DND Warlock Patrons and Backstory Ideas (5e Compatible)

If you’re looking for DND warlock patrons and backstory ideas, you’ve come to the right place. Below you’ll find just a few examples created with LitRPG Adventures Workshop, a tool I created that uses GPT-3 API (one of the world’s largest AI language models) to create tabletop RPG content.

Check out the examples below and keep reading if you want to learn how to create your own warlock backstories, including patrons. I hope you enjoy these and can use them in your tabletop campaign. I’ve got some great undead patrons.

Whether you play a Hexblade warlock, Great Old One warlocks, or even Celestial warlocks, I’m sure these ideas will be fun. I’m putting together a collection of the best warlock patrons that I’ve created at LitRPG Adventures, and I’m happy to share. (Hexblade warlocks rock!)

Warlock Patrons and Character Backstory Ideas

Here’s just a few D&D warlock backstories you can use, including unique patrons they follow. Enjoy!

Xagor – Male Ogre Warlock

Born in Zokol (Grabisco Kingdom)

Backstory:

Xagor and his twin brother were born into a family of powerful warlocks from the Black Swamp, a kingdom in Grabisco. He was taught all of the ways of magic and eventually took up an apprenticeship with a warlock known as Magi-Mage.

Magi-Mage was the most powerful warlock in the Black Swamp, and he had an affinity for all types of magic, including healing magic. Xagor was fascinated by Magi-Mage’s use of the forbidden magic.

Despite the warnings of his family, Xagor left the swamp and traveled to the kingdom of Grabisco where he hoped to learn how to cast healings spells.

Personality:

Xagor is a very serious person. He is very interested in the use of magic to heal the land and cure illnesses. He believes that the warlocks of the Black Swamp were wrong to use forbidden magic and is intent on learning the healing magic of the ages.

Appearance:

Xagor has a heavily muscled body and tanned skin. He has a long black beard and patchy hair. He wears robes of the same color as his skin. During battle, he wields a long staff and casts offensive spells to aid his allies.

Start of Character:

Having come to Grabisco seeking his place in the world, Xagor is intent on finding the answers to those questions he has. He hopes to learn how to cast healings spells, though, and to do so, he wants to find an academy where he can train to become a full-fledged priestess.

Warlock Patron: Misk’ruths, the Master of Necromancy

Great Old One Warlock Patron

(Proud) (Neutral)

Appearance

Misk’ruths was once a human wizard who was a member of the Cult of the Eternal Dragon’s Eternal Order, a group of powerful Chosen who kept the court alive by passing down knowledge through the generations.

When the Cult was driven from its homeland, Misk’ruths fled with a few of his followers to the wilds of Daraway, where he found that he could move between the planes and chart the heavens.

His cult expanded over the years, as he became a feared master of the arts of necromancy; at the height of his power, he is said to have rivaled Uthul’s power. He reportedly had black hair and a hook nose.

Warlock Patron Description

You have made a pact with a fiend from the lower planes of existence, a being whose aims are evil, even if you strive against those aims. Such beings desire the corruption or destruction of all things, ultimately including you. Fiends powerful enough to forge a pact include demon lords such as Demogorgon, Orcus, Fraz’Urb-luu, and Misk’ruths the Master of Necromancy.

Warlock Patron Expanded Spell List

1. Chill Touch – A touch from your hand can cause a creature to take penalties. As a melee touch attack, you can cause a living creature to take 1d6 points of cold damage + 1 point per two caster levels (maximum +5). This touch also causes the creature to be staggered for 1 round. If you attack an undead creature, it gains 10 temporary hit points that last for up to 1 hour. These temporary hit points do not stack. You can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Charisma modifier. You will need a short or long rest after you cast.
2. Chill Touch, Greater – At 10th level, any creature you touch takes cold damage and is staggered for 1 round. If you touch an undead creature, it gains 20 temporary hit points that last for up to 1 hour. These temporary hit points do not stack.

Radea – Female Dark Elf Warlock

Born in Blinkenberg (Grabisco Kingdom)

Backstory:

Radea was sold into slavery as a child. She was raised in the royal harem and spent her days weaving. She was given a glimpse of a life that she could never have as she watched Princess Jania grow up. After Princess Jania was kidnapped, Radea was discovered by two wizards, and a dark elf, and they offered her a choice: freedom or riches. Radea chose freedom, but became evermore determined to seek out Jania and eventually become free for herself.

Personality:

Radea is a proud drow, though she is much more submissive than drows usually are. She is very loyal and will do whatever must be done. Her life of slavery has made her fearful of her own race and she will go to great lengths to avoid them. She is very kind-hearted and cares deeply about people.

Appearance:

Radea is dark skinned. She long, dark hair that hangs straight down. She is beautiful and even her dark lips give her a seductive look. She wears dark robes that are adorned with gold embroidery. She is always wearing a mask and carries a staff that she has decorated with gold.

