Heritage Feats
These feats represent mixed ancestry from another race and give your character powers or abilities inherited form their other bloodlines. You can use these feats to represent the arcane tendencies that come from having an eladrin great-grandmother, or the temper from a distant dragon in your family tree.
Characters of any race can take these heritage feats – even from the race that your character already has. When you take a heritage feat from your own race, it represents a particularly strong bloodline that your family has.
Once you take a heritage feat from a particular race, you count as a member of that race for the purposes of meeting prerequisites for that race’s racial feats. In this way heritage feats work somewhat like multiclass feats, in that they give your character access to feats they did not already have. Of course, just because you have access to the feat does not mean you can take advantage of it. For example, a little dragonborn heritage does not give a character a breath weapon, so the feats that modify that breath weapon would do nothing for your character.
These feats do not count as prerequisites for racial paragon paths or epic destinies.
All the feats presented below are available to characters in the Heroic tier.
Dragonborn
- Dragonborn Anger – Encounter, Free Action – You receive +1 to your next single attack roll. Usable only when bloodied.
- Dragonborn Recovery – Daily, Free Action – Add your Constitution modifier to the next healing surge you use.
Dwarf
- Dwarven Gut – Gain resist 1 poison, and a +2 to saves against ingested poisons.
Eladrin
- A Touch of Fey Magic – Your character gains use of the wizard cantrips.
- Roots in Another World – Add +1 to the distance of all your teleports.
Elf
- Lively Step – Encounter, Free Action – Add +2 to your move speed until the beginning of your next turn.
- Elven Senses – Gain a +1 to your Perception checks.
Half-Elf
- Turn on the Charm – Encounter, Minor Action – Add +2 to your diplomacy or bluff checks for the remainder of this encounter or the next 5 minutes.
Halfling
- Just a Little More – Daily, Free Action – Add +1 to one roll that you just failed.
- Big Heart – Receive a +2 racial bonus to saves vs powers with the fear keyword.
Human
- Heave Together – When successfully assisting on a skill check, add +3 instead of +2 to the total skill check.
Tiefling
- Arcane Blood – Receive a +1 racial bonus to Arcana skill checks.
- Feindish Skin – Gain resist 2 to either cold, poison, electricity, or thunder.
Posted in Uncategorized and tagged feat by Adam A. Thompson with no comments yet.
Dunheng Side Door
Invented by the dwarves of the Dunheng Kingdoms, these hidden and trapped doors are also used by the gnomes and ice kobolds in the northern reaches of the Stokaraz Mountains.
Dunheng side doors are typically used as a secondary entrance to a dwarven complex, or as the main entrance to a secret area.
For DCs and damage for this variable level trap, refer to the Difficulty Class and Damage by Level chart in the DMG.
Perception: DC (medium): Success – you notice the concealed door.
Looking over the stone cliff face, you notice that an oval, 5 foot high rock leaning against the cliff looks like it might be easy to move.
If the characters open the door, they see the following:
Opening the hidden door, you find that it swings out on hidden metal hinges to reveal a ten foot long, four foot wide passage of worked stone walls with a flagstone floor and a low ceiling. At the far end of the passage stands a stone door.
The door at the end of these hallways is generally locked.
Perception: DC (hard + 2): Success – you notice a small pressure plate under the flagstones.
As you are about to step into the passage you notice that a small flagstone to the side of the passage has no mortar around it. Touching it gingerly, you notice that it moves slightly.
Once a character enters the hallway, they may notice the following:
Perception: DC (hard + 2): Success – you notice the suspended stone block at the end of the passage.
Looking at the low ceiling, you notice that the last 5 feet of the ceiling in this hall has a seam running around it, delineating a 4 foot wide stone square. Closer examination reveals that the seam appears to run up into the ceiling some way.
Perception: DC (hard + 2): Success – you notice a second pressure plate under the flagstones at the end of the passage.
As you are about to proceed to the end of the passage you notice that a large flagstone in the middle of the passage has no mortar around it. Touching it gingerly, you notice that it moves slightly.
