Warlock

A warlock is a magic user whose magic is granted by making a pact with a powerful magical being called a patron, typically of extraplanar origin. They are practitioners of granted magic (see Magic Rule Changes from Standard 5e). 
The most common warlock patrons are powerful Fey or Fiends. However, it is possible to create a warlock pact with a celestial (such as an angel), an eldritch being from the Outer Planes, a Lich, or even (in rare cases) an ancient Dragon.
A warlock will most frequently use their pact to become an Adventurer. Non-combative warlocks do exist, though, most notably the members of the Council of Wargraves in Cantonova.

Career

Qualifications

To become a warlock, one must encounter a powerful immortal and strike a bargain with them. Sometimes, these bargains are entered into willingly and requested by the mortal specifically. Other times, the immortal will only save the mortal from certain death in exchange for their service as a warlock.
Beings known to offer warlock pacts include:

• Demon Lords
• Archfey, though rarely the Archfey Regnant
• High-ranking celestials such as archangels and devas
• Mid-ranked or higher-ranked devils, up to and including archdevils
• Death Knights
• Liches
• Vampires at least several centuries old, though they are unlikely to take warlocks unless they have already sired at least a dozen proper vampires
• Eldritch forces from The Great Beyond

Career Progression

Warlocks are obligated to carry out certain tasks for their patrons, which can range from aiding a specific person to killing enemies and condemning souls to the patron's control.
In some cases, a warlock will find themselves at odds with their patron for one reason or another. They may find a way to break their warlock pact by violating previously agreed-upon terms, and so forfeit their powers and risk the wrath of their former patron. However, they might instead choose to seek a different, more powerful patron who might strike a more favorable deal. This is often seen as a grave insult to the previous patron, unless the new patron strikes a deal with them or is allied with them in some way.
One particularly curious instance of a warlock switching patrons is that of Loge Haderaa. He spent several months as a warlock of Crowley before breaking his contract by dying at his own hand without alerting Crowley. Upon his resurrection, he found what he believed to be a celestial exiled to the Material Plane, but who was actually a mortal under the effects of Nystul's Magic Aura. She agreed to be his patron despite having no way to grant powers. Nevertheless, Loge retained the majority of his warlock abilities. The reason he was able to do this is unclear and has yet to be extensively studied; since Loge died in the Royal Phoenix Showdown, this may well remain a mystery to future sages.

Type

Arcane

Famous in the Field

• Loge Haderaa
• Orpheus
• Rusalka

Other Associated professions

• Adventurer

Used By

• Council of Wargraves

Ranks & Titles

• Wargrave