The Oura (homebrew class)

Oura

Few people realize that most gods are created and sustained by belief.  The gods themselves tend to guard this knowledge zealously, but, every so often, a mortal finds out. The more astute and charismatic of these individuals eventually become oura.

Oura use sheer force of belief to form their own proto-gods, or godlings, weak demigods capable of granting their oura powers similar to those of a cleric. Unlike clerics, however, oura are often accompanied by their godlings, who, after all, have a vested interest in the oura’s survival. Without the oura’s persistant belief and persuasive evangelism, a godling would be reduced to a voice on the wind, and, without the godling, the oura would be powerless. Together, however, they are a force to be reckoned with.

Adventures: Oura see adventuring as a way to get more followers for their godling. Many oura seek to do this through persuasion, diplomacy, and good works, but others are not so noble. They find that threats and deceit will often work just as well.

Characteristics: An oura practices divine magic, just like a cleric. However, a godling can’t grant as much power as a fully-fledged god, so an oura casts fewer spells per day, and can only prepare from a small list of spells. Oura aren’t much good in combat, but that generally doesn’t matter, as their godling’s manifestation tends to shield them from most of the fray.

Since building up a godling’s power requires evangelism, most oura are skilled at dealing with people. They also tend to be well versed in divine lore.

Alignment: An oura’s alignment is always the same as his or her godling’s.  Oura tend toward chaotic, and are rarely lawful, because being an oura is all about bending the cosmic rules.

Religion: An oura only worships his or her godling. Exactly what form this worship takes depends on his alignment.

Background: Most oura learn their craft from an experienced oura and his or her godling. The most important skill an oura acquires during this apprenticeship is the ability to project a powerful force of belief. This mastery of the mind requires many years of study. When an oura thinks his apprentice is ready, he sends him deep into the desert, where the little gods are. Each embryonic godling is a spark in the air above the desert sands, barely perceivable. The prospective oura choses one that feels right, and then fixates on it, feeding it belief and showing it a shape it can become. Thus, the apprenticeship ends, and a godling is born.

Races: You can find oura of all races. Those races with more jealous gods are usually less well represented, as they tend to die before the end of their apprenticeship.

Other classes: An oura tends to try to get along with everyone. However, clerics tend not to like them, as they consider the creation of a new god to be irreverent, if not an outright affront to their god.

Role: Godlings usually try to shield their oura from combat, and most are more than happy to extend this protection to other fragile casters. The oura themselves tend to work to buff and heal other party members, as well as attacking from a distance, when possible.

Game Rule Information

Oura have the following game statistics.

