Celegian Prestige Classes

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Celegian Prestige Classes

21 new Prestige classes just for Celegia

General/Warrior:

• Celegian Swift Riders
• Celegian Dire Riders

Warrior:

• Majesty of Movement
• Blowing Sails
• Standing Mountain
• Nine Ways of War

Rogue/warrior:

• Force Driver
• Water and Fire

Roguish:

• Creeper
• Breakneck

Wizard:

• Citymancer
• Celegian Force Mage

Cleric:

• Templars of Domana
• Philiate of Lurain
• Revelers of Corellan
• Vivimorts of Termanant
• Ravers of Puellor
• Wardens of Daneth
• Contrivers of Karena
• Wisdoms of Teb
• Vitiators of Quellada
• Tricksters of Lyreth

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The prestige classes below are readily available to player characters.

Arcane Archer: Since there are no elves in the Empire, this Prestige class, sadly, is not allowed. If a referee wishes to do so anyway, the Langourous or Grimlander human sub-races are the recommended ones to allow it for. Note that this would be a difficult Prestige Class to qualify for. As a further option, the referee may choose to allow the Arcane Archer to use a Greatbow or Stonebow instead of a Longbow for any/all of the special class abilities, but that choice must be made when the first level of Arcane Archer is chosen and cannot be changed later.

Arcane Trickster: Given the overwhelming prevalence of magic in the Empire, Arcane tricksters are enormously in demand and quite successful. Arcane Tricksters are one of the few illicit classes that can get by without aid from the Thieves Guilds, and as such often have strained relations with those organizations. This is an excellent prestige class to consider if playing a Rogue who chafes at the restrictions of your local Guild.

Archmage: Archmage is a prestige class that is often taken by at least one member of a Circle of higher level mages. The High Arcana are extremely useful for the offensively minded members of such Circles. Archmage levels increase the Casting Class levels of the character for Circle purposes. Archmage High Arcana both increase and decrease the flexibility of a spellcaster, and if carefully chosen and used, can improve the effectiveness of an offensive caster enormously.

Assassin: This is another prestige class that is very popular in the Empire, with many lay worshippers of Karena, not to mention many members of the various Thieves Guilds, pursuing it. Ironically, this prestige class is well suited for evil characters to get along without Guild help, and so there is always a certain tension between Assassins and Guilds.

Blackguard: Paladins are uncommon in the Empire, but Blackguards are uncomfortably popular. Blackguards are mainly sponsored by the Mad God Puellor, although a large minority follows both Karena and Quellada. Many of the most powerful Blackguards are sponsored by the so-called Black Bond between Puellor and Quellada, the dread reflection of Domana and Lurains Holy Union. Perhaps the rarest character type in the Empire is a fallen Paladin(even rarer than a Monk), and they also rank as perhaps the most dangerous!

Cavalier: Cavaliers are rare throwbacks in Celegia, living relics of the Age of the Warrior Kings. Compared to Swift Riders or Dire Riders, Cavaliers are narrowly focused specialists, but supremely dangerous in their ability to slam home a massively damaging charge on the field of battle. Cavaliers are not popular with the other “mounted” classes, as they treat Swift Riders as uppity squires and Dire Riders as beastly rabble. Cavalier/Paladins with their summoned steeds are incredibly powerful combatants, but extremely rare. Non-paladin Cavaliers are the most avid group of customers for Swift-trained Destriers. In Celegia, a Cavalier receives his mounted weapon bonus with the lance as normal, but may choose any one melee weapon rather than having to choose the sword. (They must expend an Exotic Weapon Feat if they desire to use such.) Be wary of the Cavalier who has chosen to be armed with an Exotic Weapon, for the potential damage a War Pick or Great Pick can do in a charge does not bear contemplation, and a Cavalry Whip or Greatwhip used from the back of a mount gives incredible reach and power to the Cavalier.

Church Inquisitor: As if Templars are not bad enough, many worshippers of Domana also take levels of Church Inquisitor. Such characters are even less prone to humor or good cheer than most Templars, and they constantly stalk the Powerful Church looking for shirking, dereliction, and taint. Church Inquisitors are the worst enemies of Contrivers and Vitiators everywhere. Many Church Inquisitors also arise from the ranks of the Philiates, especially from among the Healers and the various heresies, such as the Calloused Ones.

Combat Medic: Many priests and clerics in Celegia have a level or two in this prestige class, learned in the massive battles the Legions are embroiled in on the North. Any Legion of Provincial veterans that know you are a Combat Medic will almost certainly accord you a great deal of respect. The general population is not overly impressed with them, mainly because they are unaware of their heroism.

