Large Monstrosity, Neutral Evil
AC 17 Natural Armor    Initiative +3 (13)
HP 136 (16d10 + 38)
Speed 40 ft., Climb 40 ft.
Mod Save
STR 20 +5 +5
DEX 16 +3 +14
CON 18 +4 +16
Mod Save
INT 21 +5 +18
WIS 14 +2 +2
CHA 12 +1 +1
Skills Arcana +9, History +9, Perception +6, Stealth +7
Vulnerabilities Fire
Resistances Cold, Necrotic, Psychic
Senses Darkvision 60 ft; Passive Perception 16
Languages Common understands but cannot speak., Infernal understands but cannot speak.
CR 9 (XP 5,000; PB +4)
Traits

Arcane Vision
The Biblioape does not see the world as other creatures do. Instead, it perceives the flow of magical energy and knowledge as if they were a visible light spectrum. This gives the Biblioape the ability to:

Detect magic at will (no action required) within a 120-foot radius.

See the hidden arcane energies of creatures, objects, and locations. The Biblioape can instantly recognize magical auras and the arcane power contained within.

Knowledge Hunger
The Biblioape feeds on the flesh and memories of sentient creatures, gaining sustenance from their arcane knowledge. When the Biblioape reduces a creature to 0 hit points with its bite or claw attack, it consumes part of the creature's magical essence and may learn one random spell or magical secret the creature knew. The knowledge gained may be imperfect or incomplete, and the spell may be unstable. The Biblioape can cast the learned spell once without expending a spell slot, but the spell has a 50% chance of failing or causing wild magic effects.

Exhalation of Knowledge
Once per day, the Biblioape can exhale a cloud of arcane energy that contains volatile and fragmented magical knowledge. All creatures within a 20-foot radius must make a DC 17 Intelligence saving throw or suffer the effects of confusion for 1 minute. In addition, the creatures may gain unintended magical knowledge, which could result in:

A random magic item being materialized in the area (determined by the DM).

A spell scroll of a random spell appearing within 5 feet of the Biblioape.

The Biblioape can use this ability again after a long rest.

Resilient to Magic
The Biblioape’s body is composed of magical scrolls and arcane energy, which makes it highly resistant to most forms of magic. It has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects, except for fire-based magic.

Actions

Multiattack
The Biblioape makes two attacks: one with its bite and one with its claws.

Bite
Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 18 (2d10 + 5) piercing damage.

Claw
Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 15 (2d8 + 5) slashing damage.

Scroll Lash (Recharge 5-6)
The Biblioape can lash out with a fragmented scroll from its body. This scroll lash deals 4d6 force damage and may entangle the target. The target must make a DC 17 Dexterity saving throw or become restrained by the scroll’s arcane bindings for 1 minute. The restrained creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Bonus Actions

Tear of Knowledge
As a bonus action, the Biblioape can tear a piece of its own body (a fragment of scroll) and expel arcane energy in a 5-foot cone. All creatures within the cone must make a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw or suffer psychic damage equal to 2d8 plus the Biblioape’s Intelligence modifier, and be frightened for 1 minute.

Reactions

Evasive Knowledge
When the Biblioape is hit by an attack, it can use its reaction to teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space it can see, leaving behind a trail of arcane scribbles in the air. This teleportation leaves the attacker confused, causing it to have disadvantage on its next attack roll.

Description

The Biblioape is a creature born of magic and obsession, its very existence an unnatural consequence of the magic that permeates the multiverse. It is believed that these creatures were created by forgotten mages who sought to preserve knowledge through arcane rituals but failed to contain their self-made monstrosities. The Biblioape has since become a rare, solitary hunter that roams the wilds, consuming knowledge and flesh in equal measure.

Scholars who seek forbidden knowledge or venture into ancient ruins often become prey for the Biblioape, which sees their magical energy as both sustenance and treasure. Its hunger for knowledge is never sated, and as such, it wanders the world, its unyielding intellect seeking out those with arcane power.

Legends say that those who successfully defeat a Biblioape may be granted the magical secrets it leaves behind—but at great cost. Only the bravest or most foolish adventurers dare to face this creature, knowing that the reward may be arcane knowledge beyond comprehension, but the price could be their very lives.

Habitat: Forest

DiggDoug

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