Book of Beautiful Horrors v 02

8/18/2019 Book of Beautiful Horrors v 02

1/17

Fiend

h e s e d e n i z e n s o f d a r k a n d a n c i e n t w o o d s a r e

s o m e o f t h e m o s t d a n g e r o u s m o n s t e r s k n o w n

t o m a n . F i e n d s a r e w a l k i n g m o u n t a i n s o f

m u s c l e c a p p e d w i t h h o r n e d , t o o t h - f i l l e d h e a d s .

L i k e t h e i r s m a l l e r c o u s i n s , c h o r t s , t h e y l i v e i n

t h i c k f o r e s t s , s w a m p s a n d b o g s . W h e n

p o s s i b l e t h e y a v o i d h u m a n s , b u t w h e n

c o n f r o n t e d , t h e y k i l l t h e m , a n d w i t h o u t m u c h d i f f i c u l t y .

M i s t a k e n F o l k t a l e . L e g e n d s o f t e n m i s t a k e f i e n d s f o r s y l v a n s ,

a s c r i b i n g t o t h e m t h e a b i l i t y t o s p e a k , s t a n d o n t w o l e g s ,

g o b b l e u p c a b b a g e , p l a y p r a n k s a n d w o r k m i s c h i e f a r o u n d

t h e h o u s e h o l d . T h e a r r i v a l o f a t r u e f i e n d i n a r e g i o n s o o n

p u t s a n e n d t o s u c h t a l e s . T h e c r e a t u r e s d o n o t s p e a k , a t b e s t

c o m m u n i c a t i n g w i t h e a c h o t h e r t h r o u g h g r u n t s , s n o r t s a n d

m o a n s . T h e y g e t a b o u t o n f o u r l e g s a n d a s f o r t h e i r

" m i s c h i e f " . . . t h e y d e s t r o y f a r m s t e a d s , d e v o u r i n g a n y t h i n g t h a t

c a n b e d e v o u r e d , i n c l u d i n g c a b b a g e , i f s u c h i s a v a i l a b l e , b u t

a l s o e x t e n d i n g t o p o u l t r y , p o r k , t h e f a m i l y d o g a n d t h e n t h e

f a m i l y i t s e l f .

H u l k i n g M e n a c e . T h e i r s i z e a l o n e m a k e s f i e n d s a n d c h o r t s

e x t r e m e l y d a n g e r o u s —

o n e b l o w f r o m t h e i r p o w e r f u l p a w s

c a n k i l l a k n i g h t a l o n g w i t h i t s f u l l y - a r m o r e d m o u n t . T h e i r

e n o r m o u s h e f t a l s o m a k e s t h e m a l m o s t i n v u l n e r a b l e t o

m u n d a n e w e a p o n s , t h e o n l y s u r e w a y t o p u t t h e m d o w n i s

m a g i c a n d e n c h a n t e d w e a p o n s . F u r t h e r m o r e , a n y w o u n d s

t h e y r e c e i v e h e a l a t l i g h t n i n g s p e e d . W h e n a f i e n d i s g r a v e l y

w o u n d e d i t w i l l f i g h t w i t h i n c r e a s e d a g g r e s s i v e n e s s , c a r i n g

l i t t l e f o r h i s o w n s e c u r i t y w h i l e i t d e a l s t r e m e n d o u s d a m a g e

t o w h a t s t a n d s i n i t s p a t h . F i e n d s a r e c u n n i n g f i g h t e r , i f t h e y

a r e g r a v e l y w o u n d e d t h e y w i l l r e t r e a t , c o u n t i n g o n t h e i r

r e g e n e r a t i v e a b i l i t y , a n d c h a r g e b a c k i n t o t h e f i g h t , c o m p l e t e l y

h e a l e d .

T h i r d E y e . I f t h a t w e r e n ’ t t r o u b l e e n o u g h , f i e n d s n e e d n o t

r e l y o n t h e i r s t r e n g t h a n d S t a m i n a a l o n e w h e n f i g h t i n g .

I n e x p e r i e n c e d h u n t e r s a s s u m e t h a t t h e o n l y d a n g e r c o m i n g

f r o m f i e n d s i s p h y s i c a l , t h e y w i l l d i e i n t h e s e c o n d s t h a t

f o l l o w . F i e n d s c a n c a l l o n a m o r e r e f i n e d w e a p o n : t h e t h i r d

e y e l o c a t e d i n t h e c e n t e r o f t h e i r f o r e h e a d . T h e y c a n u s e i t t o

i m p e d e t h e i r p r e y w i t h a v a r i o u s a r r a y o f p o w e r s . D u r i n g

t h e s e t i m e s t h e i r v i c t i m d o e s n o t s e e a n y t h i n g b e y o n d t h i s

s i n g l e b u r n i n g e y e — t h e l a s t t h i n g t h e y s e e b e f o r e t h e i r

d e a t h . T h e f i e n d ’ s t h i r d e y e d e f i n e s t h i s m o n s t e r a s a f o r c e

w i t h w h i c h t o b e r e c k o n e d .

C o n t r o v e r s i a l O r i g i n . M a n y t h e o r i e s a b o u n d o n t h e o r i g i n s

o f f i e n d s . T h e m o s t p o p u l a r o n e s g i v e t h e m a d e m o n i c

a n c e s t r y , b u t t r u t h f u l l y n o n e h a s e v e r b e s e e n c o l l a b o r a t i n g

w i t h d e m o n s o r d e v i l s . O t h e r s b e l i e v e t h e m t o b e o r i g i n a t e d

f r o m t h e F e y w i l d , b a s i n g t h i s a s s u m p t i o n o n t h e s o m e w h a t

s i m i l a r p o w e r s t h e y s h a r e w i t h f o m o r i a n s . I t ' s t r u e t h a t t h e s e

t w i s t e d g i a n t s h a v e b e e n k n o w n t o t a k e " p e t s " , b u t i m a g i n i n g

t h a t t h e f e r o c i o u s f i e n d s c o u l d h a v e e v e r b e e n o n e o f t h e m i s

a c o n c l u s i o n t h a t f e w a r e w i l l i n g t o m a k e .

Chort

C h o r t s a r e t h e s o m e w h a t s m a l l e r k i n o f f i e n d s . Y e t a n y

a d v e n t u r e r w h o t h i n k s t h e i r d i m i n u t i v e s t a t u r e m e a n s t h e y

p r e s e n t n o d a n g e r c o m m i t s a g r a v e e r r o r —

t h e k i n d t h a t c a n

e n d h i s c a r e e r p e r m a n e n t l y . C h o r t s f i g h t w i t h l i t t l e f i n e s s e ,

r u n n i n g s t r a i g h t t o w a r d s t h e i r o p p o n e n t a n d t r y i n g t o k n o w

h i m t o t h e g r o u n d w i t h t h e f o r c e o f t h e i r c h a r g e . A f t e r

d o w n i n g t h e i r f o e t h e y b i t e , k i c k a n d s t r i k e w i t h t h e i r c l a w -

t i p p e d p a w s .

Third Eye of a Fiend

The third eyes of fiends and chorts are powerfulmagically charged organs. This disturbing appendicedoesn't die with the fiend. It's still alert even after thecreature's death. If harvested from the corpse of thecreature it can be used as an alternative spellcomponent. The third eye can be consumed tosubstitute any magical component of up to 5,000 goldpieces value, the eye is destroyed in the process. Forthis reason many wizard will pay a good price for it and

some particularly brave and skilled hunters have madea lucrative carrier out of hunting the monster.


2/17

Restless Eye

W o n d r o u s i t e m , r a r e , c u r s e d ( r e q u i e r e s a t t u n e m e n t )

T h i s f l e s h y , e v i l l o o k i n g e y e i s t h e T h i r d E y e o f a f a l l e n f i e n d

o r c h o r t . T h e e y e m e r g e w i t h y o u r f o r e h e a d , b l i n k i n g a n d

s t a r i n g i n d e p e n d e n t l y f r o m y o u r e y e s . T h e e y e h a s 3 c h a r g e s ,

a n d i t r e g a i n s 1 d 3 e x p e n d e d c h a r g e s d a i l y a t d a w n . Y o u c a n

u s e a n a c t i o n t o e x p e n d 1 o f i t s c h a r g e s t o c a s t t h e e y e b i t e

s p e l l a t D C 1 5 f r o m i t . A d d i t i o n a l l y y o u g a i n p r o f i c i e n c y w i t h

t h e W i s d o m ( P e r c e p t i o n ) s k i l l o r g a i n a d v a n t a g e o n t h i s r o l l i f

y o u a r e a l r e a d y p r o f i c i e n t .

