GLoG: The Knight
Honoré Daumier. Detail from Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. ~1868. Oil on Canvas
I've been reading a lot of fighters lately. I wanted to put together a martial class that foregrounds why they fight and with a focus on developing a relationship to an institution and the people inside of it. Think The Green Knight (2021) or Lancelot du Lac (1974). As GM, be specific about who the Knight is sworn to and keep that character involved in the action as a quest-giver, patron, or mentor. Put them in danger when it matters most and try to avoid having them betray the Knight unless it's extremely juicy.
Starting Gear: A weapon of you choice, a breastplate and helmet, a horse named after a virtue (e.g. "Piety").
Background: 1 Courtier | 2 Sellsword | 3 Tourney Champion
A Oath, Challenge
B +1 Attack, Favor, Romance
C Smite, Resolute
D Legacy
Oath
You have sworn to defend a crown, cause, or lover with your life. Work with your GM to flesh out that cause. When fighting for the subject of your oath, gain +Templates AC.
Challenge
When you challenge an enemy to single combat, they must make a WIS test or engage you 1-on-1 until one of you has fallen or someone else intervenes. Targets that don't share a language with you test with Advantage.
Favor
You may ask a person who represents the subject of your oath for a favor (e.g. a girdle, ribbon, or rose). You may only have one at a time. A favor may be sundered to nullify an incoming attack or maneuver. A sundered favor may be restored by spending an hour contemplating your oath or by requesting another.
Romance
You know the lore of knights gone by. Once per session, you may ask the GM for a hint on a puzzle, mystery, or riddle. The GM will ask you to describe the story you got the hint from.
Smite
After rolling damage, you may sunder your weapon to double it.
Resolute
You gain advantage on saves against fear, charms, and possession.
Legacy
You are renowned throughout the land for your commitment to your oath. Those aligned with it treat you as a dear friend. Those opposed aim to kill on sight. When you die, if you have a squire, they inherit half your accumulated XP.
Δ Oathbreaker
If you foreswear your oath, gain this feature and lose all other Knight features until you make amends (likely via a quest).
You gain +Templates to Attack and Damage rolls.
You (and the party you are in) have disadvantage on Reaction rolls from anyone that cares about chivalry.