True Aegis (3.5e Prestige Class)

True Aegis

“	This is more than a tool, it is a shield to my soul. Thus, I reject thee.	”
—Tabris Adamil, Aasimar Paladin

A shield should be useful, and yet the traditional use bogs you down, denying you effective offense, and granting a defense which is poor and quickly outmatched. Indeed, when the most effective shield is an animated one, it is no shield at all. Show them how it's done.

Becoming a True Aegis

Those who wish for defense to their offense take shields, and enchant them as armor all of their own. Sometimes dexterous characters will take on a non-tower shield, gaining the "armor" they so dearly lack while retaining mobility. Even tower shielded tanks find hope in this class.

Entry Requirements

Base Attack Bonus:	+5.
Skills:	Balance 5 ranks.
Feats:	Shield Proficiency
Race:	Dwarf

Table: The True Aegis

Hit Die: d10

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Saving Throws			Special
		Fort	Ref	Will
1st	+1	+2	+2	+0	Concealing Shield (25%/40%), Shield Fighting, Strong Arm, +5 Great Reflection.
2nd	+2	+3	+3	+0	Walking Wall, Shield Stance +1, True Spellresistance, +10 Great Reflection Exceptional Arrow Deflection
3rd	+3	+3	+3	+1	Concealing Shield (40%/55%), Impact Shield, Tower Charge, +15 Great Reflection, Exceptional Arrow Deflection Elemental Immunity (one divine or infernal element of choosing)
4th	+4	+4	+4	+1	Shield of the Heart, Shield Stance +4, +20 Great Reflection Exceptional Arrow Deflection Elemental Immunity x2 (choose another divine or infernal element)
5th	+5	+4	+4	+1	Concealing Shield (55%/70%), Evasion, Immediate Cover, Six Ways of The Aegis, +25 Great Reflection Exceptional Arrow Deflection Elemental Immunity x3 (choose a third divine or infernal element)
Class Skills (2 + Int modifier per level) Balance (Dex), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (nobility and royalty) (Int), Listen (Wis), Profession (Wis), Spot (Wis), Tumble (Dex).

Shield Bonus: All shields equipped to the True Aegis gains +5 bonus enhancement and Great Reflection at level 1 and continues on to +25 Great Reflection Exceptional Arrow Deflection at level five. This provides the True Aegis with an additional 5 AC bonus for every level the True Aegis takes. The Great Reflection normal turns 6 + 1d4 spell levels back at the caster, however this ability turns an additional 5 spell levels per a level of True Aegis back at the caster for example level 1 is 6 + 5 + 1d4 and level 5 is 6 + 25 + 1d4. The Exceptional Arrow Deflection automatically deflects arrows, the True Aegis must pass a fortitude or reflex save, whichever is higher for them, of a DC 20 plus the enhancement bonus on the bow. For example if the bow is a +6 longbow then the True Aegis must pass a DC of 26 to deflect the arrow, in the case of a critical hit then the DC is raised by 1/2 of total DC so the save would become, in this instance, a DC of 39 to deflect the arrow.

Concealing Shield (Ex): A True Aegis knows a shield can provide a physical cover from the enemy's sights. At 1st level a True Aegis may use a light or heavy shield, and gains a constant 25% miss chance from enemy attacks which require attack rolls. If using a tower shield, this miss chance is 40%. At 3rd level the miss chances rise to 40% and 55% respectively, and at 5th level 55% and 70%. The miss chance is not negated by True Seeing, but can be negated if the True Aegis loses his shield. When using the total defense action, the miss chance doubles, wielding multiple shields doubles the miss chance per an extra shield equipped only while being in total defense. Also starting at first level and every level after the shield Gains a +5 enhancement bonus and an enchantment (look at table). The concealment percentage does stack past a 100% for the sake of attacks that lowers or bypasses any percentage of concealment

Shield Fighting (Ex): At 1st level a True Aegis gains Two-Weapon Fighting when making attacks with his weapon and a shield. If the True Aegis already possesses Two-Weapon Fighting, he reduces the penalties by 1 when attacking with his shield. Being proficient in using the shield, whenever the True Aegis is using a Tower shield they cannot be caught flat-footed, flanked or be open to sneak attacks

Walking Wall (Ex): A True Aegis does not take any movement penalties when using a tower shield. Also the True Aegis takes no spellfailures from using a tower shield.

