Vahrek, the Prime Nezznar | Villain for Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition (Spoilers)

If you’re a member of the Bloody Bunch, you probably shouldn’t read this. You’ve been warned.

One of the main villains of the Bloody Bunch campaign is a doppelgänger named Vahrek who has assumed the identity of a long-dead drow slave named Nezznar. To some, he’s known as Nezznar Prime. None who respect him would dare call him by real his name.

Vahrek has amassed a following of doppelgängers who believe that all of Toril (and the multiverse) should be rid of magic. In the past, he has plotted to rid the world of the weave by collecting artifacts that can sever the connection of the different planes from the Prime Material. Now, it seems he’s up to something much grimmer involving beholders. But what?

That’s what the Bloody Bunch hopes to discover.

Vahrek

Medium monstrosity (shapechanger), neutral evil

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Armor Class 17 (studded leather)

Hit Points 172 (23d8 + 69)

Speed 30 ft

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Abilities Str 11 (+0), Dex 20 (+5), Con 16 (+3), Int 16 (+3), Wis 14 (+2), Cha 16 (+3)

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Saving Throws Dex +10, Con +8, Int +8. Wis +7

Skills Acrobatics +15, Deception +13, Insight +7, Perception +12, Persuasion +13, Stealth +15

Condition Immunities charmed

Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 22

Languages Abyssal, Common, Deep Speech, Undercommon

Challenge 17 (18,000 XP)

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Shapechanger. Vahrek can use his action to polymorph into a Small or Medium humanoid he has seen, or back into his true form. His statistics, other than his size, are the same in each form. Any equipment he is wearing or carrying isn’t transformed. He reverts to his true form if he dies.

Assassinate. During his first turn, Vahrek has advantage on attack rolls against any creature that hasn’t taken a turn. Any hit Vahrek scores against a surprised creature deals an additional 10 (3d6) damage and is a critical hit.

Evasion. If Vahrek is subjected to an effect that allows him to make a Dexterity saving throw to take half damage, Vahrek instead takes no damage if he succeeds on the saving throw, and only half damage if he fails.

Legendary Resistance (3/day). If Vahrek fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead.

Sneak Attack. Once per turn, Vahrek deals an extra 28 (8d6) damage when he hits a target with a weapon attack and has advantage on the attack roll, or when the target is within 5 feet of any ally of Vahrek that isn’t incapacitated and Vahrek doesn’t have disadvantage on the attack roll.

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Actions

Multiattack. Vahrek makes five melee attacks.

Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d6 + 5) piercing damage.

Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d6 + 5) bludgeoning damage.

Vahrek’s Crossbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, range 150/600 ft, one target. Hit: 11 (1d12 + 5) piercing damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 19 Constitution saving throw, taking 42 (12d6) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

Read Thoughts. Vahrek magically reads the surface thoughts of one creature within 60 feet of him. The effect can penetrate barriers, but 3 feet of wood or dirt, 2 feet of stone, 2 inches of metal, or a thin sheet of lead blocks it. While the target is in range, Vahrek can continue reading its thoughts, as long as Vahrek’s concentration isn’t broken (as if concentrating on a spell). While reading the target’s mind, Vahrek has advantage on Wisdom (Insight) and Charisma (Deception, Intimidation, and Persuasion) checks against the target. In addition, Vahrek has advantage on saving throws versus the target’s spells and the target has disadvantage on its attacks against Vahrek. Vahrek can only read the thoughts of one creature at a time.

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Legendary Actions

Vahrek 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. Vahrek regains spent legendary actions at the start of his turn.

Hide. Vahrek takes the hide action.

Move. Vahrek moves up to his speed without provoking an attack of opportunity.

Short Sword. Vahrek makes one shortsword attack.

Read Thoughts (Costs 2 Actions). Vahrek uses his read thoughts feature.

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Art by Wizards of the Coast.