Whispering Shards
Small Undead, Chaotic Neutral
Armor Class: 13 (natural armor)
Hit Points: 27 (5d6 + 5)
Speed: 30 ft., fly 30 ft. (hover)
Challenge Rating: 1/4 (50 XP)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 16 | 12 | 1 | 14 | 10 |
Saving Throws: Dexterity +5, Wisdom +4
Skills: Stealth +7, Perception +4
Damage Vulnerabilities: Radiant damage
Damage Resistances: Necrotic, Psychic, all non-magical physical damage
Damage Immunities: Poison
Condition Immunities: Charmed, Frightened, Paralyzed, Poisoned
Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., Blindsight 10 ft., Passive Perception 14
Languages: Understands Common and Abyssal but cannot speak.
Spellcasting
“”
Actions & Abilities
Shadow Latch: *Melee Weapon Attack:* +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
**Hit:** 1d4 psychic damage and the target must succeed on a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw or be pulled 5 feet closer to the Whispering Shard. On a failed save, the target may also fall prone if they are pulled into an edge or alcove of shadows.
Dreadful Whispers (Recharge 5-6): Each Whispering Shard emits haunting whispers in a 15-foot radius. Each creature that can hear them must succeed on a DC 12 Wisdom saving throw or have disadvantage on saving throws against fear effects until the start of their next turn.
Disorienting Flicker: The Whispering Shard can cause confusion within the target’s mind. At the start of its turn, any creature within 5 feet of a Whispering Shard must succeed on a DC 12 Wisdom saving throw or use its action to attack an adjacent ally instead of its intended target until the start of its next turn.
Shadow Evade: As a defensive measure, the Whispering Shard briefly dissipates into the shadows. Until the start of its next turn, it gains advantage on Dexterity saving throws, and attacks made against it have disadvantage until it reappears.
Appearance
The Whispering Shards stand as small, haunting figures ranging from 8 to 12 inches tall, each one a jagged, crystalline silhouette that seems to cut through the surrounding darkness. Their structure resembles sharply honed shards of glass, manifesting an intricate array of pointed, angular shapes. Set against a solid white background, their ethereal form captures attention, appearing both delicate and formidable.
Draped in a deep obsidian hue, these creatures gleam with gradients of midnight blue that shimmer and shift with every motion. Interwoven within their glassy bodies are strands of cerulean, like wavy currents of light trapped under the surface, creating a captivating visual effect that teeters between beautiful and unsettling.
The Whispering Shards boast a polished and smooth surface, chilling to the touch, enhancing their otherworldly essence. Hairline fractures weave across their bodies, resembling a spider’s web or faint echoes of anguish, hinting at the tragic origins of their existence. An eerie glow reminds viewers of their supernatural nature, as these shards exude a ghostly luminescence, casting a faint light that flickers rhythmically, sending shivers down the spine.
Instead of traditional faces, the shards possess a central, luminescent point that serves as their “eye.” This vivid blue light pulses with an intensity that seems to scrutinize onlookers, while edges of their forms occasionally ripple, revealing brief, shadowy visages—faces caught in despair from lives long gone. The lack of conventional features adds to their menacing aura, leaving a chilling impression.
In terms of movement, the Whispering Shards are fluid and unpredictable. Without limbs in a traditional sense, they gracefully extend and contract as they hover, darting rapidly through the air. Their posture remains upright and taut, always ready to spring into action, often appearing as streaks of dark shadows flitting across a dimly lit space. When gathered together, they perform a disconcerting dance, weaving in and out of sight, leaving a disquieting impression on those who dare approach.
Adding to their mystique, the shards are accompanied by soft, sorrowful whispers that create a haunting ambiance, intensifying the dread in their presence. This unearthly chorus seems to swirl around them, echoing the anguish of their past, while a constant shifting of shadows clings to their forms, forming a moving silhouette that embodies despair.
In essence, the Whispering Shards are both mesmerizing and terrifying—a striking combination of beauty and dread. Their small, sharp stature and dynamic movements, paired with a ghostly glow and chilling whispers, lay bare a vivid snapshot of creatures that haunt shadows, embodying the stories of sorrow and despair etched into their very being.
