Here's one that started on the WotC Boards. I figured to broaden the discussion. (U_K!!!!)
So, here's my idea for Dukes of Hell:
Creating a Duke of Hell
"Duke of Hell" is a template that can be added to any Pit Fiend Devil, Lawful evil Infernal, or non-Chaotic Outsider with at least 20 HD or 25 ECL.
The Dukes of Hell, also knowns as the Courtiers of Perdition, are the singular nobles that serve under the might of Hell's masters, the Lords of the Nine. Despite their sharing the appelation of Duke of Hell, the various nobles often have different titles and different repsonsibilities as they pursue the darkest of evils, the blackest of souls, and more power for their masters and themselves (these goals, are of course, not necessarily in priority order).
Although they share a common title, the Dukes of Hells are all individuals with different powers and designs at their command. Each has a singular appearance (which can of course be mimicked with the use of Illusions and similar magicks by rivals), and each deals with allies and adversaries in different ways. Still, considering that they are defenders of Law, one can expect certain similarities from the Dukes of Hell.
The base creature's type changes to that of Devil. The Duke of Hell uses all the base creature's statistics and special abilities except as noted here:
HD: A Duke of Hell gains 5 HD more than the base creature.
Speed: The base speed is increased by 10 to all modes of movement. There is a 50% chance that if the base creature could not fly, that the new Duke of Hell will gain that ability at 90 ft (average).
AC: Dukes of Hell gain +3 to their Natural Armor in addition to any additional modifications due to size increases. They also gain a profane bonus of +3.
Spell-like Abilities or Psionics: Dukes of Hell retain the special attacks of the base creature unless such attacks were had the Good descriptor. In this case, the special attack with the Good descriptor is replaced with the Evil version. Thus, if a Solar becomes a Duke of Hell, it loses the spell-like ability holy smite, replacing it with unholy blight. In the case of Healing spells, such abilities are replaced with Necromantic spells of the appropriate type. If there is no clear opposite, the Duke retains the ability. The caster level for such abilities is always the Duke's HD + 6. All Dukes gain the following spell-like abilities: at will: charm monster, deeper darkness, fireball, flamestrike, improved invisibility, major image, permanent image, unhallow, unholy aura. 3/day: symbol (any). 1/day: meteor swarm. 1/week: wish.
Special Qualities: The Duke of Hell retains all of the base creature's special qualities. In the event that the base creature has qualities that are alignment specific, like protection from evil, the Duke of Hell will gain the Evil version. The Duke also gains the following:
* Baatezu Traits: If any of the benefits of these traits overlap with those of the base creature, the Duke retains the better of the two.
* Damage Reduction 20/+6 or an increase of 10/+3 on any existing DR, whichever is better.
* Spell Resistance equal to the base creature's CR+15, or the current SR+6, whichever is better.
* Regeneration: Fast Healing 10 unless the Duke is struck by a blessed or Holy weapon. This overrides any existing Regneration if it's lower.
* Call Baatezu: As a standard action, all Dukes of Hell, as the vassals of the Lords of the Nine, command the respect of lesser Devils. As such, a Duke of Hell can call Baatezu. Each Duke may call up to three times a day, 12 Lemures, 6 Osyluths or Barbazu, 4 Erinyes or Hamatulas, 2 Cornugons or Gelugons, or 1 Pit Fiend. Since these Devils are called, they have the ability to summon other Devils as their MM descriptions allow. Due to their vaunted status, Dukes of Hell are not beholden to the Devils they call, so they rarely hestitate to do so if pressed. Some Dukes are more likely to rely on certain kinds of Devils more than others. While Bael is likely to call Barbezu, Martinet, the Voice of Asmodeus, is likely to rely on Pit Fiends.
Class Levels: The Duke of Hell acquires level. All Dukes have at least 10 levels in at least one class suited to their desires and duties. Thus, Titivlus, the Herald of Dispater, is a 15th level Bard, while Bael, a Duke in the service of Mammon, is a 15th level Fighter. Adjustments for skills, ability scores, and feats may be made here in addition to those associated with HD and size adjustments. If the base creature already has class levels, the new Duke gains an additional 3 levels and skill points and Feats associated with the entirely of the class levels if they were not already taken in account.
Diabolical Adaptation: Some Dukes will exhibit special abilities or qualities different from their peers. For example, while most Dukes are completely immune to all kinds of fire, magical or mundane, a Duke of Cania, a layer of malign cold, may be immune to cold. Each Duke gains one special ability and one special quality in keeping with his/her duties and areas of interest for every 30 total HD and Levels possessed.
Challenge Rating: +6
Treasure: double standard base creature's.
