Oath-Sworn
Clad in plate armor that gleams in the sunlight despite the dust and grim of long travel, a human lays down her sword and shield and places her hands on a mortally wounded man. Divine radiance shines from her hands, the man’s wounds knit closed, and his eyes open wide with amazement.
A dwarf crouches behind an outcrop, his black cloak making him nearly invisible in the night, and watches a band of fey just finishing their nightly revel. Silently, he stalks into their midst and whispers an oath, and two satyrs are dead before they even realize he is there.
Silver hair shining in a shaft of light that seems to illuminate only him, an elf laughs with exultation. His spear flashes like his eyes as he jabs again and again at a twisted giant, until at last his light overcomes its hideous darkness.
Whatever their origin and their mission, Oath-Sworn are united by their oaths to stand against forces opposing their cause. Whether sworn before a god’s altar and the witness of a priest, or in a moment of desperation and grief with the dead as the only witness, an Oath-Sworn’s oath is a powerful bond. It is a source of power that turns a devout warrior into a divinely empowered force of reckoning.
Devout in Their Cause
An Oath-Sworn swears to uphold a cause, varying upon the individual. They may uphold justice and righteousness, law and order, or evil and chaos. Although many Oath-Sworn are bound to deities, their power comes as much from their commitment as it does from a god.
Oath-Sworn train for years to learn the skills of combat, mastering a variety of weapons and armor. Even so, their martial skills are secondary to the magical power they wield: power to heal the sick and injured, to smite their sworn enemies, and to protect their allies.
Beyond the Mundane Life
Almost by definition, the life of an Oath-Sworn is an adventuring life. Unless a lasting injury has taken him or her away from adventuring for a time, every Oath-Sworn lives on the front lines of a cosmic struggle of good, evil, law, chaos, and neutrality. Fighters are rare enough among the ranks of the militias and armies of the world, but even fewer people can claim the calling of an Oath-Sworn. When they do receive the call, these warriors turn from their former occupations and take up arms to defend their cause. Sometimes their oaths lead them into service of the crown as leaders of elite groups of knights, but even then their loyalty may be towards more than mere politics.
Adventuring Oath-Sworn take their work seriously. A delve into an ancient ruin or dust crypt can be a quest driven by a higher purpose than the acquisition of treasure. Enemies lurk in dungeons and primeval forest, and even the smallest victory against their foes could tilt the cosmic balance in favor of their Order or church.
MTG Card; Near-Death Experience | Dan Scott
The Oath-Sworn
| Level | Proficiency Bonus | Features | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | +2 | Binding Oath, Divine Sense, Prayerful Invocation | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2nd | +2 | Fighting Style, Spellcasting, Divine Smite | 2 | — | — | — | — |
| 3rd | +2 | Divine Health, Channel Divinity, Binding Oath Feature | 3 | ─ | ─ | — | — |
| 4th | +2 | Ability Score Improvement | 3 | ─ | ─ | — | — |
| 5th | +3 | Extra Attack | 4 | 2 | ─ | — | — |
| 6th | +3 | Aura of Protection | 4 | 2 | ─ | — | — |
| 7th | +3 | Binding Oath Feature | 4 | 3 | ─ | — | — |
| 8th | +3 | Ability Score Improvement | 4 | 3 | ─ | — | — |
| 9th | +4 | ─ | 4 | 3 | 2 | — | — |
| 10th | +4 | Aura of Courage | 4 | 3 | 2 | — | — |
| 11th | +4 | Improved Divine Smite | 4 | 3 | 3 | — | — |
| 12th | +4 | Ability Score Improvement | 4 | 3 | 3 | — | — |
| 13th | +5 | ─ | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | — |
| 14th | +5 | Empowering Touch | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | — |
| 15th | +5 | Binding Oath Feature | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — |
| 16th | +5 | Ability Score Improvement | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — |
| 17th | +6 | ─ | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| 18th | +6 | Aura Improvements | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| 19th | +6 | Ability Score Improvement | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| 20th | +6 | Binding Oath Feature | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
Creating an Oath-Sworn
The most important aspect of an Oath-Sworn character is the nature of his or her holy or unholy quest. As you select your oath and the related class features at 1st level, carefully weigh your choices. Are you a devoted servant of good, loyal to the gods of justice and honor, a holy knight in shining armor venturing forth to smite evil? Are you a champion of law and order, and those alone, regardless of good or evil? Are you an embittered loner sworn to take vengeance on those who have done great evil, sent as an angel of death by the gods or driven by your need for revenge?
How did you experience your call to serve as an Oath-Sworn? Did you hear a whisper from an unseen god, angel, or messenger while you were at prayer? Did another Oath-Sworn sense the potential within you and decide to train you as a squire? Or did some terrible event-the destruction of your home, perhaps-drive you to your quests? Perhaps you stumbled into a sacred grove or a hidden elven enclave and found yourself called to protect all such refuges of goodness and beauty.
