Medium monstrosity (yuan-ti), neutral evil
Armor Class 14 (natural armor)
Hit Points 88 (16d8 + 16)
Speed 30 ft.
Proficiency Bonus +3
Proficiency Bonus +7 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 (+3) | 14 (+2) | 13 (+1) | 14 (+2) | 12 (+1) | 16 (+3) |
Saving Throws Wis +3, Cha +5
Skills Deception +5, Stealth +4
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses darkvision 120 ft. (penetrates magical darkness), passive Perception 11
Languages Abyssal, Common, Draconic
Challenge 5 (1,800 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. It doesn’t change form if it dies.
Innate Spellcasting (Yuan-ti Form Only). The yuan-ti’s innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 13). 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.
Poison’s Disciple (2/Day). The first time the yuan-ti hits with a melee attack on its turn, it can deal an extra 16 (3d10) poison 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, guidance, mage hand, message, poison spray
- 1st-3rd level (two 3rd-level slots): command, counterspell, hellish rebuke, invisibility, misty step, unseen servant, vampiric touch
ACTIONS
- Multiattack (Yuan-ti Form Only). The yuan-ti makes two bite attacks using its snake arms.
- Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) piercing damage plus 7 (2d6) poison damage.
- Merrshaulk’s Slumber (1/Day). The yuan-ti targets up to five creatures that it can see within 60 feet of it. Each target must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or fall into a magical sleep and be unconscious for 10 minutes. A sleeping target awakens if it takes damage or if someone uses an action to shake or slap tt awake. This magical sleep has no effect on a creature immune to being charmed.
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 Pit Master
The yuan-ti are a race of snake-like humanoids that worship ancient and evil serpent gods. They are cunning, ruthless, and ambitious, seeking to dominate the world and enslave other races. Among the yuan-ti, there are different subraces that vary in their degree of snake-like features. The pit masters are one of the most powerful and respected subraces of the yuan-ti, as they are priests of the god Merrshaulk and have made a pact with him to awaken him from his slumber.
DESCRIPTION
A yuan-ti pit master has a mostly humanoid body, but with many snake-like tentacles in place of arms. These tentacles can be used to manipulate objects, cast spells, or deliver venomous bites. A pit master’s skin is scaly and mottled, ranging from green to brown to black. Their eyes are slit-pupiled and glow with a sinister intelligence. A pit master can change its shape into a medium-sized snake or back into its true form at will, retaining its abilities in either form.
COMBAT
A yuan-ti pit master is a formidable opponent in combat, as it combines physical prowess, magical resistance, and spellcasting ability. A pit master does not use weapons or armor, relying on its natural defenses and attacks. A pit master can bite with its snake-like tentacles, injecting a potent poison into its enemies. It can also enhance its attacks with a special ability called poison’s disciple, which allows it to deal extra poison damage twice per day.
A pit master is also adept at casting spells, both innate and learned. It can cast animal friendship at will and suggestion three times per day without any components. It also knows several cantrips and spells that it can cast using spell slots, such as eldritch blast, friends, guidance, mage hand, message, poison spray, command, counterspell, hellish rebuke, invisibility, misty step, unseen servant, and vampiric touch. A pit master has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects, thanks to its magic resistance.
Additionally, once per day a pit master can use a powerful ability called sleep of Merrshaulk, which causes five creatures within 60 feet of it that it can see to fall into a magical sleep for 10 minutes. This ability can be used to incapacitate enemies or allies alike, as the pit master sees fit.
HABITAT / SOCIETY
Yuan-ti pit masters are priests of the ancient yuan-ti god Merrshaulk, who is said to be sleeping in a hidden temple somewhere in the world. The pit masters seek to rouse him from his slumber by sacrificing humanoids to him and performing rituals in his name. They are also heavily involved in the long-term plans of the yuan-ti to take over humanoid governments and infiltrate their societies. They are the most traditionalist and conservative among the yuan-ti, preferring a slow and cautious approach in all matters. They oppose any reckless or radical behavior that might jeopardize their goals or expose their secrets.
Pit masters are respected and feared by other yuan-ti, as they have access to powerful magic and divine favor. They often serve as leaders or advisors in yuan-ti communities, directing their activities and enforcing their laws. They also act as mediators between different factions or subraces of yuan-ti, ensuring that they work together for the common good of their race.
ECOLOGY
Yuan-ti pit masters are monstrosities that have been corrupted by their serpent gods and their dark magic. They have lost most of their humanity and empathy, becoming cold-blooded and ruthless predators. They view other races as inferior and potential prey or slaves. They have no qualms about killing or torturing anyone who stands in their way or displeases them.
Yuan-ti pit masters live in hidden cities or temples deep in jungles or swamps, where they can practice their dark rites and plot their schemes without interference. They rarely venture out of their lairs unless they have a specific mission or purpose. They sometimes ally with other evil creatures that share their goals or serve their gods, such as nagas, hydras, or cultists.
Yuan-ti pit masters are omnivorous but prefer meat over plants. They especially enjoy eating humanoids that they have captured or sacrificed to their god. They do not need much water or sleep, but they do require warmth and sunlight to maintain their health and vitality.