/4
7/3
6/2
3/1
-
-


19th
6/9
8/5
8/5
7/4
7/4
7/4
7/3
4/2
-
-


20th
6/9
8/5
8/5
8/4
7/4
7/4
7/3
6/2
3/1
-


Gain lvl 3-Cruel Disappointment @lvl 7, and lvl 4-Stop Heart @lvl 9

Spell Selection

Can tweak this by relearning spells as you go per the Sorcerer entry in PHB
0-Daze, Flare, Ghost Sound, Touch of Fatigue, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation
1-Grease, Charm Person, Magic Missile, Ray of Enfeeblement, Feather Fall
2-Melf’s Acid Arrow, Scorching Ray, Shatter, Insidious Insight, Command Undead
3-Dispel Magic, Protection from Energy, Hold Person, Suggestion
4-Orb of Force, Phantasmal Killer, Enduring Flight, Polymorph
5-Break Enchantment, Teleport, Feeblemind, Baleful Polymorph
6-Geas/Quest, Disintegrate, Fiend Form
7-Plane Shift, Limited Wish
8-Sinbul’s Skeletal Deliquesance

Background

No one is born a wolf. Everyone enters the world clothed in a bright sheen of cowardly white and must choose to be part of the herd, or to feed on it. While still a youngling I learned that I had the power within me to manipulate reality and mold it to my will. It wasn’t until later that I would learn of the connection to another as the reason for this.

As I grew, those that chose to stand in my way began to fall by the wayside, either by my hand, or by another’s. I began to tap into this power within me, and it changed me. I started to realize what my origin was, and I embraced it. I founded this House, House Dimare, and it has stood against all who would seek to drag me down. I am Marked, as are all who desire to serve this House, but not all know the true meaning of this, nor it’s infernal purpose.

No longer content to simply be pledged to My Lord Demogorgon, I became his Thrall. Another sought to stand in my place, and he was sent to his doom instead. Through Him I have conquered and rent my way through those who stood against this House. I have crushed and subverted their weaker wills to mine own. I have broken their bodies and ransacked their minds. Those that have still been left standing, believing in some perverted thought that they were Heroes of Legend, I banished to another realm, or destroyed completely.

Having made the proverbial deal with the Devil, I became the master of my own fate and the master of yours as well. No longer bound by the fickle wheel of fate, nor bound by any law Man could make, I set forth into this new world, and relish in the fear I see before me.
To all those that would stand against House Dimare, you have been warned.

This is my legacy, and your birthright.

To crush your enemies, to see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women.


Level Breakdown

5- straight sorcerer at this point, all our feats are taxes for later on. Our familiar is as strong as it’s going to get. While there are ACF’s that we could take in its place, we’ll need it to deliver some touch spells for us later on, so it’s not worth trading it out.

10-sorcerer 5, fiend blooded 4, and now we’re into the SI. We picked up 2 extra spells that fit with our theme, and used one of them, Stop Heart, in the sacrifice needed to become a Thrall. Have picked up a little boost to a natural armor status to help out, and the double boost to CHA at lvl 8 puts us into another bracket for spell slots, and helps out all our DC’s as well. Smite Spell will scale w/ CHA as we level, but right now we can add 8-9 extra damage to any spell we cast 1/day, even area effect spells.

15- where Reach Spell and Reaching Touch both come online together. Using our now fiendish familiar to take advantage of delivering touch spells when either of those aren’t available. Moving on we’ll access dual actions and summon minor demon, then begin to channel our fel energy into corrupt spell which causes divine damage.

20-finishing off the build with Fatespinner brings our whole demonic journey together. Now we can affect on some small scale our own destiny, as well as that of others. Fiend form comes on at lvl 16, combine that with summon demon, and command undead, and you have a small army of pain to unleash. The SI wasn’t taken to completion as you can cast Limited Wish yourself. The final feat taken can be substituted with any of a number of others, including practiced spellcaster if you think the lost 4 caster levels are a detriment to the build. In a SI w/ 6 lost caster levels, we manage to come out at CL 16, and still have access to 8th level spells.

Sweet spots

I believe there are 3.
At lvl 9, we’ll gain a save or practically die spell (stop heart) which can be very hard to make if you target it correctly at this level. Plus with smite spell, there is a minimum of +9 damage to one spell/day, even an area effect. While it doesn’t explicitly rule against it, you could even fire off magic missile w/ +9 to each missile.
At lvl 12, reach spell and reaching touch both come online together, that combined w/ the deliver touch spells mechanic of the familiar allow us to stay out of combat almost entirely, or at least avoid getting poked in the ribs by something sharp and pointy.
At lvl 15, we can use summon minor demon, dual actions, a slew of touch spells delivered multiple ways. Rotting Touch combined w/ stop heart, baleful polymorph, or feeblemind will shut down almost any enemy. At only CL 11, this is the biggest deficit we’ll see to that as we move forward.


Sources

Book of Vile Darkness pgs 50, 67
Complete Arcane pg 37
Complete Divine pgs 79, 84
Heroes of Horror pgs 102, 120
Monster Manual 108
PHB pgs 51, 93-94
Unearthed Arcana pg 81

[Heliomance]

Entry number 5!



Fra’alstog the Bold

NE (counts as Chaotic) Neraph Incarnate 7 / Totemist 2 / Sneak Attack Hit-and-Run Fighter 1 / Thrall of Demogorgon 10

Sources used: Planar Handbook (Neraph), Magic of Incarnum (Incarnate, Totemist, Shape Soulmeld, Expanded Soulmeld Capacity, Bonus Essentia), Unearthed Arcana (Sneak Attack Fighter), Drow of the Underdark (Hit-and-Run Fighter) Book of Vile Darkness (Thrall of Demogorgon, Thrall to Demon, Mortalbane, Willing Deformity), Heroes of Horror (Deformity: Tongue), Complete Scoundrel (skill tricks), Tome of Battle (Martial Study/Mountain Hammer), Champions of Ruin (Craven), Frostburn (Harpoon), Fiendish Codex I (Ordered Chaos)

STR: 14 (6 pts)
DEX: 14 (6 pts)
CON: 16 (10 pts) Level-up points go into CON.
INT: 12 (4 pts)
WIS: 8
CHA: 14 (6 pts)

Languages at level 1: Neraph, Slaad, Abyssal

Neraph racial abilities: Outsider with outsider traits (darkvision, proficient with all simple/martial weapons, no need to eat/sleep), Medium, 30’ base speed, +5 on Jump checks, +2 natural armor, treat annulat as martial weapon (and therefore proficient, because outsiders are proficient with martial weapons), +2 Spot, +2 Search, and can automatically treat a foe as flat-footed the first time each encounter they charge or throw a weapon at each given foe.

Tables:

LevelClassBase Attack BonusFort SaveRef SaveWill SaveSkillsFeatsClass Features
1Incarnate 1+0+2+0+2Concentration 4, Craft: Weaponsmithing 4, K: Arcana 2, K: Religion 2Thrall to DemonAura, Detect Opposition, Incarnate Meldshaping
2Incarnate 2+1+3+0+3Concentration +1 (5), C: Weaponsmithing +1 (5), K: Planes 1Crown Chakra Bind
3Incarnate 3+1+3+1+3Concentration +1 (6), C: Weaponsmithing +1 (6), K: Planes 2Willing DeformityExpanded Soulmeld Capacity +1, Incarnum Radiance 1/day
4Incarnate 4+2+4+1+4Concentration +1 (7), C: Weaponsmithing +1 (7), Spellcraft 1Feet Chakra Bind, Hands Chakra Bind
5Totemist 1+2+6+3+4Concentration +1 (8), C: Weaponsmithing +1 (8), Spot 2, Listen 1Wild Empathy, Illiteracy, Totemist Meldshaping
6Totemist 2+3+7+4+4Concentration +1 (9), C: Weaponsmithing +1 (9), Spot +1 (3), Listen +2 (3)Ordered ChaosTotem Chakra Bind (+1 capacity)
7Sneak Attack Hit-and-Run Fighter 1+4+9+4+4C: Weaponsmithing +1 (10), Jump 2Sneak Attack +1d6, Hit-and-Run Tactics
8Thrall of Demogorgon 1+5+11+4+4Concentration +2 (11), Intimidate 3 Scaly Flesh +1, Hypnosis, bonus feat: Craven
9Thrall of Demogorgon 2+6+12+4+4Concentration +1 (12), Intimidate +1 (4), Jump +3 (5)Martial Study (Mountain Hammer)Touch of Fear
10Thrall of Demogorgon 3+7+12+5+5Concentration +1 (13), Balance 4Reaching Touch
11Thrall of Demogorgon 4+8+13+5+5Concentration +1 (14), Balance +1 (5), Intimidate +2 (6), Spot +1 (4)Dual Actions, Scaly Flesh +2, bonus feat: Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Harpoon)
12Thrall of Demogorgon 5+9+13+5+5Concentration +1 (15), Spot +1 (5), Listen +1 (4), Nimble Charge skill trick Shape Soulmeld (Mauling Gauntlets)Summon Minor Demon
13Thrall of Demogorgon 6+10+14+6+6Concentration +1 (16), Spot +1 (6), Listen +2 (6), Intimidate +1 (7)Rotting Touch
14Thrall of Demogorgon 7+11+14+6+6Concentration +1 (17), Spot +2 (8), Listen +2 (8)Scaly Flesh +3, bonus feat: Mortalbane
15Thrall of Demogorgon 8+12+15+6+6Concentration +1 (18), Spot +2 (10), Listen +2 (10)Deformity (Tongue)Two Personas, Death Touch
16Thrall of Demogorgon 9+13+15+7+7Concentration +1 (19), Spot +2 (12), Listen +2 (12)Summon Major Demon
17Thrall of Demogorgon 10+14+16+7+7Concentration +1 (20), Spot +2 (14), Listen +2 (14)Demogorgon’s Will, Scaly Flesh +4, bonus feat: Bonus Essentia
18Incarnate 5+14+16+7+7Concentration +1 (21), Clarity of Vision skill trickExpanded Soulmeld CapacityRapid Meldshaping 1/day
19Incarnate 6+15+17+8+8Concentration +1 (22), Point it Out skill trick
20Incarnate 7+15+17+8+8Concentration +1 (23), Speak Language 1 cc (Common)Share Incarnum Radiance


Note: Balance permanently becomes a class skill at level 9, though the first time we have skill points to spend after it becomes a class skill is level 10.

Meldshaping:

LevelMelds (Incarnate)Binds (Incarnate)Melds (Totemist)
Binds (Totemist)Essentia1
20001
23
10
02

33
10
03

44
1004

541
20
5
64
1316
741
31
6
841
316
94131
6


10
4
1
3
1
6


11
4
1
3
1
6


12
4
1
3
1
6


13
4
1
3
1
6


14
4
1
3
1
6


15
4
1
3
1
6


16
4
1
3
1
6


17
4
1
3
1
8


18
4
1
3
1
9


19
4
2
3
1
10


20
5
2
3
1
11


Note: Starting at level 12, we also have access to the Mauling Gauntlets, which should not take up a meld use.


Story:
Fra’alstog, as most neraphim do, came into being somewhere on Limbo. Showing a penchant for cruelty from a young age, she ended up exiled from her house even faster than usual, but she was taken in by what she thought was simply a gang of evil-aligned githzerai. (These “githzerai” were likely actually yugoloths in disguise, but Fra’alstog did not know that at the time.) Whether gith or fiend, her mentors tutored her in the ways of using evil itself as a weapon, melding soul-energy into powerful forms through sheer belief, then using that evil energy to terrorize and raid less-protected settlements. Coalescing evil itself around one’s body in weaponized form takes, as one might imagine, a rather fierce devotion to the cause, and Fra’alstog’s natural cruelty (mixed, of course, with a bit of self-preservation; Limbo is a hard place to live without a family, especially when you’ve voluntarily donned a face-tat marking you as part of an evil githzerai gang) made her an exemplary student.

okay thats great n all but y always evil tho cant it be something new

No. Fra’alstog devoted herself to evil, even liberally using the forbidden powers of necrocarnum to animate the bodies of her slain foes with tortured innocent souls—

yeah but do they always hafta be tortured souls what if we just used like iunno gardeners souls or something or maybe evil critters of some kind y

Ahem. Fra’alstog grew in power and in knowledge, much to the delight of her tutors. She—

talk talk talk talk im bored now ur too focused on evil listen im u grr srs srs souls evil lol

Despite the best efforts of the githzerai who taught her, or perhaps in accordance with the plan of the yugoloths who taught her, few neraphim can completely ignore the call of chaos forever. Fra’alstog’s soul had more discipline than that of many neraphim, but—

ima be a blink dog now brb

Fra’alstog’s soul had more discipline than that of many neraphim, but the chaos found ways to shine through. The soul-energy that she shaped took on a chaotic tint, and she found herself drawn as much to the souls of magical beasts as to those of exemplars of evil. She—

dog needs salt

I thought you wanted to be a blink dog now?

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ lol u tell me

Fra’alstog soon felt strong enough to strike out on her own, and whether the gang was githzerai at the end of their legendary patience or yugoloths happy to see a scheme progress to fruition, she didn’t encounter much resistance leaving. She eventually attracted the attention of some demonic followers of Demogorgon, who appreciated her twin-souled nature. One horrific nighttime unhallowed demon-attended sacrifice later—

whats the weirdest thing u think we could get away with throwing into an astral color pool maybe like a wounded deer or something but like on a rope so we can pull it back out

Do you have any idea how hard it is to write a backstory like this?

ur not my real mom

Tactics: Levels 1-6: Fra’alstog starts out strong, give or take a prereq feat or two. Incarnates are monsters early on—Lightning Gauntlets are hard to beat at level 1, necrocarnum zombies from the Necrocarnum Circlet are hard to beat at level 2, and having some flexibility in the skill department is great at a level when mundane skills matter most. Having an incarnum-based foundation also scales well, since we don’t have to invest permanent resources into much of anything—there’s zero cost to using a meld that’s strong in the early game but not in the mid game, since we can just shape a different one on the next day. Our favorite melds right now tend to be the Lightning Gauntlets, the Necrocarnum Circlet, the Incarnate Avatar, and either a movement-boosting meld (e.g., Airstep Sandals/Cerulean Sandals) or a skill-boosting meld appropriate to the day’s challenges.

Totemist melds open up a different set of potential skill boosts; even once we get the Totem Bind, though, we don’t necessarily need to rely on natural weapons much (we’ve got martial weapon proficiency from being an outsider, after all), so we can explore some of the weirder totem binds like the Blink Shirt, Pegasus Wings, or Frost Helm. Alternatively, if the utility bases seem covered for a given situation, as an Evil meldshaper we have access to the Lamia Belt for natural weapons that can explicitly be used in combination with manufactured ones.

Speaking of manufactured weapons, Fra’alstog has ranks in Craft: Weaponsmithing, and outsiders don’t eat or sleep; making a nonmagical adamantine weapon of some kind (maybe a nice maul) will take a long time, but we’ve got more downtime than the average character, and it’ll pay off.

Levels 7-10: It’s a bit annoying that we can’t qualify for the SI using incarnum classes alone, but the combination of Craven, Hit-and-Run Tactics, and Fra’alstog’s Neraph Camouflage ability keeps a single die of sneak attack useful for a reasonably long time. We meet the Chaotic Evil prereq by being Neutral Evil with the Ordered Chaos feat (which causes us to count as being Chaotic in addition to our actual alignment whenever it would be beneficial to do so, explicitly including for meeting prereqs). Since Incarnate abilities are often linked to alignment, this lets us double-dip in a lot of ways—the Incarnate Avatar and the Planar Chasuble can be used multipurpose, Incarnum Radiance (while sadly only 1/day) now adds to our movement speed in addition to our melee damage rolls, and Incarnate Weapon makes a weirdass battleaxe-flail thing, which the GM will probably have fun adjudicating. (Seriously, just imagine what that weapon looks like.) Oh, and now Fra’alstog can detect Law as well as Good. Mountain Hammer is never a bad idea, of course, and it always serves as the beloved Stone Dragon Lockpick out of battle. (You have to land if you’re using the Airstep Sandals, but that isn’t a huge cost.)

Scaly Flesh stacks with the race-based natural armor bonus Fra’alstog gets from being a neraph. Hypnosis and Touch of Fear have a different kind of use on Fra’alstog than on certain other Thralls of Demogorgon; we can animate a corpse with a maximum of 4 HD with the Necrocarnum Circlet (which will still be slightly useful as a firmly disposable minion for a few levels, if nothing else to make a flanking buddy), and since Hypnosis and Touch of Fear are HD-limited as well, using them can actually give us an idea as to whether or not someone is weak enough to animate. We can use this information in ways that not every ToD can, so that’s neat. While we don’t usually prefer natural weapons, we do always have the option, and it is pretty amusing to use Reaching Touch on natural weapons that already have reach (like those of the Displacer Mantle) or on just plain weird ones like the Landshark Boots. Reaching Touch also pairs well with the Fellmist Robe to help keep our targets nonadjacent.

Our favorite melds at this point are usually the Incarnate Avatar, the Necrocarnum Circlet (though that fades in usefulness by the high end of this level bracket, at which point we simply choose to shape something else), the Fellmist Robe, and either a mobility/utility meld (e.g., Airstep Sandals), a skill meld, or a situation-specific defensive meld (e.g., Planar Ward, Planar Chasuble, or Mantle of Flame). On the Totemist side, we pick up slack from whatever we didn’t focus on as an Incarnate, usually either for skills or for defenses. If nothing else, it’s always good to have the Blink Shirt.

Levels 11-14 (Sweet Spot!): This level bracket is where things get really nice for Fra’alstog, since a lot of the Secret Ingredient’s abilities come together very well here. First, at ToD 4, we get additional natural armor, so that’s never a waste. More importantly, Dual Actions comes online, which means that our Totemist meld layout is changing. Fra’alstog starts binding the Basilisk Mask to her totem chakra, which allows her to petrify an enemy (as Flesh to Stone) for one round. Normally, one round is too short a time to do anything horrible to a petrified enemy, but if we can squeeze in an extra turn’s worth of actions? Things get nasty. Twice per day we can petrify someone and then immediately use Mountain Hammer on them. Even if you don’t turn the whole statue to smithereens in a single attack, you’ll still likely cause massive structural damage, and since Flesh to Stone specifies that damage to the statue becomes damage to the creature if/when they get turned back, your foe is going to be missing something extremely important (a limb, a head, a sizable portion of their torso, whatever—you’re a thrall to a demon, so get creative with your destruction) when they come back. It’s basically a kill shot against anything that cares about its anatomy.

Now, Dual Actions is only twice per day, but still, a kill shot twice per day isn’t a bad feature. We’re not stopping, though. Two things come online at ToD 5. First, we get to summon a demon once per day. We’ve probably finished crafting an adamantine weapon by now (or purchased one, but let the record show that Fra’alstog can indeed get the item she wants under her own build-level power), so summon a demon that can use a weapon (the rutterkin, from FC1, isn’t a bad choice), hand it something made of adamantine, and have it lop important parts off of things that you petrify. An encounter per day of “I petrify, you demolish” and two self-contained petrify/demolish rounds per day? That adds up. (Our old tricks all still work—charge + SA + Craven is a good opener, Incarnate melds provide lots of bonus damage, and we’ve probably got more odds-and-ends utility than the average noncaster.)

The other thing that comes online is that the bonus feat we got from ToD 4 combines nicely with the HD-granted feat we get at this level, giving us access to the Mauling Gauntlets and a harpoon. A harpoon sticks in its victim and allows the thrower to make opposed STR checks to prevent the victim from moving outside a specified radius, and the Mauling Gauntlets provide a bonus to STR checks that can politely be described as “OMGWTFBBQ.” Fra’alstog isn’t going to be chucking a harpoon every round—likely only about one or two per encounter, since it gets awkward to adjudicate how many hands you have to have free to hang on to multiple ropes at once—but she’s pretty accurate with them. We can easily spend our Incarnate bind on the Sighting Gloves to negate the penalty for not having Precise Shot, the Incarnate Avatar provides us a bonus on ranged attack rolls thanks to Ordered Chaos, and our Camouflage ability works on thrown weapons as well as on charges. So she’ll be attacking flat-footed targets (ergo Hit-and-Run Tactics—also ergo Sneak Attack, ergo Craven, ergo the Reflex save to avoid getting stuck is higher and also it deals significantly more damage if the target wastes a full-round action yanking out the harpoon, which is still a win for you) with some nice to-hit bonuses and damage bonuses (a small bonus from the Sighting Gloves adds up, too) and then making opposed STR checks with a bonus that makes a raging Barbarian peer over their sunglasses and admiringly say “daaaaaayum!” You know, on those turns when she doesn’t want to petrify/smash something or just maraud around with her existing melee bonuses and would prefer to take a more lockdown/BfC role.

Things don’t slow down at ToD 6, because Fra’alstog uses Rotting Touch much better than the average ToD. All those melee damage bonuses we’ve been crowing about also apply to Rotting Touch. Incarnate Avatar works, Incarnum Radiance works (1/day, but still), and you can even apply the Necrocarnum Shroud if you want—it all adds up. If you use the BoVD version of Thrall to Demon, you can even use your little 1/day bonus on the damage roll. Doing 1d6 CON damage is an okay trick, but doing 1d6 + 8 (Avatar alone) to 1d6 + 12 (Avatar, Radiance, Thrall, Shroud, etc.) is going to absolutely ruin something’s day (possibly being a stand-alone kill shot, or damn close to it), and 3/day is enough to notice, considering that it’s going to more or less remove an enemy from the field each time you invoke it. At ToD 7, Fra’alstog uses her bonus feat on Mortalbane, adding an extra 2d6 CON damage to each of those instances. (3d6 +12ish CON damage in a true nova round? That’s gonna leave a mark. Perhaps on the ground.)

So to recap, Fra’alstog still has her old general melee tricks, she can lock something down with a harpoon (doing nontrivial damage in the process), she can petrify things and destroy them, she can petrify things and have a demon destroy them, and she can do a downright unfair amount of CON damage (no save!) several times per day. Sweet spot? Sweet spot.

Our favorite melds in this level range should be pretty clear, but we get Mauling Gauntlets for free (keep ‘em on the arms slot), we’ll bind the Basilisk Mask and the Sighting Gloves, we’ll shape the Incarnate Avatar and often the Necrocarnum Shroud, and we’ve still got a couple wildcard melds to devote to mobility, utility, skills, and defenses, chosen in accordance with the day’s needs.

Levels 14-20: At this point, Fra’alstog basically focuses on what she already does and how she can make it better. Two Personas makes the multiclassing penalty go away, if such things exist in your game. If Death Touch should fail, it still does damage, so it benefits from Mortalbane and the other things that Rotting Touch benefits from (and if it succeeds, hey, it succeeded!). Since we’re doing HP damage with Death Touch rather than CON damage, we might even be able to tack on Sneak Attack (and therefore Craven) if we’re flanking when we make the associated touch attack.

Summon Major Demon is, at a minimum, an additional encounter per day in which we can use the “I petrify, you demolish” trick, but 10 HD demons also open up some surprising utility. Bar-lguras, for instance, can take you with them when using their Greater Teleport (see FC1), which is awesome. The whole point of a summon ability is that you can use whatever option happens to be the best for the given moment, so we won’t lock that down too much, but at least we’ve got the petrification trick (which most ToDs probably don’t).

More Scaly Flesh continues to stack with our racial NA bonus, Deformity (Tongue) adds general-purpose sensing utility (if nothing else, it tells us when we can benefit from invoking Clarity of Vision), and while we don’t want to spend the XP on it every day, Demogorgon’s Will is a caster-grade back-pocket trick for “this situation is way different than I planned for, and I need to drastically change what things look like right now” that most noncasters cannot replicate. (Of course, if we’re one-shotting things with our souped-up Rotting Touch, we might be able to earn enough XP to pay the cost more often than not, but still. It’s not special if you use it every day.) Ask your GM how replicating the spell Open Least Chakra works once the spell’s duration expires; RAW, melds stay bound until you unshape them, so you might be able to use your Limited Wish to score an extra chakra bind or two that you wouldn’t ordinarily have, which is actually a fairly reasonable use for your XP.

Our remaining feats and levels go into make our existing incarnum-based abilities better. Incarnum Radiance scales based on level, we get more melds and more essentia, and we continue to have our ridiculous suite of tricks described in the 11-14 bracket, only with higher numbers. (Those tricks don’t stop being good, and they don’t stop scaling.) We can cover even more utility/defense bases with extra melds, though our core layout remains similar. If we can use Demogorgon’s Will to hack having extra binds, of course, we get even more utility (even out of our Totemist melds).

Overall, Fra’alstog displays an evolving set of tricks for pretty much her entire career. She has a good balance of flexibility and focus, she gets maximal use out of basically everything the SI has to offer, and she’s got enough juice to have a lasting effect on whatever she applies herself to.

[Heliomance]

Entry number 6!



Bipartite Servant of Twofold Masters!


A Pulsing Mass of Grafts and Crafts!


Keeper of Secrets Muckdwellers Were Not Meant to Know!


The Sixteen-Centimetre Serpentine Soporific!


Wondrous Item Supply Chain Executive Manager!


The Gleeful Graft-laden Guanopsychotic Geckoid!


Premier Soul-Caterer for Upscale Fiends!


The Pint-Sized Paradox of Parlous Power!


who could it possibly be but . . .


SPEELOXHUU
. . . and Gezoondhyt


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtK9Ahxr3mg
you can understand the character just fine without this song, but i feel that it helps put you in the right mindset.

Speeloxhuu

muckdweller soulborn 2 / barbarian 1 / fighter 1 / truenamer 3 / wizard 1 / thrall of demogorgon 10 / battle trickster 2

devoted to the Leviathan and also to Demogorgon
alignment: chaotic evil
size: tiny
languages: Draconic, Common, Abyssal, Infernal

muckdweller racial adjustments: STR -6 (ignore after soulborn 2), DEX +6, WIS -2, CHA -2.

unmodified starting stats (point-buy cost in brackets):
STR 16 (10)
DEX 10 (2)
CON 12 (6)
INT 16 (10)
WIS 8 (0)
CHA 12 (4)

starting stats with racial bonuses/penalties:
STR 10
DEX 16
CON 12
INT 16
WIS 6
CHA 10

STR increases to 16 at level 2 because we become immune to the racial penalty. increase INT at levels 4 and 8. increase STR at levels 12, 16, and 20. WIS decreases by 4 at level 10 because of Deformity (Madness).

note on colour-coding: blue indicates skill points spent normally. red indicates skill points spent cross-class.



LevelClassBase Attack BonusFort SaveRef SaveWill SaveSkillsFeatsClass Features
1soulborn 1+1+2+0+020 pts: Tumble 4, Jump 4, Spellcraft 4, K: Arcana 2, K: Planes 2, K: Religion 2muckdweller bonus: Weapon Finesse, EE bonus: Willing Deformity, 1: Subdual Strikeskilled city dweller, aura, smite opposition 1/day
2soulborn 2+2+3+0+05 pts: Tumble 5, Jump 5, Spellcraft 5, Use Rope 0.5, K: Religion 2.5incarnum defense
3whirling frenzy spirit lion totem barbarian 1+3+5+0+07 pts: Tumble 6, Jump 6, K: Religion 3, Use Rope 2.5 3: Power Attackskilled city dweller, illiteracy (N/A), whirling frenzy 1/day, spiritual lion totem (pounce)
4fighter 1+4+7+0+05 pts: Tumble 7, Jump 7, Spellcraft 5.5, Use Rope 3.5fighter bonus: Improved Bull Rushskilled city dweller, bonus feat
5truenamer 1+4+7+0+27 pts: Truespeak 3, Jump 8, Tumble 8EE Bonus: Thrall to Demonknown personal truename, universal aptitude
6truenamer 2+5+7+0+37 pts: Truespeak 8, Tumble 96: Leap Attackknowledge focus (religion), inertia surge
7truenamer 3+6/+1+8+1+37 pts: Truespeak 10, K: Religion 5, Tumble 10, Use Rope 4hidden truth
8martial domain (Conjuration domain) wizard 1+6/+1+8+1+56 pts: K: Religion 9, Truespeak 11wizard bonus: Shock Trooperbonus feat, spellcasting, summon familiar, arcane domain (Conjuration)
9thrall of Demogorgon+7/+2+10+1+58 pts: Use Rope 7, K: Religion 12, Truespeak 129: Underfoot Combat, ToD bonus: Confound the Big Folkbonus feat, scaly flesh +1, hypnosis
10ToD 2+8/+3+11+1+58 pts: Jump 10, Use Rope 9, K: Religion 13, Truespeak 13EE bonus: Deformity (Madness)touch of fear
11ToD 3+9/+4+11+2+68 pts: K: Religion 14, Use Rope 11, Jump 12, Spellcraft 6, Truespeak 14reaching touch
12ToD 4+10/+5+12+2+68 pts: K: Religion 15, Use Rope 15, Truespeak 1512: Practised Spellcaster, ToD bonus: Improved Familiarbonus feat, dual actions, scaly flesh +2
13ToD 5+11/+6/+1+12+2+68 pts: K: Religion 16, Use Rope 16, Jump 13, Spellcraft 7.5, Truespeak 16summon minor demon
14ToD 6+12/+7/+2+13+3+78 pts: K: Religion 17, Use Rope 17, Jump 14, Bluff 2, Spellcraft 8, Truespeak 17rotting touch
15ToD 7+13/+8/+3+13+3+78 pts: K: Religion 18, Use Rope 18, Bluff 6, Truespeak 18EE bonus: Chosen of Evil, 15: Craft Wondrous Item, ToD bonus: Exceptional Artisanbonus feat, scaly flesh +3
16ToD 8+14/+9/+4+14+3+78 pts: K: Religion 19, Use Rope 19, Bluff 8, False Theurgy skill trick, Truespeak 19two personas, death touch
17ToD 9+15/+10/+5+14+4+88 pts: K: Religion 20, Use Rope 20, Jump 16, Extreme Leap skill trick, Truespeak 20summon major demon
18ToD 10+16/+11/+6/+1+15+4+88 pts: K: Religion 21, Use Rope 21, Jump 20, Truespeak 2118: Demon Mastery, ToD bonus: Extract Demonic Essencebonus feat, Demogorgon’s will, scaly flesh +4
19battle trickster 1+17/+12/+7/+2+17+4+88 pts: Use Rope 22, Jump 22, Tumble 11, Truespeak 22, K: Religion 22, Battle Trickster bonus skill trick: Nimble Stand bonus trick
20battle trickster 2+18/+13/+8/+3+18+4+88 pts: Use Rope 23, Jump 23, Tumble 13, Truespeak 23, K: Religion 23EE bonus: Harvester of Souls, battle trickster bonus: Combat Expertisebonus feat

starting at ECL 8, Speeloxhuu has wizard casting. assuming 18 INT (which he has from levels alone by ECL 8; this may increase if he gains access to an INT-boosting item, but we are not assuming that), he gets 3 selectable cantrips per day (usually a mix of detect magic, stick, and/or mage hand), along with one mandatory casting of acid splash. he gets two selectable 1st-level spells per day, often animate rope or nerveskitter before the CL increase and mage armour or familiar pocket after the CL increase, along with one mandatory casting of mage armour. acid splash and mage armour are always cast at +1 CL. general CL increases from 1 to 5 when Practised Spellcaster is gained. since spells per day do not progress, I do not feel that a full table is appropriate.

spells in spellbook guaranteed from class levels alone (3 + INT + mage armour): all cantrips, mage armour, animate rope, familiar pocket, nerveskitter, hoard gullet, mount, magecraft, chill touch


the tale of Speeloxhuu is one of ambition and overcompensation gone horribly, horribly awry. Speeloxhuu is a muckdweller who started life feeling horribly inadequate about his tiny size and low athletic ability. he was smart enough to know that there is a world beyond the swamp, but not wise enough to understand that sometimes limitations exist for a reason.

he heard that certain people who were willing to mortify their own flesh could become taller, in a deformed sort of way. as a tiny snake-like critter, he already idolized the Leviathan, a nearly-mythological snake bigger than any other creature alive; when he found out that this Leviathan could grant power to its servants, Speeloxhuu’s admiration started edging into worship, and he started intentionally deforming his own body in preparation for becoming taller. he trained in a strange style of fighting which promised to allow its adherents, if they were sufficiently chaotic and sufficiently wicked, to overcome limitations on their muscular strength, which turned out to be true. when he found out, however, that he still simply wasn’t eligible to undergo the full transformation into someone with greater reach, rather than give up on his ideas, he became convinced that he simply hadn’t found the right secrets. he delved into forbidden rites and practises that promised to open his mind to new vistas of knowledge, hoping to find a workaround. the small remnants of his sanity slipping away, he started dabbling in living sacrifices, attracting the attention of the Prince of Demons . . .
this character is an ubercharger. Power Attack, Pounce, Leap Attack, Shock Trooper—you know how this works, right? i like the image of the little guy with either a greataxe (tiny stats: 1d8, crit x3) or a scythe (tiny stats: 1d4, crit x4), but any two-handed weapon works. we can get away with light armour most of the time, since we’ve got NA, DEX, and size bonuses in our corner, and we don’t want a speed penalty. (we’ll eventually get access to mage armour that lasts 6 hours, but that will come later.) a racial spit attack lets us apply some debuffing if we can’t reach our target.

CE soulborn lets us overcome our racial penalty to STR (we are immune to any penalty to our STR, and pg. 11 of the PHB describes negative racial stat modifications as “racial penalties”), allowing us to qualify for Power Attack. skilled city dweller ensures that we can keep Tumble up early on. whirlpouncebarian is self-explanatory; if one attack after a charge is good, lots of attacks after a charge is better, and one encounter per day with extra attacks is gravy. if survivability is an issue early on, we certainly don’t have to use the full AC penalty from a max-strength PA all the time; even a modest -3 penalty (which could easily be handled as to-hit rather than as AC) turns into a +9 or +12 bonus (depending on how you read the errata (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/errata)), which is far from nothing early on. why do we have Subdual Strike? because killing an enemy in the name of your dark master during combat is far, far less profitable than killing that enemy in a horrifying sacrifice later.

levels in truenamer give us a ton of tools to juice up our ability to sacrifice. hidden truth is a +10 bonus to a Knowledge check, usable at any time after you succeed. universal aptitude is another +5 bonus to any skill checks we care about. knowledge focus is a +3 on top of that. +18 to K: Religion for the cost of three levels is a pretty good deal, especially since it’s not like universal aptitude or hidden truth are useless on their own. we are really, really good at sacrificing things. so we charge like crazy, do obnoxious amounts of nonlethal damage, and then start greedily consulting the tables on pg. 27 of the BoVD. Use Rope lets us tightly bind things for use later, if desired. and if we run into something immune to nonlethal damage? then we just choose not to use Subdual Strike, and we’re still an ubercharger.

wizard gives us a lot in a short time period. we get a much-needed bonus feat, allowing us to get Shock Trooper online. we get spells, which let us enter the Secret Ingredient. (those spells are usually things like animate rope, mage armour, and familiar pocket. Maybe hoard gullet as well. familiar pocket and mage armour are our go-to spells, though, at least after we get Practised Spellcaster; before PS comes online, animate rope still helps for a quick Use Rope check, and nerveskitter doesn’t care about CL) and we get the ability to summon a familiar, though we don’t do so just yet.

ToD is awesome. scaly flesh stacks with our existing +3 NA from being a muckdweller. more importantly, ToD lets us answer the question “what would life be like if feat chains weren’t an issue?” we can take Confound the Big Folk at the same level as Underfoot Combat, and i don’t need to say how good that is, do i? well, i will anyway: automatically flat-footifying enemies is amazing, getting cover is amazing, and getting a 50% miss chance with a chance to encourage teamkilling is absolutely worth fighting defensively now and again. we can take Improved Familiar at the same level as Practised Spellcaster, allowing us to summon Gezoondhyt, our faithful muckdweller familiar (who can do great things like help us bind victims and set up sacrifices, though he cannot directly use Aid Another on the K: Religion check—but he can, technically, use Aid Another on our Truespeak check!). and so on. our feats all synergise with each other. it’s awesome.

by the way, if you’re concerned that we cannot revere both Demogorgon and the Leviathan, we direct you to pg. 70 of Elder Evils. Marcus Hape not only serves both the Leviathan and Demogorgon, but he even has levels in thrall of Demogorgon! Demogorgon is obviously cool with this. you should be too.

