THE PARAMANDER
The true neutral paramander's name means "one beside the world," an
allusion to the position of their god after he created and balanced the
universe. A paramander seeks to maintain that balance, often by
manipulating (and, when necessary, destroying) high-powered beings of
deep alignment convictions (e.g., paladins and anti-paladins) or by
aiding weak opponents of those beings. Any deed of outright good, evil,
law, or chaos, performed without a previously determined balancing effect
on the world's structure, causes him to become forevermore a normal
fighter. The paramander must justify every action in the interests of
pure neutrality.
Paramanders favor subdued design in armor and weapons. Armor, though
unrestricted, is usually leather or studded leather and, like
paramanders' shields, bears little or no decoration. Paramanders ride
light horses or ponies, mostly gray or brown. Weapons tend toward
simplicity (swords, staves, etc.); no missile weapons are used.
Intelligence is the prime requisite of a paramander. A score of 16 adds
10% to earned experience, a score of 17 adds 15%, and a score of 18 or
greater adds 20%. Paramanders have chances to know listed spells and
minimum and maximum spells per level as magic-users do (see Players
Handbook p. 10, Intelligence Table II: Ability for Magic-users).
Paramanders have no followers. Instead, at 9th level or above, they take
on an apprentice, training him in the ways of balance and neutrality. The
apprentice, a normal 0-level fighter with 2 hp, becomes a 1st-level
paramander after achieving 1,172 experience points (see Paramander Table
I) in the service and under the guidance of his magister (master). A
hit-dice value of d8 + 1 per level replaces his 2 hp, and the new
paramander leaves his magister's service.
A paramander can train any number of apprentices, one at a time. The
magister commonly gives to his apprentice a favorite weapon or other
item, perhaps something that his old magister gave to him upon completion
of his own apprenticeship.
The special abilities of a paramander are:
l. Detection of good or evil within a 50' radius. At 3rd level and
above, the paramander can determine the exact nature of the good or evil
(lawful, neutral, or chaotic) with minimal concentration.
2. Immunity to diseases of all types, inclding diseases caught from
monsters, such as mummies, lycanthropes, and so forth. This includes
diseaselike attacks from monsters like green slime.
3. Saving throws against non-neutral-aligned magic at +2 for each five
levels (+2 at 1st through 5th levels, +4 at 6th through 10th levels,
etc.) and against half-neutral-aligned magic at +1 for each 5 levels (+1
at 1st through 5th levels, +2 at 6th through 10th levels, etc.).
Non-neutral alignments consist of lawful good, lawful evil, chaotic good,
and chaotic evil. Half-neutral alignments consist of lawful neutral,
neutral good, neutral evil, and chaotic neutral. Aligned magic includes
any spells cast by NPCs or monsters of a specific alignment and any magic
items that are intrinsically of a specific alignment or that are used by
beings of a specific alignment.
4. Spell use at 8th level and above. Paramander Table II shows the
number and level of such spells.
5. The use of certain thief functions at a level equal to half that of
the paramander (1st-level ability at 1st and 2nd level, 2nd-level ability
at 3rd and 4th level, etc.). The functions include open locks,
find/remove traps, move silently, hide in shadows, and hear noise. Racial
adjustments do not apply.
The forbidden accumulation of wealth is the only stricture of a
paramander, as they have no use for wealth other than as expenditures in
the line of duty. Hoarding treasure rarely affects the balance of the world.
The Paremandyr
A rare and horrible creature, the paremandyr is an insane cousin to the
paramander, a mobile and intelligent death-dealer. The two are identical
in every way but one: The paramander strives to create balance by
molding the powerful forces of aligned conviction, whereas the paremandyr
strives to destroy these forces, believing that in oblivion there is
perfect balance. The paremandyr leaves a sigil on his victims, a unique
sign that identifies the death's origin. Paremandyrs and paramanders have
equal benefits and strictures, and they use the same tables. They cast
the same spells and follow the same rituals of apprenticeship.
