So, see, I got this nifty character idea of playing a messenger, and then I started thinking about how to make a PrC about it, because I realized there were lots of abilities which would be cool for a messenger, but which would be very difficult to obtain. So I came up with this. It's not terribly Eberron-specific, and I even included an "Adapting the Loyal Messenger" blurb at the end, so it could easily be inserted into any other campaign world.
The Loyal Messenger
The role of messenger is an old one, but one that is still often needed in Khorvaire. The loyal messenger crosses vast distances in a very short time, on horseback or even on foot if need be. Although their role is made much less necessary by the magical messenger services of House Sivis, loyal messengers remain useful in a plethora of situations. During the last war, vital plans were often entrusted to loyal messengers, the senders knowing that their information would arrive swiftly and safely. Bound by honor, a loyal messenger will allow nothing to stand in the way of his duty.
Loyal messengers draw mainly from the ranks of rangers, although many also have levels in rogue. Fighters, barbarians, and paladins can easily fill the role of a loyal messenger as well, and occasionally even bards will take up the calling, although they tend to serve more as town criers (bard/loyal messengers are also often employed by the Korranberg Chronicle). Spellcasters and artificers can usually find more efficient ways to deliver a message; as such, they rarely are loyal messengers.
NPC loyal messengers can often be found in the service of House Vadalis, offering an alternative service to House Sivis’s magical methods. However, House Sivis loyal messengers are not unheard of either, giving Sivis almost a monopoly on the messenger business.
Hit Die: d6
Requirements
Skills: Diplomacy 2 ranks, Handle Animal 8 ranks, Ride 8 ranks, Survival 2 ranks
Feats: Heroic Spirit, Endurance
Class Skills
The loyal messenger’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Disguise (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Gather Information (Cha), Handle Animal (Cha), Hide (Dex), Jump (Str), Knowledge (Geography), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex), Sense Motive (Wis), Sleight of Hand (Dex), Spot (Wis), Survival (Wis), Swim (Str), Tumble (Dex), and Use Rope (Dex).
Skill Points: 4 + Int modifier
The Loyal Messenger
Base Attack Fort Ref Will
Level Bonus Save Save Save Special
1 +0 +0 +2 +2 Trusty Steed, Trustworthy
2 +1 +0 +3 +3 Diehard
3 +2 +1 +3 +3 Burst of Speed
4 +3 +1 +4 +4 Keep the Secret, Press On
5 +3 +1 +4 +4 Guard the Message
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The loyal messenger gains no additional proficiencies with weapons or armor.
Trusty Steed: At 1st level, the loyal messenger may make a light horse, heavy horse, light warhorse, heavy warhorse, pony, or warpony his trusty steed. The loyal messenger may designate any such horse as his trusty steed, so long as he has spent at least one month with it. If his steed dies, is lost, or if the loyal messenger dismisses his trusty steed, he must wait at least one month before he can obtain another.
The messenger’s trusty steed gains one bonus hit die per class level (with all attendant increases to attacks, saves, skills, feats, et cetera), as well as a +5 ft. bonus to speed per class level. These bonuses stack with any bonuses due to the trusty steed being an animal companion or special mount. The trusty steed also benefits from the Improved Evasion and Share Saving Throws abilities, as the abilities of the same name which a paladin’s special mount receives.
At 3rd level, the trusty steed receives the Endurance feat as a bonus feat. It can also make Constitution checks to avoid damage when making a forced march, and sustains nonlethal damage instead of lethal damage when moving at a hustle.
At the DM’s option, the messenger may select a creature other than those listed above as his trusty steed. If the creature is more powerful than the steeds allowed above, it is advised that the character be required to take the Leadership feat to designate it as his trusty steed.
Trustworthy (Ex): The loyal messenger gets a +4 bonus to all Diplomacy checks made to convince others that he is telling the truth. This bonus only applies when the character actually is telling the truth; if he is lying, then he should use the Bluff skill instead, and the bonus does not apply.
