DM Nagging: It's pretty much my job

[Anastasia]

Jessica Reynes
The Shadowed Angel, The Night Guardian
Demigoddess
Symbol: An eye above an unlit lantern
Home Plane: Sylica
Alignment: Neutral Exalted
Portfolio: Shadows, night, protection, retribution, justice, night time travelers
Worshipers: Rogues, travelers, vengeance seekers, night avengers
Cleric Alignments: CG, LG, NG
Domains: Good, Retribution, Shadow, Travel
Favored Weapon: Gentle Serenity (Rapier)

Of all of the Sylican pantheon, Jessica is the one least seen. She is the shadowed angel, a figure only glimpsed and yet with an large impact. She is the patron of those who hide in the darkness not to prey on others, but to protect others from those that menace in the night. The shadows are not something to be feared, but to be championed and use to strike down the wicked that use them. Those who wish for a night free of nightmares and predators are Jessica's own, those who are drawn to the shadows but who maintain a pure heart. Anyone, from a warrior to a mage to even a monster, can find a patron in Jessica if they desire to protect those in the darkness.

Jessica lends her patronage to those who seek justice in particular, those who understand that a surgical strike can save many, that an assassination of an evil in the night is sometimes the only option to prevent tragedy. Those are the one she understands and supports, for they are a perfect example of what her faith can do. Each guardian in the night weakens the many menaces that infest it, from the undead to fiends to those who serve the Lady of Loss, Shar.

Priests and clerics of Jessica wear shadow gray robes with silver accents, always with the holy symbol of Jessica visible. These are only used for formal activities, otherwise, they wear day to day clothing suitable to the task at hand. Likewise, others in the faith do the same, as a faith such as this rarely openly has reason to advertise the faith in such a way. Indeed, clerics of Jessica rarely take out their holy symbols save to cast magic. They prefer word and deed to speak for Jessica, not for symbols and finery.

Jessites mainly celebrate the Day of Ascension in the mid-summer with the other members of the Sylican faith. This is a day of freedom where Jessica's faithful focus on the safety of others who celebrate that day. It is seen as a day of duty and celebration in mortal life, with true rest on that day reserved for the eternity after life. Indeed, they fear canny enemies will take that day to strike against Sylican interests while they celebrate, and as such, focus on vigilance to prevent that.

As of yet, there are no other holidays in this new religion.

History/Relationships

Jessica's history is one tied and often overshadowed by her sister. It is said she sacrificed her memories to save Alicia from the waters of the Styx, or perhaps from a Lord of the Nine, as the stories and legends disagree. In truth it was a Duke of Hell as well as the Styx, but nonetheless this information is not well known beyond the city of Balmuria and her faithful. From there, stories of her gentle heroism spread, as well as her stories and her romance with a simple mortal baker, and both blur together once she joins her sister in Sylica. Since then, stories and whispers of her strikes against evil are known, as a mortal made into an angel that ends the evils within the shadows.

It is only natural that Jessica's primary allies are the deities of Sylica and her sister in particular. She relies on them a great deal, as her alliances beyond Sylica are the least developed of any Sylican deity. Nonetheless she has a friendship with Mystra, which dates from the days Alicia served Mystra as a mere mortal paladin. She also has made the first overtures of friendship towards Domiel, as the two share similar techniques and talents. As of now the Lord of Eternal Rest and the Shadowed Angel have not yet met since Jessica's apotheosis, though early signs point to at least a strong level of mutual cooperation. Finally, Jessica is on good terms with Queen Morwel, which dates back to the Crimson Guard's victory in Androlynne and rescue of the lost eladrin children. Queen Morwel knows well that Sylica's bravery is a key reason as to why that injustice was at last put to rights, and in turn she honors them as friends and allies of the Court of Stars.

As of now, Jessica's enemies are limited. While to some degree she has the same enemies as other members of the Sylican pantheon, her role as a blade in the shadows somewhat insulates her from those. Yet this same protection is the reason for her one and greatest enemy: Shar.

Shar correctly sees Jessica's choice of domains and portfolio as an encroachment on her own domains. It is impossible that such an insult could be overlooked, and some observers believe Shar may assault Sylica itself to end Jessica before she can progress further. There are already reports of Sharran and Jessite battles and while it is possible this is merely the normal course of matters, some believe this is the beginning of an outright war. Jessica herself does not believe events will move that fast, but only time will tell.