C u r s e . T h e e y e i s c u r s e d , a f a c t t h a t i s r e v e a l e d o n l y w h e n

a n i d e n t i f y s p e l l i s c a s t o n t h e e y e o r y o u a t t u n e t o i t . A t t u n i n g

t o t h e e y e c u r s e s y o u u n t i l y o u a r e t a r g e t e d b y t h e r e m o v e

c u r s e s p e l l o r s i m i l a r m a g i c ; e x t r a c t i n g t h e e y e , a d a n g e r o u s

o p e r a t i o n , f a i l s t o e n d t h e c u r s e . W h i l e c u r s e d , i f y o u h a v e a

n e u t r a l o r g o o d a l i g n m e n t , e a c h l o n g r e s t y o u m u s t s u c c e e d

o n a D C 1 8 C h a r i s m a s a v i n g t h r o w , s u f f e r i n g f r o m a S h o r t -

T e r m m a d n e s s ( p . 2 5 9 o f t h e D u n g e o n M a s t e r M a n u a l ) o n a

f a i l e d s a v e . I f t h e s a v e f a i l s b y 5 o r m o r e , y o u a l s o s u f f e r s

f r o m a L o n g - T e r m M a d n e s s . T h e s h o r t - t e r m a n d l o n g - t e r m

m a d n e s s c a n b e e n d e d w i t h t h e g r e a t e r r e s t o r a t i o n s p e l l o r

s i m i l a r m a g i c .

Optional: Curse of the Restless Eye

When a fiend dies, the nearest intelligent creature of itsbody must make a DC 18 (DC 15 for a chort) Wisdomsaving throw. In case of failure the creature gains aform of indefinite madness "I must keep the eye at allcost, it's now my most treasured possession".

Chort

Large monstrosity, chaotic evil

Armor Class 14 (natural armor)Hit Points 131 (12d10 + 72)Speed 50ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

24 (+7) 10 (+0) 22 (+6) 6 (-2) 13 (+1) 9 (-1)

Skills Perception +9, Stealth +4Damage resistances bludgeoning, piercing and slashing

from nonmagical weaponsSenses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 19Languages -Challenge 9 (5,000 XP)

Devastating Charge. If the chort moves at least 20 feetstraight toward a target and then hits it with an antlersattack on the same turn, the target takes and extra 11(2d10) piercing damage. If the target is a creature, it

must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or beknocked prone. If the target is prone, the chort can makeanother attack with its claws against it as a bonus action.

Regeneration.

The chort regains 10 hit points at the startof its turn if it has at least 1 hit point.

ActionsMultiattack. The chort use its Third Eye and makes twoclaw attacks.

Antlers. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 5ft., onetarget. Hit 20 (3d8 + 7) piercing damage.

Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 5ft., onetarget. Hit 21 (4d6 + 7) slashing damage.

Third Eye. The chort magically forces a creature it can seewithin 60 feet of it to make a DC 15 Charisma savingthrow. In case of failure the target is under one of thefollowing effects, chosen at random:

1. Asleep. The target falls unconscious. It wakes up if it takes

any damage or if another creature uses its action to shake the

sleeper awake.

2. Panicked. On each of its turns, the frightened creature must

take the Dash action and move away from the chort by the

safest and shortest available route, unless there is nowhere to

move. If the target moves to a place at least 60 feet away fromthe chort where it can no longer see it, this effect ends.

3. Sickened. The target has disadvantage on attack rolls and

ability checks. At the end of each of its turns, it can make

another Charisma saving throw. If it succeeds, the effect ends.


3/17

Fiend

Huge monstrosity, chaotic evil

Armor Class 15 (natural armor)Hit Points 195 (15d12 + 105)Speed 50ft.


28 (+9) 10 (+0) 24 (+7) 7 (-2) 15 (+2) 9 (-1)

Saving Throws Str +14, Con +12, Cha +4Skills Perception +12, Stealth +5Damage resistances bludgeoning, piercing and slashing

from nonmagical weaponsSenses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 22Languages -Challenge 13 (10,000 XP)

Devastating Charge. If the fiend moves at least 20 feetstraight toward a target and then hits it with an antlersattack on the same turn, the target takes and extra 11

(2d10) piercing damage. If the target is a creature, itmust succeed on a DC 18 Strength saving throw or beknocked prone. If the target is prone, the fiend can makeanother attack with its claws against it as a bonus action.

Regeneration. The fiend regains 15 hit points at the startof its turn if it has at least 1 hit point.

ActionsMultiattack. The fiend use its Third Eye and makes twoclaw attacks.

Antlers. Melee Weapon Attack: +14 to hit, reach 5ft., onetarget. Hit 27 (4d8 + 9) piercing damage.


Third Eye. The fiend magically forces a creature it can seewithin 60 feet of it to make a DC 18 Charisma savingthrow. In case of failure the target is under one of thefollowing effects, chosen at random:

1. Asleep. The target falls unconscious. It wakes up if it takes

any damage or if another creature uses its action to shake the

sleeper awake.

2. Panicked. On each of its turns, the frightened creature must

take the Dash action and move away from the chort by the

safest and shortest available route, unless there is nowhere tomove. If the target moves to a place at least 60 feet away from

the chort where it can no longer see it, this effect ends.

3. Sickened. The target has disadvantage on attack rolls and

ability checks. At the end of each of its turns, it can make

another Charisma saving throw. If it succeeds, the effect ends.

4. Feeblemind. The target takes 14 (4d6) psychic damage and

the creature’s Intelligence and Charisma scores become 1. The

creature can’t cast spells, activate magic items, understand

language, or communicate in any intelligible way. The creature

can, however, identify its friends, follow them, and even protectthem. At the end of every day, the creature can repeat its saving

throw against this effect. If it succeeds on its saving throw, the

effect ends. The effect can also be ended by greater restoration ,

heal , or wish .

Legendary ActionsThe fiend can take 3 legendary actions, choosing fromthe options below. Only one legendary action option canbe used at a time and only at the end of anothercreature's turn. The fiend regains spent legendary actionsat the start of its turn.

Move. The fiend moves up to its speed withoutprovoking opportunity attacks.

Claws. The fiend makes one claws attack.Third Eye Costs 2 Actions). The fiend uses its Third Eye.


4/17

Leshen

Hu m a n s h a v e l o n g b e e n f a s c i n a t e d b y t h e

w i l d w o o d — l i v i n g i n i t ’ s v i c i n i t y w a s t h e

s o u r c e o f t a l e s a b o u t c r e a t u r e s f e r o c i o u s a n d

b e n i g n , f r i e n d l y a n d h o s t i l e . A s t h e y s t a r t e d t o

s e t t l e d e e p e r a n d d e e p e r i n t o t h e f o r e s t s ,

r e s p e c t f o r t h e u n k n o w n d i m i n i s h e d . L u m b e r

w a s g a t h e r e d , s t o n e a b o d e s w e r e b u i l t . A s t h e

p e s t i l e n c e t h a t w a s h u m a n i t y g r e w b i g g e r , s o d i d t h e f o r e s t ’ s

a n d i t s i n h a b i t a n t s ’ w r a t h .

W r a t h o f n a t u r e . A t t h e h e a r t o f t h e f o r e s t l i e s a s e c r e t . I n a

p l a c e b o r n o f d a r k n e s s a n d p r i m e v a l n a t u r e , r e s i d e s a m i g h t y

a n d t e r r i f y i n g g u a r d i a n . I m m u n e t o h u m a n s t e e l , i t i s b e l i e v e d

t h e l e s h e n i s n a t u r e ’ s w a y o f p r o t e c t i n g t h e f o r e s t a n d t h e

a n i m a l s t h a t l i v e w i t h i n i t f r o m t h e t h r e a t h u m a n s s t a r t e d t o

p o s e u p o n t h e i r r a v a g i n g e x p a n s i o n d e e p e r i n t o t h e l a n d s .

S o m e t i m e s c a l l e d l e s h i i o r l e s z i , l e s h e n s a r e a n c i e n t a n d

p o w e r f u l f o r e s t s p i r i t s . P o s s e s s i n g a d e e r s k u l l a s a h e a d a n d

t r e e - l i k e l i m b s , t h e s i g h t o f a l e s h e n i s a t e r r i f y i n g o n e .

V i l l a g e r s s i g h t i n g o n e p a s s i n g b e t w e e n t r e e s w i l l u s u a l l y b e

c l e v e r e n o u g h t o l e a v e t h e w o o d s a t p e a c e , e v e n i f i t m e a n s

f o r t h e v i l l a g e t o s t a r v e , a p r e f e r a b l e f a t e t h a n t o r i s k t h e i r e

o f t h e c r e a t u r e .

A l l s e e i n g W a t c h e r . A l e s h e n w i l l t u r n n a t u r e i t s e l f a g a i n s t

t h o s e t h a t t r e s p a s s o n h i s l a n d s . T h e y u s e t h e i r i n b o r n m a g i c

t o c o n t r o l t h e p l a n t s a n d a n i m a l s w i t h i n t h e i r t e r r i t o r y —

a n d

s o w h e n s t a l k i n g t h e m , h a l f t h e b a t t l e i s m e r e l y g e t t i n g n e a r

e n o u g h t o s t r i k e . A n i m a l s , e v e n t i m i d a n d h a r m l e s s o n e s , w i l l

b e t a k e n b y a f r e n z y t h a t w i l l o n l y s t o p w i t h t h e d e a t h o f t h e

i n t r u d e r s , a t t a c k i n g o n s i g h t a n y o n e t h e y c r o s s p a t h w i t h .

