Otherworldly Patron: The Ouroburos Compact

The Ouroburos Compact is a union of warlock and patron unlike any other. For the great being you are beholden to is your own future self. Whose power has now transcended far beyond that of a mere mortals. They have reached back through the mists of time to share their knowledge and power their weaker, more ignorant self.

The relation between warlocks and their future selves is as different as one person is from another. Your older self might be respectful or condescending. Affectionate or antagonistic. Passive observer or active director. They might freely share their knowledge or withhold it until the time is right. Some might be honest, but others might not even share their true identity. You simply won’t know until they speak to you for the first time.

But one question should dominate the minds of any warlock that accepts The Ouroburos Compact. Why? Why has your future self done this? Is their some event that needs to be changed or prevented? A war that the wrong side lost? An artifact that was better off destroyed? A loved one that should never have died? Or perhaps one of your enemies has decided to destroy you in a time you when that was still possible. Unless that is your patron’s plan instead. And it may just be that you have somehow forged a stable time loop. One that binds your past, present, and future selves together.

Some warlocks, the foolish ones, might romanticize such pact. The idea of one beholden to naught but themselves can be a seductive one. Particularly for those bound to am especially cruel or deceptive patron. But time changes all things and you are no exception. You very well might find your future self a stranger. One with vastly different morals, goals, and methodology from yourself as you exist now. Not to mention there is a danger to the very nature of this arrangement. If one meddles with a foundational aspect of existence, then they should be ready for unintended complications. And the manipulation of time is infamous for the dangers it brings. Not the least of which is that it might attract unwanted attention from beings far beyond you. Perhaps even threats to your future self.

And it must be remembered The Compact is not optional. There is no denial and no escape. You are now bound to a destiny, one you might wish to avoid. And while survival may seem an easy price for such power, remember one thing. A painful life can be far more agonizing than a painful death.

Scars last longer than wounds.

And sometimes dead is better…

Old Habits

You know the cantrip Eldritch Blast. It does not count against your number of known cantrips.

Self Guidance

You know the spell divination and may use it to contact your future self. The information gained is limited to what your patron knows and what they are willing to share.. Your patron may also rebuff your requests if they feel you are not safe while performing this ritual.

Survival is Paramount

Starting at tenth level you no longer die when when receiving fatal damage. Instead you fall unconscious. (The same applies for other causes of death such as starvation, drowning, and disease.) You receive negative hit points equal to all damage taken past zero. You do not naturally heal in this state and do not reawaken until an outside source has healed all negative hit points and half of your maximum hit points. Body parts that have been amputated are lost if no longer present during the healing process. The same applies for body parts that are totally destroyed. They can only be restored by magical means unless your species is naturally capable of regrowing the lost body part. A being of power comparable to, or greater than, that of your patron may override this ability.

Shadow of Greatness

Starting at 14th level you may expend two spell slots to cast any 6th level or lower spell from the warlock spell list as a 6th level spell. When you do so you must make a DC 20 constitution  saving throw. On a failed roll you lose 1/4 of your maximum hit points (rounded up) and become stunned. On a critical failure (natural 1) you lose 1/2 of of your maximum hit points and become unconscious. You can not use this feature again until you have finished a long rest and fully healed. (You must return to your maximum hit points at least once during the intervening time.) If you attempt to use this feature while having two or more levels of exhaustion the spell automatically fails and you automatically fail the constitution saving throw.

Starting at 16th level, this feature is used to cast 7th level or lower spells at 7th level.

Starting at 18th level, this feature is used to cast 8th level or lower spells at 8th level.

Starting at 20th level, this feature is used to cast 9th level or lower spells at 9th level.