dave2008
Legend
Yes, that is the plan.
D&D 5E 5e Updates: Monstrous Compendium
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Can't believe there are already 29 pages!
dave2008
Legend
Well I've copied all of my Hardcore monsters and a few new and few epic ones, plus discussion. It adds up quickly!
dave2008
Legend
I gave it another pass, let me know what you think.
dave2008
Legend
I've updated the entry. Let me know what you think. Thanks!I know this is old school, but I liked the variety of 4e dragon alignment.
They are mortals themselves.
Familiars? Paladin mount? Skill check?
This is convoluted. I suggest double range when it flies. Makes it easier to remember.
No dex to AC armor?
I like this
Edit: tactics tomorrow
Sleeping time in my part of the world
Can't greater gods use 5 legendary actions?Annam, the All-Father
Annam is the chief giant deity and creator of the giant race, known also as the Prime, the Progenitor of Worlds, the Great Creator, and the Creator-By-Thought.
Annam appears as a giant of massive size, standing at least 100 feet (30 meters) tall if not taller. He has white hair and a large full beard, and was clad in robes of midnight blue.
Divine Realm
Annam's divine realm is Gudheim, a crystal palace at the center of Jotunheim, a realm in the first layer of the plane of Ysgard. The palace included an orrery crafted by his grandsons (the fire giant sons of Masud) in honor of his actions during the war with the dragons. It had an endlessly spinning model of all the planes, stars, and planets. Many of the other members of the Ordning regularly spent time in Gudheim, and pious giant priests were said to be invited to dine with them shortly before death. Stronmaus primarily dwelt in a cloud palace connected to Gudheim. The plains of Jotunheim surrounded the palace and the spirits of heroic mortal giants guarded the realm.
Annam is more powerful when he is in his divine realm. While in Gudheim, Annam is considered CR 40 (405,000 XP / 2,025,000 XP) and he gains the following attributes:
Realm Actions
- He has advantage on attack rolls.
- His regeneration increases to 60 hit points regained.
- He can use realm actions,
- He gains another mythic stage. He can use any of his legendary and mythic actions in this stage.
While he is in Gudheim, Annam can take one of the following realm actions on initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties):
Relationships
- Annam instantly knows the locations and health of all other creatures in Gudheim. She knows how much damage each of these creatures has taken and what conditions or other effects that are affecting them currently. Creatures of level or CR 25 and greater can make a DC 26 Wisdom saving throw to avoid being detected by Annam. On a successful save, Annam does not know the creature's location or health.
- Annam teleports to any location of his choice within Gudheim.
- Annam telepathically communicates with any number of creatures at once, provided they’re all in the Gudheim.
- Annam uses his summon giants action and his ability to use the action immediately recharges. He can use this realm action once per mythic stage.
Annam has mixed relationships with his children, favoring Stronmaus, Hiatea, and Iallanis and despairing over Grolantor, Karontor, Memnor, and the ever-competing Surtr and Thrym. Though Surtr did have his father's favor due to his skillful crafting of weapons and arms. His relationship with Skoraeus Stonebones is less well known due to his son's reclusive nature. Diancastra is also favored child, as he found her wit amused him and lifted his depressions as little else did. Due to his isolation and high opinion of himself, he does not interact with other gods often.
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Annam
Gargantuan giant (greater god), neutral
View attachment 125483
AC 28 (natural armor)
Hit Points 1200 (40d20 + 400)
Speed 300 ft., climb 200 ft, swim 200 ft.
View attachment 125480
View attachment 125481
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 39 (+14) 24 (+12) 30 (+10) 26 (+8) 28 (+9) 30 (+10)
Savings Throws Str +25, Dex +23, Con +21, Int +19, Wis +20, Cha +21
Skills Arcana +30, Athletics +25, History +19, Insight +20, Intimidation +21, Religion +19
Damage Resistances force; refer to greater god traits
Damage Immunities necrotic, psychic; refer to greater god traits
Condition Immunities paralyzed, restrained; refer to greater god traits
Senses blindsight 800 ft., darkvision 2000 ft., tremorsense 1000 ft., truesight 500 ft., passive Perception 19
Languages All, telepathy 1000 ft.
Challenge 39 (375,000 XP)
View attachment 125482
All-Fathers Might (Mythic Trait, 3/ Short or Long Rest). If Annam is reduced to 0 hit points, he doesn’t die or fall unconscious. Instead, all conditions and effects he is suffering end for him, he regains 1,000 hit points, and all of his abilities recharge.
