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The Black Cathedral
The Gods of the Wold
Alemi
Domi
Flower
Pantheon
Ffloy
Gargul
The Gods of Testing
Marteaus
Ga'al
Caeroldra
Hand of Love
Obsessed
Jancassis
Wardd
Mendicant
Obsessed
Gargul
Natural Philosophy
Woldology
Druidicism
Immortal Powers
Summary & Notes
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Obsessed
Fanatic, gourmand, sybarite, addict, hobbyist, collector, hedonist, enthusiast. The obsessed cares deeply, passionately, and madly about something -- and the object of his passion dominates and consumes him. The "something" could be anything -- collecting butterflies, killing giants, singing, making love, taking risks, exploring, creating magic items and spells, gambling, ANYTHING! (Anything the CDM approves, anyway.) Nothing gives the obsesses more pleasure than the pursuit of his obsession, and his devotion drives him ... drives him insane, say some!
Some obsessed are fixated and compelled to push and push their luck -- these are usually devoted to Wardd. Others pursue their own pleasure and passions above all -- these are devoted to Caeroldra. Thus, clerics of these gods often become obsessed. But almost any character with a single-minded commitment to a single activity can become obsessed, if they are determined enough.
As NPCs, an obsessed revels in his addictions, hoping they will bring him luck and satisfaction. He has a driving need to do something: he's obsessed with it. He likes to kill, or gamble, or flirt with danger, or do things to the extreme. He lives with incredible highs which he rides like a winning streak at the crap table. He expects a low period to follow which he wants to avoid. So he takes bizarre chances and short cuts to stay on top, and he does the same to get off of the bottom when he's there. Once characters are obsessed, they are obsessed for life -- even if they multiclass away from the obsessed class, they are still obsessed and take morale penalties when they do not pursue their obsession.
[Note to players: Taking this prestige class requires understanding that it is both a strength and a drawback to be obsessed. Do not view this class as a way to pile on bonuses. Instead, it is an opportunity to delve deep into a narrow aspect of role playing.]
Hit die: d8
Requirements
Since the requirements vary with the obsession chosen, they must be approved by the Campaign DM.
- A deep obsession -- an activity so central to the candidate that it becomes the center of the candidate's life. The obsession has to be an activity: collecting monster horns, gambling, kissing, riding, singing, flirting, shooting arrows, breaking into places, drinking alcohol, hoarding gems, killing dragons, etc.
- One Skill that is central to the obsession, with ranks equal to character level plus three (minimum 9 ranks). This is the character's first Required Skill.
- Another Skill directly related to the obsession with 9 ranks OR any Knowledge skill directly related to the obsession with 5 ranks. This is the character's second Required Skill.
- Two Feats directly related to the obsession (one option: Skill Focus for each of the two skills required above).
- Special: Significant other expression of devotion to obsession. For example, related cleric domain; wizardly school specialization; favored enemy; completion of a quest related to the obsession..
Table -- The Oathbound
Lvl...Att...Will...Refx...Fort...Special Abilities
.1.....+0....+2.....+0.....+0.....Skill Expertise, +1 spellcast lvl
.2.....+1....+3.....+0.....+0.....Driven to Attack, +1 spellcast lvl
.3.....+2....+3.....+1.....+1.....Driven to Resist, +1 spellcast lvl
.4.....+3....+4.....+1.....+1.....Lesser Detection, +1 spellcast lvl
.5.....+3....+4.....+1.....+1.....Annoying Conversation, +1 spellcast lvl
.6.....+4....+5.....+2.....+2.....Lesser Convert, +1 spellcast lvl
.7.....+5....+5.....+2.....+2.....Greater Detection, +1 spellcast lvl
.8.....+6....+6.....+2.....+2.....Entrancing Conversation, +1 spellcast lvl
.9.....+6....+6.....+3.....+3.....Greater Convert, +1 spellcast lvl
10.....+7....+7.....+3.....+3.....Driven to Perfection, +1 spellcast lvl
Class Skills
All obsessed have Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Knowledge [all] (Int), and Profession (Wis) as class skills. In addition, the obsessed's two Required Skills are class skills.
