Cloaker

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Cloaker Introduction

In the dim, echoing caverns where light dares not tread, a sinister presence lurks, waiting with patient malice. The Cloaker, a creature of shadow and deception, is a master of its dark domain. As you venture deeper into the subterranean depths, the air grows colder, and the oppressive silence is broken only by the distant drip of water. It is here, in this realm of perpetual twilight, that the Cloaker makes its home, blending seamlessly with the shadows that cling to the jagged walls.

The Cloaker's appearance is as unnerving as it is deceptive. At first glance, it might be mistaken for a simple patch of darkness or a discarded cloak, but upon closer inspection, its true nature is revealed. Its leathery body is a deep, inky black, with a texture that seems to absorb the very light around it. The creature's wings, when unfurled, reveal a span that is both majestic and terrifying, lined with sharp, bony ridges that hint at its predatory nature. Its eyes, glowing with an eerie luminescence, peer out from the folds of its body, watching and waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Behaviorally, the Cloaker is a cunning and patient hunter. It prefers to remain hidden, using its natural camouflage to ambush unsuspecting prey. When it attacks, it does so with a sudden, terrifying ferocity, enveloping its victim in its wings and unleashing a bone-chilling moan that echoes through the caverns, sowing confusion and fear. This moan, a hallmark of the Cloaker, is said to be the lament of lost souls, a sound that can drive even the bravest adventurers to madness.

The legends surrounding the Cloaker are as dark as the creature itself. Some say they are the remnants of a forgotten race, cursed to dwell in the shadows for eternity. Others believe they are the spawn of a malevolent deity, sent to guard the hidden treasures of the underworld. Whatever the truth, one thing is certain: those who encounter a Cloaker and live to tell the tale are forever haunted by the memory of its chilling presence.

As you stand at the threshold of the Cloaker's lair, the weight of the darkness presses in around you. The air is thick with the scent of damp earth and ancient stone, and the silence is so profound that it seems to have a life of its own. In this place, where the boundary between light and shadow blurs, the Cloaker reigns supreme, a creature of nightmare and legend, waiting to ensnare the unwary in its deadly embrace.

Cloaker Skills & Traits

Skills

• Stealth +5

Senses

• Darkvision 60 ft.
• Passive Perception 11

Languages

• Deep Speech
• Understands Undercommon but can't speak it

Abilities

• Damage Resistances: Acid
• Damage Immunities: Psychic
• Condition Immunities: Prone
• Challenge: 8 (3,900 XP)

Actions

• Multiattack: The cloaker makes two attacks: one with its bite and one with its tail.
• Bite: Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) piercing damage.
• Tail: Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) slashing damage.
• Moan: Each creature within 60 feet of the cloaker that can hear its moan and that isn't an aberration must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened until the end of the cloaker's next turn. If a creature's saving throw is successful, the creature is immune to the cloaker's moan for the next 24 hours.
• Phantasms: The cloaker magically creates three illusory duplicates of itself if it isn't in bright light. The duplicates move with it and mimic its actions, shifting position so as to make it impossible to track which cloaker is the real one. Whenever any creature targets the cloaker with an attack or a harmful spell while a duplicate remains, that creature rolls randomly to determine whether it targets the cloaker or one of the duplicates. A duplicate's AC equals 10. If an attack hits a duplicate, the duplicate is destroyed. A duplicate can be destroyed only by an attack that hits it. It ignores all other damage and effects. The cloaker can regain its duplicates by using this action again.

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Battle Tips for the Cloaker

The Cloaker is a mysterious and formidable creature that can be a challenging adversary for any adventuring party. Known for its ability to blend into the shadows and its eerie, moaning sounds, the Cloaker can create a tense and suspenseful atmosphere in any encounter. Here are some tips for Dungeon Masters on how to effectively use the Cloaker in battle:

Using the Cloaker in Battle

• Ambush Tactics: The Cloaker's natural ability to blend into dark environments makes it perfect for ambushes. Consider placing it in dimly lit areas where it can surprise the party, such as shadowy corners or darkened corridors.
• Psychological Warfare: Utilize the Cloaker's moan ability to instill fear and confusion among the adventurers. This can be particularly effective in echoing chambers or narrow passageways where the sound can be amplified.
• Illusion and Deception: The Cloaker can create illusory duplicates of itself, making it difficult for players to determine which is the real threat. Use this to your advantage to mislead and divide the party.

Coordinating Multiple Cloakers

• Pack Tactics: When using multiple Cloakers, have them coordinate their attacks to overwhelm the party. They can take turns using their moan ability to keep the adventurers disoriented while others attack.
• Divide and Conquer: Use the Cloakers' ability to create illusions to split the party. By making the adventurers believe they are facing more threats than they actually are, you can isolate and target them individually.
• Retreat and Regroup: If the battle turns against them, Cloakers can use their ability to fly and blend into the shadows to retreat. They can then regroup and plan a new ambush, keeping the adventurers on edge.

By leveraging the Cloaker's unique abilities and tactics, Dungeon Masters can create a memorable and challenging encounter that will test the strategic thinking and teamwork of any adventuring party.