Epic Prestige Class : World Guardian
Some might describe the world guardian as an avatar of nature. Others see her as the personification of the environment, an animate extension of its needs. In actuality, the world guardian is simply an individual dedicated to defending the world of beast, tree, sun, and sky, from callous destruction at the hands of those who cannot or will not respect its terrible beauty.
Druids are the most logical world guardians, with their innate respect for the natural world. However, some rangers also take up the cause, and in rare cases a barbarian or multiclassed barbarian/ranger might heed the call as well. Other characters simply don't have the training and knowledge required to become world guardians.
The world guardian bears a heavy burden - the protection of her natural environment from those who would despoil it. Some world guardians grow aloof, standing apart from those who do not share the weight of the beliefs of this class. Others solicit allies, both from nature and from civilization as needed. In cases where local rulers share similar outlooks, the world guardian can provide simultaneous protection to nature and kingdom alike. But in territories controlled by those who do not respect her charge, the world guardian might turn to lawless anarchy to protect the land.
Requirements
To qualify to become a World Guardian, a character must fulfill all the following criteria:
- Alignment: Any non-evil
- Skills: Knowledge (nature): 24 ranks, Survival: 24 ranks
- Feats: Skill Focus (Knowledge [nature]) or Skill Focus (Survival).
Epic Feats: Epic Skill Focus (Knowledge [nature]) or Epic Skill Focus (Survival) and Extended Life Span. - Special: Character may substitute the timeless body class feature from the monk class for the Extended Lifespan epic feat requirement.
Class Skills
The world guardian's class skills are Concentration, Diplomacy, Handle Animal, Heal, Hide, Knowledge (nature), Listen, Move Silently, Profession (any), Spellcraft, and Swim.
Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier.
Class Features
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The world guardian gains no new proficiency in armor or weapons.
Spellcasting: At every level the world guardian gains new spells per day and spells known as if she had also gained a level in a spellcasting class to which she belonged before adding the prestige class. She does not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained (such as bonus metamagic or item creation feats). If already an epic spellcaster, the character gains only the benefit noted under Spells entry for that epic class. If the character possessed more than one spellcaster class before she became a world guardian, she must decide which class will receive the additional spellcasting level for purposes of determining spells per day when she adds the new level.
World's Friend: No animal, beast, or plant willingly harms or opposes a world guardian. Any spell or effect that would cause an animal, beast, or plant to act against the world guardian (such as entangle) automatically fails. If the world guardian attacks such a creature, the stricture is broken.
At 6th level, this ability grants any animal, beast, or plant fighting as an ally of the world guardian a +4 morale bonus to attacks and damage. The world guardian must be within 100 feet and have a line of sight to the animal, beast, or plant.
Speak with the World (Sp): A 2nd-level world guardian may speak with animals or speak with plants at will. She may also cast stone tell once per day, plus one additional time per day every 10 levels thereafter (12th, 22nd, and so on). These powers function as a spellcaster of the world guardian's character level.
Oaken Hide (Su): Beginning at 3rd level, the world guardian develops a natural armor bonus. This bonus is +1 at 3rd level and increases by an additional +1 every three levels thereafter (+2 at 6th, +3 at 9th, and so on).
Bonus Feats: The world guardian gains a bonus feat at 4th level and every 4 levels thereafter (8th, 12th, and so on). These bonus feats must be selected from the following list: Blinding Speed, Energy Resistance, Epic Endurance, Fast Healing, Fleet of Foot, Legendary Climber, Legendary Tracker, Perfect Health, Permanent Emanation, and Spontaneous Spell.
Hear the World (Sp): At 5th level, the world guardian can cast commune with nature once per day as a spellcaster of her character level. The world guardian gains one additional use of this ability per day for every 10 levels gained above 5th (15th, 25th, and so on).
Strength of Stone (Sp): Once per day, the world guardian may cast stoneskin upon herself as a caster of her class level. The world guardian gains one additional use of this ability per day for every 10 levels gained above 7th (17th, 27th, and so on).
Walk the World (Sp): At 9th-level, the world guardian may cast transport via plants at will
Unleash the World's Fury (Sp): At 10th level, the world guardian may, once per week, unleash the unfettered fury of nature. This requires one round of concentration and takes the form of any one of the following spell effects cast at the world guardian's character level: creeping doom, earthquake, storm of vengeance, or whirlwind.
The world guardian and her allies are unaffected by the effect. This power only functions on the Material Plane.
| World Guardian | Hit Die: d8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Level | Special | Spells per Day |
| 1st | World's friend | +1 level of existing class |
| 2nd | Speak with the world | +1 level of existing class |
| 3rd | Oaken hide +1 | +1 level of existing class |
| 4th | Bonus feat | +1 level of existing class |
| 5th | Hear the world | +1 level of existing class |
| 6th | Oaken hide +2 | +1 level of existing class |
| 7th | Strength of stone | +1 level of existing class |
| 8th | Bonus feat | +1 level of existing class |
| 9th | Walk the world, oaken hide +3 | +1 level of existing class |
| 10th | Unleash the world's fury | +1 level of existing class |
Source: Epic Level Handbook
Older Prestige class adapted to 3.5