Medium aberration (neogi), lawful evil
Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 71 (11d8 + 22)
Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft.
Proficiency Bonus +2
Proficiency Bonus +5 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (-2) | 16 (+3) | 14 (+2) | 16 (+3) | 12 (+1) | 18 (+4) |
Damage Immunities (suggested) Bludgeoning
Saving Throws Wis +3
Skills Arcana +5, Deception +6, Intimidation +6, Perception +3, Persuasion +6
Senses darkvision 120 ft. (penetrates magical darkness), passive Perception 13
Languages Common, Deep Speech, Undercommon, telepathy 30 ft.
Challenge 4 (1100 XP)
Digestion (suggested). A Great Old Master inflicts 1d12 points of damage per round to any creature it is fed.
Mental Fortitude. The neogi has advantage on saving throws against being charmed or frightened, and magic can’t put the neogi to sleep.
Release Neogi Hatchling (suggested). Anytime it is wounded, the Neogi Master releases 2d4 Neogi Hatchling from its brood (2d4 x 5). Each neogi so released has a 25% chance of being a full grown Neogi.
Spellcasting. The neogi is a 7th-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): eldritch blast (range 300 ft., +4 bonus to each damage roll), guidance, mage hand, minor illusion, prestidigitation, vicious mockery
- 1st-4th level (two 4th-level slots): arms of Hadar, counterspell, dimension door, fear, hold person, hunger of Hadar, invisibility, unseen servant
Spider Climb. The neogi can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.
ACTIONS
- Multiattack. The neogi makes two attacks: one with its bite and one with its claws.
- Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) piercing damage plus 14 (4d6) poison damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or become poisoned for 1 minute. A target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
- Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (2d4 + 3) piercing damage.
- Enslave (Recharges after a Short or Long Rest). The neogi targets one creature it can see within 30 feet of it. The target must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or be magically charmed by the neogi for 1 day, or until the neogi dies or is more than 1 mile from the target. The charmed target obeys the neogi’s commands and can’t take reactions, and the neogi and the target can communicate telepath ically with each other at a distance of up to 1 mile. Whenever the charmed target takes damage, it can 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
Neogi Masters are the leaders of the neogi, a race of spider-like aberrations that are ruthless, xenophobic slavers and plunderers. Neogi Masters have a head with reflective eyes that sits upon a long eel-like neck, and a hairy flattened abdomen with eight spider legs. They are medium-sized creatures, unlike their smaller adult and hatchling kin. They frequently dye their fur and tattoo their bodies, either as decoration or as symbols of family and rank. Neogi Masters have the innate ability to control other individuals through telepathy, and they consider mind control to be entirely normal and appropriate. They do not comprehend the basic aspects of social relationships of other humanoids and operate on the assumption that individuals are always the property of others. Neogi Masters are also capable of casting spells, which they use to enhance their domination over others or to protect themselves from harm.
COMBAT
Neogi Masters are cunning and devious combatants, who prefer to avoid direct confrontation unless they have a clear advantage. They use their telepathy to communicate with their allies and slaves, and to manipulate or enslave their enemies. They also use their spells to immobilize, charm, or frighten their foes, or to shield themselves from attacks. Neogi Masters are not very physically strong, but they have a venomous bite and sharp claws that can inflict considerable damage. They also have a natural armor that protects them from some harm. Neogi Masters are immune to being charmed or frightened by magic, and they can see in the dark even through magical darkness. Neogi Masters are loyal to their own kind, but they will not hesitate to sacrifice their slaves or allies if it means saving themselves.
HABITAT / SOCIETY
Neogi Masters live in hierarchical societies, where each neogi is the property of another neogi of higher rank. The highest-ranking neogi is the Great Old Master, a huge and ancient neogi that is revered as a god by its followers. The Great Old Master has many neogi masters under its control, who in turn have many adult neogi and hatchlings as their slaves. Neogi Masters also own other creatures as slaves, such as umber hulks, ogres, orcs, goblins, humans, elves, dwarves, and even dragons. Neogi Masters treat their slaves as disposable commodities, and they often abuse them physically and mentally. Neogi Masters are also traders, who travel across different planes and worlds in search of rare and precious goods. They use their ships, called deathspiders, to transport their slaves and merchandise. They also use their ships as weapons, ramming them into other vessels or unleashing their slaves upon them. Neogi Masters only trade with other races if they cannot get what they want by force or deception. They are extremely greedy and ruthless in their dealings, and they will not hesitate to betray or enslave their patrons.
ECOLOGY
Neogi Masters are carnivorous creatures, who feed on the flesh of their slaves or enemies. They also consume a substance called spice, which is extracted from the brains of intelligent creatures. Spice enhances the neogi’s telepathy and gives them a euphoric sensation, but it also makes them addicted and paranoid. Neogi Masters reproduce by laying eggs in the bodies of living hosts, usually their slaves or enemies. The eggs hatch after a few weeks, killing the host and releasing dozens of neogi hatchlings. The hatchlings then fight among themselves for survival, until only a few remain. The survivors then become the property of the neogi master who laid the eggs. Neogi Masters have a lifespan of about 45 years, but they can extend it by consuming more spice or by transferring their minds into younger bodies through magic.