Circle of the Unbound Shape - Alternate

In Estaklian legend, the witch Mirethea ruled a lonely isle set apart from mortal realms by treacherous reefs and a crown of white mist. Sailors spoke of her beauty and her hospitality, of the fine wine and warm firelight that awaited those who reached her shores. Yet they also whispered of her temper, and of the terrible justice she wrought when guests came with swords or malice. A flick of her fingers, a murmur of ancient words, and proud warriors would find their forms slipping away — their voices lost to braying throats or hissing tongues, their limbs furred or feathered. For some, this change was punishment. For others, it was the revelation of a truer self.   The Circle of the Unbound Shape traces its roots to Mirethea’s teachings. These druids believe mortal flesh is but a temporary shell, one that may be broken, reshaped, or cast aside in favor of a more fitting form. They see no blasphemy in altering others—to them, changing shape is as natural as the tide’s ebb and flow. Some use this gift as a tool for mercy, sparing lives by turning deadly foes into harmless creatures. Others wield it as a curse, making beasts of those who wrong them, to live out their days far from human speech.   To join the Circle is to swear mastery over form itself. Its rites teach the druid to see the threads of flesh and spirit as one weave, tugging at them to change size, shape, and nature. They do not limit themselves to their own bodies; the Unbound Shape reaches outward, wrapping its will around the flesh of enemies, allies, or strangers. Where other druids might call lightning or raise walls of thorns, these witches turn a raging bear into a bewildered songbird, or a rampaging warlord into a harmless hound.   Among the people of Estaklyos, members of the Circle of the Unbound Shape are both feared and respected. In the eyes of coastal villagers, they are the living proof of old tales — the true witches of Estaklian myth, the ones whose curses and blessings reshape the very nature of those they touch. Nobles may seek their aid to humble rivals, while warlords hire them to break enemy morale without spilling blood. And in the quiet spaces of their homes, these druids keep gardens and animal pens filled with creatures that were once human… some of them content, some still wearing eyes that remember.

Circle Spells

2nd-Level Druid (Circle of the Unbound Shape) Feature   You always have the following spells prepared, and they don't count against the number of spells you can prepare each day. If a spell does not appear on the Druid spell list, it is nonetheless a Druid spell for you.  

Druid Level	Spells
2nd	Charm Person
3rd	Alter Self
5th	Polymorph
7th	Dominate Animal
9th	Awaken
11th	Mass Suggestion
13th	Animal Shapes
15th	Shapechange
17th	True Polymorph

Gift of the Unbound Form

2nd-Level Druid (Circle of the Unbound Shape) Feature   You can use your Wild Shape to alter others, not just yourself. As an action, you can touch a willing creature and expend a use of your Wild Shape to transform it into one of the animal forms you know through Wild Shape. The creature follows all normal rules for Wild Shape as though it were you, except that it uses its own mental ability scores.   This transformation lasts for the normal Wild Shape duration you can maintain, or until you dismiss it (no action required), or until the target drops to 0 hit points or dies. You can only have one creature transformed this way at a time; if you use this feature on a second creature, the first transformation immediately ends.   In addition, use the following table for Animal Shapes, rather than the one presented in the Wild Shape class feature.

Druid Level	Known Forms	Max CR	Fly Speed
2	6	1/4	No
4	8	1/2	No
6	10	1	No
8	12	1	Yes
10	14	1	Yes
12	16	2	Yes
14	18	3	Yes
16	20	4	Yes
18	20	5	Yes

In addition, you gain 2 additional uses of Wild Shape in addition to the uses shown on the Druid table, which you regain as normal per your Wild Shape ability.

Bewitching Shape

2nd-Level Druid (Circle of the Unbound Shape) Feature   When you cast a Charm or Fear spell that targets one or more creatures, you can expend a use of Wild Shape to weave a subtle transformation into the effect. On a failed saving throw against the Charm or Fear effect, you may alter the target’s appearance for the duration—granting them minor animalistic traits. Choose one of the following effects, which lasts for the same duration as the Charm or Fear effect.

• The target's base land speed is reduced by 10 feet.
• Choose one ability score. The target has disadvantage on ability checks and skill checks that rely on that ability score.
• Reduce the target's carrying capacity by half as their body becomes slighter or less stable.

This is a Curse effect.

Curse of the Beast

6th-Level Druid (Circle of the Unbound Shape) Feature   You gain the ability to forcibly transform hostile creatures. As an action, you can expend a use of Wild Shape and target one creature within you touch. The target must make a Wisdom saving throw against your druid spell save DC. On a failed save, it is transformed into an animal shape you know. The transformation lasts for 1 Minute or until the creature drops to 0 hit points. You can have a creature transformed in this way even if you already have another creature transformed using your Wild Shape.   While transformed in this way, the target retains its alignment and mental ability scores but cannot cast spells, speak, or take any actions it could not take as its animal form. The target may repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on a success.   This is a Curse effect.

Perfect Transfiguration

10th-Level Druid (Circle of the Unbound Shape) Feature   Your transformation magic becomes more potent and more precise. When you use a spell or class feature to change a creature's shape, you can grant the form additional benefits or penalties:

• Increase or decrease the form's movement speeds by 10 feet.
• Grant the form Resistance 10 or Vulnerability 10 to one damage type other than Bludgeoning, Piercing, or Slashing.
• Remove one of the form's special senses, or grant the creature your choice of Darkvision or Blindsight 10 ft.

You can apply only one modification when transforming a creature.

Master of Flesh and Spirit

14th-Level Druid (Circle of the Unbound Shape) Feature   You can transform multiple creatures at once with a single effort. As an action, choose up to a number of creatures equal to your Druid Power Reservoir within 30 feet of you. For each willing creature, you can apply your Gift of the Unbound Form. For each unwilling creature, you can apply your Curse of the Beast. You need only expend a single use of Wild Shape when you use this feature. Once you use this feature, you cannot do so again until you finish a long rest.   Additionally, when you transform a creature with Wild Shape, you can choose to make the transformation indefinite. An indefinite transformation lasts until you end it as a bonus action, the target drops to 0 hit points, or the target succeeds on a saving throw against it. If it was originally unwilling, it still gets its saving throw at the end of each of its turns. If it was originally willing, it gains a Wisdom saving throw against your Spell Save DC every 10 days. This is a Curse effect.