Exemplar
Raising his maul, the dwarf brings it crashing down onto the shambling skeleton before him. As the bones rattle onto the ground, the dwarf feels his shadow armor hum as more undead close in. The dwarf motions with his hands and unleashes a freezing wind into the undead horde, the ice and sleet stopping them in their tracks as onlooking soldiers shout and cheer.
Knocking an arrow to their bow, a drow fires an arrow at a troglodyte lurking in the shadows before them. As the arrow hits, lightning erupts from the impact toward another troglodyte nearby. As the troglodytes screech in pain, the drow chuckles while ethereal wings sprout from their back that lift them soaring into the air.
A human stares in awe at a massive statue of an ancient hero before kneeling in its presence, having journeyed far to see it in person. As she kneels, the human begin to feel a surge of magical power course through her body, the magic resembling that once wielded by the hero whose statue stands before her.
These heroes are exemplars — individuals who aspire to be as mighty as the heroes of myth and legend. They channel the magical strength of aspects that represent different powers of the universe, wielding such powers as they draw closer to becoming legends themselves.
Legend in the Making
Exemplars strive to become legends in their own right, revering heroes, paragons, and ancient icons who came before them. Many who become exemplars begin with a humble origin, simply longing to one day be a hero. Others are descended from legendary figures and wish to carry on their legacy. Regardless of their origin, the drive to become something greater than themselves is at the heart of every exemplar.
In their path to become a legend themselves, exemplars train in martial techniques, often focusing on specific weapons that grant them incredible skill in wielding them. They also draw upon aspects that represent different powers in the multiverse. These aspects can originate from divine, elemental, or otherworldly sources, and an exemplar can wield strands of their aspect’s power in ways that grant them special abilities, boons, and magical prowess.
Heroes of the World
Driven by their desire to be like the legends of old, the life of an exemplar is one of adventure. An exemplar lives for ways to prove their worth and to be remembered for ages to come. Many seek out evil forces or mythical monsters to vanquish. Some seek to perform feats of strength or undertake ancient journeys that are dangerous to most mortals. Others still seek to embody the qualities of their most revered heroes, instilling upon themselves a code of honor that an exemplar will live to uphold till their final breath.
Adventuring exemplars seek worthy challenges. The rumor of an ancient evil’s return, otherworldly forces tearing into the mortal realms, and braving a gauntlet none have ever returned from are but examples of the challenges that can entice an exemplar and call them to action. Exemplars long to be remembered and seek praise, respect, and admiration. Though there are many things that can make one a legend, few ever live to see themselves become one. It is this that drives an exemplar above all else — for to be remembered and be like a hero of
old is the ultimate goal.
Creating an Exemplar
The first thing you need to consider which combat form best suits your character. Every exemplar is trained with martial weapons, so be sure to work with your DM to figure out how your character became skilled in combat, and then choose a style of combat that best suits you and how you want to play.
Additionally, while you don't gain access to them at 1st level, begin to think about which aspects best suit your character, both in their personality and their fighting style. Your exemplar might be one that swaps between many aspects as it suits them day to day, or you might dedicate yourself to one, and only swap when you absolutely have too.
Quick Build
You can make an exemplar quickly by following these suggestions. First, make either Strength or Dexterity your highest ability scores, depending on the kinds of weapons you plan to use, followed by the ability you choose as part of your Aspiring Legend feature. If you're unsure, choose Charisma. Finally, choose the Folk Hero background.
Class Features
As an exemplar, you gain the following class features.
Hit Points
- Hit Dice: 1d10 per exemplar level
- Hit Points at 1st Level: 10 + your Constitution modifier
- Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d10 (or 6) + your Constitution modifier per exemplar level after 1st
Proficiencies
- Armour: Light armour, medium armour, shields
- Weapons: Simple weapons, martial weapons
- Tools: None
- Saving Throws: Strength, Dexterity
- Skills: Choose two from Acrobatics, Athletics, Insight, Investigation, Perception, and Persuasion.
