Knight of Nine Stars

Though human civilizations have evolved chivalric orders of warriors, in accordance with their brutish philosophies, it is wizardry that has seen the need for such brotherhoods among the elven peoples. Though the original word, aldori, translates to “the glorious” in Common, elves prefer to translate the term to “knight,” that those they meet may understand the proper context for the role of the aldori in elven society. There are a number of aldori orders in existence, but the largest and most influential of them is the Silmeradna, or the “Nine Stars.”

In the philosophy of the Silmeradna, each star represents both a virtue to which the aldori of the Nine Stars should hew, as well as a specialization of magic. These stars are named using poetic expressions, and the Silmeradna aldori speak of them as though they were numinous beings of some sort, like demigods or spirits. The aldori of the Nine Stars learn to master these virtues as they master these schools, transforming their very spellcasting abilities as their understanding of the Nine Stars evolves.

The Order of Nine Stars is sworn to uphold these virtues, and to obey the King and Queen of Sedas. Until recently, the Order was one of the most powerful military structures in the known world. But with the rise of the Poison Prince and the rebellion of his younger sister, the Order is split between the Black Stars who continue to serve Prince Cir in Sedas and the White Stars who have joined Princess Yaris' rebellion.

Though the Knights of Nine Stars will aid those who are not elves, they ultimately do so for the benefit of elvenkind. Those who benefit from their aid are asked to keep with them, on their honor, a pendant showing the Nine Stars. Any elf of Sedas who recognizes the pendant (often worn around the wrist) can call on that individual for assistance should they require it and it is within that person's ability to give.

• Hit Die: d8

Requirements

To qualify to become a Knight of the Nine Stars, a character must fulfill all of the following criteria:

• Race: Elf
• Background: Must be elven nobility of Sedas.
• Base Attack Bonus: +3
• Skills: Diplomacy 4 ranks, Knowledge (Arcana) 2 ranks, Knowledge (Nobility) 2 ranks, Ride 2 ranks, Spellcraft 4 ranks.
• Feats: Combat Casting
• Proficiencies: Must have Martial Weapons and Light Armor proficiencies.
• Class Abilities: Must be specialized in one of the following Arcane Schools: Abjuration, Conjuration, Divination, Enchantment, Evocation, Illusion, Necromancy, Transmutation or Universalist.
• Special: Ability to cast 2nd level arcane spells.

Class Skills

The Knight of Nine Star's class skills (and the key ability for each) are Diplomacy (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (Arcana ) (Int), Knowledge (Nobility) (Int), Ride (Dex), Sense Motive (Wis), Spellcraft (Int).

• Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.

Knight of Nine Stars Class Progression

Level	BAB	Fort Save	Ref Save	Will Save	Special	Spells per Day
1st	+0	+1	+0	+1	Silmeradna Aldori	+1 level of existing class
2nd	+1	+1	+1	+1	Virtue of Stars	+1 level of existing class
3rd	+2	+2	+1	+2	Virtue of Stars	+1 level of existing class
4th	+3	+2	+1	+2	Virtue of Stars	+1 level of existing class
5th	+3	+3	+2	+3	Virtue of Stars	+1 level of existing class
6th	+4	+3	+2	+3	Virtue of Stars	+1 level of existing class
7th	+5	+4	+2	+4	Virtue of Stars	+1 level of existing class
8th	+6	+4	+3	+4	Virtue of Stars	+1 level of existing class
9th	+6	+5	+3	+5	Master of Nine Stars	+1 level of existing class

Class Features

All of the following are class features of the Knight of Nine Stars prestige class.

• Weapon and Armor Proficiency: The Knight of Nine Stars gains no additional weapon or armor proficiencies.
• Spells: A Knight of Nine Stars gains new spells per day as if he had also gained a level in a spellcasting class he belonged to before adding the prestige class. He does not gain other benefits a character of that class would have gained, except for additional spells per day, spells known (if he is a spontaneous spellcaster), and an increased effective level of spellcasting. If a character had more than one spellcasting class before becoming a Pathfinder savant, he must decide to which class he adds the new level for purposes of determining spells per day.
• Silmeradna Aldori (Ex): The spellcaster receives the Initiation of Nine Stars, aligning his spirit and arcane abilities more closely to the philosophy of the Order's understanding of magic. If he is a Universalist wizard, he gains one additional spell per spell level per day that he can cast as though he were a specialist, save that it may be of any school. If he is a Specialist wizard, he loses his two chosen opposed schools and instead gains the single opposing school as dictated by the Philosophy of the Nine Stars (see below).
• Virtue of Stars (Ex): The Knight learns to align himself with one of the Nine Stars other than the one he is already aligned with. After a rest, while he is preparing his wizard spells, the knight must choose which Star to align himself with of the ones he has mastered. For the purpose of preparing his specialist spell that day and the purpose of utilizing powers associated with the arcane schools, he is considered a specialist in the school associated with the Star he chooses that day.
  • In addition, once a Knight has mastered both Stars opposite one another in the Philosophy of the Nine Stars, he may prepare his additional specialty spell slot with two spells, one from each of the schools in that pair. Casting one of them exhausts both spells, however. He also gains the arcane school powers for both of those schools.
  • For example, if Andaro aligns himself with the star Ilishai (Necromancy) and has also mastered Irranae (Transmutation), he may prepare one Necromancy spell of 1st level and one Transmutation spell of 1st level in his additional specialist spell slot for 1st level. If he prepares Chill Touch and Jump, he can cast either one of them. Casting one consumes the other spell at the same time, however. Additionally, he gains the arcane school powers of a Necromancy specialist and a Transmutation specialist of his level.
• Master of Nine Stars (Ex): Though there is always a head of the Order of Nine Stars, only one aldori in every hundred or so ever become a true Master of Nine Stars. A Master of Nine Stars has aligned his spirit with all nine of the Stars, and is capable of shifting subtly among those specialties. As a move action, the Master of Nine Stars can shift his effective specialty to any of the schools, changing the arcane school powers he has access to.
  • Additionally, the Master of Nine Stars gains enviable flexibility in his spellcasting. He is able to prepare his additional specialty spell slot with one spell of each school. Casting any one of these exhausts all the spells prepared in the slot, however, as is normal for those who can use paired Stars with Virtue of Stars (above).

