Dungeons and Dragons Lore: Warlock (Part Two)

The Undying Patron, loads of additional information on Celestial, Fey, Fiendish and Great Old One Warlocks, as well as how warlocks have unique story potential in the Forgotten Realms.
INDEX (by popular demand)
1:10 The Undying Patron
4:42 Kara-Tur immortals
5:30 The Jurisdiction of Gods (Clerics as Warlocks)
6:58 Arch Fey Patrons
10:57 The LeShay (Fey creator race)
12:46 Hags as Patrons
13:04 Lost Gods and Vestige Patrons
13:57 Celestial Origin of Warlock Pacts and rise of the Devils
15:14 The Angels from 'Out of the Abyss' as Patrons
15:46 Fiendish Patrons
19:13 The Great Old Ones (Primordials)
22:30 Warlocks and Familiars
27:25 Warlocks obsession with Truth
28:26 What is the Fate of a Warlock?

[@AJPickett]

I have put a timestamp Index in the Doobly Doo above.

[@kaikai9533]

thank you there are lots of info here, and it is nice when I revisit the video for specific infomation

[@firetarrasque4667]

HELLO AJ! I DID A THING WITH DRAGONS. In a Google Doc, I have assembled a list of every dragon that fits into the standard category. (IE: Nothing like Pyroclastic in Chormatic, only the actual colors.) And now, I invite everyone to come help me/use the resource. I'll put rules for people helping in the document, but yeah. It only actually took me like two and a half hours. I completely ignored the Gods and let you do that, and included Fang because IT'S MY DOCUMENT, I DO WHAT I WANT. Anyhow, HERE YOU GO. Enjoy. docs.google.com/document/d/1G5RQ0_xN1HYqnk-veBSxtQeSwXspf7rZK1t3hxNBYNI/edit?usp=sharing

[@dragonlord498]

where do you get the artwork for your videos? also in this setting im putting together warlocks are the term for most types of magic users who specialize in combat

[@mrkojak-ci1zm]

This is huge in " the Dresden files ". I love the series so much that if you haven't read it, I'll buy or send book 1. The first book spends time story building and is still entertaining. Each book after really ratchet up the action and intrigue.

[@roneasom6218]

Time stamps are a great addition, thanks for all you do!

[@bjarnivalur6330]

Fun little fact: The word "Warlock" may have originally have meant something like "liar" or *_*drumroll_* "oathbreaker". The connection between Warlocks and Witches and such things may have something to do with people "breaking their oath/promise to God" by teaching commoners maths or medicine or even (god forbid) practicing medicine outside the church.

[@Yuudaddy]

You made the Warlock feel so awesome that it is hard to resist the urge to play a one ;D

[@elricengquist9989]

One of my players is enjoying being somewhat of a techno/steam-punk warlock that after exploring thru the techno-ruins of a lost society found the super-computer that the people of the long forgotten society used to manage an control the flow f energy an the ecosystem of the world, and so now their character has taken the computer system/AI as a patron. He actually has the ability to reignite the spark within a techno-construct that has stopped working which is how he gets his familiars, though the level fo the construct they can reactivate is linked to both the status an level of the warlock.

[@AJPickett]

Interesting! How do you handle his invocations and other powers?

[@ROTTERDXM]

That's creative!

[@That80sGuy1972]

I have an evil god for that, Aberrus. He is magic, technology, and life corrupted... a twisted god of constructs, necromancy, the corrupt and the undead. His avatar makes Frankenstein's monster look totally human. He is both 9 hells and abyss in nature along with a Loom of Magus prime world. I created him decades before steampunk, so his nature is "MagiTech" in corruption. Those that worship him alter their bodies, usually horribly, and are granted the abomination of the body alteration being better as a reward if their faith is true, The Cult of Aberrus grew powerful because of Aberrus's blessings, not due to size. Abberus would be a great "steampunk" god of said universe.

[@ROTTERDXM]

Never really found the fey party of D&D appealing, but this video is starting to change that. The familiar ideas you came up with and the notion of roleplaying the imp familiar -- just great stuff. I'll be diving into the wizard vids from here.

[@jacobfreeman5444]

One thing to keep in mind the fey are not all harmless pranks, sunshine and rainbows, and feasts. The fey are just as horrifying as they are charming. A fey lord of the hunt that eats his prey when they are captured(including humaniods) is just as likely and may not be considered anything to raise an eyebrow at by the powers of the feywild. The fey beings do not have to be nice. They are quite a bit more like something from the far planes than like mortals. They may have a very strict code of conduct but finding loopholes in the wording is part of their normal existence. This is why making pacts with them is ill advised. Any who would approach you thus are gonna rule lawyer you to their benefit. If you are not treating archfey like weird and alien minor gods then you are not doing it right. Gotta get the idea that death and decay is just as big a part of the cycle of life as birth and growth. And fey all represent some aspect of life.

