Dungeons & Dragons: The Best Archfey Patrons

Summary

Warlocks gain their powers through pacts with powerful entities like the Archfey.
Building a warlock involves considering the patron relationship and pact details.
Archfey like Oberon, Titania, and Cerunnos offer unique opportunities for players.

In the realm of Dungeons & Dragons, Warlocks are magical practitioners who acquire their powers through a deal or covenant with potent beings from various realms. These entities can come from the fiery Nine Hells (Fiend subclass), ethereal upper planes (Celestial subclass), or the mystical Feywild’s most powerful inhabitants, the Archfey.

In simpler terms, not every fey can serve as a warlock’s patron; only the strongest fey have the ability to grant magical powers to mortals. These powers allow the mortal to cast illusions, frighten, and bewilder their enemies with enchantment magic. When creating a warlock character, it’s crucial to consider the relationship between the character and their patron, as well as how they came to form a pact with them. How did they initially meet? What factors persuaded the patron to grant their powers to a mortal? Here are some notable archfey from Forgotten Realms lore, along with potential descriptions of warlock pacts for player characters.

This paraphrased version maintains the essential information while making it more accessible and easier to understand for readers who may not be familiar with role-playing game terminology.

The Queen of Air and Darkness

Ruler of the Unseelie Court

The Unseelie Realm houses the malevolent inhabitants of the Fey realms, with the Queen of Shadows and Darkness being their most formidable leader. Originally, she was the sister of the fairy queen Titania, but fell to darkness after coming into possession of a cursed gem called the Black Diamond, which emanated evil energy from an unknown source. Ever since then, she has dwelt in the Unseelie Realm – a domain of shadow and malice inhabited by corrupted fey creatures who exist solely to serve her.

The Queen of Darkness and Shadows is an ideal choice for warlock players who want to use her dark powers to cause harm to others, especially those with evil alignments. Her character remains largely enigmatic, but given the Unseelie fey’s tendency towards cruelty, it seems plausible that she shares this trait. However, it’s worth noting that warlocks bound to her are not necessarily required to be evil-aligned themselves. This bond could have been formed out of necessity or duress, leading to internal conflict. Alternatively, some might willingly ignore her malevolent nature due to an insatiable thirst for power.

Titania, Summer Queen of the Feywild

Ruler of the Seelie Court

In contrast, Titania stands as the head of the Seelie, the virtuous fey. Known for her command over natural forces, her emotional shifts can lead to significant alterations in her surroundings. Although some perceive her as capricious or unpredictable, she is also remarkably astute and rules with fairness and justice. Her ultimate aspiration is to foster happiness and unity among all fey and safeguard the realms of fey from any danger. Typically benevolent and peaceful, Titania, when enraged, becomes a sight of dread.

In the realm of Faerûn, Titania is often a preferred archfey patron for warlocks due to her intrigue towards mortals and delight in their adventures. A warlock could capture her interest by providing amusing entertainment, potentially earning her favor and receiving her power as a reward. Alternatively, a warlock bound to Titania may be required to protect the Feywild or the Seelie court during times of peril.

Oberon, the Green Lord

Lord of Beasts

In simpler terms, Oberon, Titania’s spouse, holds nearly equal power. Like Titania, he has a profound affinity for nature and maintains unique bonds with the beasts from both the Feywild and Faerûn. Unlike many other fey, Oberon is more straightforward rather than tricky and less dependent on illusive magic. He is a formidable hunter and warrior, much like Titania, and he fiercely defends all fey creatures and realms as a steadfast guardian.

As a patron, Oberon is ideal for characters who have a deep connection with nature, particularly animals and forests. This bond could have been established through exceptional skills in hunting or taming animals, or even by outsmarting him during a hunt. Regardless of the initial encounter, a warlock pact with Oberon offers players intriguing possibilities to wield nature’s power.

Hyrsam, the Prince of Fools

The Anarchist of the Feywild

Hyrsam assumes the form of a satyr, standing as one of the archfey with the most unpredictable alignment. He harbors resentment towards external influences that have shaped the societies within the Feywild, longing instead for its pure, untamed state. Many of his powers derive from his control over music, allowing him to manipulate individuals or stir up emotions. His ambition lies in rallying followers to help him disrupt the established order in the Feywild, a goal that may even lead him to form agreements with mortals.

Given his musical background, Hyrsam is an ideal benefactor for any magically gifted sorcerer specializing in music, and an excellent pick for a Bard/Warlock hybrid character setup. A bard might pursue him to sharpen their skills, thereby delving into the Warlock class. Conversely, a character could have been drawn by Hyrsam’s melodies into forming a pact with him, either willingly or unwillingly.

