Noble Defender

The Quintessential Fighter
Author Matthew Sprange
Series The Quintessential Series
Publisher Mongoose Publishing
Publish date 2001

The feudal system of many nations is dominated by the noble class. Often this upper class are the only people permitted to own land all those below are beholden to them for justice, protection and life. This requires nobles to be more than simply indulgent despots if they wish to maintain a prosperous and peaceful land. The foremost of the responsibilities of a noble is to protect his subjects from outside threats, and so most become competent warriors in addition to rulers. In long established regions, nobility is a hereditary position, but in many outlying regions a skilful and charismatic warrior can find himself placed in charge of a frontier barony or town simply because he, above all others, can guarantee its safety.

NPC noble defenders will be found wherever a feudal system is in place and some type of military threat exists. They are rarely found in cities or peaceful areas, instead ruling where their martial prowess will be put to best use.

The Noble Defender
Level	Base Attack	Fort	Ref	Will	Special
1	+1	+2	+0	+0	noble command +1
2	+2	+3	+0	+0	noble renown
3	+3	+3	+1	+1	noble command +2
4	+4	+4	+1	+1	castle
5	+5	+4	+1	+1	noble command +3

Hit Die: d10

Requirements

To qualify to become a noble defender, a character must fulfill all the following criteria.

Base Attack Bonus: +9 or higher
Alignment: Any non-Chaotic and non-Evil
Feats: Leadership
Skills: Diplomacy 6 ranks
Land and Title: Noble title of baron or higher, and a keep or castle within at least 10 squares miles of land. Must be part of a kingdom or nation
operating with a feudal system.

Class Skills

The noble defender’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Bluff (Charisma), Diplomacy (Charisma), Gather Information (Charisma), Intimidate (Charisma), Knowledge (nobility) (Intelligence), and Sense Motive (Wisdom)

Skill points at each level: 2 + Intelligence modifier

Class Features

All of the following are class features of noble defender prestige class.

Weapon and Armour Proficiency: The noble defender is proficient in all simple and martial weapons, and all armour and shields.

Noble Command: The noble defender is a courageous individual and his presence on a battlefield inspires his men to fight with ever greater dedication. The noble defender may add his noble command bonus to his Leadership score.

Noble Renown: The noble defender’s reputation as a competent and fair ruler is well known and aids him greatly in dealing with ally and enemy alike. At 2nd level, the noble defender receives a +4 competence bonus to all Charisma-based checks made in relation to the land and people he rules.

At 5th level, the noble defender has proved himself to be a wise and just ruler and is rewarded by his liege lord. The noble defender is granted 100,000 gold pieces to either upgrade his existing keep or begin the construction of a new castle, as he wishes.