Steel Born

A figure walks through the battlefield, covered with mortal wounds and lifeless eyes, yet its sword is raised in a permanent dignified stance, almost as if eternally seeking for a fight.

A young elf in a forest sits quietly in a bush, biding time with his bow, waiting for the perfect shot against the invading bandits. Time strikes, but unexpectedly, an animal startles the ranger, making him release a hopeless shot. Yet the arrow with a slight glow, as if having a mind of it's own, with a curve changes its route, striking true.

A scoundrel gets ambushed by a pair of thieves, and as the young kid tries to pull out a white crystal dagger, he quickly gets disarmed, with the dagger being thrown away. As the figures close in on the young kid, suddenly one of the attackers reels in pain as the dagger lifts off the ground and jams itself in its back.

A noble knight sits in prayer, preparing to take his oath. In front of him is a beautiful set of armor with a golden blade resting besides it, the quietness in the room almost observing him. Just as his father and grandfather did, he will take on the duty and the privilege of carrying the family blade, for never again will he be alone.

All of these people may at once have been regular people, but in some way they have found themselves side by side with a Steel Born - a living and thinking weapon. These weapons bond with their partners, sometimes even linking their souls in return for great power. Always by their side they shall have an ally that will know no fear, and whomever crosses their path shall face the judgment of steel.

As a steel born you gain these features

Ability Score Increase. Your Strength or Dexterity score increases by 2, and one other ability score of your choice increases by 1.

Age. Steel Born can be of various origins and don't age, therefore being able to reach ages of 500+.

Size. Size tends to be between small and tiny and varies depending on the weapon, such as a longsword being small and a dagger tiny.

Speed. Your base walking speed is 0 feet. You have a fly (hover) speed of 30 feet. You cannot fly higher than 5 feet.

Weapon Physiology. You cannot wear armor, wield weapons or hold items. You can wear rings, amulets and other jewelry on your haft, crossguard, through holes in your blade or any other means of having it on your weapon.

Innate Magic. You can innately without any spell components cast mage hand cantrip.

Living Construct. Your type is Construct and that fortitude gives you some benefits:

• You have advantage on saving throws against being poisoned, and you have resistance to poison damage.
• You don't need to eat, drink, or breathe.
• You are immune to disease.
• You don't need to sleep, and magic can't put you to sleep.
• If the mending spell is cast on you, you regain 2d6 hit points. The caster additionally to casting this spell, may expend a spell slot to heal you for 1d6 extra hit points, for each spell slot level expended.
• If you are reduced to 0 hit points, while unconscious you lose all of your magical properties and return to your true form. Additionally you cannot be stabilized by a medicine check. Instead, you can be stabilized by a successful DC 10 Arcana or an appropriate Artisan's tools check(Up to DM's discretion)

Recharge When you take a long rest, you must spend at least six hours in an inactive, motionless state, rather than sleeping. In this state, you appear inert, but it doesn't render you unconscious, and you can see and hear as normal.

Living Weapon. You resemble a weapon from the weapons list in the PHB. You are always considered to be wielding that weapon, and you are proficient with it. You do not suffer disadvantage to your attack rolls due to being a Small creature attacking with a heavy weapon if you are a heavy weapon. You can allow yourself to be wielded by another creature. That creature must attune itself to you as though you were a magic item. If you are unwilling to be wielded, that creature must succeed on a grapple check against you. Additionally you gain the properties of the weapon whom form you take (such as a dagger, having light, finesse and thrown properties.). If the weapon you are has the thrown property, it can only be used when you are wielded. If you are a weapon that requires ammunition, you can conjure a singular piece of ammunition every time living weapon makes an attack, after which the ammunition disappears.

False Appearance. When you remain motionless and you are not flying, you are indistinguishable from a normal weapon. In combat, while motionless and as long as you haven't take any actions enemies can identify you as a threat and attack you if their Passive Insight is higher than your Passive Deception (Passive Deception is 10 + Your Deception Modifier) or by making a successful Insight check.