Dogma

Protect those innocents who travel the night and who wander the shadows. A strike from the shadows can save a great harvest of lives, but only if done with great wisdom. Trust and pray, so that you may be guided to the menaces that lurk in the night. Do not be afraid of the light, but understand that the light is not for you in this life. Do not be afraid to conceal yourself, for evil is never afraid to plunge a knife into the back of a known hero. Glory in this life is not important, for the Shadowed Angel will reward you when you pass to her bosom.

Clergy and Temples

A temple to Jessica is a hidden place, one that lives on word of mouth and the guidance of the faithful. The good works that they do are seldom attributed to them for the public yet those they aid are fully aware of where the aid comes from. This helps conceal that as a new deity, Jessica as of yet has few temples. Her faithful come from many walks of life, most chosen by Jessica and given gentle divine messages to offer her guidance. A typical Jessite temple is a multistory building below ground or otherwise hidden, secured from outside intrusion and a safe hideaway for her flock.

The main article of faith for Jessica's faith is the Whispers of the Shadowed Angel. This tome is as much gorgeous illustration as it is words. Each provides the maxims and stories of the faith, with the illustrations provided by Syala. The stories are very simple, bedtime stories for children that have hidden layers of meaning to consider for the wise. As such, these stories are read several times each and clerics instruct the faithful in various lessons that can be drawn from them. This is only interrupted by the occasional repetition of the Five Points, which are five maxims that guide the faith as their most important points.

Preferred Classes

Rogues are by far the prevalent class amid Jessica's followers. However, there is a sprinkling of others, which includes clerics, fighters, monks, rangers, scouts and some paladins who have vows that do not prohibit stealthy tactics. Those who follow Jessica are almost invariably those well suited to stealth, those who see that a strike from the shadows can win the day without further bloodshed. Many, however, will dip into cleric or other classes that grant channel energy, as this is a perpetually popular option in her faith.

Amid the Jessites, the most common prestige classes are night avenger, skullclan hunter, shadowbane stalker and planar champion. The latter are favored due to the ability to survive planar travel, as one cannot be stealthy when the terrain itself is murderous to them.

Preferred Symbols

The symbols Jessica prefers are black dahlias, darklight lanterns and honeyed bread. Darklight lanterns are a magic item of the faith that shed light only righteous creatures can see, which lets them travel the night while evil creatures stay unaware. They are kept on the altar of Jessite temples and given for use on holy missions. Honeyed bread is a common meal for Jessites, as it is said to be a reminder from Jessica that there is more to life than battle; there is hearth and home, shared meals and family. One of the lesser but important aspects of Jessica's faith is that she is sometimes portrayed as a mere baker, and that even an unassuming appearance can hide a mighty warrior.

Supplementary Material

Night Avenger

Hit Die

d6

Requirements

Alignment

Any good

Feats

Blind-Fight, Darkstalker

Skills

Hide 9 ranks, Move Silently 9 ranks

Special

Must have Jessica Reynes as a patron deity.

Class Skills

The night avenger's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Appraise (Int), Bluff (Cha), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Disguise (Cha), Gather Information (Cha), Hide (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty) (Int), Knowledge (Religion) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Spot (Wis) and Use Magic Device (Cha).

Skill Points at Each Level

6 + Intelligence modifier



   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Fortitude Save	Reflex Save	Will Save	Special
1	+0	+0	+2	+0	Sneak attack+1d6
2	+1	+0	+3	+0	Shadow blessing
3	+2	+1	+3	+1	Sneak attack+2d6
4	+3	+1	+4	+1	Shadow conjuration 1/day
5	+3	+1	+4	+1	Shadow evocation 1/day, sneak attack+3d6
6	+4	+2	+5	+2	Greater shadow blessing
7	+5	+2	+5	+2	Shadow conjuration 2/day, sneak attack+4d6
8	+6	+2	+6	+2	Shadow evocation 2/day
9	+6	+3	+6	+3	Sneak attack+5d6
10	+7	+3	+7	+3	Greater shadows, shadow conjuration 3/day

Sneak Attack (Ex)

This is identical to the rogue ability of the same name and stacks with that ability.

Shadow Blessing (Su)

Shadows hesitate to attack a night avenger, which protects you from their effects. You gain a +2 bonus to any saving throw against a spell or spell-like ability from the shadow subschool.