R o o t s w i l l s p r o u t f r o m t h e g r o u n d , t r y i n g t o g r a p p l e , c r u s h

a n d s t r a n g l e t h e u n w a r y , b u r y i n g t h e m i n t o d e e p e a r t h y

t o m b s , n e v e r t o b e s e e n a g a i n .

T h a n k f u l l y , i t ' s d i f f i c u l t t o u n k n o w i n g l y s t u m b l e i n t o t h e

t e r r i t o r y o f a l e s h e n . T h e b o r d e r s o f i t s c h a r g e a r e w a r d e d

w i t h t o t e m s m a d e o f r o o t s , s t o n e s , p l a n t s a n d a n i m a l b o n e s ,

h a n g i n g f r o m t r e e s o r s t a c k e d o n m o u n d s . O n e m a y a l s o

h a v e t o d e s t r o y a l e s h e n ' s w a r d i n g t o t e m s t o r i d a f o r e s t o f i t s

p r e s e n c e . T h e t o t e m s a r e t h e e y e s a n d e a r s o f t h e l e s h e n

t h r o u g h o u t t h e f o r e s t a n d c r o s s i n g o r d e s t r o y i n g o n e i s a s u r e

w a y t o d e c l a r e w a r o n t h e c r e a t u r e . l e s h e n s a r e a l s o k n o w n

t o b e a b l e t o a p p e a r a n d d i s a p p e a r u n e x p e c t e d l y n e a r t h e i r

t o t e m s .

P r i m e v a l K e e p e r . L e s h e n s a r e t h e h e r a l d o f n a t u r e i n m a n y

w a y s , s o m e t i m e s w o r s h i p p e d , t h i s c r e a t u r e c a n h e a l o t h e r

w o o d l a n d a n i m a l s a n d f e y , a n d a r e k n o w n t o c a r e f o r t h e

o n e s l e f t a t t h e i r t o t e m s , e v e n d o m e s t i c p e t s . W i t h t i m e a n d

e f f o r t s , a d r u i d s c a n w o r k i n c o l l a b o r a t i o n w i t h t h e m i f a

l e s h e n c o m e s t o r e c o g n i z e t h e d r u i d a s p a r t o f h i s f o r e s t .

S o m e c a l l t h e m t h e O l d G o d s , a n d b e l i e v e t h e y w e r e h e r e

b e f o r e t h e d i v i n i t i e s e v e n e x i s t e d . I n s o m e s m a l l a n d r u r a l

c o m m u n i t i e s , e s p e c i a l l y t h e o n e s f a r f r o m m a j o r t r a d e r o u t e s

a n d i n d u s t r i o u s c i t i e s , t h e l e s h e n i s t h e o n l y g o d r e c o g n i z e d

b y t h e v i l l a g e r s a n d t h e g l a d e u n d e r h i s p r o t e c t i o n i s

c o n s i d e r e d s a c r e d g r o u n d . L e s h e n s f o u n d i n t h i s s e t t i n g t e n d

t o b e m o r e l e n i e n t t o w a r d l o s t s o u l s w a n d e r i n g i n t o t h e i r

l a n d , g i v i n g t h e m w a r n i n g s i g n a n d t r y i n g t o d r i v e t h e m o f f

t h e i r t e r r i t o r y i n s t e a d o f k i l l i n g t h e m o u t r i g h t .


5/17

Ancient Leshen:

D e e p i n t o t h e d a r k e s t f o r e s t , w h e r e n o m a n h a s s e t f o o t i n

c e n t u r i e s , l u r k t h e a n c i e n t l e s h e n . T h e s e l e s h e n s r e m e m b e r

t h e p r i m a l s t a t e o f t h e w o r l d , w h e n c i v i l i s a t i o n d i d n ' t e x i s t

a n d w h e n t h e f o r e s t w a s c o v e r i n g m o s t o f t h e l a n d . T h e y

w e r e a l r e a d y o l d w h e n d w a r f s a n d e l v e s w e r e s t i l l y o u n g

r a c e s . U n t o u c h e d b y t i m e , l e s h e n s o l d e n o u g h t o e a r n t h e

a p p e l l a t i o n " a n c i e n t " w i e l d g r e a t e r p o w e r s a n d u s e a d v a n c e d

t a c t i c s t h a t m a k e t h e m p a r t i c u l a r l y d a n g e r o u s .

Black Root:

L e s h e n s c a l l e d " b l a c k r o o t " a r e u n n a t u r a l , t w i s t e d c r e a t u r e s

t h a t w e r e c o r r u p t e d o r c r e a t e d b y v i l e m a g i c . A l l l e s h e n s a r e

c a r i n g f o r t h e i r l a n d a n d p r o t e c t i n g i t j e a l o u s l y , b u t t h e b l a c k

r o o t i s a c t u a l l y s t r a y i n g a w a y f r o m h i s t e r r i t o r y , a c t i v e l y

l e a d i n g t r a v e l e r s a n d c o m m o n e r s a s t r a y t o s l a u g h t e r t h e m

i n s i d e i t s l a n d a n d a b d u c t t h e i r c h i l d r e n . A b l a c k r o o t w a s

c r e a t e d b y a n i g h t h a g o r a c r o n e . B y k i d n a p p i n g a c h i l d f r o m

a v i l l a g e , t r a p p i n g h i m i n t o a t r e e t r u n k i n s i d e t h e l e s h e n ' s l a i r

a n d l e t t i n g h i m s t a r v e t o d e a t h t h e r e , a c r o n e c a n c o r r u p t a

l e s h e n w i t h h e r m a g i c . T h e t r e e w i l l s o o n g r o w o u t o f

p r o p o r t i o n , t u r n i n g i n t o a t w i s t e d b l i g h t e d t h i n g , s p r o u t i n g

g i g a n t i c b l a c k r o o t s w h e r e b l i g h t s p l a n t s ( p . 3 1 M M ) s t a r t t o

g r o w a n d i n f e s t t h e r e g i o n .

A Leshen s Lair

A l e s h e n l i v e s i n d e e p f o r e s t , u s u a l l y n e a r a g r o v e o r a

c l e a r i n g w i t h a l a r g e c o n c e n t r a t i o n o f t o t e m s m a d e o f n a t u r a l

m a t e r i a l s a n d a n i m a l b o n e s .

LAIR ACTIONS

O n i n i t i a t i v e c o u n t 2 0 ( l o s i n g i n i t i a t i v e t i e s ) , t h e l e s h e n t a k e s

a l a i r a c t i o n t o c a u s e o n e o f t h e f o l l o w i n g m a g i c a l e f f e c t s :

R o o t s a n d p l a n t s b u r s t o u t o f t h e g r o u n d , g r a p p l i n g a n d

l a s h i n g a t c r e a t u r e s . T h e a r e a w i t h i n 6 0 f e e t a r o u n d t h e

l e s h e n b e c o m e s d i f f i c u l t t e r r a i n u n t i l i n i t i a t i v e c o u n t 2 0 o n

t h e n e x t r o u n d . H u g e o r l a r g e r c r e a t u r e s a r e n o t a f f e c t e d .

T h e l e s h e n a n d a l l i e d c r e a t u r e s w i t h i n 6 0 f e e t o f t h e i t a r e

h e a l e d o f 1 8 ( 4 d 8 ) h i t p o i n t s .

A g r e e n m i s t f i l l t h e l a i r . A l l c r e a t u r e s w i t h i n 6 0 f e e t o f t h e

l e s h e n m u s t s u c c e e d o n a D C 1 8 C o n s t i t u t i o n s a v i n g t h r o w ,

t a k i n g 1 3 ( 4 d 6 ) p o i s o n d a m a g e o n a f a i l e d s a v e , o r h a l f a s

m u c h d a m a g e o n a s u c c e s s f u l o n e .

Regional Effects

T h e r e g i o n c o n t a i n i n g a l e s h e n ' s l a i r i s e m p o w e r e d b y t h e

c r e a t u r e ' s p r e s e n c e , c r e a t i n g t h e f o l l o w i n g m a g i c a l e f f e c t s :

B e a s t c r e a t u r e s a r e e m p o w e r e d b y t h e l e s h e n ' s p r e s e n c e .

G i a n t a n d D i r e v e r s i o n o f b e a s t s c r e a t u r e s a r e m o r e c o m m o n

h e r e t h a n a n y w h e r e e l s e . A d d i t i o n a l l y B e a s t c r e a t u r e s w i t h i n

6 m i l e s o f t h e l a i r t h a t h a v e a n I n t e l l i g e n c e s c o r e o f 2 o r

l o w e r a r e c h a r m e d b y t h e l e s h e n a n d a r e a g r e s s i v e t o w a r d

i n t r u d e r s i n t h e a r e a .

T h e l e s h e n c a n a l t e r t h e w e a t h e r a t w i l l i n a 6 - m i l e r a d i u s

c e n t e r e d o n i t s l a i r . T h e e f f e c t i s i d e n t i c a l t o t h e c o n t r o l

w e a t h e r s p e l l .

