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The Oligarchy of Mavet Rav
"Death is the thin line that separates the nobility from the common rabble."-- Senator Ben Gufot
Sooner or later every adventurer has a brush with the authorities, whether they work for them to defeat some great evil, flee the law after being framed for a foul murder, or simply pay their taxes. In most cases we assume the government to be a benevolent monarchy or republic and the people to be normal and generally good folk. But what if interacting with the government and the people is the hardest part of the adventure? What if simply walking down the street is as challenging as surviving a trap-infested dungeon? This article explores such an unorthodox regime and presents four NPCs for inspiration or immediate usage in your campaign.
The Reign of the Dead: Building a Necrocracy
There are two types of necrocracies: direct and indirect. In direct necrocracy, high offices and positions of power are held by undead. This is most often found in evil, death-worshiping societies and frequently goes hand in hand with the worship of demon lords and evil gods. A more subtle form of necrocracy is when all important decisions are made after a consultation with the spirits of the dead. This type of government is most often seen in primitive tribal societies where the spirits of the ancestors are revered as gods. In rare and desperate occasions a good-aligned monarchy or democracy may seek the guidance of some legendary hero or ruler. Such consultations are a dangerous business, however, since death changes the mind of even the greatest heroes in deadly and unpredictable ways. . .
A necrocratic city is constructed much like a normal city (see page 107 in Dungeon Master's Guide II for more details) except for one major difference: the abundance of powerful supernatural beings, usually encountered only in the deadliest of dungeons, eliminates many basic needs such as food, resources, defensible positions, or even water. Why bother when you can simply conjure all these, or have your horde of mindless undead fetch them from anywhere in the region? Keeping this in mind, you can place a thriving metropolis in the middle of a lifeless desert; what nature lacks, the dead can provide with their magic and special abilities. In such a city, the living citizens are completely dependent on the undead elite. The undead ruling class not only provides magical guidance and protection, but also makes life possible in a hostile environment that would otherwise be uninhabitable. However, these boons often come at a terrible price . . .
Most necrocracies are normal cities that for some reason (usually faith or occupation) are ruled by undead and should abide by the rules presented in the Dungeon Master's Guide II. The status of the living inhabitants can range anywhere from little more than cattle to equal citizens, although usually they are closer to the former. Vampires need living people to guard them during the day and they need to feed on living inhabitants during the night. Other undead, lacking the vampires' many weaknesses, still need mortals for various purposes: Mummies feel that it is their duty to rule the living as intermediates between the gods and mortals; liches require mortals to aid them in their magical research, more-often-than-not as expendable test subjects; and death knights simply like to be surrounded by "fragile humanity" just to feel even more superior. In death-worshiping societies, the living consider it a great honor to serve, or even be sacrificed, to their undead masters, believing that the living are inferior and fragile and that undeath is the only true aim in life.
Cities ruled by undead against their will, on the other hand, are extremely oppressed and miserable, and they resemble huge prisons or labor camps more than towns. A resistance movement of brave paladins and priests aided by desperate citizens is as likely as a vicious secret police battling the popular resistance and keeping the populous in the dark. It's important to remember that although most undead are evil, they are also usually extremely powerful and inhumanly intelligent. They can prove a vital resource for any city willing to suffer the company of unholy walking corpses. An army of undead almost always defeats any living army of equal size (and uses the bodies of the slain to bolster its might). Politicians and diplomats who are likely to "live" for centuries can develop plans of such complexity and intricacy that few mortals could ever hope to grasp them, let alone foil them. Ageless wizards and priests can construct weapons and items of unspeakable potency, not caring for the decades and life-force invested in creating them.
With such great prizes, even nations who don't worship death gods could be tempted to live alongside (or rather under) sentient undead, even if it means putting their sanity and place in the next world at risk.
Lastly, it is important to note that different types of undead strive to create different societies and treat their living subjects in different ways:
- Vampires, prone to decadence, like to view themselves as the "aristocracy of the night" and the living as "dumb sheep" to play with and later devour mercilessly.
- Mummies see themselves as intermediates between the mortals and the gods and expect absolute obedience from their worshipers. The faithful receive great boons, while faithless suffer the tortures of the damned.
- Liches usually delve into their magic studies and ignore their subjects while slowly sinking into madness. If something is required of them, it is as likely to be met with genuine aid as with a finger of death.
- Ghosts rule from the shadows, using their malevolence ability freely and treating their subjects like simple "meat puppets." Spreading subtle fear and paranoia are likely to be their chief tools of oppression.
- Death knight rulers, far rarer then other types of undead, are murderous tyrants who rule through violence and intimidation. They create extremely militaristic societies bent on conquest and destruction of all that is holy.
About Mavet Rav
In most societies, death is considered a natural part of the cycle of life. Not so in Mavet Rav, where it is considered simply vulgar and passé.
In Mavet Rav, there are two classes of citizens: the living Haim and the undead Almetim. The poor and underprivileged Haim are those who cannot afford or fear the transformation to undeath. They cannot vote or be elected to the Senate and can never receive public or military commissions. The best they can hope for is to excel in their simple craft and die moderately wealthy. The Almetim are the rich and powerful nobility that holds all positions of power and enjoy many legal privileges such as lower taxes and the right to own lands, study necromancy, and bear arms. The rationale behind this discrimination is simple: The living are too fragile and short-lived to make responsible decisions. How can you bravely command an army when a single stray arrow can end your existence? How can you lead a nation if you can't expect to live more than a mere century?
Instead of families or clans, the Almetim have political parties, each with its own representatives in the Senate and the army. New members are usually well-to-do and ambitious Haim who earned enough money and reputation to join the parties or are living relatives of current Almetim who came of age.
