Revision as of 19:13, 7 April 2015

Lancer

Richard, iconic lancer

"I do not hold the line; I am the line."

While the art of lancing was originally devised by burmecians as a means to do combat with dragons on the wing, the art has since evolved into something significantly more. In the course of warfare, it was found that while defenders and their ilk are quite capable of holding a line, they require that the enemy come to them; einhanders, meanwhile, must go to their enemy to engage them, crossing open ground that is very often the subject of archery attacks.

Cue the lancer: a profession whose purpose is to leap into the fray and strike their foes. Able to cross great gaps with bounding leaps, wielding large, reaching weapons that could affect a number of foes, military forces found it in their interests to train troops in this fighting style, allowing them to wreak havoc behind enemy lines, whether to push them towards defensive lines or to simply throw them into disarray.

Among adventuring parties, the lancer is relatively uncommon but not unknown. Their ability to pin down foes and wreak havoc amongst large numbers of creatures makes lancers a strong asset for adventurers, despite the fact that they are trained to "pull their punches" to avoid harming allies. Combined with a strong ranged element, lancers make for a powerful ally, but without support lack the staying power or ability to wreak devastation like other warriors.

Game Rule Information

Lancers have the following game statistics.

Force Alignment: None.

Force Resistances: None.

Abilities: Strength is the most important ability for a lancer; a high Strength enables him to jump better, farther, and faster, and also improves his ability to damage foes.

Hit Die: d10.

Class Skills: The lancer’s class skills are Agility (Dex), Balance (Dex), Brawn (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Jump (Str), Martial Lore (Int), Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex), and Sense Motive (Wis).

Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int.

Ethos: Any.

Starting Age: Simple.

Starting Gold: 4d4 x 10gp.

Favored By: Burmecians.

Class Features

All of the following are class features of the lancer.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Lancers are proficient with all simple weapons, the halfling sarrash, heavy poleaxe, glaive, greatspear, guisarme, lucerne hammer, and ranseur. They are proficient with light and medium armor, but not shields.

Maneuver List

The following is the lancer maneuver list.

Design Notes

We're going to throw out logic and do the impossible.

Design Goal: Take the 4e Controller role, mix with the FF dragoon concept, add a tablespoon of Bo9S, and set to "blend." Garnish with abilities ripped from FF XIV and prior incarnations of this class. Serve chilled.