Aboleth

Aboleth Introduction

In the deepest, most uncharted abysses of the world's oceans, where sunlight dares not venture and the pressure is crushing, there dwells a creature of ancient malevolence and unfathomable intellect—the Aboleth. As you descend into these shadowy depths, the water grows colder and the silence more profound, broken only by the distant echoes of the ocean's hidden denizens. It is here, amidst the submerged ruins of forgotten civilizations, that the Aboleths weave their sinister machinations.

The Aboleths are nightmarish beings of immense size, their bodies a grotesque fusion of fish and mollusk. Their elongated, eel-like forms are covered in a slimy, mucous membrane that glistens in the dim light. Three eyes, set in a triangular formation, peer out with an ancient, alien intelligence, while their mouths, filled with rows of needle-like teeth, speak of a hunger that transcends mere physical sustenance. Long, sinuous tentacles extend from their bodies, capable of ensnaring prey with terrifying ease.

These ancient creatures are masters of psionics and mind control, their mental prowess allowing them to dominate the thoughts and wills of lesser beings. They are the architects of grand, insidious schemes, manipulating the denizens of the deep and even those who dwell on land to serve their dark purposes. The Aboleths' memories are eternal, stretching back to a time before the gods, and they harbor a deep-seated resentment towards the surface world and its inhabitants.

Their lairs are often found within the sunken remnants of ancient cities, where they brood over their vast knowledge and plot their return to power. These places are fraught with danger, guarded by enslaved minions and protected by powerful illusions. Legends tell of the Aboleths' ability to transform those who fall under their sway, turning them into amphibious thralls bound to their will. Those who venture too close to their domains may find themselves ensnared by the Aboleth's psychic tendrils, their minds twisted to serve the creature's insidious desires.

Throughout the ages, stories of the Aboleths' dark influence have persisted. Some claim they were once the rulers of the world, their dominion stretching across the primordial seas. Others speak of their role as the keepers of forbidden knowledge, their memories a repository of secrets long forgotten by mortal minds. Whatever the truth, one thing is certain: the Aboleths are a formidable and terrifying force, their presence a herald of ancient, unfathomable evil.

Aboleth Skills & Traits

Skills

• Saving Throws: CON +9, INT +8, WIS +6
• Skills: History +12, Perception +10

Senses

• Darkvision: 120 ft.
• Passive Perception: 20

Languages

• Deep Speech, telepathy 120 ft.

Abilities

• Amphibious: The aboleth can breathe air and water.
• Mucous Cloud: While underwater, the aboleth is surrounded by a transformative mucus. A creature that touches the aboleth or hits it with a melee attack while within 5 feet of it must make a DC 14 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, the creature is diseased for 1d4 hours. The diseased creature can breathe only underwater.
• Probing Telepathy: If a creature communicates telepathically with the aboleth, the aboleth learns the creature's greatest desires if the aboleth can see the creature.

Actions

• Multiattack: The aboleth makes three tentacle attacks.
• Tentacle: Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) bludgeoning damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or become diseased. The disease has no effect for 1 minute and can be removed by any magic that cures disease. After 1 minute, the diseased creature's skin becomes translucent and slimy, the creature can't regain hit points unless it is underwater, and the disease can be removed only by heal or another disease-curing spell of 6th level or higher. When the creature is outside a body of water, it takes 6 (1d12) acid damage every 10 minutes unless moisture is applied to the skin before 10 minutes have passed.
• Tail: Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (3d6 + 5) bludgeoning damage.
• Enslave (3/Day): The aboleth targets one creature it can see within 30 feet of it. The target must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or be magically charmed by the aboleth until the aboleth dies or until it is on a different plane of existence from the target. The charmed target is under the aboleth's control and can't take reactions, and the aboleth and the target can communicate telepathically with each other over any distance. Whenever the charmed target takes damage, the target can repeat the saving throw. On a success, the effect ends.

Battle Tips for an Aboleth

The Aboleth is a terrifying and ancient creature known for its psychic abilities and mastery over water. As a Dungeon Master, using an Aboleth in battle can create a tense and strategic encounter for your players. Here are some tips to effectively use an Aboleth in combat:

• Control the Environment: Aboleths thrive in aquatic environments. Use water to your advantage by incorporating underwater caves, strong currents, and limited visibility to challenge the players. The Aboleth can use these conditions to ambush or escape.
• Exploit Its Psychic Powers: The Aboleth has powerful psychic abilities, including the ability to dominate minds. Use these powers to turn party members against each other or to gather information about their plans and weaknesses.
• Use Its Mucous Cloud: The Aboleth exudes a mucous cloud that can transform creatures into water-breathing slaves. Use this ability to incapacitate players and force them to adapt to an underwater battle.
• Leverage Its Legendary Actions: The Aboleth can take legendary actions, allowing it to act outside of its turn. Use these actions to maintain pressure on the party, such as making additional attacks or using its psychic drain ability.
• Employ Minions: Consider having the Aboleth command aquatic creatures like kuo-toa, merrow, or enslaved humanoids to assist in battle. These minions can distract the party and create additional threats.
• Retreat and Regroup: If the battle turns against the Aboleth, it can use its superior swimming speed and knowledge of the environment to retreat. It might lead the party into a trap or use its psychic powers to cover its escape.

By incorporating these strategies, you can create a memorable and challenging encounter with an Aboleth that will test your players' skills and adaptability.