The state religion is the cult of Wee Jas but most people are indifferent worshipers at best. Other religions are permitted as long as they do not preach against undeath or necromancy. The church of Pelor is strictly outlawed and its members are a hunted and persecuted minority.
Mavet Rav (Metropolis): Necrocracy; AL LE; 100,000 gp limit, no asset limit*; population 120,000; Mixed (Almetim 17%, Haim 83% [96% human, 3% halfling, 1% other]).
*Under Mavet Rav laws, it is illegal to sell weapons, armor, or any noncurative magic items to living creatures.
Notable NPCs: The Living and the Dead
This section provides basic information about key NPCs in Mavet Rav, and the entries are limited to their names, alignments, genders, races, classes, levels, and positions or roles in the city. Other details are left for the DM to create so he can customize the NPCs as needed for his particular campaign. Note that some of these NPCs are discussed in greater detail below.
Prominent Senators
- Lokh Shov (LE male lich human necromancer 17), chairman of the Senate, oldest undead in the city.
- Gami Bekh (TN female ghost rogue 4/diviner 11), head of Crypt Corruption Investigation sub-committee.
- Adon Nadiv (CN male mummified human sorcerer 3/cleric of Wee Jas 5/true necromancer 6), advocate of equal opportunity for undeath, leader of the opposition.
- Col. (Ret.) Doker Believ (CE male death knight human fighter 12), deeply bigoted extremist who advocates a crusade against all nonnecrocracies, has a phobia of holy symbols.
- Hiroah Tazor (LE female vampire half-elf ex-paladin 6/blackguard 6), chief justice.
- Ben Gufot (CE male vampire human bard 7/dirgesinger 4), national poet and rising flamboyant politician.
- Dr. Anikhma Odim (TN female vampire human wizard 1/cleric of Boccob 7), pacifist and advocate of equal rights for the Haim, married to Overseer Gamor Odim.
- Prof. Tamid Rakhok (NE male ghost elf expert 7), in charge of budget distribution.
- Borlan Eviscus (LG male elf bard 5/ranger 4), chairman of the Overseers and liaison to the Senate, oldest Haim in the city.
- Naval Afel (CE male human fighter 7), secretly hates Haim and wants to become Almetim by finding out which of the Overseers smuggles in refugees.
- Gamor Odim (NG male human expert 7), pacifist and advocate of equal rights for the Haim, married to Senator Dr. Anikhma Odim.
- Seraphina Widehill (CG female halfling cleric of Yondalla 6), uses her position to illegally smuggle halfling (and other) refugees into the city.
- Commissioner Akhen Zaduk (LN male human fighter 6/rogue 6), commander and brilliant investigator.
- Capt. Devar Nil-Kham (TN male half-orc fighter 11), commander of the Night Watch, ex-con.
- Dr. Kosem Ragil (NE male lich human wizard 9), head of Special Investigations Unit, reports on his commander to the Crypt and vice-versa.
- Capt. Khoker Boker (NG male half-elf rogue 10), head of Criminal Investigations Unit, always competes against Kosem's unit.
- Capt. Yom Balman (LG male human fighter 9), commander of the Day Watch.
- Tatvev Kurbadion (LE male gnome expert 7), in charge of hiring outside help for the Vigilant and conducting "unofficial investigations," corrupted and treacherous but gets the job done.
- Zomofil Sobon (LN male half-orc warrior 6), chief warden.
- Lt. Gen. Yodekh Kola (CE male ghost human rogue 3/cleric of Nerull 3/master of shrouds 10), commander, secret cultist of Nerull.
- Col. Oosa Gadvar (LE male mummified fighter 6/blackguard 6), head of Almetim Crimes Investigation department, often hires outside help.
- Faceless (NE female human vampire rogue 5/Master of Masks 5), head of Counterintelligence department, controls a vast network of agents both in the city and abroad.
- Maj. Gen. Rosh Kaatan (LN male human vampire fighter 10), unambitious but loyal second-in-command.
- Matriarch Galeena Kugel (LE female lich human cleric of Wee Jas 14), high priestess of Wee Jas.
- Golger Ze'el (LE male lich cleric of Hextor 10), high priest of Hextor, brother of Bar Ze'el.
- Alina Littlebush (NG female halfling cleric of Yondalla 11), high priestess of the halfling community, known for her lavish charity events that attract merchants, politicians, and Almetim alike.
- The Scythe (NE male ghost cleric of Nerull 8), an insane prophet despised by Haim and Almetim alike.
- Father Abon (LG male human cleric of Pelor 13), high priest of Pelor and head of the Shadowguard.
- Gibor Gadol (LG male half-orc paladin 9/shadowspy of Pelor 6), the Shadow Guard's chief executioner.
- Nakhima Patan (NG female half-elf paladin 7), Shadow Guard's chief recruiter and agitator.
- Prof. Aben Lahud (NE male ghost elf diviner 15), rector of the Mavet Rav Arcane Institute, a famous scholar and patron of adventurers.
- Lt. Gen. Bar Ze'el (LE male death knight half-orc fighter 6/blackguard 6), commander of the Mavet Rav Army, brother of Golger Ze'el.
- Korin the Hammer (LG dwarf expert 13), legendry weaponsmith, one of the wealthiest and most respectable Haim in Mavet Rav.
- Shoalina Gr'destina (CE female drow cleric of Lolth 13), drow ambassador.
- Madam Agony (CE female banshee), heads an elite brothel offering any kind of unnatural entertainment, rumored to be a Crypt agent and assassin.
- Gurdum Shield-Biter (CE male orc barbarian 9), orc ambassador.
