Toll Warden of Mammon

The Gates of Hell (Dice Freaks)

Grimoire of Cosmic Entities Volume One By Eli Atkinson, William Church and Serge W. Desir, Jr.

Original Concept by Serge W. Desir, Jr.

Full netbook can be found on the following website

Dicefreaks d20 Community

The love of money is the root of all evil, as the saying goes. Gold does indeed have a voice, and those who fall under its spell find that their capacity for diabolic deeds grows rapidly. In time, these come to realize the truth of wealth: one can never have enough.

The toll warden of Mammon sees only too easily to the heart of this matter. He is willing to trade away his soul for filthy lucre, to surrender eternity so long as he can have it all now. He is the merchant who sells faulty goods at a premium, then charges the earth to have them repaired or replaced. He is the bookkeeper who demands a steep price for his services, before proceeding to also embezzle additional coin for his pocket. He is the master thief who then has the audacity to return the next day and offer the same item to its original owner at a greatly inflated cost. He is the greedy tax collector who lines his own pocket at the expense of those who can least afford it. The toll warden is all of these things and more, for he delights in a simple philosophy: all wealth is his for the taking. He cannot abide the thought of even a copper penny in the hands of another, for he believes that all possessions rightly belong to him.

Toll wardens come from many walks of life, although the rogue is best suited and complimented by the abilities of this prestige class. Multiclass monks can make extremely
effective toll wardens, and some clerics, wizards, or sorcerers follow this path. Other classes find the thought-process of the toll warden somewhat alien and tend to shy away from it.

Toll wardens of Mammon are often found in urban areas since this is where the money is to be had. They tend to be involved in positions of trust within profitable organizations, if not actually leading them. Some toll wardens do lead the life of a loner, particularly if they focus on the more traditional aspects of thievery. Due to their avarice, toll wardens rarely involve themselves with NPC parties – or, more properly, NPC parties rarely involve themselves with a toll warden.

Hit Die: d6

Requirements

To qualify to become a toll warden of Mammon, a character must fulfill all the following criteria.
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Skills: Appraise 12 ranks, Bluff 12 ranks, Sense Motive 9 ranks, Sleight of Hand 12 ranks
Feats: Deft Hands, Devotee of Darkness (Mammon), Skill Focus (Appraise)
Special: Toll wardens of Mammon must have made peaceful contact with a greater devil (at least CR 15). The devil then instructs the would-be toll warden on the process to submit to the will of Mammon, the Lord of the Third.

Class Skills

The toll warden of Mammon’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are: Appraise (Intelligence), Balance (Dexterity), Bluff (Charisma), Climb (Strength), Concentration (Constitution), Craft (any) (Intelligence), Diplomacy (Charisma), Disable Device (Intelligence), Escape Artist, Forgery (Intelligence), Gather Information (Charisma), Hide (Dexterity), Intimidate (Charisma), Jump (Strength), Listen (Wisdom), Move Silently (Dexterity), Open Lock (Dexterity), Profession (any) (Wisdom), Search (Intelligence), Sense Motive (Wisdom), Sleight of Hand (Dexterity), Spot (Wisdom), Tumble (Dexterity), Use Magic Device (Charisma), Rope Use (Dexterity).

Skill Points at Each Level: 6 + Intelligence modifier.

The Toll Warden of Mammon
Class Level	Base Attack Bonus	Fort Save	Ref Save	Will Save	Special
1	+0	+0	+2	+0	Collect, sneak attack +1d6
2	+1	+0	+3	+0	Tincture of treasure
3	+2	+1	+3	+1	Demand toll 1/day
4	+3	+1	+4	+1	Vanishing vault
5	+3	+1	+4	+1	Sneak attack +2d6
6	+4	+2	+5	+2	Demand toll 2/day
7	+5	+2	+5	+2	Greater collect
8	+6	+2	+6	+2	Weigh the wealth
9	+6	+3	+6	+3	Demand toll 3/day
10	+7	+3	+7	+3	Sneak attack +3d6, master of misappropriation

Class Features

All of the following are class features of the toll warden of Mammon prestige class.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Toll wardens of Mammon gain no proficiency with weapons or armor.

Collect (Ex): A toll warden is exceptionally skilled at “collecting taxes,” sometimes referred to as “redistributing the wealth.” A toll warden gains a profane bonus on Sleight of Hand checks equal to his class level.

