Canonfire! - Prestige Class

Pomarjian Orcs occupying the easter provinces of Ulek have come to fear the wrath of the Tuskers, an unconventional dwarven cavalry with a burning hatred for the humanoids "stinkin' up their homeland".

Prestige Class - Tusker

By: DangerDwarf
Used with Permission. Do not repost without obtaining prior permission from the author.

The northeastern most portion of the Principality of Ulek in the foothills where the Suss crosses the Jewel river has been the home for several minor dwarven clans over the centuries. These rustic dwarves have long conducted minor logging operations there, making a fair living off of the ancient, hard woods of the forest.

Travelers moving through the region all leave with tales of the rustic dwarves there and their unusual militia. The Tuskers, as they call them, have managed to tame some of the savage dire boars of the Suss and use them as mounts. This unconventional cavalry has aided in the region’s defense for generations, several of the small clans there taking pride in their unusual mounts. Of the clans, the Blackboars are the most well known for their use of the strange mounts.

Tuskers are fierce warriors, often possessing the same savage intensity of their mounts. A terror on the field of battle they make good use of their formidable mount’s abilities. Combined with their own prowess they are indeed a sight to behold when charging into combat, often leaving their foes shaken.

Since the humanoids have overrun the eastern provinces most of the Tuskers have been slain or displaced. The Tuskers that remain are filled with an inner rage and burning hatred for orcs and their ilk. The Order of the Axe has a small number of Tuskers in their ranks, trained by Barak Blackboar. Others can be found wandering the Principality or striking out on their own taking their vendetta to the humanoids.

Requirements

To qualify to become a Tusker, a character must fulfill the following criteria.

Base Attack Bonus: +8
Race: Dwarf
Feats: Mounted Combat, Iron Will, Ride-by Attack, Weapon Focus (Lance)
Handle Animal: 5 ranks
Ride: 6 ranks
Intimidate: 4 ranks
Other: Capture and break a dire boar for use as a mount.

Class Skills

The Tusker’s class skills (and key ability for each skill) are Craft (Int), Handle Animal (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Ride (Dex), Spot (Wis), Survival (Wis)

Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier

Class Features

Hit Die: d10

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The Tusker is proficient with all simple and martial weapons, light armor, medium armor and shields (except tower shields).

Ride Bonus: A Tusker gains a competence bonus to all Ride checks.

Lance Bonus: The Tusker gains an attack bonus while using a lance when mounted.

Ferocity: A Tusker gains the fierce nature of his mount and is able to continue fighting without penalty even when disabled or dieing.

Orc Foe: Tuskers are filled with an inner rage at the orcs of the Pomarj and their allies for their invasion of their homeland. Tuskers gain a bonus of +1 to hit and +2 to damage against orcs.

Fierce Charge: A Tusker can make a Fierce Charge attack once per day beginning upon reaching the 3rd level. To do so the Tusker charges his opponent while mounted. His mount then makes an attack roll to gore his opponent (modified by the charge) a successful hit deals 3d8 + 12 damage and forces the opponent to make a strength or dexterity check (whichever is higher) as if he were attempting to block an overrun attempt being made by the mount. A Tusker can do so twice a day beginning at 6th level and 3 times a day beginning at 9th level.

Fearsome Charge: Upon reaching 4th level a Tusker can make a Fearsome Charge once a day. To do so a Tusker charges his opponent while mounted while giving a mighty battle roar. By doing so the Tusker induces Fear in opponents in a cone shaped blast in front of him as the spell of the same name using the Tusker’s class level as his caster level. At 8th level opponents add an additional +2 to the DC to resist this effect.

Damage Reduction: Beginning at the 5th level a Tusker becomes skilled at shrugging off damage dealt to him by opponents. Subtract 1 from all damage dealt to him by weapons or natural attacks. At 10th level the amount increases to 2 points.

LEVEL	BAB	FORT	REF	WILL	SPECIAL
1	+1	+2	+0	+2	Orc Foe. Ferocity. Ride Bonus +2
2	+2	+3	+0	+3	Mounted Lance Bonus +1
3	+3	+3	+1	+3	Fierce Charge
4	+4	+4	+1	+4	Fearsome Charge, Ride Bonus +4, Lance +2
5	+5	+4	+1	+4	Damage Reduction 1/-
6	+6	+5	+2	+5	Fierce Charge 2/day, Lance +3
7	+7	+5	+2	+5	Ride Bonus +6
8	+8	+6	+2	+6	Fearsome Charge DC +2, Lance Bonus +4
9	+9	+6	+3	+6	Fierce Charge 3/Day
10	+10	+7	+3	+7	Damage Reduction 2/-. Ride Bonus +8