Twowolves
Explorer
Here is a copy of the Scarred Lands Exemplar PrC made for my campaign long before the official version made its debut in the Player's Guide to Monks and Paladins. Hope everyone enjoys it!
Exemplar
Hedrada’s chosen take many forms.
Some select few that Hedrada has plucked from among his faithful, to be paragons of human achievement, are true Exemplars. These ascetic monks largely operate across the Blood Sea and are rarely seen on Ghelspad. They maintain a few monasteries in the Desert of Onn, where they live and train under the watchful eyes of their god. Rather than keep the souls of dead exemplars with him, Hedrada allows the souls to reincarnate on the physical plane in a human form to continue their pursuit of the ideal state of physical perfection. Only those Exemplars who attain their perfect self (10 levels in the prestige class) remain with Hedrada in the afterworld when they die.
Exemplars venture forth from their temples to find the new incarnations of their deceased comrades wherever these souls appear in the world. The reborn exemplars are brought back to the monasteries and are awakened to their true natures through meditation so that they may return to training and perhaps one day achieve perfection.
Exemplars also serve rotating four year tours as bodyguards to the high priests in mighty Hedrad, and they may be found guarding the temples in the city, traveling with the priests or journeying back and forth from Onn then their tours begin or end.
Exemplars live an ascetic lifestyle. They sleep on stone floors, eat the simplest raw foods, wear plain clothing and forgo all sexual activity. They eschew the use of all weapons except their own bodies. They are reserved in manner and peaceful unless threatened or they learn the location of an enemy of Hedrada.
More commonly in Ghelspad, the title “exemplar” is bestowed in conjunction with some select craft or skill that a follower of Hedrada has chosen to pursue to perfection within his mortal lifetime, such as blacksmithing or pottery.
Some few of these faithful choose a martial focus as their route to sainthood. For example, Sword Exemplars of Hedrad are those select swordmasters for whom practice with the blade is a spiritual pursuit more than a purely martial one. Every practice cut with their blade is a prayer to Hedrada; every flawless slash and thrust, a building block to canonization. These Exemplars are not content to spend their years cutting the air in the courtyards of Hedrad’s temples. More often, they take to the roads of Ghelspad, pursuing opportunities to hone their skill in battle and put their weapon mastery to the ultimate test, thus bringing bandit kings to justice and otherwise restoring their vision of order to the world.
Dwarven followers of Hedrada often concentrate their studies on the deity’s own chosen weapon, the double-headed two-handed hammer. These are known as Hammer Exemplars. The monk exemplars (Exemplars, as opposed to Carpentry Exemplars or Sword Exemplars) are a new prestige class, described below.
Hit Dice: 1d10
Requirements
Class Features
Darkvision: 60 feet
Acid, Cold, and Electricity Resistance: 20
Damage Reduction: 10/magic
Spell Resistance: equal to character level + 5 (max of 25)
*The Exemplar gains additional attacks equal to a monk of a level equal to the character’s monk plus Exemplar levels.
Exemplar
Hedrada’s chosen take many forms.
Some select few that Hedrada has plucked from among his faithful, to be paragons of human achievement, are true Exemplars. These ascetic monks largely operate across the Blood Sea and are rarely seen on Ghelspad. They maintain a few monasteries in the Desert of Onn, where they live and train under the watchful eyes of their god. Rather than keep the souls of dead exemplars with him, Hedrada allows the souls to reincarnate on the physical plane in a human form to continue their pursuit of the ideal state of physical perfection. Only those Exemplars who attain their perfect self (10 levels in the prestige class) remain with Hedrada in the afterworld when they die.
Exemplars venture forth from their temples to find the new incarnations of their deceased comrades wherever these souls appear in the world. The reborn exemplars are brought back to the monasteries and are awakened to their true natures through meditation so that they may return to training and perhaps one day achieve perfection.
