Classes (3.5E)

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Revision as of 01:33, 22 August 2006

Core Classes in Reydala

Barbarians

Bards

Clerics

Druids

Fighters

Monks

Paladins

Rangers

Rogues

Sorcerers

Wizards

Prestige Classes

Assassins

Dragon Disciples

Mystic Theurges

Regal Knight

(DISCLAIMER: Some of the mechanics introduced in this document (Namely, the prestiege class) have not been yet tested in an actual game environment, and thus may change upon further analysis. No animals were harmed in the making of this document, but several tomatoes were thrown at evil people in holy fervor. Reading of this document by the unlawful or the unholy may cause disorders of the nervous system and bowels.)

The Regal Knights: The Regal Knights are a large organization of 155 Members, based in the city of Passel. They are not sanctioned by the country of Kaltia, yet in times of great need they are sometimes called upon to defend the nation. In fact, the government has learned well not to stand in their way, for they are most likely the most powerful collective in the nation, more powerful than the standard military. Essentially a private army, the Regal Knights strive to rid evil from the world in all of it's forms.

History: The Regal Knights were originally founded hundreds of years ago by a group of five adventurers, who all held in common their worship of Regial. Dissatisfied with the military's ability to defend the nation against natural and supernatural threats, they formed their own union and sought only the most moral, skilled and most wise individuals to join their order. Being chosen was a great honor that was not taken lightly. Their order gradually grew and acquired a reputation: Immensely Powerful, Brave, Noble, and among naysayers, Immensely stuck-up.

Through the years, the Regal Knights have stayed away from squabbles between countries unless the basis of the attack was pure aggression (Evil intentions). They immediately respond to supernatural threats: Aberrations, the Undead, Evil or chaotic outsiders, magical beasts, and so on. They are less eager to intervene against natural threat (Animals, Beasts, so on) but will do so if innocents are in direct danger.

Hierarchy: The Order was created around a strict hierarchy, at the top are 5 individuals, known as Regal Lords, every one of them world famous for their good deeds and their prowess against evil. The power of war rests upon their shoulders, should they decide to declare it. They are trusted with a huge amount of individual power and an even greater amount when they pool their resources. Any dissent among them (which is rare) is decided through a simple majority vote. The Lords rarely enter battle themselves, but on those occaisons their enemies have much to fear. Since the order's founding, only twice have all five lords ridden into battle together.

Beneath every Regal Lord are 5 Captains, chosen by their Lord. Their primary duty is to enact the will of their superior. They also server as advisors to the Lord and representatives of their subordinates. If a problem is emerging in the ranks of the Regal Knights, the Captains duty is to communicate it to their Lord. The captains have some power over their subordinates, and most of the time are trusted enough to act independently, unless other orders are pressing.

Every Captain is in charge of 5 Regal Knights, who form the bulk of the order's membership. Despite being the lowest official rank, each of these Knights has undergone an extremely strict selection process and is far above the level of a standard militia soldier. In times of peace, Captains will often allow their Knights to work independently as scouts in the world, keeping the powers of evil in check.

The Regal knights have many more prospects than they have members. Even the prospects have a Hierarcy of 10 ranks representing their proximity to being a true regal Knight.

Organization: The most common military unit of the Regal Knights is the Lance, which consists of a captain and his subordinates. Groups of multiple lances are referred to as Greatlances, Trilances, Quadlances, Pentalances, and so on. If a lord himself rides out to battle with his captains and their subordinates, it is referred to as a Sword. Similarly, if more than one Sword is mobilized they are referred to differently: Greatsword, Trisword, Quadsword, and Pentasword. Of course, the Pentasword is the largest army that the Organization can field, comprised of the full 155 members.

