Difference between revisions of "Judicator (D&D class)"

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:''This class is a version of the [[blackguard]] character class adapted to fit drow society. It is intended for use in a drow campaign. See design note below for details.''
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{{D&D}}
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:''This class is a version of the [[Champion (D&D class)|Champion]] character class adapted to fit drow society. It will only work in a drow campaign! See design note below for details. Both judicator and champion may be used to refer to the class in the rules section of this article.''
  
 
A mortal imbued with fiendish cruelty, the drow judicator is a
 
A mortal imbued with fiendish cruelty, the drow judicator is a
 
dark knight and Champion of Lolth. Consort of demons and demonic
 
dark knight and Champion of Lolth. Consort of demons and demonic
 
arachnids, the drow judicator is hated and feared by all.  
 
arachnids, the drow judicator is hated and feared by all.  
 +
The meaning of "judicator" is "someone who acts as a judge". In drow society, a 
 +
judicator is both judge, jury and executioner and embodies the vengeance of the Goddess.
 +
{{tocright}}
 +
Juicators are usually assigned to a temple. A strong judicator can be a power in his own right, and the presence of a high level judicator is enough to make even a high priestess wary. The judicator is one of the few ways a male can be granted divine power by Lolth.
  
−
The meaning of "judicator" is "someone who acts as a judge". The
+
== Class information ==
−
Judicator is judge, jury and executioner, but such terms
 
−
hold little meaning for the drow. All they know is that the
 
−
judicator is the vengeance of the Goddess.
 
−
 
 
−
Juicators are usually assigned to a temple. A strong judicator can be a power in her own right, and the presence of a high level judicator is enough to make even a high priestess wary. The judicator is one of the few ways males can be granted divine power by Lolth.
 
−
 
 
−
This class is available to all who worship Lolth.
 
−
 
 
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== The judicator ==
 
  
 
'''Alignment''': Any evil.
 
'''Alignment''': Any evil.
Line 20: Line 17:
 
'''Hit Die''': d10
 
'''Hit Die''': d10
  
−
<pre>
+
'''Weapon and Armor Proficiency''': The champion is proficient
−
              Saves                                                    Spells
+
with all simple and martial weapons, with all types of
−
Lvl  BAB  Fort  Ref  Will  Special                                    1 2 3 4
+
armor, and with all types of shields (except tower shields).
−
---  ---  ---------------  -----------------------------------------  -------
 
−
1    +1  +2  +0    +0    Smite 1/day, aura of evil, spider empathy
 
−
2    +2  +3  +0    +0    Dark blessing, lay on hands
 
−
3    +3  +3  +1    +1    Aura of despair
 
−
4                          Command spiders
 
−
5                          Smite 2/day, spider servant
 
−
6                          War strike 
 
−
7
 
−
8                          Poison immunity
 
−
9
 
−
10                          Smite 3/day
 
−
11
 
−
12                          Spider's grace
 
−
13
 
−
14
 
−
15                          Smite 4/day
 
−
16
 
−
17
 
−
18                          Judgement
 
−
19
 
−
20                          Smite 5/day
 
−
</pre>
 
  
 
== Class skills ==
 
== Class skills ==
Line 53: Line 28:
 
Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Knowledge (religion) (Int), Profession
 
Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Knowledge (religion) (Int), Profession
 
(Wis), Ride (Dex), Sense Motive (Wis), Spellcraft (Int), and Survival (Wis). See Chapter
 
(Wis), Ride (Dex), Sense Motive (Wis), Spellcraft (Int), and Survival (Wis). See Chapter
−
4: Skills in the Player’s Handbook for skill descriptions.
+
4: Skills in the ''Player’s Handbook'' for skill descriptions.
  
 
'''Skill Points at each level''': 2 + Int modifier.
 
'''Skill Points at each level''': 2 + Int modifier.
 +
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|+ '''Table: The Judicator'''
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan=2 | Character<br>Level
 +
! rowspan=2 | Base Attack<br>Bonus
 +
! rowspan=2 | Fort<br>Save
 +
! rowspan=2 | Ref<br>Save
 +
! rowspan=2 | Will<br>Save
 +
! rowspan=2 | Special
 +
! colspan=4 | Spells per day
 +
|-
 +
! 1 !! 2 !! 3 !! 4
 +
|-
 +
| 1    || +1  ||  +2  || +0  ||  +0 || [[#Smite_(Su)|Smite]] 1/day, [[#Aura of Evil|aura of evil]],  [[#Rebuke Undead (Su)|Rebuke undead]] || - || - || - || -
 +
|-
 +
| 2    || +2  ||  +3  || +0  ||  +0 || [[#Dark Blessing (Su)|Dark blessing]], [[#Spider Step (Ex)|Spider step]], [[#Spider Bite|spider bite]] || - || - || - || -
 +
|-
 +
| 3    ||  +3 ||  +3  || +1  ||  +1 || [[#Aura of Despair (Su)|Aura of despair]],  [[#Spider Grace (Sp)|spider grace]] || - || - || - || -
 +
|-
 +
| 4    ||  +4 ||  +4  || +1  ||  +1 || [[#Command Spiders (Ex)|Command spiders]] || 0 || - || - || -
 +
|-
 +
| 5    ||  +5 ||  +4  || +1  ||  +1 || [[#Smite_(Su)|Smite]] 2/day, [[#Spider Servant|Spider servant]] || 0 || - || - || -
 +
|-
 +
| 6    ||  +6 ||  +5  || +2  ||  +2 || || 1 || - || - || -
 +
|-
 +
| 7    ||  +7 ||  +5  || +2  ||  +2 ||  || 1  || - || - || -
 +
|-
 +
| 8    ||  +8 ||  +6  || +2  ||  +2 || || 1 || 0  || -  || -
 +
|-
 +
| 9    || +9  || +6  || +3  ||  +3  ||    || 1  ||  0  || - || -
 +
|-
 +
| 10  || +10 || +7 || +3 || +3 || [[#Smite_(Su)|Smite]] 3/day || 1  || 1 || - || -
 +
|-
 +
|11    || +11 || +7 || +3 || +3 || || 1 || 1 || 0 || -
 +
|-
 +
| 12  || +12 || +8  || +4  || +4  ||    || 1  || 1  || 1  || -
 +
|-
 +
| 13  || +13  || +8  || +4  || +4  ||  || 1  || 1  || 1  || -
 +
|-
 +
| 14  || +14  || +9  || +4  || +4  ||  || 2  || 1  || 1 || 0
 +
|-
 +
| 15  || +15  || +9  || +5  || +5  || [[#Smite_(Su)|Smite]] 4/day  || 2  || 1 || 1 || 1
 +
|-
 +
| 16  || +16  || +10 || +5  || +5  ||  || 2 || 2 || 1 || 1
 +
|-
 +
| 17 || +17  ||  +10  || +5  || +5  ||  || 2 || 2 || 2 || 1
 +
|-
 +
| 18 || +18  || +11  || +6  || +6  || [[#Judgement (Su)|Judgement]] ||  3  || 2  || 2  || 1                       
 +
|-
 +
| 19 || +19  || +11  || +6  || +6  ||  || 3 || 3 || 3 || 2
 +
|-
 +
| 20 || +20  || +12  || +6  || +6  || [[#Smite_(Su)|Smite]] 5/day  || 3  || 3  || 3 || 3
 +
|}
  
 
== Class features ==
 
== Class features ==
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All of the following are class features of the judicator class.  
 
All of the following are class features of the judicator class.  
  
−
'''Weapon and Armor Proficiency''': Drow judicators are proficient
+
==== Aura of Evil (Ex) ====
−
with all simple and martial weapons, with all types of
+
The power of a judicator’s aura of evil (see the detect evil spell) is equal to her class level plus her cleric level, if any.  
−
armor, and with all types of shields except tower shields.
 
  
−
'''Aura of Evil (Ex)''': The power of a judicator’s aura of evil (see the detect evil spell) is equal to her class level plus his cleric level, if any.  
+
==== Dark Blessing (Su) ====
 +
A judicator applies her Charisma modifier (if positive) as a bonus on all saving throws.  
  
−
'''Dark Blessing (Su)''': A judicator applies her Charisma modifier (if positive) as a bonus on all saving throws.  
+
==== Aura of Despair (Su) ====
 +
The judicator radiates a malign aura that causes enemies within 10 feet of her to take a -2 penalty on all saving throws.  
  
−
'''Aura of Despair (Su)''': Beginning at 3rd level, the judicator radiates a malign aura that causes enemies within 10 feet of her to take a -2 penalty on all saving throws.  
+
==== Smite (Su) ====
 +
Once per day, a judicator may attempt to smite an enemy with one normal melee attack. She adds her Charisma bonus (if any) to her attack roll and deals 1 extra point of damage per judicator level. At 5th level, and at every five levels thereafter, the judicator may use smite enemy one additional time per day, to a maximum of five times per day at 20th level.  
  
