Circle of the Swarm

Druids of the Circle of the Swarm first emerged in the primordial forests of the nascent multiverse, when all things were magical and the elder races young. These druids keep vigil over foundational secrets that safeguard the natural magics at the heart of all druidic circles. As guardians of this knowledge they exist beyond a singular body, capable of spreading their consciousness across a multitude of forms.

Adherents of this circle often feel a transcendent calling to locations or situations where great forces act to unravel the natural world. Many of them emerge within other circles, forming cabals that seek to sequester forbidden truths. Some find themselves drawn to the Black Feather by an inherent sense of oneness with creation itself.

Circle spells

Your circle grants you access to some spells when you reach certain levels in this class. Once you gain access to one of these spells, you always have it prepared, and it doesn’t count against the number of spells you can prepare each day. If you gain access to a spell that doesn’t appear on the druid spell list, the spell is nonetheless a druid spell for you.

Swarm Form

2nd level Circle of the Black Feather feature

You can expend a use of your Wild Shape to take on the form of a Swarm of Spirit Ravens. When you do so, the hit points of the swarm increase by a number equal to your Druid level.

2024 Player’s Handbook

Under 2024 rules this feature becomes available at 3rd level in the druid class.

Is the raven theme not quite right for your character or setting? Flavor is free, so just use a different type of flying creature with the statistics of the Swarm of Spirit Ravens.

Scatter to the Winds

2nd level Circle of the Black Feather feature

As a bonus action while in your Swarm Form, you break apart and scatter, rendering you immune to all damage, incapacitated, and unable to be targeted. At the start of your next turn you appear in an unoccupied space of your choice within 120 feet of the space you occupied last turn. Once you use this feature you can’t do so again until you finish a Short or Long rest.

An Unkindness of Ravens

6th level Circle of the Black Feather feature

While under the effect of your Swarm Form feature you gain the following effects:

• Your size increases to Large. When there isn’t enough room for your size to increase to Large, you temporarily take on the maximum possible size for the space available.
• When another creature moves through your space, it is considered to be difficult terrain.
• You can use your spell attack modifier when calculating attack rolls.
• When you hit with an attack roll, you can deal extra damage to the target equal to your proficiency bonus.

Let Nothing Remain

10th level Circle of the Black Feather feature

As a reaction when a creature dies within 60 feet of you, you can send a Raven to feast on the departing life essence of that creature. You recover hit points equal to 1d8 + your Wisdom modifier, even if you are using your Swarm Form feature. You can do so a number of times equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum of once), and you regain all expended uses when you finish a Long Rest.

Blot out the Sky

14th level Circle of the Black Feather feature

While under the effect of your Swarm Form feature you gain the following effects:

• Your size increases to Huge. When there isn’t enough room for your size to increase to Huge, you temporarily take on the maximum possible size for the space available.

Swarm of Spirit Ravens

Medium Beast(Swarm), Neutral

Ability		Mod	Save
STR	6	-2	-2
DEX	14	+2	+2
CON	12	+1	+1
INT	5	-3	-3
WIS	14	+2	+2
CHA	6	-2	-2

AC

12

HP

22 (4d8 + 4)

Speed

10ft., Fly 50ft.

Proficiency Bonus

2

Challenge

1/4 (XP 50)

Skills

Perception +4

Resistances

Bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks

Immunities

Charmed, Frightened, Grappled, Paralysed, Petrified, Prone, Restrained

Swarm

The swarm can occupy another creature’s space and vice versa. The swarm can move through any opening large enough for a Tiny creature.

Actions

Flurry of pecks

Melee Weapon Attack, one target in the swarm’s space, +4 to hit, 7 (2d6) piercing damage, or 3 (1d6) piercing damage if the swarm has half of its hit points or fewer.