Selection Process: While the original founders approached individuals they thought suitable personally, this is not the most common method used currently. Any individual can volunteer for the review process, but among those that do only 5 in 100 make it to be Regal Knights. Each Volunteer is assigned a captain, and is responsible to provide monthly reports to their captain in writing, as well as at least one personal visit per year. This visit will most likely be verifying the reports, and is often done under magical scrying to detect lies. The captain can choose to increase the rank of the trainee at any point, often Captains discuss reports with their subordinates in great detail for their own input and to greater familiarize them with one who may soon become their brother. There is an absolute minimum examination period of 1 year, though it is very exceptional for one to be accepted so soon, many take 5 or even 10 years. If, for any reason, the captain deems an individuals actions unfit he may decrease his rank or revoke rank entirely if he seems fit. If the indivudial argues the captains decision, he is allowed an audience to discuss it with the Captain's lord. If the Lord supports the Captain's decision (Usually the case), that individual is permanently unable to seek membership with the Regal Knights. If the Lord feels the Captain acted rashly, he can lessen or remove the punishment as he sees feet (And may in turn discipline the Captain).

Ethics: All regal knights are held to a strict code of conduct, the most important precepts are as follows:

1) Respect your Superior, and Protect Them with your life.

Every member of the Regal Knights is expected to follow their Superior's orders, no matter the danger or personal risk. If their superior is ever put in danger, it is the Regal Knight's responsibility to protect them at all costs. If a Knight suspects his superior of corruption, he may take it up with a non-involved lord, though he will require substantial proof. False accusations may bring their own punishment.

2) Protect The Innocent, Above yourself.

To the Regal Knights, everyone is considered innocent until proven guilty. If another is suffering because of an agressor's actions, it is the Knight's responsibility to confront this Agressor. By force, if peaceful methods prove inadequate. If this Agressor proves to be too powerful for the Knight alone, the primary concern is ensuring the escape of the innocent. While he or she can prevent harm to others, the Regal Knight is never to retreat or surrender.

3) Your Honor is Your life.

The Regal Knight never commits any dishonorable acts. Thievery, dishonesty, and cowardice are strictly forbidden. He does not attack an opponent who is unaware or defenseless, nor does he kill without justification. It is always better to die with honor than to live with shame.

Additionally, The Regal Knights are expected to follow all the tenets of Regial, and any moral codes imposed upon them by their respective classes (Such as Paladin, Monk, and so on).

Classes: The majority of Regal Knights are Multiclass Cleric/Paladins, Though there are many examples of single class Paladins and Clerics. Other classes are more rare, and when they appear they are usually combined with one of the two above. A Rogue's philosophy fundamentally contradicts with that of the Regal Knights, and therefore will be weeded out in the examination process. It goes without saying that Hexblades, Blackguards, and Assassins are inappropriate for the order.

Upon achieving the rank of Regal Knight, The Individual can opt to advance as the Regal Knight Prestiege class (This is not necessary, however):

Prerequisites:
BAB +6
Ride (6 Ranks)
Diplomacy (6 Ranks)
Ability to Cast 1st Level Divine Spells
Alignment: Lawful Good
Deity: Regial

Hit Dice: d10
Good Saves: Will.
Bad Saves: Fort, Ref.

Level Progression:

1: +1 BAB, +1 Level Existing Divine Spell Casting Ability, Divine Synergy.
2: +1 BAB, +1 Level Existing Divine Spell Casting Ability, Light Blade.
3: +1 BAB, +1 Level Existing Divine Spell Casting Ability.
4: +1 BAB, +1 Level Existing Divine Spell Casting Ability. Righteous Wave.
5: +1 BAB, Slow Release.
6: +1 BAB, +1 Level Existing Divine Spell Casting Ability. Greater Light Blade.
7: +1 BAB, +1 Level Existing Divine Spell Casting Ability.
8: +1 BAB, +1 Level Existing Divine Spell Casting Ability.
9: +1 BAB, +1 Level Existing Divine Spell Casting Ability. Versatile Slow Release.
10:+1 BAB, Regial's Blessing, Complete Light Blade.

