*(Inspired by the Halfling Guardian found in the article “Don't sell then short” from Dragon Magazine, Issue #102.) 

Halfling Guardians are the stalwart defenders of halfling communities, sworn to protect their kin and uphold the will of Arvoreen the Defender. They combine the martial prowess of a seasoned warrior with a touch of divine magic, embodying the courage, loyalty, and resourcefulness of their people.

Protectors of Their Homes, Champions of the Small and Sturdy

 

Halfling Guardians are warriors forged by the quiet strength of the Shire and similar peaceful communities. Raised amidst rolling hills, dense woods, and close-knit villages, they stand as stalwart defenders against threats that would disrupt the simple joys of their homeland. Though small in stature, these fighters possess an unyielding spirit and a deep connection to nature and divine light.

Trained in the arts of archery, stealth, and close combat with weapons favored by their kind—such as short swords, slings, and shortbows—Halfling Guardians combine martial prowess with divine magic to shield their kin and land. They embody resilience, courage, and a protective devotion to the sanctity of their homes, often standing between their people and the encroaching dangers of the wider world.

Their magic is subtle but potent, drawing from the natural world and divine blessings. This blend of skill and spellcraft allows them to detect evil, bolster allies, and even grow in size and strength when the need arises. As defenders of the Shire, they carry an unbreakable resolve, inspiring those around them to stand firm in the face of darkness.

Spellcasting

Spell Slots. The Guardian Features table shows how many spell slots you have to cast your Guardian spells of levels 1–4. 

Prepared Spells of Level 1+. You have all of the level 1+ spells prepared that are available at your level for you to cast with this feature. 

Fighter Level	1	2	3	4
3	2	—	—	—
4	3	—	—	—
5	3	—	—	—
6	3	—	—	—
7	4	2	—	—
8	4	2	—	—
9	4	2	—	—
10	4	3	—	—
11	4	3	—	—
12	4	3	—	—
13	4	3	2	—
14	4	3	2	—
15	4	3	2	—
16	4	3	3	—
17	4	3	3	—
18	4	3	3	—
19	4	3	3	1
20	4	3	3	1

 

Spellcasting Ability. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for your spells.

Spellcasting Focus. You can use a Holy Symbol as a Spellcasting Focus for your spells. 

Guardians Devotion

At 3rd level, you gain the following abilities:
• Guardian’s Weaponry. When you wield a short sword, sling, or shortbow, you gain a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls with that weapon.
• Divine Awareness. As an action, you can focus your senses to detect evil and danger. For 1 minute, you can sense the presence of celestials, fiends, and undead within 60 feet that aren’t behind total cover. You may use this ability a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus. Regain all uses after a long rest.
• Spellcasting. You gain the ability to cast spells drawn from the Halfling Guardian spell list. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

You know the following spells and always have them prepared:
- 1st level: Humansize, Warning Shout, Animal Friendship, Bless, Command, Cure Wounds, Detect Evil and Good, Detect Magic, Detect Poison and Disease, Entangle, Speak with Animals.
- 2nd level: Aid, Animal Messenger, Barkskin, Find Traps, Hold Person, Protection from Poison, Sparkling Sword, Zone of Truth.
- 3rd level: Blazing Sword, Giantsize, Beacon of Hope, Conjure Animals, Daylight, Dispel Magic, Meld into Stone, Spirit Guardians.
-4th level: Freedom of Movement, Ice Storm.

- You can cast these spells using your fighter spell slots.
- The saving throw DC for these spells equals 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Wisdom modifier.
- Your spell attack bonus equals your proficiency bonus + your Wisdom modifier.

Ward of the Shire

At 7th level, you can cast the Warning Shout spell without expending a spell slot. You can use this ability once per short rest.

Shining Valor

At 10th level, you can cast the Sparkling Sword spell once per long rest without expending a spell slot.

Giant's Heart

At 15th level, you can cast the Giantsize spell once per long rest without expending a spell slot.

Blazing Valor

At 18th level, you can cast the Blazing Sword spell once per long rest without expending a spell slot.