Speeloxhuu cannot qualify for Deformity (Tall), but he can still get reaching touch from ToD as a consolation prize, which is awesome. (it’s also hella creepy to imagine—Speeloxhuu is like maybe the size of a cat, and all of a sudden he’s got 5’ long arms that can strike with full power? it’s hilarious, but it’s also horrifying.) dual actions is crazy good—charging once is powerful enough, but ping-ponging around and charging twice in one round is even better. demon-summoning abilities let us juice our sacrifice check even higher (+2 for a sacrifice being in the presence of a demon servant, +1 for allowing that hungry demon servant to remove extremities from the victim prior to death). Thrall to Demon may only be a +1 once per day, but given that our daily sacrifice roll is the one roll per day we care most about, it’s more helpful to us than to many other characters! honestly though, even just by the time we enter ToD, we’ve got a nightmarishly high sacrifice check mod: at ECL 9 (ToD 1), we have +4 INT, +12 ranks, +10 hidden truth, +3 knowledge focus, and +5 universal aptitude, even before getting into karras stone knives or any of the circumstantial mods from BoVD pg 27. that’s +34. our minimum roll puts us at 35. that’s kind of incredible, guys. even if the Truespeak checks take a few tries, a ritual sacrifice isn’t exactly a hurried affair. in fact, the image of our pint-sized celebrant trying over and over to incant incomprehensible words (in a squeaky voice—consider just how little he is!) until he finally gets them right and surges with dark power is actually kind of marvelous. later on, Chosen of Evil eventually helps with the sacrifice check, though it’s mostly gravy by that point. (1 CON damage once a day is trivial to heal overnight.) touch of fear and hypnotism might be used to toy with our ritual sacrifices before doing the deed. and while we can only be rewarded for one sacrifice per day, we can still save victims for later with Use Rope (and may as well throw on some manacles while you’re at it, use chain instead of rope, toss in animate rope for an extra +2 if you have a spell slot left, &c.).

so what kinds of things are we doing with our sacrifices? 24 hour buff spells are nice when we first start our soul-catering business. control weather is a great way to do collateral damage to feed our destructive impulses. long-term, though, our focus is going to be on crafting. dark gold and dark XP can drastically reduce or eliminate the costs associated with crafting items, and they don’t expire. planar ally (lesser, regular, or greater) can give us a friendly fiend who can help contribute spells or SLAs to the item prereqs, and once we get Extract Demonic Essence, they can help with the cost, as well. (also, we can use scrolls or wands to contribute prereqs, as long as they’re wizard spells—we’re a wizard, Harry! that’s why we didn’t specialise: we don’t want any wizard spells to be banned.) Speeloxhuu can use hidden truth on himself when not making ritual sacrifices to research new and appropriate kinds of demons to summon. we’re way, way smarter than we are wise. (and no, Speeloxhuu’s not wise at all. he’s completely off his gourd. you know, in case you hadn’t realized that yet.)

once we can get greater planar ally, we can even summon sibriexes; Deformity (Madness) renders us immune to their form of madness ability, and since sacrifices give us a planar ally effect rather than a planar binding effect, the sibriex shouldn’t resent us or hate us (it should actually respect us, or at least be told that it has to pretend by the entity that sends it to us as its emissary), so it should be relatively safe to ask it to graft us the hell abyss up. pay the gp cost if necessary (it takes under a minute and is nonhazardous, so it shouldn’t be more than a trivial 750 gp, or 1500 if your GM is mean), but we might also simply offer the sibriex a living sacrificial victim as payment if we feel cheeky. between the grafts and the crafts, Speeloxhuu is remarkably well kitted-out for an Iron Chef build. we have access to a lot of things that would normally cost a lot more than we have to pay. abyssal grafts are all kinds of awesome. we can get a Long Arm to finally get reach, we can get all kinds of crazy stat bonuses, we can get wings, we can get enhanced vision, we can get a Fast Leg to charge even farther—the possibilities are endless, and all it takes is to be a guanopsychotic murderous nonlethal charger who’s obsessed with sacrificing sentient beings to demon lords and asking those demon lords to send madness-inducing demons to repeatedly graft raw chaos onto their flesh for them! (why doesn’t everyone do this?)

let’s also talk about Gezoondhyt a bit. Gezoondhyt spends most of his time safely tucked away in a familiar pocket (he should never, ever see combat), but he’s very helpful for ritual sacrifices. as mentioned, he cannot directly Aid Another with the K: Religion check, but he can make the Truespeak checks come faster. About those Truespeak checks: the rituals need to be long anyway, and we can just keep trying until we succeed—we can cast hidden truth well in advance, since it just affects the next Knowledge check we make, and then we’ve got five rounds after universal aptitude finally succeeds to finish the job and send a new soul straight to Demogorgon. (of course, we can also probably eventually craft an amulet of the silver tongue, if we want one.) anyway, back to Gezoondhyt—he can also aid with the Use Rope checks to bind victims for later. furthermore, since he shares our ranks in K: Religion and is a 100% valid target for hidden truth / universal aptitude, he’s nearly as good at sacrifices as Speeloxhuu is! lower INT and no knowledge focus class feature, but that’s still a damn large bonus, especially when you consider that our presence means that Gezoondhyt’s sacrifices automatically get the +2 for “conducted in the presence of a creature important to the deity,” since we’re obviously important to our lord and master. so Speeloxhuu gets one sacrifice per day and Gezoondhyt also gets one sacrifice per day. i like to think that Speeloxhuu is sacrificing to Hethradiah and Gezoondhyt sacrifices to Aameul (BoVD pg. 126), or vice versa. this can, as you might imagine, get very stupid very quickly. we cannot combine Gezoondhyt’s dark gold and dark XP with our own, so he mostly won’t be getting those particular rewards, but he can handle the buff spells or the planar ally effects while we handle the other things. (this also means that we get two wishes over our lifetime.)

more about dark craft XP: read pg. 27 of BoVD very, very closely. “experience points and gold pieces can be granted as rewards after a sacrifice.” this indicates that they are experience points. they “can’t be used to [. . . ] attain higher levels,” thereby indicating that special restrictions need to be placed on what they cannot do, but it doesn’t say that you can’t spend them on the XP costs of spells. like, say, limited wish, by which I mean Demogorgon’s Will. just gonna throw that out there. (it doesn’t say anything like that they ‘can only be used for crafting’ or some such.)

so we’ve got grafts, we’ve got crafts, we’ve got buffs, we’ve got ubercharging power, we’ve got broad-scale ability to alter our surroundings (control weather and limited wish are easily attainable with our sacrifices, and those are some pretty crazy wildcard abilities to get us where we need to go)—the fun never stops!

oh, and if you were wondering why we have False Theurgy when we basically never cast spells in combat? because Speeloxhuu is horrifyingly cruel, that’s why. False Theurgy lets us pretend to be casting any spell of the same level—doesn’t have to be a spell that we can actually cast. after a long and drawn-out ritual, we can make the poor sacrificial victim think for a fraction of a second that we’re going to cast painless death, found on pg. 56 of Ghostwalk. but of course, Speeloxhuu is actually casting, well, something else. doesn’t really matter what. something that deals painful damage (e.g., chill touch), or that doesn’t even target the victim, or whatever. this is just because Speeloxhuu is that. damn. evil. to give false hope of a painless release, and then to cruelly snatch it away? he believes that that’s worth the investment of skill points, even if it doesn’t always work. few things make him laugh more, and therefore, few things make Demogorgon laugh more! hail Demogorgon!

My Master deserves the Highest Score in Use of Secret Ingredient! Anyone can Optimize a class’s Abilities, but who takes the time to go Above and Beyond by optimizing its Prereqs? Being Chaotic Evil quite Literally aids my Master’s Strength! BAB Fuels my Master’s charging ways! Knowledge skills Fuel my Master’s Sacrifices! Being a spellcaster Allowed my Master to summon me—I owe My Very Existence to these prereqs! My Master learned how to Sacrifice intelligent Beings just to get into Thrall of Demogorgon, and now sacrificing intelligent Beings is my Master’s raison d’être! The Deformities my Master inflicted upon his Flesh in the Name of Demogorgon may have driven him mad, but are we not All mad? From Madness comes strength! You need more Convincing? My Master uses the Bonus Feats the class grants very Well! He uses the natural Armour bonus to Stack with his own! He Summons Demons to Aid in his Sacrifices! He uses the Class’s skills in his Sacrifices! He Reaches farther than that which is Granted to those of Our Size, surprising his Victims! Surprising them to death! He can Charge twice a Round, Killing twice as fast! His spell-like Abilities prolong the Torment of his sacrificial Victims, until they swiftly and Brutally End the suffering! You must Score my Master very highly in Use of Secret Ingredient!

My Master deserves the Highest Score in Elegance! Who can say that they Repeatedly use the Secret Ingredient’s Bonus Feats to take Obnoxious Prereq Feats and the feats they actually Care about at the same time? No waiting, no putting off What We Want, just immediate Satisfaction despite the Prereq Gates! Instant Gratification is the Definition of Elegance! Is that not Appropriate for a Thrall of Demogorgon? Demogorgon does not wait—Demogorgon takes what he wants, as does my Master! Many prerequisites are made to serve Double Duty, because it is not enough for your Pawns to Suffer merely once, and what are feats but the Pawns in our own lives? Practised Spellcaster enables me to Exist, and it Also enables Craft Wondrous Item! Craft Wondrous Item enables Exceptional Artisan, and those Two Feats enable Extract Demonic Essence! Furthermore, my Master does Not bother Spending his Own Resources when he can Spend someone else’s! Why devote one’s own Feats to Vile feats when Lord Leviathan (may he do as he wills) can provide what we Need? Why spend Gold or Experience on crafting when we can Simply Use the blood of our enemies for That? Is it not elegant to Find Ways to avoid paying onerous Costs? You must Score my Master very highly in Elegance!

My Master deserves the Highest Score in Power! You like using Power Attack? What about Doubling it? What about doubling it and Still Full-attacking? What about Doing all of that with No Penalty To hit? My Master does all of This And More! My Master knows Many Secrets that Muckdwellers were not meant to Know—perhaps Some of them are even your secrets! Can you Deny my Master’s power Now? You try to Strike at my Master? My Master is already in your Friend’s Square, and you Struck Your Friend in the Face, just as Demogorgon Teaches us! My Master has fiendish Grafts of all shapes and Sizes, and my Master paid far less than you Would to get Such Things! My Master has demons at His Beck And call, always Happy to do his bidding! My Master Can request all Kinds of benefits from his Master—Wishes, Weather, Buffs, you name it! My Master is Well-Equipped, all of his items Forged out of the Blood of the Innocent! You must Score my Master very highly in Power!

My Master deserves the Highest Score in Originality! Did you Truly Expect a Tiny-sized Ubercharger who is an expert at Sacrifices? Did you expect Anyone to enter the Secret Ingredient by combining Soulborn With Truenamer, or anyone who would have More levels in Truenamer than in any other Base Class? Did you Expect Anyone to have another one of their Same Race as a Familiar? Did you Expect a Muckdweller to end up with higher Strength than Dexterity? Did you expect Anyone to ever use Wizard to Pick Up Shock Trooper? Did you Expect Anyone to Rely heavily on a Feat from the Book of Exalted Deeds? Did you expect anyone Who Would actually massively Benefit from the Fact that the Secret Ingredient grants Use Rope as a class Skill? No! You did not! You expected None of those things! My Master took you Completely by Surprise! To deny it is to deny Yourself! You must Score my Master very highly in Originality!

My Master is probably behind you right now!


fighter, barbarian, Power Attack, Craft Wondrous Item, wizard, Weapon Finesse, Improved Bull Rush, Combat Expertise: PHB
skilled city dweller: right here, yo (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/we/20070228a)
utterances, Truespeak, truenamer: Tome of Magic
Leviathan, Deformity (Madness), Harvester of Souls, Chosen of Evil: Elder Evils
Leap Attack: Complete Adventurer
Exceptional Artisan: Eberron Campaign Setting
muckdweller, Improved Familiar: Serpent Kingdoms
sibriex, Demon Mastery, Extract Demonic Essence: Fiendish Codex I
Practised Spellcaster: Complete Arcane
spells: PHB, Spell Compendium, Dragon Magic, Eberron Campaign Setting
battle trickster, skill tricks: Complete Scoundrel
fiendish grafts: Fiend Folio
Underfoot Combat, Confound the Big Folk: Races of the Wild
Shock Trooper: Complete Warrior
spiritual lion totem barbarian: Complete Champion
whirling frenzy, martial wizard, domain wizard: Unearthed Arcana
soulborn: Magic of Incarnum
thrall of Demogorgon, Demogorgon, Willing Deformity, Thrall to Demon, sacrifice rules: Book of Vile Darkness
Subdual Strike: Book of Exalted Deeds

inspirational music (Fighting with the Melody): Jimmy Urine

[Heliomance]

Entry number 7!


Hurk (Smash)

Big Picture, 'UGE!

https://cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/000/354/707/medium/andrew-kuzinskiy-new-evil-by-kuzinskiy-d79zwbr.jpg?1443930824
Build Stub

CE Longtooth Shifter Spirt Lion Boar Totem Barbarian 4, Warshaper 3, Totemist 2, Rogue 1 Thrall 10

Background

Tribal Elders once say, fight is all or nothing. Fight hard, fight fast, fight to win. Fair fight for stupids, don’t be stupid. Must be true, only way get old is to win lots.
When fight, sometimes only see red, only want tear enemy to pieces, to bite and claw and gnash. To break and gouge and pin down. Hurk best at this, fight anyone say otherwise.
Hurk jump to sky, come down on enemy and crush him. Attack with fang and claw, bite and anything else. Hurk even control demons to fight. Make deal, get stronger, fight more! Hurk beg enemy to hit him, then crush puny weaklings in turn.
Hurk can’t wait fight again.

Details

D12x4+D8x15+D6/2 +102 = 189
Shifter: +2 Dex, -2 INT/CHA, 30ft, Shifting (SU) 1/day CON+3 rounds (+1 for every shifter feat, +1/day every 2 shifter feats). Lowlight 60ft, +2 balance, climb, jump.

Longtooth: +2 STR, grow fangs (nat weapon), 1d6 (+1 per 4 char levels), can use as secondary attack at -5. Only usable 1/round.


Pouncebarian – Spirit Lion Totem ACF – Comp Champion 46, replace Fast Movement class feature w/ Pounce (MM 313) at LVL 1

Boar Totem – UA 48 – Lose fast movement, uncanny dodge, trap sense. When raging gain the Diehard feat, 3rd LVL- rage lasts 2 rounds longer

Rage Variant – Whirling Frenzy – UA 66 – Gain +4 STR, +2 dodge bonus to AC, make 1 extra attack at highest BAB -2, all other attacks at -2 BAB for 1 round. Lasts for 3+CON rounds.

32pts:
STR 16 DEX 12 CON 16 INT 12 WIS 10 CHA 10
racial:
STR 16 DEX 14 CON 16 INT 10 WIS 10 CHA 8
warshaper:
STR 20 DEX 14 CON 20 INT 10 WIS 10 CHA 8
All points into STR
STR 25 DEX 14 CON 20 INT 10 WIS 10 CHA 8
While “Raging” STR +4, While “Shifted” STR +2, Sphinx Claws effectively STR & STR checks +4 all day

Soulmelds:

Manticore Belt pg 77 +2 Spot/Jump
Sphinx Claws pg 88 +1 STR/STR checks, +1 per essentia Chakra – Hands (when charging, full attack bonus on all Natural Attacks)
Totem Avatar pg 90- +2 hp, each essentia grants +1 nat ac

Build



Level
Class
Base Attack Bonus
Fort Save
Ref Save
Will Save
Skills
Feats
Class Features


1st
Barbarian 1
+1
+2
+0
+0
Knowledge Arcana 2, Knowledge Religion 2, Knowledge Nature 2, Jump 4
Improved Unarmed Strike, Diehard (when raging)
Whirling Frenzy ACF, Illiteracy, Rage 1/day, Pounce


2nd
Barbarian 2
+2
+3
+0
+0
Intimidate 3, Jump 5
-
-


3rd
Barbarian 3
+3
+3
+1
+1
Intimidate 5, Jump 6
Improved Grapple
Rage lasts +2 rounds


4th
Barbarian 4
+4
+4
+1
+1
Intim 7, Jump 7, Survival 1
-
Rage 2/day


5th
Warshaper 1
+4
+6
+1
+1
Escape Artist 1, Jump 8
-
Morphic Immunities(stun/crits), Morphic Weapons


6th
Warshaper 2
+5
+7
+2
+2
Escape 2, Jump 9
Willing Deformity
Morphic Body (+4 STR/CON)


7th
Warshaper 3
+6
+7
+2
+2
Escape 3, Jump 10
-
Morphic Reach


8th
Totemist 1
+6
+9
+4
+2
Intim 8, Survival 3
-
Wild Empathy, Souldmeld


9th
Totemist 2
+7
+10
+5
+2
Intim 9, Survival 5
Thrall to Demon
Totem Chakra Bind


10th
Rogue 1
+7
+10
+7
+2
Intim 13, Jump 12, Tumble 1, UMD 1
-
Sneak Attack 1d6, Trapfinding


11th
Thrall of Demogorgon 1
+8
+12
+7
+2
Intim 14, Jump 14, Know Rel 3
Power Attack
Scaly Flesh +1, Hypnosis


12th
Thrall 2
+9
+13
+7
+2
Intim 15, Jump 15, Know Religion 5
Scorpion’s Grasp
Touch of Fear


13th
Thrall 3
+10
+13
+8
+3
Intim 16, Jump 16, Religion 7
-
Reaching Touch


14th
Thrall 4
+11
+14
+8
+3
Intim 17, Jump 17, Religion 9
Leap Attack
Dual Actions, Scaly Flesh +2


15th
Thrall 5
+12
+14
+8
+3
Intim 18, Jump 18, Religion 11
Combat Reflexes
Summon Minor Demon(5HD)


16th
Thrall 6
+13
+15
+9
+4
Intim 19, Jump 19, Relgion 13
-
Rotting Touch


17th
Thrall 7
+14
+15
+9
+4
Intim 20, Jump 20, Religion 15
Robilar’s Gambit
Scaly Flesh +3


18th
Thrall 8
+15
+16
+9
+4
Intim 21, Jump 22, Religion 17
Extra Rage
Two Personas, Death Touch


19th
Thrall 9
+16
+16
+10
+5
Intim 22, Jump 22, Religion 19
-
Summon Major Demon (10hd)


20th
Thrall 10
+17
+17
+10
+5
Intim 23, Jump 23, Religion 21
Extra Rage
Demogorgon’s Will, Scaly Flesh +4



Sources:

PHB- 24,49,92,95,96,98
PHBII - 82
Races/Eberron - 25
Comp Warr- 90
Magic of Incarnum – 29, 77, 88, 90
BoVD – 50, 67
HoH – 125
Comp Champ – 46,98
UA – 48, 66
Sandstorm – 52
MM1 – 313
Comp Adventurer – 110

Feats:
1-Improved Unarmed Strike – PHB 96
3-Improved Grapple – PHB 95
6- Willing Deformity – HoH 125
9- Thrall to Demon – BoVD 50
11-Power Attack – PHB 98
12- Scorpion’s Grasp – Sandstorm 52
14-Leap Attack – Comp Adventurer 110
15-Combat Reflexes – PHB 92
17-Robilar’s Gambit – PHBII 82
18-Extra Rage – Comp Champ 98
20-Extra Rage – Comp Champ 98

Levels

5- Straight up Barbarian basically. Two ACF’s replacing useless class features. Warsphaper 1 gives immunity to crits (and therefor sneak attacks) and morphic weapons. Since fists are natural weapons, you can increase your fists by 1 size catergory. Using the high STR helps on grapple checks with hands or a tentacle that you just grew. I don’t interpret Morphic Weapons to be an addition of 5082048420 natural attacks, but just as growing what you have 1 size larger, or adding the natural attacks of 1 thing (so 8 tentacles, or 2 claws, etc, but not both.)

10- Morphic Reach grants an additional 5ft reach whenever you want it, combined with an increase to STR/CON helps make thwacking things easier to do. Totemist gives bonus’s to a few skills, a few hit points, but most importantly by investing 3 essentia, gives basically +4 to STR checks and skills all day long. I interpret that to mean +4 to attack and damage in melee as those are str based checks, as well as +4 to jump, climb, grapple, etc. If you think you need the AC over the damage/checks output, you can reassign essentia into natural ac bonus instead. Rogue is dipped for sneak attack to qualify for the SI. Combine Morphic Weapons with Sphinx Claws and a charge and you negate the need for Multiattack.

15- Scorpion’s Grasp, Leap Attack, Power Attack all combine for some nasty melee whackery. Throw in Reaching Touch for a further 5ft reach bringing your total to 15ft reach allows for lots of attacks of opportunity, as well as allowing to strike from distance. The Sweet Spot is lvl 13 where Reaching Touch comes online to augment all your other abilities. Plus, it can be argued that you can sneak attack an opponent from 10-15 feet out as a surprise, so the dip isn’t totally wasted. Scaly Flesh helps bolster AC when we increasingly do something stupid. Dual Actions would allow for a full charge/pounce/full attack/full natural attacks/free grapple checks up the wazoo/full attacks again. (go go gadget die in your stupid face). Provided you make the secondary check on Scorp’s Grasp, you could potentially use your opponent as in improvised weapon and swing them at another target.

20- Rotting Touch can be deilivered in the midst of a grapple in lieu of dealing damage as one attack. Robilar’s Gambit combined w/ the massive reach and combat reflexes means lots of attacks of opportunity. Could’ve stopped taking ranks in Knowledge Religion in favor of boosting Tumble, but it’s thematically appropriate not to. Extra Rage was taken twice, because more rage is good rage. Demo’s Will grants Limited Wish which gives any lvl 6 spell, or lower, in the game 1/day allowing a little flexibility to a non-caster based build. Either of the Summon Demons can aid in creating flanking, or to shut down another attacker, or to further boost your stats via spells/sla’s.

MISC

Nothing stops this build from using a 2 handed weapon, or a spiked chain once you hit Thrall as Thrall gains all simple/martial weapon proficiencies, and all armor that you don’t already have. If you don’t want the –‘s to proficiency, you could replace 1 use of Extra Rage w/ Exotic weapon proficiency.
Will save is ****, but you’re a big dumb barbarian, embrace it.
I think it’s just a skill trick, but it could be a missed feat, that you can intimidate an opponent with a melee strike + intimidate check.

This is mostly a unarmed barbarian variant, but with grapple thrown in. Warshaper opens up a pile of additional options depending on how far you abuse the wording of it. Combine that with Sphinx Claws and you have 1 scary pounce attack followed by lots of utility in the rest of the build. Depending on circumstances, your STR could be 35+ even before the standard 6. Another option would’ve been to take Shifter Savagery which doubles threat range of all natural weapons, but it’s natural attack progression doesn’t stack w/ Warshaper’s Morphic Weapons, so it’s not worth it.

On Warshaper shenanigans: Based on DM Fiat, morphic weapons could be as stated a bajillion natural weapons grown, or it could be 1 for each slot, effectively 4 claws, a bite, a snout/horn, tail, wings, tentacles, porcupine spikes, giant tongue etc. It can get out of hand quickly, so have the discussion before you get to that point about what is actually allowed.

I know that pouncbarians have been thrown about on this board and in this competition for awhile, but it’s a new concept to me, hopefully there’s something redeeming in this build that didn’t turn into a copy of something else, I didn’t look at what others may have done. I’m sure there’s other ways to do this, this is simply how I would do it of course..

[Heliomance]

Entry number 8!

-5 Chairwoman points - I had to fix your formatting. Feel the wrath of my frowny face.



Hitomi Marik

http://pa1.narvii.com/6487/44f5ec00c305d148afa6c41ad8bda109c14afb36_hq.gif


Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Race: Dragon Clan (OA) Unseelie fey (Dragon Compendium p.223) Silverbrow Human (Dragon Magic p.6)
Class: Rogue 1 / Binder 1 (ToM p.9) / Arcane Stunt (CM p.32) Seductive (http://”http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/cwc/20070227x”) Swashbuckler 4(Complete Warrior p. 11) / Thrall of Demogorgon 10 (BOVD p.67) / Noble 1 (Dragonlance Campaign Setting p.50) / Totemist 3 (MoI p.29)
Stats: All Stat Bonuses go to Charisma
Str:6
Dex: 10
Con: 10
Int: 14
Wis: 14
Cha:20

Racial abilities: Summer’s Caress (magic circle of nature), no wings, +4 racial bonus to intimidate, low light vision, iron vulnerability, and DR depending on level. A bonus feat, the dragonblood subtype, featherfall, +2 racial bonus to disguise and disguise is always a class skill, favored class any.



Level
Class
Base Attack Bonus
Fort
Ref
Will
Skills
Feat
Abilities


1
rogue 1
0
0
2
0
Bluff 4, diplomacy 4, disguise 4, Forgery 4, gather information 4, Intimidate 4, knowledge (arcana) 2, knowledge (the planes) 2, profession card gambler 4, sense motive 4,
cards over swords (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/fey/20030815a), silver tongue (OA update)
Sneak attack, trapfinding


2
binder 1
0
2
2
2
Bluff 5, diplomacy 5, knowledge (religion) 2
unseelie noble kelir (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/fey/20030815a)
soulbinding 1 vestige: Mostly naberius, some ronove


3
arcane stunt swashbuckler 1
1
4
2
2
Bluff 6, diplomacy 6, disguise 5, profession (card gambler 6), sense motive 5,
willing deformity (Heroes of Horror, p. 125) , weapon finesse
weapon finesse, arcane stunt: expeditious retreat


4
swashbuckler 2
2
5
2
2
Bluff 7, diplomacy 7, intimidate 5, profession (card gambler) 7, forgery 6,




5
swashbuckler 3
3
5
3
3
Bluff 8, diplomacy 8, disguise 6, profession (card gambler) 8, forgery 7,

insightful strike


6
Seductive (http://“http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/cwc/20070227x “) Swashbuckler 4
4
6
3
3
Bluff 9, diplomacy 9, intimidate 6, profession (card gambler) 9, forgery 9
thrall to demon (Champions of Ruin, p. 23)
Seduce to learn Secret


7
thrall of demogorgon 1
6
8
3
3
Bluff 10, diplomacy 10, intimidate 7, profession (card gambler) 10, knowledge (the planes) 4
improved binding (Tome of Magic, p. 74)
Scaly flesh +1, hypnosis, bonus feat


8
thrall of demogorgon 2
7
8
3
3
Bluff 11, diplomacy 11, intimidate 8, profession (card gambler) 11, knowledge (the planes) 6

Touch of fear


9
thrall of demogorgon 3
8
9
4
4
Bluff 12, diplomacy 12, intimidate 9, profession (card gambler) 12, knowledge (the planes) 8
wanderer’s diplomacy (Player's Handbook II, p. 85)
Reaching touch


10
thrall of demogorgon 4
9
9
4
4
Bluff 13, diplomacy 13, disguise 5, profession (card gambler) 13, sense motive 5, forgery 10
pervasive gaze (Serpent Kingdoms, p. 146)
Dual actions, scaly flesh +2, bonus feat


11
thrall of demogorgon 5
10
10
4
4
Bluff 14, diplomacy 14, disguise 6, profession (card gambler) 14, sense motive 6, forgery 11

Summon minor demon


12
thrall of demogorgon 6
11
10
5
5
Bluff 15, diplomacy 15, disguise 7, profession (card gambler) 15, sense motive 7, forgery 12
planar touchstone: breaching obelisk (Planar Handbook, p. 41)
Rotting touch


13
thrall of demogorgon 7
12
11
5
5
Bluff 16, diplomacy 16, disguise 8, profession (card gambler) 16, sense motive 8, forgery 13
extend supernatural ability (Tome of Magic, p. 73)
Scaly flesh +3, bonus feat


14
thrall of demogorgon 8
13
11
5
5
Bluff 17, diplomacy 17, disguise 9, profession (card gambler) 17, sense motive 9, forgery 14

Two personas, death touch


15
thrall of demogorgon 9
13
12
6
6
Bluff 18, diplomacy 18, intimidate 10, profession (card gambler) 18, sense motive 10, forgery 15
undead empathy (Eberron Campaign Setting, p. 61)
Summon major demon


16
thrall of demogorgon 10
14
12
6
6
Bluff 19, diplomacy 19, intimidate 12, profession (card gambler) 19, forgery 16
extend supernatural ability
Demogorgon's will, scaly flesh +4, bonus feat


17
noble 1
14
12
8
8
Bluff 20, diplomacy 20, intimidate 13, disguise 10, knowledge religion 3, knowledge the planes 9

bonus class skill (bluff), favor +1


18
totemist 1
14
14
10
8
Bluff 21, diplomacy 21, profession card gambler 21, knowledge the planes 10
extend supernatural ability
wild empathy, 2 soulmelds, 1 essencia, 1 chakra bind


19
totemist 2
15
15
11
8
Bluff 22, diplomacy 22, profession card gambler 22, knowledge (the planes) 12

totem chakra bind, 3 soulmelds, 2 essencia


20
totemist 3
16
15
11
9
Bluff 23, diplomacy 23, profession card gambler 23, knowledge (the planes) 14

totems protection



Background:
Hitomi Marik is from the Dragon Clan, a distant ancestor of the Scaled Scorpion, Mirumoto Kaijuko. He inherited her fierce temper but none of her combat proclivities. Marik’s mother was a fox spirit fey/gaki unseelie noble of the feywild court and his father was the samurai courtesan Hitomi Tadaka. Seduced on route from the imperial court by this vixen, Tadaka doesn’t know that the kitsune fey spirit impersonated a wetnurse and swapped her baby Marik with Tadaka’s secondborn son at birth to be raised as a cutthroat courtesan by the human realms. Marik grew up a charmed child who reeked of personality. Everyone loves Marik and he makes sure that they do. Marik is relatively committed to non-violence, and always attempts to weasle away from it if the opportunity presents itself. This stance doesn’t stem from any inner goodness in Marik, he is surrounded by samurai who are better dueling, and he keeps the perception of non-violence as a protective measure to keep himself from getting challenged by skilled swordsmen. This is important, because he inherited the dragonblood and fey proclivities for sensual reproductive largesse, often with other samurai’s romantic and marriage partners.

Marik is cool, collected, and funny. He is also a great risk taker, having developed a talent for extricating himself from situations that would kill less charismatic persons.

Level 5 Breakdown
Ok. There are a lot of weird sources put into this build, and rather than send you book diving, I’ve spoilered the feats below

Silver Tongue from the OA update from version 3.0 to 3.5 in Dragon 318:
[Dragon]: You can use the Diplomacy skill (trained or untrained) to produce the following effects:
Change an NPC's attitude toward a person other than yourself. The DC is the same as if you were changing the character's attitude toward you.
Inspire Love and Devotion. If you successfully improve a character's attitude toward you (only) to helpful, you can choose to cause that character to show romantic interest in you. The character thereafter seeks every opportunity to be near you and makes every effort to win your affection, within the bounds of relatively normal behavior.
Inspire hope or despair: With a successful diplomacy check against DC 25, you fill a single target with hope or despair, as if affected by the good hope or crushing despair spells. In the case of despair, the target can negate the effect with a successful will saving throw (DC 10+1/2 your diplomacy ranks + charisma modifier)
Cause confusion. Make a diplomacy check opposed by your target's sense motive check. If you beat your target's check result by 10 or more, you can cause him to become confused for 1 round. You can use this ability as a full round action.

Cards over Swords from “Luck of the Draw” Three Dragon Ante dnd web resource (http://”http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/we/20060919a”): You can resolve conflicts using Three-Dragon Ante instead of combat.
Prerequisite: 1st level character, Diplomacy 4 ranks.
Benefit: When faced with a potential combat against a single foe with an Intelligence score of at least 10, you can propose resolving the conflict via a card game— provided that the foe does not consider you a personal enemy. To do so, make a Diplomacy check as a swift action. If you successfully change the foe’s attitude toward you from hostile to indifferent, it agrees to play the proposed game in lieu of combat, even if it has never played the game or even heard of it. No retry is allowed against the same foe for a given conflict. The winner of the card game wins the dispute; the loser gives up all equipment and wealth on her person and withdraws. You must allow the foe to go free and unharmed at the end of the game. Any attempt to attack it reopens the dispute and precipitates combat. However, you can question the foe as if you defeated it in combat, and you can advise the authorities as to its whereabouts after it has left. In a sense, the foe has earned a head start on the authorities for playing the game with you.

Here is the relevant bit on using card games from Races of Destiny p.9-10

Races of Destiny p.9-10
Second, the gamblers themselves may participate in a game that incorporates both skill and chance. Most card games fall into this category. To resolve this sort of gambling, have the participants make a skill check every 10 minutes. The relevant skill is Profession (card gambler) for most card games and another Profession skill for games you invent yourself. The competitor with the highest check result wins an amount set by the DM: a typical pot for 10 minutes of play, depending on the wealth of the competitors and the circumstances of the game. The losing competitors lose as much as the winner receives, divided among themselves. In a five-person card game, for example, the winner might get 20 silver pieces after 10 minutes of play, and each of the other four players would lose 5 silver pieces.

Competitors can employ other skills to improve their chances. If the game rewards bluffing and concealed motives, a Bluff check that’s higher than everyone else’s Sense Motive check earns the bluffer a bonus on his Profession check equal to the difference between his Bluff result and the highest Sense Motive result. If the game involves easily palmed tokens such as playing cards, a competitor can cheat by making a Sleight of Hand check opposed by all the other player’s Spot checks. A successful Sleight of Hand check earns a bonus equal to the difference between the Sleight of Hand result and the highest Spot result. But unlike bluffing at cards, there’s generally a game-ending consequence for failing this Sleight of Hand check: you’ve been caught cheating.[/b]


Unseelie Noble Kelir from Fey Feature (http://”http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/fey/20030815a”)
[General] You belong to a noble family with status in the Unseelie Court. The Queen of Air and Darkness invites your house to general Court functions.
Prerequisite: Fey and Seelie Court Member, or Fey and Diplomacy 5 ranks
Benefit: You gain a +1 bonus on Bluff and Diplomacy checks. In addition, you may use your Bluff or Diplomacy skill to influence others' opinions. In a social situation, you may make a cut direct or a ridiculing comment at a target. The target opposes with either a Charisma check (if not a Seelie or Unseelie Court Noble Kelir) or a Diplomacy check (if she has the Seelie or Unseelie Court Noble Kelir feat). If your cut direct succeeds, the crowd's attitude toward your target degrades one step (for example, from friendly to indifferent).
Special: This feat is a bonus feat to anyone with one Unseelie Court Noble parent.

So, I hope you see where all of this is going. Marik doesn’t fight because he steps in and whoops on people by challenging them to a mass produced collectible card game...if they are smart enough. And if they aren’t smart enough, he changes the opinions of those around a would be aggressor to revile them. Let’s dive into that.

At fifth level, Marik is a rogue 1/binder 1/arcane stunt swashbuckler 3 with Silver tongue, cards over swords, unseelie noble kelir, and willing deformity. Rogue delivers a number of skill points, binder allows the binding of Naberius’s silver tongue ability, which grants the ability to take 10 on diplomacy and bluff skill checks (and diplomacy as a standard action at no penalty), liberal use of the command SLA, as well disguise self sla. As an unseelie fey, Marik has the summer caresse Su magic circle of nature offers a +2 deflection bonus to AC and +2 to saves as well as immunity to possession and compulsion effects. With the disguise skill, the disguise self SLA and forgery skills working in unison, Marik can impersonate generals and military decorations according to Heroes of Battle p.89 to get up to a +5 on diplomacy and intimidate checks, and if in an army type adventure environment, use those bonuses to make orders and requests of soldiers (power of faerun p.30). Silver tongue allows for inspiring these folks to fall in love with Marik or his disguise persona. As far as combat is concerned, assuming Marik can’t avoid it with judicial use of cards over swords, Silver tongue allows for buffing allies and debuffing enemies and causing confusion effects in the opponent while seelie noble kelir allows Marik to sow dissention amongst his enemies...as a standard action. Marik is a bit squishy. A mister or sprayer loaded with a potion of foxes cunning can allow Marik to boost dumb opponents to an intelligence level that may allow the use of cards over swords. The expeditious retreat SLA is used to get out of immediate danger. Marik may want to use a tower shield untrained to provide cover in some situations.

Level 10 Breakdown
Things have really gotten weird now. Marik can use diplomacy with silver tongue to make others fall in love with him and he can use bluff to seduce secrets out of them, which he can then use for blackmail. He can also use bluff in the manner that he uses diplomacy with the social agility ability of wanderer’s diplomacy. Improved binding opens up 2nd level vestiges, Allowing for the binding of malphas. Birds eye viewing has tactical implications as well as invisibility. At level 10, Marik has opened up one of the coolest effects of thrall of demogorgon, the ability to do two rounds worth of actions in one. He can make one enemy fall in love with him while making the rest of his enemies hostile towards that person. Or he can confuse two opponents. Or he can both spray and enemy with a potion of fox’s cunning and challenge them to a card game. The hypnosis SLA boosts enemies reaction towards Marik two whole levels closer to friendly, so he can make them fanatic, and the pervasive gaze feat makes it difficult to avert the eyes.

