Dread Executioner -- all about Intimidate [PEACH] [Archive] - Wizards Community

Dread Executioner -- all about Intimidate [PEACH] [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
aka_tarquin
08-16-07, 11:21 PM Greetings, everybody! I'm submitting my very first PrC for your perusal and criticism.

Frankly, I'm not a very big fan of the current classes centered around fright -- or rather, I like some of them, none of them are entirely satisfactory. I've taken a leaf from a few of them and created something of my own instead. The plan was only to show it to my GM in one game and use it there, but I liked the final product so much I wanted to make it public. Plus I could always use the input to make it balanced. In any case, I hope you like it.

Dread Executioner
"I am feeling generous today. I shall grant you one minute to pray to your gods."
- Kan Daen, Dread Executioner

A Dread Executioner is the ultimate master of fear. He conquers it; he spreads it; he wears it as a terrible cape, and he wields it as a horrifying weapon. His terror is fueled by a malicious intent as deep as the Abyss itself, and as such Dread Executioners become specialized assassins most often of all; others simply use their talents for their own ends, and some again are murderers, vile monsters who spread dread for their own, sick satisfaction.

BECOMING A DREAD EXECUTIONER

The capacity for dread is not something that can be learned. It's an inherent trait that lies planted in the early childhood of the Executioner (if not his soul). It is this cruelty alone that allows the Dread Executioner to become what he is -- it is a self-taught art. Hexblades and evil Samurai are the most common Executioners, as not only their outlooks but also their abilities mesh well with the class; however, anyone with the capacity for inciting dread can become an Executioner -- the Executioner-Priests of Hextor is but one example. Avenging Executioners (Complete Scoundrel) in love with their ability spread fear often advance become Dread Executioners in order to advance this art.

Entry Requirements:
Alignment: Any evil.
Skills: Concentration 8 ranks, Intimidate 13 ranks.
Feats: Death Blow (Complete Adventurer), Force of Personality (Complete Adventurer), Improved Initiative, Power Attack.

Table: Dread Executioner Hit die: d10
Level BAB Fort Ref Will Special

1st +0 +0 +0 +2 Frightful Attack 1/day, Confidence, Rapid Intimidation
2nd +1 +0 +0 +3 Sudden Strike +1d6
3rd +1 +1 +1 +3 Frightful Attack 2/day, Execution
4th +2 +1 +1 +4 Pierce the Heart
5th +2 +1 +1 +4 Frightful Attack 3/day, Sudden Strike +2d6, Dread Blade
6th +3 +2 +2 +5 Frightful Cleave (reach)
7th +3 +2 +2 +5 Frightful Attack 4/day, Pierce the Soul
8th +4 +2 +2 +6 Sudden Strike +3d6
9th +4 +3 +3 +6 Frightful Attack 5/day, Break the Mind
10th +5 +3 +3 +7 Frightful Cleave (30 ft.)

Class skills (4 + Int modifier per level): Bluff (Cha), Climb
(Str), Concentration (Con), Hide (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Listen
(Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Spot (Wis), Swim
(Str), and Tumble (Dex).

CLASS FEATURES

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The Dread Executioner is proficient with all simple and martial weapons. They are not proficient with any armor or shields.

Frightful Attack (Su): As the Ghost-Faced Killer special ability (Complete Adventurer page 53), except the Dread Executioner gains Frightful Attacks as listed.

Confidence (Ex): The Dread Executioner may add his Charisma modifier to saves against fear effects and on level checks to resist being intimidated.

Rapid Intimidation (Ex): As the Avenging Executioner ability (Complete Scoundrel page 24). If you already have this ability, you can demoralize your opponent as an immediate action.

Sudden Strike (Ex): As the Ninja special ability (Complete Adventurer page 8).

Execution: When a Dread Executioner strikes somebody who is denied their Dexterity bonus to AC, they add their Charisma modifier to the attack roll. When making a coup-de-grace, the Dread Executioner also adds their Charisma modifier to the damage roll. Execution also applies when the target is considered flat-footed by virtue of the Dread Blade ability.

Pierce the Heart (Su): The Dread Executioner is capable of shaking even the bravest of men; he ignores fear immunity when (and only when) making Intimidate checks.

