Nilbog

Small chaotic goblin trickster, harbinger of misfortune

“A Nilbog leaps and twirls, grinning as chaos dances in its wake, turning every attack into a spectacle of mischief.”

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Armor Class: 15 (natural agility)
Hit Points: 45 (10d6 + 20)
Speed: 30 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
8 (-1)	16 (+3)	14 (+2)	12 (+1)	10 (+0)	14 (+2)

Saving Throws: Dex +5, Cha +4
Skills: Stealth +5, Deception +4, Sleight of Hand +5
Damage Resistances: Psychic; Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks
Condition Immunities: Frightened
Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages: Common, Goblin
Challenge: 3 (700 XP)

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Traits

Nilbog Chaos (Recharge 5–6).
Chaos follows the Nilbog, twisting fortune and harm alike.
When the Nilbog takes damage from a weapon, spell, or harmful effect, roll a d6:

• 1–2: The Nilbog heals for half the damage instead of taking it.
• 3–4: The attack backfires, dealing the same type of damage to the attacker.
• 5–6: The damage occurs normally.

Trickster’s Agility.
The Nilbog can take the Disengage or Dodge action as a bonus action on each of its turns.

Spellcasting.
The Nilbog is a 3rd-level spellcaster. Charisma is its spellcasting ability (spell save DC 12, +4 to hit with spell attacks). The Nilbog has the following spells prepared:

• Cantrips (at will): Minor Illusion, Prestidigitation, Mage Hand
• 1st Level (4 slots): Charm Person, Tasha’s Hideous Laughter
• 2nd Level (2 slots): Mirror Image, Misty Step

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Actions

Multiattack. The Nilbog makes two attacks with its Trick Dagger, or one attack and one Chaos Burst.

Trick Dagger. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d4 + 4) piercing damage.

Trick Effect – Mechanical Outcomes: Roll 1d6 when the attack hits:

• 1–2: The target must succeed on a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw or drop one item it is holding. Sparks fly from the dagger as it strikes.
• 3–4: The target takes normal damage and is distracted (disadvantage on its next attack). Smoke puffs out, briefly obscuring the target.
• 5–6: The target is hit normally with no extra effect. A minor illusion, like a glittering sparkle or small visual trick, accompanies the strike.

Chaos Burst (Recharge 5–6). Ranged Magical Attack: +4 to hit, range 30 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (2d6) damage of a random type (1-fire, 2-cold, 3-lightning, 4-acid, 5-thunder, 6-force) plus a chaotic effect:

• 1: Confetti Blast – Target must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution save or be blinded until the start of its next turn.
• 2: Screeching Noise – Target must succeed on a DC 12 Wisdom save or have disadvantage on attack rolls until the end of its next turn.
• 3: Illusory Doppelganger – Minor illusion appears near target, forcing disadvantage on its next attack.
• 4: Smoke Puff – Area within 5 ft. of target becomes heavily obscured until the start of the Nilbog’s next turn.

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Reactions

Backfire Reflex. When a creature within 5 ft. hits the Nilbog with a melee attack, that creature must succeed on a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw or take 3 (1d6) damage of the type they attempted.

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Legendary Actions

The Nilbog can take 1 legendary action per turn at the end of another creature’s turn:

• Flicker. The Nilbog teleports up to 15 ft. to an unoccupied space it can see.
• Taunt. One creature within 30 ft. must succeed on a DC 12 Wisdom saving throw or have disadvantage on attack rolls until the end of its next turn.

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Tactics

The Nilbog fights like a chaotic stage performer. It darts and twirls, striking with Trick Dagger to disarm, distract, or surprise foes, while punishing them with Chaos Burst and spells. It exploits Nilbog Chaos, environmental hazards, and battlefield positioning to remain elusive. Legendary actions allow it to reposition or taunt key targets, maintaining both control of the chaos and the spectacle of mischief.

Nilbog

This creature resembles a small humanoid with a flat face, broad nose, pointed ears, wide mouth, and small, sharp fangs. It walks upright, but its arms hang down almost to its knees.

