AFFILIATION WITH THE GRAY MAIDENS
No longer a single faction under the command of one leader, the Gray Maidens in a post-Ileosa world consist of numerous fractured companies. The two largest, the Erinyes Company and the Scarlet Rose, are far from the only groups; in a few cases, solo Gray Maidens operate as lone wolves, using the group’s defunct legacy only to support (or hide) their causes.
Example Affiliation Encounter: While a character could well seek the approval of an established Gray Maiden mercenary company to become affiliated with the group, anyone who has undergone personal trauma, whether physical or mental, only to have come out the other side stronger and more resolute, has the proper mindset to take advantage of Gray Maiden options. A character who endures the effects of at least 4 points of ability score drain or toils under the effects of any mind-control effect (such as charm person, dominate person, or geas/quest) for at least a month certainly has not matched the torment actual Gray Maidens suffered during their brutal and extensive indoctrination—but this suffering, combined with an interest in pursuing the goals of a Gray Maiden faction, is typically enough to allow access to the options in this chapter. Alternately, any character who takes the Gray Maiden Initiate feat (see below) is automatically affiliated with the Gray Maidens.
EQUIPMENT
The following items are commonly used by the Gray Maidens.
GRAY MAIDEN PLATE
PRICE 1,500 GP
WEIGHT 50 lbs.
The Gray Maidens’ distinctive armor is one of their most iconic identifiers. Gray Maiden plate is mechanically identical to full plate, and any effect that functions with full plate functions with Gray Maiden plate. Certain options for Gray Maidens function only when they wear Gray Maiden plate.
SCARSALVE
PRICE 10 GP
WEIGHT 1 lb.
This alchemical substance, originally developed by secretive worshipers of Zon-Kuthon to hide the marks of their devotion, has become popular among former Gray Maidens. When applied to scarred areas of the body, scarsalve causes those scars to fade from view for 1 day. A character who gains benefits from having visible scars loses those benefits while under the effects of scarsalve, but she also gains a +2 alchemical bonus on Disguise checks.
FEATS
The Gray Maidens and their affiliates often make use of the following feats.
Agile Maiden (Combat)
The Gray Maidens’ signature armor hinders you less than others.
Prerequisites: Str 13; Dex 13; Endurance or armor training class feature; proficiency with heavy armor.
Benefit: For the purpose of class features (such as a ranger’s combat style, a barbarian’s fast movement, or a magus’s spellcasting), you treat Gray Maiden plate as medium armor or heavy armor, whichever is more beneficial to a given ability. This does not affect the armor’s statistics, and it is still considered heavy armor for all other purposes.
Fanged Crown Massacre
Driven by your loyalty to a fallen queen, you can inspire your
allies to brutal acts.
Prerequisites: BodyguardAPG, Combat Reflexes, Perform (oratory) 3 ranks, any evil alignment.
Benefit: Whenever an ally within 30 feet makes an attack, you can attempt a DC 10 Perform (oratory) check as an immediate action. If you are successful, the ally gains a +2 morale bonus on her attack roll. If an attack affected in this way would normally deal nonlethal damage, it deals lethal damage instead. This ability has no effect if your ally cannot hear you speak or understand your words.
Fanged Crown Massac re
Driven by your loyalty to a fallen queen, you can inspire your allies to brutal acts.
Prerequisites: BodyguardAPG, Combat Reflexes, Perform (oratory) 3 ranks, any evil alignment.
Benefit: Whenever an ally within 30 feet makes an attack, you can attempt a DC 10 Perform (oratory) check as an immediate action. If you are successful, the ally gains a +2 morale bonus on her attack roll. If an attack affected in this way would normally deal nonlethal damage, it deals lethal damage instead. This ability has no effect if your ally cannot hear you speak or understand your words.
Gray Maiden Initiate
You were selected for indoctrination into the Gray Maidens and underwent some of the preliminary scarring and conditioning, but Queen Ileosa was defeated before you could fully serve her. You bear the mental and physical scars of your sisters in the Gray Maidens, and while you never had to carry out any of the queen’s commands, you feel a strong
kinship with those of your sisters who have.
