As part of “Masters of Eternal Night” the Thralltakers – a group of mind flayer bounty hunters – pursue the party and eventually attack them. The resurrected Shuluth (1.0 and 2.0) has lost his battle suit but has replaced it the Hand and Eye of Vecna. One of the extra abilities of the combined hand and eye is the ability to call monsters from a dimensional prison to fight for you. This harks back to the Hand and Eye’s origins. In this case, it was a trio of Tanarukk orcs. I created these before Volo and they are based on the 4e version.
TANARUKK STEEL WARRIOR
The toughest of tanarukks, those that take the most punishment during their creation, arc set aside to be trained as steel warriors. Steel warriors have plate armor riveted into their hides. This method of equipping them with armor grants them a deadly combination of protection and agility.
This particular trio are dominated and wear caps. There would be no other way the mind flayers could control these demonic orcs.
TANARUKK STEEL WARRIOR
Medium fiend (demon, orc), chaotic evil
Armor Class 18 (fused plate mail)
Hit Points 95 (10d8 + 50)
Speed 30 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 (+4) | 13 (+1) | 20 (+5) | 9 (-1) | 9 (-1) | 9 (-1) |
Skills Intimidation +2, Perception +2
Damage Resistances Fire, Poison
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 12
Languages Abyssal, Common, Orc
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
Aggressive. As a bonus action, the tanarukk can move up to its speed toward a hostile creature that it can see.
Indomitable Fury. When the steel warrior drops to 0 hit points for the first time, the steel warrior instead has 1 hit point, and he gains a +2 bonus to attack rolls and a +4 bonus to damage rolls until the end of the encounter.
Magic Resistance. The tanarukk has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The tanarukk makes two attacks: one with its bite and one with its greatsword.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) piercing damage.
Greatsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) slashing damage and the target is marked until the end of the steel warrior’s next turn.
REACTIONS
Unbridled Fury. In response to being hit by a melee attack, the tanarukk can make one melee weapon attack with advantage against the attacker. If the target is marked the attack does an extra 7 (2d6) damage.
FREE ACTIONS
Combat Awareness. An enemy marked by the steel warrior moves or makes an attack that does not include the steel warrior as a target he can then use a free action to make an opportunity attack against the triggering enemy.