(c) 1998 Wayne S. Rossi

From: Ashtar X

I'm late for my own postfest.  After the extention.  Oh, well.  Late entries will be accepted and appreciated, and I'd like to thank those who have already posted.

Holy Knight (Fighter, Paladin, Cleric, Specialty Priest)

A Holy Knight is a warrior somewhat akin to a paladin, but always dedicated to Heironeus.  His life is one of martial training, war, justice, righteousness, and above all, the chivalric ideal of a knight.  Holy Knights are often found in organized groups, leading armies, but a few are knights errant, perhaps joining an adventuring group to ensure that justice and righteousness are served in the Flanaess.

Requirements:
A Holy Knight must have a Strength and Wisdom of at least 14.  Holy Knights must be Lawful Good, Lawful Neutral, or Neutral Good and follow Heironeous.

Weapon proficiencies:
Holy Knights may use any weapon, regardless of class.  However, the primary weapons of Holy Knights are lances, polearms, and swords.  Other "non-knightly" weapons cost double the proficiency slots.  Bonus:  Lance, heavy horse; Long sword.

Nonweapon proficiencies:
Bonus:  Land-based riding (horse).  Recommended:  Animal Handling, Etiquette, Heraldry, Weaponsmithing.

Armor/Equipment:  Any.

Special Benefits:
Bless.  A Holy Knight may bless once per day, ignoring the casting time for the spell.
Spirit of Fury:  A Holy Knight may choose to strip himself of any number of hit points, converting these into damage (one time only) at a rate of 1 point of damage per hit point.  These may not be healed for one full day.
Spirit of Vigor:  A Holy Knight may turn his Strength bonus to damage into hit points, at a rate of one bonus hit point per damage point.  These points are gone once expended, and return after one full day.
Energy Blast.  Beginning at fifth level, a Holy Knight may use a blast of energy once per week.  This is a weaker blast than the one described in the Glossography, doing 5d4 hit points damage to enemies.

Special Hindrances:
Vows.  Any promise, vow, or other sort of oath undertaken by a Holy Knight is binding.  The DM should rate the vow, promise, or oath as Minor, Important, Major, or Absolute.  If a Minor vow is broken, the Holy Knight has a curse on him which lowers all attack, damage, saving throw, etc rolls by 1 until it is atoned for.  Breaking an Important vow doubles the penalty.  Breaking a Major vow causes the Knight to lose his status (i.e., is a
normal fighter) until special atonement is made, and subjects him to a triple curse.  To violate an Absolute vow means that the character immediately and irrevocably loses Holy Knight status.  Further, the character is forever branded in a way that all faithful to Heironeous can see as an oathbreaker.  This is perceptible to all onlookers as a stigmatic aura.  Reactions may never be "friendly."  These are all moved to "Indifferent."
Valor:  Heironeous is a god whose concerns include valor.  Any Holy Knight who flees from a combat where victory is possible, however unlikely, is unable to use his special powers for a full week.
Chivalry.  The ideals of chivalry (this can be determined by individual players and DMs) must be the code of living of a Holy Knight.  DMs should dock PCs who do not live up to this code as many experience points as is felt appropriate for poor role-playing.  Continued failure to live chivalrously should result in the loss of Holy Knighthood by the PC.

Wayne
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