New PrC: The Swordthane (PEACH) [Archive] - Wizards Community

New PrC: The Swordthane (PEACH) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
CountMRVHS
11-23-07, 04:26 PM Hi all, here is a possible PrC I've been working on, the Swordthane. He's modeled after the hearth-troops surrounding an Anglo-Saxon or Viking king: a skilled combatant with some good defensive capabilities who depends upon his reputation and past deeds to increase his prowess and influence others.

Hit Die: d10

Requirements:
BAB +5
Feats: Power Attack, Combat Expertise
Skills: Intimidate 4 ranks, Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty) 2 ranks, Diplomacy 2 ranks

Level BAB Fort Ref Will Special
1st +1 +2 +0 +2 Diehard, Thane's Boast +1, Word and Deed (reputation)
2nd +2 +3 +0 +3 Bonus Feat
3rd +3 +3 +1 +3 Thane's Boast +2, Defensive Strike 1/day
4th +4 +4 +1 +4 Mathom
5th +5 +4 +1 +4 Bonus Feat, Thane's Boast +3, Word and Deed (felling blow)
6th +6 +5 +2 +5 Defensive Strike 2/day, Ring Giver
7th +7 +5 +2 +5 Thane's Boast +4
8th +8 +6 +2 +6 Bonus Feat, Mathom
9th +9 +6 +3 +6 Thane's Boast +5, Defensive Strike 3/day
10th +10 +7 +3 +7 Word and Deed (Inspiring Steadfastness)

Class Skills: Appraise, Climb, Craft, Diplomacy, Handle Animal, Intimidate, Jump, Knowledge (nobility & royalty), Ride, Sense Motive, Survival, Swim.
Skill Points per Level: 4+ Int modifier.

Diehard: A swordthane is depended upon to keep fighting in the face of severe punishment. The swordthane receives this feat at 1st level, even if he does not meet the prerequisites.

Thane's Boast (Ex.): In the presence of at least six witnesses, a swordthane makes a declaration of intent -- for example, to kill a specific foe, or perform a specific task (such as climbing a deadly precipice, or swimming a dangerous river). While undergoing the specific declared action, the swordthane receives the indicated bonus as a circumstance bonus on attack rolls (if the boast is combat-related) or skill checks. This bonus lasts for the duration of the specific encounter or skill-related task. The swordthane can make his boast up to a year and a day before the specified action takes place -- after that time, if he has not attempted the deed, the boast lapses. A swordthane may have only one boast "pending" at a time, but he may allow a current boast to lapse in order to make a new boast.
A thane's boast must be a suitable challenge for the swordthane, and the boast must have a specific outcome. The DM ultimately decides if a boast is a suitable challenge or not.

Word and Deed (Ex.): A swordthane who successfully completes a thane's boast and makes his success known to at least six witnesses gains a +1 circumstance bonus for each successful thane's boast on all Diplomacy and Intimidate Checks . However, each thane's boast which has either lapsed or failed imposes a cumulative -2 circumstance penalty on all Diplomacy and Intimidate checks.
At 5th level, a swordthane can parlay his net bonus (if any) from successful thane's boasts into a mighty, felling blow. If the swordthane forgoes all other attacks and makes a full-round action, he can make a single melee attack at a bonus equal to his swordthane level plus his net bonus from successful thane's boasts, following the bonuses and penalties for successful and failed boasts as indicated above. For example, a 5th-level swordthane who had succesfully completed five thane's boasts but failed one would make this attack at a +8 bonus (5+5-2). This bonus also applies to any damage caused by this single attack. This extraordinary ability is usable only once per day. The felling blow attack must be made with the weapon designated as the swordthane's mathom (see below).
At 10th level, a swordthane is an inspiration to all those who fight near him. Once per day as a free action, the swordthane can begin to declaim a litany of his heroic accomplishments, the deeds of his ancestors, or a suitably stoic bit of repetitive heroic verse. All allies who can see and hear the swordthane (including the swordthane himself) gain a morale bonus on saves against charm and fear effects and a morale bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls equal to the swordthane's net bonus (if any) from successful thane's boasts. All allies also gain temporary hit points equal to 10+ this net bonus, and are treated as having the Diehard feat. These effects continue even if the swordthane loses consciousness or dies. The effects last a number of rounds equal to the swordthane's net bonus from successful thane's boasts. The swordthane must be able to speak and must be wielding the weapon designated as his mathom (see below) in order to use this extraordinary ability.

Bonus Feat: As a heroic warrior, a swordthane's combat prowess advances steadily. At 2nd, 5th, and 8th level, the swordthane may choose a bonus feat from the list of fighter's bonus feats. The swordthane must meet the requirements for any feat selected in this manner.

