Griffon’s Talon
Since
Griffon’s Hamlet is very small, the empire has never sent military forces to
assist with defense. As such, the townspeople have created a militia force
called the Griffon’s Talon. These men are professional soldiers that train year
round. They are supported by a tax on the river trade.
These
soldiers all wear chain mail hauberks with coifs. Their primary weapon is a
repeating crossbow and a short sword is their secondary weapon. They are
stationed in three separate barracks around town. Each barracks holds 60 men
and officers. The second floor of the barracks serves as holding cells for
criminals until they are tried.
Interview with Thero Klung,
Master Highwayman
“I want to make it exceedingly clear that
by no means am I to be considered or mentioned as a ‘brigand.’ A brigand is
an uncouth, uncivilized savage whose primary goal is the accumulation of
ill-gotten wealth at the expense of decent, law-biding folks. I am opposed to
such horrific abuses of the law.
“We,
Highwaymen, are an elite and dedicated cadre that fights to preserve our way
of life in Griffon’s Hamlet. Without our dedication and perseverance, this
township would be as vile as most other towns on this continent.
“Of
late, we have been busier than usual because of the increased trade with
people of the Dwarven persuasion. It must be noted that these persons insist
upon unacceptable business practices. We completely reject their
insufferable conduct and have elected to resolve these disputes through all
means available.
“Because
of the increased demands on our schedules, we have had to bring on new membership
from the youth of our society. These unruly youngsters are, quite frankly,
ridiculous. These fools actually insist on wearing black, tight-fitting
costumes, black hoods and calling each other by the most outlandish nicknames
ever heard this side of Kerstall.
“Seriously
now, can you imagine someone insisting on being called ‘Dark Hood?’ It’s just plain silly.
“For
the past twenty years I have protected my beloved town and this is how I am
repaid? I am now forced by the Mayor to work with Dark Hood, Night Fox, the
Black Shadow and something-or-other Green. Quite frankly, I wish I could
forget all these ridiculous nicknames.
“I
see a dark future before us, especially if this is what our next generation
of Highwaymen relies upon. Unfortunately, the Mayor disagrees since the
ignoble Dark Hood is his very own son! I need to retire.”
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The Highwaymen
The
people of Griffon’s Hamlet are not amendable to foreign merchants that are not
willing to negotiate. As a solution to this problem, the local merchants have
formed a band of brigands they call the Highwaymen. This band of thugs works
directly for the Elder Council of Griffon’s Hamlet.
So, for
example, if a merchant from Uttatai has come to town
and refused to play ball with the local merchants, he will be watched and
followed throughout his stay in town. Once he is seen leaving town, the
Highwaymen will waylay him about 3 miles from Griffon’s Hamlet where they will
only take an ‘acceptable’ amount of his goods, as compensation to the town
merchants. Also, if a traveling merchant caravan refuses to stop in Griffon’s
Hamlet they are fair game. These merchants that do not stop in town are the
most common target. The proceeds of these raids are then distributed amongst
all the local merchants in town, after a healthy fee is paid to the Elder
Council.
The
Highwaymen are seen as heroes by most of the local people and they are
protected from Kalen law. In some cases, the most
respected merchants during the day are the same brigands that attack caravans
at night. When the government of Kale has sent military forces to investigate the
Highwaymen, the locals refused to cooperate. This does not mean that they were
rude to the army; they simply had no “useful” information.
Lately
the young people of Griffon’s Hamlet have begun to join the ranks of the
Highwaymen. These youths are not fully aware of the important role played by
these men and women. The youths mostly believe that they are playing at being
robbers when in truth the Highwaymen are the main line of defense for Griffon’s
Hamlet. The few times that the town has been directly threatened, the
Highwaymen have stood firm as the defenders of the town. Their knowledge of the
surrounding countryside is an invaluable aide in their efforts to thwart their
enemies.
The Elite Highwayman Prestige Class
The Elite Highwayman is the
self-proclaimed guardian and protector of Griffon’s Hamlet. They form the core
leadership of a band of thieves that enforce the will of the Elder Council.
Their primary duties include border defense against any incursions into the
environs of Griffon’s Hamlet and the collection of unclaimed “taxes” from
merchant caravans.
When the Elder Council orders the
collection of these “taxes” from a merchant caravan the Highwaymen attack in
order to collect. These men and women specialize in small unit tactics using
forest and terrain cover. They attack from cover using ranged weapons to take
out the most threatening members of the caravan. Once the archers have finished
cutting down the enemy, the ground forces attack.
The elite highwaymen are the leaders of
the Highwaymen. These are the best and most well respected members of Griffon’s
Hamlet society. Currently there are only 4 elite highwaymen in the group.
Hit
Die: d8
Prerequisites
Anyone wishing to become a member of this
prestige class must be a resident of Griffon’s Hamlet with Renown of 4 or
higher. The PC must have the feat of Improved Initiative. The PC must already
be an initiated member of the Highwaymen.
