Rules and Mechanics

Prestige Classes - S to Z

SEEKER OF THE ELEMENTAL SONG
The Seekers of the Elemental Song see and hear the music of the world a bit differently, and seek to learn the song that unlocks them. They believe that song mastered the chaos that helped to form and command the elements to work together. They hope to master the elements and the chaos surrounding them by learning the full Song of the Elements.
Hit Die: d6
Requirements
To qualify to become a Seeker, a character must fulfill all the following criteria.
Skills: Perform: (Strings, Woodwinds, or Singing) 13 ranks, KN: Arcane 13 Ranks, Listen 13 Ranks, and KN: Nature 10 Ranks
Feats: Skill Focus: Perform: (Strings, Woodwinds, or Singing)
Special: Bardic Music, Must Speak Terran, Ignan, Auran, and Aquan
Special: Must have visited or at least been near one of the six towers. Close enough to hear the song eminating from it. (Line of sight)

Class Skills
The Seeker’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Disguise (Cha), Gather Information (Cha), Handle Animal (Cha), Hide (Dex), Jump (Str), Knowledge (all skills, taken individually) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Speak Language (None), Spellcraft (Int), Survival (Wis), Swim (Str).
Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier.

Class Features
All the following are Class Features of the Outrider prestige class.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A Seeker gains no Weapon or Armor Proficiency beyond what they already have.
Bardic Music: A Seeker gains Bardic Music as if he had gained a bard level, including any new uses of Bardic Music if he has the appropriate ranks in Perform to perform them. However, this only applies for Instrumental or Singing performances. The Seeker can not use Seeker levels or abilities with any other Perform type (such as oratory or dancing).
Spell Casting: A Seeker cast spells and advances on the bard spell casting table, but they instead use the Seeker spell list. All new spells learned by taking Seeker levels (or subsequent bard levels) are drawn from the Seeker's spell list. All spells learned prior to being a Seeker are kept.
Song of the Elements Parts: There are 5 parts to the Song of the Elements, Each part having a melody and a finale. At each odd level, the Seeker learns one part, and can use the melody and the finale of that part. The melody can be used and sustained as per normal bardic music rules. The finally effects work like bardic music as well, except the finales end after their effects happen, and may not be maintained.
Song of the Earth:
- Lasting Melody - This song allows the Seeker to temporarily alleviate conditions. Sufferers of Poison, Disease, Curses, Addictions, and most other malicious conditions receive a new saving through, and can opt to use the Seeker's perform bonus instead of rolling the save normally. If the save is successful, the effects of the condition are alleviated for the duration of the song, and if the song is sustained for more than a minute, this continues for one hour per seeker level. When the duration expires, the effects resume as if continuing from when they last affected the character and no time has passed. Permanent conditions, such as death, amputation, damage, and such are not subject to this power, and the DM has the final say of what is and isn't affected.
- Strength of the Stone - This song can be used to heal allies within 50 feet. The Seeker takes a full round action, and makes a perform check, and the result is the amount of HP healed, with a maximum of 5 HP per Seeker level, after which the song ends.
Song of the Wind:
- Gusting Melody - This song creates a swirling wind around the Seeker and his allies, giving all allies who are listening a 5% miss chance per Seeker level to all ranged attacks against them. This effect ends immediately upon the end of the song.
- Whisper of the Wind - This song allows the Seeker to Teleport, much like the spell, with a range equal to 100 miles per rank in Perform, and the Seeker can take one additional person per Seeker level. In the event of a mishap, the Seeker simply does not teleport. Once the Seeker arrives at his destination, the song ends.
Song of the Sea
- Misty Melody - This song protects the seeker and his allies from energy attacks. The song absorbs a number of points of energy damage equal to the perform ranks of the seeker per round. All energy damage counts against the total. This effect end 5 rounds after the song ends.
- Babbling of the River - This song allows you to Control Weather, as per the spell, except that the song must be sung each time the Seeker wishes to change the weather again. The song takes one full round to perform, and ends the round after it begins.
Song of the Sun
- Radiant Melody - This Song allows the Seeker to turn (but not destroy) undead at a level equal to the number of perform ranks of the Seeker. The song requires concentration, and the effects wear off 1 round after the song ends.
- Essence of the Morning - This Song calls forth a ray of searing sunlight, scorching one opponent. The effect is a Ray that does 2d6 per Seeker level (4d6 vs. Undead and creatures vulnerable to sunlight/fire), and is a ranged touch attack using the Seeker's perform check to hit. After the strike, the song ends.
Song of Chaos
- Jarring Melody - This song clouds the minds of those who hear the song. Up to 3 opponents per level of the Seeker within that can hear the Seeker must make a Will save DC 10 + the number of ranks in Perform of the type used to enact the song or act as if under the Confusion spell. This effect requires concentration to maintain, and ends immediately upon the song ending.
- Absence of Order - This Song calls down the destructive power of Chaos. When a Seeker spends a full round action to call this song, chaotic energy rises up to strike his enemies, striking one opponent at random per seeker level within 50' of the Seeker for 1d8 points of damage per seeker level, Reflex save for Half. Save DC is 10 + the number of ranks in Perform of the type used to enact the song, and the damage energy is determined at random (Roll a D10, 1-2: Fire, 3-4: Cold, 5-6: Acid, 7-8: Sonic, 9-10: Electricity)
Inspire Music: The Seeker is so musically inspiring, that he brings out the innate musical talent in those who listen to his song. When performing without bardic music, one ally per Seeker class level can use the perform skill as if they had a number of ranks equal to 1 + Seeker's class level. These ranks to not count for others using their own bardic music. This effect lasts for one hour, and does not cost a bardic music use.
Blend Music: The Seeker can combine two bardic music effects (Including Song of the Elements parts). Each effect is considered a separate use of the bardic music ability as if they had been used separately. If either or both effects require concentration, the seeker can use a standard action to maintain both of them. Normal stacking rules for benefits and bonuses still apply, and if the song ends (either from loosing concentration, or other stipulations), it ends for both effects, and rules for what happens are handled normally. Concentration checks made while blending music are made at a -5.
Splice Music: The Seeker can work in the beginning and ends of bardic music effects into the current performance. This means that the Seeker can begin a second bardic music effect while maintaining a current one (and only one). This is a swift action, and once done, the seeker is considered to be using the blend music effect. Also, a Seeker can end one effect without ending both when using the blend music special ability. To end one and only one effect requires a DC 15 concentration check (Without the blending penalty). Failure indicates that both effects were ended.
Greater Inspire Music: As Inspire Music, except it now grants use of the perform skill as if they had a number of ranks equal to twice the Seeker's class level. All other aspects of the power remain unchanged.
Meld Music: If the Seeker is only using one Bardic Music effect, a Seeker can cast a bard spell by making a concentration check vs. a DC of 15 + Spell Level of the spell trying to be cast. Failure means that the spell is expended, but does not break the bardic music effect. Ending a song using Splice Music no longer requires a concentration check, and is automatically successful.
Song of the Elements Mastery: The Seeker can sing the Song of the Elements in it's entirety. The Seeker must start from scratch (No songs started), and beings the first part of the Song of the Elements, and the effects of melody and the finally (if desired) happen. Next Round, the Seeker starts a second part, again with melody and finally (if desired) happening, while previous melody effects remain. This continues until all 5 parts have been sung, at which point the Seeker can maintain all 5 parts at the same time. This costs two daily bardic music uses, and may not be used with Blend, or Splice Music, though Meld Music can be used once the Song of the Elements is complete. Failure of any concentration checks result in the ending of the entire song. The songs can be sung in any particular order.

