General Prestige Class : Glaive of Azharadian
The knights of Onnwal's Order of the Golden Sun are known as the Glaives of Azharadian, taking their name from that of one of the greatest generals in the history of the Aerdi people. The knighthood consists of three ranks, ascending in importance and influence from the general Glaives Martial to the journeymen Glaives Valorous and ultimately to the Glaives Virtuous, who comprise the most puissant warriors in the order. The foremost Glaive of Azharadian (typically a scion of one of Onnwal's four Great Noble Houses) is known as the Glaive Superior. The knighthood follows the tenets of Heironeous, so most members take up an active opposition of evil through honorable combat and good works throughout Onnwal. Ever since the nation fell under the thumb of the Scarlet Brotherhood during the Greyhawk Wars, the Glaives of Azharadian have worked to free their homeland from the clutches of tyranny.
Prospective knights must be sponsored by a glaive in good standing and seconded by any member of the Order of the Golden Sun (who need not be a knight). A candidate can be granted the title of knight only by the Glaive Superior at a conclave of no fewer than four other knights or priests of Heironeous, preferably members of the Glaives Cohort (see above). At the ceremony, the candidate must swear an oath of allegiance to the Order of the Golden sun, to the Free State of Onnwal, and to the nation's rightful and just ruler, Szek Jian Destron. A second oath is sworn to Heironeous to uphold honor, justice, and the ideals and traditions of the order as outlined in the Strictures of Azharadian. Before Onnwal's occupation, such ceremonies were commonly held under the Sacred Banner of the Golden Sun, once flown by Azharadian himself. Since the fall of Scant and the presumed destruction of the banner, the knighthood has taken to using a convincing replica for this purpose.
Glaives of Azharadian are expected to at least wear chainmail in the field, and since until recently all members of the knighthood were nobles, full plate predominates. Skill with a battleaxe or longsword is required, to honor the Archpaladin, and familiarity with the lance is greatly appreciated (axe-users greatly outnumber sword-wielders in the knighthood, in part because Azharadian himself used a battleaxe). All candidates to the order must know how to ride a horse. Full knights bear shields emblazoned with the arms of the Order of the Golden Sun - the flaming Aerdi sun surmounted by a silver hand gripping a lightning bolt with the slogan "Unvanquished even in death" written in Old Oeridian beneath the image. Not surprisingly, paladins dominate the order (they may multiclass freely as a Glaive of Azharadian). Fighters, who have the greatest potential for mastering the axe, and particularly powerful clerics of the Invincible One round out the order. Members of other classes, though uncommon, occasionally become Glaives of Azharadian.
Requirements
To qualify to become a Glaive of Azharadian, a character must fulfill all the following criteria:
- Alignment: Lawful neutral or lawful good.
- Skills: Handle Animal: 3 ranks, Knowledge (religion): 3 ranks, Ride: 6 ranks.
- Feats: Leadership, Weapon Focus (battleaxe or longsword).
- Base Attack Bonus: +6
- Language: Old Oeridian.
Other: Must worship Heironeous. Also, would-be glaives must have done a great deed in the eyes of the Order of the Golden Sun (usually some exceptional service to the Free State of Onnwal), garnering the sponsorship of two members of the order. They also must pass the first trial of membership, known as the Trial Martial.
Class Skills
The glaive of Azharadian's class skills are Climb, Diplomacy, Handle Animal, Heal, Jump, Knowledge (history), Knowledge (religion), and Ride.
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Class Features
All of the following are class features of the Glaive of Azharadian prestige class.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Glaives of Azharadian are proficient in the use of all simple and martial weapons and all armor, and with shields.
Martial Axe (Ex): Glaives of Azharadian receive a +1 morale bonus to attacks made with battleaxes or longswords, provided the glaive has the Weapon Focus feat related to that weapon.
Unvanquished Even in Death (Su): Through inner strength and faith in Heironeous, glaives of Azharadian can draw upon a reservoir of power in the most dire situations. Once per day, when the glaive's hit point total is brought between 0 and -9, the glaive's body becomes charged with vigor, granting him a bonus of reserve energy (glaives brought to -10 or fewer hit points die instantly). At 2nd level, this manifests as a +2 enhancement bonus to Constitution, at 6th level, the bonus increases to +4, and at 9th level, the bonus increases to +6. The Constitution bonus lasts a number of rounds equal to the glaive of Azharadian's class level. This ability does not function if the wound that brings the glaive between 0 and -9 hit points is self-inflicted or inflicted by an ally.
Bolt of Glory (Sp): By yelling an oath to the Archpaladin, a glaive wielding a battleaxe or longsword can cast the spell searing light as though cast by a cleric equal to the glaive's character level. A glaive can use this ability once per day.
Presence of Azharadian (Su): The mere presence of the glaive is enough to holster the courage of his allies and keep their minds focused on the task at hand. Any ally within 60 feet gains a +2 morale bonus to saving throws against fear or charm effects.
Valorous Axe (Su): Once per day, when employing a battleaxe or longsword in combat, the glaive can treat the weapon as if it has the keen weapon quality. The glaive can do this for a number of rounds equal to the glaive of Azharadian's class level. If the weapon is already keen, this power has no effect.
Wisdom of Azharadian (Ex): The glaive embodies Azharadian's natural talent for the martial life and thus selects a number of glaive of Azharadian class skills equal to 3 + his Intelligence modifier. When making a skill check with one of these skills, the glaive can take 10 even if stress and distractions would normally prevent him from doing so.
