Man; Noble
by Jamie BatyRC 193
3rd Level Human Aristocrat
Medium-size Humanoid (Human)
Hit Dice: 3d8+6 (19 hp)
Initiative: -1 (-1 Dex)
Speed: 20 ft. (4 squares) in masterwork full plate armour; base speed 30 ft.
Armour Class: 19 (-1 Dex, +8 masterwork full plate armour, +2 masterwork heavy wooden shield), touch 9, flat-footed 19
Base Attack/Grapple: +2/+4
Attack: Masterwork longsword +5 melee (1d8 +2) or masterwork lance +5 melee (1d8 +2)
Full Attack: As attack
Space/Reach: 5 ft. /5 ft.
Special Attacks: ---
Special Qualities: Human Traits
Saves: Fort +3, Ref +0, Will +3
Abilities: Str 15, Dex 8, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 13
Skills: Diplomacy +7, Gather Information +4, Handle Animal +5, Knowledge (local) +4, Knowledge (nobility) +5, Listen +4, Ride +5, Sense Motive +6, Spot +5
Feats: Mounted combat, Negotiator, Power Attack
Environment: Any
Organisation: Solitary (+ 1 2nd level squire and 2-12 retainers and hirelings)
Challenge Rating: 2
Treasure: Double Standard
Alignment: Any
Advancement: by character class
Level Adjustment: -
Nobles encompass a general group of individuals that are part of a social class of rulers. Encountered nobles may be doing any number of things: hunting, travelling, questing, etc... They rarely adventure in the same sense as a player character.
The noble presented above is assumed to come from The Grand Duchy of Karameikos. Nobles from other countries may be equipped and stated differently based on the norms for their native culture.
The noble presented above has base stats of Str 15, Dex 8, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 13. Typically nobles will be the same race as the inhabitants of their domain.
Combat
Nobles generally do not fight. Their squire and retainers will usually defend them first. When forced to fight, they will attack with their lance from horseback, using their sword as a back up.
Nobles are proficient with all simple and martial weapons, as well as all armours and shields. They ride heavy warhorses with at least chain mail barding. Any equipment they possess will be of masterwork quality, if not magical.
Organisation
Many nobles have levels in aristocrat, although this is not required. More experienced nobles may mix in other class levels with their aristocrat levels, fighter being the most common. Nobles from other nations will have class levels that reflect the culture of the nations they hail from: Glantrian nobles are arcane casters, Alphatian nobles will be a spellcaster of some type (usually a wizard), for example.
A noble will be accompanied by a 2nd level fighter who is a squire. The squire will be equipped in a manner similar to the noble, although with poorer quality items. In addition, the noble will have 2-12 hirelings or retainers with them as well. Their composition should be determined by the DM based on where and why the noble is encountered. They may include servants, men-at-arms, tax collectors, heralds, or bards depending on the circumstances. The noble may be escorting 1d4 non-combatant nobles when encountered (33% chance).