By Alan McCoy from Dungeons & Dragons: Fundamentals
How to build challenging encounters against Naga Spirit
Note: This has been prepared utilizing only the 5E Core Rules. The Naga can be found in the Monster Manual on pages 233-234. Much of the initial lore section will be repeated for each type of Naga, and it is appropriate to their shared origin as a created species. The differences between the various types will be most apparent in the “What do we know about section of the essay”.
Disclaimer:
Players of video games and MMOs such as World of Warcraft might find themselves having a preconceived notion of what a Naga is or can do. Quite simply, you are advised to immediately remove such information from your mind. Dungeons and Dragons and World of Warcraft are completely different games any resemblance is purely coincidental.
Description:
The Naga are an intelligent spell-casting race of serpents that usually lair in areas that contain ancient ruins. The Naga are a created race that was developed by a humanoid race that has been long forgotten by history. It is suspected that the ruins they guard are the former cities and places utilized or sacred to their ancient masters.
Naga view themselves as the inheritors of their ancient creators, claiming the property, especially the magical items and spell-books that were once possessed by their former masters and creators as their own.
While a Naga is always reluctant to leave their ruin, one of the few things will motivate a Naga to travel or otherwise leave its place of guardianship is to recover items stolen from their lairs.
The Naga have an ancient conflict with the Yuan-Ti, it is somehow linked to the belief of both races that they are the epitome of Serpentine evolution. This conflict is sometimes set aside to allow Naga and Yuan-Ti to work together for some common goal, but such alliances are almost always short lived and will often end in violence and renewed hostilities.
One source of this hostility is a process researched by the Yuan-Ti that has resulted in the necromantic abomination known as the Bone Naga.
Rumors persist that the Yuan-Ti are survivors of the ancient race that originally created the Naga. This is not substantiated, discussion with Naga regarding this possible link has resulted in the death of every researcher known to have broached the subject.
For all practical purposes, the Naga are immortal, requiring neither Air, Drink, Food or Sleep. They can be slain by violence, temporarily at least, a slain Naga’s immortal spirit will reform a new body in matter of days, ready to continue its eternal vigil.
Naga do not appear to Age, but it is also important to note that no young Naga have been encountered, it is quite possible that they cannot reproduce, a control introduced by their ancient creators was deliberately introduced into their biology. It is also quite possible that this aspect was necessary to the regenerative process that has resulted in their near immortality.
Rumors of ancient spells and processes now lost that could create new Naga are suspected but have yet to be discovered.
It is widely believed that a schism erupted within the ancient creator race, this conflict leading each faction in a widely different direction, and resulting in the creation of two similar, but unique species of Naga.
Common conjecture states that the conflict between the factions escalated dramatically and resulted in the eventual destruction of the creator race.
The Naga themselves speak little about their origins, and almost nothing about their creator race.
The two surviving species of Naga created by the ancients are the kind and benevolent if secretive Guardian Naga and the equally secretive and yet decidedly destructive Spirit Naga.
Step 1) Let’s Review what we know about the Spirt Naga
Spirit Naga appear as beautiful snake like beings with dark blue or a mottled purple scales pattern, they typically have dark underbellies, usually a deep grey or black. They considered large creatures but are usually coiled making their actual dimensions difficult to determine.
Preferring Gloom, the Spirit Naga live in places uninviting to mortal men, deep caves, dark swamps, and other ruined places allow them to live a life of spitefulness constantly pondering and plotting vengeance against those that have wronged them.
Lairing in ruined and preferably inaccessible lairs these creatures of malevolence tend will attempt to enslave creature any that comes near.
Spirit Naga take an active interest in the outside world, often creating an utilizing a cult of follower fanatics as spies and agents.
Their purpose seems to be to both ensure that the Spirit Naga remains informed of the mortal world and to either encourage or to thwart the plots of evil individuals and organizations depending on their whim and design.
They take especial pleasure in thwarting the designs and goals of Good Aligned individuals and organizations and take special pride in infiltrating these organizations to sabotage or disrupt these plans at a critical moment. These agents are often sleepers, fully unaware of their nefarious duties until activation.
Additionally, these agents are responsible for the acquisition of new recruits, both willing and unwilling, to be charmed into service.
Spirit Naga often spend their time devising new spells and creating new magic items that they can use to reward and entice their servitors and slaves to greater deeds of evil. Followers of a Spirit Naga often believe that their master is a God and form a fanatical cult around them.
