Eldritch Expansion DND PDF

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Contents
Introduction 4 Spells 36
Eldritch Magic .............................................................. 4 Spell Lists ..........................................................................36
The Far Realm ..................................................................4 Spells .......................................................................................37
The Codex Anathema ...............................................6 44
Creatures
Great Old Ones .............................................................6
Optional Rule: Sanity Score .........................8 Lore: Aberrations .................................................... 44
Optional Rule: Mental Stability ............. 8 Angel of Decay .............................................................46
Aspect of Elder Evil ..............................................47
Magic Items 9 Aspect of Atropus ....................................................................47
Aspect of Leviathan ................................................................ 49
Additional Magic Items ....................................... 9 Aspect of Sertrous .................................................................. 51
Additional Artifacts ............................................11 Beholderkin ....................................................................53
15 Director ..................................................................................... 53
Race Options Hive Mother ..............................................................................54
Eldritch Scion .............................................................15 Overseer ....................................................................................56
Rogue Illithid ..............................................................16 Grell ........................................................................................58
Grell Philosopher ....................................................................58
Class Options 18 Illithidae ........................................................................... 59
Eldritch Warden ........................................................18 Embrac ......................................................................................59
Bond of the Archmage ............................................................22 Kigrid .........................................................................................60
Bond of the Outsider .............................................................. 23 Saltor ......................................................................................... 61
Bond of the Lich ......................................................................23 Tsochari .............................................................................. 62
Barbarian Path .............................................................25
Abomination .............................................................................25
Cleric Domain ..............................................................26
Eldritch Disciple ......................................................................26
Rogue Archetype ........................................................27
Slayer .........................................................................................27
Warlock Patrons ........................................................28
The Archangel ..........................................................................28
The Genie ................................................................................. 29
The Reaper ...............................................................................30
Wizard Tradition ...................................................... 32
Eldritch Theurge ..................................................................... 32
Eldritch Invocations 33
Introduction
E
ldritch magic, the powers drawn from those This is the magic of the Great Old Ones and the denizens
dark beings and forces which exist between of the Far Realm, which they gift upon the warlocks and
the stars. Not as pervasive as the arcane champions in their service. Although many of these powers
and divine magics wielded by more are akin to the magic of the Prime Material, some are utterly
common spellcasters, eldritch magic always alien.
presents an aspect of otherness, a
connection to a world which rarely The Far Realm
intersects with ours and which strikes ordinary mortals as The eldritch powers dwell in a place known as the Far Realm,
strange and dangerous. a world utterly alien to ours, once so distant in space and
Yet to some, the mystery and power of this darker magic is time that it was not a part of the cosmology of the worlds and
a lure, not a source of terror, and so warlocks come into planes, but no longer.
being. These arcanist are drawn by the lure of forbidden The appearance of the Far Realm is utterly alien, full of
knowledge and forgotten arts to contact other realms and non-Euclidean geomteries and twisting physicallity that
form bonds with the beings that dwell there. resembles the flitting scenery of a dream more than a
Beyond the bargains of warlocks, eldritch magic seeps into physical reality. The most presient feature of the Far Realm is
our world in the form of dark rituals, magical items forged that it is repleat with impossibilities. The vast majority of
from nightmare, and alien beings which stalk the night and structures which exist there defy all known laws of nature,
darkest depths. the creatures being unlike anything to have grown in the
In this expansion, we will explore a mere glimpse of the boundaries of the planes.
silent advance of eldritch magic in our world. Within these
pages, you will find new magic items, playable races, classes,
class specializations, eldritch invocations, spells, and The Vast Gate
creatures, all touched by the eldritch powers beyond our Long ago lived a people known as the Elder Elves. These
mortal sphere. master thaumaturges created an arcane science of travel –
In addition, we shall take a brief tour of eldritch lore, not merely across distances, nor only between planes, but
including some of the beings known as Great Old Ones, as between parallel worlds. They established permanent gates
well as optional rules which may be implemented by DMs in to the nearby planes and, caught in their dream, they sought
handling eldritch horrors and the various optional features to build the greatest gate of all: the Vast Gate.
included within this expansion. The goal was to fashion an arcane gate which could bridge
all distance and grant passage beyond the confines of
creation, to the theoretical realm of timeless infinity.
In an incredible feat of magic, drawing upon every
Playtest Material discipline – arcane, psionic, and divine – the Elders
The material in this expansion is presented for empowered a gateway which passed beyond reality as it was
playtesting and to spark your imagination. Many of then known and into the Far Realm beyond.
these game mechanics are in draft form, usable in However, opening this gateway allowed the utterly alien
your campaign but not refined by repeated design monstrosities that dwelt within that Realm to enter ours,
iterations or full game development and editing. establishing a connection between the cosmology of our
If you discover issues with the materials here known world and the Other, which had for so long been lost
presented or possible improvements, please
submit these to the creator, and a solution or
and forgotten.
improvement will implemented in this content as
The Vast Gate was closed, and every effort was made to
soon as possible. hunt down the monstrosities that had passed through it, but
knowledge of the Far Realm persists in the multiverse even
now, and this allows a casaul link between our world and the
Other.
Eldritch Magic Travel in the Far Realm
The powers that warlocks harness come in many forms and As it exists as a place beyond the Planes, the Far Realm
from many different sources. The one uniting factor between cannot be accessed by ordinary means. Getting to the Far
warlocks of different patronage is the extraplanar nature of Plane requires magic of an incredibly powerful order, such as
their patrons. A warlock's power does not come from within, the Vast Gate of the Elder Elves or a portal opened by a
from music or study, but from powerful entities dwelling in denizen of that world, such as a very powerful beholder.
worlds beyond our own. Even should a person find some means to reach the Far
The all extraplanar magic can be considered to be eldritch Realm, they are met with an utterly alien and hostile world.
magic in its own right, and this expansion will include The very fabric of this reality is different to the material of our
elements of eldritch magic drawn from many different planar world, its geometry is impossible under the usual laws of
beings, but the focus of this expansion, and especially the lore nature, and it defies any creature of the Prime Material to
sections, is on what may be considered the truest or most enter it.
alien kind of eldritch magic.
Not for resale. Permission granted to print or
photocopy this document for personal use only.
4
Due to its erratic nature, the effects and
dangers of the Far Realm will seem to vary each
time a creature enters it, but some of the most
common dangers include those listed below.
Mind-Drain
The incredibly powerful minds of the denizens of the Far
World are sculpted by the world in which they dwell.
The very nature of the physicality of the Far Realm assaults
the mind of any that enters it. When a creature from the
Planes enters the Far Realm for the first time, it is
immediately targetted by an effect very similar to the Wandering Paths table
feeblemind spell (save DC 17). d6 Movement type
As a creature spends longer in the Far Realm, its mind is
still battered by the nature of that world. This may include 1–3 Intended distance, random direction.
being targetted by further feeblemind effects (save DC 15), or 4 Intended direction, random distance.
having to resist being stunned by the sheer weirdness of the
place (DC 15 Intelligence savintg throw). These effects 5 Random direction, random distance.
usually recurr at about 2-hour intervals, dependant on the 6 Returns to same location as start of turn.
nature of the situation, and may be automatically triggered by
a character having their mind ransacked by some other effect Far Realm Magic
(such as taking psychic damage). The Far Realm is beyond the reach of the Weave, and magic
in this place acts very differently to magic in the Material
Wandering Paths Plane. If a creature is using magic (except Psionics), the DM
The twisting and insubstantial nature of the Far Realm can choose to roll on the Wild Magic table whenever they
makes movement in its confines very difficult for creatures cast the spell.
which are not naturally adapted to its ways. In addition, whenever a spell of 1st level or higher is cast, it
When a creature attempts to move in any direction, the DM requires different amounts of magical power to what it would
can force it to make a DC 15 Intelligence saving throw. On a require in the Planes, sometimes requiring a higher or lower
success, the creature can move as intended. On a failed save, level spell slot than normal. Roll a d10 and consult the Magic
roll a d6 and consult the Wandering Paths table below. Cost table below.
5
Yet for life to exist, there must be death – an equal
Magic Cost table counterpart of negative energy to the positive energy of the
d10 Cost change life of the gods. In creating the gods, Atropus caused its own
1–3 Requires 1 lower slot level (a 1st level spell is treated death, becoming the afterbirth of creation, a being of pure
as a cantrip). negative energy, death incarnate.
4 Same cost as usual.
Appearing as a moonlike orb of darkness desires nothing
less than the end of the entire multiverse, devoiring the
5–7 Requires 1 higher slot level than normal. energy of life in a desperate attempt to undo the sacrifice it
8 Requires 2 higher slot level than normal. made in creation. Its touch is terrifying to behold, testified by
countless barren worlds swarming with the restless dead.
9 Requires 2 lower slot level than normal.
10 Does not require a spell slot to be expended. Dendar (the Night Serpent)
Also known as Eater of the World and the Mother of the
For example, on a roll of 8, a 1st-level spell would require a Night Parade, Dendar the Night Serpent is an elder evil who
3rd-level spell slot to be expended. came into being shortly after the first being slept and had a
If this effect would cause a spell to require a higher spell nightmare.
slot level than the caster has available, or a slot of higher than Dendar devours the nightmares of mortals and deities,
9th level, that spell cannot be cast. savouring the taste of the most terrible, but it is said that
should she ever not feed her insatiable appetite, every being,
The Codex Anathema mortal or deity, would remember every horrific nightmare
they had ever dreamt in excruciating detail.
Composed by Iphegor of the Ebon Mirror in Forgotten Normally dwelling in the Fugue Plane, an murky gray plane
Realms lore, the Codex Anathema or an equivalent work within the Astral Sea, it is said that her appearance in the
exists in many settings, the ramblings of a mighty and mad Material Plane will herald the end of the world and of the
wizard providing the greatest insights into the Far Realm, gods themselves.
eldritch magic, aberrations, and the Great Old Ones.
The Codex was compiled from the visions granted by the Father Llymic
Ebon Mirror, a legendary artefact of great power, visions of The first records of the name "Father Llymic" come from the
astral voyages, ancient times when aboleths ruled, and of the ancient elves who opened the Vast Gate, listed among those
darkness between the stars. strange, twisted creatures which entered our realm from the
The contents of the Codex seem like the ramblings of a place beyond the planes – the Far Realm. Yet something
madman, talking of ancient empires of creatures that eat about the antithetical nature of the multiverse to the world
minds and parasites that steal bodies, of worlds beyond the from which it came affected Father Llymic, so that its
very borders of our reality, and of realities unlike anything we physical form was paralysed and enclosed in ice, yet even
could imagine. Yet these writings offer some of the truest then its powerful mind continued to wander and affect the
records of the eldritch forces in our world. world around it.
The fate of Iphegor is lost in time, as is the fate of the Ebon Father Llymic is a being which is a master of illusion, its
Mirror. In some worlds, even the Codex itself has been lost, name coming from the image of a kindly old man that hides
but somehow, its rumour always persists, as does the rumour its hideous form. Its terrifying projections and unearthly
of the abominable creatures and otherworldly places "children" seek to transform this world into one more suitable
described within. for its existance by darknening the sun itself.
Great Old Ones Ghaunadar (That Which Lurks)
The Great Old Ones are otherworldly beings from beyond the According to the Queen of Spiders herself, Ghaunadar was
fabric of reality or from the deepest eons of the past, gods old even before Ao's time, an ancient deity rumored to have
who walked the world before the gods of Mount Celestia emerged from the primordial chaos itself.
were born and those who will herald its end. Also known as the Evil Eye and That Which Lurks,
The motives of the Great Old Ones are inscrutable, their Ghaunadar is a deity of abominations, slimes, a crawling
knowledge vast beyond the greatest libraries ever built by monsters. Touched by the Far Realm, Ghaunadar has at
mortal beings, their power often rivalling that of the gods times been counted among the pantheon of the drow, but as
themselves. often as not is found a lone power, keeping his own council.
Many of the Great Old Ones are tied to the ultimate fate of Ghaunadar is unpredictable, sometimes rewarding false
the world, bringing its destruction in their wake, and this worshippers with mighty boons, and at other times simply
seeming malicious intent earns many of them the title of devouring their souls without a second thought. His warlocks
Elder Evil. However, as often as not, they are not actively live in a constant mixture of reverance and fear, never
malevolent toward the mortal races – they simply take no knowing whether they will gain favour or lose it.
notice of them as they pass about their inscrutable schemes.
The Hulks of Zoretha
Atropus (The World Born Dead) Five monoliths, burried beneath a snow-capped mountain
The knowledge of the ancients points to some great being, and forgotten by history, the Hulks have existed far longer
force, or idea – a "prime mover", the force behind the arising than the reach of recorded memory, even that of the elves,
of the gods and the process of creation. This being was called preceding the earliest mortal civilisations and yet not
Atropus. mentioned in any myths of the gods.
6
Few have ever seen the Hulks, but those who do are In order to control Pandorym, the being's potent mind was
subjected to their nightmare-inducing presence, often being sealed in a crystal prison, while its unstoppable body was
driven mad by the encounter. trapped in a pocket plane. The gods struck before the wizards
Visitors to the Hulks attest to the existance of cults could rally their new weapon, and the name of Pandorym was
worshipping the Hulks as gods which fell from the sky and all but forgotten as the society which summoned it faded into
will one day awaken to cleanse the world of sickness and evil. oblivion. Yet Pandorym leaves on, seeking to reunite its mind
In truth, these monoliths are the forerunners of a and body to become unstoppable once more and to fulfill the
colonisation from a parallel plane called Zoretha, which will terms of its contract by destroying the gods.
one day awaken to eradicate all life on the Prime Material
plane. Ragnorra (Mother of Monsters)
Arising before the gods themselves, this humongous
Kyuss (The Worm that Walks) monstrosity birthed abominations from her very form,
In days gone by, Kyuss was a mighty and evil prophet. He earning her other name, Mother of Monsters. She was cast
created many monstrosities and abominations, and in his by the gods into the space between the planes, banished to
final act sought to ascend to godhood. make way for the first mortal life.
Through dark ritual, he claimed divinity, but in the next Yet once every 1,500 years, Ragnorra returns in the form of
moment his life as a corporeal god ended – Kyuss died, and a fiery red comet, seeking to remake the world in her own
his essence became one with the maggots and worms that image. She is an irrepresable force of creation and mutation,
devoured his form, granting him his other name. guided by a vast intelligence but without consciousness, a
Trapped within the obelisk that formed the keystone of his being of pure intuition.
ritual, the Worm that Walks seeks release, which will lead to
the fulfillment of the last part of his prophecies, which never Sertrous
proved false: the end of mankind and the dawn of the Age of One of the obyrith lords, a demonic creature from before the
Worms. time of the gods, Sertrous was cast from the Abyss by the
Queen of Chaos, discarded to the space between the planes.
The Leviathan Yet while is spirit passed through the Material Plane, he
Mentioned only in a few long-forgotten myths of the oldest anchored himself in the body of a serpent.
elementals and dragons, the Leviathan is the product of the Sertrous twisted this body to befit his demonic form, and
crafting of creation, in which the gods balanced order and he guided the early civilisation of the yuan-ti to reject the
chaos in each of the planes. Inevitably, one or the other would traditional gods, showing them how divine power could be
fall out of balance, and so Leviathan was born – the drawn from faith in an ideal or any being, and thus rejecting
embodiment of excess chaos, given physical flesh and form. the rule of the gods.
The Leviathan slumbers in the depths of the sea, and its A solar called Avamerin struck him down, but though his
body surrounds the world. The Leviathan's mind appears as body died the spirit of Sertrous lived on, in the corruption he
chaotic as its nature – either it has no grand schemes or spread, the faith of the yuan-ti, and in his severed head.
plans, or its mind is so vastly beyond the ken of mortals that
its schemes seem random and mindless to lesser beings. Tharizdun (the Chained God)
Chosen as the tool for the obyriths, a race of demons which
Pandorym existed before the gods themselves, Tharizdun, who is called
The name of Pandorym is only spoken of in scared whispers the Chained God and the Elder Elemental Eye, was driven to
among the most ancient of gods. This being was summoned madness when he opened his mind and spirit to these beings
by arrogant wizards from a world perpendicular to ours and that dwelt in the darkness between the worlds.
between planes, to serve as a superweapon to threaten the
gods themselves.

7
During the Dawn War, the obyriths granted Tharizdun a seed Generally, a character's Mental Stability score will
of evil, intended to be planted in the Astral Sea, but fearful of decrease when they suffer a mental trauma of some kind.
the gods, Tharizdun planted it in the furthest reaches of the These decreases in Mental Stability are usually applied in -1,
ever churning Elemental Chaos. From this seed grew the -2, or -3 increments, although greater penalties may be
Abyss, birth place of demons. applied. Possible examples for reductions in Mental Stability
Tharizdun was imprisoned for his crimes in a shadow may be:
world known only as Voidharrow. From this prison the Suffering more than half the character's maximum hit
Chained God reaches out to our world, striving for freedom. points in psychic damage, or taking psychic damage from
Zargon (the Returner) a critical hit (-1 MSta).
Worshipped by a mad and bloodthirsty cult in the ancient Having thoughts or emotions radically altered by magic (-2
land of Cynidicea, Zargon was one of the earliest lords of the MSta).
Nine Hells. A being of great and terrible power, he did battle Suffering torture (-1 to -3 MSta).
with the gods themselves, slew many and taunted the rest. Witnessing an eldritch abomination or creature of the Far
Zargon was eventually defeated by Asmodeus, who had Realm (-3 MSta).
long ago usurped his rule of the Nine Hells and now returned Failing a Sanity check or Wisdom saving throw against an
to put him to rest again. Though Asmodeus could no more insanity effect (-1 MSta).
kill Zargon than the gods could, he encased the beast-god in In addition, a character's Mental Stability score can be
stone, so that his immortal horn stood untouched. It was from increased by careful nurturing, the growth of personal
this horn that Zargon could reform, and so he was trapped. relationships, and healing from older traumas. Generally, a
Now Zargon dreams only of freedom and vengeance. character's Mental Stability score will increase more rarely
than it decreases, but possible examples for increases in
Optional Rule: Sanity Score Mental Stability may be:
Many of the features presented in this expansion require the Developing a close and supportive friendship (+1 MSta).
target of the effect to make a Wisdom saving throw or suffer Finding a home, or a trinket which is tied to pleasant
an effect of short-term, long-term, or indefinite madness memories (+1 MSta).
(DMG p. 259). Finishing processing significant past trauma (+1 to +3
If you are running the Sanity score optional rule (DMG MSta).
p.264), these Wisdom saving throws can all be substituted
with Sanity saving throws. A character's current Mental Stability score determines a
character's mental resilience, and as such, a decreased
Optional Rule: Mental Stability Mental Stability score inflicts certain penalties on a character.
When it comes to measuring the mental state of your PCs, in The Mental Exhaustion table offers suggestions for the
a campaign centred around the horrors of eldritch magic and penalties to apply at each Mental Stability score level. A
the Far Realm, simply apply affects of short-term, long-term, character suffers all penalties for which the character's
and indefinite madness can seem like something of a blunt Mental Stability score is less than or equal to the level at
instrument. This optional rule offers a more malleable which that penalty begins to apply, and the penalty continues
method for keeping track of a player's overall mental state. to apply until the Mental Stability score is increased above
In this optional rule, each PC starts the game with a the level at which it begins to apply.
Mental Stability (MSta) score ranging between 1 and 10. This Mental Exhaustion Table
score can be visible to the players or private to the DM. Mental
A player character's initial score is determined by their Stability Penalty
background, at the discretion of the DM. Generally, they will 10 None.
follow these guidelines:
9 Develops a minor mannerism or quirk which
A character with a comfortable background will have a serves as a coping mechanism
Mental Stability score of 10. 7 Vulnerability to psychic damage
A character with an unstable background, filled with
frequent change and uncertainty, will have a Mental 5 Disadvantage on Sanity saves / Wisdom saving
Stability score of 9. throws against insanity.
A character who has experienced an extreme trauma in 3 +1 type of indefinite madness
their past will have a Mental Stability score of 7 or 8,
dependant on how recent the trauma was. 2 +1 type of long-term madness after each short
rest
A character's Mental Stability score is affected by events in 1 Character is incapacitated by fits of madness
the campaign, measuring the lasting impact of the horrors
they have witnessed and traumas they have suffered on their
psyche.

8
Magic Items
B
etween the pages of ancient tomes lie secrets of
eldritch lore that could drive a person mad from
merely reading them, but which grant great and
terrible power. Items of eldritch magic draw
upon the dark powers that lie between the
worlds. Using such items often risks driving the
wielder insane as their mortal mind grapples
with the weird complexity of the Other, but the rewards for
success can be vast.
This section details a handful of new magic items, some
drawing upon the concept of eldritch lore which drives mortal
minds insane, while others adapt items presented in the
Complete Mage expansion for 3.5th edition. Many of these
items rely upon the Madness rules detailed in the Dungeon
Master's Guide (pages 259-260). If you are using alternative
rules for madness in your game, or if you are using the
optional Sanity ability score, the items can be altered as
required. or fails its saving throw, it becomes the target of the poppet.
Whenever you cast a spell with a range of touch while
Additional Magic Items A-Z attuned to the poppet, you can choose to instead target the
Magic items are presented in alphabetical order. A magic creature that is the target of the poppet.
item's description gives the item's name, its category, its rarity, You cannot target that creature if it is more than 1,000 feet
and its magical properties. away from you, or if it is on another plane of existance.
Chain of Nightmares Lantern of Obscuring
Wondrous item, legendary Wondrous item, rare
This short chain consist of 3 links. You can use an action to This hooded lantern closely resembles a lantern of revealing.
break one of the links and cast the weird spell (save DC 18). When lit, it burns for 6 hours on 1 pint of oil, creating an area
Once each link of the chain is broken, it becomes nonmagical of magical darkness in a 30-foot radius, and bright light for an
iron. additional 30 feet is reduced to dim light.
Creatures with darkvision can't see through this darkness,
Circlet of Mind's Shelter and nonmagical light can't illuminate it. If a light created by a
Wondrous item, uncommon (requires attunement) spell of 2nd level or lower overlaps with the darkness created
by the lantern, the spell that created the light is dispelled.
While wearing this circlet, creatures cannot communicate You can use an action to lower the hood of the lantern,
with you telepathically unless you allow it, and you have reducing bright light within a 5-foot radius of the lantern to
advantage on saving throws against mind-altering magical dim light.
effects, such as the command or dominate person spell. This
does not include purely emotional effects, such as being Magebane Staff
charmed or frightened. Staff, legendary (requires attunement by a sorcerer, warlock,
or wizard)
Deadwalker's Ring
Ring, rare (requires attunement) You have advantage on saving throws against spells and other
magical effects while you hold this staff.
This ring has 3 charges, and regains 1d3 expended charges The staff has 30 charges. While holding it, you can use an
daily at dawn. When you cast a spell which creates an undead action or reaction (according to the spell casting time) to
creature (such as the animate dead spell), you can expend 1 expend 1 or more of its charges to cast one of the following
of the charges of this ring to have that creature gain a +2 spells from it, using your spell save DC: arcane turmoil (1
bonus to its maximum hit points for each hit die it has. charge per spell level, up to 7th), counterspell (1 charge per
spell level, up to 7th), dispel magic (1 charge per spell level, up
Eldritch Poppet to 9th), forbiddance (6 charges), globe of invulnerability (6
Wondrous item, rare (requires attunement by a spellcaster) charges), or remove curse (3 charges).
The staff regains 4d6 + 2 expended charges daily at dawn.
As an action while holding the poppet, you can target one If you expend the last charge, roll a d20. On a 1, you must
creature which you can see within 60 feet of you. If it is a immediately expend 1 spell slot of the highest level you have
hostile creature, it must make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw. available. If the spell slot is not of at least 5th level, the staff
On a success, it is unaffected. If the creature is friendly becomes a nonmagical quarterstaff.