Diehard: At 2nd level, the loyal messenger is able to deliver his message despite grievous wounds. He gains the Diehard feat as a bonus feat. If the character already possesses this feat, he gains no further benefit.
Burst of Speed (Su): Beginning at 3rd level, the loyal messenger may make a burst of speed once per day. This ability allows him (or his trusty steed, the messenger’s choice) to move up to ten times his (or his steed’s) speed as a full-round action. This is identical to the run action, except that it allows for movement of up to ten times his (or his steed’s) speed. In addition, when using a burst of speed, the loyal messenger (or his steed) gains a +10 bonus to any Jump checks made during this movement. This ability may not be used when the messenger is wearing medium or heavy armor (or when his steed is wearing medium or heavy barding).
As with any other class feature usable a limited number of times per day, the loyal messenger may expend 2 action points to use a burst of speed one additional time in a day.
Keep the Secret (Su): At 4th level, the loyal messenger gains a +4 bonus to all Will saves against mind-affecting spells or abilities which would cause him to divulge the contents of his message to anyone except the intended recipient.
Press On (Ex): At 4th level, the loyal messenger can endure long journeys and swift rides, even through harsh conditions. The bonus which the messenger and his steed receive from their Endurance feat is doubled, to +8.
Guard the Message (Sp): At 5th level, the loyal messenger learns to defend his message with force if necessary. Once per day, he may cast greater heroism (on himself only) as a spell-like ability. This ability functions with a caster level equal to the loyal messenger’s Hit Dice.
As with any other class feature usable a limited number of times per day, the loyal messenger may expend 2 action points to use Guard the Message one additional time in a day.
Adapting the Loyal Messenger
Although the loyal messenger was created for Eberron, using it in other campaign settings is easy. Simply change the flavor text to suit you, and remove all reference to action points, as well as removing the Heroic Spirit feat from the requirements. If you do this, it is advisable to add another feat to the requirements (Animal Affinity would be one good possibility).
Questions? Comments? Does it look balanced, overpowered, why-the-hell-would-anyone-ever-take-this-PrC-it's-worthless, anything else worth mentioning?
The Loyal Messenger
The role of messenger is an old one, but one that is still often needed in Khorvaire. The loyal messenger crosses vast distances in a very short time, on horseback or even on foot if need be. Although their role is made much less necessary by the magical messenger services of House Sivis, loyal messengers remain useful in a plethora of situations. During the last war, vital plans were often entrusted to loyal messengers, the senders knowing that their information would arrive swiftly and safely. Bound by honor, a loyal messenger will allow nothing to stand in the way of his duty.
Loyal messengers draw mainly from the ranks of rangers, although many also have levels in rogue. Fighters, barbarians, and paladins can easily fill the role of a loyal messenger as well, and occasionally even bards will take up the calling, although they tend to serve more as town criers (bard/loyal messengers are also often employed by the Korranberg Chronicle). Spellcasters and artificers can usually find more efficient ways to deliver a message; as such, they rarely are loyal messengers.
NPC loyal messengers can often be found in the service of House Vadalis, offering an alternative service to House Sivis’s magical methods. However, House Sivis loyal messengers are not unheard of either, giving Sivis almost a monopoly on the messenger business.
Hit Die: d6
Requirements
Skills: Diplomacy 2 ranks, Handle Animal 8 ranks, Ride 8 ranks, Survival 2 ranks
Feats: Heroic Spirit, Endurance
Class Skills
The loyal messenger’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Decipher Script (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Disguise (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Gather Information (Cha), Handle Animal (Cha), Hide (Dex), Jump (Str), Knowledge (Geography), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex), Sense Motive (Wis), Sleight of Hand (Dex), Spot (Wis), Survival (Wis), Swim (Str), Tumble (Dex), and Use Rope (Dex).
