Zelus — God of Zeal, Rivalry and Emulation

Zelus, Lesser Deity — Medium Celestial, Neutral; suggested CR 26.

Saving Throws Dex +17, Con +16, Wis +15, Cha +17. Damage Resistances psychic, radiant. Condition Immunities charmed, frightened. Senses truesight 180 ft., passive Perception 25.

Legendary Resistance (4/Day). If Zelus fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead.

Emulation. Once per round when a creature Zelus can see succeeds on an attack roll, ability check or saving throw, Zelus gains advantage on the next roll of the same kind he makes before the end of his next turn.

Rival’s Fire. Allies within 60 feet gain 10 temporary hit points whenever they score a critical hit or succeed on a saving throw against a hostile effect.

Challenge of Zelus. Ranged Spell Attack: +17 to hit, range 120 ft.; 35 (8d8) radiant damage. The target must succeed on a DC 25 Wisdom saving throw or be marked as Zelus’s rival until the end of his next turn; Zelus has advantage on attacks against that target.

Mythic Trait — Surpass the Victor. The first time Zelus reaches 0 hit points, he instead regains 220 hit points and immediately repeats the most damaging action used by a creature he can see during the previous round, using his own attack bonus or save DC.

Zelus, Divine Spirit of Zeal
Medium celestial (lesser deity), neutral

Armor Class 24 (divine protection); Hit Points 500 (40d8 + 320); Speed 60 ft., fly 100 ft.

Saving Throws Dex +17, Con +16, Wis +15, Cha +17; Skills Acrobatics +17, Athletics +15, Insight +15, Persuasion +17; Damage Resistances psychic, radiant; Condition Immunities charmed, frightened; Senses truesight 180 ft., passive Perception 25; Languages all, telepathy 180 ft.; Challenge 26 (original deity-scale encounter); Proficiency Bonus +8.

Traits

Legendary Resistance (4/Day). Zelus can choose to succeed on a failed saving throw. Magic Resistance. Zelus has advantage on saves against spells and magical effects.

Emulation. Once per round, when a creature Zelus can see succeeds on an attack roll, ability check or saving throw, Zelus has advantage on the next roll of the same kind before the end of his next turn.

Rival’s Fire. Allies within 60 feet gain 10 temporary hit points whenever they critically hit an enemy or succeed on a saving throw against a hostile effect. Each ally can benefit once per round.

Actions

Multiattack. Zelus makes two Challenge of Zelus attacks.

Challenge of Zelus. Ranged Spell Attack: +17 to hit, range 120 ft., one target. Hit: 36 (8d8) radiant damage. The target must succeed on a DC 25 Wisdom saving throw or Zelus gains advantage on attack rolls against it until the end of his next turn.

Surpass the Victor (Recharge 5–6). Zelus chooses a creature within 120 feet that dealt damage since the end of Zelus’s previous turn. Zelus gains one extra Challenge of Zelus attack this turn; on a hit, the attack deals an extra 27 (6d8) radiant damage. This cannot copy a divine or artifact-only ability.

Legendary Actions

Zelus has 3 legendary actions, one at a time at the end of another creature’s turn, regaining them at the start of his. Outpace. Move half his speed without provoking opportunity attacks. Challenge (Costs 2). Make a Challenge of Zelus attack. Inspire a Rival (Costs 3). One ally within 60 feet can immediately move up to half its speed and gains 20 temporary hit points.

Divine Estate

In the courts and arenas of Olympus, on initiative count 20 (losing ties), Zelus can illuminate a competitor’s true effort, dispel an ordinary enchantment used to cheat, or grant one willing participant advantage on its next contest.

Cleric Domain Spells

War Domain (2014): 1st divine favor, shield of faith; 3rd magic weapon, spiritual weapon; 5th crusader’s mantle, spirit guardians; 7th freedom of movement, stoneskin; 9th flame strike, hold monster. Devotion and emulation are unique cult concerns.

Lesser Deity; alignment N. Suggested divine encounter CR 25. Domains: Glory, War, Luck, Nobility. Subdomains: Competition, Heroism, Resolve, Leadership. Favoured weapon: spear.

Emulate Excellence (Su). As an immediate action three times per day, Zelus copies one extraordinary movement mode or combat feat used by a creature within 60 feet for 1 round.

Competitive Fire (Su). Allies within 60 feet gain a +2 morale bonus on attack rolls and saves while at least one enemy of equal or higher Hit Dice remains conscious.

Lesser Deity; Divine Rank 5; alignment N. Portfolio: zeal, rivalry, emulation, dedication and competitive striving. Domains: Glory, Strength, War. Favoured weapon: spear.

Appropriate salient divine abilities include Divine Celerity, Divine Inspiration, Divine Weapon Focus and Extra Domain.

Emulation. Once per round Zelus may duplicate one extraordinary ability used within his divine aura until the end of his next turn, provided it is not dependent on anatomy he does not possess.