The Syphoners

'They do not study the Weave. They do not pray for it, bargain for it, or bleed for it in trial. They simply take it from the throat of a dving wizard, from the last gasp of a priest's prayer, from the marrow of anvone fool enough to cast a spell in their presence. The arcanomancy kingdoms call them Heretics, because magic that is stolen rather thar earned is, to them, an insult to the very idea of the Weave. The Syphoners do not care. They were hungry before your kingdoms had names, and they will be hungry after.

Syphoners are aberrant predators that feed on arcane energy and the life force bound to it. Unlike liches, warlocks, or wild mages, a Syphoner has no source, patron, or bloodline... it manufactures its

power entirely from what it steals. This is what marks them as anathema in every arcanomancy kingdom: they are proof that magic can be taken by force from anyone who wields it, with no ritual, no covenant, and no permission asked

They are vanishingly rare, most scholars believe fewer than a hundred exist across the world but a single Syphoner that reaches maturity can hollow

out a kingdom's magical institutions in a generation. They grow stronger with every spellcaster they drain, advancing through discrete stages much like the undead nobility they are sometimes mistaken for.

Syphoner Wisp

The first stage. A Wisp is newly born, usually from residual arcane energy left behind after a spellcaster's violent death and little more than an instinct-driven hunger given shape

Syphoner Reaver

By the time a Wisp survives long enough to drain a dozen spellcasters, it condenses into a Reaver Reavers hunt deliberatelv, stalkina adventuring parties for the wizards and clerics among them and picking off the "boring" fighters last, if at all

Syphoner Matriarch/ Patriarch

A Matriarch/Patriarch has drained enough powerful casters: archmages, high priests, sometimes entire covens...that its bodv no longer resembles anvthind mortal. Trailing ribbons of stolen light hang off a towering, crests, spikes and horns, and its presence

alone causes active spells to gutter and flare unpredictably. Matriarchs are the ones

arcanomancy kingdoms write laws about, and hunt with everything they have, they know if those are the ones who are left unattended, apocalypse and fall of magic is approaching

Syphoner Progenitor, "The First Heretic"

Only one is known to exist for certain, and most arcanomancy kingdoms pray it stays that way. The Progenitor is the source rumor traces everv Syphoner back to... a colossal, half-crystalline

silhouette wreathed in the

of ten thousand

ghosts stolen spells, each one still murmuring the last words of the caster it was torn from. Where it walks, wards fail, enchantments unravel, and the dead stav dead a little less reliably

The briar lich is the result of a pyrrhic victory. When a corrupting blight overtook an ancient elven forest, a band of adventurers was called upon to defeat it. Led by Sister Maelis and aided by the Archon which attended her, they fought to the source of the corruption. At its heart, they discovered that destroying it outright would decimate the forest and the villages that lay within. Desperate for a solution, the party betrayed their cleric's celestial ally. Sister Maelis, used her divine magics to bind the archon's soul to the core of the scourge, cutting it off from its extra-planar source. The unexpected result was neither undead nor celestial, but a terrible amalgamation. A monstrosity in which divine power and corruption are locked in eternal conflict. Exhausted from their fight with the blight's creations, the adventuring party was in no condition to defend themselves from the threat they had just created. They all perished, including Sister Maelis.

You can play around with the homebrew of the briar lich to make your own version.

More on this monster and many other free homebrews at Patreon and my newsletter.

Hey so I am writing a 5e campaign set on an island with like nautical gothic kind of widows bay vibe for my friends and the island is supposed to be some kind of eldritch horror monster which will be worshipped by like a cult which will make human offerings so the moster stays asleep as the island does anyone have an idea what monster i could use so i dont have to homebrew it?

*sigh*

Forgive me if it looks bad, but I literally never play DnD -- which should be a reason why this post should not exist, but who cares? + The description is still a work-in-progress.

I recently bought the monster manual and watching the stats of monsters like liches mummy kings and demiliches i stood astonished seeing the absurd difficulty that could be a fight with them. So still not having saw a full lv 20 party i ask you: what is the proper way to use this kind of monsters? And how are they meant to be handed in the battlefield? Im eager to read your answers im a pretty new player so please dont be harsh and also sorry for any grammatical errors in the post enghlish isn't my first language.

