Rhakzan floated ethereally through the halls of Naramyr Wyrmslayer, searching for the Naramyr's advisor, the great sorcerer Bellfort. Passing through the walls, he quickly found him. Bellfort could see into the ether, but it mattered not to Rhakzan, as he was linked to the shadows, and hid in plain sight, where others could not. There he was, Naramyr's advisor, force of what they called good. Rhakzan of the Khen-zai was beyond good and evil, those concepts were for lesser minds. Minds like Bellfort's. Minds that would soon be erased from this earth. Rhakzan watched Bellfort for a few moments, going through some papers, before shifting out of the ether an piercing him through the heart. No alarms, contingency spells, nothing. Too easy. He was nothing compared to the power of a black ethergaunt.
Rhakzan was born out of nothingness. As his powers grew he knew he should continue to perfect his arcane powers, but the draw of slaying things, of appearing out of the ether to kill with one stroke- that draw was too great, and Rhakzan learned the ways of the assassin.
Rhakzan
Black Ethergaunt (Fiend Folio p 65)
16 HD Black Ethergaunt/Assassin 10/+4 LA
Medium-Size Aberration (Extraplanar)
Str 18 (+4) [1 pts, +2 racial, +5 inherent, +2 enhancement (pale blue ioun stone)]
Dex 32 (+11) [5 pts, +8 racial, +5 inherent, +6 enhancement (boots of swiftness)]
Con 30 (+10) [5 pts, +4 racial, +5 inherent, +8 enhancement (bracers of epic health)]
Int 56 (+23) [13 pts, +20 racial, +5 inherent, +12 enhancement (headband of epic intellect), +2 levels]
Wis 30 (+10) [8 pts, +4 racial, +5 inherent, +6 enhancement (periapt of wisdom)]
Cha 32 (+11) [8 pts, +4 racial, +5 inherent, +8 enhancement (rod of epic splendor)]
+2 on ability checks (+1 competence (pale green ioun stone), +1 luck (stone of good luck))
HD: 16d8 + 10d6 + 260
HP: 403 (8 + 135 + 260)
Init: +11
Speed: 60 ft. (30 ft base, boots of swiftness)
AC: 59 (10, +11 Dex, +6 Force Armor (Greater Mage Armor), +15 Natural, +11 AC Bonus (+10 Unnamed (Wisdom), +1 Unnamed (Monk)), +5 Deflection (ring of protection), +1 Insight (dusty rose ioun stone)), 38 touch (44 incorporeal touch), 59 flat-footed
20% miss chance (mantle of great stealth)
BAB: +17 [+12 Aberration, +5 Epic]
Grapple: +23 [+17 bab, +4 Str, +1 competence (pale green ioun stone), +1 luck (stone of good luck)]
Fort: +27 [+5 Aberration, +5 Epic, +1 competence (pale green ioun stone), +1 luck (stone of good luck), +5 resistance (vest of resistance), +10 Con]
Ref: +28 [+5 Aberration, +5 Epic, +1 competence (pale green ioun stone), +1 luck (stone of good luck), +5 resistance (vest of resistance), +11 Dex]
Will: +32 [+10 Aberration, +5 Epic, +1 competence (pale green ioun stone), +1 luck (stone of good luck), +5 resistance (vest of resistance), +10 Wis]
Evasion (Boots of Swiftness)
Affects:
disguise self (mask of lies)
nondetection (mantle of great stealth)
undetectable alignment (mask of lies)
partial concealment (mantle of great stealth): 20% miss chance
Full Attack: !removed spiked chain
+5 Aurorum Rapier +34/+29/+24 (1d6+9/18-20)
- Attack +34 [+17 bab, +11 Dex (weapon finesse), +1 competence (pale green ioun stone), +5 enhancement (rapier)]
- Damage +9 [+4 Str, +5 enhancement (rapier)]
Skills: 458 [(2+13)x19 + (4+13)x7 + (4+14)x3]
Max Ranks: 29/14.5
Appraise +26 [1 ranks, +1 competence (pale green ioun stone), +1 luck (stone of good luck), +23 Int]
Balance +44 [10 ranks, +20 competence (boots of swiftness), +1 luck (stone of good luck), +11 Dex, +2 synergy (tumble)]
Bluff +46 [29 ranks, +5 competence (mask of lies), +1 luck (stone of good luck), +11 Cha]
Climb +25 [0 ranks, +20 competence (boots of swiftness), +1 luck (stone of good luck), +4 Str]
Concentration +41 [29 ranks, +1 competence (pale green ioun stone), +1 luck (stone of good luck), +10 Con]
