Oath of the Imperator

These Paladins are rare, as few empires exist which have such divinely ordained authority that they may not only inspire but also empower a paladin fully. However, those theocracies that find themselves at the heights of empire are able to promote precisely such figure into the ranks of Imperators. These devout servants of empires are either used as utilitarian "honor guards" at the emperor or empress's personal disposal, or as heretic hunters who enforce the will of the empire by any means necessary. The devotion shown to these aims by Imperators is a zealous devotion, and any who would seek to defy the demands of their empire are met with scorn and rapid attrition.

In Avalestra, the only Imperators are those in service to Empyrean Prime and the Thrones of Justice and Benevolence. Two Imperators serve each throne individually, but not by any mandate. Rather, it appears that only two have ever been seen as worthy at any point in time. Whenever one has finally passed from able body and mind to serve the Thrones, another seems to arise from the devoted military or guardsmen in service to the empire. Perhaps more shall arise at some point, yet thus far this has always been the Imperators' way. 

Tenets of the Imperator:
     The decree of the emperor/empress is absolute, and the words of the divine spoken to mankind. Honor the words of the emperor/empress and exalt their decree on high to others with ears to hear.
     Life is service to the throne. There is no prestige greater or honor higher than the approval of the emperor/empress. Their satisfaction is the satisfaction of the divine gods.
     Heretics shall not mar the emperor/empress with their presence or their hand unless the throne wills it. None who are not in devout service to the empire can be allowed near the throne, and all heretics will be punished to any extreme to prevent harm to the emperor/empress.
     Hunt all heretics within the empire, and let none set foot in the path of our great emperor/empress. Be the sword to cut away all the emperor's/empress's doubt and fear.

Oath Spells

You gain oath spells at the paladin levels listed.

Oath of the Imperator Spells

Channel Divinity: Decree of the Imperator

When you take this oath at 3rd level, you gain the ability to administer a semi-divine decree in the name of your emperor or empress using your Channel Divinity. Most frequently, this decree is a statement of intent, or of a known law of the empire. Henceforth, the Inquisitor seems divinely ordained to complete his decree at any cost. As a bonus action, you speak and invoke your Channel Divinity to make a Decree of Persecution or a Decree of Benediction. Each has the following benefits:

- Decree of Persecution: Choose a creature who can hear you within 60 feet of you. That creature has disadvantage on attack rolls that do not include you. If you hit this creature with a standard weapon attack (unmodified by spells or by features like the Paladin's Divine Smite) you deal 1d4 additional damage of your weapon's type to that creature.

- Decree of Benediction: Choose a creature who can hear you within 30 feet of you. You and that creature now share a bond which allows you to take some of that creature's damage yourself. Whenever that creature would take damage, you may choose to take up to half of the damage dealt to that creature.

These benefits last for 10 minutes or until the target creature is dead. If your emperor/empress states a decree of any kind and you are within 30 feet of them as they do so, if you can hear said decree you regain an expended use of Channel Divinity specifically for use with this feature.

Aura of Allegiance

Starting at 7th level, you and friendly creatures within 10 feet of you have advantage on saves against fear, being charmed, or being stunned. If 3 or more friendly creatures are with you inside the aura, you and those creatures gain a +1 bonus to saving throws.

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

Imperial Law

At 15th level, you gain a new option for your Channel Divinity: Word of Law.

Channel Divinity: Word of Law: Whenever an enemy would cast a spell and you are the only target of that spell, you may use your reaction to cause that spell to fail. The same creature cannot cast that spell on you for 1d4 rounds.

Additionally, you are now imbued with a divine countenance whenever you defend the ideologies or decrees of your emperor or empress. You gain advantage on Persuasion checks. If a creature is attempting to threaten peoples of your empire aside from you, you have advantage on Intimidation checks against that creature.

Divine Imperator

You have now reached the pinnacle of service to your great emperor or empress. As such, you are divinely reinforced by the great forces that work in tandem with your leader and the godly power they represent. You are granted a number of benefits:

- You possess divine awareness. You cannot be surprised and you gain a +2 magic bonus to your Passive Perception and Passive Investigation scores.

- You possess divine strength. You have advantage on Strength (Athletics) checks and your lifting and carrying limits are double the normal maximum.

- You possess divine stamina. You are immune to exhaustion.

- You possess divine willpower. If your emperor/empress has directly charged you with a mission or you are directly defending your emperor/empress, you are immune to the blinded, charmed, deafened, frightened, and stunned conditions for 1d4 days after the command that the emperor/empress has issued to you or immediately after the attempted attack against your emperor/empress.