Lord Protector
Prestige Class: A veteran guardian entrusted with the safety of a ruler, heir, city or other irreplaceable charge.
At a Glance
Role: Martial protector, bodyguard commander and defensive leader
Typical Entry: 6th level or later
Hit Die: d10
BAB: Full
Good Saves: Fortitude and Will
Skills: 4 + Intelligence modifier
Spellcasting: None
Signature: Protector’s Charge
A Lord Protector is not simply a noble title. It is a responsibility given to someone whose judgement under threat is trusted more than ceremony, rank or personal ambition.
Lord Protector — D&D 3.5e
Requirements
- BAB: +5
- Skills: Diplomacy 5 ranks; Sense Motive 5 ranks; Spot 5 ranks
- Feat: Combat Reflexes, Improved Initiative or Shield Specialization
- Special: Must be formally entrusted with protecting a person, office, community or strategic place
Progression
| Level | BAB | Fort | Ref | Will | Special |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | +1 | +2 | +0 | +2 | Protector’s Charge, Vigilance |
| 2nd | +2 | +3 | +0 | +3 | Take the Blow |
| 3rd | +3 | +3 | +1 | +3 | Command the Guard |
| 4th | +4 | +4 | +1 | +4 | Unbroken Watch |
| 5th | +5 | +4 | +1 | +4 | Last Line |
Protector’s Charge (Ex)
Choose one willing creature or one fixed place/object formally entrusted to your protection. While within 30 feet of your charge, gain +1 dodge AC and +2 on Sense Motive and Spot checks against threats directed at it.
Vigilance (Ex)
You cannot be flanked while adjacent to your charge and may always act in a surprise round if the charge is directly threatened, though you are still flat-footed until you act.
Take the Blow (Ex)
At 2nd level, once per round when an adjacent charge or ally is hit by an attack, use an immediate action to take half the hit-point damage after the original target’s reductions are applied. Your transferred half cannot be reduced again.
Command the Guard (Ex)
At 3rd level, as a move action direct one willing ally within 30 feet who can hear you. That ally may take a 5-foot step or gain +2 dodge AC until the start of your next turn.
Unbroken Watch (Ex)
At 4th level, you become immune to mundane fatigue caused by keeping watch and gain +4 on saves against sleep, fear and charm effects while your charge is threatened.
Last Line (Ex)
At 5th level, once per day when your charge or an ally within 10 feet would be reduced to 0 or fewer hit points by hit-point damage, use an immediate action to leave that creature at 1 hit point instead. You then take damage equal to your class level + the prevented creature’s Hit Dice; this damage cannot be reduced.
Lord Protector — Pathfinder 1e
Use the same five-level progression. Replace Spot with Perception. Good saves use Pathfinder prestige progression. Vigilance and Command the Guard use Pathfinder action terminology. Prestige levels do not receive favored-class bonuses.
Sources and Rules Provenance
The former page credited The Quintessential Paladin by Alejandro Melchor, Mongoose Publishing. This rebuilt Lord Protector is original campaign material and is not tied to a church or crusading order.
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