This is the first in a series of 3 PrC that I will post in the coming days. I ask you to give me your comments for them, if you will. So here it goes:
(and thanks Pennarin for the editing)
Slave-Warrior
“My life is worth nothing if I let harm come to my masters.”
- Ampelos, family Mericles’ slave-warrior
Merchant houses and noble families regularly single out promising youth from amongst the ranks of their slaves, training them as warriors and preparing them for the labyrinthine laws and politics of the athasian cities. Those slave-warriors protect more than the lives of their masters, extending their protection to their master's interests and holdings, often venturing within the rarefied realms only accountants and templars tread. The brutal indoctrination regiment of their youth and the excellent combat training they receive produces some of the most dedicated warriors on Athas. Privileged in the knowledge they are taught and the responsibilities they are given, slave-warriors are reputed as incorruptible. They act as bodyguards, enforcers, and ruthless middlemen ready to sacrifice their lives for their masters'.
The ranks of the slave-warriors are mostly taken up by fighters and warriors, some with a few levels of expert. Members of any race, as long as raised into slavery from birth, can be found as slave-warriors; thri-kreen and aarakocra are some of the hardest races to bring up in this fashion.
NPC slave-warriors are found anywhere their masters travel, protecting them from harm at home or on caravans across the wastes. They also can be found making errands for their masters, or acting as collectors or supervisors as their loyalty is proverbial. They are usually prominently branded or tattooed with the emblem of their owning house.
Hit Die: d10.
Requirements:
To qualify to become a slave-warrior, a character must fulfill all the following criteria.
Base attack bonus: +3.
Skills: Diplomacy or Intimidate 1 rank, Knowledge (local) 2 ranks, Sense Motive 2 ranks.
Special: Must be born a slave.
Special: Must currently be owned by the same master, household, or organization that has owned him from birth.
Class Skills:
The slave-warrior’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Climb (Str), Diplomacy (Cha), Handle Animal (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (local) (Int), Ride (Dex), and Sense Motive (Cha).
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
The prc...not bad, nice touch with the equipment...but i would have to lean against the devotion ability...but that's me...Still, i'm voting a well deserved two thumbs up
I will have to make up my damn Lion's Guard soon so I can use your slave warrior PrC to make up some really sweet bodyguards for Hamanu.
The things I would make a suggested fix to is the following
After having survived during their childhood a brutal training regime and incessant indoctrination, they become some of the most highly skilled fighters on Athas.
The underlined part is not really a smooth read IMO and the first paragraph may need some additional tweeking to make it just right.
The devotion is cool, but a +3 bonus is a bit high IMO for a three level PrC. And it is a generic bonus- I personally think it would be better off at a morale bonus.
And I realize that you want to keep the lvl of those taking this PrC down slightly, but a +1 BAB to take this class. That does not strike me as being "some of the most highly skilled fighters on Athas" or something that would require "a brutal training regime and incessant indoctrination". Maybe a +3 BAB would sell that a bit more.
Anyway...great job and I am looking forward to seeing the other two PrC's- I will promise to give you some good feedback on those ones too.
haha, nice icon...i thought i was the only one that had this one (damn)
hehe, I always was fond of the old Advanced Dungeon & Dragons DMG's cover
The prc...not bad, nice touch with the equipment...but i would have to lean against the devotion ability...but that's me...
Could you explain why you would lean against the devotion ability?
The underlined part is not really a smooth read IMO and the first paragraph may need some additional tweeking to make it just right.
Sorry about my english but its already better than what I can do alone. I had it corrected and I'm glad you didn't see my first draft ;)
The devotion is cool, but a +3 bonus is a bit high IMO for a three level PrC. And it is a generic bonus- I personally think it would be better off at a morale bonus.
That is a great suggestion, I'll add the morale type to the bonus, it's really adequate.
And I realize that you want to keep the lvl of those taking this PrC down slightly, but a +1 BAB to take this class. That does not strike me as being "some of the most highly skilled fighters on Athas" or something that would require "a brutal training regime and incessant indoctrination". Maybe a +3 BAB would sell that a bit more.
Perhaps I should have written trained in place of skilled and warrior in place of fighter. I based myself off the slave-warrior kit from the Dragon 194 magazine. I first did a write-up as substitution levels for the fighter class, which I found as more appropriate for this concept, but as these are not OGL, I rewrote it as a PrC. I will post it as substitution level in my next post so you can see and tell me which version you prefer and/or use.
I agree with Kal on the bonus being a little high. Even with it being labled a moral bonus I think it should be brought to a +2.
I will post the substitution levels here in this thread later today, so you'll see that the abilities were more appropriate for the level they were gained.
