Paragon Mantles

When characters reach Paragon Tier, more of the world opens up to them. Their choices affect the world on a national, global and perhaps even cosmic scale. They now have a history in the setting, and possess more responsibility, influence, and certainly more power.

It may come to pass that Paragon characters become authorities in the world, affecting people, places and the campaign plots in much larger ways than ever before. They might rise to the head of an organization, inherit some ancient mission, cultivate a following or be designated for some great honor or curse by a higher power. These are represented in mechanical terms as Paragon Mantles.

While Heroic Themes are chosen at the onset of creation, Paragon Mantles are given or earned during the course of Paragon Tier. Players may or may not have a great deal to do with gaining their mantle, depending on the DM, but they should reflect the general direction intended for characters or otherwise the consequence of some accepted risk. Some characters might have been striving to attain a certain mantle since Heroic, while others might have literally stumbled into one.

Characters can only have one mantle at a time. These mantles do not have to be permanent, but shuffling mantles should not be a common occurrence. Still, it is possible for characters to lose their authority, inheritance or honored gifts (or curses) and, down the road, achieve another mantle.

Some characters might achieve their mantle at 11th level, while others might not come into their own until much later in Paragon Tier. This is partially dependent on the current plots, the actions of the player and the timing of the DM. Whenever a mantle is attained, the characters retroactively assume all traits and powers they meet the prerequisites for.

Paragon Mantles are defined by the added class role/s they offer characters, the power source/s they share the closest affinity, and the patron or organization who bestowed them. Mantles usually consist of a granted power, mantle traits and mantle powers. Traits are usually given at 11th, 15th and 19th. Powers are usually given at 13th and 17th. These traits and powers are in addition to any the characters already have and do not require any replacing.

Certain artifacts require a character possess a particular mantle.

Maintaining a Paragon Mantle into the Epic Tier also allows characters the chance to customize their Epic Destinies in accordance with the mantle’s role and power source. At 23rd, 25th, 27th and 29th level, characters may choose to replace one of their destiny’s features or powers with that of another Epic Destiny that shares the role and power source of their Paragon Mantle. They must have access to the feature or power being replaced before they can swap.

[Homebrew for the win! I've been toying with this idea for awhile and I think I've finally come up with mechanics I like for it. I doubt these would make it into any sort of published endeavor, but they suit my difficult game just fine I think. I've already made the Archdruid mantle, working on Renato's Darklord mantle. Who else wants one?]