[Friend/Foe] An Honor Not Worthy of All [Archive] - Giant in the Playground Forums

The Glyphstone

2007-03-12, 06:13 PM

In the wake of the devastation brought to the Orcish lands by the Weeping, much controversy has sprung up as to how the gods should properly be honored. With so much of the population laid low with disease, the supply of sacrifice-worthy orcs has dwindled. Some of the clergy avocate an increase in the number of ceremonial wars to supply victims for sacrifice, even if this would mean risking the continued viability of their population as a whole. Others counsel caution, and promote a slower regimen of sacrifices to avoid destabilizing the entire culture, though that risks the gods' anger once more. But amongst them both, there is a small subfaction, who hold true that the quantity of sacrifices is not what angered the Five and caused them to send the Weeping, but the quality.

To these fanatics, the increasing civilization and society of the Orcs has diluted the savage might of their people. Their blood has been watered down, so to speak, and no longer appeases the gods as it once did. Most importantly, and this is the tenet that makes them truly a radical fringe, they believe that the gods will accept any truly worthy heroes as their prizes - not just orcs.

The Ittachihuac-Macaquixtilla-Pactiteoh (See Strength, Give Freedom, Please the Gods), as they refer to themselves, are barely tolerated in the midst of Orcish society. Most of the people consider them lunatics, to even consider extending the honor of sacrifice to the unworthy races of the East. More dangerously, some of the higher-level clergy view them as apostates, risking the wrath of the gods in their heresy. Because of this, those who count themselves amongst the Ixquictlacualli (lit. Everything is Food), as the cult is known to others, keep their beliefs to themselves.

The most zealous of the faction are those who seek out worthy sacrifices themselves, making the long journey to the eastern continent with their fellows. There, they wander the ravaged landscape under the guise of seeking glory in battle, but more accurately searching for other warriors they deem worthy of being offered to keep the world safe from a second Plague.

The Glyphstone

2007-03-12, 06:14 PM

The Ixquictlacualli bands that travel to the eastern continent on their divine mission are typically small groups, as befitting their minority status in Orcish society. Most rove in teams of ten or less, a clergymember or two accompanied by as many warriors decided to follow them. The largest band of Ixquictlacualli is comprised of just over threescore Orcs, led by the high priest Auchkatili and his consort Xoyochitl. They pass themselves off as a mercenary brigade similar to a dwarven clan in nature, and their exotic appearance (combined with the lower rates they charge) provide for a sufficient, if irregular, supply of income. Nonetheless, they remain focused on their ultimate goal, and once they have chosen a foreigner to "honor", it can be almost impossible to stop them.

The band's membership is composed of the following:

-Auchkatili, Male Orc Cleric 6/Divine Oracle 10
--Auchkatili's Bodyguards (6)

-Xoyochitl, Female Orc Sorcerer 14
--Xoyochitl's Handmaidens (6)

-Kragor Gramgrim, Dwarf Fighter 1/Expert 5

-Orc Clergymember (2)
--Orc Fighters (15)

-Orc Clergymember (2)
--Orc Fighters (15)

-Orc Clergymember (2)
--Orc Fighters (15)

-Orc Clergymember (2)
--Orc Fighters (15)

Auchkatili

Male Orc Cleric 16
Medium Humanoid (Orc)
Hit Dice: 16d8+16
Speed: 30ft. (20ft. armored)
Initiative: +4
Armor Class: 17 (-1 Dex, +8 armor, +4 shield)
Base Attack/Grapple: +12/+12
Attack: +13 melee (1d8+2+2d6/x2, Coloti) or +12 ranged (1d8+1/x3, masterwork composite longbow)
Full Attack: +13/+8/+3 melee (1d8+2+2d4/x2, Coloti) or +12/+7/+2 ranged (1d8+1/x3, masterwork composite longbow)
Space/Reach: 5ft./5ft.
Special Attacks: Divine Counterspell
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, orc blood
Saves: Fort +11, Ref +4, Will +15
Abilities: Str 12, Dex 8, Con 13, Int 12, Wis 19, Cha 12 (16)
Skills: Bluff +25, Diplomacy +22, Gather Information +1, Intimidate +7, Knowledge (Arcana) +6, Knowledge (Religion) +15
Feats: Run, Persuasive, Improved Initiative, Leadership, Skill Focus (Bluff), Empower Spell, Subdual Substitution
CR: 16
Treasure: Coloti (+1 Vicious Merciful Heavy Mace), +2 Banded Mail, +2 Heavy Wooden Shield, Cloak of Charisma +4, Staff of Healing, Vest of Resistance +2, Bag of Holding Type I, 185 GP
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
Languages: Common, Orc, Halfling

