Oath of the Iron Vein

The Oath of the Iron Vein is sworn by paladins who believe that chaos can only be bound by absolute, terrifying authority. To these subjugators, peace is a fragile illusion that must be enforced through an iron will and the physical mastery of their enemies. They do not merely defeat their foes; they break their resolve, weaponizing the very blood in their adversaries' veins to strip away the will to fight. A paladin who walks this darker path acts as judge, jury, and executioner, viewing mercy as a weakness that allows defiance to fester. For the Iron Tyrant, absolute obedience is the only path to true order, and those who stand against their decrees will find their own lifeblood acting as their chains.

Oath Spells

You gain oath spells at the paladin levels listed. Once you gain access to an oath spell, you always have it prepared, and it doesn't count against the number of spells you can prepare each day.

• 3rd: Command, Bane

• 5th: Hold Person, Ray of Enfeeblement

• 9th: Vampiric Touch, Slow

• 13th: Blight, Compulsion

• 17th: Dominate Person, Hold Monster

Channel Divinity

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

Blood Bind: As an action, you can use your Channel Divinity to hijack the iron in an enemy's blood. Target one creature you can see within 30 feet of you. That creature must make a Constitution saving throw. On a failure, their blood turns sluggish for 1 minute. Their movement speed is halved, and they have disadvantage on attack rolls against any creature other than you. The creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on a success.

Tyrant's Gaze: As an action, you can use your Channel Divinity to exude a terrifying, inescapable presence. Each creature of your choice within 30 feet of you must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the target is Frightened of you for 1 minute. A frightened creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on a success.

Aura of Oppression

Starting at 7th level, the sheer weight of your authority physically crushes the resolve of your enemies. Hostile creatures within 10 feet of you treat the area as difficult terrain, and their speed can never be increased above their base walking speed.

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

Iron Dictate

Starting at 15th level, your strikes enforce absolute submission. Whenever you deal damage to a creature with your Divine Smite feature, that creature cannot take reactions until the start of its next turn. Additionally, if the creature is currently under the effects of your Blood Bind or Frightened by you, it takes extra necrotic damage equal to your Charisma modifier.

Sovereign of Blood

At 20th level, you embody the absolute, terrifying authority of a tyrant king. As an action, you can undergo a transformation, wrapping yourself in an armor of crystallized, blackened blood. For 1 minute, you gain the following benefits:

• You are immune to the Charmed and Frightened conditions.

• Any hostile creature that starts its turn within 30 feet of you takes 10 necrotic damage.

• Whenever you cast an enchantment or necromancy spell that has a casting time of 1 action, you can cast it as a bonus action instead.

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