[sblock=Spell List]Seeker's Seeker List:
0-Level Bard Spells (Cantrips)
Create Water: Creates 2 gallons/level of pure water.
Daze: Humanoid creature of 4 HD or less loses next action.
Detect Magic: Detects spells and magic items within 60 ft.
Flare: Dazzles one creature (-1 on attack rolls).
Ghost Sound: Figment sounds.
Know Direction: You discern north.
Light: Object shines like a torch.
Mage Hand: 5-pound telekinesis.
Mending: Makes minor repairs on an object.
Message: Whispered conversation at distance.
Prestidigitation: Performs minor tricks.
Read Magic: Read scrolls and spellbooks.
Resistance: Subject gains +1 on saving throws.
Summon Instrument: Summons one instrument of the caster’s choice.

1st-Level Seeker Spells
Alarm: Wards an area for 2 hours/level.
Cause Fear: One creature of 5 HD or less flees for 1d4 rounds.
Charm Person: Makes one person your friend.
Comprehend Languages: You understand all spoken and written languages.
Confusion, Lesser: One creature is confused for 1 round.
Cure Light Wounds: Cures 1d8 damage +1/level (max +5).
Disguise Self: Changes your appearance.
Endure Elements: Exist comfortably in hot or cold environments
Expeditious Retreat: Your speed increases by 30 ft.
Feather Fall: Objects or creatures fall slowly.
Hideous Laughter: Subject loses actions for 1 round/ level.
Hypnotism: Fascinates 2d4 HD of creatures.
Magic Mouth: Speaks once when triggered.
Magic Aura: Alters object’s magic aura.
Obscuring Mist: Fog surrounds you.
Remove Fear: Suppresses fear or gives +4 on saves against fear for one subject + one per four levels.
Sanctuary: Opponents can’t attack you, and you can’t attack.
Speak with Animals: You can communicate with animals.
Ventriloquism: Throws voice for 1 min./level.

2nd-Level Seeker Spells
Alter Self: Assume form of a similar creature.
Animal Messenger: Sends a Tiny animal to a specific place.
Animal Trance: Fascinates 2d6 HD of animals.
Blindness/Deafness: Makes subject blind or deaf.
Calm Emotions: Calms creatures, negating emotion effects.
Cat’s Grace: Subject gains +4 to Dex for 1 min./level.
Cure Moderate Wounds: Cures 2d8 damage +1/level (max +10).
Continual Flame: Makes a permanent, heatless torch.
Darkness: 20-ft. radius of supernatural shadow.
Daze Monster: Living creature of 6 HD or less loses next action.
Delay Poison: Stops poison from harming subject for 1 hour/ level.
Eagle’s Splendor: Subject gains +4 to Cha for 1 min./level.
Enthrall: Captivates all within 100 ft. + 10 ft./level.
Fog Cloud: Fog obscures vision.
Fox’s Cunning: Subject gains +4 to Int for 1 min./level.
Gust of Wind: Blows away or knocks down smaller creatures.
Glitterdust: Blinds creatures, outlines invisible creatures.
Heroism: Gives +2 on attack rolls, saves, skill checks.
Hold Person: Paralyzes one humanoid for 1 round/level.
Hypnotic Pattern: Fascinates (2d4 + level) HD of creatures.
Make Whole: Repairs an object.
Pyrotechnics: Turns fire into blinding light or choking smoke.
Rage: Gives +2 to Str and Con, +1 on Will saves, -2 to AC.
Scare: Panics creatures of less than 6 HD.
Shatter: Sonic vibration damages objects or crystalline creatures.
Silence: Negates sound in 20-ft. radius.
Sound Burst: Deals 1d8 sonic damage to subjects; may stun them.
Suggestion: Compels subject to follow stated course of action.
Tongues: Speak any language.
Whispering Wind: Sends a short message 1 mile/level.