Malleable. As an Action you can change your form into any other basic non-magical weapon in the PHB. You can use this trait a number of times equal to your Constitution modifier (minimum of 1), and you regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.

Limited Telepathy. You can telepathically speak to any creature you can see within 15 feet of you. You can only speak to the creature telepathically through languages you understand.

Languages. You can speak, read and write Common and a language of your choice.

Class features

As a steel born, you gain following class features.

Quick Build

First, make Strength or Dexterity your highest ability score, depending on whether you want to focus on melee weapons or on archery (or finesse weapons). Your next-highest score should be Charisma. Second, choose the hermit background.

The Steel born

Level	Proficiency Bonus	Features
1st	+2	Host, True Form, Perfect Partner, Unarmored Defense, Made to Fight
2nd	+2	Fight Plans
3rd	+2	Steel Born Method
4th	+2	Ability Score Improvement
5th	+3	Improved Fight Plans
6th	+3	Evasion
7th	+3	Steel Born Type feature
8th	+3	Ability Score Improvement
9th	+4	Soaring Armament
10th	+4	Steel Born Method feature
11th	+4	Soul Manifest
12th	+4	Ability Score Improvement
13th	+5	Dynamic Strategy
14th	+5	Magic Weapon (+2)
15th	+5	Steel Born Method feature
16th	+5	Ability Score Improvement
17th	+6	Call to Arms
18th	+6	Steel Born Method feature
19th	+6	Ability Score Improvement, Magic Weapon (+3)
20th	+6	Fragment of Perfection

Multiclass Restriction

If you pick this class or race, you cannot multiclass into any other classes as well as multiclassing into this class.

Feat Interactions

If the Steel Born has features such as Slasher, Crusher or similar type Feats that empower your attacks, you only gain such benefits when you make attacks yourself and not your host. Similarly if your host has such feats, the host gains benefits of them as normal.

Method of The Binded

Some creatures become steel born by being bound to weaponry or by experiencing tragic deaths and refusing to move on, trapping their souls in a piece of equipment. With that binding most steel born lash out at the world, trying to gain their own freedom in any way possible.

Withering Strike

At 3rd level, you are ready to strike down any foe in your way. While you are in the Striker stance, when you or your host hits a target with your living weapon, you can use your reaction to deal an additional Steel Die of necrotic damage to that target. This increases to two dice at 5th level, three at 11th level and four at 17th level. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Charisma modifier. When you finish a short or long rest, you regain all expended uses.

Possesion

From 7th level onwards, you can use your willpower to bind another's will to your own. If you are being held by a creature of CR equal to quarter of your level or less, you may as an action try and take control. The creature rolls a Charisma Saving throw against your Steel Born DC. On a failure, you gain control of the creature for as long as it holds you and it counts as being attuned to you. While controlling the creature, it acts on your initiative and you may command it as a free action. Additionally for all intents and purposes, while controlling it, the creature counts as your original host

Steel Born DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus +

your Charisma modifier

The possession lasts for the next 8 hours, after which the possession ends. Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.

Fury of The Bound Soul

Beginning at 10th level, you can unleash your anger onto the world, making foes tremble and preparing you for combat. As an action when you are wielded you can make the host release a terrifying shriek, your host gains temporary hit points equal to your level and all creatures of your choice within 60 feet of you must make a Wisdom saving throw against your Steel Born DC or become frightened for 1 minute. At the end of each of their turns, they may repeat the saving throw, ending the condition on a success. Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.

