Champion
Description: Champions are the youngest of the orders. They were founded around 1950 A.O.D. by a half-nymph female named Vanoviel Niltaurwen. She was the first Champion. Before a great battle among the gods, Vanoviel was charged by O'Ma with the task of forming the Champions of O'Ma and spreading them throughout Avlis.
Before the Champions, there was another order associated with O'Ma's church, known as the Templars of O'Ma. The Templars were slightly different. Instead of being fully integrated holy warriors, they were largely a martial force who were also trained minimally in the religious ways of O'Ma. They acted mainly as a bodyguard unit for traveling clerics. Throughout history, clerics of O'Ma had been subject to much distrust and sabotage by sympathizers of Titania and other troublemakers. It was the job of the Templars to keep this nonsense at bay.
When creating the Champions, Vanoviel recruited heavily from the Templars. Eventually, most, if not all, Templars were trained as Champions. Currently, the Templars exist as a training order, preparing potential Champions for the rigors of Championhood. Other training orders also exist for the same purpose, such as the Order of O'Ma.
The Champion's fighting style is modeled largely after its founder. Vanoviel was well known for dual-wielding a longsword and a shortsword. Other dual combinations are also taught, but the longsword/shortsword combination is the most common one seen among the Champions. Heavy armor is also the norm, although some of the more slim-bodied members will opt for medium armor instead.
Champions still do largely the same tasks as the Templars did. They guard the clerics of O'Ma in their work. However, Champions also have missions of their own assigned by the High Champion and guided by her subordinates. The Champion's chain of command proceeds up from one Champion to the next most powerful. Major issues are decided by the High Champion's advisors and, if needed, the High Champions him/herself. Currently, the base of operations for the Champions is in the city of Elysia. This is their headquarters, but there are units of Champions spread all over Avlis performing various missions.
Hit Die: d10
Proficiencies: Armor (Light, Medium, Heavy), Shields, Weapons (Martial, Simple)
Skill Points: (Int mod * 4 at 1st level) 2 + Int mod
Skills: Concentration, Discipline, Heal, Lore, Parry, Persuade, Spot
Primary Saving Throw(s): Fortitude
Requirements
Deity: O'Ma
Feats: Skill Focus: Heal, Weapon Focus: Short Sword, Two-Weapon Fighting (The Ranger's "Dual-Wield" feat will work as well, instead of Two-Weapon Fighting)
Skills: Heal: 5
Level Progression
| Lvl | BAB | Saves | Feats | Divine Casting Progression | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort | Ref | Will | ||||
| 1st | +1 | +2 | +0 | +0 | Ambidexterity, Detect Evil, Remove Fear 1/day | Spells/day gained |
| 2nd | +2 | +3 | +0 | +0 | Divine Grace | +1 caster level |
| 3rd | +3 | +3 | +1 | +1 | Smite Evil | Spells/day gained |
| 4th | +4 | +4 | +1 | +1 | Improved Two-Weapon Fighting | +1 caster level |
| 5th | +5 | +4 | +1 | +1 | Turn Undead | Spells/day gained |
| 6th | +6 | +5 | +2 | +2 | Lay on Hands | +1 caster level |
| 7th | +7 | +5 | +2 | +2 | Cure Critical Wounds 2/day | Spells/day gained |
| 8th | +8 | +6 | +2 | +2 | Divine Wrath 1/day | +1 caster level |
| 9th | +9 | +6 | +3 | +3 | Extra Smiting, "Optional" bonus feat: Divine Might | Spells/day gained |
| 10th | +10 | +7 | +3 | +3 | Divine Shield | +1 caster level |
Epic Progression
| Lvl | Feats | 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 | Heal 2x/day | +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 | Heal 4x/Day | +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 Champion Bonus Feats: Armor Skin, Epic Toughness, Epic Weapon Focus, Epic Prowess, Epic Reputation, Great Charisma
Notes
- Because the Ambidexterity and Improved Two-Weapon Fighting feats are received for free, characters do not require the usual prerequisite Dexterity score of 15.
- The Smite Evil ability works differently than the standard Paladin ability (see link for details).
- The Cure Critical Wounds ability is hooked to function similar Elixirs of Healing. It becomes gradually more powerful with each Champion level until it is replaced by Heal.
Notable Champions, Past & Present
- Vanoviel Niltaurwen: First Champion (Deceased)
- Sarmon: Current High Champion
- Cole Dayhawke: Hero in the years after Elysia's Reclamation; Figure in the Order of O'Ma