The Three Faces of the Pereghost



The Three Faces of the Pereghost

The idea of an honorable villain is nothing new, but from the time I've heard of the Pereghost I felt he was an interesting character worthy of a short story or novel: a fallen paladin, serving Evil because he cannot serve Good. Well, the FRCS  updated him somewhat but I found it to be unsatisfying. How can a LE warrior, described as a fallen paladin with no clear religious allegiance, end up a CE ftr 7/chm 5 of Cyric? It seemed too much of a stretch, and in response I wrote up different stat versions for the Pereghost. Depending on how you prefer to think of him, take your pick as to which represents the 'true' Pereghost for you.

P.S. Mild 3.5e update regarding Intimidation skill ranks. Take note.

The Pereghost, Blackguard of Bane

 

male human Ftr 5/Pal 5/Blk 2; CR 12;

Medium Humanoid (Human); HD 5d10

+20, 5d10 +20, 2d10 +8; HP 140; Init +2 (+2 Dex); Spd 30; AC 20 (+8 armor, +2 Dex); Atk +19/+14/+9 melee (1d10 +7/crit 19-20 [x2]; bastard sword +3) or +17/+12/+7 melee (1d6 +5/crit x2, masterwork short sword) or +17/+12/+7 (2d4 +5/crit x3, masterwork guisarme); SA: poison use, smite good 2/day, sneak attack +1d6; SQ: dark blessing, detect good, lay on hands 1/day (6 pts); AL LE; SV Fort +17 (11 +4 +2), Reflex +8 (4 +2 +2), Will +8 (4 +2 +2); Str 19, Dex 15, Con 18, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 16.

 

Skills: Climb +5 (1+4), Concentration +7 (3+4), Diplomacy +10(7+3), Handle Animal +7(5+2), Heal +5(3+2), Hide +7(5+2), Intimidate +9(6+3), Jump +5(1+4), Knowledge: Religion +4(3+1), Ride +11 (7+2+2), Swim +6(2+4).

 

Feats(alphabetically): Cleave, Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Bastard Sword, Improved Trip, Iron Will, Knock-Down, Leadership, Mounted Combat, Power Attack, Sunder, Trample.

 

Languages: Chondathan, Common, Orc.

 

Blackguard Spells(2): cause fear, doom.

Possessions: half plate of nimbleness+1, masterwork guisarme (for use while mounted), masterwork short sword, “Determination” (bastard sword +3; AL LE, Int 17, Wis 16, Cha 8, Ego 15; Primary Abilities—detect good at will, locate object in 120’ radius, see invisible at will; Extraordinary Power—heal 1/day; Communicates by speech and telepathy, can speak common, draconic, giant, Thorass [can read afore-mentioned languages as well]; Caster Level: 15th; Prerequisites: Craft Arms & Armor, detect good, heal, locate object, lesser telepathic bond, magic mouth, see invisibility; Market Price: 73,335 gp; Cost to Create: 36,667 gp + 2,933 XP.).

 

 

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The Pereghost, Champion of Cyric

 

Male human Ftr 6/Pal 4/Chm 2; CR 12; Medium Humanoid (Human); HD 6d10 +24, 4d10 +16, 2d10 +8; HP 140; Init +6 (+2 Dex, +4 Improved Initiative); AC 20 (+8 armor, +2 Dex); ); Atk +21/+16/+11 melee (1d8 +8/crit 19-20 [x2]; unholy longsword +3) or +18/+13/+8 melee (1d6 +5/crit x2, masterwork short sword) or +18/+13/ +8 (2d4 +5/crit x3, masterwork guisarme); SQ: lay on hands 1/day (4 pts), +1 sacred defense vs. divine spells; AL NE; SV Fort +16 (12+4), Reflex +8 (6+2), Will +7 (3 +2 +2); Str 19, Dex 15, Con 18, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 16.