Level 13 Sweet Spot
So you don’t need to look it up, some more obscure stuff is spoilered below

Higher-Order Ability: Once per day, you can instantly enter another time frame, speeding up so greatly that all other creatures seem frozen, though they are actually still moving at their normal speeds. You are free to act for 1 round of apparent time. Normal and magical fire, cold, acid, and the like can still harm you. While you are accelerated, other creatures are invulnerable to your attacks and spells; you cannot target such creatures with any attack or spell. A spell that affects an area and has a duration that is longer than the remaining duration of your temporal acceleration has its normal effects on other creatures once the power ends. You cannot move or harm items held, carried, or worn by a creature stuck in the standard time frame, but you can affect any item that is not in another creature’s possession. While accelerated, you are undetectable and cannot enter an area of dead magic. When the acceleration lapses, you are disoriented on your return to the standard time frame. You take a –4 penalty on all attack rolls, saving throws, and skill checks for 2 rounds. Higher-Order Uses: 2.

Here is the sweet spot: The higher order ability of breaching obelisk allows Marik to act for 1 round. The text in the planar handbook classifies these abilities All higher-order abilities are considered either supernatural or spell-like, as indicated in each ability’s description.(planar handbook p.154). This ability can be extended through the extend supernatural ability feat, so he is free to act for two rounds. During which time, Marik can use dual actions to preemptively change enemies. The abilities listed in the breaching obelisk ability do allow for skill checks, so you can go nuts sowing havoc in the ranks of your nemeses.

Summon demon allows Marik to call jovoc to distribute pain through its aura or a maurezhi to consume his opponents irrevocably, or a quasit to help with its SLAs.

Level 15 Breakdown
At level 15, Marik can summon better demons. Some notables include: visage (LM p.130), myrlochar (reverse gravity bite, monsters of faerun), yochlols (desecrate, spider climb, stone shape, teleport without error, dominate mindblank). Undead empathy allows Marik to affect the undead with his diplomacy checks


Level 20 Breakdown:
This is where the build tails off. Noble 1 offers Marik the favor +1 ability, which pairs nicely with his backstory and his ability to seduce to learn secrets. Totemist offers the girallon arms soulmeld, which grants additional arms with which to play cards against opponents. He also takes more extend supernatural ability, which allows for dual actions to last multiple turns. Wild empathy allows Marik ARGUABLY to use his diplomacy feats against animals.

Also, limited wish helps cover tough situations, paired with breaching obelisk and dual actions it can occur during battle: It can be used to awaken animals, polymorph enemies, arcane fusion grim revenge and fuse arms, or planeshift to the breaching obelisk for more higher uses.

[Heliomance]

Entry number 9!


Kayzo Grondi

https://dnd-wiki.org/w/images/thumb/6/6e/Ethergaunt_by_boudicca.jpg/275px-Ethergaunt_by_boudicca.jpg

Race: Neraph
Build Stub: Factotum 4/Sneak Attack Fighter 1/Thrall to Demogorgon 10/Factotum +2/Assassin 1/Factotum +2
Multiclass Penalty: Yes, ECL 5 to 12
Languages: Neraph, Slaad, Common, Abyssal, Celestial, Infernal
Alignment: CE
Ability Scores:


Ability
Score
(Points)
4th
8th
12th
15th (Ethergaunt)
16th
20th


Strength
10
(2)
10
10
10
12
12
12


Dexterity
10
(2)
10
10
10
16
16
16


Constitution
14
(6)
14
14
14
14
14
14


Intelligence
18
(16)
19
20
20
27
28
28


Wisdom
12
(4)
12
12
13
13
13
14


Charisma
10
(2)
10
10
10
10
10
10






Level
Class
Base Attack Bonus
Fort Save
Ref Save
Will Save
Skills
Feats
Class Features


1st
Factotum 1
+0
+0
+2
+0
Balance 2, Bluff 4, DisDev 4, Hide 4, Iaijutsu Focus 4, Know:Arcana 2, Know:Planes 2, Know:Religion 2, Move Silently 4, Search 4, SleightHand 4, UMD 4
Hidden Talent: elemental steward, Willing Deformity (Elder Evil)
Inspiration (IP 2), Cunning Insight, Cunning Knowledge, Trapfinding


2nd
Factotum 2
+1
+0
+3
+0
Balance 4(+2), Bluff 5(+1), DisDev 5(+1), Hide 5(+1), Iaijutsu Focus 5(+1), Know:Arcana 2, Know:Planes 2, Know:Religion 2, Move Silently 5(+1), Search 5(+1), SleightHand 5(+1), UMD 5(+1)

Arcane Dilettante (1 spell)


3rd
Factotum 3
+2
+1
+3
+1
Balance 5(+1), Bluff 6(+1), DisDev 6(+1), Hide 6(+1), Iaijutsu Focus 6(+1), Know:Arcana 2, Know:Planes 2, Know:Religion 2, Move Silently 6(+1), Search 6(+1), SleightHand 5, UMD 6(+1). Skill Trick: Hidden Blade(+2)
Quick Draw
Brains Over Brawn, Cunning Defense


4th
Factotum 4
+3
+1
+4
+1
Balance 5, Bluff 7(+1), DisDev 7(+1), Hide 7(+1), Iaijutsu Focus 7(+1), Know:Arcana 2, Know:Planes 2, Know:Religion 2, Move Silently 7(+1), Search 7(+1), SleightHand 6(+1), Tumble 2(+2), UMD 7(+1), Skill Tricks: Hidden Blade

Arcane Dilettante (2 spells), Cunning Strike


5th
Sneak-Attack Fighter 1
+4
+3
+4
+1
Balance 5, Bluff 7, DisDev 7, Hide 7, Iaijutsu Focus 7, Know:Arcana 2, Know:Planes 2, Know:Religion 2, Move Silently 7, Search 7, SleightHand 6, Tumble 8(+6), UMD 7, Skill Tricks: Hidden Blade
Thrall to Demon (Elder Evil)
Sneak Attack 1d6, Skilled City-Dweller (Ride->Tumble)


6th
Thrall to Demogorgon 1
+5
+5
+4
+1
Balance 5, Bluff 9(+2), DisDev 7, Hide 9(+2), Iaijutsu Focus 7, Know:Arcana 2, Know:Planes 2, Know:Religion 2, Move Silently 9(+2), Search 9(+2), SleightHand 6, Tumble 8, UMD 7, Skill Tricks: Hidden Blade
Font of Inspiration, Font of Inspiration x2 (IP: 6)
Scaly Flesh +1, Hypnosis 1/day


7th
Thrall to Demogorgon 2
+6
+6
+4
+1
Balance 5, Bluff 10(+1), DisDev 7, Hide 10(+1), Iaijutsu Focus 7, Know:Arcana 2, Know:Planes 2, Know:Religion 2, Move Silently 10(+1), Search 10(+1), SleightHand 6, Spot 4(+4), Tumble 8, UMD 7, Skill Tricks: Hidden Blade

Touch of Fear


8th
Thrall to Demogorgon 3
+7
+6
+5
+2
Balance 5, Bluff 11(+1), DisDev 7, Hide 11(+1), Iaijutsu Focus 7, Know:Arcana 2, Know:Planes 2, Know:Religion 2, Move Silently 11(+1), Search 11(+1), SleightHand 6, Spot 9(+5), Tumble 8, UMD 7, Skill Tricks: Hidden Blade

Reaching Touch


9th
Thrall to Demogorgon 4
+8
+7
+5
+2
Balance 5, Bluff 12(+1), DisDev 7, Hide 12(+1), Iaijutsu Focus 7, Know:Arcana 2, Know:Planes 2, Know:Religion 2, Move Silently 12(+1), Search 12(+1), SleightHand 6, Spot 12(+3), Tumble 8, UMD 7, Skill Tricks: Spot the Weak Point (+2), Hidden Blade
Font of Inspiration x3, Font of Inspiration x4 (IP: 13)
Dual Actions, Scaly Flesh +2


10th
Thrall to Demogorgon 5
+9
+7
+5
+2
Balance 5, Bluff 13(+1), DisDev 7, Hide 13(+1), Iaijutsu Focus 7, Know:Arcana 2, Know:Planes 2, Know:Religion 2, Move Silently 13(+1), Search 12, SleightHand 6, Spot 12, Tumble 10(+4cc), UMD 7, Skill Tricks: Twisted Charge (+2)[B], Spot the Weak Point, Hidden Blade
Evil Brand (Elder Evil)
Summon Minor Demon


11th
Thrall to Demogorgon 6
+10
+8
+6
+3
Balance 5, [B]Bluff 14(+1), DisDev 7, Hide 14(+1), Iaijutsu Focus 7, Know:Arcana 2, Know:Planes 2, Know:Religion 2, Move Silently 14(+1), Search 12, SleightHand 6, Spot 12, Tumble 12(+4cc), UMD 7, Skill Tricks: Acrobatic Backstab (+2), Twisted Charge, Spot the Weak Point, Hidden Blade

Rotting Touch


12th
Thrall to Demogorgon 7
+11
+8
+6
+3
Balance 5, Bluff 15(+1), DisDev 7, Hide 15(+1), Iaijutsu Focus 7, Know:Arcana 2, Know:Planes 2, Know:Religion 2, Move Silently 15(+1), Search 12, SleightHand 6, Spot 12, Tumble 12, UMD 9(+4cc), Skill Tricks: Back on Your Feet (+2), Acrobatic Backstab, Twisted Charge, Spot the Weak Point, Hidden Blade
Practiced Manifester, Font of Inspiration x5 (IP: 18)
Scaly Flesh +3


13th
Thrall to Demogorgon 8
+12
+9
+6
+3
Balance 5, Bluff 16(+1), DisDev 7, Hide 16(+1), Iaijutsu Focus 7, Know:Arcana 2, Know:Planes 2, Know:Religion 2, Move Silently 16(+1), Search 12, SleightHand 6, Spot 12, Tumble 12, UMD 12(+6cc), Skill Tricks: Back on Your Feet, Acrobatic Backstab, Twisted Charge, Spot the Weak Point, Hidden Blade

Two Personas, Death Touch


14th
Thrall to Demogorgon 9
+13
+9
+7
+4
Balance 5, Bluff 17(+1), DisDev 7, Hide 17(+1), Iaijutsu Focus 7, Know:Arcana 2, Know:Planes 2, Know:Religion 2, Move Silently 17(+1), Search 12, SleightHand 6, Spot 12, Tumble 12, UMD 15(+6cc), Skill Tricks: Back on Your Feet, Acrobatic Backstab, Twisted Charge, Spot the Weak Point, Hidden Blade

Summon Major Demon


15th
Thrall to Demogorgon 10
+14
+10
+7
+4
Balance 5, Bluff 18(+1), DisDev 7, Hide 18(+1), Iaijutsu Focus 7, Know:Arcana 2, Know:Planes 2, Know:Religion 2, Move Silently 18(+1), Search 12, SleightHand 6, Spot 12, Tumble 12, UMD 18(+6cc), Skill Tricks: Back on Your feet, Acrobatic Backstab, Twisted Charge, Spot the Weak Point, Hidden Blade
Abyss-Bound Soul (Elder Evil), Dark Chaos Feat Shuffle: Evil Brand->Font of Inspiration x6, Abyss-Bound Soul->Font of Inspiration x7, Tower Shield Proficiency->Font of Inspiration x8 (IP: 39), Shield Proficiency->Darkstalker, Heavy Armor Proficiency->Combat Expertise, Medium Armor Proficiency->Improved Feint, Light Armor Proficiency->Craven
Demogorgon's Will, Scaly Flesh +4


16th
Factotum 5
+14
+10
+7
+4
Balance 5, Bluff 19(+1), DisDev 7, Hide 19(+1), Iaijutsu Focus 11(+4), Know:Arcana 2, Know:Planes 2, Know:Religion 2, Move Silently 19(+1), Search 12, SleightHand 6, Spot 12, Tumble 19(+7), UMD 19(+1), Skill Tricks: Back on Your feet, Acrobatic Backstab, Twisted Charge, Spot the Weak Point, Hidden Blade

Opportunistic Piety


17th
Foctotum 6
+15
+11
+8
+5
Balance 5, Bluff 20(+1), DisDev 7, Disguise 4(+4), Hide 20(+1), Iaijutsu Focus 17(+6), Know:Arcana 2, Know:Planes 2, Know:Religion 2, Move Silently 20(+1), Search 12, SleightHand 6, Spot 12, Tumble 20(+1), UMD 20(+1), Skill Tricks: Back on Your feet, Acrobatic Backstab, Twisted Charge, Spot the Weak Point, Hidden Blade




18th
Assassin 1
+15
+11
+10
+5
Balance 5, Bluff 21(+1), DisDev 7, Disguise 5(+1), Hide 21(+1), Iaijutsu Focus 17, Know:Arcana 2, Know:Planes 2, Know:Religion 2, Move Silently 21(+1), Search 12, SleightHand 9(+3), Spot 12, Tumble 21(+1), UMD 21(+1), Skill Tricks: Assume Quirk (+2), Second Impression (+2), Back on Your feet, Acrobatic Backstab, Twisted Charge, Spot the Weak Point, Hidden Blade
Maiming Strike
Sneak Attack 2d6, Death Attack, Poison Use


19th
Factotum 7
+16
+11
+10
+5
Balance 5, Bluff 22(+1), DisDev 7, Disguise 5, Hide 22(+1), Iaijutsu Focus 22(+5), Know:Arcana 2, Know:Planes 2, Know:Religion 2, Move Silently 22(+1), Search 12, SleightHand 14(+5), Spot 12, Tumble 22(+1), UMD 22(+1), Skill Tricks: Assume Quirk, Second Impression, Back on Your feet, Acrobatic Backstab, Twisted Charge, Spot the Weak Point, Hidden Blade

Arcane Dilettante (3 spells)


20th
Factotum 8
+17
+11
+11
+5
Balance 5, Bluff 23(+1), DisDev 7, Disguise 5, Hide 23(+1), Iaijutsu Focus 23(+1), Know:Arcana 2, Know:Planes 2, Know:Religion 2, Move Silently 23(+1), Search 12, SleightHand 23(+9), Spot 12, Tumble 23(+1), UMD 23(+1), Skill Tricks: Assume Quirk, Second Impression, Back on Your feet, Acrobatic Backstab, Twisted Charge, Spot the Weak Point, Hidden Blade
Insane Defiance (Elder Evil), Dark Chaos Feat Shuffle: Insane Defiance->Font of Inspiration x9 (IP: 50)
Cunning Surge





Typical Arcane Dilettante SLAs
2nd: glitterdust, heroics (Spell Compendium, to grab Martial Study: Cloak of Deception), or wraithstrike (Spell Compendium)
3rd: haste or heart of water (Complete Mage)

Typical Assassin Spells Prepared
1st: blade of blood (PHBII) or insightful feint (Spell Compendium)


Many generations ago, Kayzo's entire house was exiled from Limbo for an unpardonable sin that none of the house matriarchs have bothered to remember. Cut adrift on a coastline that occasionally overlaps with one of the Abyssal oceans, the exiled neraphim were captured and enslaved by a clan of ixitxachitls. With an interest in recruiting capable cultists to serve their demonic overlords, the ixitxachitls offered the neraphim a choice: swear fealty to Demogorgon and you can earn your freedom. Not nearly as strong or fast as some of his broodmates, Kayzo saw this both as a way to survive and an opportunity for advancement. His ixitxachitl master was one of the priests of the Cult of the Leviathan, and he was initially recruited as an acolyte to help the ixitxachitl locate the Spine Temple and prepare for the ritual that would awaken the Leviathan. However, Kayzo was much more fond of running off and hiding than learning about obtuse summoning rituals. Fortunately for him, he had snuck off when a band of do-good adventurers swept in and destroyed his local chapter of the Cult of the Leviathan, leaving him free to pursue adventures elsewhere. He still worships Demogorgon as the agent of his emancipation and reveres the Leviathan as an unstoppable force of pure chaos. In his dreams, he imagines the Leviathan awakening and tearing apart the world until it resembles his native homeland of Limbo. Demogorgon sees the Leviathan as a useful weapon in his never-ending war against the other Demon Princes: if awakened at the right time, the Leviathan set loose in the waters surrounding the Gaping Maw would protect his jungle continent from any aquatic invasion. But as with any instrument of chaos, it can also be used against him. If there are other members of the Cult of the Leviathan who survived and the Sign of Awakening appears again, then Kayzo's memories of the Spine Temple and the ritual to awaken the Leviathan could be very important in either stopping that Awakening... or making sure it happens.



Kayzo begins his career as a low-level spy, scout, sneak, snitch, and sycophant: he uses his stealth skills to stay out of the way of bigger threats, and if cornered, he uses his bluff skill to prevaricate or obsequiate his way out of trouble. Whether he's working with the Cult of the Leviathan or for one of Demogorgon's lieutenants, Kayzo's job is to use his skills to sneak in, spy on his enemies, and then report back to his superiors. Kayzo avoids direct confrontation, relying on his wits to talk his way out of trouble. Willing Deformity, a "gift" from his previous ixitxachitl masters, marks him as a former slave. Hidden Talent: elemental steward represents a latent psionic link to his original homeland, the chaotic ever-churning elements of Limbo. He uses these stewards as distractions, flankers, and for their PLAs: energy ray for ranged attacks, psionic grease to set up sneak attack, and psionic daze/stomp/control air/demoralize as debuffs. Quick Draw and Iaijutsu Focus represents his preferred fighting style: strike unexpectedly with a concealed weapon, and run away if that doesn't solve the problem. At 5th level, he adds Sneak Attack from the UA Fighter variant, and when combined with his Neraph Camouflage racial ability, this can turn his first attack against any opponent into a devastating alpha strike: +2 attack bonus for charging, Cunning Insight to add his Int bonus to attack, Quick Draw to get his weapon out as a free action, Iaijutsu check adds extra damage, Sneak Attack adds extra damage, and he can pump additional damage on top of that with Cunning Strike. While his Inspiration points are limited per encounter, Kayzo can use his Neraph Camouflage ability on every opponent in an encounter at least once. Also at 5th level, his dedication to an Elder Evil grants him the Thrall to Demon feat and qualifies him to enter Thrall of Demogorgon.



Kayzo enters the Secret Ingredient to capitalize on bonus feats. Thrall of Demogorgon offers four bonus feats over 10 levels, which is not quite as good as 10 Fighter levels, but these bonus feats aren't limited to a restricted list of combat feats. Four bonus feats on top of the seven feats you get for HD... what could I use all those feats for? And then I had an inspiration... a Font of Inspiration! Kayzo can take this more than once, stockpiling Inspiration Points that recycle every encounter. He's limited in the number of times he can take this feat by his Int bonus, but we'll deal with that problem later. Kayzo takes Font of Inspiration twice at 6th level, doubling his Inspiration Points (IP) to 6.

Outside of the bonus feats, the rest of what Thrall of Demogorgon offers starts out somewhat tepid. Scaly Flesh stacks with his existing Natural Armor bonus, but not stacking with a magical Natural Armor bonus seems pointlessley annoying. I realize the hypnotism SLA is supposed to mimic Demogorgon's hypnotic gaze attack, but as a 1st-level spell effect at this ECL it's unlikely to affect more than one opponent. It looks like the original spell's limit of 2d4 HD would still be in effect, along with the +2 save bonus if used in combat, although making it a gaze attack means that opponents who succeeded at the Will save on the first round would have to make additional saves in subsequent rounds until the HD limit is satisfied. The out-of-combat application would appear to be much more useful, if used against a single low-HD opponent. Kayzo can use this ability to befuddle guards/servants/gatekeepers if his Bluff skill isn't working. Touch of Fear I suppose was intended to mimic the fear inspired by the Prince of Demons, but another 1st-level spell effect only inspires fear in creatures with 5 HD or less. Fortunately, the "Touch" here does not refer to an actual touch attack, so it can at least be used out to close range, and even if the target's Will save succeeds, they are still shaken for 1 round. Kayzo can use this ability on low-level demons, and since demons tend to have set hit dice, it should be easy to tell which demons it will work against based on their type.

At 8th level, Kayzo starts to pick up more interesting class abilities. Reaching Touch gives him the option to initiate Hidden Blade/iaijutsu attacks up to 10' away from his unsuspecting target. The increased reach lasts the entire round, so it applies to attacks of opportunity as well. At 9th level, Kayzo gets an upgrade to Scaly Flesh and the coveted Dual Actions 2/day. With this ability, Kayzo can charge two opponents on his turn and use Neraph Camouflage/Iaijutsu Focus/Sneak Attack/Cunning Strike on both of them. Against a more wary opponent that has already been charged or can't be flanked, Kayzo can use his Bluff skill to 'Feint in Combat' (standard action) and then make a sneak attack with Iaijutsu Focus (standard action) to make sure he gets extra damage. Another option is using Spot the Weak Point (standard action) to make his next attack (either a standard action or a charge) a touch attack. Since Kayzo doesn't have Cunning Surge yet, Dual Actions essentially becomes Cunning Surge for him 2/day. Also at 9th level, he doubles up again on Font of Inspiration (four times total, just shy of his maximum Int bonus +5). This increases his IP to 13, and gives him a "Glass Cannon" option: if he sinks all his IP into Cunning Strike, he can pump is Sneak Attack damage up to 14d6 (average 49 damage).

At 10th level, Kazyo gets Elder Brand as his Elder Evil feat and Summon Minor Demon 1/day. This is exactly the sort of ability Kayzo loves: let the summoned creatures do the dangerous stuff, like combat, scouting ahead, testing for traps, and so forth. Unlike his elemental steward power (1 round manifesting time), this standard-action SLA lets him get this summoned demon into combat quickly. Some interesting summons:


Artaaglith (5HD, Ghostwalk): 5th level cleric casting along with turn undead.

Juvenile Nabassu (5HD, FC1): Three attacks with 2d6 sneak attack, probably your best combat scrapper and flanker, but also has a death-stealing gaze (bestows negative levels) and a Feed (Su) ability that might be promising if it stuck around for longer than 15 rounds.

Nashrou (4HD, MM4): Solid combat scrapper, may have slighty better damage than the juvenile nabassu if it's attacking alone, but has slightly worse AC/HP.

Murezhi (5HD, Fiend Folio): Three attacks + paralysis is nice, but the at-will SLAs are a bit more interesting: animate dead, hold person, invisbility.





At 11th level, Kayzo gets Rotting Touch, which is supposed to be an SLA, but just does 1d6 Constitution damage as a touch attack. Fortunately, no need to worry about saves or Spell Resistance here. As a touch attack, Kayzo can add sneak attack damage, but instead of doing additional Constitution damage it does negative energy damage (as per Rules Compendium p. 136). Still, it's good to have a decent touch attack 3/day, particularly if he's already used Spot the Weak Point. At 12th, Scaly Flesh advances to +3 and Kayzo gets two additional feats: he maxes out Font of Inspiration at 5x (total IP = 18), and takes Practiced Manifester to get his ML up to 5. This is mostly to pick up an important feat later, but it also increases the duration of his elemental stewards to 5 rounds. At 13th, Kayzo gets "Two Personas", which is a very strange ability to bury eight levels into a PrC. Assuming that you have multiclass penalties, you'd have to slog through at least eight levels of this PrC to get here, so I'm very puzzled why this wasn't moved up to earlier in the PrC. The Dragon #357 version at least added a new ability: roll twice for any mind-affecting save, but to keep things simple I'm sticking to the BoVD version. Kayzo does incur multiclass penalties for levels 5-12, although I might have avoided that with a different entry into the PrC. At this level, Kayzo also gets Death Touch (Sp) 1/day, which I believe is a nod to Demogorgon's Energy Drain ability, but works as a slay living spell. Although this is a Save-or-Die effect, you at least get the consolation of 3d6+CL damage on a successful save. As with Rotting Touch, this provides him an additional option for a touch attack, and he can add sneak attack damage on top of it if need be. At 14th level, Kayzo gets the Summon Major Demon ability, which opens up a considerable chunk of utility. Some examples:


Hezrou (10HD, MM): Combat scrapper with Chaos hammer and unholy blight at will, blasphemy and gaseous form 3/day.

Succubus (7HD, MM): Social engineering specialist, as well as charm monster, detect thoughts, ethereal jaunt, and suggestion at will.

Vrock (10HD, MM): Decent combat brute with mirror image and telekinesis at will, heroism 1/day.

Jarilith (10HD, MM2): Best combat scrapper, three attacks, pounce, rake, improved grab, and augmented critical.

Zovvut (10HD, MM2): Can use Draining Gaze to create wights under his command, which you can order him to transfer to your command, and then you can create your own Wightpocalypse.

Arrow Demon (10HD, MM3): Ranged combat specialist, six arrow attacks that do 2d6+8 damage.

Yochlol (10HD, FC1): Sort of an upgraded Succubus but instead of charm monster they have dominate person and some other SLAs.

Shadow Demon (10HD, BoVD): Magic jar 1/week.





At 15th level, Kayzo gets the Demogorgon's Will ability and thus access to limited wish. Among other things, this solves a problem for him: he gains two feats at this level and would dearly like to get more Fonts of Inspiration, but his Int bonus is only +5 and he's maxed out the numer of times he can take that feat. So instead he takes Metamorphic Transfer twice, but before we get into the mechanics of that, let's take a closer look at what sort of spells Kayzo has access to through limited wish: fiendform (Spell Compendium), polymorph, permanency, mantle of the icy soul (Frostburn version), embrace the dark chaos, and shun the dark chaos. Several of these spells allow Kayzo to permanently alter his form. First things first, for example, he can now polymorph into a Sibriex (Fiendish Codex I p. 52) and with Metamorphic Transfer give himself three free fiendish grafts via the Instant Graft (Su) ability. If the DM protests over the grafts not persisting on your body after the polymorph wears off, then introduce him to the Protean Scourge's Split (Su) ability (MM3 p. 126). Even better, your duplicates can help pay the brunt of the XP costs for using Demogorgon's Will or permanency repeatedly to shuffle around your forms, feats, grafts, and spell effects. But this doesn't quite solve the problem with Kayzo's Intelligence bonus.

To fix that, Kayzo uses Demogorgon's Will to switch his form to a Silthilar (Lords of Madness p. 168). This is why he needed to take Metamorphic Transfer twice: once to switch to a medium-sized aberration with Coalesce Form (Su), and twice to use Warp Flesh (Su) on himself. This is a polymorph any object effect, and while he's limited to forms with 15 HD (caster level = HD for supernatural abilities) which allows him to change his form to a White Ethergaunt (Fiend Folio p. 67). Same kingdom, same type, and same size should result in a permanent duration, but unlike PAO, it's an (Su) ability and thus cannot be dispelled. Some DMs may give you some grief over Warp Flesh, noting that the text specifies "caster level 9th", however I believe that this is just a reminder that the CL is equal to the silthilar's HD, which is normally 9 HD, rather than explicitly capping CL at 9. If the DM is getting persnickety over this, use a coatl feather (10 GP, BoED p. 37) or use the Dark Chaos Feat Shuffle (DCFS) to give Kayzo the Reserves of Strength feat (Dragonlance Campaign Setting), bumping up the CL by +2. Unfortunately, we don't get to enjoy the White Ethergaunt's "Spells" ability, but we do get an Int score of 27. Kayzo also gets access to several (Su) abilities: Enslave (dominate monster, Will save DC 16), Stupefying Gaze (1d4 Int/Wis/Cha damage, Will save DC 16), and Immunity to Spells (arcane spells up to 4th level). Kayzo takes the first two with Metamorphic Transfer (there appears to be an activation issue with Immunity to Spells, as it doesn't appear to mention an activation cost, making it a standard action, which doesn't work well with reactive abilities). The higher Int score allows Kayzo to take Font of Inspiration up to x8 (then x9 when his Int goes up again at 16 HD). To take advantage of this, Kayzo uses Demogorgon's Will to cast embrace the dark chaos on one day and then shun the dark chaos on the subsequent day. It costs 600 XP and two days per feat shuffled, but Kayzo can shift this XP cost onto a duplicate (via Protean Scourge) if need be. Since Thrall of Demogorgon is proficient with all armors and shields, he can swap his armor/shield proficiency bonus feats from Fighter and a couple of his [vile] feats into different feats:

Evil Brand -> Font of Inspiration x6
Abyss-Bound Soul -> Font of Inspiration x7
Tower Shield Proficiency -> Font of Inspiration x8
Shield Proficiency -> Darkstalker (Lords of Madness)
Heavy Armor Proficiency -> Combat Expertise
Medium Armor Proficiency -> Improved Feint
Light Armor Proficiency -> Craven (Champions of Ruin)

This brings Kayzo's IP up to 39. Combined with Dual Action 2/day, this should be plenty of points to fire his "Glass Cannon" several times per encounter.



Once Kayzo is done with the secret ingredient, he heads back into Factotum to put the final couple of puzzle pieces in place, topping of some skills that were languishing and picking up Opportunistic Piety. At 18th level, Kayzo takes a level in Assassin for poison use, a smattering of arcane spells, and +1d6 sneak attack, qualifying him for Maiming Strike. When Maiming Strike converts 2d6 sneak attack into 1 Charisma damage, Craven adds +18 Charisma damage to the attack, essentially turning every hit that qualifies for sneak attack into a one-shot knockout. If he needs more Charisma damage, he can use Cunning Strike to convert up to 40 IP into 20 Cha damage per encounter.

At 19th level, Kayzo gets Arcane Dilettante up to 3rd level spells, which help take some pressure off of using Demogorgon's Will almost every day to change his form, pick up (Su) abilities, or add bonus feats. At 20th level, he uses DCFS to swap his final [vile] feat for Font of Inspiration x9 and unlocks his "Capstone" ability with Cunning Surge. No longer limited to two Dual Actions per day, Kayzo can now "alpha strike" up to 16 standard actions per encounter. For most encounters, this should be enough standard actions that Kayzo can use his Neraph Camouflage to knock out every opponent on the battlefield during his first turn.

So... to recap:

Bonus Feats: This feature was the focus of my build, using the bonus feats to load up on Font of Inspiration. Kayzo winds up with 50 Inspiration Points.

Scaly Flesh: This stacks with either his +2 natural armor as a Neraph or his +10 natural armor as a white ethergaunt.

Touch of Fear: Mostly used to frighten away low-level demons. The 5HD limit makes this difficult to use against anything but cannonfodder.

Reaching Touch: Sneak attack from 10' away! Kayzo prefers to leave the frontline stuff to the sturdier meatbags.

Dual Actions: Kayzo's "signature move" until he finally gets Cunning Surge at level 20. This ability allows him to "glass cannon" twice per round, or use Spot the Weak Point in the same round as an attack/charge to make sure he lands his "glass cannon" move against a big boss.

Summon Minor Demon: Provides a sturdier ally to flank with, particularly the juvenile nabassu, which also gets sneak attack when flanking.

Rotting Touch: This gives Kayzo three additional touch attacks per day, and if they qualify as sneak attacks, he can add extra damage as negative energy or convert the sneak attack into Charisma damage via Maiming Strike.

Two Personas: This removes the multiclass XP penalty for being a Factotum 4/Fighter 1, although I'm still annoyed that you have to slog through eight PrC levels before you gain this benefit.

Death Touch: An additional touch attack per day that either kills the target outright or does 3d6+CL damage + sneak attack/Maiming Strike/Craven/etc... although the extra damage here is just normal damage rather than negative energy damage, which is a bit odd for a necromancy spell effect.

Summon Major Demon: Stronger combat options for flanking, and provides some additional SLAs for extra utility.

Demogorgon's Will: Permanently change your form, swap around your bonus feats, add grafts or permanent spell effects. Yeah, I'd say this is pretty important to the build.



If you'd prefer not to dedicate your life to an Elder Evil, you can switch the race to human, take Willing Deformity as your human bonus feat, and take Thrall to Demon instead of Quick Draw at 3rd level. You won't have quite so many feats to feed into DCFS, but Combat Expertise/Improved Feint/Craven were really just extra gravy.

If the DM doesn't allow the Warp Flesh trick to work, you can just pay for polymorph any object the usual way. Or since limited wish can give you access to the planar binding spells, you could use that to summon an efreet and convince/coerce them to give you wish spells, either to replicate PAO or to give yourself inherent bonuses to Intelligence.



Book of Vile Darkness: Willing Deformity, Thrall to Demon
Class Chronicles: Font of Inspiration (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/frcc/20070606)
Cityscape: Skilled City-Dweller ACF (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/we/20070228a)
Champions of Ruin: Craven
Complete Psionic: Practiced Manifester, elemental steward
Complete Scoundrel: Skill Tricks
Dungeonscape: Factotum
Exemplars of Evil: Maiming Strike
Expanded Psionic Handbook: Hidden Talent, Metamorphic Transfer
Elder Evils: Evil Brand, Abyss-Bound Soul, Insane Defiance
Fiend Folio: White Ethergaunt
Fiendish Codex I: Sibriex
Lords of Madness: Silthilar, Darkstalker
Planar Handbook: Neraph
Unearthed Arcana: Sneak Attack Fighter variant

[Heliomance]

Entry number 10!




Drake Carmine, The Slimeball
http://www.bluemaize.net/im/toys/sticky-hand-toy-7.jpg
CE Daelkyr Half-Blood Hexblade 5/Thrall of Demogorgon 10/Slime Lord 5

Stats
Str 16
Dex 10
Con 14
Int 10
Wis 10
Cha 16 (increases here)
Build


Level
Class
Base Attack Bonus
Fort Save
Ref Save
Will Save
Skills
Feats
Class Features


1st
Hexblade 1
+1
+0
+0
+2
Knowledge (Arcana) 2, Knowledge (Religion) 2(4), Knowledge (Local) 1 (2)
Willing Deformity, (B)Symbiont Mastery
Hexblade’s Curse 1/day


2nd
Hexblade 2
+2
+0
+0
+3
Knowledge (Local) 2(2)

Arcane Resistance


3rd
Hexblade 3
+3
+1
+1
+3
Diplomacy 2
Thrall to Demon
Mettle


4th
Hexblade 4
+4
+1
+1
+4
Diplomacy 4

Dark Companion


5th
Hexblade 5
+5
+1
+1
+4
Diplomacy 6
(B)Spell Focus (Enchantment)
Bonus Feat, Hexblade’s Curse 2/day


6th
Thrall of Demogorgon 1
+6/+1
+3
+1
+4
Disguise 2(4)
Deformity (Tongue)
Scaly Flesh +1, Hypnosis, +1 Spellcasting


7th
Thrall of Demogorgon 2
+7/+2
+4
+1
+4
Disguise 4(4)

Touch of Fear


8th
Thrall of Demogorgon 3
+8/+3
+4
+2
+5
Bluff 4

Reaching Touch


9th
Thrall of Demogorgon 4
+9/+4
+5
+2
+5
Disguise 6(4)
Deformity (Clawed Hands)
Dual Actions, Scaly Flesh +2, +1 Spellcasting


10th
Thrall of Demogorgon 5
+10/+5
+5
+2
+5
Bluff 5, Sense Motive 3

Summon Minor Demon


11th
Thrall of Demogorgon 6
+11/+6/+1
+6
+3
+6
Intimidate 2, Sense Motive 5

Rotting Touch


12th
Thrall of Demogorgon 7
+12/+7/+2
+6
+3
+6
Bluff 7, Intimidate 5
Rapidstrike
Scaly Flesh +3, +1 Spellcasting


13th
Thrall of Demogorgon 8
+13/+8/+3
+7
+3
+6
Bluff 11

Two Personas, Death Touch


14th
Thrall of Demogorgon 9
+14/+9/+4
+7
+4
+7
Bluff 15

Summon Major Demon


15th
Thrall of Demogorgon 10
+15/+10/+5
+8
+4
+7
Intimidate 10
Improved Rapidstrike, (B)Deformity (Madness)
Demogorgon’s Will, Scaly Flesh +4, Bonus Feat


16th
Slime Lord 1
+15/+10/+5
+8
+6
+7
Intimidate 14

Paralytic Slime, Pseudopods 1/day


17th
Slime Lord 2
+16/+11/+6/+1
+8
+7
+7
Intimidate 18




18th
Slime Lord 3
+17/+12/+7/+2
+9
+7
+8
Bluff 16, Intimidate 21
Martial Study (Wall of Blades)
Charming Gaze, Pseudopods 2/day


19th
Slime Lord 4
+18/+13/+8/+3
+9
+8
+8
Bluff 19, Intimidate 22

Sleep Immunity


20th
Slime Lord 5
+18/+13/+8/+3
+9
+8
+8
Bluff 22, Intimidate 23

Alter Self, Pseudopods 3/day



Spells
Spells per Day/Spells Known


Level
0lvl
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
8th
9th


1st
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


2nd
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


3rd
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


4th
-
0*
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


5th
-
0*
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


6th
-
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


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


8th
-
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


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


10th
-
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


11th
-
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


12th-20th
-
1
0*
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


Spells Known
1st: Charm Person, Distract Assailant, Karmic Aura, Phantom Threat
2nd: Adoration of the Frightful, Shadow Double
Backstory
Drake Carmine had pretty much always been a no-account miserable punk. When he was born and the breed leech slithered out in the afterbirth, his father concluded that Drake wasn’t his, and he wasn’t going to leave his wife over that, but he certainly was not kind to the young boy. His parents still tried to raise him, but the constant lurking fear of what it was that made him that way tainted their relationship. And it didn’t help that the young Drake was just so darn evil. He was the bad crowd that other people fell in with.

