WORD AND

IST:

A Guidebook toFighters and Monks

Jason Carl

Credits

Additional Design and Development

: Andy Collins, Monte Cook, Bruce Cordell, Dale Donovan,David Eckelberry, David Noonan, Jonathan Tweet, James Wyatt

Editor

: Dale Donovan

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: Ed Stark

Cover Illustration

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Interior Illustration

: Dennis Cramer

Art Director

: Dawn Murin

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Typography

: Erin Dorries

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: Larry Weiner, Josh Fischer

Production Manager

: Chas DeLong

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: Brian LewisThe halfling skiprock and the duelist prestige class both originally appeared in D

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® Magazine #275.Our thanks go to the D

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staff for their cooperation.Based on the original D

UNGEONS

& D

RAGONS

rules created by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson,and the new D

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& D

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game designed by Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook,Skip Williams, Richard Baker, and Peter Adkison.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction...................................4

What This Book Is, and Is Not .................4How to Use This Book..............................4

Chapter 1: Feats and Skills............5

Virtual Feats...............................................5New Feats..................................................5Blindsight, 5-foot Radius.......................5Circle Kick ..............................................5Close-Quarters Fighting........................5Death Blow.............................................6Dirty Fighting.........................................6Dual Strike .............................................6Eagle Claw Attack ..................................6Expert Tactician......................................6Extra Stunning Attacks..........................6Eyes in the Back of Your Head..............6Feign Weakness.....................................6Fists of Iron............................................6Hold the Line.........................................7Improved Overrun.................................7Improved Sunder...................................7Knock-Down...........................................7Lightning Fists.......................................7Mantis Leap...........................................7Monkey Grip..........................................7Off-Hand Parry ......................................7Pain Touch .............................................8Pin Shield...............................................8Power Lunge..........................................8Prone Attack...........................................8Rapid Reload..........................................9Remain Conscious.................................9Sharp-Shooting......................................9Shield Expert..........................................9Snatch Arrows........................................9Throw Anything .....................................9Zen Archery............................................9Skills...........................................................10New Knowledge Skills...............................10Same Skills, New Uses..............................10Bluff........................................................10Diplomacy..............................................10Gather Information................................11Sense Motive.........................................11

Chapter 2: Prestige Classes..........12

Cavalier.......................................................12Devoted Defender .....................................13Drunken Master.........................................14Duelist........................................................17Fist of Hextor.............................................18Ghostwalker...............................................20Gladiator....................................................21Halfling Outrider.......................................22Knight Protector of theGreat Kingdom ......................................24The Code of the Knight Protector.........24Lasher.........................................................25Master of Chains.......................................27Master Samurai.........................................29The Master Samurai’s Code..................30Ninja of the Crescent Moon......................30Order of the Bow Initiate ..........................32Ravager.......................................................33Red Avenger...............................................34Tribal Protector..........................................35Warmaster..................................................37Weapon Master .........................................38

Chapter 3: Worldly Matters.........40

Fighters and Monks and theWorld They Live In.................................40The Fighter and the World....................40The Monk and the World ......................42Organizations: A Little Help fromMy Friends.............................................43Using Organizations inthe Campaign.........................................43The Fists of Hextor................................44The Knight Protectors of theGreat Kingdom ..................................45The Knights of the Watch......................47The Twelve .........................................48The Ravagers .........................................49The Red Avengers..................................51

Chapter 4: The Game withinthe Game.....................................53

Being All You Can Be.................................53Duelist....................................................53Warrior Monks of Shao Lin...................53Gladiator................................................54Pirate......................................................54Desert Raider.........................................55Advancement: Wise Choices.....................55How to Fight Nearly Everything(and Survive) .........................................56Opponents with Reach..........................56Undead Opponents...............................56Flying Opponents..................................57Unbeatable Opponents.........................57Tactics ........................................................57Using Cleave..........................................57Doing the Math .........................................59To Flurry or Not.....................................59Magic Weapon Abilities.........................61Monstrous Fighters and Monks...............61Large Monsters......................................61Large and in Charge..........................61

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Extra Limbs............................................62Multitasking.......................................62Flying Monsters.....................................63Natural Weapons...................................63Speed .....................................................63Sample Creatures ..................................63Mounted Opponents.............................64An Opponent on FootWhile You Are Mounted....................64Combat Example#1: Mounted Combat............................65#2: The Duel..........................................67Rules Clarifications....................................Rules Variants............................................69Counter Tumble.....................................69Flexible Weapon Focus with Bows........69Double-handed Disarm.........................69

Chapter 5: Tools of the Trade......70

New Exotic Weapons.................................70Weapon Equivalency Chart........................75Magic Items...............................................75Shield Descriptions ...............................76Magic Weapon Descriptions.................76Specific Weapon Descriptions..............76Potion Descriptions...............................77Ring Descriptions..................................77Wondrous Item Descriptions................77Vehicles......................................................77Two-Person Chariot...............................78Chariot Collision DCs............................78Chariot Combat .................................78Chariot Archery..................................78Chariot Trample.................................78Chariot Sideswipe..............................79Chariot Charge...................................79Halfling War Wagon...............................79Towers, Keeps, and Castles.......................79The Border Tower ..................................80Elven Canopy Tower...............................81Lighthouse Keep....................................82Gnome Bridge Keep..............................84Bailey Castle...........................................85Dwarven Plateau Castle.........................86Monks’ Temple......................................90Gladiatorial Arena..................................92Unusual Gladiatorial Fights......................95

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLES

2–1: The Cavalier .......................................122–2: The Devoted Defender......................132–3: The Drunken Master.........................152–4: The Duelist.........................................172–5: The Fist of Hextor..............................192–6: The Ghostwalker................................202–7: The Gladiator.....................................222–8: Halfling Outrider...............................232–9: The Knight Protector.........................252–10: The Lasher .......................................262–11: The Master of Chains......................272–12: The Master Samurai........................292–13: Ninja of the Crescent Moon ...........312–14: The Order of the Bow Initiate.........322–15: The Ravager.....................................332–16: The Red Avenger..............................342–17: The Tribal Protector.........................362–18: The Warmaster ................................372–19: The Weapon Master........................394–1: Expected Hits per Roundwith Flurry..........................................604–2: Magic Weapon Abilities.....................604–3: Weapon Damage by Size .................624–4: Monk Damage by Size......................624–5: Monk Speed by Base Speed..............635–1: Exotic Weapons .................................705–2: Weapons Equivalents........................755–3: Magic Items.......................................75

maneuvers, fierce and destructive attack abilities, and ahome field advantage in their tribal lands and fightingtheir traditional foes. Sometimes tribal adepts, clerics,or sorcerers take on this role, depending on the tribe.NPC tribal protectors are often found in thevanguard of a humanoid army. If honor demands abattle between champions, the tribal protector stepsforward. Otherwise, the protector seeks out the lead-ing warriors of the enemy army and engages them insingle combat, oras a last resortcuts swathsthrough the rank and file of the opposing troops.

Hit Die:

d10.

Requirements

To qualify to become a tribal protector, a charactermust fulfill all the following criteria.

Alignment:

The same alignment as the majority of the character’s tribe.

Race:

Any humanoid or monstrous humanoid

except

dwarf, elf, gnome, halfling, half-elf, or human.

Base Attack Bonus:

+5.

Feats:

Power Attack, Cleave, Great Cleave.

WildernessLore:

4 ranks.

Class Skills

The tribal protector’s class skills (and the key ability foreach skill) are Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Craft (Int),Hide (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Intuit Direction (Wis),Jump (Str), Move Silently (Dex), Sense Motive (Wis),and Wilderness Lore (Wis). See Chapter 4: Skills in the

Player’s Handbook

for skill descriptions.Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.

Class Features

Weapon and Armor Proficiency:

The tribalprotector is proficient with all simple and martialweapons, all types of armor, and shields.

Bonus Feats:

The tribal protector gains a bonus featat 1st, 5th, and 9th level. These bonus feats must bechosen from the list of bonus feats available to a fighter.

Tribal Enemy:

At first level, a tribal protector declaresa specific group of people or monsters as his tribalenemy. This is a much narrower category than a ranger’sfavored enemy. Tribal enemies might include the neigh-boring human nation, members of a specific religion, arival humanoid tribe, or the drow beneath the moun-tains. Tribal protectors gain a +3 bonus to Bluff and SenseMotive checks when using these skills against theirenemies. They gain the same +3 bonus to weapondamage rolls against these creatures. This damage bonusdoes not apply to damage against creatures that areimmune to critical hits, and the tribal defender does notgain this bonus when using a ranged weapon against atarget more than 30 feet distant. A tribal defender who isalso a ranger chooses a tribal enemy that is a subset of hisfavored enemy. The bonuses stack.

Homeland:

Tribal protectors gain a +2 bonus toHide, Intuit Direction, Move Silently, and WildernessLore checks when they are within the terrain type andgeographical area of their tribal homeland. Examplesof homelands include the County of Urnst, the AdriForest, or the Vale of the Mage. This bonus reflects theprotector’s intimate familiarity with his home terrain.

