Prestige Classes as Campaign Flavor

3.x ways to define your Greyhawk Campaign


The idea of the prestige class was one of the big draws for DnD 3.0. For many long time gamers it was the incarnation of the idea that a character could become something extraordinary by choosing a particular set of skills and classes. It was the streamlining of the rules for the first edition Bard and the Thief Acrobat.

However, some gamers fail to appreciate the non-rules effect of Prestige Classes. The exclusion or inclusion of a particular class will affect the flavor of the scenario or campaign. This decision can be used to further clarify the vision of the world.

An example: There has been no mention of a Military Academy in the campaign world. The usual assumption is that the military follows the norms of medieval Europe. There is no standing national army. If one is needed, it will be raised from the forces of vassal lords. However, if the GM allows an Academy Officer Prestige class then the assumptions change. Now there would be some sort of training institution for soldiers. It follows that there is a need for professional officers. It is thus possible that a national army exists.

To go further, the introduction of a prestige class could become a campaign event itself. Imagine that the Military Academy had just opened its doors. Most likely enemy spies would begin observing and reporting on the development. Even better, suppose the Academy is just a proposed project. There would be much politicking as well as spying as proponents and opponents try to determine the outcome. A whole backdrop of espionage could accompany the idea that a prestige class will be introduced in the future.

It is this flavor generating characteristic that makes the Prestige Class even more valuable.