Dark Knight NPC

[Shade]

Here`s an attempt at a powerful Dark Knight build. This character will be
an NPC in my Birthright campaign.

Background: Hruskgar Blackthorn hails from Hjorig, a Rjurik-populated
country on the western borders of Vosgaard. Originally a warrior and skald
(started out as Bard/Bbn) in the service of the Jarl of Hjorig, Hruskgar
Ulldvim (as he was originally known) always harbored a burning interest in
the occult (at level 1, 3 ranks K:arcana, 2 ranks K:religion, 3 ranks
Alchemy, 4 ranks Spellcraft). On a minor hunting trip, Hruskgar encountered
and slew a minor awnshegh, in the process unknowingly becoming a scion of
Azrai`s blood.

Azrai`s derivation subtly increased Hruskgar`s interest in occultism as
well as further corrupting his already evil nature. When Hruskgar killed
another of the Jarl`s lieutenants in a minor dispute, he was banished from
the realm by the Jarl, who feared his growing ability and influence (again,
fueled in part by his divine bloodline).

Hruskgar, through his study of esoteric topics, knew that only with a
divine bloodline could humans use true magic (as a skald, he already knew
minor powers of illusion and divination). However, he still did not know
that he possessed such a bloodline thanks to the act of bloodtheft against
the awnshegh he killed. He travelled south to Khinasi lands, where there
were many repositories of arcane knowledge.

Believing that he had no ability to use true magic, Hruskgar turned to the
study of alchemy and the creation of elixirs and potions. His study and
experimentation led him to increasingly depraved rituals to create his
potions, until the point where his actions were discovered by the locals
and he was chased away from Khinasi lands.

Now wholly committed to the practice of profane rituals, perhaps because of
his dark blood, Hruskgar fled to Anuire, where he found a place to continue
his study.

Now a lieutenant of the Duke Jaison Raenech of Osoerde, Hruskgar Blackthorn
(as he is now known) has expanded his study of occultism to include
religious ritual, under the guidance of the True Church of Vosgaard hidden
in Osoerde. It is unknown whether he possesses his paladin-like powers
through supplication to Belinik and Kriesha or some darker, heretofore
unknown power.

Here`s the build:

Hruskgar Blackthorn
Male Rjurik human
Neutral Evil
Azrai, minor, 16 (Heightened Ability-Charisma, minor; Enhanced Sense, minor)

Brd2/Bbn2/Ftr2/Blackguard3/Master of Shrouds1/Warrior of Darkness10

S 16, D 10, C 14, I 13, W 13, Ch 17

1. Brd1 Bardic Knowledge (occult knowledge), Bardic Music (unholy chants),
Power Attack, Iron Will
2. Bbn1 Rage, +10 speed
3. Bbn2 Cleave, Uncanny Dodge 1
4. Ftr1 Sunder, Cha +1
5. Ftr2 Weapon Focus: Claymore
6. Brd2 Vile Martial Strike: Claymore
7. WoD1 Black Magic Oil (Ensorcelled Flesh)
8. Blk1 Detect Good, Poison Use, Cha +1
9. Blk2 Dark Blessing, Smite Good, Improved Critical: Claymore
10 Blk3 Aura of Despair, Control Undead
11 MoS1 Extra Turning, Death/Evil/Protection domains
12 WoD2 Darkling Weapon, Divine Might, Cha +1
13 WoD3 Black Magic Elixir (Violent Knowledge: Weapon Specialization:
Claymore)
14 WoD4 Black Magic Oil (Rapid Step +10 speed)
15 WoD5 Scarred Flesh, Open Feat
16 WoD6 Violent Knowledge (Open Feat), Wis +1
17 WoD7 Black Magic Oil (Unholy Strike)
18 WoD8 Repellent Flesh, Open Feat
19 WoD9 Black Magic Elixir (Dark Senses: tremorsense)
20 WoD10 Black Magic Oil (Malign Fury), Str +1

Stats at level 20 without stats/items factored in:
BAB +19;
HP 2d6+2d12+16d10+Con;
Saves +16 +7 +13 +Divine Grace and high ability scores;
Skills - a good number of points in a variety of skills. Very well rounded,
actually; this character would do very well in a solo campaign, with minor
tweaking.

What do you think the 3 open feats should go to? I was thinking about
Improved Sunder, Expertise, and maybe something on the Expertise chain, but
I`m not sure. An alternate possibility is to drop the claymore and go with
sword and shield, and pick up some of the shield feats from DotF.
Leadership is also a definite possibility, and Boost Spell Resistance or
Dark Speech.

