WARRIOR-CAVALIER KIT

Dragonslayer

Description:  Dragonslayer are skilled combatants, trained for the specific 
purpose of killing dragons and their kin.  He or she has mastered combat 
techniques designed to fell dragons and has become an expert in their behavior 
and habits as well as their combat tactics.  Dragonslayers have keen minds and 
strong bodies, as well as often unshakable egos.  Most Dragonslayers have 
reputations that precede them, often due to their own shameless self-promotion.  
They relish the test of their skills in combat in all situations, but they 
really come into their own when fighting dragons and their kin.

Dragons have plagued the other races for millennia, and in many places special 
tactics have been devised in order to deal with them and their awesome 
abilities.  They are especially valued in areas where dragons have united and 
enslaved humanoid tribes to do their bidding; destroying the leader of such 
dragonish 'mini-empires' usually causes their surviving minions to either be 
dispersed or fight among themselves for supremacy once their dragon master is 
gone.  

Dragonslayers travel heavily armored throughout the wilds, riding a powerful 
steed and unconcerned if anyone hears his or her approach.  Regardless of their 
race and size, a Dragonslayer is a figure of almost mythic stature, and he or 
she usually acts every inch the hero.  Regardless of whether they view their job 
more as culling dangerous wild beasts that destabilize society by their very 
presence or simply see dragon-hunting as a chance to cover themselves in glory 
and have a grand and challenging adventure, Dragonslayers are extremely skilled 
at their chosen trade.  They have a strong aggressive streak and more than a bit 
of stubbornness, only grudgingly accepting help from others and insisting on 
leading any attack against dragons, whom they despise with a single-minded fury.  
Being denied the 'right' to kill a dragon sometimes causes a Dragonslayer to 
turn his or her anger on those who have 'cheated' him or her of the joy of 
combat.  Dragonslayers thrive on the emotional high of battle, and they are 
always willing to risk life and limb to destroy their chosen enemy.

Requirements:  Dragonslayers must have Strength and Constitution of at least 15 
in addition to normal Cavalier requirements.  Dragonslayers can be of any 
alignment but must be humans, dwarves, elves, half-elves, aasimar, or tieflings.

Weapons & Armor:  Dragonslayers may wear most types of armor (ring mail or 
better) and shields.  A Dragonslayer's Weapons of Choice are as follows:

	Primary		lance (all)
	Secondary	axe (any), sword (bastard, executioner's, tulwar, two-handed)
	Tertiary	bow (any), crossbow (any), polearm (any), spear (any)

Only after all weapons listed here have been learned can a Dragonslayer become 
proficient in weapons of other types.

Special Benefits:  Because a Dragonslayer trains so rigorously for battle, they 
roll 1d8+2 for hit dice at each level rather than 1d10; thus, though they have 
the same maximum hit points as other Cavaliers their average hit points are 
higher.  Constitution bonuses apply normally.  In addition to this unusual hit 
die progression, Dragonslayers gain the following Cavalier and unique kit 
abilities:

Aura of Bravery:  As a standard Cavalier.  In addition, all creatures within a 
Dragonslayer's Aura of Bravery are rendered completely immune to the fear aura 
radiated by dragons.

Banner of Renown:  As a standard Cavalier.

Dragon Lore:  A Dragonslayer's intensive study of dragons allows him or her to 
identify any draconic creature (including dragon-kin such as wyverns, 
firedrakes, ice lizards, fire lizards, chimerae, linnorms, dragon turtles, and 
the like) on a successful Intelligence check, with a +1 bonus for every three 
levels of experience (rounding up) when using Dragon Lore to evaluate a true 
dragon.  A successful check provides a Dragonslayer with knowledge of the 
creature's specific weaknesses and abilities or immunities, though a failed 
check may reveal misleading information.  In the case of special or unique 
dragons, general characteristics and abilities will be learned but specific 
powers may only be hinted at by this observation.  

Using Dragon Lore check requires one round of concentration.  This ability is 
similar to the Monster Lore proficiency, save that it applies only to dragons 
and their kin and the Dragonslayer does not suffer the usual -4 penalty to his 
or her Intelligence check.

In addition to identifying species of dragons and dragon-kin, if a Dragonslayer 
discovers a footprint, lair, campsite, or any other physical evidence of a 
dragon, a successful Dragon Lore check enables him or her to discover general 
information about the dragon in question.  Such information may include the type 
and approximate size and age of the dragon as well as the presence of any 
companions.  He or she may also learn how recently the dragon was in the area 
and in what direction it traveled.

