Truenamer
Half smiling at the chains that bind her hands, an elf speaks a single word in a long-forgotten tongue. Her captors flee in terror as a demon materializes in her cell and begins to breaks down the door.
A fiery-haired human in a worn green cloak stands in an empty courtyard, listening intently to the rustling of leaves. Suddenly, he raises his head and speaks a string of sharp, clear syllables. Around him, the winds begin to howl .
As the assassin overpowers the guards and runs towards the king, a dwarf in noble attire watches him closely, then mutters a name under his breath. The assassin freezes in place, unable to resist the spell.
Truenamers are scholars of the secret names that belong to everything in the multiverse. By learning something's name, a truenamer gains power over it, and by speaking these names and combining them with others, they can cast spells to command the elements, conjure beings from other planes, and influence others.
Scholars and Seekers
More than any other spellcasters, truenamers travel the world in search of magic. Some travel between places of learning, gathering lists of names from rare tomes and well-guarded scrolls. They might study alongside wizards and other spellcasters, or they might form their own specialized institutions. Most, though, seek names through firsthand experience. They travel through the widerness to learn the names of forces of nature, find links to other planes of existence to steal the names of fey and fiends, and seek out the names of their foes to force them to their will.
Knowledge is Power
To know the true name of something is to understand it completely. Truenamers are able to use this understanding to influence that which they know the name of, allowing them to cast spells and control forces, creatures, and objects. For this reason, truenamers guard their own true names fiercely, knowing from experience what it means to allow someone to speak it.
To be able to gain the understanding necessary to learn a true name is a process that is different for every truenamer. For some, it comes after long hours of studying, practice, or meditation. For others, it comes in a flash of inspiration after being in close contact with the object of their studies.
After learning a true name, truenamers can cast spells using the name. The effects of speaking a true name aloud depend on innumerable factors, from the tone and pitch used to speak it to the proximity of the target or the time of day. Many complex spells are formed by combining multiple true names, or parts of different ones, in order to create the intended effect. Truenamers can even weave their own personal true names with others, imbuing their spells with their own power.
The Truenamer
| Level | Proficiency Bonus | Features | Spell Slots | Slot Level | Utterances Known |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | +2 | Naming, Utterance | 1 | 1st | 2 |
| 2nd | +2 | Lexicon, Personal Utterance (1/rest) | 2 | 1st | 2 |
| 3rd | +2 | ─ | 2 | 2nd | 2 |
| 4th | +2 | Ability Score Improvement | 2 | 2nd | 2 |
| 5th | +3 | ─ | 2 | 3rd | 3 |
| 6th | +3 | Lexicon Feature, Personal Utterance (2/rest) | 2 | 3rd | 3 |
| 7th | +3 | ─ | 2 | 4rd | 3 |
| 8th | +3 | Ability Score Improvement | 2 | 4rd | 3 |
| 9th | +4 | ─ | 2 | 5th | 3 |
| 10th | +4 | Lexicon Feature | 2 | 5th | 3 |
| 11th | +4 | Pronouncement (6th level) | 3 | 5th | 4 |
| 12th | +4 | Ability Score Improvement | 3 | 5rd | 4 |
| 13th | +5 | Pronouncement (7th level) | 3 | 5th | 4 |
| 14th | +5 | Lexicon Feature | 3 | 5th | 4 |
| 15th | +5 | Pronouncement (8th level) | 3 | 5th | 4 |
| 16th | +5 | Ability Score Improvement | 3 | 5th | 4 |
| 17th | +6 | Pronouncement (9th level) | 4 | 5th | 4 |
| 18th | +6 | Final Word, Personal Utterance (3/rest) | 4 | 5th | 4 |
| 19th | +6 | Ability Score Improvement | 4 | 5th | 4 |
| 20th | +6 | Master Namer | 4 | 5th | 4 |
Creating a Truenamer
When creating a truenamer, consider how you came to learn the power of true names. Did you witness a master namer at work and apprentice under him, or is your ability to learn names innate? Did you attend a special university, or did you learn your first true names through isolation and meditation? What was the first true name you spoke, and how did you learn it?
