Knight of Infernal Order (Apath)

Unofficial rules compendium

40px	This page is scheduled for deletion. Please remove all links to this page (check "Backlinks" or "What links here" in the Toolbox). Only orphaned pages will be deleted automatically!

The knights of infernal order are an order of soldiers emulating the discipline of Hell.

Background

The fearsome knights of infernal order are among the most notorious of soldiers. The grim, heavily armored knights travel to the corners of the world to pursue their targets in the name of order. To the knights of infernal order, mercy and kindness are luxuries that a world under siege cannot afford. Their enemies—which include all bringers of disorder, be they anarchists, bandits, or freedom fighters—can expect precious little of either.

Numerous misconceptions surround the knights of infernal order. Despite what many believe, they are neither servants nor allies of Hell; instead, the knights of infernal order seek to wield Hell’s intimidating reputation as a realm of both torment and peerless order. While they are paragons of lawfulness, knights of infernal order are not stringent enforcers of local laws; the law they prioritize is their own, untainted by corrupt officials, local customs, or democratic compromises.

On occasion, governments beset by chaos contact knights of infernal order with an offer of mercenary employment, simultaneously filling the grim knights’ coffers and permitting them to enforce their law unchallenged. In cases where a knight of infernal order’s mission draws her into conflict with local authority, she works within the law to the extent she can, but accepts no compromises in pursuit of her mission.

Knights of Infernal Order in Porphyra

The infernal orders have never been large on Porphyra, but their persistence has been great and they are slowly building a position of power. From being mercenaries and law-keepers in the Midlands, the orders are eager to spread their ethos and tempt governments to use them to uphold the law and quell rebellion in return for the rights to lands and incomes now lost to rebellion or invasion. They did this during the New GodsWar and they did so fighting the oncoming wave of Mâl. At present, they are on the front line against the Rolterran uprisings in the Midlands, white trying to squash rumors that they organized the Rolterran revolution to begin with.

Class Information

This is a prestige archetype built on the hellknight prestige class from Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Adventurer’s Guide.

Role: Knights of infernal order are front-line combatants, but they also act as guards, bodyguards, constables, and judges where so appointed.

Alignment: Lawful neutral or lawful evil only. A knight of infernal order that changes to a non-lawful alignment cannot progress in the class, but keeps all abilities granted by the class. She is likely to return to lawful alignment by following orders or be prosecuted as a traitor. Lawful good members of infernal orders are possible, but characters cannot enter the order swith this alignment and duties makes it hard to gain a good alignment.

Hit Die: d10.

Class Skills

The knight of infernal order’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Perception (Wis), Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex), and Sense Motive (Wis). In addition, each knight gains a Knowledge skill appropriate to her chosen order as an additional class skill, see infernal orders below

Skill Ranks at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier.

Class Features

These are all the class features of the knight of infernal order.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency

Knights of infernal order are proficient with all simple and martial melee weapons, with all simple ranged weapons, with the favored weapon of her order (see below), with all types of armor (heavy, medium, and light), and with all shields (including tower shields).

Aura of Law (Ex)

A knight of infernal order’s lawful aura (detect law) functions as that of a cleric whose level is equal to the knight of infernal order’s character level.

Infernal Order (Ex)

At 1st level, the knight must select which infernal order she intends to join. A recruit in an infernal order is called an armiger until she attains the title of knight. She gains Knowledge skill as an additional class skill and weapon proficiencies depending on the order chosen. Her choice of order affects what discipline she gains when she becomes a full knight at level 8. See infernal knight orders below for details.

Ardent (Ex)

Starting at 2nd level, a knight of infernal order gains a +1 bonus on Will saves against charm and compulsion effects. This bonus increases by +1 for every four levels beyond 2nd. If a knight of infernal order is forced to take an action that is opposed to her order’s beliefs and values while under the influence of a charm or compulsion effect, she can immediately spend a point from her discipline pool and attempt a Will save against the effect’s DC to resist acting out that order. Success removes the charm or compulsion effect. This is in addition to any saving throws the spell or effect normally allows.

Discipline

At 2nd level a knight of infernal order draws upon her training and devotion to develop a discipline pool and potent disciplines.

