I was given a PFS card for my first Pathfinder event at GenCon even though I already had a number from the website. Having run through 3 events so far, I would like to change my membership number but seem unable to do so in "My Account". I have no interest in starting over and have so far ignored any opportunities to try other scenarios since I fear that it will be for naught. I sent 2 e-mails to customer service back in August and was told someone would get back to me. Hopefully this will be taken care of eventually so I can start playing PFS scenarios again. Thank-you.
Starting gold is quite important for any level 1 character looking to buy armour. Imposing a 100 gp debt on a fighter is probably harsher than imposing a 200 gp debt on a monk.
I would assume the length of the sentence matches the debt. Assuming a miner makes 1 sp per day (DMG, page 105), it could take years to pay off 200 gp. Take a look at the Criminal Code of Greyhawk, found on page 67 of Greyhawk: The Adventure Begins. For major crimes such as manslaughter and burglary, criminals are sent to the mines when the fine imposed surpasses the individual's worth. Sentences vary from 1 to 20 years, sometimes for life. For minor crimes such as smuggling, criminals can be sentenced with up to 2 years of hard labour.
Kardic the Shadow Worm CR 13
hp 240 (16 HD); DR 10/silver
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Male Kyuss knight human rogue 7/fighter 1
CE medium undead (augmented humanoid)
Init +4; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Listen +20, Spot +20
Aura evil (strong)
Languages Abyssal, Ancient Suloise, Flan
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AC 26, touch 14, flat-footed 26; +2 vs. traps; Dodge, Mobility
(+4 Dex, +6 armour, +6 natural)
Immune undead traits; cold, electricity, fire (120 points)
Fort +11, Ref +16, Will +11; evasion, +2 vs. traps
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Speed 30 ft. (6 squares)
Melee+1 unholy greatsword +26/+21 (2d6+17, 19-20) & 2 bites +12 (1d4+11 plus 1d4 intelligence drain)
Base Atk +6; Grp +17
Atk Options power attack, spring attack
Special Actions gifts of Kyuss, sneak attack +4d6
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 16th)
At will — detect good
1/day — bull’s strength*, death knell, protection from energy*
*Already Cast
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Abilities Str 32, Dex 18, Con —, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 24
SQ dark blessing, martial calling, trapfinding, turn resistance +4, uncanny dodge, undead traits, unholy toughness, worm healing
Feats Combat Reflexes, Dodge, Mobility, Power Attack, Spring Attack
Skills Balance +13, Climb +21, Escape Artist +14, Hide +24, Intimidate +19, Jump +23, Knowledge (religion) +9, Listen +20, Move Silently +14, Spot +20, Tumble +16
Possessions+2 chain shirt, +1 unholy greatsword, cloak of shadows (+10 Hide), gloves of dexterity +2
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Kardic’s Gifts (Su): Three times a day as a free action (but only once per round), Kardic can transform a weapon he wields into shadow, allowing him to resolve one attack as a touch attack. Also three times a day, he can slip into shadow form himself as an immediate action to avoid a blow that would have hit him, granting him a 50% miss chance against that particular attack. Kardic must choose to use this ability before damage is determined.
Markath the Mage-Slayer CR 13
hp 240 (16 HD); DR 10/silver
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CE medium undead (augmented humanoid)
Male human Fighter 8
Init +1; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Listen +12, Spot +12
Aura evil (strong)
Languages Abyssal, Flan
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AC 29, touch 13, flat-footed 28
(+1 Dex, +10 armour, +6 natural, +2 deflection)
Miss Chance 20%
Immune undead traits; cold, electricity, fire (120 points)
Fort +13, Ref +10, Will +16
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Speed 20 ft. (4 squares), base movement 30 ft.
Melee+1 unholy greatsword +30/+25 (2d6+21, 17-20 plus greater dispel magic) & 2 bites +15 (1d4+12 plus 2d4 Intelligence drain)
Base Atk +8; Grp +20
Atk Options cleave, improved bull rush, improved sunder, power attack
Special Actions gifts of Kyuss
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 16th)
At will — detect good
1/day — bull’s strength*, death knell, protection from energy*
*Already Cast
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Abilities Str 34, Dex 12, Con —, Int 10, Wis 18, Cha 24
SQ dark blessing, martial calling, turn resistance +4, undead traits, unholy toughness, worm healing
Feats Cleave, Improved Bull Rush, Improved Critical (greatsword), Improved Sunder, Iron Will, Mage Slayer (MH), Power Attack, Weapon Focus (greatsword), Weapon Specialisation (greatsword)
Skills Climb +14, Concentration +8, Intimidate +26, Jump +13, Knowledge (religion) +8, Listen +12, Spellcraft +2, Spot +12
Possessions+2 full plate, +1 unholy greatsword, minor cloak of displacement, ring of protection +2
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Markath’s Gifts (Su): Any time Markath successfully scores a critical hit against an opponent with a melee attack, a targeted greater dispel magic affects that target (CL 16). Additionally, Markath’s bite attacks drain 2d4 points of Intelligence on a hit rather than 1d4.
Barnos Indarna, Dreamer of the Green CR 13
hp 272 (16 HD); DR 10/silver
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Male Kyuss knight human fighter 1/cleric of Kyuss 7
CE medium undead (augmented humanoid)
Init +1; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Listen +14, Spot +14
Aura evil (strong)
Languages Abyssal, Flan
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AC 30, touch 14, flat-footed 29
(+10 armour, +6 natural, +1 Dex, +3 deflection)
Miss Chance 20% vs. ranged attacks
Immune undead traits; cold, electricity, fire (120 points)
Fort +16, Ref +12, Will +20
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Speed 20 ft. (4 squares), base movement 30 ft.
Melee+1 unholy executioner’s mace +28/+23 (2d6+18, x3) & 2 bites +14 (1d4+13 plus 1d4 Intelligence drain)
Base Atk +6; Grp +17
Atk Options death devotion (DC 23, 2 negative levels max per target), destruction devotion, power attack
Special Actions death touch (7d6, 1/day), gifts of Kyuss, rebuke undead +18 (2d6+16, 16/day), smite +4 (+7 damage, 1/day)
Cleric Spells Prepared (CL 7th, DC 16 + spell level, 6/7/5/4/3)
4th - air walk*, divine power, inflict critical wounds
3rd - contagion, dispel magic, prayer, slashing darkness
2nd - darkness, desecration, eagle’s splendour*, shatter, silence
1st - bless, deathwatch, divine favour*, entropic shield*, inflict light wounds, protection from good, shield of faith*
0 - detect magic, guidance, inflict minor wounds (2), mending, read magic
Deity: Kyuss Domains: Death & Destruction
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 16th)
At will — detect good
1/day — bull’s strength*, death knell, protection from energy*
*Already Cast
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Abilities Str 32, Dex 12, Con —, Int 10, Wis 22, Cha 28
SQ dark blessing, martial calling, turn resistance +4, undead traits, unholy toughness, worm healing
Feats Death Devotion (CC), Destruction Devotion (CC), Divine Spell Power (CD), Extra Turning, Power Attack
Skills Concentration +19, Intimidate +19, Knowledge (religion) +17, Listen +14, Spot +14
Possessions+2 full plate, +1 unholy executioner’s mace, periapt of wisdom +2
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Barnos Indarna’s Gifts (Su): Barnos Indarna is shrouded with an ephemeral shadow of his former self. Once per round, this shadow can use one of Barnos’ spell-like abilities or invoke visions of the worm as a free action—Barnos himself need not expend any actions to utilise this ability, but they are still treated as if he cast them normally for the purposes of resolving attacks of opportunity. The visions of the worm ability calls forth a shred of Kyuss’ powerful visions of the Age of Worms and implants this brief picture of horror in the mind of a nearby living creature. This ability has a range of 60 feet. The target creature must make a Will save (DC 27) or be stunned for one round, overcome with cataclysmic visions from the as yet unborn Age of Worms.