Dread Blade (Ex): As the Avenging Executioner ability (Complete Scoundrel page 24).

Frightful Cleave (Su): As the Ghost-Faced Killer special ability (Complete Adventurer page 53). At level ten, this ability improves, and the Dread Executioner may make a frightful attack against anyone within 30 ft. even though he can't normally reach them with his weapon.

Pierce the Soul (Su): The Dread Executioner radiates an aura around himself, which is 10 ft. in radius. Anyone within this field - even allies of the Executioner, though not the Executioner himself (or any other Executioners, for that matter) - lose their immunity to fear. If they are immune to mind-affecting effects, they lose this immunity as far as fear effects are concerned. Mindless targets remain immune.

Break the Mind (Su): Anyone who survives a Dread Executioner's Frightful Attack (assuming that the Executioner didn't miss, in which case Break the Mind doesn't apply) must make a second Will save against the same DC or be stunned for 1 round -- a successful save reduces this effect to merely being dazed for 1 round.

Multiclass note: A Samurai who becomes a Dread Executioner may multiclass freely between DE and Samurai (though he must remain lawful in order to do so).

Ex-Dread Executioners: An Executioner who ceases to be evil loses all supernatural class features and may not advance in this class until he returns to an evil alignment and atones for his actions.

PLAYING A DREAD EXECUTIONER

Always remember that you're not a warrior... you're an executioner. In this, your art is closer in nature to that of the assassin than the fighter. The difference is that you always allow your enemy to know that they're about to die -- though it is up to each individual Executioner whether this is to grant the victim a final mercy, to watch him squirm in mental agony, or simply to prevent the victim from defending himself.

You're confident and awe-inspiring, and you're likely to be the face of your party if you travel with one that tolerates your outlook and abilities. It could also be that you hide your presence, only to reveal yourself at your most terrifying to your enemies.

However you choose to act or present yourself, remember that only the very few will dare to oppose you. Never be afraid to do as you damn well please.

Combat

Where assassins strike from the shadows and archers and mages strike from afar, you prefer to overwhelm your enemy. Single them out, prevent their escape, and strike quickly while they cower before you... or nibble at them slowly, if that is your desire. Give them as much time to be afraid as you wish. Cruelty is your greatest weapon, and as you advance in this class, it will cease to fail you.

Advancement

Your path has been dark, and it has twisted you accordingly. By continuing along this road, you condemn yourself even further, but what hope have you really got at redemption?

Pursue the tactics you pursued before becoming an Executioner as far as you're able; they serve you well still.

Resources

Dread Executioners have no resources to call upon but the ones they possess... and the ones they lay claim to.

DREAD EXECUTIONERS IN THE WORLD

In the works...

Organization

There is no world-wide organization of Dread Executioners. They do find easy employ in all manner of other organizations looking for hired muscle, however.

NPC Reactions

You are feared by most -- for good and for bad. Don't expect much in the way of kindness or patience from anyone.

DREAD EXECUTIONERS IN THE GAME

In the works...

EXAMPLE DREAD EXECUTIONER

Dread Executioners often serve as assassins and grim messengers of death. One might seek the PCs out for aid in the face of a common enemy; another might target the PCs themselves.
EL 16: The PCs first encounter Kan Daen shortly after being ambushed by a mob who proves to be superior in both strength and number; he arrives on the scene, killing the leader as well as several others, scaring off most of the rest, thus evening the odds considerably. He leaves the PCs immediately after saving them, mysteriously disappearing before they can thank him. Further investigation reveals that Kan Daen is a vigilante wanted by the local law enforcement for the brutal, execution-like killings of dozens of criminals and felons. Several gangs as well as a few local merchant guilds have also expressed their desire to see this man dead, or at least taken off the streets. A particularly deep

If Kan Daen finds out that the PCs are plotting against him, he will utilize divide-and-conquer tactics, and he's not afraid to harry them with successive hit-and-runs. In combat, he prefers to use a combination of Frightful/Hideous Blast and his Execution strikes, attempting to demoralize his opponents prior to attacking them; he saves his Frightful Attacks for people who seem like they can take a few punches standing. He makes frequent use of his Curse of Despair invocation when he doesn't attack.

