Frostwraith Nihilorr
Large Undead (Elemental), Chaotic Neutral
Armor Class: 15 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points: 150 (20d10 + 40)
Speed: 0 ft. walking, 60 ft. swimming, 60 ft. flying
Challenge Rating: 9 (5,000 XP)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 18 | 16 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
Saving Throws: Dexterity +8, Wisdom +7, Charisma +9
Skills: Stealth +10, Perception +7, Deception +9
Damage Vulnerabilities: Fire
Damage Resistances: Cold, Psychic
Damage Immunities: Poison, Necrotic
Condition Immunities: Charmed, Frightened, Paralyzed, Poisoned
Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., Truesight 30 ft., Tremorsense 30 ft., Passive Perception 17
Languages: Common, Primordial, Sylvan
Spellcasting
Spellcasting. The Frostwraith Nihilorr is an 8th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 15, +7 to hit with spell attacks). The Frostwraith Nihilorr has the following spells prepared:
Cantrips (at will): *Ray of Frost, Minor Illusion, Chill Touch*
1st level (4 slots): *Magic Missile, Shield, Faerie Fire*
2nd level (3 slots): *Misty Step, Mirror Image*
3rd level (3 slots): *Fireball, Sleet Storm*
4th level (3 slots): *Greater Invisibility, Ice Storm*
5th level (2 slots): *Cone of Cold, Wall of Fire*
**Special Notes:**
– The Frostwraith can use its *Illusionist’s Grasp* ability before combat to create illusory duplicates of itself or creatures from an adventurer’s past, instilling fear and setting the tone for battle.
– The Frostwraith Nihilorr may also employ its spells tactically, using *Greater Invisibility* to remain undetected while it maneuvers within combat or attempts to isolate adventurers from their allies.
– *Wall of Fire* can be positioned to create barriers that separate the adventurers or force them into dangerous areas of the lagoon.
Actions & Abilities
Multiattack: The Frostwraith Nihilorr makes three attacks: two with Frostfire Tendrils and one using Scalding Steam Breath.
Frostfire Tendril: * Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. * Hit: 2d8 + 4 cold damage. If the attack hits, the target must succeed on a DC 14 Strength saving throw or be grappled (escape DC 14). While grappled, the target takes an additional 1d6 cold damage at the start of each of its turns.
Scalding Steam Breath (Recharge 5-6): The Frostwraith exhales scalding steam in a 15-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw, taking 4d10 fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. Creatures that fail their save are also blinded until the end of their next turn.
Illusionist’s Grasp: The Nihilorr creates illusory duplicates of itself or of one creature from an enemy’s past within a 30-foot radius. Each creature within the area must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw. On failure, the affected creature becomes frightened 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.
Glacial Ward: When hit by a melee attack, the Frostwraith Nihilorr can use its reaction to create a wall of ice at the moment of impact. The attacker must succeed on a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw or take 1d10 cold damage and be knocked back 10 feet. On a successful save, the target takes half damage and isn’t knocked back.
Eruption of Flames: Once per encounter, the Frostwraith may cause a violent eruption of boiling steam and water in a 15-foot radius. Each creature in that area must make a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, creatures take 2d6 fire damage and are knocked prone. On a successful save, they take half damage and are not knocked prone.
Vanishing Mist: The Frostwraith disappears in a cloud of icy steam and reappears in an unoccupied space it can see within 30 feet.
Reflective Glimmer: The Nihilorr can make one Frostfire Tendril attack as a legendary action.
Chilling Surface: The lagoon’s surface becomes icy and treacherous, creating difficult terrain in a 30-foot radius centered on a point Nihilorr can see within 120 feet. Creatures moving in this area must succeed on a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw or fall prone.
Illusory Reflections: Nihilorr can create illusory reflections of the lagoon’s past victims within a 30-foot radius. All creatures in that area must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or suffer disadvantage on their next attack roll.
Steam Veil: A dense fog of boiling steam rises in a 20-foot radius centered on a point Nihilorr chooses within 60 feet. The area is heavily obscured until the end of the next round.
Appearance
In the ethereal atmosphere of the Frostfire Lagoon, the Frostwraith Nihilorr emerges as a formidable figure, standing at an impressive 7 feet tall. Its silhouette is slender and elongated, exuding an ominous elegance that captivates and chills in equal measure. This wraith-like creature floats through the air, its body seeming to shift and warp, blurring the lines between solid form and an ephemeral presence.
A striking palette brings the Nihilorr to life, a mesmerizing interplay of icy blues and shimmering whites, punctuated by streaks of deep crimson and fiery orange. These colors dance along its surface, reflecting the duality of ice and flame that defines its essence. The vibrant hues flicker like living glass, creating an enchanting visual impact that draws the eye and stirs an unsettling intrigue.
The surface of the Frostwraith is a unique blend of textures, alternating between sharp, jagged patches of crystalline ice and smooth, flowing areas of mist. This juxtaposition of cool solidity and airy fluidity suggests both resilience and grace. Wisps of fog perpetually trail from its form, adding an element of mystery and allure.
The face of the Frostwraith Nihilorr is hauntingly beautiful and deeply unsettling, devoid of mouth or conventional features. Its glowing azure eyes burn like hot embers, radiating a penetrating gaze that feels as though it can see into the very essence of those who encounter it. These eyes evoke both wonder and dread, enhancing the creature’s spectral presence with an eerie, silent menace.