Start of Character:

Radea has traveled to Ledale and has contacted the shadow elf city of Sedalia to help free the city from the acolytes of Zan. She has managed to get a meeting with a priest of Zan, whom she will soon betray.

Warlock Patron Qnar Nightstar

Fiend Warlock Patron

(Elf) (Elven) (Haughty) (Chaos) (Evil)

Appearance

A tall, slender elf with lavender hair and eyes, Qnar wears attire that is mostly black and silver. He is usually armed with a long black sword, a longbow, and a quiver full of arrows.

Description

You have made a pact with a fiend from the lower planes of existence, a being whose aims are evil, even if you strive against those aims. Such beings desire the corruption or destruction of all things, ultimately including you. Fiends powerful enough to forge a pact include demon lords such as Demogorgon, Orcus, Fraz’Urb-luu, and Flainel the Old One.

Warlock Patron Expanded Spell List

1. Dark One’s Own Luck – At 1st level, you can touch a creature as a standard action, giving it an insight bonus on attack rolls, skill checks, ability checks, and saving throws equal to half your warlock level for 1 round. You can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Charisma modifier.
2. Binding Contract – At 8th level, you can compel a creature to perform a service for you by promising to reward it. As a standard action, you can compel one creature within 30 feet to perform a service for you. The creature must succeed on a Will save or be compelled to attempt to fulfill your request, as if using lesser geas.
3. Pox of the Planes – At 10th level, you can afflict a creature with a virulent disease, as the spell, except that it requires no material component. You will need a short or long rest after you cast.
4. Greater Binding Contract – At 12th level, you can compel a creature to perform a service for you by promising to reward it. As a standard action, you can compel one creature within 30 feet to perform a service for you. The creature must succeed on a Will save or be compelled to attempt to fulfill your request, as if using greater geas. If the creature succeeds on its save, it is immune to this power for 24 hours.

Kesst the Wild – Male Wood Elf Warlock

Born in Murod (Grabisco Kingdom)

Backstory:

Kesst was born in the Murod clan, near the Skygard Wood. He didn’t have a very peaceful childhood: He was always fighting with someone, and he was always involved in some sort of burglary.

His education was also lacking, and he couldn’t really read or write, but he had a good memory, so he learned most of his information from others. His father had taught him to use both weapons and magic, and when he was 15, he was strong enough to leave his clan and try to live on his own. He has been living as a loner and burglar ever since.

Personality:

Kesst is a hot-tempered youth and very independent. He may tell you that he doesn’t care about anyone else, but he does care for his friends. He may also seem to be very aggressive, but he knows that it is sometimes better to run away than to engage in a fight.

Kesst is also very unpredictable. He can be very intelligent in some situations, but he has a very short temper and sometimes relies on his physical strength. He is not very sociable, but if you are nice to him, he may grow to like you (sort of like a spider).

Appearance:

Kesst is a very tall, muscular elf. He has a long, black waist-length hair and eyes that are always alert. He wears black trousers with a brown vest, and carries a sword, dagger, and short bow. He also wears a black cloak.

Start of Character:

Kesst roams the Kingdom of Grabisco, always looking for adventure. He has been working for the last few years as a mercenary for the Rebels. He’s also looking for his friend, a dwarven merchant named Ariky.

Warlock Patron: Xaran

Archfey Warlock Patron

(Elf) (Elven) (Mischievous) (Chaos) (Neutral)

Appearance

Xaran is an elven male with long, tan hair and dark brown eyes. His hair is tied into a pony tail and he wears simplistic clothing for traveling.

Description

You have made a bargain with a powerful fey spirit, who most often contacts you through dreams, visions, or trances. The archfey’s motivations are inscrutable, and while it might seem to be doing you favors at times, the fey’s schemes are beyond the understanding of mortals. Even if the fey spirits’ favor turns sour, it is a powerful ally to have.

Warlock Patron Expanded Spell List

1. Fey Step – At 1st level, you gain the ability to teleport up to 30 feet per warlock level per day as a move action. This teleportation must be used in 5-foot increments, and you can bring other willing creatures (including yourself) along when you use this ability. You must have line of sight to your destination to use this ability.
2. Bewildering Will – At 8th level, you can confuse the targets of your spells, as the spell. You will need a long rest after you cast, and there’s only a 80% chance you will get the spell again the next day.

Kallianee – Female Gnome Warlock

Born in Hjulroam (Grabisco Kingdom)

Backstory:

Kallianee grew up in the kingdom of Hjulroam, a frontier community that bordered the wilds of the Kingdom of Grabisco. Her parents were not wealthy and their farm struggled to put food on the table. Kallianee was the third daughter in her family and not much was expected of her.

She grew up helping her family and helped out at the town’s tavern when she wasn’t helping out on the farm. Kallianee grew up with no affection, but she did not seem to mind. She’d learned that affection was not what you wanted to find in life. It was danger and death that one should seek. Kallianee became fascinated with the power of the arcane.

She could see the taverns patrons wielding magic. She learned from them as best she could and eventually took up the study of magic herself. When she came of age, she left her family and the town she grew up in and traveled to the neighboring Kingdom of Grabisco’s capital city of Edgard.

