Imperial Pathfinder (Samurai/Ranger)

Loyalty, courage, and resolve–these are all quintessential qualities of the noble samurai. However, there are those select few who are called to serve the emperor on behalf of the people by bonding with the land and wildlife of his homeland. The imperial pathfinder is by nature a rover, trained to ferret out the enemies of the empire from the most remote parts of the land. With his trusted animal companion at his side, he is able to track down elusive criminals high in the mountains, locate encampments of rebel armies in the deep forests, or expose traitors from within the imperial court itself. (Original Concept by Elghinn Lightbringer)

Primary Class: Samurai.

Secondary Class: Ranger.

Alignment: Any.

Hit Dice: d10.

Bonus Skills and Ranks: The imperial pathfinder may select three ranger skills to add to his class skills in addition to the normal samurai class skills, one of which must be Survival. The imperial pathfinder gains a number of ranks at each level equal to 4 + Int modifier.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The imperial pathfinder is proficient with all simple and martial weapons, plus the katana, naginata, and wakizashi. The imperial pathfinder is proficient with light and medium armor, but not with shields.

Animal Companion (Ex): At 1st level, an imperial pathfinder forms a close bond with an animal companion. An imperial pathfinder can choose from the following list: badger, bird, camel, cat (small), dire rat, dog, horse, pony, snake (viper or constrictor), or wolf. If the campaign takes place wholly or partly in an aquatic environment, the imperial pathfinder may choose a shark instead. This animal is a loyal companion that accompanies the imperial pathfinder on his adventures as appropriate for its kind. An imperial pathfinder's animal companion shares his challenge, favored challenge, and favored terrain bonuses. This ability functions like the druid animal companion ability (which is part of the Nature Bond class feature). The imperial pathfinder's effective druid level is equal to his imperial pathfinder level. The imperial pathfinder’s animal companion does not gain the share spells ability. This ability replaces mount.

Order: An imperial pathfinder can select any order he qualifies, including the new Order of the Green Warrior.

Subsistence (Ex): Starting at 1st level, an imperial pathfinder gains expertise that he can call upon to survive in the wild. He can use this ability once per day at 1st level, plus one additional time per day for every two imperial pathfinder levels beyond 1st. Whenever the imperial pathfinder defeats the target of his challenge, he regains one daily use of subsistence, up to his maximum number of uses per day. Defeating the target of his challenge usually involves reducing the target to 0 hit points or fewer, but the GM might rule that an enemy who surrenders or flees