Military

Trained soldiers might take up arms for nearly any cause imaginable. Whether the champions of heroic kingdoms fighting off monstrous legions or the denizens of a bleak realm invading their neighbors, vast legions arise to do the will of lords both fair and foul. Yet the real strength of such soldiers lies not in personal skill, but in sheer numbers or deftly implemented tactics. Professional combatants might also find a variety of roles beyond the battlefield, whether as guardians, raiders, or even adventurers.

Foot Soldier CR 1/3

XP 135

Human warrior 1

N Medium humanoid

Init +1; Senses Perception +0

Defense

AC 17, touch 11, flat-footed 16 (+6 armor, +1 Dex)

hp 8 (1d10+3)

Fort +2, Ref +1, Will +0

Offense

Speed 20 ft.

Melee longspear +3 (1d8+3/×3) or greatsword +3 (2d6+3/19–20) or dagger +3 (1d4+2/19–20)

Ranged javelin +2 (1d6+2)

Space 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft. (10 ft. with longspear)

Statistics

Str 15, Dex 12, Con 11, Int 8, Wis 10, Cha 9

Base Atk +1; CMB +3; CMD 14

Feats Step Up, Toughness

Skills Craft (weapons) +3, Profession (soldier) +4, Survival +1

Languages Common

Combat Gear potion of cure light wounds; Other Gear chainmail, greatsword, dagger, javelin, longspear, 2 gp

Boon Foot soldiers can help PCs buy normal (non-masterwork) simple or martial weapons at a 10% discount, or may agree to accompany the PCs as men-at-arms for a 10% share of the treasure.

Foot soldiers are the backbone of any army, stout soldiers who "hold the line" in the face of the enemy's charge with a bristling wall of pikes, decimate an opposing force's ranks with a hail of javelins, or hew with their swords in the bloody grind of close combat. Foot soldiers close the gap when their foes try to flee the field, and are tough enough to shrug off blows that would fell a common man.

Changing a foot soldier's character class from warrior to fighter creates a professional veteran soldier. This necessitates a number of changes, the foremost of which is using the heroic numbers for his ability scores. In addition, the foot soldier receives a bonus fighter feat such as Combat Reflexes, Power Attack, or Weapon Focus.

Different varieties of foot soldier can be easily created by exchanging weapons and armor. For example, replacing the longspear and greatsword with a shortspear, longsword, and heavy steel shield increases the foot soldier's AC by 2.

Foot soldiers can serve as bodyguards or hired muscle for mid-level NPCs, or as the rank-and-file guards at a city gate, in front of a temple, or manning a castle's walls.

Foot soldiers are usually found in squads of six (CR 3), sometimes accompanied by a guard sergeant (CR 4).

Cavalry CR 5

XP 1,600

Human fighter 6

N Medium humanoid

Init +3; Senses Perception +1

Defense

AC 23, touch 12, flat-footed 21 (+8 armor, +2 Dex, +3 shield)

hp 42 (6d10+9)

Fort +6, Ref +5, Will +3; +2 vs. fear

Defensive Abilities bravery +2

Offense

Speed 20 ft.

Melee mwk lance +12/+7 (1d8+6/×3) or shortspear +10/+5 (1d6+4) or dagger +9/+4 (1d4+3/19–20)

Ranged mwk composite shortbow +10/+5 (1d6+3/×3) or shortspear +10/+5 (1d6+3)

Special Attacks weapon training (spears +1)

Statistics

Str 16, Dex 16, Con 13, Int 8, Wis 12, Cha 10

Base Atk +6; CMB +9; CMD 22

Feats Animal Affinity, Mounted Archery, Mounted Combat, Ride-By Attack, Spirited Charge, Trample, Weapon Focus (lance), Weapon Specialization (lance)

Skills Craft (weapons) +3, Handle Animal +11, Profession (soldier) +5, Ride +9, Survival +5

Languages Common

SQ armor training 1

Combat Gear oil of magic weapon, potion of cure light wounds; Other Gear +1 banded mail, +1 heavy wooden shield, masterwork lance, composite shortbow (+3 Str) with 20 arrows, dagger, shortspears (2), heavy horse (combat trained) with military saddle and leather barding, 18 gp

Boon Cavalry can offer to train an animal at no cost, or to help PCs buy a combat trained animal at a 10% discount.

Cavalry are the pursuit and shock troops of professional armies, relying on speed and reach to savage the flanks of enemy formations while protecting their mounts, or running down and grinding underfoot enemies who become isolated from their fellows. They are also skilled mounted archers, firing volleys of arrows at opposing forces, then riding out of range of return fire.

Cavalry make excellent royal couriers, elite guards for nobility, well-equipped scouts and outriders for an army, or knights errant more interested in gold and glory than chivalry.

A single cavalryman may travel with a squad of six foot soldiers (CR 6) or lead a troop of four caravan guards (CR 7). Cavalry are usually grouped in lances of four (CR 9), often with a guide or knight officer (CR 10). Four or five cavalry might also serve as a mounted honor guard for a mayor, noble, or merchant prince (CR 11 or 12).

General CR 10

XP 9,600

Human fighter 11

N Medium humanoid

Init +1; Senses Perception +10

Defense

AC 23, touch 13, flat-footed 21 (+10 armor, +1 deflection, +1 Dex, +1 dodge)

hp 85 (11d10+25)

Fort +11, Ref +6, Will +5; +3 vs. fear

Defensive Abilities bravery +3

Offense

Speed 30 ft.

Melee +1 glaive +19/+14/+9 (1d10+11) or armor spikes +15/+10/+5 (1d6+4)

Ranged composite longbow +13/+8/+3 (1d8+5/×3)

Special Attacks weapon training (polearms +2, bows +1)

Statistics

Str 18, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 14, Wis 10, Cha 10

Base Atk +11; CMB +15; CMD 28

Feats Combat Expertise, Combat Reflexes, Disruptive, Dodge, Improved Vital Strike, Lunge, Mobility, Spellbreaker, Spring Attack, Vital Strike, Weapon Focus (glaive), Weapon Specialization (glaive), Whirlwind Attack

Skills Diplomacy +5, Handle Animal +5, Intimidate +13, Knowledge (dungeoneering) +6, Knowledge (engineering) +10, Knowledge (history) +4, Knowledge (local) +4, Knowledge (nobility) +4, Perception +10, Profession (soldier) +14, Ride +9, Sense Motive +5, Survival +4

Languages Common, Goblin, Orc

SQ armor training 3

Combat Gear potions of cure light wounds (2); Other Gear +1 full plate with cold iron armor spikes, +1 glaive, composite longbow (+4 Str) with 20 arrows, belt of giant strength +2, cloak of resistance +2, ring of protection +1, heavy horse (combat trained) with chain shirt barding and military saddle

Boon Generals can provide access to trustworthy mercenary troops. A character with Leadership gains a +2 bonus to Leadership for recruiting followers for 1 month. Other PCs can hire mercenaries at a 20% discount.

Generals are the masters of the battlefield, expert and veteran soldiers who conceive and execute tactical plans and inspire their troops on to victory. Generals may command from a rearward vantage point, but when needed, may dive into the fray with sword in hand to turn the tide through sheer puissance. Generals can be used as arena champions, masters of fighting schools, or elite warriors trained to fight with or against spellcasters. A general is usually accompanied by a knight adjutant, with a lance of four cavalry as bodyguards and messengers (CR 12).