As far as levels go, I could drop the Master of Shrouds level and 1-2
levels of Warrior of Darkness in favor of Blackguard 4 and 5. That gives
+1d6 SA and fiendish companion.

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[ConjurerDragon]

Lord Shade wrote:

>Here`s an attempt at a powerful Dark Knight build. This character will be
>an NPC in my Birthright campaign.
>
>Background: Hruskgar Blackthorn hails from Hjorig, a Rjurik-populated
>country on the western borders of Vosgaard. Originally a warrior and skald
>(started out as Bard/Bbn)
>
A Rjurik Skald must be lawful, a Barbarian may never be. How did you
solve that?
bye
Michael Romes

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[Shade]

>A Rjurik Skald must be lawful, a Barbarian may never be. How did you
>solve that?
>bye
>Michael Romes

I thought skald = bard, and bard = any non-lawful. Where does it say a
Rjurik skald has to be lawful? Such a character is not even legal in 3e.

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[geeman]

At 11:56 AM 3/15/2003 -0600, Lord Shade wrote:

> >A Rjurik Skald must be lawful, a Barbarian may never be. How did you
> >solve that?
>
>I thought skald = bard, and bard = any non-lawful. Where does it say a
>Rjurik skald has to be lawful? Such a character is not even legal in 3e.

Skald does equal bard, but like much setting material it changes the core
rules to reflect a campaign theme.

The Rjurik Highlands p16 under The Bards. "Skalds are often hired as
heralds and messengers, since they are of neutral political alignment and
are sworn to truthfulness in all their dealings. Rjurik bards are all of
lawful alignment for this reason."

Gary

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[ConjurerDragon]

Lord Shade wrote:

>>A Rjurik Skald must be lawful, a Barbarian may never be. How did you
>>solve that?
>>bye
>>Michael Romes
>>
>
>I thought skald = bard, and bard = any non-lawful. Where does it say a
>Rjurik skald has to be lawful? Such a character is not even legal in 3e.
>
p. 16 of the 2E "Rjurik Highlands" book for the Rjurik region of Cerilia:
"The Bards: The Bardic tradition is strong in Rjurik lands. Singing
skalds - wandering bards - travel the land, bringing news and
entertainment to distant nomadic tribes or isolated villages. Among the
Rjurik, bards are untouchable, and to purposely harm a skald is a grave
offense against the druids and erik, as well as the bard himself. Skalds
are often hired as heralds and messengers, since they are of neutral
political alingment and are sworn to trughfulness in all their dealings.
Rjurik bards ARE ALL OF LAWFUL ALIGNMENT FOR THIS REASON."

on p. 8/9 is a nice short story how a faithful bard fulfilled his
mission despite any hindrance set in his way because simply he had to
fulfill the mission - a VERY strict code of honour to follow.
bye
Michael Romes

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[kgauck]

My suggestion for the Dark Knight`s 3 open feats:
Note, I`m refering to a Claymore as a Greatsword, if you distinguish between
them, substitute.

Kraftig Greatword [General]
You have learned to use your strength to even greater effect with your
greatsword
Prerequisites: Power Attack, Weapon Focus (greatsword), +8 BAB
Benefits: When using a greatsword, you get an +2 competance bonus to your
Strength, and the weapon does 2d8 instead of the normal 2d6 damage.

Example: Hruskgar has a 16 Str, so when wielding his Claymore two-handed, he
gets a +3 attack bonus and a +4 damage bonus and does 2d6 damage with his
weapon. With Kraftig Greatsword, his Str is effectivly an 18, so he gets a
+4 attack bonus and a +6 damage bonus, and does 2d8 damage.

Superior Sunder [General]
You have learned how to break your opponant`s weapons
Prerequisites: Sunder
Benefits: When you attack an opponent`s weapon, your damage is doubled.

Superior Critical [General]
Choose one type of weapon, with that weapon your most deadly attacks are
more potent.
Prerequisites: Cleave, Improved Critical, BAB +12
Benefits: You weapon`s damage multiplier is increased by 1.

Kenneth Gauck
kgauck@mchsi.com

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[geeman]

At 03:44 PM 3/15/2003 -0600, Kenneth Gauck wrote:

>Kraftig Greatword [General]
>You have learned to use your strength to even greater effect with your
>greatsword
>Prerequisites: Power Attack, Weapon Focus (greatsword), +8 BAB
>Benefits: When using a greatsword, you get an +2 competance bonus to your
>Strength, and the weapon does 2d8 instead of the normal 2d6 damage.
>
>Example: Hruskgar has a 16 Str, so when wielding his Claymore two-handed, he
>gets a +3 attack bonus and a +4 damage bonus and does 2d6 damage with his
>weapon. With Kraftig Greatsword, his Str is effectivly an 18, so he gets a
>+4 attack bonus and a +6 damage bonus, and does 2d8 damage.

I don`t have an encyclopedic knowledge of feats, but it seems like either
one of those benefits would be enough bang for the buck for a typical feat,
aren`t they? The strength bonus gives a +1 and +1 or +2 damage bonus,
which is on par with most feats. The increased damage dice is,
effectively, +2 to damage on average (excluding critical multipliers, of
course) also on par with a typical feat. Using both it is effectively a +1
attack and +3 or +4 damage, which seems a little high.

Gary

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[Shade]

>The Rjurik Highlands p16 under The Bards. "Skalds are often hired as
>heralds and messengers, since they are of neutral political alignment and
>are sworn to truthfulness in all their dealings. Rjurik bards are all of
>lawful alignment for this reason."

Hmm. For my campaign I`ll just step in as the DM to waive that restriction
in this case. I`d just say that the "skalds" in Hjorig, being so close to
Vosgaard, are not quite as honorable.

A good point though, I probably need to reread the Rjurik Highlands set. In
any case, if you have a problem with the build, you can either 1) use DM
fiat since this is an NPC or 2) drop the barb levels and make him a
fighter4, or fighter2/ranger2. The barb levels are not integral to the
concept, but do make him more powerful.

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[Shade]

At 09:30 PM 3/15/2003 +0100, you wrote:
>Lord Shade wrote:
>
>>>A Rjurik Skald must be lawful, a Barbarian may never be. How did you
>>>solve that?
>>>bye
>>>Michael Romes
>>>
>>
>>I thought skald = bard, and bard = any non-lawful. Where does it say a
>>Rjurik skald has to be lawful? Such a character is not even legal in 3e.
>>
>p. 16 of the 2E "Rjurik Highlands" book for the Rjurik region of Cerilia:
>"The Bards: The Bardic tradition is strong in Rjurik lands. Singing
>skalds - wandering bards - travel the land, bringing news and
>entertainment to distant nomadic tribes or isolated villages. Among the
>Rjurik, bards are untouchable, and to purposely harm a skald is a grave
>offense against the druids and erik, as well as the bard himself. Skalds
>are often hired as heralds and messengers, since they are of neutral
>political alingment and are sworn to trughfulness in all their dealings.
>Rjurik bards ARE ALL OF LAWFUL ALIGNMENT FOR THIS REASON."

Hmm. So how would a Rjurik bard work in 3e? The setting and core rules are
directly contradictory.

As for the NPC, it is not essential that he is Rjurik. He just needs to be
from a culture that can produce both bards and barbarians of evil alignment.

I originally had him as a Vos, but I figured that they don`t have bards.
Right?

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[Shade]

Where are these feats from, Kenneth? I recognize Superior Sunder = Improved
Sunder (which I was already considering). What are the other 2 from?

Kraftig Greatsword seems a bit overpowered to me.

At 03:44 PM 3/15/2003 -0600, you wrote:
>My suggestion for the Dark Knight`s 3 open feats:
>Note, I`m refering to a Claymore as a Greatsword, if you distinguish between
>them, substitute.
>
>Kraftig Greatword [General]
>You have learned to use your strength to even greater effect with your
>greatsword
>Prerequisites: Power Attack, Weapon Focus (greatsword), +8 BAB
>Benefits: When using a greatsword, you get an +2 competance bonus to your
>Strength, and the weapon does 2d8 instead of the normal 2d6 damage.
>
>Example: Hruskgar has a 16 Str, so when wielding his Claymore two-handed, he
>gets a +3 attack bonus and a +4 damage bonus and does 2d6 damage with his
>weapon. With Kraftig Greatsword, his Str is effectivly an 18, so he gets a
>+4 attack bonus and a +6 damage bonus, and does 2d8 damage.
>
>Superior Sunder [General]
>You have learned how to break your opponant`s weapons
>Prerequisites: Sunder
>Benefits: When you attack an opponent`s weapon, your damage is doubled.
>
>Superior Critical [General]
>Choose one type of weapon, with that weapon your most deadly attacks are
>more potent.
>Prerequisites: Cleave, Improved Critical, BAB +12
>Benefits: You weapon`s damage multiplier is increased by 1.
>
>Kenneth Gauck
>kgauck@mchsi.com
>
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>

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