Medium undead, neutral evil
Armor Class 13 (16 with mage armor)
Hit Points 110 (20d8 + 20)
Speed 30 ft.
Proficiency Bonus +3
Proficiency Bonus +8 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 (+0) | 16 (+3) | 12 (+1) | 15 (+2) | 12 (+1) | 17 (+3) |
Saving Throws Int +5, Cha +6
Skills Arcana +5, History +5, Perception +4
Damage Resistances necrotic; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks that aren’t silvered
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned
Senses darkvision 120 ft. (including magical darkness), passive Perception 14
Languages the languages it knew in life
Challenge 8 (3,900 XP)
Innate Spellcasting. The deathlock’s innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 14). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:
- At will: detect magic, disguise self, mage armor
Spellcasting. The deathlock is a 10th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 14, +6 to hit with spell attacks). It regains its expended spell slots when it finishes a short or long rest. It knows the following warlock spells:
- Cantrips (at will): chill touch, mage hand, minor illusion, poison spray
- 5th level (2 slots): arms of Hadar, blight, counterspell, crown of madness, darkness, dimension door, dispel magic, fly, hold monster, invisibility
Turn Resistance. The deathlock has advantage on saving throws against any effect that turns undead.
ACTIONS
- Deathly Claw Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (3d6 + 3 necrotic damage).
- Grave Bolts Ranged Spell Attack: +6 to hit, range 120 ft., one or two targets. Hit: 18 (4d8) necrotic damage. If the target is Large or smaller, it must succeed on a DC 16 Strength saving throw or become restrained as shadowy tendrils wrap around it for 1 minute. A restrained target can use its action to repeat the saving throw, ending the effect on itself on a success.
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 deathlock mastermind is a type of undead spellcaster that is bound to serve a master, usually an evil patron or a necromancer. A deathlock mastermind was once a living warlock who failed to fulfill their part of a pact with their patron, and was reanimated as a punishment and a tool. Though deathlocks exist to serve their patrons, they retain some freedom when it comes to devising tactics and carrying out plans. Powerful deathlocks recruit lesser creatures to help them carry out their missions, becoming the masterminds behind vast conspiracies and intrigues that culminate in the accomplishment of great acts of evil. A deathlock mastermind retains some of the abilities and memories of its former life, but has no free will or personality of its own. A deathlock mastermind’s appearance varies depending on the nature of its patron and the circumstances of its death, but it is usually a decayed and twisted version of its former self, with glowing eyes and dark energy crackling around it. It is often dressed in tattered robes, and usually carries a staff.
COMBAT
A deathlock mastermind is a formidable opponent in combat, as it can use its innate spellcasting ability to unleash various necrotic and eldritch attacks. A deathlock mastermind can cast spells through Charisma, and has access to spells such as arms of Hadar, blight, counterspell, crown of madness, darkness, dimension door, dispel magic, fly, hold monster, invisibility, and more. A deathlock mastermind can also use its deathly claw or grave bolts attacks to deal necrotic damage to its enemies. A grave bolt can restrain a target with shadowy tendrils for a short time. A deathlock mastermind is resistant to necrotic damage and nonmagical weapons that are not silvered, and immune to poison and exhaustion. A deathlock mastermind has advantage on saving throws against any effect that turns undead, and does not require air, food, drink, or sleep.
HABITAT / SOCIETY
A deathlock mastermind does not have a habitat or society of its own, as it is completely loyal and obedient to its master. A deathlock mastermind can be found anywhere its master sends it, usually on missions that involve killing, spying, or sabotaging. A deathlock mastermind does not interact with other creatures unless ordered to do so, and has no emotions or desires. A deathlock mastermind can understand the languages it knew in life, but rarely speaks unless commanded. A deathlock mastermind can sometimes be accompanied by other undead minions or allies of its master.
ECOLOGY
A deathlock mastermind is an unnatural creature that disrupts the balance of life and death. A deathlock mastermind does not have a soul or a connection to the positive or negative energy planes, but rather draws its power from its patron. A deathlock mastermind does not reproduce or create more of its kind, but can be created by powerful patrons or necromancers who have access to the secrets of undeath. A deathlock mastermind can be destroyed by destroying its body or severing its link to its patron. A deathlock mastermind does not leave any remains or traces behind when it is destroyed.