Tithe-Cage Shade

medium undead, neutral evil

D&D 5.5 / SRD 5.2

Challenge 2 (450 XP)

Available with DM subscription
STR
10
DEX
16 (+3)
CON
12 (+1)
INT
8 (-1)
WIS
14 (+2)
CHA
12 (+1)

Defense

Armor Class
13 (natural armor)
Hit Points
44 (8d8+8 +1)
Speed
30 ft.

Treasure & Loot Common

No significant treasure

Proficiencies & Senses

Saving Throws Dex, Wis
Skills
Stealth +5, Perception +4
Senses
darkvision 60 ft.
Blindsight (The shade can perceive its surroundings within 30 feet without relying on sight.)
passive Perception 14

Characteristics

Damage Vulnerabilities
—
Damage Resistances
bludgeoning, piercing, slashing
Damage Immunities
necrotic, poison
Condition Immunities
charmed, frightened, grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained
Languages Common (understands but cannot speak)

Traits and Actions

Incorporeal Movement

Trait
Incorporeal Movement Custom
The shade can move through other creatures and objects as if they were difficult terrain. It takes 5 force damage if it ends its turn inside an object.

Incorporeal Movement. Standard incorporeal movement rule for undead spirits.

Sunlight Sensitivity

Trait
Sunlight Sensitivity Custom
While in sunlight, the shade has disadvantage on attack rolls and Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.

Brass Mask Resonance

Trait
Brass Mask Resonance Custom
When the shade is damaged by a melee weapon, the attacker hears a faint metallic ringing. The next time that attacker makes an ability check or saving throw before the start of their next turn, they have disadvantage.

Brass Mask Resonance. Homebrew mechanic linking melee hits to temporary debuffs via sound.

Lock Rattle

Action
Object Interaction Custom
The shade targets one door or lock within 30 feet that it can see. If the target is unlocked, it becomes locked. If locked, it attempts to unlock it; on a failed DC 12 Dexterity check, it jams permanently until repaired magically. This action does not require line of effect if the shade is adjacent to the barrier.

Object Interaction. Interacting with environmental objects like locks.

Dim Lantern

Action
Frightened Condition
The shade extinguishes one nonmagical light source within 30 feet that it can see. Creatures within 5 feet of the extinguished source must succeed on a DC 12 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened of the shade until the end of their next turn.

Cold Brass Claws

Action
Melee Weapon Attack Custom
Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (2d4+3) cold damage plus 3 (1d6) bludgeoning damage from brass resonance. If the target is frightened, they take an additional 5 necrotic damage.

Cage Warding

Reaction
Reaction Custom
Triggered when a creature within 5 feet opens a cage, box, or container that previously held a Tithe-Cage Shade. The shade appears in an unoccupied space within 5 feet of the container and immediately uses Lock Rattle on the nearest door.

Reaction. Special response to triggers.

Running the encounter

Combat Behavior

Tactics

  • Avoid direct combat initially.
  • Use Lock Rattle and Dim Lantern to control the battlefield and trap players.
  • Only attacks with Cold Brass Claws if cornered or if a cage is opened near it.

Combat Style

Controller/Ambush Predator. Uses environment to isolate targets and induce fear rather than dealing heavy damage upfront.

Appearance & presence

Monster Description

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