Psilofyr, Lord of the Myconids

The Spore Lord of the Feydark

In the depths of the Feywild lies a realm I often refer to as my own – the enigmatic Feydark, a place where the revered entity Psilofyr resides. The fungi-like beings known as myconids hold him in high esteem, considering him their deity. His major focus is the flourishing and spread of their race, yet he ensures this expansion doesn’t come at the expense of peaceful civilizations.

Though Psilofyr may appear intimidating to some, he is generally amicable towards mortals. He admires our kind for making the most out of our limited lifespans, and I believe that makes him a benevolent figure to warlocks who forge a pact with him.

Although Psilofyr remains enigmatic, even to the myconids who revere him, his character is elusive and subject to change as he evolves and splits into numerous forms. This ambiguity presents exciting opportunities for a campaign, where warlock players might encounter varying aspects of Psilofyr, and DMs can catch players off guard with unanticipated twists.

Baba Yaga, Mother of All Witches

The Hag of Classic Folklore

Hailing from Slavic folklore, the character known as Baba Yaga is frequently depicted as a witch figure in various tales, contributing significantly to today’s popular image of witches. Known for her unusual dwelling – a house perched on chicken legs – she has gained notoriety for deceiving mortals, often leading them to become part of her stew. In the realm of Forgotten Realms, Baba Yaga traverses both Faerûn and the Feywild with her mobile abode. There seems to be a connection between her and hags, as she is said to have raised at least three hag daughters.

Despite being feared for her dangerous and evil nature, it’s quite frequent for mortals to seek her out because of the immense magical wisdom she possesses. A warlock could have made a deal with Baba Yaga to acquire this knowledge, for numerous reasons. Alternatively, you might create a character who was deceived by Baba Yaga into making such a pact, which aligns perfectly with her cunning character.

Iggwilv/Zybilna/Tasha

The Witch Queen

Many Dungeons & Dragons enthusiasts would likely be familiar with the name Tasha, associated with spells such as Tasha’s Hideous Laughter or the compilation book, Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything. However, it’s essential to note that “Tasha” is merely one alias. In most instances, she is recognized more by her other identity – Iggwilv. Originally a human woman, Iggwilv was taken under the wing of Baba Yaga and developed her magical abilities there. Subsequently, she traversed through the realms of the Hells, ultimately establishing her own rule in the Feywild as Zybilna. Over time, the enchantments of the Feywild morphed her into a supernatural entity, making her known as an archfey.

Similar to her adopted mother, Iggwilv boasts an extensive grasp of magical wisdom, delving deep into the realms of demons and fey. She’s not about causing pain just for the sake of it, but she’s more than ready to wield her power against her enemies without hesitation. She makes an ideal patron for D&D enthusiasts craving intricate lore, and is perfect for characters fueled by a hunger for magical understanding.

Cerunnos, the Horned Lord

Master of the Hunt

As a movie enthusiast, I’d rephrase it like this:

In a fantastical realm, I find myself as a complex character – Cerunnos, an archfey with a slight tilt towards the dark side, fitting for those warlocks navigating moral grey areas. Born among the wise Firbolgs, I once served under Oberon, but a cruel curse forced me into exile. Now, I roam this world, a wanderer without a true home, preying on my targets and relentlessly pursuing them. I lead the Wild Hunt, where myself and my hounds charge across the land, leaving no one untouched in our relentless pursuit. Anyone who witnesses this spectacle is compelled to join us.

Cerunnos is revered by firbolgs and centaurs, making him an ideal warlock patron for characters of these races. Given his dominating control over the Wild Hunt, he could attract warlocks who desire power with a comparable level of fixation. A mortal might gain his favor through offering a fresh target or by swearing allegiance to the Wild Hunt.

Kannoth, the Vampire Lord of Cendriane

In the official Dungeons & Dragons lore, there isn’t much information available about Kannoth. However, he offers a wealth of storytelling possibilities as a warlock patron. Kannoth once ruled over Cendriane, a magnificent fey city that existed simultaneously in Faerûn and the Feywild. Legends tell of Kannoth persisting in the city even after it was destroyed by the drow, being the last inhabitant left. He is often linked with Cerunnos’ Wild Hunt, and rumors suggest he remains faithful to Cerunnos himself.

Though Kannoth is a vampire, he isn’t inherently evil; his moral compass remains undefined. The events following the fall of Cendriane have left many questions unanswered, adding to the enigma surrounding him. Given this mystery, players have ample room for interpretation when it comes to understanding Kannoth’s character and motivations. Is he benevolent, cherishing Cendriane’s former glory? Or did he succumb to evil after his city’s downfall? The possibilities are numerous, making Kannoth an exciting choice for those who enjoy crafting their unique tales with the lesser-known figures of the Forgotten Realms.

2025-08-20 15:14