As such, as an adult Drake was a member of a number of evil cults, including those to Ghaunadar and Demogorgon. Of course they didn’t really know what they were doing, and most of the time just pricked their fingers with the same knife in a poorly drawn pentagram. But they did it frequently enough that every once in a while they were able to summon a rather weak demon for a few minutes. During one of these ceremonies to Demogorgon Drake got in a heated argument with his compatriot about who got to attempt to command it. Drake decided to argue his point by stabbing the other petitioner in the chest, and somehow had the dumb luck to complete the ceremony to become a Thrall of Demogorgon. He eventually noticed the power it granted him, weak and fickle as it was, but it was sufficient for him to declare that his true power was manifesting. He even thought his thickening scales might indicate a draconic pedigree rather than an abyssal patron.

With enough time he encountered a few other who channeled the same power he did, and he came to the belief that with so many of them running around, there wasn’t enough power for all of them. He was convinced that with less of them around, he would have more to himself. So he made something of a habit of finding and killing the other Thralls of Demogorgon and their demonic servants, who were typically weak enough to fall under his thrall or flee before him. When his power grew and his arms lengthened at his command he took it as confirmation of his belief, and redoubled his efforts.

Of course through all of this he kept up his untrained hodgepodge of rituals and sacrifices in the hopes he could extract more power out of it, and he somehow managed to gain a fraction of Ghaunadar’s power as well. When his increasingly oozy form became malleable at his will into a multitude of frightening forms, Drake new he reached the pinnacle of his bloodline’s mighty power, though he couldn’t tell you what bloodline that was if you asked him.
Level 5
Hexblade isn’t a bad start for an evil character since it provides you full base attack and good defenses. Arcane Resistance rewards Charisma investment, and Mettle means making saves really matters. Dark Companion is a constant -2 to saves and AC of those adjacent to it, which will always be relevant. Hexblade’s Curse has a healthy duration and penalizes most things the enemy would roll so make use of it for those targets that need stacked debuffs. It’s a free action, so you can hit 2 targets in a round if you are so inclined.

Spell Focus for enchantment helps for your spells, Charm Person and Distract Assailant are both affected and should be your first two choices. Remember that when enemies are flatfooted, unless they have combat reflexes they can’t make AoOs so you can cast it before someone needs to make risky movement.

Daelkyr Half-Blood is our race for reasons that will become clear. For now it makes for the sort of dissatisfied youth that would go into Hexblade and Thrall of Demogorgon. I’m partial to the throwing scarab for a starting symbiont, and you might choose to switch to stormstalk at level 5. A ranged touch attack is fairly easy to make, and the penalty to Dex means their AC is even lower.
Level 10
We now turn to the secret ingredient. Full base attack is important for a melee fighter like you with HD to support, and good fort save improves Mettle’s value. The natural armor bonus helps out since you’re casting in light armor. Hypnosis is a good setup for social situations, and stacks nicely with charm person. Cause fear’s got a lower but reliable cap, and once we get adoration of the frightful will become more useful.

Reaching touch means you can surprise enemies by hitting them where they were previously safe, and its duration of 1 round means that you can also make attacks of opportunity with them.

Summon Demon means you have a flanking buddy, and with the right choices you can get a few SLAs out of it. Notable choices include the Abyssal Ravager, who is Large, the Guecubu, who can knock out and possess foes, and even the good old dretch has stinking cloud. The Jovoc is a demon with a very strange ability that’s easily exploited: damage dealt to a Jovoc is also dealt to creatures in 30 feet, and the damage isn’t reduced by anything. So send it in to fight a tough foe, stand more than 30 feet away, and hit it with ranged weapons, or blast it with a powerful spell from the party to do the damage without the work.

Dual actions bends the action economy for your benefit. You don’t have to get esoteric with it, 2 full attacks get the job done. If your DM is cruel and says that reaching touch takes up an action, you can use it before to get a full round’s benefit out of it. This also helps you to cast your spells in combat and then move in to fight close quarters without having to be threatened.

As for spells, Phantom Threat renders a foe flanked, so the whole group can benefit from it for the encounter. It’s not unreasonable to assume you’re going to be hit, and if so Karmic Aura makes enemies fatigued when they do so, so they won’t be as effective in combat and are easier to hit.

We took one Willing Deformity to get in, and with the worst part behind us we can take other deformity feats. Tongue gives blindsense to negate stealth, and Clawed hands gives you two claw attacks. Feel free to use one with a one-handed weapon, their importance will grow later.

In terms of symbiont, we now have access to the tentacle whip. It’s a complicated symbiont that can attack on its own with a 15 foot reach. It can be used as a weapon rather like the whip and can target adjacent squares as well. It’s unclear on whether it threatens. It is clear that it delivers poison with every blow, and enemies are bound to fail eventually, especialy debuffed by the Dark Companion. It’s good for tripping and disarming, and it can be used to deliver touches, like the variety of touch-based powers from the class! Because it’s a symbiont attached to your arm, you can choose to use it or let it attack on its own every round, and when you stretch out your arms your reach with it goes up to 20 feet.
Level 15
Time to finish the SI, and things start forming up more. Rotting touch is best used early and often (no save!) to further soften up fort saves, which dovetails nicely with slapping foes with slay living. Even if they succeed it still does damage. Summon Demon’s 10HD cap means real competent assistance like from a Chasme, Arrow Demon, Shadow Demon, and even mighty Vrock with at will telekinesis. Limited Wish fills a lot of your spellcasting gaps, but I’ll admit I’m a fan of just using it to make your next attack automatically hit, since you can cast it before any combat and then you know to make the hit of slay living/rotting touch count.

Finishing up with our casting, we have Shadow Double to damage strength of enemies, and a really fun spell: Adoration of the Frightful, which makes scared targets friendly. This means Cause Fear is now a social spell, and intimidate is now a social skill! You can then stack Hypnosis on the targets you wish for the suggestion effect. Remember the fear doesn’t have to come from you, so your demon friends can help you out here.

We reached a point where another level of casting wouldn’t change anything, so we’re going to take a feat instead. Deformity (Madness) makes you immune to mind affecting effects, and if you need to you can shore up your Will save with the other effect every minute for those Will saves that aren’t mind-affecting. Because you’re an Aberration, you can take Rapidstrike and Improved Rapidstrike. Your claws qualify you for it, and you should be fighting with your tentacle whip (or other one-handed weapon of your choice) and a claw free. Thus your full attack is 3 attacks with your whip and 4 attacks with your claw.
Level 20
It might look an odd choice, but I promise Slime Lord works well with the SI. First off, yes it does require Ghaunadar as a patron deity. That being said, Thrall of Demogorgon doesn’t require you worship him, and their goals (as much as they exist) overlap in causing havoc and spreading evil. Toss him some sacrifices and he won’t care you’re working for a demon lord.

Slime Lord’s immunity to sleep effects helps if the other Thrall your fighting has also called on a Guecubu. Its charming gaze works as charm monster with caster level of 20, so it’s going to be consistently effective, and you can stack on it as with others. Alter self with the aberration type (told you Daelkyr Half-blood becomes useful) means some good forms for mobility and combat, as well as some disguise for social situations. Remember your symbiont and deformity feats will still apply in any form, as will all your class features. At will without a fixed duration, this is a very strong capstone for the build.

Wall of Blades combined with your high base attack provides you a reliable means of denying an attack against you.

But we’re in slime lord to get oozy. Let’s talk pseudopods. You get two, dealing 1d6 damage each, and each hit triggers paralytic slime. It’s a fort save, so you might soften the target with rotting touch. It always lasts at least 2 rounds, so you always have time to deal with the enemy. After you’ve hit a target with it, activate your dual actions and spend the next round killing them with a coup de grace. Because you have a pair of them, you can use rapidstrike with them to maximize your chances of paralyzing targets. Obviously as a touch based attack you’ll want to extend reach when you use it.
Sources

Daelkyr Half-Blood, Crawling Claw Symbiont, Throwing Scarab Symbiont: Magic of Eberron
Tentacle Whip Symbiont: Eberron Campaign Setting
Hexblade: Complete Warrior
Slime Lord: Player’s Guide to Faerun
Rapidstrike, Improved Rapidstrike: Draconomicon
Deformity (Madness): Elder Evils
Deformity (Clawed Hands)
Willing Deformity, Deformity (Tongue): Heroes of Horror
Martial Study: Tome of Battle
Distract Assailant, Phantom Threat: Spell Compendium
Karmic Aura: Complete Mage
Shadow Double: Drow of the Underdark
Adoration of the Frightful: Dragon Magic

[Heliomance]

Entry number 11!



Vemunix the Accursed

http://i66.tinypic.com/8xiws6.jpg

"You see, basically, I got home from work one day, and found my wife cheating on me with another monkey."
...
"I fell into a deep depression after the divorce, which ended up costing me my job. All my money was gone, which means I lost the house."


Vemunix isn't a bad guy, really. I mean, he does worship one of the lords of the Abyss. And yes, he throws curses at people. And yes, he once sacrificed his ex-wife on an unhallowed altar in the presence of a Bar-lgura. And yes, he is chaotic evil. But really, not such a bad guy. He likes to think of himself as a regular, demon-worshiping, tentacled monkey-man...and quite a charming one, at that.

CE Male Vanara Hexblade 4/Thrall of Demogorgon 10/Warblade 2/Crusader 4

HD 4d10+10d8+6d10+40

Languages: (automatic) Common, Vanara; (bonus) Giant, Goblin

Abilities Scores:


Level
Final
Starting
4th
8th
11th
12th
16th
20th


Str
14
14
—
—
—
—
—
—


Dex
14
14
—
—
—
—
—
—


Con
14
14
—
—
—
—
—
—


Int
14
14
—
—
—
—
—
—


Wis
4
8
—
—
-4
—
—
—


Cha
20
15
+1
+1
—
+1
+1
+1



Build Table:


Level
Class
Base Attack Bonus
Fort Save
Ref Save
Will Save
Skills

Feats
Class Features


1st
Hexblade 1
+1
+0
+0
+2
Diplomacy +4, Knowledge (religion) +2, Knowledge (local) +2, Use Magic Device +2
Willing Deformity
Hexblade’s Curse 1/day


2nd
Hexblade 2
+2
+0
+0
+3
Bluff +1, Diplomacy +1, Knowledge (arcana) +2

—

Arcane Resistance


3rd
Hexblade 3
+3
+1
+1
+3
Bluff +1, Concentration +2, Diplomacy +1
Thrall to Demon
Mettle


4th
Hexblade 4
+4
+1
+1
+4
Concentration +1, Diplomacy +1, Use Magic Device +1

—

Summon Familiar Dark Companion


5th
Thrall of Demogorgon 1
+5
+3
+1
+4
Bluff +6
Power Attack
Scaly flesh +1, Hypnosis


6th
Thrall of Demogorgon 2
+6
+4
+1
+4
Jump +6
Aberration Blood
Touch of Fear


7th
Thrall of Demogorgon 3
+7
+4
+2
+5
Jump +2, Use Magic Device +2

—

Reaching Touch


8th
Thrall of Demogorgon 4
+8
+5
+2
+5
Bluff +1, Knowledge (nobility and royalty) +5
Inhuman Reach
Dual Actions, Scaly Flesh +2


9th
Thrall of Demogorgon 5
+9
+5
+2
+5
Bluff +2, Use Magic Device +2
Deepspawn
Summon Minor Demon


10th
Thrall of Demogorgon 6
+10
+6
+3
+6
Knowledge (local) +3, Knowledge (religion) +3

—

Rotting Touch


11th
Thrall of Demogorgon 7
+11
+6
+3
+6
Jump +2, Sense Motive +2, Use Magic Device +1
Deformity (Madness)
Scaly flesh +3


12th
Thrall of Demogorgon 8
+12
+7
+3
+6
Bluff +3, Sense Motive +3
Deformity (Tall)
Two Personas, Death Touch


13th
Thrall of Demogorgon 9
+13
+7
+4
+7
Bluff +3, Jump +3

—

Summon Major Demon


14th
Thrall of Demogorgon 10
+14
+8
+4
+7
Jump +3, Knowledge (arcana) +3
Leap Attack
Demogorgon’s Will, Scaly Flesh +4


15th
Warblade 1
+15
+10
+4
+7
Diplomacy +6
Combat Reflexes
Battle Clarity (Reflex Saves), Weapon Aptitude


16th
Warblade 2
+16
+11
+4
+7
Diplomacy +4, Use Magic Device +1,
—
Uncanny Dodge


17th
Crusader 1
+17
+13
+4
+7
Intimidate +3, Balance +3
—
Furious Counterstrike, Steely Resolve 5


18th
Crusader 2
+18
+14
+4
+7
Balance +2, Concentration +2, Use Magic Device +1

Starspawn

Indomitable Soul


19th
Crusader 3
+19
+14
+5
+8
Concentration +3, Diplomacy +3

—

Zealous Surge


20th
Crusader 4
+20
+15
+5
+8
Concentration +2, Diplomacy +2, Use Magic Device +1
—
Steely resolve 10



Final Skill Ranks: Balance 5, Bluff 17, Concentration 10, Diplomacy 22, Intimidate 3, Jump 16, Knowledge (arcana) 5, Knowledge (local) 5, Knowledge (nobility and royalty) 5, Knowledge (religion) 5, Sense Motive 5, Use Magic Device 11*

Maneuvers & Stances:


Level
Class
Initiator Level
Maneuvers
Stances


15th
Warblade 1
8th
Iron Heart Surge, Rabid Wolf Strike, Death From Above
Punishing Stance


16th
Warblade 2
9th
Pouncing Charge
—


17th
Crusader 1
9th
Douse the Flames, Lion's Roar, Foehammer, Doom Charge, Tide of Chaos
Thicket of Blades


18th
Crusader 2
10th

—

Press The Advantage


19th
Crusader 3
11th

War Leader's Charge

—


20th
Crusader 4
12th
—
—



I know what you're all thinking: why not a human? Bonus feat, extra skill points. Good question. If you think a human worshiping a two-headed tentacled baboon-demon is appropriate for your game, then go ahead and change the race from vanara to human. I mean, I think it's a bit odd for a human to be cheated on by his monkey wife, but hey, to each their own.
I'd recommend Apprentice (spellcaster) as the bonus feat, and extra skill points can go into, oh, I don't know, let's say Concentration and Intimidate.
Next elephant in the room - why no Lion Totem Barbarian? Quite simple really - Vemunix is a civilized monkey. He's not suddenly going to become some kind of savage so he can full attack on a charge. That's what Pouncing Charge is for.

Racial Traits: 30 ft move, climb 20ft, low light vision, +2 racial bonus to hide and move silently checks, +4 racial bonus to balance and jump checks, +8 racial bonus to climb checks. Note: if Dragon 318 update is not included (which, as per OP, it is), vanara have -2 Str, +2 Int and +2 Wis; point buy would need to be adjusted accordingly to allow Power Attack etc.

Hexblade Spells Known: 1st - Charm Person, Disguise Self (sometimes one's own innate charm and wit isn't enough; and sometimes one has to blend in with the locals; for everything else, there's wands and UMD).

Tips and tactics:

ECL 1-5: Vemunix slips into ToD at the earliest entry point. The bonus feats allow him to build up a number of potent combos. His Hexblade's Curse and Dark Companion can lower enemy defenses against special attacks (like Hypnosis). Arcane Resistance and Mettle boost his defenses. Throughout the build, Vemunix capitalizes on his high Charisma with Bluff and Diplomacy, augmented by synergy from associated skills. He can mingle in high society without being at all out of place; a truly charming beast.

ECL 6-10: Pure ToD, baby! Inhuman Reach along with Reaching Touch gives Vemunix excellent reach, both for melee attack and special touch attacks (Touch of Fear & Rotting Touch). Dual Actions is a boon for any melee/full BAB type. Summon Minor Demon can be used to get some solid support troops (some favorites include Maurezhi [CR 9 - FF p.50], Abyssal Ravager [CR 5 - MM2 p.57], Jovoc [CR 5 - MM2 p.58] or Rutterkin [CR 3 - FC1 p.51]). A CR 9 ally at ECL 9 is handy, to say the least. Deepspawn adds extra punch to full attack routines.

ECL 11-15: After mastering all that ToD has to offer, he seamlessly slips into Warblade. Summon Major Demon allows for call some solid allies (Jarilith [CR 13 - MM2 p.60], Hezrou [CR 11], Zovvut [CR 9 - MM2 p.58], Shadow Demon [CR 8 - BoVD p.72] or Arrow Demon [CR 7 - MM3 p.34] can fill a variety of roles). Summoning a CR 13 monster at ECL 13 isn't too shabby at all. A Limited Wish 1/day is the envy of most martial classes: remember kids, XP is a river! With his massive reach, Combat Reflexes is a welcome (if late) addition. Leap Attack vastly increases damage output potential. Deformity (tall) further boosts his impressive reach, while Deformity (madness) gives immunity to a lot of offense spells (with a cost to Wis - c'est la vie). Iron Heart Surge - the ultimate martial defense. Death From Above is an effective attack, and Vemunix has a very solid Jump check to pull it off.

ECL 16-20: All initiator classes here. No muticlassing penalties, either (thanks Demogorgon!). Uncanny dodge comes online late, but adds to Veminux's solid defenses. Starspawn allows flight without having to rely on spells or items. Indomitable Soul adds his impressive Charisma modifier to Will saves, and Steely Resolve just makes him that much harder to put down. With Zealous Surge, Vemunix's defenses just get that much harder to beat. Pouncing Charge comes online right in time for BAB +16 - perfect. Thicket of Blades combined with an impressive reach allows him to tank like a chimp champ. His maneuvers and stances all tally up to one impressive beast of battle!

So what does Thrall of Demogorgon bring to this build? Feats, full BAB, skills, and a boatload of useful and thematic abilities. The feat tax of Willing Deformity is turned to an advantage at later levels, as are the skill requirements (have some synergies!). Vemunix is a worthy champion of Demogorgon, and a simian to be remembered!

Vemunix has no dead levels. He always has something to look forward to, and boasts the most colorful and unique special abilities of all the entries for this round.

Recommended Gear: Ability boosters (Cha and Dex mainly); magic armor and weapons; as many wands as he can afford (wands of Hexblade spells can be used without UMD: Break Enchantment, Dimension Door, Enervation, Greater Invisibility, Poison, Polymorph, Solid Fog, Stinking Cloud etc.); circlet of persuasion or an admirals bicorne for extra boosts on Cha checks...like any martial, gear is always to be invested in wisely.

Sources: (aside from those already called out above)
Artwork - Chrisopher Burdett (http://christopherburdett.blogspot.com.au/2011/08/gen-con-2011-day-1.html)
Complete Adventurer - Leap Attack
Complete Warrior - Hexblade
PHB2 - Dark Companion ACF
Book of Vile Darkness - Thrall of Demogorgon, Thrall to Demon (also in FC1), Willing Deformity (also in HoH)
Elder Evils - Deformity (madness)
Heroes of Horror - Deformity (tall)
Lords of Madness - Aberration Blood, Deepspawn, Inhuman Reach, Starspawn
Tome of Battle - Crusader, Warblade, maneuvers, stances


https://vimeo.com/67075130
(https://vimeo.com/67075130)

* (apologies for the awfully filled out skills table, I lost formatting shortly before submission and had to start from scratch; final skill ranks and number of points spent are definitely accurate; mea culpa)

[Heliomance]

Entry number 12!




When i looked at ToD i noticed that Prereq included 3 Knowledge skills, and next that it has Know (any).
Looking at the class features: 1/day and 3/day against low/mid level foes, a couple other 3/day touch against more middling opponents with Cha DCs ... and Dual Actions!
Then we have Two Personas ... interesting ... I decided then to make a multiclass character that NEEDS the
Two Personas.

I went for originality. High charisma because of the Cha DC class abilities, but minimum spells and no Sneak Attack.

Level 1-5 is not bad, but 6-10 is better? I think the build is possibly strongest between 11-15, but there's a bit of capstone with the Summon Major Demon, Demogorgons Will, and Crusader level from 17-20.

At 15th we have Cha to hit, Cha to Dam, Knowledge Devotion, PA, Leap Attack, double move speed, Dual Actions and more to throw at a charge. The build is set to encourage others to flank with me (master of tactics/island of blades, etc), and i have self healing, so it should be cool.
Knowledge religion is for undead, but light maces are carried for when the longsword isn't doing it.


Half elven: 14-10-14, 10-12-16(21)


Level
Class
Base Attack Bonus
Fort Save
Ref Save
Will Save
Skills
Feats
Class Features


1st
Cloistered Cleric
+0
+2
+0
+2
Intim1, Jump1, Know Arc4 , Know Dun1, Know Loc4, Know Nat4, Know Nob1, Know Rel4, Know Pla4
Power Attack
Turn undead, Chaos Devotion, Evil Devotion, Knowledge Domain*1


2nd
Paladin/Slaughter
+1
+4
+0
+2
Intim(1)2, Know Rel(1)5
Knowledge Devotion*1
Aura of evil, detect good, smite good 1/day


3rd
Paladin/Slaughter
+2
+4
+0
+2
Intim(1)3, Jump(1)2
Thrall to Demon
Deadly touch


4th
Marshal
+2
+6
+0
+4
Intim(2)5, Jump(1)3, Know Pla(1)5
-
Skill Focus (Diplomacy), minor aura (Master of Tactics)


5th
Marshal
+3
+7
+0
+5
Intim(2)7, Jump(1)4, Know Arc(1)5
-
Major aura +1 (Motivate Urgency)


6th
Outcast Champion*2
+4
+9
+0
+5
Intim8, Jump(2)6, Kn Arc5 , Kn Dun1, Kn Loc(2)5, Kn Nat4, Kn Nob1, Kn Rel5, Kn Pla5
Willing Deformity
Aura of confidence


7th
Outcast Champion
+5
+10
+0
+5
Intim8, Jump(1)7, Kn Arc(1)5 , Kn Dun1, Kn Loc(1)5, Kn Nat4, Kn Nob(1)2, Kn Rel5, Kn Pla5
-
Avenging strike


8th
Thrall of Demogorgon
+6
+12
+0
+5
Kn Nat(1)5, Kn Rel(2)7, Kn Pla(1)6
Divine Shield
Scaly flesh +1, hypnosis, Bonus feat


9th
Thrall of Demogorgon
+7
+13
+0
+5
Kn Arc(1)6, Kn Loc(1)6, Kn Rel(2)9
Power Attack
Touch of fear


10th
Thrall of Demogorgon
+8
+13
+1
+6
Kn Nat(1)5, Kn Pla(1)7, Kn Rel(2)11
-
Reaching touch


11th
Thrall of Demogorgon
+9
+14
+1
+6
Intim8, Jump(1)8, Kn Arc(1)7 , Kn Dun1, Kn Loc6, Kn Nat5, Kn Nob2, Kn Rel(2)13, Kn Pla7
-
Dual actions, scaly flesh, +1 level of existing class


12th
Thrall of Demogorgon
+10
+14
+1
+6
Kn Loc(1)7, Know Rel(2)15, Kn Pla(1)8
Leap Attack*3
Summon minor demon


13th
Swordsage
+10
+14
+3
+8
Jump(1)9, Kn Nat(1)6, Kn Nob(1)3, Martial Lore(1)
-
Quick to act +1, Discipline focus (Weapon Focus Longsword)


14th
Thrall of Demogorgon
+11
+15
+4
+9
Jump(1)10, Kn Loc(1)7, Kn Rel(2)17
-
Rotting touch


15th
Thrall of Demogorgon
+12
+15
+4
+9
Intim8, Jump10, Kn Arc(1)8, Kn Dun1, Kn Loc(1)8, Kn Nat6, Kn Nob3, Kn Rel(1)18, Kn Pla(1)9
Avenging Strike*4, Improved Critical
Scaly flesh +3, Bonus feat


16th
Thrall of Demogorgon
+13
+16
+4
+9
Kn Arc(1)9, Kn Loc(1)9, Kn Rel(1)19, Kn Pla(1)10
-
Two personas, death touch


17th
Marshal
+14
+17
+4
+10
Kn Arc(1)10, Kn Loc(1)10, Kn Rel(1)20, Kn Pla(1)11
-
Major aura +1 (Determined Caster)


18th
Thrall of Demogorgon
+15
+17
+5
+11
Kn Arc(1)11, Kn Loc(1)11, Kn Nob(1)4, Kn Pl(1)12
Vital Recovery*5
Summon major demon


19th
Thrall of Demogorgon
+16
+18
+5
+11
Kn Arc(1)12, Know Loc(1)12, Kn Nob(2)6
-
Demogorgon’s will, scaly flesh +4, +1 level of existing class


20th
Crusader
+17
+20
+5
+11
Intim8, Jump10, Kn Arc(1)13, Kn Dun1, Kn Loc(1)13, Kn Nat6, Kn Nob(1)7, Kn Rel20, Kn Pla(1)13
-
Battle clarity (Reflex saves), Weapon aptitude


*1 Trade for Knowledge Devotion at 2nd
*2 RoD 126. Half-elf, half-orc, or half-ogre. Skills: Diplo8 or Intim8
*3 CA 110
*4,5 ToB

Sword Sage: Stance - Island of Blades
Maneuvers:
Emerald Razor (Diam2): Strike—Turn melee strike into touch attack.
Bounding Assault (Diam4): Strike—Double move and attack.
Rapid Counter (Diam5): Counter—Strike opponent who provokes attack from you.
Burning Brand (Desert2): Boost—Gain +5-ft. reach, deal fire damage.
Fan the Flames (Desert3): Strike—Ranged touch attack deals 6d6 fire damage.
Searing Charge (Desert4): Strike—Fly while charging, deal +5d6 fire damage.

Crusader: Stance - (Devo) Iron Guard's Glare
Maneuvers:
Foehammer (Devo2): Strike—Overcome foe’s DR, deal +2d6 damage.
Divine Surge (Devo4): Strike—Deal +8d8 damage.
Tide of Chaos (Devo5): Strike—Charge attack deals extra damage against law, grants you concealment.
Leading the Attack (White1): Strike—Allies gain +4 bonus on attacks against foe you strike.
White Raven Strike (White4): Strike—Deal +4d6 damage, target becomes flat-footed.

[Heliomance]

And that's all! One chef has submitted three entries, when generally we've only been allowing two, but on reviewing the rules I realised that hadn't actually been stated anywhere. I'll add it to the FAQ for future reference, but I decided to allow it this time.

[Zaq]

This looks like a superb round. I'm looking forward to reading all of the entries in depth later.

[Venger]

And that's all! One chef has submitted three entries, when generally we've only been allowing two, but on reviewing the rules I realised that hadn't actually been stated anywhere. I'll add it to the FAQ for future reference, but I decided to allow it this time.

I could've sworn we added that rule in dead delver when someone submitted 3 dishes. I guess not.

Looks like a great round. I compiled a list of stubs and links for ease of reference.

list for ease of reference:

1: Nausho, the Thrallmaker. CE Feral Human Shugenja 8/Thrall of Demogorgon 8/ Hexer 3 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=22441629&postcount=101)

2: Marcus Armstrong: the Helping Hand. CE human rogue 1/warblade 4/thrall of demogorgon 10/ master of nine 5 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=22441632&postcount=102)

3: Reed Armstrong]CE Wood Elf Hexblade 4/ Justicar of Taiia 1/ Thrall of Demogorgon 8/ Binder 3/ Crusader 1/ Warblade 1/ Thrall of Demogorgon 10 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=22441634&postcount=103)

4: Altaes Dimare, Lord of House Dimare, First of His Name. CE Human Sorcerer 5, Fiend Blooded 4, Thrall of Demogorgon 7, Fatespinner 4 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=22441635&postcount=104)

5: Fra’alstog the Bold NE (counts as Chaotic) Neraph Incarnate 7 / Totemist 2 / Sneak Attack Hit-and-Run Fighter 1 / Thrall of Demogorgon 10 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=22441637&postcount=105)

6: Speeloxhuu Bipartite Servant of Twofold Masters! CE muckdweller soulborn 2 / barbarian 1 / fighter 1 / truenamer 3 / wizard 1 / thrall of demogorgon 10 / battle trickster 2 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=22441645&postcount=106)

7: Hurk (Smash) CE Longtooth Shifter Spirt Lion Boar Totem Barbarian 4, Warshaper 3, Totemist 2, Rogue 1 Thrall 10 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=22441646&postcount=107)

8: Hitomi Marik CE Unseelie fey Silverbrow human rogue 1/ binder 1/ seductive swashbuckler 4/ thrall of demogorgon 10/ noble 1/ totemist 3 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=22441648&postcount=108)

9: Kayzo Grond. CE Neraph Factotum 4/Sneak Attack Fighter 1/Thrall to Demogorgon 10/Factotum 6/Assassin 1/Factotum 8 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=22441658&postcount=109)

10: Drake Carmine, The Slimeball. CE Daelkyr Half-Blood Hexblade 5/Thrall of Demogorgon 10/Slime Lord 5 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=22441660&postcount=110)

11: Vemunix the Accursed. CE Male Vanara Hexblade 4/Thrall of Demogorgon 10/Warblade 2/Crusader 4 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=22441661&postcount=111)

12: Endo Shock troop Commander CE (species is unlisted) Cloistered cleric 1/Paladin of slaughter 2/ Marshal 2/ Outcast champion2/ Thrall of demogorgon 5/ Swordsage 1/ Thrall of demogorgon 8/ Marshal 2/ Thrall of demogorgon 10/ Crusader 1 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=22441664&postcount=112)

[Darrin]

And that's all! One chef has submitted three entries, when generally we've only been allowing two, but on reviewing the rules I realised that hadn't actually been stated anywhere. I'll add it to the FAQ for future reference, but I decided to allow it this time.

The "two entries" limit was suggested by Kuuhlveysoon in IC LII and went into effect for IC LIII. Here's the post (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=16592024&postcount=327).

We discussed the limit briefly in LXX (post (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=19510459&postcount=130)), but while you mentioned formalising it (with an "s", even!), I don't believe you actually put it in the rules. It's been sort of a "gentleperson's agreement".

Twelve entries doesn't sound quite so unmanageable, and this looks like a very, very good batch of solid entries. What concerns me is that most of the people I would expect to judge are *competing*, so...

Do we have any possible judges?

[Amphetryon]

I didn't submit my build, once I realized it was all but a copy pasta of an entry I made in a previous round, with the SI swapped.

I'm down to judge.

Incidentally, it may be a mobile-only problem, but entry #8's table looks a bit wonky. Is there something obvious in the code, Chair?

[WeaselGuy]

HA! I love the Muckdweller. This round is intense. I look forward to seeing the judgements.

[jdizzlean]

lots of snark in the comments :) love it

[Heliomance]

Incidentally, it may be a mobile-only problem, but entry #8's table looks a bit wonky. Is there something obvious in the code, Chair?

I don't think so - I think it's just that it lacks a class definition, so has omitted the standard lines and shading.

[Heliomance]

Note: I've just posted an update to Marcus Armstrong. Apparently part of the backstory got lost somewhere along the line. Now fixed, hopefully.

[PrismCat21]

I didn't know of the honorary two entry limit gentleperson's agreement until right now.
There's a few of these 'traditions' that some judges take into account, that newer contestants just don't know about. Between IC and VC I've seen it happen a few times to other builds, and I believe to my own once.

Thank you Heliomance for not penalising the person that did submit more than two. :)
I don't suppose someone has a list of these sort of traditions, that are not yet yet official rules, so we all can know about them? Or perhaps go through them to put them in the rules?

[Venger]

I didn't know of the honorary two entry limit gentleperson's agreement until right now.
There's a few of these 'traditions' that some judges take into account, that newer contestants just don't know about. Between IC and VC I've seen it happen a few times to other builds, and I believe to my own once.

Thank you Heliomance for not penalising the person that did submit more than two. :)
I don't suppose someone has a list of these sort of traditions, that are not yet yet official rules, so we all can know about them? Or perhaps go through them to put them in the rules?

That's pretty much it. Everything else is in the FAQ.

[Technetium43]

So, please don't feel bad Thurbane, but you accidentally pre-empted my entire build in the Villainous Competition thread. >_>

I was planning on making a Sharn Crusader 1/Thrall of Demogorgon 10 whose whole goal was to find a way to split themselves back apart, because one of the heads was straight up insane, and so they allied themselves with the one being who would facilitate such a thing. However it was more depression that caused me to not submit it, not any other reason.

[WhamBamSam]

Disappointed I didn't finish my build. I was only struck by inspiration with 24 hours or so to go and didn't have time to get it in. Here's what I had so far.


CE Human Crusader 3/Sneak Attack Fighter 1/Warblade 6/Thrall of Demogorgon 10 Dedicated to Father Llymic


Level
Class
Base Attack Bonus
Fort Save
Ref Save
Will Save
Skills
Feats
Class Features


1
Crusader 1
+1
+2
+0
+0
Skills
Aberrant Dragonmark (Charm Person), Combat ReflexesH, Willing DeformityV
Furious Counterstrike, Steely Resolve 5


2
Warblade 1
+2
+4
+0
+0
Skills
-
Battle Clarity (Reflex Saves), Weapon Aptitude


3
Hit-and-Run Sneak Attack Fighter 1
+3
+6
+0
+0
Skills
Thrall To Demon (Demogorgon)
Skilled City-Dweller (Trade Ride for Tumble)


4
Warblade 2
+4
+7
+0
+0
Skills
-
Uncanny Dodge


5
Thrall of Demogorgon 1
+
+
+
+
Skills
Inhuman ReachToD, Deformity (Tall)V
Scaly Flesh +1, Hypnosis


6
Thrall of Demogorgon 2
+
+
+
+
Skills
Lesser Aberrant Dragonmark (Bestow Curse)
Touch of Fear


7
Thrall of Demogorgon 3
+
+
+
+
Skills
-
Reaching Touch


8
Thrall of Demogorgon 4
+
+
+
+
Skills
Power AttackToD
Dual Actions, Scaly Flesh +2


9
Thrall of Demogorgon 5
+
+
+
+
Skills
Greater Aberrant Dragonmark (Cloudkill)
Summon Minor Demon


10
Thrall of Demogorgon 6
+
+
+
+
Skills
Deformity (Tongue)V
Rotting Touch


11
Thrall of Demogorgon 7
+
+
+
+
Skills
DeepspawnToD
Scaly Flesh +3


12
Thrall of Demogorgon 8
+
+
+
+
Skills
Extend Reach
Two Personas, Death Touch


13
Thrall of Demogorgon 9
+
+
+
+
Skills
-
Summon Major Demon


14
Thrall of Demogorgon 10
+
+
+
+
Skills
CravenToD
Demogorgon’s Will


15
Crusader 2
+
+
+
+
Skills
Martial Study (Ruby Nightmare Blade), Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Kaorti Resin Longspear), or Death Blow
Deformity (Teeth)V
Indomitable Soul


16
Warblade 3
+
+
+
+x
Skills
-
Battle Ardor (Critical Confirmation)


17
Warblade 4
+
+
+
+
Skills
-
-


18
Warblade 5
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Ironheart AuraW, Stormguard Warrior
-


19
Crusader 3
+
+x
+x
+x
Skills
-
Zealous Surge


20
Warblade 6
+x
+x
+x
+x
Skills
Demonsworn KnightV
Improved Uncanny Dodge

H denotes the extra feat for being Human.
V denotes a bonus Vile feat for being dedicated to an Elder Evil.
ToD denotes a bonus feat from Thrall of Demogorgon
W denotes a bonus feat from Warblade

Uses Aberrant Dragonmark per this article (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ebee/20050704a), to qualify for Aberrant feats and to pick up a few uses of Charm Person for Hypnotism synergy on a Sneak Attack Fighter entry (Bestow Curse and Cloudkill are also somewhat synergistic with the Con damage from Rotting Touch). Other tricks that I thought were noteworthy were...

1) charging up Stormguard Warrior with Combat Rhythm (using a full attack, or Avalanche of Blades at 20) and forgoing AoOs from his huge reach+Thicket of Blades for Channel the Storm, then getting twice the bang for his buck using Dual Actions on the following round.