9
Murderer's Gloves
Wondrous item, very rare (requires attunement by a rogue) Eldritch Curse
Any magic item can be given a flavour of eldritch
When you hit with a sneak attack, you can use a bonus action horrors by forcing a creature which attunes to it or
to turn invisible until the end of your next turn. Anything you uses it to make an Intelligence saving throw or
are wearing or carrying is invisible with you. If you attack or suffer one effect of short-term, long-term, or
cast a spell, the invisibility ends. indefinite madness.
Rod of Eldritch Power

Rod, rarity varies (requires attunement by a warlock)
A rod of eldritch power is crafted from black iron to resemble Repelling Blast (Uncommon). When you hit a creature with
the head and spine of a demonic creature, although the exact eldritch blast, you can push the creature up to 10 feet away
appearance varies by the nature of the rod. from you in a straight line.
Each rod provides an improvement to the wielder's eldritch
blast cantrip, which can be used while attuned to the rod. All Staff of Lifeless Touch
saving throws use your spell save DC. Staff, very rare (requires attunement by a sorcerer, warlock,
Agonizing Blast (Rare). While attuned to the rod, you gain or wizard)
a +2 bonus to damage rolls with your eldritch blast cantrip.
Eldritch Spear (Uncommon). While attuned to the rod, The staff has 20 charges. While holding it, you can use an
the range of your eldritch blast cantrip is 300 feet. action to expend 1 or more of its charges to cast one of the
Frightful Blast (Rare). When you hit a creature with your following spells from it, using your spell save DC and spell
eldritch blast, that creature must make a Wisdom saving attack bonus: finger of death (7 charges), touch of Vecna (5
throw or become frightened of you until your next turn. charges), inflict wounds (1 charge per spell level, up to 4th), or
Hellrime Blast (Rare). You can choose to deal cold vampiric touch (3 charges). In addition, while holding the
damage instead of force damage with your eldritch blast. If staff, you can cast the chill touch cantrip at will.
your eldritch blast cantrip deals cold damage to a creature, The staff regains 2d8 + 4 expended charges daily at dawn.
the target must make a Constitution saving throw. On a failed If you expend the last charge, roll a d20. On a 1, the staff
save, that creature cannot take reactions until the end of your breaks into pieces, and whoever is holding it immediately
next turn. takes 3d8 necrotic damage.
Noxious Blast (Very Rare). When you hit a creature with
eldritch blast, it must make a Constitution saving throw Staff of Malediction
against poison. On a failed save, the creature spends its turn Staff, rare (requires attunement by a sorcerer, warlock, or
retching and reeling. It can only use its action to take the wizard)
Dodge or Disengage actions. Creatures that are immune to The staff has 10 charges and regains 1d6 + 4 expended
poison automatically succeed this saving throw. charges daily at dawn. If you expend the last charge, roll a
d20. On a 1, a shriek of horror audible up to 400 feet
eminates from the staff and the staff vanishes into black
smoke.
While holding the staff, you can use an action to expend 1
or more of its charges to cast one of the following spells from
it, using your spell save DC: death's call (1 charge), suggestion
(2 charges), mass suggestion (6 charges), or Vecna's
malevolent whisper (4 charges).
Staff of Unspeakable Horror
Staff, rare (requires attunement by a sorcerer, warlock, or
wizard)
This staff has 10 charges and regains 1d6 + 4 expended
charges daily at dawn. If you expend the last charge, roll a
d20. On a 1, the staff melts away into a pool of black, inky
liquid.
Spells. While holding the staff, you can use an action to
expend 1 or more of its charges to cast one of the following
spells from it, using your spell save DC: crown of madness (2
charges), dissonant whispers (1 charge per spell level, up to
4th), or geas (5 charges).

10
Horrifying Visions. While holding the staff, you can use an
action and expend 4 charges to unleash visions of eldritch
horrors into the mind of one creature you choose within 60
feet of you. That creature must make an Wisdom saving
throw against your spell save DC, and creatures which cannot
be frightened automatically succeed this save. On a failed
save, that creature suffers one effect of short-term madness.
If a creature fails its save by 5 or more, that creature also
suffers one effect of long-term madness.
Tome of Eldritch Secrets
Wondrous item, very rare
This book contains strange, cryptic writings and abstract
diagrams, and its words are charged with magic. If you spend
48 hours over a period of 6 days or fewer studying the book's
contents and practicing its guidelines, you must make a DC
15 Intelligence saving throw.
If you cannot learn eldritch invocations from your class
features, you make this save with disadvantage.
On a success, you learn one eldritch invocation of your
choice. Alternatively, the DM may decide that this tome of
eldritch lore contains the instructions for one particular
eldritch invocation, in which case you can learn that
invocation if you fulfill the prerequisites to do so. The book
then loses its magic, but regains it in a century.
If you fail the saving throw, whether or not you could have Additional Artifacts
learnt the eldricth invocation contained within the book, you The eldritch artifacts presented here are tied to aspects of
immediately take 4d10 psychic damage and gain one random eldritch lore, primarily in the Forgotten Realms setting, but
effect of long-term madness, but the book does not lose its most will be easily adapted to whatever setting your game is
magic. While you are affected by your long-term madness, in.
you feel frightened of the book and cannot attempt to read it
again. Codex Anathema
Wondrous item, artifact (requires attunement by a creature of
Vial of Shrieking Mist chaotic alignment)
Wondrous item, rare
The greatest and most terrible work on eldritch powers,
This fluted glass vial is filled with gently swirling silver mist. aberrations, and the Far Realm, the Codex Anathema is seen
As an action, you can throw the vial up to 20 feet, shattering by some as the greatest product of a genius mind, by others
on impact, or you can uncork the vial in your hand. In either as the senseless ramblings of a madmen, and by most as
case, a cloud of silvery fog filled with disembodied, shrieking merely a myth. The secrets in this work are not meant for
voices expands from the space in which the vial was opened sane minds to read, and madness is often the punishment
to fill a 20-foot radius sphere. suffered for trying.
Each creature which enters the cloud of fog or starts its Said to be the original work of Iphegor of the Ebon Mirror,
turn there must make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw, taking many wizards fixated with the Other have added to its pages,
4d12 psychic damage on a failed save, or half as much annotating Iphegor's work and stitching new pages into its
damage on a successful one. bindings. The contents exhibit no logical order, pages of
If a creature fails it saving throw against the fog by 5 or frantically scrawled handwriting in every which direction
more (DC 10), that creature gains one random effect of short- interspersed with rough sketches of otherworldly beings or
term madness. magical notation.
When the Codex is opened by a creature which is not
Warbringer's Rod attuned to the book, the letters on each page scatter like
Rod, uncommon (requires attunement) terrified insects to the edges of pages, leaving blank space
This rod has a spiked head, and it functions as a magic mace surrounded by a meaningless smudge of ink. When a
that grants a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls with it. creature attuned to the Codex touches its cover, the letters
As an action while you hold the rod, you can speak its return to their proper arrangement. Other creatures can then
command to word to cast enhance ability on yourself. The rod read the Codex over its bearer's shoulder, but glean no
maintains concentration on the spell for you, but you can only deaper meaning and reap no benefits.
use the bear's endurance or bull's strength effects of the
ehance ability spell.

11
A creature attuned to the book must spend 80 hours reading
and studying the book to digest its contents and gain its
benefits. At the start and end of this reading, the creature
must make a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw, gaining one effect
of indefinite madness on a failure. The creature can then
freely modify the book's contents, provided that those
modifications expand knowledge about eldritch powers.
The Codex Anathema remains with you only as long as you
strive to gain a deeper understanding of the eldritch powers
of the world. If you fail to take some deed to further this
knowledge within the span of 100 days, or if you willingly
ignore an opportunity to gain such knowledge, regardless of
the cost, the book disappears. If you die while attuned to the
book, it vanishes to reappear in another place in the
multiverse.
Random Properties. The Codex Anathema has the
following random properties:
2 minor beneficial properties
1 major beneficial property
3 minor detrimental properties
1 major detrimental property
Otherworldly Mind. After you spend the requisite amount
of time reading and studying the book, either your Ebon Mirror
Intelligence or your Charisma score (your choice) increases Wondrous item, artifact (requires attunement)
by 2, to a maximum of 24. In addition, one other of your
ability scores, chosen at random, decreases by 2, to a The origins of the Ebon Mirror are shrouded in mystery.
minimum of 3. The book can't adjust your ability scores again. Some say it was crafted by Iphegor of the Ebon Mirror, its
Chaotic Presence. After you spend the requisite amount most famous wielder, but it has seen many more ages of the
of time reading and studying the book, you gain an aura of world than that, dating back to the high civilisation of the
chaos. This aura may have a physical manifestation, such as Elder Elves. Their second greatest work, after the Vast Gate,
eyes that flicker with green energy or a warping of reality like the Ebon Mirror grants sight into other times and places,
a heat haze around you, as the DM chooses. The aura of even beyond the confines of our reality.
chaos grants you advantage on Charisma (Persuasion) It was the visions wrought by this mirror that drove the
checks made to interact with chaotic creatures and Charisma Elder Elves in their ceaseless wanderlust, as they always saw
(Intimidation) checks made to interact with lawful creatures. in its depths worlds unlike anything they had yet found,
Eldritch Secrets. After you spend the requisite amount of stirring their curiosity annew, until one day, it granted a vision
time reading and studying the book, you can learn up to 2 of a world beyond reality itself, and so began the scheme of
Eldritch Invocations of your choice. the Vast Gate which would bring our realm and the Far
Maddening Words. While you carry the Codex Anathema Realm into contact once for all.
and are attuned to it, you can use an action to recite words The mirror carries in itself a terrible lure and a terrible
from its pages which unveil truths the mortal mind was never danger. Staring into its starry depths risks life and sanity, but
meant to know. Each time you do, you take 1d12 psychic its visions grant knowledge of secrets which could bring
damage, and each non-aberration creature within 15 feet of untold power. Its history is intimately tied to that of the Codex
you must make a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw. On a failed Anathema, whose pages were written from the mirror's
save, that creature takes 2d6 psychic damage and gains one visions.
effect of short-term madness. Random Properties. The Ebon Mirror has the following
Otherworldly Lore. You can reference the Codex random properties:
Anathema whenever you make an Intelligence check to recall 3 minor beneficial properties
information about some aspect of eldritch power, such as lore 1 major beneficial properties
about aberrations. When you do so, double your proficiency 1 major detrimental property
bonus on that check.
Destroying the Codex. It is whispered among sages that Forbidden Knowledge. The visions within the mirror
so long as knowledge of the Far Realm persists in our world, grant you an understanding of eldritch truths. If you have the
the Codex Anathema can never be destroyed. Pact Magic feature and are attuned to the mirror, you can
However, if the book is brought to the Plane of Mechanus, spend 1 minute staring into its depths to recover 1d4
an army of 100 modrons from that plane can together expended spell slots. You must then make a DC 18 Wisdom
decompose the Codex to its barest components in perfect saving throw or gain one random effect of short-term
order, contrary to its chaotic nature, destroying it for 1d100 madness.
years, after which the Codex reforms in a random location on
the Astral Plane.

12
Sight Beyond Worlds. While attuned to the mirror, you can Random Properties. The sword has the following
spend 1 minute staring into its depths to gain visions of other randomly determined properties:
times and places. The mirror can reveal any place on any 1 minor beneficial property
plane of existance or in the Far Realm at any time from the 1 major beneficial property
beginning of time to its end. 1 minor detrimental property
If you wish you see a particular time and place, you must 1 major detrimental property
succeed on a DC 18 Charisma ability check. On a success,
the mirror will reveal a vision of the general time and place Blade of Chaos. When you hit with an attack with the
requested. On a failure, it will merely show a torrent of blade, the sword deals an additional 1d10 damage of a
visions of random times and places. random type, determined by rolling on the table below.
Once you have used this feature, you must make a DC 18
Wisdom saving throw. On a success, you cannot use this d8 Damage type
feature again for 1d6 days. On a failure, you immediately 1–2 Psychic
drop to 0 hit points, and this feature of the mirror cannot be
used again for 1d100 years. 3 Acid
Spells. While you are attuned to the mirror, you can use an 4 Cold
action to cast one of the following spells (save DC 18) from it: 5 Fire
contact other plane, legend lore, locate creature, locate
object, scrying, or true seeing. Once you use the sword to cast 6 Force
a spell, you can't cast that spell again from it until the next 7 Lightning
dawn.
Curse. The Ebon Mirror bears a maddening curse which 8 Thunder
affects any creature that has looked into its depths while
attuned to it. Even if the attunement ends, the curse remains. In addition, you can force the target of the attack to make a
The creature gains one random form of indefinite madness, DC 18 saving throw or suffer an additional effect. The type of
and at the end of each long rest, that creature gains one save and the effect are determined randomly by rolling a d6
random form of long-term madness. This madness is not and consulting the table below.
considered magical in nature (and therefore can't be d6 Save type On a failure
dispelled), but it can be undone by any effect that removes a
curse, such as a greater restoration or remove curse spell. 1 Strength Fall prone.
Destroying the Mirror. The only way to destroy the mirror 2 Dexterity Restrained.
is to submerge it in the elemental chaos from which it was 3 Constitution Wounded as by a sword of wounding.
once formed. It must remain in the elemental chaos for 100
years, after which time it succumbs to the forces of nature 4 Intelligence Stunned until the end of their next turn.
and returns to raw energy. 5 Wisdom Frightened of you.
If the mirror is the target of a wish spell to break or destroy
it, the mirror shatters into 6 fragments. Each fragment grants 6 Charisma Charmed by you.
one of the spells listend in the Ebon Mirror's Spells feature. If
these fragments are brought back together, a wish spell can On a roll of 2, 5 or 6, the effect lasts for 1 minute. The
reconstitute the mirror. target can repeat its save at the end of each of its turns,
ending the effect on a success. If you harm a target that is
Farforged Blade charmed by this feature, the effect ends.
Weapon (longsword), artifact (requires attunement) Wild Magic. While the sword is on your person, you can
use an action to cast a spell from the sword (spell save DC
When the Vast Gate was opened and the creatures of the Far 18). Roll 1d8 to determine which spell is cast. The spell is
Realm poured through into the Prime Material, a warlord cast at its lowest level. Once you have cast three spells from
known only as Qylish-Zradka came through and waged war the sword, you can't use this feature again until you finish a
across the Prime Material. All who stood against Qylish- long rest.
Zradka fell before his blade, until he was at last slain by a
champion of the Elder Elves. The sword of Qylish-Zradka d8 Spell
was taken by the champion, but the spirit of the chaotic 1 Hex
monstrosity which had once wielded it persisted within, and 2 Crown of Madness
by that very champion's hand and the power of the sword was
the might of the Elder Elves torn down at the last. 3 Bestow Curse
Made from a strange material which is hard as metal but 4 Phantasmal Killer
feels almost like silk to the touch, the Farforged Blade was
crafted from materials of the Far Realm, and by its nature 5 Destructive Wave
defies by the structures of the Prime Material. The sword 6 Disintegrate
appears to twist and change its form at all times. 7 Etherealness
Magic Weapon. The Farforged Blade is a magic weapon
that grants a +3 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with 8 Feeblemind
it. The sword also functions as a mace of terror and a mantle
of spell resistance.
13
If the spell requires concentration, the sword maintains
concentration on the spell for you up to the maximum
duration or until you cast another spell which requires
concentration with the sword. When you cast a spell using
this feature, you must then roll a d20. On a roll of 1, the sword
produces a random effect from the Wild Magic table.
Curse. The blade bears a curse that affects any creature
that becomes attuned to it. Even if the attunement ends, the
curse remains. While a creature is attuned to the blade, its
mind is ransacked by the chaotic forces of the blade, giving
them two additional flaws, which change each time the
creature finish a short rest. Roll two d12s and consult the
table below. If you roll the same number twice, re-roll one of
the dice.
d12 Flaw
1 "Everything dies in the end. Why bother building
anything that is meant to last?"
2 "Ideals are meaningless. I just do whatever anyone
tells me to do."
3 "I am convinced that I am immortal, and will do
nothing to avoid potential harm."
4 "I enjoy seeing others suffer."
5 "I have no awareness of the feelings or needs of
others."
6 "I know that all my friends are false, and will desert
me in the end."
7 "I am convinced that someone very powerful is
determined to kill me, and I will take every precaution
to prevent it."
8 "I am greater than the gods themselves."
9 "I find amusement in leading others in circles and
manipulating their emotions."
10 "I have discovered just how fun wanton slaughter is."
11 "I know that I must die, but the voices tell me I must
also take everyone else with me."
12 "I was born to rule this world, and I will do so – by
force, if necessary."
This curse is not considered magical in nature (and

therefore cannot be dispelled), but it can be undone by any
effect that removes a curse, such as greater restoration or a
remove curse spell.
Destroying the Blade. The sword can only be unmade by
the powers that made it. The sword must be cast into the
Far Realm, were a beholder or other mighty denizen of
that realm can unmake it with their thoughts.

14
Race Options
T
he following details additional race options,
which the DM may choose to allow players to Eldritch Scion
select at character creation. Two options are Born of the blood of another world and cursed with a mind
presented: the Eldritch Scion and the Rogue more capable of comprehending the void of eternal darkness
Illithid. The latter classifies as a monstrous than mortal matters, the eldritch scion is doomed to be the
adventurer, as detailed in Volo's Guide to eternal pariah, making their life at the edges of human
Monsters, and as such should not be generally society.
available for PC usage.
Otherwordly Appearance
An eldritch scion is born from the influence of some
otherworldly, eldritch horror upon a humanoid creature,
either its parent or its distant ancestor. A scion resembles the
creatures it lives among, but in much the same way as a
child's drawing resembles reality, with proportions just
slightly off their natural kin.
Many eldritch scions have abnormally pale skin, long
fingers and toes, and large eyes. If the humanoids they grow
up among have an obviously apparent physical trait, this may
be unduly exaggerated. For example, eldritch scions which
grow up among elves may have ears which are up to twice as
long and sharply pointed as their natural kin.
Stranger in our Midst
Often, the aesthetic abnormalities of a scion's body are subtle
enough that the creature can pass unnoticed in a humanoid
community, as long as it avoids close inspection. However,
once it is discovered, a scion is often deemed an unnatural
abomination, either being forcefully ejected from the
community or merely being so heavily stigmatised it feels
compelled to leave.
For this reason, eldritch scions rarely settle down, usually
moving between humanoid settlements in a constant attempt
to avoid discovery. Even when among humanoids who have
not yet discovered their nature, they tend to be reclusive,
having as little contact with other creatures as their social
conscience will allow.
Eldritch scions are so rare, they have no communities or
lands of their own.
Mind and Madness
An eldritch scion's mind is fundamentally wired to cope with
surviving in the void between the worlds, and as such, bears
only a twisted resemblance to the minds of common
humanoids.
To many creatures, the mind of an eldritch scion resembles
the antisocial, impaired empathic, and remorseless attitudes
of psychopathy. Although eldritch scions experience
emotions, these do not easily map onto ordinary humanoid
emotions.
Eldritch scions are almost never egotistical or prideful,
lacking a clear sense of the "self" as other creatures perceive
it and often seeing theirselves as nothing more than a
collection of parts acting under the ordinance of thought.
Scions often struggle to understand other humanoids'
death rituals, rarely attaching value to what is left when the
spirit of a creature has passed away, and sometimes seeing it
as a waste of useful materials.
15
Eldritch Scion Names
Alien Adaption: Which Features?
An eldritch scion unaware of its otherworldly parentage may
choose or be given a name according to the traditions of the Aside from purely aesthetic adaptions, the scion's
Alien Adaption feature allows it to replicate some
people it grew up with. However, scions have no concept of of the race features of the creatures it spends
the permanency of names, and will often have a new name in extended periods in company with. Which features
almost any nation or city it comes to. can be copied are at the DM's discretion, but the
Others may choose to take a name in their otherworldly following guidelines offer a general idea of the
tongue, Deep Speech. Such names usually reflect a certain scope of this feature.
purpose the scion sees in itself or wishes to attain, and may The Alien Adaption feature copies only physical
be changed several times in a lifetime. abilities, and so it cannot provide proficiencies
Deep Speech names do not distinguish by gender. Each (such as from Weapon Training features), nor can it
example name includes its translation in parenthesis. provide Feats (if the scion spends time among
Scion Names: Dhongdrûkä (Famed Scholar), Dhrû humans). The feature also fails to copy any innate
(Wisdom), Dhundrhä (Pure), Khrängdra (Honoured Lord), spellcasting features, such as the Tiefling's Infernal
Khrö (Honoured), Krödathranrodh (Emperor of All), Kuketru Legacy, and any ability score increases.
(Unbounded), Ranrodh (King), Tägräd (Remembered One), Beyond these limitations, at least one or two of
Thonde (Renowned), Thräketä (Legendary), Thräk (Legacy). the local's racial traits will be duplicated, including
both positive benefits and vulnerabilities.
Eldritch Scion Traits
Your eldritch scion character has the following racial traits. Eldritch Consciousness. Your alien mind is ordered in a way
Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by which baffles attempts to alter it. You have advantage on
2, and your Constitution score increases by 1. Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws against
Age. An eldritch scion matures at the same rate as the being charmed, and against attempts to read your thoughts or
creatures it grows up with, reaching maturity when they do, alter your mental state (such as a command spell).
but it can live far longer, reaching between 500 and 1,000 Opened Mind. You have vulnerability to psychic damage.
years, dependent on which races they grew up around. Telepathy. You can communicate telepathically with any
Alignment. Most scions are chaotic, as their alien outlook creature which is within 30 feet of you. You must
drives them to deeds which seem strange to other, earthly communicate in a language the creature understands for it to
humanoids. understand you.
Size. Eldritch scions range from under 5 feet to over 6 feet Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common, and
tall. Your size is Medium. you can speak Deep Speech.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision. Your alien eyes have little difficulty perceiving
the thin veil these earthly creatures call "darkness". You can Rogue Illithid
see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, Cast out or seperated from the colony, a rogue mindflayer is
and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern most forced to accept a life doomed to face the only truly
colors in darkness, seeing the world in shades of grey. permanent death an illithid can know — to die without being
Alien Adaption. You have an uncontrollable, innate ability absorbed into the elder brain.
to adapt to fit in with the people around you. If you find For details of mindflayer culture and nature, see Volo's
yourself surrounded by humanoid creatures with certain Guide to Monsters (pages 71-81).
predominate characteristics (they are all above 6 feet tall, for
example, or all have a similar hair or skin color), your physical
form adapts to match these characteristics. Rogue Illithid Traits
These adaptions can include ones which help you to Your rogue illithid character has the following racial traits.
survive in certain environments, but also adaptions which are Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence score increases
harmful. For example, if you live among drow elves for a by 2.
while, you may develop their superior darkvision, but also Age. Illithids reach adulthood at age 20 and live up to 135
their sunlight sensitivity. years.
Your adaptions do not include magical abilities or traits, Alignment. Illithids are typically lawful evil, although rogue
and usually take 1d8 days of continuous contact to fully illithids can tend more towards chaos or neutrality.
manifest. Your DM determines which features you develop. Size. Illithids stand between 6 and 8 feet tall, and weigh
between 120 and 180 pounds. Your size is Medium.
DM Tips: Alien Adaption Superior Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 120
The scion's alien adaption feature is a gradual change to its feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it
prevelant environs. It should not be triggered by passing
were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only
shades of grey.
encounters, rather when the scene of the campaign changes.
Hive Mind Susceptibility. Even though you have now
When using this feature, DMs should be aware that too escaped the influence of the hive mind, your brain is still
frequent changes to their race may frustrate some players. susceptible to its influence. If you enter the area of an elder
brain's telepathy, you are placed under its influence.

16
DM Tips: Hive Mind Susceptibility
The hive mind susceptibility feature of the rogue illithid offers
a specific and situational weakness of the race, designed to
create an opportunity for dramatic tension and challenging
situations. However, DMs must beware using this weakness
too frequently, lest the player running the illithid feel like their
character is becoming an NPC.
Your alignment becomes lawful evil, you are considered

charmed by the Elder Brain, you must obey any command
given to you by the Elder Brain. The DM may choose to take
control of your character as an NPC (at their discretion). This
change lasts until you are moved outside the area of the elder
brain's telepathy or the elder brain is killed.
Psionic Magic. You know the vicious mockery cantrip.
Once you reach 3rd level, you can cast the detect thoughts
spell with this trait, and at 5th level, you can also cast the
levitate spell with it. Once you have cast a spell of 1st level or
higher with this trait, you can't do so again until you finish a
long rest. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for these
spells. You do not require material components to cast spells
with this trait.
Telepathy. You can telepathically communicate with
creatures within 120 feet of you. A creature must understand
the language you are speaking to understand the message
you communicate to it.
Tentacles. The four tentacles around your jaws are a
natural weapon, which you can use to make unarmed strikes.
Use your Dexterity modifier for attack rolls with these natura
weapons. If you hit a creature with your tentacles, the attack
deals psychic damage equal to 1d4 + your Intelligence
modifier, instead of the normal damage for an unarmed
strike.
When you hit a creature with a tentacles attack, you can
attempt to grapple that creature as a bonus action.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and
Undercommon, and you can speak Deep Speech.
Illithid Psionics
Those familiar with the illithid statblock from the
Monster Manual will notice that the innate
spellcasting of the illithids has been significantly
reduced for this race.
Aside from balance issues, a more thematic
explanation can be found in the concept that
illithid innate spellcasting is primarily psionic in
nature. Being seperated from the elder brain, it is
reasonable to suggest that a rogue illithid's mind is
lessened (as they do not have access to the
collective memory of the hive mind), and as such,
its psionic capabilities are effectively inhibitted.
If this explanation is taken, it is reasonable to
assume that a rogue illithid using this race model
who came under the control of an elder brain
would regain the full illithid innate spellcasting
feature, in place of the psionic magic trait detailed
above, for the duration of its control by the elder
brain.

