CR 5 – Aberration – Trade Warden
Tier 2 play
**Monster Name**: Trade Warden
**Size, Type, Alignment**: Medium, Aberration, Neutral
**Core Stats**: Armor Class (AC) 15, Hit Points (HP) 90, Speed 30 ft.
**Ability Scores**:
Strength 14 (+2),
Dexterity 16 (+3),
Constitution 12 (+1),
Intelligence 18 (+4),
Wisdom 15 (+2),
Charisma 10 (+0)
**Proficiencies**: Saving Throws: Intelligence +7, Wisdom +5; Skills: Insight +5, Persuasion +4, Deception +4
Damage Resistances: Psychic; Damage Immunities: None; Condition Immunities: Frightened
**Senses**: Darkvision 60 ft., telepathy 60 ft., Passive Perception 13
Languages: Common, Deep Speech
Challenge Rating (CR): 5
**Special Abilities**:
– **Market Manipulation**: The Trade Warden can alter the value of goods within a 30 ft. radius, giving advantage on Charisma checks related to trade or negotiation for allies.
– **Eldritch Negotiation**: Once per day, the Trade Warden can charm up to three creatures of its choice within 60 ft. for 1 minute.
**Actions**:
– **Multiattack**: The Trade Warden makes two attacks: one with its Claw and one with its Mind Drain.
– **Claw**: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d8 + 3) slashing damage.
– **Mind Drain**: Ranged Spell Attack: +7 to hit, range 60 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (4d8) psychic damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 15 Intelligence saving throw or be stunned until the end of its next turn.
– **Area Effect – Trade Disruption**: Recharge 5-6. The Trade Warden creates a 20 ft. radius area of unstable energy. Creatures within the area at the start of their turn must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or take 14 (4d6) force damage and have disadvantage on their next attack roll.
**Description**: The Trade Warden is a slick, tentacled creature adorned with shimmering scales that shift colors, embodying the essence of trade and negotiation. Born from the tumultuous tensions over trade agreements, these beings thrive on the chaos of commerce. With a demeanor that oscillates between charming and menacing, the Trade Warden uses its telepathic abilities to manipulate the minds of those around it, often turning allies against each other in a bid to gain the upper hand in bargaining. Its tactics often involve creating confusion on the battlefield, disrupting enemy strategies while bolstering its allies through cunning negotiations.