Personality:

Kallianee is very driven. She doesn’t waste her time with social interactions or celebrations. She treats most people as though they are peasants. She is not social and she doesn’t care about others, only her own goals. She has no respect for royalty and sees no need for the existence of the nobility. She also cares very little for the opinions of others.

Appearance:

Kallianee has dirty blonde hair and eyes that can pierce right through you. She is of average height and weight. Her clothes are no different than those found anywhere else.

Start of Character:

Kallianee has been tasked by the King of Hjulroam to help the Edgardian and Grabesian Guard in a fight against an uprising that has been taking place within the far north of the Kingdom of Grabisco. She has a letter from the King to the Seekers as a means to get to them.

Warlock Patron: Gildersleeve

Archfey Warlock Patron

(Funny) (Silly) (Neutral) (Good) (Gnome)

Appearance

Gildersleeve is a kindly looking gnome with tousled, gray hair and a richly tanned face. He wears loose, light clothing and carries a long walking stick with a pewter top.

Description

You have made a pact with a powerful fey creature, such as a unicorn, troll queen, or brownie. Such creatures rarely seek out mortal followers, preferring to remain in their own plane or realm.

Few mortal creatures of the natural world can match a fey creature in its own domain, but sometimes a fey creature makes a pact with a mortal to gain entry to the Material Plane.

Warlock Patron Expanded Spell List

1. Blurred Step – At 1st level, you can touch a creature as a standard action, giving it the ability to pass through overgrown areas without leaving a trail and to move through undergrowth at its normal speed without taking damage or suffering any other impairment. This effect lasts for a number of rounds equal to 1/2 your warlock level (minimum 1). You can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Charisma modifier.
2. Woodland Stride – At 8th level, you can move through any sort of undergrowth (such as natural thorns, briars, overgrown areas, and similar terrain) at your normal speed and without taking damage or suffering any other impairment. You will need a long rest to recover after you cast.

Eldritch Blast Variations

Here are some variations to the common Eldritch Blast for warlocks in Dungeons & Dragons fifth edition.

Eldritch Blast – Blue-Green

A sizzling beam of blue-green light streaks toward a creature within range. PC can make a ranged spell Attack against the target. On a successful hit, the target takes 2d6 force damage.

The spell creates more than one beam when you reach higher levels: two beams at 5th Level, three beams at 11th level, and four beams of energy at 17th level. You can target the same creature with each beam or direct the beams at different ones. Make a separate Attack roll for each beam.

Flame Warlock Patron

A white hot ingot streaks toward a creature within range. PC can make a ranged spell Attack against the target. The ichor evaporates upon impact, and the target takes 1d86 fire damage and has a 10% chance of catching fire. This stacks each time the spell hits.

The spell creates more than one ingot when you reach higher levels: two ingots at 5th Level, three ingots at 11th level, and four ingots at 17th level. You can target the same creature with each ingot or direct the ingots at different ones. Make a separate Attack roll for each ingot.

Frost Warlock Patron

A freezing blast of arctic air streaks toward a creature within range. PC can make a ranged spell Attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 cold damage and their movement speed is lowered by 10ft. until the beginning of their next turn.

The spell creates more than one beam when you reach higher levels: two beams at 5th Level, three beams at 11th level, and four beams of frost at 17th level. You can target the same creature with each beam or direct the beams at different ones. Make a separate Attack roll for each beam.

Storm Warlock Patron

A bolt of lightning streaks toward a creature within range. Make a ranged spell Attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 lightning damage.

The spell creates more than one bolt when you reach higher levels: two bolts at 5th Level, three beams at 11th level, and four beams of lightning at 17th level. You can direct the bolts at the same target or at different ones. Make a separate Attack roll for each bolt.

Shadow Warlock Patron

A shimmering black disc streaks toward a creature within range. Make a ranged spell Attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 necrotic damage.

The spell creates more than one disc when you reach higher levels: two discs at 5th Level, three discs at 11th level, and four discs at 17th level. You can target the same creature with each disc or direct the discs at different ones. Make a separate Attack roll for each disc.

Arcana Warlock Patron

A glowing green cube streaks toward a creature within range. Make a ranged spell Attack against the target. On a hit, the target takes 1d10 force damage.

The spell creates more than one cube when you reach higher levels: two cubes at 5th Level, three cubes at 11th level, and four cubes at 17th level. You can target the same creature with each cube or direct the cubes at different ones. Make a separate Attack roll for each cube.

DND Warlock Patron and Backstory Ideas Generator

Want to generate your own D&D warlock backstory ideas? Check out LitRPG Adventures Workshop. You can create a wide variety of content and also browse a library of thousands of character backstories, magic items, monsters, and more. (I’m working on training it to do D&D random encounter tables, so stay tuned!) For now, you can create your own D&D warlock patrons and backstory ideas, so stop on by and try out the tool today. It’s not as cool as Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything, but I’m trying!