Tall and lean, this orc looks at you with a pair of unreadable dark green eyes beneath a furrowed brow. His hair is dark, braided in the typical orc fashion with bits of jade and copper sewn amongst the strands. The armor he wears is not metal, instead crafted from the chintinous scales of some colossal insect, but the ornately trimmed and decorated mace that he carries is solid iron. He introduces himself as Auchkatili, in a pleasant, if accented, voice not at all what would be expected from such a "savage"...

Auchkatili is the leader of the main band of the Ixquictlacualli, a mid-level member of the orcish clergy caste who wholeheartedly believes in their divine quest, and one who passes on this belief to those following him. He retains the inherent orcish attitudes towards strangers, but has coupled this with his unusual religious tendencies to produce a somewhat different outlook - foremost the lack of any inhibitions towards deceit or outright lies, if they are directed towards a non-orc. With his sorcerous consort Xoyochitl by his side, he is quite formidable when crossed.

Combat
Auchkatili prefers to avoid outright combat apart from contracted duties, unless the odds are heavily in favor of the Ixquictlacualli. If forced into a confrontation that has not been planned for ahead of time, he will first buff his bodyguards as they engage the foe, then focus on keeping them intact as they bludgeon the enemy into unconsciousness or death, using his Divine Counterspell ability if appropriate. Should Auchkatili face a close personal threat, Divine Might turns him into a fighting powerhouse for a short time. He typically judges any opponent skillful or strong enough to evade his bodyguards to be quite a worthy adversary, and so will activate the Merciful properties of his enchanted mace Coloti ( lit. "Scorpion"). An enemy that falls to his blows is usually sacrificed to the gods shortly thereafter.

Divine Counterspell:
Auchkatili cannot turn undead as a normal cleric would. Instead, he has the ability to counter enemy spellcasters through a surge of divine power. This ability can be used 4 times per day, and still requires a readied action to use, though it can counter any spell. Auchkatili uses his cleric level in place of his caster level on the opposed check, with a +2 synergy bonus from his ranks in Knowledge (Religion), for a total of +18.
(Substitution feature from PHBII.)

Spells/Day:
0th = 6
1st: 6+1
2nd = 6+1
3rd = 6+1
4th = 5+1
5th = 4+1
6th = 3+1
7th = 3+1
8th = 2+1
Spontaneous Conversion: Inflict spells
Domains: Trickery, Nobility

Typical Spells Memorized:
0th - Detect Magic x2, Detect Poison x2, Read Magic, Light
1st - Divine Favor x2, Cure Light Wounds x2, Comprehend Languages, Shield of Faith, Divine Favor
2nd -Hold Person, Zone of Truth, Undetectable Alignment, Status, Cure Moderate Wounds x2, Enthrall
3rd -Cure Serious Wounds x2, Bestow Curse, Dispel Magic, Remove Curse, Searing Light, Nondetection
4th - Divine Power, Restoration, Tongues, Cure Critical Wounds x2, Confusion
5th - Righteous Might, True Seeing, Mass Cure Light Wounds, Flame Strike, False Vision
6th - Mass Bull's Strength, Mass Bear's Endurance, Subdual Substituted Flame Strike, Quest
7th - Mass Cure Serious Wounds, Dictum, Summon Monster VII, Screen
8th - Mass Cure Critical Wounds, Fire Storm, Demand

Xoyochitl

Stat Block Goes Here

Kragor Grimgram

Ocuilin (Maggot)
Stat Block Goes Here

Foot Troops

Stat Blocks Go Here