Angel, Ariel/Uriel (Lion of the Righteous Gods)

Ariel, the Lion of the Righteous Gods, was once a powerful Astral Deva who persecuted the Fiends of the Depths Below to a degree beyond that of most other Celestials. Working under the auspices of the fearsome Virtue of Justice, Ariel was given free reign to pursue justice against Fiends and their allies. During the millennia of his many quests, Ariel came to the aid of the Herald of Holiness, Rafiel, forging a deep friendship with the arch-Celestial that would be of great value in the future.

Originally Posted by The Serge of the Dicefreaks forums.

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The Supreme Virtue of Mount Celestia, growing wary of the regular interference of Celestials in matters related to the Depths Below and the Prime, and fearing another Great Fall, issued a decree that would limit the activities of Heavenly (lawful) Celestials not directly tied to the gods. This edict required that the likes of Ariel withdraw from regular engagements with the forces of Evil in accordance with the Celestial Host.

Although the Virtue of Justice had no choice but to accept the decree of his liege, Ariel refused, claiming that allowing the evil of the infernal regions to grow unabated would lead to the eventual collapse of the Prime Material Plane, and eventually the Realms Above. Ariel continued his personal quest and, for his obstinance, the Supreme Virtue banished him from Mount Celestia.

Since, Ariel has continued to undertake quests in pursuit of justice and healing, ever ready to war with Fiends, particularly disease and lie spreading Yugoloths. Although he laments the decree of Heaven, Ariel is not angered with his former masters and continues to receive aid (covertly) from the Virtue of Justice.

He is also always welcome in Elysium, where his long time friend and current mentor, Rafiel, assists him. Ariel also finds himself called on by various good gods to perform quests, most of them related to aiding powerful mortal servants as they fight against powerful evils, particularly Fiends.

Ariel appears as a tall, beautifully built man with tawny, beige skin, long black and gold hair, and tremendous muscles. A golden breastplate dominates his chest, while his huge, white feathered wings flare from his back. Although his face is like that of a handsome young man, when in combat, it takes on decidedly feline elements not unlike those of a lion. Ariels mount, Sky Talon, is never far from his masters side.

Ariel/Uriel (Angel)
Large outsider (Angel, Extraplanar, Good, Lawful)
Symbol	Golden roaring lion head with eagle-like wings appearing from either side.
Hit Dice	20d8 and 20d10 (paladin) + 240 (600 hp)
Initiative	+9 (+5 Dexterity, +4 Improved Initiative)
Speed	70 ft., Fly 120 ft. (perfect)
Armor Class	47 (-1 size, +17 natural, +3 sacred, +5 Dexterity, +10 armor, +3 shield), touch 17, flat-footed 42
Base Attack/Grapple	+30/+45
Attack	+46 melee (2d6+16+ 2d6 (fiend bane) + 1d6 (fire) + 2d6 (holy)/17-20/x2 + 2d6 (fiend bane) + 1d10 (fire) + 2d6 (holy) + death (vorpal) (Heaven’s Roar, +5 fiend-bane longsword)
Full Attack	+46/+41/+36/+31 melee (2d6+16+ 2d6 (fiend bane) + 1d6 (fire) + 2d6 (holy)/17-20/x2+2d6 (fiend bane) + 1d10 (fire) + 2d6 (holy) + death (vorpal) (Heaven’s Roar, +5 fiend-bane longsword), or +34/+29/+24/+19 ranged (ranged attack or spell)
Space/Reach	10 ft./10 ft.
Special Attacks	Celestial song, holy beacon, spell-like abilities, stun (mace only), Heavenly Breeze, Roar of the Heavens, smite evil 6/day (+7 to attack, +20 to damage), spells
Special Qualities	Kerubim Qualities, detect evil, discern lies, holy touch, uncanny dodge, aura of courage, divine grace, lay on hands (140 hp), remove disease (5 per week), special mount, turn undead 10/day (cleric 17), DR 20/epic and evil, fast healing 12, SR 46
Saves	Fort +37, Ref +34, Will +34
Abilities	Strength 32, Dexterity 20, Constitution 24, Intelligence 18, Wisdom 20, Charisma 24
Skills	Concentration +49, Craft (armor smith) +19, Craft (weapon smith) +19, Diplomacy +52, Escape Artist+28, Handle Animal +27, Hide +25, Intimidate +27, Knowledge (arcane) +9, Knowledge (Outer Planes) +27, Knowledge (religion) +27, Knowledge (war) +24, Listen +28, Move Silently +25, Ride (Dexterity)+27, Sense Motive +47, Spellcraft +11, Spot +28, Rope Use+10 (+12 with bindings)
Feats	Alertness, Cleave, Dodge, Extra Smiting, Fly-by Attack, Great Cleave, Great Fortitude, Improved Critical (longsword), Improved Disarm, Improved Initiative, Mobility, Power Attack, Quick Draw, Spring Attack, Weapon Focus (longsword).
Environment	Wanders the Outer and Prime Material Planes
Organization	Unique (Solitary), or Ariel and Sky Talon (advanced celestial dire lion)
Challenge Rating	33
Treasure	Triple coins, six times goods, triple standard items (Heaven’s Roar)
Alignment	Lawful good
Advancement	N/A