3rd-Level Seeker Spells
Blink: You randomly vanish and reappear for 1 round/level.
Charm Monster: Makes monster believe it is your ally.
Clairaudience/Clairvoyance: Hear or see at a distance for 1 min./level.
Confusion: Subjects behave oddly for 1 round/level.
Crushing Despair: Subjects take -2 on attack rolls, damage rolls, saves, and checks.
Cure Serious Wounds: Cures 3d8 damage +1/level (max +15).
Daylight: 60-ft. radius of bright light.
Dispel Magic: Cancels magical spells and effects.
Fear: Subjects within cone flee for 1 round/level.
Gaseous Form: Subject becomes insubstantial and can fly slowly.
Geas, Lesser: Commands subject of 7 HD or less.
Good Hope: Subjects gain +2 on attack rolls, damage rolls, saves, and checks.
Meld into Stone: You and your gear merge with stone.
Neutralize Poison: Immunizes subject against poison, detoxifies venom in or on subject.
Protection from Energy: Absorb 12 points/level of damage from one kind of energy.
Quench: Extinguishes nonmagical fires or one magic item.
Remove Blindness/Deafness: Cures normal or magical conditions.
Remove Curse: Frees object or person from curse.
Remove Disease: Cures all diseases affecting subject.
Scrying: Spies on subject from a distance.
Sculpt Sound: Creates new sounds or changes existing ones.
Searing Light: Ray deals 1d8/two levels damage, more against undead.
Sending: Delivers short message anywhere, instantly.
Sleet Storm: Hampers vision and movement
Speak with Plants: You can talk to normal plants and plant creatures.
Stone Shape: Sculpts stone into any shape.
Water Breathing: Subjects can breathe underwater.
Wind Wall: Deflects arrows, smaller creatures, and gases.

4th-Level Seeker Spells
Air Walk: Subject treads on air as if solid (climb at 45-degree angle).
Break Enchantment: Frees subjects from enchantments, alterations, curses, and petrification.
Control Water: Raises or lowers bodies of water.
Contact Elemental Plane: Lets you ask question of extraplanar entity, works as Contact Other Plane, but only for the Elemental Planes.
Cure Critical Wounds: Cures 4d8 damage +1/level (max +20).
Detect Scrying: Alerts you of magical eavesdropping.
Dimension Door: Teleports you short distance.
Dominate Person: Controls humanoid telepathically.
Fire Shield: Creatures attacking you take fire damage; you’re protected from heat or cold.
Fly: Subject flies at speed of 60 ft.
Freedom of Movement: Subject moves normally despite impediments.
Hold Monster: As hold person, but any creature.
Ice Storm: Hail deals 5d6 damage in cylinder 40 ft. across.
Neutralize Poison: Immunizes subject against poison, detoxifies venom in or on subject.
Rainbow Pattern: Lights fascinate 24 HD of creatures.
Repel Vermin: Insects, spiders, and other vermin stay 10 ft. away.
Shout: Deafens all within cone and deals 5d6 sonic damage.
Solid Fog: Blocks vision and slows movement.
Spike Stones: Creatures in area take 1d8 damage, may be slowed.
Wall of Fire: Deals 2d4 fire damage out to 10 ft. and 1d4 out to 20 ft. Passing through wall deals 2d6 damage +1/level.
Zone of Silence: Keeps eavesdroppers from overhearing conversations.

5th-Level Seeker Spells
Commune with Nature: Learn about terrain for 1 mile/level.
Cure Light Wounds, Mass: Cures 1d8 damage +1/level for many creatures.
Dispel Magic, Greater: As dispel magic, but +20 on check.
Dream: Sends message to anyone sleeping.
False Vision: Fools scrying with an illusion.
Heroism, Greater: Gives +4 bonus on attack rolls, saves, skill checks; immunity to fear; temporary hp.
Mind Fog: Subjects in fog get -10 to Wis and Will checks.
Song of Discord: Forces targets to attack each other.
Stoneskin: Ignore 10 points of damage per attack.
Suggestion, Mass: As suggestion, plus one subject/level.
Teleport: Instantly transports you as far as 100 miles/level.
Transmute Mud to Rock: Transforms two 10-ft. cubes per level.
Transmute Rock to Mud: Transforms two 10-ft. cubes per level.
Wall of Stone: Creates a stone wall that can be shaped.

