Arcane Wards are warlocks who enter into pacts with powerful beings or master practitioners of high magic—legendary wizards, arcane scholars, or even ancient archmages who have surpassed the limits of conventional spellcasting. These warlocks are bound by contracts that offer them access to magical knowledge and power. In return, they serve as conduits and apprentices, furthering their patrons’ pursuit of arcane perfection.
Level 3:
Have special spell slot called Arcane Boon, start at 1 at lvl 3, improve at 1/3 caster rate) OR fixed number based on Warlock level OR half number of pact spell slots, rounded up. regain all slots on long rest .Can prepare spells instead of learning. Only cast prepared spells (prepare a fixed number based on CHA mod) using this long rest spell slots, not pact spell slots.
Level 3: School Specialisation
Choose one spell school (evocation, illusion, transmutation, conjuration, etc). Learn 1 cantrip and 1 spell from the wizard spell list of that type, they count as warlock spells and don’t count towards spells you know. Spell must be level up to your warlock pact slot level. At certain warlock levels, can learn more spells.
Level 6: Spell Experimengation
Your patron grants you one free spell with caveats. At the end of a long rest, you learn one random 3rd level spell (from wizard spell list, determined by DM or consult the table), and you can cast this spell once for free per long rest. You can also cast this spell regularly using your pact spell slot or Arcane Boon slot. The spell is modified in a way that is kept hidden from you. The DM rolls 1d6. Consult the table to see the effects.
- Misfire: The spell is targeted towards a random creature within range of the spell
- Amplified: Roll 1 additional damage dice if a damaging spell, or the creature has disadvantage on the spells saving throw.
- Instant: The spell does not require any action to cast. It does not have any verbal or somantic components but still consumes material components.
- Implode: The spell targets you instead.
- Vigor Casting: The spell does not consume an Arcane Boon charge or pact spell slot. Instead, you take damage equal to a number of hit die equal to the spell level.
- Null: The spell is cast normally with no effects.
Level 10:
You gain one additional Eldritch invocation. You can change this Eldritch invocation when you can learn another Eldritch invocation.
Level 14:
When you finish a short rest, you regain Arcane Boon slots equal to number of pact slots halved, rounded down (minimum 1) OR similar to [wizard Arcane Recovery feat].
You can also change your Arcane Boon prepared spells during a short rest.