Hunted Outcast (Outcast Rating PrC)

[Wilder]

Hunted Outcast
I am not an animal! I am a human being!

There are those that society shun because of some physical deformity or distasteful practice. While they are treated with bias, it rarely escalates into physical violence.

Not so with the Hunted Outcast. These are the wretches who are unable to live among their fellow man without finding mobs rising to drive them out. Filled with self-pity and dispair, they are liked caged animals. Sometimes they are able to express their plight in a wail of emotion which gives others pause in their hatred. Other times, they find themselves answering with hate for hate and violence for violence.

Hunted Outcasts can come from any class. Those that have already abandoned civilization, such as the barbarian, druid and ranger can join this class, but fighters and rogues are common too.

Hit Dice: d8

Requirements:
Alignment: Any non-lawful
Skills: Disguise 2 ranks, Hide 4 ranks, Survival 5 ranks
Feats: Two of the following: Self-Sufficient, Skill Focus (Disguise), Skill Focus (Survival)
Special: Outcast Rating 5+

Class Skills:
The Hunted Outcast's class skills (and key ability modifiers) are Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Disguise (Cha), Hide (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Profession (Wis), Spot (Wis), Survival (Wis), and Swim (Str).
Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier

Class Features:
Weapons and Armor Proficiency: Hunted Outcasts gain no proficiency with any weapon or armor.

Base Attack Bonus: 1st level - 0, 2nd level - +1, 3rd level - +2, 4th level - +3, 5th level - +4.

Base Saving Throws: Fort and Ref saves good, Will bad.

Class Abilities
1. Something About That One, Sanctuary I
2. Rage of the Persecuted I
3. Sanctuary II, Thick Skinned
4. Rage of the Persecuted II
5. Sanctuary III/ Rage of the Persecuted III

Something About That One (Ex): Even when using a disguise or spell that would hide the characters Outcast Rating, 1/2 the normal OR penalty is still applied to all Bluff, Diplomacy, Gather Information and Perform checks and as a bonus for Intimidate checks. Should they reveal their true OR while making an Intimidate check, the target(s) must make a fear check (DC equal to the Hunted Outcast's Intimidate Check). Causing a fear check in this manner prevents any use of the Sanctuary ability.

Sanctuary (Ex): This ability only works as long as the Hunted Outcast has not performed a violent or evil act towards the group he is facing. This ability is able to be used 1/day at First level, 2/day at Third level, and 3/day at Fifth Level. This ability comes in three stages.

I - The Hunted Outcast may use the first level spell Sanctuary. The DC to attack the Hunted Outcast is 10 + class level + Outcast Rating. It last for a number of minutes equal to their class level

II - When the Hunted Outcast is using their sanctuary ability, they may make Bluff or Diplomacy checks without adding their Outcast Rating.

III - If the Hunted Outcast is struck while using their Sanctuary ability they gain are able to activate their Rage of the Persecuted ability without spending any of their daily uses.

Rage of the Persecuted (Ex): Each activation of this ability lasts for a number of rounds equal to their Outcast Rating + class level. his ability is able to be used 1/day at Second level, 2/day at Fourth level, and 3/day at Fifth Level. It comes in stages.

I - The Hunted Outcast entres into a rage. He gains +4 Str, +10 Hit Points and DR 2/-.

II -During a rage the Hunted Outcast is capable of ignoring the hardness of objects.

III - The gains while raging increase to +6 Str, +20 hit points and DR 3/-.


Thick Skinned (Ex): The Hunted Outcast gains DR 1/- at all times.

***************
This one came out after watching picking up the Frankenstein Legacy Collection DVDs. Comments on balance? Suggestions?

Edit (Removed Hunted, minor adjustment to Something about that one)

[Wiccy of the Fraternity]

You know, I quite like that PrC, something for calibans at long last

[DeepShadow of FoS]

Hunted: The Hunted Outcast rarely makes a good impression. All encounters in which their Outcast rating is not disguised begin as Hostile.