[@kaikai9533]

What do you make of an ancient colony of flumphs as a patron? They can be near immortal since they can easily send their mind into astral realm. I am thinking a psionically sensitive warlock accidentally linked to a colony. The warlock thought he had tapped into an Elder god or being because he can't keep up with flumphs' lightning fast telepathy and the advance/alien concepts.

[@AJPickett]

I am fully in favour of it, I love Flumphs.

[@thedarkmaster4747]

oh that is a really good idea.

[@jacobfreeman5444]

Occurs to me the relationship can be of mentor and student. Since the warlock has the potential to tap into them they see this as an investment to advance other species to both reach their level and form a diplomatic bond. Flumphs are basically good beings(if from an alien perspective) so they would be benevolent and glad to help those who can help them bring more good into the world. Maybe the warlock is being given tasks in exchange for tutelage that is meant to temper them into a useful ally and friend. With one of the ultimate goals of the warlock to learn the astral immortality they possess. It would technically be superior to both being a lich and a series of clones.

[@kaikai9533]

@@jacobfreeman5444 Yeah! that is what i was thinking too, at the same time I wanted a bumbling warlock that wants to evil but is really bad at it. I also wanted a potential mindwitness as a familiar. Imagin my dumb warlock making a pilgrimage to a mind flayer conclave only to see it in ruin, when he is about to give up hope of being evil his mind is touched by something alien...

[@adamwelch8445]

I like the idea that the warlock can betray the last patron on favor of a new one or multiple patrons even if it gets tricky but it has to fit in

[@kingmasterlord]

fun fact that's how John Constantine stays immortal

[@johntheherbalistg8756]

There's a series of Forgotten Realms novels called "The Abolethic Sovereignty" that explores betraying patrons and ditching one for another and all the dangerous games involved in that

[@4ltimit1]

"Other me," is my favorite familiar.

[@Sparkle5fanboy]

It is brilliant

[@mal35m]

Joseph Fox It would be a great character in a horror movie.

[@matthewreagan4937]

Please make a part 3! I don't know why, but I find the warlock very interesting. The way you interpret the literature and explain your thoughts is very addicting to me. Your voice and the way you speak is very pleasant and relaxing to listen to. I love being able to put on one of your videos and escape into a fantastical world for ~20 minutes. Thank you very much, AJ, for putting these videos together! You make me wish I had a group of like-minded friends to play DnD with.

[@AJPickett]

It's not the same as a home group, but online video chat games can be very good for those who want to get back into it, or just starting out.

[@matthewreagan4937]

AJ Pickett Thanks for the reply, AJ! I played a bit when I was a child but haven't played a serious game since I was maybe 12. I would love to find a beginner friendly group to play with online! Do you know of any websites that could facilitate my needs? Now that I know there are sites like that out there I cannot wait to start role-playing again!

[@nicklasdantes2471]

I am currently playing an archfey warlock whose patron gave her the powers to get out of debt when she was a little girl she made a flower wreath as a sacrificial to a forest spirit, and a fay lady saw it and picked it up as soon as she took it she realized that she had taken the wreath that she had received a gift. and to avoid being indebted to a mortal, the lady gave the little one her blessing ps. english is not my first language

[@jacobfreeman5444]

Tis a good backstory. Even considers the kind of motivations the fay can have.

[@ClvrBstrd]

This video just reaffirmed my reasoning as to why Warlock is my favorite class

[@SlothinAintEasy]

How about an astral dragon as a patron? Had a thought of an astral dragon molding a human to gather treasure for it

[@AJPickett]

It's not impossible.

[@RallySelf]

An Archfey Patron Warlock with Blade Pact just sets itself up to be a LeShay. I kinda wanna make a half elf warlock whose daddy was a LeShay passing threw the mortal plane and whose patron is the Queen of Air and Darkness tooling the child into a weapon against his own father.

[@AJPickett]

Not saying that is not a cool idea, just pointing out that technically a LeShay merely looks a bit like an elf, I am not sure they can even conceive a child with a human or even an elf.

[@RallySelf]

I know they're fey and not elves but half-elf is the closest thing to a half-LeShay RAW you can get. Take fey as your extra language, persuasion and arcana as your bonus skills, and dex. and int. as your +1 stats. The archfey patron gives you a range of charm abilities and blade pact lets you form weapons out of then air. Also Mask of Many Faces and later Master of Myraid Forms for shape changing. Maybe magic initiate as a feat. This all gives you powers very close to the LeShay. If the GM is not cool with a half-elf being a half-LeShay then maybe your father was really a moon elf so you could still look like a LeShay and thinking you share a bloodline with them is just a lie the Queen of Air and Darkness has told you as a ploy to side you with her in her war against the Feywild. I think though a LeShay should be able to breed with a human as humans can breed with about anything. half demons, elves, and orcs are all playable races along with half celestials and elementals. I'm willing to bet even Dragonborn started this way if you go far enough back in their history. Maybe a brave and frisky knight fell in love with a dragon he was commissioned to slay. I dare not ask how Tortles got started but I'm betting a lot of ale or fairy wine was involved.

