Athux, the son of Graz'zt

The first time I heard of Athux was in Shackled City. He played a pretty big role in the background story of that adventure path. I know he's popped up here and there since, though I only know of Dragon Magazine #360 for sure. Anyway, on with the stats!

Athux

Medium fiend, chaotic evil

Armor Class 23 (plate)

Hit Points 204 (24d8+96)

Speed 30 ft.

Str        Dex      Con      Int        Wis      Cha

20 (+5) 15 (+2) 18 (+4) 16 (+3) 17 (+3) 20 (+5)

Saving Throws Str +11, Con +10, Int +9, Cha +11

Skills Deception +11, Insight +9, Intimidation +11, Perception +9, Persuasion +11

Damage Resistances cold, fire, lightning; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical weapons

Damage Immunities poison

Condition Immunities poisoned

Senses truesight 120 ft., passive Perception 19

Languages Abyssal, Common, Infernal

Challenge 17 (18,000 XP)

Fey Ancestry. Athux has advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can't put him to sleep.

Fiendish Blessing. Athux’s AC includes his Charisma Bonus.

Innate Spellcasting. Athux’s spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 19). Athux can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:

3/day: alter self, command, detect magic

1/day: plane shift (self only)

Magic Resistance. Athux has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Spellcasting. Athux is a 20^th level spellcaster. His spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 19, +11 to hit with spell attacks). He has the following paladin spells prepared:

1^st level (4 slots): command, compelled duel, searing smite

2^nd level (3 slots): hold person, magic weapon

3^rd level (3 slots): dispel magic, elemental weapon, hellish rebuke

4^th level (3 slots): banishment, blight, staggering smite

5^th level (2 slots): banishing smite, destructive wave (necrotic)

Actions

Multiattack. Athux attacks twice with his greatsword.

Greatsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d6+5) slashing damage plus 14 (4d6) acid damage.

Dreadful Aspect (Recharges after a Short or Long Rest). As an action, Athux channels his darkest emotions and focuses them into a burst of magical dread and menace. Each creature of Athux’s choice within 30 feet of Athux must make a DC 19 Wisdom save if it can see him. On a failed save, the creature is frightened of Athux for 1 minute. If a creature frightened by this effect ends its turn more than 30 feet away from Athux, it may attempt another Wisdom saving throw to end the effect on it.

Reactions

Parry. Athux adds 5 to his AC against one melee attack that would hit. To do so, Athux must be able to see the attacker and be wielding a melee weapon.

Athux is the son of Graz’zt and the drow priestess, Eclavdra, though he is unaware of the identity of his mother. Athux commands Graz’zt’s armies, a subtle insult suggesting that the demon lord doesn’t believe his son has the head for the scheming politics of the Abyss. Athux, very much aware of the insult, plots and schemes to overthrow his father, something that fills the demon lord’s dark heart with pride.

Athux is the spitting image of his father, with obsidian skin and six fingers of each hand. Athux aggressively wades into battle, slaying his foes with a wavy-bladed greatsword very similar in appearance to Graz’zt’s own sword, Wave of Sorrow.

Star Wars & Things

I was going to start working on a 5e Star Wars conversion, inspired by Rogue One, but quickly decided it was way too much work. There are already some conversions out there anyway, done by much more devoted people than I.

That said, Rogue One was pretty awesome. I highly recommend it.

I should be getting my second DM's Guild project done pretty soon: another monster book, this time with creatures from various myths & legends that have not gotten the D&D treatment as far as I am aware. It will be a few fey, some monstrosities, & one undead.

That's all for now.