Paramander Table I
Experience Experience Hit Level
points level Points Title
0--1,172 0 2 hp* Apprentice
1,173--2,344 1 d8 + 1 Symmeter Initial
2,345--4,688 2 2d8 + 2 Symmeter Medial
4,689--9,375 3 3d8 + 3 Symmeter Final
9,376--18,750 4 4d8 + 4 Fulcrum
18,751--37,500 5 5d8 + 5 Balancer
37,001--75,000 6 6d8 + 6 Libra Charge Initial
75,001--150,000 7 7d8 + 7 Libra Charge Medial
150,001--300,000 8 8d8 + 8 Libra Charge Final
300,001--600,000 9 9d8 + 9 Paramander
600,001--900,000 10 9d8 + 12 Paramander
900,001--1,200,000 11 9d8 + 15 Paramander
* -- 0-level apprentices have 2 hp, replaced at 1st level by d8 + 1.
Paramanders gain one level per 300,000 experience points above 11th level.
Paramanders gain 3 hit points per level above 11th level.
Paramander Table II: Spells usable by experience level
Paramander Paramandic spell level
level 1 2 3 4 5
8 1 -- -- -- --
9 2 -- -- -- --
10 2 1 -- -- --
11 2 2 -- -- --
12 3 2 1 -- --
13 3 2 2 -- --
14 4 3 2 1 --
15 4 3 2 2 --
16* 5 4 3 2 1
* -- Maximum spell-casting ability.
Paramanders have a unique spell list. They acquire and cast spells in the
same way that a magic-user does, by use of spellbooks. A paramander must
learn spell use from a spell-magister of at least 16th level. Until then,
the paramander cannot advance above 8th level. The secondary
apprenticeship is similar to a magic-user's apprenticeship before 1st
level (see Dungeon Masters Guide, p. 39). The spell-magister commonly
makes a gift of a 1st-level paramandic spellbook including the spell read
paramandic magic and two to five others, depending on the worthiness of
the student. Paramanders have no knowledge of cantrips.
Paramandic spell list
Number 1st level 2nd level
1 Affect normal fires Audible glamer
2 Burning Hands Continual light
3 Detect magic Detect invisibility
4 Erase Invisibility
5 Feather Fall Know alignment (c)
6 Hold Portal Levitate
7 Identify Locate object
8 Light Magic mouth
9 Message Phantasmal force (3)
10 Read paramandic magic (p) Scare
11 Shocking grasp Strength
12 Write Wizard lock
Number 3rd level 4th level 5th level
1 Clairaudience Charm monster Azure flame (p)
2 Clairvoyance Charm person (1) Conjure elemental
3 Dispel magic Confusion Contact other plane
4 Dispel good/evil (c4) Dimension door Enchanted mirrors (p)
5 Explosive runes Extension I Magic jar
6 Fireball Fear Polymorph other (4)
7 Fly Guards & wards (6) Question ball (p)
8 Gust of wind Loyalty (p) Slow mutation (p)
9 Lightning bolt Polymorph self
10 Cache (p) Spelltrap (p)
Unless otherwise indicated, all paramander spells correspond to the
magic-user spell of the same name and level. A number after a spell
indicates that it is normally of a level different from that at which a
paramander learns the spell. A letter after the spell indicates that the
spell normally belongs to a class other than the magic-user (c - cleric,
p = special paramander spell). New spell definitions follow, in the
format of the Players Handbook.
Read Paramandic Magic (Divination) Reversible
Level: 1
Range: 0
Duration: 3 rounds + 1 round/level
Area of effect: Special
Components: V, M
Casting Time: 2 segments
Saving Throw: None
Explanation/Description: This spell allows a paramander to read the
complex, guttural language used in paramandic magic. With the exception
of these parameters and the material components of a pinch of bone and a
silk string, the spell is essentially identical to the 1st-level
magic-user spell read magic.
Cache (Alteration)
Level: 3
Range: Touch
Duration: 1 hour/level
Area of effect: One item
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 2 segments
Saving Throw: None
Explanation/Description: The casting of this spell upon an item
transfers that item to the Astral Plane for the duration of the spell.
Wherever the spell caster goes, the item will follow on the Astral Plane.
When the spell dissipates, the item will fall into the caster's hands (if
possible) or reappear in front of him if not. Nothing can detect the item
while it is on the Astral Plane, except items meant to see into astral
space. The chance of the item returning in damaged or broken condition
equals 15%, -1% per level of the caster. The caster can recall the
object at any time. Extension applies, but permanency traps the item on
the Astral Plane forever. The weight limit is 5 gp/level of the caster.
