The Holy Warrior

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For twenty-five years, I have adamantly opposed the concept of 'paladins' who were not lawful good. Well, Aaron Loeb and Green Ronin Publishing gave me a reason to reconsider in The Book of the Righteous.  What follows is their creation.*

The Holy Warrior is a core class based on the paladin which allows the GM to customize their paladins to fit each god.  Note that they are still limited to 'good' gods.

An Important Concept

The Holy Warrior class borrows the concept of Domains from the cleric. It explains that the special abilities of the paladin are derived from two specific domains (Champion and Guardian).  Specific gods may grant different domains, and the special abilities of their holy warriors will therefore differ from standard paladins.

But the word 'domains' can be deceiving.  Holy Warrior Domains and Clerical domains are very different.  For one thing, Holy Warrior domain powers are stronger (just as their spells are generally weaker).

A Note

Although Green Ronin has graciously identified as Open Gaming Content the entire chapter wherein the Holy Warrior is found, I have opted to omit their text where possible, in order to stay within the spirit of the Open Gaming License.  Thus, I have presented only the basics of the class below.

The specifics of the holy warriors dedicated to each deity may be found on the page dedicated to that deity.

The Holy Warrior Core Class

Alignment - The Holy Warrior must be the same alignment as his or her deity.

Races - Any race may choose to be a holy warrior, though it is far more common amongst humans than any other race.

Multiclassing - The focus and dedication required of a holy warrior precludes taking levels in any other class, with the exception that the holy warrior may take levels in any prestige class which is acceptable for paladins.

Game Rule Information -

Abilities: Charisma is the key characteristic for most holy warrior special abilities received through chosen domains.  Strength is important, because holy warriors often find themselves in combat.  A Wisdom score of 14 or higher is required to gain access to the most powerful holy warrior spells; a score of at least 11 is required to be able to cast any holy warrior spells.

Alignment: Always good.  The same lawful or chaotic leaning as the patron deity.

Hit Die: d10

Class Skills - The holy warrior's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are: Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Handle Animal (Cha), Knowledge (Religion)(Int), Profession (Wis) and Ride (Dex).  In addition, every order of holy warriors receives two or three additional skills as class skills.  These are listed with the specific order (on the page dedicated to the appropriate god).

Class Features -

All of the following are class features of the Holy Warrior core class:

Weapon and Armor: Holy Warriors  are proficient with all simple and martial weapons and with light, medium and heavy armors, and with shields.  

Gifts of God: Every three levels, starting at 3rd level, a holy warrior receives a special gift from his or her god - usually a spell-like ability useable once a week.  In many cases, the holy warrior receives one ability at 3rd, 6th and 9th level, then a new ability at 12th, 15th and 18th.  The actual gift is detailed with the specific order (on the page dedicated to the appropriate god).

Domain-Based Special Abilities: Every holy warrior chooses two domains, based on his or her god's ethos, from a list of such domains.  He or she then receives special abilities tied to those domains.  Each domain provides two abilities at 1st level and a more powerful ability at 2nd level.

For example, the paladin receives special abilities from the domains of Champion and Guardian.  The power lists for those domains are as follows:

Champion: Detect Evil, Lay on Hands, Smite Evil (2)

Guardian: Divine Grace, Divine Health, Aura of Courage (2)

Abilities followed by a (2) are received at second level.  Abilities not followed by a number in parentheses are received at 1st level.  The actual domains and speical abilities are detailed with the specific order (on the page dedicated to the appropriate god).

Spells: Beginning at 4th level, the holy warrior gains the ability to cast a few divine spells, exactly as the paladin in the PHB.

Turn Undead: Beginning at 3rd level, holy warriors may turn undead as a cleric of two levels lower, exactly as the paladin in the PHB.

Special Mount/Animal Companion: Upon reaching 5th level, a holy warrior can call an unusually intelligent, strong and loyal steed or animal companion to aid him in the service to his god (see the PHB, p. 43 for details).  In the case of a companion, it is usually a noble celestial bird of some kind.  It's typically a heavy warhorse in the case of a steed.  Small holy warriors receive a pony when calling for a steed.

The actual mounts or animal companions are detailed with the specific order (on the page dedicated to the appropriate god).  However, all holy warrior special mounts or animal companions have all of the abilities listed in the paladin's mount sidebar of the PHB.

Code of Conduct: Every order of holy warriors adheres strictly to a specific code of conduct.  The actual codes are detailed with the specific order (on the page dedicated to the appropriate god).

 *This may be postponed for more powerful mounts, at the GM's discretion.

* - Condensed from Open Gaming material found in The Book of the Righteous.