Bludfrost Cavalier (3.5e Prestige Class)

A Polar Bear, the favored mount of Blüdfrost Cavaliers

Blüdfrost Cavalier

“	Don't test the laws of the land out here. If the weather doesn't kill you, they will.	”
—Cape Beckon Dock Worker, Boris Petrov, on the Blüdfrost Cavalry

In the frozen north of Blüdfrost, the mighty animals of the wild are revered for their strength and ability to survive. These animals admire the civilized races ability to survive in the land as well, and a poetic understanding and companionship can be formed.

This is were the members of the Blüdfrost Cavalry are born. The cold cousin races of the north and their wild brethren form a sacred frost bond and assist each other in keeping the wilds safe from all types of northern hazards.

Becoming a Cavalier

Characters at home in the frozen waste and uncomfortable in bigger settlements are the first choice to become Blüdfrost Cavaliers. A character ready to join the ranks of the cavalry should be able to handle the wild elements and animals of the north and uphold the laws of the land. A character may seek to become a cavalier to become a master of mounted combat.

Entry Requirements

Alignment:	Any lawful. The character's alignment must be within one degree of his mount. A Blüdfrost Cavalier is charged to uphold the laws of Blüdfrost, so he must be lawful.
Base Attack Bonus:	+6.
Base Saves:	Fortitude +5.
Skills:	Handle Animal 4 ranks, Knowledge (nature or religion) 4 ranks, Ride 5 ranks.
Feats:	Mounted Combat
Race:	Any race, though cold-based races (such as the Arctic Glacier Dwarves and the Ice Gnomes) are more prone to join the ranks.
Special:	The character must be granted admittance into the Blüdfrost Army and go through basic training before becoming a cavalier. (DM Note:This is for Valgora-specific campaigns only.)

Table: The Blüdfrost Cavalier

Hit Die: d8

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Fort Save	Ref Save	Will Save	Mount Speed (Charge)	Special
1st	+1	+2	+0	+0	—	Frost Mount, Frost Empathy, Frost Endurance 4/day
2nd	+2	+3	+0	+0	10 ft. (10 ft.)	Flash-Freeze 3/day, Frost Protection
3rd	+3	+3	+1	+1	10 ft. (20 ft.)	Rebuke Frostkin
4th	+4	+4	+1	+1	20 ft. (40 ft.)	Perfect Rider +2
5th	+5	+4	+1	+1	20 ft. (60 ft.)	Summon Frostkin IV 1/day
6th	+6	+5	+2	+2	40 ft. (100 ft.)	Perfect Rider +4, Master Rider
7th	+7	+5	+2	+2	40 ft. (140 ft.)	Summon Frostkin V 1/day
8th	+8	+6	+2	+2	80 ft. (220 ft.)	Frost Knight
9th	+9	+6	+3	+3	80 ft. (300 ft.)	Summon Frostkin VI 1/day
10th	+10	+7	+3	+3	120 ft. (500 ft.)	Frostkin Calling 2/day
Class Skills (4 + Int modifier per level) Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Handle Animal (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Ride (Dex), Use Rope (Dex), Balance (Dex), Tumble (Dex), and Knowledge (nature and religion) (Int).

Table: The Epic Blüdfrost Cavalier

Level	Mount Speed (Charge)	Special
11th	120 ft. (500 ft)	Bonus Feat
12th	120 ft. (560 ft)
13th	120 ft. (560 ft.)
14th	120 ft. (620 ft.)	Bonus Feat
15th	120 ft. (620 ft.)
16th	120 ft. (680 ft.)
17th	120 ft. (680 ft.)	Bonus Feat
18th	120 ft. (740 ft.)
19th	120 ft. (740 ft.)
20th	120 ft. (800 ft.)	Bonus Feat

Class Features

All the following are class features of the blüdfrost cavalier.