Here are my modified stat blocks for the four Kyuss knights in the Spire of Long Shadows. Keep in mind that I calculate hp's differently, giving my monsters the same advantages that my players get: Max hp at level 1 and minimum half max HD per level (So undead creatures get 12 hp for their 1st HD, and 6-12 for every other HD).
Nezzarin the Watcher CR 13
hp 224 (16 HD); DR 10/silver
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Male Kyuss knight human ranger 8
CE Medium undead (augmented humanoid)
Init +25; Senses darkvision 60 ft., true seeing; Listen +23, Spot +48
Aura evil (strong)
Languages Abyssal, Flan
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AC 27, touch 16, flat-footed 22
(+5 armour, +5 Dex, +6 natural, +1 deflection)
Immune undead traits, cold, electricity, fire (120 points)
Fort +14, Ref +19, Will +14
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Speed 40 ft. (8 squares), base movement 30 ft.
Melee+1 unholy greatsword +28/+23 (2d6+17/19-20) and 2 bites +14 (1d4+11 plus 1d4 intelligence drain)
Ranged+1 unholy composite longbow (Str +6) +14/+14/+9 (1d8+7/x3; 330 ft.)
Base Atk +8; Grp +19
Atk Options favoured enemies (+4 damage vs. elves, +2 vs. humans), Improved Rapid Shot, Manyshot, Point Blank Shot
Special Actions distracting attack (PH2), gifts of Kyuss, intelligence drain
Ranger Spells Prepared (CL 4th)
2nd — cat’s grace*
1st — hawkeye* (SC), longstrider* Spell-Like Abilities (CL 16th)
At will — detect good
1/day — bull’s strength*, death knell, protection from energy*
*Already cast
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Abilities Str 32, Dex 20, Con —, Int 10, Wis 18, Cha 22
SQ dark blessing, martial calling, swift tracker, turn resistance +4, undead traits, unholy toughness, wild empathy +14, woodland stride, worm healing
Feats Endurance, Far Shot, Improved Rapid Shot (CW), Manyshot, Point Blank Shot, Power Attack, Rapid Shot, Track
Skills Concentration +14, Hide +16, Intimidate +14, Jump +21, Knowledge (religion) +8, Move Silently +16, Listen +23, Search +31, Spot +48, Survival +15
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Possessions+2 studded leather, +1 unholy greatsword, +1 unholy composite longbow, cloak of resistance +2, ring of protection +1
One of my players is playing a LE cleric of Hextor/ordained champion. Sent to Diamond Lake on a mission to kill or capture a heretic member of the Ebon Triad, his introduction to the (mostly good) party was rather easy. The lawful aspect of the Hextorian faith and his respect for teamwork has meshed well with the party. The party also has a LG paladin of Pelor, but she's a childhood friend and is somewhat in love with said cleric of Hextor so has been somewhat blinded to his evil ways. I let him start with a ring of undetectable alignment and an archaic holy symbol of Hextor (Knowledge religion DC 20 to recognise), gifts from the Church of Hextor to many of its agents abroad. As a player, he especially enjoyed the second adventure and would now like to eventually see his character repent his evil ways and become LG by the end of the campaign, becoming a cleric of Heironeous. He's even willing to lose his clerical powers for a couple of levels since he and I both decided that his redemption wouldn't be as simple as a single atonement spell. At the moment we're playing through the 7th adventure and he's still alive and evil. His chance at redemption will arive soon and should he seize it will certainly make for an interesteing story. Overall, one of my favourite characters to have ever DM'd...
Nice to know their are other Paizo fans in Montreal. I might be interested in playing through Frozen Fingers since I've already played through Silent Tide. Having recently arrived from GenCon, I was fortunate enough to play through Silent Tide, Murder on the Silken Caravan, Hydra's Fang, and the Second Darkness Preview. Of the three Pathfinder Society adventures, my favourite was probably Murder on the Silken Caravan, since I was lucky enough to have the adventure's author, Greg Vaughan, as a GM. Good stuff.
Difficult encounters so far (listed by adventure):
Whispering Cairn: wind warriors (no deaths, but close)
Three Faces of Evil: Battle Temple of Hextor (3 deaths), Labyrinth of Vecna (1 PC captured by kenku!), Caves of Erythnul (cliff fight & fight against Grallak Kur, only one death)
Encounter at Blackwall Keep: assassin vine (nearly killed scout)
Hall of Harsh Reflections: invisible stalkers (close but no deaths), advanced octopin (1 death from crit), Zyrxog (hard fight, no deaths)
Champion's Belt: Surprisingly easy encounters for my group. The only death resulted in the extremely deadly Dreams of Kyuss trap.
Gathering of Winds: Advanced wind warriors (killed scout), 2 air elementals (no deaths but many PC's almost fell 600 ft.), Augerric (longest fight against a single opponent, no deaths)
Spire of Long Shadows: Imaxian & Lyrisilak (actually managed to disarm backpack containing rod fragment and nearly escaped), Kelvos & swords of Kyuss (1 cohort & 3 PC deaths)
Having just gone up against Kelvos and the swords of Kyuss at the same time, this one was nearly as hard as the Battle Temple of Hextor. I imagine later encounters in the Spire of Long Shadows will be added to this list within the next few weeks.
In what I consider the most memorable encounter of the campaign since the Battle Temple of Hextor, my players surprised me and avoided yet another TPK, but not without casualties. Out of respect for the fallen, the description shall be a tad longer than usual. After this last encounter the death tally for the campaign has risen to 11...