Divine Synergy: The Regal Knight pools all his Spells per day as well as his Spell lists. This means that the Regal Knight can cast Paladin and Ranger spells as Cleric spells. In the case that a spell has Multiple spell levels for different classes, he always uses the Highest spell level. Regal Knight levels stack with Paladin levels for mount, smiting, and lay on hands abitilies, and the (Regal Knight level)-2 is added to turn undead checks.

Light Blade: As a standard action, the Regal Knight can use up a spell with the "Good" descriptor and charge the positive energy into their weapon. The Next melee attack they connect with deals an extra 1d8 damage for every spell level to Evil opponents. Against undead, this increases to 1d10 damage for every spell level. A Regal Knight of 2nd level can utilize spells up to 3rd level for this ability, a 7th level Regal Knight can utilize up to 6th level spells, and a 10th level Regal Knight can utilize up to 9th level spells in this fashion. The weapon remains charged until the knight successfully hits his opponent. The Knight can choose to forgo melee damage to make this attack a Touch attack if he desires. This damage is not multiplied in the case of critical hits, and replaces damage done by holy descriptor weapons. The damage from this attack bypasses all damage reduction, fast healing, and regeneration abilities of evil creatures.

Righteous Wave: As a standard action, the Regal Knight can attack an opponent through the force of his will, in the form of a weapon-energy wave. The Regal Knight makes a ranged touch attack based on his WIS-modifier vs. any enemy within 50 feet. The attack does damage equal to what the Regal Knight's weapon would have done with melee, +1 for every Regal Knight and Paladin Level. This ability uses a smite evil attempt. This attack ignores the normal miss chance for Incorperal creatures. Regal Knights without Paladin levels cannot use this ability.

Slow Release: After 5th level, Instead of Releasing a lightblade's burst all at once, the Regal Knight can opt to slowly release it over time. For a number of Rounds equal to the spell level infused with the weapon, the Regal Knight's weapon is considered to have the holy descriptor (+2d6 damage vs. evil opponents). The spell level limitations listed under Lightblade still apply. At 9th level, the Regal Knight can choose any descriptor from this list, though once it is chosen it cannot be changed until it dissaptes: Axiomatic, Bane (Aberrations), Bane (Outsider, Evil), Bane (Outsider, Chaotic), Bane (Undead), Ghost Touch, Merciful, Defending, Wounding, Holy, Brilliant Energy (Half Duration, round down), Disruption. Unlike the burst lightblade, Slow release does not have the ability to automatically bypass damage reduction, though it may yet if the appropriate descriptor is chosen.

Regial's Blessing: At 10th Level, the Regal knight becomes wholly attuned to Regial, Their type and that of their mount becomes Outsider with the Good subtype. They are no longer subject to poison, disease, hunger or aging. In addition The Regal Knight gains Spell resistance equal to their Divine spell casting level + 10. At what would be the chronological end of the character's life, they do not die but travel to Regial's plane to become part of the Deity's personal army.

Ex-Regal Knights: A Regal Knight who is discharged from the order cannot advance as a Regal Knight, whether they Retain their Regal Knight abilties is up to Regial's judgment. If the character becomes either unlawful or evil, they lose all Regal Knight abilities. If such a character attained a level 10 in the Regal Knight prestiege class, Regial ends their life immediately and they can never be raised or ressurected except by a Deity's hand.

Special Equipment: Regial's Pendant: This sword shaped pendant not only serves as a divine focus, but allows the Regal Knight to contact his superior at any moment. The regal knight can perform no other actions while doing so. If the Regal Knight's HP falls below -10, the Pendant teleports their body back to Passel. This item is given to all who achieve the Rank of Regal Knight.

Mount: Every Regal Knight recieves a Fully Barded heavy warhorse, this creature automatically takes on the spiritual mount properties if the Regal Knight has paladin class levels.

Armor: Every Regal Knight recieves a specially crafted suit of Full-plate in the design of the Regal Knights, if the wearer already has better armor, it is acceptable to only wear the Regal Plate on ceremonial occaisions. Many choose to wear it regardless of better armor however.

Regal Mage