Colossal. Annam is 100 feet tall and his space is 75 feet by 75 feet. Any Huge or smaller creature can enter his space and must do so to hit him with an attack with a reach or range of 15 feet or less. Additionally, any creature adjacent to a Medium or smaller target that is hit by one of Annam’s melee attacks must make a DC 32 Dexterity saving throw or take the same damage as the initial target. Annam has advantage on saving throws against being pushed or knocked prone, unless the creature has the colossal trait or the spell in question is 12th level or similar powerful magic.
Greater Deity. Annam has the following greater god traits:
Discorporation, Divine Being, Divine Might, Divine Reflexes, Limited Magic Immunity, Magic Weapons, Regeneration, Unstoppable.
Magic Weapons. Refer to greater god traits. In addition, he wields the artifact Wyrmhammer, a colossal epic warhammer. Wyrmhammer instantly returns to Annam's hand if he wills it (no action).
Innate Spellcasting. Refer to greater god traits. In addition, Annam's spellcasting ability is Charisma (Save DC 29, +21 to hit with attack spells). He can innately cast, at will, any spell a giant can cast. Additionally, Annam can also cast the following spells:
3/Day: storm of vengeance, control weather, earthquake (2000 feet)
2/Day: form of the gods, circle of devestation, pyroclasm, cloud kill (12th level)
Tornado. Annam can use a bonus action create a massive whirlwind of air in a 200-foot radius around him. Targets in the area must make a DC 30 Strength saving throw or be pushed 200 feet. If a pushed target strikes a solid surface, the target takes 3 (1d6) bludgeoning damage for every 10 feet it was pushed. If the target is pushed at another creature, that creature must succeed on a DC 30 Dexterity saving throw or take the same damage and be knocked prone.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. Annam uses War Cry and then makes a melee attack.
Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +25 to hit, reach 75 ft., one target. Hit: 114 (40d4 + 14) bludgeoning damage and the target must make a DC 32 Strength saving throw be knocked prone or pushed 10 feet for each point it fails the save by or grappled, Annam's choice. A Large or smaller creature grappled this way is also restrained.
Wyrmhammer. Melee Weapon Attack: +25 to hit, reach 100 ft. or ranged 800/1600 ft., one target. Hit: 194 (40d8 + 14) bludgeoning damage and the target must make a DC 32 Strength saving throw be knocked prone or pushed 10 feet for each point it fails the save by, Annam's choice.
Stomp. Annam stomps one of his feet at a point on the ground within 20 feet of him. Any creature in a 10-foot-radius, 20-foot-high cylinder centered on this point must succeed on a DC 33 Dexterity saving throw or take 114 (40d4 + 14) bludgeoning damage and fall prone. Until Annam uses his Stomp again or moves, the creature is restrained. While restrained in this way, the creature (or another creature within 5 feet of it) can use its action to make a DC 33 Strength check. On a success, the creature relocates to an unoccupied space of its choice within 5 feet of the colossus and is no longer restrained.
Structures, as well as nonmagical objects that are neither being worn nor carried, take the same amount of damage if they are in the cylinder (no save).
Boulder. Ranged Weapon Attack: +25 to hit, range 1,000/3000 ft., one target. Hit: 154 (40d6 + 14) bludgeoning damage and if the target is Large or smaller, each creature adjacent to the target must make a DC 32 saving throw or take the same damage.
All-Father Assault (Recharge 5-6). Annam selects a point he can see within 1,000 feet of him and calls upon the power of his giant children to smite his foes. Each creature of his choice within a 100-foot radius and 400-foot tall pillar centered on that point must make a DC 29 Dexterity saving throw, taking 36 (8d8) bludgeoning damage, plus 36 (8d8) cold damage, plus 36 (8d8) fire damage, plus 36 (8d8) force damage, plus 36 (8d8) lightning damage, and 36 (8d8) thunder damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
War Cry. Annam bellows a might battle cry. Each creature of the Annam's choice that is within 1,000 feet of him and can hear him must succeed on a DC 20 Wisdom saving throw or be stunned until the start of Anam's next turn and freightened for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a creature's saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to the Annam's War Cry for the next 24 hours.
Change Shape. Annam magically polymorphs into any true giant species or back into his true form. His statistics, apart from size and special abilities, are the same in each form. If Annam dies, he reverts to its true form.
Summon Giants (1/Short Rest). Annam summons giants whose combined average hit points don’t exceed 1000. The giants appear in unoccupied spaces within 1000 feet of Annam.
REACTIONS
Parry. Annam adds 5 to his AC against one attack that would hit him. To do so, he must see the attacker and be wielding a weapon or shield.
LEGENDARY ACTIONS
Annam can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. Annam can use any unspent legendary actions at the end of each round and she regains spent legendary actions at the start of her turn.
Move. Annam moves up to half his speed and he doesn't provoke opportunity attacks from Large or smaller creatures.
Regenerate. Annam regenerates 30 hit points.