How it works – When a character enters the hallway they can disable the trap by standing on the pressure plate and closing the door behind them. If they do this, the second pressure plate does not drop the stone block.
When a character enters the second square of the hallway and steps on the pressure plate the stone block suspended above to drops on them, possibly trapping them beneath it and blocking the hallway.
Trap
Attack (Immediate Interrupt, when a character enters the square at the end of the hallway): Level +3 vs Reflex
Hit: Limited High Damage, and the target is pinned. While pinned, the target takes ongoing 5 damage per tier and is immobilized. A creature can free themselves or an adjacent pinned creature with a DC Hard Strength check as a Standard Action.
Miss: Half damage and the target is pushed 1 Square back into the hallway.
Effect: The weighty stone block that has fallen now completely blocks the hallway. As a Standard Action a character can make a DC Hard + 10 Strength check to lift up the block, and must make the same check every round they hold the block up, or else be subject to the attack again. The block has 80 HP.
Countermeasures
Acrobatics: if a character has noticed the second pressure plate at the end of the hallway, they can make a DC Medium Acrobatics check to balance on flagstones around the pressure plate as they unlock and open the door and pass through the trapped square. Failing this check sets off the trap.
Thievery: DC Hard thievery check to disable the second pressure plate. Failing this check by more than 5 results in the trap being set off, attacking the character making the thievery check and any assisting them.
Strength: DC Hard Strength check to brace or block the stone block – though holding the block up bodily require a new Strength check every round as above. Using pitons or another object to wedge the block gives a +2 on this check, though they will only hold the great block’s weight for 1d12 rounds after the trap is triggered.
XP: Award XP for bypassing this variable level trap according to the XP chart in the DMG.
Posted in Uncategorized and tagged secret door, trap: warder by Adam A. Thompson with no comments yet.
Grove of Bones
This location was created when a mad druid took up the necromantic elements of sorcery. First he consecrated the area with an evil bent, then he turned an entire grove of fine alder trees into bones, using the limbs to raise up an army of skeletons and bone golems.
Throughout the grove are creeping vines, represented in dark green on the map. There is a 1 in 6 chance that each vine will attack as the party passes within the 10′ reach of the vines. Once one vine attacks, every vine will attack a character that steps within 10′ of the vine. This automatic attack includes vines within 10′ of a character when the first vine attacks.
Each white circle on the map represents the trunk of bone. Those lying sideways are horizontal with the exception of two that are leaning against other bones. The grey areas are stone, the brown wood or road. Each number on the map corresponds to a location or set of locations described below.
1 The Approach
The wind grows still and the squawk of avians silent as you approach this fork in the road. The primary direction continues before you where it is blocked by a felled, forty-foot trunk. A smaller path heads into a grove of birch trees, their trunks covered in a white bark. The area smells of charnel.
If the characters study the trees more carefully, for instance walking up to one and trying to harvest its bark for parchment, they will notice that the trunks are not normal. A DC 15 Knowledge Nature check will reveal that they have a sturdy-yet-porous feel not unlike bone.
2 Felled Trunk
A tree with a 7′ diameter trunk blocks the road before you. Spider webs cling to the underside of the rounded trunk, running to the ground in threads woven so thick that you cannot see the ground.
If characters try to scale the bone tree, they must make a DC 20 Jump check to reach the upper side of the bone, and then a DC 20 Climb check to continue to scale the bone. if they fail, they will find the trunk too smooth to climb, and will slip off. Those who succeed can walk along the trunk at half speed with a DC20 Balance check.
Characters who linger at the base of the trunk for more than 3 turns will be attacked by a group of 4 dire spiders, who climb up through the webbing. Characters within 15′ of the trunk when the combat begins have a 1 in 6 chance of standing in some webbing, requiring them to make a DC 20
Reflex save or be stuck as if under the effect of a web spell as the fight breaks out.
After the combat, if the characters search under the trunk, they will find the crushed remains of a skeletal humanoid, his leather backpack intact. The backpack contains 2 cure medium wounds potions, a potion of momentary clarity, and a scroll of freedom of movement. On the skeleton’s feet is one boot of speed. The other is on one of the skeletons that the party faces with the necromancer. If they check carefully, they will notice the match on the skeleton.