Wild Fighting:

Similar to a monk attacking with aflurry of blows, a tribal defender of 2nd level or higher canenter a state of wild fighting, attacking in a storm of fero-cious assaults. The character gains one extra attack perround, at his highest base attack bonus, but all the charac-ter’s attacks in that round suffer a –2 penalty. This penaltylasts for an entire round, so it also affects any attacks of opportunity the protector might make in that round.

Terrain AC Bonus:

You take great advantage of your homeland’s features and gain the listed deflectionbonus to your AC when in your homeland (see above).

Smite:

Beginning at 4th level, a tribal protector gainsthe supernatural ability to make a single melee attackwith a +4 attack bonus and a damage bonus equal to hisclass level (if he hits) against a member of his tribalenemy. The protector must declare the smite beforeattacking. At 7h level, the protector can smite twice perday. At 10th level, this increases to three times per day.

CHAPTER 2: PRESTIGE CLASSES

Table 2–17: The Tribal Protector

Class Base Fort Ref WillLevel Attack Bonus Save Save Save Special

1st +1 +2 +2 +0 Bonus feat, tribal enemy, homeland2nd +2 +3 +3 +0 Wild fighting3rd +3 +3 +3 +1 Terrain AC bonus +24th +4 +4 +4 +1 Smite 1/day5th +5 +4 +4 +1 Bonus feat6th +6 +5 +5 +2 Terrain AC bonus +37th +7 +5 +5 +2 Smite 2/day8th +8 +6 +6 +2 Terrain AC bonus +49th +9 +6 +6 +3 Bonus feat10th +10 +7 +7 +3 Smite 3/day

WARMASTER

On a green hill outside the Furyondan capital of Chendl sprawls a vast, white mansion surroundedby stables and fortifications. Most civilian passersbydeem it the home of some wealthy lord, but a prac-ticed military eye notes that many of the walls andcatapults face each other, not any outward threat.Also, military officers across the world recognize themansion as a hallowed training grounds: TheFuryondan College of War.Graduates of the College of Warcalled war-mastershave served Furyondy’s military forgenerations, providing most of the army’s high-ranking generals. Receiving an assignment to trainat the College of War is the best assignment a youngofficer can hope for, and those who excel in theharsh training there become a formidable presenceon the battlefield.Warmasters are generally drawn from the ranks of standing armies, so fighters predominate at theCollege of War. But the appointment process has apolitical aspect (as does everything else in Furyondy),so civilian “heroes of the realm” sometimes findthemselves training to become warmasters. Clericsand paladins of Heironeous and St. Cuthbert arecommon, but other classes are rare (every class at theCollege of War has at least a few wizards and rangers,however). Would-be warmasters are most oftenhuman, although every race is represented at theCollege of War.NPC warmasters are usually found at the head of an army, either on the march or defending a castle ata strategically important site. Most are eager to lenda hand to fellow warmasters; the college’s alumniform a loose “old soldier’s network.” Sometimes thebonds of comradeship even stretch across battlelines, although warmasters stress loyalty as aprimary virtue.This prestige class may not be suitable for allcampaigns, due to the responsibilities that warmas-ters have thrust on them and the complexitiesinvolved in maintaining a keep or castle. As in allthings, your DM decides on the viability of this classin your game.

Hit Die:

d10.

Requirements

To qualify to become a warmaster, a character mustfulfill all the following criteria.

Base Attack Bonus:

+7.

Diplomacy:

5 ranks.

Alignment:

Any nonchaotic, nonevil.

Feats:

Leadership (found in the

UNGEON

ASTER

’sGuide

), Martial Weapon Proficiency, WeaponSpecialization.

Class Skills

The warmaster’s class skills are Bluff (Cha), Craft(Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Knowl-edge (Int), Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex), SenseMotive (Cha). See the

Player’s Handbook,

Chapter 4,for skill descriptions.Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier.

Class Features

Brotherhood:

Warmasters are a fraternal organiza-tion, and members are generally willing to lend a handto their fellows. You gain a +4 competence bonus toDiplomacy checks made to influence other warmas-ters. This is a two-way street: You are expected to treatother warmasters honorably and charitably.

Leadership Bonus:

Warmasters earn bonuses totheir leadership level (character level + Cha bonus),enabling them to attract more powerful cohorts andfollowers when they use the Leadership feat uponearning a new level.

Battle Cry:

When your shout rings across the battle-field, it lifts the spirits of your allies. This ability func-tions as the bard’s inspire courage ability, found onpage 28 of the

Player’s Handbook

. This bonus lasts anumber of rounds equal to your Charisma bonus, and

CHAPTER 2: PRESTIGE CLASSES

Table 2–18: The Warmaster

Class Base Fort Ref WillLevel Attack Bonus Save Save Save Special

1st +1 +2 +0 +0 Brotherhood, Leadership bonus +12nd +2 +3 +0 +0 Battle cry3rd +3 +3 +1 +1 Direct troops, Leadership bonus +24th +4 +4 +1 +1 Tower, rally troops5th +5 +4 +1 +1 Hard march, Leadership bonus +36th +6 +5 +2 +2 Keep7th +7 +5 +2 +2 Battle standard, Leadership bonus +48th +8 +6 +2 +2 Castle9th +9 +6 +3 +3 Die for your country, Leadership bonus +510th +10 +7 +3 +3 Huge castle

you can shout a battle cry once per day for every levelof warmaster you have attained.

Direct Troops:

As a full-round action, you cangive compelling directions. You can bestow a +2competence bonus on either attacks or skillchecks to all allies within 30 feet. This bonuslasts a number of rounds equal to yourCharisma bonus.

Tower:

An organizationaffiliated with you (thearmy or an important lord,for example) has offered tobuild you a tower in a mutuallyagreeable location. As longas you upholdthe ideals of the organiza-tion involved,you can managethe affairs of the tower asyou wish, al-though youare respon-sible for up-keep costs. Atower is around orsquare, three-level buildingmade of stone.

Rally Troops:

Your presence isenough to grant anyallies within 30 feeta second savingthrow against

fear

and charm effectsthat they havealready succumbedto. Even if they fail thesecond saving throw, any

fear

effects are lesssevere: panicked characters are only frightened,frightened characters are only shaken, and shakencharacters are unaffected.

Hard March:

You can exhort your troops to marchfaster. Anyone traveling with you gains a +4 moralebonus to Constitution checks required for making aforced march or any other task requiring extendedexertion. Animals are not affected.

Keep:

As “Tower” above. A keep is a fortified stonebuilding with fifteen to twenty-five rooms.

Battle Standard:

The mere sight of your coat of arms or other heraldic display is enough to turn thetide of battle. Allies within 30 feet of your standardgain the effects of both Battle Cry and Rally Troops(above) as long as the standard is within range andheld by you. If your standard is captured in battle, allallies within range aware of its loss suffer a –1 moralepenalty to attacks and damage until it isrecovered in addition tolosing the benefitsdescribed above.

Castle:

As“Tower” above.A castle is a keep(also above) sur-rounded by a 15-foot-high stonewall with fourtowers. The wallis 10



thick.

Die for YourCountry:

Yourpresence inspiresyour troops tomake the ulti-mate sacri-fice for yourcause. Anyallies with-in 30 feetof you cancontinue tofight whiledisabled ordying withoutpenalty. Theycontinue untilthey reach –10hit points.

Huge Castle:

As“Tower” above. Thislarge complex has numer-ous associated buildings(stables, a forge, granaries, etc.), andan elaborate 20-foot-high, 10-foot-thick wall creating bailey and courtyard areas. Thewall has six towers.

WEAPON MASTER

The monk, the red avenger, the drunken master, andthe master samurai all harness

energy as part of theirmartial disciplines; they are not, however, the onlysuch persons to do so. Some pursue the study of

bymastering a single melee weapon. To unite this weaponof choice with the body, to make them one, to use theweapon as naturally and without thought as any otherlimb, is the goal of weapon master.Monks who follow this path may choose unarmedattacks or the kama, nunchaku, siangham (see the

CHAPTER 2: PRESTIGE CLASSES

See Complete Warrior

Player’s Handbook,

Chapter 7) or the three-section staff (see Chapter 5 of this book) as their weapon of choice.In order to gain any of the special abilities of theweapon master class, you must use your weapon of choice. Once chosen, the weapon of choice cannot belater changed.This does not mean that, if your weapon of choice isthe longsword, you can only use the longsword youowned when you first became a weapon master. Theonly material requirement for the class is a masterworkversion of your weapon. It means you can use anymasterwork longsword and gain the benefits of theweapon master.If you use any other weapon, you can use none of thespecial abilities of the prestige class.

HitDie

: d10.

Requirements

To qualify to become a weapon master, a charactermust fulfill all the following criteria:

BaseAttack Bonus:

+5.

