The Pack Mule (Playtest)

The Helpful NPCs home games traditionally bring pack mule on our characters’ adventures from the very first levels, facilitating a triumphant return to town with a mountain of gold and treasure. Usually, we develop an attachment to the mule and consider it an integral team member. When powerful monsters can slay the beloved teammate by nicking it, there's a problem.

Few companions are so leal, tireless, and humble as the pack mule. As a tireless treasure-bearer, the gentle mule forms heart and soul of any good adventuring party. Fearlessly does it delve into depths unknown, staunchly standing before might and fury of all monster-kind. Yet rarely is this creature recognized or appreciated for its service. Yes, it is time the pack mule is recognized for for its noble works and valorous nature.

Thus, for 5e, we turned to the sidekick system to design a class for the pack mule. This class is deliberately reduced in potency from the other sidekick classes, as the pack mule is meant to add utility to the party, not to be a combatant or show-stealer in its own right.

Contact Information

This is a playtest and work-in-progress. If you have thoughts, please send us an email at info@helpfulnpcs.com!

Pack Mule Levels

The pack mule is a sidekick class designed to allow advancement for mules as listed in the Monster Manual, though the GM can allow other beasts of burden to take levels in the class. It levels in accordance with the sidekick system as outlined in Tasha's Cauldron of Everything, gaining levels as the average party level increases.

The pack mule's character level is equal to its Hit Dice plus its class level. For example, a mule has two Hit Dice (2d8+2), so a level 1 pack mule sidekick has three Hit Dice (3d8+3), a level 2 pack mule has four Hit Dice (4d8+4), and so on. A pack mule's total character level is equal to the average party level.

Bonus Proficiencies

1st level pack mule Feature

The pack mule gains proficiency in two of the following saving throws: Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, or Wisdom.

The pack mule also gains proficiency in the following skills: Athletics, Stealth.

The pack mule gains proficiency with light, medium, and heavy barding. The cost for this barding is the same price it would be for a horse, four times the cost of the equivalent human armor.

Battle Mule

1st level pack mule Feature

A pack mule that is unburdened with a rider receives its own movement, action and reaction in combat, just like a player-character.

A cautious creature, the pack mule automatically spends its action to do one of the following defensive actions (or it can be freely commanded to take one of these actions).

• Dodge

• Dash

• Disengage

• Hide

As an action, an ally may command the pack mule to do one of the following:

• Attack

• Shove

• Other appropriate action (GM's discretion, based on intelligence and physiology)

The pack mule will take that action on its next turn though any ally may cancel that command for free.

On its next turn, the pack mule will resume defensive actions. It needs to be commanded each time it takes a non-defensive action.

Cunning Action

2nd level pack mule Feature

The pack mule’s agility or quick thinking allows it to act speedily. On its turn in combat, it can take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action as a bonus action. This functions as the pack mule’s other actions, and an ally may freely direct the mule on how to utilize this class feature.

Party Inventory

3rd level pack mule Feature

At 3rd level, the pack mule is so well trained that it instinctively moves into the optimal position to help its party fetch their items.

Any ally standing adjacent to the pack mule may retrieve, stow, and use items from the pack mule’s inventory as if the ally were carrying those items. This benefit extends to any bags the mule carries, like a Bag of Holding or a Handy Haversack

Equine Pace

3rd level Pack mule Feature

At 3rd level, the pack mule’s move speed increases by 20 feet.

Obscure Bloodline

3rd level Pack mule Feature

Sorcery and breeding have produced all manner of peculiarities: steeds that soar through the heavens and steeds that swim the depths and steeds more unusual than these. All horses and donkeys share some ancestry with these unusual creatures, and the pack mule manifests some vestiges of this ancient admixture. The players can choose the bloodline from when the pack mule is descended, or they can roll randomly for its lineage.

Bloodline

Roll	Heritage	Trait
1	Nightmare	The pack mule’s coat turns coal black.
2	Unicorn	The pack mule’s coat turns silver, and it grows a small horn from its forehead.
3	Pegasus	The pack mule’s coat turns white and sprouts a few feathers.
4	Kirin	The pack mule’s hide turns scaled and leathery.
5	Hippocampus	The pack mule grows a small dorsal fin.
6	Dragon	The pack mule’s hide becomes patched with fine scales.

This lineage grants the pack mule special features as it advances.

