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Dwarven Slayer

A new Dwarf-only character class for AD&D
by
DarkSide
00/3/11

Thanks to Tom Doolan for "In a Class by Themselves" Dragon #243

Ability Requirements	Strength 12, Constitution 15
Prime Requisites	Strength, Constitution
Allowed Races	Dwarf (Male or Female)

The Dwarven Slayer is a Dwarf who has either failed some task entrusted to him or has committed a dishonourable act. He now lives either to avenge himself upon those who caused him to fail or to seek an honourable death in battle so that his deed will not shame his family.
A Slayer's main attributes are his Strength and his Constitution. A score of 16 or more in both of these grants a 10% bonus to experience points earned.
Slayers are somewhat tougher than most Warriors and use a 1d12 for Hit Points. They get the Warriors' Constitution bonus. At first level only, a Slayer gets max Hit Points, i.e. 12 + Constitution bonus.
A Slayer must have one of the following alignments: LawfulGood, NeutralGood or ChaoticGood.
Slayers may not multiclass.
A Slayer uses the THAC0 and Saves of a regular Warrior (adjusted for Dwarven racial abilities, of course) and is able to use any magic item that a Warrior can, as long as it meets the limits of this class.
Due to Slayers' general disregard for their own safety, they are limited to armour of base AC 5 or worse. (i.e. Chain Mail +1, +2, etc, could still be worn.) Slayers NEVER use shields.
Slayers are limited to the following weapons:-
- 2-Handed Axe*, Battle Axe, Hand Axe.
- War Hammer, Chain Flail*, Club.
- Footman's Mace, Footman's Pick, Morning Star.
- Dagger/Dirk, Knife, Throwing Axe, Throwing Hammer.
He may not become proficient with any weapon from the last group.
Slayers start with the Ambidextrous** proficiency and Two Weapon Style** specialization at no cost. They also get a free specialization in any one of the following:-
1. 2-Handed Axe
2. Battle Axe
3. War Hammer
4. Chain Flail
Slayers may only have one weapon specialization (unless your DM states otherwise).
Slayers, as do all Dwarves*, gain the following NWPs at no cost:-
1. Endurance
2. Dwarven Runes*
3. ( Player's choice of one Craft Proficiency* )
A Slayer's other proficiency choices are limited to the General*, Warrior* and Special Background* groups, as detailed in the Complete Book of Dwarves.
They also gain the Intimidation* proficiency at no cost.
The number of extra proficiency slots a Slayer gets due to Intelligence is halved and rounded up. Slayers just don't have the patience to use their minds to their fullest.
Proficiency Slots

WP Initial #Lev Penalty NWP Initial #Lev

2 3 -2 2 5
All Slayers gain 5% Magic Resistance per two levels of experience, or part thereof, to a maximum of 50%:

Level 1-2 3-4 5-6 7-8 9-10 11-12 13-14 15-16 17-18 19-20

%MR 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
Code of Behaviour:
- Slayers never flee from combat once engaged, even if the fight is hopeless. They will try to cover their friends' and then fight to the death.
- They do not use missile weapons for fighting, preferring to run headfirst into battle. They only throw axes or daggers as a pastime, or to cut drawbridge ropes, etc. The only exception to this is if his foe is running away; he may use a hammer or an axe to stop him dead in his tracks (literally).
- Unable to abide evil, a Slayer will IMMEDIATELY challenge and attack any PC, NPC or creature that he knows is evil, or has acted in such a manner.
- Like a Ranger, a Slayer can possess no more treasure than he can carry. Excess must be converted to a portable form or donated to some charitable institution (NPC group).
- Like a Paladin, a Slayer may not possess more than 10 magical items. These may not exceed one suit of armour (chain mail or less), five weapons and four other magical items.
- A Slayer who does not act in accordance with his Code, as detailed above, temporarily loses his Magic Resistance and stops gaining experience until he can atone for his failing. (DM sets him a task or mission.)
A Slayer may never build a fortress, stronghold, etc, or attract a body of followers - He needs neither land to maintain him nor guards to protect him.
Similarly, a Slayer will only hire a specialist under exceptional circumstances. For example, if a Slayer's enemy travels to another plane, he may find a Wizard willing to teleport him there for a price. (Slayers NEVER give up.)
Slayers never become henchmen, but may fight and travel together, or with other adventurers. (They realise that many adventurers are more suicidal than them, just not intentionally!)

Slayer Experience Levels

Level	Rank	Experience	Hit Dice (d12)
1	Honour Slayer	0	1
2	Kobold Slayer	2300	2
3	Goblin Slayer	4600	3
4	Orc Slayer	9200	4
5	Hobgoblin Slayer	23000	5
6	Gnoll Slayer	46000	6
7	Orog Slayer	92000	7
8	Bugbear Slayer	172000	8
9	Osquip Slayer	322000	9
10	Ogrillion Slayer	667000	9+3
11	Quaggoth Slayer	1012000	9+6
12	Troll Slayer	1357000	9+9
13	Deurgar Slayer	1702000	9+12
14	Drow Slayer	2047000	9+15
15	Ogre Slayer	2392000	9+18
16	Were-Slayer	2737000	9+21
17	Gorgon Slayer	3082000	9+24
18	Minotaur Slayer	3427000	9+27
19	Giant Slayer	3772000	9+30
20	Hydra Slayer	4117000	9+33
21	Slayer of Bulette	4462000	9+36
22	Slayer of Elementyls	4807000	9+39
23	Slayer of Dragonnes	5152000	9+42
24	Slayer of Daemons	5497000	9+45
25	Slayer of the Tarrasque	5842000	9+48

Before he is allowed to advance a level, a Slayer must have killed one of the 'Slain', specified in his new title, unaided. This means he must do all of the damage necessary to kill the creature; If a Bulette has 72hp, the Slayer must inflict all 72hp of damage himself.
If a Slayer has enough experience to progress a level but has not defeated a 'Slain', any experience gained is added to his total as normal, but he stays on his current level. A Slayer with 500000XP who has not yet defeated a Kobold is still on level 1. (The DM may adjust the titles if some creatures do not inhabit his world; Then again, he may not ; ]

* - Refer to The Complete Book of Dwarves
** - Refer to The Fighters' Hand Book - (FHB)

Disclaimer:
The similarity between this character and any other, even those created by companies with g, w and other letters in their names, is... is... coincidental?... Hmmm...

Level	1-2	3-4	5-6	7-8	9-10	11-12	13-14	15-16	17-18	19-20
%MR	5	10	15	20	25	30	35	40	45	50

WP	Initial	#Lev	Penalty	NWP	Initial	#Lev
	2	3	-2		2	5