General Prestige Class : Aerial Avenger - Wrath on Wings
by Monte Cook, Dragon #319
Some say there is a brotherhood - unspoken, perhaps - among those who can leave the ground behind and take to the sky. The unbridled freedom enjoyed by such creatures breeds jealousy in their earthbound lessers. A role common among creatures as diverse as dragons, cloud giants, and harpies, the aerial avenger is a combatant trained to utilize the ability to fly to its utmost. They come streaking out of the sky to attack those below with skill and ferocity, inspiring dread in all who experience their assaults.
Aerial avengers are quite rare among humanoid races, although sometimes a sorcerer with the ability to magically fly takes up the necessary training. Usually however, aerial avengers are creatures like mephits, celestials, certain fiends, giant eagles, sphinxes, dragons (and half-dragons), sprites, and couatls - to name just a few. Even beholders and other creatures that fly by non-traditional means sometimes become aerial avengers. Usually, an aerial avenger serves as a steward over his fellow creatures, defending them against attack and retaliating against their enemies. They sometimes form into efficient cadres of flying warriors.
Requirements
To qualify to become an Aerial Avenger, a character must fulfill all the following criteria:
- Skills: Tumble 5 ranks.
- Feats: Dodge, Mobility.
- Base Reflex Save: +3
- Special: Must have a fly speed or the ability to cast fly at least twice per day.
Class Skills
The aerial avenger's class skills are Balance, Concentration, Craft, Escape Artist, Hide, Jump, Listen, Move Silently, Perform, Profession, Survival, Swim, and Tumble.
Skill Points at Each Level: 6 + Int modifier.
Class Features
All of the following are class features of the aerial avenger prestige class.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Aerial avengers are proficient with all simple and martial weapons but with no armor or shields.
Flyby Attack: At 1st level, the aerial avenger gets Flyby Attack as a bonus feat.
Momentum (Ex): A 2nd-level aerial avenger learns to use his momentum and weight to his advantage while fighting. If in the air, the aerial avenger gains a +1 competence bonus to damage. At 5th level, this bonus becomes +2, and at 8th level it rises to +3.
Power Dive (Ex): When a 2nd-level aerial avenger makes a dive (charge) attack, he deals an additional +1d6 points of damage if he hits.
Maneuverability Increase (Ex): At 3rd level, the aerial avenger's maneuverability increases by one rank, so that an aerial avenger with an average maneuverability gains good maneuverability. If the aerial avenger's maneuverability is already perfect, this ability cannot affect it. The aerial avenger's maneuverability increases again at 7th level.
Speed (Ex): At 3rd level, the aerial avenger learns to increase his speed by +10 feet. This bonus increases by +10 feet at 8th level.
Death From Above (Ex): Through training and practice, the 4th-level aerial avenger improves his attack bonus while airborne. If in the air above a foe, the aerial avenger gains a +1 competence bonus to attacks. At 9th level, this bonus increases to +2.
Range Increase (Ex): The 4th-level aerial avenger, when making a ranged attack while in the air, increases the distance of any range increment (or in the case of spells that require a ranged attack roll, an increase in the overall range) by 50%.
Swoop (Ex): At 6th level, the aerial avenger learns to make a devastating attack. While flying in a straight line (using a full-round action), the aerial avenger can move his speed, making a melee attack at any foe within reach on his path. For each foe attacked beyond the first, each attack suffers a -1 attack penalty, so the aerial avenger must declare how many foes he attacks before he starts (minimum two). The aerial avenger gives up his regular attacks to take this action. This is an extraordinary ability that draws no attacks of opportunity, even if the aerial avenger passes through threatened areas on his way through the swoop.
Terrifying Shriek (Ex): The 10th-level aerial avenger can add a shrill shriek to any swoop attack, causing all creatures within 50 feet of the point of the first attack to make a Will saving throw (DC 20 plus the aerial avenger's Charisma modifier) or become panicked for 1d6+4 rounds.
| Aerial Avenger | Hit Die: d8 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CL | BAB | Fort | Ref | Will | Special |
| 1st | +0 | +0 | +2 | +0 | Flyby Attack |
| 2nd | +1 | +0 | +3 | +0 | Momentum +1, power dive |
| 3rd | +2 | +1 | +3 | +1 | Maneuverability increase, speed +10 feet |
| 4th | +3 | +1 | +4 | +1 | Death from above +1, range Increase |
| 5th | +3 | +1 | +4 | +1 | Momentum +2 |
| 6th | +4 | +2 | +5 | +2 | Swoop |
| 7th | +5 | +2 | +5 | +2 | Maneuverability increase, speed +10 feet |
| 8th | +6 | +2 | +6 | +a | Momentum +3 |
| 9th | +6 | +3 | +6 | +3 | Death from above +2 |
| 10th | +7 | +3 | +7 | +3 | Terrifying shriek |
Source: Dragon #319
Dragon Compendium Vol. 1