black touched template is in the terrors of athas bestiary on athas.org
Family lore is fine.
This is a good canon description. You can Alaka is an extension of the canon -- Mt. Sumeru is the 'potential' version of the Mountain of Assassins in Raam. The transport through shadows is also canon. The shadow giants/recreated yaksa servants of the raksasas also come from this.
I'm happy to add some more stuff if you have further ideas -- I might add in some material from similar planes from Planescape or the Planar Handbook.
The Black
Most men call it shadow, that dark stain visible only as an absence: the cold gloom cast upon the ground when their bodies block the light of the crimson son. Wiser minds referred to it as the Black, and they knew that it separated everything that existed from everything that did not. It lurked just beneath the surface of all things, like a leathery shell of some great egg, buried shallow and about to hatch. Outside lay the barren mountains, the endless sand wastes, and the bleak, windswept plains that were the world of Athas. Inside lay the Hollow, filled with the languid albumin of nothingness. ―The Cerulean Storm
The Black is a coterminous and coexistent plane that resides next to Athas. It is a reflection of the Prime Material Plane and shows what exists by way of negative space. For as long as Athasians have realized the power of the shadows the Black has been used, whether magically, psionically, or mundanely. The landscape of the Black is in constant flux, spells and psionic powers draw power from the planes, and due to the reflexive nature of the plane, changes on Athas cause changes in the Black.
The power and energy from the Black comes from its connection to the Material Plane of Athas. Shadows show what exist by absence. Shadows are negative space that shows existence through a negative. The Black exists where shadows are, and as its own plane. The Black contains not only the negative space from the reflections of existing objects, but also the potential of what all those things could be. Within the Black, all the things that could be are, but they are reflections, and have no substance, not existence, no life. When creatures used the Black to fuel their abilities, they are drawing on this potential and giving it a reality. The Black is not only the reflection of what is on Athas, but also the reflection of what could be. Powerful spellcasters have investigated the power of exploiting this potentiality to great effect. Rumors of a place beyond the Black, where not even reflections of reality exist are true. The Hollow is a plane outside of space and time. It is non–existence, and it is here that the Champions trapped Rajaat during the Rebellion.
Because of this, the landscape of the Black is constantly in motion, and never settled. It is at once a reflection of what is, and all the things that could be. The landscape resembles Athas, and there is a definite up and down, ground and sky, buildings, trees, rivers, and seas. However, all these things change and warp constantly. Gravity here exists, but only if one wishes it to. Within the Black there are creatures that once lived on Athas. The halfling servants of the Warbringer were thrown into the Black during the Rebellion. To this day, they remain bodily within the Black, and are only able to interact with Athas through manipulating shadows. Also within the Black is the body of King Tithian of Tyr, his spirit trapped within the Cerulean Storm. When Rajaat was freed from the Hollow, he imprisoned Andropinis within the Black where he remains unable to escape from. Creatures native to the Black are few, but rumor has it that deep within the depths are possibilities of what could be, for both good and ill, and that these things sleep, unless someone awakens them. Terror could be unleashed on Athas if these things were given form outside the depths of the Black.
The Black has the following traits:
Subjective directional gravity.
Magically morphic. Certain spells (those with the shadow descriptor, those that draw on the Black) modify the base material of the Black. The utility and power of these spells within the Black make them particularly useful for explorers and natives alike.
Cold aligned: The dark nature of the Black brings numbing cold to all who visit. Without proper protections, creatures within the Black must make a Fortitude check every round (DC 20). Those who fail their save take 1d4 points of Strength damage, 1d6 non–lethal damage, and are numbed for one round. Those that make their save take 1 point of Strength damage, and 1 point of non–lethal damage. Creatures immune to cold, and those that have cold resistance of 10 or greater do not need to make these checks.
Mildly neutral–aligned.
Enhanced magic. Spells with the shadow descriptor are enhanced when within the Black. Such spells are cast as though they were prepared with the Maximize Spell feat, though they don’t require the higher spell slots.
Furthermore, specific spells become more powerful on the Black. Shadow conjuration and shadow evocation spells are 30% as powerful as the conjurations and evocations they mimic (as opposed to 20%). Greater shadow conjuration and greater shadow evocation are 70% as powerful (not 60%), and a shades spell conjures at 90% of the power of the original (not 80%).
Impeded magic. Spells that use or generate light or fire may fizzle when cast within the Black. A spellcaster attempting a spell with the light or fire descriptor must succeed on a Spellcraft check (DC 20 + the level of the spell). Spells that produce light are less effective in general, because all light sources have their ranges halved within the Black.
The Black Inhabitants: Black‐touched creature (template), psi‐shadow, shadow, shadow giant, shadow mastiff.