17
Class Options
T
his section of the supplement contains
additional class options for PCs in your
campaigns. The DM of the campaign decides
which, if any, of these options are available to
the players. This section includes one
additional class, the Eldritch Warden, as new
specialisation options for barbarians, clerics,
rogues, warlocks and wizards.
Each of the new classes and class options presented here
draws upon or is closely related to the eldritch powers first
discovered in the warlock class. Each is connected to the
strange powers discussed throughout this supplement, and
each offers a plethora of new powers and abilities to discover.
Several of the options here presented are adapted from the
Complete Mage expansion for 3.5 Edition.
Eldritch Warden
Standing upon a windswept landscape and turning his eyes The Protector's Path
to the distant north, a human sharpens his sword's blade as The warden's attitude to their calling varies widely, from
he senses his master in danger, a subtle pull through the anger at forced servitude to an almost fanatical adoration of
bond that empowers him. their mighty patron's cause, but all wardens accept that they
Gentle as the calm before the storm, an elven warrior have a greater purpose in life. A warden may feel their
strides through the chaos of battle, her very presence turning patron's hand near or far, ever present or barely touching
aside the blades of her enemies as she mutters the name of their life, but they understand that they can always be called
the creature that grants her power. to serve.
Clutching a long-forgotten tome to her chest, a gnome For many wardens, especially those who are bonded to
dodges down an alleyway before turning back and calling her wizards and other entities of the Material Plane, their first
patron's thunderous wrath upon those who would dare sully role is to protect their patron from physical harm. When sent
the secrets within the book. forth on missions beyond their patron's lair, they often extend
Wardens are first and foremost protectors, warriors trained this role to other creatures around them, seeing their role as
from a young age in martial prowess and bound by an arcane a protector of all living things.
bond to serve a patron of great magical power. This bond, and
the patron who holds it, are the driving force behind a
warden's deeds and are a source of physical, spiritual, and Creating an Eldritch Warden
magical power to the warden, turning them from a mere The most important aspects of an Eldritch Warden are his or
bodyguard to a mighty champion of their patron's cause. her patron and the nature of the service they fulfil to that
creature. Although the class features related to your bond
Service to the Patron don't appear until you reach 3rd level, plan ahead for that
An eldritch warden is defined by a magic bond to a powerful choice by reading the patron options at the end of the class.
patron. The bond of the warden bares many similarities to Do you serve an archmage, sent forth into the world on some
the pact between a warlock and their patron, and may be mission of subterfuge? Or perhaps you serve a creature from
formed with a similarly otherwordly entity, although wardens another plane entirely, one which chooses to act through you
are also frequently beholden to mighty arcane practitioners, to fulfil its purposes in this one. How much control does your
such as powerful wizards and archmages. patron have over your deeds, and will they know if you
Usually, a warden is called by an entity which is either disobey?
physically feeble despite its great arcane powers, or which How did you first form the warden bond that connects you
exists within another plane and desires to influence the with your patron? Were you reared to serve your master in a
Material Plane without entering into it. In such cases, the cabal sworn to them? Or did you make the pact on your own
warden serves as the hands and eyes of its patron in the terms? How did you find your way to your patron's abode, or
world beyond their abode, fulfilling services which require otherwise make contact with them?
greater physical resilience or physical presence than the What is your duty to your patron? Are you protector of their
patron is able or willing to offer. feeble physical form, a favoured spy or assassin, or do you
In return for these services, the patron grants their warden fulfil some other role? How does this demand ally itself with
power and a limitted capacity to call upon magical aid. A or oppose your own, personal motives.
warden's services may be earned by bribary or trickery, but Due to the disparate natures of creatures which grant a
can't be forced entirely against their will. warden's bond, eldritch wardens of most any alignment can
be found in the planes. The need for obedience often means
those of lawful alignment are most often called to such pacts.
18
The Eldritch Warden
Level Proficiency Bonus Features Spells Known Spells Slots Slot Level
1st +2 Harrowing Touch, Unarmored Defense — — —
2nd +2 Fighting Style, Pact Magic 2 1 1st
3rd +2 Patron's Shelter, Warden's Bond 3 1 1st
4th +2 Ability Score Improvement 3 1 1st
5th +3 Extra Attack 4 1 2nd
6th +3 First Strike, Patron's Shelter improvement 4 1 2nd
7th +3 Warden's Bond feature 5 1 2nd
8th +3 Ability Score Improvement 5 1 2nd
9th +4 — 6 1 3rd
10th +4 Eldritch Shield, Patron's Shelter improvement 6 1 3rd
11th +4 Warden's Bond feature 7 2 3rd
12th +4 Ability Score Improvement 7 2 3rd
13th +5 — 8 2 4th
14th +5 Arcane Reaping, Warden's Eyes 8 2 4th
15th +5 Warden's Bond feature 9 2 4th
16th +5 Ability Score Improvement 9 2 4th
17th +6 ─ 10 3 5th
18th +6 Eldritch Warrior, Warden's Watch 10 3 5th
19th +6 Ability Score Improvement 11 3 5th
20th +6 Soulbound 11 3 5th
Quick Build Equipment

You can make a paladin quickly by following these You start with the following equipment,
suggestions. First, Dexterity should be your highest ability in addition to the equipment granted
score, followed by Charisma. Second, choose the outlander by your background:
background.
(a) a martial weapon and a shield or (b) two
martial weapons
Class Features (a) a component pouch or (b) an arcane focus
As an eldricth warden, you gain the following class features. (a) a dungeoneer's pack or (b) an explorer's pack
10 darts
Hit Points
Hit Die: 1d10 per eldritch warden level Harrowing Touch
Hit Points at 1st Level: 10 + your Constitution modifier You can invoke the power of your bond to inflict pain and fear.
Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d10 (or 6) + your Constitution You have a pool of arcane power that replenishes when you
modifier per eldritch warden level after 1st take a long rest. With that pool, you can inflict damage equal
to your eldritch warden level x 5.
Proficiencies When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can
Armor: Light armor, medium armor, shields draw power from the pool to inflict additional necrotic
Weapons: Simple weapons, martial weapons damage to that creature, up to the maximum amount
Tools: None remaining in your pool or up to half the amount in your pool
Saving Throws: Dexterity, Charisma when full (rounded down), whichever is less.
Skills: Choose three from Arcana, Athletics, Deception, Alternatively, as an action you can touch a creature and
Intimidation, Investigation, Perception, Stealth and expend 5 points from your pool of arcane power to inflict the
Survival. target with fear. The target must make a Wisdom saving
throw (DC equals 8 + your proficiency bonus + your
Charisma modifier).
19
On a failed save, that target is
frightened by you for 1 minute, or
until the end of your next turn after it
takes damage from you or an ally of yours
(whichever occurs first).
Unarmored Defense
While you are not wearing any armor, your Armor Class
equals 10 + your Dexterity modifier + your Charisma
modifier. You can use a shield and still gain this benefit.
Fighting Style
At 2nd level, you adopt a style of fighting as your speciality.
Choose one of the following options. You can't take a Fighting
Style option more than once.
Dueling Spell Slots
When you are wielding a melee weapon in one hand and no The Eldritch Warden table shows how many spell slots you
other weapons, you gain a +2 bonus to damage rolls with that have. The table also shows what the level of those slots is; all
weapon. of your spell slots are the same level. To cats one of your
eldricth warden spells of 1st level or higher, you must expend
Great Weapon Fighting a spell slot. You regain all expended spell slots when you
When you roll a 1 or a 2 on a damage die for an attack you finish a short or long rest.
make with a melee weapon that you are wielding with two
hands, you can reroll the die and must use the new roll. Spells Known of 1st Level and Higher
The weapon must have the two-handed or versatile At 2nd level, you know two 1st-level spells of your choice from
property for you to gain this benefit. the eldritch warden spell list.
The Spells Known column of the Eldritch Warden table
Protection shows when you learn more eldritch warden spells of your
When a creature you can see attacks a target other than you choice of 1st level and higher. A spell you choose must be of a
that is within 5 feet o f you, you can use your reaction to level no higher than what's shown in the table's Slot Level
impose disadvantage on the attack roll. You must be wielding column for your level. When you reach 7th level, for example,
a shield. you can learn a new eldritch warden spell, which can be 1st
or 2nd level.
Two-Weapon Fighting Additionally, when you gain a level in this class, you can
When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your choose one of the eldritch warden spells you know and
ability modifier to the damage of the second attack. replace it with another spell from the eldritch warden spell
list, which also must be of a level for which you have spell
Pact Magic slots.
Starting at 2nd level, the power of your bond and the magic Spellcasting Ability
bestowed on you by your patron have given you facility with Charisma is your spellcasting ability for your eldritch warden
spells. See chapter 10 of the Player's Handbook for the spells, so you use your Charisma whenever a spell refers to
general rules of spellcasting and the Spell Lists section of your spellcasting ability. In addition, you use your Charisma
this expansion for the eldritch warden spell list. modifier when setting the saving throw DC for an eldritch
warden spell you cast and when making an attack roll with
one.
Spell save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your
Charisma modifier
20
Spell attack modifier = your proficiency bonus + your When a creature makes an attack roll against you or an ally
Charisma modifier within 10 feet of you, you can expend one spell slot as a
reaction to increase the Armor Class of the target of that
Spellcasting Focus attack by 1 per level of the spell slot expended, until the end
You can use an arcane focus (found in chapter 5 of the of that creature's next turn.
Player's Handbook) as a spellcasting focus for your eldritch If the attack misses, that attacking creature takes force
warden spells. damage equal to the level of the spell slot expended.
Patron's Shelter Arcane Reaping
At 3rd level, your patron lays an enchantment of protection At 14th level, you can draw arcane power from creatures you
upon you to shelter you from harm. Choose one of the slay. When you reduce a creature which has the Spellcasting,
following damage types: acid, cold, fire, force, lightning, Pact Magic, or Innate Spellcasting feature to 0 hit points with
necrotic, poison, psychic, radiant, or thunder. a weapon attack, you can regain one expended spell slot.
When you would take damage of this type, you can use You can use this feature twice, and you regain expended
your reaction to gain resistance to this damage type until the uses when you finish a long rest.
end of your next turn. This resistance applies to the damage
you would have taken. Warden's Eyes
You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Also starting at 14th level, your senses are heightened and
Charisma modifier. You regain expended uses when you your eyes glaze over with the magic sight of a warden. You
finish a long rest. gain blindsight out to 30 feet, and can perceive normally
At 6th level, and again at 10th level, you can choose one beyond this range.
additional damage type for this feature. When perceiving within the radius of your blindsight, you
Warden's Bond suffer no penalty from being blinded, perceiving through
lightly or heavily obscured areas, from attacking a target
Starting at 3rd level, you swear to the bond that binds you to being behind half or three-quarters cover, and you can
your patron forever. Up to this time, you have worked with perceive invisible creatures and objects as if they were visible.
and served your patron, but have not been magically bound to Creatures cannot be hidden from you within the radius of
them. Now you choose the bond tied to your patron's nature: your blindsight. You can still be surprised, although you are
the Bond of the Archmage, the Bond of the Outsider, or the considered to be aware of any creature that starts its turn
Bond of the Lich, all detailed at the end of the class within the radius of your blindsight.
description.
Your choice grants you features at 3rd level and again at Eldritch Warrior
7th, 11th, and 15th level. Starting at 18th level, you can incorporate magical gestures
Ability Score Improvement into the flow of combat. When you make a weapon attack, you
can choose to cast a spell with a casting time of 1 action as a
When you reach 4th level, and again at 8th, 12th, 16th, and bonus action before the end of your turn.
19th level, you can increase one ability score of your choice
by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by Warden's Watch
1. As normal, you can't increase an ability score above 20 Also at 18th level, the protective powers of your bond allow
using this feature. you to hold watch for your master indefinitely. You do not
Extra Attack need to eat, drink, or sleep. You still need to take rests, and
must meditate for at least 4 hours to gain the benefits of a
Beginning at 5th level, you can attack twice, instead of once, long rest.
whenever you take the Attack action on your turn. You cannot gain levels of exhaustion except by using your
own features or through magic. You automatically recover 1
First Strike level of exhaustion when you finish a short rest, and you
At 6th level, your training and magical enhancement recover all levels of exhaustion when you finish a long rest.
bequethed by your patron grant you enhanced reflexes when Soulbound
entering combat. You can add your Charisma modifier to your
initiative rolls. At 20th level, your bond binds your very soul to that of your
In addition, if you roll 9 or lower on the d20 when rolling patron, granting you a measure of their power. When you
for initiative, you can treat that roll as a 10. Once you have finish a short or long rest, you can choose one spell of 5th
used this feature, you cannot do so again until you finish a level or lower from any spell list. You can cast that spell once
long rest. without expending a spell slot before you next finish a short
or long rest.
Eldritch Shield
Starting at 10th level, you can summon ethereal barriers of
arcane force to protect yourself and others.

21
Archmage Expanded Spells
Spell Level Spells
1st comprehend languages, magic missile
2nd magic weapon, scorching ray
3rd lightning bolt, slow
4th fire shield, stoneskin
5th geas, legend lore
Blessings of Arcanum
When you choose this bond at 3rd level, your patron grants
you access to small magical tricks to aid you in fulfilling your
mission for them. Whenever you finish a short or long rest,
choose one cantrip of your choice from the wizard spell list.
You learn that cantrip until you finish a short or long rest.
Charisma is your spellcasting ability for that cantrip, and it
is considered an eldritch warden cantrip for you.
Diviner's Sight
Starting at 7th level, your patron grants you the power to
Warden's Bonds catch glimpses into the future. When you make an attack roll
The beings which grant an eldritch warden's bond are or saving throw, you can use your reaction to add your
creatures of immense arcane power but lesser physical Charisma modifier to that roll. Once you have used this
capacity, using their warden as their hands in the Material feature, you cannot do so again until you finish a short or long
Plane and beyond. Various patrons grant the protection and rest.
power of the warden's bond, but many require heavy service
in return. Evoker's Wrath
Few patrons will gather more than a handful of wardens, Starting at 11th level, your patron's boon allows you to inflict
due to the cost of creating the warden bond to the patron, but greater damage with your spells. Add your Charisma modifier
some boast of the hordes of servants they can muster. to all damage rolls you make for spells.
Wardens of the same patron see each other as soldiers under In addition, when you cast an evocation spell and make a
the same command often do, sometimes as brothers, other damage roll, you can choose to reroll a number of those dice
times as rivals. up to your Charisma modifier.
Once you have used this feature, you can't do so again until
Bond of the Archmage you finish a long rest.
Your patron is a powerful arcanist, a master of spellcraft who Arcane Incandescence
has risen from the ranks of merely mortal races to achieve Starting at 15th level, you can call upon your patrons arcane
great power in magic. Many archmages will keep a warden or power to enter an empowered state. As a bonus action on
two to protect their frail bodies. An archmage's purposes are your turn, you can enter your incadescent state, and you can
often high in intrigue and mystery, and rarely plain to lesser end this state at any time on your turn (no action required).
folk. Creatures of this kind include Elminster, the Sage of While you are in your incandescent state, you gain the
Shadowdale, and Halaster, the mad wizard of following benefits:
Undermountain.
You emit dim light in a 20-foot radius. Any creature or
Expanded Spell List object within that area which bares magic glows with a
The Archmage lets you choose from an expanded list of faint light, and creatures and objects cannot benefit from
spells when you learn an eldritch warden spell. The following being invisible within that area.
spells are added to the eldritch warden spell list for you. When you take the attack action, you can choose to cast a
spell with a casting time of 1 action instead of one of your
attacks.

22
Once per turn, when you hit a creature with a weapon In addition, when a creature would inflict psychic damage
attack, you can deal additional force damage to that to you, you can use your reaction to turn back the mental
creature equal to your Charisma modifier. attack. The damage against you is halved, and the creature
If you would be reduced to 0 hit points, you can drop to 1 which inflicted the damage takes psychic damage equal to
hit point instead. You must maintain concentration as if your Charisma modifier.
concentrating on a spell to benefit from this effect. Once you have used this feature, you can't do so again until
you finish a long rest.
This transformation lasts for 1 minute or until you choose
to end it. Once you have used this feature, you can't do so Otherworldly Presence
again until you finish a long rest. Starting at 15th level, you can call upon your patron's
otherworldly essence to enter an empowered state. As a
Bond of the Outsider bonus action on your turn, you can enter a shadow-wreathed
state, and you can end this state at any time on your turn (no
Your patron is a mysterious being from another plane of action required). While you are in your shadow state, you gain
existance, more in the order of the patrons of warlocks. The the following benefits:
purposes of an outsider in taking a warden are often to allow
the outsider to influence planes beyond those it is bound to, You create an area of magical darkness that extends in a
although the reasons and purposes of these creatures can be 20-foot radius sphere centred on you and moves with you.
strange to mortal minds. Creatures of this kind include You can see through this darkness without difficulty, but
archfey such as Titania of the Summer Court, demon lords other creatures cannot see through it, even with
and archdevils such as Orcus and Asmodeus, and stranger darkvision. Any light source that would be extinguished by
entities, such as Dendar, the Night Serpent. a darkness spell is extinguished within this radius.
When you begin your transformation, choose one spell of
Expanded Spell List 5th level or lower from any spell list which can't target
The Outsider lets you choose from an expanded list of spells another creature or inflict damage. You can cast that spell
when you learn an eldritch warden spell. The following spells at will during your transformation, without expending
are added to the eldritch warden spell list for you. material components.
Once per turn, when you hit a creature with a weapon
Outsider Expanded Spells attack, you can deal additional psychic damage to that
Spell Level Spells creature equal to your Charisma modifier.
1st armor of agathys, arms of hadar If you would be reduced to 0 hit points, you can drop to 1
hit point instead. You must maintain concentration as if
2nd crown of madness, enthrall concentrating on a spell to benefit from this effect.
3rd fear, hunger of hadar
This transformation lasts for 1 minute or until you choose
4th banishment, hallucinatory terrain to end it. Once you have used this feature, you can't do so
5th contact other plane, legend lore again until you finish a long rest.
Blessings of Planar Bond of the Lich

Starting when you choose this bond at 3rd level, your patron Your patron is a mortal who has achieved a semblance of
grants you knowledge of eldritch secrets. You can learn two immortality through necromantic magics, becoming a mighty
eldritch invocations of your choice. Your invocation options undead mage. The purpose of a lich in taking on a warden
are the same as a warlock's. often ties to an extention of the same drive for self-
When you gain a level in this class, you can choose one of preservation which persuaded it to become undead, but more
the invocations you know and replace it with another ancient or ambitions lichs may use their wardens as spies
invocation that you could learn at that level. and agents in their grand schemes. Creatures of this kind
include Arthindol the Terraseer, Black Garius, Nester,
Hidden Knowledge Rhaugilath the Ageless, and Lady Saharel.
At 7th level, your patron grants you access to otherworldly
secrets. When you make an ability check with an Intelligence Expanded Spell List
skill or a tool, you can use your reaction to gain proficiency The Lich lets you choose from an expanded list of spells
with that skill or tool for 1 minute. Once you have used this when you learn an eldritch warden spell. The following spells
feature, you cannot do so again until you finish a short or long are added to the eldritch warden spell list for you.
rest.
Lich Expanded Spells
Eldritch Mind Spell Level Spells
Starting at 11th level, your patron's boon empowers your 1st false life, ray of sickness
mental capacities. Add your Charisma modifier to any 2nd darkness, gentle repose
Intelligence or Wisdom saving throw to resist being charmed,
frightened, or having your mind altered (for example, with the 3rd animate dead, fear
modify memory spell). 4th arcane eye, death ward
5th contagion, hallow

23
Blessings of Undeath Once per turn, when you hit a creature with a weapon
When you choose this bond at 3rd level, your patron grants attack, you can deal additional necrotic damage to that
you a taste of their own immortality. When you are reduced to creature equal to your Charisma modifier.
0 hit points, except by radiant damage or a critical hit, you If you would be reduced to 0 hit points, you can drop to 1
can make a Constitution saving throw (DC equal to 5 + the hit point instead. You must maintain concentration as if
damage taken). If you succeed, you drop to 1 hit point instead. concentrating on a spell to benefit from this effect.
You can use this feature a number of times equal to your This transformation lasts for 1 minute or until you choose
Charisma modifier (a minimum of once). You regain to end it. Once you have used this feature, you can't do so
expended uses when you finish a long rest. again until you finish a long rest.
Whispering Corpse
Starting at 7th level, your patron grants you the power to
speak with the dead and communicate from a near-death
state.
You can cast the speak with dead spell with this trait, and
you can't do so again until you finish a short or long rest.
In addition, if you are unconcious, at 0 hit points and are
not stabilised, you can cast the message cantrip with this
trait. You do not require somantic or verbal components to
cast the spell. The target of the spell must be a friendly
creature within 10 feet of you, although you do not have to be
able to see them. You can use this action once on each of your
turns, before you make your death saving throw.
Devour Life
Starting at 11th level, your patron's boon grants you the
ability to empower yourself as you harm others. Once per
turn, when you deal necrotic damage to a creature with a
spell or an eldritch warden class feature, you can regain hit
points equal to your Charisma modifier (a minimum of 1).
In addition, when you reduce a creature to 0 hit points, you
can choose to capture that creature's life essence to empower
a future attack. You gain 3d6 dice. When you hit a creature
with a weapon attack, you can roll any number of these dice
to deal additional necrotic damage to that creature equal to
the number rolled. After 1 minute, if any of these dice remain,
roll those dice and you take necrotic damage equal to the
number rolled.
Once you have used this feature, you can't do so again until
you finish a long rest.
Necrotic Shroud
Starting at 15th level, you can call upon your patron's powers
of undeath to enter an empowered state. As a bonus action
on your turn, you can enter a spectral, undead state, and you
can end this state at any time on your turn (no action
required). While you are in this state, you gain the following
benefits:
You create an area of glowing, spectral mist which distorts
vision, extending in a 20-foot radius centred on you and
moving with you. When another creature enters the area
of the mist or starts its turn there, that creature must
make a Wisdom saving throw against your spell save DC.
On a failed save, that creature has disadvantage on attack
rolls and Wisdom (Perception) checks until the end of its
next turn. On a success, that creature is immune to this
effect for 24 hours.
Your spectral form can move through other creatures and
objects as if they were difficult terrain. If you end your turn
inside a creature or object, you take 1d10 force damage.

24
Your monstrous form has sharp claws and teeth, which
you can use to make unarmed strikes. Use your Strength
Barbarian Path modifier for attack and damage rolls with these natural
The Abomination primal path is available to barbarian weapons. On a hit, they deal 2d6 piercing or slashing
characters at 3rd level. damage (your choice), and you can attempt to grapple that
creature as part of the same attack.
Abomination When your rage ends, you must succeed on a Wisdom
An abomination is a barbarian whose very nature has been saving throw (DC equal to 8 + your proficiency bonus + your
twisted by the touch of the Far Realm. The Path of the Strength modifier). On a failure, you gain one effect of short-
Abomination is a path to the strange place of peace where the term madness, determined by the DM. If you fail this saving
monster within, once bridled, is let loose. Your rage is not throw three successive times before you finish a long rest,
only a mental state, but triggers the new nature within you to you also gain one effect of long-term madness, determined by
transform your very being into a terrifying monstrosity. the DM.
Eldritch Transformation Maleable Form
Starting when you choose this path at 3rd level, you can At 6th level, you gain a modicum of control over the form of
transform into a monstrous form when you rage. your monstrous transformation, allowing you to specialise for
Your size increases to Large, and your creature type certain environments. Choose one of the following options:
becomes aberration. Your gear melds into your new form, and Cave Dweller. While transformed using your Eldritch
you can't activate, use, or wield any of your equipment, Transformation feature, you have tremorsense out to 60 feet.
although you still benefit from magical items that grant a In addition, you have a burrowing speed equal to your base
passive bonus. walking speed.
While transformed, you gain the following benefits: Forest Stalker. While transformed using your Eldritch
Transformation, you have advantage on Dexterity (Stealth),
You gain a bonus to your AC equal to half your proficiency and you ignore difficult terrain caused by nonmagical plants.
bonus (rounded down, a minimum of +1). Mountain Hunter. While transformed using your Eldritch
You have resistance to psychic damage. Transformation, you can use your reaction to reduce any
You gain a climbing speed equal to your base walking falling damage you take by an amount equal to five times your
speed, and your jump distance is doubled. Barbarian level. In addition, you have advantage on Wisdom
(Perception) checks.
Ocean Crawler. While transformed using your Eldritch
Transformation, you can breathe air and water, and you have
a swimming speed equal to your base walking speed.
Venemous Rend
Starting at 10th level, the claws and teeth of your monstrous
form are poisoned. When you hit a creature with an attack
with the natural weapons of your Eldritch Transformation
feature, you can force that creature to make a Constitution
saving throw (DC equal to 8 + your proficiency bonus + your
Constitution modifier). On a failed save, that creature takes
2d4 poison damage and is poisoned for 1 minute. On a
success, the creature takes half as much damage and is not
poisoned.
While poisoned, that creature takes 1d4 poison damage at
the start of each of its turns, and it can then repeat its saving
throw, ending this effect on a success.
Once a creature has succeeded on a saving throw against
this feature, it is immune to the poison for 24 hours. You
cannot use this feature again on a creature that is currently
poisoned by this feature.
Aberrant Hide
At 14th level, your monstrous form is resilient against magic.
While transformed using your Eldritch Transformation
feature, you have advantage on saving throws against spells
and other magical effects, and you are immune to any spell or
effect that would alter your form.

