Page 234 - ghosts-of-saltmarsh

DEEP SCION
Deep scions began life as people who were stolen from
shore or saved from sinking ships and offered a terrible
bargain by an undersea power: surrender, body and
soul. or drown. Those who submit are subjected to an DROWNED ASCETIC
ancient ritual widespread among evil aquatic creatures. Dressed in tattered robes, its fists wrapped in long rib·
Its methods are painful and the result never certain, but bons of rotting cloth, the drowned ascetic moves with
when it works, the magic transforms an air-breathing alarming speed for an undead creature. This martial
person into a sbapechanger that can take a form that is artist. rising from the ocean in Tammeraut's Fate. re-
fully at home beneath the waves. tains its fighting reflexes despite its rotting flesh.

DEEP SCION DROWNED ASCETIC
Medium humanoid (shapechanger), neutral evil
Medium undead, chaotic evil
Armor Class 11 Armor Class 13
Hit Points 67 (9d8 + 27)
Speed 30 ft. (20 ft. and swim 40 ft. in hybrid form) Hit Points 75 (10d8 + 30)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
18 (+4) 13 (+l) 16 (+3) 10 (+O) 12 (+1) 14 (+2)
12 (+1) 16 (+3) 16 (+3) 3 (-4) 9 (-1) 5 (-3)
Saving Throws Wis +3, Cha +4 Saving Throws Dex +S
Skills Deception +6, Insight +3, Sleight of Hand +3, Stealth +3 Damage Immunities poison
Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 11 Condition Immunities poisoned
Languages Aquan, Common, thieves' cant Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 9
Challenge 3 (700 XP)
Languages understands the languages it knew in life but can't
speak
Shapechanger. The deep scion can use its action to poly- Challenge 3 (700 XP)
morph into a humanoid-piscine hybrid form, or back into its
true form. Its statistics. other than its speed, are the same in Bottom Treader. The drowned ascetic cannot swim, and it sinks
each form. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn't trans· to the bottom of any body of water. It takes no penalties to its
formed. The deep scion reverts to its true form if it dies. movement or attacks underwater. It is immune to the effects of
being underwater at a depth greater than 100 feet.
Amphibious (Hybrid Form Only). The deep scion can breathe
air and water. Bound Together. The drowned ascetic shares its mind with
every other drowned one within 1 mile of it, and can commu-
A CTIONS nicate its thoughts and observations to them instantaneously
Multiattack. In humanoid form, the deep scion makes two me- and without limitation.
lee attacks. In hybrid form, the deep scion makes three attacks: Undead Fortitude. If damage reduces the drowned ascetic to 0
one with its bite and two with its claws. hit points, it must make a Constitution saving throw with a DC
Battleaxe (Humanoid Form Only). Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to of 5 + the damage taken, unless the damage is radiant or from
hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (ld8 + 4) slashing damage, or a critical hit. On a success. the drowned ascetic drops to l hit
9 (ldlO + 4) slashing damage 1f used with two hands. point instead.

Bite (Hybrid Form Only). Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach A CTIONS
5 ft., one creature. Hit: 6 (ld4 + 4) piercing damage. Multiattack. The drowned ascetic makes three un·
Claw (Hybrid Form Only). Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, armed strikes.
reach 5 ft.. one target. Hit: 7 (ld6 + 4) slashing damage. Unarmed Strike. Melee Weapon Attack: +S to hit, reach 5 ft.,
Psychic Screech (Hybrid Form Only; Recharges after a Short one target. Hit: 7 (ld8 + 3) bludgeoning damage, and the target
or Long Rest). The deep scion emits a terrible scream audible must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or contract
within 300 feet. Creatures within 30 feet of the deep scion must bluerot (see the" Bluerot" sidebar).
succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or be stunned until
the end of the deep scion's next turn. In water, the psychic REACTIONS
screech also telepathically transmits the deep scion's memo· Dexterous Target. The drowned ascetic adds 3 to its AC against
ries of the last 24 hours to its master, regardless of distance, so one ranged attack that would hit it. To do so, the drowned as·
long as it and its master are 1n the same body of water. cetic must see the attacker.

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