Gwyllion

Medium Fey, Chaotic Evil
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP) • Proficiency Bonus +3

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Armor Class 15 (natural armor)

Hit Points 110 (13d8 + 52)

Speed 30 ft.

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STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
9 (–1)	14 (+2)	18 (+4)	13 (+1)	17 (+3)	18 (+4)

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Saving Throws

Wis +6, Cha +7

Skills

Deception +7, Insight +6, Nature +4, Stealth +5, Survival +6

Damage Resistances

Cold, Necrotic, Psychic; Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks

Damage Immunities

Poison

Condition Immunities

Charmed, Frightened, Poisoned

Senses

Darkvision 120 ft., Passive Perception 16

Languages

Common, Sylvan; understands Elvish

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Traits

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Mist Cloak (Recharge 5–6)

As a bonus action, the Gwyllion shrouds herself in magical fog. For 1 minute, she is heavily obscured to creatures more than 5 feet away and has advantage on Stealth checks made to hide in the fog. This mist moves with her and cannot be dispersed by wind or light.

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False Lantern (Recharge 4–6)

As an action, the Gwyllion’s lantern emits a spectral glow visible within 60 feet. Each creature of her choice that can see the lantern must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or become Charmed for 1 minute. While charmed in this way, the creature is compelled to move 10 feet toward the lantern at the start of each of its turns. The effect ends early if the Gwyllion or her allies harm the creature.

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Innate Spellcasting

The Gwyllion’s innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 15). She can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:

• At will: minor illusion, thaumaturgy, druidcraft
• 3/day each: misty step, mirror image, phantasmal force, suggestion
• 1/day each: phantasmal killer, hallucinatory terrain, greater invisibility

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Lantern of Lost Paths (Magic Item)

While wielding her enchanted lantern, the Gwyllion can cast fog cloud at will. If she is disarmed or the lantern is destroyed (AC 15, 30 HP, immune to psychic and poison damage), she loses access to False Lantern and Mist Cloak, and has disadvantage on Charisma-based checks and spell attacks. Destroying the lantern banishes her for 1d4 × 10 years unless it is reforged under a new moon.

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Actions

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Wailing Touch

Melee Spell Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 18 (4d6 + 4) necrotic damage. The target must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be Frightened until the end of its next turn.

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Withering Gaze (Recharge 5–6)

The Gwyllion targets one creature she can see within 60 feet. The target must make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw, taking 27 (6d8) psychic damage on a failed save, or half as much on a success. On a failure, the creature is also Paralyzed until the end of its next turn.

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Tactics

• Ambush Predator: The Gwyllion strikes at dusk, fog, or rain—terrain she shapes with hallucinatory terrain or fog cloud to disorient her foes.
• Divide & Weaken: She uses suggestion or False Lantern to isolate weaker targets.
• Elusive & Defensive: During combat, she casts mirror image and activates Mist Cloak to create confusion and avoid direct hits.
• Escape Artist: If reduced below 30 HP, she uses misty step or greater invisibility to retreat and resume hit-and-run tactics.

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Legendary Variant (Optional)

In haunted mountain ranges or ancient cursed regions, some Gwyllion become legendary fey.

Legendary Resistance (2/Day). If the Gwyllion fails a saving throw, she can choose to succeed instead.

Legendary Actions (3/Turn):

• Fade into Mist. The Gwyllion becomes invisible until the start of her next turn.
• Haunting Echo. The Gwyllion casts thaumaturgy or minor illusion (no limit).
• Lantern Pulse (Costs 2 Actions). She uses False Lantern, even if it is not recharged.

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Final Thoughts

• Balance: Challenge 5 is appropriate for a clever, terrain-shaping controller with strong crowd control but low direct damage output.
• Unique Role: Think of the Gwyllion like a horror-based “boss trickster”—ambushes, emotional lures, and battlefield illusions are her core mechanics.
• Flavor-Driven: Her abilities—especially False Lantern, Lantern of Lost Paths, and Mist Cloak—feel folkloric but deliver distinct mechanical effects that matter in combat.

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Gwyllion

CR 7
XP 3,200
Female fey (incorporeal)
N Medium fey (incorporeal)
Init +6; Senses darkvision 120 ft., low-light vision, detect thoughts; Perception +15

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DEFENSE

AC 21, touch 21, flat-footed 15 (+6 Dex, +1 deflection, +4 insight)
hp 85 (10d6+50)
Fort +8, Ref +13, Will +11
Defensive Abilities incorporeal, mist cloak, fey evasion;
DR 10/cold iron; Immune poison;
Resist cold 10, electricity 10; SR 18

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OFFENSE

Speed 30 ft., fly 40 ft. (perfect)
Melee incorporeal touch +12 (6d6 negative energy plus fright)
Space 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Special Attacks false lantern, lantern lure, withering gaze
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 10th; concentration +14)