Decipher Script +32 [7 ranks, +1 competence (pale green ioun stone), +1 luck (stone of good luck), +23 Int]
Diplomacy +52 [29 ranks, +1 competence (pale green ioun stone), +1 luck (stone of good luck), +11 Cha, +4 synergy (bluff), +4 synergy (sense motive), +2 synergy (knowledge-nobility and royalty)]
Disable Device +34 [7 ranks, +1 competence (pale green ioun stone), +1 luck (stone of good luck), +23 Int, +2 circumstance (masterwork thieves' tools)]
Disguise +55 [29 ranks, +1 competence (pale green ioun stone), +1 luck (stone of good luck), +11 Cha, +10 Unnamed (disguise self), +4 synergy (bluff)]
Escape Artist +20 [7 ranks, +1 competence (pale green ioun stone), +1 luck (stone of good luck), +11 Dex]
Gather Information +44 [29 ranks, +1 competence (pale green ioun stone), +1 luck (stone of good luck), +11 Cha, +2 synergy (knowledge-local)]
Handle Animal +14 [1 ranks, +1 competence (pale green ioun stone), +1 luck (stone of good luck), +11 Cha]
Hide +72 [29 ranks, +1 competence (pale green ioun stone), +1 luck (stone of good luck), +30 unnamed (mantle of great stealth), +11 Dex]
Intimidate +17 [0 ranks, +1 competence (pale green ioun stone), +1 luck (stone of good luck), +11 Cha, +4 synergy (bluff)]
Jump +39 [0 ranks, +20 competence (boots of swiftness), +1 luck (stone of good luck), +4 Str, +2 synergy (tumble), +12 speed]
Knowledge-Arcana +30 [5 ranks, +1 competence (pale green ioun stone), +1 luck (stone of good luck), +23 Int]
Knowledge-Architecture and Engineering +26 [1 ranks, +1 competence (pale green ioun stone), +1 luck (stone of good luck), +23 Int]
Knowledge-Dungeoneering +26 [1 ranks, +1 competence (pale green ioun stone), +1 luck (stone of good luck), +23 Int]
Knowledge-Geography +26 [1 ranks, +1 competence (pale green ioun stone), +1 luck (stone of good luck), +23 Int]
Knowledge-History +26 [1 ranks, +1 competence (pale green ioun stone), +1 luck (stone of good luck), +23 Int]
Knowledge-Local +30 [5 ranks, +1 competence (pale green ioun stone), +1 luck (stone of good luck), +23 Int]
Knowledge-Nature +26 [1 ranks, +1 competence (pale green ioun stone), +1 luck (stone of good luck), +23 Int]
Knowledge-Nobility and Royalty +30 [5 ranks, +1 competence (pale green ioun stone), +1 luck (stone of good luck), +23 Int]
Knowledge-Religion +26 [1 ranks, +1 competence (pale green ioun stone), +1 luck (stone of good luck), +23 Int]
Knowledge-The Planes +26 [1 ranks, +1 competence (pale green ioun stone), +1 luck (stone of good luck), +23 Int]
Listen +41 [29 ranks, +1 competence (pale green ioun stone), +1 luck (stone of good luck), +10 Wis]
Move Silently +72 [29 ranks, +1 competence (pale green ioun stone), +1 luck (stone of good luck), +30 unnamed (mantle of great stealth), +11 Dex]
Open Lock +17 [2 ranks, +1 competence (pale green ioun stone), +1 luck (stone of good luck), +11 Dex, +2 circumstance (masterwork thieves' tools)]
Search +59 [29 ranks, +1 competence (pale green ioun stone), +1 luck (stone of good luck), +23 Int, +5 unnamed (lens of detection)]
Sense Motive +41 [29 ranks, +1 competence (pale green ioun stone), +1 luck (stone of good luck), +10 Wis]
Sleight of Hand +46 [29 ranks, +1 competence (pale green ioun stone), +1 luck (stone of good luck), +11 Dex, +4 synergy (bluff)]
Spellcraft +56 [29 ranks, +1 competence (pale green ioun stone), +1 luck (stone of good luck), +23 Int, +2 synergy (knowledge-arcana)]
Spot +41 [29 ranks, +1 competence (pale green ioun stone), +1 luck (stone of good luck), +10 Wis]
Tumble +37 [5 ranks, +20 competence (boots of swiftness), +1 luck (stone of good luck), +11 Dex]
Use Magic Device +32 (+34 scrolls) [19 ranks, +1 competence (pale green ioun stone), +1 luck (stone of good luck), +11 Cha, (+2 synergy (decipher script))]
Class/Feat Progression:
Bonus Able Learner
Bonus Exotic Weapon Proficiency Etherblade
1 black ethergaunt hd 1: silent spell
2 black ethergaunt hd 2
