There are no Paladins in my campaign. I'm the DM, so I get to say so, and my reasons really don't matter beyond that. However, I have written a Prestige Class that takes their place to some extent. Here 'tis. It won't really fit in any campaign that uses Paladins, but if you like the concept but aren't quite comfortable with the "official" implementation, this might suit you.
Alvweikio (Shining Warrior)
Hit Die: d10.
Requirements:
Alignment: Any Good
Base Attack Bonus +6
Knowledge (religion): 5 ranks
Sense Motive: 5 ranks
Feats: Ride by Attack, Spirited Charge
Special: The aspiring Alvwekio must have never wilfully committed any evil act and have acted otherwise as a champion of all that is Good. The candidate must submit to and pass a test agreed upon by an appropriate gathering of priests and Alvwekion (at least three priests and one Alvwekio). He cannot currently be an outlaw.
Class Skills: The Alvwekio's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Concentration (Con), Diplomacy (Cha), Handle Animal (Cha), Heal (Wis), Knowledge (religion) (Int), and Ride (Dex).
Skill Points: 2 + Int modifier per level
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Alvwekion are proficient with all simple and martial weapons, with all types of armor, and with shields.
Special abilities are as described for the Paladin class except for Summon Guardian, which is as follows:
Summon Guardian: At the peak of ability, an Alvwekio can call forth a spiritual double as a supernatural ability. This being is a Celestial version of the Alvwekio, utterly and absolutely devoted to the cause of Good. It will look exactly like the Alvwekio except that its hair will be pure white and its eyes metallic gold in color, with no visible iris nor pupil. In addition to whatever abilities it might have, the Guardian is immune to Enchantments and Illusions and such abilities that are cast or wielded by non-Good entities. The Guardian has equipment identical to that carried by the Alvwekio except that all metal items have a brilliant polish and all other items are bright, pure white. It has a Celestial mount of the same type as had by the Alvwekio. The Guardian will remain until the next sunset. This supernatural ability can only be exercised once per year unless the Guardian is slain, at which point it cannot be summoned again for a full seven years.
Alvweikio (Shining Warrior)
Hit Die: d10.
Requirements:
Alignment: Any Good
Base Attack Bonus +6
Knowledge (religion): 5 ranks
Sense Motive: 5 ranks
Feats: Ride by Attack, Spirited Charge
Special: The aspiring Alvwekio must have never wilfully committed any evil act and have acted otherwise as a champion of all that is Good. The candidate must submit to and pass a test agreed upon by an appropriate gathering of priests and Alvwekion (at least three priests and one Alvwekio). He cannot currently be an outlaw.
Class Skills: The Alvwekio's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Concentration (Con), Diplomacy (Cha), Handle Animal (Cha), Heal (Wis), Knowledge (religion) (Int), and Ride (Dex).
Skill Points: 2 + Int modifier per level
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Alvwekion are proficient with all simple and martial weapons, with all types of armor, and with shields.
Code:
TABLE: Alvwekio abilities
Base Fort Ref Will
Level Attack Save Save Save Special
----- ------ ---- ---- ---- -------
1 +1 +2 +0 +0 Detect evil, divine grace, divine health
2 +2 +3 +0 +0 Aura of courage, lay on hands
3 +3 +3 +1 +1 Smite evil
4 +4 +4 +1 +1 Remove disease
5 +5 +4 +1 +1 Special mount, Smite Evil 2/day
6 +6 +5 +2 +2 Remove disease 2/week, Holy Word
7 +7 +5 +2 +2 Smite Evil 3/day
8 +8 +6 +2 +2 Remove disease 3/week
9 +9 +6 +3 +3 Smite Evil 4/day, Holy Word 2/week
10 +10 +7 +3 +3 Remove disease 4/week, Summon Guardian
TABLE: Alvwekio Spells Per Day (from the Paladin list)
---Spells per Day---
Level 1 2 3 4
----- - - - -
1st 0 - - -
2nd 1 - - -
3rd 1 0 - -
4th 1 1 - -
5th 1 1 0 -
6th 1 1 1 -
7th 2 1 1 0
8th 2 1 1 1
9th 2 2 1 1
10th 2 2 2 1Special abilities are as described for the Paladin class except for Summon Guardian, which is as follows:
Summon Guardian: At the peak of ability, an Alvwekio can call forth a spiritual double as a supernatural ability. This being is a Celestial version of the Alvwekio, utterly and absolutely devoted to the cause of Good. It will look exactly like the Alvwekio except that its hair will be pure white and its eyes metallic gold in color, with no visible iris nor pupil. In addition to whatever abilities it might have, the Guardian is immune to Enchantments and Illusions and such abilities that are cast or wielded by non-Good entities. The Guardian has equipment identical to that carried by the Alvwekio except that all metal items have a brilliant polish and all other items are bright, pure white. It has a Celestial mount of the same type as had by the Alvwekio. The Guardian will remain until the next sunset. This supernatural ability can only be exercised once per year unless the Guardian is slain, at which point it cannot be summoned again for a full seven years.
