Arcane Highwayman[edit]

As long as there have been people with riches, there have been others happy to relieve them of
that burden. Highwaymen are some of the most highly esteemed thieves in all the realms.
Typically preying on travelers from horseback, alone or in a gang, the highwayman ambush at
speed, take anything of value, and ride off as quickly as they arrived. Bandits of this type usually
rely purely on firearms such as hexagun pistols or hexagun rifles. The Arcane Highwayman has
highly customized his weapons to be able to fire arcane ammunition. These weapons must be
maintained constantly however, or they are liable to backfire with ruinous consequences.
Making an Arcane Highwayman[edit]
Effective, versatile, ranged damage dealers, the Arcane Highwayman is a master of his weapon.
While not afraid of a fist fight, they prefer to engage from range and have no scruples about
fighting dirty to win.
Abilities: Dexterity is the most important ability score for Arcane Highwayman, enhancing their
class abilities and capacity for ranged damage. Intelligence is also important for their abilities.
Constitution will allow them to stay in the fight longer and charisma will assist in their class
skills.
Races: Any.
Alignment: Any non-lawful.
Starting Gold: 6d4 x 10 gp (150 gp).
Starting Age: Simple.
Table: The Arcane Highwayman
Hit Die: d8

S
a
vi
n
g
Base T
Le Attac h
vel k r
Bonus o
w
s
F RW
o
rt ef ill
+ + + Craft Arcane Firearms and Ammunition +0, Ambush +1d6, Quick Draw
1st +1 0 1 0
2n +2 + + + Stand and Deliver, Bonus Feat
d 0 2 0
3r +3 + + + Arms and Ammo +1, Ambush +2d6, Uncanny Dodge
d 1 2 1
+ + + Evasion, Bonus Feat
4th +4 1 3 1
+ + + Barrage, Ambush +3d6
5th +5 1 4 1

6th +6/+1 + ++
2 4 2 Arms and Ammo +2, Bonus Feat

7th +7/+2 + ++
2 5 2 Ambush +4d6, Ricochet 5%

8th +8/+3 + ++
2 6 2 Bonus Feat, Trick Shot

9th +9/+4 + ++
3 6 3 Arms and Ammo +3, Ambush +5d6
10t +10/+ + + + Bonus Feat, Improved Barrage
h 5 3 7 3
11t +11/+ + + + Improved Uncanny Dodge, Ambush +6d6
h 6/+1 3 8 3
12t +12/+ + + + Arms and Ammo +4, Bonus Feat, Improved Evasion
h 7/+2 4 8 4
13t +13/+ + + + Ambush +7d6, Ricochet 10%
h 8/+3 4 9 4

14t +14/+ + + +
h 9/+4 4 10 4 Bonus Feat

15t +15/+ + + +
h 10/+5 5 10 5 Arms and Ammo +5, Ambush +8d6, Greater Barrage

16t +16/+ ++ +
11/+6/
h +1 5 11 5 Bonus Feat, Defensive Roll

17t +17/+ ++ +
12/+7/
h +2 5 12 5 Ambush +9d6, Opportunist

18t +18/+ ++ +
13/+8/
h +3 6 12 6 Bonus Feat, Slippery Mind, Arms and Ammo + 6
19t +19/+ ++ +
14/+9/
h +4 6 13 6 Ambush +10d6, Ricochet 15%

20t +20/+ ++ +
h 0/+5 6 14 6 Bonus Feat, Unending Barrage,
15/+1

Class Skills (8 + Int modifier per level, ×4 at 1st level)

