Circle of the Primeval

Based on the CIRCLE OF THE PRIMEVAL Druid Subclass from the UNEARTHED ARCANA 2022 GIANT OPTIONS, released May 2022.

Time Never Truly Forgets

The Circle of the Primeval teaches that, though the land may change over time, it never truly forgets. By tapping into the timeworn memory of the earth, these druids summon and bond with the spirits of primeval behemoths—hulking creatures that once ruled the ancient world alongside the giants.

Keeper of Old

2nd-level Circle of the Primeval feature

You gain proficiency in History checks. You also learn the Primordial language.

Additionally, you may touch the ground below you in order to connect with the location's history. While in physical contact with the natural terrain of your location you can make History checks as if you had been present on your current spot for the past century, recalling visual information about the place and the creatures which have been present on it. This feature does not work on constructed terrain-- a castle's floor, wooden planks, nor even through gloves or footwear, for instance.

Primeval Companion

2nd-level Circle of the Primeval feature

As an action, you can spend one use of your Wild Shape feature to summon a Primeval Companion. The companion appears in an unoccupied space of your choice within 30ft. of you, and during combat, it takes its turn immediately after yours. When you summon your Primeval Companion you can grant it either a climbing or swimming speed equal to its walking speed. The companion can move and use reactions on its own, but during its turn it only takes the dodge action, unless you spend an action or a bonus action during your turn to command it to take a different action. If you are incapacitated, the companion can take any action of its choice. 

PRIMEVAL COMPANION

Medium Beast, Neutral

Armor Class: 13 + DEX (natural armor)

Hit Points: 10 + Xd10 (X = your Druid level)

Hit Dice: Xd10 (X = your Druid level)

Speed: 30ft.

STR

13 + PB

DEX

12 + PB

CON

14 + PB

INT

4 + PB

WIS

8 + PB

CHA

5 + PB

Senses: Darkvision 60ft.

Languages: Understands the languages you speak.

Proficiency Bonus (PB): Equals your PB.

Actions

• Strike [melee weapon attack, reach 5ft., one target]
  To Hit: STR + PB
  On Hit: 1d10 + STR; bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage (your choice).

Reactions

• Intercept Attack
  When a creature within 5ft. of the Primeval Companion is hit with an attack from a source the Primeval Companion can see, it may reduce the damage the original target would've taken by half, and take that amount itself.

Your Primeval Companion remains until its HP is reduced to 0 or until you die, at which point it vanishes. If you use this feature again while you already have a companion present, the first companion would vanish immediately. Anything your Primeval Companion wears or carries is left behind when it vanishes.

Titanic Bond

6th-level Circle of the Primeval feature

Your Primeval Companion is now Large sized. Additionally,  your companion gains Magic Resistance, and against spells: It takes only half damage on failed saving throws and no damage on succesful ones. Your companion always succeeds on saving throws against spells you cast.

In turn, while your Primeval Companion is summoned; you gain 60ft. of darkvision, spells you cast may use your companion as their point of origin, and once per turn, when dealing damage to a creature who can see you, you may force it to make a Wisdom saving throw against your spell save DC; on a fail, the creature is frightened of you until the end of your next turn.

*Magic Resistance: The creature has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects. 

Prehistoric Conduit

10th-level Circle of the Primeval feature

As an action, or as part of the same action you use to summon it; you may spend a spell slot of any level to heighten your Primeval Companion, which grants it the following benefits:

• Hulking Behemoth: Your companion increases its size by one category-- from Large to Huge, for example, and gains temporary hit points equal to 10 times the spent spell slot's level. If there isn't enough room to grow, your companion attains the maximum possible size in the space available.
• Primeval Mauler: Your companion’s Strike deals an extra 1d10 of its damage type, and it becomes magic damage for the purposes of overcoming resistances. Additionally, its damage on hit increases by an amount equal to the spent spell slot's level.
• Titanic Stride: Your companion is not slowed by difficult terrain, and its walking speed increases by a number of feet equal to 5 times the spent spell slot's level.

These benefits last up to 1 hour. If you spend a spell slot on this feature again while it's already on effect, the timer restarts and the new spell slot spent's level overrides the previous one.

Scourge of the Ancients

14th-level Circle of the Primeval feature

When you roll for Initiative, before the first turn of combat you may choose to spend a spell slot on your Prehistoric Conduit feature, which will then take effect at the beginning of your Primeval Companion's turn. Additionally, enhancing your companion with Prehistoric Conduit grants it the following new feature:

• Colossal Threat: Your companion gains the same benefits you gain from your Titanic Bond feature. Additionally, all creatures in a sphere around the Primeval Companion, which are hostile towards it and can see it; have disadvantage on attack rolls against any of the companion's allies, the range equals a number of feet equal to 5 times the spent spell slot's level.

Circle Spells

3rd-level Circle of the Primeval feature

None