Ancient Night Twist

False Appearance. While the Ancient Night Twist remains motionless, it is indistinguishable from a normal tree.

Unholy Grace. The ancient night twist adds its Charisma modifier as a bonus to all its saving throws and to its armor class.

Death Curse. When the Night Twist dies, if its death was at the hands of another creature, the creature who dealt the final damage responsible for killing the Night Twist must succeed on a DC 22 Wisdom Saving Throw or be cursed by the Night Twist. A creature cursed in this way is wracked with nightmares which inflict 12 (2d12) [Psychic] damage each night while the creature is sleeping. The victim is also denied the benefits of a long rest, and must make a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw to avoid Exhaustion. The DC increases by 1 for each night the creature remains cursed. A creature who does not sleep is immune to the curse, however, elves are still subject to its effects during meditation.

The only way to remove the curse is the casting of a remove curse spell or equivalent during the victim’s slumber while they are plagued with nightmares. If the victim dies while under the curse, a new Night Twist springs from their corpse after one month. The new Night Twist sapling appears to be a normal plant until it reaches maturity.

Song of Despair. Every evening, a Night Twist emits a sorrowful sound that inspires melancholy and despair in all creatures who can hear with an Intelligence score of 6 or higher within 1 mile. All creatures who hear the song must succeed on a DC 20 Wisdom saving throw or be charmed by the Night Twist’s despair song. Creature’s affected by the song have disadvantage on attack rolls, skill checks, and saving throws. They are also compelled to seek the source of the song (the Night Twist) and will neglect all other tasks or needs in order to do so. If physically prevented from seeking out the Night Twist, the affected creature takes 12 (2d12) [Psychic] damage every evening until it dies or until the charm is removed.

This damage also reduces the creature's maximum hit points by the amount taken and cannot be prevented in any way. Relocating the victim outside the area affected by the Night Twist’s song does not end the enchantment. The song also ends immediately once the Night Twist makes a slam attack against the target, or if the Night Twist is destroyed. A creature who succeeds on their saving throw is immune to the song of despair for the next 24-hours.

Spellcasting. The Night Twist is a 18th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 18, +10 to hit with spell attacks). The Night Twist has following spells prepared:

• Cantrips (At will): Minor Illusion, Bane, Darkness
• 6/Day Each: Phantasmal Killer, Spirit Guardians, Animate Dead, Hallucinatory Terrain
• 4/Day Each: Contagion, Raise Dead, Mass Suggestion, Wall of Thorns
• 2/Day Each: Project Image, Finger of Death
• 1/Day: Power Word: Kill

Magic Resistance. The Ancient Night Twist has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Legendary Resistance (3/day). If the Ancient Night Twist fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead

Multiattack. The Night Twist makes four slam attacks.

Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 15 ft., 1 target. Hit: 30 (4d10 + 10) [Bludgeoning] damage. The target must make a DC 18 Strength saving throw or become Grappled. The target can escape by succeeding on a DC 18 Strength check at the end of their following turns.

The Ancient Night Twist can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature's turn. The Ancient Night Twist regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.

Double Slam. The Ancient Night Twist makes two slam attacks.

Blight Call (3 Actions). The Ancient Night Twist can summon 8 (2d8) Twig Blight, 6 (2d6) Needle Blight and 4 (2d4) Vine Blight. These monsters will fight on behalf of the Ancient Night Twist and the Ancient Night Twist cannot use this legendary action again until all the blights have been killed.