I was planning on playing a Warlock and decided that due to there naturally high charisma I’d make a Cult Leader who acts a bit like a Conman, but it’s lead me to a question, What kind of Patron could be the Patron of this cult? I originally planned to use Orcus or try and find out how a Beholder might work as a patron, but neither of those seem appealing enough for the common folks on the street to want to join a cult that worships them. Any suggestions?
If you have a comedic vibe at the table, you could try going for Hexblade.
Have this crazy cult worshipping this random sword, and only following the warlock cos he wields it. Little do they realise you got rid of the original sword ages ago cos you found a better sword.
This seems to be classic GOOLock territory. A weird, ancient being of incredible powers with an unknown promise of.. Salvation? Redemption? The reforging of the world? Because the old one has no known definitive beliefs, cultists can imagine whatever they want him to be. The power of a cult is partly in its leader, sure, but partly in the gullibility of its believers and their inability to think critically. They want to believe in *something*, and the leader supplies it. The pact type then becomes RP flavor. Want to appear smarter? Tome. Have a cool creature assist you? Chain. Some flaming weapon to project power? Blade. Charisma based classes are natural for this and having legitimate powers granted from some being beyond comprehension would be my thoughts.
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May the gentle moonlinght guide you to greater wisdom
a Cult I'm tinkering with for a new campaign, feel free to use/amend as needed:
***
The Asmodeaical Society of the 9th Circle Mysteries.
The Asmodeaical (pronounced as-mo-day-ikle) is a secret society dedicated to learning the mysteries of the Nine Hells. Their leader, Hieronymus Bosh, believes that by solving various riddles and mysteries they can be granted a meeting with Asmodeus, Lord of the Ninth layer of Nine Hells, and be granted their deepest desire.
Hieronymus is sensible enough to never enter into any bargain or endeavour that will result in him losing his soul, but he is more than willing to sell his followers souls if need be.
Keeper of the Societies Mysteries: Berkinski (Level 3 Bard/Lore)
Members of the Society: approximately 20 people, mostly humans, no class level but from a range of wealthy backgrounds such as Noble, Guild Artisans and Sages.
All members of the Society have some form of spell casting ability. This is obtained through all members, whether they have class levels or not, having the Magic Initiate and/or the Ritual Caster feats.
These feats are either training that Hieronymus, William or Blake have given or they are minor pacts, training or talents the society members have picked up in their investigations.
Hieronymus, William, Blake and Berkinski all have the standard stat array of 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8 and additionally have the Magic Initiate and Ritual Caster Feats in Wizard for Hieronymus, William and Blake and Bard for Berkiniski.
Most of the rank and file members of the society view themselves as highly blessed individuals due to their spell casting ability and may even view themselves as more powerful than they really are.
Effectively all normal society members have 10 in each ability score and 13 in one of Int, Wis or Cha.
To determine what type of spells or cantrips they have assume;
Any member with Int 13+ has Magic Initiate & Ritual Caster Wizard.
Any member with Wis 13+ has Magic Initiate & Ritual Caster Cleric or Druid.
Any member with Cha 13+ has Magic Initiate & Ritual Caster Bard, Sorcerer or Warlock.
Hieronymus has in his possession a magical circlet called "The Mentors Crown". This circlet has the following properties:
Wondrous Magic Item (Rare, Cursed and requires attunement by an arcane spell caster). Appearance: This circlet looks like a very simple circlet composed of black iron and bronze with a small onyx stone in front that sits over the wearers forehead. Effect: Once per long rest the wearer of this circlet can cast Contact Other Plane as a ritual.
***
If you are going for a warlock build you could have him/her/it (depending on your race) as a servant of Asmodeus and sent to infiltrate and take over the cult, having successfully done so you got them all to sell their souls to Asmodeus and left them to their own devices whilst you went adventuring and periodically Asmodeus (the DM) contacts you to go back and deal with the cult or sends you off to do other jobs.
Side note/fun fact...all the names in the cult Hierarchy are famous artists that dealt with depictions of hell in one fashion or another.
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* Need a character idea? Search for "Rob76's Unused" in the Story and Lore section.
You could use the Noble Knight alternate background and have your traveling companions be the first three followers of your cult. A Bladelock could easily pass as a knight, especially if you flavor your patron to that end.
Orcus also known as Master of the Dead, necromancer cult?
Demogorgon The self titled Prince of Demons, a cult dedicated to bringing him power on the mortal plane?
So that's 3 possible fiend patrons for a Warlock who wants to run a cult for his patron!
Wherever you go you can always find the depraved who will do things "in the name of....." just because they don't need an excuse, but having one makes them feel like it's someone elses fault for not stopping them so they can't be blamed. Just look at everything that has been done in the name of religion over the years!
I was planning on playing a Warlock and decided that due to there naturally high charisma I’d make a Cult Leader who acts a bit like a Conman, but it’s lead me to a question, What kind of Patron could be the Patron of this cult? I originally planned to use Orcus or try and find out how a Beholder might work as a patron, but neither of those seem appealing enough for the common folks on the street to want to join a cult that worships them. Any suggestions?