25
Healing Blast. As a bonus action, you present your holy
symbol and invoke your deity's blessing. Until the end of your
Cleric Domain turn, your eldritch blast cantrip heals living creatures by a
The Eldritch Disciple domain is available to cleric characters number of hit points equal to the damage it would normally
at 1st level. deal, and deals no damage to those creatures. This eldritch
blast deals damage to undead as normal, and has no effect on
Eldritch Disciple constructs or objects.
Strength of Will. As a bonus action, you present your holy
Many clerics gain reverence and insight into divine mysteries, symbol and draw upon the surety of your faith. Until the end
drawing upon power granted to them in return for their of your next turn, you have advantage on Wisdom and
devotions to their deity, but the Eldritch Disciple forms a Charisma saving throws against effects which would cause
closer covenant with their god, a pact, to receive eldritch you to become charmed, frightened, or which would alter your
secrets hidden to mere mortals. Both Corellon Larethian and intentions, such as the command spell.
Lolth have been known to enter such covenants with clerics Wild Frenzy. As a bonus action, you present your holy
through the voices of powerful agents (such as eldarin or symbol and focus your mind into a heightened state of
demons), but many other chaotic or evil deities have room for consciousness similar to a barbarian's rage. Until the end of
such a servant. your next turn, you have advantage on attack rolls with melee
Edlritch Disciple Domain Spells weapons and with your eldritch blast cantrip.
Cleric Level Spells You can choose one additional option for your
1st command, hex Greater Eldricth Secrets
3rd blindness/deafness, enthrall Starting at 6th level, you gain two additional eldritch
5th clairvoyance, fear
invocations of your choice.
7th banishment, elemental bane Potent Spellcasting
9th contact other plane, dream Starting at 8th level, you add your Wisdom modifier to the
damage you deal with any cleric cantrip.
Bonus Cantrip Timeless Body
When you choose this domain at 1st level, you gain the At 17th level, the power of your divine patron infuses you with
eldritch blast cantrip if you don't already know it. It counts as eternal vigor. You no longer age. You suffer none of the frailty
a cleric spell for you. This cantrip doesn't count against your of old age, you cannot die of old age, and you cannot be aged
number of cantrips known. magically.
In addition, your exhaustion level is reduced by 1 when you
Eldritch Secrets finish a short rest, and it is reduced to 0 when you finish a
Also at 1st level, you gain one eldritch invocation of your long rest.
choice. Your invocation options are the same as a warlock's
(see the Player's Handbook, p.110, and the Eldritch
Invocations section of this expansion). If an invocation would
require using a warlock spell slot, you can choose to use a
cleric spell slot instead.
In addition, you can learn to speak, read, and write one
language spoken by the messengers of your deity: abyssal,
celestial, deep speech, infernal, or sylvan.
Channel Divinity: Gift of the Divine
Patron
Starting at 2nd level, you can use your Channel Divinity to
call upon a sacred gift of power from your divine patron.
Choose one of the following options. You can choose a
second option at 14th level.
Corrupting Blast. As a bonus action, you present your holy
symbol and invoke your deity's wrath. The first time you hit a
creature with your eldritch blast cantrip before the end of
your turn, that creature has disadvantage on Wisdom saving
throws until the end of your next turn.
Fearful Glare. As an action, you present your holy symbol
and imbue your glare with frightful power. Target one
creature you can see within 30 feet and which can see you.
That creature must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or
become frightened of you until the end of your next turn.

26
Rogue Archetypes
The Slayer archetype is available to rogue characters starting You always know the location of the target of your hunter's
at 3rd level. mark spell while it is on the same plane of existance as you. If
the target of your spell travells to another plane of existance,
Slayer you know which plane it travelled to.
You focus your training on hunting down those creatures that If the target of your hunter's mark spell is not native to this
infringe upon the Prime Material plane from other planes plane of existance, you have advantage on attack rolls against
and other realities. Those who follow this path have that creature.
encountered the powers beyond this world, either in scholarly Hidden Mind
tomes or in the course of adventure, and have devoted Starting at 13th level, your focus allows you to block out
themselves to turning back such beings. otherworldly creature's psychic advances. You have
resistance to psychic damage.
Slayer's Mark You are immune to magic and magical abilities that allow
When you choose this archetype at 3rd level, your training other creatures to read your thoughts, determine whether you
allows you to magically mark a creature as your prey. You can are lying, know your alignment, or know your creature type.
cast the hunter's mark spell as a bonus action. Intelligence is Creatures can telepathically communicate with you only
your spellcasting ability for this spell. when you choose to allow it.
You can use this feature a number of times equal to your
Intelligence modifier (a minimum of once), and you regain Baneful Mark
expended uses when you finish a long rest. Starting at 17th level, you become a master of hunting your
marked creature. When you cast the hunter's mark spell with
Otherworldly Sense your Slayer's Mark feature, you can cast the spell at 5th level.
Starting at 3rd level, you can detect the presence of You regain all expended uses of your Slayer's Mark feature
otherworldly creatures in your vicinity. As an action, you can when you finish a short or long rest.
open your awareness to such presence. Until the end of your A creature under the effect of your hunter's mark spell has
turn, you know the location of any aberrations, celestials, disadvantage on attack rolls against you.
elementals, fey, or fiends within 60 feet of you. You know the When you cast hunter's mark on a creature that is native to
type of any being whose presence you sense, but not its a different plane of existence than the one you're on, choose
identity. one ability score. The target of your spell has disadvantage on
You can use this feature a number of times equal to 1 + ability checks and saving throws with that ability score.
your Intelligence modifier. When you finish a long rest, you When you hit against an aberration, celestial, elemental, fey,
regain all expended uses. or fiend, which is currently under the effect of your hunter's
mark spell with a weapon attack, your attack deals an
Harrowing Mark additional 2d6 damage.
At 9th level, you have improved your focus on your marked
creature. When you cast hunter's mark with your Slayer's
Mark feature, you can cast the spell at 3rd level.

27
Warlock Patrons
The Archangel, the Genie, and the Reaper patron options
are available to warlock characters at 1st level.
The Archangel
You have made a pact with a celestial from the upper planes,
a being of good and light. Such beings desire the healing and
restoration of all things, and it is often the most broken of
people they call to their service for that very purpose.
Celestials mighty enough to forge a pact include archangels
such as Michael, Gabriel, or Raphael, as well as devas,
planetars, solars and ki-rin of great might. Often, if an
aasimar becomes a warlock, their patron will be their
celestial guide.
Expanded Spell List
The Archangel lets you choose from an expanded list of spells
when you learn a warlock spell. The following spells are
added to the warlock spell list for you.
Archangel Expanded Spells
Spell Level Spells Your Pact Boon
1st bane, bless Generally, the creature or object created by your
pact boon will reflect your patron's nature.
2nd aid, moonbeam Pact of the Chain. Hawks, owls, and creatures
3rd beacon of hope, daylight assosciated with air and freedom are typical
familiars for the Archangel patron. If your patron is
4th death ward, guardian of faith the Genie, an imp or mephit may be appropriate
5th dispel evil and good, hallow (see the Mephit Familiars sidebar). The Reaper
patron will grant a familiar with strong
assosciations with death, such as a raven or rat.
Celestial Flight Pact of the Blade. For the Archangel, your weapon
Starting at 1st level, your patron bestows upon you the may be a sword, decorated with winged hand
radiant wings of celestials. As an action, you can sprout guards and worked all in silver. For the Genie, it will
glowing wings, gaining a flying speed of 30 feet for 1 minute likely resemble the favoured weapon of your
or until you end this feature as a bonus action. The wings patron, such as a maul for a Dao or a trident for a
shed dim light in a 5-foot-radius. When this feature ends, you Marid. If your patron is the Reaper, your weapon
fall if you are still aloft, unless you can stop the fall. will resemble the "soul-severing" weapon of your
Once you have used this feature, you can't use it again until patron, such as a scythe or sickle (for a scythe, see
you finish a short or long rest. the Scythes sidebar).
Pact of the Tome. Your Book of Shadows is likely
Aura of Menace to be worked in white and gold, and to bear
Starting at 6th level, you can emit an aura of righteous anger. symbols of wings, the sun, or other symbols of
hope if your patron is the Archangel, and at your
Each hostile creature within a 15-foot-radius of you must DMs discretion, it can instead be referred to as a
make a Wisdom saving throw against your warlock spell save "Book of Shining". If your patron is the Genie, your
DC, and creatures with an Evil alignment make this save with Book of Shadows will be coloured to the elemental
disadvantage. On a failed save, that creature is frightened of affinity of your patron, and may be addorned with
you for 1 minute. scraps assosciated with that plane, such as sea
At the end of each of its turns, a creature frightened by this shells for a Marid patron.
feature can repeat its saving throw, ending the effect on a For the Reaper patron, your Book of Shadows is
success. Once a creature succeeds on a saving throw against likely to be a relatively plain, functional-seeming
this feature, it is immune to this feature for 24 hours. book, both so as not to arouse suspicion and due
Once you have used this feature, you can't use it again until to the very practical nature of your patron's work. It
you finish a short or long rest. is likely bound in black leather, containing spells of
necromancy and illusion, and if decorated at all,
Aura of Courage may bare silverwork of skulls, ravens, or other
Starting at 10th level, your patrons bestows a divine presence symbols of death.
of courage upon you. You and friendly creatures within 10
feet of you can't be frightened while you are conscious.

28
Expanded Spell List
The Genie lets you choose from an expanded list of spells
when you learn a warlock spell. The following spells are
added to the warlock spell list for you.
Genie Expanded Spells
Spell Level Spells
1st ice knife, earth tremor,
2nd agnazzar's scorcher, dust devil
3rd erupting earth, wall of water
4th ice storm, wall of fire
5th immolation, wall of stone
9th wish
Elemental Affinity
Starting at 1st level, your patron imbues you with the
elemental forces of their native plane. You can speak, read
and write Primordial, including its dialects (Terran, Auran,
Ignan, and Aquan).
In addition, you gain the following benefits dependent on
your patron's nature:
Elemental Earth (Dao). Your skin becomes hard as stone.
While you are not wearing armour, your AC equals 13 + your
Dexterity modifier.
Elemental Air (Djinn). You have resistance to lightning
and thunder damage, and you can hold your breath
indefinitely.
Elemental Fire (Efreet). You have resistance to fire and
radiant damage. You suffer no penalties from extreme
temperatures, including very hot and very cold environments.
Elemental Water (Marid). You have resistance to acid and
cold damage. You can breathe air and water, and you have a
swimming speed equal to your base walking speed.
Energy Absorption
Spirit Armor Starting at 6th level, you can draw upon the elemental
Starting at 14th level, you can transform into a radiant form. energies of your foes' attacks to heal yourself. As a reaction,
As an action, you enter this form, which lasts for 1 minute. It when you take damage of a type assosciated with your patron
ends early if you are knocked unconscious. While you are in according to the Damage Assosciation table, you can reduce
your radiant form, you gain the following benefits: the damage taken to 0, and regain a number of hit points
You emit bright light in a 20-foot-radius, and dim light for equal to the damage that would have been dealt (ignoring any
an additional 20-feet beyond that. resistance you may have to that damage type).
You gain a bonus to AC equal to your Charisma modifier Once you have used this feature, you cannot do so again
(a minimum of +1). until you finish a short or long rest.
You have resistance to necrotic damage. Damage Assosciation table
You gain the benefits of a single casting of the death ward Patron type Damage types
spell.
You gain a bonus to any Constitution saving throw you Dao Bludgeoning, force
make to maintain your concentration on a spell equal to Djinn Lightning, thunder
your Charisma modifier (a minimum of +1). Efreet Fire, radiant
Once you have used this feature, you can't do so again until Marid Acid, cold
you finish a short or long rest.
Elemental Empowerment
The Genie Starting at 10th level, your magics which draw on the
Your patron is a creature from the Elemental Planes, a elemental powers of your patron have greater potency. When
creature with the power to grant wishes. The purposes of you roll a 1 or a 2 on damage dice for a spell which deals
these creatures vary wildly, but more often than not, a genie damage of a type assosciated with your patron according to
will see its warlock as a slave, rather than a partner. the Damage Assosciation table, you can reroll any number of
Creatures of this kind include dao, djinni, efreeti, and marid. those dice, but you must use the new roll(s).
29
Mephit Familiars
Due to their elemental nature, genies may grant
warlocks who choose the Pact of the Chain the aid
of lesser elemental spirits. These mephits come in
six main varieties, each a combination of two kinds
of element, and thus assosciated with two
elemental planes:
Mephit type Elemental Plane(s)
Dust mephit Earth, air
Ice mephit Water, air
Magma mephit Fire, earth
Mud mephit Earth, water
Smoke mephit Fire, air
Steam mephit Fire, water
As a warlock of the Genie, you may choose a

type of mephit assosciated with your patron's
elemental plane.
Wish-Giver
Starting at 14th level, you can call upon your patron's wish-
granting powers on others' behalf. As an action, you can
beseech your patron to grant a wish to another.
Roll a percentile dice. If you roll a number equal to or lower
than your warlock level, your patron will cast the wish spell to
fulfill the request of a creature other than yourself. Twilight Soul
The DM chooses how the patron grants the wish, and all Starting at 1st level, your agreement allows you to tred the
the usual dangers of wishing with a genie apply. Once your fine line between life and undeath. When damage reduces
patron has granted a creature a wish by this feature, it cannot you to 0 hit points, you can make a Constitution saving throw
grant that creature any further wishes. (DC equal to 5 + the damage taken), unless the damage was
If your patron grants the wish, you can't use this feature radiant or from a critical hit. On a success, you drop to 1 hit
again for 7 days. Otherwise, you can use it again after you point instead.
finish a long rest. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your
Charisma modifier (a minimum of once). You regain all
The Reaper expended uses when you finish a short or long rest.
Your patron is a grim reaper, valkyrie, shinigami, or other
spirit responsible for the taking of dead souls to the afterlife. Reaper's Path
Such beings are often wearied by their eternal existence, and At 6th level, your patron grants you access to their secret
their motives range from fulfilment of an age-old contract to passage. As a bonus action, you can use this feature to turn
merely finding some alleviation of the tedium of eternity. invisible and become insubstantial. You produce no sound or
scent, and cannot be detected by nonmagical means. You are
Expanded Spell List not invisible or undetectable to creatures with 1 hit point or
The Reaper lets you choose from an expanded list of spells fewer, although you appear spectral and enveloped in
when you learn a warlock spell. The following spells are shadows to them.
added to the warlock spell list for you. You can move through other creatures and objects,
including walls and closed doors, as if they were difficult
Reaper Expanded Spells terrain. If you end your turn inside an object, you take 1d10
Spell Level Spells force damage.
1st dissonant whispers, false life, While this feature lasts, you cannot attack, cast spells, or
use any magic item or feature that would interact with
2nd blur, gentle repose another creature or object. You see the world in shades of
3rd feign death, speak with dead gray.
4th death ward, phantasmal killer
This feature lasts a number of turns equal to your
Charisma modifier (a minimum of 1), ending at the end of
5th antilife shell, legend lore your turn. You can choose to end this feature immediately as
a bonus action.
30
If the feature ends while you are inside a solid object (such as While the mark lasts and the creature is on the same plane of
a wall), you immediately take 5d10 force damage, you are existance as you, you can use an action to end the mark,
restrained and incapacitated, and you cannot breathe. attempting to rip the creature's soul from its body. The
Once you have used this feature, you cannot do so again creature must make a Wisdom saving throw against your
until you finish a short or long rest. spell save DC. On a failed save, that creature drops to 0 hit
points. On a success, it takes 10d10 necrotic damage. An
Half-Life undead creature makes this saving throw with advantage.
Beginning at 10th level, you do not need to breathe, and you You can have only one creature marked by this feature at a
do not require food, drink, or sleep, although you still require time. You can choose to end the mark harmlessly without
rest to reduce exhaustion and still benefit from finishing using an action.
short and long rests. Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you
In addition, you age at a slower rate. For every 10 years finish a long rest.
that pass, your body ages only 1 year, and you are immune to
being magically aged.
Scythes
Mark of the Reaper
When you reach 14th level, when you hit a creature with a The scythe, as well as the sickle, have long been
represented as the weapon of choice by which
spell attack or a creature fails a saving throw against a spell psychopomps "harvest" the souls of the fallen.
you cast which effects only that creature, you can use this If your Warlock of the Reaper wishes to use a
feature to mark that creature for the grave. scythe, you may use the general statistics for the
If you attempt to mark a creature which does not have a glaive as presented in the Player's Handbook.
soul, the use of this feature is spent but it has no effect. Alternatively, at the DM's discretion, you may use
The mark lasts for a number of days equal to your the following option:
Charisma modifier (a minimum of 1). As long as the mark Scythe. Martial Melee Weapon. 2d4 slashing
lasts, you can determine that creature's direction and damage. Heavy, reach, special, two-handed.
distance from you if it is on the same plane of existance as Special. If you hit a creature with an attack with
you, or which plane it is on if it is on a different plane of the scythe, you can attempt to move that creature
existance, by spending 1 minute meditating and consulting up to 5 feet in any direction except away from you.
your patron. That creature can avoid this effect by making a
successful Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity
(Acrobatics) check (their choice), contested by
your Strength (Athletics) check.

31
Wizard Tradition
The Eldritch Theurge arcane tradition is available to
wizard characters at 2nd level.
Eldritch Theurge
Many wizards are drawn to their studies by a thirst for
knowledge, but some are not content with learning only the
magic approved by the traditions of the past, turning to the
study of beings of great and dark powers. Eldritch Theurges
do not form pacts with their patrons, as warlocks do, but
rather, they discover the powers of such creatures by hard
study of forbidden eldritch lore.
Eldritch Secrets Otherworldly Endurance
When you select this tradition at 2nd level, you can learn one Starting at 6th level, you can use a bonus action to enter a
eldritch invocation of your choice. Your invocation options are heightened state of consciousness, granting you the ability to
the same as a warlock's (see the Player's Handbook, p.110, persevere through harm. For 1 minute, you gain the following
and the Eldritch Invocations section of this expansion). If an benefits:
invocation would require using a warlock spell slot, you can
choose to use a wizard spell slot instead. You can gain a number of temporary hit points equal to
your Intelligence modifier, which last for the duration.
Eldritch Spellblast You add your Intelligence modifier to any Constitution
At 2nd level when you select this tradition, you learn the saving throw you make to maintain concentration on a
eldritch blast cantrip. It is treated as a wizard cantrip for you. spell.
This cantrip doesn't count against your number of cantrips Once you have used this feature, you can't use it again until
known. you finsih a long rest or you cast a spell using an eldritch
When you cast eldritch blast, you can use your bonus invocation.
action to place a spell which has an area effect upon your
eldritch blast. You expend the spell slot necessary to cast that Eldritch Lorekeeper
spell at the desired level. If the eldritch blast hits its target, Beginning at 10th level, you can learn three additional
the point of origin of the spell's area of effect is the target of eldritch invocations of your choice.
that eldritch blast, even if the spell could normally be
centered only on the caster. Eldritch Spellweaver
You can only attach a spell with a casting time of 1 action to By 14th level, you have learned to combine your arcane and
your eldritch blast. If your eldritch blast hits multiple targets, eldritch knowledge taking your spellcasting to new heights.
the attached spell centres on the first target hit. Your eldritch When you finish a short or long rest, you can choose one
blast and the spell cast by this feature are together spell of 5th level or lower from your spell book, which does
considered a single spell of 1 level higher than the level of the not inflict damage or target another creature. Once before
spell slot you expended (maximum level 9). your next short or long rest, you can cast that spell without
You can use this feature twice. You regain expended uses expending a spell slot.
when you finish a long rest. In addition, if you known one or more eldritch invocations
which apply to your eldritch blast cantrip, you can apply these
invocations to any cantrip or 1st level spell you cast which
deals damage to one or more individual targets, such as the
firebolt cantrip.
32
Eldritch Invocations
The following additional eldritch invocations are available to An ignited creature takes an additional 1d6 fire damage at
Warlocks and characters with the "Eldritch Secrets" feature. the start of each of its turns. This effect lasts for 1 minute or
If an eldritch invocation has prerequisites, you must meet until it uses an action to put out the flames.
them to learn it. Eldricth Essence. You can only use one Eldritch
Some of these invocations require another creature to Invocation with the "Eldritch Essence" tag with each casting
make a saving throw. The saving throw is always equal to of your eldritch blast cantrip.
your Warlock spell save DC.
Call of the Grave
Angelic Radiance Prerequisites: 5th level, The Undying patron, eldritch blast
Prerequisite: The Archangel patron cantrip
Your form shines with celestial light. You can use a bonus You can channel the eternal call of death through your
action to illuminate your skin, shedding dim light in a 20-foot eldritch blast. When you hit an undead creature with that
radius. While illuminated, you have advantage on Charisma cantrip, if the target has a challenge rating less than your
(Persuasion) checks against good creatures, and advantage Warlock level divided by 8 (a minimum of 1/8), it must
on Charisma (Intimidation) checks against evil creatures. You succeed on a Wisdom saving throw against your spell save
can extinguish your illumination with a bonus action. DC or be instantly destroyed.
Binding Blast Chill of the Grave
Prerequisite: 13th level, eldritch blast cantrip Prerequisite: The Undying patron
When you hit a creature with eldritch blast, that creature You emit a chill aura, reminiscent of the cold of a graveyard.
must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or be stunned until You have advantage on Charisma (Intimidation) checks.
the end of its next turn. In addition, when an undead creature makes an attack roll
Eldricth Essence. You can only use one Eldritch against you, you can use a reaction to focus your aura on that
Invocation with the "Eldritch Essence" tag with each casting creature, imposing disadvantage on the attack roll.
of your eldritch blast cantrip.
Cold Comfort
Brimstone Blast You do not suffer any harm from extreme heat or cold, such
Prerequisite: 5th level, eldritch blast cantrip as heightened exhaustion. This feature does not grant you
resistance or immunity to cold or fire damage.
When you cast eldritch blast, you can expend a warlock spell
slot. If you do, each beam of your eldritch blast cantrip deals Crawling Eye
an additional 1d6 fire damage, plus 1d6 fire damage for each As an action, you can detach one of your eyes, which leaves
level above 3rd of the spell slot expended. When a creature is your head and sprouts spidery legs. When you do so, your
hit by your eldritch blast, it must succeed on a Dexterity current hit points and hit point maximum are reduced by 1.
saving throw or become ignited. You can direct the eye to crawl back into your eye socket (no
action required), returning to normal function.
33
You can see through the eye as if it was still in your head. The Frightful Blast
eye cannot move of its own volition, but you can expend up to Prerequisite: 5th level, eldritch blast cantrip
20 feet of your movement to allow the eye to move that When you hit a creature with your eldritch blast, you can
distance. force that creature to make a Wisdom saving throw or
The eye is considered a Tiny creature with AC equal to 10 become frightened of you until the end of your next turn.
+ your Charisma modifier and 1 hit point. Its Dexterity Eldricth Essence. You can only use one Eldritch
(Stealth) modifier is equal to half your warlock level. For all Invocation with the "Eldritch Essence" tag with each casting
other purposes, its statistics are equal to yours. of your eldritch blast cantrip.
You cannot cast spells through the eye, but any spell or
invocation which affects your sense of sight - such as devil's Hellrime Blast
sight or detect magic - functions through the eye as though it Prerequisite: eldritch blast cantrip
was still attached.
If your crawling eye is destroyed, it regrows in its socket When you cast eldritch blast, you can choose for it to deal
after 1d4 hours. If the crawling eye was your only eye, you are cold damage instead of force damage. If you hit a target with
blinded for this duration. an eldritch blast which deals cold damage, the target must
Once the eye has regrown in its socket after being succeed on a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, that
destroyed or has crawled back into its socket at your creature cannot take reactions until the end of your next turn.
direction, you regain the 1 lost point to your hit point Eldricth Essence. You can only use one Eldritch
maximum. Invocation with the "Eldritch Essence" tag with each casting
Only one of your eyes can be used for crawling eye at a of your eldritch blast cantrip.
time. If your crawling eye is destroyed, you can't use this
invocation again until your eye regrows. Lich's Lore
Prerequisite: The Undying patron
Disembodied Hand
As an action, you can detach one of your hands, which You gain proficiency in the Arcana and History skills.
seperates at the wrist and floats in the air. When you do so,
your current hit points and hit point maximum each decrease Midnight Cloak
by 3. You can direct a disembodied hand in your space to Shadows gather around you. While you are in an area of dim
reattach to your arm (no action required). light or darkness, you are considered to have half cover from
You can use your hand as if it were still attached to a creature for which that level of light causes you to be lightly
manipulate items, deliver attacks with a one-handed weapon, obscured from it.
or deliver spells with a range of Touch. To do so, you must
expend an action or bonus action as usual. Noxious Blast
The hand hovers, but can't move on its own. You can Prerequisites: 9th level, eldritch blast cantrip
expend up to 30 feet of your movement to move the hand that
distance. When you hit a creature with your eldritch blast, it must
The hand is considered a Tiny creature with AC equal to make a Constitution saving throw against poison. On a failed
10 + your Charisma modifier and 3 hit points. Its Dexterity save, the creature spends its turn retching and reeling, and it
(Stealth) modifier is equal to half your warlock level. For all can only use its action to take the Dodge or Disengage
other purposes, its statistics are equal to yours. actions. Creatures that are immune to poison automatically
If your disembodied hand is destroyed, it regrows after 1d4 succeed this saving throw.
hours. If the disembodied hand was your only hand, you Eldricth Essence. You can only use one Eldritch
cannot wield weapons, cast spells with somatic components, Invocation with the "Eldritch Essence" tag with each casting
or use objects until it regrows. of your eldritch blast cantrip.
Once the hand has regrown or has reattached to your arm,
you regain the 3 lost points to your hit point maximum. Otherwordly Whispers
Only one of your hands can be used for disembodied hand You gain proficiency in the Arcana and Religion skills.
at any time. If your disembodied hand is destroyed, you can't
use this invocation again until the hand regrows. Relentless Dispel
Prerequisite: 5th level
Dead Man's Fingers When you cast the dispel magic spell targetting a creature,
You cannot be disarmed off a weapon you are holding, and you can expend a second spell slot of the same level. If you
you have advantage on Strength checks against a creature do, the target is subjected to another dispel magic spell at the
trying to break your grapple. start of your next turn, at the level of the spell slot expended
Divine Messenger (no action required). You can't do so again until you finish a
Prerequisites: 9th level, The Archangel patron long rest.
You can cast the commune once using a warlock spell slot. Serpent's Tongue
You can't do so again until you finish a long rest. Your tongue becomes forked like a snake's. You have
advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell
and on saving throws against poison which is ingested.