Alignment: Always Lawful evil
Advancement: By class progression
So, here's my idea for Dukes of Hell:
Creating a Duke of Hell
"Duke of Hell" is a template that can be added to any Pit Fiend Devil, Lawful evil Infernal, or non-Chaotic Outsider with at least 20 HD or 25 ECL.
The Dukes of Hell, also knowns as the Courtiers of Perdition, are the singular nobles that serve under the might of Hell's masters, the Lords of the Nine. Despite their sharing the appelation of Duke of Hell, the various nobles often have different titles and different repsonsibilities as they pursue the darkest of evils, the blackest of souls, and more power for their masters and themselves (these goals, are of course, not necessarily in priority order).
Although they share a common title, the Dukes of Hells are all individuals with different powers and designs at their command. Each has a singular appearance (which can of course be mimicked with the use of Illusions and similar magicks by rivals), and each deals with allies and adversaries in different ways. Still, considering that they are defenders of Law, one can expect certain similarities from the Dukes of Hell.
The base creature's type changes to that of Devil. The Duke of Hell uses all the base creature's statistics and special abilities except as noted here:
HD: A Duke of Hell gains 5 HD more than the base creature.
Speed: The base speed is increased by 10 to all modes of movement. There is a 50% chance that if the base creature could not fly, that the new Duke of Hell will gain that ability at 90 ft (average).
AC: Dukes of Hell gain +3 to their Natural Armor in addition to any additional modifications due to size increases. They also gain a profane bonus of +3.
Spell-like Abilities or Psionics: Dukes of Hell retain the special attacks of the base creature unless such attacks were had the Good descriptor. In this case, the special attack with the Good descriptor is replaced with the Evil version. Thus, if a Solar becomes a Duke of Hell, it loses the spell-like ability holy smite, replacing it with unholy blight. In the case of Healing spells, such abilities are replaced with Necromantic spells of the appropriate type. If there is no clear opposite, the Duke retains the ability. The caster level for such abilities is always the Duke's HD + 6. All Dukes gain the following spell-like abilities: at will: charm monster, deeper darkness, fireball, flamestrike, improved invisibility, major image, permanent image, unhallow, unholy aura. 3/day: symbol (any). 1/day: meteor swarm. 1/week: wish.
Special Qualities: The Duke of Hell retains all of the base creature's special qualities. In the event that the base creature has qualities that are alignment specific, like protection from evil, the Duke of Hell will gain the Evil version. The Duke also gains the following:
* Baatezu Traits: If any of the benefits of these traits overlap with those of the base creature, the Duke retains the better of the two.
* Damage Reduction 20/+6 or an increase of 10/+3 on any existing DR, whichever is better.
* Spell Resistance equal to the base creature's CR+15, or the current SR+6, whichever is better.
* Regeneration: Fast Healing 10 unless the Duke is struck by a blessed or Holy weapon. This overrides any existing Regneration if it's lower.
* Call Baatezu: As a standard action, all Dukes of Hell, as the vassals of the Lords of the Nine, command the respect of lesser Devils. As such, a Duke of Hell can call Baatezu. Each Duke may call up to three times a day, 12 Lemures, 6 Osyluths or Barbazu, 4 Erinyes or Hamatulas, 2 Cornugons or Gelugons, or 1 Pit Fiend. Since these Devils are called, they have the ability to summon other Devils as their MM descriptions allow. Due to their vaunted status, Dukes of Hell are not beholden to the Devils they call, so they rarely hestitate to do so if pressed. Some Dukes are more likely to rely on certain kinds of Devils more than others. While Bael is likely to call Barbezu, Martinet, the Voice of Asmodeus, is likely to rely on Pit Fiends.
Class Levels: The Duke of Hell acquires level. All Dukes have at least 10 levels in at least one class suited to their desires and duties. Thus, Titivlus, the Herald of Dispater, is a 15th level Bard, while Bael, a Duke in the service of Mammon, is a 15th level Fighter. Adjustments for skills, ability scores, and feats may be made here in addition to those associated with HD and size adjustments. If the base creature already has class levels, the new Duke gains an additional 3 levels and skill points and Feats associated with the entirely of the class levels if they were not already taken in account.
Diabolical Adaptation: Some Dukes will exhibit special abilities or qualities different from their peers. For example, while most Dukes are completely immune to all kinds of fire, magical or mundane, a Duke of Cania, a layer of malign cold, may be immune to cold. Each Duke gains one special ability and one special quality in keeping with his/her duties and areas of interest for every 30 total HD and Levels possessed.
Challenge Rating: +6
Treasure: double standard base creature's.
Alignment: Always Lawful evil
Advancement: By class progression