Prerequisites: Female, must be taken at 1st level.
Benefit: You are affiliated with the Gray Maidens. In addition, choose two of the following benefits to represent
the focus of your initial training and indoctrination.
Avenging Knight: Like the Queens of the Night, you crave vengeance upon those who have wronged you. You gain a +1 bonus on damage rolls against any creature that dealt damage to you during the previous round.
Deeper Indoctrination: Mental conditioning has bolstered your mind against most magical control. You gain a +1 bonus on Will saving throws, except when resisting charm or compulsion effects created by lawful evil creatures, in which case you instead take a –2 penalty on Will saving throws.
Faceless Maiden: You can take advantage of the disquieting nature of the iconic armor of the Gray Maidens. While wearing Gray Maiden plate, you gain a +2 bonus on Intimidate checks.
Gray Maiden Adept: You had some magical skill before being recruited and learned to cast spells despite the restrictive armor you were forced to wear. The arcane spell failure chance of Gray Maiden plate you wear is reduced by 5%.
Gray Maiden Endurance: Surviving the brutal process of becoming a Gray Maiden taught you to endure more pain than others. You gain 2 hit points and can sleep while wearing Gray Maiden armor without becoming fatigued.
Korvosan Acceptance: With the aid of the Scarlet Rose, you’ve successfully reintegrated into Korvosan society. You gain a +1 bonus on Diplomacy and Knowledge (local) checks, and one of these skills (your choice) is a class skill for you.
Scarred: Your face was horribly scarred during Gray Maiden initiation, destroying your beauty. You take a –1 penalty on Diplomacy and Disguise checks, but gain a +2 bonus on Intimidate checks and on saving throws against pain effects (Pathfinder RPG Ultimate Magic 138).
Tamed and Broken: You reach your full potential only when magically compelled. Whenever you are under the effects of
an enemy’s compulsion spell, you gain a number of temporary hit points equal to the spell’s level. These temporary hit points last for the duration of the spell effect.
Special: This feat is unaffiliated; a creature need not be affiliated with the Gray Maidens to select this feat.
Scarlet Rose Devotion
Through the bond of sisterhood, you can inspire your allies to overcome terrible threats.
Prerequisites: BodyguardAPG, Combat Reflexes, Perform (oratory) 3 ranks, any good alignment.
Benefit: Whenever an ally within 30 feet attempts a saving throw, you can attempt a DC 10 Perform (oratory) check as an immediate action. If you are successful, the ally gains a +2 morale bonus on her saving throw. This ability has no effect if your ally cannot hear you speak or understand your words.
Sisterhood Dedica tion (Combat)
The Gray Maidens’ bond with each other goes beyond simple combat coordination. An elite member of the sisterhood is an inspiration to her fellow women, both invigorating their spirits and effortlessly coordinating their tactics.
Prerequisites: Cha 13, Shield Focus, Shield WallAPG, Sisterhood Rampart†, Sisterhood Style†, Weapon Focus (longsword), base attack bonus +6.
Benefit: While you’re using Sisterhood Style and wielding a longsword and either a light or heavy shield, the bonus on saving throws from Sisterhood Style increases to +2 and you grant half that bonus to all allies within 20 feet. In addition, you can choose up to two teamwork feats you have when entering the Sisterhood Style stance. As a swift action, you can grant one of those feats to two allies within 20 feet until the beginning of your next turn, or you can grant both feats to one ally within 20 feet until the beginning of your next turn.
Sisterhood Ram part (Combat)
The shield wall was the heart of the Gray Maidens’ military strategy; combined with their precise tactical coordination,
Gray Maiden lines were nearly unbreakable. Maidens behind the line would then strike with polearms or longbows, picking off targets with ease.
Prerequisites: Cha 13, Shield Focus, Shield WallAPG, Sisterhood Style†, Weapon Focus (longsword), base attack bonus +4.
Benefit: While using Sisterhood Style, you and adjacent allies gain an additional +1 bonus to the shield bonus granted
by Shield Wall, and each of you adds your shield bonus to AC (not counting enhancement bonuses) to your CMD against bull rush combat maneuvers. In addition, you and adjacent allies do not provide soft cover against allies’ attacks.
