Nosferatu (prestige class) ??

[gamerprinter]

Making a monster into a prestige class? Yeah, I think its odd too, but I was perusing someone else's take on a vampire as prestige class. I think the PF vampire is both too tough and too weak, that is life-drain is a game ending ability, and turning to an ashpile in the daylight is too weak, so just as an experiment to try the vampire as a prestige class, this is what I'm developing for tonight's game...

Nosferatu (prestige class)

The nosferatu is an intelligent undead humanoid with many properties similar to a vampire, though not as powerful nor as weak. A nosferatu is a blood drinker that feeds with a fanged bite causing 1 point of CON damage per attack in addition to minor fang damage gaining a temporary 1 CON point. A nosferatu loses 1 point of CON per day. A nosferatu cannot drain life energy nor cause ability drain, only ability damage. A nosferatu is not harmed by sunlight though suffers from lightblindness as a weakness. Nosferatu live in urban humanoid areas.

Requirements:
Must be a living, corporeal humanoid with a minimum of 5 class levels, or is killed through total CON damage under attack by a master nosferatu.

HD: d8, Saves: good reflex, 2+INT modifier in skills, same skills as in life.
Traits: undead traits and immunities.

1st: Darkvision 60', Fangs (1d2 damage), gains 10 Nosferatu weaknesses
2nd: Hypnotism (Sp) at will, subtract 1 weakness
3rd: Hide in Plain Sight, subtract 1 weakness
4th: Climb Walls, Sharp Fangs (1d4 damage), subtract 1 weakness
5th: Children of the Night, subtract 1 weakness
6th: Fast Crawl, Blindsense, subtract 1 weakness
7th: Hold Person (Sp) as spell x half nosferatu levels in uses, subtract 1 weakness
8th: Fast Movement, Savage Fangs (1d6 damage), subtract 1 weakness
9th: Gaseous Form, subtract 1 weakness
10th: Add +2 to Str, Dex or Int, Master Nosferatu, subtract 1 weakness

Nosferatu Weaknesses: Garlic Allergen (-2 attacks and checks), holy water (causes 1d4 damage), impalement (causes paralyzation), light blindness (blinded for 1st round in sunlight and light sensitivity thereafter, -2 attacks and checks), no reflection, repulsed by holy symbols, shadowless, sunburn, tomb bound (if tomb is sealed, vampire is trapped in coffin), water immersion (if held underwater nosferatu loses 1 CON per round until destroyed). Also if Light Blindness is removed, the nosferatu is still subject to light sensitivity. Nosferatu must 'sleep' for 8 consequetive hours within a coffin or other close contained area every 24 hours.

At each level up a nosferatu can remove any one weakness of choice, but can never remove water immersion.

Climb Walls - as per Spider Climb spell, x half nosferatu levels per day.

Children of the Night - nosferatu may Summon, as spell, vermin, rodents, bats, and wolves (a 10th level nosferatu may summon his nosferatu victims)

Fast Crawl - double normal movement rate, if on all fours.

Fast Movement - within the range of normal movement rate (walking) may move 10 x its normal speed for any one action.

Master Nosferatu - at 10th level a nosferatu has power to control the victims he has converted to nosferatu form after damaging them of all their CON. He is able to summon them at will, though they must walk/run/fly to make their appearance and does not magically, instantly appear and arrive in 1d8 rounds. He can command them as per spell, and they have no save or resistance. These nosferatu minions cannot willfully harm their master, nor reveal information, weaknesses or whereabouts to third parties.

While nosferatu minions can eventually be masters themselves, while their own master still exists, they are still subject to summons and protections to their master. Thus a hierarchy of nosferatu clan generations could ultimately exist, though maintaining aninimoty and limited food supplies, forces secondary master-minion hierarchies to relocate to other humanoid communities.

A nosferatu cannot possess more CON points then they had in life and lose 1 CON per 24 hour period. At zero CON a nosferatu has 1 hour to cause a CON damage or will be destroyed. When first converted to Nosferatu, upon awakening from coffin, a minions has zero CON and must cause 1 point of CON in the first hour or is destroyed. Usually the first attacks have the intent of causing full CON damage to gain as much as its original CON score in life, thus may attack more than one victim. Only a master nosferatu can create nosferatu minions, all victims killed by lesser nosferatu are just dead. Once full CON is achieved, then victims can be attacked without killing them at 1 CON damage a day for perpetual survival or allows several days to pass without attacks then damages for longer periods to gain full CON.

Normally a single attack causes 1 CON damage, however, if victim is grappled, held or otherwise immobile, the nosferatu can cause 1 CON damage per round of blood drinking. A nosferatu can only drink sentient humanoid blood, animals and non-humanoids provide no nourishment.