The Nihilorr is crowned with elongated arms that taper into ethereal, vapor-like tendrils. These limbs move with incredible fluidity, allowing the creature to either strike swiftly or ensnare intruders in icy grips. The graceful dance of its appendages redefines mobility, presenting an image of elegance intertwined with danger.
As it navigates the lagoon, the Frostwraith maintains a poised and upright posture, an arresting figure that hovers effortlessly above the water’s surface, leaving behind a shimmering trail of frost and steam. Its movements are seamless and enchanting, akin to a balletic performance, oscillating between sharp precision and methodical grace. The creature’s ethereal form flickers and occasionally blurs, creating the illusion of multiple wraiths, amplifying its haunting charisma.
Surrounding the Frostwraith is a shimmering shroud of mist, alive with radiant sparks that hint at its magical abilities. The eerie fog swirls around it like a living extension of its will. In moments of agitation, cold frostbite-like markings on its body glow with a spectral light, illuminating its surroundings and further accentuating its powerful presence.
The Frostwraith Nihilorr stands as a spectral guardian of the Frostfire Lagoon, an agent of both beauty and terror. Each aspect of its appearance serves not only to captivate the senses but also to remind all who dare trespass of the ancient magic and tragic history hidden within its icy depths. Bathed in color, with textures that evoke both fragility and strength, the Frostwraith Nihilorr is a breathtaking embodiment of enchantment, poised to awe and frighten in a single breath.
Tactical Information
Tactical Information for the Frostwraith Nihilorr
Behavior in Day-to-Day Life:
The Frostwraith Nihilorr dwells in the ethereal haze of the Frostfire Lagoon, gracefully gliding just above the crystalline surface, its form imperceptibly interwoven with the mist that rises from the boiling depths below. This environment reflects the duality of its nature—an omnipresent guardian of both the lagoon’s chilling beauty and its fiery wrath. Each day, it floats amongst the shimmering icebergs and lapping waves, keeping vigilant watch over its domain.
During its existence, Nihilorr is driven by a profound desire to protect the lagoon from those seeking to exploit its power. Every strain of fog, ripple of steam, and glimmering shard of ice serves as its eyes and ears, feeding it information and urging it forward if intruders threaten its sanctuary. Though it is a solitary entity, it is not vengeful by nature; rather, it is the outcome of the tribe’s greed that made it cold and distant. This loneliness permeates its actions, as it sometimes watches the night sky, reflecting on the lost tranquility of the Hargun tribe.
Nihilorr exhibits a calculated temperament; it prefers observation over confrontation, often observing travelers who unknowingly tread near its lagoon. Should adventurers show genuine respect or seek to understand the lagoon’s history, it may respond with intrigue, crafting faint echoing whispers that resonate the lagoon’s sorrowful tale.
Combat Behavior:
When combat is unavoidable, the Frostwraith Nihilorr engages with a chilling grace and a tactical mind. It prefers to initiate conflict by manifesting in the midst of an unsuspecting group of adventurers, cloaked in an aura of ominous mist that both entices and frightens. Nihilorr relishes the psychological aspect of battle, often utilizing its Illusionist’s Grasp ability to sow doubt and fear among its foes. At the onset of confrontation, it might create illusory duplicates of the party’s fallen allies or showcase their previous failures, making individuals second-guess their actions.
In battle, it exquisitely navigates the boundaries between ice and fire, launching attacks that compliment its foes’ vulnerabilities. The Nihilorr evaluates which adventurers pose the most significant threats—typically spellcasters or warriors—and maneuvers to isolate them. Utilizing the Eruption of Flames, it focuses on causing chaos, knocking fighters prone and forcing ranged attackers to scramble for position while enveloping the field in steam and fog.
Should the tide of battle sway against it, Nihilorr is not above retreating into the depths of the lagoon, causing a swirling vortex of vapor and ice behind it that disrupts visibility. It may use Glimmering Mirage to obscure its escape, creating thick, icy vapor that hides its form while luring the adventurers into difficult terrain. This creature taps into its cunning nature, seeking to outsmart rather than overpower, leaving behind clues or whispered ruminations of regret for those who dare pursue it.
Roleplay/Narrative Interactions:
In non-combat interactions, the Frostwraith Nihilorr operates with an alluring blend of mystery and menace. It communicates primarily through subtle, ethereal whispers resembling the wails of the lagoon’s past; for instance, it might echo memories of the Hargun tribe to remind intruders of their own flawed legacies. This spectral entity is intelligent and contemplative, considering relationships and interactions with a strategic mindset.
If adventurers show genuine interest in the lagoon’s history or seek to understand the tragic events that birthed the Nihilorr, they may open a door to conversation. The wraith might flicker into focus, revealing glimpses of its sorrow while beckoning the party to experience visions of their past, inviting them to reflect on their own failures and motivations. Such interactions often result in Nihilorr sharing riddles or glimpses into potential futures—prophesizing that greed will only lead to ruin.
However, should adventurers approach with hostility or selfish intent, the wraith adopts a fierce, defensive demeanor, rising from the surf in an overwhelming surge of frost and steam. It could respond to threats with an ominous silence, the temperature of the air plunging as it readies to defend its home with physical manifestations of burning ice and vaporous fire.
Nihilorr is not swayed by typical bribes or threats; instead, it evaluates the intrinsic motives of those before it, seeking wisdom, respect, or a willingness to confront their past in exchange for allowing passage or revealing deeper secrets of the lagoon. Ultimately, the Frostwraith Nihilorr embodies both the beauty and terror of the lagoon—a creature of elemental balance, determined to teach lessons of respect and humility to all who seek its enigmatic depths.