Shadow Conjuration (Sp)

At 4th level, the shadows obey your commands. You may use shadow conjuration once per day as a spell-like ability. At 7th and 10th level, you gain another daily use of shadow conjuration. Your caster level equals your hit dice.

Shadow Evocation (Sp)

At 5th level, you can twist the shadows into flames and cold, lightning and fury. You may use shadow evocation once per day as a spell-like ability. At 8th level you gain another daily use of shadow evocation.

Greater Shadow Blessing (Su)

A night avenger is shielded by the shadows, for they are your ally. Your bonus to saves against spells of the shadow subschool rises to +4.

Greater Shadows (Ex)

By 10th level, your control over shadows is far greater. You may now use greater shadow conjuration in place of shadow conjuration and greater shadow evocation in place of shadow evocation.

[Anastasia]

Okay, that's all the DvR1s in Sylica. I do intend to quickly touch up Syala's block then it's onto Moore's node.

Commentary welcome on these, since I won't do final revisions on them until I'm done with everyone's.

[Anastasia]

Syala mk 1.1. I've fixed up a few style issues and updated her domains. I'm going to revise this more heavily today, but I want a copy of it in this form for later reference. It's close but doesn't precisely match the format I've used here so far, which will be changed. Likewise, her new domains and aspects will be expanded in that second revision.

Syala
Angel of Love, Mother of the Pride
Demigoddess
Symbol: A stylized red heart embraced by a tree's branches.
Home Plane: Sylica
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Portfolio: Love, family, protection, nature
Worshipers: Mothers, defenders, druids, rangers
Cleric Alignments: LG, NG, CG
Domains: Animal, Chaos, Family, Good, Plant, Wrath
Favored Weapon: Blessing of the Twelve (Greathammer)

Syala oversees those that watch over love and family. She seeks out those who nurture life and prepare warm homes for all that strive in conflict.  She welcomes those who need strength to protect a family with one hand, while the other seeks out those who would foster love to create the bonds of family in the first place. Those receive her attention, love and support if they accept and embrace her lessons.

Syala believes that those who are encouraged to grow without being confined or force grow best. She plants the seeds for her followers to develop; she gives them just enough to realize their dreams with the proper effort.  Yet unlike her consort Alicia, she has no hesitation to make her actions known if she feels it is for the best good possible.

The acts of love, marriage, childbirth and family growth are highly valued by Syala. From the family comes growth and from growth comes a better life and new life. The only thing she values more is the holy wrath of those who defend love and family. Those who would violate the sacred tenets of the cycle of life must be stopped and punished to the utmost. To protect a family or love is the highest duty of any follower of Syala. Those who do so are guaranteed a place in Syala's realm after death, to reap the benefits of a life well lived.

Syalan clergy is loosely organized, with less structure and more encouragement of independent agents to work towards their own ends. Cooperation happens when it benefits all involved. Syalan favor simple clothes, albeit often flashy, exotic or that show off their bodies. Ysgardian armors that both protect and show off are highly valued in the clergy, believed to be favored by Syala. For those unable to obtain such armor, bracers of armor are combined with armor that reveals much and is ultimately worthless. This leads to no small derision outside of the faith, especially by hard headed warriors who prefer to live behind a wall of steel and adamantine.

History/Relationships

Syala was created as an angel in the service of Sharess.  It is said she took after Sharess's often forgotten martial side and had a flair for battle, this earned her a promotion to astral deva. Thereafter she was assigned to guard the Tree of Idun, a magical tree said to have apples that grant eternal life. At the end of this centuries long service she met Alicia Reynes. Between them love grew, which in time lead to the creation of the realm of Sylica. While she rules Sylica equally with Alicia in name, in reality she focuses on different matters and allows Alicia to freely take the forefront.

Beyond Sylica, Syala has good relations with Brightwater, especially Sharess, Empress Sulia and Sune. In particular Sharess has an interest in her former servant and supports her in her new role. They agree on almost everything, as both enjoy pleasure, love and celebration. However, Syala places a greater focus on protection and celebration of what those can bring, while Sharess is concerned entirely with the acts.

