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By Scott Bean Art Credits: Adobe Stock Images, Alexandra Petruk, Artistdesign De, Atelier Sommerland, Betibup33, Davi Sales, Jozefklopacka, Tsuneomp, Warmtail The spirit shaman character class was inspired by the shaman class published in the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition Forgotten Realms campaign expansion boxed set: The North: Guide to the Savage Frontier (slade et al., 1996, Wilderness book, pp. 25-28). The Spirit Shaman is a wisdom-based spellcasting class with moderate melee capabilities. If you enjoy playing outlanders, barbarians, druids, rangers, or other nature-based character types the spirit shaman class may be for you. The spirit shaman class should be a great addition to any Dungeon Master's tool kit; the class is suitable for PCs and NPCs alike. The class could also be used for improving the flavor and increasing the difficulty of orc, giant, goblin, and many other tribal type monster encounters. By Scott Bean Art Credits: Adobe Stock Images, Alexandra Petruk, artistdesign_de, Atelier Sommerland, BetiBup33, Davi Sales, jozefklopacka, tsuneomp, warmtail DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, D&D, Wizards of the Coast, Forgotten Realms, Ravenloft, Eberron, the dragon ampersand, Ravnica and all other Wizards of the Coast product names, and their respective logos are trademarks of Wizards of the Coast in the USA and other countries. This work contains material that is copyright Wizards of the Coast and/or other authors. Such material is used with permission under the Community Content Agreement for Dungeon Masters Guild. All otherSample original material in this work is copyright 2019 by [your legal name or company file name] and published under the Community Content Agreement for Dungeon Masters Guild. Page 2 Table of Contents Spirit Shaman 4 Spirit Shaman Class Table 7 Creating a Spirit Shaman 8 Spirits of the Dead 10 Spirits of Elemental Nature 14 Spirits of Animals 8 Multiclassing 8 Sample file Page 3 SPIRIT SHAMAN young shaman watches her tribe’s encampment from a nearby hilltop; Kerri TRIBAL POWER was forced into exile shortly after performing her grandfather’s last rites a Peren, a wood elf scout, heard the ominous sound of Atenday ago. During the ritual, Gorstag had started his drums pounding in the distance foretelling dark journey to the afterlife, but to the surprise of his times to come for the forest and its inhabitants. The family and the tribe’s elders, his spirit lingered as it ‘Red Axes,’ an orc tribe that had gathered in a glade was drawn to the young shaman to form a bond that in the northern part of the forest, was performing a would transcend the normal limits between life and ritual honoring a spirit shaman named Brolgar. The death. The elders were fearful of the bond. Shamans tribe’s warriors had grown bold over the past month normally petition spirits to receive temporary after raiding settlements and caravans along the powers; however, to form a lasting bond is very rare. kingdom’s main trade routes; its most successful The elders of Kerri’s tribe had forbidden shamans raiding parties were led by the shaman, whose deeds from forming Spirit Bonds long ago during the great had gained the tribe notoriety and power since its famine, so they ordered her to sever the bond, but unwelcome arrival in the elven forest. she refused. Unfortunately, earlier that day, troubling news Kerri was angry at the elders for her exile, but had reached the elven court that a group of scouts Gorstag’s spirit calmed her—he had always been a and rangers had been defeated by an orc raiding kind and wise mentor. “The elders have forgotten the party. Witnesses reported that Brolgar led the raid old ways,” he whispered in her mind. “They fear the transformed as a wolf spider; he had crept among power of our bond; they should have embraced and explored its possibilities.” Kerri understood the implications of the Spirit Bond; she must continue to meditate and consult with her grandfather’s spirit and learn to use the bond’s power wisely. If properly utilized, a shaman’s ability to form spirit bonds could be used to summon a tribe’s greatest ancestors. If Kerri continues to bond with the spirits of her ancestors, she would gain access to increasingly powerful spells and insight into hidden knowledge. She would also gain increasingly powerful abilities through her Spirit Bonds. Kerri is wise for her age; she plans to learn as much as she can about her connection to the spirit world. As her knowledge and experience grow, she should be able to form new Spirit Bonds—eventually, with the most powerful spirits of her ancestors. Standing upon the hillside gazing down across the vale, Kerri reflects upon the events that occurred after her exile. Gorstag had watched over her