Herald Beasts
Although most titans were at some point direct servants to the divines themselves, herald beasts typically maintained the strongest of bonds with their divine masters. From a simplistic point of view, one could even consider herald beasts to be pets or companions to the divines. Because of this bond, herald beasts can take a variety of different forms, typically one that reflects the likeness or domain of their deity. In fact, many religions across the multiverse typically associate some form of mythological beast with a deity. These creatures are typically representations of herald beasts.
Herald's Purpose
Because of their direct connection to their master, herald beasts rarely are locked away in a dormant state awaiting divine command. Instead, they typically reside in the very divine domains of the gods. At times, the gods often task their Herald Beast to travel the mortal planes to oversee and safeguard their followers in times of need. Because of this, many religions across the multiverse associate some form of mythological beast with their respective deity. These creatures are often various interpretations of the herald beast's true form.
In times of divine warfare, herald beasts have been known to serve as the mounts for the highest ranking servants of the gods, or even the divine avatars themselves. However, such encounters are extremely rare and have only been documented from accounts of battles between the gods themselves.
Herald Beast Tactics
In general, one will only encounter a Herald Beast in conflicts that require direct intervention from the gods themselves. In fact, the appearance of a Herald Beast often foreshadows or even accompanies the arrival of a divine avatar or aspect, as these creatures are often used as a last resort.
Divine Imbuement
Despite their monstrous appearance, Herald beasts are incredibly intelligent as they are imbued with a spark of divinity. Their very presence causes all but the most stalwart of mortal to tremble in its presence. Additionally, they are able to wield the powers of divine creation itself, enabling them to erase creatures from existence or bring them back from the dead.
Battle Strategies
The herald beast is an intelligent fighter that will not hesitate to unleash its full power on its enemies. Due to its divine favor, the herald beast will not hesitate to summon celestials (via Planar Allies, Summon Celestial, or Conjure Celestial) to neutralize lesser threats to allow it to focus on high priority targets. Despite its incredible size and strength, the herald beasts will resort to using its superior flight speed to harry its foes from a distance with powerful spells and then swoop in using its claws and tail to finish off any survivors.
Herald's Judgement
In the event that the Herald Beast is destroyed, its divine bond marks its killer with a divine curse of annihilation. Creatures who receive this mark are marked for vengeance for one day. While under this curse, the herald beast's deity can choose to smite their enemies at any time, eradicating them from existence if slain. Only by the most powerful of magics can such a Wish spell or a divine command itself.
Herald Beast
Gargantuan Celestial, varies
- Armor Class 18 (Natural Armor)
- Hit Points 496 (32d20+160)
- Speed 60ft., 120ft. fly
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 26(+8) 16 (+3) 21(+5) 24 (+7) 25 (+7) 25 (+7)
- Saving Throws Dex +13, Con +15, Wis +17, Cha +17
- Skills Athletics +18, Perception +17
- Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage from nonmagical attacks
- Damage Immunities Radiant, Poison, Necrotic
- Condition Immunities charmed, frightened, poisoned
- Senses truesight 120ft., passive Perception 27
- Languages all, Celestial, telepathy 120ft.
- Proficiency Bonus +10 Challenge 30(165,000 xp)
Divine Insight The herald beast can determine the alignment of creatures it is aware of within 300ft. of it.
Divine Omnipotence When a creature targets the Herald Beast with an attack or an effect that targets only the Herald Beast, it must succeed a DC 25 Charisma saving throw. On a failed saving throw, the attacker must choose a new target or lose the attack or effect. This effect does not protect the Herald Beast from area of effects. Upon a successful saving throw, creatures are immune to the Herald Beast's Divine Omnipotence for the next 24 hours.
Herald's Judgment(1/long rest) When the Herald Beast is reduced to 0 hitpoints, creatures that dealt damage to the Herald Beast within the past 24 hours must succeed a DC 25 Charisma saving throw. On a failed saving throw, those creatures are marked for judgment. After the next 24 hours, marked creatures are subject to the full fury of the Gods taking 45(10d8) radiant damage + 45(10d8) fire damage. If this damage, reduces a creature to 0 hitpoints, it is instantly killed and cannot be revived or resurrected by any means short of a Wish spell. Marked creatures can only remove the Herald's Judgment by using a Wish spell or similar magics or effects.
Legendary Resistance(3/day) If the herald beast fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed. Upon using this feature, it can regain 60 hitpoints and end one status condition or spell effect on itself
Magical Attacks The herald beast's attacks count as magical for the purpose of overcoming resistance
Magic Resistance The herald beast has advantage on saving throws against spells and magical effects.
Titanic Nature The herald beast doesn’t require air, food, drink, or sleep
Spellcasting The herald beast is a 20th level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Charisma(spell save DC 25, +18 to hit with spell attacks). It has the following spells prepared
Cantrips(At will) Light, Sacred Flame, Spare the Dying, Thaumaturgy
1st Level (4 slots) Bless, Cure Wounds, Detect Evil and Good, Guiding Bolt, Protection from Evil and Good
2nd Level (3 slots) Calm Emotion, Lesser Restoration
3rd Level (3 slots) Counterspell, Daylight, Death Ward, Dispel Magic, Remove Curse, Sending
4th Level (3 slots) Banishment, Sickening Radiance
5th Level (3 slots) Flame Strike, Greater Restoration, Mass Cure Wounds, Scrying, Raise Dead, Wall of Light
6th Level (2 slots) Heal, Planar Ally, Sunbeam
7th Level (1 slot) Crown of Stars, Conjure Celestial, Plane Shift, Summon Shift, Teleport
8th Level (1 slot) Holy Aura, Sunburst
9th Level (1 slot) Gate, Power Word Heal, Wish
Actions
Multiattack. The herald beast can cast a spell and make two claw attacks on its turn.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +18 to hit, 10ft. range, one target. Hit: 26(4d8+8) slashing damage + 23(5d8) radiant damage.
Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +18 to hit, 30ft. range, one target. Hit: 63(10d10+8) bludgeoning damage. On a hit, the target must succeed a DC 26 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
Herald's Roar(Recharge 5-6) The Herald Beast can unleash the very power of creation and destruction itself. Creatures in a 120ft. cone originating from the Herald Beast must succeed a DC 25 Charisma saving throw. On a failed saving throw, the target takes 90 (20d8) radiant damage and half as much on a successful saving throw. If this attack reduces a creature to 0 hitpoints, the target is immediately killed and cannot be revived by any means short of a Wish spell. Upon using this feature, the Herald Beast can choose any number of creatures within range to regain 90(20d8) hitpoints instead of taking damage. Any creature that has been dead for less than 1 hour within range of this ability, immediately is resurrected.
Bonus Action
Wing Attack Creatures in a 30ft. radius of the Herald Beast must succeed a DC 25 Strength saving throw. On a failed saving throw, creatures take 22(4d10) bludgeoning damage and are pushed back 10ft. and knocked prone. The Herald Beast can fly up to 60ft.
Legendary Actions
The herald beast can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature's turn. The herald beast regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.
Divine Flight(1 action) The herald beast can move up to half its movement speed without provoking attacks of opportunity
Divine Spell(2 actions) The herald beast can cast a spell of 5th level or lower
Divine Resilience(3 actions) The Herald Beast can end one spell effect or status condition on itself.