The Exemplar
| Level | Proficiency Bonus | Features | Boons Known |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | +2 | Aspiring Legend, Armed Defence, Combat Form | ‒ |
| 2nd | +2 | Heroic Aspect | ‒ |
| 3rd | +2 | Exalted Boons | 1 |
| 4th | +2 | Ability Score Improvement | 1 |
| 5th | +3 | Extra Attack | 2 |
| 6th | +3 | Combat Form feature | 2 |
| 7th | +3 | By Their Will | 2 |
| 8th | +3 | Ability Score Improvement | 3 |
| 9th | +4 | Heroic Feat | 3 |
| 10th | +4 | Ability Score Improvement | 3 |
| 11th | +4 | Combat Form feature, Heroic Aspect increase | 4 |
| 12th | +4 | Ability Score Improvement | 4 |
| 13th | +5 | Sublime Boons | 4 |
| 14th | +5 | Resolve | 5 |
| 15th | +5 | Realized Legend | 5 |
| 16th | +5 | Ability Score Improvement | 5 |
| 17th | +6 | Combat Form feature | 6 |
| 18th | +6 | Sublime Boons increase | 6 |
| 19th | +6 | Ability Score Improvement | 6 |
| 20th | +6 | Heroic Will | 8 |
Equipment
You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background:
- (a) a martial weapon and a shield or (b) two martial weapons
- (a) studded leather armour or (b) scale mail
- (a) a longbow and 20 arrows or (b) five javelins
- (a) a explorer's pack or (b) a dungeoneer's pack
Alternatively, you may start with 5d4 x 10 gp to buy your own equipment.
Optional Rule: Multiclassing
Prerequisites. To qualify for multiclassing into the exemplar class, you must meet these prerequisites: Strength 13 and Dexterity 13.
Proficiencies. When you multiclass into the exemplar class, you gain the following proficiencies: Light armour, medium armour, simple weapons, martial weapons.
Aspiring Legend
Starting at 1st level, your legend has only just begun. Choose one of the following ability scores, which determines your exemplar ability modifier.
Intelligence. Your exemplar ability modifier is Intelligence, as you study the deeds of heroes of old. You gain proficiency in the History skill, and learn one language of your choice.
Wisdom. Your exemplar ability modifier is Wisdom, as you meditate on the actions of past legends. You gain proficiency in the Religion skill and one set of artisan tools of your choice.
Charisma. Your exemplar ability modifier is Charisma, as you personify the heroics of legends past. You gain proficiency in the Performance skill and one musical instrument of your choice.
You use your exemplar ability modifier as part of your class, subclass, and aspect features. In addition, you use your exemplar ability modifier when setting the saving throw DC for an exemplar feature you use.
Exemplar save DC
Armed Defence
At 1st level, your skill with your weapons allows you to use them to effortlessly parry strikes as you weave in and out of combat. While you're holding a weapon and not wearing any armor, your Armor Class equals 10 + your Strength modifier + your Dexterity modifier. You can use a shield and still gain this benefit.
Combat Form
Also at 1st level, you choose a combat form, which defines the kinds of weapons you fight with. Choose either the Crusader, Gladiator, Marksman, or Partisan, each of which are detailed at the end of the class description.
Your choice grants you features at 1st level, and again at 6th level, 11th level, and 17th level.
Heroic Aspect
Also at 2nd level, you can adopt an aspect that empowers you. Each aspect is an embodyment of a source of power. Many gods, otherworldly beings, and arch-devils and demons consider at least one of these aspects as part of their sphere of influence.
Choose one heroic aspect, detailed at the end of the class description, that you adopt. When you finish a long rest, you can replace any aspect you've adopted with another aspect of your choice.
When you reach 11th level in this class, you can adopt a second heroic aspect each time you finish a long rest.
Willpower
Some of your aspect features are fueled by willpower, which is your determination in battle. You have 4 willpower, and you regain all expended willpower when you finish a long rest.
Aspect Rite
Each heroic aspect has an associated Aspect Rite, which imbues you with a lasting power that embodies your adopted aspect. While you have adopted an aspect, you gain the benefits of its associated Aspect Rite.
Righteous Act
Each heroic aspect has a righteous act, a powerful ability that turns the tide of battle. You can use a righteous act you have access to by spending 2 willpower as an action on your turn.
Exalted Boons
At 3rd level, you can focus your aspect, refining your capabilities to suit your situation. You learn one exalted boon, which must be of an aspect you've adopted. Each of the exalted boons are listed below their associated aspect. When you gain certain exemplar levels, you can learn additional boons, as shown in the Boons Known column of the Exemplar table.
You can change your known exalted boons when you finish a long rest, choosing from the boons available to you by your chosen aspects. If you adopt a new aspect when you finish a long rest, you must replace any boons you know with boons from an aspect you're associated with.
At 20th level, you gain access to every boon associated with each aspect you've adopted.
Additionally, when you use a boon, you can spend 1 willpower to empower the boon's effects, granting it a bonus listed under each boon. You can only empower a boon this way once per turn.
