Ajatar, the First Serpent of Rot

Large Fey (Hag), Chaotic Evil
Mother of the Ajatars, Mistress of Blight and Venom

Armor Class: 17 (natural armor)
Hit Points: 245 (20d10 + 140)
Speed: 40 ft., climb 30 ft., swim 30 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
22 (+6)	14 (+2)	22 (+6)	18 (+4)	20 (+5)	22 (+6)

Saving Throws: Con +12, Wis +11, Cha +12
Skills: Deception +12, Insight +11, Perception +11, Stealth +8
Damage Resistances: poison; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
Damage Immunities: psychic
Condition Immunities: poisoned, charmed
Senses: darkvision 120 ft., truesight 120 ft., passive Perception 21
Languages: Common, Sylvan, Draconic; telepathy 120 ft.
Challenge: 20 (25,000 XP)

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Mythic Traits

Fey Presence (Recharge 5–6). Each creature of Ajatar’s choice within 30 ft. must succeed on a DC 20 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened and poisoned until the end of its next turn.

Toxic Aura. At the start of her turn, all creatures within 10 ft. take 7 (2d6) poison damage.

Mythic Defiance (1/Day). When reduced to 0 HP, Ajatar regains 120 HP and immediately gains 3 legendary actions.

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Innate Spellcasting

Ajatar’s spellcasting ability is Charisma (DC 20, +12 to hit). She can cast the following spells innately, without components:

• At Will: Druidcraft, Poison Spray, Shillelagh
• 3/day each: Call Lightning, Contagion, Dominate Beast, Plant Growth, Hold Monster
• 1/day each: Blight, Cloudkill, Heightened Contagion, Wall of Thorns, Insect Plague, Control Water/Tsunami, Foresight

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Actions

Multiattack. Ajatar makes two Claw attacks and one Venomous Bite.

Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 21 (4d6 + 6) slashing + 10 (3d6) poison damage.

Venomous Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 27 (5d8 + 6) piercing + Toxic Curse.

Toxic Curse. DC 20 Constitution save or poisoned for 1 minute, taking 9 (3d6) poison damage at the start of each of its turns. Save ends effect.

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Legendary Actions

Ajatar can take 3 legendary actions, only one at a time, at the end of another creature’s turn. She regains spent legendary actions at the start of her turn.

• Detect. Make a Wisdom (Perception) check.
• Serpent Strike. Make one Claw attack.
• Legendary Spell (2 Actions). Cast Poison Spray, Spike Growth, or Conjure Animals (1d4 Venomous Beasts).
• Venomous Breath (2 Actions). Exhale a 60-ft. cone. Each creature in the area must make a DC 20 Constitution save or take 36 (8d8) poison damage and be poisoned for 1 minute (half on a successful save).

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Lair Actions

On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), Ajatar can use one of the following:

• Blighted Ground. A 20-ft radius erupts with blighted vines and roots. Area becomes difficult terrain; creatures starting their turn here take 12 (3d6) poison damage (DC 20 Con save for half).
• Serpent Call. Summon 1d4 Venomous Beasts in unoccupied spaces within 90 ft.
• Poisonous Fog. 15-ft radius cloud; creatures entering or starting in the area take 12 (3d6) poison damage (DC 20 Con save for half).

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Venomous Beasts (CR 1)

Small/Medium Fey or Beast, Chaotic Evil

AC: 13 | HP: 27 (6d6 +6)

Actions:

• Bite: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8+3) piercing + 7 (2d6) poison.
• Venom Spray (Recharge 5–6): 10-ft cone; DC 12 Con save or 9 (2d8) poison + poisoned 1 turn.

Behavior: Swarm enemies, harass poisoned/weak creatures, and block retreats.

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Regional Effects

While within 6 miles of her lair:

• Water becomes brackish and toxic.
• Wildlife, serpents, and venomous creatures increase unnaturally.
• Forest growth twists, dimming sunlight and veiling paths.

These effects fade 1d6 days if Ajatar dies or leaves the region.

