Blackguard

Blackguard of Maleki (Prestige Class)

Hit Die: d12

Base Attack Bonus: +1/level

Proficiencies: Light Armor Medium Armor Heavy Armor Shields Simple Weapons Martial Weapons

Skill Points: 2 + INT modifier

Class Skills: Concentration Craft Trap Discipline Heal Intimidate Lore Parry Persuade Ride Taunt

Primary Saving Throw(s): Fortitude

Alignment Restriction: Chaotic Evil Only

Description

Blackguards are the Holy Warriors of the greater god Maleki, founded to combat Paladins and any others who would seek to oppose his will.

Blackguards are the epitome of evil and slaughter. They often have no real reason for what they do, except that it is their own will or the will of the person subjugating them. Their existence is almost as ancient as that of the Paladins and often they are referred to as "anti-Paladins", as Maleki created these fighters as an answer to Gorethar's fighting force of holy warriors. Many of his creatures were being slaughtered by the newly empowered dwarves. Maleki found this displeasing and so empowered some of his own minions to fight back. The struggle continues to this day.

Blackguards see the world in terms of will. Either they are following their own will and thus serving Maleki, or they are following the will of someone who has power over them, who may or may not be serving the will of Maleki. In either case, Blackguards believe that it is ultimately up to them to be able to enforce their own will. The exact nature of their will can vary: some want power beyond all dreams, while some just want destruction.

Blackguards pattern themselves after their good counterparts when it comes to weapons and armor, though in the same way, their exact traditional preferences have been lost. Organizationally, they answer only to Maleki unless they are roughed up by someone greater than themselves. In many cases they gain insights into their god's will through clerical intervention and thus have often found themselves used as pawns of Maleki's church.

Requirements

To qualify as a Blackguard, a character must fulfill all of the following criteria:

• Deity: Maleki
• Alignment: Chaotic Evil
• Base attack bonus (BAB): +6
• Feats: Cleave
• Skill Ranks: 5 Hide

Level Progression

Spellcasting: Blackguards progress in the divine spellcasting class they previously had (if any) at a rate of 1/2 per level.

Lvl	BAB	Saves			Feats		Base Class Divine  Casting Progression
		Fort	Ref	Will
1st	+1	+2	+0	+0	Detect Good 30', Detect Law 30', Turn Undead		Spells/day gained
2nd	+2	+3	+0	+0	Imposition of Will		+1 caster level
3rd	+3	+3	+1	+1	Bonus feat		Spells/day gained
4th	+4	+4	+1	+1	Dark Blessing		+1 caster level
5th	+5	+4	+1	+1	Lay on Harm		Spells/day gained
6th	+6	+5	+2	+2	Bonus feat		+1 caster level
7th	+7	+5	+2	+2	Smite Good		Spells/day gained
8th	+8	+6	+2	+2	Kiss of the Slaughterlord		+1 caster level
9th	+9	+6	+3	+3	Bonus feat		Spells/day gained
10th	+10	+7	+3	+3	Profane Weapon		+1 caster level

Blackguard bonus feats: Divine Might, Divine Shield, Extra Smiting, Greater Spell Focus, Imposition of Hatred, Improved Critical (Whip), Improved Imposition of Will, Sneak Attack 1d6.

Epic Progression

Lvl	Feats		Base Class Divine  Casting Progression
11th			Spells/day gained
12th			+1 caster level
13th	Bonus feat		Spells/day gained
14th			+1 caster level
15th			Spells/day gained
16th	Bonus feat		+1 caster level
17th			Spells/day gained
18th			+1 caster level
19th	Bonus feat		Spells/day gained
20th			+1 caster level
21st			Spells/day gained
22nd	Bonus feat		+1 caster level
23rd			Spells/day gained
24th			+1 caster level
25th	Bonus feat		Spells/day gained
26th			+1 caster level
27th			Spells/day gained
28th	Bonus feat		+1 caster level
29th			Spells/day gained
30th			+1 caster level

Epic Bonus Feats: Armor Skin, Devastating Critical, Divine Might, Divine Shield, Epic Prowess, Epic Reputation, Epic Spell Focus, Epic Toughness, Epic Weapon Focus, Extra Smiting, Great Charisma, Great Smiting, Greater Spell Focus, Imposition of Hatred, Improved Combat Casting, Improved Critical (Whip), Improved Imposition of Will, Overwhelming Critical, Planar Turning, Sneak Attack 1d6.

Epic Selectable Class Feats: Blinding Speed, Dragon Knight, Greater Ruin, Hellball, Mummy Dust.

Notes

• When casting Divine spells on Avlis, you must have a valid Avlis deity in your deity field to cast spells above 3rd level.