The Aristocrat as a viable PC class

[Kaptain_Kantrip]

Here's a stab at making the Aristocrat a more full-fledged PC class.

TOTALLY REVISED VERSION!!!
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NOBLE
The noble is numbered among the wealthy and
powerful in the world.
This class may only be taken as a 1st level
character.

Ability Score Modifications: +2 Cha, -2 Str
Hit Die: d8
BAB: As Aristocrat.
Saving Throws: Will good; Fortitude/Reflex
poor.

Starting Equipment: 1,000 gp in wardrobe and
1,000 gp in jewelry. You may freely designate
the specifics of these items. You also receive
1,000 gp in arms and/or armor, but these must
be of masterwork quality (+300 gp to item cost).
If these items are sold without immediately
obtaining suitable replacements, your reputation
goes down and you suffer a -4 penalty to all
Charisma-based checks until the items are
replaced.
Starting Wealth: Charisma modifier x 100 gp.
This represents your current month’s allowance
plus any savings.
Wealth after Start: You receive a monthly
allowance equal to character level x 100 gp.

Class Skills: Appraise (Int), Bluff (Cha),
Diplomacy (Cha), Disguise (Cha), Forgery (Int),
Gather Information (Cha), Handle Animal
(Cha), Innuendo (Wis), Intimidate (Cha),
Knowledge (all skills taken individually) (Int),
Listen (Wis), Perform (Cha), Read Lips (Int,
exclusive skill), Ride (Dex), Sense Motive
(Wis), Speak Language (Int), Spot (Wis), Swim
(Str), and Wilderness Lore (Wis).

Skill Points at 1st Level: (6 + Int modifier) x 4.
Skill Points At Each Additional Level: 6 + Int
modifier.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: As fighter.

Bonus Style Feat: At 1st level, choose one style
feat. At level 2 and every even level thereafter,
select another style bonus feat.

Call in a Favor [Style]
Benefit: Once per game week, you may call in a
favor from a friend or contact for equipment,
information or lodging.
Special: You may take this feat multiple times;
each time it applies to a new friend or contact.

Charlatan [Style]
Benefit: +2 to Bluff and Disguise checks.

Fortunate [Style]
Benefit: Each level you get an extra 1d4 luck
points.

Great Leadership [Style]
Prerequisite: 6th level, Leadership.
Benefit: You add double your Charisma
modifier (if positive) to your Leadership score.

Leadership [Style]
Prerequisite: 6th level.
Benefit: See DMG.
Special: You may take this feat multiple times;
each time it provides an additional cohort and
followers and adds +1 to your Leadership score.

The Look [Style]
You know how to get what you want with your
looks.
Prerequisite: Cha 13+.
Benefit: You gain a +1 bonus to all
Charisma-based skill checks; this bonus
increases to +2 against the opposite sex.

Luck of Heroes [Style]
Benefit: +1 luck bonus to all saving throws.

Persuasive [Style]
Benefit: +2 to Bluff and Intimidate checks.

Silver Palm [Style]
Benefit: +2 bonus to Appraise and Bluff checks.

Skill Emphasis: Style [Style]
Benefit: +3 bonus to one Charisma-based skill.
Special: You may take this feat multiple times;
each time it applies to a new skill.

Smooth Talk [Style]
Benefit: +2 bonus to Bluff and Sense Motive
checks.

Trustworthy [Style]
Benefit: +2 to Diplomacy and Gather
Information checks.

 

[trentonjoe]

I think if you run or play in a non-combat game the aristocrat is a fine choice for a PC. However, I don't think smooth talking and skill focus or whatever bonus feats you give will ever make the aristocrat anything but a bad warrior.
In an intense role-playing game your new character should be fine. In an average game I believe they will stink.

 

[hong]

Also, see the courtier in the Rokugan sourcebook.

 

[Angelsboi]

I say its good. And even if its not a full RP Game. I mean, i had a character who was a Aristocrat/Sorcerer. She was a runaway Princess.

 

[poilbrun]

Bonus Feats: Each feat may only be taken once, except Greater Skill Focus and Skill Focus. The aristocrat receives the Smooth Talk feat (FR) at 1st level, the Leadership feat
at 6th level and Skill Mastery at 12th level (rogue special ability). At levels 3, 9, 15 and 18
the aristocrat can choose a bonus feat from the following list:

Alertness, Alluring (S&S), Artist (FR), Charlatan (S&S), Cosmopolitan (FR), Endurance, Expert Tactician (S&S), Expertise, Great Fortitude, Iron Will, Lightning Reflexes, Luck of Heroes (FR), Mercantile Background (FR), Obscure Lore (S&S), Persuasive (S&S), Quick Draw, Silver Palm (FR), Skill Focus (any, +3 to one skill), Smooth Talk (FR), Street Smart (FR), Trustworthy (S&S).

Remark : You say that Greater Skill Focus can me taken more than once, but it is not in the list!
Question : What's the effect of Greater Skill Focus? Which book does it come from?

 

[las]

In my world they gost get the most money even thow knowone knows that.

 

[Kaptain_Kantrip]

Forget the Greater Skill Focus. That's a typo left over from my Expert vareiant class. I totally forgot the SW Noble class while I was doing this Aristocrat, lol. I also forgot about the Wealthy background feat from Pulp Heroes.

Can someone explain the Courtier class from Oriental Adventures?

 

[Kaptain_Kantrip]

TOTALLY REVISED THIS CLASS. Please review!

 

[Vaxalon]

Being a noble isn't necessarily hereditary.

Why can't someone learn to be a noble?

 

[trentonjoe]

Being a noble isn't necessarily hereditary.

Why can't someone learn to be a noble?

I think you can be put it a situation where you become a noble but all the feats form above imply that your family has an influence over things and has had them for a long period of time.

As per the class, I think it is very interesting but a 10th level aristocrat is still going to be the weakest of the classes. I can foresee people taking one level for the monetary bonuses and then going to a real class.