Skill Points: 4 + Int modifier
The Loyal Messenger
Base Attack Fort Ref Will
Level Bonus Save Save Save Special
1 +0 +0 +2 +2 Trusty Steed, Trustworthy
2 +1 +0 +3 +3 Diehard
3 +2 +1 +3 +3 Burst of Speed
4 +3 +1 +4 +4 Keep the Secret, Press On
5 +3 +1 +4 +4 Guard the Message
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The loyal messenger gains no additional proficiencies with weapons or armor.
Trusty Steed: At 1st level, the loyal messenger may make a light horse, heavy horse, light warhorse, heavy warhorse, pony, or warpony his trusty steed. The loyal messenger may designate any such horse as his trusty steed, so long as he has spent at least one month with it. If his steed dies, is lost, or if the loyal messenger dismisses his trusty steed, he must wait at least one month before he can obtain another.
The messenger’s trusty steed gains one bonus hit die per class level (with all attendant increases to attacks, saves, skills, feats, et cetera), as well as a +5 ft. bonus to speed per class level. These bonuses stack with any bonuses due to the trusty steed being an animal companion or special mount. The trusty steed also benefits from the Improved Evasion and Share Saving Throws abilities, as the abilities of the same name which a paladin’s special mount receives.
At 3rd level, the trusty steed receives the Endurance feat as a bonus feat. It can also make Constitution checks to avoid damage when making a forced march, and sustains nonlethal damage instead of lethal damage when moving at a hustle.
At the DM’s option, the messenger may select a creature other than those listed above as his trusty steed. If the creature is more powerful than the steeds allowed above, it is advised that the character be required to take the Leadership feat to designate it as his trusty steed.
Trustworthy (Ex): The loyal messenger gets a +4 bonus to all Diplomacy checks made to convince others that he is telling the truth. This bonus only applies when the character actually is telling the truth; if he is lying, then he should use the Bluff skill instead, and the bonus does not apply.
Diehard: At 2nd level, the loyal messenger is able to deliver his message despite grievous wounds. He gains the Diehard feat as a bonus feat. If the character already possesses this feat, he gains no further benefit.
Burst of Speed (Su): Beginning at 3rd level, the loyal messenger may make a burst of speed once per day. This ability allows him (or his trusty steed, the messenger’s choice) to move up to ten times his (or his steed’s) speed as a full-round action. This is identical to the run action, except that it allows for movement of up to ten times his (or his steed’s) speed. In addition, when using a burst of speed, the loyal messenger (or his steed) gains a +10 bonus to any Jump checks made during this movement. This ability may not be used when the messenger is wearing medium or heavy armor (or when his steed is wearing medium or heavy barding).
As with any other class feature usable a limited number of times per day, the loyal messenger may expend 2 action points to use a burst of speed one additional time in a day.
Keep the Secret (Su): At 4th level, the loyal messenger gains a +4 bonus to all Will saves against mind-affecting spells or abilities which would cause him to divulge the contents of his message to anyone except the intended recipient.
Press On (Ex): At 4th level, the loyal messenger can endure long journeys and swift rides, even through harsh conditions. The bonus which the messenger and his steed receive from their Endurance feat is doubled, to +8.
Guard the Message (Sp): At 5th level, the loyal messenger learns to defend his message with force if necessary. Once per day, he may cast greater heroism (on himself only) as a spell-like ability. This ability functions with a caster level equal to the loyal messenger’s Hit Dice.
As with any other class feature usable a limited number of times per day, the loyal messenger may expend 2 action points to use Guard the Message one additional time in a day.
Adapting the Loyal Messenger
Although the loyal messenger was created for Eberron, using it in other campaign settings is easy. Simply change the flavor text to suit you, and remove all reference to action points, as well as removing the Heroic Spirit feat from the requirements. If you do this, it is advisable to add another feat to the requirements (Animal Affinity would be one good possibility).
Questions? Comments? Does it look balanced, overpowered, why-the-hell-would-anyone-ever-take-this-PrC-it's-worthless, anything else worth mentioning?
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I like it.
