Buy me a coffeeTariaksuq: The Shape-Shifting Shadow Spirit of Inuit Mythology
“Meet the Tariaksuq: The Shadowy, Shape-Shifting Spirit That’s Watching You From the Arctic Wilderness!”
The Tariaksuq is a supernatural entity that manifests as a shadowy, humanoid figure with indistinct features, resembling a silhouette made of smoke or mist. Its edges shift and blur as if it exists only partially in the physical realm. When it takes animal form—often as a fox, raven, or seal—its appearance is unnerving, with exaggerated proportions, glowing eyes, or unnatural movements that betray its spiritual nature. Despite its ability to mimic physical forms, it is never entirely convincing, always retaining an air of the uncanny.
Behaviour:
Tariaksuit are stealthy and elusive, preferring to observe from a distance rather than confront directly. They are skilled at exploiting human weaknesses, such as fear, arrogance, or recklessness, to exert their influence. They are known for mischief, creating illusions or leading travelers astray, often deep into the wilderness. However, their actions can escalate from playful to dangerous if provoked or disrespected. In rare cases, they might offer guidance or aid, but only to those who demonstrate reverence for the spirit world and the harsh Arctic environment.
Habitat:
Tariaksuit inhabit the remote and untamed regions of the Arctic, especially places associated with solitude and mystery. They are said to frequent dense fog, snowstorms, and twilight conditions, thriving in spaces where visibility is poor and disorientation is likely. Specific landmarks, such as frozen lakes, jagged cliffs, or ancient hunting grounds, are believed to serve as their spiritual anchors, making these areas particularly perilous for unwary travelers.
Modus Operandi:
The Tariaksuq operates through manipulation and deception, using its shape-shifting abilities and intimate knowledge of the wilderness to unsettle or trap its targets. It may mimic the voice of a loved one, create the illusion of a shelter, or appear as a helpful guide to lure humans into treacherous terrain. Its interventions often feel like tests of character; those who disrespect nature, act selfishly, or display arrogance are the most likely to fall victim to its tricks. When it chooses to reveal itself, it does so in a way that amplifies fear and confusion, leaving its victims questioning their own senses.
Motivation:
The Tariaksuq is driven by a dual purpose: to protect the Arctic wilderness from harm and to remind humans of their place within the natural and spiritual order. It serves as both a guardian and a moral arbiter, punishing those who desecrate the land or act without humility. At the same time, it embodies the chaos and unpredictability of nature itself, testing the mental and spiritual fortitude of anyone who ventures into its domain. For the Tariaksuq, balance between humanity and the environment is paramount, and it acts decisively to enforce this equilibrium.
Tariaksuq 5e
Tariaksuq Pathfinder
Tariaksuq
This thin person is completely black and featureless except for his white, staring eyes and a thin slit of a mouth.
Taken from the Creature Codex
Tariaksuq are shy and retiring humanoids native to the realms beneath the earth. They thrive in absolute darkness, and the merest hint of light is painful to them. They are rarely found on the surface except for on moonless nights. The eternal night of an arctic winter appeals to them, and they are most common beneath polar lands. Omnivorous, tariaksuq feed on the same variety of foods that humans consume, although their diet relies more heavily on the fungus and vermin that thrive underground.
Tariaksuq avoid conflict with other races, preferring to flee from battle by transforming into a living shadow. The one exception to their peaceful ways is with regards to the undead—tariaksuq view undeath as an utter abomination and seek to destroy the undead whenever possible. Clerics are highly respected in tariaksuq society as a result. The society of the tariaksuq is based around small family units. The eldest members of the tribe are typically deferred to, but there is no centralized authority.
Due to the anathematic nature of fire in their religion, tariaksuq use predominately stone technology; those few smiths in tariaksuq cultures are seen as dangerous (but useful) heretics. Tariaksuq build their communities out of stone to defend against the horrors of subterranean lands, and even the smallest village is more like a fort to human understanding. Seeing the night sky is considered to be an important rite of passage for tariaksuq youth, and it is on these pilgrimages that tariaksuq are most likely to be encountered by surface folk.
Tariaksuq CR 4
XP 1,200
N Medium monstrous humanoid
Init +3; Senses darkvision 120 ft., low-light vision, Perception +9
Defense
AC 18, touch 15, flat-footed 15 (+3 Dex, +3 deflection, +2 armor)
hp 33 (6d10)
Fort +8, Ref +11, Will +7
Defensive Abilities shadow form, unearthly grace; Resist cold 10
Vulnerable light blindness, vulnerable to light effects
Offense
Speed 40 ft.
Melee heavy mace +7/+2 (1d8+1)
Ranged longbow +9/+3 (1d8/x3)
Spell-like Abilities CL 6th, concentration +8
At will—disrupt undead
3/day—chill touch (DC 14), darkness
1/day—blindness/deafness (DC 15), whispering wind
Statistics
Str 13, Dex 16, Con 10, Int 14, Wis11, Cha 16
Base Atk +6; CMB +7; CMD 23
Feats Iron Will, Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot
Skills Craft (stonemasonry) +11, Knowledge (religion) +8, Perception +9, Sense Motive +9, Stealth +16, Survival +9; Racial Modifiers +4 Stealth
Languages Aklo,Common, Undercommon
Ecology
Environment underground
Organization solitary, pair, band (3-8 plus 1 rogue of 2nd-4th level) or tribe (12-24 plus 100% noncombatants, 1 rogue of 2nd-4th level per 5 adults and 1 cleric of 3rd-5th level per 10 adults)
Treasure standard (heavy mace, longbow, leather armor, other treasure)
Special Abilities
Shadow Form (Su) As a standard action, a tariaksuq can become incorporeal for 1 minute. In incorporeal form, it cannot make weapon attacks and loses the use of its armor, but gains a fly speed equal to its land speed with perfect maneuverability and can use its spell-like abilities without penalty. A taqriaqsuit can use this ability three times per day.