Quick Casting. Annam cast in at will spell.
Attack (Costs 2 Actions). Annam makes a slam, stomp, or warhammer attack.
Throw (Costs 3 actions). Annam makes a boulder attack.
MYTHIC ACTIONS
If Annam’s mythic trait is active, he can use the options below as legendary actions for 1 hour after using All-Fathers Might. If the mythic trait is only available at specific mythic stage, it is available at the stage listed and each subsequent stage.
Sweeping Attack (Recharge 4-6). Annam swings his warhammer in a 100-foot cone and makes a warhammer attack against each creature in the cone.
Spell Casting (Costs 2 Actions). Annam casts a spell.
Brutal Strike (Stage 2, Cost 3 Actions). The next time Annam makes a warhammer or stomp attack, if that attack hits it is considered a critical hit.
Fling (Stage 3, Cost 2 Actions). One Large or smaller object held or creature grappled by the Annam is thrown up to 400 feet in a random direction and knocked prone. If a thrown target strikes a solid surface, the target takes 3 (1d6) bludgeoning damage for every 10 feet it was thrown. If the target is thrown at another creature, that creature must succeed on a DC 32 Dexterity saving throw or take the same damage and be knocked prone.
Thunderous Stomp (Stage 3, Cost 3 Actions, Recharge 5-6). Annam makes a stomp attack. Additionally, Annam creates a 200-foot radius shock wave centered on the stomp. The area becomes difficult terrain and all creatures in the are must make a DC 33 Dexterity or be pushed 10 feet for each point it failed the save and knocked prone. A creature takes 4 (1d8) bludgeoning damage for every 10 feet it was thrown.
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Annam as a Mythic Encounter
Annam is a deadly fight for the most seasoned mortals. However, if he is facing epic adventurers (lvls 21+) you might wish to have Annam use his All-Fathers Might mythic trait and really ramp up the danger. When this happens, Annam displays his full full divine might instead of discorporating. Annam can choose one of his mythic actions when he uses a legendary action.
Read or paraphrase the following text when Annam uses her All-Fathers Might trait:
Future descriptive text goes here
Fighting Annam as a mythic encounter is equivalent to taking on four CR 39 creatures in one encounter. Award a party 1,500,000 XP for defeating Annam after she uses All-Fathers Might.
Funky.
As Stalker0 said you could miss only on a 3 or lower. And as you said it wouldn't last that long because the difficulty decreases as the Hezrou Horde's hp declines.
Putting that together mid-teen level characters shouldn't fear for their lives in this fight. But you said that to an extent, lesser God's weren't meant for 20th level + a few boons. CR 27 is like a lesser god. But even 22nd levels have no problem with this swarm. Would you consider bumping the A.C. to 19 to compensate?
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lair action updates look solid.
sustained breath: I feel like your trying to force a flavor here, and complicating the mechanic to do that. A simple auto recharge covers 90% of the flavor of a dragon “sustaining” his breath over a few rounds, and it’s dirt simple. Yes it’s not exactly the same as a breath that you sweep around round to round...but it’s close.
dragon fear: I’m on board with a simple 1 HD restriction on the general fear aura, and it’s auto fear until they are out of sensory range of the dragon. Perfect flavor, simple mechanics. I’m not sure why there needs to be special rules for familiars and trained pets and the like. Just like certain creatures are strong against magic, i think it’s fine that dragons are strong against “pet users”...let that be an interesting challenge for the players.
dragon hide: you should definately add the dex notes to the ACs, else people will assume their is none.
overland flight: for the 2 round requirement, what is the motivation? Pure flavor, or is there a mechanical concern you are trying to address?
wing buffet: why does the dragon need to land to use this ability? Is it so bad to just let them hover and maintain the ability but lose all the other attacks to do it?
dave2008
Legend
Corrected - thanks!Funky.
dave2008
Legend
The number of legendary actions is not related to divine rank anymore. It was not a useful distinction. A creature has as many legendary actions as it needs.
dave2008
Legend
Anything is possible, but I am not looking at swarms right now. However, this is not a lesser god type threat and if a group of 20th level PCs can take it down, I'm fine with that. In fact, that is how it should be IMO.
dave2008
Legend
Thank you for the review and comments.
Sustained Breath (Cost 3 Actions, 1/Short Rest). If the dragon used its breath weapon on its turn, the breath weapon recharges and the dragon can use it again on its next turn with an additional cost of three legendary actions.
That feels clunky too. I will think about it. I just don't think there is a 5e precedent for something like this, so we have to think outside the box a bit.
EDIT: I still think its simpler as a trait like I had it before. I can remove the additional limitation text as it is redundant an get this:
Sustained Breath (1/Short Rest). If the dragon's breath weapon is available, it can use its action and three legendary actions on two consecutive turns to use its breath weapon on both turns.
