Medium humanoid (kuo-toa), neutral evil
Armor Class 13 (natural armor)
Hit Points 97 (13d8 + 39)
Speed 30 ft., swim 30 ft.
Proficiency Bonus +3
Proficiency Bonus +6 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 (+3) | 14 (+2) | 16 (+3) | 13 (+1) | 16 (+3) | 14 (+2) |
Skills Perception +9, Religion +6
Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 19
Languages Undercommon
Challenge 6 (2,300 XP)
Amphibious. The kuo-toa can breathe air and water.
Otherworldly Perception. The kuo-toa can sense the presence of any creature within 30 feet of it that is invisible or on the Ethereal Plane. It can pinpoint such a creature that is moving.
Slippery. The kuo-toa has advantage on ability checks and saving throws made to escape a grapple.
Sunlight Sensitivity. While in sunlight, the kuo-toa has disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.
Spellcasting. The kuo-toa is a 10th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell save DC 14, +6 to hit with spell attacks). The kuo-toa has the following cleric spells prepared:
- Cantrips (at will): guidance, sacred flame, thaumaturgy
- 1st level (4 slots): detect magic, sanctuary, shield of faith
- 2nd level (3 slots): hold person, spiritual weapon
- 3rd level (3 slots): spirit guardians, tongues
- 4th level (3 slots): control water, divination
- 5th level (2 slots): mass cure wounds, scrying
ACTIONS
- Multiattack. The kuo-toa makes two melee attacks.
- Scepter. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) bludgeoning damage plus 14 (4d6) lightning damage.
- Unarmed Strike. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) bludgeoning damage.
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 Kuo-Toa Archpriest is a leader of a debased, piscine race of warm-blooded and amphibious creatures that dwell in the Underdark. They are also known as gogglers and men-fish, and they speak Undercommon. The Kuo-Toa Archpriest has a fish-like appearance, with scales, webbed fingers and toes, and bulbous eyes. They wear robes and carry a scepter that can emit lightning. They are fanatical worshippers of their god, Blibdoolpoolp, the Sea Mother, and they have the ability to create new deities with their collective belief. They are also skilled spellcasters, using their divine magic to manipulate water, heal wounds, and scry on their enemies.
COMBAT
The Kuo-Toa Archpriest is a formidable opponent in combat, using their spells and scepter to inflict damage and control the battlefield. They can cast spells such as spirit guardians, control water, and mass cure wounds, as well as cantrips like sacred flame and thaumaturgy. Their scepter can deal bludgeoning and lightning damage with a single strike, and their unarmed attacks are also powerful. They are amphibious, meaning they can breathe air and water, and they have darkvision up to 120 feet. They also have otherworldly perception, which allows them to sense invisible or ethereal creatures within 30 feet. They are slippery, having advantage on escaping grapples, but they are also sensitive to sunlight, which gives them disadvantage on attack rolls and perception checks that rely on sight.
HABITAT / SOCIETY
The Kuo-Toa Archpriest lives in the Underdark, in subterranean lakes or rivers. They lead a community of kuo-toas, who are organized into clans or tribes. They are devoted to their god, Blibdoolpoolp, who is represented by a female lobster head with tentacles. They build shrines and temples for her, and offer sacrifices of fish or other creatures. They also have the power to create new gods with their collective belief, such as the Sea Spawn or the Deep Father. The Kuo-Toa Archpriest is the highest authority in their society, acting as both a spiritual and a political leader. They are revered by their followers, who obey their commands without question. The Kuo-Toa Archpriest is often paranoid and delusional, believing that they are in constant danger from enemies above or below.
ECOLOGY
The Kuo-Toa Archpriest is a humanoid creature that feeds on fish and other aquatic animals. They are warm-blooded and amphibious, meaning they can survive in both land and water environments. They reproduce by laying eggs in underwater nests, which are guarded by the males. The eggs hatch after a few months, producing young kuo-toas that mature after a few years. The Kuo-Toa Archpriest has a lifespan of about 50 years. They are hostile to most other races, especially surface dwellers who threaten their god or their territory. They sometimes ally with other Underdark creatures, such as aboleths or mind flayers, for mutual benefit or protection. They are also enemies of the drow, who often enslave or exterminate them.