Ability Score Improvement
When you reach 4th level, and again at 8th, 10th, 12th, 16th, and 19th level, you can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. You can't increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.
Extra Attack
Beginning at 5th level, you can attack twice, instead of once, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn.
By Their Will
Beginning at 7th level, the willpower of ancient heroes is imbued within you, granting you the means to fight on. When you finish a short rest, you regain 2 expended willpower.
Heroic Feat
At 9th level, when you make a saving throw or ability check using Strength or Dexterity, you can add both your Strength and Dexterity modifiers to it. You can use this feature after you roll, but before the DM says whether the roll succeeds or fails.
Once you use this feature, you can't do so again until you finish a short or long rest.
Sublime Boons
At 13th level, your ability to channel your aspect's power allows you to take on sublime boons. When you finish a long rest, you can choose a single sublime boon, which must be of an aspect you've adopted. A sublime boon doesn't count against the total number of boons you know.
When you reach 18th level, you can adopt a second sublime boon each time you finish a long rest.
Absolute Zero
Requirements: Aspect of Winter
Your very presence chills the air. Creatures of your choice treat any space within 10 feet of you as difficult terrain.
Blinding Flare
Requirements: Aspect of Fire
When you use your Wildfire rite on a creature, it must make a Constitution saving throw or become blinded until the start of their next turn.
Brightest Light
Requirements: Aspect of Light
You inner light always guides you. You gain the benefits of your Guiding Light rite for each attack you make on your turn.
Enduring Body
Requirements: Aspect of Death
You're able to rise above death. You regain hit points equal to 1d6 + your exemplar ability modifier if you end your turn in combat with fewer than half of your hit points remaining and you aren't incapacitated.
Lightning Storm
Requirements: Aspect of the Storm
Your lightning arcs across the battlefield as you effortlessly control it. When you use your Arcing Storm rite, the initial target of the attack also takes the rite's damage. Additionally, you can have two lightning bolts arc from the initial target towards two different targets. The distance you can have the lightning arc increases by 15 feet.
Tempest's Wings
Requirements: Aspect of Air
You cause a large pair of magical wings sprout from your back, granting you a flying speed equal to half your current speed.
You can create these wings as a bonus action on your turn.
They last until you dismiss them (no action required).
The wings you summon can take on an appearance
of your choice, but appear somewhat translucent and
obviously magical, and as such, don't impede you or
affect any armour you're wearing.
Resolve
At 14th level, your force of will is undeniable. If an effect that allows you to make a saving throw at the end of each of your turns, ending the effect on a success, you have advantage on the saving throw.
Realized Legend
At 15th level, your adventures have started to become legend. When you spend at least 3 days in a settlement, a number of commoners equal to your exemplar ability modifier approach you and offer to perform mundane tasks for you, but they do not fight for you, will not follow you into obviously dangerous areas, and will stop aiding you endanger or abuse them. They'll also stop aiding you once you leave the settlement.
Heroic Will
At 20th level, you have become legend. Your total willpower increases by 4 (to a total of 8), and you regain up to 4 expended willpower when you finish a short rest.
Additionally, when you make a weapon damage roll using Strength or Dexterity, you can add both your Strength and Dexterity modifiers to it.
Combat Forms
Each exemplar takes on a combat form that defines how they fight. Crusaders march forth with weapons that allow them to make use of shields, or keep a hand free. Gladiators rush into battle with a war cry and a heavy weapon. A marksman skirts along the edges of the battlefield, with a bow or crossbow in hand, and a partisan moves in and out of combat as if dancing.
Crusader
As a crusader, you fight with weapons such as longswords, battle axes, and spears, using them with skill and prowess. You fight best alongside others, and can easily parry, block, and dodge even the most dangerous blows.
Stand United
Starting at 1st level, you have advantage on saving throws against being frightened while you're within 5 feet of a friendly creature that isn't incapacitated.
Perfect Defence
At 1st level, you can easily parry and block dangerous blows. When you're hit by an attack while you're wielding a melee weapon in one hand and no other weapons, you can enter a defensive stance as a reaction. Until the start of your next turn, you gain a bonus to your AC, including against the triggering attack. This bonus is equal to your exemplar ability modifier.
You can use this feature a number of times equal to your exemplar ability modifier (minimum of 1), and regain all uses when you finish a long rest.
Perfect Defence Improvement
At 6th level, you can choose one of the following features, which enhances your Perfect Defence feature.
Reverberating Bulwark. Creatures that make attack rolls against you while you're in your defensive stance take force damage equal to 1d4 + your exemplar ability modifier.
