Oath of the Slayer

 

To first become a Slayer, the Dwarf must make a pilgrimage towards the Shrine of their Ancestor God. There the Dwarf would ritually shave his head save for a solitary crest -- a fearsome plume which they dye bright orange and stiffen with pig grease. The larger the crest, the deadlier the Dwarf. After the ritual, the Dwarf would cut a name upon a pillar, where the names of many other Slayers have been carved over the millennium. With his pilgrimage finished, the Dwarf would march upon the treacherous wilderness and deliberately seek out mighty battles towards fearsome foes and against overwhelming odds.

To become a Slayer is to become an engine of mass destruction, a warrior that seeks nothing more in life than an honourable and glorious death that shall expunge the shame that has pushed him upon this path, and to be remembered in the saga's of his people for all time.

The life of a Slayer is a solitary existence of battle after battle. Most Slayers would die upon their first or second battle against their enemies, but those that survive these battles are considered the unlucky ones. Whether by their sheer martial skills, toughness or determination, these Dwarfs, though unsuccessful in their quest, have inadvertently been moulded into a magnificent warriors. This natural selection weeds out all but the most exceptional of their kind, meaning that any Slayer met is most likely psychopathically dangerous. As a Slayer continues to carve a massive toll of beast upon his axe, they often take the names of the beast they slay, as well as adding to the array of intricate tattoos adorning their body. It is believed that certain slayer tattoos possess the power to deflect missiles, it being the will of the Ancestor Gods that the Dwarf be allowed to seek death at close quarters against the mightiest foe possible.

Slayers do not speak of the terrible shame that led them to seek out this course, for that too would only bring further dishonour. They are reclusive loners, even amongst their own folk, and not given to song and feasting as are many other dwarfs. In battle they will be the first to sing their death-songs - a dour lamentation that acknowledges their demise is inevitable. Because of their shame and their death oath, many slayers suffer bouts of depression. This often leads to periods when they glut themselves on alcohol or food. Particularly deadly slayers are also sometimes forced to work odd jobs, to finance their travels in search of increasingly dangerous monsters since becoming a Slayer is not so much a career choice as it is a means of atonement.

 As a Slayer has self-imposed his own exile they are treated differently by other Dwarves, avoided and regarded warily but not fully shunned.

Slayer's Defence

Starting when you choose this path at 3rd level, as a slayer you reject the use of armour, at most using leather or hide to cover your lower body. You are only permitted to wear light armour and are not permitted the use of a shield.

That's My Doom!

Starting when you choose this path at 3rd level, you have taken the Slayer's Oath. You seek nothing more in life than an honourable and glorious death, and to be remember in the saga's of your people for all time.

If you encounter a creature one size large than you, you must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom Saving throw or this creature becomes your target and you must move directly towards the creature and attempt to attack it. If you are already in combat then you may resolve the combat before moving to attack your target.

If you encounter a creature more than one size larger than you, this creature becomes your target and you must immediately move to attempt to attack the creature. If you are already in combat then you must use your action to disengage from combat and move to attack your target.

Slayer's Frenzy

Starting when you choose this path at 3rd level, you can go into a frenzy when you rage using a bonus action.

If you are frenzied, you may make a single melee weapon attack against your opponent using your bonus action. When your rage ends, you suffer one level of exhaustion.

Slayer's Rage

Most Slayers would die upon their first or second battle against their enemies, but those that survive these battles are considered the unlucky ones. You laugh in the face of Death and welcome the prospect of violence.

Beginning at 6th level, you can’t be frightened.

Also you are unable to be charmed whilst raging. If you are charmed and begin to rage then the effects of the charm are ignored until the rage ends

Slayer Tattoos

You are covered in intricate tattoos that are believed to ward off magical interference whilst simultaneously depicting foes defeated along your journey.

Starting at 6th level, you gain advantage on all saving throws as a result of magic.

Slayer's Fury

Starting at 10th level, you can focus your fury on one creature within sight. If you do not already have a target then you may choose one creature within 60 feet of you, otherwise you must choose your current target.

Whilst raging, your melee damage is doubled against your target. Also, your melee attacks score a critical hit on a roll of 19 or 20 against your target.

Counter

Starting at 14th level, whenever you take damage from a creature you may make a melee weapon attack against that creature using your reaction.

Accomplished Slayer

As a Slayer continues to carve a massive toll of beast upon his axe, they often take the names of the beast they slay. Such names includes becoming a Trollslayer, or a Giantslayer. The greatest of these already formidable warriors are the infamous Daemonslayers or Dragonslayers, warriors who have managed to survive the encounter with two of the most ferocious creatures to ever live, slaying it and surviving to tell the tale.

Beginning at 14th level. Once you kill a creature that is at least two sizes larger than you, you gain the title of Slayer pertaining to that creature type. (Beast, Celestial, Dragon, Fiend, Giant, Monstrosity, Plant, Undead)

When facing a creature of this type, you gain advantage on melee attack rolls.

If you kill another creature of the same type, that is at least two sizes larger than you, you may then also add your rage damage bonus to any melee damage rolls against a creature of that type without the need to enter rage.  (Unsure about this last one, doesn't feel like it needs it)