Snakes on a Plane

Aeons ago, the goddess Jaque-Arah created a minor plane of transition, similar to the Ethereal Plane or the Astral, to connect her own two otherworldly realms to the Prime Material Plane. This plane provided a conduit, which forked as one traveled from the material world to go to either of her two planes.

Centuries ago, however, Jaque was defeated in battle by the terrible Abyssal lord of serpents, Yig. Yig sent his squamous minions to invade Jaque's two planes and slay all of her many children, using the forking conduit plane to get to them. However, the eldest of the children, Jaque's half-mortal son Samuel-el, stood at the junction to stem the squirming tide. As Yig's demonic serpents approached, he stared at them with a steely gaze. "And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers."

A terrible battle ensued. At its height, just as he drove the tide of scaly horrors back, the paladin cried, "I want these snakes off my mother's forking plane!"

And he was victorious. But still he stands vigil, should the snakes ever again attempt to invade the plane. No more of him could anyone ask.

Scenario: Sir Samuel would like to take a break from his vigil, and sends word across the planes to the player characters for help. He wants them to take his place for a time, to watch for another invasion by Yig's forces. If the PCs ask why or want to know what he plans to do during this break, he says he'd like to go back to the Prime Material Plane for a time. "I'll just walk the earth. You know, walk the earth, meet people... get into adventures."

Sir Samuel-el, Son of Jaque

Male human half-celestial (Lawful Good)
Paladin10 CR12
Init +2 Speed 20 feet
AC 23, touch 12, flat-footed 21
HD 10d10+90 hp 151
BAB/Grapple +10/+17
Attack +18 melee (2d6+11/19–20, greatsword)
Full Attack +18/+13 melee (2d6+11/19–20, greatsword)
SA Smite evil 3/day (+8 to attack, +10 damage), smite evil 1/day (+10 damage), spell-like abilities (CL 10) At will—daylight, detect evil; 1/day—dispel evil, cure serious wounds, neutralize poison, aid, detect evil, bless; 3/day—holy smite, remove disease, protection from evil.
SQ Darkvision 60 feet, immunity to disease, resistance to acid 10, cold 10, and electricity 10, DR 5/magic, SR 20, aura of courage, divine health, remove disease (2/week), lay on hands (80 hp), divine grace, and special mount.
Fort +28 Ref +13 Will +15
Str 24, Dex 15, Con 29, Int 17, Wis 18, Cha 26

Crucial Feats: Combat Expertise, Dodge, Endurance.
Other Feats: Negotiator, Skill Focus (Diplomacy).
Crucial Skills: Concentration +20, Jump +9, Listen +8, Search +8, Sense Motive +18, Spot +6.
Other Skills: Diplomacy +23, Handle Animal +19, Heal +15, Knowledge (the planes) +6, Ride +17.

Paladin Spells: 3/3, save DC 14+spell level.
2nd—bull's strength, delay poison, eagle's splendor.
1st—bless, bless weapon, cure light wounds.

Possessions: +2 full plate armor, +1 greatsword, cloak of protection +1, ring of protection +1, amulet of health +2, potion of neutralize poison, 16 pp, 12 gp.

Snakes

Viper Demons (1,000): hp 22; use the stats for a half fiend huge viper (see MM).

Constrictor Demons (500): hp 60; use the stats for a half fiend giant constrictor (see MM).

Related Articles

Crafting Magic Items Since I started playing 3rd Edition D&D ten years ago, I've been a little disappointed that characters with item creation feats never made interesting items. They made the simple, straightforward ones: +1 keen swords, potions of cure light wounds, wands of magic missile, etc. Now, I suppose it's fortunate that those are exactly the items the system handles best...

What About Feats? The very heart of D&D rules design is comparing incomparable things. Character A can, once per day, inflict 4d8 points of damage. Character B can conjure a mule whenever he wants. Which is more powerful? That sort of thing....