Standards

Standards (sometimes called banners) fly in the companies of an army. This type of wondrous item provides benefits to the unit that bears it. Unless otherwise noted, all allies of the standard-bearer within 30 feet of the standard receive the indicated benefit for as long as they can see the standard.

A standard requires two hands to use, so a two-armed holder is unable to use a weapon or shield while carrying the banner. In some cases the standard is mounted on a weapon, and that weapon can be used normally in combat.

A standard is an important part of a military force. Even those that are not magical provide a sense of pride and loyalty to those marching under them. They also can have important strategic value.

If a standard-bearer falls during combat, any magical benefits granted by the standard cease. If the standard is not raised again by an ally within 1 round, all those who were benefiting from it must make a morale check. If the morale rules are not being used, then followers of a fallen banner become shaken if it is not raised by an ally within 1 round (Will DC 20 negates).

Banner Descriptions

Banner of Bane

Those with a mutual loathing of a particular creature march under this banner, which usually depicts the hated foe in some manner of death or dire injury. See the bane property for a list of such creature types. Allies within 30 feet gain a +2 bonus on damage rolls against the selected type, and the banner of bane is named to reflect this. For example, a banner of the goblin’s bane grants the aforementioned damage bonus against goblinoid creatures.

Common foes used for banners of bane include goblinoids, orcs, giants, and undead.

Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, summon monster I.

Cost to Create: 4,000 gp, 320 XP, 8 days.

Banner of Chaos

Chaos reigns supreme under this banner, and all nonlawful allies within 30 feet are protected as if by a protection from law spell. Similar banners protect against law, evil, or good.

Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, magic circle against law.

Cost to Create: 4,000 gp, 320 XP, 8 days.

Banner of Evil

Evil reigns supreme under this banner, and all nongood allies within 30 feet are protected as if by a protection from good spell.

Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, magic circle against good.

Cost to Create: 4,000 gp, 320 XP, 8 days.

Banner of Good

Good reigns supreme under this banner, and all nonevil allies within 30 feet are protected as if by a protection from evil spell.

Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, magic circle against evil.

Cost to Create: 4,000 gp, 320 XP, 8 days.

Banner of Law

Order reigns supreme under this banner, and all nonchaotic allies within 30 feet are protected as if by a protection from chaos spell. Similar banners protect against law, evil, or good.

Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, magic circle against chaos.

Cost to Create: 4,000 gp, 320 XP, 8 days.

Banner of the Unliving

Depicting a bone-white skeleton on a field of midnight blue, this flag provides +2 turn resistance to any undead allies within 30 feet. This turn resistance stacks with any turn resistance the undead might already have.

Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, desecrate.

Cost to Create: 6,000 gp, 480 XP, 12 days.

Forgehome Standard

Dwarves are the typical followers of this banner⁠—​particularly when they march to war against giantkind⁠—​but its benefits apply to all allies within 30 feet. This banner grants a +2 dodge bonus to Armor Class against attacks made by giants; this bonus stacks with the dodge bonus all dwarves gain when fighting giants. The banner also gives a +2 bonus to morale checks made when at least one enemy giant is visible.

Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, creator must be a dwarf.

Cost to Create: 2,000 gp, 160 XP, 4 days.

Healer’s Standard

This flag denotes the noncombative nature of its bearer and her comrades, typically healers or combat medics. The bearer and any unarmed allies within 30 feet receive the effects of a sanctuary spell; any opponent that attempts to attack them must make a DC 16 Will save or be unable to attack.

Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, Heighten Spell, sanctuary.

Cost to Create: 7,000 gp, 560 XP, 14 days.

Sign of the Favored

This banner is of relatively simple design, usually in the colors of the nation or entity it represents and adorned with symbols for the gods of luck, valor, or war. Three times per day, the standard-bearer can invoke a prayer to the depicted gods. The prayer grants allies within 30 feet a +1 luck bonus on attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saves, and skill checks for 5 rounds.

Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, prayer.

Cost to Create: 8,100 gp, 648 XP, 17 days.

Standard of Courage

For a standard of courage to be effective, it must be affixed to a two-handed hafted weapon such as a halberd or a lance. The bearer of the standard and any allies within 30 feet of the item gain a +4 morale bonus against fear effects.

Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, remove fear.

Cost to Create: 7,500 gp, 600 XP, 15 days.

Standard of the Galloping Steed

This banner, emblazoned with the mark of a charging horse, is typically mounted on the end of a spear or lance; colorful streamers unfurl during a charge. When charging, the bearer and any charging allies within 30 feet receive a +2 bonus on their attack rolls.

Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, mount.

Cost to Create: 4,000 gp, 320 XP, 8 days.

Standard of Heroism

This standard functions as a standard of courage, except that the standard bearer and any allies within 30 feet of the item gain a +2 morale bonus on attack rolls, saves, and skill checks.

Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, heroism, remove fear.

Cost to Create: 20,000 gp, 1,600 XP, 40 days.

Standard of No Retreat

This standard functions as a standard of courage, except that it also prevents outward extradimensional travel within 30 feet, just as if creatures were subjected to a dimensional anchor spell. Creatures trying to flee from the standard’s area must succeed on a DC 19 Will save, or their attempt to flee fails. A standard of no retreat doesn’t prevent creatures from using extradimensional travel to enter the area, just to leave it. Summoned creatures within the standard’s area still disappear when the spell that brought them there ends.

Prerequisites: Craft Wondrous Item, dimensional anchor, remove fear.

Cost to Create: 72,500 gp, 5,800 XP, 145 days.

Source: Heroes of Battle, page 132, except for the standard of courage, standard of heroism, and standard of no retreat, which come from Complete Warrior, page 136. Broke out the alternate banners mentioned under banner of law into their own entries. Renamed banner of the goblin’s bane to banner of bane and hyperlinked to the bane property to suggest other banner types.