Strong Arm (Ex): When using any shield you gain 3x your constitution mod to your AC and Attack Rolls, this stacks with any ability or traits the True Aegis has gained. Also the True Aegis can consider his shield a weapon for the purpose of Two Weapon Fighting.

Shield Stance (Ex): At 2nd level a True Aegis is able to use his shield more effectively, gaining a +2 bonus to his shield AC when using any shield. At 4th level this becomes +4.

True Spellresistance (Ex): At 2nd level a True Aegis' spell resistance is considered true spell resistance. This protects from all forms of magic granting him an additional spell resistance of 10 + con mod + character level + spell caster level or if they do not have a spell caster level then add in their Wis. This protects against any spells or spell-like abilities including those that bypasses and does not allow spell resistance and/or immunity.

Tower Charge (Ex): Tower shields, in all their size, make it easier to shove around the enemy. A True Aegis may perform a bull rush with a tower shield, gaining a +8 circumstance bonus to the bull rush thanks to the shield. You cannot use this feature if you are not proficient in tower shields.

Impact Shield (Ex): At 3rd level you gain two applications of the shield bash which are useful in combat. As an attack action you may make an attack with the shield, and deal no damage. Instead the opponent takes a -4 penalty per 10 True Aegis AC to all attacks, damage, AC, and saves for 5 + con mod rounds as they are dazed from impact, this may stack any number of times.

Elemental Immunity: the True Aegis may choose divine or infernal elements such as God's Flame and Hellfire. After picking the element the true aegis has all immunity to all elements associated with chosen divine or infernal element.

Shield of the Heart (Su): At 4th level a True Aegis has bonded to his shield on a more spiritual level, and it protects him from even supernatural harm. He gains his shield bonus to touch AC against spells and spell-like abilities. In addition, so long as he has his shield bonus he gains a +8 insight bonus on saving throws. Also the True Aegis gains 3x his con mod to all saves.

Evasion (Ex): At 5th level a True Aegis has mastered the art of dodging, weaving, and getting himself between danger and his defenses. He gains evasion. If he already possess evasion, he instead gains improved evasion.

Immediate Cover (Ex): At 5th level the quick reflexes of a True Aegis come into play when using a tower shield. As an immediate action he may take total cover behind his tower shield, which can prevent many a burst effect spells and obliterate an incoming blow. This uses up his actions in the upcoming round, hiding behind his tower shield, but ensures he survives. You cannot use this feature if you are not proficient in tower shields.

Six Ways of The Aegis (Ex): At 5th level the True Aegis may summon 6 shields that are exact replicas of your current shield. You gain the AC bonus from these and you control these at will to perform any action. This takes a full round action to summon and they last for 5 rounds +1 round per constitution mod and cannot be used again for another 1d12 rounds. While the skill is not in use the True Aegis gains damage reduction equal to one tenth of his total AC, while activated this bonus increases to two tenths.

Epic True Aegis

Table: The True Aegis

Hit Die: d12

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Saving Throws			Special
		Fort	Ref	Will
6th	+6	+5	+5	+2	Sturdy Enough, Threat of the Shield, +30 Great Reflection Exceptional Arrow Deflection Elemental Immunity x4
7th	+6	+5	+5	+2	Concealing Shield (70%/85%), Multi-Impact Shield, +35 Great Reflection Exceptional Arrow Deflection Elemental Immunity x5
8th	+7	+6	+6	+3	Increasing Odds, Grinder, +40 Great Reflection Exceptional Arrow Deflection Elemental Immunity x6
9th	+7	+6	+6	+3	Concealing Shield (85%/90%), Increasing Odds II, Reflection of Blows, +45 Great Reflection Exceptional Arrow Deflection Elemental Immunity x7
10th	+8	+7	+7	+4	Master of the Aegis, 12th Way of the Aegis, Damage Reduction True Immortality
Class Skills (2 + Int modifier per level) Balance (Dex), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (nobility and royalty) (Int), Listen (Wis), Profession (Wis), Spot (Wis), Tumble (Dex).

