Storm-Walker (Psi Warrior Fighter subclass for 5.5)
by Marc SaindonI don't really like the Psi Warrior, who probably is more in his place on Athas than Mystara, although I could imagine Shadow Elves developping similar psychic powers (due to exposure to the Radiance) and still feel setting appropriate.
In the Northern Reaches, psionics don't fit in. Although you could wedge in the subclass by adapting all the Psychic damage it causes and turning it into Lightning/Electricity and wind effects instead.
The rationale for this subclass in heredity ("Storm-Born"), with avatars of Thor probably spawning a few descendants here and there. Other people might have Jotun blood. It's also possible that it's just the result of a freak accident in a thunderstorm ("Storm-Scorched"), leaving the character alive but... changed. Or there was just one big massive storm during your character's birth.
Use of "Storm" powers (they're not psionic, although to keep things simple the subclass still uses most of the same 5.5 mechanics) come with ominous wind, crackling lightning displays (see a tesla coil) and the growling of thunder. Effects manifest as storms, the Protective Field is a strong gust of wind, the Psionic Strike is a Storm Strike (Lightning damage instead of Psychic), etc. Psi Warrior Energy becomes "Storm Energy". Alternatively, Lightning damage could be switched to Thunder/Sonic or even Force damage to by-pass some monster immunities.
These people would be rare, but not unheard of.
One faction, on the Isle of Dawn's Ostlandic colonies, might believe that when a Storm-Walker kills another one in honorable duel that ends in beheading, it increases one's total pool of Storm Energy. Even better, with each duel, there is a prophetized time when there will be only One survivor and that person will ascend to godhood as another Immortal. Or gain access to the Wish spell. (This might just trickery by Loki to keep the number perceived agents of Thor down through infighting).
Image from: https://www.deviantart.com/gr3gog/art/Lukh-Thorin-the-Lightning-Warrior-1088592960
