“When Alexander saw the breadth of his domain he wept, for there were no more worlds to conquer.” A fitting subject for this final post in the Mythological Figures column.
While that’s probably the most famous quotation related to Alexander the Great, it should be noted that its a motley quote at best and likely a conglomeration of sentiments from different works by Plutarchs.
Through military campaigns throughout his 13 years of rule (from 336 BC to 323 BC), after ascending to the throne when his father Philip was assassinated, Alexander III of Macedon (a student of Aristotle) created one of the world’s largest empires, controlling lands as far from Greece as northern India that touched upon no less than five seas. For all his glory however his brief and undefeated reign came to an end in Babylon before he could continue his quest for domination into Arabia, felled by sickness—though whether this was from disease, the consequence of a longer illness, or from poison is uncertain. The massive empire that Alexander the Great created fell apart to infighting after his death, but his impact on the world (spreading the Greek language far and wide) is still felt today, and he entered the pantheon of Grecian mythological heroes beside Hercules, Jason, Odysseus, and all the rest.
Design Notes: Alexander is getting a full level 20 fighter build with the Banneret archetype—mostly so we can get access to all those Ability Score Improvements! When all that’s done playing out Charisma ends up as his highest ability score—this guy can get people to do what he tells them to do when he wants them to do it—though he’s not a slouch in a fight either and can ramp up allies pretty well with Inspiring Action Surges so when it's time to throw down he's holding his own. Let’s do the numbers! The DMG came in at 11.25, the Blog of Holding nearby with 11.4, giving our last entry in the column Challenge Rating 11.
Armor Class 19 (breastplate, shield, defensive fighting style)
Hit Points 130 (20d10+20)
Speed 30 ft.
Saving Throws Str +9, Con +7; Proficiency +6
Skills History +9, Insight +8, Perception +8, Persuasion +16
Senses passive Perception 16
Languages Greek, Macedonian, others
Challenge 11 (7,200 XP)
Background: Noble. Due to his kingship Alexander receives a measure of respect wherever he goes. He is treated as royalty (or as closely as possible) by most peasants and traders, and as an equal when meeting other authority figures (who make time in their schedule to see him if requested to do so).
Feat: Leader’s Words. When Alexander spends 10 minutes speaking inspirationally, he can choose up to 6 friendly creatures (including himself if he likes) within 30 feet that can hear and understand him. Each creature gains 24 temporary hit points but cannot gain more temporary hit points from this feature until after they have completed a long rest.
Feat: Soldier Tactics. A creature hit by Alexander’s opportunity attack reduces its speed to 0 until the beginning of the next round and disengaging from Alexander still provokes opportunity attacks. In addition, Alexander can use his reaction to make a melee weapon attack against a creature within 5 feet when it makes an attack against a target other than Alexander.
Indomitable Bulwark (3/Long Rest). Alexander can reroll a saving throw that he fails but must use the new roll. When he is not incapacitated and uses this feature to reroll an Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma saving throw, Alexander can choose an ally within 60 feet. If his ally can see or hear Alexander, his ally can reroll its saving throw, using the new roll.
Inspiring Action Surge (2/Short Rest). Once on his turn, Alexander can take an additional action on top of his regular action and a possible bonus action. In addition, he chooses up to 2 allied creatures within 60 feet that can see or hear him. A chosen creature can use its reaction to make a melee or ranged weapon attack.
Second Wind (1/Short Rest). On his turn, Alexander can use a bonus action to regain 1d10+20 hit points. In addition, he chooses 3 creatures within 60 feet that can see or hear him. Each target regains 20 hit points.
ACTIONS
Extra Attack. Alexander attacks four times when he takes the Attack action.
Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6+3) piercing damage.
Longbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, range 150/600 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d8+2) piercing damage.
While that’s probably the most famous quotation related to Alexander the Great, it should be noted that its a motley quote at best and likely a conglomeration of sentiments from different works by Plutarchs.
Through military campaigns throughout his 13 years of rule (from 336 BC to 323 BC), after ascending to the throne when his father Philip was assassinated, Alexander III of Macedon (a student of Aristotle) created one of the world’s largest empires, controlling lands as far from Greece as northern India that touched upon no less than five seas. For all his glory however his brief and undefeated reign came to an end in Babylon before he could continue his quest for domination into Arabia, felled by sickness—though whether this was from disease, the consequence of a longer illness, or from poison is uncertain. The massive empire that Alexander the Great created fell apart to infighting after his death, but his impact on the world (spreading the Greek language far and wide) is still felt today, and he entered the pantheon of Grecian mythological heroes beside Hercules, Jason, Odysseus, and all the rest.
Design Notes: Alexander is getting a full level 20 fighter build with the Banneret archetype—mostly so we can get access to all those Ability Score Improvements! When all that’s done playing out Charisma ends up as his highest ability score—this guy can get people to do what he tells them to do when he wants them to do it—though he’s not a slouch in a fight either and can ramp up allies pretty well with Inspiring Action Surges so when it's time to throw down he's holding his own. Let’s do the numbers! The DMG came in at 11.25, the Blog of Holding nearby with 11.4, giving our last entry in the column Challenge Rating 11.
Alexander the Great
Medium humanoid (human), lawful neutral fighter (banneret) 20Armor Class 19 (breastplate, shield, defensive fighting style)
Hit Points 130 (20d10+20)
Speed 30 ft.
STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
16 (+3) | 14 (+2) | 12 (+1) | 16 (+3) | 14 (+2) | 18 (+4) |
Skills History +9, Insight +8, Perception +8, Persuasion +16
Senses passive Perception 16
Languages Greek, Macedonian, others
Challenge 11 (7,200 XP)
Background: Noble. Due to his kingship Alexander receives a measure of respect wherever he goes. He is treated as royalty (or as closely as possible) by most peasants and traders, and as an equal when meeting other authority figures (who make time in their schedule to see him if requested to do so).
Feat: Leader’s Words. When Alexander spends 10 minutes speaking inspirationally, he can choose up to 6 friendly creatures (including himself if he likes) within 30 feet that can hear and understand him. Each creature gains 24 temporary hit points but cannot gain more temporary hit points from this feature until after they have completed a long rest.
Feat: Soldier Tactics. A creature hit by Alexander’s opportunity attack reduces its speed to 0 until the beginning of the next round and disengaging from Alexander still provokes opportunity attacks. In addition, Alexander can use his reaction to make a melee weapon attack against a creature within 5 feet when it makes an attack against a target other than Alexander.
Indomitable Bulwark (3/Long Rest). Alexander can reroll a saving throw that he fails but must use the new roll. When he is not incapacitated and uses this feature to reroll an Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma saving throw, Alexander can choose an ally within 60 feet. If his ally can see or hear Alexander, his ally can reroll its saving throw, using the new roll.
Inspiring Action Surge (2/Short Rest). Once on his turn, Alexander can take an additional action on top of his regular action and a possible bonus action. In addition, he chooses up to 2 allied creatures within 60 feet that can see or hear him. A chosen creature can use its reaction to make a melee or ranged weapon attack.
Second Wind (1/Short Rest). On his turn, Alexander can use a bonus action to regain 1d10+20 hit points. In addition, he chooses 3 creatures within 60 feet that can see or hear him. Each target regains 20 hit points.
ACTIONS
Extra Attack. Alexander attacks four times when he takes the Attack action.
Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6+3) piercing damage.
Longbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, range 150/600 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d8+2) piercing damage.
