Night Domain (Cleric Subclass)

Clerics of the Night Domain embrace the sacred mystery of darkness. They walk unseen paths, guard hidden knowledge, and wield the power of shadow itself. While their abilities are tied to the domain of night, different clerics may draw inspiration from different divine patrons: some revere Erebus, the primordial god of darkness and shadow; others follow Hecate, goddess of night, magic, and crossroads.

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Night Domain Spells

The following spells are always prepared and do not count against the number of spells you can prepare:

Cleric Level	Spells
1st	Sleep
3rd	Blindness/Deafness (blindness only)
5th	Deeper Darkness
7th	Shadow Conjuration
9th	Summon Shadow (1d3 shadows)

Optional Epic Spells (high-level campaigns): Nightmare, Power Word Blind, Greater Shadow Evocation, Shades.

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1st Level Feature — Shadow Adept

You gain supernatural affinity with darkness:

• You gain Blind-Fight as a bonus feat (homebrew).
• While in dim light or darkness, you have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing.
• You gain proficiency with short swords, a favored weapon of shadow and stealth.

Flavor note: Clerics inspired by Erebus emphasize stealth, secrecy, and shadow manipulation. Those following Hecate may focus on mystical guidance, spirit protection, and night-time rituals.

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1st Level Feature — Night Hunter

You can blend into shadows.

• Activation: Action
• Effect: While in dim light or darkness, you become invisible to creatures without darkvision.
• Duration: 1 minute, or until you attack or cast a spell.
• Uses: 3 + your Wisdom modifier per long rest

This represents the Night Domain’s connection to the unseen: shadows, mystery, and night itself.

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2nd Level Feature — Shadow Channeling

Your mastery of night improves your movement and stealth:

• You add ½ your cleric level to Dexterity (Stealth) checks while in dim light or darkness.
• Difficult terrain created by shadows or darkness does not slow your movement.

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8th Level Feature — Eyes of Darkness

You can see through magical and nonmagical darkness.

• Uses: Hours equal to ½ your cleric level per long rest, split into multiple activations.
• You ignore effects that would impair vision in darkness, reflecting the domain’s deep connection to shadows.

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17th Level Feature — Shadow Mastery

You become an avatar of night:

• Once per short rest, you may cast Greater Invisibility on yourself without using a spell slot.
• Creatures within 30 ft. have disadvantage on saving throws against your shadow or darkness spells.
• Magical darkness does not impede your movement or perception.

The Night Domain draws on the mysterious and ancient power of night itself. Clerics may channel shadows in a style reminiscent of Erebus’ silent darkness, or Hecate’s mystical and protective magic — the choice is their own.

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Subclass Flavor & Roleplay Hooks

• Erebus-inspired clerics: Shadowy, secretive, silent observers. They excel at stealth, shadow manipulation, and guarding forbidden knowledge.
• Hecate-inspired clerics: Mystical, ritual-focused, guardians of crossroads and spirits. They guide others, protect from nocturnal threats, and maintain sacred traditions.
• Appearance: Dark cloaks, silver jewelry or pendants, obsidian holy symbols, veils, lanterns, and shadow motifs.
• Personality: Calm, enigmatic, patient. Rarely confrontational without cause, striking when shadows favor them.
• Common Roles: Night Wardens, Shadow Priests, Dream Guides, or Hunters of creatures that only emerge at night.

The Night Domain

Deities: Erebus, Hecate

Associated Domain: Darkness.

Granted Power: You manipulate shadows and darkness. In addition, you receive Blind-Fight as a bonus feat.

Night Hunter (Su): As a standard action, you can blend into the shadows of the night, becoming nearly invisible. As long as you are in an area of dim light or darkness, you are invisible (as per invisibility) to creatures without darkvision. This ability lasts for a number of rounds equal to 1/2 your cleric level (minimum 1). You can use this ability for a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Wisdom modifier.

Eyes of Darkness (Su): At 8th level, your vision is not impaired by lighting conditions, even in absolute darkness and magic darkness. You can use this ability for a number of rounds per day equal to 1/2 your cleric level. These rounds do not need to be consecutive.

Domain Spells:

• 1st—sleep,
• 2nd—blindness/deafness (only to cause blindness),
• 3rd—deeper darkness,
• 4th—shadow conjuration,
• 5th—summon monster V (summons 1d3 shadows),
• 6th—nightmare,
• 7th—power word blind,
• 8th—shadow evocation (greater),
• 9th—shades.

Section 15: Copyright Notice Advanced Player’s Guide. Copyright 2010, Paizo Publishing, LLC; Author: Jason Bulmahn.

Night Priestess of Hecate

Medium Humanoid (Human), Neutral Evil

Armor Class 15 (scale armor, shield)
Hit Points 78 (12d8 + 24)
Speed 30 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
10 (+0)	14 (+2)	14 (+2)	12 (+1)	18 (+4)	14 (+2)

Saving Throws Wis +7, Cha +5
Skills Insight +7, Perception +7, Religion +4, Stealth +6
Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 17
Languages Common, Greek, Infernal
Challenge 6 (2,300 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +3

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Traits

Eyes of Darkness

The priestess can see normally in magical and nonmagical darkness.

Shadow Adept

While in dim light or darkness, the priestess has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks.

Keeper of the Crossroads

The priestess carries a black iron key, symbol of her authority over hidden paths and thresholds. While she holds the key, she has advantage on saving throws against being charmed or frightened.

