A little bit of context - My players Archfey has become super powerful and is currently becoming a bit of a murder hobo. As an important aside, he is meddling in the affairs of our campaigns antagonist (Bhaal worshipper). Because of his antics, the players are looking to stop the Archfey and defeat him, thus the Archfey has broken the pact with my player (He no longer has any spells).
This is where Bhaal enters.
I would like Bhaal to offer my PC the ability to form a pact with him and return his powers for two reasons; help stop the Archfey from ruining his plans and gain another powerful agent.
As a GM, how do I handle this if the PC gives the okay? Do we change his class to Cleric of Death or is there a suitable Warlock pact? Do I homebrew a Bhaal pact? Looking for advice from other GMs here!
I don't know the lore behind Bhall (Not even their alignment) as I don't have any books with me but why couldn't they just become a pact of the celestial warlock?
PS. Sorry if this is too late or doesn't help
Edit; And even if Bhall is an evil god then you can reflavor it with dark powers
The patrons really aren't supposed to be able to take their spells away. It's your table so you can do what you want, especially if your players are on board.
For what you've described, I'd take a serious look at The Undying patron. Bhaal is the Lord of Murder. from the description of the undying, "Once mortal, the Undying has seen mortal lifetimes pass like the seasons, like the flicker of endless days and nights. It has the secrets of the ages to share, secrets of life and death." Bhaal was a mortal who ascended to godhood, died, and is now back. His powers originally came from Jergal, an ancient god of the dead.
Hexblade might be another option. maybe Bhaal gives him an ancient, sentient sacrificial dagger that grants him his pact powers. You could always just home-brew a murder pact or something based on the death cleric or grave cleric. The easy way would be to just take the undying pact and replace the spells (they seem kind of meh) with death domain's spells.
It might be worth looking into the Ravnica backgrounds and do a background change. Most of them open up access to some spells that are not ordinarily on the class list and could be used to provide great flavor, without having to resort to homebrew. Golgari agent for example, provides access to:
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
If you stick w/ RAW rules, your PC could choose between a Cleric or a Paladin (since Bhaal is a God). If not, then a Hexblade or re-flavored Fiend pact.
Personally, I'd stick w/ RAW, then offer an alternate path w/ a Devil for a Pact of the Fiend. Sort of a Evil God you know or Evil Devil you don't choice. It appears, that if the character chooses Bhaal as their deity/patron, then the other PC's will be fighting them in the future. I would not inform the PC of the possible futures.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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.
Having looked at the different pacts, I didn't feel like there was something that really gave the feeling of something murderous. If you're looking for something almighty and evil - That can be covered but a celestial of murder, death and subterfuge isn't.
Hi all,
A little bit of context - My players Archfey has become super powerful and is currently becoming a bit of a murder hobo. As an important aside, he is meddling in the affairs of our campaigns antagonist (Bhaal worshipper). Because of his antics, the players are looking to stop the Archfey and defeat him, thus the Archfey has broken the pact with my player (He no longer has any spells).
This is where Bhaal enters.
I would like Bhaal to offer my PC the ability to form a pact with him and return his powers for two reasons; help stop the Archfey from ruining his plans and gain another powerful agent.
As a GM, how do I handle this if the PC gives the okay? Do we change his class to Cleric of Death or is there a suitable Warlock pact? Do I homebrew a Bhaal pact? Looking for advice from other GMs here!
I haven't GM's 5E, but is there some reason why a very light reflavoring of the Fiend patron won't suffice?
It's certainly within the power of the patron to grant any level to the character.
I don't know the lore behind Bhall (Not even their alignment) as I don't have any books with me but why couldn't they just become a pact of the celestial warlock?
PS. Sorry if this is too late or doesn't help
Edit; And even if Bhall is an evil god then you can reflavor it with dark powers
The patrons really aren't supposed to be able to take their spells away. It's your table so you can do what you want, especially if your players are on board.
For what you've described, I'd take a serious look at The Undying patron. Bhaal is the Lord of Murder. from the description of the undying, "Once mortal, the Undying has seen mortal lifetimes pass like the seasons, like the flicker of endless days and nights. It has the secrets of the ages to share, secrets of life and death." Bhaal was a mortal who ascended to godhood, died, and is now back. His powers originally came from Jergal, an ancient god of the dead.
Hexblade might be another option. maybe Bhaal gives him an ancient, sentient sacrificial dagger that grants him his pact powers. You could always just home-brew a murder pact or something based on the death cleric or grave cleric. The easy way would be to just take the undying pact and replace the spells (they seem kind of meh) with death domain's spells.
It might be worth looking into the Ravnica backgrounds and do a background change. Most of them open up access to some spells that are not ordinarily on the class list and could be used to provide great flavor, without having to resort to homebrew. Golgari agent for example, provides access to:
while Orzhov Representative opens up access to:
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Tasha
If you stick w/ RAW rules, your PC could choose between a Cleric or a Paladin (since Bhaal is a God). If not, then a Hexblade or re-flavored Fiend pact.
Personally, I'd stick w/ RAW, then offer an alternate path w/ a Devil for a Pact of the Fiend. Sort of a Evil God you know or Evil Devil you don't choice. It appears, that if the character chooses Bhaal as their deity/patron, then the other PC's will be fighting them in the future. I would not inform the PC of the possible futures.
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.
Hey guys!
Thank you all for your feedback.
Having looked at the different pacts, I didn't feel like there was something that really gave the feeling of something murderous. If you're looking for something almighty and evil - That can be covered but a celestial of murder, death and subterfuge isn't.
With that in mind I've gone and created this homebrew: https://www.dndbeyond.com/subclasses/238276-the-murderous-celestial
This is the first time I've done any homebrewing so please let me know how balanced / unbalanced it might be.
FYI, you can get great homebrew feedback from http://rpg.stackexchange.com - the procedure is documented at https://rpg.meta.stackexchange.com/q/8121/33204
Cheers for this!