This is a class I'm hoping to use in my upcomming samurai-fantasy setting
. It's also handy as an example of using a Path in a setting without the miracles campaign quality.
GOLDEN LIONStreaking across the field, the Golden Lion leads the charge into the very heart battle. He seeks victory and glory with each mighty blow he sends crashing down upon the enemy, breaking their spirits through sheer ferocity. More than just a bloodthirsty killer or wild berserker, he upholds the heroic ideal of the warrior – honorable in war, loyal in peace.
Depending on the campaign, a Golden Lion could be...
• A shining knight of the realm, champion of the people, and a terror to the dark creatures that would prey upon them.
• A proud general who leads from the front, unwilling to risk men in battles he would not face himself.
• A fearless samurai warrior leaping headlong into the ranks of the enemy with a wild shout.
• A ferocious hunter who is always quick to fight and quick lift the spirits of his friends.
• The arms-master of a noble house or guild, bold and well respected for his unflagging courage.
Party Role: Combatant. The Golden Lion lives for the thrill of battle and the accolades of triumph. With his emphasis on the Path of Honor, he is often surprisingly resistant to mental manipulation. His preference for fast paced, mobile combat is best served on the open field, but he remains highly dangerous even in tight quarters.
Class FeaturesRequirements: Ride 4+ ranks, Charging Basics, Mobility Basics
Favored Attributes: Strength, Constitution
Class Skills: Acrobatics, Athletics, Intimidate, Notice, Resolve, Ride, Survival, Tactics
Skill Points: 4 + Int modifier per level
Vitality: 12 + Con modifier per level
Core AbilityLike a Comet: Each time you charge, your base speed increases by 10 ft. for that action and you gain a +2 dodge bonus to defense until the beginning of your next initiative count.
Class AbilitiesGlorious-Exchange I: At Level 1, your Legend increases by 1. You and all allies within 50 ft. gain a +1 morale bonus to Will Saves, and all opponents within 50 ft. suffer a –2 morale penalty to Will Saves.
Glorious-Exchange II: At level 8, your Legend increases by an additional 1 (for a total increase of 2). You and all allies within 50 ft. gain a +2 morale bonus to Will Saves, and all opponents within 50 ft. suffer a –4 morale penalty to Will Saves.
Call Out I: At Level 2, you may Taunt opponents using your Intimidate skill and may target opponents who can see and hear you up to 100 ft. away. If the opponent cannot immediately attack you, but can reach a square from which they could attack you with a Single Standard move, they must do so on their next action.
Call Out II: At Level 7, once a taunted opponent has attacked you as a result of being taunted, they must spend at least 1 half action moving towards you or attacking you every round until you move away from them, you taunt another character, or the combat ends.
Way of the Warrior: At Levels 3, 5, 7, and 9, you may either gain 1 Melee Combat feat or take 1 step on the Path of Honor.
Run them Down: At Level 4, when you charge, you may also trip 1 opponent as a free action at any point along you movement (in addition to your attacks). Further, you may charge 2 additional times per combat.
Uncanny Dodge I: Your senses are supremely sharp, letting you react quickly to danger. At Level 4, you retain your Dexterity bonus to Defense (if any) even when
flat-footed.
Uncanny Dodge II: At Level 8, you never become
flanked.
Fortunes of War I: You stand fast in battle, especially when the pressure’s on. At Level 6, you gain Damage Reduction 1. During dramatic scenes, this DR increases to 2.
Total War: Blood-soaked ferocity seems to surround you on all sides. At Level 10, you and all allies within 50 ft. may re-roll one failed attack check each round, so long as the original roll was not an error.
Table XX: The Golden LionLvl BAB Fort Ref Will Def Init LS Lgnd Abilities 1 +1 +0 +1 +1 +0 +1 +1 +1 Glorious-Exchange I
2 +2 +0 +2 +2 +1 +1 +2 +1 Call Out I
3 +3 +1 +2 +2 +1 +2 +2 +2 Way of the warrior
4 +4 +1 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 +2 Run them down, uncanny dodge I
5 +5 +1 +3 +3 +2 +3 +3 +3 Way of the warrior
6 +6 +2 +3 +3 +2 +4 +3 +3 Fortunes of war I
7 +7 +2 +4 +4 +3 +4 +4 +4 Call Out II, Way of the warrior
8 +8 +2 +4 +4 +3 +5 +4 +4 Glorious-Exchange II, uncanny dodge II
9 +9 +3 +4 +4 +4 +5 +4 +5 Way of the warrior
10 +10 +3 +5 +5 +4 +6 +5 +5 Total War
Path of HonorHonor I: You gain a +5 bonus to Resolve checks.
Honor II: Your lowest attribute rises by 1 and your melee and unarmed attacks gain
armor piercing 2.
Honor III: You gain the Iron Will feat.
Honor IV: You may roll twice when making Tactics checks, keeping the result you prefer.
Honor V: You Heroic, Military, or Noble Renown increases by 2
NPC QualitiesLike a Comet: 2 XP
Glorious-Exchange: 3 XP per grade
Call Out: 3 XP per grade
Total War: 12 XP
Author