ONE D&D Homebrew - Barbarian Subclass - Path of the Corrupted

PATH OF THE CORRUPTED

Unleash the ancient arcane power of corruption and become the ultimate weapon.

Barbarian: Path of the Corrupted Ancient artifacts of a dark origin exist throughout the realms known to reshape those who come into contact with them into a monstrous amalgam. Many Barbarians are susceptible to these corruptive artifacts as it calls to their primal rage within them with compelling promises of power. There are few tales of Barbarians with enough strength to survive being entirely overtaken by one of these relics, but they are not unscathed. Barbarians on the Path of the Corrupted can control the ancient arcane powers of these corruptive artifacts, shifting their bodies into weapons of destruction at the cost of one day succumbing to it.

The origins of your artifact will determine how your corrupted arm and these weapons appear. You can choose the origin of your artifact or determine it by rolling on the Origin of Corruption table.

Origin of Corruption d6

Artifact Effect

1

A trinket crafted from an ancient druidic tree. Your corruption appears formed by nature.

2

A gem that whispers to those who will listen. Your corruption pierces from within, jagged and shimmering.

3

A magical staff owned by an ancient necromancer. Your corruption snaps to life as an amalgamation of bones.

4

A glowing rock said to be from the stars. Your corruption takes the form of a sentient slimy creature.

5

A dark liquid swirling within an ancient reliquary. Your corruption is a dripping, inky shadow.

6

A talisman forged in fires from the Nine Hells. Your corruption bursts to life as flames from within you.

Conjoined to the Ancient

3rd-Level Path of the Corrupted feature

You have awoken an ancient artifact that attempted to corrupt your entire being, but your primal power allowed you to resist being overtaken. You've only lost an arm to the corruption and can keep it under your control. You can cast Identify on anything you touch with your corrupted arm without expending a spell slot or requiring concentration or spell components.

When you Rage, you cast Detect Magic without expending a spell slot or requiring concentration or spell components. While Raging you have advantage on Arcana and History checks.

Arm of Corruption

3rd-Level Path of the Corrupted feature

Your corrupted arm is able to be willed into the shape of weapons you are familiar with. When you Rage, you can use your corrupted arm to conjure any one-handed melee weapon that you have a Mastery property with. Your conjured weapon cannot be Thrown if it has the Thrown property.

While Raging, you deal extra damage to the first target you hit on your turn with a melee weapon attack using your conjured weapon or corrupted arm. The target takes an additional 1d4 Necrotic damage for each weapon Mastery property you have.

You can dismiss or swap the conjured weapon once per turn.

A Drow Elf of Corruption Uses An Unwilling Vessel.

A Fire Genasi of Corruption Conjures A Fiery Greatsword.

Gifts of Corruption

6th-Level Path of the Corrupted feature

You touch one willing creature to pass on a small portion of your ancient power at the cost of their sacrifice. The target takes 1d6, 1d8, or 1d10 Necrotic damage. This damage ignores Resistance and Immunity. For the amount of damage received, you may increase the target's next attack roll, saving throw, or ability check once within 1 minute of receiving the damage.

When you reach the 10th level in this subclass, you gain the additional option to increase the armor class of the target by half the value of the roll rounded down for 1 minute or until it prevents a successful attack roll once.

You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Proficiency Bonus, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a Long Rest.

Insignia of Corruption

10th-Level Path of the Corrupted feature

After successfully dealing Necrotic damage to an enemy with a melee weapon attack while Raging, you can deal 1d12 necrotic damage to yourself (this damage ignores Resistance and Immunity) to mark the target with an Insignia that gives them vulnerability to Necrotic damage. You may only have one Insignia active at a time.

When an enemy with your Insignia is reduced to 0 Hit Points, you may perform any of the following options as a reaction:

Unwilling Sacrifice. You or any chosen ally within a 5 feet radius of the enemy receives temporary Hit Points equal to half your Barbarian level rounded down + your Proficiency Bonus + your Constitution modifier.

