Base Class: Paladin
The Oath of Tyranny binds a paladin to the ideal that might makes right. Rulership must be achieved through strength and the weak deserve only what they can hold onto. A paladin of tyranny is sometimes called a Blackguard or Illrigger and may become infamous for laying waste to all who oppose him and whatever master, if any, he serves. Most paladins of tyranny are Lawful Evil, though some are of other alignments. Those who swear to the tenets of tyranny are not necessarily dishonest or dishonorable. While most serve powerful lords or mighty warriors, some are in orders or serve none.
Tenets of Tyranny
The tenets of the Oath of Tyranny are strictly enforced and a Paladin of Tyranny who fails to uphold them becomes an Oathbreaker instead (DMG 97). The Oath of Tyranny holds the following central principles.
The Strong Rules the Weak. The weak have the few things they claim as their own torn away by those stronger. They deserve nothing better. The strong flourish.
The Reprisal of the Strong must be Feared. If one is to be strong, challenges must be dealt with harshly. Examples must be made. Mercy is for the weak, or for when its benefits are too great to deny.
Honor is Strength. When one has sworn a vow, failing to keep it is a great weakness of character. Foreswearing a liege (except to overthrow him in favor of one's self), breaking a promise or allowing an insult to pass unanswered are shameful acts.
Channel Divinity
When you take this oath at 3rd level, you gain the following two Channel Divinity options.
Command Obedience. Within 60 feet of you, whenever a creature makes a wisdom saving throw, you can use your reaction to make it fail the saving throw.
Granted the creature can understand your language, can be frightened and can hear you, it gets disadvantage on that wisdom saving throw.
Demand Obeisance. As an action, you can make up to 4+(your proficency bonus) creatures to fall on their knees by presenting your holy symbol and demanding obeisance.
Each creature of your choice within 30 feet has to make a wisdom saving throw, granted the creature speaks your language and can be frightened.
If the creature fails the saving throw it immediatly falls on it's knees. The creature can't take a reaction and it's movement speed is halfed until your next turn.
Any creature with an intelligence of 4 or lower is unaffected by this action.
Oath Spells
You gain oath spells at the paladin levels listed.
Oath of Tyranny Spells
| Paladin Level | Spells |
|---|---|
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3rd |
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5th |
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9th |
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13th |
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17th |
Aura of Tyranny
Starting at 7th level, you and creatures you choose within 10 feet of you can't be charmed by other creatures than you while you are conscious. At 18th level, the range of this aura increases to 30 feet. You also gain advantage on charisma saving throws against being charmed.
Frightful Blow
Starting at 15th level, your blows can cow enemies. If you land a critical hit or reduce a creature to half its current hit points or fewer, it must succeed on a wisdom saving throw or it becomes frightened of you for 1 minute. It can repeat the save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on a success. If the creature succeeds on the saving throw it cannot be frightened by you again until the next combat starts.
Tyrant's Crown
At 20th level, you can use your action to assume a form of tyranny, growing iron spikes from your armor and a crown of massive iron topped with barbs. For the next 1 minute, you gain the following effects:
- If a creature within 5 feet of you hits you with a melee attack, it suffers 1d8 piercing damage. This counts as damage from a magic weapon.
- When you hit a creature with a melee attack, it has disadvantage on wisdom and charisma saving throws until the end of your next turn.
Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.
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Posted May 17, 2022I'm allways up for suggestions or improvements, just comment :) It is not play-tested yet but feel free to do so!