And the Teacher said, "The Shepherd knows his flock, even if they do not know him. They listen to his call and heed him, for he lays his life down for them. He gives them life unending and once again picks up his life. For did not the shepherd slay giants? They will know my shepherd by my signs, as they know me by my Father's signs. They shall not know the kiss of death, for I have overcome death."
-Apocryphon of Lazarus
The Church has long compared its members to sheep. Few take the message to heart as deeply as the Shepherds. While not strictly a Holy Calling, Shepherds are those who dedicate themselves to protecting the flock. As such, they are greatly valued in the deep dark. Most Ordines have formal organizations of Shepherds, but any who take up a sword in defense of their neighbors may be a Shepherd. Infused with the sheer power of faith, they are a light in the darkness.
"Parable of the Good Shepherd" by Philips Galle (1565)
Shepherd
Starting Equipment: leather armor, sword (medium weapon), shepherd's crook
Starting Skill: Herding
A: Lay Down Your Life, For The Flock
B: Heed The Shepherd
C: Lay Giants Low
D: Take It Up Again
You gain +1 Vigour for each template of Shepherd you have.
Lay Down Your Life: As the shepherd, you put yourself in harm's way for the sake of others. When you take damage, you gain an equal amount of Grace. Grace can be spent to add to opponent attack rolls or subtract from your own saves.
For The Flock: The good shepherd protects the flock from harm. You may intercept an attack meant for another character within your movement range. Move to the square that character occupied, move them one square in any direction that makes sense, and take the attack as if you were the original target.
Heed The Shepherd: Your presence inspires peace and trust in members of the flock. You gain advantage on Animus checks against commoners.
Lay Giants Low: The strength of your Grace stuns those who would harm your flock. When you use your For The Flock ability, you may spend any amount of Grace. The attacking creatures makes an Animus save against this effect, adding the amount of Grace you spent. If they fail, they are stunned for a number of rounds equal to (Grace/their HD) rounded up.
Take It Up Again: The Grace of Candor sustains you, even in spite of grievous harm. When you would die, instead spend all your Grace and regain 1 Vigour. All Undead within Grace * 5 feet are destroyed. All Demons in the same region are banished and all Tenebrous creatures are turned. Lose all templates you have in Shepherd.
NOTES
I've never made a class before but I think this works! Big shout-out to Blatt of MASCARA KNIGHT fame for advice on GLOG, OSR, and general design (as well as the ability from ze's Gallant, which I aped for the ability For The Flock). A lot of the other abilities are inspired by the Angel-blooded Resonator by Gil on the Phlox Discord server!