Intimidate:

4 ranks.

Proficiency

: With your weapon of choice.

Weapon

: Masterwork weapon (unless unarmed).

Feats

: Dodge, Mobility, Combat Reflexes, Expertise,Weapon Focus, Whirlwind Attack, Dex 13+.

Class Skills

The weapon master’s class skills (and the key abilityfor each skill) are: Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge(weaponry) (Int), Listen (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis),and Spot (Wis). See Chapter 4: Skills in the

Player’sHandbook

for skill descriptions.Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.

Class Features

Damage:

After you score a hit with your weaponof choice, you do not roll dice to determine thedamage. Instead, you figure the normal maximumdamage (not a critical hit) you can inflict with thatweapon and do that much damage to the target.Assume you use a longsword, have a base attack bonusof +7, and possess a 17 Strength. A longsword does 1d8damage, so its maximum damage is 8 points. YourStrength modifier is +3, so add that for a total of 11.Additional damage, such as from using the PowerAttack feat (following all the rules for it normally) andthe sneak attack ability are determined normally; theyare not maximized. This ability cannot be used whenyou roll a successful critical hit.

Increased Multiplier:

Determine the standardcritical multiplier for your weapon of choice. Withthis ability, you can increase that multiplier by +1.For example, the longsword has a critical multiplierof

2. Using this ability, you can increase that multi-plier to

3 (2+1=3) once per day at 2nd level. Youmust declare the use of this ability before you rollany damage dice.

SuperiorWeaponFocus:

Stacking with any existingWeapon Focus bonus, this adds an additional +1 to allattack rolls with the weapon master’s weapon of choice.

Superior Combat Reflexes:

This ability lets youmake a total number of attacks of opportunity in around equal to your Dexterity modifier plus yourWisdom modifier.

Critical:

Gain the Improved Critical feat forfree. If you already possess this feat, add an addi-tional +2 to your weapon of choice’s threat range forcritical hits.

Whirlwind:

You can make a Whirlwind Attackas a standard action rather than a full attack action.

Multiclass Note:

Monk characters can freely multi-class with this class. In other words, you can give yourmonk PC a weapon master level, then return to themonk class for your next level, take a weapon masterlevel after that, and so on.

CHAPTER 2: PRESTIGE CLASSES

Table 2–19: The Weapon Master

Class Base Fort Ref WillLevel Attack Bonus Save Save Save Special

1st +1 +0 +2 +0

damage 1/day/level2nd +2 +0 +3 +0 Increased multiplier 1/day3rd +3 +1 +3 +1 Superior Weapon Focus4th +4 +1 +4 +1 Increased multiplier 2/day5th +5 +1 +4 +1 Superior Combat Reflexes6th +6 +2 +5 +2 Increased multiplier 3/day7th +7 +2 +5 +2

critical8th +8 +2 +6 +2 Increased multiplier 4/day9th +9 +3 +6 +3

Whirlwind Attack10th +10 +3 +7 +3 Increased multiplier 5/day

hapter3:WOrldlyMatters

Thus far, this book has provided you with new featsand prestige classes to add to your campaign. Both newfeats and classes represent new rules and new optionsfor your PCs. We would be amiss, however, if we didnot provide some context in which you take full advan-tage of these rules: hence, this chapter. Here we exam-ine the roles of fighters and monks in the campaignworld, how both players and DMs can adjust thoseroles, and several groups to which fighters and monks,be they PC or NPC, can join and which DMs can addto their campaigns.

FIGHTERS AND MONKSAND THEWORLD THEY LIVE IN

“Everybody’s got an agenda: everybody.”Tordek

No character exists in a vacuum. One cannot help butbe affected by, and take account of, the world aroundoneself. This becomes doubly true for player charac-ters, since their stock-in-trade requires that they inter-act with their surroundings with more car and concernthan normal folks. Peasants, fishermen, andeven nobles do not seek out the variedand dangerous situations intowhich PCs constantly find them-selves. Whether the adventurerfinds herself in town or dungeon, forestor desert, the world and its variouselementspeople, monsters, buildings, geogra-phy, climate, religion, and customsinforms herchoices and options, and affects her adventuringcareer, and those of her companions.

The Fighter and the World

Whether you play a fighter who plays the role of honorable knight-errant or callous mercenary,gallant cavalier or king of the highwaymen,the world in which you adventure andlive has an impact on your choices andalternatives. A common stereotypedogs many fighter characters: Theordinary person whose only contri-bution to the party involves the abil-ity to swing a sword. While a sword(or an axe, mace, or halberd) is unar-guably a fighter’s most obvious roleduring a game session, consider howthe fighter’s relations to the world around him mightaffect this stereotype.Fighters who exist in campaign worlds in whichwizards and sorcerers are the dominant power mayfind themselves relegated to roles of a more support-ing nature, protecting the arcane spellcasters fromharm so that they can rain destruction down on theenemy from a distance. In other campaigns, religioncomprises the dominant factor in the world, and cler-ics are the primary movers and shakers. Fighters areoften members of the church or even the clergywhen this condition prevails, acting as templars andreligious guardians.Most fighters do not have any structural organiza-tions built into their class; unlike paladins and clerics,they belong to no hierarchy, no group larger than theparty itself. Although they may worship a particulardeity, follow a certain noble leader, or devote them-selves to a personal cause, they are generally left tomake their own way in the world without benefit of any such hierarchies on which they rely for supportand resources. More often than not, fighters are ex-soldiers or ex-mercenaries, selling their martialprowess for money.Sometimes, however, fighters are in fact able tofound or become members of organizations, frater-nities, or societies expressly forwarriors. Perhaps your fighterjoins a knightly order,such as the

CHAPTER 3: WORLDLY MATTERS

Knights of the Watch (see page 47), or purchasesentry into a large mercenary company. He mighteven demonstrate his worth to an individual of highstation, such as a noble or a high priestess, and so beinvited to join a retinue as a privileged bodyguard orspecial agent. Such circumstances often alter thefighter’s role within the adventuring party, becausethe fighter no longer exists solely for kicking indoors and bashing monsters. He now possessesresponsibilities and commitments beyond those tohis adventuring comrades, and this leads both tonew adventuring opportunities and internal disputesfor the party at large.

Adventuring Roles

Nearly every fighter who elects to pursue adventuringas a regular enterprise has the same role to play in theirrespective parties: They are the first to fight, whethereliminating opposing creatures or defending theircomrades from attack. This should come as anysurprise, for no other character class has better generalfighting capabilities than the fighter. Below are a fewbrief ideas for fighters’ roles beyond just door-smasherand orc-basher. (For even more on PC backgrounds,see the

Hero Builder’s Guidebook

Professional Soldier:

This fighter serves in thestanding army or constabulary of some higherauthority, often a member of the nobility or even acommunity. He generally accompanies adventuringparties at the request of his employer, often toensure that the (untrustworthy?) hired adventurersaccomplish the goals for which they werecontracted, or to provide additional martial supportto achieve their missions.

Mercenary:

Like the soldier, this sort of fightertrades his skills for pay, but usually on a much moretemporary basis. He normally contracts to provide hisservices for a specified amount of time, although occa-sionally the period of service can be indefinite. Merce-naries often join up with adventuring parties whenthey are between contracts, and usually for a predeter-mined share in the loot.

Knight:

This is a special type of fighter. Hebelongs to a knightly order, and swears to uphold aset of ideals or an ethos that the organization prizes.Knights frequently join adventuring parties that areengaged in missions which support the order’s goals,or that espouse ideals that reflect (or at least do notconflict with) those of the order.

Racial Issues

No discussion of any classes is complete without alsodiscussing the template for all player characters: race.Racial issues play a part both when designing a PC andwhen playing one during the game.

Dwarf:

The dwarf is the quintessential choice forthe fighter class. If you play a dwarf fighter, realizethat you have a considerable advantage due to thevery nature of the dwarf. Although you do not gainthe extra feat allotted to humans, you enjoy thesignificant benefits of darkvision, a bonus to yourConstitution ability score, and the not-inconsider-able advantage of an improved attack bonus andArmor Class against certain types of creatures (suchas giants). Feats such as Weapon Focus, PowerAttack, Cleave, and Improved Bull Rush are allexcellent choices that complement the dwarf’sracial assets.

Elf:

The elf’s Dexterity score bonus often means thatelf fighters often take Weapon Finesse as a feat early intheir careers. Likewise, elf fighters often concentrateon ranged weapons, such as the longbow, rather thanon melee weapons. Thus, feats such as Point BlankShot, Precise Shot, Far Shot, and others also qualify assound choices.

Gnome:

The Gnome’s Strength penalty often meansthat the gnome fighter’s Strength may be less thanoptimal. However, the racial bonus to Constitutionscore offsets this. This can be further enhanced withthe Toughness feat and its stackable effect.

