I'm at level 3 with my Warlock, and I really enjoy playing her. It's working pretty well in our party dynamic - I sort of expected her to be the crazy, reckless one, but, with a half-orc Barbarian and a Drunken Monk, she's usually third through the door, or into the pit, muttering "stupid boys..." under her breath.
Ashkara'a (but known only as Ash)
Archetype: Hexblade
Pact: Pact of the Blade
Race: Tiefling
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
Gender: Female
Background: Criminal
Cantrips: Thaumaturgy*, Eldritch Blast, Toll the Dead
In her 15th year, she resorted to taking a contract from a shady old man to kill someone who had wronged him. When she cornered her quarry, she was quaking with fear. She was about to turn and run, shattered by fear and rage at herself, when a soothing chill calmed her. Her focus cleared, her pulse slowed, and as her target tried to beg for his miserable life, she knew in her heart that he was guilty, and a terrible person. So she killed him.
And passed out. When she awoke, it was dark, misty and cold. Towers of rocks and skeletal trees faded in and out of her poor vision. A misty shadow started to form in front of her, and she was afraid anew. The man-shaped shadow spoke in her mind, in Infernal. He offered her his guidance, in return for her allegiance. To him, but moreso to her benefactor, the Raven Queen. He wanted her to kill on the Queen's behalf. Kill those that had somehow cheated death, or send her a particular soul that's in some inscrutable way interesting to her. Each miserable soul she dispatched to the Shadowfell would give the Queen more power, and she might share that power with her fledgling recruit. With another sharp chill, she collapsed, asleep. When she awoke again, there was a beautiful Katana in front of her. It's blade was dull ashy gray, and the handle was wrapped with a black, leathery material. Several days had passed, and she was far from home. She has spent the following 4 or 5 years wandering from villages to cities, staying in a town until the even the shadiest tavern would refuse to serve her. She communicates with her criminal network, especially the thin, pale Baltar, preferring to take murder contracts. Whenever she felt a slight coolness in the handle of her Katana, she was given the confidence to carry it out, feeling in her soul that the target deserved to die. Rarely, the handle would get very warm, and in her discomfort, she would call it off. Even if she needed the gold.
As years passed, a wellspring of mystical energy grew, and she could cast spells. Shadows would seek her out on occasion, and her powers and abilities would grow. Black Ravens sometimes appeared at her killsites, and she grew to seek them out. She began to call her sword ShadowReaver. She spent time with it, whispering to it, sharing her memories and nightmares. After she killed with it, the blade would darken for a while, and the handle would get a deep reddish tint. Over the handful of years she has been engaged in her blade pact, she has struggled with her mistakes and emptiness of her miserable past, and the equally lonely existence she sees before her. Her sword craves blood. Her psyche wants alcohol. Her soul, on the other hand, seeks redemption.
The blood - and the alcohol - are much closer at hand.
so, she's not quite sure if her patron is actually ShadowReaver, the Queen herself, or one of her minions. Her main criminal contact is possibly a Shadar-kai? That might be interesting...
Naturally, her weapon of choice is ShadowReaver. It's her magical, bonded pact weapon, and has now become a +1 weapon. But, after a battle with skeletons, she decided to harvest a femur from her last kill, and wrapped one end with leather. Next time she calls a pact weapon to her free hand, she will wrap shadows around the business end of it, and solidify them into the head of a Warhammer. Or maybe a javelin...
Forgot to mention... since she believes that she caused the fire that killed her mother and little brother, orphaning her, she hates fire. So, most of her spells are based on darkness, shadow, and necromancy. Eldritch Blast is more like a blast of darkforce, and Misty Step is like running into and out of a shadow.
The Buhari are one of the newer families aligned with the towers, having been invited to join based upon their talents for negotiating Pact Contracts with difficult patrons. While small in number the Buhari are almost universally bearings of two surnames and are respected as quiet, steadfast supporters of the Whitehall-Stoanes. They tend to handle private negotiations, foreign liaisons and most importantly have come to head the Pact Contractual Review Conclave.
When Lisetta was born her family had high hopes for her, an energetic if not academic, child she was a challenge for the most experienced Au Pair to keep track of. She was always pestering the Hexblades, not a bad thing in of itself, asking endless and random questions of the Tower Guard while hunting down the Parish’s stray cats and tossing them from the ramparts. All the while her parents conducted discrete rituals to arrange a suitable patron for the girl for her Debutante Ball when she turned fifteen. Lisetta however surprised everyone by forging her own pact, and a very favorable one, at the age of twelve. The patron, Volguus Zildrohar, Lord of the Sebouillia, was a bit disconcerting since the otherwise unaligned Infernal had not entered into a pact that could be found in the archives. But a pact is a pact.
The initial hopeful surprise quickly faded however as the reality of having a preteen girl, already of unruly disposition, armed with demonic powers and a questionable patron set in. Able to create distracting illusions, blow things up during tantrums and freeze peoples pets solid, trying to constructively guide the child became a herculean endeavor. Zildrohar, as unpredictable as he was rumored to be, was also known to be relentless in battle while hoarding vast amounts of arcane knowledge and the prospect of a new Hexblade or Tome Keeper with such a Patron was something that had the Conclave abuzz.
Lisetta not surprisingly was uninterested in getting a musty old book or a boring lump of a weapon. She wanted a pet, her interest in the aerodynamics or inner workings of mundane ones had begun to grow stale, and the prospect of an adorable minion from one of the lower hells had firmly taken root in her imagination. The Lord of the Sebouillia, for whatever reason, granted her desire, and on the fourteenth anniversary of her birth Lisetta was gifted with her familiar, who she promptly named Impkins. Adding a mischievous, evil and moderately intelligent minion, who could fly and turn invisible at will (while being entirely subject to Lisetta’s will) to the young girl’s arsenal quickly turned the situation from very annoying to almost intolerable. Lisetta was one of the most gifted Warlocks the family had seen in centuries, coming into her powers and abilities almost effortlessly and as such her value was almost incalculable. There was also the concern of what offense her patron might take if the Whitehall-Stoanes were to take overly harsh, but much needed, corrective actions. Yet, there was only so much disruption that could be tolerated in the Towers and that limit was fast approaching.
Relief came from an entirely unexpected source. When the High Harper, largely unwelcome in the Towers, bullied his way in, speaking of prophecy, fate the responsibilities of the Towers to the city of Avrael he was expecting his call for assistance to fall on deaf ears. He was more than surprised when the Conclave immediately agreed to lend one of their brightest young Warlocks to his fellowship, provided a modest allowance for her upkeep and immediately had her ready for departure.
Lisetta was not bothered by this at all. The Towers had begun to bore her.
This is my first warlock in 5E and I really quite like the class. I'll probably keep it near the top of my list for class choices in future games.