Life and Death in Mavet Rav
Although the past of this strange city-state is intentionally shrouded in mystery by its undead rulers, most sages believe it to have started as a small community formed away from civilization by a cabal of undead scholars wishing to escape persecution at the hands of their paladin enemies. In time, the cabal's wealth and power began to attract local savages; some came because they viewed the newcomers as gods to be worshiped, others were curious to taste the fruits of civilization, and still others came searching for an easy, albeit shackled, life.
Rumors of this safe haven began to spread across the world, whispered by madmen in dark street corners or dreamed by lunatics in nightmarish temples until it became a beacon of darkness for all those who wished to practice necromancy in peace. Many of the newcomers brought with them vast treasures and loyal henchmen, who, in turn, brought their families or married the local "savages" who, by now, were quite civilized. By the time the adjacent nations learned of this abomination it was too late -- what began as a simple experiment by a group of undead was now a political and military force with which to be reckoned.
Today, Mavet Rav is a somber city of gigantic marble mausoleums and narrow streets paved with old, moldy tombstones. A slight smell of decay always hangs in the disturbingly still air and even the living that crowd the streets look somewhat pale and lifeless, as is dictated by the latest Almetim fashion. Because time is not an issue for its undead rulers, Mavet Rav boasts some of the world's most breathtaking architectural monuments (notably the various political parties' headquarters, the temples of Wee Jas and Hextor, and the Senate, which is constructed from the bones of slain patriots). Despite its moribund appearance, Mavet Rav is a vibrant and thriving society that attracts many specialists and adventurers from far-away lands in search of quick wealth or simple sight-seeing. This success is partly the result of the abundance of powerful wizards and clerics in the city, but mainly of the high level of discipline and organization of its living citizens, most of whom consider living under the reign of undead a blessing rather than a curse.
Although the absolute majority of Mavet Rav's population is a pale, dark-haired human race descended from the savages that once lived around the city, there are two notable minorities: a small but audible halfling community calling itself Flower-on-the-Grave and about a thousand half-orcs, mostly employed in the city's military and police forces. The government and law enforcement agencies of Mavet Rav are described in Exploring Mavet Rav.
| The Laws of Corruption Mavet Rav has a highly developed judicial system that, in theory, guarantees a fair trial for any citizen, no matter how poor or underprivileged. In reality the Almetim judges tend to favor their own and almost always rule in favor of their political or business allies. Two laws, however, are considered sacred and are upheld without exceptions: Creation of Undead: Undeath must never be granted for free. Only Mavet Rav citizens can gain it, and those so gifted must have reached puberty at least. The Right to Retain Sentience: Unintelligent undead must never be created from Mavet Rav citizens. Breaking these rules guarantees destruction, no matter how powerful or influential the offender is. Punishments include fines, jail, forced labor (often abused by rural Almetim to gain free workers), symbolic scarification, execution, and, in rare cases, forced resurrection for Almetim (humorously called "Haination"). |
The remainder of this article explores Mavet Rav in great detail. You can use it as described, or you can pick and choose locations, NPCs, and adventure hooks for use in other cities, whether they are necrocratic or more conventional.
Note that each of the four NPCs presented below can serve as a master villain or patron (depending on the PC's alignment) regardless of whether the Mavet Rav setting is used or not.
1-4. The Wall and the Gates
The famed walls of Mavet Rav boast some of the most artful and intricate bas-reliefs in the world, although most would find the motifs of death and undeath somewhat disturbing and gloomy.
There are four entrances to the city, and each one is named after each of the major undead factions and suitably decorated. Many retired generals demand that a fifth, death knight, gate be opened somewhere in the wall. However, since priceless art adorns every inch of the ancient walls and there are fewer than a hundred death knights in the city, the chances for their demands to be met are slim.
5. The Senate
Forty senators control Mavet Rav, and they are elected from the Almetim elite once every twenty-five years. Only those who have been undead for a century or more and have a spotless past can be candidates for this prestigious position. The Senate passes laws, heads the state, and appoints all military and public officials.
Adventure Hook: A living necromancer from a foreign land animates people as intelligent undead under his command and uses them to spread his influence among the Almetim. A senator who suspects something is wrong with the new party hires the PCs to investigate its origins and possibly uncover the necromancer.
Senator (Vampire) Ben Gufot CR 13Notes: Ben Gufot first became famous after writing an award-winning epic poem praising undeath and cursing the cowardice and wretchedness of those who choose to die and rot. After the immense success of his poem, Ben's life has been a meteoritic ascent from a humble tavern bard, to a respected member of the Crimson Society, vampirehood, and, finally, the Senate.
