Profession: Guard
Role: Defender, Tank
Starting Gear: Steel Plate Mail, Steel Buckler, Steel Half Helm, Steel Short Sword.
Pay Rate: 100 shillings per game week
Gen Dice:
  • Vitality     Creation    1d20    Level Up/Rest     1d8
  • Soul         Creation    1d6       Level Up/Rest    1d4
  • Power      Creation   1d12    Level Up/Rest    1d6
Weapon & Armor Types:
  • Uses weapons that have parry value
  • Can use any armor or shield
  • +1 to Defense per piece of Heavy Armor
Specialty:

Guards are the utmost defender. Because of this, guards Defense checks starts one level lower, as a Normal Check.

Being a noble guard, member of the city watch, or patrolman (depending upon your campaign and setting) means that you belong to a group of dedicated servants to society. You are there to protect the peace and are rightly equipped to do so. You know how to defend yourself and others, are decent in a fight, and have great investigative abilities. You can't tolerate thievery and have no stomach for policy making and backroom deals.

The Guard Profession is all about defending others.It is the profession of the City Watch, the Kings' Guard, and other related professions. The Guard makes a great tank character.

Effects on Weapon Usage

Guards are defenders, not warriors. Therefore they use only weapons that have a block value.

Effects on Armor Usage

  • Can use any armor or shield
  • +1 to Defense per piece of Heavy Armor

Profession Level Progression

Guards train so that they can protect others. They don't care as much about scholarly things or being sneaky. Instead, they want to know how to absorb and handle the most damage. Defense is the way to go for them.

Guards progress following the Guard Node Chart.

  • In order to progress to the next level you need to meet the required nodes and pay the progression XP cost.
  • Each node cost XP to acquire.
  • You can only acquire the nodes for your profession.
  • You can acquire as many nodes as you want, but you must acquire the minimum required nodes to progress to the next level.
  • You get your gen dice rolls for Vitality, Soul, and Power at each new level.

Skills

Guards specialize in defense skills.

Guard Skills Progression

Guard Skills

Guard Skills are categorized into Lock Action Skills, Defense Skills, and Empowerment Skills.

Lock Action Skills

Action Type: 🔮 Support Action
Skill Action Type Skill Types Stat Cost Range & Area Duration Check Roll Effects Requirements
Anger 🔮 Support Action 🌀 Confusion, Control 2 Soul any enemy targets within a 3x3 space area instant Normal Intimidate

This skill is Taunt as an area affect. All enemy targets in the area of affect must make a normal focus check or they will have no choice but to attack you their next round. 

Taunt
Attention Lock 🔮 Support Action 🌀 Confusion, Control 8 Soul 1 target 1d6 +1 rounds Impossible Intimidate

This skill forces you to be the target's only target for the duration. The target can only target you and is so focused on you that they get a -2 to Evade when attacked by your allies.

Frustrate
Distraction 🔮 Support Action 🌀 Confusion, Control 1 Soul any within a 3x3 space area instant Normal Perform +1

Targets in affected area must make normal focus check to not lose concentration, or their spells they are casting will fail to cast. 

N/A
Frustrate 🔮 Support Action 🌀 Confusion, Control 4 Soul any enemy targets within a 3x3 space area 1d4 rounds Hard Intimidate

All targets in the affected area must make a hard mental balance check. If they fail they will be berserk for 1d4 rounds, and you can be their only target for the next round.

Anger
Taunt 🔮 Support Action 🌀 Confusion, Control N/A 1 target instant Easy Intimidate

This skill forces the target to make a normal Focus or otherwise it must attack you its next round.  

N/A

Defense Skills

Action Type: 🛡️ Defense Action
Skill Action Type Skill Types Stat Cost Range & Area Duration Check Roll Effects Requirements
Armor Tuck 🛡️ Defense Action 💪 Empowerment 4 Power self instant Normal Defense -1

This skill allows you to tuck into your armor more, making you smaller and allowing the armor to cover more weak spots. This increases your Physical and Magical armor by 1d6 for that instance. 