Thoughts? Is this workable, or is the idea of a monster prestige class even practical?

GP

 

[Azmyth]

Really interesting stuff!
I really like that you take 10 weaknesses @ 1st and subtract them as you advance.
What are the qualifications for the PC?

 

[gamerprinter]

Qualifications?

I'm not sure, as any sentient humanoid can be a victim and if killed through CON damage by a 10th level Nosferatu becomes a nosferatu by default. Also the majority of nosferatu does not become one willingly.

Initially these are the qualifications:
Must be a living, corporeal and sentient humanoid.
Must be attacked and killed by a Master Nosferatu

Beyond that I'm not sure... must be evil (?) not sure if that fits, I doubt that it needs any kind of minimal skill ranks, as again any victim can become nosferatu.

Any suggestions?

GP

 

[Azmyth]

Hmmm, I have some reservations about a Prestige style build being available to anyone who falls victim to a Nosferatu. Open for unlimited abuse by Munchkins! Perhaps the key is to build a safety into the Nosferatu. For example, if you'd like to keep it limited to 5th level characters and above, why not have a detriment to the Nosferatu to turn anyone below that level. Or simply say that any victim of a complete drain, below (x) level results in death instead of a turning?

 

[gamerprinter]

Well I'd expect this as a prestige class would have the same minimum requirements of any prestige class, usually being 5th level and above anyway, so victims below 5 HD should be killed rather than turned anyway. I thought this was a given. My concerns was what skill or feat based requirement there might be - but as said, that seems inappropriate as nosferatu minions again shouldn't voluntarily desire to turning to undead status.

I'll give it some more thought. Though I played a clan of 6 nosferatu in tonights game and though 3 of them were destroyed by the PCs, 2 escaped, but it was definitely the toughest fight the party has faced. The party is in the upper experience point level of 11th thus far, so it was expected to be tough.

The master nosferatu stood back hidden watching the encounter unfold, to study the party for a future infiltration or planned attack, so the party will run into the clan later on.

GP

 

[Azmyth]

Well I'd expect this as a prestige class would have the same minimum requirements of any prestige class, usually being 5th level and above anyway, so victims below 5 HD should be killed rather than turned anyway. I thought this was a given.

GP

I didn't want to jump to any conclusions.
Unlike a normal PrC you're turned, not earned into it...

 

[gamerprinter]

Updated first post, and a crazy idea...

I've updated the first post to include prerequisites for PCs, as well as an additional requirement for sleeping in your coffin for 8 consequetive hours each 24 hour period, and other ideas.

Edit: new idea or have I just lost my mind?

Not that I'd need to, but thinking of other undead and other transformitive monsters - werewolves... and convert them into other monster prestige classes. Of course like the nosferatu, I'd pick names other than their Bestiary counterparts in these experiments - Loup Garou.

It might be worth publishing as a 3pp Horror Prestige Classes option for Pathfinder.

I'm thinking nine different undead and one werewolf prestige classes in a book in PDF format, with rules for making other monster prestige classes, then a GM's section describing their 'societies', habits, methods of destruction. Then include a short adventure using several of the monster prestige class varieties...

Thoughts?

GP

 

[Glade Riven]

I like the concept. One thing I've been thinking about creating is a PrC for "lycanthropy", flavored around druids and barbarians. The idea is inspired by those old bits of folklore where berzerkers would be shapeshifters. In this particular case, it wouldn't be a disease but rather a set of powers centered around wildshape fighting.

 

[gamerprinter]

Loup Garou (prestige class)

This one's going to need some critical comments if I'm going too powerful here.

Next experiment is more 'iffy', since I'm actually making this monster prestige class more powerful than its Bestiary equivalent. Under lycanthrope, description of size and type states "The lycanthrope takes on the characteristics of one animal type (wolf, in this case) within 1 size category of the creature's size." which implies to me that though the base animal 'wolf' is medium in size, it can be one size larger, as in 'large'. As one of this prestige class's 'capstone' powers, I'd like to give a large size (as a dire wolf) in animal form and a large size hybrid form.

Also afflicted lycanthropes have missing and differing powers to natural lycanthropes. While not granting all natural lycanthropic monster features, some of them will be granted at higher levels, with ' and 'Fast Change Shape' at 9th and 'Curse of Lycanthropy' at 10th. But limiting DR bonuses at the afflicted level, and progressively upward from 1 to 10, rather than already set at DR 5/silver as afflicted, or DR 10/silver as natural.

Also bonuses to stats will start at only +1 and eventually reach werewolf form stat bonus, though will get the -2 CHR right off the bat.

So this werewolf prestige class is bit more powerful than the Bestiary's afflicted lycanthrope, as it eventually gains the features of a natural lycanthrope

Loup Garou (prestige class)

Requirements: medium sized humanoid of at least 5th level of experience, and failed a Fort DC 15 to negate the bite of a pack master loup garou and conferred the curse of lycanthropy.

