Atropus

Regional Effects

The moonlet of Atropus is a barren, unforgiving wasteland of dread and despair, littered with undead, star spawn aberrations, and debris picked up from the countless worlds it annihilated. The following effects take place on and within 60 feet of the moonlet:

• The moonlet remains on the dark side of the world, keeping the planet between it and the sun. As such, the moonlet is in total darkness.
• The moonlet has a thin atmosphere permeated by a field of negative energy. It is not breathable, and creatures that suffocate in it are overwhelmed by the stench of rotting flesh.
• Due to the moonlet's low gravity, creatures have their walking speed increased by 5 feet, only take 1d4 bludgeoning damage for each 10 feet they fall, and have their carrying capacities doubled.
• Creatures take 1 necrotic damage for each minute that they spend on the moonlet. This damage cannot be reduced by resistance to necrotic damage. Constructs, star spawn, and undead are immune to this effect.
• A creature that isn't a construct, star spawn, or undead that reaches 0 hit points dies instantly, rising as a zombie after 1 minute if nothing raises it beforehand. Such a creature cannot be restored to life by any means.
• The amount of hit points restored by magical healing is halved.
• Spells and effects that attempt to restore life to dead creatures have no effect.
• Spells that raise undead can animate or target twice as many creatures and take effect for twice their normal duration.

Gorguth

Medium undead, chaotic evil

---

• Armor Class 18 (plate)
• Hit Points 152 (16d8 + 80)
• Speed 30 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
20 (+5)	20 (+5)	20 (+5)	8 (-1)	16 (+3)	20 (+5)

---

• Saving Throws Str +10, Dex +10, Con +8
• Skills Athletics +10, Acrobatics +10
• Damage Resistances cold, fire
• Damage Immunities necrotic, lightning; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
• Condition Immunities blinded, charmed, exhaustion, frightened, unconscious, poisoned
• Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 13
• Languages Common, Abyssal
• Challenge 15 (13,000 XP)

---

Aura of Annihilation. Gorguth can activate or deactivate this feature as a bonus action. While active, any creature that ends its turn within 30 feet of Gorguth take 15 necrotic damage. Constructs, fiends, and undead ignore this effect.

Death Gaze. When a creature that isn't a construct, fiend, or undead that can see Gorguth's eyes starts its turn within 30 feet of Gorguth, it is forced to make a DC 18 Constitution saving throw if Gorguth isn't incapacitated and can see the creature. If the saving throw fails by 5 or more, the creature is reduced to 0 hit points, unless it is immune to the frightened condition. Otherwise, a creature takes 16 (3d10) psychic damage on a failed save.
Unless surprised, a creature can avert its eyes to avoid the saving throw at the start of its turn. If the creature does so, it has disadvantage on attack rolls against Gorguth until the start of its next turn. If the creature looks at Gorguth in the meantime, it must immediately make the saving throw.

Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If Gorguth fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.

Spellcasting. Gorguth is a 7th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 18, +10 to hit with spell attacks). Gorguth has the following spells prepared:

Cantrips (at will): chill touch, toll the dead
1st level (4 slots): inflict wounds, ray of sickness
2nd level (3 slots): hold person, ray of enfeeblement
3rd level (3 slots): animate dead, fear
4th level (1 slot): blight

Steal Life. When Gorguth reduces a creature to 0 hit points, it regains 15 hit points.

Actions

Multiattack. Gorguth makes two attacks with its Unholy Longsword.

Unholy Longsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d8 + 5) slashing damage, or 10 (1d10 + 5) slashing damage if used with two hands, plus 10 (3d6) necrotic damage.

Withering Gaze. One creature that Gorguth can see within 90 feet of it must make a DC 18 Constitution saving throw, taking 22 (4d10) necrotic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Reactions

Obliviation of Spirit. When a creature within 60 feet of Gorguth dies, Gorguth can annihilate its soul. That creature can't be revived by any means short of a wish spell.

Variant: Tracking Aura Effects

Based on the experience of myself and others when running certain monsters, I find that keeping track of auras (such as Gorguth's Aura of Annihilation and Death Gaze) is very tedious and easy to forget. This happens because such an aura typically takes when another creature starts (or ends) its turn within a certain range of the aura's origin. Especially when such auras have saving throws attached to them, they quickly start to bog down the game with dice rolling and number crunching.

The issue I face is two-fold: first, official monsters already work this way, so for me to go against it could potentially be confusing to DMs that are already used to it. Second, as auras are constantly emanating, it makes sense that they take effect on every creatures' turns; other solutions contradict this logic by allowing creatures to pass through them without necessarily being affected.

With that in mind, I still present to you this variant: rather than having an aura affect creatures at the start of their turns, have them affect creatures at the start of the aura emanator's turn. This may require some reflavoring - for example, a Negative Energy Aura would be flavored as a periodic burst of negative energy coming from an atropal, rather than being a constant sphere around the atropal. However, this solution can drastically speed up your game; not to mention, your game being bogged down is probably even more immersion breaking than an aura that is ran using this variant.

Bone Dragon Template

In the mortal sphere of influence, only the most dedicated and skilled necromancers are capable of animating a dragon as a skeleton. On Atropus, these "bone dragons" are just as common as any of its other denizens, and can even be summoned and controlled by some of the more powerful horrors that roam its surface.

When a dragon is animated as a skeleton, it retains its statistics except as described by the Skeleton race in the Dungeon Master's Guide (page 282). The bone dragon loses any trait, such as Amphibious, that assumes a living physiology. The bone dragon might retain or lose any or all of its lair actions or inherit new ones, as the DM sees fit.

Additionally, adult and ancient bone dragons have their statistics deviate from the Skeleton racial template as described below.

Damage Resistances. The bone dragon is resistant to cold and necrotic damage.

Condition Immunities. The bone dragon can't be charmed, frightened, or knocked unconscious.

Evasion. If the bone dragon is subjected to an effect that allows it to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half the damage, the bone dragon instead takes no damage if it succeeds on the saving throw, and only half damage if it fails.

Magic Resistance. The bone dragon has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Sturdy Bones. The bone dragon is not vulnerable to bludgeoning damage.

Turn Resistance. The bone dragon has advantage on saving throws against any effect that turns undead.

The statistics of an ancient bone dragon are also modified as described below.

Damage Resistances and Immunities. The bone dragon has immunity to necrotic damage, and resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage from nonmagical attacks.

Condition Immunities. The bone dragon can't be paralyzed.

Turn Immunity. The bone dragon is immune to effects that turn undead.

---

Dread Boneyard

Gargantuan undead, chaotic evil

---

• Armor Class 18 (natural armor)
• Hit Points 296 (16d20 + 128)
• Speed 50 ft., burrow 50 ft., fly 50 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
22 (+6)	17 (+3)	26 (+8)	18 (+4)	20 (+5)	20 (+5)

---

• Saving Throws Str +12, Con +14
• Damage Resistances acid; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
• Damage Immunities cold, necrotic, poison
• Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained
• Senses tremorsense 60 ft., darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 9
• Languages Common, Primordial
• Challenge 20 (25,000 XP)

---

Bone Subsumption. When the boneyard deals damage to a creature with bone inside of it, the target must succeed on a DC 19 Constitution saving throw or its hit point maximum is reduced by an amount equal to the damage taken. This reduction lasts until the creature finishes a long rest. The target dies if this effect reduces its hit point maximum to 0.

Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the boneyard fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.

Summon Bone Dragon (1/Day). As a bonus action, one young red bone dragon emerges from the body of the boneyard. A bone dragon summoned in this way treats the boneyard as its master, and follows its orders to the best of its ability. After 1 hour, the bone dragon is reabsorbed into the boneyard's body.

Tunneler. The boneyard can burrow through solid rock at half its burrow speed and leaves a 10-foot-diameter tunnel in its wake.

Actions

Multiattack. The boneyard makes three attacks: two with its bite and one with its tail.

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 17 (2d10 + 6) piercing damage plus 9 (2d8) acid damage.

Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 20 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d8 + 6) bludgeoning damage, and the target is grappled (escape DC 16). Until this grapple ends, the boneyard can't use its tail on another target.

Utter Subsumption. The boneyard makes one tail attack against a Huge or smaller target it is grappling. If the attack hits, the target takes an additional 61 (10d10 + 6) bludgeoning damage. If this damage reduces the target to 0 hit points, the boneyard crushes the target, killing it instantly. The target's skeletal features (if any) are then absorbed into the body of the boneyard.

Legendary Actions

The boneyard can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature's turn. The boneyard regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.

• Move. The boneyard moves up to its speed.
• Summon Skeletons (Costs 2 Actions). 10 (1d6 + 7) skeletons emerge from the body of the boneyard. These skeletons act on their own initiative count and follow the boneyard's orders to the best of their ability.

Atropal Scion

Large undead (titan), neutral evil

---

• Armor Class 9
• Hit Points 114 (12d10 + 48)
• Speed 0 ft., fly 50 ft. (hover)

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
16 (+3)	8 (-1)	18 (+4)	18 (+4)	16 (+3)	19 (+4)

---

• Damage Vulnerabilities radiant
• Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
• Damage Immunities cold, necrotic, poison
• Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, poisoned
• Senses darkvision 120 ft., truesight 120 ft., passive Perception 13
• Languages understands Celestial but utters only obscene nonsense
• Challenge 7 (2,900 XP)

---

Innate Spellcasting. The atropal's innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 15). The atropal can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:

At will: dispel magic, toll the dead
3/day: contagion

Magic Resistance. The atropal has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Negative Energy Aura. Creatures within 30 feet of the atropal can't regain hit points, and any creature that starts its turn within 30 feet of the atropal takes 7 (2d6) necrotic damage. If the atropal is struck by a vorpal sword, the wielder can cut the atropal's umbilical cord instead of dealing damage. If its umbilical cord is cut, the atropal loses this feature.

Actions

Touch. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (3d6) necrotic damage.

Life Drain. The atropal targets one creature it can see within 120 feet of it. The target must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, taking 21 (6d6) necrotic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. The atropal regains a number of hit points equal to half the amount of damage dealt.

Summon Specter (Recharge 6). The atropal summons a specter which materializes within 30 feet of it in an unoccupied space it can see. The specter obeys its summoner's commands and can't be controlled by any other creature. The specter vanishes when it drops to 0 hit points or when its summoner dies.

Evolved Atropal Scion

Huge undead (titan), neutral evil

---

• Armor Class 7
• Hit Points 225 (18d12 + 108)
• Speed 0 ft., fly 50 ft. (hover)

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
19 (+4)	5 (-3)	22 (+6)	25 (+7)	19 (+4)	24 (+7)

---

• Saving Throws Con +12, Wis +10
• Damage Vulnerabilities radiant
• Damage Immunities cold, necrotic, poison; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
• Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, poisoned
• Senses darkvision 120 ft., truesight 120 ft., passive Perception 14
• Languages understands Celestial but utters only obscene nonsense
• Challenge 17 (18,000 XP)

---

Create Spawn. The spirit of a humanoid slain by the atropal rises as a wraith after 1d4 rounds. Constructs are not affected by this feature.

Innate Spellcasting. The atropal's innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 21). The atropal can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:

At will: dispel magic, soul cage, toll the dead
3/day each: contagion, misty step, negative energy flood
2/day each: circle of death, hold monster
1/day each: cone of cold, plane shift (self only)

Magic Resistance. The atropal has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Negative Energy Aura. Creatures within 30 feet of the atropal can't regain hit points, and any creature that starts its turn within 30 feet of the atropal takes 10 (3d6) necrotic damage. If the atropal is struck by a vorpal sword, the wielder can cut the atropal's umbilical cord instead of dealing damage. If its umbilical cord is cut, the atropal loses this feature.

Turn Resistance Aura. The atropal and any other undead creature within 30 feet of it has advantage on saving throws against effects that turn undead.

Actions

Touch. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (3d6) necrotic damage.

Ray of Cold. Ranged Spell Attack: +13 to hit, range 120 ft., one target. Hit: 21 (6d6) cold damage.

Life Drain. The atropal targets one creature it can see within 120 feet of it. The target must make a DC 20 Constitution saving throw, taking 36 (8d8) necrotic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. The atropal regains a number of hit points equal to half the amount of damage dealt.

Summon Wraith (Recharge 6). The atropal summons a wraith which materializes within 30 feet of it in an unoccupied space it can see. The wraith obeys its summoner's commands and can't be controlled by any other creature. The wraith vanishes when it drops to 0 hit points or when its summoner dies.

Legendary Actions

The atropal can 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature's turn. The atropal regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.

• Touch. The atropal makes a touch attack.
• Ray of Cold (Costs 2 Actions). The atropal uses its Ray of Cold.
• Wail (Costs 3 Actions). The atropal lets out a withering wail. Any creature within 120 feet of the atropal that can hear the wail must succeed on a DC 20 Constitution saving throw or suffer one level of exhaustion.

