Aspect of Bacchus - Religious Figure of a Musical Deity

An Aspect is a religious figure - a living embodiment of one of the gods. They appear to serve both the living god and to be a boon to the faithful.  The idea comes from the D&D 3.5 Miniature Handbook, and I still use the equivalents for most of the gods in my world, except for a few where I've set them out like the figure for Bacchus below. 

Aspect of Bacchus      CR 10
CN Medium Outsider

Init +10 Senses Darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +25

DEFENSE
AC 24 touch 16, flat-footed 18 (+6 Dex, +8 natural)
hp 126hp (12d10+60 con)
Fort +13, Ref +14, Will +9
Defensive Abilities Damage Reduction 5/epic,  Immune to cold, electricity, paralysis, enchantment, necromancy, poison & sleep, Resist Acid & Fire 20, SR 21

 OFFENSE
Speed 40 ft. Flight 60 (A)
Melee +4 Mace-Lute+15  (1d10+11)
Ranged Weapon +18 Javelin (1d10+7)
Special Attacks  See Invisibility, Telepathy 1000 ft, Turn Undead (See Below)

 STATISTICS
Str 17, Dex 23, Con 20, Int 17, Wis 16, Cha 24

Base Atk +12 CMB +15 CMD 31

Feats Weapon Finesse, Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Cleave, Power Attack 

Skills Balance +20, Bluff +24, Diplomacy +21, Perform (All) +21, Knowledge (Arcana) +18, Knowledge (History) +18, Knowledge (Nobility) +24, Perception +25, Sense Motive +20, Intimidate+20, Fly +20, Knowledge (Music) +30 

Other Gear  Multiple musical instruments

Languages Common, Dwarf, Elf, Faerie, Minotaur, Gamorec, Phaetox 
Environment Any land or urban (Often an obelisk or Temple or Music Site)
Organization  Solitary with 3-30 0 - 1st level entourage (No more than 1 aspect to a single god is ever in a 10,000 mile radius.)
Treasure Value  Triple
Advancement: By Character class (Bard)

Aspects are religious figures that are best understood as a living embodiment's of a divine ideal. While not actual gods but they do best represent an immortal representative and come to serve the faithful in the mortal planes. Most Aspects are heavily aligned to one of the alignment radials - Lawful, Chaotic, Good or Evil. They serve this radial and the deity equal.

The truest representative form of an Aspect of Bacchus is a ten-foot tall reveler, wearing a toga, sandals and a laurel of ivy in their hair. They often have a lute or other musical instrument on hand, as well as kegs of alcohol nearby. Most times in mortal planes, they appear as mortal size and either in the Bacchanalian attire or something more appropriate to their local religious followers. Most are followed by a throng of devotees that come to listen to the god-like music they play at virtually any occasion. Either they or their devotees splurge in an excess of celebrations – wine, music, games. An Aspect of Bacchus is always about imbibing to extremes.

The best way to influence a Bacchanalian is to play music. Beating a perform check of DC 25 will make the aspect neutral to you; a perform check vs a DC 30 will make them positive. Lower than 20 perform, and the aspect will treat you with disdain. Increase the DCs by 5 if the performer attempts to sing or any other non-instrument type of perform. (I use this rule generally, musicianship is associated with playing instruments, not other forms of entertaining.) Attempts to use magic to influence the music is seen as cheating and is disdained and rebuked by the faithful. So having a +5 musical instrument is okay, casting a spell to enhance your musicianship isn't kosher.

An Aspect of Bacchus has the Bardic abilities of a 12th level Bard (minimum.)

Intoxicating Voice: Any mortal that listens to an Bacchus Aspect sing or play music must make a DC 18 Will check or fall into a drunken stupor equivalent of being staggered. They are able to take a single move action or standard action each round (unable to take full round actions.) Dispel Magic or Purify Poison will purge the effect. An Aspect can activate or dispel this at will, usually by clapping his hands or laughing.

Turn Undead: Most Aspects represent living faiths, as such they turn as 20th level clerics in their home temples/obelisks. For a Bacchus Aspect they turn at 
between 15th-18th level in urban areas and between 8th-10th in all other spots. Regardless of location, they turn at their optimum at parties and fests with large groups of followers and revelers. They turn at the worst in dungeons or wild natural areas. 

Japeth - High Paladin, Lord of Protection, God of Courage

This was the first of the deities codes that I created for one of my games. A long time ago... I had a good player, but he always seemed to stretch what he could when running his paladin which caused many of the other players frustration. I wrote the code, and said that it was up to him to interpret him, but that I expected him to keep it. He did and always did a good job, and stepped up to game it in a good, consistent and fun way. It worked so well, I eventually wrote the codes as brief belief outlines for my other good aligned gods.

Japeth - God of Courage

Alignment: Lawful Good
Follower's Alignment: Any non-chaotic & non-evil
Associated Colour: Orange
Holy Days: Every Month or once a Tenday
Sacrifice: Tithe (10%) or twenty days of service every year
Patron: Paladin, Lawyers, Scribes, Politicians, Soldiers
Familiar Form: Tiger, Orange Fox
Domains: Good, Law, Protection, War
Prohibited Domains: Chaos, Darkness, Destruction, Evil, Madness, Trickery
Followers Titles: Paladin, Defender, Knight, Orange Sash Knight, General


God of Courage. High Paladin. Lord of the Holy. The sword and the shield. The protector. The ever-vigilant. These are the names for Japeth, the High Lord Paladin, defender of the weak. He is a hero, always willing to sacrifice himself for the greater cause. He is also brother to Cush, the Chaotic Evil Lord of bloodshed and murder, and always they fight in a eternal struggle. Yet, there are stories told of many adventures they undertook together

He is the patron of paladins, and all warriors who risk their lives to protect someone else. He is the celestial general and just as others follow him, so too his followers lead other mortals. Yet, unlike many mortals, Japeth knows he is a leader in wartime, and is a steadfast servant to His queen – Quanna. Studied experts also revere the High Lord, as they know that generals don't just lead because of grace or charm, but work and dedication to a cause.

Orange is the most often worn colour for his faithful, it represents tenacity of purpose. Many times, the devoted wear trim of gold, green, purple or brown to show their unity with other faiths. Perhaps because of the great devotion that mortal paladins show Japeth, he constantly tries to show his own willingness to serve others for he leads by example, an important tenet in the faith.

His familiar form is that of a tiger, large, strong and brave. It appears when invoked, ready to guard an important paladin or cleric. Often, they come not during battle, but in times of supposed safety, to remind the faithful that they must always be ready. These forms can be sent to the faithful, but do not remain under the command of a paladin, always to a cleric, and usually to someone protecting a holy site. An orange-tailed or a fully orange fur-skin animal is a common familiar type, that suddenly appears serving someone of the faith.

His avatar is a paladin, in full plate armor, and a golden vorpal sword; ready to strike down evil. They say few words, but may lead the faithful in a battle song. They stand in front of a leader, and will defend them at any cost. When accompanied by at least a dozen faithful, he can sing a song of sharpness, giving all other warriors within 200 feet of him, remarkable abilities with their own swords. At the battle of Thoresh, he slew avatars to both Keran and Cush; yet he fell from the massive damage inflicted by a greater tyrant.


Japeth’s Code
Remember, lead by example
Show honour to all
Obey the law
Protect the weak, our charge
Enforce the rules
And not your beliefs
Respect the enemy
But never let them see doubt
For we are brave, strong and true
Go in the name of Japeth
He will protect you, Always