D&D Icons, Tome-ified (45 NPCs and counting!)

[CatharzGodfoot]

I don't think she's lounging around. It looks like she's desperately trying to keep her throat from being slashed by those spikes on her dress.

And as for the pwiwafi, an item that grants fire resistance and a bonus to Hide is a minor magic item (either the skill bonus or the resistance can be a minor item ability).

[Libertad]

I don't think she's lounging around. It looks like she's desperately trying to keep her throat from being slashed by those spikes on her dress.

And as for the pwiwafi, an item that grants fire resistance and a bonus to Hide is a minor magic item (either the skill bonus or the resistance can be a minor item ability).

Would you like me to use a different picture?

Also, I redid her stat block because I realized that she exceeded the Eight Item Limit. The Piwafwi and Ring of Protection are still owned by her, but she doesn't have them active on her person.

[CatharzGodfoot]

Would you like me to use a different picture?

No way. It's a great picture.

[Libertad]

King Boranel ir’Wyrnan
CG Male Human Samurai 5/Fighter 1/Dungeon Veteran 2/Legendary Strategist 2
Hit Points: 83
Initiative: 0
Speed: 30 feet
Armor Class: 28 (+11 armor, +7 shield) touch 10 flat-footed 21
Attacks: Ancestral Battleaxe +21 (1d8+11, x3); Full Attack Ancestral Battleaxe +21/+16; King Boranel usually Power Attacks on a -7 attack/+14 damage trade-off.
Base Attack/Grapple: +10/+15 (+17 wearing Half-Plate)

Abilities: Str 16 (20 with Belt) Dex 10 Con 14 Int 14 Wis 12 Cha 16 (20 with Rod)
Saves: Fort +7 Ref +9 Will +8 (+11/+13/+12 with Helmet)
Skills (101 points): Balance 10 (+13/+9 armor), Bluff 5 (+8/+10 with Rod), Climb 6 (+11/+7 armor), Diplomacy 9 (+15/+17 with Rod), Intimidate 5 (+8/+10 with Rod), Jump 10 (+15/+11 armor), Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 4 (+6), Knowledge (History, Nobility) 9 (+11), Listen 8 (+9), Sense Motive 8 (+9), Spot 8 (+9), Tumble 10 (+10/+6 armor)
Feats: Combat School (handaxes, battleaxes, greataxes, DC 18), Command (Commander Rating 4, Leadership Score 15), Great Fortitude, Hordebreaker (B), Lightning Reflexes, Persuasive (DC 18, 20 with Rod), Whirlwind (B)
Class Features: Samurai: Ancestral Weaponry (Battleaxe), Pledge of Loyalty (to defend the people of Breland to the best of his ability), Kiai! 5/day, Ancestral Guidance, Terrible Blows; Fighter: Weapons Training, Combat Focus; Dungeon Veteran: Evasion (Improved), Dramatic Attack, Darkvision, Trap Sense +2; Legendary Strategist: A World of Opportunity, Assistance, Legacies of Command (+2), Rousing Speech (+2), Trapmaker

Equipment: Magic Half Plate (+4 enhancement bonus, +11 total bonus, Acid Resistance 10), Ancestral Weaponry (Battleaxe, +4 enhancement bonus, treated as adamantine, ghost touch property), Belt of Giant Strength (+4 enhancement bonus), Magic Adamantine Shield (+4 enhancement bonus, +7 total bonus), Helmet of Resistance (+4 enhancement bonus), Ring of Mind Shielding, Ring of Feather Falling, Rod of Splendor, 2 Potions of See Invisibility, 3 Potions of Cure Critical Wounds (4d8+7), 3 Potions of Neutralize Poison
The Edge: King Boranel has the Edge against any opponent with a lower BAB than his own.

Here is the King of Breland, the man who brought peace to the Five Nations and the continent of Khorvaire with the Treaty of Thronehold. He's the most popular monarch the nation has ever seen. An adventurer in his youth, Boranel is surprisingly mobile for a heavily-armored fighter, and he's got a silver tongue that diffuses many battles before they even begin.

[Libertad]

I'm now having mixed feelings about giving Boranel Samurai levels.