Famine Spirit

Medium undead, neutral evil

---

• Armor Class 10
• Hit Points 178 (21d8 + 84)
• Speed 40 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
20 (+5)	10 (+0)	18 (+4)	14 (+2)	15 (+2)	15 (+2)

---

• Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, slashing from nonmagical attacks
• Damage Immunities necrotic, poison
• Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, poisoned
• Senses truesight 60 ft., passive Perception 12
• Languages understands the languages it knew in life but can't speak
• Challenge 11 (7,200 XP)

---

Aura of Pain. Whenever a hostile creature within 30 feet of the famine spirit makes an attack roll or a saving throw, the creature must roll a d4 and subtract the result from the roll.

Create Spawn. A humanoid slain by the famine spirit rises as a famine spirit 1d4 days after death.

Undead Fortitude. If damage reduces the famine spirit to 0 hit points, it must make a Constitution saving throw with a DC of 5 + the damage taken, unless the damage is radiant or from a critical hit. On a success, the famine spirit drops to 1 hit point instead.

Actions

Multiattack. The famine spirit makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws.

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (2d10 + 5) piercing damage plus 9 (2d8) necrotic damage. If the target has at least one head and the famine spirit rolled a 20 on the attack roll, the target is decapitated and dies if it can't survive without that head. A target is immune to this effect if it takes none of the damage, has legendary actions, or is Huge or larger. Such a creature takes an extra 6d8 piercing damage from the hit.

Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (1d10 + 5) slashing damage plus 9 (2d8) necrotic damage.

Etherealness (2/Day). The famine spirit enters the Ethereal Plane from the Material Plane, or vice versa. It is visible on the Material Plane while it is in the Border Ethereal, and vice versa, yet it can't affect or be affected by anything on the other plane.

Atropal Hulk

Huge undead (titan), neutral evil

---

• Armor Class 7
• Hit Points 225 (18d12 + 108)
• Speed 20 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
25 (+7)	5 (–3)	22 (+6)	25 (+7)	19 (+4)	24 (+7)

---

• Saving Throws Con +11, Wis +9
• Damage Vulnerabilities radiant
• Damage Immunities cold, necrotic, poison; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
• Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, poisoned
• Senses truesight 120 ft., passive Perception 14
• Languages understands Celestial but utters only obscene nonsense
• Challenge 13 (10,000 XP)

---

Magic Resistance. The atropal has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Turn Resistance Aura. The atropal and any other undead creature within 30 feet of it has advantage on saving throws against effects that turn undead.

Undead Fortitude. If damage reduces the atropal to 0 hit points, it must make a Constitution saving throw with a DC of 5 + the damage taken, unless the damage is radiant or from a critical hit. On a success, the atropal drops to 1 hit point instead.

Actions

Multiattack. The atropal makes two slam attacks.

Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 20 (3d8 + 7) bludgeoning damage plus 7 (2d6) cold damage.

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 17 (3d6 + 7) piercing damage plus 7 (2d6) necrotic damage. If the target is a creature, the atropal regains a number of hit points equal to half the amount of damage dealt. If this attack reduces a creature to 0 hit points, the atropal devours its corpse. The creature dies and can't be revived by any means short of a wish spell.

Summon Wraith (Recharge 6). The atropal summons a wraith which materializes within 30 feet of it in an unoccupied space it can see. The wraith obeys its summoner's commands and can't be controlled by any other creature. The wraith vanishes when it drops to 0 hit points or when its summoner dies.

Legendary Actions

The atropal can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature's turn. The atropal regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.

• Charge. The atropal moves up to its speed.
• Bite (Costs 2 Actions). The atropal makes a bite attack.
• Withering Wail (Costs 3 Actions). The atropal lets out a withering wail. Any creature within 120 feet of the atropal that can hear the wail must succeed on a DC 19 Constitution saving throw or gain 1 level of exhaustion.

Death Cultist

Medium humanoid (any race), any evil alignment

---

• Armor Class 12 (15 with mage armor)
• Hit Points 33 (6d8 + 6)
• Speed 30 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
9 (–1)	14 (+2)	12 (+1)	11 (+0)	12 (+1)	15 (+2)

---

• Saving Throws Wis +3, Cha +4
• Skills Arcana +2, Deception +4, Religion +2
• Damage Resistances necrotic
• Senses passive Perception 11
• Languages any one language (usually Common)
• Challenge 2 (450 XP)

---

Dark Devotion. The death cultist has advantage on saving throws against being charmed or frightened.

Innate Spellcasting. The death cultist's innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 12). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:

At will: false life, mage armor (self only)
1/day each: animate dead, bestow curse

Spellcasting. The death cultist is a 4th-level spellcaster. The death cultist's spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 12, +4 to hit with spell attacks). It regains its expended spell slots when it finishes a short or long rest. It knows the following warlock spells:

Cantrip (at will): chill touch, eldritch blast, toll the dead
1st-2nd level (2 2nd-level slots): bane, cause fear, darkness, hex, ray of enfeeblement

Actions

Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage plus 7 (2d6) necrotic damage.

Touch of Death. Melee Spell Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (4d6) necrotic damage.

Father Llymic

Brood Spawn Template

Stalking the wastelands in preparation for Father Llymic's awakening, the brood mirror their creator's twisted form. Birthed from the bodies of unsuspecting creatures, the brood are pale mockeries of their former selves, recast in plates of frozen crystal with vicious claws and sharp-edged teeth.

The brood remember nothing of their former lives and seek only to carry out Father Llymic's will. They prowl the area around his frozen form, subduing intruders and native creatures and taking them to be transformed. If a threat to Father Llymic surfaces, the brood take any means necessary to drive off or destroy the enemy.

Retaining only a vague resemblance to the creatures that spawned them, the brood are terrible to behold. Made entirely of pale blue crystal, brood spawn are covered in sharp spikes and ridged plates. These protrusions grind against one another but never dull. When a brood spawn is wounded, a pale ichor flows out of the wounds, quickly hardening into a seal. Strange organs pulsate and strain inside them, and no two share the same physiology, even if they originated from the same type of creature. All have three perfectly round eyes atop their head, above a cavernous maw. These eyes allow them to see in any conditions of ilumination.

Mentally, all brood spawn are extensions of Father Llymic's thoughts. They carry out his desires without any need for communication. The spawn go about their business with cold precision, completely uncaring of those in their path. The brood have only two goals: to protect Father Llymic and to expand the brood.

When a living creature (referred to as the base creature) is transformed into a brood spawn, it retains its statistics except as described below. A brood spawn might retain or lose any or all of its lair actions or inherit new ones, as the DM sees fit.

Type. The brood spawn is an aberration, and it doesn't require air, food, drink, or sleep.

Alignment. The brood spawn's alignment is chaotic evil.

Armor Class. The brood spawn gains natural armor if the base creature lacked it, and loses any other sources of Armor Class. The brood spawn's Armor Class is equal to the base creature's Armor Class (including any manufactured armor) plus 2.

Hit Dice. The brood spawn gains 5 more hit dice, which increases its maximum hit points.

Speed. The brood spawn's walking speed increases by 10 feet, and it gains a climbing speed equal to its new walking speed.

Ability Score Adjustment. The brood spawn's Strength, Constitution, Wisdom, and Charisma each increase by 2, to a maximum of 28. As this increases the brood spawn's Constitution modifier by 1, increase its hit points accordingly.

Damage Vulnerabilities, Resistances, and Immunities. The brood spawn has resistance to fire damage and lightning damage and is immune to cold damage. If the base creature already has resistance or immunity to one of these damage types, they are replaced by these modifications. Otherwise, the brood spawn retains the vulnerabilities, resistances, and immunities of the base creature.

Condition Immunities. The brood spawn can't be charmed, frightened, petrified, or knocked unconscious. It also doesn't suffer from exhaustion.

Senses. The brood spawn has blindsight out to 60 feet.

Traits, Actions, and Proficiencies. The brood spawn loses all of its weapon proficiencies and loses any actions or traits that depend on the use of a manufactured weapon. It also loses the Spellcasting trait, but retains any other base proficiencies and traits.

If the base creature has Innate Spellcasting, the Innate Spellcasting trait detailed below can either replace it, or the two spell lists can be merged together, as the DM sees fit. This decision can be made with the source of the base Innate Spellcasting trait in mind (e.g. psionics, or a biological feature), and/or it could be made with encounter difficulty and planning in mind. Otherwise, the brood spawn retains the base creature's proficiencies, actions, and traits, and it gains certain actions and traits as described in the template's statistics block.

Generic Brood Spawn

While it is formally named "Brood Spawn Barbarian", the following stat block can be used as a generic stat block for any low-CR humanoid brood spawn that you don't want to have the Innate Spellcasting trait. Most of the stats are lifted from the Orc stat block, but with everything unique stripped away for this purpose.

The strange thing about this template is that no matter what, it gives a Multiattack of two attacks to any brood spawn out there, even if the base creature was weak, like a commoner or something, or if the base creature was strong, like a white dragon.

While it makes sense that monsters in a supplement for high level play should be powerful, there should still also be support for lower tier play on my end. That is why this note is here.

To balance the brood spawn barbarian (or any other brood spawn) to your liking, keep these recommended steps in mind:

• Change general stats like HP, AC, ability scores, etc. to fit your desired Challenge Rating.
• Change the number of attacks granted by the Multiattack feature. You can also insert actions into various stages of the Multiattack, just like how I added Frightful Presence (back) to the Multiattack of the Brood Spawn White Dragon.
• Scale the damage and save DC of Cold Breath to match your desired Challenge Rating.
• If you feel the base creature is (was, rather) significant enough to have unique traits and features (ranging from Darkvision to special items or abilities), definitely add those traits and features to this generic block.
• Similarly, on page 280 of the DMG, there is a table of Monster Features with traits like Aggressive and Pack Tactics that I encourage you to add to different versions of this monster (and to Brood Spawn in general) for the sake of variety.

---

This conversion is meant to be a toolbox for DMs, not a rigid definition of how things are supposed to be. Whatever you do, just don't think that you are restricted by the specific design choices I made in this conversion.

Brood Spawn Barbarian

Medium aberration, chaotic evil

---

• Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
• Hit Points 85 (10d8 + 40)
• Speed 40 ft., climb 40 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
18 (+4)	12 (+1)	18 (+4)	7 (-2)	13 (+1)	12 (+1)

---

• Damage Resistances fire, lightning
• Damage Immunities cold
• Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, petrified, unconscious
• Senses blindsight 60 ft., passive Perception 13
• Languages any two languages
• Challenge 4 (1100 XP)

---

Ice Walk. The brood spawn can move across and climb icy surfaces without needing to make an ability check. Additionally, difficult terrain composed of ice or snow doesn't cost it extra moment.

Light Sickness. The brood spawn is considered to be undead for the purpose of spells and other effects that harm undead. If the brood spawn takes radiant damage or is exposed to sunlight or a magical source of light, it is poisoned until the end of its next turn or until it is no longer exposed to the light.

Magic Resistance. The brood spawn has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Unyielding Essence. The brood spawn is immune to any spell or effect that would alter its form, as well as those that would read its thoughts, determine if it is lying, or magically influence its thoughts or behavior.

Actions

Multiattack. The brood spawn makes two attacks: one with its bite and one with its claw.

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) piercing damage plus 3 (1d6) cold damage.

Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d6 + 4) slashing damage plus 3 (1d6) cold damage.

Cold Breath (Recharge 6). The brood spawn exhales an icy blast in a 20-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 18 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, a creature contracts Brood Fever and takes 10 (3d6) cold damage. On a successful save, a creature takes half as much damage and does not contract Brood Fever.

Brood Spawn Frost Giant

Huge aberration, chaotic evil

---

• Armor Class 17 (natural armor)
• Hit Points 212 (17d12 + 102)
• Speed 50 ft., climb 50 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
25 (+7)	9 (−1)	23 (+6)	9 (−1)	12 (+1)	14 (+2)

---

• Saving Throws Con +9, Wis +4, Cha +5
• Skills Athletics +10, Perception +4
• Damage Resistances fire, lightning
• Damage Immunities cold
• Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, petrified, unconscious
• Senses blindsight 60 ft., passive Perception 14
• Languages Giant
• Challenge 14 (11,500 XP)

---

Ice Walk. The brood spawn can move across and climb icy surfaces without needing to make an ability check. Additionally, difficult terrain composed of ice or snow doesn't cost it extra moment.

Innate Spellcasting. The brood spawn's innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 15). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:

At will: sleet storm
3/day: darkness
2/day each: dispel magic, ice storm

Light Sickness. The brood spawn is considered to be undead for the purpose of spells and other effects that harm undead. If the brood spawn takes radiant damage or is exposed to sunlight or a magical source of light, it is poisoned until the end of its next turn or until it is no longer exposed to the light.