34
Step of the Fey
Prerequisite: The Archfey patron
When a creature makes an attack of opportunity against
you, you can use a reaction to turn invisible until the end
of your turn, or until you make an attack or cast a spell.
Swimming the Styx
You gain a swimming speed of 30 feet, and you
can breathe water as well as air.
Y'chak's Thousand Rays
Prerequisites: 9th level, eldritch blast cantrip
When you cast the Eldritch Blast cantrip, you can
choose to unleash a torrent of lesser rays in a burst
before you. Each creature in a 30-foot cone centered
on you must make a Dexterity saving throw. A
creature takes 1d10 force damage for each beam of your
eldritch blast cantrip on a failed save, or half as much
damage on a success.
Any Eldritch Invocation which effects your eldritch blast
cnatrip effects this invocation. If you have the Eldritch Spear
invocation, the area of this spell is a 60-foot cone. If you know
more than one invocation with the "Eldritch Essence" tag,
each creature in the area of effect is effected by a random one
of your "Eldritch Essence" invocation effects.
Vampiric Fang
Prerequisites: 5th level, The Undying patron, Pact of the
Blade feature
When you create your pact weapon as a sword, it manifests
as a silver blade with vampiric powers. When you hit a
creature with it, you can expend a spell slot to deal an
additional necrotic damage equal to 1d8 + 1d8 per spell
level to the target, and you gain temporary hit points equal
to half the necrotic damage dealt.
Wakeful Watch
You gain proficiency in the Perception skill.
In addition, you do not need to sleep. You must still rest,
but you can expend 8 hours engaged in light activity to gain
the benefits of a long rest.
Witchwood Step
Prerequisite: 7th level
You can cast the freedom of movement spell at will, without
expending a spell slot or material components.

35
Spells
T
he following additional spells are added to the In addition, the entire class spell list for the Eldritch
appropriate class spell list at the level Warden class is given below.
specified. Not all classes gain additional spells
with this expansion. The details of all new
spells are given in the next section.
Bard Shatter 3rd level Vecna's Malevolent Whisper

Spider Climb Animate Weapon
5th level Arcane Turmoil 5th level
Discordant Malediction 3rd level Caustic Smoke Channeled Lifetheft
Endless Slumber Blink Ghost Lantern Endless Slumber
Fever Dream Bloodletting Pall of Twilight Fever Dream
Channeled Rageblade Touch of Vecna
Cleric
Counterspell 4th level
4th level Dispel Magic Caustic Mire 9th level
Seed of Undeath Feign Death Choking Cobwebs Genius Loci
Druid Fly Seed of Undeath
Haste Vecna's Malevolent Whisper
Wizard
2nd level Magic Circle 1st level
Blackrot Major Image 5th level Death's Call
Eldritch Warden Sending Channeled Lifetheft
2nd level
Tongues Endless Slumber
1st level Boiling Blood
Vampiric Touch Fever Dream
Absorb Elements Bothersome Babble
Touch of Vecna
Charm Person 4th level
Command Dimension Door 6th level 3rd level
Detect Magic Elemental Bane Animate Weapon
Channeled Prismatic Blaze
Expeditious Retreat Locate Creature Arcane Turmoil
Steal Summoning
Feather Fall Phantasmal Killer Caustic Smoke
Hellish Rebuke Polymorph 9th level Ghost Lantern
Heroism Vecna's Malevolent Whisper Genius Loci Pall of Twilight
Hex
Mage Armor 5th level Warlock 4th level
Protection from Evil and Channeled Lifetheft 1st level Caustic Mire
Good Dominate Person Death's Call Choking Cobwebs
Reaving Aura Flame Strike Reaving Aura Seed of Undeath
Shield Hold Monster Vecna's Malevolent Whisper
Sleep Modify Memory 2nd level
Unseen Servant Passwall Boiling Blood 5th level
Witchbolt Seeming Channeled Lifetheft
3rd level Endless Slumber
2nd level Sorcerer Arcane Turmoil Fever Dream
Blindness/Deafness 1st level Caustic Smoke Touch of Vecna
Cloud of Daggers Death's Call Ghost Lantern
Detect Thoughts Reaving Aura Pall of Twilight 6th level
Earthbind Channeled Prismatic Blaze
Hold Person 2nd level 4th level Steal Summoning
Invisibility Boiling Blood Caustic Mire
Mirror Image Bothersome Babble Choking Cobwebs 9th level
Misty Step Seed of Undeath Genius Loci
Ray of Enfeeblement

36
Spells
The following additional spells are available to classes as
detailed in the Spell Lists section.
Animate Weapon
3rd-level transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Components: V, S
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
Your weapon leaps from your hand, suddenly fighting of its
own volition. Choose one weapon within range which is not
being worn or carried by another creature. The weapon
animates and becomes a creature under your control until
the spell ends or it is reduced to 0 hit points.
As a bonus action, you can mentally command any creature
you made with this spell if it is within 60 feet of you (if you
control multiple creatures, you can command any or all of
them at the same time, issuing the same command to each
one). You decide what action the creature will take and where
it will move during its next turn, or you can issue a general
command, such as to guard a particular chamber or person. If
you issue no commands, the weapon will attack the nearest
hostile creature. Once given an order, the creature continues
to follow it until its task is complete.
Animated Weapon Statistics
Property HP AC Str Dex
Light 20 18 4 18
— 25 16 6 14
Heavy 40 13 10 12
An animated weapon is a construct with AC, hit points,

Strength, and Dexterity determined by whether it has the
light property, the heavy property, or neither. Its Constitution
is 10 and its Intelligence and Wisdom are 3, and its Charisma
is 1. It has a flying speed of 30 feet and can hover. It has
blindsight with a radius of 30 feet and is blind beyond that
distance. When the animated weapon drops to 0 hit points, it
reverts to its original object form, and any remaining damage
carries over to its original object form.
If you command an animated weapon to attack it can make
a single melee attack against a creature within 5 feet of it. It's
attack bonus is equal to your spell attack bonus, and it deals
damage as normal, using its own Strength or Dexterity.
If the weapon is magical, its magical properties apply to its
attacks. For example, if you targetted a longsword +1 with
this spell, it would have a +1 bonus to its own attack and
damage rolls.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell
slot of 4th level or higher, you can animate two additional
weapons for each slot level above 3rd.
Arcane Turmoil
3rd-level abjuration
Range: 30 feet
Components: V, S, M (a broken eggshell)
Duration: Instantaneous
37
You release chaotic arcane energies into the mind of the Boiling Blood
target creature. Choose one creature within range. Any spell 2nd-level transmutation
of 3rd level or lower on the target ends. For each spell of 4th Casting Time: 1 action
level or higher on the target, make an ability check using your Range: 60 feet
spellcasting ability. The DC equals 10 + the spell's level. On a Components: V, S
successful check, the spell ends. Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
In addition, if the creature is a spellcaster, that creature As you point to a creature, its skin slowly turns red as its
must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the blood boils within its veins. Target one creature you can see
target loses one spell slot of the highest spell level she has within range. That creature must make a Constitution saving
spell slots remaining for, or one use of the highest level spell throw, taking 2d6 fire damage on a failed save, or half as
she can use a limited number of times per day. This spell or much damage on a successful one.
spell slot is lost as if it had been cast or used. A creature that failed its save then takes an additional 1d6
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell fire damage at the start of each of its turns, and it can then
slot of 4th level or higher, you automatically end the effects of make a Constitution saving throw, ending this effect on a
a spell on the target if the spell's level is equal to or less than success.
the level of the spell slot you used. Creatures which do not have blood or similar internal
fluids , such as most undead, are immune to this spell.
Blackrot At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell
2nd-level necromancy slot of 3rd level or higher, both the initial damage and damage
Casting Time: 1 action on subsequent turns increases by 1d6 for each slot level
Range: Touch above 2nd.
Components: V, S When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 5th level or
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute higher, the duration of this spell increases by 1 minute for
Plant matter blackens and withers under your touch as you every three slot levels above 2nd.
fill it with a poisonous rot. Choose one plant, plant creature, Bothersome Babble
or wooden weapon within range. 2nd-level enchantment
A plant which is not a creature which you target with this
spell withers at your touch. A plant creature you touch must Casting Time: 1 action
make a Constitution saving throw, taking 2d8 necrotic Range: 30 feet
damage and beginning to rot on a failed save, or half as much Components: V, S
damage on a success. A rotting creature takes 1d8 necrotic Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
damage at the start of each of its turns, then it can make a You gesture towards a creature and its spoken words become
Constitution saving throw, ending this effect on a success. meaningless gibberish. Choose one creature you can see
Alternatively, you can target a weapon with a wooden within range. That creature must make a Wisdom saving
striking surface (such as a club or quarterstaff). For the throw. On a failed save, the creature is unable to speak in any
duration, any creature which takes damage from that weapon language for the duration, producing only meaningless
must make a Constitution saving throw or become poisoned nonesense. If the creature attempts to cast a spell with a
until the end of your next turn. verbal component, it must succeed on a Wisdom saving
throw or the spell fails and the casting is wasted.
Bloodletting At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell
3rd-level necromancy slot of 3rd level or higher, the creature's speech becomes
Casting Time: 1 bonus action physically painful to it. Whenever that creature attempts to
Range: Touch speak or cast a spell with a verbal component for the duration
Components: V, S of this spell, that creature takes 1d8 psychic damage.
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 4th level or
A weapon you are wielding begins to drain the life from higher, the damage dealt increases by 1d8 for each slot level
creatures it strikes. Choose a light melee weapon you are above 4th.
holding. The next time you deal damage to a creature with an Caustic Mire
attack with that weapon, you can wound the target of the 4th-level conjuration
attack.
At the start of each of the wounded creature's turns for the Casting Time: 1 action
duration of the spell, it takes 1d6 necrotic damage, and it can Range: 120 feet
them make a Constitution saving throw to end this effect. Components: V, S
Alternatively, the wounded creature, or a creature within 5 Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
feet ot it, can use an action to make a Wisdom (Medecine) A foul sludge seeps out of the ground from a point of your
ability check against your spell save DC, ending the effect on choice within range. The sludge covers the ground for a 20-
a success. foot radius from that point. This area is considered difficult
If a creature recovers from being wounded by a magic item terrain.
(such as a sword of wounding), they also recover from this Any creature which moves within the caustic mire takes
effect. A creature which recovers from this effect recovers 1d6 points of acid damage for every 5 feet of movement.
from all wounding effects (including from magic items).
38
If a creature ends its turn in the caustic mire without moving,
that creature takes 1d6 points of acid damage. This damage Channeled Magic
increases by 1d6 for each round that creature has spent in Several of the new spells in this expansion have a
the caustic mire without moving. special tag: channeled. These spells can be
In addition, the caustic mire emits a cloud of flammable increased in power by the caster focussing upon
fumes. Any creature within the area of the mire and less than the casting for longer periods of time.
20 feet above it has vulnerability to fire damage. If the Spells with the channeled tag have a variable
creature had resistance to fire damage, that creature instead casting time, and can usually be cast as a bonus
loses its resistance but does not gain vulnerability to fire action, a full action, or by expending multiple
damage whilst in the area of effect. A creature with immunity rounds. Longer castings increase the power of the
to fire damage ignores this effect. effect produced by the spell.
When casting a channeled spell with a casting
Caustic Smoke time longer than 1 action, the usual rules for
3rd-level conjuration casting spells with longer casting times apply,
except that if their concentration is broken, the
Casting Time: 1 action casting fails and the spell slot used is lost.
Range: 120 feet When a player begins casting a channeled spell,
Components: V, S they do not need to declare when they intend to
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute release it beforehand, only whether they are using a
bonus action, a full action, or an extended casting
Green-tinged smoke billows from the ground at a point you time. If they reach the upper limit of the channeled
choose within range, filling a 20-foot radius sphere. The casting time (usually 1 minute), they must release
sphere spreads around corners, and the area is heavily the spell as their action on that turn. Releasing a
obscured. It lasts for the duration or until a wind o f moderate channeled spell with a casting time longer than 1
or greater speed (at least 10 miles per hour) disperses it. action requires an action on the turn it is released.
A creature which enters the cloud for the first time on a
turn or starts its turn there takes 2d6 acid damage. A
creature which makes an attack roll or Wisdom (Perception)
check within the cloud must succeed on a Constitution saving On a failed save, that creature takes 5d4 necrotic damage +
throw or make that roll with disadvantage. 1d4 necrotic damage for each full round spent casting the
If a creature takes acid damage from another effect while it spell, and gains 1 level of exhaustion for each round spent
is within the area of the cloud, that creature must succeed on casting the spell (a maximum of 3 levels of exhaustion). On a
a Constitution saving throw or become blinded until the end success, that creature takes half as much damage and is not
of its next turn. exhausted. You gain temporary hit points equal to 10 + the
damage dealt.
Channeled Lifetheft Temporary hit points granted by this spell last for 1 hour or
5th-level necromancy (channeled) until expended. If your concentration is broken while casting
Casting Time: Special (see text) this spell with a casting time longer than 1 action, the spell
Range: 30 feet slot used to cast the spell is lost.
Components: V, S Channeled Prismatic Blaze
Duration: Instantaneous 6th-level evocation (channeled)
You channel negative energy into a mote of darkness in your Casting Time: Special (see text)
hand, causing it to grow until you fling it toward your enemy. Range: 60 feet
The power of the spell grows as you focus upon it. Components: V, S
When you cast channeled lifetheft, you can choose whether Duration: Instantaneous
to use a bonus action, an action, or to cast it with a casting
time of 2 or more rounds (up to a casting time of 1 minute). You channel elemental energy into a blaze of colored flame in
If you cast channeled lifetheft as a bonus action, choose your hand, causing it to pulse and grow until you launch it
one creature you can see within range. That creature must towards an enemy. The power of the spell grows as you spend
make a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, that time focussing upon it.
creature gains 1 level of exhaustion, and you gain 5 When you cast channeled prismatic blaze, you can choose
temporary hit points. whether to use a bonus action, an action, or to cast it with a
If you cast channeled life theft as an action, choose one casting time of 2 or more rounds (up to a casting time of 1
creature you can see within range. That creature must make minute).
a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, that creature If you cast channeled prismatic blaze as a bonus action,
takes 5d4 necrotic damage and gains 1 level of exhaustion. choose a point you can see within range. Each creature
On a success, the creature takes half as much damage and is within a 30-foot sphere centred on that point must make a
not exhausted. You gain temporary hit points equal to 5 + the Dexterity saving throw. For each creature which failed its
damage dealt. save, roll a d4 to determine which of the first 4 colors of
If you spend 2 or more rounds casting the spell, choose one flame detailed below affects the creature.
creature you can see within range. That creature must
succeed on a Constitution saving throw.
39
If you cast channeled prismatic blaze as an action, choose a
point you can see within range. Each creature within a 30-
foot sphere centred on that point must make a Dexterity
saving throw.
For each creature which failed its save, roll a d8 to
determine which color of flame detailed below affects the
creature.
If spend 2 or more rounds casting the spell, choose a point
you can see within range. Each creature within a sphere of
radius 30 feet + 10 feet for each round spent casting the spell
(a maximum of 60 feet), centred on that point must make a
Dexterity saving throw. For each creature which failed its
save, roll a d8 to determine which color of flame detailed
below affects the creature. Any damage dealt by this spell is
increased by 1d6 for each round spent casting the spell.
1. Red. The target takes 8d6 fire damage on a failed save,
or half as much damage on a successful one.
2. Orange. The target takes 8d6 acid damage on a failed
save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
3. Yellow. The target takes 8d6 lightning damage on a
failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
4. Green. The target takes 8d6 poison damage on a failed
save, or half as much damage on a successful one. If you cast channeled rageblade as a bonus action, the next
5. Blue. The target takes 8d6 cold damage on a failed save, time you hit a creature with a weapon attack during the
or half as much damage on a successful one. spell's duration, the target of the attack must succeed on a
6. Indigo. On a failed save, the target is restrained. At the Wisdom saving throw or become frightened of you for the
end of each of its turns, it must make a Constitution saving duration of the spell.
throw. On a failure, the creature is paralyzed until it succeeds If you cast channeled rageblade as an action, the next time
on its saving throw. If the creature succeeds a saving throw you hit a creature with a weapon attack during the spell's
while it is not paralyzed, the spell ends. duration, the attack deals an additional 3d8 psychic damage,
7. Violet. On a failed save, the target is blinded. It must and the target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or
then make a Wisdom saving throw at the start of your next become frightened of you for the duration.
turn. A successful save ends the blindness. If it it fails that If you spend 2 or more rounds casting the spell, the next
save, the creature is transported to another plane of existence time you hit a creature with a weapon attack during the
of the DM's choosing and is no longer blinded. (Typically, a spell's duration, the attack deals an additional 3d8 psychic
creature that is on a plane that isn't its home plane is damage + 1d8 psychic damage for each full two rounds spent
banished home, while other creatures are usually cast into casting the spell, and the target must succeed on a Wisdom
the Astral or Ethereal planes.) At the end of each of its turns saving throw or become paralyzed for the duration.
on that plane, the creature can attempt a Wisdom saving At the end of each of its turns, a creature frightened or
throw, returning the position it was in or the nearest paralyzed by this spell can make a Wisdom saving throw,
unnocupied space on the Material Plane on a success. ending the effect on a success. If your concentration is
8. Special. The target is engulfed in flames of two colours. broken while casting this spell with a casting time longer
Roll twice more, rerolling any 8. than 1 action, the spell slot used to cast the spell is lost.
If your concentration is broken while casting this spell with
a casting time longer than 1 action, the spell slot used to cast Choking Cobwebs
the spell is lost. 4th-level conjuration
Channeled Rageblade Range: 30 feet
3rd-level evocation (channeled) Components: V, S
Casting Time: Special (see text) Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour.
Range: Self You conjure a mass of choking strands at a point of your
Components: V choice within range. The cobwebs fill a 20-foot cube from that
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute. point for the duration. The cobwebs are difficult terrain and
You channel a seering anger into your blade, causing it flicker heavily obscure the area. The cobwebs can be anchored
with dull red flames. The power of the spell grows as you between two solid masses, as with the web spell, or they can
spend time focussing upon it. float freely.
When you cast channeled rageblade, you can choose Each creature that starts its turn in the cobwebs or enters
whether to use a bonus action, an action, or to cast it with a them during its turn must make a Constitution saving throw.
casting time of 2 or more rounds (up to a casting time of 1 On a failed save, the creature falls into a fit of horrific
minute). coughing.

40
The coughing creature has disadvantage on attack rolls and The target must then make a Concentration saving throw
ability checks, cannot speak, and cannot perform the somatic against the damage taken. On a failed save, the target's spell
component of spells. The creature can repeat this saving fails and the casting is lost.
throw at the start of each of their turns, ending the effect on a At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell
success. slot of 6th level or higher, the damage dealt increases by 1d6
for each slot level above 5th.
Crystalline Memories Endless Slumber
2nd-level transmutation 5th-level enchantment (ritual)
Casting Time: 1 bonus action Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 60 feet Range: 30 feet
Components: V, S Components: V, S, M (a pinch of black sand)
Duration: Concentration, up to 3 rounds (see text). Duration: Until dispelled
You congeal the thoughts of a creature you can see into a You attempt to send a creature into a magically induced
solid shard of crystal which errupts from their head into your slumber that lasts indefinitely. Choose one creature you can
hand. Target one creature you can see within range. You must see within range. That creature must succeed on a Wisdom
study that creature for 3 consecutive rounds, maintaining saving throw or fall unconscious until the spell ends or the
concentration while you do so. If your concentration is sleeper takes damage.
broken, the spell has no effect and the casting is lost. At the The subject does not require food or water while it is
start of each of its turns during this study, the target must asleep. Normal stimuli, such as shouting or prodding, are
make a Wisdom saving throw, ending the spell on a success. insufficient to wake the target. At the end of every 24 hours,
Once the study is complete, the target's current surface the creature can repeat its saving throw, ending the spell on a
thoughts (as with the detect thoughts spell) and recent success.
memories congeal into a shard of crystal, which erupts from At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell
the target's head and flies to your hand. The target takes 1d8 slot of 6th level or higher, you can target one additional
piercing damage and 1d8 psychic damage, and the target has creature for each slot level above 5th. The creatures must be
disadvantage on Intelligence ability checks and saving throws within 30 feet of each other when you target them.
until the end of their next turn.
Once you have the crystal, you can use an action to look Fever Dream
into it and view the memories it contains. The crystal lasts for 5th-level illusion
24 hours or until the memories have been viewed once, at
which point it fades from existance. Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30 feet
Death's Call Components: V, S
1st-level necromancy Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
Casting Time: 1 action You instil a creature's mind with a horrible fever. Choose one
Range: Self (10-foot radius) creature you can see within range. That creature must make
Components: V a Wisdom saving throw, gaining 2 levels of exhaustion on a
Duration: Instantaneous failed save, or 1 level of exhaustion on a success. These levels
of exhaustion last for the duration of the spell.
You release a scream which chills the air with deathly energy. While a creature is exhausted by this spell, each time that
Each creature within a 10-foot radius of you must make a creature attempts to cast a spell, it must succeed on a
Constitution saving throw. A creature takes 1d4 necrotic Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the spell fails and
damage and gains 1 level of exhaustion on a failed save, or it the casting is lost.
takes half as much damage and is not exhausted on a When the spell ends, a creature is confused as according to
successful one. Undead and constructs are immune to this the confusion spell until the end of that creature's next turn.
spell.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell Genius Loci
slot of 2nd level or higher, the damage increases by 2d4 for 9th-level conjuration
each slot level above 1st.
Casting Time: 1 hour
Discordant Malediction Range: Touch
5th-level transmutation Components: V, S, M (a paste of silver, mithral, and holy
Casting Time: 1 action water, worth 3,000 gp)
Range: 30 feet Duration: Until dispelled
Components: V, S You grant a particular building or location a "guardian spirit".
Duration: Concentration, up to 24 hours Choose one building, location, or discernible geographic area,
One creature you can see within range must make a Wisdom which can be contained in a 200-foot cube. You summon a
saving throw. On a failed save, the targets voice rends the air genie to protect that area.
around them. Each time the target casts a spell with a verbal Choose whether you wish to summon a dao, a djinni, an
component, they and all creatures within 10 feet of them efreeti, or a marid. Then, you must specify the purpose of the
immediately take 2d6 thunder damage. spirit.
41
The purpose must involve protecting the building or region to This light is only visible to you and up to 3 other creatures
which it is attached. The task may be very general (such as that you designate.
"Slay any creature who attempts to enter!") or far more A designated creature must be within 10 feet of you when
specific ("Kill any goblin who tries to take the red sword off you cast the spell. No other creature can see the ghost
the wall.") The task can't be so specific as to mention the lantern, and such other creatures are affected by other
names of individual creatures, or to require unseen ambient light conditions as normal.
knowledge such as alignments or allegiances. Finally, it must At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell
be simple enough to clearly convey in one or two sentences. slot of 4th level or high, you can designate one additional
If the triggering event occurs, the genius loci manifests in creature to which the light is visible for each slot level above
the exact location where you cast the spell, taking the form of 3rd. If you cast this spell with a spell slot of 5th level or
the genie you specified on casting the spell, and immediately higher, the duration becomes 24 hours.
attempts to carry out the specified task.
Once the spell is complete, you have no special control over Pall of Twilight
the spirit's actions, and if you trigger the manifestation, it 3rd-level illusion
attacks you just as it would anyone else. The spirit behaves in Casting Time: 1 action
all ways as a normal genie of its kind, within the parameters Range: 60 feet
of the task assigned. Components: S
If the spirit's manifest form is slain, it is not destroyed and Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute.
the spell is not broken. However, it can't manifest again for
the next 24 hours. A creeping pall of magical darkness extends from a point you
The genius loci spell is immune to normal forms of choose within range to fill a 20-foot radius sphere for the
dispelling. It can be broken with a divine miracle or with the duration. The darkness spreads around corners. A creature
wish spell, or else by permanently defeating the guardian with darkvision can't see through this darkness, and
spirit's purpose. For example, if the spirit is tasked with nonmagical light can't illuminate it.
protecting a particular item and that item is destroyed, its The darkness is mental as well as physical. Any creature
existence is moot and the spell ends. which is in the area when you cast the spell or enters the area
When not manifest, the spirit shows no sign of its of the spell for the first time must make a Wisdom saving
existence, although a creature with truesight can see the throw. On a failed save, the creature has disadvantage on all
spirit wandering its teritory, appearing as a vague, hazy Wisdom (Perception) and Wisdom (Insight) ability checks,
silhouette until it manifests. including those which do not rely on sight, for the duration of
the spell.
Ghost Lantern If any of the spell's area overlaps with an area of light
3rd-level evocation created by a spell of 3rd level or lower, the spell that created
Casting Time: 1 action the light is dispelled.
Range: Touch Reaving Aura
Components: V, S, M (a bit of phosphorescent fungus) 1st-level necromancy
Duration: 1 hour
You touch one object that is no larger than 10 feet in any Casting Time: 1 bonus action
dimension. Until the spell ends, the object sheds bright light Range: Self (10-foot-radius sphere)
in a 20-foot radius, and dim light for an additional 20 feet. Components: V
Duration: Instantaneous

