Empathic Feeding. At the start of each of the gray jester's turns, each creature it has charmed has its Charisma score reduced by 1d4, and the grey jester gains a number of temporary hit points equal to the amount of Charisma damage dealt. If a target has its Charisma score reduced to 0 by this effect, it falls unconscious. Otherwise, the reduction lasts until the target finishes a short or long rest.

If a humanoid has its Charisma score reduced to 0 by this effect, it awakens as a bleak one under the command of the gray jester 1d4 hours later, until freed by the greater restoration spell or other magic.

Innate Spellcasting. The gray jester's innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 14, +6 to hit with spell attacks). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:

At will: acid splash, dancing lights, magic mouth, minor illusion, shocking grasp, vicious mockery

3/day each: disguise self, feather fall, grease, Tasha's hideous laughter

1/day each: hypnotic pattern, mirror image, phantasmal force

Scepter. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 3 (1d6) bludgeoning damage and 3 (1d6) psychic damage. The target  must succeed on a DC 14 Charisma saving throw or be charmed for 1 minute. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Taunt. When a creature misses the gray jester with an attack, it can force the creature to succeed on a DC 14 Charisma saving throw or suffer disadvantage on ability checks, attack rolls, and saving throws until the start of the grey jester’s next turn.