Magic Resistance. The brood spawn has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Unyielding Essence. The brood spawn is immune to any spell or effect that would alter its form, as well as those that would read its thoughts, determine if it is lying, or magically influence its thoughts or behavior.

Actions

Multiattack. The brood spawn makes two attacks: one with its bite and one with its claw.

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (2d10 + 7) piercing damage plus 5 (1d10) cold damage.

Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d6 + 7) slashing damage plus 5 (1d10) cold damage.

Rock. Ranged Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, range 60/240 ft., one target. Hit: 29 (4d10 + 7) bludgeoning damage.

Cold Breath (Recharge 6). The brood spawn exhales an icy blast in a 40-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 18 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, a creature contracts Brood Fever and takes 38 (11d6) cold damage. On a successful save, a creature takes half as much damage and does not contract Brood Fever.

Brood Spawn White Dragon

Huge aberration, chaotic evil

---

• Armor Class 20 (natural armor)
• Hit Points 283 (21d12 + 147)
• Speed 50 ft., burrow 30 ft., climb 50 ft., fly 80 ft., swim 40 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
24 (+7)	10 (+0)	24 (+7)	8 (−1)	14 (+2)	14 (+2)

---

• Saving Throws Dex +6, Con +13, Wis +8, Cha +8
• Skills Perception +14, Stealth +6
• Damage Resistances fire, lightning
• Damage Immunities cold
• Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, petrified, unconscious
• Senses blindsight 60 ft., darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 24
• Languages Common, Draconic
• Challenge 19 (22,000 XP) or 20 (25,000 XP) when encountered in lair

---

Ice Walk. The brood spawn can move across and climb icy surfaces without needing to make an ability check. Additionally, difficult terrain composed of ice or snow doesn't cost it extra moment.

Innate Spellcasting. The brood spawn's innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 15). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:

At will: sleet storm
3/day: darkness
2/day each: dispel magic, ice storm
1/day each: cone of cold, wall of ice

Keen Hearing and Smell. The brood spawn has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell.

Light Sickness. The brood spawn is considered to be undead for the purpose of spells and other effects that harm undead. If the brood spawn takes radiant damage or is exposed to sunlight or a magical source of light, it is poisoned until the end of its next turn or until it is no longer exposed to the light.

Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the brood spawn fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.

Magic Resistance. The brood spawn has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Unyielding Essence. The brood spawn is immune to any spell or effect that would alter its form, as well as those that would read its thoughts, determine if it is lying, or magically influence its thoughts or behavior.

Actions

Multiattack. The brood spawn can use its Frightful Presence. It then makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws.

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (2d10 + 7) piercing damage plus 5 (1d10) cold damage.

Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d6 + 7) slashing damage plus 5 (1d10) cold damage.

Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (2d8 + 7) bludgeoning damage.

Frightful Presence. Each creature of the brood spawn's choice that is within 120 feet of the brood spawn and aware of it must succeed on a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a creature's saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to the brood spawn's Frightful Presence for the next 24 hours.

Cold Breath (Recharge 5–6). The brood spawn exhales an icy blast in a 60-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 21 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, a creature takes 54 (12d8) cold damage and contracts Brood Fever. On a successful save, a creature takes half as much damage and does not contract Brood Fever.

Legendary Actions

The brood spawn can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature's turn. The brood spawn regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.

• Detect. The brood spawn makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.
• Tail Attack. The brood spawn makes a tail attack.
• Wing Attack (Costs 2 Actions). The brood spawn beats its wings. Each creature within 10 feet of the brood spawn must succeed on a DC 19 Dexterity saving throw or take 14 (2d6 + 7) bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone. The brood spawn can then fly up to half its flying speed.

Lair Actions

The brood spawn white dragon can manipulate the icy terrain of the mountain surrounding Father Llymic's tomb to take lair actions. On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the brood spawn takes a lair action to cause one of the following effects; the brood spawn can't use the same effect two rounds in a row:

• Freezing fog fills a 20-foot-radius sphere centered on a point the brood spawn can see within 120 feet of it. The fog spreads around corners, and its area is heavily obscured. Each creature in the fog when it appears must make a DC 10 Constitution saving throw, taking 10 (3d6) cold damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. A creature that ends its turn in the fog takes 10 (3d6) cold damage. A wind of at least 20 miles per hour disperses the fog. The fog otherwise lasts until the brood spawn uses this lair action again or until the brood spawn dies.

• Jagged ice shards emerge from the ground, striking up to three creatures underneath that the brood spawn can see within 120 feet of it. The brood spawn makes one ranged attack roll (+7 to hit) against each target. On a hit, a target takes 10 (3d6) piercing damage.

• The brood spawn creates an opaque wall of ice on a solid surface it can see within 120 feet of it. The wall can be up to 30 feet long, 30 feet high, and 1 foot thick. When the wall appears, each creature within its area is pushed 5 feet out of the wall's space; appearing on whichever side of the wall it wants. Each 10-foot section of the wall has AC 5, 30 hit points, vulnerability to fire damage, and immunity to acid, cold, necrotic, poison, and psychic damage. The wall disappears when the brood spawn uses this lair action again or when the brood spawn dies.

The Hulks of Zoretha

Child of Zoretha (Female)

Large aberration, chaotic evil

---

• Armor Class 16 (natural armor)
• Hit Points 95 (10d10 + 40)
• Speed 30 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
20 (+5)	10 (+0)	18 (+4)	13 (+1)	14 (+2)	10 (+0)

---

• Saving Throws Con +7, Wis +5
• Skills Insight +5, Perception +5
• Damage Resistances acid, cold, lightning, fire
• Condition Immunities charmed, exhausted, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, unconscious
• Senses truesight 60 ft., passive Perception 15
• Languages understands all languages but can't speak, telepathy 120 ft.
• Challenge 7 (2900 XP)

---

Anathematic Secrecy. The hulk can't be targeted by any divination magic or perceived through magical scrying sensors.

Aura of Mind Erosion. Any hostile creature that starts its turn within 30 feet of the hulk must make a DC 15 Intelligence saving throw. On a failed save, a creature suffers disadvantage on all Wisdom and Charisma saving throws until the start of the hulk's next turn.

Innate Spellcasting. The hulk's innate spellcasting ability is Constitution (spell save DC 15). She can innately cast the following spells, requiring no components:

At will: conjure elemental, enemies abound
3/day each: dispel magic, fear, levitate
2/day each: phantasmal force, phantasmal killer
1/day each: dominate monster, mental prison

Legendary Resistance (1/Day). If the hulk fails a saving throw, she can choose to succeed instead.

Magic Resistance. The hulk has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Magic Weapons. The hulk's weapon attacks are magical.

Unyielding Essence. The hulk is immune to any spell or effect that would alter her form, as well as those that would read her thoughts, determine if she is lying, or magically influence her thoughts or behavior.

Actions

Multiattack. The hulk makes two melee attacks.

Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (2d10 + 5) bludgeoning damage plus 7 (2d6) psychic damage.

Breath Weapon (Recharge 5-6). The hulk exhales elemental energy in a 15-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, taking 24 (7d6) damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. The breath deals acid, cold, fire, or lightning damage (hulk's choice).

Running the Hulks of Zoretha

When compared to the other eight Elder Evils here, the Hulks of Zoretha could be considered the most underwhelming. One reason for this is that each individual Hulk is much weaker than many of the monsters out there. Even Soelma and Janwulf are higher in CR than an individual Hulk. Rather, the global threat posed by the Hulks' Blood Moon sign makes them a world-ending threat; additionally, the five Hulks are designed to be a challenge even for high level characters when fought all at once.

The second reason for this is that there is so much missed potential for their story. The original Elder Evils book describes that the Hulks are part of an alien race that sent them to colonize the campaign setting; once they awaken and eradicate all sapient life on the planet, they will give birth to the "Children of Zoretha". Such children were not given statistics nor descriptions in the original book, as it is assumed that the players will defeat the Hulks before they have a chance to give birth to them.

However, what if a DM wanted to change up the story? Perhaps the Children of Zoretha have begun to bring chaos and destruction to the setting, in an effort to awaken their dormant parents. Perhaps the Hulks and their now matured Children have already colonized a different world and have now begun to invade the campaign setting. It is unfortunate that the original book did not provide the tools necessary in order to facilitate such stories.

Thus, I bring to you my take on the Children of Zoretha. They are simply my imagining of the concept, which I do not claim to have a definitive monopoly over or understanding of. For a description of these Children, see the sidebar to the right.

Child of Zoretha (Male)

Large aberration, chaotic evil

---

• Armor Class 16 (natural armor)
• Hit Points 95 (10d10 + 40)
• Speed 30 ft., fly 40 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
20 (+5)	17 (+3)	18 (+4)	13 (+1)	14 (+2)	10 (+0)

---

• Saving Throws Dex +6, Con +7
• Skills Perception +5, Stealth +6
• Damage Immunities poison
• Condition Immunities charmed, exhausted, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, unconscious
• Senses truesight 60 ft., passive Perception 15
• Languages understands all languages but can't speak, telepathy 120 ft.
• Challenge 7 (2900 XP)

---

Ambusher. The hulk has advantage on attack rolls against any creature he has surprised.

Anathematic Secrecy. The hulk can't be targeted by any divination magic or perceived through magical scrying sensors.

Avoidance. If the hulk is subjected to an effect that allows him to make a saving throw to only take half damage, he instead takes no damage if he succeeds on the saving throw, and only half damage if he fails.

Innate Spellcasting. The hulk's innate spellcasting ability is Constitution (spell save DC 15). He can innately cast the following spells, requiring no components:

At will: enemies abound, pass without trace
3/day each: dispel magic, fear, invisibility
2/day each: phantasmal force, phantasmal killer
1/day each: control weather, feeblemind

Legendary Resistance (1/Day). If the hulk fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead.

Magic Resistance. The hulk has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Magic Weapons. The hulk's weapon attacks are magical.

Sneak Attack (1/Turn). The hulk deals an extra 7 (2d6) psychic damage when he hits a target with a weapon attack and has advantage on the attack roll, or when the target is within 5 feet of an ally of the hulk that isn't incapacitated and the hulk doesn't have disadvantage on the attack roll.

Unyielding Essence. The hulk is immune to any spell or effect that would alter his form, as well as those that would read his thoughts, determine if he is lying, or magically influence his thoughts or behavior.

Actions

Multiattack. The hulk uses his Hypnotic Gaze if it is available, and then it makes two weapon attacks.

Poisoned Spike. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 100/320 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d8 + 5) piercing damage plus 10 (3d6) poison damage.

Hypnotic Gaze (Recharge 6). The hulk attempts to hypnotize up to two creatures it can see. Each target must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be stunned until the start of the hulk's next turn. Each time a target takes damage, it can repeat the saving throw, ending the effect on itself on a success.

The Children of Zoretha

My take on the Children of Zoretha is that they are similar to their parents. They are Large instead of Huge, and they have reduced stats and damage as you might expect. However, the Children are well on their way towards surpassing their parents. Their innate spellcasting is drastically stronger, with powerful spells ranging from dominate person to phantasmal killer to conjure elemental.

The Female Children have no elemental affinity, and instead can breath and summon any element of their choosing. They also emanate a powerful aura that makes enemies more susceptible to mind-influencing effects. The Male Children are more adept at ambushing enemies and avoiding damage, and are able to use an unlimited number of poisoned spikes in melee and at range. They are also capable of targeting an additional creature with their weaker version of Hypnotic Gaze.

Other than the lack of an Elemental Affinity, the Children of Zoretha look like smaller versions of their parents. After enough centuries, it is possible that the original Hulks' descendents will be powerful enough to take on any mortal foe... and even a few divine ones.

Titan of Zoretha

Gargantuan aberration, chaotic evil

---

• Armor Class 25 (natural armor)
• Hit Points 553 (27d20 + 270)
• Speed 50 ft., fly 50 ft. (hover)

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
30 (+10)	25 (+7)	30 (+10)	26 (+8)	28 (+9)	24 (+7)

---

• Saving Throws Str +19, Dex +16, Con +19, Wis +18
• Skills Arcana +17, Athletics +19, Insight +18, Intimidation +16, Perception +18
• Damage Immunities acid, cold, fire, lightning, poison; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
• Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, stunned
• Senses truesight 120 ft., blindsight 500 ft., passive Perception 28
• Languages all, telepathy 1,000 ft.
• Challenge 29 (135,000 XP)

---

Anathematic Secrecy. The titan can't be targeted by any divination magic or perceived through magical scrying sensors.

Aura of Mind Erosion. Any hostile creature that starts its turn within 30 feet of the titan must make a DC 24 Intelligence saving throw. On a failed save, a creature suffers disadvantage on all Wisdom and Charisma saving throws until the start of the titan's next turn.

Avoidance. If the titan is subjected to an effect that allows it to make a saving throw to only take half damage, it instead takes no damage if it succeeds on the saving throw, and only half damage if it fails.

