PrC Contest IV: My Faith is Unswerving

[Zak Crimsonleaf]

Windwarrior of Akadi

"As the four winds reach to all corners of the world, sweeping away all before them, so will I allow Akadi's grace to flow through me, to all peoples of this world. I am the howling winter wind, the thunder on the plains, the warm desert breeze, the sunlit eastern horizon. I am of the air."
-Avkar the North Wind, a Windwarrior of Akadi

A Windwarrior of Akadi represents the militant arm of her church. They are the elite warriors and agents of the faith, and are most often found out in the world, working to spread her worship and eliminate the worshippers of her traditional foe, Grumbar, the god of elemental earth. They also serve to protect the peoples of the high places of the world, and the flying races. Sometimes, a Windwarrior considers their battle to be to win the hearts of others over to Akadi, and this can be done peacefully, by helping others. Evil Windwarriors may attempt to sow fear and intimidate others into respecting the goddess.

BECOMING A WINDWARRIOR OF AKADI

Because of the requirements, any Windwarrior must have at least one level of cleric, and most choose to continue on that way, but multiclass combinations are not unheard of. The two most common are cleric/fighters and cleric/wizards, known as 'cutting winds' and 'mystic winds', respectively. Other combinations are extremely rare, but there have been instances of cleric/barbarians before among savage races or tribes that worship Akadi.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Deity: Must worship Akadi
Domain: Must have selected the Air Domain
Spells: Able to cast 1st Level Divine Spells
Skills: Knowledge(religion) 9 ranks
Feats: Altitude Adaptation, Air Devotion, Martial Weapon Proficiency(heavy flail)
Special: Must have undergone the Trial of Winds, where the candidate meditates on a mountaintop, unprotected, for 6 hours.

Class Skills
The Windwarrior of Akadi's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are: Balance (Dex), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Heal (Wis), Jump (Str), Knowledge(religion) (Int), Spellcraft (Int), Spot (Wis), and Tumble (Dex).
Skills Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier

Hit Dice: d8

{table=head]Level|Base Attack Bonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Special

1st|

+1

|

+0

|

+2

|

+0

|Guided By Wind

2nd|

+2

|

+0

|

+3

|

+0

|Spirit of the Breeze

3rd|

+3

|

+1

|

+3

|

+1

|Spellthunder

4th|

+4

|

+1

|

+4

|

+1

|Stormbinder

5th|

+5

|

+1

|

+4

|

+1

|Take to the Skies(glide)

6th|

+6

|

+2

|

+5

|

+2

|Breathless

7th|

+7

|

+2

|

+5

|

+2

|Take to the Skies(fly)

8th|

+8

|

+2

|

+6

|

+2

|Master Conductivity

9th|

+9

|

+3

|

+6

|

+3

|Take to the Skies(Fly-By Attack)

10th|

+10

|

+3

|

+7

|

+3

|Of the Air[/table]

Weapon Proficiencies: A Windwarrior of Akadi is proficient with simple weapons and light armor.

Class Abilities:

Spells: When a new Windwarrior level is gained, the character gains new spells per day as if he had also gained a level in a spellcasting class he belonged to before adding the prestige class. He does not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained, except for an increased effective level of spellcasting. If a character had more than one spellcasting class before becoming a Windwarrior, he must decide to which class he adds the new level for purposes of determining spells per day.

Guided By Wind: A Windwarrior has an infallible sense of direction. They always know which way the four points of the compass are, and so are rarely lost. This is a supernatural ability. They may also consider an action they are about to perform, and are alerted whether it will affect their alignment or standing with Akadi. They may do this a number of times per day equal to their Wisdom modifier. They also gain Auran as a bonus language.

Spirit of the Breeze: A Windwarrior's spirit is infused with the essence of air, lifting them above and beyond normal physical limits. They become nearly weightless, and can walk across any solid surface-even water-without sinking. This ability is always active, and can be repressed or resumed as a standard action. As well, once per month, the Cleansing Wind may spend an hour in meditation to listen to the winds, and discern where they are needed to help the interests of the church. The result is then revealed in a brief vision, and they know to within twenty miles where they must go.

Spellthunder: The Windwarrior may channel the power of the storm into his spells. By expending a spell slot one level higher than the spell to be affected, that spell deals electrical or sonic damage rather than its normal type. If the spell chosen already deals electrical or sonic damage, it is treated as empowered.

