Death Note (5e Subclass)

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Death Note

Warlock Subclass

The power to direct death is perhaps one of the greatest pursuits of magic. Imagine being able to name something and kill it just because you desired to do so. Such is the power that drives warlocks to choose this path of patron. The patrons who hold death notes are, by necessity, deity-level entities capable of killing with precision on the drop of a dime. They will often have the domain association of death, as well as roles that involve killing or passing, like Nerull. The nature of this pact derives from a similar root of onomancy practiced by wizards. If one knows the true name of a creature, they can present it to their patron and have their patron eliminate said creature. That is perhaps the most powerful part of the death note pact. However, warlocks enter this pact often seen as little more than playthings or conduits to destruction. Their patrons are rarely so lax to give the power to declare oneself an executioner freely.

Additionally, these patrons usually utilize something like a tome to act as the intermediary to exchange the names of targets, meaning most warlocks, if not all, of this pact are often also tome users. This is not a mandatory rule, but it is very typical. Some patrons, like deities who are also warmongers of death, may give a weapon instead that manifests the names of the ones to die with the blood smeared on its blade. Because a warlock needs to be able to say, as well as write the names of the ones they desire to harm in a powerful language, the holders of this pact will also never be illiterate. Patrons of this pact range in temperament, but they generally favor the foolishly cunning or desperate, as they are more likely to cause chaos with rash actions and malice. Thus, warlocks have to be careful with this power they wield. There are stories of death note warlocks who have died to their own powers or lost their souls as a result of this pact.

On Truenames: Truenames are from older editions of DnD and reintroduced to 5th Edition via the UA onomancy school. They embody ancient words of power that are inherently tied to the soul or existence of something. In addition to named, sapient creatures, even objects and simple, unintelligent beasts have such a name. However, the names for sapient creatures are the unique sort that can be adequately specified and used in this subclass. While unintelligent creatures like beasts and plants do have truenames, they are more like general terms than special names. Thus, the use of truenames do not affect Plant, Beast, Construct, or Ooze type creatures, unless otherwise specified.

Expanded Spell List

The death note lets you choose from an expanded list of spells when you learn a warlock spell. The following spells are added to the warlock spell list for you.

Spell Level	Spells
1st	inflict wounds, ray of sickness
2nd	phantasmal force, shadow blade
3rd	bestow curse, fear
4th	compulsion, locate creature
5th	contagion, negative energy flood

Fruits of Death

Starting 1st level, when you reduce a hostile creature to 0 hit points, you gain knowledge of that creature's truename. You can do the following with truenames you know:

• As a bonus action, you can forget the truename and regain hit points equal to your Charisma modifier + your warlock level (minimum of 1).
• Using the truename, you do not need the body of the creature slain for the purposes of spells like resurrection, and can revive them even if their body is not present. Once you use their truename as a substitute for their body, you forget the name.

These truenames you know are collected into a book granted by your patron. If you chose the Pact of the Tome, you use that book instead. If you lose your notebook of truenames, you can perform a 1-hour ceremony to receive a replacement from your patron. This ceremony can be performed during a short or long rest, and it destroys the previous book. The book turns to ash when you die.

Favors Against Dying

Starting at 6th level, your patron gives you slight preference in protection from their wrath now and then. You gain a bonus equal to half your proficiency bonus rounded down on death saving throws.

Draw To Die

Starting at 10th level, you can use a bonus action to increase the pull of death on other creatures. All creatures within 60 feet of you take a penalty to all saving throws equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum of 1) until the end of their next turn. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Charisma modifier, regaining all use after you finish a long rest.

Death's Book

Starting at 14th level, you gain the powers over death to deem one to die by name. You can use your action to write one truename you know in your book. If that creature is of a challenge rating of no more than half your level rounded up, it dies. You can choose how the creature dies by writing its manner of demise. The creature then dies as per the specified method. You can only use this feature once, regaining use after seven days. Additionally, one ally of the creature (DM's choice) automatically learns that the creature has been killed by the Death Note. This ally also knows your location when you wrote target's name.

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