2) Between Reaching Touch, Inhuman Reach, Extend Reach, Deformity (Tall), and Dancing Blade Form, his reach can exceed 30ft even if your DM rules that a reach weapon only adds 5 ft to your reach rather than doubling it. What does this mean? It means that you can perform a coup de grace on a Jovoc summoned with Summon Minor Demon from outside the radius of its Aura of Retribution and so deal an auto-hitting full Power Attack crit plus Craven to a large area of enemies (even ones that you can't see but can detect with the Blindsense from Deformity (Tongue) or know are there under the Cloudkill you just dropped or something). With Dual Actions (or if Death Blow is chosen as the 15th level feat) you can use Order Forged From Chaos to position the Jovoc and clear friendlies from the blast radius or perform two CDGs if you've got an allied Cleric willing to cast Delay Death on the Jovoc. You can also charge up Stormguard Warrior first if you really want to and have a turn with which to do so.

The fluff would have been a Demogorgon cultist with Father Llymic whispering dark fragments of the Draconic Prophecy through his aberrant mark until those fragments ultimately developed into a distinct personality. That would have also been part of my justification for his killing of other beings dedicated to Demogorgon, as in the awkwardly written prereq (not that Demogorgon really minds infighting, but still).


Anyhow, since I didn't get the build done, I'm judging like I originally planned. I'll do a preliminary read through of the entries today and try to get started soon.

[Sian]

My idea was CE Human (following the Elder Evil Ragnorra) Hexblade 4 / Thrall 3 / Ur-Priest 2 / Thrall +7 / Ur-Priest +4 ... with an alternate idea replacing Hexblade with LionTotemBarbarian 1 / Duskblade 1 / Fighter 2, to gain Pounce, but it felt too clunky to keep me inspired

Given the number of Hexblades (3 at a glance?) I'm not that sad I never got around doing more than the base table





Level
Class
Base Attack Bonus
Fort Save
Ref Save
Will Save
Skills
Feats
Class Features


1st
Hexblade 1
+1
+0
+0
+2
4*2+
Iron Will, Willing DeformityHuman, Thrall To Demon (Demogorgon)Elder Evil
Hexblade's Curse 1/day


2nd
Hexblade 2
+2
+0
+0
+3
2+

Arcane Resistance


3rd
Hexblade 3
+3
+1
+1
+3
2+
Power Attack
Mettle


4th
Hexblade 4
+4
+1
+1
+4
2+

Dark Companion


5th
Thrall of Demogorgon 1
+5
+3
+1
+4
4+
Spell Focus (Evil)Bonus Feat, Deformity (Tall)Elder Evil
Scaly Flesh +1, Hypnosis, Bonus Feat


6th
Thrall of Demogorgon 2
+6
+4
+1
+4
4+
Iron Will
Touch of Fear


7th
Thrall of Demogorgon 3
+7
+4
+2
+5
4+

Reaching Touch


8th
Ur-Priest 1
+7
+4
+2
+7
2+




9th
Ur-Priest 2
+8
+4
+2
+8
2+
Travel Devotion
Rebuke Undead


10th
Thrall of Demogorgon 4
+9
+4
+2
+8
4+
Evil BrandElder Evil
Dual Actions, Scaly Flesh +2


11th
Thrall of Demogorgon 5
+10
+4
+2
+8
4+

Summon Minor Demon


12th
Thrall of Demogorgon 6
+11
+5
+3
+9
4+
Improved Bull Rush
Rotting Touch


13th
Thrall of Demogorgon 7
+12
+5
+3
+9
4+

Scaly Flesh +3


14th
Thrall of Demogorgon 8
+13
+6
+3
+9
4+

Two Personas, Death Touch


15th
Thrall of demogorgon 9
+14
+6
+4
+10
4+
Shock Trooper, Abyss-Bound SoulElder Evil
Summon Major Demon


16th
Thrall of Demogorgon 10
+15
+7
+4
+10
4+

Demogorgon's Wish, Scaly Flesh +4


17th
Ur-Priest 3
+16
+8
+5
+10
2+




18th
Ur-Priest 4
+17
+8
+5
+11
2+
Leap Attack
Divine Spell Resistance 15


19th
Ur-Priest 5
+17
+8
+5
+11
2+




20th
Ur-Priest 6
+18
+9
+6
+12
2+
Demon-sworn KnightElder Evil
Siphon Spell Power





Hexblade Casting:


Level
1st


4th
0



Ur-Priest Casting:


Level
0th
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
8th
9th


8th
4
2
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


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


10th
5
3
1
0
-
-
-
-
-
-


13th
6
3
2
1
0
-
-
-
-
-


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


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


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


19th
6
4
4
3
3
3
2
1
0
-


20th
6
5
4
4
4
4
3
2
1
0

[Thurbane]

I'm afraid there will not be witty comments posted for each one, as I haven't read them and don't currently have time to read 12 entries well enough to think of something to say!

Aww...I awlays look forward to your entry comments. :smalltongue:

Stats for this round...(assuming I haven't messed up):

Base Classes:


Crusader 3
Fighter 3
Hexblade 3
Rogue 3
Totemist 3
Warblade 3
Barbarian 2
Binder 2
Cleric 1
Factotum 1
Incarnate 1
Marshal 1
Noble 1
Paladin 1
Shugenja 1
Sorcerer 1
Soulborn 1
Swashbuckler 1
Swordsage 1
Truenamer 1
Wizard 1

PrCs:


Assassin x1
Battle Trickster x1
Fatespinner x1
Fiend-Blooded x1
Hexer x1
Justiciar of Taiia x1
Master of Nine x1
Outcast Champion x1
Slime Lord x1
Warshaper x1

Races:


Human x3
Neraph x2
??? (Half-Elf or Half-Orc) x1
Daelkyr Half-blood x1
Elf, Wood x1
Human, Silverbrow x1
Muckdweller x1
Shifter, Longtooth x1
Vanara x1

Templates:


Feral x1
Unseelie fey x1




Base Classes
Prestige Classes
Races
Templates


Crusader x3
Assassin x1
Human x3
Feral x1


Fighter x3
Battle Trickster x1
Neraph x2
Unseelie Fey x1


Hexblade x3
Fatespinner x1
??? (Half-Elf or Half-Orc) x1



Rogue x3
Fiend-Blooded x1
Daelkyr Half-blood x1



Totemist x3
Hexer x1
Elf, Wood x1



Warblade x3
Justiciar of Taiia x1
Human, Silverbrow x1



Barbarian x2
Master of Nine x1
Muckdweller x1



Binder x2
Outcast Champion x1
Shifter, Longtooth x1



Cleric x1
Slime Lord x1
Vanara x1



Factotum x1
Warshaper x1




Incarnate x1





Marshal x1





Noble x1





Paladin x1





Shugenja x1





Sorcerer x1





Soulborn x1





Swashbuckler x1





Swordsage x1





Truenamer x1





Wizard x1

[jdizzlean]

Stats for this round...(assuming I haven't messed up):




You forgot Thrall of demo, pretty sure there were 12 of those :belkar:

:rolleyes: lol

[ZamielVanWeber]

I am sad moving consumed so much of my time (it was a lot easier when I moved into my apartment than into this house). I had a mostly done white dragon spawn vasharan hit and run fighter 4/Thrall 10/Abjurant Champion 5. Ended up with 19 BAB, CL 19, and Sorcerer 10 casting. I used the entry reqs to grab some choice deformity feats ,such as madness and tall, and tried to only grab spells that had no save or fort saves to syerngize with the Con damage. I had not finished picking spells or finalizing some tidbits when I just got too busy.

[Karl Aegis]

You would think there would have been a Xeph entry. Xeph Celerity is the only feat I could think of that had synergy with standard action dual actions that couldn't be accomplished with pounce, hustle or travel devotion.

[Heliomance]

Drake Carmine has been updated to add some missing sources.

[Thurbane]

Drake Carmine has been updated to add some missing sources.

Can chefs post corrections to already posted entries, or was this was stuff omitted during the reveal?

[Heliomance]

Can chefs post corrections to already posted entries, or was this was stuff omitted during the reveal?

As long as it's minor stuff like "I saw the version that got posted and realised that the sources section got cut off, here you go" not "I thought of this thing I wanted to add after they were posted", and it's done rapidly after the reveal so that entries aren't changing once judges have started to get to grips with them, I'm OK with posting a correction here or there. If I think this is getting abused, though, I reserve the right to change my policy on it at any time. It's also entirely subject to me having the time and energy to do it - this is me being nice, not a guaranteed service.

[Thurbane]

As long as it's minor stuff like "I saw the version that got posted and realised that the sources section got cut off, here you go" not "I thought of this thing I wanted to add after they were posted", and it's done rapidly after the reveal so that entries aren't changing once judges have started to get to grips with them, I'm OK with posting a correction here or there. If I think this is getting abused, though, I reserve the right to change my policy on it at any time. It's also entirely subject to me having the time and energy to do it - this is me being nice, not a guaranteed service.

Seems entirely reasonable to me. :smallsmile:

[WhamBamSam]

You would think there would have been a Xeph entry. Xeph Celerity is the only feat I could think of that had synergy with standard action dual actions that couldn't be accomplished with pounce, hustle or travel devotion.Heliomance mercifully ruled Dual Actions to be a non-action, so it's not surprising that people didn't get into the weeds in that way, but there is some synergy there in that you can get an extra attack on both your full attacks. I had planned on using Dancing Mongoose to a similar end, but didn't get the build done.

[T.G. Oskar]

I had a build cooked up, but unfortunately Hurricane Maria ruined the plans. One of the entries was eerily similar, and it was such a superb build...

Build was Dvati Hexblade 4 (for Dark Companion)/Fighter 2/Blackguard 3 (for Aura of Despair)/Thrall of Demogorgon 10. Idea was to stack DC, Aura of Despair and Focalor's Aura of Sadness (through feats) to stack penalties, using the twins as aura hubs. The backstop would have been hilarious as well. I feel the build had hopes, particularly since it used pretty much everything from the PrC and the entry classes almost completely.

Unfortunately, the loss of the communications grid meant I couldn't post the build on time; I was just about to write the background when I got absorbed by the hurricane preparations and lost the chance. No wireless connection for my laptop pretty much sealed the deal.

[Zaq]

I think I have a shot at making a decent showing, but if I lose, I know which build I want to lose to.

[Wolfem]

ICO Spreadsheet (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1oyjVU5JmeCnC8YTMqDArDqE5PszHl0Ysadz630kuTGk/edit?ts=59a4835f#gid=0) has been updated with they build info for this cook.

[Venger]

I think I have a shot at making a decent showing, but if I lose, I know which build I want to lose to.
I feel exactly the same way.

ICO Spreadsheet (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1oyjVU5JmeCnC8YTMqDArDqE5PszHl0Ysadz630kuTGk/edit?ts=59a4835f#gid=0) has been updated with they build info for this cook.

Thanks a lot, Wolfem.

[Amphetryon]

Posting my judging criteria, with sincere apologies for not having them in the thread before entries were submitted.

MY CRITERIA: When more than a single example is given for a score, not all examples need be met to warrant that score.

Originality: Originality looks in part at the established archetypes and builds that the community at large has produced over the years. Characters attempting to perform, yet less adept at performing, as a well-established archetype - for instance, a charger - than typical for that archetype will score lower here than characters attempting to break new ground. Examples of a given score:
5 - A new concept, necessitating the Thrall of Demogorgon PrC.
4 - A new concept, using Thrall of Demogorgon without requiring it to tick.
3 - An unusual concept that has been showcased on gaming forums before, or that is featured in other contest entrants. It’s not new, but it’s not stock standard either.
2 - An old reliable concept, substituting Thrall of Demogorgon for the one typically used in discussions of builds of this type.
1 - A build either cut and pasted or cobbled together entirely from extant handbooks and other known works. No new ideas are presented.

Power: Power is measured assuming a 1st - 20th campaign. Characters that come to power very late in the progression, or that are somehow ineligible to play at low levels, can expect a deduction here as surely as characters whose power peaks at low-to-mid levels and then relatively diminishes. I judge Casters on a different Power scale than non-Casters, to avoid a "T1 or go home" rubric. Examples of a given score, relative to other entrants in the contest:
5 - Easily the most powerful, flexible build presented here, relative to role.
4 - A powerful character that might need help or additional preparation in specific circumstances to continue to do its job well.
3 - A build that is of average power for the contest, neither significantly stronger nor appreciably weaker overall. It may dominate in niche cases or be rendered weak in other niche cases.
2 - While less powerful than the typical entry for this contest, the character manages to contribute reasonably without relying on help from other party members.
1 - The build struggles to perform to the expectations typical for a character in the role assigned. Either the character relies heavily on help from other party members or requires specific equipment not restricted to the given role in order to be useful.

Elegance: Note that I tie the Elegance score closely to the Secret Ingredient. Shifter Druid 18/Moonspeaker 2 may be simple, but it is not an elegant use of Moonspeaker, to my mind. Note also that my default assumption is that characters presented are being inserted into an already-established world. A character that requires the DM to rewrite or ignore large swaths of existing fluff for your concept to work is unlikely to score highly in Elegance. References to Unearthed Arcana include those aspects of Unearthed Arcana that are included in the Variant section of the SRD. If I have to go hunting through books just to figure out where you got a particular feat, item, template, or obscure skill usage, expect no more than a 2 in Elegance. Examples of a given score:
5 - Thrall of Demogorgon is entered appropriately early and taken to completion. All class levels, feats, skills, and disclosed items are smoothly tied together and progress the whole concept seamlessly and in a logical order. Favored Class rules are adhered to, and single-level dips are kept to a bare minimum - no more than one. No Unearthed Arcana, templates, LA or Racial HD, or other obvious power-oriented shenanigans were used. One could reasonably expect a majority of DMs to allow both the concept and progression to happen in a typical game.
4 - Thrall of Demogorgon is entered reasonably early, perhaps delayed a bit or taken piecemeal, but finished. All class levels, feats, skills, and disclosed items are useful, but may not be intuitive choices to augment the presented concept. No Unearthed Arcana, templates, LA or Racial HD, or other obvious shenanigans were used, though Favored Class rules may have been ignored. One might expect to have to explain some bits of the build fairly carefully to a DM and possibly work out some accommodations, but flying books or dice bags are unlikely.
3 - Thrall of Demogorgon is taken to completion, but entered later than expected or typical of this contest. Class levels, feats, skills, and disclosed items are taken in a disjointed fashion, perhaps indicating power is more important than concept. This character may use a race with a level adjustment for thematic reasons, or be forced to take a flaw or two to fit everything in, or use some other method of grabbing more feats or spells or other features than one would typically expect. One would have to work closely with the DM for some features of the presented build to be available, work as described in the build presented, or come online in a timely fashion, and wouldn’t necessarily expect to get this character approved by a DM that doesn’t know the player well.
2 - Thrall of Demogorgon is abandoned before reaching its capstone or entered too late to finish before Epic levels. Class levels, feats, skills, and disclosed items do not share a unifying theme or work toward a more powerful whole. A template and LA are both included, possibly with flaws. Without an established rapport with a DM, one would expect the concept to meet with enough resistance that having a Plan B is advised when pitching the idea.
1 - Vivacious Anthropomorphic Dire Were-Squid Half-Fiend Domain Wizard with Frail and Inattentive and. . . no. Just no. So many discordant templates and feats and ideas have been slapped together that ‘a Wizard did it’ is the only viable explanation for the character’s existence. Thrall of Demogorgon appears to have been an afterthought to the overall design. You would fully expect the character idea either to be rejected by the DM, or to have come into being entirely through the DM’s meddling with your character, and wouldn’t broach the subject with the DM if dice, books or other potential projectiles were within easy reach.

Use of Secret Ingredient: This is a conglomeration of how well, and how thoroughly, you incorporate the abilities of the Secret Ingredient into the build. Examples of a given score, relative to other entrants:
5 - A fresh, original usage maximizing the particular strengths and minimizing the particular weaknesses of the Thrall of Demogorgon. Every aspect of Thrall of Demogorgon is utilized in the best way of any entry presented.
4 - A solid, complete usage of Thrall of Demogorgon. Specific strengths of the Secret Ingredient were emphasized with minimal emphasis taken away from other strengths, or without negating known weaknesses.
3 - Use of Thrall of Demogorgon was typical for the contest. Synergies were not emphasized especially, and some features of the Thrall of Demogorgon were ignored for the sake of maximizing a particular trick or two.
2 - Others used the Thrall of Demogorgon more thoroughly, but this entry’s usage wasn’t bad. The overall concept works but doesn’t especially synergize with the Thrall of Demogorgon's strengths well. If the main trick you're highlighting is based on your other class(es), don't expect higher than a 2 here.
1 - The Thrall of Demogorgon is actively hindering the concept presented. Clearly the character would have been stronger with a different Prestige Class, and the Thrall of Demogorgon got shoe-horned in there because of the contest.

[AMFV]

That's pretty much it. Everything else is in the FAQ.

I don't know if that's necessarily true. I remember a time... many years ago, when I lost like 5 points from Elegance from one judge for using minionmancy, which nobody had mentioned as an issue prior to that. Although that may have resolved itself in the years since.

Edit: I only bring this up since I was looking at my old build thing, which I still think was awesome.

[The Viscount]

That's an issue of judging criteria, not of contest rules. The contest intentionally does not put many restrictions on how the judges are to score builds, so they are free to use their own judgement for the most part.

[FunkyGoose]

Loving the amount of variety we've gotten this time!

[Thurbane]

Loving the amount of variety we've gotten this time!

I think an ingredient that offers a choice, such as "+1 CL or 1 feat" lends itself well to a variety of entries. Similar (but much more limited than) Mythic Exemplar, for instance.

[The Viscount]

It also definitely helped that entry into this ingredient was not particularly restrictive; that usually makes for more variety.

[Zaq]

It's a weirdly inspiring ingredient. It genuinely doesn't do a ton on its own, but (building on what The Viscount said) partly because its prereqs are less costly than those of a lot of other ingredients, it doesn't feel like it's necessarily interfering with the rest of your build.

It also doesn't have a super obvious baseline to compare itself to (though with full BAB, generous proficiencies, and 4 bonus feats, it's vaguely Fighteresque). Compare it to our last ingredient, Arboreal Guardian. AG cost a ton to get into, and it was very obviously "eh, kinda a specialized Ranger with gimped BAB." It was insanely hard to not constantly draw comparisons between AG and Ranger, and it was also hard to not feel like AG was just plopped in the middle of a stronger build. (This isn't a slight against anyone who cooked last round, mind you. The reason that I didn't cook last time is because I felt like I couldn't overcome that hurdle, but at least failing means you're trying, which is more than I could say!) ToD doesn't have that same feel. I can't give a one-sentence explanation of why that's the case, but that's still how I feel.

Also, the cartoonish Eeeeevul factor that pervades BoVD may have inspired more than a few of us to get a little goofy.

[The Viscount]

I think it possible to play BoVD fluff straight, like one of my old favorites, Leery Lilly, but I agree that when the class is both this evil and this brainless, it's best to go at least a little silly so that the reader has something to come away enjoying.

[Venger]

I think it possible to play BoVD fluff straight, like one of my old favorites, Leery Lilly, but I agree that when the class is both this evil and this brainless, it's best to go at least a little silly so that the reader has something to come away enjoying.

I agree. I do think bovd lends itself well to this kind of high camp. if you want straight evil, I like champions of ruin.

[Darrin]

Gah. I really want to explain some things in my build... but no judging yet. =P

[jdizzlean]

so,

how's everyone doing?

[daremetoidareyo]

so,

how's everyone doing?

Shhhhh. You're ruining the suspense.

[Thurbane]

Gah. I really want to explain some things in my build... but no judging yet. =P

so,

how's everyone doing?

Shhhhh. You're ruining the suspense.

http://i68.tinypic.com/et5sgl.jpg

[jdizzlean]

the suspense is to suspenseful.

[Zaq]

Gah. I really want to explain some things in my build... but no judging yet. =P

I know that feel, bro.

Patience, my friends. Judging is hard work.

[daremetoidareyo]

I know that feel, bro.

Patience, my friends. Judging is hard work.

Judging is intellectually and emotionally painstaking.

[Wolfem]

This must be a tough one to judge. We usually have at least one judges scores in by now. The deadline was 7:59 GMT today. I assume that is AM but even if it is supposed to be PM they would be due in about 5 minutes from this posting. Was the judging timeline extended?

[The Viscount]

If there are no judgements by the deadline, it is extended until we have adequate time to respond to judging when posted, typically a few days after the judgement for disputes, if any. If someone has announced that they are judging, we wait until they post unless they give some other indication.

We sometimes pass time discussing potential other ingredients. What do people think of Eye of Lolth? I feel like it strikes that balance between granting interesting features while simultaneously not being very good overall.

[Thurbane]

What do people think of Eye of Lolth? I feel like it strikes that balance between granting interesting features while simultaneously not being very good overall.

EoL is an interesting one: basically expects you to be a Rogue/Cleric or similar, then offers 1/2 casting progression, slow Sneak Attack progression and only 4 skill points/level; the class features are decidedly "meh".

In short, a perfect Iron Chef ingredient! :smallbiggrin:

[Venger]

I'd be down to cook an eye of lolth.

[jdizzlean]

In short, a perfect Iron Chef ingredient! :smallbiggrin:

I do not think that word means what you think it means...

[jdizzlean]

and on that note, i'd like to throw out a PRC from expedition to Castle Ravenloft of which i've been obsessed over since i read about it not long ago..


Knight of the Raven

I'd even not cook and judge that round :)

especially since i already have a build planned around it...

[WhamBamSam]

This must be a tough one to judge. We usually have at least one judges scores in by now. The deadline was 7:59 GMT today. I assume that is AM but even if it is supposed to be PM they would be due in about 5 minutes from this posting. Was the judging timeline extended?It's also a busy time of year for a lot of us, what with the school year getting into full swing and such. I don't know about Amphetryon, but it's been pretty hectic for me of late.


and on that note, i'd like to throw out a PRC from expedition to Castle Ravenloft of which i've been obsessed over since i read about it not long ago..


Knight of the Raven

I'd even not cook and judge that round :)

especially since i already have a build planned around it...Knight of the Raven is way too good for Iron Chef, and many of the best things it gives you (9/10 casting, full BAB, Turn Undead, extra domains) are optimization staples that aren't weird enough to be interesting.

Some decently powerful (though not as much as Knight of the Raven) ingredients that I've lobbied for include Beast Heart Adept, Demonologist, Mortal Hunter, and DotU Arachnomancer. There are also a number of other somewhat less good (though mostly not terrible) classes that I'd be excited for, such as Bayushi Deceiver, Defiant, Oozemaster, Rage Mage, Doomlord, Visionary Seeker, Life Eater, Scar Enforcer, Eye of Gruumsh, Watch Detective, and Dragon Samurai.

[jdizzlean]

but, but, but

(sobbing and crying here)

BUT!

[Thurbane]

but, but, but

(sobbing and crying here)

BUT!

I for one would be totally down to cook for KoTR. The Chair tosses us a solid PrC once in a while. I think you would get a surprisingly good array of entries (Vizzini would see to that!). :smallbiggrin:

[The Viscount]

Some decently powerful (though not as much as Knight of the Raven) ingredients that I've lobbied for include Beast Heart Adept, Demonologist, Mortal Hunter, and DotU Arachnomancer. There are also a number of other somewhat less good (though mostly not terrible) classes that I'd be excited for, such as Bayushi Deceiver, Defiant, Oozemaster, Rage Mage, Doomlord, Visionary Seeker, Life Eater, Scar Enforcer, Eye of Gruumsh, Watch Detective, and Dragon Samurai.

I would be down for any and all of these ingredients. I feel like I might have already asked, but where is Life Eater from again?

[Thurbane]

I would be down for any and all of these ingredients. I feel like I might have already asked, but where is Life Eater from again?

Not sure...unless maybe it's meant to be Lifedrinker, Soul Eater or Thief of Life (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?472831)?

[WhamBamSam]

I would be down for any and all of these ingredients. I feel like I might have already asked, but where is Life Eater from again?It's in an obscure web article (https://www.wizards.com/dnd/article.asp?x=fr/pg20020911b). I think I've only ever heard of it from someone else mentioning it as a potential IC ingredient.

[Thurbane]

It's in an obscure web article (https://www.wizards.com/dnd/article.asp?x=fr/pg20020911b). I think I've only ever heard of it from someone else mentioning it as a potential IC ingredient.

There you go: you'd think I would have known that. :smalltongue: List of all Prestige Classes from online articles? (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=20014038&postcount=6)

[Zaq]

Life Eater is . . . interesting. Five skills for prereqs kinda hurts, and then it's a relatively tame Sneak Attack-y class for an unfortunately long time before we suddenly start getting some very weird and cool unique abilities. At least its intermediary levels are merely uninspiring rather than truly weak.

The fact that we just had a mandatory CE class with a demonic patron makes it seem less likely, but hey, you never know.

Also, ToD requires but does not advance SA. LE advances but does not require SA. Why? Because CHAOTIC Evil, that's why.

[Thurbane]

It's in an obscure web article (https://www.wizards.com/dnd/article.asp?x=fr/pg20020911b). I think I've only ever heard of it from someone else mentioning it as a potential IC ingredient.

There you go: you'd think I would have known that. :smalltongue: List of all Prestige Classes from online articles? (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=20014038&postcount=6)

Life Eater is . . . interesting. Five skills for prereqs kinda hurts, and then it's a relatively tame Sneak Attack-y class for an unfortunately long time before we suddenly start getting some very weird and cool unique abilities. At least its intermediary levels are merely uninspiring rather than truly weak.

The fact that we just had a mandatory CE class with a demonic patron makes it seem less likely, but hey, you never know.

Also, ToD requires but does not advance SA. LE advances but does not require SA. Why? Because CHAOTIC Evil, that's why.
It looks like an interesting ingredient, for sure. But yeah, might need a cool-down between Demon-lord themed PrCs.

[jdizzlean]

how about everyone's a winner this time?

[Zaq]

how about everyone's a winner this time?

Patience, my friend. Judging for five or six builds takes a long time; judging for twelve is going to be a truly heroic effort.

I will say that, speaking for myself alone, while it's a great feeling to take a medal (or HM, as appropriate), it's often just as satisfying to see the judge's or judges' reaction(s) to your build. I'm certainly willing to wait for that if waiting is necessary.

(Besides, we're already all winners. Simply submitting an entry is a nontrivial achievement most of the time, and I'm not just saying that.)

[bean illus]

The two times i tried to cook i was late, and the work was subpar, at best.
It's grueling hours of chasing leads that go no where. Fun, but not easy.

[jdizzlean]

Patience, my friend. Judging for five or six builds takes a long time; judging for twelve is going to be a truly heroic effort.

I will say that, speaking for myself alone, while it's a great feeling to take a medal (or HM, as appropriate), it's often just as satisfying to see the judge's or judges' reaction(s) to your build. I'm certainly willing to wait for that if waiting is necessary.

(Besides, we're already all winners. Simply submitting an entry is a nontrivial achievement most of the time, and I'm not just saying that.)

I know, i'm just impatient :P

[Darrin]

how about everyone's a winner this time?

I don't think that will work for me, as I made some mistakes that probably knocked me out of medal contention.

I am, however, quite pleased with the round in general. Lots of great ideas!

[Wolfem]

http://s2.quickmeme.com/img/56/560f6e99bc517bf1eb62fb8153bd69f2cba8e1057f5231bcba 9452564148925f.jpg

[Darrin]

Some future SI possibilities...

I'd really like to see Menacing Brute, but it's only 5 levels long. So I was thinking... can we pair this up with another 5-level PrC, and have a "two secret ingredients" round? There are some other pairings that also come to mind...

How about:

Menacing Brute (CWar) + Streetfighter (CAdv)
Leviathan Hunter (Stormwrack) + Reaping Mauler (CWar)
Trapsmith (Dungeonscape) + Combat Trapsmith (CSco)
Outcast Champion (RoD) + Orc Warlord (Races of Faerun)
Force Missile Mage (DMC) + Argent Savant (CArc)
Mantis Mercenary (OA) + Tempest (CAdv)
Thief-Acrobat (CAdv) + Shadow Thief of Amn (PGtF)
Master Thrower (CWar) + Invisible Blade (CWar) (as it was originally designed)

[Venger]

Some future SI possibilities...

I'd really like to see Menacing Brute, but it's only 5 levels long. So I was thinking... can we pair this up with another 5-level PrC, and have a "two secret ingredients" round? There are some other pairings that also come to mind...

How about:

Menacing Brute (CWar) + Streetfighter (CAdv)
Leviathan Hunter (Stormwrack) + Reaping Mauler (CWar)
Trapsmith (Dungeonscape) + Combat Trapsmith (CSco)
Outcast Champion (RoD) + Orc Warlord (Races of Faerun)
Force Missile Mage (DMC) + Argent Savant (CArc)
Mantis Mercenary (OA) + Tempest (CAdv)
Thief-Acrobat (CAdv) + Shadow Thief of Amn (PGtF)
Master Thrower (CWar) + Invisible Blade (CWar) (as it was originally designed)

I could go for another 5 lvl, like dungeon lord, but I'd advise against saying 2 different 5 lvl ingredients. given the kinds of stuff we'll pick, the taxes we'll have to pay will really kill our variety.

those all sounds pretty fun.

as far as 10 level prestige classes, I'd really like to cook a deneith warden.

[Thurbane]

If someone was willing to revive Junkyward Wars In The Playground, that's the perfect comp for mashing 2 PrCs together.


Junkyard Wars in the Playground I: Shadowdancer + Sneak Attack - Rogue (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?337864)
Junkyard Wars in the Playground II: Healing Spells + Ruby Knight Vindicator - Cleric (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?342896)
Junkyard Wars in the Playground III: Dragons + Theurges - Kobolds (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?347412)
Junkyard Wars in the Playground IV: BoED + Undead Type - Completes (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?355278)
Junkyard Wars in the Playground V: Dread Witch + Reaping Mauler - Fighter (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?360271)
Junkyard Wars in the Playground VI: Wonderworker + Profession Skill - Factotum (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?369604)
Junkyard Wars in the Playground VII: Metamagic Feats + LA - Metamagic Reducers! (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?374504)
Junkyard Wars in the Playground VIII: Pounce+Small Size-Barbarian (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?388151)
Junkyard Wars in the Playground IX: Earth Dreamer + Ordained Champion - Cleric (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?395791)
Junkyard Wars in the Playground X: Meldshaping + Natural Attacks - Totemist (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?403880)
Junkyard Wars in the Playground XI: Magical Darkness + Improved Familiar - Wizard (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?409650)
Junkyard Wars in the Playground XII: Dragonmark Heirs + Touchstones - Martial Weapons (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?430214)
Junkyard Wars in the Playground XIII: Mulhorandi Divine Minion + Monk - Any Other Wildshaping (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?465901)
Junkyard Wars in the Playground XIV: Racial Paragon Classes + Spellcasting - Base Classes (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?479427)
Junkyard Wars in the Playground XV: Ruathar + Stoneblessed - Human (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?497904)

...my vote would be Elemental Warrior for one of the 5 level classes.

[bean illus]

A compromise to the five level PRC conundrum could be something like,

X+Y+10=20
Where X is known and Y is not.

[daremetoidareyo]

Another approach to the 5 level prestige class issue is for the chairperson to direct judges to consider the UoSI more deeply. You want the prestige class to shine in the build.

Its like cooking with a delicately flavored ingredient. You can curry it, so the flavor washes out or you can grill it with companion ingredients into which it's flavor is present and synergistic.

[Thurbane]

I have contacted previous Junkyard Wars chairs, and they are happy for me to re-launch the comp.

If I get a chance to do so, I may have something of interest posted over the weekend.

[Sian]

Junkyard and Zinc is probably my favourite variants

[Zaq]

I really miss the E6 Appetizer Edition. That was entirely too short-lived.

[Venger]

I have contacted previous Junkyard Wars chairs, and they are happy for me to re-launch the comp.

If I get a chance to do so, I may have something of interest posted over the weekend.

Well looks like like that's put paid to. thanks a lot, Thurbane! link here when you've got something, it'll give us something to occupy ourselves. can't wait to see what you pick.

[Thurbane]

While we are awaiting judging here, why not go over and take a look at: Junkyard Wars XVI: Trapsmith + Combat Trapsmith - Rogue (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?540521)

[Heliomance]

From my inbox:


I realize fully that this is late and will not be judged in it's present form, but i would rather it be posted as an addendum than to look like i couldn't finish the build.
It's obvious that i am not as fluent as most of our cooks, and in fact have never worked in BoVD, or ToB before, but it was fun.
Desert Half Orc 14-10-14, 10-12-16 bonuses to Cha
Cloistered Cleric1/ Paladin-Slaughter2/ Marshal1/ Barbarian1/ OutcastChampion2/ ThrallofDemogorgon8/ Marshal2(3)/ Swordsage1/ ThrallofDemogorgon2(10)

HP = 6 +((3x6 +11x8 +4x10 +1x12)/2)= 85+40 =125+ 40temphp and small healing.

"I hate you" thought Endo. "I hate you. I hate everybody. I hate myself".

The oddly intense and charismatic young man had been offered an education as a way to keep him off the streets and out of trouble, but he knew he was misplaced. Though curious, he struggled with his lessons, and longed for adventure. He sat staring out the window wondering which order he wanted to kill everybody in.

It wasn't that he really wanted to kill everybody, just that he couldn't figure out what else to do with them. Their lives were so boring they deserved to die.

"There's someone interesting ...". The paladin entering the courtyard was an impressive figure. His armor was covered in grime, probably blood, and his sacks bulged with what Endo assumed were the spoils of war.

With a sigh he turned back to his religous studies. Staring blankly at the table he soon found his eyes scanning the bookshelf. A previously unnoticed book on the top shelf drew his eye. It was old yet new, and looked as if it was rarely used. Standing on a chair to retrieve it he examined the binding.

"Demons and Devils" he read softly, and sat again at the desk, opening the tome atop his lessons.




Level
Class
Base Attack Bonus
Fort Save
Ref Save
Will Save
Skills
Feats
Class Features


1st
Cloistered Cleric
+0
+2
+0
+2
Intim2, Jump1, Know Arc4 , Know Loc4, Know Nat4, Know Nob1, Know Rel4, Know Pla4
Divine Vigor
Turn undead, Chaos Devotion, Evil Devotion, Knowledge Domain*1


2nd
Paladin/Slaughter
+1
+4
+0
+2
Intim(1)3, Know Rel(1)5
Knowledge Devotion*1
Aura of evil, detect good, righteous fury 1/day


3rd
Paladin/Slaughter2
+2
+4
+0
+2
Intim(1)4/+3, Jump(1)2
Thrall to Demon
Deadly touch, Divine Grace


4th
Marshal
+2
+6
+0
+4
Intim(2)6, Jump(1)3, Know Pla(1)5
-
Skill Focus (Diplomacy), minor aura (Master of Tactics)


5th
Barbarian
+3
+8
+0
+4
Intim(2)8+3, Jump(2)5, Kn Arc4, Kn Loc4, Kn Nat4, Kn Nob1, Kn Rel5, Kn Pla5
-
Pounce, rage


6th
Outcast Champion
+4
+9
+0
+4
Jump(2)7, Kn Loc(2)6
Willing Deformity
Aura of confidence


7th
Outcast Champion2
+5
+10
+0
+4
Jump(1)8, Kn Loc(3)9
-
Avenging strike


8th
Thrall of Demogorgon
+6
+12
+0
+4
Kn Nat(1)5, Kn Rel(2)7, Kn Pla(1)6
Power Attack*
Scaly flesh +1, hypnosis, bonus feat*


9th
Thrall of Demogorgon2
+7
+13
+0
+4
Kn Arc(2)6, Kn Rel(2)9
Divine Might
Touch of fear


10th
Thrall of Demogorgon3
+8
+13
+1
+5
Intim8+3, Jump8, Kn Arc6, Kn Loc9, Kn Nat5, Kn Nob(1)2, Kn Pla(1)7, Kn Rel(2)11
-
Reaching touch


11th
Thrall of Demogorgon4
+9
+14
+1
+5
Kn Arc(1)7, Kn Nat(1)6 Kn Rel(2)13
Leap attack*
Dual actions, scaly flesh 2, bonus feat*


12th
Thrall of Demogorgon5
+10
+14
+1
+5
Kn Arc(1)8, Know Rel(2)15, Kn Pla(1)8
Deformity (clawed hands)
Summon minor demon


13th
Thrall of Demogorgon6
+11
+15
+2
+6
Kn Arc(1)9, Kn Nat(1)7, Kn Nob(2)4
-
Rotting touch


14th
Thrall of Demogorgon7
+12
+15
+2
+6
Kn Arc(1)10, Kn Nat(1)8, Kn Rel(2)17
Extra Turning*
Scaly flesh +3, bonus feat*


15th
Thrall of Demogorgon8
+13
+15
+3
+7
Intim8+3, Jump8, Kn Arc10, Kn Loc(1)10, Kn Nat(1)9, Kn Nob4, Kn Pla(1)9, Kn Rel(1)18
Improved critical (falchion
Two personas, death touch


16th
Marshal2
+14
+16
+3
+8
Kn Arc(1)11, Kn Loc(1)11, Kn Rel(1)19, Kn Pla(1)10
-
Major aura +1 (Motivate Urgency)


17th
Marshal3
+15
+16
+4
+8
Kn Arc(1)12, Kn Loc(1)12, Kn Rel(1)20, Kn Pla(1)11
-
Major aura +1 (Determined Caster)


18th
Swordsage
+15
+16
+6
+10
Kn Nat(2)11, Kn Nob(2)6, Kn Pla(1)12, Martial Lore(1)
Improved unarmed strike
Quick to act +1, Discipline focus (Weapon Focus falchion)


19th
Thrall of Demogorgon9
+16
+16
+7
+11
Kn Arc(1)13, Kn Loc(1)13, Kn Nat(1)12, Kn Pl(1)13
-
Summon major demon


20th
Thrall of Demogorgon
+17
+17
+7
+11
Intim8+3, Jump8, Kn Arc(1)14, Know Loc(1)14, Kn Nat(1)13, Kn Nob6, Kn Pla(1)14, Kn Rel20
Extra Turning*
Demogorgon’s will, scaly flesh +4, bonus feat*


*1 Trade for Knowledge Devotion at 2nd


1 Divine Vigor: +10' speed and 2 temp hp/ChL, minutes=cha, 1TU
1 Turn Undead (Su): 3+Cha/day
1 ChaosD: 1/day 1d6 scaling (10=d8, 15=d10) profane att/ac 1min 3TU
1 EvilD: 1/day Allies 30' DR 1+1/ChL/good 1min 1TU
2 KnowledgeD: 1-5 insight on att and dam (15,25,30,35,36
2 Fury: 1/day, Cha+1 rds, +2 morale melee weapon dam
3 ThralltD: 1/day +1 luck any
3 Divine Grace: Cha to saves
3 Deadly touch: 2+Cha dam daily, will 1/2
4 Master/Tactics: Cha to dam for flanking allies 60'
5 Pounce: Full attack on charge.
5 Rage (Ex): 1/day free, +4 Str Con +2 morale/will, –2 AC.
=3+(new)Cha rds. Fatigued (–2 Str Dex) for current encounter.