Finally, Dragonslayers learn the languages of dragons as a function of their 
study into these creatures, gaining one free dragon language at 1st level, 
another at 3rd level, and another every three levels thereafter.

Dragon Slaying:  Dragonslayers carefully study the bodies and fighting tactics 
of their chosen prey in order to determine how best to kill them.  As a result 
of this expertise, a Dragonslayer receives a +1 bonus per level to all damage 
rolls against dragons (halved--rounding up--against dragon-kin).  This damage 
bonus applies to any damage roll, including melee weapons, hurled weapons, and 
missile weapons.

In addition to this damage bonus, Dragonslayers gain the ability to make special 
dragon-specific attacks as they advance in level.  At 3rd level, a Dragonslayer 
gains the ability to hurl any melee weapon in which he or she is proficient at a 
flying dragon, even very large weapons such as lances and polearms.  The weapon 
has a short range of 15', medium range of 30', and long range up to 45', with 
penalties to hit of -2 at short range, -4 at medium range, and -6 at long range.  
If the weapon successfully hits, it inflicts full normal damage as though the 
Dragonslayer had hit with the weapon in melee combat.  This maneuver cannot be 
effectively used to attack any creature other than a dragon or dragon-kin while 
it is in flight; it is ineffective against dragons and dragon-kin while they are 
on the ground and cannot be substantially harm any other type of creature.  This 
ability cannot be combined with any other special attacks.

At 5th level, a Dragonslayer's learns how to get 'inside the defenses' of a 
dragon in very close combat by making a successful Dexterity check (modified for 
armor worn) at the beginning of each round of combat.  A failed check results in 
no benefit for that round, but with a successful check the Dragonslayer is able 
to get in very close to a dragon and double the normal benefit from his or her 
usual Dragonish Defenses.  At the same time, the Dragonslayer's attacks made 
during that round gain a +2 bonus to hit.  This ability cannot be combined with 
any other special attacks.

At 7th level, a Dragonslayer can elect to spend one round observing any true 
dragon, during which time he or she cannot attack but may parry.  At the end of 
this round, the Dragonslayer should attempt a Dragon Lore check.  If it is 
successful, the Dragonslayer has found the weak points in that particular 
dragon's armor or fighting style and can attack the dragon with a +6 bonus to 
hit and inflicting double damage (doubling only the weapon's normal damage dice, 
not any bonuses) for all attacks made in the next round.  Even if the check is 
failed, the Dragonslayer still gains his or her normal Dragon Slaying bonuses.  
After this round of attacks, the dragon will adjust its defensive tactics to 
compensate, and another round of study and successful Intelligence check will be 
necessary to gain the bonuses again; however, the Dragonslayer gains a +2 bonus 
to the chance of success on all subsequent checks when fighting that particular 
dragon.  This ability cannot be used versus dragon-kin, and it cannot be 
combined with any other special attacks.

At 9th level, a Dragonslayer gains the ability to use one of the following 
abilities when fighting dragons:  breath stun, great blow, or wing attack.  
Another can be chosen at 12th level, and the last at 15th level.  When using one 
of these special attacks, a Dragonslayer must forgo all other attacks during 
that round but can attack with normal initiative, and a successful hit will have 
the following effects:

  Breath Stun:  The attack inflicts normal damage, and in addition the dragon's 
breath weapon is temporarily knocked out of action.  The next time it attempts 
to breathe, its breath attack will automatically be spoiled, and it must make a 
save vs. breath weapon each subsequent time it attempts to breathe; failure 
indicates that the breath attack is again ruined, while success indicates that 
the dragon has recovered from the breath stun and can once again breathe 
normally.

  Great Blow:  The attack has a 1% chance per level of the Dragonslayer of 
forcing the dragon to make an unmodified save vs. death magic or be instantly 
slain.  Even if the dragon survives, the attack inflicts double damage 
(including doubling all bonuses).

  Wing Attack:  This attack inflicts normal damage and temporarily disables one 
of the dragon's wings, preventing its use for attack or for flight.  The 
dragon's wing is automatically disabled for the round the attack hits.  Each 
round thereafter, the dragon is allowed an unmodified save vs. breath weapon to 
regain functional use of its wing.  Obviously, this attack form is most 
dangerous to a dragon while it is in flight.

