Epic Prestige Class : Unholy Ravager
by Andy Collins, Dragon #297
The unholy ravager is a walking personification of evil incarnate. He doesn't merely radiate evil, he is evil, and he leaves a trail of devastation behind him. Some lands exist for centuries without seeing such a villain, but for every such fortunate kingdom, there is another brought to utter ruin at the hands of an unholy ravager.
While all unholy ravagers revel in destruction, they pursue this goal in a variety of different ways. Lawful unholy ravagers often set themselves up as despots, periodically leaving the palace to lead an army of evil across the land. Neutral unholy ravagers might work behind the scenes until such a time as their presence is necessary to achieve maximum carnage. Chaotic unholy ravagers are especially feared, for there is no negotiating with such a character. These unholy ravagers carte little for rulership or backroom dealings, but only in bringing sorrow to the land, often at the head of a rapacious band of murderous thugs who see the unholy ravager as the living hand of their destructive god.
Requirements
To qualify to become an Unholy Ravager, a character must fulfill all the following criteria:
- Alignment: Any evil
- Feats: Cleave, Great Cleave, Improved Critical, Power Attack, andImproved Sunder,
Epic Feats: Overwhelming Critical. - Base Attack Bonus: +21.
- Special: Must have dedicated yourself to the service of an evil god.
Class Skills
The unholy ravager's class skills are Climb, Handle Animal, Intimidate, Ride, and Spellcraft.
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Class Features
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Characters who take a level of unholy ravager gain proficiency with all simple and martial weapons, with light, medium, and heavy armor, and with shields.
Aura of Evil (Su): The unholy ravager emanates an evil aura that causes all good-aligned characters within 20 feet to suffer a -2 morale penalty to all attacks and skill checks. For the purposes of a detect evil spell, the unholy ravager's aura of evil is equal to his character level. Note that the unholy ravager can dampen this aura as a standard action, such as when he wishes to remain unnoticed by good-aligned characters. Restoring his aura of evil is a free action.
Corrupting Touch (Su): An unholy ravager can corrupt a creature or object by touch once per day at 2nd level, and one additional time per day every 10 levels thereafter (12th, 22nd, and so on). Corrupting touch eliminates any damage reduction or hardness possessed by the creature or object for one hour. This ability requires a touch attack if used against a character or an object carried by another character. Corrupting touch allows no saving throw to resist its effects. If used against a single part of a particularly large object (such as a castle wall), corrupting touch affects a 5-foot-cube of material.
Sneak Attack (Ex): Any time the unholy ravager's target would be denied her Dexterity bonus to AC (regardless of whether she has a Dexterity bonus), the unholy ravager's attack deals extra damage. The extra damage is +1d6 every three levels thereafter. In every other way, treat this ability as a rogue's sneak attack. If the unholy ravager already has the sneak attack ability from another source, the bonuses to damage stack.
Bonus Feats: The unholy ravager gets a bonus feat at 4th level and every 4 levels thereafter (8th, 12th, and so on). These bonus feats must be selected from the following list: Armor Skin, Damage Reduction, Devastating Critical, Epic Prowess, Epic Toughness, Epic Weapon Focus, Fast Healing, Improved Sneak Attack, and Lingering Damage.
Desecrating Aura (Su): By 5th level, the unholy ravager's 20-foot aura of evil is so purely evil that it imbues the area with negative energy, as per the desecrate spell. If dispelled, the unholy ravager can restore the aura on his turn as a free action.
Defiling Glare (Su): An unholy ravager can place a curse upon a target within 30 feet with only a glance. He may use this ability once per day at 7th level, and one additional time per day every 10 levels thereafter (17th, 27th, and so on). This ability works exactly as the bestow curse spell, except that its effects can only be removed by a spellcaster of at least 21st level.
Despoiling Presence (Su): At 10th level, the unholy ravager's aura of evil renders any food or water within its area poisonous to consume (Fortitude save DC 20 + class level + Charisma modifier to resist; initial and secondary damage 1d10 Constitution). Potions and similar magic liquids can also be affected, although such items are allowed a Will save (DC 20) to resist. Any items carried by the unholy ravager are unaffected.
| Unholy Ravager | Hit Die: d8 |
|---|---|
| CL | Special |
| 1st | Aura of evil |
| 2nd | Corrupting touch |
| 3rd | Sneak attack +1d6 |
| 4th | Bonus feat |
| 5th | Desecrating aura |
| 6th | Sneak attack +2d6 |
| 7th | Defiling glare |
| 8th | Bonus feat |
| 9th | Sneak attack +3d6 |
| 10th | Despoiling presence |
Source: Dragon #297