Oath of Loyalty

A Paladin Archetype

The Oath of Loyalty ties a paladin to their nation, their guild, or their friends. Sometimes called centurions, Arthurian knights, or samurai, these paladins are the pinnacle of loyalty to those they swear fealty to, and will act in any way necessary to protect and aid their countries, lords, or allies. They consider themselves to reflect whatever they are loyal to, and hold themselves to the highest standards of conduct. Many who swear this oath are fiercely dedicated and patriotic, and do not draw their power from a divine source. Rather, they gain strength from the bonds of brotherhood with their fellow warriors in the cause, and from their passionate love for their goals.

Tenets of Loyalty

The specific words and pledges of the Oath of Loyalty may change from individual to individual, but all paladins of this oath follow these tenets.

Conviction. Never doubt your instructions and orders, for they are always just. Stand by your beliefs and be prideful of the one to whom you have sworn your oath.

Honor. Exemplify the ultimate in ethical and moral behavior. Never lie, cheat, or steal. Abide by an uncompromising code of integrity and respect human dignity.

Courage. Through your mental, moral, and physical strength, master fear and adhere to a higher standard of personal conduct. Lead by example and make tough decisions under stress and pressure.

Responsibility. Remain steadfast in your duty, and understand the consequences that result from your actions. Always protect those whom you have sworn to protect and obey those whom you have sworn to obey.

Oath Spells

You gain oath spells at the paladin levels listed.

Oath of Loyalty Spells

Paladin Level Spells 3rd sancuary, shield 5th calm emotions, enhance ability 9th beacon of hope, haste 13th confusion, stoneskin 17th conjure volley, wall of force

Channel Divinity

When you take this oath at 3rd level, you gain the following two Channel Divinity options.

Taunting Tower. You can use your Channel Divinity to mock your enemies while bolstering your own morale. As an action, you can shout at a group of enemies equal to your Paladin level that can hear you and you gain AC equal to your CHA modifier until your next turn. The creatures must succeed on a WIS or CHA saving throw (their choice) or be taunted. While taunted, the creatures have disadvantage on attack rolls on targets other than you, and repeat the saving throw at the end of each of your turns until they succeed. On a success, they are not taunted.

Creatures must be able to understand the language you are taunting them with.

Inspiring Strike. As an action you can use your Channel Divinity to strike a blow so strong that all allies who can see you are emboldened. You make a basic attack, adding your CHA modifier to the damage, and each ally that can see you gains temporary HP equal to your Paladin level and until your next turn they gain 5 speed for every 5th Paladin level.

Motivational Speaker

Beginning at 3rd level, your words bring strength to those you heal. Whenever you use Lay on Hands or a spell which restores HP, you instead grant the same amount of temporary HP, rather than healing their wounds.

Aura of Loyalty

Starting at 7th level, when you and friendly creatures within 10 feet of you roll critical hits, you can call upon an ally to make a basic attack as a reaction against the critically hit target.

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

Bond of Brotherhood

By 15th level, your connection with your allies is stronger than ever and your Inspiring Strike is a guaranteed critical hit if an ally is within 5 feet of you. This critical hit activates your Aura of Loyalty.

Valiant Leader

At 20th level, as an action you can command all allies within your aura to make a grand assault against the enemy. You and each ally within 30 feet of you makes a basic attack against the target as a reaction. If the ally is not within melee range of the target and cannot use a ranged attack, they may move up to their movement speed to reach the target and make their basic attack. Each ally who hits adds your CHA modifier to the damage.

Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.

Special Thanks

Thanks to J.N., my player who wanted something different from the Paladin class.

Thanks to the Homebrewery for providing this lovely format for free so I can share my designs with the world.

Thanks to Reddit and GitP for providing some advice and help making sure it's balanced and functional.

And Thanks to myself, Benjamin Graham, for putting in the time to make this.