Names: Jarryn (human warmage 2/wizard 3/ultimate magus 8), Mathias Burne (human cleric 8/ordained champion of Hextor 5), Perren Moonmeadow (grey elf beguiler 13), Estene Moonmeadow (grey elf warlock 10, cohort)
Adventure: Spire of Long Shadows
Location: Chamber of Ascension
Catalyst: Poor Reflex saves vs. eight invocations of the Worm
Description: When the Warhounds opened up the doors leading into the Halls of Corruption, they were greeted by Kelvos the Wormtouched and the two angels of Worm. After being targeted by a prismatic spray and a wages of sin, Jarryn effectively trapped the trio inside the chamber with a wall of force. Kelvos, seeing that he couldn't handle these mortals on his own, teleported to the Halls of Knowledge and summoned the 3 swords of Kyuss and the wormcaller to the fight. Bursting into the chamber on the following round, the swords of Kyuss opened up with a volley of worm invocations, killing both Perren and Estene and seriously injuring three of the other five characters. Most of the party was within 30 ft. of the pit during this combat and suffered a -2 penalty to all attacks, saving throws, and skill checks (except for Mathias who was neither good nor neutral). Steelwind's (elf ranger/scout) high Reflex saves coupled with his evasion ability left him unscathed. Jarryn used Otiluke's ring to cast Otiluke's resilient sphere as an immediate action, also leaving him unharmed. Combat continued with spells such as delay death and close wounds keeping Mathias and Kayla (dwarf barbarian) alive. Aurora (human paladin of Pelor) heroically kept Kelvos busy until Mathias finally arrived and together they slew the corrupted eladrin. Steelwind, Kayla, and Jarryn managed to destroy the swords of Kyuss and the wormcaller, but not before five more invocations of the Worm were set off, killing Jarryn and sending Kayla into the negatives. (The only limitation I imposed on the villains during this combat was I never had a sword of Kyuss use an invocation of the Worm two rounds in a row.) Barely alive, the party picked up their fallen companions and began healing themselves, but had to prepare for the imminent entrance of the two angels of the Worm since Jarryn's wall of force was just about to disappear. The angels were joined by two wormswarms. This second part of the combat saw Estene's body devoured by a wormswarm and Aurora, under the effect of wages of sin attack a fellow PC and lose her paladin powers. Mathias, still under the effect of a potion of fly charged the two fallen angels to give time to his companions to escape. He fought extremely well, defeating both angels nearly by himself. Against the last angel of the Worm, Mathias' killing blow came at the same time that his righteous might ran out, killing Mathias instantly and sending both combatants plummeting to the ground. Fortunately, his body was retrieved by Steelwind, who had returned to aid our fallen hero, before it was devoured by a wormswarm. The last three living Warhounds limped their way back over the obsidian ring to lick their wounds after a 22-round battle.
I used a kyuss knight template on an 8th-level ranger to make Nezzarin more to my liking. When my players decided to fly to the ziggurat, they were surprised to find Nezzarin shooting at them with uncanny precision from 600 ft. away. Made for a decent fight, but the paladin managed to crit on a smite and dealt 80 points of damage and Nezzarin went down shortly thereafter.
Nezzarin the Watcher CR 13
hp 224 (16 HD); DR 10/silver
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Male Kyuss knight human ranger 8
CE Medium undead (augmented humanoid)
Init +25; Senses darkvision 60 ft., true seeing; Listen +23, Spot +48
Languages Abyssal, Flan
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AC 27, touch 16, flat-footed 22
(+5 armour, +5 Dex, +6 natural, +1 deflection)
Immune undead traits, cold, electricity, fire (120 points)
Fort +14, Ref +19, Will +14
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Speed 40 ft. (8 squares), base movement 30 ft.
Melee+1 unholy greatsword +28/+23 (2d6+17/19-20) and 2 bites +14 (1d4+11 plus 1d4 intelligence drain)
Ranged+1 unholy composite longbow (Str +6) +14/+14/+9 (1d8+7/x3; 330 ft.)
Base Atk +8; Grp +19
Atk Options favoured enemies (+4 damage vs. elves, +2 vs. humans), Improved Rapid Shot, Manyshot, Point Blank Shot
Special Actions distracting attack (PH2), gifts of Kyuss, intelligence drain
Ranger Spells Prepared (CL 4th)
2nd — cat’s grace*
1st — hawkeye* (SC), longstrider*
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 16th)
At will — detect good
1/day — bull’s strength*, death knell, protection from energy*
*Already cast
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Abilities Str 32, Dex 20, Con —, Int 10, Wis 18, Cha 22
SQ dark blessing, martial calling, swift tracker, turn resistance +4, undead traits, unholy toughness, wild empathy +14, woodland stride, worm healing
Feats Endurance, Far Shot, Improved Rapid Shot (CW), Manyshot, Point Blank Shot, Power Attack, Rapid Shot, Track
Skills Concentration +14, Hide +16, Intimidate +14, Jump +21, Knowledge (religion) +8, Move Silently +16, Listen +23, Search +31, Spot +48, Survival +15
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Possessions+2 studded leather, +1 unholy greatsword, +1 unholy composite longbow, cloak of resistance +2, ring of protection +1
My players finally chose their gifts two sessions ago. For a moment, they actuallly seemed keen on keeping the rod fragment when I told them it could be useful near the end of the campaign. After a vote they finally agreed to take Tenser's offer. They chose the following:
Aurora Cranden, F human (Oeridian) paladin of Pelor: solar cloak
Jarryn, M human (Suloise) warmage/wizard/ultimate magus: Otiluke's ring*
Kayla, F hill dwarf barbarian: armour of Balador
Mathias Burne, M human (Oeridian) cleric of Hextor: Tenser's girdle of giant strength
Perren Moonmeadow, M grey elf beguiler: Heward's skeletal mask
Steelwind, M wild elf ranger/scout: Tenser's boots of the running warrior
* Many thanks to Rob Bastard for coming up with Otiluke's ring. My version differed slightly in that it offered one bonus spell per day for levels 1 to 4 (wizard only), a +2 deflection bonus to AC, and the ability to cast Otiluke's resilient sphere (CL 15) as an immediate action once per day.
Roster has been stable since Three Faces of Evil. Currently entering Spire of Long Shadows.
Diamond Lake Warhounds:
Mathias Burne - M Human (Oeridian) Cleric of Hextor
Aurora Cranden - F Human (Oeridian) Paladin of Pelor
Jarryn - M Human (Suloise) Wizard/Warmage/Ultimate Magus
Kayla - F Hill Dwarf Barbarian
Steelwind - M Wild Elf Ranger/Scout
Perren Moonmeadow - M Grey Elf Beguiler
Estene Moonmeadow - F Grey Elf Warlock (cohort)
Several of the backgroud traits had secrets associated with them. For example, a planetouched character, as a direct descendant of the Wind Dukes, would find himself unharmed by the guardians found in the Whispering Cairn and Icosiol's tomb. A Greyhawk Wars refugee would run into some family members in Redhand. The dragonslayer would find his father's old gear in Ilthane's lair. Etc. I tend to give lots of items and goodies to my players so I don't feel bad when I slaughter them, so I made every background trait more powerful then they appeared. When Flycatcher kidnapped the elven beguiler with the creature of darkness trait and brought him back to the Plane of Shadows, the elf was surprised to find out that he felt more at home in the Plane of Shadows than anywhere else. I then gave him a 'shadow template' which gave him new powers such as the ability to turn into a shadow or shadow jump. Overall, I love the idea of background traits and have been quite pleased with the result.
I wrote up some local hero background traits a year ago which I posted up somewhere. Here they are again:
Local Hero Background Traits
Characters from Diamond Lake can take a free local hero background trait from the following list:
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Aerdi Noble Blood
One of your ancestors was an Aerdi noble when the province of Selintan was part of the Great Kingdom of Aerdy. Over the years, your family lost all of its wealth and power, until destitution forced it to relocate to Diamond Lake. However, you have never forgotten your noble heritage and tend to look down on the common folk.
Prerequisite: Human (Oeridian)
Benefit: You start play with a masterwork melee weapon of your choice and you also gain a +2 bonus to charisma checks made to influence Oeridian nobles.
Drawback: You have a -1 penalty to all charisma checks made to influence commoners.
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Cairn Seeker
You come from a long line of treasure seekers and cairn hunters.
Benefit: Your familiarity with tombs gives you a +1 dodge bonus to AC and a +1 bonus to reflex saves against traps.
Drawback: Your senses have become trained for underground use and you suffer a -1 penalty of Spot and Listen checks when outdoors.
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Child of the Marsh
You grew up in the Mistmarsh among the marshmen.
Benefit: You gain a +2 bonus on all Swim and Survival checks.