Furthermore the requirements are very low for such a powerful prestige class. Most prestige classes require at least level 6 to enter.
Fanaticism (Su): At 3rd level, the slave-warrior’s single-mindedness gives him a +4 bonus on saves to resist mind-affecting and compulsion effects.
This is almost a +4 on will as most will saves are to resist mind-affecting effects. This is quite heavy! Especially when you take into account the +3 "devotion" bonus, you could have a +7 bonus total. As most Slave Warriors are probably always on duty, they always have these bonusses.
Maybe it is better to tune it down to a +2
The devotion is cool, but a +3 bonus is a bit high IMO for a three level PrC. And it is a generic bonus- I personally think it would be better off at a morale bonus.
Indeed. Maybe +2 (morale bonus) is better. I also cannot imagine why the Slave Warrior gets a bonus on reflex saves. Maybe "devotion +1" should be a +1 to hit and +1 to will (and maybe fortitude) saves.
[Edit: oops I let the window open for 1 hour. Someone was before me :P]
Reputed Loyalty (Ex): The slave-warriors are well-known as powerful, single-minded warriors that would give their lives for their masters. They gain a +2 competence bonus to Bluff, Diplomacy, and Intimidate checks.
"Diplomacy" and "Bluff" as class skills for a slave sounds strange to me. This sounds more like an agent or something.
This PrC looks nice, but I think it is a bit overpowered.
Furthermore the requirements are very low for such a powerful prestige class. Most prestige classes require at least level 6 to enter.
Quite so, this is even official:
When you design a prestige class, make sure that characters must be at least 5th level before they can meet the entry requirements [i.e. first PrC level at 6].
Of course, nothing stops you from ignoring this completely in your own campaign. Gaining recognition for a PrC outside that, however, is going to be harder if you ignore the rules
"Diplomacy" and "Bluff" as class skills for a slave sounds strange to me. This sounds more like an agent or something.
I came to the same conclusion, but Meth explained to me that the slave-warrior is indeed an agent/messenger/interface for his master, due to his exceptional fluff loyalty. I tend to think its a good idea.
Mmm, in the earlier version of this PrC Bluff was replaced with Sense Motive so the slave could peceive lies and harmful intent...
When you design a prestige class, make sure that characters must be at least 5th level before they can meet the entry requirements [i.e. first PrC level at 6].
I guess that a +5 BAB would do it.
I came to the same conclusion, but Meth explained to me that the slave-warrior is indeed an agent/messenger/interface for his master, due to his exceptional fluff loyalty. I tend to think its a good idea.
Mmm, I the earlier version of this PrC Bluff was replaced with Sense Motive so the slave could peceive lies and harmful intent...
After that explanation I think Sense Motive is actually a better fit for the PrC.
The devotion ability i was against simply because it was darn powerful. Cool ideas given to the prestige class though; i like the idea behind it....
Base attack bonus: +4.
Skills: Diplomacy or Intimidate 1 rank, Sense Motive 2 ranks.
Special: Must be born a slave.
Special: Must currently be owned by the same master, household, or organization that has owned him from birth.
I think that this class as substitute levels for a fighter or warrior would be right on- I would like to see both versions. Like I said, I will be using this class to do some write-ups on some of the Half-giant's in plan on using with my Lion's Guard PrC (it is in the works- I got a bit done yesterday and today so I should be finished soon).
What's up with the Ref and Will saving throws? +0, +1, +2? I don't follow how your coming up with that.
For more ideas on what a similar 3 level PrC can do, check out Libris Mortis' Death's Chosen, I think its called.
The saves appear to be typing errors.
DarkSoulman, I agree with you about the requirements for PrC. You can read the others PrCs I've made to see that such as not escaped my attention. As I've said above, I designed first the slave-warrior as substitution levels, which is more fitting to the theme IMO. The requirements written by Pennarin looks good to make the class more balanced.
As Shim mentionned, the bonuses for the fanaticism ability is more appropriate for the level if they are a +2.
And finally yes, the Ref and Will save are typos, they also come from the substitution levels...
Here is the slave-warrior as substitution levels (I already integrated change based on your comments):
Slave-Warrior substitution levels
“My life is worth nothing if I let harm come to my masters.”
- Ampelos, family Mericles’ slave-warrior
Merchant houses and noble families regularly single out promising youth from amongst the ranks of their slaves, training them as warriors and preparing them for the labyrinthine laws and politics of the athasian cities. Those slave-warriors protect more than the lives of their masters, extending their protection to their master's interests and holdings, often venturing within the rarefied realms only accountants and templars tread. The brutal indoctrination regiment of their youth and the excellent combat training they receive produces some of the most dedicated warriors on Athas. Privileged in the knowledge they are taught and the responsibilities they are given, slave-warriors are reputed as incorruptible. They act as bodyguards, enforcers, and ruthless middlemen ready to sacrifice their lives for their masters'.