Table O-1: The Oura

Oura

Spells per Day

Level

Base Attack Bonus

Fort save

Ref  Save

Will save

Special

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

1

+0

+0

+0

+2

Godling companion, First Domain, Favored Weapon

3

0+1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

2

+1

+0

+0

+3

4

1+1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

3

+1

+1

+1

+3

Second Domain

4

1+1

0+1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

4

+2

+1

+1

+4

5

2+1

1+1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

5

+2

+1

+1

+4

5

2+1

1+1

0+1

-

-

-

-

-

-

6

+3

+2

+2

+5

5

2+1

2+1

1+1

-

-

-

-

-

-

7

+3

+2

+2

+5

Third Domain

6

3+1

2+1

1+1

0+1

-

-

-

-

-

8

+4

+2

+2

+6

6

3+1

2+1

2+1

1+1

-

-

-

-

-

9

+4

+3

+3

+6

6

3+1

3+1

2+1

1+1

0+1

-

-

-

-

10

+5

+3

+3

+7

6

3+1

3+1

2+1

2+1

1+1

-

-

-

-

11

+5

+3

+3

+7

6

4+1

3+1

3+1

2+1

1+1

0+1

-

-

-

12

+6/+1

+4

+4

+8

6

4+1

3+1

3+1

2+1

2+1

1+1

-

-

-

13

+6/+1

+4

+4

+8

Fourth Domain

6

4+1

4+1

3+1

3+1

2+1

1+1

0+1

-

-

14

+7/+2

+4

+4

+9

6

4+1

4+1

3+1

3+1

2+1

2+1

1+1

-

-

15

+7/+2

+5

+5

+9

6

4+1

4+1

4+1

3+1

3+1

2+1

1+1

0+1

-

16

+8/+3

+5

+5

+10

6

4+1

4+1

4+1

3+1

3+1

2+1

2+1

1+1

-

17

+8/+3

+5

+5

+10

6

4+1

4+1

4+1

4+1

3+1

3+1

2+1

1+1

0+1

18

+9/+4

+6

+6

+11

6

4+1

4+1

4+1

4+1

3+1

3+1

2+1

2+1

1+1

19

+9/+4

+6

+6

+11

6

4+1

4+1

4+1

4+1

4+1

3+1

3+1

2+1

2+1

20

+10/+5

+6

+6

+12

6

4+1

4+1

4+1

4+1

4+1

3+1

3+1

3+1

3+1

Abilities: An Oura’s most important skill is charisma, as that determines how powerful his or her godling is, which, in turn, determines how effective the godling’s manifestation is in combat, and how many spells the godling knows how to grant them. Wisdom is also important as, like a cleric, an oura’s wisdom determines how many extra spells per day the oura gets as well as the spell’s save DC. High con and dex can prevent dying. Int and strength are less important, as an oura doesn’t tend to fight directly or use many skills.

A godling’s most important skills tend to be strength, dex, and con, although much depends on the class and race the godling decides to manifest as.  A godling’s wisdom, intelligence, and charisma may never be higher than that of the oura who created it.

Alignment: Always the same as the oura’s godling.

Hit die: d4

Class Skills

The oura’s class skills, and key abilities for these skills, are Bluff(Cha), Concentration(Con), Craft(Int), Diplomacy(Cha), Disguise(Cha), Gather Information(Cha), Heal(Wis), Intimidate(Cha),  Knowledge(religion)(Int), Knowledge(the planes)(Int), Perform(Cha), Profession(Wis), Sense Motive(Wis), Spellcraft(Int).

Skill Points at 1^st Level: (2+Int modifier)x4

Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 2+Int modifier

Class Features

All of the following are class features of the oura.

Armor and Weapon Proficiency: Oura are proficient with all simple weapons. They are not proficient with any type of armor or shield.

Aura (Ex):  An oura has a particularly powerful aura corresponding to the godling’s alignment, as does the godling.

Spells: An oura casts divine spells according to Table O-1: The Oura. A godling only knows a small number of spells to grant the oura, so the oura must prepare and cast from that list, and the list of domain spells of the godling’s domain(s), which is added to by the godling every time the oura levels up or increases in charisma(See Table O-2). A godling may not learn, and the oura may not cast, spells opposed to his godling’s alignment. An oura must chose and prepare his or her spells in advance (see below).

To prepare or cast a spell, an oura must have a wisdom score equal to at least 10 + the spell level. The difficulty class for a saving throw against a cleric’s spell is 10 + the spell level + the oura’s wisdom modifier.

Like other spellcasters, an oura can cast only a certain number of spells per day. The base daily spell allotment is given on Table O-1: The Oura. In addition, he or she receives extra spells per day if he or she has a high enough wisdom score(see Table 1-1: Ability modifiers and bonus spells, Player’s Handbook, page 8). An oura also gets one domain spell of each spell level he or she can cast, starting at first level. At first, and oura has only one domain to choose from, but at 3^rd, 7^th, and 13^th level, the godling gets an additional domain.  

Bonus Languages: An oura’s bonus language options include Celestial, Abyssal, Infernal (the languages of good, chaotic evil and lawful evil outsiders, respectively).  These choices are in addition to the bonus languages available to the character because of his race (see Race and Language, Player’s Handbook, page 12, and the Speak Language skill, page 82).

