The Silent Court

Beyond the knowledge of most scholars and priests lies a chamber that is not a place, yet resembles a courtroom older than the stars. There, seated upon thrones of shadow, light, crystal, and forgotten matter, gather the entities known collectively as The Silent Court. They hold no sway beyond their own realms, and interfere rarely with mortal politics. However, when the realms shudder, and fate is threatened, the Court may appoint a Judge as a proxy. Some know them as Witches. Others, monsters. But all know the name. Warlock. 

These Judges act not of the court's whims. Nor any code or law. Merely their own vision for a better world. It is only in the most special of circumstances that the court may step in, and pass true judgement. Whether that be some divine reward for a job well done, or rotten damnation for the evilest of evil, they will pass their judgement. All in the name of balance and order. For a hero might save a town, but damn the world. And a villain might destroy the world to save their loved one. But who might truly pass judgement, but the one who's lived on their world? However, as a Judge, your word carries weight. As is the silent court, your lips too must remain sealed until your mind is made, and your judgement is ready to be passed. And so you must watch what you say. For the wrong word, or a misplaced sentence could very well mean the end of someone undeserving. Or, even worse, the rewards to one who would watch the world burn and simply enjoy the heat. 

Silent Deliberation

At 1st level, you can telepathically communicate with a range of 30 feet with any creature you can see that you share a language with. You are also resistant to psychic and thunder damage. Additionally, you can make a request to the Silent Court for a representative to silently assist you with your deliberation for one minute.

If you find the creature that is being deliberated on guilty, you may mark them as condemned. For the next minute, you can deal damage to that creature, and only to that creature, equal to your proficiency bonus. 

This ability can be used 3 times per long rest, and if you reduce a creature to 0 hit points using this effect, you cannot use it again until you complete a short rest. 

Quiet Intercession

If you have no spoken aloud for since your last turn, you gain the following benefits:

• +1 AC
• Advantage on Insight, Investigation, and Perception checks

Quiet in the Court

You may cast the following spells without verbal components:

• Command
• Suggestion
• Hold Person
• Hold Monster

These spells can be casted 1d4+1 times per long rest, and after you have cast them you must complete a short rest to cast them again. 

The Silent Court Speaks

The court, with all its combined wisdom and logical reasoning may bestow absolution or condemnation onto a target as they deem fit. 

Absolution

Choose a creature within 60 feet of you.
If the target is dead, it is revived. 
That creature:

• Regains 6d10 + your Charisma modifier hit points
• Ends any and all negative conditions effecting it
• Gains advantage on saving throws until they take a long rest

This ability can only be used once per long rest. Once it has been used, you gain two levels of exhaustion, and must take a turn to retreat or rest. If you do not, you receive an additional point of exhaustion until you do so, or you receive five points of exhaustion, after which, the silent court will take you into their arms and put you into a protected sleep until the next dawn. During this time, you may not be attacked directly, and anybody who tries to perceive you receives disadvantage when attempting to do so. 

 

Condemnation

The Silent Court has Condemned the target, and has deemed their punishment to be swift and painful. The target is must succeed a strength saving throw against your spell save, or become restrained by spectral chains of judgement for one minute. Additionally, they take 10d10 Radiant damage regardless of their saving throw.

This ability can only be used once per long rest. Once it has been used, you gain two levels of exhaustion, and must take a turn to retreat or rest. If you do not, you receive an additional point of exhaustion until you do so, or you receive five points of exhaustion, after which, the silent court will take you into their arms and put you into a protected sleep until the next dawn. During this time, you may not be attacked directly, and anybody who tries to perceive you receives disadvantage when attempting to do so.