DROW SHADOWBLADE – 5e stats

Medium humanoid (elf), neutral evil

Armor Class 17 (studded leather)
Hit Points 150 (20d8 + 60)
Speed 30 ft.

Proficiency Bonus +4
Proficiency Bonus +8 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
14 (+2)	21 (+5)	16 (+3)	12 (+1)	14 (+3)	13 (+1)

Saving Throws Dex +9, Con +7, Wis +6
Skills Perception +6, Stealth +9
Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 16
Languages Elvish, Undercommon
Challenge 11 (7200 XP)

Fey Ancestry. The drow has advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put the drow to sleep.

Innate Spellcasting. The drow’s innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 13). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:

• At will: dancing lights
• 1/day each: darkness, faerie fire, levitate (self only)

Shadow Step. While in dim light or darkness, the drow can teleport as a bonus action up to 60 feet to an unoccupied space it can see that is also in dim light or darkness. It then has advantage on the first melee attack it makes before the end of the turn.

Sunlight Sensitivity. While in sunlight, the drow has disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.

ACTIONS

• Multiattack. The drow makes two attacks with its shadow sword. If either attack hits and the target is within 10 feet of a 5-foot cube of darkness created by the shadow sword on a previous turn, the drow can dismiss that darkness and cause the target to take 21 (6d6) necrotic damage. The drow can dismiss darkness in this way no more than once per turn.
• Shadow Sword. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d6 + 5) piercing damage plus 10 (3d6) necrotic damage and 10 (3d6) poison damage. The drow can then fill an unoccupied 5-foot cube within 5 feet of the target with magical darkness, which remains for 1 minute.
• Hand Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, range 30/120 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d6 + 5) piercing damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned for 1 hour. If the saving throw fails by 5 or more, the target is also unconscious while poisoned in th is way. The target regains consciousness if it takes damage or if another creature takes an action to shake it.

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DESCRIPTION

Drow shadowblades are elite assassins and spies who serve the dark elves of the Underdark. They are masters of stealth and shadow magic, using their innate abilities and a special sword to create and manipulate darkness. They wear studded leather armor that blends with the gloom, and often cover their faces with masks or hoods. They have the typical features of drow: dark skin, white hair, and red eyes. They are agile and cunning, striking from the shadows with deadly precision.

COMBAT

Drow shadowblades are formidable foes in combat, especially in dim light or darkness. They use their shadow step ability to teleport between patches of shadow, gaining advantage on their first melee attack after each teleport. They wield a shadow sword, a weapon made of solidified gloom that deals psychic damage and can create a cube of darkness around its target. The drow can then dismiss the darkness to inflict additional necrotic damage on the target.

Drow shadowblades also have innate spellcasting abilities, allowing them to cast spells such as darkness, faerie fire, levitate, and web. They can also summon demons to aid them in battle, usually choosing alkiliths, balors, or yochlols. However, they have no control over the summoned demons, and must rely on their charm or intimidation skills to persuade them to cooperate.

Drow shadowblades are vulnerable to sunlight, which impairs their vision and their attacks. They also have a strong aversion to fire, which can dispel their darkness and expose them to their enemies. They prefer to avoid direct confrontation, using their stealth and deception skills to ambush, harass, or escape from their foes.

HABITAT / SOCIETY

Drow shadowblades live in the Underdark, the vast network of caverns and tunnels beneath the surface world. They are loyal to their noble houses, which are constantly vying for power and influence among the drow society. Drow shadowblades are often hired by their houses to perform tasks such as assassination, espionage, sabotage, or infiltration. They are also sent on missions involving demons, either to summon them for their house’s benefit or to eliminate them for their house’s rivals.

Drow shadowblades are secretive and solitary by nature, rarely forming bonds with other drow or creatures. They value their skills and reputation above all else, and will not hesitate to eliminate anyone who threatens or challenges them. They are also arrogant and cruel, enjoying the suffering of their victims and the fear of their enemies. They have no qualms about betraying or killing their allies if it suits their interests.

ECOLOGY

Drow shadowblades are part of the complex ecology of the Underdark, where they prey on or compete with other creatures for resources and territory. They are often in conflict with other races that inhabit the Underdark, such as duergar, svirfneblin, illithids, beholders, or aboleths. They also have a tense relationship with other drow factions, such as the followers of Eilistraee or Vhaeraun.

Drow shadowblades have a symbiotic connection with their shadow swords, which are extensions of their own shadow magic. The swords feed on the life force of their victims, which in turn fuels the drow’s abilities. The swords also grant the drow a measure of protection from other sources of darkness or shadow magic.

Drow shadowblades have a lifespan similar to other elves, but they rarely live long enough to reach old age. They often die by violence or treachery at the hands of their enemies or rivals. Some drow shadowblades seek immortality through pacts with demons or other dark powers, but this usually comes at a high price.