Table O-2: Spells Known By Godling to Grant to Oura(In Addition to Domain Spells)

	Oura Level
Oura Charisma Modifier		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20
	0 or lower	---Oura’s godling cannot grant Oura spells other than domain spells---
	1	4	5	6	8	10	12	15	17	20	22	26	27	30	31	34	35	37	38	40	41
	2	5	6	7	9	11	13	16	18	21	23	27	28	31	32	35	36	38	39	41	42
	3	6	7	8	10	12	14	17	19	22	24	28	29	32	33	36	37	39	40	42	43
	4	7	8	9	11	13	15	18	20	23	25	29	30	33	34	37	38	40	41	43	44
	5	8	9	10	12	14	16	19	21	24	26	30	31	34	35	38	39	41	42	44	45
	6	9	10	11	13	15	17	20	22	25	27	31	32	35	36	39	40	42	43	45	46
	7	10	11	12	14	16	18	21	23	26	28	32	33	36	37	40	41	43	44	46	47

Each oura must choose a time of the day at which to spend and hour receiving spells from his or her godling. Time spent resting has no effect on whether an oura can prepare spells, nor does the current state of the godling’s manifestation.

Domains: At first, third, seventh, and thirteenth level, the godling gets a new domain, giving the oura access to the domain’s spells, and a new domain ability. You can select an alignment domain only if your godling is that alignment. Each day at least one of the spells chosen for each level must be a domain spell (that is what the +1 means).

Godling companion: The godling manifests as a protector for the oura in order to keep its primary source of belief from drying up. What form the godling takes depends on the oura’s level and charisma modifier (see Table O-3: Godling manifestation level), and the disposition of the godling (a lawful good godling is unlikely to be a giant spider or a drow). The godling may change its form anytime the maximum challenge rating goes up, and need not stay the same race or class, or even age. The basic nature of the godling (alignment, int, cha, wis) is never altered by the form the godling takes, but its base strength, dexterity, and constitution may be. The godling may not use any spells or spell like abilities, as all its magic is tied up in the oura, but it may use any supernatural abilities its form might have. If the oura is dead, the godling can no longer manifest. If the godling’s manfestation dies, the oura may meditate for 24 hours to bring the godling back in a manifestation <½ CR. It takes another 24 hours of meditation to bring the godling up to a form with ½ CR, and another 24 hours for CR 1, and so on and so forth until the godling’s manifestation reaches full power. So, in all, to bring the godling back to full power requires one day x the godling’s maximum challenge rating plus three days. A godling’s manifestation vanishes inside an antimagic field.

Favored Weapon: At first level, an oura may choose a favored weapon for his or her godling. The godling is always proficient with this weapon, and may manifest it along with his or her chosen form. If the weapon is ranged, ammunition also manifests, or the weapon automatically reappears in the godling’s hands following being thrown. If the godling’s maximum manifestation CR is 3 or above, you may give the weapon powers equivalent to the godling’s CR divided by three rounded down. The weapon’s powers cannot change; they may only be added to. You may choose not to add powers when you can to save up for more powerful abilities. You may only choose Holy, Unholy, Anarchic, or Axiomatic if your godling's alignment matches. 

Table O-3: Godling Manifestation Level

	Godling Maximum Challenge Rating
Oura Charisma Modifier		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20
	0 or lower	<½
	1	<½	<½	<½	<½	½	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15
	2	<½	<½	½	½	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16
	3	<½	½	½	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17
	4	½	½	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18
	5	½	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19
	6	½	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19
	7 or higher	½	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19

< =less than

Ex-Oura

As the godling is essentially a small god, it cannot change its alignment, and its alignment cannot be changed. However, an oura is merely mortal, and is significantly more malleable. If the oura’s alignment ever changes, or the oura significantly violates the godling’s code of conduct, the oura loses all spells and class features, except for proficiency with simple weapons. The godling can still manifest to interact with the mortal plane, but is unlikely to protect the oura anymore. The only way an oura may regain his or her powers and abilities and take further levels in the oura class is to atone (see the atonement spell description, Player’s Handbook, page 201). 