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Tactics

• Open combat by corrupting the battlefield with Blighted Ground and Venomous Breath.
• Target spellcasters/supports first with Toxic Curse.
• Use legendary actions and venomous minions to control positioning and punish movement.
• Mythic Defiance ensures she survives what would otherwise be fatal blows, making her a true climactic threat.

Ajatar’s Spawned Daughters (Ajatars)

Medium Fey (Hag), Chaotic Evil
Venomous offspring of Ajatar, carrying her blight and malice

Armor Class: 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points: 85 (10d8 + 40)
Speed: 30 ft., climb 20 ft., swim 20 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
16 (+3)	14 (+2)	18 (+4)	14 (+2)	16 (+3)	18 (+4)

Saving Throws: Con +7, Wis +6, Cha +7
Skills: Deception +7, Insight +6, Perception +6, Stealth +5
Damage Resistances: poison; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
Damage Immunities: psychic
Condition Immunities: poisoned, charmed
Senses: darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 16
Languages: Common, Sylvan; telepathy 60 ft.
Challenge: 7 (2,900 XP)

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Innate Spellcasting

Charisma-based (DC 15, +7 to hit). No components required.

• At Will: Poison Spray, Minor Illusions
• 2/day each: Hold Person, Ray of Enfeeblement, Plant Growth
• 1/day each: Blight, Insect Plague, Fear

Ajatars often use spells to hinder movement, weaken foes, and poison from range before closing in.

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Actions

Multiattack. Makes two Claw attacks and one Bite.

Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 12 (2d6 + 3) slashing + 7 (2d6) poison damage.

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 14 (2d8 + 3) piercing + Venomous Curse.

Venomous Curse. DC 15 Constitution save or poisoned for 1 minute, taking 7 (2d6) poison damage at the start of each turn. Save ends effect.

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Lair Actions (Optional)

(If encounter occurs in her territory)

• Corrupt Flora: 15-ft radius becomes difficult terrain; creatures take 7 (2d6) poison damage at start of turn (DC 15 Con save for half).
• Call Minions: Summon 1d2 venomous beasts in unoccupied spaces nearby.

These lair actions can be combined if multiple Ajatars are present to create a dangerous, dynamic battlefield.

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Tactics

• Ambush Specialists: Leap from shadows, poison and curse spellcasters first.
• Swarm Coordination: Support each other in packs; one distracts while another strikes.
• Terrain Advantage: Use lair or forest features to control movement, harass fleeing PCs, and block retreats.
• Spell and Bite Combo: Poison from range, then close in with claws and bite for maximum effect.

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Scaling Notes for DMs

Encounter	Number of Ajatars	XP / Threat	Notes
Minor Encounter	1–2	2,900–5,800 XP	Elite minions alongside Ajatar or other threats
Standard Ambush	3–4	8,700–11,600 XP	Swarm tactics with lair effects, good for mid-level parties
Horde / Lair Event	5+	14,500+ XP	Combined with venomous beasts and terrain, major challenge for high-level parties

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Venomous Beasts (CR 1)

Small/Medium Fey or Beast, Chaotic Evil

AC: 13 | HP: 27 (6d6 + 6)
Bite +5: 7 (1d8+3) piercing + 7 (2d6) poison
Venom Spray (Recharge 5–6): 10-ft cone, DC 12 Con save, 9 (2d8) poison + poisoned 1 turn

Used by Ajatars to harass, block retreats, and synergize with poison/curses.

Ajatarra

The snake before you sports an undeniable air of malevolence, and its very glare seems to make you feel sick. Many other snakes are piled around it, and as the winged creature hisses, they seem to rise up in arms to defend her.

Originally Posted by strawberryman of the Giant in the Playground Forums.

On this Thread

Ajattara, evil female spirits that manifest as draconic or winged snakes, are sometimes known as Devils of the Woods. They are mother to serpents, and are said to be able to be able to spread plagues by simply being looked at. They are consistently surrounded by any number of serpents, and can often call upon them when attacked, or when they spot suitable prey for their children.

Ajatars spreads disease and pestilence, any that look at them leads to illness. They worship Tiamat, mother of the gods and goddesses.

