Code of Honor Feat

[deathsausage]

So, or my RotR campaign one of my PCs decided to play a cleric of the God of Honor. I had not yet detailed this God, so I got down to it and realized I wanted a prestige class with a Code of Honor, not unlike that of the Knight. Then I got to thinking that such a thing shouldn't be limited to characters high-level enough to get in to the prestige class. What if it were a feat that was a prereq for the PrC? A drawback and a (larger) benefit in the same vein as the exalted vows.

Here's my first attempt:

Code of Honor
Prereq: Must worship Semdos.
The character must always follow the 47 laws of Honor. In game terms: The character neither gives nor receives flanking bonuses. The character will not attack a flat footed opponent. The character will never use lethal damage on a helpless foe. The character gives deference to members of the opposite sex. The character abstains from premarital sex.

The feat grants an immunity to fear, and a +2 on all charisma based skill checks.

What do you think? Good enough rewards? Not good enough? Needs extra bits to represent fair play in combat? I crave feedback.

Thanks for your help!

[Fatespinner]

I would add an additional drawback and an additional benefit:

-Character must accept an enemy's surrender if it is offered in good faith.

-Character gains a +4 bonus on Will saves against effects that would cause him to violate his Code of Honor.

[Chris P]

At first glance the immunity to fear seems a bit pwerful, but I guess the code balances it out.

[Rezdave]

deathsausage wrote:

The feat grants an immunity to fear, and a +2 on all charisma based skill checks.

Maybe just +4 vs. fear and fear-effects.

The +2 should probably only apply to skill checks when dealing with Lawful creatures. Chaotic beings might consider him a joke, and actually penalize him -2.

I do agree with Fatespinner's suggestions.

Also, if the character gives up flanking bonuses he should be allowed every right to retreat from combat against a superior foe. After all, coordinated action on multiple fronts against a powerful enemy is a legitimate military tactic.

(S)he shouldn't be stuck in a losing fight once it's started, unless there were previously-agreed-upon rules keeping him there that the opponent has not violated.

Rez

[deathsausage]

Thanks for the help!
I like the surrender requirement, very classy. I didn’t really worry too much about enchantments cast to break the code. Semdos is a pretty forgiving God. I’m starting to have second thoughts about the immunity to fear as well, considering the major theme of the Skinsaw Murders. I might still go with it. The problem is that I want a powerful effect for a feat that contains a drawback. Immunity to fear fits the bill perfectly, but gives a somewhat painful advantage in RoRL 2. Especially if I design it knowing what’s coming, which looks a bit like favoritism.

And he can certainly retreat from a fight. This party will likely walk into a TPK without that stipulation anyway. It would be foolish to stay and die, when survival can do more good. Especially if the enemy is dishonorable and would not allow a surrender.