Wrathful Specter

medium undead (ghost), chaotic evil

Challenge 5.0 (1,800 XP)

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STR
10
DEX
16 (+3)
CON
16 (+3)
INT
12 (+1)
WIS
14 (+2)
CHA
18 (+4)

Proficiencies & Senses

Saving Throws Wisdom, Charisma
Skills
Stealth +7, Religion +5, Deception +6, Perception +5, Intimidation +8
Senses
darkvision 60 ft.
passive Perception 15

Characteristics

Damage Vulnerabilities
Radiant
Damage Resistances
Bludgeoning, Piercing, Slashing
Damage Immunities
Necrotic, Poison
Condition Immunities
Charmed, Exhaustion, Frightened, Paralyzed, Poisoned
Languages Common, Infernal

Traits

Incorporeal Movement

The Wrathful Specter 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.

Horrifying Visage

Each creature of the Wrathful Specter’s choice that is within 30 feet and aware of it must succeed on a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened for 1 minute. A frightened target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Actions

Withering Touch

Melee Spell Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 24 (4d10) necrotic damage.

Vengeful Wail

The specter releases a horrific wail. Each creature within 30 feet must make a DC 16 Constitution saving throw, taking 22 (4d10) psychic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Combat Behavior

Tactics


• The Wrathful Specter targets the strongest-looking character first, hoping to instill fear and demoralize the party.
• It uses its speed to outmaneuver, appearing and disappearing within the shadows.
• The specter avoids direct confrontation with heavily armed opponents, preferring to catch weaker targets off guard.

Combat Style

The Wrathful Specter is aggressive and seeks to break the spirits of its opponents, relying on psychological terror and direct damage.

Morale

The specter fights to the death, unrelenting in its search for vengeance unless confronted by a powerful divination or holy presence.

Monster Description

The Wrathful Specter is a manifestation of intense rage and unresolved hatred, often originating from individuals who died with deep-seated grudges or lost loved ones in tragic circumstances. These vengeful souls roam the lands, driven by their fury and the desire for retribution, striking fear into the hearts of the living. Their appearance is usually ethereal, cloaked in tattered remnants of past lives, with glowing eyes that burn with a fiery intensity. As they glide through their environments, they leave a chilling presence that can freeze the blood of onlookers. The mere sight of a Wrathful Specter can send shivers down anyone's spine, causing them to remember their own darkest moments.

In combat, the Wrathful Specter uses its speed and incorporeal nature to its advantage, often surprising foes with sudden strikes and terrifying shrieks. It delights in causing fear and suffering, relishing the control it has over the living. Powerless to rest, these spirits continue their torment, bound to the earthly plane until they satisfy their hatred or are dispelled.

Lore suggests that many who encounter the specter may become cursed, plagued by visions of their demise or the specter's torment until they confront their own fears. Some adventurers choose to confront these entities, seeking ways to lay the spirits to rest, while others prefer to flee, knowing such beings will only grow stronger with their rage. The legends surrounding the Wrathful Specter continue to spread, painting them as treacherous harbingers of doom.

Monster behavior

The Wrathful Specter often stalks its victims from the shadows, using fear as a weapon to weaken their resolve. In battle, it employs its Horrifying Visage to instill panic before striking with its Withering Touch. The specter targets those it believes have wronged it or those who remind it of its past tormentors, focusing its relentless rage on them. When threatened, it will retreat into the shadows, only to return once it senses fear in the hearts of its prey. It is not uncommon for the specter to create illusions or manipulate the environment to play tricks on its enemies, diving deeper into their psyche to sow disarray.

Ecology

The Wrathful Specter is an aberration of nature, often emerging where violent acts have transpired. Graveyards, sites of bloodshed, and forlorn ruins are common places where these spirits linger. They thrive on the emotions of fear and anger, drawing energy from the pain and sorrow they collectively embody. While these entities do not have a physical form, their essence can interact with the material realm, leading to cold winds and eerie whispers that torment the living.

Interestingly, these specters can also be combated with the right rituals and spells, as they are tied to spiritual lore. Some cultures honor their memory through festivals or rituals to appease their restless spirits, while others scout for ways to bind them or seal them away, often attempting to channel their rage into helpful entities against other threats. This dual nature makes them a subject of fascination and dread alike.

History

The Wrathful Specter is said to be the remnant of a powerful individual, perhaps a warrior who suffered a great betrayal or a parent driven to madness by grief. Legends recount tales of such figures who, before their tragic demises, burned with an unquenchable fire of rage, unable to accept their fate and seeking vengeance against those who wronged them. Over time, this lingering fury has manifested into the spectral beings we now know. Each instance of a Wrathful Specter often ties back to a significant historical event within a region, forever etched into the memories of the local populace. Some whispers suggest that these specters are the manifestations of underlying societal issues, such as unresolved conflicts or injustices that echo through the ages. Scholars debate the reasons why some specters remain in the world of the living while others find peace, leading to theories about the nature of anger and closure in the afterlife. Every encounter with a Wrathful Specter serves as a grim reminder of how unresolved hatred can seep through the boundaries of life and death, haunting the subconscious of generations.

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