Frost Mount (Su): When the cavalier gains his first level in the blüdfrost cavalier prestige class, he tames and trains a animal at home in the arctic wastes. The mount is immune to cold effects and can speak, understand, and read any languages that the cavalier can. The mount is no longer mindless, but is ridden as a creature of Intelligence 1 (see below). The available mounts for a cavalier may vary depending on the specific campaign or dungeon master's digression, but generally can be chosen from the following: at first level: polar bear, arctic fox (for small sized creatures), snow spider, caribou, or seal (for aquatic races). At third, sixth, and ninth levels, the cavalier may choose to change animals, and at each specific level the chose of arctic creatures grows. At third level: dire snow spider. At sixth level: dire polar bear, dire arctic fox (for small sized creatures), dire caribou, or dire seal (for aquatic races). At ninth level: wooly mammoth, tlalusk, or frost worm. A cavalier may choose not to change his mount, at which point the mount is treated as having the characteristics of it's same animal one size category larger and all its stats increase by 1.

Frost Empathy (Sp): At 1st level the cavalier can speak mentally to any frostkin creature within 30ft. The frostkin creature will understand whatever the blüdfrost cavalier says to it. The cavalier can pinpoint the exact location of any frostkin creatures within 30ft, even if he can't see them. He can use the Handle Animal skill with frostkin. For the purposes of qualifying for prestige classes and feat prerequisites he is treated as having the Winter's Mount^FB feat.

Frost Endurance (Sp): At 1st level, the blüdfrost cavalier can use numbing sphere^FB spell as a spell-like ability four times a day (with a caster level equal to the character's blüdfrost cavalier class level).

Flash-Freeze (Sp): At 2nd level the blüdfrost cavalier can use Flash-Freeze spell^FB as a spell-like ability three times a day (with a caster level equal to the character's blüdfrost cavalier class level).

Frost Protection (Ex): At 2nd level as a swift action, the blüdfrost cavalier can become tougher for short periods of time as if using the Ice Shield spell^FB The cavalier's mount is considered to be under the effects of the spell as well.

Summon Frostkin IV (Sp): At 5th level the blüdfrost cavalier can use summon ice beast IV spell^FB as a spell-like ability once per day (with a caster level equal to the character's blüdfrost cavalier class level).

Rebuke Frostkin (Su): At 3rd level the blüdfrost cavalier may rebuke frostkin creatures as a cleric would rebuke undead. He rebukes frostkin as a cleric of three levels lower would. The character's frost mount is unaffected by her rebuke attempts, and receives a +4 bonus against other blüdfrost cavalier's rebuke attempts.

Perfect Rider (Ex): At 4th level, the blüdfrost cavalier gains a +2 competence bonus to Ride checks when riding a frost mount. This increases to a +4 competence bonus at 6th level.

Master Rider (Ex): At 6th level, the blüdfrost cavalier does not suffer penalties to AC due to charging while mounted on a frost mount, and only takes half of the normal penalty to ranged attacks due to being mounted.

Summon Frostkin V (Sp): At 7th level the blüdfrost cavalier can use summon ice beast V^FB as a spell-like ability once per day (with a caster level equal to the character's blüdfrost cavalier class level).

Frost Knight (Ex): While riding a frost mount, the blüdfrost cavalier gains a +2 competence bonus to attack rolls and AC.

Summon Frostkin VI (Sp): At 9th level the blüdfrost cavalier can use summon ice beast V^FB as a spell-like ability once per day (with a caster level equal to the character's blüdfrost cavalier class level).

Frost Calling (Sp): At 10th level the blüdfrost cavalier can use call avalanche^FB as a spell-like ability once per day (with the caster level equal to the character's blüdfrost cavalier class level).

Frost Mount (Ex): At 11th level and every second level thereafter, the Blüdfrost Cavalier's frost mount gains two Hit Dice. The hit dice should be taken from the base creature's racial die found in the Monster Manual or other appropriate books, namely Frostburn.

Bonus Feat: At 11th level and every 3rd level thereafter, the epic blüdfrost cavalier gains a bonus feat chosen from the following list: Armor Skin, Combat Archery, Damage Reduction, Devastating Critical, Dire Charge, Distant Shot, Energy Resistance, Epic Endurance, Epic Leadership, Epic Prowess, Epic Toughness, Epic Weapon Focus, Epic Weapon Specialization, Exceptional Deflection, Improved Combat Reflexes, Improved Manyshot, Improved Stunning Fist, Improved Whirlwind Attack, Infinite Deflection, Instant Reload, Legendary Commander, Legendary Rider, Legendary Wrestler, Overwhelming Critical, Penetrate Damage Reduction, Perfect Two-Weapon Fighting, Reflect Arrows, Spellcasting Harrier, Storm of Throws, Superior Initiative, Swarm of Arrows, Two-Weapon Rend, Uncanny Accuracy. In addition to the feats on this list, the epic blüdfrost cavalier may treat any feat designated as a fighter bonus feat as being on the blüdfrost cavalier bonus feat list. A blüdfrost cavalier must still meet all prerequisites for a bonus feat, including ability score and base attack bonus minimums.