Penultimate Defence. While in your defensive stance, you gain a bonus to any Dexterity saving throws you make equal to your exemplar ability modifier, and you can use your reaction to enter the defensive stance when you're forced to make a Dexterity saving throw.
The Best Defence
At 11th level, once per turn when you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can have it take an additional 1d6 damage and become taunted until the start of your next turn.
While taunted, the target has disadvantage on attack rolls against creatures other than you until it hits you with an attack.
Crusader's Stance
At 17th level, your opponents leave openings that you can easily take advantage of during battle. You can enter an aggressive stance as bonus action on your turn. While you're in this stance and aren't incapacitated, you can make a melee weapon attack against any creature that hits you with a melee attack (no action required).
This stance lasts for 1 minute, or until you make five special attacks, at which point it ends. Once you enter this stance, you can't do so again until you finish a long rest.
Gladiator
As a gladiator, you fight with weapons such as glaives, mauls, and halberds, wielding them with a devastating brutality. You excel when up close with your foes, where your sheer strength allows you to overpower others.
Glorious Slaughter
Starting at 1st level, you have advantage on Charisma (Intimidation) checks against a creature that has seen you reduce another creature of at least CR 1/4 to 0 hit points within the past minute.
Devastating Swing
At 1st level, when you make an attack while wielding a melee weapon with the heavy property, you can declare a devastating swing. On a hit, the target takes additional damage equal to 1d12 + your exemplar ability modifier, and must make a Constitution saving throw or be knocked prone.
You can use this feature a number of times equal to your exemplar ability modifier (minimum of 1), and regain all uses when you finish a long rest.
Devastating Swing Improvement
At 6th level, you can choose one of the following features, which enhances your Devastating Swing feature.
Dizzying Swing. On a failed save, the creature is also stunned until the start of your next turn.
Sweeping Blow. When you make a Devastating Swing, you can also have creatures of your choice within 5 feet of the target take 1d12 damage. This damage is the same as your weapon's damage type.
Executioner
At 11th level, you thrive in battle while your opponent is weak. Once per turn when you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you deal an additional 1d8 damage to it. If the creature is below half its hit point maximum, you deal 1d12 damage to it instead.
Gladiator's Challenge
At 17th level, your strikes inspire challenge, goading your enemies to do battle with you in your arena. As a bonus action on your turn, you can challenge a creature within 10 feet of you. A 20-foot radius sphere appears centered on that creature (but doesn't move with it) and lasts for 1 minute, until you leave the sphere, or until the creature is reduced to 0 hit points. The edges of the sphere are formed out of spectral soldiers, and if the challenged creature moves within 5 feet of the edge of the sphere on its turn or starts its turn there, it takes force damage equal to 1d12 + half your exemplar level. Only you and the challenged creature can see the soldiers, and the challenged creature can't leave the sphere by any means. All teleportation attempts fail, and spells and abilities can't move the creature outside the sphere, unless you cast them.
Once you use this feature, you can't do so again until you finish a long rest.
Marksman
As a marksman, you fight with weapons such as bows and crossbows, striking with deadly precision. You're patient with each and every shot, and know how to pierce even the most well defended foes.
Archer's Eye
Starting at 1st level, few can escape your gaze. You gain a bonus to your passive Wisdom (Perception) score. This bonus is equal to your exemplar ability modifier.
Piercing Shot
Also at 1st level, you can fire a piercing shot. When you take the Attack action on your turn, you can forgo a single attack as part of that action to make this special attack while you're wielding a ranged weapon. Creatures in a line 60 feet long and 1-inch wide must make a Dexterity saving throw, taking piercing damage equal to 2d4 + your exemplar ability modifier on a failed save, or half as much on a success.
You can use this feature a number of times equal to your exemplar ability modifier (minimum of 1), and regain all uses when you finish a long rest.
Piercing Shot Improvement
At 6th level, you can choose one of the following features, which enhances your Piercing Shot feature.
Magnum Shot. Creatures that fail their saving throw against your Piercing Shot are pushed 15 feet directly away from you, and the creature closest to you in the line has disadvantage on the saving throw.
Split Shot. You can fire three piercing shots as part of the attack, expending only one use of your Piercing Shot feature. A creature in the path of more than one arrow only takes damage from one.
Deadly Precision
At 11th level, you can focus your shots, ruthlessly sizing up your foe as you take them down. Once per turn when you make a ranged attack roll, you can declare one of the following shots, aiming at a specific part of the creature. If a creature doesn't posess the body part you declare, your attack gains no benefit.
Headshot. On a hit, the attack deals an additional 1d10 piercing damage.