[@AJPickett]

I like the idea that perhaps the character's core belief of his origins is all part of a ploy by evil powers, every DM should have at least one player yell "My Whole Life is a LIE!" at some point in their gaming career. As for Tortles, they are just sentient Tortoise bipeds. Dragonborn were created by divine draconic transformation of faithful humanoids and personally, I am fine with a half LeShay, but it would be hunted down and killed by the LeShay if they knew it existed, the LeShay are not all about the peace, love, light and crystal healings, they come from the time where genocide, subjugation and the reckless abuse of power were just normal day to day activities. Basically a bit like the dark elves from Thor.

[@RallySelf]

Yeah being hunted down by LeShay would not be fun. In older editions their CR were like 28. DM would just be, "Let me see your character sheet... and your dead." Not being a real LeShay would be safer and give me room to later turn against my patron which every good warlock does at high enough level. Maybe if the LeShay just sent pixies after me, I'd be fine with that. If I do end up making the character I'll let my DM know what my character "thinks" is his background and let them decide what happens from there. "You think yourself half a GOD!? You think we LeShay would lie with a filthy human? ha ha ha! You material beings may seed sheep but we do not. Your father was a Moon Elf and a tramp. Your mongrel blood has all of their arrogance but none of their wit. Away with you!" Party wizard then gathers warlock tears for future incantations. Or... DM- "You see a real LeShay, so role." Me- "Role what?" DM- "Another character. You dead."

[@jeffrey2253]

i would think a Gazer or an intellect devourer could make a good old one familiar

[@cryw1092]

Your videos actually gave me an idea for a Warlock character. A Tabaxi bounty hunter who got bored of his work, so he went treasure hunting. That's where he found his patron, the shard of some dark weapon that acts as a link to his patron. A good Hexblade.

[@darrylviljoen6227]

I'm glad 5e introduced the celestial pact. A solar is more than powerful enough to be a patron. 3e played with the idea a little in the Complete divine but 4e ignored it completely. Also for fiendish pact there are the many inhabitants of the wells of darkness. I like your summary of the character of a warlock. More charm than sense. Makes me think of the disciple of grazzt from the book of vile darkness. A spell caster who can't be bothered doing their own research so they seduce arcanists to steal their secrets.

[@jukie102]

I had a great meta idea for a warlock patron. A patron devil named Xenno. The pact would be stereotypical with promises of power and the player being a representative of his dread glory in the mortal realm. As the player raises levels and tries to contact Xenno the communing ritual changes. After many hours of meditation, the player receives a vision of an attractive succubus with a bun hairdo, glasses, and a notepad. She informs the player that "Mr. Xenno is currently with another client. If you'd like to leave a message or make an appointment he'll get back to you at his earliest convenience." Over many levels the player would find out that Devil patrons operate more like 50's era hollywood studio execs. They are all about contract extensions, competing studios, and "doing lunch." Their infernal demands come across more as movie pitches. The player's adventures are seen as blockbuster movies in the infernal realms where ratings and gross profits are important. Around 10th level the player would cease being a "small potato." He would be an A-list adventurer with greater powers and a new high profile devil patron. Xenno was more of a talent scout and now the player gets a big time agent as a patron. The player learns that Xenno still gets kick backs and "a little something off the back end" but that the whole warlock pact is essentially a devil version of a pyramid scheme.

[@danreader8456]

bigg playa I love this, totally gonna try this for my new warlock player.

[@jacobfreeman5444]

I love this so much I want to extend that logic to other pacts.

[@ozzymandius666]

I imagine that schizophrenic warlocks are also a possibility, with more than one patron, 2 competing patrons "playing" with one player character.

[@zacharygadzinski3147]

That could be possible with a half orc or humans. Maybe Aasimar too.

[@havilar3095]

Oh that just be great to play. Might even be funny if one a celestial and the other a fiend. All most like the you have an Angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other. Taken to a whole new level.

[@justinmarino5601]

Lantern archons could be a good familiar for celestial patrons.

[@hawktondog]

around 18:00 the Torla 13 and lorcan glad you add that, Brim stone angles has alot of the warlock pacts and how asmodeous and other gods make chosen. and toral is said Tour-all , and lorcan is Lore-can

[@AJPickett]

Thank you!

[@Sylentmana]

Zargon the Returner is really just your dad coming back from picking up milk after 30 years.

[@MisterTutor2010]

Smart imp familiar riding around on the shoulders of a dull-witted warlock, it's like Master Blaster.

[@MisterTutor2010]

I could never get beyond Thunderdome :)

[@thedarkmaster4747]

LOL!

[@AJPickett]

"Who control Barter Town?"

[@MisterTutor2010]

AJ Pickett That depends on whether it's before or after "Bust a deal, face the wheel." :)

[@Reddotzebra]

Undying warlock: "Can I call you Uncle Fisty?"

[@AlexanderJWF]

Well... I was gonna go to bed.. But hey, what's thirty more minutes at just 3:58 in the morning and I have to be up in five hours ... Pffffft!

