Medium humanoid (dwarf), lawful evil
Armor Class 16 (scale mail, shield)
Hit Points 26 (4d8 + 8)
Speed 25 ft.
Proficiency Bonus +2
Proficiency Bonus +3 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 (+2) | 11 (+0) | 14 (+2) | 11 (+0) | 10 (+0) | 9 (-1) |
Damage Resistances poison
Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages Dwarvish, Undercommon
Challenge 2 (450 XP)
Cavalry Training. When the duergar hits a target with a melee attack while mounted on a female steeder, the steed er can make one melee attack against the same target as a reaction.
Duergar Resilience. The duergar has advantage on saving throws against poison, spells, and illusions, as well as to resist being charmed or paralyzed.
Sunlight Sensitivity. While in sunlight, the duergar has disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.
ACTIONS
- Multiattack. The duergar makes two war pick attacks.
- War Pick. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d8 + 2) piercing damage plus 5 (2d4) poison damage.
- Heavy Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, range 100/400 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d10) piercing damage.
- Shared Invisibility (Recharges after a Short or Long Rest). The duergar magically turns invisible for up to l hour or until it attacks, it cast s a spell, or its concentration is broken (as if concentrating on a spell). Any equipment the duergar wears or carries is invisible with it. While the invisible duergar is mounted on a female steeder, the steeder is invisible as well. The invisibility ends early on the steeder immediately after it attacks.
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
The duergar kavalrachni are the elite cavalry of the duergar, a race of gray-skinned, evil dwarves that dwell in the Underdark. The kavalrachni ride atop giant spiders called female steeders, which are native to the dark depths of the world. The kavalrachni are trained to fight in coordination with their mounts, using their war picks and heavy crossbows to strike at their enemies. The kavalrachni are loyal to their clan and their city, and will defend them with their lives.
COMBAT
The duergar kavalrachni are formidable foes in combat, especially when they have the advantage of surprise or darkness. They use their innate ability to turn invisible, along with their steeders, to ambush their enemies or escape from danger. They also have the ability to enlarge themselves, increasing their strength and reach. The kavalrachni are skilled at using their war picks to pierce armor and flesh, and their crossbows to fire bolts coated with poison. The kavalrachni’s steeders can also attack with their fangs or their legs, delivering more poison or crushing blows.
The kavalrachni are resilient to poison, spells, and illusions, and can resist being charmed or paralyzed. However, they are vulnerable to sunlight, which impairs their vision and their accuracy. They also tend to be arrogant and overconfident, which can lead them to underestimate their opponents or make rash decisions.
HABITAT / SOCIETY
The duergar kavalrachni are mostly found in the city of Gracklstugh, the largest duergar settlement in the Underdark. Gracklstugh is ruled by a king, who is advised by a council of clan elders. The kavalrachni are part of the city’s military force, along with the infantry, the artillery, and the navy. The kavalrachni are mainly composed of members of Clan Xundom, one of the most powerful and influential clans in Gracklstugh. The kavalrachni are respected and feared by other duergar, as well as by other races of the Underdark.
The kavalrachni have a strong bond with their steeders, which they raise and train from birth. It takes over four years to train a steeder to respond fully to its rider, so the kavalrachni are relatively rare. The kavalrachni treat their steeders as companions and allies, rather than as mere beasts of burden. The kavalrachni also have a sense of honor and pride, and will not hesitate to challenge anyone who insults them or their mounts.
ECOLOGY
The duergar kavalrachni are part of the complex ecology of the Underdark, a vast network of caverns and tunnels that lies beneath the surface of the world. The Underdark is home to many strange and dangerous creatures, some of which are preyed upon by the kavalrachni and their steeders. The kavalrachni also hunt for food, resources, and slaves for their city. The kavalrachni often clash with other races of the Underdark, such as drow, svirfneblin, illithids, and beholders. The kavalrachni also have a long-standing rivalry with the surface dwarves, whom they despise as weaklings and traitors.
The duergar kavalrachni have a low reproductive rate, as they value quality over quantity. They mate for life, and only produce one or two offspring in their lifetime. The kavalrachni children are raised by both parents, who teach them the skills and traditions of their clan and profession. The kavalrachni have a lifespan similar to that of other dwarves, around 250 years.
The duergar kavalrachni have a minimal impact on the environment, as they do not alter or destroy it for their own purposes. They respect the natural order of things, and only take what they need from it. They also have a sense of balance and harmony with their steeders, who share a similar outlook on life.