Appraise (Int), Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int),
Diplomacy (Cha), Disguise (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Forgery (Int), Gather Information
(Cha), Hide (Dex), Handle Animal (Cha) Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (local) (Int)
Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Open Lock (Dex), Ride (Dex) Search (Int), Sense Motive
(Wis), Sleight of Hand (Dex), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str), Tumble (Dex), Use Magic Device
(Cha), Use Rope (Dex).
Class Features[edit]
All of the following are class features of the Arcane Highwayman.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Self-Crafted Firearms, Simple and Martial Weapons, as well
as Light and Medium Armor.
Quick Draw: Beginning Arcane Highwaymen gain access to Quick Draw, as the feat.
Craft Arcane Firearms and Ammunition (Sp): Unlike most people capable of casting arcane
spells, the Arcane Highwayman solely uses his magical talent for crafting, pouring his powerful
knowledge and experience into his firearms and the ammunition they shoot. As Craft Magic
Arms & Armor, the weapons and ammunition may be modified with abilities or with an
enhancement bonus. The crafting checks and costs are the same for this class feature. We are
using the Herregor Supplement material for crafting and weapon stats in this campaign but they
can be easily adapted or customized to fit your personal campaign needs.
Ambush: If an Arcane Highwayman can catch an opponent when they are distracted or unable to
defend themselves effectively from an attack (such as a surprise round of combat, blinded, or
flanked), the Arcane Highwayman can strike for extra damage. The attack deals extra damage
any time the intended target would be denied a Dexterity bonus to AC, or when the target is
flanked or distracted. This extra damage is 1d6 at 1st level, and it increases by 1d6 every two
Highwayman levels thereafter. This extra damage is not multiplied by a critical hit. Ambush can
only be used up to the max range of the weapon currently equipped. If for any reason the Arcane
Highwaymans attack deals non-lethal damage, the bonus damage is not added. An Arcane
Highwayman can ambush only physical creatures capable of being surprised—constructs, oozes,
plants, and incorporeal creatures are immune. The Arcane Highwayman may ambush creatures
with concealment or in cover but still takes the penalties to hit.
Stand and Deliver: During, and only during, the surprise round of combat, may an Arcane
Highwayman make an intimidate check as a free action against an enemy (DC 1d20 + HD +
target’s Wisdom bonus + target’s modifiers on saves vs fear). If the check fails, he may still
attack or take other actions as normal, and the target is immune to intimidate for the remainder of
the day. If the check succeeds, the Highwayman may force the target to take any standard action
allowed by an intimidate and may also rob them. The targets may normally attempt to conceal
the truth, location, or amount of goods, coin, and equipment they have from the Highwayman. If
the DC is surpassed by 10 or more, the target quakes with fear and will not lie or hide valuables
unless they are of the utmost importance. Creatures immune to fear are immune to Stand and
Deliver. This ability must be used on the "leader" or strongest target available if there is more
than one target. The target must be able to hear and understand you.
Uncanny Dodge (Ex): At 3rd level, an Arcane Highwayman can react to danger before their
senses would normally allow it, retaining their Dexterity bonus to AC (if any) even if they are
caught flat-footed or struck by an invisible attacker. However, they still loses their Dexterity
bonus to AC if immobilized. If an Arcane Highwayman already has uncanny dodge from a
different class, they automatically gain improved uncanny dodge instead.
Evasion (Ex): At 4th level and higher, an Arcane Highwayman can avoid magical and unusual
attacks with great agility. If they make a successful Reflex saving throw against an attack that
would normally deal half damage on a successful save, they instead take no damage. Evasion can
be used only if the Highwayman is wearing light armor or no armor. A helpless Highwayman
does not gain the benefit of evasion.
Barrage (Ex): As a full round action, the Arcane Highwayman unleashes a volley of weapons
fire at any target in range until his weapons are empty of ammunition and may move up to his
total move speed while firing. Each attack more than you are allowed is made at a stacking -2
modifier (e.g., at level 10, 1st attack at +10, 2nd +5, 3rd +3, 4th +1, 5th at -1, etc.) He may fire in
any direction he chooses and any enemies in cover are shaken for 1 round. Enemies immune to
fear are dazzled instead. Barrage improves at level 10, forcing enemies in cover to cower in fear
instead (Fear immune still only dazzled). Barrage improves again at level 15 removing the
penalty to successive attacks. Barrage improves again at level 20 allowing you to reload the
weapon(s) you fired with and fire again. After Barrage is used, you must wait 1d3 +1 rounds to
use it again.
Ricochet (Ex): Starting at level 7, the Highwaymans attacks that miss have a chance to strike the
intended target on a ricochet 5% of the time. You may reroll missed attacks. On a roll of 20, the
attack hits. While you may reroll every attack you miss in a round, no more than one may
ricochet and hit the target. The chance to hit increases to 10% (19-20) at level 13 and 15% (18-
20).
Trick Shot (Ex): The Arcane Highwayman may use trick shot to make ranged trip and disarm
attempts using dexterity for his opposed rolls.
Improved Uncanny Dodge (Ex): An Arcane Highwayman of 11th level or higher can no longer
be flanked.
Improved Evasion (Ex): This ability works like evasion, except that while the Arcane
Highwayman still takes no damage on a successful Reflex saving throw against attacks
henceforth they henceforth take only half damage on a failed save.
Defensive Roll (Ex): The Arcane Highwayman can roll with a potentially lethal blow to take less
damage from it than they otherwise would. Once per day, when they would be reduced to 0 or
fewer hit points by damage in combat (from a weapon or other blow, not a spell or special
ability), the Highwayman can attempt to roll with the damage. To use this ability, they must
attempt a Reflex saving throw (DC=damage dealt). If the save succeeds, they take only half
damage from the blow; if it fails, they take full damage. They must be aware of the attack and
able to react to it in order to execute her defensive roll—if she is denied her Dexterity bonus to
AC, she can’t use this ability. Since this effect would not normally allow a character to make a
Reflex save for half damage, the rogue’s evasion ability does not apply to the defensive roll.
Opportunist (Ex): Once per round, the Arcane Highwayman can make an attack of opportunity
against an opponent who has just been struck for damage in melee by another character. This
attack counts as the Highwayman’s attack of opportunity for that round. Even a character with
the Combat Reflexes feat can’t use the opportunist ability more than once per round. They may,
however, make additional attacks of opportunity normally, up to their total max allowable.
Slippery Mind (Ex): This ability represents the Highwayman’s ability to wriggle free from
magical effects that would otherwise control or compel them. If an Arcane Highwayman with
slippery mind is affected by an enchantment spell or effect and fails their saving throw, they can
attempt it again 1 round later at the same DC. They get only this one extra chance to succeed on
their saving throw.
Ex-Highwaymen[edit]
Highwaymen who retire from their violent, larcenous ways usually do so after being arrested /
atoning or fold themselves into the mercenary ranks as expert guns for hire. They are not
penalized and retain all abilities and class features but take a -15 to diplomacy with other
Highwaymen if they become lawful.
Epic Highwayman[edit]
Table: The Epic Arcane Highwayman
Hit Die: d8