T h e t o t e m s o f a l e s h e n a l l o w h i m t o w a t c h o v e r h i s

t e r r i t o r y w i t h i n 6 m i l e s o f i t s l a i r . T h e e f f e c t i s s i m i l a r t o t h e

a r c a n e e y e s p e l l , b u t t h e e y e c a n n o t m o v e a w a y f r o m t h e

t o t e m .

W h e n t h e l e s h e n d i e s , a l l o f t h e s e r e g i o n a l e f f e c t s f a d e o v e r

1 d 1 0 d a y s .

Black Root Regional Effects

Use these regional effects for a Black Roots Lesheninstead:

Blights creature (p.31 MM) appear near the blightedtree in the lair of the leshen and start to spread theirpoison and uproot healthy plants, replacing them withbrambles, toxic weeds, and others of their kind. Intime, any land or forest near the region will turn into aplace of corruption.

The leshen can alter the weather at will in a 6-mileradius centered on its lair. The effect is identical to thecontrol weather spell.

Beasts creatures inside the region look sickish andunhealthy, carrying diseases. Eating game from thisregion expose a creature to the effects of thecontagion spell, at DC 13.


6/17


7/17

Ancient Leshen

Large fey, neutral

Armor Class 20 (natural armor)Hit Points 311 (27d10 + 162)Speed 30 ft.


26 (+8) 9 (-1) 22 (+6) 13 (+1) 18 (+4) 14 (+2)

Saving Throws Str +14, Con +12, Wis +10, Cha +8Skills Perception +10Damage Immunities poison, bludgeoning, piercing,

slashing from nonmagical weaponsDamage Vulnerabilities fireCondition Immunities frightened, paralyzed, poisonedSenses darkvision 120ft, passive Perception 20Languages Druidic, Sylvan but doesn't speak.Challenge 20 (25,000 XP)

Innate Spellcasting. The leshen's innate spellcasting ability

is Wisdom (spell save DC 18). The leshen can innatelycast the following spells, requiring no materialcomponents:

At will: druidcraft 2/day each: cloudkill, dispel magic, insect plague 1/day: etherealness, storm of vengeance

Legendary Resistance 3/Day). If the leshen fails a savingthrow, it can choose to succeed instead.

Magic Attacks. The leshen's weapon attacks are magical.

Magic Resistance.

The leshen has advantage on savingthrows against spells and other magic effects.

Regeneration. The leshen regains 20 hit points at thestart of its turn if it has at least 1 hit point. If the leshentakes fire damage this trait doesn't function at the startof the leshen's next turn.

Totem Stride. Once on its turn, the leshen can use 10feet of its movement to step magically into one of histotem within its reach and emerge from a second totemwithin its territory, appearing in an unoccupied spacewithin 5 feet of the second totem.

ActionsMultiattack. The leshen makes two melee attacks.


Roots Strike Recharge 5-6). The leshen targets up to twocreatures that it can see within 90 feet of it. Each targetmust succeed on a DC 19 Dexterity saving throw, taking22 (3d8 + 8) bludgeoning damage and being grappled

(escape DC 19) on a failed save. Until this grapple ends,the target is restrained. When a creature ends its turnrestrained by this power it takes an extra 22 (3d8 + 8)bludgeoning damage as the roots contract to crush it.

Call Primal Beast Recharge 6). The leshen chooses whatto summon and attempts a magical summoning. Theleshen can summon 1d6 Primal Murder of Crows, 1d3+1 Primal Wolves or 1 Primal Bear. A summonedcreature appears in an unoccupied space within 60 feetof the leshen, acts as an ally of its leshen. It remains for lminute, until it or its leshen dies, or until the leshendismisses it as an action.

Legendary ActionsThe leshen can take 3 legendary actions, choosing fromthe options below. Only one legendary action option canbe used at a time and only at the end of anothercreature's turn. The leshen regains spent legendaryactions at the start of its turn.

Move. The leshen moves up to its speed withoutprovoking opportunity attacks.

Claws. The leshen makes one claws attack.Cast a Spell Costs 2 Actions). The leshen cast a spell from

its list of Innate Spellcasting, using a daily use asnormal.

Call Lightning Costs 3 Actions). The leshen targets oncreatures that it can see within 120 feet of it. the

target must succeed on a DC 19 Dexterity savingthrow, taking 44 (8d10) lightning damage on a failedsave, or half as much damage on a successful one.


8/17

Primal Beasts

Lo s t i n t h e w i l d e r n e s s , i n t h e m o s t s e c l u d e d

p l a c e s o f t h e w o r l d , o n e c a n m e e t c r e a t u r e s

t h a t h a v e n e v e r f e l t t h e t o u c h o f c i v i l i s a t i o n .

P r i m a l a n d s a v a g e , t h e s e b e a s t s a r e

e m p o w e r e d b y t h e a n c i e n t m a g i c o f t h e

l e s h e n s , l a n d v a e t t i r s a n d o t h e r p o w e r f u l

s p i r i t u a l e n t i t i e s . W h e n n a t u r e n e e d s t o d e f e n d

i t s l a n d , t h e p r i m a l b e a s t s a r e i t s c h a m p i o n s , f i g h t i n g

r e s t l e s s l y w i t h t o o t h , c l a w s a n d t a l o n s .

A p e x P r e d a t o r . T h e p r i m a l b e a s t s e m b o d y t h e p e r f e c t i o n o f

t h e i r s p e c i e s . T h e y a r e f l a w l e s s p r e d a t o r s , p e r f e c t h u n t e r s o f

t h e w i l d , h o n e d o v e r m i l l e n i a s o f e v o l u t i o n i n p l a c e s

u n t o u c h e d b y t h e p e s t i l e n c e o f m e n . O n l y t h e s t r o n g e s t o f

t h e i r k i n d s u r v i v e d t o n o w a d a y s . T h e y c o m e f r o m a n e r a

w h e r e w i l d b e a s t w e r e r u l i n g t h e l a n d o r f r o m p l a n e s w e r e

t h e y r u n i n e n d l e s s h u n t s , s u c h a s t h e F e y w i l d o r t h e O u t e r

P l a n e o f t h e B e a s t l a n d s .

S e r v a n t s o f t h e F e y P a c t s w e r e s e a l e d l o n g a g o b e t w e e n t h e

b e a s t s a n d t h e p r o t e c t o r s o f t h e l a n d s . W h e n d r u i d s , f e y o r

r a n g e r s a r e a b o u t t o g i v e t h e i r l i v e s t o p r o t e c t t h e l a n d , t h e

b e a s t s w i l l h e a d t h e i r c a l l a n d a s s i s t t h e m i n t o b a t t l e . W h e n

c a l l e d t h r o u g h m a g i c t h e b e a s t s w i l l s e r v e f o r a t i m e ,

u n d e r s t a n d i n g t h e n e c e s s i t y t o p u t t h e i r h u n t a s i d e t o p a r t a k e

i n t h e g r e a t e r g o o d .

Summoning Spell

The creatures introduced in this section can all besummoned by the conjure fey spell. As long as thecaster can expand a spell slot of a level high enough tomatch the challenge rating of the primal beast.

Primal Wolf

Large fey, unaligned

Armor Class 15 (natural armor)Hit Points 67 (7d10 + 28)Speed 50 ft.


20 (+5) 15 (+2) 18 (+4) 7 (-2) 12 (+1) 7 (-2)

Condition Immunities charmed, frightenedSkills Perception +4, Sneak +5Senses passive Perception 14Languages Sylvan but cannot speakChallenge 4 (1,100 XP)

Pack Tactics. The wolf has advantage on melee attackrolls against a creature if at least one of the wolf's alliesis within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn'tincapacitated.

Keen Hearing and Smell. The wolf has advantage onWisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing orsmell.

Sneak Attack 1/Turn). The wolf deals an extra 13 (4d6)damage when it hits a target with a weapon attack andhas advantage on the attack roll, or when the target iswithin 5 feet of an ally of the wolf that isn'tincapacitated and the wolf doesn't have disadvantageon the attack roll.

ActionsMultiattack. The wolf makes two bite attacks.

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5ft., onetarget. Hit 16 (3d6 + 5) piercing damage. If the target

is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 15 Strengthsaving throw or be knocked prone.


9/17

Primal Bear

Huge fey, unaligned

Armor Class 16 (natural armor)Hit Points 136(12d12 + 60)Speed 40 ft, swim 30 ft.


25 (+7) 10 (+0) 20 (+5) 7 (-2) 14 (+2) 7 (-2)

Condition Immunities charmed, frightenedSkills Perception +6Senses passive Perception 16Languages Sylvan but cannot speakChallenge 8 (3,900 XP)

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

Unstoppable Recharge after a Short or Long Rest). If thebear takes damage that would reduce it to 0 hit points,it is reduced to 1 hit point instead and the bear is

healed of 33 (4d8 + 15) hit points.

ActionsMultiattack.

The bear makes three attacks, one with itsbite and two with its claws.

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 5ft., onetarget. Hit 20 (2d12 + 7) piercing damage.


