Cast

= Čast = The most honorable of guardians, the Čast is a powerful, albeit rare class of warrior who eschews worldly desires in total dedication to the defense of a place or a people. No Čast is a mercenary. No Čast is a common soldier. They are not hired in any way; the individual Čast determines if a thing is worth defending, and once this decision is made, it becomes an obsession. Some spend their whole lives unable to find a cause worth dieing for, much less one living for. Rumors of the origin of the Čast's way are shrouded in secrets; some say that no true Čast even exists, and that all those who claim to be are just imitators. A wandering warrior armed with spear and sword may be mistaken for a Čast at times, but the true presence of one of these legendary guardians is unmistakable. Their resolve is unshakable as they look their opponents in the eye and release a bloodcurdling roar of terror before eliminating all traces of what once was a physical body, now mere bones and offal, a testament to the might of the Čast. A confused stranger may wonder at the odd choice of weaponry carried by the Čast until they are witnessed in battle. The Čast functions best in melee combat, where his strength of arms lays waste to his foes by way of his kard, a mercurial greatsword, which serves as a lumbering giant packed with earth-shattering potential for destruction. The partner to this monstrous blade is an elegantly crafted spinning javelin, the oštěp, which the Čast uses to deliver quick strikes between the punishing blows of the kard to confuse the foe, as well as serving as the perfect item to nail a running coward to the ground from a distance if need be. Most Čast serve in defense of their home or master, the person who taught them their ways. Adventuring Čast are those who either have not yet found the person or place they wish to guard, or those who must seek something out in the world to aid in their mission of protection.

Čast in Armeya are most often found amongst the Loth'nor and Medij. They are restricted for two reasons, given the setting. First is the fact that they are so rare. Second is that the role of a Čast serves best as an NPC who has already found the site or person to protect. A PC Čast might function best as an adventurer if they are dedicated to another person who is constantly on the move. A PC Čast who has chosen to defend a place would need a very good reason to leave it in search of adventure.


 * Special Notes on Čast:** The Čast is Armeya RPG's equivalent to a Samurai (Complete Warrior, p8). It was constructed based on the concept of the Samurai, but utilizes several revisions to both reflavor and rebuild the class' mechanics to be more fitting for this setting. Use the statistics for a Samurai, but follow the revisions listed below:
 * **Daisho Proficiency (Ex)**: Eliminate this ability. It is replaced by "Sett Proficiency," listed below.
 * **Two Swords as One (Ex):** Eliminate this ability. It is replaced by "Balanced Hand," listed below.
 * **Iaijutsu Master (Ex):** Eliminate this ability. It is replaced by "Quick Draw," listed below.
 * **Improved Two Swords as One (Ex):** Eliminate this ability. It is replaced by "Improved Balanced Hand," listed below.
 * **Greater Two Swords as One (Ex):** Eliminate this ability. It is replaced by "Greater Balanced Hand," listed below.
 * **Sett Proficiency (Ex):** In melee combat, a Čast favors the kard (a mercurial greatsword) and the oštěp (a spinning javelin). Many Čast receive an heirloom set of these two weapons, known as the sett. Because a Čast is trained in their use, he gains Exotic Weapon Proficiency (mercurial greatsword) and Exotic Weapon Proficiency (spinning javelin) as bonus feats.
 * **Balanced Hand (Ex):** At 2nd level, a Čast has learned to wield the kard and oštěp together. He is treated as having the Two-Weapon Fighting feat when wielding a kard and oštěp, even if he does not meet the prerequisites for that feat. This ability also allows the user to wield either weapon in one hand, but only if the off-hand holds the other weapon of the sett.
 * **Kiai Smite (Ex):** Change the name of this ability to "Fearsome Smite". Once per day, a Čast of 3rd level or higher can give a great cry during combat that invigorates him and strikes fear into the hearts of his foes. When a Čast shouts (a free action), his next attack gains a bonus on the attack roll and the damage roll equal to his Charisma bonus (minimum +1). As a Čast gains levels, he can make a fearsome smite more often. This ability has only half effect (rounded down) when used on an enemy that is immune to fear.
 * **Quick Draw:** By 5th level, a Čast has learned the importance of detecting danger and immediately springing into action. He gains Quick Draw as a bonus feat.
 * **Improved Balanced Hand (Ex):** At 11th level, a Čast’s prowess with the kard and oštěp improves. He is treated as having the Improved Two-Weapon Fighting feat when wielding a kard and oštěp, even if he does not meet the prerequisites for the feat.
 * **Greater Balanced Hand (Ex):** At 16th level, fighting with a kard and oštěp becomes second nature for a Čast. He is treated as having the Greater Two-Weapon Fighting feat when wielding a kard and oštěp, even if he does not meet the prerequisites for that feat.

Alternative Class Features

 * Note**: Some alternative class features may be altered from as they appear in the source material. When there is a discrepancy, use what is listed here in place of what is listed in the source material. Changes in the list below will be noted in bold. Remember that you may only choose one alternative class feature.