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Deathspeaker

Medium · Undead · CR 4 · Lawful Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts 2

14 (natural armor)

97 (13d8+39)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Undead

Alignment Lawful Evil

XP 1100

Initiative Bonus +3

Movement

Walk 30 ft (9.1 m)

Swim 15 ft (4.6 m)

Climb 15 ft (4.6 m)

Crawl 15 ft (4.6 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 11

Skills

Deception +8 Persuasion +8

Languages

any languages it knew in life

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

poison

Condition Immunities

exhaustion, poisoned

Traits

Deathspeak

If the deathspeaker engages at least one creature in conversation for at least 1 minute, it can perform a prophetic display, reading cards, throwing bones, speaking to a crystal ball, or similar. Each creature that can see or hear the prophetic display must succeed on a DC 15 Intelligence saving throw or be cursed with the belief it will soon die. While cursed, the creature has disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks. The curse lasts until it is lifted by a remove curse spell or similar magic, or until the deathspeaker dies. The deathspeaker can use this trait only on creatures that share at least one language with it.

Actions

Multiattack

The deathspeaker makes two rake attacks. Alternatively, it can use Necrotic Ray twice.

Necrotic Ray

+7 to hit, range 60 ft (18.3 m). Hit: 3d6 necrotic damage.

Ranged Spell Attack: +7 to hit, range 60 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (3d6) necrotic damage.

Pronounce Death

The deathspeaker chooses a creature it can see within 30 feet of it that has been reduced to 0 hp. The target must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or immediately die. Creatures cursed by the Deathspeak trait have disadvantage on this saving throw.

Rake

+6 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d8+3 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 12 (2d8 + 3) slashing damage.

About Deathspeaker

Deathspeaker is a medium undead with a Challenge Rating of 4. It has a lawful evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 14 and possesses 97 hit points (derived from 13d8+39).

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

GM Tips: Using Deathspeaker

2 tips available

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

Mid-level Encounter: Ideal for parties levels 3-8 as solo or small groups
Terrain Advantage: Use terrain to offset moderate combat abilities

Player Guide: Facing Deathspeaker

2 strategies available

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

Moderate Threat: Prepare standard combat tactics
Tactical Advantage: Use terrain and positioning

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