Theocrat (Apath)
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The sociopolitical and bureaucratic structure of the average city-state, such as it is, revolves around the dominant god’s priesthood. Since it is largely faith that keeps the people of the community together, these holy men, called theocrats, have become the most important functionaries of all. The responsibility for deciding on matters of day-to-day policy and for the general welfare of the city’s people rests with the the council (often a triumvirate), usually led by a theocrat. In larger cities, the theocracy forms a complex hierarchy of its own, and whoever dominates this structure also dominates the city.
All theocrats aspire to serve on the city council, but only a few ever do so. The everyday duties of a theocrat lies in running the bureaucracy of the city, ensuring the ages-old rights of different groups, and providing to the spiritual needs of citizens. More unusual duties that fall on ambitious theocrats include dealing with foreigners and leading trouble-shooting and diplomatic assignments.
As they advance in power and ability theocrats eventually draw the attention (however faint it may be at first) of their patron god, who invests in them the power to better aid and support the congregation at large. In some areas, it is believed that the high priest or chieftain is gifted with the knowledge of who is and who is not suited for the role, and that she herself bestows this power (or at least opens the door to it) on behalf of her god.
Theocrats are afforded much respect by the communities they serve, if for no other reason that they provide a vital service. As a member of the class, the theocrat is socially head and shoulders above the average citizen or divine servant in her home city. Whereas her confederates still fulfill vital roles, there can be no doubt as to who has been chosen—whether by chieftain or divine providence—to carry the power and mercy of the area’s patron god. Without the efforts of these priests, the areas they serve may well fall to ruin. Higher-level theocrats become symbols of their city-state and are served with exceptional zeal.
Class Information
| The city-state of their birth and its cult is a very important factor for the defender of the city-state and theocrat classes. The first question to ask is; will this city-state be a recurring setting for the game? If it is, the GM should design the city and decide on the city cult and other factors to fit into the overall campaign. This includes the benefits of class abilities like legends and spirits of the city. Playing in their home is generally to the advantage of these classes, as they will play a more central role in the story, so players have little reason to complain. On the other hand, if the city is just a rumor far out in the desert and away from most activities in the game, the design of the city can be left to the players, with the GM supervision. |
The theocrat is an alternate class for the cleric. A theocrat cannot take levels as a cleric, or in any other alternate class to the cleric.
Publisher: Purple Duck Games.
Role: The theocrat is the direct agent of her city and god. When city and god are in harmony, this is a rather straightforward role. For willful or evil gods, the role becomes more complicated, but this is a balance the theocrat is supremely experienced at. Few theocrats adventure outside their home city; those who do are generally on an important mission for their city-state.
Alignment: A theocrat must come from a city-state that has a patron god and must worship that patron god. A theocrat's alignment must be within one step of her deity’s, along either the law/chaos axis or the good/evil axis. The servant of the city class feature effectively gives the theocrat the lawful good alignment much of the time.
Hit Die: d6.
Starting Wealth: 2d6 × 10 gp (average 70 gp.) In addition, each character begins play with an outfit worth 10 gp or less.
Class Skills
The theocrat’s class skills are Appraise (Int), Bluff (Cha), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Handle Animal (Cha), Heal (Wis), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Knowledge (history) (Int), Knowledge (local) (Int), Knowledge (nobility) (Int), Knowledge (religion) (Int), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Sleight of Hand (Dex), Spellcraft (Int), and Use Magic Device (Cha).
Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier.
Class Features
All of the following are class features of the theocrat class.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency
The theocrat is proficient with the club, dagger, kukiri, and quarterstaff, but not with any armor or with shields.
Spells
A theocrat casts divine spells which are drawn from the cleric spell list. Her alignment, however, may restrict her from casting certain spells. All theocrats can cast spells with the good or lawful descriptor. A theocrat of an evil god can cast spells with the evil descriptor. A theocrat of a chaotic god can cast spells with the chaotic descriptor.
