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Frojoe21
2005-09-01, 12:38 AM
Inspiration for the Cadre

A couple months ago, a friend of mine came up with a group of bad, nasty guys for a comic he had created, and asked me to give them a little more depth. He needed that depth in order to have a limit to what these bad guys could do, so I created these monstrosities.

After a few days of 2am labour and revising, I came up with some stats reflecting them. Loathing and Pain were easy enough, because they were pretty basic in their concept. Disgrace was a bit of a challenge, because the description I was given was incredibly vague and contradicting. At first Disgrace was big, then small, then all over the place. The ability combination I gave hum sort of solved the problem.

Out of all of them, my favourite to design was Pain. The main reason was that it was just so simple, yet so deep. He was a hulking, stitched up brute, who was incredibly smart, but incredibly basic. I liked that.

Origin of the Cadre
By Axelgear (http://www.giantitp.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?action=viewprofile;username=Axelgear)

It is a well known fact, at least to some, that there are other worlds beyond our own. Other planes, other orbs of existance. Sometimes, these worlds come into brief contact with our own, ours leaving our mark on theirs, and theirs leaving a little piece behind in ours. One such piece were 25 shards of the Coat of Sanity, a large, duster-like cloak, white with a winding vine-like design in grey all over it. These pieces scattered all over the globe, and slowly were drawn together, four coming together in concentrations of five, five, five, and ten. These formed into Fear, Pain, Disgrace, and Loathing respectively. Absorbing the strongest energies they could percieve around them at the time, emotion, the masses of shredded fabric took form as manifestations of each.

A dying Eastern Lord brought terrible disgrace to his Samurai, their failure leaving them without honor. Disgrace took form from that point, his scarred bone face taking shape as the elderly man roasted away in a fire, his long tendrils taking form from the streams of blood that left the Samurai, as they took their own lives in Hari-Kari, the honorable death with their master being their final duty. Disgrace was immediatly born from the flames and shot into the darkness of night.

A young child running through the woods brought Fear life, as the outstretched limbs of the trees and their gnarled bark seemed to form terrifying faces, the thunder overhead completing the terror as a bandit caught the child. Fear emerged from the tattered rags in the mire that formed on the roadside. His spiney face came from the childs imagination, armor-plated skin and steel-strength bone snapped as they broke and reshaped themselves, until taking shape. Fears first words came immediatly then, his long, razor tongue moistening his lidless eyes. The bandit had no time to yell as Fear ripped the flesh from his face, and disembowled him and his horse, the child dissapearing into the night. Fear had tasted blood, and fear itself. He adopted his namesake, and left to hunt down his ulterior prey.

A torture chamber was the most apt place for the creation of Pain, and the end result of week-long tortures, ended only by the smell of gangrene that displeasured the cruel tyrants nose, awoke something in the tattered rags that the corpse wore. Stitched together pieces of the coat forced the person to rise, entering the form, the stitched closed wounds, salted and blooded, and large helm sealed to the flesh created a terrifying figure as it grew to massive proportions, oozing puss from its infected wounds. The torturers creation was the pinultimate result of their art, and had they not spent the next eleven days chained to the walls, suffering unimaginable pain, they may have been quite proud of it. Pain broke free after, and sought his way to his brethren.

Loathing was the most powerful of the creations, and aptly so, as there is little stronger a feeling than hate and loathing bred between one person and his enemy. Loathing was born on the battlefield, rising on the fifth day between a war of two nations that spanned more than a century. Rising in the winds of night over the writhing masses of soldiers near death, Loathing was born of the hate that left their body. A dying soldier hates no more, and Loathing alleviated them of this excess hatred. He also tore the life from their body. The terrible screams heard for miles were him unleashing his full potential. King of Hate and Master of Shadow, Loathing leads the Cadre of Suffering with an iron fist, his deadly potential fully realized, and he has no mercy for any living creature in his path.