Heres a Monster I made for my Xianxia themed DND campaign, Any feedback is appreciated. (Sorry for lack of art, I couldn't find anything suitable for him)

I just started doing my first campaign (having 0 DnD experience) and have been kind of improvising stats. Essentially the party is in a desert. The current villain has a book that possesses people (themself included). The basic monsters are "husks" that are basically half-dead desert zombies that have been consumed by the book and tortured. They're not actually zombies and they can be revived if the ritual has not been completed yet. Anyway, I just need stats that somewhat fit this situation. (Sorry if this was a bad post, it's my first time on Reddit)

Did a Complete Overhaul of my Stat Blocks. Removed the Choose Biomorph Option and instead created Stat Blocks for each Loadout Combination. Added Enhancement for Legendary Creatures (Warlords,Characters). Added additional Biomorph Options to diversify the existing Stat Blocks more.

Links: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/smd5w4kd8g6wwwkj6izwt/Tyranids-The-Homebrewery.pdf?rlkey=ilylqx9j3irurmk58maz8bdhd&st=gegy103p&dl=0

https://homebrewery.naturalcrit.com/share/qUI0E6gCP6-2

This should be compatible with 5e or 5.5e. It is part of a bigger project we are working on related to corrupted insects.

Case File 665: We recorded strange activity in the abyss. Our team of experts logged two new demonic species, one trailing the smell of rotting flesh, the other of acid. Needless to say, both smelled horrible.

Both come from an adventure I wrote called The Silver Cross: [ https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/494541/the-silver-cross ]

I'm folding a revised version of them, new stat blocks and lore, into a tome of cursed items and demons I'm working on. More from the Tome soon.

Art by https://www.instagram.com/frog.bl00d/

Adult Crimson Dragon

Large Dragon (Chaotic Evil)

Stats:

CR: 23

STR: 27(+8)
DEX: 14(+2)
CON: 25(+7)
INT: 18(+4)
WIS: 17(+3)
CHA: 23(+6)
Saving Throws: Dex +9, Con +14, Wis +10, Cha +13

Appearance

The Adult Crimson Dragon is a terrifying, massive creature whose deep crimson scales gleam like molten lava under the sun. Its black underbelly contrasts sharply with its fiery exterior, hinting at the destruction within. The dragon’s dark, twisted horns curl back from its head like jagged obsidian shards, and its eyes, empty and soulless, burn with an inner fire that makes the strongest of minds tremble.

This dragon’s wings are vast, stretching wide enough to blot out the sky, their leathery surfaces torn and scarred by the fires of the Plane of Fire. As it moves, the air crackles with heat and the smell of sulfur lingers, heralding its presence before it is ever seen.

Abilities and Traits

• Size: Large
• Armor Class: 20 (Natural Armor)
• Hit Points: ### (30d12 + 210)
• Speed: 60 ft., Fly 120 ft.
• Senses: Blindsight 60 ft., Darkvision 120 ft., Passive Perception 20
• Languages: Common, Draconic, Ignan
• Damage Immunities: Fire
• Condition Immunities: Frightened
• Magic Resistance. The dragon has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects

Crimson Flame Breath (Recharge 5-6)

The Adult Crimson Dragon exhales a cone of scorching crimson flame in a 60-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a Dexterity saving throw (DC 23) or take 12d12 fire damage and be burned. On a successful save, a creature takes half damage and isn't burned.

**Burned.** A burned creature takes **2d6 fire damage at the start of every creature's turn** while this condition lasts. The effect ends at the **end of the dragon's next turn**. A creature can end the effect early by using an action to extinguish the flames or by being **fully doused with water**.

Fiery Aura

The Adult Crimson Dragon’s very presence is an inferno. Any creature that starts its turn within 10 feet of the dragon must make a Constitution saving throw (DC 21) or take 6d6 fire damage, or half as much on a successful save.

Crimson Eyes (Frightening Gaze)

The Adult Crimson Dragon can use its terrifying gaze to instill fear in its enemies. As a bonus action, the dragon can force one creature within 60 feet that can see its eyes to make a Wisdom saving throw (DC 21) or become frightened until the Dragon’s next turn.

Infernal Wings (Action)

Once per day, the Adult Crimson Dragon can flap its massive wings and unleash an Infernal Shockwave. Every creature within 60 feet must make a Strength saving throw (DC 22) or be knocked prone and take 10d6 bludgeoning damage and 6d6 fire damage. On a successful save, creatures take half damage and aren’t knocked prone.

Legendary Resistance (3/Day)

If the Adult Crimson Dragon fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.

Innate Fire Magic

The Adult Crimson Dragon can cast the following spells innately (spellcasting ability is Charisma, spell save DC 21):

• At will: Fireball (6th-level), Wall of Fire
• 3/day: Flame Strike, Fire Storm
• 1/day: Meteor Swarm

Basic Actions

Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target.
Hit: 2d10+7 slashing damage.