The Philosophy of Nine Stars

The Order's occult teachings hold that there are Nine Stars, one for each of the schools of wizardry, including the Universalist school. These stars exist in a pattern with eight stars surrounding the central one. These stars are spoken of as having personalities, investing the aldori with Virtues if they are pursued. Each also has an opposing Star, as well, which dictates the opposed school of initiated Knights of the Nine Stars. These "oppositions" are not spoken of as conflict, but rather balance.

Of Mercy & Power

These two stars discuss the need for Power and Mercy. Without Mercy, Power becomes the province of the wicked. Without Power, Mercy can accomplish nothing. The aldori virtue of this pair is to be powerful in the implementation of mercy.

• Ageia, the Star of Compassion. Associated with the school of Abjuration, Ageia demands a willingness to defend the weak from the aldori. It is the duty of each of the glorious to use their power to defend those who cannot defend themselves, particularly against sorcerous threats against which strength of arms is insufficient.
• Penali, the Star of Power. Associated with the school of Evocation, Penali is sometimes said to be the “little sister” of Owadi, for once communication has failed, the aldori must deal with problems without hesitation. Violence - magical or otherwise - is a tool to be used decisively and quickly, with full, precise control.

Of Stasis & Dynamism

These two stars cover the philosophies of order and chaos, of eternal stillness and eternal change. The world must ever slide between these two extremes, and without one, the other has no meaning save in madness. The aldori virtue of this pair is to be unwavering in goal, but unpredictable in implementation.

• Ilishai, the Star of Endurance. Associated with the school of Necromancy, Ilishai demands of the aldori a sense of permanence and temperance. They must be unswaying in their devotion, honor and integrity, eternal as the dead are eternal.
• Irannae, the Star of Adaptation. Associated with the school of Transmutation, Irannae is the adaptive quality of the Nine Star aldori, who must be cunning enough to adapt their plans and approaches no matter the situation.

Of Subtlety & Revelation

These two stars speak to the nature of mystery and experience. The aldori virtue of this pair is to speak little and listen much: to uncover secrets and mysteries, and then become a defender of them.

• Pishau, the Star of Phantoms. Associated with the school of Illusion, Pishau speaks to the elven desire to engage in what is called alavani, or “to pass lightly.” The aldori strive to leave little mark of their passage through their environment, preferring subtlety and secrecy to flashy bombast.
• Ocura, the Star of Wisdom. Associated with the school of Divination, Ocura teaches that the aldori owe it to their people to practice their arts with wisdom. Impulsiveness and knee-jerk decisions are eschewed in favor of well-researched, thoroughly-considered decisions.

Of Command & Obedience

These two stars cover the philosophy of being a leader and being a follower. Both are heavy responsibilities, and skill in one only improves skill in the other. The aldori virtue of this pair is every knight capable of command, but obedient to those who currently lead.

• Owadi, the Star of Whispers. Associated with the school of Enchantment, Owadi demands leadership and the ability to command from its knights. Aldori of the Nine Stars consider communication a great virtue, and the first recourse in all cases of conflict.
• Atfae, the Star of Summons. Associated with the school of Conjuration, Atfae highlights the virtue of obedience to those whom the aldori owes fealty and service. Like the most powerful of demons, elementals and other entities, the aldori owe service in proportion to their power: the more potent they are, the more service they owe.

Of Mastery & Balance

The last of the Nine Stars is associated with the practice of wizardry itself, and speaks to the ultimate goal of perfect sorcerous balance, which is its virtue.

• Urmagae, the Star of Sorcery. Associated with no school of magic, save the practice of wizardy itself, Urmagae speaks to the practice of magic as a virtue in and of itself. Magic is not merely a means to an end, but an ends in and of itself, worth preserving, practicing and expanding for its own benefit.