Something About That One: Even when using a disguise or spell that would hide the characters Outcast Rating, 1/2 the normal OR penalty is still applied to all Bluff, Diplomacy, Gather Information and Perform checks. While so disguised they do not get their intimidate bonus.

I love the concept itself, but not the execution. These two "abilities" are actually penalties, harsh ones, and IMO totally unnecessary when you already require an OR of 5 or more. I don't get it; who would take a prestige class that makes their PC's life suck so much?

[Wilder]

Well, the basic concept behind the class is that they are hunted and misunderstood. The people who saw the elephant man while he was covered still knew he was hiding something. Partly flavour, but you are right, it needs work.

For Something About That One, keep 1/2 of the OR penalty there, but add the Intimidate rating back. If the character reveals himself during the intimidate check, the target(s) must make a Fear check. Of course, it would then be impossible to use Sanctuary.

Hunted is a poor idea, so consider it gone. Instead, I was working on a Tolerence Rating system (basically, you assign it to communities to decide whether they will act normal, shun, or form a mob). That's the better idea.

Thanks. Any other problems? Comments?

[Paladine]

Generally great job, but i'll allow myself to add 3coppers. I'd add some perequisites. Sole Outcast Rating is not enough for me (in that case flakovnian dwarf in Darkon could take this class, but we mean frankenstein or swmp thing-like monsters, don't we?). Maybe some deformity, maybe a critical hit that nearly killed PC or failed madness check with physicall effects?

[Tobias Blackburn]

Generally great job, but i'll allow myself to add 3coppers. I'd add some perequisites. Sole Outcast Rating is not enough for me (in that case flakovnian dwarf in Darkon could take this class, but we mean frankenstein or swmp thing-like monsters, don't we?). Maybe some deformity, maybe a critical hit that nearly killed PC or failed madness check with physicall effects?

Note: I am Wilder, I just changed my account.

Is there a difference between the Frankenstein Monster and Quasimodo? A dwarf who qualifies for the class is already pretty scarred. The highest (non-caliban) Outcast Rating is 3, and any really scarred dwarf or elf is probably going to be pretty frightening to the average Barovian. I have a Tolerence Threshold that I'm working on to affect this.

Any character with a OR of 5 is pretty ugly. Many people equate ugliness with evil (Igor the Hunchback, Torgo of the Giant-Knees). People (especially ignorent peasants in a group) are cruel. If they fear something, they will probably act. The less tolerent they are, the more likely they're going to dash for the torches and pitchforks. Few peasants can tell the difference between being monstrous and looking monstrous.

The reason that Calibans can just hop into the class is because they have an OR of 5. If the Outcast Rating is used, they shouldn't walk undisguised into a store in a strange town and recieve a smile for the shop clerk and patrons. They are the ones who will be on the bad end of a irrate mob after all, and the Sanctuary ability is kind of useless unless people are attacking you for no reason.

The Hidden Guide deals with the concept of Outcast Ratings more indepth.

[Wiccy of the Fraternity]

I just noticed that the most recent writing of my character Megan Llewelyn has an Outcast Rating of 6 when her scars are visible (about 70% of her body is covered with pretty horrific burn scars, I like to give all my characters some disability, or at least the heroic ones), that would allow her to take on the class. However, her OR is easily avoided by dressing on clothing that covers her enough

Paladine raising some good suggestions for prerequisites though, severe scarring, madness, deformities and the like would serve as great prerequisites wit hthe additional note that they must take the OR of the character to no less than 5.

One thing I would alter about the class is the number of skill ranks it grants, I have never liked the odd numbered allotment for granting skill ranks, preferring the number to be even.

[Tobias Blackburn]

Changed the skills to 4 + Int.

My only question problem is that, an OR of 5 is great scarring and deformity. Also, scarring that grants an OR is pretty severe in the first place (goblyn feasting for example).

If the OR of a caliban does not represent sever deformities, what does it represent.

Also, a large part of the hunted outcast is the idea that (for the most part) they have not done anything to deserve their treatment. How about this:

Special: If the character does not meet the OR rating requirement, they can achieve the class by having lived in a domain in which they would be persecuted for their appearance (Ie sorceress in Tepest, Half-vistani in Invidia).