The knight of infernal order gains a discipline pool that reflects her devotion and zeal. This pool has a number of points equal to half the knight of infernal order's class level + her Charisma bonus. When she is about to make a Will save, the knight of infernal order can expend one point from the discipline pool to add her ardent bonus on that saving throw. This is not an action. She cannot add the ardent bonus twice to the same saving throw and thus cannot use this ability on Will saves against charm and compulsion effects, where she already has this bonus. The discipline pool is also used to power many disciplines.

In addition, a knight of infernal order selects a discipline at 2nd level and every 2 levels thereafter. The save DC to resist a discipline’s effect is equal to 10 + 1/2 the knight of infernal order’s level + her Charisma modifier.

There are special infernal order disciplines that are specific to each order, see the appendix. These disciplines are learned like other disciplines but are only available at certain levels. At level 8, the knight of infernal order must choose the discipline specific to her order. This is the level where she becomes a true knight, initiated into the order, and no longer a squire or armiger. At level 16, the knight of infernal order is so trusted that she has the option to learn the disciplines specific to orders other than her own. An order will not teach its preferred discipline to a knight of infernal order who is an enemy of that particular order. The order of the pentacle never teaches the pentamic faith discipline to members of other orders.

Bonus Feat: The knight of infernal order can choose a bonus feat as a discipline. The feat must be from the combat feat category or have ”Hellknight” in the name. The knight of infernal order must fulfill all prerequisites. She can take this discipline multiple times, each time selecting a different bonus feat.

Discern Lies (Sp): The knight of infernal order can expend a point from her discipline pool to use discern lies as a spell-like ability, with a caster level equal to her character level. The knight of infernal order must be level 8 to select this discipline.

Fearsomeness (Ex): The knight of infernal order can expend a point from her discipline pool to activate fearsomeness until the end of her turn. When she uses the Intimidate skill to cause a creature within 10 feet to become shaken, targets become frightened for half of that duration (minimum 0 rounds).

Infernal Identity (Ex): As long as she wears the armor of her order, the knight of infernal order gains a +2 bonus on all Charisma checks and Charisma-related skill checks made while interacting with creatures of lawful alignment.

Infernal Idol (Su): As long as she wears the armor of her order, the knight of infernal order gains the ability to see up to 60 ft. perfectly in darkness of any kind, resistance to fire 30, resistance to acid 10, and resistance to cold 10. The knight of infernal order must be level 18 to select this discipline.

Not With Me (Su): The knight of infernal order can use the smite chaos ability on a creature that is neutral with respect to law and chaos and thus neither chaotic or lawful in alignment. She gains no bonus on attack rolls or Armor Class when doing so. The knight of infernal order must have chosen smite chaos as her fighting tradition.

Rage Power: The knight of infernal order can choose a rage power as a discipline, counting knight of infernal order levels as barbarian levels. She can take this discipline multiple times, each time selecting a different rage power. She cannot select totem powers or a rage power that affects an ability she does not have. The knight of infernal order must have the frenzy fighting tradition to select this discipline.

Tactician (Ex): The knight of infernal order receives a teamwork feat as a bonus feat. She must meet the prerequisites for this feat. As a standard action that costs one point from her discipline pool, the knight of infernal order can grant this feat to all allies within 30 feet who can see and hear her. Allies retain the use of this bonus feat for 3 rounds plus 1 round for every two levels the knight of infernal order possesses. Allies do not need to meet the prerequisites of these bonus feats. At level 10, she can use this ability as a swift action. She can select this benefit again at level 6 and every 6 levels thereafter, each time after the first gives an additional tactical feat as a bonus feat and she can share all selected tactical feats with allies as a single action (as above).

Studious (Ex): The knight of infernal order gains all Knowledge skills as class skills. She gains a number of skill ranks in the Knowledge skill favored by her order equal to her Hit Dice. Any skill ranks she previously had in this skill are moved into other Knowledge skills of the knight's choice.