Drawback: You are illiterate. You may spend 2 skill points to gain the ability to read and write all languages you can speak. Barbarians must spend 4 skill points instead.
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Creature of Darkness
Your time spent working in the mines of Diamond Lake has made you hardier and accustomed your eyes to the darkness, but your sight suffers in daylight.
Benefit: You gain low-light vision. If you already have low-light vision, you instead gain darkvision 60 ft. in addition to low-light vision. If you already have darkvision, the range of your darkvision increases by 30 ft. You also gain a +2 bonus on constitution checks to avoid nonlethal damage.
Drawback: You suffer a -1 penalty to Search and Spot checks when in daylight.
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Dragon Slayer
Your father was a renowned dragon slayer. Two years ago he set out eastwards after a black dragon which was sighted near the Mistmarsh. A few weeks later his body, stripped of valuables and covered with acid, was found by a patrol from Blackwall Keep.
Benefit: You receive a +2 morale bonus to all attacks and damage rolls against dragons.
Drawback: You suffer a -2 penalty to all saves against dragons until the dragon which killed your father is finally defeated.
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Greyhawk Wars Refugee
Your family came to Diamond Lake during the Greyhawk Wars to escape the horrors of war and pestilence. The hardships you have suffered have strengthened your resolve, but have also made you resent those responsible.
Benefit: You gain a +1 bonus on will saves.
Drawback: You only receive 50% of your starting gold. You also receive a -1 penalty when using diplomacy to influence nobles.
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Old Faith Adherent
Your Flannish heritage has given you an appreciation for legends and lore of the past. Your preference for the outdoors has given you minor hunting and animal training skills, but you become uncomfortable away from your beloved wilderness.
Prerequisite: Human (Flan)
Benefit: You gain the Bardic Knowledge ability of a level 1 bard. If you’re already a bard, you gain a +2 bonus to your bardic knowledge checks. You also gain a +2 bonus to Handle Animal, Survival, and Wild Empathy checks.
Drawback: You suffer a -1 penalty to all wisdom-based skill checks when in cities.
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Planetouched
You are descended from a lawful outsider.
Benefit: Regardless of your actual alignment, spells and spell-like abilities with the law descriptor treat you as if your alignment were lawful. Magic items are similarly fooled.
Drawback: Regardless of your actual alignment, spells and spell-like abilities with the law descriptor treat you as if your alignment were lawful. Magic items are similarly fooled.
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Suloise Pure-Blood
Your Suloise heritage has given you a penchant for magic and getting what you want. However, other people often mistrust you because of that Suloise reputation.
Prerequisite: Human (Suloise)
Benefit: You gain a +2 bonus on two of the following skills: Bluff, Intimidate, Knowledge (arcana), Knowledge (history), Spellcraft, and Use Magic Device. You also gain a +1 bonus on charisma checks made to influence other Suel.
Drawback: You suffer a -1 penalty to all charisma checks against non-Suel.
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Touched by Zagyg
Some people think you’re eccentric. Others think you’re a little crazy.
Benefit: Your mind is disorganised and chaotic. You gain a +2 bonus on all saving throws against mind-affecting effects.
Drawback: Your inability to concentrate for long makes you suffer a -1 penalty on all wisdom-based skill checks.
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Other benefits and drawbacks may come into play for each background trait throughout the campaign.
Yeah... They didn't have those books. 5D6 ability scores? By Pelor, my players would kill for ability scores like that.
Before the campaign began, I asked myself, "If my players are going to save the world, shouldn't their ability scores be somewhat better than the average NPC which has the elite ability array (15,14,13,12,10,8)?" Using method 8 in the DMG (high-powered characters), I ended up with characters with ability modifiers that added up from +10 to +14. On top of that I allowed every character to choose a background trait, gave them all an extra skill point every level, and I've been using fate points since the beginning, awarding them for important accomplishments such as defeating Ilthane or burying the Land skeletons. Lots of bonuses, but when the fights start, I take my gloves off and try my hardest to kill them. They're about to enter the Spire of Long Shadows and so far I've had 7 character deaths and 1 near-TPK (Battletemple of Hextor with 3 deaths). Other PC killers were Grallak Kur the grimlock, the advanced Octopin in Zyrxog's lab, and the advanced wind warriors in Icosiol's Tomb. Against Zyrxog, they spread out so he could never mind blast more than 2 characters and overwhelmed him with range attacks. I was unlucky with my displacement rolls and he eventually went down after wasting a suggestion on the elven ranger/scout to drop his bow, not realising that the elf happened to have an extra magic bow. Oops!
It's all a matter how many characters make up the party and how powerful they are. If you're running Age of Worms for 4 players, with standard ability scores (4d6 or 28 point buy), using only the core books, then expect an extremely difficult campaign with several potential TPK's. If however, you're like me and you're running a game for 6 players (and 1 cohort), with 5d6 ability scores, with access to every D&D book out there, then expect to make encounters more difficult to actually provide a decent challenge for your players. In my case, I finally drew a line and allowed my players to use only the Core books, the Complete series, the Race series, the PH2, and the Spell Compendium. While unbalanced books such as the Book of 9 Swords weren't going to make things too easy, other books such as the Spell Compendium, which has spells such as delay death and mass conviction, have saved several characters' lives. While the fight against Zyrzog was memorable and lasted several rounds, I was unable to kill any of my players (and I really tried).
After some consideration, I decided to lower the bonuses granted to ability scores by the Kyuss Knight template. I'm now assuming that Kyuss' four knights had the following scores before turning: Str 14, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 12, Wis 11, Cha 10 and that Maralee's pre-Kyuss abilities were: Str 22, Dex 12, Con 16, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 14. The new bonuses make the template slightly less powerful, but still provides hefty bonuses to Strength and Charisma. Another modification was a bonus language.
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Abilities: Increase from the base creature as follows: Str +14, Wis +4, Cha +10. As an undead creature, a Kyuss knight has no Constitution score.
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Languages: Kyuss knights gain Abyssal as a bonus language.
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Were I one of the cult leaders, I would realise that the time for secrecy is over since outsiders have discovered their presence. I would also expect the Militia to partake in the next assault against them and would prepare accordingly. A few options:
1) To prevent the PC's from reporting the presence of a cult below Dourstone mine, Theldrick and Grallak Kur could send some grimlock assassins to kill the PC's the very same night that they're recovering from their first foray.
2) Since the only thing really keeping the cultists in Diamond Lake is the birth of the Ebon Aspect, I imagine the cult leaders would try to waken it prematurely. To buy more time, they could send Ragnolin Dourstone to the town officials with charges against the PC's for the murders of several miners.
3) Since the cultists lack an escape route and sneaking out of Diamond Lake isn't exactly a feasible option, they could decide that they'll make a final stand against any intruders. They could set up a decent ambush in the Dark Cathedral and perhaps even rig the elevator to fall (although I imagine they would be hesitant to destroy the elevator since it's their only means of contact with the outside world).
I faced a similar problem in my game after the assault on the Battle Temple of Hextor, which resulted in the deaths of pretty much every Hextorite as well as three PC's. I simply ruled that Grallak Kur was too busy with his visions and too crazy to care. As for the Faceless One, since I had equiped him with a potion of gaseous form with would allow him to flee, he didn't much care about the fates of the other cultists, seeing an opportunity for the carnage to fuel the birth of the Ebon Aspect. When my players returned, they were ambushed by a few reanimated Hextorites and a few kenku which led them into the Labyrinth.
