Darkmantle
- Size: Small
- Type: Aberration
- Alignment: Unaligned
- AC: 11
- Initiative: +3 (13)
- HP: 22 (5d6 + 5)
- Speed: 10 ft, Fly 30 ft .
| ATTR | VAL | MOD | SAVE |
|---|---|---|---|
| STR | 16 | +3 | +3 |
| Dex | 12 | +1 | +1 |
| Con | 13 | +1 | +1 |
| INT | 2 | -4 | -4 |
| Wis | 10 | +0 | +0 |
| CHA | 5 | -3 | -3 |
- Skills: Stealth +3
- Senses: Blindsight 60 ft.; Passive Perception 10
- Languages: None
- CR: 1/2 (XP 100; PB +2)
Actions
Crush. Melee Attack Roll: +5 , reach 5 ft . Hit: 6 (1d6 +3 ) Bludgeoning damage, and the darkmantle attaches to the target. If the target is a Medium or smaller creature and the darkmantle had Advantage on the attack roll, it covers the target, which has the Blinded condition and is suffocating while the darkmantle is attached in this way.
While attached to a target, the darkmantle can attack only the target but has Advantage on its attack rolls. Its Speed becomes 0 , it can't benefit from any bonus to its Speed, and it moves with the target.
A creature can take an action to try to detach the darkmantle from itself, doing so with a successful DC 13 Strength (Athletics) check. On its turn, the darkmantle can detach itself by using 5 feet of movement.
Darkness Aura (1/Day). Magical Darkness fills a 15 -foot Emanation originating from the darkmantle. This effect lasts while the darkmantle maintains Concentration on it, up to 10 minutes. Darkvision can't penetrate this area, and no light can illuminate it.
Lore & Background
Darkmantles are bizarre aberrations that resemble a cross between a manta ray and an octopus, perfectly adapted for life in dark underground environments. These creatures have evolved to be ambush predators, using their ability to manipulate darkness and their natural camouflage to surprise prey. They typically inhabit caves, abandoned ruins, and other subterranean locations where their unique abilities provide maximum advantage.
These creatures are believed to have originated in the deepest parts of the Underdark, where constant darkness and predation have shaped them into perfect stealth hunters. Darkmantles have spread to surface caves and ruins through underground connections, following prey and expanding their territory as opportunities arise. They are solitary creatures that come together only to mate, with females laying eggs in hidden crevices that hatch into miniature versions of their parents.
Darkmantles possess a primitive intelligence that allows them to learn from experience and adapt their hunting strategies to different types of prey. They can recognize patterns in their victims' behavior and adjust their tactics accordingly, making them more dangerous over time as they gain experience in their hunting grounds.
Combat Tactics
Darkmantles are ambush predators that rely on stealth and environmental advantages to succeed in combat. They prefer to attack from concealment, typically clinging to cave ceilings or hiding in shadowy alcoves until prey passes beneath them. Their darkness aura creates zones of supernatural darkness that confuse and disorient enemies while providing the darkmantle with perfect concealment.
Once they drop onto a victim, darkmantles use their crush attack to grapple and slowly squeeze their prey to death. Their natural armor and damage resistances make them surprisingly durable for creatures of their size, allowing them to maintain their grip even when under attack. They prefer to target isolated individuals or the weakest members of a group.
When facing multiple opponents, darkmantles use their mobility and darkness manipulation to separate enemies and pick them off one by one. They are intelligent enough to retreat when seriously outmatched, using their knowledge of local terrain to escape through hidden passages or by blending perfectly with cave formations.
Encounter Ideas
The Cave Ambush: Darkmantles have taken up residence in a cave system that serves as a shortcut or shelter, turning what should be a safe passage into a deadly trap.
The Ruins Guardian: Ancient darkmantles inhabit the ruins of a forgotten civilization, having learned to use the architecture and remaining magical effects to enhance their hunting strategies.
The Underground Highway: A major Underdark passage is plagued by darkmantles that have learned to coordinate their attacks, making travel dangerous for merchants and travelers.
The Nest Discovery: The heroes discover a darkmantle breeding ground where dozens of young creatures are preparing to disperse and establish new hunting territories.
Environmental Effects
Supernatural Darkness: Areas where darkmantles hunt are often shrouded in unnatural darkness that seems to absorb light and muffle sound, creating an atmosphere of dread.
Camouflaged Threats: The darkmantles' perfect camouflage makes it difficult to distinguish them from natural cave formations, creating constant tension for those exploring their territory.
Disturbed Ecosystems: The presence of darkmantles affects local wildlife patterns, as other creatures learn to avoid areas where these predators hunt.
Acoustic Anomalies: The darkmantles' hunting creates unusual sound patterns in caves, with areas of unnatural silence broken by sudden, muffled struggles.
Treasure
Victim's Possessions: Items dropped or carried by the darkmantle's prey, including weapons, armor, coins, and personal effects that have accumulated over time.
Cave Formations: The darkmantles' presence sometimes leads to the discovery of valuable mineral deposits or crystal formations in their hunting grounds.
Darkmantle Hide: The creature's natural camouflage abilities make their hide valuable for creating cloaks and armor with stealth-enhancing properties.
Darkness Essence: Magical components extracted from darkmantles can be used to create items that manipulate light and shadow.
Plot Hooks
The Missing Expedition: A group of explorers has vanished in darkmantle territory, and their rescue requires navigating both the creatures' hunting grounds and the psychological effects of constant darkness.
The Darkness Plague: Darkmantles have begun appearing in areas where they've never been seen before, suggesting a larger disturbance in the underground ecosystem.
The Symbiotic Relationship: A community has learned to coexist with darkmantles, using them as guardians against other threats, but this arrangement creates moral complexities for outsiders.
The Ancient Bond: Darkmantles in a particular location seem to be protecting something important, and understanding their behavior requires delving into the history of their territory.