Bonewhisper Sovereign

Medium undead, lawful evil

Physical Description

The Bonewhisper Sovereign is a regal undead entity whose form blends skeletal elegance with ethereal darkness. Its bones are polished to an ivory sheen and adorned with intricate runes that pulse with necrotic energy. Wisps of shadow flow around its frame, occasionally coalescing into a spectral crown above its skull. Its eye sockets burn with an intense purple flame that seems to pierce through both flesh and soul.

Whispers follow in its wake, echoing the final words of those whose souls it has claimed. The air grows cold and still in its presence, as if death itself has paused to pay respect.

Lore

Origin of Power The Bonewhisper Sovereign was once a powerful necromancer who sought immortality through forbidden rituals. Rather than achieving true immortality, the necromancer transformed into this undead entity, retaining consciousness and magical prowess while transcending the limitations of mortal flesh.

Domain of Influence The Sovereign rules over a small domain of undead, commanding loyalty through a combination of magical domination and the promise of protection from those who would destroy undead indiscriminately. Its territory is often marked by subtle signs: withered plants, unusually quiet wildlife, and the occasional whisper heard when no one is speaking.

The Sovereign's Bargain

"I offer not life eternal, but purpose eternal. Your bones shall never rest idle in the dirt, but serve with dignity in my court of shadows." — The Bonewhisper Sovereign to a dying warrior

Stats

• Armor Class: 17 (natural armor)
• Hit Points: 136 (16d8 + 64)
• Speed: 30 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
18 (+4)	14 (+2)	18 (+4)	16 (+3)	15 (+2)	20 (+5)

• Saving Throws: Dex +7, Con +9, Wis +7, Cha +10
• Skills: Arcana +8, History +8, Intimidation +10, Perception +7
• Damage Resistances: necrotic; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
• Damage Immunities: poison, psychic
• Condition Immunities: charmed, exhaustion, frightened, grappled, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained
• Senses: truesight 60 ft., passive Perception 17
• Languages: Common, Abyssal, Celestial, Infernal, Undercommon
• Challenge: 10 (5,900 XP)

Undead Nature. The Bonewhisper Sovereign doesn't require air, food, drink, or sleep.

Innate Spellcasting. The Bonewhisper Sovereign's innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 18). The Sovereign can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:

At will: command, detect magic, dispel magic, ray of enfeeblement 3/day each: animate dead, blight, confusion 1/day each: circle of death, dominate person

Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the Bonewhisper Sovereign fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.

Regeneration. The Bonewhisper Sovereign regains 10 hit points at the start of its turn. If the Bonewhisper Sovereign takes radiant damage, this trait doesn't function at the start of the Bonewhisper Sovereign's next turn. The Bonewhisper Sovereign dies only if it starts its turn with 0 hit points and doesn't regenerate.

Necrotic Mastery. The Bonewhisper Sovereign's necrotic damage ignores resistance to necrotic damage and treats immunity as resistance.

Multiattack. The Bonewhisper Sovereign makes two attacks with its Shadow Blade.

Shadow Blade. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d8 + 5) psychic damage plus 9 (2d8) necrotic damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened until the end of the Sovereign's next turn.

Etherealness (Recharge 5-6). The Bonewhisper Sovereign enters the Ethereal Plane from the Material Plane, or vice versa. It is visible on the Material Plane while it is there, and it can affect and be affected by anything on that plane.

Legendary Actions

The Bonewhisper Sovereign can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature's turn. The Bonewhisper Sovereign regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.

• Cantrip. The Bonewhisper Sovereign casts a cantrip.
• Move. The Bonewhisper Sovereign moves up to half its speed without provoking opportunity attacks.
• Command Minion (Costs 2 Actions). The Bonewhisper Sovereign commands one of its minions to take an action or bonus action immediately.