Or you might have known from your earliest memories that the Oath-bound life was your calling, almost as if you had been sent into the world with that purpose stamped on your soul.
As guardians of some specific edifice, order, or church, Oath-Sworn come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, varying in their alignments as much as any other hero or villain. Instead, an Oath-Sworn stands out in how they practice their alignment and live their morals.
MTG Card; Blade Instructor | Zoltan Boros
Quick Build
You can make an Oath-Sworn by following these suggestions. First, Strength should be your highest ability score, followed by Charisma. Second, choose the noble background.
Class Features
As an Oath-Sworn, you gain the following class features.
Hit Points
Hit Dice: 1d10 per Oath-Sworn Level
Hit Points at 1st Level: 10 + your Constitution modifier
Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d10 (or 6) + your
Constitution modifier per oath-sworn level after 1st.
Proficiencies
Armor: All armor, shields
Weapons: Simple weapons, martial weapons
Tools: None
Saving Throws: Wisdom, Charisma
Skills: Choose two from Athletics, Insight, Intimidation,
Medicine, Persuasion, and Religion
Equipment
You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background:
- (a) a martial weapon and a shield or (b) two martial weapons
- (a) five javelins or (b) any simple melee weapon
- (a) a priest’s pack or (b) an explorer’s pack
- Chain mail and a holy symbol
Binding Oath
At 1st level, you swear the oath that binds you as an Oath-Sworn forever. Choose one of the Oaths detailed at the end of the class description.
Your choice grants you features at 1st Level, and again at 3rd, 7th, 15th, and 20th.
Oath Spells
Each oath has a list of associated spells. You gain access to these spells at the levels specified in the oath description. Once you gain access to an oath spell, you always have it prepared. Oath spells don’t count against the number of spells you can prepare each day.
If you gain an oath spell that doesn’t appear on the Oath-Sworn spell list, the spell is nonetheless an Oath-Sworn spell for you.
Divine Sense
You have been trained to attune your senses to detect forces that oppose your Order’s Oaths. As an action, you can open your awareness to detect such forces. Until the end of your next turn, you know the location of any forces (outlined by your Oath feature) within 60 feet of you that is not behind total cover. You know the type (celestial, fiend, etc.) of any being whose presence you sense, but not its identity (the vampire Count Strahd von Zarovich, for instance). Within the same radius, you also detect the presence of any place or object that has been consecrated or desecrated, as with the hallow spell.
You can use this feature a number of times equal to 1 + your Charisma modifier. When you finish a long rest, you regain all expended uses.
Prayerful Invocation
Your divinely-infused touch can heal or cause wounds. You have a pool of power that replenishes when you take a long rest. Your pool is an number of d4's equal to your level.
As an action, you can touch a creature and draw power from the pool to restore or remove a number of hit points to that creature, rolling 1 or more d4's. If removing hit points, the target must make a Charisma saving throw, the DC is equal to 8 + your proficienty bonus + your Charisma modifier. On a failure, they lose that amount of hit points. On a success, they lose one half of that amount.
This feature has no effect on undead and constructs.
Fighting Style
At 2nd level, you adopt a style of fighting as your specialty. Choose one of the following options. You can’t take a Fighting Style option more than once, even if you later get to choose again.
Defense
While you are wearing armor, you gain a +1 bonus to AC.
Dueling
When you are wielding a melee weapon in one hand and no other weapons, you gain a +2 bonus to damage rolls with that weapon.
Great Weapon Fighting
When you roll a 1 or a 2 on a damage die for an attack you make with a melee weapon that you are wielding with two hands, you can reroll the die and must use the new roll. The weapon must have the two-handed or versatile property for you to gain this benefit.
Protection
When a creature you can see attacks a target other than you that is within 5 feet of you, you can use your reaction to impose disadvantage on the attack roll. You must be wielding a shield.
MTG Card; Vernadi Shieldmate | Matt Stewart
Spellcasting
By 2nd level, you have learned to draw on divine magic through meditation and prayer to cast spells as a cleric does. See chapter 10 for the general rules of spellcasting and chapter 11 for the Oath-Sworn spell list.
Preparing and Casting Spells
The Oath-Sworn table shows how many spell slots you have to cast your spells. To cast one of your Oath-Sworn spells of 1st level or higher, you must expend a slot of the spell’s level or higher. You regain all expended spell slots when you finish a long rest.
You prepare the list of Oath-Sworn spells that are available for you to cast, choosing from the Oath-Sworn spell list. When you do so, choose a number of Oath-Sworn spells equal to your Charisma modifier + half your Oath-Sworn level, rounded down (minimum of one spell). The spells must be of a level for which you have spell slots.
