[House Rules-Classes]Soul Knight

The following is a class built around the concept of a spell that creates a mystical blade of power for the character to wield in combat.  It was…unintentional that they sort of ended up a bit more ‘Jedi’ then I originally intended, but…I still think they are pretty cool.  They are very ‘paladin’ in feel, though without the heavy armor (though from level 2 they are still tanks!).

Soul Knight

Prime Requisite:            STR, WIS

Requirements:               None

Hit Dice:                       1d6

Maximum Level:           14

Soul Knights are an order of devoted zealots who practice a rigorous martial way.  Their training allows a small handful to produce wondrous effects from their enlightened abilities.  Their chief and most renowned ability is their ability to call their Soul Blade, a weapon of mystical force that is a reflection of their spiritual state.

Because of their lifelong training, soul knights are exceptionally skilled combatants. At first level, mystics hit an unarmored foe (AC 0) with an attack throw of 10+. They advance in attack throws and saving throws by two points every three levels of experience (e.g. the same progression as fighters).

Soul Knights train to fight with a broad selection of weapons, specifically any swords, daggers, spears, and polearms; battle axes, warhammers, short bows, crossbow, staves. Like fighters, soul knights increase their base damage roll from successful melee attacks by +1 at 1^st level and by an additional +1 at 3^rd, 6^th, 9^th, and 12^th level. They may fight wielding a wielding a weapon two-handed or wielding a weapon in each hand, as desired. They may use any magic item usable by fighters.

Experience		Title	Lev	Hit Dice	DamBonus
0		Inspired	1	1d6	+1
2250		Shielded Soul	2	2d6	+1
4500		Enlightened Soul	3	3d6	+2
9000		Heroic Soul	4	4d6	+2
18000		Bright Soul	5	5d6	+2
36000		Shining Soul	6	6d6	+3
70000		Perfected Soul	7	7d6	+3
140000		Epic Soul	8	8d6	+3
260000		Soul Knight	9	9d6	+4
380000		Soul Knight 10th	10	9d6+2*	+4
500000		Soul Knight 11th	11	9d6+4*	+4
620000		Soul Knight 12th	12	9d6+6*	+5
740000		Soul Knight 13th	13	9d6+8*	+5
860000		Soul Lord	14	9d6+10*	+5

Level	Special	1	2	3	4	5
1	Soul Blade, Soul Dance	–	–	–	–	–
2	Soul Shield	–	–	–	–	–
3		1	–	–	–	–
4	Soul Blade x2	1	–	–	–	–
5		2	–	–	–	–
6	Meditative Focus	2	–	–	–	–
7		2	–	–	–	–
8	Soul Blade x3	2	1	–	–	–
9		2	2	–	–	–
10	Blade Burst	2	2	–	–	–
11		2	2	1	1	–
12	Soul Blade x4	2	2	1	1	–
13		2	2	2	1	1
14		2	2	2	1	1

The signature power of the Soul Knight is the ability to manifest their SoulBlade. This power manifests a glowing melee weapon in the shape of any weapon they are proficient with.  Regardless of its appearance, its abilities are the same and function as the following spell, usable once per hour.  At level 4, 8, and 12 they can summon the blade an additional time per hour.

Soul Blade                              Range: Touch

Divine 1 (Soul Knight) Duration: 1 round/level

This spell creates a weapon of magical force that inflicts 1d10 damage per level (maximum 2d10).  The weapon is semi-physical but magical in nature and hits creatures requiring magic to hurt.  The creator cannot be disarmed of the weapon and only ‘drop’ it if they desire it to disappear.  They must make a normal to hit roll with the weapon, modified by strength and other normal modifiers.  They can Cleave if they possess this ability, and add any strength or class based damage modifers.  For purposes of abilities and items that multiply damage (giant strength, ambush, weapon focus, etc), add an extra d10 per multiple.

This is built as 1d10 (44 points)

Max damage 2d (x.25)

Requires a to hit (x.35)

Range: Touch (x.4)

Duration (1/rnd Lvl-x4)

Divine: .2.25

Total: 13.86-As a class feature, I’m assuming it was eventually at least a minor break through for +5 points…had I built the class power as Arcane, which I’d original done, this wouldn’t have been necessary and in fact the damage could be 1d12).Note, also per my reading of the duration, this spell can be used to attack the moment it is cast (much as a Cause Spell would work) and last for a second round (at first level) or else it would be ‘Instant’.  So essentially, the duration is figured after your first attack.

Soul Dance-This represents the martial style of the Soul Knights.  So long as they wear no armor heavier than leather, they gain a +1 to their AC.  This increases to +2 at level 7 and +3 at level 13.

Soul Shield-At this level the character can create a shield of force around themselves.  This grants them a 7 AC versus Melee and AC 5 vs Missile Fire and lasts for 3 Turns (unless it is dispelled).  It also stops magic missiles.  This ability can be used once per hour.  Effects which add to AC (such as Soul Dance) add to this power, but not worn armor.

This is an essentially tweaked Shield spell with no ability to negate magic missiles, switched melee AC and missile AC and higher duration.  While it does seem far better than armor (and at low levels it certainly is), it never gets better, it can be dispelled or negated by no magic zones, and of course the discrepancy between melee and missile weapons.  

Meditative Focus- High level Soul Knights are able to enter a state of meditative focus in which their body and mind act with hyperawareness. Entering into focus does not require an action. While in focus, the mystic gains a +1 bonus to armor class, attack throws, proficiency throws, saving throws, and initiative rolls. A Soul Knight’s meditative focus lasts for 1 turn (10 minutes). As the mystic’s mind expands, so does his ability to maintain their focus. Soul Knights can go into focus once per day per level of experience.

Blade Burst-The Soul Knife at this level of mastery can shatter their soul blade, attacking numerous target’s nearby in a hail of mystical blades.

This ability functions as the following spell, and can be used once a day.

Blade Burst                            Range: 0’ (effect centred on caster)

Divine 3 (Soul Knight) Duration: Instant

This spell causes the character’s spell blade to explode into a multitude of glowing duplicates that lash out at all nearby enemies in a storm of destruction.  It cause 1d6 damage per level, up to a maximum of 5d6 and can hit one target per level of the caster.  The caster must make a to hit roll for the spell to be effective.

This spell is also an assumed break through to bring it down from a 4^th level spell to a 3^rd level, so it can be used once a day.  At 10^th level, I think there are far worse things casters can spit out.

When a soul knight reaches 5^th level (Bright Soul), his enlightened fervor inspires others to follow him. Any hirelings of the same alignment as the soul knight gain a +1 bonus to their morale score whenever he is present. This bonus stacks with any modifiers from the soul knight’s Charisma or proficiencies.

At 9^th level (Soul Knight), a soul knight can found or capture a fortress and become a protector of men. When he does so, up to 1d4+1×10 0^th level mercenaries and 1d6 soul knights of 1^st-3^rd level will come to apply for jobs and training. If hired, they must be paid standard rates for mercenaries. Soul Knight’s fortresses are otherwise identical to fighters’ castles, as detailed in the Campaign chapter of the ACKS Rulebook.

At 10th level, a soul knight can research spells and craft potions and scrolls.

Soul Knight Proficiency List: Acrobatics, Ambush, Alertness, Apostasy, Battle Magic,  Blind Fighting, Ceremony, Climbing, Combat Reflexes, Combat Trickery (force back, incapacitate, overrun, sunder), Diplomacy, Divine Blessing, Divine Health, Endurance, Fighting Style, Healing, Illusion Resistance, Laying on Hands, Leadership, Military Strategy, Martial Training, Mystic Aura, Running, Swashbuckling, Weapon Focus

First Level Divine Spells

1	Cure Light Wounds*
2	Detect Magic
3	Faerie Fire elm(fire)
4	Soul Blade
5	Soul Leap

Second Level Divine Spells

1	Bless*
2	Rightous Wrath
3	Shimmer
4	Soul Strength
5	Swift Sword

Third Level Divine Spells

1	Blade Burst
2	ESP
3	Soul Flight
4	Soul Step
5	Striking

Fourth Level Divine Spells

1	Cure Serious Wounds*
2	Dispel Magic
3	Minor Globe of Invulnerability
4	Soul Rage
5	Vigor

Fifth Level Divine Spells

1	Greater Blade Burst
2	Scry
3	Strength of Mind
4	Sword of Fire elm(fire)
5	True Seeing

New and Modified Spells

Greater Blade Burst              Range: 0’ (effect centred on caster)

Divine 5 (Soul Knight) Duration: Instant

This spell causes the character’s spell blade to explode into a multitude of glowing duplicates that lash out at all nearby enemies in a storm of destruction.  It cause 1d10 damage per level, up to a maximum of 5d10 and can hit one target per level of the caster all of which must be within 30’.  The caster must make a to-hit roll on each target for the spell to be effective.

Soul Flight                              Range: Self

Divine 3(Soul Knight)   Duration: 1 Turn a Level

As the Shamen spell Winged Flight, but the character is surrounded by a glowing aura the same color as their soul blade.

Soul Leap                               Range: Self

Divine 1 (Soul Knight) Duration: 1 Turn a Level

This spell functions as the Jump spell, except as detailed above.

Soul Rage                               Range: Self

Divine 4 (Soul Knight) Duration: 1 Turn a Level

This spell grants the caster the benefits of the spell Giant Strength except as detailed above.

Soul Step                                Range: Self

Divine 3 (Soul Knight) Duration: Instantaneous

This spell functions as the Dimension Door spell, except as detailed above.  In effect they can teleport 360’, but only the soul knight.

Soul Strength                          Range: Self

Divine 2 (Soul Knight) Duration: 1 Turn a Level

This spell grants the caster the benefits of the spell Ogre Strength except as detailed above.