As a Knight of the Radiant Shield, you pledge your life to protecting the material plane from threats beyond. Whether this means physical prowess, mental acumen, or divine providence, you use your talents for the good of the natural order. You might be a paragon of virtue, upholding the legacy of the knight in shining armor as you charge into battle against otherworldly invaders. Or you might be someone who seeks vengeance against the unnatural creatures of the multiverse and found a place that supports your pursuits. Either way, you’ll be damned if some archfiend, lich, or aberrant is going to harm the good people of this world on your watch.
Though the term “knight” conjures images of mounted, heavily armored warriors of noble blood, the Knights of the Radiant Shield do not restrict their membership to such individuals. The goals and philosophies of the order are more important than the fighting style or lineage of its members, so membership is open to any who are willing to fight (and possibly die) for the order’s cause.
- Skill Proficiencies: Persuasion, plus one from among Arcana, History, Nature, and Religion
- Tool Proficiencies: One type of gaming set or musical instrument
- Languages: One of your choice
- Equipment: One set of traveler’s clothes, a signet, banner or seal representing your place or rank in the order, and a pouch containing 10 gp
You receive shelter and succor from members of your knightly order and those who are sympathetic to its aims. As protectors of the people, you can get help from the community—whether a lone settlement or a great nation—that you serve. This help comes in the form of shelter and meals, and healing when appropriate, as well as occasionally risky assistance, such as a band of local citizens rallying to aid a sorely pressed knight in a fight, or those who support the order helping to smuggle a knight out of town when he or she is being hunted unjustly.
Spell List
Prerequisite: Spellcasting or Pact Magic class feature
For you, the spells on the Knight of the Radiant Shield Spells table are added to the spell list of your spellcasting class. (If you are a multiclass character with multiple spell lists, these spells are added to all of them.)
| Spell Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| Cantrip | sacred flame, shocking grasp |
| 1st | guiding bolt, heroism |
| 2nd | aid, warding bond |
| 3rd | beacon of hope, blinding smite |
| 4th | death ward, wall of fire |
| 5th | banishing smite |
Your magic is often explosive, featuring bright bursts of radiant energy. When you cast beneficial spells on your allies, they appear momentarily surrounded by luminous shields.
Suggested Characteristics
Use the tables for the soldier background below as the basis for your traits and motivations, modifying the entries when appropriate to suit your identity as a Knight of the Radiant Shield.
Your bond almost always involves the order to which you belong (or at least key members of it), and it is highly unusual for a knight’s ideal not to reflect the agenda, sentiment, or philosophy of one’s order.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I’m always polite and respectful. |
| 2 | I’m haunted by memories of war. I can’t get the images of violence out of my mind. |
| 3 | I’ve lost too many friends, and I’m slow to make new ones. |
| 4 | I’m full of inspiring and cautionary tales from my military experience relevant to almost every combat situation. |
| 5 | I can stare down a hell hound without flinching. |
| 6 | I enjoy being strong and like breaking things. |
| 7 | I have a crude sense of humor. |
| 8 | I face problems head-on. A simple, direct solution is the best path to success. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Greater Good. Our lot is to lay down our lives in defense of others. (Good) |
| 2 | Responsibility. I do what I must and obey just authority. (Lawful) |
| 3 | Protection. It isn’t right for innocents to suffer because of the arrogance of the powerful. (Good) |
| 4 | Conviction. Anything worth doing is worth doing with your whole heart. (Lawful) |
| 5 | Order. My knightly order is all that really matters. (Any) |
| 6 | Nation. My city, nation, or people are all that matter. (Any) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I would still lay down my life for the people I served with. |
| 2 | Someone saved my life on the battlefield. To this day, I will never leave a friend behind. |
| 3 | My honor is my life. |
| 4 | I’ll never forget the crushing defeat my company suffered or the enemies who dealt it. |
| 5 | Those who fight beside me are those worth dying for. |
| 6 | I fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | The monstrous enemy we faced in battle still leaves me quivering with fear. |
| 2 | I have little respect for anyone who is not a proven warrior. |
| 3 | I made a terrible mistake in battle that cost many lives, and I would do anything to keep that mistake secret. |
| 4 | My hatred of my enemies is blind and unreasoning. |
| 5 | I obey the law, even if the law causes misery. |
| 6 | I’d rather eat my armor than admit when I’m wrong. |
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