• At will – detect thoughts, fog cloud, ghost sound (DC 14), invisibility, minor image (DC 15)
• 3/day – mirror image, phantasmal killer (DC 17), suggestion (DC 16)
• 1/day – greater invisibility, hallucinatory terrain (DC 18), shadow conjuration (DC 18)

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STATISTICS

Str —; Dex 22; Con 20; Int 14; Wis 16; Cha 18
Base Atk +5; CMB +7; CMD 28
Feats Weapon Finesse, Combat Reflexes, Dodge, Mobility, Improved Initiative
Skills Bluff +17, Disguise +14, Fly +20, Perception +15, Sense Motive +13, Stealth +21, Survival +14
Languages Common, Elven, Sylvan; telepathy 60 ft.
SQ mist blend, tethered terrain, woodland stride

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SPECIAL ABILITIES

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False Lantern (Su)
Once every 1d4 rounds, the Gwyllion may cause her lantern to emit a ghostly glow in a 60-foot radius. All creatures who see the light must succeed at a DC 17 Will save or become fascinated for 1 minute. While fascinated, affected creatures are compelled to use their movement each round to approach the lantern by the most direct path, avoiding obvious hazards. This is a mind-affecting, compulsion, visual effect. Affected creatures may attempt a new save at the end of each of their turns. The effect ends if the Gwyllion or her allies attack them.

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Withering Gaze (Su)
Once per day as a standard action, the Gwyllion targets a creature within 60 feet. The target must succeed at a DC 17 Will save or take 6d6 psychic damage and become staggered for 1d4 rounds. On a success, the creature takes half damage and is not staggered. This is a mind-affecting fear effect.

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Mist Cloak (Su)
Three times per day as a swift action, the Gwyllion shrouds herself in supernatural fog for 1 minute. While active, she gains concealment (20% miss chance) and creatures farther than 5 feet from her are treated as blinded when targeting her directly. Creatures with blindsense, true seeing, or similar abilities ignore this effect.

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Lantern Lure (Su)
Creatures within 30 feet suffering from a fear effect or experiencing intense emotional distress (GM’s discretion) take a –2 penalty on saves against the Gwyllion’s illusions and enchantments. Against such creatures, the DC of her false lantern increases by +2.

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Tethered Terrain (Su)
The Gwyllion is mystically bound to a specific natural region (typically a cursed path, cairn, or mountain). Within 1 mile of this area, she may cast fog cloud or hallucinatory terrain as a move action, without consuming daily uses of her spell-like abilities. This applies only when the effect alters natural terrain or weather.

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Fey Evasion (Ex)
When in dim light, the Gwyllion gains a 50% miss chance against ranged and melee attacks (this overlaps with concealment). This stacks with other concealment or incorporeal effects.

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TACTICS

Before Combat
The Gwyllion casts hallucinatory terrain to mask hazards or paths, then uses invisibility and detect thoughts to scout and manipulate. She often isolates emotionally vulnerable characters.

During Combat
She opens with false lantern to draw one or more creatures away, follows up with mirror image and mist cloak, then uses phantasmal killer on panicked or charmed enemies. She attacks from fog or behind terrain illusions, using her incorporeal touch sparingly.

Morale
The Gwyllion avoids death at all costs. If reduced below 20 hit points or if her lantern is destroyed, she retreats using greater invisibility and terrain manipulation, returning later for revenge.

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ECOLOGY

Environment cold hills, foggy moors, mountainous passes
Organization solitary, or coven (1 Gwyllion + 2–3 hags or will-o’-wisps)
Treasure standard (includes a silver lantern worth 600 gp and a wand of fear [CL 7th, 13 charges])

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DESCRIPTION

A sorrow-wreathed specter with the form of an ancient, lichen-draped woman, the Gwyllion appears with a dimly glowing lantern that sways like a heartbeat in the mist. She is no mere ghost, but a fey embodiment of wilderness grief and treachery, haunting old paths long since forgotten. Whether drawn by sorrow, tragedy, or trespass, the Gwyllion delights in leading souls astray, ensnaring hearts with false light and mournful whispers.

Legends say Gwyllion were once mortals—grieving mothers, betrayed lovers, or guardians of sacred places—twisted into their current form by centuries of unrelenting grief. Though not always malicious, their presence is an omen of misdirection, despair, and loss.

Gwyllion

Medium Fey (Incorporeal)
Hit Dice: 10d6+40 (75 hp)
Initiative: +7
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares), fly 40 ft. (perfect)
Armor Class: 20, touch 20, flat-footed 15
(+5 Dex, +2 deflection, +3 insight)
Base Attack/Grapple: +5/—
Attack/Full Attack: Incorporeal touch +10 melee (4d6 cold plus terrifying touch)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: False lantern (Su), terrifying touch (Su), withering gaze (Su), spell-like abilities
Special Qualities: DR 10/cold iron, incorporeal traits, fey traits, mist cloak (Su), tethered terrain (Su), low-light vision, darkvision 120 ft.

