Flagbearer, Banner of the Ancient Kings, and my DM

[Frogsplosion]

So I'm creating a cleric archer who has a bard cohort that has the flagbearer feat and the banner of ancient kings. The banner is a magic item that doubles the flagbearer feat's morale bonus but he's trying to deny that bonus to the rest of the party based on this line:

"As long as you hold your clan, house, or party’s flag, members of that allegiance within 30 feet who can see the flag (including yourself ) gain a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, and saving throws against fear and charm effects."

citing that the party members don't have any attachment to the flag because they're not tied to it in any way. My counter-argument is it's a bloody MAGIC banner and it does this:

"If mounted on a longspear or pole at least 8 feet in length, the banner shifts in appearance to match the heraldry or coat of arms of the person who attached it. If that person has no device, the flag instead displays a device that echoes the owner’s personality (such as a favorite animal, favored weapon, or holy symbol of the wielder’s deity)."

So there should be a way to include everyone in the party

[meepothegreat]

Have everyone design the flag or ask everyone to swear allegiance to it. If they don't want to then they don't get the bonus.

[DominusMegadeus]

"As long as you hold your clan, house, or party’s flag..."

Right in the description, tell your DM to stop being dumb.

[Maezer]

If the party members don't (want to) feel any respect for the flag. They probably shouldn't get the bonus (or penalty). But if they do want the bonus they should be able to get it.

If it has your personal device on it, then perhaps they respect you. It could bear your group identity in which case they are loyal to the group. Honestly if the group has 0 respect for you or the group as whole, I would not expect your party to hold together for very long and the GM probably has bigger problems to worry about.

[Daw]

Just a thought, this is a banner of Ancient Kings. Have you worked out ..which.. of the Ancient Kings were tied up with this banner, and what kind of stuff they were into? I rather wonder if your GM is being kind to the innocents in the party, leaving just you, who have made it a part of yourself. Screwed, blued and tattooed comes to mind.

No, really, I have great faith in human kindness.