Oath of the Soul Reaper

A soul reaper is one who takes up the solemn duty of safeguarding the border of life and death. Most commonly a believer in a god of the dead or death, their oaths and faith take the tangible form of a weapon called a soul cutter, which they use disperse the unliving and help the dead to die. Or, in some cases, help the living to die, as well- certain gods of the dead are not picky where one side of life and unlife starts. These dark soul reapers are part of the tradition as well, making taking up the oath an uncommon choice looked down upon by many.

The most well-known duties of a soul reaper include helping lost souls into the afterlife, as well as destroying and cleansing undead. But their duties include the defense of the living as well, preventing tragedies and defending those whose lives would be taken before their time.

TENETS OF THE SOUL REAPERS

The exact wordings and enclave details of the oaths of Soul Reapers vary, but paladins of this oath share these tenets, which have been approached in greatly varying ways:

Silence. To find space for peace, and for the natural order of things to take their place; to preserve the sanctity of both life and death.

Sword. To greet the unknown without fear; to trust in my god, and that my belief is what gives my weapon strength.

Spirit. That my soul may be tempered and resilient throughout trials and afflictions; to remain pure and without attachment to either life or death.

 

Far back in the ancient days, when the cycles and exploitation of the border of life and death were still being explored, there was only one order of soul reapers, called the Court of Pure Souls. It was lead by thirteen fearsome and mighty paladins. But, despite the work they accomplished, there was frequent infighting among them, and after their overwhelmingly powerful Captain-Commander was killed during a war, they began to fracture. It wasn't long before the one order became thirteen separate ones. Then, eventually, those thirteen orders fractured even more, and so on, until there was no trace of the original Court of Pure Souls left.

The Captain-Commander's division of the Court of Pure Souls has always tried to maintain that it is still the original order, and is one of the most orthodox and strict of all soul reaper sects. But, there are many orders- some falsely- that claim descent from the original thirteen divisions. There are also numerous recent enclaves, springing up in reaction to cataclysmic events to try to enforce order.

Due to the amount of meddling with the border of life and death increasing, soul reapers are very seldom popular in the halls of power. The distinct presence of experienced soul reapers sets many out of sorts, their otherworldly auras sending a chill up one's spine. An unmistakable force, it may be that you witnessed a soul reaper in action, or an event has marked you out for special potential as one; whatever the case, you are now on a path set towards conflicts at the very heart of the cosmos.

Channel Divinity

When you take this oath at 3rd level, you gain the following two Channel Divinity options.

Soul Cutter: First Release. As an action, you can release the seals binding your Soul Cutter's form into a normal weapon, using your Channel Divinity. For 1 minute, you add your Charisma modifier to attack rolls made with that weapon(with a minimum bonus of +1), which takes the form of any weapon you are proficient with; all attacks with the weapon use your Charisma instead of the normal associated ability. Defensive type Soul Cutters instead add the Charisma modifier bonus to your AC. The weapon becomes magical for the duration, and in its released state your Soul Cutter can also function as a focus for your Paladin features and spells. If you have a Speed type Soul Cutter, once during your turn you can use a bonus action to take the Dash, Disengage, or Dodge actions; if you have a Technical type Soul Cutter, during the duration you have a Charisma modifier bonus to Skill checks you are proficient in; if you have a Power type Soul Cutter once per attack you may reroll any damage die once.

You can end this effect on your turn as part of any other action. If you are no longer holding or carrying this weapon, or if you fall unconscious, this effect ends.

Soul Burial. As an action, you present your holy symbol and speak a prayer pacifying the spirits of fiends and undead, using your Channel Divinity. Each fiend or undead that can see or hear you within 30 feet of you must make a Wisdom saving throw. If the creature fails its saving throw, it is unconscious for 1 minute or until it takes damage.

Soul Cutter

Starting at 3rd level,  You get a bonded weapon that is the symbol of a Soul Reaper's service, that manifests in various ways. Choose one weapon that you are proficient in. By spending a long rest with the weapon in meditation you become attuned to it. During this meditation you begin to uncover secrets about your service as a soul reaper and the weapon's spirit, which can manifest even while it is in its sealed state.

There are now three choices you must make(or roll for or have your DM decide), the decisions being permanent and unable to change by any means.

1. Defense. Most soul cutters are general in their applications, but some qualify as defensive, which can lend their wielders even greater resilience. This path of having a soul cutter meant to protect seeps into your determination, and gives you a +1 bonus to saving throws, along with other defensive benefits with additional use and mastery of the weapon. However, your soul cutter loses many offensive capabilities in return.

2. Speed, Power, Technique. While some soul cutters are defensive or not, there are three other general sub-types found in all. Speed type soul cutters are often light or simple, excelling in fast application; your training for using a soul cutter of this type unsealed increases your base speed by 5+Charisma modifier feet. Technical type soul cutters often have a complexity to their design, hidden or not, that requires sharp strategy for them to be effective; your knowledge of and training to use this type of soul cutter unsealed gives you proficiency with one additional skill of your choice. Power type soul cutter usually have straightforward and weighty designs that excel in dealing large amounts of direct damage; your preparation and conditioning to wield this type of soul cutter unsealed causes attacks and features using your soul cutter to critically strike on a roll of 19-20.