Shield Wall
Block or Parry 🛡️ Defense Action 🛡️ Defensive Move 1 Power self instant Easy Defense

Block or parry an attack with your weapon or shield, subtracting the weapon's damage value by your block or parry value. If your block or parry value is greater, you take no damage.

N/A
Brace Others 🛡️ Defense Action 👥 Support Ally 2 Power 1 ally within movement range instant Normal Brace

This skill allows you to brace your ally that you can reach should your ally receive an attack that would move them or knock them down. With this skill you add your brace score +1 to your ally's brace score, making it easier for them to succeed on their brace check. 

Stand Your Ground
Guard 🛡️ Defense Action 👥 Support Ally 1 Power movement range affecting 1 ally instant Easy React

This skill allows you to defend an ally from attack. You use this skill when a nearby ally, one that you can reach with one movement action, is being attacked. 

N/A
Runic Block 🛡️ Defense Action ✨ Magic Related 2 Soul self instant Normal Arcana -1

With this skill you can block a spell with your shield. If the spell damage is equal to or less than your shield's block value, you take no damage. Otherwise you will decrease the spell damage by the shield's block value.

Runic Defense
Runic Defense 🛡️ Defense Action ✨ Magic Related 1 Soul self instant Easy Arcana -2

With this skill you can defend more easily against a magical attack. You add your arcana score to your armor's spirit. If your armor has no spirit stat, this will give your armor a spirit stat equal to your arcana trait.

N/A
Runic Guard 🛡️ Defense Action ✨ Magic Related 2 Soul movement range affecting 1 ally instant Hard Defense

With this skill you can defend an ally against a magical attack. You can use Combo Guard with this skill. 

Guard and Runic Defense
Use Others as Shield 🛡️ Defense Action 👣 Movement Based N/A self and any nearby target instant Normal React

Allows you to quickly move behind anyone else, friend or foe, making them take the hit instead.

N/A
Use Potion as Defense 🛡️ Defense Action 🛡️ Defensive Move N/A self instant Easy React

Allows you to use potion as a defense action.

N/A
Action Type: 🔗 Skill Chain Action
Skill Action Type Skill Types Stat Cost Range & Area Duration Check Roll Effects Requirements
Combo Guard 🔗 Skill Chain Action 👥 Support Ally 2 Power self instant Hard Defense

You use this skill with the Guard skill. This allows you to use your skills to aid in guarding your friends. You have the first skill for free, and can make normal react checks for each additional skill you wish to use.

Guard
Counter Move 🔗 Skill Chain Action 👣 Movement Based 2 Power self instant Normal React

You can use this skill with any counter skill. This skill allows you to move your movement rate after you counter attack, without triggering an Attack of Opportunity if you were able to successfully use your counter action skill.

Counter Attack
Disarm 🔗 Skill Chain Action 🔄 Counter Move 4 Power self instant Challenging Athletics

This skill can be used when you successfully use Block or Parry. If you succeed with Block or Parry, use this skill and if successful you cause the target that is attacking you to drop its weapon.

Block or Parry
Action Type: ↩️ Counter Action
Skill Action Type Skill Types Stat Cost Range & Area Duration Check Roll Effects Requirements
Counter Attack ↩️ Counter Action 🗡️ Melee Attack 1 Power weapon's range affecting 1 target instant Normal React

You can make a normal react check to counter attack the enemy when the enemy attacks you as long as you are in range. You cannot use any skills for this attack.

N/A
Counter Skill ↩️ Counter Action 🔗 Chain With Other Skill 3 Power weapon's range affecting 1 target instant Challenging React

With this skill you can use a skill to counter attack. You can use any offensive attack action skill. 

Counter Move
Counter Spell ↩️ Counter Action ✨ Magic Related 4 Soul 1 target in spell range instant Hard React

This skill allows you to counter with a spell. You must be able to cast that spell in that instance to use it with this skill. 

