Shadow Fey Poisoner

Family: Shadow Fey

It’s only after he is lying on the ground, bleeding from an arrow wound in the chest and writhing from the poison seeping through his veins, that the victim sees the pale elf.

Medium humanoid (elf), neutral

Armor Class 16 (studded leather)
Hit Points 112 (15d8 + 45)
Speed 30 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
11 (+0) 18 (+4) 16 (+3) 13 (+1) 11 (+0) 14 (+2)

Saving Throws Dexterity +8, Intelligence +5, Charisma +6
Skills Acrobatics +8, Deception +6, Perception +4, Persuasion +6, Stealth +12
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages Common, Elvish
Challenge 11 (7,200 XP)

Special Traits

  • Assassinate. During its first turn, the shadow fey has advantage on attack rolls against any creature that hasn’t taken a turn. Any hit the poisoner scores against a surprised creature is a critical hit.
  • Born of Shadows. When in dim light or darkness, the shadow fey poisoner is invisible.
  • Evasion. If the shadow fey poisoner is subjected to an effect that allows it to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, the poisoner instead takes no damage if it succeeds on the saving throw, and only half damage if it fails.
  • Fey Ancestry. The shadow fey has advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put it to sleep.
  • Shadow Traveler (4/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.
  • Sneak Attack (1/Turn). The shadow fey poisoner deals an extra 21 (6d6) 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 poisoner, that ally isn’t incapacitated, and the poisoner doesn’t have disadvantage on the attack roll.
  • 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.

Actions

  • Multiattack. The shadow fey poisoner makes two shortsword attacks or two longbow attacks.
  • Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d6 + 4) piercing damage, and the target must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, taking 28 (8d6) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
  • Longbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, range 150/600 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) piercing damage, and the target must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, taking 28 (8d6) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

About

Accomplished Killers. Raised in the dark dwellings of the Shadow Realm, the shadow fey are fleet of foot, quick of thought, and glib of tongue. Just a little extra training with poison, weapons, and magic makes them into uniquely-qualified killers.

The Poisoner’s Code. A shadow fey poisoner never gives the name of an employer, is rarely captured alive, and never kills the target except in self-defense.

Distilled Shadow Poison (Ingested Or Injury)

Distilled shadow poison is made by shadow fey poisoners with ingredients found only in the Shadow Realm. A creature subjected to this poison must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, taking 28 (8d6) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. If the poison damage reduces a creature to 0 hp, the target is stable but falls into a coma. No healing can restore hp to the creature, and no resurrection magic can awaken it. The creator of the poison can release the victim from the coma as a bonus action. If the creator dies, the victim awakens after it finishes a long rest.

Distilled shadow poison can’t be purchased, and the coma can only be triggered or removed by the shadow fey who created it.

Section 15: Copyright Notice

Creature Codex. © 2018 Open Design LLC; Authors Wolfgang Baur, Dan Dillon, Richard Green, James Haeck, Chris Harris, Jeremy Hochhalter, James Introcaso, Chris Lockey, Shawn Merwin, and Jon Sawatsky.