Sisterhood Style (Combat, Style)
The Gray Maidens are more than just soldiers—they drill relentlessly to fight as a team and to protect their bodies and
minds. A Gray Maiden using the Sisterhood Style can easily coordinate tactics with other women.
Prerequisites: Cha 13, Shield Focus, Weapon Focus(longsword), base attack bonus +2.
Benefit: While using this style and wielding a longsword and a light or heavy shield, you gain a +1 bonus on Reflex and Will saving throws. In addition, when you enter the Sisterhood Style stance, you can choose a teamwork feat you have. As a swift action, you can grant that feat to an ally within 10 feet until the beginning of your next turn.
Unbreakable (Combat)
As a veteran Gray Maiden, you can endure a staggering amount of punishment.
Prerequisites: Con 13, Endurance, Toughness, fighter level 4th.
Benefit: Whenever you gain 1 hit point as a fighter favored class benefit, you gain an additional hit point. Treat your effective Constitution score as being 4 higher for the purpose of determining when you would die from hit point damage. These benefits are retroactive.
MAGIC ITEMS
The following magic items have seen significant use by the Gray Maidens since the fall of Queen Ileosa.
BANNER OF THE SCARLET ROSE
PRICE 18,000 GP
SLOT none
CL 7th WEIGHT 3 lbs.
AURA moderate enchantment
This flag bears an image of a red rose on a silvery field. Made for the Scarlet Rose’s standard-bearers, these flags offer protection to the wielder and inspiration to her allies. To grant any benefit, a banner of the Scarlet Rose must be
held firmly in one hand by a woman. While held, it grants the bearer a +2 shield bonus to AC and a +4 luck bonus to
her CMD. A banner of the Scarlet Rose counts as a heavy shield for the purpose of any feat or class feature that requires the user to be wielding a shield (such as Sisterhood Style† or Shield WallAPG).
Whenever the banner’s bearer uses a class ability that grants a competence bonus (such as the bard’s inspire courage ability or the cavalier’s lion’s call order ability), the competence bonus granted to allies increases by 1. This benefit does not apply to spells that grant competence bonuses, nor does it stack with other item effects that increase competence bonuses.
Finally, allies within 30 feet (including the banner’s bearer) gain a +2 resistance bonus on saving throws against mindaffecting effects.
CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS COST 9,000 GP
Craft Wondrous Item, good hope, resistance, shield
ERINYES COMPANY CLOAK
PRICE 22,000 GP
SLOT shoulders CL 10th WEIGHT 3 lbs.
AURA moderate transmutation
This crimson cloak is trimmed with feathers taken from erinyes devils. Three times per day on command, the cloak transforms into a pair of black-feathered wings that grant the wearer a fly speed of 30 feet (average maneuverability) for 10 minutes. If the wearer is wearing Gray Maiden plate, its armor check penalty does not apply to the wearer’s Fly checks. In addition, the wearer gains a +2 resistance bonus on all saving throws.
CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS COST 11,000 GP
Craft Wondrous Item, fly, resistance
HELM OF THE FANGED CROWN
PRICE 12,000 GP
SLOT head CL 9th WEIGHT 3 lbs.
AURA moderate enchantment
This Gray Maiden–style helm has an ornate crown-like pattern sculpted into its brow. The first such helms were created in the final days of Queen Ileosa’s reign for use by commanders in the organization, but her loyalists have had additional copies made in her honor since her fall from power, and many of the Erinyes Company proudly wear such helms today.
A helm of the Fanged Crown allows its wearer to use heroism on herself once per day as a standard action. However, the
spell’s bonuses act as penalties instead on attack rolls and skill checks against devils, devilboundB4 creatures, and creatures with the infernal sorcerer bloodline, and on saving throws against effects generated by such creatures. Once activated, the effects last for 3 hours or until the helm is removed.
CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS COST 6,000 GP
Craft Wondrous Item, Extend Spell, heroism
MAIDEN’S AEGIS
PRICE 9,170 GP
SLOT shield CL 6th WEIGHT 15 lbs.
