Echoing Warden
Huge Undead, Neutral Evil
Armor Class: 17 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points: 215 (23d12 + 69)
Speed: Fly 40 ft., Hover 20 ft.
Challenge Rating: 11 (7,200 XP)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 |
Saving Throws: Strength +8, Dexterity +6, Constitution +7, Wisdom +9, Charisma +10
Skills: Perception +9, Stealth +10, Insight +9, Intimidation +10
Damage Vulnerabilities: Radiant
Damage Resistances: Necrotic, Psychic
Damage Immunities: Poison, Cold
Condition Immunities: Charmed, Frightened, Paralyzed, Poisoned
Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., Truesight 60 ft., Blindsight 30 ft., Passive Perception 19
Languages: Understands Common and Infernal but does not speak.
Spellcasting
Spellcasting. The Echoing Warden is a 12th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 16, +8 to hit with spell attacks). The Echoing Warden has the following spells prepared:
Cantrips (at will): *Eldritch Blast*, *Minor Illusion*, *Message*
1st level (4 slots): *Disguise Self*, *Silent Image*
2nd level (3 slots): *Darkness*, *Mirror Image*
3rd level (3 slots): *Fear*, *Hypnotic Pattern*
4th level (3 slots): *Phantasmal Killer*, *Greater Invisibility*
5th level (2 slots): *Dominate Person*, *Cloudkill*
**Notes:** The Echoing Warden prefers to cast spells that induce fear and confusion before engaging in direct combat, often using *Silent Image* to create false duplicates or distractions. It fights defensively from the shadows, employing *Darkness* and *Greater Invisibility* to enhance its tactical position and avoid being targeted directly.
Actions & Abilities
Claw: *Melee Weapon Attack*: +10 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. *Hit*: 3d10 + 6 slashing damage. The shadowy claws rip into the target, leaving a lingering chill that saps their morale.
Lamenting Grasp: *Melee Spell Attack*: +12 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. *Hit*: 4d10 + 6 psychic damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 19 Wisdom saving throw or be *frightened* until the end of its next turn, hearing the wails of lost souls echoing in its ears. The echoes of the Warden’s victims lash out physically, causing pain that resonates with despair.
Echo Burst (Recharge 5-6): The Echoing Warden unleashes a psychic shockwave in a 30-foot radius. Each creature in that area must succeed on a DC 19 Intelligence saving throw or take 6d12 psychic damage and be *stunned* until the end of its next turn. On a successful save, they take half damage and are not stunned. The sound of every whisper and scream of its lost souls bursts forth, disorienting all who hear it.
Phantom Whispers: *Ranged Spell Attack*: +10 to hit, range 60 ft., one target. *Hit*: 4d8 psychic damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw or be *frightened* until the end of its next turn. The target suddenly hears horrible whispers that reveal their worst fears, causing paralyzing dread.
Shadow Step (Recharge 5-6): The Echoing Warden teleports up to 60 feet to an unoccupied space it can see within dim light or darkness. After teleporting, it can make one Lamenting Grasp attack as a part of the same action. The Warden moves seamlessly through shadows, reappearing to strike while remaining elusive.
Illusory Echo: The Warden creates an illusory duplicate that harasses a player. The duplicate lasts until the end of the Warden’s next turn and can cast *Mirror Image* on itself.
Whisper of Despair: One target within 60 feet must succeed on a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw or be *frightened* until the end of its next turn, hearing echoes of its greatest fear.
Eldritch Snare (Costs 2 Actions): The Warden conjures dark tendrils that lash out at a creature within 30 feet. The target must make a DC 19 Dexterity saving throw or be restrained for 1 minute. The creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, escaping on a success.
Shadowed Depths: Shadows stretch unnaturally, causing all areas of dim light to become full darkness until the next initiative count 20. Until this lair action is used again, visibility is reduced to blind-fighting conditions.
Echoing Resurgence: The Warden regains 15 hit points as the whispers of its lost souls feed its essence. This effect can only occur once per round.
Twisting Stairs: The Echoing Warden causes the staircase to shift violently, creating difficult terrain in a 60-foot radius. Each creature in the area must succeed on a DC 18 Dexterity saving throw or fall, taking 3d6 bludgeoning damage and needing to spend half their movement to stand up.
Appearance
There stands the Echoing Warden, an ethereal behemoth looming at 12 feet tall, its elongated skeletal form creating a haunting silhouette against the stark white background. This ghostly creature hovers just above the ground, its slender body gliding gracefully as if buoyed by the very shadows it commands. The regal posture and imposing presence lend the Warden an air of majesty, setting it apart as a sentinel of the staircase it haunts.
Draped in a tattered robe that seems woven from the abyss, the color palette shifts seamlessly between deep charcoal gray and translucent black, giving the impression of swirling darkness that breathes around it. Flecks of spectral blue occasionally shimmer within the depths of its robe, drawing the eye and enhancing its ethereal quality. The interplay of light and shadow creates an animated appearance, as if the very fabric of the staircase ebbs and flows around this ominous figure.
The surface of the Warden is strikingly smooth yet cold, reminiscent of ancient stone worn down by time. This unsettling texture is marred only by patches of misty wisps, swirling faintly with white luminescence, amplifying the creature’s ghostly demeanor. It boasts a featureless visage, devoid of any familiar characteristics; where a face should exist, only shadow-form remains. Yet its icy, blue eyes stand out with a haunting glow, illuminating the darkness and reflecting the bravery or fears of those who dare to meet its gaze. The absence of a mouth further adds to its eerie aura, as spectral whispers seem to echo from within, hinting at the tormented souls lost to the staircase.
