Darlingverse/Buffs

When Darling takes a Long Rest, she can choose one of the following Voices to "co-pilot" for the next adventuring day. Darling gains the designated buff, and the player is encouraged to roleplay Darling acting more in line with the chosen personality..

Darlingverse nav.. (e)
Primary Darlingverse Areas Buffs	Voices 1 Kael: The Steadfast Protector Lyra: The Calculating Analyst Borin: The Rock of Resolve Pip: The Curious Explorer	Voices 2 Zee: The Silent Watcher Flicker: The Chaotic Creator Roric: The Swift Observer Elara: The Arcane Seeker	Voices 3 Lysander: The Defiant Melancholy Grut: The Raw Force Skree: The Cacophonous Voice Jinx: The Wild Card

1. Kael (Fighter - Battle Master)
   • Dockworker's Gritty Resilience. When Darling takes damage, she can use her reaction to reduce that damage by d10$ + her proficiency bonus. She can do this a number of times equal to her proficiency bonus per short or long rest. Additionally, once per short or long rest, Darling can gain temporary hit points equal to her character level.
   • Rationale: This addresses the original concern about overwhelming uses while making the reaction powerful for specific moments. Scaling the temporary hit points with character level (Artificer + Wizard) makes it a significant and meaningful boost at higher tiers, fitting Kael's overall toughness.
2. Lyra (Wizard - Divination)
   • Scribe's Foresight. Darling gains a number of "Insight Dice" equal to her proficiency bonus. When Darling or a creature within 30 feet of Darling makes an attack roll, ability check, or saving throw, Darling can use her reaction to expend one Insight Die, roll a d4$, and add it to the result. Insight Dice refresh on a long rest.
   • Rationale: Dropping the "or subtract" simplifies it and ensures it's always beneficial. Making it a reaction for allies within 30 feet broadens its utility, allowing Lyra to contribute defensively or offensively to the entire party, which fits her observational and analytical nature. This is a potent and flexible support ability.
3. Pip (Bard - Lore)
   • Baker's Charm. Darling gains expertise in one skill of her choice (proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability check made using that proficiency) until the next long rest. She can change the chosen skill each time she selects Pip. Additionally, once per short or long rest, Darling can cast #*Charm Person#* at its lowest level without using a spell slot.
   • Rationale: (No changes, as you were happy with this one).
4. Borin (Fighter - Battle Master)
   • Stonemason's Bulwark. Darling's AC increases by +1. Additionally, once per short or long rest, when a creature within 5 feet of Darling takes damage, Darling can use her reaction to reduce that damage by d10$ + her proficiency bonus.
   • Rationale: (No changes, as you were happy with this one).
5. Zee (Rogue - Thief)
   • Urchin's Nimbleness. Darling gains advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks. Additionally, she can use a bonus action on her turn to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action.
   • Rationale: (No changes, as you were happy with this one).
6. Flicker (Artificer - Artillerist)
   • Tinkerer's Whim'. Darling gains advantage on Intelligence (Investigation) checks. Additionally, Darling can cast Unseen Servant at will, without expending a spell slot or material components.
   • Rationale: Granting Unseen Servant at will is a perfect fit. It's a fun, quirky utility spell that doesn't break balance but provides constant, minor assistance and perfectly reflects Flicker's inventive, hands-on nature. The advantage on Investigation remains a strong, story-progressing benefit.
7. Roric (Monk - Open Hand)
   • Courier's Swiftness. Darling's movement speed increases by 10 feet. Additionally, a number of times equal to her proficiency bonus per long rest, Darling can take an additional action on her turn. This additional action can only be used to take the Dash, Disengage, Dodge, or Help action.
   • Rationale: Limiting the extra action to proficiency bonus uses makes it a more tactical resource while still providing excellent mobility and utility. The constant +10 feet movement is always valuable.
8. Elara (Wizard - Abjuration)
   • Scholar's Arcane Shield. Darling gains an Arcane Ward. This ward has hit points equal to twice Darling's character level + her Intelligence modifier ($2 \times \text{Level} + \text{Int mod}$). Whenever Darling takes damage, the ward takes the damage instead. If this damage reduces the ward to 0 hit points, Darling takes any remaining damage. The ward regains hit points equal to Darling's proficiency bonus whenever Darling casts a class spell of 1st level or higher (i.e., using a 1st level or higher spell slot). The ward is restored to full hit points after a long rest.
   • Rationale: This correctly applies the Arcane Ward to Darling's full character level and clarifies the spell slot requirement for regaining hit points, preventing abuse with at-will spells. This is a very robust and thematic defensive feature.
9. Lysander (Paladin - Devotion)
   • Noble's Last Stand. Darling gains a bonus to Charisma (Persuasion) checks equal to her proficiency bonus. Additionally, once per long rest as a bonus action, she can emanate an aura of protective defiance for 1 minute. During this time, Darling and any friendly creatures within 10 feet of her gain a +2 bonus to AC and all saving throws.
   • Rationale: (No changes, as you were happy with this one). This remains a strong, but limited, burst of defensive power for the party.
10. Grut (Barbarian - Totem Warrior)
    • Brawler's Raw Power. Darling's Strength score increases by a number equal to her proficiency bonus (to a maximum of 20). Additionally, once per long rest, when Darling takes damage, she can use her reaction to gain resistance to that instance of damage.
    • Rationale: Your suggestion for scaling Strength with proficiency bonus is excellent! This makes the bonus grow with Darling's power, provides a consistent, useful boost, and is not reliant on Darling specifically using Strength attacks, making it valuable for an Artificer. This feels just right at higher levels.
11. Skree (Rogue - Mastermind)
    • Mimic's Guile. Darling gains advantage on Wisdom (Insight) checks. Additionally, Darling can perfectly mimic any sound or voice she has heard for at least 1 minute, for an unlimited duration. A creature that hears the sound can tell it is an imitation with a successful Wisdom (Insight) check against Darling's Charisma (Deception) check. Finally, Darling can take the Help action as a bonus action.
    • Rationale: (No changes, as you were happy with this one). The unlimited mimicry is a fantastic roleplaying tool, and the bonus action Help is a genuinely strong tactical benefit.
12. Jinx (Bard - Lore)
    • Performer's Grand Finale. Darling gains advantage on Charisma (Performance) checks. A number of times equal to her proficiency bonus per short or long rest, as a bonus action, Darling can create a dazzling, harmless illusion that fills a 15-foot cube within 30 feet of her. Each creature within the cube must make a Wisdom saving throw ($\text{DC } 8 + \text{Darling's proficiency bonus} + \text{Darling's Charisma modifier}$, or Darling can substitute the DC with her Charisma (Performance) check result, whichever is higher) or be blinded until the end of Darling's next turn. This effect counts as casting a spell.
    • Rationale: This addresses all your concerns. Increasing uses, making it a bonus action, and allowing for a performance check as the DC (to benefit from her prof/advantage) significantly boosts its power and usability. Counting as a spell adds the appropriate limitations like counterspell. This is a very fun and impactful crowd control tool.