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Dark Father

Large · Undead · CR 4 · Lawful Neutral

Source. Creature Codex

18 (natural armor)

65 (10d8+18)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

-2

DEX

CON

INT

-1

WIS

CHA

-1

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Large

Type Undead

Alignment Lawful Neutral

XP 1100

Initiative Bonus +2

Movement

Walk 40 ft (12.2 m)

Fly 20 ft (6.1 m)

Swim 20 ft (6.1 m)

Climb 20 ft (6.1 m)

Crawl 20 ft (6.1 m)

Hover Yes

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 12

Skills

Stealth +4

Languages

the languages it knew in life

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

necrotic, poison

Damage Resistances

bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks

Condition Immunities

exhaustion, frightened, grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained

Traits

Death Waits

The dark father has disadvantage on melee attack rolls against any creature that has all of its hp.

Incorporeal Movement

The dark father 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.

None May Stop Death

When a creature within 30 feet of a dark father regains hp through any means other than resting, it must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or take 3 (1d6) necrotic damage and have disadvantage on its next death saving throw.

Actions

Final Curtain

The dark father targets a corpse it can see within 30 feet that has been dead for no longer than 1 hour. A stream of dark energy flows between the corpse and the dark father. At the end of the dark father's next turn, the dark father absorbs the corpse and it vanishes completely. Any worn items or possessions are unaffected. A corpse destroyed in this manner can't be retrieved other than by a wish spell or similar magic.

Life Drain

+4 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 4d6 necrotic damage.

Melee Spell Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 14 (4d6) necrotic damage. The target must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or its hp 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 hp maximum to 0.

Reactions

Banish Hope

When a spell from the evocation or necromancy school is cast within 30 feet of the dark father, the dark father can counter the spell with a successful ability check. This works like the counterspell spell with a +5 spellcasting ability check, except the dark father must make the ability check no matter the level of the spell.

About Dark Father

Dark Father is a large undead with a Challenge Rating of 4. It has a lawful neutral alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 18 and possesses 65 hit points (derived from 10d8+18).

Dark Father has communication capabilities including the languages it knew in life. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Dark Father

2 tips available

When using Dark Father in your D&D 5e campaign, consider these tactical approaches:

Flight Control Strategy: Target flying creatures with spells like 'Hold Person', 'Web', or 'Grease' to ground them. Without flight restriction, they can escape melee range easily. Consider area denial spells below their flight altitude to force them into disadvantageous positions.
Incorporeal Movement: This creature can pass through objects and walls! Use 'Magic Circle', 'Forcecage', or other magical barriers. Physical obstacles are ineffective.

Player Guide: Facing Dark Father

2 strategies available

When your party encounters this creature, keep these strategies in mind:

Counter Flight Advantage: This creature can fly! Use ranged attacks, reach weapons, or spells like 'Thunderwave' to push it away. Consider 'Gust of Wind' or 'Earthbind' to ground it. Melee characters need fly speed or flight magic to engage.
Hit Incorporeal Creature: This creature can pass through objects! Use magical weapons or spells. Physical attacks may not work. 'Magic Missile' or 'Spiritual Weapon' are effective.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 4.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 6 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 2,000 XP
Hard: 3,000 XP
Deadly: 4,000 XP

Based on D&D 5e Dungeon Master's Guide encounter building guidelines. CR roughly equals party level for medium encounters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the challenge rating of Dark Father?: Dark Father has a Challenge Rating of 4, making it appropriate for parties of level 4.0.
What type of creature is Dark Father?: Dark Father is a Large Undead, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Dark Father speak?: Dark Father can communicate in the languages it knew in life.