Barnabas Bellweather (Chosen of Kyuss)

Endless Worms. If Barnabas is targeted by an effect that cures disease or removes a curse, all the worms infesting him wither away, and he loses he Burrowing Worm action. However, as long as Barnabas has at least 1 hit point, he will regain his worms in 1d4 rounds from when they were dispelled.

Magic Resistance. Barnabas has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Regeneration. Barnabas regains 10 hit points at the start of his turn if he has at least 1 hit point and isn’t in sunlight or a body of running water. If Barnabas takes acid, fire, or radiant damage, this trait doesn’t function at the start of Barnabas’s next turn. Barnabas is destroyed only if he starts his turn with 0 hit points and doesn’t regenerate.

Spellcasting. Barnabas’s is a 12th-level spellcaster. His spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 17, +9 to hit with spell attacks). Barnabas has the following bard spells prepared:

Cantrips (at will): mage hand, minor illusion, prestidigitation, thaumaturgy, vicious mockery

1st level (4 slots): dissonant whispers, healing word, silvery barbs

2nd level (3 slots): darkness, invisibility, kinetic jaunt, shatter, spray of cards

3rd level (3 slots): counterspell, dispel magic, slow, spirit guardians

4th level (3 slots): hallucinatory terrain, phantasmal killer

5th level (2 slots): hold monster

6th level (1 slot): otto's irresistible dance

Turn Resistance. Barnabas has advantage on saving throws against any effect that turns undead.

Multiattack. Barnabas makes two attacks with his claws and uses Burrowing Worm.

Burrowing Worm. A worm launches from Barnabas at one humanoid that Barnabas can see within 10 feet of him. The worm latches onto the target’s skin unless the target succeeds on a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw. The worm is a Tiny undead with AC 6, 1 hit point, a 2 (-4) in every ability score, and a speed of 1 foot. While on the target’s skin, the worm can be killed by normal means or scraped off using an action (the spawn can use this action to launch a scraped-off worm at a humanoid it can see within 10 feet of the worm). Otherwise, the worm burrows under the target’s skin at the end of the target’s next turn, dealing 1 piercing damage to it. At the end of each of its turns thereafter, the target takes 7 (2d6) necrotic damage per worm infesting it (maximum of 10d6). A worm-infested target dies if it drops to 0 hit points, then rises 10 minutes later as a spawn of Kyuss under Barnabas's control, unless the humanoid is restored to life or its body is destroyed. Barnabas can have no more than twelve spawn of Kyuss under his control at one time. If a worm-infested creature is targeted by an effect that cures disease or removes a curse, all the worms infesting it wither away.

Can of Worms (Recharge 5-6). Each creature of Barnabas's choice within 20 feet of him must make a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, a creature takes 14 (4d6) necrotic damage and becomes infested with one worm, as described in his Burrowing Worm ability. On a successful save, the creature takes half as much damage and is not infested.

Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) slashing damage, plus 7 (2d6) necrotic damage.

Unholy Inspiration (5/short rest). As a bonus action, Barnabas chooses himself or one creature he can see within 60 feet. The creature gains 1d10 inspiration die. For 10 minutes, the creature can add it to one ability check, attack roll, or saving throw. This can be added after seeing the roll, but before knowing the outcome.