Defensive Strike: At 3rd level the swordthane's defensive abilities increase. He may make a single attack of opportunity at his highest attack bonus against any adjacent opponent who attacks his charge in melee. The swordthane chooss his charge as a free action when he takes his first action in a combat encounter; he may not change his charge for the duration of that combat. This attack of opportunity counts as the swordthane's single attack of opportunity for that round; it is not an "extra" or "bonus" attack of opportunity. At 3rd level the swordthane may make a defensive strike once per day; this increases to twice per day at 6th level and three times per day at 9th level.

Mathom: At 4th level the swordthane develops a supernatural bond with his weapon. He designates a specific, single weapon as his "mathom" ("treasure"). This weapon must be a family heirloom or otherwise renowned object, must have been used by the swordthane in the course of a successful thane's boast, or must have been given as a gift by a witness to the swordthane's reporting of a successfully completed thane's boast. This weapon must be of at least masterwork quality. If the mathom is *only* a masterwork weapon, the swordthane can only choose to make it a +1 weapon. If the mathom is already at least a +1 weapon, the swordthane can choose to add one of the following features to the mathom at 4th level (special abilities cannot be reproduced twice in a mathom, but enhancement bonuses can stack with those already in place):
-+1 enhancement bonus (added to weapon's current bonus)
-Bane ability (must be against a kind of foe the swordthane has targeted and successfully defeated with a previous thane's boast)
-Defending ability
-Ghost Touch ability
-Keen ability
-Mighty Cleaving ability
-Spell Storing ability
-Throwing ability
-Thundering ability
-Vicious ability
At 8th level, the swordthane may choose to add one of the following features to the mathom:
-+2 enhancement bonus (stacks with weapon's current bonus)
-Disruption
-Wounding
-Speed
-Beheading ("Vorpal" ability -- I didn't like the name)
These bonuses are added at no cost. In order to apply the bonuses to the mathom, the swordthane must perform a special ritual in the presence of at least six witnesses (usually involving an overnight vigil with the weapon and the carving of runes into the blade or handle).
While wielding the mathom, the swordthane gains a bonus to a single save or to AC against a single attack. This bonus is equal to the mathom's total enhancement bonus plus number of special abilities. For example, a +2 Keen Wounding longsword would confer a +4 bonus on a single save or AC against a single attack. This bonus only applies while the mathom is being held in the swordthane's hand -- not when merely carried in a sheath. The swordthane can apply this bonus to his save or AC once per day at 4th level and twice per day at 8th level. He need not have been aware of the attack or condition forcing him to save; as long as he is conscious and wielding the mathom, he can choose to make use of the bonus. If he uses the bonus as an AC bonus against a single attack, he can choose to do so after that attack has already been rolled.
If the swordthane fails a thane's boast or allows a boast to lapse, he loses this bonus to save or AC until he successfully completes another thane's boast.
If the swordthane loses his mathom, or if the mathom is sundered or destroyed, he takes a -4 penalty on all thane's boast attempts and Word and Deed attempts until the mathom is recovered or reforged. If the mathom is unrecoverable, the swordthane can selecta new mathom with the 4th-level bonuses: the new mathom cannot be advanced to the 8th-level bonuses for free (although the swordthane can still pay for enhancements to be added). A swordthane can have only one weapon designated as a mathom at a time.

Ring Giver: At 6th level the swordthane gains the Leadership feat if he does not already have it. He adds his net bonus (if any) from successful thane's boasts to his Leadership score. If he already has the Leadership feat, he instead gains either the Extra Followers feat or the Improved Cohort feat (from Heroes of Battle), whichever he prefers, even if he does not meet the Charisma requirements for the feat.

I'm interested to see some opinions on this. I suspect it's a bit overpowered, but I'm developing it for use with a campaign I play with my wife (we're the only players), where our 2 characters frequently face some challenging foes -- so a little extra PC power is not a very bad thing. I tried to put some limitations on the class and the consequences for failures as well as successes. I tried to make a class with some cultural flavor (the abilities) but also some more general use (hence the bonus feats). If it's ridiculously overpowered, though, I may make some changes.

The other thing I wonder about is the 10-level spread... This feels almost like it could become a base class, but the abilities seem fairly prestige-class-ish.

Looking forward to some comments and constructive critiques.
calronmoonflower
11-24-07, 02:31 AM Hi all, I apologize for the coloring but I suck at this sort of thing and can't figure out how to make it just black.

Use the tags instead of the tags.
CountMRVHS
11-24-07, 09:13 AM I see, thanks for the advice.
CountMRVHS
11-26-07, 04:12 PM :bump:

C'mon, don't tell me I did such a great job with this that nothing needs improving! Like the idea? Hate the idea? Anything needing changes? Not flashy/interesting enough?