Ajatarras look like large winged snakes (some have feathered wings, some are leathery and batlike), with some draconic features. They can range in length from 10 to 20 feet, and weigh from 200 to 400 pounds.

Ajatarra
Large fey
Hit Dice	12d6+12 (54 hp)
Initiative	+7
Speed	20 ft. (4 squares), Climb 20 ft., Swim 20 ft., fly 40 ft. (good)
Armor Class	16 (-1 size, +3 Dexterity, +4 Natural), touch 12, flat-footed 13
Base Attack/Grapple	+6/+12
Attack	Bite +9 melee (1d6+3 plus poison)
Full Attack	Bite +9 melee (1d6+3 plus poison) plus 2 wings +4 melee (1d8+1)
Space/Reach	10 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks	Poison, sickening gaze, constrict 1d8+10, improved grab, summon snakes
Special Qualities	Damage Reduction 10/cold iron, Low-Light Vision
Saves	Fort +4, Ref +11, Will +9
Abilities	Strength 17, Dexterity 17, Constitution 13, Intelligence 10, Wisdom 12, Charisma 17
Skills	Balance +13, Climb +21, Handle Animal +18, Hide +13, Listen +13, Move Silently +13, Spot +18, Swim +21
Feats	Ability Focus(sickening gaze), Alertness, Improved Initiative, Weapon Focus(bite)
Environment	Cold Forests
Organization	Solitary, or nest (one ajatarra plus 4-10 constrictor snakes and/or vipers)
Challenge Rating	8
Treasure	Standard
Alignment	Always Chaotic Evil
Advancement	13-16 HD (Large); 17-36 HD (Huge)
Level Adjustment	–

Combat

In combat, Ajatarra prefer to stay back and subject its opponents to its sickening gaze while their snake minions (summoned or otherwise) attack them on the frontlines. When forced to, though, they will often try to grapple and constrict physically weaker opponents.

Poison (Ex) Injury, Fortitude DC 17, initial and secondary damage 1d6 Constitution. The save DC is Constitution based.

Sickening Gaze (Su) The gaze of an Ajatarra inflicts disease upon the weak of body; anyone caught looking at an Ajatarra is affected by a Contagion spell (chosen randomly), except the Fortitude DC for any of them is 21 instead of the listed value. The (modified) save DC is Charisma-based. Snakes are immune to this gaze attack.

Constrict (Ex) On a successful grapple check, an Ajatarra deals 1d8+10 points of damage.

Improved Grab (Ex) To use this ability, an Ajatarra must hit with its bite attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and can constrict.

Summon Snakes (Su) Ajatarra can control snakes, and can call upon them for aid; as a standard action once per day, they can summon 1d8 medium vipers, 1d4 constrictor snakes, or one giant constrictor snake. They arrive immediately.

Skills An Ajatarra has an +8 racial bonus to Handle Animal checks when dealing with snakes.

Ajatar, Spawned Daughter

Medium Fey (Hag, Mythic), Chaotic Evil
CR: 7 | XP: 3,200 | Alignment: CE
Init: +4 | Senses: Darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +16
Aura: Toxic Presence 10 ft. (5d6 poison/round, DC 21 Fort half)

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DEFENSE

AC: 20, touch 13, flat-footed 17 (+4 Dex, +7 natural, +1 size)
HP: 85 (10d8+40)
Fort +10, Ref +8, Will +9 | DR: 5/magic | Immune: psychic | Resist: poison 10 | SR: 16

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OFFENSE

Speed: 30 ft., climb 20 ft., swim 20 ft.
Melee: Claw +12 (2d6+3 +2d6 poison), Bite +12 (2d8+3 + Venomous Curse)

Venomous Curse (Su): DC 21 Fort; poisoned 1 min, taking 4d6 poison/round (save ends).

