Small monstrosity, neutral evil
Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 10 (4d6 – 4)
Speed 40 ft.
Proficiency Bonus +2
Proficiency Bonus +3 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 (-2) | 12 (+1) | 9 (-1) | 5 (-3) | 6 (-2) | 5 (-3) |
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing while in dim light or darkness
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 8
Languages –
Challenge 1/4 (50 XP)
Wretched Pack Tactics. The Wretched has advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of the Wretched’s allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated. The Wretched otherwise has disadvantage on attack rolls.
ACTIONS
- Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d10 + 1) piercing damage, and the Wretched attaches to the target. While attached, the Wretched can’t attack, and at the start of each of the Wretched’s turns, the target takes 6 (1d10 + 1) necrotic damage. The attached Wretched moves with the target whenever the target moves, requiring none of the Wretched’s movement. The Wretched can detach itself by spending 5 feet of its movement on its turn. A creature, including the target, can use its action to detach a Wretched.
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 Wretched are small, twisted creatures that embody the despair and hopelessness of the Shadowfell. They are malformed and misshapen, with limbs that are too long or too short, skin that is pale and leathery, and eyes that are sunken and dull. They have no hair, no teeth, and no discernible features. They are the lowest of the sorrowsworn, a group of monsters that are born from the negative emotions of the plane of shadow.
The Wretched have no sense of self or identity. They are driven by a primal urge to survive and escape their misery. They are constantly afraid and paranoid, hiding in the shadows and avoiding any confrontation. They have no language, no culture, and no society. They are alone in their suffering, and they hate everything that is not like them.
The Wretched are horrid little monsters that gather in large packs to scour the Shadowfell for prey. These pitiful entities subsist on life force, so when they find a creature, they surge forward to sink their fangs into their victims and drink deep of their life energy and their fear.
COMBAT
The Wretched are not brave or skilled fighters. They prefer to avoid combat whenever possible, fleeing from any threat or challenge. However, if cornered or provoked, they will lash out with their claws and bite with their gums. They have a natural resistance to physical damage while in dim light or darkness, which helps them survive in the harsh environment of the Shadowfell.
The Wretched are not completely mindless, though. They have a rudimentary sense of tactics and cooperation. They will often attack in groups, using their pack tactics to gain advantage on their enemies. They will also try to ambush their foes, striking from the shadows or from behind.
The Wretched have no special abilities or magic. They rely on their numbers and their stealth to overcome their opponents. They are easily frightened and intimidated, and will retreat if they face a strong or determined enemy.
HABITAT / SOCIETY
The Wretched wander the Shadowfell aimlessly, looking for food and shelter. They have no permanent home or territory, as they are constantly on the move to avoid predators and other dangers. They have no loyalty or attachment to anyone or anything, not even to their own kind. They will often fight among themselves for scraps of food or a safe hiding place.
The Wretched have no social structure or hierarchy. They are solitary creatures that only form temporary groups for survival or convenience. They have no leaders, no rules, and no goals. They live in the moment, with no hope for the future or regret for the past.
The Wretched have no allies or enemies among other creatures of the Shadowfell. They are ignored or despised by most of them, as they are seen as weak and pathetic. The only exception is the Lost, another type of sorrowsworn that shares their misery and loneliness. The Lost will sometimes approach the Wretched and try to embrace them, but this usually ends in violence as the Wretched reject their advances.
ECOLOGY
The Wretched are scavengers and opportunists. They feed on whatever they can find, be it carrion, garbage, or even each other. They have no preference or taste for any type of food, as they eat only to sustain themselves. They have a low metabolism and can survive for long periods without food or water.
The Wretched reproduce by budding, a process in which a part of their body breaks off and grows into a new individual. This happens randomly and involuntarily, as the Wretched have no control over it. The new Wretched is identical to its parent in appearance and personality, inheriting all its memories and emotions.
The Wretched have a short and miserable life span. They rarely live longer than a few years, as they succumb to disease, starvation, predation, or violence. They have no concept of death or afterlife, as they have no soul or spirit. They simply cease to exist when they die.