Blackguard

Classes:

Paladin Classes: Paladin | Champion | Avenger | Justicar | Equalizer | Confounder | Dominator | Annihilator | Blackguard

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The Blackguards of Maleki

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". 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 would not have it, so he 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, which 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. 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 preferences have been lost. Organizationally, they answer only to Maleki, unless they are roughed up by someone greater than they. Many times, they gain insights into their god's will through clerical intervention, and they have often been used as pawns of Maleki's church for this reason.

Blackguard of Maleki (CE)

• Hit Dice: d12
• Class Skills: Per standard BG
• Prerequisites: Per standard BG
• Alignment - CE

• Abilities:

  1.  Detect Good 30', Detect Law 30', Turn Undead
  2. Imposition of Will
  3. Class Feat (Sneak Attack +1d6, Improved Imposition of Will, Imposition of Hatred)
  4. Dark Blessing
  5. Lay on Harm
  6. Class Feat
  7. Smite Good
  8. Kiss of the Slaughterlord
  9. Class Feat
 10. Profane Weapon (Unholy weapon)

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

Epic Abilities: Blackguards of level 11 and higher continue to get bonus feats at level 13, 16, 19, 22, 25, and 28.

Blackguard Abilities

Imposition of Will: The Blackguard attempts to impose his will upon enemies and allies alike, strengthening himself while weakening them. Only Chaotic Evil or characters/creatures with Maleki in the Deity field may be affected. Affected characters must make a Will Save, or suffer a -2 penalty to Saves and AC. The Blackguard gains a +2 bonus to Attack, Damage, Saves and AC. For each additional creature that succumbs to the Blackguard's will, the Blackguard receives an additional +1 to these bonuses, up to the Blackguard's level. (Minimum +2, maximum +15). If the ally makes the save, the Blackguard instead loses 1 from their "pool" of bonuses, and the creature receives a bonus to saves.

While imposing their will, the Blackguard steadily loses hitpoints, and must slake this thirst by killing his enemies. The Blackguard receives a temporary Vampiric Regeneration effect on his weapon (equal to his Charisma bonus, if positive) and takes half of his Blackguard level's worth of 'feedback' damage for the duration.

Duration: Blackguard levels + Charisma bonus rounds. Uses Turn Undead.

Imposition of Hatred: As Imposition of Will, but the Blackguard instead subjects allies and enemies to a state of hate-filled frenzy. Creatures that fail their Will save will be subject to +3 Attack and Damage bonuses, +1d4 Strength and Constitution, in exchange for a -2 AC and Will save penalty. Creatures that fail their Will save by more than 10 are additionally subject to Confusion.

Duration: Blackguard levels + Charisma bonus rounds. Uses Turn Undead.

Kiss of the Slaughterlord: Inflicts a random Disease or Poison on the target, and requires a Fortitude save to resist a second Disease on the next turn.

Profane Weapon: Temporarily enchants the Blackguard's weapon with a +3 (+1 for every 5 Blackguard levels), 2d6 Negative Energy damage vs. Good and Vampiric Regeneration equal to Blackguard levels. The Blackguard takes damage equal to 1/2 Blackguard level per round while active.

Duration: Blackguard levels + Charisma bonus rounds.

Improved Imposition of Will: Raises the DC of Imposition of Will and Imposition of Hatred by 2.

Sneak Attack, Lay on Harm, Dark Blessing, Turn Undead, Detect Alignment, Smite Good: As normal Avlis version.