My players should finally meet up with Tenser in tonight's session. I managed to delay the meeting by sending my players to Hellspike Prison. Gave me the time I needed to write up Tenser's gifts. I'm not too sure what my reaction will be if my players decide to keep the rod of seven parts after all the time I've spent writing these up. Perhaps I'll add a few items to the treasure hordes of Ilthane, Brazzemal, or Dragotha.
I loved Peruhain's idea of having Bucknard's old weapon, Maralee's Revenge, as an item so I came up with my own version (a dagger). I'm tempted to turn this weapon into a legacy weapon which improves as the wielder gains levels. Additional powers could include a spell storing power which allows the dagger to hold a spell of any level 6 or lower. Any spell cast through the spell storing dagger could ignore spell resistance. The ability to crit and sneak attack undead could also be useful. Or perhaps even making it intelligent with a few defenseive powers. Maybe these extra powers should be granted by Bucknard's spirit. Anyways, here's my first draft:
Maralee’s Revenge
Price (Item Level): 51,000 gp (18th)
Body Slot: — (held)
Caster Level: 14th
Aura: Strong; (DC 22) conjuration & evocation
Activation: —
Weight: ½ lb.
Hardness: 19
Hit Points: 22
The hilt of this ornate mithral dagger is set with a moonstone. At the base of the blade is an inscription that reads, “Maralee’s Revenge.”
This +2 mithral dagger once belonged to Bucknard, a powerful wizard and member of the Circle of Eight, who used the dagger in his hunt against the undead minions of Kyuss. Against any minion of Kyuss, undead or otherwise, the dagger’s effective enhancement is +2 better than its normal enhancement bonus and it deals an extra 2d6 damage. Additionally, the dagger is treated as a silver weapon for damage reduction purposes and any undead creature struck by the dagger must succeed on a Will save (DC 10 + ½ wielder’s HD + wielder’s Cha modifier) or be destroyed as if hit by a disruption weapon.
Price (Item Level): 40,000 gp (17th)
Body Slot: —
Caster Level: 15th
Aura: Strong; (DC 22) evocation
Activation: Standard (manipulation)
Weight: —
These worn-looking eight-sided bone dice are remarkably well-balanced and precise.
Simply possessing this pair of 8-sided dice confers a +1 luck bonus on saving throws, ability checks, and skill checks. Additionally, these dice can be used once per day by rolling them on any hard flat surface. The user rolls 2d8 and gains the following effects:
2: Luck bonus on saving throws, ability checks, and skill checks is replaced by -2 penalty for 1 day.
3 to 8: No effect.
9 to 15: +5 luck bonus to Bluff, Disable Device, Profession (gambler), Sleight of Hand, and Use Magic Device checks for 1 hour.
16: Same as above and user gains the good fortune power for 1 hour to reroll any one attack roll, saving throw, ability check, or skill check with a +20 luck bonus. The user can instead choose to use the good fortune power to gain a +20 dodge bonus to AC for 1 round as an immediate action.
Norebo’s dice only work if used as a pair and become nonmagical if separated. Any attempt to modify or load the dice also causes them to lose all magical properties and additionally curses the user with a -4 penalty on attack rolls, saves, ability checks, and skill checks (no save) until a remove curse or similar spell is cast on the user.
If you're looking to make Telakin a tougher opponent, lower his barbarian abilities to level 5 and add 5 levels of cleric so he can buff up before the fight. This won't exceed the 18 levels of class abilities he's allowed to have. Here's my version:
Telakin
CR 10
hp 76 (9 HD)
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Greater Doppelganger (wizard 8 or barbarian 5 or cleric of St. Cuthbert 5)
N Medium Monstrous Humanoid (Shapechanger)
Init +8; Senses Listen +14, Spot +14
Languages Common, Elven, Orc, Ancient Suloise
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AC 20 (+4 Dex, +6 natural), touch 14, flat-footed 16 (Barbarian: flat-footed AC 20)
Immune sleep & charm effects
Fort +11, Ref +12, Will +12
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Speed 30 ft. (6 squares); Barbarian: 40 ft. (8 squares)
Melee 2 slams +11 (1d6+2); Barbarian: +2 frost greatsword +13/+8 (2d6+5+1d6 cold, 19-20)
Base Atk +9; Grp +11
Special Actions Detect Thoughts (CL 18th, DC 16), Polymorph Rend (6d6, DC 16 ½); Cleric: Turn Undead 5/day (+2, 2d6+7)
Combat Gearscroll of dominate person (CL 9th, DC 20), scroll of fireball (CL 8th, DC 18), wand of cure moderate wounds (CL 5th, 26 charges)
Cleric Spells Prepared (CL 5th)
3rd - dispel magic, protection from energy
2nd - aid, bear’s endurance, bull’s strength, shatter
1st - divine favour, entropic shield, obscuring mist, sanctuary, shield of faith
0 - detect magic, detect poison, light, mending, read magic
Domains: Destruction & Protection
Wizard Spells Prepared (CL 8th)
4th - confusion (DC 19), lesser globe of invulnerability, wall of fire
3rd - clairvoyance, displacement, fireball (DC 18), slow (DC 18)
2nd - false life, mirror image, scorching ray, see invisibility
1st - charm person (DC 16), grease (DC 16), mage armour, magic missile(2), ray of enfeeblement
0 - daze (DC 15), mage hand, message, open/close
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Abilities Str 14, Dex 19, Con 18, Int 21, Wis 14, Cha 14
SQ Change Shape, Consume Identity, Magic Item Use; Barbarian: Fast Movement, Rage 2/day, Uncanny Dodge, Trap Sense +1, Improved Uncanny Dodge; Wizard: Summon Familiar
Feats Blind-Fight, Great Fortitude, Improved Initiative, Iron Will; Wizard: Scribe Scroll, Extend Spell
Skills Bluff +19 (+23 when reading minds), Diplomacy +12, Disguise +18 (+28 when using change shape, +32 when also reading minds, +2 for acting in character), Intimidate +10, Listen +14, Search +17, Sense Motive +14, Spot +14, Survival +2 (+4 when following tracks)
Possessions combat gear plus vest of resistance +2, cloak of many forms, key ring
Spellbook as above plus 0 - all; 1st - comprehend languages, disguise self, hold portal, Nystul’s magic aura, summon monster I, unseen servant; 2nd - alter self, knock, resist energy, Valdagan’s chain of eyes; 3rd - fly, haste; 4th - greater invisibility
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Pre-Combat Tactics: mage armour (8 hours), false life (8 hours), clairvoyance (8 min.), protective ward (1 hour), see invisibility (80 min.), protection from energy (50 min.), mirror image (8 min.), aid (5 min.), bear’s endurance (5 min.), shield of faith (5 min.), bull’s strength (5 min.), entropic shield (5 min.), obscuring mist (5 min.), divine favour (1 min.), lesser globe of invulnerability (8 rounds), grease (8 rounds), displacement (8 rounds)
Since the Change Shape ability doesn't allow Telakin to change his clothes or the appearance of his greatsword, I gave him a cloak of many forms which allowed him to cast disguise self as a swift action. I added a spellbook so he could actually prepare spells. Having studied the mind gem of the kidnapped PC gave him knowledge of Allustan so he could appear as such. He put up quite a good fight against 6 overpowered PC's but in the end he died without taking anyone with him.