3. Element. Common to all soul cutters, regardless of their form or type is an element, which is an extension of the soul reaper's oaths and commitment. You can choose or roll(rerolling if you get a number higher than on the table) for one from the table below(or let your DM do so):

• Fire (1)
• Cold (2)
• Lightning (3)
• Thunder (4)
• Poison (5)
• Necrotic (6)
• Acid (7)
• Force (8)
• Radiant (9)
• Psychic (10)
• Bludgeoning (11)
• Slashing (12)
• Piercing (13)

The choice has no immediate effect on your soul cutter in its normal sealed form it will usually be in, but when you use your Divine Smite or Soul Cutter: First Release features, its damage is of the element you chose.

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Once you have attuned to your soul cutter, you are aware of the general direction of its location and distance- in a straight line, not including any obstacles or terrain- from you at all times while you are on the same plane, and you have advantage on Perception checks to find your soul cutter while you are within 30 feet of it. If your soul cutter is lost, provided it is not locked away or unable to teleport, and it is on the same plane as you, you can spend a long rest in meditation calling it back to your side, where it will appear 5 feet away.

In addition, the choices that have been made for your soul cutter remain even when it has been damaged, unless it has been damaged beyond repair or completely destroyed, at which point you will have to attune to a new soul cutter and spend 1+1d6 days training to gain the benefits of the new soul cutter. You are incapable of damaging your soul cutter unless you have been compelled to by another creature, or you are in combat. 

Defensive Type Soul Cutter 

This type of soul cutter increases your fortitude and gives you +1 to saving throws while you are wielding it.

Power Type Soul Cutter

While some soul cutters are defensive or not, there are three other general sub-types found in all. Power type soul cutter usually have straightforward and weighty designs that excel in dealing large amounts of direct damage; your preparation and conditioning to wield this type of soul cutter unsealed causes attacks and features using your soul cutter to critically strike on a roll of 19-20.

Speed Type Soul Cutter

While some soul cutters are defensive or not, there are three other general sub-types found in all. Speed type soul cutters are often light or simple, excelling in fast application; your training for using a soul cutter of this type unsealed increases your base speed by 5+Charisma modifier feet.

Technical Type Soul Cutter

While some soul cutters are defensive or not, there are three other general sub-types found in all. Technical type soul cutters often have a complexity to their design, hidden or not, that requires sharp strategy for them to be effective; your knowledge of and training to use this type of soul cutter unsealed gives you proficiency with one additional skill of your choice.

Aura of Ruination

Starting at 7th level, you may choose to constantly emanate a blistering aura that heats the air and boils liquids while you’re not incapacitated. The aura extends 10 feet from you in every direction, but not through total cover.

You and any number of creatures of your choice within the aura gain Resistance to Fire and Cold damage. All other creatures within your aura who start their turns there must make a Constitution Saving Throw against your spell save DC, or suffer Fire damage equal to your Paladin level. Once a creature succeeds this saving throw, they become immune to the effect for 24 hours.

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

Undulation of Immortality

Beginning at 15th level your connection with your soul cutter has strengthened greatly. Gaining you a benefit depending on the type:

Improved Defense

The bond is such that you are always under the effects of a protection from evil and good spell.(defensive)

Deepened Skill

 you are also considered to be under the effect of a cantrip or gain one you can cast at will depending on the type of soul cutter you have: Guidance(Technical).

Empowered Physique

 You are also considered to be under the effect of a cantrip or gain one you can cast at will depending on the type of soul cutter you have:: Resistance(Power). 

Heightened Reflexes

You gain the True Strike cantrip and can cast it as a bonus action.(Speed)

Soul Cutter: Final Release

Sarting at 20th level: After long and arduous training and adventures, you have begun to master the use of your soul cutter: as an action, you can release the final seal on your soul cutter's true power, manifesting its essence on the realm of the living on the Material Plane. For 1 minute, you gain the benefits of your soul cutter's First Release. In addition, you gain:

• Divine Smite's damage die becomes 1d12. 
• You take on an ephemeral aspect that reflects your soul cutter and its appearance, and are considered a Celestial for the duration.
• The range of your Spiritual Pressure aura extends an additional 30 feet.
• Defense type soul cutter: Instead you use 1d4s when calculating the damage you take from any source.
• Speed type soul cutter: You can take 1 extra Bonus Action and Reaction during your turn, and your speed increases by Charisma modifier x Proficiency feet.
• Technical type soul cutter: You can make a skill check with a skill you are proficient in as a bonus action during your turn, and use it as a check or an attack roll that turn.
• Power type soul cutter: The damage die of your soul cutter increases by one size, up to 1d20, and you ignore any immunity or resistance to critical hits.

In addition, for the duration, you have advantage on saving throws against spells cast by undead.

Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.