Oath of Strength

Strength is its own reward.  Many paladins are willing to forgo their own safety for the protection of others, whether that be a people, a land, or an ideal.  Others feel to appeal to power within themselves.  They need not a call to answer or an occasion to rise; they only need look in the mirror to find a rival worth besting.  The oath of strength is a vow to always pursue the betterment of oneself above all.  Personal enhancement can be found repelling invaders on a blood-soaked, muddy battlefield, soaking in growing adulations of the arena crowd, or bending the whims of the city council to your machinations.

While the oath takers of strength are not bound to service in the aid of others, they are not prevented from supporting as they deem fit.  These paladins are free to do as they please, so long as they grow stronger from their efforts.  Deities do not often serve as the catalyst for those that vow the oath of strength, though some deities will attempt to deploy these paladins and the chaos that often follows in their wake.  These gods may include Bane, Lathander, Malar, The Red Knight, Talos, and Tempus.  The demon lords Baphomet and Demogorgon have also been known to dispatch these paladins to reap havoc during campaigns in the Blood War.

Tenets of Strength

Paladins of the Oath of Strength recite these tenets as they prepare to challenge themselves.

Opportunity. Stagnation only invites weakness.  You must constantly seek new ways to test your mettle against rivals and yourself.  Only in contesting the unfamiliar can you ensure your strength in all matters.

Challenge. Diamonds are forged under intense pressure.  Trials and conflict serve as a proving ground for your physical and social prowess.  Success opens the door to further adversity; failure merely educates your future attempts at greatness.

Excellence. Mastery of oneself transcends into supremacy above all.  Your best effort must be made at all times.  You shall never meet your limits if you hold anything back.  There should never be a question on if you could have done more to avert a loss.

Oath of Strength Spells

An Oath of Strength paladin gains the following oath spells at the paladin levels listed.

Paladin Level	Spells
3rd	bane, shield of faith
5th	enhance ability, hold person
9th	fear, haste
13th	death ward, freedom of movement
17th	dominate person, hold monster

Channel Divinity

An Oath of Strength paladin of 3rd level or higher gains the following two Channel Divinity options.

Delighted Dueler. As a bonus action, the paladin channels their thrill for singular combat to focus their martial prowess in a duel. For the next minute, the paladin has advantage on all melee weapon attacks while both they and the target have no other creatures within 5 feet of them.

Imposing Presence. The force of your personality can be felt in the air like an ominous weight and strengthens your position in negotiations.  As an action, the paladin gains advantage on Charisma (Intimidation) checks and cannot be charmed for 10 minutes.

Aura of Intimidation

Beginning at 7th level, you continuously exude a threatening aura while you’re not incapacitated that pierces your enemies defenses. The aura extends 10 feet from you in every direction, but not through total cover.

Hostile creatures no longer have proficiency on any saving throws while in the aura.

At 18th level, the range of this aura increases to 30 feet.

Swift Mender

At 15th level, the paladin may use their Lay on Hands ability as a bonus action when healing themselves.  Additionally, their Lay on Hands ability may now remove all diseases and poisons affecting the target with a single expenditure of 5 hit points.

Magnificent Master

At 20th level, the paladin can channel their moxie to complete preternatural efforts.  As an action, you harden your body and mind through sheer determination and gain the following abilities for one hour:

• You become proficient in Athletics and Intimidation if you are not already and your proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability check you make that uses either of these proficiencies.
• Your speed is doubled and you gain a climbing and swimming speed.
• Your Armor Class is increased by your Charisma modifier (minimum +1). 

After activating this ability, the paladin can’t do so again until they finish a long rest.