Sneak Attack (Ex): This is exactly like the rogue ability of the same name. The extra damage dealt increases by +1d6 at 1st , 5th and 10th levels. If the toll war-den gets a sneak attack bonus from another source, the bonuses on damage stack.

Tincture of Treasure (Su): A 2nd level toll warden hates the thought of any significant wealth in the hands of another. He constantly detects the Tincture of Treasure at a radius of 10 feet centered on himself. This works similarly to detect spells, except that it detects anything of monetary value, with a minimum value of 333gp. By concentrating on the effect (a move equivalent action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity), the toll warden can discover more information. The first round (always active) allows him to ascertain whether there are objects worth more than 333gp in the vicinity (treat items or coins kept in the same container as being one object). The second round shows him the approximate location and number of places where such wealth is kept, with each location showing up as a glittering aura. The third round gives an approximation of the value of the item(s), so long as the toll warden succeeds on an appropriate Appraise check (increase the usual DC by 10 if the items cannot be directly seen) as a free action. A separate Appraise check is required for each aura. The toll warden can only use the Appraise skill to determine the mundane value of items.

Demand Toll (Sp): The toll warden of Mammon is so firm in his belief that he should control the wealth of all those around him that he is able to Demand a Toll. Once per day at 3rd level, a toll warden can command that an item or sum of money be surrendered to him (essentially the command would be along the lines of “Give me your sword” – too long a demand will result in this ability being ineffective). This affects a single target within range of his voice, who is then entitled to a Will save (DC equal to 10 + the toll warden’s class level + his Charisma modifier). Success means that the target is dazed for 1d3 rounds, whilst failure means acceding to the demand as well as being dazed. Should the target not have the specified sum of money, or should the toll warden not specify which item is to be paid, the target automatically succeeds and is dazed for 1d3 rounds. At 6th level and every three levels thereafter, a toll warden can use this ability one additional time per day.

Items of significant value to the potential payer of the toll prove harder for the toll warden to obtain. The single most valuable item possessed by the targeted individual grants the target a +4 bonus on his saving throw to avoid paying the toll. The second most valuable item grants a +2 bonus on the saving throw. Lesser items grant no bonus whatsoever. This is a mind-influencing, language dependent ability.

Vanishing Vault (Su): At 4th level, the toll warden is granted the ability to access an extraplanar vault within which to store his wealth. This vault can only be accessed by the toll warden, and functions similarly to a bag of holding, save that there is no weight limit – only a space limit (one 10 foot cube per class level). The vault cannot be entered; its only purpose is to store items and effects until they are needed to be retrieved. The vault can be accessed as a standard action using the opening to any container or bag, so long as said container or bag is either his own or is unattended.

Greater Collect (Su): A 7th level toll warden has become so skilled at collecting that he can always take 10 on Sleight of Hand checks. Furthermore, he can take items one size larger than normal, and hide them on his person as a supernatural ability. The basic Sleight of Hand DC to lift a larger object from an individual is 30, and the opponent gains a +5 circumstance bonus on the opposed Spot check to notice the ‘collection.’

Weigh the Wealth (Su): At 8th level, a toll warden’s ability to sense wealth around him improves dramatically. He can sense the value of any item or collection of coins within 30 feet, no matter how low the value. The auras revealing where the wealth is to be had show up during the first round, without the need to concentrate, and the toll warden is able to assess each aura’s particular strength. A guideline on aura strengths is given in the table below:

Wealth Aura Strengths
Wealth Range	Aura Strength
Below 1gp	Dim
1gp – 33gp	Faint
34gp – 666gp	Moderate
667gp – 33,333gp	Strong
33,334gp and above	Overwhelming

The toll warden can make an Appraise check on each aura as per the Tincture of Treasure ability to gain a more accurate indication of worth. If the item is at all magical in nature, he can assess the full value of the item, but does not gain any insight as to what enchantments are in effect. As a rule of thumb, assume that magical items have a base Appraise DC of 20, +1 per 2,000gp of value. A potion of cure light wounds, therefore, would have an Appraise DC of 21 to determine its value at 50gp, while a mirror of life trapping would have an Appraise DC of 120. Assuming that the toll warden made the Appraise DC 21 to assess the potion as being worth 50gp, he would still only know that he had a vial of some liquid worth 50gp.

Additionally, the toll warden has become so attached to his ill-gotten gains that even the loss of a copper penny does not go unnoticed. Should the toll warden lose or surrender any item that he has had on his person for more than 3 hours, he is able to use locate object at will to find said item.