In this aspect Syala is closer to Sune, though they share the same split that Sharess and Sune do; Sune believes that Syala pursues pleasures too great and with too much abandon, which leads her into further excesses. Empress Sulia and Syala share a curious relationship. Empress Sulia represents martyrdom in the name of love, while Syala represents protective love and family. Syala would prefer for there to be no martyrs, Empress Sulia honors those who do so in the name of love. Despite this they respect each other, as they understand that protective love naturally leads to martyrs, and that martyrs of love are the natural end of many who serve Syala.

Good relations extend to the rest of Brightwater, though none of the other powers there are particularly close to Syala. She maintains friendly relations with Hanali Celanil and cultivates goodwill with Corellon Larethian. There have also been attempts to grow closer to powers of nature such as Lathander, Chauntea and Mielikki, though any results have not been immediately evident.

Syala does not have many foes as of yet, being a young Goddess. She shares many of Alicia's foes as is only natural. However, her church takes a strong stance against Shar at all times, preaching that the Lady of Loss must be stopped.

Dogma

Love of all stripes is the most beautiful thing in all Creation. Romantic love is a gift, be it between men and women, men and men, women and women, or any other variety.  Familial love is a gift to yourself, be it by bonds of blood or bonds of closeness. Nurture all these loves in yourself and in others, while being the shield to ensure that none of these loves are profaned. Blessed is he who falls in love, graced is she who gives life from within her. When love makes children impossible, take orphans into your home and make them your children and love them as your own. Expand your love as far as you can go.  Be especially wary of those who would subvert it, especially those of Shar.

Temples and Clergy

Syalan clergy strive to uphold the lessons of Syala and spread them in the world. Temples are often run by a married couple who share power while they raise a family. The loose nature of their worship makes the temples wide spread and often transitory, few permanent temples known of. Followers of Syala are known as Syalans. Syala sponsors an order of battle dancers known as the Band of Idun who adhere to her lessons. Moreover, she has a scattering of paladins of freedom and sorcerers who revere her.

[Anastasia]

Syala mk 2. Not the final but most of the revisions are done. Any adjustments will be clarifications or typo fixes.

Syala intentionally lacks supplementary material. See her preferred classes as to why.

Syala
Angel of Love, Mother of the Pride
Demigoddess
Symbol: A stylized red heart embraced by a tree's branches.
Home Plane: Sylica
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Portfolio: Love, family, protection, nature
Worshipers: Mothers, defenders, druids, rangers
Cleric Alignments: LG, NG, CG
Domains: Animal, Chaos, Family, Good, Plant, Wrath
Favored Weapon: Blessing of the Twelve (Greathammer)

Syala oversees those who watch over love and family, as well as over the natural world. She seeks out those who nurture life and prepare warm homes for all that strive in conflict. She welcomes those who need strength to protect a family with one hand, while the other seeks out those who would foster love to create the bonds of family. Syala grants her attention, love and support if they accept her lessons. They are the lessons of the natural world, of a lion who protects his cubs while a lioness hunts for her cubs. Both roles are equally important and laudable, and a family must have both to survive. Be it lions, wolves or humans, such matters are essential and important.

While Syala supports the family, she also believes that those who are encouraged to grow without being confined or forced grow best. She plants the seeds for her followers to develop; she gives them just enough to realize their dreams with the proper effort. Yet unlike her consort Alicia, she has no hesitation to make her actions known if she feels it is for the best good possible. She is not idle, but instead merely prefers to let her faithful develop on their own.

The acts of love, marriage, childbirth and family growth are highly valued by Syala. From the family comes growth and from growth comes a better life and new life. The only thing she values more is the holy wrath of those who defend love and family. Those who would violate the sacred tenets of the cycle of life must be stopped and punished to the utmost. To protect a family or love is the highest duty of any follower of Syala. Those who do so are guaranteed a place in Syala's realm after death, to reap the benefits of a life well lived.

Syalans favor simple clothes, albeit often flashy, exotic or that show off their bodies. Ysgardian armors that both protect and show off are highly valued in the clergy, believed to be favored by Syala. For those unable to obtain such armor, bracers of armor are combined with armor that reveals much and is ultimately worthless. This leads to no small derision outside of the faith, especially by hard headed warriors who prefer to live behind a wall of steel and adamantine.

There are two holidays in the Syalan faith. The first is the mid-summer Day of Ascension, shared by all the deities of Sylica. They lead the celebrations along with Alicia's followers and enjoy them immensely. The second is Winter's Warmth, a holiday in early winter. A small gathering and feast is the main focus of the feast, but additionally, married couples are encouraged to attempt to conceive that day. It is said that Syala's blessings will aid those who try, even those who may be cursed to be barren.

