By Scott Bean Art Credits: Adobe Stock Images, Alexandra Petruk, Artistdesign De, Atelier Sommerland, Betibup33, Davi Sales, Jozefklopacka, Tsuneomp, Warmtail

The spirit shaman character class was inspired by the shaman class published in the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition Forgotten Realms campaign expansion boxed set: The North: Guide to the Savage Frontier (slade et al., 1996, Wilderness book, pp. 25-28). The Spirit Shaman is a wisdom-based spellcasting class with moderate melee capabilities. If you enjoy playing outlanders, barbarians, druids, rangers, or other nature-based character types the spirit shaman class may be for you. The spirit shaman class should be a great addition to any Dungeon Master's tool kit; the class is suitable for PCs and NPCs alike. The class could also be used for improving the flavor and increasing the difficulty of orc, giant, goblin, and many other tribal type monster encounters.

By Scott Bean Art Credits: Adobe Stock Images, Alexandra Petruk, artistdesign_de, Atelier Sommerland, BetiBup33, Davi Sales, jozefklopacka, tsuneomp, warmtail

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, D&D, Wizards of the Coast, Forgotten Realms, Ravenloft, Eberron, the dragon ampersand, Ravnica and all other Wizards of the Coast product names, and their respective logos are trademarks of Wizards of the Coast in the USA and other countries.

This work contains material that is copyright Wizards of the Coast and/or other authors. Such material is used with permission under the Community Content Agreement for Dungeon Masters Guild.

 Page 2 

Table of Contents

Spirit Shaman  4

Spirit Shaman Class Table  7

Creating a Spirit Shaman  8

Spirits of the Dead  10

Spirits of Elemental Nature  14

Spirits of Animals  8

Multiclassing  8

Sample file

 Page 3  SPIRIT SHAMAN young shaman watches her tribe’s encampment from a nearby hilltop; Kerri TRIBAL POWER was forced into exile shortly after performing her grandfather’s last rites a Peren, a wood elf scout, heard the ominous sound of Atenday ago. During the ritual, Gorstag had started his drums pounding in the distance foretelling dark journey to the afterlife, but to the surprise of his times to come for the forest and its inhabitants. The family and the tribe’s elders, his spirit lingered as it ‘Red Axes,’ an orc tribe that had gathered in a glade was drawn to the young shaman to form a bond that in the northern part of the forest, was performing a would transcend the normal limits between life and ritual honoring a spirit shaman named Brolgar. The death. The elders were fearful of the bond. Shamans tribe’s warriors had grown bold over the past month normally petition spirits to receive temporary after raiding settlements and caravans along the powers; however, to form a lasting bond is very rare. kingdom’s main trade routes; its most successful The elders of Kerri’s tribe had forbidden shamans raiding parties were led by the shaman, whose deeds from forming Spirit Bonds long ago during the great had gained the tribe notoriety and power since its famine, so they ordered her to sever the bond, but unwelcome arrival in the elven forest. she refused. Unfortunately, earlier that day, troubling news Kerri was angry at the elders for her exile, but had reached the elven court that a group of scouts Gorstag’s spirit calmed her—he had always been a and rangers had been defeated by an orc raiding kind and wise mentor. “The elders have forgotten the party. Witnesses reported that Brolgar led the raid old ways,” he whispered in her mind. “They fear the transformed as a wolf spider; he had crept among power of our bond; they should have embraced and explored its possibilities.” Kerri understood the implications of the Spirit Bond; she must continue to meditate and consult with her grandfather’s spirit and learn to use the bond’s power wisely. If properly utilized, a shaman’s ability to form spirit bonds could be used to summon a tribe’s greatest ancestors. If Kerri continues to bond with the spirits of her ancestors, she would gain access to increasingly powerful spells and insight into hidden knowledge. She would also gain increasingly powerful abilities through her Spirit Bonds. Kerri is wise for her age; she plans to learn as much as she can about her connection to the spirit world. As her knowledge and experience grow, she should be able to form new Spirit Bonds—eventually, with the most powerful spirits of her ancestors. Standing upon the hillside gazing down across the vale, Kerri reflects upon the events that occurred after her exile. Gorstag had watched over her and granted light when she could not see and healed her broken leg after she fell into a chasm while hunting. Kerri has received protection and blessings every day since bonding with her grandfather’s spirit, and for thatSample, she is truly grateful. file

