Circle of the Revenant

In the ever-turning cycle of life and death, most druids honor the vibrant pulse of growth and renewal. However, those of the Circle of the Revenant view nature's cycle through a more somber, yet equally significant, lens. They understand that death is an integral part of the cycle, one not to be feared but respected and harnessed. With the relentless spirit of the revenant as their guide, these druids delve into the chilling touch of the grave and the persistence of the undead.

The Circle of the Revenant teaches that just as the forest's leaves fall and decay to nourish the ground for new life, so too can the echoes of the dead inspire the living, and the relentless pursuit of purpose can defy even the harsh hand of death. This is the true cycle of nature, observed without flinching, and it is in this cycle that the druids of the Circle of the Revenant find their power.

Circle of the Revenant Class Features

---

Druid Level	Feature
2nd	Six Feet Under, Deathshape (Optional Class Feature)
3rd	Circle Spells
6th	Cold Dead Hands
10th	Rime
14th	Undying Servant

Deathly Visage

The rituals for becoming a Revenant Druid are intensive. Entombed acolytes physically die and are brought back though powerful nature magics, which leave the druid forever marked with a gaunt look of undeath. Revenants adventuring about, regardless of their racial backgrounds wildshapes, always have a decayed look, unless they take care to disguise their appearance. 

Deathshape

Enabling this optional class feature, Revenants can embrace this deathly visage to its fullest, abandoning the animal affinities granted by their former life, and taking on the transformational aspects of death. Following similar Max CR and Limitations from the Wildshape feature, you can exchange the BEAST keyword for the UNDEAD keyword when selecting a form, many of which offer new unique boons (and risks) : 

Undead Forms

Six Feet Under

Your undead nature allows you to burrow into any soft terrain (dirt, sand, etc), forming a makeshift grave for you to rest in. While interred, you are up to 6' below ground level, and the topsoil is only minimally disturbed, requiring a Survival (DC 14) check to to detect for anyone actively searching.  Crawling in or out of your tomb takes 1 full turn.

While entombed,  you can elect to Sleep Like the Dead, and to hasten a Short Rest to 1 hour, or Long Rest to 4 hours, however your Perception effectively drops to zero, and will only wake if physically unearthed and disturbed. 

Circle Spells

Starting at 3th level, Circle of the Revenant druids gain greater control over the dead, expanding their list of available spells from the Necromancy school.

To begin with, the Revenant gains early permanent access to Speak with Dead which doesn't take up a preparation slot. The Revenant also gains a host of 1st-3rd level Necromancer spells, which include Animate Dead and Summon Undead as the Druid effectively learns to commune with & control the deceased.

At 5th and 6th level this control grows stronger, expanding your ability to resurrect the dead entirely, or raise more minions which, coupled with the Cold Dead Hands boon from Rime, means the icy hands of death will constantly claw at your enemy.

Circle of the Revenant Spells

Cold Dead Hands

The icy touch of death radiates from your hands. Unarmed attacks made while in your normal form, or claw-type attacks while shapeshifted count as magical attacks, and add an additional 1d4 + Proficiency Bonus cold damage on successful hits.

• Icy Savagery: This effect stacks with the Druid cantrip Primal Savagery.
• Rime: At level 10, this effect extends to your melee weapon, making it magical and applying bonus cold damage.
• Scaling: The base damage increases to 2d4 at level 10, and then 3d4 at level 17.

Rime

The icy touch of your Cold Dead Hands become even more chilling, granting the following enhancements:

• Increases the base cold damage of Cold Dead Hands to 2d4 + Proficiency Bonus and extends the magical chilling effect to your equipped melee weapon(s).
• Additionally, any undead under your control gain Cold Dead Hands as well, making their unarmed claw/hand attacks magical, and dealing 2d4 + 2 bonus cold damage.

Undying Servant

As a Reaction, Undead under your command can be instantly resurrected once when reduced to 0 HP, and if they die within your line of sight. The revival is as if by the spell Raise Dead, but with the following modifications:

• The spell cast is instant and activated as a Reaction, as long as the Revenant is within sight of the target and is aware of its death.
• The resurrected undead returns with 1/3 of its HP (rounded down) and no penalty to attack rolls , but still suffers the −4 penalty to saving throws and ability checks.