History/Relationships

Syala was created as an angel in the service of Sharess.  It is said she took after Sharess's often forgotten martial side and had a flair for battle, this earned her a promotion to astral deva. Thereafter she was assigned to guard the Tree of Idun, a magical tree said to have apples that grant eternal life. At the end of this centuries long service she met Alicia Reynes. Between them love grew, which in time lead to the creation of the realm of Sylica. While she rules Sylica equally with Alicia in name, in reality she focuses on different matters and allows Alicia to freely take the forefront.

Beyond Sylica, Syala has good relations with Brightwater, especially Sharess, Empress Sulia and Sune. In particular Sharess has an interest in her former servant and supports her in her new role. They agree on almost everything, as both enjoy pleasure, love and celebration. However, Syala places a greater focus on protection and celebration of what those can bring, while Sharess is concerned entirely with the acts.

In this aspect Syala is closer to Sune, though they share the same split that Sharess and Sune do; Sune believes that Syala pursues pleasures too great and with too much abandon, which leads her into further excesses. Empress Sulia and Syala share a curious relationship. Empress Sulia represents martyrdom in the name of love, while Syala represents protective love and family. Syala would prefer for there to be no martyrs, Empress Sulia honors those who do so in the name of love. Despite this they respect each other, as they understand that protective love naturally leads to martyrs, and that martyrs of love are the natural end of many who serve Syala.

Good relations extend to the rest of Brightwater, though none of the other powers there are particularly close to Syala. She maintains friendly relations with Hanali Celanil and cultivates goodwill with Corellon Larethian. There have also been attempts to grow closer to powers of nature such as Lathander, Chauntea and Mielikki, though any results have not been immediately evident.

Syala does not have many foes as of yet, being a young deity. She shares many of Alicia's foes as is only natural. However, her church takes a strong stance against Shar at all times, preaching that the Lady of Loss must be stopped.

Dogma

Love of all stripes is the most beautiful thing in all Creation. Romantic love is a gift, be it between men and women, men and men, women and women, or any other variety.  Familial love is a gift to yourself, be it by bonds of blood or bonds of closeness. Nurture all these loves in yourself and in others, while being the shield to ensure that none of these loves are profaned. Blessed is he who falls in love, graced is she who gives life from within her. When love makes children impossible, take orphans into your home and make them your children and love them as your own. Expand your love as far as you can go.  Be especially wary of those who would subvert it, especially those of Shar.

Clergy and Temples

Syalan clergy strive to uphold the lessons of Syala and spread them in the world. Temples are often run by a married couple who share power while they raise a family. Syalan clergy is loosely organized, with less structure and more encouragement of independent agents and families to work towards their own ends. Cooperation happens when it benefits all involved. The loose nature of their worship makes the temples wide spread and often transitory, few permanent temples known of. Followers of Syala are known as Syalans.

Of all the holy books of Sylica, Syala's is the simplest. It is a slender tome and it focuses on the family and nature, as well as a personal relationship with Syala through prayer. It is known as the Sandarum. A single copy is a gift to each family that follows Syala, lavishly illustrated  and decorated. Every copy is a work of art and to produce them is seen as a sacred duty by Syalans.

Preferred Classes

Druids and rangers tend to pay Syala homage, particularly ones interested in a family of their own. Paladins of freedom and sorcerers are also drawn to her cause, and moreover, Syala sponders an order of battle dancers known as the Band of Idun. Syala has no preference for the talents of those who follow her, so long as they use them well, and prefers a large variety of worshipers. Most serious Syalans invest in at least a level of druid or ranger to better understand the natural part of her portfolio. Monks and battle dancers are drawn to her as well, as her faith largely eschews armor and favors mobility.

Syalans have no particularly common prestige classes, as they all tend to develop as individuals. This may change in the future, but for now Syala's faithful are a wild assortment of abilities.

Preferred Symbols

Syala favors apples, rubies, moonstones, hummingbirds and cats as symbols. It is not uncommon for a lost and hungry servant of Syala to chance on apples or an apple tree, even if it defies all odds. Such events are considered Syala's personal blessing (and cures any sort of allergy to apples as an incidental side effect). Beyond that Syala is capricious with her blessings and bestows them as she sees fit. Rubies and moonstones are seen as financial blessings to fund a family or the clergy, while hummingbirds are seen as omens of good fortune. Cats are seen as pets to be treated as part of the family, a beloved pet for all members to lavish with attention and love.

