Celestial+Steward


 * CELESTIAL STEWARD**

The celestial steward has seen the glories of a lawful good outer plane, or possesses an emphatic link with one that has done so. His connection with that plane enables him to draw on its power to affect the natural world, summon celestial creatures to aid him, and even transform into an outsider. Celestial stewards work in the natural places of the world, nurturing them to reflect the beauty and harmony of the celestial planes, and defending them fiercely against the corruption of evil.

Many celestial stewards are paladins, whose connection with their special mounts allows them to draw on heavenly energies. In addition, a significant number of celestial stewards are ex-druids who have devoted themselves to the lawful good outer planes instead of the natural world.

Alignment: Lawful Good. Handle Animal: 4 ranks. Profession (farmer) or Profession (gardener): 4 ranks. Knowledge (religion) or Knowledge (nature): 8 ranks. Special: Must have spent more than 24 hours in a lawful good outer plane, or have an emphatic link with a creature that has done so (such as a paladin's special mount). Special: In campaigns where the multiclassing restrictions on paladins are enforced, the character must be able to gain levels in the paladin class.
 * Requirements:**

Hit Die: d8. Class Skills: The celestial steward's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Handle Animal (Cha), Heal (Wis), Knowledge (nature) (Int), Knowledge (religion) (Int), Knowledge (the planes) (Int), Listen (Wis), Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex), Sense Motive (Wis) Spellcraft (Int), Spot (Wis), Survival (Wis), and Swim (Str). Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The celestial steward is proficient in the use of all simple weapons, light and medium armor, and shields (except tower shields). He is also proficient with all natural attacks (claw, bite, and so forth) of any form he assumes with celestial shape (see below).

Lvl. BAB. Fort Ref. Will. Spells per Day 1 .. +0 .. +2 . +0 . +2 .. +1 level of druid 2 .. +1 .. +3 . +0 . +3 .. +1 level of druid 3 .. +2 .. +3 . +1 . +3 .. +1 level of druid 4 .. +3 .. +4 . +1 . +4 .. +1 level of druid 5 .. +3 .. +4 . +1 . +4 .. +1 level of druid 6 .. +4 .. +5 . +2 . +5 .. +1 level of druid 7 .. +5 .. +5 . +2 . +5 .. +1 level of druid 8 .. +6 .. +6 . +2 . +6 .. +1 level of druid 9 .. +6 .. +6 . +3 . +6 .. +1 level of druid 10 . +7 .. +7 . +3 . +7 .. +1 level of druid

Lvl. Special 1 .. Celestial companion, celestial empathy, celestial insight, . .. celestial speech, combined spellcasting 2 .. Channel celestial help: easy path, enhanced spellcasting 3 .. Celestial shape, channel celestial help: hide trail 4 .. Channel celestial help: fey ward, healing touch 5 6 7 8 9 .. Venom immunity 10 . Outsider shape 1/day


 * Spells:** Starting at 1st level, and at each celestial steward level thereafter, the character gains new spells per day as if he had also gained a level in the druid class. If the character had no druid levels before becoming a 1st-level celestial steward, he gains the spellcasting ability of a 1st-level druid (including the ability to spontaneously convert prepared spells to summon spells) when he takes his first celestial steward level.

A celestial steward has access to all spells on the druid spell list except for the Summon Nature's Ally group of spells. He gains access to the Summon Monster group of spells instead. A celestial steward is not prohibited from using offensive necromantic spells such as Blight, Finger of Death and Poison. However, many refrain from doing so except against truly evil opponents.

An ex-druid who gains a level of celestial steward regains his previous druid spellcasting ability, except that he gains access to the Summon Monster spells instead of the Summon Nature's Ally spells.

A celestial steward's spells affect animals and vermin with the celestial template as if they were animals and vermin, and not magical beasts.


 * Celestial Companion (Sp):** If the celestial steward has a special mount, his effective level to determine its abilities (including the length of time per day that it remains with him) is equal to his celestial steward level, plus effective paladin levels from any classes that grant a special mount or improve its abilities, plus effective druid levels from any classes that grant an animal companion or improve its abilities (including levels of ex-druid). If he does not have a special mount, he gains a celestial animal companion instead, and uses the same effective level to determine its abilities. A celestial steward may choose to gain a celestial animal companion instead of a special mount. Except as noted below, a celestial companion is the same as an animal companion.

Once per day, as a full-round action, the celestial steward may magically call his companion from the celestial realms in which it resides. The companion immediately appears adjacent to the celestial steward and remains for 2 hours per effective level; it may be dismissed at any time as a free action. The companion is the same creature each time it is summoned, though the celestial steward may release a particular companion from service. He may call for a new companion when he increases his effective level (for example, by gaining a level of celestial steward or paladin).

Each time the companion is called, it appears in full health, regardless of any damage it may have taken previously. The companion also appears wearing or carrying any gear it had when it was last dismissed. Calling a companion is a conjuration (calling) effect, and is the equivalent of a spell of a level equal to one third the base hit dice of the companion (before bonus hit dice are added).

Should the celestial steward's companion die, it immediately disappears, leaving behind any equipment it was carrying. The celestial steward may not summon another companion for thirty days or until he increases his effective level, whichever comes first, even if the companion is somehow returned from the dead. During this thirty-day period, the celestial steward takes a -1 penalty on attack and weapon damage rolls.

A celestial steward may select as his companion any animal from the druid's list of animal companions, including the alternative lists, as a druid of three levels lower than his celestial steward level. A celestial steward with an effective level below 4th cannot obtain a celestial companion. As a celestial steward advances in level, the animal's power increases as shown on the table below. A celestial companion from one of the alternative lists gains abilities as if the celestial steward's level were lower than it actually is in a manner similar to a druid's animal companion, and he cannot select an animal if the choice would reduce his effective level below 4th.