New class "Aldarian Justicar" (a new take on an old class) - Need Help


Homebrew and House Rules


Hey fellow gamers,

I really need some advice and perhaps a different perspective on a 're-imagining of the Justicar class. I'm looking for ideas, things that might be appropriate/inappropriate, mechanics, possible appropriate feats, skills, etc.

Here's what I'm taking from...my reference material as it were:

On the world of Aldaria, the gods can take 'Chosen Ones'. These are not clerics nor paladins, but chosen champions, mortal servants, of the particular god. The god will appear to the Chosen One and from then on, they are like a parent or loved one. The justicars are the Chosen Ones of the goddesses Nemesis and Themis (the gods of Vengeance and Justice. They are a self-imposing law unto themselves. They cannot be bribed. If you are guilty, you will get what’s coming to you. As judge, jury, and executioner, they are feared by those who are above the law, or work their sins in secret. To best describe a justicar, listen to the song by Johnny Cash:

God's Gonna Cut You Down lyrics

You can run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Sooner or later God'll cut you down
Sooner or later God'll cut you down

Go tell that long tongue liar
Go and tell that midnight rider
Tell the rambler, the gambler, the back biter
Tell 'em that God's gonna cut 'em down
Tell 'em that God's gonna cut 'em down

Well my goodness gracious let me tell you the news
My head's been wet with the midnight dew
I've been down on bended knee talkin' to the man from Galilee
He spoke to me in the voice so sweet
I thought I heard the shuffle of the angel's feet
He called my name and my heart stood still
When he said, "John go do My will!"

Go tell that long tongue liar
Go and tell that midnight rider
Tell the rambler, the gambler, the back biter
Tell 'em that God's gonna cut 'em down
Tell 'em that God's gonna cut 'em down

You can run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Sooner or later God'll cut you down
Sooner or later God'll cut you down

Well you may throw your rock and hide your hand
Workin' in the dark against your fellow man
But as sure as God made black and white
What's done in the dark will be brought to the light

You can run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Sooner or later God'll cut you down
Sooner or later God'll cut you down

Go tell that long tongue liar
Go and tell that midnight rider
Tell the rambler, the gambler, the back biter
Tell 'em that God's gonna cut you down
Tell 'em that God's gonna cut you down
Tell 'em that God's gonna cut you down

To become a justicar the goddesses come to the candidate and ask them if they wish to become one of their Chosen Ones. If they agree, they must be purged of their 'evil' and are Judged (via a form of divine Judgment Gaze - kind of a divine 'Alignment Audit').

Once Judged, they become a Chosen One. They receive the special ability to use the 'Judgment Gaze' power (The Gift of Nemesis) and receive their Sword of Judgment (the Gift of Themis), which when invoked by the justicar, can emit a Zone of Truth at the will of the justicar.

Aldarian Justicar (The “World of Aldaria” version) ROUGH DRAFT
Modified from page 47 of "Complete Warrior"

Requirements:
Alignment: Lawful neutral
BAB: +6
Skills: Gather Information 5 ranks, Perception 5 ranks, Survival 5 ranks.

Hit Dice: d10
Skill Points/Level: 4 + Intelligence Modifier
Class Skills:
Acrobatics, Climb, Diplomacy, Disable Device, Heal, Intimidate, Knowledge (local), Perception, Ride,
Sense Motive, Stealth, Survival, Swim
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Justicars gain Exotic Weapon Proficiency (manacles).

Level BAB Fort Reflex Will Special
1 +1 +0 +0 +2 Alertness, Detect Evil,Judgment
Gaze, Sword of Justice, Track
(feat)
2 +2 +0 +0 +3 Intimidating prowess, Uncanny
dodge
3 +3 +1 +1 +3 Street-savvy +2
4 +4 +1 +1 +4
5 +5 +1 +1 +4 Improved uncanny dodge
6 +6 +2 +2 +5 Street-savvy +4
7 +7 +2 +2 +5
8 +8 +2 +2 +6
9 +9 +3 +3 +6 Street-savvy +6
10 +10 +3 +3 +7

Class Features:
Judgment Gaze (Su): This is the gift granted by the goddess Nemesis. If the Justicar can make and hold eye contact with an opponent for one full round, he can use his Judgment Gaze ability to incapacitate them. Any target of this ability gets a Will save (10+ the total number of levels in the Justicar class) to resist this effect. Passing the Will save still results in the target being incapacitated for 1 min. Failing the Will save causes the target to fall into a coma wherein they are effectively helpless as they are forced to relive all the deeds they have done to wrong others. They remain in this state until released by the Justicar or by some other higher power (i.e. Wish, Miracle, divine intervention).

Detect Evil (Sp): A justicar can detect evil at will with a duration determined by the levels in the justicar class.

Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Manacles): Manacles can now be used by the justicar as if they were a light flail, without any penalties for using improvised weapons.

Alertness (Ex): At 1st level, a justicar has the Alertness feat.

Tracking (Ex): At 1st level, a justicar can track like a Ranger.

Street Savvy (Ex): In the pursuit of a criminal, Justicars gain a bonus on all Gather Information checks as indicated.

Code of Conduct: A justicar must be of a lawful neutral alignment and loses all class features except proficiencies if they ever willingly commit an evil act. In short, a fallen justicar must atone to the goddesses and be Judged again to return to favored status.

Sword of Justice: A gift from the goddess, Themis, “Lady Justice”, the Sword of Justice has a generic metallic colored blade and a black hilt. There is a small white symbol (“Justice” rune – Tyr rune) etched in on side of the black hilt. The sword is unbreakable, and it will retain an extremely keen edge no matter what it cuts or is struck against, and always gleams with a faint white tinge. This sword acts as a +5 Keen Longsword with the following abilities: Light Generation (as spell – at will), Zone of Truth (as spell - at will) and True Seeing (as spell - at will).


While the idea sounds nice, the mechanics make it look like a paladin on steroids.

You might wanna spread out the abilities a bit, because currently, there doesn't seem to be any reason to stay beyond the first level.

You should make the gaze work like other ability mechanics, give it a limited use, perhaps a range and a 'cast time' like an Assassins ability to observe then assassinate a target, because currently, it sounds like you can gaze any enemy down, then cut their head off in two turns.

Example: Gaze of Judgement: By making a gaze attack, the Justicar can attempt to daze/stun a target of his choice. The effect lasts for one round per Justicar Level, and requires a Will save to work. This ability is usabel 2 + Cha times a day(or copy amount of Smite Evil a paladin gets.)

Each other or third level could give an additional use.

The other part is the sword. A +5 sword at 7th level, for free mind you with three spells at will, two of which are kinda high level, is a lil bit silly. Give the sword at start, make it level up, becoming a +5 at the last level of justicar, gaining the true seeing ability at end, zone of truth in middle, and light generation at start.

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