Mentees
You travel with another character learning the craft. A fan, squire, apprentice, what have you - they are here as adventurers, no need to follow the same class tradition. Think up some history, maybe give them a name.
If you die or are missing for other reasons, your mentee can replace you at half your level until you come back or receive a permanent replacement.
While you are present, you can invoke your mentee on your turn (no action required) once per short rest, with a benefit chosen from below. They have no gameplay effects otherwise.
Helping Hand
You regain 5 HP, and get a free action for something an adjacent ally can do (such as feeding a potion or putting out fire).
Level 5: +5 healing, and the free action can be used to end the Prone condition on yourself.
Level 11: +5 healing and the free action can be used to end the Grappled condition on yourself.
Level 17: +5 healing and the free action can be used to end the Restrained condition on yourself.
Dispelling Slap
End the Poisoned or Frightened condition on yourself. If you are within an effect applying this, you are immune to it this turn.
Level 5: Also applies to Stunned.
Level 11: Also applies to Charmed.
Level 17: Also applies to Paralyzed.
Marvellous Display
You gain the Hidden condition, and it cannot end this turn. Once your turn ends, you retain the condition only if you still meet all its requirements.
Level 5: +5 feet Speed this turn.
Level 11: +5 feet Speed this turn.
Level 17: +5 feet Speed this turn.
Feat: Mentor
You have earned the loyalty and respect of an adventurer-in-training. You get the following benefits.
Ability Score Increase. Increase any ability score by 1, to a maximum of 20.
Sidekick. You gain a mentee. If you already have one, you gain another, but only one replaces you while away.
Design notes
Originally made for a high level game to signify influence, I really like how this gives you something to do while dead, and from a GM perspective you don't need to accommodate an immediate PC introduction.
Since it is a fairly powerful effect, roughly on par with new Mage Slayer, it might be best to limit the 1/short rest ability to taking the feat, at least on lower levels.
Art: "Orian Steeldaughter" by /u/aeronik
