Dragoon

An orc woman clad head to toe in black armor trimmed with white, with spikes protruding at odd intervals that vaguely resembles her quarry slowly reaches for the ornate, masterwork halberd slung across her back. As she takes one slow, deliberate step after another, the walls around her ring with the echoes of a voice bearing an ancient, callous intelligence.

"Give in to your nature, fool. You know what I am is your destiny"

Without a missed moment, the orc responds. "I have overcome my nature to forge a new hope for myself, my comrades and my people. To see the world rid of creatures that would oppress it, creatures such as you."

Then, in an instant, the orc leaps into the air to strike her prey from above, almost faster than a mortal could see.

-Excerpt from the tale of Ser Kraltha Dragonsbane. First First Slayer and co-founder of the Dragoons

The Most Eminent Order of Knights Dragonslayer, Colloquially referred to as "Dragoons" is/are an elite unit of knights tied loosely to the Kingdom of Valna through a pact made by the Order's founders several hundred years ago. They specialize in the hunting and slaying of dragons and other large flying creatures, the former of which they see as one of the greatest threats to all of the civilized nations and peoples of the world.

 

Dragon Knight

Beginning when you choose the Dragoon Subclass at 3rd level, you gain access to the following features.

Jump Mastery - You do not need a running start to jump. When you make a long or a high jump, you cover a number of feet up to your maximum movement speed. Your movement speed is doubled while long or high jumping at 3rd level, Tripled at 7th level, and quadrupled at 11th level. In addition, you can land in difficult terrain without needing to make an acrobatics check. You ignore damage from falling up to double your high jump distance as long as you are conscious, and do not trigger opportunity attacks when high or long jumping. At 15th level, you ignore all fall damage.

"The greatest lesson a young dragoon can learn is how to fall. It's what we base all our later teachings on and serves as a humble reminder of the end result of our actions."

- Said to a group of dragoon trainees shortly before being shoved from the highest tower of the Dragoons' fortress by an unknown Knight-Captain

Jump Attack - Once on each your turns when jumping at least 20 feet you may declare you are making a jump attack using an attack action, striking a creature within melee range of where you finish your jump movement. Should you hit a creature with this ability, the strike deals an additional 1d10 damage of the same type as the weapon used to perform it. This bonus damage increases by an additional 1d10 at 7th level and at 15th level. This damage increases by an additional 1d10 when used against a dragon or related creatures(i.e. Kobolds) in combat.

You begin with three uses of this feature per short rest at 3rd level and gain an additional use at 10th and 18th levels.

Know Thy Foe -  You gain advantage on History(Int), Nature(Int), and Arcana(Int) checks when attempting to recall knowledge pertaining to dragons or related creatures(ie. Kobolds). In addition, this knowledge provides you with advantage on the first attack you make against a dragon or related creatures(i.e. Kobolds) in combat.

"Dragoon is merely a colloquialism which most folk recognize us by. The true name of our order is The Most Eminent Order of Knights Dragonslayer. That's a bit of a mouthful though, so Dragoon will suffice. Now, I believe we have a great wyrm to teach the meaning of humility, and that not all us "Lesser Races" will abide by their whims."

- Ser Ricard Volzephr - First Knight-Captain and co-founder of the Dragoons to Duke Sol.

Polearm Savant

While you are wielding a Polearm(glaive, halberd, lance, pike, spear, trident, or quarterstaff) with two hands you gain an AC bonus of +2.  As a reaction when another creature damages you with a melee attack, you may use a polearm you are wielding with two hands to reduce the damage by rolling its damage die plus your strength modifier. In addition, creatures with the "Flyby" feature still provoke attacks of opportunity from the dragoon.

"Why do we use polearms? I think the better question is, why wouldn't we? The capability for both offense and defense, the advantage of reach, the beautiful confluence of both simplicity and complexity in a single weapon."

- Chrom "Spikefist" Andelmar - 17th Knight-Captain of the Dragoons

Life Surge

Beginning at 7th level, your attacks count as magical for the purpose of overcoming resistance and immunity to nonmagical attacks and damage.

In addition, after using second wind your next weapon attack scores a critical hit on a roll of 17-20.

"In times of great desperation, we are taught to dig deep and strike true. To use our heart's passion to drive our lances through the hearts of the great wyrms."

- Knight-Captain Kain Spiregale - 34th and current Knight-Captain of the Dragoons

Spineshatter

Once per short rest, beginning at 10th level, when you successfully hit a foe with your Jump Attack you may have them make a Strength saving throw equal or higher to (8 + STR Mod + Prof. Mod) or fall prone. Additionally, the target and each creature within 5ft must make a dexterity saving throw equal or higher to (8 + STR Mod + Prof. Mod) or take force damage equal to your fighter level, or half as much on a successful save.

At 18th level, the bonus force damage of this ability increases to double your fighter level.

"Dragons function much like any other creature which bears a spine. Break it, and you break the creature."

- Knight-Captain Kain Spiregale - 34th and current Knight-Captain of the Dragoons.

Dragoon Exemplar

 Beginning at 15th level, when you roll initiative and have no uses of your Jump Attack ability remaining, you regain one use.

"And thus, I bestow the highest honor a ruler of Valna may bestow on one of our nation's citizens to Ser Freya Crescentmoon, The Sky Star Medal. For defeating the Ancient Blue Dragon Azurus."

- King Denam Tartaros IV of Valna

Bane of Dragonkind

Your first attack on an airborne creature in a round deals +15 damage, +20 damage if that creature is a dragon or related creature(ie. Kobolds).

You gain resistance to all damage from a dragon's breath attacks. Taking no damage if you succeed on the saving throw.

"Dragons have held sway over civilization for far too long. Beginning this day, the Order of Knights Dragonslayer vows to rid the world of their filth, and give the reins of destiny back to the people of the world.

- Ser Ricard Volzephyr - First Knight-Captain and Co-Founder of the Dragoons.