Corona Salarius

This was an idea that I was playing around with for a while - an outsider spirit that would inhabit mortal creatures and give them a shimmery golden glow and a bunch of powers. Then I realized it was kind of done before - the Incarnate from the 2nd Planescape Monster Compendium (Second Edition). 

Anyway, this is a neat little way to give players a bump-up without increasing their actual levels for a one-shot adventure.

Corona Salarius

Type                Usually Small Outsider

AC                  As per host

HD                  As per host

Saves               Fort +2 Ref +2 Will +2 (Add to host's base)

Init                   +1                               (Add to host's base)

Speed               --

BAB       --      CMB   --    CMD --

Special Defenses +6 on saves versus alignment affecting spells or affects, Lesser Telepathy

Str   --   Con   --    Dex +2                    (Add to host's base)

Int   --   Wis   +5   Cha +5

Skills: Any five: Acrobatics, Climb, Escape Artist, Intimidate, Knowledge (arcana, history, magic, planes or religion), Sense Motive, Survival, or Use Magic Device plus Perception

Typical Feat Selection: Alignment Channel, Alertness, Blind-Fight*, Channel Smite, Deadly Aim, Dodge, Mobility, Eschew Materials, Extra Channel, Iron Will, Lightning Reflexes, Spell Focus, Spell Penetration

Lesser telepathy: Corona can communicate with mortal creatures that are physically near (within 20 feet) their remains or a piece of jewelry their spirit inhabits.

Best known as a shimmering bright halo that surrounds mortal creatures. These “shining lights” are the remains of souls of former outer planar beings that did not depart when their physical forms were defeated on the mortal planes. The heavenly spectres clung to a dungeon on a physical plane, waiting for help from mortals to complete a mission.

Good aligned Corona usually watch mortals to ensure their potential host have similar views to their own. When finding a match, they will ask if they can inhabit the mortal body to complete a specific goal – explaining in detail what is needed and the risks. They accept the answer even if it's not the one they want. 

A mortal's eyes glow golden when utilizing the spells or feats their guest provides for them. Once the task is completed, most Corona depart for the heavens. It is interesting that Corona gives their host the capacity to turn spirits, but they cannot be turned as their host and them form a bond that is only broken when the Corona wishes to depart.

Evil aligned Corona are summoned to the mortal planes by evil clerics for help in their dark plans. These spirits give their hosts apparent freedom, but don't hesitate to exit a host for another of higher level or more useful to them. Some evil Corona may have alternate magics to the spells listed below. They won't hesitate to inhabit lesser beings if they need to escape.

Most Corona inhabit their host as guests and whisper helpful suggestions. In times of stress, they may take a more active role, their hosts exhibit other forms. For good aligned Corona: they take on Golden Halo, Wings, Angelic Appearance. For evil-aligned ones it is small sharp horns, devilish features, and deep sharp claws.

3 HD Detect Alignment*, Curse, Magic; +15 skill points in only their selected skills; Turn as 3^rd level cleric

4 HD Gain + 2 to any Ability Score; Turn as 4th level cleric; +5 skill points in their selected skills

5 HD Gain Align Weapon, Remove Curse & Disease;+5 skill points in their selected skills

6 HD Gain Circle against Evil & Discern Lies; Turn as 5th level cleric; +5 skill points in their selected skills

7 HD Gain + 2 to any Ability Score; +5 skill points in their selected skills 

8 HD Dispel Magic & Cure Medium Wounds (2/day); Turn as 6th level cleric; +5 skill points selected skills

9 HD Smite (2/day); Turn as 7th level cleric; +5 skill points in their selected skills

10 HD Blade Barrier (2/day); Turn as 8th level cleric; +5 skill points in their selected skills

11 HD Gain + 2 to any 2 Ability Scores; +5 skill points in their selected skills

12 HD Regenerate Other (2/day); Turn as 12th level cleric

Unlike standard creatures, the levels for a Corona do not change. When a Corona and a mortal merge, the mortal gains the level abilities for the HD or level that they are at.  Also, Corona do not increase skill levels beyond their normal maximum point, so they are not added or increases a character's current skill levels. 

*Spells are cast at the Cleric level indicated or the minimum needed to cast the spell