Brandisher, the Hellhound Archon

[Enkhoffer]

 

- The Fallen Watchdog -

Name: Brandisher

Race: Half-Fiend Hound Archon

Type: Baatzetu Devil

 

Class: Paladin of Tyranny (Unearthed Arcana)

Deity: Dol Arrah (formerly)

Alignment: Lawful Evil

 

Description: The celestial creature that was Brandisher can still be seen, however faintly, in the twisted shadow that remains since his fall. As if scorched by the fires of Hell, his skin and hide have been stained black as night, and his powerful frame appears wiry and emaciated - though this only belies the unchanged strength of his arm.

 

Brandisher’s canine face is fiercer than ever, with his jowels and lips peeled back to leave his fangs eternally bared. His once dark brown eyes have sunken until they appear as nothing but empty sockets, radiating with a baleful red glow.

 

---

- Sheet Link -

---

- Brandisher's Story -

 

The fall of an Archon, one of the faithful defenders on the bulwarks of Heaven, is a rare and mournful thing - doubly so when the fall comes from a willful and voluntary betrayal of that Archon's vows and allegiances. Then, it is said, their name must be struck from all records and even from the minds of those they called kin.

 

Though all the Gods are sacred and supreme to Heaven's hosts, it was Dol Arrah that Brandisher loved most and desired most to serve. The sun Goddess' creed of sacrifice for the good of others rang true in his heart, and despite being an immortal soul he wished above all else that his end - when it came - would be in service to defeat some great foe or threat. Brandisher served dutifully throughout centuries of his existance, fighting whatever invading force came upon the walls into Dol Arrah's domain on which he stood with his Hound Archon brothers. Especially when the dreaded Blood War spilled onto their fields, and gibbering hordes of Demons came to secure a foothold in the heavenly realms.

But though he did not notice it at first, every victory they secured left him growing more and more frustrated that they had to stand and wait for the next. He would seek out his enemies and destroy them in their lairs, were he not bound to his post. He came to feel an unspoken, shameful admiration for the Devils who took a proactive hand in wiping out the monsters that threatened all of creation. It took him hundreds of mortal years before the frustration grew into restless resentment, and even longer until a heretical plan to defect took form.

He told himself he was betraying his duty but not his Goddess, as he was willing to risk his soul and the love of his comrades in the ultimate defense of Heaven - but in truth his driving urge was ambition and hunger for glory in battle.

 

He was in pursuit of another demonic incursion, driven to retreat and fleeing back through their portals, when he left his regiment and slipped through with them in the guise of fearsome black dog. He stalked through battlefield after battlefield in this form and his own, slaughtering demons with his angelic greatsword, never seeing how its divine light diminished more and more the longer he remained.

When finally he had butchered his way to the front lines of the Devils' armies, he fell into an ambush and expected to be attacked by them as well... but only then was he shown his reflection, and saw that his heavenly form had changed forever to reflected his new nature. As he was brought before the infernal general, he kneeled willingly and was welcomed, and swore that he would be their beast from then on if they continued to deliver more demons to his blade.

 

Brandisher's nickname the Hellhound Archon was given in mockery, but he has adopted it fully. He has served the armies of Hell for almost as long as he served in Heaven... and now he finds himself cast out and once again grasping for purpose.

Edited May 30, 2023 by Enkhoffer (see edit history)

[Enkhoffer]

Level Progression:

These are the planned levels for Brandisher going forward. The Hound Archon progression is taken from Savage Species with its features turned from Good to Evil, the Half-Fiend is from Monster Manual but without wings.

 

Level	Side A	Side B
1	Paladin of Tyranny 1	Hound Archon 1
2	Paladin of Tyranny 2	Half-Fiend LA +1
3	Paladin of Tyranny 3	Half-Fiend LA +2
4	Paladin of Tyranny 4	Half-Fiend LA +3
5	Paladin of Tyranny 5	Hound Archon 2
6	Paladin of Tyranny 6	Hound Archon 3
7	Paladin of Tyranny 7	Hound Archon 4
8	Paladin of Tyranny 8	Hound Archon 5
9	Paladin of Tyranny 9	Hound Archon 6
10	Paladin of Tyranny 10	Hound Archon 7
11	Paladin of Tyranny 11	Hound Archon 8
12	Paladin of Tyranny 12	Hound Archon 9
13	Paladin of Tyranny 13	Hound Archon 10
14	Paladin of Tyranny 14	Hound Archon 11