Primal Murder of Crows

Large swarm of Small feys, unaligned

Armor Class 14Hit Points 41 (6d10 + 7)Speed 10 ft., fly 50 ft.


11 (+0) 18 (+4) 12 (+1) 7 (-2) 14 (+2) 6 (-2)

Skills Perception +6Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, slashingCondition Immunities charmed, frightened, paralyzed,

petrified, prone, restrained, stunnedSenses passive Perception 16Languages Sylvan but cannot speakChallenge 2 (450 XP)

Swarm. The swarm can occupy another creature's spaceand vice versa , and the swarm can move through anyopening large enough for a Small crow. The swarmcan't regain hit points or gain temporary hit points.

ActionsBeaks. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5ft., onetarget in the swarm's space. Hit 22 (5d6 + 4) piercingdamage and the target must succeed on a DC 14Constitution saving throw or be blinded until the endof its next turn. The swarm's damage change to 11(2d6 +4) piercing damage if it has half of its hit pointsof fewer.


10/17

Wraith

A w r a i t h i s m a l i c e i n c a r n a t e , c o n c e n t r a t e d i n t o a n

i n c o r p o r e a l f o r m t h a t s e e k s t o q u e n c h a l l l i f e .

T h e c r e a t u r e i s s u f f u s e d w i t h n e g a t i v e e n e r g y ,

a n d i t s m e r e p a s s a g e t h r o u g h t h e w o r l d l e a v e s

n e a r b y p l a n t s b l a c k e n e d a n d w i t h e r e d . A n i m a l s

f l e e f r o m i t s p r e s e n c e . E v e n s m a l l f i r e s c a n b e

e x t i n g u i s h e d b y t h e s u c k i n g o b l i v i o n o f t h e

w r a i t h ' s h o r r i f y i n g e x i s t e n c e .

U n d e a d N a t u r e . A w r a i t h d o e s n ' t r e q u i r e a i r , f o o d , d r i n k ,

o r s l e e p .

Optional: Wraith Rejuvenation

Often, simply destroying the physical form of a wraithisn't enough to get rid of it permanently. Most wraithhaunt a specific location and sending them to theirfinal death will require some extra work. If destroyed, awraith will regain all its hit points in 24 hours, unlessprevented to in the following ways:

Nightwraith. Reforms at the place of its hauntingunless a dispel evil and good or greater restauration

spell is used on its remains and its bones are splashedwith holy water and then burned.

Noonwraith. Reforms at the place of its hauntingunless a remove curse spell is used on the anchorbounding it to this world. The anchor could be awedding ring, a bride's veil, wedding vows or even, insome cases, a person or its remains.

Plague Maiden. Reforms somewhere in the regionunless it was destroyed in the area of effect of a hallow spell specifically casted for this purpose.

Hym. Reforms unless the hym's initial victim is freedfrom the indefinite madness of the wraith.

Nightwraith

W h e n t h e s u n s e t s , t h e f i e l d s b e c o m e t h e d o m a i n o f m i d n i g h t

d e m o n s w h o d r a w t h e i r p o w e r f r o m m o o n l i g h t . D a r k a s t h e

n i g h t i t s e l f a n d f i l l e d w i t h g r i e f , t h e y r o a m t h e f i e l d s l i t b y

s i l v e r l i g h t . W o e t o t h o s e w h o a r e s p o t t e d b y a n i g h t w r a i t h .

Optional: Curse of the Night Maiden

In some parts of the world nightwraith are knownunder a different name, night maiden. These creatures,always female of appearance, are known for visiting atmidnight pregnant women that were wronged by theman that impregnated them. The wraith curses thechild growing in her womb. The following pregnancy is

plagued with nightmares and constant exhaustion, asthe growing child drains away the life of theunfortunate mother. If the pregnancy comes to terms,it will always result in the death of the mother and thebirth of a stillborn child. In the following night the childwill raise as a botchling, hellbent on killing his father.The only known way to prevent the curse to follow itscourse is to cast the remove curse spell on the mother,ending the pregnancy in a miscarriage.

B o r n o f G r i e f . S o m e s a y y o u s h o u l d f e a r a n i g h t w r a i t h a s

m u c h a s y o u s h o u l d p i t y i t . N i g h t w r a i t h s e x u d e a n i m m e n s e

s a d n e s s , c o u p l e d w i t h a n h e l p l e s s w r a t h . O n e c a n f e e l

i n s t a n t l y t h e p r o f o n d d i s t r e s s c o m i n g f r o m t h e w r a i t h ,

p o u r i n g o u t o f i t l i k e a w e l l o f e n d l e s s d e s p a i r . T h e s t o r y o f a

n i g h t w r a i t h i s a l w a y s a t r a g i c o n e , t h e y w e r e k i l l e d b y l o v e d

o n e s , b e t r a y e d b y a c l o s e f r i e n d o r t h e v i c t i m o f a n h i d e o u s

p l o t . S o m e l e g e n d s s a y y o u c a n p u t a n i g h t w r a i t h t o r e s t b y

a v e n g i n g i t , b r i n g i n g i t s t o r m e n t o r t o j u s t i c e o r m a k i n g t h e i r

k i l l e r w e e p f o r t h e m s i n c e r e l y o n t h e i r g r a v e . T h e t r u t h i s ,

n o t h i n g i s e v e r s o e a s y .

T e r r o r o f t h e N i g h t . L i k e n o o n w r a i t h s , n i g h t w r a i t h s a r e

m o s t l y f o u n d i n r u r a l a r e a s a n d o n l y a h a n d f u l o f c a s e s

i n v o l v i n g a n i g h t w r a i t h h a v e b e e n r e p o r t e d i n c i t i e s . T r a v e l e r s

f a l l v i c t i m t o t h e m m o s t o f t e n , b u t i f l e g e n d s a r e t o b e

b e l i e v e d t h e y a l s o s n e a k i n t o h u t s a t t i m e s a n d m u r d e r

p e a s a n t s i n t h e i r s l e e p . D o n o t b e l i e v e t h e o l d w i f e t a l e s a n d

t h i n k y o u r s e l f c o m p l e t e l y s a f e f r o m n i g h t w r a i t h s d u r i n g t h e

d a y . T h e y a p p e a r u n d e r t h e l i g h t o f t h e s u n a s w e l l , b u t a r e

m u c h w e a k e r t h e n t h a n a f t e r d u s k . N i g h t w r a i t h s a r e , l i k e

m o s t w r a i t h , d r o w n t o t h e s i t e o f m a n y d e a t h s a n d t h e i r

p r e s e n c e i n c r e a s e n e a r b a t t l e f i e l d s o r m a s s g r a v e s .


11/17

Nightwraith

Medium undead, neutral evil

Armor Class 14Hit Points 110 (13d8 + 52)Speed 0 ft., fly 60 ft. (hover)


6 (-2) 18 (+4) 18 (+4) 12 (+1) 14 (+2) 17 (+3)

Damage Resistances acid, fire, lightning, thunder,bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagicalweapons that aren't silvered

Damage Immunities cold, necrotic, poisonCondition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, grappled,

paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrainedSenses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12Languages the languages it knew in lifeChallenge 7 (2,900 XP)

Incorporeal Movement.

The nightwraith can movethrough other creatures and objects as if they were

difficult terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if itends its turn inside an object.

Moonlight Dance. Each non-undead creature within 60feet of the nightwraith that can see it must succeed ona DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or become charmed,joining the wraith in its maddening dance. The creatureis free from the enchantment if it takes any damage.Each hour passed dancing, the creature gains one levelof exhaustion. A charmed target can repeat the savingthrow each hour, with disadvantage if the nightwraithis within line of sight, ending the effect on itself on asuccess. If a target's saving throw is successful or theeffect ends for it, the target is immune to thenightwraith's Moonlight Dance for the next 24 hours.

Sunlight Sensitivity.

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

ActionsLife Drain. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5ft.,one creature. Hit 27 (5d8 + 4) necrotic damage. Thetarget must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution savingthrow or its hit point maximum is reduced by anamount equal to the damage taken. This reduction lastuntil the target finishes a long rest. The target dies if this effect reduces its hit point maximum to 0.

Deathly Projection Recharge 5-6). The nightwraithcreates 4 deathly projection of itself and becomesethereal, as for the etherealness spell, until they are alldestroyed or it dismisses them with an action. Anydamage inflicted by the projections heals thenightwraith by an equal amount.

Deathly Projection




6 (-2) 18 (+4) 18 (+4) 12 (+1) 14 (+2) 17 (+3)

Damage Resistances acid, fire, lightning, thunder,bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagicalweapons that aren't silvered

Damage Immunities cold, necrotic, poisonCondition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, grappled,

paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrainedSenses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12Languages the languages it knew in lifeChallenge -

Incorporeal Movement. The projection can movethrough other creatures and objects as if they were


Life Drain Aura. The deathly projection drains the life of all living creatures around it. All non-undead creatureswithin 20 feet around the projection automaticallysuffer 7 (2d6) necrotic damage at the beginning of theprojection’s turn.


