Sir Yvain, Knight of the Lion

Medium Humanoid (Human), Chaotic Good
Challenge Rating: 10 (5,900 XP)

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Armor Class: 18
Hit Points: 135 (18d8 + 54)
Speed: 30 ft.

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Ability Scores

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
18 (+4)	14 (+2)	16 (+3)	12 (+1)	14 (+2)	16 (+3)

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Saving Throws & Skills

• Saving Throws: STR +7, CON +6, CHA +6
• Skills: Athletics +7, Perception +5, Persuasion +6, History +4
• Senses: Passive Perception 15
• Languages: Common, plus archaic tongues reflecting his storied past

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Equipment & Magic Items

• Lion’s Sword: A magical longsword imbued with the spirit of his dire lion companion. On a hit, it deals an extra 1d6 radiant damage and bolsters the morale of nearby allies.
• Lion’s Lance: A masterfully forged lance decorated with intricate lion motifs. When wielded while mounted, a charge following a 10-foot straight-line movement adds an extra 1d12 piercing damage (in addition to its normal 1d12 piercing and 1d6 radiant damage).
• Shield of Chivalry: An ornately engraved shield bearing his ancestral crest, symbolizing honor and offering steadfast protection.
• Chain Mail: Expertly crafted armor that blends durability with the mobility required of a knight.

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Actions

• Multiattack.
  Sir Yvain makes two melee attacks with his Lion’s Sword.
• Lion’s Strike.
  Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
  Hit: 1d8 + 4 slashing damage plus 1d6 radiant damage.
• Lance Charge (Mounted Only).
  Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target.
  If Sir Yvain is mounted on his warhorse and has moved at least 10 ft in a straight line immediately prior to the attack, on a hit the lance deals 1d12 piercing damage plus 1d6 radiant damage, and an additional 1d12 bonus damage from the charge.
• Defensive Stance.
  As an action, Sir Yvain assumes a defensive posture for 1 turn. During this time, he gains advantage on saving throws against spells and adverse effects, channeling his honed battlefield instincts.
• Lion’s Roar (Recharge 5–6).
  Tapping into the primal connection with his dire lion companion, Sir Yvain unleashes a resounding roar. Each creature within 15 ft. that can hear it must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened until the end of his next turn.

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Reactions

• Parry.
  When hit by a melee attack that Sir Yvain can see, he can use his reaction to add +2 to his AC for that attack, potentially causing it to miss.

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Legendary Actions

Sir Yvain can take 3 legendary actions at the end of another creature’s turn (regaining them at the start of his turn). He can choose from the following:

• Quick Slash.
  Make one Lion’s Strike attack.
• Lion’s Leap.
  Move up to half his speed without provoking opportunity attacks.
• Roar Echo.
  Emit an echoing roar; each enemy within 10 ft. must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or suffer disadvantage on their next attack roll.

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Lair Actions

When fighting within his sanctified domain—a hallowed glen amid ancient ruins and wild, overgrown forests—Sir Yvain can invoke lair actions on initiative count 20 (losing ties):

• Roar of the Lion.
  A spectral lion materializes with a mighty roar, granting Sir Yvain and all allies within 30 ft. advantage on attack rolls until the start of his next turn.
• Chivalric Rally.
  A noble aura pulses through the area; each ally within 30 ft. regains 1d6 hit points as their resolve is reinvigorated.

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Dire Lion Companion: Regal Prowess

Sir Yvain’s dire lion, Regal Prowess, is a fierce, independent ally—not a mount—bound to him through mystic rites. Together, they coordinate with unparalleled synergy.

• Type: Beast (Dire Lion), Unaligned
• Challenge Rating: Variant CR 5 (1,800 XP)
• Armor Class: 14 (Natural Armor)
• Hit Points: 127 (15d10 + 30)
• Speed: 50 ft.

Ability Scores

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
20 (+5)	16 (+3)	15 (+2)	3 (-4)	14 (+2)	8 (-1)

• Saving Throws: Dex +6, Wis +5
• Skills: Perception +6, Stealth +7
• Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 16
• Languages: Understands commands in Common through its mystical bond with Sir Yvain

Traits

• Keen Smell and Hearing.
  Advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell or hearing.
• Pounce.
  If the dire lion moves at least 20 ft. straight toward a creature and then hits it with a claw attack on the same turn, that target must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. If the target is prone, the dire lion may make one bite attack against it as a bonus action.
• Pack Hunter.
  Gains advantage on attack rolls against a creature if at least one ally is within 5 ft. of that creature.
• Stealthy Predator.
  Can take the Hide action as a bonus action in natural terrain.