 

Level		Features
1	Hound Archon HD 1	Str +2, Wis +2, Speed 40 ft., Darkvision 60 ft., Low-light Vision, +4 bonus to Saves vs Poison, Alternate Form (any normal canine, speed is 60 ft., Hide and Survival checks are +4), Subtypes (Evil, Lawful), Bite 1d6, Natural Armor +2, Electricity Resistance 5, Skills 8+Int per level
2	Half-Fiend LA +1	Str +4, Dex +4, Natural Armor +1, 2 Claws 1d4, Smite Good 1/day, Immunity to Poison, Acid Resistance 10, Spell-like Abilities (Darkness 3/day)
3	Half-Fiend LA +2	Con +2, Cold Resistance 10, Electricity Resistance 10, Natural Weapons are treated as Magic, Spell Resistance (HD+10), Spell-like Abilities (Desecrate 1/day)
4	Half-Fiend LA +3	Int +4, Cha +2, Fire Resistance 10, DR 5/Magic
5	Hound Archon HD 2	Con +2, Scent 10 ft., Spell-like Abilities (Unholy Blight 1/day)
6	Hound Archon LA +1	2 Slams 1d4, Natural Armor +2, Spell-like Abilities (At Will - Aid, Continual Flame, Detect Good, Message)
7	Hound Archon HD 3	Spell-like Abilities (Detect Thoughts At Will, Poison 3/day)
8	Hound Archon LA +2	Natural Armor +2
9	Hound Archon HD 4	Bite 1d8, Scent 30 ft., Spell-like Abilities (Contagion 1/day)
10	Hound Archon LA +3	Aura of Menace, Electricity Resistance 15
11	Hound Archon HD 5	Natural Armor +2, Spell-like Abilities (Blasphemy 1/day)
12	Hound Archon LA +4	Cha +2, DR 10/Magic
13	Hound Archon HD 6	Immunity to Electricity, Immunity to Petrification, Natural Armor +1, Spell-like Abilities (Unholy Aura 3/day, Unhallow 1/day)
14	Hound Archon LA +5	Str +2, Teleport without Error, Magic Circle against Good

 

Edited May 23, 2023 by Enkhoffer (see edit history)

[Michael]

You dont need to decide on the non monster side beyond lvl 1.

You'll also note from the SS entry the HA has LA +5 (5 of the levels in the SS table don't get HD)

Also house rules have removed tongues as a spell and replaced it with any divination spell you like of 3rd level or lower.

Also note I will need a writing sample in the form of one or two paragraphs about your fiend before the portal.

 

[Enkhoffer]

7 minutes ago, Michael said:

You'll also note from the SS entry the HA has LA +5 (5 of the levels in the SS table don't get HD)

That's right, I'll write that in - but won't I still get HD from the non-monster side?

 

9 minutes ago, Michael said:

Also house rules have removed tongues as a spell and replaced it with any divination spell you like of 3rd level or lower.

Ooh, I like that! I'll pick something out.

 

10 minutes ago, Michael said:

Also note I will need a writing sample in the form of one or two paragraphs about your fiend before the portal.

Can do!

[Michael]

Yes, the Gestalt fills in those HD blanks.

[Enkhoffer]

I’ve finished my progression, am working on the fluff now.

Please let me know if anything in the levels look out of order.

[Michael]

looks good.

[Enkhoffer]

I believe I am finished with Brandisher's backstory and his sheet, basically ready for final review.

One question though: would you be okay with replacing his natural and scaling resistance to electricity with fire resistance?

[Michael]

 

20 hours ago, Enkhoffer said:

I believe I am finished with Brandisher's backstory and his sheet, basically ready for final review.

One question though: would you be okay with replacing his natural and scaling resistance to electricity with fire resistance?

why?

[Enkhoffer]

Just a stray thought - I’ve tied his old self to Dol Arrah, and I thought it fit with her dominion over the sun.

But he works just as well as is.

[Enkhoffer]

- Equipment Purchases - (500 gp)

 

Greatsword - 50 gp

Banded Mail - 250 gp

Armor Spikes - 50 gp

2 Spiked Gauntlets - 10 gp

Kukri - 8 gp

Dagger - 2 gp

 

Belt Pouch - 1 gp

Silk Rope - 10 gp

Manacles (Average Lock) - 55 gp

 

Remaining: 64 gp

Edited December 8, 2023 by Enkhoffer (see edit history)