42
The air around you turns black as it floods with necrotic
energy. Each creature within a 10-foot-radius sphere centred
on you which has 0 hit points immediately fails a death Summoning Abilities
saving throw. A stable creature is no longer stable as a result It is at the DM's discretion whether the steal
of this. This spell has no effect on creatures with at least 1 hit summoning spell can be used to target creatures
point remaining. summoned by a monster's abilities, such as the
swarm of bats or rats summoned by a vampire's
Seed of Undeath Children of the Night feature.
4th-level necromancy If the DM allows it, the DC will be determined at
the DM's discretion, usually equal to a DC used on
Casting Time: 1 action another of the creature's abilities.
Range: Touch
Components: V, S, M (a black onyx gem worth at least 50 gp)
Duration: 4 days
You plant a kernel of undead power in a creature that you Touch of Vecna
touch. The creature must succeed on a Constitution saving 5th-level necromancy
throw or become infected with a seed of undeath, which Casting Time: 1 action
remains for the duration of the spell. Range: Touch
If a creature which is infected with a seed of undeath dies Components: V, S
before the spell ends, it is raised at the end of your next turn Duration: Instantaneous
as a zombie if sufficient corpse remains. Your touch strikes the target with a powerful dark magic.
On each of your turns, you can use a bonus action to Make a melee spell attack against a creature within your
mentally command any creature you made with this spell as reach. On a hit, the target takes 6d8 necrotic damage and is
specified in the animate dead spell. frightened of you until the end of your next turn.
The creature is under your control for 24 hours, after In addition, if you hit, the target must make a Charisma
which it stops obeying any command you've given it. You can saving throw or become paralyzed and fall prone. A creature
maintain control of the creature by expending another paralyzed by this spell appears dead, although a successful
casting of this spell or the animate dead spell, as specified in DC 15 Wisdom (Medicine) check reveals that it is still alive.
the animate dead spell. When you reassert control over A creature paralyzed by this spell is considered cursed. The
creatures by casting animate dead or this spell, you can target curse is unaffected by dispel magic, but any spell which ends
creatures you created using either spell. paralysis (such as lesser restoration) or which ends curses
At Higher Levels. If you cast this spell using a spell slot of (such as remove curse) ends the paralysis effect. Otherwise,
5th level or higher, the duration of the spell lasts for 1 the paralysis effect persist indefinitely.
additional day for each slot level above 4th. If you cast this
spell using a spell slot of 9th level, the duration of this spell Vecna's Malevolent Whisper
lasts for 1 year. 4th-level enchantment
Steal Summoning Casting Time: 1 action
6th-level conjuration Range: 60 feet
Components: V
Casting Time: 1 reaction, which you take when you see a Duration: Instantaneous
creature within 60 feet of you casting a spellwhich
summons creatures, such as conjure animals. You whisper a horrific word of power that rends the soul of
Range: 60 feet your victim. Choose one creature that you can see within
Components: V, S range. If that creature has 10 hit points or fewer, it
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute immediately drops to 0 hit points and fails one death saving
throw. Otherwise, the spell has no effect.
You attempt to steal control of a creature that is being
summoned. Make a spellcasting ability check against the spell
save DC of the caster. On a success, you gain control over all
creatures summoned by that spell. You can command or
control those creatures to the degree specified in the original
spell.
If this spell's duration expires before the spell that
summoned the creature(s) ends, the target returns to its
original master's control at that time. If the original master is
no longer available to control it, it acts under its own free will
until its original master returns.

43
Creatures
M
any strange and powerful creatures hail
from beyond the confines of the world
as mortals know it, beings from the Far
Realm beyond the planes, or
elder creatures from the time
before the gods first ruled in Mount
Celestia. These beings, some of
immense power, are commonly known as aberrations, and
they are always a force to be reckoned with.
Lore: Aberrations
The Far Realm was found to be inhabited by creatures,
monsters which by the slimmest margin may be
defined as "alive" but challenging every known law of
existance. Minds of such power that their alien
contemplations warp reality itself, beings with the ability to
concoct lethal contradictions and alter the laws of nature at a
whim, creatures which even the mind of a madman struggles
to comprehend – such are the denizens of the Far Realm.
These beings form the majority of creatures classified as
aberrations. Not all aberrations are denizens of the Far
Realm – indeed, aberrations as a class share no single
common characteristic. However, many of the creatures of
this class either hail from the Far Realm or have been
touched by it.
Six races of aberration stand out by far as the most
widespread and virulent threats to the good aligned races.
These beings are born of madness and nightmare, creatures
that wield terrible magic and cruel genius to the downfall of
any who stand against them.
Aboleths
Also known as the deep masters, aboleths are perhaps the
most alien and inscrutable of aberrations. Lurking in
primordial seas long before the coming of the gods, the
aboleths are mighty psions who use their powers to dominate
others. Once holding vast empires across the mortal realms,
the aboleths were laid low by the coming of the true gods,
and they have never forgotten the slight.
For more information on aboleths, see Monster Manual
p.13-14.
Beholders
Sometimes called as eye tyrants, beholders are the epitomy
of vanity, wielding terrible magic powers to build their evil
dominions or to simply destroy everything other that it
encounters. So mighty is a beholder's mind that its very
dreams alter the fabric of reality, and from this beholders and
many kinds of beholderkin come into being.
The first beholders entered the world from the Far Realm,
although native beholders have been created on the Material
Plane from the dreams of these forefathers.
For more information on beholders, see Monster Manual
p.26-30 and Volo's Guide to Monsters p.5-18.
Illithids
Illithids, also referred to as mind flayers, are brilliantly
intelligent, cruel, and terrifying creatures.
44
Very few are "free" in neogi society, even newborn
hatchlings beginning lives as the slaves of elder neogi.
Although the slave-takers are great traders, often carrying
many rare and valuable wares, few are willing to do business
with them except in the direst of circumstance, for invariably
the moment a creature let's its guard down around the neogi,
they join the caravan as a newly taken slave.
For more information on neogi, see Volo's Guide to
Monsters p.179-180.
Grell
Called the eaters, grell are an otherworldly race of predators,
with only one concern upon meeting a new creature – can it
be eaten? Grell wield a unique form of alchemy derived from
an admixture of powerful magic and science, allowing them
to craft magic items unlike any work of worldly magic.
Grell lack the ambition of many other aborrations,
entertaining no thought of domination or enslavement. They
collonize as many worlds as possible with the intention of
enjoying the "delicacies" they have to offer.
Grell originated in a parallel Material Plane, but were
driven by their ceaseless hunger through the Shadowfell to
find other worlds to colonize and feed upon.
For more information on grell, see Monster Manual p.172.
Tsochari
Also known as the wearers of the flesh, tsochar are a parasite
race, using the stolen bodies of their victims to pass
unnoticed in humanoid socities. Hailing from beyond the
known planes, the tsochari come as murderous assassins
and cunning infiltrators, seeking to steal magic for their
nefarious purposes.
The tsochari are rare among the aberrations, lacking the
sheer numbers of the illithid or grell among the planes,
though whether this be because they are few or because they
are waiting is little known. They have no interest in the
common folk, but mages and learned arcanists had best
beware.
More information is given on the tsochari in the relevant
creature section of this expansion.
Long ago, the mindflayers commanded vast interplanar
empires that extended across planes and across worlds.
Though these empires now lie in ruins, their mark is left
upon all who came across them, especially the kuo-toa,
creatures driven to perpetual madness by the destruction of
their minds under illithid masters.
Though their dominions of old are long lost and broken,
the mind flayers that remain still pose the single greatest
threat to the dominion of humanoids on the surface world.
For more information on illithids, see Monster Manual
p.221-222 and Volo's Guide to Monsters p.71-81.
Neogi
Called the slave-takers, neogi are a race of sinister and creedy
merchant folk, spinning their webs of gold and misery across
the human world. Driven by an insatiable avarice, the neogi
seek two things in life – profit, and slaves.

45
Angel of Decay Angel of Decay
Seeming like true angels in form and figure, the angels of Large undead, chaotic evil
decay are among the most horrifying of the undead creations
of Atropus, the World Born Dead. Most often found upon the Armor Class 20 (natural armour)
Moonlet which forms the corporeal body by which Atropus Hit Points 172 (15d10 + 90)
approaches a world it seeks to devour, the angels of decay are Speed 30 ft., fly 50 ft.
utterly subservient to the will of their creator.
Though their figure is like an angel, their bodies and faces STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
are hideously disfigured, their wings rot and emit the stench
of flesh long dead, and chunks of skin slough from their 20 (+5) 10 (+0) 22 (+6) 16 (+3) 19 (+4) 20 (+5)
bodies.
Blasted Forms. An angel of decay was once a living Saving Throws Str +9, Dex +9, Con +10, Int +7, Wis
creature, though its form is twisted from whatsoever it once +8, Cha +9
was into a large and hideous mockery of the servants of the Damage Immunities poison
gods. If the being once was of humanoid or similar form, its Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13
face may preserve some of the features it once bore, bringing Languages Common, Abyssal
greater horror to those that knew it in life, if they can even tell Challenge 14 (11,500 XP)
their once friend through the rot.
The very body of an angel of decay is in a constant state of Rotting Aura. At the end of its turn, each creature
decomposition, its structure held together not by bones and within a 15-foot radius of the angel must make a
ligments, but by the dark power of Atropus alone. DC 18 Constitution saving throw, taking 17 (5d6)
Herald of the World Born Dead. The angels of decay are, necrotic damage on a failed save, or half as much
in its own eyes, one of Atropus's finest creations, the ultimate damage on a success. Each turn that one or more
mockery of life and creatures of incredible power. When creatures takes damage from this effect, the angel
Atropus chooses to appear as an aspect, it is always preceded can regain 5 hit points.
by a small group of these, often six in number.
Many necromancers and dark wizards have tried to Rotting Touch. The angels attacks deal an additional
recreate these horrendous creatures, but none have managed 8 (1d6 + 5) necrotic damage to any creature which
it. For this reason, the appearance of an angel of decay is an the angel has already hit with an attack during this
turn.
inevitable and sure sign of the coming of the World Born
Dead and the beginning of the end of the world. Unholy Grace. The AC and saving throws of the
Mindless Thralls. An angel of decay has no will or mind of angel include its Charisma bonus.
its own, all remnants of the personality or spirit it once have
being totally blasted by the devouring darkness of the World Actions
Born Dead. Yet they are not aimless, for the very well of Multiattack. The angel makes two claws attacks and
Atropus guides their every move. two wing slam attacks.
Should an angel of decay ever be broken from Atropus's
control, it would wander aimlessly, seeking the brutal Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
destruction of all life it found with crude force. Yet while one target. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) slashing damage.
controlled by their creator, an angel of death is governed by Wing Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach
the intellect of a creature far greater than any mortal mind, 10 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d6 + 5) bludgeoning
and they act with a cunning befitting Atropus. damage.
Undead Nature. An angel of decay doesn't require air, food,
drink, or sleep.

46
Aspects of Elder Evil
When the great and untouchable becomes very real, when
powers beyond the scope of mortal minds choose to appear
and do battle, this is when an Aspect appears. These
creatures are lesser incarnations of beings of great power –
gods, demon lords, and even the Great Old Ones.
Although an aspect only controls a mere fraction of the
power of its creator, this power is still immense, and it is still
an incredible foe for any party of adventurers to face. Few
beings have ever seen an aspect of Elder Evil incarnate in
their world. None, save those who have made record of these
creatures in the Codex Anathema, have lived to tell the tale.
Evil Incarnate. An aspect represents an incarnate fraction
of the vast and terrible nature of one of the Elder Evils. By
these means an Elder Evil is able to traverse the world in
order to further its plans in a manner which would be
impossible in its true form.
The appearance of an aspect of an Elder Evil is often a
latter sign that the end times have come, for so far advanced
are this creature's plans that it has deemed fit to appear in
the midst to ensure that they reach fulfilment. Each aspect
has a nature and purpose dependant on the being that
summoned it, but in the case of an Elder Evil, this purpose is
rarely good.
Otherworldly Nature. Many of the aspects of Elder Evils
interact with the world around them in strange and abnormal
ways, as their otherworldly nature collides with our world.
Some are capable of twisting the laws of nature, calling down
terrible natural disasters by merely enforcing their will.
Others merely exhibit strange abilities which are unlike those
possessed by ordinary creatures from this realm.
In either case, the very unnatural nature of an aspect of
Elder Evil will often cause natural creatures to flee before its
very presence. Any animals or other ordinary creatures which
are forced to come within even a mile radius of an aspect will
often grow fearful and unusually skittish, as its very presence
presses upon them.
Aspect of Atropus
Often found wandering upon the Moonlet which forms
Atropus's physical manifestation when he chooses a world to
destroy, the aspect of Atropus hides itself away until its prey,
whatsoever has come to disturb its plans, is engaged by
lesser minions or trapped in some other form of danger, ripe
for the picking.
The focus of Atropus's approach, the aspect of Atropus
resembles a huge, headless, human-shaped creature with
fossilized flesh and hideous, black slime coating its surface. A
putrid stench of death and rotting flesh surrounds it, as does
a life-sucking aura of pure, unadulterated evil. No living thing
can draw near the aspect without its very life force being
drained away by the negative energy which surrounds this
unholy creature.
Deathly Presence. The hatred for all life which the aspect
of Atropus feels can be sensed by any intelligent creature
which draws within range of the aspect's telepathic abilities,
for even when the aspect is not seeking to communicate with
a creature, its hatred for the living overflows in a seething
aura of deep, horrid cold.

47
Aspect of Atropus Necrotic Aura. The aspect emits an evil aura in a 30-
foot radius, centered on itself and moving with it.
Gargantuan undead, chaotic evil
Undead creatures in the aura have advantage on saving
Armor Class 21 (natural armor) throws against any effect that turns undead. When an
Hit Points 370 (20d20 + 160) undead creature enters the aura for the first time on its
Speed 50ft. turn or starts its turn there, it gains 5 temporary hit
points. These temporary hit points last for up to 1
hour.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA When a creature which is not a construct or undead
enters the aura for the first time on its turn or starts its
28 (+9) 20 (+5) 27 (+8) 16 (+3) 19 (+4) 23 (+6) turn there, it immediately takes 5 points of necrotic
damage. If a creature is reduced to 0 hit points by this
Saving Throws Int +10, Wis +11, Cha +13 effect, it dies and is raised as a spectre after 2 (1d4)
Skills Perception +11 rounds.
Damage Resistances fire, necrotic; bludgeoning,
piercing, and slashing damage from nonmagical Nondetection. The aspect cannot be targeted by any
weapons divination magic or perceived through magical scrying
Damage Immunities cold, poison sensors.
Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened,
petrified, poisoned Actions
Senses truesight 120 ft., blindsight 500 ft., passive Multiattack. The aspect makes two slam attacks.
Perception 21
Languages all, telepathy 1,000 ft. Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +16 to hit, reach 15 ft.,
Challenge 26 (90,000 XP) one target. Hit: 27 (4d8 + 9) bludgeoning damage plus
7 (2d6) necrotic damage. The target must then
Create Spawn. A Huge or smaller creature slain by the succeed on a DC 21 Constitution saving throw or its
aspect of Atropus is raised as an angel of decay under hit point maximum is reduced by an amount equal to
the aspect's control after 2 (1d4) rounds. Constructs the damage taken, and the aspect gains temporary hit
and undead are not affected by this feature. points equal to that amount. The reduction lasts until
the target finishes a long rest. The target dies if this
Divine Scourge (1/Day). As a bonus action, each effect reduces its hit point maximum to 0. The
creature within a 1,000-mile radius that is a celestial, temporary hit points las for up to 1 hour.
fey, or fiend, or which can cast a spell from the cleric, Call Meteors (Recharge 6). The aspect of Atropus calls
druid, paladin, or ranger spell list, must make a DC 21 down a torrent of meteors. Each creature within a 100-
Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, that foot radius centered on and including the aspect must
creature takes 35 (10d6) necrotic damage and has make a DC 21 Dexterity saving throw, taking 35
disadvantage on attack rolls, ability checks, and saving (10d6) bludgeoning damage and 35 (10d6) fire
throws for 1d4 hours. On a success, the target takes damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a
half as much damage, and suffers no disadvantage. success. The entire affected area becomes difficult
Immuntable Form. The aspect is immune to any spell or terrain.
effect that would alter its form.
Innate Spellcasting. The aspect's innate spellcasting
Legendary Actions
ability is Charisma (spell save DC 21, +13 to hit with The aspect can take 3 legendary actions, choosing
spell attacks). The aspect can innately cast the from the options below. Only one legendary action
following spells, requiring no material components: option can be used at a time and only at the end of
another creature's turn. The dragon regains spent
At will: blight, circle of death, create undead legendary actions at the start of its turn.
1/day each: meteor storm, power word kill
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the aspect fails a saving Detect. The aspect makes a Wisdom (Perception)
throw, it can choose to succeed instead. check.
Slam Attack. The aspect makes a slam attack.
Magic Resistance. The aspect has advantage on saving Necrotic Drain (Costs 2 Actions). Each creature within a
throws against spells and other magical effects. 30-foot radius of the aspect must make a DC 21
Constitution saving throw, taking 10 (3d6) necortic
damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on
a success. The aspect regains hit points equal to the
necrotic damage dealt.

48
As a creature draws nearer the aspect, or the aspect draws As such, if an aspect of Leviathan comes across a cleric or
nearer to it,this deep hateful aura becomes stronger and paladin in ther service of a deity, it will often take special
colder, burrowing deep into the creature and beginning to sap pains to destroy that creature and undo whatever it has done,
it of the very will to live. Once a creature enters into the area as a means to spite the gods.
of the aspect's necrotic aura, the world seems drained of all Monster of the Deep. Although an aspect of Leviathan is
color, and nothing is left but barren grey. amphibious, its natural home is the seas and oceans in which
No living creatures linger long where the aspect of Atropus the Leviathan slumbers. For this reason, before ever the
treads, and should it ever sally forth from its home on the appearance of an aspect of Leviathan is marked on the land,
Moonlet, it would leave a blackened field of dead plants and signs will be felt in the seas. The cities of aquatic elves and
dead creatures in its wake, all crawling with the hideous sea devils will be ransacked and left empty, fish will be
undeath of Atropus. slaughtered in droves, and ships will vanish, never to be
Will of the Destroyer. The aspect of Atropus has no heard from again.
personality of its own, a direct extension of the will of the
World Born Dead. Its singular drive is the destruction of all
life, and it will not rest until every creature near to it has life
utterly extinguished.
However, Atropus is no fool. Although it is primal, its
intellect surpasses that of almost all mortals. Though it seeks
destruction, it will not mindlessly rampage, but will use its
powers to greatest effect for the snuffing out of life. This often
includes cunning tactics, and rarely will Atropus send forth
its aspect unless its prey are already in the clutches of combat
with others of its higher order minions, such as the angels of
decay.
Focus of Atropus. The aspect of Atropus offers a physical
focus for the approach and power of the World Born Dead,
and as such whensoever Atropus makes his advance against
any particular world, destroying the aspect which it calls forth
is the only path to saving that world from certain doom.
When the aspect is destroyed, Atropus is unable to channel
its power with such direct effectiveness, and the World Born
Dead will immediately retreat, to recreate the Aspect and
learn from its mistakes.
Undead Nature. The Aspect of Atropus doesn't require air,
food, drink, or sleep.
Aspect of the Leviathan
Born of the last waking dreams of the slumbering Leviathan,
these physical manifestations of the Leviathan's nature arise
from the oceans in which it dwells, striding on to land to
fulfill its purpose in unmaking all that the gods made.
Like miniature versions of the Leviathan itself, the aspects
of Leviathan are vast, serpentine creatures. Their most
striking feature is their sheer size, towering larger than all
save the largest of dragons, with vast, razor-sharp teeth and
scales hard as mithral armour.
Born of Restless Dreams. The aspect of Leviathan is
created by the interplay between the Leviathan's wild dreams
and the first stirrings of thought as it awakens. They have a
will of their own, independant from that of the Elder Evil that
created them, but this will is intimately tied to that of the
Leviathan itself.
Being born from dream, an aspect of Leviathan is marked
by a distinctly chaotic nature, its thoughts and intentions
mirroring the flitting intention of dream, though it holds on
still to the one drive to extinguish all that the gods had made.
Enemy of Deities. The Leviathan is a being of chaos, and
it loathes the order of nature, including its own being. Above
all, it loathes those which gave this order its form, the gods
themselves. Though Leviathan has no known plans against
the gods, its creations, including the aspects of Leviathan,
take great pleasure in tearing down their works.
49
Aspect of the Leviathan Chaotic Surge (1/Day). The aspect releases a burst of
chaotic energy. Each creature within a 60-foot radius of
Gargantuan aberration, chaotic evil
the aspect must succeed on a DC 19 Constitution
Armor Class 20 (natural armor) saving throw or suffer a random chaos effect.
Hit Points 462 (25d20 + 200) Determine the effect by rolling a d100 and consulting
Speed 20 ft., swim 60 ft. the table below:
Chaos Effect table
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA d100 Effect
29 (+9) 10 (+0) 26 (+8) 6 (-2) 13 (+1) 7 (-2) 01– Incapacitated until the end of the creature's next
05 turn
Saving Throws Dex +6, Wis +7, Cha +4 06– Blinded (50%) or deafened (50%) for 1d4
Skills Intimidation +4, Perception +7, Stealth +6 10 rounds
Damage Resistances acid, cold, lightning; bludgeoning, 11– Blinded and deafened for 1d4 rounds
piercing, and slashing damage from nonmagical 20
weapons
Damage Immunities fire 21– Charmed until end of the creature's next turn
30
Senses truesight 60 ft., blindsight 500 ft., passive
Perception 17 31– Stunned for 1d4 rounds
Languages all, telepathy 1,000 ft. 45
Challenge 26 (90,000 XP) 46– Confused as according to the confusion spell for
60 1d4 rounds.
Amphibious. The aspect can breathe air and water.
61– Has disadvantage on ability checks with a
Immuntable Form. The aspect is immune to any spell or 75 random ability for 1 minute
effect that would alter its form. 76– Has disadvantage on saving throws with a
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the aspect fails a saving 90 random ability for 1d4 rounds
throw, it can choose to succeed instead. 91– Frightened for 1d4 rounds
Magic Resistance. The aspect has advantage on saving 95
throws against spells and other magical effects. 96– Paralyzed for 1d4 rounds
Nondetection. The aspect cannot be targeted by any 99
divination magic or perceived through magical scrying 100 Dead
sensors.
True Death. Any creature which dies within a 1,000 Swallow. The aspect makes one bite attack against a
mile radius of the aspect cannot be resurrected by Huge or smaller creature that it is grappling. If the
normal means or become undead. A creature which has attack hits, the target takes the bite's damage, the
died can under this effect can only be resurrected by a target is swallowed, and the grapple ends. While
wish spell. swallowed, the creature is blinded and restrained, it has
total cover against attacks and other effects outside
Actions the aspect, and it takes 21 (6d6) acid damage at the
Multiattack. The aspect makes six attacks: one with its start of each of the aspect's turns.
bite, four with its slam, and one with its tail slap. It can If the aspect takes 40 damage or more on a single
use its Swallow instead of its bite. turn from a creature inside it, the aspect must succeed
on a DC 20 Constitution saving throw at the end of
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, reach 10 ft., that turn or regurgitate all swallowed creatures, which
one target. Hit: 26 (5d6 + 9) piercing damage. If the fall prone in a space within 10 feet of the aspect. If the
target is a creature of size Huge or smaller, it is aspect dies, a swallowed creature is no longer
grappled (escape DC 19). Until the grapple ends, the restrained by it and can escape from the corpse by
target is restrained, and the aspect can't bite another using 30 feet of movement, exiting prone.
target.
Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, reach 15 ft., Legendary Actions
one target. Hit: 22 (3d8 + 9) bludgeoning damage. The aspect can take 3 legendary actions, choosing
Tail Slap. Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, reach 20 ft., from the options below. Only one legendary action
one target. Hit: 19 (3d6 + 9) bludgeoning damage. If option can be used at a time and only at the end of
the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 19 another creature's turn. The aspect regains spent
Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. legendary actions at the start of its turn.
Detect. The aspect makes a Wisdom (Perception)
check.
Attack. The aspect makes a slam or tail slap attack.
Chomp (Costs 2 Actions). The aspect makes one bite
attack or uses its Swallow.
50
Aspect of Sertrous
Created by yuan-ti rituals and the will of the spirit of
Sertrous, the aspect of Sertrous is born as a monstrous body
fit for its created, a vehicle in which that spirit may once more
enforce its evil designs upon the world.
The aspect of Sertrous is an immense nightmare of slimy
coils and shining scales, called serpentine only because this
is the closest anology the fragile mortal mind can assign to
such a writhing bulk, the very sight of which fills the mind
with a terror of all snakelike things.
The serpentine body of this creature is a sickly green with
a pale yellow belly, red stripes running down its body like
rivers of blood. Two arms bearing taloned claws stretch from
its body. Its head is that of a deformed snake with dead black
eyes, jaw split into a five-jawed maw that resembles the
bloom of a monstrous flower.
Anathema of Divinity. Sertrous taught his followers to
harness divine power without kowtowing to the gods, and still
those who live their lives in obedience of the gods are his
sworn and mortal enemies.
Because of this, the aspect of Sertrous is specially created
to do battle with divine followers, and any cleric or paladin
which crosses paths with it and still holds true to their deity
is deemed a first priority for destruction and consumption, a
prized prey.
Cold Blood. The aspect of Sertrous makes no distinction
between friend and foe, willfully killing all that stand between
it and its prey. It is not irrational, and will continue to protect
those involved in the ritual to resurrect Sertrous's full being,
but nevertheless, it sheds no tear over the loss of lesser
minions and allies.
Monstrous Mind. The spirit of Sertrous in part dwells
within its aspect, but not in full. As such, the aspect is left
with a half-semblance of free will, directed by Sertrous's
desires but able to fulfill those in whatever methods it deems
fitting, till Sertrous fully returns. As such, the aspect of
Sertrous is more bestial and vicious, and less of a skilled
tactician, than Sertrous itself.
Poisonous Presence. As Sertrous's influence grows, the
place in which his aspect grows is transformed, becoming
more like the 380th layer of the Abyss where he once dwelt.
The land about is transformed into a realm of fens and black,
bottomless lakes, increasingly infested by snakes and
serpents of every kind.
Once the resurrection ritual is sufficiently advanced for an
aspect of Sertrous to appear, the area in which the ritual was
performed is treacherous and poisonous. No source of pure
water exists, everything being infected with deadly venom,
and black poisonous fumes float in the breeze.

