Battle Herald (Apath)

Unofficial rules compendium

In every army there are leaders who surpass the average cold-hearted mercenary, battle-scarred veteran, or wizened drill instructor, not so much in their skill at arms but in their ability to inspire and lead others. Battle heralds are just such captains—skilled warriors to be sure, but ones who have honed the art of leadership to a keen edge and keep it as ready as their sword as a means to victory. Battle heralds tap into reservoirs of courage, skill, bravery, and perseverance that those who serve with them never knew they had, and their allies often find themselves ascending the mount of triumph following the battle herald’s glorious (if often tattered) banner.

Class Information

This is a prestige class archetype.

Prestige Class: Battle herals.

Build Classes: Bard, Cavalier.

Alignment: Any

Hit Die: d10.

Class Skills

The battle herald's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Acrobatics (Dex), Appraise (Int), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Handle Animal (Cha), Heal (Wis), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (all) (Int), Perception (Wis), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex), Sense Motive (Wis). Swim (Str), and Use Magic Device (Cha).

Skill Ranks at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier.

Class Features

This archetype has all normal class features, except as noted.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency

Battle heralds are proficient with all simple and martial weapons, with all types of armor (heavy, light, and medium) and with shields (except tower shields).

Office (Ex)

A battle herald must choose an office to serve (and perhaps later lead). Each selection gives a number of abilities.

Office of Heraldry

The office of heraldry is concerned with honor and repute over all other matters.

The office of heraldry grants a +2 bonus on Knowledge (Local) and Knowledge (Nobility).

Recital: At third level the battle herald can use inspiring command to counter magic effects that depend on sight or sound (but not spells that have verbal components.). Each round of recital he makes a Perform (oratory) skill check. Any creature within 30 feet of the battle herald (including the battle herald himself) that is affected by a illusion (pattern), illusion (figment), sonic, or language-dependent magical attack may use the battle herald's Perform check result in place of its saving throw if, after the saving throw is rolled, the Perform check result proves to be higher. If a creature within range of the recital is already under the effect of a non-instantaneous sonic or language-dependent magical attack, it gains another saving throw against the effect each round it hears the recital, but it must use the battle herald's Perform skill check result for the save. Recital does not work on effects that don't allow saves.

Office of Castelian

The office of castelian is concerned with fortifications and interior defense .

The office of castelian grants a +2 bonus on Knowledge (dungeoneering) and Knowledge (engineer) and can use these skills unskilled.

Armor Training: Starting at 3rd level, a castelian battle herald learns to be more maneuverable while wearing armor. Whenever he is wearing armor, he reduces the armor check penalty by 1 (to a minimum of 0) and increases the maximum Dexterity bonus allowed by his armor by 1. Every five levels thereafter (8th, 13th, 18), 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.

In addition, a castelian battle herald can also move at his normal speed while wearing medium armor. At 9th level, a castelian battle herald can move at his normal speed while wearing heavy armor.

Office of Chivalry

The office of chivalry is a cavalry order.

The office of chivalry grants a +2 bonus on Knowledge (geography) and Knowledge (nature) and can use these skills unskilled.

Mount: A chivalric battle herald gains the cavalier's mount ability as a cavalier of her battle herald level.