Level 11 currently
Otherworldy Patron: The Archfey
Pact: Pact of the Tome
Race: Half-Elf
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Gender: Female
Background: Charlatan
Cantrips: Eldritch Blast, Friends, Vicious Mockery, Message, Minor Illusion, Prestidigitation
Spells: Charm Person, Dimension Door, Dream, G.Invisibility, Hellish Rebuke, hex, Hold Monster, Hold Person, Hypnotic Pattern, Remove Curse, Dispel Magic
Invocations
level 2 - Agonizing Blast, Armor of Shadows
level 5 - Mask of Many Faces
level 7 - Repelling Blast
level 9 - Book of Ancient Secrets (Find Familiar, Comprehend Languages)
Patron: Verenestra (Archfey)
As my first warlock the premise is pretty straight forward. She didn't know who her parents are and her human foster parents took advantange of "free" labour and pretty much treated her like crap then discarded her. There's other instances of people pushing her around or taking control away from her. So when her patron came across her, she was offered the chance for power enough to take her control back.. but also to control things and people around her. So many of her spells are geared toward control (charms, holds, fear, etc) and deception (disguise self, invisibility). The Archfey lends to this well with the addition of Fey Presence and Beguiling Defenses. I also took the feat Actor.
I don't actually have a wide range of damage spells. Eldritch Blast (of course), Toll the Dead, Vicious Mockery cantrips and really just currently Hellish Rebuke and Hex for damage. Used to have Shatter but swapped out that for 5th level Dream (rp reasons).
As a result my direct damage options are simple to handle but with a well timed Hold Person/Monster or even Hypnotic Pattern can really let the rest of the party go nuts. So she's pretty reliable damage with E.B. and lots of control options both in and out of combat.
We just hit level 11 though so I'm waffling between a choice of Eyebite or True Seeing. I'll have to settle on it before the next session. True Seeing's usefulness is obvious but Eyebite is also useful in and out of combat, and also fits the theme and could become just as useful an rp tool as well.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"No boom today. Boom tomorrow. There's always a boom tomorrow" "No power in the 'verse can stop me"
I suggest True Seeing because True Sight is so cool because you ignore illusions and that is always scary for enemies when they find out they are not tricking you.
I'm currently in the process of making a warlock so I'll share what I have so far. Bit of a disclaimer though, I personally don't mess with magic classes all that often so what I'm doing may seem incredibly stupid ^^;
Anyways I make my characters at level 20 just so I know how I would level them up as I go if I bring the character to a campaign. (Of course I'm willing to be flexible with this as things may happen in a campaign that may change plans. I also go level by level so I don't over whelm myself.)
Currently, I'm at 9th level and I've made these decisions.
Race: Homebrew Neko race (If not homebrew, she'd be a variant human. Also, neko homebrew can be found on here.)
Patron: The Celestial
Pact: Pact of the Tomb
Alignment: Neutral Good
Background: Haven't looked at yet (I also don't know which one would work with the story that I've made for her)
Spells: Haven't looked at yet
Invocations:
Level 2: Armor of Shadows, Eyes of the Runekeeper
Level 5: Tomb of Ancient Secrets (Decided that the two spells she would get are ceremony and Find Familiar [Probably going to go with cat])
Level 7: Aspect of the Moon
Level 9: Trickster's Escape
The story I've made for this character is that she was for some unknown reason, not allowed to become a priest (AKA cleric class) and then a celestial took pity on her and granted her magic so she could preform wedding ceremonies and help people in need. She's a pacifist as well, so dealing damage isn't something she's a fan of. She'll allow herself to say, make it easier for allies to injure the enemy, but she doesn't want to deal damage herself. Even then though, she'd rather talk then fight. She also sort of acts like the party mother, caring for injuries and listening to their problems. All in all, she's an innocent snowflake of a character, and I love her ^.^
That's about all the info I can tell you off the top of my head so I'll just stop there. If you have any suggestions then please tell me as yet again, I don't play magic classes too often.
I took a different view of the "Pact" feature. I view it as a cursed inheritance from my characters devil father. He is learning to use his "Dark Inheritance" to help him stay one step ahead of the minions who are constantly looking for him. He wanders as an adventurer to stay ahead of them. My DM often has lesser devils show up in our adventures to keep me on the move & add the element of the hunt to our games. Our group has a lot of infrequent players which helps with the traveling theme for my character, as I'm one of the staple players of our group.
Name: Balthazar, "Brimstone"
Race: Tiefling (*)
Gender: Male Background: Urchin Archetype: Hexblade Pact: Pact of the Blade Pact Weapon: Staff of Defense (#)
Backstory: My mother took her own life shortly after my birth due to, as the midwife said bringing her ravager's evil get into the world. The midwife left me abandoned on the streets & fled in horror. I was raised on the streets of Neverwinter by a blind and deaf woman, Darla. I learned to survive & care for myself on the city streets. I soon left the streets for a small local theives guild, The Shadow Cloaks. I initially worked as a cutpurse & later as a burglar. I eventually moved to a Shadow Blade & began to eliminate threats to the guild either through persuasion, intimidation, or death. When I was 18 I was approached by my father, the devil Aekelos. He informed me of the circumstances of my creation & birth. He tormented me with tales of his seducing & ravaging my mother. He told me of his arrangements for my upbringing through his minions & delivery to Darla. He told me of the dark plans he had for me in the years ahead. Soon after the visit, I manifested my first sorcerous abilities when I was beset by a minion of one of my father's rivals. During the battle I summoned a clap of thunder & an arrow of flame. That night I gathered my meager belongings & fled Neverwinter. I became an adventurer & kept moving to avoid my father's minions, as well as his rivals. Over the years, I have expanded the knowledge of my powers & kept a step ahead of those who seek me for their nefarious purposes.
After a kidnapping attempt at the age of three Claudia was locked away from the world in her family's villa. A second break in on her 16th birthday would shatter her world. That night she awoke to three women performing a ritual over her bed. After that she was scarred, she started hearing whispers and rationalized it as being her angelic guide because they seemed to be the only answer to her prayers. One night she followed the whispers into the under chambers of her villa; there she found a black scythe. The whispers urged her to accept it, and just touch it and she would be safe.
The next day she was sent from her villa, as a ploy to stop future kidnappings. Claudia has just started her adventure. She frequently wastes a spell every morning and night on Unseen servant to serve her while setting up and breaking camp. She asks her weapon to protect her every time she summons it. The weapon instructs her in battle, currently a feature she is hiding from her party. Her patron is taking a heavy hand in fashioning her to be a weapon. She has a habit of never taking watch and while she flatters her party she thinks they are the help. She doesn't know she's fallen and thinks her patron is her angelic guide. She has yet to attempt her angelic transformation (IE Necrotic Shroud) and is in for a rude awakening when she does.