6th-Level Seeker Spells
Cat’s Grace, Mass: As cat’s grace, affects one subject/level.
Charm Monster, Mass: As charm monster, but all within 30 ft.
Control Weather: Changes weather in local area.
Cure Moderate Wounds, Mass: Cures 2d8 damage +1/level for many creatures.
Eagle’s Splendor, Mass: As eagle’s splendor, affects one subject/level.
Find the Path: Shows most direct way to a location.
Flesh to Stone: Turns subject creature into statue.
Freezing Sphere: Freezes water or deals cold damage.
Fox’s Cunning, Mass: As fox’s cunning, affects one subject/level.
Geas/Quest: As lesser geas, plus it affects any creature.
Heal: Cures 10 points/level of damage, all diseases and mental conditions.
Heroes’ Feast: Food for one creature/level cures and grants combat bonuses.
Irresistible Dance: Forces subject to dance.
Move Earth: Digs trenches and builds hills.
Overland Flight: You fly at a speed of 40 ft. and can hustle over long distances.
Scrying, Greater: As scrying, but faster and longer.
Shout, Greater: Devastating yell deals 10d6 sonic damage; stuns creatures, damages objects.
Stone to Flesh: Restores petrified creature.
Sympathetic Vibration: Deals 2d10 damage/round to freestanding structure.
True Seeing M: Lets you see all things as they really are.
Wind Walk: You and your allies turn vaporous and travel fast.
[/sblock]
-Created by Bront

TRADER

Hit Die: d6

Requirements
To qualify to become a trader, a character must fulfill all the following criteria.
Feats: Negotiator
Skills: Appraise 4, Diplomacy 6, Gather Information 4, Listen 4, Profession(Merchant) 8, Sense Motive 6, Spot 4

Class Skills
The trader’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Appraise (Int), Bluff (Cha), Craft (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Disable Device (Int), Disguise (Cha), Forgery (Int), Gather Information (Cha), Handle Animal (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (All) (Int), Listen (Wis), Open Lock (Dex), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex), Search (Int), Sense Motive (Wis), Sleight of Hand (Dex), Speak Language(-), Spot (Wis), Use Magic Device (Cha).
Skill Points at Each Level: 6 + Int modifier.


Class Features
All of the following are Class Features of the trader prestige class.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Traders gain no new proficiencies in weapons or armor.

Extra Language: Traders must constantly adapt to new markets, and so they must learn new languages with every new market. The Trader gains one new language at every level. This language can be chosen from any language that the character can gain access to.

Haggle: Bartering for the best prices when selling an item is the primary skill of a merchant. At 1st level the Trader becomes more skilled at finding prices within a Market. When selling items to a friendly buyer, the Trader can often gain an edge on the standard price, earning 110% of the item's market price instead of 100%. When trading with an indifferent buyer, the Trader sells items for 75% of the item's market price. These benefits increase to 120% and 90% at 4th level.
Normal: Normally when trading with an indifferent market, items are sold for half their market price. When selling to a friendly market (such as when selling specific items on request) items are sold for 100% of their market price.

Bargain: Wise merchant's buy items at the lowest possible cost. At 2nd level the trader can buy any item from an indifferent merchant for 95% of the item's market price. At level 5, this ability improves to 90%.
Normal: Normally items are purchased for 100% of their market price.

Vigilant: A Trader who understands his foes is more likely to succeed. Whether these foes are selling faulty goods, stealing and pilfering items, or keeping secrets, a vigilant Trader is more likely to succeed in his profession. At 2nd level, the trader receives +2 competence bonus to Listen, Spot and Sense Motive checks. This bonus raises to +4 at 4th level.

Connected: The Trader has the ability to acquire minor aid from anyone he or she meets. By making a favor check, a Trader can gain important information without going through the time and trouble of doing a lot of research. Favors can also be used to acquire the loan of equipment or documents, or to receive other minor assistance in the course of an adventure.
A Trader spends some Craft Point (10 times the DC) to activate this talent. To make a favor check, roll a d20 and add the Charisma bonus. The GM sets the DC based on the scope of the favor being requested. The DC ranges from 10 for a simple favor to as high as 30 for formidable and highly dangerous, expensive, or illegal favors. A Trader can't take 10 or 20 on this check, nor can he retry the check for the same (or virtually the same) favor. Favors should help advance the plot of an adventure. A favor that would enable a character to avoid an adventure altogether should always be unavailable to the character, regardless of the result of a favor check.
The GM should carefully monitor a Trader's use of favors to ensure that this ability isn't abused. The success or failure of a mission shouldn't hinge on the use of a favor, and getting a favor shouldn't replace good roleplaying or the use of other skills. The GM may disallow any favor deemed to be disruptive to the game.
Upon gaining this class ability, the Trader gain an extra 500 craft points.

Slippery Mind: As the Rogue ability.
-Created by Velmont

VENTRID SWORDSMAN
"To live and die by the sword, in a world where slighted honour is best settled at the tip of my rapier. On guarde."
To the Ventrid Swordsman’s life is filled with wonder and adventure. The dashing rogue, a Ventrid Swordsman carries himself light and quick, favouring little armor and a slim blade. Atop high walkways between soaring towers, to dimly lit back alleys, the Ventrid Swordsman is always alert and ready for a duel. He is an expert at agility and daring, especially with a rapier in hand. To many he is brave and charming, but to his enemies as deadly as a snake.

The Ventrid Swordsman concentrates on not only defensive maneuvers, but on skilled attacks professionally delivered to counter any style in combat. Through out a duel, lighting quick movements allow the Ventrid Swordsman to avoid damage while studying his opponent, watching for weaknesses. At just the right moment the Ventrid Swordsman attacks with a well placed thrust driving home that might doesn't always make right. But a Ventrid Swordsman doesn't just fight anyone, they always seek those with more skill, for to beat someone better than one's self will bring fame and glory.

