Vanguard

Vanguard - Vanguard - Human Warrior Mage

“Legends never start with names, but with a blade drawn for something greater.”

Codex Entry: Vanguard

  • Class Archetype: Warrior
  • Subtype: DPS (Damage Dealer)
  • Eligible Races: Humans, CASTs, Motavians, Numans, Musk Cats
  • Primary Attributes: Strength (STR), Dexterity (DEX)
  • Magic Access: Psionic Only
  • Armor Proficiency: Light / Medium
  • Weapon Proficiency: Swords, Sabres, Axes, Spears, Knives, Light Firearms

Overview

The Vanguard is the embodiment of purpose-driven action: a warrior who forges their own path, moving with speed, precision, and conviction. Agile and adaptive, Vanguards are skilled combatants who combine physical prowess with focused Psionic discipline—not to overwhelm with raw force, but to strike where it matters most.

Where Sentinels stand firm, Vanguards move forward. They lead charges, dive into danger, and carve paths through the battlefield with blades that resonate with their will. A Vanguard is not defined by orders—they are defined by cause.

Alis Landale, the legendary heroine of the Algol system, is considered the archetype of this class. Her legacy remains the standard by which all Vanguards are measured.

Core Features

Blade Precision

  • Gains bonuses to critical hit chance and evasion based on DEX.
  • Strikes are fast and calculated—many attacks trigger special effects (e.g., bleeding, stagger, disarm).

Psionic Focus

  • Vanguards may cast Psionic magic only.
  • Spells enhance reflexes, perception, force projection, and battlefield awareness.
  • Cannot access Resonance magic or healing arts.

Psionic Channeling

  • Casting a Psionic spell temporarily empowers melee attacks with a mental resonance, adding bonus damage or status effects.
  • May unlock techniques such as:
  • Mindslash: Strike ignores armor for 1 round.
  • Psi-Burst: Dash to a target within line of sight and attack.

Combat Mobility

  • While wearing Light or Medium armor, Vanguards gain a movement bonus and reduced penalties when disengaging from combat.

Progression Framework

Vanguards gain specialized abilities and Psionic techniques at key milestones. Their class progression follows standard advancement but emphasizes mobility, strike options, and psionic augmentation.

Sample skill unlocks (subject to expansion):

  • Level 1: Quickdraw — attack immediately upon initiative win
  • Level 3: Focus Blade — spend a turn to empower next strike
  • Level 7: Strike the Mind — reduce enemy psionic resistance
  • Level 13: Blade Echo — psionic mirror strike; repeats on next enemy
  • Level 21: Vanguard’s Path — gain resistance to status effects when below 50% HP

Roleplay Hooks

  • Vanguards are often freelancers, rebels, or explorers driven by personal codes of justice or survival.
  • Some have been trained by Psionic martial orders, while others are self-taught prodigies.
  • Their connection to Psionic energy is often intuitive, not academic—manifesting in split-second clarity during battle.

Legacy

  • Alis Landale, Hero of Palma, is the most revered Vanguard in known history.
  • Throughout the Algol system, the name “Vanguard” is sometimes used interchangeably with “Champion.”
  • Vanguards may carry symbolic heirloom weapons, etched with markings that only reveal their true potential when wielded by one who shares the legacy of their purpose.