Revision as of 17:17, 21 June 2015

The Lifesworn are, as the name indicates, devout men and women who have dedicated themselves to the preservation of life. The vast majority are followers of Niomae and Leeya and typically excel in the arts of healing. In the ultimate form of compassion, they take an oath of non-violence and pacifism. The Lifesworn are drawn from the most faithful - from all walks of life - and bound by duty and devotion. Drawing upon the divine powers of their overseer, they channel the divine and through a mixture of faith, will and incantation, convert this into healing energy. The Lifesworn are particularly noteworthy in being able to create reservoirs within themselves, pooling the healing energies so that they might be tapped into at short-notice.

The Lifesworn can be found often in the Temples of their Overseer, furthering their practice and communing with the divine. However, a considerable number of Lifesworn have taken to nature and the great outdoors, offering their services to whoever requires it as a form of worship to their Overseers. This, however, is not a common choice as it invites the prodigious violence of the world to test their oath-bound pacifistic tendencies. Though the Lifesworn are dedicated to the welfare of others and the preservation of life, they are not as vulnerable as would appear. To those who have spared many from the cold embrace of death and have suffused themselves so willingly to the needs of others, harm unto themselves in the course of their curative ministry is not within their purview. The most vile of evils and the most savage of beasts know instinctively that the Lifesworn is not a threat. Rather, harming one might bring the enmity of Birth and life giving Water.

To the initiate of the Lifesworn, who has recently taken their oath of non-violence, life as one who cannot be harmed is still a foreign concept. It is during these early, psychologically vulnerable stages, that the true commitment of a Lifesworn is proven. Will they shirk from a task that takes them to dangerous lands and outlandish barbarians knowing they cannot defend themselves? Or can they conjure up the mettle to save one who find themselves in the lair of Kobolds, believing themselves to be more prone to demise than most? It is only after many years of such valorous displays that the most experienced and worthy Lifesworn can pass through the ranks of the undead - without a second thought - to protect their charges. The Lifesworn, initiate and master alike, must take care that these trials of courage and bouts of terror do not harden them, for all Lifesworn require a tender touch, gentle voice and benevolent eyes just as much as they need their divine powers. Through this almost altruistic manner of life, the Lifesworn are well renowned throughout Atalan, so much so that nobles have took to the buying of their attentions and services through donations.

Being seen as figures of vast virtue, unbiased tongue and ample wisdom, their word is often sought after and their skills are well valued within society whilst the sheer tranquility and peace of their existence is the envy of many. To the lowly peasant, they are seen as avatars of compassion whilst to the aristocratic, beings of noteworthy value and towering potential.

Overseer-Specific Philosophies and Outlooks.

Niomae Lifesworn - Clerics and wielders of the divine, granted the power of healing through the compassion of Niomae. In her softer moments, Niomae would look upon her temper as, perhaps, too great, and her Lifesworn make up for this digression. Being so in-tune with nature, the Lifesworn of Niomae often prefer to use natural remedies over the use of divine spells, both acknowledging that divine healing should be used as a last measure, being held in reverence, and ever fearful of straining Niomae's temper. This often however includes the use of blessed water for many different forms of treatment. Conversely, however, the sheer passion contained within Niomae is reflected unto her followers who, in some cases, profess the belief that this affects the healing magicks strength and potency positively.

Leeya Lifesworn – Those in the servitude of Leeya often turn their attention to healing and affairs of health, as is to be expected of such a deity, but only those of special import and drive can truly call upon the divine to heal wounds, from scratch to gash, broken bone to fractured skull. Being the deity of birth and thus life itself, to some degree, Leeya and her Lifesworn are devoted to protection and maintenance of life. The Lifesworn of Leeya are much more liberal with divine healing than their compatriots, Niomae’s Lifesworn. Just as the Leeya-attributed sun, which to mortals relativity is everlasting and without end, some argue the healing spells and divine potency of Leeya’s favour can be conjured much often and without repercussion.

The Lifesworn of either Overseer are not constrained by these philosophical notions and are free to do as is needed in the best interest of their charges health.

