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I have two interrelated concepts that I'm looking to do...and I'll do them, if nobody else thinks it'll be fun to do it. I'm ok at making templates...but just ok. I want these to rock. ;)
There is a wasteland across an isthmus in the world I'm working on. It's been sealed off, as there was some horrid magic unleashed there...there are some hasty monsters that roam about, some packs of wild and nastier-than-usual humanoids...and a great thing roughly equivalent to a Great Old One...though it's dead...it isn't that hard to bring it back with a ritual, and the blood of a truly holy being...so it happens, from time to time...
Fortunately, the ritual takes a long time, and isn't very stable.
There is a castle atop cliffs that rise high above the end of the isthmus - the cliffs are known as the 'Watcher's Stone', and the tower overlooking the wastes as the 'Watcher's Keep'.
The first template...the big one, likely a +3 or more, is 'Watcher over the Wastes'. There is only ever one in the world, selected by a spirit of the land, when the present Watcher dies or is dying. The template transfers in a ritual ceremony. The Watcher has the power to sense the disturbance the ritual causes, and powers related to knowing what's going on in the wastes...and fighting whatever evil might come through. The Watcher is almost always a high level...usually druid/ranger or a cleric with nature-related domains...and hardly ever anything but a human.
The second template is one given to the volunteers that undergo a lesser ritual - the 'Eyes of the Watcher'. It becomes their job to hold the keep...and the walls over the cliffs...and to make forays into the wastelands. They are literally the eyes, in one sense, as the Watcher has the ability to see directly, through their eyes. There should be some other abilities related to survival in the wasteland, but the total of this template shouldn't exceed +1 or +2.
Any takers? :)
I'll work on something today, could be interesting.
Here's the Watcher of the Wastes - I'll work on the Eyes of the Wastes template next, but it's much simpler.
Note on the kami thing - kami in Pathfinder are the "guardian nature spirits" so it made sense to use those existing mechanics, and they rely heavily on the concept of a ward, as well. The resistances/immunities that the template grants are the base kami abilities.
Creating a Watcher of the Wastes
"Watcher of the Wastes" is a unique template that can be added to any humanoid creature that undergoes a specific ritual that grants it the mantle. This ritual can only be performed by the current Watcher of the Wastes, or by the powerful nature spirits that grant the Watcher their power. This title is usually granted to a powerful servant of nature, typically a druid, ranger, or cleric of a nature-oriented deity.
CR: Same as the base creature +3.
Type: The creature's type changes to native outsider, and they gain the kami subtype. Recalculate base attack bonus, base saves, and skill points based on any racial hit dice the creature may possess based on its new type.
Senses: The creature gains low-light vision and darkvision 60'.
AC: The Watcher of the Wastes gains a +2 insight bonus to AC while within the area of its ward.
Defensive Abilities: The Watcher of the Wastes gains immunity to bleed damage, mind-affecting effects, petrification, and polymorph effects, and gains resist acid 10, electricity 10, and fire 10. While within the area of its ward, the creature gains fast healing 5.
Abilities: The Watcher of the Wilds gains a +4 bonus to its Wisdom score and a +2 bonus to its Constitution.
Special Abilities:
Guardian of Nature: As a swift action, the Watcher can imbue a single weapon with a portion of nature's fury. This ability can affect either one of its natural weapons or a touched manufactured weapon. While the ability is in use, the weapon becomes an aberration bane weapon, as the weapon special property, granting it an additional +2 enhancement bonus against creatures of the aberration type, and dealing an additional 2d6 damage against any such creature struck. This ability can be used for a number of rounds per day equal to the Watcher's hit dice plus its Wisdom modifier.
Imbue Eyes of the Wastes: Through a little-known ritual, the Watcher of the Wastes can apply the Eyes of the Wastes template to a willing creature. This takes a 24-hour ritual involving the Watcher and the prospective Eye of the Wastes, and must be performed within the Watcher's ward. If the Watcher has an animal companion or familiar, it automatically gains the Eyes of the Wastes template.
Merge with Ward (Su): As a standard action, the Watcher of the Wastes can merge its body and mind with its ward. When merged, the Watcher can observe the area where it merged as though it were still in that location. It can move its point of perception up to 60' as a move action, as long as it remains within its ward. The Watcher can also, as a standard action, move its point of perception to any creature with the Eyes of the Watcher template within the Wastes. It can emerge as a standard action, appearing at its current point of perception as though stepping from the terrain.