Nilbog CR 1 (XP 400)

NE Small humanoid (goblinoid)
Init +1; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +5; Aura spatio-temporal reversal (20 ft., Will DC 11)

DEFENSE

AC 15, touch 12, flat-footed 14 (+3 armor, +1 Dex, +1 size)
hp 5 (1d8+1)
Fort +3, Ref +1, Will -1
Defensive Abilities damage reversal

OFFENSE

Speed 30 ft.
Melee morningstar +1 (1d6)
Ranged javelin +2 (1d4)

STATISTICS

Str 11, Dex 13, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 9, Cha 6
Base Atk +0; CMB -1; CMD 10
Feats Alertness
Skills Perception +5, Ride +5, Sense Motive +1, Stealth +9; Racial Modifiers +4 Stealth
Languages Goblin
Gear studded leather armor, morningstar, 3 javelins

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Damage Reversal (Ex)

When struck by any attack that would normally damage the nilbog, it actually gains hit points equal to the damage the attack would have otherwise dealt. A nilbog gains any extra hit points above its normal total as temporary hit points, though it can never have more than twice its normal hit points. (Excess hit points are simply lost.). The nilbog can only be damaged through the use of curative magic and effects (cure light wounds and healing potions, for instance). Curative magic deals damage equal to the amount it would normally heal.

Spatio-Temporal Reversal (Ex)

A nilbog constantly emanates an aura of confusion in a 20-foot-radius. A creature in the area must succeed on a DC 11 Will save or be affected as if by a confusion spell (caster level 4th). The save DC is Constitution-based.

ECOLOGY

Environment temperate plains and underground
Organization gang (4-9), band (10-100 plus 100% noncombatants plus 1 3rd-level sergeant per 20 adults and 1 leader of 4th-6th level), warband (10-24 with worg mounts), or tribe (40-400 plus 100% noncombatants plus 1 3rd-level sergeant per 20 adults, 1 or 2 lieutenants of 4th or 5th level, 1 leader of 6th-8th level, 10-24 worgs, and 2-4 dire wolves)
Treasure standard

The nilbog is a goblin afflicted with a strange space-time reversal disease known as Nilbogism. The disease appears to occur when overly heavy use of magic strains the fabric of the space-time continuum and leads to some very strange localized events. The disease only affects goblins and is not transmitted by them. Nilbogs resemble goblins in appearance and are indistinguishable from them.

The nilbog favors ambushes, dirty tricks, and overwhelming odds to a fair fight. It moves within range of a foe so as to affect the creature with its spatio-temporal reversal ability.

Nilbog leaders tend to be rogues or fighter/rogues. Nilbogs worship various goblin gods of evil and can choose two of the following domains: Chaos, Evil, and Trickery. Most nilbog spellcasters, however, are adepts. Nilbog adepts favor spells that fool or confuse enemies.

Nilbogs as Characters

Nilbogs are defined by class levels–they do not possess racial Hit Dice. Nilbogs have the following racial traits.

• -2 Strength, +2 Dexterity, -2 Charisma. Nilbogs are quick but weak and ugly.
• Small: Nilbogs are Small creatures and gain a +1 size bonus to their AC, a +1 bonus on attack rolls, a -1 penalty to their CMB and CMD, and a +4 size bonus on Stealth checks.
• Fast: Nilbogs are fast for their size, and have a base speed of 30 feet.
• Darkvision: Nilbogs can see in the dark up to 60 feet.
• Skilled: +4 racial bonus on Stealth checks.
• Special Attacks: Spatio-temporal reversal (see above)
• Special Defenses: Damage reversal (see above)
• Languages: Goblins begin play speaking Goblin. Goblins with high Intelligence scores can choose any of these bonus languages: Common, Draconic, Dwarven, Gnoll, Gnome, Halfling, Orc.
  

Section 15: Copyright Notice

Nilbog from the Tome of Horrors Complete, Copyright 2011, Necromancer Games, Inc., published and distributed by Frog God Games; Author Scott Greene, based on original material by Roger Musson.

