Requirements:
| Alignment: | Any (depending on which outer-plane is source plane) | ||
| Ability Scores: | INT 15, | CON 15, | CHR 15 |
| Prime Requisites: | INT 16, | CON 16 | |
Description:
Demonologists are conjurers whose spells derive directly from outer planar
creatures and their associated planes of existence. Every demonologist must
decide which type of outer planar creatures they will draw their powers from.
This is more of a loose moral association based on planes of existence. Few
demonologists choose the upper good planes, the reasons for this are unclear.
Though not every demonologist that chooses the lower evil planes is
necessarily evil himself, his motives for choosing such a plane might be in
question.
All demonologist spells emanate the "alignment taint" from the source plane.
The "alignment taint" lingers for 1 round per level of the spell caster.
Demonologists view wild mages as chaotic neutral demonologists whose plane of
choice is Limbo. If they chose to, they could possibly also expand their
spells to encompass the creatures native to that plane as well.
Demonologists are denied access to greater divinations and invocation magicks.
The reasoning for this is simple. Greater divinations grant information from
higher agencies and demonologist's sources can not be trusted. Good
demonologists normally can access this school, but loose necromancy. Invocation
is denied because this school beseeches certain higher agencies to bestow the
requested ability and these agencies are primarily good. Invocation also
implies on some level that the mage is worshipping that power. This is never
the case. Demonologists derive their powers and spells from the plane and it's
creatures as a source of power, not THE POWER.
Preferred Schools:
Conjuration/Summoning is the only applicable school to this kit.
Barred Schools:
All other schools are barred to the Demonologist.
Role:
All mages draw their power from somewhere, though most mages really could care
less where. Demonologists simple have more focus from whence their power
comes. The reasons for this kit are many fold, some seek a simple path to
power, others wish to gain knowledge of life after death through their studies,
and still others seek to learn more to impede their chosen species plans. Those
in the latter case are the true martyrs. They suffer the stigma, unthankfulness,
and general disdain for their research to aid humanity against the inhuman.
Some demonologists believe that "demons" were simply creatures as we, that used
similar studies to get to their current level of power and immortality, and
now use these abilities transparently. This is the ultimate goal of most
demonologists' studies.
Secondary Skills:
As appropriate for a normal wizard.
Weapon Proficiencies:
The weapon choices are as per a normal wizard.
Nonweapon Proficiencies:
Bonus: Religion, Demonic Knowledge.
Recommended: Spellcraft, Ancient History.
Equipment:
The choice of equipment is as per a normal wizard.
Special Benefits:
If a "demon" is summoned for a task (guarding, being tied to an item, fighting,
etc.) the demonologist finds this less physically taxing and mentally easier
than a normal mage or conjurer would. This is often both easier to complete
and longer to cast because of the bargaining that is required. The bargaining
is done in a language which is unintelligible to all others in the area (even
other demonologists). This language protects both the "demon" and the caster
from those that might interfere, though some particularly vile creatures have
been known to make the language vaguely resemble another to "leak" some of the
terms or conditions unbeknownst to the caster. When bartering for services, a
demonologist receives the benefit of +4 to CHA when dealing with demons because
they understand their needs (or at least better than most other material
creatures do).
Demons "sometimes" trick the unwary into more than they are willing to give and
they must appease the demon or loose standing with them (see Special Hindrances).
A mage with reduced standing will find the bargains more and more unreasonable.
A mage may roll against his demonic knowledge to determine the severity of the
"bargain". This information might be in the form of a approximate level of
danger to the mage, an idea of what specifically might be implied, or possibly
even an example of the consequences. 99% of a demonologists spells do not require
a bargain of any sort. Bargaining is usually limited to a longer standing
arrangement between the creature and the mage, unless the mage has lost a
considerable amount of standing.
Demonologists also gain a +1 per 4 levels of the caster against spell-like
affects targeted against them from their chosen plane. This saving throw does
not apply if the outer planar creature is using spell-like abilities on the
caster because of a bargain (see Special Hindrances).
Special Hindrances:
Demonologists are generally shunned once their true nature is realized. Few
commoners understand them or their goals. Even these conjurers themselves
know the inherent dangers of being truly in league with demons and vigorously
stay as distanced from this as is feasible.
Outer planar creatures are constantly striving to entangle the Demonologist
into surrendering his eternal existance to those higher planar creatures for
powers granted. This surrendering is always the last thing the demonologist
ever does in the mortal world.
Wealth Options:
The Demonologist receives only the standard (1d4 + 1) x 10 gp.
Races:
A Demonologist must have human blood, just as a conjurer does. Therefore,
humans and half-elves can specialize in this school, but elves cannot. Quite
possibly because humans are one of the only races to have an eternal struggle
with demons and other outer planar creatures.