Path of the Anguished

Path of the Anguished Shadar-kai philosophy is... interesting, to say the least. To most of us much of their speech sounds like mad ranting, but remem- ber that their sense of emotion has been dulled by the shadows in which they live. Happiness and revelry are all but unknown. So it is no wonder that some of their kind will try anything to feel life for even a shimmering and brief moment. You must always be wary of the warrior that doesn’t fear pain and death.

Level 3: Shared Suffering

Full Description: Your rage feeds on pain. Whenever you give or receive damage, your Rage Damage bonus increases by +1 until the end of your next turn.

• This bonus can stack.

• The maximum bonus equals your proficiency bonus.

• The bonus resets when your rage ends.

This feature represents the Anguished barbarian’s ability to turn suffering into raw destructive force.

Tags: Damage, Rage, Passive

Level 6: Tolerance for Pain

Full Description: Your body has adapted to agony, allowing you to blunt the worst blows.

When a hostile creature scores a critical hit against you, you may use your reaction to roll a d6:

• 4–6: The critical hit becomes a normal hit.

• 1–3: It remains a critical hit.

This ability reflects your hardened resilience and refusal to be broken.

Tags: Reaction, Defense

Level 10: Dark Vitality

Full Description: Your suffering manifests as grim vitality.

Whenever you score a critical hit, or a creature scores a critical hit against you, you gain temporary hit points equal to your current Rage Damage bonus (after damage is dealt), unless you are reduced to 0 hit points.

These temporary hit points represent the Shadowfell’s dark energy reinforcing your battered form.

Tags: Temporary Hit Points, Rage, Passive

Level 14: Agonizing Attacks

Full Description: Your strikes carry the weight of your torment.

Once per turn while raging, when you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack, you may force it to make a Constitution saving throw.

Save DC = 8 + your Strength modifier + your proficiency bonus

On a failed save, the creature suffers an additional effect determined by your DM or by the Shadowfell’s influence. This may represent necrotic backlash, crippling pain, or other manifestations of anguish.

Tags: Save DC, Active, Rage