Tracker (Sp): The knight of infernal order can expend one point from her discipline pool to summon a creature to aid her, either in battle or to track an enemy, as if using a summon monster spell, save that the summoned creature lingers for 1 hour before vanishing. All animals summoned this way have the fiendish template. The knight of infernal order can summon either a dire rat, a dog, an eagle, or a pony (horse). This is the equivalent of a 3rd level spell. An 8th-level knight of infernal order can summon either an a horse, a riding dog, a wolf, or a leopard. This is the equivalent of a 4th level spell. An 11th-level knight of infernal order can summon either a dire wolf or a hell hound. This is the equivalent of a 5th level spell. A 14th-level knight of infernal order can instead opt to summon a pack of 1d4+1 riding dogs or wolves or a single cerberus or dire bat. This is the equivalent of a 6th level spell. A 17th-level knight of infernal order can summon either a pack of 1d4+1 dire wolves or hell hounds, or a single dire lion or shadow mastiff. This is the equivalent of a 7th level spell. A 20th-level knight of infernal order can instead opt to summon a pack of 1d4+1 cerberi or dire bats, or a single dire tiger or invisible stalker. This is the equivalent of a 8th level spell. A knight of infernal order must be 6th level to select this discipline.

Unyielding (Ex): While wearing the armor of her order, the knight of infernal order gains DR 1/—. She can select this benefit again at level 10 and every 4 levels thereafter, with stacking benefits. This benefit stacks with damage reduction from adamantine armor. A knight of infernal order must be at least level 6 to select this discipline.

Wrack (Su): When the knight of infernal order damages a foe with a weapon attack, she can expend one point of discipline to cause the target to suffer incredible pain. The target must make a Will save to avoid being staggered for 1d4 rounds.

Infernal Order Armor (Ex)

Starting at 3rd level, a knight of infernal order learns to be more maneuverable while wearing the distinctive armor of her order. Whenever she is wearing such armor, she reduces the armor check penalty by 1 (to a minimum of 0) and increases the maximum Dexterity bonus allowed by her armor by 1. Every four levels thereafter (7th, 11th, and 15th), these bonuses increase by +1 each time, to a maximum –4 reduction of the armor check penalty and a +4 increase of the maximum Dexterity bonus allowed.

At level 7, a knight of infernal order can move at her normal speed while wearing the distinctive full plate of her order.

This is a variant of the fighter's armor training ability.

Fighting Tradition

At 5th level a knight of infernal order gains abilities based on her fighting tradition. Choose one of the following fighting traditions, this choice cannot be changed. The knight of infernal order gains a number of class features based on the fighting tradition they were brought up in.

Exterminator (Ex): The knight of infernal order gains the ranger's favored enemy ability, gaining a favored enemy at level 5, 9, 13, and 17. She has the same favored enemy bonus against all her favored enemies, beginning at +4 and increasing by +1 for each favored enemy after the first. Add Survival to the exterminator's list of class skills. She gains a number of skill ranks in Survival equal to her Hit Dice. Any skill ranks she previously had in this skill are moved into any other skills of the knight's choice.

Frenzy (Ex): The knight of infernal order gains the following barbarian (or unchained barbarian) abilities at the indicated level: rage (5th level), greater rage (13th level), and mighty rage (17th level), as a barbarian of her knight of infernal order level. At 5th level, the knight of infernal order can rage for a number of rounds per day equal to 8 + her Constitution modifier. For each level after 5th she possesses, the knight can rage for 2 additional rounds per day. Unlike a barbarian, she does not gain a bonus on Will saves while in a rage. The knight of infernal order cannot enter a rage for 1 minute after she ends her rage, and she cannot charge or run while under the effects of her rage. At 9th level, her rage turns into a cold killing frenzy. She takes no penalty to her AC, can use all her normal skills and effects that require concentration, and is not fatigued when her rage ends.

Smite Chaos (Su): This ability functions as the paladin’s smite evil class feature but against chaotic-aligned creatures. This ability is twice as effective against outsiders with the chaotic subtype, chaotic-aligned aberrations, and fey. The knight of infernal order can smite chaos once per day. At 4th level, and at every three levels thereafter, the knight of infernal order may smite chaos one additional time per day, to a maximum of seven times per day at 19th level.

