Crisis21
2019-04-03, 09:58 AM
I'm dusting off and revising an old homebrew archetype of mine for a campaign I'm about to start in and I'd like to get some feedback on it. The Divine Patron that must be sought out is the Thunderbird (https://lootthebody.wordpress.com/2015/11/23/monstrous-monday-the-thunderbird/).
Divine Patron: Thunderbird
The Thunderbird is one of the more dangerous patrons for the beginning warlock to seek out. For one, they are highly hostile to anyone who can be sensed as Evil or who performs Evil actions in their territory. For another, Thunderbirds make their home in high mountains and are followed by storms wherever they go making the journey to meet them hazardous in its own right. In addition, while they are intelligent and divine messengers who can understand most languages, they are incapable of speaking any language known to the mortal races, making the process of coming to an agreement a difficult one. Good-aligned individuals will have an easier time of reaching an agreement than Neutrally inclined people, and Evil-aligned persons are advised not to waste their time as there are more expeditious ways of committing suicide.
If an agreement is reached, the method by which the Thunderbird's power is granted is also dangerous, given that it involves being struck by lightning. If the recipient has been honest and truthful of their intentions in the agreement reached, they will be left with one hit point and a permanent burn scar where the lightning struck them and have gained the Warlock Archetype Divine Patron: Thunderbird. If they have been duplicitous or deceptive with their intentions they will instead take 14d6 Electric damage as if struck by a 9th level Lightning Bolt and if they are somehow not killed outright, the Thunderbird will be more than happy to finish the job.
Spell List Expansion
The following spells are added to the Warlock spell list for you.
First Level: Feather Fall, Thunderous Smite
Second Level: Blindness/Deafness, Gust of Wind
Third Level: Fly, Lightning Bolt
Fourth Level: Storm Sphere, Freedom of Movement
Fifth Level: Holy Weapon, Control Winds
In addition, for your Mystic Arcanum at 11th, 13th, 15th, and 17th levels, you may select a spell from the following list rather than the Warlock Spell List:
Sixth: Chain Lightning
Seventh: Whirlwind
Eighth: Control Weather
Ninth: Storm of Vengeance
Bonus Cantrips
At 1st level, you learn the Shocking Grasp and Thunderclap cantrips. They count as warlock cantrips for you, but they don't count against your number of cantrips known.
Storm Ward
When you gain this archetype at 1st level you fall under the protection of the Thunderbirds and their power defends you from harm. You gain natural armor of 10 + your Dexterity modifier + your Charisma modifier when not wearing armor or wielding a shield.
Stormkin
Starting at sixth level, your body becomes acclimated to the power of the Thunderbird. You become resistant to thunder and lightning damage and you have advantage on saving throws against paralysis and being stunned.
Storm Armor
You begin to gain an understanding of the power of the Thunderbirds and can now actively channel that strength from your body. Starting at 10th level, when you engage in battle you can activate this ability using a Bonus Action; encasing your body and gear in arcs of electricity for up to one minute. When a creature successfully makes a melee attack against you while this effect is active, they take lightning damage equal to your Charisma modifier. If you grapple or are grappled by another creature while this effect is active, they take this damage every round they are in physical contact with you while this effect is active. You regain use of this ability after a short or long rest.
Storm Body
You have learned to embody without the storm that is within. Starting at fourteenth level you can cast Investiture of Lightning (https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/3009-investiture-of-lightning) once without using a spell slot as a bonus action. It counts as a Warlock spell for you when using this ability. This ability recharges after a long rest.
New Invocations
Essence of the Storm
Prerequisite Divine Patron: Thunderbird
When you cast a Warlock spell or cantrip, you may change its damage type to Lightning.
Storm Talons
Prerequisite 12th level, Pact of the Blade feature, Divine Patron: Thunderbird
Your pact weapon deals an additional 1d8 lightning damage when you succeed on an attack.
Divine Patron: Thunderbird
The Thunderbird is one of the more dangerous patrons for the beginning warlock to seek out. For one, they are highly hostile to anyone who can be sensed as Evil or who performs Evil actions in their territory. For another, Thunderbirds make their home in high mountains and are followed by storms wherever they go making the journey to meet them hazardous in its own right. In addition, while they are intelligent and divine messengers who can understand most languages, they are incapable of speaking any language known to the mortal races, making the process of coming to an agreement a difficult one. Good-aligned individuals will have an easier time of reaching an agreement than Neutrally inclined people, and Evil-aligned persons are advised not to waste their time as there are more expeditious ways of committing suicide.
If an agreement is reached, the method by which the Thunderbird's power is granted is also dangerous, given that it involves being struck by lightning. If the recipient has been honest and truthful of their intentions in the agreement reached, they will be left with one hit point and a permanent burn scar where the lightning struck them and have gained the Warlock Archetype Divine Patron: Thunderbird. If they have been duplicitous or deceptive with their intentions they will instead take 14d6 Electric damage as if struck by a 9th level Lightning Bolt and if they are somehow not killed outright, the Thunderbird will be more than happy to finish the job.
Spell List Expansion
The following spells are added to the Warlock spell list for you.
First Level: Feather Fall, Thunderous Smite
Second Level: Blindness/Deafness, Gust of Wind
Third Level: Fly, Lightning Bolt
Fourth Level: Storm Sphere, Freedom of Movement
Fifth Level: Holy Weapon, Control Winds
In addition, for your Mystic Arcanum at 11th, 13th, 15th, and 17th levels, you may select a spell from the following list rather than the Warlock Spell List:
Sixth: Chain Lightning
Seventh: Whirlwind
Eighth: Control Weather
Ninth: Storm of Vengeance
Bonus Cantrips
At 1st level, you learn the Shocking Grasp and Thunderclap cantrips. They count as warlock cantrips for you, but they don't count against your number of cantrips known.
Storm Ward
When you gain this archetype at 1st level you fall under the protection of the Thunderbirds and their power defends you from harm. You gain natural armor of 10 + your Dexterity modifier + your Charisma modifier when not wearing armor or wielding a shield.
Stormkin
Starting at sixth level, your body becomes acclimated to the power of the Thunderbird. You become resistant to thunder and lightning damage and you have advantage on saving throws against paralysis and being stunned.
Storm Armor
You begin to gain an understanding of the power of the Thunderbirds and can now actively channel that strength from your body. Starting at 10th level, when you engage in battle you can activate this ability using a Bonus Action; encasing your body and gear in arcs of electricity for up to one minute. When a creature successfully makes a melee attack against you while this effect is active, they take lightning damage equal to your Charisma modifier. If you grapple or are grappled by another creature while this effect is active, they take this damage every round they are in physical contact with you while this effect is active. You regain use of this ability after a short or long rest.
Storm Body
You have learned to embody without the storm that is within. Starting at fourteenth level you can cast Investiture of Lightning (https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells/3009-investiture-of-lightning) once without using a spell slot as a bonus action. It counts as a Warlock spell for you when using this ability. This ability recharges after a long rest.
New Invocations
Essence of the Storm
Prerequisite Divine Patron: Thunderbird
When you cast a Warlock spell or cantrip, you may change its damage type to Lightning.
Storm Talons
Prerequisite 12th level, Pact of the Blade feature, Divine Patron: Thunderbird
Your pact weapon deals an additional 1d8 lightning damage when you succeed on an attack.