Skill Points per level: 2 + Int modifier
Class Features
Weapon & Armor Proficiencies: Obsessed gain no new weapon or armor proficiencies.
Spells & Spell Progression: When a new obsessed level is gained, the character gains new spells per day as if she had also gained a level in a spellcasting class she belonged to before she added the prestige class. She does not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained (better wildshape, metamagic or item creation feats, and so on). This essentially means that she adds the level of obsessed to the level of some other spellcasting class the character has, then determines spells per day, spells known, and caster level accordingly. If a character had more than one spellcasting class before she became a obsessed, she must decide to which class she adds her obsessed levels for purposes of determining spells per day when she first adopts the PrC.
Obsessed and Driven: When an obsessed is engaged in the activity of her obsession, she is "driven." An obsessed gains certain advantages while driven. If an obsessed does not engage in her obsession at least once per day, she suffers a -1 cumulative morale penalty on attack rolls for each day in which she does not engage in her obsession (max -5 after 5 days). NOTE: The DM determines when an obsessed PC is driven or not. Do not allow players to gain driven bonuses when they are not entitled to them.
Ethos Of Obsession: The obsessed must spend at least half of her wealth on her obsession. Note that money spent on an obsession is NOT always wasted! It can be spent in many ways. For example, a person obsessed with gambling could certainly gamble his money away, but he could also spend money on ...
- books about gambling, gambling lessons
- special gambling clothes, gloves, etc.
- a luckstone or other magic items that give luck bonuses
- researching gambling spells
- dice carved of diamond or other precious materials
- playing cards made of dragon scales
- opening her own casino and making it lavish and luxurious
- (if a cheater) loaded dice, marked cards, and custom magic ways to cheat (medallion of ESP, etc)
- private investigation (spies) of high rollers (info gives a bonus on sense motive, bluff, intimidate checks)
There are MANY ways to spend money on your obsession! Think of us gamers and how we spend money on dice, minis, books, conventions, etc.
Sect: Obsessed have great respect for any other obsessed, even if the objects of their obsession are very different -- they appreciate passion, devotion, and single-mindedness in others. Interacting with an obsessed who shares his passion -- or with anyone who seems interested -- an obsessed will usually be on cloud nine. Finding someone who appreciates and approves of your obsession is a rare pleasure. But sometimes those with the same obsession become the most bitter of enemies, especially if they disagree over some "fundamental" (i.e., esoteric) point of doctrine or trivia. It is rare for obsessed to gather in groups because their interests are so different. But sometimes a group of obsessed with a common interest will gather together. Numbers of those obsessed with gambling may be associated with Temples of Wardd; those obsessed with physical pleasure and lust may be associated with Temples of Caeroldra.
Special Abilities
Skill Expertise: Obsessed gain a bonus when using their required skills equal to their obsessed level.
Driven to Attack: When driven, obsessed gain a morale bonus to attack of half their obsessed level: +1 at level 2, +2 at level 4, +3 at level 6, +4 at level 8, +5 at level 10.
Driven to Resist: When driven, obsessed gain a morale bonus to saving throws of one-third their obsessed level: +1 at level 3, +2 at level 6, +3 at level 9.
Lesser Detection: When concentrating, an obsessed can detect others doing what the obsessed love to do. The obsessed may also be able to detect creatures and objects that could offer the chance to engage in the obsession, at the DM's option. Lesser Detection functions like the Detect Evil spell -- it requires several rounds of concentration to gain full knowledge from this ability.
Annoying Conversation: Once per day as a full round action, but not in a combat situation, an obsessed can engage in an annoying conversation about her obsession. This extraordinary ability forces all those in close range (25 ft + 5 ft/2 lvls) to make a Will save vs DC 10 + obsessed level + Wis bonus. Those who succeed are unaffected. Those who fail shift in attitude one place toward unfriendly and suffer a -2 penalty on attack rolls, skill checks, and saves for one minute per obsessed level. Moreover annoyed spellcasters suffer a +10% chance of spell failure.
