Infernus

"And hence cometh the blackest of plagues. A plague inflicting vileness forthwith on both flesh and soul. A plague from Hell!"
——The Mad Prophecies of Dun Tal Kun, Volume VI

For years the demons have looked for ways to augment Hell’s armies. One solution, born of evil malevolence and ingenuity, arose in the form of a giant, magic-infused vat of foul toxic chemicals extracted from souls too evil to tame. This alchemical mixture at first was thought to have been a failure as it had no lasting effect of the demonic form. Its true power was soon discovered after a careless demon tossed a mortal human into the vat. The intense evil corrupted the human, changing him into a demonic being of great power.

It wasn’t long before the demons started capturing mortals and immersing them into the vat. Only the strong could survive the transformation, and each change was unique to the individual, based on the abilities and natural aptitude of that individual. The Infernus, as they were called, still retained part of their mortality and were able to return to the prime, although a horrible evil now flowed through them. Cities burned and many perished under the might of this new army until a devout and experienced paladin, Grestar Fyrian, and his company fought the creatures back into Hell. There the paladin destroyed the great vat and attempted to save the few remaining mortals, most of which were small children and infants. The demons responsible for the operation escaped along with a few Infernus however, and rumors have started that a second vat has been created.

Grestar found on his conquest that not all of the Infernus were morally corrupted. Rarely the chemicals did not affect the minds of the Infernus. Instead a second mind was created in the Infernus, usually as a ghastly appendage, that whispered dark secrets to the Infernus and tempted them to do evil constantly. These few Infernus live as outcasts, constantly fighting the temptations of evil as the chemicals in their bodies continue to slowly corrupt their forms.

Infernus

The Infernus is born far stronger than other mortals, and suffers less overall through their trials, causing them to learn less through experiences that teach harsher lessons to the frail. Since they share a bloodline with demons, they also tend to be very long lived, causing them to feel much less urgency in their responsibility to personal growth. Some of these advantages include enhanced physical or mental attributes, depending on their specific demonic heritage. Like most other demons, Infernus’ can also see in the dark, gaining Darkvision.

The Infernus also gains several infernal mutations that vary widely depending on the hellspawn that birthed them. These can be as obvious as a writhing tentacled mass attached to the body or as subtle as the flesh on their bodies healing a bit quicker than is normally possible. Some Infernus’ are even born with defenses skewed to such an extreme that their supernatural resistance to some attacks results in a deficit against others, although such mutations are rare. These dark gifts also mean that the individual is forever infused with the essence of evil. Even if they try to fight against their demonic nature, at best they can only avoid being evil in deed, and divine goodly beings will show no mercy to such creatures.

Prerequisites

  • Non-Good Alignment
  • Infernus is a Racial Talent that may only be taken at Character Creation (usually first level).
  • Cost: 2 Destiny points.

Features

♦ Experience Rating Increase
You have a 1 experience rating adjustment.
♦ Attribute Adjustment
Gain a +4 Talent Bonus to one attribute, and a +2 talent bonus to two other attributes of your choice.
♦ Infused with Evil
You gain the Evil keyword and emit an Evil aura. you are considered to be a Hellspawn for purposes of effects that target those creatures. You remain native to your plane of birth.
♦ Darkvision
You gain Darkvision.
♦ Dark Mutations
When you take this talent, choose four of the mutations from the Infernus Mutations list for which you qualify. You may not choose the same mutation twice. Once chosen, the mutation may not be changed.
♦ Infernus Drawbacks
When you take this talent, you may choose up to two drawbacks from the Infernus Drawbacks list. For each drawback that you choose, you gain an additional Infernus Mutation for free (as specified by the Drawback). Once chosen, the drawback and mutation may not be changed.

Infernus Mutations

♦ Evil Appendage
You gain a sentient and evil extra appendage (examples: arm, tail, or tentacle). The exact form is individual to each infernus. This appendage whispers dark secrets to the Infernus, trying to slowly corrupt it. The appendage can make attacks or perform other simple actions as an Immediate Action.
Evil Appendage Attack
Infernus Class Feature
Immediate Action
Effect: The appendage reaches out and attacks a nearby creature. Make an attack:
Target: One Creature within reach
Melee Attack: Melee +2 vs. AC
Hit: 1d4 + StrP damage (of physical type appropriate to the appendage).
Augment, Stronger Attack
[Physical Rank 5]
Stacking [Rank 5, 8, 11, etc]: This augment may be applied multiple times and is limited by your Physical Rank
Effect: Increase the damage by 1d4.
♦ Enhanced Evil Appendage – Evil Appendage
Choose one of the following damage types: Necrotic, Cold, or Fire. Once chosen the damage type cannot be changed. Your Evil Appendage Attack does additional damage of the chosen type on a hit equal to [2x Physical Rank].
♦ Rubbery Evil Appendage – Evil Appendage
The reach of your evil appendage attack increases by 5ft.
♦ Wicked Evil Appendage – Evil Appendage
Change all the damage dice of the Evil Appendage attack from d4s to d8s.
♦ Breath Weapon
You gain a breath weapon attack of one of the following damage types: Caustic, Cold, or Fire. Once chosen the damage type cannot be changed.
Infernus Breath Weapon
Infernus Class Feature
Standard Action [REC 7]
Cost: 2 Stamina
Effect: You belch forth a cone of energy. Make an attack:
Area: 15ft cone
Target: All creatures within area
Attack: Ranged vs. Reflex
Hit: 1d6 damage (of chosen type).
Augment, Greater Breath
[Physical Rank 2]
Stacking [Rank 2, 3, 4, etc]: This augment may be applied multiple times and is limited by your Physical Rank.
Effect: Increase the damage by 1d6.
♦ Improved Breath Weapon – Breath Weapon
Change all the damage dice of the Infernus Breath Weapon attack from d6s to d8s. Additionally, increase the length of the cone to 30ft.
♦ Vile Speed
Your skirmish and sprint speeds increase by 5ft.
♦ Uncanny Constitution
You are Immune to all Poisons, Toxins, and Diseases.
♦ Weapon Resistance
Choose one of the following energy types: Bludgeoning, Chopping, Piercing, and Slashing. Gain Resistance to the chosen energy type.
♦ Energy Resistance
Choose one of the following energy types: Caustic, Cold, Fire, Lightning, and Sonic. Gain Resistance and Damage Reduction (2x Physical Rank) to the chosen energy type.
♦ Fast Healing
Gain Fast Healing equal to your Physical Rank.
♦ Regeneration – Fast Healing
You now gain Regeneration equal to your Physical Rank, instead of Fast Healing. Any damage types to which you are Vulnerable overcome your Regeneration.
♦ Devilsight
You gain Devilsight.

Infernus Drawback

♦ Weapon Vulnerability
Choose one of the following: Bludgeoning, Chopping, Piercing, or Slashing damage. You gain Vulnerability (1.5x) to the chosen damage type. Additionally, you gain the Weapon Resistance mutation for free.
♦ Energy Vulnerability
Choose one of the following energy types: Caustic, Cold, Fire, Lightning, and Sonic. Gain Vulnerability (1.5x) to the chosen energy type. Additionally, you gain the Energy Resistance mutation for free.
♦ Silver Allergy
You gain Vulnerability (2x) to Silver Weapons. Additionally, Physical contact or proximity to Silver objects causes Pain (1). When you chose this drawback, you gain the Fast Healing mutation for free.