This subclass is FANTASTIC! The intersection between cities and nature is such an underexplored area for Druid-players, and this subclass directly fills that need. The subclass directly addresses some of the interesting situations a city-dwelling Druid might come across (size/squeezing issues, paving issues, etc.) with unique abilities and skills that are balanced (pun intended) and would fit well into any party composition.

The writing is tight and error-free, the art is engaging, and the added goodies (leveled sidekicks/a really fun NPC) at the end are worth the price for the supplement in and of themselves.

This adventure exemplifies the three pillars of TTRPGS – exploration, social interaction, and combat. Depending on the makeup of the party and how everyone involved wants to play the game, this adventure can be a horror-heavy fright fest (best ingested with mood music and creepy snacks) or an analytical rescue mission akin to a group of scientists tasked with documenting a supernatural phenomenon. The NPCs characters meet are engaging and help to further along the story and the characters’ task at hand. The included maps help along any DM describing what each character sees, but the adventure is also written well enough to be played theater of the mind.

Regardless of how DM and characters sway the story, the adventure is expertly written and there is ample detail for DMs to rely on as well as plenty of space for each party playing to make it their own.

In The Heart of the Woods is a fantastic adventure, that can be perfectly injected into a homebrew world or a published module. There are countless ways for the players to make dynamic choices and actually change the course of the adventure – as opposed to just the appearance of choice. In the Blackwoods Forest diplomacy is as valued a skill as expertise with a blade and players of all ilk will find this adventure immensely fun.

This subclass is a MUST for all of you who enjoy a healing-arts based character or who are wanting a switch from your usual burly fighter. The Circle of Sunlight lets you dive into the concept of nature’s perfection – images of a nautilus’ golden spiral instantly come to mind – and harness the life giving and life taking power of the sun. The subclass is balanced, mindful, and is a truly insightful method of manifesting the restorative power granted through our greatest star.

What I’ve found particularly interesting in this subclass is that Druids of this circle do not eschew cities for the wilderness. The concept that perfection and restoration can be found and are needed in cities is something I’ve always found lacking in other subclasses and am so excited to see explored here.

All in all, this subclass brings exciting new game-play to the table, beautiful art and an intuitive subclass layout, a well-rounded NPC that will fit well into anyone’s game, and exciting magical items that are also adorable to boot.

Also, I never knew that I needed an Awakened Shrub as a pal but goodness gracious all of our collective OCs need one in their lives.