At the moment my PC's have recently finished "A Gathering of Winds." We started back in May 2007 and have had 7 character deaths so far...
Bruce Callan wrote:
1) It seems this campaign is more logically linked than the Shackled City, but is there any chapter which needs help linking to the next? What in your opinion is the weakest chapter and needs the most work on it?
If one of your players begins the campaign as an apprentice to Allustan, this makes the missions assigned by Allustan easier to accept as a whole. There are several "Go there and seek out info" adventure hooks which might need some reworking for certain groups. So far the adventure that I reworked the most was Three Faces of Evil. I added Smenk as an adventure hook by having him force the players to investigate the mines in exchange for not pressing charges for the deaths of Filge and one of Kullen's goons. I also made the missing priest of Heironeous (named Amon Kyre) a prisoner of the Cathedral of Hextor, added text to Theldrick and the Faceless One's handouts to explain what the cult's purpose in Diamond Lake was, and added some handouts as excerpts from the Nethertome of Trask and the Way of the Ebon Triad. Once the priest was rescued, the Cairn Hills militia was involved and actually participated in the fight against an improved Ebon Aspect.
Bruce Callan wrote:
3) Are there any NPC's that should be removed as they are useless or provide little to the campaign?
My group didn't spend that much time in Diamond Lake so there were a few NPC's that I introduced that I could have ignored. My advice is to choose a few NPC's from Diamond Lake and ignore the rest unless your players love interacting with the locals.
Bruce Callan wrote:
4) I have a group of 4 people and 1 is fairly new to the game, should I consider sending an NPC along with them?
The adventure path is designed for four players but does have some extremely difficult parts. If you're only using the Core Books, give your players an extra NPC, or 5d6 ability scores instead of 4d6. If, however, your players have access to the Spell Compendium, the Complete series, and the PH2, their PC's will be way stronger and able to handle most of what you throw at them if they have a balanced group. Of course, expect a few deaths, especially in Three Faces of Evil and Spire of Long Shadows, so you might need to make a few adjustments if your players are the type that quit after they die.
Bruce Callan wrote:
5)Any mood music you can reccommend for the The Whispering Cairn?
Sorry, not my specialty, but you might want to check out Midnight Syndicate's line of CD's which provide great background for cemetaries and haunted houses.
Bruce Callan wrote:
6) Any warnings you can give me, besides be careful of TPKS?
Overall advice:
1) My biggest complaint is the lack of recurring villains since the adventures seem to assume that the PC's will slaughter everything they come across. If you can save some villains, try to resuse them. Some decent recurring villain examples: Filge, Kullen and company, Theldrick, the Faceless One, Loris Raknian, Okoral, Ilthane, Moreto, & Darl and company.
2) Having some sort of Player's Guide for your players is useful. Check out the RPGenius site for some good examples and other useful downloads.
4) The most reworked adventure on these boards is possibly Encounter at Blackwall Keep, which some DM's have modified extensively. Check out Peter Fuesz's Blackwall Keep Changes.
You're very welcome, always happy to help out fellow DM's. I too thought that the death knight template (from the DragonLance Campaign Setting) wasn't the best choice for Loris. The first thing I noticed about Kyuss Knights when designing the template was their HUGE number of hit points when factoring in their high Hit Dice, high Charisma, and unholy toughness. Personally, I love Unholy Toughness and would like to see it on more undead creatures. Heck, I'd probably give every undead creature Unholy Toughness.
Now I'm thinking of redesigning the four Kyuss Knights found in the Spire of Long Shadows. Have Tenser (Manzorian) tell the PC's that when Kyuss was in Sulm he had four guardians known as Nezzarin the Watcher (human ranger 8), Barnos Indarna the Seer (human cleric 2/fighter 6), Kardic the Shadow (human fighter 4/rogue 3/assassin 1), and Markath the Mage-Slayer (human fighter 8). Give them different feats and weapons, add Kyuss Knight template, and suddenly you have a rather impressive group of villains. When Dawn of a New Age comes along, have a villain use a wish spell to bring the four back, give them a few more levels to raise their CR's, and add Maralee or Loris (or both) to the mix.
Seeing that an undead-heavy campaign could use a few more undead-related items, I thought that Alex Handley's talisman of whispering souls would make a great item. However, there are surprisingly few unintelligent or incorporeal undead in Age of Worms for the item to be exceedingly useful. So I added the +1 level turning power as well as a use against intelligent undead to make the item shine...
Talisman of Whispering Souls
Price (Item Level): 58,000 gp (18th)
Body Slot: Throat
Caster Level: 10th
Aura: Moderate; (DC 20) divination & necromancy
Activation: Standard (mental)
Weight: —
This amulet is made of rune-carved bone with two inset rubies like eyes on a fine silver chain.
This amulet grants the wearer a + 1 bonus on Turn or Rebuke checks and allows the wearer to turn or rebuke as if he were one level higher. While worn the talisman may be activated as a standard action three times per day for 10 minutes each time. When activated the user is surrounded by motes of spectral mist which circle constantly and emit a continuous sound like the whispering of many indistinguishable voices just on the edge hearing. While the talisman is active, the user gains the following powers: he can communicate magically with any intelligent undead regardless of language, even if the undead creature cannot normally communicate. The wearer is invisible to mindless undead, but this effect ends if the user attacks and undead creature. Intelligent undead approaching within 10 ft. of the user must succeed at a Will save (DC 10 + ½ wearer’s HD + wearer’s Cha modifier) or become shaken as long as they remain within the 10 ft. The wearer can see any incorporeal or ethereal undead within 120 ft., even through walls or solid objects, as they are silhouetted as if with blue faerie fire visible only to the wearer (as the spell, but the effect is not blocked by magical darkness).
Price (Item Level): 39,000 gp (17th)
Body Slot: Hands
Caster Level: 9th
Aura: Moderate; (DC 19) transmutation
Activation: Swift (mental)
Weight: —
Once snugly worn, these gloves seem to meld with the hands, becoming almost invisible.
These gloves function as gloves of dexterity +4. The gloves can be activated three times per day, allowing the wearer to perform the following skills at a range of 30 feet: Disable Device, Open Locks, and Sleight of Hand. Working at a distance increases the normal skill check DC by 5, and the wearer cannot take 10 on this check. Any object to be manipulated must weigh 5 lbs. or less. The wearer must have at one rank in Disable Device, Open Locks, or Sleight of Hand to be able to use the skill with the gloves.
The gloves of legerdemain must be worn for 24 hours before you gain access to their abilities. If taken off, they become inactive until worn for an additional 24 hours.
Price (Item Level): 44,000 gp (17th)
Body Slot: - (held)
Caster Level: 9th
Aura: Moderate; (DC 19) evocation & transmutation
Activation: -
Weight: 3 lbs.
Hardness: 11
Hit Points: 35
This fine longbow is carved of yew with avian designs along its limbs.
Tenser’s bow of eagle sight functions as a +3 composite longbow (Str +5) and gives whoever holds the bow uncanny vision. Wielding the bow grants a +5 competence bonus to Spot and Search checks. Additionally, the bow’s range increment is doubled, can deal precision damage (such as sneak attack or skirmish) within 60 ft. instead of 30 ft., ignores the AC bonus granted to targets by anything less than total cover, and ignores the miss chance granted to targets by anything less than total concealment.
