Valindra Shadowmantle
Medium Undead (Wizard), Neutral EvilCold and Calculating Lich Wizard
Valindra Shadowmantle was a selfish and ambitious high elf wizard who eschewed her community in search of arcane power in the wider world. Valindra has no compunctions about forming allies of convenience, and she's worked with Szass Tam and his Red Wizards of Thay, the Arcane Brotherhood of Luskan, devil cultists, and more.
Although Valindra has the sunken pallor common to liches, she prefers to maintain a magical disguise that allows her to appear as the high elf she was in life. Ever the schemer, Valindra doesn't use this disguise out of nostalgia or regret, but to hide the powers she has since gained as an Undead creature.
History. Whether Valindra chose to leave the high elf community in which she was raised or whether she was cast out for cruelty is unclear. In either case, Valindra traveled the Sword Coast and the North, apprenticing herself to whichever wizards might impart knowledge to an eager and flattering pupil.
Valindra took her skills to the Arcane Brotherhood in Luskan, where she earned the special attention of its head, Arklem Greeth. Arklem and Valindra were close; when they were slain, they arose as liches together with gems to house their souls.
Valindra has since left Arklem and the Arcane Brotherhood to serve as a knowledgeable operative for cults, secret societies, and criminal enterprises. Valindra provides her services only for a carefully considered price, whether arcane secrets, powerful magic items, or favors.
Personality. Valindra likes to present as a pleasant, overcurious scholar. She prefers to leverage her intellect over raw might and enjoys victories earned through outmaneuvering her foes rather than brute arcane might. If she can twist her enemies into fighting each other or stumbling into unwinnable ambushes, she never has to reveal the true extent of her abilities. Valindra sometimes makes the calculated decision to face destruction rather than reveal the extent of her secrets, confident that her soul gem can revive her.
Valindra maintains cordial relations with the many evil organizations she's served to better leverage their aid in the future. She betrays an allied group only when she needs to eliminate witnesses who might paint her as untrustworthy. Many sinister groups overlook rumors of disloyalty for a chance to leverage her overwhelming arcane power.
Learn More About Valindra. Valindra is featured in The Fallbacks: Bound for Ruin novel and the Tomb of Annihilation adventure. You can learn more about her origins in The Pirate King (part of the Legend of Drizzt series).
Using Valindra Shadowmantle. As a powerful lich who doesn't maintain any particular loyalties for very long, Valindra can serve as a surprise lieutenant or mastermind behind any sinister organization in your campaign. She might be investigating a powerful Artifact or leading an important ritual. Valindra frequently leverages her many prior connections, so her presence might bring different evil groups together in an uneasy alliance.
You might foreshadow Valindra's presence by dropping hints that a martial organization like the Zhentarim has unexpected magical support, or having cultists refer to a capable elf "specialist" who is sharing her magical secrets.
Valindra hides her true nature behind an illusion of her mortal form. You can therefore keep her lich powers a surprise, especially if you want to have her return after being defeated.
Valindra's lair can be the setting of her showdown against the characters, or it can be a hidden location the characters must quickly find to finish off Valindra for good.
AC 20
Initiative +17 (27)
HP 315 (42d8 + 126)
Speed 30 ft.
STR
11 (+0)
Save +0
DEX
16 (+3)
Save +3
CON
16 (+3)
Save +3
INT
21 (+5)
Save +5
WIS
14 (+2)
Save +2
CHA
16 (+3)
Save +3
Skills Arcana +19, History +12, Insight +9, Perception +9
Resistances Cold, Lightning
Immunities Necrotic, Poison
Condition Immunities Charmed, Exhaustion, Frightened, Paralyzed, Poisoned
Gear Component Pouch
Senses Truesight 120 ft., Passive Perception 19
Languages All
CR 21
Traits
Legendary Resistance (4/Day, or 5/Day in Lair). If Valindra fails a saving throw, she can choose to succeed instead.
Spirit Gem. If destroyed, Valindra re-forms in 1d10 days if her spirit gem is intact, reviving with all her Hit Points. The new body appears in an unoccupied space within her lair.
Actions
Multiattack. Valindra makes three attacks, using Eldritch Burst or Paralyzing Touch in any combination. She can replace two attacks with a use of Spellcasting to cast Lightning Bolt (level 5 version).
Eldritch Burst. Melee or Ranged Attack Roll: +12, reach 5 ft. or range 120 ft. Hit: 31 (4d12 + 5) Force damage.
Paralyzing Touch. Melee Attack Roll: +12, reach 5 ft. Hit: 14 (2d8 + 5) Cold damage, and the target has the Paralyzed condition until the start of Valindra's next turn.
Deathly Grasp (Recharge 5+). Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 20, each creature in a 30-foot Emanation originating from Valindra. First Failure: 39 (6d12) Force damage and the target has the Restrained condition and repeats the save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. After 1 minute, it succeeds automatically. Subsequent Failures: 39 (6d12) Necrotic damage, and Valindra gains 20 Temporary Hit Points.
Spellcasting. Valindra casts one of the following spells, using Intelligence as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 20): At Will: Detect Magic, Detect Thoughts, Dispel Magic, Fly, Invisibility, Lightning Bolt (level 5 version), Mage Hand, Prestidigitation. 2/Day Each: Animate Dead, Plane Shift. 1/Day Each: Cone of Cold (level 8 version), Finger of Death, Power Word Kill, Scrying.
Bonus Actions
Illusory Disguise. Valindra casts Disguise Self, using the same spellcasting ability as Spellcasting. The spell lasts until Valindra drops to 30 Hit Points or fewer or uses her Life-Rending Gaze Legendary Action. Intelligence (Investigation) checks made to discern her true appearance are made with Disadvantage.
Reactions
Protective Magic. Valindra casts Counterspell or Shield in response to the spell's trigger, using the same spellcasting ability as Spellcasting.
Legendary Actions
Legendary Action Uses: 3 (4 in Lair). Immediately after another creature's turn, Valindra can expend a use to take one of the following actions. Valindra regains all expended uses at the start of each of her turns.
Disrupt Life. Constitution Saving Throw: DC 20, each creature that isn't Undead in a 20-foot Emanation originating from Valindra. Failure: 21 (6d6) Necrotic damage. Success: Half damage. Failure or Success: Valindra can't take this action again until the start of her next turn.
Eldritch Jaunt. Valindra makes one Eldritch Burst attack. Before or after the attack, Valindra can teleport up to 20 feet to an unoccupied space she can see.
Life-Rending Gaze. Wisdom Saving Throw: DC 20, one creature Valindra can see within 30 feet. Failure: 22 (4d10) Necrotic damage, and the target has the Frightened condition until the end of its next turn. Success: Half damage only.
Valindra Shadowmantle's Lair
Valindra lairs within a sprawling, ruined library in the Shadowfell. After several disastrous confrontations with enemies of her temporary allies, she's elected to keep her personal lair secret. Deep within her lair is a hidden reading room where she usually keeps her spirit gem.
The region containing Valindra's lair is warped by her presence, creating the following effects:
All-Seeing. While in her lair, Valindra can cast Clairvoyance, requiring no spell components and using the same spellcasting ability as her Spellcasting action.
Apathy. Creatures within 1 mile of the lair that aren't Undead have Disadvantage on Death Saving Throws and Initiative rolls.
Thirst for Knowledge. Within 1 mile of the lair, creatures have Advantage on Intelligence checks made when they take the Study action.
If Valindra dies or moves her lair elsewhere, these effects end immediately. These effects resume if Valindra gains a new body (see her Spirit Gem trait).