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Requirements

Alignment: Any Good
Skills: Heal 10 ranks, Knowledge (religion) 8 ranks
Feats: Sacred Purification or Augment Healing
Spells: Able to cast 1st-level divine spells

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Class Features

Hit Die: d6
Base Attack Bonus: Low
High Saves: Will
Weapon Proficiencies: None
Armor Proficiencies: None
Skill Points: 4 + Int modifier
Class Skills: Concentration, Craft Alchemy, Decipher Script, Diplomacy, Heal, Gather Information, Knowledge (religion), Lore, Sense Motive, Spellcraft
Turn undead: Upon adopting the Lifesworn class, a character gains the supernatural ability to turn undead. She may use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + her Charisma modifier. If the character already has the capability to Turn Undead, the lifesworn levels stack with those of other classes capable of turning undead to calculate its effects.
Combat Healing: Despite abhorring violence, the lifesworn often find themselves in the front lines, treating the injured and preventing infections as war is waged around them. All lifesworn are highly skilled in first aid and other treatment procedures under duress. Upon adopting the lifesworn class, the character gains Combat Healing as a bonus feat.
Skill Focus: Heal: A lifesworn is so practiced in healing, both natural and blessing aided, that she is capable of treating most injuries and illnesses with her own hands in order to hold their deity's blessings for true emergencies. Upon adopting the lifesworn class, the character gains Skill Focus: Heal as a bonus feat
Divine Health: The lifesworn often treat victims of illness, often requiring that they delve in the center of plague itself. Their deity protects the lifesworn from the effects of such maladies, allowing them to aid unhindered. At 2nd level, a lifesworn has immunity to all diseases.
Lay on hands: So often do the lifesworn aid the wounded, that their own hands are bathed in their deity's warmth. Beginning at 3rd level, a lifesworn with a Charisma score of 12 or higher can heal wounds (her own or those of others) by touch. Each day she can heal a total number of hit points of damage equal to her lifesworn level times her Charisma bonus.
Divine Body: Poisons are a terrible danger, and the lifesworn often treat victims of such, in circumstances less than ideal. Their deity blesses those so devout so that they can continue their duties without concern of contamination. At 5th level, a lifesworn becomes immune to poisons of all kinds
Vow of Nonviolence: A lifesworn that has come so far in her path knows the tragedy of violence and the folly of war. She sanctifies her Oath of nonviolence in her deity's name, and receives a tiny bit of their warmth. Forevermore, any would-be aggressor has to overcome the constant feeling of peace that surrounds the lifesworn. At 6th level, a lifesworn can only be attacked by enemies that succeed a Will save at a difficulty of her character level + 10, unless she performs a hostile act.
Divine Soul: Any lifesworn that has reached such levels of devotion is so close to her deity that their divine radiance protects her. At 7th level, a lifesworn gains spell resistance. Her spell resistance equals her character level + 10. In order to affect the lifesworn with a spell, a spell caster must roll the lifesworn's spell resistance or higher on 1d20 + the spell caster's level
Resilient Soul: A lifesworn's outlook on life has been ascertained by so many tasks, ordeals, truths and beliefs, that it is impossible to change. Some people say that the lifesworn that has reached such a state is almost transcendent, and no external influence could shake her dedication. Others comment that those lifesworn don't even seem affected by age, remaining young and full of life. Pragmatists are quick to point out that there are no lifesworn that have lived beyond a normal life span, and fail to realize that their deity would not allow their devout to break the cycle of life. No lifesworn has ever bothered to comment that the High Priests and Priestesses appear in their twenties or thirties, but are known to be over sixty. At 9th level, a lifesworn no longer suffers the effects of curses and aging effects.
Vow of Peace: A lifesworn at the pinnacle of devotion understands that violence only begets violence, in all things. Her Oath is reinforced, including all forms of life. In response, her aura of serenity becomes almost inviolable. At 10th level, a lifesworn cannot normally be directly attacked unless she performs a hostile act.