Master of Misappropriation (Su): A 10th level toll warden of Mammon has become an accumulator of others’ wealth par excellence. Any creature targeted by his demand toll ability that fails its saving throw must Continue to make a saving throw round by round; the toll warden continues to make demands until a successful save is made, although the save DC decreases by -1 round by round. This still counts as only one use of demand toll.

Additionally, he can discern location 1/week to find any object he has touched.

Example Toll Warden of Mammon

Lake Eleven Fingers
Rogue 9, Toll Warden of Mammon 4
Medium Humanoid (Kin)
Hit Dice	13d6+13 (61 hp)
Initiative	+5 (+5 Dexterity)
Speed	20 ft. (4 squares)
Armor Class	20 (+5 Dexterity, +1 size, +4 armor), touch 16, flat-footed 15
Base Attack/Grapple	+9/+5
Attack	+2 keen dagger +17 melee or +17 ranged (1d4+2/17-20); or masterwork light crossbow (with +1 bolts) +16 ranged (1d8+1/19-20)
Full Attack	+2 keen dagger +17/+12 melee or +17 ranged (1d4+2/17-20); or masterwork light crossbow (with +1 bolts) +16 ranged (1d8+1/19-20)
Space/Reach	5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks	Demand toll 1/day, sneak attack +6d6 Special Qualities: Collect, evasion, improved uncanny dodge, tincture of treasure, trapfinding, trap sense +3, uncanny dodge, vanishing vault
Saves	Fort +6, Ref +16, Will +5
Abilities	Strength 10, Dexterity 20, Constitution 12, Intelligence 14, Wisdom 10, Charisma 16
Skills	Appraise +21, Balance +10, Bluff +10, Climb +6 (+8 to Climb a rope), Diplomacy +7, Disable Device +16, Disguise +10 (+12 when acting in character), Escape Artist +20 (+22 when escaping rope bonds), Hide +28, Intimidate +13, Jump +9, Listen +6, Move Silently +22, Open Lock +16, Sleight of Hand +27, Sense Motive +10, Tumble +15, Rope Use +17 (+19 to bind someone)
Feats	Cheat, Deft Hands, Devotee of Darkness (Mammon), Skill Focus (Appraise), Weapon Finesse
Environment	Any land or underground
Organization	Solitary (unique)
Challenge Rating	13
Treasure	2476 gp, +2 keen dagger, +2 slick leather armor, Backpack, belt pouch (with 90 sp), boots of elvenkind, cloak of elvenkind, crowbar, explorer’s outfit, masterwork light crossbow, masterwork thieves’ tools, ring of invisibility, silk rope (50 ft.), trail rations (x2), quiver (with 50 +1 bolts), waterskin, winged boots.
Alignment	Lawful evil

Lake Eleven Fingers is a celebrated kin working for a money lender, who lost a finger defending his employer’s shipments during a caravan ten years earlier. He is now a trustee for the money lender, managing a “franchise” in a town 30 miles away from his employer. Although his employer suspects that Lake is skimming off the top, he doesn’t care as Lake consistently manages to reap greater interest profits than his other trustees. What he doesn’t know is that Lake is neck deep in a business arrangement with a green dragon that is using the franchise to launder coin he’s stolen from a nearby red dragon, dwarves, and from the money lender himself. Lake is soft spoken but brave; he’s not afraid to take risks and can be very direct to the point of threatening. Although he prefers not to, he’s comfortable in a fight and used to adventure in his past.

Lake speaks Common, Draconic, Dwarven, Goblin, Gnome, and Infernal.

Collect (Ex): Lake is exceptionally skilled at “collecting taxes”, gaining a +4 profane bonus on Sleight of Hand checks.

Demand Toll (Sp): 1/day, Lake can command that an item or sum of money be surrendered to him. This affects one target within range of his voice, who is entitled to a Will save (DC 16). Success means that the target is dazed for 1d3 rounds, whilst failure means acceding to the demand as well as being dazed for 1d3 rounds. Should the target not have the specified item or sum of money, or should the toll warden not specify which item is to be paid, the target automatically succeeds (and is dazed for 1d3 rounds). The most valuable item possessed by the target grants the target a +4 bonus on his saving throw; the second most valuable item grants a +2 bonus; and lesser items grant no bonus. This is a mind-influencing, language dependent ability.

