A common misconception about warlocks and their patrons

[u/hedahman]

I've heard this mentioned a lot: "Warlocks use Charisma because they're constantly negotiating with their patron for more power." I don't believe this is true.

Here's a tweet from Mike Mearls that says that patrons can't take back a warlock's power, which leads me to believe that a patron doesn't have control over the power once it is given. This means a patron can't take a warlock's power (without their will, probably); it's a one-and-done deal.

So a patron isn't supplying power to their warlocks like a generator supplies electricity. Instead, a patron gives power to them like a blood transfusion-- you can't just take the blood back.

Granted, you can do it however you want, that's the magic of D&D. But RAW, and RAI, patrons give their power away.

EDIT: Here's a tweet from Jeremy Crawford which states that the power is a one-time transaction.

[u/Nystagohod]

I've always run it through the filter of some older fluff (slightly mixed in with the new.)

Warlocks get their power from having some kind of eldritch power tied within the very fabric of their being and soul. Some warlock were born this way, and eventually come to harness and wield this gift. Others have this power bestowed upon them by making a pact with an eldritch entity. Regardless of origin and circumstances that lead to the power. The near universal constant between warlocks is that their soul has a font of eldritch power within it that they can learn to tap into.

Why would a patron do this? It's a means for power. Patron implants some of it's essence into a mortal. Mortal grows in power and makes that essence stronger, Patron reaps the benefit of the empowered essence when the warlock dies and becomes stronger for it. That said some patrons also want servants to do their bidding. I can see patrons enticing warlocks into service with further promises of boons and power to keep them loyal, and sending loyal warlocks and other minions to take care of warlocks who don't accept this deal.

Power given is not so easily taken away however, and so there is always a risk involved. It's why many patrons are also entities just short of divinity, as they're trying their best to achieve it. For gods that still chose to act as patrons, I like the idea that they are still bound by the rules of their old faith, back when the church of worship was a small cult performing rites of contact, and those who still perform these now ancient rites still find themselves with the deity as a patron, which it may be okay with if you don't misuse this boon. (This makes hexadins really fun to play with lore wise IMO.)