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Spellcasting

The priestess is a 9th-level spellcaster. Her spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell save DC 15, +7 to hit with spell attacks).

Cantrips (at will)
toll the dead, thaumaturgy, guidance

1st level (4 slots)
sleep, command, bane

2nd level (3 slots)
blindness/deafness, hold person, silence

3rd level (3 slots)
spirit guardians, bestow curse, darkness

4th level (3 slots)
greater invisibility, phantasmal killer

5th level (1 slot)
dream

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Actions

Ritual Dagger

Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target
Hit: 5 (1d4 + 2) piercing damage plus 7 (2d6) necrotic damage.

Torch of Hecate

The priestess carries a ritual torch burning with cold violet flame.

Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit
Hit: 6 (1d6 + 2) fire damage plus 4 (1d8) necrotic damage.

The torch sheds dim purple light in a 20-foot radius that counts as magical darkness for creatures other than the priestess.

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Bonus Actions

Shadow Step

While in dim light or darkness, the priestess teleports up to 20 feet to another shadow she can see.

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Channel Divinity (1/Day)

Night Hunter

The priestess becomes invisible while in dim light or darkness for 1 minute. The effect ends early if she attacks or casts a spell.

Summon Shadow Hound

The priestess calls forth a spectral hunting beast of shadow. A Shadow Hound appears in an unoccupied space within 30 feet and obeys her commands for 1 minute.

If the priestess dies, the hound dissolves into drifting darkness.

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Shadow Hound

Medium Monstrosity, Neutral Evil

Armor Class 14
Hit Points 45 (6d10 + 12)
Speed 40 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
16 (+3)	14 (+2)	14 (+2)	5 (-3)	12 (+1)	6 (-2)

Damage Resistances necrotic; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 11
Challenge 2 (450 XP)

Shadow Pack

The hound has advantage on attack rolls if an ally is within 5 feet of the target.

Bite

Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit
Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) piercing damage plus 7 (2d6) necrotic damage.

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Cult Symbols of Hecate

Priestesses often carry:

• Torches representing guidance through darkness
• Keys symbolizing authority over hidden gateways
• Sacred hounds believed to see spirits and ghosts

Their rituals are most often performed at three-way crossroads, places sacred to Hecate.

Cleric of Erebus, Night Domain

Medium humanoid (Tiefling), Neutral Evil

Armor Class: 18 (Magical Shadow Cloak + Studded Leather)
Hit Points: 165 (15d8 + 90)
Speed: 30 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
12 (+1)	16 (+3)	20 (+5)	14 (+2)	20 (+5)	18 (+4)

Saving Throws: Wis +10, Con +10, Cha +9
Skills: Stealth +8, Perception +10, Arcana +7, Religion +8
Damage Resistances: Necrotic, Psychic; Nonmagical weapons
Damage Immunities: Cold, Poison
Condition Immunities: Charmed, Frightened
Senses: Darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 20
Languages: Common, Infernal + 1
Challenge: 13 (10,000 XP)

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Divine Traits & Features

Primordial Darkness: In dim light or darkness, the cleric regains 10 HP per turn, has advantage on Stealth, and can merge with shadows to become semi-intangible.

Night Veil: The cleric is invisible in dim light or darkness; invisibility ends if attacking or casting a spell.

Eyes of Darkness: Can see through magical and nonmagical darkness up to 120 ft.; ignores blindness and vision impairments in shadow.

Channel Divinity (2/Short Rest): Teleport up to 60 ft. to shadows (Shadow Step) or impose disadvantage on attacks, saves, and perception of a target within 60 ft. (Dark Insight).

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Spellcasting

Spellcasting Ability: Wisdom (DC 18, +10 to hit)

At Will: Darkness, Toll the Dead, Minor Illusion, Misty Step
3/Day: Spirit Guardians, Greater Invisibility, Phantasmal Killer, Shadow Conjuration
1/Day: Summon Shadow, Plane Shift (Shadow Realm only), Dream

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Actions

Favored Weapon – Short Sword: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft.; 1d6 + 5 piercing + 3d6 necrotic damage in dim light or darkness.

Silver Lantern of Shadows: Radiates dim light; can cast Darkness at will.

Summon Nether Hounds (Recharge 5–6): Summons 2–3 ethereal hounds (AC 15, HP 50, Bite +8 for 2d8+4 necrotic) to attack or guard for 1 minute.

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Legendary Actions (3 per round)

The cleric can take one legendary action at the end of another creature’s turn: Shadow Walk (teleport up to 30 ft.), Veil of Darkness (create 60-ft radius magical darkness), or Umbral Shield (gain resistance to all damage until next turn).

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Tactics

Prefers to control the battlefield using shadows, hounds, and necrotic spells. Strikes unseen, retreats into darkness to heal or reposition, and manipulates enemies with Channel Divinity and Legendary Actions.

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Equipment & Artifacts

• Short Sword (Favored Weapon): Deals bonus necrotic damage in darkness.
• Ebon Veil (Cloak of Shadows): Grants invisibility at will; advantage on Stealth.
• Silver Lantern: Creates dim light or magical darkness.
• Holy Symbol of Erebus: Floating obsidian sphere shrouded in shadow.

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Roleplay & Environment Hooks

Operates best in shadows, voids, or the Shadow Realm. Speaks cryptically about night, void, and hidden truths. Tiefling heritage grants stealth, infernal resilience, and a natural connection to shadow. Acts as guide, manipulator, or protector of forbidden knowledge.