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Chosen of Bane
Senior Scribe
USA
552 Posts |
 Posted - 09 Nov 2005 : 19:22:50
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Okay, I posted this a while back, it got some feedback, I reworked it, got some feedback, reworked it, etc....
Now I actually believe it's complete. Let me know what you guys (and gals) think. Sorry for starting a new thread about this but the old one is getting a bit cluttered and confusing due to the revisions...
Thanks in advance for the feedback.
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Chosen of Bane
Senior Scribe
USA
552 Posts |
Posted - 09 Nov 2005 : 19:27:09
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Monk of the Iron Gauntlet
The Zhentarim, also known as the Black Network, is an organization that strikes fear into the hearts of folk all over Faerun. Although the organization started around the Moonsea members can now be found anywhere in Faerun.
Not long ago Scyllua Darkope, Castellan of Zhentil keep ordered Mara Kalaliv to actively recruit members into the newest branch of the Black Network. Through rigorous, sometimes torturous, training the members of this vile order have developed into an elite force, skilled in the areas of stealth and assassinations. This deadly branch of the Black Network is known as the Order of the Iron Gauntlet. In addition to assassinating enemies of the Zhentarim, the Order of the Iron Gauntlet is focused on purging the Zhentarim of the chaotic forces of Cyric and reestablishing organization-wide order.
Most Monks of the Iron Gauntlet are trained in Zhentil Keep or Citadel of the Raven but some Iron Gauntlet Monk’s are starting to spread out, training recruits in all reaches of the organization. Despite its vast numbers, Darkhold is essentially devoid of Monks of the Iron Gauntlet due to the Lawful requirement (most in Darkhold are chaotic Cyricists) of the prestige class.
Monks make up the majority of the candidates for this prestige class, but the prestige class complements the abilities of a rogue or ranger as well. Clerics of been have also been known to devote themselves to the order. Fighters usually lack the skills to become a Monk of the Iron Gauntlet and arcane casters do not generally find it worth it to lose their casting for the benefits of the class. Barbarians, Bards, Druids, and Paladins (obviously) cannot access this class due to the alignment restrictions.
Hit Die: D8
REQUIREMENTS
To qualify to become a monk of the Iron Gauntlet, a character must fulfill all the following criteria.
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Skills: Hide 8 ranks, Move Silently 8 ranks
Feats: Improved Grapple, Improved Unarmed Strike, Stealthy
Special: The candidate must be a member of the Zhentarim in good standing. The candidate must also be inducted into the Order of the Iron Gauntlet.
CLASS SKILLS
The Monk of the Iron Gauntlet’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Disable Device (Int), Disguise (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Forgery (Int), Gather Information (Cha), Hide (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (religion) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Open Lock (Dex), Search (Int), Sense Motive (Wis), Sleight of Hand (Dex), Spot (Wis), Tumble (Dex), Use Magic Device (Cha), and Use Rope (Dex).
Skill Points at Each Level: 6 + Int modifier.
BAB Fort Ref Will Abilities
1. +0 +0 +2 +2 Monk Abilities, Iron Gauntlets
2. +1 +0 +3 +3 Silent Grapple
3. +2 +1 +3 +3 Sneak Attack +1d6
4. +3 +1 +4 +4 Death Attack
5. +3 +1 +4 +4 Ki Strike (Evil)
6. +4 +2 +5 +5 Sneak Attack +2d6
7. +5 +2 +5 +5 Devastating Grapple
8. +6 +2 +6 +6 Hide in Plain Sight
9. +6 +3 +6 +6 Sneak Attack +3d6
10. +7 +3 +7 +7 Ki Strike (Cold Iron)
CLASS FEATURES
All the following are class features of the Monk of the Iron Gauntlet prestige class.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Monks of the Iron Gauntlet gain no proficiency with any weapon, armor, or shield. Armor check penalties for armor heavier than leather apply to the skills Balance, Climb, Escape Artist, Hide, Jump, Move Silently, Sleight of Hand, and Tumble, and double the normal armor check penalty applies to Swim checks.
Monk Abilities (Ex): A Monk of the Iron Gauntlet has the unarmed damage, AC bonus, and unarmored speed bonus of a monk whose level is equal to his Monk of the Iron Gauntlet level (see Table 3-10: the Monk on page 40 of the Player’s Handbook). If he also has monk levels, his levels in the two classes stack for the purpose of determining these abilities.
Iron Gauntlet: Monks of the Iron Gauntlet treat gauntlets and spiked gauntlets as special monk weapons. In addition, upon completion of their training as a Monk of the Iron Gauntlet (1st level of this PrC), the order issues the Monk a pair of masterwork black gauntlets.
Silent Grapple: Upon reaching second level the Monk of the Iron Gauntlet can choose to prevent an opponent whom he is already grappling with from making any understandable sounds. As a full round action a Monk of the Iron Gauntlet who is already involved in a grapple can choose to essentially “gag” his opponent by winning an opposed grapple check. A person who is being held silent cannot cast a spell with a somatic component or call for help without first winning an opposed grapple check to break the silencing effect. The Monk of the Iron Gauntlet does not need to use an action to maintain this effect, it simply exists until the victim wins a grapple check to break it.