To prepare or cast a spell, a theocrat must have a Wisdom score equal to at least 10 + the spell level. The Difficulty Class for a saving throw against a theocrat's spell is 10 + the spell level + the theocrat's Wisdom modifier.
Like other spellcasters, a theocrat can cast only a certain number of spells of each spell level per day. Her base daily spell allotment is given on Table: Theocrat. In addition, she receives bonus spells per day if she has a high Wisdom score (see Table: Ability Modifiers and Bonus Spells).
Theocrats meditate or pray for their spells. Each theocrat must choose a time at which she must spend 1 hour each day in quiet contemplation or supplication to regain her daily allotment of spells. Time spent resting has no effect on whether a theocrat can prepare spells. A theocrat may prepare and cast any spell on the theocrat spell list, provided that she can cast spells of that level, but she must choose which spells to prepare during her daily meditation.
Orisons Theocrats can prepare a number of orisons, or 0-level spells, each day, as noted on Table: Theocrat under “Spells per day.” These spells are treated like any other spell, but they are not expended when cast and may be used again.
Bonus Languages
A theocrat's bonus language options include Celestial, Abyssal, and Infernal (the languages of good, chaotic evil, and lawful evil outsiders, respectively). These choices are in addition to the bonus languages available to the character because of her race. If the city cult of her city includes the cooperation of creatures that have a language, such as Sphinx or Giants, these languages are also bonus languages to the theocrat.
Channel Energy
Regardless of alignment, any theocrat can release a wave of energy by channeling the power of her faith through her holy (or unholy) symbol. This energy can be used to cause or heal damage, depending on the type of energy channeled and the creatures targeted.
Any theocrat can channel positive energy and can choose to deal damage to undead creatures or to heal living creatures. A theocrat that worships an evil deity can channels negative energy and can choose to deal damage to living creatures or to heal undead creatures. The choice of channel is made when the ability is used.
Channeling energy causes a burst that affects all creatures of one type (either undead or living) in a 30-foot radius centered on the theocrat. The amount of damage dealt or healed is equal to 1d6 points of damage plus 1d6 points of damage for every two theocrat levels beyond 1st (2d6 at 3rd, 3d6 at 5th, and so on). Creatures that take damage from channeled energy receive a Will save to halve the damage. The DC of this save is equal to 10 + 1/2 the theocrat's level + the theocrat's Charisma modifier. Creatures healed by channel energy cannot exceed their maximum hit point total—all excess healing is lost. A theocrat may channel energy a number of times per day equal to 3 + her Charisma modifier. This is a standard action that does not provoke an attack of opportunity. A theocrat can choose whether or not to include herself in this effect.
A theocrat must be able to present her (un)holy symbol to use this ability.
Domains
A theocrat's deity influences her alignment, what magic she can perform, her values, and how others see her. A theocrat chooses two domains from among those belonging to her deity. A theocrat can select the Chaos or Evil domain only if her alignment matches that domain. In addition, all theocrats gain the Unity domain. Each domain grants a number of domain powers and domain spells.
A theocrat gains the listed powers from all of her three domains, if she is of a high enough level. Unless otherwise noted, activating a domain power is a standard action.
In addition, each domain grants a number of bonus spells. A theocrat gains one domain spell slot for each level of theocrat spell she can cast, from 1st on up. Each day, a theocrat can prepare one of the spells from her three domains in that slot. If a domain spell is not on the theocrat spell list, a theocrat can prepare it only in her domain spell slot. Domain spells cannot be used to cast spells spontaneously.
Domain Casting
A theocrat can “lose” any prepared spell in order to cast any spell of the same level or lower found on any one of her three domain spell lists.
Lord of the City (Ex)
When in the territory of her city-state or acting as its representative, the theocrat gains a +2 bonus on Charisma, Intimidate, Knowledge (history, local, nobility, or religion), and Sense Motive checks. At 12th level, these bonuses increase to +4.