For example, if you are a 5th level Oath-Sworn, you have four 1st-level and two 2nd-level spell slots. With a Charisma of 14, your list of prepared spells can include four spells of 1st or 2nd level, in any combination. If you prepare the 1st-level spell cure wounds, you can cast it using a 1st-level or a 2nd-level slot. Casting the spell doesn’t remove it from your list of prepared spells.
You can change your list of prepared spells when you finish a long rest. Preparing a new list of Oath-Sworn spells requires time spent in prayer and meditation: at least 1 minute per spell level for each spell on your list.
Spellcasting Ability
Charisma is your spellcasting ability for your Oath-Sworn spells, since your power derives from the strength of your convictions. You use your Charisma whenever a spell refers to your spellcasting ability. In addition, you use your Charisma modifier when setting the saving throw DC for an Oath-Sworn spell you cast and when making an attack roll with one.
Spell save DC = 8+ your proficiency bonus + your Charisma modifier
Spell attack modifier = your proficiency bonus + your Charisma modifier
Spellcasting Focus
You can use a holy symbol (see chapter 5, “Equipment”) as a spellcasting focus for your Oath-Sworn spells.
Divine Smite
Starting at 2nd level, when you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack, you can expend one spell slot to deal extra damage to the target, in addition to the weapon’s damage. The extra damage is of a type varying upon your alignment. If you are Good, the damage is radiant. If you are Evil, the damage is necrotic. If you are neither Evil nor Good-aligned, the damage is force. This damage ignores resistances and immunities.
The extra damage is equal to 2d8 for a 1st-level spell slot, plus 1d8 for each spell level higher than 1st, to a maximum of 5d8. The damage increases by an additional 1d8 if the target is a type of being which you are able to detect with your Divine Sense, as specified in your Oath.
Channel Divinity
When you reach 3rd level, your oath allows you to channel divine energy to fuel magical effects. Each Channel Divinity option provided by your oath explains how to use it.
When you use your Channel Divinity, you choose which option to use. You must then finish a short or long rest to use your Channel Divinity again.
Some Channel Divinity effects require saving throws. When you use such an effect from this class, the DC equals you Oath-Sworn spell save DC.
Divine Health
By 3rd level, the divine magic flowing through you makes you immune to disease.
Ability Score Improvement
When you reach 4th level, and again at 8th, 12th, 16th, and 19th level, you can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can’t increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.
Extra Attack
Beginning at 5th level, you can attack twice, instead of once, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn.
Aura of Protection
Starting at 6th level, whenever you or a friendly creature within 10 feet of you must make a saving throw, the creature gains a bonus to the saving throw equal to your Charisma modifier (with a minimum bonus of +1). You must be conscious to grant this bonus.
At 18th level, the range of this aura increases to 30 feet.
Aura of Courage
Starting at 10th level, you and friendly creatures within 10 feet of you can’t be frightened while you are conscious.
At 18th level, the range of this aura increases to 30 feet.
MTG Card; Smelt-Ward Minotaur | Wisnu Tan
Improved Divine Smite
By 11th level, you are so suffused with divine might that all of your melee weapon strikes carry divine power with them. Whenever you hit a creature with a melee weapon, the creature takes an extra 1d8 damage of the same type as your Divine Smite. If you also use your Divine Smite ability with an attack, you add this damage to the extra damage of your Divine Smite.
Empowering Touch
Beginning at 14th level, you can use your action to end one spell on yourself or on one willing creature that you touch.
You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Charisma modifier (a minimum of once). You regain expended uses when you finish a long rest.
Binding Oaths
Becoming an Oath-Sworn involves taking vows that commit you to your cause, actively fighting your foes.
Oath of Devotion
Known most frequently as Paladins, Oath-Sworn bound to the Oath of Devotion uphold the loftiest ideals of justice, virtue, and order. Sometimes called cavaliers, white knights, or holy warriors, these Oath-Sworn meet the ideal of the knight in shining armor, acting with honor in pursuit of justice and the greater good. They hold themselves to the highest standards of conduct, and some, for better or worse, hold the rest of the world to the same standards. Many who swear this oath are devoted to gods of law and good and use their gods’ tenets as the measure of their devotion. They hold angels-the perfect servants of good-as their ideals, and incorporate images of angelic wings into their helmets or coats of arms.
Tenets of Devotion
Though the exact words and strictures of the Oath of Devotion vary, Oath-Sworn of this oath share these tenets.
Honesty. Don’t lie or cheat. Let your word be your promise.
Courage. Never fear to act, though caution is wise.
Compassion. Aid others, protect the weak, and punish those who threaten them. Show mercy to your foes, but temper it with wisdom.
Honor. Treat others with fairness, and let your honorable deeds be an example to them. Do as much good as possible while causing the least amount of harm.
