Sword Domain

[apesamongus]

OK, I was working on a cleric of Eilistraee and decided that there should be something similar to the War domain for her clerics given the strong connection to her favored weapon. But War isn't really appropriate. So, I searched for "Sword Domain" and found a discussion here where someone had come to the same conclusion - to make a custom sword domain. Unfortunately, no one suggested what the domain spells should be, and I'm having trouble coming up with anything.

I was thinking, to be loyal to the portfolio, that it might be better though of as a swordplay or swordwork domain that focuses on better wielding a sword or doing sword tricks instead of just anything that has "sword" in the name.

What I have so far is...

Sword Domain
Proficiency/focus in diety's favored weapon (as War)
1 Magic Weapon
2 Whirling Blade
3 Keen Edge
4 Magic Weapon, Greater
5 Weapon of the Diety

But then I draw a blank. If I want to add anything that improves martial prowess, then I can add Tenser's and possibly switch something out for Divine Power. If instead I drop the idea of swordplay and include general sword related stuff, then I can add Mordy's sword and dancing blade. Or, I can just start substituting "sword" in for other weapons in spell descriptions and get "Spellsword" and "Blacksword" instead of the spells with "staff" in the name.

Unfortunately, none of those seem quite right, and even if I do them all, I'm having trouble filling 7-9, because all of those options are mid-level spells.

 

[Kilroy]

You don't really need to make them all melee buffs to preserve the flavor of the class.

How about:

6th: Blade Barrier
7th: M’s Sword
8th: Tenser's Transformation
9th: Black Blade of Disaster

 

[LightPhoenix]

You could always work out your own spells as well. I was having trouble deciding on a couple of spells for a Peace domain I wrote, so I made up a couple of spells.

 

[Storyteller01]

What, no True Strike ?! No Haste?! No Cat's Grace !?

 

[Eolin]

What, no True Strike ?! No Haste?! No Cat's Grace !?

My thoughts Exactly. If the domain is about being good with swords, then I'd expect the first level spell to be True Strike. Maybe Cat's Grace at 2nd, and haste at 3rd. Then go for the Greater Magic Weapon, etc...

and as spell level goes up, I'd expect the spells to broaden. That is, to go from just being good with swords to overall martial prowness. So spells like M transformation and Black Blade of Disaster make a lot of sense.

My half cent,
Eolin.

 

[Nifft]

Here are some related Domains from my setting:

Battle Domain
Granted Power: Free proficency and Weapon Focus with the deity's favored weapon.

1. Divine Favor: You gain attack, damage bonus, +1/three levels.
2. Spiritual Weapon: Magic weapon attacks on its own.
3. Magic Vestment: Armor or shield gains +1 enhancement/three levels.
4. Heroism: Gives +2 bonus on attack rolls, saves, skill checks.
5. Righteous Might: Your size increases, and you gain +4 Str.
6. Bull's Strength, Mass: As bull's strength, affects one subject/level.
7. Heroism, Greater: Gives +4 bonus on attack rolls, saves, skill checks; immunity to fear; temporary hp.
8. Antimagic Field: Negates magic within 10 ft.
9. Iron Body: Your body becomes living iron.


Blades Domain
Granted Power: Free Weapon Focus Feat (you may choose any bladed weapon).

1. True Strike: Adds +20 bonus to your next attack roll.
2. Align Weapon: Weapon becomes good, evil, lawful, or chaotic.
3. Greater Magic Weapon: +1 bonus/three levels (max +5).
4. Martial Avatar (DHE): Weapon gains magical bonuses and special abilities.
5. Disrupting Weapon: Melee weapon destroys undead.
6. Blade Barrier: Wall of blades deals 1d6/level damage.
7. Brilliant Aura (MaoF): Allies glow and their weapons become brilliant energy weapons +1 damage/2 levels.
8. Mordenkainen's Sword: Floating magic blade strikes opponents.
9. Black Blade of Disaster (MaoF): Floating magic blade strikes opponents, may disintegrate them.


War Domain
Granted Power: You can use Divine Energy slot to grant allies Divine attack bonus as a spell-like ability. Bonus is +1 attack in a burst centered on you (5 ft. radius per level), and lasts one minute.

1. Bless: Allies gain +1 attack and +1 on saves against fear.
2. Status: Monitors condition, position of allies.
3. Prayer: Allies gain +1 on most rolls, and enemies suffer -1.
4. Sending: Delivers short message anywhere, instantly.
5. Cure Light Wounds, Mass: Cures 1d8 damage +1/level for many creatures.
6. Bull's Strength, Mass: As bull's strength, affects one subject/ level.
7. Blade Barrier: Wall of blades deals 1d6/level damage.
8. Planar Ally, Greater: As lesser planar ally, but up to 18 HD.
9. Storm of Vengeance: Storm rains acid, lightning, and hail.


... basically, I've separeted the "personal combat" aspect out of War an called it Battle. War is now a mass-combat-centric Domain. Blades is all about expertise with a bladed weapon, but note that it does NOT grant you proficency, just Weapon Focus -- thus, Elves make decent Clerics, and multi-class Fighters won't kick themselves.

War does grant Proficency and Focus, but IMC most deities have simple weapons for Favored Weapons, so it's really just one free Feat.

-- N

 

[Storyteller01]

As a Domain power, they can be allowed to use the Weapon Finesse Feat (I understand 3.5 uses it as a blanket feat) for all swords.

 

[Nifft]

As a Domain power, they can be allowed to use the Weapon Finesse Feat (I understand 3.5 uses it as a blanket feat) for all swords.

Woah there! Not all swords are Finesse weapons for a reason. Scimitars are great for their specific role (not getting stuck when you gut someone from horseback) and Bastard Swords are great for their specific role (battering someone's defenses), but neither of them are anything like a Rapier or Dagger.

Dexterity is already the best stat in the game, and Clerics are already the strongest class. Do you really want to make both stronger?

-- N

 

[Sammael]

As a Domain power, they can be allowed to use the Weapon Finesse Feat (I understand 3.5 uses it as a blanket feat) for all swords.

Argh. No. WAY OVERPOWERED.

At best, I'd let them use Weapon Finesse with a longsword. But even that is sort of pushing it.

 

[Storyteller01]

AAAAHHHHHH!!! Just a thought folks! Trying to fit the 3.5 mindset (I don't like the new WF, personally). Maybe WF with Elistraee's chosen weapon?