Illus. by J. Jarvis
PRESTIGE CLASSES
CHAPTER 5
Dwarf Traits: Dwarves have stonecunning, which grants entire tribe breaks camp and travels there. When a goliath them a +2 racial bonus on Search checks to notice unusual tribe needs to send an envoy to lowlanders far below their stonework. A dwarf who merely comes within 10 feet of it can lofty camps, it often sends a peregrine runner. make a Search check as if actively searching. Peregrine runners are among the fastest land travelers in When standing on the ground, dwarves are exceptionally the mountains, able to scale the highest peaks to deliver a messtable and have a +4 bonus on ability checks made to resist sage or scout the lands beyond. Because they travel so much, being bull rushed or tripped. They have a +1 racial bonus on peregrine runners tend to be more worldly than attack rolls against orcs and goblinoids. Dwarves have a the average goliath and fit in well with those +4 racial bonus to Armor Class against giants. not of their tribe (although their size makes *Dwarves have a +2 racial bonus on saving it difficult for any goliaths to “blend in” with throws against spells and spell-like effects. most humanoids). Mind Over Body (Ex): Once per A wide array of day, Jodmara can use her Will save characters find the modifier in place of her Fortitude life of a peror Reflex save modifier. The save egrine runis still treated as a Fortitude or ner appealing, Reflex save, and the result with rogues and barbarians represented slightly determined as normal for more than other classes. The prestige class is a natsuch a saving throw. ural for bards adept at social interaction, but many Using this ability is bards find the dawncaller class more attractive. an immediate action (see If you see a goliath in tribal garb visiting a the Swift and Immediate human or dwarf city—or anywhere Actions sidebar, page 136). Jodout of the mountains—you’re mara must decide whether or probnot to use this ability before ably rolling the saving throw. looking Psychic Warrior Powers Known at a pereKelaamae Swiftstrider (power points 27; save DC 12 + power grine runner. Oamothaalomaki, a peregrine runner level): 1st—empty mind, expansion, Peregrine runners can also offensive precognition; 2nd—body be found scouting new mountain territory for their tribe, adjustment, detect hostile intent, so they’re often present in the mountains even when other hustle; 3rd—graft weapon, goliaths are not. vampiric blade. Adaptation: This class, while ostensibly specific to goliaths, could be adapted for any prestige class that focuses on Possessions: +1 full mountain travel. If you adapt it, be sure to balance abilities plate, +1 heavy steel shield, useful only in the mountains (such as mountain stride) +1 dwarven waraxe, cloak of with abilities gained in the mountains but useful elsewhere resistance +1, ring of protec(such as fast movement). Peregrine runners act as envoys of tion +1, potion of cure moderate their tribes, so there’s a diplomatic element to this class that wounds. might not be appropriate for other mountain-based races or classes. Hit Die: d8.
PEREGRINE RUNNER
Requirements While goliath tribes are To qualify to become a peregrine runner, a character must largely self-sufficient, fulfill all the following criteria. they sometimes need Race: Goliath. to get a message Base Attack Bonus: +4. to another tribe Skills: Climb 9 ranks, Diplomacy 4 ranks, Handle quickly, often beAnimal 4 ranks, Jump 9 ranks. cause they’re under attack or in Feats: Endurance, Run. some other danger. When such a need arises, the goliaths send an Class Skills elite, fleet-of-foot warrior known as The peregrine runner’s class skills (and the key ability for a peregrine runner. Peregrine runeach skill) are Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Craft ners also serve as long-range scouts for (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Gather Information (Cha), Hide their tribe, checking a far-off valley to (Dex), Jump (Str), Knowledge (nature) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Profession (Wis), Search (Int), Sense see whether game is plentiful before the
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