The Echoing Warden’s limbs are long and bony, extending gracefully from its sides, with claw-like fingers that taper into sharp, ethereal points, designed for a menacing grasp. This unsettling configuration reinforces its ghostly presence. Instead of traditional legs, the Warden hovers slightly above the ground, gliding effortlessly on dark, phantom-like wisps that emanate from its base, creating the impression that it is an entity spun out of darkness itself.
Movement is a defining characteristic of the Warden. It glides silently through the air, its approach enveloped in a disconcerting stillness that heightens the tension of its presence. Each motion reflects a graceful dominance, as the shadows around it ripple and shift with every subtle gesture, bending the surrounding reality to its will. The Warden maintains an upright, regal posture, enhancing its intimidating stature and lending it an aura of authority over its domain.
Among the many captivating features of the Echoing Warden, its glowing blue eyes stand out as the most striking. They radiate an ominous light, casting an eerie halo around its imposing figure and drawing in the unsuspecting with their hypnotic gaze. The robe it wears appears animated, as the intricate patterns flicker with dim light—an illusion of shifting terrain that confuses and disorients those brave enough to approach. This constant aura of darkness is accompanied by a distortion of sound that follows the creature, amplifying its supernatural presence and reinforcing the sense of dread that pervades the atmosphere.
In essence, the Echoing Warden is a mesmerizing, foreboding creature—a guardian of silence and shadows, embodying an unsettling blend of beauty and terror. Its striking features and haunting presence create a vivid image that lingers in the minds of all who encounter it, an eternal reminder of the mysteries that lie within the staircase it protects.
Tactical Information
The Echoing Warden: Tactical Behavior & Narrative Interactions
Behavior in Day-to-Day Life
The Echoing Warden exists as an eternal guardian of the Endless Stairwell, a solitary figure whose presence is both palpable and eerie. Its primary motivation is the preservation of knowledge and the prevention of malicious intent from reaching the dark depths that lie below. Unlike typical monsters, which might act out of hunger or territoriality, the Warden embodies a philosophical conundrum—it does not seek to harm indiscriminately but instead aims to test those who enter its realm.
In the deep, oppressive stillness of the stairwell, the Warden regularly drifts between realms of reality and illusion, ensuring that the echoes of the past mingle with the present. It communes with the souls trapped within its domain, gleaning their fears and despairing narratives to refine its own understanding of sorrow and temptation. The Warden interacts with these echoes as if they were friends, often sharing a dark humor that resonates in the shadows where mortals dare not tread.
Unlike creatures that hoard treasures, the Warden collects stories and experiences, weaving them into the fabric of its being. Those who tread the stairwell out of desperation—either seeking knowledge or the promise of power—will often hear soft whispers or laughter reverberating against the stone, revealing glimpses of both past and future and leeching the determination of defiance from their hearts.
Combat Behavior
When the Echoing Warden senses intruders approaching, it typically prefers to remain hidden, floating silently within the shadows cast by the flickering light of any torches or spells. It begins by employing its auditory illusions, using the sounds of footsteps, cries, or laughter to disorient and confuse its foes. The Warden delights in creating an unsettling atmosphere, aiming to induce fear before revealing its presence.
Once confronted, the Warden engages with a calculated approach. It often targets spellcasters or those who exhibit signs of fear, using abilities like Whisper of Despair to instill terror and sap their courage. While its illusory duplicates created with Illusory Echo are formidable distractions, the Warden itself prefers to hover just out of reach, striking at range with its psychic assaults and employing Lamenting Grasp against any grappling or incapacitated foes.
If surrounded or outnumbered, the Warden will exhibit cunning tactics, retreating into the shadows using its Invisibility of Shadows to reposition itself. Amidst chaos, it might rely on Summon Shadows to create difficult terrain, further frustrating the adventurers’ attempts to coordinate their actions. The Warden understands the power of psychological warfare; by creating illusions of retreat or the appearance of multiple foes, it can manipulate its enemies’ perceptions.
When the fight turns against it, and within the bounds of its beliefs, the Warden may attempt to negotiate or appeal to the adventurers’ morality. It will weigh its options, deciding whether to stand its ground or offer a chance for safe passage in exchange for a demonstration of their intent—be it through a riddle or task that reflects their wisdom and courage.
Roleplay/Narrative Interactions
In narrative interactions, the Echoing Warden is enigmatic and ethereal. It possesses an ancient intelligence and a disquieting charisma, often relaying its messages in riddles or profound statements that compel thought and reflection. The Warden communicates softly, imitating the echoes that surround it—its voice reverberating dissonantly, instilling a sense of dread and curiosity.
When approached by adventurers, it assesses their intentions through probing questions, challenging them to reveal their purpose. The Warden may appear intimidating, but it is not inherently hostile; it seeks to understand the nature of each visitor it encounters. If adventurers are truthful and demonstrate a desire for knowledge rather than power, the Warden may share insights into the staircase’s secrets, offering tantalizing glimpses of lost magic or hidden truths buried in the depths.
Should diplomacy fail or the intentions of intruders reveal malice, the Warden will lash out with psychic fury, echoing the cries of those it has lost to seek the truth. It is particularly attentive to signs of treachery or fear and will exploit these weaknesses to manipulate its foes. For those who attempt bribery, the Warden may simply laugh—perceiving material wealth as inconsequential compared to the profound knowledge that it guards.
Ultimately, the Echoing Warden is a being shaped by the legacies of the past—a creature that bridges the worlds of shadow and light, intent on ensuring that wisdom is revered over greed, forcing the adventurers to choose not just their path but the very essence of their character. Engaging with the Warden is as much about facing the external challenge it poses as it is about confronting the inner fears each adventurer carries with them into the depths.