Base
Attack Bonus: +5
Hide:
8 ranks
Spot:
8 ranks
Move
Silently: 8 ranks
Knowledge,
Griffon’s Hamlet: 2 ranks
Class
Skills
The class skills (and the key ability for
each skill) are Bluff (Cha); Disguise (Cha); Hide (Dex);
Intimidate (Cha); Intuit Direction (Wis); Listen (Wis); Move Silently (Dex);
Knowledge, Griffon’s Hamlet Local (Int); Search (Int); Spot (Wis); Craft, Trap
Building (Int); Use Rope (Dex);
Tumble (Dex); Wilderness Lore (Wis)
Skill Points at Each Level: 6 + Int modifier
Class
Level
|
Base
Attack Bonus
|
Fort
Save
|
Ref
Save
|
Will
Save
|
Special
|
1
|
+1
|
+0
|
+2
|
+0
|
Evasion,
Range/Sneak Attack +1d6
|
2
|
+2
|
+1
|
+3
|
+0
|
Known
Terrain +1, Wilderness Lore +2, Terrain Defense +2
|
3
|
+3
|
+1
|
+4
|
+1
|
Range/Sneak
Attack +2d6, Herbal Lore 1d8
|
4
|
+4
|
+2
|
+4
|
+1
|
Known
Terrain +2, Wilderness Lore +4, Poison Lore, Terrain Defense +4
|
5
|
+5
|
+2
|
+5
|
+2
|
Range/Sneak
Attack +3d6, Poison Lore Mastery
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Class
Features
All of
the following are class features of the elite highwayman prestige class.
Evasion: As per Core Rules I
Range/Sneak Attack: The
members of this class are experts at all forms of sneak attacks. If an elite
highwayman can catch an opponent when they are unable to defend themselves
effectively, he can strike a vital spot for extra damage. They can use typical
sneak attack weapons but they can also use ranged weapons such as bows when
performing attacks.
At first level the elite highwayman does
+1d6 sneak attack damage. This increases to +2d6 at third level and finally
reaches a maximum of +3d6 at 5th level. Should an elite highwayman
score a critical hit with a sneak attack, this extra damage is not multiplied.
It takes precision and penetration to hit
a vital spot so ranged sneak attacks must occur within 30 feet of the intended
target. The elite highwayman is not able to deal subdual damage with a range
attack and can only deal subdual damage with a weapon suited to that task (i.e.
blackjack, sap, etc.).
Outside of the immediate area of Griffon’s
Hamlet, this is the ONLY special ability this prestige class retains. All other
special abilities are lost until the character returns to Griffon’s Hamlet.
Known Terrain: Because they
are intimately familiar with the surroundings of Griffon’s Hamlet, all elite
highwaymen gain bonuses. Therefore, at 2nd level, the elite
highwayman gains a +2 bonus to all checks. This increases to +4 at fourth
level.
Wilderness Lore: At 2nd
level, the elite highwayman gains a +2 bonus to all Wilderness Lore checks.
This increases to +4 at fourth level.
Terrain Defense: At 2nd
level, the elite highwayman gains a +2 deflection bonus to Armor Class. This
increases to +4 at fourth level. This is because of their familiarity with
their environs. This ability is only available within 10 miles of Griffon’s
Hamlet.
Herbal Lore: At 3rd
level, all elite highwaymen gain the knowledge to create herbal remedies from
flora near Griffon’s Hamlet. They are able to use a specific plant to make a
healing draught that heals 1d8 hit points of damage. Creating this draught
requires a successful Wilderness Lore check (DC 15) to find the flower. The
flower is crushed, mixed with some water and then applied to the wound. Under
normal conditions, the elite highwayman will be able to make the draught in 5
rounds.
Poison Lore: At 4th
level, the same base knowledge the elite highwayman has learned for the
creation of healing draughts can be turned to making poisons from local flora
and fauna. To make the poison requires a Wilderness Lore check (DC 15) to find
the flowers and plants needed. Then the elite highwayman must spend 5 minutes
making the poison by mixing the proper quantities of the ingredients with
water. Once made, the poison will only be effective for the next 5 hours. The
first effect of the poison is to cause paralysis, and the second effect is also
cause paralysis.
At 5th level, the elite
highwayman gains Poison Lore Mastery. They are able to condense the same poison
they make at 4th level into a more potent version. This version of
the poison is much more lethal and dangerous. To make the poison they have to
follow the same steps as above but they must spend an additional 20 minutes
boiling down the solution. This poison, upon a successful hit and a failure to
make a Fort save (DC 18), has a first effect of a loss of 2d6 in Con and a
second effect of a loss of 1d6 Con and a loss of 1d6 in Str.
Improved Evasion: As per
Core Rules I.
Highwayman’s
Oath
“Now I
put aside my youth in service and defense of my beloved home. No longer will I
be governed by selfish desires, nor will I allow fear to rule me. I am now a
member of a brotherhood, a sacred trust. I swear an oath this night before all
the gods and my brothers to sacrifice my life to protect my one and only home.”
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