Unholy Barrister

Warning! This archetype was created with evil PCs in mind. However, you can easily use it for evil NPCs as well. This archetype is typically only used by characters that worship Asmodeus, but some have taken root in the blasphemous service of other devil princes and demon lords.

Wretched are the clerics that worship Asmodeus, but there are some among them that truly find a calling in the service of the unholy lord. These clerics, known as unholy barristers, are among the devil’s most powerful servants in the lands of the living, tirelessly working to enslave all who dare to oppose him.

Deity

The cleric must worship Asmodeus.

Domains

The cleric must have the Evil or Law domain.

Demanding Channel (Su)

At 1st level, the unholy barrister gains the ability to channel energy like a cleric of his level. This functions just like channel negative energy, allowing the unholy barrister to deal damage to all living creatures within 30 feet. The unholy barrister cannot use this ability, however, to heal undead creatures.

Instead, the unholy barrister can spend two uses of his channel negative energy class feature to heal all evil living creatures within a 30 foot burst. To receive this bonus, the creatures must each spend an immediate action, swearing loyalty to Asmodeus.

In addition to the damage healed, creatures that swear loyalty gain the Devil’s Pact feat for a number of minutes equal to the cleric’s level, but can only use that feat once during that time. If the creature already possesses that feat, they can use it one additional time per day, as long as they use it during the duration of the demanding channel.

Regardless of when the power is used, the creature’s soul is bound to Asmodeus for the entire duration and if that creature dies during that time, it cannot be brought back to life by any means aside from a miracle or wish. Even if it is brought back to life, it gains three permanent negative levels (just as if it had the Devil’s Pact feat).

This ability otherwise copies and replaces channel energy.

Soulbound Contract (Su)

At 8th level, the unholy barrister can barter some of his power off to those who would serve Asmodeus. Using this ability is a standard action and it can only be used on a willing creature who is adjacent to the cleric. The creature must knowingly, and willingly, pledge his soul to Asmodeus to receive the benefits of this ability.

The unholy barrister can grant the target a number of his spells, as if using imbue with spell ability, but without having to give up a 4th level spell slot. In addition, the cleric can transfer one use of his demanding channel to the target, regardless of the target’s total number of Hit Dice. Spells transferred and uses of demanding channel are lost by the cleric until used by the target and regained normally. As long as the target has any spells or uses of demanding channel remaining, it is surrounded by an aura of foul energy. It is treated as an evil creature for all spells and effects and if it dies while still possessing any spells or uses of demanding channel, its soul is bound by Asmodeus and it cannot be raised or resurrected by any mortal means.

The unholy barrister cannot have more than one use of this ability active at a time and cannot use it again until the first target is slain or it uses up all of the granted spells and uses of demanding channel. The unholy barrister can use this ability once per day at 8th level, plus one additional time per day at 14th level.

This ability replaces the 8th level ability gained by the Evil or Law domains. If the unholy barrister has both domains, he chooses with one to exchange for this ability.

Section 15: Copyright Notice

Way of the Wicked Book Five — The Devil My Only Master. Copyright 2012, Fire Mountain Games LLC; Author: Gary McBride.

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