Aristocrat (3.5e NPC Class)

Aristocrat
"Here we go, man to man. Just you and me and MY GUARDS!"

There are nobles who earn their titles through merit and ability, and then there are those who are born into it. These are the latter. The noble leader, the corrupt politician, the generous count or the pompous baron; all of them could be aristocrats. Aristocrats have both money and power, and as such often come to the conclusion that one is necessary to obtain the other.

Abilities: Charisma is the one important ability for an aristocrat; as long as one has it, they can at least convince others that they are an effective leader.

Races: Any race that has a class system and/or rich people.

Alignment: Any.

Starting Age: Complex.

Class Features
All of the following are class features of the aristocrat.

As a result, he can afford to spend a little. An aristocrat is considered to have in his possession any purchasable object (except for scrolls) worth up to 1,000 gp per aristocrat level. He may also purchase scrolls with a value of up to 250 gp per level.

As an unfortunate result of the silver spoons in their mouths, aristocrats have no combat training or special skills of any kind beyond those described below. They are not proficient in any form of weapon or armor and cannot take feats.

' :' An aristocrat can use command'' as a spell-like ability at will that affects up to one creature per aristocrat level. No matter what effect it may gain in the future, and saving throws for voice of authority have a save DC equal to 10 + ½ the aristocrat‘s level + his Charisma modifier.

He can now wear double the normal amount of jewelry (four rings, two amulets, etc.), so long as he can dish out the dough to buy it, and the effects of all magical jewelry he wears stack if applicable.

At each level thereafter, he gains another warrior guard, and all guards always have levels equal to his. As a standard action usable at will, the aristocrat can attempt to motivate his guards with a successful Diplomacy check (DC 10 + the CR of the strongest opponent they are facing) by promising them more money in return for victory (pledges of land, title, and concubines may also be included). If he succeeds, all guards gain the fanatic attitude (and all benefits thereof) for the duration of the current encounter.

' :' At 3rd level, the aristocrat’s voice of authority ability improves, allowing him to make a suggestion on any target to whom he sends a command''.

' :''' An aristocrat may create a contract with another being at 4th level, a pact that binds another creature to his will. This ability functions as a lesser geas spell and has all the normal limitations thereof, but has a save DC equal to 10 + ½ the aristocrat‘s level + his Charisma modifier. The aristocrat may only have one such pact in existence at any one time.

In addition, the aristocrat's guards become even more expendable. If the aristocrat is adjacent to one of his guards, he can take an immediate action to push them into the line of fire, causing the guardsman to be struck by all attacks that would normally affect the aristocrat until his demise.

' :''' A 5th level aristocrat is the lord of all he surveys. His voice of authority ability now allows him to use the demand spell at will.

Trading Out Aristocrat Levels
Despite their glaring lack of martial prowess, aristocrats have some pretty strong abilities. This was intentional, but it doesn't change the fact that aristocrat levels assume that the person who possesses them is almost always a snooty, inept piece of scum. Should an aristocrat ever gain any measure of competency, replace all aristocrat levels with PC levels.