Libris Mortis: The Book of Undead

CHAPTER 3PRESTIGECLASSES42Illus. by B. SnoddySpecial: The character must be accepted as a death’s chosenby a sentient undead creature with at least as many Hit Dice asthe character.CLASS SKILLSThe death’s chosen’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill)are Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Gather Information (Cha), Hide(Dex), Knowledge (religion) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently(Dex), Profession (Wis), Search (Int), and Spot (Wis).Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.Larrak, a death’s chosenCLASS FEATURESAll of the following are class features of the death’schosen prestige class.Weapon and Armor Proficiency:Death’s chosen gain no proficiencywith any weapons, armor, or shields.Shield of the Master (Ex):Whenever the master ofa death’s chosen casts aspell or uses an extraordinary,supernatural, orspell-like ability, itcan choose (as a freeaction) to exempt thedeath’s chosen from itseffects. The master mustmake this choice whenit casts the spell or usesthe ability. If the abilityis always active, the mastercan choose to exempt itsdeath’s chosen from theeffect; this immunityremains in effect untilthe master choosesotherwise.For example, a mummycould (and probablywould) choose tomake its death’schosen immuneto its despair ability.An undeadspellcaster castinga fireball intoa fight that includedits death’s chosen could choose when casting the spellto have it not affect the death’s chosen.Vigor of the Chosen (Ex): The physical needs of a death’schosen are greatly reduced. He needs to consume only one-tenththe normal amount of food and water each day—a few grubsand a mouthful of water make a full meal. He can subsist on amere 2 hours of sleep each night without becoming fatigued(though spellcasters require the normal amount of rest to regainspells). He gains Endurance as a bonus feat (or, if he already hasthe feat, the bonuses granted by the feat increase to +8). He alsogains a +4 bonus on Fortitude saves to resist disease.Will of the Chosen (Ex): Starting at 2nd level, a death’s chosenserves his master with inhuman intensity. He gains a +2 moralebonus on Will saves as long as he is within 60 feet of his master.Bravery of the Chosen (Ex): When within 30 feet of hismaster, a death’s chosen who has attained 3rd level gains a +1morale bonus on melee attack rolls and melee damage rolls. Ifhis master has been reduced to half or less of its full normal hitpoints, this bonus increases to +2. The bonus disappears if hismaster is destroyed.Unnatural Aura (Su): When a death’s chosen reaches 3rdlevel, wild or domesticated animals can sense hisunnatural presence out to a distance of 30 feet. Theanimals do not willingly approach nearer thanthat and become panicked if forced to do so.They remain panicked as long as theyare within that distance.SAMPLEDEATH’S CHOSENCruel and driven from his earliest days,Larrak held extreme views on life anddeath even when compared to his brutalorc father. After a short but successfulcareer as an adventurer, Larrak betrayedhis companions and swore service to apowerful lich.Larrak the Death’s Chosen: Malehalf-orc fighter 5/death’s chosen 3; CR8; Medium humanoid (orc); HD8d10+16; hp 64; Init +5; Spd 20ft.; AC 21, touch 11, flat-footed20; Base Atk +8; Grp +13; Atk*+15 melee (2d6+10/19–20, +1greatsword) or +10 ranged (1d8/×3, masterwork longbow); FullAtk* +15/+10 melee (2d6+10/19–20, +1greatsword) or +10/+5 ranged (1d8/×3, masterworklongbow); SA —; SQ bravery of thechosen, darkvision 60 ft., half-orc traits,shield of the master, unnatural aura,vigor of the chosen, will of thechosen; AL LE; SV Fort +9 (+13against disease), Ref +3, Will +5 (+7 within 60 ft. of master); Str21, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 8, Wis 13, Cha 6.*See Bravery of the Chosen, below.Skills and Feats: Jump +1, Knowledge (religion) +0, Spot +7;Cleave, Endurance B , Iron Will, Improved Initiative, PowerTable 3–1: The Death’s ChosenBaseAttack Fort Ref WillLevel Bonus Save Save Save Special1st +1 +2 +0 +0 Shield of the master,vigor of the chosen2nd +2 +3 +0 +0 Will of the chosen3rd +3 +3 +1 +1 Bravery of thechosen, unnaturalaura