45055244-Book-of-Hallowed-Might-II

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Book of Hallowed Might II: Portents and Visions
When meeting visitors for the first time, the dwarf presses
them for information as to why they have sought Urgan’s
domain. He is rude, pushy, and obnoxious, ignoring visitors’
questions to ramble on about his adventuring days or some
minutia of the art of blacksmithing. If visitors lack the good
grace and patience to treat him with respect, he banishes them
from the cavern. Otherwise, he greets them with open arms.
His boorishness is merely a façade. In truth, Gothri is
quiet, observant, and introspective. He might go months
without saying a word to a visitor after the initial interview.
When he does speak, he chooses his words carefully.
Gothri feels as though he has lost everything important to
him in life: his friends and family gone, the righteous fire of
his bravery long extinguished. As a direct result of Gothri’s
wavering faith, even though he spends every day in the presence
of his god, he can no longer call his steed, the warhorse
Silverstream. The dwarf does not realize that his presence
within the World Forge is a test of his faith and conviction.
While he is happy to work beside Urgan, the god hopes the
dwarf will one day understand that, as a paladin, his place is
in the world above.
Even worse, not all of Gothri’s kin were slain in Infernyx’s
attack. Many young dwarves were taken prisoner and sold
into slavery. The remaining dwarf holds are wracked with
dissension. Without Gothri to unite them, they bicker
among themselves. Some factions agitate for war against
Infernyx’s growing legions of orcs and trolls, while others
would rather seal their strongholds and ride out the storm.
Already, Infernyx casts her baleful eye to the south. If someone
does not stop her soon, her armies may overrun many
realms. After all, who would expect a conquest-minded red
dragon to find a safe haven in the north?
Yet Gothri remains content to dwell within the World
Forge. Perhaps if a band of heroes recovered Peace Forge, rescued
his remaining kin, and tracked Silverstream through
the astral realm where she runs free, the fires of righteous
vengeance would rekindle in his heart. Until then, the dragon’s
legions swell, and the shadow that has cowed his people
grows deeper.
Gothri Forgefriend, male dwarf Pal12: CR 12; HD 12d10+48;
hp 135; Init –2; Speed 20 feet; AC 10 (–2 Dex, +2 leather
apron); Base Attack +12; Grapple +16; Attack +17 melee
(1d8+4/×3, warhammer); Full Attack, +17/+12/+7 melee
(1d8+4/×3, warhammer); SA Smite evil 3/day, spells;
SQ Aura of courage, aura of good, detect evil, spells, divine
health, divine grace, lay on hands, remove disease 3/week,
special mount, turn undead; AL LG; SV Fort +14, Ref +4,
Will +8; Str 18, Dex 6, Con 18, Int 11, Wis 14, Cha 15
Skills and Feats: Craft (metalworking) +18, Diplomacy +17;
Cleave, Combat Casting, Power Attack, Skill Focus (Craft
[metalworking]), Weapon Focus (warhammer)
Possessions: Hammer, leather apron, steel holy symbol of Urgan
Paladin Spells (2/2/1; DC 12 + spell level): 1st—create water,
endure elements; 2nd— bull's strength, zone of truth;3rd—cure
moderate wounds.
New Feats
Urgan’s followers are typically artisans. Among adventurers,
druids with an affinity for the earth revere him, as do clerics
and paladins who seek to use the fruits of the forge to combat
evil. Urgan’s worshippers can produce mundane goods that
rival enchanted weapons and armor, while their knowledge of
armor and weaponsmithing gives them an edge in combat.
The clerics and druids who worship Urgan, along with
skilled smiths and the warriors who depend on metal weapons
and armor, develop a variety of unique abilities that reflect
their faith. Urgan’s faithful are perhaps the most knowledgeable
metalworkers in the world. While not all of them produce
metal goods, they all learn the secrets of steel and iron.
Armor Piercer [General]
You have a talent for spotting weaknesses in an opponent’s
armor, such as a metal plate grown fragile from damage or a
joint between two armored sections that leaves a gap in a
foe’s defense.
Prerequisite: Blacksmith’s Eye†, Craft (any metal-related)
6 ranks
Benefit: If you spend a full-round action doing nothing
but observing an opponent and her armor, you gain a +1 competence
bonus to hit her. You must be within 30 feet of your
enemy to see enough detail in her equipment, and she must
have an armor bonus to Armor Class. Natural, deflection, and
other modifiers do not count toward this requirement.
Blacksmith’s Eye [General]
Your experience working with metals has granted you a keen
eye for spotting slight imperfections, twists, and weaknesses
in a metal object.
Prerequisite: Craft (any metal-related) 4 ranks
Benefit: When attacking an inanimate object crafted from
metal, such as a sword, door, or statue, you gain a +2 bonus to
attack and damage rolls. This bonus applies when you use the
sunder action in combat. In addition, when fighting constructs
made of metal, you gain +1d6 points of bonus damage on a
successful hit. If you use a ranged weapon, you gain this bonus
damage when you attack from a range of 30 feet or less.
Druid of Earth and Metal [General]
You respect and defend nature, but you also see that technology
and craftsmanship form a key part of the relationship
between civilization and the natural world. Unlike other
druids, you can wield metal goods in certain situations.
Prerequisites: Druid level 1st, Craft (any metalworking)
Benefit: You can wear and wield any weapons or armor
that you make with your Craft skill, even those not on the