They aren't monsters (except in the odd occasion), but they do appear to be one. Madness and scarring don't make sense as a strick requirement (though it can attribute to someone else qualifying for the class), and how do you represent a severe deformity outside of OR? I understand that the character must be outcasts, but exactly how they get there shouldn't matter. The belief that you are being unfairly persecuted only needs for you to not fit in.

Doesn't it make sense that a known infected werewolf might take this class as he travels the Core, searching for a cure while fighting crime (In torn purple pants)?

[Paladine]

My only question problem is that, an OR of 5 is great scarring and deformity. Also, scarring that grants an OR is pretty severe in the first place (goblyn feasting for example).

If the OR of a caliban does not represent sever deformities, what does it represent.

I think I wasn't clear enough. I mean numbers and calculations aren't everything, especially in Ravenloft. It's quite possible to achive high outcast rating without being unfortunate you thought of, while writng this Class, and take Prestige agains its spirit. So it's why I care less of OR than role-play/description based perequesites.

Special: If the character does not meet the OR rating requirement, they can achieve the class by having lived in a domain in which they would be persecuted for their appearance (Ie sorceress in Tepest, Half-vistani in Invidia).

And that's perfectly fine with me

They aren't monsters (except in the odd occasion), but they do appear to be one. Madness and scarring don't make sense as a strick requirement (though it can attribute to someone else qualifying for the class), and how do you represent a severe deformity outside of OR? I understand that the character must be outcasts, but exactly how they get there shouldn't matter. The belief that you are being unfairly persecuted only needs for you to not fit in.

I haven't explained my PC's outcast rating and they are barely aware of it. So far they haven't chance to see how it works (i run campaign in Darkon), but when it comes to hand, they will lear it in a hard way. Xenophobia, anger, suspicions will teach them that people aren't equal. My way is like that: mechanics is for me, i'm a fair person so i can handle it. Players must have fun , mood and atmosphere which crashes down when it comes to rolls, rules and digits.

Several deformities may be explained as low Charisma score

Doesn't it make sense that a known infected werewolf might take this class as he travels the Core, searching for a cure while fighting crime (In torn purple pants)?

Yes it makes, but when I picture him in my mind's eye, I have a lot thoughts of Hulk

Take care

[Tobias Blackburn]

I understand where you are coming from, but the more I think about it the more it resembles a mindset.

It really does depend that a character suffer from an inability to fit smoothly into society, and scarring and deformities are not the only things that can cause that. The example of an infected werewolf is could work, as could someone who has been framed for the destruction of a small town and its population. Outcast ratings can be lowered by proving yourself, but they should rise if the character show themselves (or be framed) as evil.

The purpose of the class is that the character feels hunted beyond all reason and these emotions have hit their boiling point. It fits the deformed very closely but not excusively.

As long as they feel they are the victim of unfair persecution they should fit into the class. I understand the need for the character to role-play the class and not abuse it, but that is the job of the DM to enforce.

As for the Hulk, that's what I was shooting for. Take out the fighting crime and purple pants though and the character would still be an interesting addition to any campagin.

[Paladine]

With that 'expanded' description I have finally understood your point. Only question that remains: will you demand Outcast Rating description in perequesites section? I mean not only rating but also information where it comes from.

[Tobias Blackburn]

That's in the first chapter of the guide. If you want to use outcasts (of any kind really) and get the most out of them, they need to be well defined. What do they look-like, where did they grow up, how have they interacted with society up to that point, etc.

When it comes to calibans, pieces can be perfect, but the whole is always monstrous. I'm not writing hard and fast rules but I am writing suggestions as to how to design the outcast.

Also, I'm writing up a bunch of deformitiy feats. They work like the Redhaired feat. You don't have to have the feat to suffer from the deformity, but you must have the deformity to gain the feat.

[Paladine]

That's in the first chapter of the guide. If you

Also, I'm writing up a bunch of deformitiy feats. They work like the Redhaired feat. You don't have to have the feat to suffer from the deformity, but you must have the deformity to gain the feat.

