Originally posted by kalthandrix:
Here is another PrC that I have beenhinting about for a long time.
It, IMO, is pretty sweet and I hope you all can fund use for it in your games.
Again - me crave feedback 
[quote]Lionâs Guard
âI serve King Hamanu, and as such I fear only failure and his wrath.â
-Vor Mountain-crusher, Captain of the Lionâs Guard
Utterly loyal and fearless, the personal guard of King Hamanu is made up exclusively of half-giants and they are one of the most elite and dangerous fighting forces on the Tablelands. Each member is hand selected and the harsh training regiment insures that only the best survive to serve within the ranks of the Lionâs Guard.
Members of the Lionâs Guard are not only the best that their race has to offer in the way of physical power, but the need for them to be effective guards requires that they have a keen mind as well. So only the best and, relatively speaking, the brightest of the half-giants are chosen to enter this class.
The duties of the guard include maintaining the person security of King Hamanu, guarding the grounds of Destinyâs Kingdom, the Kingâs palace, and serving as elite heavy shock-troops in the Kingâs army. They are sometimes tasked with the protection of high ranking templars, but this is a very rare occurrence and members of the Kingâs personal guard cannot be requisitioned by the templars without the Hamanuâs personal approval. These elite warriors answer only to the King, the High Templar of the Lionâs Guard, and the Captain of the Lionâs Guard.
Due to the martial requirements of their duties, members of the Lionâs Guard come almost exclusively from those of the fighter class, but some gladiators and psychic warriors are selected from time to time to become for entry into this class. Barbarians, while excellent warriors, find that their unpredictable nature is in constant conflict with the order and discipline within this unit and as such they are rarely selected to join.
Hit Die: d12
Requirements
To qualify to become a member of the Lionâs Guard, a character must fulfill all the following criteria.
Race: Half-giant
Base Attack Bonus: +5
Feats: Alertness, Disciplined
Special: Must be accepted into the Lionâs Guard by King Hamanu, the High Templar of the Lionâs Guard, or the Captain of the Lionâs Guard.
Special: Cannot have Intelligence with negative ability modifier.
Special: Must be able to lift a heavy load weighing 1,600 lbs.
Table: Lionâs Guard<br /><br /> Base<br />Class Attack Fort Ref Will<br />Level Bonus Save Save Save Special<br />1st +1 +2 +0 +2 Kingâs Bounty, expanded awareness +2<br />2nd +2 +3 +0 +3 Fearless, blessing of the lion +1<br />3rd +3 +3 +1 +3 Hamanuâs might<br />4th +4 +4 +1 +4 Expanded awareness +4<br />5th +5 +4 +1 +4 Blessing of the lion +2
Class Skills
The Lionâs Guardâs class skills (and key ability for each skill) are Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Intimidate (Str)*, Jump (Str), Knowledge (warcraft)(Int), Listen (Int), Search (Int), Sense Motive (Wis), and Spot (Wis). *Members of the Lionâs Guard use their Strength modifier for Intimidate checks.
Skill Points at Each Level: 4+ Int modifier.
Class Features
All of the following are class features of the lionâs guard prestige class.
Weapon and Armor Proficiencies: Members of the Lionâs Guard are proficient with all simple and martial weapons, and all armor and shields (including tower shields).
Hamanuâs Bounty: When appointed to the Lionâs Guard, a new member receives a masterwork set arms and armor consisting of a set of mekillot shell armor, a large wooden shield, a bone datchi club, and an obsidian-tipped long spear. Also, as an active member of the Lionâs Guard, they draw a pay equal to (1 Cp x Lionâs Guard level) x total character level per week. So a half-giant fighter 7/ lionâs guard 3 would draw a pay of 30 Cp each week (3x10).
Expanded Awareness (Ex): The training that the members of the Lionâs Guard receive allows them to excel in the areas of observation and surveillance. As such, they gain a +2 competence bonus to Search, Spot, Listen, and Sense Motive checks. This bonus increases to +4 at 4th level.
Fearless (Ex): The Lionâs Guard is known for their courage and fearlessness in their Performance of their duty, willing to stare death or worse in the eye to achieve completion of their mission or task. At 2nd level, a member of the Lionâs Guard gains immunity to all negative morale effects, becoming shaken, and all fear effects.
Blessing of the Lion (Ex): Skill and devotion to their duty has made these warriors one of the most feared sights on the field of battle. Due to this dedication and focus, memberâs of the guard gain a +1 morale to AC, attacks, and saves. This bonus increases to a +2 at 5th level.