Level Special
21st Craft Epic Firearms and Ammunition, Bonus Feat, Ambush +11d6
22nd Improved Class Feature
23rd Bonus Feat, Ambush +12d6
24th Improved Class Feature
25th Bonus Feat, Ambush +13d6
26th Improved Class Feature
27th Bonus Feat, Ambush +14d6
28th Improved Class Feature
29th Bonus Feat, Ambush +15d6
30th Improved Class Feature
8+
Int
modif
ier
skill
point
s per
level.
Epic Quick Draw: At epic levels, a Highwayman may draw, conceal, or sheathe an equipped or
hidden weapon as a free action.
Epic Barrage: At epic levels, a Highwayman's skill synergize. The Highwayman may now fire
and reload and fire their main equipped weapons once, then hoster them both and draw and fire
all other weapons they have once as well.
Epic Ricochet: At epic levels, Ricochet now has a 25% (16-20) chance to hit and also may hit as
many times as you missed (e.g., 4 attacks, 2 misses, two total ricochet rerolls, two max times that
it can hit).
Epic Trick Shot: At epic levels, Trick shot may be used to both trip and disarm a single target
with a single attempt.
Epic Opportunist: At epic levels, the Highwayman may make opportunistic attacks up to his
total attacks of opportunity per round.
Bonus Feats: The epic Arcane Highwayman gains a bonus feat (selected from the list of epic
Arcane Highwayman bonus feats) every other level after 20th.
Epic Arcane Highwayman Bonus Feat List: Blinding Speed, Dextrous Fortitude, Dextrous Will,
Distant Shot, Epic Dodge, Epic Endurance, Epic Leadership, Epic Prowess, Epic Reflexes, Epic
Weapon Focus, Great Dexterity, Improved Combat Reflexes, Improved Sneak attack (Ambush),
Instant Reload, Legendary Rider, Perfect Two Weapon Fighting, Polyglot, Self-Concealment,
Sneak Attack of Opportunity, Superior Initiative, Swarm of Arrows (Hail of Bullets), and
Uncanny Accuracy.
Campaign Information[edit]
Playing a Arcane Highwayman[edit]
Religion: As Arcane Highwaymen come from all backgrounds, they tend to worship the deity of
their people. Those who do not, if they worship at all, pray to Fharlanghn or Olidammara.
Other Classes: Distanced or Hostile to "inflexible" lawful PCs and NPCs. Friendly or downright
Jovial with Rogues, Bards, and similar classes.
Combat: Good Ranged Damage Dealer, Fair Battlefield Controller.
Advancement: Arcane Highwaymen often take ranks in Rogue, Bard, Fighter, Ranger, or
Sorcerer depending on the roll they want to play in the party. Prestige classes vary with PC
ambition and game setting from Blackguard, as the right hand scoundrel of a would-be usurper
of the throne, to a horizon walker with legendary wanderlust.
Arcane Highwaymen in the World[edit]
“ Good morning to you both. Now, stand and deliver! ”
—Patrick
Flemmen,
Gnome Arcane
Highwayman
Arcane Highwayman tend to be among the ranks of leadership in a gang of thieves or can be
found as elite mercenaries working for pillage and coin.
Daily Life: Highwaymen spend their time stealing from traders, travelers, and merchants. When
they aren't "working," they are spending their coin in taverns, brothels, and gentlemans clubs
both celebrating their successes and gathering information about possible heists.
Notables: Robin of the hood, Claude Du Vall, Sixteen String Jack, Jesse James.
Organizations: While there are traders, travelers, and merchant caravans heading overland,
there will always be Highwaymen to relieve them of their goods and coin. These are usually only
organized into bands of 4-40 people, organized much as pirates would be, with the leader and his
right hand and usually one to two more lower officers dividing loot, training, and giving orders.
NPC Reactions: Strictly lawful PCs and NPCs treat known Highwaymen with distrust or
hostility. Unlawful PCs and NPCs treat known Highwaymen with the respect due to a
"gentleman of the road".
Arcane Highwaymen in the Game[edit]
Ranged damage dealers, battlefield controllers, tacticians, leaders, scoundrels, duelists, gypsies,
tramps, and thieves. Any and all unlawful souls can find something to do amongst the
Highwaymen. Some hoard their coin to retire and live like royalty, some live like (well armed)
paupers and support the orphanage where they grew up. Some spend all they gain in a short life
of wild, pleasurable abandon, some use what they steal to become legitimate businessmen. The
motivations of Highwaymen, though almost always unlawful, are as varied as the people who
join their ranks. They lie, steal, cheat, and murder, but they not necessarily without regret.