Bodyshot. You can roll a d4 and add it to your attack roll.
Armshot. On a hit, the target must make a Dexterity saving throw or drop one object of your choice that it's carrying.
Legshot. On a hit, the target's movement speed is reduced by 10 feet.
Marksman's Barrage
At 17th level, you can summon a swarm of spectral arrows to barrage your foes. When you roll initiative or as a bonus action on your turn, you can summon 10 magical arrows in your space that hover around you. The arrows last for 1 minute, at which point they vanish.
Whenever you make a ranged weapon attack or use your Piercing Shot feature as part of the Attack action, you can have one of the arrows hovering around you shoot towards a creature you can see within 30 feet of your target. That creature takes 1d8 piercing damage.
Once you use this feature to summon the barrage of arrows, you can't do so again until you finish a long rest.
Partisan
As a partisan, you fight with weapons such as shortswords, daggers, and hand axes, allowing you to strike with speed. You attack fast and often, and dance across the battlefield with unmatched grace and elegance.
Dervish's Dance
Starting at 1st level, when you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can make the off-hand attack as part of the Attack action, rather than as a bonus action. You can't make a weapon attack using your bonus action and use this feature on the same turn.
Steel Whirlwind
At 1st level, you can whirl your weapons around you. When you take the Attack action on your turn, you can forgo a single attack as part of that action to make this special attack while you're wielding a melee weapon in each hand. Creatures within 5 feet of you must make a Dexterity saving throw, taking slashing damage equal to 2d6 + your exemplar ability modifier on a failed save, or half as much on a success. This attack counts as a weapon attack with a light weapon for the purposes of two-weapon fighting.
You can use this feature a number of times equal to your exemplar ability modifier (minimum of 1), and regain all uses when you finish a long rest.
Steel Whirlwind Improvement
At 6th level, you can choose one of the following features, which enhances your Steel Whirlwind feature.
Quicksilver Storm. Your steel whirlwind affects creatures within 10 feet of you. Creatures within 5 feet of you when you use it take an additional 1d6 damage.
Shield of Blades. Creatures that fail their saving throw have disadvantage on attack rolls against you until the start of your next turn.
Rapid Strikes
At 11th level, when you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack if you aren't already.
Partisan's Shroud
At 17th level, you can shroud yourself in a whirling storm of spectral blades. The first time you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack on your turn, these spectral blades whirl around you in a 5-foot radius. Each melee weapon attack you hit beyond the first on your turn increases the radius by 5 feet, to a maximum of 15 feet. The spectral blades vanish when you end your turn without attacking a creature.
When a creature of your choice enters the area for the first time on its turn or starts it's turn inside of it, it must make a Dexterity saving throw, taking slashing damage equal to 1d6 + your exemplar ability modifier on a failed save.
Heroic Aspects
Each heroic aspect is embodiment of power, something that is familiar, real, and inspires awe and respect. As an exemplar, your legendary destiny allows you to channel these aspects to bolster your martial prowess, harnessing magic unfamiliar and strange to achieve your goals.
Aspect of Air
The aspect of air embodies agility and fluidity. Those who adopt this aspect are nimble in battle as they weave between their foes, delivering a death as swift as they are.
Aspect Rite
You gain the following aspect rite, due to your connection to the aspect of air.
Wind Step. Your speed increases by 10 feet, and opportunity attacks against you have disadvantage.
Righteous Act
You gain access to the following righteous act, due to your connection to the aspect of air.
Raging Tempest. You call upon the aspect of air to throw those around you to their feet in awe of your glory as an action. Any number of creatures of your choice within 20 feet of you must make a Strength saving throw. Creatures that failed their saving throw are pushed up to 20 feet in a horizontal direction of your choice and are knocked prone. On a successful save, a creature can choose to either be pushed or be knocked prone.
Aspect of Air: Boons
The following boons are available to an exemplar who adopts the aspect of air.
Accelerate
You can run while others crawl. You have advantage on initiative rolls, and when combat begins, your speed increases by 10 feet and you don't provoke opportunity attacks until you take damage or until 1 minute passes.
Willpower. When you roll initiative, you can spend 1 willpower to increase the bonus to your speed by an additional 10 feet.
Gale Force
When you make an opportunity attack against a creature, you can instead attempt to shove the creature.
Willpower. You can spend 1 willpower when you shove a creature to grant yourself advantage on the Strength (Athletics) check.
Light Foot
You gain a bonus to your Dexterity (Stealth) checks equal to your exemplar ability modifier, and you can't trigger floor-based traps and mechanisms, such as tripwires, pressure plates, or pitfalls.
