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| Photo by Lance Reis |
Something a little different today. While I have been picking at some ideas for "Occult D&D," I've been thinking about how D&D 5 handles its subclasses. I like their method for a lot of reasons and it does remind me a bit of AD&D 2nd ed. I would not want to do exactly that for AD&D 1st ed.
But I can try a few ideas here.
One of these is the Gallowglass.
Gallowglass
Fighter Sub-Class
"Let the witches weave. I’ll stand at the threshold."
The Gallowglass (from Irish gallóglaigh, "foreign warriors") is a grim, oath-bound warrior of ancestral blood, forged in the crucible of war and old magic. He serves no king, no creed, only the covenant of blood, clan, and circle. More than a mercenary, the Gallowglass is a symbol of protection and fate, often standing as the chosen defender of sacred groves, covens, or matriarchal bloodlines.
Oath-Bound Duty (2nd Level)
The Gallowglass may swear an Oath of Protection to a person, place, cause, or object. When acting in defense of that charge:
- Gains -1 bonus AC, +1 to hit, and +1 to saving throws
- Only one oath may be sworn at a time; takes 1 turn of solemn ritual to invoke
- Breaking an oath causes −2 to all rolls for 24 hours, and disqualifies use of the Aura (3rd level) during that time.
Aura of Awesome Presence (3rd Level)
The Gallowglass radiates a heavy, eerie stillness in battle—an echo of ancestral power. This functions as a continuous aura out to 10 feet.
- Allies within the aura gain +1 to attack rolls and saving throws vs. fear and charm against enemies of their charge.
- Enemies of their charge within the aura suffer −1 to attack rolls and −1 to morale checks.
- This aura does not stack with Bless or similar effects, but counts as magical for dispelling purposes.
Witch-Blessed Steel (5th Level)
The Gallowglass may undergo a ritual bond with a single weapon (usually a great axe, claymore, or great spear ("gae bolg"). But any medium or large-bladed melee weapon will suffice.
- That weapon becomes +1 magical when wielded by the Gallowglass.
- Once per day, the weapon may deal double damage to undead, spirits, or extraplanar foes.
- This is not spell-based (so can not be dispelled), but a result of binding rites, tattoos, and blood oaths.
Typically, a gallowglass receives these blessings from a patron witch. If there is no witch in the party or where the gallowglass calls home, a witch will appear at the appropriate time to grant the blessings.
5th level Human Gallowglass (Fighter), Neutral Good
Secondary Skill: Alchemist
S: 16
I: 12
W: 14
D: 15
C: 12
Ch: 16
Paralysis/Poison: 16
Petrify/Polymorph: 12
Rod, Staff, or Wand: 14
Breath Weapon: 15
Spells: 12
AC: 6 (leather, magic)
HP: 25
THAC0: 16
Weapon
Long sword (Witch Blessed) +1
Theme Song: Which Witch or Old Religion
Céline wanted to be a witch. Or, more to the point, she hears the same call that led her older sister to become a witch. But Céline was drawn more to the sword than the book or crucible. Her ancient bloodline included witches, but also grim warriors charged with protecting these witches. Céline took to her role as sword-wielding protector of witches with more enthusiasm than even she thought she would. Her charge is to protect her older sister Émilie.
Maybe I should have used a Fighter sheet for her, but this is fine.
