Charge. If Cadance moves at least 20 feet straight toward a target and then hits it with a horn attack on the same turn, the target takes an extra 9 (2d8) piercing damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
Innate Spellcasting. Cadance’s innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 15). Cadance can innately cast the following spells, requiring no components:
At will: detect evil and good, pass without trace, telekinesis
1/day each: calm emotions, dispel evil and good, entangle
Legendary Resistance (1/Day). If Cadance fails a saving throw, she can choose to succeed instead.
Magic Resistance. Cadance has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
Magic Weapons. Cadance’s weapon attacks are magical.
Spellcasting. Cadance is a 15th-level spellcaster. Her spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 16, +9 to hit with spell attacks). Cadance has the following sorercer spells prepared:
Cantrips (at will): guidance, light, prestidigitation, ray of frost
1st level (4 slots): identify, mage armor, magic missile
2nd level (3 slots): mirror image, moonbeam, shatter
3rd level (3 slots): counterspell, dispel magic, tongues
4th level (3 slots): banishment, ice storm
5th level (2 slots): cone of cold, greater restoration
6th level (2 slots): flesh to stone, wall of ice
7th level (1 slot): mirage arcane, reverse gravity
Multiattack. Cadance makes two attacks: one with her hooves and one with her horn.
Hooves. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 4) bludgeoning damage.
Horn. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) piercing damage.
Crystal Burst. Melee or Spell Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 120 ft., one target. Hit: 25 (4d10 + 3) radiant damage.
Healing Touch (3/Day). Cadance touches another creature with her horn. The target magically regains 11 (2d8 + 2) hit points. In addition, the touch removes all diseases and neutralizes all poisons afflicting the target.
Love Charm. Cadance targets one or two humanoids, celestials, or beasts that she can see within 30 feet of her. If the target can see Cadance, it must succeed on a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw or be magically charmed. The charmed creature falls in love with the first creature it sees and regards Cadance as a trusted friend to be heeded and protected. Although the target isn’t under Cadance’s control, it takes Cadance’s requests or actions in the most favorable way it can.
Each time Cadance or her allies do anything harmful to the target, it can repeat the saving throw, ending the effect on itself on a success. Otherwise, the effect lasts 24 hours or until Cadance dies, is on a different plane of existence from the target, or ends the effect as a bonus action. If a target’s saving throw is successful, the target is immune to Cadance’s Love Charm for the next 24 hours.
Cadance can have no more than one humanoid, two celestials, and up to three beasts charmed at a time.
Teleport (1/Day). Cadance magically teleports herself and up to seven willing creatures she can see within 5 feet of her, along with any equipment they are wearing or carrying, to a location Cadance is familiar with, up to 5 miles away.
Cadance 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. Cadance regains spent legendary actions at the start of her turn.
Hooves. Cadance makes one attack with her hooves.
Shimmering Shield (Costs 2 Actions). Cadance creates a shimmering, magical field around herself or another creature she can see within 60 feet of her. The target gains a +2 bonus to AC until the end of Cadance’s next turn.
Heal Self (Costs 3 Actions). Cadance magically regains 11 (2d8 + 2) hit points.
Description
Cadance (her full name is Princess Mi Amore Cadenza) is both the crystal princesss and the co-ruler of the Crystal Empire alongside Shining Armor. She is Flurry Heart's mother, Twilight Sparkle's sister-in-law (after marrying Shining Armor) and former foal-sitter, Princess Celestia's adopted niece, and the co-ruler of the Crystal Empire alongside Shining Armor. She is also stated to be "a very distant relative" of Princess Amore, the former unicorn ruler of the Crystal Empire. Cadance does not know who her real parents were, she was found as a foal by two elderly earth ponies and they raised her until Princess Celestia adopted her as her unofficial niece after gaining her cutie mark and ascending into princesshood.
