Paladin Oath: Oath of Penance

The Oath of Penance is a commitment to atoning for the mistakes of the past. Many warriors who take up oaths are doing so to make up for something in their past and to correct some failure, but the ones who take up this oath know that simple words of apology often ring hollow. They know true redemption lies not only in oath and action, but in suffering equal to the pain you have wrought.

The belief that any mistake can be absolved is integral to this oath. So many who swear to the oath are from disparate orders, and do not walk this path for long. Many will return to their orders, and follow their original oaths the moment they would have them back, though they never abandon the principles of penance. However an oath is not taken lightly, and most who swear to the Oath of Penance never stray from it, as they never fully atone. Others still, achieve the redemption that they sought, and find a new calling in helping others find the same forgiveness they have.

Tenets of Penance

The tenets of the Oath of Penance emphasize a focus on actively working to undo ones mistakes and showing humility and remorse.

Sacrifice for the Righteous. I will forgo luxuries to provide service to those more deserving.

Redemption for Those Who Earn It. I must answer for all misdeeds I commit while walking my path.

Forgiveness for the Remorseful. I must allow others the opportunity to seek atonement. No crime is unforgivable.

Reparations for the Unjustly Wronged. My trespasses can not be forgiven without repaying those who I have trespassed against

Punishment for the Guilty. My absolution can only be granted after suffering, and some deeds can only be absolved in death.

Paladins who adopt this oath after failing to uphold a previous oath will generally continue to follow their original tenets in addition to these principles.

Lapsed Oath A paladin who breaks his oath does not always do so out out of malice. A paladin that breaks their oath need not take up the path of the Oathbreaker as long as they truly wish to continue upholding their vows. Small transgressions may be easily forgiven through rites or simple fasts but larger offenses require a bigger commitment. If a paladin has violated their oath in a major way and seeks to redeem themselves they may adopt this oath instead of becoming an Oathbreaker. Likewise an oathbreaker or similarly treacherous paladin may seek to return to the ways of the righteous. This oath is presented as an alternate way for them to return to the light. Your DM can choose to have you switch to this oath and follow these tenets in addition to the tenets of the oath you seek to return to.





Oath of Penance Spells

You gain oath spells at the paladin levels listed.

Oath of Penance Spells

Paladin Level Spells 3rd absorb elementsEE, sanctuary 5th aid, warding bond 9th life transferenceXGE, revivify 13th death ward, fire shield 17th circle of power, mass healing word

Channel Divinity

Also at 3rd level, you gain the following Channel Divinity options.

Impose Remorse. You can use your Channel Divinity to force an enemy to feel the full weight of another creature's pain. Choose a creature that you can see within 60 feet of you. That creature must succeed on a Charisma saving throw, or be bonded to another creature you can see within 60 feet of you. Constructs and creatures with an Intelligence score of 3 or lower automatically succeed on this saving throw.

For the next minute, any damage the initial target would deal to the bonded creature is halved, and whenever it deals damage to the bonded creature, it takes psychic damage equal to half your paladin level, rounded up. The initial target can repeat the charisma saving throw at the end of each of its turns ending the effect on a success.

Armor of Thorns. As an action you clutch your holy symbol and steel yourself against outside threats with holy energy. You gain temporary hitpoints equal to twice your Paladin level + your Charisma modifier. These hit points last for ten minutes. If a creature hits you with a melee attack while you have these hit points, they take radiant damage equal to twice your paladin level + your Charisma modifier.

Martyr's Blessing

Beginning at 7th level you can sacrifice your vitality to heal the wounds of those in your charge. When you use your Lay On Hands ability, instead of reducing your Lay On Hands points you can reduce your current hit points and maximum hitpoints by 2 for every hitpoint you restore. Your hit point maximum returns to normal once you complete a short rest.