WARRIOR-PALADIN KIT

Vindicator

Description:  Some expeditions or missions of the church require the attention 
of a specialist whose religious dedication and zeal is unquestioned and whose 
fighting skills far exceed those of the typical Paladin.  Vindicators fit this 
bill perfectly, being single-minded, specially anointed holy warriors of 
tremendous skill and strident commitment to their faith.  For a determined 
Vindicator, no job is too difficult and no enemy too formidable.  Some 
Vindicators are sometimes formed into holy military orders, while some are 
individuals working more or less freelance for their church hierarchy.  A 
Vindicator's companions will find him or her disciplined, focused, and 
unyielding in his or her determination to accomplish objectives and goals.  
Vindicators socialize little, preferring instead to keep their bodies strong 
with punishing exercise and their minds sharp with quiet meditation.  Natural 
leaders in combat situations, Vindicators fight with grim intensity and fearless 
perseverance.

Requirements:  In addition to standard Paladin requirements, Vindicators must 
have scores of at least 13 in Dexterity and Constitution.

Weapons & Armor:  Vindicators are limited to weapons permissible for Clerics of 
their faith, but they are not limited in choice of armor.  Vindicators do tend 
to favor weapons that can be wielded two-handed, and at least half of their 
weapon proficiencies must be spent on melee weapons that can be used in this 
fashion.

Special Benefits:  Unlike other Paladins, a Vindicator can begin play with 
Skilled Specialization in any one weapon and must only pay the usual cost of one 
slot per level of specialization.  As with other Paladins, a Vindicator can only 
specialize in a single weapon.

Aura of Holiness:  As a standard Paladin.  In addition, Vindicators are immune 
to fear and gain a +2 bonus to saving throws versus mind-affecting spells.  
These bonuses do not apply to other creatures within the aura.

Call Mount:  As a standard Paladin.

Chosen Foe:  As a standard Paladin.  In addition, a Vindicator can select a 
specific evil priesthood as his or her Chosen Foe.  If this is done, the 
Vindicator will gain his or her full bonus against any character that receives 
priestly powers from that deity and the lesser bonus against any creature who 
worships that deity or is employed by the priesthood of that deity.

Church Favor:  Vindicators automatically receive a 'Friendly' reaction with any 
worshiper of their deity.  In addition, they can always request room, board, and 
sanctuary for themselves and up to 1 companion per level at any temple or 
stronghold of their religion.

Essence of Virtue:  As a standard Paladin.

Faith Healing:  As a standard Paladin of half his or her actual level.

Holy Might:  Vindicators are also able to invoke the holy might of their deity 
once per day, with the effects of this power lasting for 1d4+1 rounds per level.  
While in effect, this surge of power grants the Vindicator 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 Vindicator's actual hit 
points), and grants one extra attack per two melee rounds.  At the expiration of 
this Holy Might, the Vindicator 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 Vindicator can fight on 
at negative hit points, down to -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 the Vindicator must remain 
in combat continuously.  If a round passes in which the Vindicator is unable to 
attack a foe or if the power's duration expires while the Vindicator 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 Vindicator 
must save vs. death magic to survive.  If this save is successful, the 
Vindicator 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 Vindicator will pass out and be treated as any other 
character at negative hit points, perishing if below -10.

Priestly Powers:  As a standard Paladin, but a Vindicator gains these powers 
very slowly.  He or she can turn undead as a priest of half his or her actual 
level.  In addition, though a Vindicator gains spellcasting ability at 9th level 
like other Paladins, they gain spellcasting ability at only half the normal 
rate, as noted below:

Vindicator		Casting		Priest Spell Levels
Level			Level		1	2	3	4
9-10			1		1	-	-	-
11-12			2		2	-	-	-
13-14			3		2	1	-	-
15-16			4		2	2	-	-
17-18			5		2	2	1	-
19+			6		3	2	2	-

In addition to decreased spellcasting ability overall, a Vindicator can cast 
spells only from the spheres of All, Combat, Healing, Protection, and War.  A 
Vindicator never gains the ability to use or create priest scrolls or magical 
items.

Sense Evil:  As a standard Paladin.

Special Hindrances:  Vindicators share the same restrictions as other Paladins 
in terms of their devotion to law and goodness and their general code of 
conduct.  Vindicators also have significantly decreased abilities in the areas 
of Faith Healing and Priestly Powers, as described above.  In addition, a 
Vindicator is driven to train continuously and to always be ready for battle.  
As a result, they do not gain the Charismatic Appeal of other Paladins, though 
they do possess their normal Charisma adjustment to assist them in getting their 
point across short of baring steel.  

A Vindicator's focus on combat skills takes time away from other studies, 
halving the normal number of non-weapon proficiencies gained at 1st level 
(including those gained due to high Intelligence) and causing them to gain such 
proficiency slots only every four levels.

Finally, because of their special role, Vindicators are more beholden to their 
churches than other Paladins.  They must tithe 20% of their income directly to 
their church is doubled, and they are encouraged to give as much over and above 
this as is not directly required for the upkeep of themselves and any retainers.  
In addition, Vindicators have a 5% per level chance each time they advance a 
level of being summoned by their church to engage in a special quest on behalf 
of the church, and a Vindicator must always obey the commands of any higher-
level priests or Paladins of their faith.  Failure to obey, unless to obey would 
contravene the Vindicator's alignment, results in the loss of all special 
abilities except for weapon specialization until an atonement is completed.

Required Proficiencies:  Display Weapon Prowess, Religion
Preferred Proficiencies:  all Warrior proficiencies, Alertness, Awareness, 
Endurance, Jumping, Law, Monster Lore, Observation, Riding (Land-based)