Blood Defender (3.5e Prestige Class)

A blood defender and his principle; art by Tekeuchi Takashi.

“	After he hit me with that sword of his, I laughed and told him he shouldn't have done that. When he asked why, I looked behind him and said: "This is Ud. You will find him sufficient." The man turned around to see a giant orc, almost 9 feet tall and a massive greatsword in his hands. With a roar Ud tossed away the sword and punched his way through the man's chest...	”
—Serene, drow spellthief

<-fluff about this prestige class->

Becoming a Blood Defender

Blood Defenders are those who go farther then their brethren and create a bond between themselves and a friend, and will protect that friend at all costs.

Entry Requirements

Abilities:	Less than 15 Intelligence.
Alignment:	Non-Lawful.
Base Attack Bonus:	+10.
Skills:	Rage/Frenzy.

Table: The Blood Defender

Hit Die: d10

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Saving Throws			Special
		Fort	Ref	Will
1st	+1	+2	+0	+2	Blood Friend, Blood Rage
2nd	+2	+3	+0	+3	Bonus Feat
3rd	+3	+3	+1	+3	Blood Rage 2/day, Tireless Rage
4th	+4	+4	+1	+4	Blood Friend, Bonus Feat
5th	+5	+4	+1	+4	Blood Rage 3/day
6th	+6	+5	+2	+5	Bonus Feat
7th	+7	+5	+2	+5	Blood Rage 4/day
8th	+8	+6	+2	+6	Blood Friend, Bonus Feat
9th	+9	+6	+3	+6	Blood Rage 5/day
10th	+10	+7	+3	+7	Blood Friend, Bonus Feat

Class Skills (2 + Int modifier per level)
Climb (Str), Intimidate (Str), Jump (Str), Survival (Wis), Swim (Str).

Class Features

<-fluff about class features; class features should be listed in the order which they are gained. Abilities gained at the same level should be listed alphabetically->. All of the following are class features of the Blood Defender.

Blood Friend: At first, second, and every 2nd level after, a Blood Defender can gain a Blood Friend. This involves a ritual that requires a small amount of the Blood Friend's blood (1d4 Constitution Damage) for the Blood Defender to carry around in a special vial that costs 50 gp and has a negligible weight. The ceramony takes 1 hour. If the Blood Defender losses a vial for (1 + 1/2 Blood Defender levels rounded down), or the vial is broken, a new ceremony must be performed for that Blood Friend, as the blood will have lost it's effectiveness. A Blood Defender can use his own blood in the ceramony.

Blood Rage: If the Blood Defender is within visual range of the Blood Friend, and the Blood Friend is seriously wounded (down to 10% of maximum Hit Points), the Blood Defender must fly into a rage (no save) that grants a +10 bonus to Strength, a + 10 bonus to Constitution, and a -6 penalty to Armor Class. The increase in Constitution increases the Blood Defender’s hit points by 5 points per character level, but these hit points go away at the end of the rage when his Constitution score drops back to normal. (These extra hit points are not lost first the way temporary hit points are.) During the rage, the vial of blood for that particular person glows dark red and both are immune to mind affecting spells, as Mind Blank. When their is no more immediate danger, or 10 rounds have passed, the rage ends and he Blood Defender takes non-lethal damage equal to his current Hit Points, putting him unconscious.

Tireless Rage (Sp): After reaching 3rd level, a Blood Defender only becomes fatigued after using his Blood Rages, excluding his last use of the day.

Bonus Feats: Bonus Feat List.

Ex-Blood Defenders

If a Blood Defender is unable to save their last Blood Friend from death, they take a -10 morale penalty to all saves for one week, and lose all class skills and abilities. They may regain them if they forge another bond with another person, going through the same procedure as before.

If a Blood Defender becomes lawful, or their Intelligence goes above 15, he loses the ability to rage and cannot gain more levels as a Blood Defender. He retains all the other benefits of the class.

Campaign Information

Playing a Blood Defender

Combat: Blood Defenders typically stick near their Blood Friend.

Advancement: <-Typical advancement options for characters with this class. Include desirable multiclass options->

Resources: Whatever the person bodyguarding them has under their control.

Blood Defenders in the World

“	Ud Smash!	”
—Ud, Orc Blood Defender

Blood Defenders typically find employment as bodyguards for important persons, due to their near-blind devotion to them and their inability to consider much more.

NPC Reactions: Blood Defenders are usually not noticed, due to the august nature of their company.

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