I wanted to do something different after I realized that so many of my builds used Fighter levels. The Samurai class' ability to speak with ancestors and emphasis on a Code of Conduct seemed appropriate to him given his Galifar lineage.

But the Samurai seems more like a mobile fighter; it doesn't give heavy armor or shield proficiency, and Boranel clearly uses both kinds of equipment. The class' abilities don't seem dependent on being lightly armored, so I gave him one level in Fighter.

Since Boranel is the King and thus not in service to a higher-ranking lord, I've tweaked around the Code of Conduct to make him sworn to his country and its interests and welfare:

The Code of Conduct for King Boranel:

As King of Breland, I will safeguard the nation's interests to the best of my ability,

I will strive to honor the legacy of Galifar and not allow shame to besmirch the family name,

I will consider the Council of Parliament's voice on policies,

I will uphold the Treaty of Thronehold and deter any attempts by individuals or organizations in my country's territories to bring war to the Five Nations

What do you guys think of this Code?

[CatharzGodfoot]

To follow the letter of the pledge, he just has to be pledged to his royal predecessor. He'll follow the codes of his parent, along with any orders (like 'be a good king'), and the pledge makes it impossible to force him him to act against the interests the previous regent or the regent's family. Which is a pretty good deal.

[Libertad]

Are we talking immediate or extended family?

Because the ir'Wynarn family includes a lot of nobles in different nations who wanted their country to take the throne during the Last War.

[CatharzGodfoot]

Are we talking immediate or extended family?

Because the ir'Wynarn family includes a lot of nobles in different nations who wanted their country to take the throne during the Last War.

I would guess it's immediate. But note that the pledge requires you to follow the dictate of the authority you pledge yourself to, and allows you to ignore mind-affecting effects that would make you act against the interests of them or their family. You can still chop your traitorous brother's head off, unless your mom (the queen) has explicitly ordered you not to.

[Libertad]

The Code makes sense for Brelish Kings to follow, so we'll assume that this Code is also his father's code (the Treaty of Thronehold is a new addition).

[Libertad]

The Kingpriest of Istar, Bright, Shining Beacon of Oppressive Authoritarianism
LG Male Human Cleric 10/Celestial Beacon 10
HP: 163
Initiative: +5
Speed: 30 feet
Armor Class: 33 (+16 armor, +5 deflection, +2 dexterity) touch 17 flat-footed 31
Attack: Rod of Lordly Might Weapon +41 (damage varies, +13 damage); Full Attack Rod of Lordly Might Weapon +41/+36/+36/+36; the Kingpriest ignores deflection bonuses to armor class; he usually Power Attacks on a -17 attack/+34 damage basis.
Base Attack/Grapple: +17/+18

Abilities: Str 12 Dex 14 Con 17 Int 16 Wis 28 (35 with Periapt) Cha 24 (31 with Ring); the Kingpriest used Miracle spells to boost his Constitution, Wisdom, and Charisma by 5 points each.
Save: Fort +15 Ref +8 Will +23[+26 with Periapt] (+22/+15/+33 with Crown)
Skills (138 points): Bluff 10 (+17/+20), Concentration 20 (+21), Diplomacy 23 (+39/+42), Intimidate 5 (+14/+17), Knowledge (Arcana, History, the Planes) 9 (+12), Knowledge (Religion) 20 (+23), Knowledge (Nobility & Royalty) 8 (+11), Sense Motive 10 (+19/+22) Spellcraft 15 (+23)

Feats: Combat Casting, Danger Sense, Insightful Strike, Leadership (DC 29, Leadership Score 29), Mage Slayer (SR 20), Magical Aptitude, Persuasive (DC 29), Zen Archery