Combat

Although Ariel is not afraid of getting into a fight, he is reluctant to do so, always seeking another way to resolve conflicts. In such situations, Ariel will bring his tremendous diplomacy to bear, encouraging would-be assailants from doing something they will regret. The only time Ariel is not likely to try to talk his way out of violence is when he encounters Fiends or powerful, evil clerics (10th level) or undead (9th level).

When Ariel does see that fighting is inevitable, he immediately surrounds himself with his protective aura and then casts true seeing. He will often cast holy aura if time permits before diving into battle, smashing with his shield and slashing with his sword. Once in the midst of melee combat, Ariel will issue his Roar of the Heavens, seeking to damage or destroy as many evil beings as possible. Ariel does not use spells frequently during combat, believing that there is no honor in fighting from a distance. Only in the gravest of circumstances will Ariel use his Holy Beacon.

Kerubim Qualities: Ariel is immune to acid, cold, and petrifaction; he possesses electricity resistance 10 and fire resistance 10 and receives a +4 save against poisons. He may communicate as if under the effects of the tongues spell. As a free action during his turn, Ariel may generate a protective aura which acts as a double strength magic circle against evil and as a globe of invulnerability, both cast as a 20th level sorcerer; the aura can be dispelled, but Ariel can create it again as a free action on his turn.

Holy Touch (Ex): Ariel’s touch can enchant any weapon (only weapons tainted with evil, intelligent weapons, or artifacts are unaffected). All weapons acquire the flame-burst enhancement. Certain types of weapons receive additional benefits. Any slashing weapon functions as a +2 holy vorpal weapon. Any piercing weapon functions as a +6 holy weapon of the appropriate bane type. Any bludgeoning weapon functions as a +5 holy disrupting weapon. Once Ariel sets the weapon down, it loses the enhancement.

Celestial Song (Su): Once per day as a full round action, Ariel can sing a Celestial Song. All mortal beings within 30 feet of Ariel receive a Will save DC 27. Those that fail are subject to one of two effects determined by Ariel. Ariel can opt to calm emotions (which he casts as a 20th level sorcerer) or he can induce awe.

When inducing awe, all good beings within the radius that fail, find themselves unable to take any offensive action against Ariel, although they may defend themselves or attack other creatures. Neutral creatures are slowed, as they struggle not to gape at the Celestial in awe. Evil creatures behave as if affected by fear.

Fast Healing (Ex): Ariel takes normal damage from evil weapons of at least +6 enhancement.

