Bramble, prickle, brier, point, barb, spine, thistle, nettle, spike, and spur. These are yours to command. You are the scorn of nature made flesh. You are the twisted shadow of the tree branch that spreads dread in the heart of men.
The Circle of Thorns has always been so long as man has feared the darkness of the forest. They are the ravagers who ward away progress and expansion, a plague on conquerers and a blight upon wanton cultivation.
Bonus Cantrip
When you choose this circle at 2nd level, you learn the thorn whip cantrip. This does not count against your number of cantrips known.
Shadow of Doubt
At 2nd level, you are unnaturally difficult to notice and blend into natural environments and shadows. Creatures take a penalty to their passive Wisdom (perception) and Wisdom (perception) checks equal to your proficiency bonus when attempting to see, notice, hear, or otherwise locate or identify your presence.
In addition, you gain proficiency in the intimidation and stealth skills.
Circle Spells
Your connection to nature allows you to cast certain spells. You gain circle spells at the druid levels listed.
Once you gain access to circle spells, you always have these spells prepared, and they don’t count against the number of spells you can prepare each day. These spells are considered druid spells for you even if they do not appear on the druid spell list.
Circle of Thorns Spells
| Druid Level |
Spells |
| 3rd |
darkness, spike growth |
| 5th |
bestow curse, fear |
| 7th |
blight, grasping vine |
| 9th |
enervation, tree stride |
Twisting Gloom
Starting at 6th level, you can bend the shadow of yourself or another creature you can see within 60 feet. When you do so, that creature is shrouded in magical darkness for the next minute as its form is obscured by erratically misshapen shadows. Creatures with darkvision cannot see through this darkness and light does not illuminate it.
In addition, the creature has advantage on Charisma (Intimidation) checks for the duration. Once you use this feature, you cannot do so again until you complete a long or short rest.
Dark Sight
At 10th level, you have become unnaturally accustomed to the darkness. You treat non-magical darkness out to a range of 60 feet as if it were bright light and you can see through magical darkness if you are the source of it.
In addition, you become immune to the frightened condition.
Beast of Bramble and Briar
At 14th level, you can manifest the beast within in defense of nature. Your shadow merges into your being and together you distort and transform into a hulking nightmare of umbral nettles and twisted flesh.
When you undergo this transformation you gain the following benefits for 1 minute or until you are incapacitated or unconcious:
- Your size increases to Large. All melee attacks you make deal an additional 1d4 damage.
- You are heavily obscured at all times.
- You have advantage on Charisma (Intimidation) checks.
- Creatures who start their turn within 5 feet of you must make a Wisdom saving throw against your spell save DC or be frightened of you until the end of their current turn.
- You can make bramble attacks. These are melee weapon attacks that you are proficient with, dealing 2d8 piercing damage on a hit.
- You are resistant to bludgeoning, piercing, slashing, poison, and necrotic damage.
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