KAN DAEN CR 17
Male human Hexblade 5/Warlock 5/Dread Executioner 6
CE Medium Humanoid
Init +6 Senses Listen +3, Spot +3
Languages Common

AC 23, touch 12, flat-footed 21 (+2 Dex, +9 armor, +2 natural)
hp 134 (16 HD); DR 1/Cold Iron
Fort +7 Ref +7 Will +11 (+17 vs. fear effects) (Arcane Resistance +6)

Speed 30 ft. (6 squares)
Melee +2 Keen Vicious Falchion +18 (2d4+8+2d6, 1d6 to wielder/15-20X2)
Ranged Eldritch Blast +12 (3d6)
Base Atk +11/+6/+1; Grp +14
Atk Options Power Attack, Cleave, Frightful Blast, Hideous Blast, Frightful Attack 3/day, Sudden Strike +2d6, Dread Blade
Special Actions Hexblade's Curse 1/day, Detect Magic, Deceive Item, Rapid Intimidation

Hexblade Spells Known (CL 4th)
1st (2/day) - Disguise Self, Undetectable Alignment (Kan usually casts Undetectable Alignment on himself every morning)
Warlock Invocations Known (CL 5th):
Least - Beguiling Influence, Frightful Blast, Hideous Blast
Lesser - Curse of Despair

Abilities Str 18, Dex 14, Con 15, Int 11, Wis 13, Cha 22
Feats Alertness (B), Cleave, Death Blow, Force of Personality, Improved Initiative, Improved Toughness, Power Attack, Weapon Focus (Falchion)
Skills Bluff +30, Concentration +21, Diplomacy +16, Intimidate +33, Use Magic Device +10
Possessions +2 Keen Vicious Falchion, Cloak of Charisma +4, Gauntlets of Ogre Strength, +5 Mithral Shirt, Amulet of Natural Armor +2, Wand of Cure Moderate Wounds

Note: Kan keeps a snake familiar, but he always carries it on his person. At the GM's option, he may keep a Dark Companion (PHB2) instead.

Hook "These people are scum, they deserve to die!"
Waldo_di
08-17-07, 01:53 AM Where's his HD? and why sudden strike something like Cunning the Fearful makes more sense it would kinda work like sudden strike except it only works on targets shaken, frightened or panicked. (I just made up this ability)
aka_tarquin
08-17-07, 08:54 PM The HD is d10 -- you can see it on Table: Dread Executioner. It should also be noted that the Dread Blade ability allows one to treat shaken, frightened, and panicked foes as vulnerable to Sudden Strike.
StevenO
08-17-07, 11:41 PM ...

Dread Executioner
"I am feeling generous today. I shall grant you one minute to pray to your gods."
- Kan Daen, Dread Executioner

A Dread Executioner is the penultimate master of fear. He conquers it; he spreads it; he wears it as a terrible cape, and he wields it as a horrifying weapon. His terror is fueled by a malicious intent as deep as the Abyss itself, and as such Dread Executioners become specialized assassins most often of all; others simply use their talents for their own ends, and some again are murderers, vile monsters who spread dread for their own, sick satisfaction.

snip...

It your Dread Executioner is the penultimate master of fear who the last? You should just stick to common words and call it the Ultimate Master of Fear instead of implying it is "the next to last" master of fear. Penultimate may sound nice and impressive but its meaning isn't.

I'm not going to pick the class apart but the general overview seems very similiar to the Ghost-Faced Killer in the Complete Adventurer.
aka_tarquin
08-18-07, 12:32 AM I'm not a native speaker, sadly, and sometimes nuances such as these will escape me. I've corrected myself for now, in any case. :)

And yes, you're right about the similarity between this class and the Ghost-Faced Killer. In fact, you could go so far as to say that the one is another version of the other -- I based the Executioner off the Killer.
aka_tarquin
08-27-07, 08:27 PM :bump:
aka_tarquin
09-23-07, 03:55 AM Once again, bump.
Kuro_Khan
09-23-07, 08:27 AM I don't know much about the class features of this class, since I don't have the books, but it doesn't make sense to me that the class has D10 for hp, seems to be a combat oriented class, but only has a wizard attack progression...
aka_tarquin
09-23-07, 10:50 AM The idea is to reward this class' reliance on a good Charisma score rather than boost all-around DEs' combat abilities. The Dread Blade class feature allows you to treat shaken, frightened, and panicked creatures as flat-footed for the purpose of dealing precision damage such as sneak attack and sudden strike. The Execution bonus to attack rolls stacks with this (I'll add that to that feature's description now).

