Umbral Depths: Nyxaris
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Nyxaris are ethereal, ghostly beings that inhabit the darkest reaches of the Umbral Depths. These creatures are humanoid in shape but lack any distinct features, appearing as shadowy, translucent figures that seem to waver and flicker like candle flames. Their bodies are composed of swirling dark mist, with faint glimmers of silver and violet light within. Their eyes, the only discernible feature, glow with an eerie, pale luminescence, piercing through the shadows.
Nature: Nyxaris are malevolent spirits, remnants of beings who were consumed by the darkness of the Umbral Depths. They are driven by a deep, insatiable hunger for the life force of the living, seeking to drain the vitality of any who wander into their domain. These creatures are cunning and patient, often toying with their prey before delivering the final, life-draining touch.
“We thought we’d seen the worst when we faced the Xyrazhal, but then... then came the Nyxaris. It wasn’t just the cold that seeped into your bones—it was the whispers, the sense that your very soul was being drained away. When it screamed, I felt my heart stop, not from fear, but from the sheer weight of despair. If Aldrin hadn’t dragged me out, I’d still be there, lost to the shadows forever.”
Nyxaris are ethereal, ghostly beings that inhabit the darkest reaches of the Umbral Depths. These creatures are humanoid in shape but lack any distinct features, appearing as shadowy, translucent figures that seem to waver and flicker like candle flames. Their bodies are composed of swirling dark mist, with faint glimmers of silver and violet light within. Their eyes, the only discernible feature, glow with an eerie, pale luminescence, piercing through the shadows.
Lairs: Nyxaris dwell in the most desolate and forsaken parts of the Umbral Depths. Their lairs are often hidden within ancient ruins, forgotten tombs, and deep underground catacombs. These places are filled with the echoes of their mournful whispers and the cold, unnatural chill of their presence.
Behavior:
Solitary Haunters: Nyxaris usually haunt their territories alone, though they can sometimes be found in loose groups where the boundaries of their domains overlap.
Predatory Stalkers: They are relentless hunters, using their abilities to stalk and terrorize their prey before draining their life force.
Guardians of Secrets: Some Nyxaris are bound to specific locations or objects, serving as eternal guardians of ancient secrets or powerful relics.
Legends:
The Wailing Night: A local legend speaks of a night when the Nyxaris emerge en masse from the Umbral Depths to haunt the surface world. This event, known as the Wailing Night, is said to occur once every century and is marked by ghostly apparitions and eerie whispers that chill the very soul.
The Eternal Guardian: One famous tale tells of a powerful Ancient Nyxari bound to guard a long-lost artifact of immense power. Many adventurers have sought this artifact, but none have returned, their life forces claimed by the unyielding guardian.
The Hollow Cave: Deep within the Umbral Depths lies the Hollow Cave, a place where the walls are said to speak the secrets of those who have perished within. Nyxaris are believed to inhabit this cave, drawn to the echoes of the past.
Adventurer's Notes: Encounters with Nyxaris are perilous, as these creatures can appear and disappear at will, making them hard to track and even harder to combat. It is advised to carry protective charms and wards against spirits, as well as weapons enchanted to harm the incorporeal. Those who manage to defeat a nyxari may find themselves with rare spectral essence, a valuable material used in powerful enchantments and rituals.
Nyxaris
Medium Undead, Neutral Evil
Armor Class: 16 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points: 83 (10d8 + 30)
Speed: 0 ft., Fly 40 ft. (hover)
STR 7 (-2) DEX 18 (+4) CON 16 (+3) INT 14 (+2) WIS 12 (+1) CHA 16 (+3)
Saving Throws: DEX +7, WIS +4
Skills: Stealth +7, Perception +4
Damage Resistances: Necrotic; Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks
Damage Immunities: Poison
Condition Immunities: Charmed, Exhaustion, Frightened, Grappled, Paralyzed, Petrified, Poisoned, Prone, Restrained
Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 14
Languages: Understands Common and Deep Speech but cannot speak
Challenge: 6 (1,800 XP)
Bound: The Nyxaris can be bound to an object of great importance to the creature before it succumbed to the Umbral Depths, or a nearby source of great magic. When bound, the Nyxaris cannot move further than 200 feet away from the object.
Incorporeal Movement. The Nyxaris can move through other creatures and objects as if they were difficult terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it ends its turn inside an object.
Actions:
Life Drain. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 14 (3d6 + 4) necrotic damage. The target must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or its hit point maximum is reduced by an amount equal to the necrotic damage taken. This reduction lasts until the target finishes a long rest. The target dies if this effect reduces its hit point maximum to 0.
Shadowstep. The Nyxaris can teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space it can see that is in dim light or darkness. After teleporting, the Nyxaris has advantage on the first melee attack it makes before the end of its turn.
Ethereal Scream (Recharge 5–6). The Nyxaris emits a chilling scream in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 14 Constitution saving throw, taking 27 (6d8) necrotic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. Creatures that fail the saving throw are also frightened for 1 minute. A frightened target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
Bonus Actions:
Phantasmal Whisper. As a bonus action, the Nyxaris can target one creature within 60 feet of it that it can see. The target must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or be charmed by the Nyxaris for 1 minute. The charmed target is incapacitated and has a speed of 0. The effect ends if the Nyxaris attacks the target or if the target takes damage. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.