Death Slaad

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Death Slaad Introduction

In the shadowy recesses of the multiverse, where chaos and malevolence intertwine, lurks a creature of pure dread—the Death Slaad. As you venture deeper into the unknown, a palpable chill grips the air, and an unsettling silence envelops the surroundings. The Death Slaad, a harbinger of entropy and destruction, emerges from the darkness, its presence a testament to the raw, untamed power of the chaotic planes.

The Death Slaad stands tall and imposing, its form a grotesque amalgamation of amphibian and fiend. Its skin, a mottled tapestry of sickly grays and blacks, seems to absorb the very light around it, casting an eerie shadow in its wake. Jagged spines protrude from its back, and its eyes, glowing with a malevolent crimson hue, pierce through the gloom with an unsettling intensity. As it moves, the air crackles with an unnatural energy, a foreboding prelude to the chaos it brings.

Known for its insatiable hunger for power and destruction, the Death Slaad is a creature of unpredictable temperament. It revels in the chaos it sows, delighting in the fear and confusion of its prey. Yet, beneath its chaotic exterior lies a cunning intelligence, capable of intricate schemes and manipulations. It is said that the Death Slaad can sense the ebb and flow of life itself, drawn to places where the veil between worlds is thin, where it can unleash its destructive potential with devastating effect.

The Death Slaad typically dwells in the liminal spaces between planes, where the boundaries of reality blur and the laws of nature are but a suggestion. It is often found in the desolate wastelands of Limbo, a realm of ever-shifting chaos, where it reigns supreme among its lesser kin. However, tales speak of Death Slaads venturing into the material plane, drawn by the promise of chaos and the opportunity to spread their dark influence.

Legends tell of a time when the Death Slaad was not a creature of chaos, but a being of balance, tasked with maintaining the equilibrium between order and disorder. However, a great betrayal shattered this balance, casting the Death Slaad into the depths of madness and chaos. Now, it seeks to unravel the very fabric of reality, a relentless force of destruction that knows no bounds.

As you stand on the precipice of the unknown, the presence of the Death Slaad looms large, a reminder of the untamed forces that lurk beyond the veil. Will you face this embodiment of chaos and emerge victorious, or will you succumb to the darkness it brings? The choice is yours, but beware—the Death Slaad is ever watchful, and its hunger for chaos is insatiable.

Death Slaad Skills & Traits

Skills

• Arcana +3
• Perception +6

Senses

• Darkvision 60 ft.
• Passive Perception 16

Languages

• Slaad
• Telepathy 60 ft.

Abilities

• Magic Resistance: The slaad has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
• Shapechanger: The slaad can use its action to polymorph into a Small or Medium humanoid, or back into its true form. Other than its size, its statistics are the same in each form. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn’t transformed. It reverts to its true form if it dies.

Actions

• Multiattack: The slaad makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws.
• Bite: Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (3d6 + 5) piercing damage.
• Claw: Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) slashing damage. If the target is a humanoid, it must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or be infected with a disease called chaos phage. While infected, the target can’t regain hit points, and its hit point maximum decreases by 10 (3d6) every 24 hours. If the disease reduces the target’s hit point maximum to 0, the target instantly transforms into a slaad egg, which hatches into a slaad tadpole after 24 hours.
• Fireball (1/Day): The slaad magically hurls a fireball at a point it can see within 150 feet of it. Each creature in a 20-foot-radius sphere centered on that point must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw, taking 35 (10d6) fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

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Battle Tips for Death Slaad

The Death Slaad is a formidable foe in any campaign, known for its chaotic nature and powerful abilities. As a Dungeon Master, utilizing the Death Slaad effectively can create memorable and challenging encounters for your players. Here are some tips on how to use this creature in battle:

Using the Death Slaad in Battle

• Surprise and Ambush: The Death Slaad can use its shapechanging ability to disguise itself as a humanoid, allowing it to infiltrate and ambush unsuspecting adventurers. Consider having the Slaad pose as an ally or a neutral party before revealing its true form at a critical moment.
• Spellcasting: With access to powerful spells like fireball and cloudkill, the Death Slaad can control the battlefield and deal significant damage. Use these spells to target clustered players or to create zones of control that force players to reposition.
• Regeneration: The Death Slaad's ability to regenerate hit points each round makes it a durable opponent. Encourage players to focus on dealing consistent damage to overcome this advantage, or use the Slaad's regeneration to prolong the battle and wear down the party.

Coordinating with Multiple Death Slaadi

• Divide and Conquer: When using multiple Death Slaadi, have them split the party by targeting different members. This can create chaos and prevent players from effectively coordinating their actions.
• Spell Synergy: Coordinate spellcasting between multiple Slaadi to maximize their impact. For example, one Slaad could cast cloudkill to force players into a specific area, while another uses fireball to punish them for grouping together.
• Flee and Regroup: If the battle turns against them, Death Slaadi can use their teleportation abilities to retreat and regroup. This can lead to a series of hit-and-run tactics that keep the players on their toes and prevent them from gaining the upper hand.

By leveraging the Death Slaad's unique abilities and coordinating their actions, you can create a dynamic and challenging encounter that will test your players' strategic thinking and adaptability.