Cavalier archetype

Cavalier Order

In the deepest wilderness, there are cavaliers who are dedicated to the flora and fauna of unspoiled lands.

Order of the Beast A cavalier who belongs to this order serves nature in all its forms. These cavaliers believe that animals make the most loyal companions, and keep close to woodland creatures.

Class Skills: An order of the beast cavalier adds Knowledge (nature) and Survival to his list of class skills. When he uses Survival to follow tracks, he gains a bonus on the check equal to 1/2 his cavalier level (minimum +1).

Wild Empathy (Ex) level 2

At 2nd level, the cavalier can improve the attitude of an animal. This ability functions as the druid ability of the same name. The cavalier uses his level as his effective druid level when using this ability.

Bonded Holy Symbol (Su) level 3

This ability replaces the increase to channel energy gained at 3rd level.

At 3rd level, an ecclesitheurge forms a powerful bond with a holy symbol of his deity, which functions identically to a wizard’s bonded object except it can be used to cast cleric and domain spells (instead of wizard spells) and the ecclesitheurge can grant his bonded holy symbol only magic abilities appropriate for a holy symbol or a neck slot item.

As with a wizard’s bonded item, an ecclesitheurge can add additional magic abilities to his bonded holy symbol as if he had the required item creation feat (typically Craft Wondrous Item), provided he meets the feat’s level prerequisite. For example, an ecclesitheurge with a bonded holy symbol who wants to add a wondrous amulet ability, like amulet of natural armor, to his bonded holy symbol must be at least 3rd level to do so. The magic properties of a bonded holy symbol, including any magic abilities the ecclesitheurge added to the object, function only for the ecclesitheurge. If a bonded holy symbol’s owner dies or the item is replaced, the object loses all enhancements the ecclesitheurge added using this ability.

This ability replaces the increase to channel energy gained at 3rd level.

Wild Mount Shape (Su) level 8

At 8th level, the cavalier gains the ability to turn his mount into a different Medium or Large animal and back again once per day. His options for new forms include all creatures with the animal type. This ability functions as beast shape II, except as noted here. The effect lasts for 1 hour per cavalier level, or until the cavalier chooses to change his mount back. Changing the mount’s form (to a different animal or back to normal) requires the cavalier to touch his mount as a standard action that does not provoke an attack of opportunity. The form chosen must be that of an animal the cavalier is familiar with. The mount does not change in size, but does gain the bonuses (not the penalty) noted in beast shape II for a Large animal.

The cavalier can use this ability an additional time per day at 10th level and every 4 levels thereafter (to a maximum of four times per day at 18th level). Archetypes 2

Challenge

Whenever an order of the beast cavalier issues a challenge, his mount gains a +1 circumstance bonus on melee attack rolls against the target of his challenge whenever the cavalier is threatening the target. This bonus increases by 1 for every 4 cavalier levels beyond 1st level.

Edicts

An order of the beast cavalier must strive to protect nature—including animals and magical beasts—from the encroachment of civilization and from those that seek to harm it. He can slay hostile animals and magical beasts only when attempts to calm or pacify them fail.

Order Abilities

An order of the beast cavalier gains the following abilities as he increases in level.