(I couldn't have done this concept as perfectly without starting at level 3 so I have to thank my DM for that)
Xukuri is the product of two peoples and yet feels as if he belongs to neither. Despite his elven heritage, he had no natural proclivity for magic; his human heritage gave him flexibility and the willingness to tread down paths most prefer to avoid. He hungers for knowledge and magic; and his hunger for magic is really about seeking magic that increases his knowledge of the multiverse. Driven by the impulse to know as much as possible, he seeks adventure and opportunity to see where they lead him and what secrets they uncover. However, he's also impatient and impulsive at times, and almost always ends up in melee combat after initially casting spells from a distance.
His own sense of being an outcast and drive for knowledge convinces him more often than not that others are trying to steal his secrets, and he's easily distracted and swayed by the lure of forbidden lore and new knowledge.
Invocations: Disguise Self, Beguiling Influence (both will change if/when she joins the party, but... she's only 15 and doesn't want to draw too much attention to herself.)
Backstory:
It all began at a cold lake in the wilderness, on a family trip to the countryside. She was in her 8th year, and that was when her whole life changed.
While she loved her mother, father, and sister, she really had never thought of much else. She loved playing, dancing, and reading. She just assumed she would grow up, and in a few years, she would probably become a teacher, maybe try to be a dancer, or bake bread like her mom. Maybe a nice boy would want to marry her. They certainly looked at her radiant hair and golden eyes, and blushed. She loved to play with her big sister, but she was spending more time with boys, which seemed like a waste of time. Her father, Rasmus, a great warrior, spent time training horses, since he lost an arm in a far-off battle. She doted on him, and tried to gather the little pearls of wisdom that he unwittingly cast about from his life in battle.
At the lake, her sister was helping Mom, and Dad was trying – and failing – to catch any fish with his net. He was complaining about not being able to use a fish pole anymore, and saying a few unsavory things as he stumbled a bit on the slippery rocks. As she played in the chilly water, she was inexplicably drawn to this one area of the water. The water was calmer, a tiny bit warmer, and somehow brighter… the bottom was sandier, with less rocks. She reached around, fingers searching for she knew not what. With a tingle, she felt metal. It felt like a sword. Holding it in her palms, she removed an ancient looking, rusty, worn sword out of the water. There was another tingle, and a buzzing in her head. Her hand moved tentatively to the shoddy handle, and gripping it, the sword gleamed and brightened, razor sharp edges glinting, as if freshly honed. Instantly, she felt full of light, and a thrumming ripple pulsed out from her, stirring the waves. Testing this miraculous illusion, she took her hand off the hilt, and the sword aged a thousand years under her gaze. Wielding it again, the sword returned to spectacular brilliance.
Her father was mystified by this discovery, and feared it's portent. His daughter Saga seemed destined to follow her father's footsteps into battle. Perhaps stranger, more mysterious encounters than he ever faced. Something about her was changing, and he feared that change. He knew he had to train her, instruct her how to fight and defend herself, and try to prepare her for her unknowable future. For several years, they trained, staying out of sight of the others in the village. She took to the training well, but it was hard for one-armed Rasmus to keep up after a while. When not training, Saga spent quite a bit of time with her sword, studying the inscriptions and fine etchings on the blade. Most notable was the hoop-topped cross, and a soaring hawk. Too much time away from the sword, and the buzzing in her head would start to ache, and distract her from all her tasks. Her mother, Signe, hated the idea of her daughter in battle, and wouldn't allow her family to talk about it.
In her 12th year, a traveler came to the village, someone Rasmus knew. He was a soldier, who had been in battle with Rasmus many times. After many discussions, it was decided that Saga should go with Stellan, and he would train her in the ways of the soldier. She fully enjoyed the weapons training, and learning the tactics and skills. But, there was something missing, a calling ignored. The noise and pain in her head grew overwhelming. Meanwhile, she found herself performing unexpected tricks and strange happenings. She could create light before she started training, but this was different. She left Stellan, and decided to seek out her fortunes alone. Her headaches subsided, and almost immediately felt at peace.
She spent the next couple of years adventuring, honing her fighting skills, and her mystical abilities as well. She came to realize that her Patron was Isis, and she craved information about her, and sought out other followers. When traveling, she was able to make herself appear older, or younger, or even pass herself off as a young man, to avoid any undue attention from anyone who had bad intentions. And, to a casual eye, her beaten scabbard with a threadbare hilt sticking out seemed like nothing to worry about.
Until her eyes glowed golden, and she unsheathed the glittering weapon.
Born to High Elf House Lykkoi, Xannis is currently eldest son and heir apparent. High Elf noble houses achieve status not just through their wealth but also the magic wielded by the family. As future leader of his house, his parents waited eagerly for him to manifest signs of sorcerous powers as generations past had done. To prepare him for his eventual role of leader, Xannis joined numerous visits to neighboring lords and states as a junior ambassador. His instructions were always the same: keep your eyes open and your mouth shut. Tell the family everything; never tell outsiders what the family knows. He was raised to be charming, not sincere. This was the first 80-90 years of his life. He reached maturity and to the dread of his family, he showed no signs of magical ability. But his mother had been making preparations just in case. One night with little instruction and no preparation, he was taken to the depths of the wood. He was to be introduced to a creature that has served his family as patron in the past when needed. He was convinced to give up so very little, as his mother put it, with so much to gain. He pledged himself to a beautiful, wild and terrible being. Now his instructions are to go out into the world and grow the power he has been given. Acquire even more power if he can.
Hosted a battle between the Cult of Sedge and the Forum Countershere(Done now). I_Love_Tarrasques has won the fight, scoring a victory for the fiendish Moderators.
Agonizing Blast, Mask of Many Faces, (5th) Book of Ancient Secrets
Feats: Actor
Kiaron basically mistook Fierna for a fellow teifling and attempted to romance her. She played along, with the end result being him becoming a warlock. Given that her game lore suggests that she likes to play with mortals from time to time, its been amusing thus far.
Thanks so much to everyone who has shared their amazing characters. I personally love how big this thread has grown.
I just want to pose a question to everyone: What inspires you to create warlocks and what do you see being great options for being a warlock?
Simplified: What makes a warlock?
I have found that everything is so open, but I would like to get an idea at what everyone thinks defines warlocks for you. Please let me know and what you think about other's ideas.
Wizard: Yes. I cast the Wish spell and I wish that everybody loves me!
DM: You transform into an irresistible, magnificent feast. It was so great, all who participated in devouring you tell of the joy they felt with tears in their eyes and all who hear the tale only feel sorrow that they weren't there to eat.
Thanks so much to everyone who has shared their amazing characters. I personally love how big this thread has grown.
I just want to pose a question to everyone: What inspires you to create warlocks and what do you see being great options for being a warlock?
Simplified: What makes a warlock?
I have found that everything is so open, but I would like to get an idea at what everyone thinks defines warlocks for you. Please let me know and what you think about other's ideas.