−
'''Smite Enemy (Su)''': Once per day, a paladin may attempt to smite an enemy with one normal melee attack. She adds her Charisma bonus (if any) to her attack roll and deals 1 extra point of damage per judicator level. At 5th level, and at every five levels thereafter, the judicator may smite evil one additional time per day, to a maximum of five times per day at 20th level.  
+
This ability works against any target. If the target (in the opinion of the DM) is a true servant of the Goddess, the ability fails but is still used. This ability channels negative energy and is equivalent to smite good for rule purposes and feat acquisition.
  
−
This ability works against any target. If the target (in the opinion of the DM) is a true servant of the Goddess, the ability fails but is used.
+
==== Command Spiders (Ex) ====
  
−
'''Spider Empathy (Ex)''':
+
The judicator is a servant of Lolth, the Demon Queen of Spiders. As her favored servant, the judicator is able to command or rebuke spiders. This is identical to the cleric ability ability, but only works on spiders.
−
The judicator is a servant of Lolth, and is able to befriend spiders. This ability is similar to the ranger ability Wild Empathy but only works on spiders.  
 
  
−
A judicator can improve the attitude of an spider. This ability functions just like a Diplomacy check to improve the attitude of a person. The judicator rolls 1d20 and adds her judicator level and her Charisma modifier to determine the spider empathy check result. The typical domestic spider has a starting attitude of indifferent, while wild spiders are usually unfriendly.
+
==== Spider Step (Ex) ====
  
−
To use spider empathy, the judicator and the spider must be able to study each other, which means that they must be within 30 feet of one another under normal visibility conditions. Generally, influencing an animal in this way takes 1 minute, but, as with influencing people, it might take more or less time.
+
The Spider Champion takes on the wall-walking ability of a spider and gains a climbing movement rate of 20 ft. A creature with a climb speed has a +8 racial bonus on all Climb checks. The creature must make a Climb check to climb any wall or slope with a DC of more than 0, but it always can choose to take 10 even if rushed or threatened while climbing. The creature climbs at the given speed while climbing. If it chooses an accelerated climb it moves at double the given climb speed (or its base land speed, whichever is lower) and makes a single Climb check at a -5 penalty. Creatures cannot run while climbing. A creature retains its Dexterity bonus to Armor Class (if any) while climbing, and opponents get no special bonus on their attacks against a climbing creature.
  
−
The judicator can also use this ability to influence a magical beast with an Intelligence score of 1 or 2, but she takes a -4 penalty on the check.
+
==== Spider Bite (Sp) ====
  
−
'''Command Spiders (Su)''': Lolth grants her judicators the ability to command spiders.
+
The spider champion gains a bite attack that deals 1d4 points of damage and is poisonous. The bite is a secondary natural weapon that can be used once per round at the spider champion’s highest base attack bonus, with the standard –5 penalty for a secondary attack. The Fortitude save DC for the poison is 18 + the spider champion’s Con modifier, and it deals 1d6 points of Strength damage for both its initial and its secondary damage.
−
When a drow judicator reaches 4th level, she gains the ability
 
−
to compel spiders in the same way that an evil cleric can
 
−
rebuke or command undead (see the Player’s Handbook). Unlike Spider Empathy, this ability works of intelligent and fiendish spiders.  
 
  
−
The
+
==== Spider Grace (Sp) ====
−
drow judicator can attempt to command spiders a number of
 
−
times per day equal to 3 + her Charisma modifier. She is treated
 
−
as a cleric of a level equal to his drow judicator level for the purpose
 
−
of turning checks and turning damage.
 
  
−
'''Spider’s Grace (Sp)''': At 8th level, a drow judicator gains the
+
The Spider Champion takes on the elusive attributes of a spider. The character receives a +4 insight bonus on Hide and Move Silently checks.
−
ability to take on attributes of a spider for up to 10 minutes once
 
−
per day. While this ability is active, the character can climb on
 
−
surfaces as if subjected to a spider climb spell, and he receives a
 
−
+4 insight bonus on Hide and Move Silently checks. He also gains
 
−
a bite attack that deals 1d4 points of damage and is poisonous.
 