[Anastasia]

That's Sylica done. Going to take a break then take a swing at Moore's 0s prep and then Sylvie. Sylvie will be a breeze since a lot of N/As are in play.

Expect Sylvie later this afternoon.

[Corwin]

Jessica:

18:20 <Seira> and yet with an large impact
18:20 <Seira> <-- a large impact

Syala:

and moreover, Syala sponders an order of battle dancers
<-- sponsors?

[Anastasia]

Fixed and fixed, thanks.

[Anastasia]

Sylvie
Lady of Many Talents
Demigoddess
Symbol: A shelf full of books
Home Plane: Hope's Landing
Alignment: Neutral
Portfolio: Knowledge, learning, talent
Worshipers: N/A  (In theory factotums, chameleons, sages, learners)
Cleric Alignments: N/A (In theory CN, LN, N, NG)
Domains: Competition, Knowledge, Mentalism, Mind
Favored Weapon: Silver Studded Gloves (Unarmed Strike)

Sylvie is not a normal deity. She has declined to participate in the Competition and attract faithful. As such, this will not be a normal article. What is here is provided for reference as well as possibilities should she ever change that stance. As she became One through her own will in the Beyond, she has no need of the Competition, so long as she cares not if her divinity grows further.

Were Sylvie part of the Competition, her faithful would be those who treasure knowledge, learning and talent. Those who have a thirst to improve themselves and their mind would be drawn to her, as well as those blessed as natural polymaths. Sylvie understands them, for she was blessed with a great deal of natural talent.

History/Relationships

Sylvie's mortal life is of little notice until she came to Aurora with the lost artifact 21. This strange light was responsible for the death of the Child of Lifasa and ultimately the Duke of Destiny. That this light could so completely destroy such powerful figures raises many questions as to what it is, a subject Sylvie has not spoken of publicly. It is known that she vanished after the liberation of Lifasa, yet only to recently reappear as part of Hope's Landing. As of now few know of her divinity and she seems to have little interest in typical divine politics.

It is speculated that Hope's Landing are Sylvie's allies, for she has emerged there as a divinity. It is unknown if this extends to the Hebdomad or the Triad. It is further known that Sylvie was formerly a follower of Oghma. If this relationship continues and in what form is an open question as of now.

As a member of Aurora, it is safe to say Hell is Sylvie's enemy. Such an affront to diabolical power cannot be left unchallenged, and it is likely that should Sylvie seek to enter the Competition at a later date, that she will be opposed in every move by Baator.

Dogma

Sylvie does not have any dogma. If she did, it would revolve around the acquisition of knowledge and victory over others.

Clergy and Temples

Likewise, Sylvie has no clergy or temples. While the shape of a hypothetical clergy is not clear, it is likely that her temples would be as much library as temple.

Preferred Classes

In the event Sylvie gains worshipers, they would almost certainly favor factotums. Other classes, such as monk, wizards and socerers are also possible. Any class that has an investment in knowledge could find a home there.

Hypothetical common prestige classes could be chameleon, loremaster, and martial factotum.

Preferred Symbols

Sylvie has no favored symbols or omens at this time.

[Nephrite]

Can I get your opinion on the (hopefully) final draft for Moore when you have time?

http://www.soulriders.net/forum/index.php/topic,104100.msg1173120.html#msg1173120

[Anastasia]

Can I get your opinion on the (hopefully) final draft for Moore when you have time?

http://www.soulriders.net/forum/index.php/topic,104100.msg1173120.html#msg1173120

Looks good to me.

On a related note since it's come up? I'll probably make a topic for these when they're all done. Just heads up.

[Anastasia]

Draft 1.

Side note, Sanzha's cunning is based on Padisha's Cunning, an ability Sanzha has. This is intentionally somewhat MAD for favored souls, it's a case of what the deity offers and the class not being in perfect harmony.

