Oculus Diaboli (3.5e Class)

Oculus Diaboli

The Oculi Diaboli are a secretive order with roots in fiendish pacts. They are united by a hatred of magic and those who use it, often driven by some personal tragedy to seek the power to destroy magic from a common enemy of powerful sorcerers: fiends. The bonds an Oculus forges with their fiendish patron are loose, but a new Oculus will always be granted two things: a fiendish eye in the place of one of their mortal eyes, and directions to the nearest chapter of existing Oculi Diaboli.

When a new Oculus arrives and joins the order he undergoes a training regimen straight from hell as his new elders teach him to use his new eye to detect and identify magic, and harden his body into a tool capable of efficiently executing their enemies. To this end he is taught to not only recognize magic, but he learns to make a mockery of the art in order to counter the spells his marks will undoubtedly bring to bear against him.

The Oculus Diaboli have only a loose hierarchy, with placement determined by experience and ability. An initiate is the lowest, and not yet a full member of the brotherhood. Upon graduating, he is considered equal to nearly every other member. Only those deemed worthy of heading a chapter and presiding over the training of new members are ranked higher. This collection of Chapter Masters has no real leader, but this does not usually cause problems as each is very motivated to cooperate, in order to further their goals.

An Oculus Diaboli is not required to participate in a strict role within the order, and many strike out on their own as free agents after they gain full membership. This mix of structure and anarchy helps to conceal the order's operations, making the capture or death of any one member a non-threatening occurrence. Even when disaster does strike, the compartmentalized nature keeps more than one Chapter from being discovered; this keeps the scope of their movement hidden from their enemies.

Making an Oculus Diaboli

An Oculus Diaboli is an agile and disciplined combatant capable of locking down spell-casters via their Mockeries, and executing key targets with their martial training.

Abilities: An Oculus Diaboli is a disciplined and agile assassin capable of extraordinary feats of focus. They rely on high scores in both dexterity and wisdom. Charisma will also help them counterspell more reliably.

Races: Long-lived races typically lack the volatility and rash decision-making that usually leads to this life. Humans most commonly give in to these temptations and seek the power of the Oculus.

Alignment: Oculi Diaboli knowingly make a pact with a fiend, and require a capacity for self-discipline that chaotic characters near-universally lack. An Oculus Diaboli cannot be Lawful Good, Lawful Neutral, or any Chaotic alignment.

Starting Gold: 5d4×10 gp (125 gp).

Starting Age: Moderate

Table: The Oculus Diaboli

Hit Die: d8

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Saving Throws			Special	Spells per Day
		Fort	Ref	Will		0	1^st	2^nd	3^rd	4^th	5^th	6^th	7^th	8^th	9^th
1st	+0	+0	+2	+2	Fiendish Gazes, Spiteful Gaze, Mockeries 0/1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2nd	+1	+0	+3	+3	<-any class features gained at this level->	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
3rd	+2	+1	+3	+3	<-any class features gained at this level->	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
4th	+3	+1	+4	+4	Mockeries 2	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
5th	+3	+1	+4	+4	<-any class features gained at this level->	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
6th	+4	+2	+5	+5	Mockeries 3	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
7th	+5	+2	+5	+5	<-any class features gained at this level->	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
8th	+6/+1	+2	+6	+6	Mockeries 4	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
9th	+6/+1	+3	+6	+6	<-any class features gained at this level->	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
10th	+7/+2	+3	+7	+7	Mockeries 5	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
11th	+8/+3	+3	+7	+7	<-any class features gained at this level->	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
12th	+9/+4	+4	+8	+8	Mockeries 6	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
13th	+9/+4	+4	+8	+8	<-any class features gained at this level->	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
14th	+10/+5	+4	+9	+9	Mockeries 7	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
15th	+11/+6/+1	+5	+9	+9	<-any class features gained at this level->	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
16th	+12/+7/+2	+5	+10	+10	<-any class features gained at this level->	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
17th	+12/+7/+2	+5	+10	+10	<-any class features gained at this level->	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
18th	+13/+8/+3	+6	+11	+11	<-any class features gained at this level->	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
19th	+14/+9/+4	+6	+11	+11	<-any class features gained at this level->	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
20th	+15/+10/+5	+6	+12	+12	<-any class features gained at this level->	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Class Skills (8 + Int modifier per level, ×4 at 1st level) Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Craft (Trap) (Int), Disable Device (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Disguise (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Gather Information (Cha), Hide (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Knowledge (local) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Open Lock (Dex), Profession (Wis), Search (Int), Sense Motive (Wis), Sleight of Hand (Dex), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str), Tumble (Dex), Use Rope (Dex).

Class Features

<-fluff about class features->. All of the following are class features of the <-class name->.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: <-description of class weapon & armor proficiencies->.

Fiendish Gazes (Ex): An Oculus almost exclusively channels his powers through the fiendish eye he was given when he made his pact, and any other eyes that he corrupts and binds to his pact. Many of his abilities are natural progressions of the pact and his increasing familiarity with his fiendish eye; these are called Inherent Gazes. He may also learn, however, to channel his otherworldly power through the additional eyes he binds to himself in order to imitate the powers its original owner bore. Lists of both types can be found here.

Spiteful Gaze (Ex): The very first Fiendish Gaze learned by an Oculus Diaboli, this ability acts as both the Detect Magic and Read Magic spells for as long as he uses the Spiteful Gaze. While active, this ability also allows the Oculus to simulate ranks in spellcraft. When making such a check, the Oculus may use his class level as if it were his spellcraft score.

Mockeries: An Oculus Diaboli is not trained to cast spells, but he has learned enough about the art to make Mockeries of it. To make a Mockery of a spell and add it to his repertoire, he must closely watch it being cast with his Spiteful Gaze. It takes a standard action to concentrate on a spell while in combat, and he must be able to clearly see the spell as it is cast. If the Oculus is able to do this, he may add that spell to his list of Mockeries. The Oculus Diaboli's list contains only Mockeries for cantrips at first level.

Mockeries cannot be cast as an independent spell, but are used to counter any spell the Oculus has made a Mockery of. Unlike standard counterspells, a Mockery is not truly casting a spell and is not a surefire counter; it also takes less time and effort than a full spell. Readying a Mockery is a Swift action. An Oculus can only counter one spell per round in this fashion, as with normal counterspelling. Since spellcraft is not a class skill for him, he must have his Spiteful Gaze active, and have clear view of the caster. If the Oculus has a Mockery of the spell made, he automatically identifies the spell and can attempt to counter it if he has not already countered a spell that round. If the Oculus does not have a Mockery of the spell, he may still attempt to identify it, as described in the section for Spiteful Gaze.

Countering a spell with a Mockery differs from true counterspelling in that success is not automatic. To successfully counter a spell, the Oculus Diaboli must make an opposed class level check against the spell's caster level. The Oculus rolls 1d20 + Cha + his Class level. His opponent rolls 1d20 + the modifier for the ability tied to their spellcasting + their caster level. If the Oculus Diaboli's roll is higher than or ties that of his opponent, the spell has been successfully countered and has no effect.

An Oculus Diaboli can only make Mockeries of cantrips and 1st-level spells at 1st level. At 4th level, he learns to make Mockeries of 2nd-level spells. At 6th level, he learns to make Mockeries of 3rd-level spells. At 8th level, he learns to make Mockeries of 4th level spells. At 10th level, he learns to make Mockeries of 5th level spells. At 12th level, he learns to make Mockeries of 6th level spells. At 14th level, he learns to make Mockeries of 7th level spells. He does not learn to make Mockeries of 8th or 9th level spells without taking the Feat TBI and Feat TBI epic feats.

<-extraordinary class feature-> (Ex): <-class feature game rule information->

<-psi-like class feature-> (Ps): <-class feature game rule information->

<-spell-like class feature-> (Sp): <-class feature game rule information->

<-supernatural class feature-> (Su): <-class feature game rule information->

<-class feature->: <-class feature game rule information->

<-subclass feature -> <-"(Ex)", "(Su)", "(Sp)", or "(Ps)" if applicable.->: <-subclass feature game rule information->

<-Lather, rinse...->

<-... repeat as necessary.->

Ex-Oculus Diaboli

<-Describe what happens when a character violates the alignment restrictions of any other class restrictions. If there are no behavior or alignment restrictions delete this section->.