12/17

Noonwraith

N o o n w r a i t h s a r e b o r n a t h i g h n o o n o u t o f h e a t , s a d n e s s a n d

t h e s w e a t o f p l o u g h m e n . I n t h e h o t a i r a b o v e t h e f i e l d s , t h e y

g a t h e r t o d a n c e m a d l y , c r e a t i n g a i r v o r t e x e s , b u t t h e s p e c t e r s

d i s l i k e b e i n g w a t c h e d . T h o s e w h o p e e p a r e f o r c e d t o d a n c e

w i t h t h e m .

I n n o c e n c e L o s t . C r o p s s w a y i n g i n t h e f i e l d s o n a w i n d l e s s

d a y i n d i c a t e t h a t a n o o n w r a i t h i s n e a r b y . T h e s e m o n s t e r s k i l l

h u m a n s w h o v e n t u r e i n t o t h e f i e l d s a t n o o n t i m e , t h u s ,

f a r m e r s r e t u r n h o m e o r s e e k s h e l t e r i n t h e s h a d e a t t h i s t i m e

o f t h e d a y . T h e n o o n w r a i t h i s a s u n - b u r n e d o l d w o m a n .

C l o t h e d i n a l i n e n , s h e h o v e r s j u s t a b o v e t h e g r o u n d , h e r h a i r

w h i t e f r o m c o n s t a n t e x p o s u r e t o t h e s u n . S t r e a k s o f l i g h t d r i f t

a b o u t h e r , a n d w h e n n e c e s s a r y s h e u s e s t h e s e t o b l i n d h e r

o p p o n e n t s . T h e n o o n w r a i t h ' s f r o c k a n d s h o e s s u g g e s t s h e

o n c e w a s a y o u n g g i r l , w h o v e n t u r i n g i n t o t h e f i e l d s , j o i n e d i n

a s p e c t r a l d a n c e a n d t h u s e n t e r e d t h e s p i r i t w o r l d a s a

w r a i t h .

W r o n g e d B r i d e s . T h e n o o n w r a i t h s a r e t h e s p i r i t s o f y o u n g

w o m e n a n d g i r l s w h o d i e d v i o l e n t d e a t h s r i g h t b e f o r e t h e i r

w e d d i n g s . D r i v e n m a d w i t h p a i n o r a n g e r , t h e y w a n d e r t h e

f i e l d s s e a r c h i n g f o r t h e i r u n f a i t h f u l l o v e r s o r b a c k s t a b b i n g

r i v a l s , t h o u g h t h e y w i l l k i l l a n y o n e w h o d o e s n o t g e t o u t o f

t h e i r w a y i n t i m e . T h e y a r e o f t e n h e l d i n t h i s w o r l d b y s o m e

o b j e c t o f i n t e n s e e m o t i o n a l s i g n i f i c a n c e . T h a t i s w h y , i f o n e

e v e r f i n d s a w e d d i n g r i n g o r t o r n v e i l i n t h e m i d d l e o f a f i e l d ,

o n e s h o u l d n o t p i c k i t u p , b u t i n s t e a d b a c k a w a y a s q u i c k l y a s

p o s s i b l e . C o n t r a r y t o p o p u l a r b e l i e f , n o o n w r a i t h s c a n a l s o b e

e n c o u n t e r e d a t n i g h t , b u t a r e m u c h w e a k e r t h e n t h a n d u r i n g

t h e d a y .

oonwraith




6 (-2) 21 (+5) 18 (+4) 12 (+1) 14 (+2) 17 (+3)

Damage Resistances acid, lightning, thunder,bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagicalweapons that aren't silvered

Damage Immunities fire, necrotic, poisonCondition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, grappled,



The noonwraith can movethrough other creatures and objects as if they were


Midday Dance. Each non-undead creature within 60feet of the noonwraith that can see it must succeed ona DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or become charmed,joining the wraith in its maddening dance. The creatureis free from the enchantment if it takes any damage.Each hour passed dancing, the creature gains one levelof exhaustion. A charmed target can repeat the savingthrow each hour, with disadvantage if the noonwraithis within line of sight, ending the effect on itself on asuccess. If a target's saving throw is successful or theeffect ends for it, the target is immune to thenoonwraith's Midday Dance for the next 24 hours.

Moonlight Sensitivity.

At night, the noonwraith hasdisadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom(Perception) checks that rely on sight.

ActionsLife Drain. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5ft.,one creature. Hit 32 (6d8 + 5) necrotic damage. Thetarget must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution savingthrow or its hit point maximum is reduced by anamount equal to the damage taken and the noonwraithregains hit points equal to that amount.. This reductionlast until the target finishes a long rest. The target diesif this effect reduces its hit point maximum to 0.

Searing Heat Recharge 4-6). The noonwraith wraps heatand dusk around her. Every creature within 20 feet of the wraith must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw,taking 22 (6d6) fire damage on a failed save and beingblinded until the end of their next turn. Creatures takehalf as much damage on a successful saving throw andare not blinded.


13/17

Plague Maiden

W h e n p l a g u e r a v a g e s a r e g i o n , a s p i r i t w i l l s o m e t i m e s w a l k

i t s l a n d s , a g h o s t r e s e m b l i n g a n i l l w o m a n w h o s e f l e s h r o t s

o f f h e r b o n e s a n d i n w h o s e w a k e c r a w l s a c a v a l c a d e o f r a t s

a n d v e r m i n e s . N o o n e k n o w s w h e t h e r t h i s s p i r i t b r i n g s t h e

p o x w i t h h e r o r i s m e r e l y d r a w n t o i t l i k e a m o t h t o a l i g h t . Y e t

i t i s c e r t a i n t h a t s h e d e l i g h t s i n d e a l i n g p a i n a n d s u f f e r i n g , i n

h e a r i n g t h e h o w l i n g a n d m o a n i n g o f m e n .

S u b t l e I n f l u e n c e . M a n y h a v e c a l l e d i n t o q u e s t i o n t h e v e r y

e x i s t e n c e o f p l a g u e m a i d e n s , o r p e s t a e , a s t h e y a r e

s o m e t i m e s c a l l e d . O n l y t w o c o n f i r m e d s i g h t i n g s o f s u c h a

c r e a t u r e h a v e e v e r b e e n r e c o r d e d , b o t h d u r i n g t i m e s o f r a g i n g

e p i d e m i c . T h e t r u t h i s t h a t t h e w o r k o f a p e s t a e c a n m o s t o f

t h e t i m e b e a t t r i b u t e d t o n a t u r a l c a u s e s . I t ' s v e r y d i f f i c u l t t o

a s s e r t w i t h c e r t a i n t y t h e p r e s e n c e o f t h e c r e a t u r e a n d o n l y

t h e m o s t k n o w l e d g e a b l e o f s c h o l a r s , w r a i t h - h u n t e r s a n d

a p o t h e c a r i e s c a n d e t e c t i t s w o r k .

D e c e i t f u l S p i r i t . S o m e s u g g e s t t h a t p l a g u e s m a i d e n c a n

p a s s f o r o t h e r t y p e o f g h o s t o r w r a i t h , h i d i n g t h e i r p r e s e n c e

a n d t r u e i d e n t i t y o n p u r p o s e . A s t h e n a m e “ p l a g u e m a i d e n

s u g g e s t s , t h e s e w r a i t h s t a k e t h e a p p e a r a n c e o f f e m a l e s ,

t h o u g h e x a c t l y w h y t h a t i s r e m a i n s a m y s t e r y . M o s t s c h o l a r

s p e c u l a t e t h e y , l i k e o t h e r s u c h w r a i t h s , a r i s e f r o m t h e

p o w e r f u l e m o t i o n a l c h a r g e a s s o c i a t e d w i t h c e r t a i n

c i r c u m s t a n c e s o f d e a t h , s u c h a s d e a t h p r e c e d e d b y a l o n g

a n d p a r t i c u l a r l y p a i n f u l i l l n e s s . T o t h e d i f f e r e n c e o f m a n y

o t h e r w r a i t h t h e p l a g u e m a i d e n a r e n o t b o u n d t o a l o c a t i o n

a n d c a n t r a v e l g r e a t d i s t a n c e s , t h e y g o w e r e e p i d e m i c s

s p r e a d o r m o v e t o n e w r e g i o n s t o s t a r t t h e m , w h i c h o f t h e

t w o i s u n c e r t a i n .

F e v e r i s h W o r s h i p . T h o s e a f f l i c t e d b y t h e s u p e r n a t u r a l

d i s e a s e o f a p e s t a e w i l l s o m e t i m e e x p e r i e n c e f e v e r i n d u c e d

v i s i o n s , s h o w i n g t h e m a f e m i n i n e f i g u r e f l o a t i n g o v e r t h e m .