Class Features: Cleric: Spells, Turn Undead (+10 bonus, 11/day, Greater Turning 1/day); Celestial Beacon: Aura of Good, Smite Evil (+10 attack, +10 damage), Halo of the Righteous, Arms of the Holy, Armament of the Holy, Death Ward, Flare of Goodness (DC 24), Light of Peace, Holyfire Shield, Celestial Aspect, Ward Against Evil Magic (SR 35)
Spells Prepared (6/8/8/8/8/7/6/6/6/5, Law and Sun Domains, Save DC is 22 + Spell Level): 0: Detect Magic, Detect Poison, Guidance, Light, Mending, Purify Food and Drink; 1st: Bane, Bless, Comprehend Languages, Detect Evil x2, Divine Favor, Endure Elements (B), Nimbus of Light (SpC), Vision of Glory (SpC); 2nd: Calm Emotions (B), Consecrate, Divine Insight (SpC), Enthrall, Ghost Touch Armor (SpC), Hold Person x2, Wave of Grief (SpC), Zone of Truth; 3rd: Blindness, Dispel Magic, Glyph of Warding, Invisibility Purge, Protection from Energy, Remove Blindness/Deafness, Remove Curse, Searing Light (B), Vigor, Mass Lesser (SpC); 4th: Castigate (SpC), Death Ward, Dimensional Anchor, Divination, Divine Power, Hand of the Faithful (SpC), Order’s Wrath (B), Restoration, Sending, Wall of Good (SpC); 5th: Break Enchantment, Flame Strike (B), Hallow, Mark of Justice x2, Righteous Might, Scrying, True Seeing; 6th: Banishment, Bolt of Glory (SpC), Dispel Magic, Greater, Hold Monster (B), Quest, Symbol of Persuasion, Word of Recall; 7th: Dictum, Holy Word, Radiant Assault (SpC), Repulsion, Restoration, Mass (SpC), Spell Resistance, Mass (SpC), Sunbeam (B); 8th: Antimagic Field, Brilliant Aura (SpC), Death Ward, Mass (SpC), Discern Location, Stormrage (SpC), Sunburst (B), Symbol of Death; 9th: Heal, Mass, Heavenly Host (SpC), Miracle x2, Prismatic Sphere(B), True Resurrection
Equipment: Periapt of Wisdom (+7 enhancement bonus), Crown of Resistance (+7 enhancement bonus), Bracers of Protection (+5 deflection bonus), Rod of Lordly Might (+7 enhancement bonus for weapons, DC 30 for spells), Magic Sun Plate (+7 enhancement bonus, +16 total bonus, first two Sense Motive rank benefits), Ring of Charisma (+7 enhancement bonus), Robe of Freedom of Movement, Medallion of Faith (Holy Symbol of Paladine)
The Edge: The Kingpriest has the Edge against opponents with lower Dexterity and Wisdom scores than his own Wisdom (35).

Wow, Bahamut really fucked up big time when he gave this guy divine power. The Kingpriest is a deconstructed trope of what would happen if you took all the stereotypical aspects of a Paladin and ran with it. At first, life was good and swell in the Empire of Istar: the machinations of dark gods and demons were thwarted left and right and Clerics used divine magic to help the community. But after he got rid of the most powerful Evil dudes, the Kingpriest started hurting, oppressing, and killing his own people. He legalized slavery, treating nonhumans and nonelves like vermin, and even went so far as to declare all forms of arcane magic evil. It's very perplexing as to how this guy is still canonically Lawful Good, and has spawned quite a few, shall we say, vigorous debates as to how Good the Gods of Good really are when they allow this stuff to happen and grant spells to such Clerics.

The Kingpriest is a divine diplomancer tank with a barrage of anti-evil and buff spells. His massive wisdom really helps him out in melee, and his Sun Plate sends his Armor Class through the roof.

[Libertad]

Scarlet Brotherhood Monks, because even medieval fantasy games need white supremacist villains
LE Male Human Monk 6
Hit Points: 39
Initiative: +3
Speed: 30 feet (60 feet with Wind Rushes Mountain Fighting Style)
Armor Class: 20/24 (+7 armor, +3 dexterity, +4 Wind Rushes Mountain) touch 20/24, flat-footed 17
Attacks: Slam +13 (1d8+6), Quarterstaff 13 (1d6+6 plus dispel DC 13), Shuriken +11 (1d2+2); Scarlet Brotherhood Monks usually Power Attack on a -3 attack/+6 damage trade-off.
Base Attack/Grapple: +6/+8