51
Aspect of Sertrous Poisoner's Breath. The aspect's foul breath fills a 100-
foot-radius sphere centred on the aspect and moving
Gargantuan monstrosity, chaotic evil
with it. Any creature which breathes air and starts its
Armor Class 21 (natural armor) turn in the foul breath must make a DC 23
Hit Points 402 (23d20 + 161) Constitution saving throw or become poisoned until
Speed 50 ft. the start of its next turn. A creature in the area of the
foul breath looses any immunity to poison it has as
long as it is in the area of the breath and for 1 minute
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA after leaving its area.
30 (+10) 16 (+3) 25 (+7) 20 (+5) 20 (+5) 22 (+6) Actions
Saving Throws Dex +10, Con +12, Wis +12, Cha +13 Multiattack. The aspect can use its Poisoned Whisper. It
Skills Intimidate +13, Perception +12, Stealth +10 then makes four attacks: one with its bite, two with its
Damage Resistances cold, fire, lightning; bludgeoning, claws, and one with its tail. It can use its Souldrink
piercing, and slashing damage from nonmagical instead of its bite. It can use its Constrict instead of its
weapons tail.
Damage Immunities acid, poison Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +17 to hit, reach 10 ft.,
Condition Immunities poisoned one target. Hit: 31 (6d6 + 10) piercing damage and the
Senses truesight 120 ft., blindsight 500 ft., passive target must succeed on a DC 20 Constitution saving
Perception 22 throw. A creature takes 14 (4d6) poison damage on a
Languages all, telepathy 1,000 ft. failed save, or half as much damage on a success.
Challenge 26 (90, 000 XP)
Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +17 to hit, reach 15 ft.,
Double Grappler. If the aspect hits a creature of size one target. Hit: 17 (2d6 + 10) slashing damage.
Huge or smaller with a bite or tail attack, it is grappled Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +17 to hit, reach 20 ft., one
(escape DC 19). Until the grapple ends, the target is target. Hit: 24 (4d6 + 10) bludgeoning damage.
restrained, and the aspect can't use the bite or tail it is
grappling with on another target. The aspect can Constrict. One creature which the aspect is grappling
grapple a creature with each of its bite and its tail. with its tail must make a DC 20 Constitution saving
throw, taking 35 (10d6) bludgeoning damage on a
Form of Madness. When a creature starts its turn within failed save, or half as much on a success.
60 feet of the aspect, it must make a DC 23 Wisdom Souldrink. The aspect chooses one creature that it is
saving throw. On a failed save, that creature becomes grappling with its bite. It must make a DC 20 Charisma
inflicted with a magical terror of snakes and serpentine saving throw. On a failure, roll 3d6: If the total equals
creatures (including hydras, yuan-ti, and the aspect of or exceeds the target's Charisma score, that score is
Sertrous). When it is within sight of a serpentine reduced to 0. The creature is then dominated by the
creature, the creature is frightened. In addition, in the aspect as by the dominate monster spell until it regains
first round of combat against a serpentine creature, the at least one point of Charisma.
affected creature must succeed on a DC 20 Wisdom
saving throw or become paralyzed until the end of its Poisoned Whisper (Recharge 5-6). The aspect targets
next turn. one creature it can see within 240 feet of it. The target
A heal or greater restoration spell can cure a creature must succeed on a DC 20 Wisdom saving throw or
of this terror. A creature that succeeds its save against obey a command of the aspect as with the suggestion
this feature is immune to the aspect's Form of spell. After 1 minute, the target must succeed on a DC
Madness for the next 24 hours. Yuan-ti automatically 20 Wisdom saving throw or become affected by a
succeed their saving throw against this feature. modify memory spell that erases all memory of
whatever suggested action the creature might have
Immuntable Form. The aspect is immune to any spell or done. If the victim is unable to complete the
effect that would alter its form. suggestion before the modify memory occurs, he must
Innate Spellcasting. The aspect's innate spellcasting still carry out the suggestion, but he believes it is his
ability is Charisma (spell save DC 21, +13 to hit with own idea.
spell attacks). The aspect can innately cast the
following spells, requiring no material components: Legendary Actions
At will: astral projection, detect evil and good, dispel The aspect can take 3 legendary actions, choosing
magic, hallow, telekinesis, teleport from the options below. Only one legendary action
option can be used at a time and only at the end of
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the aspect fails a saving another creature's turn. The aspect regains spent
throw, it can choose to succeed instead. legendary actions at the start of its turn.
Magic Resistance. The aspect has advantage on saving Claws. The aspect makes a claw attack.
throws against spells and other magical effects. Constrict (Costs 2 Actions). The aspect makes one tail
attack or uses its Constrict.
Nondetection. The aspect cannot be targeted by any Devour (Costs 2 Actions). The aspect makes one bite
divination magic or perceived through magical scrying attack or uses its Souldrink.
sensors.

52
Master of Rats and Spiders. Directors are spawned to
serve as the cavalry units for beholder cities, strike forces
Beholderkin against any other creatures which may begin to encroach
Most beholders are solitary creatures which despise all upon their domain. This purpose is embodied in a director's
others of their kind as an abomination and insult to their own ability to form a special bond with certain forms of vermin,
majesty. However, very rearly, beholders may gather in which they can then command.
terrible, hive-like cities under the domination of a particularly A director's vermin mount is controlled absolutely by the
tyrannical kind of beholder known as a hive mother. dominating power of the director's tentacles. A director may
Many of the beholders that exist within these hive-cities are use its vermin mount for transport purposes, but far more
not of the common variety, but specially bred beholders likely the mount will be used as an extra weapon in combat.
which fulfil certain specialised purposes but which, above all, Obedient Tyrant. Directors are specially dreamed by their
recognise the ultimate sovereignty of the hive mother. These creator to be subservient, to recognise the ultimate authority
include beholderkin such as Spectators (described in Volo's of the hive mother. They will willingly serve such a beholder,
Guide to Monsters), as well as the various beholderkin and are far less xenophobic to other beholderkin than a true
described here. beholder.
However, a director maintains a beholder's tyrannical
Director nature, and it considers all creatures in the likeness of a
beholder to be vastly superior to every other form of live. As
A director is a lesser beholder that comes into being when a such, a director is still a merciless tyrant over all creatures
hive mother or elder orb desires devoted warriors to protect that are not beholderkin.
the hive-city from alien intrusion. Three cruelly barbed Strike Units. The director fulfills the cavalry role in the
tentacles trail below the chitinous body of a director, army of a beholder city, and for this reason, they are often
tentactles which it uses to control its "steed". involved in small-scale skirmishes with creatures which are
seen as invading the territory of the hive.
Director 2. Enervation Ray. The target must make a DC 15

Constitution saving throw, taking 27 (6d8) necrotic
Large aberration, lawful evil
damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a
Armor Class 17 (natural armor) success.
Hit Points 85 (10d10 + 30) 3. Force Ray. The target must make a DC 15
Speed 5ft., fly 20 ft. (hover) Dexterity saving throw, taking 21 (6d6) force damage
on a failed save, or half as much damage on a success.
4. Freezing Ray. The target must make a DC 15
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA Dexterity saving throw, taking 21 (6d6) cold damage
on a failed save, or half as much damage on a success.
12 (+1) 12 (+1) 16 (+3) 15 (+2) 12 (+1) 19 (+4) 5. Minor Image. The director creates a singular
illusionary duplicate of itself at a point within 120 feet
Saving Throws Dex +5, Int +5, Wis +4 of it, as according to the mirror image spell.
Skills Animal Handling +4, Perception +4 6. Slow Ray. The target must succeed on a DC 15
Condition Immunities prone Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the target's
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14 speed is halved for 1 minute. In addition, the creature
Languages Deep Speech, Undercommon can't take reactions, and it can take either an action or a
Challenge 8 (3,900 XP) bonus action on its turn, not both. The creature can
repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns,
Deflection. The director and its bonded vermin mount ending the effect on itself on a success.
(if any) each gain a bonus to AC and Dexterity saving Verminbond. The director targets a beast creature
throws equal to the directors Charisma bonus within 10 feet of it. If the creature is a type of rat,
(included in the director's AC and Saving Throws). spider, or some form of insect, that creature must
make a DC 15 Charisma saving throw. On a failed save,
Actions that creature is dominated, as in the dominate monster
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one spell, except that it does not repeat its saving throw
target. Hit: 9 (2d8) piercing damage. when it takes damage. The creature is dominated as
long as the director is within 10 feet of it.
Tentacles. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 10 ft., A creature dominated by this effect gains the benefit
one target. Hit: 3 (1d6) slashing damage. of the director's Deflection feature. Whenever the
director or a creature dominated by this effect takes
Eye Rays. The director shoots two of the following damage, the other takes half of that damage (rounded
magical eye rays at random (reroll duplicates), choosing up). The director can only dominate one creature with
one or two targets it can see within 120 feet of it. this feature at a time.
1. Burning Ray. The target must make a DC 15
Dexterity saving throw, taking 21 (6d6) fire damage on
a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful
one.

53
Hive Mother
Lair Actions
An extraordinarily rare creature, the hive mother is a kind of When fighting inside its lair, a hive mother can invoke the
beholder found only in the larges beholder communities. ambient magic to take lair actions. On initiative count 20
Called "ultimate tyrants", hive mothers rule over other (losing initiative ties), the hive mother can take one lair action
beholders with tyranny and cruelty, and are often mistakenly to cause one of the following effects:
worshipped as deities by neighboring creatures of other
races. A 50-foot cube within 120 feet of the hive mother is filled
Genius Mind. Even as much as a beholder's intellect is far with a grasping psychic mist. To creatures other than the
beyond those of mortal minds, so too the mind of a hive hive mothers and her beholders, that area is lightly
mother is beyond those of ordinary beholders. It is by virtue obscured and difficult terrain until initiative count 20 on
of these incredible intellect that a hive mother is able to see the next round. In addition, any creature which starts its
that, even if her true desire is to stand alone as the true turn in that area or enters that area for the first time on its
epitomy of life, controlling and manipulating other turn, it must make a DC 20 Wisdom saving throw, taking
beholderkin will grant her even greater power. 14 (4d6) psychic damage on a failed save, or half as much
This intelligence also makes the hive mother an incredibly damage on a success.
dangerous enemy, because it has all the cunning of an Walls within 240 feet of the hive mother sprout grasping
ordinary beholder, but rarely suffers the same flaws. Where a appendages until initiative count 20 on the round after
beholder may assume it is invulnerable, the hive mother next. Each creature of the hive mother's choice that starts
recognises her own mortality, and will seek to always have its turn within 15 feet of such a wall must succeed on a
one or two of her kindred to protect her should she be forced DC 20 Dexterity saving throw or be grappled. Escaping
to do battle. requires a successful DC 20 Strength (Athletics) or
Lord of Tyrants. A hive mother commands the beholders Dexterity (Acrobatics) check.
under its control with an iron fist. By a sheer force of will, the An eye opens on a solid surface within 60 feet of the hive
hive mother uses a greater tyranny to overcome the mother. One random eye ray of the hive mother shoots
xenophobia of her citizens in order to force the cooperation from that eye at a target of the hive mother's choice that it
that allows the hive-city to become greater than its parts. can see. The eye then closes and disappears.
Because a hive mother intimately knows the ambition of
beholderkind, being itself the epitomy of that trait, it will The hive mother can't repeat an effect until they have all been
crush any dissent among the ranks of the hive-city with used, and it can't use the same effect two rounds in a row.
ferocious and instant destruction.
Tactical Creations. Knowing the power of her own Regional Effects
dreams to create more beholderkin for her hive, the hive A region containing a hive mother's lair is warped by the
mother intentionally shapes her dreams to create spawn creature's unnatural presence, which creatures one or more
which will be beneficial to the hive-city. of the following effects:
If other races are encroaching too closely upon the city, the
hive mother may spawn new directors and spectators to Creatures within 5 miles of the hive mother's lair
defend it. If some particular new environment presents itself, sometimes feel as if they're being watched when they
such as needing to access the depths of a lake, the hive aren't.
mother will create a beholder adapted to that environment. When a creature hostile to the hive mother finishes a long
rest within 5 miles of the hive mother's lair, and the hive
A Hive Mother's Lair mother is aware of its existence, roll a d20 for that
creature. On a roll of 5 or lower, a director (50%) or 1d4
A hive mother's central lair is typically a large and deeply-cut spectators (50%) appear next to the creature and
cavern at the very heart of the hive-city over which it presides. immediately attack it.
A hive mother encountered in its lair has a challenge rating of
18 (20,000 XP). If the hive mother dies, these effects fade over the course of
1d10 days.
54
Hive Mother 6. Telekinetic Ray. If the target is a creature, it must
succeed on a DC 20 Strength saving throw or the hive
Huge aberration, lawful evil
mother moves it up to 30 feet in any direction. It is
Armor Class 20 (natural armor) restrained by the ray's telekinetic grip until the start of
Hit Points 225 (18d12 + 108) the hive mother's next turn or until the hive mother is
Speed 0 ft., fly 20 ft. (hover) incapacitated.
If the target is an object weighing 300 pounds or
less that isn't being worn or carried, it is moved up to
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 30 feet in any direction. The hive mother can also exert
fine control on objects with this ray, such as
24 (+7) 14 (+2) 22 (+6) 21 (+5) 17 (+3) 25 (+7) manipulating a simple tool or opening a door or a
container.
Saving Throws Dex +7, Int +10, Wis +8 7. Sleep Ray. The targeted creature must succeed on
Skills Intimidation +13, Perception +8, Stealth +7 a DC 20 Wisdom saving throw or fall asleep and remain
Condition Immunities prone unconscious for 1 minute. The target awakens if it
Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 18 takes damage or another creature takes an action to
Languages Deep Speech, Undercommon wake it. The ray has no effect on constructs and
Challenge 17 (18,000 XP) undead.
8. Petrification Ray. The targeted creature must make
Antimagic Cone. The hive mother's central eye creates a DC 20 Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, the
an area of antimagic, as in the antimagic field spell, in a creature begins to turn to stone and is restrained. It
240-foot cone. At the start of each of its turns, the must repeat the saving throw at the end of its next
beholder decides which way the cone faces and turn. On a success, the effect ends. On a failure, the
whether the cone is active. The area works against the creature is petrified until freed by the greater
beholder's own eye rays. restoration spell or other magic.
9. Disintegration Ray. If the target is a creature, it
Actions must succeed on a DC 20 Dexterity saving throw or
take 54 (12d8) force damage. If this damage reduces
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 5 ft., one the creature to 0 hit points, its body becomes a pile of
target. Hit: 21 (4d6 + 7) piercing damage. If the target fine gray dust.
is a creature, it is grappled (escape DC 17). Until the If the target is a Large or smaller nonmagical object
grapple ends, the target is restrained, and the hive or creation of magical force, it is disintegrated without
mother can't bite another target. a saving throw. If the target is a Huge or larger object
or creation of magical force, this ray disintegrates a 10-
Command Beholder. The hive mother casts the foot cube of it.
dominate monster spell (9th level, save DC 20) against 10. Death Ray. The targeted creature must succeed
a beholder or beholderkin. A hive mother is immune. on a DC 20 Dexterity saving throw. The target dies on a
Eye Rays. The hive mother shoots three of the following failed save, or takes 55 (10d10) necrotic damage on a
magical eye rays at random (reroll duplicates), choosing success. The target dies if this damage reduces it to 0
one to three targets it can see within 120 feet of it: hit points.
1. Charm Ray. The targetted creature must succeed Swallow. The hive mother makes one bite attack against
on a DC 20 Wisdom saving throw or be charmed by a Medium or smaller creature it is grappling. If the
the hive mother for 1 hour, or until the hive mother attack hits, the target takes the bite's damage, the
harms the creature. target is swallowed, and the grapple ends. While
2. Paralyzing Ray. The taret must succeed on a DC 20 swallowed, the creature is blinded and restrained, it has
Constitution saving throw or be paralyzed for 1 minute. total cover against attacks and other effects outside
The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of the hive mother, and it takes 18 (4d8) acid damage at
each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a the start of each of the hive mother's turns.
success. If the hive mother takes 15 or more damage on a
3. Fear Ray. The target must succeed on a DC 20 single turn from a creature inside it, the hive mother
Wisdom saving throw or be frightened for 1 minute. must succeed on a DC 20 Constitution saving throw at
The target can repeat the save at the end of each of its the end of that turn or regurgitate all swallowed
turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. creatures, which fall prone in a space within 10 feet of
4. Slowing Ray. The target must succeed on a DC 20 it. If the hive mother dies, a swallowed creature is no
Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, the target's longer restrained by it and can escape from the corpse.
speed is halved for 1 minute. In addition, the creature
can't take reactions, and it can take either an action or a Legendary Actions
bonus action on its turn, not both. The creature can The hive mother can take 3 legendary actions, using
repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, the Eye Ray option below. It can take only one
ending the effect on itself on a success. legendary action at a time and only at the end of
5. Enervation Ray. The target must make a DC 20 another creature's turn. The beholder regains spent
Constitution saving throw, taking 45 (10d8) necrotic legendary actions at the start of its turn.
damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a
success. Eye Ray. The hive mother uses one random eye ray.

