I was wondering how all of these super-powerful beings were able to offer their powers to lesser creatures, so I made a spell to explain it. Tell me what y'all think!
This spell only becomes available to a character of 30th level or greater. By casting this spell, you share some of your own magical energy with another creature, granting them strength and skill beyond their own. The target gains one level in the Warlock class. The target’s subclass is determined by you and your DMs discretion. You may cast this spell a number of times equal to the number of levels you possess beyond 30. Each additional casting may also be used to grant additional levels to a current target.
This spell ends if you dismiss it as an action. If multiple targets are affected, you may choose which you would like to end. After every sequential hour, the target loses one class level, until they have none remaining. This spell also ends if you die.
Clerics are granted their powers on an ongoing basis by their deity, and the powers can be revoked. Warlocks are taught their powers (or in some cases, instantaneously mutated in order to be able to have them) - a Patron can stop teaching a Warlock new levels, but has no in-built mechanism for taking away powers the Warlock has.
Why is this in the rules and game mechanics forum?
I was wondering how all of these super-powerful beings were able to offer their powers to lesser creatures, so I made a spell to explain it. Tell me what y'all think!
This spell only becomes available to a character of 30th level or greater. By casting this spell, you share some of your own magical energy with another creature, granting them strength and skill beyond their own. The target gains one level in the Warlock class. The target’s subclass is determined by you and your DMs discretion. You may cast this spell a number of times equal to the number of levels you possess beyond 30. Each additional casting may also be used to grant additional levels to a current target.
This spell ends if you dismiss it as an action. If multiple targets are affected, you may choose which you would like to end. After every sequential hour, the target loses one class level, until they have none remaining. This spell also ends if you die.
That's cool. If the pact was initiated by the patron then something like this might work. Some mechanics may be in operation and, with a lack of content in RAW, you can homebrew fairly freely.
Alternate options might include: Changing the base from a casting of a spell to a use of an ability. The question then might be how this ability is achieved. Lower the spell level from 10th but give the spell some prerequisite. Either have the casting time as being required for a readying of the magic or just have a shorter casting time but with attached conditions. My bible on pacts is, of course, the epic Disney film The Little Mermaid. In reality, though, warlock pacts are oddly less binding. All the same, preparation might go into preparing a pact and, once the preparation is done, agreement with the pact might be accepted with a simple signature or verbal utterance. A possible spell name might be something like pact preparation. I'm sure otherworldly power might have some standard pact packages to hand which might mean that standard type pacts might be prepared quick sharp.
It's interesting you mention "you share some of your own magical energy". The potential costs of this have crossed my mind and they might be worth looking into.
Results may depend on things like the terms of a pact contract.
warlock#SwornandBeholden A warlock is defined by a pact with an otherworldly being. Sometimes the relationship between warlock and patron is like that of a cleric and a deity, though the beings that serve as patrons for warlocks are not gods. A warlock might lead a cult dedicated to a demon prince, an archdevil, or an utterly alien entity—beings not typically served by clerics. More often, though, the arrangement is similar to that between a master and an apprentice. The warlock learns and grows in power, at the cost of occasional services performed on the patron’s behalf. ...
I was wondering how all of these super-powerful beings were able to offer their powers to lesser creatures, so I made a spell to explain it. Tell me what y'all think!
Eldritch Transfer
10th level enchantment
Casting Time: 1 hour (Ritual)
Range: Unlimited
Components: V S
Duration: Until Dispelled
Classes: Bard, Druid, Cleric, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
This spell only becomes available to a character of 30th level or greater. By casting this spell, you share some of your own magical energy with another creature, granting them strength and skill beyond their own. The target gains one level in the Warlock class. The target’s subclass is determined by you and your DMs discretion. You may cast this spell a number of times equal to the number of levels you possess beyond 30. Each additional casting may also be used to grant additional levels to a current target.
This spell ends if you dismiss it as an action. If multiple targets are affected, you may choose which you would like to end. After every sequential hour, the target loses one class level, until they have none remaining. This spell also ends if you die.
I have no personality.
Clerics are granted their powers on an ongoing basis by their deity, and the powers can be revoked. Warlocks are taught their powers (or in some cases, instantaneously mutated in order to be able to have them) - a Patron can stop teaching a Warlock new levels, but has no in-built mechanism for taking away powers the Warlock has.
Why is this in the rules and game mechanics forum?
That's cool. If the pact was initiated by the patron then something like this might work. Some mechanics may be in operation and, with a lack of content in RAW, you can homebrew fairly freely.
Alternate options might include:
Changing the base from a casting of a spell to a use of an ability. The question then might be how this ability is achieved.
Lower the spell level from 10th but give the spell some prerequisite.
Either have the casting time as being required for a readying of the magic or just have a shorter casting time but with attached conditions. My bible on pacts is, of course, the epic Disney film The Little Mermaid. In reality, though, warlock pacts are oddly less binding. All the same, preparation might go into preparing a pact and, once the preparation is done, agreement with the pact might be accepted with a simple signature or verbal utterance. A possible spell name might be something like pact preparation. I'm sure otherworldly power might have some standard pact packages to hand which might mean that standard type pacts might be prepared quick sharp.
It's interesting you mention "you share some of your own magical energy". The potential costs of this have crossed my mind and they might be worth looking into.
Results may depend on things like the terms of a pact contract.
warlock#SwornandBeholden
A warlock is defined by a pact with an otherworldly being. Sometimes the relationship between warlock and patron is like that of a cleric and a deity, though the beings that serve as patrons for warlocks are not gods. A warlock might lead a cult dedicated to a demon prince, an archdevil, or an utterly alien entity—beings not typically served by clerics. More often, though, the arrangement is similar to that between a master and an apprentice. The warlock learns and grows in power, at the cost of occasional services performed on the patron’s behalf. ...
How you run things is up to you.