Innate Spellcasting. The titan's innate spellcasting ability is Constitution (spell save DC 27). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no components:

At will: conjure elemental, enemies abound, telekinesis
3/day each: bones of the earth, hypnotic pattern, slow
2/day each: earthquake, mental prison, reverse gravity
1/day each: dominate monster, feeblemind, gate

Legendary Resistance (5/Day). If the titan fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.

Limited Magic Immunity. The titan can't be affected or detected by spells of 4th level or lower unless it wishes to be. It has advantage on saving throws against all other spells and magical effects.

Lord of Zoretha. The titan has advantage on attacks made against frightened creatures. Additionally, the titan can maintain concentration on two different spells at the same time, and it has advantage on saving throws to maintain concentration on spells.

Magic Weapons. The titan's weapon attacks are magical.

Multiple Heads. The titan can take one reaction per turn, rather than only one per round. It also has advantage on saving throws against being knocked unconscious. If it fails a saving throw against an effect that would stun a creature, one of its unspent legendary actions is spent.

Siege Monster. The titan deals double damage to objects and structures.

Unyielding Essence. The titan is immune to any spell or effect that would alter its form, as well as those that would read its thoughts, determine if it is lying, or magically influence its thoughts or behavior.

Actions

Multiattack. The titan can use its Maddening Presence. It then makes three melee attacks or two ranged attacks.

Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +19 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 32 (4d10 + 10) bludgeoning damage plus 14 (4d6) psychic damage.

Poisoned Spike. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +19 to hit, reach 15 ft. or range 100/320 ft., one target. Hit: 19 (2d8 + 10) piercing damage plus 21 (6d6) poison damage.

Maddening Presence. Each creature of the titan's choice that is within 240 feet of the titan and aware of it must succeed on a DC 24 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute. While frightened, a creature suffers from a random form of Short-Term Madness, determined by rolling on the Short-Term Madness table in chapter 8 of the Dungeon Master's Guide. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a creature's saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to the titan's Maddening Presence for the next 24 hours.

Breath Weapon (Recharge 5-6). One of the titan's heads exhales elemental energy in a 90-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 27 Constitution saving throw, taking 66 (12d10) damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. The breath deals acid, cold, fire, or lightning damage (titan's choice).

Legendary Actions

The titan can take 5 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature's turn. The titan regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.

• Quick Step. The titan moves up to its speed without provoking opportunity attacks.
• Attack (Costs 2 Actions). The titan makes a weapon attack.
• Cast a Spell (Costs 2 Actions). The titan casts an innate spell.
• Breath Weapon (Costs 3 Actions). The titan recharges its Breath Weapon and uses it.

Regional Effects

Dark Visiting. Any living creature that sleeps within 100 miles of the titan must succeed on a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw or be afflicted with a random form of short-term madness. If a creature fails this saving throw by 5 or more, it is instead afflicted with a random form of long-term madness. If a creature rolls a 1 on the d20 roll, it is instead afflicted with a random form of indefinite madness. The Short-Term Madness, Long-Term Madness, and Indefinite Madness tables can be found in chapter 8 of the Dungeon Master's Guide.

Cave Troll

Large giant, chaotic evil

---

• Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
• Hit Points 136 (13d10 + 65)
• Speed 30 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
18 (+4)	13 (+1)	20 (+5)	7 (−2)	9 (−1)	7 (−2)

---

• Saving Throws Str +7, Con +6
• Skills Perception +2
• Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
• Languages Giant
• Challenge 7 (2,900 XP)

---

Charge. If the troll moves at least 20 feet straight toward a target and then hits it with a claw attack on the same turn, the target must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.

Keen Smell. The troll has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.

Regeneration. The troll regains 15 hit points at the start of its turn. If the troll takes acid or fire damage, this trait doesn't function at the start of the troll's next turn. The troll dies only if it starts its turn with 0 hit points and doesn't regenerate.

Sunlight Sensitivity. While in sunlight, the troll has disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.

Actions

Multiattack. The troll makes three melee attacks.

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d6 + 4) piercing damage. If the target has already been hit by a claw attack but not by a bite attack during this round, it must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, taking 10 (3d6) piercing damage on a failed save, or half as much on a successful one.

Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) slashing damage.

Stomp. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one prone creature. Hit: 14 (3d6 + 4) bludgeoning damage.

Skindancer

Large monstrosity, chaotic evil

---

• Armor Class 17 (natural armor)
• Hit Points 136 (13d10 + 65)
• Speed 40 ft., climb 40 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
19 (+4)	17 (+3)	21 (+5)	7 (-2)	16 (+3)	7 (-2)

---

• Saving Throws Str +7, Con +9
• Skills Perception +7, Stealth +7
• Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 17
• Languages Common
• Challenge 10 (5,900 XP)

---

Adaptive Skin. As a bonus action, the skindancer can gain resistance to one damage type of its choice until the start of its next turn.

Keen Smell. The skindancer has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.

Magic Resistance. The skindancer has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Relentless. If the skindancer takes 15 damage or less that would reduce it to 0 hit points, it is reduced to 1 hit point instead.

Actions

Multiattack. The skindancer makes five attacks: one with its bite, one with its slam, and three with its claws.

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d6 + 4) piercing damage. If the target is a creature, it is grappled (escape DC 14). Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained, and the skindancer can't bite another target.

Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d6 + 4) slashing damage.

Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) bludgeoning damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 16 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.

Reactions

Reactive Skin. The skindancer halves the damage that it takes from an attack that hits it. The skindancer must be able to see the attacker.

Greathorn Minotaur

Large monstrosity, chaotic evil

---

• Armor Class 16 (chain mail)
• Hit Points 76 (9d10 + 27)
• Speed 40 ft., burrow 40 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
18 (+4)	11 (+0)	16 (+3)	6 (−2)	18 (+4)	9 (−1)

---

• Skills Athletics +6, Perception +7
• Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 17
• Languages Abyssal, Common, Giant
• Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)

---

Charge. If the minotaur moves at least 10 feet straight toward a target and then hits it with a gore attack on the same turn, the target takes an extra 9 (2d8) piercing damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be pushed up to 10 feet away and knocked prone.

Earth Glide. The minotaur ignores difficult terrain caused by churned or displaced earth, such as that of its Earth Warp trait. Additionally, the minotaur can burrow through nonmagical, unworked earth and stone. While doing so, the minotaur doesn't disturb the material it moves through.

Earth Warp. As a bonus action, the minotaur can cause all rock, natural stone, finished stone, and dirt within 15 feet of it to become difficult terrain for 1 minute.

Labyrinthine Recall. The minotaur can perfectly recall any path it has traveled.

Reckless. At the start of its turn, the minotaur can gain advantage on all melee weapon attack rolls it makes during that turn, but attack rolls against it have advantage until the start of its next turn.

Actions

Multiattack. The minotaur makes two attacks: one with its gore and one with its glaive.

Gore. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) piercing damage.

Glaive. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d10 + 4) slashing damage.

The Leviathan

Deep Lurker

Large aberration, chaotic neutral

---

• Armor Class 16 (natural armor)
• Hit Points 51 (6d10 + 18)
• Speed 20 ft., climb 20 ft., swim 40 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
16 (+3)	17 (+3)	16 (+3)	7 (–2)	14 (+2)	15 (+2)

---

• Skills Perception +4, Stealth +5
• Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 14
• Languages Deep Speech
• Challenge 3 (700 XP)

---

Amphibious. The deep lurker can breathe air and water.

Grasping Tendrils. The deep lurker can have up to six tendrils at a time. Each tendril can be attacked (AC 16; 10 hit points; immunity to poison and psychic damage). Destroying a tendril deals no damage to the deep lurker, which can extrude a replacement tendril on its next turn. A tendril can also be broken if a creature takes an action and succeeds on a DC 13 Strength check against it.

Nimble Escape. The deep lurker can take the Disengage or Hide action as a bonus action on each of its turns.

Spider Climb. The deep lurker can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.

Actions

Multiattack. The deep lurker makes two attacks with its tendrils and uses Reel.

Tendril. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 40 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) piercing damage, and the target is grappled (escape DC 13). Until the grapple ends, the target is restrained, and the deep lurker can't use the same tendril on another target.

Reel. The deep lurker pulls each creature grappled by it up to 20 feet straight toward it.

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d8 + 3) piercing damage plus 10 (3d6) poison damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Maelstrom (Recharge 5-6). The deep lurker can only use this action underwater. The deep lurker exudes a blast of pressure from its body that ripples through the surrounding water. Each creature and object within 30 feet of the deep lurker must make a DC 13 Strength saving throw. On a failed save, a target takes 14 (4d6) bludgeoning damage and is pushed up to 30 feet away from the deep lurker. On a successful save, a target takes half as much damage and is pushed up to 15 feet away from the deep lurker.

Fiendish Acrobat

Medium humanoid (any race), chaotic evil

---

• Armor Class 16 (studded leather)
• Hit Points 49 (9d8 + 9)
• Speed 30 ft., fly 30 ft. (Aerial Artistry trait)

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
14 (+2)	18 (+4)	12 (+1)	13 (+1)	12 (+1)	16 (+3)

---

• Saving Throws Dex +7, Int +4
• Skills Acrobatics +10, Performance +9, Sleight of Hand +10, Stealth +10
• Condition Immunities charmed, frightened
• Senses passive Perception 11
• Languages Abyssal, Common
• Challenge 6 (2300 XP)

---

Aerial Artistry. The acrobat doesn't take damage from falling. Additionally, when the acrobat moves, it can instead take multiple short movements by flying. Each movement can be up to 15 feet, and it must end each one on a solid object or the ground. If it does not, it falls and its movement ends.

Cunning Action. On each of its turns, the acrobat can use a bonus action to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action.

Evasion. If the acrobat is subjected to an effect that allows it to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, the acrobat instead takes no damage if it succeeds on the saving throw, and only half damage if it fails.

Sneak Attack (1/Turn). The acrobat deals an extra 17 (5d6) damage when it hits a target with a weapon attack and has advantage on the attack roll, or when the target is within 5 feet of an ally of the acrobat that isn't incapacitated and the acrobat doesn't have disadvantage on the attack roll.

Two Minds of Madness. The acrobat has advantage on all Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws.

Actions

Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d6 + 4) piercing damage.

Reactions

Uncanny Dodge. The acrobat halves the damage that it takes from an attack that hits it. The acrobat must be able to see the attacker.

Chaos Spawn

Large aberration, chaotic neutral

---

• Armor Class 13
• Hit Points 102 (12d10 + 36)
• Speed 0 ft., fly 40 ft. (hover), swim 40 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
1 (–5)	17 (+3)	16 (+3)	11 (+0)	14 (+2)	17 (+3)

---

• Saving Throws Dex +7, Cha +7
• Damage Resistances acid, cold, fire, lightning, thunder; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
• Damage Immunities necrotic, poison
• Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained, unconscious
• Senses truesight 120 ft., passive Perception 12
• Languages telepathy 120 ft.
• Challenge 9 (5,000 XP)

---

Conduit of Chaos. When the chaos spawn deals damage, it can change the damage type to cold, fire, force, lightning, necrotic, or thunder.

Immutable Form. The chaos spawn is immune to any spell or effect that would alter its form.

Incorporeal Movement. The chaos spawn can move through other creatures and objects as if they were difficult terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it ends its turn inside an object.

Innate Spellcasting. The chaos spawn's innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 15, +7 to hit with spell attacks). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no components:

At will: chaos bolt, tidal wave
2/day each: thunder step, whirlwind*
*When cast underwater, this spell creates a raging area of turbulent water. This turbulence takes the form of a 30-foot-radius sphere that pulls restrained creatures towards the center of the sphere, rather than towards the top of the original spell's cylinder.

Magic Resistance. The chaos spawn has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Actions

Multiattack. The chaos spawn makes two attacks.

Touch. Melee Spell Attack: +7 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d10 + 3) force damage.

Chaos Orb. Ranged Spell Attack: +7 to hit, range 120 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (2d12 + 3) force damage.

Chaotic Surge (Recharge 5-6). Each creature within 60 feet of the chaos spawn must succeed on a DC 15 Charisma saving throw or suffer a random chaotic effect, determined by rolling on the Chaotic Surge table.

Pandorym

Regional Effects

Despite the seals that hold its mind within the crystalline prison, Pandorym remains conscious and aware of its surroundings. The mind of Pandorym has the following abilities:

• Creature Sense. Pandorym's mind is aware of the presence of creatures within 20 miles of it that have an Intelligence score of 4 or higher. It knows the distance and direction to each creature, as well as each one's intelligence score, but can't sense anything else about it. A creature protected by a mind blank spell can't be perceived in this manner.

