Page 204 - Lords of Madness: The Book of Aberrations

Strength, Constitution, and Dexterity serve him well in this
TOPAZ GUARDIAN prestige class. In addition, he’ll most likely want at least one
No evil that crawls on or below the face of the earth is the equal of our exceptional mental characteristic: Intelligence for the skill
true and righteous wrath. Be resolute, be determined, be relentless in points, Wisdom for perception and mental resistance, or

your pursuit of creatures that enslave or devour human beings. This Charisma to obtain the best benefit of divine grace (if he is
is a war of extermination, and failure is unthinkable. a paladin).
—Jasminder Aree, Grand Sunwarden
Entry Requirements
The Holy Order of the Supernal Topaz Defenders (or the Topaz Alignment: Any good.
Order, for short) is an organization of righteous knights, clerics, Base Attack Bonus: +5.
Base Will Save: +3 OR divine grace class feature.
and champions united in the defense of humankind and its
Skills: Knowledge (dungeoneering) 4 ranks, Sense Motive
allies from the threat of unhuman monstrosities. While it 4 ranks, Spot 2 ranks. HUNTER CHAPTER 9
opposes all intelligent races that prey on humanity, the order Feat: Quick Recovery†. THE ABERRATION
reserves its special hatred for creatures that use mind-affecting Special: Must be sponsored by an existing member and
magic to dominate and enslave humans and other good-aligned approved by a High Sunwarden of the order.
† New feat described on page 181.
humanoids.
Followers of Heironeous, members of the order comprise
an elite band of warriors. Resolute crusaders, the topaz guard- CLASS FEATURES
ians are the elite initiates of the order. They boldly confront All of the following are class features of the topaz guardian

unhuman predators such as mind flayers, beholders, aboleths, prestige class.
and neogi, their spies and agents, and any beings allied with Spellcasting: At 2nd, 4th, and 5th levels, you gain new spells
the monsters, seeking to exterminate the creatures at every per day and an increase in caster level (and spells known, if
opportunity. Other aberrations with similarly monstrous applicable) as if you had also gained a level in a spellcasting class
and evil schemes also have the enmity of the Topaz Order. If to which you belonged before adding the prestige class level.

mind flayers or aboleths aren’t close at hand, topaz guardians You do not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that

are more than willing to seek out and destroy the outposts of class would have gained. If you had more than one spellcasting
aboleths, beholders, tsochari, and like creatures. class before becoming a topaz guardian, you must decide to
The Topaz Order is so named because its emblem is a bril- which class to add each level for the purpose of determining
liant oval yellow topaz on a field of cobalt blue. The topaz spells per day, caster level, and spells known.

symbolizes protection, resolve, and the sun, and is always Topaz Diadem: All topaz guardians are given a topaz diadem
used in the creation of the topaz diadems for which the order as a symbol of their devotion and a shield against their foes.

is renowned. The diadem is a sturdy headband of finely tooled leather, with
a large yellow topaz set in its center. See the sidebar on this
BECOMING A TOPAZ GUARDIAN page for a description of the topaz diadem’s effects.
While the Topaz Order includes a number of good-aligned At 3rd level, the sacred bonuses offered by the diadem

fighters, clerics, monks, and paladins, only a few of these increase to +2. At 5th level, the bonuses increase to +3.
stalwarts pursue the path of the topaz guardian. Most topaz Topaz diadems function only for members of the topaz
guardians are paladins, monks, or fighter/clerics. A human guardian prestige class. If your diadem is lost or destroyed,

paladin with a decent Intelligence score has the easiest time you can obtain another one from the order at a cost of 6,000
qualifying for the class. gp and after a wait of twelve days.
An applicant must be a skillful warrior, strong of will, Smite Aberration (Su): Beginning at 2nd level, you can
with keen perception, experience in underground explora- attempt to smite an aberration once per day with one normal
tion and movement, and the ability to shake off effects that melee attack. You add your Charisma bonus (if any) to your
would leave other characters stunned and unable to act. As attack roll and deal an extra 2 points of damage per topaz

with any combat-oriented character, he’ll find that high guardian class level. If you smite a creature that is not an
Table 9–9: The Topaz Guardian Hit Die: d8
Base
Attack Fort Ref Will
Level Bonus Save Save Save Special Spellcasting
1st +1 +2 +0 +2 Topaz diadem +1 —
2nd +2 +3 +0 +3 Smite aberration 1/day +1 level of existing spellcasting class
3rd +3 +3 +1 +3 Topaz diadem +2, hard to hold —
4th +4 +4 +1 +4 Smite aberration 2/day +1 level of existing spellcasting class
5th +5 +4 +1 +4 Topaz diadem +3 +1 level of existing spellcasting class
Class Skills (2 + Int modifier per level): Climb, Concentration, Craft, Intimidate, Jump, Knowledge (dungeoneering),
Knowledge (religion), Profession, Sense Motive, and Spot.
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