The spell malfunctions if cast on living things.
Loyalty (Possession)
Level: 4
Range: 4"
Duration: 1 round/level
Area of effect: 1"/level radius
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 round
Saving Throw: None
Explanation/Description: All creatures of 1 hit die or less, or below
1st level, within the area of effect of this spell become immediately
loyal to the caster for the duration of the spell. They obey commands (if
understood) and will fight to the death alongside of the caster.
Creatures of more than 1 hit die or above 0 level remain unaffected by
the spell. Extention and permanency have no effect. Dispel magic
eliminates the effects of the spell.
Spelltrap (Alteration)
Level: 4
Range: Special
Duration: Indefinite (5 rounds)
Area of effect: Special
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 6 segments + special
Saving Throw: None
Explanation/Description: Spelltrap creates a special environment capable
of accepting another spell and delaying its effects. When the caster
casts a spelltrap on a small immobile object such as a book or a weapon,
a magic receptacle saturates the item. The caster can then place another
spell within that receptacle (adjust the casting time accordingly). When
the item is moved or probed (by detect magic, etc.), the spelltrap
disappears and the second spell takes effect, just as if the item on
which the spelltrap was placed had cast the spell at a level equal to the
caster of the second spell.
The spelltrap will fade in 5 rounds if another spell is not placed in it.
If someone casts dispel magic on the spelltrap, it is 75% likely that the
second spell will be eliminated, leaving the spelltrap empty (and fading)
and ready to receive another spell; otherwise, dispel magic will
eliminate the spelltrap, releasing the effects of the second spell and
exploding the item on which it was placed, causing 2-12 points of damage
to all within a 20' radius. Only the following spells can be placed in a
spelltrap (others will have no effect, as if they had not been cast at
all): light (on the same item as the spelltrap), message*, audible
glamer, magic mouth, scare, fireball*, gust of wind*, lightning bolt*,
confusion, fear, polymorph other*, conjure elemental, azure flame, guards
and wards, slow mutation (dweomer placed on same item as the apelltrap).
Spells marked with an asterisk are released from the spelltrap in a
random direction. If the spelltrap is moved or probed in any way before a
second spell is placed inside, it vanishes. Only the use of a gem of
seeing can detect a spelltrap.
Azure Flame (Alteration)
Level: 5
Range: 5"
Duration: Special
Area of effect: 2" radius
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 6 segments
Saving Throw: Neg.
Explanation/Description: The azure flame spell causes all creatures
within the area of effect to burst into blue flame. A successful saving
throw vs. spell negates the effect. Protection from fire adds +1 to the
saving throw. Azure flame burns until extinguished by dispel magic
(nothing else affects it) and spreads to any living thing touched.
Lifeless items (including undead) do not burn with blue flames. Burining
creatures take 1-4 points of damage per round until the flame is
dispelled and are considered to be under the effects of a fear spell
while the azure flame burns. Creatures reduced to 0 hit points by azure
flame crumble into a pile of bluish ashes from which they cannot be
resurrected. The material component of the spell is a small piece of
azurite rubbed between the fingers of one hand while the other hand
performs the complicated somatic gestures. The spell requires a dexterity
of 13 or higher.
Enchanted Mirrors (Alteration)
Level: 5
Range: Special
Duration: Permanent
Area of effect: Two mirrors
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 7 rounds + special
Saving Throw: None
Explanation/Description: The material components of this spell are two
small, matched mirrors of fine silver worth not less than 100 gp each.
When the caster casts the spell, the mirrors begin to emit a faint glow
and hover 3 feet apart above the ground, facing each other, at the eye
level of the caster. The caster can now cast another spell into the area
between the mirrors (adjust casting time accordingly) and the effects of
that spell will be recast every third round beginning with the round in
which the casting of the second spell was completed. The effects of the
second spell are at half the ability of the caster (1st-level ability at
1st and 2nd level, 2nd-level ability at 3rd and 4th level, etc.).
