Custom rules

Here you will find some additional rules that can be used to add more layers to combat and other aspects of Pathfinder.

**Note:** These rules are highly experimental and subject to change!

## Combat rules

### Kneeling

The character is kneeling down, lowering their profile. A kneeling attacker has a –2 penalty on melee attack rolls and cannot use a longbow or an orc hornbow (but can use a short bow, a crossbow or a firearm). A kneeling defender gains a +2 bonus to Armor Class against ranged attacks, but takes a –2 penalty to AC against melee attacks. A character that is kneeling can move at half speed. It is not possible to take a 5-foot step when kneeling.

Kneeling is a free action and standing up from a kneel is a move action that does not provoke an attack of opportunity.

In addition, kneeling may alter the type of cover a character can potentially benefit from.

#### Kneeling Feats

* **Kneeling Shooter**

*You find yourself feeling safer when kneeling down.*
**Prerequisites:** Base attack bonus +1.
**Benefit:** At the beginning of your turn, if you have been kneeling since the end of your last turn, the penalty to your Armor Class against melee attacks made against you is removed. In addition, the bonus to your Armor Class against ranged attacks made against you is increased to +4.

* **Fast Kneeler**

*Your knees are fast and allow you to switch positions quickly.*
**Prerequisites:** Base attack bonus +2.
**Benefit:** You can stand up from a kneel as either a swift action or a move action.

* **Springing Knee**

*Even when kneeling down, your knees offer you a burst of movement when needed.*
**Prerequisites:** Dex 15, base attack bonus +4.
**Benefit:** You can take a 5-foot step while kneeling.

* **Crouched Fighting**

*You have sufficient agility to fight effectively from a knelt position.*
**Prerequisites:** Dex 15, Springing Knee, base attack bonus +5.
**Benefit:** When kneeling, you do not suffer any penalties on melee attack rolls or your AC against melee attacks.

### Crossbow Strength bonus

Crossbows can come in heavier variants which use reload mechanisms capable of utilizing the user's high strength to reach a stronger draw weight. A crossbow can be made with a high Strength rating to take advantage of an above-average Strength score; this feature allows you to add your Strength bonus to damage, up to the maximum bonus indicated for the crossbow. Each point of Strength bonus granted by the crossbow adds 200 gp to its cost and +10% to its weight. If your Strength bonus is lower than the Strength rating of the crossbow, its reload time is increased by one step for each point you lack (free action < move action < standard action < full-round action) and you take a -2 penalty on attack rolls with it. Light crossbows and hand crossbows cannot have a Strength rating.

## Skills

### Linguistics and new languages

The world of Énelya features a number of new languages that are used by various mortal races. These languages share the same rules as regular languages in Pathfinder, unless stated otherwise.

List of languages and the creatures that use them:
 Lizardfolk

### Knowledge skills in combat

All characters receive a single use of a Knowledge skill in combat as a free action.

### Knowledge (martial)

Knowledge (martial) is a new type of knowledge skill that can be used to identify useful information in combat. This information includes things such as combat feats, exotic weapons, proficiencies, base attack bonuses and other statistics related to combat. It can also be used to remember historical events related to war, important martial organizations and groups as well as notable martial characters such as generals and legendary warriors.

All classes that have a full base attack bonus (+20/+15/+10/+5 at level 20th) receive Knowledge (martial) as a class skill at 1st level. Knowledge (martial) is tied to Intelligence and can only be used when trained.

* **Battle Knowledge**

*Your experience in the field of battle gives you an edge in martial knowledge.*
**Prerequisites:** Base attack bonus +1, Knowledge (martial) as a class skill.
**Benefit:** You can use your base attack bonus and Wisdom modifier as a modifier on Knowledge (martial) checks in place of your skill ranks and Intelligence modifier. In addition, you add the +3 class skill bonus on top of your base attack bonus.

Example tasks that can be accomplished using Knowledge (martial):
 15 + the number of combat feats the target has
 15 + all levels in martial classes that the target has
 15 + the base attack bonus of the target
 15 + all bonuses tied to the attack of the target
 15 + the number of combatants
 15 + 2 per every 50 years since the events occurred
 15
 10 + the amount of damage resistance on the target