Athalish Griffon Knight

The order of griffon knights is an elite cadre of aerial warriors who enforce the laws of the land in Athalin. Equally capable as soldiers and as keepers of the peace griffon knights are called upon in both times of war and peace. Each griffon knight is responsible for seeing to the needs of a single griffon mount and bonds deeply with this creature. Griffons are particularly intelligent beasts capable of understanding spoken commands which grants them a role more akin to partners than to mere mounts. As a griffon knight learns they greatly expand the potential for interspecies communication.
Hit Dice: D8

Requirements

To qualify to become an Athalish griffon knight, a character must fulfill the following criteria.
Skills: Ride 5 ranks, handle animal 5 ranks.
Alignment: Any lawful
Base attack Bonus: +5
Feats: Mounted Combat, Animal Affinity
Special: Must be an officer in the Athalish military and have attained the rank of lieutenant.

Class Skills

The Athalish griffon knight class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Acrobatics (Dex), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Gather information (Cha), Handle Animals (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (local) (Int), Profession (Int), Ride (Dex) Sense Motive (Wis),
Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier.

Table: Athalish Griffon Knight
Level Base Attack Bonus Fort Save Ref Save Will Save Special
1st +1 +2 +0 +0 Griffon Bond, Keeping the Peace
2nd +2 +3 +0 +0 Tongue of the Windpride
3rd +3 +3 +1 +1 Mail of the Windpride
4th +4 +4 +1 +1 Will of the Windpride
5th +5 +4 +1 +1 Power of the Windpride

Class Features

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Athalish griffon knights are proficient with all simple and martial weapons, with all types of armor, and with shields.

Griffon Bond (Ex): Athalish griffon knights quickly become attuned with any griffon which they ride on a regular basis. The griffon knight may spend one week to get acquainted with an already domesticated griffon.. At the end of that time he makes a DC 20 handle animal check, success indicates the two have formed a bond and thereafter the knight garners a +2 competence bonus to all handle animal and ride checks with that mount.

Keeping the peace (Ex): Given their role as police officers the griffon knights are specially trained to take down criminals so they can stand proper trial. A knight may make melee attacks for non-lethal damage without taking a penalty to attack rolls.

Tongue of the Windpride (Su): Upon reaching 2nd level an Athalish griffon knight may converse with griffons. This is a constant effect similar to the speak with animals spell but used instead for griffons.

Mail of the Windpride (Su): The bonded griffon mount of an Athalish griffon knight of at least 3rd level is always given special training for the use of armor barding. Such griffons receive Armor proficiency (Light) and Armor proficiency (Medium) as bonus feats.

Will of the Windpride (Su): The bonded griffon mount of an Athalish griffon knight of at least 4th level may draw upon the combat prowess of his rider. The griffon may make use of any feat the character possesses so long as that feat is among those listed as bonus feats for the fighter class. It should be noted that griffons lack appropriate musculature to wield weapons.

Power of the Windpride (Su): The bonded griffon mount of an Athalish griffon knight of 5th level receives a +6 enhancement bonus to strength.

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