The Commander
It was bitterly cold this morning. Snow lay an inch thick
all the way down to the walls of Castle Grund. The frosted
stone seemed even more forbidding. Captain Danah smiled
inwardly so that shivering men wouldn’t see. Perfect.
The Northerners around her were bundled into thick
furred jackets, heavy gloves and lined caps. A strong wind
cut through any lighter apparel, numbing the skin and
chilling the bone, but the cold had her attention much
less than the sky. It was a rough of whites and greys, a
struggling overcast blanket of wracked cloud pulled
low as though even the earth sought shelter against
the wind. The cover meant they had a chance now.
If she could hold this assortment of
convicts and outcasts together to do
what was needed, by the end of the day
anything might be possible.
She motioned to the men to pause,
and they eyed her with suspicion and
resentment. Making a quick judgment of
faces before her, she singled out a rigs-
man who she had locked in the brig many
months ago for knifing a shipmate. She
checked her map and pointed to the frozen
cliff face to the East of Grund. “You
wanted a chance to prove yourself, now is
the time. I want you at the top of that bluff
with a crossbow. Can you do it Karak?”
The man looked at the cliff and back to her,
picking up the challenging honesty in her eyes. Something
steeled in him. “Aye, Captain. That I can do.”
Give the murderer a chance to murder she sighed to
herself then pushed on, “There’s an assault upon the main
gates this morning. Most of the troops will be there, so we’ll
have a free hand up here. While Karak clears the walls, I need
two teams. One will seem to scale the walls. That is our false
Unlikely Champions Overview
This is a gaming supplement that requires
the use of the Dungeons & Dragons Players
Handbook, Third Edition, published by Wizards of
the Coast, Inc. It uses material from the updated v3.5
revision. Game rule information and tables are OGC,
all other text and names are closed content.
The Unlikely Champions are seven Prestige
Character Classes developed from extensions of the
standard NPC character classes in the DMG. These
are designed to upgrade the NPC classes to make
them on par with the Adventurer classes, but with a
difference in focus. The Comander evolves naturally
from any social, skill focused task oriented class, like
the Noble, Guard, Labourer or Professional.
thrust. The other will dig the snow near the East Tower.”
The men glanced around aimlessly till one spoke. “What is
the point of that?” asked a downy bearded youth.
She marked him. He’ll do fine. “You will be loosening
the foundations. Your Greek fire will melt the snow, and then
the scaling team will pull back on their ropes. With a bit of
luch we will pull the wall outward. You have handled the fire
aboardships, haven’t you Jaque?”
He blinked at his name, and then a smile grimly came
to him. “That’ll work. I’ll melt their foundations, just see.”
“We will be counting on you. Which leaves the job of
pin-cushion wall-scalers open. And guess what, I am taking
the rest of you myself.” The entire motley crew was suddenly
grinning. She had them now. “Let’s get to it.”
It was a lie by omission. No troops were sent to back
them up, so her crew was being used as bait. But no one
would expect the wall to fall. Both sides had a shock coming.
1
Overview
Leadership over group of others is sometimes
established through right of birth. At other times,
authority is attained through appointment as sign of
respect for achievements. To some it is nothing more
than a step on the path to greater power. Managing
groups of people is a job given high regard and respect,
but leadership can be more than just an occupation. To
some, being captain of a ship, or foreman of a work
team, or lead officer of a militia group is the ultimate
aim in and of itself. For these talented and focused few,
there is the opportunity to develop the Commander
class. Literature and film abound with the concept of
the natural leader. There must at least be that basic
quality to a person such that people instinctively accept
their authority. For a true Commander this is just the
beginning.
Heroism and leadership are often tied together
conceptually, so much so that it is almost expected that
a leader of people be heroic. The truth of the matter is
that most leaders do so from behind the front lines,
using their underlings as shields. Leaders are often
considered more valuable than their followers, so this
is a natural consequence. Commanders manifest such
authority and are able to generate such respect that
they can choose how to lead. The most heroic of these
become champions whose names become immortal, the
least become the center of tales of infamy.
The Commander is the ultimate leader. From
the battlefront to the construction site, from the prison
gang to the team of scholars, any group might be lucky
enough to have a member of this class in the manager’s
role. For a Commander is more than just a person in
charge; they are a teacher, a patron and a sponsor, and
hold the ultimate responsibility for others in their
hands. They can shape the fate of those around them.
Adventures
If there is trouble of any kind for a group, the
Commander is the first point of responsibility. As such,
members of this class are often thrust into adventure.
Should a group of adventurers need something from a
work crew or a ship the leader will decide the depth of
involvement of their fellows. Swaying the opinion of a
Commander can be an adventure in and of itself. A
Commander brings into any situation substantial
ability to manage human (or other racial) resources.
