Circle of Shadows
The Circle of Shadows is a rare druid circle membered only by those close to the darkest and bleakest locations of nature. Most druids of this circle hail from the underdark and gain their powers from the natural forces of shadows darkness itself. The most notable members are drow that have discovered the power of nature. They may go against the common culture of their societies, or use their druidic magic to further their social standing.
Whatever the case, protecting all of nature is still in the forefront of these druid's minds. Though they may go about it differently than others, seeing beauty in darkness, and preserving balance through its spread.
Restriction: Sunlight Sensitivity
Due to its innate relationship with darkness and the underdark, only races with the sunlight sensitivity racial trait can join the Circle of Shadows. A DM can choose to lift this restriction to better fit your character or setting.
Circle Spells
Your connection to natural darkness allows you to cast certain spells. At 2nd level, and again at 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th level you gain access to circle spells.
Once you gain a circle spell, you always have it prepared, it doesn't count against the number of spells you can prepare, and if it doesn't appear on the druid spell list, it is nonetheless a druid spell for you.
| Druid Level | Circle Spells |
|---|---|
| 2nd | bane, charm person |
| 3rd | darkness, spider climb |
| 5th | create food or water, fear |
| 7th | death ward, stone shape |
| 9th | mislead, passwall |
In addition, you can cast any spell you have access to as part of a racial trait (such as the Drow Magic feature) using a spell slot, as if it were a druid spell you have prepared, and you can use Wisdom as your spellcasting ability for such spells, regardless of how you cast them.
Vision of Shadows
Starting when you choose this circle at 2nd level, your magic spreads like shadows. As a bonus action, you can choose one creature you can see within 60 feet of you to be wreathed in shadows. Until the end of your turn, that creature is considered to be in darkness.
Credits
Created by lnxsinon using GM Binder
Thanks to the Discord of Many Things
Circle of Shadows is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.
You can use this ability a number of times equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum of once). You regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.
Envelop Darkness
Also starting at 2nd level, your natural connection can be manifested in many ways. As an action, you can expend a use of your Wild Shape feature to cover yourself in darkness, rather than transforming into a beast form. Until the start of your next turn, the area within 5 feet of you is covered in magical darkness only you can see though. During this time, any attack made against a creature within this darkness automatically misses, and no spell can target any creature or area within the darkness.
Condense Shadows
Beginning at 6th level, when you use your Vision of Shadows feature, you can impose one of the following effects:
- You are also considered to be in darkness until the end of your turn.
- The creature takes cold damage equal to your Wisdom modifier, as all warmth is blocked from its space.
- A creature with darkvision can’t see through the darkness.
Eclipse
By 10th level, you have mastered the spread of shadows. When you use your Envelop Darkness feature, you can expend two uses of your Wild Shape feature to spread it further. When you do, the darkness spreads out 10 feet around you instead, and it lasts until the end of your next turn.
Eternal Sight
Starting at 14th level, you can see normally in darkness, and you can see normally in magical darkness out to a range of 120 feet.