3 black ethergaunt hd 3: heighten spell
4 black ethergaunt hd 4
5 black ethergaunt hd 5
6 black ethergaunt hd 6: quicken spell
7 black ethergaunt hd 7
8 black ethergaunt hd 8
9 black ethergaunt hd 9: weapon finesse
10 black ethergaunt hd 10
11 black ethergaunt hd 11
12 black ethergaunt hd 12: arcane strike
13 black ethergaunt hd 13
14 black ethergaunt hd 14
15 black ethergaunt hd 15: power attack
16 black ethergaunt hd 16
17 LA
18 LA
19 LA
20 LA
21 assassin 1
22 assassin 2: automatic silent spell (0-3)
23 assassin 3
24 assassin 4: +1 Int
25 assassin 5: automatic silent spell (4-6)
26 assassin 6
27 assassin 7
28 assassin 8: automatic silent spell (7-9), +1 Int
29 assassin 9
30 assassin 10
Racial Abilities:
Darkvision 60 ft.
Abilities are (10 + 1/2 racial HD + Cha), which means 10+8+11 = 29
Enslave (Su): Three times per day, an ethergaunt can attempt to enslave any one living creature within 30 feet. This ability functions similarly to a dominate monster spell (caster level 16th; Will save DC 29). An enslaved creature obeys the ethergaunt's telepathic commands to the letter. The subject can attempt a new Will save every day to break free. Otherwise, the ethergaunt's control is broken only by the death of either the ethergaunt or the enslaved creature, or by a remove curse or dispel magic effect, or if the ethergaunt travels more than 1 mile from the enslaved creature or travels to a different plane from the one its thrall is on.
At any given time, an ethergaunt may have one slave per point of Charisma bonus.
Stupefying Gaze (Su): An ethergaunt can open and close its vertically bisected mask as a free action, revealing a horifically alien morass of facial organs and orifices. On its turn, the creature decides if it wants its mask open or closed. Anyone within 30 feet of an ethergaunt with an open mask who meets the creatures' gaze must succeed on a Will saving throw (DC 29) or immediately take 1d4 points of Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma damage. A creature that successfully saves against this effect cannot be affected by the same ethergaunt's stupefying gaze for one day.
Ethergaunts are immune to their own gaze attacks and to those of others of their kind.
Immunity to Spells (Su): Ethergaunts may choose to ignore the effects of arcane spells, just as if the spellcaster had failed to overcome spell resistance. They have no power over divine spells, having long ago rationalized divinity out of their racial philosophy. Though powerful, this ability is somewhat limited. It applies to arcane spells of 6th level or lower for black ethergaunts.
Material Jaunt (Su): Ethergaunts dwell on the Ethereal Plane. While in their natural state of etherealness, they can perceive but not affect creatures and objects on the Material Plane. However, an ethergaunt can transport itself from the Ethereal Plane to the Material Plane as a standard action. It can remain on the Material Plane for up to 1 round per Hit Die it possesses. At the end of this time, or when the ethergaunt chooses, it becomes ethereal again. An ethergaunt must remain on the Ethereal Plane for at least 1 hour after a material jaunt before it can use the ability again.
Ethergaunts who wish to remain on the Material Plane for a longer time must use plane shift or similar magic. Most white and black ethergaunts know the plane shift spell and use it for this purpose.
Total Vision (Ex): An ethergaunt's superdeveloped brain and countless facial sensory organs allow it to discern all objects within 40 feet, even through the mask that hides its face. An ethergaunt usually does not need to make Spot or Listen checks to notice creatures within range of its total vision. A silence spell has no bearing upon an ethergaunt's total vision.
Class Abilities:
Proficiencies: crossbow, dagger, dart, rapier, sap, shortbow, shortsword, light armor.
