While other racial paragons tend to be rare exemplars of their race, athiks are expected to naturally progress as paragons as they mature. All leaders among the athik people are paragons of their race, indeed it is a mandatory requirement to become a leader. Regardless of other accomplishments, leadership is regulated by a strict caste system based on paragon levels.
An athik who has never gained a paragon level is a Worker, the lowest caste and barred from any racial leadership position. Workers are believed to simply lack the natural insight necessary to properly guide the hive mind of the species. In the view of the athik people, Workers are children who have yet to fully mature.
Upon gaining a single level, the athik grows bigger and stronger than the average Worker and progresses to becoming either a Soldier or a Supervisior, depending on whether they serve in a combat role or in something more focused on logistics.
When an athik gains a second paragon level, their minds are enhanced and their psionics grow more potent. With two levels, they become an Administrator, serving as generals, executives, and other roles in the highest tier of leadership among the athik peoples. Their heightened psionic ability to communicate and aid their allies is far beyond the average athik.
Finally, an athik ascends to becoming a Queen with a third level of athik paragon. The third level transforms an athik on a fundamental level, expanding their mind and powers to become a gifted leader for their race. Although any athik is capable of reproduction, only queens are permitted to create and rule over their own colonies.
| Base Attack Bonus | Fort Save | Ref Save | Will Save | Special | Manifesting | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | +0 | +2 | +0 | +2 | Improved capacity, improved stability | – |
| 2nd | +1 | +3 | +0 | +3 | Athik Telepathy | +1 level of psion |
| 3rd | +2 | +3 | +1 | +3 | Ability boost (Int +2) | +1 level of psion |
Class Skills (4 + Int modifier per level): Psi Lore, Engineering, Athletics, Profession, and Arcane Lore
Class Features
Weapon and Armor Proficiency
An Athik Paragon is proficient with Basic weapons. They do not gain proficiency with any type of armor or shield.
If not using weapon groups, an Athik Paragon is proficient with simple weapons.
Improved Capacity
At 1st level, an athik paragon’s carrying capacity increases to be the same as a creature two size categories larger with the same strength score. He does not take speed penalties, check penalties, or have a maximum dexterity bonus due to encumbrance when carrying a medium or heavy load, and he may use all class abilities as if he were carrying only a light load.
In addition, he no longer takes a penalty to his speed when wearing medium or heavy armor.
Improved Stability
An athik paragon’s bonuses from stability increase by +2 to a total of +6.
Manifesting
At 2nd and 3rd level, an athik paragon progresses his psion manifesting as if he gained a level of psion.
If an athink paragon has no levels in psion, this class feature has no effect at 1st or 2nd level. However, at 3rd level, he learns three psion talents but no higher level powers. He gains power points and can manifest these powers as if he were a 1st-level psion.
Athik Telepathy
An athik paragon gains Athik Telepathy as a bonus feat at 2nd level. If he already possesses this feat, he gains no additional bonus.
Ability Boost
At 3rd level, an anthik paragon’s Intelligence score increases by 2 points.