while exploring a ruin or lost civilization. Most mem bers of the Paragnostic Assembly are willing to share information as long as they gain from the exchange. If the PCs seek exclusive access to some secret, or if an individual scholar is particularly ambitious or selfish, the party might end up competing with the organization's prodigious resources. EI 14: One of the most active and adventurous high-level members of the Assembly, the Paragnostic apostle Pallavarta Santalieri (page 96) is constantly searching for the next great discovery or ancient secret. Often accompanied by the paragnostic initiate Auleric the Swift (page 99)—a close friend and former lover—she delves into libraries and ancient tombs alike. Pallavarta is happy to cooperate with other adventurers on the understanding that all knowledge and discoveries are shared, but perfectly willing to battle them for any worthwhile prize that she suspects they intend to keep from her. The statistics for these characters can be found with the descriptions of their respective prestige classes.
cents from their depredations. Members of the Shadow Guard turn the darkness to their advantage, masking their own machinations until they are ready to strike against their enemies. Neither the priests of Heironeous the Invincible or the Shining One's church publicly confirm the Shadow Guard's activities, but the group's existence is common knowledge. Members cloak their daily activities in ritual and rote. One branch advertises its presence, while the other denies its own existence. The vestments of the public branch are far from subdued, and their badge of office—a unique holy symbol combining Pelor's sun and Heironeous's lightning bolt—sets them apart from the rank and file of either church.
Shadowstrikers
Clerics and paladins form the backbone of the Shadow Guard, especially the shadowstrikers (see page 108). While carrying out assignments, shadowstrikers work in cells of two to ten individuals. Each cell includes at least one cleric and one paladin, but their faith binds members of all classes into a cohesive unit. Larger cells might include battle-scarred fighters, grizzled rangers, enlightened wizards, "Shadow is a direct result of the light. Without light, shadow could and penitent rogues. The shadowstrikers recruit mainly from the churches of not exist. The opposite is not true—light will exist whether or not Heironeous and Pelor. The air of mystery and prestige that We permit shadow to remain'. ' surrounds them attracts capable adherents who are interested —Peadrin, Shadowstriker of Pelor in making a difference. Few are turned away out of hand; Pelor's church teaches that all who seek to do good works Pelor's Shadow Guard operates in semisecrecy, rooting out are helpful to the cause, while that of Heironeous holds and vanquishing the pervasive evil that the Shining One's that each heart hides untold valor. The most fanatical of the public champions cannot touch. The churches of both shadowstrikers are often recent converts, especially reformed Pelor and Heironeous recruit these zealous crusaders and sinners atoning for past crimes. divide them into two distinct groups: the shadowstrikers, who constitute the public face of the organization, and the The churches strongly encourage shadowstrikers to shadowspies, the arm of the Shining One's forces that has officially join the clergy of their chosen deity, ensuring never been publicly acknowledged by his church. their continued advancement within the organization. Shadowstrikers who become even low-level clerics gain considerable prestige over their brothers and sisters who JOINING PELOR'S SHADOW GUARD do not. Only the most faithful servants of Pelor and Heironeous are inducted into the Shadow Guard. Paladins and clerics number heavily in the ranks of these holy soldiers, but Shadowspies anyone with talent, strength, conviction, and the proper Pelorite shadowstrikers who have proven themselves worthy spiritual motivation can be considered for membership in and capable, and who have the proper bearing, are eventu the shadowstrikers. ally approached by the real army of the Shining One: the shadowspies (see page 105). The existence of the this group, Shadowspies are recruited from the shadowstrikers, but also known as the Shadows of the Light, is unknown to only servants of Pelor are eligible for membership. Even all but the most influential of Pelor's servants. Even the then, candidates are watched closely for months or years Church of Heironeous knows nothing of the shadowspies. before they are approached. Worshipers of Heironeous who To be considered as a potential member, an individual join the shadowstrikers rarely suspect that the shadowspies must not only be a devout follower of Pelor but also pos even exist. sess the skills necessary to remain unseen and aware of all that transpires around him. Only the most faithful of ENTRY REQUIREMENTS the shadowstrikers are considered for membership within Base Attack Bonus: + 4 . this secretive sect. Alignment: Any g o o d .
PELOR'S SHADOW GUARD
Skill: Knowledge (religion) 5 ranks. Feat: Good Devotion, Healing Devotion, Law Devotion, Strength Devotion, Sun Devotion, or War Devotion.
The priests of good-aligned deities realize that evil uses darkness to mask its activities. Pelor's Shadow Guard roots out evildoers, exposing their plans and protecting inno
The shadowspies are the quiet infiltrators and investigators who carry out the most dangerous of the church's missions. They ferret out the nefarious plans of Pelor's enemies and investigate even the most innocuous-seeming incidents to determine whether they pose a threat. But they do so in secret, posing as ordinary citizens. Pelor's divinity graces shadowspies with amazing abilities that allow them to pass
