Oath of the Ancients
The Oath of the Ancients is as old as the races of elves and the rituals of the druids. Sometimes called fey knights, green knights, or horned riders, paladins who swear this oath cast their lot with the side of the light in the cosmic struggle against darkness because they love the beautiful and life-giving things of the world, not necessarily because they seek to preserve civilization.
These paladins revere nature and draw power from it. They are the guardians of places of wonder, the defenders of ancient groves and shining rivers, the sentinels who ensure that the light of joy and beauty does not go out in the world.
Oath of the Ancients Table:
| Level | Subclass Features Gained |
|---|---|
| 3rd | Oath Spells, Channel Divinity |
| 7th | Aura of Warding |
| 15th | Undying Sentinel |
| 20th | Elder Champion |
Tenets of the Ancients
Kindle the Light. Through your acts of mercy, kindness, and forgiveness, kindle the light of hope in the world, beating back despair.
Shelter the Light. Where there is good, beauty, love, and laughter in the world, stand against the wickedness that would swallow it. Where life flourishes, stand against the forces that would render it barren.
Preserve Your Own Light. Delight in song and laughter, in beauty and art. If you allow the light to die in your own heart, you can't preserve it in the world.
Be the Light. Be a glorious beacon for all who live in despair. Let the light of your joy and courage shine out from your every action.
Subclass Features
Oath Spells
You gain oath spells at the paladin levels listed.
| Paladin Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| 3rd | ensnaring strike, speak with animals |
| 5th | moonbeam, misty step |
| 9th | plant growth, protection from energy |
| 13th | ice storm, stoneskin |
| 17th | commune with nature, tree stride |
Channel Divinity
3rd-level Oath of the Ancients feature
When you take this oath at 3rd level, you gain the following two Channel Divinity options.
Nature's Wrath. You can use your Channel Divinity to invoke primeval forces to ensnare a foe. As an action, you can cause spectral vines to spring up and reach for a creature within 10 feet of you that you can see. The creature must succeed on a Strength or Dexterity saving throw (its choice) or be restrained. While restrained by the vines, the creature repeats the saving throw at the end of each of its turns. On a success, it frees itself and the vines vanish.
Turn the Faithless. You can use your Channel Divinity to utter ancient words that are painful for fey and fiends to hear. As an action, you present your holy symbol, and each fey or undead within 30 feet of you that can hear you must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the creature is turned for 1 minute or until it takes damage.
A turned creature must spend its turns trying to move as far away from you as it can, and it can't willingly move to a space within 30 feet of you. It also can't take reactions. For its action, it can use only the Dash action or try to escape from an effect that prevents it from moving. If there's nowhere to move, the creature can use the Dodge action.
Aura of Warding
7th-level Oath of the Ancients feature
Beginning at 7th level, ancient magic lies so heavily upon you that it forms an eldritch ward. You and friendly creatures within 10 feet of you have resistance to damage from spells.
At 18th level, the range of this aura increases to 30 feet.
Undying Sentinel
15th-level Oath of the Ancients feature
Starting at 15th level, when you are reduced to 0 hit points and are not killed outright, you can choose to drop to 1 hit point instead. Once you use this ability, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.
Additionally, you suffer none of the drawbacks of old age, and you can't be aged magically.
Elder Champion
20th-level Oath of the Ancients feature
At 20th level, you can assume the form of an ancient force of nature, taking on an appearance you choose. For example, your skin might turn bark-like, your hair might become leafy or take on the appearance of flames, or vine-like tendrils might extend from your limbs.
Using your action, you undergo a transformation. For 1 minute, you gain the following benefits:
- At the start of each of your turns, you regain 10 hit points.
- Whenever you cast a paladin spell that has a casting time of 1 action, you can cast it using a bonus action instead.
- Enemy creatures within 10 feet of you have disadvantage on saving throws against your paladin spells and Channel Divinity options.
Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.