Using the above template, here's a sample Kyuss Knight:
Balabar Smenk, Kyuss Knight CR 11 hp 175 (14 HD); DR 10/silver
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Kyuss Knight, male human rogue 7
CE Medium undead (augmented humanoid)
Init +3; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Listen +20, Spot +20
Languages Common, Dwarven, Orc
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AC 24, touch 14, flat-footed 21
(+3 Dex, +4 armour, +6 natural, +1 deflection)
Immune cold, electricity, undead traits
Fort +9, Ref +15, Will +11
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Speed 30 ft. (6 squares)
Melee+1 unholy rapier +22 (1d6+10/18-20) and 2 bites +9 (1d4+4 plus 1d4 intelligence drain)
Base Atk +5; Grp +14
Atk Options sneak attack +4d6, Spring Attack
Special Actions gifts of Kyuss
Combat Gearbrooch of shielding (82 charges), potion of invisibility, potion of fly Spell-Like Abilities (CL 14th)
At will - detect good
1/day - bull’s strength, death knell, protection from energy
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Abilities Str 28, Dex 16, Con -, Int 14, Wis 14, Cha 22
SQ dark blessing, martial calling, trapfinding, trap sense +2, turn resistance +4, unholy toughness, worm healing
Feats Dodge, Mobility, Spring Attack, Weapon Finesse
Skills Bluff +16, Concentration +8, Diplomacy +20, Forgery +12, Gather Information +16, Hide +13, Intimidate +26, Knowledge (religion) +10, Listen +20, Move Silently +13, Sense Motive +12, Spot +20, Tumble +13
Possessions combat gear plus +1 studded leather, cloak of resistance +1, ring of protection +1
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Balabar’s Gifts (Su): Anytime Balabar uses Spring Attack, the target creature is denied its Dexterity bonus to AC. Also once a day, Balabar can use an immediate action to change into a wormswarm (See DUNGEON #130) for 14 rounds. If brought below 0 hit points, the swarm breaks up and attempts to reform before the 14 round duration. If unable to do so, Balabar is destroyed.
Here goes my first crack at a Kyuss Knight template. Any comments would be appreciated:
Kyuss Knight Template
“Kyuss Knight” is an acquired template that can be added to any humanoid creature with a base attack bonus of +4 or more (referred to hereafter as the base creature). A Kyuss knight has all the base creature’s statistics and special abilities except as noted here.
Size and Type: The creature’s type changes to undead (augmented humanoid). Do not recalculate base attack bonus, saves, or skill points. Size is unchanged.
Hit Dice: Double the number of Hit Dice the creature has and increase all current and future Hit Dice to d12’s.
Armour Class: The base creature’s natural armour bonus improves by +6.
Attacks: A Kyuss knight retains all the attacks of the base creature and also gains 2 bite attacks. If the base creature can use weapons, the Kyuss knight retains this ability. A creature with natural weapons retains those natural weapons. A Kyuss knight fighting without weapons can use its bite attacks as its primary natural weapon. A Kyuss knight armed with a weapon or other primary natural weapon uses its bite attacks as secondary natural weapons. Each bite attack deals 1d4 damage.
Special Attacks: A Kyuss knight retains all the special attacks of the base creature and gains those described below. Saves have a DC of 10 + ½ Kyuss knight’s HD + Kyuss knight’s Cha modifier unless noted otherwise.
Intelligence Drain (Su): Anyone who is bitten by one of the knight’s “eyes” takes 1d4 points of Intelligence drain. The Kyuss knight heals 5 points of damage each time it drains Intelligence from a creature.
Gifts of Kyuss (Su): Each Kyuss knight possesses two unique gifts granted to them by their divine patron. The following are example Gifts of Kyuss that are possessed by the five known Kyuss knights:
Nezzarin’s Gifts: Nezzarin has true seeing (a constant effect that cannot be dispelled). In addition, Nezzarin’s vision is supernaturally acute, granting him a +20 insight bonus on Search and Spot checks and on all Initiative rolls.
Barnos Indarna’s Gifts: Barnos Indarna is shrouded with an ephemeral shadow of his former self. Once per round, this shadow can use one of Barnos’ spell-like abilities or invoke visions of the worm as a free action—Barnos himself need not expend any actions to utilise this ability, but they are still treated as if he cast them normally for the purposes of resolving attacks of opportunity. The visions of the worm ability calls forth a shred of Kyuss’ powerful visions of the Age of Worms and implants this brief picture of horror in the mind of a nearby living creature. This ability has a range of 60 feet. The target creature must make a Will save or be stunned for one round, overcome with cataclysmic visions from the as yet unborn Age of Worms.
Kardic’s Gifts: Three times a day as a free action (but only once per round), Kardic can transform a weapon he wields into shadow, allowing him to resolve one attack as a touch attack. Also three times a day, he can slip into shadow form himself as a free action to avoid a blow that would have hit him, granting him a 50% miss chance against that particular attack. Kardic must choose to use this ability before damage is determined.
Markath’s Gifts: Any time Markath successfully scores a critical hit against an opponent with a melee attack, a targeted greater dispel magic affects that target (caster level equal to Markath’s HD). Additionally, Markath’s bite attacks drain 2d4 points of Intelligence on a hit rather than 1d4.
Maralee’s Gifts: Maralee possesses a terrible gaze weapon. All living creatures within 30 feet of Maralee must make a Fortitude save or become permanently blinded as their eyes transform into Kyuss worms. On the next round these worms burrow into the victim’s brain, inflicting 2d6 points of Intelligence drain per round. A remove curse or remove disease effect destroys the worms. Death occurs at 0 Intelligence. A Small, Medium, or Large humanoid slain by these worms rises as a favoured spawn of Kyuss (see DRAGON #336) 1d6+4 rounds later. Maralee also acts at all times as if hasted.
Spell-Like Abilities (Sp): A Kyuss knight can use the following spell-like abilities as a cleric whose caster level equals the Kyuss knight’s HD: At will - detect good; 1/day — bull’s strength, death knell, protection from energy.
Special Qualities: A Kyuss knight retains all the special qualities of the base creature and gains those described below:
Damage Reduction (Su): A Kyuss knight has damage reduction 10/silver.
Dark Blessing (Su): A Kyuss knight applies his Charisma modifier as a bonus on all saving throws.
Immunities (Ex): A Kyuss knight is immune to cold and electricity damage.
Martial Calling (Su): A Kyuss knight gains a profane bonus equal to half its Hit Dice on all melee weapon attacks.
Turn Resistance (Ex): A Kyuss knight has +4 turn resistance.
Unholy Toughness (Ex): A Kyuss knight gains a bonus to its hit points equal to its Charisma modifier x its Hit Dice.
Worm Healing (Su): The Kyuss knight is healed by the horrid power caught in the writhing worms of Kyuss. As a full-round action that provokes an attack of opportunity, a Kyuss knight can consume an adjacent wormswarm. This heals the Kyuss knight of all damage and removes any condition removed by the heal spell. The wormswarm is completely destroyed, but makes no move to defend itself from this consumption.
Abilities: Increase from the base creature as follows: Str +16, Wis +6, Cha +12. As an undead creature, a Kyuss knight has no Constitution score.
Skills: Kyuss knights have a +8 racial bonus on Concentration, Intimidate, Knowledge (religion), Listen, and Spot checks. Otherwise same as base creature.
Challenge Rating: HD 4 to 7, as base creature + 4; HD 8 to 12, as base creature +5; HD 13 or more, as base creature +6.
