0/0

    Zhiburinis, Ancient Guardian

    Medium undead, neutral evil

    Armor Class 22 (natural armor)

    Hit Points 425 (30d8 + 270)

    Speed 60 ft.

    STR 28 (+9) · DEX 24 (+7) · CON 28 (+9) · INT 20 (+5) · WIS 22 (+6) · CHA 22 (+6)

    Saving Throws Dex +14, Con +16, Wis +13, Cha +13

    Skills Perception +20, Stealth +14, Nature +13, Insight +13, Arcana +13

    Damage Resistances Cold, Radiant; Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks

    Damage Immunities Fire, Poison, Necrotic

    Condition Immunities Charmed, Exhaustion, Frightened, Poisoned, Paralyzed

    Senses Truesight 120 ft., passive Perception 30

    Languages All languages, telepathy 300 ft.

    Challenge 21

    Traits

    Elder Fiery Aura. At the start of each of Zhiburinis, Ancient Guardian's turns, each creature within 20 feet of him takes 21 (6d6) fire damage, and flammable objects in the aura that aren't being worn or carried ignite.

    Blazing Heart. Zhiburinis, Ancient Guardian's heart radiates intense heat. Whenever he takes damage, each creature within 15 feet of him takes 14 (4d6) fire damage.

    Forest Bound. Zhiburinis, Ancient Guardian cannot leave the boundaries of the forest he inhabits. If forced to do so, he immediately reappears in a random location within the forest.

    Tree Stride. As a bonus action, Zhiburinis, Ancient Guardian can teleport from one tree to another up to 300 feet away, appearing in an unoccupied space within 5 feet of the destination tree. Both trees must be Large or bigger.

    Magic Resistance. Zhiburinis, Ancient Guardian has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

    Magic Weapons. Zhiburinis, Ancient Guardian's weapon attacks are magical.

    Speak with Beasts and Plants. Zhiburinis, Ancient Guardian can communicate with beasts and plants as if they shared a language.

    Regeneration. Zhiburinis, Ancient Guardian regains 30 hit points at the start of his turn if he has at least 1 hit point and is within the forest.

    Innate Spellcasting. Zhiburinis, Ancient Guardian's innate spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell save DC 22, +14 to hit with spell attacks). He can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:

    - At will: detect magic, invisibility (self only), speak with animals, speak with plants, control flames, druidcraft

    - 3/day each: fireball (9th-level), wall of fire, blight, sunbeam, chain lightning, investiture of flame

    - 1/day each: fire storm, incendiary cloud, meteor swarm, shapechange

    Actions

    Multiattack. Zhiburinis, Ancient Guardian makes four Burning Touch attacks or casts a spell and makes two Burning Touch attacks.

    Burning Touch. Melee Weapon Attack: +16 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target.

    Hit: 28 (4d8 + 9) fire damage plus 10 (3d6) necrotic damage. The target must succeed on a DC 24 Constitution saving throw or be cursed with a searing mark. While cursed, the target takes 14 (4d6) fire damage at the start of its turn and has disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the curse on a success.

    Heartfire Cataclysm (Recharge 5–6). Zhiburinis, Ancient Guardian unleashes a devastating explosion of fire from his heart. Each creature within a 60-foot radius centered on him must make a DC 24 Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, a creature takes 91 (26d6) fire damage and is knocked prone. On a successful save, the creature takes half as much damage and isn't knocked prone.

    Reactions

    Flame Rebirth. When Zhiburinis, Ancient Guardian is reduced to 0 hit points, his body erupts in a massive explosion. Each creature within 60 feet must make a DC 24 Dexterity saving throw, taking 70 (20d6) fire damage on a failed save, or half as much on a successful one. Zhiburinis, Ancient Guardian then reconstitutes at the heart of the forest over the next 1d4 hours unless the forest is destroyed.

    Legendary Actions

    Zhiburinis, Ancient Guardian can take 4 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action can be used at a time, and only at the end of another creature's turn. Zhiburinis, Ancient Guardian regains spent legendary actions at the start of his turn.

    - Move. Zhiburinis, Ancient Guardian moves up to his speed without provoking opportunity attacks.

    - Burning Touch. Zhiburinis, Ancient Guardian makes one Burning Touch attack.

    - Summon Nature's Wrath (Costs 2 Actions). Zhiburinis, Ancient Guardian calls forth the power of nature to aid him. He can summon one of the following:

    - Entangling Vines: Vines erupt from the ground in a 30-foot radius centered on a point Zhiburinis, Ancient Guardian can see within 120 feet. Creatures in the area must succeed on a DC 22 Strength saving throw or be restrained. A restrained creature can use its action to make a DC 22 Strength check, freeing itself on a success.

    - Animate Trees: Zhiburinis, Ancient Guardian animates up to two trees within 120 feet of him (as per the animate objects spell, treating each tree as a Huge object).

    - Sap Life (Costs 2 Actions). One creature Zhiburinis, Ancient Guardian can see within 60 feet must make a DC 22 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the creature takes 36 (8d8) necrotic damage, and Zhiburinis, Ancient Guardian regains hit points equal to half the damage dealt.

    ## Description

    ### Appearance

    In these more potent forms, Zhiburinis, Ancient Guardian appears as a towering skeletal figure engulfed in roaring flames that emanate from within his chest, specifically the heart area. His eyes burn with an intense light, and every movement leaves behind a trail of embers. The ground scorches beneath his feet, and the air around him wavers with heat distortion.

    ### Personality

    Zhiburinis, Ancient Guardian is a manifestation of the forest's wrath and sorrow. Corrupted by the devastation wrought upon his domain, he harbors deep resentment towards those who harm nature. He embodies both the ferocity of wildfire and the relentless persistence of nature reclaiming what was taken.

    Lore

    A terrifying forest demon appearing as a fiery skeleton or a glowing humanoid figure.

    Zhiburinis is a sinister demon—a terrifying forest spirit who appears in the form of a fiery skeleton, a human figure glowing from within (specifically from the area of the heart).

    In ancient tales, it's said that Zhiburinis was once a guardian of the forest—a being of strength and wisdom. Over time, however, as humans delved deeper into the ancient woodland realm and ceased living in harmony with the forest—massively cutting down trees and hunting animals to extinction—Zhiburinis changed, and his essence became distorted.

    From The Witchwood Bestiary 5E, p. 101 · Fern Flower Press