Unwilling Paroxysm. Creatures within a 10 foot radius of the enemy must make a Dexterity saving throw (DC equal to 8 + your Proficiency Bonus + your Strength modifier), provided the creature isn't behind Total Cover. On a failed save, creatures take 1d4 Necrotic damage equal to half your Barbarian level rounded down. On a succesful save, the creature takes half as much damage rounded down.

Unwilling Vessel. Teleport to the enemy's last position. Any chosen creature within a 10 feet radius of you must make a Wisdom saving throw (DC equal to 8 + your Proficiency Bonus + your Strength modifier), provided the creature isn't behind Total Cover. On a failed save, creatures have the Frightened condition for 1 minute. At the end of each of the Frightened creature's turns, the creature repeats the saving throw, ending the effect on itself on a successful save.

You can use each of these reactions once per Long Rest. At 15th level you gain one additional use of each option per Long Rest.

Chapter 1 | Character Options

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Evolution of Corruption

14th-Level Path of the Corrupted feature

You are unrecognizable from when you were first corrupted by the artifact. The parts of you that are still flesh have seen the turmoil of combat, and you've willed your body to be twisted and torn over and over.

You now have access to the following features while Raging: Barely Sentient. You cannot be Blinded, Deafened, Frightened, or Charmed.

Evolved Weapons. You may now conjure twohanded melee weapons you have a Mastery property with when you Rage. Conjured weapons with the Thrown property may now be Thrown. After a weapon is Thrown, you cannot conjure a new weapon until the start of your next turn.

Unarmed Strike Mastery. Your Unarmed Strike now has a Mastery property of your choice.

This choice can be changed once per Long-Rest.

Creatures have disadvantage on Grapple or Shove saving throws against you.

Reactive Form. When a creature fails to make a melee attack roll against you, that creature must make a Strength saving throw against a DC equal to 8 + your Proficiency Bonus + your Constitution modifier. On a failed save, the creature takes 1d12 Necrotic damage + your Strength modifier. On a successful save, it takes half as much damage.

Cycle of Suffering. The corruption overcomes even death. If you would die due to failing death saving throws, you're transformed back into the original artifact that corrupted you. While in this state, you can cast Charm on any creature within 10 feet without expending a spell slot or requiring concentration or spell components. Any creature that touches you must make a Wisdom saving throw against a DC equal to 8 + your Proficiency Bonus + your Wisdom modifier. On a failed save, you overpower and corrupt the creature, being ressurected in their body, losing your previous form and taking on their physical likeness.

Shaping your Corruption

Corruption allows for unique opportunites for you to give more insight on your alignment. When conversing with other players or NPC's, how does your character act in and out of their rage? Do you hesitate before attacking a creature normally as it may go against your alignment, but when you rage you crave to act violently?

Is your personality while raging something that is buried deep within you or entirely not of your nature? Use the corruption as a method to expand upon your story as an adventurer granted this dark power. If you are seeking an end to your corruption, the possibility and method required are up to the discretion of the DM.

4

Chapter 1 | Character Options

A Lizardfolk of Corruption Reigns Destruction At A Temple.

YOUR BODY IS YOUR YOUR WEAPON. This homebrew subclass for Barbarians is one of many of the subclass options included in my upcoming Thousand Shall Fall campaign and sourcebook!

The sourcebook will feature adventures in the mystical floating glades of Alfey combining themes from my previous one-shots and campaigns of corruption, mystical items, nightmares, and terror!

The adventure is planned to kick off alongside the release of the new edition of D&D 5E (2024). If you playtest these builds, please feel free to share any feedback or ideas that you have for the world of Alfey including subclasses, races, magic items, regions, cultures, inspirations, artwork, and more.

For use with the fifth edition (2024) Player's Handbook, Monster Manual, and Dungeon Master's Guide.

Path of the Corrupted, Version 1.7 Created by Jayden Schexnayder