Faerûnian Prestige Class : Fang of Sseth
The Viper's Fangs is a secretive order of spies that operates throughout Faerûn on behalf of the yuan-ti. Its membership is largely made up of humans and yuan-ti pureblood thieves, assassins, and thugs. Members refer to each other as Vipers and follow a fraternal code that's been known to override the orders of powerful Yuan-ti priests, coiled cabalists, and tribal leaders. The code is a simple one: Don't harm or steal from other Vipers.
Members of the Viper's Fangs know that a slow, soft, and subtle manner of operation is the right way to power for the yuan-ti. Indeed, they champion careful husbanding of human prosperity so that the prize is always worth taking (and ever more valuable). However, as the saying goes, "There are times when the Vipers must bite, and that's when they call on their fangs." The Fangs of Sseth constitute the strike force of the Vipers - the stealthy killers who leave no trace.
Requirements
To qualify to become a Fang of Sseth, a character must fulfill all the following criteria:
- Race: Yuan-ti, human, Yuan-ti-human crossbreed, tainted one, or other Yuan-ti-created being.
- Alignment: Any evil (usually chaotic evil).
- Skills: -
- Feats: Any two of the following: Alertness, Deceitful, Deft Hands, Investigator, Negotiator, Nimble Fingers, Persuasive, Stealthy.
- Base Attack Bonus: +7.
- Religion: The candidate must worship Sseth and only Sseth.
- Special: The candidate must have slain in the name of Sseth and aided a Yuan-ti without prearranged payment or reward.
Class Skills
The fang of Sseth's class skills are Appraise, Balance, Bluff, Climb, Craft (any), Decipher Script, Diplomacy, Disable Device, Disguise, Escape Artist, Forgery, Gather Information, Hide, Intimidate, Jump, Knowledge (local), Listen, Move Silently, Open Lock, Perform (act), Profession, Search, Sense Motive, Sleight of Hand, Spot, Use Magic Device, and Use Rope.
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Class features
All the following are class features of the fang of Sseth prestige class.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Fangs of Sseth gain no proficiency with any weapon, armor, or shield.
Enhanced Ranged Attacks (Ex): At 1st level, the fang of Sseth gains a +1 bonus on attack rolls with all ranged weapons. This bonus increases to +2 at 6th level.
Sneak Attack (Ex): This ability functions like the rogue ability of the same name. The extra damage dealt increases by +1d6 at 4th, 7th and 10th levels. If a fang of Sseth gets a sneak attack bonus from another source (such as rogue levels) the bonuses on damage stack. Furthermore, fang of Sseth levels stack with any other appropriate class levels (such as rogue or assassin) for the purpose of overcoming improved uncanny dodge.
Poison Resistance (Ex): Because a fang of Sseth trains with all sorts of poisons (not just reptile venoms), she becomes increasingly resistant to their effects. A 1st-level fang of Sseth gains a +1 bonus on saves against all poisons. This bonus increases by +1 for every two additional fang of Sseth levels gained (to +2 at 3rd level, +3 at 5th level, +4 at 7th level, and +5 at 9th level).
Poison Use (Ex): Fangs of Sseth are trained in the use of poison and never risk accidentally poisoning themselves when applying poison to a blade.
Bonus Feat: At 2nd level, the fang of Sseth gains the Snatch Arrows feat as a bonus feat if she does not already have it. If she already has Snatch Arrows, she instead gains Shot on the Run. If she already has that feat, she instead gains Manyshot. She need not meet the prerequisites to gain her bonus feat. A fang of Sseth who already has all three feats gains no benefit.
Serpent Shape (Su): A 3rd-level fang of Sseth gains the psionic ability to change into a Medium viper at will as a full- round action. A fang of Sseth who already possesses this ability (such as a Yuan-ti) instead gains the ability to assume completely human form. This ability functions like a polymorph spell (caster level 19th), except that the fang of Sseth regains no lost hit points. When in viper form, a fang of Sseth with a poisonous bite uses either her own venom or that of her viper form, whichever is more potent. She can remain in viper form for as long as she desires and resume her normal form as a full-round action.
Spider Climb (Su): A 5th-level or higher fang of Sseth can use spider climb (caster level equals fang of Sseth level) at will.
Favor of Sseth (Sp): Upon attaining 8th level, the fang of Sseth receives a visit from Sseth in her dreams, during which the god bites her. His venom imparts a special gift - the ability to move about without fear of detection by normal means. This ability functions like the greater invisibility spell (caster level equals fang of Sseth level), except that the fang is hidden from hearing and scent as well. She radiates silence to a radius of 5 feet, does not leave a scent, and cannot be detected by the scent ability. This effect lasts for 8 hours, though the fang of Sseth may end it earlier as a free action. This ability is the equivalent of a 6th-level spell.
| Fang of Sseth | Hit Die: d8 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CL | BAB | Fort | Ref | Will | Special |
| 1st | +0 | +0 | +2 | +0 | Enhanced ranged attacks +1, poison resistance +1, poison use, sneak attack +1d6 |
| 2nd | +1 | +0 | +3 | +0 | Bonus feat |
| 3rd | +2 | +1 | +3 | +1 | Poison resistance +2, serpent shape |
| 4th | +3 | +1 | +4 | +1 | Sneak attack +2d6 |
| 5th | +3 | +1 | +4 | +1 | Poison resistance +3, spider climb |
| 6th | +4 | +2 | +5 | +2 | Enhanced ranged attacks +2 |
| 7th | +5 | +2 | +5 | +2 | Poison resistance +4, sneak attack +3d6 |
| 8th | +6 | +2 | +6 | +2 | Favor of Sseth |
| 9th | +6 | +3 | +6 | +3 | Poison resistance +5 |
| 10th | +7 | +3 | +7 | +3 | Sneak attack +4d6 |
Ex-Fangs of Sseth
A fang of Sseth who ceases to be evil, or who betrays Sseth or the Coiled Cabal loses all special abilities of the prestige class and may not progress any farther in levels as a fang of Sseth. She regains her abilities and advancement potential if she atones for her violations (see the atonement spell description), as appropriate.
Source: Serpent Kingdoms