−
The bite is a secondary natural weapon that can be used once per
 
−
round at the drow judicator’s highest base attack bonus, with the
 
−
standard –5 penalty for a secondary attack. The Fortitude save
 
−
DC for the poison is 18 + the drow judicator’s Con modifier, and
 
−
it deals 1d6 points of Strength damage for both its initial and its
 
−
secondary damage.
 
  
−
'''War Strike (Su)''': War is the ulimate expression of the judicator's
+
==== Judgement (Su) ====
−
power. Beginning at 6th level, she can attempt a war strike
 
−
with a smite attack. If she hits, she deals 2d6 points of
 
−
Constitution damage in addition to her regular damage. The
 
−
target may attempt a Fortitude save (DC 10 + judicator
 
−
level + drow judicator’s Cha modifier) to halve the Constitution
 
−
damage. This ability is usable once per target.
 
  
−
'''Judgment (Su)''': At 18th level, a drow judicator gains the ability
+
At 18th level, a drow judicator gains the ability
−
to judge all creatures within 100 feet of him that he can see.
+
to judge all creatures within 100 feet of her that he can see.
−
Those he finds wanting are immediately targeted with a horrid
+
Those he finds wanting are immediately targeted with a ''horrid
−
wilting effect (caster level equalt to her character level;
+
wilting effect''. Damage dice is equal to class level, and DC is 10 + half class level ´+ Cha modifier. The drow judicator can base his decision on any
−
save DC 18 + drow judicator’s
 
−
Wis modifier). The drow judicator can base her decision on any
 
 
parameters he chooses. This ability is usable once per day as a
 
parameters he chooses. This ability is usable once per day as a
 
standard action.
 
standard action.
  
−
'''Spider Servant''': At 5th level, a drow judicator can call for a
+
==== Spider Servant (Sp) ====
 +
 
 +
At 5th level, a drow judicator can call for a
 
spider servant. See the Spider Servant section for details.
 
spider servant. See the Spider Servant section for details.
  
−
'''Posion Immunity (Su)''': The judicator gains immunity to poisons of all kinds.
+
== Spells ==
  
−
== Spell list ==
+
Judicators  choose their spells from the following list:
  
−
Judicators  choose their spells from the following list:
+
'''1st level''' - cause fear, cloak of dark power, cure light wounds, curse water, detect poison, detect undead, divine favor, doom, endure elements, inflict light wounds, magic weapon, misdirection, read magic, speak with vermin*, spider climb, summon monster I*.
  
−
'''1st Level''': ''cause fear, cloak of dark power, corrupt weapon*, cure light wounds, curse water, detect poison, divine favor, doom, endure elements, inflict light wounds, magic weapon, misdirection, protection from good, read magic, summon monster I*
+
'''2nd level''' - bull's strength, clairaudience/clairvoyance, cure moderate wounds, darkness, death knell, desecrate, eagle's splendor, hold person, resist energy, shatter, owl's wisdom, summon monster II*, summon swarm (*), undetectable alignment.
  
−
'''2nd Level''': ''bull's strength, cure moderate wounds, darkness, death knell, eagle's splendor, hold person, inflict moderate wounds, resist energy, shatter, owl's wisdom, shatter, summon monster II*, summon swarm, undetectable alignment''
+
'''3rd level''' - bestow curse, contagion, cure moderate wounds, deeper darkness, dispel magic, inflict moderate wounds, magic weapon, greater, neutralize poison, phantom steed*, prayer, protection from elements, suggestion, summon monster III*, summon swarm.
  
−
'''3rd level''': '''bestow curse, contagion, cure serious wounds, deeper darkness, dispel magic, inflict serious wounds, magic circle against good, magic weapon (greater), prayer, protection from elements, summon monster III*.''
+
'''4th level''' - break enchantment, cure serious wounds, freedom of movement, death ward, discern lies, giant vermin, inflict serious wounds, mark of justice, poison, restoration, spiderform (u), summon monster IV*.
  
−
'''4th level''': ''break enchantment, cure critical wounds, discern lies, dispel good, freedom of movement, giantvermin, inflict critical wounds, mark of justice, poison, summon monster IV*, unholy sword*.''
+
See notes below for spells marked (*). Spells marked (u) can be found in the ''Underdark'' sourcebook. As a rule of thumb, judica
 +
tors are able to use any blackguard spell (listed in expansion books) unless they deal with good or evil.
  