Give me your criticisms, I can take it! :D

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
CountMRVHS 11-23-07, 04:26 PM	Hi all, here is a possible PrC I've been working on, the Swordthane. He's modeled after the hearth-troops surrounding an Anglo-Saxon or Viking king: a skilled combatant with some good defensive capabilities who depends upon his reputation and past deeds to increase his prowess and influence others. Hit Die: d10 Requirements: BAB +5 Feats: Power Attack, Combat Expertise Skills: Intimidate 4 ranks, Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty) 2 ranks, Diplomacy 2 ranks Level BAB Fort Ref Will Special 1st +1 +2 +0 +2 Diehard, Thane's Boast +1, Word and Deed (reputation) 2nd +2 +3 +0 +3 Bonus Feat 3rd +3 +3 +1 +3 Thane's Boast +2, Defensive Strike 1/day 4th +4 +4 +1 +4 Mathom 5th +5 +4 +1 +4 Bonus Feat, Thane's Boast +3, Word and Deed (felling blow) 6th +6 +5 +2 +5 Defensive Strike 2/day, Ring Giver 7th +7 +5 +2 +5 Thane's Boast +4 8th +8 +6 +2 +6 Bonus Feat, Mathom 9th +9 +6 +3 +6 Thane's Boast +5, Defensive Strike 3/day 10th +10 +7 +3 +7 Word and Deed (Inspiring Steadfastness) Class Skills: Appraise, Climb, Craft, Diplomacy, Handle Animal, Intimidate, Jump, Knowledge (nobility & royalty), Ride, Sense Motive, Survival, Swim. Skill Points per Level: 4+ Int modifier. Diehard: A swordthane is depended upon to keep fighting in the face of severe punishment. The swordthane receives this feat at 1st level, even if he does not meet the prerequisites. Thane's Boast (Ex.): In the presence of at least six witnesses, a swordthane makes a declaration of intent -- for example, to kill a specific foe, or perform a specific task (such as climbing a deadly precipice, or swimming a dangerous river). While undergoing the specific declared action, the swordthane receives the indicated bonus as a circumstance bonus on attack rolls (if the boast is combat-related) or skill checks. This bonus lasts for the duration of the specific encounter or skill-related task. The swordthane can make his boast up to a year and a day before the specified action takes place -- after that time, if he has not attempted the deed, the boast lapses. A swordthane may have only one boast "pending" at a time, but he may allow a current boast to lapse in order to make a new boast. A thane's boast must be a suitable challenge for the swordthane, and the boast must have a specific outcome. The DM ultimately decides if a boast is a suitable challenge or not. Word and Deed (Ex.): A swordthane who successfully completes a thane's boast and makes his success known to at least six witnesses gains a +1 circumstance bonus for each successful thane's boast on all Diplomacy and Intimidate Checks . However, each thane's boast which has either lapsed or failed imposes a cumulative -2 circumstance penalty on all Diplomacy and Intimidate checks. At 5th level, a swordthane can parlay his net bonus (if any) from successful thane's boasts into a mighty, felling blow. If the swordthane forgoes all other attacks and makes a full-round action, he can make a single melee attack at a bonus equal to his swordthane level plus his net bonus from successful thane's boasts, following the bonuses and penalties for successful and failed boasts as indicated above. For example, a 5th-level swordthane who had succesfully completed five thane's boasts but failed one would make this attack at a +8 bonus (5+5-2). This bonus also applies to any damage caused by this single attack. This extraordinary ability is usable only once per day. The felling blow attack must be made with the weapon designated as the swordthane's mathom (see below). At 10th level, a swordthane is an inspiration to all those who fight near him. Once per day as a free action, the swordthane can begin to declaim a litany of his heroic accomplishments, the deeds of his ancestors, or a suitably stoic bit of repetitive heroic verse. All allies who can see and hear the swordthane (including the swordthane himself) gain a morale bonus on saves against charm and fear effects and a morale bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls equal to the swordthane's net bonus (if any) from successful thane's boasts. All allies also gain temporary hit points equal to 10+ this net bonus, and are treated as having the Diehard feat. These effects continue even if the swordthane loses consciousness or dies. The effects last a number of rounds equal to the swordthane's net bonus from successful thane's boasts. The swordthane must be able to speak and must be wielding the weapon designated as his mathom (see below) in order to use this extraordinary ability. Bonus Feat: As a heroic warrior, a swordthane's combat prowess advances steadily. At 2nd, 5th, and 8th level, the swordthane may choose a bonus feat from the list of fighter's bonus feats. The swordthane must meet the requirements for any feat selected in this manner. Defensive Strike: At 3rd level the swordthane's defensive abilities increase. He may make a single attack of opportunity at his highest attack bonus against any adjacent opponent who attacks his charge in melee. The swordthane chooss his charge as a free action when he takes his first action in a combat encounter; he may not change