MM 250, LM 43
hp 77 (11 HD); fast healing 5; DR 10/silver and magic
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Male vampire human bard 7/dirgesinger 4
CE Medium undead (augmented humanoid)
Init +8; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Listen +8, Spot +8
Languages Common
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AC 26, touch 14, flat-footed 22; Dodge (+4 Dex, +5 armor, +1 shield, +6 natural)
Immune ability damage (Str, Dex, Con), ability drain, critical hits, death effects, disease, energy drain, exhaustion, fatigue, mind-affecting effects, nonlethal damage, paralysis, poison, sleep, stunning, any effect that requires a Fortitude save (unless the effect also works on objects or is harmless), death from massive damage
Resist cold 10, electricity 10, turn +4
Fort +3, Ref +10, Will +9
Weakness vampire weakness
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Speed 30 ft. (10 squares)
Melee +1 rapier of wounding +13/+8 (1d6+5/18-20 plus wounding) or
slam +12 (1d6+4 plus energy drain)
Base Atk +8; Grp +12
Atk Options Combat Reflexes, Improved Feint
Special Actions bardic music 9/day (countersong, fascinate 3 creatures, inspire competence, inspire courage +1, suggestion [DC 17]), blood drain, children of the night, create spawn, dirgesong 9/day (song of sorrow [DC 22], song of bolstering, song of grief [DC 22], song of horror [DC 22]), dominate (DC 20)
Bard Spells Known (CL 7th):
3rd (1/day) -- deep slumber (DC 18), haste
2nd (3/day) -- alter self, darkness, hold person (DC 17), mirror image
1st (5/day) -- charm person (DC 16), expeditious retreat, Tasha's hideous laughter (DC 16), undetectable alignment
0 (3/day) -- dancing lights, daze (DC 15), detect magic, ghost sound, lullaby (DC 15), mage hand
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Abilities Str 18, Dex 19, Con --, Int 11, Wis 10, Cha 20
SQ alternate form, bardic knowledge, gaseous form, spider climb
Feats Alertness[B], Combat Expertise, Combat Reflexes[B], Dodge[B], Improved Feint, Improved Initiative[B], Lightning Reflexes[B], Requiem, Run, Quick Draw
Skills Bluff +27, Concentration +14, Disguise +15, Hide +22, Intimidate +11, Knowledge (religion) +10, Listen +8, Move Silently +22, Perform (recital) +19, Search +8, Sense Motive +12, Spot +8
Possessions +2 studded leather armor, masterwork buckler, +1 rapier of wounding
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Fast Healing (Ex) Ben heals 5 points of damage each round so long as it has at least 1 hit point. If reduced to 0 hit points in combat, it automatically assumes gaseous form and attempts to escape. It must reach its coffin home within 2 hours or be utterly destroyed. (It can travel up to nine miles in 2 hours.) Any additional damage dealt to a vampire forced into gaseous form has no effect. Once at rest in its coffin, Ben is helpless. It regains 1 hit point after 1 hour, then is no longer helpless and resumes healing at the rate of 5 hit points per round.
Damage Reduction (Su) Ben has damage reduction 10/silver and magic. Ben's natural weapons are treated as magic weapons for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.
Energy Drain (Su) Living creatures hit by Ben's slam attack gain two negative levels. For each negative level bestowed, Ben gains 5 temporary hit points. Ben can use its energy drain ability once per round.
Blood Drain (Ex) Ben can suck blood from a living victim with its fangs by making a successful grapple check. If it pins the foe, it drains blood, dealing 1d4 points of Constitution drain each round the pin is maintained. On each such successful attack, Ben gains 5 temporary hit points.
Children of the Night (Su) Vampires command the lesser creatures of the world and once per day can call forth 1d6+1 rat swarms, 1d4+1 bat swarms, or a pack of 3d6 wolves as a standard action. (If the base creature is not terrestrial, this power might summon other creatures of similar power.) These creatures arrive in 2d6 rounds and serve the vampire for up to 1 hour.
Create Spawn (Su) A humanoid or monstrous humanoid slain by a vampire's energy drain rises as a vampire spawn (see the Vampire Spawn entry, page 253) 1d4 days after burial. If Ben instead drains the victim's Constitution to 0 or lower, the victim returns as a spawn if it had 4 or less HD and as a vampire if it had 5 or more HD. In either case, the new vampire or spawn is under the command of the vampire that created it and remains enslaved until its master's destruction. At any given time Ben may have enslaved spawn totaling no more than twice its own Hit Dice; any spawn it creates that would exceed this limit are created as free-willed vampires or vampire spawn. A vampire that is enslaved may create and enslave spawn of its own, so a master vampire can control a number of lesser vampires in this fashion. Ben may voluntarily free an enslaved spawn in order to enslave a new spawn, but once freed, a vampire or vampire spawn cannot be enslaved again.
Song of Sorrow (Su) Ben can evoke sorrow and lament in his enemies. To be affected, an enemy must be able to hear Ben perform. The effect lasts for as long as the enemy hears Ben and for 5 rounds thereafter. An affected enemy takes -2 penalty on Will saving throws and a -2 penalty on attack rolls and weapon damage rolls. A successful DC 24 Will save negates the effect and makes the character immune to Ben's song of sorrow ability for 24 hours. Song of sorrow is a mind-affecting ability.
Song of Bolstering (Su) All undead within 30 feet of Ben gain a +11 bonus on their turn resistance. The bolstering lasts for as long as Ben performs and for 10 rounds thereafter. Ben can bolster himself in this manner.
Song of Grief (Su) Ben can inspire maddening grief in a living creature. The creature must be within 60 feet of Ben and able to hear him. Unless the target succeeds on a DC 24 Will save he becomes confused for as long as Ben perform and for 5 rounds thereafter. Song of grief is an enchantment (compulsion), mind-affecting ability.
Song of Horror (Su) Ben can strike a horrifying chord in the hearts of his enemies. Any enemy within 60 feet who can hear Ben must succeed on a DC 24 Will save or take 1d6 points of Strength damage and 1d6 points of Dexterity damage. A creature that is affected by Ben's song of horror or a creature that successfully saves against this effect cannot be affected by Ben's song of horror for 24 hours.
Dominate (Su) Ben can crush an opponent's will just by looking onto his or her eyes. This is similar to a gaze attack, except that Ben must use a standard action, and those merely looking at it are not affected. Anyone Ben targets must succeed on a Will save or fall instantly under Ben's influence as though by a dominate person spell (caster level 12th). The ability has a range of 30 feet.
Alternate Form (Su) Ben can assume the shape of a bat, dire bat, wolf, or dire wolf as a standard action. While in its alternate form, Ben loses its natural slam attack and dominate ability, but it gains the natural weapons and extraordinary special attacks of its new form. It can remain in that form until it assumes another or until the next sunrise. (If the base creature is not terrestrial, this power might allow other forms.)