Spell-Like Abilities (CL 7th; concentration +11):

• At will: Poison Spray, Minor Illusions
• 2/day: Hold Person, Ray of Enfeeblement, Plant Growth
• 1/day: Blight, Insect Plague, Fear

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Mythic Abilities

Fey Presence (Su): 15 ft.; DC 21 Will or frightened and poisoned 1 round
Toxic Aura (Su): 10-ft aura; creatures take 5d6 poison/round, DC 21 Fort half
Mythic Defiance (Su, 1/day): When reduced to 0 HP, regain 40 HP and gain 1 legendary action

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STATISTICS

Str 16, Dex 14, Con 18, Int 14, Wis 16, Cha 18
Base Atk +7; CMB +11; CMD 23
Feats: Improved Initiative, Multiattack, Combat Reflexes, Weapon Focus (Claw)
Skills: Bluff +15, Diplomacy +14, Perception +16, Stealth +12, Spellcraft +11, Knowledge (Nature) +12

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TACTICS

• Ambush from forest cover, using poison and minor spells first.
• Focus attacks on isolated or high-value targets.
• Use terrain to block or funnel opponents.
• Retreat strategically if overwhelmed.

Ajatar, the First Serpent of Rot

Large Fey (Hag, Mythic), Chaotic Evil
CR: 18 (Mythic 20) | XP: 102,400 | Alignment: CE
Init: +6 | Senses: Darkvision 120 ft., Perception +23 | Aura: Toxic Aura 20 ft. (10d6 poison/round, DC 28)

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DEFENSE
AC 32, touch 17, flat-footed 29 (+6 Dex, +15 natural, +1 size)
HP 320 (21d10+189)
Fort +20, Ref +15, Will +18; DR 10/magic; Immune psychic; Resist poison 20, bludgeoning/piercing/slashing 10; SR 28

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OFFENSE
Speed 40 ft., climb 30 ft., swim 30 ft.
Melee Claw +27 (2d6+12 +5d6 poison), Bite +27 (2d8+12 + Toxic Curse)
Toxic Curse (Su) DC 28 Fort; poisoned 1 min, 6d6 poison/round (save ends)
Legendary Strike (Ex) can make 3 attacks per round as full-round action
Summon Venomous Beasts (Sp, 1/day) summons 1d4 CR 1 minions

Spell-Like Abilities (CL 18th; concentration +24)
At will: Druidcraft, Poison Spray, Shillelagh
3/day: Call Lightning, Contagion, Dominate Animal, Plant Growth, Hold Monster
1/day: Blight, Cloudkill, Insect Plague, Wall of Thorns, Control Water, Foresight

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Mythic Abilities
Fey Presence (Su) 30 ft.; DC 28 Will or frightened and poisoned 1 round
Toxic Aura (Su) 20-ft aura; creatures take 10d6 poison/round, DC 28 Fort half
Mythic Defiance (Su, 1/day) when reduced to 0 HP, regain 150 HP and gain 3 legendary actions

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STATISTICS
Str 26, Dex 14, Con 24, Int 18, Wis 20, Cha 26; Base Atk +21; CMB +33; CMD 46
Feats: Improved Initiative, Weapon Focus (Claw), Multiattack, Greater Spell Focus (Necromancy), Toughness, Combat Reflexes
Skills: Bluff +30, Diplomacy +28, Perception +23, Stealth +22, Spellcraft +24, Knowledge (Nature) +24

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Lair (Optional)
Blighted Ground 20 ft. radius: difficult terrain, creatures take 10d6 poison/round (DC 28 Fort half)
Poisonous Fog 15 ft. radius: creatures take 10d6 poison/round (DC 28 Fort half)
Summon 1d4 venomous beasts per round

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Venomous Beasts (CR 1)
Small/Medium Fey or Beast, CE; AC 13, HP 27 (6d6+6); Bite +5 (1d8+3 +2d6 poison); Venom Spray 10-ft cone (DC 12 Fort, 9 [2d8] poison + poisoned 1 round)

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Tactics
Ajatar corrupts terrain, summons minions, targets spellcasters first, and uses Mythic Defiance to survive lethal blows.

Regional Effects
Within 6 miles: wildlife becomes venomous, plants twist, water fouls; fades 1d6 days after her death or departure.