Burrow Gnome Paragon (3.5e Racial Paragon Class)
Burrow Gnome Paragon
You are a force of nature, one that does not rest. One that will end the rule of the "big people," that is if they ever find the guts to disturb you. You are made of far tougher stuff than most of your companions, but you are also more stubborn and irritable. You would give a constipated dwarf a run for his money.
Making a Gnome Paragon
You are the ultimate tea cup tank, able to absorb a large amount of damage, if the enemies are able to hit you. Because of this, you work very well with wizards and archers, who aren't suited for front line combat (sorcerers however are to sketchy for your liking). You despise rogues and bards, seeing them as criminals.
Abilities: The best scores should be strength and constitution, as these will help you live longer and swing around a great pick. Dexterity is also good for using ranged weapons and not getting hit.
Alignment: Any, but due to burrow gnome culture, lawful neutral is the most common.
Starting Gold: 2d8x10gp, (90 gp).
Starting Age: As fighter.
| Level | Base Attack Bonus |
Saving Throws | Special | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort | Ref | Will | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1st | +1 | +2 | +0 | +0 | Unhindered Speed or Quick Digger | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2nd | +2 | +3 | +0 | +0 | Weapon Focus (Heavy Pick), Sense Depth, +2 Strength | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3rd | +3 | +3 | +1 | +1 | +2 Constitution, Weapon Specialization (Heavy Pick) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Class Skills (4 + Int modifier per level, ×4 at 1st level) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class Features
You are a super hero among your people for your endurance, skilled use of a pick axe, and speed. All of the following are class features of the Burrow Gnome Paragon.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Burrow Gnomes are proficient with the light pick, heavy pick, dire pick, and the great pick. They are also proficient with all crossbows, including the great crossbow. They are also proficient with all types of armor, but not shields. You can't burrow while wearing medium or heavy armor unless you choose Unhindered Speed.
Quick Digger: You may now burrow at your base land speed
Unhindered speed: If the burrow gnome paragon selects this class feature, he no longer suffers movement speed penalties for wearing medium or heavy armor, and can burrow even if he is wearing medium armor.
Weapon Focus (heavy pick): At 2nd level, the burrow gnome paragon receives weapon focus (heavy pick) as a bonus feat. The bonus provided applies to great picks as well.
Sense Depth: At 2nd level, the burrow gnome paragon gains the ability to sense his approximate depth underground in the same manner that a dwarf can.
Weapon Specialization (Heavy Pick): At 3rd level, the burrow gnome paragon receives weapon specialization (heavy pick) as a bonus feat. The bonus provided applies to great picks as well.
Burrow Gnome Paragon Starting Package
Weapons: Heavy Pick (small), Heavy Crossbow (small).
Skill Selection: Pick a number of skills equal to 4 + Int modifier.
| Skill | Ranks | Ability | Armor Check Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Craft (sculpting) | 4 | int | — |
| Handle Animal | 4 | cha | — |
| Climb | 4 | str | — |
| Intimidate | 4 | cha | — |
Feat: Weapon Focus (Heavy Crossbow) if favors dexterity, otherwise Improved Initiative.
Gear: Studded Leather, standard adventurer's pack.
Gold: 20.
Playing a Burrow Gnome Paragon
Religion: Burrow gnome paragons are slightly more religious than most other burrow gnomes, as they often believe that their abilities are granted to them by otherworldly patrons. The deities they worship don't really change though, remaining deities of earth, strength, and agriculture.
Other Classes: Like normal burrow gnomes, their paragons are just as loathsome of trouble makers. The difference is that they believe it is their personal responsibility to bring order to the world. As such, hard working, law bringing, or dedicated classes such as fighters, wizards, and paladins work well with them. Rogues, bards, and sorcerers on the other hand are despised by burrow gnome paragons for being "criminals".
Combat: Their incredibly high constitution makes them ideal for front line combat.
Advancement: Fighters and barbarians are excellent options for multiclassing, and feats that increase durability or pick axe combat are recommended.
Burrow Gnome Paragons in the World
| “ | Like sand of time I will out last you, and like an earthquake I will bring you to your knees. | ” |
| —Stump the burrow gnome paragon, Defender of the Oaken Valley | ||
Daily Life: Crawling from his burrow in the middle of the night, Stump awoke with his usual irritated expression. He stretched, donned his armor, and started walking towards the nearby human village carrying his pick. The village had been deforesting the woods around his home and he was going to "give them a warning." The closer he got to the village, more and more burrow gnomes gathered behind him, sharing his intentions. By the time they reached the town hall, several hundred of them, armed with pick axes and torches, stood before it's doors. By dawn, the town hall laid in a heap of ashes, and the gnomes were no where to be seen.
Burrow gnome paragons are considered the guardians of the burrow gnome race, and when they feel that they have been wronged, someone will be punished.
Notables: Stump was the very first burrow gnome paragon, becoming a legend in burrow gnome culture. He was famous for supposedly holding off an army of orcs singlehandedly. Other burrow gnomes paragons are said to be his descendants.
NPC Reactions: Most non-burrow gnome NPCs will probably either not notice you or ignore you for being annoying. Those that are burrow gnomes will likely be very friendly toward the paragon, being a hero of their people and all.
Burrow Gnome Paragon Lore
Characters with ranks in Knowledge (Gnome Lore) can research burrow gnome paragons to learn more about them. When a character makes a skill check, read or paraphrase the following, including information from lower DCs.
| DC | Result |
|---|---|
| 5 | Very unfortunate events in small villages are often blamed on burrow gnomes paragons, who are said to organize the vandalism. |
| 10 | Burrow gnome paragons, along with other burrow gnomes only attack if they feel that their target has greatly wronged them in some way. |
| 15 | Burrow gnome paragons are the elite members of their armies, as well as their most powerful leaders. They are said to be choosen by their gods to be blessed with incredible endurance and martial skill. |
| 20 | Burrow gnome paragons are said to be descendants of the first burrow gnome paragon, Stump, who led a band of burrow gnomes against an orc army, defeating them all alone in the end. |
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