Image credits: Character model created via heroforge.com, digital painting by Matthew Jobson, MTG art by Daarken
“Suddenly, a stout duergar seats himself beside you and signals the bartender. You can tell from his mannerisms that he wants to go unnoticed. With his elaborate cloak and the ornamental longsword slung across his back, you doubt that’s working out for him. You could also swear that he has an air of royalty about him; but you’ve probably never met a royal who seemed so alone. When the bartender returns with his ale, his empty eyes meet yours and he raises his tankard in a silent toast…”
Paladins who find themselves in the clutches of a mind flayer colony may see no other option than to submit to death, enslavement, or ceremorphosis. However, some Paladins, be they craven or cunning, find another option: Swear an oath of eternal servitude to an elder brain. In doing so, they keep their soul, but lose their humanity, as the rest of their days must be spent condemning those they once called brothers and sisters to the same fate they were so eager to avoid.
TENETS OF SUBJUGATION
Paladins who swear the Oath of Subjugation are sworn to care about nothing more than the desires of the elder brain they serve.
Illithid Superiority. Non-illithids are lesser beings whose only purpose is to serve the hive mind. The highest honor these creatures can achieve is to undergo ceremorphosis.
Total Domination. The illithid empire must ultimately spread to all planes of existence. No corner of the multiverse will be spared.
In some ways, a Paladin who breaks this oath suffers more severe consequences than a typical oath-breaker. Many elder brains implant dormant mind flayer tadpoles within these Paladins, primed to begin ceremorphosis the moment the Paladin deviates from the elder brain’s will. Even in less severe cases, elder brains are still able to track these Paladins even after they forsake their oath, and may dedicate vast resources to their capture.
Check out the design process for this subclass HERE!
This work is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.