Abilities: Str 14 Dex 16 Con 12 Int 14 Wis 16 Cha 10
Saves: Fort +6 Ref +8 Will +8 (+8/+10/+10 with Ring)
Skills (62 points): Balance 9 (+12), Climb 5 (+7), Hide 9 (+15), Jump 9 (+11), Listen 6 (+9), Move Silently 9 (+12), Spot 6 (+9), Tumble 9 (+12)
Feats: Blind-fighting, Combat School (Slam, Quarterstaff, Nunchaku, Triple Staff, DC 15), Stealthy, Weapon Finesse

Class Features: Monk: Armored in Life (+7), Willow Step, Fatal Strike, Fighting Styles (Wind Rushes Mountain: +4 Dodge AC, +30 feet; Needle Pierces Armor: Slam ignores hardness and DR, Slam bonuses applied to weapons; Monkey Deceives Ox: Fort Save DC 16 or stunned, AoO trip/disarm against attacker), Rain of Flowers, Abundant Leap, Diamond Soul (SR 11), Walk of a Thousand Steps (6 rounds)
Equipment: Amulet of Mighty Fists (+2), Magic Shuriken (+2 enhancement bonus, Returning Property), Magic Quarterstaff (+2 enhancement bonus, Dispelling quality), Ring of Resistance (+2 enhancement bonus), Potion of Invisibility, Potion of Cat’s Grace
The Edge: Scarlet Brotherhood Monks have the Edge against any opponent with a lower dexterity score than their own (16).

For those not in the know, the Scarlet Brotherhood is a secretive nation set in the World of Greyhawk. The country's ruled by monks descended from the Ancient Suel Imperium. The Suloise people are blonde-haired, blue-eyed humans who used to be awesome magicians before their empire was destroyed.

The Scarlet Brotherhood are dicks and want to reclaim their former glory by invading, enslaving, and assassinating virtually any non-pure-blood Suel civilization to make way for the master race (themselves). And their national flag looks an awful lot like a black swastika on a red background. Gee, I wonder what group they're based off of?

Scarlet Brotherhood Fighting Styles:

Wind Rushes Mountain: While Active, your Fighting Style provides a +4 Dodge Bonus to AC; While Active, your Fighting Style provides a +30' Insight Bonus to your movement rate.

Needle Pierces Armor: While Active, your Fighting Style allows your slam attacks to ignore hardness and DR; While Active, your Fighting Style provides any bonuses it gives to your slam attack to any attack you make with any weapon.

Monkey Deceives Ox: While Active, your Fighting Style forces any opponent struck by your slam attack to make a Fortitude Save (DC 16) or become stunned for one round; While Active, your Fighting Style allows you to make an attack of opportunity against any opponent who attacks you. This attack of opportunity must be a trip or disarm attempt.

[Libertad]

I'm now taking requests!

Guidelines:

I use what I have: If I have to stat a build for a character in a book I don't own, there's going to be more leeway. I won't resort to obtaining products via file-sharing unless the product is meant to be freely accessible.

Ease of sourcebook access: When designing NPCs, I usually try to limit them to the Core and Tomes unless it's necessary to expand (campaign-specific races, magic items, etc.).

Feats: I replace normal PHB feats with Tome feats unless they have no equivalent (Practiced Spellcaster, for instance).

My experience with Epic Levels is shallow: I don't really do formulas for epic level spells, and it's pathetically easy to break the game from what I've seen of them. Epic-level NPCs would probably get knocked down to 20th level.

A note on obscurity: I may not always know the origin of certain NPCs. A lot of Mystara nuts know who Bargle is, others not so much. If the request is not a well-known figure and can't be found with a good Google search, I'll need more information in the post.

If you want me to make a build, just name the character!

[Leress]

Warduke

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warduke

[Libertad]

For the balance of power, Warduke came off as a mid-level guy in the original appearance and the Animated Cartoon Show.

His 3rd Edition stats jacked up the power level considerably, making him 18th-level with hit points and physical stats out the wazoo.

Do you want a more down-to-earth Warduke or a crazy, nigh-epic Warduke?

[Leress]

Nigh-epic version.

[Avoraciopoctules]

I still wish to behold the rise of mighty Valeros.

http://paizo.com/paizo/blog/2009/may/v5 ... -Preview-2

[Chamomile]

Do Raistlin as of his battle with the one evil goddess who isn't actually Lolth but seems awfully similar in hindsight. Also, I forgot her name.

[Midnight_v]

Baldur's gate console classic.