−
=== Summon monster ===
+
==== Phantom steed ====
  
−
The judicator can only summon spiders. There are no suitable spiders for ''summon monster III'', but 1d4+1 spiders from ''summon monster II'' can be summoned.  
+
The phantom steed has a vermin shape.
  
−
=== Corrupt Weapon ===
+
==== Speak with vermin ====
  
−
Blackguards have access to a special spell, corrupt weapon, which is the opposing counterpart of the paladin spell bless weapon. Instead of improving a weapon’s effectiveness against evil foes corrupt weapon makes a weapon more effective against good foes.
+
As speak with animals, but only works on vermin. Actually, I'm not sure any spell will let you speak with non-intelligent vermin. Still, it fits the concept.
  
−
== External links ==
+
==== Summon monster ====
  
−
* [http://hastur.net/dragonstar/wiki/OutlandsBlackguard Blackguard character class]
+
The judicator can only summon spiders. There are no suitable spiders for ''summon monster III'', but 1d4+1 spiders from ''summon monster II'' can be summoned.
  
 
== Spider Servant ==
 
== Spider Servant ==
  
−
At 5th level or above, a drow judicator can call a spiderlike
+
: ''This should be changed to use the default rules for companion critters.''
−
monster to serve him. He may choose to call an 8 HD Large
 
−
fiendish monstrous spider, a fiendish sword spider, a myrlochar,
 
−
or a phase spider. (See the Monster Manual or Monsters
 
−
of Faerûn for these creatures’ statistics.) He can use this
 
−
spider servant as a guardian or a mount, at his discretion. The
 
−
spider servant gains HD and special abilities based on the drow
 
−
judicator’s class level, as given on Table 3–5.
 
−
The drow judicator may have only one spider servant at a
 
−
time. Should his servant die, he may call for another after 24
 
−
hours. The new spider servant has all the accumulated abilities
 
−
due a servant of the character’s current drow judicator level.
 
  
−
Drow Judicator Level: The character’s level in the drow
+
This ability is identical to the standard champion companion ability, but the champion can only summon spiders. Instead of a single spider, the champion can summon a swarm (1 per 2 levels) of tiny monstrous spiders. Regardless of the champion's level, these spiders only gain the first tier abilities. The empathic link mean that they make excellent guards and spies.
−
judicator prestige class.
 
  
−
Bonus HD: These are extra Hit Dice appropriate to the
+
The champion can summon a 8 HD monstrous spider, a fiendish sword spider, a myrlochar or a phase spider. These are the only available servants. These use the full progression table regardless of their Challenge Rating.
−
creature’s type (vermin for a Large monstrous spider or
 
−
sword spider, outsider for a myrlochar, or magical beast for a
 
−
phase spider). Each bonus Hit Die gains a Constitution modifier
 
−
and improves the creature’s base attack and base save
 
−
bonuses, as normal.
 
  
−
Natural Armor Adj.: The number noted here is an improvement
+
== The Epic Champion ==
−
to the servant’s existing natural armor bonus. It represents
 
−
the preternatural toughness of a drow judicator’s servant.
 
  
−
Str Adj.: Add this figure to the servant’s Strength score.
+
At epic levels, the champion continues to gain smite and war strike uses. The spider companion improves as a normal paladin mount.  
  
−
Int Adj.: Add this figure to the servant’s Intelligence score.
+
== Design notes ==
  
−
Improved Evasion (Ex): When subjected to an attack that
+
The judicator has been changed from a power hungry schemer to a true servant of a divine power (in this case Lolth). Much like a paladin or blackguard can be chosen before birth to serve a higher purpose, so can the judicator.  
−
normally allows a Reflex saving throw for half damage, a servant
 
−
takes no damage if it makes a successful saving throw and
 
−
half damage even if the saving throw fails.
 
  
−
Share Saving Throws: For each of its saving throws, the
+
The class is based on the blackguard (and the paladin to a lesser extent), but several special abilities have been replaced. This sort of tweaked character class is not suitable for all campaigns. For one thing, this character class is only available to certain races (drow and possibly driders). While this is a valid point, one can just as easily imagine a class like the samurai being limited to a certain race or culture.  
−
servant uses its own base save bonus or the drow judicator’s,
 
−
whichever is higher. The servant applies its own ability modifiers
 
−
to saves, and it doesn’t share any other bonuses on saves
 
−
that the drow judicator might have (such as from magic items
 
−
or feats).
 
