Iron Tyrant (Antipaladin Archetype)
The clenched fist has often been a symbol of power. For some it is a raised fist of defiance. For others, however, it is the grip of tyranny. So too is all-covering armor that makes the wearer look sinister and fearsome, also a symbol of that tyranny. So, naturally, some antipaladins with aspirations to rule over others adopt those symbols as their own, and with the help of whatever dark force empowers them, their abilities begin to resonate with those choices.
These Iron Tyrants, as they are known, use their power to make their armor all the more imposing and deadly, as well as that of their mightiest weapons, their iron-clad fists.
Interestingly enough, these sinister warriors form a sort of parallel with divine defender and legate paladins with their focus on their armor, though I’m sure the paladins dislike such associations.
Though they are masterful at delivering powerful punches, iron tyrants become even more deadly when they clad their bodies in metal, with guantlets of all descriptions and even armor spikes dealing an uncanny amount of damage in the same vein as the favored weapons of warpriests.
They are also consummate warriors, focusing on learning a variety of martial techniques.
Furthermore, their power lends weight and momentum to their march, making only the most impeding of terrain have any effect on them.
Additionally, they also bond with their armor, able to call upon a fiendish spirit to enhance the armor in various ways, with the depth of what they can do increasing with their mastery. However, unlike divine defenders, the abilities granted by such a bond take a decidedly evil bent.
It would be a mistake to assume that this is merely an antipaladin equivalent to certain other paladin archetypes, for while they become hard to harm in this state, its no question that their focus on their enhanced punching and armor spike wielding power that they are more unstoppable agressors than they are defenders. Pick your feats based on wanting to wade in and “lay on hands” in a much more violent way than the touch of corruption ability, and go to town.
One might assume that being tyrants would make these antipaladins lawful evil, but this is not the case, for while they might rule others with an iron fist, they have no interest in law or order, only in power. The only rule of the land is to obey the iron tyrant, as far as they are concerned. However, this lack of structure can make iron tyrants in actual leadership positions easy to disrupt and take down.
The cephalophore guardians of the temple of the Everlasting Justice were meant to stave off despoilers, but when the Steel General of the invaders strode in and pounded both into rubble with nothing but armored fists, it became clear that this was no mere territorial squabble.
Baron Astrogar is in a rage, more so than usual, the brutal devotee of The Rampager being held in check by his new master, Prince Olind. Though a mere boy and frail, Astrogar knows better than to raise a hand in defiance, for the child has power that outstrips his own, coming from a much more sinister, intimidating force.
Not every iron tyrant uses their fists. Certain modifications, particularly among the demonblood-tainted lizardfolk of the east, involve metal claws, both those fitted to gauntlets and even surgically implanted ones. These antipaladins of the Iron Talon cloak themselves fully in segmented iron armor with overlapping plates, resembling some shining, spike-covered armadillo lizard or saurian beast.
