Eye of Gruumsh - General Prestige Class
This is a general Prestige class that may be applicable to the Forgotten Realms Campaign
Most people think they've seen the worst that orcs can breed when an orc barbarian comes raging over a hilltop - at least until they see a one-eyed orc barbarian come raging over a hilltop. This creature may well be an eye of Gruumsh, an orc so devoted to his evil deity that he has disfigured himself in Gruumsh's name.
In an epic battle at the dawn of time, the elven deity Corellon Larethian stabbed our Gruumsh's left eye. Filled with rage and hatred, the orc deity called for followers loyal enough to serve in his image. Those who heed this call are known as the eyes of Gruumsh. They sacrifice their right eyes instead of their left ones so that their impaired vision balances that of their deity. Thus, symbolically at least, they can see what he cannot. These living martyrs to Gruumsh are some of the roughest orcs and half-orcs in the world.
The eye of Gruumsh is a true prestige class in the sense that all orcs respect those who achieve it. If a candidate proves capable with the brutal orc double axe and has no moral code to stand in the way of his service, only the test remains - to put out his own right eye in a special ceremony. This is a bloody and painful ritual, the details of which are best left undescribed. If the candidate makes a sound during the process, he fails the test. No consequences for failure exist, except that he can never become an eye of Gruumsh - and he's lost one eye.
Barbarians gain the most value from this prestige class, since it encourages raging as a fighting style. Fighters, clerics, rangers, and even rogues also heed this calling. Orcs and half-orcs are the obvious candidates for the class, and some orc tribes whisper of barbarians from other races who have adopted this mantle. Of course, these may just be legends meant to inspire young orcs to jealous rage.
Hit Die: d12
To qualify to become an Eye of Gruumsh, a character must fulfill all the following criteria:
- Race: Orc, half-orc
- Alignment: Chaotic evil, chaotic neutral, or neutral evil.
- Feats: Exotic Weapon Proficiency (orc double axe), Weapon Focus (orc double axe).
- Base Attack Bonus: +6.
- Special: The character must be a worshiper of Gruumsh and must put out hos own right eye in a special ritual. None of the eye of Gruumsh's special abilities function if the character regains sight in both eyes.
From:
Compete Warrior
Masters of the Wild
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