Gaseous Form (Su) As a standard action, Ben can assume gaseous form at will as the spell (caster level 5th), but it can remain gaseous indefinitely and has a fly speed of 20 feet with perfect maneuverability.
Spider Climb (Ex) Ben can climb sheer surfaces as though with a spider climb spell.
Skills Vampires have a +8 racial bonus on Bluff, Hide, Listen, Move Silently, Search, Sense Motive, and Spot checks.
Few know that the delicate and melancholic poet, whose works are widely read by Almetim and Haim alike, is a sadist and a psychopath who enjoys terrorizing poor and defenseless citizens with a gang of like-minded vampire spawn thugs. Since it is obvious that the crimes are being committed by Almetim and the victims so far were only homeless and prostitutes, neither the Vigilant (which isn't supposed to meddle in undead affairs) nor the Crypt (where Ben has many friends) investigates these terrible crimes.
6. The Crypt
The crypt is the secret police and intelligence agency designed to deal with crimes involving Almetim or "national interests." This shadowy and powerful organization is commanded by the equally mysterious Lieutenant General Yodekh Kola (see below) and its operatives are all Almetim (mostly ghosts and vampires). Unlike the Vigilant, the Crypt is a secret organization acting above the law and often in the interests of its leadership rather than that of the state. While dealing with matters of "national importance," its officers don't flinch from torture, framing innocents, illegal imprisonment, and sometimes even outright murder disguised as an accident or a crime of passion.
The Crypt is as much a tool of political oppression as it is an efficient police force dealing mainly with political or supernatural crimes. Rumors of terrible deeds and unspeakable rituals taking place in this imposing building's basements have spread, but all investigations into these claims ended with the investigator's unexplainable disappearance.
Adventure Hook: The Crypt arrests the PCs for an imaginary crime, and they find themselves locked in a cell with a Haim political activist. The warden hints that the PCs are supposed to murder him in "self-defense" during the night or be tried next morning. Will the PCs choose to murder an innocent man, risk their lives in an attempt to escape from the well-guarded Crypt headquarters, or try to prove their innocence before the Mavet Rav court?
Lt. Gen. Yodekh Kola CR 18Notes: Yodekh Kola has been the commander of the dreaded Crypt for longer than anyone, living or undead, can remember. His network of incorporeal spies and agents is so vast that many wonder if he serves the state or the state serves him. Such speculations are never voiced, however, because just about anyone -- be it a poor fish monger or a respected senator -- can be his informant . . . or victim. No one, however, not even his loyal and patriotic second-in-command Rosh Kaatan (LN male human vampire fighter 10) knows the true scope of his ambitions and foul treachery. For the glory of his true master, Nerull, Yodekh is planning to overthrow the oligarchy and become a tyrant over a desecrated land of mindless undead. To further this purpose, he has been secretly acting to weaken the Oligarchy and sow restlessness among the Haim for decades, all the while strengthening the cult of Nerull in the countryside.
MM 116, LM 46
hp 109 (16 HD)
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Male ghost human rogue 3/cleric 3/master of shrouds 10
CE Medium undead (augmented human)
Init +4; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Listen +20, Spot +20
Languages Common
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AC 24, touch 15, flat-footed 24 (manifested) (+9 armor, +5 deflection) or
AC 19, touch 10, flat-footed 19 (incorporeal) (+9 armor)
Immune ability damage (Str, Dex, Con), ability drain, critical hits, death effects, disease, energy drain, exhaustion, fatigue, mind-affecting effects, nonlethal damage, paralysis, poison, sleep, stunning, any effect that requires a Fortitude save (unless the effect also works on objects or is harmless), death from massive damage
Resist evasion, turn +4; SR 15
Fort +11, Ref +11, Will +23
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Speed fly 30 ft. (6 squares, perfect)
Melee +2 keen scythe of ghost touch +14/+9/+4 (2d4+4/19-20/x4) or
draining touch +12/+7/+2 (1d4 points from any ability, +5 hp to self)
Base Atk +11; Grp +12
Atk Options sneak attack +2d6
Special Actions death touch (3d6), draining touch, malevolence, manifestation, rebuke undead 9/day (+4, 2d6+18, 13th), spontaneous casting (inflict spells), trapfinding
Combat Gear 2 divine scrolls of implosion, 3 divine scrolls of finger of death, divine scroll of blasphemy
Cleric Spells Prepared (CL 12th):
6th -- greater dispel magic, harm (DC 26), mislead[D], word of recall (Crypt office)
5th -- commune, flame strike (DC 23), slay living (DC 27)[D], spell resistance, true seeing
4th -- confusion (DC 22)[D], discern lies, divine power, sending, spell immunity, tongues
3rd -- animate dead (2), bestow curse (DC 25), blindness/deafness (2) (DC 25), nondetection[D], speak with dead
2nd -- bull's strength, death knell[D](DC 22), desecrate, hold person (3) (DC 20), owl's wisdom
1st -- command (2) (DC 19), deathwatch, disguise self[D], divine favor, obscuring mist, protection from good, shield of faith
0 -- detect magic (3), detect poison, read magic (2)
D: Domain Spell. Domains: Death, Trickery
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 12th):
8/day -- summon undead (see below)
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Abilities Str 12, Dex 10, Con --, Int 10, Wis 26, Cha 21
SQ horrific appearance, improved summoning, incorporeal traits, rejuvenation (see below), trap sense
Feats Augment Summoning, Combat Casting, Ghostly Grasp*, Greater Spell Focus (necromancy), Improved Initiative[B], Spell Focus (conjuration), Spell Focus (necromancy)
Skills Bluff +13, Concentration +15, Diplomacy +7, Hide +3, Gather Information +13, Intimidate +11, Knowledge (local) +7, Knowledge (religion) +15, Listen +20, Search +8, Spellcraft +15, Spot +20
Possessions combat gear plus +1 ghost touch full plate of spell resistance 15, +2 keen scythe of ghost touch, cloak of resistance +4, periapt of Wisdom +4
* Feat from Libris Mortis
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Draining Touch (Su) A ghost that hits a living target with its incorporeal touch attack drains 1d4 points from any one ability score it selects. On each such successful attack, Yodekh heals 5 points of damage to itself. Against ethereal opponents, it adds its Strength modifier to attack rolls only. Against nonethereal opponents, it adds its Dexterity modifier to attack rolls only.
