Medium fey, chaotic neutral
Armor Class 15 (studded leather)
Hit Points 27 (5d8 + 5)
Speed 30 ft.
Proficiency Bonus +2
Proficiency Bonus +3 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 (+1) | 17 (+3) | 12 (+1) | 10 (+0) | 14 (+2) | 13 (+1) |
Saving Throws (suggested) Wis +4, Cha +3
Skills Acrobatics +5, Deception +3, Perception +6, Stealth +7
Senses blindsight 30 ft., darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 16
Languages Elvish, Sylvan
Challenge 2 (450 XP)
Ambusher (suggested). The darkling elder has advantage on Stealth skill check.
Death Burn. When the darkling elder dies, magical light flashes out from it in a 10-foot radius as its body and possessions, other than metal or magic objects, burn to ash. Any creature in that area must make a DC 11 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, the creature takes 7 (2d6) radiant damage and, if the creature can see the light, is blinded until the end of its next turn. If the saving throw is successful, the creature takes half the damage and isn’t blinded.
Foreseeing (suggested). The darkling elder can predict what is about to happen. The darkling is always successful on Dexterity saving throws and has advantage on ranged weapon attacks.
Light Sensitivity. While in bright light, the darkling has disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.
ACTIONS
- Multiattack. The darkling elder makes two melee attacks.
- Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) piercing damage. If the darkling elder had advantage on the attack roll, the attack deals an extra 10 (3d6) piercing damage.
- Darkness (Recharges after a Short or Long Rest). The darkling elder casts darkness without any components. Wisdom is its spellcasting ability.
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 darkling elder is a slender and graceful fey creature that has undergone a ritual to transform from a darkling, a small and mischievous being that lives in the shadows. A darkling elder is taller and more elf-like than a darkling, with glowing tattoos on its skin that channel away some of the light that the darkling has absorbed over its lifetime. The ritual extends the darkling’s lifespan, but at a cost: every exposure to light brings it closer to its demise. A darkling elder has a fondness for art and beauty, but also a fear of light, which ages and eventually kills it; therefore, it seeks to collect and create beautiful objects, but also conceals and protects them from prying eyes.
The tattoos also grant the darkling elder various abilities, such as:
- A tattoo of a moon on the forehead, which grants the ability to see in the dark and sense the phases of the moon.
- A tattoo of a spider on the chest, which grants the ability to spin webs and climb on walls.
- A tattoo of a raven on the shoulder, which grants the ability to communicate with birds and fly for short distances.
- A tattoo of a skull on the back, which grants the ability to cause fear and resist necrotic damage.
- A tattoo of a rose on the wrist, which grants the ability to charm and heal.
COMBAT
A darkling elder is a cunning and agile fighter, wielding its shortsword or scimitar to strike at its enemies. It can also cast spells such as darkness, faerie fire, and misty step to create confusion and flee. A darkling elder has advantage on attack rolls in dim light or darkness, and can deal an additional 2d6 psychic damage if it has advantage on the attack roll. When a darkling elder dies, it releases a flash of light that blinds and damages nearby creatures — a stark contrast to its fear of light.
HABITAT / SOCIETY
A darkling elder lives in secluded places where light is scarce, such as caves, forests, or ruins. It often leads a group of darklings, who respect and admire its wisdom and power. It uses telepathy to convey its orders and secrets to its loyal darklings. A darkling elder may ally with other fey or creatures of the night, but also avoids contact with most other races. Additionally, it may seek to break its curse or embrace its fate, depending on its personality and goals.
ECOLOGY
A darkling elder is a rare and mysterious creature that has a complex relationship with light. It is cursed by an ancient elven deity who was angered by their theft of his sacred relics to absorb and contain all light that touches its skin, which causes it to age faster and eventually die in a burst of light. However, it also craves the beauty and warmth of light, which fills it with both joy and sorrow; this inspires its artistic endeavors, which range from paintings to sculptures. A darkling elder is a paradoxical being that lives between darkness and light.