Many enemies become immune to fear as characters progress through the levels of this class, but the DE eventually overcomes this (DM caveat). The BAB loss from leaving a full or three-quarters progression depends on the character in question, though it can be regained (extra attacks aside) with an above-average Charisma score and a Cloak of Charisma.

Execution rewards characters who play dirty. As the DE advances, it also rewards characters who take efforts to undermine their enemies' resolve.
aka_tarquin
10-23-07, 03:25 PM I'd like to try out for one more :bump: before the authorities catch up to me.
teamfireyleader
11-24-07, 06:39 PM Ok i'll have a go at it, and there are 2 things 1 it doesn't seem to have a paralyzing attack so i'd add that so he can make a coup de grace (as all good executioners should) and i'd add dc to fort save against coup de grace.

2;Executioners axe
Large, 2 handed, 1d8, +1 magic paralysing vorpal axe, If used to do an intentially killing coup de grace, Dc becomes 40.
Price: A LOT. in pp. maybe 100pp
Druss_of_The_Sword
11-24-07, 07:01 PM Why not make use of the Executioner's Mace. i dont know what book its from but its a 2 handed weapon, deals 2d6 damage, x3 crit. and can be either "B or S", or "B or P"
aka_tarquin
12-26-07, 07:31 PM I need to check on these forums more often - someone's actually replied to my threads!

*ahem*

I'm more concerned about the class itself than the weapons a Dread Executioner might use, to be honest.

You should keep in mind that the Frightful Attack offers the chance of an instant kill without Coup de Grace; Break the Mind also stuns (or dazes on a successful save) the enemy in case he doesn't die from your Frightful Attack. And then you have your skill at intimidation to cow people with (and you don't need to waste a standard action just to stare some poor berk down).