Actions

• Multiattack.
  Makes three attacks: one bite and two claw attacks.
  • Bite:
    Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
    Hit: 18 (2d10 + 5) piercing damage.
  • Claw:
    Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
    Hit: 14 (2d8 + 5) slashing damage.
• Roar of Dominion (Recharge 5–6).
  Unleashes a fearsome roar. Each creature of its choice within 60 ft. that can hear it must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened for 1 minute. Affected creatures can repeat the save at the end of each of their turns, ending the effect on a success.

Legendary Actions (3/Day Variant)

• Swipe.
  Makes one claw attack.
• Territorial Stalk.
  Moves up to half its speed without provoking opportunity attacks.
• Ferocious Leap (Costs 2 Actions).
  Leaps up to 20 ft. to a visible space, landing with a thunderous impact. Each creature within 10 ft. must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or take 10 (3d6) bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone.

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Valiant Charger (Warhorse Mount)

While Sir Yvain fights alongside his dire lion companion, he also rides his faithful warhorse when on the move. Valiant Charger is a sturdy, battle-hardened steed that carries him into the fray.

• Type: Large Beast, Unaligned
• Armor Class: 11
• Hit Points: 19 (3d10 + 3)
• Speed: 60 ft.

Ability Scores

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
18 (+4)	12 (+1)	16 (+3)	2 (-4)	13 (+1)	7 (-2)

Traits

• Trampling Charge.
  If Valiant Charger moves at least 20 ft in a straight line and hits a creature with its hooves, that target must succeed on a DC 14 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.

Actions

• Hooves.
  Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
  Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) bludgeoning damage.

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Tactical Synergy & Combat Style

• Combined Assault:
  Sir Yvain expertly alternates between his Lion’s Sword and Lion’s Lance depending on the situation. When mounted on Valiant Charger, he can execute a devastating Lance Charge that leverages both speed and power.
• Mutual Support:
  His dire lion companion, Regal Prowess, fights alongside him independently—using traits like Pounce and Roar of Dominion to disrupt enemy lines, while Sir Yvain uses his Defensive Stance and Parry to guard against incoming blows.
• Battlefield Control:
  With coordinated roars and rapid maneuvers—whether charging on his warhorse or advancing on foot—Sir Yvain and his allies sow chaos among foes, isolate targets, and rally their companions for a counterstrike.

Sir Yvain, Knight of the Lion

Human Knight (Fighter)
CR: 10  XP: 9,600  Alignment: Chaotic Good

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Defense

• AC: 28
  (10 natural; +8 from chain mail; +3 from shield of chivalry; +2 deflection bonus from magical effects; +5 Dex bonus on touch and flat-footed defenses are already factored in)
• HP: 135 (approx. 10d10+50)
• Saves:
  • Fortitude: +9
  • Reflex: +8
  • Will: +7

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Offense

• Speed: 30 ft.
• Melee Attacks:
  • Lion’s Sword:
    Attack: +13; Damage: 1d8+6 slashing plus 1d6 radiant
    (A +1 magical longsword imbued with the spirit of his dire lion companion.)
  • Lion’s Lance (Mounted):
    Attack: +15; Damage: 1d12+6 piercing plus 1d6 radiant
    (When charging on his warhorse, if Sir Yvain has moved at least 10 ft. in a straight line, he deals additional charge damage.)

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Statistics

Ability	Score	Modifier
STR	18	+4
DEX	14	+2
CON	16	+3
INT	12	+1
WIS	14	+2
CHA	16	+3

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Special Abilities

• Defensive Stance (Su):
  Once per round as a free action, Sir Yvain may assume a defensive stance for 1 round, gaining a +2 bonus to AC and a +2 bonus on all saving throws until the start of his next turn.
• Lion’s Roar (Su):
  Once every 1d4 rounds, Sir Yvain can unleash a thunderous roar (DC 15 Will save). Each creature within 15 ft. that can hear him becomes frightened (shaken for 1 round) on a failed save.
• Parry (Ex):
  When struck by a melee attack, Sir Yvain can attempt to parry as an immediate action, reducing the attack’s damage by 5 points (or imposing a –2 penalty on the attacker’s roll).
• Mounted Combat Mastery:
  When riding his warhorse, Sir Yvain gains a +2 bonus on attack and damage rolls with his lance.
• Tactical Synergy:
  When adjacent to his dire lion companion, Sir Yvain gains a +1 bonus on attack rolls due to coordinated maneuvers on the battlefield.
• Aura of Valor (Su):
  Allies within 10 ft. of Sir Yvain gain a +1 morale bonus on saving throws against fear effects as long as he remains conscious.

