CR 5 – Type – Undead – Wailing Shade
Tier 2 play
**Monster Name**: Wailing Shade
**Size, Type, Alignment**: Medium Undead, Chaotic Evil
**Core Stats**: Armor Class (AC) 14, Hit Points (HP) 85 (10d8 + 40), Speed 0 ft., Fly 40 ft. (hover)
**Ability Scores**:
Strength 6 (-2),
Dexterity 16 (+3),
Constitution 18 (+4),
Intelligence 12 (+1),
Wisdom 14 (+2),
Charisma 20 (+5)
**Proficiencies**:
Saving Throws: Wisdom +5, Charisma +8
Skills: Stealth +7, Deception +8
**Damage Resistances**: Necrotic, Psychic
**Damage Immunities**: Poison, Disease
**Condition Immunities**: Charmed, Frightened, Paralyzed
**Senses**: Darkvision 60 ft., Blindsight 60 ft. (can’t see), Passive Perception 12
**Languages**: Common, understands all languages it knew in life
**Challenge Rating (CR)**: 5 (1,800 XP)
**Special Abilities**:
– **Ethereal Jaunt**: The Wailing Shade can shift to the Ethereal Plane as a bonus action, becoming untargetable until its next turn.
– **Wail of Despair**: As a reaction when reduced to below half its hit points, the Wailing Shade emits a terrifying wail. Creatures within 30 feet must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened for 1 minute. A frightened target can repeat the save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
**Actions**:
– **Multiattack**: The Wailing Shade makes two Touch of Agony attacks.
– **Touch of Agony**:
– *Attack Bonus*: +8 to hit
– *Damage*: 12 (2d8 + 3) necrotic damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or have its maximum hit points reduced by an amount equal to the damage taken until it finishes a long rest.
– **Terrifying Presence (Recharge 5-6)**: The Wailing Shade can target up to three creatures within 30 feet. Each target must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be paralyzed until the end of its next turn.
**Description**: The Wailing Shade is a tragic figure, born from the anguish and despair of a life cut short by violence. Drifting through the remnants of its former home, it seeks to instill the same sorrow it experienced upon others. Its form is a wispy silhouette, with hollow eyes and a mournful expression, emanating an aura of dread. In battle, it relies on stealth and terror, using its ethereal abilities to strike from the shadows before vanishing from sight. Those who confront the Wailing Shade often find themselves not only fighting for their lives but battling the psychological horror it brings with its mournful cries.