[@AJPickett]

That is dedication for you :)

[@joebyrnes9254]

I always had a funny idea for a Hag patron warlock that’s a mute tiefling cursed to be silent while a sock puppet on his left hand speaks for him as his familair and it’s got an absolute potty mouth

[@hawktondog]

finally the LESHAY

[@AJPickett]

Yeah, expect a lot more on them this year, I want to do a lot of exploration of the fey.

[@thedarkmaster4747]

AJ Pickett yes!!!

[@ultimateninjaboi]

I quite like the idea of a Celestial specific familiar being based on the Christian Watchers (or, for better fantasy names, the Grigori or the Iyrin.) Basically, they'd be fantasy equivalents, filling the simiklar role of Imps, Quasits, and Mephits, just being the small, servitors of Celestial (particularly Angelic) entities. They could look like small angels or cherubim, or even have a true form akin to the horrifying visage of biblical angels (Like the Seraphim being 6 winged beings that resemble wheels within wheels.) They could even fill the role of monitors, keeping an eye on the Warlock for if the patron can't be constantlyy concerned with watching directly. I quite like basing the stats on Quasits, keeping the fear ability ("be not afraid," can sometimes be a necessity, after all), as well as the invisibility (they ARE "Watchers.") I don't know what I'd swap out the poison for. But I know i would swap it and the shapeshifted forms for something else. Justt have them have natural flight, and maybe some shape changing. Haven't really tested or refined anything. Just a thought.

[@luizenidog5016]

Just realised I didn't leave a like but I left one for sure I saw this episode on the facebook link a while back lol cool video man.

[@AJPickett]

Thank you :)

[@Tivellia]

From book of exalted deeds, the improved familiars include lantern archons and my preferred, the musteval guardinial. Great to keep a warlock on task and out of trouble.

[@ryanbelt1]

Some elder god dreams of showing up to a summoning naked Dendar: LIIIIIIIIIIIIIFFFFFFFEEEEEE!!!

[@dynamicworlds1]

Ok, the reflection familiar has got to be one of the coolest ideas I've come across in a LONG time!

[@bigmonkey1254]

I find it strange for some reason that Great Cthulhu is mentioned in the PHB in the section on warlocks but seems hardly mentioned otherwise. I mean, it's not an original character to the setting but I couldn't get over how they just name drop him there. And yes, I am making a warlock of Great Cthulhu!

[@AJPickett]

Because Hasbro would be facing a team of lawyers with actual fighting money if they tried to put HP Lovecraft stuff back into the game.

[@bigmonkey1254]

@@AJPickett True. I guess it's enough to namedrop a famous figure like that but mention so little that they don't need to make it a legal mess as to which Cthulhu they try to claim rights to. Does that explain it?

[@joshreynolds8417]

My first character was a wizard dragon born, who became a lich, then died. Apparently he went into the 9 hells and became an imp. I wanted to play as the imp, who would be a familiar for a wizard or warlock, and he'd try to use him to help him get a mortal body back. Or something. Never happened, but it sounded cool in my head. We eventually had everything retconed and I got to play him again... He died by a wall being thrown at him cuz I forgot that giants hate dragons...

[@Donovarkhallum]

Can you do the two unearthed arcana subclasses though? Sad to see the Raven queen and hexblade not being here. I'm sure your description of such pacts would be so fascinating.

[@Donovarkhallum]

He k yeah hearted by the man himself. You really do look at all your comments . Also just realized that hexblade is in xanathars as well. Hope the Raven queen patron could get it's own bit. Even if just a really short third parter. They have almost as many patron options as wizarding schools.

[@chadevinellers5384]

I'm really enjoying my warlock/paladin champion of kalemvor. It took some convincing to justify the undying warlock but it's been great for rp.

[@tatsusama3192]

- sigh - Now I'm having trouble recreating a character as even more. Thanks AJ. It's a fight between Druid and Warlock now. Keep making videos! I need them to offset or balance the scales in my head, haha

[@thezerowulf2046]

Tatsusama Spore Druid just got released consider the scales tipped.

[@nvfury13]

Tatsusama Split the difference, Fae/Nature Pact Warlock...not sure if that is a thing, but I’d allow it

[@Reddotzebra]

I still don't know why they didn't add tressyms as available default familiars. I mean, they already have flying familiars and the wizard variety can't attack anyway. When playing a warlock I generally go with an imp or pseudodragon because of the added utility but if I'm going to play a wizard (or any other character that can get a familiar through the ritual caster or magic initiate feats) I always try to talk my DM into letting me have a flying kitty. The most adorable magical creature on Toril.

[@SkullDixon]

5e familiar's are just entities that take on the appears of whatever creature the player character wants. They're less interesting now.

[@AJPickett]

Could be a strong contender for the most ignored and house ruled mechanic of 5th edition perhaps? Because no way am I ever going to play it like that.

[@EtherealDoomed]

Really? I'm rather fond of this since it allows each table to customize the level of intelligence, sentience, and personality a familiar might have.

