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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Zenon" data-source="post: 317196" data-attributes="member: 352">What the bad guys need to do is play catch-up a little. We need something like this to offset those Standards.(Apologies to SHARK for blatently ripping off and re-writing the Legion Standard with an evil bent, and for the rules-laywers, this is only a quick re-write, feel free to poke holes in rule mistakes in it <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /> ):The Apocalypse StandardsThe Apocalypse Standards are mighty evil artifacts of unimaginable power. Created in the last age by a mythical Demi-Lich (who has since rumored to have ascended to godhood) to combat the Legion Standards given to the Vallorean Legions by their Pantheon. Like the Valloreans, the Demi-Lich had access to the ancient Greater Rituals used to create these terrible weapons. This horrible weapon is crafted in a mockery of its Vallorean counterpart, and is shaped like an impaling spike that is some 10 feet long, and is tipped with a silver human figure, inlaid with onyx. The human figure is finely detailed and is that of a nude Vallorean male, bound with ropes of ebony thorns which pierce its silver flesh. The head of the figure is thrown back in a perpetual scream. From the throat of the figure, the wail of doomed souls continually emanates. From the top of the figure, a shaft of Force energy, formed of ebon darkness, rises higher and is formed into a cruel barbed spear-point that extends eighteen inches beyond the top of the human figures head. A crossbeam runs through the bound arms of the figure behind its back. At the feet of the figure, two crouching Imps leer upwards. The Imps are life-like, with intelligent eyes. The weapon strikes normally as a Halberd, and the Imps tails animate and strike in combat. The feet of the Imps hold onto the blood red banner, which is trimmed in black and gold. The banner is embroidered with runes inscribed in Abbysal. One Apocalypse Standard was created to oppose each Legion Standard made. Some of the Apocalypse Standards were created over two thousand years ago, by the malignant evil that pevades the land. When the priests of the Valloreans who beseeched the Vallorean gods for aid in their struggle against the forces of Darkness, and Forces of Darkness acted to counter them. The Gods of Darkness heard the cry of their people, and they sent their minions into the midst of their people, so as to help them in the design and forging of these terrible weapons. The Forces of Darkness mixed into the creation process elements of their gods’ blood, which had all been mixed together from each of the evil deities. The Apocalypse Standards blazed with runes of eternal darkness, a darkness so deep it drinks in all light, swallowing it without a trace. The runes are inscribed in Abbysal, and the standards themselves are sentient, animated, and cruel beyond measure. The Apocalypse Standards envelop the standard bearer with a drifting ropy tendrils of darkness and fog when the horns of war are sounded.The standard bearers are specially selected, trained, and anointed for their position. The standard bearer must undergo an ancient ritual where the standard is attuned to them. Such Standard Bearers are specially bonded with the Apocalypse Standard, and undergo extensive training, as well as a series of rituals that ensure that the wielder fit to wield such an unholy artifact. Others may use the standard, but its powers may not all be accessible, as the Apocalypse Standard desires. The Apocalypse Standards were each blessed by the Dark Gods, and are of unimaginable power. Attacking the form of the standard with physical and magical attacks that reduce the Standard’s hit points causes the Standard to fall into inertia and a form of hibernation. As an artifact, such action cannot destroy the item, but reduces it greatly in power. The Standard—each of which has its own name—must be healed, and defiled anew in a special, vile ceremony that “reawakens” the Standard, and heals it to full strength again. The Apocalypse Standard has the following special properties that can be invoked by the Standard itself, should it desire to do so, or upon command by the attuned wielder.The Apocalypse Standard has all of the physical and magical properties of an Maximum Advanced Balor. The Balor has been bound up within the twisted creation of the terrifying Apocalypse Standard.HD: 39d8+234 hit points. (546 hit-points)AC: 38 (-1 size/+20 Natural/+0 DEX)Abilities:STR: 33 (+12)DEX: 11 (+0)CON: 23 (+06)INT: 20 (+5)WIS: 20 (+5)CHA: 16 (+3)The artifact is quite intelligent, and capable of all such forms of communication as speech, and Telepathy. The Apocalypse Standard has access to all such knowledge skills that it has inherently. Additional powers include:(1) Wielder has free use of Evasion(2) Wielder has free use of Uncanny Dodge(3) Wielder has free use of Improved Initiative(4) Wielder has free use of Blind-Fight(5) True Seeing at will(6) Telekinesis; (250-lb. Maximum; 1 minute each use.) 2/day(7) Globe of Invulnerability 1/day(8) The Abyssal Runes act as Symbol(any); (Heightened to 9th level; DC 29 2/day)(9) Special Purpose: Defend the servants of Evil(10) Special Purpose Power: +4 Luck bonus on all saving throws; +4 Deflection bonus to AC; Provides Spell Resistance 28 to the wielderThe Apocalypse Standard can Read languages, and Read Magic, in addition to Speech and Telepathy. INT: 20 (+5)WIS: 20 (+5)CHA: 16 (+3)EGO: 56(1) +10(2) Unholy Power(3) Chaotic Power(4) Dread: Good Outsiders(5) Dread: Lawful(6) Icy BlastThe item usually fights in the form of a Halberd, but in close combat, as a Free Action, the Apocalypse Standard can change form to that of a Scythe. The standard can switch forms as desired by the wielder. In Scythe form, however, the various Army Spells cannot be so invoked, for the standard bearer is not then visible to the rest of his allies.The Apocalypse Standard provides the following Army Spells, and additional properties to the attuned Standard Bearer, as appropriate.Symbol(any) 7/DayPower Word Kill 7/DayStoneskin: All allies within range of sight; 7/DayEmpowered Bull Strength: All allies within range of sight; 7/DayProtection from Spells: All allies within range of sight; 7/DayProtection from Arrows: All allies within range of sight; 7/DayMirror Image: 7/DayMass Haste: All allies within range of sight; 7/DayMass Heal: All allies within range of sight; 7/DayMagic Circle Against Good: 7/DayAntilife Shell: 7/DayUnholy Aura: 7/DayGlyph of Warding: 7/DayFreedom of Movement: Wielder only; ConstantForbiddance: 7/DayFog Cloud: 1200-Feet Radius; 800 Feet High; At WillFlame Strike (Energy Substitution-Cold): 7/DayIce Storm: 7/DayEmotion: All creatures within range of sight, as appropriate; 7/DayDivine Favor: All allies within range of sight; 7/DayDispel Good: 7/DayDetect Good: Constant; At Will.Deeper Darkness: 1200-Feet Radius; 7/DayAll such spells are invoked at a minimum of 20th level in ability, as appropriate.These properties are in addition to those inherent within the Balor-standard, who can cast inherent spells and spell-like abilities.</blockquote>

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