Saves: Fort +7, Ref +12, Will +10
Abilities: Str —, Dex 20, Con 18, Int 14, Wis 16, Cha 20
Skills: Bluff +18, Disguise +15, Hide +20, Listen +14, Move Silently +20, Sense Motive +14, Spellcraft +15, Survival +13
Feats: Weapon Finesse, Combat Reflexes, Improved Initiative, Ability Focus (false lantern)
Environment: Cold hills, foggy moors, or mountainous passes
Organization: Solitary or coven (1 Gwyllion + 2–3 hags or will-o’-wisps)
Challenge Rating: 7
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Advancement: 11–14 HD (Medium); 15–20 HD (Large)
Level Adjustment: —

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Spell-Like Abilities

Caster level 10th. Save DCs are Charisma-based (DC = 10 + spell level + Cha modifier [+5]).

• At will – detect thoughts (DC 16), fog cloud, ghost sound (DC 14), invisibility, minor image (DC 15)
• 3/day – mirror image, phantasmal killer (DC 18), suggestion (DC 17)
• 1/day – greater invisibility, hallucinatory terrain (DC 19), shadow conjuration (DC 19)

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Special Abilities

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False Lantern (Su)

Once every 1d4 rounds as a standard action, the Gwyllion causes her lantern to emit a hypnotic glow in a 60-foot radius. Creatures that see the light must succeed on a DC 21 Will save or become fascinated for 1 minute. While fascinated, affected creatures are compelled to move 10 feet per round toward the lantern. They will not enter obviously dangerous terrain but do not otherwise resist. This is a mind-affecting compulsion and visual effect. Creatures may attempt a new saving throw at the end of each of their turns. The effect ends early if the Gwyllion or her allies attack the creature.

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Terrifying Touch (Su)

Any creature hit by the Gwyllion’s incorporeal touch attack must succeed on a DC 19 Will save or become shaken for 1 minute. A creature already shaken becomes frightened, and a frightened creature becomes panicked. This is a fear effect.

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Withering Gaze (Su) (1/day)

As a standard action, the Gwyllion fixes her ghostly gaze on a creature within 60 feet. That creature must make a DC 19 Will save or take 6d6 psychic damage and become staggered for 1d4 rounds. On a successful save, the creature takes half damage and avoids the staggered condition. This is a mind-affecting fear effect.

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Mist Cloak (Su) (3/day)

As a swift action, the Gwyllion surrounds herself in supernatural mist for 1 minute. While cloaked, she gains concealment (20% miss chance), and creatures more than 5 feet away from her are treated as blinded when targeting her directly. This effect cannot be dispersed by wind or weather. Creatures with blindsight, true seeing, or similar abilities are unaffected.

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Tethered Terrain (Su)

A Gwyllion is mystically bound to a specific natural area, typically a path, glade, or mountain. Within 1 mile of this area, she may cast fog cloud or hallucinatory terrain as a move action, and doing so does not expend her daily uses of those spell-like abilities. These spells must be used to affect natural terrain only.

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Tactics

Before Combat:
The Gwyllion begins by masking the terrain with hallucinatory terrain or fog cloud, hiding with invisibility, and using detect thoughts to find emotionally vulnerable targets.

During Combat:
She opens with false lantern to isolate prey, activates mirror image and mist cloak for defense, and uses suggestion or phantasmal killer on weakened targets. She targets frightened or panicked enemies with her incorporeal touch.

Morale:
The Gwyllion avoids death if possible. If reduced below 20 hp, or if her false lantern fails repeatedly, she casts greater invisibility and retreats into the terrain, returning only when she has the advantage.

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Lore

Knowledge (Nature or Arcana)

• DC 17 – Gwyllions are ancient fey spirits tied to wilderness and sorrow.
• DC 22 – They use illusions and enchantments to lead travelers astray and thrive in remote, fog-laden places.
• DC 27 – Their lanterns have hypnotic power, and they grow stronger within their bound territories.

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Treasure

The Gwyllion carries a silver horn-lantern (worth 600 gp) that radiates faint transmutation magic. Her lair often contains remnants of her victims, including a wand of fear (CL 7th, 13 charges), and scattered offerings from those who once mistook her for a guide.

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Description

A Gwyllion appears as a twisted, moss-covered crone with skin like misted stone and glowing, hollow eyes. Her mournful cries echo across barren mountain paths, and her lantern pulses with false warmth—a lure for the lonely and the lost. She is not undead, but a fey spirit of sorrow, misdirection, and grief, thriving in places long forgotten.

Some say Gwyllions are born when grief is left to rot in the wild. Others claim they are remnants of old mountain goddesses, cursed for cruelty. Whatever their origin, their presence foretells only confusion, fear, and death.