his charge for the duration of that combat. This attack of opportunity counts as the swordthane's single attack of opportunity for that round; it is not an "extra" or "bonus" attack of opportunity. At 3rd level the swordthane may make a defensive strike once per day; this increases to twice per day at 6th level and three times per day at 9th level. Mathom: At 4th level the swordthane develops a supernatural bond with his weapon. He designates a specific, single weapon as his "mathom" ("treasure"). This weapon must be a family heirloom or otherwise renowned object, must have been used by the swordthane in the course of a successful thane's boast, or must have been given as a gift by a witness to the swordthane's reporting of a successfully completed thane's boast. This weapon must be of at least masterwork quality. If the mathom is only a masterwork weapon, the swordthane can only choose to make it a +1 weapon. If the mathom is already at least a +1 weapon, the swordthane can choose to add one of the following features to the mathom at 4th level (special abilities cannot be reproduced twice in a mathom, but enhancement bonuses can stack with those already in place): -+1 enhancement bonus (added to weapon's current bonus) -Bane ability (must be against a kind of foe the swordthane has targeted and successfully defeated with a previous thane's boast) -Defending ability -Ghost Touch ability -Keen ability -Mighty Cleaving ability -Spell Storing ability -Throwing ability -Thundering ability -Vicious ability At 8th level, the swordthane may choose to add one of the following features to the mathom: -+2 enhancement bonus (stacks with weapon's current bonus) -Disruption -Wounding -Speed -Beheading ("Vorpal" ability -- I didn't like the name) These bonuses are added at no cost. In order to apply the bonuses to the mathom, the swordthane must perform a special ritual in the presence of at least six witnesses (usually involving an overnight vigil with the weapon and the carving of runes into the blade or handle). While wielding the mathom, the swordthane gains a bonus to a single save or to AC against a single attack. This bonus is equal to the mathom's total enhancement bonus plus number of special abilities. For example, a +2 Keen Wounding longsword would confer a +4 bonus on a single save or AC against a single attack. This bonus only applies while the mathom is being held in the swordthane's hand -- not when merely carried in a sheath. The swordthane can apply this bonus to his save or AC once per day at 4th level and twice per day at 8th level. He need not have been aware of the attack or condition forcing him to save; as long as he is conscious and wielding the mathom, he can choose to make use of the bonus. If he uses the bonus as an AC bonus against a single attack, he can choose to do so after that attack has already been rolled. If the swordthane fails a thane's boast or allows a boast to lapse, he loses this bonus to save or AC until he successfully completes another thane's boast. If the swordthane loses his mathom, or if the mathom is sundered or destroyed, he takes a -4 penalty on all thane's boast attempts and Word and Deed attempts until the mathom is recovered or reforged. If the mathom is unrecoverable, the swordthane can selecta new mathom with the 4th-level bonuses: the new mathom cannot be advanced to the 8th-level bonuses for free (although the swordthane can still pay for enhancements to be added). A swordthane can have only one weapon designated as a mathom at a time. Ring Giver: At 6th level the swordthane gains the Leadership feat if he does not already have it. He adds his net bonus (if any) from successful thane's boasts to his Leadership score. If he already has the Leadership feat, he instead gains either the Extra Followers feat or the Improved Cohort feat (from Heroes of Battle), whichever he prefers, even if he does not meet the Charisma requirements for the feat. I'm interested to see some opinions on this. I suspect it's a bit overpowered, but I'm developing it for use with a campaign I play with my wife (we're the only players), where our 2 characters frequently face some challenging foes -- so a little extra PC power is not a very bad thing. I tried to put some limitations on the class and the consequences for failures as well as successes. I tried to make a class with some cultural flavor (the abilities) but also some more general use (hence the bonus feats). If it's ridiculously overpowered, though, I may make some changes. The other thing I wonder about is the 10-level spread... This feels almost like it could become a base class, but the abilities seem fairly prestige-class-ish. Looking forward to some comments and constructive critiques.
calronmoonflower 11-24-07, 02:31 AM	Hi all, I apologize for the coloring but I suck at this sort of thing and can't figure out how to make it just black. Use the tags instead of the tags.
CountMRVHS 11-24-07, 09:13 AM	I see, thanks for the advice.
CountMRVHS 11-26-07, 04:12 PM	:bump: C'mon, don't tell me I did such a great job with this that nothing needs improving! Like the idea? Hate the idea? Anything needing changes? Not flashy/interesting enough? Give me your criticisms, I can take it! :D