Images of the Cadre

http://img289.imageshack.us/img289/7529/mgcadre9pf.png

http://img289.imageshack.us/img289/7529/mgcadre9pf.png

Frojoe21
2005-09-01, 09:08 AM
Although the members of the Cadre of Suffering can be destroyed, it does not last for long. The shards of the coat of sanity rebuild their tattered remains slowly. Such a process takes 2d4 weeks. There is no known way to stop this process and not even a Wish, Miracle or Reality revision can stop it. It is rumored that there are several artifacts that can, but none have been found.
[hr]
Fear
Fear, Terror Incarnate
Medium Abberation (Psionic, Chaotic, Evil)
Hit Dice: 15d8+30 (150hp)
Initiative: +6
Speed: 50 ft. (10 squares)
Armor Class: 22 (+5 Dex, +5 Natural, +2 Profane)
Touch: 15, flat-footed 17
Base Attack/Grapple: +7/+9
Attack: Claw +13 Melee (1d6+2 Plus 1d6 Str Damage), or Tongue +16 ranged (1d4+2 plus fear)
Full Attack: 2 claws +11 Melee (1d6+2 Plus 1d6 Str Damage), or Tongue +16/+11/+6 ranged (1d4+2)
Special Attacks: Psi Like abilites, Consume Sanity, Paralyzing Gaze
Special Qualities: Aura of Terror, Damage Reduction 15/Cold Iron, Ethereal Jaunt 2/day, Assume Fear, Psionic powers
Saves: Fort +6, Ref +8, Will +8
Abilites: Str 15 Dex 21 Con 16, Int 24, Wis 12, Cha 20
Skills: Bluff +18, Craft +7, Concentration +16, Diplomacy +5, Hide +18, Intimidate +18, Jump +2, Knowledge (Arcana) +14, Knowledge (Psionics) +13, Knowledge (the Planes) +14, Move Silently +5, Search +13 , Spot +7, Tumble +12
Feats: Ability Focus: Aura of Terror Dodge, Improved Initiative, Multiattack, Weapon Focus: Claws
Environment: None
Organization: Solitary, Group (Disgrace, Loathing, Pain)
Challenge Rating: 15
Treasure: None
Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Advancement: By Character Class
Level Adjustment: --

Fear is part of a horrible foursome known as the Cadre of Suffering. Each member represents and has been touched by a part of the mortal psyche, and they use their element as their plaything. Fear causes extreme terror within his victims, driving them to insanity and suicide

Combat

Fear uses read thoughts to find his opponents most feared object or person in existance and promptly uses Assume Fear to frighten them into submission before hacking away with his vicious and relentless assaults on their body and mind.

Assume Fear (Su)
After reading a subjects thoughs for three rounds, Fear appears to the subject as the object they fear most. The target then must make a will save (DC at the DM's discression) or be shaken for 2d6 rounds and suffer an addional -2 on all attack rolls and saves for two rounds longer. A true seeing spell negates this ability. This is a mind affecting fear effect.

Aura of Terror (Su)
Fear constantly emits an aura of terror that that consumes and affects all mortals within its range. The aura has a 50 foot radius and everyone in contact with it suffers a -2 penalty on all attacks, damage, saves and skill checks that require concentration. A DC 15 will save negates this. For every 5 feet an opponent approaches, the penalty increases by -2 and the save DC increases by 2. This is a fear effect.

Ethereal Jaunt (Su)
As the spell, cast by a 16th level sorcerer

Paralyzing Gaze (Su)
As a standard action, Fear can gaze at a target within his line of sight. The target must succeed a DC 15 will save or be Paralyzed for three rounds. For each time Fear uses this attack after the first, increase the DC by 2. This is a fear effect

Psionic Powers (Su)
Fear manifests psionic powers as a 7th level telepath.

Powers Known (6/3/2/2/2;Save DC 17+power level)
1st-Attraction, Detect Psionics, Far Hand, Mind Thrust, Force Screen, Precognition, Offensive. ; 2nd-Control Sound, Id Insinuation, Inflict Pain, Tongues, Read thoughts; 3rd-Dispel Psionics, Forced Shared Pain); 4th-Death Urge, Dominate; Power points 70

