Oath of the Dread Harbinger

A paladin who takes the Oath of the Dread Harbinger is no mere warrior of faith—they are the chosen instrument of Verathis, Harbinger of Dread and Scourge of Matter. These chosen few do not pledge themselves to honor or righteousness but instead to the inevitable return of their forgotten god, shaping reality itself to pave the way for his awakening.

Gifted with the power to shift between two states—Light and Shadow—these paladins command their own form, warping between the tangible and the ethereal to fulfill their purpose. In the Light, they embody the dread of impending judgment, strengthening their allies while striking fear into the hearts of their enemies. In the Shadow, they slip between realms, becoming an unseen executioner capable of severing the ties between body and soul.

Those who bear the mark of Verathis are both a herald of ruin and an omen of salvation, warping the battlefield to suit their purpose. Each battle fought, each foe felled, and each soul drained of its essence brings them closer to their god’s return. To stand in the path of the Dread Harbinger is to stand in defiance of an ancient force beyond mortal comprehension—and to invite an end that not even death can delay.

Level 3: Channel Divinity

Touched by Shadows. As an action, you can transfer to a state of shadows. While in the state of shadows gain a +2 to hit with melee attacks and a +1 to damage, when being attacked you can take a reaction to phase out of your solid form and dodge the attack. Roll a 1d12+proficiency modifier, on a roll over 14 you can dodge the attack. Any melee attack against a target that has a negative status "Scourges" it, causing it to take an additional 1d10 psychic damage (at 7th level 2d10, at 18th level 3d10) . While Touched by Shadows you gain the Cantrip "Wrath of the Harbinger". While in this state you gain +10 to move speed. -3 to AC while Touched by Shadows.

 

Touched by Light. As an action, you can transfer to a state of light. While in the state of light you heal your Charisma modifier more health when casting a healing spell, or when being healed. You gain resistance to one damage type that cannot be changed until transferring back to this state. On a successful attack regain 1d4 hit points (at 7th level 1d8, at 18th level 1d12). While Touched by Light you gain the Cantrip "Blessing of the Scourge". While in this state you gain +1 to AC, but have a -2 to hit and a -1 to damage when attacking a target. 

 

You do not have to take a rest to switch states, and instead must use all available actions at the start of your turn while transferring forms. 

Level 7: Aura of Dread

Starting at 7th level, you produce an aura that surrounds you, aiding allies and hindering foes depending on your state of light and dark. The range of the aura is 10 feet, and increases to 30 feet at 18th level. 

Aura of Dread (Shadow-touched). When you or an ally within 10 feet of you deals damage, they deal an additional 1d4+CHA Necrotic damage and reduce the hit targets speed by 10 feet. 

 

Aura of Dread (Light-touched). Allies standing within 10 feet of you regain health points when attacking a target. The health regained is 1d4 for every 10 points of damage dealt during their turn. They also gain resistance to Necrotic damage. 

Level 15: Blight Bearer

Gain these following abilities at level 15:

Blighted Blade (Shadow-touched). Any time you make a melee attack roll up to 3 additional dice for damage, you must take damage equal to half the damage dealt from the additional dice . If this damage were to kill you, you instead drop to 1 hit point. 

Purged Armor (Light-touched). You can apply the effect of "Warding Bond" onto one ally, the spell lasts for one turn after switching off of the light-touched state, and then loses its effect. 

Level 20: Chosen by Verathis

At 20th level you can allow Verathis to take over your body and mind for up to a minute. While Verathis is in control of your body you can transfer between states as a bonus action at the end of your turn. A dark black and white flame enshrouds your body growing the lower your hit points get. 

While above half health: +1 to AC, gain resistance to 2 damage types chosen at the beginning of your transformation into Verathis. 

While below half health: +2 to hit with melee attacks, you can crit on a 19 or 20. "Wrath of the Harbinger" can be cast as a bonus action during this duration.