The Family Totem: A Warlock Who is All About Honor Above Glory

Junpei had told Lord Ona that he would defend the gate, ensuring that no one would enter. Neko lay nearby, purring as usual, but then she woke up, ready for action. He asked the cat to walk over to where the attackers would come through; the cat grudgingly did so. He focused inwardly, becoming inspired and ready for battle. A demon entered the area before the gate; Junpei laughed at the illusion. Three samurai entered the area; he grinned at the challenge. They readied their bows. He had Neko grapple the leg of one of the samurai and concentrated for a moment. The samurai felt the chill of death as his life force ebbed from his chill touch. They charged. He summoned a glowing sword in front of him. The samurai sliced at him. Two of them hit. The glowing sword sliced one down. He himself sliced at another samurai.

The next round, the sword felled another samurai. Junpei focused for a moment, allowing his inspiration to become a weapon, allowing him to slay the last remaining samurai. He healed himself a little as he waited for the next onslaught. No enemy would enter the gate.

Some warlocks want to serve a higher power. Those that follow their family’s totem spirit serve their clan or tribe, their powers dependent on how well they serve their family. They are the cheerleaders of the family, looking to inspire its members to greater glory while providing solace and understanding. In crueler, harsher families, they become the hand of punishment, capable of breaking the spirits of the bravest man. They are always part of whatever it takes to get their clan to greater power. Regardless, the warlock is tied to his family, gaining strength from it as he increases in experience, eventually becoming one of the heroes of his clan.

[Design Considerations: The concept here is the family shaman of a warrior family, where the warlock’s contract is with the totem spirit of the family. They get along well with clerics, monks, and paladins, and may even decide to multiclass into those classes, with a preference for paladins. They should pick up the History proficiency and Herbalism tools, and feats worth looking at include Dual Wielder, Inspiring Leader, Lightly Armored, Pole Arm Master, Sentinel, and Slasher. If you take the Magic Initiate feat, debate the guidance, sacred flame, spare the dying, and toll the dead cantrips and the detect evil and good, healing word, and sanctuary spells.]

Level 3: Spells of the Family

Your patron ensures that you have certain spells always ready. When you reach the level in question, those spells are always prepared.

• Level 3: find familiar, guiding bolt, heroism, sanctuary, spiritual weapon
• Level 5: beacon of hope, magic weapon
• Level 7: guardian of faith, phantasmal killer
• Level 9: legend lore, Yolande’s regal presence

Level 3: Family Familiar

Choose a beast no greater than CR 1/2 related to your family. When you cast find familiar, this is the animal that shows up. You may not change this familiar’s as you can other familiars.

Level 6: Family Spirit

You gain the Bardic Inspiration ability. This does not stack; if you have the bard ability, it’s possible you may have two different dice you can imbue other characters with.

Level 10: Discernment

You gain proficiency in Intelligence saving throws. You may also take Advantage when saving against spells of the illusion school; you may use this ability a number of times equal to your Proficiency. You regain spent uses with a Long Rest.

Level 14: Family Defense

You can cast Mordenkainen’s sword, up to a number of times equal to your Charisma bonus (minimum of once). You regain spent uses with a long rest. You still require the miniature sword for it to work, however.