IMPERIAL HERALDS

The Imperial Herald is a class of bard trained at the Royal Heraldic Academy, a prestigious bardic college and university devoted to preserving the cultural and artistic heritage of the old Empire.  Located in the city of Anuire in a complex adjacent to the Royal College of Sorcery, the Academy also boasts the Imperial Library and Museum, the single largest repository of knowledge in all of Cerilia.

Not all the graduates of the college become Heralds, only those accepted into Imperial service.  Competition for admission into this elite program is fierce, and the course of study is demanding.  Other graduates still may attain prestigious assignments throughout Anuire as teachers, historians, artists, advisors and diplomats, but only the finest and most accomplished students receive the coveted title of Imperial Herald.

Player characters enter the Academy at 1st level and graduate (and begin play) at 3rd level.  Their first assignment is usually (but not always) as an apprentice to a Master Herald, a Herald who has reached 10th or "name" level.  This apprenticeship generally lasts one year, or longer if the Master feels the apprentice is not yet ready to operate independently.  At the DMs option, the Master Herald may serve as a patron for the character's initial adventures.

(NOTE:  Player characters who attend the Academy but do not join the Imperial service are treated as normal bards as per the rules in the PHB and BR Rulebook.  These individuals enter the college at 1st level, and graduate as a 3rd level bard.  Only Imperial Heralds receive the benefits described here.   Optionally, the DM may design their own Bard kits to reflect other courses of study available at the Academy.)

The Imperial Heralds serve the Imperial Chamberlain, Caliedhe Dosiere, and are the intelligence gathering and adventuring arm of what remains of the Empire.   In a land shattered and divided by warring regents and rival factions, they are the eyes and ears of the Chamberlain.  Their mission is two-fold:

1. To preserve and protect the cultural and artistic heritage of Imperial Anuire, that the Empire may one day rise again to its former greatness.
2. To observe and document the actions of the regents and rulers of Anuire, that a worthy successor to the Iron Throne may one day be found.

In addition to this mission, they often undertake sensitive and secret missions at the behest of the Chamberlain.  Although Heralds often assume positions in the courts of other regents, their ultimate loyaty is to the Chamberlain and to the Empire.

POSSIBLE ROLES:

-retriever of Imperial artifacts and treasures
-intelligence gathering (spy!)
-investigator
-negotiator/arbiter
-ambassador/diplomat
-advisor/lieutenant
-courier/messenger
-court historian/steward
-teacher/tutor (retired or semi-retired Heralds of higher level often serve as teachers at the Academy)
-translator/interpreter
-entertainer (songs & stories of the old Empire's greatness, heores of the Imperium, etc.)

ABILITY REQUIREMENTS:  DEX 13, INT 14, CHA 16

WEAPONS ALLOWED: any

ARMOR ALLOWED: up to and including chain mail, no shield.

WEAPON PROFICIENCIES:   Bonus: none.  Required: gladius (short sword). Recommended: quarterstaff, club, dagger.

NON-WEAPON PROFICIENCIES:  Bonus: Ancient History (Anuire), Diplomacy, Read/Write Anuirean.  Required: Artistic Ability, Etiquette, Heraldry.  Recommended: Andu (ancient Anuirean), Appraising, Musical Instrument.    Note: As per the PHB, Heralds may learn two musical instruments for each proficiency slot spent.

COMBAT: Imperial Heralds are given intensive training in personal combat, due to the sensitive and often dangerous nature of their work and the need for self-defense.  They are conditioned to use their fighting abilities only when necessary and only in defense of themselves or their mission.   Their combat skills are highly respected by those who have had the unfortunate opportunity to find themselves facing them in combat. 

Although they may not specialize in a weapon, Imperial Heralds fight with the THAC0 of a warrior in the first two weapons they select (i.e., the gladius and one other weapon they trained with while at the Academy).  This reflects the intensive combat training in these weapons which they receive as part of their schooling.  Also, Heralds gain additional attacks at higher levels as per a warrior, but only with their two initial weapons.  With all subsequent weapons learned they use the THAC0 and number of attacks normally allowed a rogue.  

Upon graduation from the Academy, new Imperial Heralds are given a drusus (a gladius of exceptional quality, see Complete Fighter's handbook, pp. 96-98) as a symbol of their new station in life.  While not magical, these weapons are suitable for later enchantment.

THIEF ABILITIES:  A Herald may select any four thief abilities as electives to study while at the Academy.  Advancement in these skills is as per the rules for Bards in the PHB.

MAGIC USE:  Students at the Academy are given limited instruction in magic in conjunction with the nearby Royal College of Sorcery.  As per the BR Rulebook, Heralds can only cast spells of the Divination and Illusion schools, and spells of the Enchantment/Charm school using ancient elven songs.   Upon graduation they have successfully learned the following 1st-level spells:   Charm Person (song), Detect Magic, Identify and Read Magic.  A Herald may also select two additional spells as "electives" to add to their spellbook.

OTHER ABILITIES:  Imperial Heralds also possess the influencing and inspirational abilities, as well as the 5% per level chance of determining the general purpose and function of magic items, of Bards as described in the PHB.

RESTRICTIONS:

- Alignments allowed: Neutral Good, Neutral (True), Lawful Neutral
- All Heralds must swear a lifelong oath of service and loyalty to the Empire and to the Imperial Chamberlain.  This oath requires unquestioning devotion to the above-stated missions of the Imperial Heralds, and includes a covenenant of strict neutrality in the affairs of independent sovereign nations.  An Imperial herald may never control holdings outside the Imperial City unless directed to do so by the Chamberlain.  They may assist other regents and serve as an interim regent in emergencies but may never aquire Regency Points of their own.  Violation of this oath is punishable by death, however such a sentence may only be passed after a full investigation by either a Master Herald or the Chamberlain himself.
- Uniform: All Heralds must wear a uniform when on "official" assignments.   This uniform consists of a dark purple tabard with golden trim, black trousers and boots, and a slate-grey cloak.  The tabard is often worn over a suit of leather or chain mail armor.  The Herald's ceremonial drusus and a golden brooch emblazoned with the seal of the Imperial City of Anuire, worn on the left breast over the heart, round out the uniform.

By Kevin Moss

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