Consume Sanity (Ex)
When Fear become corporeal a victim in the same square as Fear is consumed by him. 2d4 rounds later, Fear reguritates the victim and they are left with 1 intelligence, wisdom and charisma. Whenever Fear uses this ability, he takes 3d8+2 damage due to the strain on his body. Fear may only use this ability while ethereal jaunt is active and he is in the same square as the victim. Fear can only consume creatures of his size.
[hr]
Pain
Pain, Agony's Essence
Large Undead (Chaotic, Evil, Psionic)
Hit Dice: 15d12 (135hp)
Initiative: +7
Speed: 20 feet. (4 Squares)
Armor Class: 19 (+3 Dex, -1 Size,+5 Natural, +2 Profane)
touch 15, flat-footed 15
Base Attack/Grapple: +7/+25
Attack: Slam +16 (2d6+10 plus 1d4 con)
Full Attack: 2 slams +14 (2d6+10 plus 1d4 con)
Special Attacks: Inflict Moderate Wounds, Agony
Special Qualities: Damage reduction 8/-,Psi Like abilities, Undead traits, Vicious Healing
Saves: Fort -- Ref +4 Will +8
Abilities: Str 30 Dex 16 Con -- Int 14 Wis 8 Cha 6
Skills: Balance +21, Climb +28, Jump +28, Escape Artist +21, Swim +28 Survival +17
Feats: Improved Initiative, Combat Expertise, Improved Trip, Improved Grapple, Combat Reflexes, Multiattack
Environment: None
Organization: Solitary, Group (Loathing, Disgrace, Fear)
Challenge Rating: 15
Treasure: None
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
Advancement: By Character Class
Level Adjustment: --

Pain is part of a horrible foursome known as the Cadre of Suffering. Each member represets and has been touched by a part of the mortal psyche, and they use their element as their plaything. Pain causes agony, warping the flesh and body.

Combat

Pain looks for any possible method to inflict agony on any living thing. Normally, he starts off by using inflict moderate wounds and agony to weaken his adversaries. He then uses share pain on all of them to make it even more excruciating to fight this monstrosity. He then smashes them with his slam attacks, causing constitution damage as well as a massive amount.

Agony (Su)
Pain himself is in fact agony in a physical form. Anyone who comes within 10 feet of him automatically suffer 2d10 points of negative energy damage. For each round an opponent is within 10 feet of Pain, they must make a fortitude save DC 17 or be wracked with pure agony and is paralyzed for 4d4 rounds.

Inflict Moderate Wounds (Su)
As the spell, cast by a 15th level cleric

Psi Like abilities (Su)
At will: Forced Shared Pain, Inflict Pain; manifester level equal to 1/2 hit dice
1/day: Crisis of Breath, Death Urge

Vicious Healing (Su)
Whenever an opponent affected by Pain's Agony ability takes damage, Pain heals 1/4 of the damage dealt to that opponent.
[hr]
Loathing
Loathing, Hatred Embodied
Medium Outsider (Incorporeal, Psionic, Chaotic, Evil)
Hit Dice: 15d8 (90hp)
Initiative: +2
Speed: 50ft. (10 Squares)
Armor Class: 29 (+2 Dex, +15 Deflection, +2 Profane)
touch 29, flat-footed 27
Base attack/Grapple: +15/--
Attack: Incorporeal Touch attack +16 (2d6 wis damage)
Full Attack: Incorporeal Touch attack +16/+11/+6 (2d6 wis damage)
Special Attacks: Hatred
Special Qualities: Incorporeal Traits,Dominate monster 10/day, Vulnerabilites, Telekenisis, Polymorph object at will
Saves: Fort +9 Ref +13 Will +8
Abilities: Str -- Dex 19 Con 10 Int 14 Wis 9 Cha 30
Skills: Bluff +38, Diplomacy +35, Intimidate +36, Knowledge (Arcana) +20, Knowledge (Psionics) +20, Knowledge (The planes) +20, Listen +17, Sense Motive +17
Feats: Skill Focus: Bluff, Skill Focus: Intimidate, Deceitful, Abiltiy Focus: Hatred, Improved Initiative, Weapon Focus: Incoporeal Touch
Environment: None
Organization: Solitary, Group (Fear, Disgrace Pain)
Challenge Rating: 16
Treasure: None
Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Advancement: By Character Class
Level Adjustment: --

Loathing is part of a horrible foursome known as the Cadre of Suffering. Each member represents and has been touched by a part of the mortal psyche, and they use their element as their plaything. Loathing uses the power of suggestion to inspire hate and anger within his victims, making them fight each other and become consumed with jealosy.