 Page 4  the trees until he found a hidden spot above the elves. From his roost, the shaman turned back into PRIMAL WISDOM an orc and cast polymorph on the squad’s leader; the Spirit shamans are very rare in Faerûn, but they can elf failed to resist the spell and was transformed into be found in tribal communities that have strong a toad. Brolgar then dropped down from above on shamanic traditions. Tribal elders often fear spirit the unfortunate elf and landed a critical strike with bonds, but they sometimes seek the advice and his magic staff. At the same time, at least a dozen orc wisdom of spirit shamans in times of great need. warriors wielding greataxes leaped from the foliage. Shamans who bond with spirits often live in These were no ordinary orcs but were hardened seclusion as hermits or take up the adventuring life. warriors. Elven blood began to flow freely as the orcs Tribal elders believe that summoned spirits may landed vicious blows with their axes. Brolgar stood become angry and curse their people, so they usually in the center of the fray wielding a magic staff, which force spirit shamans into exile for the safety of the was crowned with the head of a glowing skull as he tribe. chanted words of spiritual power that The elders of the Uthgardt tribes of Faerûn have bolstered his allies good reasons for concern about provoking the wrath of spirits. Shamans bonding with spirits should ELEMENTAL POWER be intelligent, wise, and charismatic to properly manage their connections to A hill giant shaman dances the spirit world; they should around a bonfire chanting understand how to use their ancient words of power in its granted powers without provoking guttural language to call forth the wrath of their bonded spirits. A an elemental spirit. The shaman spirit summoned through a Spirit is performing a Spirit Bond Bond Ritual is an individual entity ritual that could give its tribe an with desires, goals, and principles of edge in an upcoming battle. Slauglor its own. An angered spirit may decide not to had become powerful and grant requested spells for a period. If angered respected among the tribe’s too often, or if a spirit shaman takes actions members. He had formed several that severely oppose the principles of a elemental spirit bonds over the bonded spirit, the spirit may sever its years, which allowed him to wield bond. In extreme cases, a spirit may destructive power against his bestow a curse upon a shaman before rivals and the tribe’s enemies. The severing its bond. A minor spirit’s ritual was almost complete; he curse lasts for one week, a major could feel the power of the wind spirit’s curse lasts for a month, and a whirling around him, stoking the greater spirit’s curse is permanent. A flames of the bonfire. minor spirit’s curse may be removed Slauglor’s new spirit bond should greatly boost with a remove curse spell cast at its his power over lightning and thunder to crush his lowest level; however, the spell enemies. He was granted the ability to summon an must be cast with a 5th level spell ice storm during a previous ritual; he plans to use the slot for a major spirit, and a 7th level spell slot for a spell to freeze his enemies in their tracks in an greater spirit. upcoming battle. With a victory, the tribe would There are three types of spirits that shamans may capture fertile hunting grounds, which would greatly summon to form a Spirit Bond—Spirits of the Dead, expand its territory and ensure its growth, influence, Spirits of Elemental Nature, and the Spirits of and dominance in the region. The power of Slauglor’s Animals. Each type of spirit has a different elemental spirits should play a vital role in the personality and goals. Spirits of the dead may have upcoming battle. complex and varying principles that depend upon Sampletheir nature in life. For examfileple, the spirit of a hill giant chieftain may have evil motivations focused on dominance and destruction. In contrast, the spirit of a great Uthgardt chieftain may desire to bring

