The Order of the Eternal Barrier
I’m a big fan of cavalier orders, and think that they’re a neat blend of mechanics and flavor (though I sometimes wish they were a bit more heavy-handed with the flavor—I kind of went crazy and wrote a 55-page book to that effect). I like the fact that each order has its own set of ideals and something that its members stand for, which is an easy way to begin defining a character—not to mention coming up with plot hooks for one. Today, I wanted to try experimenting with a slightly more narrowly-focused cavalier order. Here’s what I came up with.
New Cavalier Order
The Order of the Eternal Barrier
Cavaliers who belong to the order of the eternal barrier do not concern themselves with protecting the borders of towns or nations. Rather, they turn to the larger picture, and defend the barriers of reality itself against invaders from other planes of existence. Cavaliers belonging to this order feel that outsiders of any sort—from demons and devils to angels, elementals, and others—are all invaders, and should be purged from the prime Material Plane, so that it can be pure and unsullied from outside influence. Many members of the order believe that the prime Material Plane exists in a delicate balance, and that, if left unchecked, the very presence of outsiders, let alone their various machinations, could potentially tip the scale one way or another, transforming it into something else entirely. They point to the layers of various planes that have been absorbed into hell or the abyss, or co-opted by other planes, and say, “We can’t allow this to happen here, as well.”
Edicts: The cavalier must not suffer any outsiders to remain in the Material Plane, and must do everything he can to minimize the influence of any outsiders. He must do everything in his power to slay or banish any outsiders he encounters on the Material Plane, and must thwart the efforts of those who would serve or summon such creatures.
Challenge: Whenever an order of the eternal barrier cavalier issues a challenge against a creature with the extraplanar subtype, or a creature that was personally responsible for summoning or calling a creature with the extraplanar subtype to the Material Plane within the last 24 hours (such as casting a spell of the summoning or calling subschools to summon an extraplanar creature), he receives a +2 morale bonus on attack rolls made against the target of his challenge. This bonus increases by +1 for every three cavalier levels he possesses.
Skills: An order of the eternal barrier cavalier adds Knowledge (planes) to his list of class skills. He also adds either Knowledge (arcana) or Knowledge (religion) to his list of class skills. He must choose which of these two skills he gains at 1st level, and the choice cannot later be changed. Finally, whenever an order of the eternal barrier cavalier makes a Knowledge (planes) check to identify or learn more about a creature with the outsider type, he gains a bonus on the check equal to 1/2 his cavalier level (rounded down, minimum 1).
Order Abilities: An order of the eternal barrier cavalier receives the following abilities as he increases in level.
Free of Influence (Su): At 2nd level, an order of the eternal barrier cavalier learns how to resist the influence of outsiders. He gains a +2 bonus on all saving throws made to resist the spell-like and supernatural abilities of creatures with the extraplanar subtype. At 12th level, this bonus increases to +4.
Disrupting Blow (Su): At 8th level, an order of the eternal barrier cavalier can strike foes in a way that disrupts their ability to use magic. As a standard action, the cavalier can make a single melee attack. If the attack hits, it deals damage as normal, and the target suffers 30% spell failure chance. This functions identically to normal arcane spell failure, except that it applies to any spells the target might cast, including ones that are not normally subject to arcane spell failure (such as divine spells). Additionally, this spell failure applies to any spell-like or supernatural abilities that the target may possess, but not to extraordinary abilities. Only supernatural and spell-like abilities that require an action to use are affected: any supernatural or spell-like abilities that are constant or require no effort from the target are unaffected. This spell failure lasts for one minute. The cavalier must declare that he is using this ability before making the attack roll, and if the attack misses, the effect is wasted. The cavalier may use this ability a number of times per day equal to his Charisma modifier (minimum 1).
Banishing Strike (Su): Beginning at 15th level, an order of the eternal barrier cavalier can cast outsiders from the Material Plane. Whenever the cavalier makes an attack against a creature with the extraplanar subtype, he can choose to make it a banishing strike. The cavalier must declare that he is using this ability before the attack roll is made, and if the attack misses, the ability is wasted. If the attack hits, it deals damage as normal, and the target must succeed on a Fortitude save (DC 10 + damage dealt) or be affected as though by the spell banishment. The cavalier’s caster level for this ability is equal to his cavalier level. The cavalier may use this ability three times per day.