Combat

Loathing rarely enters combat, but when he does he relies on his incorporeal abilites to avoid being hit. He usually starts by using suggestion to inspire anger and jealosy between the combatants if they are in a group. He then uses his hatred ability to finish the job.

Hatred (Su)
As a standard action, Loathing can surround himself with pure negative energy. This provides him a +2 profane bonus to Armor Class. As a full round action, he can release the negative energy in a 25 foot burst. All subjects within the burst, including Loathing, must make a will save DC 12+ the number of rounds the profane bonus was applied to AC or take 2d6 points of damage and 1d8 points of wisdom damage.

Dominate Monster (Sp)
10/day, as the spell, cast by a 15th level sorcerer.

Vulnerablilites (Su)
Loathing has immense power, but it comes at a price. Healing spells affect him the way they affect undead and do not have the 50% chance to not affect him. Any source of light produced by a holy source (Such as a good aligned Cleric) deal 5d10 damage to him. This damage can be negated with a DC 30 fortitude save.
[hr]
Disgrace
Disgrace, Shames Spectre
Small Abberation ( Lawful, Evil)
Hit Dice: 15d8-30 (60hp)
Initiative: +4
Speed: 20ft (4 squares)
Armor Class: 22(+4 Dex, +1 Size, +5 Natural, +2 Profane)
touch 17, flat-footed 18
Base Attack/Grapple: +11/+6
Attack: Claw +8 (1d4-1)
Full Attack: Two Claws +8 (1d4-1)
Special Attacks: Dispair, Judgement, Sneak Attack +4d6
Special Qualities: Unstable Body, Shame, Greater Invisibility 3/day
Saves: Fort +3 Ref +9 Will +10
Abilities: Str 8 Dex 18 Con 7 Int 17 Wis 12 Cha 15
Skills: Bluff +22, Concentration +16, Disguise +22, Hide +24, Move Silently +24, Tumble +22
Feats: Stealthy, Deceitful, Run, Dodge, Combat Reflexes, Improved Feint
Environment: None
Organization: Group (Fear, Pain, Loathing)
Challenge Rating: 15
Treasure: None
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Advancement: By Character Class
Level Adjustment: --

Disgrace is part of a horrible foursome known as the Cadre of Suffering. Each member represents and has been touched by a part of the mortal psyche, and they use their element as their plaything. Disgrace cowers and judges others with no recognition of his own faults.

Combat

Disgrace rarely enters combat. He will avoid it at any cost by trying to hide and lie his way out of any situation. He is a coward, but he can also be a dangerous opponent. He usually starts combat by using his judgement ability and catching opponents off guard, using sneak attacks.

Dispair
Disgrace always emits an aura of pure depresssion. All living creatures within 25 feet of disgrace suffer a -2 penalty of on all attack, damage, skill checks and saves.

Greater Invisibilty
As the spell cast by a 7th level wizard at will.

Judgement
As a full round action, Disgrace can judge anyone within the range of his despair ability. Everyone in range must make a will save DC 19 or suffer an additional -5 penalty on all attack, damage skill checks and saves for 2d6 rounds. Disgrace can only use this ability once every 2d10 rounds.

Shame
Every time Disgrace is damaged by a melee attacjk, the attacker must make a will save DC 16 or lose his next three turns.

Sneak Attack
As the rogue ability, Except +4d6

Unstable Body
Every time Disgrace uses his judgement ability, Disgrace increases one size category and his constitution increases by 2. There is a cumulative 5% chance that he will become ethereal for 2d10 rounds after the round that his size increases. When Disgrace becomes material again, he decreases by one size category and his constitution is reduced by 2.

Frojoe21
2005-09-02, 07:48 PM
I'm opening the floor for comments

Cantankerous
2005-09-02, 10:47 PM
I think they're slightly underpowered for CR 15. And there are a few spelling/grammatical errors. That usually detracts.

But it is a rather nice introduction to the history of these creatures.

Serpitus
2005-09-08, 01:23 PM
The DC30 in the vulnerabilities for Loathing to divine light should be revisited. At least from the standpoint that Its Fort save is +9 and therfore only achievable on a natural 20 and the house rule that all 20's succeed. Or is the monster expeceted to be equiped with items to compensate?

Otherwise nice.