Aristocrat-Socialite (3.5e NPC Class)

Aristocrat-Socialite

The Aristocrat NPC class presented in the DMG is a satisfactory representation of a stereotypical aristocrat (and almost powerful enough to be viable as a PC class: a suggested upgrade is presented here, under the "Born to Command" ability). The alternative presented here offers more skills in exchange for a lack of combat training.

As with the Aristocrat class, the easiest way to qualify for this class is to be born into it (i.e. to take it at 1st level). However, the DM could allow a higher-level character to become an Aristocrat or Aristocrat-Socialite after taking the Leadership feat and being granted lands and a title by a monarch (or equivalent authority).

Class Skills

Appraise (Int), Bluff (Cha), Diplomacy (Cha), Disguise (Cha), Forgery (Int), Gather Information (Cha), Handle Animal (Cha), Knowledge (all skills taken individually) (Int), Listen (Wis), Perform (Cha), Ride (Dex), Search (Int), Sense Motive (Wis), Speak Language, Spot (Wis), and Swim (Str). This is similar to the Aristocrat skill list, but with the addition of Search and the loss of Intimidate and Survival.

Skill points at first level: (6 + Int modifier) x 4

Skill points at each additional level: 6 + Int modifier

Class Abilities

Hit Die: d6

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Aristocrat-Socialites are not proficient with any weapon except the dagger (and even dagger-proficiency only applies to melee, not thrown daggers). They gain no proficiency with armour or shields.

Table 1-1: The Aristocrat-Socialite

Level	BAB	Fort	Ref	Will	Special Abilities
1	+0	+0	+0	+2	Social Knowledge, Born to Command (+1)
2	+1	+0	+0	+3
3	+1	+1	+1	+3
4	+2	+1	+1	+4
5	+2	+1	+1	+4	Born to Command (+2), Leadership
6	+3	+2	+2	+5
7	+3	+2	+2	+5
8	+4	+2	+2	+6
9	+4	+3	+3	+6	Born to Command (+3)
10	+5	+3	+3	+7	Second Cohort
11	+5	+3	+3	+7
12	+6/+1	+4	+4	+8
13	+6/+1	+4	+4	+8	Born to Command (+4), Epic Leadership
14	+7/+2	+4	+4	+9
15	+7/+2	+5	+5	+9	Third Cohort
16	+8/+3	+5	+5	+10
17	+8/+3	+5	+5	+10	Born to Command (+5)
18	+9/+4	+6	+6	+11
19	+9/+4	+6	+6	+11	Legendary Commander
20	+10/+5	+6	+6	+12	Fourth Cohort

Class Features

All of the following are class features of the Aristocrat-Socialite:

Social Knowledge: Aristocrat-Socialites are "well-connected" and accumulate much miscellaneous information. This ability works just like Bardic Knowledge (and stacks with it), with Aristocrat-Socialite levels considered equivalent to Bard levels.

Born to Command: Aristocrat-Socialites (and Aristocrats) are natural leaders, with the confidence and authority that is often lacking in those not born to the role. They gain a +1 bonus to their Leadership rating (as described in the Leadership feat), plus an additional +1 for every 4 levels above 1st (i.e. 5th, 9th, 13th, 17th). They also gain Leadership as a bonus feat at 5th level (normally, characters have to be at least 6th level to qualify for this), and Epic Leadership at 13th (again, waiving the usual requirements) which allows for Leadership ratings above 25. Finally, at 19th level, they gain the Legendary Commander epic feat (again, waiving the usual requirements, except the need to have a stronghold and rule a substantial region) which allows ten times the usual number of followers, enough for a small army.

Aristocrat-Socialites (and, optionally, Aristocrats) can also gain aditional cohorts. At 10th, 15th and 20th level, an additional cohort can be recruited. In each case, the maximum permitted experience level of the new recruit drops by 2 levels compared to the previous one. Thus, a 20th level Aristocrat-Socialite (or Aristocrat) could have 4 cohorts at 18th, 16th, 14th and 12th level.

Multiclassing: Aristocrat and Aristocrat-Socialite levels can be freely mixed if the character wishes to blend some of the Aristocrat-Socialite's skills with some of the Aristocrat's superior combat ability. No multiclassing penalty will result from mismatched levels in these two classes, and both levels are added together for the "Born to Command" Leadership bonus and Leadership feats. If the character has additional classes, levels of Aristocrat and Aristocrat-Socialite are added together and treated as a single class when determining multiclassing penalties.

The Epic Aristocrat-Socialite

Class Skills

Skill points at each additional level: 6 + Int modifier

Class Abilities

Hit Die: d6

Class Features

All the following are class features of the Epic Aristocrat-Socialite:

Social Knowledge: This continues to improve with level.

Born to Command: Leadership continues to improve by one point every four levels above 17th.

Cohorts: A new cohort can be recruited every 5 levels, with the maximum cohort level continuing to drop by 2 levels each time.

Bonus Feats: The Epic Aristocrat-Socialite gains a bonus feat every four levels above 20th, but is not limited to a specific list. The character may claim any epic feat that he/she meets the requirements of.

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