Also consider how you learn new true names, and why you left your studies to adventure. Did anyone ever use your true name to cast a spell on you? Do you seek mastery over certain forces or people? Do you learn true names through study, or do you travel the world to find them?
Quick Build
You can make a truenamer quickly by following these suggestions. First, Intelligence should be your highest ability score, followed by Constitution. Second, choose the sage background. Third, choose the Fire and Mind utterances.
Class Features
Hit Points
- Hit Dice: 1d6 per truenamer level
- Hit Points at 1st Level: 6 + your Constitution modifier
- Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d6 (or 4) + your Constitution modifier per truenamer level after 1st
Proficiencies
- Armor: light armor
- Weapons: simple weapons
- Tools: none
- Saving Throws: Intelligence, Wisdom
- Skills: Choose two from Arcana, History, Insight, Investigation, Nature, Perception, and Religion
Equipment
You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background:
- (a) a light crossbow and 20 bolts or (b) any simple weapon
- (a) two daggers (b) a spear or (c) a quarterstaff
- (a) a scholar's pack or (b) an explorer's pack
Naming
Your study of true names has given you the ability to harness them to cast spells.
Cantrips
Each utterance you know allows you to cast a cantrip. You know the cantrips listed on the spell list of each utterance you know. When you learn additional utterances as shown in the Utterances Known column of the Truenamer table, you learn the cantrips on their spell lists.
Spell Slots
The Truenamer table shows how many spell slots you have. The table also shows what the level of those slots is; all of your spell slots are the same level. To cast one of your Truenamer spells of 1st level or higher, you must expend a spell slot. You regain all expended spell slots when you finish a short or long rest.
For example, when you are 5th level, you have two 3rd-level spell slots. To cast the first level spell burning hands, you must spend one of those slots, and you cast it as a 3rd-level spell.
Spells Known of 1st Level and Higher
The spells you know are determined by the utterances you have learned. Each utterance has an associated list of spells, listed at the end of the class description. When you learn an utterance, you learn all the spells on that utterance's spell list whose level is no higher than what's shown in the Slot Level column of the Truenamer table. When your truenamer spell slot level increases, you learn the spells of that level on the spell lists of each utterance you know.
For example, at 2nd level you know two utterances, and your truenamer spell slots are 1st level. If you know the Fire and Flesh utterances, you know the 1st level spells burning hands and false life. When you advance to 3rd level and gain 2nd-level spell slots, you learn the 2nd-level spells flaming sphere and alter self.
Spellcasting Ability
Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for your truenamer spells, since your spells stem from your memorization and understanding of true names. You use your Intelligence whenever a spell refers to your spellcasting ability. In addition, you use your Intelligence modifier when settings the saving throw DC for a truenamer spell you cast and when making an attack roll with one.
Spell save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus +
your Intelligence modifier
Spell attack modifier = your proficiency bonus +
your Intelligence modifier
Spell Components
The spells you cast are caused by you speaking true names aloud. If a truenamer spell you know does not normally have a verbal component, it does for you. If the spell normally has a somatic component, you ignore it. If the spell has a material component, you ignore it only if the component is not consumed and does not have a cost indicated.
Utterances
In your studies, you have learned the true names of things, giving you great power over them when you speak these names aloud. These true names are combined and categorized into utterances, groupings of true names with a common theme. A single utterance may encompass hundreds of true names, each one causing different effects and useful in different circumstances.
At 1st level, you learn two utterances of your choice. Your utterance options are detailed at the end of the class description. When you gain certain Truenamer levels, you learn additional utterances of your choice, as shown in the Utterances Known column of the Truenamer table.
Additionally, when you gain a level in this class, you can choose one of the utterances you know and replace it with a different one.
Lexicon
When you reach 2nd level, you choose a lexicon, a specialization of your studies which focus on a different application of naming: the Lexicon of Binding, the Lexicon of the Elements, or the Lexicon of the Soul.