Sneak Attack: This is exactly like the rogue ability of the same name. The extra damage dealt increases by +1d6 every three levels (3rd, 6th, 9th). If a Monk of the Iron Gauntlet gets a sneak attack bonus from another source (such as rogue levels), the bonuses on the damage stack.
Death Attack: At 4th level, the Monk of the Iron Gauntlet gains the ability to make a death attack. This ability functions like the assassin ability of the same name, except that the save DC is 10 + Monk of the Iron Gauntlet level + the character’s Int modifier (see page 180 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide for more information).
If the Monk of the Iron Gauntlet also has the death attack ability from another class (such as assassin), levels of that class stack with his Monk of the Iron Gauntlet levels for the purpose of determining the save DC.
Ki Strike (Evil): At 5th level, a Monk of the Iron Gauntlet is so consumed with the evil motivations of the Black Network that his unarmed attacks are empowered with ki. His unarmed attacks are treated as evil (unholy) weapons for the purpose of dealing damage to creatures with damage reduction.
Devastating Grapple: If a 7th level Monk of the Iron Gauntlet pins his opponent while grappling and maintains the pin for 3 consecutive rounds, the opponent must make a Fortitude save (DC 10 + the Monk of the Iron Gauntlet’s class level + the Monk of the Iron Gauntlet’s Wis modifier) at the end of the third round or die. A creature with no discernible anatomy is immune to the effect of this ability.
Hide in Plain Sight: At 8th level, a Monk of the Iron Gauntlet can use the Hide skill even while being observed. As long as he is within 10 feet of some sort of shadow, a Monk of the Iron Gauntlet can hide himself from view in the open without having anything to actually hide behind. He cannot, however, hide in his own shadow.
Ki Strike (Cold Iron): At 10th level the Monk of the Iron Gauntlet’s body has become as hard as iron. At 10th level, his unarmed attacks are treated as cold iron weapons for the purpose of dealing damage to creatures with damage reduction.
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Edited by - Chosen of Bane on 21 Dec 2005 18:24:35 |
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Chosen of Moradin
Master of Realmslore
Brazil
1120 Posts |
Posted - 09 Nov 2005 : 19:37:45
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An excellent work, Chosen!
I stay really very impressed by your work with this PrC, and now that it´s finished, I will take it, the Lords of Darkness, and develop a little more fluffy info about them, and put some of these monks (and maybe an assassin) to "talk" a little with my players group.  
Again, congratulations for your good and hard work!  |
Dwarf, DM, husband, and proud of this! :P
twitter: @yuripeixoto
Facebook: yuri.peixoto |
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Chosen of Bane
Senior Scribe
USA
552 Posts |
Posted - 10 Nov 2005 : 01:24:03
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Thankyou for the kind words Chosen of Moradin. As I mentioned before, this is my first ever crack at a prestige class so it took some time to hammer out the details.
If you are serious about wanting to use it and want me to send you the full, completed version in a Microsoft Word file so you can edit it as you need to than just private message me your email address. |
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scererar
Master of Realmslore
USA
1618 Posts |
Posted - 22 Dec 2005 : 01:30:34
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Good job Chosen of bane. WOTC, are you seeing this? I also concur with chosen of Moradin, your posts are full of great realms lore, give us more please |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
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Chosen of Bane
Senior Scribe
USA
552 Posts |
Posted - 22 Dec 2005 : 03:02:30
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| Thanks for the kind words and glad you guys like it. I have a weak spot for all things Zhentarim. |
Edited by - Chosen of Bane on 22 Dec 2005 03:16:18 |
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Skeptic
Master of Realmslore
Canada
1273 Posts |
Posted - 08 Feb 2006 : 03:03:55
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Hi,
One of character in my current campaign is a Monk of the Long Death. Like the leader of his monastery (the High Crypt in the Silver marches) he's not interested much in the "play with dying corpse part".
Recently, he went from Faithless to Talona faith, firstly because of a Talontar that joined the monastery and secondly because he was approached by the Plague Rats of Waterdeep (where the campaign is based).
Ok now, the part related to this topic
One of the other character is a Bane cleric coming from Mintar's knights of the Black Gauntlet. In the last session, the monk traveled there with the cleric (via Stonewalk) and while the cleric was busy reporting to Teldorn, he was "interviewed" by a Monk of the Iron Gauntlet.
Now, he wants to know how the Banite monks would see his Talona's faith and how much the Talona-Bane "alliance" is viewed by their respective followers.
I (and he) know that the philosopy of the Monk of the Long Death is not related (but not very conflictual) with Bane's dogma.
I may also be interested to offer him a small (5 level) Monk PrC based on the one included in this thread.
Thanks for any idea, comment, suggestion. |
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Order of the Iron Gauntlet
