Campaign Design - Prestige Class: Champion of the Dark Seven

Champion of the Dark Seven (adapted from the Unholy Warrior's Handbook)

In the Hells lurk evils incomprehensible to most good folk. In this place of torment are the personifications of the many vices of mortals. From gluttony to wrath, pride to lust, no vice is absent in this realm of strife and conflict. The Lords of Hell gain power by seducing mortals to one or more of the seven dark sins; they gain extraordinary might when they can corrupt a mortal into embracing all seven. These hated beasts strike fear into even the most noble of paladins. Light dims at their approach. Enter the champion of the dark seven.

The champion is the manifestation of all human iniquity. He devotes a portion of his soul to each of the Lords of Sin that inhabit the dark realms. The champion's name is foremost in the Dark Ledger, which records the sins of those corrupted. From condemned souls are his power born. He is entirely self-interested, driven buy the satiation of his desires. Wholly irredeemable, he walks the path to Hell, savoring pleasures and pains unimaginable.

All champions of the dark seven sell their souls to the greedy Lords of Sin. Each champion passes through mastery of a number of sins prior to achieving his particular status. Thus, to become a champion of gluttony, a champion of the dark seven must master the other six in any order, culminating with the Blessing of Gluttony. As the Blessings have physical alterations and characteristics based upon the level at which they are mastered, the combinations of champions are nearly limitless. In the end, however, the champion of the dark seven owes fealty to all seven of the Lords of Sin.

Hit Die: d10.
Luck Die: d4.

Requirements
To become a champion of the dark seven, one must meet the following criteria:

• Alignment: Any evil.
• Base Attack Bonus: +8.
• Skills: Knowledge: the Planes 10+ ranks, Spellcraft 5+ ranks.
• Domains: Must have chosen at least one of the following unholy warrior domains: Envy, Gluttony, Greed, Lust, Pride, Sloth, or Wrath.
• Special: The prospective champion of the dark seven must have made peaceful contact with a dæmon, demon, or devil representing the unholy warrior's favored domain.

Class Skills

• The champion of the dark seven's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Appraise (Int), Bluff (Cha), Diplomacy (Cha), Forgery (Int), Innuendo (Wis), Intimidate (Cha), and Sleight of Hand (Dex).
• Note: Because the Three Worlds campaign uses the Skills by Character house rule, the list of class skills given here is only included for the sake of completeness, and is not used by characters in the campaign setting.
• Skill Points at each level: 2 + Intelligence modifier.

Class Features
All of the following are class features of the champion of the dark seven prestige class.

• Base Attack Bonus: Average. A champion of the dark seven gains +¾ base attack bonus per class level.


• Base Fortitude Save Bonus: Good. A champion of the dark seven gains a +½ base Fortitude save bonus per class level.


• Base Reflex Save Bonus: Poor. A champion of the dark seven gains +¹⁄₃ base Reflex save bonus per class level.


• Base Will Save Bonus: Good. A champion of the dark seven gains a +½ base Will save bonus per class level.


• Weapon and Armor Proficiencies: The champion of the dark seven gains no new proficiency with weapons or armor.


• Blessing of Sin (Varies): The Lords of Sin hold dominion over seven circles, each personifying a deadly sin and fatal flaw of mortals. From pride to gluttony, all seven sins stand unchallenged. As a champion advances in this class, he succumbs to the seductive lure presented by the Infernal inhabitants, each harboring a vested interest in their particular deadly sin., Every successful seduction has corresponding benefits and penalties, depending upon the level at which the champion succumbed to that particular vice. Each time a character advances in this prestige class, he must choose one of the seven sins.
  
  
  
  All powers associated with the sin are level-dependent, meaning the associated powers gain potency depending on the level at which they are chosen. The level at which a certain Blessing is received is the "acquisition level" of that sin. Prior to advancing in any level of this class, the character must commit a sin of the same type as that of the blessing he will receive. The nature of the act is entirely at the DM's discretion.
  
  
  
  • Envy (Sp): The embrace of envy fills the character with dark thoughts of desire for what others possess. A character receiving the Blessing of Envy may, a number of times per day equal to the acquisition level, alter their opponent's emotional state of mind to one of greed and envy. When this mind-affecting ability is used, all enemies within 30 feet must make a Will save with a DC of 10 + ½ the champion's class level + the champion's Charisma modifier. Failure makes the victim's attitude towards their allies become Hostile. Furthermore, those affected fly into a rage, gaining a +2 morale bonus to Strength and Constitution, a +1 morale bonus to Will saves, and a -1 penalty to Armor Class. They are compelled to fight, regardless of the danger. These effects last for one round per champion level. Those who successfully save against this ability cannot be affected by it for 24 hours.
    
    
    
    Embracing this sin also confers a profane bonus equal to the acquisition level to Listen and Spot checks, as the envious are always aware of the affairs of others. Unfortunately, desire consumes these characters, making them vain, aggressive, and covetous. They suffer a profane penalty equal to the acquisition level to all Charisma checks.
  
  

  • Acquisition	Bite
    Level	Damage
    1	1d4
    2	1d6
    3	1d8
    4	1d10
    5	1d12
    6	2d8
    7	2d10

    Gluttony (Ex): These corpulent monstrosities bask in the exquisiteness of feeding. Champions receiving this blessing suffer a frightening physical side effect. They increase their weight by 100 pounds multiplied by the acquisition level. Regardless of their new weight, recipients of this blessing retain their normal base size.
    
    
    
    In addition, champions with this ability may make a bite attack, once per round, at their base melee attack modifier. This attack may be in conjunction with other melee attacks, but only during a full-round action and at a -5 penalty to the attack roll. The damage for this attack depends on the acquisition level. Consult the table to the right for bite damage.
    