Characteristics
Most Commanders are tough, resilient and
clever. In fact, the better Commanders are superior
generalists, with high statistics in every area. In order
to obtain and retain the respect of their fellows,
however, their key ability is Charisma.
A Commander begins by learning Leadership
and the martial arts of weapon and armour use. Even
those that attain the class from the backgrounds of
Labourers or Professionals develop this kind of combat
training, even if they do no more than learn it in the
courtyard. The Commander of a work team will often
need the self confidence and assurance of knowing that
they are at least the equal of the people under them
should conflict arise.
As they progress in levels, they develop the
ability to convey their own skills and attributes to
others through instruction. This power starts with
simple skills, then progresses to combat prowess and
resistances, until at high levels, a fifteen minute briefing
with the Commander before any work day can turn a
group of unskilled manual workers into a crack squad
of able and motivated professionals, craftspeople,
guards or even military.
Alignment
Commanders can be of any alignment. There
are opposing forces working on a Commander’s soul
that might pull them in a couple of different directions.
In one way the most efficient and effective
Commanders need to be quite Machiavellian and cold,
looking at the ends more than the means. In another
way, they are given responsibility over the lives and
work of others and many take this responsibility to
heart. They might believe that discipline is more
important than morale, or that it creates morale, or they
might indeed be in the somewhat morally ambiguous
role of leading a group of people that are rebelling
against leadership of others. So any alignment can be
appropriate.
Religion
The best Commanders will understand the pull
of religion upon those they lead. For some this is
because they are at loggerheads with the restrictions on
secular authority that belief in organized religion can
evoke. For others, the faith is a strong unifying concept
that can bind followers together and improve morale.
So whether for against it, religion has a profound effect
upon a Commanders ability to lead. Most use it as a
tool to further their ability to assume authority over
their underlings, and will at the very least make
allowances for their beliefs
Background
Commanders can come from any skill-heavy
class where groups of people work together for a
common goal. Anyone with the ability to influence
others has opportunity to develop into this prestige
class. As such, Labourers, Guards, Professionals or
even Nobles might choose to develop this class.
2
 Table 1: The Commander
Commanders learn the basics of their abilities
while being under the command of others, so there is Lvl BAB Fort Ref Will Special Abilities
no specific requirement thee save a certain degree of 1 1 2 0 2 Command Radius 10’, Leadership, Impart Aptitude, Weapons & Armour, Shield
experience. Unlike the Nobility or Royalty, they might 2 2 3 0 3 Command Radius 20’, Authority
come from any walk of life. The most important quality 3 3 3 1 3 Command Radius 30’, Impart Prowess
they might possess is the intangible concept of natural 4 4 4 1 4 Command Radius 40’, Anticipate Orders
leadership quality, for which the basic in-game 5 5 4 1 4 Command Radius 50’, Inspire Devotion
measure is their Charisma score. They must also 6 6 5 2 5 Command Radius 60’, Impart Intuition
develop this ability by learning numerous social skills 7 7 5 2 5 Command Radius 70’, Tactical Insight
as a pre-requisite.
8 8 6 2 6 Command Radius 80’, Inspire Obedience
9 9 6 3 6 Command Radius 90’, Impart Ability
Races
10 10 7 3 7 Command Radius 100’, Voice of Authority
All the common fantasy races are social
creatures, and as such have equal opportunity to Game Rule Information Skill points at Each Additional Level
develop this prestige class. 6 + Intelligence Bonus
Requirements
Other Classes To qualify for the Commander Prestige Class a Class Features
character must fulfil the following criteria:
Commanders learn to lead all kinds of groups, Weapon and Armour Proficiency
Stats: Charisma must be at least average for the
even those that have skills and abilities that the character’s race. Commanders learn to use Martial Weapons
Commander does not understand. The important factor Skills: Diplomacy 4 ranks, Intimidate 4 ranks, Sense and Light, Medium and Heavy Armour, as well as
is not skill in the same area, but rather understanding Motive 4 ranks. Shields, but not Tower Shields.
of the use of those skills or abilities. Feats: Persuasive, Simple Weapon Proficiency, Skill
Focus (Sense Motive) Ability Descriptions
Role Special:Character must qualify for the Leadership Feat
when taking their first level of Commander Leadership
Commanders have significant combat ability, (that is to say, they must be achieving 6th
but have a complicated role in placing themselves in character level at minimum when becoming a At first level, the Commander gains the
combat. They add significantly to a group’s ability but first level Commander) Leadership feat. The Commander also gains an
unlike ongoing spell effects, the powers they convey enhancement to this feat equal to their levels in the
end if they should be incapacitated. Thus they are often Hit Die Commander Prestige class. All other limitations and
the focal point of a defense, taking the guarded role D8 enhancements upon the Leadership feat function as
from even the most valuable of spell casters. normal, including maximum level of cohorts etc.
