Nobles
Lords and ladies of the land, rulers of nations, and famed personalities, nobles rise above the common folk as people of wealth, influence, and esteem. While the positions of many distance them from everyday folk, making them arrogant and aloof, others are philanthropists and heroes of the people who know the plight of the common man and seek to share their good fortune. The trappings and titles of nobility vary widely from nation to nation, and the barons and dukes of one country might equate to the pashas, denka, or ritters of the next.
Noble Scion CR 2
XP 600
Human aristocrat 4
N Medium humanoid
Init +1; Senses Perception +3
Defense
AC 17, touch 11, flat-footed 16 (+4 armor, +1 Dex, +2 shield)
hp 20 (4d8+2)
Fort +1, Ref +2, Will +3
Offense
Speed 30 ft.
Melee mwk longsword +5 (1d8+1/19–20) or mwk lance +5 (1d8+1/×3) or dagger +4 (1d4+1/19–20)
Ranged shortbow +4 (1d6/×3) or dagger +4 (1d4+1/19–20)
Statistics
Str 12, Dex 12, Con 11, Int 10, Wis 8, Cha 13
Base Atk +3; CMB +3; CMD 14
Feats Mounted Combat, Ride-By Attack, Trample
Skills Bluff +5, Diplomacy +8, Intimidate +8, Knowledge (history) +4, Knowledge (local) +4, Knowledge (nobility) +5, Linguistics +5, Perception +3, Perform (dance) +5, Ride +6, Sense Motive +3
Languages Common
Combat Gear potion of invisibility; Other Gear masterwork chain shirt, masterwork heavy steel shield, masterwork lance, masterwork longsword, dagger, shortbow with 20 arrows, noble outfit, light horse (combat trained) with military saddle and studded leather barding, 32 gp
Boon A noble scion might pass on an especially juicy bit of palace gossip, granting a +5 bonus on a Knowledge (nobility) check or Diplomacy check to gather information, or could arrange a face-to-face meeting with a noble, prince, or princess.
Noble scions are the haughty and proud offspring of aristocratic sires, full of the fresh vigor of youth and all the hauteur of those born in a manor. They have received fine education and know a modicum of social graces, but typically practice them only when other highborn are present. Noble scions are scornful of commoners and vagabonds, who return the sentiment toward these peacocks strutting in their finery.
If used as minor court functionaries and sycophants, noble scions can be sources of palace gossip and intrigue. They can also be used as experienced squires who have not yet risen to the knighthood, or as aristocratic cavalry.
A noble scion might be appointed to lead a lance of cavarly (CR 9). A pair of noble scions might dog the footsteps of a princess (CR 7), three noble scions could make up a knight's entourage (CR 8), or eight noble scions can form a gang of rakes with a noble (CR 10).
Knight CR 7
XP 3,200
Human aristocrat 2/paladin 6
LG Medium humanoid
Init +1; Senses Perception +5
Aura courage (10 ft.)
Defense
AC 23, touch 11, flat-footed 22 (+10 armor, +1 Dex, +2 shield)
hp 61 (8 HD; 2d8+6d10+19)
Fort +9, Ref +5, Will +9;
Defensive Abilities divine grace +2; Immune disease, fear
Offense
Speed 20 ft.
Melee mwk lance +12/+7 (1d8+4/×3) or +1 longsword +12/+7 (1d8+5/19–20) or dagger +11/+6 (1d4+4/19–20)
Ranged dagger +8 (1d4+4/19–20)
Special Attacks channel positive energy (DC 15, 3d6), smite evil 2/day (+2 attack and AC, +6 damage)
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 6th; concentration +8)
At will—detect evil
Spells Prepared (CL 3rd; concentration +5)
1st—cure light wounds, divine favor
Statistics
Str 18, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 8, Cha 14
Base Atk +7; CMB +11; CMD 22
Feats Improved Bull Rush, Mounted Combat, Power Attack, Ride-By Attack, Unseat
Skills Diplomacy +10, Handle Animal +8, Heal +5, Knowledge (history) +5, Knowledge (nobility) +5, Linguistics +5, Perception +5, Ride +6, Survival +5
Languages Celestial, Common, Sylvan
SQ aura of good, divine bond (heavy horse), lay on hands (3d6, 5/day), mercies (fatigued, shaken)
Gear +1 full plate, masterwork heavy steel shield, +1 longsword, masterwork lance, dagger, silver holy symbol, heavy horse (combat trained) with chain shirt barding and military saddle, 420 gp
Boon A knight can vouch for a PC, the knight's sterling reputation enabling the character to avoid or lessen a punishment. The knight can also grant a character entry into a tourney or a meeting with his liege with a +5 bonus on one Diplomacy check.
Knights are noble warriors, proud of bearing and lineage and yet humble in service to their liege. Though merciful and generous of spirit, a true knight is always ready to level lance or bare steel in pursuit of justice and to protect the innocent. Knights may also serve as local lord-stewards, judges, or fortress commanders. Knights are usually found singly or accompanied by a squire, escorting a pair of pilgrims (CR 8), guarding two nobles (CR 11), or leading a lance of four cavalry (CR 10).
Noble CR 8
XP 4,800
Human aristocrat 10
N Medium humanoid
Init +2; Senses Perception +5
Defense
AC 19, touch 13, flat-footed 16 (+5 armor, +2 Dex, +1 dodge, +1 shield)
hp 60 (10d8+15)
Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +8
Offense
Speed 30 ft.
Melee mwk rapier +10/+5 (1d6–1/18–20) or silver dagger +9/+4 (1d4–1/19–20)
Ranged +1 longbow +10/+5 (1d8+1/×3)
Statistics
Str 8, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 13
Base Atk +7; CMB +6; CMD 19
Feats Dodge, Mobility, Persuasive, Skill Focus (Diplomacy), Vital Strike, Weapon Finesse
Skills Bluff +16, Diplomacy +27, Disguise +10, Intimidate +10, Knowledge (history) +4, Knowledge (local) +4, Knowledge (nobility) +10, Linguistics +6, Perception +5, Perform (dance) +10, Perform (sing) +10, Perform (string) +10, Ride +6, Sense Motive +10
Languages Common, Elven, Gnome, Halfling
Combat Gear potion of cure light wounds, potion of invisibility; Other Gear +1 glamered chain shirt, masterwork buckler, +1 longbow with 20 arrows, masterwork rapier, silver dagger, circlet of persuasion, cloak of resistance +1, 17 gp
Boon A noble can arrange the loan of noble or royal outfits (and even make a gift of them if sufficiently impressed), or can make a Diplomacy check on behalf of the PCs.
A noble is a titled aristocrat of a noble house, whether a lesser branch or perhaps the high seat of the family line. A noble might also be a member of a royal family, probably not in line for the throne, but still with a high position in society. Whether baroness, countess, duchess, or margravine, a noble is proficient in all of the courtly arts (including with a fine blade) and is well acquainted with news, rumors, fashion, and etiquette in her lands and those that surround it.
Nobles may serve as diplomats, high courtiers, appointed castellans or seneschals of royal castles, or even spies.
A noble may often be found with a knight bodyguard and three noble scions to show off at court (CR 10). A noble might also accompany two princesses in disguise (CR 10), while two nobles may be present at a celebrity bard's concert (CR 12). A traveling noble could be accompanied by a battle mage or minstrel (CR 9), or two watch captain bodyguards (CR 10).