• Sense Thoughts. Pandorym's mind can use an action to target a creature within 5 miles of it. Pandorym gains insight into the target's reasoning, its emotional state, and thoughts that loom large in its mind (including things the target worries about, loves, or hates). Pandorym can also make a Charisma (Deception) check with advantage to deceive the target's mind into thinking it believes one idea or feels a particular emotion. The target contests this attempt with a Wisdom (Insight) check. If Pandorym succeeds, the creature believes the deception for 1 hour or until evidence of the lie is presented to the target.

• Telepathic Hub. Pandorym's mind can telepathically communicate with creatures within 20 miles of it. Pandorym can use this telepathy to initiate and maintain telepathic conversations with an unlimited creatures at a time. Pandorym can let those creatures telepathically hear each other while connected in this way.

• Telepathic Receiver. Pandorym's mind can overhear and participate in any telepathic conversation happening within 20 miles of it. The nature of the eavesdropper isn't revealed, even if Pandorym chooses to participate.

• Enslave. Pandorym's mind can target one creature within 60 feet of its prison. If the target remains within 60 feet of the prison for 10 minutes, it must succeed on a DC 27 Wisdom saving throw or be charmed by Pandorym until the target is on a different plane of existence than Pandorym. The charmed target is under Pandorym's control and can't take reactions, and Pandorym and the target can communicate telepathically with each other over any distance. Whenever the charmed target takes damage, the target can repeat the saving throw. On a success, the effect ends.

  No more than once every 24 hours, the target can also repeat the saving throw when it is at least 1 mile away from Pandorym's mind.

  To its eternal frustration, the crushing power of Pandorym's mind breaks its servants long before they can perform any helpful action. Such creatures are typically those with Intelligence scores of 20 or less, who go insane and can no longer be controlled by Pandorym soon after failing the initial saving throw.

His encounter with the mind of Pandorym held unforeseen consequences for Lucather. In addition to stripping away his free will and instilling a hatred of divinity, constant contact with the crystalline prison also ripped his soul from his body.

Lucather exists as a quell, his incorporeal presence only an echo of his formerly handsome self. What remains of Lucather resembles wispy gray-white smoke collected in a vaguely humanoid form. His body appears cloaked, and his eyes glow with a malevolent green fire.

Obligatum VII looks like any other kolyarut, a human-shaped being of gleaming metal in ornate mail. However, its weapons, armor, and other equipment are obviously superior in craftsmanship and materials to those of ordinary kolyaruts.

Grisgol

Large construct, unaligned

---

• Armor Class 17 (natural armor)
• Hit Points 189 (18d10 + 90)
• Speed 30 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
20 (+5)	12 (+1)	20 (+5)	5 (−3)	13 (+1)	20 (+5)

---

• Damage Resistances damage from spells
• Damage Immunities poison, psychic; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks that aren't adamantine
• Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned
• Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
• Languages the languages known by the lich whose phylactery animates it
• Challenge 15 (13,000 XP)

---

Choking Dust. Attempting to deal nonmagical bludgeoning or slashing damage to the grisgol causes a disease-carrying, choking cloud of dust and mold to explode from the point of contact. Each creature within 10 feet of the grisgol must make a DC 18 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, a target contracts the sewer plague disease (DMG 257) and suffers one level of exhaustion. Any levels of exhaustion caused by this effect go away after 1 hour.

Immutable Form. The grisgol is immune to any spell or effect that would alter its form.

Incite Madness. Anyone examining the strips of parchment and pages that comprise the wrappings of a slain grisgol must make a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the parchments invokes a curse that renders the reader insane. The victim of this insanity becomes convinced that the scraps contain great and lost arcane secrets that can be rediscovered only by painstakingly fitting every piece together in the right order. The affected creature dedicates every waking hour to this massive undertaking, barely pausing to eat or rest, and always believes a revelation is close.

The affected creature has its Intelligence score reduced by 1 when the curse is first activated, and its Intelligence score decreases by 1 again for every week the curse continues. The victim dies if this reduces its Intelligence to 0. Only greater restoration or a more powerful equivalent can break this curse.

Innate Spellcasting. The grisgol's innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 18, +10 to hit with spell attacks). The grisgol can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:

1/day each: chain lightning, hold person, ice storm, power word pain, ray of sickness, scorching ray, shield

Magic Resistance. The grisgol has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Magic Weapons. The grisgol's weapon attacks are magical.

Actions

Multiattack. The grisgol makes two melee attacks.

Paralyzing Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d8 + 5) bludgeoning damage plus 10 (3d6) necrotic damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 18 Constitution saving throw or be paralyzed for 1 minute. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Caryatid Column

Medium construct, unaligned

---

• Armor Class 17 (natural armor)
• Hit Points 95 (10d8 + 40)
• Speed 30 ft.

---

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

---

• Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
• Damage Immunities poison, psychic
• Condition Immunities blinded, charmed, deafened, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned
• Senses blindsight 60 ft. (blind beyond this radius), passive Perception 6
• Languages —
• Challenge 5 (1800 XP)

---

Antimagic Susceptibility. The column is incapacitated while in the area of an antimagic field. If targeted by dispel magic, the column must succeed on a Constitution saving throw against the caster's spell save DC or fall unconscious for 1 minute.

Break Weapon. Any nonmagical weapon made of metal or wood that hits the column cracks. The weapon takes a permanent and cumulative −1 penalty to damage rolls. If its penalty drops to −5, the weapon is destroyed. Nonmagical ammunition made of metal or wood that hits the column is destroyed immediately.

Constructed Fury. The column's weapon attacks are magical. When the column hits with any weapon, the weapon deals an additional 2d8 damage (included in the attack).

False Appearance. While the column remains motionless, it is indistinguishable from a normal statue.

Immutable Form. The column is immune to any spell or effect that would alter its form.

Actions

Multiattack. The column makes two weapon attacks.

Longsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 17 (3d8 + 4) slashing damage, or 18 (1d10 + 4 plus 2d8) slashing damage if used with two hands.

Dread Wraith

Large undead, neutral evil

---

• Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
• Hit Points 142 (15d10 + 60)
• Speed 0 ft., fly 60 ft. (hover)

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
6 (−2)	18 (+4)	18 (+4)	12 (+1)	14 (+2)	15 (+2)

---

• Damage Resistances acid, cold, fire, lightning, thunder; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks that aren't silvered
• Damage Immunities necrotic, poison
• Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained
• Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
• Languages the languages it knew in life
• Challenge 9 (5,000 XP)

---

Incorporeal Movement. The wraith can move through other creatures and objects as if they were difficult terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it ends its turn inside an object.

Sunlight Sensitivity. While in sunlight, the wraith has disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.

Actions

Multiattack. The wraith uses its Life Drain twice.

Life Drain. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 26 (4d10 + 4) necrotic damage. The target must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or its hit point maximum is reduced by an amount equal to the damage taken. This reduction lasts until the target finishes a long rest. The target dies if this effect reduces its hit point maximum to 0.

Create Wraith. The wraith targets a humanoid within 10 feet of it that has been dead for no longer than 1 minute and died violently. The target's spirit rises as a wraith in the space of its corpse or in the nearest unoccupied space. The wraith is under the wraith's control. The dread wraith can have no more than seven wraiths under its control at one time.

Ragnorra

Positive Energy Corruption

The influence of Ragnorra corrupts the soul of a creature. Positive energy corruption is measured in levels. If a creature already suffering from one or more levels of positive energy corruption suffers another effect that increases the level of positive energy corruption, its level of positive energy corruption increases by the amount specified in the effect's description.

Levels of positive energy corruption can be removed by remove curse or similar magic, or by a negative energy flood spell. Doing so sets the target's positive energy corruption level to 0.

If a creature suffers from at least two levels of positive energy corruption, it rolls Charisma checks and saving throws with disadvantage due to the twisted growth and blistering this corruption causes.

If a target's level of positive energy corruption is greater than or equal to its challenge rating (or level, if the target lacks a challenge rating), it permanently transforms into a progeny of Ragnorra, as per the Progeny of Ragnorra template. This transformation cannot be undone by any mortal means, even by the wish spell.

The Worldskin

After slamming into the world, Ragnorra corrupts the essence of the life that inhabits it. All living things eventually become connected to her through a massive network known as the worldskin. Pulsing veins run through the earth, branching neural fibers lace the skies, and gelatinous tendrils arc through the oceans. Cysts, abscesses, spores and tumors, identical to those created by her Twisted Life sign, dot this foul growth, extensions of the elder evil's power that create a variety of magical effects.

Because Ragnorra smashed into the world only recently, the skin has not spread very far yet. The membrane stretches across the crater floor, and the elder evil can activate any feature on its surface if she feels threatened. The party must contend with its many hazards in addition to Ragnorra, who lurks at its heart. She is unlikely to take notice of them unless they enter the neurotangle. However, her guardian progeny can also activate the skin's features and regenerate them for repeated use.

The features of the worldskin cover its surface thickly; specific growths and their locations are marked on the battle maps from the original Elder Evils; one of these maps is included on the right as an example, while the rest of them can be found in the original book. In an encounter, you can mark the various worldskin features with coins: heads indicates a growth ready for use, and tails marks one that must be regenerated. Remove coins from features that are destroyed. Progeny of Ragnorra and blistered souls can use their actions to activate or regenerate worldskin features, and aboleth sarcomata and Ragnorra use legendary actions to do the same.

All worldskin features are immune to poison, psychic, and radiant damage. They each have a Constitution score equal to their AC, they automatically fail Strength and Dexterity saving throws, and they are immune to effects that require Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma saves.

Bioenergy Cyst. Hard, mineral-laced mounds jut from the surface, thrumming with energy. On activation, a cyst generates a 5 foot wide line of lightning between itself and another cyst within 100 feet of it. Each creature in the line must make a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw, taking 28 (8d6) lightning damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. Alternatively, the cyst explodes with fire on activation. Each creature within 20 feet of the cyst must make a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw, taking 28 (8d6) fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

A bioenergy cyst is Medium, has 40 hit points, and has an AC of 13. Once activated, a bioenergy cyst cannot be activated again until it is regenerated and is not missing any hit points. Regenerating a bioenergy cyst causes it to regain 10 hit points.

Healing Spore. This fleshy lump heals injuries to creatures in contact with the worldskin. On activation, a random creature within 5 feet of the spore regains 30 hit points and suffers one level of positive energy corruption. Any healing that is in excess of the creature's maximum hit points is granted as temporary hit points instead. For example, a creature that is missing 10 hit points that is healed by a healing spore is healed to its maximum hit points and also gains 20 temporary hit points.

An unwilling creature must succeed on a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw to avoid this healing and corruption. A creature that gains temporary hit points from a healing spore equal to or exceeding its maximum hit points is instantly corrupted and becomes a progeny of Ragnorra.

A healing spore is Large, has 50 hit points, and has an AC of 10. Once activated, a healing spore cannot be activated again until it is regenerated. Regenerating a healing spore causes it to regain 15 hit points. If the spore takes cold or lightning damage, it cannot be regenerated until the start of the next round.

Spawning Spore. This mass of tissue, when activated, spontaneously births aberrations to serve Ragnorra or her minions. The creature spawned depends on the Constitution modifier of the creature activating the source, as set out in the following table.

A spawning spore is Large, has 75 hit points, and has an AC of 10. Once activated, a spawning spore cannot be activated again until it is regenerated. Regenerating a spawning spore causes it to regain 25 hit points, and temporarily links it to the life force of the one who regenerated it to the spore. When the spawning spore takes damage within 3 rounds of being regenerated, the one who regenerated it must make a DC 16 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the spawning spore takes half the damage (rounded down), and the target takes the remaining damage.

Tentacular Boil. Dark, swollen pustules bubble from the worldskin, and squirming growths wriggle within. On activation, a tentacular boil produces an Evard's black tentacles effect (save DC 16), as the spell, for one minute.

A tentacular boil is Large, has 75 hit points, and has an AC of 8. Once activated, a tentacular boil automatically regenerates after 1 minute. Manually regenerating a tentacular boil causes it to regain 30 hit points. If the boil takes acid or fire damage, it cannot be regenerated until the start of the next round.

Vaporous Abscess. This pus-filled lesion releases a fog of acid when activated, which dissipates at the end of the round. This fog of acid fills a 10-foot-radius sphere centered on the abscess, heavily obscuring the area. A creature that enters the fog's area for the first time on a turn or starts its turn there must make a DC 16 Constitution saving throw, taking 22 (5d8) acid damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

A vaporous abscess is Medium, has 30 hit points, has an AC of 13, and is difficult terrain when walked on (no cover provided). Once activated, a vaporous abscess automatically regenerates after 2 rounds, unless it is regenerated by a creature before then. Regenerating a vaporous abscess causes it to regain 10 hit points. If the abscess takes fire or lightning damage, it cannot be regenerated until the start of the next round.

Progeny of Ragnorra Template

Sentient beings corrupted or raised by Ragnorra's overpowering sign become aberrations known as progeny of Ragnorra. This template can be applied to any living, corporeal creature.

