Circle of Shadow

The Shadowfell plane has its own nature, and after the alterations Shar caused, druids must adapt to understand what it is to live in shadow. Like a dimly-distorted counterpart to the reality most mortals know, the Plane of Shadows mimics life in dreary lack of contrast. The Druid of the Circle of Shadow understands death is a natural part of the lifecycle, as shadow is the natural counterpart to light. While others revel in the Feywild, or the varied climes of the Prime, the Shadow Druid dips in and out of the Shadowfell, learning its deathly secrets and tending to its unique environs. 

Circle of Shadows Spells

 Druid

Level:      Spell:

3rd    -    Darkness

5th    -    Speak with Dead

7th    -    Phantasmal Killer

9th    -    Modify Memory

Walk in Shadow

When you join the Circle of Shadows at 2nd level, you first learn what it is to hide and move silently in total darkness, gaining the Stealth proficiency. Additionally, when you use your wildshape ability, you may choose to turn into a Shadow as described in the Monster Manual p.269, retaining your ability scores, skills, and saving throws but cannot cast spells.

Spectral Forms

With a greater understanding of the spirits drawn to the Shadowfell, at 6th level you learn to take on additional wildshape forms. You may use your wildshape to turn into a Specter or Poltergeist, as described in the Monster Manual p.279. While in either form, you retain your ability scores, saving throws and skills but cannot cast spells with a verbal component.

Terror of the Afterlife

At 10th level, you take on the form of two of the strongest predators of the Shadowfell - the Shadow Demon and the Wraith. You can wildshape into either form as described in the Monster Manual pp.64 & 302. You retain your ability scores, saving throws, skills and can cast spells in either form. 

While in Shadow Demon form you can read, write, speak and understand Abyssal and communicate with any creature telepathically. While in Wraith form, you may create and control specters as described, and may expend a use of your wildshape ability to permanently bind one poltergeist to you as a familiar or Wild Companion (Tasha pp.35-36). However, upon returning to your natural form, any other remaining specters will seek you out and attack you for cursing them to such an existence. If you are in daylight or a brightly-lit area they will flee, hide and wait until darkness to seek you out. 

Shadowy Acclimation

You have become as a creature natural to the Shadowfell - At 14th level you are immune to necrotic damage, vulnerable to radiant damage, and have darkvision out to 300 feet.