Duty. Be responsible for your actions and their consequences, protect those entrusted to your care, and obey those who have authority over you.
MTG Card; Ajani's Presence | Raymond Swanland
Divine Sense
You are able to detect the presence of celestials, fiends, and undead using your Divine Sense ability.
Oath Spells
You gain Oath Spells at the Oath-Sworn levels listed.
Oath of Devotion Spells
| Oath-Sworn Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| 3rd | protection from evil and good, sanctuary |
| 5th | lesser restoration, zone of truth |
| 9th | beacon of hope, dispel magic |
| 13th | freedom of movement, guardian of faith |
| 17th | commune, flame strike |
Channel Divinity
When you learn Channel Divinity at 3rd level, you gain the following two Channel Divinity options.
Sacred Weapon. As an action, you can imbue one weapon that you are holding with positive energy, using your Channel Divinity. For 1 minute, you add your Charisma modifier to attack rolls made with that weapon (with a minimum bonus of +1). The weapon also emits bright light in a 20-foot radius and dim light 20 feet beyond that. If the weapon is not already magical, it becomes magical for the duration.
You can end this effect on your turn as part of any other action. If you are no longer holding or carrying this weapon, or if you fall unconscious, this effect ends.
Turn the Unholy. As an action, you present your holy symbol and speak a prayer censuring fiends and undead, using your Channel Divinity. Each fiend or undead that can see or hear you within 30 feet of you must make a Wisdom saving throw. If the creature fails its saving throw, it is turned for 1 minute or until it takes damage.
A turned creature must spend its turns trying to move as far away from you as it can, and it can’t willingly move to a space within 30 feet of you. It also can’t take reactions. For its action, it can use only the Dash action or try to escape from an effect that prevents it from moving. If there’s nowhere to move, the creature can use the Dodge action.
Aura of Devotion
Starting at 7th level, you and friendly creatures within 10 feet of you can’t be charmed while you are conscious.
At 18th level, the range of this aura increases to 30 feet.
Purity of Spirit
Beginning at 15th level, you are always under the effect of a protection from evil and good spell.
Holy Nimbus
At 20th level, as an action, you can emanate an aura of sunlight. For 1 minute, bright light shines from you in a 30-foot radius, and dim light shines 30 feet beyond that.
Whenever an enemy creature starts its turn in the bright light, the creature takes 10 radiant damage.
In addition, for the duration, you have advantage on saving throws against spells cast by fiends or undead.
Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.
Oath of the Ancients
The Oath of the Ancients is as old as the race of elves and the rituals of the druids. Usually called Garaths, fey knights, green knights, or horned knights, Oath-Sworn bound to this oath cast their lot with the side of the light in the cosmic struggle against darkness because they love the beautiful and life-giving things of the world, not necessarily because they believe in principles of honor, courage, and justice. They adorn their armor and clothing with images of growing things- leaves, antlers, or flowers- to reflect their commitment to preserving life and light in the world.
Tenets of the Ancients
The tenets of the Oath of the Ancients have been pre- served for uncounted centuries. This oath emphasizes the principles of good above any concerns of law or chaos. Its four central principles are simple.
Kindle the Light. Through your acts of mercy, kindness, and forgiveness, kindle the light of hope in the world, beating back despair.
Shelter the Light. Where there is good, beauty, love, and laughter in the world, stand against the wickedness that would swallow it. Where life flourishes, stand against the forces that would render it barren.
Preserve Your Own Light. Delight in song and laughter, in beauty and art. If you allow the light to die in your own heart, you can’t preserve it in the world.
Be the Light. Be a glorious beacon for all who live in despair. Let the light of your joy and courage shine forth in all your deeds.
Divine Sense
You are able to detect the presence of fey, fiends, and undead using your Divine Sense ability.
MTG Card; Forest | Jung Park
Oath Spells
You gain oath spells at the Oath-Sworn levels listed.
Oath of the Ancients Spells
| Oath-Sworn Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| 3rd | ensnaring strike, speak with animals |
| 5th | misty step, moonbeam |
| 9th | plant growth, protection from energy |
| 13th | ice storm, stoneskin |
| 17th | commune with nature, tree stride |
Channel Divinity
When you learn Channel Divinity at 3rd level, you gain the following two Channel Divinity options.
Nature’s Wrath. You can use your Channel Divinity to invoke primeval forces to ensnare a foe. As an action, you can cause spectral vines to spring up and reach for a creature within 10 feet of you that you can see. The creature must succeed on a Strength or Dexterity saving throw (its choice) or be restrained. While restrained by the vines, the creature repeats the saving throw at the end of each of its turns. On a success, it frees itself and the vines vanish.