That'd be very interesting.
On the other hand I have a another thought concerning feats.
One of my PC's suffered failed Madness check, when heard pieces of possesed madman diary, read aloud, involuntary, by other Character. I decided not to go with standard rules, but give him kind of warped "Reincarnated" feat. He will be haunted by scene of murder. He had two or three dreams up to date, and observed scene from many angles (spectator, victim, murderer, someone trying to help). When he dreams this nightmare, he can't rest and situation will be getting worse. I'll try to take Hypnosis session which will lead to adventure based uporn resolving assasination mystery. (As a side not I'll say that he's reincrnated girl. Idea came to me while hearing "Dream Theater - Scenes from Memory" album).
What do you think about it, and will you give me some advice?

[Tobias Blackburn]

On the other hand I have a another thought concerning feats.
One of my PC's suffered failed Madness check, when heard pieces of possesed madman diary, read aloud, involuntary, by other Character. I decided not to go with standard rules, but give him kind of warped "Reincarnated" feat. He will be haunted by scene of murder. He had two or three dreams up to date, and observed scene from many angles (spectator, victim, murderer, someone trying to help). When he dreams this nightmare, he can't rest and situation will be getting worse. I'll try to take Hypnosis session which will lead to adventure based uporn resolving assasination mystery. (As a side not I'll say that he's reincrnated girl. Idea came to me while hearing "Dream Theater - Scenes from Memory" album).
What do you think about it, and will you give me some advice?

Interesting... Now, I'm not sure that it really fits the Reincarnated Feat, unless he gets +2 in interacting with someone and a new class skill. The dreams are real and not from one point of view.

How about, instead of the normal abilities of the Reincarnated feat, he gets a type of bardic knowledge. At times when he is near an object or place that his former incarnation would have known, you roll the check. If it succeeds he gets a vision that passes on information. Later, he can try to tap into this on purpose and can re-roll one knowledge check per day. Should anyone see him recieve a vision in this manor, his OR goes up by 1.

It sounds interesting. Do you intend to fit the Nightmare Court into this? How long ago did this all occur?

My one concern would be keeping the other players from feeling they are going around and waiting for the other guy to remember stuff and tell them about it. Perhaps you can do something in where they end up reliving the scene as well. Maybe a phantom shift at the murder site.

[Paladine]

How about, instead of the normal abilities of the Reincarnated feat, he gets a type of bardic knowledge. At times when he is near an object or place that his former incarnation would have known, you roll the check. If it succeeds he gets a vision that passes on information. Later, he can try to tap into this on purpose and can re-roll one knowledge check per day. Should anyone see him recieve a vision in this manor, his OR goes up by 1.

Well we are coming back to OR thing, don'we?:)
I want force him to resolve case of his/hers murder, but reward be knowledge deeply connected with Darkon-Falkovnia war, which is base for an campaign ending adventure.
BTW is his OR subject to Darkon's rules (OR trated as 1 less)? I'd say no, but i'm cuiroius of your opinion.

It sounds interesting. Do you intend to fit the Nightmare Court into this? How long ago did this all occur?

Probably not. My I try to run campaig, where every supernatural aspect can be explained logically without magic influence, so I'm afraid I won't be able to handle Nightmare Court with enough delicacy. The only superantural beings they met were: mummy (which looked more like very old man surrounded with aura of despair and feer inducting rigid discipline) and caliban ( a misfortune brother of npc my players took care of. He was mishappen and tied to apparatus helping him walk, digest and live).

My one concern would be keeping the other players from feeling they are going around and waiting for the other guy to remember stuff and tell them about it. Perhaps you can do something in where they end up reliving the scene as well. Maybe a phantom shift at the murder site.

Haunts of past will be very unwelcome to most pc's. I consider Psion and sorcerer to be vulnerable to Etheral Resonace, as well as characters with high Wisdom score (not to mention of people with certain feats ) Every bit of knowledge they will gain from tragic past will be bought at high cost