[@AJPickett]

musicman24X that's a more optimal attitude :)

[@nvfury13]

musicman24X If you think that hasn’t been done since the very beginning (though personal experience only reaches back to second edition), then you have sadly been under some very stickler DMs. At *my* table (and any table I sat at more than once), familiars are special, not limited to the stats (sometimes not even abilities, templates can be *so* fun to apply to a familiar) of their kind any more than all PC have the base racial stats.

[@jgr7487]

the Amorph reminded me of Ditto, the pokémon

[@RaphaelRavenwing]

For a fun Curse of Strahd campaign, make your undying patron Strahd. :^)

[@randymouser3816]

I thought of a multiclass warlock and bard. You don't play the humanoid. You play a magical artifact...a musical instrument. The artifact just takes over the body of the humanoid...if that body dies you just take over the next

[@d20avatar]

Perhaps a benign Celestial might use a something like a Gryphon, lion, or some other creature most often associated with heaven for familiars? I know this is an older video, but I still thought it was worth suggesting.

[@zacharygadzinski3147]

Is it possible for a villain to form a pact with a lawful evil deity. A Warlock/Witch could be devoted to the avatar of said deity and seeks to enslave other cultures through tyranny.

[@AJPickett]

Yes.

[@That80sGuy1972]

Warlock: "I serve you and my soul is yours (that is until I die then I will use divine judgment for a better outcome)". Faust, anyone? Felix Faust was a Warlock.

[@MW-ty5zw]

22:28 I agree. I've already planned out my next character. It's a simpleton who grew up at his family farm tending to the livestock. He/she (always roll for gender) accidentally strikes a deal with a fey-ish patron. The patron amps up his favorite hen at the farm with the power of speech, proficiency in arcana and similar skills. I'd love to give my GM the chance to RP a chicken on fey steroids. A very pagan chaotic good fey reskinned celestial warlock traveling around with a straw hat with a cage on his back. In it, there is a hen clucking away with tales of forgotten history and arcane topics! To learn a new eldritch invocation or spell, the hen will lay an egg which the warlock must consume to obtain his new power :D EDIT: AJ, I remember you mentioning the guys at Absolute Tabletop at one point. Matt Click played a very cool warlock in Barkers Campaign "The winds of Sur Sahlin". The warlock was mute and had an owl familiar. The owl was the one who spoke. It used terms like we want, we think, we, we, we and we.

[@christophershrimplin1849]

Great Old One pact for life, like the ideas for great old one familiar's

[@thedarkmaster4747]

could you have an undying pateron as a really old & powerfull vampire?

[@AJPickett]

I don't see why not, as long as the Ancient Vampire has the means to confer that much power to a chosen individual.

[@thedarkmaster4747]

AJ Pickett i've always loved the idea of a sort of vampire the masquerade esk theme of having a litterally ancient/demi pre historical vampire that has almost bled into the history of the world, larping a deity/elderitch abomination going on with the theme of a vampire litterally being their own blood. and the warlock has pretty normal every day chiper wholesome morality and ends up in a situation where their opinions and the A.V.s opinions on the correct actions/behaviour in a sittuation are exactly the same, but their too weak to pull it of, hence the pact. but once its done, they realise they have a hedonistic warlord on the air waves 24/7 who is basically reverse jesus, who can't be killed, can't be stopped, and is using them to return itself to an even greater hight of glory than it previously had. I don't know if you've ever seen or played the videogamee called "the darkness" where the darker it gets, the more reality can be warped and infiltrated by the supernatural force of the same name. the A.V like the darkness is genuinely on the side of the warlock, but the A.V. is the A.V. so its like ridding the wake of a demi appocalypse. the A.V. is an enemy that they can't fight, an ally that they don't want but need and ultimately what they are going to become unless they die. and the more power they use the stronger the A.V. becomes in dirrect proportion to themselves.

[@chaddixon9764]

Well we can be sure AJ keeps his word.

[@AJPickett]

I try to.

[@AngelusAnsell]

Upon reflection, Fistandantilus would probably *not* be the wisest choice of Undying patron for your warlock to be making bargains with. Though I'm fairly certain he wouldn't exactly give you a say in the matter.

[@dracosdiabolis1769]

24:00 ish talking about the familur acting like the warlock is his familaur. yea I know my spelling is horrible this morning, in the gaming group we had a absent minded wizard with his nose in a book. and I played a sorcerer on the run from his tribe for being so different. He cast find familur spell, and botched it. I saw the spell. knew it botched and in order to save my own skin, ran up to him too a knee and say "your bidding, Master" He thinks I'm his fimilaur , I keep him out of trouble and learn spells from over his shoulder. lol win win

[@AJPickett]

What race is the sorcerer?

