Warlock

Arcane Servants

While some people in Vrashyn are lucky enough to study magic, have a blessed birth, or have a giant machine fall on them, not everybody is. For those ambitious to possess magic powers, a deal with an otherworldly patron can provide the answer. Forced to serve the interests of their patron, Warlocks are never truly free to use their newfound powers as they see fit.  

Patrons

On Vrashyn, the key difference between the gods of the Cleric and the patrons of the Warlocks is that the latter group will occasionally show up on the material plane. As such, punishment for failing to serve the patron isn't atoning for sins or some other metaphysical concept. Instead, a Warlock's patron might show up and beat their former servant to death, or send a lesser servant if they can't be bothered to do the beating themselves. The potential beaters you can sign your soul away to on Vrashyn are listed below.  

Archfey

Archfey are nobles on the Seelie and Unseelie court whose primary job is to serve the Fey Queen. Depending on their nature, a Warlock may serve either court, and their powers are the same regardless of which court their patron is a part of. The two queens are above trifling with individual mortals, but the lesser Archfey like to use them as entertainment or pawns in court intrigue. The Archfey particularly delight in adding those not of Fey ancestry to their service, as Elves and Satyrs generally possess magic at birth and are less tempted. Potential Warlocks usually contact the Fey by wandering into the Feywild or sailing past the islands of the Fey Queen's Domain. The Archfey don't have a set ritual used to summon them, instead finding humor in the varied ways that morals attempt to gain their attention.  

Celestial

Probably the least demanding of the patrons, Celestials will ordain the pure of heart with the power to fight the forces of evil. The Celestials that live over Vrashyn take a hands-off approach to reality, only reaching out when they take a new moral into their service. As a result, Warlocks generally have a lot of freedom in how they pursue the Celestial's goals of justice and purity. Though vague on the specifics, Celestials are the most controlling of patrons when it comes to moral judgment. Knowingly harming the innocent or working toward evil ends is asking for death when you work for a celestial. Aasimar Warlocks form the leadership of the Guardians on The Rime and use their powers to initiate new Aasimar.  

Fiend

Fiendish contracts could not be more opposed to those sworn with Celestials. Unconcerned with moral implications, fiends only seek that which benefits them individually and project this self-serving nature onto their servants. Because of their frequent feuds with other fiends, a Warlock may accidentally do the world some good if it helps their evil patron. More often, a Warlock of this persuasion will spend their lives paying for their powers by the numerous near-deaths their patron puts them through. The tieflings, humans, and other fools interested in striking bargains with a fiend either summon them or travel to their hellish abodes underneath The Scathe to strike a deal.  

The Great Old Ones

The most terrifying legends of The Cataclysm tell of incomprehensibly powerful entities that emerged from the earth or the sky (myths differ) to consume the ends of the earth, leaving only magma and ice in their wake. Some Warlocks claim to draw their power from these entities, specifically those that created The Rime. Their patron grants them the ability to enter the minds of others much like the spirits that call the icy waste their home. These Warlocks may be of any race, as those from other lands may visit The Rime with the sole intention of gaining eldritch powers. This doesn't mean that the native raves are excluded from their ranks: Firbolg and other giantkin are known adherents to the Great Old Ones.  

Hexblade

Hexblade Warlocks are those who connect with their otherworldly patron through a specially-crafted magical weapon. The patron itself can take many forms but is usually understood to be one of the lesser, unnamed entities inhabiting the outer planes. A portion of their soul is sealed into the Hexblade, allowing the entity to act through the weapon. In the modern era, the secret to crafting these blades is known only by the elder smiths of Shatterfyne. It is widely known that they integrate machines into the forging process to create these Hexblades, engraving the blades with runes so small they are barely visible to the unaided eye. What is less well understood is how they avoid the explosive and untimely deaths of others who, for a short time, successfully replicate the technique. The isolationist half-elves of Shatterfyne are loath to provide others with this technology, so your character likely received their blade from a previous owner if they aren't from Shatterfyne.  

Undying

The only Warlock patrons to fully inhabit the moral plane, Undying are former mortals who attain minor godhood status. Undying patrons exist across Vrashyn, usually living in isolation, occasionally inserting themselves into local or regional affairs as a whim. If you want to have one of these patrons, I give you full license to create your own and I will make sure it fits within the setting.  

Droxos

Some Dragonborn Warlocks serve Droxos, the universal essence of dragonkind. From their patron, they gain the ability to travel to a new universe once in their lives. They use this ability to travel to worlds where dragonkind has not yet evolved, bringing dragon eggs so that their kin spread across the multiverse. When not fulfilling this duty, Dragonborn Warlocks are free to live the rest of their lives as they see fit. Many choose to serve elder dragons in some capacity, but others find novel uses for their dimension-warping capabilities. Other races may take advantage of this subclass as well, usually learning the secret to connecting with Droxos from an elder dragon or Dragonborn Warlock.