Weekly 4e Homebrew: Bob

Every Sunday, I'll have a completely homebrewed Dungeons and Dragons 4th Edition element that you can use in your games. I do take requests so you can either post a comment here, email me at thatrobedguy@hotmail.com with the subject "Homebrew Request", or send me a tweet on Twitter (@brannonhutchins) with the hashtag #weekly4e.

I love the Dresden Files series of books. I admittedly also love the short lived television show based on the books, though I recognize the books are incredibly more entertaining. If you have not read them, I strongly reccommend that you do.

For those of you who have already read them, I give you a present that you can easily insert into your game: Bob.

Bob

Bob; Paragon Level

This skull covered in arcane runes is home to a spirit of intelligence, willing to offer his knowledge only to those he is contractually obligated to.

Artifact: Wondrous Item

Properties

* Once per day, the owner of Bob's skull can ask 2d4 questions pertaining to Arcana, History, or Religion. Bob then makes the appropriate skill check with a +25 skill modifier and relates the information to his owner.
* Once per day, Bob can recite the formula to most alchemical items. There is an 80% chance he knows certain formulas.
* Once per day, the owner can allow Bob to leave his skull for 24 hours, but must specify the conditions of his release.
* Once per day, when out of his skull, Bob can dominate a creature for 2d6 hours by possessing them but only with permission of the creature or the creature's master.

Goals of Bob
* Stay far away from the Feywild
* Experience nude women in various ways
* Read trashy romance novels

Concordance
Starting score; 1
Owner gains a level; +1d6
Owner gives Bob a romance novel; +2
Owner allows Bob out of his skull to roam freely; +1
Owner threatens to return Bob to the Feywild; -1
Owner ignores Bob's need for adventuring beyond the skull; -2
Owner brings Bob to the Feywild; -4

Pleased (16-20) Bob finds you very intriguing and recognizes you as his owner. As such, he complains less than usual.

Satisfied (12-15) Bob takes an interest in you. His owner gains the use of the following property for as long as Bob remains at this Concordance or higher.

Property

* You gain a +4 power bonus to rolls made to cast rituals while within 5 squares of Bob.

Normal (5-11) Bob sees potential in you as his owner, but will go out of his way to complain about little things.
At this concordance, Bob has the powers and properties as included in the stat block.

Unsatisfied (1-4) Bob beleives his owner to be a joke and will make it hard for his owner to get anything done properly.
While at this concordance, Bob only has a 50% chance of knowing certain alchemical formulas and can only make Intelligence based skill checks with a +15 skill modifier.

Angered (0 or lower) The owner refuses to reward Bob for his efforts and Bob refuses to offer his services until he is pair his dues.

Moving On
Bob can only move on if his skull is given to or taken by someone else. This them the new owner. However, Bob can shut down and never wake up when called upon should the situation arise.

Designer Notes: If there is something to Bob that I have missed, please keep in mind that I have only read the first two books and am in the  middle of reading Book 3. That said, no, this item will not be errataed to reflect future alterations to Bob.

While DMing and playing the role of Bob, remember that he is a smart alek and a little demeaning to his owners. When he is able to roam free of his skull, he likes to make trouble though nothing malicious.

I seriously might add Bob to my game now that I have him stated out here. Hilarity will ensue.

Sadly, I could not use Power2ool like I wanted to, possibly due to an issue with Flash. I'll have to look into that. However, Bob is still compatible with Wizards of the Coast 4th Edition Dungeons and Dragons.