HD: d10, BAB: Fighter, Saves: Good Fort, 2 + Int modifier for skills, bonus skills: climb, intimidate, perception.

1st: Change Shape (as afflicted), DR 1/silver Low Light Vision, Lycanthropic Empathy, Power Attack as a bonus feat, +1 WIS, -2 CHR, Skill Focus: Perception; when in animal or hybrid form +1 STR and +1 CON 2nd: DR 2/silver, Scent, Cleave as a bonus feat
3rd: DR 3/silver, +1 STR and +1 CON in animal or hybrid forms
4th: DR 4/silver, Combat Reflexes as a bonus feat
5th: DR 5/silver, Alignment Shift, +1 WIS, Reduced Recovery
6th: DR 6/sliver, Improved Initiative as a bonus feat
7th: DR 7/silver, Alignment Shift, +10 movement rate
8th: DR 8/silver, Improved Cleave as a bonus feat
9th: DR 9/sliver, Alignment Shift, Fast Change Shape
10th: DR 10/silver, Pack Master, large size when in animal or hybrid forms.

Change Shape (Su) - as per afflicted lycanthrope in Pathfinder Bestiary, Lycanthrope, page 196.

Lycanthropic Empathy - as per Pathfinder Bestiary, Lycanthrope, page 196.

Alignment Shift - from 1st through 4th level afflicted Loup Garou character retains her alignment while in humanoid form, though is Chaotic Evil in hybrid form and base animal form (wolf). At 5th the character's alignment shifts one space towards chaotic evil (lawful good shifts to neutral good or neutral good to neutral, for example). At 7th and 9th levels alignments occur once more, though may achieve chaotic evil alignment before the next shift which is the final alignment at 9th level.

Reduced Recovery - if attempted to drink a dose of Wolfsbane to grant a new FORT save to recover from afflicted lycanthropy (Pathfinder Bestiary, Lycanthrope, page 196) gains a +5 penalty to save.

Fast Change Shape - as per natural lycanthrope, change shape as a move action.

Pack Master - a 10th level Loup Garou gains DR 10/silver, can confer Curse of Lycanthropy to those she bites and fail a Fort DC 15 (negates), and is considered a Dire Wolf as per Pathfinder Bestiary, page 278 when in animal form, or increased to large size in humanoid form gaining bonuses and 5 reach as enlarge spell. Pack master also gains the Change Shape modifiers as a natural lycanthrope as Pathfinder Bestiary, Lycanthrope, page 196. Once Pack Master is achieved, drinking a dose of wolfsbane nolonger grants a new FORT check to recover from lycanthropy.

1st - 4th level is the best time to attempt to recover from lycanthropy, 5th to 9th a new FORT check can be granted with a penalty, however alignment shifts are permanent.

Critiques and comments?

GP

 

[Azmyth]

Suggestions:

Nosferatu (prestige class)
I would swap Hide in Plain Sight @ 3rd with Fast Crawl @ 6th.
I believe HiPS is too powerful for 3rd level. And FC feels weak for 6th.

I would remove:
Nosferatu must 'sleep' for 8 consecutive hours [within a coffin] or other close contained area every 24 hours.
I do agree that a hibernation cycle is necessary, but I would steer away from cliche' vampire elements and forge ahead in a unique way.

I like your ideas about CON drain from lack of feeding, but it feels like it needs polish or something is missing from the equation. Are Nosferatu true immortals? Establishing this fact may alter how this system plays out. I will flesh one out and play around with it a bit and see if I get inspired.




Loup Garou (prestige class)
I would introduce the DR/silver a little later in the progression, either 2nd or 3rd level. At the early stages of the PrC, there is still a chance to get healed. Maybe use the DR/silver at one of the stages when it becomes more difficult to remove the lycanthropy? My first reaction to the DR10/silver at the Pack Master stage is that it's too high. Hard to tell at this point, but that's my initial thoughts...

There doesn't seem to be many hindrances or weaknesses to balance out his MASSIVE power curve. I'd add some. Perhaps, in wolf form, he MUST feed at least once per cycle. The individual's control over who gets eaten might be determined by the maturity level of the beast. 1-2 = First come, first serve; 3-4 = Allow feeding at later half of cycle. Drive becomes more intense as time passes; 5-9 = Feed anytime during cycle; 10 = Skip feeding upto 1d4 cycles.

Another hindrance/weakness idea:
The Loup Garou emits an unnatural pheromone, even when unchanged. As a result, any creature with the Scent ability might detect that there is something wrong about him as a result of a bonus to perceive.


That's all I've got atm.
Hope you find it helpful.