D&Dtools1

A Maquar crusader follows a strict code of conduct that not only limits what he can own or where he can live, but also limits the ways in which merchants can influence him.

Requirements

Class Features

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Maquar crusaders are proficient with all simple and martial weapons, all types of armor, and shields.

Uncanny Loyalty (Ex): The Maquar crusader's unswerving dedication and loyalty to his duty makes him difficult to corrupt or influence. Beginning at 1st-level, he gains a +1 resistance bonus on Will saves against all mind-affecting spells and spell-like abilities; this bonus increases as the crusader gains levels, until it reaches +4 at 10th level.

Harm's Way (Ex): A Maquar crusader can elect to place himself in the path of danger to protect a single ally, called his charge. Anytime the crusader is within 5 feet of his charge, and the charge is subject to an attack, the crusader can elect to switch places with her and take the attack in her place (the two physically switch spaces). The crusader must declare his intent to switch places with his charge before the attack roll is made. A charge can be selected as a free action when the crusader rolls initiative at the beginning of a combat and cannot be changed for the duration of that combat. The Maquar crusader can only use this ability if his charge is one size category larger than he is, or smaller.

Greater Weapon Focus: Maquar crusaders receive Greater Weapon Focus (falchion) as a bonus feat.

Smite (Su): Once per day, a Maquar crusader of 2nd level or higher can make a single melee attack with a +4 attack bonus and a damage bonus equal to his Maquar crusader level. The crusader must declare the smite before making the attack roll, and that smite use is wasted for the day if he misses. At 6th level, the smite is usable two times per day, increasing to three times per day at 9th level.

Allied Defense: A 3rd-level Maquar crusader gains Allied Defense (see page 19) as a bonus feat.

Defensive Strike (Ex): Starting at 4th level, a Maquar crusader can make an attack of opportunity against an adjacent opponent who attacks his charge in melee. The crusader is still limited to one attack of opportunity per round, unless he has the Combat Reflexes feat. He gains a +1 bonus on this attack for every three levels above 4th.

Deflect Attack(Ex): Beginning at 5th level, the Maquar crusader can attempt to parry a melee attack against his charge. To attempt this, he must be within 5 feet of his charge, aware of the impending attack, not flat-footed, and holding a melee weapon or shield capable of deflecting the attack. Once per round when his charge would normally be hit with a melee weapon, the crusader can make a Reflex save (DC 20 + attacking weapon's magic enhancement bonus [if any]). If he succeeds, he deflects the blow as a free action, rendering it harmless. At 8th level, the Maquar crusader gains a +1 competence bonus on this Reflex save.

Code of Conduct: The Maquar crusader must adhere to a strict code of conduct at all times or risk being expelled from the Maquar and losing his honored status within society. A Maquar cannot own anything other than the clothes he wears, his armor, his sword, and a small amount of personal effects that he can carry himself. (Maquar crusaders hailing from the paladin class can keep their special mounts and the gear required for riding.) He has no home other than the one his rajah supplies him. It is the rajah's responsibility to provide for a Maquar crusader (one cannot hold a job other than as a crusader), but he is expected to assist the public in a time of need, whether that means defending the rajah from assassins or helping to build a new public building in a small village. A Maquar crusader cannot take payment for his service, whether in coin or other material goods, but he can ask for a single night's hospitality from any citizen when he is away from his usual quarters. The Maquar are expected to obey the rajah (or a leader he appoints to operate on his behalf) unquestioningly.

Multiclass Note: A character who was a paladin before joining the Maquar crusader prestige class can freely add levels of Maquar crusader without losing the ability to advance as a paladin, so long as he continues to meet all other requirements for maintaining paladin status. This is an exception to the rule in the Ex-Paladins section, page 44 of the Player's Handbook. Violating this expanded limit by multiclassing into a class other than Maquar crusader ends the character's development as a paladin, as described in the standard rules. Such multiclassing does not end the character's development as a Maquar crusader.

Advancement