Only the following spells can be placed in the enchanted mirrors (others
will have no effect, as if they had not been cast at all): light (on one
of the enchanted mirrors), message*, audible glamer, scare, fireball*,
gust of wind*, lightning bolt*, confusion, fear, polymorph other*,
conjure elemental, azure flame, guards and wards. Spells marked with an
asterisk are released from the enchanted mirrors in a random direction.
If anything touches or comes between the fagile mirrors, both the
enchanted mirrors spell and its repeating spell are cancelled, and the
mirrors fall to the ground. Dispel magic is 75% likely to remove the
repeating spell, leaving the mirrors ready to accept another; otherwise,
the enchanted mirrors spell is dispelled and the repeating spell ceases
to function.
Question Ball (Alteration/Conjuration)
Level: 5
Range: Touch
Duration: Special
Area of effect: One ball
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 3 rounds
Saving Throw: None
Explanation/Description: This spell transforms a normal crystal ball
into a unique question ball, which answers any questions put to it. The
material components of the spell are a crystal ball, a gem of seeing, and
a pound of pure sulphur. The caster piles the sulphur in a heap and burns
it with the gem and crystal ball, the caster performs the verbal and
somatic components of the spell, upon the completion of which the gem and
crystal disappear in a sulphurous explosion (no damage) marking the
creation of the question ball.
The ball is a partial manifestation of an extraplanar humanoid being of
divine nature, who uses the gem of seeing and its own powers to discern
the answers to the caster's questions. The being speaks common and 2-3
other languages, as well as tongues exclusive to his mysterious plane.
The being, as payment for the gem of seeing, is bound to answer a number
of questions equal to the caster's level. A percentile roll of less than
50 minus the level of the caster indicates that the being tells a
carefully fabricated and reasonably believeable lie. When the being has
answered a number of questions equal to the level of the caster, the
question ball will darken and crumble to useless powder.
The being can be released on the Prime Material Plane, the ball
shattering and all of the being's possessions (including the gem of
seeing) appearing in its place, if any of the following things happen to
the question ball:
1. If any attempt is made to move the ball to another plane;
2. If trap the soul, gate, monster summoning VII, or cache is cast on the
ball;
3. If the ball is destroyed using any of the methods for destruction of
artifacts or relics (see the DMG, p. 164);
4. If a wraith or similar creature performs an energy drain on the ball.
The being is neutral in alignment, AC 2, HD 10 + 6, # ATT 3, DAM 1-6/1-6
(plus 5% chance of disease) by claws, and 2-12 (plus poison, save at -2)
by fangs. Its poison causes sleep for 1-6 days, during which time the
being will eat its victim. Its claws are infected with a terminal blood
disease, as per the DMG. The being has all the spell-like abilities of a
type I demon, and it can travel in the Astral and Ethereal Planes. Its
other possessions number 2-12, each having a 20% chance of being magical
in nature.
Slow Mutation (Alteration/Possession)
Level: 5
Range: Touch
Duration: Permanent
Area of effect: One creature
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 2 rounds + touch
Saving Throw: Neg.
Explanation/Description: The material component of this spell is a piece
of whatever the caster wishes his subject to become (e.g., a kenku
feather to turn him into a kenku, or a drop from a potion of invisibility
to turn him invisible). The spell is cast on a non-living item such as
the end of a staff, where it glows red with the power of its dweomer.
Should any living (or undead) thing touch the dweomer, that being becomes
infected with slow mutation unless it makes a successful saving throw vs.
polymorph. The effects of the dweomer vary according to the description
given by the caster in the verbal component of the spell but, once
triggered, the complete mutation occurs within 3-18 rounds.
The spell has two aspects. The first is a condition that must apply to
the affected creature for the spell's mutation to function (e.g., contact
with a certain substance, performance of a certain action, etc.). While
this condition applies, the second aspect of the spell takes effect --
the subject begins to change slowly into the form described by the caster
during the creation of the dweomer (e.g., he begins to resemble a kenku
or becomes increasingly translucent).
Only a remove curse spell will eliminate the dweomer from a possessed
creature's body, allowing a wish or polymorph spell to return him to his
original form. Before a dweomer leaves its original position on its
weapon, dispel magic will eliminate it. After the dweomer leaves its
position, by dispel magic or by infecting someone, the weapon is once
again normal in every way.