For pack mules that happen to have draconic lineage, the party may choose the lineage, or they may roll for it randomly.

Roll	Heritage	Elemental Affinity
1	Black	Acid.
2	Blue	Lightning.
3	Brass	Fire.
4	Bronze	Lightning.
5	Copper	Acid.
6	Gold	Fire.
7	Green	Poison.
8	Red	Fire.
9	Silver	Cold.
10	White	Cold.

Ability Score Improvement

4th level pack mule Feature

When the pack mule reaches 4th level, and again at 8th, 10th, 12th, 16th, and 19th level, it can increase one ability score of its choice by 2, or it can increase two Ability Scores of its choice by 1. As normal, it can’t increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.

Powerful Kick

5th level pack mule Feature

At 5th level, the pack mule learns how to channel its might into its kicks. Whenever the pack mule attacks with its hooves, it can make a shove attempt as a free action.

Evasion

7th level pack mule Feature

Starting at 7th level, the pack mule can nimbly dodge out of the way of certain area Effects, such as a red dragon's fiery breath or an Ice Storm spell. When It is subjected to an Effect that allows it to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, it instead takes no damage if it succeeds on the saving throw, and only half damage if it fails.

Hybrid Vigor (Resistance)

7th level Pack mule Feature

The effects of crossbreeding sometimes result in offspring that carries forth the greatest merits of its parentage. In the pack mule, this manifests as an elemental resistance based upon its lineage.

Heritage	Trait
Nightmare	Fire resistance.
Unicorn	Poison resistance.
Pegasus	Radiant resistance.
Kirin	Thunder and lightning resistance.
Hippocampus	Cold resistance.
Dragon	Resistance according to its elemental affinity.

Land’s Stride

9th level pack mule Feature

Starting at 9th level, moving through nonmagical Difficult Terrain costs the pack mule no extra Movement. The pack mule can also pass through nonmagical Plants without being slowed by them and without taking damage from them if they have thorns, spines, or a similar hazard.

In addition, the pack mule has advantage on Saving Throws against Plants that are magically created or manipulated to impede Movement, such those created by the Entangle spell.

Ancestral Awakening

11th level pack mule Feature

At 11th level, the pack mule’s lineage fully manifests. The beast is fundamentally transformed in accordance with its ancestry.

Heritage	Trait
Nightmare	The pack mule’s hooves stream fire, and it gains a fly speed of 60 feet.
Unicorn	The pack mule grows a gleaming horn and the ability to cast misty step. Once this ability used, the pack mule cannot use it again until it takes a short rest.
Pegasus	The pack mule grows feathered wings, and it gains a fly speed of 60 feet.
Kirin	The pack mule becomes supernaturally nimble and light. It can stride across any surface, including water and clouds, and its steps do not trample grass.
Hippocampus	The pack mule sprouts gills and fins. It can breathe underwater and gains a swim speed of 60 feet.
Dragon	The pack mule grows leathery wings, its breath steams with its elemental affinity, and it gains a fly speed of 60 feet.

Hybrid Vigor (Immunity)

15th level Pack mule Feature

At 15th level, the pack mule's existing resistance becomes immunity.

Miscellaneous

Product Identity: The following items are hereby identified as Product Identity, as defined in the Open Game License version 1.0a, Section 1(e), and are not Open Content: Proper names (characters, place names, etc.), dialogue, plots, story elements, locations, characters, artwork, graphics, dungeons, adventures, and puzzles. (Elements that have previously been designated as Open Game Content are not included in this declaration.)

Open Game Content: The Open content in this book includes the monster names, descriptions, monster statistics, and monster abilities. No other portion of this work may be reproduced in any form without permission.

Legal Section

OPEN GAME LICENSE Version 1.0a

The following text is the property of Wizards of the Coast, Inc. and is Copyright 2000 Wizards of the Coast, Inc ("Wizards"). All Rights Reserved.