I was planning on playing a Warlock and decided that due to there naturally high charisma I’d make a Cult Leader who acts a bit like a Conman, but it’s lead me to a question, What kind of Patron could be the Patron of this cult? I originally planned to use Orcus or try and find out how a Beholder might work as a patron, but neither of those seem appealing enough for the common folks on the street to want to join a cult that worships them. Any suggestions?
RANGER BAD, PALADIN GOOD
Archfey. They are natural born conartists and tricksters. They can appear quite beautiful and benevolent, but they are all devious. It's perfect.
If you have a comedic vibe at the table, you could try going for Hexblade.
Have this crazy cult worshipping this random sword, and only following the warlock cos he wields it. Little do they realise you got rid of the original sword ages ago cos you found a better sword.
This seems to be classic GOOLock territory. A weird, ancient being of incredible powers with an unknown promise of.. Salvation? Redemption? The reforging of the world? Because the old one has no known definitive beliefs, cultists can imagine whatever they want him to be. The power of a cult is partly in its leader, sure, but partly in the gullibility of its believers and their inability to think critically. They want to believe in *something*, and the leader supplies it. The pact type then becomes RP flavor. Want to appear smarter? Tome. Have a cool creature assist you? Chain. Some flaming weapon to project power? Blade. Charisma based classes are natural for this and having legitimate powers granted from some being beyond comprehension would be my thoughts.
May the gentle moonlinght guide you to greater wisdom
a Cult I'm tinkering with for a new campaign, feel free to use/amend as needed:
***
The Asmodeaical Society of the 9th Circle Mysteries.
The Asmodeaical (pronounced as-mo-day-ikle) is a secret society dedicated to learning the mysteries of the Nine Hells. Their leader, Hieronymus Bosh, believes that by solving various riddles and mysteries they can be granted a meeting with Asmodeus, Lord of the Ninth layer of Nine Hells, and be granted their deepest desire.
Hieronymus is sensible enough to never enter into any bargain or endeavour that will result in him losing his soul, but he is more than willing to sell his followers souls if need be.
The hierarchy of the Society is as follows:
Leader: Hieronymus Bosh (Level 6 Wizard/Conjurer)
Lieutenants: William (Level 3 Wizard/Conjurer) & Blake (Level 3 Fighter/Eldritch Knight)
Keeper of the Societies Mysteries: Berkinski (Level 3 Bard/Lore)
Members of the Society: approximately 20 people, mostly humans, no class level but from a range of wealthy backgrounds such as Noble, Guild Artisans and Sages.
All members of the Society have some form of spell casting ability. This is obtained through all members, whether they have class levels or not, having the Magic Initiate and/or the Ritual Caster feats.
These feats are either training that Hieronymus, William or Blake have given or they are minor pacts, training or talents the society members have picked up in their investigations.
Hieronymus, William, Blake and Berkinski all have the standard stat array of 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8 and additionally have the Magic Initiate and Ritual Caster Feats in Wizard for Hieronymus, William and Blake and Bard for Berkiniski.
Most of the rank and file members of the society view themselves as highly blessed individuals due to their spell casting ability and may even view themselves as more powerful than they really are.
Effectively all normal society members have 10 in each ability score and 13 in one of Int, Wis or Cha.
To determine what type of spells or cantrips they have assume;
Any member with Int 13+ has Magic Initiate & Ritual Caster Wizard.
Any member with Wis 13+ has Magic Initiate & Ritual Caster Cleric or Druid.
Any member with Cha 13+ has Magic Initiate & Ritual Caster Bard, Sorcerer or Warlock.
Hieronymus has in his possession a magical circlet called "The Mentors Crown". This circlet has the following properties:
Wondrous Magic Item (Rare, Cursed and requires attunement by an arcane spell caster). Appearance: This circlet looks like a very simple circlet composed of black iron and bronze with a small onyx stone in front that sits over the wearers forehead. Effect: Once per long rest the wearer of this circlet can cast Contact Other Plane as a ritual.
***
If you are going for a warlock build you could have him/her/it (depending on your race) as a servant of Asmodeus and sent to infiltrate and take over the cult, having successfully done so you got them all to sell their souls to Asmodeus and left them to their own devices whilst you went adventuring and periodically Asmodeus (the DM) contacts you to go back and deal with the cult or sends you off to do other jobs.
Side note/fun fact...all the names in the cult Hierarchy are famous artists that dealt with depictions of hell in one fashion or another.
You could use the Noble Knight alternate background and have your traveling companions be the first three followers of your cult. A Bladelock could easily pass as a knight, especially if you flavor your patron to that end.
Graz'zt master of seduction - sex cult?
Orcus also known as Master of the Dead, necromancer cult?
Demogorgon The self titled Prince of Demons, a cult dedicated to bringing him power on the mortal plane?
So that's 3 possible fiend patrons for a Warlock who wants to run a cult for his patron!
Wherever you go you can always find the depraved who will do things "in the name of....." just because they don't need an excuse, but having one makes them feel like it's someone elses fault for not stopping them so they can't be blamed. Just look at everything that has been done in the name of religion over the years!
From Within Chaos Comes Order!
literally ANY class can EASILY be a cult leader:
I present you, “Charlatan” background.
Tbh, I would multiclass it with bard.