Kshatriya (Character Kit)

:This was originally published in Dragon Magazine #225
==Kshatriya==
(Indian paladin)
Who stood between Kshatriya Jumna Padras and death? Only himself, he knew, yet it was hard to ignore the rakshasa maharajah before him. The two could not harm each other, could not even touch each other. The rakshasa blocked the exit from the newly defiled temple, laughing as it bom barded Kshatriya Padras with unnatural imagery. His subjects could not help him now. Faith, and only faith, would give him release. Kshatriya Padras began to pray.
Description: Kshatriyas are the ruling class of holy warriors. They constitute the Rajput princes who administer India. In theory at least, they rule all things secular, but they rule nothing divine. Thus, they may order religious services, but they cannot perform them; they can build temples but cannot open their doors.
Kshatriyas are high nobles and are respected by all. The princes are rajahs and rare kings are maharajahs. Though all are lawful and good, they often face off over regional differences or personal bickering. Like all paladins, however, Kshatriyas are united in defending the faith from threats external and internal.
Kshatriyas do not have to govern an area, but they must be in a position to rule under a logical set of circumstances. If the DM does not want a PC ruling a city-state, the PC may be a brother, son, relative, or dispossessed heir to a rajah, maharaja, or other ruler.
Class role: Though they rule most of India, they are socially subordinate to the Brahmin priests. Kshatriyas provide for civil defense, enforcement of the social system, and scheduling of religious festivals. Kshatriyas may marry only someone from Kshatriya and Brahmin circles. They may eat meat but not beef. They often wear symbols of their princedoms or deities.
In crises, Kshatriyas are expected to provide positive moral leadership. For some, this means leading troops into battle or facing powerful foes alone; however, Kshatriyas concerned with stability rarely will place themselves in mortal danger.
Minimum requirements: Standard ability requirements. Most Kshatriya warriors are male, but several noteworthy ones have been princesses (ranis). Kshatriyas may come from outside Kshatriya families if they become rulers and otherwise qualify.
Weapon proficiencies: Any.
Nonweapon proficiencies:
* Bonus: Etiquette.
* Required: Bureaucracy*.
* Recommended: Animal handling, endurance, heraldry, languages, law*, oratory*, reading/writing, religion, riding, spellcraft.
* Forbidden: [All] crafts, diagnostics*, healing, herbalism.
: (Proficiencies marked by an asterisk are from The Complete Paladin's Handbook.)
Equipment: Because of their station, Kshatriayas must have only the best equipment money can buy. All equipment must cost at least 150% book value. Those who rule must have items of at least 300% book value.
Bonded mount: Options may include horses, elephants, rhinoceri, blackbuck antelope, axis deer, sambar elk, gaur oxen, Brahma bulls, camels, lions, leopards, tigers, varaha boar, griffon, hippogriffs, baluchitheriums, and (for females) unicorns. (For some of these, see articles on mounts in DRAGON Magazine issues #I77 and #190.) They must undertake public hunts for bonded mounts, which will resist capture. If a mount escapes the Kshatriya and his Shikaris, the Kshatriya is shamed; his reaction bonus is lost until a mount is attained.
Special benefits: All Kshatriyas are treated very well by those who follow Indian culture. A ruling Kshatriya gains +3 to reactions. Rulers have vast wealth and power to raise taxes, build temples and wage war. Most of a ruling Kshatriya’s wealth will be tied up in properties irrelevant to adventuring, but the DM should allow the Kshatriya leeway in getting what he needs. All have access to soma-juice (see Legends & Lore, p. 132). The Kshatriya may have servants of any alignment.
At 3rd level, the Kshatriya gains the power to detect karma, determining a being’s karma points (see Legends & Lore, p. 126); for characters having non-Indian kits, level or hit dice is learned. Targets are allowed saving throws vs. spells to avoid having their karma read.
Special hindrances: Kshatriyas who rule are preoccupied by matters of state and cannot make arbitrary changes in established patterns of life. They must support the entire Brahmin class, tithing at least 20% of their wealth. Also, if a Kshatriya loses his wealth or is shamed, his reaction bonus is lost.
With the prohibition on religious activity, a Kshatriya is not able to lay on hands or cure disease. A high-level Kshatriya has access to the Charm, Divination, Law, and Protection Spheres.
Wealth options: This must be decided by the Dungeon Master. Except in cases of disinheritance, the poverty option is forbidden.
Category:Character Kit
Category:Character Kit Dragon Magazine