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Fae Bond Tiers System

Overview

Druids form relationships with Fae beings that grow stronger over time. This bond strength is represented by 4 tiers, with each tier granting cumulative rewards: special abilities, granted spells, and bonus spell slots.

Bond Strength Tiers

Tier 1: Initial Bond

  • First relationship formed with a Fae patron
  • Grants 1 special ability and 2 spells
  • Bonus spell slots: Typically grants 1 or more low-level slots (defined by patron)
  • Minimum Character Level: Varies by Fae type (see Fae Beings)

Tier 2: Growing Bond

  • Strengthened relationship through roleplay and adventure
  • Grants 1 additional special ability and 2 additional spells
  • Additional spell slots: Grants further slots distributed by the patron's nature
  • DM determines when bond strengthens based on story

Tier 3: Strong Bond

  • Deep connection forged through shared trials
  • Grants 1 additional special ability and 2 additional spells
  • Additional spell slots: Further unlocks higher-level slots
  • Requires significant commitment and story progression

Tier 4: Deep Bond

  • Maximum bond strength, legendary partnership
  • Grants 1 additional special ability and 2 additional spells
  • Additional spell slots: Maximum slot potential unlocked
  • Reserved for the most profound Fae relationships

Spell Slot Distribution

Bonus spell slots are fixed and defined uniquely for each Fae patron. These rewards are cumulative—reaching Tier 2 grants you both the Tier 1 and Tier 2 slot bonuses.

Unlike class-based slots, these are granted directly by the patron and do not shift as you level up. They represent specific gifts of elemental or natural power.

Example: A Druid with a Sprite patron: - Tier 1: +1 1st-level slot - Tier 2: +1 2nd-level slot - Tier 3: +1 3rd-level slot - Tier 4: +1 4th-level slot - Total at Tier 4: +1 each for levels 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Granted Spells

Each Fae patron grants 2 spells per tier (8 total across all tiers). These spells: - Are automatically added to your known spells - Can be from any magic system (Fae, Arcane, Divine, or Infernal) - Are thematically appropriate to the patron - Do not count against your normal spell selection limit - Are always prepared and cannot be unprepared

Special Abilities

Each Fae patron grants 1 special ability per tier (4 total). These abilities: - Are permanent and always active (unless specified otherwise) - May grant passive bonuses, at-will powers, or X-per-rest abilities - Reflect the patron's nature and domain - Stack cumulatively with previous tiers

Element Variants

Some Fae patrons have element variants that grant different spells:

Pixie Variants

  • Fire: Offensive fire magic
  • Water: Healing and mobility magic
  • Air: Lightning and flight magic
  • Earth: Defensive earth magic
  • Ice: Control and cold magic

Elemental Variants

  • Fire: Pure fire magic and summons
  • Water: Water control and healing
  • Air: Wind and storm magic
  • Earth: Earth shaping and defense

Note: Choose your element variant at character creation. Special abilities are the same regardless of variant, but granted spells change.

Tracking Bond Strength

  • Player View: Players see their current bond tier (1-4) but the DM controls when it increases
  • DM Control: The DM can adjust bond strength based on:
  • Character actions and choices
  • Story milestones and quest completion
  • Respect shown to the Fae and nature
  • Betrayals or violations of Fae agreements
  • Decreasing Bonds: A bond can decrease if the Druid violates the Fae's trust or neglects the relationship (DM discretion)

Visual Indicators

On the character sheet, bond strength is displayed as: - Colored dots: 4 dots, filled based on current tier - Element badge: Shows chosen variant (for Pixie/Elemental) - Tier benefits: Accordion showing all granted abilities and spells by tier

Mechanical Implementation

The bond tier system is fully automated in the character sheet: - Character Creation: Tier 1 rewards granted automatically - Tier Increase: When DM increases bond strength, new spells and abilities are auto-added - Spell Slots: Bonus slots calculated and displayed separately from base slots - Base slots: Green circles - Patron bonus slots: Blue circles - Features Tab: Special abilities appear as character features

Complete Patron List

See individual patron pages for full tier-by-tier breakdowns:

Level 1 Patrons

  • [[Sprite]] - Nature guardians
  • Pixie - Elemental tricksters (5 variants)
  • Nymph/Naiad - Water spirits
  • Elemental - Pure element beings (4 variants)

Level 5 Patrons

  • Satyr - Wild revelry and charm
  • Tanuki - Shape-shifting tricksters
  • Sylph - Air and wind spirits
  • Dryad - Tree spirits (personal augmentation focus)

Level 10 Patrons

Level 15 Patrons

  • Kitsune - Nine-tailed fox spirits
  • Giants - Ancient earth titans

Related: Fae Beings | Druid | Fae Magic Overview