Lord of the city works in any locale where the theocrat's city-state is known and recognized. An isolated desert city might only be remembered as a legend, but this suffices. A theocrat who does her job well will spread the fame of her city as much as possible, and is thus able to rely on its prestige, however tenuous its real power is. A theocrat that is secretive or tries to work under a false identity cannot lean on the prestige of her city-state and loses all abilities dependent on lord of the city.
Servant of the City (Ex)
Regardless of the theocrat's actual alignment, she counts as being lawful good when inside the domain of her city state. Any attempt to detect her alignment or read her aura gives the result that she is lawful good. When affected by an effect whose effects vary depending on her alignment, she counts as her actual alignment or lawful good, whichever is most advantageous to her. She can cast spells with the good descriptor without hindrance. In her everyday actions, she acts lawful good, working to keep the city-state running smoothly and usually beloved by all citizens.
The theocrat can still take actions that are not good and lawful without risking the alignment bestowed by servant of the city, but if such breaches of trust become well known, the theocrat loses the lord of the city class feature until she has restored her reputation in the eyes of the city.
It is only when she is not in service to her city that her actual alignment comes through. When unable to use the lord of the city ability and when inside one of her patron's temples, she cannot use this ability and functions as her actual alignment.
Robe of Honor (Sp)
When wearing the distinctive robes of a theocrat of her city, and not wearing any armor or using a shield, the theocrat is protected against attacks, as constant sanctuary. She can reestablish this effect as a swift action. The save DC of this ability is 10 + 1/2 the theocrat's level + her Charisma modifier.
Theocrat robes comes in a range of qualities, from the simple tunic of an acolyte to the royal robes of a high theocrat, but all are distinctive and easily recognizable; for a non-theocrat to wear such vestments is sacrilege.
Bulwark of the City (Su)
At 2nd level, as a standard action, the theocrat can invoke her city-state's protection on an ally she can see within 60 ft. The ally receives temporary hit points equal to the theocrat's class level. These temporary hit points last only a single round.
Power of City (Su)
When a theocrat reaches 8th level, she learns to draw strength from the source of her power—the area that is the home of the people of her god—and thereby enhance the potency of her divine spellcasting. While able to use the lord of the city ability, the theocrat adds a +1 bonus to the save DCs of all her divine spells. When a theocrat reaches 16th level, the bonus to save DCs increases to +2. This does not stack with the bonus from Spell Focus.
Will of City
By 10th level, the theocrat can draw upon the support of her people, the collective will of the entire city-state, to push the power and glory of her own divine magics through all but the sturdiest mystical barriers. While she remains inside her home city-state, a theocrat gains a +2 bonus on caster level.
Beyond Reproach (Ex)
By 14th level, the theocrat has such spiritual and temporal power in her city-state that her actions are no longer questioned. She never can no longer lose the powers bestowed by the servant of the city ability. She is above the laws of her city, but not above human law; she must still adhere to her true alignment and creed.
Spirit of City (Su)
By 18th level, a theocrat has become so attuned to the power and spirit of her home area that she can draw on that power to prevent hostile magics from affecting her. While she remains inside the territory of her city state, the theocrat gains spell resistance equal to 10 + character level + Cha modifier. She can choose to lower this resistance as a free action she can take even outside of her turn.
One With the City
Upon reaching 20th level, a theocrat has grown so attuned with her people that she becomes, in essence, a part of their city. If the theocrat should die within the territory of her city (of anything but natural causes), the power of her bond with her god and her city will revive her (as true resurrection) after a number of days equal to 10 minus her Cha modifier. Besides luring the theocrat out of her city, no known means (magical or otherwise) can prevent the theocrat’s rebirth, short of utterly destroying the city-state itself. If soul bind or a similar ability is used on the theocrat, her resurrection is delayed until such her soul is free.
Ex-Theocrats
A theocrat that changes to a non-permitted alignment or violates the trust of her god loses all spells and class features, except for weapon proficiencies and class features listed as dependent on being an agent of the city. Looking to the best interests of the city never counts as breaking the trust of her god, even if the god normally hates civilization. A theocrat that breaks with her faith can no longer advance in the class and must seek atonement, either from a divine caster of her city cult, or from a divine caster of the city cult of another city.
