Postfest XVIII (Richfest 2016): The Sunstone Bull
Date: Fri, July 08, 2016
Topic: Arcana of Oerth


A Fallen Comrade remembered as a faithful of Pelor. Father Benatosis, bright and cheery, a ray of Pelorian Sunshine in a dark place.

Presenting the Sunstone Bull, by Tyler B. (a.k.a. Redtail)


Sunstone Bull

Usually made out of a clear stone of Solarsteinn quality roughly 2” wide by 3” tall and 3” high, this figurine resembles that of a jolly looking Bull Bison with a distinguished smile.

Activation & Special Abilities

When command word is spoken, the figurine takes the shape of a rather obese golden-furred bull bison.

Bison Form

In bison form, the Sunstone Bull stands more than 6 feet tall at the shoulder and is 9 to 12 feet long. It weighs 1,800 to 2,400 pounds. 

Size/Type:

Large Animal

Special Qualities:

Low-light visionscent

Hit Dice:

5d8+15 (37 hp)

Saves:

Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +1

Initiative:

+0

Abilities:

Str 22, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 2, Wis 11, Cha 4

Speed:

40 ft. (8 squares)

Skills:

Listen +7Spot +5

Armor Class:

13 (-1 size, +4 natural), touch 9, flat-footed 13

Feats:

AlertnessEndurance

Base Attack/Grapple:

+3/+13

Environment:

Temperate plains

Attack:

Gore +8 melee (1d8+9)

Organization:

Solitary or herd (6-30)

Full Attack:

Gore +8 melee (1d8+9)

Challenge Rating:

2

Space/Reach:

10 ft./5 ft.

Advancement:

6-7 HD (Large)

Special Attacks:

Stampede

Level Adjustment:

Treat the Sunstone Bull as a Bison with the following powers:

Upon setting the figurine down and chanting “This little light of mine”, a rather obese looking golden-furred bull appears and depending on the time of day it will either point East or West (Depending upon the rising or setting of the sun) initially on the completion of its transformation.

 

ACTIVATION

Determines direction of Sun when initially activated as described above (1full Round Action). Variant of Know Direction.

At will once per round:

Sanctuary

Casting Time: 1 standard action

Range: Touch

Target: Creature Touched

Duration:12 Rnds

Save Throw: Will Negates

Spell Resistance: No

Daylight

Casting Time:1 standard action

Range: Radius- Full daylight 60ft, Dim Light 60ft beyond that

Target: From Object

Duration:120 min

Saving Throw: None

Spell Resistance: No

Spell Effect Special: Temporarily negates and is negated in areas of magical darkness. Prevailing light takes effect.

Once per Day, it can cast:

Cure Moderate Wounds: Mass

Casting Time: 1 standard action

Range: Close (55 ft)

Target: Heal Up to 12 creatures(2d8+12), no two of which can be more than 30 ft. apart

Duration: Instantaneous

Saving Throw: Will half (harmless) or Will half; see text

 

The Bull will obediently stay with the owner even under duress (i.e. Combat).

The Bull’s demeanor changes by one step if it fails DC by hearing enjoyable music. This check continues for each round music played either rendering the bull passive and sleepy (returning it to its stone form) or aggressive inciting a bull rush with no further checks required.

 

Bull Rush

Full action

(must have straight line to target of 20 ft)

Range: Move Rate Doubled

Target: Creature Touched

Duration: With Successful Hit, continues till demeanor change, end of combat or duration of item, whichever is first

Damage: 2d8+18, Knock Target Prone

Save Throw: ½ Damage Reflex Negates Prone

 

Creation & Use

Strong Conjuration; CL 12th; Craft Wondrous Item, animate objects, Sanctuary, Daylight, Variant of Know Direction, Cure Moderate wounds: Mass, **requires a Cleric of the 12 order of Pelor or higher.

A flawless piece of Quartz, Cordierite, Solarsteinn, or Fedspar clear to slightly translucent / opaque carved into a shape of a rotund bison bull.

Construction> Create Item> imbue with spell, ??? Cost, ???exp, ?? Days ???

User must be of good alignment

Remains in bison form lasts once per week up to 8 Hours, though doesn’t have to be continuous.

Background

               Inspired by a Human Cleric of Pelor of the 12th order. The late Father Benatosis held a career in helping others whenever he could through most of his life before being felled by a Undead Knight. Always interested in the actions of others, he spent his retirement in the city of Hardby as their church’s head until the Matriarchy felt no longer the need for its presence. The aged and rotund father relocated to the Furyondian town of Branford in offering of his services. It was there that he was recruited by certain adventurers to help save a town overrun by Giants, Orcs, and Undead. It was the final battle at Hochoch where the Father met his end in defense to those he protected.

               Father Benatosis was always interested in the ‘exciting’, having spent his youth and prime in other previous battles. His career was full-fledged until his retirement and kept his social demeanor even when the hierarchy chose otherwise. To those that he met would defer his social interaction as jolly, and never without some form of a smile. Those few who met him saw the Father as a Saint, and to those who knew him, he was a heart-felt friend. The Lightning Brigade extends its own accountancy of a man who sought to save everything that he saw. As Pelor ascended Mayaheine, so too did Benatosis have a hand in helping the Mayaheinites in their time of need, specifically the Voice of Mayaheine herself alongside one of their Holy Mothers.

               When the Father’s Hammer could no longer be swung due to old age, did he put away his armor. The Father utilized peaceful negotiations of diplomacy and when a fight did indeed present itself was most apt with the use of Sanctuary to protect the innocent and weak. Favoring a symbol of Pelor that had met Its golden years with use as he was able to drive off a Demon long enough for others to prevent its true entry alongside that of the Holy Mother of Mayaheine.

               Father Benatosis’ time among us was always with happiness even on the darkest of days; never failing to bring us hope and a smile to our faces. True to his mantra, his little light made ours shine.

In loving memory, the Lightning Brigade Honors our Patron Saint of Pelor. While the only one among us that truly was of Pelor’s Faith, do we raise our swords, wands, and scrolls in honor to Father Benatosis - one of the best of us!

References:

NPC Background>DLG Greyhawk Campaign set in the World of Greyhawk,

Spell References>D20SRD, 3.5e Players Handbook

Pelor Religious Belief Structure> World of Greyhawk Setting defining Pelor belief, Mayaheine, and Sun Worship.

DM & DMG 1e, 2e, 3.5 for guide to Magic Item Construction.

Solarsteinn -Viking and Norse Mythologies on pre-compass navigation.







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