Base Class: Rogue
The Bloodsworn Reaver is a rogue unlike any other—a warrior forged in the brutal trials of the Kafakala gladiator pits, the front lines of Rifthaven’s greatest wars, or the underworld of mercenary warfare. Unlike their kin who lurk in the shadows, Bloodsworn Reavers stride into the fray, weaving through the chaos with practiced brutality. They are cunning, but they are also fierce, learning to mix tactical combat with sheer, unrelenting force.
Some Bloodsworn Reavers are heroes, battle-worn but unwavering in their commitment to their comrades. Others are monsters of the battlefield, using fear, cruelty, and raw power to carve their legend into history. But no matter the path they walk, Bloodsworn Reavers are survivors. They fight not just to kill, but to dominate—breaking formations, scattering foes, and turning battles into opportunities for destruction.
Origins of a Bloodsworn Reaver
Many rogues hone their craft in the alleys, the thieves’ guilds, or the noble courts. But not you. Your skills were shaped by the clang of steel, the roar of the crowd, and the desperation of the front lines. Below are some common origins for Bloodsworn Reavers:
1. The Gladiator of Kafakala (Khanate of Kafakala – Orc Lands)
You were thrown into the pit fights of Kafakala, where survival was a bloodstained game of strategy and endurance. Forced to fight towering brutes and relentless berserkers, you learned that dodging wasn’t enough—you had to turn their own ferocity against them. Your victories earned you scars, but also renown. Did you win your freedom, or were you sent to the military as a conscript, trading the pits for the front lines?
2. The Battlefield Phantom (Mithrindur Empire – Dwarven Lands)
The Mithrindur Empire wages war with meticulous strategy, but even the best formations can be shattered. You were there, deep in the grit and fire of siege warfare, dancing between frontline soldiers, slashing tendons, and breaking through enemy defenses before vanishing into the chaos. Your role was pivotal: you either saved countless allies with your precise strikes or unleashed devastation on your enemies, leaving entire regiments in ruin.
3. The Claclon Mercenary (Shimmertide – Human Kingdom)
Mercenaries fight for gold, power, or glory, and Claclon is a city where coin is king. Whether you were a sellsword for hire or a member of a feared mercenary company, your time in Claclon’s ruthless ranks made you a tactician of violence. You didn’t just fight—you orchestrated mayhem, leading charges or exploiting enemy weaknesses. Did you leave your company on good terms, or did your name end up on too many hit lists?
4. The Fallen Hero (A Betrayal or War Crime Scenario)
Once, you were a soldier of honor, a beacon of hope, the kind of warrior ballads are written about. But something changed. Perhaps an impossible order left you choosing between obedience and morality, or maybe you embraced the chaos of war too much, your victories coming at terrible costs. Now, you wander as a rogue, a legend some call a hero, others call a monster.
5. The Military Experiment (Sadabis – The Arcane Cabal)
Not all Bloodsworn Reavers hone their craft through natural experience. Some are deliberately created, trained in Sadabis’ arcane military academies or enhanced through forbidden magic and alchemy. Were you part of a super-soldier experiment, crafted to be a perfect warfighter? Did you escape, or did you turn on your creators?
Fighting Style and Mentality
Bloodsworn Reavers are masters of controlled chaos. Unlike standard rogues, who rely purely on agility and stealth, Reavers fight on the front lines, standing toe-to-toe with warriors far larger than them and winning through raw cunning and ruthless efficiency.
How a Bloodsworn Reaver Thinks
- Violence is a Language: Whether through intimidation or combat, you understand that force speaks louder than words.
- Calculated Carnage: You don’t just fight—you control the battlefield. You break formations, rally allies, or dismantle enemy strategies in real time.
- Pain is a Teacher: You've learned from every wound, every scar. Each fight has only made you stronger, smarter, and deadlier.
- No Honor, Only Victory: You don’t care about fighting fair—you care about winning. Feints, dirty tricks, and brutal tactics are all fair game.
Notable Bloodsworn Reavers in Rifthaven
While every Bloodsworn Reaver is unique, there are a few infamous figures across the land:
Guzag the Blackfang (Kafakala Legend)
- Once a feared gladiator, Guzag became the personal bodyguard of the Khan himself. Known for taking down entire strike teams alone, he single-handedly turned the tide of three invasions.
Red Yvara (The Mercenary Queen of Claclon)
- A Bloodsworn Reaver who led a company of killers. Legends say she was so terrifying that entire armies surrendered when they saw her banner.
Durak Steelvein (Mithrindur’s Warden of War)
- A dwarven Bloodsworn Reaver who developed warforged gladiators, using rogue tactics and brute strength to create unstoppable battlefield assassins.
Roleplaying a Bloodsworn Reaver
Bloodsworn Reavers bring a unique presence to any adventuring party. Unlike traditional rogues, they aren’t sneaky assassins—they are tactical brawlers, war-forged killers, or reckless daredevils.
Questions to Consider:
- What was your defining moment in the battlefield or the pits? Was there a fight that made you the warrior you are?
- Did you serve with honor, or did you revel in the carnage? Are you a hero, a villain, or something in between?
- What do you think of traditional rogues? Do you respect their subtlety, or do you scoff at their lack of resilience?
- What was your greatest loss? No warrior survives without scars—physical or emotional. What was yours?
- Do you fight for something, or just to prove you can?
Bloodsworn Reaver in Combat
Strengths:
✔ Frontline survivability (medium armor, shields, and tanky tricks).
✔ High mobility (ignores opportunity attacks, battlefield control).
✔ Devastating melee sneak attacks (force movement, crit potential).
✔ Tactical synergy (can aid allies or disrupt enemies with abilities).
Weaknesses:
✘ Lacks long-range options (most abilities focus on melee).
✘ High-risk playstyle (rewards aggression, but poor positioning can be deadly).
✘ Not as stealthy (loses many rogue features tied to hiding).
Conclusion
The Bloodsworn Reaver is what happens when a rogue stops lurking in the shadows and becomes a force of nature. Whether a brutal war hero, a chaotic mercenary, or a gladiator-turned-soldier, their cunning and ferocity make them one of the deadliest warriors on the battlefield.
They are tacticians, survivors, and warriors of both skill and savagery. Their legend is written in steel, blood, and the echoes of their enemies' screams.
Level 3: Gladiator's Grit
Your time in the arena or battlefield has hardened you beyond most rogues. You gain proficiency in medium armor and shields, allowing you to stand your ground in combat. Additionally, you can use Strength instead of Dexterity for attack and damage rolls with rogue weapon attacks.
Additionally, you gain the following reaction:
Bloodstained Reprisal: When an enemy within 5 feet damages you, you can use your reaction to make a melee weapon attack against them, striking back with ruthless efficiency.
Level 3: Frontline Trickery
You dominate the battlefield with swift, unpredictable movement. When you use your Cunning Action to Dash, you can move through enemy spaces without provoking opportunity attacks, slipping between foes like a phantom.
Additionally, when you use your Cunning Action to Disengage, you gain advantage on your next attack before the end of your turn, using your evasive maneuvers to strike with deadly precision.
Level 9: The Tidebreaker
Your presence on the battlefield is a rallying cry—or a breaking force. When you land a Sneak Attack, you can choose one of the following effects:
- Lead the Charge: A number of allies equal to your proficiency bonus can use their reaction to move up to half their speed, as long as they can see or hear you.
- Break the Line: Your target must make a Strength saving throw (DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Strength or Dexterity modifier). On a failure, they are knocked prone or pushed 10 feet—your choice.
You can use this feature a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus per long rest.
Level 13: Red Mist Resilience
The chaos of combat fuels your focus and enhances your survivability. When you roll initiative, you can choose one of the following options:
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Resilient Fury: Gain temporary hit points equal to your Rogue level + your Constitution modifier. These temporary hit points last until the start of your next turn.
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Swift Reflexes: Immediately use your Uncanny Dodge feature against the first attack that would hit you before your first turn begins.
Level 17: The Reaver's Gambit
You have learned to dance along the razor’s edge, taking risk and reward in equal measure. When you use Sneak Attack on a melee attack, you can choose to forgo half of your Sneak Attack dice for the rest of your turn to make an additional weapon attack as part of the same action.
If both attacks hit the same target, the second hit automatically scores a critical hit.
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