Cadence’s ascension to becoming ruler of the Crystal Empire began with her and Shining Armor traveling to the far north to protect it from King Sombra. When Twilight Sparkle and her friends arrived at the Crystal Empire to help Shining Armor and Princess Cadance protect the empire from King Sombra, they found Cadance in the throne room overlooking the empire. She used her magic to power a protective barrier to fend off King Sombra, and looked haggard and weary. However, at the sight of Twilight, her close friend and new sister-in-law, she eagerly ran to her and recited their childhood chant. She told Twilight that one day they should "get together when the fate of Equestria isn't hanging in the balance."
Shining Armor explained to the ponies that Cadance hadn't slept and had barely eaten because she must constantly use her magic to "spread love and light" and defend the empire. She cannot go on like that forever, so Twilight Sparkle and her friends decided to find another way to protect the empire. As Sombra advanced ever nearer to the empire's center, Shining Armor supported Cadance and exchanged a tender glance with her. She straightened up and recreated the magical shield, blocking Sombra's advance and slicing off the tip of his horn.
Cadance tried to use all of her magic to keep the villain at bay, but his powers were too much for her, and she collapsed to the ground. As Sombra launched his second invasion, Spike brought the Crystal Heart down from the top of the tower, prompting Sombra to charge at him. Seeing this, Shining Armor lifted Cadance onto his back. Cadance opened her eyes and saw a bright blue light falling toward King Sombra, who rode a black crystal. She stretched out her wings and Shining Armor through her at the Crystal Heart. She flew fast enough to intercept both the Crystal Heart and Spike in the nick of time, leaving Sombra dumbfounded. Levitating the Crystal Heart before her and carrying Spike on her back, she flew over the astonished Crystal Ponies and used the crystal heart to destroy King Sombra.
Ever since that day, Cadence has been a kind kind and fair ruler of the Crystal Empire. Even though Cadence enjoys life in the Crystal Empire, she thinks it has become predictable. So when Discord tricked her and Twilight into fighting a Tatzlwurm, she was pleased by the adventure and excitement. Cadance later gave birth to an Alicorn filly and assisted Twilight in curbing the baby's uncontrollable magic. She and Shining Armor later gave the baby the name "Flurry Heart".
One time, Cadence and Shining Armor asked Twilight to watch their baby so they could watch an art show. While they didn't understand some of the art pieces, Shining and Cadance were relieved just to have a break from changing diapers and cleaning up baby food messes. Cadence is a natural born and charismatic leader, who values kindness towards all creatures unless they have proven themselves to be evil. Even though Cadence shows kindness to most creatures, she is smart enough to know when someone is trying to fool her.
Personality Trait. "It is my duty as an Alicorn Princess to protect and guide the peoples of both my land and the lands beyond it."
Ideal. "Love is the greatest gift of all. There is nothing better than a bond with someone."
Bond. "My family is my greatest treasure, I will do anything to help them in their time of need."
Flaw. "I am not always able to help my friends because I am a working mom and the baby needs attention."
Lair and Lair Actions
Cadance's Lair
Cadance lives in her castle in the center of the Crystal Empire. The Crystal Castle is the home of the royal rulers of the empire. It has a huge crystal tower which fires a ribbon of energy into the sky whenever the Crystal Heart below is powered.
The citizens of the Crystal Empire consider Spike a hero for his role in the defeat of King Sombra, they even made a crystal statue in his honor. Lots of tourists can be seen around the statue taking pictures, and every time Spike passes by the statue, he can't help but gloat.
Regional Effects
Transformed by her celestial presence, Cadance's domain includes the following magical effects:
- Any creature that finishes a long rest within 6 miles of the lair regains two additional spent Hit Dice.
- The skies above Cadance's lair remain clear and free of precipitation unless magically altered. Winds blow lightly, posing little threat to those approaching the lair, and visibility is the best possible for the time of day.
- When a good-aligned creature casts a spell or uses a magical effect that causes another good-aligned creature to regain hit points, the target regains the maximum number of hit points possible for the spell or effect.
- Beasts and Fey have advantage on all Dexterity (Stealth) checks made in the region.
- Curses affecting any good-aligned creature are suppressed.
If Cadance dies, these effects end immediately.