[@dracosdiabolis1769]

AJ Pickett kobold

[@dracosdiabolis1769]

AJ Pickett dragonheart kobold from races of the dragon 3.5

[@nvfury13]

I have a variant for familiars in my game, some worlds call them “Spellblades” others “Magegaurds”, they are essentially the Warders (I believe they were called) of The Wheel of Time books. A humanoid familiar in other words, though they have a few bonuses (though I normally apply these to familiars as well) : The ability to “sense” Magic and Magic Resistance based on the bonded casters level (MR +1 for every level of caster).

[@chaddixon9764]

25:30 Is that a reference to the C Team?

[@AJPickett]

Legati, yes, absolutely, one of the best Great Old One familiars ever.

[@gaelofariandel6747]

4:25 I'm afraid I can't QUITE agree with you, there. Warlocks can't cast Animate Dead, they can't upcast Create Undead & can only do it once, rather than twice compared to a high-level wizard with there only being 3 specific exceptions: 1) They CAN cast Animate Dead ONCE per day as a level 3 spell with an invocation, but they can only do it ONCE and it's not using a Warlock spell slot so it doesn't scale. 2) It DOES have Danse Macabre but you need dead bodies lying around to do that 3) Finger of Death + Demiplane CAN be a solid combination for creating an undead hoard but that is a lot of build up for a Player Character to do for it to be viable in a 15+ level campaign.

[@lukecasey2830]

Can you please make a top ten most powerful dragon races cause I have absolultely no overview on it and it would be an extremely interesting video

[@AJPickett]

Man that sounds like a click bait title, but sure, I can do that for you :)

[@thedarkmaster4747]

i second this.

[@lukecasey2830]

AJ Pickett Awesome!!! Really looking forward to the video, and then also rewatching all of the videos about the dragons on the list cause I cant help myself :)

[@scottmcley5111]

I wish the warlocks rules for what "powers" that are given for each sacrifice would be clarified. What decides when a patron has power to give? It doesn't make sense that a warlocks patron would give away it's power.... So what exactly is the reward then? What could a 1st level character possibly offer something that could be sponsored by a patron?

[@AJPickett]

A lot of these entities are very intelligent and observe the material world closely, they can't step foot in it though without a lot of opposition, and very powerful forces being levelled against them, the Warlock is their undercover agent, their spy and tool that allows them to act in the material world.. also, what we see as a very one sided exchange of power is just a drop in the bucket of their own power pool, they take these newbs and pump them full of arcane potential, and watch with great interest what happens.. for many patrons, they do this just for kicks, in a lifespan measured in Eons, a mortal Warlock is just a momentary amusement.

[@michaelkelligan7931]

AJ Pickett lol i killed my patron! 💀💀💀

[@michaelkelligan7931]

AJ Pickett lol i killed my patron! 💀💀💀

[@jacobfreeman5444]

Gotta remember that beings that can actually act as a patron are movers and shakers on the level of gods. Think of the difference between a first level spell and a 9th level spell in the amount of power. Now consider that mid level demons and devils can have access to the wish spell. This should give you an idea how much power even middling beings have.

[@joedominguez8064]

The image used for the thumbnail is one of my favorite Magic The Gathering cards 😂

[@ChasoGod]

Sometimes the mortal sought out their Patron, sometimes the Patron seeks a mortal champion, and sometimes a mortal just touches something by accident that was infused by the energy of the patron establishing their link. Most of the time a patron is aware of their Warlocks, but sometimes they aren't.

[@dragonballtalk8527]

They made two movies called warlock one and two

[@AJPickett]

I believe there was more than two.

[@dragonballtalk8527]

@@AJPickett there's a three I'm looking for that then

[@Danne1886]

I've had this idea for a great old one warlock that I don't think I'll ever get to use, because it's a little to complicated for the games I tend to play in. He/she would be a human who started adventuring a few hundered years before the start of the campaign. But before their adventures really even began the party witnessed a small meteorite impact and decided to investigate. Upon touching the extraterrestrial matter the characters mind would be assaulted with a jumbled, nonsensical vision and wake up in the same exact spot several hundered years in the future, with strange new knowledge and abilities. The process of realizing this fact would all be in the backstory and by the time they meet their new party they would be on a mission to figure out what exactly happened to them and how to return to their own time. Being a human all of their family would be long dead. But may be his old party spent part of their lives trying to find him, and some longer lived races might be still be around. Imagine the possibilities for a reunion when they run into them now having barely aged at all since the day they disappeared. In my mind the pact could be complete accident with no way to reverse it, or sinister plot. The patron could be completely unaware of its connection to this insignificant mortal. Or they are manipulating them, and the quest to find a way home would eventually lead them to unwittingly unleash some alien horror. Or anything inbetween, its up to the DM really.

[@nvfury13]

Danny E Hmmm, that idea generates this in my head: That was a *fragment* of some banished/fragmented Great Old one (perhaps one that lost a wager or struggle), one that is actually fond of the existence of these odd little “mortal” things. Now merged with a mortal through that fragment, the being is even more fond of them, and desires merging with *more* of them; both to gather up that strange energy that Gods, demons, devils and the like garner from them to help itself reform, and because it enjoys the sensations of being one of them. The Warlock gets no commands, knows nothing of the fact he/she is now merged with this being, but when someone that “strikes the fancy” of the Old One is present, the Warlock is compelled to try and convince them to “become like me” (doing so involves a ritual with details left to player and DM).