Your choice grants you features at 2nd level and again at 6th, 10th, and 14th level.
Personal Utterance
Also at 2nd level, you learn to utter your own true name, allowing you to channel energy into yourself and other utterances you speak to create magical effects. You start with two such effects: Empower Self and one determined by your lexicon. Your lexicon grants you an additional option at 10th level.
When you use your Personal Utterance, you choose which effect to create. You must then finish a short or long rest to use your Personal Utterance again.
Some Personal Utterance effects require saving throws. When you use such an effect from this class, the DC equals your truenamer spell save DC.
Beginning at 6th level, you can use your Personal Utterance twice between rests, and beginning at 18th level you can use it three times between rests. When you finish a short or long rest, you regain your expended uses.
Personal Utterance: Empower Self
As a bonus action, you can speak your true name and use it to magically augment your abilities. You gain advantage on the next attack roll, ability check, or saving throw you make in the next minute.
Ability Score Improvement
When you reach 4th level, and again at 8th, 12th, 16th, and 19th level, you can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can't increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.
Pronouncement
At 11th level, you learn a deeper truth, called an pronouncement, underlying one utterance. Choose one of the utterances you know. You learn the 6th-level spell on that utterance's pronouncement spell list, and can cast this spell once without expending a spell slot. You must finish a long rest before you can do so again.
At higher levels, you gain access to yet deeper secrets of the utterance you have chosen: you gain the 7th-level spell for that utterance at 13th level, the 8th-level spell at 15th level, and the 9th-level spell at 17th level. You regain all expended uses of your Pronouncement when you finish a long rest.
Final Word
At 18th level, you learn to use your own true name to fuel your magic. When you have no spell slots left, you can cast a spell you know of fifth level or lower. When you do so, you take 2d12 necrotic damage per level of the spell. This damage ignores resistance and immunity. Once you use this feature, you can't do so again until you finish a long rest.
Master Namer
At 20th level, you can momentarily learn the true name of anything when you need it most. You can cast any spell of 5th level or lower from any Utterance's spell list as a 5th level spell, even if you do not normally know it. Once you use this feature, you cannot use it again until you finish a long rest.
Lexicons
Truenamers divide themselves into schools called lexicons. Each lexicon specializes in a specific aspect of naming, and often have tendencies to favor certain utterances that match their ideals. Lexicons vary greatly in organization and philosophy. Some are much like schools of wizardry, with faculty specializing in certain names and conducting research into learning new ones. Others are loose groupings, often a master and one or two apprentices studying under them, only in occasional contact with other namers. Still others are more like wandering scholars, traveling wherever they might learn new names. Regardless of structure, each lexicon provides the necessary intensity of study required to master even the most basic of names.
Lexicon of Binding
The Lexicon of Binding specializes in learning the true names of otherworldly creatures, then using their names to conjure them and bend them to their will. Truenamers of this lexicon seek out ancient tomes with the names of powerful creatures, or travel across planes to learn them firsthand.
Minor Binding
At 2nd level, you learn the true name of a celestial, fey, or fiend, and use it to bind the creature to your will. You learn the find familiar spell and can cast it as a ritual.
When you cast this spell, you can chose one of the normal forms for your familiar or one of the following special forms: imp, pseudodragon, quasit, or sprite.
Personal Utterance: Twin Binding
At 2nd level, you learn combine your personal true name with that of your familiar. As an action when your familiar is within 60 feet of you, you can teleport both you and your familiar, swapping places with it.
Call by Name
At 6th level, your knowledge of the true names allows you to choose specific creatures to summon. When you cast a spell which allows you to summon or create creatures based on challenge rating, you can instead choose specific creatures of a type you choose, or of multiple types. All other restrictions of the spell still apply, including limits to the challenge rating of summoned creatures. For example, if you cast the spell conjure animals as a 3rd level spell, you can specify that you conjure a giant eagle and a dire wolf.
