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  1. #1
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    This one fit on cerelia scenario.

    The True King

    Mourn for a land that has lost its rightful king.

    Not all monarchs are the legitimate rulers of their lands. Foreign conquest, misfortune, and treachery rob many kingdoms of their rightful sovereigns. While most heirs share the fate of their parents, a few escape the family’s doom.

    In one kingdom, an infant prince is secreted away by nursemaids to be raised by a lowly peasant family. In another, a loyal guardian quietly escorts the crown prince to a friendly realm where he is raised in exile. One even survives only because fortune smiles upon him that dreadful day. A wandering protector discovers the sobbing babe cradled in the arms of a dead palace guard.

    In the lands where the conquering lord or traitorous lout rules by terror and pain, the suffering people whisper the stories of the True King. “At our darkest hour,” they say, “he will return from obscurity, reclaim his throne, slay the false king, and bring peace and prosperity back to the realm.” Until then the people pray behind closed windows and bared doors in hope that the gods will keep the True King safe so one day he can deliver them from the evil lord who now rules the land.

    Hit Die: d10

    Requirements

    To qualify to become a true king, a character must fulfill the following requirements.
    Alignment: Any non-evil.
    Base Attack Bonus: +10.
    Charisma: 13+.
    Feats: Leadership, any one feat of the DM’s choice.

    The True King
    Class Base Fort Ref Will
    Level Attack Save Save Save Special
    1st +1 +2 +0 +2 True King Ability
    2nd +2 +3 +0 +3 True King Ability
    3rd +3 +3 +1 +3 True King Ability
    4th +4 +4 +1 +4 True King Ability
    5th +5 +4 +1 +4 True King Ability

    Quests

    • The tale of every True King relates the method for determining whether a claimant is actually the True King or is only an imposter. Some methods are simple; the True King has a birthmark in the shape of a crown on his chest or he will extract a sword that is embedded deep in a stone and can only be removed by the rightful heir. Other methods are difficult tasks. The True King will defeat a dragon in single combat and return with its heart. In all cases, only the True King can accomplish the task or fulfill the prophecy recounted in the story and he must do so without aid. The DM should create a test that not only challenges the aspirant but also evokes the mood of the campaign and legends of the land.

    • Upon completion of the first quest, the character must confront the pretender who sits on his thrown. During the confrontation the True King to be must pledge himself to retaking his rightful position and overthrowing the illegitimate king. Once this declaration is made the character can begin taking levels in the True King legendary class but he must carry out his pledge and work towards no other goal until it is realized. If the new True King takes up another cause at any time before he fulfills his vow, he looses all True King special abilities forever as he proves himself unworthy of the title.


    Class Skills

    The true king’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Handle Animal (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Ride (Dex), Sense Motive (Wis), and Swim (Str).

    Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.

    Class Features

    All the following are class features of the true king legendary class.

    Weapons and Armor Proficiency: A true king is proficient with all simple and martial weapons, light armor, medium armor, heavy armor, and shields.

    True King Abilities

    Divine Right: Even the gods respect the true king and impart upon him protection against magic. For every power level, the true king gains a Spell Resistance of 10. This is a supernatural ability

    Aura of Authority: The mere presence of the true king awes and influences those around him. The true king gains a +1 legendary bonus to Charisma per power level.

    Truth and Justice: True kings are known for the fairness of their laws and impeccable judgment. Once per day per power level the true king can discern lies, as the spell. This is a supernatural ability. He also gains a +5 legendary bonus to all skill checks related to ruling and administering his realm.

    Passionate Rhetoric: Bards and lore masters memorize the speeches true kings make before battles to pass down into the annals of history and legend. Once per day the true king’s stirring oration inspires his allies and imparts a +1 legendary bonus per power level to all attack rolls, Armor Class and saving throws for the duration of the battle.

    Heirloom: Every monarch possesses heirlooms passed down from generation to generation. The true king, however, carries more potent items. Arthur had Excalibur. Van possessed Escaflowne. The true king has one or more magic items worth a total market value of 50,000 gold pieces per power level.

    Natural Leader: People flock to the banner of a true king. His skill at arms and dedication allow him to attract more powerful followers. Not only does a true king gain a +3 legendary bonus per power level to his leadership score, but also for every two power levels, or fraction thereof, shift the Followers Level column in the Leadership Table one step to the left. The follower level(s) “bumped” off the table are treated as if the true king’s leadership score were 1 higher.

