Shadow Fey Pattern Dancer

Family: Shadow Fey

Shadows weave around a lithe dancing figure, making it difficult to look away. The face of the dancer changes from beautiful to hideous, but always fascinating.

Medium humanoid (elf), chaotic evil

Armor Class 13
Hit Points 33 (6d8 + 6)
Speed 30 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
10 (+0)	16 (+3)	12 (+1)	12 (+1)	12 (+1)	16 (+3)

Saving Throws Dexterity +5, Wisdom +3, Charisma +5
Skills Acrobatics +5, Deception +5, Performance +7
Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages Common, Elvish
Challenge 2 (450 XP)

Special Traits

• Fey Ancestry. The shadow fey has advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put it to sleep.
• Shadow Traveler (1/day). As a bonus action while in shadows, dim light, or darkness, the shadow fey disappears into the darkness and reappears in an unoccupied space it can see within 30 feet. A tendril of inky smoke appears at the origin and destination when it uses this trait.
• Sunlight Sensitivity. While in sunlight, the shadow fey has disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.
• Traveler in Darkness. The shadow fey has advantage on Intelligence (Arcana) checks made to know about shadow roads and shadow magic spells or items.
• Spellcasting. The pattern dancer is a 5th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 13, +5 to hit with spell attacks). It has the following wizard spells prepared:
  • Cantrips (at will): dancing lights, friends, minor illusion, poison spray
  • 1st level (4 slots): color spray, disguise self, magic missile, shield
  • 2nd level (3 slots): blur, mirror image
  • 3rd level (2 slots): major image, nondetection

Actions

• Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) piercing damage.
• Longbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, range 150/600 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage.

Group Actions

When three pattern dancers are within 60 feet of each other, they can work together to cast communal spells that are more powerful than they could cast individually. To do this, one takes an action to cast a spell, and the other two must use their reactions to complete it. These communal spells are cast at 11th level and have a spell save DC of 13:

• At will: hold person
• 3/day: fear, sleep
• 1/day: confusion, hypnotic pattern

About

Servants of the Queen. Pattern dancers train in the arts of deception, magic, combat, and performance, always for a singular purpose: to serve their fey liege, the Queen of Night and Magic. The most promising young shadow fey of any gender are taken from their parents at a young age to train. Many fail to meet the rigorous standards, but a few thrive. After years of training and conditioning, they are divided into troupes and begin their lives as pattern dancers.

Entertainer Spies. Pattern dancer troupes, consisting of anywhere from 3-12 dancers plus retainers and bodyguards for larger troupes, leave the Shadow Realm on missions for their queen and spend most of their time in the mortal world. With their reputations already established by their predecessors, troupes are always in demand by the rich, famous, and powerful.

Spies for Hire. While they are ultimately in the service of their queen, pattern dancers also frequently offer their spying services and information gathering skills to the highest bidder. Their payment, however, is often in memories or in other information that they can pass along or provide to their liege.