Weapon Training (Ex): The knight of infernal order gains a bonus feat at 1st level. The knight can learn fighter-only feats, count knight of infernal order levels as fighter levels for feat prerequisites. The knight of infernal order gains the fighter's weapon training class feature, gaining a weapon group at level 5, 9, 13, and 17.

Order Weapon Mastery (Ex)

At 19th level, a knight of infernal order becomes a master of the favored weapon(s) of her order. Any attacks made with these weapons automatically confirm all critical threats and have their damage multiplier increased by 1 (×2 becomes ×3, for example). In addition, she cannot be disarmed while wielding such a weapon.

Hell’s Knight (Su)

At 20th level, a knight of infernal order can grant any weapon she wields or carries either the axiomatic or flaming burst special ability as a standard action. If dropped, the weapon loses the granted special ability at the end of any of the knight of infernal order's turn. The knight also becomes immune to fire while wearing the armor of her order.

Table: Knight of Infernal Order

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Fort Save	Ref Save	Will Save	Special
1st	+1	+2	+0	+0	Aura of law, infernal order
2nd	+2	+3	+0	+0	Ardent, discipline, discipline pool
3rd	+3	+3	+1	+1	Infernal order armor (+1)
4th	+4	+4	+1	+1	Discipline
5th	+5	+4	+1	+1	Fighting tradition
6th	+6/+1	+5	+2	+2	Discipline
7th	+7/+2	+5	+2	+2	Infernal order armor (+2, speed)
8th	+8/+3	+6	+2	+2	Discipline
9th	+9/+4	+6	+3	+3	Fighting tradition
10th	+10/+5	+7	+3	+3	Discipline
11th	+11/+6/+1	+7	+3	+3	Infernal order armor (+3)
12th	+12/+7/+2	+8	+4	+4	Discipline
13th	+13/+8/+3	+8	+4	+4	Fighting tradition
14th	+14/+9/+4	+9	+4	+4	Discipline
15th	+15/+10/+5	+9	+5	+5	Infernal order armor (+4)
16th	+16/+11/+6/+1	+10	+5	+5	Discipline
17th	+17/+12/+7/+2	+10	+5	+5	Fighting tradition
18th	+18/+13/+8/+3	+11	+6	+6	Discipline
19th	+19/+14/+9/+4	+11	+6	+6	Order armor mastery
20th	+20/+15/+10/+5	+12	+6	+6	Discipline, hell's knight

Favored Class Bonuses

Instead of receiving an additional skill rank or hit point whenever they gain a level in a favored class, some races have the option of choosing from a number of other bonuses, depending upon their favored classes. The following options are available to each listed race. Unless otherwise stated the bonus applies each time you select the listed favored class reward. All these choices are available from level 1, even if they enhance an ability you only gain at a higher level. A favored race bonus that helps you qualify for a certain class ability means you get that particular class ability at an earlier level.

• Dwarf: Add 1/2 point to the signifier's discipline pool.
• Elf: Increase the maximum Dexterity bonus allowed by armor by 1/5.
• Gnome: Add +1/5 to the bonus from the gnome's illusion resistance racial trait.
• Half-Elf: Gain 1/6 additional tactical feat, as the tactician discipline.
• Half-Orc: Gain 1/5 additional discipline.
• Halfling : Reduce the armor check penalty by 1/5.
• Human: Gain 1/6 bonus feat, as the discipline.