For me, it was partially about the patron. Fierna and her father are both Dukes of the same layer of Hell, and she is known to enjoy playing with the hearts of mortals. I was amused by the idea of a sweet talking rogue biting off more than they expected and being 'gifted' a spark of her power after trying to romance her. I'm sort of looking forward to her usual lover finding out and showing up in a fit of jealousy.
Patron: Archfey - "Queen of Witches" Nicnevin from the Tome of the Beasts (Kobold Press)
Kidnapped to be sold into slavery as a child, saved by Nicnevin who became her patron
Friendly, thinks Druids are the bee's knees and doesn't identify specifically as a warlock
Lives in a major city scrounging food and information to provide to criminals in exchange for a place to sleep in back of warehouse
Very heavy RP as fun-loving, likes to eat and share. Surprised by niceties like beds, warm food and clothes that aren't torn.
Catch phrase, "Who's all thumbs and smiles? this girl!"
Played as an illusionist who uses minor illusion and silent image (misty visions) to entertain herself when alone. Tactically, uses illusions to block line of sight and protect other party members. Hex + Eldritch Blast for damage.
Likes to eat bread. Shares bread with others to determine their intentions.
Okay - so first time poster... First time Warlock too!
I haven't actually played this dude yet, but I expect it to be a lot of fun. Especially being a Drow with the ability to Disguise Self at will. I've set him up to have inherited a debt from his mentor (to the Zhentarim) and his patron is at yet unknown. His background as urban bounty hunter is handy, but automatically puts him ill at ease in the wilderness.
In combat, I'm hoping to lean on two things - His ability to levitate and use a longbow as his Hex/Pact weapon - especially in concert with Branding Smite (and later Eldritch Smite) At 5th I could take Thirsting Blade and get two attacks this way. Or if I'm diving in sword and board I'd use Shadow Blade (in lieu of banishing my pact bow for a new weapon) and Mirror Image/Armour of Agathys to give me a few extra rounds of damage-free concentration. Since he only needs 4hrs rest to regain his pact slots, and since he's disadvantaged at night-time, I'm hoping he can rest while the party travels (under a blanket or tarp) and watch at night. With a bit of cross-over indoors of course. I'm sure I'll have fun pleading his case though...
Quick question though - once the Shadow Blade is cast, it "counts as a simple melee weapon that you are proficient in" - could it then be used in concert with Green Flame Blade or Booming Blade or other spells that piggy back on a melee attack? If so, then at 5th lvl the Shadow Blade + Green Flame would do 3d8 Necrotic, plus 1d8 fire damage, plus 2d8+CHA to a nearby 2nd opponent? Correct?
Name: Murk Galanodel
Archetype: Hex-blade - lvl 4
Pact: Pact of the Blade (Create Pact Weapon, Improved Pact Weapon)
Race: Drow - Dancing Lights, Superior Dark Vision, Resist Charm & Sleep, Dancing Lights, Faerie Fire (+Darkness at 5th)
lv 2 - Mask of Many Faces, Improved Pact Weapon (Thirsting Blade next)
Patron: Some shadowy thing as yet unknown to me...
Traits: I'd rather make a friend than an enemy. I like to have a plan for when things go wrong. If there is a plan, I'll forget it, or ignore it. I am fascinated by the quaint behaviours of surface-dwellers. Everyone is so kind and trusting in the daylight.
Urban Bounty Hunter - Ear to the Ground
You are in frequent contact with people in the segment of society that your chosen quarries move through. These people might be associated with the criminal underworld, the rough-and-tumble folk of the streets, or members of high society. This connection comes in the form of a contact in any city you visit, a person who provides information about the people and places of the local area.
Appearance: Murk in his natural state has the white hair and dark skin of the Drow but is rarely seen in this form. His Eldritch ability Mask of Many Faces allows him to Disguise Self at will and he is always making major or minor adjustments to his appearance so as not to be recognized or recalled by any witnesses. The only distinguishing feature that remains unchanged in any form is his left eye. The constant reminder of his Hex-Blade pact with an unknown entity from the Shadowfell, Murk's left eye is as black as obsidian. To hide this he utilizes a collection of glasses, spectacles, monocles, eye-patches, hoods, scarves and masks.
"I used to make a simple living finding people who don't want to be found, usually without them knowing it was me that found them. The pay was good in this line of work. People that want people found have resources aplenty. Not so much with adventuring I've discovered, especially when most is ear-marked for the Zhentarim. And I can do without all this travel."
"My mentor, Peren Phiarlan of the House of Shadow, was more than a master spy, he was a gambler, an entertainer, an infiltrator, a collector of fine things, a charlatan, an imposter, and a drunk. He taught me when to stand out and when to disappear. He taught how to become someone else and how to become no one. He showed me how to find someone and how to be found. He taught me how to gamble, drink, and enjoy the finer things. But mostly he taught me that he was not be trusted when he was drinking.... While transporting a trilogy of elven histories from a noble's library to the House of Knowledge in Neverwinter, Peren drunkenly faked being robbed in order to sell the books to an underground dealer. However, the noble book donor belonged to the Zhentarim, as did the underground dealer. Peren was captured by Zhentarim agents and locked away only Ohgma knows where. As recompense, and being his only apprentice, I am now tasked with working off this debt owed for Peren's crossing of the Black Network. I know not how much I owe them, and I'm not a big fan of following orders, especially those from a large criminal organization, so I'd rather pay it off as quickly as I can and get on with my life..."
"Upon his capture, Peren slipped me a note that is written in a language that I do not recognize. Perhaps it holds some kind of key to his captivity, or some information that I can exchange for my freedom, but so far no one that I trust has been able to decipher it." - Murk
I want to start by saying that I haven't read all of the responses yet but they are all really cool. I think the warlock class gives a lot of great role play ideas. I have created and am playing one warlock so far and I'm learning the ropes.
Name: Shere Khan
Archetype: The Fiend
Pact: Pact of the Chain
Race: Tabaxi
Alignment: kind of iffy...
Background: Far Traveller
Patron: The Cat God
So basically trying to go Shere Khan from The Jungle Book. In this telling, Shere is a Bengal Tiger Tabaxi whose entire tribe was wiped out by human settlers in an expansive jungle. Hunting down most of the culprits was easy but the leader proved to be very cunning. At wits end, Shere struck a pact with the Cat God who, in this case, is very vengeful. The Cat God manifested itself as The Fiend as fire is the bane of human civilization. Pact of the Chain so Shere gets a familiar, swapping out one of the choices for a constrictor snake (Kaa). I'm not entirely happy with how he has played out for me as far as invocations or what not but one thing I liked with the build is that strength is not a total dump stat, reflecting the tiger's powerful build. He also uses the Chultan Yklwa. His main focus is in dominating or commanding people, using his familiar to aid in his cause. He has turned vengeful and while not evil, he definitely has a distaste for humans and may or may not want to actually eat the champion that destroyed his tribe.
