The Warrior-Poets of Klantyre

Description: The Warrior-Poets of Klantyre are a rare kind of bard originating from the highlands in the Principalities of Glantri. Many Warrior-Poets are allies of the Followers of the Claymore, a subversive rebel group of warriors and clerics who fight to overthrow the magocracy. All of these bards live for the old Kaelic traditions from an era long gone in the world of Laterre faraway, when brave warriors fought for noble causes, when men of faith crusaded on holy quests, when honor, goodness, and right reigned supreme—not the  way Glantri is nowadays, ruled by petty, powerplaying, rumormongering wizards, with their politics, intrigues, and magic.

The Warrior-Poets play a crucial role in the fight against the wizards of Glantri. Not only can they inspire with their heroic tales of magic battles back in Laterre or in old days of Klantyre, but with their experience and bardic knowledge of Glantri, the Warrior-Poets have developed certain fantastic skills specifically to counter the magic of the Glantrian wizards.

Qualifications: The Warrior-Poets of Klantyre must have standard ability scores. They are generally humans of Kaelic (Klantyre) heritage, but there are no restrictions against other Glantrians or even demi-human races, though they are virtually unheard of.

Weapon Proficiencies: The Warrior-Poet must take claymore, broadsword or axe when starting at 1st level.

Skills: Bonus: local history (Klantyre, Glantri), poetry, singing, ancient history (Laterre/Kaelic). Suggested: Musical Instrument (bagpipe).

Languages: Required: Kaelic (modern/Klantyre dialect, archaic/Laterran dialect).

Armour: Nothing heavier than splint mail.

Counter Song: Over the years of life in the Glantrian magocracy, Warrior-Poets have devised a means of countering certain magical effects. If the Warrior-Poet is able to find a spell and learn it (i.e. put it in their "spellbook"), they become highly resistant to the effects of that spell. When the Warrior-Poet is targeted by a learned spell, a successful Learn Spells roll will counter it, as if the Warrior-Poet has 100% magical resistance. In addition, when the Warrior-Poet encounters durational magic he can counter, a successful Learn Spells roll will dispel the effect for one round per experience level.

War Chant: By chanting a war song, the Warrior-Poet can inspire his allies as they go forward into battle. The Warrior-Poet must chant for three rounds before combat begins. The chanting has a range equal to ten feet per level of the Warrior-Poet. The effects end as soon as the Warrior-Poet receives his first wound, or for one round per experience level.

The Warrior-Poet can choose one of the following six effects per battle, with one additional effect per three experience levels:

• Bonus hit points equal to the Warrior-Poet’s hit dice.
• A morale bonus of 1 for every six levels of the Warrior-Poet.
• A +1 bonus to all attack rolls.
• A +1 bonus to all damage rolls.
• A +1 bonus to all saving throws.
• A –1 bonus to everyone’s Armor Class.

Battle Chant: When the Warrior-Poet fights while singing or chanting (even under his breath), he gains a +1 bonus to attack rolls. In addition, if using a broadsword, claymore, axe or spear he gains a +1 damage bonus. These bonuses apply in almost all situations, unless the Warrior-Poet is silenced, underwater, etc.

Oratory: These Warrior-Poets can influence the reactions of a crowd by use of skilled oratory, historical stories, etc. The Warrior-Poet may only influence wizards in a negative manner (i.e. making them hostile), although any non-spellcaster allies of the wizards may have second thoughts about attacking the Warrior-Poet. Such oratory takes 1d10 rounds, at the end of which, the subjects must save vs. death with a -1 penalty per three levels of the Warrior-Poet, or have their reactions adjusted one level up or down.

These Warrior-Poets cannot cast mage spells. Their countersong ability replaces that.

These Warrior-Poets hate and distrust all mages, thanks to their experiences in Glantri. A Warrior-Poet will never associate with any Glantrian mage, although mages from other lands may be allowed to prove their trustworthiness. (The Followers of the Claymore need all the allies they can get!)

These Warrior-Poets often gain a reputation in Glantri, often being the more visible aspect of the Followers of the Claymore (recruiting, inciting uprisings, etc.). Disguises are often necessary, or the Warrior-Poet may find that his reputation with the wizards of Glantri has preceded him...

References: The Followers of the Claymore

Author: Rob Munch