55
Walls within 120 feet of the overseer emit grasping
Overseer tendrils of black mist until initiative count 20 on the round
A creation of the hive mothers, an overseer serves a hive after next. Each creature of the overseer's choice that
mother as a subordinate in a similar manner to the way that starts its turn within 10 feet of such a wall must succeed
humanoid rulers employ others as generals and governors. on a DC 15 Intelligence saving throw or be stunned until
Holding mastery over the lesser members of its hive-city but the end of the creature's next turn.
serving the hive mother, an overseer exhibits a strict tension An eye opens on a solid surface within 60 feet of the
of the tyrannical nature of beholderkin. overseer. One random eye ray of the overseer shoots from
An overseer does not have the usually spheroid body of a that eye at a target of the overseer's choice that it can see.
beholder, but rather resembles a great mound or tree made of The eye then closes and disappears.
flesh, with three mouths around the trunk, a myriad of eye- The overseer can't repeat an effect until they have all been
stalks for branches, and thirteen sprawling tentacles for used, and it can't use the same effect two rounds in a row.
roots.
Master of Multitudes. An overseer was spawned to govern Regional Effects
the subtle movements of the many beholders and beholderkin A region containing an overseer's lair is warped by the
in a hive-city, that a hive mother need only command her creature's unnatural presence, which creates one or more of
overseers. For this reason, an overseer is specially able to the following effects:
command a myriad of different creatures, keeping up to 10
beholders under its telepathic control at a time. Creatures within 1 mile of the overseer's lair sometimes
An overseer is never properly comfortable unless it has a feel as if they're being watched when they aren't.
vast array of minions to attend to its every need, real or When a creature hostile to the overseer and aware of its
imagined. existance finish a long rest within 1 mile of the overseer's
Obedient Tyrant. Although it still has all the vanity of a lair, roll a d20 for that creature. On a roll of 10 or lower,
beholder, an overseer is spawned to be utterly subservient to that creature is subjected to the the domination ray of the
its hive mother, never rejecting or opposing her authority overseer.
even when not under her direct control. If the overseer dies, these effects fade over the course of
Because of this conditioning of its ambitions, an overseer 1d10 days.
expresses its natural ambition and xenophobia in enforcing
its will upon its subordinates with an iron fist, and in
destroying any creatures other than beholderkin that stumble
upon its abode.
Social Nature. In order to be made fitting for its role in a
hive-city, a hive mother creates an overseer with an
abnormally social nature for beholderkin. Although still
seeing its own kind as the epitomy of existance, an overseer
struggles to exist in complete isolation.
As such, the rare overseer which has become seperated
from a beholder community will always seek out societies of
other creatures that it might infiltrate and dominate them
behind the scenes.
An Overseer's Lair
An overseer does not normally have a seperate lair if it exists
within a beholder community. However, when an overseer is
seperated from its beholder community, it may form its own
lair among whatever society it has determined to infiltrate.
An overseer's lair is typically a deep cavern under the city
or town it has infiltrated. An overseer encountered in its lair
has a challenge rating of 15 (13,000 XP).
Lair Actions
When fighting in its lair, an overseer can invoke the ambient
magic to take lair actions. On initiative count 20 (losing
initiative ties), the overseer can take one lair action to cause
one of the following effects:
A 50-foot square area of ground within 120 feet of the
overseer is covered in an acidic tar. The area is difficult
terrain until iniative count 20 on the next round. A
creature other than the overseer which ends its turn in
contact with the tar must succeed on a DC 15
Constitution saving throw or take 6 (1d12) acid damage.
56
Overseer For each spell of 6th level or higher on the target,
the overseer must make a Charisma check (DC equal to
Large aberration, lawful evil
10 + the spell's level). On a successful check, the spell
Armor Class 17 ends.
Hit Points 136 (13d10 + 78) 5. Holding Ray. The targeted creature must make a
Speed 5 ft. DC 19 Wisdom saving throw or be paralyzed for 1
minute. Undead are immune to this effect. At the end
of each of its turns, the paralyzed target can repeat its
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA saving throw, ending this effect on a success.
6. Polar Ray. The target must make a DC 19 Dexterity
22 (+6) 13 (+1) 22 (+6) 20 (+5) 18 (+4) 22 (+6) saving throw, taking 49 (14d6) cold damage on a failed
save, or half as much damage on a success.
Saving Throws Dex +6 7. Stunning Ray. The targeted creature must succeed
Skills Arcana +10, Perception +9, Survival +9 on a DC 19 Constitution saving throw or be stunned
Condition Immunities prone until the end of its next turn.
Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 19 8. Suggestion Ray. The target must succeed on a DC
Languages Deep Speech, Undercommon 19 Wisdom saving throw or suffer the effects of the
Challenge 14 (11,500 XP) suggestion spell, lasting for 8 hours or until the effect
ends due to a special condition specified in the spell.
Fungus Hide. The overseer's AC includes its 9. Telekinetic Ray. If the target is a creature, it must
Constitution modifier. succeed on a DC 20 Strength saving throw or the hive
mother moves it up to 30 feet in any direction. It is
Actions restrained by the ray's telekinetic grip until the start of
the hive mother's next turn or until the hive mother is
Multiattack. The overseer makes three bite attacks and incapacitated.
one constrict attack. If the target is an object weighing 300 pounds or
less that isn't being worn or carried, it is moved up to
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 5 ft., one 30 feet in any direction. The hive mother can also exert
target. Hit: 10 (1d8 + 6) piercing damage. fine control on objects with this ray, such as
Constrict. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 5 ft., manipulating a simple tool or opening a door or a
one creature. Hit: 16 (3d6 + 6) bludgeoning damage, container.
and the target is grappled (escape DC 16). Until this 10. Stasis Ray. The targeted creature must succeed
grapple ends, the creature is restrained, and the on a DC 19 Wisdom saving throw or enter a state of
overseer can't constrict another target. suspended animation. Time ceases to flow for the
creature, it does not grow older, and no force or effect
Command Beholder. The overseer casts the dominate can harm it. The state persists until it is removed by
monster spell (8th level, save DC 19) against a magic (such as the dispel magic spell, for which it is
beholder or beholderkin. A hive mother or overseer is considered a spell of 8th level).
immune. The overseer can concentrate on up to 10
uses of this feature simultaneously.
Legendary Actions
Eye Rays. The overseer shoots two of the following The overseer can take 3 legendary actions, using the
magical eye rays at random (reroll duplicates), choosing Eye Ray option below. It can take only one legendary
one or two targets it can see within 120 feet of it: action at a time and only at the end of another
1. Chain Lightning Ray. The targeted creature and up creature's turn. The beholder regains spent legendary
to 3 other targets, each of which must be within 30 actions at the start of its turn.
feet of the targeted creature, must make a DC 19
Dexterity saving throw. A target takes 45 (10d8) Eye Ray. The hive mother uses one random eye ray.
lightning damage on a failed save, or half as much on a
successful one. Reactions
2. Despair Ray. The target must succeed on a DC 19 Reactive Eye Ray. When the overseer sees a creature
Wisdom saving throw or be afflicted with despair. A within 120 feet of it cast a spell, it can use a reaction
despairing creature has disadvantage on attack rolls, to shoot one of the following magical eye rays at
ability checks, and saving throws. The creature can random (reroll duplicates), choosing the caster as a
repeat its saving throw at the end of each of its turns, target:
ending this effect on a success.
3. Domination Ray. The targeted humanoid creature 1. Spell Immunity. The targeted creature must
must succeed on a DC 19 Wisdom saving throw or be succeed on a DC 19 saving throw using its spellcasting
dominated by the overseer, as according to the ability. On a failure, the overseer is immune to all
dominate person spell. This domination lasts for 1 effects of the spell cast. If the spell targets multiple
minute, or until the creature succeeds on its saving creatures, other creatures are affected normally.
throw as detailed in the spell. 2. Spell Turning. The targeted creature must succeed
4. Dispelling Ray. Any spell of 5th level or lower on on a DC 19 saving throw using its spellcasting ability.
the target ends. On a failure, the spell targets or is centered on the
caster. On a success, the spell dissipates harmlessly.

57
Grell Grell Philosopher
Although devoted to little more than eating, grell society does Medium aberration, neutral evil
acknowledge leadership in the form of a grell philosopher,
described here. Armor Class 12 (15 with mage armor)
Hit Points 71 (13d8 + 13)
Speed 10 ft., fly 30 ft. (hover)
Grell Philosopher
An exceptionally intelligent and ruthless member of its STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
species, a grell philosopher is a malicious and dominating
creature, tolerating no threat to the colony of grell over which 16 (+3) 14 (+2) 13 (+1) 19 (+4) 11 (+0) 9 (-1)
it presides.
In physical form, a grell philosopher resembles other grell, Skills Arcana +7, Perception +6, Stealth +8
but larger and bulkier, with ridges of spines running over Damage Immunities lightning
their brain shaped body. They often wear a plethora of Condition Immunities blinded, prone
jewelry, some of which may be magical, their status evident in Senses blindsight 60 ft. (blind beyond this radius),
the gold rings upon every tentacle. passive Perception 13
Crafters and Wizards. Grell philosophers form the Languages Grell, Common, Dragonic,
magical backbone of grell society. As well as providing Undercommon
immediate spellcasting, grell philosophers craft a range of Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)
alien devices and magic items for the use of the colony.
The most common of these is the lightning lance, which is Spellcasting. The grell philosopher is a 4th-level
included in the philosopher stat block and given as a magic spellcaster. It spellcasting ability is Intelligence
(spell save DC 15, +7 to hit with spell attacks). The
item in the sidebar below. philosopher has the following wizard spells
Rule of Debate. Usually, any one grell colony will be prepared:
presided over by a moderately sized group of grell
philosophers, who determine the course of the colony Cantrips (at will): chill touch, dancing lights, mage
through consensus and debate. hand, minor illusion
Very rarely do the philosophers resort to violence in 1st level (4 slots): charm person, fog cloud, mage
imposing their rule. The grell trust their leaders' judgement, armor, magic missile, ray of sickness
and it is only when disputes arise between the philosophers 2nd Level (3 slots): hold person, invisibility, ray of
which discussion cannot resolve that one side or the other enfeeblement
will use force of arms to settle the issue. Actions
Patriarchs. The most powerful of grell philosophers are
known as patriarchs. These are the leaders and chairmen of Multiattack. The grell makes three attacks: two with
the discussions of the philosophers that lead a colony, and in its tentacles and one with its beak. It can use its
some extreme causes may even lead as the lone ruler of the Lightning Lance instead of one of its tentacle
colony. attacks.
A grell patriarch is a 9th-level wizard, with 18 hit die. For Tentacles. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach
guidelines on adjusting the statistics provided here for a 10 ft., one creature. Hit: 14 (2d10 + 3) piercing
patriarch, consult the Dungeon Master's Guide. damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 12
Constitution saving throw or be poisoned for 1
minute. The poisoned target is paralyzed, and it can
Lightning Lance repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its
turns, ending the effect on a success.
Wondrous item, rare (requires attunement) The target is also grappled (escape DC 16). If the
target is a Medium or smaller creature, it is also
This silver tubelike device is about 3 feet in length.
restrained until the grapple ends. While grappling
It has 5 charges, and regains 1d4 + 1 charges daily
the target, the grell has advantage on attack rolls
at dawn.
against it and can't use this attack against other
As an action, you can expend one charge of the
targets. When the grell moves, any Medium or
lance and make a ranged spell attack against a
smaller target it is grappling moves with it.
creature which you can see within 60 feet of you
(attack bonus equal to your Intelligence modifier + Beak. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
your proficiency bonus). On a hit, that creature one creature. Hit: 13 (4d4 + 3) piercing damage.
takes 5d6 lightning damage. Lightning Lance (5/Day). Ranged Spell Attack: +7 to
If a creature which is not a grell attempts to hit, range 60 ft., one target. Hit: 17 (5d6) lightning
attune to the lightning lance, it must make a DC 20 damage.
Intelligence (Arcana) check. On a failed check, the
attunement is unsuccessful, and that creature
cannot attempt to attune to the lance again for 1d4
days.

58
Embrac
Large aberration, unaligned
Armor Class 15 (natural armor)

Hit Points 75 (10d10 + 20)
Speed 20 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

18 (+4) 8 (-1) 15 (+2) 4 (-3) 13 (+1) 9 (-1)
Saving Throws Dex +2, Wis +5, Cha +2

Skills Perception +7, Stealth +5
Languages Understands Undercommon but can't
speak
Challenge 7 (2,900 XP)
Grasping Tentacles. The embrac has eight tentacles.

Each tentacle can be attacked (AC 15; 10 hit
points; immunity to poison and psychic damage).
Destroying a tentacle deals 5 points of damage to
the embrac, which regrows severed tentacles after
15 (1d10 + 10) days.
Innate Spellcasting (Psionics). The embrac's innate
Illithidae spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 10).
Originating from the same alien and hostile world whence It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no
the mind flayers came, the illithidae are to mind flayers as components:
wolves, bears, and apes are to humanoids, lesser beasts with 3/day each: bane, sleep (3rd level), thunderwave
some shared kindred. Illithidae inhabit the underground 1/day each: blur
areas where illithid lairs and cities can be found, though it is Stone Camouflage. The embrac has advantage on
unknown whether they are merely attracted by the psychic Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to hide in rocky
energies of these places or whether they are intentionally terrain and underground.
domesticated by mind flayers.
Illithidae come in as many different sizes and natures as Actions
the animals familiar to humanoid species on the Prime Multiattack. The embrac makes four tentacle attacks
Material world, if not more so. The following section covers and one bite attack.
only a handful of the most common species of illithidae, those
most likely to be encountered by adventurers. Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
Alien Animalia. Illithidae act under an animalian mind, but one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) piercing damage.
one that was forged on an utterly alien world. As such, in Tentacle. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 10
most cases they will act as any animal from the Prime ft., one creature. Hit: 9 (2d4 + 4) bludgeoning
Material would. However, at times they will also exhibit damage, and the target is grappled (escape DC 15).
abnormal behaviour patterns due to their alien heritage. Until the grapple ends, the embrac cannot use the
Lesser Psionics. All illithidae have access to psionic same tentacle to attack another target. The target
abilities of a lesser degree than full illithids. They are must also succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving
frequently surrounded by a strange mental buzzing or throw. A creature takes 6 (1d12) poison damage
chiripping, a kind of animalian telepathy, differing from full and is poisoned for 1 minute on a failed save, or it
telepathy akin to how dog barks and birdsong differ from takes half as much damage and is not poisoned on
humanoid language. a success. The poisoned creature can repeat its
If you are using expanded rules for psionics (such as those saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending
discussed in Unearthed Arcana), you can substitute the this effect on a success.
illithidae Innate Spellcasting (Psionics) feature for an
appropriate psionics feature in the system of your choice.
Embrac
The hulking body of an embrac resembles a large sack, slimy
skin blotched with black, gray, white, and a dull red. It has
stout limbs appended in sharp claws, a saw-edged beak in its
large, lumpy head.
59
From its back sprouts eight long, thick tentacles, each of
which is coated in numerous suckers and bony hooks on its
Kigrid underside, and tapers down to three fingerlike appendages at
the end.
Medium aberration, unaligned Ambush Predator. An embrac prefers to capture its prey
unawares, and despite its vast size, its mottled skin allows it
Hit Points 65 (10d8 + 20) to lie camouflaged in the shadows of the underground. It will
Speed 40 ft. lash out from hiding at whatever prey happens by, disabling
the prey with its poison before dragging it offer to a prepared
bolthole to enjoy its meal.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA Because of their preponderance for stealth, an embrac
18 (+4) 13 (+1) 14 (+2) 7 (-2) 12 (+1) 11 (+0) tends to avoid large outright confrontations. If heavily
outnumbered or outmatched, it will attempt to avoid battle,
Saving Throws Dex +4, Wis +4, Cha +3
and if forced into combat it may attempt to flee back to its
Skills Acrobatics +4, Athletics +7, Perception +4,
prepared bolthole.
Stealth +4, Survival +4 Hunting Guards. Frequently, when one or more embracs
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14 move in around an illithid lair, the mind flayers will allow it to
Languages Under stands all languages, telepathy continue to hunt the surrounding area, acting as a guard for
120 ft.; Undercommon the illithid city by devouring any lesser creatures which may
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP) have otherwise disturbed the lair.
It is unknown for certain whether embrac have been totally
Innate Spellcasting (Psionics). The embrac's innate taimed by the mind flayers. They have been known to wander
spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 11). among a mind flayer colony accompanied by a trainer, but in
It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no such cases they are often heavily controled by the psionic
components: powers of their master, left with almost no free will of their
3/day each: blink, detect thoughts, tasha's hideous
own.
laughter
Kigrid
Pack Tactics. The kigrid has advantage on attack
rolls against a creature if at least one of the kigrid's In build and form reminiscent of tigers, lions, and other big
allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally cats of the Prime Material plane, a kigrid is a stocky
isn't incapacitated. quadruped with a short tail, muscular legs, and a flat, broad
head. Its fur is stone-gray in color, its eyes a dull red, and its
Actions snout and jaws are elogated and lined with small, sharp teeth.
Multiattack. The kigrid makes one bite attack and
Typically roving the underground tunnels they inhabit
two claw attacks. If it starts its turn grappling a either alone or in small packs, kigrid will stalk their prey for
creature, the kigrid can make two rake attacks hours on end, following their quary until the first sign of
instead of its two claw attacks. weakness, at which moment they strike with incredible speed
and ferocity.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., Cunning Predators. Kigrid are clever, trying to force their
one creature. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) piercing damage, and prey into dead-end tunnels, off cliff edges, and into other
the target is grappled (escape DC 15). Until the obstacles to corner them and prevent escape. Kigrid develop
grapple ends, the kigrid cannot use its bite to target an intimate familiarity with their hunting grounds, and will
another cretaure. use any and every feature of the environment to their
Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., advantage on ways that sometimes outdo even humanoid
one target. Hit: 7 (1d6 + 4) slashing damage. minds.
Rake. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., Kigrid are predators, hunting most any creature that enters
one creature that the kigrid is grappling. Hit: 7 (1d6 into their domain. However, they will readily attempt to
+ 4) slashing damage, and the target must make a negotiate or withdraw if the supposed prey turns out more
DC 15 Constitution saving throw. The creature powerful than anticipated and the livelihood of the pack is
takes 6 (1d12) poison damage and is poisoned for threatened.
1 minute on a failure, or it takes half as much Pack Animal. Although they can be found as solitary
damage and is not poisoned on a success. The hunters, kigrid are naturally pack creatures, gathering in
creature can repeat its saving throw at the end of small groups of 4 to 7 kigrid to hunt together. Kigrid
each of its turns, ending this effect on a success. understand that the needs of the pack are greater than the
needs of an individual, and one kigrid will often be willing to
stand its ground to protect the pact's retreat if they are unable
to escape together.
Telepathic Understanding. Kigrid demonstrate a slight,
latent telepathic ability in their capacity to understand the
meaning of any spoken language in their vicinity. If a creature
has a feature which prevents telepathic communication with
it, the kigrid is unable to understand it.
60
However, this telepathy is only rudimentary, and only allows
the kigrid to understand other creatures. In order to Saltor
communicate a response, a kigrid is able to speak in broken Small aberration, unaligned
Undercommon.
Saltor Hit Points 36 (8d6 + 8)
Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft.
The large and surprisingly intelligent blue-black eyes of this
baboon-like creature stare out over a beard of half a dozen
small tentacles, which hangs from its chin. Its prickly hide is STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
murky brown in color. It stands around 3 feet high, but 14 (+2) 17 (+3) 12 (+1) 9 (-1) 12 (+1) 11 (+0)
swings itself forward in a crouching posture, with arms
longer than its hind legs.
Rudimentary Intelligence. Saltor are cunning creatures, Saving Throws Int +1, Wis +3, Cha +2
demonstrating the first signs of a burgeoning, humanoid-like Skills Acrobatics +5, Athletics +4, Perception +3
intelligence. They are capable of mastering language and the Languages Undercommon
use of various weapons and tools for use in foraging and Challenge 3 (700 XP)
hunting for small game. Their troops often show the hints of
societal structures, with greeting codes and hierachy. Innate Spellcasting (Psionics). The embrac's innate
Because they are still in the early stages of tool usage, spellcasting ability is Charisma. It can innately cast
saltor struggle to create new advantaged tools themselves, the following spells, requiring no components:
with most tools and weapons made by saltor being crafted
from flint and wood. They will frequently accept metal tools 3/day each: blur, magic missile
and weapons from humanoid creatures in exchange for 1/day: haste (self only)
information or for being let go.
Scavengers and Hunters. Saltors are omnivores, and Actions
their primary substance is on scavenging what natural Multiattack. The saltor makes two attacks, one with
materials are readily available. They live a hunter-gatherer its bite and one with its handaxe.
lifestyle, hunting small creatures such as fish, while gathering
moss and fungi for their nutrients. Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
Saltor are not carrion eaters, and will generally only eat one target. Hit: 8 (2d4 + 3) piercing damage.
another creature's kill if they are starving. However, they will Handaxe. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to
gladly loot any corpses of wayward adventurers for tools or hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 5
weapons they would not be able to produce of their own (1d6 + 2) slashing damage.
volition. Screech (Recharge 6). The saltor emits a high-
pitched screech in a 20-foot cone centred on itself.
Each creature in the area must make a DC 14
Constitution saving throw. A creature takes 18
(4d8) thunder damage and is stunned until the start
of the saltor's next turn on a failed save, or it takes
half as much damage and is not stunned on a
success.

61
Tsochari
Murderous assassins and infiltrators from a cold and distant
world, the tsochari come to this world to steal magic for their
nefarious purposes. A race of monstrous imposters, the
tsochari can steal the bodies of their victims and pass
unnoticed in humanoid society.
A tsochar resembles a tangled mess of knotted robes or a
ball of barbed wire, with dozens of thin but strong tentacles,
each studded with small, sharp, sickelike claws. The
creature's eyes are small, dark orbs resting at the end of
smaller, hidden tentacles, hidden in the mass of its other
limbs, and its mouth is a round, lampreylike orifice in the
middle of its underside. A tsochar is indigo blue in color, with
a mottled pattern of lighter spots on its upper surface.
Alien Invaders. The tsochari hail from a world distant
among the planes, a cold and lightless place existing as a
pocket plane in the darkness between the worlds. There, the
sun is little more than a bright star in a black sky, the world
consisting of cold, thin air, shrieking winds, and a gloom that
drives all who go there to madness, where monsters far
worse the tsochari stalk the endless night. Long ago, evil
wizards and cultists built gates linking certain terrible ruins
in the Prime Material with the world of the tsochari, and it
was through these gates that tsochari stole to roam human
lands and infiltrate humanoid society.
The tsochari are not a numerous race, neither as prevelant
or powerful as the aberration civilisatrions of aboleths and
mind flayers, nor as individually powerful or commonplace as
the dreadful beholders. The threat of the tsochari is of an
entirely different nature, the threat of infiltration and
assassination.
Arcane Lust. Tsochari are devoured by an overpowering
desire for magic. Incapable of calling on magic themselves,
they seek out humanoid wizards and similar spellcasters to
capture their bodies and make use of their magical power.
Because of this drive for arcane power, a tsochar can often
be bought by offering incredibly rare and powerful magical
items. However, it is just as likely to take the items, and then
attempt to infiltrate the party to determine whence those
items came, and where more may be found.
Otherworldly Physiology. The tsochari are the products of
the alien world in which they grew. A tsochar is not actually a
single living creature, but rather an aggregate being. Each of
the dozens of coiling tentacles and limbs that seem to
comprise its body is a seperate, living creature, known as a
strand. A strand is capable of living indepedantly of the body
of the tsochar, but in such a state it would be virtually
mindless. Only when connected to 20 or 30 other strands in a
tangle, joined by blood vessels and a shared telepathic
connection, can the strands gain a sense of self and a
burgeoning sentience, which becomes more powerful the
more strands are added to the tangle.
Scheming Mind. Tsochari are spiteful, ambitious,
avaricious, and self-centered. They would certainly hold all
manner of murderous schemes against one another, were it
not for the fact that their natural abilities are not well
equipped to inflict serious harm upon another tsochar. As
such, the competition in tsochari society is played in battles
of intrigue, status, and prestige, each of a myriad rival castes
constantly struggling for greater power. The highest virtue in
tsochar society is manipulation.
62
Tsochar Tentacle. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 10 ft.,
one target. Hit: 6 (1d4 + 4) bludgeoning damage.
Small aberration, chaotic evil
Wear Flesh. The tsochar targets one Small or larger
Armor Class 18 (natural armour) creature that is incapacitated or grappled by the
Hit Points 32 (5d6 + 15) tsochar and forces it to make a DC 15 Constitution
Speed 20 ft., climb 20 ft. saving throw. The target must repeat this saving throw
at the start of each of the tsochar's turns, and the
tsochar can't target another creature with this feature.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA If the target fails three of these saving throws, the
13 (+1) 18 (+4) 16 (+3) 15 (+2) 14 (+2) 13 (+1) tsochar can choose to replace or inhabit the creature. If
the target succeeds three saving throws, this effect
Saving Throws Str +3, Wis +5, Cha +3 ends.
Skills Perception +5, Stealth +6 A tsochar can use an action to abandon a body it has
Damage Immunities poison inhabited or replaced. The host takes 10 (3d6) necrotic
Condition Immunities poisoned damage from this process. The tsochar can be forced
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 15 to leave the body with a lesser restoration spell. The
Languages all, telepathy 100 ft. caster must succeed on a DC 20 spellcasting ability
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP) check, expelling the tsochar on a success. The host
takes damage as if the tsochar had abandoned the
body. Alternatively, a heal or wish spell can expel the
Magic Resistance. The tsochar has advantage on saving tsochar. These spells automatically succeed, and the
throws against spells and other magical effects. host takes no damage.
Shapechanger. The tsochar is considered to be a Inhabit: The tsochar leaves its victim alive and aware.
shapechanger for the polymorph spell and similar As an action on its turn, it can inflict between 3 (1d6)
magic. and 21 (6d6) necrotic damage to the host (the tsochar
Spider Climb. The tsochar can climb difficult surfaces, chooses how many d6 damage to deal). The host must
including upside down on ceilings, without needing to succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or be
make an ability check. stunned by the pain until the end of their next turn.
A tsochar cannot take its normal physical actions
Take Spells. When the tsochar uses its Wear Flesh to while inhabiting a host, but it can communicate with
replace a creature with the Spellcasting feature, the its host by means of its telepathy. The tsochar cannot
tsochar gains that feature while replacing that creature. be targeted by attacks or effects originating outside of
The tsochar has the same spells prepared and available the creature it is inhabiting. However, when the host
spell slots as the original spellcaster. takes damage, the tsochar takes half as much damage.
Actions Replace: The tsochar bores out the victim's nervous
system, killing the victim. It then animates the body,
Multiattack. The tsochar makes three tentacle attacks acting as the nervous system of the host. The body
and one Constrict attack. It can then use its Wear Flesh. remains alive while hosting the tsochar.
The tsochar is considered transformed into the
Constrict. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., victim's exact form as if by the polymorph spell. This
one creature. Hit: 9 (2d4 + 4) bludgeoning damage, transformation lasts for up to 1 year, and the victim's
the target is grappled (escape DC 11), and the tsochar body is left behind when the tsochar ends the effect.
cannot use this attack on another target until the The tsochar uses the victim's physical ability scores but
grapple ends. In addition, the target must succeed on a retains its own mental ability scores, as detailed in the
DC 15 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned. A polymorph spell. Once the tsochar abandons the form,
creature poisoned by this effect deals only half damage it cannot reanimate the body.
on weapon attacks which use Dexterity. The creature
can repeat its saving throw at the end of each of its
turns, ending the effect on a success.

63

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Rod of Eldritch Power

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This curse is not considered magical in nature (and

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Your alignment becomes lawful evil, you are considered

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Quick Build Equipment

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Blessings of Planar Bond of the Lich

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As a warlock of the Genie, you may choose a

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Bard Shatter 3rd level Vecna's Malevolent Whisper

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An animated weapon is a construct with AC, hit points,

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Director 2. Enervation Ray. The target must make a DC 15

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Armor Class 15 (natural armor)

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

Saving Throws Dex +2, Wis +5, Cha +2

Grasping Tentacles. The embrac has eight tentacles.

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