So wait the Cat God is a Fiend? I would say it would sooner be a Hexblade Patron who gifts magical weapons or a Celestial or Archfey or even a Great Old One, but Fiend is the last one I thought of. (Except Undying, I never consider the Undying)
I'm brand new to dnd lore but i figured a GOD can manifest itself anyway it pleases. The Fiend has access to fire based spells and in the theme of the jungle book/near medieval times, fire was a huge threat to human settlements so this cat god empowered one of its own with fire to threaten those that poached its own kind. "Fiend" is just a name as far as I am concerned and don't see why a god could not impose those gifts upon its thrall.
I'm at level 3 with my Warlock, and I really enjoy playing her. It's working pretty well in our party dynamic - I sort of expected her to be the crazy, reckless one, but, with a half-orc Barbarian and a Drunken Monk, she's usually third through the door, or into the pit, muttering "stupid boys..." under her breath.
Ashkara'a (but known only as Ash)
Patron: the Raven Queen?
In her 15th year, she resorted to taking a contract from a shady old man to kill someone who had wronged him. When she cornered her quarry, she was quaking with fear. She was about to turn and run, shattered by fear and rage at herself, when a soothing chill calmed her. Her focus cleared, her pulse slowed, and as her target tried to beg for his miserable life, she knew in her heart that he was guilty, and a terrible person. So she killed him.
And passed out. When she awoke, it was dark, misty and cold. Towers of rocks and skeletal trees faded in and out of her poor vision. A misty shadow started to form in front of her, and she was afraid anew. The man-shaped shadow spoke in her mind, in Infernal. He offered her his guidance, in return for her allegiance. To him, but moreso to her benefactor, the Raven Queen. He wanted her to kill on the Queen's behalf. Kill those that had somehow cheated death, or send her a particular soul that's in some inscrutable way interesting to her. Each miserable soul she dispatched to the Shadowfell would give the Queen more power, and she might share that power with her fledgling recruit. With another sharp chill, she collapsed, asleep. When she awoke again, there was a beautiful Katana in front of her. It's blade was dull ashy gray, and the handle was wrapped with a black, leathery material. Several days had passed, and she was far from home. She has spent the following 4 or 5 years wandering from villages to cities, staying in a town until the even the shadiest tavern would refuse to serve her. She communicates with her criminal network, especially the thin, pale Baltar, preferring to take murder contracts. Whenever she felt a slight coolness in the handle of her Katana, she was given the confidence to carry it out, feeling in her soul that the target deserved to die. Rarely, the handle would get very warm, and in her discomfort, she would call it off. Even if she needed the gold.
As years passed, a wellspring of mystical energy grew, and she could cast spells. Shadows would seek her out on occasion, and her powers and abilities would grow. Black Ravens sometimes appeared at her killsites, and she grew to seek them out. She began to call her sword ShadowReaver. She spent time with it, whispering to it, sharing her memories and nightmares. After she killed with it, the blade would darken for a while, and the handle would get a deep reddish tint. Over the handful of years she has been engaged in her blade pact, she has struggled with her mistakes and emptiness of her miserable past, and the equally lonely existence she sees before her. Her sword craves blood. Her psyche wants alcohol. Her soul, on the other hand, seeks redemption.
The blood - and the alcohol - are much closer at hand.
so, she's not quite sure if her patron is actually ShadowReaver, the Queen herself, or one of her minions. Her main criminal contact is possibly a Shadar-kai? That might be interesting...
Naturally, her weapon of choice is ShadowReaver. It's her magical, bonded pact weapon, and has now become a +1 weapon. But, after a battle with skeletons, she decided to harvest a femur from her last kill, and wrapped one end with leather. Next time she calls a pact weapon to her free hand, she will wrap shadows around the business end of it, and solidify them into the head of a Warhammer. Or maybe a javelin...
Forgot to mention... since she believes that she caused the fire that killed her mother and little brother, orphaning her, she hates fire. So, most of her spells are based on darkness, shadow, and necromancy. Eldritch Blast is more like a blast of darkforce, and Misty Step is like running into and out of a shadow.
https://ddb.ac/characters/1638328/UWnQsk
The Buhari are one of the newer families aligned with the towers, having been invited to join based upon their talents for negotiating Pact Contracts with difficult patrons. While small in number the Buhari are almost universally bearings of two surnames and are respected as quiet, steadfast supporters of the Whitehall-Stoanes. They tend to handle private negotiations, foreign liaisons and most importantly have come to head the Pact Contractual Review Conclave.
When Lisetta was born her family had high hopes for her, an energetic if not academic, child she was a challenge for the most experienced Au Pair to keep track of. She was always pestering the Hexblades, not a bad thing in of itself, asking endless and random questions of the Tower Guard while hunting down the Parish’s stray cats and tossing them from the ramparts. All the while her parents conducted discrete rituals to arrange a suitable patron for the girl for her Debutante Ball when she turned fifteen. Lisetta however surprised everyone by forging her own pact, and a very favorable one, at the age of twelve. The patron, Volguus Zildrohar, Lord of the Sebouillia, was a bit disconcerting since the otherwise unaligned Infernal had not entered into a pact that could be found in the archives. But a pact is a pact.
The initial hopeful surprise quickly faded however as the reality of having a preteen girl, already of unruly disposition, armed with demonic powers and a questionable patron set in. Able to create distracting illusions, blow things up during tantrums and freeze peoples pets solid, trying to constructively guide the child became a herculean endeavor. Zildrohar, as unpredictable as he was rumored to be, was also known to be relentless in battle while hoarding vast amounts of arcane knowledge and the prospect of a new Hexblade or Tome Keeper with such a Patron was something that had the Conclave abuzz.
Lisetta not surprisingly was uninterested in getting a musty old book or a boring lump of a weapon. She wanted a pet, her interest in the aerodynamics or inner workings of mundane ones had begun to grow stale, and the prospect of an adorable minion from one of the lower hells had firmly taken root in her imagination. The Lord of the Sebouillia, for whatever reason, granted her desire, and on the fourteenth anniversary of her birth Lisetta was gifted with her familiar, who she promptly named Impkins. Adding a mischievous, evil and moderately intelligent minion, who could fly and turn invisible at will (while being entirely subject to Lisetta’s will) to the young girl’s arsenal quickly turned the situation from very annoying to almost intolerable. Lisetta was one of the most gifted Warlocks the family had seen in centuries, coming into her powers and abilities almost effortlessly and as such her value was almost incalculable. There was also the concern of what offense her patron might take if the Whitehall-Stoanes were to take overly harsh, but much needed, corrective actions. Yet, there was only so much disruption that could be tolerated in the Towers and that limit was fast approaching.
Relief came from an entirely unexpected source. When the High Harper, largely unwelcome in the Towers, bullied his way in, speaking of prophecy, fate the responsibilities of the Towers to the city of Avrael he was expecting his call for assistance to fall on deaf ears. He was more than surprised when the Conclave immediately agreed to lend one of their brightest young Warlocks to his fellowship, provided a modest allowance for her upkeep and immediately had her ready for departure.
