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Tuesday, 19 February 2019

Dossadai - Chained Ones or Chain-Kin

I make a lot of wandering monster lists to use in my games because I enjoy generating random shit both for my players and for myself. It makes me, at least, a better DM if I don`t plan every inch of the dungeon. With that said, a lot of my games are things I create spontaneously based on reacting to my players. Not sure where this one really came from, but they have been used a few times in the background of stories, in the dungeons or places of inherent magic like ley lines. These are a mortal chain master, something between the earth and the outer planes, dedicated to locks and dungeons and knowing there is a way to get anywhere from inside the deepest darkest places.


Dossadai

Hit Dice:                    4d10+4 (25 hp)
Initiative:                    +2 (dexterity)
Speed:                        30 ft
AC:                             16 (+2 Natural, +2 dexterity, +2 leather armor)
Attacks:                      +6 (melee) Damage: 1d6+2 chain
Special Attacks:         Grapple,
Special Qualities:       Cold resistance 5, Summon Weapon
Saves:                         Fort +9, Ref +14, Will +5
Abilities:                     Str 10, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 11, Wis 13, Cha 8
Lesser Skills:              Disable Device, Escape artist, Knowledge (architecture), Perception, Use                                               magic device, Sleight of Hand +6
Higher Skills:             Crafting (Chains) +10, Any one other: acrobatic, climb, survival, swim +10
Feats:                          Improved Attack (Grapple), Weapon Fetish
Climate/Terrain:         Any Urban
Organization:              Solitary or Pair
Challenge Rating:       3
Treasure:                     Standard
Alignment:                  Usually Neutral
Advancement Range:  By HD or Class (Rogue, Ranger, Sorcerer)

New Feat: Weapon Fetish: These are miniature weapons carried on small ceremonial chains. If the Dossadai break the chain, the actual weapon is summoned into their hands. They must recreate the fetish or weapon link to re-use it, usually takes three days to create a new link. Most Dossadai seen use these for weapons but some have charms to represent artistic or profession tools.

Use Rogue feats or skills normally prohibited.

Dossadai (singular - Dossaden) are grey-skinned humanoids, with unkempt white hair for men, in multiple dreadlocks for their women-kin. Their noses are wide and flatter, their eyes are wider, with two distinct colours for each eye. They have ritual scaring covering their body. They carry no fewer than three small chains found attached to their body or clothing. Some have tribal tattoos, but rarely will the tattoos match with anyone else in a given group. Their chains are ornamental, and can be broken with a deliberate act of strength (DC 7) which they do to make oaths. They prefer small blades, such as daggers, short swords, or hand axes. They will often keep weapons on a small chain. They will wear any non-heavy armor.

They are an institute in large cities, keeping to small families and being involved in various trade craft circles, especially clockwork and locksmithing. For the Dossadai, craft IS magic, and they are dedicated to studying the finer, mystical points in craftsmanship. It`s surprising that few of their kind take spell-casting levels, their craft seems to be all of the magic they need. City folk learn to judge Dossadai carefully - they are often mocked for their slow, very deliberate speech patterns, saying every word with an emphasis. Their crafting though is highly respected by those who know how to grade their works, but a typical collector may not appreciate it's blandness, rarely shiny or glittering with power.

Dossadai seek mates from almost any civilized race, seeming to prefer mixed children to pure ones. The first generation of children is always of the non-Dossadai mate, the second generation are pure Dossadai, even if none of the participants were.

They are driven to explore dungeons, will try to go down into deep dungeons to take samples of the stones or webs. Many adventurers know these creatures as chain-kin, who are often found chained to dungeon areas, kept alive by their sheer will. Some will refer to them as Kyton-kin which they dislike but don`t correct. Kyton heavily despise them and will actively hunt down the Dossadai believing them to be interlopers. Kyton never deliberately kill the Dossadi but do want to hurt them and to hear them scream. Few planar creatures will kill a lone Dossadi believing it unlucky,

2 or 3 HD Dossadai are immature. Most try to work as crafters in cities but some will try to sign up to help explore dungeons, usually as lantern-boys, shovel-men or diggers.

Higher Levels

5 HD Gain +2 in any 2 scores, Chain Person (2 /day +1 each new HD), +6 skills points
6 HD  Complete chain (make whole), Feat, +6 skills points, +1 Natural AC; 2nd Weapon Fetish
7 HD  Gain +2 in any 2 scores, Chain Bond, Cold resistance 15, +6 skills points
8 HD  Dispel chain (At Will), Feat, Chain Barrier (1/ day), +6 skills points, +1 Natural AC; 3rd WF
9 HD   Magic Circle (Any One Type), Chain monster, +6 skills points, +1 Natural AC
10 HD  Gain +2 in any 2 scores,  Chain Barrier (3/ day), Feat, +6 skills points, +1 Natural AC
11 HD  Magic Circle (Any, 4/day), Cold resistance 25, +6 skills points; ; 4th Weapon Fetish
12 HD  Greater Unlock (2/ day), Any 2 feats, Gain +3 in any 3 scores, +15 skills points, +1 Nat AC

Dossadai can take levels in Rogue or Craftsman at any point, and return to these racial class HD levels. If they take levels in any other class, they cannot return to their racial class.

Chain Person - Can summon a small thin chain (or use a loose one in the area) to wrap around a person. It can reach out to 20 feet at 4th level, plus another 5 feet for every additional HD achieved. They gain additional chains at 8 HD and 11 HD. The victim can make a DC 14 (Reflex) to avoid, or a STR 17 to break-out. For every additional level, add +1 on the DC and Str checks. If the intended victim escapes the initial chaining, this does not count on their daily chain limit.

Complete Chain - Repair broken or incomplete chains at will, must touch the chain for 3 rounds

Chain Bond - Can make immediate changes to chain connections, swapping them out or re-attaching, without breaking them as long as chains are within three feet of each other and their hands never let go until the re-attachment is complete. Use at will.

Chain Barrier - Matches the blade barrier spell in effect, except it`s comprised of small, sharp unconnected chain links. It never does any damage if creatures do not try to go through.

Dispel Chain: Disconnect any non-magical chain by touch.

Chain monster: Same as chain person except it can reach out to 60 feet, and it takes a reflex save (DC 20) to avoid. A strength check (DC 24) is required to escape. These last for one hour per charisma bonus. (minimum of one hour or DC 21 for another person to cut them free.)

Greater Unlock (Disable Device): Gain +30 on attempts to manually disable traps, including magical ones, as long as they are able to physically grasp a lock. Use their manual Disable Device score along with the bonus and add a d20 roll. For normal or manual checks, this will open all locks in a 50 ft radius. Gain additional uses every 2 HD higher.


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