Devotee of Darkness: Once per day, Lake can call upon the aid of Mammon, granting him a +3 profane bonus to any one roll. Against chaotic or good foes, Lake gains a +1 profane bonus to Armor Class, and once per day can gain a +2 profane bonus on saving throws against a spell with the chaotic or good descriptor.

Whenever dealing with a higher-ranking servant of Mammon (or the Lord of Avarice himself), Lake takes a –2 penalty on attacks, checks, and other rolls, a –3 penalty to Armor Class, and a -6 penalty to saving throws.

Tincture of Treasure (Su): Lake hates the thought of wealth in the hands of others, and constantly detects nearby objects worth at least 333 gp (as though by a detect spell with a 10 foot radius, centered on himself). By concentrating on the effect (a move action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity), Lake can discover more information. The first round (always active) allows him to ascertain whether there are objects at least 333 gp in the vicinity (items or coins kept in the same container count as one object). The second round shows him the approximate location and number of places where such wealth is kept. The third round gives an approximation of the value of the item(s), as long as Lake succeeds on an Appraise check (increase the DC by 10 if the items cannot be seen) as a free action. A separate check is required for each aura. Lake can only use the Appraise skill to determine the mundane (non-magical) value of an item.

Vanishing Vault (Su): Lake stores his wealth in an extraplanar vault, akin to a bag of holding, which only he can access. There is no weight limit, but there is a space limit (Lake’s vault is a 40 foot cube). The vault cannot be entered; its only purpose is to store items until they are needed. Lake can access his vault as standard action, using the opening to any container or bag, so long as said container or bag is either his own or is unattended.

Epic Toll Warden of Mammon

The epic toll warden approaches ever closer to his ultimate goal: all wealth will be his, and he takes what is due him whether proffered willingly or not. Although the epic toll warden’s wealth – and capacity to increase that wealth – is phenomenal, his greed is even greater than his gold. For that reason, stooping to pick up a copper piece is just as important as lifting the pouch of diamonds from a passing merchant.

As an epic toll warden, your focus is already quite clearly defined. Your feats are therefore spent in those areas which best help you in your quest of absolute control of all wealth. Additional Magic Item Space allows you to wear more of your expensive baubles, while Improved Demand Toll and Polyglot allow you to quickly collect those baubles rightly yours. Epic Skill Focus (Sleight of Hand) will bring you even more rapidly to legendary feats of legerdemain. Finally, Superior Initiative and Blinding Speed mean that you will be a step ahead of those who attempt to thwart you – by the time they have thought to act they will already have surrendered their most powerful talismans into your grasp.

The toll warden is best served by placing ability score increases into Dexterity and Charisma. Increases to Intelligence grant additional skill points, which would also be of great benefit.

Hit Die: d6.

Skill Points per Level: 6 + Intelligence Modifier.

The Epic Toll Warden of Mammon
Class Level	Special
11
12	Demand Toll 4/day
13	Bonus feat
14
15	Demand Toll 5/day, sneak attack +4d6
16	Bonus feat
17
18	Demand Toll 6/day
19	Bonus feat
20	Sneak attack +5d6

Class Features

Collect (Ex): After 10th level, the toll warden’s bonus to Sleight of Hand checks increases by 1 for every 2 toll warden levels, instead of by 1 for every toll warden level.

Sneak Attack (Ex): At 15th level, and every 5 levels thereafter, the epic toll warden’s sneak attack damage increases by +1d6.

Demand Toll (Sp): At 12th level, and every three levels thereafter, the epic toll warden can use demand toll an additional time per day. After 10th level, the save DC of this ability increases by 1 for every 2 toll warden levels, instead of by 1 for every toll warden level.

Vanishing Vault (Su): The space limit for the vault increases by one 10 foot cube per class level, as per normal.

Bonus Feats: An epic toll warden of Mammon gains a bonus feat (selected from the list of epic toll warden bonus feats) every three levels beyond 10th.

Epic Toll Warden Bonus Feat List: Additional Magic Item Space, Blinding Speed, Epic Reflexes, Epic Skill Focus, Epic Speed, Epic Will, Improved Combat Reflexes, Improved Master of Misappropriation, Improved Sneak Attack, Lingering Damage, Lord of Legerdemain, Rapacious, Robber of Legend, Safe and Secure, Sneak Attack Of Opportunity, Superior Initiative, Trap Sense, Vainglorious Vault, What’s Mine is Mine.

Example Epic Toll Warden of Mammon – William de Wendenal, High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire