This is a slightly darker take on the default shadowmancer, leaning into ritual magic as seen in witchy 80s and 90s horror movies.
Shadow Rites
- Obsidian Mirror. (1/safe rest, 10 minute ritual) Draw a mirror of pure shadow onto a flat surface and ask it a yes/no question. The GM must answer truthfully.
- Cryptic Whisper. (1/safe rest, 10 minute ritual) Talk to a recently deceased creature whose language you speak. They will reveal one cryptic fact about the world.
- The Eye of Glorp. (1/safe rest, 10 minute ritual) Infuse an eye ball with shadows. For the duration of the ritual, it can fly and move through walls, and you may see but not hear through it. Other creatures can see it.
- Shadow Stash. (1/safe rest, 10 minute ritual) Paint a shadow gate into pitch darkness onto a wall. It hides whatever you put inside. You can perform the ritual again within 24 hours to retrieve your stash or lose it forever. Don’t go inside.
- Name’s Bane. (1/safe rest, 10 minute ritual) Write the true name of a creature in blood. For 24 hours, you have advantage on influence and insight checks against that creature. They feel uneasy around you.
- Effigy of Lies. (1/safe rest, 10 minute ritual) Form a likeness of a creature out of pure darkness. For 24 hours, you can speak into the idol, and the target hears the whisper faintly in their dreams or waking thoughts. Useful for gaslighting, planting fear, or sending secret messages.
Level 3
Circle of Binding.
You draw a ritual circle that lets you cast Shadow Trap in a 1 space radius around you.
Shadow Rites.
Learn a shadow rite.
Level 7
Chorus of Shadow.
(1 / encounter) 2 actions. Contentration: Up to 1 minute. Start chanting the chorus of shadow. As long as you maintain it (1 action/turn), your minions deal +INT necrotic damage.
Shadow Rites (2).
Learn another shadow rite.
Level 11
Blood Pact.
(1/safe rest, 10 minute ritual) Sacrifice hit dice equivalent to your spell tier. You regain one use of your pilfered power. Allies can contribute.
Don't mind if I do.
(1/safe rest, 10 minute ritual) Sacrifice a creature in a ritual of blood. You regain hit dice equal to half their level, rounded down.
Shadow Rites (3).
Learn another shadow rite.
Level 15
Grand Circle of Devouring.
(1/safe rest) 3 actions. Concentration: Up to 1 minute. Scribe a huge circle (reach 12) of darkness. At the end of your turn, you and all enemies inside the circle take INT d10 necrotic damage. Enemies that die inside the circle turn into a shadow minion.
Shadow Rites (4).
Learn another shadow rite.