Lesser Convert: Once per day, the obsessed can convert a willing creature as a "fan" of the PC's obsession. The fan's attitude shifts one place toward friendly. A fan is immune to annoying conversation but suffers a -2 penalty saving against entrancing conversation. The obsessed gains a +2 bonus using Chr-based skills on fans. And when a fan uses the Aid Other action to benefit the obsessed, the bonus is +3, not +2. A fan must be re-converted once per month.
Greater Detection: This ability is similar to the Lesser Detection ability, but greater detection functions automatically, like an elf's detection of secret doors. Also, full information is revealed immediately, not after several rounds of concentration.
Entrancing Conversation: Once per day as a full round action, but not in a combat situation, an obsessed can engage in an entrancing conversation about her obsession. This extraordinary ability forces all those in close range (25 ft + 5 ft/2 lvls) to make a Will save vs DC 10 + obsessed level + Chr bonus. Otherwise the ability is exactly like an Enthrall spell.
Greater Convert: This ability is exactly like the Lesser Convert ability, except that it works on an unwilling subject who fails a Will save vs DC 10 + obsessed level + Chr bonus.
Driven to Perfection: While driven, an obsessed does not always need to roll required skill checks -- instead, three times per day he can take 10. And twice per day he can take 20. This takes no more time than using the skill normally would.
Sample Obsessions (not all suitable for PC use)
Example One: Playgirl -- Obsessed with Seduction
Requirements: This obsessed delights in the romantic pursuit and conquest of others. Required Skills: Diplomacy and Intimidate. Required Feats: Skill Specialization (Diplomacy), Skill Specialization (Intimidate). Required sign of devotion to obsession: Cleric of Caeroldra with Charm domain.
Wealth: The PC spends most of her wealth on jewelry, cloaks of charisma, potions of love, romantic dinners in expensive restaurants, etc.
Driven: This obsessed is driven only while actively seducing another. Note that the DM should not allow the abuse of this ability. The PC is not driven if the target of her obsession is hostile or if the third party interrupting the seduction is a PC, or if the obsessed expects the interruption.
Forbidden Example:
DM: you enter the room and surprise an umber hulk guarding the exit you seek.
Obsessed: I go over to the hulk and say, "Hey, big boy!" (diplomacy check 25).
DM: Sorry, he's a hostile guard. The umber hulk attacks.
Detection: Senses others flirting and engaging in seductive behavior. Sometimes (DM's discretion) senses targets who might be easily seduced.
Example Two: Brawler -- Obsessed with Wrestling
Requirements: This obsessed delights in brawling, wrestling, and grappling. Required Skills: Tumbling and Profession (Wrestler). Required Feats: Unarmed Attack, Improved Grapple. Required sign of devotion to obsession: Monk levels, Cleric with Strength domain. Rejected as a Hand of Domi because he was too obsessed with wrestling.
Wealth: The PC built a gymnasium and continues to spend money sponsoring wrestlers and holding public bouts. He keeps his eyes open for items that boost strength and wrestling ability: Monks belt, gauntlets of ogre power, tomes of strength, etc.
Driven: This obsessed is driven only while grappling or attempting to grapple.
Detection: Senses others engaging in grapple attacks. Senses any creature with the Improved Grapple feat.
Example Three: Daredevil -- Obsessed with Taking Risks
Requirements: This obsessed delights in danger, in risk, in showing off, and in taking dares. Required Skills: Climbing and Jumping. Required Feats: Toughness, Endurance. Required sign of devotion to obsession: Died (and later raised) as a result of taking a dare OR is a member of The Chancers' Club.
Wealth: The PC spends his wealth finding situations in which to test himself. He seeks hostile environments and challenges -- and will pay to learn about new thrills. He loves to wager on whether he will take -- and survive -- a given dare. He loves magic items that let him stretch the limits and go to extremes. The ring that lets him swim in lava, the wings that let him fly into hurricanes, the boots that help him climb mountains -- these he spends money on!
Driven: This obsessed is driven only when she is in danger, that is, when failing a check or save could reasonably result in death, disfigurement, or direct loss of at least 50 hit points from one source.
Detection: Senses others who are likely to take a dare. Sometimes senses dangerous situations (ones that might well result in death, disfigurement, or direct loss of at least 50 hit points).
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