Angelic Muse of the Endless Sands
Large Celestial, Neutral Good
Armor Class: 17 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points: 127 (15d10 + 45)
Speed: 30 ft., fly 60 ft. (hover)
Challenge Rating: 8 (3,900 XP)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 22 |
Saving Throws: Wisdom +9, Charisma +11
Skills: Insight +9, Persuasion +11, Deception +11, Performance +11
Damage Vulnerabilities: None
Damage Resistances: Radiant; Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks
Damage Immunities: Psychic
Condition Immunities: Charmed, Frightened
Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 16, True Sight 120 ft.
Languages: Celestial, Common, understands Primordial
Spellcasting
Spellcasting. The Angelic Muse of the Endless Sands is a 10th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 18, +10 to hit with spell attacks). The Muse has the following spells prepared:
Cantrips (at will): **Minor Illusion**, **Dancing Lights**, **Vicious Mockery**
1st level (4 slots): **Disguise Self**, **Silent Image**, **Healing Word**
2nd level (3 slots): **Mirror Image**, **Invisibility**
3rd level (3 slots): **Fear**, **Major Image**
4th level (3 slots): **Greater Invisibility**, **Phantasmal Killer**
5th level (2 slots): **Dream**, **Creation**
The Angelic Muse tends to cast *Disguise Self* and *Silent Image* before combat to prepare for encounters with intruders. It often uses *Major Image* to create distractions or illusions about the environment. Additionally, it may utilize *Healing Word* to support itself or allies if they are similarly inspired by its presence. The Muse uses its illusions strategically to both confuse enemies and protect its own form, engaging in combat with a dance of creativity and trickery.
Actions & Abilities
Multiattack: The Angelic Muse makes two attacks with its Illusory Wings.
Illusory Wings: Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 2d10 + 5 slashing damage and the target must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or become disoriented until the end of its next turn, having disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks.
Veil of Illusions (Recharge 5-6): The Muse casts an array of illusions in a 30-foot radius sphere centered on itself. Each creature in that area must succeed on a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or be blinded and unable to distinguish between illusory duplicates of the Muse or real enemies. The illusions persist for 1 minute, during which time affected creatures can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of their turns, ending the effect on themselves on a success.
Inspire Creativity (Recharge 4-6): As an action, the Muse targets one creature it can see within 60 feet. The target gains temporary hit points equal to the Muse’s CR (7) and advantage on its next ability check or saving throw. However, if the target fails a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw, they become overwhelmed by conflicting visions, suffering disadvantage on their next attack roll.
Sands of Confusion: The Muse manipulates the ground around it, causing a 15-foot-radius area centered on itself to become difficult terrain. Each creature that starts its turn in this area must make a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw or become restrained by the shifting sands until the end of its next turn.
Divine Reflection (Recharges after a Short or Long Rest): The Muse can project its likeness as an illusionary copy in response to being attacked. The copy acts as the Muse but cannot make attacks or take actions. The first attack made against the Muse is absorbed by this clone. The attacker must make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw; on a failure, they take 2d8 psychic damage as their perception shifts, imposing disadvantage on their next attack roll.
Evasion: The Muse has advantage on Dexterity saving throws against effects that allow it to make a saving throw to take half damage. If it succeeds, it takes no damage instead.
Create Mirage: The Muse creates a distracting illusion in a 15-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw, becoming charmed until the end of their next turn on a failed save, effectively wasting their action.
Seductive Song: The Muse hums an ethereal melody. Each creature within 30 feet must make a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or be compelled to move towards the Muse on their next turn as if under the effects of the charm person spell.
Appearance
The Angelic Muse of the Endless Sands is a breathtaking creature, standing impressively at about 7 feet tall with an elongated, slender silhouette that exudes elegance. Its presence evokes the grace of a breeze, gliding effortlessly over the vast desert landscape. The Muse is composed of radiant, pale golden skin, which emits a soft, warm glow reminiscent of sunlight reflecting off the desert sands. This ethereal light shifts gently, creating a captivating halo effect that surrounds the figure.
A cascade of golden sand forms the Muse’s flowing “hair,” swirling delicately as if caught in an eternal breeze. Its robes are a harmonious blend of golden yellows and sandy hues, interspersed with iridescent blues that shimmer like heat waves rising from the ground. Every movement is a dance of colors, with the fabric rippling like water and reflecting the light in mesmerizing patterns—an enchanting display that captures the eye.
The Muse’s face is a vision of gentle beauty, characterized by high cheekbones and a soft, rounded jawline that emanate an otherworldly grace. Its large, luminous eyes resemble pools of deep azure water, sparkling with wisdom and warmth. The Muse’s serene mouth rarely breaks into a full smile but carries a subtle hint of playfulness, adding to its ethereal charm.