Exemplars also serve rotating four year tours as bodyguards to the high priests in mighty Hedrad, and they may be found guarding the temples in the city, traveling with the priests or journeying back and forth from Onn then their tours begin or end.
Exemplars live an ascetic lifestyle. They sleep on stone floors, eat the simplest raw foods, wear plain clothing and forgo all sexual activity. They eschew the use of all weapons except their own bodies. They are reserved in manner and peaceful unless threatened or they learn the location of an enemy of Hedrada.
More commonly in Ghelspad, the title “exemplar” is bestowed in conjunction with some select craft or skill that a follower of Hedrada has chosen to pursue to perfection within his mortal lifetime, such as blacksmithing or pottery.
Some few of these faithful choose a martial focus as their route to sainthood. For example, Sword Exemplars of Hedrad are those select swordmasters for whom practice with the blade is a spiritual pursuit more than a purely martial one. Every practice cut with their blade is a prayer to Hedrada; every flawless slash and thrust, a building block to canonization. These Exemplars are not content to spend their years cutting the air in the courtyards of Hedrad’s temples. More often, they take to the roads of Ghelspad, pursuing opportunities to hone their skill in battle and put their weapon mastery to the ultimate test, thus bringing bandit kings to justice and otherwise restoring their vision of order to the world.
Dwarven followers of Hedrada often concentrate their studies on the deity’s own chosen weapon, the double-headed two-handed hammer. These are known as Hammer Exemplars. The monk exemplars (Exemplars, as opposed to Carpentry Exemplars or Sword Exemplars) are a new prestige class, described below.
Hit Dice: 1d10
Requirements
To qualify to become an Exemplar, a character must fulfill all the following criteria.
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
Religion: Hedrada
Feats/Abilities: Improved Unarmed Strike, Stunning Fist, Deflect Arrows, Evasion, Toughness, immunity to natural diseases
Skills: Concentration: 5 ranks, Tumble: 5 ranks, Balance: 5 ranks
Class SkillsAlignment: Lawful Neutral
Religion: Hedrada
Feats/Abilities: Improved Unarmed Strike, Stunning Fist, Deflect Arrows, Evasion, Toughness, immunity to natural diseases
Skills: Concentration: 5 ranks, Tumble: 5 ranks, Balance: 5 ranks
The Exemplar’s class skills are: Balance (Dex), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Escape Artist (Dex), Heal (Wis), Hide (Dex), Intimidate (Chr), Jump (Str), Knowledge (religion) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Profession (Wis), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str), Tumble (Dex).
Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier per level
Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier per level
Class Features
All of the following are class features of the Exemplar prestige class.
Weapon and Armor Proficiencies: Characters gain no new weapon or armor proficiencies upon taking the Exemplar prestige class, and no Exemplar ability will function in conjunction with armor of any sort. In addition, Exemplars refuse to wield a weapon of any sort under any circumstances ever.
Monk Abilities: Exemplar characters add their monk levels to levels in this prestige class to determine the level at which the following monk abilities operate: Unarmed Combat Damage, AC bonus, Stunning Attacks per day, Unarmored Speed, and Flurry of Blows. If the character had no levels as a monk, he gains these abilities at a level equal to their Exemplar level. Monks and Exemplars can freely multiclass between these two classes with no restriction.
Meditation: Exemplars spend hours focused in intense concentration and meditation. As they rise in levels, they achieve higher and higher levels of perfection and mastery over their own bodies. An exemplar can at any time meditate instead of sleep, at a ratio of one hour of meditation instead of 2 hours of sleep. If the character is also a spellcaster, this ability does not negate the need to get a full 8 hours of rest in order to memorize spells (for wizards or clerics) or regain spell slots (for bards or sorcerers).
At 1st level, an Exemplar who meditates instead of sleeping for a night heals hit point and temporary ability score damage at twice the normal rate.
