RAVENLORD
Everyone reacts to negativity differently, including malefactors. Unable to fully cope with the unluck that fuels their power, ravenlords splinter off a fraction of their soul into a bird-like servant that contains their misfortune for them. From then on, the two are inseparable. This bird, this dark messenger, serves the ravenlord and does her bidding, but the more the ravenlord pours her own unluck into the dark messenger, the more it acts on that unluck unless the ravenlord is wise or cunning enough to control it.
Dark Messenger (Ex):
A ravenlord is served by a raven-like bird, known as her dark messenger. The dark messenger functions as a bird animal companion (using the ravenlord’s level as her effective druid level) with the following exceptions:
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The dark messenger’s Intelligence score is equal to the ravenlord’s. The ravenlord does not need to use the Handle Animal skill to handle or direct it; it can act normally for a creature of its intelligence.
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The dark messenger always acts on the same initiative count as the ravenlord.
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The ravenlord may communicate telepathically with her dark messenger provided the two are within one mile of each other. The dark messenger always obeys the ravenlord’s orders to the best of its ability, and will exercise its own initiative to promote the ravenlord’s interests and safety.
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When slain, the dark messenger deals 1d6 points of Constitution damage to the ravenlord, then re-forms 24 hours later, reappearing on its master’s shoulder with full hit points.
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The dark messenger does not gain bonus tricks or the share spells ability.
This ability replaces aura of misfortune, strife surge, and part of ruinous ascension.
Channel of Woe (Su):
At 5th level, whenever the ravenlord makes a Harrowing Strike, her dark messenger generates a 10-foot-radius sphere of Gloom for one round. The Gloom is stationary and grants concealment to the creature that generated it for as long as that creature is within its area. Opponents within the Gloom become cursed and take a –2 penalty on skill checks and Reflex saves while within its area. Starting at 9th level, opponents within the Gloom also take a –4 penalty to their AC and on attack and damage rolls within its area. Starting at 19th level, opponents within the Gloom also take a –2 penalty on Fortitude and Will saves and may not make attacks of opportunity while within its area. These effects on opponents within the Gloom are considered energy drain effects (which means, among other things, that undead and constructs are not subject to them). This ability replaces discord and great discord.
Memories of Loss (Su):
At 20th level, the Gloom generated by a ravenlord’s channel of woe class feature lasts for a number of rounds equal to her Charisma modifier. Additionally, opponents within the Gloom become incapable of benefiting from insight or morale bonuses while within its area.