PRIEST-CRUSADER KIT

Redeemer

Description:  While all Crusaders are at least loosely grouped into orders or 
fellowships, Redeemers take their charge to unite and form the strong and 
righteous arm of the church's military might very seriously.  They are tightly 
knit cadres of professional priestly soldiers who apply both military and 
magical skills to carry the banner of the faithful to victory.  They are very 
dedicated to the service of their faith, and the vanquishing of the traditional 
foes of the church.  Because of their special skills, Redeemers are fearsome 
opponents, and enemies of the church will often retreat rather than face an 
organized cadre of Redeemers coming for them on the field of battle.

Because of their well-rounded training and the need for versatility in combat, 
Redeemers must have scores of at least 12 in every ability score.  Redeemers 
must be of lawful alignment, as non-lawfuls simply do not have the dedication 
required to serve in this way.  Members of all races that become standard 
Crusaders can also become Redeemers.

Weapons & Armor:  Any type of armor or shield may be worn, but Redeemers share 
the same weapon proficiency restrictions as do Clerics of the faith.

Special Benefits:  Redeemers gain the same spheres of spell access as other 
Crusaders, but they are so proficient at battlefield spellcasting that when 
casting spells in the midst of combat their spells take effect as if they were 
two levels higher than their actual level.  In addition to this prowess in 
battle magic, Redeemers gain a number of other special advantages:

Battle Prowess:  As a standard Crusader (save for the restriction of using only 
those weapons allowed to Clerics of the faith).  In addition, they may choose 
any single weapon in which they are proficient as a "weapon of choice," gaining 
a +1 bonus on attack and damage rolls with that weapon and also gaining multiple 
attacks as a Warrior two levels lower than their actual level.  In addition, 
Redeemers gain a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls as well as saving throws 
when battling against traditional enemies of the faith.  This may include 
priests of rival churches, servants of particular nations or political powers, 
specific demihuman or humanoid races, or simply monster types with whom their 
deity or their church has had long-standing rivalry or enmity.

Campaign Skill:  As a standard Crusader, but in addition all allied forces 
fighting under the Redeemer's banner gain a +1 bonus to the morale scores if 
they are within 10 yards per level of the Redeemer, and all Crusaders under his 
or her command gain a +3 bonus to their morale.  This bonus also applies as a 
saving throw bonus vs. fear.

Upon reaching 6th level, a Redeemer is assigned command over a unit of 10 to 30 
(1d3 x 10) 1st level Crusaders (almost always Redeemers or standard Crusaders).  
Any Crusaders from this unit who are killed in combat will be replaced with 1st 
level Crusaders within 3d4 weeks, and 10 additional 1st level Crusaders are 
added to the unit with each level gained after 6th.  If the entire unit (other 
than the commander) is annihilated, the Redeemer commanding the force is 
disgraced as a captain and will never again be granted command of church 
Crusaders in the field.  Note that these Crusader followers are in addition to 
the unit of fanatical 0-level followers gained at 8th level.

Holy Might:  Redeemers are able to invoke the Holy Might of their deity once per 
day, with the effects of this power lasting for 1d4 rounds plus one round per 
level.  While in effect, this surge of power grants the Redeemer a +1 bonus to 
attack and damage rolls and saving throws, one bonus hit point per level (damage 
suffered is subtracted from these hit points before the Redeemer's actual hit 
points), and grants one extra attack per two melee rounds.  At the expiration of 
this effect, however, the Redeemer suffers a -2 penalty to all die rolls except 
saving throws until he or she can rest completely for one full turn.

While in this near-berserk state of battle ecstasy, the  Redeemer can fight on 
at negative hit points, to a maximum of -2 per level, and while at negative hit 
points the bonuses for this power are increased to +2 on attack and damage rolls 
and saving throws and one extra attack every round, but he or she must remain in 
combat continuously.  If a round passes in which the Redeemer is unable to 
attack a foe or if the power's duration expires while the Redeemer is at 
negative hit points, he or she must make a system shock roll.  If successful, he 
or she will be reverted to one hit point but will be dazed and effectively 
stunned for one full turn, and then will need to rest for one additional turn to 
restore full normal function.  If the system shock roll fails, the Redeemer must 
save vs. death magic to survive.  If this save is successful, the Redeemer will 
be unconscious for 1d100 turns and then will awaken with 1 hit point and 
otherwise in good condition.  If the maximum total of negative hit points is 
exceeded, the Redeemer will pass out and be treated as any other character, 
perishing if at -10 or fewer hit points.

