Prestigious Proficiency: As a matter of prestige, nobles often train with more advanced weapons in addition. A noble may choose two of the following weapons to be proficient in: Longbows, Longsword, Master’s Whip, Rapier, Scimitar, Shortbows, Splashbow, Whip.
If the Noble is Half-Elven (or, more rarely Elven), she may choose the Elven Longblade to make herself appear “exotic.” Most would avoid it, to distance themselves from the image of being “desert-running trash”.
High Station: Nobles, like many other Athasians, vary from city-state to city-state. Depending on their place of origin, a Noble gains the following abilities:
Balic: Balican nobles are called Patricians. Those patricians who are brought to audience with Dictator Andropinis are blinded, deafened, and muted. As such, those patricians who have not joined the Chamber of Patricians are constantly reminded the value of their senses. Balican Nobles receive Spot, Listen, and Search as class skills, and receive a +2 bonus to Perform checks.
Draj: Draji nobles are both well educated and trained as warriors. They receive a +2 to knowledge (astrology), (religion) and (war history). They also may choose an additional Prestigious Proficiency (see above) with the Maquahuitl added to that list.
Nibenay: Nibenese Nobles are well educated, and carry strong ties to their lands. Survival is a class skill for them, and they receive a +2 to Knowledge (astrology), (nature), (religion), and (war history). They also receive a +2 to Diplomacy when speaking to Clerics of Earth and Water, and Druids.
Raam: Raamin nobles are masters of underhanded dealing, and hold the Templars of their city in fear. Disguise, Move Silently and Hide are class skills for them, and have the Poison Use ability described in the Bard class.
Tyr: Nobles are well known throughout Athas as being irredeemable poseurs, playing at governance beneath the shadow of their Sorcerer-King. Since Kalak’s freedom, however, the nobles of Tyr have gained real administrative power. Tyrian nobles receive a +2 bonus to Diplomacy, Gather Information, and Sense Motive, as well as a +2 bonus to Secular Immunity while in Tyr.
Urik: (help!)
1st level nobles also receive a bonus class skill of their choice, and a "Secular Immunity" ability which allows them to challenge the Templars' "Secular Authority" ability, without actually giving them the abilities of Secular Authority.
I couldn't find much of interest on the subject of Urikite Nobles... So if anyone has any suggestions for that it would be appreciated as well. Gulg is intentionally left off the "high station" list, since these nobles have more in common with the ranger class than anything else. A good prestige class idea, to be sure.
Anyway, I know some people feel a noble class isn't a real good idea, and I agree in some areas, but if its good enough for Star Wars, and Dragonlance, then its good enough for Athas. ;] In any event I'm looking for more constructive criticism regarding the above.
Or something else can be done with the class...dunno.
Ok, I realise I'm not actually commenting on the concept of your noble class, but I'll leave that to others, since its not my thing.
P.S. Secular Immunity is a very good concept!
I might revise the High Station ability to sound a bit more like what you described for your PrC. Or maybe not. Depends on what other kinds of ideas I can generate. Oh and thanks on the Secular Immunity comment. ;)- Aristocrat: taken as one's first level ("An aristocrat cannot be a multiclass character unless his or her first level is in the aristocrat class."), the class is only availlable to those who are born into the nobility.
- Noble: those aristocrats wanting to gain more power in recognition of their status take levels in this PrC. Someone who marries into nobility, since he cannot take levels in aristocrat, can take levels in this PrC instead.
The PrC is not perfected yet, the High Station ability is left for other designers... :D
Noble
“The reason you have not been able to rise above your condition is that there is no ladder that reaches low enough to reach you.”
- Ona-To of the Satte, raamin nobleman, vizier caste
Nobleman and noblewoman are people who attain a high status in society recognized by their peers. Nobility is not an inherent quality but rather a social rank given through a general consensus.
Most nobility in the Seven Cities is composed of humans, although elves and dwarves are not uncommon. Nobility cannot be achieved: one is born into it or marries into it. In rare instances common man have been given titles of nobility by Sorcerer-Monarchs on a whim or for services rendered.
Nobility as no influence to speak of outside of client villages and cities, the seats of royal power, the only force that can enforce their status in the blasted world. Most nobles live in restricted zones apart from commoners, where they can mingle with people of their own status. Most regard non-nobility as little better than skum, or slave labor to be exploited.
Hit Die: d6
Requirements
To qualify to become a noble, a character must fulfill all the following criteria.
Skills: Knowledge (nobility and royalty) 5 ranks, Diplomacy 5 ranks.
Special: Noble families must recognize your blood tie or marriage to an existing noble family.
Class Skills:
The noble’s class skills (and key ability for each skill) are Bluff (Cha), Diplomacy (Cha), Gather Information (Cha), Knowledge (all skills taken individually) (Int), Listen (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Speak Language and Spot (Wis).
Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier.
Class features
Weapon and Armor Proficiencies: The noble is proficient in the use of all simple weapons and with light armor but not shields.
Bonus Class Skill: The noble as now access to learned teachers that can confer knowledge to him on the subjects of his choosing. The noble chooses any one skill to become a class skill.
High Station: Upon first gaining the status of noble or when attaining majority, the noble gains an edge over commoners, depending from which city the noble comes from:
Nibenay:
Raam:
Gulg:
Urik:
Balic:
Draj:
Tyr:
Bonus Feat: The noble gains the feat of his choosing among the following: Negociator, Persuasive, or Skill Focus (of one of the noble’s class skill). The noble may instead choose a feat specific to his city among the following:
Nibenay: Artisan, Astrologer, Performance Artist
Raam: Artisan
Gulg: Nature’s Child
Urik: Artisan, Disciplined
Balic: Performance Artist
Draj: Astrologer, Mekillothead
Tyr: Freedom
Secular Immunity: His status more firmly established, the noble may contest a templar’s use of Secular Authority and move to have the action reversed. For the purpose of defending himself or his household against a templar, the noble is considered to have Secular Authority, but makes his Diplomacy checks with a –4 penalty.
Class-----Base-----Fort-----Ref-----Will----Special
Level-----Attack---Save----Save---Save
----------Bonus
1st--------+0---------+0------+0-----+2---Bonus class skill, high station
2nd--------+1---------+0------+0-----+3---Bonus feat
3rd--------+2---------+1------+1-----+3---Secular immunity