Faerûnian Prestige Class : Knight of the Blue Moon
"Observe the waxing and waning of the moon, and watch how the Weave ebbs and flows in response. 'Tis the Daughter of the Moonmaiden responding to the tug of her mother's bosom." - Xale of the Starry Glen
Knights of the Blue Moon are elite soldiers in the endless battle against the Mistress of the Night. Their tactics are strictly governed by the phase of the moon, for they are strongest when the moon is full and weakest when the moon is new. Drawing on Selûne's tidal influence over the Weave, they attack when the moon is waxing and their offensive powers grow strong, and they defend when the moon is waning and their defensive powers move to the fore.
Cleric/sorcerers and paladin/sorcerers make good Knights of the Blue Moon, for they combine a diverse array of spontaneously cast spells with the ability to channel the divine power of their deity. Cleric/bards and even ex-bard/paladins can also become Knights of the Blue Moon, although they are far less common.
Depending on your base spellcasting class or classes, you'll find that Wisdom or Charisma remains your most valuable ability score. If you choose to emphasize your capabilities as a sorcerer, you might wish to emphasize your Dexterity as well, allowing you to become a ranged combatant. Otherwise, the usual mix of Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution are likely to be as important to you as they are to all melee combatants.
Requirements
To qualify to become a Knight of the Blue Moon, a character must fulfill all the following criteria:
- Alignment: Any good
- Skills: Concentration 8 ranks, Knowledge (arcana) 4 ranks, Knowledge (religion) 4 ranks.
- Feats: Craft Magic Arms And Armor, Lunar Magic, and either Weapon Focus (heavy mace) or Exotic Weapon Proficiency (shuriken),
- Base Attack Bonus: +4
- Spells: Ability to cast arcane spells spontaneously.
- Patron Deity: Selûne or Mystra.
- Special: Ability to turn undead, membership in the Order of the Blue Moon (see page 44, Waterdeep).
Class Skills
The knight of the Blue Moon's class skills are Concentration, Craft, Diplomacy, Handle Animal, Heal, Knowledge (arcana), Knowledge (religion), Profession, Ride, Spellcraft, and Survival.
Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.
Class Features
All of the following are class features of the Knight of the Blue Moon prestige class.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Knights of the Blue Moon gain no proficiency with any weapons, armor, or shields. Selûne's favored weapon is the heavy mace, which Knights of the Blue Moon refer to as the moon's hand. Mystra's favored weapon is the shuriken, which Knights of the Blue Moon refer to as whirlstars.
Spellcasting: A Knight of the Blue Moon continues training in magic. When you gain a level in this class, you gain new spells per day and an increase in caster level (and spells known, if applicable) as if you had also gained a level in a spellcasting class you belonged to before adding the prestige class. You do not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained. If you had more than one spellcasting class before becoming a Knight of the Blue Moon, you must decide to which class you add the new level for purposes of determining spells per day, caster level, and spells known.
Moon Blessing (Su): During days and nights of the waning or new moon, you can channel the influence of Selûne over the Weave to reduce the impact of magic directed at you. At the cost of a single attempt to turn undead, you receive a sacred bonus equal to +1 per class level on a single saving throw against a spell or spell-like ability. Using this ability is an immediate action.
During days and nights of the waxing or full moon, you can channel the influence of Selûne over the Weave to increase the impact of magic cast by you. At the cost of a single attempt to turn undead, you increase the saving throw DC of a single use of a spell or spell-like ability by an amount equal to your class level. Using this ability is a swift action.
Special Mount: At 1st level, you can call a special mount. This ability is identical to the paladin ability of the same name, except the mount will always match your alignment. Levels of paladin and Knight of the Blue Moon stack for purposes of determining the special mount's abilities. In addition, if you do not have a familiar, levels of sorcerer or wizard also stack for purposes of determining the special mount's abilities.
Faerie Fire (Sp): At 2nd level, you can use faerie fire, as the spell, three times per day.
Lunar Sight (Ex): Knights of the Blue Moon of 2nd level and above have low-light vision. If you already have low-light vision, you instead gain improved low-light vision, which means that you see four times as far as a human in conditions of poor illumination.
Divine Moonlight (Su): At 3rd level, any spell with the light descriptor is heightened by one level, as if you had the Heighten Spell feat. The spell does not require a spell slot of higher level or require you to prepare such spells in advance.
