Smokescale and Unit 137 Subclasses

Leveling Progression

PC Level	Checkmark #	Hit Dice	Notes
1–2	–	Base	Smokescale: 6d4+6 (21 HP), Unit 137: 1d8 (5 HP); no subclass yet
3	1	+1 Hit Die	Subclass chosen
6	2	+1 Hit Die	Specialization perk chosen
9	3	+1 Hit Die	Specialization perk chosen
12	4	+1 Hit Die	Specialization perk chosen
15	5	+1 Hit Die	Specialization perk chosen
18	6	+1 Hit Die	Specialization perk chosen

Subclasses

Smokescale – The Indentured Imp

Reaching too high above his station and having a contract flipped on him, Smokescale now serves the party — desperately seeking a way out.

Subclass: Infernal Scribe

Focusing on his past failures, Smokescale weaves soul-binding contracts and dark favors into tangible power — the souls of those he has damned.

Soul Collecting

TODO: Spell power will become better just with one of the specializations. Need to slim down descriptions and mechanics to make it easy to read.

Smokescale has been granted limited authority by Archduke Bel to act as an infernal contractor — a freelance collector of souls, learning the legalese of damnation. Each night, while the rest of the party sleeps, Smokescale ventures into the world under a forged identity, offering tailored contracts to the desperate, dying, or vengeful.

To conduct these deals, he assumes the persona of Cassander, a suave cambion with a forked tongue, gleaming horns, and a flair for paperwork. Smokescale gains the Minor Illusion cantrip, which he uses to alter his voice and appearance during these negotiations.

These infernal contracts are magically binding and written in subtle, damning clauses. When a creature knowingly agrees to the terms — whether aloud, in writing, or by unmistakable action — their soul is marked and, upon death, drawn into the soul medallion, a blackened, infernal token Smokescale wears around his neck.

Persuasive Deal-Maker

Smokescale’s silver tongue becomes sharper with every contract. He gains +2 CHA and proficiency in the Persuasion skill. Additionally, when attempting to convince a creature to accept a deal that benefits him (or "Cassander"), Smokescale has advantage on Persuasion checks against targets who are desperate, dying, or otherwise compromised (as determined by the DM).

Soul Consumption

Smokescale can consume souls stored in his medallion. He begins with 1 soul charge, which he regains after a long rest, assuming he has access to a populated area where he can seek out new contracts. In desolate locations, the DM may require a roleplay scene, an infernal contract attempt, or a successful Persuasion check to recover a charge.

He expends these soul charges to cast warlock spells, drawing infernal power directly from the consumed souls. The number of soul charges and the maximum spell level he can cast using this feature both increase as the party’s level rises:

• Party Level 3: 1 soul, cast spells as if using a 3rd-level spell slot
• Party Level 6: 2 souls, cast spells as if using a 4th-level spell slot
• Party Level 9: 3 souls, cast spells as if using a 5th-level spell slot
• Party Level 12: 4 souls, cast spells as if using a 6th-level spell slot
• Party Level 15: 5 souls, cast spells as if using a 7th-level spell slot
• Party Level 18: 6 souls, cast spells as if using an 8th-level spell slot

Spellcasting Notes

Smokescale may cast any spell from the warlock spell list, provided it is equal to or lower than the current spell level available to him (based on party level). He uses Charisma as his spellcasting ability, and the DC for any saving throw is calculated as:

8 + Smokescale’s proficiency bonus + CHA modifier

He does not require material components for these spells unless the component has a listed gold cost.

Subclass: Ashcloak

A whisper in the sulfurous fog, Smokescale excels at enshrouding his allies in a hellish veil, striking unseen with deadly precision.

Subclass: Climbing the Baatorian Ladder

Ambitious and infernally motivated, Smokescale claws his way up the hierarchy of the Nine Hells, mutating into stronger forms with each rung ascended.

Unit 137 – The Walking Caltrop

Once a loyal modron, now a silver-spiked outlier, Unit 137 marches through the planes — jagged, introspective, and very much armed.

Subclass: Hellfire Array

Unit 137 reconfigures into a living weapon platform, unleashing precision infernal blasts and scorching zones with Baatorian energy.

Subclass: Havoc Subroutine

Engaging frontline combat protocols, Unit 137 transforms into a spiked chaos engine that disrupts enemy lines with rolling violence.

Subclass: Memories of the Source

Haunted by fractured logic and cosmic truths, Unit 137 channels forgotten order into precognitive buffs and cryptic battlefield insight.