Adventurers: The call of an adventurer is very fitting for the Ventrid Swordsman for a life of daring and danger is what they yearn. Most adventuring Ventrid Swordsmen find themselves in just the right amount of danger to satisfy their needs. Sticking to the code as loosely or as strictly as they see fit an individual Ventrid Swordsman can be a welcome companion to anyone.

Characteristics: The Ventrid Swordsman is an agile fighter, preferring light armor and light weapons. Daring and charismatic, the Ventrid Swordsman is a cross between a fighter and a rogue. As they gain levels, Ventrid Swordsmen become better able to avoid damage all together.

Alignment: Ventrid Swordsmen can come from all walks of life and indeed from any alignment. Lawful Ventrid Swordsmen stick to a code, taking great pride in their honour. Chaotic Ventrid Swordsmen often find themselves at odds with the Law, taking the role of liberator and protector of the people to heart. Both evil and good Ventrid Swordsmen abound on all sides of the spectrum.

Religion: Both Delanor and Grendath find many Ventrid Swordsmen among their worshippers. As the god of sailors and seagoing merchants, Delenor is particularly suited to those Ventrid Swordsmen who love the open sea, but have a respect for the law. Grendath appeals more widely to the danger loving heroes of freedom and exploration among the Ventrid Swordsmen. Phyrah and Taka also appeal many Ventrid Swordsmen, as they are more urban styled deities. The nature based gods such as Verdante as well as those who represent a tougher, more solid approach such as Sela and Chennet' do not have many Ventrid Swordsmen who call upon them. But among Ventrid Swordsmen, there is nothing preventing them from worshiping any one god over another.

Background: Many Ventrid Swordsmen get their start in local militias or on board merchant vessels. As they are trained well in the use of all weapons, but particularly light ones, a Ventrid Swordsman is well learned in affairs of battle. Ventrid Swordsmen generally do not belong to any formal association or guild, though many search on the water as either merchants or pirates.

Races: Human adaptability lends itself well to the Ventrid Swordsman, as does the lithe agility of elves, half-elves and halflings. Gnomes and dwarves don’t often fit the archetype, but some do still wander the world protecting their honour. The more savage humanoids such as Half-Orcs and Goblins rarely ever find the calling as a Ventrid Swordsman.

Other Classes: Ventrid Swordsmen tend to get along with most everyone, though their more urban outlook sometimes precludes meeting the more outdoor types like the ranger, barbarian and druid. They like the support offered by spellcasters and particularly like bards who sing their fame to the masses.

Role: Generally taking the role of the frontline defense in a party, the Ventrid Swordsman is at home as the charismatic diplomat too. Their dexterous skill set lends itself to the roles of information gathering and spying, though often a rogue is better at that type of skill.

Game Rule Information
Abilities: Dexterity is the most important ability for Ventrid Swordsmen, allowing them to dodge the most well-placed strikes. Intelligence also plays a big part in their abilities allowing Ventrid Swordsmen to take better advantage of combat situations by reading their opponents. Charisma play a large part in defining the archetype as well, supplementing the more diplomatic skills.

Requirements:

• Base Attack Bonus: +4
• Feats: Combat Expertise, Dodge
• Skills: Balance 2 ranks, Knowledge (nobility and royalty) 2 ranks, Tumble 5 ranks.

Alignment: Ventrid Swordsmen can be any alignment.

Hit Die: d8

Skills
Class Skills: The Ventrid Swordsman’s class skills (and the key ability
for each skill) are Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Disguise (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Gather Information (Cha), Hide (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (local) (Int), Knowledge (nobility and royalty) (Int), Move Silently (Dex), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Search (Int), Sense Motive (Wis), Sleight of Hand (Dex), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str), Tumble (Dex), and Use Rope (Dex).

Skill Points at Higher Levels: 4 + Intelligence bonus

Table: The Ventrid Swordsman

Class Features
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The Ventrid Swordsman is proficient with all simple and martial weapons as well as light armor. Many of his abilities prohibit the use of heavier armor.

Parry (Ex): Starting at 1st level, during her action, a Ventrid Swordsman can designate an opponent and receive a dodge bonus to Armor Class against attacks from that opponent. She can select a new opponent on any action. When not wearing armor heavier than light armor or using a shield, a Ventrid Swordsman adds 1 point of Intelligence bonus (if any) per class level as a dodge bonus to Armor Class. This ability only funtions while wielding a melee weapon and only versus that one opponent. If a Ventrid Swordsman is caught flat-footed or otherwise denied her Dexterity bonus, she also loses this bonus.

Size Up Opponent (Ex): At 2nd level, if the Ventrid Swordsman spends a full round in melee with an opponent, then makes a Spot check (DC = 5 + the opponent’s melee attack bonus). If the character succeeds, she spots a weakness in the foe’s combat style and modifies her own style to take advantage of it. The character gains a +1 competence bonus to attack rolls and damage against that foe for the rest of that combat session. The bonus increases to +2 at 5th level and finally +3 at 8th level.

Precision Strike (Ex): At 3rd level, the Ventrid Swordsman is able to devote more effort into striking critical locations. On their action, before making an attack roll for the round, the Ventrid Swordsman may subtract a number from all melee attack rolls. This number may not exceed 6. Until the Ventrid Swordsman's next turn her critical threat range is increased by one half of the amount subtracted from her base attack bonus. This ability may only be used with light or one-handed weapons. For example if the Ventrid Swordsman is wielding a rapier and chooses to sacrifice 4 points from her melee attack rolls than until her next action her critical threat range is 16-20.

Acrobatic (Ex): Begining at 3rd level the Ventrid Swordsman gains a bonus to Balance, Climb, Jump, and Tumble. This is a competence bonus and begins at +1 at 3rd level. It increases to +2 at 6th level and +3 at 9th level.

Riposte (Ex): By 4th level, in melee combat, when an opponent designated by her Parry ability misses a Ventrid Swordsman by an amount no greater the dodge bonus she received from the Parry ability, the Ventrid Swordsman gains an immediate attack of opportunity against that opponent. The Ventrid Swordsman must follow all of the normal rules for making an attack of opportunity.

Elaborate Parry (Ex): At 7th level and higher, if a Ventrid Swordsman chooses to fight defensively or use total defense in melee combat, she gains an additional +1 dodge bonus to AC for every 2 levels of Ventrid Swordsman she has (maximum +5 at 10th level).

Crippling Strike (Ex): At 10th level, as a full attack action, the Ventrid Swordsman can make a single melee attack against an opponent which inflicts normal damage. If she damages her opponent, he must make a Fortitude save (DC 10 + half her level + Intelligence Bonus) or take 2 points of Strength Damage. Ability points lost to damage return on their own at the rate of 1 point per day for each damaged ability.

-Created by Erekose13

Creatures, Races and Templates - A to I

BLINDBORN CREATURE
CREATING A BLIND-BORN CREATURE
"Blind-Born" is an inherited template that can be added to any living creature that normally uses eyes as its major method of sensory perception (referred to hereafter as the base creature). This template assumes that the creature has never had the ability to use its eyes and that it has spent its entire life honing its other senses to compensate.
A blind-born creature uses all the base creature’s statistics and abilities except as noted here.

Special Attacks: A blind-born creature loses any gaze attacks and other eye-based abilities it might have. Otherwise, it retains all the special attacks of the base creature.

Special Qualities: A blind-born creature loses any low-light vision, darkvision, or similar abilities it might have. Otherwise, it retains all the special qualities of the base creature and also gains the following qualities.

Permanent Blindness: The creature is unable to see, it cannot see any distance in any type of lighting. It cannot distinguish color or visual contrast. It cannot read. It is immune to gaze attacks, visual effects, illusions, and other attack forms that rely on sight. A blind-born creature is accustomed to its state and does not suffer other drawbacks of being blind. Effects with an instantaneous or permanent effect that would remove the blindness, short of wish or miracle, fail to do so, but still have their other effects.

Ignorant of Sight (Ex): Because the creature has never been able to perceive the world using its eyes, any effects that somehow allow it to see effectively render the creature shaken for the duration of the spell, and it loses its Dexterity bonus to AC and the Permanent Blindness and Heightened Senses abilities.
If it is somehow able to stop the effect (such as by closing its eyes), it can take a full-action to regain its composure. As long as it does stop the effect and has regained it composure, it suffers none of the ill effects mentioned above.
If the spell does not actually affect the eyes of the creature (like Synesthete which allows a creature to “feel” light), rather than become shaken, the blind from birth creature becomes distracted, effectively removing the benefits from the above mentioned abilities, but still allowing it to use the spell to “see” normally.

Heightened Senses (Ex): Lacking sight, the creature has honed its other senses of sound, smell, and touch in order to observe its environment. The creature gains blindsense out to 15 feet. It also gains a +2 bonus to listen checks. If the creature is deafened, it temporarily loses this listen bonus, and its blindsense radius is lessened to 5 feet while it is deafened.

Feats: A blind-born creature with a Wisdom score of 13 can choose Scent as a feat. A blind-born creature with a Wisdom of 17 can choose to extend its blindsense ability to 30 feet as a feat.
Challenge Rating: Same as base creature.
Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature.

HEALING THE BLINDNESS
Having never had natural vision, a blind-born creature is almost impossible to "heal" - even if its parents were naturally able to see, this was never a natural healthy state for the creature itself, and thus it requires magic of wish or miracle level to do so. Even if healed with such powerful magic, it requires time to adjust to its new state of being, and is effectively shaken for one week. It effectively loses the blind-born template and the accociated abilities.
-Created by Rae ArdGaoth

DROW, HALF DROW

• Medium Size,
• 30’ movement,
• Immunity to magic sleep,
• +1 Racial bonus on Listen, Search, & Spot checks, Darkvision 60’,
• If raised in Drow society automatic proficiency with Hand-Crossbows, Rapier, & Short sword.
• +1 Racial bonus to saves vs. Enchantments,
• Appearance: usualy a couple of shades darker then the human parent, white hair, iris are the color of the human parent with red or violet Incandecent pupils.
• If raised by Drow parent, automatically speaks undercommon. Infernal, and abysal available as bonus languages. If raised by human parent undercommon available as a bonus language.
• Half Drow are always the result of a human and drow mating. In the rare case of a Drow mating with an Elf the offspring would be the race of one or the other parent. For some reason Elf and Drow blood does not mix. Humans are the only other race that the Drow would mate with seeing all other races as too far beneath them to mix blood with. Mating with a Human though looked down upon is known to happen in places where the two cultures mix. The offsrping nearly always are rased in a hostile environment, out of a feeling of superiority in the Drow culture and out of fear in the Human culture.
• Favored class: Any. When determining whether a multiclass Half Drow suffers an XP penalty, the highest level class does not count.

-Created by Spycat


GOBLIN, MOUNTAIN
Goblin, 1st-Level Warrior
Small Humanoid (Goblinoid)
Hit Dice: [/b]1d8+1 (5 hp)
Initiative: +0
Speed: 20 ft. (4 squares)
Armor Class: 14 (+1 size, +2 leather armor, +1 light shield), touch 11, flat-footed 14
Base Attack/Grapple: +1/–3
Attack: Longsword +2 melee (1d6/19-20) or javelin +2 ranged (1d4)
Full Attack: Longsword +2 melee (1d6/19-20) or javelin +2 ranged (1d4)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: —
Special Qualities: Lowlight vision, mountain goblin traits
Saves: Fort +3, Ref +0, Will +0*
Abilities: Str 11, Dex 11, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 11, Cha 8
Skills: Diplomacy +2, Knowledge (architecture and engineering) +3, Knowledge (history) +3, Listen +2, Spot +3
Feats: Alertness
Environment: Any mountains
Organization: Solitary, gang (4–9), band (10–100 plus 100% noncombatants plus 1 3rd-level sergeant per 20 adults and 1 leader of 4th–6th level), or monastery (40–400 plus 100% noncombatants plus 1 3rd-level sergeant per 20 adults, 1 or 2 lieutenants of 4th or 5th level and 1 leader of 6th–8th level)
Challenge Rating: 1/2
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Usually lawful neutral
Advancement: By character class
Level Adjustment: +0

Mountain goblin traits: Mountain goblin characters possess the following racial traits.
— –2 Strength, +2 Wisdom
—Small size: +1 bonus to Armor Class, +1 bonus on attack rolls, +4 bonus on Hide checks, –4 penalty on grapple checks, lifting and carrying limits 3/4 those of Medium characters.
—A mountain goblin’s base land speed is 20 feet.
—Lowlight vision
—Natural Builder: Mountain goblins have natural skill in architecture, and gain a +2 racial bonus to Knowledge (architecture and engineering).
— +2 racial bonus to Diplomacy and Knowledge (history)
— +1 racial attack bonus against goblinoids
—* +2 racial bonus on saving throws against mind-affecting spells. Mountain goblins are remarkably rational and clear-thinking, and therefore have an above-average resistance to magic that would alter that process.
—Weapon Familiarity: Mountain goblins may treat goblin ranseurs as martial rather than exotic weapons.
—Automatic Languages: Common, Goblin. Bonus Languages: Draconic, Dwarven, Elven, Gnome, Orc, Sylvan.
—Favored Class: Ranger.
The mountain goblin warrior presented here had the following ability scores before racial adjustments: Str 13, Dex 11, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 9, Cha 8.

Mountain Goblins:
Personality: Mountain goblins tend to be reserved and clear-thinking. They prefer a careful plan of action over spontaneity, which occasionally becomes limiting when quick thinking is called for. Mountain goblins value a spartan lifestyle, which is somewhat at odds with their artistic ability and architectural outlook.

Physical Description: Mountain goblins at first glance look alike to the regular goblin, but there are a few key differences. Mountain goblins are slightly taller, perhaps because they stand upright rather than hunched over, and often possess an austere demeanor. Like standard goblins, they have leathery skin, but it ranges from deep green to a royal red. Additionally, mountain goblins are usually well-groomed and well-dressed, and many wear a silver hammer earring as a sign of devotion to Shural.

Relations: Mountain goblins have long become accustomed to being mistaken for the usual bloodthirsty goblins, and generally will soon correct this misjudgement through their deed and word - few lower goblins are so polite or eloquent in speech.

Alignment: Often lawful and rarely evil.

Lands: Mountain goblins possess a disjointed culture focused in a mountain range, with no large towns or cities, but instead many small communities based around nearby monasteries. They are few in number.

Religion: Almost exclusively devoted to the worship of Shural, though a few mountain goblins have been known to follow other deities, especially those of law or creation.

Language: Mountain goblins speak a dialect of Goblin which is clearly distinguishable from the guttural tongue of lower goblins. Indeed, there are many words of peace in their language that are not present in the tongue of the lower goblins.

Names: Usually a first name only, though some are granted epithets (such as "The Wise," or "The Just") by their communities. Mountain goblin names are usually two or three syllables, and can be slightly harsh-sounding. Examples: Jazakhar, Xiah.

Adventurers: Mountain goblins leave their towns for various reasons, ranging from wanderlust to trade. Though they are more isolated than other cultures, most reasons that would drive an elf or a dwarf to adventure might similarly motivate a mountain goblin.

-Created by Knight Otu and WizWrm

Creatures, Races and Templates - J to R

KATARA

• Type is Humanoid (Katara)
• Small size (+1 size bonus to AC/Attack, +4 size to hide)
• Katara Land Speed is 20 feet.
• +2 Dex, +2 Cha, -2 Str, -2 Con
• Keen Ears - +2 racial bonus to Listen,
• Natural Grace - +2 racial bonus to Move Silently, Balance, and Tumble. Balance is always a class skill.
• Incredible Leap - +8 racial bonus to Jump
• Wandering Mind - -1 save vs enchantment/charm effects, -2 racial penalty to sense motive and concentration checks (Katara are extremely curious and as a result, their minds often wander, overlooking dangers most might otherwise see)
• Lowlight vision
• Favored Class: Bard

Description:
The Katara have features that are both humanoid and feline. Their legs are fairly cat like, but stable to stand on with more human like feat, and leathery pads on the bottom. Their torso is a bit more cylindrical than some humanoids, but is still has some shoulder and pectoral proportion to it. Their arms and hands are very human like, though with slightly thicker fingers and a leathery palm. Their heads are a bit wider than a normal human's, with a more cat like maw, nose, and eyes, but definitely drawn out in a somewhat human way, and their head sits perched on a fairly normal humanoid neck.

Like this picture here here, though with a more cat-like face (a bit more rounded, ears closer to the top of their head)

The Katara are a race that traces their origins to smaller wild cats, though scholars debate which ones in particular. Unlike their wilder feline cousins, the Katara do not have claws, nor are their teath as sharp as their wilder bretherin. Katara fur comes in a variety of colors and patters, and stripe or spot patterns are usually distinctive of a particular clan. Some clans have more noticable human fiacial and head hair, and some others have what resembles a mane (and in rare cases, both).


Society:
The Katara are a curious and social race. Many Katara will spend several years exploring and experimenting till they find something they enjoy doing and finaly stick with it, and even they they find ways to experiment and explore within their chosen craft. The Katara enjoy social occasion, and have been known to celebrate numerous holidays regularly.

The Katara look curiously upon the other races. They marvel at their accomplishments, and often seek to explore other cultures. Visitors to a Katara settlement might find themselves often asked about their travels, their culture, and their histories. The Katara have no qualms about borrowing from other cultures (particularly celibratory holidays) enough to where some scholars might say they have no true culture of their own, but the Katara blend these cultures togeather in ways that make them unique.

The Katara are a clan oriented society. Your clan is your family, however extended they might be. Most clans have strong ties to each other, and clan names and legacies are passed down maternaly, with the husband joining his wife's clan. Clan names, used as last names, are often based around some distictive feature fairly unique to the clan (examples, Whiteboot, Blackstripe, Greycoat, etc...). First names are drawn from many different cultures, that there is no true Kataran first names. They do tend towards using human or halfling names over others.

Background:

The Katara originate from the Kanatisis region, located far to the east of Orussus. The region extends from the desert in the "lands of fire" to the south, to the inland Bantala Sea to the north, and bordered by a mountain range to the east, and hills to the west. The region is generally overrun by flora, often with the tall trees creating a canopy several hundred feet from the ground. Towards the south, the region tends to be a bit more tropical or rainforest like. Towards the north, the flora thins out a bit as the grounds gets sandy towards the sea. To the east, as you get closer to the mountains the temperature tends to drop a bit, and you see more pine trees among the flora. And the canopy all but disappears the closer you get towards the hills to the west. The river running down from the mountains splits many times as is passes through the region, leaving few places without a river near by, but also leaving few rivers large enough for any boat larger than fairly small watercraft.

The Katara are from somewhere in that region, though their legends never specify exactly where. However, the Katara clans with longer hair tend to be from the colder areas in the east, while the short haired Katara tend to be from the warmer regions of Kanatisis. And while a clan my have a few members in different regions, they tend to settle down more locally in their region of origin.

The Katara are small in stature, and have learned to take to the trees to avoid the larger predators that are native to their lands. The Katara have built huge treetop villages in the immense canopy of Kanatisis. They consist of huts or other buildings built around the trunk of the tree, with suspension bridges and ladders built between them. Many Katara simply jump around on branches cut in a staircase like manner to move around as well. There are even small farming platforms built between some of the sturdiest trees, with dirt brought up from the ground below. The Katara do not herd animals in general, so they hunt for most of their meat and leather.

The Katara have had limited contact with the outside world for a long time. They have traded on occasion with the Dwarves of the mountains to the east, or the men of the desert in the south, but not often, and generally trading more to examine what these other cultures make, or to gain access to materials (such as metal) that are generally scarce in their region. However, the more they learned about other races, the more curious they became. Many curious Katara have begun to set out from their homes to explore other societies and learn what they can. Those that have returned have often had a huge cultural impact in their local area, where the Katara would try to integrate some of these other societal practices into their way of life. Over time, these ideas and practices are integrated more seamlessly and spread through Kanatisis. The Katara are particularly interested in celebrations, and as a result have managed to integrate several Human, Elven, Dwarven, Gnome, Halfling, and even a few Orc and Goblin celebrations into their culture. Often, a holiday will be a strange amalgamation of several different celebrations or traditions, such as the traditional wine drinking and axe throwing contest, where contestants will drink a glass of wine, and then hurl an axe at a target, continuing one of the contestants misses.

Despite their curiosity and willingness to integrate other cultures into their own, the Katara are fiercely independent. Trade between villages happens, but is limited to basic necessities, and generally a community prides itself on what it does not need to trade for more than what it has to trade. As individuals, clan pride is important, and clans within a community will often try to out produce each other in strange pseudo-competitions simply for the right to say they are better. While clans do not tend to stick to any one trade, individual families do, so pride and tradition run deep in these trades. Despite their intense curiosity, often at least one of each generation will take on the mantle of the family trade, though most young children are encouraged to explore their options to indulge in their curious nature.


-Created by Bront

Creatures, Races and Templates - S to Z