I n s o m e r e g i o n s r a g i n g w i t h e p i d e m i c s , p l a g u e c u l t s h a v e

s p r e a d , a c t i v e l y e x p o s i n g m e m b e r s t o t h e d i s e a s e t o r e c e i v e

t h e " b l e s s i n g " o f t h e l a d y . I n s o m e r a r e c a s e s s o m e o f t h e s e

i n d i v i d u a l s a r e l i v i n g i n a n i n e x p l i c a b l e s t a t e o f h a r m o n y w i t h

a d e v o u r i n g c a n c e r , w r a p p i n g t h e i r b o d y w i t h s c a b s a n d b o i l s

b u t s o m e h o w k e e p i n g t h e m a l i v e , s o m e t i m e l o n g a f t e r t h e i r

l i f e e x p e c t a n c y .

Regional Effects

T h e r e g i o n c o n t a i n i n g a p l a g u e m a i d e n s u f f e r s o f t h e

c r e a t u r e ' s i n s i d i o u s p r e s e n c e , c r e a t i n g t h e f o l l o w i n g m a g i c a l

e f f e c t s :

U s i n g n a t u r a l a n d m a g i c a l h e a l i n g i s a d i f f i c u l t t h i n g i n t h e

r e g i o n . A l l W i s d o m ( M e d i c i n e ) c h e c k s a r e m a d e w i t h

d i s a d v a n t a g e a n d c a s t e r s t h a t w a n t t o u s e h e a l i n g m a g i c

m u s t f i r s t m a k e a D C 1 3 C h a r i s m a s a v i n g t h r o w . O n a f a i l u r e

t h e s p e l l h a s n o e f f e c t a n d t h e s p e l l s l o t u s e d i s w a s t e d .

E p i d e m i c s s t a r t t o s p r e a d q u i c k l y i n t h e r e g i o n . S a v i n g

t h r o w s m a d e a g a i n s t d i s e a s e s i n t h e r e g i o n h a v e

d i s a d v a n t a g e a n d i n c u b a t i o n t i m e i s r e d u c e d b y h a l f .

V e r m i n s , e s p e c i a l l y r a t s a n d f l i e s , s t a r t t o c o n v e r g e t o w a r d

t h e r e g i o n a n d s h o w s i g n s o f u n u s u a l s w a r m b e h a v i o r a n d

i n c r e a s e d a g g r e s s i v e n e s s . T h e s e s w a r m s a r e a l w a y s c a r r y i n g

d i s e a s e s .

W h e n t h e p l a g u e m a i d e n i s d e s t r o y e d , a l l o f t h e s e r e g i o n a l

e f f e c t s f a d e o v e r 1 0 d a y s .


14/17

Plague Maiden




6 (-2) 22 (+6) 26 (+8) 20 (+5) 14 (+2) 17 (+3)

Saving Throws Dex +11, Con +13, Int +10Skills Deception +13, Stealth +13Damage Resistances acid, cold, fire, lightning, thunder,

bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagicalweapons that aren't silvered

Damage Immunities necrotic, poisonCondition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, grappled,


Contagious Ichor.

When a creature within 10 feet of thepestae hits it with an attack it must make a DC 18Constitution saving throw, contracting a disease onfailure, as per the contagion spell.

False Appearance. The plague maiden can modify itsappearance to look like any other kind of ghost, specteror wraith. Nothing short of a true seeing spell or equallypowerful magic can pierce the illusion.

Incorporeal Movement. The plague maiden can movethrough other creatures and objects as if they weredifficult terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it endsits turn inside an object.

Pestilence Aura. At the start of each of the plaguemaiden's turns, each creature affected by a diseasewithin 90 feet of it must make a DC 18 Constitutionsaving throw, suffering from the full effect of the aura onfailure, based on the number of diseases contracted. Thepestae can decide to exclude a creature from the aura.The effects of the levels of infection are cumulative:

1. disease: The creature takes 14 (3d8) necrotic damage.

2. diseases: The creature is unable to regain hit points by any

means.

3. diseases: the creature takes 14 (3d8) poison damage.

4. diseases: The creature gains a level of exhaustion.

Regeneration. The plague maiden regains 20 hit points atthe start of its turn if it has at least 1 hit point. If theplague maiden takes radiant damage this trait doesn'tfunction at the start of the pestae's next turn.

Supernatural Plague. The body of a pestae containssimultaneously all diseases that ever existed, aggravatedby the wraith. The DC of all diseases originating from thewraith is raised to 18. All diseases have supernaturalorigins and bypass the immunity of characters usuallyimmune to them (like druids, monks or paladins). Whena feature refers to the contagion spell, the diseaseimmediately takes effect and lasts for 7 days.

ActionsPlague Caress. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach5ft., one target. Hit 20 (3d8 + 6) necrotic damage plus14 (3d8) poison damage. The creature make a DC 18

Constitution saving throw, contracting a disease onfailure, as per the contagion spell.

Legendary ActionsThe plague maiden can take 3 legendary actions,choosing from the options below. Only one legendaryaction option can be used at a time and only at the endof another creature's turn. The plague maiden regainsspent legendary actions at the start of its turn.

Teleport. The plague maiden magically teleports, alongwith any equipment its wearing or carrying, up to 120feet to an unoccupied space it can see.

Plague Caress. The pestae makes one plague caress

attack.Fetid Breath Costs 2 Actions). The plague maiden exhales

a 30-foot cone of flies and noxious gaz. Each creaturein that area must make a DC 18 Constitution savingthrow, contracting a disease on a failed save, as perthe contagion spell.


15/17

Hym's Madness

d100 Indefinite Madness

01-20

"My anger consumes me. I can't be reasoned withwhen my rage has been stoked."

21-40

"Someone is plotting to kill me. I need to strike firstto stop them!"

41-60

"I have intermittent hallucinations and fits of catatonia."

61-

80

"I convince myself that things are true, even in the

face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary."81-00

"My perception of reality doesn't match anyoneelse's. It makes me prone to violent delusions thatmake no sense to anyone else."

Hym

S o m e m e n h a v e g o t g o o d r e a s o n t o f e a r t h e i r o w n s h a d o w s .

A t y r a n t s l o w l y l o o s e s g r i p o v e r h i s k i n g d o m , s h u t t i n g o u t a l l

h i s a d v i s e r s , a c c u s i n g h i s m o s t l o y a l k n i g h t s o f p l o t t i n g

a g a i n s t h i m . T h e f a t h e r t h a t d r o w n h i s c h i l d r e n d u r i n g t h e

l a s t f a m i n e s c r e a m s a t t h e m i n t h e s t r e e t , a s k i n g f o r

f o r g i v e n e s s o n e s e c o n d a n d c u r s i n g t h e m t h e o t h e r . T h e s e

a r e a l l s i g n s o f H y m ' s h a u n t i n g . T h e s e w r a i t h t o r m e n t t h e

g u i l t y , t h e w i c k e d a n d t h e m a d , d r i v i n g t h e m a l w a y s f u r t h e r

d o w n t h e p a t h o f i n s a n i t y .

A t t r a c t e d b y W i c k e d n e s s . M o n s t e r s m o s t c o m m o n l y c l a i m

i n n o c e n t s a s t h e i r v i c t i m s : t a r d y m e r c h a n t s , r e c k l e s s c h i l d r e n

a n d t r a v e l e r s w h o w a n d e r i n t o d a r k w o o d l a n d s o u t o f

m i s p l a c e d c u r i o s i t y . N o n e o f t h e a b o v e n e e d f e a r h y m s ,

h o w e v e r . T h e s e w r a i t h s o n l y l a t c h o n t o p a r t i c u l a r l y

d e s p i c a b l e o r g u i l t y i n d i v i d u a l s w h o h a v e c o m m i t t e d s o m e

u n s p e a k a b l e c r i m e . T o a l l o t h e r s , t h e y r e m a i n c o m p l e t e l y

i n v i s i b l e , h i d i n g i n t h e B o r d e r E t h e r e a l . W h e n t h e y d o s h o w

t h e m s e l v e s t o t h e o n e t h e y t o r m e n t , t h e y a p p e a r a s a t a l l ,

s h a d o w - c l a d , h u m a n o i d s i l h o u e t t e w i t h l o n g , s h a r p c l a w s .

T o r m e n t o r s . Y e t h y m s d o n o t s i n k t h e s e c l a w s i n t o t h e i r

v i c t i m s . I n s t e a d , t h e y s a p t h e i r s t r e n g t h i n d i r e c t l y , t h r o u g h

i n f l i c t i n g s u f f e r i n g . S p e a k i n g i n a v o i c e o n l y t h e v i c t i m h e a r s ,

t h e y d r i v e h i m t o c o m m i t a c t s o f v i o l e n c e , a g g r e s s i o n a n d

s e l f - h a r m . A h y m w i l l s e i z e o n a g u i l t y p e r s o n ’ s w o r s t f e a r s

a n d w e a v e o u t o f t h e m h i d e o u s v i s i o n s , s l o w i n g d r i v i n g t h e

p o o r s o u l i n t o m a d n e s s . E v i l c r e a t u r e s a r e c e r t a i n l y t h e o n e s

t h a t s h o u l d f e a r t h e h y m m o s t , b u t t h o s e t h a t c o m m i t t e d a c t s

o f w i c k e d n e s s i n t h e n a m e o f a g r e a t e r c a u s e s h o u l d e q u a l l y

f e a r f o r t h e i r s o u l .

