Dervish of Dusk
Medium Fey, Chaotic Neutral
Armor Class: 15 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points: 45 (10d8)
Speed: 30 ft., fly 30 ft. (with the ability to hover)
Challenge Rating: 3 (700 XP)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 18 | 14 | 10 | 12 | 16 |
Saving Throws: Dexterity +7, Wisdom +4
Skills: Acrobatics +7, Performance +6, Stealth +7, Persuasion +6
Damage Vulnerabilities: Radiant Damage
Damage Resistances: Necrotic Damage, Psychic Damage
Damage Immunities: none
Condition Immunities: Charmed, Frightened
Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., Truesight 30 ft.
Languages: Primordial, understands Common and Sylvan but cannot speak them.
Spellcasting
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Actions & Abilities
Graceless Slash: Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1d8 + 3 slashing damage. The Dervish makes a swift, graceful slash with its gauntlet, aiming for vital points in its target’s defense.
Dazzling Flourish: Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: The target takes 1d6 slashing damage and must succeed on a DC 12 Wisdom saving throw or have disadvantage on the next attack roll it makes before the end of its next turn. The Dervish performs an elegant pirouette, distracting opponents with its flashy movements.
Dance of the Winds (Bonus Action): The Dervish may magically create a gust of wind that allows it to shift 10 feet in the air, repositioning itself or escaping attacks. All melee attacks directed at the Dervish during this movement have disadvantage until the start of its next turn.
Chaotic Revelry (Recharge 4-6): The Dervish unleashes a wave of disruptive energy, which forces all creatures within a 15-foot radius to make a DC 12 Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, creatures become frightened until the end of their next turn and must use their movement to move away from the Dervish.
Blinding Flash (Recharge 5-6): The Dervish spins rapidly, redirecting sunlight to create a blinding flash aimed at players within a 30-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 12 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the target suffers disadvantage on its next attack roll and perception check due to dazzling disorientation.
Evasive Dance (Reaction): When a creature the Dervish can see attacks it, the Dervish can use its reaction to add +2 to its AC until the end of the turn, as it artfully dodges to the side, utilizing its swift movements to avoid the attack.
Appearance
In an ethereal realm, the Dervish of Dusk emerges as a mesmerizing figure, standing tall at six feet with a slender, dancer-like build that conveys both grace and danger. Its elegant silhouette blends seamlessly into the twilight atmosphere, as if it is a living embodiment of dusk itself.
The creature’s skin shimmers in hues of silver, reflecting light like a polished jewel, creating an enchanting visual spectacle. Its flowing garments, crafted from opalescent fabric, cascade beautifully around it, shifting dynamically between deep purples, blues, and soft silvers with each motion. This harmonious coloration evokes the magical transition from day to night, captivating all who behold it.
The Dervish’s skin possesses a smooth texture with a subtle luminescent sheen, enhancing its otherworldly appeal. The attire, with its silky softness, features razor-edged trims that hint at the creature’s lethal capabilities. At the center of its expressive visage is a mask-like feature that covers the upper half of its face, adorned with intricate, shimmering patterns that dance in the light. Only its piercing, glowing green eyes are fully visible, exuding a predatory intensity. The delicate curve of its mouth, while unassuming, hints at a predatory smile that adds an air of foreboding.
Its limbs, long and slender, demonstrate a perfect balance of dexterity and power. Equipped with elongated fingers tipped in razor-edged gauntlets that gleam ominously, the Dervish is ready to deliver swift, precise strikes. Its legs are equally graceful, facilitating acrobatic maneuvers that meld combat with the art of dance. The ethereal footwear appears to allow it to float above the ground, enhancing its enigmatic presence.
One of the most striking attributes of the Dervish is the bioluminescent patterns that flow mesmerizingly along its arms and mask, resembling the soft glow of fireflies. These patterns pulse gently with movement, captivating onlookers and creating a visual display that is both enchanting and disorienting. When the creature engages its abilities, these luminous patterns flare to life, amplifying its mystical aura and enhancing its dynamic nature.
The Dervish of Dusk maintains an upright posture of poised elegance, moving with fluid, dance-like motions that transition seamlessly between quick charges and intricate twirls. It glides effortlessly, giving the impression of floating as it weaves through combat with unparalleled agility. The creature seems to be cloaked in a magical aura, a gentle shimmer surrounding it that draws in ambient light and creates an illumination in its wake, leaving behind glimmers that enhance the enchanting yet foreboding atmosphere it exudes.