3 Summoning Circle
Chips of wood and bone dot the ground around this 15′ circle surrounded by four stone obelisks. The obelisks have wooden adornments that serve as appendages emanating from the stone bases. The circle is rimmed with alternating white and black stones the size of a human fist. The weeds are kept at bay just outside the rocks; inside the circle there is no grass nor weed.
The chips are fairly long and narrow, and do not appear to have been made with axes or other normal blades, as the edges are serrated.
The obelisks are abstract representations of four woodland animals: bear, boar, owl, and wolf. The wooden portions provide the representations, as the stone portions are the same on each obelisk, constituting the base and the trunk. These obelisks belong to the long-dead druids who once cared for this grove.
This is where the necromancer summons creatures, growing his undead army.
4 Pile of Bones
A neatly-arranged pile of assorted bones lies in the center of the dirt path in the center of the grove.
Characters who linger at the base of the pile for more than 3 turns will be attacked by 2 bone golems, who, when killed, will rattle their bones, alerting the necromancer. If the time is right, he will attack the party. This is up to the DM. In most cases, he will attack when the party reaches location 6.
The bones are of assorted lengths, from 3″ wide and 2′ long to 3′ wide and 10′ long, and appear to have been shaped into bones. Perhaps they are true bones, perhaps they are trees-turned-bones.
5 Fitted-Stone Slab
This slab of fitted stones is stained a deep rust color.
The rust color is from blood used in sacrifice to aid the necromancer in his foul deeds.
The workmanship suggests that this slab was built some hundred or more years ago. If the characters look carefully, they will notice that the stones are arranged in the form of an owl mized with a bear. This grove once was the home of a great owlbear clan, the remains of which have been disturbed by the necromancer. This clan was befriended by the druids who then took over mantenance of the grove before their untimely end at the treacherous hands of the necromancer.
6 Stone Hut
When the party nears the hut, read or paraphrase the following:
A mound of vines obscures something large and grey underneath.
If the party clears off some of the creeping vines (by killing or otherwise dispatching with them), read aloud the following:
A well-mortared wall of a 10’x15′ fitted-stone structure shows signs of age, yet is impressively intact in the face of the strong vines that once covered it.
Inside the stone hut, in among rusted rakes and shovels with rotted handles, the party will find various necromantic items, including a scroll of transmute wood to bone, a scroll of protection from good, and a collection of notes on the anatomy of human bones and trees, with strange connections drawn between them.
Once the party loots the hut, the necromancer will appear outside and begin summoning assistance. When they fight him, he will by flanked by 12 medium skeletons, 2 large skeletons, 3 bone golems, and 2 animated owlbear skeletons, all of which quickly rush up to engage the party in melee, while he casts spells from afar. In their rush into the melee, the owlbears knock over some of the remaining bone trees, creating dynamic terrain hazards. The bone golems and large skeletons will even lift some of the bones out of the pile at location 4 to use as large bone clubs against the characters.
7 Twin felled bones
Two twin bones have been knocked over here, forming a small space between which run thickly-woven spider webs.
In among the bones, the party discovers the remains of an old graveyard, with headstones written in a strange and ancient language. This is where the necromancer raised his skeletons out of their ancient graves.
8 Angled bone
A large bone leans against a standing one, providing a perilously balanced cover.
This bone of course, could at any moment be knocked loose, for instance in combat or if a character attempts to walk upon it, requiring anyone above or below it to make a DC 20 Reflex save to avoid taking 2d8 damage from the falling bone.
Posted in 3rd edition Dungeons & Dragons / d20 fantasy / Pathfinder, Adventure and tagged creature type: plant, golem, grove, Location, owlbear, spider, wilderness by Stephen Hilderbrand with no comments yet.
Asteroth: Demon Liche
Asteroth is an ancient demon who through a bizarre series of events and a strange curse survived his own destruction. Now, by the use of his arcane powers, he persists as a liche.
In the centuries since then he has served as a mercenary wizard, enchanter and sage to many of the most powerful and important personages of the underworlds. None know where his sanctum lies.