Frost Mount

Frost mounts have the following game statistics (on top of their base racial statistics).

Table: The Frost Mount

Hit Die: d10

Rider's Level	Size	HD	Natural Armor	Special
1st	T/S	2	+0	Frost Mount Traits, Unbreakable Frost Bond
2nd	M	4	+0	Evasion, Share Spells
3rd	L	6	+1	Uncanny Dodge, Shrink 3/day
4th	H	8	+1	Fast Movement +10ft
5th	H	8	+2	Mount Bonus Feat
6th	H	10	+2	Fast Movement +20ft
7th	H	10	+3	Slippery Mind
8th	H	12	+3	Fast Movement +30ft
9th	H	12	+4	Mount Bonus Feat
10th	H	14	+4	Improved Evasion
Class Skills (2 + Int modifier per hit die) Climb (Str), Spot (Wis), Hide (Dex), Move Silently (Dex), Jump (Dex) and Use Rope (Dex).

Class Features

All the following are class features of the frost mount.

Frost Mount Traits: The frost mount must either be a cunning scout or an arctic hunter, but with the Dungeon Master's permission, it may be a specific arctic creature not mentioned above. Use the base statistics for a race of the mount’s kind, but make the following changes.

Hit Dice: The number of d10 Hit Dice that the frost mount has (this replaces its normal Hit Dice). A frost mount has a good base attack bonus and good Fortitude and Reflex saves. Treat the frost mount as a character with class levels equal to the mount’s HD. A frost mount gains additional skill points and feats for bonus HD as normal for advancing a monster’s Hit Dice. The frost mount has 2+ Intelligence modifier skill points per Hit Die, but must train for one hour a day with the blüdfrost cavalier in order to gain these skill points.

Natural Armor: The number noted here is an improvement to the frost mount’s existing natural armor bonus and both stack.

Attacks: The frost mount can make multiple attacks with his bite (or claw/gore attack depending on the creature) attack as if it where a manufactured weapon, with a -5 penalty to each extra attack. The mount cannot use its gore ability (if it has one) while making multiple attacks.

Size: Unless chosen by the player and approved by the dungeon master, the frost mount is the same (where appropriate) or one size category larger than the blüdfrost cavalier. If a cavalier chooses not to change animals for their base mount at the appropriate levels, the creature's stats improve as if one size category larger than it truly is, however it's true size does not alter.

Type: The frost mount's type changes from animal to magical beast (augmented animal).

Ability Scores: The Frost mount's ability scores are chosen using the elite array, replacing the 10 and the 8 with the cavalier's Intelligence and Charisma scores, which the frost mount shares. The racial ability score adjustments, Armor Class and attack modifiers and bite damage due to size for the frost mount are shown on Table: Frost Mount Adjustments by Size. For details on frost mounts see the blüdfrost cavalier's specific chosen creature's base statistics in it's source book (typically the Monster Manual or Frostburn).

Optionally a Dungeon Master may allow their player to roll 4 sets of 4d6 discarding the lowest die and arrange the results among the frost mount's Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, and Wisdom scores.

Table: Frost Mount Adjustments by Size

Size	Str	Dex	Con	AC/Attack	Bite Damage
Tiny	-8	+6	+0	+2	1d3
Small	-4	+6	+0	+1	1d4
Medium	+0	+6	+2	+0	1d6
Large	+4	+6	+2	-1	1d8
Huge	+8	+6	+2	-2	2d6

Unbreakable Frost Bond (Su): The frost mount shares a bond with his cavalier rider that transcends the physical. The mount assumes the rider's alignment. If a blüdfrost cavalier dies, the frost mount dies 2d10 days later as a result of depression. If the frost mount dies the cavalier must attempt a Fortitude saving throw of DC 25. If the saving throw is failed, the cavalier loses 2 hit points per blüdfrost cavalier level. He will then go into a rage for 1d12 + (her Constitution modifier) rounds as if he was a 1st level barbarian.

