Ephemeron
"Little lost playmates, waiting in the dark."
The Ephemeron are, by and large, one of the most dark and devious dangers that has ever spawned from the Void. The Void energy manipulates and repurposes all the energies that it claims for whatever fell and driven purpose serves its needs. It has a kinetic hunger that it perpetually seeks to fill, and the Ephemeron are a powerful means to this end. Using the spectral remains of the children whose lives were claimed when the Blight was called down, the Void attempts to lure in other souls who are too naive or innocent to know better.
Basic Information
Anatomy
These creatures are merely shadows of what they once were, children of the Seanachai Islands. These small statured specters dance in and out of the edges of the Blight as if playing games and chasing one another in and out of sight. They are rarely in full view, preferring to remain in the shadowed edges of the Blight, but if they come into plain sight, they appear as a humanoid child, gray in color and slightly translucent. Their eyes are deep blue and have a slight glow to them and their smile reveals a full set of broken and gnarled teeth.
Biological Traits
They do not seem to need to eat or sleep, but studies have found that they still do, or at least go through the motions from time to time.
Ecology and Habitats
There is no way to gauge and accurate count of the actual number of Ephemeron the persist beyond the fringe of the Blight, but if the academic theories are true, than the soul of nearly every Seanachaisian child that was lost in the Blight now reside here, at the borders seeking always to gain new playmates in the gloom. The remains of those taken are never found, though some reports state that these creatures have been seen using remains as playthings, crafting games and imaginary uses based around them. They are remorseless and cruel, as the innocents that once resided in them are no longer there, replaced now by the empty vacuum of the Void and the insatiable hunger that accompanies it.
Dietary Needs and Habits
The Ephemeron are still children at heart, changed by the forces of the Void. Aside from the sinister intentions that they hide, they seem playful and harmless to the unwary observer, and will use this to encourage other children to join them, whispering encouragement and chiding them playfully. Adult targets they have been known to feign being lost or hurt in an attempt to lure them into the dark edge of the Blight. While a potential victim may only see and hear a few of these creatures playing in the gloom, just out of sight hide hundreds lying in wait for their potential victim. An unwary individual will soon find themselves overwhelmed by their numbers and dragged into the Blight to be devoured. They will attempt to knock a victim down, any critical hit scored will leave a victim prone and within two rounds they will be overwhelmed and dragged into the Void. An athletic skill check made at a disadvantage will allow the character to break free and get to their feet, but the attempts will continue until they escape the area the creatures inhabit.
Additional Information
Average Intelligence
These creatures are actually very intelligent by comparative measure to their fellow denizens of the Void. They maintain some semblance of sentience and will continue to play and socialize to some degree even when there are no living souls nearby to prey upon.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Darkvision 60'
Civilization and Culture
Major Language Groups and Dialects
- Common
- Seanachaisian
- Small Undead, Chaotic Evil
- Armor Class 17
- Hit Points 10(2d6 + 4)
- Speed 20'
- STR 10
- DEX 12 (+1)
- CON 10
- INT 12 (+1)
- WIS 10
- CHA 16 (+3)
- Damage Resistances Acid, Fire, Lightning, Thunder; Bludgeoning, Piercing, And Slashing From Non Magical Weapons
- Damage Immunities Cold, Necrotic, Poison, Void
- Condition Immunities Charmed, Exhaustion, Frightened, Grappled, Paralyzed, Petrified, Poisoned, Prone, Restrained
- Vulnerabilities Light
- Senses Darkvision 60', Passive perception 7
- Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)
Abilities
- Undead Fortitude. If damage reduces the Ephemeron to 0 hit points, it must make a Constitution saving throw with a DC of 5+the damage taken, unless the damage is radiant or from a critical hit. On a success, the Ephemeron drops to 1 hit point instead.
Actions
- Grab. Melee Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: (1d4 + 1) bludgeoning damage.
- Bite. Melee Attack: +3 to hit one creature. Hit: 3 (1d4 + 1) piercing.
- Disease Each bite that pierces skin has a 5% chance to infect the victim with the Muck Blood Disease.
Scientific Name
Undead
Related Ethnicities
Comments