Herald of Darkness

Large fiend, neutral evil

Armor Class 15 (chain shirt)
Hit Points 105 (10d10 + 50)
Speed 30 ft., fly 50 ft., swim 30 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
20 (+5) 14 (+2) 20 (+5) 12 (+1) 15 (+2) 19 (+4)

Saving Throws Str +8, Con +8, Cha +7
Skills Athletics +8, Deception +7, Perception +5, Stealth +5
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, cold, lightning
Damage Immunities necrotic, poison
Condition Immunities exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned
Senses darkvision 240 ft., passive Perception 15
Languages Common, Elvish, Goblin, Infernal, Sylvan
Challenge 7 (2,900 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +3

SPECIAL TRAITS

  • Made of Shadows (Shadow Form Only). The herald of darkness has resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage and can enter a hostile creature’s space and stop there. In addition, it can move through a space as narrow as 1 inch wide without squeezing.
  • Shadow’s Sight. Magical darkness doesn’t impede the herald’s darkvision.

ACTIONS

  • Multiattack. The herald of darkness makes two Embrace Darkness or Shadow Sword attacks.
  • Embrace Darkness (Shadow Form Only). Melee Spell Attack: +7 to hit, reach 0 ft., one creature in the herald’s space. Hit: 18 (3d8 + 5) necrotic damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or be paralyzed until the end of its next turn.
  • Shadow Sword (Fiend Form Only). Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d8 + 5) slashing damage plus 9 (2d8) necrotic damage.
  • Majesty of the Abyss (Recharge 5–6). The herald of darkness emits a sinister burst of infernal power. Each creature within 15 feet of the herald and that can see it must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, a creature takes 27 (6d8) necrotic damage and is blinded for 1 minute. On a success, a creature takes half the damage and isn’t blinded. A creature that fails the saving throw by 5 or more is also paralyzed until the end of its next turn. A blinded creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

BONUS ACTIONS

  • Shadow Shape. The herald magically transforms into a Large shadow or back into its true form, which is a Fiend. Its statistics are the same in each form. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying transforms with it. It reverts to its true form if it dies.

ABOUT

A tall and beautiful fiend, this creature resembles a dark-haired fey wearing a cloak and armor glittering with dark light.

Heralds of darkness speak in fluid tones and sing with the voices of angels, but their hearts are foul and treacherous.

Vision of Evil. Heralds of darkness can take on another appearance entirely, disappearing into insubstantial shadows and unveiling an evil majestic form that leaves those who see it shaken and weak—and often blind. Speaking of this form is difficult, but poets and bards trying to describe it have said it resembles an apocalyptic horror built of chained souls and the slow death of innocents carried along in a glacial river, rushing to an inevitable doom.

Sword and Cloak. The black sword and star-scattered cloak of a herald of darkness are part of its magical substance and cannot be parted from it. Some believe the cloak and blade are true visions of its body, and that the smiling face and pleasing form are entirely illusory.

Corruptors of the Fey. Heralds of darkness are companions and sometimes masters to the shadow fey. They seek to draw many others into their orbit with wild promises of great power, debauchery, and other delights. They are rivals to the heralds of blood and bitter foes to all angels of light.

Section 15: Copyright Notice

Tome of Beasts 1 ©2023 Open Design LLC; Authors: Daniel Kahn, Jeff Lee, and Mike Welham.

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