Inspire Allies:  Redeemers are very skilled at inspiring and leading their 
troops in battle and keeping their spirits high.  This requires 1d10 rounds -1 
round per level of the Redeemer (minimum of 1 round) of rousing sermonizing 
about the honor of the faith and assurances of glory and exaltation in the 
future (and in the hereafter) as divinely appointed minions whose victorious 
destiny is assured.  The Redeemer's exhortation can affect any number of 
followers or Crusaders under the his or her command that are within hearing 
range, plus a number of companions equal to his or her level, granting a +2 
bonus to morale and saves vs. fear and charm-based spells and effects and a +1 
bonus to their attack rolls.  This speech must be undertaken before battle is 
joined and cannot be interrupted by other activity without wasting the effect.

Special Hindrances:  Redeemers share the limitations of standard Crusaders.  In 
addition, since they focus so much of their attention directly on what happens 
on the field of battle, any spell cast by a Redeemer other than in a combat 
situation (or within one turn after a combat has ended) takes effect as if the 
Redeemer was two levels lower than his or her actual level.  If this reduces the 
Redeemer's effective level to 0 or below, the spell fails; hence, a Redeemer 
must be at least 3rd level to be able to effectively cast spells outside of 
combat or its immediate aftermath.  Spells that are not affected by level 
instead have a 10% chance of spell failure.

Redeemers are an integral part of their Crusader orders and must tithe at least 
20% of their income to the order for its upkeep and support.  In addition, a 
Redeemer is responsible for the room, board, and upkeep of his or her Crusader 
unit and any followers, though they can be boarded at need in a temple of the 
church for up to one day per level of the Redeemer.  Such boarding can only be 
undertaken at most once per month, and the Redeemer should have a good reason 
for foisting off his or her troops on a temple.

Because they form such an integral part of the military arm of the faith, there 
is 5% noncumulative chance each game month that a Redeemer will be called upon 
to participate in some sort of church-sponsored expedition, in which case he or 
she and any Crusaders or followers under his or her command must report 
immediately to the nearest temple or fortress of the faith ready for duty.  It 
should be noted that a unit that is recovering from losses suffered in battle 
will not be called upon until it is back to full strength, unless there is dire 
need for whatever strength can be mustered, and in this case the Redeemer should 
simply report personally to help as needed, leaving his or her minions 'at 
home'.  

Likewise, a Redeemer of 9th level or above is always commissioned to build a 
fortress-temple of the faith (see Campaign Skill above and for a standard 
Crusader) and is ultimately responsible for that fortress.  That is to say, the 
Redeemer will be held responsible if disaster strikes and he or she is not 
present to assist in the defense.  Hence, a Redeemer might be wise to arrange 
for a succor spell or similar means to summon him or her immediately in case of 
an emergency.  If one of a Redeemer's Crusader followers reaches 9th level, 
defense of the place and command of the Redeemer's military forces can be turned 
over to him or her.  Such a transfer of authority is permanent and cannot be 
reversed later.  Though it represents a loss of direct power over these troops, 
it does provide a high-level Redeemer with considerably more freedom of movement 
and activity.

Required Proficiencies:  Endurance, Leadership
Preferred Proficiencies:  Armorer, Artillerist, Awareness, Ancient History, 
Bowyer/Fletcher, Display Weapon Prowess, Engineer-Artillerist, Fortification, 
Healing, Heraldry, Local History, Navigation, Reading/Writing, Religion, Riding 
(Land-based), Siegecraft, Signaling, Strategy, Tactics, Weaponsmithing
Forbidden Proficiencies:  Any Psionicist, Rogue, or Wizard proficiencies