+3 BAB is buffered by Knowledge, Evil, and Chaos, Divine Grace is one of the best abilities in the game, Cha to damage for all flanking allies/60' keeps me popular, Divine Fury for the big boys, and some healing and other little tricks. Luck bonus is saved for reflex saves (lol).
Ray of Resurgence LEoF33 allows fatigue recovery as a standard, just in case an "encounter" doesn't end.

6 Willing Deformity: +3 Intimidate
6 Aura of Confidence: Allies 30' +2 morale to Will
7 Avenging Strike: Cha to att +2d6, Cha/day
8 Scaly +1
8 Hypnosis: 30' Will Dc 10+lChL+Cha
8 Power Attack: trade BAB for dam
9 Divine Might: Cha/Dam 1rd 1TU
9 Touch of fear: 3/day Will Dc 10+ChL+Cha
10 Reach: 3/day 5' 1rd

Top speed +10' is nice, and the 30' will save aura keeps allies close. Charging into battle while dragging other melee allies behind is becoming a thing:
BAB: +8 +2str +1.5KD +1.5CD +4Cha = +15 att before rage or charge. Assume +2 weapon, +2 gloves, and charge.
Dam: +4str +KD1.5 +CD1.5 +Cha4 +8PA +2 weapon +2 gloves =23+weapon.
When i get a flank i have some touch attacks. Divine Vigor is up to 20 temporary hp, and i get it more than 1/day.

11 Dual Actions
11 Scaly +2
11 Leap attack: Jump 10', 3x PA
12 Deformity Claws: 1d6 dam
12 Summon Demon 5hd
13 Rotting touch: 3/day 1d6 Con
14 Scaly +3
14 Extra Turning: 4 more TU
15 Improved crit: Falchion 15-20
15 Death Touch: 1/day FortDC 10+ChL+Cha.

Here. Charge, Leap, Pounce, Power attack, and Imp crit are all together now, for 3xPA and full attack. Deformity Claws ups the damage when using rotting touch/deadly touch, and negates AoO triggers. Summon Demon triggers Master of Tactics. And extra turning allows more use of Chaos/Evil Devotions.
I believe Determined Caster works on Death Touch (Sp)? Death Touch is about 25 prebuff, which will get most folks not immune.

16 Motivate Urgency: +5' speed/allies/60'
17 Determined Caster: Cha to SR for allies 60'
18 Improved unarmed strike
18 +1 intitiative
18 Focus Falchion +1 att
==========
IoB stance/ all allies flank
Em Raz/ turn melee to touch
Bound/ 2x move and att
Rapid counter/ AoO that isn't AoO
Brand/ 5' reach and fire dam
Fan Flames/ ranged touch 6d6 fire
Searing charge/ fly and 5d6 fire
==========
19 1/day 10 HD demon.
20 Limited Wish: 1/day. 3 rds, no xp
20 Scaly flesh +4
20 Extra Turning

Island of Blades, which makes allies adjacent to the same monster get flank, which triggers Master of Tactics. Every ally adjacent to any opponent i'm adjacent to gets my Cha bonus to damage. And of course Bounding Assault is a charge without straight line.
IUS is for PA, iterative attacks, and magical weapon spells. My demons are stronger when near me, as are all allies. Limited Wish with no xp is nice (even if it takes 3rds).

SOURCES & NOTES ON FEATURES

LEVEL 1
CLOISTERED CLERIC - UA50
FEAT 1 Divine Vigor: 1/day then 1TU
Benefit: Standard, for 1TU base speed +10 ft, gain +2 hp/level
= minutes equal to your Cha mod.

CHAOS DEVOTION [DOMAIN] -CC56. 1/day swift.
Roll 1d6. Odd; + profane to att next action. If even + to AC.
At the beginning of each action thereafter, roll again.
= 1 minute. At 10th d8. At 15th level d10.
Special: Additional use 3 TU.

EVIL DEVOTION [DOMAIN] - CC58. 1/day immediate.
Grants you and all allies within 30' DR/good.
1 + 1/five ChL (max 5), natural and weapon att are evil vs DR.
= 1 minute.
Special: Additional use 1 TU.

KNOWLEDGE DEVOTION [DOMAIN] - ua60. Prereq: Knowledge (any) 5 ranks.
Knowledge Domain: (Trade for Knowlede Devotion at 2nd level)

LEVEL2
PALADIN OF SLAUGHTER - UA54. Prereq: Chaotic Evil
Aura of Evil (Ex): Equal PoS level.
Detect Good (Sp): At will, as the spell.
Smite Good (Su): 1/day, one normal melee attack. Cha att and +1 dam/ClL.

LEVEL 3
FEAT 3 THRALL TO DEMON [VILE] - BoVD50. Formally supplicate to a demon prince.
1/day, evil act, +1 luck any roll. Only one demon.

Divine Grace (Su): Cha mod on all saving throws.
Deadly Touch (Su): Touch attack. Each day deal dam PoS level × Cha mod.
Will save 1/2 (DC 10 + 1/2 PoS + Cha mod).

LEVEL 4
Marshal - MH11
Skill Focus (Diplomacy) +3.
Auras (Ex): Swift, circumstance bonus. All allies, 60' (include self).
Master of Tactics: Cha bonus on damage rolls when flanking.
Must hear and speak language.

LEVEL 5
BARBARIAN, lion totem - CCh46
Pounce (Ex): Full attack on charge.
Rage (Ex): 1/day free, +4 Str, +4 Con +2 morale/will, –2 AC.
=3+(new)Con rds, may end rage. Becomes fatigued (–2 Str, –2 Dex, can’t charge or run) for current encounter.

LEVEL 6
OUTCAST CHAMPION - RoD126
Race: Half-elf, half-orc, or half-ogre. Skills: Diplo8 or Intim8.

Aura of Confidence (Ex): Allies 30' who can see you (include self). Add your class level as morale bonus on Will.
FEAT 6 WILLING DEFORMITY [VILE] - HoH125. Prereq: Evil. +3 on Intim.

LEVEL 7
Avenging Strike (Ex): Melee enemy who dealt dam to ally within 1 hour.
Add Cha mod to att, + 1d6 damage/OC level, Cha mod/day.
Accidental strike = ability is still expended.

LEVEL 8
THRALL OF DEMOGORGON - BoVD67 (with errata).
CE, BAB +4, Kn(arc)2, Kn(rel)2, Kn(any)4, Willing Deformity, Thrall to Demon.
Special: 1st-level spells, or sneak attacks.
Special: Initiated in rite sacrificing intelligent being dedicated to Demogorgon on unhallowed ground at night, in the presence of a demon.

Bonus Feat or Spells: 1st, 4th, 7th, and 10th
BONUS FEAT 1 POWER ATTACK: Str 13 Trade BAB for dam until your next turn.
2-handed weapon, or 1handed weapon in 2hands, 2x number subtracted from BAB.
Scaly Flesh (Ex): +1 natural armor bonus at (4th, 7th, and 10th). Does not stack from magical sources (amulet of natural armor).
Hypnosis (Sp): 1/day hypnotism spell, gaze att 30', WillDC 10+ClL+Cha.

LEVEL 9-10 - ToD 2-3
FEAT 9 Divine Might: Str 13, TU, Power Attack
Benefit: Spend 1 TU add Cha bonus to weapon dam.= 1 round
Touch of Fear (Sp): 3/day frightened. WillDC 10+ClL+Cha, shaken 1 rd.

Reaching Touch (Su): 3/day 5' reach 1 round.

LEVEL 11-12 - ToD 4-5
Dual Actions (Su): 2/day full rounds’ worth of actions in the same round.
Scaly Flesh +2
BONUS FEAT 4 LEAP ATTACK - Jump 8 ranks, Power Attack.
Benefit: Cover 10', end jump must threaten target, 2x PA.
IF 2H weapon, 3x PA. Follow rules for Jump and charge, ignore rough terrain.

FEAT 12 DEFORMITY (CLAWED HANDS) [VILE]: Prereq:Willing Deformity.
Benefit: Deal 1d6 dam unarmed claw att. Considered
armed even when unarmed. Does not draw AoO, threatens.
Summon Demon (Sp): 5 HD 1/day. Summon monster 15th CL.

LEVEL 13-14 ToD 6-7
Rotting Touch (Sp): 3/day 1d6 points of Con dam touch attack.

Scaly flesh +3
BONUS FEAT 7 Extra Turning

LEVEL 15 ToD 8
FEAT* 15 IMPROVED CRITICAL (Falchion): Proficient with weapon, BAB +8.
Two Personas (Ex): Overcome multiclass penalties.
Death Touch (Sp): At 8th level, slay living spell 1/day. FortDC 10+ClL+Cha.

LEVEL 16-17 Marshal 3-4
Motivate Urgency[/B]: Allies’ base land speed is increased by 5' × bonus(1).

Determined Caster: All allies 60' Cha to overcome spell resistance.

LEVEL 18 SWORDSAGE - ToB15
Desert Wind, Diamond Mind, Setting Sun, Shadow Hand, Stone Dragon, and Tiger Claw.
FEAT 18 IMPROVED UNARMED STRIKE [GENERAL]
Considered armed. Do not provoke AoO, do get AoO. Deal lethal or non. **(Qualify for PA and iteratives).
Quick to Act (Ex): +1 initiative.
Discipline Focus (Ex): Weapon Focus (Falchion): with chosen discipline (DW). +1 attack w selected weapon.

Maneuvers: 6 - 4 - 1
Stance - Island of Blades: All allies adjacent/all creatures flank.
Emerald Razor (Diam2): Strike—Turn melee strike into touch attack.
Bounding Assault (Diam4): Strike—Double move and attack.
Rapid Counter (Diam5): Counter—Strike opponent who provokes attack from you.
Burning Brand (Desert2): Boost—Gain +5' reach, deal fire damage.
Fan the Flames (Desert3): Strike—Ranged touch attack deals 6d6 fire damage.
Searing Charge (Desert4): Strike—Fly while charging, deal +5d6 fire damage.

LEVEL 19-20 - ToD 9-10
Summon Demon (Sp): 1/day 9th-level ToD summon 10 HD.

Demogorgon’s Will (Sp): Limited wish 1/day, 3rds prayers to Demogorgon before granted. No xp cost or material components.
Scaly flesh +4
BONUS FEAT 10 Extra Turning

[Zaq]

So, two questions.

First, Amphetryon (or anyone else who’s judging), take absolutely 100% as long as you need, but do you have any kind of progress report for us?

Second, just to take the temperature of the room: if I could hypothetically cobble together the time (not a guarantee, but hey) and restart the Iron Chef Appetizer (E6) side contest, would folks here be sufficiently interested to participate and/or judge?

[WhamBamSam]

So, two questions.

First, Amphetryon (or anyone else who’s judging), take absolutely 100% as long as you need, but do you have any kind of progress report for us?

Second, just to take the temperature of the room: if I could hypothetically cobble together the time (not a guarantee, but hey) and restart the Iron Chef Appetizer (E6) side contest, would folks here be sufficiently interested to participate and/or judge?I've made very little progress, unfortunately. It's just been hard to find time to sit down and actually work on judging for any significant stretch of time.

[Venger]

So, two questions.

First, Amphetryon (or anyone else who’s judging), take absolutely 100% as long as you need, but do you have any kind of progress report for us?

Second, just to take the temperature of the room: if I could hypothetically cobble together the time (not a guarantee, but hey) and restart the Iron Chef Appetizer (E6) side contest, would folks here be sufficiently interested to participate and/or judge?

could you post rules on how to do an E6 character in there too? I've read a little about it and it sounds pretty interesting, but I want to make sure I don't miss something obvious. would probably be interested in cooking. if I can't find a good concept and understand E6's rules then I might judge


I've made very little progress, unfortunately. It's just been hard to find time to sit down and actually work on judging for any significant stretch of time.

No problem. Just glad to hear you're still judging. I'm more than happy to wait.

[jdizzlean]

possibly, but i'm not even sure what the term e6 refers to :) I *think* its where you simply stop at lvl 6 power wise and then you have 14 levels of feats.

[Zaq]

Yeah, the short answer is that you progress pretty much regularly up to level 6, at which point you become “epic” (that’s the E in E6) and just gain a new feat every so many XP. (You don’t typically get the Epic feats from the ELH, which is why I put the quote marks around it.) There’s a few rules beyond that, but if I end up chairing the new contest, I’ll likely deemphasize or straight up negate them. In the old Appetizer Edition contest, we had six levels of progression and then ten epic feats as our official builds.

[jdizzlean]

on the offchance that a judging is posted this week, i'm out of town and away from a computer until sunday, so please don't close the round before then :)

[jdizzlean]

ok, we're nearly 1 1/2 months past the submission deadline, and a month past judging deadline. It doesn't look like anyone is even trying to judge. While i really love my submissions and would like to "beat" a few people on here, I'll reiterate that everyone should just tie for gold, close this round, and move on :(

votes? (is that allowed)

[Venger]

that's not how we do things.

I think it would be nice to open the next round while we wait though.

[Thurbane]

If I wasn't a competitor I'd put up my hand to judge. :smallfrown:

...someone once suggested in VC if we had no judges, competitors could render judgement on their fellow competitors. Not sure if/how this would work? Maybe via PM.

I'm happy to start a new round while we await judging, although I know that's not normal procedure.

There's also Villainous Competition (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?541650) and Junkyard Wars (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?540521) currently open for submissions, if people are looking for an outlet for the creative energies awaiting the next Iron Chef.

[Venger]

If I wasn't a competitor I'd put up my hand to judge. :smallfrown:

...someone once suggested in VC if we had no judges, competitors could render judgement on their fellow competitors. Not sure if/how this would work? Maybe via PM.

I'm happy to start a new round while we await judging, although I know that's not normal procedure.

There also Villainous Competition (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?541650) Junkyard Wars (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?540521)currently open for submissions, if people are looking for an outlet for the creative energies awaiting the next Iron Chef.

That's... not a good idea, let's not do that.

Glad you agree on starting a new round.

[Inevitability]

I think I could judge? I've done it before, which went reasonably well.

[Venger]

I think I could judge? I've done it before, which went reasonably well.

no objections here. couldn't hurt while we wait on whambamsam.

[Darrin]

...someone once suggested in VC if we had no judges, competitors could render judgement on their fellow competitors. Not sure if/how this would work? Maybe via PM.


I have suggested before that we try something like that with Iron Chef... I think I was calling it the Zatochi Double Blind Instant Deathmatch Runoff? Or rather basically it was a variation of an instant runoff voting (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instant-runoff_voting) system. The competitors rank all the entries (except their own) from best to worst, sent via PM to the chairperson, who tallies the points and then posts the ranking.

However, the response from the Iron Chef community was overwhelmingly negative. Maybe more of a "last resort" kinda thing?

[WhamBamSam]

ok, we're nearly 1 1/2 months past the submission deadline, and a month past judging deadline. It doesn't look like anyone is even trying to judge. While i really love my submissions and would like to "beat" a few people on here, I'll reiterate that everyone should just tie for gold, close this round, and move on :(

votes? (is that allowed)I am trying to judge. I'm just also trying to do other things in real life. That said, this might have been what I needed, as this is the first day I feel I've made any real progress.

I think there's some hope that I'll be able to complete my judging over Thanksgiving, but I absolutely wouldn't object to starting the new round early while I finish up.

[daremetoidareyo]

Thank you WhamBamSam.

[Venger]

I am trying to judge. I'm just also trying to do other things in real life. That said, this might have been what I needed, as this is the first day I feel I've made any real progress.

I think there's some hope that I'll be able to complete my judging over Thanksgiving, but I absolutely wouldn't object to starting the new round early while I finish up.

Sounds good to me. Thanks for the update.

[Zaq]

This is highly welcome news. I look forward to seeing the fruits of your efforts, WBS.

I'm still toying with the idea of starting up a new E6 Appetizer Edition contest if I got a strong feeling that we'd have participants and judges.

[Venger]

This is highly welcome news. I look forward to seeing the fruits of your efforts, WBS.

I'm still toying with the idea of starting up a new E6 Appetizer Edition contest if I got a strong feeling that we'd have participants and judges.

I say go for it. With the holidays coming up, it'll be a good idea to have a lot of contests open since they're usually a little slower to get resolved til january.

[Thurbane]

This is highly welcome news. I look forward to seeing the fruits of your efforts, WBS.

I'm still toying with the idea of starting up a new E6 Appetizer Edition contest if I got a strong feeling that we'd have participants and judges.

I'd be up for competing or judging.

[Inevitability]

I'd definitely participate if there was an E6 round.

[jdizzlean]

sorry, im just impatient, its a character flaw irl :(

[Zaq]

I say go for it. With the holidays coming up, it'll be a good idea to have a lot of contests open since they're usually a little slower to get resolved til january.


I'd be up for competing or judging.


I'd definitely participate if there was an E6 round.

You mean it? Really? Okay then, because it's go time. (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?542333-Iron-Chef-Optimization-Challenge-E6-Appetizer-Edition-(IV)&p=22580789#post22580789)

[Venger]

You mean it? Really? Okay then, because it's go time. (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?542333-Iron-Chef-Optimization-Challenge-E6-Appetizer-Edition-(IV)&p=22580789#post22580789)

Be still, my heart.

[Heliomance]

So would people like me to get the next contest started up? I can do it today quite easily, I have plenty of free time today.

[Vaz]

I'd be keen to get back in to a little bit of IC'ing now that Xanathar's has released in 5e leaving me a little bit disappointed. Although as I've not participated for an age, I'm not sure I'd consider it a worthwhile vote.

[FunkyGoose]

So would people like me to get the next contest started up? I can do it today quite easily, I have plenty of free time today.

That'd be pretty nice, yeah.

[Darrin]

So would people like me to get the next contest started up? I can do it today quite easily, I have plenty of free time today.

https://i.imgflip.com/1zlqqs.jpg

(That's actually a vote for "Yes, post new ingredient", if you couldn't tell...)

[Heliomance]

New thread is up! (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?542380-Iron-Chef-Optimisation-Challenge-in-the-Playground-XC)

[Zaq]

I'm still eager to see the results of this round, but not so much so that I'm going to raise a stink about there being a new round. I hope the judging task comes easily to you, WhamBamSam!

[WhamBamSam]

So, judging update...

I'm currently at a 4600 word text document, counting forum formatting, which translates to all entries having been scored across the first two categories. Whenever I next judge, I think I'm going to change my Power rubric to hopefully make it easier to score and get a wider point spread. The good news is that Elegance and UoSI are the easiest categories to score under my rubric so I should finish just after the reveal for the next round.

[Venger]

Makes sense given the size of the round. Good to hear. Thanks for the update.

[Thurbane]

I'm eagerly looking forward to the judging too...thanks again WhamBamSam.

[Zaq]

Marvelous news. I can’t wait to see what you come up with, WhamBamSam. Your efforts are greatly appreciated—I know what hard work it can be!

[WhamBamSam]

Well, this has been something of an ordeal, but I'm finally done. This'll take two posts.

Nausho, the Thrallmaker – 15Originality – 3.5Shugenja is unexpected as a caster entry, but once you’re there, it’s well known as a full caster entry into Hexer. Feral is a common melee template suggestion. Apart from maybe Mother Cyst, the feats are pretty boilerplate. I think there’s enough here to put you a little ahead though. (+0.25)

I like where you’re going with Mother Cyst/Dual Actions stuff, but I don’t see enough that’s mechanically unique to give a bonus. (0)

You provide some fluff, but I feel it’s short of the standard set by others this round. (0)

Power – 3.5A full caster sinking caster levels into Thrall of Demogorgon raises my skepticism, but at least you also have some emphasis on melee, the Thrall SLAs fill some gaps in Shugenja casting, and cyst spells are perhaps a bit less backloaded than usual, which keeps things from being too grim here. (0)

You fall a bit short of some of the standard Gish benchmarks at 15 BAB and 7th level spells, but you seem to have a solid variety of options. Your spell list is solid, and Feral probably (see Elegance) gives you most of the goodies you need to at least pass muster when you wade into melee. Your late feat choices could have been better, but apart from losing caster levels, you check most of the optimization boxes that you’re supposed to. (+0.5)

Elegance – 4.25You qualify for everything. (0)

It is a point of some contention and debate whether all HD or only RHD constitute “monster HD” for the scaling effects of the Feral template. It’s an ill-defined term, so RAW, you’re probably in the right, but RAI and in the eyes of some DMs it might be a problem. (-0.25)

Other than that, I can’t see a DM taking issue with your overall build progression. (+0.5)

You avoid multiclass penalties. (0)

UoSI – 3.75You take the spellcasting prereq all the way to 7th level spells, and Knowledge (Arcana) overlaps with the prerequisites for Hexer. (+0.25)

You enter ToD too late for Touch of Fear to be effective against level-appropriate encounters. (0)

Feral gives you some natural armor which stacks with Scaly Flesh. (+0.25)

You don’t get anything from Twin personas. (0)

You burn a lot of caster levels, but you do get up to 7th level spells with the spell progression that you do get from ToD. (+0.5)

You have a solid Cha, but you’re too late to getting Hypnotism and don’t have anything to bolster it, like Charm or Diplomacy. (0)

Reaching Touch is nice for everyone, but you don’t appear to get anything out of it that others don’t. (0)

As a caster, and in particular a user of Cyst spells, you have a lot of good options for your Dual Actions and some solid one-two punches. (+0.75)

You miss Summon Major Demon, get Summon Minor Demon late, and don’t really have any special synergy with summons. (0)

As a caster, you target Fort saves more than most, and so get more out of Rotting Touch. (+0.5)

You have a good enough Cha that even with the lower DC from not finishing the SI, your Death Touch is formidable. (+0.5)

You duck out of ToD before getting Demogorgon’s Will. (0)

Marcus Armstrong – 15.5Originality – 3.5I expected an initiator with reach feats qualifying through a sneak attack dip, as I intended to submit one, but my idea was rooted in the thought that late dips in initiator classes for high level maneuvers would be a good use for Twin Personas, and I had largely dismissed the use of the bonus feats to wrangle entry into Master of Nine and that’s enough to put you a little bit into the positive column. (+0.25)

Reach-op is a pretty well-worn field of melee optimization and I don’t really see Marcus doing much to stand out from it. None of it feels stale enough to punish you though. (0)

I really enjoyed reading your fluff. In the future, I may add an extra quarter point for “best in show” to this subcategory of my scoring rubric for the express purpose of rewarding work like this. (+0.25)

Power – 3.75 The requisite dip for Sneak Attack and 10 levels of SI cost you initiator levels. The net gain in feats is nice for getting into Master of Nine, but no more so than a 1 level Monk dip would have been. That said, you are a charismatic, high reach martial build and I suppose Dual Actions and Limited Wish are better than the 9th level maneuvers you’re giving up, so you still benefit from ToD, but not as much as some of the competition. (+0.25)

I really think that you should have dedicated yourself to an Elder Evil. Given the debauchery of Marcus’ friend group it’d have fit right in, and would have freed up 3 feats in a build which is strapped for them. It would almost certainly have been a net benefit to your build’s score. Still, maneuvers help to fill the gaps left by staple melee feats that you don’t have room for and you seem to get a decent return on investment from Master of Nine. I’d call this fairly well executed optimization. (+0.5)

Elegance – 4.5You qualify for everything and avoid questionable rules interpretations. (0)

You avoid multiclass penalties. (0)

I can’t see a DM taking issue with your progression. (+0.5)

UoSI – 3.75You use Willing Deformity to qualify for Deformity (Tall) and Deformity (Madness). (+0.25)

You’re right on the cusp of getting Touch of Fear in time to still be fighting things with 5 or fewer HD, but in absence of any further synergy, I’m only awarding the quarter point to those that enter at the earliest possible point. (0)

You don’t have any synergy with Scaly Flesh. (0)

You don’t get anything out of Twin Personas. (0)

You need feats, but many of the feats you need can be attained through popular dips. However, as Willing Deformity qualifies you for a number of your other feats, you come out closer to a net gain of three feats than two, and you do need a lot of feats to get into Master of Nine, so the bonus feats are putting in work for you. (+0.5)

You get Hypnotism early enough to have it potentially affect real enemies in combat, but don’t really have anything to set it up to be truly effective, like Charm or Diplomacy. (0)

Reaching Touch stacks with Deformity (Tall) and Inhuman Reach. Thicket of Blades ensures that enemies passing through your threatened area provoke, and while I would have liked to see Combat Reflexes and a few other things, you do nab Rapid Counter. (+0.5)

Maneuvers give you some variety with your actions and hence more things to do during Dual Actions and Moment of Alacrity works in conjunction to help you get a leg up in the action economy, but you lack a real one-two combo that makes you really stand out from what everyone else can do with the ability. (+0.25)

Relatively early entry means your Summoned Demons stack up better against level-appropriate encounters, and you have a few White Raven maneuvers that could potentially aid them further. (+0.5)

Rotting Touch is nice for anyone, but you don’t appear to do anything with it that others can’t. (0)

You have an okay Cha mod, which helps out the save DC of your Death Touch. (+0.25)

You stick it out in the SI the whole way to get Demogorgon’s Will. (+0.5)

Reed Armstrong – 16Originality – 3.5Hexblade 4 entry was expected, as were reach-op tricks, Elder Evil dedication, and late dips in initiator classes. None of your feat choices really threw me for a loop either. Wood Elf is distinct from the pack, but doesn’t really seem to have a purpose. Justiciar of Taiia and Binder stand out a bit, though in the case of the former it feels out of place here. It’s at-odds with Hexblade entry, as it delays the SI, and if you were going to dip it anyway for EWP, it seems like other full BAB classes would have served as a better base as sneak attack removes the need for Hexblade casting to enter Thrall of Demogorgon and it seems to me that you could have done more with Fighter feats or a few more initiator levels or something. That makes it feel like a less inventive element in your progression than it otherwise might have been, so I don’t really feel like there’s enough here for a bonus. (0)

I do have a soft spot for the Defensive Rebuke+Dance of Death combo and exploitation of it is an effective and uncommon use of reach-op shenanigans. There’s a lot of standard fare in your mechanics as well, but I feel like you should be rewarded overall. (+0.5)

Fluff is just a few sentences of dialogue. Justifying the Ragnorra/Taiia/Demogorgon thing is necessary, but I’d have liked to see more. (0)

Power – 4.0As a high Cha, high reach melee build, Thrall of Demogorgon just makes sense. (+0.5)

As said in Originality, I think it would have been a better choice to either enter ToD straight from Hexblade or use different full BAB classes into the Justiciar of Taiia dip (just as an example, Barbarian 2/Fighter 2 would have gotten you Pounce, Improved Trip, and freed up the two feats you spend on Power Attack and Combat Reflexes). Still, this looks like a solid reach-op build, and you have some added versatility from ToD abilities, Imperious Command+Never Outnumbered, and some solid utility maneuvers. Dance of Death feels like a reasonable alternative to Pounce with Covering Strike and Devensive Rebuke to enhance it. (+0.5)

Elegance – 4.5You qualify for everything and avoid questionable rules interpretations. (0)

You avoid multiclass penalties. (0)

You’re a little dippy, but it’s mostly as a result of the SI’s outright encouragement. I think you’ll escape scrutiny from most DMs. (+0.5)

UoSI – 4Knowledge Devotion makes use of the skill prereqs, Willing Deformity qualifies you for Deformity (Tall) and Abominable Form, and even Thrall to Demon is used to qualify for Abyss-Bound Soul. (+0.25)

You enter ToD too late for Touch of Fear to be effective against level-appropriate encounters. (0)

You don’t have any particular synergy with Scaly Flesh. (0)

Twin Personas prevents you from incurring multiclass penalties. (+0.25)

With Elder Evil dedication covering the prereqs, you have a net gain of 4 feats and use them well. (+0.5)

You have a decent Cha and enter ToD early enough for enemies in real combat situations to still be susceptible to Hypnotism, but lack anything to help set it up, like Diplomacy or Charm. (0)

Reaching Touch stacks with Deformity (Tall), Inhuman Reach, and on your turn Dancing Blade Form. The Spiked Chain is gravy on top. You also ensure more AoOs in your large threatened area through Combat Reflexes, Rapid Counter, and Defensive Rebuke+Dance of Death, and eventually nab Stand Still to eke out a bit more battlefield control. You’re missing Thicket of Blades, but I think you stand out as having the best reach-op abilities. (+0.75)

Dual Actions is nice for everyone, but I don’t see you doing anything with it that others can’t. (0)

You enter early enough that your Minor Demons stack up well against level appropriate foes at the time you get them, but delay Summon Major Demon. However, you have a few White Raven maneuvers which are potentially synergistic, so you at least get partial credit. (+0.25)

Rotting Touch is nice for anyone, but you don’t appear to do anything with it that others can’t. (0)

You have a solid Cha, making Death Touch a legitimate threat especially with your Dark Companion reducing enemy saves. (+0.5)

You stick it out in the SI the whole way to get Demogorgon’s Will. (+0.5)

Altaes Dilmare – 13.75Originality – 2.75Going full caster on a SI that only offers 4/10 casting progression and has a BAB requirement is unexpected, to be sure. Sorcerer isn’t the most shocking of casting classes though, as there’s Cha synergy with Thrall of Demogorgon’s SLAs. The other PrCs aren’t too off the wall for a Sorcerer build either (Fiend-Blooded is a bit less common a suggestion, but still far from unheard of) and the feat selection is largely conventional as well. (-0.25)

Not only does it look like a standard Sorcerer build, it walks and talks like one as well. Spell selection and tactics are what one would expect from a Sorcerer, even if you do have one Save or Die spell at a lower level than you ordinarily would. There’s enough evil flavor to keep you out of a hole here, but nothing to warrant a bonus. (0)

Your fluff seems to largely just be justification for build choices. That’s all fine and good if you’re bringing this to the table, but by the standards of Iron Chef, comes up a bit short. (0)

Power – 3I can’t see what you, as a non-Gish full caster would want with Thrall of Demogorgon. It requires that you burn two feats for the privilege of losing a lot of caster levels. Dual actions is a thing, but other than that, you aren’t getting much out of the SI’s abilities that casting wasn’t already getting you. Seems like a poor fit to me. (-0.5)

Apart from the lost caster levels and a few dead feats, you’ve put together a solid Sorcerer build. Outside of the SI you don’t lose caster levels, PrC out like a good caster should, and have solid spell selection. Not world-shattering, or at least no more so than any other full caster, but solid, competent optimization of a powerful class. (+0.5)

Elegance – 4.5Skill Knowledge is part of UA’s alternate skill system, but as you’re only using it for a knowledge skill, you could have gotten it from Apprentice, so no harm no foul. (0)

Other than that, you qualify for everything. (0)

You avoid multiclass penalties. (0)

Your progression is nice and straightforward. I can’t see a DM taking issue with it. (+0.5)

UoSI 3.5You optimize casting as best you can, I suppose and your other PrCs have overlapping Knowledge Skill prereqs. (+0.25)

You enter ToD too late for Touch of Fear to be effective against level appropriate encounters. (0)

You don’t have any synergy with Scaly Flesh. (0)

You don’t get anything out of Twin Personas. (0)

While you lose a lot of caster levels from ToD, you do make it to 8th level spells with the casting progression. (+0.5)

You’re a little late to the Hypnotism party, but you have excellent Cha and Charm Person as a spell known to set it up to render people fanatical. (+0.25)

Reaching Touch keeps you out of the fray a little bit, but at only 5 extra feet, it’s not really enough. Enemies can just 5-ft step up and attack you after all. (0)

Being a caster, I suppose you do have better things to do with Dual Actions than most. (+0.5)

The Summon Demon abilities really only save you Spells Known that could theoretically have gone into summoning, and the demons don’t stack up as well against level-appropriate encounters at the time you get them. (0)

As a spellcaster, you have more ways of targeting Fort saves than most, so you get a bit more out of Rotting Touch. (+0.5)

You have a high Cha, so Death Touch is a potent weapon for you even with a few lost levels reducing your save DC a bit. (+0.5)

You exit Thrall of Demogorgon early, before picking up Demogorgon’s Will. This is the right optimization decision for your build, as you can pick up Limited Wish as a spell known, but I’m not convinced that it’s a better use of the SI. (0)


Fra’alstrog the Bold – 15.25 *Honorable Mention*Originality – 4.75I didn’t expect Totemist what with Thrall of Demogorgon’s BAB prereq, and I really didn’t expect Incarnate, as the CE alignment prereq seemed to rule it out. I say seemed, because Ordered Chaos gave you a way around that issue, so nicely done. While Neraph is a pretty well-known race and you weren’t the only one, it’s doing enough for you for me to let it slide. I saw the Sneak Attack Fighter dip coming a mile away, but that was it. (+0.75)

Some of your tricks were known to me, like Mortalbane on an ability damage SLA, Mauling Gauntlets+Harpoon, and double dipping on Incarnate melds by counting as more than one non-Neutral alignment component, but they’re far from overused, and I’m impressed by how many you manage to squeeze in. I particularly like your Basilisk Mask shenanigans. (+0.75)

I enjoyed the interruptions from the Chaotic personality as a writing technique and appreciate how you were able to tie Incarnum and Ordered Chaos in with Thrall of Demogorgon’s Twin Personas. (+0.25)

Power – 3.75While I commended you for it under Originality, you do have to do significant hoop jumping to get into Thrall of Demogorgon (and in so doing run into a significant issue, see Elegance and UoSI), which also somewhat reduces and pushes back your net feat gain from the SI (you might have gone for Ordered Chaos as an Incarnate anyway, but still). That said, SI class features become your weapons of choice as your career progresses, so it’s hard to say your build would have been better without ToD in it. (+0.25)

Your tricks are largely effective, and they render you fairly versatile. Pounce would have been nice to see, as you do enjoy charging, but it’s not as important for you as for some builds, and your most lethal tricks come from other power sources. As I said, turning enemies into statues then smashing them is particularly nice for . Fond as I am of Harpoon+Mauling Gauntlets, I was initially a little skeptical of its inclusion here, as it didn’t seem to have any immediate synergy besides being an Incarnum build with some extra feats, to potentially throw into getting the combo, but I suppose I don’t immediately see what else you’d be doing with those feats, and you could use something that works against undead, which is a weak spot for many of your other tactics. Looks solid. (+0.5)

Elegance – 3.75Thrall to Demon was reprinted in a few 3.5 sourcebooks, and the updated version requires a Chaotic Evil alignment. You do not count as CE until you take Ordered Chaos, which you can’t move up due to the Base Will Save prerequisite. We did give a pass to people who made the mistake of using the BoVD version back in the Thrall of Orcus round, but it’s been a while since then, and you acknowledge the existence of later versions in your write-up. This is going to be something of a problem for you. (-0.5)

Other than that, you qualify for everything. (0)

You incur multiclass penalties from ECL 5 until you get Two Personas. (-0.25)

A few dips, but nothing that’s going to make me or your average reasonable DM clutch at pearls. (+0.5)

UoSI - 3Because you don’t qualify for the updated version of Thrall to Demon at the time you take it, and would have significant difficulty rearranging your build to make it legal, you don’t qualify for Thrall of Demogorgon. Each subcategory receives a quarter point penalty, to a minimum of zero.