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Gear & Magic Items

• Lion’s Sword: +1 magical longsword that deals an extra 1d6 radiant damage.
• Lion’s Lance: +1 magical lance featuring intricate lion motifs. When used for a charge while mounted, it deals extra damage as noted above.
• Shield of Chivalry: A +1 shield embossed with his family crest, offering both physical protection and a symbolic deflection bonus.
• Chain Mail: Standard finely crafted chain mail.
• Other Equipment:
  A signet ring of his knightly order and a medallion of valor that once per day grants a swift-action morale bonus to adjacent allies.

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Combat Tactics

• Combined Assault:
  Sir Yvain alternates between his melee attacks on foot with the Lion’s Sword and devastating lance charges when mounted. His tactical use of Lion’s Roar helps break enemy morale, while his Defensive Stance and Parry mitigate incoming damage.
• Synergy with Allies:
  When fighting alongside his dire lion companion, he gains bonus precision from their coordinated tactics, making him particularly dangerous against isolated foes.
• Mounted Mastery:
  On his warhorse, he can swiftly reposition, using the Lion’s Lance to charge enemies and disrupt enemy formations.

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Dire Lion Companion: Regal Prowess

This formidable dire lion fights as an independent ally, bonded mystically to Sir Yvain. It is not used as a mount but as a co-combatant, whose fierce presence enhances the knight’s battlefield effectiveness.

• Type: Large Animal (Dire Lion)
• CR: 5  XP: 1,800
• AC: 20 (natural armor)
• HP: 127 (15d10+30)
• Speed: 50 ft.

Statistics

Ability	Score	Modifier
STR	20	+5
DEX	16	+3
CON	15	+2
INT	3	–4
WIS	14	+2
CHA	8	–1

Special Abilities

• Keen Smell and Hearing (Ex):
  Regal Prowess has advantage on Perception checks that rely on smell or hearing.
• Pounce (Ex):
  If it runs at least 20 ft. before a claw attack, the target must succeed on a DC 15 Strength save or be knocked prone. If prone, the lion may follow with a bonus bite attack.
• Roar of Dominion (Su):
  Once every 1d4 rounds, it can unleash a bone-chilling roar (DC 15 Will save) that causes creatures within 60 ft. to become frightened (shaken for 1 round) on a failed save.
• Pack Hunter (Ex):
  When an ally (including Sir Yvain) is adjacent to the same enemy, the dire lion gains a +2 bonus on attack rolls.
• Stealthy Predator (Ex):
  Can take the Hide action as a move action in natural terrain.

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Warhorse Mount: Valiant Charger

While Sir Yvain may fight on foot, he also rides his stalwart warhorse to maneuver quickly on the battlefield and execute devastating lance charges.

• Type: Large Animal (Horse)
• CR: 2  XP: 600
• AC: 16 (natural armor)
• HP: 45 (approx. 7d10+7)
• Speed: 60 ft.

Statistics

Ability	Score	Modifier
STR	18	+4
DEX	12	+1
CON	16	+3
INT	2	–4
WIS	13	+1
CHA	7	–2

Special Ability

• Trample (Ex):
  If Valiant Charger moves at least 20 ft. in a straight line and hits a creature with its hooves, that creature must succeed on a DC 14 Strength save or be knocked prone.
• Attack:
  • Hooves: Melee attack: +8; Damage: 2d6+4 bludgeoning

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Narrative & Aesthetic Overview

Envision Sir Yvain, Knight of the Lion as a paragon of chivalry and martial mastery—his gleaming chain mail and enchanted gear radiate both nobility and the mystic aura of ancient orders. Clad in a suit of chain mail, he wields his Lion’s Sword with precision on foot and unleashes the full might of his Lion’s Lance during thunderous mounted charges on Valiant Charger. At his side, Regal Prowess, his dire lion companion, roars fiercely, its keen eyes and rippling tawny fur a testament to its wild power. This dynamic trio—knight, dire lion, and warhorse—works in perfect concert to shatter enemy lines and inspire allies, evoking imagery reminiscent of illuminated medieval manuscripts and the dramatic fantasy artistry of modern masters.