Personal Utterance: Life Binding
Beginning at 10th level, you weave your own true name with those of creatures you summon, intertwining your life force with theirs. As a reaction when you take damage, you can use your Personal Utterance to transfer the damage to a creature you can see within 60 feet of you that you have summoned or created with a spell. You can reduce the damage you take by an amount up to the current hit points of the creature you choose. That creature then takes damage of the same type equal to the amount by which your damage was reduced.
Beckon
At 14th level, you imbue a portion of your own true name with the power to call you to those who speak it. You can teach this name to another creature over the course of a minute. You must share a language with the creature to teach it your name.
At any point after that, that creature can speak the name as an action. When they do so, you can use your reaction to teleport yourself and up to five other willing creatures within five feet of you to the speaker. You reappear within five feet of the speaker, or in the closest unoccupied space if that space if occupied. You know who is speaking your name, and can choose not to be transported if you wish. Once you use this feature, you cannot use it again until you finish a long rest.
Lexicon of the Elements
The Lexicon of the Elements emphasizes learning the names of forces of nature, using them to create powerful effects. Members of this lexicon often travel to storm-battered coasts or erupting volcanoes in order to learn about the elements.
Elemental Affinity
At 2nd level, you choose an element to specialize in. Choose one of the options below. Truenamers with this ability generally also know the utterance of the same element, seeking to master it.
Air. You learn the gust cantrip and can speak, read, and write Auran.
Earth. You learn the mold earth cantrip and can speak, read, and write Terran.
Fire. You learn the control flames cantrip and can speak, read, and write Ignan.
Water. You learn the shape water cantrip and can speak, read, and write Aquan.
Personal Utterance: Elemental Empowerment
Beginning at 2nd level, you can augment your elemental spells with the energy of your own true name. When you roll acid, cold, fire, lightning, or thunder damage, you can use your Personal Utterance to deal maximum damage instead of rolling.
Elemental Defense
At 6th level, your understanding of your chosen element deepens. The benefits are based on the element you selected for your Elemental Affinity.
Air. You can call on the wind to protect you from missiles. As a reaction when you are hit by a ranged weapon attack, you can reduce the damage taken by 1d10 + your Intelligence modifier + your truenamer level.
Earth. While you are conscious and standing on solid ground, you cannot be knocked prone unless you choose to be.
Fire. You gain resistance to fire damage, and no longer suffer the effects of extreme heat as described in the Dungeon Master's Guide.
Water. You gain resistance to cold damage, and no longer suffer the effects of extreme cold as described in the Dungeon Master's Guide.
Personal Utterance: Elemental Shield
Beginning at 10th level, you can use your true name to defend yourself from elemental attacks. As a reaction when you take acid, cold, fire, lightning, or thunder damage, you can use your reaction to gain immunity to that instance of damage. If you take multiple types of damage, you choose which one to be immune to. This immunity lasts until the beginning of your next turn.
Improved Affinity
At 14th level, your own self begins to take on aspects of your chosen element. The benefits are based on the element you selected for your Elemental Affinity.
Air. You gain a flying speed equal to your current movement speed. If you are not touching the ground at the end of your movement, you fall and take damage as normal.
Earth. You gain a burrowing speed equal to your current movement speed.
Fire. As an action, you can briefly turn into a cloud of smoke and flame, which lasts until the end of the turn. While you are in this form, you are under the effects of the gaseous form spell.
Water. You gain a swimming speed equal to your current movement speed, and can breathe underwater.
Lexicon of the Soul
Those of the Lexicon of the Soul are among the most subtle and influential of truenamers, using the true names of others to control them. Through careful observation, a truenamer of this lexicon can learn the true name of another, and then use that name to fuel heightened magical effects.
Bonus Proficiency
At 2nd level, you gain proficiency in the Insight skill. If you are already proficient in this skill, you add double your proficiency bonus to checks you make with it.