Nilbog, the Immortal Trickster

Small Fey (Goblin), Chaotic Chaotic (because lawful is a joke)

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Armor Class: 15 (Jester’s Agility)
Hit Points: 78 (12d6 + 36)
Speed: 30 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
8 (-1)	17 (+3)	16 (+3)	12 (+1)	14 (+2)	18 (+4)

Saving Throws: Dex +6, Cha +7
Skills: Acrobatics +6, Deception +7, Performance +7, Stealth +6
Damage Resistances: Psychic, Thunder, Nonmagical Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing
Condition Immunities: Charmed, Frightened, Confused (it already is)
Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 12
Languages: Common, Goblin, Sylvan
Challenge: 5 (1,800 XP)
Proficiency Bonus: +3

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Traits

Nilbogism (Chaos Incarnate)

When a creature attempts to harm the Nilbog, the attack roll is made at disadvantage.
If the attack misses, the Nilbog cackles and forces the attacker to make a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw.
On a failure, the attacker is affected by Tasha’s Hideous Laughter until the start of its next turn.

Immortal Jest (Spirit of Mockery)

When the Nilbog is reduced to 0 hit points, it explodes in a burst of illusory confetti and hysterical laughter before vanishing completely.
Within 24 hours, its spirit of mockery possesses another living goblin within 10 miles.
That goblin becomes the new Nilbog, retaining none of its former memories — only the laughter and chaos.

Destroying the Nilbog’s spirit requires casting remove curse, dispel evil and good, and banishment on the same turn while its laughter echoes.

Aura of Ridiculousness

Any creature that starts its turn within 10 feet of the Nilbog must succeed on a DC 13 Charisma saving throw or behave absurdly for 1 round — dropping an item, babbling nonsense, or mimicking laughter uncontrollably.

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Actions

Trick Dagger (Melee Weapon Attack)

+6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 7 (1d6 + 4) piercing damage plus one random Trick Effect.

Trick Effect (1d6):
1–2. Target must succeed on a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw or drop one held item.
3–4. Target takes normal damage and suffers disadvantage on its next attack.
5. A burst of sparks, confetti, or harmless illusions blinds onlookers; all creatures within 5 feet have disadvantage on Perception checks until the start of the Nilbog’s next turn.
6. Nothing happens — the Nilbog laughs mockingly anyway.

Visual: Each strike is accompanied by flickering sparks, puffs of smoke, or illusionary tricks such as glittering lights or phantom hands applauding.

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Chaos Burst (Recharge 5–6)

The Nilbog unleashes a wave of chaotic fey energy.
Each creature of its choice within 15 feet must make a DC 14 Charisma saving throw.
On a failed save, roll a d6 to determine the result:

1. Target swaps places with a random creature within range.
2. Target bursts into uncontrollable laughter (Tasha’s Hideous Laughter, 1 round).
3. Target sprouts illusory feathers and sneezes violently (incapacitated until the start of its next turn).
4. Target teleports 10 feet in a random direction.
5. Target glows in bright hues (faerie fire, until end of Nilbog’s next turn).
6. Target claps politely, unaffected.

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Reactions

Mocking Resilience

When the Nilbog takes damage, it can use its reaction to jeer at the attacker.
The attacker must make a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or burst into wild laughter (Tasha’s Hideous Laughter) for 1 round.

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Legendary Actions

The Nilbog can take 2 legendary actions, only one at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn.

• Echo of Laughter. The Nilbog creates a flickering illusory double that lasts until the start of its next turn. The duplicate may swap places with the real Nilbog when targeted by an attack.
• Mimic Mockery. The Nilbog perfectly mimics a nearby creature’s voice or action, forcing it to make a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or suffer disadvantage on its next attack.
• Fool’s Step (Costs 2 Actions). The Nilbog teleports up to 30 feet in a puff of glittering smoke and maniacal laughter.

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Tactics

The Nilbog fights like a performer rather than a warrior.
It dances through combat, laughing at blades and insults alike, turning the battlefield into slapstick chaos.
It avoids direct confrontation, preferring to humiliate or bewilder foes, forcing them to fight each other or themselves.

If destroyed, its laughter echoes faintly, and within a day another goblin somewhere nearby awakens giggling — the spirit of the Nilbog reborn.