Hamanuâs Might: The training that these elite warriors are given teach them to better utilize their great size and strength against smaller opponents. This training grants a member of the Lionâs Guard the Awesome Blow feat (see Monster Manual p.303) as a bonus feat at 3rd level even if they do not meet the prerequisites.[/quote]
Originally posted by brun01:
I think itâs time to update that monster sig of yoursâŚ
Originally posted by Sysane:
Nice job on this PrC Kal.
Originally posted by kalthandrix:
Thanks - there will be two more PrCs coming soon.
Originally posted by cnahumck:
it might be better to have this spelled out in a way that gives a strenght number or modifier
Originally posted by kalthandrix:
I was told that having actual attribute numbers is a no-no - but that this was was okay - donât ask me why, but that was what I was told.
Originally posted by cnahumck:
[quote]I was told that having actual attribute numbers is a no-no - but that this was was okay - donât ask me why, but that was what I was told.
[/quote]
Who told you!!! I want names!!!
Originally posted by kalthandrix:
I do not recall - or I just will not say - but I think it is a poor rule if it is one. Feats require certian ability score and I think it is silly to say that PrCs cannot have the same requirement.
It is open for change though.
Originally posted by Sysane:
Possible stupid question.
With this lifting weight limit prereq does it mean the would be Lionâs Guard must always be able to lift that amount of weight or only at the time entering the PrC? Reason I ask is that items, spells, or powers could enable a character to lift that amount of weight. What happens in the case of an aging character that takes reductions to his Strength score or suffers ability drain?
Originally posted by kalthandrix:
[quote]Possible stupid question.
With this lifting weight limit prereq does it mean the would be Lionâs Guard must always be able to lift that amount of weight or only at the time entering the PrC? Reason I ask is that items, spells, or powers could enable a character to lift that amount of weight. What happens in the case of an aging character that takes reductions to his Strength score or suffers ability drain?[/quote]
I think it would be just like any other situation that caused the character to lose a requirement to a PrC - like one that required a BAB or +5 and a character dying or losing a level - that character would not be able to use the class features of the PrC nor would they be able to advance within the class. Or if some one became good when their Prc required an evil alignment - they would become an ex-member fo that class I believe.
The lifting thing is the minumum that they have to be able to lift to be in the class.
Does that answer your question?
Originally posted by Sysane:
[quote]I think it would be just like any other situation that caused the character to lose a requirement to a PrC - like one that required a BAB or +5 and a character dying or losing a level - that character would not be able to use the class features of the PrC nor would they be able to advance within the class. Or if some one became good when their Prc required an evil alignment - they would become an ex-member fo that class I believe.
The lifting thing is the minumum that they have to be able to lift to be in the class.
Does that answer your question?[/quote]
For the most part. One more question though. As unlikely as this would be, what if 1,600 lbs. isnât considered a âheavyâ load for a character entering the PrC?
Originally posted by Tsuul:
Eyeâs a new toy.
yoink
Originally posted by Pennarin:
Unless you saw a similar note to the skills section, somewhere in a WotC PrC, I suggest you make this a class ability.
The rest is nice!
Originally posted by brun01:
I suggest waiting for r7 
Originally posted by ishan_wh:
Its pretty kewl man, good job, I got an idea though, why not give him a feat from the fighter bonus feat list, you could give it at Lv3, since this PrC is a real badass motherf⌠lol
You should consider it
Keep up with the good work for the making of a better Athas.
Originally posted by Pennarin:
Kal has become mostly innactive, though he may come back one day, from a galaxy far far awayâŚ
Originally posted by ishan_wh:
Thanks Penn, so when are we gonna see PrC appendix III lol, I liked the Crimson Legionaire, though I would give him the feat Endurance at a certain level instead of forcing the PC to spend one of the PrC feat hehe
Great job on the Yellow Robe!! and the Templar class in general hehehe really
Thanks
Originally posted by kalthandrix:
Due toâŚcreative differencesâŚbetween myself and athas.orgâs ruling class, I withdrew my PrCs from consideration for material to be included in the PrC Appendix II when I decided to abdicate my position as a templar.
