Manacryst Matriarch Egg

Adversary overview

An anchored, hardened egg-shaped mass with writhing insectoid limbs and a long, sharp tongue.

The Manacryst Matriarch begins it’s life as a larva that floats until it locates a source of powerful magic. Once it does, it becomes anchored, hardens and grows, sucking all magic from it’s surroundings, producing different types of Manacryst insects for different tasks until she has enough magic energy to build a hive which then spawns new Matriarch larvae. If the Manacryst Matriarch is close to dying, it absorbs all magic from her spawns in the vicinity and transforms into a Manacryst Matriarch.

Stat block

Tier

1

Type

Leader

Difficulty

11

HP

4

Stress

3

Attack mod

+1

Damage thresholds

Minor

Mark 1 HP

9

Major

Mark 2 HP

14

Severe

Mark 3 HP

Standard attack

Sharp Tongue

Range: Very Close

Damage: 1d6+1

Attack Mod: +1

Damage Type: Physical

Features

Passives

Awaken, Matriarch

Once the Matriarch Egg marks it's last Hit Point, it transforms into a Manacryst Matriarch.

Actions

Creepy Crawlies
fear 2

Spend up to 2 Fear to spawn up to as many adversaries of the Manacryst category within Close range. You can then spend an additional Fear to spotlight them.
Magic Burst
fear 1

This ability can only be used after Siphon Pulse has triggered. Spend a Fear to make an attack against a target within Far Range in the line of sight of any Manacryst adversary. The target must make an Agility Reaction Roll (15). If the target Fails, they will take 1d12+2 magic damage.
Mother's Care
stress 1

Mark a Stress, when you do so, all Manacryst insects within Far range heal for 1d4 Hit Points.

Reactions

Siphon Pulse

Countdown (5). When the Manacryst Matriarch marks a Hit Point for the first time, activate the countdown. Countdown ticks down when anyone deals Magic damage within Far Range. When it triggers, the Matriarch Egg generates a pulse around itself within Far Range that makes all creatures with a Spellcast trait mark a Stress. Additionally, creatures within Far Range have a disadvantage on their next Reaction roll against Manacryst adversaries. After that, Magic Burst can be used.