Malevolence (Su) Once per round, an ethereal ghost can merge its body with a creature on the Material Plane. This ability is similar to a magic jar spell (caster level 16th), except that it does not require a receptacle. To use this ability, Yodekh must be manifested and it must try move into the target's space; moving into the target's space to use the malevolence ability does not provoke attacks of opportunity. The target can resist the attack with a successful Will save (DC 20). A creature that successfully saves is immune to Yodekh's malevolence for 24 hours, and Yodekh cannot enter the target's space. If the save fails, Yodekh vanishes into the target's body.
Manifestation (Su) Every ghost has this ability. Yodekh dwells on the Ethereal Plane and, as an ethereal creature, it cannot affect or be affected by anything in the material world. When Yodekh manifests, it partly enters the Material Plane and becomes visible but incorporeal on the Material Plane. A manifested ghost can be harmed only by other incorporeal creatures, magic weapons, or spells, with a 50% chance to ignore any damage from a corporeal source. A manifested ghost can pass through solid objects at will, and its own attacks pass through armor. A manifested ghost always moves silently. A manifested ghost can strike with its touch attack or with a ghost touch weapon (see Ghostly Equipment, below). A manifested ghost remains partially on the Ethereal Plane, where is it not incorporeal. A manifested ghost can be attacked by opponents on either the Material Plane or the Ethereal Plane. The ghost's incorporeality helps protect it from foes on the Material Plane, but not from foes on the Ethereal Plane. When a spellcasting ghost is not manifested and is on the Ethereal Plane, its spells cannot affect targets on the Material Plane, but they work normally against ethereal targets. When a spellcasting ghost manifests, its spells continue to affect ethereal targets and can affect targets on the Material Plane normally unless the spells rely on touch. A manifested ghost's touch spells don't work on nonethereal targets. A ghost has two home planes, the Material Plane and the Ethereal Plane. It is not considered extraplanar when on either of these planes.
Summon Undead (Sp) One dead wraith, two greater shadows, four specters, four wraiths, or four shadows. Duration is 15 rounds.
Horrific Appearance (Su) Any living creature within 60 feet that views Yodekh must succeed on a Fortitude save or immediately take 1d4 points of Strength damage, 1d4 points of Dexterity damage, and 1d4 points of Constitution damage. A creature that successfully saves against this effect cannot be affected by Yodekh's horrific appearance for 24 hours.
Improved Summoning (Ex) Summoned undead gain +2 enhancement bonus on attack rolls and damage rolls.
Rejuvenation (Su) Yodekh became a ghost because of his undying desire to gain strength through blackmail and manipulation. In order to permanently destroy Yodekh, the PCs must make his myriad dark and terrible secrets known to the wide public.
Because of his immense network of living and undead minions, nigh indestructibility, and the epic scope of his vile machinations, Yodekh Kola is the ideal recurring villain for a campaign set in Mavet Rav.
7. The Vigilant
The Vigilant is the official state police force of the Oligarchy of Mavet Rav. It is headed by the brilliant Commissioner Akhen Zaduk (LN male human fighter 6/rogue 6) and its members include about 3,000 Haim veterans and a few dozens of Almetim wizards or sorcerers who aid in especially difficult cases.
The Vigilant's tasks are to keep the peace inside the city and countryside, be the first line of defense in case of a sudden attack on Mavet Rav, and to investigate crimes perpetrated by or against the living. Arresting or questioning any Almetim is outside of the Vigilant's jurisdiction as it is argued that a Haim, no matter how talented or educated, can never fully grasp the complexity of even the least of the Almetim's actions. As soon as it becomes clear that Almetim are involved in a case, the hated Crypt comes into the picture, which often brings the two organizations into conflict.
Adventure Hook: A corrupt Vigilant investigator is bribed by Ben Gufot to frame the PCs for his latest murder spree. Now, hunted by both mortal Haim warriors and mystical Crypt agents, the PCs must prove their innocence and, hopefully, bring the real murderer to justice in a case that will truly shake the nation.
8. Overseer Offices
Haim interests are represented by ten Overseers elected annually in democratic elections in which every Haim has the right to vote and be elected. In theory, the Overseers have equal administrative powers to the Senate, but in reality their legal rights are sometimes trampled by oppressive senators when it concerns their political or economical interests. Nevertheless, the Overseers are a powerful force in Mavet Rav politics and their views are usually taken into account. Most Overseers are successful artisans or decorated veterans.
Adventure Hook: Mavet Rav suffers from a rain of holy water that leaves dozens of weaker undead destroyed and hundreds damaged. This brings a wave of brutal repressions and riots against all the legal good religions in the city, chief of which is the pacifistic cult of Yondalla. Fearing for her people, Overseer Seraphina Widehill hires the PCs to investigate the case and discover the truth before it is too late. The true perpetrator of the attack is Yodekh Kola who wishes to weaken the Almetim elite and draw the state into anarchy before starting his overt revolution.