I appreciate your interest in this class though, and even if it is never âofficialâ, please feel free to use it in your game. I have used it in my campaign to devastating effect against PCs, who now fear even to step foot into Urik
As for your suggestion about a bonus feat at 3rd level, thanks, but I am sure you will notice that the ability named Hamanuâs Might grants the Lionâs Guard the bonus feat Awesome Blow - which is most âawesomeâ when used in conjunction with a charge and the Power Attack feat
Also - do not fear, because I am still creating things for Athas and post them here on the message board for people to comment on and use, so there may be some additional awesomeness coming sometime soon - though completing my book has to come first if I want to get it finished before August. I have four other PrCs and the Cerulean Advent PrC and spell/transformation arc (this is another advanced being using the Tyr storm as a focus) in different stages of completeness and I think people will drool over!
Originally posted by Pennarin:
Thereâs two dozen great PrCs stored in the Archive that didnât make the cut to APXII, Kalâs is one of them. Check them out, youâll be delighted. Every slave tribe now has its own dedicated PrC!
Originally posted by Zardnaar:
Is there a way to give them pounce? It would fit the theme and let them do devastating charges.
Originally posted by brun01:
I think this ability from d20 Modern is much more in line with the prcâŚ
Harmâs Way: Once per round, if you are adjacent to an ally who is targeted by a direct melee or ranged attack (but not an area effect), you can subject yourself to the attack in the allyâs stead. If the attack hits you, you take damage normally. If it misses, it also misses the ally.
You must declare your intention to place yourself in harmâs way before the attack roll is made. You select your ally either prior to combat or immediately after you make your initiative check. You canât change your ally for the duration of the combat.
Originally posted by cnahumck:
Canât change your what?
Originally posted by kalthandrix:
[quote]I think this ability from d20 Modern is much more in line with the prcâŚ
Harmâs Way: Once per round, if you are adjacent to an ally who is targeted by a direct melee or ranged attack (but not an area effect), you can subject yourself to the attack in the allyâs stead. If the attack hits you, you take damage normally. If it misses, it also misses the ally.
You must declare your intention to place yourself in harmâs way before the attack roll is made. You select your ally either prior to combat or immediately after you make your initiative check. You canât change your for the duration of the combat.[/quote]
Actually - I think this would have been a better ability for the Crimson Legionnaire and/or Pennarinâs Matched-Pair gladiator PrC that I do not think the general public has seen.
I disagree that pounce fits that well with this class, but people are free to change the material for their own games as they see fit. IMO, adding another feature to the class would be slightly unbalancing when they will already be getting a bonus feat at 3rd level as well as up to a +2 morale bonus on AC, attacks, and saves at 5th level. Sure, if this were a 10 level PrC, I could see adding some additional features like Powerful Charge, but pounce does not really jive in my head when I think of this class.
Plus, I do not really recall seeing pounce as a feat or anything, and it is a feature that I really only recall being on four legged creatures with a rake attack (ie back claws), so I do not see why it would be a good feature for a bipedal, 12-foot tall(ish) half-gaint.
Originally posted by brun01:
Ally. I edited my post.
Originally posted by brun01:
Iâm sorry, I thought âthe personal guard of King Hamanuâ would have an ability that help them, you know, guard Hamanu. 
Originally posted by Pennarin:
In principle, maybe, but I recall the half-giants from PP2 being quite proactive in their âdefendingâ.
Maybe a mix of defending and attacking could work. Anyway, the defending ability can be used to support another half-giant guard, making the duo quite deadly. Thatâs to be considered as well.
Originally posted by kalthandrix:
[sarcasm] Hmm, your right, they do need abilities that aid them in guarding the King - but wait a second and hold the phone! Is that not what Expanded Awareness (up to +4 on some âguard duty typeâ skill checks), Fearless (basically immunity to fear and such as implied by the abilities name), and Blessing of the Lion (up to a +2 morale bonus on AC, attacks, and saves) all do - give these guys an edge in performing their duties? Maybe I was wrong and these abilities donât, but golly, it sure seems like they do. [/sarcasm]
On another note, I do have (somewhere in a pile of notes - I lost some stuff a while ago when my computer went belly-up) a Heavy Armor Specialist that the Harmâs Way ability would be great for - kind of a bodyguard/armored âtankâ to shelter nonmelee allies or to hold the line of combat in a clash of armies.
Originally posted by Zardnaar:
I remember a revised fighter class somewhere that had spot, listen etc as class skills. Dragon 310-312 or something around when 3.5 first hit. IIRC it was called the guardan or something like that.