The Lurking Depths Shadow

1 month ago by Admin - Monsters

A creature born of the darkness that dwells beneath the surface, this entity manifests as a swirling mass of deep shadows, shifting and swirling like liquid night. Its form is indistinct, with tendrils of darkness weaving around it, giving it an unsettling, almost amorphous appearance. Those who gaze upon it feel an overwhelming sense of dread and isolation, as if the very essence of companionship is being sapped from the air. Whispers of forgotten voices echo around it, as it feeds on the fears and doubts of its foes. It is said that it can draw power from the emotional turmoil of its surroundings, growing stronger as fear spreads among its victims.

Stat Block

Medium Undead, Neutral Evil

Armor Class 15 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points 102 (15d8 + 30)
Speed 0 ft., fly 40 ft. (hover)

Saving Throws Dex +6, Wis +4, Cha +7
Damage Immunities Necrotic, Poison; Blinded, Charmed, Deafened, Frightened, Paralyzed, Petrified
Condition Immunities Poisoned
Senses Blindsight 60 ft. (blind beyond this radius), Darkvision 120 ft., Passive Perception 11
Languages Understands the languages it knew in life but cannot speak
Challenge 7 (2,900 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +3

Attributes and Abilities

• Amorphous Form. The creature can move through a space as narrow as 1 inch wide without squeezing.

• Fear Harvest. When a creature within 30 feet of the creature fails a saving throw against being frightened, it takes 10 (3d6) psychic damage. If the target is already frightened, it takes an additional 10 (3d6) psychic damage.

• Shadow Cloak. As a bonus action, the creature can become invisible until the start of its next turn or until it attacks. While invisible, the creature can move through obstacles as if they were difficult terrain.

• Life Drain. Melee Spell Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 22 (4d10) necrotic damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or have its hit point maximum reduced by an amount equal to the damage taken. This reduction lasts until the target finishes a long rest.

• Laughing Shadows. Each creature of the creature's choice within 30 feet that can hear it must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be 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.

Actions

• Multiattack. The creature makes two Life Drain attacks.

• Shadow-Tether. Ranged Spell Attack: +6 to hit, range 60 ft., one creature. Hit: 18 (4d8) psychic damage, and the target’s speed is halved until the end of its next turn.

Legendary Actions

The creature 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 creature regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.

• Whispering Terror. The creature causes one target to make a Wisdom saving throw (DC 15). On a failure, the target is frightened until the end of its next turn.

• Shadow Step. The creature teleports up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space it can see.

• Dreadful Presence (Costs 2 Actions). Each creature of the creature's choice within 30 feet that can see it must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be 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.