Dragon Disciple: This prestige class does not exist within the Celegian Empire. There may be adherents to this creed in the mysterious Northlands.

Dread Commando: Many Commandos come out of the ranks of the Legions, and even more come from the vast Provincial Armies that the various Ordinates field. The Dread Commando is given a certain degree of dark mystique in the Empire, and Dread Commandos are viewed as hard-bitten, romantic figures. Among serious warrior types, Dread Commandos are seen as a sort of poor-mans Majestic who hits harder if he can catch you off guard. Military commanders love Dread Commandos and an usually high percentage of Stalwarts in the various Armies come from their ranks.

Duelist: The Duelist prestige class is enormously popular in the hot Southern reaches of the Empire, and many other places besides. Any class that allows you to avoid armor and still be effective in combat is welcomed! Many Bards (a very popular class in its own right) take Duelist levels to improve their performance, as it were, and many Fighters, Rogues, and even Rangers and Barbarians, choose to follow this path. Duelists are also fairly popular among the Arrakanza, where they are likely the funniest members of that dark culture, and among the Langourous, where they are likely the most effective warriors that gentle culture produces. In Celegia, Duelists who delve into the Exotic Weapons find several extraordinarily dangerous tools for their use. Note that Celegian Duelists may use a Flickerspike for their special abilities, even though it is a two-handed weapon! Further note that silkenmail weighing less than 4 pounds may be worn by a Duelist and it is considered to be “no armor.”

Dungeon Delver: Rare in most places, Dungeon Delvers are very common in the vast buried city of Tuggston, and many more roam the vast abandoned mines in Frippe. Many of them occasionally come up to the surface for a squint at the sun and a breath of air untainted with Darkness. Dungeon Delvers are highly sought after specialists, and are present on most serious expeditions to destroy some Epic Undead or Abomination.

Dwarven Defender: There are no Dwarves in the Empire, so sadly, this prestige class is not allowed. If referees want to include it anyway, it is recommended that the Fane Dar are the best fit for this prestige class. A Fane Dar with this Prestige Class, articulated armor, a tower shield and a War Axe is a defensive beast, and changing to a Heavy Whip and/or a Long Whip gives her back some offensive flexibility. Even worse, in the two-handed Exotics she could choose a Cruciate Maul (for the defensive stuns) or a Greatwhip (for the reach and heavy hitting power.). Approach this prestige class with caution. The ancient and effective equipment of the Empire in the hands of a Defender can create a monster.

Eldritch Knight: This is a popular prestige class in the Empire, with many former Legion War Mages taking this class as they advance in their careers. The Langourous and Fane Dar especially favor this prestige class. This Prestige class is also well suited for Mage Circles and levels in Eldritch Knight count as Caster Levels for Mage Circles. Many circles seek out an Eldritch Knight to act as the more defensive member of said circles, where their considerable prowess with weapons makes them quite effective.

Exotic Weapon Master: This is an extremely popular prestige class in Celegia. Over the enormous span of Imperial history, the art and science of the hand-held, muscle powered weapon has been refined and perfected time and time again. The exotic weapons available in Celegia are miracles of form and function, and the Exotic Weapon Master is the only person who is able to unlock their true fury. A Great Whip that can trip, or a Cruciate Mace used two-handed to smash home brutally powerful blows, or twin Needleswords (or even more frightening, Quickpicks) used with extraordinary speed and skill, or a Great Pick sundering Adamantine armor with a single blow, are only the beginning of the martial feats usable by these masters of arms. As a note, in Celegia, all whips are treated as spiked chains for purposes of this classes exotic weapon stunts.

Frenzied Berzerker: This prestige class is very popular among the more pugnacious of the Arrakanza. Berzerkers got their start in the ancient Time of Night where their massive battle power was crucial to the Empire’s survival. They survive to this day, mainly in the form of a monastic order dedicated to Primal Rage in the Silver Hills known as Raegasfont. With Imperial equipment, a Berzerker can be nigh unstoppable, a fact that the Watches overcome with mancatchers and alchemical tangles. Most Berzerkers stay out in the Great Grass Sea, but a number of other graduates of Raegasfont wander the Empire. As long as they direct their fury upon the proper targets, they are tolerated, but many Berzerkers spend large amounts of time in the various Punishment Temples.

Hierophant: Among the higher ranks of the many Churches in the Empire, the Hierophant prestige class is extremely common. The many special abilities are enormously popular and widely used, with each Church preferring different ones according to their tastes. Druidic Hierophants are very rare in Celegia but they do exist.

Highland Stalkers: This prestige class is uncommon in the core of the Empire, but has many devotees among the Mountaineers in the Aarn and Gane area. The savage Arrakanza find the prestige class very useful, as their Sure in Battle ability combines with skirmish to make such a combination incredibly deadly. Lastly, the Fane Dar find many uses for Highland Stalkers as they push ever higher in the foothills of the Ferrospinae Mountains, flirting with the deadly Veil. More than a few Wardens of Daneth also take this prestige class. As a note, in Celegia the Scout class does not exist, meaning this is a rogue-entry only prestige class.

Horizon Walkers: This pprestige class is fairly common in the Empire, with the largest concentration of these specialists among the hardy Grimlanders in the brutal Sand Sea. Many Horizon Walkers are employed by various Provincial authorities and especially in the Great Barrens, the Grass Sea, and other trackless areas in the Empire. The brutal campaign against the Emerald Empire is creating still more demand for these specialists.

Justiciars: This prestige class is rare but widely distributed in the Empire. Most Watch Commanders know at least one or two Justiciars and such talented specialists have no lack of work to do. Justiciars are not highly respected, being viewed more as bounty hunters than agents of law and order, despite the lawful nature of the Justiciars. The “dishonorable” skills and tactics of the Justiciars fighting style causes much of this scorn, most particularly their use of “low blows”, grappling, and hog tying. Most Justiciars learn to be wary of Fane Dar, as grappling a Fane Dar is akin to grappling an oak tree, and even worse, a motivated Fane Dar barbarian can snap even masterwork manacles or yards of heavy chain like unfired clay. As a note, in Celegia Justiciars who are wielding a Whip, Long Whip, or Cavalry Whip when they initiate a grapple may use the weapon as a rope for a hog tie check, and if it succeeds, lose the use of that weapon until they untie the victim. If such a weapon is used this way and the bound victim succeeds in bursting their bonds the weapon is ruined (treat as sundered.)

Lore Master: Possibly the most popular arcane prestige class in the Empire. With the vast sea of lore and history the Empire has accumulated in the 60 millenia of its existence, Lore Masters are in high demand and well paid for their knowledge and skills. The Prestige class is also well suited for Mage Circles, and levels in Lore Master count as Caster Levels for Mage Circles. Many mage Circles seek out Lore masters for their vast wells of knowledge, not to mention their earning potential.

Mystic Theurge: A quite rare prestige class in the Empire. Theurges are masters of both the Divine and the Arcane. They are tremendously potent spellcasters, but they are socially shunned by both the churches and the guilds. This prestige class is not well suited to Mage Circles, and levels of Mystic Theurge do not count as Caster Levels for Mage Circles.

Reaping Mauler: Only barely more common than Monks, and for many of the same reasons. Reaping Maulers have a small but devoted following in the Sea Provinces, where their lack of heavy armor and weapons makes their survival upon the high seas more likely. The stigma against fighting without weapons is still present, but less severe. The abilities of the Reaping Mauler, combined with the fact that they can wear all types of silkenmail, lead to truly scary unarmed combatants. The occasional Reaping Mauler is seen adventuring through the Empire, usually sneering arrogantly at those who mock him. Reaping Maulers, like Justiciars, learn to be wary of Fane Dar, as they are STRONG and their mighty physique makes wrestling them a real chore. They also steer clear of Berzerkers, as grappling a Frenzied Berzerker is almost never going to end well.

Shadowdancer: Shadowdancers are rare in the Empire and almost all of them come from the Langourous, as their worldview suits the powers of the Shadowdancer nicely. A Shadowdancer in Celegia has a considerable social stigma due to the implicit “peeping tom” issues their powers invoke, so most Shadowdancers practice their art furtively. Shadowdancers may wear any silkenmail and still use their powers. In the Empire, the Shadow summoned by the Shadowdancer is considered to be a spirit and has the Outsider subtype rather than the Undead subtype.

Spellsword: Many wizards in the Empire received their training for service in the Imperial Legions. This means they are almost always War Mages, dual classed humans with one level of fighter and then several levels of Wizard. Such wizards are natural candidates for Spellsword status, and once they can afford Silkenmail and Mithril armor, some of the most durable and dangerous spellcasters in the Empire are the result. They give up a good deal of arcane talent for this durability, and worse, a Spellsword is poorly suited for inclusion in a Mage Circle, with Spellsword levels not counting toward Class Level for mage circle purposes.

