Oath of the Banner

The Oath of the Banner is sworn by paladins who devote themselves to a higher cause, displaying its symbol proudly on their banners as they lead from the front. Whether it is justice, protection, or conquest, the cause they champion defines their every action. Masters of mounted combat, these paladins charge into the fray atop their steeds, inspiring their comrades and striking fear into their enemies. These paladins form an inseparable bond with their mounts, forging a partnership so deep that even if their mount assumes a new form, it retains its consciousness and loyalty. With their banners raised, they serve as a beacon of hope and strength, bolstering the resolve of those who follow them and rallying their allies around the ideals they fight for.

The Banner

A banner for the Oath of the Banner is a pole or lance which bears a physical standard, such as a flag or pennant, representing the paladin's cause. It must be a distinct and visible symbol used to rally allies and inspire on the battlefield. The banner also serves as the paladin's holy symbol and spellcasting focus, channeling energy to empower spells and abilities. In order to use many of their most powerful abilities, they must be holding the banner in one of their hands.

Tenets of the Banner

Paladins who swear the Oath of the Banner adhere to these guiding principles:

• Lead by Example: Stand at the frontlines, showing your allies the way forward through your actions. In battle and life, be a living symbol of your cause.
• Uphold the Banner: Defend the ideals and symbols you carry. Your banner represents more than yourself—it represents the people, cause, or kingdom you fight for.
• Strength in Unity: Trust in the power of teamwork and camaraderie. A unified force is stronger than any single blade, and your role is to ensure that unity prevails.
• Glory in Victory: Fight for honor and ensure that your deeds inspire others to greatness.

Channel Divinity

Starting at 3rd level, you can cast Find Steed  once per day without expending a spell slot. Beginning at 9th level, you can cast Find Greater Steed  once per day without expending a spell slot.

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

• Banner of Glory: As a bonus action, you plant your banner into the ground (or hold it aloft while mounted), inspiring all allies within 30 feet. Upon use, friendly creatures within the banner’s radius immediately gain temporary hit points equal to your Paladin level. For 1 minute, friendly creatures that pass within 30 feet of the banner have their speed increased by 10 feet until the end of their turn. Creatures can only be affected by one Banner of Glory at a time.
• Fervent Rush: As an action while mounted, you can dash forward on your mount in a straight line up to your mount’s maximum movement speed without expending your movement for the turn. Any enemies in your path must make a Dexterity saving throw against your Paladin spell save DC. On a failed save, they take 2d8 radiant damage, are knocked prone, and are pushed 5 feet to the side of your path. On a successful save, they take half damage and are not knocked prone. This ability has no effect on creatures of Huge size or larger.

Oath Spells

Aura of the Banner

Starting at 7th level, your presence on the battlefield inspires your allies to move with purpose. While you are conscious, you and all friendly creatures within 10 feet of you do not provoke opportunity attacks. Additionally, while you are mounted, your mount and any friendly creatures within the aura can ignore the movement penalties imposed by difficult terrain. Friendly creatures passing through the aura’s radius keep the effects of the aura until the end of their turn.

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

Heroic Steed

At 15th level, your bond with your mount deepens, allowing you to call upon a steed with increased power. You can now cast Find Steed and Find Greater Steed at will, without expending spell slots. When you summon your steed using these spells, it gains additional benefits:

• Its hit point maximum increases by an amount equal to twice your Paladin level.
• It has resistance to non-magical bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage.
• While mounted, you and your steed can take the Dash action as a bonus action.

Paragon of the Banner

At 20th level, you can summon the full power of your banner to rally your allies in a glorious charge. As an action, you raise your banner high, and you gain the following benefits for 1 minute:

• Your movement speed is doubled.
• Whenever you hit an enemy with a melee weapon attack, you deal an additional 1d8 radiant damage.
• You are immune to paralysis and petrification.
• You can’t be restrained by magical means.

Friendly creatures that pass within 10 feet of you during the duration of this ability gain these benefits until the end of their own turn.

If you are mounted, these benefits also apply to your mount, and the radius is increased to 30 feet.

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