9. White Shroud Society Headquarters
Adon Nadiv is the founder and leader of the small but very provocative "White Shroud Society." The White Shroud believes that undeath is the basic right of any humanoid and should not be deprived from anyone, no matter how base or strange his origins might be. The organization includes primarily necromancers who wander the land, granting free undeath to any adult for the symbolic cost of a burial shroud. The White Shroud's political power grows quickly, since every new Almetim it animates becomes a loyal supporter and a sure voter in the next elections. The organization has powerful enemies, too, in the form of conservative Almetim who are loathe to share their privileges with the "unwashed masses." They argue that Adon's activates will eventually drag the nation into a civil war between the "false" and "true" Almetim. It is not rare for a White Shroud necromancer to mysteriously disappear or for a regional base to suddenly catch on fire.
Unlike most Almetim, undeath has not deprived Adon of his vigor and enthusiasm, nor made him haughty or decadent. Adon lives in a modest but heavily guarded mansion that also serves as the organization's headquarters.
Adventure Hook: Because he is not wholly evil, Adon may serve as a perfect patron for a group of undead PCs who do not wish to play evil characters.
Senator Adon Nadiv CR 1810. Church of Pelor Hideout
LM 51, 110
hp 96 (13 HD); DR 5/--
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Male mummified human sorcerer 3/cleric 5/true necromancer 6
CN Medium undead (augmented human)
Init +3; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Listen +5, Spot +5
Aura zone of desecration
Languages Common, Infernal
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AC 21, touch 11, flat-footed 21 (+2 deflection, +10 natural)
Immune ability damage (Str, Dex, Con), ability drain, critical hits, death effects, disease, energy drain, exhaustion, fatigue, mind-affecting effects, nonlethal damage, paralysis, poison, sleep, stunning, any effect that requires a Fortitude save (unless the effect also works on objects or is harmless), death from massive damage
Fort +7, Ref +3, Will +17
Weakness vulnerability to fire
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Speed 20 ft. (4 squares)
Melee +1 heavy mace of disruption +11/+6 (1d8+7 plus disruption) or
slam +10 (1d8+4 plus disease)
Base Atk +7; Grp +11
Atk Options despair, mummy rot
Special Actions rebuke undead 13/day (+6, 2d6+12, 12th)
Combat Gear 3 potions of cause moderate wounds
Cleric Spells Prepared (CL 8th; effective caster level 10th for necromancy spells):
4th -- divine power, imbue with spell ability[D], inflict critical wounds (2) (DC 20)
3rd -- animate dead[D], dispel magic (2), magic vestment, protection from energy
2nd -- bull's strength, death knell[D] (DC 18), hold person (2) (DC 17), spiritual weapon
1st -- cause fear[D] (2) (DC 17), detect undead, divine favor, magic weapon, protection from good, shield of faith
0 -- detect magic (2), guidance, mending, read magic, resistance
D: Domain Spell. Domains: Death, Magic
Sorcerer Spells Known (CL 6th; effective caster level 8th for necromancy spells):
3rd (4/day) -- deep slumber (DC 19)
2nd (7/day) -- command undead (DC 19), resist energy
1st (8/day) -- charm person (DC 17), mage armor, magic missile, shield
0 (6/day) -- acid splash (DC 16), daze (DC 16), detect magic, disrupt undead (DC 17), light, mage hand, read magic
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 14th):
2/day -- create undead
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Abilities Str 19, Dex 9, Con -, Int 8, Wis 20, Cha 23
SQ necromantic prowess +2
Feats Combat Casting, Extra Turning, Improved Initiative, Improved Turning, Negotiator[B], Spell Focus (necromancy)
Skills Concentration +9, Diplomacy +8, Knowledge (arcana) +7, Knowledge (religion) +7, Listen +5, Spellcraft +0, Spot +5
Possessions combat gear plus +1 heavy mace of disruption, ring of protection +2, rod of splendor
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Despair (Su) At the mere sight of Adon, the viewer must succeed on a DC 22 Will save or be paralyzed with fear for 1d4 rounds. Whether or not the save is successful, that creature cannot be affected again by Adon's despair ability for 24 hours.
Mummy Rot (Su) Supernatural disease -- slam, Fortitude DC 22, incubation period 1 minute; damage 1d6 Con and 1d6 Cha.
Necromantic Prowess +2 When Adon rebukes undead, casts a necromancy spell, or uses a spell-like ability that mimics a necromancy spell, her effective caster level increases by 2.
Zone of Desecration (Su) Adon is continuously surrounded by a 20-foot-radius aura of negative energy identical to the desecrate spell.
Pelor's Shadow Guard in Mavet Rav is a secret organization dedicated to the utter destruction of all undead in Mavet Rav and the establishment of a benevolent theocracy. The Shadow Guard numbers a few dozens of clerics, paladins, and elite shadowspies whose activities include assassinating necromancers and death clerics, preaching for Haim revolution, and gathering intelligence for the enemies of Mavet Rav in hope of a successful invasion by one of the neighboring states. Since desperate times require desperate measures, the organization is often ready to sacrifice innocent lives to hurt the Almetim oligarchy. Most Haim view Pelor's Shadow Guard as a dangerous terrorist organization that has strayed from its lofty principles too far to bring the long-awaited salvation.
Adventure Hook: The PCs protect a harmless-looking merchant from a bunch of thugs only to find out that the "harmless" merchant is a vampire and the "thugs" were Pelor's paladins. Suddenly, the group finds itself hunted by Pelor's shadowspies, who consider them treacherous collaborators that must be destroyed. Ending the hunt includes somehow arranging a meeting with the father of the church and possibly performing some quest to atone for this misunderstanding.
