Divine champion

Divine champions are powerful individuals in the service of a specific deity. Divine champions come from all sorts of backgrounds and are united solely by their dedication and a loose set of shared skills, neither necessarily possessing the formal training of a cleric nor the conviction of a paladin, though all are are considered holy warriors of their various churches, dedicated to the protection of holy sites, priests, and pilgrims, as well as leaders in any crusades.

Culture
Whereas most divine spellcasters are bound to serve their god under tight restrictions, divine champions are a more loose-ended form of soldier among the faithful, able to carry out the will of their god in ways that others might not be able to. Divine champions have, in fact, no alignment restriction at all and are not even required to be the same alignment as their deity, as an avenger, invoker, or paladin is and while it is unlikely, an evil divine champion could serve within the church of a good god such as Bahamut, so long as their faith was true.

Little unites divine champions. Most of them have a military background, but it is not a requirement. Divine champions are a diverse lot and it is as possible for a barbarian or a bard to become a divine champion as it is a cleric or fighter. Divine champions are, however, required to possess some learning in religious lore, as well as the ability to wield their god's favored weapon skillfully. Every single church can have divine champions and the battles between champions of opposing faiths are legendary.

Abilities
Divine champions, in spite of their varied origins and natures, share a number of abilities obtained from their god through divine magic. Many of these are parallel to the prayers of paladins and other divine spellcasters. Notably, divine champions possess the prayer lay on hands, or an ability very similar to it, which is typically associated with paladins, and, as in paladins, has an effectiveness related to the user's strength of conviction. Divine champions can even couple this ability with the paladin's equivalent if they are themselves paladins. Like paladins, divine champions can also smite the enemies of their god, be they the Faithful of other gods or the Faithless who believe in none.

Divine champions also have access to a number of other abilities and training. Divine champions have some martial training, for instance, along the lines of that practiced by fighters, and are also, through a power known as sacred defense, able to project a field of divine magic around that that protects them from prayers and the supernatural abilities of outsiders. Another ability of the divine champion is to turn this power towards offensive purposes, granting them improve strength and accuracy in their attacks, as well as a tremendous ability to stave off ill effects.

Notable Divine Champions

 * Duma Varr
 * Ilmeth
 * Jereth Burlisk
 * Lady Jeryth Phaulkon
 * Khumarr
 * Kyrran Graylord
 * Mantasso of Summit Hall
 * Martak Ironwall
 * Nasher Alagondar
 * Prince Yder Tanthul
 * Redeye
 * The Pereghost
 * Throm Forkbeard
 * Light of Heavens
 * Kael the half-drow