Willpower. You can spend 1 willpower to take the Hide action as a bonus action on your turn.
Wind Sprint
Your steps carry you far. When you take the Dash action, you can move an additional 15 feet if you only spend your movement on your turn moving in a straight line.
Willpower. You can spend 1 willpower to take the Dash action as a bonus action on your turn.
Aspect of Death
The aspect of death embodies resilience and hardship. Those who adopt this aspect are an unyielding force on the battlefield, wading through combat as they shrug off blow after blow.
Aspect Rite
You gain the following aspect rite, due to your connection to the aspect of death.
Soul Mark. Once per turn when you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can mark it until the start of your next turn. The next time the marked creature deals damage to you, you can reduce that damage by an amount equal to your exemplar ability modifier. You can reduce damage this way once per mark.
Righteous Act
You gain access to the following righteous act, due to your connection to the aspect of death.
Soul Shield. You can call upon the aspect of death to shroud you. As an action, you gain temporary hit points equal to 5 + twice your exemplar level, which last for 1 minute.
Aspect of Death: Boons
The following boons are available to an exemplar who adopts the aspect of death.
Hangman's Noose
You mark hangs over those close to death, stealing their vitality. If a creature is reduced to 0 hit points while it's marked by your Aspect of Death feature, you gain temporary hit points equal to your proficiency bonus + your exemplar ability modifier, which last for 1 minute.
Willpower. When you gain these temporary hit points, you can spend 1 willpower to teleport up to 15 feet to an unoccupied space that you can see.
Foot in the Grave
Your very essence is tied to death, granting you fortitude. Any critical hit against you becomes a normal hit. When you roll initiative, you gain temporary hit points equal to half your proficiency bonus + your exemplar ability modifier, which last for 1 minute.
Willpower. You can spend 1 willpower when you roll initiative and grant the same amount of temporary hit points to any number of creatures of your choice within 20 feet of you, which last for 1 minute.
Reject Death
When you're reduced to 0 hit points as a result of taking damage, you can drop to 1 hit point instead. You can't do so again until you finish a long rest.
Willpower. You can spend 1 willpower when you use this boon to drop to a number of hit points equal to 5 + your examplar level.
Umbral Armour
You can use your action to conjure and don a set set of shadowed armour. If you're wearing armour when you use this feature, the shadows wrap around your armour, shrouding it in solid black. While wearing the armour, your AC equals 17 (your Dexterity modifier doesn't affect this number), unless it would be higher. The shadowed armour disappears if you fall unconscious or if you use this feature again.
Willpower. You can spend 1 willpower as a bonus action to bolster your armour for 1 minute. While the armour is bolstered and you take damage greater than 5 + half your exemplar level, you can reduce that damage by an amount equal to 5 + half your exemplar level. This effect then ends.
Aspect of Light
The aspect of light embodies truth and compassion. Those who adopt this aspect are a force of precision, ensuring that both their own strikes, and those of their allies, land swift and true.
Aspect Rite
You gain the following aspect rite, due to your connection to the aspect of light.
Guiding Light. The first time you make a weapon attack on your turn, you gain a bonus to the attack roll. This bonus is equal to a d4.
Righteous Act
You gain access to the following righteous act, due to your connection to the aspect of death.
Solar Ray. You mark a creature within 60 feet of you with radiant light. At the end of that creature's next turn, a blast of light shoots down from the sky centered on that creature. The blast of light is a cylinder 20-feet wide and 10 miles high, and creatures of your choice in the blast must make a Constitution saving throw or become blinded for 1 minute. A blinded creature can repeat this saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on a success.
Aspect of Light: Boons
The following boons are available to an exemplar who adopts the aspect of light.
Brilliant Gleam
When you make an attack roll against a creature with advantage and hit, you deal an additional 1d4 radiant damage.
Willpower. You can spend 1 willpower when you take the Attack action, granting yourself advantage on weapon attacks you make until the end of the turn.
Halo of Light
You can summon a halo above your head as a bonus action, which lasts until you dismiss it (no action required). The halo sheds bright light in a 15-foot radius, and dim light for an additional 15 feet. Creatures of your choice have advantage on death saving throws while in the bright light shed by your halo.
Willpower. You can spend 1 willpower as a bonus action while you have your halo of light to empower it. For 1 minute while empowered, the radius of bright and dim light shed by your halo is doubled, and if the light overlaps with an area of magical darkness, that area is lit for the duration.
