Circle of Scales

For millenia, adventurers have wandered the plains and mountains in fear and wonder of the dragons that command the skies. They represent power and magic, wonder and fear. Even the least of dragons, the true ones, represent cunning and unbridled energy in their natural forms. Legends and tales around every world speak of dragons as heroes, as villains, as advisors and as icons - representatives of what magic can truly do when it is infused into the creatures of nature.

Your Circle of Scales Druid knows this. They know this and they want it for themselves - for their own purposes. Perhaps they witnessed a tragedy at the hands of a terrible red dragon in their youth, and they decided at a young age to bend that power to their own wills. To fight fire with fire, and study the draconic magic they find with their whole being. Or, perhaps they witnessed as an adult a brilliant silver dragon bend clouds to be their home, and they wished to ride the skies like they do - a true expression of freedom and spirit that no other path could really glean them.

Wherever your aspirations came from, your Circle of Scales Druid hungers for the power of dragons, and as they study them and the natural world around them, they learn that it is achievable. The world and it's natural magic will channel these primordial energies into your Druid - they only need know how to ask.

As your Circle of Scales Druid grows, they learn to harden their flesh to incoming blows, to sharpen their senses and breath the very magic of the world through their lungs. While your Circle of Scales Druid might have been born a mortal, they aspire to reach the heavens - on wings of scales. They will gain the power to shape themselves into various draconic forms as they grow - until, finally, they can wrap themselves in the muscle and flesh of a true Adult Dragon - one of their unique fashioning.

The Sky Awaits.

 

From the Author - DndBeyond's builder is frustrating, and there are references to specific homebrew monsters throughout this class. In order to publish this subclass, I could not hyperlink them in the builder. Additionally, If you have Xanathar's Guide to Everything, you have access to the Dragon's Breath spell - which this class awards your Circle of Scales Druid. My apologies for the inconveniences.

The Aspects of Dragons

From Flesh to Scales. At 2nd level, the magical influence dragons have had upon you begin to take effect. Your flesh becomes hardier and more resilient, and as you grow, it, too becomes tougher. So long as you wear no armor, you gain Natural Armor equal to your Wisdom Modifier. When you take the form of any Wild Shape, From Flesh to Scales still applies.

Scale Forms. At 2nd level, you have studied the forms of dragons and dragonkind thoroughly. You have learned to bend their forms into one of your own. You can take the unique Wild Shape form of a Scale Drake. See Scale Drake in Homebrew Creations, By EchoRulerofDistances.

 

Draconic Magics

Through study and practice, you learn to drive the natural magics of the world through your own filter, creating many of the spells those naturally gifted with magic from their bloodline might possess. You gain access to the following spells: Burning Hands, Chromatic Orb, Color Spray, Darkness, Grease, Mage Armor, Magic Weapon, Misty Step, Scorching Ray, Web.

Atop Wings of Power

The Breath of a Mortal. The natural and primodial magics of the world around you are powerful, yet you begin to learn how the dragons have tamed them. You harness enough power to grant yourself a small sample of their magic. You can, as a spell-like ability, imbue yourself with the effects of the Dragon's Breath spell at 2nd level without expending a spell slot. The effect requires a bonus action, lasts 1 minute and does not require concentration. You can use this ability once per long rest.

A New Scale Form. You gain the unique Wild Shape form of the Scale Wyrmling. See Scale Wyrmling in Homebrew Creations, By EchoRulerofDistances.

Secrets of Dragonkind

Draconic Perceptions. As you grow in power, your senses develop with you to mimic the legendary skills of the dragons. While not in a wild shape, you can see normally out to 60 feet in both normal and magical darkness.

Advanced Scale Forms. You have learned enough to take upon more specific and powerful draconic likenesses. You can now Wild Shape into two new forms:

The Scale Wyvern - See Scale Wyvern in Homebrew Creations, By EchoRulerofDistances.

The Scale Dragon Turtle - See Scale Dragon Turtle in Homebrew Creations, By EchoRulerofDistances.

A Legendary Mortal

Primordial Breath. Your Scale Forms that have natural breath weapons can now be recharged with each new Wild Shape. While in a Scale Form, you may expend a Wild Shape charge to use the Scale Form's natural breath weapon again.

Legendary Scale Form. Your study and practice have unlocked the secrets behind draconic strength and magic. You have discovered how to take their form, although you are a mimicry of true draconic heritage. Some dragons may find your Scale Form an insult, while others may take it as a compliment or an example of powerful mortal magics.

Scale Dragon: See Scale Dragon in Homebrew Creations, By EchoRulerofDistances.