Nidhogg

• Ancient shadow dragon sealed in the Shadowfell by the Order of Seasons during a great war centuries ago
• Led undead legions that threatened to drown the Feywild in shadow before he was bound
• Hates the Dusk Lord and anyone marked by the Dusk Lord or the Arbiter
• His imprisonment is maintained by two forces: the elven leyline barrier (the cage) and Vidrir’s divine power woven into it (the lock)
• Cannot be easily destroyed — even gods cannot readily unmake an ancient shadow dragon
• Described as ancient, cunning, and was at the height of his power when sealed

The Seal

• The barrier is anchored by four leyline temples, one in each seasonal domain of the Fey Courts (Winter, Autumn, Summer, Spring)
• Vidrir (Odin in disguise) wove a portion of his divine essence into the barrier — his power has been actively maintaining the seal for centuries
• As the leyline barrier weakens, more weight falls on Vidrir’s shoulders
• If the seal breaks, Nidhogg escapes with centuries of rage, cult allies, and the power to spread darkness across multiple realms

Cult of the Eclipse

• The Cult of the Eclipse serves Nidhogg’s goals, seeking to free him by corrupting the leyline temples
• Serenity (night hag) cursed the village of Tannis to earn Nidhogg’s favor, communing with him through a seeing stone (crystal orb)
• The Weaver leads the cult and plans to weaken the leyline network to release Nidhogg — though his original interest was in using Nidhogg’s image for his illusions, not serving the dragon directly
• Xolthos publicly proclaimed Nidhogg’s return at the Autumn Court festival
• The cult created Hollow Thresholds — tears in reality that siphon leyline power and weaken the barrier

The Weaver’s Illusion

• The Weaver conjured an illusion of Nidhogg so convincing and fearsome that the villagers of Shad’s village literally died of fright
• The Weaver was not originally interested in freeing Nidhogg — he thought the dragon’s image would make for a “fantastic illusion” — but his ambitions grew to unraveling the barrier entirely

The Final Ritual

• The Weaver plans to execute his summoning ritual at the ancient battlefield where Nidhogg was sealed ages ago
• The ritual tears open a portal to the Shadowfell, progressing through phases:
  • Phase 1-2: Gathering power, portal forming
  • Phase 3: Nidhogg approaches — his whispers can charm creatures, his presence radiates fear
  • Phase 4: Breakthrough imminent — Nidhogg’s shadow becomes visible through the portal; all creatures must resist or be frightened and paralyzed
• If the ritual completes, Nidhogg would be freed and eternal darkness would reign

Historical Context

• Lord Farkris of the Autumn Court regretted failing to make peace with Nidhogg centuries ago
• The Order of Seasons — founded by Vidrir/Odin — were the guardians who fought Nidhogg’s forces. Most of them died buying time for the seal to be completed
• The Arbiter was not involved in the original sealing but recognizes Nidhogg as an enemy of the Dusk Lord
• Nidhogg may sense Vidrir’s essence in the seal, but the Shadowfell separates them — he cannot reach through the barrier… yet

The Weaver

Medium humanoid (elf), chaotic evil

Armor Class 17 (Natural Armor + Mage Armor)
Hit Points 285 (38d8 + 114)
Speed 30 ft., fly 60 ft. (hover, magical)
Challenge 13 (10,000 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +5

Saving Throws Int +12, Wis +8, Cha +11
Skills Arcana +17, Deception +16, History +12, Insight +8, Investigation +12
Damage Resistances Cold, Necrotic, Psychic
Damage Immunities Charmed, Frightened
Senses Darkvision 120 ft., Truesight 60 ft., Passive Perception 12
Languages Common, Elvish, Draconic, telepathy 120 ft.

[!tip] One Line Stat Block AC/DC 17 | HP 155 (116-194) | Atk/Prof +9 | DPR 65 | # Atks 4 | Dmg 16 (3d8 + 3)

Stats

• Saves: Dex +9, Wis +5, Cha +8
• Skills: Acrobatics +9, Performance +8, Insight +5
• Damage Resistances: Fire, Cold, Radiant, Psychic
• Condition Immunities: Charmed, Frightened

Features

• Legendary Duelist (1/turn).
  • When a creature misses Manus with a melee attack, he can make a melee attack in return.
• Flickering Step.
  • As a bonus action, teleport up to 30 ft. to an unoccupied space he can see.
• Blurred Form (Recharge 5–6).
  • Creates 2 illusory duplicates. Each has a 1-in-3 chance to be hit instead of Manus.

Actions

• Multiattack.
  • Manus makes 2 melee attacks or 1 ranged + 1 melee attack.
• Flame/Frost Blade (Fire Melee Weapon Attack).
  • +9 to hit, 5 ft. reach, one target.
  • Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) slashing + 7 (2d6) fire/ice damage.
• Arcflare Bow (Ranged Weapon Attack).
  • +8 to hit, range 60/150 ft., one target.
  • Hit: 9 (1d10 + 4) piercing + 4 (1d8) elemental damage (fire or cold, Manus’ choice).
  • Ignores half and three-quarters cover.
• Taunting Feint (Recharge 4–6).
  • DC 16 Wis save or be taunted (disadv. on attacks vs others, duration 1 minute, save ends each turn).

Legendary Actions (2/round)

• Shadow Dash.
  • Teleport through a creature’s space; DC 15 Dex save or 6 (1d12) psychic damage and knocked prone.
• Golden Parry.
  • Gain +5 AC against a triggering attack.
• Flare of Light (Costs 2).
  • Burst of radiant light in 10 ft. radius; DC 16 Con save or blinded (1 turn). Manus is immune.

Ancient Shadow Dragon

Armor Class: 22 (natural armor)

Hit Points: 350 (20d20 + 140)

Speed: 40 ft., fly 80 ft., swim 40 ft.

Saving Throws: DEX +8, CON +14, WIS +9, CHA +12

Skills: Perception +16, Stealth +8

Damage Resistances: Necrotic

Damage Immunities: Cold, Poison; Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks

Large Fey, Typically Neutral Evil

• Armor Class 14 (natural armor)
• Hit Points 85 (10d10 + 30)
• Speed 60 ft.

• Skills Perception +4
• Damage Immunities bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks that aren’t silvered
• Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion, frightened, poisoned
• Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14
• Languages —
• Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)

Forest Camouflage. The bandersnatch has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to hide in forest terrain.