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Creating a patron is arguably one of the most fascinating parts of the warlock class inDungeons & Dragons. After all, whyworkfor your magic when you may make up a vast, powerful being that can coax you into making a deal for that magic instead? But creating patrons isn’t singularly fun for the player!
Sure, the player gets to sling around Eldritch Blast like they’ll never cast it again, but the Dungeon Master gets to decide every little thing the patron does: what they want, why they care, and what sort of patron they are. While this may seem intimidating, this guide will give you some examples and start you on the basics of creating that all-powerful being for your warlock.
Using Existing Content
The great thing about homebrewing a patron is that you haveso many examples of really excellent ones within the game(not you,Warlock of the Undying). In fact, some of the strongest examples available are found within The Player’s Handbook: the Fiend, Archfey, and Great Old One.
you’re able to use these as a template for crafting your patron.Examine the subtleties of each patron and read through some of the profiles of the creatures recommended in the descriptions.
An actual stat block will not be relevant in your game unless you decide to turn the patron into a miniboss, which means… well… your patron can die.Notes will do just fine otherwise.
Using The Warlock Subclasses
The easiest way to begin homebrewing a patron isto make use of the mechanics already provided.Remember: you are homebrewing a patron, not the subclass!
Patrons themselves arelargely flavor and roleplay-based.Don’t break your back trying to develop a unique subclass when you can use an existing one, unless you want to dive completely into the world of homebrew!
Building a warlock subclassmay require playtesters and a healthy dose of revision.
So, consider what subclass the warlock would fall under before building the patron. This can help guide you in terms of characteristics and themes. It also allows you a potential creature type to help create a patron that aligns with the class mechanically.
This is a great way for a new DM to experiment with small amounts of homebrewby swapping a patron’s features around with another’s. Remember that balance is key, and if you take out something, you may have to add in something else!
Working Outside Guidelines
An alternate way to start may be dropping the idea that a warlock’s patron is limited to the suggested patrons in sourcebooks. Further, look intobroadening what sort of creature can qualify as a certain patron.
One of the best places to look to start fully homebrewing is the world around you. Mythologies comprise a good portion of cultural histories, and even actual historical figures can help provide a basis for an idea.
For instance, the tooth fairy myth can easily be turned into a fey creature called the Bone Witch and could be an Undead, Archfey, or, god forbid, an Undying patron.Try to look past the boundaries of the subclasses' descriptions of their respective patrons.A cursed sea captain can be a Great Old One just as easily as he could be a Fathomless.
It may even be a fun exercise tosee what types of creatures could fit multiple patron types, and you may enjoy using those stat blocks to inform your own creation.
Understanding Your Patron
With clerics, pantheons are outlined and handled within the campaign. Clerics are like soldiers working under one entity and, save for those who work under chaotic gods, may often work with one another. They generally have rules, scriptures, and teachings.
By contrast, warlocks are more like the Wild West andtend to be more mercenary.They don’t have to worship the patron. They don’t even have to like them.They simply have to fulfill their end of the bargain.
To build a patron, you have to understand why the patron exists. Once you know that, their finer traits will emerge.
Archfey exist because they have become so powerful that they transcended the traditional understanding of mortality. Devils are detail-oriented, going out of their way to create loopholes to exploit their warlocks for their gain, while demons thrive in chaos.
Great Old Ones just sort of exist beyond our scope of understanding,but a reason they exist mechanically is tomake the player feel insignificant.
Come up with a reason your patron is the way it is, bothin how you want your players to feelandhow you want to portray it.
If you know why and how you’re going to present the patron, it will inform roleplay and, more importantly, willhelp you advise your warlock on which feats, invocations, and boons they may receive.
While individual work on the patron is highly encouraged,remember that your patron exists to enhance your warlock’s story, not the other way around!
Understand The Pact
Deciding on the terms of the pactwill be especially important during the homebrew process, as you’ll be making it up.
Finding their core wants and needs will help aid the creation of the pact.
Startexamining the character traitsthat may have revealed themselves to you to figure out what they may ask of their warlock. Are theyvengeful or passive?Do theyinvolve themselves in the player’s life?
A patron who was cast out of its home long ago may seek admiration and love from every warlock it takes, bestowing powers in return. This may mean that a pact you create with this being revolves around the player providing the patron with worshipers, lest the patron deny them their magic.
When creating a pact, ask yourself these questions:
Ultimately,figure out what the give and exchange is.This is a good time to reach out to your warlock or your Dungeon Master (the real-life patron!) to hash out the details and requirements of the pact.This informs the patron as much as it does the ultimate play style of the game!
