Medium aberration (star spawn), chaotic evil
Armor Class 14
Hit Points 71 (13d8 + 13)
Speed 40 ft., climb 40 ft.
Speed (suggested) 50 ft., climb 50 ft.
Proficiency Bonus +3
Proficiency Bonus +6 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 (-1) | 18 (+4) | 12 (+1) | 11 (+0) | 12 (+1) | 7 (-2) |
Saving Throws Dex +7, Con +4
Skills Stealth +7
Damage Resistances cold
Damage Immunities psychic
Condition Immunities charmed, frightened, prone
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages Deep Speech
Challenge 5 (1800 XP)
Ambush. On the first round of each combat, the mangler has advantage on attack rolls against a creature that hasn’t taken a turn yet.
Shadow Stealth. While in dim light or darkness, the mangler can take the Hide action as a bonus action.
ACTIONS
- Multiattack. The mangler makes two claw attacks.
- Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) slashing damage. If the attack roll has advantage, the target also takes 7 (2d6) psychic damage.
- Flurry of Claws (Recharge 4-6). The mangler makes six claw attacks against one target. Either before or after these attacks, it can move up to its speed as a bonus action without provoking opportunity 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
A star spawn mangler is a low-slung, creeping horror with multiple gangly arms, each ending in bird-like talons. It has an elongated head with two slits instead of a nose, two beady eyes, and a mouth full of sharp teeth. Its skin is translucent and glistening, revealing the twisted organs and bones beneath. A star spawn mangler is a servant of the Elder Evils, cosmic entities of unimaginable power and malice that seek to destroy or corrupt the world. A mangler is created when an Elder Evil infuses a humanoid with its essence, transforming it into a mindless and loyal minion.
COMBAT
A star spawn mangler is a stealthy and agile predator that excels at ambushing and assassinating its prey. It can move swiftly on the ground or on walls, sticking to shadows and hiding in spots that seem too shallow or well-lit to conceal anything. It can also blend in with its surroundings by changing the color of its skin. A mangler attacks with its claws, which can rend flesh and bone with ease. It also has a powerful bite that can inject a venom that causes intense pain and paralysis. A mangler is immune to psychic damage and resistant to cold damage, as well as being immune to being charmed, frightened, or knocked prone. A mangler is not very intelligent, but it follows the commands of its master or any other star spawn with authority.
HABITAT / SOCIETY
A star spawn mangler is usually found in places where an Elder Evil has a strong influence, such as ancient ruins, dark dungeons, or corrupted lands. A mangler rarely acts on its own, but rather as part of a group of star spawn that serve a common purpose. A mangler is often used as a guard or an assassin by more powerful star spawn, such as emissaries or hulks. A mangler has no sense of self or personality, and only lives to serve its master.
ECOLOGY
A star spawn mangler is an aberration that defies the natural order of life. It does not need to eat, drink, sleep, or breathe, but it does enjoy killing and torturing living creatures. A mangler does not reproduce naturally, but only through the intervention of an Elder Evil. A mangler has no natural enemies, except for those who oppose the will of its master. A mangler has no allies either, except for other star spawn that share its allegiance. A mangler is a threat to any living being that crosses its path, and a sign of the looming presence of an Elder Evil.