Base Class: Warlock
The Lady of the Witherweald, Maelivara, is an ancient Archfey who dwells within the liminal, fey-touched forest known as the Witherweald. To outsiders, she manifests as a massive, savage wolf-like beast draped in flowing silken cloth; to those she favors, she appears as a statuesque, nurturing woman. Her influence is subtle yet pervasive, bending time, perception, and reality within her domain. Warlocks who bind themselves to her often do so through family pacts, fey bargains, or chance encounters with the forest itself.
Expanded Spell List
The Lady of the Witherweald lets you choose from an expanded list of spells when you learn warlock spells. The following spells are added to the warlock spell list for you.
Archfey Expanded Spells
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1st |
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2nd |
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3rd |
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4th |
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5th |
Liminal Stride
Starting at 3rd level, you learn to step through the hidden thresholds of the world, slipping between moments as easily as others walk through doors.
As a bonus action, you can teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space you can see. Each time you use this feature, choose one of the following effects:
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Refreshing Step. You or one creature of your choice within 10 feet of you gains temporary hit points equal to
1d6 + your warlock level. -
Unnerving Step. One enemy of your choice within 10 feet of the space you left must succeed on a WIS saving throw (DC {{savedc:cha}}) or have disadvantage on attack rolls against creatures other than you until the end of their next turn. At 6th level, you may target 2 creatures. At 10th level, 3 creatures. At 14th level, 4 creatures.
You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum 1). You regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.
Level 6: Withermaw
Once per short rest, when struck by a foe, you call forth your Lady's wrath, a spectral wolf-like apparition that snaps at your attacker. You roll 2d8 + @mod:charisma and reduce the incoming damage by that amount.
The attacker must then make a Wisdom saving throw against your (DC @dc:spell). On a failure, they take psychic damage equal to the prevented damage; on a success, they take half.
This ability scales with each class feature level: 3d8/4d8 at level 10 and 14 respectively
Level 10: Liminal Dominion
You gain the ability to manifest a fragment of the Witherweald, blessing allies and blighting foes.
Activation (Bonus Action): Choose one:
- The Lady’s Blessing (Ally Aura)
- The Beast’s Blight (Enemy Aura)
Area: 5-foot radius (expands to 10 feet at level 14), centered on you.
Lady’s Blessing
One ally of your choice in the aura receives one effect from the d6 table.
- Duration: Remains until the ally leaves the aura or Liminal Dominion ends.
- Restriction: Each ally can benefit once per combat
|
Roll |
Sense / Effect |
Mechanical Benefit |
Flavor |
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1 |
Sight (Clarity) |
Can see invisible creatures and objects, as well as illusions, until end of next turn |
A glimpse beyond mortal sight, revealing hidden truth |
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2 |
Hearing (Attunement) |
Once before the end of their next turn, add 1d4 to an attack roll, saving throw, or ability check |
Fey pulse quickens reflexes and resolve |
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3 |
Voice (Resonance) |
Advantage on Charisma checks and saving throws |
Words carry fey grace, inspiring allies |
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4 |
Touch (Ward) |
+2 AC |
A shimmering fey aura deflects attacks |
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5 |
Smell (Awareness) |
Advantage on saving throws against being frightened |
Instincts sharpened, sensing danger before it strikes |
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6 |
Sixth Sense (Fey Insight) |
Advantage on saving throws against being charmed |
Unseen intentions are revealed, guiding choices |
Beast’s Blight
Two enemies in the aura must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or suffer a sensory impairment from the d6 table.
- Duration: Remains while the creature is in the aura or until they succeed on a save at the end of their turn.
- Repeated Use: If reapplied, the creature gains advantage on the new save
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Roll |
Sense / Effect |
Mechanical Effect |
Flavor |
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1 |
Sight |
Blinded |
Darkness descends, obscuring perception |
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2 |
Hearing |
Deafened |
Sounds fade, isolating them |
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3 |
Taste/Speech |
Silenced |
Voice falters, cutting off spells or commands |
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4 |
Touch |
Disadvantage on attacks and saves |
Coordination falters |
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5 |
Smell |
Frightened |
Primal terror grips them |
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6 |
Sixth Sense (Fey Infatuation) |
Charmed |
Sees the caster as a friend |
Level 14: Fey Sovereignty
Once per long rest, you call forth the Witherweald in full force.
Activation (Action, Concentration up to 1 min):
- Aura radius: 15 feet (expands 5 ft each round, up to 30 ft)
- Immediate Effect: Allies receive one Lady’s Blessing effect of your choice; enemies must make a Wisdom save or suffer one Beast’s Blight effect.
- Persistent Influence: Creatures in the aura at the start of their turn are affected again.
- Psychic Echo: Enemies failing the save or remaining in the aura take 1d6 + warlock level psychic damage
Flavor: The area where Fey Sovereignty is unleashed remains forever touched by the Witherweald. Travelers passing through can feel its subtle, shifting presence; the air shimmers with fey light and shadow, and distant whispers echo through the trees, hinting at the Lady’s watchful gaze and the Beast’s ever-lurking terror.
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Posted Oct 2, 2025This is my very first attempt at a homebrew subclass, it hasn't been play tested fully yet as our campaign is only at level 3. I have very interested in getting feedback on the design and balance. My DM loved the design and said I should add it to some forums for people to use. I had an idea for a Archfey patron but didn't feel like the vanilla subclass fight my idea. Thanks in advance to anyone that uses it or comments on the design!