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HEBI-NO-ONNA

Moving on to 3rd edition OA there are a few new monsters in this book that were not in 1e.  Converting them here.  

In terms of style, I like the 3e version where she has snakes coming out of her sleeves but otherwise looks like a normal human as opposed to literal snake arms.

Edit, found that DM Dave had converted it after I had done it (thanks google). I “stole” is sorcery spell traits as my version originally used cleric spells.


HEBI-NO-ONNA

Medium monstrosity (yokai), lawful evil
Armor Class 15 (mage armor)
Hit Points 143 (22d8 + 44)
Speed 30 ft.
STR      DEX     CON     INT      WIS     CHA
11 (+0) 15 (+2) 14 (+2) 16 (+3) 21 (+5) 20 (+5)
Saving Throws CON +7, WIS +10, CHA +10
Skills Deception +10, Insight +10, Intimidation +10, Persuasion +10, Perception +10
Damage Immunities Poison
Condition Immunities Poisoned
Senses Darkvision 120 ft., Passive Perception 20
Languages Common, Draconic
Challenge 14 (11,500 XP)

Hypnotic Gaze. When a creature that can see the hebi-no-onna’s eyes starts its turn within 30 feet of the hebi-no-onna, the hebi-no-onna can force it to make a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw if the hebi-no-onna isn’t incapacitated and can see the creature. If the saving throw they become charmed. While charmed by this spell, the creature is incapacitated and has a speed of 0.

Unless surprised, a creature can avert its eyes to avoid the saving throw at the start of its turn. If the creature does so, it can’t see the hebi-no-onna until the start of its next turn, when it can avert its eyes again. If the creature looks at the hebi-no-onna in the meantime, it must immediately make the save.

When using this ability, a hebi-no-onna’s eyes take on the yellow, slit-pupiled appearance of a snake’s.

Magic Resistance. The drow has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Snake Command. Normal snakes (only those that have the Beast type) always obey the commands of a hebi-no- onna, even to the death.

Serpent Immunity. A hebi-no-onna is immune to the gaze attack of any reptilian creature, including creatures like the yuan-ti and naga.

 

Spellcasting. The hebi-no-onna is a 14th-level spellcaster. Her spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 17, +9 to hit with spell attacks). She has the following sorcerer spells prepared:

  • Cantrip (at will): dancing lights, minor illusion, prestidigitation, ray of frost
  • 1st level (4 slots): mage armor, magic missile, shield
  • 2nd level (3 slots): alter self, blur, detect thoughts, hold person, see invisibility
  • 3rd level (3 slots): counterspell, dispel magic, fireball
  • 4th level (3 slots): confusion, dominate beast
  • 5th level (2 slots): dominate person, hold monster
  • 6th level (1 slot): globe of invulnerability
  • 7th level (1 slot): teleport

Sorcery Points. The hebi-no-onna has 14 sorcery points. She regains all her spent sorcery points when she finishes a long rest. She can spend her sorcery points on the following options:

  • Empowered Spell: When she rolls damage for a spell, the hebi-no-onna can spend 1 sorcery point to reroll a number of the damage dice up to her Charisma modifier (minimum of one). She must use the new rolls. The hebi-no-onna can use Empowered Spell even if she has already used a different Metamagic option during the casting of the spell.
  • Heightened Spell: When she casts a spell that forces a creature to make a saving throw to resists its effects, the hebi-no-onna can spend 3 sorcery points to give one target of the spell disadvantage on its first saving throw made against the spell.
  • Quickened Spell: When she casts a spell that has a casting time of 1 action, the hebi-no-onna can spend 2 sorcery points to change the casting time to 1 bonus action for this casting.

ACTIONS

Multiattack. The hebi-no-onna casts a spell and then makes three Flurry of Bites attacks or she casts two spells, one of which must be a cantrip.

Flurry of Bites. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 10 ft., one creature. Hit: 27 (6d6 + 6) piercing damage plus 14 (4d6) poison damage. The target must also make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or become poisoned for 1 minute.  While poisoned the target is stunned as they suffer vivid and horrifying hallucinations, frozen in fear.

DESCRIPTION

Screen Shot 2020-01-12 at 8.19.54 pm
“Hebi-no-Onna” by Darrell Riche

Hebi-no-onnas are vain creatures who delight in the adoration or even worship of warped and deluded humanoids. Whether found as solitary murderers, powerful spellcasters with an entourage of slaves, or at the center of an entire cult network, hebi-no-onnas are dangerous foes whose evil knows no bounds. A hebi-no-onna appears as an ordinary human woman, gen- erally very attractive and attired like a wealthy noblewoman, in a kimono of the finest silk or linen. Her voluminous sleeves, however, hide arms that are writhing serpents, complete with venomous bites. Hebi-no-onnas love precious stones, and drape themselves in jewelry beyond the limits of good taste.

Hebi-no-onnas prefer to use their hypnotic gaze on opponents, and cast spells if they are able, before entering into melee. They are more in love with themselves than with any of their plans or goals, so they never hesitate to flee from a fight that is going poorly for them, even if it means leaving valuable slaves to their deaths as they cover her retreat.

 


Banner Credit: “Hebi-no-Onna” by Amer Osmani.

Posted in 5e, Dungeons & Dragons, Monstrous Compendium, Oriental Adventures

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