CR 7
Female half-elf paladin 5/purifier of the Hallowed Doctrine 2 LG Medium humanoid (elf) Init –1 Senses low-light vision Listen +2, Spot +2 Aura courage (10 ft., allies +4 against fear), good, purity (Spot DC 1 ) Languages Common, Elven AC 20, touch , flat-footed 20 hp 4 (7 HD) Immune fear, sleep effects, disease Resist +2 against enchantments Fort +10, Ref +2, Will +6 Speed 20 ft. (4 squares) Melee +1 longsword + /+4 (1d +3/1 –20) Base Atk +6 Grp + Atk Options smite evil 2/day (+2 attack, +5 damage) Special Actions lay on hands (14 hp), turn undead 5/day (+2, 2d6+6, 4th) Combat Gear ring of feather falling Paladin Spells Prepared (CL 3rd): 1st—divine favor, lesser restoration Spell-Like Abilities: At will—detect evil, detect taint Abilities Str 15, Dex , Con 12, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 14 SQ divine grace, special mount Feats Mounted Combat, Ride-By Attack, Pure Soul* *New feat described on page 124 Skills Diplomacy +3, Gather Information +3, Knowledge (arcana) +3, Knowledge (religion) +7, Ride +3, Sense Motive +6 Possessions combat gear plus +1 longsword, full plate +1, heavy steel shield
EL 13: Erland Buckley is investigating the possibility that several of the city councillors of a great metropolis have been corrupted by taint or have joined a cult devoted to it. He might encounter the PCs as they battle one of the tainted monsters recently found infesting the city’s sewers, or they could observe him battling the city watch after the corrupt councilors have declared him a criminal and a traitor.
Erland Buckley
CR 13
Male human cleric 6/purifier of the Hallowed Doctrine 7 NG Medium humanoid Init –1 Senses Listen +3, Spot +3 Aura sanctity (10 ft., allies gain +2 to resist taint) Languages Common, Celestial, Elven AC 1 , touch , flat-footed 1
CHAPTER 5
Elsya of the Emerald Dale
hp 71 (13 HD) Immune taint Fort +11, Ref +3, Will +13 Speed 20 ft. (4 squares) Melee masterwork shortspear +10/+5 (1d6) or Melee rod of sanctity +13/+ (1d6+4 plus 2d6) against taint Base Atk + Grp + Atk Options cleansing flame 3/day (Maximize spell against tainted creatures), feat of strength 1/day, smite taint 2/ day (+2 attack, +7 damage) Special Actions lay on hands 14 points/day, spontaneous casting (cure spells), turn undead /day (+4, 2d6+14, 12th), greater turning 1/day, turn tainted Cleric Spells Prepared (CL 10th): 5th—flame strikeD (DC 1 ), raise dead, true seeing 4th—death ward, spell immunityD , neutralize poison, restoration 3rd—daylight, dispel magic, remove disease, searing lightD (+10 ranged touch), stone shape 2nd—consecrate, heat metalD (DC 15), resist energy, lesser restoration, silence (DC 15), spiritual weapon 1st—bless, comprehend languages, divine favor, endure elementsD, protection from evil, sanctuary (DC 14) 0—create water, detect magic, detect poison, light, purify food and drink, resistance D: domain spell. Domains: Strength, Sun Spell-Like Abilities (CL 7th): at will—detect taint Abilities Str 10, Dex , Con 12, Int 14, Wis 17, Cha 14 SQ aura of good, aura of purity (Spot DC 13) Feats Combat Casting, Empower Spell, Extra Turning, Pure Soul*, Spirit Sense*, Widen Spell *New feats described later in this chapter Skills Concentration +11, Diplomacy +12, Heal + , Knowledge (arcana) +11, Knowledge (history) +12, Knowledge (religion) +12, Spellcraft +14 Possessions masterwork shortspear, full plate, heavy steel shield, rod of sanctity* *New magic item described on page 133
HEROES AND ANTIHEROES
great evils. An archimandrite might assign a purifier to keep an eye on a group of strange adventurers in taint-heavy regions, at least until she’s certain they pose no threat. A powerful purifier might attempt to draft a heroic party to aid him in a particularly dangerous mission. EL 8: Elsya of the Emerald Dale, two acolytes (human cleric 3), and her paladin’s mount are investigating word of spreading taint near an isolated village. Elsya means well, but her high-handedness, combined with the local villain’s wiliness in playing on his fellow villagers’ distrust of strangers, have turned the villagers against her. She will attempt to recruit the PCs to help her but tries to remain in charge of the mission, insisting that they follow her orders.
TAINTED SCHOLAR
“Cost? Gold is a cost. Servitude is a cost. My soul is not a cost—or it’s one I don’t mind paying.” —Thavik of Donegan, a tainted scholar Great secrets await those minds skilled enough to unearth them, and great secrets unlock great power. Let others speak in fearful whispers of secrets humanity was not meant to know. No secret is barred from a tainted scholar’s grasp, and if such forbidden knowledge comes at the cost of his soul, he’s willing to pay that price.
BECOMING A TAINTED SCHOLAR Any arcane spellcasting class provides relatively easy access to the path of the tainted scholar. Because they are more inclined toward scholarship than many other arcane spellcasters, dread necromancers and wizards (particularly specialist necromancers) are the most common tainted scholars, but sorcerers, wu jen, warmages, and even warlocks find their way into the class. The most significant requirement is having a moderate or greater amount of depravity, which the character might experience as a drawback until he acquires enough depravity to enter this class (at which point it helps rather than hinders him).
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