Unearthly Grace (Su) A taqriaqsut gains its Charisma modifier as a deflection bonus to Armor Class and a resistance bonus to saving throws.
Vulnerable to Light Effects (Su) Searing light spells and spells with the light descriptor treat a tariaksuq as if it were undead.
The Night Mother and the Flaming Hate
According to tariaksuq beliefs, darkness is the manifestation of love from the Night Mother, their creator goddess. Her nemesis is the Flaming Hate, a burning demon that chases the Night Mother underground during the day. The Night Mother is a neutral good goddess whose holy symbol is a hand clutching a black disc and whose favored weapon is the heavy mace.
Clerics of the Night Mother have access to the Darkness, Good, Healing, Protection and Repose domains. If using subdomains in your game, clerics of the Night Mother have access to the following subdomains: Agathion, Night, Purity, Restoration, Souls.
The Flaming Hate is a chaotic evil god whose holy symbol is a skull on a red disc and whose favored weapon is the longsword. Clerics of the Flaming Hate have access to the Chaos, Destruction, Evil, Fire and Sun domains. If using subdomains in your game, clerics of the Flaming Hate have access to the following subdomains: Day, Demon, Light and Rage.
Tariaksuq
Medium Fey (Shapechanger), Neutral
Armor Class: 15 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points: 120 (16d8 + 48)
Speed: 30 ft., fly 40 ft. (hover)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 (+0) | 18 (+4) | 16 (+3) | 14 (+2) | 16 (+3) | 18 (+4) |
Saving Throws: Dex +7, Wis +6, Cha +7
Skills: Stealth +8, Deception +8, Perception +6, Insight +6
Damage Resistances: Cold, Necrotic, Psychic
Damage Immunities: Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks
Condition Immunities: Charmed, Frightened, Grappled, Restrained
Senses: Darkvision 120 ft., Passive Perception 16
Languages: Common, Sylvan, telepathy 120 ft.
Challenge: 7 (2,900 XP)
Traits
Shapechanger. The Tariaksuq can use its action to transform into a beast (CR 2 or lower) or humanoid it has seen, or back into its true shadowy form. In beast or humanoid form, it retains its hit points, alignment, and Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores, as well as this ability. Equipment it carries does not transform.
Incorporeal Movement. The Tariaksuq can move through other creatures and objects as if they were difficult terrain. It takes 5 (1d10) force damage if it ends its turn inside an object.
Aura of Confusion. Creatures within 10 feet of the Tariaksuq must make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw at the start of their turns. On a failed save, they must roll a d8 and take one of the following actions instead of moving or taking their usual action:
- 1–2: Do nothing.
- 3–4: Move in a random direction.
- 5–6: Attack the nearest creature.
- 7–8: Take the Dodge action.
Ethereal Ambusher. The Tariaksuq can step into the Ethereal Plane as a bonus action. It reappears at the start of its next turn within 10 feet of its original location.
Actions
Multiattack. The Tariaksuq makes two Shadow Claw attacks or uses Shadow Claw and Shadow Step.
Shadow Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 18 (4d6 + 4) necrotic damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or its movement speed is halved until the end of its next turn.
Shadow Step. The Tariaksuq teleports up to 60 feet to an unoccupied space it can see. Immediately after it teleports, it can make a Shadow Claw attack as part of this action.
Soul Lure (Recharge 5–6). The Tariaksuq creates an illusory image or sound (no larger than a 10-foot cube) in a space it can see within 120 feet. Creatures within 30 feet of the illusion must make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be charmed for 1 minute, believing the illusion is a trusted ally, shelter, or desired object. A charmed creature cannot move more than 10 feet away from the illusion and has disadvantage on saving throws to end the condition.
Fade Into Shadows. (1/Day). The Tariaksuq becomes invisible for 1 minute. While invisible, it can only be detected by magical means or by creatures with Truesight. The effect ends if it attacks or casts a spell.
Tactics
- Ambush Predator: The Tariaksuq uses Ethereal Ambusher and Shadow Step to strike quickly and retreat into cover, disorienting enemies before disappearing.
- Divide and Conquer: It uses Soul Lure to split groups or trap individuals, focusing on those isolated by its illusion.
- Control and Confusion: Its Aura of Confusion and Shadow Claw work to disorient and debilitate foes, making them easier prey.
- Evasive Defense: When pressed, the Tariaksuq uses Fade Into Shadows to escape or reposition, emerging to strike again when the moment is right.
Legendary Actions
The Tariaksuq can take 1 legendary action, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action can be used at a time, and it can only be used at the end of another creature’s turn.
- Shadow Drift (Costs 1 Action): The Tariaksuq moves up to 30 feet without provoking opportunity attacks.
- Fear the Unknown (Costs 1 Action): A creature within 30 feet of the Tariaksuq must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened until the end of its next turn.
- Whisper of the Void (Costs 1 Action): The Tariaksuq whispers maddening thoughts to a creature it can see within 60 feet. The target must succeed on a DC 15 Charisma saving throw or take 10 (3d6) psychic damage and have disadvantage on its next attack roll.