Basic Information
Classes Allowed: Avenger
Races Allowed: Human, Dwarf, Half-Vistani
Alignments Allowed: Chaotic Good
Ability Requirements: Charisma 15+, Wisdom 15+
Prime Requisite: Strength, Constitution
Starting Cash: 5d4 gp
Proficiencies
Available Categories: Common, Warrior, By Race
Bonus Proficiencies: Local History
Recommended Proficiencies: Armorer, Weaponsmithing, Riding, Land-Based
Few families have suffered more at the hands of the dark powers than that of the Shadowborn clan. For centuries, this proud and noble line produced some of the most pious heroes and heroines imaginable - only to see them claimed by evil and darkness.
Despite the tragic history of this family, it remains dedicated to the service of truth and justice. To that end, young Alexi Shadowborn founded an order of knighthood known as the Circle. Members of the Circle became known as Knights of the Shadows. Since its inception, the Circle has been one of the few bright spots in history of the Demiplane of Dread.
Requirements
In order to become a Knight of Shadows, a character must have both Charisma and Wisdom scores of not less than 15. He can be a human, dwarf, or half-Vistani and must be an avenger. All Knights of Shadows must be of chaotic good alignment.
The Circle meets once per year at a ring of standing stones located in a hidden grove somewhere in the domain of Avonleigh (which is in the Shadowborn Cluster). Intentional failure by a Knight of the Shadows to make this pilgrimage results in dismissal from the order. Apart from this grove, the Circle has no recognized headquarters.
Description
Those familiar with the organization can easily recognize a Knight of the Shadows. Even in the most perilous of situations, a member of this society takes no steps to disguise himself or otherwise hide his membership in the Circle. As a result, they are the most famous of the "secret" societies.
Knights of the Shadows always wear plate-mail armor adorned with the eclipsed sun that stands as the symbol of the group. This icon also serves as a clasp to secure the traditional black and yellow cape that all members wear.
Roleplaying
The Circle seeks to bring the light of truth and justice into a world seemingly devoid of such virtues. They do so by opposing the evil of the domain lords wherever they can. Such activities would be almost suicidal if members of this order did not take such great care to protect themselves.
While these knights do not conceal their identities, they rely heavily on safehouses and subtle strategies to remain one step ahead of the lords who would see them exterminated. Because directly facing and defeating a domain lord is almost impossible, they often attempt to cripple them by destroying their chief lieutenants.
Knights of the Shadow are driven by a need to protect those who cannot protect themselves. Most often, this is out of affection and devotion. A knight cannot bear the thought that misfortune should come to those he loves and cares for. If he must risk his own life to keep them from harm, then so be it.
Most Knights of the Shadows have a persecution complex. For all their goodness, all their efforts to battle evil, all their sacrifices, few appreciate them, and some are outwardly hostile toward them. They take greatest pride in what they do for its own sake, not only because their code calls for it but because they know deep down that "virtue is its only reward" in the Land of the Mists. Because Knights do their best to hide their frustrations, they can develop stomach problems, succumb to depression (which they may never acknowledge), or suffer from a variety of mild nervous disorders. Some of them become heroic to a suicidal degree, and others eventually give up their ideals and leave the order. Still others become philosopher-knights, who see everyone as fellow victims of life, making a Knight of the Shadow an everyman, no different than the next person.
Benefits
Unlike most other warriors, Knights of the Shadows have a limited spellcasting ability. These staunch warriors can cast priest spells with an aibility equal to paladins do. This is a product of their dedication to truth and justice. This advantage does not, however, permit these knights to turn undead.
All members of the Circle act as the defenders of a specific group. Thus, any player using this kit must select a specific segment of the populace to whom his character is devoted. For example, a character from the Village of Barovia might be a defender of the folk who dwell in that forlorn town. On occasion, a defender might opt for a tighter or looser focus. At one end of this scale is the character who defends a specific clan or family; at the other is someone who seeks to protect his whole race or nation.
The actions and dedication of a Knight of the Shadows earn him a certain amount of favor with those he protects. This manifests in a Charisma bonus that comes into play when dealing with his chosen flock (up to a maximum Charisma of 20). The more focused a Knight's attentions are, the greater his bonus, as indicated on the following table.
| Defender's Focus |
Charisma Bonus |
|
| Family | +5 | |
| Village | +4 | |
| City | +3 | |
| Region | +2 | |
| Domain | +1 |
No member of the Circle ever adopts an area larger than a domain, although each generally tries to protect the largest area that he can. No two knights ever allow their areas to overlap, so any given region is under the protection of only a single member of the Circle at any time. Of course, a Knight of the Shadows can call upon his peers to join him when he faces an especially dangerous enemy, but this seldom happens.
Hindrances
The magic of a Knight of the Shadows is not as potent as that of other characters. As such, any saving throw made to resist one of their spells receives a +1 bonus.
Many people, especially those who have not benefited from the actions of these knights, look down on the members of the Circle. Knights of the Shadows are seen as would-be heroes who often stir up more trouble than they resolve. Thus, the Charisma bonus that members of the Circle receive when dealing with those they protect becomes a penalty when dealing with those who live around the area they guard. Thus, if the avenger protects an entire domain, then the inhabitants of the nearby domains look down on him. If he guards a single family, then their neighbors despise the protector.
In addition to the obvious difficulties that this handicap presents, there is a greater danger than simply having a bad reputation. A person who especially despises the knight may turn him in to the agents of the domain lord. Some domain lords may approve of or disregard these knight's actions, depending on what it is they protect the people from exactly, and others may even seek to manipulate these guardians for their own dark purposes. However, there are far more darklords who would rather just exterminate any such challengers. The horrors that might follow such a decision are best left unexplored.
