Classes of the Artifice Saga

While certain classes are a better fit for the Artifice Saga--in part because of story, and in part because of the races--all D&D classes will have a place.  The intent is to preserve the campaign as a fantasy, despite its sci-fi inspirational origin.

While particular sub-classes will be associated with particular cultures, all options will be available to all characters because of the melting-pot atmosphere of Tiresia. As all characters will begin at 1st level, and most sub-classes are chosen after that, there is plenty of time to be exposed to cultural archetypes other than one's own.

Artificers (Eberron or Tasha's Cauldron) are the linchpin of the Artifice Saga.  The first artificers were the ancient faeries.  The Faerie Queen (ie. Invid Regess) was tricked into teaching these arts to the high elf Zor--who would spread the skills to his people.  Zor's students became the Artifice Masters, and they spread the art to the other races of Fantoma--and ultimately to Micronia.  Armorers, artillerists, and battle smiths are the most common artificers, and most often associated with the Artifice Masters.  Alchemists have also played a major role in the elfish cult, being responsible for the creation of the Zentraedi (orcs and ogres); such artificers commonly associate with the Cult of the Flower (see  Clerics).

Barbarians are common among nearly every race. Ancestral guardians are common among Praxians (amazons).  Beasts are common among both Micronians and Sentinels, with no one race any more likely than another.  Berserkers are common among Tiroleans, typically orcs, ogres, and orogs ("Zentraedi").  Storm heralds are another Tirolean tradition (sea elves), though these can also be found among Micronians (gnomes, humans).  Totem warriors have arisen among Micronians (halflings)..  Wild magic barbarians can be found among both Invid and Perytonians.  Zealots are often a product of the opposing Cult of the Flower or Cult of the Shadow (see Clerics).

Bards have almost as an important role in the Artifice Saga as artificers.  The College of Creation is the original bardic tradition of the Invid--and any who delve deep enough into the lore of Artifice will discover the secrets of this college.  The College of Valor has a place of prestige among the Artifice Masters, as the Mistresses of the Cosmic Harp who use music to manipulate their people.  The human College of Glamour clashed with that of the Masters--ultimately turning the tide of war in Micronia's favor.  The College of Eloquuence can be found among nearnly any military tradition--though is particularly common among Micronian (human) officers.  The College of Swords is a Praxian tradition.  The College of Whispers is a tradition of the Cult of the Shadows (see Cleric).  The College of Lore is relatively uncommon, older tradition of Micronia.

Clerics follow one of several "Cults," folk-like beliefs with little formal organization; that is, a cleric of a cult is not necessarily allied with another cleric of the same cult.  While there may be priesthoods set up by governments, these are not central leaderships for the cult.  Domains are available by a cleric's chosen cult:

• Cult of the Lord of the Mist:  Life, Order, Peace
• Micronians ("God"), Sentinels ("Haydon")
• Cult of the Flower:  Light, Nature, Tempest
• Invid, Micronians, Tirolians, Sentinels
• Cult of the Machine:  Knowledge, Arcana, Forge
• Invid, Micronians, Tirolians
• Cult of Recurring Tragedy:  Grave, Twilight, War
• Micronians, Tirolians
• Cult of the Shadow (aka. Cult of Shadow-Wing):  Death, Trickery, Twilight
• Invid, Micronians, Tirolians, Sentinels

Druids represent various races' earlier connections to the land before the influence of the Artifice Masters.  The Circle of Dreams is the Garudan connection to the mysterious hin.  The Circle of the Land is the Invid's original connection to the Flower of Life; while the Circle of Spores are their original connection to the "Shadow."  The Circle of the Moon is the humans' connection to the wildlife of Micronia; while the Circle of the Shepherd is the halfling connection to the same.  The Circle of Stars is the Perytonian connection to the heavens.  The Circle of Wildfire is the Karbarram connection to the cycles of burning and rebirh common to their homeland.  As these peoples have merged, so has access to their historic traditions.

