Oath of Death
A Paladin subclass dedicated to serving Death
Oath of Death
The Oath of Death is a powerful subclass for the Paladin in D&D 5e, and is not for those of a good alignment. This oath is for those who seek to become a death knight, and embrace the power of the realm of death and decay. The Paladin who takes this oath forsakes their mortal weaknesses, and instead seeks to be unyielding and relentless in their pursuit of power. This oath differs from the Oathbreaker Paladin in that it is focused on embracing the darkness within and using it for power, and not on turning away from one's oaths in pursuit of personal gain. Those who take this oath must unleash death's fury upon their enemies without remorse.
Tenants of Death
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Embrace the Darkness: Fully accept and embrace the darkness within you, understand that your power comes from the realm of death and decay.
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Unleash Death’s Fury: You are an instrument of destruction and must unleash your power upon enemies without remorse.
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Forsake Mortal Weaknesses: You must renounce your former life, leaving behind attachments, emotions, or weaknesses that may hinder your path to darkness. You must strive to be unyielding and relentless in your pursuit of power.
Oath Spells
| Paladin Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| 3 | Cause Fear, Earth Tremor |
| 5 | Kinetic Jaunt, Phantasmal Force |
| 9 | Fireball, Speak with Dead |
| 13 | Blight, Fire Shield |
| 17 | Hallow, Enervation |
Channel Divinity
3rd Level Feature
When you take this oath at 3rd level, you gain the following Channel Divinity options.
Death Stare: Whenever an enemy deals damage to you, as a reaction, you may force them to make a wisdom saving throw against your spell save DC and on a failure take your paladin level + charisma modifier necrotic damage, as well as be frightened of you for 2 rounds. On a success the target only takes half damage. You may use this a ability a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus and regain all uses on a short or long rest.
Grim Resonance: As an action, you activate an aura around you that lasts for 1 minute that causes hostile creatures within 30 feet of you suffer a -d4 to attack rolls and saving throws while in the aura. Recharges on a short or long rest.
Death's Influence: As a paladin of the oath of death, you gain the following benefits:
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You have darkvision out to a range of 60 feet.
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You may choose to substitute your divine smite’s radiant damage for necrotic instead.
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You learn Abyssal. If you already know Abyssal, choose another language from the exotic languages table.
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You have advantage on Death Saving Throws.
Death's Allure
7th Level Feature
Deathly Instinct: You gain proficiency in Dexterity Saving Throws. If you have, choose strength or intelligence.
Call of the Grave: As an action, you may cause all hostile entities within 30 feet of you to make a Strength saving throw against your spell save DC. On a failed save, the targets take necrotic damage equal to your paladin level + your Charisma modifier, and be pulled 10 feet towards you. You may use this ability a number of time equal to your proficiency bonus and regain all uses on a short or long rest. If a creature affected by this ability would be pulled to the space you occupy, you may use your reaction to make an attack against them
Spirit Pressure: As a bonus action, while your Grim Resonance is active, you can emit a 30ft pulse of energy centered on you. All creatures within the area must make a Wisdom saving throw against your spell save DC. On a failure, they are frightened of you until they leave the Grim Resonance range. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, regaining all uses on a short or long rest.
Death's Touch
15th Level Feature
Resolve of the Revenant: You are immune to necrotic and poison damage.
Curse of Death: Your connection to the realm of death infuses your strikes with a fleeting curse. When you successfully smite a creature, the target must make a Constitution saving throw against your spell save DC. On a failed save, the creature is cursed for a number of turns equal to your charisma modifier. While cursed, the creature has disadvantage on attack rolls and saving throws. The curse can be removed by greater restoration or a similar effect.
Dreadful Onslaught: The paladin has advantage on attack rolls and saving throws against creatures that are Frightened of/by the Paladin.
Corrupted Ascendance
20th Level Feature
You have learned the secret that evil entities use to enslave fallen paladins and turn them into death knights and made modifications to reach your full potential for your oath.
You can transform into a death knight for 1 minute a number of times equal to your charisma modifier. Treat this form as a wildshape as any damage sustained in this form is not transferred to the player unless the damage would reduce the player to 0 hp, in which case the left over damage would transfer to the player. Furthermore, any spell slots expended in this form do not reset when reverting back and can only be regained on a long rest. Once you use this ability, you must short or long rest to be able to use it again without taking 1 point of exhaustion. Regain all uses on a long rest.