A Coming of Fairies Chapter 1

A Coming of Fairies

Chapter 1

Up the airy mountain,

Down the rushy glen,

We daren't go a-hunting

For fear of little men;

Wee folk, good folk,

Trooping all together;

Green jacket, red cap,

And white owl's feather!

- from The Fairies by William Allingham

As the sword plunged home, deep into the dragon’s heart, the great beast thrashed in agony, spraying great gouts of fiery blood. Eric leaped back, narrowly missing being crushed by the dragon’s death throes. He stifled a scream as a great drop of flaming ichor splashed upon his chest, leaving a red patch in the shape of a star that almost immediately began to bubble with blisters.

Gradually, the dragon’s agonized thrashing ceased, and it lay still and silent. It breathed its last smoky breath, and the fires in its eyes went out at last. Eric stood, silently holding his sword.

A tear fell onto the page. Kara wiped it away angrily, and then continued writing.

He was relieved that the ordeal was over, but at the same time, it saddened him to see the death of this fantastic creature.

Another tear, another angry swipe. Why in the world had she decided to call the protagonist Eric?

After another moment of silence, the fairy Peasblossom spoke. “You have done well, young hero. You truly are the prince of the fairies. Come, and claim your birthright. Your parents are waiting.”

Eric turned, and, accompanied by the fairies, disappeared into the mist, never to be seen in the land of mortals again.

This wasn’t the ending Kara had originally planned. She’d meant for the story to end in a party, or something. Something cheerful, with a heartfelt family reunion, but, somehow, she couldn’t manage cheerful just now. Still, that was her creative writing homework done, finally. Now she just had to finish the calculus. And the chemistry. And that history reading, and, now that she thought about it, she had to study for that linear algebra test, too.

Kara sighed, and headed into the kitchen for a soda. It was going to be a long night.

Ding-dong!

Doorbell, Kara thought. With any luck, somebody else would get it.

Ding-dong!

Except there was no one else, was there? With her parents off on date night, there was just her, and John, the little brat, who was zonked out in from of the TV.

Ding-dong!

“I’m coming! I’m coming!” Kara called, abandoning her soda on the counter. “Geez.  Once is enough.”

Had to be the babysitter. Finally.

Kara unbolted the door, and swung it open to reveal a short, rather gawky young man in a t-shirt with a video game logo. Kara looked him up and down, unimpressed. “You’re Jamie?”

He smiled sheepishly. “Sorry I’m late.”

“Jamie the babysitter?’

He grimaced. “It’s a boy’s name too, you know. As in short for James?”

“Is it?” Kara asked.

“Is it what?”

“Short for James?” Kara explained, with exaggerated patience.

Jamie grimaced again. “No. Can I, um, come in? I kind of have to, um, you know, babysit?”

Kara stepped aside, allowing him to enter. Jamie glanced around the tile floored entrance hall.

“So where is your, um, son? I mean, we might as well get the introductions over, and then you can be on your way, to, um, where ever it is you’re going…”

Kara sighed. “He’s my brother, not my son, and he’s in the TV room. You can introduce yourself if you can get him to look away from the TV long enough. “

“Your parents?”

“They already left. Got sick of waiting for you.”

Jamie blushed. “I’m so sorry I’m late, I was just, um-“

Kara held up a hand. “Stow it. I’ve got to get back to work.” And, with that, she left Jamie in the entrance hall, and headed back to her room, stopping in the kitchen on the way to retrieve her soda.

A couple of minutes later, as she was painstakingly working her way through A History of Pins: From Past to Prickly Present, she heard a knock on her door.

“What?” she asked, glancing up from the tedious tome.

Jamie stood in her doorway, looking a bit sheepish.  “You were right.”

Kara licked her finger to turn a page. “About what in particular?”

“About your brother. He’s, um, staring at the TV. And he won’t look up. He answers, eventually, but he never, um, looks up.” Jamie shifted his weight from one foot to the other.  “This is looking to be the, um, easiest babysitting job I ever had. At least until I have to, um, feed him.”