Tactical Information
Whispering Shards: Tactical Behaviors and Narrative Interactions
Behavior in Day-to-Day Life:
In the shadowy depths of the Orchid of Shadows, the Whispering Shards drift in a community as fractured as their origin—tethered together yet isolated, connected by their shared torment but separated by the essence of their lost identities. Each shard is a flickering echo of the souls that once inhabited the vibrant community, and they exude an atmosphere of conflicted emotions, oscillating between malevolence and sorrow.
These ephemeral creatures do not hunt or feed in the traditional sense; instead, they are nourished by the fear and despair of those who wander into their domain. The very act of intruders treading upon their cursed ground serves as sustenance, fueling their power and adding to the cacophony of whispers that resonate through the cavern.
Socially, Whispering Shards exist in unnerving harmony, forming small swarms of four to six that dart around in chaotic patterns. They communicate through haunting whispers, a melding of sorrowful echoes that intertwine to form a disquieting chorus. Rather than engaging with one another in friendly greetings, their interactions revolve around shared disorientation, as they discuss new shadows to haunt or fresh sorrows from wanderers who stray too close. When approached by adventurers, they swirl and flicker, each portraying the conflicting emotions of both torment and a fleeting desire for connection, their shimmering forms reflecting the remembered light of hope, now extinguished.
Combat Behavior:
Combat for the Whispering Shards is a dance of elusive shadows and whispered torment. When they perceive intruders entering their domain, rather than a direct attack, they initiate skirmishes stealthily. The shards can feel the anticipatory energy of fear that builds in the hearts of their targets, and they take delight in this dread. They first surround their foes, flickering in and out of sight, creating an overwhelming disarray that disorients their victims.
Utilizing their Dreadful Whispers, the Whispering Shards emit a spine-chilling cacophony designed to clam the minds of their opponents, making them tremble and hesitate as shadows dance unnaturally around them. They capitalize on the ensuing chaos by using Disorienting Flicker to sow discord among the adventurers and force allies to turn upon each other.
If outnumbered, the Whispering Shards will execute their Shadow Evade ability, darting into the darkness with graceful fluidity, retreating to regroup and reassess their strategy. They thrive in chaotic environments but can exploit any perceived weaknesses; for instance, if a spellcaster is present among the intruders, they may focus their assault on them, drawing attention away from scattered allies.
Should the confrontation take a dire turn and their swarm begin to dissipate, they retreat deeper into the shadows, weaving through darkness and attempting to lure their pursuers into perilous terrain with Shadow Pull. This tactic augments their precarious existence and instills an unshakeable fear of potential retribution.
Roleplay/Narrative Interactions:
Outside of combat, the Whispering Shards embody an unsettling presence. When approached with caution, they may respond to adventurers’ inquiries with dispassionate whispers that echo back the intentions of those seeking answers. However, realizing they are perceived as foes, they exhibit defensive behavior; their shimmering forms flicker anxiously, mirroring the turmoil within the individual souls trapped in their glassy shells.
In scenarios where diplomacy appears a possibility, the Whispering Shards might engage in cryptic riddles or propose emotional tests, challenging the intruders to confront their fears and sorrows. They possess a desire to communicate the tragedy of their existence, and while they are inherently suspicious and mistrustful, there lies a flicker of the hope for redemption and release from their torment.
Should adventurers attempt to bribe or pacify them, the Whispering Shards may respond with skepticism, turning the offer into an opportunity for intrigue, posing haunting questions about the lengths to which one would go to escape their despair. If encountered in tight quarters, their instincts may prompt them to dismiss the adventurers outright, retreating to shadows and ephemeral movements, adding a sense of urgency to the characters’ quest.
While the Whispering Shards are reflections of sorrow and despair, they remain tragic figures caught in a relentless cycle of torment, forever entwined with both the twinge of nostalgia and palpable darkness—ultimately blending action and emotion seamlessly into the experience of the adventurers who dare to tread upon their cursed grounds.
Speak Your Mind