    For example: Solomon has a leadership score of 21 (including his legendary bonus). The power level of his natural leader true king ability is 2. Instead of having 60 1st-level followers, 6 2nd-level followers, 3 3rd level followers, 2 4th-level followers, 1 5th-level follower, and 1 6th-level follower, Solomon has 75 1st-level followers, 60 2nd-level followers, 6 3rd-level followers, 3 4th-level followers, 2 5th-level followers, and 1 6th-level follower, and 1 7th-level follower (even though normally 7th-level followers are not allowed).

    Mighty Blow: Once per day per power level the true king may turn an attack that is a threat, from rolling a 20 on an attack roll, into a critical hit. This mighty blow also counts as massive damage and the recipient must make a save (DC 15 + the power level of Mighty Blow) or die, regardless of current hit points. This is an extraordinary ability.

    Return from Beyond: The legend of the true king does not end when he dies. It is said that even centuries after his death the true king can return to his people during the time of their greatest need. For 500 years per power level the true king can return to his people during a time of great crisis. Once the crisis has ended he passes back into the mists of legend.
    It´s my job to keep the punk rock!

  2. #2
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    Ok, this concept fits well with Birthright - that's the good news - divine right, king Arthur, all that.

    However, this class, as written, seems completely, and utterly, broken. I've noted the concept of "legendary classes" (incepted, I think, by Fast Forward Games?). Now, I can understand the concept, but, when it enters play, it should be utterly unique to each character. I don't like the idea of "über-classes" with superior customizable ability at all, however - it tastes of power-uping, rather than being inventive.

    Now, as for my "completely and utterly broken" comment -
    -the requirements of this class are VERY easy to meet for any fighter-type. I'll discount the vague "quests" requirements, as those are story-based. One thing that has been firmly established with regards to prestige classes by the core designers is that they must be mechanically balanced - you don't get something for nothing, in terms of game mechanics.
    -most of the abilities aren't that bad; some are even weak on their own, if given proper requirements. The one that really screams at me, though, is "divine right" - it seems you're willing to have a 15th level character go around with an SR of 50? Eeeek. Many of the other abilities aren't clearly worded enough to really be understandable. The "heirloom" ability seems potentially too strong as well - a 15th level character with this ability would have the gear of an 18th level character, which is substantially better. On the other hand, if you play into levels beyond 20, this ability becomes pretty useless eventually.
    Jan E. Juvstad.

  3. #3
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    I don't see why the 'True King' could not be a bit broken. Presumably, you would have at most one per adventuring group (I can't imagine a gaggle of them running around at the same time) and the campaign would revolve on his accession to the throne, so he(/she) could realistically be slightly more powerful than the other PCs (and be much more of a target).
    As to the othe bonuses, admitedly SR 50 seems a bit high (reduce bonus to 5/level?), but in any case, just rule that this bonus only applies in quests or encounters directly related to his reclaiming of the throne or defence of it once he's acquired it. The rest of the time, divine favour would not influence results.
    Alice laughed. `There's no use trying,' she said: `one CAN'T believe impossible things.'
    `I daresay you haven't had much practice,' said the Queen. `When I was your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast'

    -- "Through the Looking Glass", Lewis Caroll

  4. #4
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    I don't see why the 'True King' could not be a bit broken. Presumably, you would have at most one per adventuring group (I can't imagine a gaggle of them running around at the same time) and the campaign would revolve on his accession to the throne, so he(/she) could realistically be slightly more powerful than the other PCs (and be much more of a target).
    Simple. Level is supposed to be the measure of power. To deliberately design so that one type of character is more powerful, level by level, is the very definition of breaking the system. If you want the 'True King' of the party to be more powerful than the other characters, make him have a higher level. Note that in this case, and most others, I'm arguing based on the mechanics of D&D, not what works for an individual campaign - in the context of an individual campaign, what works and not is strictly up to the players and the DM. In the context of presenting rules for "public consumption," or feedback, one should always strive for full compliance with the rules as they are.

    In this case, what would a fighter of the same level sacrifice to gain this class? A few bonus feats - two or three of them. Do the benefits outweigh that? Definitely. Are the requirements strict enough to balance out the increased benefits? No. Any fighter of 10th level or above will easily qualify for the mechanical requirements for this class. Furthermore, an ability score should never be a direct requirement for qualifying for a prestige class. That is simply rewarding characters with good ability scores with good class abilities, which leads to a potentially double imbalance.
    Jan E. Juvstad.

  5. #5
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    Dear Mark.


    When I read this legendary class, I think on the man who will sit on the Iron Throne of Anuire Empire. He Cannot be a simple fighter.