  
−
Share Spells: At the drow judicator’s option, he may have
+
The character class version of the Judicator works better than the prestige class version (typically  a cleric/judicator or wizard/judicator). Rather than standing in the shadow of a higher level cleric, the judicator can be a power in her own right. This lets the judicator focus on martial skills and divine vengeance aided by a small spell selection.
−
any spell (but not any spell-like ability) he casts upon himself
 
−
also affect his spider servant. The servant must be within 5 feet
 
−
of him at the time of casting to receive the benefit. If the spell
 
−
or effect has a duration other than instantaneous, it stops affecting
 
−
the spider servant if the latter moves farther than 5 feet
 
−
away and will not affect the creature again even if it returns to
 
−
the drow judicator before the duration expires. Additionally, the
 
−
drow judicator may cast a spell with a target of “You” on his
 
−
spider servant (as a touch range spell) instead of on himself. The
 
−
drow judicator and his servant can share spells even if the spells
 
−
normally do not affect creatures of the servant’s type.
 
  
−
Speak with Drow Judicator: The drow judicator and his servant
+
'''Spells''': Some added from Drow and Spider domains. Note that ''spiderform'' has changed to 4th level for this class.
−
can communicate verbally as if they were using a
+
Some alignment-specific spells (such as ''protection from good'') have been removed. The champion cares not for good or evil, only the will of the Goddess. If if he did, his opponents would probably be evil.
−
common language. Other creatures do not understand the communication
 
−
without magical help.
 
  
−
Blood Bond: The spider servant gains a +2 bonus on all
+
The lower spells from the Drow and Spider domains have been added. ''Spiderform'' has been changed to a 4th level spell for Judicators. This seems quite appropriate for an avenging champion. Since the judictor is not concerend with good or evil, spells like ''corrupt weapon'', ''unholy sword'', dispel good, detect good, protection from good, magic circle against good,
−
attack rolls, checks, and saves if it witnesses the drow judicator
 
−
threatened or harmed. This bonus lasts as long as the threat is
 
−
immediate and apparent.
 
  
−
Spell Resistance: The spider servant’s spell resistance equals
+
'''Aura of despair''': This is a standard blackguard ability. It works well with the image of the champion as a grim avenger of the Goddess. All drow know the champion is willing to sacrifice them for the Goddess given the slightest reason.  
−
the drow judicator’s class level + 15. To affect the servant with
 
−
a spell, a spellcaster must get a result on a caster level check
 
−
(1d20 + caster level) that equals or exceeds the servant’s spell
 
−
resistance.
 
  
−
== Design notes ==
+
'''Spider Servant''': Changed to allow the champion to summon a group of spiders. Choices are the same as for the Judicator in ''The Underdark''. The servant use the same progression regardless of level.
  
−
This class is the Drow Judicator redone as a character class rather than a prestige class. We imagine the Judicator to be a champion of Lolth and bringer of her vengeance. Just like a paladin or blackguard can be choosen before birth to serve a higher purpose, so can the judicator.
+
== External links ==
  
−
This sort of tweaked core class is obviously may not be suitable for any campaign, but we believe this class is more focused than a cleric/judicator. Rather than standing in the shadow of a higher level cleric, the judicator can be a power in her own right.
+
* [http://hastur.net/dragonstar/wiki/OutlandsBlackguard Blackguard character class]
−
 
 
−
The core judicator has a smaller spell selection that a wizard/judicator or cleric/judicator, and is
 
−
focused on martial and inquisitorial skills. It is based on the blackguard (anf the paladin to a lesser extent), but several special abilities have been replaced.
 
−
 
 
−
Lay on hands: Useful and class needs some ability that scales with level (like the blackguard's sneak attack).
 
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Spells: Some added from Drow and Spider domains, as well as a few paladin spells.
 
  
 
[[Category:d20 rules]]
 
[[Category:d20 rules]]

Latest revision as of 19:35, 29 November 2011

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Unofficial rules compendium
This class is a version of the Champion character class adapted to fit drow society. It will only work in a drow campaign! See design note below for details. Both judicator and champion may be used to refer to the class in the rules section of this article.

A mortal imbued with fiendish cruelty, the drow judicator is a dark knight and Champion of Lolth. Consort of demons and demonic arachnids, the drow judicator is hated and feared by all. The meaning of "judicator" is "someone who acts as a judge". In drow society, a judicator is both judge, jury and executioner and embodies the vengeance of the Goddess.

Juicators are usually assigned to a temple. A strong judicator can be a power in his own right, and the presence of a high level judicator is enough to make even a high priestess wary. The judicator is one of the few ways a male can be granted divine power by Lolth.