Asteroth is the creator of the spell Asteroth’s Snare.
His normal form is a towering skeletal humanoid with the skull of a jackal and glowing, red eyes, but often he appears in other guises. He leaves a trail of ash wherever he walks.
Asteroth CR 22
Size Large Undead Outsider (Evil)
Wizard 17
Alignment: Neutral Evil
Languages: Abyssal, Telepathy to 100 feet
Senses: darkvision, Listen +12, Spot +15
Initiative: +6
AC: 26 (flatfooted 19, touch 14), +1 dodge bonus against one target, +4 with Shield cast, +4 vs. attacks of opportunity when moving
DR 15 / bludgeoning and magic and 10 / adamantium from Stoneskin
Hit Dice: (22d12)
Hit Points: 136
Saves: Fortitude: +11, Reflex: +13, Will: +21
Immune: cold, electricity, paralysis, mind-affecting attacks, poison, acid
Resist: 20 cold, 20 fire
Aura: fear (affects creatures of 5 HD and less within 60 feet, Will DC 24 negates)
Turn Resistance: +4
Spell Resistance: 29
Speed: 40 ft.
Attacks: +13 negative energy touch
Damage: 1d8+5 (Will DC 24 halves) and permanent paralysis (Will DC 24 negates)
Face / Reach: 10 ft. / 10 ft.
Feats: Combat Casting, Craft Wand, Craft Wondrous Item, Dodge, Forge Ring, Improved Initiative, Mobility, Scribe Scroll, Spell Penetration, Greater Spell Penetration
Special Abilities & Qualities: See Below
Abilities: STR 17 (+3), DEX 15 (+2), CON – (-), INT 28 (+9), WIS 18 (+4), CHA 19 (+4)
Skills: Appraise 10; Balance 2; Bluff 5; Concentration 29; Decipher Script 9; Diplomacy 9; Hide 11; Knowledge (Arcana) 28; Knowledge (Architecture and Engineering) 10; Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 9; Knowledge (Geography) 10; Knowledge (History) 13; Knowledge (Local) 14; Knowledge (Nature) 10; Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty) 14; Knowledge (Religion) 12; Knowledge (The Planes) 15; Listen 12; Move Silently 10; Ride 4; Search 17; Sense Motive 13; Spellcraft 30; Spot 15; Survival 3; Swim 1;
Possessions: Amulet of Natural Armor +3; Ring of Protection +3; Bracers of Armor +4; Cloak of Resistance +4; Headband of Intellect +4; Wand of Cat’s Grace; Wand of Scorching Ray (11th level caster); Wand of Lightning Bolt (10th level caster); Wand of Magic Missile (9th level caster); Wand of Polymorph; Wand of Suggestion;
Spell-like Abilities (as 17th level wizard, save DC 19 + spell level): At-Will: alter self, greater teleport. 3/Day: geas, true seeing
Wizard Spells:
Spell Save DC:19 + spell level
Mana: 193
Level 0 (4 / day): Arcane Mark, Daze, Detect Magic, Touch of Fatigue
Level 1 (7 / day): Identify, Ray of Enfeeblement x 2, Shield, True Strike, Charm Person, Protection From Good
Level 2 (6 / day): Mirror Image, Detect Thoughts, Invisibility, Resist Energy, Touch of Idiocy, Web
Level 3 (6 / day): Blink, Slow, Fly, Fire Ball, Vampyric Touch, Protection From Energy
Level 4 (6 / day): Enervation, Fire Shield, Greater Invisibility, Mass Reduce Person, Stoneskin, Resilient Sphere
Level 5 (6 / day): Feeblemind, Baleful Polymorph, Telekinesis, Dominate Person, Wall of Force, Cloudkill
Level 6 (5 / day): Flesh to Stone, Globe of Invulnerability, True Seeing, Greater Dispel Magic, Repulsion
Level 7 (4 / day): Mage’s Sword, Spell Turning, Finger of Death, Force Cage
Level 8 (3 / day): Horrid Wilting, Clenched Fist, Temporal Stasis
Level 9 (2 / day): Mass Hold Monster, Time Stop
Summon Daemon: once per day, Asteroth can summon 3d6 Canaloths or 2d4 Nycaloths with 100% chance of success, or 1d6 Nycoloths or 1 Ultroloth with a 50% chance of success. See the Manual of the Planes for statistics of these fiends.