Selûne's Foresight (Su): At 3rd level, you can tap into the prophetic powers associated With the moon, giving you a +2 insight bonus on initiative rolls.
Weavesight (Sp): At 4th level, you can use arcane sight, as the spell, three times per day.
Moon Kiss (Su): At 5th level, you can channel the silver light of Selûne into weapons or armor you use. When the moon is waxing or full, at the cost of a single attempt to turn undead, a magic weapon you wield receives the property of brilliant energy for 1 round. This use of the ability is a swift action.
When the moon is waning or new, at the cost of a single attempt to turn undead, armor you wear receives the property of spell resistance (SR 10+ character level) for 1 round. Using this ability is an immediate action.
| Knight of the Blue Moon | Hit Dice: d8 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CL | BAB | Fort | Ref | Will | Special | Spells |
| 1st | +0 | +2 | +0 | +2 | Moon blessing, special mount | +1 level of existing class |
| 2nd | +1 | +3 | +0 | +3 | Faerie fire 3/day, lunar sight | +1 level of existing class |
| 3rd | +2 | +3 | +1 | +3 | Divine moonlight, Selûne's foresight | +1 level of existing class |
| 4th | +3 | +4 | +1 | +4 | Weavesight 3/day | +1 level of existing class |
| 5th | +3 | +4 | +1 | +4 | Moon kiss | +1 level of existing class |
Playing a Knight of the Blue Moon
Although the Lady of Loss can never be defeated, you are a dedicated foe of the forces of darkness, bitterness, and loss, battling the followers of Shar wherever they appear. Where others see weakness in the endless waning and waxing of the Moonmaiden, you see a way to control the ebb and flow of combat. Where others are tempted by the dark power of the Shadow Weave, you see hidden power in the tidal fluctuations of the Weave.
You excel at tactics, always seeking to maximize your advantage over your foes. You see the glass as it is, both half empty and half full, untroubled by temporary setbacks or inclined to rash behavior thanks to unexpected victory. You live your life in accordance with the heavens, advancing when the signs are favorable and retreating when dire portents beckon.
Resources
The Order of the Blue Moon is relatively new (less than two decades old) and is concentrated in lands where the church of Shar is powerful. Although it has little in the way of finances, the churches of Selûne and Mystra do all they can to support the Order in such lands.
In general, a Knight of the Blue Moon can obtain healing (or other spellcasting services) from a cleric of Selûne or Mystra at 25% of the normal cost, and his or her companions can obtain healing at 75% the normal cost.
Knights of the Blue Moon in the world
The Order of the Blue Moon is a religious organization dedicated to Selûne and Mystra. Based north of Waterdeep, they are a growing presence in the City of Splendors despite tensions with the Mystran clergy in the House of Wonder. The Order of the Blue Moon is described in detail on Blue Moon.
NPC Reactions
The Order of the Blue Moon is a relatively new knightly order m a world that has large numbers of such religious organizations. Outside the city of Waterdeep, the Order's existence is largely unknown, and thus most NPCs treat it like any other crusading order - with wary regard. Those that do learn something of the Order in their roles as part of the church hierarchy of Selûne or Mystra are often put off by its perceived heresy of venerating both Selûne and Mystra. Displays of lunar magic engender great interest among students of the Art, for lunar magic is relatively unknown among those who study the many ways to manipulate the Weave.
Knights of the Blue Moon Lore
The Order of the Blue Moon is known in the City of Splendors, but most folks think it a knightly order that serves a specific church, like the Order of the Aster. Characters who succeed on a Knowledge (local Waterdeep) or Knowledge (religion) check can learn the following information, including the information from lower DCs.
DC 10: The Moonmaiden's temple is defended by the Knights of the Blue Moon, a newly founded religious order.
DC 15: While the Order of the Blue Moon is backed by both the Moonmaiden and the Lady of Mysteries, it has much stronger support from the church of Selûne than it does from the church of Mystra.
DC 20: The Order of the Blue Moon has an isolated chapterhouse on one of the Red Rocks.
Encounters
Knights of the Blue Moon are most commonly encountered as potential allies for player characters, particularly when the PCs are taking on the minions of Shar. The Knights are a particularly useful ally for characters who have begun to run afoul of the Shadow Weave and need to counter its pernicious influence.
Source: City of Splendors: Waterdeep