AURA moderate abjuration
These +2 heavy steel shields were often issued to Gray Maiden unit leaders, and many still carry them today. Once per day as a swift action, the wielder of a maiden’s aegis can reduce the enhancement bonus of the shield to +1 to grant a +1
enhancement bonus to up to four other shields within a 30-foot radius. This effect persists for 10 minutes, but it ends for any individual shield that moves more than 30 feet from the maiden’s aegis that granted the bonus.
CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS COST 4,670 GP
Craft Magic Arms and Armor, magic vestment
MAIDEN’S HELM
PRICE 3,500 GP
SLOT head CL 6th WEIGHT 3 lbs.
AURA moderate enchantment
A maiden’s helm appears as the distinctive plate and plumed helm worn by the Gray Maidens. The helm imparts enhanced power and gravitas to the wearer’s voice, granting a +5 competence bonus on Intimidate checks. The wearer of a maiden’s helm can use command three times per day as a spell-like ability.
CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS COST 1,750 GP
Craft Wondrous Item, cause fear, command
MAIDEN’S PANOPLY
PRICE 30,650 GP
SLOT armor CL 11th WEIGHT 50 lbs.
AURA moderate abjuration and divination
This set of +3 Gray Maiden plate creates a mental link between the wearer and her allies. The wearer can telepathically
communicate with allies within 30 feet (although this communication is one-way, unless an ally also has telepathy).
If an ally within 30 feet is aware of a threat, the wearer of this armor is aware as well, and the wearer is never flat-footed unless all allies within 30 feet are also flat-footed. In addition, if the wearer of a maiden’s panoply also wields a maiden’s aegis, activating that shield’s ability does not reduce the maiden’s aegis’s enhancement bonus, and the bonus it grants increases to +2.
CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS COST 16,150 GP
Craft Magic Arms and Armor, detect thoughts, telepathy
MAIDEN’S PROMISE
PRICE 500 GP (pair)
SLOT neck CL 3rd WEIGHT —
AURA faint divination
Each pair of these lockets is made from a piece of jewelry from Castle Korvosa’s treasury that was split into two parts,
each of which was fashioned into a necklace. When worn by two individuals, the lockets’ magic enhances their devotion to each other. Many former Gray Maidens cling to these lockets, distributed among Queen Ileosa’s forces during the final days of her reign, as a symbol of their sisterhood.
When the wearers of linked maiden’s promise lockets are within 30 feet of each other, each gains a +1 morale bonus on Will saves against any effect that would compromise her loyalty to the other. If one wearer becomes helpless, the other gains a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls against any creature threatening the helpless wearer. If one wearer dies, the other must succeed at a DC 16 Will save or suffer the effects of crushing despair for 1 minute.
CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS COST 250 GP (pair)
Craft Wondrous Item, resistance, status
ROSE KNIGHT’S BLADE
PRICE 28,015 GP
SLOT none CL 10th WEIGHT 2 lbs.
AURA moderate abjuration
This elegant mithral sword bears a blooming rose on the crossguard, with vines winding around the hilt. Filarina Grantsliem discovered the rose knight’s blade during her brief adventuring career, when she earned the blade
as a reward after freeing a trapped azata from an ancient magical prison. Scarlet Rose agents have since been successful in creating new rose knight’s blades, and the weapons are increasingly seeing use among these Gray Maidens and their affiliates.
A rose knight’s blade is a +1 benevolentUE mithral longsword. Along with its benevolence special ability, this sword can also provide aid by metaphorically cutting through certain debilitating effects. Three times per day, the wielder of a rose knight’s blade can attempt a new saving throw against one of the following conditions affecting her: dazed, frightened, nauseated, panicked, paralyzed, shaken, staggered, or stunned—but only if the condition was caused by a mind-affecting effect.
Alternatively, the wielder can expend one daily use and touch the blade to an adjacent creature as a standard action to remove one of these mind-affecting conditions from the ally.
CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS COST 15,015 GP
Craft Magic Arms and Armor, aid, break enchantment