Oath of the Scaleforged

Note: Many of the oath spells are not what I would have picked for this subclass however I had to make concessions due to DnD Beyond's restriction to only allowing SRD spells. I will put a list of what I originally intended in the comments, some require Xanathar's Guide to Everything, Tasha's Cauldron of Everything, and Fizban's Treasury of Dragons. If you don't have access to these spells, feel free to switch them with something else as long as it sticks to the theme.

I will work to better integrate with DnD Beyond when I have time, though it will be difficult due to the flexible nature of the subclass and its damage types.

This subclass has been tested to level 6 and level 17 with totally different builds and has performed well in both as a tank and as a melee damage dealer.

The Scaleforged are an order of Paladins and knights who have sworn service to powerful dragons in exchange for a portion of their power. This is usually done in service to metallic dragons, however chromatic Scaleforged are not unheard of, their tenets may differ.

Tenets of the Scaleforged:
Service Before Death - "A Scaleforged is forever a servant of the people and seeks to defend others first, and themselves second above all else. They never kill without reason, and never risk their own life so long as there lay other options. Living is harder than dying, pointless death is a path to cheap glory. Even if a city is turned to rubble it can be rebuilt, the people come first. The Scaleforged among them, ever acting as their servant, and never their master."

Wisdom Before Power - "Power is nothing without the wisdom to wield it. All paths to power must be examined carefully, and their costs weighed accordingly, even if granted the opportunity to become a god the Scaleforged would question every aspect of the proposition in accordance with the other tenants."

Method Before Result - "If something ever appears to be the only way, you have missed a crucial detail. Failure is preferable to winning through unjust means. Protecting ten innocents is not worth killing one. In the end, all creatures die. How you lived will be far more important than what you accomplished."

Upon taking this oath you must choose two additional tenets to champion, while Scaleforged follow all of these, the two that are chosen are the ones most suited to the Paladin's nature and personality, as well as the Dragon they have sworn to.

"I will protect even my enemies, so long as it is just."

"I will give an ear to those who have been ignored."

"I will take responsibility for my failures. If I must fall, I will rise each time a better person and move forward."

"I accept reality for what it is, rather than what I want it to be."

The final Tenet is one every oathtaker must fulfil in order to become a master. Known as the Crusade, it also can be taken as part of their oath. "I will seek adventure and seek to know myself in the people I meet, the places I go, and the deeds I accomplish." However it is often seen as foolhardy and brash to do so, to leave the order so soon after surpassing the rank of Squire. Thus it is very rare for Scaleforged to champion this tenet upon taking their oath.

 

Scaleforged Oath Spells

Scaleforged Oath Spells:
3rd Color Spray
5th Branding Smite
9th Fly
13th Polymorph
17th Wall of Force

Upon taking your oath choose the color of dragon you have sworn your oath to. This choice will effect the damage type, resistance type of your abilities, as well as giving you additional oath spells based on that color.

Black or Copper

Your chosen damage type is Acid.

Black or Copper Oath Spells
3rd Bane
5th Acid Arrow
9th Gaseous Form
13th Blight
17th Antilife Shell

Blue or Bronze

Your chosen damage type is Lightning

Blue or Bronze Oath Spells
3rd Longstrider
5th Shatter
9th Lightning Bolt
13th Freedom of Movement
17th Hold Monster

Brass, Gold, or Red

Your chosen damage type is Fire.

Brass, Gold, or Red Oath Spells

3rd Burning Hands
5th Heat Metal
9th Fireball
13th Wall of Fire
17th Flame Strike

Green

Your chosen damage type is Poison.

Green Oath Spells
3rd Detect Poison and Disease
5th Protection From Poison
9th Stinking Cloud
13th Blight
17th Cloudkill

Silver or White

Your chosen damage type is Cold.

Silver or White Oath Spells

3rd Create or Destroy Water
5th Shatter
9th Sleet Storm
13th Ice Storm
17th Cone of Cold

Channel Divinity: Wrath of the Dragon

You can use your Channel Divinity to invoke the wrath of your dragon lord. When using your Divine Smite this causes the damage to do your chosen damage type instead of radiant and this element explodes from your weapon. All creatures within a 30 foot cone originating from the target must succeed on a Strength Saving Throw or take the damage of your divine smite and be knocked back 10 feet, as well as knocked prone. If they succeed they take half damage and are not knocked prone. If the target succeeds, they take the full divine smite damage but suffer no knockback.

Channel Divinity: Presence of the Dragon

You can use your Channel Divinity to inspire fear into the hearts of your enemies. Each creature of your choice within a 20-foot-radius must make a Wisdom Saving Throw or be frightened for 1 minute. While frightened the creature must spend its turn running away from the source of its fear. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Aura of the Dragon

Beginning at 7th level, the Dragon's power flows through your veins, causing your body to grow subtle dragon-like scales and project an aura of warding to you and your allies.  You and friendly creatures within 10 feet of you have +1 to AC and have resistance to your chosen damage type.

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

Legend of the Dragon

Starting at 15th level when making a saving throw you may choose to roll it with advantage. You may use this ability three times. You regain all uses of this ability after taking a long rest.

Additionally, you suffer none of the drawbacks of old age, and you can't be aged magically.

Power of the Dragon

At 20th level, you gain 2 sixth level spell slots and may cast any spells you have prepared at this level that are able to do so. This also removes the restrictions on the maximum amount of d8s you may apply to your Divine Smite.

Additionally you may grow and retract dragon-like wings of your chosen dragon at will, giving you a flight speed equal to your walking speed.