Shadow Collector

Small fey, chaotic neutral

Armor Class 17 (veil of dusk)
Hit Points 121 (22d6 + 44)
Speed 40 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
12 (+1)	19 (+4)	14 (+2)	12 (+1)	20 (+5)	18 (+4)

Saves Int +5, Wis +9, Cha +9
Skills Acrobatics +8, Nature +8, Perception +9, Stealth +8
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks that aren’t silvered
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 19
Languages Aklo, Common, Sylvan
Challenge 9 (5,000 XP)

SPECIAL TRAITS

• Shadow Evocation. The shadow collector is a 9th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 16, +8 to hit with spell attacks). It taps into the plane of shadow to cast these spells and they are insubstantive compared to the real spell cast via normal means. As they are illusory a target may disbelieve with a successful Wisdom saving throw in addition to any saving throws invoked by the spell. The shadow collector has the following wizard spells prepared:
  • Cantrips (at will): fire bolt, light, mage hand, prestidigitation
  • 1st level (4 slots): detect magic, mage armor, magic missile, shield
  • 2nd level (3 slots): misty step, suggestion
  • 3rd level (3 slots): counterspell, fireball, fly
  • 4th level (3 slots): greater invisibility, ice storm
  • 5th level (1 slot): cone of cold
• Evasion. If the shadow collector is subjected to an effect that allows it to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, the shadow collector instead takes no damage if it succeeds on the saving throw, and only half damage if it fails.
• Magic Resistance. The shadow collector has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
• No Shadow. A shadow collector casts no shadow of its own, but instead casts any one of the stolen shadows it possesses.
• Shadow Jump. As a bonus action, the shadow collector can teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space it can see. Both the space it teleports from and the space it teleports to must be in dim light or darkness. The shadow collector can use this ability between the weapon attacks of another action it takes.
• Shadow Stealth. While in dim light or darkness, the shadow collector can take the Hide action as a bonus action.
• Sneak Attack. Once per turn, the shadow collector deals an extra 14 (4d6) damage when it hits a target with a weapon attack and has advantage on the attack roll, or when the target is within 5 feet of an ally of the shadow collector that isn’t incapacitated, and the shadow collector doesn’t have disadvantage on the attack roll.
• Steal Shadow. A shadow collector automatically steals the shadow of any incorporeal or living creature destroyed, incapacitated, or killed by its claw attack. A shadow collector can also steal a living corporeal creature’s shadow with a Sleight of Hand skill check against the targets current Charisma score. Until the shadow is returned, the victim has no shadow or reflection and gains 2 permanent levels of exhaustion. This exhaustion can’t be removed otherwise, even with magic that usually removes exhaustion levels. When a shadow collector steals a shadow, it gains 2 shadow points. A shadow collector must expend 1 shadow point to use any of its spell-like abilities. A shadow collector generally begins an encounter with 1d3+1 shadow points. A shadow collector can release a stolen shadow as a bonus action. A creature can touch the shadow collector to regain its stolen shadow, as long as the shadow collector is helpless in some way (incapacitated, paralysed etc) or dead. A dispel magic cast using a 7th, 8th or 9th level spell slot can also restore a target’s shadow.

ACTIONS

• Multiattack. The shadow collector casts a spell makes one shadowclaw attack and can also attempt to steal shadow.
• Shadowclaw. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) slashing damage and 1d6 Charisma damage as the attack tears at the targets shadow. The damage destroys a creature if it equals or exceeds the creatures actual Charisms score.

ABOUT

Shadow collectors feed on memories and regrets sifted from shadows. They often weave mortal shadows into certain magic items such as cloaks and gloves. Some shadow collectors con mortals into selling their shadows or resort to blatant theft; others prowl the Plane of Shadow and the Ethereal Plane for shadows that are already lost. Shadow collectors favor spaces like the edges of forests and foothills for the varied lighting and for the numerous places where they can flank marks from hiding or surprise them their shadow magic. A typical shadow collector stands over 3 feet tall and weighs 40 pounds.