Unearthed Paladin

Aura of Protection (Su)

At 1st level the unearthed paladin may initiate a protective aura about himself as a swift action that functions as the spell protection from evil. The effective caster level of the effect is equal to the unearthed paladin’s class level and he may use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 plus his Charisma modifier.

At 4th level the unearthed paladin may confer this protective aura to another ally by touch as a swift action. The unearthed paladin may only have one aura active at a time and if he initiates a new aura while the previous one is still active, the previous one immediately ends.

At 10th level the unearthed paladin may create a magic circle against evil centered on himself by expending two of his protective aura uses for the day.

This ability replaces the smite evil ability.

Aid of the Righteous (Su)

At 2nd level the unearthed paladin may cast diagnose disease by expending one use of his lay on hands ability.

Once he reaches 4th level the unearthed paladin may cast delay disease or remove sickness by expending two uses of his lay on hands ability.

At 6th level the unearthed paladin may cast remove disease by expending four uses of his lay on hands ability. And at 12th level the unearthed paladin may cast heal once per day by expending six uses of his lay on hands ability.

The unearthed paladin treats his class level as the effective caster level for the effect and each effect requires physical contact with the recipient regardless of the normal range or effect for the spell effect.

This ability replaces mercy.

Aura of Fearsome Might (Su)

At 4th level the unearthed paladin gains the clerical ability to channel positive energy and the Turn Away Evil* and Turn Undead feats. The unearthed paladin may only use the channel effect in the cause to empower either of these feats.

Activating this ability expends two uses of the unearthed paladin’s lay on hand effects and his effective class level is equal to his paladin level – 3.

This ability replaces channel positive energy.

Loyal Companion (Sp)

At 5th level the unearthed paladin attracts an intelligent and loyal mount, typically a heavy war horse or other applicable mount trained for battle.

This functions in all ways as the second option for the paladin’s divine bond class ability.

Sword of Righteousness (Su)

At 8th level the unearthed paladin may imbue a chosen masterworks melee weapon with the power of the celestial host with which he is proficient.

The weapon initially gains a +1 enhancement bonus, and the bonus increases by +1 every three levels thereafter to a maximum of +5 at 20th level. If the weapon is already magical, the enhancement stacks with it, though the maximum enhancement bonus is +5.

When drawn the weapon sheds radiant light equivalent to a torch, though this effect can be quenched and reignited as a free action.

The unearthed paladin may use the weapon to attempt to dispel a single magical effect by expending three uses of his lay on hands ability, treating the unearthed paladin’s class level as the effective caster level.

At 11th level the unearthed paladin may sacrifice a +1 bonus to grant the weapon either the benevolent or merciful special property. At 14th level the unearthed paladin may sacrifice a +2 bonus to grant the weapon either axiomatic or holy special property. And at 17th level the unearthed paladin may sacrifice a +3 bonus to gain the speed special ability. The unearthed paladin may only gain one effect on the weapon at a time, but he may switch abilities at the beginning of each day or by expending one use of his lay on hands ability as a swift action. If the weapon already possesses the special property chosen, it gains no additional effect from the applied property.

If the unearthed paladin’s chosen weapon is destroyed or lost, he loses this ability for 30 days or until he gains a level, whichever comes first.

The unearthed paladin suffers a -1 penalty on all attack and damage rolls during the 30 day period as penance for losing the weapon.

This ability replaces the following paladin abilities: aura of resolve, aura of justice, aura of faith, and aura of righteousness.

Holy Champion (Su)

At 20th level the unearthed paladin becomes a true bastion of faith for good and law.

Multiple special properties may be applied to the unearthed paladin’s weapon as long as the weapon retains at least a +1 enhancement bonus granted by his sword of righteousness class ability. Inherent enhancement bonuses from the sword may not be used to empower special abilities granted from that ability. The unearthed paladin may cast dispel evil or dispel chaos (as the spells) by expending three uses of his aura of protection.

Additionally, the unearthed paladin has no limit as to how often he may cast heal on either himself or another through use of his aid of righteous class ability.

This ability replaces holy champion.