When a living creature (referred to as the base creature) is transformed into a progeny of Ragnorra, it retains its statistics except as described below. A progeny of Ragnorra might retain or lose any or all of its lair actions or inherit new ones, as the DM sees fit.

Type. The progeny's type changes from its original type to aberration.

Hit Points. The progeny gains 5 more hit dice, which increases its maximum hit points.

Ability Score Adjustment. The progeny's Charisma decreases by 2.

Senses. The progeny has darkvision out to 60 feet.

Twisted Servant. Ragnorra establishes a permanent telepathic link with the mind of her children, which can be broken only by defeating Ragnorra. Whenever the progeny takes an action that goes against her wishes, the elder evil can attempt to override it with a command of her own using her reaction. The progeny must make a DC 22 Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the progeny follows Ragnorra's command to the best of its ability. On a successful save, the progeny is unaffected.

Regenerate Worldskin. The progeny can use an action to regenerate a worldskin feature within its reach.

Skincasting. The progeny can use an action to activate a worldskin feature within 30 feet of it.

Irthicax Vane

Medium humanoid (zenythri), lawful evil

---

• Armor Class 24 (Gutterang, Unarmored Defense)
• Hit Points 137 (25d8 + 25)
• Speed 60 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
11 (+0)	24 (+7)	13 (+1)	14 (+2)	21 (+5)	14 (+2)

---

• Saving Throws Str +8, Dex +15, Con +9, Int +4, Wis +7, Cha +4
• Skills Acrobatics +13, Athletics +6, Insight +11, Intimidation +14, Religion +8
• Damage Resistances acid
• Damage Immunities poison
• Condition Immunities poisoned
• Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 15
• Languages all spoken languages
• Challenge 17 (18,000 XP)

---

Special Equipment. Vane wields the magical artifact Gutterang (accounted for in his statistics). Roll 1d6 + 3 to determine how many charges it has remaining.

Disgusting Visage. Creatures that can see Vane have disadvantage on saving throws against being frightened.

Evasion. If Vane is subjected to an effect that allows him to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, he instead takes no damage if he succeeds on the saving throw, and only half damage if he fails. He can't use this trait if he's incapacitated.

Magic Attacks. Vane's unarmed strikes are magical.

Unarmored Defense. While Vane is wearing no armor and wielding no shield, his AC includes his Wisdom modifier.

Warped Flesh. Vane is immune to poison and disease, and any creature that touches Vane or hits him with a melee attack must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or take 11 (2d10) poison damage. Additionally, any critical hit against Vane becomes a normal hit.

Actions

Multiattack. Vane makes three unarmed strikes.

Unarmed Strike. Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (1d10 + 7) bludgeoning damage. If the target is a creature, Vane can choose one of the following additional effects:

The target must succeed on a DC 19 Strength saving throw or drop one item it is holding (Vane's choice).
The target must succeed on a DC 19 Dexterity saving throw or be knocked prone.
The target must succeed on a DC 19 Constitution saving throw or be stunned until the end of Vane's next turn.
The target must succeed on a DC 19 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened of Vane until the end of Vane's next turn.

Quivering Palm (Recharge 6). Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: The target must make a DC 19 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the target is reduced to 0 hit points. On a successful save, the target takes 55 (10d10) necrotic damage.

Sculpt Flesh (Recharge 5-6). Vane touches one creature within 5 feet of him. The target must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or have its flesh warped by unnatural growth, covering it in blisters and tumors. While its flesh is warped in this way, the target is poisoned, its speed is reduced by 10 feet, and it can't use reactions. This effect lasts for 1 minute. The poisoned target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Wholeness of Body (Recharges after a Long Rest). Vane regains 60 hit points.

Reactions

Deflect Missile. In response to being hit by a ranged weapon attack, Vane deflects the missile. The damage he takes from the attack is reduced by 1d10 + 27. If the damage is reduced to 0, Vane catches the missile if it's small enough to hold in one hand and he has a hand free.

Slow Fall. Vane reduces the bludgeoning damage he takes from a fall by 100.

Legendary Actions

Vane can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature's turn. Vane regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.

• Quick Step. Vane moves up to his speed without provoking opportunity attacks.
• Sculpt Flesh (Costs 2 Actions). Vane recharges his Sculpt Flesh and uses it.
• Gutterang (Costs 3 Actions). Vane casts a spell from Gutterang.

Malshaper Skinweaver

Medium humanoid (any race), any non-good alignment

---

• Armor Class 16 (studded leather, shield)
• Hit Points 55 (10d8 + 10)
• Speed 30 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
14 (+2)	14 (+2)	13 (+1)	12 (+1)	12 (+1)	12 (+1)

---

• Skills Arcana +3, Deception +3, Religion +3
• Senses passive Perception 11
• Languages any one language (usually Common)
• Challenge 1 (200 XP)

---

Dark Devotion. The malshaper has advantage on saving throws against being charmed or frightened.

Warped Flesh. The malshaper has advantage on saving throws against poison, and it is immune to disease. Additionally, any critical hit against the malshaper becomes a normal hit.

Actions

Multiattack. The malshaper makes two weapon attacks.

Flail. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d8 + 2) bludgeoning damage.

Dagger. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) piercing damage.

Sculpt Flesh (Recharge 6). The malshaper touches one creature within 5 feet of it. The target must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or have its flesh warped by unnatural growth, covering it in blisters and tumors. While its flesh is warped in this way, the target is poisoned, its speed is reduced by 10 feet, and it can't use reactions. This effect lasts for 1 minute. The poisoned target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Malshaper Fleshwarper

Medium humanoid (any race), any non-good alignment

---

• Armor Class 15 (studded leather)
• Hit Points 112 (15d8 + 45)
• Speed 30 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
14 (+2)	16 (+3)	16 (+3)	14 (+2)	17 (+3)	12 (+1)

---

• Skills Arcana +5, Deception +4, Insight +6, Religion +5
• Damage Immunities poison
• Condition Immunities poisoned
• Senses passive Perception 13
• Languages any two languages
• Challenge 7 (2,900 XP)

---

Dark Devotion. The malshaper has advantage on saving throws against being charmed or frightened.

Innate Spellcasting. The malshaper's innate spellcasting ability is Wisdom. It can innately cast the following spells (spell save DC 14), requiring no material components:

At will: alter self*, cure wounds, polymorph
1/day: enhance ability* (5th level)
*No concentration is required to maintain these spells, and the malshaper casts them on itself and/or its allies before combat.

Spellcasting. The malshaper is a 9th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell save DC 14, +6 to hit with spell attacks). It has the following spells prepared:

Cantrips (at will): acid splash, guidance, mending, poison spray, sacred flame
1st level (4 slots): cure wounds, fog cloud, guiding bolt, shield
2nd level (3 slots): barkskin, hold person, spike growth
3rd level (3 slots): aura of vitality, lightning bolt, spirit guardians
4th level (3 slots): aura of life, death ward
5th level (1 slot): antilife shell, destructive wave

Warped Flesh. The malshaper is immune to poison and disease. Additionally, any critical hit against the malshaper becomes a normal hit.

Actions

Multiattack. The malshaper cast a spell, and then uses Sculpt Flesh if it is available.

Sculpt Flesh (Recharge 6). The malshaper touches one creature within 5 feet of it. The target must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or have its flesh warped by unnatural growth, covering it in blisters and tumors. While its flesh is warped in this way, the target is poisoned, its speed is reduced by 10 feet, and it can't use reactions. This effect lasts for 1 minute. The poisoned target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Dagger. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) piercing damage.

Rapier. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage.

Malshaper Planeswalker

Medium humanoid (any race), any non-good alignment

---

• Armor Class 16 (natural armor)
• Hit Points 136 (16d8 + 64)
• Speed 30 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
16 (+3)	18 (+4)	19 (+4)	16 (+3)	21 (+5)	12 (+1)

---

• Skills Arcana +8, Deception +6, Insight +10, Religion +8
• Damage Immunities poison
• Condition Immunities poisoned
• Senses passive Perception 15
• Languages any four languages
• Challenge 13 (10,000 XP)

---

Dark Devotion. The malshaper has advantage on saving throws against being charmed or frightened.

Innate Spellcasting. The malshaper's innate spellcasting ability is Wisdom. It can innately cast the following spells (spell save DC 18), requiring no material components:

At will: alter self*, cure wounds, plant growth
1/day each: contact other plane, enhance ability* (8th level), plane shift, polymorph (3 targets)
*No concentration is required to maintain these spells, and the malshaper casts them on itself and/or its allies before combat.

Regeneration. The malshaper regains 10 hit points at the start of its turn if it has at least 1 hit point. If the malshaper takes necrotic damage, this trait doesn't function at the start of its next turn.

Spellcasting. The malshaper is a 15th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell save DC 18, +10 to hit with spell attacks). It has the following spells prepared:

Cantrips (at will): acid splash, guidance, mending, poison spray, sacred flame
1st level (4 slots): cure wounds, fog cloud, guiding bolt, shield
2nd level (3 slots): barkskin, hold person, spike growth
3rd level (3 slots): aura of vitality, lightning bolt, spirit guardians
4th level (3 slots): aura of life, circle of power, death ward
5th level (2 slots): antilife shell, destructive wave, scrying
6th level (1 slot): flesh to stone, heal
7th level (1 slot): divine word, regenerate
8th level (1 slot): glibness, maze

Warped Flesh. The malshaper is immune to poison and disease, and any creature that touches the malshaper or hits it with a melee attack must succeed on a DC 17 Constitution saving throw or take 16 (3d10) poison damage. Additionally, any critical hit against the malshaper becomes a normal hit.

Actions

Multiattack. The malshaper casts a spell, and then uses Sculpt Flesh if it is available.

Sculpt Flesh (Recharge 4-6). The malshaper touches one creature within 5 feet of it. The target must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or have its flesh warped by unnatural growth, covering it in blisters and tumors. While its flesh is warped in this way, the target is poisoned, its speed is reduced by 10 feet, and it can't use reactions. This effect lasts for 1 minute. The poisoned target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Malshaper Brute

Large aberration (any humanoid race), any non-good alignment

---

• Armor Class 16 (natural armor)
• Hit Points 136 (13d10 + 65)
• Speed 30 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
20 (+5)	8 (–1)	21 (+5)	10 (+0)	13 (+1)	12 (+1)

---

• Saving Throws Str +9, Con +9
• Skills Athletics +9, Intimidation +5, Perception +5, Religion +4
• Damage Resistances necrotic; bludgeoning, piercing, slashing from nonmagical attacks
• Damage Immunities poison, radiant
• Condition Immunities charmed, frightened, poisoned
• Senses passive Perception 15
• Languages any three languages
• Challenge 10 (5900 XP)

---

Death Burst. When the malshaper brute dies, it explodes in a burst of positive energy. Each creature within 15 feet of the malshaper brute takes 22 (4d10) radiant damage.

Immutable Form. The malshaper is immune to any spell or effect that would alter its form.

Positive Energy Corruption. When the malshaper deals radiant damage to a creature, the creature must succeed on a DC 17 Constitution saving throw or suffer one level of positive energy corruption.

Regeneration. The malshaper regains 10 hit points at the start of its turn if it has at least 1 hit point. If the malshaper takes necrotic damage, this trait doesn't function at the start of the malshaper's next turn.

Warped Flesh. The malshaper is immune to poison and disease, and any creature that touches the malshaper or hits it with a melee attack must succeed on a DC 17 Constitution saving throw or take 11 (2d10) poison damage. Additionally, any critical hit against the malshaper becomes a normal hit.

Actions

Multiattack. The malshaper makes two melee attacks, and uses Sculpt Flesh if it is available.

Greataxe. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (2d12 + 5) slashing damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 17 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.

Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d8 + 5) bludgeoning damage plus 7 (2d6) radiant damage.

Sculpt Flesh (Recharge 5-6). The malshaper touches one creature within 10 feet of it. The target must succeed on a DC 17 Constitution saving throw or have its flesh warped by unnatural growth, covering it in blisters and tumors. While its flesh is warped in this way, the target is poisoned, its speed is reduced by 10 feet, and it can't use reactions. This effect lasts for 1 minute. The poisoned target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Reactions

Shrug it Off. The malshaper halves the damage that it takes from an attack that hits it. The malshaper must be able to see the attacker.

Blistered Soul

Medium aberration, neutral evil

---

• Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
• Hit Points 66 (7d10 + 28)
• Speed 50 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
21 (+5)	16 (+3)	18 (+4)	5 (-3)	15 (+2)	9 (-1)

---

• Damage Immunities poison, radiant
• Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, petrified, poisoned, unconscious
• Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 12
• Languages Common
• Challenge 5 (1800 XP)

---

Corrupt Positive Energy Aura. Any creature that starts its turn within 30 feet of the blistered soul takes 7 (2d6) radiant damage. An undead creature instead takes 14 (4d6) damage and suffers disadvantage on all saving throws until the end of its next turn.