Personal Utterance: Glean Name
Also beginning at 2nd level, you can use your knowledge of your own true name to try to learn the true name of another. As a bonus action, you can force a creature you can see within 60 feet of you to make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, you learn that creature's true name. On a success, the target does not know you tried to learn its name, and you cannot use this feature again on that creature until you finish a long rest.
When you cast a spell that forces a creature whose true name you know to make an Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma saving throw, you can speak the name as part of the casting of the spell. If you do so, that creature has disadvantage on the saving throw. You can only speak a single creature's true name when you cast a spell. This feature can only affect a creature once.
Seek Named
At 6th level, you gain the ability to reach out to those whose true names you know. As an action, you can speak a true name you have learned from your Glean Name feature. When you do so, choose one of the following effects:
Locate. You learn the current direction and distance to the creature whose name you speak, if they are on the same plane of existance as you.
Call. You cast sending, with the creature whose name you spoke as the target.
Once you use this feature, you can't do so again until you finish a long rest.
Personal Utterance: Empower Other
At 10th level, you learn to lend the power of your true name to your allies. When a creature other than yourself you can see within 60 feet of you makes an attack roll, ability check, or saving throw, you can use your Personal Utterance as a reaction to give that creature advantage on that roll. You must choose to do so before the roll is made.
Puppet
At 14th level, you learn to use the true names of others to bend their will to your own. As an action, you can speak the true name of a humanoid that you have learned through your Glean Name feature. If the creature is within 60 feet of you, you cast dominate person on it without expending a spell slot. The creature has disadvantage on the saving throw. Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.
Utterances
The utterance options are presented in alphabetical order.
Air
Air Spell List
| Spell Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| Cantrip | message |
| 1st | featherfall |
| 2nd | warding wind |
| 3rd | fly |
| 4th | freedom of movement |
| 5th | control winds |
Pronouncement of Air
| Spell Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| 6th | investiture of wind |
| 7th | whirlwind |
| 8th | control weather |
| 9th | storm of vengeance |
Beast
Beast Spell List
| Spell Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| Cantrip | infestation |
| 1st | beast bond |
| 2nd | animal messenger |
| 3rd | conjure animals |
| 4th | dominate beast |
| 5th | commune with nature |
Pronouncement of Beast
| Spell Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| 6th | create homunculus |
| 7th | regenerate |
| 8th | animal shapes |
| 9th | shapechange |
Belief
Belief Spell List
| Spell Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| Cantrip | minor illusion |
| 1st | disguise self |
| 2nd | phantasmal force |
| 3rd | major image |
| 4th | phantasmal killer |
| 5th | seeming |
Pronouncement of Belief
| Spell Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| 6th | mental prison |
| 7th | project image |
| 8th | illusory dragon |
| 9th | weird |
Blood
Blood Spell List
| Spell Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| Cantrip | chill touch |
| 1st | ray of sickness |
| 2nd | hold person |
| 3rd | vampiric touch |
| 4th | blight |
| 5th | dominate person |
Pronouncement of Blood
| Spell Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| 6th | harm |
| 7th | power word pain |
| 8th | dominate monster |
| 9th | power word kill |
Death
Death Spell List
| Spell Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| Cantrip | toll the dead |
| 1st | inflict wounds |
| 2nd | blindness/deafness |
| 3rd | animate dead |
| 4th | shadow of Moil |
| 5th | danse macabre |
Pronouncement of Death
| Spell Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| 6th | circle of death |
| 7th | finger of death |
| 8th | Abi-Dalzim's horrid wilting |
| 9th | power word kill |
Earth
Earth Spell List
| Spell Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| Cantrip | magic stone |
| 1st | earth tremor |