[Libertad]

Warduke
CE Male Human Fighter 18
Hit Points: 238 (292 w/ Amulet)
Initiative: +9
Speed: 30 feet
Armor Class: 41 (+13 armor, +8 shield, +3 dexterity, +2 Elusive Target, +5 deflection), touch 20 flat-footed 28
Attacks: Magic Bastard Sword +37 (1d10+19+2d6 chaos+ 2d6 fire +2d6 against humans, 19-20 x2); Thrown Rock +21 (+24 within 30 feet, 2d8+13, +18 damage within 180 feet); Full Attack Magic Bastard Sword +37/+35/+35/+35; the Warduke ignores deflection bonuses to armor class; the Warduke usually Power Attacks on a -10 attack/+20 damage trade-off.
Base Attack/Grapple: +18/+33 (Half-Plate, Juggernaut)

Abilities: Str 26 (32 w/ Belt) Dex 16 Con 22 (28 w/ Amulet) Int 13 Wis 15 Cha 20
Saves: Fort +20 (+23 Amulet) Ref +23 (+27 w/o armor) Will +16
Skills (168 points): Balance 21 (+27/+23 armor), Bluff 10 (+15), Diplomacy 12 (+17), Escape Artist 10 (+13/+9 armor), Jump 12 (+23/+19 armor), Intimidate 21 (+29), Knowledge (History, Local) 8 (+9), Listen 15 (+17), Search 12 (+13), Sense Motive 18 (+20), Spot 21 (+26)
Feats: Blind Fighting, Blitz, Combat School (Slashing sword-like weapons, DC 30), Commander (Command Rating 6, Leadership 23), Danger Sense, Dreadful Demeanor, Elusive Target, Ghost Hunter, Great Fortitude, Hordebreaker (4 AoOs), Iron Will, Juggernaut, Lightning Reflexes, Mage Slayer (SR 23), Murderous Intent, Sharp-Eyed, Whirlwind

Class Features: Fighter: Weapons Training, Combat Focus, Problem Solver, Pack Mule, Logistics Mastery, Active Assault, Forge Lore, Improved Delay, Foil Action, Lunging Attacks, Array of Stunts, Greater Combat Focus, Improved Foil Action
Equipment: Magic Bastard Sword (+6 enhancement bonus, anarchic, flaming burst, human bane properties), Magic Half-Plate (+6 enhancement bonus, +13 total bonus, Moderate Fortification property, all BAB benefits), Magic Steel Shield (+6 enhancement bonus, +8 total bonus, all BAB benefits), Ring of Protection (+5 deflection bonus), Belt of Giant Strength (+6 enhancement bonus), Amulet of Health (+6 enhancement bonus), Boots of Speed
The Edge: If the Warduke hits an opponent twice in one round with weapons in his Combat School, then all further attacks that round are made with the Edge. Opponents the Warduke has the Edge against provoke an attack of opportunity by moving into his threatened area or by attacking him.

The Warduke makes Sword and Board work. His Mage Slayer and Sharp-eyed feats give him the potential to ignore a huge chunk of the opponent's AC, and his Blitz feat allows him to attack rapidly. The daze from Combat School and Murderous Intent allows him to Coup De Grace most opponents with a low Fort Save. If he ever has to resort to ranged combat, then he'll use Rock Throwing from Juggernaut and Problem Solver to grant himself Point Blank Shot; he gives himself the Rock Throwing ability of a Stone Giant (180 range increment, 2d8+13, +18 within 180 feet). If he's not provoking attacks of opportunity, he'll use Blitz to give himself another 18 points of damage to ranged attack! And he has Ghost Hunter, meaning he can throw giant rocks at ghosts!