Magic Resistance. The blistered soul has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Positive Energy Corruption. When the blistered soul deals damage to a creature, the creature must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or suffer one level of positive energy corruption.

Revert to Spore. As a last-ditch defense, the blistered soul can use its bonus action to rejoin the worldskin by forming a spawning spore. The new spore appears in the blistered soul's former position. It is considered expended and must be fully regenerated before it can be activated. Casting dispel magic on the spore within 3 rounds of transformation destroys it and returns the blistered soul to the surface. The blistered soul retains any damage and ongoing conditions from before it attempted to revert.

Unyielding Essence. The blistered soul is immune to any spell or effect that would alter its form, as well as those that would read its thoughts, determine if it is lying, or magically influence its thoughts or behavior.

Actions

Multiattack. The blistered soul makes two claw attacks.

Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) slashing damage plus 4 (1d8) radiant damage.

Tumor. Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, range 40/80 ft., one creature. Hit: 12 (5d4) poison damage plus 4 (1d8) radiant damage. The target must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned for 1 minute. The poisoned target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on a success.

Regenerate Worldskin. The blistered soul regenerates a worldskin feature within 100 feet of it.

Skincasting. The blistered soul activates a worldskin feature within 100 feet of it.

Aboleth Sarcoma

Huge aberration, lawful evil

---

• Armor Class 17 (natural armor)
• Hit Points 256 (19d12 + 133)
• Speed 40 ft., climb 40 ft., swim 40 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
23 (+6)	9 (–1)	24 (+7)	18 (+4)	18 (+4)	19 (+4)

---

• Saving Throws Con +12, Int +9, Wis +9
• Skills Athletics +11, History +9, Perception +9
• Damage Immunities acid, poison
• Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, unconscious
• Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 19
• Languages Deep Speech, telepathy 120 ft.
• Challenge 16 (15,000 XP)

---

Amphibious. The aboleth can breathe air and water.

Corrupt Positive Energy Aura. Any creature that starts its turn within 30 feet of the aboleth takes 7 (2d6) radiant damage. An undead creature instead takes 14 (4d6) damage and suffers disadvantage on all saving throws until the end of its next turn.

Freedom of Movement. The aboleth ignores difficult terrain, and magical effects can't reduce its speed or cause it to be restrained. It can spend 5 feet of movement to escape from nonmagical restraints or being grappled.

Magic Resistance. The aboleth has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Mucous Cloud. While underwater, the aboleth is surrounded by transformative mucus. A creature that touches the aboleth or that hits it with a melee attack while within 5 feet of it must make a DC 20 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the creature is diseased for 1d4 hours. The diseased creature can breathe only underwater.

Positive Energy Corruption. When the aboleth deals damage to a creature, the creature must succeed on a DC 20 Constitution saving throw or suffer one level of positive energy corruption.

Probing Telepathy. If a creature communicates telepathically with the aboleth, the aboleth learns the creature's greatest desires if the aboleth can see the creature.

Regeneration. The aboleth regains 10 hit points at the start of its turn if it has at least 1 hit point. If the aboleth takes necrotic damage, this trait doesn't function at the start of the aboleth's next turn.

Spider Climb. The aboleth can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.

Warped Flesh. The aboleth is immune to poison and disease, and any creature that touches the aboleth or hits it with a melee attack must succeed on a DC 20 Constitution saving throw or take 11 (2d10) poison damage. Additionally, any critical hit against the aboleth becomes a normal hit.

Actions

Multiattack. The aboleth makes three melee attacks.

Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 17 (2d10 + 6) bludgeoning damage plus 4 (1d8) radiant damage.

Tentacle. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d8 + 6) bludgeoning damage plus 4 (1d8) radiant damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 20 Constitution saving throw or become diseased. The disease has no effect for 1 minute and can be removed by any magic that cures disease. After 1 minute, the diseased creature's skin becomes translucent and slimy, the creature can't regain hit points unless it is underwater, and the disease can be removed only by heal or another disease-curing spell of 6th level or higher. When the creature is outside a body of water, it takes 6 (1d12) acid damage every 10 minutes unless moisture is applied to the skin before 10 minutes have passed.

Enslave (3/Day). The aboleth targets one creature it can see within 30 feet of it. The target must succeed on a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw or be magically charmed by the aboleth until the aboleth dies or until it is on a different plane of existence from the target. The charmed target is under the aboleth's control and can't take reactions, and the aboleth and the target can communicate telepathically with each other over any distance.

Whenever the charmed target takes damage, the target can repeat the saving throw. On a success, the effect ends. No more than once every 24 hours, the target can also repeat the saving throw when it is at least 1 mile away from the aboleth.

Legendary Actions

The aboleth can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature's turn. The aboleth regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.

• Move. The aboleth moves up to its speed.
• Regenerate Worldskin. The aboleth regenerates a worldskin feature within 100 feet of it.
• Grab (Costs 2 Actions). The aboleth attempts to grapple each creature within 10 feet of it. As the aboleth's "legs" are made up of numerous humanoid bodies, it can have up to 5 creatures grappled at a time.
• Skincasting (Costs 2 Actions). The aboleth activates a worldskin feature within 100 feet of it.
• Reaping Legs (Costs 3 Actions). The aboleth makes a separate slam attack against each creature within 10 feet of it.

Magma Paraelemental

Huge elemental, neutral

---

• Armor Class 17 (natural armor)
• Hit Points 210 (20d12 + 80)
• Speed 40 ft., burrow 20 ft., climb 40 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
20 (+5)	17 (+3)	19 (+4)	7 (–2)	12 (+1)	9 (–1)

---

• Saving Throws Str +10, Con +9
• Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, slashing from nonmagical attacks
• Damage Immunities fire, poison
• Condition Immunities exhaustion, grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained, unconscious
• Senses darkvision 60 ft., tremorsense 60 ft., passive Perception 11
• Languages Ignan, Terran
• Challenge 13 (10000 XP)

---

Heated Body. A creature that touches the magma paraelemental or hits it with a melee attack while within 5 feet of it takes 11 (2d10) fire damage and catches fire; until someone takes an action to douse the fire, the creature takes 11 (2d10) fire damage at the start of each of its turns.

Illumination. The magma paraelemental sheds bright light in a 30-foot radius and dim light for an additional 30 feet.

Siege Monster. The magma paraelemental deals double damage to objects and structures.

Water Susceptibility. For every 5 feet the magma paraelemental moves in water, or for every gallon of water splashed on it, it takes 1 cold damage.

Actions

Multiattack. The magma paraelemental makes three melee attacks.

Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (3d8 + 5) bludgeoning damage plus 11 (2d10) fire damage. If the target is a creature or a flammable object, it ignites. Until a creature takes an action to douse the fire, the target takes 11 (2d10) fire damage at the start of each of its turns.

Sertrous

Madness of Sertrous

If a creature goes mad within a region influenced by Sertrous or within line of sight of his skull or aspect, roll on the Madness of Sertrous table to determine the nature of the madness, which is a character flaw that lasts until cured. See the Dungeon Master's Guide for more on madness.

Madness of Sertrous

d100	Flaw (lasts until cured)
01-20	"I am terrified of snakes and other serpentine creatures."
21-40	"I must use my power to make those in charge kneel before me."
41-60	"Those who stand in my way must suffer the ultimate consequence."
61-80	"A voice in my head lures me towards the Abyss."
81-00	"I despise anything related to the gods."

Avamerin

Large celestial (shapechanger), chaotic evil

---

• Armor Class 21 (plate +3)
• Hit Points 250 (20d10 + 140)
• Speed 40 ft., fly 120 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
24 (+7)	20 (+5)	24 (+7)	28 (+8)	28 (+8)	28 (+8)

---

• Saving Throws Con +13, Wis +14, Cha +14
• Skills Deception +14, Perception +14, Persuasion +14, Religion +20
• Damage Resistances cold, fire, necrotic, radiant
• Damage Immunities poison; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
• Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, petrified, poisoned
• Senses truesight 120 ft., passive Perception 24
• Languages all, telepathy 120 ft.
• Challenge 20 (25,000 XP)

---

Special Equipment. Avamerin wears adamantine plate armor +3 (accounted for in his statistics). While Avamerin wears this armor, any critical hit against him becomes a normal hit.

Shapechanger. Avamerin can use his action to polymorph into a planetar, or back into his true form. His statistics are the same in each form. Any equipment he is wearing or carrying isn't transformed. He reverts to his true form if he dies.

Aura of False Divinity. Avamerin has advantage on Charisma checks directed towards creatures within 30 feet of him. A creature can identify this effect by using an action to make an Intelligence (Arcana) or Intelligence (Religion) check contested by Avamerin's Charisma (Deception) check. A creature is unaffected by this aura if it is immune to being charmed or if it identifies the effect for what it is.

Disciple of Sertrous. Avamerin has advantage on saving throws against divine spells, which are spells cast by clerics, paladins, druids, rangers, celestials, and other sources the DM deems appropriate.

Divine Awareness. Avamerin knows if he hears a lie. Additionally, Wisdom (Insight) checks are unable to discern Avamerin's true intentions, and no matter what he says, magic that would determine if Avamerin is telling the truth indicates that he is being truthful.

Innate Spellcasting. Avamerin's innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 22). Avamerin can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:

At will: alter self, detect evil and good, invisibility (self only)
3/day each: blade barrier, dispel evil and good, flame strike, raise dead
1/day each: commune, control weather, insect plague

Magic Resistance. Avamerin has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Spellcasting. Avamerin is a 20th-level spellcaster. His spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell save DC 22, +14 to hit with spell attacks). Avamerin has the following cleric spells prepared:

Cantrips (at will): guidance, resistance, sacred flame, thaumaturgy
1st level (4 slots): bane, command, cure wounds, inflict wounds
2nd level (3 slots): hold person, silence, spiritual weapon
3rd level (3 slots): bestow curse, spirit guardians, summon lesser demons
4th level (3 slots): death ward*, guardian of faith, summon greater demon
5th level (3 slots): contagion, flame strike, geas, mass cure wounds
6th level (2 slots): harm, soul cage
7th level (2 slots): divine word, reverse gravity
8th level (1 slot): dominate monster, maddening darkness
9th level (1 slot): gate
*Avamerin casts this spell on himself before combat.

Unholy Weapons. Avamerin's weapon attacks are magical. When Avamerin hits with any weapon, the weapon deals an extra 5d8 necrotic damage (included in the attack).

Actions

Multiattack. Avamerin makes two attacks with his greatsword. He can substitute Horrid Touch for one of these attacks.

Greatsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 21 (4d6 + 7) slashing damage plus 22 (5d8) necrotic damage.

Horrid Touch (Recharge 5–6). Melee Spell Attack: +14 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 44 (8d10) necrotic damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 22 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned for 1 minute. While poisoned in this way, the target is also blinded and deafened. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Dark Speech. Avamerin takes 13 (2d12) psychic damage, and each creature within 60 feet of Avamerin that can hear him must succeed on a DC 22 Wisdom saving throw or be charmed or frightened (Avamerin's choice) for 1 minute. A charmed or frightened target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Healing Touch (4/Day). Avamerin touches another creature. The target magically regains 30 (6d8 + 3) hit points and is freed from any curse, disease, poison, blindness, or deafness.

Seghulerak

Large monstrosity (shapechanger, yuan-ti), chaotic evil

---

• Armor Class 19 (natural armor, shield)
• Hit Points 157 (15d10 + 75)
• Speed 40 ft., fly 60 ft. (Wings of Flying)

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
25 (+7)	16 (+3)	20 (+5)	17 (+3)	20 (+5)	19 (+4)

---

• Saving Throws Str +13, Wis +11
• Skills Deception +16, Insight +11, Perception +11, Persuasion +16, Religion +9, Stealth +9
• Damage Immunities poison; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
• Condition Immunities poisoned
• Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 21
• Languages Abyssal, Common, Draconic
• Challenge 17 (18,000 XP)

---

Special Equipment. Seghulerak wears wings of flying, a belt of fire giant strength, and an animated shield (accounted for in her statistics).

Shapechanger. Seghulerak can use her action to polymorph into a Large snake, or back into her true form. Her statistics are the same in each form. Any equipment she is wearing or carrying isn't transformed. She doesn't change form if she dies.

Commander of Evil. Seghulerak can utter a special command or warning whenever a nonhostile creature that she can see within 30 feet of her makes an attack roll or a saving throw (no reaction required). The creature can add a d4 to its roll provided it can hear and understand Seghulerak. This trait doesn't function while Seghulerak is incapacitated.

Disciple of Sertrous. Seghulerak has advantage on saving throws against divine spells, which are spells cast by clerics, paladins, druids, rangers, celestials, and other sources the DM deems appropriate.

Innate Spellcasting (Abomination Form Only). Seghulerak's innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 18). Seghulerak can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:

At will: animal friendship (snakes only)
3/day: suggestion
1/day: fear

Legendary Resistance (2/Day). If Seghulerak fails a saving throw, she can choose to succeed instead.

