Medium monstrosity (yuan-ti), neutral evil
Armor Class 14 (natural armor)
Hit Points 45 (7d8 + 14)
Speed 30 ft.
Proficiency Bonus +2
Proficiency Bonus +4 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 (+2) | 14 (+2) | 14 (+2) | 6 (-2) | 11 (+0) | 4 (-3) |
Saving Throws Str +4, Dex +4, Wis +2
Skills Perception +2
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages Abyssal, Common, Draconic
Challenge 2 (450 XP)
Mental Resistance. The broodguard has advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t paralyze it.
Reckless. At the start of its turn, the broodguard can gain advantage on all melee weapon attack rolls it makes during that turn, but attack rolls against it have advantage until the start of its next turn.
ACTIONS
- Multiattack. The broodguard makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws.
- Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d8 + 2) piercing damage.
- Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft ., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) slashing damage.
5th Edition Advanced Mode
Limiting the power of a character and making the overall difficulty of the game harder, does not reduce the creativity, indeed it does quite the opposite.
The Game Master has the option to use any and all of the instances proposed in this guide, or just some of them according to their preference.
It is the lack of something that move and motivate characters, not the abundance of it
DESCRIPTION
A Yuan-Ti Broodguard is a humanoid creature that has been transformed into a reptilian slave by the Yuan-Ti, a race of snake-like beings. The transformation process warps not only a subject’s body but also its mind, making it instinctively obey any Yuan-Ti and filling it with a seething rage that rises at the sight of non-reptilian creatures. A Broodguard is hairless and emaciated, with yellow-green, scaly skin. It has beady, bloodshot eyes and a forked tongue, and smells faintly of rotting meat. Broodguards can speak but rarely do so, preferring to use snake-like hisses and guttural noises. They have no sense of self or individuality, and only serve their Yuan-Ti masters.
COMBAT
Broodguards are fierce and mindless fighters, who attack any non-reptilian creature on sight. They use their claws and fangs as weapons, and do not wear any armor or use any tools. They are immune to poison and charm effects, but have no magical abilities of their own. Once per day, a Broodguard can enter a berserk state, increasing its strength and ferocity in battle. Broodguards fight to the death to protect their Yuan-Ti masters or the eggs they are assigned to tend.
HABITAT / SOCIETY
Broodguards are among the lowest castes in Yuan-Ti society, and are treated as mere slaves and tools. Their purpose is to defend eggs and hatchlings within brood chambers, where they also perform basic tasks such as moving eggs or caring for young. They are also assigned other duties when required, such as guarding prisoners or hunting for food. Broodguards have no culture or social structure of their own, and do not interact with each other unless ordered to do so by their Yuan-Ti masters. The Yuan-Ti refer to Broodguards as “histachii,” which means “egg-watchers.”
ECOLOGY
Broodguards are created by the failed transformation of human prisoners into Tainted Ones by the Yuan-Ti. The transformation process involves forcing the prisoners to drink a special concoction brewed from Yuan-Ti venom and a specific mix of herbs and roots. The concoction alters the prisoners’ physiology and psychology, turning them into reptilian hybrids. However, some prisoners are unable to withstand the transformation, and become Broodguards instead. Broodguards have a lifespan of about 80 years, but rarely live that long due to their harsh conditions and constant dangers.