EYE OF GRUUMSH
Most people think they’ve seen the worst that orcs can breed when an orc barbarian comes raging over a hilltop — at least until they see a one-eyed orc barbarian come raging over a hilltop. This creature may well be an eye of Gruumsh, an orc so devoted to his evil deity that he has disfigured himself in Gruumsh’s name. In an epic battle at the dawn of time, the elven deity Corellon Larethian stabbed out Gruumsh’s left eye. Filled with rage and hatred, the orc deity called for followers loyal enough to serve in his image. Those who heed this call are known as the eyes of Gruumsh. They sacrifice their right eyes instead of their left ones so that their impaired vision balances that of their deity. Thus, symbolically at least, they can see what he cannot. These living martyrs to Gruumsh are some of the toughest orcs and half-orcs in the world.
The eye of Gruumsh is a true prestige class in the sense that all orcs respect those who achieve it. If a candidate proves capable with the brutal orc double axe and has no moral code to stand in the way of his service, only the test remains—to put out his own right eye in a special ceremony. This is a bloody and painful ritual, the details of which are best left undescribed. If the candidate makes a sound during the process, he fails the test.
No consequences for failure exist, except that he can never become an eye of Gruumsh — and he’s lost one eye.
Barbarians gain the most value from this prestige class, since it encourages raging as a fighting style. Fighters, clerics, rangers, and even rogues also heed this calling. Orcs and half-orcs are the obvious candidates for the class, and some orc tribes whisper of barbarians from other races who have adopted this mantle. Of course, these may just be legends meant to inspire young orcs to jealous rage.
Hit Die: d12.
Requirements
To qualify as an eye of Grummsh, a character must fulfill the following criteria.
Race: Orc or half-orc. (A character of another race who grows up among orcs may also adopt this prestige class if the DM permits.)
Alignment: Chaotic evil, chaotic neutral, or neutral evil.
Base Attack Bonus: +6.
Feats: Exotic Weapon Proficiency (orc double axe), Weapon Focus (orc double axe).
Special: The character must be a worshiper of Gruumsh and must put out his own right eye in a special ritual. None of the eye of Gruumsh’s special abilities function if he regains sight in both eyes.
Class Skills
The eye of Gruumsh’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Ride (Dex), and Swim (Str). See Chapter 4 of the Player’s Handbook for skill descriptions.
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Class Features
The following are class features of the eye of Gruumsh prestige class.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Eyes of Gruumsh are proficient with light and medium armor, shields, and all simple and martial weapons.
Blind-Fight: At 1st level, the eye of Gruumsh gains Blind-Fight as a bonus feat.
Follow Orders Blindly: At 1st level, the eye of Gruumsh may grant a +2 morale bonus on Will saves to any nongood orcs or half-orcs with HD lower than his character level within 30 feet of him. Any recipient who willingly goes against the eye of Gruumsh’s directions loses this bonus immediately. Using this ability is a standard action, and the effect lasts for 1 hour per eye of Gruumsh level.
Rage: Also at 1st level, the eye of Gruumsh gains the ability to rage as a barbarian of a level equal to the total of his barbarian and eye of Gruumsh levels. Thus, a Barbarian 14/eye of Gruumsh 2 can use rage 5 times per day.
Ritual Scarring: Through frequent disfiguration of his own skin, the eye of Gruumsh gains a +1 natural armor bonus at 3rd level. This bonus increases by +1 for every three eye of Gruumsh levels gained thereafter.
Swing Blindly (Ex): At 2nd level, the eye of Gruumsh gains an additional +2 bonus to his Strength score while raging. While this ability is in effect, the character provokes attacks of opportunity as though he were casting a spell whenever he takes any kind of attack action.
Blinding Spittle (Ex): The eye ot Gruumsh can launch blinding spittle at any opponent within 20 feet. Using a ranged touch attack (at a -4 penalty), he spits his stomach acid into the target's eyes. An opponent who fails a Reflex save (DC 10 + eye of Gruumsh level + eye of Gruumsh's Constitution bonus) is blinded until he or she can rinse away the spittle. This attack has no effect on creatures that don't have eyes or don't depend on vision. Blinding spittle is usable once per hour at 4th level and twice per hour at 7th level.
Blindsight (Ex): At 5th level, the eye of Gruumsh gains blindsight in a 5-foot radius. This ability is otherwise identical to the hearing-based version described in the introduction of the Monster Manual. Its range increases to 10 feet at 8th level.
Sight of Gruumsh: At 10th level, the eye of Gruumsh sees the moment of his own death through his missing eye. This foreknowledge gives him a +2 morale bonus on all saving throws from then on. (Whether or not the vision is accurate is irrelevant—the character believes it to be true.)
