Moonlit Champion (5e Subclass)

Moonlit Champion

Moonlit Champions draw strength from the moon, channeling its light and power through a chosen celestial entity. Whether they follow a deity, spirit, or force tied to the moon, their connection grants them abilities that blend martial prowess with radiant energy.

Lunar Enhancement

At 3rd level, you attune yourself to the moon's power through a chosen celestial entity. Select a moon-based entity (e.g., Selene, Artemis, Elune, or a custom entity tied to your campaign setting). This entity serves as the source of your strength and influences the flavor of your abilities.

You gain the following benefits:

• Lunar Defense: When you are not wearing armor or wielding a shield, your AC equals 10 + your Dexterity modifier + your Constitution modifier (maximum +3 from Constitution).
• Unarmed Strikes: Your unarmed strikes deal bludgeoning damage equal to 1d6. This damage increases as you gain levels, as shown in the Lunar Strike Damage table below:
• When you take the Attack action and only use unarmed strikes, you can make one additional unarmed strike as a bonus action.

Unarmed Strike Damage Progression

Fighter Level	Unarmed Strike Damage
3rd	1d6
6th	1d6 + 1d4
11th	1d8 + 1d4
17th	1d10 + 1d4

Subduing Light: Once per turn, when you hit a creature with a melee weapon or unarmed strike, you can channel the moon’s radiance to deal an extra 1d8 radiant damage. This damage increases to 1d10 at 10th level and 1d12 at 18th level. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Strength modifier (minimum of once). All expended uses are regained after completing a short or long rest.

Moonlit Movement

At 7th level, your connection to the moonlight enhances your agility. You gain the following benefits:

• You have advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks while in dim light or darkness.
• You ignore nonmagical difficult terrain.
• Opportunity attacks against you are made with disadvantage.

Lunar Guidance

At 10th level, your celestial entity grants you wisdom and protection. You can reroll a failed saving throw once per short or long rest. Additionally, while in dim light or darkness, you gain a +2 bonus to attack rolls.

Radiant Surge

At 15th level, when you use Action Surge, your melee weapon and unarmed strikes deal an additional 2d8 radiant damage until the end of your turn.

Avatar of the Moon

You can fully embrace the power of your chosen moon-based entity, becoming a true avatar of their might for 1 minute. For 1 minute, you gain the following benefits:

• Your attacks deal an additional 1d6 radiant damage.
• You have resistance to nonmagical bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage.
• You can make an additional unarmed strike as part of your Attack action.

Once the invocation ends, you gain one level of exhaustion. This represents the strain of channeling such intense energy. You can use this feature once per long rest.

Customization Options for Moon Entities

Encourage players to name their entity and choose specific thematic elements:

• Selene (Greek): Peaceful and serene, focusing on defensive and radiant energy.
• Artemis (Greek): Agile and fierce, emphasizing precision and hunting instincts.
• Elune (Warcraft-inspired): Mystical and wise, focusing on balance and healing.
• Fenrir's Moon (Nordic): Wild and chaotic, tying into fury and savage power.
• Homebrew Entities: Tailor to the campaign world (e.g., a moon spirit, fey deity, or a god of darkness and light).

Flavor Enchancement

Connection to the Moon Entity: The Moonlit Champion's abilities are not simply "magical" powers but the direct influence of their moon-based entity on their physical being. This connection shapes the character's worldview, personality, and behavior. The champion might feel an overwhelming sense of responsibility, a need to protect or maintain balance, or a deep connection to the cycles of the moon (like the waxing, waning, and full moon). The character could feel divinely guided at times, hearing the whispers or feeling the presence of the entity they channel, especially during pivotal moments in battle or when they're alone during the night. This connection might provide bursts of insight or intuitive knowledge.

Physical Appearance and Traits:

• Radiant Aura: The Moonlit Champion may glow faintly under the moonlight, with the light ebbing and flowing as their connection to their entity strengthens or weakens. This could be a silvery hue, pale as moonlight, or any color that fits the chosen entity (soft blues, ethereal whites, or even silver).
• Moonlit Marks: They may have moon-like tattoos, runes, or markings that appear on their skin, which could be subtle or more dramatic as they invoke their powers. These could glow faintly when the champion is in a heightened state or during the Avatar of the Moon transformation.
• Eyes of the Moon: The character’s eyes could take on an otherworldly hue—glowing silver, pale blue, or even reflecting the phases of the moon. In times of stress or transformation, their eyes might intensify in brightness, signaling their deepening connection to their chosen moon entity.
• Ethereal Features: Certain physical features could be enhanced: glowing hair, a luminous aura, silvery skin, or even ethereal wings or shadows around them in dim light. The Moonlit Champion might appear somewhat otherworldly compared to the normal populace, a living embodiment of the celestial.

Ties to the Moon and the Night Sky:

• Lunar Rituals: In downtime, the champion might participate in lunar rituals or rites of passage, either alone or as part of a lunar worshipping order. These could be personal reflections, offerings, or physical exercises that deepen their connection to the moon entity, such as meditating in moonlit areas or praying at night.
• Rites of Passage: The character might experience significant moments of change during specific lunar phases. For instance, the champion could feel empowered or vulnerable depending on the phase of the moon. The full moon could represent a time of power, while the new moon might reflect periods of introspection or restraint.
• Moonlit Battles: During the full moon, the champion might feel especially attuned to their powers. In fact, the character could become stronger during the full moon or feel particularly drawn to places with strong celestial alignments, like ancient moon temples, forests bathed in moonlight, or high mountaintops under the stars.

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