Lady Sanzha
The Lost Padisha, Lady of Waves and Wind, Outcast Queen
Demigoddess
Symbol: A crowned trident
Home Plane: The Cauldron
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
Portfolio: Water, wind, oceans, elements, outcasts
Worshipers: Nobles, aquatic creatures, rogue marid, wind elementals, water elementals
Cleric Alignments: CG, CN, N, CE
Domains: Air, Chaos, Nobility, Ocean, Water
Favored Weapon: Padisha's Glory (Trident)

Lady Sanzha is the patron of an eclectic group on first glance: Elementals and nobles, aquatic creatures, stray marid who do not bow to the Coral Throne and many others. She provides a symbol to many, a symbol of nobility that can guide from afar like a benevolent queen. Sanzha's pay her homage without any great entanglements otherwise, for Sanzha does not demand them. She is a voice to the outcast, an ally to the noble, a guide to elementals who wish another path and a friend to marid who have no love for the current Padisha of the Marid. The only thing that binds these disparate groups together is Lady Sanzha herself.

Sanzha's faithful are known as the Zahsim, an archaic Aquan word which means many waves. It is safe to say that the Zahsim live up to this, as each worshiper usually only relates a single aspect of Sanzha's portfolio. There is no pressure to conform to any others, but instead to explore that one aspect and perfect it. Even then, that faith is as fluid as the waters and capricious as the winds, for as long as they pay homage to Sanzha and do not violate the few hard rules of the faith, the Lost Padisha tolerates a great deal of deviation.

The Zahsim find Sanzha, while distant, does respond to prayers and sometimes speaks directly to the faithful. She often answers with a question or with words that redirect the questions of the faithful in an entirely different, unconsidered direction. This is seen that the water and waves have chosen a different path, a hint that the current direction is not the right one. This most often happens to Sanzha's favored souls, which are common while traditional clerics are rare.

There's no unified dress code amid the Zahsim, as their disparate nature makes that impractical. Lady Sanzha requires no visible mark of devotion, as she prefers words and deeds that glorify her name rather than token symbols of allegiance. Her favored soul need only wear rich clothes in the blues and greens of the sea when they conduct official ceremonies, and high priests must wear crowns of gold and pearl to signify their status.

There is only one holiday in Lady Sanzha's faith. It is the Great Return, a day in mid spring that celebrate Sanzha's return to full divinity, this time free of the limitations of the Coral Throne. The Zahsim are to celebrate it however they please, as long as they celebrate it with all their heart. A quiet toast at dinner is just as well to Sanzha as a full day's fete and revel, so long as the particular faithful means it. However, many of the Zahsim who have exposure to other deities of the Cauldron sometimes celebrate holidays from that faith. This is something Sanzha allows and even encourages when it makes sense for a particular Zahsim.

History/Relationships

Lady Sanzha has a considerable history. As a former Padisha of the Marid, she ruled for some time until she ultimately sealed away as a result of intrigue that involved Imix and Eblis. She was lost and forgotten for ages until Seira Aryn freed her. Since that time she has been a companion and ally of Seira's, and in that, Sanzha has aided the Cauldron immeasurably. She has participated in the various adventures and deeds of the Cauldron, such as their aid to Aurora.

This makes Sanzha's allies simple to protect, for she calls all of the Cauldron allies. Beyond that she has few serious alliances as of yet, only casual contacts and shared allies through the Cauldron.

Fortunately for Sanzha, her enemies are likewise scant save for shared enemies. She may well have had an enemy in Eblis, but his recent disappearance from Fire has made that issue currently moot. Her relations with the current Padisha seem cool to chilly, but not openly hostile as of now. How this will develop is an open question, but as for now they are not enemies. It is possible Hell holds enmity against her for her aid to Aurora, but if so, they have not made actions against her any more than they have the rest of the Cauldron.

Dogma

Do as you will, so long as you represent yourself truly. Deception and guile has many uses, but never in regards to how you live your life. Be true to yourself and true to others, no matter what you are. Be as free as the wind and as unbound as the tides. Nobility is born in title and in spirit, and a title is merely a confirmation of a noble spirit. Look to the skies, for the winds come from them and there is freedom to be found amid the clouds.

Clergy and Temples

As of now, there are few temples to Lady Sanzha. Instead she favors small shrines where the Zahsim can offer prayers and gifts to her as they see fit. Most of her clergy are favored souls who tend to those shrines occasionally and otherwise do as they will, wanderers and adventurers primarily. Likewise, sermons and instruction are somewhat haphazard, with the primary lessons focused on along with the few solid rules of the faith.

