Janissary (Character Kit)

The Janissary is a well-trained mercemary from a foreign land, where psionics are better known and accepted. He uses his psionics to enhance his martial skill, making him easily the match for more traditional local warriors. The Janissary's powers are often subtle, and many of his opponents never realize the true nature
of his talents The disciple of a strict code of honor the Janissary has left his homeland to seek employment as a soldier, body guard, or member of a city watch Although often distrusted by common folk, the Janissary's unswerving loyalty makes him popular with his employers, who are often noblemen.
Races: Only dwarves, gnomes, and humans may be Jarissaries
of 15 in addition to the normal requirements to be a Psionicist. He must be
Lawful Good or Lawful Neutral
Role: A Janissary NPC is usually difperful noble Janisiaries
perhaps as part of an elite guard. A someone allied to an adventuring party loaned to them for a particularly dange Introducing a single Janissary as either any or ally is an excellent way to Introduce pics into a long-running campaign. As a foreigner, the Janissary is expected to have beliefs and habits that seem strange to the local population Although psionics might seem new and unusual to the existing PCs, to the Jani sary they are just another part of his everyday l ry life. As the PCs run into more Janissaries or spend more time with one who has joined their party, they too will come to accept and understand psionics Preferred Disciplines: All Janissaries must choose Psychometabolism as their primary discipline. Clairsentience and Psychokinesis are most commonly cho
sen next.
Weapon Proficiencies:The Janissary receives one bonus weapon proficiency at first level which may be used for any weapon, even one not no mally allowed to Psionicists. At 5th level the) the Janary automatically becomes spe
cialized in his bonus weapon. Re mended: Scimitars are popular with Janissaries, as are ranged weapons like the light crossbow
Proficiencies Benc
None.
* Recommended: Blind-Fighting Endurance, Survival.
Equipment: The Janissary tends to carry equipment similar to that of a fighter Unlike most Psionicists, the Janissary ally wears heavy armor (see S Special Benefits) and carries multi- ple weapons. Most also have a collection of scarves and trinkets from their home land
Special Benefits in addition to the bonus weapon proficiency and special ination, the Janissary has two special benefits.
First, the Janissary has access to non weapon proficiencies from the Warrice group at normal cost-no additional proficiency slots are required. Secondly, the Jarissary may wear heavy armor, suffering only the penalties shown below to all attempts to activate psionic powers while in such armor
Armor Type
Penalty
-1
Brigadine, ring, scale, or splint Chain or banded Plate mail or field plate
-2
7
Full plate Special Hindrances The Janissary
studies martial skills for more than any other Psionicist, but his improved battle prowess comes at a price. The time spent in military training limits the Janissary's development of psionic powers. As a result, he has a reduced number of sc ences and devotions available and fewer PSPs than other Pionicists.
A Janissary has one fewer science and devotion at each level than a standard Psionicist. Thus he does not gain any sci- ences until 3d level, when he would have I science and devotions. When figuring starting PSP's for Janissaries, treat their Intelligence and Wisdom asi they were 1 point lower, Janisiaries with an Intelligence of 16, Wisdom of 17, and a Constitution of 16 determines starting PSP as if he had Intelligence 15, Wisdom 16, and Constitution 16). Janisiaries gain additional PSP normally as they go up in levels
The Janissary has additional social limitations. As a foreigner and mercenary, the Janissary is often viewed with suspicion and sometimes fear by common folk. When employed by a noble or well-known member of a community. this animosity is limited to a +1 reaction adjustment penalty for low ranking NPCs. When lacking such employment, the Janissary suffers a 3 reaction penalty for all NPCs, except poly those seeking to hire him
Also, the Janissary adheres to a strict code of honor. This code is an integral part of the Janissary's training, and if it is ever willingly violated the Janissary loses all the special benefits of this kit. The code has four main points
1. A Janissary never betrays an employer. The Janissary does not abandon him even against the wont odds, noe can he be convinced or bribed to leave or act against his employer. This leads Janissaries to be cautious about whom they serve
2. A Janissary always keeps his word. If a Janissary promises to do something he strives to his death to accomplish it. This includes contracts signed by a Janis sary, so he reads offers of employment very carefully
3. The Janissary never acts in a way that reflects negatively upon his home land. He considers himself representa tive of his native culture and thus makes pains to be well groomed and polite. He avoids public displays of drunkenness or anger and shows respect to his peers and superiors
4. The Janissary never uses an hon orable opportunity to test his fighting skills, unless doing so violates another point of his code. He is not interested in
constant fights to the death but accepts duels fought to the first strike or invita-
tions to tournaments.
Wealth Options: The Janissary starts the game with one free weapon, gener- ally his bonus weapon, and a Psionicist's normal 3d4 x 10 gold pieces.
Category:Character Kit
Category:Character Kit Dragon Magazine