Shieldsinging

In ancient days they held the line, chanting in low, methodical tones while they marched against the enemy. As their rivals crashed against their unyielding phalanx, so rose the crescendo of the choir: the percussion of war hammers keeping syncopated rhythm, the clang of swords blending harmonies with their song. None one who opposed them ever lived to hear the final note.

These were the mighty Markhahalûn, or in the common tongue, the Dwarven Shieldsingers. Rivaling even the Githyanki in their mastery of both sword and spell, the students of Shieldsinging brought together the barbarism of their age with the precision of their artistry. Thus, as the Elves honed the graceful melodies of their Bladesinging, the ancient Dwarves discovered a song of their own. It is like its singer--slow, stoic, steady and unbending, yet explosive and terrifying as need demands.

The songs of the Markhahalûn gave way to legend long ago, and their singers have long since been lost to the march of time. But sometimes, time merely holds secrets in keeping, patiently waiting for a right listener to arrive--A listener who can sing the Song of the Shield.

Chants of Battle

2nd-level Shieldsinging feature

You gain proficiency with shields.

You also gain proficiency in the Athletics skill if you don’t already have it.

Shieldsong

2nd-level Shieldinging feature

You can invoke a dwarven magic called the Shieldsong, provided that you are using a shield. It imbues you with supernatural fortitude, and focus.

You can use a bonus action to start the Shieldsong, which lasts for 1 minute. It ends early if you are incapacitated, you don heavy armor, or if you lose your shield. You can also dismiss the Shieldsong at any time (no action required).

While your Shieldsong is active, you gain the following benefits:

• You have resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage.
• Your walking speed increases by 5 feet.
• You have advantage on Dexterity (Athletics) checks.
• If concentrating on a spell you may forgo resisting damage, instead taking full damage but automatically succeeding your concentration check.

You can use this feature a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, and you regain all expended uses of it when you finish a long rest.

Extra Attack

6th-level Shieldsinging feature

You can attack twice, instead of once, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn. Moreover, you can cast one of your cantrips in place of one of those attacks.

Caesura of Empowerment

10th-level Shieldsinging feature

You can transform the force from damage you take into magical energy while your Shieldsong is active. When you take damage, you can use your reaction to briefly cease your Shieldsong, leaning into the hit and taking full damage. This damage triggers a concentration check if necessary. The damage you take divided by ten is the level of spell slot you may regain. You may use this feature a number of times per long rest equal to your proficiency modifier. 

Song of the Elemental Phalanx

14th-level Shieldsinging feature

You may choose one additional damage type to resist when you activate your Shieldsong.

While your Shieldsong is active you may use a bonus action to Engage Phalanx and extend your Shieldsong's resistance to one ally within five feet of you. This benefit lasts until the beginning of your next turn, or until the ally breaks formation and moves more than five feet away from you.