Table: Theocrat
| Level | Base Attack Bonus |
Fort Save |
Ref Save |
Will Save |
Special | Spells per Day | |||||||||
| 0 | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | ||||||
| 1st | +0 | +0 | +0 | +2 | Channel energy 1d6, domains, domain casting, lord of the city +2, robe of honor, servant of the city | 3 | 1+1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2nd | +1 | +0 | +0 | +3 | Bulwark of the city | 4 | 2+1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 3rd | +2 | +1 | +1 | +3 | Channel energy 2d6 | 4 | 2+1 | 1+1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 4th | +3 | +1 | +1 | +4 | Legends of the city | 4 | 3+1 | 2+1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 5th | +3 | +1 | +1 | +4 | Channel energy 3d6 | 4 | 3+1 | 2+1 | 1+1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 6th | +4 | +2 | +2 | +5 | Spirits of the city | 4 | 3+1 | 3+1 | 2+1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 7th | +5 | +2 | +2 | +5 | Channel energy 4d6 | 4 | 4+1 | 3+1 | 2+1 | 1+1 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 8th | +6/+1 | +2 | +2 | +6 | Power of the city +1 | 4 | 4+1 | 3+1 | 3+1 | 2+1 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 9th | +6/+1 | +3 | +3 | +6 | Channel energy 5d6 | 4 | 4+1 | 4+1 | 3+1 | 2+1 | 1+1 | — | — | — | — |
| 10th | +7/+2 | +3 | +3 | +7 | Will of the city | 4 | 4+1 | 4+1 | 3+1 | 3+1 | 2+1 | — | — | — | — |
| 11th | +8/+3 | +3 | +3 | +7 | Channel energy 6d6 | 4 | 4+1 | 4+1 | 4+1 | 3+1 | 2+1 | 1+1 | — | — | — |
| 12th | +9/+4 | +4 | +4 | +8 | Lord of the city +4 | 4 | 4+1 | 4+1 | 4+1 | 3+1 | 3+1 | 2+1 | — | — | — |
| 13th | +9/+4 | +4 | +4 | +8 | Channel energy 7d6 | 4 | 4+1 | 4+1 | 4+1 | 4+1 | 3+1 | 2+1 | 1+1 | — | — |
| 14th | +10/+5 | +4 | +4 | +9 | Beyond reproach | 4 | 4+1 | 4+1 | 4+1 | 4+1 | 3+1 | 3+1 | 2+1 | — | — |
| 15th | +11/+6/+1 | +5 | +5 | +9 | Channel energy 8d6 | 4 | 4+1 | 4+1 | 4+1 | 4+1 | 4+1 | 3+1 | 2+1 | 1+1 | — |
| 16th | +12/+7/+2 | +5 | +5 | +10 | Power of the city +2 | 4 | 4+1 | 4+1 | 4+1 | 4+1 | 4+1 | 3+1 | 3+1 | 2+1 | — |
| 17th | +12/+7/+2 | +5 | +5 | +10 | Channel energy 9d6 | 4 | 4+1 | 4+1 | 4+1 | 4+1 | 4+1 | 4+1 | 3+1 | 2+1 | 1+1 |
| 18th | +13/+8/+3 | +6 | +6 | +11 | Spirit of the city | 4 | 4+1 | 4+1 | 4+1 | 4+1 | 4+1 | 4+1 | 3+1 | 3+1 | 2+1 |
| 19th | +14/+9/+4 | +6 | +6 | +11 | Channel energy 10d6 | 4 | 4+1 | 4+1 | 4+1 | 4+1 | 4+1 | 4+1 | 4+1 | 3+1 | 3+1 |
| 20th | +15/+10/+5 | +6 | +6 | +12 | One with the city | 4 | 4+1 | 4+1 | 4+1 | 4+1 | 4+1 | 4+1 | 4+1 | 4+1 | 4+1 |