You stand poised, ready to block attacks made against your allies with your shield or, failing that, your body.

Encounter   ✦     Martial, Stance
Minor Action      Personal

Effect: Whenever an ally adjacent to you takes damage, as a free action reduce that damage by 5. You must use this ability anytime you are able. When you do so, you take 5 damage; this damage that can't be reduce of redirected in any way.

Special: You can end this stance as a free action during your turn.

Update (2/18/2010)
Change effect to "Whenever an ally adjacent to you takes damage, as a free action reduce that damage by 5. You must use this ability anytime you are able. When you do so, you take 5 damage; this damage that can't be reduce of redirected in any way."

Published in Dragon Magazine 382, page(s) 46.