[Libertad]

Valeros
NG Male Human Fighter 14
Hit Points: 144
Initiative: +11
Speed: 30 feet
Amor Class: 32 (+11 armor, +2 Shield, +5 dexterity, +4 deflection) touch 19 flat-footed 25
Attacks: Magic Longsword + 29 (1d8+15, 17-20 x2) and Magic Shortsword (1d6+11+1d6 cold, 19-20 x2); Magic Composite Shortbow +27 (1d6+10, +14 damage within 75 feet, x3); Full Attack +29/+27/+27/+29/+29/+29 (last three are with Short Sword); Valeros usually Power Attacks on a -10 attack/+20 damage basis.
Base Attack/Grapple: +14/+21 (Juggernaut)

Abilities: Str 16 Dex 20 (26 with Gloves) Con 16 Int 13 Wis 8 Cha 10
Saves: Fort +15 Ref +25 (+28 w/o armor) Will +8
Skills (128 points): Balance 17 (+28/+25 armor), Diplomacy 15 (+15), Escape Artist 10 (+18/+15 armor), Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 9 (+10), Intimidate 15 (+15), Jump 15 (+18), Listen 15 (+14), Sense Motive 17 (+19), Spot 15 (+14)
Feats: Blitz, Combat School (Dagger, Short Sword, Longsword, Greatsword, DC 20), Danger Sense, Expert Tactician, Great Fortitude, Juggernaut, Lightning Reflexes, Murderous Intent, Natural Empath, Point Blank Shot, Two-Weapon Fighting, Weapon Finesse, Whirlwind

Class Features: Fighter: Weapons Training, Combat Focus, Problem Solver, Pack Mule, Logistics Mastery, Active Assault, Forge Lore, Improved Delay, Foil Action, Lunging Attacks
Equipment: Bag of Holding (Type II), Magic Blue Dragonscale Shirt (+6 enhancement bonus, +10 total bonus, ACP -3, Light Fortification, Electricity Resistance 14, all but last BAB benefit), Magic Composite Shortbow (+3 Str bonus, +5 enhancement bonus, flaming property), Magic Longsword (+5 enhancement bonus, Keen property), Magic Shortsword (+5 enhancement bonus, Frost property), Gloves of Dexterity (+6 enhancement bonus), Ring of the Ram, Ring of Protection (+4 deflection bonus), Periapt of Wound Closure, 3 Potions of Cure Serious Wounds, Potion of Fly, Potion of Heroism, Rod of Flame Extinguishing, Necklace of Fireballs (Type V)
The Edge: Valeros has the Edge against any opponent with a Dexterity score lower than his own (26).

Thanks to increased skill points and consolidating Two-Weapon Fighting into one feat tree, Valeros can afford to be a lot more versatile! His Will Save ain't too good, and he's mostly a melee guy, but he's decent at danger detection and is really hard to hit (unlike his Pathfinder build).

[Libertad]

Fun fact: I have all of my NPC write-ups stored in a Word Document. It's 50 pages long.

Woah.

[Avoraciopoctules]

Thanks for the Valeros write-up. I now have a potentially hilarious encounter for next time I run something in Golarion.

[Libertad]

What Prestige Classes should I give Raistlin, circa Legends Trilogy? He's an ambitious mage who wants to attain godhood and can absorb other people's souls and gain their power.

I was leaning towards Stranger With the Burning Eyes or Thief of Souls, but Raistlin never had Rogue levels.

Master of the 7 Necromantic Mysteries is another possibility, but he wasn't a Necromancer Specialist type of character.

Seeker of the Lost Wizard Traditions is thematically appropriate.

For the record, I'm going to make him 20th level. In the future I'll be creating an 18th level version of Emperor Ariakas.

[Aryxbez]

Oh! Ygorl The Slaad Lord of Entropy, never could decide conceptually how he should be done really. I think the video game "Demon Stone" just had him out as a humanoid-ish wizard thing. Believe his original source has him out as giant black translucent frogman with a skeletal inside and an awesome scythe (brilliant energy perhaps??).

Also, not sure if this counts as request, but how about D&D Gods (those in Deities & Demigods in general), toned down to levels around 16-20th? Such as St.Cuthbert, Maglubiyet (god of goblins), Garl Glittergold and Tiamat/Bahamaut?

Pardon if any of these requests seem in poor taste, rather curious how you would handle Garl and Ygorl specifically.

Lastly, pending how big this has gotten, I might suggest you link the posts to these in your first post in this thread. So in the future, can avoid any redundant requests (hopefully mine isn't among that number).

[Libertad]

How do you link to specific posts?

I'll make a Table of Contents after the Raistlin build.

I'm making him a Seeker of the Lost Wizard Traditions, 20th level.