Fighters live for the rush of combat, where it is their skill against that of their opponent. They train hard to avoid ever being outskilled on the battlefield. A fighter's most important possession are their weapons, which they spend much time caring for. Some fighters even form emotional bonds to their weapons - perhaps they keep lugging their first sword around despite having access to blades of higher quality.
The fighter encompasses many archetypes, from the plate-clad goliath warrior swinging a humongous greatsword, to the lithe halfling who flits around the battlefield with a sling, peppering their opponents with well-aimed rocks, to the elven dual-wielding fencer who relies on their reflexes to not get hit.
Subclasses
Because so many concepts can be realized as a fighter, the subclasses are also very moldable.
Battle Master
The unrivaled master of weapon-based martial arts. Battle Masters can be built to excel in almost any archetype.
Champion
The champion is a blank canvas, ready to find out wherever the story takes them. A good champion has some other defining trait other than their subclass - perhaps they are a member of an exotic race, or they take some interesting combination of feats.
Eldritch Knight
By enhancing their swordplay with arcane magic, these warriors are among the most versatile on the battlefield. Their spellcasting is limited, but even a little magic goes a long way. Races with a high affinity for arcane magic, such as gnomes and elves, often take up this mantle.
Psi Knight
It is very rare that those who are able to grasp the intricacies of psionics are also able to combine it with swordplay. Perhaps they were a normal fighter before they encountered some force from an outer plane, or the arts were taught to them by a lone hermit. Regardless, this power is not easy to come by.
Ideals
- Prowess: By training for all eventualities, we cannot fail. (Any)
- Bravery: Those who are able must step up when danger is near. (Good)
- Conquest: The strong have a right to rule over the weak. (Evil)
- People: I care about people, not some book of rules. (Neutral)
- Command: If we do not follow our orders, the whole system fails. (Lawful)
- Unpredictability: If we fight by the book, our opponents can use that against us. (Chaotic)
Backstory Questions
- How did you end up with your chosen fighting style?
- Does your specific weapon have any sentimental value to you?
- Have you served in an organized fighting force?
Fighters of the Past
Titus Sulla
(human, LN, 810-879): The singular strategic mind of his generation, Legate-Marshall Sulla worked his way up the ranks of the Teccan Legion from low-born legionnaire to supreme commander. His armies conquered vast swaths of land, expanding the empire. Nowadays, he is most well known for The Craft of War, the book he wrote to summarise all his knowledge of combat and warfare.
Rackham Graygale
(human, NE, 1141-1187): In his day, Captain Graygale was the most feared pirate in the known world. Rackham and his crew aboard his black-sailed flagship, Krakenbrand, would ruthlessly plunder and pillage their way across the ocean. In the closing years of the Empire, Emperor Thimonos V paid Graygale an exorbitant bribe to fight alongside the Imperial Fleet against the Northern Islands who had risen up in revolt. However, Krakenbrand and many other Imperial ships were sunk north of Maeral, in one of the first engagements of the Seaguard. Rackham and his crew all perished, and since no one outside the crew knew where they had hidden their vast amount of loot, it was lost.
Octavian Caldesor
(human, LN, 1079-1155): "The First Sword of Tec". He served as advisor and personal bodyguard to Empress Herminia Casta. In this role, he faithfully served for 37 years. When the empress died of old age, he declared his duty done, and died only three days after her. He was given the exceedingly rare honor of a burial in the Imperial tombs, next to the Empress he served.