An apparition is a ghostly manifestation of a person or creature. It is not a true creature, but rather a reflection of the spirit world. Apparitions can be caused by a variety of factors, such as strong emotions, unfinished business, or magical interference.
Apparitions can be harmless, but they can also be dangerous. Some apparitions are malevolent and may try to harm the living. Others are simply lost and confused, and may need help to find peace.
Apparition as a Creature
An apparition can be used as a creature in D&D 5e. It is a Medium undead creature with a challenge rating of 2. Apparitions have the following abilities:
Incorporeal Movement: Apparitions can move through other creatures and objects as if they were difficult terrain. They take 5 (1d10) force damage if they end their turn inside an object.
Withering Touch: Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 4) necrotic damage.
Apparition as a Ghost NPC
Apparitions can also be used as ghost NPCs in D&D 5e. Ghost NPCs are typically neutral or good aligned, but they can also be evil. Ghost NPCs often have unfinished business that is preventing them from moving on to the afterlife.
To create a ghost NPC, you can start with the ghost stat block from the Monster Manual. You can then adjust the stat block to reflect the ghost's backstory and abilities. For example, a ghost NPC who was a powerful wizard in life might have higher spellcasting abilities than a ghost NPC who was a commoner.
You can also give the ghost NPC special abilities or weaknesses based on their backstory. For example, a ghost NPC who was murdered by a specific weapon might be vulnerable to that type of weapon.
Here is an example of a ghost NPC:
Name: The Lady of the Lake
Alignment: Neutral good
Appearance: The Lady of the Lake is a beautiful woman with long, flowing hair and pale skin. She wears a white dress and a silver crown.
Backstory: The Lady of the Lake was a powerful sorceress who lived in a forest near a lake. She was known for her kindness and generosity. One day, a group of bandits attacked the forest and killed the Lady of the Lake. Her spirit is now trapped in the lake, unable to move on to the afterlife.
Unfinished Business: The Lady of the Lake wants to find out who killed her and bring them to justice. She also wants to protect the forest and its inhabitants from bandits and other threats.
Role in the Campaign: The Lady of the Lake could be used as a quest giver or a patron for the player characters. She could also be used as a powerful ally in battle.
Tips for Using Apparitions in Your Campaign
When using apparitions as creatures, be sure to consider the level of your players. Apparitions can be deadly to low-level characters.
When using apparitions as ghost NPCs, be sure to give them a clear backstory and motivation. This will help the players understand why the ghost NPC is around and what they want.
Use apparitions to add atmosphere and mystery to your campaign. Apparitions can be a great way to introduce new plot hooks or to create a sense of dread and suspense.
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