Class Skills
They may make excellent front people for Bluff (Cha), Diplomacy (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Command Radius (Ex)
groups, containing all the qualities that one might hope Gather Information (Cha), Knowledge (any) (Int),
of a leader. Listen (Wis), Ride (Dex), Sense Motive (Wis), Spot At first level, the Commander begins to
(Wis). develop the ability to grant special advantages to any

3
willing individuals that consider themselves under the
Commander’s authority. The Commander must be able
to communicate in a common language with the targets
of this ability, and maintaining the command is a Move
Equivalent action each round (but see Anticipate
Orders and Great Leadership below).
The maximum range of this effect is 10’ per
class level, and is listed on Table 1: The Commander.
The maximum number of individuals that a
Commander can enhance in this way at any time is
equal to their class level squared (So one person at first
level, four at second, nine at third, and so on), and all
must remain within the relevant radius during their
action to retain the benefits. The advantages that can be
imparted with this ability are listed below.
Impart Aptitude (Ex)
At 1st level the Commander has the ability to
instruct people in of the Commander’s own skills. The
Commander must speak to the targets for one minute
uninterrupted to impart this benefit, and it lasts for as
long as they remain within the Command Radius. This
grants the targets any skill that the Commander knows
at a number of ranks equal to that of the Commander
or their class level (whichever is less). If the target
already has the skill at better than this level minus one,
the target gets a +2 bonus to any use of that skill as if
they were being assisted via an Aid Another use
without the Commander needing to make a roll to
impart this bonus (see the PHB page 65). The
Commander can only impart one skill at a time to
others, but can instruct any number of people up to
their maximum at one time.
Authority (Ex)
At 2nd level the Commander gains the ability to
use their self-confidence and self-assurance to assume a
stance and presence such that others will instinctively
defer to them. This grants them the ability to use their
Wisdom bonus as a morale enhancement a bonus to
any charisma based skills or reaction rolls where such a
position of authority might be of benefit. This stance,
for example, is counterproductive if one was disguised
as a beggar, but would grant a bonus if disguised as a
noble. If used inappropriately, the DM should assign a
penalty equal to the level of the bonus to the relevant
skill use. This modifier does not help with the
Leadership feat, the enhancements for which are listed
in the Leadership notes above.
Impart Prowess (Ex)
At 3rd level the Commander gains the ability to
instruct others in the use of weapons and in the combat
arts in general. The Commander must speak to the
targets for one minute uninterrupted to impart this
benefit, and it lasts for as long as they remain within
the Command Radius. This grants the targets the Base
Attack Bonus equal to the Commander’s class level. If
the target already has a Basic Attack Bonus equal to or
better than this, the target gets a +2 non-cumulative
morale bonus on attacks while within the Command
Radius. The Commander can also impart proficiency
with weapons, armour and shield to individuals under
the command with this ability, so it is possible to
transform a group of lowly labourers into a solid
fighting force under the ministrations of an effective
Commander. They can use this ability simultaneously
with Impart Aptitude, and both effects are able to be
manifest at once.
Anticipate Orders (Ex)
At 4th level the Commander gains the ability to
impart upon their followers and cohorts the ability to
learn to anticipate what a Commander might order
next. This means that ordering a follower or cohort
gained through the Leadership feat to do anything
becomes a free action instead of a move equivalent
action. If the Commander can instruct others who are
accepting their command for a period of no less than
half an hour, they can impart this ability on them as
well. This ability is manifest through visual and audio
communication, so the targets must be within the
command radius and able to see or hear the
Commander for it to function (not necessarily both).
Inspire Devotion (Ex)
At 5th level the Commander’s presence is so
inspiring that any within Command Range (limited by
the maximum number from that ability) who have
accepted the Commander’s authority are granted +4
morale bonus to all Will saves against enchantment
type spells and abilities (except those of the
Commander, of course).
Impart Intuition (Ex)
At 6th level the Commander gains the ability to
instruct others in resistance against magical effects,
special attacks and other abilities that can be resisted by
saving throws. The Commander must speak to the
targets for one minute uninterrupted to impart this
benefit, and it lasts for as long as they remain within
the Command Radius. This ability grants the targets a
base saving throw in one of Will, Reflex or Fortitude
equal to that of the Commander or their class level
(whichever is less). If the target already has the relevant
save at better than this level minus one, the target gets
a +2 morale bonus to it instead. The Commander can
only focus on imparting one save bonus at a time to
others, but can instruct any number of people up to
their maximum at one time.