You would have gotten your quarter point for prereqs as you use Willing Deformity to qualify for Deformity (Tongue) and improve upon Sneak Attack with Craven. (0)

You enter ToD too late for Touch of Fear to be effective against level appropriate encounters, but using it as a measuring stick for whether you can make something into a Necrocarnum Zombie is sort of nifty and would have been good enough for a quarter point. (0)

You have a racial natural armor to synergize with Scaly Flesh. Would have been good for a quarter point. (0)

Twin Personas stops you from incurring multiclass penalties. Would have been good for a quarter point. (0)

You enjoy a net gain of two feats which you couldn’t have easily gotten from classic dips. Would have been good enough for partial credit. (0)

You’re a little late in getting Hypnotism and don’t really have any other abilities to synergize with it. (0)

Reaching Touch is nice for everyone, but you don’t seem to get anything special out of it. (0)

Basilisk Mask+Mountain Hammer is a snazzy trick on top of the usual options that Dual Actions offers you. (+0.5)

Summoned Demons give you flanking buddies for Sneak Attack+Craven and can inflict serious damage to enemies petrified by your Basilisk Mask. (+0.5)

Mortalbane supercharges Rotting Touch and you target Fort saves with your Basilisk Mask tricks. (+0.5)

You have decent Cha, and Mortalbane makes Death Touch more threatening even on a failed save. (+0.25)

You stick it out in the SI the whole way to get Demogorgon’s Will. (+0.25)
Speeloxhuu – 16.5Originality – 4.5Muckdwellers have some small notoriety as a LA+0 tiny race, and having CE Soulborn 2 show up on tiny characters to resolve racial Str penalties, dedication to an Elder Evil is to be expected on an SI with Vile feat prereqs, and there are dips and feat chains that are standard optimization fare. But I can’t deny that stub got a raised eyebrow from me when I first looked or pretend that I saw Truenamer coming. And with so many feats jammed in, there are naturally a few that pique my curiosity or were straight up unknown to me along with the staples. Alright, I’ll bite, let’s see where you’re going with this. (+0.5)

Ubercharging and BoVD sacrifices are known cheeses, and Underfoot Combatant is pretty well known as well, but your blending of the cheeses is pretty novel, and you’ve spiced things up in interesting ways and made them work on a largely martial build, which is non-trivial. Well done. (+0.75)

Solid presentation, and Gezoondhyt’s spiel at the end amused me. Have a quarter point for fluff. (+0.25)

Power – 4.25You have a lot of good (well, evil) reasons to be going into ToD. It helps you access demonic assistance for your sacrifices, which conventional sacrifice Truenamers would have difficulty there. You run a very feat-heavy operation, which includes feat chains that aren’t always terribly useful at their front end (and hence benefit from having several feats come in at once). You even care about BAB as a melee focused build. You don’t want the bad touch SLAs as much as some of the competition, but I can’t justify giving you less than full marks here. (+0.75)

Muckdweller seems to be contributing more style than substance. Circumventing the limitations of tiny size and low strength are cool and all, but you don’t really seem to need anything from it badly enough to burn two levels rather than just playing a race that didn’t have such a large Str penalty. Improved Familiar also seems to fall into this camp (also see Elegance), as I’m not sure what a Muckdweller familiar really does for you that a Raven couldn’t, and with your SLA caster level you don’t actually need Practiced Spellcaster to qualify for anything else. Still, you do overcome your self-imposed racial limitations by and large, and come out a competent ubercharger, with extra power and versatility from sacrifices, crafting, etc, and I’m especially impressed by how the seemingly disparate elements gel together and feed into one another. There are some flourishes here that don’t really strike me as optimal, but overall my assessment is solidly positive. (+0.5)
Elegance – 3.25Serpent Kingdoms’ Improved Familiar references the DMG version, which leads me to believe that ‘Level’ refers to the language of ‘Arcane Spellcaster Level’ used in the original version. ‘Arcane Spellcaster Level’ is not the same as ‘Caster Level’ and it seems to me that you at least need 5 levels of actual casting progression. So you don’t qualify for Improved Familiar. Fortunately, it’s only costing you here, as a Raven should be able to do all the things that you have Gezhoontyt doing. (-0.5)

Chosen of Evil requires Con 13, so you don’t qualify. (-0.5)

You otherwise qualify for everything and avoid questionable rules interpretations. (0)

Muckdwellers don’t seem to have a listed favored class, but Truenamer seems like a stretch. You incur multiclass penalties from level 7 until you get Two Personas. (-0.25)

You are a little dippy, but I just can’t bring myself to get on your case for it. (+0.5)

UoSI – 4.5You optimize Knowledge (Religion) for sacrifice checks, get a useful familiar and Shock Trooper out of your Wizard dip for the casting prereq, use Willing Deformity to qualify for Deformity (Madness), and even get a bit more out of Thrall to Demon than most, as you make one especially important check each day. (+0.25)

You enter ToD too late for Touch of Fear to be effective against level appropriate encounters. (0)

You have a racial natural armor to synergize with Scaly Flesh. Even if you are frequently tanking your AC to fuel Shock Trooper, you get credit there. (+0.25)

Twin Personas stops you from incurring multiclass penalties. (+0.25)

With Elder Evil dedication covering the prereqs, you have a net gain of 4 feats, and timing up the bonus feats with your regular level feats allows you to complete feat chains that don’t really pay off until the end all at once. Well done. (+0.75)

You have mediocre Cha, and Hypnotism has started to lose its luster against level-appropriate encounters by the time you get it, but you do have access to Charm Person as a Generalist Wizard, so you scrape partial credit. (+0.25)

Reaching Touch allows you to attack opponents without entering their squares. Underfoot Combat already allows you to enter the squares of Medium and larger creatures without provoking, but I suppose Halflings make good sacrifices too. (+0.25)

You can ubercharge twice a round with Dual Actions. Your damage output doesn’t stand out from the pack enough for a big bonus here, but Shock Trooper nets you partial credit, especially as taking out the enemies faster means you aren’t left as vulnerable by the AC penalty. (+0.25)

Summoned Demons assure that you can perform your sacrifices in the presence of a demon, which would ordinarily be tricky for a Truenamer. (+0.5)

Rotting Touch is nice for anyone, but you don’t appear to do anything with it that others can’t. As an aside, had you not bothered with Practiced Spellcaster, you could have used the CL to qualify for your Item Creation feats. (0)

You don’t have a Cha bonus, or any synergistic abilities to make Death Touch more threatening. (0)

You stick it out in the SI the whole way to get Demogorgon’s Will and can mitigate exp costs by using Extract Demonic Essence. (+0.75)


Hurk – 11.75Originality – 2.75I got excited when I saw Shifter Warshaper in your stub, as I like Shifters, but they’re usually considered a little sub-par, especially for Warshaper entry for a number of reasons (see Power), but I had some thoughts as to where you might be going with it on a Thrall of Demogorgon build that got me excited. Then I looked at your build table and just saw standard fare melee and grappling optimization. I confess I’m a little disappointed. (-0.5)

It looks like a standard grappler because that’s what it is. You do attempt a few somewhat interesting wrinkles with the incorporation of SI abilities though which keep things from getting too bad. I actually quite like Dual Actions to charge/grapple then deal damage again in the grapple, as it serves as a sort of counter to Freedom of Movement if they don’t already have it up, by delivering the pain before they have their chance to auto-escape. (+0.25)

Fluff is the standard couple of sentences for a CE BSF. (0)

Power – 2.25Your entry is so late that ToD feels like an afterthought (especially as it, along with low Cha, neuters several of the class features). Given the nature of your build, the net +2 feats you gain through ToD could have been achieved with a Fighter dip. You do have a clear, and due to problems inherent in grappling at high levels, valuable use of Dual Actions, but I feel like you could have been better served doing something else with 10 levels (11 counting a Rogue dip you might not have taken otherwise). (-0.5)

Let’s start with the low-hanging fruit. In absence of any Shifter feats, you can only shift once per day, and you only get your Warshaper class features when shifted. Apart from that issue, you tick many of the usual boxes for competent melee/grappling optimization and those are the usual boxes for a reason. You have pounce, big numbers (especially when shifted) and Pounce and Scorpion’s Grasp with which to leverage them, along with Dual Actions. You do delay several important feats to pay the feat taxes to enter ToD though, which makes you less formidable in melee early in your career. It’s a minor complaint, but I’m also not sure why you took Extra Rage twice. The first gets you to Rage 4/day, enough to get you through the day’s encounters. Things could be worse, but I think there are enough niggling problems to put you below the optimization standard I expect of this competition. (-0.25)

Elegance – 4.25You qualify for everything. (0)

I don’t know of anything in the rules that suggests that you can just replace a natural attack in a grapple with a touch SLA, but I think that’s more of a UoSI issue. (0)

Shifters have a favored class of Ranger, so you incur multiclass penalties from level 7 until you get Twin Personas. (-0.25)

Your progression is fine overall. I can’t see a reasonable DM objecting. (+0.5)

UoSI – 2.5 You don’t really do anything with the prereqs. (0)

Your late entry means that you won’t be encountering anything susceptible to Touch of Fear at the time you get it. (0)

You don’t have any particular synergy with Scaly Flesh. (0)

Twin Personas stops you from incurring multiclass penalties. (+0.25)

You come out with a net gain of two feats, but given the nature of your choice of feats, could have accomplished this with a Fighter dip. (0)

You don’t do anything with Hypnotism. (0)

Even if you only get to use Warshaper abilities on your 1/day racial shifting (or I guess if you Polymorph yourself via Limited Wish), since Reaching Touch is fairly limited as well, Morphic Reach synergizes as well as anything. Good enough for partial credit. (+0.25)

Being able to start a grapple then bring the pain in the same round is a nice trick and can help you sort of work around the bane of grapplers that is Freedom of Movement. (+0.5)

Your late entry into the SI means Summoned Demons are less effective against level-appropriate encounters, and you don’t really have any other synergy with them. (0)

I don’t know of any rule that says you can replace a natural attack with Rotting Touch in a grapple. Even if there were such a rule, using an SLA while grappling requires a Concentration check, and you have no ranks. (0)

You don’t have a Cha bonus, or any synergistic abilities to make Death Touch more threatening. (0)

You stick it out in the SI the whole way to get Demogorgon’s Will. (+0.5)


Hitomi Marik – 15.75Originality – 4I must be the only one who’s sick of seeing Cards Over Swords crop up in optimization discussion, but I suppose objectively speaking it’s fairly obscure. You also break out some obscure or underused ACFs and feats. Swashbuckler is unexpected despite its full BAB, even if Binder 1 is a bit standard for face characters, and the Rogue dip was popular for qualification this round. Totemist cropped up several times this round, but I didn’t expect it, so you’re good there. Noble was also not something I saw coming, but it doesn’t really contribute enough for me to award points for it. Can’t really help but roll my eyes at Unseelie Fey, but I suppose it is the most natural way to get Unseelie Court Noble Kelir. Overall, things are looking good here. (+0.5)

I like that you make an effort to expand uses for your various face skills by using things like Silver Tongue, Wanderer’s Diplomacy, and Cards Over Swords to allow for greater variety of tricks, and Undead Empathy and Wild Empathy so that they apply to a wider variety of creatures instead of just the usual diplomancer numbers-pumping. Like many people, I find diplomancers a bit tiresome, and as I said I’ve seen enough Cards Over Swords optimization crop up in forum discussion, but I feel like you do offer enough of a unique spin on the face role to be interesting. (+0.5)

Fluff feels a little sparse, mostly just there to justify build choices. (0)

Power – 3.75High Cha makes Thrall of Demogorgon appealing, as does ultimately coming out with a net feat gain. The abilities you employ also take less time than standard diplomacy to influence attitudes, which makes Dual Actions more appealing than it would be for a conventional face. The SI does however seem to be forcing you into the Rogue dip, at least to some degree and I’m not convinced that ToD’s abilities are helping your schtick to quite the same degree they are for some of the competition. (+0.25)

You’re a pretty good face and make an effort to avoid thumb twiddling when facing encounters that aren’t typically resolvable through talking by nabbing Undead Empathy and Wild Empathy, as well as various ToD abilities that you can use effectively due to your Cha focus or those abilities just being generally good. Your action economy tricks are also potent and as mentioned above, actually useful to you where they wouldn’t necessarily be for a standard diplomancer. However, some staples of standard Diplomancy (Marshal, for instance), are staples for a reason, and I think you would have been served better by such classes over the ones you chose to finish out your build given that Noble is mostly there for fluff, and your inability to shape Totemist soulmelds without Con boosting items. (+0.25)

Elegance – 4.25You qualify for everything. (0)

It’s not altogether clear to me that Dual Actions and the Higher Order Ability of Breaching Obelisk have a duration that you can extend. Dual Actions seems like it probably does work and any reasonable parsing of the sloppy writing would lead to the conclusion that it’s an effect with a 1 round duration. Breaching Obelisk looks more like Time Stop apparent time to me, and I’m skeptical that it’s a true ‘duration’ that can be extended. Fortunately, you can just use both uses per day of Extend Supernatural Ability on Dual Actions if you are so inclined, but I still feel like you should get dinged a little bit here (you were rewarded for the idea elsewhere). (-0.25)

You avoid multiclass penalties. (0)

You’re a little dippy, but I’ve been pretty charitable in that regard. I think your overall progression is fine. (+0.5)

Some DMs aren’t going to be happy with diplomancers and especially with Cards Over Swords, but I don’t think it quite warrants a penalty. (0)

UoSI – 3.75You don’t really do anything with the prerequisites. They’re all basically taxes to enter ToD. (0)

You enter ToD too late for Touch of Fear to work against level-appropriate enemies. (0)

You don’t have any synergy for Scaly Flesh. (0)

You would incur multiclass penalties at level 20 if not for Twin Personas. (+0.25)

You come out two feats ahead after the bonus feats with the prerequisites only serving as feat taxes. This is about the baseline I expect here, but I’ll say it’s good enough for partial credit. (+0.25)

You have excellent face skills to set up Hypnotism to make people fanatical. You’re a little late into the SI for it to apply against level-appropriate enemies, but I appreciate the effort to optimize it a bit further via Pervasive Gaze. I’d say it’s enough to bump you up to full credit. (+0.5)

Reaching Touch helps a bit to keep you off the front lines, but I don’t see it really being all that beneficial for you. Enemies can just 5-ft step up and attack after all. (0)

You improve on Dual Actions with the addition of Extend Supernatural Ability, and have some good one-two punch suggestions (like spraying a Potion of Fox’s Cunning followed by a challenge with Cards Over Swords) with which to make use of the extra actions. (+0.75)

Your entry into the SI is a touch late, which means Summoned Demons don’t stack up as well against level appropriate opponents at the level you get them, and you don’t seem to have any tactics for them that are unique to your build. (0)

Rotting Touch is nice for anyone, but you don’t appear to do anything with it that others can’t. I suppose your dearth of other damaging options makes it a bit more attractive, but I don’t feel right giving points. (0)

You have a high Cha and a shortage of other ways of causing real physical harm, so Death Touch is a nice thing to have. (+0.5)

You stick it out in the SI the whole way to get Demogorgon’s Will. (+0.5)

Kayzo Grondi – 13Originality – 2.75Neraph is a fairly well-known Outsider race, and was used in another entry this round, but you get your mileage out of it, so I’ll let it slide. Factotum caught me off guard, despite being a notoriously feat-starved class and the most common source for extra action shenanigans, though the Sneak Attack Fighter was expected and popular. Assassin cropping up in a roguish build doesn’t really inspire much reaction one way or the other. Elder Evil dedication for more feats was expected as well, and even with all those extra feats, your selections are all standard optimization fare. Add it all up, and I think the balance works out against you. (-0.25)

Now let’s get to the elephants in the room. The Dark Chaos Shuffle and PaO-style shenanigans are very much known cheese. You did at least break out a few powerful (Su) abilities of which I was unaware in order to achieve the latter with just Limited Wish, which keeps things from being as bad as they might have been. That’s about your only saving grace, however, as the end result of all your chicanery boils down to a Factotum doing standard Factotum things, just more of them. (-0.5)

I appreciate the use of planar cosmology and the outlined campaign from Elder Evils to tie your Neraph in with Demogorgon and the Leviathan, but your backstory still doesn’t seem to go beyond a quick justification for your build choices, which puts it a little behind the standard established by some of your competition. (0)

Power – 3.5Thrall of Demogorgon keeps most of the skills you care about as class skills, helps out in a feat heavy build (especially with Elder Evil feats facilitating entry), and you lean heavily on Limited Wish, which due to its XP cost would ordinarily not be available to a Factotum (even if many of the spells you use it to replicate would be). I’d say your build is enhanced overall by the SI. (+0.5)

Embrace the Dark Chaos and Shun the Dark Chaos are 8th level spells, beyond the scope of Limited Wish. That means that I either have to penalize you for wealth reliance (in order to afford the Chaos Shuffling), or disregard a bunch of your feats, both of which are bad for you. However, all the cheese does mix together for a powerful result, and you can pull out your high power tricks again for more options in a pinch. I think we’ll say things even out overall. (0)

Elegance – 2.75Your Cha is too low to manifest the power you get from Hidden Talent although you do qualify for the feat. However, you lack the 4 ranks in Psicraft to qualify for Practiced Manifester. Even if you hadn’t made that mistake, Practiced Manifester’s wording refers to choosing a manifesting class, and you aren’t a member of one, meaning you don’t have the requisite ML 5 for Metamorphic Transfer. You could resolve this by instead using a Host feat (thematically appropriate) or by entering ToD from Factotum 6/PsiRogue 1. (-1)

You make an effort to list alternative routes to your cheese in the event of a DM ruling against you, which I feel is good enough to say you avoid questionable rules interpretations. (0)

You incur multiclass penalties from level 5 until you get Twin Personas. (-0.25)

All the Chaos Shuffling and a PAO-esque permanent race change would get some DMs on your case even if you could do the Chaos Shuffling natively. Your progression is otherwise clean, but I think I do have to take your bonus away. (0)

UoSI - 4You expand on the Sneak Attack prerequisite by taking Craven and Maiming Strike. (+0.25)

You enter ToD only a level late, but every level matters with the 5 HD cap on enemies that Touch of Fear can affect. (0)

You have a bit of racial natural armor to synergize with Scaly Flesh. Your natural armor after your transformation into an Ethergaunt would likely count as coming from a magical source and not stack however. (+0.25)

Twin Personas stops you from incurring multiclass penalties. (+0.25)

One thing’s for sure about this build, it wants feats. With Elder Evil dedication covering the prereqs, you have a net gain of 4 of them. (+0.5)

You have mediocre Cha, but enter the SI at a time when even real enemies are potentially susceptible to Hypnotism, and have access to Charm Person as an Arcane Dilettante SLA to set targets up to be rendered fanatical. (+0.25)

Reaching Touch helps a bit to keep you off the front lines, but I don’t see it really being all that beneficial for you. Enemies can just 5-ft step up and attack after all. (0)

You expand on Dual Actions with more action economy abuse further with Cunning Surge, but your use of extra actions doesn’t go beyond the nice things that any character can do with them. (+0.25)

Summoned Demons stack up well against level appropriate opponents at the time you get them due to early entry, and Craven and Maiming Strike give you good reasons to want flanking buddies. (+0.5)

Rotting Touch is nice for anyone, but you don’t appear to do anything with it that others can’t. (0)

You don’t have a Cha bonus, or any synergistic abilities to make Death Touch more threatening. (0)

You stick it out in the SI the whole way to get Demogorgon’s Will and can mitigate exp costs by polymorphing into a Protean Scourge and duplicating yourself. (+0.75)

Drake Carmine – 14.5Originality 3.25 Tentacle Whip Daellkyr Half-Blood is hardly unheard of when going for more reach, but it shows up less often than you’d think, so you’re good there. Hexblade is an expected entry. The Rapidstrike line on aberration characters is a hallmark of some famous CharOp builds. As I’ve maintained since back in the day when we were clamoring for it as a SI, Slime Lord is better than it’s given credit for and could use more love. I’ll say that things roughly even out for you. (0)

A few of your hypnotism tricks are mildly interesting, but you don’t go far afield from the usual debuffing and beatstick schticks one would expect from a Hexblade or offer a particularly new spin on them. (0)

I was mildly amused by your backstory. It still smacks of just being there to justify build choices, but at least it has a bit of a voice to it and gave me a window into the meeting of the sacrifice prereq. (+0.25)

Power – 3.25Thrall of Demogorgon doesn’t seem like a bad fit for this build, but taking the 5th level of Hexblade before entering and focusing mostly on casting progression (which ToD isn’t really the best choice for) makes me feel as though it’s not as good a fit as some other entries had. (+0.25)

Rapidstrike plus regular iterative attacks makes for a nice long full attack routine, but you don’t have any way of moving and full attacking besides Dual Actions. You eventually get a SoL effect on your attacks from Paralytic Slime, but that’s pretty late in the build, meaning the save DC is going to be a little low even with decent Cha, and before that you’re a bit too vanilla, without the wider array of options that melee combat needs. Your social abilities and Thrall of Demogorgon SLAs give you something to fall back on though, and none of your choices seem outright bad, so we’ll say it’s a wash. (0)
Elegance – 4The wording on Deformity (Clawed Hands) suggests that it works more like a Monk’s Unarmed Strike rather than granting two claw attacks as one might intuitively expect. If that’s the case, then you lack the pair of natural weapons necessary to qualify for Rapidstrike at the level you take it. (-0.5)

Other than that, there’s nothing illegal or questionable. (0)

You avoid multiclass penalties. (0)

Your build progression is simple and straightforward. Some DMs may object to Slime Lord alongside Thrall of Demogorgon, as Faerun Juiblex is, as I understand it, an aspect of Ghaunadar, and Juiblex, like most demon lords doesn’t get along great with Demogorgon, but you made an effort to justify it, so I’ll let it slide. (+0.5)

UoSI – 4 You use Willing Deformity to qualify for several other Deformity feats. (+0.25)

You enter ToD only a level late, but every level matters with the 5 HD cap on enemies that Touch of Fear can affect. You’re right on the borderline here, but I think synergy with Adoration of the Frightful allows you to scrape the quarter point. (+0.25)

You don’t really have anything to synergize with Scaly Flesh. (0)

Twin Personas doesn’t do anything for you. (0)

Casting progression is slowed by the SI, and you only end up with 2nd level spells and only one feat. (0)

You have solid Cha, enter the SI at a time when even real enemies are potentially susceptible to Hypnotism, and have Charm Person, Adoration of the Frightful, and a small amount of Diplomacy to set targets up to be rendered fanatical. (+0.5)

Reaching Touch synergizes with your Tentacle Whip, though I’m a little disappointed not to see Tall among your Deformity feats. (+0.25)

Dual Actions is good for everyone, but I don’t see you doing anything exceptional with it. (0)

Summoned Demons stack up well against level appropriate opponents at the time you get them due to early entry, but you don’t really do anything to synergize with them beyond that. (+0.25)

Rotting Touch is nice for anyone, and reducing enemy Fort saves to set up Paralytic Slime is something you can do that others can’t. (+0.5)

You have a high Cha which makes your Death Touch save DC a legitimate threat, especially with your Dark Companion further weakening enemy saves. (+0.5)

You stick it out in the SI the whole way to get Demogorgon’s Will. (+0.5)

[WhamBamSam]

Vemunix the Accursed – 15.75Originality – 2.75I expected someone to drop almost this exact build. Hexblade 4 for earliest possible entry, reach boosting with Deformity (Tall) and Inhuman Reach (meaning that the other Deformity and Aberrant feats aren’t much of a shock either), and finishing out with initiator classes for high level maneuvers with Twin Personas taking care of multiclass penalties. Vanara is the only unexpected variable, and it’s not really contributing anything mechanically. (-0.5)

The build works like I expected it to, but I’ve been letting the reach optimization shenanigans largely slide, and I’ll do the same for you. (0)

I’ll admit it. I laughed. “Jilted monkey husband murdering his wife in a fit of rage upon catching her with another ape” as “sacrificing an intelligent being in the presence of a Bar-Igua” is a humorous spin, and though there’s not much fluff here, your references to the character add personality. I guess Vanara is paying off for you after all. (+0.25)

Power – 4Your build was expected for a reason. It fits Thrall of Demogorgon very well. (+0.5)

Your melee capability is solid between large reach with Combat Reflexes and Thicket of Blades and a bit of an extra damage boost from Leap Attack and eventually Pouncing Charge and other charge maneuvers. Solid Cha, a debuff from your Dark Companion, and early entry also make your Thrall of Demogorgon abilities more potent when you have to fall back on them. Charm Person+Hypnotism and later Iron Heart Surge expand your versatility a bit as well. Everything seems generally solid, though I’d personally have rather seen Extend Reach than Starspawn, especially as you already qualify by virtue of having taken Deepspawn. I realize that Iron Chef traditionally rewards low item reliance, but even so, that’s the way I’d have gone given the ubiquity of flight granting items. You also could have certainly used the feats that being dedicated to an Elder Evil would have freed up for you, and I suspect it would have worked out to a net positive to your overall score. Still, those are minor quibbles. (+0.5)

Elegance – 4.5You qualify for everything and avoid questionable rules interpretations. (0)

You avoid multiclass penalties. (0)

You dip the tiniest bit at the tail end (no pun intended) of your career with the express encouragement of the SI. It’s hard to imagine a sane DM getting upset about your progression. (+0.5)

UoSI – 4.5You use Willing Deformity to qualify for Deformity (Tall) and Deformity (Madness). (+0.25)

You enter ToD at the earliest possible point, meaning you’re still fighting enemies susceptible to Touch of Fear at the time you get it. (+0.25)

You don’t really have anything to synergize with Scaly Flesh. (0)

Twin Personas prevents you from incurring multiclass penalties. (+0.25)

Bonus feats allow you to pick up some nice feats with somewhat harsh prerequisites, and as Willing Deformity is among those prereqs, the net gain looks more like 3 feats than 2. (+0.5)

You have high Cha, enter the SI at a time when even real enemies are liable to be susceptible to Hypnotism, and have Diplomacy kept up and Charm Person as a Hexblade spell to set targets up to be rendered fanatical. (+0.5)

Reaching Touch synergizes with Deformity (Tall) and Inhuman Reach and you have Combat Reflexes and Thicket of Blades to get more AoOs out of your large threatened area. (+0.5)

Dual Actions is good for everyone, but I don’t see you doing anything exceptional with it. (0)

Summoned Demons stack up well against level appropriate opponents at the time you get them due to early entry, but you don’t really do anything to synergize with them beyond that. (+0.25)

Rotting Touch is nice for anyone, but you don’t appear to do anything with it that others can’t. (0)

You have a high Cha which makes your Death Touch save DC a legitimate threat, especially with your Dark Companion further weakening enemy saves. (+0.5)

You stick it out in the SI the whole way to get Demogorgon’s Will. (+0.5)


Endo – 12.25Originality – 3.25Cloistered Cleric dips, Marshal, and various flavors of Paladin aren’t terribly unusual on high Cha martial builds, and in fact I expected more Cloistered Cleric qualification and Paladin of Slaughter 2 for Divine Grace, but you were the only one to use any of them. I assume your race is some flavor of either Half-Elf or Half-Orc to qualify for Outcast Champion, which is a little unusual. You have a few feats and Martial Auras known that aren’t standard choices as well. I think you come out a little ahead. (+0.25)

Unfortunately, those non-standard choices seem to be non-standard because they don’t do very much. I don’t see anything here to really differentiate you from other “Captain Charisma” martial builds in an interesting way, though I suppose that isn’t the stalest archetype you could have chosen. (0)

No fluff. (0)

Power – 3As a full BAB class with some solid SLAs, Thrall of Demogorgon fits reasonably well on a Cha-based character, though you don’t seem to really want the feat/casting progression as badly as some of the other builds do, as you’re content to get up to 2nd level Cleric spells and your feat choices don’t speak to a great deal of urgency. (+0.25)

You do make some effort to boost your damage output between feats and some of your maneuver choices even if you can’t move and full attack without using Dual Actions (trying to fit in Travel Devotion might not have been a bad idea), but Avenging Strike (also, see Elegance) and your various Desert Wind maneuvers are all a bit too situational to be reliable in that regard. I assume your Cha is high (post your point buy and such in the future), so you probably have decent save DCs when you need to fall back on your Thrall of Demogorgon SLAs, which is good, and you have access to a few other tricks through your limited Cleric casting. But many of your feats seem like poor choices. Divine Shield will force you into a less than ideal fighting style unless you get your hands on an Animated shield, and furthermore the feat eats a standard action unless you have a buff-round out of combat. Vital Recovery doesn’t seem to do enough to matter, and doesn’t even appear to be something you can trigger reliably, as Crusaders take longer than most encounters to refresh maneuvers, and the Swordsage recovery mechanic is notoriously terrible. Things could certainly be worse, but there are mistakes that I’d say put you below Iron Chef’s standard for optimization. (-0.25)

Elegance – 3.5I’m going to be charitable and assume you qualify for Power Attack. Mark your stats. Also, you have it listed in your table twice. (0)

You need the 8 ranks in Intimidate or Diplomacy before you enter Outcast Champion. (-0.5)

Avenging Strike requires Good alignment, which as a Thrall of Demogorgon, you very much do not have. (-0.5)

You avoid multiclass penalties. (0)

Progression is a tad dippy, but seems fine to me. (+0.5)

UoSI – 2.5You make use of prereq skills through Knowledge Devotion and get some use out of the Cloistered Cleric dip besides minor spellcasting, but otherwise don’t get much out of the prereqs. (0)

You enter ToD late, meaning most enemies aren’t susceptible to Touch of Fear by the time you get it. (0)

Divine Shield builds off of the AC bonus from Scaly Flesh at least to some extent. (+0.25)

Twin Personas prevents you from incurring multiclass penalties. (+0.25)

The feat and casting progression don’t seem to be doing all that much for you. (0)

You presumably have high Cha, but between late entry and a lack of Diplomacy or Charm abilities, I don’t see Hypnotism doing much for you. (0)

Any melee character will like Reaching Touch, but you don’t really seem to do much with it. (0)

Dual Actions is good for everyone, but I don’t see you doing anything exceptional with it. (0)

Summoned Demons stack up less well against level appropriate opponents at the time you get them due to late entry, and you don’t really do anything to synergize with them. (0)

Rotting Touch is nice for anyone, but you don’t appear to do anything with it that others can’t. (0)

You presumably have a high Cha, even if late entry and dipping out into Swordsage delay your access to Death Touch until you’re fighting enemies with higher saves. It should remain useful to you throughout your career. (+0.5)

You stick it out in the SI the whole way to get Demogorgon’s Will. (+0.5)


This build was judged as presented at the time of the reveal, without reading the more finished version that was posted later.

[Venger]

outstanding. thanks for judging, whambamsam

[bean illus]

Endo was mine.
My second IC, and the first one judged (my first one was late and ignored).
Of course i knew it was lame (and that my 'fix' would not get judged).

I think if i had internet and a computer (i did most of it on my phone) i would have done a little better.

Thanks to all, for your companionship. And to WBS for judging.


I realize fully that this is late and will not be judged in it's present form, but i would rather it be posted as an addendum than to look like i couldn't finish the build.
It's obvious that i am not as fluent as most of our cooks, and in fact have never worked in BoVD, or ToB before, but it was fun.
Desert Half Orc 14-10-14, 10-12-16 bonuses to Cha
Cloistered Cleric1/ Paladin-Slaughter2/ Marshal1/ Barbarian1/ OutcastChampion2/ ThrallofDemogorgon8/ Marshal2(3)/ Swordsage1/ ThrallofDemogorgon2(10)

HP = 6 +((3x6 +11x8 +4x10 +1x12)/2)= 85+40 =125+ 40temphp and small healing.

"I hate you" thought Endo. "I hate you. I hate everybody. I hate myself".

The oddly intense and charismatic young man had been offered an education as a way to keep him off the streets and out of trouble, but he knew he was misplaced. Though curious, he struggled with his lessons, and longed for adventure. He sat staring out the window wondering which order he wanted to kill everybody in.

It wasn't that he really wanted to kill everybody, just that he couldn't figure out what else to do with them. Their lives were so boring they deserved to die.

"There's someone interesting ...". The paladin entering the courtyard was an impressive figure. His armor was covered in grime, probably blood, and his sacks bulged with what Endo assumed were the spoils of war.

With a sigh he turned back to his religous studies. Staring blankly at the table he soon found his eyes scanning the bookshelf. A previously unnoticed book on the top shelf drew his eye. It was old yet new, and looked as if it was rarely used. Standing on a chair to retrieve it he examined the binding.

"Demons and Devils" he read softly, and sat again at the desk, opening the tome atop his lessons.




Level
Class
Base Attack Bonus
Fort Save
Ref Save
Will Save
Skills
Feats
Class Features


1st
Cloistered Cleric
+0
+2
+0
+2
Intim2, Jump1, Know Arc4 , Know Loc4, Know Nat4, Know Nob1, Know Rel4, Know Pla4
Divine Vigor
Turn undead, Chaos Devotion, Evil Devotion, Knowledge Domain*1


2nd
Paladin/Slaughter
+1
+4
+0
+2
Intim(1)3, Know Rel(1)5
Knowledge Devotion*1
Aura of evil, detect good, righteous fury 1/day


3rd
Paladin/Slaughter2
+2
+4
+0
+2
Intim(1)4/+3, Jump(1)2
Thrall to Demon
Deadly touch, Divine Grace


4th
Marshal
+2
+6
+0
+4
Intim(2)6, Jump(1)3, Know Pla(1)5
-
Skill Focus (Diplomacy), minor aura (Master of Tactics)


5th
Barbarian
+3
+8
+0
+4
Intim(2)8+3, Jump(2)5, Kn Arc4, Kn Loc4, Kn Nat4, Kn Nob1, Kn Rel5, Kn Pla5
-
Pounce, rage


6th
Outcast Champion
+4
+9
+0
+4
Jump(2)7, Kn Loc(2)6
Willing Deformity
Aura of confidence


7th
Outcast Champion2
+5
+10
+0
+4
Jump(1)8, Kn Loc(3)9
-
Avenging strike


8th
Thrall of Demogorgon
+6
+12
+0
+4
Kn Nat(1)5, Kn Rel(2)7, Kn Pla(1)6
Power Attack*
Scaly flesh +1, hypnosis, bonus feat*


9th
Thrall of Demogorgon2
+7
+13
+0
+4
Kn Arc(2)6, Kn Rel(2)9
Divine Might
Touch of fear


10th
Thrall of Demogorgon3
+8
+13
+1
+5
Intim8+3, Jump8, Kn Arc6, Kn Loc9, Kn Nat5, Kn Nob(1)2, Kn Pla(1)7, Kn Rel(2)11
-
Reaching touch


11th
Thrall of Demogorgon4
+9
+14
+1
+5
Kn Arc(1)7, Kn Nat(1)6 Kn Rel(2)13
Leap attack*
Dual actions, scaly flesh 2, bonus feat*


12th
Thrall of Demogorgon5
+10
+14
+1
+5
Kn Arc(1)8, Know Rel(2)15, Kn Pla(1)8
Deformity (clawed hands)
Summon minor demon


13th
Thrall of Demogorgon6
+11
+15
+2
+6
Kn Arc(1)9, Kn Nat(1)7, Kn Nob(2)4
-
Rotting touch


14th
Thrall of Demogorgon7
+12
+15
+2
+6
Kn Arc(1)10, Kn Nat(1)8, Kn Rel(2)17
Extra Turning*
Scaly flesh +3, bonus feat*


15th
Thrall of Demogorgon8
+13
+15
+3
+7
Intim8+3, Jump8, Kn Arc10, Kn Loc(1)10, Kn Nat(1)9, Kn Nob4, Kn Pla(1)9, Kn Rel(1)18
Improved critical (falchion
Two personas, death touch


16th
Marshal2
+14
+16
+3
+8
Kn Arc(1)11, Kn Loc(1)11, Kn Rel(1)19, Kn Pla(1)10
-
Major aura +1 (Motivate Urgency)


17th
Marshal3
+15
+16
+4
+8
Kn Arc(1)12, Kn Loc(1)12, Kn Rel(1)20, Kn Pla(1)11
-
Major aura +1 (Determined Caster)


18th
Swordsage
+15
+16
+6
+10
Kn Nat(2)11, Kn Nob(2)6, Kn Pla(1)12, Martial Lore(1)
Improved unarmed strike
Quick to act +1, Discipline focus (Weapon Focus falchion)


19th
Thrall of Demogorgon9
+16
+16
+7
+11
Kn Arc(1)13, Kn Loc(1)13, Kn Nat(1)12, Kn Pl(1)13
-
Summon major demon


20th
Thrall of Demogorgon
+17
+17
+7
+11
Intim8+3, Jump8, Kn Arc(1)14, Know Loc(1)14, Kn Nat(1)13, Kn Nob6, Kn Pla(1)14, Kn Rel20
Extra Turning*
Demogorgon’s will, scaly flesh +4, bonus feat*


*1 Trade for Knowledge Devotion at 2nd


1 Divine Vigor: +10' speed and 2 temp hp/ChL, minutes=cha, 1TU
1 Turn Undead (Su): 3+Cha/day
1 ChaosD: 1/day 1d6 scaling (10=d8, 15=d10) profane att/ac 1min 3TU
1 EvilD: 1/day Allies 30' DR 1+1/ChL/good 1min 1TU
2 KnowledgeD: 1-5 insight on att and dam (15,25,30,35,36
2 Fury: 1/day, Cha+1 rds, +2 morale melee weapon dam
3 ThralltD: 1/day +1 luck any
3 Divine Grace: Cha to saves
3 Deadly touch: 2+Cha dam daily, will 1/2
4 Master/Tactics: Cha to dam for flanking allies 60'
5 Pounce: Full attack on charge.
5 Rage (Ex): 1/day free, +4 Str Con +2 morale/will, –2 AC.
=3+(new)Cha rds. Fatigued (–2 Str Dex) for current encounter.