 Page 5  prosperity to its former tribe. The goals of Spirits of Consequently, spirit shamans should be careful to Elemental Nature and Spirits of Animals are far less act responsibly toward nature when they are bonded complex than those of the dead; these spirits are with animal and elemental spirits; they should often tied to the land. For example, an elemental ensure that no excessive use of natural resources or spirit of fire may be tied to a region with volcanic despoiling of land occurs in their presence. Also, a activity, while a water spirit to a body of water, an spirit shaman should consult with druids, elves, and earth spirit to a mountain or mountain range, and an fey creatures for advice about what actions are air spirit anywhere there is the open sky. If a spirit permissible in each setting. Ultimately, the Dungeon shaman uses the power granted from a Spirit Bond Master should decide what actions may anger the to harm the land, an elemental spirit may seek spirits, and what type of action or actions each may retribution. Likewise, the spirits of animals are take in response to a perceived transgression. usually angered when the powers they grant are used to kill animals without a good cause or if they are used to harm the land in which they roam.

Sample file

 Page 6  Spirit Shaman Class

Proficiency Cantrips Level Bonus Features Known 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th Minor Spirit Bond, 1st +2 2 2 — — — — — — — — Spellcasting Minor Spirit Bond 2nd +2 2 3 — — — — — — — — Feature 3rd +2 Minor Spirit Bond (2) 2 4 2 — — — — — — — Ability Score 4th +2 Improvement, Minor 3 4 3 — — — — — — — Spirit Bond Feature (2) 5th +3 Minor Spirit Bond (3) 3 4 3 2 — — — — — — Minor Spirit Bond 6th +3 3 4 3 3 — — — — — — Feature (3) 7th +3 Major Spirit Bond 3 4 3 3 1 — — — — — Ability Score 8th +3 Improvement, Major 3 4 3 3 2 — — — — — Spirit Bond Feature 9th +4 Major Spirit Bond (2) 3 4 3 3 3 1 — — — — Major Spirit Bond 10th +4 4 4 3 3 3 2 — — — — Feature (2) 11th +4 Major Spirit Bond (3) 4 4 3 3 3 2 1 — — — Ability Score 12th +4 Improvement, Major 4 4 3 3 3 2 1 — — — Spirit Bond Feature (3) 13th +5 Greater Spirit Bond 4 4 3 3 3 2 1 1 — — Greater Spirit Bond 14th +5 4 4 3 3 3 2 1 1 — — Feature 15th +5 Greater Spirit Bond (2) 4 4 3 3 3 2 1 1 1 — Ability Score 16th +5 Improvement, Greater 4 4 3 3 3 2 1 1 1 — Spirit Bond Feature (2) 17th +6 Greater Spirit Bond (3) 4 4 3 3 3 2 1 1 1 1 Greater Spirit Bond 18th +6 4 4 3 3 3 3 1 1 1 1 Feature (3) Ability Score 19th +6 Improvement, Greater 4 4 3 3 3 3 2 1 1 1 SampleSpirit Bond (4) file Greater Spirit Bond 20th +6 4 4 3 3 3 3 2 2 1 1 Feature (4)