At all times, the frost mount and cavalier can communicate empathetically and telepathically, see out of each others eyes, and can locate each other as if by the locate creature spell.

The blüdfrost cavalier automatically passes Ride checks to attack while mounted and to control his mount in battle when mounted on his frost mount, and has full control over his mount's speed at all times. The blüdfrost cavalier and his mount share the same initiative, which is rolled using their highest initiative bonus (The cavalier's or the mount's).

Shrink (Sp): 3 times per day at 3rd level, the frost mount can reduce its size to any size category smaller than itself as a swift action. This spell-like ability lasts until the mount decides to end it, which it can do as a free action. The caster level is 1 for this ability. This ability works like a stackable reduce person.

Fast Movement (Ex): At 4th level, the frost mount's land and climb speeds increase by +10ft. At 6th level, the bonus to the frost mount's speed increases by an additional +10ft and increases again at 8th level by another +10ft. This is taken into account when the mount is not being commanded by it's rider, at which point it's combined tactical speed and charge speed can be seen on the chart at the top of the page.

Mount Bonus Feat: The frost mount may select a bonus feat from the following list: Improved Critical (bite), Ability Focus, Acrobatic, Combat Reflexes, Dodge, Improved Initiative, Improved Natural Attack (bite), Lightning Reflexes, Power Attack, Improved Bull Rush, Improved Overrun, Stealthy and Weapon Focus (bite) (when appropriate based on the creature, Weapon Focus (claw), (tail slap), or such may be chosen).

Evasion (Ex): If the frost mount makes a successful Reflex saving throw against an attack that normally deals half damage on a successful save, he instead takes no damage. Evasion can be used only if the frost mount is wearing light armor or no armor. A helpless frost mount does not gain the benefit of Evasion.

Share Spells (Ex): At the blüdfrost cavalier's option, he may have any spell (but not any spell-like ability) he casts upon himself also affect his frost mount. The frost mount must be within 5 feet of him at the time of casting to receive the benefit. If the spell or effect has a duration other than instantaneous, it stops affecting the frost mount if he moves farther than 5 feet away and will not affect the mount again, even if it returns to the blüdfrost cavalier before the duration expires. Additionally, the blüdfrost cavalier may cast a spell with a target of “You” on his frost mount (as a touch range spell) instead of on himself. A blüdfrost cavalier and his mount can share spells even if the spells normally do not affect creatures of the companion’s type [magical beast (augmented Animal)].

Uncanny Dodge (Ex): The frost mount retains his Dexterity bonus to AC (if any) even if he is caught flat-footed or struck by an invisible attacker. However, he still loses his Dexterity bonus to AC if immobilized.

Slippery Mind (Ex): If a frost mount with slippery mind is affected by an enchantment spell or effect and fails his saving throw, he can attempt it again 1 round later at the same DC. He gets only this one extra chance to succeed on his saving throw.

Improved Evasion (Ex): This ability works like Evasion, except that while the frost mount still takes no damage on a successful Reflex saving throw against attacks he henceforth takes only half damage on a failed saving throw. A helpless frost mount does not gain the benefit of Improved Evasion.

Ex-Blüdfrost Cavaliers

The blüdfrost cavalier can make a decision to which the frost mount objects. Switching to an opposing deity, offending the frost mount, ceasing to revere frostkin, taking the mount for granted, or otherwise upsetting the mount can cause the frostkin to leave the cavalier. The blüdfrost cavalier loses all its supernatural and spell-like abilities gained from being a blüdfrost cavalier. The Cavalier can make amends only by contacting the frost mount to apologize. If the mount accepts the apology, the frost mount will come back to the rider and the cavalier will regain all blüdfrost cavalier class features.

