For our next Creative Character group, we’ll take a look at The Shadow-walkers, a mercenary unit specializing in operating under cover of darkness.
For the sake of reference, and consistency, all characters here are created with the Elite stat array (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8) and all hit points are rolled as averages. They are also written so that they can be used as either NPCs or PCs .
Belmarniss CR 2
XP 600
Female drow oracle 3
N Medium humanoid (elf)
Init +3; Senses superior darkvision 120 ft; Perception +5
DEFENSE
AC 17, touch13, flat-footed 14 (+3 Dex, +4 Cloak of Darkness)
hp 15 (12 class (3d6) +3 (favored class bonus) + Constitution)
Fort +4 , Ref +1 , Will +3 (+5 vs enchantment spells and effects)
Immune sleep effects; SR 9
OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee masterwork dagger +4 (1d4-1/19-20×2)
Melee touch of the void +4 (1d6+1 (cold))
Ranged light crossbow +4 (1d8/19-20×2)
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 3)
1/day–dancing lights, darkness, and faerie fire
Oracle Spells known (concentration +6)
1st (5/day)–bane, cause fear, poison weapon, shadow stream*
0 (/day)–bleed, blowing dust, dim, guidance , touch of lethargy
Mystery Darkness
TACTICS
During Combat Belmariss avoids direct combat if possible, using the cover of darkness and stealth to deliver her debilitating touch spells or make use of her touch of the void, before once again distancing herself from her target.
STATISTICS
Str 8(-1), Dex 16(+3 ), Con 11(+0 ), Int 12(+1 ), Wis 10(+0 ) , Cha 17(+3 )
Base Atk +2 ; CMB +1; CMD 14
Feats Armor Proficiency (Light), Armor Proficiency (Medium), Shield Proficiency, Simple Weapon Proficiency, Shadow Caster (drow), Weapon Finesse
Skills Stealth +11, Intimidate +8
Languages Common, Elven, Undercommon
Gear backpack, a bedroll, a belt pouch, a flint and steel, light crossbow, masterwork dagger, trail rations (5 days), and a waterskin; Coins 9 gp, 2 sp, (these remaining coins can be spent at the GM or player’s discretion before the start of the game session).
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Shadowbound (Curse of Corruption)
Belmarniss’ pigmentation is oddly colorless, and her eyes are highly sensitive to light. Belmarniss is blinded for 1 round when exposed to normal or bright light and dazzled while in such a lit area.
Poison Use
Belmarniss is skilled in the use of poisons and never risks accidentally poisoning herself.
Cloak of Darkness (Su)
Belmarniss can conjure a cloak of shadowy darkness that grants her a +4 armor bonus and a +2 circumstance bonus on Stealth checks. She can use this cloak for 3 hours per day. The duration does not need to be consecutive, but it must be spent in 1-hour increments.
Touch of the Void (Su)
As a standard action, Belmarniss can perform a melee touch attack that deals 1d6+1 points of cold damage. She can use this ability 6 times per day.
Sure Step
Belmarniss has spent much of her career in the alleys and sewers of large cities or the tunnels of the Underworld. She suffers no movement penalties when blinded or moving in darkness.
Voice in the Darkness
As long as she is in dim light or darker conditions, Belmarniss gains a +2 bonus on Intimidate and Stealth checks
ABOUT
Mistreated and considered less because of her rare pale complexion, Belmarniss was freed from servitude in a drow enclave on the Shadow Plane by Delenn, leader of the notorious Shadow Walkers. Swearing her loyalty and expertise to the woman who surely had saved her life, she joined the group in their exploits, a choice she has not regretted a day in her life since. Able to speak and commune with The Darkness itself, she sees the croup as specially blessed by shadow, seeking to see them grow in both power and notoriety for the glory of the darkness.
Quite contrary to what one would expect from a drow, she is more than willing to die protecting any of her companions, despite her claims to care little for most of them.