Turn the Faithless. You can use your Channel Divinity to utter ancient words that are painful for fey and fiends to hear. As an action, you present your holy symbol, and each fey or fiend within 30 feet of you that can hear you must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the creature is turned for 1 minute or until it takes damage.
A turned creature must spend its turns trying to move as far away from you as it can, and it can’t willingly move to a space within 30 feet of you. It also can’t take reactions. For its action, it can use only the Dash action or try to escape from an effect that prevents it from moving. If there’s nowhere to move, the creature can use the Dodge action.
If the creature’s true form is concealed by an illusion, shapeshifting, or other effect, that form is revealed while it is turned.
Aura of Warding
Beginning at 7th level, ancient magic lies so heavily upon you that it forms an eldritch ward. You and friendly creatures within 10 feet of you have resistance to damage from spells.
At 18th level, the range of this aura increases to 30 feet.
Undying Sentinel
Starting at 15th level, when you are reduced to 0 hit points and are not killed outright, you can choose to drop to 1 hit point instead. Once you use this ability, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.
Additionally, you suffer none of the drawbacks of old age, and you can’t be aged magically.
Elder Champion
At 20th level, you can assume the form of an ancient force of nature, taking on an appearance you choose. For example, your skin might turn green or take on a bark-like texture, your hair might become leafy or moss-like, or you might sprout antlers or a lion-like mane.
Using your action, you undergo a transformation. For 1 minute, you gain the following benefits:
- At the start of each of your turns, you regain 10 hit points.
- Whenever you cast an Oath-Sworn spell that has a casting time of 1 action, you can cast it using a bonus action instead.
- Enemy creatures within 10 feet of you have disadvantage on saving throws against your Oath-Sworn spells and Channel Divinity options.
Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.
Oath of Vengeance
The Oath of Vengeance is a solemn commitment to punish those who have committed a grievous sin. When evil forces slaughter helpless villagers, when an entire people turns against the will of the gods, when a thieves’ guild grows too violent and powerful, when a dragon rampages through the countryside—at times like these, Oath-Sworn arise and swear an Oath of Vengeance to set right that which has gone wrong. To these Oath-Sworn— sometimes called avengers or dark knights—their own purity is not as important as delivering justice.
Tenets of Vengeance
The tenets of the Oath of Vengeance vary by Oath-Sworn, but all the tenets revolve around punishing wrong- doers by any means necessary. Oath-Sworn who uphold these tenets are willing to sacrifice even their own righteousness to mete out justice upon those who do evil, so the Oath-Sworn are often neutral or lawful neutral in alignment. The core principles of the tenets are brutally simple.
Fight the Greater Evil. Faced with a choice of fighting my sworn foes or combating a lesser evil, I choose the greater evil.
No Mercy for the Wicked. Ordinary foes might win my mercy, but my sworn enemies do not.
By Any Means Necessary. My qualms can’t get in the way of exterminating my foes.
Restitution. If my foes wreak ruin on the world, it is because I failed to stop them. I must help those harmed by their misdeeds.
Divine Sense
You are able to detect the presence of celestials, fiends, and undead using your Divine Sense ability.
Oath Spells
You gain oath spells at the Oath-Sworn levels listed
Oath of Vengeance Spells
| Oath-Sworn Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| 3rd | bane, hunter's mark |
| 5th | hold person, misty step |
| 9th | haste, protection from energy |
| 13th | banishment, dimension door |
| 17th | hold monster, scrying |
Channel Divinity
When you learn Channel Divinity at 3rd level, you gain the following two Channel Divinity options.
Abjure Enemy. As an action, you present your holy symbol and speak a prayer of denunciation, using your Channel Divinity. Choose one creature within 60 feet of you that you can see. That creature must make a Wisdom saving throw, unless it is immune to being frightened. Fiends and undead have disadvantage on this saving throw.
On a failed save, the creature is frightened for 1 minute or until it takes any damage. While frightened, the creature’s speed is 0, and it can’t benefit from any bonus to its speed.
On a successful save, the creature’s speed is halved for 1 minute or until the creature takes any damage.
Vow of Enmity. As a bonus action, you can utter a vow of enmity against a creature you can see within 10 feet of you, using your Channel Divinity. You gain advantage on attack rolls against the creature for 1 minute or until it drops to 0 hit points or falls unconscious.
Relentless Avenger
By 7th level, your supernatural focus helps you close off a foe’s retreat. When you hit a creature with an opportunity attack, you can move up to half your speed immediately after the attack and as part of the same reaction. This movement doesn’t provoke opportunity attacks.
Soul of Vengeance
Starting at 15th level, the authority with which you speak your Vow of Enmity gives you greater power over your foe. When a creature under the effect of your Vow of Enmity makes an attack, you can use your reaction to make a melee weapon attack against that creature if it is within range.
