Dark Ones Treatise [Monster Thursday]

Well, would you look at that - another monster from the Shadowfell... If I didn't know any better, I'd bet that I'm dragging my players into the plane of shadows soon... -Stephen

This week is all about the Dark Ones, or as they were introduced in Volo's Guide to Monsters, Darklings. These creatures have been around since the 1e Fiend Folio though rarely do they ever get much in the way of adventures or mentions, instead, they get shoved around as random encounters, if that, and then left to waste away until the next edition. At least in 4e they get a greater mention in the Shadowfell - but even the big book on that plane, The Shadowfell: Gloomwrought & Beyond, they barely get a mention. (If anyone has a physical copy of that book they are willing to part with, let's talk.)

With that said, I've created stronger statblocks for the Dark Creeper & Dark Stalker (Darkling & Darkling Elder, respectively) as well as added in a few new ones to help liven up their lore and society! I've even thrown in a new magic item for good measure...

Darkweaver (CR 7) The first dark one can play with the strands of shadow-gloom in the Shadowfell, the mists that created the Shadowfell and even the dark ones at the beginning of time. The darkweaver is held in high esteem by the others because of their innate connection to the Shadowfell and to the shadows themselves, capable of bringing powerful magic to bear down on their enemies.

Hex Knight (CR 8) Inspired by the hex knight that appears in the 4e Monster Manual 3, this knight acts as the bodyguards for the dark ones. They are the only ones to wear thick metal as an armor as that amount of a reflective surface is dangerous for this secretive society that tries to not draw attention to themselves. Their favored tactic is to throw themselves into the fray, cursing their enemies as soon as they can and then cutting them down as they slowly weaken.

Lurker (CR 5) Originally known as a Dark Stalker (or a Darkling Elder), these dark ones are the only ones to have more humanoid-like forms instead of the strange almost satyr-like forms of the others. These are often the commanders of raids or scavenging parties of dark ones, their commands immediately carried out while in the field. They specialize in hiding in the shadows and leaping out, blinding their victims with the very shadows they hide in.

Umbra Witch (CR 9) Seen a bit as the de facto leader of dark one society, they have gained control over the burning bright light that the rest of their society shuns. An umbra witch can call on the forces of light and shadow during a battle, bathing half in darkness and the other half in piercing light. 

Wanderer (CR 3) Originally known as the Dark Creeper (or a Darkling), these make up the bulk of the dark one society. They act as scouts, warriors, fodder, or anything else that the Lurker in charge commands them to do. That isn't to say that they are suicidal as the moment one of them explodes in piercing light, some might take that moment to flee. The only emotion that the dark ones experience is fear, perhaps because the Shadowfell has drained all others from them.

Got a monster or theme you'd like to see? Let me know!