If the blüdfrost cavalier's frost mount dies, the cavalier can never have another frost mount to replace his deceased frostkin (as he will never again gain levels in the class to "change" creatures). However, the blüdfrost cavalier can spend one hour in a ritual to bring the frost mount to life. The frostkin cannot be brought back to life in any other way (including methods that make the mount undead). The frost mount will then return to life in his original body. If the deity that the rider worships believes the cavalier to be unworthy, then the frost mount will not return to life. If the deity changes his mind about the cavalier's worth at a later date, the ritual can be undertaken again. The frost mount's body cannot be damaged, disfigured or destroyed unless the blüdfrost cavalier is also dead (and will be repaired instantly if the blüdfrost cavalier returns to life), and can be called to the blüdfrost cavalier when he wishes to perform the ritual.

Campaign Information

Playing a Blüdfrost Cavalier

Adventure: Blüdfrost cavaliers usually adventure around the northern wastes, patrolling the lands and meeting the wild creatures of the arctic. They also adventure in order to fulfill a task appointed to them by their country, or to find new candidates to train in the art of the blüdfrost cavaliers. Neutral blüdfrost cavaliers are rather obscure in their purposes. Their objectives are not known.

Characteristics: Blüdfrost cavaliers are totally obsessed with the wild lands of the frigid north - their minds, bodies and souls are tied to the cold.

Blüdfrost cavaliers rarely stop thinking about the land or their frostkin in some way (even if it is just a corner of the mind considering some frigid theory), and they often weave arctic-knowledge into conversations simply because they can't help it! They simply love the land and it's denizens with their hearts, minds and souls, and can't imagine others not doing the same to some degree. A blüdfrost cavalier's idea of impressing someone is showing off their knowledge of the north. Because of this obsession, most blüdfrost cavaliers marriages are to another cavalier or to a member of an arctic race or settlement.

The blüdfrost cavaliers and his mount are as one: they are mentally bonded and share their thoughts. The rider and the frostkin each have their own personality, opinions, and desires. However, both cavalier and mount are privy to the thoughts, opinions, and desires of the other.

Races: The cold citizens of Blüdfrost are the most likely in all the world to become blüdfrost cavaliers. This includes the toughened humans, ice gnomes, glacier and arctic dwarves, snow elves, and other races tied to the frigid lands.

Combat: The blüdfrost cavaliers takes the party role of a fighter and fast-attacker. Their skill in arms and their frost mounts make them ideal front-line fighters. The frostkin's speed makes them excellent at fast attacking and getting where they are needed.

Advancement: A blüdfrost cavaliers should probably consider taking levels in fighter to gain specialized mounted combat bonus feats.

Resources: Blüdfrost cavaliers may be given various magic or helpful items to help them on their quests by the other blüdfrost cavaliers loyal to their country.

Blüdfrost Cavaliers in the World

“	The cold keeps our senses sharp. We thank the land for this.	”
—Alexei Vorobev, blüdfrost cavalier

NPC Reactions: NPCs tend to jump to conclusions when it comes to blüdfrost cavalier, especially humans and elves: they tend to assume that they are barbaric northerners with great disdain for civilization, and are reluctant to change this first judgment. While cold races treat blüdfrost cavalier with great respect, others treat them like barbaric dirt.

Blüdfrost Cavalier Lore

Characters with ranks in Knowledge (local) can research blüdfrost cavaliers to learn more about them. When a character makes a skill check, read or paraphrase the following, including information from lower DCs.

Knowledge (local)

DC	Result
11	Blüdfrost Cavaliers are northerners who ride arctic animals and patrol the frigid wastes.
16	Blüdfrost Cavaliers are mentally bonded to their mount.
21	If a Blüdfrost Cavalier is slain in battle, it's mount dies shortly after in depression and remorse.
26	The blüdfrost cavalier's mount is actually so closely bonded that he is another aspect of the cavalier's personality.

Blüdfrost Cavaliers in the Game

Adaptation: If not in Valgora, simply call members of this class Arctic Cavaliers or replace them with a cold, northern (or perhaps far southern) country in your own campaign's name. Blüdfrost is the class's Valgorian home country.

Sample Encounter: If the PCs enter a frigid northern temple or ruin, they may encounter resistance in the form of the blüdfrost cavaliers.