Half-Elf:

It seems at first glance that only thebravest player would play a half-elf fighter. The racesuffers from a complete lack of ability score bonusesand it boasts no racial bonuses to attack rolls, saving

CHAPTER 3: WORLDLY MATTERS

throws, or Armor Class. However, a half-elf fighterremains a viable choice, provided you note thefactors mentioned above. The half-elf suffers fromno ability score penalties, which means if you rolleda pair of 16s as your highest ability scores, your half-elf fighter keeps them both, rather than ending upwith one likely reduced to a 14. But perhaps the half-elf’s greatest advantage is that she can multiclasswithout suffering an XP penalty for her highest-level class, because all classes are her favored class.This benefit, shared only with humans, sets the half-elf apart from all the other races, including that of the elf parent.

Halfling:

Like the elf, the halfling fighter oftenmakes great use of the improved Dexterity score bytaking Weapon Finesse as an early feat. Their small sizegives them a benefit to Armor Class, and this traitcombined with a high Dexterity score sometimesallows the halfling fighter to start out with less expen-sive and lighter armor, thus keeping the halfling fromsuffering movement penalties due to heavy armor. Thehalfling’s bonus to attack rolls with thrown weaponsmakes a dagger, a hand axe, or a sling good choices fora short-range weapon.

Half-Orc:

The half-orc’s Strength score bonusmakes him an ideal candidate for the fighter class.The darkvision racial ability can be invaluable whenadventuring underground. Unfortunately, the half-orc suffers a penalty to his Intelligence ability score,which means fewer skill points and lower skill totals;although, when you have a 20 Strength score, few maycare about your skill totals.

Human:

With the extra feat at 1st level, and theadditional feats granted to the fighter class, humanfighters are obvious, excellent charac-ters. The number of feats grantedto such characters allowstheir creator, player orDM, to customize thehuman fighter intoa number of configura-tions.Pursuing the feat paths that begin with Dodge, Exper-tise, Point Blank Shot, Mounted Combat, and PowerAttack all evolve the character in different directions.

The Monk and the World

Monks also too often fit neatly into a stereotypicalmold: The introspective ascetic who, when notadventuring, pursues a life of inward contemplationin search of spiritual fulfillment. The typical adven-turer monk tends to be reserved, spiritual, and capa-ble of delivering an unarmed attack or a snippet of Zen with equal ease. However, the monk exists formore than merely the quest for physical and spiritualperfection. Like the fighter, the monk is a master of combat, striking swiftly with her bare hands and feet,or sometimes with specialized weapons. While gener-ally incapable of absorbing the same punishingamount of damage a fighter can bear, monks eventuallyneed not be concerned about this since they developseveral class abilities that help them avoid being hitat all.Monks usually participate in some sort of struc-tured life, whether as a member of a monastery, atemple, or some other organization. Sometimes thisstructure exists primarily to instill in its memberscertain beliefs or values, enabling the monk to inter-act with the outside world in a relatively normallyfashion, provided she follows the prescribed code of behavior or other system of ethics. In some instances,the structure resembles a more formal hierarchy,obliging the monk to accept orders and tasks fromthose individuals who occupy the ranks above her. Inboth cases the monk relies on this organization forsome amount of support and resources, the exactdetails of which varies according to the nature of thestructure itself.

Adventuring Roles

Sometimes it requires a stretch of the imagination torationalize why a monk, who ostensibly desires noth-ing more than to attain a near-mythical perfectunion of mind, body, and spirit, would ever leave hertemple to undertake an enterprise as distracting andperilous as adventuring. Every day spent helping hercomrades raid a dungeon of its treasures, or defend-ing a village from marauding humanoids, is a daythat she does not immerse herself in the studies andpractices that are

de rigueur

for an individualwith such goals.Or is it? Some monkish traditions teachthat the world is an exemplary classroom,and that each person, place, and event has alesson to teach, the learning of which can bean invaluable aid in helping the monk perceiveher true place in the cosmos. Other traditionsencourage monks to leave their monasteries for

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a period of time in order to give a frame of reference totheir studies, to see what other people deem importantenough to strive toward. Below are few roles monks inyour game can exemplify.

Penitent:

This type of monk undertakes, voluntarilyor otherwise, a quest or other activity outside hermonastery to compensate for some fault or flaw. Thisshortcoming can be real or imagined, and its signifi-cance varies with the nature of the teachings the monkpursues. Sometimes the penitent joins an adventuringcompany in order to learn a particular lesson aboutherself or the world at large.

Zen Master:

This variety of monk joins adventur-ing companies primarily because she believes that avital part of her attempts to achieve her ultimate goalsof physical and spiritual perfection lie on the chal-lenges faced by such groups. She sees adventuring asan opportunity to hone and perfect her martial skillsunder duress.

Spiritual Advisor:

Spiritual advisors usually joinadventuring companies because they believe stronglythat one or more of its members benefit significantlyfrom her presence. Perhaps the monk is charged withmentoring a member of the party who herself may bea prospective candidate for becoming a monk, orperhaps the monk has decided to take an individualwith a promising but unstructured mind under herwing and teach her the benefits of the monk’s chosenspiritual doctrine and discipline.

Spiritual Enforcer:

This type of monk joins anadventuring party only on a temporary basis. She hasbeen charged, either by her monastery or by her ownconscience, to share in the party’s mission because itsupports the goals of her organization or ethos. Monksof this sort are often single-minded in the pursuit of their goal, but they lend invaluable resources and skillsto the party.

Racial Issues

Even more so than with fighters, the a monk charac-ter’s race often impacts not only the combat capabili-ties of the character, but the PC’s role in the group aswell. Rules for Small and Medium-size monks are inthe

Player’s Handbook,

and rules for larger monks arefound on page 61 of this book.

Elf:

The elven mind is well suited to the extendedpursuit of goals, even if the agenda remains some-what esoteric (as in the case of many monastic teach-ings). The elf’s Dexterity bonus is an obvious advan-tage to the monk, who must rely on speed for bothattack and defense, particularly at lower levels.Weapon Finesse and Improved Initiative are goodfeat choices.

Dwarf:

The dwarven mindset usually does notinclude the outlook and traits that make for asuccessful monk. Dwarf monks seldom succeed.However, if this appeals to you, work with your DMto establish a suitable rationale for your character toexplore this alternative. Keep in mind that yourdwarf character may suffer some roleplaying reper-cussions for choosing to devote himself to themonastic life. In particular, his family, clan, orcommunity may take issue with his decision, andostracize him (or worse). For such a role, a defensivefeat such as Expertise may apply.

Gnome:

Few gnomes have the disposition toundertake long periods of training within amonastery, and even fewer care to suffer from thediminished damage and speed scores that the monkclass inflicts on them due to their size. Hence, veryfew gnomes are found among the ranks of monks.However, it is possible for a gnome to be a monk, andeven to excel at it, provided he finds a means(perhaps magical) to compensate for the lower traits.One such means involves choosing to fight with themonkish weapons that allow him to attack as if hewere unarmed, thus using the better attack rate andbonus of his class.

Half-Elf:

Half-elves raised among human commu-nities have no difficulties in accepting the constraintsand lifestyle of the monastery. Half-elves who grow upin elven communities are usually no more or lesslikely to become monks than the elves with whomthey are raised.

Halfling:

Like the gnome, the halfling suffers areduction to his damage and speed scores, making themonk class less attractive than others. More impor-tantly, halfling culture rarely produces individualswho are suited to the rigid and often stationery natureof monastic life. Halflings do not normally thrivewhen confined to a single location, or when obliged todevote themselves to long-term, single-mindedcontemplation of a single interest or regimen.

Half-Orc:

Those half-orcs who are raised withinhuman society, or at least in such a manner that theiroutlook is more human than orc, have as little troubleaccepting the monastic rigors as humans do. Half-orcswho are raised outside human communities, however,seldom develop the patience or self-awareness neces-sary to become a successful monk.

Human:

The nature of humans makes themmuch more suited to the monastic life than mostother races, and it is for this reason that most monksare humans.

ORGANIZATIONS: A LITTLEHELP FROM MY FRIENDS

It never hurts to have a little help when facing downthe dangers of the big, bad world. Your character neednot go into peril alone: The organizations listed belowprovide your character with resources, support, and

information that may just give him the edge he needswhen the chips are down.

Using Organizationsin the Campaign

Each organization has its own structure, membershiprequirements, goals, and features. They are designed tofit easily into any campaign world or setting. However,not every organization may work equally well withyour campaign and playing style. Players and the DMshould work together to identify any potential prob-lems with any organization that appeals to you, andthen revise the details of the organization so that itmeshes more smoothly with your setting.You might decide that the Knight Protectors of theGreat Kingdom fits exactly the kind of organizationthat your 5th-level fighter would attempt to join, butmaybe a decaying remnant of a once-powerful nationdoes not in your campaign world. No problem: If everyone agrees, you can establish an alternate originfor the organization, drawing on the history of yoursetting to provide an alternate explanation for theProtector’s background, and giving the organizationnew goals to pursue.Note that several organizations presented here alsohave prestige classes defined in Chapter Two. Playersand DMs are encouraged to use both when bothappear here, or to create a class or an organization inthe instances where only one or the other is defined inthis book.Also, entrance into these groups is not solely theprovince of fighters and monks, but such charac-ters do comprise a significant portion of thesegroups’ membership.

The Fists of Hextor

“

Might makes right. It also makes a pretty good living

.”The time often comes when even the most tyranni-cal despot may face military challenges that cannotbe overcome by the strength of his own army.Humanoid invasions, organized insurrection, andeven well-supported peasant uprisings have toppledmore than one evil but civilized monarch wholacked the might to restore order in his own de-mesne. Fortunately, support can be found for thediscriminating tyrant, provided he can pay the price.If he can afford them, he just might be able to hiresome of the most infamously brutal mercenariesever known: The Fists of Hextor.Created and supported by the Church of Hextor, theFists of Hextor are considered part of its clergy. Theyserve the Scourge of Battle by fighting only in thosecauses approved and sanctioned by Hextor’s priests.Well-known both for their efficient brutality and theirstrict adherence to any bargain struck, those who wouldhire the Fists of Hextor must take care to stipulate theterms of their employment most carefully, lest they findthemselves the victim of an unfortunate misunder-standing. (An infamous disagreement between the Fistsof Hextor and a past employer resulted in the merce-naries’ sudden withdrawal from the field of battle at acrucial moment, leaving their

former

employer to thetender mercies of his opponents.)Those who would hire any number of Fists of Hextor must first approach the Church of Hextorand establish the nature of their cause to the satisfac-tion of its Discordians (priesthood). Generally, aprospective employer must demonstrate that thefighting to be undertaken by the Fists of Hextorserves, or at least does not conflict with, Hextor’sdogma. Those who seek to crush unlawful rebellions,thwart the random savagery of humanoid invasion,or restore the rule of law to uncivilized lands aretypical of the sort of employers the Discordiansaccept on behalf of the Fists of Hextor. The moreruthlessly tyrannical the supplicant, the more likelyhis request is to be granted.An explicit agreement is then drawn up by theChurch, and signed by the highest-ranking priest inthe vicinity and the Fists’ of Hextor employer, who arewarned to honor the exact terms of the contract inorder to avoid conflict with both the Fists of Hextorand the Church. (Unsurprisingly, not every employerwho prevails with the help of the Fists of Hextor hasbeen happy in his victory.)

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Employers who violate a contract suffer not only theobvious consequences, but are never permitted to hirethe Fists of Hextor again. Finally, the Church requiresa substantial tithe in return for providing its mostskilled warriors for the cause in question.The exact price depends on a variety of circum-stances, including the immediate needs of the Church,the number of Fists of Hextor required, the nature of the fight ahead (battles for causes deemed pleasing toHextor often require a smaller tithe), and the hazardsto be faced. Any agreement that brings the Fists of Hextor into conflict with the Church of Heironeous isalmost certain to be approved with alacrity. If anemployer possesses both good fortune and a deeppurse, he hopes that a Patriarch-General, a battle-scourge of truly formidable power, leads the Fists of Hextor he hires.Once engaged, the Fists of Hextor fight with cold,merciless efficiency. They pursue they their goalwith single-mindedness and an unbridled ferocitythat has earned them a reputation for cruelty. Fistsof Hextor continue to fight until the opponent isdefeated, the terms of their agreement are fulfilled,or the contract is terminated. In no event do theFists of Hextor quit the battlefield for any othereventuality. They are quite prepared to die in theservice of the Champion of Evil. A martial faith, theChurch expects the Fists of Hextor to prevail evenagainst considerable hardship, and to employ anymethods necessary to ensure victory. Failure is nottolerated, which is undoubtedly the chief reasonthe Fists of Hextor are so zealous in their pursuit of success in warfare: Should they fail to achieve theirdesignated objective, a fate far worse than an honor-able death in battle awaits them upon their return totheir church fathers.Becoming a member of this infamous fraternity of lethal mercenaries is no less difficult task thanattempting to hire them. Those who would join mustfirst seek out a temple dedicated to Hextor and pres-ent themselves to the clergy in charge of recruit-ment. Obtaining an audience with these clericsrequires little, but what follows is always arduousand sometimes fatal. Hextor’s clergy have no need of run-of-the-mill cutthroats or brigands: They desireonly the most callous and brutal soldiers. Candidatesmust prove themselves by undergoing a series of rigorous and sometimes sadistic tests, known collec-tively as the Trials of Hextor. The Trials are designedto weed out the faint-hearted and weak-willed fromthe suitable applicants. The Trials require the appli-cant to inflict what can only be termed casual brutal-ity and suffering, and sometimes even death, ontargets chosen by the recruiting clergy. The Churchof Hextor believes firmly that the Trials allow appli-cants to demonstrate the proper attitude and resolvenecessary for inclusion in the ranks of the Fists of Hextor. The Trials also have the incidental benefit of exposing any infiltrators who might think to gainadmission into the organization and spy or wreakhavoc from within. More than one brave paladin orcavalier has revealed himself for what he was byrefusing to participate in the slaughters and indigni-ties required of potential Fists of Hextor, so consign-ing themselves to death rather than a violation of their principles or moral codes. The horrific detailsare left to each campaign to determine.After an applicant has satisfied the recruitingclergy of her worthiness, she enters the same templeof Hextor where she first sought the honor of becoming a Fist of Hextor, to await the time of theinduction ceremony. The Church of Hextor inductsnew Fists of Hextor only at certain times of the yearthat conform to the deity’s holy days, and theaccepted applicants must await these appointedtimes confined within the temple structure. They areunable to exit, even as far as the immediate exteriorgrounds, on pain of death.While awaiting induction, they pass their days receiv-ing tutelage in the religious dogma of Hextor from therecruiting clergy, and performing whatever menial ordegrading tasks the clerics set before them (as furtherproof of their devotion to Hextor, of course).When the time of induction arrives, the clergycollect the current candidates and take them to theplace of ceremony, often a remote and isolated loca-tion some distance from the temple, though some of the larger and more prosperous temples of Hextorboast ceremonial sites within their very walls. (Theseare usually located far below the main floors, todeaden the sounds that the ceremony produces.) Theinduction ceremony is rumored to be so cruel andinhuman that it forever changes the outlook of thesurvivors. Those who survive become Fists of Hextor. Folk speak in hushed tones, with many aparanoid glance over their shoulders, of humansacrifice, ritualistic murders, and orgies of bloodshedso vile as to make what the Fists of Hextor perpetrateon the field of battle seem a stroll in a summermeadow by comparison. However, since the Fists of Hextor and the clergy of Hextor are forbidden tospeak of the ceremony to anyone outside the Churchstructure, no concrete details are known. What factsreveal are merely the visible evidence: the candi-dates who survive the ceremony to become full-fledged Fists of Hextor invariably emerge from theinduction ceremony bearing hideous scars on theirfaces, necks, and arms. These, too, remain unex-plained by those who bear them, though it is notunknown for the expression of a Fist of Hextor whois questioned about them to linger somewherebetween pride and fear.

