A Druid subclass
Druids of the Circle of the Black Feather 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 transforming into a multitude of ravens.
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. While others find themselves drawn to the Black Feather by an inherent sense of oneness with creation itself.
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.
Druid level | Circle spells |
---|---|
2nd | Find Familiar, Feather Fall |
3rd | Animal Messenger, Levitate |
5th | Fly, Spirit Guardians |
7th | Confusion, Bigby’s Hand |
9th | Creation, Telekinesis |
2nd level Circle of the Black Feather feature
As an action, you can expend a use of your Wild Shape to take on the form of a Swarm of Spirit Ravens. When you choose this form you gain the following effects:
6th level Circle of the Black Feather feature
While under the effect of your Swarm Form feature you gain the following effects:
6th level Circle of the Black Feather feature
As a bonus action, you can scatter your Raven Swarm to the four winds, rendering you immune to all damage, untargettable, and incapacitated. At the start of your next turn you reform in an unoccupied space of your choice within 120 feet of the place you were last turn. Once you use this feature you can’t do so again until you finish a long rest or until you expend a spell slot of level 3 or higher.
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 1d8 + your Wisdom modifier Hit points, even if you are in your Swarm form.
14th level Circle of the Black Feather feature
While under the effect of your Swarm Form feature you gain the following effects:
Make It Your Own
Is the raven theme not quite right for your campaign or setting? A Swarm of Bats (Monster Manual p.337) might be a suitable replacement for a vampire themed character. Or, if your DM will allow it, you could use a tiny beast of your choice, giving it the Swarm feature and resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage.