Aura of Glory

Armoured paladin standing in a radiant golden aura before battle
Aura of Glory exists in two different legacy d20 forms. They share a name, not the same mechanics.

Aura of Glory is a case where source matters. The later D&D 3.5e Spell Compendium version is a Paladin spell that clears fear from nearby allies. The Quintessential Paladin published a separate d20 spell with the same name that instead improves Charisma and appears on Bard, Cleric, Paladin and Sorcerer/Wizard lists.

At a Glance

D&D 3.5ePaladin 2; swift action; removes fear from allies within Aura of Courage
Mongoose d20 versionBard 2, Cleric 2, Paladin 1, Sorcerer/Wizard 2; touch; Charisma enhancement
Modern D&DNo direct 2014/2024 spell of this name
Pathfinder 1eNo core PF1e spell of this name

Choose the Source

Aura of Glory — D&D 3.5e Spell Compendium

SchoolTransmutation
LevelPaladin 2
Casting Time1 swift action
ComponentsV, DF
Area10-foot-radius spread
DurationInstantaneous
Saving ThrowNone
Spell ResistanceNo

You channel sacred power through your existing Aura of Courage. Allies within that aura are freed from fear effects. The spell is therefore valuable when a battle has already broken morale rather than as a long-duration defensive buff.

Important: this version does not grant a Charisma bonus, does not target one creature by touch, and is not a Bard spell.

Aura of Glory — The Quintessential Paladin

SchoolTransmutation
LevelBard 2, Cleric 2, Paladin 1, Sorcerer/Wizard 2
Casting Time1 action
RangeTouch
TargetOne creature
Duration1 hour/level
Saving ThrowWill negates (harmless)
Spell ResistanceYes

This separate third-party d20 spell surrounds the subject with an impressive supernatural presence and grants an enhancement bonus to Charisma of 1d4+1.

Material component: a peacock feather.

This is the version that explains why Aura of Glory appears in the site’s expanded legacy Bard catalogue.

What Was Wrong with the Old Entry?

The previous page combined the class list and Charisma effect from The Quintessential Paladin with the swift-action fear-removal effect from the later Spell Compendium. Those are separate spells that happen to share a title. The merged version did not exist in either source.

Using Aura of Glory

Spell Compendium version

Keep it ready for fear-heavy encounters. A swift-action group cleanse can restore a broken front line without consuming the Paladin’s standard action.

Because the effect depends on allies being within Aura of Courage, positioning matters. It is strongest when companions have stayed close enough to benefit from the Paladin’s protective presence.

Mongoose version

The long duration makes it useful before negotiations, command scenes, performances and other situations where Charisma matters. It also improves Charisma-based class features where the active ruleset allows them to benefit from enhancement bonuses.

Related Rules

  • Paladin — the class tied to the 3.5e fear-removal version.
  • Bard Spells — includes the separate Mongoose d20 version in the expanded legacy catalogue.
  • Remove Fear — a broader low-level fear-countering spell.

Sources and Licensing

  • Spell Compendium (Wizards of the Coast, 2005), p. 18 — D&D 3.5e Aura of Glory. Mechanics are summarised here for reference; this source is not presented as Open Game Content.
  • The Quintessential Paladin (Mongoose Publishing, 2002) — separate d20 Aura of Glory used by the site’s expanded legacy Bard catalogue.

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