Monster Manual III: Night twist, shadesteel golem.
Monster Manual IV: Skiurid.
Planar Handbook: Shadow jelly, void ooze.
I'm thinking my PC is gonna be around 25 years old(I can easily adjust this to fit the story). He began his training, as do all children(or in his case, grand children) of the Council at 13.
First few years(3 at most) were spent studying with the guru. This is mandatory for all Council members children/grandchildren. Those whose family are not among the Council begin their training immediately within their chosen caste. However, as potential future Council members, generals, and similar positions of leadership, those who hail from the Great Families(place holder name atm) are required to learn at the feet of the guru, to better broaden their learning and knowledge. (I'm sort of playing off the Web of Knives faction within the Assamites, who are a more 'refined, educated' type of assassin)
Once he 'graduated', he then joined the kṣatriyaḥ, and began his true training in earnest. This lasts for 4 or 5 years(depending on if the prior schooling took 2 or 3 years), and then he's given a graduation mission. At this point, he's 20(or so).
He then spends another year or two(bringing him to roughly 23) within Alaka, serving his mother, grandfather, and the Council as a whole, before being assigned to Raam.
He sort of resents being sent to the 'mortal plane', but it generally doesn't come out. However, he does see this assignment as a chance to gain influence and status within the Dark Ring, with the aspiration to eventually take it over, or at least rise to a position of leadership.
Feel free to add to this or critique it. All feedback definitely welcome.
Couple of mechanical questions(cuz ya know, I actually need some stats eventually, lol)
1) If I take the Black Touched, can I also slightly boost the Yaksha race as well?
2) Do we have 5 feats(4 per level, plus the bonus 1st level one all PCs get) or 4(1-4?).
Also, crap, I just remembered we're also mythic, lol.
You get one feat every level instead of every other level, so 4. There are several other ways to get extra feats if you need it for a build.
Why don't you take Shadow Lord as the template if with black touched you think you need a template and to fiddle with the race more. The idea of having a template was to close the power gap with the other races. That seems like a lot of extra work.
No feedback on my character's backstory so far??
Sorry didn't realize you wanted comments -- I like it a lot, I can definitely use that for a lot of plot points. I was imagining the rakshasas were pretty annoyed with the human assassin guild, so your goal makes a lot of sense.
Do you have any suggestions to help fill out what I've wrote up so far?
Feel free to add in some ideas as well. May not use all of them, but any extra inspiration is welcome! :)
Couple of quick questions:
1) Is my PCs last name, Mīnakshi?
2) Would it change things if I'm the eldest son of Śūrpaṇakhā, or should I be the second or third son? Not sure if I should worry about succession or other political ramifications of being eldest(Not that I personally would avoid that, but maybe you don't want me to the eldest for plot).
3) My PCs name, should it meet approval, will be Hamza, possible with a middle name or two.
I think I'm going to try the Sword Seer multiclass paladin archetype on the other side. It's going to be an odd mixture, but seems like fun.
If you get less than halve on an HP roll, we've been taking half as the default.
Monkey God--
1). You can be whichever son you want.
3). Hamza could be his name he uses in Raam, but really that's an arabic/semitic, not an Indo-European name. He should have a Sanskritic name which is his 'real' name.
I also was listening to a lecture of Nietzsche's philosophy and National Socialism today, and I want to add some of the ideas from Thus Spake Zarathustra.
The rakshasas are all engaged in a great game to evolve their species to the next level -- when they reach this point, the believe they will have the power to retake their city from Abalach-Re, and resurrect the devas as slaves.
They revere the prophet who warred against them through Ravana in a strange kind of spiritual stockholm syndrome. One the one hand, Zarathustra is their enemy, but on the other he showed the way towards struggle, both individually and as a community -- the conflict which will terminate in their eventual victory and ascent to new heights of predatory perfection.
Looking over the Shadow Lord template, it's technically only applicable to 5HD creatures, and as I said above, it's rather strong, so I was considering the following adjustments:
Resist 10, DR 5/Magic, no incorporeal step and switch ray of sickening to Shadow Ribbons(which I feel is a better spell of this character) 3/day, Shadow Conjuration and Shadow Step 1/day, and no Greater Shadow Conjuration/Shadow Walk.
Perhaps at a higher level I could regain the removed/reduced abilities, but if so, that doesn't need to happen at 5th level.
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That sounds fine.
Are templates on the table as an option?
Probably, what do you want?
I thought that either the Dream Creature or Haunted One templates could tie in well with the background of the shamanistic tribe and the secret cult based on Mithraism. Do either of those appeal to you?