CREATING A SPIRIT SHAMAN Spirit shamans are members of tribal communities, whether they are human, orc, goblin, giant, or some other type of creature. A Spirit shaman doesn’t have Class Features to worship a specific deity; however, the character should follow the commonly accepted spiritual Hit Points practices of the tribe. The Player’s Handbook Hit Dice: 1d8 per spirit shaman level contains lists and descriptions of common deities; also, check with your Dungeon Master for a list of Hit Points at 1st Level: 8 + your Constitution deities that are acceptable for a specific campaign modifier setting. Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d8 (or 5) + your A Spirit shaman may perform spirit bond rituals Constitution modifier per spirit shaman level after at the levels indicated in the Spirit Shaman Class 1st. table on page 7. The shaman may choose which type of spirit to summon in order to form a bond; Proficiencies however, the shaman grows more powerful when Armor: Light armor, medium armor, shields choosing to continue forming bonds with the same Weapons: All simple weapons, scimitars type of spirit. The three types of spirits are the Spirits of Animals, Spirits of Elemental Nature, and Tools: One musical instrument, herbalism kit Spirits of the Dead. Saving Throws: Intelligence, Charisma Players should consider how their characters Skills: Choose two from Animal Handling, Arcana, were first introduced to a spirit; a character may Insight, Medicine, Nature, Perception, Performance, have been hunting and encountered an animal spirit Religion, and Survival or wandered near an elemental node and encountered an elemental spirit. Perhaps, the Equipment character visited a tribal burial mound and You start with the following equipment in addition to encountered the spirit of an ancestor. A character’s the equipment received from your background: first encounter with a spirit should be an important event that shaped personal views about the  (a) a shield or (b) any simple weapon connections between the worlds of the living and the  (a) a scimitar or (b) any simple melee weapon dead. A spiritual encounter is likely to shape a  Hide armor, an explorer’s pack, and a tribal spirit character’s long-term goals. Once a Spirit Bond is totem (spell focus) formed, the spirit shaman gains a telepathic link with the spirit that transcends planar boundaries— allowing two-way communication between the spirit SPIRIT BOND RITUAL and the shaman. A spirit shaman receives many At 1st level, you may form a bond with a minor spirit. other benefits gained through spirit bond rituals. You must perform a Spirit Bond Ritual at a location However, with great power comes even greater that contains strong spiritual energy related to the responsibilities. type of spirit you chose (Spirits of Animals, Spirits of Quick Build Elemental Nature, or Spirits of the Dead). The ritual lasts for 1 hour. To prepare for the ritual, you must The following choices are recommended for a quick consume a specially crafted elixir infused with rare build. Wisdom should be a spirit shaman’s highest herbs worth at least 10 gp. Afterward, you must sing ability score followed by either Charisma or or play a musical instrument for the entire duration Intelligence. Next, choose either the Outlander or in order to attract the spirit. At the end of the ritual, Hermit background. you must make a Charisma (Performance) check As Samplea spirit shaman, you gain the following class with a DC of 10 to form the bondfile with a minor spirit. features. On a success, you feel the presence of the spirit and a telepathic bond beginning to form. By the end of the ritual, the spirit is connected to you as it bonds with your own spiritual essence, which allows you to communicate with it through the telepathic link. spirit’s knowledge. The Dungeon Master should However, if the Charisma (Performance) check fails, decide what a spirit knows; though, more powerful the ritual was unsuccessful, and you must wait 1 day spirits would have more extensive knowledge than before performing it again. The DC of the Charisma less powerful ones. A spirit shaman may perform the (Performance) check and the cost of the herbal elixir Inspiring Meditation Ritual and gain its benefits once increase with the power of the spirit you’re between long rests. Once the shaman forms a spirit summoning; the DC of the check is 12 and the cost of bond with a major spirit, the character can perform the elixir is 50 gold pieces for a major spirit, and a DC the ritual twice between long rests, and three times of 15 for the check and 100 gold pieces for the elixir after the shaman forms a bond with a greater spirit. when summoning a greater spirit. Once a spirit bond has been established, the SPELLCASTING connection must be cultivated before its full power can be utilized. Upon gaining your next level, you Once A spirit shaman has formed a spirit bond, the gain a Spirit Bond Feature associated with the type character can learn cantrips and prepare spells from of spirit you chose. A spirit shaman can perform the bonded spirit’s spell list. See chapter 10 in the additional spirit bond rituals at the levels shown in Player’s Handbook for the general rules of the Spirit Shaman Class table on page 7. The spirit spellcasting and chapter 11 for spell descriptions. bonds are formed with either minor, Some spells included in the spell lists major, or greater spirits as are described in the Elemental Evil indicated in the table. Player’s Companion (EEPC), the Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide Spirit Bond Features (SCAG), and Xanathar’s Guide Once a spirit shaman gains a to Everything (XGtE). Spirit Bond Feature, it is fixed Cantrips for as long as the bond remains. The shaman only When you form a Minor Spirit gains one Spirit Bond Feature Bond at 1st level, you can per spirit. If a spirit bond is learn two cantrips of your severed, the shaman loses the choice from the spirit’s spell feature for that bond and must list. The spirit grants you the perform the ritual again to form power to cast those cantrips at a new spirit bond with another will. Once a cantrip has been spirit. After the new bond is chosen from a spirit’s list, it can’t formed, the shaman regains the Spirit be changed unless the spirit’s bond Bond Feature upon gaining a new level. is broken or if it is swapped out with a However, it is unlikely that a spirit new one when upon reaching a new level. shaman would willingly sever a spirit bond. It is You gain additional cantrips at the levels indicated in more likely that a spirit would sever a bond due to a the Spirit Shaman Class Table on page 7. You must moral conflict when a shaman uses spells or granted learn new cantrips through a Minor Spirit Bond. powers in ways that directly oppose the spirit’s However, if a spirit bond with a minor spirit is ethical values. broken, the shaman loses the ability to cast that spirit’s cantrips unless the character has already Inspiring Meditation Ritual bonded with another minor spirit that has the Starting at 1st level, after the first spirit bond is desired cantrips in its spell list. Once a new bond is formed, A spirit shaman can perform a meditation formed, a shaman may perform the daily ritual to ritual that lasts for 10 minutes to gain insight into a request new cantrips—the cantrips are then fixed for knowledge area that is familiar to one of the bonded that spirit. spirits. At the end of the ritual, the shaman gains advantageSample on one Intelligence (Arcana, History, file Nature, or Religion) check to recall lore within the next hour that is related to an area of the chosen