 

Skills: Climb +5(1+4), Concentration +4(2+2), Diplomacy +7(4+3), Handle Animal +7(5+2), Heal +5 (3+2), Intimidate +9(6+3), Jump +6(2+4), Knowledge: Region +4(3+1), Ride +13(9+2+2), Sense Motive +5(3+2), Spot +3(1+2), Swim +7(3+4).

 

Feats (alphabetically): Exotic Weapon Proficiency—Bastard Sword, Improved Initiative, Improved Trip, Iron Will, Knock-Down, Leadership, Mounted Combat, Ride-By Attack, Trample, Weapon Focus—Longsword.

 

Languages: Chondathan, Common, Orc.

 

Possessions: half-plate of nimbleness +1, masterwork guisarme (for use while mounted), masterwork short sword, and “Deceit” (unholy longsword +3).

 

Mount:

 

Arvask (the replacement for Sandusk, who’s since died)

Heavy warhorse; Large Animal (Horse); CR 2; HD 4d8 +12; HP 40; Init +1 (Dex), Spd 50 ft, fly 20 ft (poor); AC 16 (-1 size, +2 harness, +1 Dex, +4 natural); Atk +6/+6 melee (1d6+4, hooves) or +1 melee (1d4+2, bite); Face/Reach: 5 ft x 10 ft/5 ft; SQ: Scent; AL N; Saves: Fort +7, Ref +5, Will +2; Str 18, Dex 13, Con 17, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 6.

 

Skills: Listen +7, Spot +7.

Possessions: Military saddle (+2 to rider’s Ride checks), winged harness+2 (see below for details).

 

 

New Magic Item

 

Winged Harness +2: This item resembles an ordinary harness that can be strapped to any Large-sized creature. When a command is uttered, however, gigantic raven-like wings come forth on each side of the creature, enabling it to fly (as the spell) twice per day. When aloft, the harness provides the wearer with the carrying capacity of a creature with 25 Strength. The speed and maneuverability is affected by the total load, as follows:

 

Load Speed Maneuverability

Lt (01-266 lbs.) 60 ft Good

Md (267-533 lbs.) 40 ft Average

Hvy (534-800 lbs.) 20 ft Poor

 

If the load increases beyond 800 lbs during flight (or if the wearer/rider wishes it), then the flight effect changes to feather fall for the remainder of the spell, or until the spell’s duration lapses. In either case, the spells are treated as if they were cast by a spellcaster of 12th level with regard to duration, dispelling, etc. This particular harness also provides +2 armor protection (as bracers of armor) for the wearer.

This magic item is especially useful to those who wish to enable their mounts (such as a warhorse) to fly. It does require some training, though, before the animal is suitably comfortable with its effects. At least two weeks of ‘breaking in’ is necessary, and at least one successful Handle Animal/Ride check each (DC 18). If one is failed, another week is required before another check may be made (two weeks if both fail). Once both checks are successfully made, then the animal is used to the harness and its effects.

Caster Level: 12th; Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, feather fall, strength, fly, mage armor; Market Value: 19,000. Cost to Create: 9,500 gp + 910 XP.

 

 

Background: This dark knight is a mystery. No one (save perhaps Sememmon) knows his name. The Pereghost tends to speak only when he needs to bellow an order to his troops. His skull-faced helm is as well known throughout the heartlands as the sigils of Elminster and Khelben Arunsun.

Many things have been said about the Pereghost: that he’s a fallen paladin who has judged himself unworthy and so serves evil because he cannot truly serve goodness, that he is a spawn of some creature from the nether planes, that he’s a dragon polymorphed by Sememmon or an undead creature whose decayed and unloving nature is hidden by powerful dweomers within his helm. Of these, only the first is known to be true. He was once a paladin prior to serving at Darkhold, but something caused him to break away. Other speculation has either been disproved or has yet to be substantiated; for all intents and purposes, the Pereghost is human. He chooses to speak little of his past (or of anything not directly pertinent to his work). What’s known for certain is that he presented himself at the castle gates during the winter of 1356 DR, and that within three years he rose to become the military commander of Darkhold’s forces. He answered only to Sememmon, the Master of Darkhold, or to his apprentice Ashemmi when the wizard was away on business. Relations between the Pereghost and Sememmon were cordial and warm. Sememmon was pleased with the way he executed orders cleanly and precisely, and the Pereghost appreciated the way Sememmon handled matters in general. Relations between Ashemmi and the Pereghost were cooler in comparison, in part because Ashemmi was well aware that most of the Darkhold’s troops had a higher regard for him than for her. This naturally created some tension between the two, but they handled things in a business-like manner.