Currently going with the katar as my signature weapon, as it's both a light blade, and a close weapon, which means I can use it with the majority of my maneuvers.
Two questions:
1) Would the katar be finesable?
2) Since we're using the feat tax document, which makes weapon finesse a trait of all light weapons, if I have a class feature that grants me weapon finesse, can I take weapon focus instead? I think I saw you rule that way already, but I might be confusing recruitments, lol
Currently going with the katar as my signature weapon, as it's both a light blade, and a close weapon, which means I can use it with the majority of my maneuvers.
Two questions:
1) Would the katar be finesable?
2) Since we're using the feat tax document, which makes weapon finesse a trait of all light weapons, if I have a class feature that grants me weapon finesse, can I take weapon focus instead? I think I saw you rule that way already, but I might be confusing recruitments, lol
Sounds fine
I thought that either the Dream Creature or Haunted One templates could tie in well with the background of the shamanistic tribe and the secret cult based on Mithraism. Do either of those appeal to you?
I like the dream creature one.
Actually both could be interesting -- my idea with the haunted one template would be the 'rider' was a spirit of a pre-human civilization in the area of Balic, which would have been made up of various lionmorphic species.
These were hunted to extinction by humans, but continue to exert influence on Balician culture through the were-lions and other remnants of their culture.
Cool, I'm happy that you see potential there.
So, it would be the accumulated knowledge of my ancestors. It seems like there is some fun RP possibilities. Nothing says "mad prophet" like having conversations with someone that no one else can see AND having knowledge that I shouldn't.
Perhaps my placement with a noble family was purposeful by the remnants of the tribe/cult in order to influence their standing.
I like that idea -- I'll have to start thinking about some of the politics in Balic and what plans this group of precursor spirits has for the city.
My idea is that they're something like from the Malazan world, where certain animals domesticated and civilized humans, instead of the other way around.
Hamza(Hamsa) is both Arabic and Sanskritic.
Okay, then that's fine
There's not particularly any rush, but I was curious if either of you have a rough guess yet of when you'll be done with crunching and ready to play?
Depends on if I have any of my IRL games this weekend, and if so when and how many, lol. We might try for something tomorrow(the 7th) and then again on Sat(8th). Doubt we'll play Sun, and then we have another game on Mon.
Due to various IRL crap, we haven't been able to play either game in like 2+ weeks.
That said, let me roll some HP:
So, I can take the average on that one, ie a 5? So, 25 +max first level, for a total of 35?
Yes, but you don't get a Con bonus because we're using wounds and vigor. You get x2 con for Wounds, con score is Wound Threshold. Vigor is HP without con bonus.
Ah, right, forgot about that. So 28 wounds, and 26 Vigor?
Question, and also a favor:
Would you be willing to count a Double-chained Kama as a light weapon for the purpose of Weapon Finesse/maneuvers , as kamas are light weapons?
I thought that would be a really cool, unique weapon for Hamza to wield, as opposed to the katars.
It also lets him use all of his melee based maneuvers, which is pretty sweet, as I don't need to switch up weapons, unless I want to use ranged maneuvers.
Finally, you mentioned above there are ways to gain extra feats, should I need them. Curious what those were?
I don't see why it wouldn't count as light -- the individual blades are still described as light. Is there somewhere that describes it otherwise?
Best way to get free Feats? Downtime training was the way I'm justifying giving villains any and all feats I feel like giving them.
So, I like this answer best:
"Just write whatever you want on your sheet, and if/when questioned say you didn't understand how feats work."
I'm totally gonna just do that, LOL.
Seriously though, would you allow Hamza downtime training prior to game start(as he's 4th level) to gain a few extra feats?
Also, the double-chained kama is officially classified as a two handed melee weapon.
However, you're easily able to wield it one handed, and as you said, the kamas themselves are light.
It's up to you, would just make my life super easy, and give Hamza a very unique, rather versatile weapon.
I mean, don't go crazy, like no 12 additional feats, but like a 2-3 more to finish a build would be fine as a rakshasas who has had years of schooling.
Here's a thread about the kama issue
I think this ruling seems fair --
mdt Jun 20, 2013, 03:43 pm | Flag | List | FAQ | Reply
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Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber Droogami
yeah, this is how I treat it personally... not saying it's RAW, but I think it's RAI.
Double-Chained Kama
If you have Weapon Finesse or Weapon Focus/Specialization (Kama), you can use those benefits when you're making melee attacks with the weapon using the two Kama ends. When you use the reach function of the weapon, you can't use those abilities, as they are not valid for the reach since a kama can't be used at reach.
If you have Weapon Focus/Specialization (double-chained kama) then you can use those benefits at both reach and when using the kama's in two hands.