CHAPTER 3: WORLDLY MATTERS

The Knight Protectorsof the Great Kingdom

“

Good sir, you bar me from my sworn duty: Either standaside, or draw your sword

.”Moral decay. Corrupted ethics. Tainted honor. Theseare the enemies of the Knight Protectors, and to eradi-cating such foes, the order devotes its days and knightswith fanatical zeal. The Protectors believe that onlythey stand between the world and its ruination at thehands of these foul opponents, and that they cansucceed only by restoring the glory of that which hasbeen lost.Of all the orders of knighthood in the long historyof the world, none has been acknowledged as greaterthan the fabled Knight Protectors of the Great King-dom. Once many hundreds in number, their member-ship has since dwindled to a paltry few, with perhapsno more than two dozen surviving to the present day.Throughout their long history, they have been formi-dable warriors with a matchless reputation for courageand honor. They have become the model for innumer-able orders of knighthood that have since sprung up intheir wake to imitate their example. Their legends stillpermeate the cultures of all the former provinces of the Great Kingdom. From its inception, the order wasunique in the Great Kingdom in that the KnightProtectors chose their own membership throughcontests of skill and courage. Positions were notappointed, nor could they be bought. They numberedboth Heironeans and Hextorians in their ranks, andwhile this produced strong rivalries, deadly conflictswere few.The goal of the order in former days was always aunited and protected Great Kingdom under an honor-able monarch. Alas, the order’s high ideals did not lastand the order declined, speeding the Great Kingdom’sfall from its lofty position until it became a mereshadow of its former self, and then fell into dissolu-tion. Today, the Protectors cling desperately to thehope that the return of Great Kingdom will save theworld from its current state of moral collapse, andbring order, peace, and prosperity to its subjects.The first element in the Protectors’ attempt toachieve their goal involves modeling their behaviorafter what is still known about their predecessors’ codeof honor, expecting others to heed their example andemulate their conduct. The second, and far moredangerous, part of their plan includes challengingthose creatures, individuals, and even institutions thatthe order considers to be contributing factors to thedecline of civilization. The final aspect of their plan islocating a true descendant of the Great Kingdom’s lastmonarch and restoring that individual to the throne of the bygone nation.Exactly how this final element of the plan may beachieved is less than certain. The Protectors do notknow, exactly, where such a person might be found!Rumors circulate among the Knights that the chief of their order has obtained a crucial clue that mayenable him to identify an heir to the Kingdom, andthat he is directing the order’s current missionstoward that end.Knight Protectors of the Great Kingdom are knownto be in Ratik, mostly refugees from the Bone March,where Clement was a powerful member of the order.The Knight Protectors once resided in Chathold butnow wander the Kingdom of Ahlissa. Some knightspurportedly are hiding in the Grandwood and AdriForests, and a few joined the Iron League or foundrefuge among the lands of the Cranden. With theapparent passing of Ivid Vin Rauzes following thewars, some expect the Knight Protectors to emergefrom their dormancy and take a more active role inthe recovery of the Great Kingdom.Today, the Knight Protectors practice what theybelieve to be an accurate representation of the chival-ric code once espoused by their predecessors. Theirethos, while relatively simple in theory, but like anymoral code, can be difficult to apply consistentlyunder the pressures and rigors of life’s experiences.• Uphold the honor and good name of the GreatKingdom unto your last breath. Tolerate no disre-spect or mockery of neither the Kingdom nor yourstation. Demonstrate through force of arms theerror of those who would ridicule the most nobleand honorable of all nations and knightly orders. Itis better to die in service to the Kingdom and theorder than to suffer such indignities.• Defend those who cannot defend themselves. Takethe part of the weak and the helpless, and give suc-cor and support to those in need. Do not allow thestronger to take advantage of the weaker, nor allow

CHAPTER 3: WORLDLY MATTERS

yourself to be tempted down this path of dishonor-able accord.• Display honor and truth in all your dealings andbehaviors. Let it never be said that you told a lie,for lies corrupt the very foundation of our land.Make your word your bond, so that all may knowthat your oath, deed, and intent are the same.Give none cause to doubt neither your vow noryour honor.• Smite evil wherever it may be found, and stem thetide of chaos with your sword and body. Mete outjustice to those who perpetrate evil acts.• Bestow your loyalty to the head of the order, and fol-low his commands in all things. Unite in the face of adversity, and cleave to your fellow knights that youmay overcome any obstacle and defeat any chal-lenge. Only through unity and strength of purposeshall the future of the Kingdom prevail.Aspiring to such high-minded ideals is easy, but makingthem part of one’s everyday life is not. Nonetheless, thisvery challenge the Knights Protector must meet daily(and sometimes more frequently than that when theforces of adversity threaten his convictions).To join the Knight Protectors, a candidate must firstprove himself through feats of arms. Once each year,the Protectors hold a great melee at a location that theyconceal, lest their enemies discover them. This makesit rather difficult for prospective candidates to presentthemselves, but discovering and reaching the locationof the melee safely and without being followed is thevery first sign that a candidate may be worthy to join.The melee itself involves all manner of martial feats,lasting several days. Contestants take part in jousts,wrestling, challenges to single combat, weight lifting,archery, and horsemanship. Wounds and injuries arequite common as a result, but fatalities are rare indeed.The object of these trials is not to kill, but to demon-strate capability.But the ideal Knight Protector must be more thana mere soldier: His very existence should be abeacon of hope for those who also desire to see arestored and strong Great Kingdom, as well as tothose who prize goodness and order. To this end,candidates for knighthood must demonstrate morethan simple martial prowess. Any thug, after all, canswing a sword or hurl an axe. The applicants formembership are also required to display the lesstangible qualities of honor, obedience, mercy, andwisdom. It is for this reason that how a candidatecomports himself during the tests of skill, andindeed throughout the duration of the event, is atleast as important as how well he performs in thosetests. In the past, the Protectors have selected a candi-date whose feats of arms show morepromise than mas-tery, but who also demonstrates behavior that reflectsthe order’s cherished ideals. “One can be taughtswordsmanship, but honor cannot be learned” is someKnights’ motto during this event.Only a handful of candidates, if any, are selectedfrom each annual melee. Those who accept this invi-tation are assigned immediately to a Protector whoacts as the probationary member’s constant tutor,guide, and companion for a year and a day. Duringthis time, the two are inseparable: Where the elderknight goes, so goes the new member. Together theyundertake the duties and meet the challengesassigned to them by the order. Following the end of the prescribed training period, the elder knight mustrecommend to the order whether it should accepthis pupil as a full-fledged Knight Protector. Only themost unusual circumstances warrant this recom-mendation being refused: The only documentedinstance was when the order suspected (rightly, as itturned out) that the elder knight was forced undermagical duress to speak in favor of the candidate.New Knights undergo a brief ceremony duringwhich they receive the accolade that makes them afull member of the order.

The Knights of the Watch

“The code is all!”

The Knights of the Watch formed several centuriesago to defend the lands of their people against theincursions of the savage tribes who struck from thedry steppes to the extreme west. Built upon the foun-dation of an earlier organization that was based inGran March, the Watchers, as they came to beknown, were tasked with protecting the lands and folkof Keoland, Gran March, Bissel, and Geoff from themarauding Paynim nomads and westerlings. Theorganization maintains several castles, fortresses, andstrongholds along the border with Ket, as well as inthe western mountains, from which they launch theirconstant patrols of the border areas. The order’sstrongest bases of power can be found in GranMarch (Hookhill), Geoff (Hochoch), and Bissel(Pellak), though members of the knighthood aredrawn from the best and wisest of the landsthroughout the Sheldomar Valley.The peoples of the lands they guard recognize theKnights of the Watch as stalwart defenders of safetyand security, and some might even call them heroes.Most folk presume that the Watchers accomplishtheir goals solely through strength of arms, since theorder’s public image is little different from knightlyorders that do just that. When the citizenry standsaside to allow a coterie of mounted Watchers to passby, they see only the trappings of their outwardwarlike appearance: the well-polished and well-usedarms and armor; the magnificent war horses, the

CHAPTER 3: WORLDLY MATTERS

shields emblazoned with the silver owl(the Watcher’s coat of arms), and the alertexpressions on the faces of these coura-geous and resolute defenders of the land.They do not see what hides beneath thiscarefully contrived and maintainedpublic image.The Knights of the Watch are, in truth,devotees of a near-monastic school of philosophical teachings based on theancient writings of the philosopher-sageAzmarender, who first chronicled a codeof duty and belief known as the Twelveand Seven Precepts. The Twelve Preceptsgovern how a knight of the order carriesout his day-to-day activities, with a partic-ular eye toward traditions of battle: theseare the customs and rules by which theWatchers conduct their martial endeav-ors, and more besides. The Watchersstrive to imbue the essence of the Twelveinto every aspect of their lives, from themanner in which they interact with oneanother to the proper means of address-ing their protectorate, from the methodsby which they conduct their patrols andenter into armed conflict with the enemy.If one observes the Watchers carefullyover time, the patterns inherent theirbehaviors become evident, allowing oneto guess at the sort of counsel that someparts of the Twelve must offer.The Seven precepts, on the other hand,are said to guide “life beyond the self,”giving meaning to existence and theuniverse beyond the concerns of warfareand battle. While the Watchers’ outwardbehaviors might hint at the contents of the Twelve, they guard the nature of theSeven with jealous zeal. Indeed, so fanat-ical are the Watchers regarding thecontents of these latter teachings thatthey reveal them only in order, one byone, to the knights who advance instation through the ranks of the organiza-tion by dint of proven merit and demon-strated worth. The Seventh Precept itself is known only the knight who occupiesthe very highest level of knighthood thatcan be attained in the order: The Grandiose ImperialWyvern (currently the ailing Hugo of Geoff). Ahandful of sages have speculated, based on the rarefew scraps of writing from Azmarender’s pen thatexist outside the walls of the Watcher’s strongholds,that the Seventh reveals ancient secrets concerningthe establishment of Oerth itself. The only knownattempt to steal the secret of the Seventh Preceptoccurred a decade ago and met with spectacular fail-ure when the would-be thieves, who somehowmanaged to gain entry into the chambers of theGrand Imperial Wyvern himself, were unable todisarm the powerful magic protections that guardedtheir objective. The Watchers hung what remainedof their bodies from the ramparts of the stronghold,a grim reminder to all that the acquisition of knowl-edge often comes only through payment of ahideously steep price.As befits the mysticism that dwells at the heart of their organization, the Watchers are known inter-nally by a selection of fanciful titles. CommonKnights, the lowest in rank, are called Vigils, withminor ranks adding to the base title (Stalwart Vigil,Resilient Vigil, Radiant Vigil, etc.). As Knightsascend in rank, a number of adjectives are added totheir titles, with “vigil” replaced by the names of fantastic beasts (manticore, hippogriff, griffon, etc.),such that a mid-level commander is known as theMagnificent Elder Gorgon. Few outside the orderunderstand the ranking system of the Watchers, afact that gave rise to the peasant saying, “frightful asa Watcher’s title” to denote someone who wishes toappear grander than he truly is.