It is reported that these Naga have devised a ritual of loyalty, and used infrequently, but almost always during the conversion to servitude, this ritual requires the drinking of a preparation containing some of the Naga’s Blood or Venom, perhaps both.
The effect of the preparation can vary widely, either reinforcing the charm of obedience or causing the immediate and painful death of the servitor in question. Both outcomes are considered highly desirable by the servitor in question.
While the Spirit Naga will never allow the items or lore it was created to protect to be used or taken by one of its followers, it does not feel the same protectiveness in regard to items or spells it has created itself, even items created prepared using the knowledge it safeguards.
The Spirit Naga will instantly recognize any item that it created and will probably concentrate its wrath on anyone bold enough to use one of its own creations against it.
Spirit Naga may be the source of the myth that a snake can charm a victim with its eyes, they can and will do so, and derive pleasure from watching the death throes of the poisoned victim.
The Spirit Naga jealously guard the approaches to their lair and will aggressively defend against anyone bold enough to enter uninvited. While an attempt may be made to charm the individual and thus acquire a new slave, most will be attacked and slain as quickly as possible.
They will use their spell casting abilities, physical prowess and superior knowledge of their lairs, which will often include prepared travel holes that they may utilize to escape from harmful spell effects or to outflank an enemy.
Spirit Naga are known to recruit actively destructive creatures and to heavily trap rarely used approaches to their lair, typically most approaches will be guarded by their fanatically loyal cult of followers. Such traps and creatures are almost always deadly.
One Spirit Naga lair was protected by a perverse intelligence with a large swamp that was used to guard the ‘back-door’ to its lair. The creatures of this swamp were aggressive and would actively attack and pursue any invader.
Crocodiles, Striges, even disease-ridden water or insects were all active participants to ensure that no living creature could cross.
Almost all Spirit Naga lair near or have immediate access to a substantial water source.
Spirit Naga are physically extremely strong (+4), exceptionally dexterous, charismatic and intelligent (+3) and have superior physical constitution and wisdom (+2).
Spirit Naga were created to be extremely resilient and as such have bonuses to Saving throws against many effects (Dexterity and Charisma +6), (Constitution and Wisdom +5).
Spirit Naga are completely immune to Poison and have conditional immunities to both Charm and Poison.
Spirit Naga have Darkvision (60 foot) and a passive perception of 12, though I calculate that the passive perception should be higher (13+).
Spirit Naga can speak the common tongue and are natural speakers of the Abyssal language. They are literate in both languages and can choose to learn other languages if they so desire.
Given their immortal nature, they are probably able to converse or translate many of the languages now long forgotten by history.
Spirit Naga are natural spell-casters and as such they require no material or somatic components to their spells. They only need to verbalize.
For game purposes, their spells are calculated as if they were 10th level Wizards and utilize Intelligence as their spell casting trait. This gives them a calculated spell attack bonus of +6 and a saving throw DC of 14.
Spirit Naga are quick movers capable of movement on land at forty feet per round.
Step 2) Determine the probable Strategy.
Always keep in mind that despite the ploys and plans that the Naga has developed to amuse itself and to assist in in defending its lair, it is a created creature that was designed to protect and defend a specific area, shrine or items of value to their creator.
It is their primary purpose to defend those items.
Immortal, or at least nearly so, the Spirit Naga will have prepared its lair with many defenses. Their lairs are filled with deadly traps, fanatical converts, and travel tunnels that can be used to either escape a determined attack, allow the effects of a harmful spell to expire or to allow it to emerge and outflank their attacker.
The cult gathered by the Spirit Naga will not stand idly by while someone attacks their Divine Lord and Master, these minions will serve to interpose, interrupt and otherwise interfere with the foes of the Naga to the greatest extent possible.
It is suggested that you allow these minions to arrive in groups of varying size rather than all at once, greatly limiting the ability of your adventurers to slay or neutralize them.
If possible, the Spirit Naga will use its travel holes to observe the party as they approach, potentially using the spells Detect Thoughts, Detect Magic to learn about the party and its capabilities.
It will potentially use its Mage Hand ability to discard, spill or otherwise ruin valuable supplies and it can utilize Minor illusion to hide or reveal tunnels and passages to either misdirect and delay the party, or to redirect their path into a prepared deadly trap.