Radiant Strike
Even your missed strikes still strike with the fury of light. Once per turn when you miss with a weapon attack, you can have the target of the attack take radiant damage equal to your exemplar ability modifier.
Willpower. When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can spend 1 willpower to deal an additional radiant damage equal to 1d6 + your exemplar ability modifier to it.
Reaching Light
When you use the Help action to aid an ally in attacking a creature, the target of that attack can be within 30 feet of you, rather than within 5 feet of you, if the target can see you.
Willpower. You can spend 1 willpower to take the Help action as a bonus action on your turn.
Aspect of the Inferno
The aspect of the inferno represents ferocity and vengeance. Those who adopt this aspect are brutal on the battlefield, using their mastery of fire to punish those that dare face them.
Aspect Rite
You gain the following aspect rite, due to your connection to the aspect of the inferno.
Wildfire. Whenever a creature within 30 feet of you hits you with an attack, you can use your reaction to deal 1d4 fire damage to it.
This damage increases to 1d6 at 5th level, 1d8 at 11th level, and 1d10 at 17th level.
Righteous Act
You gain access to the following righteous act, due to your connection to the aspect of the inferno.
Vengeful Flare. You can imbue yourself with the vengeful aspect of fire that burns inside you as an action. You enter a vengeful state for 1 minute, which grants you the following benefits:
- When you deal damage to a creature with your Wildfire rite, you can roll the damage twice and take the higher number.
- Any damage you deal with your aspect features ignores resistance to fire damage.
- When a creature hits you with an attack, you can move up to your speed as a reaction and make a weapon attack against it. This attack has advantage, and on a hit, you deal additional fire damage equal to 2d8 + twice your exemplar level. Your vengeful state then ends.
Aspect of the Inferno: Boons
The following boons are available to an exemplar who adopts the aspect of the inferno.
Cloak of Embers
You can conjure a cloak made of smouldering embers. When you use your Wildfire rite, it deals additional fire damage equal to your exemplar ability modifier.
Willpower. When you use your Wildfire rite, you can spend 1 willpower and have creatures of your choice within 10 feet of you other than the target of the rite take fire damage equal to your exemplar ability modifier.
Fiery Charge
As an action on your turn, you can charge forward in a line 5-feet wide. The length of the line is equal to half your walking speed. You keep charging until you impact a solid surface or a creature, or until you reach the end of the line. If you strike a creature, it must make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, you strike the target and stop moving. When you strike something, whatever you strike takes fire damage equal to 2d8 + half your exemplar level.
Willpower. When you strike a creature with your fiery charge, you can spend 1 willpower and push the creature up to 20 feet directly away from you. If the creature collides with terrain, and object, or another creature, it takes 1d8 bludgeoning damage.
Flashfire
Once per turn when you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack, you can teleport to an unoccupied space within 5 feet of it that you can see.
Willpower. When you teleport after hitting a creature with a melee weapon attack, you can spend 1 willpower and teleport to an unoccupied space within 15 feet of it.
Stoke the Flames
When you take the Attack action on your turn, you can ignite any weapons you're holding, which become wreathed in flame until the end of your turn. While a weapon is wreathed in flame, attacks you make with it deal an additional 1d10 fire damage on hit. You can't use this boon again until you finish a long rest.
Willpower. You can spend 1 willpower to use this boon without expending your use of it.
Aspect of the Storm
The aspect of the storm embodies power and justice. Those who adopt this aspect strike true on the battlefield, landing blows as powerful as lightning bolts.
Aspect Rite
You gain the following aspect rite, due to your connection to the aspect of the storm.
Arcing Storm. Once per turn when you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can have lightning arc off it towards another creature within 15 feet of it. That creature takes 1d4 lightning damage.
This damage increases to 1d6 at 5th level, 1d8 at 11th level, and 1d10 at 17th level.
Righteous Act
You gain access to the following righteous act, due to your connection to the aspect of the storm.
Lightning Strike. You can call down the fury of the storm as an action. Choose up to three points that you can see within 60 feet of you. Creatures within 5 feet of a point must make a Dexterity saving throw, taking lightning damage equal to 2d8 + your exemplar level on a failed save, and half as much damage on a success. A creature in the area of more than one lightning strike is affected only once.
Aspect of the Storm: Boons
The following boons are available to an exemplar who adopts the aspect of the storm.
Cloudstrike
Your accuracy calls lightning. Whenever you score a critical hit, you can have the target of the attack and creatures of your choice within 5 feet of it take 1d10 lightning damage
Willpower. When you use your Cloudstrike, you can spend 1 willpower to increase the lightning damage by 1d10. Additionally, the range of the feature increases to 10 feet for that attack.