MTG Card; Avacyn, the Purifier | James Ryman
Avenging Angel
At 20th level, you can assume the form of an angelic avenger. Using your action, you undergo a transformation. For 1 hour, you gain the following benefits:
- Wings sprout from your back and grant you a flying speed of 60 feet.
- You emanate an aura of menace in a 30-foot radius. The first time any enemy creature enters the aura or starts its turn there during a battle, the creature must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or become frightened of you for 1 minute or until it takes any damage. Attack rolls against the frightened creature have advantage.
Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.
Oath of the Crown
The Oath of the Crown is sworn to the ideals of civilization, be it the spirit of a nation, fealty to a sovereign, or service to a deity of law and rulership. The Oath-Sworn who swear this oath dedicate themselves to serving society and, in particular, the just laws that hold society together. These Oath-Sworn are the watchful guardians on the walls, standing against the chaotic tides of barbarism that threaten to tear down all that civilization has built, and are commonly known as guardians, exemplars, or sentinels. Often, Oath-Sworn bound to this oath are members of an order of knighthood in service to a nation or sovereign, and undergo their oath as part of their admission into the order’s ranks.
Tenets of the Crown
The tenets of the Oath of the Crown are often set by the sovereign to which their oath is sworn, but generally emphasize the following tenets.
Law. The law is paramount. It is the mortar that holds the stones of civilization together, and it must be respected.
Loyalty. Your word is your bond. Without loyalty, oaths and laws are meaningless.
Courage. You must be willing to do what needs to be done for the sake of order, even in the face of overwhelming odds. If you don’t act, then who will?
Responsibility. You must deal with the consequences of your actions, and you are responsible for fulfilling your duties and obligations.
Divine Sense
You are able to detect the presence of fey, fiends, and undead using your Divine Sense ability.
MTG Card; Forest | Alyna Danner
Oath Spells
You gain oath spells at the Oath-Sworn levels listed.
Oath of the Crown Spells
| Oath-Sworn Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| 3rd | command, compelled duel |
| 5th | warding bond, zone of truth |
| 9th | aura of vitality, spirit guardians |
| 13th | banishment, guardian of faith |
| 17th | circle of power, geas |
Channel Divinity
When you learn Channel Divinity at 3rd level, you gain the following Channel Divinity options.
Champion Challenge. You issue a challenge that compels other creatures to do battle with you. Each creature of your choice that you can see within 30 feet of you must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, a creature can’t willingly move more than 30 feet away from you. This effect ends on the creature if you are incapacitated or die or if the creature is moved more than 30 feet away from you.
Turn the Tide. As a bonus action, you can bolster injured creatures with your Channel Divinity. Each creature of your choice that can hear you and is within 30 feet of you regains hit points equal to 1d6 + your Charisma modifier (minimum of 1) if it has no more than half its hit points.
Divine Allegiance
Starting at 7th level, when a creature within 5 feet of you takes damage, you can use your reaction to magically substitute your own health for that of the target creature, causing that creature not to take the damage. Instead, you take the damage. This damage to you can’t be reduced or prevented in any way.
Unyielding Spirit
Starting at 15th level, you have advantage on saving throws to avoid being paralyzed or stunned.
Exalted Champion
At 20th level, your presence on the field of battle is an inspiration to those dedicated to your cause. You can use your action to gain the following benefits for 1 hour:
- You have resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage from nonmagical weapons.
- Your allies have advantage on death saving throws while within 30 feet of you.
- You have advantage on Wisdom saving throws, as do your allies within 30 feet of you.
This effect ends early if you are incapacitated or die. Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.
Oath of Conquest
The oath of Conquest calls to Oath-Sworn who seek glory in battle and the subjugation of their enemies. It isn’t enough for these Oath-Sworn to establish order. They must crush the forces of chaos. Sometimes called knight tyrants or iron mongers, those who swear this oath gather into grim orders that serve gods or philosophies of war and well-ordered might.
Some of these Oath-Sworn go so far as to consort with the powers of the Nine Hells, valuing the rule of law over the balm of mercy. The archdevil Bel, warlord of Avernus, counts many of these Oath-Sworn-called hell knights or Illriggers-as his most ardent supporters. They cover their armor with trophies taken from fallen enemies, a grim warning to any who dare oppose them and the decrees of their lords. These knights are often most fiercely resisted by other Oath-Sworn of this oath, who believe that the hell knights have wandered too far into darkness.
Tenets of Conquest
An Oath-Sworn who takes this oath has the tenets of conquest seared on the upper arm.
Douse the Flame of Hope. It is not enough to merely defeat an enemy in battle. Your victory must be so over-whelming that your enemies’ will to fight is shattered forever. A blade can end a life. Fear can end an empire
Rule with an Iron Fist. Once you have conquered, tolerate no dissent. Your word is law. Those who obey it shall be favored. Those who defy it shall be punished as an example to all who follow.