[@jacobfreeman5444]

@@nvfury13 I think this needs more work but it is interesting. Ask other people for their thoughts on it. Maybe you will get some ideas that will help this intriguing concept develop. Perhaps have it live inside the dreams of its servants and worshippers?

[@-kenik9629]

I had a true neutral Great Old One patron; Eneiruz Gchak: 'The Hearing Eye'. Not exactly evil, just wants to see the world through the warlocks eyes. More specifically see what their death looks like. Pretty good chance of him simply ditching you if you do die while holding his pact. Though this does give a nice opportunity to get chaotic magic sorcery, provided you've got a bit of practice with his powers at least. Might want to keep away if you need acute senses for work; his pact takes the sight from one eye, and the opposite sides ear. Also your dreams are going to be filled with the current experiences of other people, from a third person of course. Incidentally, the eye and ear you lose function in will report back whatever he wants you to hear at any time.

[@davidjarkeld2333]

Ooooh Hags as patrons, this will be interesting ...... oh!

[@AutomaticOps]

Yo! Third Rock From The Sun is my favorite!

[@zeedevil4409]

Really enjoyed both of these

[@findantu]

That's so dope your patron can be fistandantilus(raistlin) I really wanna play now

[@findantu]

But this also kinda brings up questions about how connected the worlds are or if raistlins just a special case cause he absorbed fistandantilus. Then went on to challenge thakesis.

[@pbr-streetgang]

Thanks for the vid sir.👍🏼👍🏼

[@tatsusama3192]

16:28 Please tell me these guys ride giant shaggy goat/mammoths and scream like donkeys... Anyone pickin up what I'm puttin down?... Eh?

[@AJPickett]

"They are called Tusken Raiders, not ''Sand People' Ben, you old racist!".

[@tatsusama3192]

Of course you'd get it:') You're the Patron I'd choose, Pickett of Knowledge Everflowing

[@PTBsynthex]

Yeah I really want to be an owl with my human as the familiar.

[@masterjoedude]

I got a paladin of ancients who multiclassed into warlock and her patron is a kirin. The Kirin has actually fallen and his redemption is the destruction of orcus and through the team up and it and its masters paladin that they defeat the demon lord orcus and return to the heavens

[@antwan1357]

Amazing details wow.

[@davidfletcher6703]

I have an idea for a familiar, something like a living puzzle cube that slowly rotates in the air that every once in a while disassembles itself to reveal a small orb of light that the pieces rotate around for a few moments before reassembling itself

[@AJPickett]

A rubix cube, sounds like something from the planes of Law

[@davidfletcher6703]

@@AJPickett, I was thinking of something that looks more like a Dwemer Lexicon from Skyrim

[@barefootbaymax9687]

When I was looking for a fey patron for a firbolg I came across Emmantiensien. I kinda had my concerns as not only is Emmantiensien the court sage but the God of treants and if it was really the right choice to play a warlock where one ought to play a cleric. Never the less I've been playing it as a sort of arcane paladin, with a pact more like an oath.

[@kurtoogle4576]

I love your ideas for familiars!

[@stephenlipp8825]

So was wondering if one could maybe use an Aspect of Ubtao as a Patron?

[@AJPickett]

Ubtao is a Great Old One patron (he is a Primordial), so absolutely, yes.

[@101BadBreath]

I working on an african witchdoctor concept for playing in Tomb of Annihilation. But was also interested in Celestial... tempted to go with Pact of the Blade Celestial, human variant rules to take medium armour feat (to get shield) and fashion him after a zulu warrior with shield and stabbing spear (Iklwa)... Soldier background (Impi) and a special moment pulls him towards adventure as a budding warlock in a game of Tomb of Annihilation. I spoke to my dm about a zulu shield having a staff as a backbone that can be used as a focus much like a priest with a holy symbol on his shield... its a work in progress...

[@junoeggers8878]

Make the celestial familiar look like a flurry of wings or rings spinning around each other. Think classic angel from old testament.

[@andrewbuckley4733]

"Incoming message from the Big Giant Head!!"

[@alanpickstock5568]

They only die if they are killed... that tickled me for some reason

[@Daimon-X]

Warlock - how proud that word sounds! Vampires, gargoyles, warlocks, they're all the same - best when cooked well. Gabriel Van Helsing. Yup, Dracula's brides where smoking hot.

[@LegionAngel00]

Aboleths, Kraken, Leshay would also make for undying patrons, immortal by dint of being removed from time

[@freakyfro99]

I don't know if this will work at all but I'm gonna make an NPC that's a Warlock of Atropus. So far planning on her being a Cleric of Boccob before she stumbles upon the Book of Vile Darkness, through "coincidences", and gets corrupted by it. Atropus already has his attention focused on the planet but only when he gets his connection to her am I gonna start him moving towards my players. It's a high magic shits n giggles campaign so I'm considering her kinda having a bit of a "split personality" that gets more split the closer Atropus gets.

