Shepherd class features and progression.
Let all who are afflicted come. I will mend thy bones and soothe thy wounds. Thou shalt revere the gifts of life and death, neither of which is ever given or taken. Rather, we are all souls merely journeying between this realm and that of the beyond. But alas, often do these wandering souls find themselves bereft of guidance. Thus falls upon the Shepherd the solemn duty—to be a beacon of light to those ensnared in darkness, and darkness to those who, in hubris, deem themselves to be the light.
For many, the journey of service is a difficult path—yet, in this task we are not solitary. Our Lifebinding Spirits, the steadfast companions of our faith, are bound beside us, comforting and aiding us in the stewardship we’ve been given. As a Shepherd, you:
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Embrace the Balance. Embody the forces of Life and Death, wielding spells from your chosen domains. As you walk the path of balance, ponder which way the scales shall tip: towards healing or harm?
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Lead a Faithful Companion. Summon a Lifebinding spirit to your side, providing invaluable support in battle. Whether bolstering allies with healing or smiting foes with righteous fury, your spirit companion stands ready to aid in the struggle.
- Key Stats
- WIL, STR
- Hit Die
- d10
- Starting HP
- 17
- Saves
- DEX−, WIL+
- Armor
- mail, shields
- Weapons
- All STR weapons
- Starting Gear
- Rusty Mail, Mace, Wooden Buckler, Bell
Class features
Level 2
You unlock tier 1 Radiant and Necrotic spells and gain a mana pool equal to (WIL×3)+LVL, recharges on a Safe Rest.
(Radiant Spell, Tier 1) Action: Summon a spirit companion that follows you and is immune to harm. It lasts until you cast this spell again, take a Safe Rest, or it heals a number of times equal to the mana spent summoning it. Action: It attacks or heals a creature within Reach 4 for 1d6+WIL radiant damage (ignoring armor) or heals for the same amount. Upcasting: Increment its die size by 1 (max d12), +1 healing use.
Level 3
Choose a Shepherd subclass.
Choose 1 Necrotic and 1 Radiant Utility Spell.
Level 4
You may now cast tier 2 spells and upcast spells at tier 2.
+1 WIL or STR.
Level 5
+1 INT or DEX.
Your cantrips grow stronger.
Choose 2 Sacred Graces.
Level 6
You may now cast tier 3 spells and upcast spells at tier 3.
Choose a 2nd Necrotic and Radiant Utility Spell.
Level 7
Gain your Shepherd subclass feature.
Level 8
You may now cast tier 4 spells and upcast spells at tier 4.
+1 WIL or STR.
Level 9
Choose a 3rd Sacred Graces.
+1 INT or DEX.
Level 10
You may now cast tier 5 spells and upcast spells at tier 5.
Your cantrips grow stronger.
Level 11
Gain your Shepherd subclass feature.
You know all Necrotic and Radiant Utility Spells.
Level 12
You may now cast tier 6 spells and upcast spells at tier 6.
+1 WIL or STR.
Level 13
Choose a 4th Sacred Graces.
+1 INT or DEX.
Level 14
You may now cast tier 7 spells and upcast spells at tier 7.
Level 15
Gain your Shepherd subclass feature.
Your cantrips grow stronger.
Level 16
You may now cast tier 8 spells and upcast spells at tier 8.
+1 WIL or STR.
Level 18
You may now cast tier 9 spells and upcast spells at tier 9.
Level 19
Choose an Epic Boon.
Level 20
+1 to any 2 of your stats. Your Lifebinding Spirit rolls twice as many dice.
Your cantrips grow stronger.
Sacred Graces
Choose Sacred Graces as you level up.
- Assist Me, My Friend!
Whenever you make your first melee attack each round, you may add your Lifebinding Spirit’s damage to the attack.
- Empowered Companion.
Whenever you spend mana to call forth your Lifebinding Spirit, you cast it as if you spent 1 additional mana (ignoring the typical spell tier restrictions). The maximum die size is now a d20.
- Guiding Spirit.
When your Lifebinding Spirit rolls a 6 or higher on its damage die, the target begins to glow with radiant light. The next attack against that target has advantage.
- Hasty Companion.
+4 Reach for your Lifebinding Spirit. It can also act for free when summoned.
- Vengeful Spirit.
Action: Your Lifebinding Spirit sacrifices itself to transform into a swirling vortex of radiant light that damages all enemies within 3 spaces of you, ignoring armor and cover. This lasts for a number of rounds equal to the healing charges left on the Lifebinding Spirit.
Subclasses
Malice
Level 3
When you use Searing Light to harm an enemy, make a 2nd enemy within range take the same amount of damage (ignoring armor).
Vibrant colors and lovely smells are suppressed near you. Foods spoil more rapidly in your presence, and you frequently awaken to flies wherever you lodge. You may have your Lifebinding Spirit shift into a deathly version of itself (a zombie dog, a devious imp, etc.) and have its damage type become necrotic.
Level 11
Your first melee attack each round against a Bloodied creature is an automatic critical hit. Your Lifebinding Spirit deals additional damage equal to your STR.
Level 15
Your Veilwalker’s Blessing ability recharges when you roll Initiative. This charge is lost if unspent at the end of combat.
Mercy
Level 3
When an effect caused by you heals a Dying creature, they are healed for twice as much. (1/round) Your Lifebinding Spirit can act for free while you are Dying.
Harmless and lovely creatures such as butterflies and humming birds are attracted to your presence and often follow you. Flowers bloom more vibrantly in your presence.