Paladin of the Lion's Crown

Paladin of the Lion’s Crown

Prestige Class for DnD 3.5

By Kyuss the King of Corthandor

Myth says of flying knights who resemble angels, charging to battle from the heavens above, with their fiery mane and their bright sword, bringing justice to the most evil of existences as their heavy shields protect the weak and innocent from the injustice that has befouled them.

These are the Paladins of the Lion’s Crown. An order created by the half leonal knight Ryxarthis and blessed by Nobanion himself. The story of the knight stands an example for all paladins of the order.

Tale of Ryxarthis the Wild

Ryxarthis was, due to his nature, alongside with his mother, casted aside, brutally tortured and dishonored by the community of men. Exiled from all civilized nations he went far into the wild becoming more beast than a man. Using the primal instincts inherited by his leonal nature he survived there alone for 8 long and solitary years.

One silent and dry night of the summer of the 8^th year, the holy lion appeared in his dream. Nobanion told him that one certain woman will pass through this area. He must aid her and protect her at all costs, for she is his chosen and he is his child. Ryxarthis still in anger with the humans that exiled him, full in disbelief, declined the offer and cursed the god away.

A few days after, while Ryxarthis was hunting, a large caravan appeared. Its travelers were worn, thin and dusty; their carriages were small and ready to disassemble in the next bump of the road. The oxen were weak and hungry. He could smell death from afar.

Curious as any wild animal could be, approached the caravan so he might overhear the travelers speaking. The half leonal listened and learned that the kingdom in which he was born, was now destroyed and an evil tyrant had taken control and that this was all that remained of its people. He couldn’t help himself into not crying in joy. At last revenge was taken, at last his oppressors and tormenters laid dead and forever punished.

He left, so he could live his life calmly and quietly, alone. Then, when he tried to leave his hiding place one of the guards spotted him and shot him an arrow. Full of rage and anger, the beast in him took over. He charged to the guard. He dropped him down unconscious and roared loudly with anger. The women and children begun to scream and cry altogether, the other guards were trembling, mortified by his bestial vigor. Then while his blood rage would have killed each and every one, a most gentle and soothing voice called his name. “Ryxarthis?” The half leonal turned slowly to face the one who called him. Standing outside the carriage he saw a most beautiful woman looking at him with eyes full of sorrow.

He spurred and run. Run far from them, with his mind full of her eyes. For 2 days he couldn’t sleep, for 2 days he couldn’t eat until strange noises draw him out of his lair. He saw that not far from the mountain he lived, by the river, the travelers had made camp and they were starting to build something that resembled a village. He returned back into his lair again thinking of her…

Three months passed and the village was starting to form. Ryxarthis every day stood and looked from his lair the villagers working but mostly he stood to see her figure walking around the village doing her duty as a woman but also when hunting and exploring with the other men. He also noticed that the rest of the villagers always bowed when she spoke or touched them. She was not alike them he thought, not at all.

A few days later, Ryxarthis killed a pretty large deer while hunting and now was carrying it back home. The smell of this large game caught a pack of wolves and approached Ryxarthis. Howling they claimed his pray. With the pride of a lion he could never let such lesser animals take his food. He roared with all his might, but the wolves were hungry and their numbers plenty so they ignored his rage. The battle that followed was wild. Ryxarthis was over flanked and took many bites all over his body. Many wolves died, but their numbers were too great even for Ryxarthis’s strength to handle.

Thinking of the end, while all were going black and blurry, he heard the sound of deadly arrows. The last thing he saw was: her holding a bow.

                He found himself at the village while waking up. It was the woman named lady Aust of Serene, the last royal blooded of the kingdom of Serene -Ryxarthis’s previous home - that saved and healed him. She knew of him due to her dreams. It was Nobanion himself that has told her his name and pointed this area for a new beginning.

Although, he still remained a beast in the eyes of the villagers. Besides the pleadings and her oaths, the villagers didn’t want a beast amongst them. She told Ryxarthis to stay, to ignore them but he couldn’t stand the gazes or the insults told behind his back and he left one night, forever cursing the people that lived there.

                It was no more than 3 weeks from Ryxarthis’s departure when one night of the freezing winter he heard screams from the village below and he scented smoke and burning flesh. He jumped out from his cave and saw that the village was under attack by some sort of undead creatures, controlled by a necromancer who stood by the river and was guarded by 3 skeletons while casting his evil spells.

Ryxarthis thought of the innocent lives that were being taken. Yes human he thought, but still innocent. The children, who would protect them? These petty guards? She could only, but who will protect her? He charged from the mountain. Taking the momentum granted by the down hill, he jumped wishing he could reach in time. He found him self flying in white eagle wings that have just like magic appeared from his back. “My child…” he thought. Nobanion!!! This was it! He truly believed then and his power became unequaled and diving he smited the evil sorcerer and vanquished his entire summoned army. As his last resort the evil sorcerer casted a death spell directed at lady Aust. Ryxarthis saw of this and jumped in the way, taking the effect of the spell and finally dying for the woman he so much loved and with his death saving the kind that once had tortured and dishonored him.

From there after, lady Aust, created a holy army and took over the city of Serene from the clenches of Luigarod the Cruel. Serene became once again the jewel she once was, and Lady Aust became her queen.

She found young men amongst the people of Serene, good in their heart and strong in their mind, so she could create “The Order of the Lion’s Crown”, something to present as a gift to her friend Ryxarthis and her deity Nobanion, thanking him for the power he blessed her with. Nobanion and Ryxarthis who now stood by his father’s right arm, found the gift very pleasing and as a blessing to those men, who followed Nobanion’s teachings accordingly, granted them special divine powers.

