The Thrall of Orcus is a worshipper of undeath. Cursed by their mortal bondage, the Transcendent Reaver seeks to pursue perfection through worshipping Orcus. At the end of much hardship and suffering, the Reaver can ascend his mortal coils and become a creature of the night, gaining the many tangible benefits of undeath.
Theme
The Transcendent Reaver can shift into a Nightwing to annihilate his enemies. The Reaver also has powerful utility spells at his disposal.
Name: "Cage"
Race: Human
Class: Cleric
Alignment: Neutral Evil
Deity: Orcus
Abilities:
Str: 14 -> 22
Dex: 14 -> 14(12)
Con: 14 -> 14(16)
Wis: 14 -> 16
Int: 14 -> 14
Cha: 8 -> 8
Str raised at level 4,8,20,24,28,32,36,40
Wis raised at level 12,16
Domains: Animal, Darkness
[Bracketed Values take into account Deformity: Obese]
Level Progression: (Feats)
(1) Cleric (Evil Brand: Arm; Thrall to Demon)
(2) Cleric
(3) Cleric (Toughness)
(4) Cleric
(5) Cleric
(6) Cleric (Lich Loved)
(7) Thrall of Orcus
(
Thrall of Orcus
(9) Thrall of Orcus (Weapon Focus: Heavy Flail)
(10) Thrall of Orcus (Deformity: Obese)
(11) Thrall of Orcus
(12) Thrall of Orcus (Alertness)
(13) Thrall of Orcus
(14) Thrall of Orcus
(15) Thrall of Orcus (Endurance)
(16) Thrall of Orcus
(17) Shifter (PnP)
(18) Shifter (PnP) (Practiced Spellcaster: Cleric)
(19) Shifter (PnP)
(20) Shifter (PnP)
(21) Shifter (PnP) (Epic Weapon Focus: Heavy Flail)
(22) Shifter (PnP)
(23) Shifter (PnP)
(24) Shifter (PnP) (Epic Prowess)
(25) Shifter (PnP)
(26) Shifter (PnP)
(27) Shifter (PnP) (Epic Toughness I)
(28) Shifter (PnP)
(29) Shifter (PnP) (Epic Toughness II)*
(30) Shifter (PnP) (Epic Toughness III)
(31) Shifter (PnP)
(32) Shifter (PnP) (Epic Toughness IV)*
(33) Shifter (PnP) (Epic Toughness V)
(34) Shifter (PnP)
(35) Shifter (PnP) (Epic Toughness VI)*
(36) Shifter (PnP) (Epic Toughness VII)
(37) Shifter (PnP)
(38) Shifter (PnP) (Epic Toughness VIII)*
(39) Shifter (PnP) (Epic Toughness IX)
(40) Shifter (PnP)
*Denotes shifter bonus epic feat
Final Skills:
*RAISE LORE AT LEVEL 1*
Lore: 4
(Just raise the skills evenly as you go)
Animal Empathy: 1
Concentration: 43
Discipline(CC): 21
Spellcraft: 19 + 1(CC)
Tumble(CC): 20
Leftover Skills (112)
Suggestion:
Open Lock(CC): 21
Disable Trap(CC): 21
Heal: 28
(No Buffs or Equipment unless specified)
Fists Attack Bonus: +34/+29/+24/+19 1-3 + 6
Heavy Flail Attack Bonus: +37/+32/+27/+22 1-10 + 9
*Shifted into Nightwing wielding Heavy Flail*
Attack Bonus: +43/+38/+33/+28 2-12 + 12
Strengths
Good HP
Level 6 Cleric Spells
PnP Shifter
Nightwing Summon
The Reaver has innate HP of 660; and when shifted into a Nightwing, he has 860 HP.
The Reaver can cast level 6 cleric spells with the power of a level 15 spellcaster
+6 (6 Cleric Levels)
+5 (10 Thrall of Orcus Levels)
+4 (Practiced Spellcaster: Cleric)
This is a good number since Divine Favor reaches +5 and spells with 1round/level have a fair duration. Most of the cleric's more useful spells are from 1-6~7.
Since the Reaver is a cleric, he has access to the extremely powerful (mass)ultravision/darkness(or blacklight) combo. This should be used as much as possible since it gives the Reaver amazing defensive ability in the darkness.
NB: To prevent sneak attacks in the darkness, shift into a form that is immune to critical hits.
The Reaver is a PnP Shifter. Nuff Said.
The Reaver can summon a Nightwing once per day. This is a very powerful summon since it is undead (lots of immunities) and is extremely sturdy which makes it a useful meat shield 332HP, 36AC.
Later on, the Reaver can shift into a Nightwing becoming extremely powerful.
Str: 14 -> 22 -> 34
Dex: 14 -> 14(12) -> 18
Con: 14 -> 14(16) -> 26
Wis: 14 -> 16 -> 16
Int: 14 -> 14 -> 14
Cha: 8 -> 8 -> 8
[Bracketed Values take into account Deformity: Obese]
AC Increased
Damage Reduction (?)
Damage Immunity Increased (Cold)
Immunity: Critical Hit
Immunity: Death Magic
Immunity: Disease
Immunity: Negative Level
Immunity: Ability Decrease
Immunity: Mind Spells
Immunity: Paralysis
Immunity: Poison
Immunity: Sneak Attack
Spell Resistance Increased (?)
(?) - I'm not sure about this value
Weaknesses
Low Number of Feats
Low AC
Low Saves 29/20/26 -> 34/23/26
No Access to Haste
It is difficult to work feats in early since there are several (5) pre-requisite feats. It isn't until level 24 there is sufficient room for miscellaneous feats - improved critical and such.
The Reaver has base AC of 15. This can be overcome by shifting into a form with a high natural AC and utilizing darkness/ultravision. As a Nightwing, the Reaver has base AC of 40.
Unfortunately the Reaver has relatively low saves and will be prone to failing a lot of them. However, as a nightwing, the Reaver's amazing HP and long list of immunities will be able to effectively absorb most spells.
If the world doesn't have items with haste (either the spell or permanent), I suggest dropping the Darkness domain to pick up Travel and switching one of the Epic Toughness feats for extend spell. Haste way too amazing to pass up.
Conclusion
The Transcendent Reaver taking on the form of a Nightwing is an almost unstoppable opponent. It is almost certain death to step into the darkness the Reaver has created for there are but two Nightwings lying in wait.