Sturdy Enough: Any shield you equip is considered indestructible and immune to disintegration effects.

Threat of the Shield When 6 Ways of the Aegis or the 12th Way of the Aegis is active the True Aegis gains a threat range of 5 ft per a shield equipped and summoned by the True Aegis' abilities.

Multi-Impact Shield The True Aegis may make an Impact Shield attack against all enemies with in the True Aegis' threat range, Impact Shield still does no damage.

Increasing Odds This increases the number of shields summoned through the True Aegis' 6 Ways of the Aegis and 12th Way of the Aegis abilities by 4 shields. Increasing odds II increases the number of shields by 5.

Grinder This is a full round attack the requires at least 10 shields to perform. 5 shields move clockwise and 5 move counter clockwise dealing 10d12 plus the total shield bonus enhancements to all enemies in the True Aegis threat range. I.E. 10d12 +40 per a shield. The cooldown is 2d10 rounds before this attack can be used again.

Reflection of Blows The True Aegis reflects a percentage of the damage from melee attacks equal to 1/10 OF the True Aegis total AC, cannot exceed more than 75% of the total damage

Master of the Aegis The True Aegis gains 20% of the True Aegis' total AC to attack and damage rolls, Multi-Impact Shield no longer takes a full round attack meaning the True Aegis can use Multi-Impact Shield any number of times per a turn per an attack. Furthermore Grinder's cool down is reduced to 1d4 rounds

12th Way of the Aegis The True Aegis replaces 6 Ways of The Aegis with this ability. This ability allows the True Aegis to summon 12 shields instead of 6 shields. The True Aegis still gains all bonuses from the shields. The cool down is 1d4 rounds.

Damage Reduction The True Aegis gains a damage reduction equal to 25% of the True Aegis total AC. The DR/equals the total number of shields the True Aegis controls. Example, the True Aegis with an AC of 100 activates 12th Way of the Aegis and gains 17 additional Tower Shields, the DR is 25/+17 magical adamantite.

True Immortality: The True aegis is immune to death effects, ability drain and no longer can die of old age.

Campaign Information

Playing a True Aegis

Combat: A True Aegis is a defensive melee attacker, who may use various AC boosting feats and abilities to gain protection while assaulting the enemy. The potent damage of a True Aegis over traditional sword & board means they are much more likely to remain a threat that enemies cannot ignore.

Advancement: True Aegis generally continue in their base class or related prestige classes. Things which allow greater defensive powers have good synergy.

Resources: True Aegis may be a particular branch of the local guards and police forces, taking tower shields and moving on ahead during raids to take the brunt and force their opponents into enclosed quarters.

True Aegis in the World

“	Let the Fullerites shake and tremble at the emblem of our shields, for we are a wall against the storm, indestructible!	”
—Genovelt, Shifter True Aegis

True Aegis are often members of classes who bear shields with pride, such as guards and paladins.

NPC Reactions: The original class often determines how an NPC will treat you, but the shield may become a symbol of your presence... one of dread, or one of bravery.

True Aegis Lore

Characters with ranks in Knowledge Nobility and Royalty can research True Aegis to learn more about them. When a character makes a skill check, read or paraphrase the following, including information from lower DCs.

Knowledge Nobility and Royalty

DC	Result
10	True Aegiss are able to use shields effectively, and are as strong as any two-handed weapon user.
15	A True Aegis's shield grants him concealment against all sorts of dangers, and are even more effective in their hands.
20	Tower shields can become potent weapons and defense in a True Aegis's hands, and they can even shield themselves from magical harm.
30	Those that reach this level of succeed can research a specific True Aegis, their motives, whereabouts, and legends.

True Aegis in the Game

True Aegis are defensive attackers who may be involved in ways of getting opponents to waste actions attacking them, and punishing them if they don't.

Adaptation: Don't like evasion? Replace with uncanny dodge (and it's improvement if you possess it).

Sample Encounter: The fort you are about to assault has a team of True Aegis standing between you and victory. Beware their tower shields which will bull rush you into the moat.

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