Chosen of Bel (bulldancers)

Written by Pookas Kreations

Foundlings and orphans are sent to the temple to join the ranks of bull dancers. Many of the poor also send their children to train in the temple. Not all are who begin the training will finish or become the best of the best. They usually are given some of the support jobs that are needed, such as healers (both to human and animal), therapists, servants or trainers.

Those that join this profession live in the Temple of Bel, raise, train and compete with the bulls and each other. At times the temple also stages choreographed competitions with athletes from other temples and various other animals. In times of war, they can also be called upon to fight in defense of the Temple and the city. Although, this is rare. They dedicate themselves to the honor of Bel and rarely leave the fold except in death.

Class Features

Oath to Bel (Ex): The bull dancer takes Bel Mithra as her patron; she enjoys the following benefits from this devotion to her patron deity:

• +1 bonus to attack, damage, all saves, ability and skill checks while performing her duties to Bel. This includes dancing in the bullring or in any life or death situation (sacrificing herself or her opponent to Bel).
• Natural Healing: Gains the ability to heal faster than normal, character level + Wisdom modifier.
• Natural Defense: This ability grants and +1 AC bonus to the character, this bonus goes up every 2 levels (+2 at 3rd, +3 at 5th, +4 at 7th, etc).

Dancer Training: The bull dancer gains a +2 to all Dexterity-based, +2 to Perform, +2 to Acrobatics, and is treated as being armed (as Improved Unarmed Strike).

Dodge: During her action, she can designate an opponent and receive a +1 dodge bonus to AC against attacks from that opponent. She can select a new opponent on any action.

Skill Finesse: The bull dancer can switch the key ability of the Jump skill from Strength to Dexterity.

Uncanny Dodge (Ex): At 3rd level, a dancer gains the extraordinary ability to react to danger before her senses would normally allow. She retains his Dexterity bonus to AC regardless of being caught flat-footed or struck by an invisible attacker. If a dancer already has uncanny dodge from a different class (a 2nd level barbarian, or at least four levels of rogue) she automatically gains improved uncanny dodge instead.

Improved Skill Focus: You have a natural aptitude with one or more related skills. The character gains the ability to apply a +2 bonus to any two skills with the same key ability.

Invoke the God (Ex): When a bull dancer invokes Bel, they are granted a +2 bonus to Charisma and Perform checks.

Evasion (Ex): A dancer can avoid even magical and unusual attacks with great agility. If a dancer makes a successful Reflex saving throw against an attack that normally deals half damage on a successful save, the dancer instead takes no damage. Evasion can only be used if the dancer is wearing light or no armor.

Bonus Feats: The bull dancer gains bonus feats at 3rd, 9th, and 17th levels. The following feats may be chosen: Alertness, animal affinity, blind fighting, close-quarters fighting, combat reflexes, deflect arrows (snatch arrows), endurance, great fortitude, improved balance, improved initiative, kick up, lightning reflexes (greater improved initiative, lightning initiative, superior dodge), mobility (spring attack,), quickdraw, toughness (improved, superior, ultimate), weapon finesse, weapon focus, willow step. The bull dancer may choose any feat that has Dexterity as a prerequisite.

Painful Strike: The bull dancer learns to aim their blows at sensitive areas, to cause tremendous pain to the target. By taking a full attack action, the character may make one attack at their best attack bonus. If they hit, the opponent must make a Fort save DC 10 + ½ the bull dancer’s level or be overcome with pain. You foe receives a –2 circumstance penalty to all attack and damage rolls, ability and skill checks, and saving throws for a number of rounds equal to the bull dancers Dexterity bonus. With animals (bulls especially), this attack enrages them to the point of mindlessly attacking the bull dancer.

Improved Dodge: Your dodge ability now applies to all opponents attacking you in a round. In addition, the bonus increases to +3.

Acrobatic Strike: The character uses her acrobatic skill to put their opponent off guard and strike at his vulnerable points, launching an attack from an unexpected direction. As a full-round action, you may make a Tumble check (DC 20 + your opponent’s base attack bonus). If you succeed, you may make a single melee attack at your highest base attack bonus. If you fail your Tumble check the attack misses, you fall prone, and may not attack.

Amazing Agility: The bull dancer has trained her body so well that she has an innate sense of balance, always landing on her feet. Others notice that she moves with an inborn grace. The character may always take 20 on any Balance or Tumble check, even if stress and distraction would normally prevent her from doing so. In addition, she can fall an additional 10 ft before suffering damage.

Career

Qualifications

Chosen of Bel are acrobatic, athletic, fast, and fearless people. They need to be empathic with the needs and wants of the bulls and to be able to read their body language to be able to tell what they will do during the contest in the ring.

Career Progression

They train from a young age to have the skills to dance with the bulls. At first, they will train on a confidence course and with others in their age range. Their early training is with sheep and goats to simulate the bulls and cows that will be used after they graduate their training.

Payment & Reimbursement

They are given room and board to start with. After they begin to win competitions, they will gain a percentage of the proceeds, elaborate clothing, and jewelry.

Other Benefits

Their medical and social needs are met. They gain medals, fame, and education.

Perception

Purpose

This form of entertainment is in honor of Bel Mithra and in veneration of his favored animal the Auroch and bulls in general.

Social Status

Even though many bulldancers come from low-class families, they are treated almost as nobles while serving in the temple. A rare few noble or merchant families even send their children to train in the temple, they are not meant to stay and become full members of the chosen, but to gain the martial training.

Demographics

Depending on the year, 1-5% of the population are in the service or training in the Temple.

History

A small group of Atlans witnessed Mithra, competing with the Auroch bulls during mating season and playing with them in general. They were awed at his skill and decided to emulate him and so bull dancing was born. Over the years, the competitions grew from just being an inner temple event to a traveling one to help spread the word of Bel Mithra.

Operations

Workplace

To the naked eye, it appears as a cross between an area, school, military barracks, and a stable.

Provided Services

Guard, military post, acrobatic entertainer, circus acrobat, military tutor, etc

Dangers & Hazards

The most common injuries are broken bones, trampling and goring; even death.

Hit Die: d8

Recommended Attributes: Because of the bull dancer’s chosen profession, she focuses on Dexterity-based skills. A good Charisma score is also an important ability because it enhances her performance of the bull dance in devotion to her deity; this allows the spectators/worshipers to enjoy the performance more as well. Constitution helps her to survive longer in the bullring because it adds to her hit point total. Wisdom helps here heal faster and to help her treat teammates' injuries.

Skill Points: 4 + Int mod

Class Skills: Acrobatics (Dex), Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Concentration (Con), Handle Animal (Cha), Heal (Wis), Jump (Str), Knowledge (religion) (Int), Perform (Cha), Ride (Dex).

Weapons and Armor: Chosen of Bel train in the use of all simple and martial weapons, no armor or shields (although these can be taken as a bonus feat).

Alternative Names

Bull Dancer, Bull Leaper, Acrobat of Bel, Gymnast of Bell

Type

Entertainment

Demand

They are always in high demand because of their attrition rate. Many die in the service of the Temple. Even some nobles, hire them for private performances at certain functions.

Related Locations

• Temple of Bel

Related Vehicles

• Bull drawn chariot

Some bulls and dancers gain such a connection that they are inseparable, neither will hurt the other and they gain a "telepathic" link. These pairing often leave the ring and become recruiters for the temple, which is often in need of new "blood."