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Shield of the Cavalier

Shield Of The Cavalier
  • Category: Armor (Shield)
  • Rarity: Very Rare (Requires Attunement)

While holding this Shield, you have a +2 bonus to Armor Class. This bonus is in addition to the Shield's normal bonus to AC.

The Shield has the following additional properties that you can use while holding it.

Forceful Bash. When you take the Attack action, you can make one of the attack rolls using the Shield against a target within 5 feet of yourself. Apply your Proficiency Bonus and Strength modifier to the attack roll. On a hit, the Shield deals Force damage to the target equal to 2d6+2 plus your Strength modifier, and if the target is a creature, you can push it up to 10 feet directly away from yourself. If the creature is your size or smaller, you can also knock it down, giving it the Prone condition.

Protective Field. As a Reaction, when you or an ally you can see within 5 feet of you is targeted by an attack or makes a saving throw against an area of effect, you can use the Shield to create an immobile 5 -foot Emanation originating from you. When the Emanation appears, any creatures or objects not fully contained within it are pushed into the nearest unoccupied spaces outside it. The attack or area of effect that triggered the Reaction has no effect on creatures and objects inside the Emanation, which lasts as long as you maintain Concentration, up to 1 minute. Nothing can pass into or out of the Emanation. A creature or object inside the Emanation can't be damaged by attacks or effects originating from outside, nor can a creature inside the Emanation damage anything outside it. Once this property is used, it can't be used again until the next dawn.

Tactical Applications​

Elite Defense System: Provides comprehensive protection with force bash and protective field capabilities. Exceptional for mounted combat specialists, defensive fighters, and characters requiring ultimate protection and battlefield control.

Class Synergies:

  • Paladins: Perfect for mounted warriors needing enhanced protection and defensive capabilities
  • Fighters: Essential for defensive specialists requiring comprehensive protection and battlefield control
  • Cavaliers: Excellent for mounted combat experts needing elite defensive enhancement and tactical positioning
  • Tank Builds: Outstanding for characters prioritizing ultimate protection and defensive mastery

Build Considerations: Requires attunement but provides ongoing defensive enhancement with active protection abilities. Most valuable for characters specializing in defensive combat and mounted warfare.

Acquisition Methods​

Crafting Requirements: Requires defensive magic, force enchantments, and protective essences. Creation cost 20,000-40,000 gp and takes 30 weeks.

Common Sources:

  • Elite defensive specialists and force enchanters
  • Treasure hoards of legendary cavaliers and protection masters
  • Commission from enchanters specializing in defensive magic
  • Found in the collections of mounted combat researchers and defensive specialists
  • Sometimes discovered in knightly orders or obtained from cavalier encounters

Alternative Acquisition: Often found in locations with strong connections to mounted combat and elite defensive traditions.

Value & Trade​

Estimated Value: 30,000-60,000 gp, with extremely high demand among mounted combat specialists and defensive fighters.

Trade Considerations: Extremely valuable among cavaliers and anyone requiring ultimate protection and defensive capabilities.

Character Integration​

Roleplay Elements: Suggests experience with mounted combat, elite military service, or professional roles requiring ultimate protection and defensive mastery.

Character Concepts:

  • Elite cavalier with mounted combat expertise and defensive experience
  • Defensive master using force magic for ultimate protection and battlefield control
  • Character with extensive experience in mounted warfare requiring comprehensive defensive capabilities
  • Protection specialist combining defensive magic with traditional cavalier techniques

Adventure Hooks​

The Cavalry Charge: Mounted combat scenarios where elite protection provides crucial defensive advantages and cavalry solutions.

The Defense Mission: Protection operations where comprehensive shielding determines defensive success and battlefield control.

The Knightly Quest: Cavalier adventures where mounted expertise enables tactical superiority and defensive mastery.

The Protection Crisis: Emergency situations where force magic advances defensive effectiveness and protection management.

Variants & Customization​

Greater Shield of the Cavalier (Legendary): Enhanced defensive power and additional force abilities with improved protection capabilities.

Shield of Ultimate Defense (Artifact): Includes comprehensive defensive magic and ultimate protection control.

Mounted Defender's Shield (Very Rare): Optimized for cavalry use with enhanced mounted bonuses and defensive features.

Specialized Variants:

  • Knight Commander's Shield: Enhanced for leadership with improved tactical capabilities and force projection
  • Heavy Cavalry Shield: Optimized for mounted warfare with enhanced charge protection and battlefield control
  • Guardian's Force Shield: Specialized for protection with enhanced defensive magic and force manipulation

Lore & History​

Origins: Created by legendary cavaliers who needed ultimate protection for their mounted combat mastery and defensive research.

Historical Significance: These shields enabled crucial cavalry victories and the mastery of defensive techniques throughout knightly history.

Cultural Impact: Represent the pinnacle of cavalier tradition and the effectiveness of elite defensive magic.

Magical Craft: Demonstrates understanding of defensive magic and the complex processes required for force enhancement.

Balancing Notes​

Introduction Timing: Appropriate for levels 12-20 when mounted combat becomes crucial and elite protection provides significant advantages.

Campaign Impact: Provides powerful defensive capabilities balanced by attunement requirement and mounted combat focus.

Cavalry Focus: Most valuable in campaigns featuring mounted warfare and elite military encounters.

Encounter Design​

Recommended Challenges:

  • Mounted combat scenarios where elite protection enables superior defensive capabilities and cavalry mastery
  • Defensive encounters where force magic provides tactical advantages and battlefield control
  • Protection challenges where comprehensive shielding determines defensive success and protection effectiveness
  • Cavalry situations where mounted expertise advances objective completion and tactical superiority

Defensive Adjustments: Encounters may need to account for enhanced protection capabilities and force-based defensive abilities.

Defensive Items: Other items that enhance protection and provide defensive capabilities.

Cavalry Equipment:

  • Items that improve mounted effectiveness and cavalry capabilities
  • Equipment for defensive enhancement and mounted mastery
  • Tools for force magic and protection development

Complementary Equipment: Items that enhance defensive abilities or provide additional cavalry benefits.

Roleplay Opportunities​

Defensive Mastery: Characters develop expertise in protection techniques and force magic.

Cavalry Leadership: Defensive capabilities create opportunities for leading mounted missions and cavalry operations.

Protection Excellence: Force magic enables impressive demonstrations of defensive mastery and cavalier superiority.