The years ahead proved troublesome for the Zhentarim, although the Pereghost (and Darkhold itself) seemed to weather the changes well. In 1361 DR, the Banedeath began in Zhentil Keep, not ceasing until the first day of Hammer in 1362 DR. Despite the destruction wrought by the Cyricist inquisition in and around the Moonsea, it never seemed to reach the walls of the Darkhold itself. (which is just as well, since a fair number of the Pereghost’s troops and captains remained Orthodox Banites, particularly Riviar Darkwind). Sememmon, his superior, kept things in check but worried about the future nonetheless. In 1368 DR, six years to the day that the first Banedeath had ended, a second one began. A high-level cleric of Cyric named Dhamir Ercaln led his followers in a search for heretics among the Darkholders, culminating with the blood sacrifice of Kurth Dracomore, former chaplain of the shrine of Bane within the castle. The old symbols were done away with; what had been Bane’s was now remade in Cyric’s image. After the ‘festivities’, Dhamir settled into a new position there--replacing Ashemmi as second-in-command, yet sharing duties with the Pereghost. This did not sit well with the seasoned warrior, for he despised him. Even Ashemmi was preferable in contrast to the cold, conniving priest.

 

As the years wore on, the intrigue that normally festered within Darkhold grew worse. Sememmon was glad for the clerics’ presence, since their numbers strengthened local patrols, but the Pereghost found them to be troublesome. Political infighting became more common, so much so that Otto Otturka (the castle’s quartermaster) and the wizard Kadorr (an apprentice of Ashemmi’s) were found dead one morning. Nobody mourned Otto’s passing, for he was a worm who skimmed off of Zhent profits, but Ashemmi was infuriated at her loss. (Later on it was determined that the wretch Ilthond paid to have Kadorr murdered, then killed Otto on his way out in order to sow confusion.) The Pereghost did his best to stay out of politics, except when his own position was threatened, but it was hard to keep from creating some friction under those circumstances. Although he paid lip service to the god that Dhamir served, Dhamir Ercaln knew it for what it was. If the dark knight hadn’t been so essential to running Darkhold, the high priest would’ve been tempted to forcibly ‘vacate’ his position and take over.

 

Then the Cyrinishad debacle occurred in 1368 DR. A second inquisition was launched, this time reaching Darkhold, Teshwave, and the Citadel of the Raven. The upper tiers of Darkhold’s leadership survived largely unscathed, but the Pereghost did not. Converting him into a true believer—without killing him in the process—was seen as essential to swaying the rest of the non-believers, particularly the rank and file. So, Dhamir hatched a plan. Nobody knows for sure how it happened, or what it involved, but on a night best forgotten by those in the castle the Pereghost was taken by the high priest and forcibly converted. The darkness refused to budge, but when dawn finally broke a changed, more sinister commander had come into being. The Pereghost, as he once was, was no more...

   

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Or, perhaps not.

