Like the Errant, the Expatriate has no permanent home, wandering from place to place in search of adventure and acceptance. However, the Expatriate is a nomad by circumstance, not choice. A warrior in exile, the Expatriate has renounced his allegiance to the
Church of Palanos. He may feel that Xanthios or the Church have become corrupt or that his superiors may have betrayed their commitment to their principles, or he have may have been dismissed for political reasons. In any case, his disillusionment is complete. He now makes his own decisions.
There are two points in his career when a paladin may become an Expatriate:
He may become an Expatriate at 1st level, taking this kit just as he would any other. Presumably, the character was unaware of the corruption of his government or Church while being trained, discovering the truth shortly after taking his Oath.
- A character with another paladin kit may abandon it when his superiors betray him or some other dramatic event occurs that prompts him to renounce his fealty. The character may either become a standard Templar or he may become an Expatriate, retaining his current level (a 3rd-level Errant who renounces his fealty becomes a 3rd-level Expatriate). The new Expatriate keeps all of his equipment and proficiencies, but drops the Special Benefits and Hindrances associated with his previous kit; he acquires the Special Benefits and Hindrances of the Expatriate kit instead.
Ministration: Independent
Role
Though still lawful good, an Expatriate distrusts most formal institutions, including governments and organized centers of faith. He obeys the dictates of his conscience and Palanos only, remaining skeptical of all self-proclaimed and elected authorities. Though courteous and respectful, he no longer automatically follows the orders those holding positions of power. He weighs each request against his own principles, agreeing to a mission or favor only if completely convinced of its merit.
Expatriates are often moody, cynical, and bitter. An Expatriate may feel his good name has been permanently tarnished, a condition he struggles to correct by volunteering for demanding, even dangerous, missions. He remains loyal to his lawful good comrades but resists close friendships. He has little patience with most neutral characters, finding their lack of commitment insipid and contemptible. He crushes his enemies without remorse.
Few governments or churches trust Expatriates enough to hire them as mercenaries. Therefore, Expatriates must rely on treasure or tournament winnings to make a living. Additionally, the Expatriate may be actively hunted by the Templar Order or Xanthic Soldiers. Rarely is the Expatriate’s change in allegiance accepted without protest.
Some Expatriates attempt to setup a new order, clean of the errancies of the Church of Palanos. These new orders, at best, are seen as enemies of the Church which seeks to eradicate them. Few survive, though 100 years ago Craylos the Scarred resisted the the Chruch and became a folk hero. To this day, Expatriate Templar view his ideals as the ideal and hold him to an almost prophet like status. Many take the moniker “the Scarred” in reverence to him and his bold vision.
Distinctive Appearance
Symbol: Many take the crossed swords and equine symbol of Craylos as their unify symbol or go without entirely.
Special Benefits
An Expatriate comes and goes as he pleases, subservient to no one. He has no edicts to follow, other than those imposed by Palanos himself or his avatars.
An Expatriate remains a hero to the peasants and other oppressed people of his homeland, who admire him for his integrity and sterling character; from all those not associated with the officials of his former government or church, he receives a +2 modifier to his reaction rolls. To commoners of other lands familiar with his reputation, he also receives a +2 reaction modifier. Additionally, he will be given food and shelter from all commoners whose modified reaction is Friendly. This courtesy extends to any companions, so long as he vouches for them.
Special Hindrances
Independence also has its drawbacks. As with the Errant, the Expatriate has no government or church to provide loans, supplies, or support. He may build a stronghold if he saves enough money, but he isn't eligible for property grants, charters, or benefices.
Elite NPCs are reluctant to associate too closely with an Expatriate, fearing they might invite the wrath of Xanthios or the Church. Therefore, sensing the Expatriate's discomfort and distrust, all characters in positions of power suffer a -2 modifier to their reaction rolls.
Officials of the Xanthios or the Church consider him an embarrassment at best, a traitor at worst. An Expatriate is constantly hunted and harassed by his ex-employers, who may seek to punish, arrest, or even execute him.
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