The Circle of the Azure Codex

Druids of this circle dedicate themselves to the study of monsters and the mechanisms by which they produce their supernatural effects. Each druid of this circle records their findings in a magical tome known as the Azure Codex, for which they are sometimes called Blue Mages. This codex has the ability to record and even reproduce the powers displayed by monsters, and a well-traveled druid of this circle is capable of unleashing the most powerful abilities that the world has to offer.

Azure Codex

At 2nd level, you are gifted the Azure Codex, a tome capable of replicating the abilities of monsters. When you gain this magical book, it contains 4 monstrosities of your choice with a CR equal to or less than your Druid level.

Adding Monsters to the Azure Codex. You can make an Intelligence (Nature) check to add a monstrosity that you have seen with a CR equal to or less than your Druid level to your Azure Codex as part of a long rest. The DC of this check is equal to (10 + the creature’s CR - your Druid level), and you can only attempt this check once per long rest. You receive a bonus based on how familiar you are with the monster in question. Only one bonus can apply at a time.

Adding a creature to your Azure Codex involves study of the being’s biology, magically reproducing muscles, bones, wings, and other organs needed to produce their abilities. The process costs 50 gp times the CR of the creature. The cost represents material components you expend as you experiment with the Azure Codex to replicate its abilities, as well as the fine inks you need to record it.

When you add a monstrosity, you can only add generic versions of it, rather than named entities; for example, you can add a gorgon to your Azure Codex, but not Medusa the Mother of All Gorgons.

Familiarity	Bonus
You have met the target	+2
You have been attacked by or otherwise affected by the target	+4
You possess a body part from the target, such as a bit of nail or a tuft of hair	+5
You possess a body part from the target, such as a bit of nail or a tuft of hair, which was willingly given to you	+10

Your Azure Codex can hold a number of creatures equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum: 1) plus your proficiency bonus plus your druid level.

Replacing the Azure Codex. If your Azure Codex is destroyed or you lose it, you can perform a 1-hour ceremony to obtain a replacement, which contains your previously stored monsters. This ceremony can be performed during a short or long rest, and the previous Azure Codex is destroyed if it still exists.

Using Monstrous Abilities. As a bonus action, you can expend a use of your Wild Shape to take an action in the statblock of a monster in your Azure Codex. For 1 minute afterwards, you can use your bonus action take any action defined in their statblock (for instance, a Manticore’s Multiattack,) as you briefly transform any necessary organs. You are not able to cast any of their spells, nor are you able to use non-action abilities, such as a Mimic’s False Appearance. When you use a Monstrous Ability, you can’t cast spells other than cantrips until the end of your next turn, and you abide by monster’s rules for any recharge abilities.

Deep Delver

Your pursuit of knowledge has hardened your mind and spirit. You gain add your Wisdom modifier to Intelligence (Nature) checks. In addition, you have advantage on saving throws against being charmed or frightened.

Blue Taboo

At 10th level, your studies of monsters and magic allow you to learn the taboo magic of monsters. At the end of a long rest, choose a creature in your Azure Codex that is able to cast spells; its spells count as Druid spells for you, but don’t count against your number of spells prepared. You still expend a spell slot of the appropriate level to cast a spell in this way.

Mythic Seeker

At 14th level, your study of the monstrous has strengthened your body, allowing it to better survive and study the monstrous. You gain a bonus equal to your Wisdom modifier to all saving throws (min: 1).

Nothing

Because DNDBeyond is fun like that.