I don't think Power Attack works like that, though. I'll have to see if monsters have a special use for Power Attack when using secondaries.
According to the PH entry for Power Attack, you can't add the bonus from Power Attack to the damage dealt with a light weapon, except for unarmed strikes or natural weapon attacks. It does not, however, mention secondary natural weapon attacks.
It almost looks like bite is getting half the Str damage bonus and half the Power attack damage bonus.
I know some bites don't use full Str, but rather half Str. These are usually when bites are "secondary" or something.
I don't think Power Attack works like that, though. I'll have to see if monsters have a special use for Power Attack when using secondaries.
Edit:
Now that I'm looking at everything else, I would wager that they most likely made a boo-boo with the math when carrying over the +5 Power Attack from the base monster.
Damage for that advanced knight's bite should be 1d4+16.
+6.5 damage from Strength and +10 from Power Attack.
Thanks, I forgot about halving Strength damage for secondary natural attacks. I managed to edit the original thread to take into account your corrections.
I was working on creating a Kyuss Knight template, but I can't seem to figure out how their attack bonuses and damage for their bite attacks are calculated. Here's the relevant info:
from Spire of Long Shadows:
Kyuss Knight
Melee*+1 unholy bastard sowrd +22/+17 (1d10+15/19-20) and 2 bites +13 (1d4+9 plus 1d4 Intelligence drain)
* Includes adjustment for 5-point Power Attack
Base Atk +8; Grp +17
Abilities Str 28, Dex 10, Con -, Int 12, Wis 15, Cha 20
SQ dark blessing, martial calling, turn resistance +4, unholy toughness, worm healing
Feats Cleave, Exotic Weapon (bastard sword), Improved Sunder, Iron Will, Power Attack, Weapon Focus (bastard sword)
Martial Calling (Su): A Kyuss knight gains a profane bonus equal to half its Hit Dice on all melee weapon attacks.
By my understanding of the D&D rules, the Kyuss Knight's bastard sword attack is correct, but his 2 bite attacks should be +7 instead of +13. (Attack: +8 base attack, +9 Str, -5 secondary attack, -5 Power Attack.) I can't figure out why there's a 6-point difference in the attacks.
Now let's take a look at the other Kyuss Knight entry...
from Dawn of a New Age:
Maralee (advanced Kyuss knight)
Melee*+5 unholy executioner's mace +44/44/+39/34/+29 (2d6+41/19-20/x3/+2d6) and 2 bites +17 (1d4+11 plus 2d4 Intelligence drain)
* Includes adjustment for 10-point Power Attack
Base Atk +16; Grp +29
Abilities Str 36, Dex 12, Con -, Int 12, Wis 18, Cha 24
SQ Same as Kyuss Knight plus Haste
All of Maralee's attacks (executioner's mace & bites) are 2 points higher than they should be so that's easily fixed (but her mace's damage should be 2d6+44). But her bite attacks should be doing 1d4+16 damage instead of 1d4+11.
These poor stat block designs are a chronic problem in all 3rd Edition D&D products, but perhaps I'm missing something here...
The great thing about the favoured spawn template is that the only thing the creature loses is its constitution and alignment (which turns to CE). It retains all class features such as spellcasting or bardic music (Kyuss bards are a riot...). I wonder if you can add the favoured spawn template and the death knight template to the same creature.
There is a Favoured Spawn of Kyuss template in Dragon #336. Abilities gained: Create Spawn, Fear Aura, Foul Embrace, Kyuss' Gift, Damage Reduction, Fast Healing, Turn Resistance, and a choice of either Infested Skin, Noxious Breath, or Wormburst. The template also improves every ability except Dexterity and Constitution and the creature gains the Improved Unarmed Strike feat.
One of these days I'll look into making a Kyuss Knight template.
The warforge juggernaut's Construct Perfection III ability states that at 4th level, a warforge juggernaut gains immunity to death effects and necromancy effects. A death or necromancy effect isn't necessarily a negative energy effect. The same can be argued for the warforge juggernaut's Healing Immunity ability, which makes it immune to the effects of spells from the healing subschool, but does not make it immune to positive energy. The Invocation of the Worm ability does negative energy damage, but nowhere does it state anything about it being a death or necromancy effect. It does, however, state that the ability only affects living creatures, making it more of a DM call than anything else.
I had the same problem (more or less) in my campaign when my players were surprised to find out that death ward did not protect them from a dread wraith's Constitution Drain ability or from Augerric's ability to cast vampiric touch at will.
According to the Rules Compendium, negative energy is nothing but a damage type, but is not considered an energy type the way that acid, cold, electricity, fire, and sonic are. I was unable to find clear descriptions of death effects and necromancy effects. I'm assuming death effects refer to death attacks and spells with the death descriptor. As for necromancy effect, I'm going with spells from the necromancy school.
Price (Item Level): 55,000 gp (18th)
Body Slot: — (held)
Caster Level: 13th
Aura: Strong; (DC 21) evocation
Activation: Swift (command)
Weight: 1 lb.
This finely crafted dagger’s hilt is set with sapphires and rubies.
This +2 keen dagger appears normal until one of two command words is called out.
Flame: One command word ignites the dagger’s blade like a torch, turning it into a +2 keen flaming burst dagger which casts bright light in a 20-ft. radius. The flame ignites combustibles on contact.
Frost: Another command word turns the dagger into a +2 keen icy burst dagger and gives the blade a cold blue aura that sheds shadowy illumination in a 10-ft. radius. The blade can also freeze one cubic foot of water per round when in contact with water.
Price (Item Level): 36,000 gp (17th)
Body Slot: Waist
Caster Level: 15th
Aura: Strong; (DC 22) transmutation
Activation: Swift (mental)
Weight: 1 lb.
This appears to be nothing but a heavy rope belt.
Tenser’s girdle of giant strength functions as a belt of giant strength +4. In addition, Tenser’s girdle of giant strength has 3 charges, which are renewed each day at dawn. Spending 1 or more charges grants the wearer a stronger enhancement bonus to Strength and possibly the ability to throw rocks for 1 round. The wearer’s Strength score remains the same if it is already higher than the amount granted by the girdle, but the wearer can still use the girdle to gain the rock throwing ability.
1 charge: Wearer’s Strength score raises to 27.
2 charges: Wearer’s Strength score raises to 31 and he gains the ability to hurl rocks weighing 40 to 50 pounds each (Small objects, 2d6 damage) with a range increment of 120 ft.
3 charges: Wearer’s Strength score raises to 35 and he gains the ability to hurl rocks weighing 60 to 80 pounds each (Medium objects, 2d8 damage) with a range increment of 140 ft.
Price (Item Level): 41,000 gp (17th)
Body Slot: Feet
Caster Level: 10th
Aura: Moderate; (DC 20) transmutation
Activation: Swift (mental)
Weight: 1 lb.
These wolfhide boots appear like normal boots, but are extremely light and flexible.
Tenser’s boots of the running warrior provide a +4 enhancement bonus to Dexterity, a 10-ft. enhancement bonus to the wearer’s base land speed, and a +10 competence bonus to Jump checks. Three times per day, the wearer can also use a swift action to activate the boots, gaining an extra move action for that round that can only be used to move up to the wearer’s land speed. For example, the wearer could activate the boots, move his base speed, and take a full-attack action. The boots cannot be used to gain an extra action while using any movement mode other than land.
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