Counter Move
Deflect 1-Target Spell ↩️ Counter Action ✨ Magic Related 4 Soul self instant Hard Arcana

This skill is used with Runic Block. If you successfully use Runic Block, you can use this skill to deflect the spell away from you. You need to also roll Critical with this, if you succeed your critical check and there is anyone next to you, the spell is deflected to that target. Otherwise, you simply take no damage.

Runic Block
Deflect Hit ↩️ Counter Action ᯓ➤ Fast Action 2 Power self instant Challenging React

This skill is used with Block or Parry. If you successfully use Block or Parry, you can use this skill to deflect the hit away from you. You need to also roll Critical with this, if you succeed your critical check and there is anyone next to you, the hit is deflected to that target. Otherwise, you simply take no damage.

Block or Parry
Action Type: 🔮 Support Action
Skill Action Type Skill Types Stat Cost Range & Area Duration Check Roll Effects Requirements
Shield Wall 🔮 Support Action 🛡️ Defensive Move N/A self and any affected allies 1d4 rounds Normal Defense

You hold your shield in front of you and duck behind it, making the shield like a wall. While behind the shield wall you cannot move, however any attacks that target you must first get past the shield wall. This increases your Physical and Magical Armor by 1d4, making it harder to hit you. If any of your allies use this with you and are next to you, a more secure wall is formed further increasing Physical and Magical armor by 1 for everyone involved. 

Shield equipped

Empowerment Skills

Action Type: 🔮 Support Action
Skill Action Type Skill Types Stat Cost Range & Area Duration Check Roll Effects Requirements
Bash Defense 🔮 Support Action 💪 Empowerment N/A self 1d6 rounds Easy Defense

Increase armor's defense by 2 against bashing attacks.

N/A
Chop Defense 🔮 Support Action 💪 Empowerment N/A self 1d6 rounds Easy Defense

 Increase armor's defense by 2 against chopping attacks.

N/A
Daze or Stun Defense 🔮 Support Action 📋 Status Effect 4 Soul self 1d4 rounds Normal Defense

This skill causes you to not be affected by the daze or stun status effects.

Poison or Sickness Defense
Defense Empowerment 🔮 Support Action 💪 Empowerment N/A self 1d4 rounds Easy Defense

+1 to Immunity, Endure, and Defense traits

N/A
Knock Down Defense 🔮 Support Action 📋 Status Effect 6 Soul self 1d4 rounds Hard Defense

This skill causes you to not be affected by the Knock Down status effect. 

Daze or Stun Defense
Mortal Guard 🔮 Support Action 📋 Status Effect 8 Soul self 1d4 rounds Impossible Defense

This skill allows you to ignore instant death attacks.

Knock Down Defense
Pierce Defense 🔮 Support Action 💪 Empowerment N/A self 1d6 rounds Easy Defense

Increase armor's defense by 2 against Piercing attacks.

N/A
Poison or Sickness Defense 🔮 Support Action 📋 Status Effect 2 Soul self 1d4 rounds Normal Immunity

This skill allows you to not be affected by the poison or sickness status effects.

N/A
Slash Defense 🔮 Support Action 💪 Empowerment N/A self 1d6 rounds Easy Defense

Increase armor's defense by 2 against slashing attacks.

N/A
Stand Your Ground 🔮 Support Action 📋 Status Effect 1 Power self 1d4 rounds Easy Brace

Unable to be knocked down or moved when standing still.

N/A
Vitality Empowerment 🔮 Support Action 💪 Empowerment 2 Soul self 1d6 rounds Normal Defense

Allows you to temporarily increase your Vitality by your Level Up/Rest Gen Dice.

N/A

Guard Abilities

These are abilities that are unique to the Guard profession. Only Guards can obtain and use these abilities:

Ability Ability Type Effects Requirements
Advanced Self Defense Techniques 🛡️ Passive Ability

Increase your Defense trait by 1d4 and your Immunity, Endure, and Brace traits by 1.

Self Defense Techniques
Block & Counter 🛠️ Utility Ability

Whenever you successfully block with your shield, you have a normal react + 2 chance to use a counter action.