EL 11: Alexei, a blüdfrost cavalier, guards a military ruin. He will attack any and all intruders (unless they immediately show military orders allowing them on the site) dealing non-lethal damage. If successful, he will imprison the individuals for questioning and send them to his higher ups in the blüdfrost military unit stationed at Cape Beckon.

Alexei Vorobev

CR 11

	Male Dwarf (arctic) paladin 6/Blüdfrost Cavalier 4
	LG Medium humanoid (dwarf)
Init/Senses	+3/darkvision 60 ft.; Listen +1, Spot +1
Aura	Good
Languages	Common, Dwarven, Undercommon, telepathy with Pyotr
AC	20, touch 13, flat-footed 17 (+7 armor, +3 Dex)
hp	56 (10 HD)
Immune	cold
SR	19
Fort/Ref/Will	+5/+5/+1 (+2 against spells and spell-like abilities); +2 against enchantment
Speed	20 ft.
Melee	+1 holy lance +14 (1d8+4/19-20)
Base Atk/Grp	+10/+13
Atk Options	smite evil 2/day (+2 attack, +4 damage)
Special Actions	lay on hands (8 hp/day), rebuke frostkin 5/day (+2, 2d6+3, 1st), rebuke undead 5/day (+2, 2d6+3, 1st), flash-freeze 20 ft. (40 ft.).
Spell-Like Abilities	(CL 4th): At will—detect evil 1/day—dancing lights (CL 10th), darkness (CL 10th), faerie fire (CL 10th) 3/day—frost protection 4/day—frost endurance (DC 14)
Abilities	Str 17, Dex 16, Con 11, Int 10, Wis 8, Cha 14
SQ	stonecunning & icecunning, aura of good, frost empathy, perfect rider +2
Feats	Exotic Weapon ProficiencyB (hand crossbow), Mounted Combat, Spirited Charge, Blüdfrost Endurance, Spirited Charge.
Skills	Handle Animal +11, Knowledge (nature) +11, Ride +16, Search +2, Spot +1, Listen +1, Use Rope +10
Possessions	+1 holy lance, +3 scale mail
Patron Deity	Rendisha

Pyotr, Frost Mount

CR —

	polar bear
	LG Huge magical beast (augmented animal)
Init/Senses	+5/darkvision 60 ft., tremorsense 60 ft.; Listen +1, Spot +1
Languages	telepathy with Alexei
AC	24, touch 13, flat-footed 19; uncanny dodge (–2 size, +5 Dex, +7 natural, +2 armor)
hp	69 (10 HD)
Resist	evasion
Fort/Ref/Will	+11/+12/+3
Speed	50 ft. (10 squares), climb 30 ft.; Fleet of Foot, Run
Melee	bite +15 melee (3d6+6) or
Melee	claws +10/+5 melee (2d8+8)
Space/Reach	15 ft./10 ft.
Base Atk/Grp	+9/+23
Special Actions	shrink 3/day, web
Abilities	Str 23, Dex 20, Con 17, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 14
SQ	fast movement, share spells, unbreakable frost bond
Feats	Fleet of Foot, Improved Natural Attack (bite), Run
Skills	Climb +23, Hide +8, Jump +25, Spot +16.
Possessions	leather armor barding
Shrink (Sp)	Three times per day, as a swift action, Pyotr can reduce its size to any size category smaller than itself as though affected by a stackable reduce person spell for each reduction in size category. This spell-like ability lasts until it decides to end it, which it can do as a free action. The caster level is 1st for this ability.
Unbreakable Frost Bond (Su)	Pyotr shares a bond with Alexei that transcends the physical. It has Alexei's alignment. If Alexei dies, Pyotr dies 2d10 days later from depression. If it dies then Alexei must attempt a Fortitude saving throw of DC 25. If the saving throw is failed, Alexei loses 8 hit points. He will then go into a rage for 1d12 rounds as if he was a 1st level. At all times, Pyotr and Alexei can communicate empathetically and telepathically, see out of each others eyes, and can locate each other as if by the locate creature spell. Alexei automatically passes Ride checks to attack while mounted and to control Pyotr in battle when mounted on it. He has full control over Pyotr's speed at all times. Alexei and Pyotr share the same initiative, which is rolled using Araënû’s initiative bonus. barbarian.

References

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