Virtuous Axe (Su): Once per day, when employing a battleaxe or longsword in combat, the glaive can treat the weapon as if it has The holy weapon quality. The glaive can do this for a number of rounds equal lo the glaive of Azharadian s class level. It the weapon is already holy, this power has no effect.
Sight of Azharadian (Ex): The supreme embodiment of the virtues of Azharadian, the glaive also embodies Azharadian's intuitive knowledge of his enemies. Therefore the glaive is never surprised and thus can always take a partial action during a surprise round (unless otherwise prevented from doing so).
Code of Conduct: Should a glaive ever willingly betray the tenets of his order, he immediately loses all glaive of Azharadian special class abilities. To regain those abilities, the glaive must renew his oaths with the leaders of the order; they must be aware of all the circumstances of the betrayal and willing to allow the glaive to return to the fold.
| Glaive of Azharadian | d8 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CL | BAB | Fort | Ref | Will | Special |
| 1 | +1 | +2 | +0 | +2 | Martial Axe |
| 2 | +2 | +3 | +0 | +3 | Unvanquished Even In Death (+2 Con) |
| 3 | +3 | +3 | +1 | +3 | Bolt of Glory |
| 4 | +4 | +4 | +1 | +4 | Presence of Azharadian |
| 5 | +5 | +4 | +1 | +4 | Valorous Axe |
| 6 | +6 | +5 | +2 | +5 | Unvanquished Even In Death ( +4 Con) |
| 7 | +7 | +5 | +2 | +5 | Wisdom of Azharadian |
| 8 | +8 | +6 | +2 | +6 | Virtuous Axe |
| 9 | +9 | +6 | +3 | +6 | Unvanquished Even In Death (+6 Con) |
| 10 | +10 | +7 | +3 | +7 | Sight of Azharadian |
Order The Glaives of Azharadian
Ranks Within the Order The Glaives of Azharadian can be divided into three specific branches, each technically subservient to those above it. When a candidate becomes a glaive, he is counted among the ranks of the Glaives Martial, which generally consists of knights of levels 1-4. More experienced knights often are elevated into the ranks of the Glaives Valorous. Around the time a knight achieves 7th level in the glaive of Azharadian prestige class, he is invited to test for the most honored rank within the knighthood, that of the Glaives Virtuous. Each rank enjoys its own characteristic rituals and observances, and prospective knights must apply for and successfully test into each of the branches. Such tests generally take place at knightly conclaves. At the end of such meetings, those who have successfully tested are elevated to their new rank. The specifics of each branch's test follows:
The Trial Martial: Over the years, the order's entrance trials have become increasingly ritualized. The Order of the Golden Sun holds a trial by combat annually at the Pavilion of the Order (near Azharadian's Pillar). There, candidates who have garnered a sponsorship from a serving glaive in good standing that is seconded by any member of the order endure a battle against an active Glaive Martial attending the conclave. While the candidate humbles himself in obeisance to Heironeous. the glaive dons ornamental black full plate and ceremonial robes, clothing his horse in onyx barding. The supplicant is not told the identity of his helmed opponent, who is meant to represent the Ebon Knight, Azharadian's final opponent and a nearly mythical figure who is said to usher the greatest Oeridian heroes into the afterlife. The supplicant and the Ebon Knight fight a duel from horseback with axes or longswords until one or the other asks for quarter. Such combats occasionally escalate to battles on foot, and throughout the history of the order, several obstinate knights or would-be glaives have been killed rather than dishonor themselves in surrender. While the hierarchy of the order frowns upon such lethality, the spirits of those who have fallen in the Trial Martial loom large over the proceedings, and all take the combats extremely seriously. If the supplicant proves victorious, he is said to have died and been reborn as a Glaive Martial, "unvanquished even in death." (Defeating the Ebon Knight is one of several requirements for choosing the glaive of Azharadian prestige class.) Only after he has been defeated is the identity of the mysterious Ebon Knight revealed, an event usually greeted with congratulations or commiserations from the "vanquished" foe.
The Trial Valorous: Few know the details of this intensely secret trial, in which a prospective journeyman knight is subjected not to a test of his martial ability, but of the mettle of his spirit and soul. Candidates fast and meditate within the shadow of Azharadian's Pillar, reportedly struggling with a vision of their own inner turmoil and the darkest aspects of their soul. Those who manage to overcome their personal weaknesses without being defeated by them are elevated to the ranks of the Glaive Valorous, but the specifics of how the contest is judged remain occluded to all who have not undergone the ordeal.
The Trial Virtuous: Like the trial that precedes it. the test to enter the Glaives Virtuous involves a meditative spiritual journey into the darkness of the knight's own heart. The trial begins when the knight is ushered to a secret cave beneath the Pillar of Azharadian. There, spirits from the serried ranks of Azharadian's fallen allies assail the knight in visions, testing his compassion, honor, valor, humility, and sense of justice. It is said that the final test is given by the spirit of Azharadian himself, in the company of Heironeous. Glaives who ultimately prove unworthy often quit the test in shame, their minds wholly broken by the terrible ordeal. Those who succeed, however, join the highest echelons of the Glaives of Azharadian and can claim the title Glaive Virtuous.
Source: Dragon #293