Oath of the Open Sea
Oath of the Open Sea | |
---|---|
Mechanical information | |
Class | Paladin |
Historical information | |
Notable individuals | |
Associated deities |
Is this the freedom you seek? Like the waters you live upon, and traverse, that shift and bend and exist to move around whatever blocks their path, or hold stalwart against those that would wish to defeat it. Do you wish to be like this ocean? Do you trust the skies above? The portents of nature? That I may try best to warn and keep you safe on these journeys? And do you swear to follow this inspiration to seek out the mysteries hidden beneath the waves and beyond that eternal horizon? Then your path is clear.
— The Wildmother asking Fjord the questions of his oath.[1]
The Oath of the Open Sea is a sacred oath taken by some paladins who sail the seas of Exandria. This subclass was created by Matthew Mercer.
Description[edit | edit source]
- Freedom can be a selfless virtue or a selfish want. For paladins who swear the Oath of the Open Sea, freedom is the highest calling, and a gift to be granted to all.
- No Greater Life than a Life Lived Free. One should be free to chart their own path without oppression. Those who would exert their power to dominate others shall be smote.
- Trust the Skies. The guidance of a strong breeze. The rumbling warnings of a coming storm. Nature is a source of portent and council that should be heeded.
- Adapt Like the Water. The waters of the ocean can shift around any obstacle—or become the most impassable obstacle of all. They carve away the land to reveal the secrets of the past, or swallow the truth and hide it forever. To embrace this fluidity is to be ready for any challenge.
- Explore the Uncharted. The world is filled with mystery. Through the pursuit of enigmatic ends, one can uncover those who hide their foul deeds, and find the path to becoming something great.
— from the Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn[2]
The Oath of the Open Sea is a paladin oath to explore and protect the oceans, to respect nature, to champion liberty and change, and to fight corruption. Open Sea paladins are often aligned with the Stormlord or the Wildmother, and respect the beauty and power of the ocean while defending it against monstrosities.[3]
History[edit | edit source]
Fjord took the Oath of the Open Sea as the Mighty Nein sailed to Balenpost with Vess DeRogna, on their journey to Eiselcross. Recalling his death at the hands of Uk'otoa's deep scions, he took a moment to meditate and pray to the Wildmother as the ship set sail.[4] Fjord affirmed the oath with a resounding "Fuck yes."[5]
Fjord first used the Oath's Channel Divinity: Marine Layer in "A Heart Grown Cold" (2x113) shortly after taking his oath in a failed attempt to slow Avantika down from retrieving the Cloven Crystal in his possession.[6][7] He used Marine Layer to more success against Lucien in "Long May He Reign" (2x140), successfully sheltering himself, Caduceus Clay, and Jester Lavorre from attacks by the Somnovem eyes.[8][9][10] He used Channel Divinity: Fury of the Tides for the first time in "Fetching Fables & Frosty Friends" (2x115) when the party was ambushed by yetis.[11]
Powers and abilities[edit | edit source]
Oath spells[edit | edit source]
- 3rd level: Create or Destroy Water, Expeditious Retreat
- 5th level: Augury, Misty Step
- 9th level: Call Lightning, Freedom of the Waves[fn 1]
- 13th level: Control Water, Freedom of Movement
- 17th level: Commune With Nature, Freedom of the Winds[fn 1]
Channel Divinity: Marine Layer[edit | edit source]
As an action, Open Sea paladins can create a thick cloud of fog, with a radius of 20 feet, centered on themselves and lasting 10 minutes. The area within the fog is considered heavily obscured. The paladin and any creatures within 5 feet of them, however, treat the area as lightly obscured. The fog spreads around corners and cannot be dispersed.[3]
Channel Divinity: Fury of the Tides[edit | edit source]
As a bonus action, an Open Sea paladin can channel the power of the ocean for 1 minute to enhance their weapon attacks. Once per turn for the duration, they can choose to push a creature hit by their weapon attack 10 feet away from themselves. If the target is pushed into an obstacle or another creature, they take additional bludgeoning damage equal to the paladin's charisma modifier.[3]
Aura of Liberation[edit | edit source]
At 7th level, when an Open Sea paladin is not incapacitated, they emit an aura for 10 feet. All creatures of the paladin's choice within the aura cannot be grappled nor restrained and can ignore penalties on movement or attacks while underwater. A creature already subject to the grappled or restrained condition that enters into the aura can spend 5 feet of movement to automatically escape nonmagical restraints. The range of the aura increases to 30 feet at level 18.[3]
Stormy Waters[edit | edit source]
At 15th level, an Open Sea paladin can summon the waters as a reaction whenever a creature enters or exits their melee range. The creature takes 1d12 bludgeoning damage, and on a failed Strength saving throw is knocked prone.[3]
Mythic Swashbuckler[edit | edit source]
At level 20, an Open Sea paladin can channel the spirits of historic sea captains to become a paragon of adventure. As an action this can be invoked to gain the the following benefits for 1 minute:
- Their climbing does not cost additional movement and they have advantage on Strength and Athletics checks.
- If they are within 5 feet of a creature, and no other creatures are within 5 feet of them, attacks against that creature are made with advantage.
- They can Dodge as a bonus action rather than an action.
- They have advantage on all Dexterity ability checks and Dexterity saving throws against effects they can see.
Once used, this feature cannot be used again until finishing a long rest.[3]
References[edit | edit source]
Footnotes:
Citations:
- ↑ "The Chase Begins" (2x112) from 3:13:50 through 3:17:27.
- ↑ Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn, Chapter 4: "Character Options", p. 175.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Oath of the Open Sea on D&D Beyond
- ↑ "The Chase Begins" (2x112) at 3:13:30.
- ↑ "The Chase Begins" (2x112) at 3:17:15.
- ↑ "A Heart Grown Cold" (2x113) at 19:08.
- ↑ "A Heart Grown Cold" (2x113) at 23:33.
- ↑ "Fond Farewells" (2x141) at 56:45.
- ↑ "Fond Farewells" (2x141) at 2:45:05.
- ↑ "Fond Farewells" (2x141) at 3:15:49.
- ↑ "Fetching Fables & Frosty Friends" (2x115) at 2:45:25.
- ↑ Oath of the Open Sea at D&D Beyond, archived on March 2, 2021.
Art:
- ↑ Official art of Shirkuh Marín, an Open Sea paladin, by Lauren Walsh from Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn, pg. 175. This file is a copyrighted work. Its use in this article is asserted to qualify as fair use of the material under United States copyright law.
|