If not today, then tomorrow. It is a complicated mashup with gestalt and 2 multiclass archetypes.
I think the crunchy stuff is done: Cae Leonidas. I hope it is organized well enough to make sense.
Looks good, I'll try to get your first post together over the weekend. My idea is you're scouting an entrance to the ruins, pursuing the noble daughter.
Sounds good.
Since we're using the feat tax, finessable is weapon property. Could I just add that to a double-chained kama?
Also, I need to know if I can count it as a light blade for purposes of several of my disciplines, as many of them require specific weapons in order to use their maneuvers, and gain many of the various benefits inherent in the system.
As it's already a flail and a monk weapon, that allows me to use it with many of the disciplines, but counting it as a light weapon as well means I can use it with all of them.
Based on the parsing of the RAW above, it would seem like you can use them with the disciplines if you're not using the reach attack, but rather the individual blades.
If you need it to apply to the reach attack too, we can make up a rakshasa version of the kama with some distinctive features.
I'm curious what you have in mind.
Part of the reason I went with the double chained kama is that it can be used to disarm and trip, and the reach is a nice added bonus.
Nevermind, I have a fix, some 3pp. feats
https://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/3rd-party-feats/kobold-press/combat-feats-3r d-party-kobold-press/lighten-weapon-combat/
https://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/3rd-party-feats/kobold-press/combat-feats-3r d-party-kobold-press/improved-lighten-weapon-combat/
Just take those and that should solve your problem
https://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/magic-weapons/specific-magic-weapons/e ffortless-lace/
and/or this too
https://www.d20pfsrd.com/path-of-war/feats/double-weapon-finesse-combat/
Also these comments from the Ninja guidebook:
Double-Chained Kama: The rules for the double-chained Kama seems somewhat confusing, but the description can be clarified a bit.
The double-chained kama essentially has two modes: double kama mode and reach mode.
In double kama mode, you are functionally using two seperate weapons with a chain between them, and you can use Weapon Finesse with the kamas.
When you switch to reach mode, things gets a little bit unclear. The weapon limits you to a single attack, so you can't use two-weapon fighting but it's unclear if you can make extra attacks with higher base attack bonus.
It doesn't state that you must make the reach attack two-handed and weapon doesn't stop being light, so you can still use weapon finesse as far as I can tell.
So I think you can use the reach if you're attacking once, and the two-handed version also works for finesse with the other stuff I suggested above.
Here's something from Spheres of Might that seems like it would deal withe the issue as well
Oversized Weapons
Prerequisites: Equipment sphere, base attack bonus +6.
You may wield weapons sized for creatures 1 size larger than yourself without increasing the effort required (i.e., you do not increase the weapon’s category by 1 step from light to one-handed, one-handed to two-handed, etc.), though you still suffer a -2 penalty on attack rolls with the oversized weapon. In addition, you may treat two handed weapons of your normal size as one-handed weapons and may treat one-handed weapons of your normal size as light weapons, but suffer a -2 penalty to attack rolls made while doing so. These penalties are doubled when making a full attack action.
If I can attack only once with reach, without any of the above suggested fixes, that might be all I need for now.
A lot of maneuvers are similar to vital strike, in that you use then with a single attack action.
I'll have to actually choose which maneuvers I know, and then decide if I need any of your suggestions.
Thank you for all your help. I might end up buying the Effortless Lace regardless, since I lack the BAB(only +3) for most of the other 'fixes'.
Also, just an FYI, I've been building Hamza via Google Docs, since he's a rather complicated character(I did the same with Dhaunae, lol). I'll create an actual alias for him this weekend.
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Before I found this other stuff, I was going to suggest something like there's a rakshasa double kama where the chain is a strand of shadow or force that only manifests when you're using the reach ability, otherwise it's just two light weapons.
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And thank you both for your interest, I'm genuinely glad to have both these wonderfully-imagined characters joining the story, I think it will really add substantially to the whole tapestry of the campaign.
Awww, thanks. It was a fun collaboration. Very much looking forward to playing in your world.
My Sat was mostly shot, having to help my mom and cousin do stuff around the house, and today was a recovery day. I had like zero energy most of the day, so I just kinda flounced off.
I'm supposed to play my RL Ravenloft game tomorrow, but the apartment building my GM lives in has been having power issues, so we'll see.
If I am able to play, I'll be tied up most of the night in game, so twill be Tues(or Wed latest) that I finish. If I don't play, I hope to be tomorrow or Tues latest.
Honestly this campaign is a slow burn and not going to be picking up speed either. Just get the character together when you can and I'm sure they'll still be in about the same place, a couple of days isn't going to matter