The rules of the faith are outlined in the Sa'Zahsim, which is antiquated aquan for ruler of many waves, a slender booklet small enough to fit on a large scroll if needs must. These rules are simple: Do not harm other Zahsim or those of the Cauldron, respect the final word and authority of Lady Sanzha, give offerings when grateful and be true to who and what you are, for good or ill.

Preferred Classes

There is a great variety of classes amid the Zahsim, with many popular options such as fighter, sorcerer, favored soul, bard and noble. There are also scatterings of paladins of freedom and anarchs, barbarians, mariners and rogues. Clerics are rare, as Lady Sanzha prefers favored souls, but they are not unheard of. Almost any class can be found amid Lady Sanzha's faith if you look hard enough.

Common prestige classes are likewise varied, but sea witch, stormcaster and wavekeeper being the most common.

Preferred Symbols

Lady Sanzha prefers pearls when she gives out signs and omens of her favor. However, she uses virtually any sea creature to serve in this role. As Sanzha talks with her faithful unusually often, she has relatively little need of consistent symbols. Her trident likewise serves as one, as do all tridents, but this is more informal as it's already her holy symbol.

Supplementary Material

Alternate Class Feature: Elemental Favor

Followers of Lady Sanzha may call on the favors of a different kind of nobility to aid them.

Class: Noble

Deity: Lady Sanzha

Level: 1st

Replaces: If you select this alternate class feature, you do not gain favor.

Benefit: As a standard action, once per day you may summon a small water or air elemental. This elemental serves you for once hour or until slain. The elemental understands you regardless of language and will obey you to the best of its ability. This is a supernatural ability.

At 5th level and every 5 levels thereafter, you gain another daily use of elemental favor. Additionally, your selection of elementals expands. At 5th level, you may summon a medium or small water or air elemental. This pattern continues, as 10th level allows you to also choose a large elemental, 15th level a huge elemental and 20th level a greater elemental.

Notes: An epic level noble continues this progression. At 25th level, you may summon an elder elemental and at 30th level you may summon an elemental monolith.

Alternate Class Feature: Sanzha's Cunning

Lady Sanzha is a cunning old marid who has seen countless eons of politics in the marid court, and this grants her followers some of that.

Class: Favored Soul

Deity: Lady Sanzha

Level: 3rd

Replaces: If you select this alternate class feature, you do not gain energy resistance at 5th, 10th and 15th level.

Benefit: You may add your Intelligence modifier as a bonus to armor class. Additionally, choose from Bluff, Diplomacy and Sense Motive. You may now apply your Intelligence modifier to that skill as a bonus.

At 10th and 15th level, you may choose another one of those three skills to add your Intelligence modifier to.

[Anastasia]

Postscript.

A lot of Sanzha's writeup - slightly smaller than the others due to her basic approach to organizing her faith - is about plumbing how she's going to do this and what domains feel right for her in the future. I think you can make a few guesses about expansion based on that.

[Corwin]

Lady Sanzha has a considerable history. As a former Padisha of the Marid, she ruled for some time until she ultimately sealed away as a result of intrigue that involved Imix and Eblis.

> until she was ultimately sealed away


This makes Sanzha's allies simple to protect, for she calls all of the Cauldron allies.

> simple to predict?


Incidentally, wouldn't Imix be an overt enemy to Sanzha given their history?

[Anastasia]

Adjusted for all three of those, Cor. Thanks.

[Nephrite]

Entirely just spitballing this, there are likely all sorts of mechanical errors here.

Zone of Primal Fire
Evocation/Transmutation (?)
Level: Fire 14, Sorc/Wiz 14 (?)
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: 5 ft/level
Area: 5 ft/level radius burst, centered on a point in space
Duration: 1 round/level
Saving Throw: Fortitude Partial
Spell Resistance: No

This spell creates an area of flames and heat drawn from Fire itself. Any creatures caught in the are that fail their Fortitude save are Exhausted for as long as they stay in the area and for 2d4 rounds after leaving it. Creatures that succeed on the saving throw are treated as Fatigued as long as they stay in the area and for 1d3 rounds after leaving it. In addition to this, the area deals 20d10 fire damage every round to any creature not of the fire subtype.

(something about it melting mundane weapons and armor and other things too? not sure. Should it also do extra damage to things of the water subtype?)

(idea of the spell is to be very close-quarters zonal control, but maybe it should be expanded a bit since it's so high level?)