Gibor Gadol CR 15Notes: Gibor Gadol is the Shadow Guard's chief executioner, a tired and bitter man who has seen so much death and destruction that he no longer cares about his church's high ideals or noble aspirations. Killing the dead is all he knows. Lately, however, his conscience awoke when he was ordered by his superiors to slay Adon Nadiv, the most prolific creator of undead in Mavet Rav. Although Adon is obviously nongood and has deprived hundreds of people of blessed afterlife in Pelor's heaven, Gibor feels some strange respect and kinship to the energetic mummy whom he has been stalking for years. Perhaps he can be talked into going through a voluntarily resurrection. After all, Adon is not evil, only misguided. Maybe creating undead is not really as evil as the church teaches. Meanwhile, Gibor watches and abides, slowly drifting away from Pelor and his high ideals and into the realm of corruption and madness.
CC 75, 105
hp 90 (15 HD)
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Male half-orc paladin 9/shadowspy of Pelor 6
LG Medium humanoid
Init +3; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Listen +2, Spot +8
Aura anonymity, courage, good
Languages Common
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AC 19, touch 13, flat-footed 16 (+3 Dex, +6 armor)
Immune blindness, disease, fear
Fort +10, Ref +12, Will +11
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Speed 30 ft. (6 squares)
Melee +1 warhammer of undead bane +18/+13/+8 (1d8+5/x3) or
+1 warhammer of undead bane +20/+15/+10 (1d8+7/x3) against undead
Base Atk +13; Grp +17
Atk Options Cleave, Power Attack, Strength Devotion, Sun Devotion, smite evil 2/day (+1 attack, +9 damage)
Special Actions lay on hands (9 hp), radiance of Pelor 2/day, turn undead 4/day (+1, 2d6+7, 6th)
Combat Gear divine scroll of prayer, 3 potions of cure moderate wounds
Paladin Spells Prepared (CL 7th):
3rd -- cure moderate wounds
2nd -- bull's strength, resist energy
1st -- detect undead, protection from evil
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 15th):
At will -- detect evil, undetectable alignment
6/day -- zone of truth
2/day -- remove disease
1/day -- greater invisibility
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Abilities Str 19, Dex 17, Con 12, Int 12, Wis 15, Cha 12
SQ personal eclipse
Feats Cleave, Deceitful, Power Attack, Skill Focus (Disguise), Stealthy[B], Strength Devotion*, Sun Devotion*
Skills Balance +5, Diplomacy +3, Disguise +9, Forgery +3, Gather Information +13, Hide +17 (+20 when light is present), Listen +2, Move Silently +17, Sense Motive +8, Spot +8, Tumble +9
Possessions combat gear plus +1 glamered elven chain, +1 warhammer of undead bane (disguised as a walking cane), gloves of Dexterity +2, periapt of Wisdom +2
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Aura of Courage (Su) Beginning at 3rd level, Gibor is immune to fear (magical or otherwise). Each ally within 10 feet of him gains a +4 morale bonus on saving throws against fear effects. This ability functions while the paladin is conscious, but not if he is unconscious or dead.
Aura of Good (Ex) The power of a Gibor's aura of good (see the detect good spell) is equal to his paladin level, just like the aura of a cleric of a good deity.
Shadow Apostle Gibor has attained the rank of Shadow Apostle within the Pelor's Shadow Guard. He gains a +2 bonus on Intimidate checks against evil foes and a +2 circumstance bonus on Bluff and Diplomacy checks when interacting with clerics and paladins of Heironeous and Pelor. Also, his effective caster level for spells from the Good, Healing, Law, Strength, Sun, and War domains is 8. He also gains the ability to use greater invisibility once per day (noted above).
Radiance of Pelor (Su) Twice per day as a swift action, Gibor can augment any or all light sources within 60 feet (including torches, lamps, lanterns, and campfires, as well as objects that are the target of a light spell and magic weapons that glow). The range of any light source so affected doubles, and the effect lasts for 6 hours, or until the light source is extinguished, whichever occurs first.
Aura of Anonymity (Su) When Gibor is walking in a crowd of ten or more individuals, he gains a divine bonus equal to his shadowspy level on Disguise and Hide checks.
Personal Eclipse (Su) Beginning at 4th level, Gibor can manipulate the direction and intensity of light. By redirecting and dimming ambient illumination, Gibor can cast shadows around his body to better conceal his presence. Doing so grants him a circumstance bonus equal to one-half his shadowspy level on Hide checks. This ability can be used at will but is effective only in areas where light is present.
* Feat from Complete Champion
11. Army Staff
The Mavet Rav army is considered by many to be among the deadliest forces in the world. What it lacks in size, it makes up with dark sorcery and extremely well-trained and well-equipped warriors (usually Haim wishing to join the Almetim or start political careers). When advancing, the army often animates enemy noncombatants to serve as cannon-fodder and demoralize the enemy. This, more than anything else, is the reason few nations dare to challenge the reign of the dead over the land.
The abundance of priests and wizards in the army guarantees that all those slain in the line of duty will be either raised from the dead or animated as intelligent undead (depending on the deceased's will), which considerably raises the troops' morale by removing the fear of death.
When fully mobilized, the Mavet Rav army includes more than 25,000 mortal soldiers and about 4,000 undead officers and specialists, most of whom have at least limited casting abilities. Hordes of mindless undead and monsters are usually summoned before major campaigns or during sieges.
I remember this. Top notch art.
ReplyDeleteExcellent article. Nicely done :)
ReplyDeleteThis is actually pretty awesome!
ReplyDeleteExcellent work, but I am dismayed a bit by what I perceive as allegory.
ReplyDelete--In any case, this is outstanding gaming material.
Allegory of what? :)
Delete