about joining the society and receiving its special training. Since being accepted into its ranks, his previous experience and newfound devotion to eliminating evil psionics-using creatures (especially mind flayers) everywhere have brought him success. In fact, Albaric recently promoted Korrath to the rank of adjutant of the society’s ward house in a major city.
CHAPTER 9
THE ABERRATION HUNTER
THE TOPAZ ORDER A militant order of crusading clerics, fighters, paladins, and monks in the service of Heironeous, the Holy Order of the Supernal Topaz Defenders stands as a dedicated shield protecting humankind from the depredations of aberrant master races and other monstrosities. The topaz guardians are warriors who pit their virtue and determination against the mind-poisoning horrors of aberrant monsters, trusting that holy steel and divine blessing can overcome alien magic and crawling death. Vigilance is the watchword of the Topaz Order. Members of the order are free to pursue their own individual duties and interests, but wherever they go, they keep a sharp eye out for evidence of aberrant incursions. They speak with adventurers who
Illus. by M. Phillippi
Korrath: Male human fighter 4/psion (egoist) 1/sanctified mind 4; CR 9; Medium humanoid; HD 4d10+8 plus 1d4+2 plus 4d8+8; hp 65; Init –1; Spd 20 ft.; AC 21, touch 9, flat-footed 21; Base Atk +8; Grp +12; Atk +14 melee (1d8+7/19–20, +1 cold iron longsword) or +12 ranged (1d8/19–20, masterwork light crossbow); Full Atk +14/+9 melee (1d8+7/19–20, +1 cold iron longsword) or +12 ranged (1d8/19–20, masterwork light crossbow); SA cleansing strike, disrupting blow 1/day; SQ hard to hold, partition mind; AL LG; SV Fort +10, Ref +1, Will +8; Str 18, Dex 8, Con 14, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 10. Skills and Feats: Climb +2, Concentration +14 (+18 manifesting defensively), Intimidate +2, Jump +2, Knowledge (dungeoneering) +8, Knowledge (psionics)* +4, Ride +3, Sense Motive +5, Spot +11; Aligned Attack (good)*, CleaveB, Combat Manifestation*, Iron Will, Power AttackB, Psionic Weapon*B, Stand Still*, Weapon Focus (longsword), Weapon Specialization (longsword)B. *Skill or feat described in Expanded Psionics Handbook. Languages: Common, Undercommon, Goblin. Cleansing Strike (Su): Korrath can expend his psionic focus to smite a psionics-using creature with one melee attack (including melee touch attacks). He gains a +1 bonus on his attack roll and deals an extra 4d6 points of damage. If he smites a creature that is not a psionics-user, the cleansing strike has no effect, but the ability is still used up for the day.
Disrupting Blow (Su): Once per day, Korrath can attempt a disrupting blow against a psionics-using creature. If he hits, the creature must succeed on a DC 15 Fortitude save or lose access to its psionic abilities for 1d4 rounds. Hard to Hold (Ex): Korrath gains a +4 bonus on all grapple checks when attempting to resist or escape from a grapple. Partition Mind (Su): As an immediate action, Korrath can choose to partition his mind in response to a mind-affecting spell or ability. While his mind is partitioned, Korrath is slowed instead of suffering the normal effect of the attack. He can keep his mind partitioned for 4 rounds per day. Psion Powers Known (21 power points, manifester level 4th): 1st—defensive precognition, detect psionics, empty mind, energy ray, thicken skin; 2nd—animal affinity, psionic levitate. Possessions: +1 full plate, +1 heavy steel shield, +1 cold iron longsword, dagger, light crossbow with 20 bolts, gauntlets of ogre power, 3 potions of cure light wounds, potion of cat’s grace.
A paladin undergoes the ceremony to gain membership in the Topaz Order
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