“Told you,” answered Kara, rolling her eyes. “He’s a complete couch potato.”

“Yeah, I, um, noticed,” said Jamie.

Silence fell in the room, complete save for the rustle of turning pages. It was broken, eventually, by the sound of Jamie clearing his throat.

Kara looked up, raising her eybrows. “You’re still here?”

“Well, I figured, we could, um, talk or something, to pass the time,” Jamie muttered, embarrassed.

“You did, did you?” said Kara, raising her eyebrows.

Jamie didn’t notice the warning signs. “That’s a, um, nice picture,” he said, hand jerking up like a marionette to point at the photo of Eric on her desk. “That your boyfriend?” The last three words were jerked out of his mouth so quickly they were almost unintelligible. Jamie blushed.

“Yes,” Kara answered, voice dangerously flat.

“Oh.” Jamie deflated, blushing further, like some sort of red balloon.

“He’s dead,” Kara added, voice still emotionless.

“Oh! Oh, I’m so sorry!” Jamie looked frantic. “So sorry! I didn’t realize…”

“I’m working. Get out.” Kara was close to tears again, not that anyone could have told by looking at her.

“Yes, umm, of course, whatever you want, I’m so sorr-“

“OUT!”

As Jamie vanished from the open door, Kara told herself, I will not cry. I WILL not cry. I will NOT…

Tears streaming down her cheeks, she returned to her textbook.

The coming of fairies was not anticipated by anyone, man, beast, or magical creature. It started with a rumble…

Kara was almost done with her linear algebra homework when the ground began to shake. She grasped her desk hard. She could hear pots and pans rattling down in the kitchen, and then a loud clang, and then a yelp that was probably Jamie. “What in the…” She muttered.

And then there was a crack…

Kara clapped her hands to her ears as a sound like the sky splitting open pierced the night. She swore loudly, and then swore again as her chair vibrated across the floor.

And then everything went still…

The lights flickered, then went off as the rumbling ceased. “Hey!” echoed a prepubescent voice from downstairs. “I was watching that!” But, aside from John’s shrill tones, everything was silent.

And everything stayed still… For now.

Kara handed a flashlight to her still sulking brother, and then lit the third candle. “Jamie?” she called. “What’s taking so long?”

There was a clatter and a yelp. Then Jamie called triumphantly, “I found the batteries!”

His voice sounds nice without all the umms, Kara mused. “Then bring them out here!”

“Um, okay!”

Kara rolled her eyes as the wavering light of Jamie’s flashlight appeared from upstairs. So much for without the umms.

“I want to watch TV,” John whined.

Kara sighed. “There’s no power,” she explained. Again. “And without the power, the TV won’t work.”

“Then I want to play on the computer,” John sulked.

“Same problem, brat.”

“Am not a brat!” her little brother complained.

“Are too!” Kara stuck out her tongue.

“Am not!”

“Are too!”

“Am not!”

“I’ve got the, um, batteries…” Jamie interrupted.

Kara blushed, embarrassed to be caught acting childishly. “Just set them on the kitchen table, with the candles.” Jamie did what she told him, and then joined her and John in sitting around the kitchen table. For a few minutes, silence reigned.

John was the one who finally broke it. “Why can’t I use your phone?” he asked Kara plaintively. “It’s got games on it.”

Kara sighed. “Like I said before, we have to save the power for emergencies.”

“This is an emergency.”

“No, it isn’t,” Kate replied with a tone of finality.

John sat still, pudgy face wrinkled into a frown. He sighed. “There’s nothing to do,” he finally concluded.

“Deal with it, brat,” Kara told him.

“Am not a brat.”

“Are-“ Kara caught herself just in time. “If you’re so bored, then go to bed.”

John sighed again. “Yeah, ok.” He looked up at Kara pleadingly. “Are you sure I can’t use your phone?”

“Go!” Kara snapped.

John shuffled up the stairs to bed, leaving Kara and Jamie alone in the candlelight. For a long time, neither could think of anything to say.