Class information

Alignment: Any evil.

Hit Die: d10

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The champion is proficient with all simple and martial weapons, with all types of armor, and with all types of shields (except tower shields).

Class skills

The drow judicator’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Concentration (Con), Craft (any) (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Handle Animal (Cha), Heal (Wis), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Knowledge (religion) (Int), Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex), Sense Motive (Wis), Spellcraft (Int), and Survival (Wis). See Chapter 4: Skills in the Player’s Handbook for skill descriptions.

Skill Points at each level: 2 + Int modifier.

Table: The Judicator
Character
Level 		Base Attack
Bonus 		Fort
Save 		Ref
Save 		Will
Save 		Special Spells per day
1 2 3 4
1 +1 +2 +0 +0 Smite 1/day, aura of evil, Rebuke undead - - - -
2 +2 +3 +0 +0 Dark blessing, Spider step, spider bite - - - -
3 +3 +3 +1 +1 Aura of despair, spider grace - - - -
4 +4 +4 +1 +1 Command spiders 0 - - -
5 +5 +4 +1 +1 Smite 2/day, Spider servant 0 - - -
6 +6 +5 +2 +2 1 - - -
7 +7 +5 +2 +2 1 - - -
8 +8 +6 +2 +2 1 0 - -
9 +9 +6 +3 +3 1 0 - -
10 +10 +7 +3 +3 Smite 3/day 1 1 - -
11 +11 +7 +3 +3 1 1 0 -
12 +12 +8 +4 +4 1 1 1 -
13 +13 +8 +4 +4 1 1 1 -
14 +14 +9 +4 +4 2 1 1 0
15 +15 +9 +5 +5 Smite 4/day 2 1 1 1
16 +16 +10 +5 +5 2 2 1 1
17 +17 +10 +5 +5 2 2 2 1
18 +18 +11 +6 +6 Judgement 3 2 2 1
19 +19 +11 +6 +6 3 3 3 2
20 +20 +12 +6 +6 Smite 5/day 3 3 3 3

Class features

All of the following are class features of the judicator class.

Aura of Evil (Ex)

The power of a judicator’s aura of evil (see the detect evil spell) is equal to her class level plus her cleric level, if any.

Dark Blessing (Su)

A judicator applies her Charisma modifier (if positive) as a bonus on all saving throws.

Aura of Despair (Su)

The judicator radiates a malign aura that causes enemies within 10 feet of her to take a -2 penalty on all saving throws.

Smite (Su)

Once per day, a judicator may attempt to smite an enemy with one normal melee attack. She adds her Charisma bonus (if any) to her attack roll and deals 1 extra point of damage per judicator level. At 5th level, and at every five levels thereafter, the judicator may use smite enemy one additional time per day, to a maximum of five times per day at 20th level.

This ability works against any target. If the target (in the opinion of the DM) is a true servant of the Goddess, the ability fails but is still used. This ability channels negative energy and is equivalent to smite good for rule purposes and feat acquisition.

Command Spiders (Ex)

The judicator is a servant of Lolth, the Demon Queen of Spiders. As her favored servant, the judicator is able to command or rebuke spiders. This is identical to the cleric ability ability, but only works on spiders.

Spider Step (Ex)

The Spider Champion takes on the wall-walking ability of a spider and gains a climbing movement rate of 20 ft. A creature with a climb speed has a +8 racial bonus on all Climb checks. The creature must make a Climb check to climb any wall or slope with a DC of more than 0, but it always can choose to take 10 even if rushed or threatened while climbing. The creature climbs at the given speed while climbing. If it chooses an accelerated climb it moves at double the given climb speed (or its base land speed, whichever is lower) and makes a single Climb check at a -5 penalty. Creatures cannot run while climbing. A creature retains its Dexterity bonus to Armor Class (if any) while climbing, and opponents get no special bonus on their attacks against a climbing creature.

Spider Bite (Sp)

The spider champion gains a bite attack that deals 1d4 points of damage and is poisonous. The bite is a secondary natural weapon that can be used once per round at the spider champion’s highest base attack bonus, with the standard –5 penalty for a secondary attack. The Fortitude save DC for the poison is 18 + the spider champion’s Con modifier, and it deals 1d6 points of Strength damage for both its initial and its secondary damage.

