Tree shepherds protect primeval forests and woodlands from the axes and flames of trespassers. Staunch enemies of any who would despoil nature, they can awaken the forests they protect, stirring the trees to fight at their sides. The magic that tree shepherds wield, however, transforms them, causing them to forsake their flesh-and-blood bodies to become more like the woods they guard.
Level 7 Shepherd
Attributes. Increase three by 1
Characteristics. Health +5, Power +1
Languages and Profession. You can speak another language and add a profession.
Magic You discover the Nature tradition or you learn one Nature spell.
Woodland Apotheosis You transform into a plant. You basically resemble your original form, but bark covers your body, and slender branches sprout from your head to form a crown of sorts. As a result of this transformation, you gain the following benefits and drawbacks.
- You gain shadowsight if you don’t have the trait already.
- You are always under the effect of the oak hide Nature spell (Shadow, page 134). If you know this spell, you can use a triggered action on your turn and expend a casting of the spell to increase your Defense by 2 for 1 minute.
- You are immune to the asleep and fatigued afflictions, and you cannot be moved against your will or knocked prone while you are standing on the ground.
- You take double damage from fire.
Level 10 Tree Shepherd
Characteristics. Health +5, Size +1 (round down)
Magic You learn one spell.
Awaken Tree If you don’t know the plant ally Nature spell (page 78), you learn it. You have at least one casting of this spell, regardless of your Power score. When you cast this spell, the animated plant has a +10 bonus to Health, and its attacks deal 1d6 extra damage.
New Growth Whenever you cast a Nature spell, you cause the ground within a number of yards equal to your Power score to become covered in thick growth, creating an area of difficult terrain that remains until it is cleared away.