[@jaymevosburgh3660]

I would like to try that Brain Slug some time

[@MRDicristofaro]

awesome :)

[@fonandoozmando5961]

May I suggest a video on the Yak folks or the Yetis? Feel like both of them are weak in informations.

[@nvfury13]

Hmm. I have been struck with some ideas: An artifact I mentioned in another post, the Book of Demon Lords, as a Warlock item patron. A Warlock with a pact with one of the Elemental Princes. A Warlock with a pact with a sentient plane/world.

[@dpme3fan193]

If one fiend devours another to claim their powers,do they inherit patronship of the devoured fiends warlocks?

[@AJPickett]

Good question! I have no idea.

[@einsibongo]

AJ you are the Loremaster. Can we get timestamps/link in these long videos. You know for the different types in this case.

[@einsibongo]

...also I love these long videos I just need bookmarks

[@AJPickett]

Not to be too mercenary about it, but $1 a month for patreon membership is all it takes to get access to all the scripts I write for these vids, you can print them out as reference material if you want. When I have more time to spare, I will try to add time stamps to the vids when I upload them, but, really, those scripts man.. just sitting there for you. *points at the shiny patreon button*

[@einsibongo]

My bad, I need to get on that.

[@-Siculus-Hort-]

What about the warlock being the warlocks patron.....from a possible future were the warlock became a deity.

[@Galdenberry_Lamphuck]

imagine the tiny Ashes from army of darkness. just one of those makes sense for a worshipper of a God of madness, akin to a tiny devil on your shoulder.

[@phizzhead53]

24:54 a tressym meowwww

[@Jader7777]

24:45 Lantern Archon

[@AJPickett]

Wikipedia says they are floating balls of light that give what assistance they can, so, I suppose they fit the profile.

[@Jader7777]

They are more fleshed out in Pathfinder: www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/outsiders/archon/lantern-archon/

[@freakyskull516]

i have a fiendlock who was born into a cult under a pitfiend judge of phlegethos of its high priestess and the patron himself so basically the antichrist as part of a grand goal centuries in the making he is a chain warlock and his imp savves-draw was assigned to him as a nanny to oversee his grooming into a proper cult leader and was later gifted to him fully as familiar once he was sworn into his pact this imp is more or less his very own one foot tall alfred and i make it a point to roleplay them very similar people to show the influence being half raised by this imp had on him

[@delenaa9312]

Talk about more about the great old ones

[@filimonpoptudor799]

10/10 Will there be a Paladin class video?

[@AJPickett]

maybe one day.

[@robertsimpson7424]

Would it be possible for a hex blade to have a patron that can possess them in moments were they are unable to defend themselves in combat, whether unconscious or mind controlled?

[@alexmccutcheon10]

I don't think an elder brain would be a patron. It does not have that type of power to creat a warlock and probobly wouldn't even if it could. I read that the ilithid do not practice magic and in fact shun magic using ilithids.

[@AJPickett]

So I guess they really hate a magic using Elder Brain then... THOOOON!

[@alexmccutcheon10]

Am I right though? Really my issue is that I really do not like ilithids.

[@AJPickett]

You are quite correct, and yeah, they are very unpleasant.

[@alexmccutcheon10]

Thank you! Great videos by the way. Am always looking forward for more!

[@Eldagusto]

I don't see why they couldn't. Patrons don't have stats like PCs right. Like until they released the other options for the Warlocks things like Kirins and Angels didn't have Patron abilities either. Elder Brains may not be magical but they do have weird reality warping powers, and warlocks are about learning reality hacking secrets, so while Elder Brains may not harness magic, the secrets they imbue to a Warlock could be translated by the Warlock into Arcane secrets. And I like idea of an abberent Elder Brain embracing magic, not the norm but it would be a fun NPC. Maybe its even avoiding a Pogrom from other Illithid Elder Brains.

[@derrabbit7289]

How about a rat thing or a mini Night Gaunt for a warlock’s familiar

[@kingstewy]

Someone else suggested a Gazer as an Old One familiar.

[@linguisticallyoversight8685]

A warlock with the undying Patron that also serves as a dustman in sigil would literally be invisible to lesser Undead they would look at him as one of their own even more powerful Undead might not noticing him

[@linguisticallyoversight8685]

I wonder if karstaag could be a patient

[@CatMandiano]

Could an undying warlock add an extra limb or limbs by self inflicting a wound and shoving another creatures limb into the wound?

[@AJPickett]

Please ask your locally sanctioned dungeon master.

[@dogle9258]

Yes!!!!! 29 mins this time.

[@Zyhmdaryhm]

grate video

[@AJPickett]

lol, thanks, worlds fastest viewer :)

[@Zyhmdaryhm]

DM threw me back in time

[@AJPickett]

LOL!