Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Thelon Fairblade 01-02-05, 09:07 PM	Background: Holy Warriors (Paladins) follow similar rules. The goddesses grant them prayers of a more martial bent due to their profession and different styles of worship. Like clerics, paladins have the direct favor of one of the goddesses; unlike clerics, however, some paladins’ have the power of prayer, and some do not, expressing the patron goddess’s favor in another fashion [spell-less variant]. The ritual of investiture for a Paladin always results in a goddess’s favor, of one sort or the other. Indeed, some fervent faithful – but unFavored – have taken up the mantle of Paladin after finding themselves unable to call upon the goddess’s power as a Cleric. Paladins are the holy warriors who also have their prayers answered in the manner of clerics. True Paladins of Axelis sometimes are also Clerics or Fighters in her service, and can improve themselves along both paths. Among the deluded races, there are Paladins of other “gods”; these paladins’ powers are also granted by Axelis, but she does not allow them to stray from the path they have named. Crusaders are Paladins of Axelis who do not have her Favor for spellcasting. Instead of having the additional versatility of prayers [spells], their other paladin abilities are slightly stronger. Paladins of Denalis are also called Tyrants. They are not polar opposites of Paladins, but are instead ultimate proponents of tyranny (LE). Denalis also accepts Fallen Paladins who choose to turn to her; they are usually known as Blackguards. Crusader: As paladin, but no spellcasting. Instead, they gain the following benefits: • At 4th level, the paladin is immune to magical and supernatural diseases. • At 8th level, the Remove Disease ability can also be used for Lesser Restoration. • At 11th level, Smite Evil treats the weapon as a “good aligned” weapon for bypassing DR. • At 14th level, both Turn Undead and Lay on Hands are computed as if 2 levels higher. • At 17th level, the crusader’s Smite Evil treats his weapon as a “holy” weapon. • At 20th level, the crusader gains Extra Turning (+3 daily uses) and Extra Smite (+2 daily uses). Rationale: Normal paladins gain a new spell level at levels 4, 8, 11, and 14. At the same levels (and extrapolated through 20th), the crusader receives an enhancement to their abilities. Note that the crusader does not receive any *new* abilities... the class is compensated - not rewarded - for being spell-less. Most of these abilities are identical to feats available to paladins, either in the Book of Exalted Deeds or other official supplements.
Thelon Fairblade 01-04-05, 07:48 AM	stumble, trip, :bump: Actually, I will add a balance idea, to prevent someone from selecting Crusader just because they have a poor Wisdom. Level 4 ability requires 11 Wisdom. Level 8 ability requires 12 Wisdom. Level 11 ability requires 13 Wisdom. Level 14 ability requires 14 Wisdom. Level 17 ability requires 15 Wisdom. Level 20 ability requires 16 Wisdom. I.e. identical to the Wisdom requirements a Paladin needs to cast his new spell levels.