At 3rd level, the Exemplar can enter a catatonic state, slowing metabolism, breathing and heart rate to nearly undetectable levels. In this state, the Exemplar appears to be dead. A Heal check (DC 30) can distinguish this state from true death. It takes a full round action to initiate this ability, and an Exemplar can remain in this state for up to 1 day per class level. The character sets this time before going into the state, as he is denied access to his senses entirely. Even the character’s thoughts are unreachable. A coup de grace still will truly slay the Exemplar, but any physical damage done will be halved upon coming out of the catatonic state. Because the character’s metabolism slows to almost a halt, no natural healing will occur at all, and neither will poisons or diseases progress. Healing magic (but not the Heal skill) still works on a character in this state. Anyone who recognizes this ruse for what it is can attempt to awaken the Exemplar prematurely by making a Heal check (DC 30).
At 5th level, the Exemplar can slow his breathing almost to a halt while remaining alert and active. This allows the character to hold his breath for 5 times his Constitution in rounds, instead of twice his Con as normal. This ability also grants the Exemplar a +2 to saves versus any respiratory effect.
At 7th level, the Exemplar can sustain his bodily functions without food or water for short periods of time, and can greatly reduce his need for sleep. For up to 1 day per Exemplar level, the character behaves as if under the influence of a Ring of Sustenance. Combined with the Exemplar’s normal meditation ability, this means he need only meditate one hour per day to gain the benefits of a full night’s rest. After using this ability, the Exemplar must wait a number of days equal to the number of days spent under this effect before using it again.
Ironbone: Through a series of brutal exercises and herbal treatments, the bones of the Exemplar become reinforced to near unbreakable levels. At 1st level, this grants the character a +1 natural bonus to AC and to unarmed combat damage.
Ki Strike: The Exemplar is capable of causing damage to creatures with the Damage Reduction ability. At 1st level, the Exemplar’s unarmed attacks are treated as Magic weapons for purposes of overcoming damage reduction only. At 5th level, they are considered Lawful weapons, and at level 9, Adamantine.
Damage Reduction: The conditioning and herbal baths the Exemplars subject themselves to also grants the ability to ignore small amounts of damage as they progress toward perfection At 2nd level, this ability is expressed as a Damage Reduction of 1/-. At 7th level, this ability increases again to 2/-.
Bonus Feat: At 2nd level and at every even level thereafter, the Exemplar gains a bonus feat from the following list. The character still must meet all the qualifications for that feat (except for the Fighter level requirement for Weapon Specialization). These feats are: Acrobatic, Agile, Alertness, Athletic, Blind-Fight, Combat Expertise, Choke Hold*, Defensive Strike*, Defensive Throw*, Diehard, Dodge, Eagle Claw*, Earth’s Embrace*, Endurance, Extra Stunning*, Fists of Iron*, Flying Kick*, Great Fortitude, Improved Combat Expertise*, Improved Critical (unarmed attacks), Improved Grapple, Improved Stunning Attack (DMG p210, this feat is not considered “epic” for Exemplars), Improved Toughness*, Improved Trip, Iron Will, Lightning Reflexes, Mobility, Prone Attack*, Roundabout Kick*, Run, Snatch Arrows, Spring Attack, Toughness, Weapon Specialization (unarmed attacks), Whirlwind Attack. Feats marked with an * are from the Complete Warrior book.
Ironskin: At 3rd level, the same treatments used to enhance the Exemplar’s bone strength further enhance their skin, making it resilient to damaging effects. The Exemplar is granted another +1 natural bonus to AC (that stacks with the bonus from Ironbone) and a +1 bonus to Fortitude saves.
Ki Critical: At 4th level, the Exemplar’s unarmed strikes gain +2 to their critical threat range. If the character already has an increased critical threat range (from the Improved Critical Feat, for example) this bonus is added last.
Improved Evasion: At 5th level, the Exemplar’s Evasion ability is upgraded to the Improved Evasion ability as per the monk and rogue special ability. If the Exemplar succeeds in a Reflex save against an effect that causes half damage, the character suffers no damage at all, and still suffers only half damage on a failed save.