 Page 9  Preparing and Casting Spells lasts for 10 minutes as you invoke the spell through your Spirit Bond. The Spirit Shaman Class table displays the number of spell slots available per day for you to cast spells Spellcasting Focus granted by your spirits. To cast one of your spirit You can use a tribal spirit totem as a spellcasting shaman spells, a spell slot of the appropriate level focus for your spirit shaman spells. The style of your must be expended. All expended spell slots are tribal totem is representative to the type of spirits regained after a long rest. you summon. A spirit shaman must prepare spells through spirit bonds by performing a daily ritual to request the chosen spells from bonded spirits that have the spells available in their lists. The ritual lasts for a Spirits of the Dead number of minutes equal to the total number of spell A spirit shaman may call upon the spirits of tribal levels requested. During the ritual, the shaman must ancestors to grant spells and Spirit Bond Features. A meditate undisturbed for the entire spirit shaman must be within 500 duration. The shaman may only feet of an ancestral burial site or request spells of a level for another location that has strong which the character has spiritual energy or the Spirit Bond available spell slots. The total Ritual fails. The shaman may number of spells per day a petition an ancestral spirit tied to shaman can prepare is equal to that location or call upon a specific the character’s Wisdom modifier ancestor. However, the spirit + spirit shaman level. answering a shaman’s call will only be as strong (minor, major, or Spellcasting Ability greater) as appropriate for the Wisdom is your spellcasting shaman’s level. ability for your spirit shaman spells. Your magic comes from a MINOR SPIRITS deep personal understanding, attunement, and relationship Minor spirits of the dead are with your bonded spirits. Use usually recently deceased relatives, your Wisdom whenever a spell friends or tribe members. After a refers to your spellcasting Spirit Bond is formed, the shaman ability. In addition, use your may learn cantrips from that Wisdom to calculate your chance spirit’s spell list. Once the Spirit to hit with spell attacks. Shaman learns a cantrip, it is fixed Spell save DC = 8 + your for as long as the spirit bond proficiency bonus + your Wisdom modifier remains. However, whenever you gain a level in the spirit shaman class, you can swap out one of your Spell attack modifier = your proficiency bonus + known cantrips for another in the list of one of your your Wisdom modifier minor spirits. The spirit shaman can also prepare The spells granted by spirits represent three spells through a spirit bond if the shaman has spell different tiers. Minor spirits grant cantrips and spells slots available for a specific level. from 1st through 3rd level, major spirits grant spells from 4th through 6th level, and greater spirits grant spells from 7th through 9th level. Minor Spirit Bond Spells Ritual Casting Minor spirits of the dead grant you access to the following spells. You can cast a spell as a ritual if it is on the spell list of oneSample of your bonded spirits, if it has the ritual tag, Cantrips file and if you are able to cast spells of that level. To cast Blade Ward the spell, you must perform a meditation ritual that Chill Touch

 Page 10 