The Order of the Obsidian Dragons of Avanil

Founded by Rhaegar Avan in 543MR, the Obsidian Dragons are the most senior of the knightly orders of Avanil (the others in order of seniority being the Order of the Alabaster Guards, the Order of the Crimson Griffons and the Order of the Cerulean Eagles) and form the elite strike force of the army of Avanil. Only the most able of Avanil's chivalry are able to join the Obsidian Dragons and the prestige associated with donning the black armour is highly sort after amongst Avanil's elite.

Throughout their history the Obsidian Dragons have fought in each of Avanil's major battles earning for themselves a fearsome reputation for ferocity in attack and stoicism in defence. In the 27 engagements they have fought in the Obsidian Dragons have never know defeat. Currently the Dragons consist of 276 knights.

Roles of the Obsidian Dragons

The Obsidian Dragons play a number of important roles within the Principality. The first of these roles is to form an elite fighting unit, the first strike weapon of House Avan. Approximately 200 knights serve the Prince directly in this role. Another 40 knights serve as the Avanhold Palace Guard, acting as the bodyguards of Prince Rhaegar and his family. The remaining knights serve the Prince in a number of other roles such as military commanders and advisors.

Rank Structure

The ranks structure used by the Obsidian Dragons is given below.

Rank	Title	Armour	Current Number
Dragonknight	Sir	Black plate stylised to represent a dragon.	237
Dragonknight Commander	Sir	Black plate stylised to represent a dragon with bronze etchings on the plates.	36
Dragonlord	Lord	Black plate stylised to represent a dragon with silver etchings on the plates.	12
Grand Dragonlord	Lord	Black plate stylised to represent a dragon with gold etchings on the plates.	1

Prominent Members of the Order

Name	Rank	Position	Personal Coat of Arms
Lord Rhaegar V, Prince of Avanil	Grand Dragonlord	Prince of Avanil
Lord Viserys Avan, Count of Daulton	Dragonlord	Lord Marshal of Avanil
Lord Gaelin Caulnor, Count of Caulnor	Dragonlord	Marshal of the Grand Field Army
Lord Taelen Blackhart, Viscount of Blackhart	Dragonlord	Lord Admiral of Avanil
Lord Aeric Haeliene, Viscount of Haeliene	Dragonlord	Lieutenant of Daulton
Lord Oervel Lastier	Dragonlord	Marshal of the Seamist Field Army
Lord Arlen Cale, Lord of Caelhold	Dragonlord	Marshal of the Northern Field Army
Lord Moerel Dhelliere, Lord of Dhelliere	Dragonlord	Marshal of the Adurian Field Army
Lord Landen Taeleric, Viscount of Taeleric	Dragonlord	Captain of the Obsidian Dragons
Lord Raebor Kelien, Lord of Saelringhaem	Dragonlord	Lord Constable of the Avanhold Palace Guard
Lord Raenard Daelor, Count of Anuire	Dragonlord	Lord Chancellor of Avanil
Lord Boeric Salcoer, Viscount of Salcoer	Dragonlord	Lord Justicar of Avanmil
Lord Agelmore Daelin, Lord Warden of Daelin	Dragonlord	Lord Protector of the Seaharrow Guard
Sir Riegon de Oerlaen	Dragonknight Commander	Standard Bearer of Rhaegar V, Prince of Avanil

Knight of the Obsidian Dragons Prestige Class

The Code of the Knights of the Obsidian Dragons of Avanil

·        Courage and enterprise in obedience to the Prince of Avanil

·        Defence of any mission unto death

·        Respect to all peers and equals, courtesy to lessers.

·        Combat is glory; battle is the true test of self-worth; war is the flowering of the chivalric ideal.

·        Personal glory above all in battle.

·        Death to those who oppose Avanil.

·        Death before dishonour.

 

Hit Die: d10

 

Requirements

To qualify to become a Knight of the Obsidian Dragons of Avanil, a character must fulfill all of the following criteria.

Base Attack Bonus: +4

Race: Anuirean

Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty): 3 1/2  ranks

Knowledge (Strategy): 3 1/2 ranks

Intimidate: 4 ranks

Feats: Power attack, Cleave, Mounted Combat, Great Cleave

Heavy Armour Proficiency

Alignment: Lawful

Other: Gain membership in the order

 

Class Skills

The Obsidian Knights class skills (and key ability for each skill) are Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (Strategy) (Int), Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty) (Int), Ride (Dex), and Spot (Wis)

 

Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier

 

Class Level	Base Attack Bonus	Fort Save	Ref Save	Will Save	Special
1st	+ 1	+ 0	+ 0	+ 2	Decisive Blow +2, Shining Beacon
2nd	+ 2	+ 0	+ 0	+ 3	Best Effort +2, Iron Will
3rd	+ 3	+ 1	+ 1	+ 3	Supreme Cleave
4th	+ 4	+ 1	+ 1	+ 4	Decisive Blow +3
5th	+ 5	+ 1	+ 1	+ 4	Best Effort +3
6th	+ 6	+ 2	+ 2	+ 5	No mercy +1
7th	+ 7	+ 2	+ 2	+ 5	Decisive Blow +4
8th	+ 8	+ 2	+ 2	+ 6	Best Effort +4
9th	+ 9	+ 3	+ 3	+ 6	No Mercy +2
10th	+ 10	+ 3	+ 3	+ 7	Best Effort +5, Decisive Blow +5

 

Class Features

Weapon and Armour Proficiency: Obsidian Dragons are proficient with all simple and martial weapons, with all types of armour, and with shields.

 

Decisive Blow: Whenever the Obsidian Dragon is engaged in a melee combat situation with an opponent sworn to an enemy of Avanil, the Obsidian Dragon gains the listed morale bonus to his attack and weapon damage rolls.

 

Shining Beacon: The Obsidian Dragon is the physical and spiritual embodiment of Principality of Avanil. All his allies gain a +4 moral bonus on saves versus fear effects when they stand within 10 feet of the Obsidian Dragon. If the Obsidian Dragon is held, unconscious, or otherwise rendered helpless, his allies lose this bonus.

 

Best Effort: The daunting nature of the Obsidian Dragon’s goals often requires special focus of effort. Beginning at 2^nd level, an Obsidian Dragon gains a bonus to any one skill check he makes, once per day. You must declare that you are using this ability before you make the skill check.

 

Iron Will: At 2^nd level, the Obsidian Dragon gains the feat Iron Will.

 

Supreme Cleave: Beginning at 3^rd level, the Obsidian Dragon can take a 5 foot step between attacks when using Cleave or Great Cleave feat.

 

No Mercy: At 6^th level, the Obsidian Knight gains the ability to make extra attacks of opportunity. The Obsidian Knight may make a number of extra attacks of opportunity against opponents equal to the number of the bonus and use the Obsidian Dragons full attack bonus.