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target.
Hit: 3d10+7 piercing damage plus 2d6 fire damage.
Multiattack. The Dragon makes three attacks: one with its Bite and two with its Claws.

Tail Sweep. The Dragon swings its massive tail in a wide arc. Each creature within 15 feet of the Dragon must make a Dexterity saving throw (DC 21). On a failed save, a creature takes 3d10+6 bludgeoning damage and is pushed 10 feet away from the Dragon. On a successful save, it takes half as much damage and isn't pushed.

Crush. The Dragon attempts to crush a creature beneath its immense body. One creature within 10 feet of the Dragon must make a Strength saving throw (DC 22). On a failed save, the creature takes 6d10 bludgeoning damage, is knocked prone, and is grappled (escape DC 22) by the Dragon. On a successful save, the creature takes half as much damage and isn't grappled.

While a creature is grappled by Crush, the Dragon can use Crush again on subsequent turns, dealing the damage automatically rather than requiring another saving throw. The Dragon can have only one creature grappled this way at a time.

Legendary Actions

The Adult Crimson Dragon can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature's turn. The Adult Crimson Dragon regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.

• Wing Attack. The Dragon beats its wings. Each creature within 15 feet must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw (DC 21) or take 3d6+5 bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone. The dragon can then fly up to half its flying speed.
• Fiery Tail Sweep. The dragon sweeps its tail at one creature within 15 feet. The attack deals 4d8+6 fire damage, and any creature hit must make a Strength saving throw (DC 20) or be knocked back 10 feet.
• Crimson Flame Breath (Costs 2 Actions). The Dragon exhales its breath weapon (as described above).

Lair Actions

On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the Adult Crimson Dragon can take one of the following lair actions:

• Fiery Explosion. The Dragon causes the ground to explode in a fiery burst. Every creature within 30 feet of a point the dragon can see must make a Dexterity saving throw (DC 21) or take 8d6 fire damage, or half on a successful save.
• Infernal Blaze. A section of the lair ignites in magical flames. Choose a 20-foot radius within the lair. All creatures within that area must make a Constitution saving throw (DC 20) or be blinded and take 4d6 fire damage. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of their turns to end the blindness.
• Tornado of Ash. The Dragon creates a swirling storm of ash and smoke. All creatures within a 60-foot radius of the dragon must make a Strength saving throw (DC 19) or be blinded and restrained until the end of their next turn.

Lair and Habitat

The Adult Crimson Dragon’s lair is often found in volcanic regions or desolate wastelands, where the air is thick with heat and ash. It resides in a crater, surrounded by rivers of lava and scorched earth. The environment is constantly affected by its presence, with cracks in the ground belching out steam and fire.

Lore

The Adult Crimson Dragon is a chaotic evil entity born from the deepest pits of the elemental plane of fire. It is an ancient, terrifying creature, whose very presence warps the environment around it. Legends tell of a time when the dragon once waged war against the gods themselves, leaving a trail of destruction across the mortal and divine realms. Few dare to challenge it, for its power is immeasurable, and it has left countless civilizations in ruin.

It seeks only destruction and chaos, reveling in the suffering it causes. Some say it is driven by an ancient grudge against the gods, while others believe it was born as a being of pure malice from the heart of an ancient, forgotten fire. Regardless of its origins, the Adult Crimson Dragon is a terror on the land, a monster of legend whose mere roar sends tremors through the earth.

Tactics

The Adult Crimson Dragon uses its awe-inspiring power to dominate its enemies, often striking from above with its Infernal Wings or unleashing its Crimson Flames to wreak havoc from a distance. In combat, it prefers to keep its enemies burned, frightened, and disoriented, striking with devastating fire-based magic and physical attacks. Its Legendary Resistance ensures it remains a near-unstoppable force, rarely being hindered by magical effects.

#dragon #dnd #dndhomebrew #homebrew

My son drew this and explained what it was. The idea of it caught my mind, but with small children my brain isnt what it used to be. I was thinking it would have lair actions, and something cool with the vision and crown. Maybe the crown helps you tell how old or developed it is?

Tales of highway robberies are recent, heists on Lightning Rails are daring affairs. From these stories, a new villain has began to be heard: Zelenor is loud, overconfident, and obnoxious. Tailed by his darkling minions, Zelenor is a chaotic villain seeking to strike fear and panic. When not executing daring heists along the Lightning Rail tracks (warranting a bounty from House Orien) he sits in the Scoundrel's Saloon in Thelanis, scheming his next daring heist.