Sworn Slayer: With so many spirits, undead, and worshippers of evil dieties, it is inevitable that bad things happen. Adventurers who have been so wronged often choose the Sworn Slayer prestige class, and with Imperial blessing go on deadly journeys of vengeance. Sworn Slayers are seen as grim but sympathetic figures in the Empire, and are usually well received. Some of the most deadly people in the Empire are Grimlander Rangers who choose this prestige class, as the chosen enemy bonuses for the race, class and prestige class ALL stack. This combination is one of the reasons why the deadly Arrakanza walk wary around the much less flashy Grimlanders, for it is impossible to tell which one may be a Slayer of Arrakanza. Truthfully, most Sworn Slayers in Celegia (even Grimlanders) choose their enemies as undead.

Thaumaturgist: Thaumaturgists are rare in the Empire, as most churches actively suppress the class. The Wisdoms of Teb are an exception and so a small number of thaumaturgists continue on. Many Thaumaturgists run afoul of the legions due to their Cohorts. At most, Thaumaturgists are considered oddities in the Empire.

Thief-Acrobat: These agile combatants are rare in the Empire, as they are considered to be the less-skilled and less capable poor relations to the mighty practicioners of Majesty of Motion. Nonetheless, many rogues pursue this prestige class because, despite perceptions, the thief-acrobat is almost as nasty as the much more difficult Majesty of Motion! True, the Thief Acrobat cannot wear armor, and has not the massive power of the “heavier” class, but the ability to fight while off-balance and prone and several other features are surprisingly similar, and a thief-acrobat can provide a very noticeable boost in combat effectiveness and mobility to a lightly equipped rogue.

War Priest: Many Templars of Domana multiclass to Warpriest, as do some heretical followers of Lurain, as well as many Ravers of Puellor, Revellers of Corellan, and even some Vitiators of Quellada. Indeed, it is possible to find adherents to any of the deities as War Priests, as the class is strongly encouraged by the Legions. Pantheist Clerics also find this prestige class useful for the heavy combat punch and massive battlefield effects it can generate. The Inflame and Rally abilities are especially potent in battles against undead and similar eldritch horrors, and the occasional Warpriest who achieves the ability of Implacable Foe is reknowned for their ability to keep weak allies active and battling. War Priests are most common in the Legions, where they are eagerly sought after.

Weapon Master: (Kensai) Weapon Masters are fairly common in the Empire, especially among the poorer and more martial noble houses, of which there are myriad numbers. It is common for the younger children of such houses to seek out various professions, and one of the more honorable is to serve as the bearer of the House Weapon. Such weapons can be very poor to very potent, but in the hands of a Weapon Master, they all are very effective. Such landless nobles are viewed as romantic and slightly tragic figures in the Empire, and tend to travel a lot seeking work. Their romantic reputation means they get a good reception almost everywhere they go.

Void Disciple: Many Langourous become Void Disciples as they seek ever more deeply into the shared illusion that is the world. Void Disciples have a very large stigma against them in Celegia, as their abilities make them a dire threat to the privacy and peace of mind of any Imperial Citizen they happen near. As a result, Langourous Void Disciples rarely travel, and when they do, they usually hide their Void Disciple abilities to the best of their ability. The anger of a Celegian mob over a peeping tom allegation is quick and deadly.

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Other Standard Prestige Classes:

The following previously published Prestige Classes are a good “fit” in the Celegia game setting, usually with only minor tweaks to match the setting.

Mourner 57 Dragon 311 pg 67 Wow, really nice vs Undead. Quite popular Bard second class!

Swanmay 74 BoED p76. Fane Dar prestige class? Anybody can do it but Fane are most common. Lots of Swanmays among the Fane Dar. Instead of Sylvan, speak Lelnian. Some other changes likely needed

Menacing Brute 56 RoD pg 123 Humans can take this in Celegia

Oppressor 59 Dragon312 p40 Perfect for Celegia! Thieves Guilds need leg breakers. :-)

Geometer 41 Com Arcane These guys are secret and quite illegal in the Empire, but they exist anyway. USed to get around the Edicts.

Branch Dancer 24 Dragon mag Instead of a treant Blessing, must be anointed at a Grove of Daneth. Also gets Greatbow and Stonebow

Stoneface 72 dragon310 p74 Very nice stuff, very useful for Bards and rogues and even sorcs

Urban Soul 79 RoD p141 These guys are common in the big cities, like Celegia, Tuggston, Invincia, Faust,and Canniun.