More on the Brood

Black chitin horns curl away from the humanoid’s temples and under its pointed ears in the same manner as a ram’s. Likewise, the brood’s facial structure vaguely resembles a goat with a wide-flat nose and pointed chin. The creature is covered in fine, black downy from head to chitin hoof with a head of wild hair. One might mistake the brood for a satyr if not for its straight, human-like legs and blood-red furrow running from nap to sacrum filled with twitching cilia. Despite its aberrant nature, most would describe the brood as becoming. Other humanoids find something sensual and primal about the feral creature that is all too compelling.

The typical brood dresses in flowing, risque clothing. They enjoy the freedom of movement it grants, the attention it garners, and the ease of removal provided. Most brood are proud of their bodies, no matter what ‘flaws’ it might have as every last cell is a gift of the Dark Mother. They are each an example of Her divine perfection and to hide their form is to demean Her grace. Some brood prefer bright, contrasting colors to their dark fur while others lean into an almost gothic attire depending on individual preference.

Clad in only a chest wrap and sweeping sarong of contrasting, bright colors, the brood chorister’s toned body is free to dance with abandon as they sing. The humanoid also wears a collection of gemstone studded chokers and enchanted-bone bracelets that sparkle and rattle respectively when the creature is in motion. Arcane symbols are painstakingly shaved into the brood’s dark fur. These sigils glow whenever the hymn it sings disrupts a spell. The chorister serves as something between a bard and friar among the brood. Their strange songs bring peace and a sense of community to its kin.

Brood Chorister

Medium humanoid (Brood), any alignment (usually chaotic)

Armor Class 13

Hit Points 38 (7d8 + 7)

Speed 30ft

Str 12 Dex 16 Con 13 Int 11 Wis 10 Cha 16

Skills Animal Handling +2, Performance +5

Damage Resistances psychic

Senses darkvision 60 ft., tremorsense 10ft, passive Perception 10

Languages Common, Deep Speech

Challenge 2 (450 XP)

Anathema Bond.

The brood can use the Wisdom (Animal Handling) skill on Aberrations and Monstrosities. The brood's Animal Friendship spell can also affect Aberrations and Monstrosities with an Intelligence of 3 or less.

Innate Spellcasting.

The brood is a 4th level spellcaster with a spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 13, +5 spell attack modifier). The brood can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:

At Will: Shillelagh

1/day: Animal Friendship, Hex

Spellcasting.

The brood chorister is a 5th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 13, +5 to hit with spell attacks). The brood chorister has the following Warlock spells prepared:

Cantrips (at will): Eldritch Blast, Friends, Toll the Dead

2 (2nd level spell slots): Arms of Hadar, Shatter

Actions

Club.

Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d6+1) bludgeoning damage.

Club (with Shillelagh).

Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8+3) bludgeoning damage.

Distant Harmony.

The chorister targets a creature it can see within 30 ft and bombards it with a chord not of this sphere. If the creature is concentrating on a spell it must immediately make a DC 13 Concentration save with Disadvantage or lose Concentration on that spell. If not, this acts as the Dispel Magic spell, but is not magical. The DC of its disruption effect as well as the bonus to the Dispel Magic attempt increases by one for each other Brood Chorister that has used Distant Harmony since this Chorister's last turn. The brood chorister cannot use this ability if it is Silenced.