Every Leaf Unique

Spirit guardians are as varied as they are rare. Some are bringers of hope and peace and see the best even in their enemies. Others are bodacious, going on grandiose quests in pursuit of glory or excitement. Naiveté to wisdom, shyness to bravery - every quality can be found in a spirit guardian. Overall, however, spirit guardians generally avoid instigating conflicts. They are willing to defend themselves and their friends but don't engage in more violence than is necessary.

Spirit forests are protected by the light of their father tree. They see very little conflict or assault and don't have the same need as the outside world does for a rigid social structure. Spirit guardians regard each other as siblings and develop unshakeable friendships among those of their generation, but there is no governing system to speak of. Individual spirits can prove themselves to be leaders or followers, however, and heroes of the forest can earn the respect of spirits and others alike.

Rare Travelers

Under normal circumstances, a spirit guardian will never leave its home forest. Their spirit trees provide them with a comfortable amount of food and resources, and there's plentiful land to live on and explore. A spirit outside its home forest is a very rare sight and depending on the area they can be frowned upon and dismissed or embraced as good fortune. Most places are accepting, however, as the few stories associated with adventuring guardians tell of legendary bringers of hope and healing to dying lands.

Spirit guardians who do leave their homes typically have a specific reason. Some have a calling for adventure that can't be sated in a spirit forest, while others are already great heroes at home and leave seeking a greater destiny. For an unfortunate few, leaving might be the only option as their fathering spirit tree dies or is destroyed.

Polite Observers

Spirit guardians aren't entirely from the world they adventure in. No matter how they found their way to common culture, there's always a phantom disconnect between a guardian and the other cultures of the world.

Dwarves. "Dwarves are great artists with a forge. Few things can match the power of a finely-crafted dwarven weapon, but they are quick to dismiss things foreign to their traditions."

Elves. "Elves embrace the light of nature and maintain its balance as we do. Perhaps we could help one another, if they might ever see us as equals."

Halflings. "Showing universal kindness to things foreign and familiar in a world which so often responds with prickly hostility is difficult, and they share the same care for nature we do."

Humans. "There is so much humans have done that we will spend our lives repairing, yet so much humans have done that has saved countless lives. In humans, I see the same endless possibilities as water; in some places rushing and destructive, in others tranquil and nurturing."

The Power of the Light

Wherever they are, spirit guardians draw their power and lifeforce from the spirit light of their home. Spirit lights - immortal beings of light which reside in and power spirit trees - radiate this light, which flows through the spirit tree and the earth to the forest and guardians. Some structures can amplify and focus this power to achieve spectacular feats, though they are incredibly rare outside a spirit forest.

This power is a spirit guardian's gift from birth and their greatest asset. Strong spirits conduct it into weapons to slam, strike, and slice their foes. Agile spirits use it to propel themselves through the air and swing on tethers of light. Spirits adept in magic channel it into their spells to increase their effectiveness. With time and experience, a spirit guardian who can learn to master control of their light can find almost endless power in it.

Spirit Guardian Names

A spirit guardian's name is unique to it and it alone. Names are never intentionally re-used, and they are typically not given surnames. If necessary, a guardian can make their origin clear by identifying with the name of their spirit tree's spirit light - each has its own immortal name.

Male Names: Ao, Arami, Asto, Ati, Eto, Fil, Ilo, Io, Iro, Liro,

Nor, Oko, Ori, Oroka, Poro, Porok, Qotsu, Reem, Riko,

Solon, Tak, Torna, Tota, Yinai

Female Names: Ara, Bakia, Eki, Eri, Giasu, Ikama, Ioki,

Katsa, Kesi, Koli, Leru, Liaki, Mikha, Mino, Nikai, Nir,

Opia, Oami, Rakio, Sol, Tatsu, Tekai, Toku, Tukae, Ukami,

Uti, Woka, Yokia

Spirit Light Names: Kesu, Kino, Nemi, Peso, Resi, Sein

Spirit Guardian Traits

Your spirit guardian has a variety of racial abilities through the light of its spirit tree.

Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2 points, and another ability score of your choice increases by one point.

Age. Spirit guardians are fully grown by about 15, and don't usually live longer than 60 years.

Alignment. Spirit guardians are almost always good, their calling from birth to defend others and bring hope. Depending on their personal attitude, they can be anywhere from dutifully lawful to ceaselessly chaotic.

Size. Spirit guardians vary greatly in size, but most are around a halfling's height at 3 feet. Your size is small.

Speed. Your walking speed is 25 feet.

Glow. You constantly emit a radiant, blue-tinted light. Dark areas within 10 feet of you are treated as lit, and 10 feet past that as dim light. This light cannot be turned off, but you can use a bonus action to cover it and remove its effect by adjusting your clothing.

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and one other language of your choice. You can also speak Ancient Spirit, a language understood by other spirits and spirit trees. Ancient Spirit is not necessarily secret but only exists inside spirit forests, and outside them it is unheard of.

Subrace. Spirit guardians do not have subraces in the traditional sense. However, the way they choose to use their light can have great impacts on their abilities. A spirit that uses its light to bolster its agility, for example, will have much different results than one that forms it into weapons. Choose one of these specializations.

Light of Agility

You use your light to shoot through the sky and climb on smooth rock faces. With its help, you can navigate where few others can.

Climb. You have a climbing speed of 25 feet and are proficient in Dexterity (Acrobatics).

Light of Strength

You form your light into powerful weapons or infuse it into those you already have. It powers your attacks, giving you a powerful advantage.

Ancestral Light. Once per short or long rest, you can channel your spirit light into your weapon using an action. On its next successful hit, it deals an extra 1d12 Radiant damage.

Light of Arcane

You can adapt your spirit light into more traditional spells. It powers your arcane energy with its strength and makes your magic more plentiful.

Light of the Spirit Tree. Once per long rest, you can channel your light into a spell. If it does damage to an enemy or enemies, all hit targets take an extra 1d8 Radiant damage. If it heals an ally, they gain an extra 1d8 of health