Mosa

Stubbornly refusing to back down, the mosa stands resolute, even in the face of overwhelming odds. His grim determination to see a job through, no matter the cost to himself, makes him a valuable ally in any battle, for, where others would fail, he will excel through sheer tenacity, inspiring his allies to do the same. Mosa are often employed as elite bodyguards by the nobility, for they rarely flee from battle.

Role: The mosa is a warrior determined to fight till the bitter end. His talents lie on the battlefield and he makes an excellent frontline fighter or bodyguard.

Hit Die: d10

Requirements

To qualify to become a mosa, a character must fulfill all of the following criteria:

Alignment: Any lawful.

Base Attack Bonus: +6.

Class Skills

The mosa’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Handle Animal (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (engineering) (Int), Knowledge (local) (Int), Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex), Sense Motive (Wis), and Swim (Str).

Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.

Table: Mosa

Level Base Attack Bonus Fort Save Ref Save Will Save Special
1st +1 +1 +0 +0 Stalwart defense
2nd +2 +1 +1 +1 Bravery +1, challenge 1/day
3rd +3 +2 +1 +1 Stalwart presence, damage reduction 1/–
4th +4 +2 +1 +1 Bravery +2, bonus feat
5th +5 +3 +2 +2 Challenge 2/day
6th +6 +3 +2 +2 Bravery +3, damage reduction 2/–
7th +7 +4 +2 +2 Strategic defense, bonus feat
8th +8 +4 +3 +3 Bravery +4, challenge 3/day
9th +9 +5 +3 +3 Damage reduction 3/–, greater stalwart presence
10th +10 +5 +3 +3 Bonus feat, bravery +5, challenge 4/day, perfect defense

Class Features

The following are class features of the mosa prestige class.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency

Mosa gain no proficiency with any weapons or armor.

Stalwart Defense (Ex)

In battle, the mosa’s determination makes him a hardy fighter. So long as the mosa has not moved in combat for at least a round, he can choose, as a swift action, to use his stalwart defense ability to add a +4 morale bonus to both his Strength and Constitution scores. In addition to the bonus to CMD he receives from Strength, he enjoys an additional +4 bonus to CMD when resisting bull-rushes, grapple attempts and trips. He may use this ability for a number of rounds a day equal to 4 + Constitution modifier + 2 per class level. After using the ability, the mosa is fatigued and remains fatigued for twice as long as the ability was active. If the mosa moves, or is moved from his chosen spot, while using this ability, he ceases to benefit from it and is fatigued as described.

Bravery (Ex)

The mosa is resistant to fear effects, receiving a bonus to Will saves made to resist fear. This bonus stacks with similar bonuses the mosa may receive from other classes (such as the fighter).

Challenge (Ex)

Once per day, beginning at 2nd level, a mosa can challenge a foe to combat, in a manner identical to the challenge of a cavalier or samurai. The mosa can use this ability an additional number of times a day at 5th, 8th and 10th level. If the mosa possesses levels in another class which grants the challenge ability (such as cavalier or samurai), this ability stacks with that class’s ability for the purpose of determining uses per day of the ability. If the mosa belongs to an order which offers additional benefits for the use of challenge, the mosa benefits fully from the order’s abilities. However, a mosa who does not belong to an order through another class does not gain an order, nor do mosa levels count toward class levels in the order.

Damage Reduction (Ex)

At 3rd level, the mosa gains damage reduction. Subtract 1 from the damage the mosa takes each time he is dealt damage from a weapon or a natural attack. At 6th level and at 9th level, this damage reduction rises by 1 point. Damage Reduction can reduce damage to 0, but not below 1.

Stalwart Presence (Ex)

Beginning at 3rd level, so long as the mosa is using his stalwart defense ability, all allies within 30 ft. receive a +2 morale bonus on saving throws verses fear. This ability stacks with other abilities (such as a samurai banner ability) which grant a similar bonus.

Bonus Feat

At 4th, 7th and 10th level, the mosa gains a bonus feat in addition to those gained from normal advancement. These bonus feats must be selected from those listed as combat feats.

Strategic Defense (Ex)

Beginning at 7th level, the mosa may take a 5-foot step each round while maintaining his stalwart defense ability.

Greater Stalwart Presence (Ex)

At 8th level, whenever the mosa is using his stalwart defense ability, all allies within 30 ft. receive a +2 morale bonus on saving throws made to resist charm and compulsion spells and effects. This ability stacks with other abilities which grant a similar bonus.

Perfect Defense

At 10th level, the mosa no longer suffers fatigue after using his stalwart defense ability.

Section 15: Copyright Notice

The Way of the Samurai copyright 2012, Steven D. Russell and Michael Tumey, all rights reserved; Author Jonathan McAnulty

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