In the dead of night, Zayid faced the monstrous horde attacking the village. His eyes, shadowed by guilt, narrowed as he charged. Each strike was swift and precise, cutting down creature after creature. When the battle ended, he stood alone, bloodied but victorious. For Zayid, redemption lay in every life he saved, no matter the cost to himself.
The Oath of Penance is taken by paladins who have committed grievous acts, often under the influence of dark forces, and now seek redemption for their past sins. These paladins are burdened by the weight of their actions and driven by a deep sense of guilt. Their path is one of atonement through self-sacrifice and suffering, as they strive to undo the harm they once caused. The journey to redemption is filled with hardship, pain, and an unwavering resolve to protect the innocent.
Some who take this oath become symbols of hope, proving that even the most broken can seek redemption. Others accept that forgiveness may never come and see themselves as lost souls, whose only purpose is to atone through their deeds.
Tenets of the Oath of Penance
Paladins who take the Oath of Penance abide by strict tenets, each rooted in their desire for redemption. These tenets guide their actions as they seek to atone for their past:
- Acknowledge Your Sins: Never hide from the darkness of your past. Accept the weight of your actions, and let your guilt be the force that drives you to atone.
- Atone Through Sacrifice: Redemption may be beyond your reach, but you must act to protect others from the darkness, even at great personal cost.
- Resist Corruption: The evil you once served will always seek to reclaim you. Stay ever vigilant and resist its pull, no matter the temptation.
- Inspire Hope: Though you may never forgive yourself, let your actions show others that even the most broken can rise again to serve the greater good.
Oath Spells
You gain oath spells at the paladin levels listed in the Oath of Penance Spells table. See the Sacred Oath class feature for how oath spells work.
| Level | Spells |
|---|
| 3rd | Heroism, Faerie Fire |
| 5th | Aid, Prayer of Healing |
| 9th | Create Food and Water, Beacon of Hope |
| 13th | Guardian of Faith, Death Ward |
| 17th | Greater Restoration, Mass Cure Wounds |
Channel Divinity
When you take this oath at 3rd level, you gain the following two Channel Divinity options.
- Brand of Atonement. You can mark a creature with the symbol of your penance. The marked creature takes additional radiant damage when it harms an innocent or commits a vile act. The brand also reveals to all present the true nature of the creature's sins.
- Penance’s Shield. You can use your Channel Divinity to create a shield of radiant energy around an ally, absorbing damage they would take. When the shield breaks, the absorbed damage is inflicted on you instead.
Aura of Penance
Starting at 7th level, your constant awareness of your past sins creates an aura of resolve. Allies within 10 feet of you gain advantage on saving throws against being charmed. However, you suffer disadvantage on saving throws against being charmed, reflecting your vulnerability to your inner darkness. At 18th level, the range of this aura increases to 30 feet.
Unyielding Sacrifice
Starting at 15th level, whenever an ally within 10 feet of you would be reduced to 0 hit points, you can use your reaction to fall in their place. You drop to 1 hit point instead, and radiant light erupts from you, dealing radiant damage to all enemies within 10 feet of you. You can use this feature once per long rest.
Avatar of Penance
At 20th level, you can fully embrace your past and channel the power of your penance. As an action, you gain the following benefits for 1 minute:
- You have resistance to all damage.
- Your melee weapon attacks deal an additional 2d8 radiant damage.
- You exude an aura that forces creatures of evil alignment within 10 feet to make a Wisdom saving throw or be paralyzed for the duration.
- Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest. After the effect ends, you gain two levels of exhaustion.
Roleplaying a Paladin of Penance
Paladins of the Oath of Penance carry the weight of their past sins at all times, leading to deeply complex and often tragic characters. Their journey is one of suffering and sacrifice, constantly seeking to atone for the wrongs they have done. Whether they believe redemption is possible or see their penance as an eternal burden, these paladins offer rich roleplaying opportunities as they walk the line between hope and despair.
Consider the following themes when roleplaying a paladin of the Oath of Penance:
- Atonement Quest: Your paladin may seek redemption for a specific wrong, returning to face those they harmed or visiting the places where their greatest sins were committed.
- Facing the Darkness: Your paladin might encounter the very forces or individuals they once served. Can they resist the temptation to return to their dark past, or does it still hold sway over them?
- Symbol of Hope: Though your paladin may believe they are beyond redemption, others might see them as a beacon of hope, proof that even the most corrupt can fight for the light.
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