The Schism

Recent wars and their grim aftermath brought newand unwelcome developments to the knighthood: afractionalization of the order into two distinctbranches, the traditional Knights of the Watch and thenew Knights of Dispatch. The Watchers continuemuch as they always have, patrolling the borders of civilization and guarding its inhabitants against theassaults and incursions of the steppe raiders.The Dispatchers, however, have apparentlyeschewed the order’s traditional rites of battle, oftenforming themselves into small scouting bands torange within conquered Geoff (and, until recently,Sterich). The Knights of Dispatch have traded theirhatred of the west for a deep loathing of the maraud-ing humanoids who have caused their homelands somuch trouble in the last decade, and have vowed tocompletely exterminate these foul creatures wher-ever they might be found, and by whatever meansnecessary, including such tactics as ambushes,forbidden by the Twelve. The Dispatchers have alsobeen known to retreat from the field of battle if fortune goes against them, a direct contradiction of the Twelve’s commands.No small number of Watchers despise what theyperceive to be the cowardly tactics of the Dispatch-ers, and accuse the members of this offshoot order of turning their back on the Twelve and the Seven.Meanwhile, some Dispatchers disparage the members

CHAPTER 3: WORLDLY MATTERS

The Twelve

Address each Knight alwayswith his proper title, that wemay be reminded of the respectand honor due one another.Obey the Knight of higherstation in all things.Let the magnificence of ourarms and armor proclaim ourworthiness and readiness tothe world.Value the honor of our orderabove our personal honor;value our order above our lives.Render such aid to those inneed as to a fellow Knight;indulge the ignorant or witlesseven unto a fault, but suffer noslur or insult to our honor fromthose who lack such excuse.Assemble each day uponrising to partake of our fellow-ship, and to rededicate ourselvesto the Twelve and the Seven,which we pledge to defend evenat the cost of our lives.Never violate an oath youhave sworn. Never swear anoath you know you cannot keep.Engage the enemy forthrightlythat he may know the origin of his doom; set no ambush norindulge in any base trickery toovercome the foe.Give quarter to those whoyield and render up prisonersin honorable exchange.Let no patrol or command betainted with the stain of cow-ardice; once the enemy has beenengaged, let him fall under oursword or let us fall under his.Refuse no honorable truce orparley.Suffer not to shelter amongus any who would violate,ignore, or dishonor this code.

of the Watch as “hidebound has-beens” who havefailed to realize that the teachings of Azmarendercan survive and flourish only by adapting to the real-ities of the current times. The resentment betweensome members of both branches runs so deep that,when they meet open hostilities sometimes follow,to the dismay of the people whom both orders aresworn to protect.For reasons that are not clear to anyone, includingthe Knights, the leaders of both branches havepledged support for one another, and ordered theirmembers to cooperate. To make matters even morebewildering to protector and protected alike, bothbranches of the order continue to share the sameconfusing hierarchy,and the same coatof arms. Individualmembers can bedistinguished, how-ever, by their behav-ior: Only a few mo-ments of observationor conversation isnecessary to deter-mine whether oneaddresses a Watcheror a Dispatcher. Theformer acts and fightsin a manner largelydefined by his formalcode of conduct, whilethe latter behaves ina much more casualfashion.In order to jointhe Knights of theWatch, a candidatemust apply in person atthe stronghold of theGrandiose ImperialWyvern. The idealcandidate hailsfrom the SheldomarValley, but exceptionshave been made, particularly in the wake of the warsthat so sharply reduced the populations of manynations. An elite squad of Knights, hand-picked bythe Grandiose Imperial Wyvern himself, examinesand chooses candidates for admission into the order.The preliminary tests are exactly what one mightexpect from a martial order: feats of arms and tests of combat skill that pit the applicant against a variety of opponents. In former days, the Watchers tended tofavor trials that focused solely on physical fightingskills, but today, they have relaxed slightly to allowfor the fact that the best candidates for knighthoodmight bring other, non-martial, skills to the orderthat may prove equally useful. Thus, the order hasconcocted some preliminary trials that allow appli-cants whose primary talents lie in other directionsstealth, magic, and even song.Applicants who pass the initial tests are grantedpermission to remain at the stronghold while thereviewing knights consider the details of a confir-mation trial that befits the applicant’s capabilitiesand promise. Once the order determinesthe details of this second trial, theapplicant then spends three consec-utive days in the com-pany of a full-fledgedWatcher, who revealsto the applicant thelessons of the TwelvePrecepts and schoolsher in their historyand meaning. Theconfirmation trial isundertaken alone, asolo mission thatcan be as simple andquick as huntingdown and slaying anevil monster, or ascomplex and time con-suming as gatheringall the rare ingredientsfor a magic potion fromterritory occupied byalert, hostile forces. Theapplicant for knighthoodmust then demonstrate, tothe best of her ability,adherence to the Twelvethroughout the course of her confirmation trial.The reviewing Knightsobserve the applicant’sprogress through magi-cal means, evaluatingand appraising her perform-ance. They do not intervene with the trial, regardlessof the circumstances. The applicant can expect no aidfrom the Watchers during the time in which sheundertakes this test. Sometimes applicants perishwhile attempting to complete their confirmationtrial, and while the order mourns their deaths, itmaintains that an applicant’s demise gives credenceto her unworthiness to join the Knights of theWatch. An applicant is free to quit the confirmationtrial at any time, simply by announcing that sherelents and withdraws her candidacy for knight-hood. Those who do so are free from harassment or

CHAPTER 3: WORLDLY MATTERS

CHAPTER 3: WORLDLY MATTERS

scorn from the Watchersnot everyone is destinedfor knighthood, after allbut they are never permit-ted to apply a second time.

The Ravagers

“Your pleas for mercy only make me more angry.”

Fortunately for the more civilized areas of the world, thetotal number of individual Ravagers, a tight-knit groupof deadly marauders, remains relatively small, number-ing perhaps one hundred at most. However, these un-repentant slayersmake up in sheerferocity what theylack in numbers.Gathering in war-bands from as fewas three to as manyas two dozen, theystrike without warn-ing, descending onunsuspecting towns,villages, and hamlets,and sometimes evenupon isolated farm-steads or traveling cara-vans. Their violent dep-redations are made allthe more horrible bythe fact that their prin-ciple motives seem tobe maiming and killing,rather than theft or kid-napping or some othermore understandable (if detestable) reason.The Ravagers visitupon their unfortunatetargets a whirlwind of death and destructionthat apparently lacks anyidentifiable rationale. Theirmerciless attacks are oftenmistaken at first for the work of common brigands or banditsthatis, until their distinctive facial tattoos arevisible. Then their disheartened victims know thatthey face the Ravagers, but by then, it is already toolate. The slaughter has already started, and thedefenders must look to their lives as well as theirproperty.Survivors of Ravager attacks are few, but occasion-ally someone escapes, usually through sheer luck.They invariably report that the slayers attacked withunrepressed enthusiasm that borders on sadistic glee,but without any other sign of what prompts them toundertake such wholesale slaughter. A few survivorsclaimed that their communities attempted to surren-der to the marauders, only to have their overturescompletely ignored. The Ravagers are said bysurvivors to depart from the scene of their crimes asrapidly as they arrived, leaving death, despair, anddevastation in their wake. Indeed, some speculate thatthe spread of terror itself might be the Ravagers’ chief objective, for as like as not their warbands leavebehind any treasures or valuables that might havebeen theirs for the taking.Who are the Ravagers? That question always passesthe lips of their surviving victims, and lies upper-most in the minds of many anoble or monarch whoselands have suffered theirdepredations. If any havethe answer to thispressing question, orindeed any detailedknowledge of thesekillers, they are nottalking. (And if they did,the very slayers whosesecrets they revealedmight well silence themquickly.)The Ravagers make apoint of trusting noone outside their ownwarbands, and it isthought that, giventhe nature of theirdeeds, trust between indi-vidual Ravagers exists butrarely. What little is known of the Ravagers has yet to save asingle community fromtheir murderous inten-tions. Some good folkand rulers have con-sidered attempting toinfiltrate their ranks,but they admit thatsuch a plan remainsunlikely to succeed untilsomething more is known about the group’s motivesand whereabouts. Certainly any attempt to spy on theRavagers from within their number would be hazardousin the extreme to the agents who try it, but some mightconsider the risk worth the danger if the loss of life thisgroup inflicts could somehow be reduced or eliminated.Certainly, the reward for doing so would be nothing lessthan spectacular.Some say that the men and women who join theRavagers do so because they no longer revere life,

