Dread Pirate - General Prestige Class
This is a general Prestige class that may be applicable to the Forgotten Realms Campaign
Thugs and cutthroats in every port lay claim to the title "pirate," but actually making a fortune through piracy is no easy task. A dread pirate, however, has mastered every aspect of larceny on the high seas. His network of contacts tells him when a particularly valuable cargo is shipping out. After a flawless ambush at sea, he swings aboard the target ship on a rope, rapier in hand. Once he and his shipmates have overpowered the prize vessel's crew, they liberate the cargo and make their escape. Later, the dread pirate meets representatives from the black market in some isolated cove and sells his newly acquired cargo for a handsome profit.
Some dread pirates accomplish their goals through fear, killing indiscriminately and ruling their ships at rapier-point. Others minimize bloodshed and exhibit a curious sort of chivalry, perhaps realizing that the captain and crew of a prize ship are more likely to surrender if they believe they'll live to see port again. Now and then a dread pirate takes his chivalric streak a step further and preys only on the ships of enemy nations - or even solely on other pirates.
A dread pirate's lifestyle fits most rogues to a tee, for the job requires a number of skills that members of other classes don't have the time or inclination to learn. However, the class is also attractive for some spellcasters, who can use magic to conceal their ships or incapacitate a prize vessel's crew.
Hit Die: d6
To qualify to become a Dread Pirate, a character must fulfill all the following criteria:
- Alignment: Any nonlawful.
- Skills: Appraise 8 ranks, Profession (sailor) 8 ranks, Swim 5 ranks, Use Rope 5 ranks.
- Feats: Quick Draw, Weapon Finesse (any).
- Base Attack Bonus: +4.
- Special: The character must own a ship worth at least 10,000 gp. The method of acquisition - purchase, force of arms, or skullduggery - makes no difference, as long as he can freely operate it on the high seas.
From:
Complete Adventurer
Song and Silence
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