Oath of Restraint

Paladins who follow the Oath of Restraint only turn to this lifestyle as a last resort. Their gifts may have once been celebrated, but the path to the Oath of Restraint is most often paved with regret. The nature of their power may differ from person to person, but they likely all paid a price just for failing to comprehend what they are capable of. Regardless, the practices of these paladins all lead to similar results. They may temper a great bloodlust with the study of magic, or they may suppress uncontrollable magic with martial discipline. In either case, they are always holding back because they are more focused on the battle inside of them.

They might have been a warrior of unparalleled ferocity with a seething rage that caused them to fear their own actions. By focusing their mind and practicing magic, the emotions they hold bottled up may stir the invisible elemental spirits into a frenzy. They may learn to sense the elemental energy in synchronization with their own feelings and channel that into magic rather than releasing their own fury.

They may have a sorcerous bloodline that carries the threat of releasing overwhelming devastation. Perhaps the only thing that allowed them any sense of control was training and meditating with a master of the sword. A focus on the body allows them to contain their arcane power, and as they progress, they will learn to release it in precise measures.

Most importantly, Paladins who swear the Oath of Restraint are not working to contain some incredible power so that they can release it at a critical and narratively satisfying moment. It's likely that they already did that once. Perhaps they were even expecting to sacrifice their lives in a heroic display of might, but they walked away grieving all of the sacrifices they weren't prepared to make. The lesson and the goal are that their power is never uncontrolled, regardless of the threat of failure or death. With discipline and training, they will become capable of so much, but first and foremost, they will have an iron will and unbreakable focus which not only govern their innate power but become the superhuman traits which their allies most respect and their enemies most fear.

TENETS OF RESTRAINT

A paladin who assumes the Oath of Restraint swears to conquer themself and protect others from the threat of a fool with power.

Control. Never swing a weapon with more power than precision. Never cast a spell with more voice than thought.

Focus. Meditate every day. Don't ignore your feelings; experience them, yet only act once you understand them.

Will. You may fail. You may die. You may suffer an unbearable loss, but without the will to control it, you did not have to power to prevent your misfortune.

Respect. Having strength greater than your foe does not entitle you to use it. You will meet them with the power you have earned and be prepared for an honorable defeat.

Oath Spells

3rd Level Oath of Restraint Feature

You gain oath spells at the paladin levels listed.

Oath of Restraint Spells

Paladin Level	Spells
3rd	Shield, Thunderwave
5th	Calm Emotions, Enhance Ability
9th	Dispel Magic, Haste
13th	Conjure Minor Elementals, Freedom of Movement
17th	Dispel Evil and Good, Wall of Force

Channel Divinity

3rd Level Oath of Restraint Feature 

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

Wrest Control. End a Charmed or Frightened effect on yourself as a reaction. If done immediately after failing a saving throw, then you suffer no effects such as loss of concentration. At 10th level and above, this can end the Restrained and Paralyzed effects.

Bare Your Strength. As a free action, you can empower a number of successive attacks equal to your Proficiency Bonus. If these attacks land, you automatically deal maximum damage on any dice rolled for Bludgeoning, Slashing, or Piercing damage. The effect ends early if you drop to 0 hp or end combat.

Aura of Focus

7th level Oath of Restraint feature

In a heated battle, the weight of your will overpowering your own strength is palpable. While you are conscious, you emit an aura of focus. You and friendly creatures within 10 feet of you have advantage on Constitution saving throws.

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

Final Warning

15th Level Oath of Restraint Feature

Hitting a creature with your Channel Divinity or a critical hit gives a glimpse of your true power and forces them to succeed a Wisdom saving throw against your spell save DC or become Frightened of you. They may repeat the saving throw at the end of each of their turns. A creature becomes immune to this effect once they have succeeded on the saving throw.

Avatar of Will

20th Level Oath of Restraint Feature

Your unparalleled mental integrity has unlocked the secret to wielding incredible power. Activating the form as an action, you choose any 2 spells you have prepared which target self or a single creature and require concentration. You gain the effects of both spells without expending spell slots or requiring components, and thus, it cannot be counterspelled. The maximum duration for both spells becomes 1 minute, and when you must make a concentration saving throw, you only need to make the check once. Losing concentration ends both spells. While in this form, you have advantage on saving throws against effects which would incapacitate you.

This effect ends early if you are Incapacitated or die. Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.