This seems pretty simple and clear to me, if not exactly 5e. But this trait/mechanic is never going to be typical 5e.
"Medium Armor offers more Protection than Light Armor, but it also impairs Movement more. If you wear Medium Armor, you add your Dexterity modifier, to a maximum of +2, to the base number from your armor type to determine your Armor Class. "
I will add it if people feel it is needed, but it seems redundant to me.
Technically I could see this happen in mid air too and then it would fall for a bit, but could continue flying. But perhaps that is over complicating things.
I am basically fine with that (that is actually what I had several years ago actually); however, it needs to take the legendary actions for two rounds for the math to work. Just allowing it to recharge doesn't do that. I could simply state that it cost 6 legendary actions? Or include additional text about needing to use the legendary actions of both rounds. It is funky, either way, maybe:
Sustained Breath (Cost 3 Actions, 1/Short Rest). If the dragon used its breath weapon on its turn, the breath weapon recharges and the dragon can use it again on its next turn with an additional cost of three legendary actions.
That feels clunky too. I will think about it. I just don't think there is a 5e precedent for something like this, so we have to think outside the box a bit.
EDIT: I still think its simpler as a trait like I had it before. I can remove the additional limitation text as it is redundant an get this:
Sustained Breath (1/Short Rest). If the dragon's breath weapon is available, it can use its action and three legendary actions on two consecutive turns to use its breath weapon on both turns.
This seems pretty simple and clear to me, if not exactly 5e. But this trait/mechanic is never going to be typical 5e.
@Matrix Sorcica suggested it, but I am inclined to remove it as well. I will think about it.
Doesn't Medium Armor be definition mean that you get Dex modifier to a max of +2 to your armor class?
"Medium Armor offers more Protection than Light Armor, but it also impairs Movement more. If you wear Medium Armor, you add your Dexterity modifier, to a maximum of +2, to the base number from your armor type to determine your Armor Class. "
I will add it if people feel it is needed, but it seems redundant to me.
Flavor, it takes time to speed up.
No, but as written it is a movement, not an action (at least that is what I intended) and the dragon can still attack. However, it came from the 2e "stall" action which required it to land. I can see the thought process too. The dragon has stopped and can't just start flying again without pushing off the ground. Not saying this has to be the case, but it seems reasonable.
Technically I could see this happen in mid air too and then it would fall for a bit, but could continue flying. But perhaps that is over complicating things.
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Just Passing Through
Explorer
Hey Dave, I got a chance to look over these abilities and features and must say that these are all fantastic additions to a dragon's combat routine! Just a note on Crush, as written, only targets that dodge the attack and do not have a reaction are grappled, when I believe the intention was to make it so that those who were struck were grappled as well as knocked prone.
dave2008
Legend
Nice catch. I changed that one a few times and didn't get it all cleaned up. I've corrected it now. Thanks!
yeah 5e really really simplified flying rules, and all for the better. Those kind of complexities are just not needed in the system.
I think the idea that buffet is an attack that consumes movement is fine, but you don’t need to add in things like “move x feet” or “must land”, those types of flying motions were left behind in 5e.
on the sustained breath, for a vanilla dragon, on average the dragon will get 1.66 breaths in the first 3 rounds and still get all of its legendary actions (and there is a 9% chance it gets to breathe in all 3 rounds). So I think bumping it up to 2.33 breathes in 3 rounds should not break the bank, especially if we remove the risk of getting lots of breaths continuously and consume legendary actions. So how about this.
Sustained Breath (3 legendary actions, 1/rest): the dragons breath weapon is recharged. Once used, the dragon cannot recharge its breath weapon until it gets a short or long rest.
in theory the ideal way to use this is:
1) breathe
2) .33% chance to recharge.
3) use sustained breath and breathe
In case you wanted to know the Great Mother is the goddess of beholders, making her home in the 6th layer of the Abyss: "
- 6—the Realm of a Million Eyes: Home to the Great Mother, goddess of beholders. It is a network of tunnels dotted with living eyes. "
dave2008
Legend
As beholders are aberrations, they don't have deities (in the way I am defining them) in my view of things. However, the great mother is still a thing, she is just not a deity. Venerated, but not worshiped, by beholders.
dave2008
Legend
I will look at it, but I think I prefer my last revision. It is not a 5e norm, but I think I am ok with that. Unlike most of your suggestions, I just don't see yours as an improvement. My version may be non-standard, but it is clear, simple, follows the flavor and the math works. I am pretty sure your option fails on the math and it doesn't fit the flavor. I also don't like how the dragon can't use its breath weapon again until a Rest. Why would a dragon every do this?
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Essentially a Beholder goddess, but not a goddess of beholders.
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