Lisetta was not bothered by this at all. The Towers had begun to bore her.
Abide.
This is my first warlock in 5E and I really quite like the class. I'll probably keep it near the top of my list for class choices in future games.
As my first warlock the premise is pretty straight forward. She didn't know who her parents are and her human foster parents took advantange of "free" labour and pretty much treated her like crap then discarded her. There's other instances of people pushing her around or taking control away from her. So when her patron came across her, she was offered the chance for power enough to take her control back.. but also to control things and people around her. So many of her spells are geared toward control (charms, holds, fear, etc) and deception (disguise self, invisibility). The Archfey lends to this well with the addition of Fey Presence and Beguiling Defenses. I also took the feat Actor.
I don't actually have a wide range of damage spells. Eldritch Blast (of course), Toll the Dead, Vicious Mockery cantrips and really just currently Hellish Rebuke and Hex for damage. Used to have Shatter but swapped out that for 5th level Dream (rp reasons).
As a result my direct damage options are simple to handle but with a well timed Hold Person/Monster or even Hypnotic Pattern can really let the rest of the party go nuts. So she's pretty reliable damage with E.B. and lots of control options both in and out of combat.
We just hit level 11 though so I'm waffling between a choice of Eyebite or True Seeing. I'll have to settle on it before the next session. True Seeing's usefulness is obvious but Eyebite is also useful in and out of combat, and also fits the theme and could become just as useful an rp tool as well.
"No boom today. Boom tomorrow. There's always a boom tomorrow"
"No power in the 'verse can stop me"
I suggest True Seeing because True Sight is so cool because you ignore illusions and that is always scary for enemies when they find out they are not tricking you.
I'm currently in the process of making a warlock so I'll share what I have so far. Bit of a disclaimer though, I personally don't mess with magic classes all that often so what I'm doing may seem incredibly stupid ^^;
Anyways I make my characters at level 20 just so I know how I would level them up as I go if I bring the character to a campaign. (Of course I'm willing to be flexible with this as things may happen in a campaign that may change plans. I also go level by level so I don't over whelm myself.)
Currently, I'm at 9th level and I've made these decisions.
The story I've made for this character is that she was for some unknown reason, not allowed to become a priest (AKA cleric class) and then a celestial took pity on her and granted her magic so she could preform wedding ceremonies and help people in need. She's a pacifist as well, so dealing damage isn't something she's a fan of. She'll allow herself to say, make it easier for allies to injure the enemy, but she doesn't want to deal damage herself. Even then though, she'd rather talk then fight. She also sort of acts like the party mother, caring for injuries and listening to their problems. All in all, she's an innocent snowflake of a character, and I love her ^.^
That's about all the info I can tell you off the top of my head so I'll just stop there. If you have any suggestions then please tell me as yet again, I don't play magic classes too often.
I took a different view of the "Pact" feature. I view it as a cursed inheritance from my characters devil father. He is learning to use his "Dark Inheritance" to help him stay one step ahead of the minions who are constantly looking for him. He wanders as an adventurer to stay ahead of them. My DM often has lesser devils show up in our adventures to keep me on the move & add the element of the hunt to our games. Our group has a lot of infrequent players which helps with the traveling theme for my character, as I'm one of the staple players of our group.
Name: Balthazar, "Brimstone"
Race: Tiefling (*)
Gender: Male
Background: Urchin
Archetype: Hexblade
Pact: Pact of the Blade
Pact Weapon: Staff of Defense (#)
Spells:
Cantrips: Eldritch Blast, Prestigitation, Thaumaturgy*, Thunder Clap
1st Level: Arms of Hadar, Hellish Rebuke*, Hex, Mage Armor#, Shield#
2nd Level: Darkness*, Shatter
3rd Level: Gaseus Form, Hunger of Hadar, Vampiric Touch
Invocations:
Level 2 - Agonizing Blast, Improved Pact Weapon
Level 5 - Thirsting Blade
Backstory:
My mother took her own life shortly after my birth due to, as the midwife said bringing her ravager's evil get into the world. The midwife left me abandoned on the streets & fled in horror. I was raised on the streets of Neverwinter by a blind and deaf woman, Darla. I learned to survive & care for myself on the city streets. I soon left the streets for a small local theives guild, The Shadow Cloaks. I initially worked as a cutpurse & later as a burglar. I eventually moved to a Shadow Blade & began to eliminate threats to the guild either through persuasion, intimidation, or death. When I was 18 I was approached by my father, the devil Aekelos. He informed me of the circumstances of my creation & birth. He tormented me with tales of his seducing & ravaging my mother. He told me of his arrangements for my upbringing through his minions & delivery to Darla. He told me of the dark plans he had for me in the years ahead. Soon after the visit, I manifested my first sorcerous abilities when I was beset by a minion of one of my father's rivals. During the battle I summoned a clap of thunder & an arrow of flame. That night I gathered my meager belongings & fled Neverwinter. I became an adventurer & kept moving to avoid my father's minions, as well as his rivals. Over the years, I have expanded the knowledge of my powers & kept a step ahead of those who seek me for their nefarious purposes.
Wraith, warlock lvl 2 - Eternal War Campaign
Talon, warlock lvl 2 - LMOP
Name: Claudia Thann
Background: Waterdahvian Noble
Race Fallen Aasimar
Subclass Hexblade Pact of the Blade
Str 9, Dex 15, Con 14, Int 8 Wis 8 Cha 19 (The rolls love and hate me)
Spells, Shield Charm Person, Unseen Servant, Shatter
Invocations Armor of Shadows, Pact of the Blade
After a kidnapping attempt at the age of three Claudia was locked away from the world in her family's villa. A second break in on her 16th birthday would shatter her world. That night she awoke to three women performing a ritual over her bed. After that she was scarred, she started hearing whispers and rationalized it as being her angelic guide because they seemed to be the only answer to her prayers. One night she followed the whispers into the under chambers of her villa; there she found a black scythe. The whispers urged her to accept it, and just touch it and she would be safe.
The next day she was sent from her villa, as a ploy to stop future kidnappings. Claudia has just started her adventure. She frequently wastes a spell every morning and night on Unseen servant to serve her while setting up and breaking camp. She asks her weapon to protect her every time she summons it. The weapon instructs her in battle, currently a feature she is hiding from her party. Her patron is taking a heavy hand in fashioning her to be a weapon. She has a habit of never taking watch and while she flatters her party she thinks they are the help. She doesn't know she's fallen and thinks her patron is her angelic guide. She has yet to attempt her angelic transformation (IE Necrotic Shroud) and is in for a rude awakening when she does.
