The Shepherd (d20)
Every cause needs its leader.
"An impassioned halfling stands atop a barrel in a candle-lit wine cellar¸ rousing her rebel comrades in readiness for a bloody night's work eliminating the corrupt leaders of the city.
An elf sits serenely amidst the exposed roots of a tree¸ which have grown into the shape of a throne. They speak in a quiet voice that nevertheless carries through the reverential silence maintained by a hundred other elves gathered in the glade.
A human preacher stands at the corner where two streets meet¸ prophecying doom and offering salvation to the growing crowd of desperate folk gathering around him.
A hobgoblin in black armour sits astride a ferocious looking worg at the head of a massive army. He lifts his sword arm and sweeps it down toward the fortified city across the plain. At his mark¸ the swarm of evil begins its charge
All these and more are shepherds¸ individuals with an unusual power of influence over the hearts and minds of others.
The Shepherd class is a reinvention of the Bard which first appeared among the nonmagical classes and archetypes in Wasteland Wanderers. But a nonmagical leader is hardly a concept exclusive to post-apocalyptic settings! The version of the Shepherd presented here has been reworked with fantasy worlds in mind¸ and can be used to build characters with concepts as varied as cult leaders and warlords. While the Shepherd can replace the Bard in your game if you're aiming for a low or no magic world¸ you can also make both classes available. The types of characters your players can build with the Shepherd fill a different narrative niche than the types of characters built with the Bard¸ and there's no reason characters of both classes shouldn't stand side by side in an adventuring party!
The Shepherd contains the following:
- The full 20-level Shepherd class progression¸ featuring a new resource: the Shepherd spends command to use barbed words¸ give allies pep talks¸ and spread terror among their foes.
- 4 archetypes-the Chronicler¸ Commander¸ Regent¸ and Tyrant (descriptions below).
- Muticlassing guidelines.
You venerate learning¸ particularly the lessons of history and myths. And yet you see how fragile knowledge can be. In your own small way you seek to preserve these priceless treasures: everywhere you go¸ your force of charisma opens doors¸ allowing you access to people and places. You make your own records¸ you memorise songs¸ and you learn to tell epics. On your travels you share as much as you take¸ giving the collective wisdom of myriad peoples new life as their stories spread far and wide. Though they have the presence to lead¸ chroniclers rarely aspire to it. However¸ some eventually gather enough knowledge to found great libraries and other seats of learning.