My RPG

A rules-light tabletop RPG by Ron Helwig

Aegis Domain

Aegis Domain characters are the shield-thanes, bodyguards, and patient duelists who win fights on other people’s turns. They plant their feet, watch the whole battle, and move only when it matters: a shield thrown up before a friend, a blade that finds the gap when an enemy overreaches. An Aegis character might be a village guard who never lets anyone past the gate, or a sworn protector who would rather take a wound than see one land on their charge.

🛡️ Aegis is a Reaction Domain. Read Reactions & Off-Turn Actions first: every reaction costs Action Load.

Tier 1 Base Card: Aegis Initiate

At Tier 1, Aegis characters learn the discipline of waiting. They hold Action Load in reserve and spend it guarding others.

Aegis Aspect: Choose Fortitude or Agility. This Aspect powers your Aegis Features.

Core Feature: Guard Stance

If you end your turn having added 1 or less Action Load on that turn, you gain +1 Evasion until the start of your next turn.

This Domain leans on multiple reactions more than most. Keep Action Load in reserve on your turn so you can spend it on other people’s.

Choose two Domain Feature Cards from Tier 1.

Requirements to Advance to Tier 2 (complete 3):

  • Prevent an ally from taking HP damage with a reaction
  • Go a full combat round spending all your Action Load on reactions
  • Stand your ground in a doorway, bridge, or gap while allies retreat or regroup
  • Talk an angry crowd or rival down without anyone drawing a weapon
  • Spot an ambush or trap before it springs
  • Any one Shared Milestone (see Domains)

Tier 1 Feature Cards

⚡ Shield Wall (Team Action – Reactive)

Action Load: 1

When an ally within 5 feet is targeted by an attack, add your Aegis Aspect to their Evasion against that attack. Requires a shield or a held weapon.

⚡ Opening Strike (Combat – Reactive)

Action Load: as a normal weapon attack

When an enemy within your reach misses any creature, you may make a weapon attack against it.

  • You may mark 1 Stress to reduce this Feature’s Action Load cost by 1.

Hold the Line (Combat – Active)

Action Load: 1

Until the start of your next turn, enemies that enter your reach must stop moving.

⚡ Interpose (Team Action – Reactive)

Action Load: 1

When an ally within 10 feet is hit, you may move to them without provoking reactions and take the hit yourself. Use your own thresholds.

⚡ Watchful Step (Exploration – Reactive)

Action Load: 1 (in combat); none outside combat

When a trap, hazard, or ambush is triggered near you, you may move 10 feet and pull one ally with you out of harm’s way. Outside combat you roll with Advantage to notice danger while on watch.

Steadying Presence (Roleplay – Passive)

Action Load: — (Passive)

People feel safe near you. Frightened or nervous people you speak with have Disadvantage to panic, and you roll with Advantage to calm, reassure, or escort them.

Tier 2 Base Card: Aegis Adept

At Tier 2, your guard widens. You protect more than the person beside you.

Core Feature: Wider Guard

The range of your Shield Wall and Interpose increases by 5 feet. Guard Stance now grants +1 Evasion to one adjacent ally as well.

Choose two Domain Feature Cards from Tier 2.

Requirements to Advance to Tier 3 (complete 4):

  • Protect two different allies in the same round
  • Take a Serious or Critical wound meant for someone else
  • Escort someone vulnerable safely through a dangerous journey
  • Earn an oath, title, or thanks from someone you protected
  • Combine an Aegis reaction with an ally’s Team Action
  • Any one Shared Milestone (see Domains)

Tier 2 Feature Cards

⚡ Riposte Chain (Combat – Reactive)

Action Load: 1

After you protect an ally with Shield Wall or Interpose, make a weapon attack against the attacker.

⚡ Brace (Combat – Reactive)

Action Load: 1

When you are hit, reduce the wound severity by one step. Once per round.

Sentinel’s Rest (Exploration – Passive)

Action Load: — (Passive)

While you keep watch, the camp cannot be surprised, and allies who rest under your watch reduce 1 extra Stress.

Rally Point (Team Action – Active)

Action Load: 1

Plant your shield or banner. Allies who start their turn within 10 feet of you gain +1 Evasion until the end of the scene or until you move.

Sworn Protector (Roleplay – Passive)

Action Load: — (Passive)

Name one person as your charge. You gain Advantage on any roll made to protect, find, or speak for them. You may change your charge after a Full Rest.

⚡ Challenge Step (Combat – Reactive)

Action Load: as a normal melee attack

When a creature within your reach moves away from you, you may make a melee weapon attack against it. If it hits, the target has Disadvantage on its next attack before the end of its next turn.

Same idea as Weapon Master’s Punish Withdrawal, with a rider. If you already have Punish Withdrawal, you may take this instead (or choose another card).

Tier 3 Base Card: Aegis Expert

At Tier 3, you are a wall the enemy must plan around.

Core Feature: Unmoving

You cannot be pushed, knocked down, or moved against your will unless you choose to be.

Choose three Domain Feature Cards from Tier 3.

Requirements to Advance to Tier 4 (complete 4):

  • Hold a position alone against many foes for a full round
  • Protect a group through a disaster (collapse, storm, stampede)
  • Teach someone to stand guard the way you do
  • Turn a battle by protecting the right person at the right time
  • Refuse a reward or order that would put the innocent at risk
  • Any one Shared Milestone (see Domains)

Tier 3 Feature Cards

Zone Denial (Combat – Active)

Action Load: 2

Until the start of your next turn, any enemy that moves within your reach provokes a reaction attack (as Opening Strike) that costs 0 Action Load.

⚡ Guardian’s Leap (Team Action – Reactive)

Action Load: 1

When an ally within 30 feet is targeted, move up to 30 feet to stand beside them, then use Shield Wall or Interpose for its normal cost.

⚡ Shield of Many (Team Action – Reactive)

Action Load: 2

When an area effect hits allies near you, all allies within 5 feet of you reduce the wound severity by one step.

Hold the Pass (Exploration – Passive)

Action Load: — (Passive)

Choose a gate, bridge, or narrow route. While you hold it, the party has Advantage to delay pursuers or keep travelers safe there.

Iron Oath (Roleplay – Passive)

Action Load: — (Passive)

Your promises are believed. Once per session, an NPC accepts your word without a roll as guarantee of safe conduct, payment, or truce.

Tier 4 Base Card: Aegis Master

At Tier 4, you are a legend of protection: the one who never fell and never let anyone through.

Core Feature: Bulwark

Your first reaction each round costs 1 less Action Load (minimum 0). Guard Stance now grants +2 Evasion.

Choose three Domain Feature Cards from Tier 4.

Tier 4 Feature Cards

⚡ Last Wall (Team Action – Reactive)

Action Load: 2 (once per scene)

Once per scene, when an ally would drop to 0 HP, they stay at 1 HP and you take the wound instead. You mark 1 Stress.

⚡ Perfect Counter (Combat – Reactive)

Action Load: 1

When an enemy misses you, they mark 2 Stress and you may push them 10 feet.

Living Fortress (Combat – Active)

Action Load: 2

Until your next turn, every ally within 10 feet of you adds your Aegis Aspect to their Evasion.

Warden of the Hall (Exploration – Passive)

Action Load: — (Passive)

A place you have defended (hall, village, ship) is under your protection: you always know when it is threatened, if you are within a day’s travel.

Shield-Elder (Roleplay – Passive)

Action Load: — (Passive)

Warriors and guards across the land know your name. You may call on a troop of defenders once per adventure to hold a place for a day.

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