+3 BAB is buffered by Knowledge, Evil, and Chaos, Divine Grace is one of the best abilities in the game, Cha to damage for all flanking allies/60' keeps me popular, Divine Fury for the big boys, and some healing and other little tricks. Luck bonus is saved for reflex saves (lol).
Ray of Resurgence LEoF33 allows fatigue recovery as a standard, just in case an "encounter" doesn't end.

6 Willing Deformity: +3 Intimidate
6 Aura of Confidence: Allies 30' +2 morale to Will
7 Avenging Strike: Cha to att +2d6, Cha/day
8 Scaly +1
8 Hypnosis: 30' Will Dc 10+lChL+Cha
8 Power Attack: trade BAB for dam
9 Divine Might: Cha/Dam 1rd 1TU
9 Touch of fear: 3/day Will Dc 10+ChL+Cha
10 Reach: 3/day 5' 1rd

Top speed +10' is nice, and the 30' will save aura keeps allies close. Charging into battle while dragging other melee allies behind is becoming a thing:
BAB: +8 +2str +1.5KD +1.5CD +4Cha = +15 att before rage or charge. Assume +2 weapon, +2 gloves, and charge.
Dam: +4str +KD1.5 +CD1.5 +Cha4 +8PA +2 weapon +2 gloves =23+weapon.
When i get a flank i have some touch attacks. Divine Vigor is up to 20 temporary hp, and i get it more than 1/day.

11 Dual Actions
11 Scaly +2
11 Leap attack: Jump 10', 3x PA
12 Deformity Claws: 1d6 dam
12 Summon Demon 5hd
13 Rotting touch: 3/day 1d6 Con
14 Scaly +3
14 Extra Turning: 4 more TU
15 Improved crit: Falchion 15-20
15 Death Touch: 1/day FortDC 10+ChL+Cha.

Here. Charge, Leap, Pounce, Power attack, and Imp crit are all together now, for 3xPA and full attack. Deformity Claws ups the damage when using rotting touch/deadly touch, and negates AoO triggers. Summon Demon triggers Master of Tactics. And extra turning allows more use of Chaos/Evil Devotions.
I believe Determined Caster works on Death Touch (Sp)? Death Touch is about 25 prebuff, which will get most folks not immune.

16 Motivate Urgency: +5' speed/allies/60'
17 Determined Caster: Cha to SR for allies 60'
18 Improved unarmed strike
18 +1 intitiative
18 Focus Falchion +1 att
==========
IoB stance/ all allies flank
Em Raz/ turn melee to touch
Bound/ 2x move and att
Rapid counter/ AoO that isn't AoO
Brand/ 5' reach and fire dam
Fan Flames/ ranged touch 6d6 fire
Searing charge/ fly and 5d6 fire
==========
19 1/day 10 HD demon.
20 Limited Wish: 1/day. 3 rds, no xp
20 Scaly flesh +4
20 Extra Turning

Island of Blades, which makes allies adjacent to the same monster get flank, which triggers Master of Tactics. Every ally adjacent to any opponent i'm adjacent to gets my Cha bonus to damage. And of course Bounding Assault is a charge without straight line.
IUS is for PA, iterative attacks, and magical weapon spells. My demons are stronger when near me, as are all allies. Limited Wish with no xp is nice (even if it takes 3rds).

SOURCES & NOTES ON FEATURES

LEVEL 1
CLOISTERED CLERIC - UA50
FEAT 1 Divine Vigor: 1/day then 1TU
Benefit: Standard, for 1TU base speed +10 ft, gain +2 hp/level
= minutes equal to your Cha mod.

CHAOS DEVOTION [DOMAIN] -CC56. 1/day swift.
Roll 1d6. Odd; + profane to att next action. If even + to AC.
At the beginning of each action thereafter, roll again.
= 1 minute. At 10th d8. At 15th level d10.
Special: Additional use 3 TU.

EVIL DEVOTION [DOMAIN] - CC58. 1/day immediate.
Grants you and all allies within 30' DR/good.
1 + 1/five ChL (max 5), natural and weapon att are evil vs DR.
= 1 minute.
Special: Additional use 1 TU.

KNOWLEDGE DEVOTION [DOMAIN] - ua60. Prereq: Knowledge (any) 5 ranks.
Knowledge Domain: (Trade for Knowlede Devotion at 2nd level)

LEVEL2
PALADIN OF SLAUGHTER - UA54. Prereq: Chaotic Evil
Aura of Evil (Ex): Equal PoS level.
Detect Good (Sp): At will, as the spell.
Smite Good (Su): 1/day, one normal melee attack. Cha att and +1 dam/ClL.

LEVEL 3
FEAT 3 THRALL TO DEMON [VILE] - BoVD50. Formally supplicate to a demon prince.
1/day, evil act, +1 luck any roll. Only one demon.

Divine Grace (Su): Cha mod on all saving throws.
Deadly Touch (Su): Touch attack. Each day deal dam PoS level × Cha mod.
Will save 1/2 (DC 10 + 1/2 PoS + Cha mod).

LEVEL 4
Marshal - MH11
Skill Focus (Diplomacy) +3.
Auras (Ex): Swift, circumstance bonus. All allies, 60' (include self).
Master of Tactics: Cha bonus on damage rolls when flanking.
Must hear and speak language.

LEVEL 5
BARBARIAN, lion totem - CCh46
Pounce (Ex): Full attack on charge.
Rage (Ex): 1/day free, +4 Str, +4 Con +2 morale/will, –2 AC.
=3+(new)Con rds, may end rage. Becomes fatigued (–2 Str, –2 Dex, can’t charge or run) for current encounter.

LEVEL 6
OUTCAST CHAMPION - RoD126
Race: Half-elf, half-orc, or half-ogre. Skills: Diplo8 or Intim8.

Aura of Confidence (Ex): Allies 30' who can see you (include self). Add your class level as morale bonus on Will.
FEAT 6 WILLING DEFORMITY [VILE] - HoH125. Prereq: Evil. +3 on Intim.

LEVEL 7
Avenging Strike (Ex): Melee enemy who dealt dam to ally within 1 hour.
Add Cha mod to att, + 1d6 damage/OC level, Cha mod/day.
Accidental strike = ability is still expended.

LEVEL 8
THRALL OF DEMOGORGON - BoVD67 (with errata).
CE, BAB +4, Kn(arc)2, Kn(rel)2, Kn(any)4, Willing Deformity, Thrall to Demon.
Special: 1st-level spells, or sneak attacks.
Special: Initiated in rite sacrificing intelligent being dedicated to Demogorgon on unhallowed ground at night, in the presence of a demon.

Bonus Feat or Spells: 1st, 4th, 7th, and 10th
BONUS FEAT 1 POWER ATTACK: Str 13 Trade BAB for dam until your next turn.
2-handed weapon, or 1handed weapon in 2hands, 2x number subtracted from BAB.
Scaly Flesh (Ex): +1 natural armor bonus at (4th, 7th, and 10th). Does not stack from magical sources (amulet of natural armor).
Hypnosis (Sp): 1/day hypnotism spell, gaze att 30', WillDC 10+ClL+Cha.

LEVEL 9-10 - ToD 2-3
FEAT 9 Divine Might: Str 13, TU, Power Attack
Benefit: Spend 1 TU add Cha bonus to weapon dam.= 1 round
Touch of Fear (Sp): 3/day frightened. WillDC 10+ClL+Cha, shaken 1 rd.

Reaching Touch (Su): 3/day 5' reach 1 round.

LEVEL 11-12 - ToD 4-5
Dual Actions (Su): 2/day full rounds’ worth of actions in the same round.
Scaly Flesh +2
BONUS FEAT 4 LEAP ATTACK - Jump 8 ranks, Power Attack.
Benefit: Cover 10', end jump must threaten target, 2x PA.
IF 2H weapon, 3x PA. Follow rules for Jump and charge, ignore rough terrain.

FEAT 12 DEFORMITY (CLAWED HANDS) [VILE]: Prereq:Willing Deformity.
Benefit: Deal 1d6 dam unarmed claw att. Considered
armed even when unarmed. Does not draw AoO, threatens.
Summon Demon (Sp): 5 HD 1/day. Summon monster 15th CL.

LEVEL 13-14 ToD 6-7
Rotting Touch (Sp): 3/day 1d6 points of Con dam touch attack.

Scaly flesh +3
BONUS FEAT 7 Extra Turning

LEVEL 15 ToD 8
FEAT* 15 IMPROVED CRITICAL (Falchion): Proficient with weapon, BAB +8.
Two Personas (Ex): Overcome multiclass penalties.
Death Touch (Sp): At 8th level, slay living spell 1/day. FortDC 10+ClL+Cha.

LEVEL 16-17 Marshal 3-4
Motivate Urgency[/B]: Allies’ base land speed is increased by 5' × bonus(1).

Determined Caster: All allies 60' Cha to overcome spell resistance.

LEVEL 18 SWORDSAGE - ToB15
Desert Wind, Diamond Mind, Setting Sun, Shadow Hand, Stone Dragon, and Tiger Claw.
FEAT 18 IMPROVED UNARMED STRIKE [GENERAL]
Considered armed. Do not provoke AoO, do get AoO. Deal lethal or non. **(Qualify for PA and iteratives).
Quick to Act (Ex): +1 initiative.
Discipline Focus (Ex): Weapon Focus (Falchion): with chosen discipline (DW). +1 attack w selected weapon.

Maneuvers: 6 - 4 - 1
Stance - Island of Blades: All allies adjacent/all creatures flank.
Emerald Razor (Diam2): Strike—Turn melee strike into touch attack.
Bounding Assault (Diam4): Strike—Double move and attack.
Rapid Counter (Diam5): Counter—Strike opponent who provokes attack from you.
Burning Brand (Desert2): Boost—Gain +5' reach, deal fire damage.
Fan the Flames (Desert3): Strike—Ranged touch attack deals 6d6 fire damage.
Searing Charge (Desert4): Strike—Fly while charging, deal +5d6 fire damage.

LEVEL 19-20 - ToD 9-10
Summon Demon (Sp): 1/day 9th-level ToD summon 10 HD.

Demogorgon’s Will (Sp): Limited wish 1/day, 3rds prayers to Demogorgon before granted. No xp cost or material components.
Scaly flesh +4
BONUS FEAT 10 Extra Turning

[Zaq]

Excellent work, my friend! I winced a few times when you pointed out some of my flaws that I hadn't noticed, but I'm having a very hard time saying that you were anything other than fair. Thank you for judging—the amount of effort that went into that is very noticeable!

[The Viscount]

Very thorough, and very fair. I feel like you really appreciated what I was building towards in my entry and you went through it in detail. Many thanks, Sam!

[Thurbane]

Thanks for the judging WhamBamSam: I can't fault anything you've written about my entry, so no disputes from me. :smallsmile:

[Darrin]

I do not have any disputes. I have some explainin' to do, but not really any disputes.




Entry
Alignment/Race
Stub
Judge: Whambamsam
Total



Speeloxhuu (link) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=22441645&postcount=106)
CE Muckdweller
Soulborn 2/Barbarian 1/Fighter 1/Truenamer 3/Wizard 1/Thrall of Demogorgon 10/Battle Trickster 2
16.5
16.5




Reed Armstrong (link) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=22441634&postcount=103)
CE Wood Elf
Hexblade 4/Justicar of Taiia 1/Thrall of Demogorgon 8/Binder 3/Crusader 1/Warblade 1/Thrall of Demogorgon +2
16.0
16.0



Hitomi Marik (link) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=22441648&postcount=108)
CE Unseelie Fey Silverbrow Human
Rogue 1/Binder 1/Seductive Swashbuckler 4/Thrall of Demogorgon 10/Noble 1/Totemist 3
15.75
15.75



Vemunix the Accursed (link) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=22441661&postcount=111)
CE Vanara
Hexblade 4/Thrall of Demogorgon 10/Warblade 2/Crusader 4
15.75
15.75



Marcus Armstrong (link) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=22441632&postcount=102)
CE Human
Rogue 1/Warblade 4/Thrall of Demogorgon 10/Master of Nine 5
15.5
15.5



Fra'alstrog the Bold (link) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=22441637&postcount=105)
NE Neraph
Incarnate 7/Totemist 2/SA-HnR Fighter 1/Thrall of Demogorgon 10
15.25
15.25



Nausho, the Thrallmaker (link) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=22441629&postcount=101)
CE Feral Human
SHugenja 8/Thrall of Demogorgon 8/Hexer 3
15.0
15.0



Drake Carmine (link) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=22441660&postcount=110)
CE Daelkyr Half-Blood
Hexblade 5/Thrall of Demogorgon 10/Slime Lord 5
14.5
14.5



Altaes Dilmare (link) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=22441635&postcount=104)
CE Human
Sorcerer 5/Fiend-Blooded 4/Thrall of Demogorgon7/Fatespinner 4
13.75
13.75



Kayzo Grondi (link) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=22441658&postcount=109)
CE Neraph
Factotum 4/SA Fighter 1/Thrall to Demogorgon 10/Factotum +2/Assassin 1/Factotum +2
13.0
13.0



Endo (link) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=22441664&postcount=112)
CE something
Cloistered Cleric 1/Paladin of Slaughter 2/Marshal 2/Outcast Champion 2/Thrall of Demogorgon 5/Swordsage 1/Thrall of Demogorgon +3/Marshal +2/Thrall of Demogorgon +2/Crusader 1
12.25
12.25



Hurk (Smash) (link) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=22441646&postcount=107)
CE Longtooth Shifter
SLT Barbarian 4/Warshaper 3/Totemist 2/Rogue 1/Thrall of Demogoron 10
11.75
11.75

[Wolfem]

I have updated the ICO Spreadsheet (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1oyjVU5JmeCnC8YTMqDArDqE5PszHl0Ysadz630kuTGk/edit?ts=59a4835f#gid=0) with the judging info. Do we have a list of who the Chefs were for each of these builds?

[Venger]

I have updated the ICO Spreadsheet (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1oyjVU5JmeCnC8YTMqDArDqE5PszHl0Ysadz630kuTGk/edit?ts=59a4835f#gid=0) with the judging info. Do we have a list of who the Chefs were for each of these builds?

Not yet. Is Whambamsam our only judge?

[WhamBamSam]

Not yet. Is Whambamsam our only judge?Amph said he'd be judging before the reveal, but hasn't said anything since, and we're way past the deadline, so probably.

[Wolfem]

From the OP:


Judges will have until 07:59 GMT on Tuesday, October 17th, 2017 to judge the builds and submit their scores. If no judges have scored by that point, only the scores of the first judge to submit will be counted.

Heliomance can of course overrule this.

[Thurbane]

I think we're OK to have a final reveal...we're quite far over the original deadlines already.

[jdizzlean]

i did have a dispute sent in, on the 10th.. it hasn't been posted yet, i think Helio is MIA

[Venger]

she was last active like an hour ago. I'm sure she'll turn up. the current iron chef's waiting on its dishes to be posted as well.

[daremetoidareyo]

she was last active like an hour ago. I'm sure she'll turn up. the current iron chef's waiting on its dishes to be posted as well.

Now that you mention it, the Christmas holidays do have a weird temporal component that seems to repeat year after year. No one has time to judge, and everyone's benignly impatient because they have time to build.

[Venger]

Now that you mention it, the Christmas holidays do have a weird temporal component that seems to repeat year after year. No one has time to judge, and everyone's benignly impatient because they have time to build.

makes sense. when you cook, you're doing one or two dishes, when you judge, you have to read and think about all of them. inevitable consequence of everyone being busy from halloween til new years every year.

[Heliomance]

Apologies for the delay. Disputes follow:



Originality:
I don’t think because I didn’t write a novel for background info that my fluff is any less fulfilling then anyone else’s. While I wasn’t penalized per se, I don’t think a zero score bump is reflective.

Power:
As the author of the only full casters in this comp, I feel as though you have a preconceived notion that a caster has no place in this SI. Being penalized on both builds for making a caster who clearly can’t get full casting in an SI that only has 6/10 casting seems misplaced. Clearly there will be hurdles to overcome, which I attempted to do, and believe that I overcame at least in some regard.

Elegance:
If I’m correct by RAW, then why am I being penalized for RAI? To expand on that, upon taking the Feral Template, my type changes to monstrous humanoid, at which point all HD become “monster HD” for the purpose of scaling effects.

SI use:
I don’t think taking 2 more levels of the SI for the sole purpose of getting Demo’s Will would have been beneficial to the overall build at all. While I haven’t been penalized again, it seems like you give (0’s) out when you don’t agree with something, yet are unwilling to penalize or award. Dropping out of the SI when it’s beneficial to the overall build is more important than taking it to a full 10 lvl progression.




Originality:
Copying my sentiment on casting in this SI from above, further advancing that I don’t believe I deserve a penalty in this case for doing so, especially since the PRC’s are thematically appropriate for this build!

Power:
Again, the inherent dislike for an SI that does have casting progression doesn’t mean that I should be penalized simply for building a caster for this SI. I should be judged on what I’ve done w/ casting as it relates to what the SI has to offer, and how I blend that in w/ the rest of my build. Not penalized because “why does a caster want anything to do w/ ToD?”. If you follow this logic, then the other builds that are all melee builds should be penalized for approaching it the same, and that wouldn’t be logical in the slightest.

Use of SI:
As you state, and as I stated also above, simply exiting the SI early shouldn’t warrant a non penalty in the case of a 0. In this case, spending 3 more levels on the SI for the sole purpose of getting 1 more daily use of a spell I already know, and that frankly on a full caster build isn’t really that exciting, shouldn’t be seen as detrimental to the build.


Thank you for your thorough judging.

originality
I'm glad you enjoyed my backstory. Do you think there's a way I could get that best in show quarter point this round?

power
If I'd dipped monk 1, I would've undoubtedly been penalized in elegance more than I would've gained in power, also I would've been dinged re: alignment since thralls of demogorgon must be CE.

if I had dedicated myself an an elder evil and anyone but you had judged, I would've been absolutely savaged in elegance, so I elected not to do so.

[WhamBamSam]

For reference, I posted my judging criteria (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=22411485&postcount=78) earlier in the thread.

Nausho

The quarter point for fluff is basically entirely subjective. I happened to be less taken with your fluff than some of the others. Length wasn't necessarily the issue (Speeloxhuu and Vermunix got the quarter point without going crazy for instance). Score Stands

I do attempt to reward the use you put the SI to as a caster, in UoSI. That subcategory of Power is approaching things from a slightly different angle, assessing whether you are made stronger by the SI's inclusion relative to what would be an expected course for your build. The purpose of its inclusion in my rubric is to avoid overly rewarding Druid 10/SI 10 or what have you, which often can do synergistic things with all of a SI's abilities, but clearly represents poor Druid optimization. As a full caster, you would certainly be made more powerful by advancing casting progression than by what ToD offers you. Score Stands

You're probably correct by my reading, but it's a contested point from what I've seen on forums. I'm on one side of an argument, but a hypothetical DM could be on the other side of it without being an unreasonable person. Thus, this presents a potential problem in bringing the build to a generic gaming table (or at least one where a demon thrall is an acceptable PC) which is what Elegance is supposed to measure. Score Stands

My UoSI rubric rewards you for each SI class feature that you do something notable with. It doesn't penalize at all, but it starts from 1 and works up. You don't get Demogorgon's Will, so you don't do anything notable with Demogorgon's Will. I might be persuaded agree with you that it represents better overall optimization, as finishing the SI would have resulted in coming up short of 7th level spells, but that's for the Power category to assess (though really it's kinda a wash as Summon Major Demon and Limited Wish are probably better than the 7ths you get). To get any credit here, you'd have to convince me that leaving the SI early made for better use of the SI's abilities (ie, that the final ability actively worked against the optimization of the SI or that you needed that level for more important synergy with some other class feature). Score Stands

Altaes

You weren't penalized in Originality for being a Sorcerer (except to the extent that I thought it was among the more likely full caster classes to use for casting entry). You were penalized for being a very conventional Sorcerer. You built competently and were rewarded for it in Power, but you didn't bring anything new to the table in terms of Sorcerer optimization. Score Stands

As in Nausho's dispute, the SI clearly hurts you relative to a more conventional caster progression. As for why the melee builds weren't penalized, some of them were. Hurk, for instance, doesn't get anything from the feat progression that two levels of Fighter wouldn't give him, and other features don't appeal to his needs as much as they do to others, so he also did poorly there. But ultimately, the reason that I was kinder to the melee builds is that ToD generally improved them over the baseline, and that's not true for you. Fighter 10/ToD 10 is clearly better than Fighter 20. Sorcerer 10/ToD 10 is clearly worse than Sorcerer 20. Score Stands

In this case, leaving early certainly represents better optimization, but it doesn't represent better use of the SI. You don't get Demogorgon's Will, so you don't get points for optimizing Demogorgon's Will. Score Stands

Marcus

I posted my rubric prior to the reveal, and don't feel it's fair to the other entries to change it now, even if I'd like to. Score Stands

I was speaking more in terms of a generic Master of Nine build. The net feat gain from the SI doesn't ultimately get you any closer to the goal of Mo9 entry than a Monk 1 dip would. If we're committed to being a CE Mo9 in particular, then I suppose the closer comparison would be to a Fighter 2 dip or a Fighter 1 dip and the 5th level of Warblade, but I feel the point still stands. Score Stands

That's probably true. I feel that when we're already accepting a thrall of a demon prince, Elder Evil worship doesn't force you into evil acts any more cartoonish than you're already committing, and am probably more cheese tolerant than average. Sometimes those are the breaks. I did really like your entry, and would have liked to see it tie for bronze, but I think everything I said holds up. Score Stands

[Venger]

That was fast. Thanks Whambamsam. Time for the reveal?

[jdizzlean]

i still have a point of contention, but i'll let it pass and deal with it via pm to whambam himself. It's probably more of a scoring disagreement then a dispute, but in the interests of closing this out, I'll say I'm good.

[Venger]

sounds good to me.

[Zaq]

I’m in favor of the reveal as well.

I’m especially interested in finding out who was responsible for [REDACTED].

[Heliomance]

Apologies for the further delay. The Christmas period always sends schedules out the window! Here's the results.



Entry
Chef
Alignment/Race
Stub
Judge: Whambamsam
Total



Speeloxhuu (link) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=22441645&postcount=106)
Zaq
CE Muckdweller
Soulborn 2/Barbarian 1/Fighter 1/Truenamer 3/Wizard 1/Thrall of Demogorgon 10/Battle Trickster 2
16.5
16.5




Reed Armstrong (link) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=22441634&postcount=103)
Darkcouch
CE Wood Elf
Hexblade 4/Justicar of Taiia 1/Thrall of Demogorgon 8/Binder 3/Crusader 1/Warblade 1/Thrall of Demogorgon +2
16.0
16.0



Hitomi Marik (link) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=22441648&postcount=108)
daremetoidareyo
CE Unseelie Fey Silverbrow Human
Rogue 1/Binder 1/Seductive Swashbuckler 4/Thrall of Demogorgon 10/Noble 1/Totemist 3
15.75
15.75



Vemunix the Accursed (link) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=22441661&postcount=111)
Thurbane
CE Vanara
Hexblade 4/Thrall of Demogorgon 10/Warblade 2/Crusader 4
15.75
15.75



Marcus Armstrong (link) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=22441632&postcount=102)
Venger
CE Human
Rogue 1/Warblade 4/Thrall of Demogorgon 10/Master of Nine 5
15.5
15.5



Fra'alstrog the Bold (link) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=22441637&postcount=105)
Zaq
NE Neraph
Incarnate 7/Totemist 2/SA-HnR Fighter 1/Thrall of Demogorgon 10
15.25
15.25



Nausho, the Thrallmaker (link) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=22441629&postcount=101)
jdizzlean
CE Feral Human
SHugenja 8/Thrall of Demogorgon 8/Hexer 3
15.0
15.0



Drake Carmine (link) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=22441660&postcount=110)
The Viscount
CE Daelkyr Half-Blood
Hexblade 5/Thrall of Demogorgon 10/Slime Lord 5
14.5
14.5



Altaes Dilmare (link) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=22441635&postcount=104)
jdizzlean
CE Human
Sorcerer 5/Fiend-Blooded 4/Thrall of Demogorgon7/Fatespinner 4
13.75
13.75



Kayzo Grondi (link) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=22441658&postcount=109)
Darrin
CE Neraph
Factotum 4/SA Fighter 1/Thrall to Demogorgon 10/Factotum +2/Assassin 1/Factotum +2
13.0
13.0



Endo (link) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=22441664&postcount=112)
bean ilius
CE something
Cloistered Cleric 1/Paladin of Slaughter 2/Marshal 2/Outcast Champion 2/Thrall of Demogorgon 5/Swordsage 1/Thrall of Demogorgon +3/Marshal +2/Thrall of Demogorgon +2/Crusader 1
12.25
12.25



Hurk (Smash) (link) (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=22441646&postcount=107)
jdizzlean
CE Longtooth Shifter
SLT Barbarian 4/Warshaper 3/Totemist 2/Rogue 1/Thrall of Demogoron 10
11.75
11.75




Congratulations to Zaq, Darkcouch, daremetoidareyo, and Thurbane for medalling! Sorry once more for the delays.

[WhamBamSam]

Congrats to the winners. Were there any HM votes besides mine for Fra'alstrog?

[Heliomance]

Congrats to the winners. Were there any HM votes besides mine for Fra'alstrog?

I didn't get any HM votes PMed to me, so unless there's any more in the thread it seems like Fra'alstrog gets an Honourable Mention!

[Venger]

Great to see the reveal! Thanks Heliomance!

Congratulations to all our medalists. daremetoidareyo, I was blown away by your build. How did the idea come to you?

WhamBamSam, I'm so glad you enjoyed my backstory this time around. I really enjoyed writing it. As far as premise goes, while flipping through bovd to find what kind of ritual murder thralls of demogorgon had to do, I was curious to see if any of the thralls or disciples' rituals contradicted each other. They did not, so I wanted to see how one might wrangle a ritual that incorporated all their criteria at once.

[Zaq]

My first time submitting multiple entries to the main contest, and I pull gold and HM? It doesn't get much better than that!

Man, this was a really fun round. I enjoyed seeing what everyone laid out.

Overall, the building portion was just more entertaining than it had any right to be. I had more fun building Speeloxhuu than with any other character I've made in a long time. It felt super weird to mix up my presentation style like that (disdain for capital letters, repetitive sentence structure, inconsistent affectation of non-American spellings, etc.), but I wanted to try to disguise my presence (since, y'know, it's a Truenamer build, or at least a build with Truenamer as a cornerstone, and it's specifically a Truenamer build using one of the dirty tricks in my handbook). As far as the build itself goes, though, it was basically one of those times when you have a stupid idea, and that stupid idea presents another stupid idea, and the stupid ideas keep chaining into each other—and then you realize that you could actually get away with sticking them into one build for some unholy reason. Also, I couldn't stop giggling at the stupid overwrought titles I kept giving him.

I basically had a thought process that I assume was similar to daremetoidareyo's in that we all know that the sacrifice rules (like the Cards Over Swords rules) exist, that they're easy to game, and that they're unbalanced as hell, so we all kind of collectively pretend that they don't exist most of the time. But then since we're already being cartoonishly evil and we already have to engage in ritual sacrifices to get into the SI, I thought I'd just go all-out and lay a sacrifice master on the table and see what happened. I actually don't remember at what point the build turned into a muckdweller, but once it happened, it just felt creepily perfect. (I think the initial element was the realization that the bonus feat could be used to get Confound the Big Folk "early," which means you want to be Tiny, but if you also want to do lots of damage to get sacrificial targets, you can't afford a big STR penalty that prevents Power Attack, so you mix in CE Soulborn, and then you've got an argument for optimizing the prereqs, and . . .) Sometimes it's fun to just lunge straight for the most ridiculous options (sure, let's sacrifice enemies to call sibriexes and then end up with a million cheap grafts, why not?!) and play them to the hilt, which was my goal. I'm glad that my gamble paid off, because I could totally have seen it backfiring. (As long as I got some kind of surprised reaction, though, that was what I was really looking for—I feel like Speeloxhuu would make a distressingly memorable villain!)

Fra'alstog* was actually my first idea, which was basically just an attempt to glue Incarnate's many bonuses to "melee damage" onto Rotting Touch and then see what happened from there. I nearly lost the build in the middle because I'd confused the Gorgon Mask (petrify as Flesh to Stone with no inherent time limit 1/day; Throat bind) with the Basilisk Mask (petrify as Flesh to Stone for 1 round at-will; Totem bind). I had a big pile of feats set up to poach the Gorgon Mask (thinking it was the Basilisk Mask) for my Dual Action shenanigans, but then I realized that I had confused the two and that I would need to carve enough levels out of the build to get access to the Totem bind, which made a lot of the prereqs get really ugly really fast. I'm actually pleased with Fra'alstog's final build, though—we always have to put on our game face and bravely sell these ridiculous builds as being "totally functional, no really" when we know most of the time that they wouldn't hold up in a real game as well as we might hope, but I managed to convince myself that she would actually be a playable character for most of the game, which was surprising! I kind of feel like Thrall of Demogorgon is almost like a weird semi-fixed kind of Fighter, given that it gives four all-purpose bonus feats, full BAB, and a handful of abilities that are hard to build around but that are reasonably decent to have in one's back pocket. There was sort of a liberating element there.

I do have to say that I expected at least one other build to use the Mortalbane + Rotting Touch combo, but hey, I'll take the points if no one else felt like it.

Overall, we had some amazing contestants this time around. Hitomi Marik is, I feel, the obvious show-off for style points, but the concept of weaponizing potions of Fox's Cunning was hilarious enough that I have to applaud it. Drake Carmine also made me laugh (I expected reach optimization, given that we already have Willing Deformity and get the temporary reach increase from the class, but that went in a wildly different direction than I expected), I really liked the presentation on Vemunix the Accursed (the snide little side comments were what sold it), and I loved Marcus Armstrong's backstory once I gave myself enough time to actually read the whole thing. The writing quality kind of gave you away, Venger. That's kind of the opposite of a "tell" with my builds—I'm not actually an especially good fiction writer, and my character backstory write-ups usually end up (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=21320003&postcount=96) kind of (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=19850581&postcount=177) stilted and (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=10359380&postcount=112) boring (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=11872303&postcount=226) before I get into the mechanical crunchy bits I love, at least unless there's a fundamental (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=19553609&postcount=256) joke (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showsinglepost.php?p=18265521&postcount=120) that the character is building up to. Fra'alstog's backstory was originally just that awkward, non-Chaotic part (almost as bad as "She came into existence on Limbo. She fell in with a bad crowd of evil githzerai who taught her soulmelds. She felt chaos tugging in her soul because neraph. She sacrificed someone to a demon and became a ToD. The end.") before I smacked myself upside the head and started ranting out loud about how boring it was. The best I could do was make fun of myself.

Overall, though, this was an absolutely amazing round. Congrats to everyone who got a build in, and many thanks again to WhamBamSam for taking the time and effort to judge fairly and well!

*The title "the Bold" should actually be "the Boldface," but Fra'alstog only learned Common very recently.

[Venger]

Thanks, Zaq. Glad you enjoyed it. I had a great time writing it. Always interesting to see the thought process of another chef.

[daremetoidareyo]

Congratulations to all our medalists. daremetoidareyo, I was blown away by your build. How did the idea come to you?


Thanks Venger.

I'm going to detail my thought process, but it might destroy the magic. Read further at your own risk.

Optimize hypnotism as a gaze attack
The class made me read the hypnotism spell for what felt like the first time. Running the optimize this feat threads and making the guidebook to bluff skills (all in the sig) gave me a ton of these diplomacy/bluff spare parts. Hypnotism on a gaze attack just seemed to pair so well with some diplomacy optimization.

As far as character story, I had to use dragon clan to have access to what is possibly one of the most OP ancestor feats that I've ever read. I was building the symbiotic human freaky mutant friday character in the multiheaded villainous competition, so I had happened to crack open dragon #318 anyway to see if there was some update OA material that I hadn't been paying attention to.

Rogue into binder was obvious, and the ability to use both diplomacy and bluff seemingly interchangeably as standard actions made that swashbuckler ACF to seduce to learn secret ability too good to pass up. As a standard action, bluff could be used to replace any of the neat diplomacy feats in mid combat.

The binder ability to get bird eyes viewing offers a potential gaze attack avenue that I forgot to write up. Plus naberius's skills are an asset to any build. The ability to modify almost anybody towards friendly and romantically interested through diplomacy as a combat action made hypnotism a spell that could be used along with forgery and bluff to get you access to anywhere in a situation that includes low level servants...

Optimize dual actions
I knew that I wanted to extend the supernatural ability of the dual actions. The first build I tried to make was a multiheaded synad with that synad racial feat. I just couldn't make it not cheesey and I didn't want to write out thinly veiled pathos to describe that monstrosity of an idea. So I control F searched the manual of the planes for higher order abilities to see if anything synergized. And breaching obelisk was perfect. A supernatural ability to timestop without a need for caster levels? Heck yeah.

The cards over swords optimize this feat was one of my favorites. But it has a huge drawback to be playing cards in battle: unless you can play everyone at the same time, you are going to get killed real fast. Dual actions + breaching obelisk gets you multiple actions in a round to really sow some pre-combat havoc.

Character particulars
Three dragon ante seemed like a cash grab of a product to me. But the cards over swords feat lent itself to Collectible Card Game fluff. And during the optimize this feat, I had dug up the rules for profession (card gambler) that allowed you to trounce anyone. So I grabbed a Yu Gi Oh villain, and wedged them into this dragonclan fey human suit as hard as I could. And the intelligence aspect of the game paired with how squishy a dude I had made, offered me the opportunity to consider making this character into a Chaotic Evil Pacifist. It seemed to me that Demogorgon would absolutely love the idea of a thrall of this sort. Beatsticks are easy to overcome, but sexuality-wielding diplomancer blackmailer who could survive the social encounters wherein speaking fails has the potential to topple kingdoms. Marik's biggest threat is a dude specced out in sense motive and points in the profession card gambler skill, who would probably have to be a good guy, and I imagined how much fun a DM could have trying to make that character. They need to make Yu Gi Oh, basically.

Undead empathy and animal empathy were my backup plans to expand out the use of the diplomacy skill and charisma optimization. Animal empathy comes from either a druid, ardent, or totemist, and I wanted to get the girallon claws soulmeld just in case the judge argued that I couldn't start 4-8 games of cards over swords over the course of two extended dual action breach obelisk rounds without the ability to have extra hands. So totemist was obvious.


Our Judge nailed all of the major points about the character too. He is a cheesy diplomancer. He's also kinda fun to play and its probably mostly my fault that cards over swords is entirely played out here on this forum. And unseelie fey is super duper cheesey.