Slanted Circle Crystal Shardcaster
activeA Slanted Circle initiate clad in crystal-studded robes, weaving force and psychic spells through fractal foci
Slanted Circle Crystal Shardcaster
A figure clad in robes woven with shimmering, angular patterns. Flesh pale and eyes aglow with fractal light. Sprouting from their hands and shoulders are jagged shards of translucent crystal that pulse with arcane energy. The air thrums with power as they gesture, crystalline motes swirling about them.
Lore
Crystal Shardcasters are initiates of a planar order within the Slanted Circle that taps into ley lines running across worlds. They meticulously shape raw ley energy through attuned crystals, using the resultant magic in pursuit of forbidden knowledge and unchecked personal power. These shardcasters delight in subverting natural law, viewing mortals as mere test subjects for their arcane experimentation.
Stats
- Hit Points: 90
- Armor Class: 15 (Crystal-Studded Robes)
- Speed: 30 ft.
- Challenge Rating: 7 (2,900 XP)
- Origin: Planar
- Alignment: Chaotic evil
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 (+0) | 14 (+2) | 12 (+1) | 19 (+4) | 15 (+2) | 16 (+3) |
- Saving Throws: Int +7, Wis +5, Cha +6
- Skills: Arcana +8, Insight +5, Deception +6
- Damage Resistances: force, psychic
- Damage Vulnerabilities: thunder
- Condition Immunities: charmed
- Senses: darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
- Languages: Common, Celestial, Deep Speech
Abilities
Shardbound Ley Focus: Uses crystals attuned to planar ley lines as arcane foci. When casting a spell that deals force or psychic damage, adds +2 to one damage roll of that spell.
Leyfield Defense: Whenever a spell of 1st level or higher targets the Shardcaster, roll a d6. On a 5 or 6, the spell’s effect is reduced by half.
Actions
Crystal Shard Barrage: Ranged Spell Attack: +7 to hit, range 60 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (4d6+2) force damage as razor-edged crystals launch from the Shardcaster’s hands.
Psionic Fracture (Recharge 5-6): Emits a psychic pulse from their crystals. Each creature of their choice within 20 feet must succeed on a DC 15 Intelligence saving throw or take 22 (5d8) psychic damage and be stunned until the end of their next turn.
Spellcasting: 10th-level spellcaster. Spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 15, +7 to hit with spell attacks). Requires no material components when using its crystal focus. Spells prepared:
- Cantrips (at will): mage hand, minor illusion, ray of frost, mind sliver
- 1st level (4 slots): magic missile, shield, sleep
- 2nd level (3 slots): mirror image, hold person, shatter
- 3rd level (3 slots): counterspell, dispel magic, hypnotic pattern
- 4th level (3 slots): phantasmal killer, greater invisibility
- 5th level (2 slots): synaptic static, wall of force
Legendary Actions
Leyline Step: Teleports up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space it can see, leaving a spray of crystal shards behind. Each creature within 5 feet of its starting space must succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or take 7 (2d6) force damage.
Loot
- Fractal Crystal Focus: A crystalline focus fused with planar energy. Usable as an arcane focus. Grants +1 bonus to spell attack rolls and spell save DCs when spell deals force or psychic damage (requires attunement by a spellcaster). Worth 500 gp.
- Spellbook of the Leybreaker: A spellbook containing unique notes on leyline manipulation and 4d6 random wizard spells. Worth 300 gp to the right buyer.
- Shimmering Robes: Crystal-studded robes providing advantage on saving throws against charm effects, and can be sold for 250 gp.
Session 12 Encounter
Two Crystal Shardcasters held the inner ring of the resonator’s crystal field, supporting the Circle’s effort to activate the regulator at the leyline nexus. Their Psionic Fracture stunned half the party’s front line, and their Wall of Force briefly cut the resonator off from any approach. Rudiger’s eldritch blasts — pure force damage — bypassed their resistances and brought them down.