Blades Unchained

At 15th level, you have managed to release a fragment of your potential in a chaotic outburst. As an Action while you are a melee weapon you may start flying through the field, cutting anyone in your path. Any creatures of your choice within 15 feet of you must make a Dexterity saving throw against your Steel Born DC or take 10d8 Slashing, Piercing or Bludgeoning damage, depending on your current form. On a success they take half damage. Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

Improved Possession

Starting at 18th level, your influence has grown strong enough to break the wills of seasoned veterans. You may now innately once per long rest cast Dominate Monster using your Steel Born DC. Additionally, after the 8 hour duration of the possession, it no longer ends and instead the creature must make a Charisma saving throw with disadvantage to try and break the possession. On a failure, possession continues for the next 8 hours, after which the creature can repeat its saving throw. The range of possession is also increased to 15 feet, and the range for maintaining Possession increases to 30ft from the Host. You cannot command the creature to attack unless it is currently wielding you. Once you use this feature, you must finish a long rest before you can do so again.

Aegis of Steel

At 3rd level you have found yourself dedicated to protect others in more ways that just using your forms. You gain proficiency with Light, Medium and Heavy armor as well as ignore strength requirements for wearing it. During part of a long rest, you can connect yourself with currently not worn set of armor and have it become part of you. While connected with armor this way, your size is medium and your AC is as if you donned that set of armor. Instead of a bonus action now you can be donned and wielded as an action from either the host or you. Depending on the type of armor, you gain different benefits:

• Light Armor. You and your host gain advantage on dexterity skill checks.
• Medium Armor. At the start of the hosts turn, you and the host gain temporary hit points equal to half your level (rounded up).
• Heavy Armor. When you choose Heavy Armor Aegis, you gain a resistance of your choice from the following list: fire, cold, lighting, acid, necrotic and radiant . Additionally, the host receives all resistances and immunities you have.

The creature donning you, counts as wearing the armor and suffers the same penalties if it is not proficient in it. If your hit points are reduced to 0 while being donned, you immediately drop from the host

Protectors Duty

Beginning with 7th level, you have sworn to protect your host no matter what. While in the Vanguard stance, you may as a bonus action rejuvenate your allies and restore your hosts hit points equal to half your level(rounded up) + your Charisma modifier . You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Charisma modifier. When you finish a long rest, you regain all expended uses.

Lawful Restraint

Starting with 10th level, you have found that sometimes restrictions need to be put on some, to stop them from harming others. When not donned, you can attempt to grapple a creature of medium size or smaller. On a success you and the creature are restrained. While restrained this way, the creatures AC is equal to either your AC or it's, whichever is higher. You can take the attack action, while restraining a creature this way.

Guardian's Resolve

At 15th level, you have dutied yourself to go to any lengths to seek and protect others, even if you break. While in the Vanguard stance, if your host is hit by an attack, you may choose to take the damage instead of the host.

Undying Legionnaire

Starting with 18th level, you have gone through all kinds of dangers and your steel has been tested in many battles, making you and your host near unstoppable. You have advantage on death saving throws. While you are donned by your host, if yours or the hosts hit points are reduced to 0 hit points, the host and you may choose to remain conscious and continue fighting. If you take damage while at 0 hit points this way, you may make a Concentration check, not gaining a failed death save on a success. While at 0 hit points this way, you still make death saving throws at the end of your turns.

Spellcasting

The divine power instilled in you by the deities allows you to augment your attacks and aid your allies. This divine font of magic, fuels your spells. See chapter 10 for the general rules of spellcasting and chapter 11 for the steel born spell list.

Spell Slots. The Steel Born table shows how many spell slots you have to cast your steel born spells of 1st level and higher. To cast one of these steel born spells, you must expend a slot of the spell's level or higher. You regain all expended spell slots when you finish a long rest.

For example, if you know the 1st-level spell bless and have a 1st-level and a 2nd-level spell slot available, you can cast bless using either slot.

Spells Known of 1st Level and Higher. You know three 1st-level spells of your choice from the paladin spell list.

The Spells Known column of the steel born table shows when you learn more steel born spells of your choice. Each of these spells must be of a level for which you have spell slots. For instance, when you reach 6th level in this class, you can learn one new spell of 1st or 2nd level.