| 2nd | Maximilian's earthen grasp |
| 3rd | erupting earth |
| 4th | stoneskin |
| 5th | transmute rock |
Pronouncement of Earth
| Spell Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| 6th | investiture of stone |
| 7th | reverse gravity |
| 8th | earthquake |
| 9th | meteor swarm |
Fey
Fey Spell List
| Spell Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| Cantrip | dancing lights |
| 1st | faerie fire |
| 2nd | misty step |
| 3rd | magic circle |
| 4th | conjure woodland beings |
| 5th | planar binding |
Pronouncement of Fey
| Spell Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| 6th | conjure fey |
| 7th | teleport |
| 8th | antipathy/sympathy |
| 9th | gate |
Fiend
Fiend Spell List
| Spell Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| Cantrip | thaumaturgy |
| 1st | hellish rebuke |
| 2nd | darkness |
| 3rd | summon lesser demons |
| 4th | summon greater demon |
| 5th | infernal calling |
Pronouncement of Fiend
| Spell Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| 6th | planar ally |
| 7th | sequester |
| 8th | demiplane |
| 9th | gate |
Fire
Fire Spell List
| Spell Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| Cantrip | fire bolt |
| 1st | burning hands |
| 2nd | flaming sphere |
| 3rd | fireball |
| 4th | wall of fire |
| 5th | flame strike |
Pronouncement of Fire
| Spell Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| 6th | investiture of flame |
| 7th | fire storm |
| 8th | incendiary cloud |
| 9th | meteor swarm |
Flesh
Flesh Spell List
| Spell Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| Cantrip | primal savagery |
| 1st | false life |
| 2nd | alter self |
| 3rd | life transference |
| 4th | polymorph |
| 5th | reincarnate |
Pronouncement of Flesh
| Spell Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| 6th | flesh to stone |
| 7th | regenerate |
| 8th | animal shapes |
| 9th | mass polymorph |
Life
Life Spell List
| Spell Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| Cantrip | spare the dying |
| 1st | healing word |
| 2nd | aid |
| 3rd | mass healing word |
| 4th | death ward |
| 5th | raise dead |
Pronouncement of Life
| Spell Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| 6th | heal |
| 7th | regenerate |
| 8th | holy aura |
| 9th | power word heal |
Light
Light Spell List
| Spell Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| Cantrip | light |
| 1st | color spray |
| 2nd | pass without trace |
| 3rd | daylight |
| 4th | greater invisibility |
| 5th | wall of light |
Pronouncement of Light
| Spell Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| 6th | sunbeam |
| 7th | prismatic spray |
| 8th | sunburst |
| 9th | prismatic wall |
Plant
Plant Spell List
| Spell Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| Cantrip | thorn whip |
| 1st | entangle |
| 2nd | spike growth |
| 3rd | plant growth |
| 4th | grasping vine |
| 5th | awaken |
Pronouncement of Plant
| Spell Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| 6th | transport via plants |
| 7th | regenerate |
| 8th | Abi-Dalzim's horrid wilting |
| 9th | imprisonment |
Psyche
Phyche Spell List
| Spell Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| Cantrip | friends |
| 1st | command |
| 2nd | detect thoughts |
| 3rd | hypnotic pattern |
| 4th | compulsion |
| 5th | geas |
Pronouncement of Psyche
| Spell Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| 6th | mass suggestion |
| 7th | power word pain |
| 8th | dominate monster |
| 9th | psychic scream |
Water
Water Spell List
| Spell Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| Cantrip | ray of frost |
| 1st | create or destroy water |
| 2nd | Snilloc's snowball swarm |
| 3rd | water walk |
| 4th | control water |
| 5th | maelstrom |
Pronouncement of Water
| Spell Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| 6th | investiture of ice |
| 7th | simulacrum |
| 8th | tsunami |
| 9th | storm of vengeance |
Weave
Weave Spell List
| Spell Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| Cantrip | prestidigitation |
| 1st | detect magic |
| 2nd | Nystuk's magic aura |
| 3rd | dispel magic |
| 4th | arcane eye |
| 5th | animate objects |
Pronouncement of Weave
| Spell Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| 6th | arcane gate |
| 7th | plane shift |
| 8th | antimagic field |
| 9th | wish |
Art Credits
Taborlin the Great: Ignacio Morales
https://www.artstation.com/igmorales
The Name of the Wind: Marc Simonettihttps://marcsimonetti.deviantart.com