Perfection: Upon reaching 10th level in the Exemplar prestige class, the character is considered to achieved mortal perfection in Hedrada’s eyes. This has the effects of the Celestial Template (replacing “Chaos” for any instance of “Evil”, and “Law” in place of “Good”), but with the additional side effect that the character can no longer be raised from the dead, resurrected, nor reincarnated. Upon death, the character travels to Hedrada’s side, becoming one of that deity’s chosen. Until such time, the character is treated as an outsider rather than a humanoid. The character gains the following abilities:
Smite Chaos (Su): Once per day the character can make a melee attack to deal additional damage equal to his character level (maximum +20) against a chaotic foe.Weapon and Armor Proficiencies: Characters gain no new weapon or armor proficiencies upon taking the Exemplar prestige class, and no Exemplar ability will function in conjunction with armor of any sort. In addition, Exemplars refuse to wield a weapon of any sort under any circumstances ever.
Monk Abilities: Exemplar characters add their monk levels to levels in this prestige class to determine the level at which the following monk abilities operate: Unarmed Combat Damage, AC bonus, Stunning Attacks per day, Unarmored Speed, and Flurry of Blows. If the character had no levels as a monk, he gains these abilities at a level equal to their Exemplar level. Monks and Exemplars can freely multiclass between these two classes with no restriction.
Meditation: Exemplars spend hours focused in intense concentration and meditation. As they rise in levels, they achieve higher and higher levels of perfection and mastery over their own bodies. An exemplar can at any time meditate instead of sleep, at a ratio of one hour of meditation instead of 2 hours of sleep. If the character is also a spellcaster, this ability does not negate the need to get a full 8 hours of rest in order to memorize spells (for wizards or clerics) or regain spell slots (for bards or sorcerers).
At 1st level, an Exemplar who meditates instead of sleeping for a night heals hit point and temporary ability score damage at twice the normal rate.
At 3rd level, the Exemplar can enter a catatonic state, slowing metabolism, breathing and heart rate to nearly undetectable levels. In this state, the Exemplar appears to be dead. A Heal check (DC 30) can distinguish this state from true death. It takes a full round action to initiate this ability, and an Exemplar can remain in this state for up to 1 day per class level. The character sets this time before going into the state, as he is denied access to his senses entirely. Even the character’s thoughts are unreachable. A coup de grace still will truly slay the Exemplar, but any physical damage done will be halved upon coming out of the catatonic state. Because the character’s metabolism slows to almost a halt, no natural healing will occur at all, and neither will poisons or diseases progress. Healing magic (but not the Heal skill) still works on a character in this state. Anyone who recognizes this ruse for what it is can attempt to awaken the Exemplar prematurely by making a Heal check (DC 30).
At 5th level, the Exemplar can slow his breathing almost to a halt while remaining alert and active. This allows the character to hold his breath for 5 times his Constitution in rounds, instead of twice his Con as normal. This ability also grants the Exemplar a +2 to saves versus any respiratory effect.
At 7th level, the Exemplar can sustain his bodily functions without food or water for short periods of time, and can greatly reduce his need for sleep. For up to 1 day per Exemplar level, the character behaves as if under the influence of a Ring of Sustenance. Combined with the Exemplar’s normal meditation ability, this means he need only meditate one hour per day to gain the benefits of a full night’s rest. After using this ability, the Exemplar must wait a number of days equal to the number of days spent under this effect before using it again.
Ironbone: Through a series of brutal exercises and herbal treatments, the bones of the Exemplar become reinforced to near unbreakable levels. At 1st level, this grants the character a +1 natural bonus to AC and to unarmed combat damage.
