Talvikind Cleric Archetype

Many cultures attribute winter’s unwelcome arrival to the actions of the gods. Humanoid mythologies weave fantastical tales to explain the prolonged chill in the air and darkening of the skies. Some claim a conflict between two or more divine rivals accounts for the changing of the seasons. Others suggest winter is the time when deities mourn the loss of their own or beloved mortals. The legends differ from one religion to the next, but the talvikind stands out among the crowd for his unique cosmology. According to his beliefs, Winter is a primal force rather than a natural occurrence or the byproduct of a pantheon’s actions.

To the best of his knowledge, Winter is simply a mindless energy with no concept of worshipers or its place in the cosmos. Whereas a typical god formulates an ideology and basks in the adulation of mortals, the supernatural entity he venerates lacks any intelligence whatsoever and offers no tangible signs of its divine presence. Nonetheless, this enigmatic power mysteriously answers the prayers of the clerics who venerate it, fortifying their belief in Winter’s awesome might. Like the season itself, the men and women who pay homage to Winter exhibit its same characteristics.

Their personalities are typically cold and callous when they first encounter strangers. They loathe weakness and are unforgiving by nature, especially when it comes to acts of deception. Polar inhabitants refer to these disciples of Winter as talvikind, which loosely translates in most tongues as “a child of Winter.” Residents grudgingly respect and fear these priests in their far-flung travels across the glaciers and icechoked seas they call home. Despite their gruff demeanors and outwardly indifferent attitudes, talvikind demonstrate remarkable fidelity to any companion who earns their trust through their deeds, even if they do not share their faith. They value courage and forthrightness above all other qualities in themselves and others.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency

A talvikind is proficient with all simple weapons, light armor, medium armor, and shields (except tower shields). In addition, he is proficient with any magical weapons with the frost, icy burst, and any other magical special ability dealing cold damage.

This alters the cleric’s weapon and armor proficiency.

Skills

A talvikind adds Acrobatics, Climb, and Survival to his list of class skills and removes Diplomacy, Knowledge (nobility), and Sense Motive from his list of class skills.

This alters the cleric’s class skills.

Domains

A talvikind gains only the Winter domain (see below). He does not gain a second domain.

This ability alters the cleric’s domains.

Winter Domain

You revere winter as a divine entity, embracing the prolonged chill and darkness as a cherished blessing.

You may attempt a Knowledge check, even untrained, when used to ascertain the identity, special powers, and vulnerabilities of a creature with the cold subtype.

Winter’s Chill (Su)

This granted power functions as the untouched by the seasons granted power (see “Seasons Subdomain”) with the exception you can protect a creature from harm in a cold environment only. You may use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Wisdom modifier.

Body of Ice (Su)

At 8th level, you can transmute your body and equipment to ice for a period of time. This functions as the body of ice granted power (see “Ice Subdomain”). You can take on the form of ice for a number of rounds per day equal to your cleric level. The rounds need not be consecutive.

Domain Spells: 1st—frostbite, 2nd—moguls*, 3rd—meld into ice*, 4thwall of ice, 5thice storm, 6thcone of cold, 7thfreezing sphere, 8th—absolute zero*, 9thpolar ray.

Variant Channeling: Winter

Winter: Heal—The healing effect is enhanced for creatures with the cold subtype. Harm—The damage effect is enhanced for creatures with the fire subtype.

Affected creatures who fail their saves are slowed for 1 round.

Spontaneous Winter

A talvikind can channel stored spell energy into healing spells or domain spells. The cleric can “lose” a prepared spell in order to cast any domain spell or cure spell of the same spell level or lower (a cure spell is any spell with “cure” in its name). This ability alters spontaneous casting.

Channel Winter

A talvikind must use the Winter form (see the sidebar) of variant channeling (see “Variant Channeling”). This ability alters the cleric’s channel energy class feature.

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