A scarred and battered half-orc springs up from a concealed tunnel, screaming at the small band of kobolds that entered his camp. He leaps towards them with uncanny speed and attacks the last one in line, clawing him with ferocity and disappearing down another tunnel. The kobolds stare at each other in confusion, unsure if they have just been attacked by man or beast.

A circle of elves sit in an open glade completing an ancient ritual. Each dons the mask of a different animal in order; rabbit, wolf, deer, and bear. As their voices rise up, the spirit of the glade appears before them, prepared to speak.

Huddled over a pile of scrolls in a damp dungeon, a young gnome is frantically looking for the clues to open the secret door that he "knows" must be in this room. He sighs, says a few words, adjusts the hood covering his face and watches the words come to life in front of him. "this one, THIS is it!"

The witch doctor subclass is not meant to be restrictive in its cultural identification, but illustrates any humanoid that creates a strong bond with the spirit plane in exchange for sharing some of its knowledge and power. The witch doctor makes masks which act as their arcane focus for spellcasting. When they are wearing one of their attuned masks, they receive a +1 on spellcasting  and related saves. 

Spirit Mask

Each witch doctor learns how to craft a spirit mask. The spirit mask is made from materials of the creature that the mask represents. So if a character wanted to share some attributes of a wolf, they would start with a wolf carcass and after 1d4 uninterrupted hours they would have a serviceable wolf spirit mask. A spirit mask requires attunement and only one spirit mask can be attuned at a time. A character may have as many as 3 spirit masks at a given time, but changing attunement between them follows standard 5e rules. The mask may be as primitive as bone and hide stretched over a wood frame, or so elaborate that it would be at home in a masquerade. The difference is determined by the amount of time spent constructing the mask, and the quality of materials used. A spirit mask is not a permanent item, and decays magically with use. Rate of decay is based on the original role for construction (d4) and lasts one week per hour spent. An Additional d6 hours may be spent at the time of initial construction to add that number of weeks to its resiliency. The mask itself is not required for spellcasting, but when worn it provides a +1 to spellcasting and dc saves. As witch Doctors level up they can increase the number of attributes they would like to share with the spirit bound to the mask.

Increased spell access

The Witch Doctor may learn and cast necromantic spells as if they were already in the the Warlock spell selection. This includes spells that may be be reserved for clerics, druids, or other casters. These spells are treated as normal spells in every way for the caster.

Primitive Alchemy

Starting at 6th level, you can use your knowledge of your surrounding to craft healing poultices and solutions. These can take the form of liquids, like a potion, or a paste-like solution that is smeared on the wounds. You must have either alchemist tools, or cook's tools to be able to use this ability. If using makeshift tools, the skill check is made with a DC 15.

Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

Stalwart Spirit

Beginning at 10th level, your connection with the spirit world  teaches you how to turn the mind-affecting magic of your enemies against them. You are immune to being charmed, and when another creature attempts to charm you, you can use your reaction to attempt to turn the charm back on that creature. The creature must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw against your warlock spell save DC or be charmed by you for 1 minute or until the creature takes any damage.

Masked Mastery

You have mastered attunement to your spirit masks. With this ability, you no longer follow standard attunement rules. As long as you are attuned to one spirit mask, you are able to switch between any other mask in your possession. This does not increase the maximum number of masks beyond the limit of three.