Fear Aura (Su): Liches are shrouded in a dreadful aura of death and evil. Creatures of less than 5 HD in a 60-foot radius that look at the lich must succeed on a Will save or be affected as though by a fear spell from a sorcerer of the lich’s level. A creature that successfully saves cannot be affected again by the same lich’s aura for 24 hours.
Turn Resistance (Ex): A lich has +4 turn resistance.
Immunities (Ex): Liches have immunity to cold, electricity, polymorph (though they can use polymorph effects on themselves), and mind-affecting attacks.
Posted in 3rd edition Dungeons & Dragons / d20 fantasy / Pathfinder, Creature and tagged creature type: demon, outsider, undead by Adam A. Thompson with no comments yet.
Magic Mirror
This large oval gold-framed mirror stands on three thick legs. The carvings at the base depict winged lion-women supporting the mirror, and the top arch of the frame is decorated with moons, from crescent, ascending to half, to full at the top center, then descending to half and to crescent again.
Magic MirrorWondrous Item
level 30
3,125,000 Gold
Power (Daily, 10 minutes activation time) – Standing before the mirror allows one to cast the Observe Creature ritual without having to know the ritual or expend any components.
Power (Monthly, Standard Action) – Standing before the mirror allows one to open a magic teleportation portal to the place that is being observed by the mirror’s Observe Creature power. The mirror forms one side of the portal, and a faintly glowing doorway appears at the point being observed. As long as the portal remains open it can be passed through both ways. When opening the portal, make an Arcana check to determine how long the portal remains open:
- Arcana DC 19 or lower – 1 Round
- Arcana DC 20-29 – 3 rounds
- Arcana DC 30-39 – 5 rounds
- Arcana DC 40 or higher – 10 rounds
Posted in Uncategorized and tagged equipment: magic wondrous item by Adam A. Thompson with 1 comment.
Inquisition Mage Hunter
Shan’n’nur Inquisitor Mage Hunter – Level 14 controller (leader)
Medium natural human ✦ XP 1,000
Initiative +8 Senses Perception +10
HP 140; Bloodied 70
AC 28; Fortitude 25, Reflex 26, Will 27
– also see witchwarden shield
Speed 6
Powers
Arcane Blast ✦ At-Will, Standard Action, Close Burst 3
arcane, force
A transparent wave of force batters you away from the Inquisitor.
Target: Enemies in burst
Attack: +16 vs. Fortitude
Hit: 1d10 + 6 force damage, and push the target 3 squares.
Cleansing Fire ✦ At-Will, Standard Action Range 10
arcane, radiant
“Defilers! May the holy flames cleanse your impurities!”
Attack: +18 vs. Reflex
Hit: 1d10 + 6 radiant damage. All Shan’n’nur within 5 squares of the target receive 4 temporary hit points and +1 to attacks until the end of the Inquisitor’s next turn.
Inquisition’s Chains ✦ Encounter (recharge 4-6), Standard Action, Range 10
arcane, force
Glowing chains of energy bind you with a grip stronger than iron.
Attack: +18 vs. Reflex
Hit: 3d10 + 6 force damage, and the target is Stunned (save ends).
Spell Fumble ✦ Encounter, Immediate Interrupt Action, Range 10
arcane, force
Magical counter-words cancel key elements of your arcane formula, ruining the spell.
Trigger: Someone uses a power with the “arcane” keyword.
Attack: +18 vs. Will
Hit: The triggering arcane power is expended but has no effects.
Cloak of Black ✦ Encounter, Standard Action, Burst 3 Range 5
arcane
With a gesture and a magic phrase the inquisitor creates a silent darkness shrouds the corridor.
Effect: The burst creates a zone of silent darkness that is difficult terrain and lasts until the end of the caster’s next turn. No sound or sight can percieve into or through the zone.