(I couldn't have done this concept as perfectly without starting at level 3 so I have to thank my DM for that)
Name: Xukuri Harrowhand
Race: Half Elf
Level: 5
Gender: Male
Background: Sage
Patron: Hexblade
Pact: Pact of the Blade
Pact Weapon: Two-handed sword
Spells:
Cantrips: Eldritch Blast, Blade Ward, Ray of Frost, Toll the Dead
1st Level: Hellish Rebuke, Hex, Branding Smite
2nd Level: Shatter
3rd Level: Counterspell
Invocations:
Level 2 - Agonizing Blast, Improved Pact Weapon
Level 5 - Thirsting Blade
Feats: Spell Sniper
Xukuri is the product of two peoples and yet feels as if he belongs to neither. Despite his elven heritage, he had no natural proclivity for magic; his human heritage gave him flexibility and the willingness to tread down paths most prefer to avoid. He hungers for knowledge and magic; and his hunger for magic is really about seeking magic that increases his knowledge of the multiverse. Driven by the impulse to know as much as possible, he seeks adventure and opportunity to see where they lead him and what secrets they uncover. However, he's also impatient and impulsive at times, and almost always ends up in melee combat after initially casting spells from a distance.
His own sense of being an outcast and drive for knowledge convinces him more often than not that others are trying to steal his secrets, and he's easily distracted and swayed by the lure of forbidden lore and new knowledge.
Built this one as a possible replacement for Ash, listed above ^.
I was inspired by the recent story of a Swedish girl finding a sword in a lake. Seems like maybe a pact was involved...?
Saga Vanecek
Race: Protector Aasimar
Level: 4 - Fighter2 / Warlock 2
Gender: Female
Background: Soldier
Patron: Isis
Pact: Pact of the Blade (coming soon...)
Pact Weapon: Shortsword
Spells:
Cantrips: Eldritch Blast, Booming Blade, Light (racial), Sacred Flame (racial)
1st Level: Guiding Bolt, Expeditious Retreat, Protection from Good & Evil
Invocations:
Disguise Self, Beguiling Influence (both will change if/when she joins the party, but... she's only 15 and doesn't want to draw too much attention to herself.)
Backstory:
It all began at a cold lake in the wilderness, on a family trip to the countryside. She was in her 8th year, and that was when her whole life changed.
While she loved her mother, father, and sister, she really had never thought of much else. She loved playing, dancing, and reading. She just assumed she would grow up, and in a few years, she would probably become a teacher, maybe try to be a dancer, or bake bread like her mom. Maybe a nice boy would want to marry her. They certainly looked at her radiant hair and golden eyes, and blushed. She loved to play with her big sister, but she was spending more time with boys, which seemed like a waste of time. Her father, Rasmus, a great warrior, spent time training horses, since he lost an arm in a far-off battle. She doted on him, and tried to gather the little pearls of wisdom that he unwittingly cast about from his life in battle.
At the lake, her sister was helping Mom, and Dad was trying – and failing – to catch any fish with his net. He was complaining about not being able to use a fish pole anymore, and saying a few unsavory things as he stumbled a bit on the slippery rocks. As she played in the chilly water, she was inexplicably drawn to this one area of the water. The water was calmer, a tiny bit warmer, and somehow brighter… the bottom was sandier, with less rocks. She reached around, fingers searching for she knew not what. With a tingle, she felt metal. It felt like a sword. Holding it in her palms, she removed an ancient looking, rusty, worn sword out of the water. There was another tingle, and a buzzing in her head. Her hand moved tentatively to the shoddy handle, and gripping it, the sword gleamed and brightened, razor sharp edges glinting, as if freshly honed. Instantly, she felt full of light, and a thrumming ripple pulsed out from her, stirring the waves. Testing this miraculous illusion, she took her hand off the hilt, and the sword aged a thousand years under her gaze. Wielding it again, the sword returned to spectacular brilliance.
Her father was mystified by this discovery, and feared it's portent. His daughter Saga seemed destined to follow her father's footsteps into battle. Perhaps stranger, more mysterious encounters than he ever faced. Something about her was changing, and he feared that change. He knew he had to train her, instruct her how to fight and defend herself, and try to prepare her for her unknowable future. For several years, they trained, staying out of sight of the others in the village. She took to the training well, but it was hard for one-armed Rasmus to keep up after a while. When not training, Saga spent quite a bit of time with her sword, studying the inscriptions and fine etchings on the blade. Most notable was the hoop-topped cross, and a soaring hawk. Too much time away from the sword, and the buzzing in her head would start to ache, and distract her from all her tasks. Her mother, Signe, hated the idea of her daughter in battle, and wouldn't allow her family to talk about it.
In her 12th year, a traveler came to the village, someone Rasmus knew. He was a soldier, who had been in battle with Rasmus many times. After many discussions, it was decided that Saga should go with Stellan, and he would train her in the ways of the soldier. She fully enjoyed the weapons training, and learning the tactics and skills. But, there was something missing, a calling ignored. The noise and pain in her head grew overwhelming. Meanwhile, she found herself performing unexpected tricks and strange happenings. She could create light before she started training, but this was different. She left Stellan, and decided to seek out her fortunes alone. Her headaches subsided, and almost immediately felt at peace.
She spent the next couple of years adventuring, honing her fighting skills, and her mystical abilities as well. She came to realize that her Patron was Isis, and she craved information about her, and sought out other followers. When traveling, she was able to make herself appear older, or younger, or even pass herself off as a young man, to avoid any undue attention from anyone who had bad intentions. And, to a casual eye, her beaten scabbard with a threadbare hilt sticking out seemed like nothing to worry about.
Until her eyes glowed golden, and she unsheathed the glittering weapon.
https://ddb.ac/characters/5975650/zhuQvY
Born to High Elf House Lykkoi, Xannis is currently eldest son and heir apparent. High Elf noble houses achieve status not just through their wealth but also the magic wielded by the family. As future leader of his house, his parents waited eagerly for him to manifest signs of sorcerous powers as generations past had done. To prepare him for his eventual role of leader, Xannis joined numerous visits to neighboring lords and states as a junior ambassador. His instructions were always the same: keep your eyes open and your mouth shut. Tell the family everything; never tell outsiders what the family knows. He was raised to be charming, not sincere. This was the first 80-90 years of his life. He reached maturity and to the dread of his family, he showed no signs of magical ability. But his mother had been making preparations just in case. One night with little instruction and no preparation, he was taken to the depths of the wood. He was to be introduced to a creature that has served his family as patron in the past when needed. He was convinced to give up so very little, as his mother put it, with so much to gain. He pledged himself to a beautiful, wild and terrible being. Now his instructions are to go out into the world and grow the power he has been given. Acquire even more power if he can.
This was for a one-shot, but I'll just put it here.
Amnest Inali.
Drow Warlock
Celestial Patron lvl 1
Hex, Guiding Bolt. Eldritch Blast, Minor Illusion.
Entertainer Backround.