Holy Beacon (Su): Ariel may issue a Holy Beacon as a free action once a day. The Beacon extends for nine miles of Ariel’s location when issued. All goodly beings within the radius immediately sense that Ariel, a servant of goodness, is in need of assistance and will rush to him with all possible speed. Alerted beings instantly know Ariel’s precise location, his current status (health, etc.), any adversaries Ariel is aware of, and the nature/goal of the Beacon.

If used in the Planes, there is a 7% chance that one of the Heralds of Holiness, particularly Rafiel, will hear the call regardless of Ariel’s location. Ariel has only used his Beacon two or three times over the past 500,000 years, and only when he gets into combat against the forces of the Gray Wastes in neutral territory, like the Outlands. Sure of his own strength and might, Ariel is usually more than capable enough to handle any conflict.

Heavenly Breeze (Ex): Although a powerful warrior, Ariel has dedicated himself to curing all ailments of the body and the soul. 3/day, with a gentle flap of his tremendous, feathered wings, Ariel can issue a Heavenly Breeze. The Breeze has three simultaneous spell-like effects, all performed as if cast by a 20th level sorcerer under the effects of the Empowered Feat.

The Breeze will remove disease, cure critical wounds, and grant restoration to all within the 70 foot cone before Ariel. Ariel can determine if a being is granted this boon or not. Although he’s loathed to use this gift in the following manner, Ariel can cause the reverse of the above spells (Contagion, inflict critical wounds, and poison) once a day.

Roar of the Heavens (Su): There are few things Ariel hates, but Fiends and evil are on the list. When faced with a terrible evil or the threat of the denizens of the Depths Below, Ariel can issue his famous Roar of the Heavens. All evil beings within 70 feet of Ariel may perform a Fortitude DC save 27; those that fail are slowed, suffer a -2 circumstance penalty to attacks, damage, and saves, are deafened, and suffer 9d6 points of damage (half of it holy, the other half sonic). Those that manage to save only suffer the damage.

Fiends, in addition to suffering from the above effects, also take an additional 24 points of damage, holy and sonic, each round they are within 70 feet of Ariel for seven rounds after the Lion of the Gods issued his Roar. Ariel may issue his roar of the Heavens once every 1d6 rounds.

Spell-Like Abilities: At will · aid, castigate, continual flame, dispel evil, dispel magic, flame strike, greater invisibility, hallow, holy aura, holy smite, holy
word, lesser restoration, mirage arcana, polymorph, remove curse, remove disease, remove fear, silence, true seeing;

• 7/day –cure light wounds, see invisibility;
• 6/day –blade barrier, clairaudience/clairvoyance, cure serious wounds.
• 3/day –heal, resurrection, righteous wrath of the faithful, symbol of death, symbol of fear, symbol of insanity, symbol of pain, symbol of persuasion, symbol of strife, symbol of stunning, symbol of weakness;
• 1/day –true resurrection;
• 1/week –miracle.

These abilities are as spells cast by a 27th level sorcerer (save DC 17 + spell level).

Paladin spells per day: 5/4/4/4. Base DC 15 + spell level. Caster level 20th.

Possessions: Ariel always carries his sword, Heaven’s Roar, a beautiful sword that has a blade resembling a shaft of light with a hilt of gold. A gift from the Virtues of the Seven Mounting Heavens of Celestia, Ariel continues to carry the sword despite his banishment from the Heavens. Ariel also always wears an elaborate +5 breastplate of freedom, weightless armor that does not impose any skill or Dexterity penalties, and a +2 small steel shield. Ariel likely has access to other treasure, although it is probably hidden in his unknown base of operations.

Sky Talon: Ariel is always accompanied by his ·mount,· Sky Talon, a celestial dire lion of tremendous size. To date, Ariel has not shared how he came upon this truly magnificent animal, but the two are inseparable. Sky Talon is never more than a mile from Ariel and can instantly sense when his master and friend requires his aid.