• Anpur: Increase the bonus from the knight of infernal order's ardent class feature by +1/5.
• Avodim: Add 1/5 to the bonus of the infernal identity discipline.
• Dhosari: Gain 1/5 bonus feat selected from dhosari racial feats.
• Dragonblood: Add +1/5 to the DR/- granted by the unyielding discipline.
• Drow: Add 1/5 rounds to the duration of the wrack discipline.
• Eventual: Increase the strength of the knight's aura of law by 2.
• Hobgoblin: Add a +1/4 bonus on combat maneuver checks made to grapple or trip.
• Kobold: Add +1/5 to the kobold's natural armor bonus.
• Samsaran: Gain 1/4 additional use of each of the spells learned from the samsaran magic racial ability.
• Shibaten: Add 1 ft. to the range of the fearsomeness discipline. Always round this down to the closest increment of 5 ft.
• Strix: Increase the bonus from the stix's suspicious racial traint by +1/5.
• Tengu: Select melee weapon listed under the tengu’s swordtrained ability. Gain a +1/2 bonus on critical hit confirmation rolls made with a with tjis weapon (maximum bonus of +5). When the bonus reaches +5, the tengu can continue to spend points, gaining a bonus on confirmation rolls with all melee weapon listed under the tengu’s swordtrained ability. This bonus does not stack with those gained through Critical Focus and similar effects.
• Tiefling: Add 1 to the strength of the tiefling's aura of law and evil. A powerful aura can stun those who detect it, see detect evil.

Infernal Orders

The infernal orders are several separate organizations that share a similar ethos. Each order is an independent organization, but they share many ideals and generally cooperate with each other. At other times they are at war, often over trivial matters of doctrine.

There are numerous infernal orders. Each has its own agenda, distinctive style of armor, a Knowledge skill it teaches to adherents, one or more weapons that it favors over others, and a discipline that it teaches and regards as a most important secret.

Each member of an infernal order begins in one order and most stay with that order for all of their life. A member cannot change her order without undertaking a lengthy process to dedicate herself to a new cause. When this choice is made, she immediately loses all of the benefits from her old order. She must then follow the edicts of her new order for one entire level without gaining any benefits from that order. She must also find acceptance by the new order. Once accomplished, she gains all of the bonuses from her new order.

The member of an infernal order serves the order, must follow order policy, and must obey orders from superiors within the order. Player character members often serve semi-independently, acting as agents of the order in the world or on some special task or quest, but must still follow any orders they are given. Failure to do so results in becoming wanted by the order and put on trial. If found wanting, the member is on probation, and put under the direct supervision of other members, which usually spells the end of the character's adventuring career or makes her a fugitive, hunted by all infernal orders worldwide.

Here are the most common and notorious infernal orders. Other orders certainly exist.

The Order of the Chain

“All men lift themselves up upon the backs of others.”

The Order of the Chain enforces the natural order of master and servant, dually punishing rebellious or escaped slaves and slave-owners who go outside their lawful rights.

Favored Skill: Knowledge (local).

Favored weapon: Flail.

Shackle (Su; Order of the Chain): When the knight of infernal order damages an enemy, she can use one point of her discipline pool to impede its mobility. The creature can negate this effect with a Will save; otherwise, it is affected as if by a slow spell for 1d4 rounds.

The Order of the Gate

“Judgment in the face of depravity.”

Renowned for the unparalleled number of signifiers among its members, the Order of the Gate also specializes in dealing and bargaining with devils and other fiends.

Favored Skill: Knowledge (planes).

Favored weapon: Dagger.

Summon Devil (Sp; Order of the Gate): The knight of infernal order may expend one point from her discipline pool to use summon monster V as a spell-like ability to summon 1 bearded devil. At 11th level, this spell-like ability is replaced by summon monster VI, allowing her to summon 1d3 bearded devils, or 1 erinyes. At 14th level, this spell-like ability is replaced by summon monster VII, allowing her to summon 1d4+1 bearded devils, 1d3 erinyes, or 1 bone devil. At 17th level, this spell-like ability is replaced by summon monster VIII, allowing her to summon 1d4+1 erinyes, 1d3 bone devils, or 1 barbed devil. At 20th level, this spell-like ability is replaced by summon monster IX, allowing her to summon 1d4+1 bone devils, 1d3 barbed devils, or one ice devil.

The Order of the Nail

“Savagery must be quelled, in the land, home, and mind.”

Hellknights of the Order of the Nail focus their efforts on crushing savages and brigands.

Favored Skill: Knowledge (geography).

Favored weapon: Lance and halberd.

Onslaught (Su; Order of the Nail): By expending a point from her discipline pool, the knight of infernal order increases her base speed by +10 feet and gains a +4 bonus to her Strength for 1 round. If the knight of infernal order is mounted, these bonuses also apply to her mount.