1. Definitions: (a)"Contributors" means the copyright and/or trademark owners who have contributed Open Game Content; (b)"Derivative Material" means copyrighted material including derivative works and translations (including into other computer languages), potation, modification, correction, addition, extension, upgrade, improvement, compilation, abridgment or other form in which an existing work may be recast, transformed or adapted; (c) "Distribute" means to reproduce, license, rent, lease, sell, broadcast, publicly display, transmit or otherwise distribute; (d)"Open Game Content" means the game mechanic and includes the methods, procedures, processes and routines to the extent such content does not embody the Product Identity and is an enhancement over the prior art and any additional content clearly identified as Open Game Content by the Contributor, and means any work covered by this License, including translations and derivative works under copyright law, but specifically excludes Product Identity. (e) "Product Identity" means product and product line names, logos and identifying marks including trade dress; artifacts; creatures characters; stories, storylines, plots, thematic elements, dialogue, incidents, language, artwork, symbols, designs, depictions, likenesses, formats, poses, concepts, themes and graphic, photographic and other visual or audio representations; names and descriptions of characters, spells, enchantments, personalities, teams, personas, likenesses and special abilities; places, locations, environments, creatures, equipment, magical or supernatural abilities or effects, logos, symbols, or graphic designs; and any other trademark or registered trademark clearly identified as Product identity by the owner of the Product Identity, and which specifically excludes the Open Game Content; (f) "Trademark" means the logos, names, mark, sign, motto, designs that are used by a Contributor to identify itself or its products or the associated products contributed to the Open Game License by the Contributor (g) "Use", "Used" or "Using" means to use, Distribute, copy, edit, format, modify, translate and otherwise create Derivative Material of Open Game Content. (h) "You" or "Your" means the licensee in terms of this agreement.

2. The License: This License applies to any Open Game Content that contains a notice indicating that the Open Game Content may only be Used under and in terms of this License. You must affix such a notice to any Open Game Content that you Use. No terms may be added to or subtracted from this License except as described by the License itself. No other terms or conditions may be applied to any Open Game Content distributed using this License.

3. Offer and Acceptance: By Using the Open Game Content You indicate Your acceptance of the terms of this License.

4. Grant and Consideration: In consideration for agreeing to use this License, the Contributors grant You a perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive license with the exact terms of this License to Use, the Open Game Content.

5. Representation of Authority to Contribute: If You are contributing original material as Open Game Content, You represent that Your Contributions are Your original creation and/or You have sufficient rights to grant the rights conveyed by this License.

6. Notice of License Copyright: You must update the COPYRIGHT NOTICE portion of this License to include the exact text of the COPYRIGHT NOTICE of any Open Game Content You are copying, modifying or distributing, and You must add the title, the copyright date, and the copyright holder's name to the COPYRIGHT NOTICE of any original Open Game Content you Distribute.

7. Use of Product Identity: You agree not to Use any Product Identity, including as an indication as to compatibility, except as expressly licensed in another, independent Agreement with the owner of each element of that Product Identity. You agree not to indicate compatibility or co-adaptability with any Trademark or Registered Trademark in conjunction with a work containing Open Game Content except as expressly licensed in another, independent Agreement with the owner of such Trademark or Registered Trademark. The use of any Product Identity in Open Game Content does not constitute a challenge to the ownership of that Product Identity. The owner of any Product Identity used in Open Game Content shall retain all rights, title and interest in and to that Product Identity.

8. Identification: If you distribute Open Game Content You must clearly indicate which portions of the work that you are distributing are Open Game Content.

9. Updating the License: Wizards or its designated Agents may publish updated versions of this License. You may use any authorized version of this License to copy, modify and distribute any Open Game Content originally distributed under any version of this License.

10. Copy of this License: You MUST include a copy of this License with every copy of the Open Game Content You Distribute.

11. Use of Contributor Credits: You may not market or advertise the Open Game Content using the name of any Contributor unless You have written permission from the Contributor to do so.

12. Inability to Comply: If it is impossible for You to comply with any of the terms of this License with respect to some or all of the Open Game Content due to statute, judicial order, or governmental regulation then You may not Use any Open Game Material so affected.

13. Termination: This License will terminate automatically if You fail to comply with all terms herein and fail to cure such breach within 30 days of becoming aware of the breach. All sublicenses shall survive the termination of this License.

14. Reformation: If any provision of this License is held to be unenforceable, such provision shall be reformed only to the extent necessary to make it enforceable.

15. COPYRIGHT NOTICE Open Game License v 1.0a Copyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast, LLC.

System Reference Document 5.1 Copyright 2016, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.; Authors Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Chris Perkins, Rodney Thompson, Peter Lee, James Wyatt, Robert J. Schwalb, Bruce R. Cordell, Chris Sims, and Steve Townshend, based on original material by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson.