Shadow Diver

"Darkness dreams of light and calls it a nightmare."

The Shadow Diver is the embodiment of the Void itself, a manifestation of pure entropy in physical form. It is incredibly rare to see one loose beyond the borders of the Blighted Lands, as they tend to inhabit the central regions of the Blight itself, swimming through the negative energy there and feeding on the materials below, occasionally venturing out through the tunnels of Underhome in search of more abundant prey. They are single minded, seeking only to consume and destroy.

Basic Information

Anatomy

A figure made of pure Void energy, shimmering like onyx but ever shifting in texture shaped like an enormous serpent or worm. The creature darts through darkness, hurling itself from one shadow to the next. It is eyeless and fronted by a featureless, gaping mouth.

Biological Traits

The creature is able to remain completely silent and motionless, as it has no true biological functions such as breathing. As long as it remains within darkness or shadow, it is invisible. Standard means of detecting invisibility will not detect the creature however, as this is not true invisibility but rather, a perfect form of stealth. Close inspection will reveal that the Shadow Diver does not actually touch the ground it passes over, as to do so would cause a violent reaction constantly to whatever it touched. Instead the creature hovers just an inch or two above the surface and avoids contact with items and obstacles it does not wish to consume. This allows the creature to move through terrain inaudible leaving not even the slightest chance for detection via auditory means. 
Any non-magical item from the prime material plane that comes into contact with this creature causes the explosive reaction described in the Blight Born trait. This includes weapons and common items and objects in the world. The Shadow Diver can use this to its advantage, intentionally allowing itself to touch any item in the environment to cause the reaction, harming would-be assailants and healing itself, making this a truly formidable foe. It is intelligent enough to use this ability strategically during combat. The Shadow Diver is a part of the Void itself, and should the creature be defeated in combat, it will not actually ever die, but instead the Void energy from which it is made will return to the Void and the creature will be remade. As long as the Void itself exists on Cairne, these creatures can never truly die.

Ecology and Habitats

The Shadow Diver is an enigma, as it is not an independent entity, but actually embodies a portion of the Void itself. It holds no real biological purpose beyond consumption and beyond that has no need of food, sleep, rest, or even the drive to propagate the species. It is an extension of the Blight and whatever power holds sway there.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

The Shadow Diver is able to see perfectly through the darkness of the void without hinderance up to a distance of 120'.

• Large Blight Born, Chaotic Evil
• Armor Class 15
• Hit Points 45(10d8)
• Speed 45ft.
• STR 10
• DEX 15 (+2)
• CON 10
• INT 10
• WIS 12 (+1)
• CHA 10
• Damage Resistances Acid, fire, lightning, thunder; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from non magical attacks
• Damage Immunities Cold, necrotic, poison, void
• Condition Immunities Harmed, exhaustion, frightened, grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained
• Senses Void Sight 120', Passive Perception 14
• Challenge 10 (5900 XP)

Abilities

• Void Sight. Can sense invisible creatures and see through all forms of darkness.
• Blight Born. This creature is made of pure void energy, and exists as a form of entropy. Any physical touch from anything not of the void will cause an explosive reaction as negative and positive material come into contact creating a negative energy explosion in a 10' radius of the creature dealing 4d10 damage of void energy. A Dex save can be made to reduce this to half damage. Each reaction heals the creature for 2d10 hit points.

Actions

• Bite. Melee Attack: +3 to hit, reach 15', one target. Hit: 8 (2d6 + 2) piercing damage plus 4d10 negative energy damage.
• Tail Slap. Melee Attack: +6 to hit, reach 15', one target. Hit: 14 (4d6) bludgeoning damage Plus 4d10 negative energy damage.
• Grapple. Following a successful hit, the target is grappled (escape DC 17). Until this grapple ends, the creature is restrained, and takes 4d10 damage per round until it escapes or dies.
• Consume Should a character reach 0 hit points from negative energy damage, they will continue to take damage until they reach an amount equal to the character's constitution score. Once that number is reached, the character's body is completely consumed.

Scientific Name

Blight Born