Any of these special attacks can be used in conjunction with a melee attack or 
missile attack, but each can be attempted no more than once during an encounter 
with a dragon or dragon-kin; regardless of whether that special Dragon Slaying 
attack misses, the attack form is wasted for that battle, as the dragon will 
realize the intent of the attack and be able to compensate for the 
Dragonslayer's tactics.  A Dragonslayer can, however, attempt one of each type 
of Dragon Slaying attack allowed for his or her level.

Dragonish Defenses:  Dragonslayers realize that in order to have any chance to 
slay a dragon, they must be able to survive long enough to get close to it.  
Because of their intensive study of dragons, their abilities, their tactics, and 
the best ways to compensate for them, Dragonslayers have a 1% chance per level 
of experience to be completely unaffected by any type of dragonish attack, 
including normal melee attacks, spells, innate powers, breath weapons, and the 
like.  Even if this roll does not succeed, Dragonslayers gain a +1 bonus to AC 
and saving throws vs. dragonish attacks of all types.  This ability operates at 
only half normal effect (rounding up) vs. dragon-kin.

Horsemanship:  As a standard Cavalier, save that it is possible for a 
Dragonslayer to apply this skill to a mount of a type other than a horse at the 
DM's discretion (e.g., elven griffon-riding Dragonslayers might exist in the 
DM's campaign).  Regardless of the type of mount, a Dragonslayer's Aura of 
Bravery and Dragonish Defenses apply to his or her mount with the same effects 
as for the Dragonslayer him- or herself.

Knight's Challenge:  As a standard Cavalier, except a Dragonslayer's can use 
this ability only against dragons and dragon-kin; versus true dragons, they gain 
double the normal level-based bonus (i.e., +2 per five levels) to their 
effective Charisma score.  In addition, a Dragonslayer's knowledge of dragonish 
languages and the use of that tongue in the most inflammatory way to challenge, 
taunt, and infuriate a true dragon (not dragon-kin of any kind), a 
Dragonslayer's Knight's Challenge causes such a distraction that a dragon cannot 
use any of its spells or innate magical powers while a Dragonslayer is taunting 
it unless it successfully saves vs. paralyzation with a -1 penalty for every 
three levels of the Dragonslayer (rounding up).  In addition, a dragon who falls 
victim to a Dragonslayer's Knight's Challenge will immediately advance upon the 
Dragonslayer and engage him or her in melee combat in a berserk fury for at 
least 1d6 rounds, directing all attacks against the Dragonslayer but with a -4 
penalty to its attack rolls and a -2 penalty to its Armor Class, but inflicting 
one additional point of damage per die with any successful hit.  After the 
initial 1d6 rounds of rage, the dragon is entitled to an unmodified save vs. 
spells at the beginning of each round thereafter to be able to throw off the 
effects and retreat from combat (if it wishes); while enraged, a dragon will 
attack in a berserk frenzy and will never retreat.

It is important to note that if any creature other than the Dragonslayer (and 
his or her mount, if applicable) engages the dragon in combat while it is 
enraged, it is allowed a new saving throw each round to break the effects of the 
Dragonslayer's taunting and regain its wits and full abilities.

Weapons of Choice:  As a standard Cavalier.

Special Hindrances:  No Knightly Onslaught, Noble Lineage, Retainers, 
Stronghold.

Special Hindrances:  Dragonslayers can come from any walk of life, since all 
that is truly required for their profession is intense dedication, rigorous 
physical training, a heart bursting with confidence and courage, and, most would 
add, a possible death wish.  As a result, Dragonslayers do not enjoy the Noble 
Lineage of other Cavaliers, though they must still swear fealty to a higher lord 
and may be called upon by that lord or allied nobility to undertake services on 
their behalf.  Also, though a Dragonslayer will often host a grand celebration 
in honor of his or her conquests, he or she need not spend more than the usual 
amount for his or her general purchases.  The exception to this rule is a 
Dragonslayer's weapons, armor, and mount, which must always be of the highest 
quality and most impressive appearance (with the normal surcharge for 
Cavaliers).  Dragonslayers also have the same passion for heavy and imposing 
armor as standard Cavaliers, though they can also wear armor crafted from the 
scales or hide of a dragon or dragon-kin that they have personally slain, and 
such armor can be worn in preference to heavier armor if the Dragonslayer 
wishes.

