Champion of the Dead (Antipaladin/Cleric)

(Original concept by gracefulArmageddon)

Primary: Antipaladin.

Secondary: Cleric.

Alignment: Any evil.

Hit Dice: d10.

Bonus Skills and Ranks: The champion of the dead selects three cleric skills to add to his class skills in addition to the normal antipaladin class skills. The champion of the dead gains a number of ranks at each level equal to +2 Int modifier.

Table: Champion of the Dead

Note: “+1” represents the domain spell slot

Weapon and Armor Proficiency

The champion of the dead is proficient with all simple and martial weapons, with all types of armor (heavy, light and medium), and with shields (except tower shields).

Spellcasting

A champion of the dead casts divine spells which are drawn from the antipaladin spell list and adds all domain spells from each of his deity’s domains to his spell list. He also adds the following spells to this list at the indicated spell levels: 

1st–decompose corpse, restore corpse, sculpt corpse

2nd–animate dead (lesser), command undead, ghoul touch

3rd–gentle repose, halt undead

4th–enervation

5th–ghoul army

6th–create undead

He must choose and prepare his spells in advance, and in the same manner as an antipaladin. He also gains one domain spell slot per spell level per day that can only be used to cast his domain spell. A champion of the dead can cast only a certain number of spells of each spell level per day according to his daily allotment, as shown on the Table: Champion of the dead. The champion of the dead gains bonus spells for a high Charisma score. A champion of the dead’s caster level is equal to his level. This ability otherwise functions as and replaces the antipaladin’s spellcasting ability.

Call of the Grave (Sp)

Once per day, a champion of the dead can call upon the powers of death to summon forth undead creatures to obey his command. This functions as summon monster I, except that the champion of the dead can only summon undead. Every two levels, the level of the summon monster spell increases to a maximum of summon monster IX at 17th level. The champion of the dead can summon the following undead creatures at the indicated level: 

1st–human skeleton, human zombie

3rd–ghoul, human juju zombie

5th–skeleton champion, zombie lord

7th–shadow, wight

9th–mummy

11th–ghost, revenant, specter

13th–shadow (greater), vampire

15th–graveknight

17th–banshee, lich

This ability is the equivalent of a spell of a level equal to one-third the champion of the dead’s level. A champion of the dead can use this ability once per day at 1st level, and one additional time per day for every three levels thereafter, up to seven times per day at 19th level. This ability replaces smite good.

Domain

A champion of the dead chooses one domain or an associated subdomain from among those belonging to his deity (see Domains at the end of the Cleric class entry in the Core Rulebook). A champion of the dead can select the Chaos, Death (or Undead subdomain), or Evil domain as his choice. The champion of the dead only gains the domain spells but not the powers and each spell is cast in his domain spell slot provided. He otherwise follows all other parameters pertaining to domains as described in the cleric class entry. This ability replaces channel negative energy 2d6, 4d6, 6d6, 8d6, and 10d6.

Aura of the Grave (Su)

At 3rd level, a champion of the dead radiates a chilling aura that causes all allies within 10 feet to take upon themselves some of the traits of the undead. Allies are treated as undead for the purposes of effects that heal or cause damage based on positive and negative energy while within 10 feet of the champion of the dead. This does not apply to the Turn Undead or Command Undead feats. If the channeled positive or negative energy targets the champion of the dead, he may choose whether he is treated as undead or a living creature at the time of the energy is channeled. This ability functions only while the antipaladin remains conscious, not if he is unconscious or dead. This ability replaces aura of cowardice.

Channel Negative Energy (Su)

This is exactly like the antipaladin ability of the same name, except that the champion of the dead’s cleric level when channeling energy is equal to 1/2 his champion of the dead level.

Undead Minion (Sp)

Upon reaching 5th level, a champion of the dead can animate an undead minion. This undead minion must be either a single humanoid skeleton or zombie. Once selected, the choice is set, but it may be changed whenever the champion of the dead gains a level. An undead minion does not gain bonus tricks or the devotion special ability. This undead minion otherwise functions as a druid's animal minion, but the champion of the dead’s effective druid level is equal to his champion of the dead’s level –3. A bonded undead minion has an Intelligence of at least 6.

An undead minion automatically follows the champion of the dead’s commands and does not need to be controlled by him. This minion does not count against the number of Hit Dice of undead controlled by other methods. A champion of the dead can use this ability to create a variant skeleton such as a bloody or burning skeleton, but the variant’s Hit Dice cannot exceed that of the undead minions total Hit Dice (see Table: Animal Minions).

Once per day, as a full-round action, a champion of the dead may magically call his undead minion to his side. This ability is the equivalent of a spell of a level equal to one-third the champion of the dead's level. The undead minion immediately appears adjacent to the champion of the dead. A champion of the dead can use this ability once per day at 5th level, and one additional time per day for every 4 levels thereafter, for a total of four times per day at 17th level.

At 11th level, the undead minion gains either the skeletal champion template (if a skeleton) or the zombie lord template (if a zombie).

At 15th level, a champion of the dead's undead minion gains spell resistance equal to the champion of the dead's level + 11.

Should the champion of the dead's minion is destroyed, the champion of the dead may not animate another minion for 30 days or until he gains a champion of the dead level, whichever comes first. During this 30-day period, the champion of the dead takes a –1 penalty on attack and weapon damage rolls. This ability replaces fiendish boon.

Aura of the Dead (Su)

At 8th level, a champion of the grave radiates a powerful aura that causes all undead within 10 feet to make a Will save or be controlled as the Command Undead feat. The save DC is equal 10 + 1/2 the champion of the dead’s level + the champion of the dead’s Charisma. When using this ability, the champion of the dead’s cleric level is equal to his level. If the champion of the dead has the Command Undead feat, he treats his cleric level as his level when channeling negative energy for the purpose of commanding undead creatures. His cleric level is equal to 1/2 his champion of the dead level when channeling negative energy to heal undead or harm living creatures, as normal. This ability replaces aura of despair.

Aura of the Tomb (Su)

At 11th level, a champion of the dead bolsters the strength of undead creatures within 10 feet of him. All undead creatrues are infused with negative energy and gain a +1 profane bonus on all attack rolls and saving throws, as well as 1 temporary hit point per Hit Die and a +2 bonus to its channel resistance. The bonus on attack rolls and saving throws increases by +1 every four champion of the dead levels beyond 11th. The bonuses and temporary hit points are immediately dispelled if the creature moves beyond 10 feet of the champion of the dead or is within the area of a consecrate spell. This ability replaces aura of vengeance.

Soul of the Crypt (Su)

At 17th level, a champion of the dead gains DR 5/bludgeoning and good. This ability replaces aura of depravity.

Undying Champion (Ex)

At 20th level, a champion of the dead joins the ranks of the undead. His DR increases to 10/bludgeoning and good. His type changes to undead, and he acquires all undead traits. Although immune to disease, he can still carry and spread diseases with the antipaladin’s plague bringer ability. The undying champion no longer has a Constitution score. He uses his Charisma score for calculating hit points, Fortitude saves, and any special abilities that rely on Constitution. This ability replaces unholy champion.