To better defend against the orcs marching against the Holy Kingdom, a new class of warriors has emerged. Called bulwarks, the Cult of the New God relies on these soldiers to bear the brunt of the orc assault and prevent their enemies from gaining territory. To this end, the bulwarks receive advanced training in armor- use and learn how to maximize armor’s protective qualities and modify them to give them a decisive edge on the battlefield.
Although the path reflects the specialized training given by elite warriors of the Holy Kingdom, the methods might have ties to just about any civilization capable of producing heavy armor, such as the dwarfs of the Shield Mountains and the doughty defenders of the March Lands. The armor modifications suggest the wearer has some skill at crafting armor, so blacksmiths and armorers might also follow this path.
Leve 3 Bulwark
Attributes Choose two attributes and increase both by 1.
Characteristics Health +6
Languages and Professions You speak another language or add armorer or blacksmith to your list of professions.
Armor Insights Your Strength score counts as 2 points higher for the purpose of meeting the requirements for wearing armor. It takes you half the normal amount of time to put on or take off armor. Finally, you have a +1 bonus to Defense while you wear medium or heavy armor.
Level 6 Bulwark
Characteristics Health +6
Superior Armor You make modifications to the armor you wear to make it more effective in battle. You can have one set of superior armor at a time and the superior armor can be medium or heavy armor. If the armor is destroyed or you lose it, you can make modifications to another suit of armor in the time after your current adventure and before the next adventure begins. Your suit of superior armor has all the following benefits:
- The armor bristles with spikes. Any creature that succeeds on a roll to grab you takes 1d6 damage.
- Reinforced gauntlets cause your unarmed attacks made while wearing the armor to deal 1d6 extra damage.
- Any creature that attacks you and would impose an additional effect by rolling a 20 or higher only imposes the additional effect if the roll beats your Defense by 10 or more.
Level 9 Master Bulwark
Characteristics Defense +1, Health +6
Impervious Defense While wearing your superior armor, you impose 1 bane on attack rolls made against your Defense, Strength, and Agility.