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
aka_tarquin 08-16-07, 11:21 PM	Greetings, everybody! I'm submitting my very first PrC for your perusal and criticism. Frankly, I'm not a very big fan of the current classes centered around fright -- or rather, I like some of them, none of them are entirely satisfactory. I've taken a leaf from a few of them and created something of my own instead. The plan was only to show it to my GM in one game and use it there, but I liked the final product so much I wanted to make it public. Plus I could always use the input to make it balanced. In any case, I hope you like it. Dread Executioner "I am feeling generous today. I shall grant you one minute to pray to your gods." - Kan Daen, Dread Executioner A Dread Executioner is the ultimate master of fear. He conquers it; he spreads it; he wears it as a terrible cape, and he wields it as a horrifying weapon. His terror is fueled by a malicious intent as deep as the Abyss itself, and as such Dread Executioners become specialized assassins most often of all; others simply use their talents for their own ends, and some again are murderers, vile monsters who spread dread for their own, sick satisfaction. BECOMING A DREAD EXECUTIONER The capacity for dread is not something that can be learned. It's an inherent trait that lies planted in the early childhood of the Executioner (if not his soul). It is this cruelty alone that allows the Dread Executioner to become what he is -- it is a self-taught art. Hexblades and evil Samurai are the most common Executioners, as not only their outlooks but also their abilities mesh well with the class; however, anyone with the capacity for inciting dread can become an Executioner -- the Executioner-Priests of Hextor is but one example. Avenging Executioners (Complete Scoundrel) in love with their ability spread fear often advance become Dread Executioners in order to advance this art. Entry Requirements: Alignment: Any evil. Skills: Concentration 8 ranks, Intimidate 13 ranks. Feats: Death Blow (Complete Adventurer), Force of Personality (Complete Adventurer), Improved Initiative, Power Attack. Table: Dread Executioner Hit die: d10 Level BAB Fort Ref Will Special 1st +0 +0 +0 +2 Frightful Attack 1/day, Confidence, Rapid Intimidation 2nd +1 +0 +0 +3 Sudden Strike +1d6 3rd +1 +1 +1 +3 Frightful Attack 2/day, Execution 4th +2 +1 +1 +4 Pierce the Heart 5th +2 +1 +1 +4 Frightful Attack 3/day, Sudden Strike +2d6, Dread Blade 6th +3 +2 +2 +5 Frightful Cleave (reach) 7th +3 +2 +2 +5 Frightful Attack 4/day, Pierce the Soul 8th +4 +2 +2 +6 Sudden Strike +3d6 9th +4 +3 +3 +6 Frightful Attack 5/day, Break the Mind 10th +5 +3 +3 +7 Frightful Cleave (30 ft.) Class skills (4 + Int modifier per level): Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Hide (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str), and Tumble (Dex). CLASS FEATURES Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The Dread Executioner is proficient with all simple and martial weapons. They are not proficient with any armor or shields. Frightful Attack (Su): As the Ghost-Faced Killer special ability (Complete Adventurer page 53), except the Dread Executioner gains Frightful Attacks as listed. Confidence (Ex): The Dread Executioner may add his Charisma modifier to saves against fear effects and on level checks to resist being intimidated. Rapid Intimidation (Ex): As the Avenging Executioner ability (Complete Scoundrel page 24). If you already have this ability, you can demoralize your opponent as an immediate action. Sudden Strike (Ex): As the Ninja special ability (Complete Adventurer page 8). Execution: When a Dread Executioner strikes somebody who is denied their Dexterity bonus to AC, they add their Charisma modifier to the attack roll. When making a coup-de-grace, the Dread Executioner also adds their Charisma modifier to the damage roll. Execution also applies when the target is considered flat-footed by virtue of the Dread Blade ability. Pierce the Heart (Su): The Dread Executioner is capable of shaking even the bravest of men; he ignores fear immunity when (and only when) making Intimidate checks. Dread Blade (Ex): As the Avenging Executioner ability (Complete Scoundrel page 24). Frightful Cleave (Su): As the Ghost-Faced Killer special ability (Complete Adventurer page 53). At level ten, this ability improves, and the Dread Executioner may make a frightful attack against anyone within 30 ft. even though he can't normally reach them with his weapon. Pierce the Soul (Su): The Dread Executioner radiates an aura around himself, which is 10 ft. in radius. Anyone within this field - even allies of the Executioner, though not the Executioner himself (or any other Executioners, for that matter) - lose their immunity to fear. If they are immune to mind-affecting effects, they lose this immunity as far as fear effects are concerned. Mindless targets remain immune. Break the Mind (Su): Anyone who survives a Dread Executioner's Frightful Attack (assuming that the Executioner didn't miss, in which case Break