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.

Voluptuous and powerful, the brood mother commands her kin through staggering charisma and centuries-honed wisdom. The humanoid bears a ripe figure from many child-births and a life of rich living and wears in bright sarongs, shawls, and scarves that tantalize more than cover. The brood mother leads a troupe composed of her descendants and their mates in matters political, spiritual, and musical. Her presence shields the souls of her kin and through her distant Iktokris makes her will known.

Brood Mother

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

Armor Class 18 (Harmonic defense)

Hit Points 112 (15d8 + 45)

Speed 30ft

Str 12 Dex 17 Con 16 Int 15 Wis 18 Cha 21

Saving Throws Wis +8, Cha +9

Skills Arcana +4, Performance +8

Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks

Damage Immunities psychic

Condition Immunities frightened, paralyzed

Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14

Languages Common, Deep Speech

Challenge 10 (5,900 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.

Harmonic Defense.

The brood mother adds its Charisma modifier to its armor class. This ability does not function if the brood is Silenced.

Innate Spellcasting.

The brood is a 4th level spellcaster with a spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 17, +9 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 mother is a 12th level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 17, +9 spell attack modifier). The brood composer has the following Warlock Spells prepared:

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

3 (5th level spell slots): Charm Monster, Counterspell, Cure Wounds, Dream, Hunger of Hadar, Lesser Restoration, Shatter, Tongues, Mass Suggestion (1/day), Plane Shift (1/day), Dominate Monster (1/day)

Psychic Bulwark.

All friendly humanoids within 10ft of the brood mother gain Advantage on Wisdom saving throws.

Actions

Multiattack.

The brood mother makes two attacks.

Club.

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

Club (With Shillelagh).

Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (1d8+8) bludgeoning damage.

Reactions

Iktokris' Rage.

Whenever a brood the brood mother can see that is within 30ft is reduced to 0 hit points, the brood mother may use her reaction to rebke its killer. The creature that reduced the brood to 0 bit points must succeed on a DC 17 Consitution save or take 1d4 necrotic damage for each hit dice the downed brood had. On success, the creature takes no damage. This reaction does not function of the brood mother is Silenced.