Share Senses (Su): As a standard action, the Watcher of the Wastes can use the senses of any creature within its ward with the Eyes of the Wastes template, as share senses (APG), though the Watcher receives all sensory input from the target creature. The target creature is aware of this effect, and may attempt to resist (Will DC 10 + 1/2 the Watcher's hit dice + Wisdom modifier negates). Using this ability requires the Watcher to maintain concentration on the effect.
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 9th or the Watcher's Hit Dice, whichever is higher, save DCs are Wisdom-based) (Sp):
- At Will - detect aberration (APG), speak with animals, whispering wind
- 3/day - commune with nature, nature's exile (APG), spike growth
- 1/day - rest eternal (APG), summon nature's ally v
Ward: The Watcher of the Wastes is a guardian of a specific area, and the natural spirits that infuse it grant their servant power in that region. While within its ward, the Watcher gains a +4 bonus on initiative checks and Knowledge (Geography), Perception, Stealth, and Survival skill checks. While within its ward, the Watcher leaves no trail and cannot be tracked (though it can leave a trail if it so chooses). If the Watcher of the Wastes has the favored terrain ability at a bonus higher than +4, it instead uses the highest favored terrain bonus while in its ward. Whenever a spell of 6th level or greater is cast within its ward, the Watcher of the Wastes automatically rolls a Perception check (DC 25 - the level of the spell). If successful, the Watcher becomes aware of the caster's general location and the type of magic used (arcane or divine). Additionally, some of the Watcher's special abilities only function within the area of his ward.
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Here's the Watcher of the Wastes - I'll work on the Eyes of the Wastes template next, but it's much simpler.
Note on the kami thing - kami in Pathfinder are the "guardian nature spirits" so it made sense to use those existing mechanics, and they rely heavily on the concept of a ward, as well. The resistances/immunities that the template grants are the base kami abilities.
Creating a Watcher of the Wastes
"Watcher of the Wastes" is a unique template that can be added to any humanoid creature that undergoes a specific ritual that grants it the mantle. This ritual can only be performed by the current Watcher of the Wastes, or by the powerful nature spirits that grant the Watcher their power. This title is usually granted to a powerful servant of nature, typically a druid, ranger, or cleric of a nature-oriented deity.
CR: Same as the base creature +3.
Type: The creature's type changes to native outsider, and they gain the kami subtype. Recalculate base attack bonus, base saves, and skill points based on any racial hit dice the creature may possess based on its new type.
Senses: The creature gains low-light vision and darkvision 60'.
AC: The Watcher of the Wastes gains a +2 insight bonus to AC while within the area of its ward.
Defensive Abilities: The Watcher of the Wastes gains immunity to bleed damage, mind-affecting effects, petrification, and polymorph effects, and gains resist acid 10, electricity 10, and fire 10. While within the area of its ward, the creature gains fast healing 5.
Abilities: The Watcher of the Wilds gains a +4 bonus to its Wisdom score and a +2 bonus to its Constitution.Special Abilities:
Guardian of Nature: As a swift action, the Watcher can imbue a single weapon with a portion of nature's fury. This ability can affect either one of its natural weapons or a touched manufactured weapon. While the ability is in use, the weapon becomes an aberration bane weapon, as the weapon special property, granting it...
VERY sweet. I like it...a lot. :)
That's right on the money! The kami aspect is very cool. :)
I have some details worked out on the ritual, by the way. A part of it includes a branding...of the watcher's symbol. It's a stylized eye. Eventually, it fades away...and this is the sign that an Eye has been released from service...but it's possible to re-submit, as long as the Eye has performed well.
Oh, and another fun point...the Watcher himself manifests a third eye, in the center of the forehead... :)
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For what it's worth, I'm actually finally running this campaign, now, and the Watcher is a Human Drd17/Heirophant8.Hm. Would it hurt to toss in a Scrying SLA that only functions within their domain, and a Tree Stride or Greater Teleport that does so, too?
That might be good. It's been a while since I actually looked at the template, so I expect I'll play with it a bit.
Dot for later.