and granted light when she could not see and healed her broken leg after she fell into a chasm while hunting. Kerri has received protection and blessings every day since bonding with her grandfather’s spirit, and for thatSample, she is truly grateful. file Page 4 the trees until he found a hidden spot above the elves. From his roost, the shaman turned back into PRIMAL WISDOM an orc and cast polymorph on the squad’s leader; the Spirit shamans are very rare in Faerûn, but they can elf failed to resist the spell and was transformed into be found in tribal communities that have strong a toad. Brolgar then dropped down from above on shamanic traditions. Tribal elders often fear spirit the unfortunate elf and landed a critical strike with bonds, but they sometimes seek the advice and his magic staff. At the same time, at least a dozen orc wisdom of spirit shamans in times of great need. warriors wielding greataxes leaped from the foliage. Shamans who bond with spirits often live in These were no ordinary orcs but were hardened seclusion as hermits or take up the adventuring life. warriors. Elven blood began to flow freely as the orcs Tribal elders believe that summoned spirits may landed vicious blows with their axes. Brolgar stood become angry and curse their people, so they usually in the center of the fray wielding a magic staff, which force spirit shamans into exile for the safety of the was crowned with the head of a glowing skull as he tribe. chanted words of spiritual power that The elders of the Uthgardt tribes of Faerûn have bolstered his allies good reasons for concern about provoking the wrath of spirits. Shamans bonding with spirits should ELEMENTAL POWER be intelligent, wise, and charismatic to properly manage their connections to A hill giant shaman dances the spirit world; they should around a bonfire chanting understand how to use their ancient words of power in its granted powers without provoking guttural language to call forth the wrath of their bonded spirits. A an elemental spirit. The shaman spirit summoned through a Spirit is performing a Spirit Bond Bond Ritual is an individual entity ritual that could give its tribe an with desires, goals, and principles of edge in an upcoming battle. Slauglor its own. An angered spirit may decide not to had become powerful and grant requested spells for a period. If angered respected among the tribe’s too often, or if a spirit shaman takes actions members. He had formed several that severely oppose the principles of a elemental spirit bonds over the bonded spirit, the spirit may sever its years, which allowed him to wield bond. In extreme cases, a spirit may destructive power against his bestow a curse upon a shaman before rivals and the tribe’s enemies. The severing its bond. A minor spirit’s ritual was almost complete; he curse lasts for one week, a major could feel the power of the wind spirit’s curse lasts for a month, and a whirling around him, stoking the greater spirit’s curse is permanent. A flames of the bonfire. minor spirit’s curse may be removed Slauglor’s new spirit bond should greatly boost with a remove curse spell cast at its his power over lightning and thunder to crush his lowest level; however, the spell enemies. He was granted the ability to summon an must be cast with a 5th level spell ice storm during a previous ritual; he plans to use the slot for a major spirit, and a 7th level spell slot for a spell to freeze his enemies in their tracks in an greater spirit. upcoming battle. With a victory, the tribe would There are three types of spirits that shamans may capture fertile hunting grounds, which would greatly summon to form a Spirit Bond—Spirits of the Dead, expand its territory and ensure its growth, influence, Spirits of Elemental Nature, and the Spirits of and dominance in the region. The power of Slauglor’s Animals. Each type of spirit has a different elemental spirits should play a vital role in the personality and goals. Spirits of the dead may have upcoming battle. complex and varying principles that depend upon Sampletheir nature in life. For examfileple, the spirit of a hill giant chieftain may have evil motivations focused on dominance and destruction. In contrast, the spirit of a great Uthgardt chieftain may desire to bring Page 5 prosperity to its former tribe. The goals of Spirits of Consequently, spirit shamans should be careful to Elemental Nature and Spirits of Animals are far less act responsibly toward nature when they are bonded complex than those of the dead; these spirits are with animal and elemental spirits; they should often tied to the land. For example, an elemental ensure that no excessive use of natural resources or spirit of fire may be tied to a region with volcanic despoiling of land occurs in their presence.
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