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Oath of the Mandate of Heaven

by Marc Saindon

("Celestial Dragon Knight") version of the Paladin/Oath of the Crown

Continuing reflecting on integrating more wuxia and variety into Ochalea, this is a version of the Paladin who is less about Templars and Crusaders and more based on Chinese culture. And borrows a lot from the Hwarang (Korean equivalent of Arthurian Knights)

If you're not using 5e, this is what a Level 9 Fighter can aspire to become in Ochalea in BECMI rules (as an alternative to Paladin, Knight, Avenger).

Dragon Knights uphold the Mandate of Heaven, they serve the Imperial Throne just as it serves the Ochalean Immortals, who in turn serve the Greater Good. Obviously these guys are Lawful, mostly towards Good. They aren't Clerics, but they have a lifestyle in which they seek to cultivate Li (roughly translated as "virtue"), and this connection to Li fuels their Paladin powers. They may follow the Immortals or even have a specific Immortal patron, but they understand that even the gods are part of a greater chain of command.

Powers such as 'Smite' become 'Heavenly Sanction' (or 'Sanction'). Dragon Warriors don't have a recognized martial arts school, as they are rare enough, but grow their numbers in a small knight-squire system.

Of course, being a virtuous hero is demanding, so the class also has a sizeable drop-out rate, with Oathbreakers at times becoming evil warlords that throw Ochalea into chaos. At other the times, the throne they serve might have an evil ruler on it, so a Dragon Knight is forced to reevaluate his loyalties, or at least re-interpret the wording of orders in a way in which it causes the least amount of damage. Dragon Warriors are also often blind-sided by love, causing them to reevaluate their lives when their personal desires conflict with their selfless service (see the Star Wars Prequel trilogy on how bad that can spiral out).


(Image from: https://www.deviantart.com/yingzhiyang/art/A1ff0b15fc4343ac92c6b2afb35454ca410eb1b6-981996731)