Strength above all. You shall rule until a stronger one arises. Then you must grow mightier and meet the challenge, or fall to your own ruin.
Divine Sense
You are able to detect the presence of celestials, fiends, and undead using your Divine Sense ability.
Oath Spells
You gain oath spells at the Oath-Sworn levels listed.
Oath of Conquest Spells
| Oath-Sworn Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| 3rd | armor of Agathys, command |
| 5th | hold person, spiritual weapon |
| 9th | bestow curse, fear |
| 13th | dominate beast, stoneskin |
| 17th | cloudkill, dominate person |
MTG Card; Boros Guildgate | Titus Lunter
Channel Divinity
When you learn Channel Divinity at 3rd level, you gain the following Channel Divinity options.
Conquering Presence. You can use your Channel Divinity to exude a terrifying presence. As an action, you force each creature of your choice that you can see within 30 feet of you to make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, a creature becomes frightened of you for 1 minute. The frightened creature can repeat this saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
Guided Strike. You can use your Channel Divinity to strike with supernatural accuracy. When you make an attack roll, you can use your Channel Divinity to gain a +10 bonus to the roll. You make this choice after you see the roll, but before the DM says whether the attack hits or misses.
Aura of Conquest
Starting at 7th level, you constantly emanate a menacing aura while you’re not incapacitated. The aura extends 10 feet from you in every direction, but not through total cover.
If a creature is frightened of you, its speed is reduced to 0 while in the aura, and that creature takes psychic damage equal to half your Oath-Sworn level if it starts its turn there.
At 18th level, the range of this aura increases to 30 feet.
Scornful Rebuke
Starting at 15th level, those who dare to strike you are psychically punished for their audacity. Whenever a creature hits you with an attack, that creature takes psychic damage equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum of 1) if you’re not incapacitated.
Invincible Conqueror
At 20th level, you gain the ability to harness extraordinary martial prowess. As an action, you can magically become an avatar of conquest, gaining the following benefits for 1 minute.
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You have resistance to all damage.
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When you take the Attack action on your turn, you can make one additional attack as part of that action.
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Your melee weapon attacks score a critical hit on a roll of 19 or 20 on the d20.
Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.
Oath of Redemption
The oath of Redemption sets an Oath-Sworn on a difficult path, one that requires a holy warrior to use violence only as a last resort. Oath-Sworn who dedicate themselves to this oath believe that any person can be redeemed and that the path of benevolence and justice is one that anyone can walk. These Oath-Sworn face evil creatures in the hope of turning their foes to the light, and they slay their enemies only when such a deed will clearly save other lives. Oath-Sworn who follow this path are known as redeemers or Myrikhans.
While they are idealists, they are no fools. They know that undead, demons, devils, and other supernatural threats can be inherently evil. Against such foes, Oath-Sworn who swear this oath bring the full wrath of their weapons and spells to bear. Yet they still pray that, one day, even creatures of wickedness will invite their own redemption.
Tenets of Redemption
The tenets of the Oath of Redemption hold an Oath-Sworn to a high standard of peace and justice.
Peace. Violence is a weapon of last resort. Diplomacy and understanding are the paths to long-lasting peace.
Innocence. All people begin life in an innocent state, and it is their environment or the influence of dark forces that drives them to evil. By setting the proper example, and working to heal the wounds of a deeply flawed world, you can set anyone on a righteous path.
Patience. Change takes time. Those who have walked the path of the wicked must be given reminders to keep them honest and true. Once you have planted the seed of righteousness in a creature, you must work day after day to allow that seed to survive and flourish.
Wisdom. Your heart and mind must stay clear, for eventually you will be forced to admit defeat. While every creature can be redeemed, some are so far along the path of evil that you have no choice but to end their lives for the greater good. Any such action must be carefully weighed and the consequences fully understood, but once you have made the decision, follow through with it knowing your path is just.
Divine Sense
You are able to detect the presence of celestials, fiends, and undead using your Divine Sense ability.
Oath Spells
You gain oath spells at the Oath-Sworn levels listed.
MTG Card; Plains | Clint Cearly
Oath of Redemption Spells
| Oath-Sworn Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| 3rd | sanctuary, sleep |
| 5th | calm emotions, hold person |
| 9th | counterspell, hypnotic pattern |
| 13th | Otiluke's resilient sphere, stoneskin |
| 17th | hold monster, wall of force |
Channel Divinity
When you learn Channel Divinity at 3rd level, you gain the following two Channel Divinity options.
Emissary of Peace. You can use your Channel Divinity to augment your presence with divine power. As a bonus action, you grant yourself a +5 bonus to Charisma (Persuasion) checks for the next 10 minutes.
