I'm a new DM creating a homebrew monster, and was rather concerned about balance. The creature's specialty is to incapacitate mages, especially one-on-one (at least, in the lore). I've tried to balance it as a 8.5 challenge rating encounter that's hard to deadly for a four-party team at level 6.
Description
(Note: some homebrew lore is mentioned)
Sakidera are creatures born in the Miradsbane Fields. They resemble large tarantulas the color of smoke - the sakidera's form itself seems somewhat ephemeral to the eye, shifting slightly even when motionless. The stench of rotten flesh surrounds their form and the world seems unnaturally still in their presence.
A living embodiment of The Dead Zone, sakidera began appearing in Illifona (the elven nation) ten thousand years ago, though their exact origin is unknown. Sakidera are ambush hunters who feed on the magical energy of their victims. They dig elaborate underground tunnel systems that allow them to hunt undetected. Sakidera rarely venture above the surface; they create small openings in the ground and magically pull their victims towards them. Sakidera keep their prey alive for multiple days, allowing the magic of the victim to recover at regular intervals before feeding again. Sakidera are entirely solitary and appear to ignore others of their kind entirely.
Sakidera grow in strength in accordance with the magical prowess of their prey, and a full-grown one can be a match for the most powerful spellcasters in the land. The elves of Illifona have long told solemn tales about the sakidera, devoid of the playful tone that often underlies children's bedtime stories. For there are rumors that such a monster thrives beneath the great capital city of Aerserin, feasting on the enemies of the royal family. One cannot be too careful.
Some thoughts:
The creature is a wisdom spellcaster, mainly because I saw their magical abilities as more intuition than intelligence. A creature who makes a save against the sakidera's magic is resisting the sakidera's 'touch' on their life and magical force, and must recognize and draw away from that power through a similar intuition. But constitution might make more sense - I'm not sure.
Siphon may be broken. Alternatives: 1. 30 ft cone instead of sphere 2. no stun 3. fewer temporary hitpoints gained. Open to suggestions :)
Basic stats/damage may be too much, given the sakidera's magic
I'm not sure I'm entirely happy with how the sakidera look.
Any recommendations are welcome! Thank you!
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I'm a new DM creating a homebrew monster, and was rather concerned about balance. The creature's specialty is to incapacitate mages, especially one-on-one (at least, in the lore). I've tried to balance it as a 8.5 challenge rating encounter that's hard to deadly for a four-party team at level 6.
Description
(Note: some homebrew lore is mentioned)
Sakidera are creatures born in the Miradsbane Fields. They resemble large tarantulas the color of smoke - the sakidera's form itself seems somewhat ephemeral to the eye, shifting slightly even when motionless. The stench of rotten flesh surrounds their form and the world seems unnaturally still in their presence.
A living embodiment of The Dead Zone, sakidera began appearing in Illifona (the elven nation) ten thousand years ago, though their exact origin is unknown. Sakidera are ambush hunters who feed on the magical energy of their victims. They dig elaborate underground tunnel systems that allow them to hunt undetected. Sakidera rarely venture above the surface; they create small openings in the ground and magically pull their victims towards them. Sakidera keep their prey alive for multiple days, allowing the magic of the victim to recover at regular intervals before feeding again. Sakidera are entirely solitary and appear to ignore others of their kind entirely.
Sakidera grow in strength in accordance with the magical prowess of their prey, and a full-grown one can be a match for the most powerful spellcasters in the land. The elves of Illifona have long told solemn tales about the sakidera, devoid of the playful tone that often underlies children's bedtime stories. For there are rumors that such a monster thrives beneath the great capital city of Aerserin, feasting on the enemies of the royal family. One cannot be too careful.
Some thoughts:
Any recommendations are welcome! Thank you!