Magic Resistance. Seghulerak has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Spellcasting. Seghulerak is a 15th-level spellcaster. Her spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell save DC 19, +11 to hit with spell attacks). Seghulerak has the following cleric spells prepared:

Cantrips (at will): guidance, mending, resistance, sacred flame, thaumaturgy
1st level (4 slots): bane, command, cure wounds, guiding bolt
2nd level (3 slots): hold person, spike growth, spiritual weapon*
3rd level (3 slots): erupting earth, spirit guardians, summon lesser demons
4th level (3 slots): death ward*, summon greater demon
5th level (3 slots): antilife shell, contagion, mislead
6th level (2 slots): disintegrate, flesh to stone
7th level (2 slots): divine word, finger of death
8th level (1 slot): holy aura
*Seghulerak casts these spells on herself before combat.

Actions

Multiattack. Seghulerak makes three melee attacks, but can use her bite and constrict attacks only once each.

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 10 (1d6 + 7) piercing damage plus 10 (3d6) poison damage.

Constrict. Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d6 + 7) bludgeoning damage, and the target is grappled (escape DC 17). Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained, and Seghulerak can't constrict another target.

Spiked Chain (Abomination Form Only). Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d6 + 7) bludgeoning damage.

Dark Speech. Seghulerak takes 13 (2d12) psychic damage, and each creature within 60 feet of Seghulerak that can hear her must succeed on a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw or be charmed or frightened (Seghulerak's choice) for 1 minute. A charmed or frightened target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Reactions

Unholy Protection. Seghulerak halves the damage that she takes from an attack, spell, or other effect.

Vanguard Assassin

Medium humanoid (shapechanger, yuan-ti), chaotic evil

---

• Armor Class 16 (studded leather)
• Hit Points 71 (13d8 + 13)
• Speed 30 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
13 (+1)	18 (+4)	13 (+1)	13 (+1)	12 (+1)	14 (+2)

---

• Saving Throws Dex +6
• Skills Acrobatics +6, Deception +4, Perception +3, Stealth +6
• Damage Immunities poison
• Condition Immunities poisoned
• Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 15
• Languages Abyssal, Common, Draconic
• Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)

---

Shapechanger. The assassin can use its action to polymorph into a flying snake, or back into its true form. Its statistics are the same in each form, except that it is can take advantage of the flying snake's flying speed and Tiny size. The assassin's gear melds into the new form. The assassin can't activate, use, wield, or otherwise benefit from any of its equipment. It reverts to its true form if it dies.

Assassinate. During its first turn, the assassin has advantage on attack rolls against any creature that hasn't taken a turn. Any hit the assassin scores against a surprised creature is a critical hit.

Disciple of Sertrous. The assassin has advantage on saving throws against divine spells, which are spells cast by clerics, paladins, druids, rangers, celestials, and other sources the DM deems appropriate.

Evasion. If the assassin is subjected to an effect that allows it to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, the assassin instead takes no damage if it succeeds on the saving throw, and only half damage if it fails.

Innate Spellcasting. The assassin's innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 12). The assassin can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:

At will: animal friendship (snakes only)
3/day each: poison spray, suggestion

Magic Resistance. The assassin has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Sneak Attack (1/Turn). The assassin deals an extra 7 (2d6) damage when it hits a target with a weapon attack and has advantage on the attack roll, or when the target is within 5 feet of an ally of the assassin that isn't incapacitated and the assassin doesn't have disadvantage on the attack roll.

Actions

Multiattack. The assassin makes two melee attacks.

Scimitar. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d6 + 4) slashing damage plus 3 (1d6) poison damage.

Shortbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, range 80/320 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d6 + 4) piercing damage plus 7 (2d6) poison damage.

Fiendish Anaconda

Huge fiend (demon), chaotic evil

---

• Armor Class 12
• Hit Points 75 (10d12 + 10)
• Speed 30 ft., swim 30 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
19 (+4)	14 (+2)	12 (+1)	6 (−2)	12 (+1)	3 (−4)

---

• Skills Perception +3, Stealth +5
• Damage Resistances cold, fire, lightning; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
• Damage Immunities poison
• Condition Immunities poisoned
• Senses blindsight 10 ft., darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 13
• Languages understands Abyssal but cannot speak
• Challenge 3 (700 XP)

---

Aggressive. As a bonus action, the anaconda can move up to its speed toward a hostile creature it can see.

Reckless. At the start of its turn, the anaconda can gain advantage on all melee weapon attack rolls it makes during that turn, but attack rolls against it have advantage until the start of its next turn.

Actions

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 10 ft., one creature. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) piercing damage.

Constrict. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) bludgeoning damage, and the target is grappled (escape DC 16). Until this grapple ends, the creature is restrained, and the anaconda can't constrict another target.

Vanguard Cleric Template

Although most of the elder evils are anathema to all things divine, Sertrous encourages priests to draw upon faith— provided they do not keep faith in the gods they know. Better to draw faith from the lust for murder or the desire for domination, or best of all, to draw upon the demon lord himself. Clerics of Sertrous can choose their domains freely as if they were clerics devoted to an ideal, although most choose Destruction and Trickery.

When a creature, typically a yuan-ti, becomes a vanguard cleric, it retains its statistics except as described below.

Ability Score Adjustment. A vanguard cleric's Wisdom score is higher than the rest of its kind. The cleric's Wisdom score rises to match its Strength score; if it was already equal to or higher than its Strength score, the cleric's Wisdom score instead increases by 2.

Challenge Rating. The vanguard cleric's challenge rating, and thus its proficiency bonus and so on, must be recalculated after the following features are applied. Most notably, the average damage per round calculation must take into account the vanguard cleric's spells and the damage they can deal.

Class Features. At your discretion, you can give the vanguard cleric some or all of the features that a cleric of its level would have. For example, you can choose to exclude abilities like Turn Undead that aren't relevant in most combat situations. As not all worship-worthy ideals are represented by existing divine domains, you may come up with your own thematically appropriate features for the vanguard cleric to have, or you can simply not give it class features at all.

Disciple of Sertrous. The vanguard cleric has advantage on saving throws against divine spells, which are spells cast by clerics, paladins, druids, rangers, celestials, and other sources the DM deems appropriate.

Spellcasting. The vanguard cleric is a spellcaster with a level of your choice. Its spellcasting ability is Wisdom. The vanguard cleric has spell slots and a certain number of spells it can prepare as determined by its cleric level and Wisdom modifier.

Spells. Vanguard clerics can choose their divine domain freely. As such, each vanguard cleric will typically have spells from its chosen domain prepared automatically, as described by each divine domain's subclass description. However, as vanguard clerics can choose any ideal they want to be associated with their divine domain, it is acceptable to choose spells from any class's spell list as long as these spells are thematically appropriate for a given ideal. Below is a list of recommended cantrips and spells from 1st to 9th level that any vanguard cleric may wish to prepare spells from.

*You may wish for the vanguard cleric to cast one or more of these spells (on itself, if relevant) before combat.

Vanguard Cleric of Destruction

Medium humanoid (any race), chaotic evil

---

• Armor Class 16 (breastplate)
• Hit Points 97 (15d8 + 30)
• Speed 30 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
16 (+3)	14 (+2)	15 (+2)	13 (+1)	17 (+3)	12 (+1)

---

• Saving Throws Str +6, Wis +6
• Skills Athletics +6, Deception +4, Religion +4
• Senses passive Perception 13
• Languages Abyssal, Common
• Challenge 6 (2300 XP)

---

Disciple of Sertrous. The cleric has advantage on saving throws against divine spells, which are spells cast by clerics, paladins, druids, rangers, celestials, and other sources the DM deems appropriate.

Hand of Devastation. Whenever the cleric rolls damage for a spell, it can reroll the spell's damage dice and use either total.

Rampage. When the cleric reduces a creature to 0 hit points with a melee attack on its turn, the cleric can take a bonus action to move up to half its speed and make another attack.

Spellcasting. The cleric is a 7th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell save DC 14, +6 to hit with spell attacks). It has the following cleric spells prepared:

Cantrip (at will): blade ward, produce flame, thaumaturgy, toll the dead
1st level (4 slots): bane, inflict wounds, shield of faith, wrathful smite
2nd level (3 slots): enhance ability, enlarge/reduce, shatter
3rd level (3 slots): Melf's minute meteors, thunder step
4th level (1 slot): guardian of faith, staggering smite

Actions

Multiattack. The cleric makes two melee attacks.

Longsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) slashing damage, or 8 (1d10 + 3) slashing damage if used with two hands, plus 9 (2d8) thunder damage.

Vanguard Cleric of Beauty

Medium humanoid (any race), chaotic evil

---

• Armor Class 16 (Beauty's Refuge)
• Hit Points 91 (14d8 + 28)
• Speed 30 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
9 (–1)	14 (+2)	15 (+2)	12 (+1)	20 (+5)	18 (+4)

---

• Saving Throws Wis +8, Cha +7
• Skills Deception +9, Performance +7, Persuasion +9, Religion +4
• Condition Immunities charmed, frightened
• Senses passive Perception 15
• Languages Abyssal, Common
• Challenge 8 (3900 XP)

---

Beauty's Refuge. The AC of the cleric includes its Charisma bonus.

Disciple of Sertrous. The cleric has advantage on saving throws against divine spells, which are spells cast by clerics, paladins, druids, rangers, celestials, and other sources the DM deems appropriate.

Inquisition Defier. The cleric is immune to effects that allows other creatures to read its thoughts, determine whether it is lying, or know its alignment. Additionally, the cleric can't be targeted by any divination magic or perceived through magical scrying sensors.

Spellcasting. The cleric is a 12th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell save DC 16, +8 to hit with spell attacks). It has the following cleric spells prepared:

Cantrips (at will): dancing lights, friends, guidance, sacred flame
1st level (4 slots): bless, charm person, heroism
2nd level (3 slots): enthrall, levitate, suggestion
3rd level (3 slots): beacon of hope, hypnotic pattern, spirit guardians
4th level (3 slots): charm monster, compulsion, phantasmal killer
5th level (2 slots): destructive wave, dominate person, hold monster
6th level (1 slot): magic jar, mass suggestion

Actions

Dagger. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) piercing damage.

Beauty's Truce (1/Day). Each creature within 100 feet of the cleric must make a DC 16 Charisma saving throw. Each creature that fails this save is charmed by every other creature that also failed the saving throw. This benefit lasts for one hour. While charmed by this ability, creatures consider all other creatures charmed by it to be their allies. They fight to defend them from attackers.

Reactions

Rebuke the Defiler. When a creature within 30 feet of the cleric that it can see hits the cleric with an attack, that creature must make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the creature takes psychic damage equal to the damage dealt by its attack. On a successful save, it takes half that damage.

Vanguard Cleric of Darkness

Medium humanoid (any race), chaotic evil

---

• Armor Class 13 (leather)
• Hit Points 90 (12d8 + 36)
• Speed 30 ft.

---

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
10 (+0)	15 (+2)	16 (+3)	14 (+2)	20 (+5)	16 (+3)

---

• Saving Throws Con +7, Wis +9
• Skills Arcana +6, Deception +7, Perception +9, Religion +6
• Damage Resistances necrotic
• Condition Immunities frightened
• Senses truesight 60 ft., passive Perception 19
• Languages Abyssal, Common
• Challenge 10 (5900 XP)

---

Disciple of Sertrous. The cleric has advantage on saving throws against divine spells, which are spells cast by clerics, paladins, druids, rangers, celestials, and other sources the DM deems appropriate.

Hungry Darkness. The cleric regains 10 hit points if it starts its turn in dim light or darkness and has at least 1 hit point.

Shadow Stealth. While in dim light or darkness, the cleric can take the Hide action as a bonus action.

Spellcasting. The cleric is a 14th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell save DC 17, +9 to hit with spell attacks). It has the following cleric spells prepared:

Cantrip (at will): chill touch, frostbite, thaumaturgy, toll the dead
1st level (4 slots): arms of Hadar, bane, hex, inflict wounds
2nd level (3 slots): blindness/deafness, darkness, invisibility
3rd level (3 slots): fear, fly, vampiric touch
4th level (3 slots): blight, Evard's black tentacles, shadow of moil
5th level (2 slots): cone of cold, contagion, enervation
6th level (1 slot): circle of death, soul cage

Testament of Faith. When the cleric is reduced to 0 hit points, it explodes in a burst of divine energy. Each creature within 10 feet of the cleric must make a DC 17 Constitution saving throw, taking 14 (4d6) necrotic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. The cleric and everything it is wearing and carrying, except magic items, fade into the shadows and disappear. The cleric's soul then passes into Sertrous's realm in the Abyss; the cleric can't become undead or be brought back to life by any means short of a wish spell.

Actions

Withering Touch. Melee Spell Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 7 (2d6 + 5) necrotic damage.