In every aspect, from its striking appearance to its captivating movements, the Dervish of Dusk exemplifies an enchanting yet deadly presence, a vivid spectacle that represents the chaos of twilight, leaving both awe and trepidation in its wake.
Tactical Information
Dervish of Dusk: Encounter Narrative
Behavior in Day-to-Day Life
The Dervish of Dusk dwells in the opulent realm of the Helio-Phantasm, a glamorous floating venue adorned in extravagant decoration that reflects the hedonistic spirit of the vampiric masters it serves. Their day-to-day existence is a mesmerizing dance woven through festivities, blurring the line between joy and danger.
In this vibrant environment, the Dervishes perpetually scour the halls, ensuring that all revelers maintain the celebratory atmosphere that conceals the darker truths beneath the surface. Their motivations are driven by loyalty to their vampiric lords and the intoxicating thrill of the party. One might witness them gracefully engaging in performance, melding seamlessly with other dancers or partaking in mock disputes with partygoers—this is their way of maintaining the chaotic allure of the soirée.
While they do not consume blood in the conventional sense (as they are ethereal beings), they delight in absorbing the heightened emotions of fear and exhilaration that fill the air as they dance dangerously close to their prey. When not actively patrolling, Dervishes exhibit an unpredictable temperament; sometimes jovial, yet often ruthless, as they ensnare unsuspecting targets with their charisma.
Socially, Dervishes are solitary yet intertwined with the festivities around them. They buzz through the crowds, whispering to each other occasionally in soft, melodic tones, but they primarily exist to serve their masters, with very little inclination for companionship beyond that of their own chaotic revelry.
Combat Behavior
When the chaos of combat erupts, the Dervish of Dusk engages with a style synonymous with their elegant nature. At the start of combat, they carefully analyze the positioning of each player, weighing their threats and strengths before making their move. Rather than charges or head-on assaults, these creatures begin their attack with a tantalizing flourish, using their Dance of the Winds to evade and reposition themselves effortlessly.
In combat, they prioritize targets who wander too close to their vampiric masters or those who exhibit unguarded movement. The Dervish uses Multiattack to land deft strikes and then quickly retreats out of reach, utilizing the environment to their advantage. Their ability to manipulate light and shadow through the Blinding Flash and Chaotic Revelry tactics allows them to control the battlefield dynamically, disorienting their foes and sowing discord among ranks.
If an encounter isn’t going in their favor—perhaps due to the sudden barraging of collective attacks from the adventurers—the Dervish may attempt to turn the tide of battle by exploiting weaknesses and relying on tactical retreats. They may fall back into the crowd, relying on their speed and Dance of the Winds to escape while orchestrating their very own maneuvers, and preparing for a second ambush.
Should they find themselves suddenly outnumbered, these ethereal guardians might cunningly provoke the players by feigning vulnerability, drawing them into traps set within the festivity, where players might trip on obstacles or become stuck in disorienting reveries. With a predilection for chaos, they will fight until their escape routes are fully closed off, at which point they will employ their agility to cover distance, ensuring they live to charm and dance another day.
Roleplay/Narrative Interactions
In non-combat encounters, the Dervish of Dusk approaches interactions with an air of enigmatic charm and playful arrogance. Encountering adventurers who represent a potential threat, they first engage in a taunting manner, utilizing their ornate masks to confound the players. Humorously, they might offer cryptic riddles or challenge players to a whimsical dance, as if to gauge their abilities.
Should the players seek diplomacy, the Dervish might playfully employ flattery or subtle manipulation to lead them into risky situations, rather than outright confrontation. They might respond to attempts at negotiation with a melodious laugh, insisting that the players engage in a game of wit, all while weaving through the narratives of revelry and chaos. The Dervish’s stoic demeanor may soften if the players exhibit knowledge of the vampiric masters’ potential weaknesses or challenge their authority directly, potentially aligning their interests, albeit temporarily.
If cornered, the Dervish of Dusk may shift behavior entirely, transitioning from playful trickster to a formidable guardian. They would utilize Blinding Flash to dazzle their captors before making a desperate maneuver, assessing potential escape routes or using nearby objects or shadows to conceal themselves.
Through all encounters—whether choreographed in combat or danced within the realms of diplomacy—the Dervish of Dusk remains a creature of elegance and danger, a captivating enigma whose only loyalty lies with the decadent empire of the Helio-Phantasm. Whether drawing players into the intoxicating whirl of their chaos or combating them with lethal precision, they ensure that every interaction is a feast of rich storytelling and challenge, embodying the duality of celebration and menace.
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