Fighters are universally present in all cultures.  Several martial archetypes can be used to mimic common military roles:  Champion soldiers, Battle Master non-commissioned officers, Banneret (Purple Dragon Knight) officers.  A couple of martial archetypes fill the role of Robotech's ground-based mecha, or destroid, pilots:  Arcane Archer and Eldritch Knight.  The Cavalier is a stand-in for standard airborne cavalry (while "aces" are paladins, see below); while the Samurai is an honor-bound Praxian tradition.  The Psi Warrior is the Garudan specialist warrior; while the Rune Knight is the same for the Karbarrans.

Monks originate primarily from the gnomish Micronian and Praxian cultures.  Each has shared its forms with its neighbors.  The Micronian arts are typically more cinematic and showy; while the Fantoman arts are more reserved and sophisticated.

• Micronian arts:  Astral Self, Drunken Master, Four Elements, Long Death, Sun Soul
• Fantoman (Praxian) arts:  Kensei, Mercy, Open Hand, Shadow

Paladins are the elite cavalry of fantasy warfare, combining martial skill with divine magic.  They are the fantasy expression of Robotech's veritech pilots and aerial mecha aces; as such, it is the three groups of "Artifice" races that dominate the paladin's oaths; members of other races who follow this cavalry tradition learn it from one of these other cultures.  Oathbreakers are not particular to any one culture.

• Invid Oaths:  Ancients, Conquest, Vengeance
• Micronian Oaths:  Crown, Devotion, Glory
• Tirolean Oaths:  Conquest, Glory, Redemption
• Sentinel Oaths:  Devotion, Vengeance, Watchers

Rangers are the quintessential "special forces" of fantasy warfare.  These include: the Micronian Beast master, the Invid or Tirolean Fey wanderer, the Perytonian Gloom stalker, the Spherisian Horizon walker, the Garudan Hunter, the Praxian Monster slayer, and the Invid Swarmkeeper.

Rogues are the covert operatives of fantasy adventure--particularly the Assassin, the Inquisitive, and the Scout.  The "criminal" archetypes, Mastermind and Thief, remain common in all cultures in both their criminal incarnation, and also as freedom fighters.   Other freedom fighters include the Arcane Trickster of Peryton, the Phantom of Garuda, the Soulknife of Spheris, and the Swashbuckler of Micronia.

Sorcerers have innate magical abilities, which could come from a variety of sources.  Though rare nowadays, dragons once dominated Micronia; to this day, the Draconic Bloodlines they founded among the Micronian races continue to produce powerful sorcerers.  The magical wars of Peryton have created an environment of arcane Wild Magic that many sorcerers of Fantoma have begun to tap into.  Micronian and Fantoman cultures have longstanding sea-faring traditions, including traditions of Storm Sorcery.  Divine Souls are among the disciples of Spheris' Great Geode.  Aberrant Minds have been the result of over-exposure to either the Flower of Life or the hin.  Clockwork Souls can trace their lineage to Haydon--either the divine being, or the artificial island.

Warlocks make pacts with transcendent beings that walk the face of the known world, interacting directly with mortals.  A warlock does not need to meet one's patron in person, but may come to associate with them through supernatural means.  Archfey are the Faerie Queen (Regess) and the Goblin King (Regent) of the Invid.  Fiends are the infernal Supreme Theurge and the abyssal Macassar, ancient and powerful Perytonians.  The Great Old One is the Awareness of the Haydonites.  The Undying are the triumvirate of Artifice Elders.  The Celestial is the Great Geode of Spheris.  The Fathomless is the embodiment of an ancient Micronian legend that regained popularity when Macross Island was lost during the First Artifice War.  The Genies are four ancient, elemental beings scattered throughout the known world.

Wizards study magic as one might study a science or an art.  This is most clearly seen in the Tirolean Schools of Magic, which dominated their magical culture before Zor's discovery of Artifice; the schools of Necromancy and Transmutation remain important to the Artifice Masters.

    Bladesinging is an ancient Praxian tradition refined in parallel to their graceful martial arts traditions.  The Order of Scribes is a Micronian tradition, who learned and developed their magical skill in tandem with the art of writing.  War Magic developed over centuries of conflict in Peryton.

Edited Jun 30, 2019; Nov 26, 2019; Mar 14, 2021.