Storm Domain
Subclass of the Cleric — Homebrew for Heretics of the Old Gods
Overview
The Storm Domain draws on the electrical storms that roll across the Hellcatch Valley with a regularity no weather system fully explains. Clerics of this domain — called Stormbound by those who follow Ur’Shakthu — are methodical disruptors who fight from range, lock down enemies with electrical force, and punish those who come too close. They are patient, precise, and controlled in a way that does not quite read as divine.
At higher levels, something in the nature of a Storm Domain cleric begins to shift. The power they channel becomes more focused, more predatory, more deliberate than faith alone should produce. Whether this represents a deeper connection to the storm or something else entirely, the cleric cannot say. The storm has never been forthcoming.
Domain Spells
| Cleric Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| 3 | Zone of Truth, Witch Bolt |
| 5 | Lightning Bolt, Silence |
| 7 | Call Lightning, Counterspell |
| 9 | Storm Sphere, Confusion |
| 11 | Chain Lightning, Dominate Person |
Features
Level 3: Crackling Aura
When a creature hits you with a melee attack, you can take a Reaction to channel electrical energy through the impact, dealing lightning damage to the attacker. The damage die increases as you gain levels in this class, as shown in the Crackling Aura table below.
Crackling Aura
| Cleric Level | Damage Die |
|---|---|
| 3 | 1d6 |
| 5 | 1d8 |
| 11 | 1d10 |
| 14 | 1d12 |
| 17 | 1d20 |
Level 3: Channel Divinity — Lightning Lock
As a Magic action, you present your Holy Symbol and expend a use of Channel Divinity, targeting one creature you can see within 60 feet of yourself. The target must succeed on a Constitution saving throw against your spell save DC or be Paralyzed until the end of your next turn as electrical charge seizes its muscles.
Level 6: Tempest’s Reach
When you use Lightning Lock, you can target up to two additional creatures within 60 feet of yourself. Each target makes its own Constitution saving throw against your spell save DC.
Level 7: Stormbound Strikes
When the base Cleric class grants Blessed Strikes at level 7, Storm Domain clerics use this feature as Stormbound Strikes. When you select Divine Strike, the additional damage dealt is lightning damage. When you select Potent Spellcasting, the additional damage from cantrips crackles with electrical energy. This is a cosmetic reskin only and does not alter the mechanical function of Blessed Strikes in any way.
Level 17: Channel Divinity — Breath of the Storm
As a Magic action, you present your Holy Symbol and expend a use of Channel Divinity to exhale lightning in a 90-foot line that is 10 feet wide, originating from yourself. Each creature in that line must make a Dexterity saving throw against your spell save DC, taking 10d10 lightning damage on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful one.
Design note: At level 17 the nature of what a Storm Domain cleric channels becomes difficult to categorize. The feature above is intentionally structured to resemble a dragon’s breath weapon. This is not an accident.