The Golden Guard

The Golden Guard is a soldier who uses artificial magic to elevate their physical prowess and fighting style. This soldier should be a high-ranking military official in your setting (up to DM discretion). They employ the use of a signature weapon, usually a staff, that is endowed with artificial magic to enhance their fighting, however the Golden Guard is not reliant on this, and their true power should come from their intelligence and base physical skills, mostly dexterity. The Golden Guard should be clever and crafty, and because of this, is able to outsmart most enemies. They should be loyal to a fault to their cause, bordering on the level of devotion of a Paladin to their sacred oath. Due to their high level of skill, the Golden Guard is often sent on solo missions by the nobles they are employed by (you may use this as their bond if you're struggling to find one). They do not work closely with other guards, but all members of the guard will know them and the position they hold, but lower ranks may not know them by their face or name. They may use a mask and cloak to conceal their true identity, but this is up to DM and player discretion.

This subclass was inspired by The Golden Guard from The Owl House. (Spoiler-free, just his abilities!)

Golden Guard's Staff

The signature weapon of any Golden Guard is their staff. At 3rd Level, you gain a staff imbued with artificial magic. You and up to 2 Medium creatures may use this staff to fly, and it has a flying speed of 60 ft. Your staff is the equivalent of a quarterstaff, but you may add both your Dexterity and Intelligence modifiers to any rolls made using it. This staff may be replaced with any other staff, given that staff has magical abilities. 

Staff Magic

The Golden Guard's staff grants them artificial magic. Your staff has a number of charges equal to your Intelligence modifier plus your proficiency bonus. You may use a charge to use any of the following abilities-

Flash of Movement- You move so fast that you turn into a golden blur. This movement does not provoke attacks of opportunity. If you attack the same creature twice in the same round after using this ability, you gain advantage on the Attack Roll. You may also use this ability as a reaction if you have remaining movement after your turn is finished. This effect may also be used when you take either the Disengage or Dash actions.

Golf with 'Friends'- You hit a creature at least one size class smaller than you so hard that it goes flying. It goes 1d10 feet plus your dexterity or intelligence modifier in a direction of your choice, and you may add the same number to your damage roll for this attack. (Optional rule, for fun- add your proficiency bonus to both numbers if you hold a personal grudge against this creature.)

Creation- You create any nonmagical item you are familiar with smaller than 3 feet by 3 feet. This ability takes a full action.

Energy Blasts- You shoot a blast of energy from your staff that has a range of 60 feet. This blast has attack and damage stats equal to making a melee attack with your staff, but all damage done is force damage.

Shape Elements- You may use a charge to cast either Mold Earth, Control Water, or Control Flames. This ability takes a full action.

Telekinesis- You may use your staff's magic to telekinetically hold or move up to 3 medium or smaller objects or creatures, 2 large objects or creatures, or 1 huge object or creature. If you are using this ability on an unwilling creature, treat it as if you were casting Hold Person or Hold Monster, whichever is applicable, including saving throw and concentration rules.

 

Quick Study

The Golden Guard is well-educated and is able to use the information they know to their advantage. At 6th Level, you gain advantage on all History, Religion, and Investigation checks you make. You may also make any of these checks as a free action.

Battle Maneuvers

The Golden Guard is a highly skilled fighter. At 10th Level, you learn any 3 battle maneuvers of your choice. You learn an addition battle maneuver at 15th and 18th level.

Know Your Enemy

The Golden Guard is able to read their opponents for useful information in the midst of battle and is able to use that information to take them down. At 15th Level, when you spend one minute observing or interacting with another creature in or out of combat, you gain advantage on Intelligence rolls to learn any of the following information-

• Their Armor Class
• Their Class and Level
• Their Maximum Hit Points
• Their Current Hit Points
• Their Vulnerabilities
• Their resistances
• Their Strength score
• Their Dexterity score
• Their Intelligence score

The Golden Soldier

The Golden Guard is not only a top-form soldier, but also the golden model to look up to for their fellow guards. At 18th Level, you and a number of creatures equal to your Intelligence modifier can gain up to three of the following benefits for one minute-

• Add your Intelligence modifier to Armor Class
• Add your Intelligence modifier to Attack Rolls
• Gain Resistance to damage from nonmagical weapons
• Movement Speed increases by 10 feet
• Add your Intelligence modifier to Saving Throws

In order to gain these benefits, the creatures must fit the following criteria-

• The creature must be friendly to you and your cause.
• The creature must have at least one level in Barbarian, Fighter, Monk, Paladin, Ranger, or Rogue or have the Soldier background. (Other subclass-specific exceptions, such as College of Swords Bard, War Domain Cleric, or Bladesinger Wizard are up to DM discretion. The idea is that they are all soldiers, and thus able to benefit from the role model of the perfect soldier that the Golden Guard is showing. This also may be applicable based on backstory, which is, again, up to DM discretion.)
• The creature must be either Good or Neutral aligned.