Distant Storm
Once on each of your turns when you make a weapon attack, you can have your reach for that attack be 5 feet greater than normal if you make a melee weapon attack, or increase your weapon's short range by 30 feet if you're making a ranged weapon attack.
Willpower. When you extend the reach or range of a weapon attack you make, you can spend 1 willpower to double the bonus reach or range of that attack, and have the attack deal lightning damage, instead of it's usual damage type.
High Voltage
Lightning surges inside of you, awaiting an outlet. You gain a bonus to your initiative rolls equal to your exemplar ability modifier, and when you roll lightning damage during the first round of combat, you can roll the damage dice twice and take the higher result.
Willpower. You can spend 1 willpower when you roll initiative as a reaction to choose two creatures you can see within the range of your Arcing Storm rite, dealing your arcing storm damage to each of those creatures.
Lightning Surge
Once per turn when you deal lightning damage to a creature with one of your exemplar features, you can cause another creature within 15 feet of the first creature to take half as much lightning damage.
Willpower. You can have the lightning bounce to an additional number of creatures equal to your exemplar ability modifier, each creature taking the damage. A creature can't take this damage more than once per turn.
Aspect of Winter
The aspect of winter embodies hardship and pain. Those who adopt this aspect are able to easily cripple their foes, leaving them helpless suffer the weight of winter.
Aspect Rite
You gain the following aspect rite, due to your connection to the aspect of winter.
Freezing Chill. Once per turn when you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can reduce its speed by 10 feet until the start of your next turn.
Righteous Act
You gain access to the following righteous act, due to your connection to the aspect of the storm.
Bitter Winter. You can embrace the chill of winter as an action, causing a winter storm to appear in a 10-foot radius sphere centered on a point you can see within 30 feet of you. The sphere lasts for 1 minute and is lightly obscured. Creatures of your choice inside of it have their movement speed reduced by half and can't take reactions. At the start of each of your turns, the radius of the sphere increases by 5 feet, to a maximum of a 40-foot radius sphere.
Aspect of Winter: Boons
The following boons are available to an exemplar who adopts the aspect of winter.
Biting Cold
Once per turn when you hit a creature who's movement speed has been reduced or is 0, you can deal additional cold damage to it equal to 1d4 + your exemplar ability modifier.
Willpower. You can spend 1 willpower when you deal this additional damage to have the target make a Strength saving throw, becoming restrained until the start of your next turn on a failed save.
Glacial Grasp
When a creature starts its turn within 5 feet of you, you can use your reaction to force it to make a Strength saving throw. On a failed save, it can't move further than 15 feet away from you until the start of its next turn.
Willpower. When a creature fails its saving throw, you can spend 1 willpower to enhance your grasp. The creature can't move further than 5 feet away from you until the start of it's next turn.
Snap Freeze
When you take the Disengage or Dodge action, you can cause the ground within 10 feet of you to freeze over with ice for 1 minute, or until you use this feature again. Creatures of your choice that enter the area or starts its turn on the ice must make a Dexterity saving throw or fall prone.
Willpower. When you use this feature, you can spend 1 willpower to freeze the ground within 20 feet of you for 1 minute. Frozen ground created this way remains frozen for the duration, even if you use this feature again.
Winter's Wall
As an action on your turn, you conjure a wall of ice on the ground between two points within 15 feet of each other and are within 30 feet of you. This wall is a 1 foot thick, 5 feet high, and provides half cover to creatures within 5 feet of it. If the wall cuts through a creature's space when it appears, the creature is pushed to one side of the wall (your choice).
The wall is an object made of ice that can be damaged and destroyed. The wall has an AC of 15, hit points equal to 10 + your exemplar level. The wall lasts for 1 minute, until it's reduced to 0 hit points, or until you use this feature again, at which point the wall shatters harmlessly.
Willpower. You can spend 1 willpower when you summon the wall to immediately summon a second wall of ice as part of the same action. If you summon a third wall, both walls shatter.
Credits
Lead Designer/Producer: Rain-Junkie
Version: 1.2 [24/01/21] Changelog
Editing/Proofreading: Caim, DMheavyarms, Izzy, NotTheSmoooze, Yorviing
Special Thanks: r/Mooncell and all my followers on both reddit and tumblr. Y'all are awesome!
Exemplar Icon: Game Icons
Artwork by: JenZee, Anton Fadeev, Jason Nguyen, Jun Dong Li, and Dominik Mayer
