Incorporeal Movement. The bastellus can move through other creatures and objects as if they were difficult terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it ends its turn inside an object.
Shadowy Invisibility. The bastellus is naturally invisible, even to darkvision. A creature that relies on darkvision to see the bastellus takes 5 (1d10) psychic damage when it starts its turn within 30 feet of the bastellus.
Ethereal Sight. The bastellus can see 60 feet into the Ethereal Plane when it is on the Material Plane, and vice versa.
Innate Spellcasting. The bastellus's innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 13). It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:
- At will: minor illusion
- 3/day each: sleep, darkness
Dream Feeding. The bastellus can feed on the dreams of sleeping creatures, requiring physical contact and concentrating for 1 minute. The target must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or be cursed with an effect determined by the bastellus:
- Nightmare's Torment: The target has disadvantage on Wisdom saving throws and Wisdom (Perception) checks until the curse is removed.
- Fading Vitality: The target takes 1d4 necrotic damage whenever it completes a long rest. This damage can't be reduced or prevented in any way.
False Appearance. While the bastellus remains motionless and hidden, it is indistinguishable from an inanimate shadow.
Sunlight Sensitivity. While in sunlight, the bastellus has disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.
Turn Immunity. The bastellus is immune to effects that turn undead.
Shadow Grasp. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: The target must make a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or be paralyzed until the end of its next turn. If the target is already under the effect of the bastellus's Dream Feeding curse, it takes an additional 10 (3d6) necrotic damage.
Ethereal Passage (Recharge 5-6). The bastellus shifts into the Ethereal Plane as a bonus action. While there, it can take physical objects with it. The bastellus returns to the Material Plane in the same spot it left or in the unoccupied space nearest to that spot.
Description
The bastellus is a haunting, undead creature that comes in the night to feed upon the dream energies of helpless sleepers. In many cultures, it is known simply as a nightmare or dream stalker.
The bastellus is seldom seen, for it only appears in the presence of sleeping beings. Reports of the creature’s true form, however, have been gathered from those who came across one while it was feeding. From these accounts, it is known that the bastellus looks like a hulking humanoid shadow. Utterly featureless, it feeds by placing its outstretched hand upon the victim’s brow. When feeding, it always has its head thrown back as if it were in ecstasy, for the absorption of dream energy causes it great pleasure.
No recorded attempt to communicate with a bastellus has ever succeeded, so its language (if any) is unknown to mortal man. It is assumed, however, that a bastellus can impart messages to others through manipulation of their dreams, for many incidents have occurred in which previously unknown facts were available to someone after a visitation from a bastellus.
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