Dread Knight (Cavalier)

Cavaliers are often pledge to a noble master or cause, finding rewards and prestige from such association or service. Some cavaliers, however, swear fealty to dark entities or corrupt causes, destroying and spreading fear instead of protecting and inspiring.

On a Pale Horse (Ex)

At 1st level, a dread knight’s mount gains the undead companion archetype (see Animal Companion Archetypes). Any mount a dread knight gains to replace their previous one also gains this archetype.
This alters mount.

Thanatopic Aura (Ex)

At 1st level, a dread knight can project a thanatopic aura as a move action. This functions exactly like the cavalier’s commander’s aura, except as noted here. This aura extends 20 feet from the dread knight and increases by 10 ft at 5th level and every four levels afterward, to a maximum of 60 ft at 17th level. A dread knight can maintain their thanatopic aura for a number of rounds each day equal to their class level + their Charisma modifier (minimum 1 round). Whenever a dread knight projects their thanatopic aura, they can select one of the following aura abilities, as well as their order’s unique aura. A dread knight can spend a swift action to switch the penalty or effect provided by this ability. At 7th level, they can instead use an immediate action to switch the penalty or effect provided by this ability.
This ability modifies commander’s aura.
Corrode Armor: All enemies take a -1 penalty to their armor class. At 5th level and every four levels afterwards, this penalty to their armor class increases by -1.
Dampen Vitality: All enemies treat any healing (including fast healing or regeneration) they receive as 2 lower. At 4th level and every three levels afterwards, this reduction increases by 2.
Decrepify: All enemies take a -1 profane penalty to all saving throws. At 5th level and every four levels thereafter, this penalty to saving throws increases by -1.
Hemophilia: All enemies take bleed damage equal to the dread knight’s Charisma modifier each round until the aura ends. This bleed damage stacks with other sources of bleed. At 5th level and every four levels afterwards, this bleed damage increases by 1.
Malediction: All enemies take a -5 penalty to all movement speeds they possess. At 4th level and every three levels afterwards, this penalty to movement speed increases by -5 feet. This effect cannot reduce a creature’s movement speed below 10 ft.
Mortal Frailty: All enemies take a -2 penalty to their damage rolls. At 5th level and every four levels afterwards, this profane penalty to damage rolls increases by -2.
Reaper Toll: All enemies take an additional 2 damage from attacks made with weapons. At 5th level and every four levels afterwards, this additional damage increases by 2.
Rigor Mortis: All enemies gain a -2 penalty to all Dexterity based skills. At 4th level and every three levels afterwards, this penalty to Dexterity based skills increases by -2.
Subdue Resistance: All enemies gain a -1 penalty to their CMD. At 5th level and every four levels afterwards, this penalty increases by -1.
Wither Protection: All enemies treat their energy resistance as 5 lower against one energy type (acid, cold, electricity, fire, or sonic) chosen when the thanatopic aura is projected. At 4th level and every three levels afterwards, this penalty to energy resistance is increased by 5.

Fear the Reaper (Ex)

At 2nd level, a dread knight gains a bonus to Intimidate checks equal to 1/2 their class level.
This replaces skilled diplomat.

Hopeless Presence (Ex)

At 5th level, a dread knight gains the skill unlock for Intimidate. Dread knight’s belonging to the Order of the Scorpion can select another skill unlock that they qualify for at 8th level.
This ability replaces talented orator.

Terrifying Duo (Ex)

At 5th level, as long as a dread knight is riding their mount, they can demoralize a creature as a move action. At 11th level, a dread knight can demoralize creatures that are normally immune to fear effects (but not mind-affecting effects). At 17th level, a dread knight can demoralize creatures that are normally immune to mindaffecting effects.
This replaces courtly skill.

Dual Aura (Ex)

A dread knight can provide two thanatopic aura abilities rather than two commander’s aura abilities.

Section 15: Copyright Notice

Original verison: Legendary Cavaliers. Copyright 2018, Legendary Games; Authors: N. Jolly, Hal Kennette, Dave Nelson, Jason Nelson, and Blake Morton.
Modified version: Modified by Roberto Sanches.