Source
r/CurseofStrahd•
Masterduggie

Subclass ideas for Ireena and Ismark

REQUEST FOR HELP / FEEDBACK

So the group I'm running have decided that the best way to protect Ireena from Strahd is to have her travel with them, Ismark of course is coming as well. The group's paladin has decided to train Ireena given his own tragic backstory revolving around the undead. So she's gonna start getting levels in paladin and I'm not sure what subclass to go. The parties paladin is Vengeance so I'd rather not have her be that as well. As for Ismark he's gonna get levels in fighter and was thinking that he may do something drastic like make a deal with one of the Dark Powers and get the Echo Knight subclass or if he doesn't make a deal just go Champion.

Posted Nov 12, 2021, 3:14 AM UTC

38
HunterWallasusSMDT '21•

I could see the Oath of the Crown working well thematically for Ireena as she is the Burgomeisters daughter, but it’s a bit more befitting of a tank like character since it almost always forces the paladin to get in between fights and take the heavy blows, which Ireenas stat block is unprepared for. However I would 100% have her be Oath of Devotion, because not only does it support the idea that she is one of few morally good people in barovia who is dedicated to helping those in need, but it also helps gives a decent ability to deal with undead, which just so happens to be the very thing pursuing her. And if she lives long enough, Aura of Devotion is a strong power up moment she may eventually get which will render Strahds charms useless on her, just like they were when she was Tatyana.

2
EMAfaerie•

Had Ismark be a Battle Master in my campaign. If you’re playing him more drastic then totally go dark power route. I had him be a lot more pragmatic: anything and everything for Ireena but also very reserved because as long as he is protecting her then he needs to survive to continue protecting her.

I like the paladin idea. Oath of the Watchers would be helpful and be entirely because of Strahd. He made her into the type to watch her back and be extra aware.

2
ravenlordship•

You could give them sidekick levels from Tasha's

2
dex-save•

Sidekick is probably the best option tbh. Expert for Ireena and whatever the warrior one is called for Ismark.

1
DickWarlock11:strahd: •

Generally a Paladanic Order would consist of Paladins all making the same Oath (not that 5E really bothers with that anymore). On top of that, Vengeance does make much more sense than any other oath for her. But aside from all that, I’d recommend extreme caution. You’re taking big steps into DMPC territory here. Unless your party is extremely small (2-3 players), this is going to quickly overpower them for this content. At the very least, when handing out levels to NPC’s, it’s RAW to do it by dividing experience (assuming you aren’t using milestones) between them as if they were party members. If you are using milestones, maybe scale them up using NPC statblocks instead? Ismark is already very strong for the level that he’s encountered at.

1
MasterduggieOP•

I'm keeping them at half the level of the PC's so that they're not likely to steal the spotlight.

1
WoodwardHoffmannRule•

The more powerful you make the NPCs the more you risk overshadowing the players/driving the action. NPCs are best in support roles, healing, buffing, tanking, not DPS.

1
Queen-Maki•

I gave both Ismark and Ireena classes so they aren't a hindrance to the party in fights. Ireena took her oath whilst with the party so they had a discussion together about what would suit her best and they all decided on her going with Oath of Devotion. She's primarily support based though and tends to work on buffing the rest of the party (I let one of the players run her).

I made Ismark a Ranger as we already have a Fighter in the party and whilst he didn't end up travelling with them, his eventual subclass would be A Hunter or Gloom stalker.

1