Lurking in the Shadows: Creating the Shadow Stalker for Dungeons & Dragons

Greetings, brave adventurers and cunning dungeon masters! Today, we delve into the dark corners of our imaginations to bring forth a creature born from shadows and nightmares - the Shadow Stalker, a sinister entity born from the wrath of a necromancer (Necromancer's Wrath). This sinister entity is designed to challenge a pair of level 3 players. It promises to deliver an encounter shrouded in terror and darkness. Let’s unveil the process behind its creation and explore ways to integrate it into your campaign.

🌟 The Prompt

Our journey began with a prompt: “Describe a monster that would be a challenge to two level 3 players. Homebrew the monster and create a balanced and appropriate stat block. It should be dangerous and strike fear and terror into them. It should attack at night and be very comfortable in the dark.” This prompt set the stage for a creature that thrives in darkness and is adept at using shadows to its advantage.

🌑 Conceptualizing the Shadow Stalker

The Shadow Stalker is conceived as an amalgamation of shadows and tormented souls. Its form is ethereal, with long, razor-sharp claws and a face that is a void with two piercing red eyes. The creature is attracted to places of death and sorrow, and its presence is often considered an omen of doom.

📜 Stat Block and Mechanics

Here is the stat block for the Shadow Stalker:

Use Shadow Stalkers in Your Campaign

Shadow Stalker

Medium undead, chaotic evil

• Armor Class: 14
• Hit Points: 40 (9d8)
• Speed: 40 ft., climb 30 ft.

• STR: 10 (+0)
• DEX: 18(+4)
• CON: 10 (+0)
• INT: 6 (-2)
• WIS: 14 (+2)
• CHA: 6 (-2)

• Skills: Stealth +6
• Damage Resistances: Necrotic; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
• Damage Immunities: Poison
• Condition Immunities: Exhaustion, poisoned
• Senses: Darkvision, 60 ft.
• Passive Perception: 12
• Languages: Understands the languages it knew in life but can't speak
• Challenge Rating: 3 (700 XP)

Traits

• Shadow Stealth: While in dim light or darkness the Shadow Stalker can take the Hide action as a bonus action.
• Sunlight Weakness: While in sunlight the Shadow Stalker has disadvantage on attack rolls, ability checks, and saving throws.

Actions

• Multiattack: The Shadow Stalker makes two attacks with its claws.
• Claws: Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 4) slashing damage. The target must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw, or its hit point maximum is reduced by an amount equal to the damage taken. This reduction lasts until the target finishes a long rest. The target dies if this effect reduces its hit point maximum to 0.
• Shadow Blend (1/Day): The Shadow Stalker can become one with the shadows. Until the end of its next turn, it is invisible and can move through other creatures and objects as if they were difficult terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it ends its turn inside an object.

Reactions

• Shadowy Escape: When the Shadow Stalker takes damage, it can use its reaction to turn invisible and move up to its speed without provoking opportunity attacks. It remains invisible until the start of its next turn or until it attacks or casts a spell.

🌌 Introducing the Shadow Stalker into Your Campaign

The Shadow Stalker can be introduced in various ways:

• The Haunted Graveyard: The players could be tasked with investigating a haunted graveyard where the Shadow Stalker has been seen. The creature could be bound to this place due to the souls it has consumed.
• The Cursed Artifact: An artifact that the players retrieve is cursed and summons the Shadow Stalker when used. The players must find a way to either banish the creature or remove the curse from the artifact.
• The Village in Shadows: A village is plagued by an eternal night, and the Shadow Stalker is terrorizing the inhabitants. The players must find a way to bring back the daylight and banish the creature.
• The Lost Soul: The Shadow Stalker could be the lost soul of an ancestor or a fallen comrade. The players must find a way to free the soul from the creature.

🌑 Tactics in Social and Combat Encounters

In social encounters, the Shadow Stalker does not communicate but uses its presence to create an atmosphere of dread and despair. It might use its Shadow Blend ability to appear and disappear, making characters question their sanity.

In combat, the Shadow Stalker uses darkness to its advantage. It will try to isolate and attack characters who are alone. Using its Shadow Stealth, it hides and then attacks with its claws. When injured, it uses its Shadowy Escape to become invisible and reposition itself. The Shadow Stalker is particularly deadly in dark environments and will use this to stalk and terrorize its prey.

🛡️ Counterplay and Strategies

Players should be encouraged to use light sources and spells to counter the Shadow Stalker’s darkness-based abilities. Spells like Protection from Evil and Good can be very effective. Additionally, characters with the ability to sense or communicate with undead might find alternative ways to interact with or banish the creature.

🎉 Conclusion

The Shadow Stalker is a creature that embodies the terror of the night. Its shadowy nature and deadly claws make it a formidable foe for any adventuring party. Through clever use of light and magic, players can overcome this terror. As a Dungeon Master, the Shadow Stalker offers numerous possibilities for creating an atmosphere of horror and tension in your campaign. May your nights be dark and full of terrors! 🌑👻

Happy adventuring!