Dragonslayers are loners by nature, seeking not to endanger anyone else with a 
lifestyle fraught with danger, plus their desire to keep the limelight to 
themselves and not have to share the glory with others.  As a result, 
Dragonslayers will never acquire Retainers and may attract only half the normal 
amount of henchmen allowed by their Charisma score.  In addition, they may not 
hire henchmen at all until they reach 9th level, and they may never have more 
than one henchman at a time.  A Dragonslayer never attracts men-at-arms into 
service regardless of whether he or she builds a Stronghold, and in fact a 
Dragonslayer will almost never bother building a fortress of any sort since if 
its owner was known such a structure would likely be leveled by vengeful dragons 
shortly after construction, assuming it could ever be completed at all.

Dragonslayers are highly egotistical and concentrate on defeating the most 
powerful foes they can find.  They disdain combat with inferior foes, following 
the usual Cavalier order of preference for foes with great relish and 
stringency.  They do not bother attempting to intimidate lesser foes and cannot 
use a Knightly Onslaught to panic weak creatures.  Because of their immense ego 
and contempt for what they perceive as weaker creatures and because of their 
reputation for legendary toughness and bravery, Dragonslayers are sometimes 
singled out for harassment or challenged to duels by others seeking to prove 
their toughness.  This kind of reaction is almost as common as adoration for a 
Dragonslayer, save in areas where dragon raids are very common and the populace 
is glad for anyone willing to challenge their tormentors.

Dragonslayers must slay at least one dragon or dragon-kin single-handedly in 
order to achieve knighthood at 5th level and at least one true dragon single-
handedly to achieve Banneret status at 9th level.  In addition, at each level 
beyond 10th a Dragonslayer must find and slay at least one dragon or dragon-kin 
with at least as many hit dice/levels as he or she possesses in order to achieve 
the personal fulfillment necessary to advance a level.  A Dragonslayer battle a 
dragon or dragon-kin on foot or while mounted, and his or her mount may 
participate in the combat (at the DM's option, a Dragonslayer who uses his or 
her mount in combat may have to slay a more powerful dragon or dragon-kin in 
order to satisfy this requirement).  If a Dragonslayer receives any other direct 
assistance in the combat versus a dragon, regardless of whether such assistance 
was wanted or unwanted, the death of that dragon or dragon-kin does not count 
for the purpose of this requirement.  A Dragonslayer can receive indirect aid, 
such as in the form of spells or magical items used upon him or her (or his or 
her mount), but any direct intervention or interference in the combat will spoil 
the Dragonslayer's individual confrontation.  A Dragonslayer who earns enough 
experience to reach a new level without having personally slain a dragon or 
dragon-kin of the appropriate strength cannot advance to the new level and in 
addition becomes very distracted and frustrated, suffering a -2 penalty to all 
attack rolls, saving throws, and ability checks (including proficiency checks) 
in all situations except combat with dragons or dragon-kin.

Note that all dragons are not evil, but all dragons dislike Dragonslayers on 
principle regardless of alignment considerations.  A dragon of the same 
alignment as the Dragonslayer simply views a Dragonslayer with mild distaste 
(resulting in a -1 reaction penalty) but may well approve of the Dragonslayer's 
actions to control the population of other dragon types.  Dragons of other 
alignments, however, hate and fear Dragonslayers, incurring a -5 reaction 
penalty, and no reaction better than Cautious is possible.  In addition, a 
widely known Dragonslayer (and their fame is generally spread far and wide, due 
in no small part to their own efforts at self-promotion) may well become the 
target of assassination attempts and other plots hatched by dragons who may have 
heard of his or her reputation.  They also may be sought out by dragons for 
revenge because of slayings of their minions or relatives.  Dragons often have 
many helpers, and these can be brought in to take out the Dragonslayer before he 
or she poses a threat to their master, and dragons will also usually be strongly 
defended by such minions if they learn that a Dragonslayer is in the area.  
Dragons usually have little to fear from Dragonslayers of like alignment, and in 
very rare instances may work together with Dragonslayers to deal with very 
dangerous dragonish foes.

Bonus Proficiencies:  Riding (Aerial, Land-based, or Sea-based)
Required Proficiencies:  Etiquette, Heraldry
Preferred Proficiencies:  Alertness, Ancient History (dragons), Animal Handling, 
Armor Optimization, Armorer, Bowyer/Fletcher, Blacksmithing, Blind-fighting, 
Direction Sense, Endurance, Fire-building, Hunting, Intimidation, Jumping, Local 
History, Luck, Mountaineering, Poetry, Riding Specialization, Rope Use, Running, 
Signaling, Sixth Sense, Survival, Tannery, Tracking, Weaponsmithing, Weather 
Sense
Forbidden Proficiencies:  any General Craft, Rural, or Wilderness proficiencies