Amongst the best of champions of good, amongst the worthiest of warriors stand  now the Paladins of the Lion’s Crown, dedicated in destroying the forces of evil all over the world, in the name of the Holy Lion; Nobanion.

The paladins of the order are the elite supremacists of all that is right and just. They are the light in the dark, the beacon of heaven through the clouds, the roar of Courage in battle and whisper of hope before it. Noble and humble, wise and just, powerful and caring these knights are. With kindness in heart they roam the vast world and always pray for forgiveness in their acts.

The holy lion, they so proudly worship, is an ancient deity which stands for Justice and Good. Nobanion’s teachings are short and clear.

·        All people have 2^nd chances; one must be obliged to give it to them.

·        All people are equal amongst others, one must respect them.

·        All have the right of freedom and free choice, one must guide them.

·        All have the right to defend themselves and their family from death or dishonor. If one is unable to do so; one must help him.

·        All evil acts are worth of damnation and are utterly unforgiving; one must judge them.

·        Humility, Wisdom, Courage, and Discipline are virtues that grant immortality; one must reach it.

All paladins of the lion’s crown follow these teachings completely. Their lives are dedicated in bringing honor to their Order.

Lvl	B.A.B	Fort Save	Ref Save	Will Save	Special abilities
1	+1	+2	+0	+0	Lion’s Crown 1/day, Wings of Nobanion, Sword and Shield style
2	+2	+3	+0	+0	Aura of Faith +1, Fly by Attack
3	+3	+3	+1	+1	Bonus Feat, Diving Smite
4	+4	+4	+1	+1	Smite evil 1/day
5	+5	+4	+1	+1	Lion’s Crown 2/day, Improved Sword and Shield Style.
6	+6	+5	+2	+2	Aura of Faith +2, Bonus Feat
7	+7	+5	+2	+2
8	+8	+6	+2	+2
9	+9	+6	+3	+3	Bonus Feat, Smite evil 2/day
10	+10	+7	+3	+3	Aura of Faith +3, Lion’s Crown 3/day

Prerequisites:

Alignment: Any Good

B.A.B.: +6

Skills: Knowledge Religion 4 ranks

Feats: Servant of the Heavens, Improved Shield Bash

Special: Smiting ability

HD: d10

Proficiencies: The Paladin of the lion’s crown gains no new proficiencies.

Skills (2 + Intelligence Mod.): Craft (any), Diplomacy, Handle animal, Heal, Knowledge (nobility, religion), Profession, Ride, Sense Motive, Survival.

Alignment: Any Good

Class Features

Lion’s Crown (Su): The primary blessing that Nobanion gave to his loyal paladins. They have the ability to ask for his divine power for a short time per day in order to defeat the foul and evil. The paladin’s hair under this blessing transform into a golden flame that resembles a lion’s mane and around him a faint golden aura can be seen.

The lion’s crown lasts for rounds equal to the paladin’s character levels and is useable once per day at the 1^st level, twice per day at the 5^th level and thrice per day at the 10^th level. The lion’s crown grants:

·         +2 deflection bonus to AC for evil creatures only.

·         +2 bonuses to will saves against mind affecting spells.

·         The aura that surrounds him damages all evil creatures that attack him with melee or natural attacks for damage equal to the paladin’s character level. This damage is half holy (good) and half fire.

·         + Cha mod to attack and 1d6 holy damage to his damage rolls.

Sword and Shield (Ex): The paladin is able to use his shield as an offhand weapon just like using the Two-weapon fighting feat, receiving the normal penalties that occur from using a non light weapon.

Wings of Nobanion (Su): A paladin of the lion’s crown is able, once per day for 30 min per paladin level to sprout a pair of eagle wings on his back. He can choose how to spend the time he uses the wings. He has poor maneuverability and fly speed of 60ft.

Aura of faith (Su): A paladin of the lion’s crown is more than enough to inspire all around him in succeeding a victory. His holy presence in the battlefield grants his allies +1 to attack rolls and AC as a morale bonus. One must see and listen to the paladin in order to take this effect. This bonus improves as the table above depicts.

Fly by Attack (Ft): The Paladin of the lion’s crown gains the fly by attack feat and can use it with his wings of Nobanion.

Bonus feat: On the 3^rd , 6^th and  9^th level the paladin of the lion’s crown can choose one of the feats below. He must meet all requirements.

Shield fighting feats: Shield slam¹, shield charge¹, shield specialization², agile shield fighter², shield ward², shield sling² and active shield defense².

Flying Feats: Wingover³, hover³, aerial superiority⁴, born flyer⁴, diving charge⁴, improved flight⁴, winged warrior⁴.

General Feats: Combat expertise, improved trip, Improved Disarm, Improved Combat expertise, toughness, greater toughness.

1. Complete Warrior.
2. Players Handbook 2
3. Monster Manual
4. Races of the Wild

Diving smite (Su): The paladin of the lion’s crown is able due to his training with the shield and the wings perform a smite while diving from a fly by attack. He can choose to smite with his weapon or with his shield each has its special benefits.

Shield smite: When he chooses to smite a foe with his shield he can stun the smited opponent for one round per charisma modifier. The foe is stunned unless he succeeds to a fortitude save with DC: 10 + ½ his character level + his charisma modifier.

This replaces the normal smite effect.

            Weapon smite: Just like the normal smite, only when calculating the damage double the paladin’s level.

Smite Evil (Su): This is just like the paladin’s smite evil. This smite stacks with other previously gained smites from paladin levels in order to determine the maximum smite attempts per day.

Improved Sword and Shield (Ex): The paladin is able to use his shield as an offhand weapon just like using the Improved Two-weapon fighting feat, receiving the normal penalties that occur from using a non light weapon.