Mummy Lord

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Mummy Lord Introduction

In the dim, echoing corridors of ancient tombs, where the air is thick with the dust of centuries and the silence is broken only by the distant drip of water, a presence stirs. The Mummy Lord, a figure of dread and power, lies in wait, its eternal rest disturbed by the unwary or the foolish. Wrapped in tattered, age-worn linens that cling to its desiccated form, the Mummy Lord exudes an aura of ancient majesty and malevolence. Its eyes, glowing with an unholy light, peer from beneath a crown of gold and jewels, remnants of a time when it ruled as a god-king among mortals.

The Mummy Lord's appearance is both regal and terrifying. Its skin, leathery and cracked, stretches over a skeletal frame, and its once-ornate burial garments now hang in tatters, whispering of forgotten splendor. Adorned with amulets and rings that pulse with dark magic, the Mummy Lord is a testament to the power and hubris of those who sought to defy death itself. Its voice, when it speaks, is a dry rasp, like the rustle of dead leaves, carrying the weight of ages and the promise of doom.

Typically found in the heart of vast desert necropolises or hidden deep within labyrinthine catacombs, the Mummy Lord's lair is a place of foreboding and mystery. These ancient sanctuaries, filled with the treasures and traps of a bygone era, are protected by curses and the restless dead, ensuring that only the most daring or desperate dare to intrude. Legends speak of the Mummy Lord's ability to command the sands themselves, summoning storms to scour the land of intruders, and of its mastery over death, able to raise the fallen to serve as its eternal guardians.

Stories passed down through generations tell of the Mummy Lord's origins, of a once-great ruler who sought immortality through forbidden rites. In its quest to conquer death, it became a prisoner of its own ambition, bound to its tomb for eternity. Yet, even in undeath, the Mummy Lord's thirst for power remains unquenched, and it seeks to extend its dominion beyond the grave. Adventurers who dare to face this ancient horror must steel themselves against its fearsome presence and the dark magic that surrounds it, for the Mummy Lord is a foe unlike any other, a relic of a time when gods walked the earth and the line between life and death was but a shadow.

Mummy Lord Skills & Traits

Skills

• History +9
• Religion +9

Senses

• Darkvision 60 ft.
• Passive Perception 11

Languages

• The languages it knew in life

Abilities

• Magic Resistance: The mummy lord has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
• Rejuvenation: A destroyed mummy lord gains a new body in 24 hours if its heart is intact, regaining all its hit points and becoming active again. The new body appears within 5 feet of the mummy lord's heart.
• Spellcasting: The mummy lord is a 10th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell save DC 16, +8 to hit with spell attacks). The mummy lord has the following cleric spells prepared:
  • Cantrips (at will): sacred flame, thaumaturgy
  • 1st level (4 slots): command, guiding bolt, shield of faith
  • 2nd level (3 slots): hold person, silence, spiritual weapon
  • 3rd level (3 slots): animate dead, dispel magic
  • 4th level (3 slots): divination, guardian of faith
  • 5th level (2 slots): contagion, insect plague
  • 6th level (1 slot): harm

Actions

• Multiattack: The mummy lord can use its Dreadful Glare and makes one attack with its rotting fist.
• Rotting Fist: Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (3d6 + 6) bludgeoning damage plus 21 (6d6) necrotic damage. The target must succeed on a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or be cursed with mummy rot. The cursed target can't regain hit points, and its hit point maximum decreases by 10 (3d6) for every 24 hours that elapse. If the curse reduces the target's hit point maximum to 0, the target dies, and its body turns to dust.
• Dreadful Glare: The mummy lord targets one creature it can see within 60 feet of it. If the target can see the mummy lord, it must succeed on a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw against this magic or become frightened until the end of the mummy lord's next turn. If the target fails the saving throw by 5 or more, it is also paralyzed for the same duration. A target that succeeds on the saving throw is immune to the Dreadful Glare of all mummy lords for the next 24 hours.
• Legendary Actions: The mummy lord can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature's turn. The mummy lord regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.
  • Attack: The mummy lord makes one attack with its rotting fist or uses its Dreadful Glare.
  • Blinding Dust: Blinding dust and sand swirls magically around the mummy lord. Each creature within 5 feet of the mummy lord must succeed on a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or be blinded until the end of the creature's next turn.
  • Blasphemous Word (Costs 2 Actions): The mummy lord utters a blasphemous word. Each non-undead creature within 10 feet of the mummy lord that can hear the magical utterance must succeed on a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or be stunned until the end of the mummy lord's next turn.
  • Channel Negative Energy (Costs 2 Actions): The mummy lord magically unleashes negative energy. Creatures within 60 feet of the mummy lord, including ones behind barriers and around corners, can't regain hit points until the end of the mummy lord's next turn.
  • Whirlwind of Sand (Costs 2 Actions): The mummy lord magically transforms into a whirlwind of sand, moves up to 60 feet, and reverts to its normal form. While in whirlwind form, the mummy lord is immune to all damage, and it can't be grappled, petrified, knocked prone, restrained, or stunned. Equipment worn or carried by the mummy lord remain in its possession.

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Battle Tips for the Mummy Lord

The Mummy Lord is a formidable undead creature that can pose a significant challenge to adventurers. As a Dungeon Master, utilizing the Mummy Lord effectively can create a memorable and thrilling encounter. Here are some battle tips to help you make the most of this powerful foe:

Utilizing the Mummy Lord's Abilities

• Spellcasting: The Mummy Lord is a potent spellcaster with access to a variety of spells. Use spells like blight and harm to deal significant damage to the party. Spells like dispel magic and counterspell can disrupt the party's plans and turn the tide of battle.
• Dreadful Glare: This ability can paralyze a character with fear, making them vulnerable to attacks. Use it strategically to incapacitate key party members, such as healers or damage dealers.
• Rotting Fist: The Mummy Lord's melee attack not only deals damage but also inflicts the cursed condition. Target characters with low Constitution saves to maximize the impact of this ability.

Strategic Positioning and Environment

• Layered Defenses: Position the Mummy Lord in a location that is difficult to reach, such as atop a dais or behind a barrier. This forces the party to navigate obstacles before engaging directly.
• Environmental Hazards: Incorporate traps or environmental hazards, such as collapsing ceilings or sandstorms, to add complexity to the encounter and keep the party on their toes.

Coordinating with Other Creatures

• Undead Minions: Pair the Mummy Lord with other undead creatures, such as mummies or skeletons, to create a layered defense. These minions can serve as a buffer, allowing the Mummy Lord to cast spells from a safe distance.
• Divide and Conquer: Use minions to separate the party, isolating weaker members for the Mummy Lord to target with its powerful abilities.

Retreat and Regroup

• Strategic Withdrawal: If the battle turns against the Mummy Lord, have it retreat to a more defensible position, using its minions to cover its escape.
• Regeneration: The Mummy Lord can regenerate hit points if it is not in direct sunlight. Use this to your advantage by having it retreat to a darkened area to recover before re-engaging the party.

By leveraging the Mummy Lord's abilities and coordinating with other creatures, you can create a challenging and dynamic encounter that will test the skills and strategies of any adventuring party.