Bulwark of Hope (3.5e Class)
Bulwark of Hope
This class is chosen by those who wish to protect others and rid evil with the light of their deity. Most who approach this lifestyle are from a humble background, wishing nothing more than the betterment of others. Their religious zeal is prominent, but not overbearing. Bulwarks of Hope work well as a support to a powerful leader, aiding them in every way. They are strong in their own right as well; nothing too forward, but a powerful undercurrent of passion and love can easily drive a party to a common goal.
Making a Bulwark of Hope
Restrictions:
Alignment: Lawful Good
Weapon choice restricted to blunt weapons.
A shield must always be equipped.
A Bulwark of Hope may not be of an elven race, nor any that has a racial negative constitution modifier.
Code of Conduct: The Bulwark of Hope must do all in his or her power to protect the lives of innocent civilians, even at the risk of his or her own bodily harm or at a personal loss. Starting Age: Moderate
Level | Base Attack Bonus |
Saving Throws | Special | Stalwart Charge | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Fort | Ref | Will | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1st | +0 | +2 | +0 | +2 | Toughness, Reduced Movement Speed | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2nd | +1 | +3 | +0 | +3 | Vital Core | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3rd | +2 | +3 | +0 | +3 | Mobility | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4th | +3 | +4 | +1 | +4 | Improved Shield Bash | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5th | +3 | +4 | +1 | +4 | DR 1/-, Armor Skin 1/- | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
6th | +4 | +5 | +1 | +5 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
7th | +5 | +5 | +2 | +5 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
8th | +6/+1 | +6 | +2 | +6 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
9th | +6/+1 | +6 | +2 | +6 | 5
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10th | +7/+2 | +7 | +3 | +7 | DR 2/-, Armor Skin 2/- | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
11th | +8/+3 | +7 | +3 | +7 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
12th | +9/+4 | +8 | +4 | +8 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
13th | +9/+4 | +9 | +5 | +9 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
14th | +10/+5 | +9 | +4 | +9 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
15th | +11/+6/+1 | +9 | +5 | +9 | DR 3/-, Armor Skin 3/- | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
16th | +12/+7/+2 | +10 | +5 | +10 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
17th | +12/+7/+2 | +10 | +5 | +10 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
18th | +13/+8/+3 | +11 | +6 | +11 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
19th | +14/+9/+4 | +11 | +6 | +11 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
20th | +15/+10/+5 | +12 | +6 | +12 | DR 4/-, Natural Armor 4/- | 10
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Class Skills (3 + Int modifier per level, ×4 at 1st level)
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Class Features
All of the following are class features of the Bulwark of Hope.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The Bulwark of Hope is proficient in all armors and all shields (except Tower).
Stalwart Charge This ability allows the Bulwark of Hope to charge to an ally within twice of the Bulwark's movement speed and act as their shield of courage. The Bulwark makes a charge akin to the charge action. First, there must be a 5-foot starting distance. The Stalwart Charge's direction and square movement operates in the same matter as a ray spell, but with a limited range. Next, the Bulwark can charge over a number of enemies to equal to his or her constitution modifier plus his or her strength modifier. The Bulwark must beat each enemy's strength check with a check of its own with a bonus of combining his or her strength modifier and the character's Bulwark of Hope levels. Every successive enemy past the first ads a +2 to the DC check against the Bulwark of Hope. A successful roll allows the Bulwark to knock the enemy down without dealing any damage. A failed roll gives the enemy an attack of opportunity against the Bulwark of Hope. If the Bulwark of Hope is hit by such an attack of opportunity, then the charge fails and the Stalwart Charge usage is expended.
can.
The benefits to the Bulwark are as follows: +2 to Strength, +4 to Constitution, and +2 to AC for a total number of rounds equal to 2+ the constitution modifier of the Bulwark (post-bonus of the ability). The ally to whom was rush also gains +2 AC, as well as half of their damage taken in this duration is transferred to the Bulwark. However, while this ability is still active, the Bulwark and his or er ally cannot be more than 5 feet apart (adjacent, including diagonals). The ally in need can move, but not at a rate greater than the Bulwark's own movement speed. If the ally is no longer in immediate danger (no enemies can attack the ally in question within one round through material (swords, bows, crossbows, etc.) means), the Bulwark of Hope is able to move about freely. However, this immediately removes bonuses from both parties involved.
Toughness: The Bulwark of Hope gains the Toughness feat at the first level.
Reduced Movement Speed: The people's well-being is a great burden on the Bulwark of Hope's shoulders. A character of this class moves 5 feet slower than a character of the same race, armament, and encumbrance, but of a different class.
Vital Core: The Bulwark of Hope's strong moral fiber provides a strong foundation for her life, strengthening her at every turn.
Mobility: The Bulwark of Hope gains a +4 against Attacks of Opportunities while moving through threatened squares. This is made to benefit the Stalwart Charge ability if the knockdown check is failed. The feat is gained even though the character may not meat all the prerequisites.
Damage Reduction: The Bulwark of Hope gains Damage Reduction over time, as shown on Table: The Bulwark of Hope. This increasing attribute is a direct result of the Bulwark's piety and love for others, casting off worldly pain and being sustained by her own faith.
Natural Armor: The Bulwark of Hope's skin becomes stronger with the blows that have landed over her life. Starting at 5th level, the Bulwark of Hope gains Natural Armor of +1 every five levels.
Improved Shield Bash: The Bulwark of Hope gains the Improved Shield Bash feat at teh 4th level.
Ex-Bulwarks of Hope
Any Bulwark of Hope that performs multiple (over four) acts that go against the greater good of her fellows will lose her position. Once losing her deity's favor, the Bulwark of Hope loses all divine spells, the Stalwart Charge ability, all damage reduction, and all fast healing. To regain her status as a Bulwark of Hope, the ex-communicated must go on a mission of goodwill among the common folk. The mission must be selfless in essence.
If the mission is completed and status is regained, the Bulwark now has access to all abilities, but the effectivity of the Fast Healing and Damage Reduction is halved, rounding down. The number of Stalwart Charges per day and the spells per day are also halved, rounding down, to represent the deity's past disfavor. After this rebirth, the Bulwark of Hope gains uses per day, spells per day, damage reduction, and fast healing at the same rate as an uncorrupted Bulwark would.
Starting Gear
Weapon: Flail or Heavy Mace
Shield: Heavy Wooden Shield
Armor: Scale Mail
Gold: 2d4*4 gp
Other Items: 1 Hooded Lantern, 2 oil skins, 1 days rations, deity's holy symbol, flint and steel, backpack, 1 water skin, bedroll.
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