    
    
    Gluttonous characters are monstrous to behold, instilling fear and revulsion in those who behold them. These characters receive a profane penalty to Charisma-based skill checks equal to the acquisition level of Gluttony. In addition, the increase in weight hinders the character's movement, reducing his base speed by 5 feet.
  
  
  • Greed (Ex): Avarice is most despicable, as it is one of the most insidious of all sins. Adventurers are common sufferers of this vice, feeling its touch every time they come across an open chest of coins, a fabled magical sword, or some dusty tome holding all manner of spells fantastic and mundane. More often than not, greed is the first step for many a champion of the dark seven, reflecting their craving for power and riches. Characters receiving the Blessing of Greed receive a profane bonus equal to the acquisition level to Appraise, Hide, Move Silently, Open Locks, Search, and Sleight of Hand. These skills are added to the character's list of skills if they are not already character skills for that character.
    
    
    
    In exchange for his heightened filching abilities, the power the champion receives makes it harder for him to resist taking what he wants, even in the face of danger. When spotting a valuable whose total shilling value exceeds his total character level multiplied by 50, the champion must make a Will save (DC 10 + the acquisition level). A failed save indicates that the champion must attempt to steal the object, regardless of what guards the object and where it lies. If he succeeds at the saving throw, he may resist the temptation for 24 hours. Thereafter, if he encounters the object of his desire, he must make another save. Of course, nothing prevents the character from attempting to steal an object if he wants to.
  
  
  • Lust (Ex): A character receiving the Blessing of Lust gains a "Comeliness" bonus equal to the acquisition level to all Charisma-based skill checks. In addition, these characters benefit from improved reactions from NPCs. All such interactions are improved by one step.
    
    
    
    Lust-driven characters rely on appearance to compensate for wellness of spirit. These characters lack the fundamental fiber needed to fuel their spall abilities. Consequently this gift imp[arts a profane penalty equal to ½ the acquisition level (rounded up) to the champion's effective Charisma score when determining spell casting ability and potency for spell casting.
  
  
  • Pride (Ex): Many hold that to be confident in one's abilities is never prideful. Instead, it shows an unwavering dedication to one's abilities and potential. Perhaps this could be a virtue, but an overabundance of self-love corrupts a soul more quickly than any other sin. It is self-righteousness. The most noble cleric or paladin can fall sway to this belief, especially when humility always seems to fail. A character embracing pride believes, perhaps correctly, that he is good at everything. From this point on, all skills are class skills for the champion. In addition, he receives bonus skill points equal to the acquisition level multiplied by 4, to be divided up in whatever way the champion sees fit.
    
    
    
    Characters with this blessing are overconfident and arrogant. Regardless of when the character receives this blessing, he can never conceal his thoughts, alignment, or image in any way. He is always susceptible to scrying, and can never use any spell or spell-like ability that conceals his nature. Finally, when others interact with this character, they receive an insight bonus equal to the acquisition level for this blessing to all Sense Motive checks against the champion.
  
  
  • Sloth (Su): The path of receiving the Blessing of Sloth is to seek no blessing whatsoever. A character receiving this blessing becomes a tool to slow progress, distract the good-hearted from their goals, and ultimately erode the power of Good's collective will. As sloth precludes action, the manifestation of this power is passive and may not be "turned off". A field of supernatural malaise surrounds the champion at all times, extending in a circle centered on the champion with a radius of 5 feet multiplied by the acquisition level. All creatures in the area must make a Will save against a DC of 10 + ½ the sum of champion and unholy warrior levels + the champion's Charisma modifier. Failure indicates the victim is overcome with fatigue and is slowed, as by the spell, for as long as they are within the area of effect. Opponents making the save are unaffected by this mind-affecting ability for the next 24 hours.
    
    
    
    Recipients of the Blessing of Sloth have little impetus for action. They prefer nigh-catatonic states and resent anything requiring active involvement. A character embracing sloth must succeed at a Will save (Dc 10 + the acquisition level) prior to any combat. A failed save indicates that the champion is also slowed.
  
  
  • Wrath (Su): The champion gains the ability to draw upon an unwholesome fury, much like a barbarian's ability to rage, receiving a bonus to his Strength and Constitution scores equal to the acquisition level. This rage lasts for a number of rounds equal to 3 plus his newly improved Constitution modifier. Champions in the heat of wrath always attack the nearest ally or foe.
    
    
    
    In addition to the rage ability, champions with the wrath ability gain a profane bonus to Intimidate checks equal to the acquisition level. Recipients of this blessing also suffer a profane penalty on all Bluff, Innuendo, and Sense Motive checks equal to the acquisition level.


• Champion of Sin (Ex): When the champion reaches 7^th level, he chooses his final blessing, as he does at any previous level. Whatever gift he chooses confers the normal level-dependent bonuses, but lacks the drawback component.
  
  
  
  In addition to receiving the final blessing, the champion changes his type to Outsider, as the taint of Infernal sin changes him into something otherworldly. As an Outsider, he is immune to all spells that target humanoids, and gains Darkvision with a 60-foot range, but may not be restored to life except by means of a wish or miracle spell. Champions of the dark seven cannot advance beyond 7^th level in this class. Having achieved seven levels in this class, champions are free to pursue other classes as normal.

Champion of the Dark Seven

Level	Special
1st	Blessing of Sin
2nd	Blessing of Sin
3rd	Blessing of Sin
4th	Blessing of Sin
5th	Blessing of Sin
6th	Blessing of Sin
7th	Champion of Sin

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