4
Tactical Insight (Su)
At 7th level the Commander gains an almost
supernatural understanding of tactics and strategy.
Once per day per class level, they can take a minute to
assess any ongoing tactical situation they have
encountered and think through their options. At the
end of this assessment they can determine which if any
of the options before them will have immediate
consequence or beneficial outcome. This ability is
identical in effect to the spell Augury save that it does
not call on any higher power than the character’s own
finely honed skills of assessment, and the use requires
no material components and cannot be counter-spelled
or dispelled.
Inspire Obedience (Ex)
At 8th level the Commander’s orders become so
compelling that they can undo mystical compulsions. If
any within Command Range (limited by the maximum
number from that ability) who have accepted the
Commander’s authority become affected by a magical
compulsion of any kind, and the Commander gives
them an order that opposes their compulsion they get
an extra Will save to break free from the compulsion.
The Commander must articulate an order as a move
equivalent action to manifest this ability; they cannot
use the Anticipated Orders ability for this effect. The
Commander can use the Inspire Obedience ability as
often as desired and there is no penalty for repeat
attempts.
Impart Ability (Ex)
At 9th level the Commander gains the ability to
instruct others in feats over and above simple
proficiencies, more saving throws than just one at a
time, as well as in batteries of skills instead of just one
at a time. The Commander must speak uninterrupted
to the targets for one minute per ability being imparted,
and it lasts for as long as they remain within the
Command Radius.
The Commander can use this ability to grant
up to the Commander’s class level in total number of
abilities to all the people under their command at one
time. This ability functions exactly as Impart Intuition,
Impart Prowess and Impart Aptitude, except that the
Commander can choose the package of benefits that are
being offered at the point of instruction to include any
number of saving throws, skills, feats or the Base
Attack bonus benefit. Each individual feat, skill, save
and BAB count as one effect for the purpose of the
maximum number that can be offered. In all cases, the
Commander must have the abilities being offered, and
the targets must qualify for the imparted abilities.
A 9th level Commander might offer bonuses to their
unit of 3 skills, 4 feats, BAB and one save, or 2 skills 3 feats,
BAB and all 3 saves, or any other combinations. So they
might impart Climb, Knowledge (Engineering), Spot,
Martial Weapons, Medium Armour, Shield, Power Attack
(for each that have Strength 13), Basic Attack Bonus and
Reflex saves in the first instance, or Move Silently, Hide,
Alertness, Stealthy, Point Blank Shot, Basic Attack Bonus
and all saves in the second instance.
Voice of Authority (Su)
At 10th level the Commander learns to enhance
their vocal command powers. They gain the ability to
demonstrate their confidence and assurance to the
point that they can influence anyone they come into
contact with by issuing them with orders. Even people
for whom the character is an enemy will still be given
pause by the degree of assumed power that the
Commander demonstrates.
This power is similar to the spell Suggestion,
except that the character can use it a number of times
per day equal to the character’s class level, and the
effect lasts only a minute per class level, and the effect
is non magical in nature and cannot be dispelled or
resisted by anti-magic spells and the like. The effect of
this ability is listed explicitly below for sake of
reference.
The Commander can influence the actions of
the target creature by suggesting a course of activity
(limited to a sentence or two). The suggestion must be
worded in such a manner as to make the activity sound
reasonable. Asking the creature to do some obviously
harmful act automatically negates the effect of the
ability.
The suggested course of activity can continue
for the entire duration. If the suggested activity can be
completed in a shorter time, the spell ends when the
subject finishes what it was asked to do. You can
instead specify conditions that will trigger a special
activity during the duration. If the condition is not met
before the spell duration expires, the activity is not
performed.
A very reasonable suggestion causes the save to
be made with a penalty (such as –1 or –2). The base
save is Will based against 15+the Commander’s class
level + their Charisma Bonus.
The Commander can attempt to affect more
than one target creature at once by expending extra
uses per day, one per creature.
5
OPEN GAME LICENSE Version 1.0a
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15 COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Open Game License v 1.0 Copyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast,
A.1 Spectrum Shift, Unlikely Heroes, Unlikely Champions, The
Chrome World, and all content except tables and the Game rule
information section are Copyright 2005 Plot Device. Published by
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information section and all tables are Open Game Content.
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A.3 Character Portraits owned by Jason J McCuiston
http://www.jasonjmccuiston.com
Credits:
Commander image ……………. Jason J McCuiston
Proofing………………………… Michael Christie
Writing et al …………………… Evanglos Paliatseas