and this speculation is true, as far as it goes. Hatred,malice, and bitterness toward all other folk indeedseem to be the core of the Ravager’s beliefs andbehaviors, but underlying reasons for this truth areeven more dire. The Ravagers are nothing less thanan instrument of Erythnul, Deity of Slaughter, some-times called “The Many.” Some of the most thor-oughly evil and foul acts the world has ever knowncan be laid squarely at the feet of the Ravagers, allperpetrated to further Erythnul’s despicable ethos.Among their number are found some of the mostirredeemable and vile persons ever to walk freeunder the sun. Soldiers who betrayed their countryand oaths for profit, kidnappers who murdered theirvictims though the ransom was paid in full, massmurderers whose crimes are too heinous to mention;these the Ravagers accept into their warbandseagerly, for they are the ideal candidates to carryErythnul’s message of chaos and destruction intothe world. The Ravagers serve their master by foster-ing panic, malice, and ugliness wherever they go.They attack random targets, killing, maiming, loot-ing, and destroying at random, leaving behind asmuch chaos and horror as they can. Only theRavagers know of any purpose behind their terribleacts of malignant aggression.Since they would be hunted down and attacked atonce if they exposed themselves freely, the Ravagersdo not maintain a central base of operations. Indeed,most places of worship dedicated to Erythnul arehidden for the same reason. Communities of largersize sometimes have a small cult of his followershidden somewhere in the rougher parts of town,and occasionally these places function as safe havensfor a Ravager warband, but such permanent localesare rare.The warbands usually lead a semi-nomadic exis-tence, establishing more or less permanent encamp-ments hidden away in the wilderness and otherremote areas, from which they plan their savageraids. They occasionally enter towns and cities inwhich they know a secret temple dedicated toErythnul can be found, but they do so clandestinely,lest they be recognized and attacked for the murder-ous rogues that they are. On these occasions, theRavagers often receive supplies and equipment fromthe local clergy, and sometimes the clerics give themspecial assignments that single out persons or placesthat The Many would grant his very personal atten-tion. Those who are unfortunate enough to comeacross a Ravager encampment usually meet thesame fate as the Ravagers’ intended victims: TheDeity of Slaughter plays no favorites, and neither dohis instruments.This life of secrecy, skulking in the backcountry andmaintaining a low profile, makes locating the Ravagersdifficult not only for their would-beopponents, but also for those who mightseek to join them. Finding the Ravagersand living long enough to make one’sintention to join them clear are two verydifferent enterprises, and the small totalnumber of the organization serves astestimony to the difficulty of both tasks.Though some folk whisper of Ravagerwarbands that function as press gangs,kidnapping new recruits from remotevillages or stealing young children fromtheir beds to raise as new members, theserumors are unfounded. The Ravagershave no need of resorting to suchextreme measures in order to secure newrecruits. The sad fact is that the Ravagersknow that the infamy of their deedsinevitably attract those like-minded indi-viduals for whom the deeds of theRavagers seem an appealing way of life.When a prospective member ap-proaches a warband and makes hisintention known, the Ravagers’ stan-dard tactic involves attacking him

enmasse

. If the newcomer holds his ownfor a predetermined period of time(usually between 3 and 10 rounds,depending on the size of the warbandand the relative ruthlessness of theleader), he earns a shot at becoming aRavager; otherwise, he earns only ashallow grave. The warband then choosesone of its own at random to meet theapplicant in single combat, no holdsbarred with the exception of spell casting,for they firmly believe that any Ravagershould be able to win a place throughforce of arms alone. If the newcomerwinsthe fight is always to the death

CHAPTER 3: WORLDLY MATTERS

Red Avengersin Your Game

At first glance, it may seem likethe DM who wishes to includethe Red or White clan in thecampaign has no choice but toinclude the other as well. Eitherclan

can

be incorporated intoyour game without the other. Inthe case of the Red Avengers,simply exchange the clan’srivalry with the White clan foran organization, person, orcreature that meshes morecomfortably with your plans.For example, you could chooseto make a particular city,nation, or race the focus of theRed Avenger’s hatred. Maybethe organization lives todestroy every last descendentof a dwarf king who double-crossed them centuries ago.Perhaps the Red Avengers’secrets were stolen recently bya particular thieves’ guild orcabal of sorcerers, and the clanwill not rest until it recoverstheir lost property and pun-ishes the thieves in an appro-priately gruesome and finalfashion. The Red Avenger clancould even have a rivalry withanother prestige class that youprefer over the White clan, suchas the arcane archers, the lore-masters, the Ravagers, or theFists of Hextor. Simply deter-mine the exact nature of theenmity between the twogroups, make the appropriatechanges, and have fun.

CHAPTER 3: WORLDLY MATTERS

he is accepted as a potential Ravager andsubjected to the final segment of his initi-ation: The Fire Sacrifice.While the candidate waits on his knees,praying to Erythnul to fill his heart withhate and malice, other members of thewarband acquire a suitable sacrificialvictim (preferably human, but in a pinchan elf, dwarf, halfling or gnome will do).The would-be Ravager must sacrifice thevictim in accordance with the unholyrites of Erythnul, which involve blood-letting followed by burning the sacrificealive. Following this cruel and horrificact, the warband applies a distinctivelyrepulsive set of tattoos to the applicant’sface, which forever marks him as aRavager. Once the ceremony is complete,the only escape is in death.

Note:

To join the Ravagers means leav-ing behind all that is good and decent.No redeeming features of this organiza-tion or its members exist. Those whoseek to join their number should beprepared to participate fully in theirdivine mission of wanton malice, orface destruction at the hands of theirfellows. The Ravagers work best in acampaign not adversely affected by anatmosphere that is more grim, perhapseven oppressive, than the norm, as theinclusion and presence of the Ravagersmay lead to just such conditions.DMs should feel free to make theRavager initiation ceremony as morallyand ethically repulsive and physicallyarduous as her imagination (and herplaying group’s shared sense of goodtaste) allows.

The Red Avengers

“We live only for vengeance.”

The Red Avengers exist for one reasononly: vengeance. Clan lore tells of agrievous wrong suffered long ago at the hands of itsarchrivals, the White clan. The dishonor and outrageengendered by this wrong has festered deep in thesoul of the Red Avenger clan ever since the White clanstole the secret knowledge of

powers from the Red.Each member of the clan should take up this burdenand shoulder it for as long as she lives, directing herbest efforts and energies toward undermining anderadicating the White clan.The Red Avengers’ history claims that the clandiscovered the existence of

centuries ago, and hasbeen working to perfect its understanding of thepower ever since. The Red Avengers believe that

isenergy possessed by all living creatures. Much of theRed Avenger’s training revolves around understand-ing and learning to focus

, and the effects sheproduces as she improves her mastery of this disci-pline are increasingly impressive. Red Avengersreceive most of their training and indoctrination insmall, well-hidden temples located both in populatedand desolate areas. The main temple is located in thedepths of a dense forest.The details, history, and (perhaps different)

powers of the White clan are left to each campaign.Most Red Avengers are born rather than made: Almostall the Red Avengers are related by blood and claim theties of kinship with one another. Some familymembers are exposed to the study of

energies at anearly age, especially if they demonstrate some naturalaffinity for the power. Others are not introduced tothis discipline until they come of age. Some are neverbrought into this circle of education at all, but areexpected to fulfill other roles and duties the clanrequires in order to support itself.There have been rare instances of the clan accept-ing outsiders into its

training, but this normallyoccurs only when the individual renders some greatservice to the Red Avengers. The fortunate few whoare granted this honor are expected to use theirnewfound abilities to aid the Red Avengers in exact-ing their revenge on their enemies, in essencebecoming a member of the clan. Those who abusetheir training or use it for purposes not in accordancewith the clan’s designs find themselves the target of avery personalized vendetta.

Vendettasin the Game

The thirst for revenge can be astrong component of an excitingstory and an interesting charac-ter. Vendettas also create prob-lems in your game if allowed torun free, without adequatesupervision. An eternal thirst forvengeance can, for example,make it difficult to find adequateand believable reasons for thevengeful character to join orcooperate with the rest of theadventurers. Consider the ques-tions raised by integrating a RedAvenger character into an exist-ing party of adventurers, none of whom are engaged in anythingeven remotely connected to theobject of the Red Avenger’shatred. Why should the RedAvenger join this group of adventurers? What does shegain by accompanying them?Why does she not do somethingthat supports her clan’s ulti-mate goal?Fortunately, the Red Avenger’spresence in a party of adventur-ers can be easily rationalized.Perhaps the party engages inactivities (such as fightingmonsters in the depths of theearth) that make the RedAvenger stronger and moreskilled if she participates andsurvives, and thus better able tocontribute to her clan’s chief goal. Maybe the party plans togo after a particular treasure thatwould be very useful to the RedAvengers in their quest to wipeout their rivals: The Red Avengercharacter could participate in theadventure in order to try toacquire the item, or to convincethe party to help the RedAvengers in their cause.

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