Small monstrosity, unaligned
Armor Class 11
Hit Points 22 (5d6 + 5)
Speed 10 ft., fly 30 ft.
Proficiency Bonus +2
Proficiency Bonus +3 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 (+3) | 12 (+1) | 13 (+1) | 2 (-4) | 10 (+0) | 5 (-3) |
Saving Throws (suggested) Str +5
Skills Stealth +3
Senses blindsight 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages —
Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)
Echolocation. The darkmantle can’t use its blindsight while deafened.
False Appearance. While the darkmantle remains motionless, it is indistinguishable from a cave formation such as a stalactite or stalagmite.
ACTIONS
- Crush. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) bludgeoning damage, and the darkmantle attaches to the target. If the target is Medium or smaller and the darkmantle has advantage on the attack roll, it attaches by engulfing the target’s head, and the target is also blinded and unable to breathe while the darkmantle is attached in this way. While attached to the target, the darkmantle can attack no other creature except the target but has advantage on its attack rolls. The darkmantle’s speed also becomes 0, it can’t benefit from any bonus to its speed, and it moves with the target. A creature can detach the darkmantle by making a successful DC 13 Strength check as an action. On its turn, the darkmantle can detach itself from the target by using 5 feet of movement.
- Darkness Aura (1/Day). A 15-foot radius of magical darkness extends out from the darkmantle, moves with it, and spreads around corners. The darkness lasts as long as the darkmantle maintains concentration, up to 10 minutes (as if concentrating on a spell). Darkvision can’t penetrate this darkness, and no natural light can illuminate it. If any of the darkness overlaps with an area of light created by a spell of 2nd level or lower, the spell creating the light is dispelled.
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 darkmantle is a small, squid-like creature that lives in dark caves and caverns. It has a bulbous body, eight tentacles, and a single eye. Its skin is mottled gray and black, allowing it to blend in with the rocky surroundings. A darkmantle can fold its tentacles over its body, making it look like a stalactite or stalagmite. It uses this camouflage to ambush unsuspecting prey that wanders into its lair.
COMBAT
A darkmantle attacks by dropping from the ceiling and wrapping its tentacles around the head of its victim. It then squeezes and crushes the target, while also preventing it from breathing or seeing. A darkmantle can also create a sphere of magical darkness around itself, which blocks out any light and makes it harder for enemies to locate it. A darkmantle can sense its surroundings using echolocation, but it is vulnerable to loud noises that can deafen it.
HABITAT / SOCIETY
A darkmantle prefers to live in deep, dark places where it can hunt without being disturbed. It is not very intelligent, and it acts mostly on instinct. It does not have any social structure or culture, and it is usually solitary or found in small groups. A darkmantle does not have any natural allies or enemies, but it will attack anything that moves or makes noise in its territory.
ECOLOGY
A darkmantle is a carnivore that feeds on bats, rats, insects, and other small creatures that live in caves. It will also attack larger prey, such as humans, dwarves, or goblins, if it is hungry or provoked. A darkmantle reproduces by laying eggs in crevices or cracks in the rock. The eggs hatch after a few weeks, and the young darkmantles are able to fend for themselves from birth. A darkmantle can live for up to 10 years in the wild.
Darkmantle is employed as material component to empower the following spells: