Circle of the Hive

Druids of the Circle of the Hive have undergone an arcane ritual to bond with a hive of stinging flying insects, usually bees or wasps. These druids believe that true harmony with nature is best achieved through cooperation, solidarity, and community. Members of this circle are more likely than any other circle to reside in urban environments, using their magical talents to act as alchemists, florists, or healers.

The connection you have with your hive has affected your behavior in strange ways. At your option, you can pick from or roll on the Circle of the Hive Quirks table to create a quirk for your character.

Circle of the Hive Quirks

d6 Quirk 1 You tend to refer to yourself as "we" instead of "I". 2 You love the smell of flowers, and try to keep as many on your person as possible. 3 You have given each member of your hive a name, and you can remember each name with perfect clarity. 4 You tend to pronounce your Ss as Zs. 5 Your fashion is composed of mostly blacks and bright yellows. 6 You're terrified of swimming and will do everything in your power to stay out of the water.

Circle of the Hive Features

Druid Level Feature 2nd Killer Swarm 6th Conjure Nest 6th Killer Swarm (wildshape) 10th Fearful Pheromones 14th Insect Wings

Killer Swarm

Starting at 2nd level, you have created a magical bond with a flying insect swarm that regards you as their leader. Regardless of its species, the swarm uses the swarm of wasps' statistics (see the Monster Manual page 338). Add your proficiency bonus to the swarm's AC, attack rolls, and damage rolls. Its hit point maximum equals its normal maximum or four times your druid level, whichever is higher.

The swarm obeys your commands as best as it can. It takes its turn on your initiative, though it doesn’t take an action unless you command it to. On your turn, you can mentally command the swarm where to move (no action required by you). You can use your bonus action to mentally command it to take the Attack, Dash, Disengage, Dodge, and Help action. If you don't issue a command, the swarm takes the Dodge action.

If you are incapacitated or absent, the swarm acts on its own, focusing on protecting you and itself. The swarm never requires your command to use its reaction, such as when making an opportunity attack.

At the end of a long rest, your swarm regains all of its hit points; if it was slain, it magically reappears in your space.

When you reach 8th level in this class, you learn the ability to meld with your swarm. As an action, if your swarm is within 5 feet of you, you can expend a use of your Wild Shape feature to take control of your swarm. Use all the regular rules for wildshape, however the swarm remains at the same hit points it had before wildshaping. While transformed, your companion swarm does not act other than as part of the wildshape.

Conjure Nest

Starting at 6th level, you can cast Leomund's Tiny Hut once without expending a spell slot or material components. When you cast the spell in this way, the hut gains the appearance of a beehive or a wasp's nest.

Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.

Fearful Pheromones

At 10th level, your constant exposure to insects has altered your physiology. You are immune to being poisoned and paralyzed, and you gain resistance to poison damage.

Additionally, if your swarm has at least 20 hit points and you occupy the same space as it, you gain advantage on all Charisma (Intimidation) checks.

Insect Wings

At 14th level, you gain the ability to sprout a pair of insect wings from your back, gaining a flying speed of 50 feet. You can create these wings as a bonus action on your turn. They last until you dismiss them as a bonus action on your turn.

If your wildshape does not have a fly speed, you can use this ability while transformed. When you do so, your beast form gains the appearance of an insect, such as by growing a pair of antenna, or having its fur turn yellow and black.

You can't manifest your wings while wearing armor unless the armor is made to accommodate them, and clothing not made to accommodate your wings might be destroyed when you manifest them.