Oath of Inheritance

Faith can be an abstract concept but forever remains the common element among Paladins. It is the compass that directs them to their cause and its form may vary from a God, to a king or even to a symbol of a greater ideal. A Paladin who takes the Oath of Inheritance pledges their life to a relic weapon that hosts a spirit or a type of sentient force within. By doing so, they inherit a duty to abide by its ideals, honor its history, follow its guidance and wield it with grace towards seeing the purpose for which it has been forged or the unfinished business of its previous wielder ultimately fullfiled. Whether an ancient artifact of olden times or a family heirloom, weapon and wielder become bound to one another and venture together towards unraveling their mutual destiny.

Tenets of Inheritance

The tenets of the Oath of Inheritance vary by paladin based on the history and aspirations of their inherited relic but always revolve around attaining its sacred purpose.

Ancestral Duty. I shall honor the values of this Relic and embrace its quest as my own.

A Forger’s Legacy. I shall not falter in the face of fear and redeem the aspirations of this relic’s predecessors.

The Past Demands Salvation. I shall succeed where others have failed in my stead, for I know their spirits are watching over me.

Duty Above Thyself. Until the day my quest is through, duty shall precede my own desires.

Oath Spells

You gain oath spells at the paladin levels listed in the Oath of Inheritance Spells table. See the Sacred Oath class feature for how oath spells work.

Oath of Inheritance Spells

Oath of Inheritance

Starting at level 3, a melee weapon that you are proficient with and is in your possession awakens with sentience by the spirit of its Predecessor. The Predecessor is the spirit of the weapon’s creator or previous owner, which for some reason became imbued with it. Through your oath to see their aspirations met, weapon and spirit become bound to you as your Relic

The Relic can see and hear up to 30 feet around it but can only communicate with you telepathically. While wielding the Relic you cannot be disarmed. You can summon the Relic out of thin air as a bonus action and dismiss it as an action. As part of a long rest, you can transfer the soul of your Predecessor to another weapon, along with the powers they provide.

The Relic’s personality and powers depend on the Predecessor’s spirit that inhabits it. You may choose the spirit’s alignment, backstory and goals, or leave them to the DM’s discretion

 

Alignment

Powers

Lawful

Whenever you are taking a long rest, the sword casts the spell alarm on itself without expending a spell slot. When you make a melee weapon attack with this weapon, roll a d100. If you roll equal to your Paladin level + your Charisma modifier or lower, you can infuse the attack with a level 1 divine smite without expending a spell slot.

Neutral

You can cast the spell healing word once per long rest without expending a spell slot. Whenever a creature is attacked within your reach, you can use a reaction to add a +3 to their AC until the end of the attacker’s turn

Chaotic

Whenever an ally that you can see takes damage, you can use your reaction to move up to half of your speed towards them. If at the end of this movement they are within reach, you can use lay-on hands on them.

Chaotic

Whenever an ally that you can see takes damage, you can use your reaction to move up to half of your speed towards them. If at the end of this movement they are within reach, you can use lay on hands on them

Lawful

Whenever you are taking a long rest, the sword casts the spell alarm on itself without expending a spell slot. When you make a melee weapon attack with this weapon, roll a d100. If you roll equal to your Paladin level + your Charisma modifier or lower, you can infuse the attack with a level 1 divine smite without expending a spell slot. 

Nuetral

You can cast the spell healing word once per long rest without expending a spell slot. Whenever a creature is attacked within your reach, you can use a reaction to add a +3 to their AC until the end of the attacker’s turn 

Channel Divinity

When you take this oath at 3rd level, you can use a bonus action on your turn to cause the spirit that lies dormant within your Relic weapon to stir into awakening. You gain the following two Channel Divinity options.

Weapon of Legacy. For the next minute, when you deal radiant damage to a creature, that creature must succeed on a Charisma saving throw of DC 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Charisma modifier or be blinded until the start of its next turn.

Armor of Legacy. For the next minute, when a creature damages you with a melee weapon attack, the creature must succeed on a Charisma saving throw of DC 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Charisma modifier blinded until the end of its turn

Aura of Exploding Radiance

Also at 7th level, you emanate an aura while you’re not incapacitated. The aura extends 10 feet from you in every direction but not through total cover. Once per turn, when you deal radiant damage to a single target, up to a number of creatures equal to half your proficiency bonus of your choice within the aura (other than your primary target) must make a Charisma saving throw or suffer half of the radiant damage you dealt.

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

Aid of a Legendary Warrior

Starting at level 15, as a reaction, you can summon the spirit of the Predecessor that resides within your Relic weapon to your side until the start of your next turn. For the duration of this effect, when a creature makes a weapon or spell attack against you, it does so with disadvantage as the spirit of the Predecessor attempts to parry and deflect it. You can use this ability as many times as your Charisma modifier (minimum 1) before completing a long rest.

Additionally, every time you roll a critical hit with a melee weapon attack, the spirit of the Predecessor attacks as well, dealing an extra weapon die damage. If you are knocked unconscious, the soul of the Predecessor persists

Champion of Legacy

At 20th level, the Aid of a Legendary Warrior lasts for one minute whenever it is activated. Furthermore, when you miss a weapon attack with your Relic weapon and the Aid of a Legendary Warrior is active, the spirit of the Predecessor attacks, seeing an opening. You can use your bonus action to cast divine smite and deal the damage rolled normally but you do not deal weapon damage since the initial attack has missed.

In addition, when an unconscious ally is within your Aura of Exploding Radiance, the Aid of the Legendary Warrior protects them as well