the Mind doesn't apply) must make a second Will save against the same DC or be stunned for 1 round -- a successful save reduces this effect to merely being dazed for 1 round. Multiclass note: A Samurai who becomes a Dread Executioner may multiclass freely between DE and Samurai (though he must remain lawful in order to do so). Ex-Dread Executioners: An Executioner who ceases to be evil loses all supernatural class features and may not advance in this class until he returns to an evil alignment and atones for his actions. PLAYING A DREAD EXECUTIONER Always remember that you're not a warrior... you're an executioner. In this, your art is closer in nature to that of the assassin than the fighter. The difference is that you always allow your enemy to know that they're about to die -- though it is up to each individual Executioner whether this is to grant the victim a final mercy, to watch him squirm in mental agony, or simply to prevent the victim from defending himself. You're confident and awe-inspiring, and you're likely to be the face of your party if you travel with one that tolerates your outlook and abilities. It could also be that you hide your presence, only to reveal yourself at your most terrifying to your enemies. However you choose to act or present yourself, remember that only the very few will dare to oppose you. Never be afraid to do as you damn well please. Combat Where assassins strike from the shadows and archers and mages strike from afar, you prefer to overwhelm your enemy. Single them out, prevent their escape, and strike quickly while they cower before you... or nibble at them slowly, if that is your desire. Give them as much time to be afraid as you wish. Cruelty is your greatest weapon, and as you advance in this class, it will cease to fail you. Advancement Your path has been dark, and it has twisted you accordingly. By continuing along this road, you condemn yourself even further, but what hope have you really got at redemption? Pursue the tactics you pursued before becoming an Executioner as far as you're able; they serve you well still. Resources Dread Executioners have no resources to call upon but the ones they possess... and the ones they lay claim to. DREAD EXECUTIONERS IN THE WORLD In the works... Organization There is no world-wide organization of Dread Executioners. They do find easy employ in all manner of other organizations looking for hired muscle, however. NPC Reactions You are feared by most -- for good and for bad. Don't expect much in the way of kindness or patience from anyone. DREAD EXECUTIONERS IN THE GAME In the works... EXAMPLE DREAD EXECUTIONER Dread Executioners often serve as assassins and grim messengers of death. One might seek the PCs out for aid in the face of a common enemy; another might target the PCs themselves. EL 16: The PCs first encounter Kan Daen shortly after being ambushed by a mob who proves to be superior in both strength and number; he arrives on the scene, killing the leader as well as several others, scaring off most of the rest, thus evening the odds considerably. He leaves the PCs immediately after saving them, mysteriously disappearing before they can thank him. Further investigation reveals that Kan Daen is a vigilante wanted by the local law enforcement for the brutal, execution-like killings of dozens of criminals and felons. Several gangs as well as a few local merchant guilds have also expressed their desire to see this man dead, or at least taken off the streets. A particularly deep If Kan Daen finds out that the PCs are plotting against him, he will utilize divide-and-conquer tactics, and he's not afraid to harry them with successive hit-and-runs. In combat, he prefers to use a combination of Frightful/Hideous Blast and his Execution strikes, attempting to demoralize his opponents prior to attacking them; he saves his Frightful Attacks for people who seem like they can take a few punches standing. He makes frequent use of his Curse of Despair invocation when he doesn't attack. KAN DAEN CR 17 Male human Hexblade 5/Warlock 5/Dread Executioner 6 CE Medium Humanoid Init +6 Senses Listen +3, Spot +3 Languages Common AC 23, touch 12, flat-footed 21 (+2 Dex, +9 armor, +2 natural) hp 134 (16 HD); DR 1/Cold Iron Fort +7 Ref +7 Will +11 (+17 vs. fear effects) (Arcane Resistance +6) Speed 30 ft. (6 squares) Melee +2 Keen Vicious Falchion +18 (2d4+8+2d6, 1d6 to wielder/15-20X2) Ranged Eldritch Blast +12 (3d6) Base Atk +11/+6/+1; Grp +14 Atk Options Power Attack, Cleave, Frightful Blast, Hideous Blast, Frightful Attack 3/day, Sudden Strike +2d6, Dread Blade Special Actions Hexblade's Curse 1/day, Detect Magic, Deceive Item, Rapid Intimidation Hexblade Spells Known (CL 4th) 1st (2/day) - Disguise Self, Undetectable Alignment (Kan usually casts Undetectable Alignment on himself every morning) Warlock Invocations Known (CL 5th): Least - Beguiling Influence, Frightful Blast, Hideous Blast Lesser - Curse of Despair Abilities Str 18, Dex 14, Con 15, Int 11, Wis 13, Cha 22 Feats Alertness (B), Cleave, Death Blow, Force of Personality, Improved Initiative, Improved Toughness, Power Attack, Weapon Focus (Falchion) Skills Bluff +30, Concentration +21, Diplomacy +16, Intimidate +33, Use Magic Device +10 Possessions +2 Keen Vicious Falchion, Cloak of Charisma +4, Gauntlets of Ogre Strength, +5 Mithral Shirt, Amulet of Natural Armor +2, Wand of Cure Moderate Wounds Note: Kan keeps a snake familiar, but he always carries it on his person. At the GM's option, he may keep a Dark Companion (PHB2) instead. Hook "These people are scum, they deserve to die!"
