Medium monstrosity (yuan-ti), neutral evil
Armor Class 14 (natural armor)
Hit Points 71 (13d8 + 13)
Speed 30 ft.
Proficiency Bonus +2
Proficiency Bonus +6 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 (+3) | 14 (+2) | 13 (+1) | 14 (+2) | 14 (+2) | 16 (+3) |
Saving Throws Wis +4, Cha +5
Skills Deception +5, Stealth +4
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses darkvision 120 ft. (penetrates magical darkness), passive Perception 12
Languages Abyssal, Common, Draconic
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)
Shapechanger. The yuan-ti can use its action to polymorph into a Medium snake or back into its true form. Its statistics are the same in each form. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn’t transformed. If it dies, it stays in its current form.
Innate Spellcasting (Yuan-ti Form Only). The yuan-ti’s innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC l 3). The yuan-ti can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:
- At will: animal friendship (snakes only)
- 3/day: suggestion
Magic Resistance. The yuan-ti has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
Mind Fangs (2/Day). The first time the yuan-ti hits with a melee attack on its turn, it can deal an extra 16 (3d10) psychic damage to the target.
Spellcasting (Yuan-ti Form Only). The yuan-ti is a 6th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 13, +5 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): eldritch blast (range 300 ft., +3 bonus to each damage roll), friends, message, minor illusion, poison spray, prestidigitation
1st-3rd level (two 3rd-level slots): charm person, crown of madness, detect thoughts, expeditious retreat, fly, hypnotic pattern, illusory script
Sseth’s Blessing. When the yuan-ti reduces an enemy to 0 hit points, the yuan-ti gains 9 temporary hit points.
ACTIONS
- Multiattack (Yuan-ti Form Only). The yuan-ti makes one bite attack and one scimitar attack.
- Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) piercing damage plus 7 (2d6) poison damage.
- Scimitar (Yuan-ti Form Only). Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft.; one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) slashing 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
Yuan-Ti Mind Whisperer
The yuan-ti are a race of snake-like humanoids that worship ancient and evil serpent gods. Among them, the mind whisperers are a special type of malison, or half-blood, that have entered into a dark pact with Sseth, the Sibilant Death. They use their abilities to convert others to their faith, increase their personal power, and befuddle the minds of their enemies.
DESCRIPTION
Mind whisperers have a humanoid body and a serpentine head, with scales covering most of their skin. They have slit pupils, forked tongues, and venomous fangs. Their eyes are often yellow or green, and their scales can be of various colors, such as black, brown, red, or green. They wear no armor, but often adorn themselves with jewelry and symbols of Sseth.
Mind whisperers are elusive, manipulative, unpredictable, and willing to cheat or kill comrades and rivals alike if doing so benefits them. They are also cowards who tend to flee at the first sign of trouble. They have a high intelligence and a keen sense of deception. They are fluent in Abyssal, Common, and Draconic languages.
COMBAT
Mind whisperers are not skilled fighters, but they rely on their magic and cunning to overcome their foes. They wield scimitars in melee combat, and can also bite with their venomous fangs. They can cause psychic damage to their enemies by whispering dark secrets into their minds.
Mind whisperers are also adept spellcasters, thanks to their pact with Sseth. They can cast various spells that affect the mind, such as charm person, crown of madness, detect thoughts, hypnotic pattern, and suggestion. They can also cast eldritch blast, expeditious retreat, fly, illusory script, poison spray, and other spells that suit their needs. They can turn into a snake and back at will, and can communicate with snakes using animal friendship.
Mind whisperers are immune to poison and resistant to spells and other magical effects. They also have a blessing from Sseth that allows them to heal slightly whenever they kill or knock out an enemy.
HABITAT / SOCIETY
Mind whisperers are priests of Sseth, the yuan-ti god of chaos and destruction. They serve as his agents in the world, spreading his influence and corrupting others to his worship. They often act as intermediaries between different factions of yuan-ti, playing both sides for their own benefit. They also seek out ancient secrets and relics related to Sseth and his cult.
Mind whisperers are not loyal to anyone but themselves and Sseth. They will cheat or kill their allies and rivals alike if there is some advantage for doing so. They are always looking for opportunities to increase their power and status among the yuan-ti. They have no qualms about sacrificing others for their own gain.
ECOLOGY
Mind whisperers are carnivorous creatures that prefer to eat fresh meat. They often hunt or enslave other humanoids for food or sacrifice. They also have a taste for snakes, which they consider sacred animals.
Mind whisperers are not natural creatures, but the result of a twisted experiment by the yuan-ti abominations. They were created by infusing malisons with the essence of Sseth, granting them his power and madness. They are considered heretics by some yuan-ti factions that follow other serpent gods.
Mind whisperers have a lifespan similar to humans, but they can extend it by using magic or consuming the blood of their enemies. They can reproduce with other yuan-ti or humanoids, but their offspring are usually malisons or purebloods.