Counter Attack skill
Clue Spotting ⚡ Activated Ability

You can increase your Perceive by 1d6 when looking for clues or tracking down the source of danger by making a Normal Insight check.

N/A
Damage Absorb ⚡ Activated Ability

You can absorb 10% of the damage dealt to your Vitality so that it doesn't affect your Vitality by making a Normal Endure check. For every 5 damage you absorb you lose 1 Power. The maximum amount of damage you can absorb is double your Endure stat.

N/A
Damage Store & Redirect 🛠️ Utility Ability

You can store the damage  absorbed and redirect it in your next physical attack. The stored damage must be used before the end of battle or it will be lost. 

Damage Absorb
Danger Sense 🛡️ Passive Ability

You are more aware of dangers in the area. You have a +2 to Perceive, +1 to Insight, React, and Initiative.

N/A
Defensive Stance 🛡️ Passive Ability

You are always in a defensive stance gaining a +2 to defense trait and +1 to armor defense. 

Danger Sense
Evasive Guard 🛡️ Passive Ability

Armor evade penalties are decreased by 1/2 per armor piece. 

Defensive Stance
Heavy Armor Proficiency 🛡️ Passive Ability

Increases defense of heavy armor pieces by 1 for every piece of heavy armor worn. Increases Physical and Magical Armor by 2 if wearing a full set of heavy armor.

N/A
Improved Magical Defense 🛡️ Passive Ability

Increase armor spirit by 1 for magical attacks.

Improved Defense
Improved Reaction 🛡️ Passive Ability

Increase React by 1

Improved Magical Defense
Interogation Tactics ⚡ Activated Ability

By making a Normal Persuade check you can increase your Intimidate by 1d6 for the instance. This can be helpful when asking the hard questions of someone you are suspicious of. 

Clue Spotting
Keep Self 🛡️ Passive Ability

+1 to Mental Balance.

N/A
Lawful Reputation 🛠️ Utility Ability

This ability works best for the lawful good guard. With this ability you add your light points to any Influence or Persuade checks when dealing with religious leaders, Order Points to Influence or Persuade checks when dealing with governmental leaders. Be careful though, any dark or chaos points are added as penalties to those traits.

The Village Hero
Light Armor Proficiency 🛡️ Passive Ability

Increases Light Armor Defense by 1 for every piece of light armor worn, and Physical and Magical Armor by 2 if wearing a full set of light armor.

N/A
Medium Armor Proficiency 🛡️ Passive Ability

Increases defense of medium armor pieces by 1 for every piece of medium armor worn. Increases Physical and Magical Armor by 2 if wearing a full set of medium armor.

N/A
Mortality Save 🛠️ Utility Ability

Grants you a +1d4 to Vitality Save.

Advance Self Defense Techniques
Peripheral Vision 🛠️ Utility Ability

You cannot be ambushed.

Danger Sense
Reactive Defense ⚡ Activated Ability

You can make a hard react check to increase your defense trait by +1 for that instance.

Defensive Stance
Roll Counter 🛠️ Utility Ability

When you go to use a counter action, you can make a hard athletics check to roll to the side of the target, giving you a chance to evade as well with a +1 to Evade.

Block & Counter
Self Defense Techniques 🛡️ Passive Ability

Increase your Defense trait by 1.

N/A
Side Step 🛠️ Utility Ability

As long as the space to the left or right is clear, you can make a normal react check to step to the side to try to avoid the hit. This gives you a +1 to Evade.

N/A
Tactical Cover ⚡ Activated Ability

Anytime there is something you can duck behind or hide behind near you when you are attacked you can make a hard react check to take that cover, giving you a +3 to Evade.

N/A
The Village Hero 🛡️ Passive Ability

As a guard you are beloved by the shop keepers and you get a 20% discount when shopping. 

N/A
Weapon & Shield 🛠️ Utility Ability

As long as you have a shield equipped you cannot be counter attacked.

Peripheral Vision

guard