Sakatha as a vestige?

[Thurbane]

Hi all,

I've just recently gotten into Binders from ToM, and was curious about making a vestige for my new campaign.

I was thinking about Sakatha, from Tomb of the Lizard King, as a vestige.

He would grant claws for attacking, swimming and water breathing abilities, and powers to do with commanding scalykind beings.

Any thoughts?

 

[Nifft]

Tell more of the story -- I love ToM, Binders and Vestiges, but don't know the source dude well enough to choose a vestige level.

(Or, you could just tell us what vestige level you think it should be. )

Thanks, -- N

 

[Thurbane]

http://enworld.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=1080

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomb_of_the_Lizard_King

It's been a while since I played the module, but Sakatha was an ancient lizard king, cursed with vampirism after wishing for eternal life.

 

[Nifft]

Those links don't help me much -- they describe the module as a whole, and don't have details on Sakatha in particular -- or if they do, I'm missing it!

Gimmie a level for the vestige, and I'll do something with King + Lizard + Vampire.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Thurbane]

OK, I was thinking about 2nd level would be good.

Here's some flavor text someone helped me with:

Sounds interesting. I'd say that he should be around a 2nd level vestige for those abilities. I don't know much about Sakatha, but hey, if a god (Amon) can be a 1st level, and a mortal can reach 8th (Halphax), so be it. What kind of beastly character was Sakatha? What about sign or influence?

As far as manifestation goes, I envision this, though It could easily be made more impressive:

In the seal in front of you, the ground begins to melt and bubble, like something is hiding beneath a muddy puddle. From this mess, a powerfully built lizardman slowly rises, head bowed, as if being pushed up...and indeed he is. As his feet are pressed upward, you see that Sakatha is standing atop a pile of skulls and bones of various humanoids. The creature slowly opens his eyes, revealing that he has nothing but black blood leaking down, and the left side of his face is skeletal, the flesh torn off. When Sakatha first speaks, the skulls at his feet cackle until Sakatha commands them to silence.

For abilities, something like:

Sign: hands transform into scaly claws

Influence: must attack warm blooded foes in preference to others

Granted Abilties:
- Claw attack: 2 claw attacks at full BAB, 1d4 base damage for a medium binder. Cannot be used if the sign is suppressed.
- Swimming: gain a swim speed equal to your base speed, and can always take ten on a swim check, even if distracted or endangered.
- Water Breathing: can use Water Breathing at will
- Scalykind Command: can use A Charm Monster effect up to once per hour, on any reptilian being. Can also use Charm Animal (reptilian only) once every 1d4 rounds, and Speak With Animals (again, only reptiles) as will.

..although the scalykind command needs some work...

 

[Nifft]

Those are all kinda weak. When you look at the natural attacks that other Vestiges grant, they each have some kind of special ability. Extra damage when charging, pounce, cold iron, etc.

Both Lizardfolk and Vampires are known for their bite attacks; let's grant one of those. It's better than claws, since most times you want to hit with a weapon in your hands.

Jaws of the Vampire -- You gain a bite attack (1d4/1d6 for small/medium) as a primary or secondary natural attack; if you already have a bite attack, naturally or otherwise, you may instead choose to increase the damage of your other bite attack by two size categories. If your EBL is at least 11, your bite is considered Silver. If your EBL is at least 15, your bite is considered Silver and Lawful. You do not gain this benefit if you do not show Sakatha's sign.

- - -

Vampires and Lizardfolk both have tough skin. Let's give some Natural Armor and DR.

Scaly Ward -- You gain a Natural Armor bonus equal to one-half your Constitution bonus (rounded down), and DR/silver equal to one-half your Charisma bonus (rounded down).

- - -

Vampires are known for their gaseous form; Lizardfolk are known living in misty swamps. Hmm. Something with mist?

Alternately, your command scaly critters ability looks good. Something like...

Scaly King's Command -- Once every five rounds, you may use an effect similar to command on any reptile (if the reptile does not understand any language, then this ability is not [Language-Dependant]).

- - -

And something for the King...

Aura of Majesty -- You may project an aura out to 30 ft., which affects yourself and all allies. You may project one aura at a time. Switching auras is a Swift action. You can not project an aura if you do not show Sakatha's sign. Your available auras depend on your EBL:

• (EBL any) -- Aura of Sakatha's Victory: +2 melee damage against mammals.
• (EBL 5+) -- Aura of Sakatha's Domain: +8 to Swim checks.
• (EBL 9+) -- Aura of Sakatha's Resolve: +2 to Will saves.
• (EBL 13+) -- Aura of Sakatha's Immunity: energy resistance 10 vs. cold and electricity.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Thurbane]

Thanks Nifft, those look really good!

 

[the Jester]

This is a really cool idea. Making more vestiges has been a back-burner project for me for a long time.