Since Necrotic Gnome released the new necromancer class for play testing I knew I had to do something with that spell list! This isn't the only idea I've had for use of it but it is the first.
Keepers of the places of eternal rest, performers of funeral rites and all round creepy bards are the death wailers.
Death Wailer
Requirements: Minimum DEX 9, minimum INT 9
Prime requisite: CHA
Hit Dice: 1d6
Maximum level: 14
Armour: Leather, chainmail, no shields
Weapons: Missile weapons, one-handed melee weapons.
Languages: Alignment, Common
Arcane Magic
Spell casting: death wailers carry spell books containing the formulae for arcane spells. The level progression table (below) shows both the number of spells in the death wailer’s spell book and the number they may memorize, determined by the character’s experience level. Thus, a 2nd level death wailer has one spell in their spell book, selected by the referee (who may allow the player to choose). The list of spells available to death wailers is found in the necromancer spell list.
Using magic items: As spell casters, death wailers are able to use magic scrolls of spells on their spell list. They can also use items that may only be used by arcane spell casters (e.g. magic wands). They are, however, not able to use magic items with effects that charm or control living creatures, including humans (e.g. a ring that controls animals).
Fear
By playing music and singing, the death wailer can scare subjects in a 30’ radius. This ability does not function in combat.
Number of subjects: Up to 2HD of creatures per level of the bard are affected. The death wailer may choose to target a specific individual or a group (in which case, the affected individuals are determined randomly).
Types of subjects: At 1st level, the death wailer can scare persons. At 4th level, animals may also be affected. At 7th level, monsters may be affected.
Effect: Each subject must save versus spells or be scared, as follows:
▶ Fear: Scared subjects’ flee the death wailers' presence, attempting to get at least 120’ away.
▶ Interruptions: If the performance is interrupted (e.g. by loud noise or violence), the fear ends immediately
After Reaching 11th Level
A death wailer can establish a cemetery or other place of final rest as befits their culture. 2d6 death wailers of 1st level will come to study under the character.
Death wailer Level Progression
Saving Throws Spells
Level XP HD THAC0 D W P B S 1 2 3 4
1 0 1d6 19 [0] 13 14 13 16 15 – – – –
2 2,000 2d6 19 [0] 13 14 13 16 15 1– – –
3 4,000 3d6 19 [0] 13 14 13 16 15 2 – – –
4 8,000 4d6 19 [0] 13 14 13 16 15 3 – – –
5 16,000 5d6 17 [+2] 12 13 11 14 13 3 1 – –
6 32,000 6d6 17 [+2] 12 13 11 14 13 3 2 – –
7 64,000 7d6 17 [+2] 12 13 11 14 13 3 3 – –
8 120,000 8d6 17 [+2] 12 13 11 14 13 3 3 1 –
9 240,000 9d6 14 [+5] 10 11 9 12 10 3 3 2 –
10 360,000 9d6+2* 14 [+5] 10 11 9 12 10 3 3 3 –
11 480,000 9d6+4* 14 [+5] 10 11 9 12 10 3 3 3 1
12 600,000 9d6+6* 14 [+5] 10 11 9 12 10 3 3 3 2
13 720,000 9d6+8* 12 [+7] 8 9 7 10 8 3 3 3 3
14 840,000 9d6+10* 12 [+7] 8 9 7 10 8 4 4 3 3
* Modifiers from CON no longer apply. D: Death / poison; W: Wands;
P: Paralysis / petrify; B: Breath attacks;
S: Spells / rods / staves.
You may also want to make a Death Jester class by combining my previous
Jester Class with necromancer spell list in place of the illusionist spell list.