The Order of the Pentacle

“Righteousness by obedience.”

The leaders of the Order of the Pentacle preach the unique doctrine of the most lawful deities.

Favored Skill: Knowledge (religion).

Favored weapon: Morningstar.

Pentamic Faith (Ex; Order of the Pentacle only): This ability allows the knight of infernal order to select one of the following domains: Artifice, Glory, Knowledge, Law, Magic, Nobility, Protection, Rune, Strength, Travel, and War. The knight of infernal order gains all of the granted powers (but not domain spells) of that domain, treating her knight of infernal order levels as Cleric levels. This ability is only ever available to knight of infernal orders of the order of the pentacle—not even signifiers of the order of the pentacle can learn this discipline.

The Order of the Pyre

“Reason's flame consumes the shadow of corruption.”

The members of the Order of the Pyre zealously hunt those who have unsanctioned knowledge or magic.

Favored Skill: Knowledge (arcana).

Favored weapon: Glaive.

Brand (Sp; Order of the Pyre): By expending a point from her discipline pool, the knight of infernal order can use mark of justice as a spell-like ability. At level 13, she can use it as a melee touch attack.

The Order of the Rack

“The venoms of the mind poison the body.”

Hellknights of the Order of the Rack seek to eradicate revolutionary idealism.

Favored Skill: Knowledge (history).

Favored weapon: Longsword and whip.

Censor (Su; Order of the Rack): When the knight of infernal order damages an enemy, she can use one point of her discipline pool to strike the creature mute for 1d4 rounds unless it makes a successful Will save. A mute creature cannot speak, nor can it cast spells that have verbal components or use language-dependent effects.

The Order of the Scourge

“Without culpability, chaos reigns.”

The ever-watchful Order of the Scourge seeks to ensure no crime goes unpunished, especially premeditated or more far-reaching acts of organized lawbreaking.

Favored Skill: Knowledge (nobility).

Favored weapon: Heavy mace and whip.

Vigilance (Su; Order of the Scourge): The knight of infernal order gains low-light vision (this effect is constant). In addition, as a full-round action, the knight of infernal order can spend one point from her discipline pool to see through up to 5 feet of stone, wood, or similar barriers as if they didn’t exist. Metal or denser barriers (hardness 8 or more) block this effect. Each use of this ability lasts as long as the knight of infernal order concentrates, up to a number of rounds equal to the knight of infernal order’s level.

OGL

The text in this article is Open Game Content. It is covered by the Open Game License v1.0a, rather than the Action copyright. To distinguish it, these items will have this notice. If you see any page that contains OGL material and does not show this license statement, please contact one of the Action administrators. Please note that images used in article may have different copyright than the text.

Section 15 Addendum

• System Reference Document © 2000, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.; Authors: Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams, based on material by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson.
• Genie, Marid from the Tome of Horrors Complete © 2011, Necromancer Games, Inc., published and distributed by Frog God Games; Author: Scott Greene, based on original material by Gary Gygax.
• Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook © 2009, Paizo Inc.; Author: Jason Bulmahn, based on material by Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, and Skip Williams.
• Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Adventurer’s Guide © 2017, Paizo Inc.; Authors: Benjamin Bruck, John Compton, Crystal Frasier, Tim Hitchcock, Jenny Jarzabski, Isabelle Lee, Joe Pasini, Jessica Price, David Schwartz, and Josh Vogt.
• Lands of Porphyra © 2015, Purple Duck Games; Authors: Ken Austin, Thomas Baumbach, Carl Cramér, Daniel Denehy, Perry Fehr, Mark Gedak, August Hahn, Noble Hays, John Hazen, Sam Hing, Sean Holland, N. Jolly, Christopher Kaiser, James H. Lewis, Chris Longhurst, Liz Mackie, Josh McCrowell, Christopher Mennell, Scott Messer, Angel “ARMR” Miranda, Julian Neale, Daniel M. Perez, David Pryzbyla, Marc Radle, David N. Ross, Treyson Sanders, Justin Sluder, Todd Stewart, Stefen Styrsky, Mike Welham, Jeremy Whelan, Patricia Willenborg.