 

There are several ways to play this. First, that the Pereghost was truly converted to Cyric’s faith (whether through torture or magical coercion). In this instance, his sentient longsword “Determination” is broken during a ceremony designed to show his allegiance to the Dark Sun. The second possibility is that the Pereghost was captured and converted, his sentient sword lost, but that with the return of Bane his allegiance is set to shift should the right circumstances occur (an impromptu, secret meeting set up by Fzoul in order to shift the balance in his favor, much as the case was with Teldorn Darkhope of Mintar). In that instance, he’s a LE Ftr 6/Pal 4/Chm 2 of Bane with additional protections so that his apostasy cannot be discovered (a more powerful ring of mind shielding that also makes the wearer’s alignment read as CE, etc.). The third possibility is that the Pereghost was never forcibly converted during the second Banedeath in 1368 DR. It was misreported that he became a champion of Cyric in order to foster more conversions among the local Zhentilar troops. As with Sememmon and the other higher-ups, Dhamir made certain not to push his luck and use force, instead accepting an oath of fealty to the Lord of Lies from the Pereghost. In the time since, of course, the Pereghost would hate him even more so, such that when confronted with the dark minions of Bane he agrees to become his tool of hate---provided that he’s given the power to do so. His sword, “Determination,” is enhanced with the lawful property and he’s made into a blackguard of Bane, charged with keeping watch over the heretical Cyricists until it’s time for the Pereghost to tip his hand and show his true allegiance. Regardless of which possibility is correct, the Pereghost hates Dhamir Ercaln with a vengeance and will seek to have him killed in order to take over the Darkhold and assume his rightful position.

 

 

And, finally, here's one that cleaves closer to the so-called “official” 3E version of the Pereghost.

 

The Pereghost, True Champion of Cyric

 

Male human Ftr 7/Chm 5; CR 12; Medium Humanoid (Human); HD 7d10 +28, 5d10 +20; HP 140; Init +6 (+2 Dex, +4 Improved Initiative); AC 20 (+8 armor, +2 Dex); ); Atk +21/+16/+11 melee (1d8 +8/crit 17-20 [x2]; unholy longsword +3) or +18/+13/+8 melee (1d6 +5/crit x2, masterwork short sword) or +18/+13/ +8 (2d4 +5/crit x3, masterwork guisarme); SA divine wrath, smite infidel; SQ lay on hands 1/day (15 pts), +2 sacred defense vs. divine spells; AL CE; SV Fort +13 (9+4), Reflex +8 (6+2), Will +7 (3 +2 +2); Str 19, Dex 15, Con 18, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 16.

 

Skills: Climb +5(1+4), Concentration +4(2+2), Diplomacy +6(3+3), Handle Animal +7(5+2), Heal +5 (3+2), Intimidate +9(6+3), Jump +6(2+4), Knowledge: Region +5(4+1), Ride +13(9+2+2), Sense Motive +5(3+2), Spot +3(1+2), Swim +7(3+4).

Feats (alphabetically): Exotic Weapon Proficiency—Bastard Sword, Improved Critical--Longsword, Improved Initiative, Improved Trip, Iron Will, Knock-Down, Leadership, Mounted Combat, Ride-By Attack, Trample, Weapon Focus—Longsword.

 

Languages: Chondathan, Common, Orc.

 

Possessions: half-plate of nimbleness +1, masterwork guisarme (for use while mounted), masterwork short sword, and “Deceit” (unholy longsword +3).

 

In this version, the previous background story holds true, except that the conversion is voluntary and that his paladin levels are ‘burned away’ during a dark ritual devoted to Cyric and replaced with levels in the Divine Champion prestige class. The price for this is the destruction of his sentient sword, Determination, and some life energy bled from him to seal the bargain with Cyric. Despite Dhamir’s assistance, of course, the Pereghost’s feelings toward the high priest remain the same and, if anything, become stronger. This can easily be blamed on the idea of misdirected feelings, in that the Pereghost hates what he has done but instead pins it solely upon Dhamir. He has fallen farther away from who he used to be, and in the end cannot stand the thought. Ah, but such are the wages of sin when one seeks power at any cost.

 

Original Sources: Castles boxed set (1990), Forgotten Realms Adventures HC(1990), Ruins of Zhentil Keep boxed set(1995), Cloak & Dagger (1998?).

 

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