Ki Strike: The Exemplar is capable of causing damage to creatures with the Damage Reduction ability. At 1st level, the Exemplar’s unarmed attacks are treated as Magic weapons for purposes of overcoming damage reduction only. At 5th level, they are considered Lawful weapons, and at level 9, Adamantine.
Damage Reduction: The conditioning and herbal baths the Exemplars subject themselves to also grants the ability to ignore small amounts of damage as they progress toward perfection At 2nd level, this ability is expressed as a Damage Reduction of 1/-. At 7th level, this ability increases again to 2/-.
Bonus Feat: At 2nd level and at every even level thereafter, the Exemplar gains a bonus feat from the following list. The character still must meet all the qualifications for that feat (except for the Fighter level requirement for Weapon Specialization). These feats are: Acrobatic, Agile, Alertness, Athletic, Blind-Fight, Combat Expertise, Choke Hold*, Defensive Strike*, Defensive Throw*, Diehard, Dodge, Eagle Claw*, Earth’s Embrace*, Endurance, Extra Stunning*, Fists of Iron*, Flying Kick*, Great Fortitude, Improved Combat Expertise*, Improved Critical (unarmed attacks), Improved Grapple, Improved Stunning Attack (DMG p210, this feat is not considered “epic” for Exemplars), Improved Toughness*, Improved Trip, Iron Will, Lightning Reflexes, Mobility, Prone Attack*, Roundabout Kick*, Run, Snatch Arrows, Spring Attack, Toughness, Weapon Specialization (unarmed attacks), Whirlwind Attack. Feats marked with an * are from the Complete Warrior book.
Ironskin: At 3rd level, the same treatments used to enhance the Exemplar’s bone strength further enhance their skin, making it resilient to damaging effects. The Exemplar is granted another +1 natural bonus to AC (that stacks with the bonus from Ironbone) and a +1 bonus to Fortitude saves.
Ki Critical: At 4th level, the Exemplar’s unarmed strikes gain +2 to their critical threat range. If the character already has an increased critical threat range (from the Improved Critical Feat, for example) this bonus is added last.
Improved Evasion: At 5th level, the Exemplar’s Evasion ability is upgraded to the Improved Evasion ability as per the monk and rogue special ability. If the Exemplar succeeds in a Reflex save against an effect that causes half damage, the character suffers no damage at all, and still suffers only half damage on a failed save.
Perfection: Upon reaching 10th level in the Exemplar prestige class, the character is considered to achieved mortal perfection in Hedrada’s eyes. This has the effects of the Celestial Template (replacing “Chaos” for any instance of “Evil”, and “Law” in place of “Good”), but with the additional side effect that the character can no longer be raised from the dead, resurrected, nor reincarnated. Upon death, the character travels to Hedrada’s side, becoming one of that deity’s chosen. Until such time, the character is treated as an outsider rather than a humanoid. The character gains the following abilities:
Darkvision: 60 feet
Acid, Cold, and Electricity Resistance: 20
Damage Reduction: 10/magic
Spell Resistance: equal to character level + 5 (max of 25)
Code:
Level BAB* Fort Ref Will Special
1 +1 +2 +2 +2 Meditate (2x heal rate), Ironbone, Ki Strike: Magic
2 +2 +3 +3 +3 Damage Reduction: 1/-, Bonus Feat
3 +3 +3 +3 +3 Meditate (catatonic state), Ironskin
4 +4 +4 +4 +4 Bonus Feat, Ki Critical
5 +5 +4 +4 +4 Meditate (Long Breath), Improved Evasion, Ki Strike:Lawful
6 +6 +5 +5 +5 Bonus Feat
7 +7 +5 +5 +5 Meditate (Sustenance), Damage Reduction 2/-
8 +8 +6 +6 +6 Bonus Feat
9 +9 +6 +6 +6 Ki Strike: Adamantine
10 +10 +7 +7 +7 Bonus Feat, Perfection*The Exemplar gains additional attacks equal to a monk of a level equal to the character’s monk plus Exemplar levels.
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