Additionally, when you gain a level in this class, you can choose one of the steel born spells you know and replace it with another spell from the steel born spell list, which also must be of a level for which you have spell slots.

Spellcasting Ability. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for your paladin spells, since you gain the magic from innate divine power. You use your Charisma whenever a spell refers to your spellcasting ability. In addition, you use your Charisma modifier when setting the saving throw DC for a w izard spell you cast and when making an attack roll with one.

Spellcasting Focus. You can use yourself as a spellcasting focus of your spells.

Spell Save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus +

your Charisma modifier

Spell attack modifier = your proficiency bonus +

your Charisma modifier

Emissary of The Gods

At 3rd level you are able to use a part of the divine laying dormant inside you to bolster your host. When in the Support stance the creature has a 5 feet bonus to it's move speed and instead of choosing any other Support benefits, they may receive this:

• You and your host gain advantage against frightened, charmed and petrified conditions.

God-Forged Spellcasting

Level	Spells Known	1st	2nd	3rd	4th
3rd	3	2	—	—	—
4th	4	3	—	—	—
5th	4	3	—	—	—
6th	4	4	2	—	—
7th	5	4	2	─	─
8th	6	4	2	─	─
9th	6	4	3	—	—
10th	7	4	3	2	—
11th	8	4	3	2	─
12th	8	4	3	2	─
13th	9	4	3	3	—
14th	10	4	3	3	—
15th	10	4	3	3	─
16th	11	4	3	3	─
17th	11	4	3	3	─
18th	11	4	3	3	─
19th	12	4	3	3	1
20th	13	4	3	3	1

Spell Blade

At 3rd level you gain the ability to imbue magic of your host into your attacks. When in the Striker stance, when your host casts a spell, it may choose to imbue you with the spell instead. Imbued spells have specific requirements:

• For the imbued spell to be cast, the target of the spell must be within the spells original range.
• If the spell has multiple targets and requires a saving throw, the hit creature has disadvantage for the initial saving throw, while the others make saving throws as normal.

Until the start of your hosts next turn, next time you or the host hits an enemy with an attack using your living weapon the spell becomes cast with the creature being hit being the target if it's a targeted spell and with the creatures location being the point of origin if it is an AoE spell. Additionally when you hit a creature with Spell Blade, it counts as if you hit it with the spell attack if it requires a saving throw, it gets disadvantage on it.

Arcane Overcharge

Beginning with 7th level, you have adapted to your hosts spells, even if some of them may be quite harmful. When you or the Host is affected by your Host's spell that requires a saving throw, you both automatically succeed on your saving throws against the spell, and you both take no damage if you would normally take half damage on a successful save.

Additionally, if either of you is affected by a Host's damaging spell, the affected creature gains temporary hit points equal to twice the expended spell slot's level

Syphoning Slash

When you reach 10th level, your connection to magic has grown to be quite strong, even allowing you to fizzle and capture the essence of stray or hostile spells. You may innately cast Counterspell at a level equal to your proficiency modifier, using your Charisma as your spellcasting modifier. If you successfully counter a spell this way, your host regains an expended spell slot of up to the level of the spell countered this way. Once you use this feature, you must finish a long rest before you can do so again.

Adaptive Edge

At 15th level, when you become imbued with a spell, you adapt to, even further empowering your potential. Whenever the Host chooses to use the Spell Blade feature, you may choose to Adapt until the start of your Host's next turn. When you do, your living weapon damage type changes to be the same as the imbued spell (if it has multiple, choose one) or force damage if it has none. Additionally while Adapted, your next hit deals extra damage equal to the imbued spells level.

Mystical Confluence

At 18th level, when you pick a Stance, you may choose to become unchained. When you use the Fight Plans feature to switch features, you may instead until the start of your next turn gain benefits of an additional stance. Once you use this feature, you must finish a long rest before you can do so again.

v.1.5

v.2.0