    You say that is "too easy" to get this. But you are only looking at the math...
    Look at the rolleplay...

    A King must be someone that kicks ass. How many Richard the Lion Heart you now? Or Arthur Pendragon?

    And do you really thing that ANY fighter 10 will come and unite a nation and become a king?
    It´s my job to keep the punk rock!

  6. #6
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    On Wed, 9 Oct 2002, Onwen Agelmore wrote:

    > To qualify to become a true king, a character must fulfill the
    > following requirements.
    > Alignment: Any non-evil.
    > Base Attack Bonus: +10.
    > Charisma: 13+.
    > Feats: Leadership, any one feat of the DM’s choice.

    Even if one were to accept the powers of the class as written, shouldn`t
    the primary requirement be to actually be the true king?


    Ryan Caveney

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  7. #7
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    Dear Mark.


    When I read this legendary class, I think on the man who will sit on the Iron Throne of Anuire Empire. He Cannot be a simple fighter.

    You say that is "too easy" to get this. But you are only looking at the math...
    Look at the rolleplay...

    A King must be someone that kicks ass. How many Richard the Lion Heart you now? Or Arthur Pendragon?

    And do you really thing that ANY fighter 10 will come and unite a nation and become a king?
    I wouldn't put Arthur or Richard at 10th level. Arthur would probably be a 20th level fighter, whereas Richard might be a 16th level fighter. If you consider them particularly chivalrous (I don't), you might make them paladins instead.

    Fighters aren't "simple." Warriors are "simple." *Why* do you think that the Emperor can't be a fighter? I'm pretty sure Roele, Michael Roele, and most of the other Emperors were, perhaps with a few levels of Aristocrat mixed in for good behavior. You *don't* have to be a veritable superman just because you're the king. Being the king should be its own reward, no?

    I don't necessarily think "any" fighter could do it. One with high charisma, some ranks in diplomacy and the leadership feat would probably be a candidate, though. At that point, you have fleshed out a pretty interesting conceptual character already.
    Jan E. Juvstad.

  8. #8
    Site Moderator Ariadne's Avatar
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    Your PrC is a very good representation for BR.

    Your prerequisites are a little bit weak (as already is said).
    I would add something like this:
    Must have at least a major (or if you will be harder, a great) 30+ bloodline!

    I agree with Mark Aurel, that your Legendary King should be a paladin, no fighter (only he would have the right charisma). If you look at the epic level handbook, there is the "Legendary Commander" feat, that would be very similar to some of your abilities (with the difference, that you need cha 25, "Epic Leadership" and 21st to 23rd level to get it).

    So may be boost your Legendary King requirements to a 15th level paladin, such as alignment: any good, "ability to cast 4th level divine spells" and base attack bonus +15...
    May Khirdai always bless your sword and his lightning struck your enemies!

  9. #9
    Site Moderator kgauck's Avatar
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    > When I read this legendary class, I think on the man who will sit on
    > the Iron Throne of Anuire Empire. He Cannot be a simple fighter.
    >
    > I wouldn`t put Arthur or Richard at 10th level. Arthur would probably
    > be a 20th level fighter, whereas Richard might be a 16th level fighter.

    Arthur was a boy in his late teens when he drew the sword from the stone and
    became king. He was, in my estimation an apprentice-level character (DMG p.
    40-41). During the wars which consolidated his reign, he grew to become a
    higher level character, probabaly gaining levels pretty quickly in a series
    of battles.

    But the point at which he was declared the true king, he was a squire of the
    forgettable Sir Kay.

    Richard was a little older, had some experience rebelling against his
    father, Henry II, but otherwise was just a low level character himself. Ten
    years of war and captivity produced a much higher level character. But he
    died before he did much with that back home.

    Kenneth Gauck
    kgauck@mchsi.com

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  10. #10
    Senior Member marcum uth mather's Avatar
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    I like the idea that a major blood line must be a prereck. I also belive that if such a high SR is rewarded, the carector sould have a patron God. Thu the palidin levels. Also if you are thinking of a new emperor,the god of a true king in Anure sould be healyn or in Vosgaard it sould be belinik. Thus the divine backing of the local gods is needed. Also with the heirloom, it sould only be one item of class pertenit potentesal. A wizard sould not have a holy avenger. But if the requirments are met for the class, then mabey as part of a quest the carector could go in search of a premeir item.( a staff of the maji, or the holy avenger) if you use Ariadne's advise, and make it nessery to be high level, you wont unbalence the game. otherwise make devine intervencion nessery. like they have to gather all the items to make a legendary item

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