Sneak Attack: +5d6
Death Attack: DC 43 (10 + class level + Int Mod)
Poison Use
Uncanny Dodge/Improved Uncanny Dodge
Hide in Plain Sight (Su)
Languages: Khen-zai (Ethergaunt telepathic language), Abyssal, Aquan, Auran, Celestial, Common, Draconic, Giant, Ignan, Infernal, Orc, Sylvan, Terran, Undercommon
Posessions:
+5 Aurorum Rapier [54,320 gp]
Etherblade (50 charges) [800 gp, FF]
Doubt Bomb [500 gp, FF] x10
Headband of Epic Intellect +12 [1,440,000, ELH]
Mask of Lies [17,000 gp, CAdv]
Periapt of Wisdom +6 [36,000]
Vest of Resistance +5 [25,000 gp, CAdv]
Monk's Belt [13,000]
Mantle of Great Stealth [242,000 gp, ELH]
Bracers of Epic Health +8 [640,000]
Glove of Storing [10,000]
Glove of Storing [10,000]
Ring of Rapid Healing [300,000 gp, ELH]
Ring of Protection +5 [50,000 gp]
Boots of Swiftness [256,000 gp, ELH]
Ioun Stone, Clear [4,000 gp]
Ioun Stone, Dusty Rose [5,000 gp]
Ioun Stone, Pale Blue [8,000 gp]
Ioun Stone, Pale Green [30,000 gp]
Ioun Stone, Orange [30,000 gp]
Portable Hole: [20,000 gp]
Heward's Handy Haversack [2,000 gp]
Scroll of Greater Restoration [4,775 gp]
Scroll of Heal [1,650 gp]
Boccob's Blessed Book (with all spells) [12,500 gp]
Bottle of Air [7,250 gp]
Carpet of Flying, 5 by 5 [20,000 gp]
Dust of Disappearance [3,500 gp] x3
Gem of Seeing [75,000 gp]
Lens of Detection [3,500 gp]
Sovereign Glue [2,400 gp]
Stone of Good Luck [20,000 gp]
Universal Solvent [50 gp]
Masterwork Theive's Tools [100 gp]
Quiver of Ehlonna [1,800 gp]
Greater Metamagic Rod of Chaining [243,000 gp, CArc]
Greater Metamagic Rod of Quicken [170,000 gp]
Rod of Epic Splendor [297,400 gp, ELH]
Used:
Manual of Bodily Health +5 [137,500 gp]
Manual of Gainful Exercise +5 [137,500 gp]
Manual of Quickness of Action +5 [137,500 gp]
Tome of Clear Thought +5 [137,500 gp]
Tome of Leadership and Influence +5 [137,500 gp]
Tome of Understanding +5 [137,500 gp]
Unspent (cash, components, foci): 106,955 gp
wizard Spells Prepared (4/10/10/10/9/9/9/8/6/5, Caster Level 18 (17 black ethergaunt, +1 orange ioun stone):
0: ghost sound, mage hand, no light (BoVD), prestidigtation
1: critical strike (CAdv) x2, distract assailant (CAdv) x2, golem strike (CAdv), magic missile x2, shield x2, 1 empty slot
2: balancing lorecall (CAdv), detect thoughts, knock, melf's acid arrow, mirror image, see invisibility, summon swarm, swift fly (CAdv), undetectable alignment, 1 empty slot
3: bands of steel (CArc), clairaudience/clairvoyance, dispel magic, displacement, fly, greater mage armor, sleet storm, stinking cloud, water breathing, 1 empty slot
4: black tentacles, damning darkness (BoVD), detect scrying, ice storm, orb of force (CArc), otiluke's resilient sphere, polymorph, solid fog, 1 empty slot
5: arc of lightning (CArc), break enchantment, cloudkill, fabricate, vitriolic sphere (CArc), sending, wall of force x2, 1 empty slot
6: acid fog, disintegrate x2, greater dispel magic x2, greater mage armor (CArc), mass suggestion, mirror image (quickened), 1 empty slot
7: control weather, fly (quickened), forcecage, greater scrying, greater teleport, plane shift, 1 empty slot
8: horrid wilting, incendiary cloud, mind blank, moment of prescience, orb of force (quickened, heightened), 1 empty slot
9: dominate monster, shapechange, sphere of ultimate destruction (CArc), summon monster ix, time stop
Assassin Spells Known (9/9/9/8, Caster Level 11 (10 assassin, +1 orange ioun stone)):
1: detect poison, feather fall, obscuring mist, true strike
2: alter self, pass without trace, spider climb, wraithstrike (CAdv)
3: deeper darkness, magic circle against good, misdirection, nondetection
4: dimension door, greater invisibility, modify memory, stop heart (BoVD)
Spells constantly in effect (already cast): detect scrying, mindblank, undetectable alignment