Demagogue Children Of Aphshai are sociopathic among humanoids in their human guise, but this is really just their impression of humanity, twisted by their evil perceptions. They are manipulative and cunning, bribing and flattering their way through shadowy contacts, preferring to remain anonymous and hidden from plain view. It expertly forms social connections and becomes a criminal mastermind or hidden cult leader, all as a means to its more sinister goals and agenda.
Spellcasting. The [Children Of Aphshai] is a 5th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is [charisma] (spell save DC 3, +3 to hit with spell attacks). The [Children Of Aphshai] has following [Druid] spells prepared:
Cantrips (at will): [Produce Flame], [Charm Person], [Detect Magic], [Find Traps], [Dark Vision], [Giant Insect]
5th level (2 slots): [Insect Plague], [Reincarnate]
Stinger Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, 1 target. Hit: 2-21 (1d20 + 1) [piercing] damage. Injects its single charge of venom also, if it has any, which causes 4-80 (4d20) [poison] damages and [paralysis] and [poisoned] conditions.
Pincer Claw Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 4 ft., 1 target. Hit: 5-33 (4d8 + 1) [slashing] damage. Makes a random number of attacks, 1-6, with this weapon, only if disarmed and stinger venom is depleted.
Ornate Spear Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 8 ft., 1 target. Hit: 3-8 (1d6 + 2) [piercing] damage. Makes a second attack with this weapon. May throw this weapon (ineffectively) if it becomes angry.
Thrown Ornate Spear Ranged Weapon Attack: range 20 ft., 1target. Hit: 0-5 (1d6 -1) [piercing] damage. This attack leaves the weapon thrown.
Jeweled Scutes Once a day produces a small gemstone.
Prayers To Aphshai As a demigod of Aphshai the Children Of Aphshai may pray to their god at any time and ask for help.
Saying A Prayer To Aphshai (Costs 3 Actions). The Children Of Apshai begins buzzing in a language known only to its insect god, but it sounds almost like a hymn, a prayer. If Aphshai hears this prayer, there's no sign of it.
Soon after a Children Of Aphshai uses this mythic action, Aphshai might provide any kind of help, from sending reinforcements, healing the Children Of Aphshai and any allies it has or helping it magically escape from its enemies.
Description
Children Of Aphshai superficially resemble giant wasps, but notably are more colorful and have jewel-encrusted carapaces. They wear miters that cover their antennae, cleric's robes over their wings and thorax, jewelry draped all over themselves and they hoard all manner of magic artifacts, arcana, treasure and books. A Children Of Aphshai also wears a mask of humanoid drama, Comedy and Tragedy.
Children Of Aphshai look and act much like a miniature version of their god, as demigods of Aphshai. Their attitude towards humans is a little less mature, though, and they are jealous and resentful, envious of all things human, especially the hands and face. Children Of Aphshai sometimes hire illusionists to disguise them as humans, or commission a human bust to be made that is supposed to represent the Children Of Apshai, always with an obsidian insect idol within the smiling alabaster head-statue. They might have a wax gauntlet that looks like a human hand fashioned to wear over one of their claws.
A Children Of Aphshai will run a cult or criminal organization or both and have many loyal and charmed humanoids serving it. Even with all that, a human figurehead will act as a stand-in, as a Children Of Aphshai is never seen publicly. They are very shy and reclusive, doing their dirty work from the shadows with secret bargains and pacts. They can pay with their naturally shed gemstones, but they are shrewd and clever bargainers, and will also become wealthy, given the opportunity. A Children Of Aphshai might hoard its wealth, but will still maintain a low profile.
When they are confronted they will retreat from battle, preferring to fight using spells or only when they have an overwhelming advantage, taking no risks. The exception to this is if a hive of theirs is being defended, in which case several Children Of Aphshai would stand their ground in defense of such a structure. They reproduce only when the god Aphshai lays an egg and then the egg must go through a metamorphosis that might take anywhere from one to one hundred years to complete. During that time the hive will actively guard any eggs; older and more enlightened Children Of Aphshai might be guarding it monastically, the only known behavior variation of Children Of Aphshai other than as an alien demagogue.
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