PRESTIGE GROUPS

There is no need for Prestige Classes in the Known World. The core classes
cover everything necessary, even though you can never have too many feats
and spells (except if youre a player and about to level-up your character ;-) ).
But there is a need for describing the elite groups of the Known World.
Groups with stringent prerequisites for membership, groups that most people
regard with a mixture of awe, fear and envy.
Hence the concept of prestige groups.
Compared to prestige classes, prestige groups always have strong
campaign-related and weak stat-related advantages. The latter are usually
restricted to influencing non-members with some skills and/or getting certain
circumstance bonuses when acting together with other members.
Berzerkers
Greek Amazons
Knights of the Pierced Heart
Order of the Light
Valkyries

Each prestige group is described in the following manner:

Culture: The culture(s) where the prestige group is known by the public.
Purpose: The core motivation for the group.
Prerequisites: How you join.
Patron Deity: Virtually all prestige groups have a spiritual connection.
Sometimes the group is effectively a cult.
Dress Code: Whether it is for traditional or practical purposes (usually both),
almost all prestige groups require their members to have distinctive
appearances.
Bonuses: Under certain circumstances, a member of a prestige group can
take advantage of the training and reputation of the group in a way that
directly influences some die rolls.
Reputation: Some prestige groups are associated with a particular alignment
in the eyes of the public. This can be pure prejudice and need not be true at
all. For members below level 11, this is the alignment their reputation has. For
members of level 11 or above, flip a coin or use a die to determine each time if
this precieved alignment or the member's own alignment is used in a
particular encounter. For the purposes of the prestige group's alignment, all
members are considered 10 levels higher than their character level. See the
Reputation section for details.

BERZERKERS

Screencap from Ariane's Xena Warrior Princess Gallery

Culture: Norse, Turangi
Purpose: Fighting and killing.
Prerequisites: BAB +2, male, ability to rage.
Patron Deity: The Darkness.
Dress Code: None. Wear whatever you like.
Bonuses:

Primal Rage

When raging within 30 of another raging character (berzerker

or not, ally or not), you use the longest remaining rage
duration in that area. It works like this:
- If you start raging at the same time as another character of
higher level, use that characters level to determine the
duration of your rage.
- If you are raging already and a new character starts to
rage, use that characters full rage time to determine the
remaining duration of your rage, if it exceeds your normal
remaining time.
- If a character whose rage increased your own rage time
moves beyond the 30 range, you still use the new increased
rage time. You dont need to keep count of separate durations.
- You still cant rage more than the normal number of times
per day.

Reputation: CE
(Note the spelling. Not to be confused with the more general term
"berserker".)

GREEK AMAZONS

Thanks to Ariane's Xena Warrior Princess Gallery for the picture.

Culture: Greco-Roman
Purpose: Men have a tendency to oppress and belittle women. For women to achieve their full
potential, it is necessary to live separate from men. To ensure this separation, women must be
able to defend themselves, and cooperate with each other.
Prerequisites: Must be female, no physical stat below 10, must win the respect of a Greek
Amazon.
Patron Deity: Before season 6: Artemis and Hera. Season 6: Ares.
Dress Code: no armour, light clothing with animal insignia. In battle: body paint and/or Amazon
masks.
Bonuses:

Outdoor
Stealth:

+2 circumstance bonus to Hide while outdoors.

Battle
Language:

You can communicate with other Greek Amazons by means of

bird sounds. Non-Amazons can discern that the bird sounds
are a human signal system by means of a Knowledge (nature)
check DC 15.
Fighting Spirit: +1 morale bonus to AC and attack bonus when fighting with at
least 1 other Amazon (Greek or otherwise) as an ally on the
battlefield.
Reputation: NE
More on Greek (and other) Amazons here.

KNIGHTS OF THE PIERCED HEART

Culture: Celtic
Purpose: Preserve the traditions of the Britannic kings of old and fight the enemies of the Light.
Prerequisites: LG, BAB +3, must perform a quest.
Patron Deity: The Light
Dress Code: Studded mail, gold necklace with the orders symbol
Bonuses:

Honour

Your oath is accepted as a guarantee by everyone in the

Celtic culture.

Battle
Language:

Battle Glory:

You can communicate with other Knights of the Pierced Heart

by means of obscure references to deeds of legendary
members. Non-knights can discern that the references have a
hidden meaning by means of a Knowledge (nobility & royalty)
check DC 15.
+1 morale bonus to AC and attack bonus when fighting with at
least 1 other Knight of the Pierced Heart as an ally on the
battlefield.

Reputation: LG

ORDER OF THE LIGHT

Culture: Celtic, Chin, Indian

Purpose: Further the cause of the Light by collecting relevant knowledge and spreading peace
and serenity.
Prerequisites: LG alignment. Must study in an order monastery for a year.
Patron Deity: The Light.
Dress Code: yellow robes.
Bonuses:

Elucidating

When making a Knowledge check in the presence (within

Presence

sensory range) of another member, you get +4 morale bonus.

Reputation: LG

VALKYRIES

Screencap from the excellent Ariane's Xena Warrior Princess Gallery

Culture: Norse
Purpose: Act as Odins personal guard and make sure that brave warriors are brought to
Valhalla, dead or alive.
Prerequisites: BAB +15, female, befriend or impress Odin.
Patron Deity: Odin
Dress Code: Valkyrie armour
Bonuses:

Blood-hoof
Valkyrie Arms and
Armour
Ride of the Valkyries
Reputation: LE

You get a personal flying horse.

You get Valkyrie armour and a masterwork longsword.
You a +2 morale bonus on Ride checks on your bloodhoof.