Epic Oculus Diaboli

Table: The Epic Oculus Diaboli

Hit Die: d8

Level	Special
21st	<-any improvements to class features gained at this level, including any bonus feats->
22nd	<-any improvements to class features gained at this level, including any bonus feats->
23rd	<-any improvements to class features gained at this level, including any bonus feats->
24th	<-any improvements to class features gained at this level, including any bonus feats->
25th	<-any improvements to class features gained at this level, including any bonus feats->
26th	<-any improvements to class features gained at this level, including any bonus feats->
27th	<-any improvements to class features gained at this level, including any bonus feats->
28th	<-any improvements to class features gained at this level, including any bonus feats->
29th	<-any improvements to class features gained at this level, including any bonus feats->
30th	<-any improvements to class features gained at this level, including any bonus feats->
8 + Int modifier skill points per level.

<-existing class feature->: <-how this class feature increases or accumulates at epic levels->

<-another existing class feature->: <-how this class feature increases or accumulates at epic levels->

<-Lather, rinse...->

<-... repeat.->

Bonus Feats: The epic Oculus Diaboli gains a bonus feat (selected from the list of epic Oculus Diaboli bonus feats) every four levels after 20th.

Epic Oculus Diaboli Bonus Feat List: <-list of bonus epic feats->.

Human Oculus Diaboli Starting Package

Weapons: <-Weapon selection for starting at 1st level with this class.->.

Skill Selection: Pick a number of skills equal to 8 + Int modifier.

Skill	Ranks	Ability	Armor Check Penalty
Balance	4	Dex	-1
Craft	4	Cha	—
Climb	4	Str	-1
Craft (Trap)	4	Int	—
Diplomacy	4	Cha	—
Disable Device	4	Int	—
Disguise	4	Cha	—
Escape Artist	4	Dex	-1
Gather Information	4	Cha	—
Hide	4	Dex	-1
Intimidate	4	Cha	—
Jump	4	Str	-1
Knowledge (Arcana)	4	Int	—
Knowledge (Local)	4	Int	—
Listen	4	Wis	—
Move Silently	4	Dex	-1
Open Lock	4	Dex	—
Profession	4	Wis	—
Search	4	Int	—
Sense Motive	4	Wis	—
Sleight of Hand	4	Dex	-1
Spot	4	Wis	—
Swim	4	Str	-2
Tumble	4	Dex	-1
Use Rope	4	Dex	—

Feat: Weapon Finesse.

Bonus Feats: .

Gear: Studded Leather Armor.

Gold: <-Starting gold using this package.->.

Playing an Oculus Diaboli

Religion: <-description of how this class typically (but no exclusively) approaches religion including likely portfolios it would worship->.

Other Classes: <-How this class typically interacts with other classes and how characters of this class interact with characters of other classes->.

Combat: <-Typical role in combat->.

Advancement: <-Typical advancement options for characters with this class. Include desirable multiclass options->.

Oculi Diaboli in the World

“	Some would say I have sold my soul to our worst enemies, and damned us all. I say we are our own worst enemies, bringing ruin and damnation upon our heads all in the name of curiosity and innovation. I will stand by and watch it no longer.	”
—Alessandra Magebane, Human Oculus Diaboli

<-Where characters of this class fit in a d20 world.->

Daily Life: <-day in the life of a character of this class->.

Notables: <-notable NPCs of this class->.

Organizations: <-info on what, where, when, and how characters of this class congregate and assemble->.

NPC Reactions: <-How NPCs react to PCs of this class->.

Oculus Diaboli Lore

Characters with ranks in Knowledge (Arcana) or Knowledge (The Planes) can research Oculi Diaboli to learn more about them. When a character makes a skill check, read or paraphrase the following, including information from lower DCs.

Knowledge (Arcana), Knowledge (The Planes)

DC	Result
5	<-common knowledge->.
10	<-not so common knowledge->.
15	<-rare information->.
20	<-very rare information->.

Oculi Diaboli in the Game

<-How characters of this class fit in the game (PC and NPC) and what roles they play.->

Adaptation: <-Possible variant conceptions of this class.->.

Sample Encounter: <-DM placement for NPCs of this class.->.

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