Spider Grace (Sp)

The Spider Champion takes on the elusive attributes of a spider. The character receives a +4 insight bonus on Hide and Move Silently checks.

Judgement (Su)

At 18th level, a drow judicator gains the ability to judge all creatures within 100 feet of her that he can see. Those he finds wanting are immediately targeted with a horrid wilting effect. Damage dice is equal to class level, and DC is 10 + half class level ´+ Cha modifier. The drow judicator can base his decision on any parameters he chooses. This ability is usable once per day as a standard action.

Spider Servant (Sp)

At 5th level, a drow judicator can call for a spider servant. See the Spider Servant section for details.

Spells

Judicators choose their spells from the following list:

1st level - cause fear, cloak of dark power, cure light wounds, curse water, detect poison, detect undead, divine favor, doom, endure elements, inflict light wounds, magic weapon, misdirection, read magic, speak with vermin*, spider climb, summon monster I*.

2nd level - bull's strength, clairaudience/clairvoyance, cure moderate wounds, darkness, death knell, desecrate, eagle's splendor, hold person, resist energy, shatter, owl's wisdom, summon monster II*, summon swarm (*), undetectable alignment.

3rd level - bestow curse, contagion, cure moderate wounds, deeper darkness, dispel magic, inflict moderate wounds, magic weapon, greater, neutralize poison, phantom steed*, prayer, protection from elements, suggestion, summon monster III*, summon swarm.

4th level - break enchantment, cure serious wounds, freedom of movement, death ward, discern lies, giant vermin, inflict serious wounds, mark of justice, poison, restoration, spiderform (u), summon monster IV*.

See notes below for spells marked (*). Spells marked (u) can be found in the Underdark sourcebook. As a rule of thumb, judica tors are able to use any blackguard spell (listed in expansion books) unless they deal with good or evil.

Phantom steed

The phantom steed has a vermin shape.

Speak with vermin

As speak with animals, but only works on vermin. Actually, I'm not sure any spell will let you speak with non-intelligent vermin. Still, it fits the concept.

Summon monster

The judicator can only summon spiders. There are no suitable spiders for summon monster III, but 1d4+1 spiders from summon monster II can be summoned.

Spider Servant

This should be changed to use the default rules for companion critters.

This ability is identical to the standard champion companion ability, but the champion can only summon spiders. Instead of a single spider, the champion can summon a swarm (1 per 2 levels) of tiny monstrous spiders. Regardless of the champion's level, these spiders only gain the first tier abilities. The empathic link mean that they make excellent guards and spies.

The champion can summon a 8 HD monstrous spider, a fiendish sword spider, a myrlochar or a phase spider. These are the only available servants. These use the full progression table regardless of their Challenge Rating.

The Epic Champion

At epic levels, the champion continues to gain smite and war strike uses. The spider companion improves as a normal paladin mount.

Design notes

The judicator has been changed from a power hungry schemer to a true servant of a divine power (in this case Lolth). Much like a paladin or blackguard can be chosen before birth to serve a higher purpose, so can the judicator.

The class is based on the blackguard (and the paladin to a lesser extent), but several special abilities have been replaced. This sort of tweaked character class is not suitable for all campaigns. For one thing, this character class is only available to certain races (drow and possibly driders). While this is a valid point, one can just as easily imagine a class like the samurai being limited to a certain race or culture.

The character class version of the Judicator works better than the prestige class version (typically a cleric/judicator or wizard/judicator). Rather than standing in the shadow of a higher level cleric, the judicator can be a power in her own right. This lets the judicator focus on martial skills and divine vengeance aided by a small spell selection.

Spells: Some added from Drow and Spider domains. Note that spiderform has changed to 4th level for this class. Some alignment-specific spells (such as protection from good) have been removed. The champion cares not for good or evil, only the will of the Goddess. If if he did, his opponents would probably be evil.

The lower spells from the Drow and Spider domains have been added. Spiderform has been changed to a 4th level spell for Judicators. This seems quite appropriate for an avenging champion. Since the judictor is not concerend with good or evil, spells like corrupt weapon, unholy sword, dispel good, detect good, protection from good, magic circle against good,

Aura of despair: This is a standard blackguard ability. It works well with the image of the champion as a grim avenger of the Goddess. All drow know the champion is willing to sacrifice them for the Goddess given the slightest reason.

Spider Servant: Changed to allow the champion to summon a group of spiders. Choices are the same as for the Judicator in The Underdark. The servant use the same progression regardless of level.

External links

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