Saturday Potpourri – The Radiant Guardian (Paladin Archetype)

Radiant Guardian

The strength of his will is a supernatural force.  It emboldens his comrades like a strong drink in the veins.  In the heat of battle, his mere presence gives them courage.

The radiant guardian is an archetype of the paladin class.

Radiant Energy Well

The radiant guardian has a well of radiant energy from which he can draw upon to create and enhance auras. The radiant guardian gains a number of radiant energy points each day equal to ½ his level.  Radiant points are used to fuel auratic powers. Each auratic power costs 1 radiant energy point. Auratic powers stack with other auras and auratic powers, but not with themselves (you cannot spend double on an auratic power in order to double its effect).

At 4th level, the radiant guardian learns 1 auratic power from the list of auratic powers. At 7th level, and every 3 levels after, he learns an additional auratic power. Once an auratic power has been selected, it cannot be changed.

The following is the list of auratic powers:

  • Aura of Aiding– As a standard action, the radiant guardian creates an aura that grants temporary hit points to uninjured allies. Each uninjured ally within 10 feet of the radiant guardian gains a number of temporary hit points equal to the paladin’s Charisma modifier. The temporary hit points last 1 hour/level or until discharged.
  • Aura of Grace– As a standard action, the radiant guardian creates an aura that imparts some of the benefits of his Divine Grace class feature. For 1 round, each ally within 10 feet of the radiant guardian gains a bonus on saving throws equal to half his Charisma modifier (rounded down, minimum 1). At the beginning of the next round, the radiant guardian may, as a free action, expend an additional point of radiant energy in order to maintain the aura.
  • Aura of Health– As a standard action, the radiant guardian creates an aura of positive energy that protects his allies from disease.  Each ally within 10 feet of the radiant guardian gains a +4 morale bonus on saving throws against all diseases, including supernatural and magical diseases, for a number of rounds equal to his Charisma modifier.
  • Aura of Mercy– As a standard action, the radiant guardian creates an aura that imparts upon his allies the benefits of one of the mercies he has selected for his lay on hands ability. Each ally within 10 feet of the radiant guardian receives the benefit of the selected mercy as if they had been healed with the paladin’s lay on hands ability.  Aura of mercy lasts for 1 round.
  • Aura of Positive Energy– As a standard action, the radiant guardian creates an aura of positive energy that damages the undead. Each undead creature within 10 feet of the radiant guardian suffers an amount of damage equal to the paladin’s Charisma modifier. The aura lasts for 1 round for every 4 radiant guardian levels, for a maximum of 5 rounds at 20th level.
  • Aura of Regeneration– As a standard action, the radiant guardian creates an aura of positive energy that heals his allies.  Each ally within 10 feet of the radiant guardian heals an amount of damage equal to his Charisma modifier per round and an equal amount of nonlethal damage and stops a character from losing hit points due to effects that cause bleed. Aura of regeneration lasts for 1 round for every 4 radiant guardian levels (maximum of 5 rounds at 20th level).
  • Widen Aura– As a free action, the radiant guardian may extend the radius of any of his auras by 5 feet for up to 3 rounds. At 12th level, and again at 20th level, the radius is extended by 5 additional feet, for a maximum extension of 15 feet at 20th level.

This ability replaces the paladin’s spellcasting.



About mmiller

Mike Miller first discovered RPG’s in the days of TSR. The mention of a beholder or mind flayer still twists his guts with nervous dread, though now with a tinge of nostalgia. He had no publishing experience prior to writing for the OGN, but has long enjoyed creating histories and legends for his homebrewed worlds.

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