Waldo_di 08-17-07, 01:53 AM	Where's his HD? and why sudden strike something like Cunning the Fearful makes more sense it would kinda work like sudden strike except it only works on targets shaken, frightened or panicked. (I just made up this ability)
aka_tarquin 08-17-07, 08:54 PM	The HD is d10 -- you can see it on Table: Dread Executioner. It should also be noted that the Dread Blade ability allows one to treat shaken, frightened, and panicked foes as vulnerable to Sudden Strike.
StevenO 08-17-07, 11:41 PM	... Dread Executioner "I am feeling generous today. I shall grant you one minute to pray to your gods." - Kan Daen, Dread Executioner A Dread Executioner is the penultimate master of fear. He conquers it; he spreads it; he wears it as a terrible cape, and he wields it as a horrifying weapon. His terror is fueled by a malicious intent as deep as the Abyss itself, and as such Dread Executioners become specialized assassins most often of all; others simply use their talents for their own ends, and some again are murderers, vile monsters who spread dread for their own, sick satisfaction. snip... It your Dread Executioner is the penultimate master of fear who the last? You should just stick to common words and call it the Ultimate Master of Fear instead of implying it is "the next to last" master of fear. Penultimate may sound nice and impressive but its meaning isn't. I'm not going to pick the class apart but the general overview seems very similiar to the Ghost-Faced Killer in the Complete Adventurer.
aka_tarquin 08-18-07, 12:32 AM	I'm not a native speaker, sadly, and sometimes nuances such as these will escape me. I've corrected myself for now, in any case. :) And yes, you're right about the similarity between this class and the Ghost-Faced Killer. In fact, you could go so far as to say that the one is another version of the other -- I based the Executioner off the Killer.
aka_tarquin 08-27-07, 08:27 PM	:bump:
aka_tarquin 09-23-07, 03:55 AM	Once again, bump.
Kuro_Khan 09-23-07, 08:27 AM	I don't know much about the class features of this class, since I don't have the books, but it doesn't make sense to me that the class has D10 for hp, seems to be a combat oriented class, but only has a wizard attack progression...
aka_tarquin 09-23-07, 10:50 AM	The idea is to reward this class' reliance on a good Charisma score rather than boost all-around DEs' combat abilities. The Dread Blade class feature allows you to treat shaken, frightened, and panicked creatures as flat-footed for the purpose of dealing precision damage such as sneak attack and sudden strike. The Execution bonus to attack rolls stacks with this (I'll add that to that feature's description now). Many enemies become immune to fear as characters progress through the levels of this class, but the DE eventually overcomes this (DM caveat). The BAB loss from leaving a full or three-quarters progression depends on the character in question, though it can be regained (extra attacks aside) with an above-average Charisma score and a Cloak of Charisma. Execution rewards characters who play dirty. As the DE advances, it also rewards characters who take efforts to undermine their enemies' resolve.
aka_tarquin 10-23-07, 03:25 PM	I'd like to try out for one more :bump: before the authorities catch up to me.
teamfireyleader 11-24-07, 06:39 PM	Ok i'll have a go at it, and there are 2 things 1 it doesn't seem to have a paralyzing attack so i'd add that so he can make a coup de grace (as all good executioners should) and i'd add dc to fort save against coup de grace. 2;Executioners axe Large, 2 handed, 1d8, +1 magic paralysing vorpal axe, If used to do an intentially killing coup de grace, Dc becomes 40. Price: A LOT. in pp. maybe 100pp
Druss_of_The_Sword 11-24-07, 07:01 PM	Why not make use of the Executioner's Mace. i dont know what book its from but its a 2 handed weapon, deals 2d6 damage, x3 crit. and can be either "B or S", or "B or P"
aka_tarquin 12-26-07, 07:31 PM	I need to check on these forums more often - someone's actually replied to my threads! ahem I'm more concerned about the class itself than the weapons a Dread Executioner might use, to be honest. You should keep in mind that the Frightful Attack offers the chance of an instant kill without Coup de Grace; Break the Mind also stuns (or dazes on a successful save) the enemy in case he doesn't die from your Frightful Attack. And then you have your skill at intimidation to cow people with (and you don't need to waste a standard action just to stare some poor berk down).