# Foreward *I’ve often been frustrated with Prestige Classes. Conceptually, they’re a really neat idea. You multiclass to gain some interesting abilities and unique benefits. In play, however, they tend to be something you don’t get access to until a given adventure path or campaign is nearing its conclusion.* *You wind up trading off the growth of your abilities for the promise of unique and interesting powers later on. And, depending on dice rolls and group availability, you might not even get the chance to build your character up to that point. Unless, of course, the adventure or one-shot starts above level 6.* *Synergy Feats and Prestige Feats tend to have the same issues. And in both Prestige Classes and Synergy Feats you’re ultimately not gaining anything significantly out of step with other characters of your level, it’s just an interesting side-option for new ways to do things.* *This, ultimately, was the impetus to create motif classes. A desire to be a Shadowdancer or Arcane Archer at level 1, rather than waiting ‘til level 8 to even start down the path. To maintain the same level of power as members of other classes while taking a different route to get there.* *The motif classes you’ll find in this book follow this basic desire, accomplished through combining the concepts of two classes with a specific thematic blend. In the future, however, motif classes could provide a way for players to enjoy monstrous characters, settingspecific classes, and other unique and interesting options at your table.* *-Rachel Williamson* [System Architecture: Motif Classes](https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/b6k9d5dfo1f2hx9u74cdp/A5E-PMG-Motif_Classes_2024-04-06.pdf?rlkey=uccvsn92jixdrhtsjtwq81pqu&st=4kkbao65&dl=0) | Class | Description | Class Combination | Class Combination | Caster? | Level Cap | [[Sources]] | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ----------------- | ----------------- | ------- | --------- | ---------------------------------- | | Leyline Master | Powerful arcane pathways called leylines snake across the surface of the mortal world, unseen even by most spellcasters. Leyline masters learn to use the magic of these leylines in more and more potent ways, eventually seeing the network of them as not merely a power source, but a transportation system as well. | Druid | Wizard | Full | 8 | System Architecture: Motif Classes | | Pious Protector | A pious protector’s primary job is to keep their party members alive, whether that comes in the form of standing on the front lines as a “tank” or healing the wounded. Most of them feel the weight of this responsibility, especially if their companions are more reckless than they would like. | Cleric | Herald | Special | 8 | System Architecture: Motif Classes | | Runespell Rager | Runespell ragers exist in the inner stillness at the eye of a rage-fueled storm that once threatened to consume them, but is now shackled to their service through the runes that scar their bodies | Berserker | Warlock | Special | 8 | System Architecture: Motif Classes | | Spellslinger | An oft forgotten tradition which languishes for centuries before it is rediscovered, the spellslinger combines arcane power with ever more modern weapons to strike down their enemies. | Sorcerer | Ranger | Special | 8 | System Architecture: Motif Classes | | Dirgesinger | Many dirgesingers use their sharp minds to craft an alarmingly charismatic persona, likably drawing in others who also tend to view every cloud as a threatened hailstorm | Bard | Warlock | Full | 8 | System Architecture: Motif Classes | | Gambler | Gamblers are bold, brash, colorful characters who impact the world around themselves with dramatic flair and wildly variable affects—life just wouldn't be fun if everything was average. | Marshal | Rogue | No | 8 | System Architecture: Motif Classes | | Lancer | With spear and shield, long hafted axe, or even just a single sword, lancers rush across the field of battle, striking down foes with nearby allies in eager formation. Seeks to lead and bucks authority. | Adept | Fighter | No | 8 | System Architecture: Motif Classes | | [Firelord](https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/c2l1jo1wyajv2ac34gy6r/motifClass-FireLord.pdf?rlkey=sm1g3fur0zln2whig8tw2fge7&st=vb3wq4ce&dl=0) | A master of fiery authority, the Fire Lord channels flame both through his spells and his temperament. Shape your identity by evolving your inner flame, issue magical Edicts, and blend Constitution-based magic with martial force. | Marshal | Warlock | Half | 8 | Fable of Flames |