Stunningly tall and beautiful fiends, the heralds of darkness resemble dark-haired fey wearing cloaks and armor glittering with dark light and often surrounded by a nimbus of pale green fire.
Heralds of darkness speak in fluid tones and sing with the voices of angels, but their hearts are foul and treacherous.
Vision of Evil. Indeed, the heralds of darkness can take on another appearance entirely, disappearing into insubstantial shadows and unveiling an evil majestic form that leaves those who see it shaken and weak—and often blind. Speaking of this form is difficult, but poets and bards trying to describe it have said it resembles an apocalyptic horror built of chained souls and the slow death of children carried along in a glacial river, rushing to an inevitable doom.
Sword and Cloak. The black sword and star-scattered cloak of a herald of darkness are part of its magical substance and cannot be parted from it. Some believe the cloak and blade are true visions of its body; the smiling face and pleasing form are entirely illusory.
Corruptors of the Fey. The heralds of darkness are companions and sometimes masters to the shadow fey. They seek to draw many others into their orbit with wild promises of great power, debauchery, and other delights. They are rivals to the heralds of blood and bitter foes to all angels of light.
Herald of Darkness
Large fiend, neutral evilArmor Class 15 (chain shirt)
Hit Points 105 (10d10 + 50)
Speed 30 ft., swim 30 ft., fly 50 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 (+5) | 14 (+2) | 20 (+5) | 12 (+1) | 15 (+2) | 20 (+5) |
Saving Throws Str +8, Con +8, Cha +8
Skills Athletics +8, Deception +8, Perception +5
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, thunder
Damage Immunities cold, lightning, necrotic, poison
Condition Immunities exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned
Senses darkvision 200 ft., passive Perception 15
Languages Common, Elvish, Goblin, Infernal, Sylvan
Challenge 7 (2,900 XP)
Corrupting Touch. A herald of darkness can destroy any wooden, leather, copper, iron, or paper object by touching it as a bonus action. A mundane item is destroyed automatically; a magical item survives if its owner makes a successful DC 16 Dexterity saving throw.
Gift of Darkness. A herald of darkness can transform any fey, human, or goblin into one of the shadow fey, if the target willingly accepts this transformation.
Shadow Form. A herald of darkness can become incorporeal as a shadow as a bonus action. In this form, it has a fly speed of 10 feet; it can enter and occupy spaces occupied by other creatures; it gains resistance to all nonmagical damage; it has advantage on physical saving throws; it can pass through any gap or opening; it can’t attack, interact with physical objects, or speak. It can return to its corporeal form also as a bonus action.
Actions
Multiattack. The herald of darkness uses Majesty of the Abyss, if it is available, and makes one melee attack.
Embrace Darkness. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., all creatures in reach. Hit: 6 (1d12) necrotic damage and targets are paralyzed until the start of the herald’s next turn. Making a DC 17 Constitution saving throw negates the paralysis.
Majesty of the Abyss (Recharge 4-6). The herald of darkness emits a sinister burst of infernal power. All creatures within 30 feet and in direct line of sight of the herald take 19 (3d12) necrotic damage and must make a DC 17 Constitution saving throw. Those who fail the saving throw are blinded for 2 rounds; those who succeed are frightened for 2 rounds.
Shadow Sword. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (2d12 + 5) slashing damage.