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Shadow River Lord

Medium · Undead · CR 9 · Neutral Evil

Source. Creature Codex

16 (natural armor)

135 (18d8+54)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Undead

Alignment Neutral Evil

XP 5000

Initiative Bonus +4

Movement

Walk 30 ft (9.1 m)

Swim 60 ft (18.3 m)

Climb 15 ft (4.6 m)

Crawl 15 ft (4.6 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 13

Languages

Common

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

poison

Damage Resistances

cold, fire, necrotic; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks

Condition Immunities

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

Traits

Amorphous

The shadow river lord can move through a space as narrow as one inch wide without squeezing.

Actions

Greenfire Staff

+8 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d6+4 plus 2d6 fire damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d6 + 4) bludgeoning damage plus 7 (2d6) fire damage.

Multiattack

The shadow river lord makes two greenfire staff or two shadowfrost bolt attacks. If two attacks hit the same target, the target must make a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or be blinded until the end of its next turn.

Shadow Geyser

Recharge 6

The shadow river lord expels a geyser of shadowy water from its staff in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw, taking 21 (6d6) necrotic damage and 21 (6d6) cold damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Shadowfrost Bolt

+8 to hit, range 150 ft (45.7 m). Hit: 2d8 plus 2d6 cold damage.

Ranged Spell Attack: +8 to hit, range 150 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (2d8) necrotic damage plus 7 (2d6) cold damage.

About Shadow River Lord

Shadow River Lord is a medium undead with a Challenge Rating of 9. It has a neutral evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 16 and possesses 135 hit points (derived from 18d8+54).

Shadow River Lord has communication capabilities including Common. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Shadow River Lord

4 tips available

When using Shadow River Lord in your D&D 5e campaign, consider these tactical approaches:

Aquatic Combat: This creature can swim at 60 ft. It has advantage in water environments. Consider fighting on land or using water-based spells against it.
Fire Damage Mitigation: This creature deals fire damage. Advise players to have fire resistance ready or use water-based tactics. Consider environmental fire hazards that could backfire on the creature.
Cold Damage Strategy: Cold-based attacks can slow or freeze. Prepare 'Heat Metal' or fire spells as countermeasures. Ice terrain can be used to create difficult terrain for melee characters.
Amorphous Movement: This creature can squeeze through spaces as small as 1 inch! Traditional barriers are ineffective. Use 'Wall of Force', 'Forcecage', or magical barriers to contain it.

Player Guide: Facing Shadow River Lord

4 strategies available

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

Aquatic Combat Defense: This creature can swim at 60 ft! It has advantage in water. Fight on land if possible. Use 'Control Water' or drain water sources to limit its mobility.
Fire Damage Protection: This creature deals fire damage! Get fire resistance from spells like 'Resistance' or potions. Avoid fighting near flammable objects. Water spells can counter fire attacks.
Cold Damage Protection: This creature deals cold damage! Get cold resistance or use fire spells. Avoid water surfaces - they can freeze and create difficult terrain. 'Heat Metal' can counter cold.
Contain Amorphous Creature: This creature can squeeze through tiny spaces! Traditional barriers won't work. Use 'Wall of Force', 'Forcecage', or magical barriers. 'Create Bonfire' can block movement.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 9.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 12 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 9,000 XP
Hard: 13,500 XP
Deadly: 18,000 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 Shadow River Lord?: Shadow River Lord has a Challenge Rating of 9, making it appropriate for parties of level 9.0.
What type of creature is Shadow River Lord?: Shadow River Lord is a Medium Undead, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Shadow River Lord speak?: Shadow River Lord can communicate in Common.