If the opportunity presents, the Spirit Naga might utilize its charm person spell to befriend a foe, making it hesitant to attack the Naga directly.
Step 3) Determine Tactics
The first thing to remember about a confrontation with a Spirit Naga is that it will be prepared for the fight, and the location will almost always be at a location of its own choosing.
It will freely use its minion-fanatics to harass the party as well as to trigger traps, pitfalls and other hazards upon command.
It will use its superior speed and prepared network of movement holes, to allow it to reposition, shed undesirable spell effects or enhance its actions.
Next it is important to remember that the Naga will probably have a significant number of magical items that it can use offensively or defensively.
These can include items of strange and unusual power that were constructed by their creator race. I will not go into these items as the possibilities are endless, I will instead confine myself to the spells and tactics available to the Naga as written.
Spell List:
Cantrips: Mage Hand, Minor Illusion, Ray of Frost
1st (4 slots): Charm Person, Detect Magic, Sleep
2nd (3 slots): Detect Thoughts, Hold Person
3rd (3 slots: Lightning Bolt, Water Breathing
4th (3 slots): Blight, Dimension Door
5th (2 Slots): Dominate Person
Having defeated the passive defenses of the Naga, it will turn its ire directly upon its attackers. Usually it will begin by casting the spell Dominate Person on the individual it perceives as having the weakest mind, usually a warrior, barbarian or a rogue, taking full control over the character and all its abilities.
Next it will probably try to utilize its Hold Person spell, usually UPCAST to 5th level (allowing it to affect up to five separate opponents.
As this is a concentration-based spell, it will probably use either its minions or the Dominated Person to Slay its companions. It should be remembered that HELD individuals are considered Paralyzed, and as such, any attack is made at advantage, and every hit is automatically a critical hit.
Next on the list of spells will be a lightning bolt, UPCAST to 5th level. If possible, a minion/fanatic will have opened a valve or other means of allowing liquid, usually water to flood the floor of the chamber.
The resultant damage from the UPCAST will be 10d6, and due to the conductive nature of the water on the floor saving throws will be made at disadvantage. While fanatical minions will probably die in this attack, this is of little concern to the Naga.
Blight will probably follow as the next spell cast, the 8d8 Necrotic Damage will probably finish off many of the attackers.
Sufficiently and Significantly weakened, the Spirit Naga will cast Sleep probably UPCAST to third level (putting 9d8 HP of creatures instantly to sleep) Minion-Fanatics will then restrain and gather these attackers and prepare them for the ritual that will make them cultists and minions of the Spirit Naga.
Should the battle turn against the Spirit Naga, it will utilize its Dimension Door spell to escape to a prepared hideaway. Using restoratives to rest and prepare for the next encounter.
If the Adventurers survive or somehow slay the Spirit Naga, it will, once regenerated, begin the process of seeking them out and slaying them, it will probably make a concerted effort to slay not only the Adventurer, but also the friends, family and associates.
While the Naga has a powerful and poisonous bite, it will rarely get close enough to use it. This weapon will be used as a last resort.
If used at all, the bite will probably be inflicted on a character that has attempted to follow it into one of the myriad mazes of travel holes that the Naga has prepared and has somehow gotten too close for comfort.
The 10-foot range of the attack and the piercing and poison damage are likely to delay even the most determined foe.
Step 4) DM Tips and Observations
Given their affinity for water Spirit Naga should be given a Swimming Speed equivalent to its movement on land, as it has no need for air, it has no need to breathe underwater.
Vocalization necessary to spellcasting is available to it with or without air. If you choose to give the Spirit Naga a swim speed, then a logical addition to their physical attacks will be the grapple and drown.
While this was not included in the description, it is completely reasonable to grant the effectively immortal Spirit Naga proficiency in the skills, Arcana, Athletics, History, Insight, Perception, and Religion.
It is also recommended that they be given access to two of the following FEATS: Linguist, Mobile, Observant (while inside their lair) or War-Caster.
Spirit Naga are effectively 10th level Wizards, it is reasonable to grant them a favored school of magic and the attendant abilities associated with that class. It is even reasonable to vary their prepared spells to better reflect their chosen school of magic.
I leave this tidbit to your imagination, but Evocation, Necromancy and Transmutation would all seem to be good choices.