(Excerpt from Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting, By Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, et. al.)
© 2001 Wizards of the Coast

Purple Dragon Knight

The famous Purple Dragons of Cormyr are regarded across Faerūn as exemplars of disciplined, skilled, loyal soldiers. Their reputation is deserved partly because of the heroic actions of their leaders, the Purple Dragon Knights.

Purple Dragon knights develop uncanny skills related to coordinating and leading soldiers. Most are fighters, rangers, or paladins, but a few bards, clerics, and rogues have been known to become Purple Dragon knights. Sorcerers and wizards tend to join the War Wizards, Cormyr's elite brigade of fighting spellcasters, while barbarians are too undisciplined, and druids and monks too "uncivilized" in Cormyr to enter this career.

In general, NPC knight commanders are responsible for leading the troops of the nation of Cormyr. Player character knights either are retirees, special liaisons to the army, or recipients of honorary titles. A character's level in this prestige class is irrelevant to his rank in the military, although higher-ranked knights tend to be of higher level. It is not necessary to have this prestige class to serve in the Purple Dragons at large.

This prestige class can be used as a model for officers in other countries, members of knightly orders, and so on. It is not necessary to have this prestige class to be an officer of the Purple Dragons, but most high-ranking officers do.

Hit Die: d10

Requirements

To qualify to become a Purple Dragon Knight (Prp), a character must fulfill all of the following criteria.

Alignment: Any nonevil and nonchaotic.
Base Attack Bonus: +4
Skills: Diplomacy or Intimidate 1 rank, Listen 2 ranks, Ride 2 ranks, Spot 2 ranks.
Feats: Weapon Focus (any melee weapon), Alertness
Special: Membership in the Purple Dragons.

Class Skills:
The Purple Dragon knight's class skills (and the key ability requirements for each skill) are Climb (Str), Diplomacy (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Ride (Dex), Swim (Str). See Chapter 4: Skills in the Player's Handbook for skill descriptions.

Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.

Class Features

All of the following are class features of the Purple Dragon knight prestige class.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A Purple Dragon knight is proficient with all simple weapons, light armor, medium armor, and shields.

Rallying Cry (Su): The knight can utter a powerful shout (typically "For Cormyr!") that causes all allies within 60 feet to gain a +1 morale bonus on their next attack roll and increases their speed by 5 feet until the knight's next turn. Traditionally, the rallying cry is used when a formation of soldiers is about to charge. This mind-affecting ability may be used up to three times per day.

Heroic Shield: A knight can use the aid another action (see page 135 of the Player's Handbook) to give an ally a +4 circumstance bonus to AC instead of the normal +2.

Inspire Courage (Su): This ability has the same effect as the bard ability of the same name. The knight makes an inspirational speech, bolstering his allies against fear and improving their combat abilities. To be affected, an ally must hear the knight speak for a full round. The effect lasts as long as the knight speaks and for 5 rounds after the knight stops speaking (or 5 rounds after the ally can no longer hear the knight). While speaking, the knight can fight but cannot cast spells, activate magic items by spell completion (such as scrolls), or activate magic items by magic word (such as wands). Affected allies receive a +2 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 morale bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls.

Fear (Su): Once per day, a knight can evoke a fear effect (DC 13 + the officer's Charisma modifier). His allies are immune to the effect.

Oath of Wrath (Su): Once per day, a knight can select a single opponent within 60 feet and swear an oath to defeat him. For the duration of the encounter, the knight has a +2 morale bonus on melee attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saves, and skill checks made against the challenged target.

The effect is negated immediately if the knight makes an attack or casts a spell targeted at any creature except the challenged opponent (attacks of opportunity do not count) or if the knight uses a full-round action to move away from the challenged opponent.

Final Stand (Su): Once per day, a knight can inspire his troops to a heroic effort, temporarily increasing their vitality. All allies within 10 feet of the knight gain 2d10 temporary hit points. This ability affects a number of creatures equal to the knight's class level + his Charisma modifier and lasts an equal number of rounds.

Table 1-16: The Purple Dragon Knight

Level Base Attack Bonus Fort Save Ref Save Will Save Special
1st +1 +2 +0 +0 Rallying Cry, Heroic Shield
2nd +2 +3 +0 +0 Inspire Courage (1/day)
3rd +3 +3 +1 +1 Fear
4th +4 +4 +1 +1 Oath of Wrath, Inspire Courage (2/day)
5th +5 +4 +1 +1 Final Stand