Stormbinder: The Windwarrior may channel the traditional weapons of the sky (thunder and lightning) into an attack. They gain three special abilities. They may use this power twice per day, selecting which ability to manifest as they do so.
Call the Lightning: The Wind warrior may use Call Lightning as a spell-like ability, with a caster level equal to their class level.
Voice of the Thunder: The Windwararior may use Shout as a spell-like ability with a caster level equal to their class level.
Stormbound Weapon: The Windwarrior may empower their weapon with the shocking burst ability or allow it to deal +1d6 sonic damage on a successful attack.

Take to the Skies: A Windwarrior's devotion is rewarded by the ability to enter the realm of their goddess. They gain feathered wings. At 5th Level, the wings are too small to fly, and can only be used to glide. At 7th Level, the Windwarrior gains a fly speed equal to their land movement rate with good maneuverability, but it can only be used for 1 minute per class level. At 9th Level, there is no limit to the amount of time they may fly, and they gain the Fly-By Attack feat. If the Windwarrior already has a fly speed, than they gain a different set of abilities. At 5th level, their fly speed increases by 10 ft, at 7th level, they gain the Hover feat, and at 9th level they gain the Wingover feat.

Breathless: At 6th Level, the Windwarrior draws breath from the divine prescence of Akadi, and that is everywhere. They no longer need to breathe, save to speak.

Master Conductivity: The Windwarrior may command the lightning with unparalleled control. They gain the Conductivity feat, but take no damage when redirecting the electrical attack. Damage is still rolled, to find out how much they would have taken so as to apply it to their attack roll, but it is not applied.

Of the Air: The Windwarrior is truly blessed by Akadi. They gain the Air subtype, and no longer need to eat, sleep, or drink as long as they are above ground.

PLAYING A WINDWARRIOR OF AKADI

Like the air, the ranks of the Windwarriors are very different from one another quite often. They can be played as a force for good or evil, as long as it advances the interests of their deity, which can be done both ways. However, due to their combat skill, either way often involves putting themselves in the middle of the action.

Combat: Windwarriors often follow one of two paths in battle. Either they stay at the rear and use their spells and spell-like abilities to defeat their enemies, or they take advantage of their high base attack bonus and good saving throws and plunge into combat. Either option can be successful, and multiclassing Windwarriors have the choice largely dictated by their second class.
Advancement: Some of the 'mystic wind' sect sometimes take levels in Mystic Theurge to better their spell resources and not have to split advancement between their classes. Members of the 'cutting wind' sect may become members of a combat-oriented prestige class, or simply favor their second class over Windwarrior levels, using only the abilities they see fit to gain. Some Windwarriors focus on combat in the sky, once they achieve higher levels, and others prefer to wear heavy armor and trade mobility for protection.
Resources: Windwarriors, being among the high-ranking members of Akadi's church, gain automatic respect from any others of the faith, and are often able to requisition supplies or aid from the local church or shrine. If the Windwarrior in question is particularly famous or has just given the church in question a great deal of help, it is possible that they may gain the temporary service of a cleric or two in performing their duties.

WINDWARRIORS OF AKADI IN THE WORLD
"They've got their heads in the clouds a lot, but you can't really blame'em, and that's probably the best place for that lot anyway. Once they get involved in things, it won't go so well if you're on the wrong side. How do you think I lost my eyebrows?"
-Jornhold, highland farmer.

Windwarriors of Akadi tend to interact with the world through their actions more than their words, and since their actions generally involve furthering the goals of Akadi in some way, they are percieved as intensely single-minded, overly serious, and, in short, a lot like other priests, just ones that you don't want to get on the wrong side of. However, when not on a quest, they are usually quiet and courteous. The problem is that nobody really sees them unless the situation is serious enough to warrant their involvement.

Daily Life: The life of a Windwarrior revolves around their deity. They begin their day with praying for spells, and are well versed in the details of Akadi's theology and holy texts, enjoying speaking about their own thoughts and insights on them. They have few hobbies, as they are on the move so much and have a great deal of their time spoken for, but generally excel in the ones they do take up. They practice with their weapon for at least an hour every day, usually just before bed, and are generally quite flexible and nimble. The one concession that most make to free time is at meals, during which time they may become much more talkative so as to make up for their preoccupation with other things all day.
Notables: The first Windwarrior is held to be a gargoyle that rose above his savage roots and dedicated himself to Akadi. His name has been lost to time, so he is merely called the Rising Wind. The story of his search for wisdom is long and legendary, but at the end, he is held to have found the fabled Shrine of the Four Winds, and beseeched Akadi to remake him in some other image. The goddess answered, and he became a Windwarrior. The two most famous Windwarriors now are Rulon and Drevin. Rulon is a human from a barbarian tribe that was formerly his tribe's cleric, and now seeks to use her powers to initiate more Windwarriors and raise his tribe to great power, that he may conquer a civilized city and rule it like a king, in Akadi's name, of course. Drevin is a gargoyle intent on saving his people from themselves and following in the footsteps of the Rising Wind.
Organizations: There are four different major orders of Windwarriors, each one dedicated to a different wind, and each with a different self-given mission. The Order of the North Wind focuses on fighting worshippers of Grumbar and the enemies of Akadi in general, whoever they may be, with any and all force necessary. The Order of the West Wind concentrates on protecting established churches, guarding the weak, and going back and forth between the various churches and shrines to travel as much of the world as possible in pursuit of these goals. The Order of the East Wind is the most likely to try and win converts, as they prefer peaceful expansion of the faith, falling back on battle only as absolutely necessary. However, they are very aggressive in gaining worshippers, and can be very annoying to be around. The Order of the South Wind is most often found traveling and adventuring, for they believe that by seeking wisdom in many places, and showing everyone the goodwill of the Windwarriors, they will open the people's eyes to Akadi's truth. There are many Windwarriors that are not part of the four orders, of course.

NPC Reaction
Until an NPC gets to know any Windwarrior personally, and can take them at their measure, they generally regard them with wariness and careful respect. In some places, they are reviled as arrogant warriors that are only interested in doing battle in Akadi's name. In others they are praised as dedicated protectors of Akadi's faithful.

WINDWARRIORS OF AKADI IN THE GAME
The Windwarriors may necessitate the need for increasing precautions against flying opponents, and putting a Windwarrior into your party can be difficult depending on their motivation for joining. They are not so valuable in typical dungeon environments, and their electricity-based attacks may not work against some opponents.
Adaptation: While the Windwarriors can easily be inserted wholesale into the world as exactly what they are described, it is possible to alter their nature a little. Depending on the gods of the world, they may worship another god with the Air Domain, and rather than being holy warriors, they may be an order of mercenaries, an isolated mountaintop mystic order, or the elite fighters of a highland tribe.
Encounters: The PCs may encounter the Windwarriors in many ways. They may run afoul of one that travels with them in exchange for preaching about the virtues of Akadi all the time and trying to convert them to the faith, they may find themselves on the wrong side of a battle where, for whatever reason, a Windwarrior fights against them, or they could be investigating the same problem as a Windwarrior, and wind up working together to solve it.

Sample
Encounter
EL 10: Avkar the North Wind is a member of the Order from which he takes his name, and even among them is shunned for his overzealous nature. He wants nothing more than battle against Akadi's enemies, and will go to any lengths to find them. The PCs may find themselves on the wrong end of his flail in a variety of ways. Perhaps they did a favor for someone he has reason to consider an enemy, or perhaps they give the wrong answers when he meets them on the road. Whatever way battle begins, the PCs will have a fight on their hands.

Avkar the North Wind
Lawful Neutral Male Human Cleric5/Wnd5
Init +3, Senses: Listen +4, Spot +10,
Languages Common, Auran
------------------------------------------------
AC 19, touch 13, flat-footed 16
HP: 75 (10d8 HD + 20)
Fort +7, Ref +8, Will +9
------------------------------------------------
Speed 30 ft. (6 squares)
Melee +11 +1 holy heavy flail (1d10+2) +11 Ranged Touch Spell
Base Atk +8, Grp +10
Atk Options
Combat Gear
Typical Spells Prepared 1st-Shield of Faith, Sanctuary, Bless, 2nd-Spiritual Weapon, Zone of Truth, Hold Person, Sound Burst, 3rd-Searing Light, Magic Circle Against Evil, Protection from Energy, 4th-Discern Lies, Death Ward, 5th-Flame Strike, Righteous Might
Supernatural Abilities Guided By Wind, Spirit of the Breeze
-----------------------------------------------
Abilities Str 14, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 18, Cha 9
SQ Stormbinder, Spellthunder, Take to the Skies(glide)
Feats Altitude Adaptation, Air Devotion, Martial Weapon Proficiecy(heavy flail), Combat Casting, Quick Draw
Skills Concentration +10, Knowledge(religion) +18, Spot +6
Possessions +1 Elven Chain of Moderate Fortification, +1 Holy Heavy Flail, Necklace of Adaptation, Phylactery of Faithfulness, Handy Haversack, Eyes of the Eagle, Potion of Invisibility