D e s c e n t i n t o M a d n e s s . T h o s e t o r m e n t e d b y a h y m a r e

i n c a p a b l e o f r e s t f u l s l e e p , f o r t h e y a r e t o r m e n t e d b y e v e r -

m o r e - f r e q u e n t , i n c r e d i b l y - r e a l i s t i c n i g h t m a r e s . A t t i m e s t h e

v i c t i m w i l l b e c o m e e x t r e m e l y o n e d g e , y e l l i n g p l e a s o r t h r e a t s

a t i n v i s i b l e p h a n t o m s o r c o n f e s s i n g h i s g u i l t o u t l o u d i n t h e

h o p e t h i s w i l l e n d h i s t o r m e n t . T h i s a c t d o e s n o t , h o w e v e r ,

b r i n g a n y r e l i e f , f o r t h e h y m w i l l n o t l e a v e u n t i l i t h a s a d d l e d

i t s v i c t i m ’ s w i t s c o m p l e t e l y o r d r i v e n h i m t o s u i c i d e .

Optional: Tricking an Hym

In theory, a hym can be tricked to leave its victim.Hyms attack those who have guilty conscience and canbe tempted to take a new, fresher host. Tricking thecreature is a daunting task though. The trickster can'tknow its a trick, he needs to truly believe hecommitted a fool deed. If the new host doesn't feeltrue sorrow the hym will sense it and won't take the

bait. When the hym realizes it has been tricked, it willbe forced to leave, giving its sanity back to its victimand abandoning its lair.


16/17

A Hym s Lair

A h y m ' s l a i r c o m p l e t e l y d e p e n d s o n t h e n a t u r e o f t h e p e r s o n

i t s c u r r e n t l y h a u n t i n g . T h e l a i r w i l l u s u a l l y h a v e a

s i g n i f i c a n c e f o r t h e v i c t i m , p r o b a b l y w h e r e s h e c o m m i t t e d

h e r f o o l d e e d .

LAIR ACTIONS

O n i n i t i a t i v e c o u n t 2 0 ( l o s i n g i n i t i a t i v e t i e s ) , t h e h y m t a k e s a

l a i r a c t i o n t o c a u s e o n e o f t h e f o l l o w i n g m a g i c a l e f f e c t s :

S i g n s o f h a u n t i n g a r e m a n i f e s t e d , b l o o d p o o r o v e r t h e

w a l l s , b l a c k g o o e y e c t o p l a s m e b o i l s o n t h e g r o u n d o r d r e a d f u l

s c r e a m s e c h o i n t h e l a i r . A l l n o n - u n d e a d c r e a t u r e s m u s t

s u c c e e d o n a D C 1 0 W i s d o m s a v i n g t h r o w o r b e c o m e

f r i g h t e n e d u n t i l t h e e n d o f t h e i r n e x t t u r n .

U n h o l l y e n e r g y s u f f u s e t h r o u g h t h e l a i r , a l l u n d e a d

c r e a t u r e s i n t h e l a i r h a v e a d v a n t a g e o n a l l s a v i n g t h r o w s u n t i l

i n i t i a t i v e c o u n t 2 0 o n t h e n e x t r o u n d .

T h e t e m p e r a t u r e d r o p s s i g n i f i c a n t l y i n s i d e t h e l a i r , s l i p p e r y

i c e f o r m s o n s u r f a c e s , m a k i n g a 2 0 f o o t r a d i u s d i f f i c u l t

t e r r a i n . W h e n a c r e a t u r e m o v e s o n t o i t f o r t h e f i r s t t i m e o n a

t u r n , i t m u s t s u c c e e d o n a D C 1 0 D e x t e r i t y ( A c r o b a t i c s )

c h e c k o r f a l l p r o n e .

Hym

Large undead, neutral evil

Armor Class 16 (19 in dim light or darkness)Hit Points 158 (15d10 + 75)Speed 30 ft.


6 (-2) 22 (+6) 20 (+5) 20 (+5) 14 (+2) 19 (+4)

Saving Throws Dex +11 (+14 in dim light or darkness),Con +10

Skills Stealth +11Damage Resistances acid, cold, fire, lightning, thunder,

bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagicalweapons that aren't silvered

Damage Immunities necrotic, poisonCondition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, grappled,

paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrainedSenses truesight 120 ft., passive Perception 12Languages all, telepathy 120 ft.Challenge 13 (10,000 XP)

Innate Spellcasting. The hym's innate spellcasting ability isCharisma (spell save DC 17). The hym can innately castthe following spells, requiring no material components:

At will: darkness, dream, phantasmal force 3/day each: evard's black tentacles, phantasmal killer 1/day: weird

Etherealness. The hym enters the Ethereal Plane from theMaterial Plane, or vice versa with a bonus action. Thehym is invisible while on the Border Ethereal and it can'taffect or be affected by anything on the other plane.


The hym can move through othercreatures and objects as if they were difficult terrain. Ittakes 5 (1d10) force damage if it ends its turn inside anobject.

Shadow Being. While in dim light or darkness, the hymgains +3 to its AC, Dexterity saving throw and can takethe Hide action as a bonus action.

ActionsMultiattack. The hym makes three attacks, one with itssapping tether and two with its shadow claws.

Shadow Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach10ft., one target. Hit 24 (4d8 + 6) necrotic damage. The

target must succeed on a DC 17 Constitution savingthrow or its hit point maximum is reduced by an amountequal to the damage taken. This reduction last until thetarget finishes a long rest. The target dies if this effectreduces its hit point maximum to 0.

Sapping Tether. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach10ft., one target. Hit 17 (2d10 + 6) psychic damage andthe target's Wisdom score is reduced by 1d6. The targetgains a Hym's Indefinite madness if this reduces itsWisdom to 0. Otherwise, the reduction lasts until thetarget finishes a short or long rest.

Legendary Actions

The hym can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from theoptions below. Only one legendary action option can beused at a time and only at the end of another creature'sturn. The hym regains spent legendary actions at the startof its turn.

Shadow Step. The hym magically teleports up to 60 feetto an unoccupied space it can see that is in dim lightor darkness. It then has advantage on the next meleeattack before the end of its next turn.

Shadow Claws. The hym makes one shadow claw attack.Torment Costs 3 Actions). The hym targets on creatures

with Hym's indefinite madness that it can see within60 feet of it. the target must succeed on a DC 17Wisdom saving throw, taking 33 (6d10) psychic

damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on asuccessful one. If the saving throw is failed by 5 ormore the creature gains a short-term madness.


17/17

Credit

D e s i g n e d b y N a t h a n H a s l é

( / u / r e g e r e m o r

r e g e r e m @ g m a i l . c o m )

P h o t o s h o p b y N a t h a n H a s l é

w r i t i n g : t h e d e d i c a t e d p e o p l e o f t h e W i t c h e r W i k i a

( h t t p : / / w i t c h e r . w i k i a . c o m / ) a n d m y s e l f .

C D P r o j e k t ( h t t p : / / e n . c d p r o j e k t r e d . c o m / ) f o r t h e A M A Z I N G

W i t c h e r g a m e s e r i e .

A n d r z e j S a p k o w s k i f o r t h e W i t c h e r u n i v e r s e .

Art (by order of appearance)

F i e n d 1 : G e a r l t v s a F i e n d b y P a b l o D . [ x - p o s t f r o m

/ r / I m a g i n a r y W i t c h e r ] - A l b u m o n I m g u r

R e s t l e s s E y e : H o r n e d S c r e a m b y M i t c h G r a v e o n

D e v i a n t A r t

F i e n d 2 : F i e n d f r o m h t t p : / / w w w . c r e a t i v e u n c u t . c o m /

L e s h e n 1 : T h e W i t c h e r 3 : A n c i e n t L e s h e n , M a r e k M a d e j

B l i g h t T r e e : N e y j o u r ( t w 3 w h ) - d e v i a n t a r t . c o m

L e s h e n 2 : F r i g h t e n i n g L e s h e n s u b m i t t e d b y

@ N o r a P o t w o r a

W o l v e s : M i c h a l I v a n ( m i c h a l i v a n . d e v i a n t a r t . c o m )

B e a r : U l v e n w a l d B e a r b y J a s o n E n g l e

r a v e n : F l y i n g R a v e n P a i n t i n g b y u n k o w n

N i g h t w r a i t h : b y M a r e k M a d e j

F i e l d a t n i g h t : b y u n k o w n

N o o n w r a i t h : b y M a r e k M a d e j

P l a g u e M a i d e n : b y M a r e k M a d e j

f o g g y c a s t l e : b y D o n m a l o ( h t t p : / / d o n m a l o . d e v i a n t a r t . c o m / )

H y m : i n g a m e W i t c h e r 3 r e t o u c h e d s c r e e n s h o t .

R a i s e d S t o n e s : S k y r i m c o n c e p t a r t b y u n k o w n .
http://donmalo.deviantart.com/http://www.creativeuncut.com/http://en.cdprojektred.com/http://witcher.wikia.com/

Book of Beautiful Horrors v 02

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