Members of any race, as long as raised into slavery from birth, can be found as slave-warriors; thri-kreen and aarakocra are some of the hardest races to bring up in this fashion.
NPC slave-warriors are found anywhere their masters travel, protecting them from harm at home or on caravans across the wastes. They also can be found making errands for their masters, or acting as collectors or supervisors as their loyalty is proverbial. They are usually prominently branded or tattooed with the emblem of their owning house.
Hit Die: d10.
Requirements:
To take a level of Slave-Warrior fighter substitution level, a character must be born a slave be owned by a master, household, or organization, and still be at the service of the same master, household, or organisation, and be about to take his 1st, 4th, or 8th level of fighter.
Class Skills:
Slave-Warrior substitution levels have the class skills of the standard fighter class plus Diplomacy, Knowledge (local) and Sense Motive.
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Merchant houses and noble families regularly single out promising youth from amongst the ranks of their slaves, training them as warriors and preparing them for the labyrinthine laws and politics of the athasian cities. Those slave-warriors protect more than the lives of their masters, extending their protection to their master's interests and holdings, often venturing within the rarefied realms only accountants and templars tread. The brutal indoctrination regiment of their youth and the excellent combat training they receive produces some of the most dedicated warriors on Athas. Privileged in the knowledge they are taught and the responsibilities they are given, slave-warriors are reputed as incorruptible. They act as bodyguards, enforcers, and ruthless middlemen ready to sacrifice their lives for their masters'.
The ranks of the slave-warriors are mostly taken up by fighters and warriors, some with a few levels of expert. Members of any race, as long as raised into slavery from birth, can be found as slave-warriors; thri-kreen cannot be brought up in this fashion.
NPC slave-warriors are found anywhere their masters travel, protecting them from harm at home or on caravans across the wastes. They can be also be found making errands for their masters, or acting as collectors or supervisors as their loyalty is proverbial. They are usually prominently branded or tattooed with the emblem of their owning house.
thri-kreen cannot be brought up in this fashion.
:D Can aarakocra or half-giants?
:D Can aarakocra or half-giants?
I guess its a matter of DM's call as are the availability of any PrC. I changed the introduction text to make it so that even kreen can become slave-warrior. Half-giants most certainly do.
Thanks Penn for the new introduction. It is more in line with what I envisionned the slave-warrior to be.
I edited the PrC to reflect the feedback I received. I now think it is more balanced for a 3 level PrC. Please take a look and tell me if it is really so.
I personally think Diplomacy abd Bluff very improtant skills for any slave related PrC- it helps them get some additional food, better clothing, fast talking a guardsman out of reporting their activities- I just do not think you are looking at those skills and how they would relate to a slave-based class.
I'm agreeing with you here. I changed it in the PrC because of its elite status and loyalty in comparaison to the average slave. See the new description and you'll understand ;)
The ranks of the slave-warriors are mostly taken up by fighters and warriors, some with a few levels of expert. Members of any race, as long as raised into slavery from birth, can be found as slave-warriors; thri-kreen and aarakocra are some of the hardest races to bring up in this fashion.
NPC slave-warriors are found anywhere their masters travel, protecting them from harm at home or on caravans across the wastes. They also can be found making errands for their masters, or acting as collectors or supervisors as their loyalty is proverbial. They are usually prominently branded or tattooed with the emblem of their owning house.
Might as well make the following changes:
Thanks and done. :D
Fanaticism (Su): At 3rd level, the slave-warrior’s single-mindedness gives him a +2 bonus on saves to resist mind-affecting and compulsion effects if said effect goes against the slave-warrior's loyalty.
Dunno if this is a good idea, but alternatives to the bonus might be to get an immediate second save in case of a failure, or a save when none is permited.
Thanks.
At first the substitution levels were for adapting a class to a racial theme e.g. a dwarven tunnel fighter so you have a regular dwarf who is classed as a fighter but at specific levels can take the said substitution levels.
Now, with the Heroes series (for the FR), the substitution levels can be used for adapting a class to a certain organization.
When I first begun working on the slave-warrior, it was as a 'human' racial substiution levels since those were the only ones I was aware at the time. Between the time I begun the levels and I finished them, a couple of months passed and I became aware of the 'organization' substitution levels, so I reworked them to fit this new model. After that, I made it a PrC (with all its errors
) since the substitution levels are not OGC.