Seris Dawnshield strode into the defiant village, her sword drawn and eyes blazing with the Empress’s authority. The crowd surged toward her in protest, but with a single strike, her blade carved through the air, crackling with magical energy. The front line of rebels fell, silence following in its wake. Seris’s voice cut through the stunned crowd, an unflinching command: "Submit, or face the wrath of the Empire." They knew there would be no mercy.
The Oath of the Empire is sworn by paladins who pledge absolute loyalty to the Empress and dedicate their lives to preserving the stability of the Escali Empire. As members of the elite Hand of the Empress, they enforce the laws, protect the borders, and quash any threat to the Empire’s dominance. These paladins see law, order, and discipline as the highest virtues, and they believe that the safety of the Empire justifies any action, no matter how harsh. They act as both sword and shield for the Empress, ensuring that rebellion and chaos are eradicated before they can take root.
Tenets of the Oath of the Empire
Paladins who swear this oath hold their duty to the Empress as sacred. The following tenets guide their actions:
- Obey Without Question: The word of the Empress is law. Her will is to be carried out without hesitation, no matter the cost.
- Preserve Order at All Costs: The Empire’s hierarchy is sacred. Protect its foundation, and ensure the unworthy remain in their place, lest chaos rise.
- Crush Rebellion: Those who rise against the Empress are traitors. They must be dealt with swiftly, without mercy or hesitation.
- Wield Magic as Authority: Magic is the ultimate tool of power. Where words fail, let magic and steel enforce the Empress’s will, bringing submission or death.
Oath Spells
You gain oath spells at the paladin levels listed.
| Level | Spells |
|---|
| 3rd | Command, Longstrider |
| 5th | Hold Person, Flame Blade |
| 9th | Counterspell, Slow |
| 13th | Locate Creature, Freedom of Movement |
| 17th | Dispel Evil and Good, Passwall |
Channel Divinity
When you take this oath at 3rd level, you gain the following two Channel Divinity options:
- Voice of the Empress: As an action, you can issue an order to a creature within 30 feet of you. The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or be charmed by you for 1 minute. While charmed, the creature views you as a trusted authority and will obey commands that don’t directly harm it.
- Imperial Judgment: You can mark a creature as a traitor to the Empire. Choose one creature within 60 feet of you. For 1 minute, you have advantage on attack rolls against that creature, and it has disadvantage on saving throws against your spells.
Aura of Dominion
Starting at 7th level, your presence exudes the authority of the Empress. You and friendly creatures within 10 feet of you cannot be charmed or frightened. At 18th level, the range of this aura increases to 30 feet.
Unyielding Authority
At 15th level, you gain advantage on saving throws against being paralyzed, stunned, or incapacitated. Additionally, when you succeed on such a saving throw, you can immediately take a reaction to make a weapon attack or cast a spell with a casting time of 1 action.
Empress’ Edict
At 20th level, as an action, you can embody the Empress’ will. For 1 minute, you gain the following benefits:
- You have resistance to all damage types except psychic.
- Whenever you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack, it must make a Wisdom saving throw or be stunned until the end of its next turn.
- You can cast the Command spell at will, without expending a spell slot.
Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.
Roleplaying a Paladin of the Empire
Paladins of the Oath of the Empire are more than enforcers of law; they embody the Empress’s will, unwavering in their dedication to the Empire’s order and discipline. However, this absolute commitment can create tension between loyalty and tyranny, as their pursuit of stability may lead to sacrifices in compassion. When roleplaying a paladin of the Empire, consider the following themes:
- The Empress's Hand: As an extension of the Empress’s will, do you struggle with the harshness of her commands, or do you fully embrace your role as her loyal servant?
- Unquestionable Authority: Rebellion and disobedience are sins in your eyes. How far will you go to crush dissent? Do you believe all traitors deserve the same punishment, or is there room for redemption?
- Order Above All: The stability of the Empire is your highest ideal. Do you believe the law must be followed at all costs, or do you ever question its justice?
- Conflict of Duty: You’ve seen both the nobility and the corruption within the Empire. Will you uphold its laws even when they conflict with your moral compass, or will you seek to change the system from within?
- The Empire’s Reach: As the Empress’s agent, how do others view you? Are you feared for your strictness and unyielding nature, or respected as a protector of the realm?
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