Rebuke the Violent. You can use your Channel Divinity to rebuke those who use violence. Immediately after an attacker within 30 feet of you deals damage with an attack against a creature other than you, you can use your reaction to force the attacker to make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the attacker takes radiant damage equal to the damage it just dealt. On a successful save, it takes half as much damage.
Aura of the Guardian
Starting at 7th level, you can shield others from harm at the cost of your own health. When a creature within 10 feet of you takes damage, you can use your reaction to magically take that damage, instead of that creature taking it. This feature doesn’t transfer any other effects that might accompany the damage, and this damage can’t be reduced in any way.
At 18th level, the range of this aura increases to 30 feet.
Protective Spirit
Starting at 15th level, a holy presence mends your wounds in battle. You regain hit points equal to 1d6 + half your Oath-Sworn level if you end your turn in combat with fewer than half of your hit points remaining and you aren’t incapacitated.
Emissary of Redemption
At 20th level, you become an avatar of peace, which gives you two benefits:
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You have resistance to all damage dealt by other creatures (their attacks, spells, and other effects).
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Whenever a creature hits you with an attack, it takes radiant damage equal to half the damage you take from the attack.
If you attack a creature, cast a spell on it, or deal damage to it by any means but this feature, neither benefit works against that creature until you finish a long rest.
Breaking Your Oath
An Oath-Sworn tries to hold to the highest standards of conduct, but even the most devout are fallible. Sometimes the proper path proves too demanding, sometimes a situation calls for the lesser of two evils, and sometimes the heat of emotion causes an Oath-Sworn to transgress his or her oath.
An Oath-Sworn who has broken a vow typically seeks absolution from a cleric who shares his or her faith or from another Oath-Sworn of the same order. Or, they might spend an all-night vigil in prayer as a sign of penitence, or undertake a fast. After a rite of confession and forgiveness, they start their quest anew.
If they willfully violate their oaths and show no sign of repentance , the consequences can be more serious. At the DM’s discretion, the impenitent Good-aligned Oath-Sworn might be forced to abandon this class and adopt another, or take this Oathbreaker option.
Oathbreaker
An Oathbreaker is an Oath-Sworn who breaks his or her sacred oaths to pursue some dark ambition or serve an evil power. Whatever light burned in the Oath-Sworn’s heart has been extinguished. Only darkness remains.
An Oath-Sworn must be evil and have previously had a good alignment to become an Oathbreaker. The Oath-Sworn replaces the features specific to his or her Binding Oath with the following Oathbreaker features.
Divine Sense
You are able to detect the presence of celestials, fiends, and undead using your Divine Sense ability.
MTG Card; Nahiri, the Harbinger | Aleksi Briclot
Oathbreaker Spells
An Oathbreaker loses previously gained oath spells and instead gains Oathbreaker spells at the Oath-Sworn levels listed.
Oathbreaker Spells
| Oath-Sworn Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| 3rd | hellish rebuke, inflict wounds |
| 5th | crown of madness, darkness |
| 9th | animate dead, bestow curse |
| 13th | blight, confusion |
| 17th | contagion, dominate person |
Channel Divinity
An Oathbreaker of 3rd level or higher gains the following two Channel Divinity options.
Control Undead. As an action, you target one undead creature you can see within 30 feet of you. The target must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the target must obey your commands for the next 24 hours, or until you use this Channel Divinity option again. An undead whose challenge rating is equal to or greater than your level is immune to this effect.
Dreadful Aspect. As an action, you channel the darkest emotions and focus them into a burst of magical menace. Each creature of your choice within 30 feet of you must make a Wisdom saving throw if it can see you. On a failed save, the target is frightened of you for 1 minute. If a creature frightened by this effect ends its turn more than 30 feet away from you, it can attempt another Wisdom saving throw to end the effect of it.
Aura of Hate
Starting at 7th level, you, as well as any fiends and undead within 10 feet of you, gain a bonus to melee weapon damage rolls equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum of +1). A creature can benefit from this feature from only one Oathbreaker at a time.
At 18th level, the range of this aura increases to 30 feet.
Supernatural Resistance
At 15th level, you gain resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage from nonmagical weapons.
Dread Lord
At 20th-level, you can, as an action, surround yourself with an aura of gloom that lasts for 1 minute. The aura reduces any bright light in a 30-foot radius around you to dim light. Whenever an enemy that is frightened by you starts its turn in the aura, it takes 4d10 psychic damage. Additionally, you and creatures you choose in the aura are draped in deeper shadow. Creatures that rely on sight have disadvantage on attack rolls against creatures draped in this shadow.
While the aura lasts, you can use a bonus action on your turn to cause the shadows in the aura to attack one creature. You make a melee spell attack against the target. If the attack hits, the target takes necrotic damage equal to 3d10 + your Charisma modifier. After activating this aura, you can’t do so again until you finish a long rest.
