I absolutely love this paladin. It is, as the creators mention, the ally members of the LGBTQ+ community has always wanted. Or at least the one I've wanted, as a trans nonbinary bisexual dnd player.
I firmly believe in the ability of games like Dungeons & Dragons to allow us to share our experiences and come to a greater understanding of ourselves, each other, and what we need from each other. Oath of the Ally gives great thought to how we can accomplish that, and it shines through in the mechanics.
The conversation of allyship is an important one, especially during Pride month. What can we do to support the marginalized? The tenets of the Oath of the Ally give an overview that is substantial to cover the topic, but not exhaustive so as to bog down the mechanics of the class. It mentions some pretty important real-world stuff we all can do to be allies: directly speaking out against hate and intolerance, using what platform and power you have for others, and being mindful of the intersectionality of the communities of which you are a part.
Another important aspect of being an ally is showing up to do the work even when it would be a detriment to you, personally. This is the bit that I really love about the Oath of the Ally: sacrificing your action to grant an ally advantage (using your platform to boost others instead of yourself), granting allies an AC bonus while getting a penalty to your own. Mechanically, Oath of the Ally is built for someone who is ready to show up and do the work, no matter the cost.
This is a clever restatement of an important real-world topic in a language we all love and understand (game design). I am sure this will have some awesome results at the table.
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