The Paladin: The Prestige Class

(William_Schiff@hotmail.com)  

The Paladin prestige class is a replacement for the normal Paladin class. This Paladin is a holy warrior who has proven their devotion to their Deity and has earned their divine blessings through action and faith. Paladins are great leaders of men and women alike, attracting squires from all around. Unfortunately, those with little faith consider Paladins to be zealots, always looking for a crusade or jihad to embark upon or a dragon to kill. Beware the Blackguard for they are the opposite of the Paladin and an enemy to all that is good. 

HD: d10

Requirements
Alignment: any Good
Base Attack Bonus: +6
Skills: 	Ride: 5 ranks (or Diplomacy: 5 ranks), 
Knowledge (religion): 2 ranks
Feats: 	Spirited charge (or Great cleave), 
Leadership 
Special: The Paladin must make contact with a Deity through vision or worthy quest in order to achieve his or her divine blessings.

Class Skills
Featured in Player’s Handbook.
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + INT modifier

Class Features
Featured in Player’s Handbook

The Paladin
Spells per Day
Class Level	Base Attack Bonus	Fort Save	Ref Save	Will Save	Abilities	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	
1st	+1	+2	+0	+0	Lay on hands, Divine health, Divine grace, Detect evil, Remove disease (x1/w)	0	-	-	-	
2nd	+2	+3	+0	+0	Aura of courage, Smite evil	1	-	-	-	
3rd	+3	+3	+1	+1	Turn undead	1	0	-	-	
4th	+4	+4	+1	+1	Remove disease (x2/w)	1	1	-	-	
5th	+5	+4	+1	+1	Celestial servant	1	1	0	-	
6th	+6	+5	+2	+2		1	1	1	-	
7th	+7	+5	+2	+2	Remove disease (x3/w)	2	1	1	0	
8th	+8	+6	+2	+2		2	1	1	1	
9th	+9	+6	+3	+3		2	2	1	1	
10th	+10	+7	+3	+3	Remove disease (x4/w)	2	2	2	1	

Celestial Servant

Upon reaching 5th level, a paladin can call upon the aid and companionship of a celestial servant.  Rules for a paladin called servant are found on page 43 of Player Handbook.  If the player and DM opt to allow the paladin to call a celestial creature other then a warhorse, it is suggested that the Celestial Creatures template found in Monster Manual page 221 be used to modify an animal with a CR less then 3.  Also, it should be determined what roll the celestial servant would play (guardian, helper, etc).  Suggested animals include, eagle, hawk, dog, and lizard.  
Furthermore, the paladin’s servant gains HD and special abilities based on the character level (paladin level plus the original class levels) and not just the paladin level.

Paladin
Character	Bonus		Natural		Str		
Level		HD		Armor		Adj	Int	Special
12 or less	+2		+1		+1	6	Improved evasion, shared spells
								empathic link, share saving throws
13-15		+4		+3		+2	7	
16-18		+6		+5		+3	8	Command creatures of its kind
15-20		+8		+7		+4	9	Spell resistance

See Players Handbook for special power descriptions.