Had some fun making her, but didn't really expand on her backstory as the one-shot was really short.
Subclass Evaluations So Far:
Sorcerer
Warlock
My statblock. Fear me!
Hosted a battle between the Cult of Sedge and the Forum Counters here(Done now). I_Love_Tarrasques has won the fight, scoring a victory for the fiendish Moderators.
Kiaron: presently level 6 Warlock
Race: Tiefling
Patron: Fierna, one of the Lords of Hell
Pact of the Tome
Charlatan / Con-Man Background (Deception, Persuasion)
Agonizing Blast, Mask of Many Faces, (5th) Book of Ancient Secrets
Feats: Actor
Kiaron basically mistook Fierna for a fellow teifling and attempted to romance her. She played along, with the end result being him becoming a warlock. Given that her game lore suggests that she likes to play with mortals from time to time, its been amusing thus far.
Fierna is the best Duchess of Hell
Thanks so much to everyone who has shared their amazing characters. I personally love how big this thread has grown.
I just want to pose a question to everyone: What inspires you to create warlocks and what do you see being great options for being a warlock?
Simplified: What makes a warlock?
I have found that everything is so open, but I would like to get an idea at what everyone thinks defines warlocks for you. Please let me know and what you think about other's ideas.
Name: Ignatius Tepid Idle
They were kept locked in a basement/dungeon and cared for. One by one they were taken and never seen again.
Link: https://ddb .ac/characters/2965589/38nh3mha! just realized notes can't be shared. What a dope!!DM: Are you sure?
Wizard: Yes. I cast the Wish spell and I wish that everybody loves me!
DM: You transform into an irresistible, magnificent feast. It was so great, all who participated in devouring you tell of the joy they felt with tears in their eyes and all who hear the tale only feel sorrow that they weren't there to eat.
For me, it was partially about the patron. Fierna and her father are both Dukes of the same layer of Hell, and she is known to enjoy playing with the hearts of mortals. I was amused by the idea of a sweet talking rogue biting off more than they expected and being 'gifted' a spark of her power after trying to romance her. I'm sort of looking forward to her usual lover finding out and showing up in a fit of jealousy.
Fierna is the best Duchess of Hell
Name: Sycorax ("Hope" is her Virtue name)
Okay - so first time poster... First time Warlock too!
I haven't actually played this dude yet, but I expect it to be a lot of fun. Especially being a Drow with the ability to Disguise Self at will. I've set him up to have inherited a debt from his mentor (to the Zhentarim) and his patron is at yet unknown. His background as urban bounty hunter is handy, but automatically puts him ill at ease in the wilderness.
In combat, I'm hoping to lean on two things - His ability to levitate and use a longbow as his Hex/Pact weapon - especially in concert with Branding Smite (and later Eldritch Smite) At 5th I could take Thirsting Blade and get two attacks this way. Or if I'm diving in sword and board I'd use Shadow Blade (in lieu of banishing my pact bow for a new weapon) and Mirror Image/Armour of Agathys to give me a few extra rounds of damage-free concentration. Since he only needs 4hrs rest to regain his pact slots, and since he's disadvantaged at night-time, I'm hoping he can rest while the party travels (under a blanket or tarp) and watch at night. With a bit of cross-over indoors of course. I'm sure I'll have fun pleading his case though...
Quick question though - once the Shadow Blade is cast, it "counts as a simple melee weapon that you are proficient in" - could it then be used in concert with Green Flame Blade or Booming Blade or other spells that piggy back on a melee attack? If so, then at 5th lvl the Shadow Blade + Green Flame would do 3d8 Necrotic, plus 1d8 fire damage, plus 2d8+CHA to a nearby 2nd opponent? Correct?
Name: Murk Galanodel
Urban Bounty Hunter - Ear to the Ground
You are in frequent contact with people in the segment of society that your chosen quarries move through. These people might be associated with the criminal underworld, the rough-and-tumble folk of the streets, or members of high society. This connection comes in the form of a contact in any city you visit, a person who provides information about the people and places of the local area.
"I used to make a simple living finding people who don't want to be found, usually without them knowing it was me that found them. The pay was good in this line of work. People that want people found have resources aplenty. Not so much with adventuring I've discovered, especially when most is ear-marked for the Zhentarim. And I can do without all this travel."
I want to start by saying that I haven't read all of the responses yet but they are all really cool. I think the warlock class gives a lot of great role play ideas. I have created and am playing one warlock so far and I'm learning the ropes.
So basically trying to go Shere Khan from The Jungle Book. In this telling, Shere is a Bengal Tiger Tabaxi whose entire tribe was wiped out by human settlers in an expansive jungle. Hunting down most of the culprits was easy but the leader proved to be very cunning. At wits end, Shere struck a pact with the Cat God who, in this case, is very vengeful. The Cat God manifested itself as The Fiend as fire is the bane of human civilization. Pact of the Chain so Shere gets a familiar, swapping out one of the choices for a constrictor snake (Kaa). I'm not entirely happy with how he has played out for me as far as invocations or what not but one thing I liked with the build is that strength is not a total dump stat, reflecting the tiger's powerful build. He also uses the Chultan Yklwa. His main focus is in dominating or commanding people, using his familiar to aid in his cause. He has turned vengeful and while not evil, he definitely has a distaste for humans and may or may not want to actually eat the champion that destroyed his tribe.
Dril-lvl 4 Wizard-Forest Gnome-The Bounders https://www.dndbeyond.com/profile/HumbleHubris86/characters/3314145
Croak- lvl 3 Fighter- Half-Orc- The Wizard's Challenge https://www.dndbeyond.com/profile/HumbleHubris86/characters/3773609
Barbara: lvl 3 Ancestral Barbarian- Red Skies Mourning https://www.dndbeyond.com/profile/HumbleHubris86/characters/4593374
So wait the Cat God is a Fiend? I would say it would sooner be a Hexblade Patron who gifts magical weapons or a Celestial or Archfey or even a Great Old One, but Fiend is the last one I thought of. (Except Undying, I never consider the Undying)
I'm brand new to dnd lore but i figured a GOD can manifest itself anyway it pleases. The Fiend has access to fire based spells and in the theme of the jungle book/near medieval times, fire was a huge threat to human settlements so this cat god empowered one of its own with fire to threaten those that poached its own kind. "Fiend" is just a name as far as I am concerned and don't see why a god could not impose those gifts upon its thrall.
Dril-lvl 4 Wizard-Forest Gnome-The Bounders https://www.dndbeyond.com/profile/HumbleHubris86/characters/3314145
Croak- lvl 3 Fighter- Half-Orc- The Wizard's Challenge https://www.dndbeyond.com/profile/HumbleHubris86/characters/3773609
Barbara: lvl 3 Ancestral Barbarian- Red Skies Mourning https://www.dndbeyond.com/profile/HumbleHubris86/characters/4593374