Sustain, Minor Action: the zone persists.
Alignment neutral Languages Common, Draconic, Abyssal
Skills Arcana +18, Insight +15
Str 12 (+8) Dex 13 (+8) Wis 17 (+10)
Con 20 (+12) Int 23 (+13) Cha 20 (+12)
Equipment: inquisitor’s black cloak and inquisitor’s mask, witchwarden shield, ritual dagger, wand, orb.
Posted in Uncategorized and tagged creature type: humanoid, creature: paragon controller by Adam A. Thompson with no comments yet.
Inquisitor’s Mask
The officials of the Shan’n’nur Inquisition wear these masks during rituals and when in public performing their mysterious duties and enforcing the will of their cult.
The masks give the Inquisitors several abilities they find useful as they police the use of magic in the areas they control.
Mask of the Shan’n’nur
Head Slot
Level 15
25,000 gold
Power (Encounter, Standard Action): Charming Gaze – +5 to your next Intimidate, Diplomacy or Bluff check this encounter.
Power (Encounter, Standard Action): Terrifying Gaze – one target in close blast 5, Int. or Cha. vs. Will, chose either: the target is dazed until the end of your next turn, or weakened (save ends).
Power (At-Will, Minor Action): +5 on your next arcana check to detect or identify magic.
Power (At-Will, Minor Action): Detect Evil/Good/Law/Chaos: the wearer can detect alignments opposite to their own.
Posted in Uncategorized and tagged equipment: magic helm, subplot: the Shan'n'nur by Adam A. Thompson with no comments yet.
Inquisition Jailer
As heroes confront the forces of the Shan’nur Inquisition at their headquarters, they face the most hardened veterans of the order.
Sword of Light Jailers -Level 14 Brute – XP 1,000
Medium natural humanoid
Initiative +12 Senses Perception +7
HP 162; Bloodied 81
AC 26; Fortitude 26, Reflex 26, Will 25
Speed 6
Thump and Lash (standard; at-will) • Weapon
+17 vs. AC; 3d6 + 6 damage, and the target takes a -2 penalty to melee attack rolls until the end of its next turn.
Jailer’s Tangle (standard; requires a scourge; recharge 5-6) – Weapon
+17 vs. AC; 3d6 + 6 damage, and the target is immobilized and takes a -2 penalty to melee attack rolls until the end of its next turn.
Alignment Evil Languages Common
Skills Insight +13, Intimidate +16
Str 23 (+13) Dex 20 (+12) Wis 10 (+7)
Con 12 (+8) Int 10 (+7) Cha 18 (+11)
Equipment ring mail, mace, scourge (whip)
Posted in Uncategorized and tagged creature: paragon brute, subplot: the Shan'n'nur by Adam A. Thompson with no comments yet.
Transmute Wood to Bone
Transmute Wood to Bone
Transmutation [Healing]
Level: Drd 4, Sor/Wiz 5, Clr 5
Components: V, S, M/DF
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level)
Area: Up to two 10-ft. cubes/level (S)
Duration: Permanent; see text
Saving Throw: See text
Spell Resistance: Yes
This spell turns natural, uncut or unworked wood into an equally-sized bone, complete with marrow. Magically-enhanced wood is not affected by the spell.
If cast on living wood, for instance a tree, the wood must make a saving throw with a DC equal to the caster’s level + attribute bonus. Wooden structures must also make such a save. If cast on wands, staves, and other wood in possession of a living creature, the living creature rolls for the item.
The bone remains until a successful dispel magic or transmute bone to wood (reverse of this) spell restores its original subtance but not necessarily its form, especially if the bone has been chipped, fractured, or otherwise broken.
This spell can also be used to turn forests into components or raw material for necromantic magic, as the bones can be animated and turned into giant skeletons.
Arcane Material Component
A rib from a human or demihuman and a piece of bark off of a live tree.
Posted in Spell and tagged cleric spell level 5, druid spell level 5, sorcerer / wizard spell level 5, transmutation by Stephen Hilderbrand with no comments yet.