Dungeons & Dragons 2024 (D&D) Monster/NPC: The Defiled Librarian
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SGttEH 381
In the Luminary Repository rests the lifeless form of the Defiled Librarian, formerly an esteemed researcher of arcane secrets and revered advisor to the hunters. Drawn to forbidden lore, the scholar succumbed to an all-consuming fixation with an unfathomable being he referred to as "The Midnights of Rotting Creation."
Burning Ambitions. Aware of his insignificance within the vast cosmos, the faithless researcher longed to commune with the enigmatic entity, yearning to ascend and attain a power beyond his mortal flesh. His pride made him blind to his weakness before the vastness of the cosmos, and he clung to the belief that immense sacrifices would reveal the path. Driven to the edge of madness, the scholar enacted a heinous rite, setting an entire orphanage ablaze to fuel his dark incantations.
At last, an entity granted a response: a single, powerful word that tore asunder the scholar's mortal frame. His human flesh was rent apart, transformed into the terrifying specter known as the Defiled Librarian, forever imprisoned among the arcane tomes, his mind rising to higher planes, or so he believed.
Agonizing Ruler. In this realm, where minutes stretch into years, the Librarian's consciousness endures tortures born of osteomancy—an eternity of bone spines burrowing into his flesh and ravenous maws devouring his heart, only to regenerate anew. This ‘higher’ realm is naught but a place of torment and terror where the Librarian exists as both master and prisoner. The being has since learned to control the sinister magic that haunts him, his spectral figure trapped betwixt life and death. Conversely, within the confines of his scholarly lair, the Librarian's dead physical form lies, its remains ravaged by the passage of time. His eyes, however, continue to possess an unsettling vigilance, observing every movement, inexorably drawing the hapless souls that unwittingly stumble upon his moribund husk into his dread dominion. These unfortunates serve as both nourishment and specimens for the Librarian, their flesh dissected for sustenance and dark inquiry—a research dedicated to crafting macabre instruments that one day shall free him from this forceful exile.
The true visage of the Scholar has not been glimpsed by mortal eyes since that fateful day of unspeakable transgression, but rumors of spectral whispers within the halls of the Luminary Repository circulate, though few are foolish enough to inquire further.
| MOD | SAVE | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| STR | 11 | +0 | +0 |
| DEX | 16 | +3 | +3 |
| CON | 16 | +3 | +7 |
| MOD | SAVE | ||
| INT | 20 | +5 | +9 |
| WIS | 15 | +2 | +6 |
| CHA | 19 | +4 | +4 |
Traits
After Image. The Librarian can only use this trait if it has been reduced to 0 hit points in the past hour. Whenever the Librarian casts an osteomancy spell of 1st level or higher, it can teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space that it can see. It also becomes invisible and projects an illusory image that makes it appear to be in its previous location until the start of its next turn. A creature that uses its action to examine the image can determine that it is an illusion with a successful DC 17 Investigation check. If a creature targets the illusion, it has the impression that the Librarian is magically absorbing the damage.
Aura of Silence. The Librarian has a permanent silence spell cast on itself that moves with it; this aura doesn’t prevent the Librarian from casting spells with a verbal component, and it can’t be dispelled.
Dark Devotion. The Librarian has advantage on saving throws against being charmed or frightened or gaining madness.
Erase Reality. The Librarian can sense when any creature within 120 feet of it can see through illusions (such as with truesight) and the Librarian has advantage on attack rolls against such creatures.
Eternal Nightmare (1/ Day). If the Librarian is reduced to 0 hit points, it doesn't die or fall unconscious. Instead, it regains all its hit points and regains all its spell slots of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 7th level.
Spellcasting. The Librarian is a 13th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 17, +9 to hit with spell attacks). The Librarian has the following wizard spells prepared:
Cantrips (at will): brittle bone throw, mage hand, minor illusion, ray of frost, shocking grasp
1st level (4 slots): absorb elements, bone shield, mage armor, phalangeal shot, shield
2nd level (3 slots): arm cannon, hold person, invisibility, misty step
3rd level (3 slots): blink, counterspell, displacing maw, osseous impalement
4th level (3 slots): dread scarecrow, greater invisibility, maiden of bones
5th level (2 slots): chisel skull, dominate person, forest of dread
6th level (1 slot): wall of bones
7th level (1 slot): crush
Actions
Quarterstaff. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 3 ( 1d6 ) bludgeoning damage, or 4 ( 1d8 ) bludgeoning damage if used with two hands.
Bonus Actions
Nightmare Dash. The librarian flies up to 30 feet in a straight line.
Reactions
Spell Reflection. When the Librarian succeeds on a saving throw against a spell, the spell is dispelled and the librarian gains a spell slot equal to the spell’s level. This spell slot vanishes if the Librarian uses this reaction again or after 1 minute.
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