Vaalkä, the Dark Drake

Unholy Dominion

Vaalkä's presence warps reality. Areas within 300 feet of him count as dim light, even in bright sunlight, and necrotic energy suffuses the ground, making it difficult terrain for non-fiendish and non-undead creatures.

Eternal Dread

Creatures that die within 120 feet of Vaalkä rise as shadows under his control after 1d4 rounds, unless they are restored to life before then.

Ravenous Maw

Whenever Vaalkä reduces a creature to 0 hit points, he can use his reaction to consume part of their essence. He regains hit points equal to half the creature's hit point maximum, and the creature’s soul is devoured unless protected by soul cage, revivify, or similar magic.

Multiattack

Vaalkä makes three attacks: one with his bite and two with his claws.

Bite

Melee Weapon Attack: +17 to hit, reach 20 ft., one target.
Hit: 40 (6d10 + 10) piercing damage plus 14 (4d6) necrotic damage.

Claw

Melee Weapon Attack: +17 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target.
Hit: 32 (4d10 + 10) slashing damage.

Tail

Melee Weapon Attack: +17 to hit, reach 25 ft., one target.
Hit: 36 (6d8 + 10) bludgeoning damage.

Soulflame Breath (Recharge 5-6)

Vaalkä exhales a 60-foot cone of ghostly blue fire. Creatures in the area must make a DC 24 Constitution saving throw, taking 90 (20d8) necrotic and cold damage on a failure, or half on a success. Any creature reduced to 0 hit points by this attack has their soul partially burned, requiring a greater restoration spell or higher to revive.

Reign of Shadows (1/Day)

Vaalkä channels the darkness of Nocturnaal. For 1 minute, all nonmagical light within a 500-foot radius is extinguished, and magical light is suppressed unless it is cast at 8th level or higher. All creatures of Vaalkä’s choice within the darkness are blinded and have disadvantage on saving throws against his abilities.

Shadowblink (Recharge 5-6)

Vaalkä can use a bonus action to vanish into shadow, reappearing in an unoccupied space within 300 feet that is in dim light or darkness. He does not provoke opportunity attacks when he teleports.

Dreadful Glare

Vaalkä targets one creature within 60 feet. The target must succeed on a DC 22 Wisdom saving throw or be paralyzed with fear until the end of Vaalkä’s next turn.

Void Counter

If a creature within 10 feet attacks Vaalkä and misses, he can use his reaction to make one claw or bite attack against that creature.

Dark Reprisal

When Vaalkä takes damage from a melee attack, he can force the attacker to make a DC 22 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, the attacker takes 4d12 necrotic damage and is blinded until the end of their next turn.

Legendary Resistance (3/Day)

If Vaalkä fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead.

Doomed Presence

Creatures within 120 feet that can see Vaalkä must make a DC 22 Wisdom saving throw at the start of their turn or be frightened for 1 minute. A creature can repeat this saving throw at the end of each of its turns. If a creature succeeds, it is immune to this effect for 24 hours.

Legendary Actions (3/Turn)

Vaalkä can take three legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action can be used at a time, and only at the end of another creature's turn. Vaalkä regains spent legendary actions at the start of his turn.

• Shadow Stalk (Costs 1 action). Vaalkä moves up to half his speed without provoking opportunity attacks.

• Wing Strike (Costs 1 action). Vaalkä beats his massive wings. Each creature within 15 feet must make a DC 25 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone and take 4d10 bludgeoning damage.

• Soulflame Pulse (Costs 2 actions). Vaalkä releases a pulse of necrotic flame in a 30-foot radius, forcing all creatures to make a DC 24 Constitution saving throw, taking 6d10 necrotic damage on a failure, or half on a success.