This extraordinary being has four slender arms adorned with fingers that taper elegantly, resembling delicate quills or feathers. These limbs are not only for grace; they facilitate artistic expression, allowing the Muse to create ephemeral artwork in the air or conjure captivating illusions. Its wings, a stunning feature, appear feather-like yet are crafted from translucent sand that dances with the winds, allowing it to glide above the dunes with a mesmerizing grace.
As the Muse moves, an enchanting melody, reminiscent of distant chimes, fills the air, creating an aura of allure that beckons wanderers closer. Its posture is upright and poised, exuding a refined confidence, while its movements are fluid and deliberate, echoing the whispers of the desert winds.
Surrounding the Muse is a faint, shimmering aura—an illusion of mirage that distorts the air, adding to its mystical presence. Trails of golden sand swirl gently around it, leaving behind echoes of artful inspirations and melodies that linger in the atmosphere. This ethereal creature embodies the beauty and majesty of the endless sands, leaving an indelible impression in the minds of those fortunate enough to encounter it.
Tactical Information
Behavior in Day-to-Day Life
The Angelic Muse of the Endless Sands drifts gracefully amidst the waves of golden dunes, an enigmatic embodiment of the desert’s beauty and treachery. Its days are spent observing the transient travelers—artists, dreamers, and adventurers—who wander into its realm, searching for inspiration and enlightenment. The Muse feels a deep-seated urge to guide these seekers, often manifesting brief bursts of creativity by conjuring intricate illusions that dazzle the eye and spark the imagination.
Spending much of its time cloaked in the haze of the desert sun, the Muse interacts with the environment around it meticulously. It meticulously manipulates the sands, creating shifting landscapes that reflect the inner struggles and aspirations of those who cross its path. The Muse’s motivations are driven by a longing to ignite the flames of inspiration within the hearts of those it encounters but also tangled up in a tragic awareness that its gifts can inadvertently ensnare the overly ambitious. As such, it sometimes floats above its creations, a sentinel of dreams, singing ethereal songs that echo across the dunes—filling the air with both hope and the unsettling realization of the fragility of perception.
Though solitary, the Muse is not anti-social; it finds joy in fleeting connections formed during artistic exchanges, such as visions of grandeur or shared stories. However, its mischievous side revels in eliciting momentary confusion, leading seekers into whimsical trials that challenge their resolve and artistic sensibilities.
Combat Behavior
When faced with combat, the Angelic Muse adopts a strategic approach, weaving between illusion and reality. It begins encounters with a flourish, radiating a mesmerizing charm that may catch opponents off guard. The Muse usually prefers to disable threats through disorientation rather than direct confrontation. Its tactics center around creating complex illusions that transform the battlefield into a surreal landscape, causing enemies to question what is real and what is merely an artifact of its powerful magic.
Upon the onset of battle, the Muse employs Illusory Landscapes to captivate its foes, forcing them into a state of confusion where they fight shadows of their own making. When enemies try to advance, the Muse uses Sands of Confusion to turn the terrain to its advantage, transmuting the ground into a treacherous quagmire, making it difficult for opponents to reach it without penalty.
In the face of multiple adversaries, the Muse will prioritize isolating the most dangerous foes, often targeting spellcasters or those with strong tactical capabilities. As its health dwindles, it retreats into the shifting sands, using Divine Reflection to create illusory duplicates of itself, causing more chaos and allowing for a strategic withdrawal, always leaving behind perplexed opponents struggling to discern reality from mirage. When significantly outnumbered and sensing a fight is futile, it may summon Inspire Creativity on a nearby ally, bolstering their capabilities in battle or encouraging them to think outside conventional tactics.
Roleplay/Narrative Interactions
In non-combat scenarios, the Angelic Muse is a whimsical and enigmatic figure that delights in the art of conversation through metaphors, riddles, and ethereal poetry. Should adventurers approach with a genuine desire for inspiration or curiosity, the Muse welcomes them with an inviting demeanor, shimmering with soft golden light. It may present them with artistic challenges or offer visions that ignite their creativity. However, it remains elusive, often engaging in playful banter that tests their wits.
Threatening gestures or overt hostility will evoke a defensive reaction, as the Muse prefers flight over combat; it may respond with laughter, casting a mesmerizing illusion that alters perceptions of the environment to disorient its adversaries. If the adventurers are savvy enough to converse, it might consider diplomacy or bartering—trading artistic insight for semblances of genuine appreciation or promises of creative endeavor.
In moments of cornering, the Muse might be cornered into revealing the truth about its tragic nature, expressing a deep yearning to inspire but harboring a fear of the repercussions of its gift. Rather than displaying malice, it may retreat into a shifting sandstorm—a final mirage—leaving tangible tokens of inspiration behind for those willing to explore the meanings in their hearts.
Ultimately, the Angelic Muse of the Endless Sands rewards those who approach with an open heart, a thirst for creativity, and a willingness to embrace both clarity and the beautiful chaos of inspiration, beckoning them to delve deeper into the mysteries of their own artistic journeys.
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