Sacred Oath
At 3rd level, a paladin gains the Sacred Oath feature, and the Oath of Betrothal is a new option for that feature.
Oath of Betrothal
“Lady Taiga, you really must be more careful,” Eryck the Diviner said with a deep frown. “Why do you always put yourself in such danger just for my sake? You don't go nearly so far for our other comrades.”
Caught in the middle of cleaning her own blood off a set of battered battle armor, Lady Taiga spluttered momentarily before answering. “I-it's not like I LIKE you or anything!” she said. “It's just that—what if we find a magic sword, and you're too unconscious to identify it? How will I enjoy my holy avenger then?!”
As they argued, the rest of the party only rolled their eyes. The blush on Taiga's face made the truth far too obvious.
Though many paladins swear to gods and fellowships, not every oath is so cosmic in nature. Some paladins receive their power from humbler vows made between mortals. Paladins who swear the Oath of Betrothal draw their magic from the divine force inherent in their love for another. Whether this oath is made as part of a formal matrimony or engagement or instead is the private declaration of commitment between youths is less important than the purity of the oathmaker's love.
Called rose knights, devotees, or even lovebirds by the more disparaging, these paladins find comfort and motivation in the powerful love they feel, whether they be passionately smitten at first sight or formally sworn to the love of their life.
Your Beloved
Each paladin who takes the Oath of Betrothal has a beloved to whom their heart belongs, and it is to this person they direct and swear their oath. Consider with your DM who your beloved is and how they relate to the campaign. Does the person you love live in your hometown, waiting for you to safely return someday? Do you quest in order to rescue them from an evil that has taken them captive? Do you actively travel with the one with whom you are besotted? It can also be useful to think about what your beloved thinks of your choice to adventure. Do they approve of such heroics? Condemn you for risking your life? By fleshing out your beloved, you can enjoy a vibrant, living character instead of a one-dimensional love interest that exists only for you and contributes little else to the campaign. Finally, remember
that if you want to have a relationship with another player's character, that player's consent is required.
Also, you may wish to determine the nature of your relationship with your beloved. The Oath of Betrothal can be sworn in many circumstances, and the following table includes a few ideas. You can choose to roll on the table, select an idea, or come up with your own.
| d6 | Relationship with Your Beloved |
|---|---|
| ///1/// |
You and your beloved are ecstatic newlyweds. Together, you shall build the rest of your lives. |
| 2 |
Your beloved is presently your betrothed; in time, you will be joined forever in matrimony. That special day can't come soon enough! |
| ///3/// |
In the many years since you were wed, the fires of love and devotion have only burned more brightly. The life you've shared is all you could ask for. |
| 4 |
New love is filled with anxious thoughts and bubbly feelings, and you and your beloved are familiar with both. But could what you have become even more? |
| 5 |
The love bug has bitten you hard, and you're head over heels for a beloved who hardly knows you. You hope that this love can be requited! |
| 6 |
You have settled down with your beloved, but there are many happy years yet in the future. And you treasure the family you now rear together. |
Tenets of Betrothal
As the personal vows between partners, the tenets of betrothal lack consistent phrasings. Nevertheless, the pure love common to every such oath includes these themes:
Affection. Your promise isn't simple infatuation, nor is it carnal lust. It is love—pure, deep, and abiding.
Fidelity. Remember your beloved, no matter how near or far you may be; be true in deed, word, and thought.
Commitment. Yours is no passing fancy, but an everlasting bond that can only grow ever deeper and forever stronger.
Partnership. Love is unselfish. A true relationship is between partners equal in value and united in heart.
Oath Spells
You gain oath spells at the paladin levels listed.
Oath of Betrothal Spells
| Paladin Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| 3rd | ceremonyXGE, shield of faith |
| 5th | enhance ability, warding bond |
| 9th | haste, sending |
| 13th | aura of purity, private sanctum |
| 17th | greater restoration, telepathic bond |
Channel Divinity
When you take this oath at 3rd level, you gain the following Channel Divinity options.
Confess Love. Your loving declaration thunders with power from the depths of your heart. You can use your Channel Divinity as an action to invoke the name of your beloved, which is audible out to 100 feet. You gain temporary hit points equal to your paladin level, and one creature of your choice within 30 feet of you that can hear you must make a Strength saving throw. On a failed save, it is knocked prone and takes thunder damage equal to 1d6 + your paladin level. On a successful save, the creature takes half as much damage and isn't knocked prone.
To Be True. When you or a creature within 30 feet of you fails a saving throw against an enchantment spell or against being charmed, you can use your reaction to speak a prayer of virtue, using your Channel Divinity. The affected creature rerolls the saving throw with advantage, possibly changing the failure to a success.
Aura of Care
At 7th level, your heartfelt spirit manifests as an aura of succor and sacrifice. At the start of each of your turns while you aren't incapacitated, you can choose to lose hit points up to your paladin level, converting your vitality into healing energy that can restore hit points equal to those you lost. Choose any number of conscious creatures within 10 feet of you, and distribute those hit points among them. You can't use this feature on undead or constructs.
At 18th level, the range of this aura increases to 30 feet.
Constancy of Heart
Starting at 15th level, the integrity of your love is unmarred. You can't be affected by any enchantment spell unless you choose to be.
Hopeful Romantic
At 20th level, you can use your action to draw upon your love to aid you in battle, placing you in danger before others. Your heart visibly glows with burning light, as though searing your flesh, and for 1 minute, you gain the following benefits:
- You shed bright light in a 15-foot radius and dim light for an additional 15 feet.
- Hostile creatures within 30 feet of you have disadvantage on all attack rolls made against any creature besides you.
- When you roll a 1 or 2 on a damage die, you can reroll the die and must use the new roll.
- When a friendly creature you can see takes damage, you can move up to your speed toward it as a reaction.
- You are immune to being charmed.
Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.
Credits
Created by Bunnygeon Master using GM Binder.
Thanks to ACOG_Muffin, Caim, Genuine Believerer, flashpoint, Haydizzle, Janawhamme, Novronian, NotTheSmoooze, Phylea, SgtBriar, and the Unearthed Arcana subreddit for feedback and design assistance.
Thanks to /u/AeronDrake for the formatting guide and watercolor stains.
Paliano, the High City by Adam Paquette (©Wizards of the Coast), Lady Taiga by Al Norton (commision), and Roses by Margaret Stoddart (Public Domain).
