Oath of Shadow (5A)

This is a Paladin sacred oath for 5A.

Shadows and twilight are a liminal realm, a border region between light and darkness. Paladins who swear the oath of shadow pledge to protect a liminal space. This is commonly the space between light and dark but other options are possible such as between fey and mundane, underdark and the surface, divine and profane, divine and mundane, or different cultures. Many shadowsworn paladins are also in liminal roles, being fey, queer, bastards, upstarts, of mixed heritage, or otherwise outside the common, defined roles of society.

Tenets of Shadow

Shadow paladins live on the fringe, and their code seems obscure even to other paladins.

Border I live on the border between one realm and the next. I accept the burden of being an outsider and I vow to accept and defend those who choose to live in or on either side of this border.

Harmony There are many ways to live in harmony. I will not judge others by appearance or prejudice, only on how they manage to live in harmony with their neighbors and the world at large.

Resolve I keep an open mind, but there are limits to what I tolerate. One person's freedom does not justify the oppression of another. I will stand by this commitment even when it puts me at odds with established authority.

Oath Abilities

Oath Spells

You gain oath spells at the paladin levels listed.

**Oath of Shadow Spells**
Paladin Level	Spells
3	Disguise Self, Faerie Fire
5	Misty Step, See Invisibility
9	Nondetection, Freedom of Movement
13	Aura of Life, Dimension Door
17	Dream, Far Step

Channel Divinity

When you take this oath at 3rd level, you gain the following two Channel Divinity options.

Twilight Sanctuary As an action, you present your holy symbol, and a sphere of twilight emanates from you. The sphere is centered on you, has a 10-foot radius, and is filled with dim light. This dim light replaces any magical light or darkness, but does not dispel them—when you move away the previous light level returns. The sphere moves with you, and it lasts for 1 minute or until you are incapacitated or die. Whenever a creature (including you) ends its turn in the sphere, you can grant that creature these benefits:

You grant it temporary hit points equal to half your paladin level.
You end one effect on it causing it to be charmed or frightened.

At 18th level, the range of this aura increases to 30 feet.

Sight of Night As an action, you can magically give the ability to see through the deepest gloom for an hour. You and allies who end their turn within 10 ft. of you have darkvision until the end of their next turn. This gives Darkvision out to a range of 60 feet. If a creature already has darkvision, increase the range of that darkvision by 30 ft. In that radius, you can all see in dim light as if it were bright light and in darkness, including magical darkness, as if it were dim light.

At 18th level, the range of this aura increases to 30 feet.

Aura of Vigilance

At 7th level, the night has taught you to be vigilant. You and allies within 10 ft. of you have advantage on initiative rolls. At 18th level, the range of this aura increases to 30 feet.

Shadow Bastion

Starting at 15th level, the twilight that you summon offers a protective embrace: you and your allies have half cover (+2 bonus to AC and Dexterity saving throws) while in the sphere created by your Twilight Sanctuary.

Shadow Shroud

At 20th level, you can assume a shadowy form, becoming a creature of twilight with great, shadowy wings. Using your action, you undergo a transformation. For 1 minute, you gain the advantages of Fly, Freedom of Movement, and Pass Without Trace. These spell effects cannot be dispelled.

Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.

Editor's 's Notes

An adaptation of the Twilight Domain to paladins.